I do not even know where to begin with this one. I love it so much and I am so happy this is my first book of 2021. This is the first time I’ve read a novel and felt like it was written for me and about me. Utter perfection.

Naya and Jake had the cutest relationship and their energy and chemistry was just electric. I was getting literal butterflies from their affair. I thought it was going to be typical love store, especially because they met in a bar *rolls eyes, but man was I wrong. You could really feel the attraction they had for one another jump off the page. Excellent writing, Denise! I guess you could say they had a relationship that turned into a conflict of interest, but I never stopped rooting for them.

I was snapping my fingers at all the commentary Williams wrote around life in academia. As someone finishing up a doctoral degree and carefully considering my long-term career goals, it was incredibly refreshing to read how Naya described her various experiences as a Black woman in the academic world. I felt seen to the highest level. If you want a read that revolves around two hot nerds that work in Academia and fall in love, then this is the book.

This book is so great that I found myself flying through it pretty quickly. Of all the rom-coms I have read before involving an interracial couple, this is my new favorite. It's charming, fun, and very sexy.

I also thought this book was powerful in the ways it explores intimate partner abuse/violence. The fear Naya had was raw and common. Many women have and continue to go through abuse from a partner. And even those who have fortunately gotten out and/or survived this trauma must still work to heal and trust again. I love that as a reader, I get to experience her finding true love and learning to love again. Williams used this book as an opportunity to explore issues of receiving counseling and therapy to address prior trauma. It is so important that narratives such as this one continue to be shared.

Each of the characters were likeable and well-developed. I see so much of myself in Naya. She’s a complex character who grew up biracial never quite fitting in as fully Black or Latinx. She even reminds me of Chloe Brown from Talia Hibbert’s novel Get A Life, Chloe Brown and how they each kept a list of things to help them ‘get a life’ lol. The dialogue between characters throughout the book was hilarious and so fun to read.

Although the contents of the book can get a bit dark, I still recommend it. It’s an enjoyable read that Williams wrote with such gentle care and grace. 5 stars.

TW: Abusive ex-partner, domestic violence and abuse, revenge porn, gaslighting, strong sexual content, assault, and stalking

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Thank you to Berkley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review

TW: abuse, revenge porn, emotional manipulation

I’m always excited to read a debut as I never know what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book. Denise Williams is an author I cannot wait to read more of in the future. This is a contemporary romance that is perfectly balanced, as this discusses difficult topics while also infusing humor throughout the story.

This story follows Naya, who was in an abusive relationship and is currently healing from what she went through. Naya’s friends convince her to go out for one night to have some fun and also take her mind off of what’s happening at work. She meets Jake, our swoony hero and these two have off the chart’s chemistry.

Naya, has to be one of my favorite heroines I’ve read about in a while. Her ex, who is absolutely awful really did a number on her, as he tried to break her down emotionally and physically. This book discusses heavily about abuse and I want to mention it as I think this can be extremely triggering. I loved seeing Naya’s personal growth throughout the story, as she learned to stand up for herself while also allowing herself to trust someone with her heart. Jake is also a character that I truly fell in love with! He was so patient, compassionate, and kissed the ground she walked on from the moment they met. I love when heroes adore the heroines and Jake fell very fast for Naya.

There are a couple of things about this book that I didn’t love and is the reason I rated it 4 stars. I think this book needed trigger warnings because Naya goes into detail about the abuse she experienced with her ex-boyfriend. There is also a scene in the book that I wasn’t expecting and while this isn’t a trigger for me, it can be a trigger for someone else. I also wanted Jake to be more open and honest about what was going on in his personal life. I would’ve liked for him to communicate that with Naya and at times I questioned if he was ready for a committed relationship.

Overall, this was a phenomenal debut and I highly recommend this book! Please be aware of the trigger warnings before reading it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One look at the cover of How To Fail at Flirting (Berkley) by Denise Williams and readers may think they’re getting a cutesy romantic comedy with an awkward meet-cute and clumsy dating. But just two chapters in, you realize you’re in for a lot more. Thirty-somethings Naya and Jake live real lives and have had real-life complications to match.

The biggest “complication” is Naya’s ongoing battle to deal with the scars left behind from her last relationship, one in which her ex-boyfriend abused her. While there was some physical abuse, readers see that his verbal abuse was much more damaging. Naya still wears frumpy loose-fitting clothes so as not to attract attention, something to prevent others from echoing her ex-boyfriend’s accusations. She wonders constantly what those around her think of her, and when she dates Jake, she internally questions what he really means when he says or does anything. It can be complicated to deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship, and Naya’s got a way to go.

