This contemporary romance had a more serious backstory than I’m accustomed to so I’ll paste the author’s content warning at the end of my review.

Naya is tenure-track in a department that may be cut from her institution and she’s all about her job. Her friends make a flirting checklist for her to get back out there, and well, some people just need a checklist.

CW: “The heroine experiences memories and on-page incidences of intimate partner violence (not involving the hero) that includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting, digital harassment/revenge porn, and professional shaming.”

Fun, steamy read balanced with real, hard-hitting issues - sexism and elitism in academia, intimate partner violence, and consent, to name a few. I’m really enjoying these sexy romance novels about smart women working through real life issues.

Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Williams and Berkely Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was just what I needed this time of year to get away from all the stress of the holidays. It was so fun and mostly light hearted. The characters are very relatable and the aspect of partner abuse was handled very respectfully. I found this one a very quick read and I didn't want to put it down! I will definitely be looking forward to the next novel written by Williams. I would definitely recommend this one, especially this time of year.

While “How to Fail at Flirting” was a bit too steamy for my taste, the Rom-Com was simply too entertaining to complain about anything in this book!

Denise Williams is a super talented writer! I was impressed with how she integrated serious issues like abuse into this story. I was enamored!

I recommend this book to chick lit lovers that like a little spice!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley! I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4 Stars.

Naya is a professor who loves her job, but her life outside of work could use some help. She decides to go out one night and the first guy she meets....she actually likes. But what happens when her abusive ex comes back into her world and her and Jake's professional lives intertwine?

I really enjoyed this one, but it wasn't as light as i was expecting. The author's portrayal of Naya's trauma was heavy and hard and you rooted for her so hard. And Jake is a great addition to the book boyfriend world.

This isn't some light rom com. I think it's important to note that because the cover makes it look like it might be. I think it's a good book that handles the heavy and heard with love really well.

This book was an absolute delight and it made my heart so happy and melty! It hit all the right notes and was at once light, funny, sexy, and swoony. While it is your classic rom com, it also deals with heavier themes including emotional and physical abuse. This book follows Naya and Jake, who have both been healing from previous relationships and they have an instant chemistry. I love the ‘bucket list’ trope in romances and this book instantly made me think back to Get a Life, Chloe Brown in terms of both how hilarious it was and how it could crank the heat up real quick. I also enjoyed how this book was a total power ballad for racism and misogyny. You’ll probably enjoy this book if you love things like:

-bucket list/meet cute/off limits/long distance romances
-PUNS GALORE (this made my nerdy soul feel so full!)
-cinnamon roll heroes who aren’t afraid to show their flaws
-sexy times…lots and lots of sexy times
-tons of terrible jokes and endless flirting

TW: emotional and physical abuse.

How to Fail at Flirting is a beautiful, hard-hitting story about learning how to love yourself and others. in the form of a cute love story, denise williams delivers a strong message about healing, loving and being kinder to yourself.

three years after an abusive relationship, naya meets a new guy, jake: he’s funny, sweet and he picks up the shattered parts of her. however, her ex-boyfriend left many scars, and it’s hard for them to heal. for a subject that is so delicate and hard to talk and write about, the author did such a great job at depicting the effect an abusive partner can have on their victim. naya was not only a multi-layered, complex character, but also a sweet person who deserved the world (i had a huge urge to hug her). i understood her struggles because they felt real and more than ink on paper.

speaking of naya and her internal struggles, i wish therapy was talked about sooner. until the end, neither her nor her friends mention the possible need for therapy, even though her friends know how her ex-boyfriend abused her. and though naya starts therapy towards the end of the book, i still believe it should have been done sooner.

with that being said, i think it’s essential to mention that this book was very hard to read at times. the subjects tackled (trigger warnings below) are definitely ones you should know about before getting into this book. the story is very cute and i was swooning because of how cute it was, but i also had to put it down at times (especially towards the end) for a few minutes before picking it up again. this is not specifically a bad thing, just something i believe you, reader, should be aware of.

as i said before, naya is the sweetest, but jake, the love interest, is just a fluffball of nerdiness and cuteness. throughout the story, he is nothing but affectionate and understanding towards the main character, and though we don’t see his point of view in the book, he was still a strong character and, obviously, has a great impact.

i got used to dual point of views in romance, but How to Fail at Flirting only had naya’s point of view, which felt relevant and adequate, because her voice was strong and amplified. she had a great character development since we got to see more of her than if there was dual/multiple point of views. the story was about her and it was her story and i believe the single point of view did a great job at saying that.

in conclusion, i was actually surprised by how much i enjoyed this book. i went into it not expecting it to affect me as much as it did. i am glad i picked it up, and urge everyone who can to read it.

trigger warnings: sexual assault, mentions of past physical and emotional abuse, abusive ex-partner, harrassment, racist comments made towards the main character, on-page sex.

