3.5 Stars

This cover caught my eye from the first time I saw it. And then I saw that it was going to be the book of the month for the online book club I’ve been trying to participate in so I knew I had to give it a shot. I always love to read books that explore different cultures and in this one the author dug into her own Brazilian culture. I couldn’t wait! Plus, I admit I’m a bit of a sucker for the siblings’ ex trope.

A few things that stand out about this book. There’s some fun banter between the main characters. I think personality wise they were pretty well matched. There was an ease to their interactions that I liked. Going back to the culture, I really enjoyed seeing that in this book. It was fun to hear about some things (especially food!) that are 100% Brazilian. Some that I knew of and some that I didn’t and promptly looked them up. This also brought a nice sense of family to the story and if anything I would’ve loved to see that a little more in this book.

But then there were things that I’m not sure I was sold on. Like I said, I like this trope. But it can also be a slippery slope especially if it comes across as a competition between the brothers. The seed of doubt is put in my mind and honestly for me in this book it was hard to let that go.

Our hero is younger than the heroine and he isn’t an alpha male so he’s not the first type of hero that I run towards. But it added an interesting dynamic.

Overall, I’ll definitely read another book by this author but I’m not sure I’ll rush to read one in this same group of people (there will be one coming out later this year). If you are looking for a book that will give you a glimpse into Brazilian culture, traditions and families then look no further. It’s a fun, fast read with a couple that has light-hearted chemistry.

Lots of laughs, great characters and chemistry that melts the page! I loved Lina and Max. They brought out the best in each other and helped each other grow. Lina's family was hilarious and I want them to adopt me. This was my first time reading Mia Sosa but it won't be the last.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was a decent rom-com. I used this book as a pallet cleanser after reading some very very heavy books between. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a good book. It was quite predictable, but other wise a decent read. I love a good enemy to lovers trope and this one did not disappoint.

The banter in this book was wonderful I enjoyed it a lot. A big thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

A very solid contemporary romance! I wouldn’t necessarily call this a romcom because the plot is definitely more of a soap opera, but there were some fun/lighter moments that I really enjoyed.

I loved both Lina and Max, and the incorporation of Lina’s Brazilian culture throughout. I learned so much about her heritage and it just added so much to her character and the story. Also, Max is such a sweetheart. I really appreciated how he truly respected Lina and how well the two of them worked together in a professional setting (and eventually as a couple).

I look forward to seeing what Mia Sosa comes out with next!

3.5 stars. This book was mostly middle of the road for me. One of the big problems I have with romance novels is that the characters' problems are always so trivial. Max is in his 30s and still whines about his brother being better than him. And, Lina boo-hoos about being a disappointment. And, it's like she's never have one conversation with her mother, or she would know that no one views her that way. For me personally, the ice queen trope used on Lina took away from the story, and the sex scenes had too much chatter. Also, why are all of the men in this book so feminine?? None of them displayed even a hint of masculinity. Dean and Max have the most bizarre relationship.

But, this one gets the extra 1/2 star for two reasons. 1) The author lives in Maryland and choose the DMV as the setting of her book. 2) I really enjoyed the characters' insights on love. There were some good lines in there.

I for one can never understand how a dick joke can fall flat. In fact, they seem to elevate if tickled correctly. No? Some of you will have no clue what I'm referring too, and that's alright. It's not meant for you, more so the lovely author, Mia Sosa. I can always tell if I thoroughly enjoyed a novel when I keep reading to end of the acknowledgments.

So thank you, Mia Sosa, for writing and sharing your romantic comedy when, I quote from Mia Sosa's acknowledgments, the "world is on fire."

If there is anything that can tame the flames, spread the joy, and allow the issues of today to fade away, then it's Mia Sosa's novel THE WORST BEST MAN. Have you ever opened a novel and tasted flavor from the first words? That's the greatness of THE WORST BEST MAN. You start off right with the main character, Lina getting the news no bride wants on her wedding day. The groom is a no show and he's leaving his little bro to tell her through his text.

Can we all agree, what an asswipe!

Fast forward a few years and they all run into each other again. Only now Lina has to work with the little bro, who helped break her heart while trying to not screw up the best wedding planner job opportunity. The stakes are set, the characters are dynamic, the story is layered with rich cultural elements, and I'm hooked. Not to mention, I'm ready for the petty revenge, the path to attraction, denial, and letting go. I have never had a pão de queijo, but I sure as hell want one now.