What I love about these main characters is that they are crafted with a knowledge of how they would be seen in the real world. Naya is Mexican and Black, and while that isn’t a huge part of the story (and it doesn’t need to be, it’s just who she is), Williams includes moments of discourse on how people approach Naya, what ignorant or outright racist things they might say, and shows how little those things matter to everyday life. Representation is important, and true representation is done realistically, knowing that no one is a stereotype but lives in a place where stereotypes can be normal criteria for assessing who a person is.

IF YOU LIKED CHLOE, YOU’LL LOVE NAYA
But there are also a lot of funny moments. After all, failing at flirting has got to be hilarious, right? (Unless you’re the one failing.) Naya’s friends make a checklist for her to help get her out of this dating, antisocial rut she’s in. It reminded me of Chloe Brown’s list in Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Talia Hibbert) in that it was filled with items to pull Naya out of her shell. And Naya’s pursuit of checking items off her list is equally as funny as Chloe’s. But Naya’s journey to becoming a more outgoing person is vastly different from Chloe Brown’s. Naya’s comes complete with cheesy jokes — literally cheesy — unfortunate drunken mishaps, and testing phobias, namely Jake’s.

I’ve wanted to read this novel since I saw its pitch in a social media pitch challenge. I had a feeling this would be an entertaining romantic comedy. But it was so much more. This layered story also appealed to my need for characters to be realistic — having real-life problems, living in the real world of wherever they are — and it gave me insight on effects of more serious problems some face — namely domestic violence. How to Fail at Flirting may be funny and serious, but it is one engaging page-turner worthy of the most-anticipated and must-read lists on which it’s featured.

Trigger warnings: the novel contains mentions of verbal abuse and a scene involving physical assault

This was one of those books that, once I started it, I did NOT want to stop reading it for anything, and that’s a marker of a great romance for me. Williams introduces a familiar trope to the genre (Naya, the lead, wants to make a to-do list for her life to get out there and live life MORE), but pulls it off in a fun and memorable way. And don’t even get me started on Jake, that adorable cinnamon roll love interest. These two might be in the running for one of my favorite romance couples this year. I would’ve enjoyed a little more fleshing out of the ex-wife (or at least less of a villainizing, I’m never a huge fan of that and am pleasantly surprised when books can elevate the heroine without putting down the previous girlfriend/wife/etc.) and going into this, I was aware of the abusive relationship element between Naya and HER ex so that wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but it was a bit of a sharp left turn at the end after what had mostly been a lighter romance. All in all, a really enjoyable read and I’ll be coming back to this author again.

cw: past abusive romantic relationship, attempted sexual assault

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

This book was a little slow to start for me, but WOW did I enjoy the payoff! I struggled with this one in the beginning because I felt like the characters had SO MUCH chemistry, but the first few sexy scenes between them felt really forced and awkward to me. However as the story went on and we got to learn more about Naya's past abusive relationship and see the way that Jake responded to her needs, I ended up really enjoying this one and I cannot wait to read more from Denise Williams in the future!

TW: domestic abuse, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, revenge porn

Look, I'm a recovering academic, so any book you give me with a heroine who is trying to find her way as a professional while also balancing her personal life is highly likely to get high marks from me. That fantasy in and of itself is so cathartic that I can't resist it -- it's like catnip for me.

BUT THEN YOU GIVE ME STEAM??? With a hottie with a body? A one-night stand that turns into anything (everything) but? My goodness. Yes. Yes to this book.

Fair warning, there are themes of domestic violence, so if that's a trigger for you, please be aware of that going into this.

That said though, the themes are handled deftly and with a sensitivity that I don't see very often, so kudos to Denise Williams for that. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and bought it the second it came out.

How to Fail at Flirting is a super STEAMY read about a woman named Naya, a professor who, at the urging of her friends, goes out one night to find a one-night stand in order to have some fun and be spontaneous. See, she's a very straight-laced, boring person and hasn't had a date or slept with anyone in 3 years. She ends up meeting Jake, a super wealthy, handsome, funny guy and, well...it doesn't end up being a one-night stand. I thought both Naya and Jake were great, fun characters, and I liked both of their back stories. This was a super fun, light read for the most part, but it did deal with some serious issues, such as domestic violence, and in a respectful, honest way.

4 out of 5 stars for How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams. Huge thanks to NetGalley as well as the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I thought this was a very sweet story and definitely had more angst and more emotion than I expected. Naya was an incredible heroine who had been through a lot and was consequently very gun shy about relationships and not very trusting at all. I completely understood why she was so reserved with people. I liked the character of Jake and their relationship. I thought they had amazing chemistry and I liked that this was not an insta-love type of situation. My main issue with the book was that towards the end, it seemed like the majority of the obstacles between them came about because of Naya's inability to just talk to people, whether it be her boss or Jake. Don't get me wrong: I understand where she was coming from; it just became very repetitive. I did enjoy seeing her character grow though -- that ending was amazing. I was worried that the author would have Jake come to her rescue, but she saved herself (no spoilers about why she had to do that) and it was pretty fantastic to watch. This was a really good read though.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Was it anything special? Unfortunately, no. Way too many contemporary romance books are following the same plot lately. Wish someone would mix it up! Definitely will read her next book though!

