I didn’t realize before starting this that it was the second in a series and I think I’ve would’ve liked this more had I read the first book. I felt like I was missing something and I guess it was a whole book. I may go back and read book one at some point but I would try the author again

The Love Scam is the second book in the Danger series. I didn't read book one, but this book can be read as a standalone. This book is told from dual points of view by Rake Tarbell and Claire Delaney.

Rake wakes up in Venice hungover and not sure how he got there. Claire who goes by Delaney shows up and tells him the kid (Lillith) she's with maybe his and they are waiting on a paternity test. Rake doesn't have a wallet or phone so he can't contact his twin brother.

Delaney convinces Rake to work with them to earn money to get a new phone. However, we learn there is more behind Delaney. How will Rake take it when he finds out what Delaney is hiding? Will Rake find out if he's Lilith's father? Will Rake and Delaney start to have feelings together? Will Rake find out what happened to his money?

I wasn't quite sure about this book as I started out. The back and forth banter and the odd dialogue bothered me at first. Once I got used to it, I really enjoyed it. The story was fun and kept me reading. Rake Tarbell is a millionaire playboy who wakes up to find he has no clue where he is, how he got there, and who he was with. Then enters Delaney. Delaney seems to have some of the answers as well as an apparent long-lost daughter. Enjoyable once I got used to the writing. 3.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC.

I really enjoyed this book and I found it really easy to get into. This also made me appreciate the problems in my life because Rake's are much worse than mine.

I wanted to like this more, but the story felt disjointed and confusing and the characters were annoying. Sadly not a fan of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to review this ARC. in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love anything by MaryJanice Davidson! This book was fun and engaging!

Description
The Love Scam is a sweet and sassy romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson.

Rake Tarbell is in trouble. When the fabulously wealthy and carefree bachelor wakes up horribly hungover in Venice, it’s not something that would normally be a problem...except he has no idea how he got there from California. Or who stole his wallet. Or who emptied his bank account of millions. Or who in the world is Lillith, the charming little girl claiming to be his long lost daughter. For the first time in his life, Rake is on his own and throwing Benjamins around aren’t going to solve his problem. Now if only the gorgeous, fun, and free-spirited woman who brought Lillith into his life was willing to help the situation…

Claire Delaney finds Rake’s problems hilarious and is not in the least bit sorry of adding to them by bringing Lillith into the mix. A pretty Midwestern girl with a streak for mischief, Claire isn't the type to hang around with a guy like Rake. Even if he is drop-dead handsome and charming as all get-out. Even if he needs help and she has all the answers. But if this helps Lillith, she will go out of her way. And with a guy like Rake, she’s willing to bend her rules a bit for some fun.

But when adventure-filled days turn to romantic nights as they search for answers, and someone starts following them through the streets of Venice, Claire realizes she's playing more than just a game. And maybe, just maybe, she isn't willing to let go of Rake or Lillith just yet.

So I pretty much went into this book blind. I did read the synopsis when I received a NetGalley widget via email back in January of 2020 but I didn't remember what it was about when I started reading it. Based on the cover I was expecting a cutesy romance and while we kind of get that we also get a surprise kid and a con-artist among other tropes. At first it was a little hard to keep up with because we get this stream of consciousness writing but I eventually got used to it. I loved how Rake grows throughout the book and while we always think he's a stupid playboy he's actually smarter than he lets everybody believe. You will also find yourself laughing while you're reading this. One issue I had is how when everything was revealed in the end it was like the characters just moved past it without any consequences. I think there should have been some consequences for certain characters. Also I didn't realize this was the second book in a series but you can read it as a standalone. I will say that after reading the synopsis of the first one you will get spoiled for what happens so you might want to read the first one before reading this one. Again overall an enjoyable read.

I’m not sure what this book was conveying. This book was very jumbled and confusing at the beginning. It came together at the end, but not without being so confusing that I wanted to quit this book. I didn’t like the characters and I didn't like the plotlines. If this was supposed to be funny - it certainly lacked any humor whatsoever.

I struggled to follow along with who was the speaker while reading. Had to reread more than once to figure out what was going on and who was the speaker.

With that out of the way, there are just some things that I had a hard time with that caused me to not enjoy this novel as much as I originally thought I would. The premise is wonderful and I actually really enjoyed a majority of the characters. The writing style is a little hard to get into. It seems confused and choppy at times. The rational and thought process of the main male lead was not a highlight for me. The motives for almost every other character were decently orchestrated and made up for what felt lacking otherwise.

The romance is predictable and the "plot twist/reveal" is as well but endearing still the same. I think I would have given another star if it didn't feel forced at several points in the book.

I’m not sure what I just read. Very haphazard and confusing at the beginning, the story came together at the end, but not without roadblocks. I didn’t care for the characters in the least and I didn’t form any attachment to them. I’m not sure if this was supposed to be funny, but if that was the intent, it didn’t work for me.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

New author for me and I really enjoyed this story. I read it in one setting and one clicked other books by the author!

I'm going to have to try to read this again at a later date. I have tried several times and struggled to want to pick it up again and I completely blame mood reading. It's not immediately capturing my attention so I know finishing and reviewing would not be a fair assessment at this time. For now, I'm going to only leave this review on NetGalley and do a more comprehensive one once I finish the book.

The second in the trope series, the Love Scam follows Rake in Venice as he is duped into believing he has a young daughter all while without his cell phone and access to his trust fund. I liked the continuation of the Tarbell twins and learning more about Rake instead of only the perspective of his brother. I'm also glad of the ending with his daughter.

Due to illness review will be short. In a nutshell this book is worth reading. You can take my review as you will or you can always form you're own opinion by reading it anyway!

This is my second book by this author.

I don’t think her writing is for me. I am super confused as to what is happening. They book is jumping al over the place. At times I feel as if I’m reading another book from chapter to chapter.

Thank you St. Martins Griffin and Netgalley for an ARC to provide my sassy thoughts.

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley

The Love Scam by MaryJanice Davidson is book 2 in the Danger, Sweetheart series.

This story is about Rafe, who ends up in Venice but doesn’t know how he got there, Lilith , a little girl who claims he is her father..which he knows nothing about and Clair Delaney, who seems to know all about them.

Rom-com, twin brother, kind of confusing but overall a good read.

This story has so much potential, unfortunately it was greatly hindered by the writing style employed.

The writing reads much like a stream of consciousness – which can be used with great results – unfortunately I would argue that isn’t the best approach to take with a narrative piece such as a romantic comedy. The story was further rendered clunky and confusing by the POV shifts, which at times had no clear indication of who was narrating.

If anything, I related to Rake’s confusion of just how he ends up in Venice, because I was confused most of the time as well! The descriptions are vague, the story leans heavily into the preposterous and I found it difficult to follow. Several times, I had to reread paragraphs just to get a grasp on what was going on. Honestly, I feel as though oddly pretentious epigraph and index should have been a warning for what was coming in this story.

Lastly, I just couldn’t sympathize with Rake’s woe-is-me obsession with his brother. He’s white, he’s male and he’s rich, but feels overshadowed by his brother? Cry me a river.

This had the potential to be a great summer read, but I just couldn’t vibe with it and ultimately had to DNF it—which makes me so sad because I was so looking forward to this! I struggled up to 45% and decided to forgo the rest as I really felt that a lot of thing that were happening felt inauthentic and/or forced.

I struggled to get through this one. I put it down at 60%. It seemed a bit forced and not genuine. Will try again in the new year.