I really really really really really really really liked <i>How to Fail at Flirting</i>. When I finally went to read it, I couldn’t quite remember what it was going to be about and kind of thought of it as something to tick off my checklist. And then I got sucked in. Like, multiple-late-nights-up-reading sucked in. I felt for Naya and her awful (thankfully over) relationship with her ex. I was totally on board for her budding romance with Jake and was ready to go rip him a new one at certain points. I also really connected with her wanting to finally go out and get a life of her own. Her conflicts with both Jake and her ex were really described in-depth, which honestly made me see them more as real people—especially Jake. Her interaction with her ex at the retreat, however, was incredibly intense. I kind of wish there had been a content warning about it before the start of the book—I got my hands on a paperback and didn’t see one in there, but for someone who has similar trauma to Naya’s, I think it could have been incredibly triggering. I thoroughly enjoyed the steamy bits, though, and was truly sorry to see the book end!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC!

I adored this book and was shocked by the last bit of the book - angst with a bit of a thriller vibe. Such a good read. I am not on the lookout for more by Denise! Such a good great storyteller.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for my gifted copy.

So when I first read this book I gave it 4.5 ⭐, but after finding myself thinking about it days later I bumped it up to 5. This debut novel will make you feel, make you swoon, and it will definitely stick with you long after you've finished.

What I loved about this book:

1. Naya may be a bit of a workaholic (which was very relatable for me) and a tiny bit reserved, but I absolutely loved her character. Her and Jake's instant chemistry had me hooked and I loved their meet cute. I won't spoil it, but it does involve someone's Mom and a pole dancing incident. 😂 Their first date was fun and sweet, but also hilarious and a bit of a trainwreck. While I laughed quite a bit during their first encounter, this book was so much more than a witty romcom. It touched on difficult topics and got quite deep at times.

2. The abuse Naya suffered in her previous relationship was so real and written very accurately in my opinion (so this may be triggering for some). My heart broke for her as the details emerged. The author did a great job accurately describing how that kind of relationship will change a person and she portrayed her struggle in a way anyone will be able to realate.

3. I can't talk about this book without mentioning her amazing friend circle (and couple) Felicia and Aaron. Even though Naya wanted to hide away forever these two gave her the tiniest push to heal and get out their again. They were such a great couple and I loved how real they were.

Even though the title is what grabbed my attention (I'm kind of nerdy, a bit socially awkward, and awful at flirting), this book was everything I hoped it would be. I absolutely adored it and I highly recommend you pick up a copy for yourself. I'll definitely be watching out for what the author writes next!

I flew though this book! I feel like it tackled a lot of important issues for both Naya and Jake.

I hated Naya’s ex. Every time he popped up around Naya, I wanted to reach through the book and punch him.

I really enjoyed the way this book ended. I felt it was wrapped up well.

What a cute and fun story that I was not expecting to hit me so hard. Naya and Jake are such a great, fun-loving couple who are adorable. I wasn't expecting Naya's past experience with an abusive relationship but it was devastating.

Looking for that new book boyfriend, strong female protagonist, funny banter, or that sexy feeling that will make you blush (I know I did 🙈)...... Go Get A Copy Asap

Overall :
Fast-paced, easy to read with likable characters, friendships with the banter that got me LOL.

Trigger Warning:
Abusive ex partner and Stalking
.

I featured How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams as book of the day on all my social media platforms.

Professor Naya Turner is stressed when she finds out that there will be restructuring at the university where she works. At the encouragement of her friends, Naya makes a to-do list that will bring her out of her funk. She is out at a bar looking to check off some items off that list when she meets Jake, a handsome businessman who is in town for a wedding, for only a few days. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost. Naya finds herself falling for this man, but they've both got a bit of baggage to unpack. She has an abusive ex who is ever present in her life and Jake has some secrets of his own. Dating him could ruin her professional career.