This book was more than I was expecting. It's a romance, but it also covers an important topic, domestic abuse, that may be triggering for some readers.

Naya Turner is a Professor, and her friends think she’s gotten boring, and challenge her to hook up with someone for one night. She attempts to hook up with Jake, but fails in embarrassing fashion. Despite the embarrassment, Jake and Naya begin a relationship that eventually becomes serious. Things become complicated when they realize that Jake is a consultant working with her university to determine whether her department will exist. Naya is worried about what the conflict of interest may mean for reputation, and her relationship.
As this is occurring, Naya’s abusive ex re-enters her life with threats and intimidation.

This was such a great read. Naya and Jake’s story was great, and I loved how their love story started. The author did a great job with the issue domestic violence as part of Naya’s story. I appreciate that this book showed any woman, no matter her socio economic class can be a victim of domestic violence. The heavy, but important issue of domestic violence did not take away from the love story, but was an important part of Naya’s story and character.

Thinking I was going into a lightweight romance, with some hot moments, turned into an emotional read for me. Naya Turner is a professor working hard at tenure, despite a seriously troubled past in her previous relationship. She has spent a few years alone, finding life easier to navigate. When her best friend and husband practically dare her to cross a few things off of a list that would make her an expert at flirting, her life changes, and not always for the best.

While at a bar one night, she decides to put things to the test and flirts with a handsome stranger. She has a checklist on her phone, and in her mind, and the guy, Jake, is perfect for what she has in mind. However, her baggage is quite heavy and things become complicated very quickly.

Not only do things progress rapidly with Naya and Jake, there are some things in the way. The most important issue is Naya's job, so her continued relationship with Jake just might cost her everything. So, not only is Naya gravely concerned about her job, her past lands right in front of her, causing her great angst.

It is this aspect of the story that drew me the most. Her ex, Davis, was a real piece of work and it nearly broke my heart watching Naya navigate her way around her past and present. So, how will Naya handle issues at her job, her past with Davis, and most importantly, her growing attachment to Jake?

This book no doubt comes with a trigger warning due to the abusive relationship that Naya survived. The fact that it was not truly behind her brought tears to my mind more than once. I love that Jake was the kind of guy he was, but truly hoped that Naya could learn to trust again so that what they had could lead to a wonderful future. Well, I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved the conclusion of this book, although my heart was in my throat while reading it. How to Fail at Flirting is a fabulous debut novel that I will remember for a long time to come.

Cute enjoyable read! I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I didn't love this book but I did like it! I would recommend this title to people who enjoy romance.

I’ve been looking forward to How to Fail at Flirting for a few months now, and I’m so thrilled to say that it did not disappoint. It was the perfect escape during a a busy December, and I found myself reaching for it whenever I wanted to get away from my many responsibilities. That’s the sign of a great book, if you ask me.

How to Fail at Flirting opens with Naya at a bar, eagerly looking to cross off items from an adventurous to-do list, and she meets Jake, in town on business, and he seems like the perfect partner to help her do just that. Jake is kind and charming, and after spending a night (or not quite) together, they decide to continue seeing other as much as they can. Soon after, however, they discover that their relationship is conflict of interest, and that Naya might lose her job and ruin her career if she continues to see Jake.

One of the reasons why How to Fail at Flirting is such a good book is because of it’s characters. Naya is unapologetically career-oriented, she’s passionate at what she does, and I really connected with this aspect of Naya. Reading about how she welcomed the adventure of dating Jake, despite all the worries and insecurities, had me cheering for her. As the story progressed, however, it was heartbreaking to realize the extent of damage her abusive ex-boyfriend left in his wake, and how he essentially rendered her speechless and quiet. I wanted nothing more than for Naya to realize how important she is, and that her thoughts, feelings, and opinions are valid. Naya had a difficult journey throughout the story, and I couldn’t be more proud of how she has continued to push through overcome.

One thing I really liked about Jake is how respectful he was of Naya’s boundaries. He doesn’t force her to do something she may not be ready to do, he always asks for consent, and it was amazing how attuned he was to her feelings. Early on, there was a reveal about Jake that didn’t exactly make me like him, but he slowly and surely proved to Naya how devoted he was to their relationship, and he also proved to me that things aren’t always black or white. While I would say that Naya was the star of the book, Jake was an engrossing second main character.

