Ironically, right before starting this, I had just finished reading "My Favorite Half-Night Stand" by Christina Lauren which had a bit of a similar premise, but for some reason, I had a really hard time connecting with the characters in this book. I'd only read the second book in this series (to which I gave 4 stars), but although characters from the first book make and appearance, this does read as a standalone. It's a second-chance romance, and it is a bit angsty, but it's also a slow-burn before the characters finally get back together again. It just seemed to drag a bit for me. Also, I have to say I get a bit frustrated when, in second chance romances, the heroine spends the time apart from the hero "alone" (either pining or "struggling" to move into a new relationship) while the hero is busy "getting it on" with other women. I get that Caitlin's dating struggles are a big premise of the book, but it still bugs me a bit. Not a bad book, but not my favorite read – but I will definitely read this author again in the future.

*Advance copy provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

Caitlin and Jonas were in a two-year exclusive “friends with benefits” relationship, but when Jonas tells Caitlin he wants more, she lets him walk out the door. Fast-forward six months, Cait and Jonas remain casual friends, and he’s dating Ashley. When her boss/best friend Trey insists Caitlin beta test his new dating app, she agrees to give it one month, secretly hoping maybe she’ll find someone special. Meanwhile, Jonas realizes he’s been in love with Cait the whole time, and he persuades Trey to let him use the app to win over Cait.

28 Dates is another delightful romance from Stacey Lynn. I love the easy, comforting feel of the story, paired with a couple who genuinely belongs together. Although Jonas knows from the start of the book he wants more from Cait, it takes splitting up their arrangement for her to realize she may be ready for more. Cait is unwilling to commit due to scars from her own parents’ relationship, but missing Jonas (and seeing him with someone else), together with a string of bad dates, helps her realize she’s ready for more.

It does take some page time for the couple to come together, which is necessary for Cait to get past her issues. I was a bit worried that the premise of Jonas using a fake name to get a date with Cait would backfire, but the author does a great job with the reveal, and I was more than happy with how it all went down. And I like that since the bulk of the story was about them coming back together for a real relationship, the author keeps the climax drama-free, allowing the pair to finally arrive at an HEA.

In the end, 28 Dates is one of those perfect summer reads: easy, fun, sexy, and a great HEA.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

(Note: link provided will be active 7/17)

The story was written a dual first person narrative. Characters are described in a direct manner from the point of view of the two narrators. The major conflict is a mixture between internal and external as characters battle themselves, other characters and society norms. The popular themes shown throughout include communication, companionship as salvation, everlasting love, facing reality, love and sacrifice, pride and downfall, progress and self-preservation.

Caitlin Pappas is afraid of commitment and that causes her to lose the guy of her dreams. She has no problem holding on to friends and she works and lives in the same building as her best friend Trey. She is afraid of falling in love but is willing to test out a dating app in order to help out her friend. Jonas Reeves is a bar owner and used to a good bit of drama. Unfortunately he is ready for commitment, even if that means breaking things off with the girl of his dreams. He is always willing to help out is friends even it means keeping secrets or sacrificing his own desires. Caitlin and Jonas are involved in a friend with benefits relationship when Jonas begins to realize that he wants more form this relationship but Caitlin refuses to put her heart on the line. Six months later Caitlin is talked into Beta testing out a new dating app that her best friend has designed. She agrees to try it out for one month, but after a disastrous and creepy first date she begins to second guess herself. She goes to Jonas and asks if she can meet her dates at the bar as it is where she feels the most comfortable and safe. Jonas doesn’t like the idea but agrees for the matter of her safety. He then goes to Trey and asks for access to the site to see if he can show Caitlin that they could have a future together.

The ideas are interesting and have a unique twist to them. The flow is organized and logical as the voices are individualized per character but complement each other. The word choice and sentence structure help to enhance the overall story. Yes, I would recommend this book. It would be a good read for young adults, anyone who may have a commitment phobia, or are into dating apps. This would not be a good read for those against friend with benefits relationships (though minor), or are against dating apps as a whole.

I loved this book it is much like the world today. Everything is apps. This book i could not put down and am going to look for the other books by Stacy Lynn, second chance is a great story line.

What an emotional book. You feel for both of the characters and this one is kind of a role reversal. Usually it's the woman trying to prove her love to the man, but in this case, he's made it quite clear where he wants to proceed with this relationship. And she doesn't want to take it to the next level. You'll have to read this one to see how it ends up.

I've always loved a story about best friends who fall in love. In this case there's a twist. Her best friend IS her best friend, but her friend with benefits turns out to be our hero! Caitlin and Jonas have been lovers for a couple of years but neither is ready for commitment. Or perhaps one of them really is...

The author does a great job flipping and flopping from Caitlin's viewpoint to Jonas', and she doesn't lose you in the process. Sometimes it's hard to follow when someone writes in this manner but Stacey Lynn does a great job.