One aspect I enjoyed about Mia Sosa's character development sizzled in her approach to her love scenes. For those biddies who can't go there, then you can stop reading. I, though, found the way she approached how her characters communicated their needs for sexual reciprocation to be refreshing from quick lustful lovemaking scenes typically associated with some romances. There are two main characters, therefore two needs, and this transfers over into everyday life. Which is a great, right along with not being afraid to say what one's body needs to achieve satisfaction.

I hate it took me so long to get back to my TBR list, where this darling novel waited so patiently for me. I'm a romantic comedy fan and Mia Sosa's novel, THE WORST BEST MAN did not disappoint and at times it made me quite hungry.

I received an eARC of THE WORST BEST MAN by Mia Sosa in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Let’s be honest here. If it was great or sucked, I have no problem writing it out. Love Cover Art then check out THE WORST BEST MAN Book Cover Review at www.jenarcollins.com (The Mother Cover Lover Blog).

AHHHH there was so much about this I loved! The history! The banter! The enemies-to-lovers conceit! So much tropey goodness (yes, including the "there's only one bed" scenario which will never not delight me), and I think both the hero and the heroine definitely did the necessary work both together and separately to earn their HEA. I'm really looking forward to more from this author; this was the first of hers for me and it was an absolute delight.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. What a fun book! Lina is a wedding planner who has been jilted at her own wedding. The groom's brother (Max) has always been held responsible for the break-up, because of a drunken conversation he had with the groom the night before the wedding. Fast forward to a job interview at a classy hotel, and Lina walks into the conference room to find her ex-fiance and his brother who she has to work with in order to audition for the job. Max and Lina end up working together and the ex-fiance and another wedding planner compete against them for the position. Through lots of humor, sassiness, and sex, Max and Lina can't seem to get enough of each other. Loved it! #TheWorstBestMan

Mia Sosa’s charming new rom-com may begin with an angst-worthy premise, but its HEA is all feel-good.

Carolina “Lina” Santos is a Washington, DC wedding planner who was left at the altar by her fiance—who sent his Best Man, and brother, Max to do the dumping for him. Fast forward three years and Lina finds herself paired with Max, the man she considers her enemy, in a job competition against her old fiance. As sparks fly and hatchets become buried, both the hero and heroine discover the strength to succeed, both in themselves and in each other.

This enemies–to-lovers is loaded with delicious tropes (forced proximity, road trip, one bed, etc.) and the two MCs characters are easy to root for. Hell, even the fiance turns over a new leaf.

Mia Sosa does it again with The Worst Best Man! This humorous, addicting book is full of fun and I absolutely adored our hero and heroine. I purchased it for my library and it has been flying off the shelf!

Fantastic! I blew this this in record time enjoying every bit of it. I like how Sosa hasn't fallen into the usual rom com traps. Her characters were smart, well drawn and engaging. I also enjoyed the peek into Brazilian traditions. I am looking forward to the next one!

Getting stood up at the altar is not a good look for wedding planner Lina Santos; a fact made even worse when she finds out the best man, her fiancé’s brother Max Hartley, is responsible for the pre-nup break-up. Refusing to bemoan her lost groom, Lina kicks her career into high gear. Years later, business is booming and she’s offered a great opportunity, only to find that she’s stuck working with Max, who is more handsome and charming than she remembered. Surprised to see her again, Max vows to help her land her dream job in recompense for ruining her wedding. What he doesn’t plan for are the feelings Lina provokes in him, leaving him trying to go from worst to first in her eyes.

While Lina and Max are the stars, Sosa paints a strong supporting cast, from Max’s brother and their complicated rivalry, to Lina’s family whose warmth invite not just Max, but the reader, too, to celebrate their Brazilian culture. The food descriptions alone will have you frantically phoning for take-out from your closest Brazilian café to enjoy a cup of cafezinho with your romcom.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa.

I must say The Worst Best Man is a Rom Com but I didn’t really get the comedy part of the story. I laughed maybe three times but it was more straight forward romance.

This was my first book by Mia Sosa. I really loved how she included the culture of Brazil into her book, such as the food, language, and the cuisine. It brings something new or “spicy” to the table.

From the first word to the first page I was hooked. I didn’t realize how much I had read till I glanced at the page number and was taken aback. The Worst Best Man sucks you in to the story and will keep you entertained. Mia Sosa writing was wonderful, very free flowing. It never made you want to stop reading.

Can’t wait for 2021 so we can read more about Max’s friend Dean.

3.5 stars. I thought this was a pretty good rom com. It’s about a woman Lina who is dumped at the alter. Fast forward a few years, Lina is a wedding planner (how many wedding planners can there be in the rom com world?!) and she is going after a major job with a hotel chain and when she walks into the interview, her ex fiancé is there along w his brother. Lina ends up working with the brother and you can see where that’s heading.