About two-thirds of the book focuses on Naya and Jake’s relationship – we see them go on dates, get to know each other better, and we also see Naya meet Jake’s good friends. The pace was slow and steady, but we get hints that things will slowly start to unravel. The last third of the books was intense, and made for a gripping read. Naya and Jake’s relationship is tested, and Naya’s abusive ex makes his presence felt. As Naya encounters road block after road block, it was both painful and inspiring to see her deal with everything head on, and I just wanted her to emerge unscathed.

All in all, I can’t recommend How I Fail at Flirting enough. I love how thoroughly Naya and Jake’s relationship was explored, as well as the unflinching portrayal of abuse. Naya is one my favorite heroines ever, and it was a pleasure to witness her character grow. How to Fail at Flirting is an incredible debut, and I can’t wait to read Denise Williams’ next book.

Are you (or were you) good at flirting? No surprise, I was (still am) a big dork and always got tongue tied and weird around guys I liked.

REVIEW - When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he’s an opportunity to check off her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost. Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career. Naya can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again.

What I enjoyed: I loved that the hero and heroine are older than the usual 20-somethings we get in books like this, and both established in their careers. Naya is smart and driven; Jake is kind-hearted and sexy. Naya has a history of an abusive relationship and still has some emotional scars, and that was explored nicely. Naya and Jake had good chemistry and the steamy scenes were fun! Thanks @netgalley and @berkleypub for the free digital copy.

Professor Naya Turner needs to shake up her life and shed her frumpy cardigan for something exciting. She makes an all new list of things to accomplish, dating.

She encounters a stranger just in town on business, and decided to have a hookup, easy enough she thinks. Well, not really. Jake turns out to be more than just a hookup. Much to Naya's surprise, she enjoys Jake's company and this really just shakes up her neat little dating checklist.

Now Naya must choose between her reputation that is safe, while wearing her frumpy cardigan. Or she can shed that cardigan once and for all, embrace Jake and all the enticing things he has to offer. What's a girl to do?

Professor Naya Turner is good at her job, in fact, her the education department is the place she feels most at home. When the stress of her job security as a professor becomes too much, her friends challenge her to shake out of her routine and live a little: have someone buy her a drink, try something new, have a one night stand. Despite being a bit rusty at flirty, Naya hits it off with a stranger at a bar, and finds herself speeding through her check list and swept away in a whirlwind romance, that suddenly feels a lot more serious than she bargained for. Although he is exactly what she needed in her personal life, he may be a serious risk to the career she’s worked so hard for.

Naya and Jake have fantastic chemistry and felt truly fleshed out as characters. While I wasn’t totally sold on them as a couple, it was a delightful ride. Williams gives us plenty of drama and humor in good balance, and dabbles in tough issues without getting bogged down. I appreciated that this story had so much depth to its plot, which doesn’t always feel the case in this genre. I look forward to whatever Denise Williams has in store next.

Naya’s friends challenge her with a list of flirting and romance items to get her back into the dating scene and having fun again after her last relationship with an abusive man left her and her career in turmoil. However, her budding romance with Jake might just put her job back on the line as the University looks to make changes.

A strong female character faces issues of abuse and maintaining her profession as an educator in this steamy romance.

Such an amazing, swoony romance! This book quickly shot it's way onto my favorites list.

This follows a workaholic professor who wants nothing more than to reach tenure. But she learns that cuts are being made and the career she loves might be on the line. In an effort to let lose, she finds herself at a bar and falling for man she barely knows. Turns out he is also the person holding her careers future. Now she must decide what is most important to her.

I was blown away by how wonderfully this book was balanced. This had a lot of moving parts that easily could have caused this to go very wrong. But Denise Williams managed to make this swoony, impactful, and light-hearted all at the same time.

I think there are a lot of 20/30-somethings out there that will really related to Naya's journey throughout this book. She is struggling with trauma, work-life balance, and figuring out what she wants out of life. I really loved reading from her perspective. She is definitely a new favorite character of mine. I wasn't expecting to relate to her as much as I did.

I could not stop fawning over this amazing romance. I may have squealed more than once. The chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts amazing. I was rooting for them from their very first interaction.

Overall this is a new favorite adult romance. I can't wait to read more from Denise Williams in the future!

Trigger warnings for abusive relationships and attempted sexual assault.

I binged this audio in a day so obviously enjoyed it. I loved watching Naya grow into a strong fierce heroine as she tackled her “to do” list. Jake was such a sweet hero and they’re chemistry was magnetic. This book tackled some heavy subjects and being inside Nayas head for them was very powerful and well done. I would definitely recommend this one to all the romance lovers out there.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to review! Naya (like a Papaya) and Jake definitely did not fail at flirting in this rom com with a few twists and a little suspense. This was a quick read that left me wanting more. It was sweet and steamy and I fell for the supporting characters!