I thoroughly enjoyed this romance. Naya is likeable and relatable. I feel like most women will have had an experience in their professional life where they feel that they are being treated differently than their male colleagues, and/or where they've had to choose between their career and a relationship/family. Naya has worked hard to get where she is so I understand her resistance at letting anything get in her way.

The budding romance between Jake and Naya is alluring. Jake is really sweet and caring but still respects Naya as a woman and a professional. Their connection is immediate and you can feel the chemistry as a reader. You are rooting for them throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book! It is an easy and sweet read. I would caution that there is domestic abuse, so for anyone triggered by that, know that before you read it.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I liked the fact that this book deals with serious issues, such as gender violence, despite it is meant to be a sassy and funny romance.

I loved how the protagonist evolves and faces her fears. In addition, the love story is very passionate (prepare yourself for a ton of sex scenes) and realistic. They make mistakes, they argue sometimes, but they always treat each other with respect.

I enjoyed reading this book and I'm sure any contemporary lover will do so too. It's not the best book I've read; however, it has consistent characters and the plot together with the author's fresh writing make you want to keep reading.

Honestly top-notch. How to Fail at Flirting pulled my in from the start and there was never a dull moment throughout. I went into this one expecting a cute romance and was rewarded with so much more. The complexity and layers create a really well-rounded, steamy, and thought provoking read.

Our main character, Naya, left an abusive relationship some years ago and has (understandably) struggled to venture back into the world of dating. After her friends Aaron and Felicia leave her hanging on a planned night out, Naya finds herself in the company of Jake – who happens to be in town for a wedding. Determined to make her way through the list Aaron and Felicia gave her, Naya sets off on a one-night, no strings attached evening with Jake and his awful (awesome) jokes.

The chemistry between Jake and Naya is intense. Mega intense! From the start of their date, I knew I needed more of their banter. But of course there are obstacles. The whole affair was only supposed to be a one night stand, yet they can’t get enough of each other - until they are put into each other’s lives in a new, and challenging, capacity. I swear I’m not trying to be coy, I just don’t want to give anything away!

This story deals with so much and I think it was done very well. There are several twists and situations that don’t play out how you might expect them to – and for that I am grateful. I think this story deals with tough topics in a very healthy way and issues that tend to be glossed over in other books. Overall, I was thoroughly pleased.

I really really loved this book and would highly recommend! A complicated cast of characters, truly terrible jokes, some very steamy scenes, and immense character growth – what more could you want?

This was such a cute and fun read with some dark undertones that made it feel very realistic. I really enjoyed their relationship dynamic and thought that the characters were very relatable.

I liked everything about this RomCom. This was a love at first sight story. Maya meets Jake at a bar as she is trying to get back into the dating game . To help her along, her friends have provided a “ to do” list and having a one night stand is top of the list. Soon after meeting, sparks fly between Jake and Maya. Their relationship is very sweet and sexy, including lots of corny jokes.
The story was even stronger for me because of the real life complications. They are both professionals and there is a danger of careers getting in the way. Maya had been a victim of abuse in her previous relationship. I thought the story really brought to light the emotional scars abuse leaves and how it can impact every aspect of the victims life. Can’t wait to recommend this one!

Trigger warnings: abusive relationship, revenge porn, racism, attempted rape

Naya is a college professor whose social life has stalled after an abusive relationship. Her friends encourage her to get a life by making a list of tasks for her to complete, such as "let a stranger buy you a drink."

Naya checks this item off of her list at a restaurant bar while waiting for her friends to arrive. She meets a man named Jake who makes her laugh at his corny jokes, and he buys her a drink. Naturally, Naya's friends both have emergencies to attend to and flake on their dinner plans. Naya and Jake have a fun night together until Naya's alcohol intolerance catches up with her.

What was supposed to be a fleeting connection ends up deeply affecting both Naya and Jake. They each have their own issues and complications involved and they must overcome these things separately and together.

This novel does a wonderful job of showing how a strong, professional woman can still have issues dealing with racism and a past abusive relationship. It also shows that having trouble letting these things go doesn't make you any less deserving of loving, healthy connections.