It’s a perfectly good enemies to lovers trope. I’d recommend for a light read.

Three years ago on the morning of her wedding, Lina was left at the altar by her fiancé Andrew, who had his younger brother Max break things off with Lina on his behalf. As a successful wedding planner, this is a skeleton in Lina’s closet and a dark mark on her record. Forward to present day, Max and Andrew are working for their mom’s PR firm and partnering with a large hotel, who is looking to hire Lina as a full-time wedding planner. Afraid her potential new boss won’t hire her if she finds out about her past with Andrew, Lina pretends not to know the men, and then finds out she must work on a project with Max for the next six weeks.

The Worst Best Man is a delightful romantic comedy that warmed my heart. Lina is a strong woman, but doesn’t see her own strength when using her mom and aunties as a measuring stick. She was raised to never show emotions because it discredits women, especially women of color. And after an incident that caused her a job years ago, followed by her breakup with Andrew, Lina’s confidence isn’t the best. She needs this job and wants to control all aspects of the interview process, which isn’t easy with Max as her partner.

Right from the start, Lina and Max have a frenemy relationship. She doesn’t want to work with him, doesn’t trust him, and wants to make him suffer a bit for his part in the demise of her wedding. Their banter is fabulous, adding humor and ratcheting up the sexual tension. One of my favorite scenes is when she tricks Max into eating a pepper at a Brazilian restaurant. He replies to Lina, “Maybe I’m a shapeshifting dragon and this is my first transformation.” Later he tricks her into attending a capoeira class, which provides the reader with some interesting historical aspects of Brazil. Neither wants to feel something for the other, but they just fit together. And they talk to one another. It’s slow and beautiful as each realizes they want to make a go of a relationship.

The Worst Best Man made me laugh, had my heart racing, brought me to tears, and left me filled with joy. Max and Lina’s relationship isn’t perfect, but it’s mature and loving and feels so right. I loved how both Lina and Max learned to be introspective and forgiving, growing into a forever love.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

I knew The Worst Best Man was going to be a book that I would love. It follows Lina, a wedding planner whose fiancé left her at the altar after a conversation with his brother Max convinced him he wasn’t ready to commit. Lina and Max end up having to work together on a huge project that could expand both of their careers. What ensues is a lot of banter and tropes that were so much fun to read. Sosa hit my two favorite tropes (only-one-bed and fake dating) in this enemies-to-lovers book, and she used them so well. I adored Lina, a strong heroine with a really close family. Lina is Brazilian and her culture informs a lot of who she is and the choices she makes. The food descriptions in this book made me so hungry and I was craving Brazilian food the entire time. There was one restaurant scene in particular with Lina and Max where she is full-on petty and makes him eat hot peppers—it made my year. If you’re a fan of rom-coms from authors like Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang then you will adore The Worst Best Man.

My review of this book was posted on All About Romance on February 25, 2020. I gave this book a B-, which is a qualified recommendation.

My review can be found here: https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/the-worst-best-man-by-mia-sosa/

And I have also posted it to my Goodreads account: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3206456340?book_show_action=false

The Worst Best Man is so cute. It kind of has all the romantic tropes in it - love to hate, fake relationship, and office relationship. I also loved that the author put some of her Brazilian heritage in the book through the main character. The way she added it flowed with the story and still taught me something about the culture. I loved the main characters, flaws and all. Max was so sweet - I love a misunderstood good guy in a rom com!

Carolina has a complicated past. Her husband-to-be left her at the alter (not great for a wedding planner!) and his best man/brother was the one to talk him out of getting married (which she finds out from a text). Yikes! Years later, she has built up her brand as a successful wedding planner and has an amazing support system in her family. Other than needing to find a new office space, things are going pretty well. But then the brothers come back into her life and she is teamed up with the best man to score the dream job of a lifetime. In order to land the job, she'll have to work through her past and make peace with the men who changed her future.

Adorable! This book should be read with Christina Lauren's The Unhoneymoners because both will make you smile, laugh, and root for the protagonists. Carolina (Lina) and Max are such strong characters full of ambition and charm. While some of their antics may seem #petty when they are getting into the groove of working together, they are genuinely likable characters. And I absolutely loved learning about Brazilian culture, from the class that they attend to the amazing food described. What a delightful read!

I really enjoyed the characters, Lina and Max. Their connection and relationship building was great. There were some laugh out loud moments that had me smiling and dropping what I was doing.

I can't wait to read more by this author!