If you're looking for a cute love story, a story that includes a few steamy sex scenes, this is it!!! And without spoiling the story, today online dating is a real option for a lot of singles, and the author puts a unique spin on the idea of online dating to find your Mr. (and Miss) Right!

This was a heartwarming story but it stalled a bit in the middle. It took me a while to read because I felt I knew how it would end. I enjoyed that it was told by both Caitlin and Jonas, giving both sides of the story. Overall, I liked the characters and it continued the series well. I'm sure I will pick up book #4 when it comes out!

The story begins with Caitlin and Jonas in a friends with benefits relationship. Caitlin has always been skittish when Jonas tries for more so he’s never brought up the fact that he wants MORE. He wants to see if they have what it takes for a committed relationship. Caitlin wants no part in a relationship. So Jonas walks out of her room and her life with hopes that she’ll stop him, give them a chance. No such luck.

Six months later, Caitlin decides she needs to move on with her life. When her friend persuades her to beta-test the new dating app, she reluctantly agrees to a month of dating. She asks Jonas if she could use his bar as the “meeting” place for her dates as that’s the only place she feels safe. Jonas agrees, but also decides to put his own plan into motion. With the assistance of her friend, he sets up a profile and starts chatting with her via the app with hopes of proving how right they are for each other.

While I truly enjoyed this novel, I didn’t get the title at all. Caitlin didn’t agree to 28 dates or go on 28 dates. With that said, I liked that Jonas (the guy) was actually the one who wanted more. There for awhile, I was hoping that Jonas would find someone that truly appreciated him and loved him. I’m glad that Caitlin finally realized that “the one” was right beside her the whole time. As a couple they completed each other. Apart, they were miserable. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

Talk about a story to tell your grand-kids about. :)

I love that even after 6 months, he still took the chance to completely win her over. When you know, you know.

***ARC Provided by the Author***

I really liked Jonas. And, I felt for him from the beginning for not only how much he clearly loved Caitlin, but for how totally blind to it she was.

Caitlin however, was less compelling to me. I was not sure how I felt about her, and I didn't totally love her.

I think, for me, I wanted to see more of their connection, more of the reason he was so in love with her, as when we meet her, it's not as compelling and their relationship is in the middle, without seeing a lot of how they interact with one another. I wanted more of their relationship and more of them together.

I liked the parts with them separately, when it was getting to know the characters. But, the dates, oddly, didn't feel like an integral part of the story, which was odd as it's supposed to be the focus. But, for me, I liked the character development and the relationship parts with Caitlin and Jonas.

Overall, I did enjoy this title and I do recommend it.

28 Dates is a second chance romance with a tech spin. Caitlin is challenged to use her boss's new dating app after a recent breakup. Can she find love? Will she drop her walls and let love in?
I enjoyed Caitlin's dating journey and her character development. I adored her friend group. Jonas is book boyfriend gold! Thanks Loveswept and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

caitlin and jonas have a friends with benefits arrangement that has been working for over a year, that is, until jonas decides he wants something more. and caitlin, who has a healthy fear of serious relationships is unwilling to give it to him. and so jonas decides to try to move on with someone who is interested. and caitlin finds herself regretting her inability to tell jonas that she wants the same thing he does.

when caitlin's best friend convinces her to try his dating app for 28 dates, she soon realizes that meeting at neutral ground means hanging out at jonas's bar. she tries not to feel guilty about that, especially since she knows he's moving on. it's not his fault she can't forget him and everything they shared. but then she learns that he's dumped the girl he was seeing and she's getting a whole host of mixed signals.

when jonas learns that caitlin is on the app, he finagles his way onto it. soon he's chatting with caitlin via the app and in person, and she's totally confused by her feelings. with all the half-truths they've been telling each other and themselves, it is going to be interesting to see where they end up.

**28 dates will publish on june 11, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/random house publishing group (loveswept) in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been waiting for this book for months because the blurb was very enticing. I’m also sad to say that I found it a little tedious. It was supposed to be funny; I didn’t find it so. It was a sweet story, but I was a little frustrated with Caitlyn and her rejection of love, marriage and happily ever afters. Jonas, the owner of the Dirty Martini bar that she frequents so much is the perfect man, yet after two years of being together, when he wants more, she shut him down. It’s only because he understands her that he perseveres, once he realizes that there’s no other woman for him.

Caitlyn has two best friends, male, who have been her protectors since one incident during college where she was assaulted and they rescued her. Since then, they have been like her older over-protective brothers and have kept watch over her. Trey, one of her friends, developed a dating app and convinced her to schedule 28 date on it and see if she can’t find some happily ever after. While she’s finding dates, Jonas tried with another girlfriend with no success and then they find that they want the one they used to have but don’t know their way back to each other.

This could have been a terrific story but the pace was slow, the wording very long winded, with lots of characters ruminating and no action. Above all, not many funny scenes. The only one that made me laugh out loud is the date with the toe-fetish guy.

I loved this romance!! This was such a great story! At times I felt like I was right there with the characters! The chemistry between Caitlin and Jonas was fire! I smiled and swooned so much during this book, it even made me mad at times! I definitely will read this one again!

Caitlin and Jonas are great friends with benefits, until he pushes for more. Then they became little more than acquaintances. Caitlin is a total commitment-phobe and it takes a while for her to realize her feelings for Jonas might be more than friends.

Caitlin agrees to help a friend test out a dating app he's developing, and Jonas learns of this and decides to connect with her. The only issue is she doesn't know it's Jonas she's talking to.

I loved watching them both grow and especially Caitlin figuring out her feelings for Jonas. It had enough romantic suspense to keep me wanting more and I would love to read more of their story in future books.

This is a decent take on the "2nd chance at love" trope. Although I personally didn't love this book, I didn't think it was horrible either. It has its cute moments, funny moments, and some ok romance parts.

I personally needed more steam between Jonas and Caitlin. I really like him but I don't think she ever really grew on me. I never felt a true connection between them. Some of their scenes felt forced and didn't flow well.

Typically, for me, Stacey's books check every box, this one sadly did not. I do think some will really enjoy it - I just needed more. It's a case of "It's me not you" I think.

Caitlin is a commitment-phobe but she has reason to be, in her eyes anyway. Relationships, marriage and babies are all things that aren't in her plans for lief, and even mentioning them basically makes her break out into hives. But her intentions of being single forever isn't the same as wanting to be alone forever, which is where a "no strings attached" friendship with Jonas is perfect.

Jonas Reeves has been in a two year friends-with-benefits arrangement with Caitlin and he thinks it's time he takes the next step and asks Caitlin out on a real date. However, he's surprised when she says no.

As she went on online dates for her friend Try's app, I was rooting for Jonas, and when she finally rethought her choices and ended up with his I couldn't have been happier.

This book is hilarious and a light read, but I expected some more steam from a Stacey Lynn book. Not that I'm complaining!

Oh boy … loved it. A romance that is really set in today's dating game and it made me realize just how happy I am that I am not playing.
Caitlin was a definite commitment phobe. In fact, there were times that I couldn't wrap my head around why. But, after hearing her story, I finally relented and agreed that she may have a case against letting anyone get that close to her. But, and that's a big but, not everyone was him or them and Jonas is her perfect match.
Jonas was tired of being friends-with-benefits but Caitlin won't commit to anything. Then he finds out about the dating ap and he can't help but hope that this is his way to her finally opening up and giving him a true shot at love. Now, all he needs is a little help from Trey and he could start his little project to win Caitlin's heart.
I really, really enjoyed this story. Stacey Lynn always makes me smile with her RomComs but this had laugh-out-loud moments to it. The dates Caitlin went on were hysterical. It truly made me aware of just what kind of nut jobs are out there and brought back a memory of a blind date taking me to see the giant cow. So, maybe dating 30 years ago isn't so different from dating now? But, anyhow, I loved how Jonas finally wins Caitlin over … his jokes, his insight … just him. He was perfect and Caitin ended up being the perfect one for him … after her 28 Dates.

I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series. 28 Dates had the same cute writing style, the same feel, the same characters even. But something missed the mark here for me. I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, but to be honest, I could put it down and not feel as if I was compelled to pick it back up again. It was cute and sweet and well written, but it just didn’t grab me the way I wished it would.

The story begins with Caitlin and Jonas as friends with benefits. But in a switch from the typical, it is Jonas wanting more and Caitlin showing fears of intimacy. Refusing to accept less than he wants, Jonas ends the relationship but the two remain friends.

Fast forward six months to Caitlin beta-testing a dating app where she decides to give love a chance, thinking that she made a mistake by rejecting Jonas. Now that she’s realized that perhaps a relationship is what she is seeking, Caitlin goes on a series of dates under Jonas’ supervision to find love, assuming her chance with Jonas has passed.

As I said, the story was cute. But for lack of better word, it was just….meh. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I did her other books, but something was missing. Maybe it was the fact that there weren’t 28 dates, so why the title? Maybe it was the cover that I think I have seen over and over. Maybe it was the over-the-top ridiculousness of the actual dates. Maybe it was the fact that Jonas was perfect for Caitlin so I couldn’t understand the rejection in the first place and wanted him to find someone who WOULD appreciate him. But sadly something didn’t work for me here.

I find Stacey Lynn’s writing to be very entertaining, and I will certainly check out her next book because I love the characters she creates and seeing them from one story to the next. I just want it to hold my attention with a more inventive storyline than this one did.

Okay, so I didn't not like this story but I also can't say that I liked it LOL It was just there. Nothing wow'd me and nothing made me hate it. Normally I am way OTT over Stacey Lynn but this time the story just kinda happened and I wasn't moved. *shrug*