this book was fast paced and enjoyable. I loved the character development of Marina and Liam throughout the book. The story also had moments that had me laughing out loud. This book shows its ok to change your life along the way from what you originally had planned.

I didn’t really like the heroine of this novel. She has not had any luck in dating so she created a dating app which is sort of a Yelp for women to comment on their dates. You can imagine how toxic that might soon become. Yet Marina still checks it out. And now she is competing for a promotion at work over a pretty stupid plot device. Marina and the sexy Irish writer, Lucas, work at a start-up app company to give fun advice about places to visit and activities in London. Marina thinks they should aim that groups while Lucas says they should aim at couples. No one seems to wonder why they can’t target marketing at both audiences because that wouldn’t give Marina and Lucas something to argue about.

So the bosses assign Marina and Lucas to go explore three different activities for…some reason. Mostly it’s a plot device so they can argue and fall for each other.

If you totally suspend disbelief, their interactions were rather cute, but of course we know that lurking in the background is Marina’s Dealbreakers app and what other women said about Lucas. I really dislike romances where there is some secret that one is hiding from the other so you know it’s all going to come out and blow up in their romance until they decide to get over it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This book. This book is the perfect example of why I don't judge an author by the first book that you read! I read The Fixer Upper last year, and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite book. DEALBREAKERS, on the other hand, I could not put down! I was so invested in the competition and the Dealbreakers app, and how everything would hit the fan that I could not stop reading.

rating: 4.5 STARS
genre: romance
steam: fade-to-black

I absolutely loved the various activities that Rina and Lucas did together - from ax throwing to escape rooms, you could feel the chemistry on the page and it made every moment that much more delicious. The banter was absolutely top notch and the sexual tension...I felt like I could physically feel it. Their relationship builds slowly and realistically and I really enjoyed seeing them slowly get to know each other.

I love how Forsythe builds relationships - especially female relationships! This book highlights all different personalities sand lifestyles and shows how they all work together. Rina and her best friends were one of the highlights of the book! I hope they pop up in the future, because I think it would be a lot of fun.

I think my only complaint would be that I wish the Dealbreakers app had been fleshed out more. It's referred to a lot, but you don't really know much about how it works, how Rina built it, etc.

TLDR: Banter and tension were amazing. Read for a quick, summer romance!

I wasn't expecting to get immediately hooked into this book - but I definitely did and kept finding any available moment to finish the book. Marina and Lucas have great chemistry - anytime they verbally battle with each other - it's fantastic. Their personalities balance each other out well - Marina is the perfect amount of sassy and Lucas is so damn charming, yet sincere. I would have loved for this to be a dual POV - and I definitely wanted Marina to meet Lucas's niece Millie earlier in the novel and see him more in his element as the fun uncle. This was such a quick read for me - fun and flirty. Great for for enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance fans. Thank you to Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

This was sitting firmly at. 3 star read for me it was cute, the banter was great, the competition was fun. So where did it all go wrong?
The epilogue. The pregnancy trope ruins it every time for me, especially when thrown in, in the final 2 pages. The book itself probably could have used 30-50 more pages, some things just felt rushed and I would have liked to see more fleshed out. Like the the main character punching her ex in the face.

I’m going to be very honest I am a very big hater of the pregnancy trope and of romance stories where that is a woman’s only goal, to get married and have children as soon as possible… That is just my personal opinion!! YET…. I could see past it in this story a lot… I feel as though while having children was something our main character did want to some extent, it was more a pressure from her mother and feeling as though she lost that “dream” from her previous relationship that made her constantly come back to it in this story.

Honestly the way they approached Marina’s EX was so mature, I honestly would have reeked HAVOC. Mans straight up was the worst. A scumbag and one of those situations that made my jaw drop…

But of course Mr. Handsome himself, Lucas, really made it up for me… I know we aren’t supposed to be “charmed” by him but I just can’t help it… He is too smooth I fell too fast…. Almost as fast as he fell for Marina! *wink wink*

Overall, Marina & Lucas made for a light and easy read and lots of swooning and giggles!


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!

Dealbreakers was a sweet romance that reiterates not to hold tight to what you believe is imperative to happiness. It also shines a light on societal expectations for women of a certain age.
I love a “he falls first” trope and it makes you want to protect Lucas at all costs. Marina has a lot of qualities you want to strangle her with- but they are important to her arc.
This was a cute read and will be interested to see what else Lauren writes going forward.

Special thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for sharing this advanced digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was out of left field and I loved every second. I loved the rivals-to-lovers vibe combined with the realistic feel of dating today. I loved that Marina was using her own app. I really do find this story compelling and it is definitely on my re-read list. Marina and Lucas are so so perfect for each other. The way that their personalities balanced each other out. It’s rare to have a book that enthralls me with both the main and side characters, and this book did that. I adored it. I now need to read The Fixer Upper, because I devoured this book.

Dealbreakers is sweet rom-com with all my favourite tropes.

Marina and Lucas are the coziest MCs and fun banter between them is so enjoyable to read!

I love how both MCs had such contrasting ideals for their future and how they gradually shift over time as they get closer and seek more. Beautiful character arcs, great plot, and brilliant writing which made for an amazing read.

Marina's life is not going according to plan. She's 32, recently dumped, & living with her married best friend. She's tired of her job, tired of dating men who seem like a good match but aren't. So she creates, Dealbreakers, an overlay for dating apps, where women submit feedback on the men they date. Enter Lucas, her work nemesis, & her competition to win a promotion. Thing is, Lucas is on her app, & he happens to have the most dealbreakers ..ever. She wonders why he has so many & why, even when she hates him, something has her wanting to let him win.



Dealbreakers had me HOOKED and during those times that I had to stop reading to adult (yes IT SUCKED) I couldn't WAIT to go back into this fictional world. & it all comes down to that CONNECTION that Marina and Lucas had, her sassiness and his charm that had me wondering what else they were going to get into.
I only WISHED that it was longer & that we had Lucas's POV, I bet I would've been even MORE giddy. I wanted to know MORE about Lucas, MORE about Marina, MORE about them together but what I did know.. I absolutely LOVED!
This is my first Lauren Forsythe book & I promise you, it won't be the last.

This was a fun and quick read! The story was enjoyable, as someone who is a fan of enemies to lovers lite and workplace romances. However, I thought it was going to be spicy and it was more of a fade to black vibe. Which is totally fine but not normally what I go for.

A cute workplace romance reminiscent of The Hating Game.
I loved the fast pace of the book and the chemistry between the characters. The dates and just the time the characters spent together were really cute and fun. I was bummed when I got to the end because I felt like I could have read more of Marina and Lucas growing together and going on fun dates. The secondary characters added a little something extra to the book making it feel more well-rounded.

This one was sadly just an okay read for me. The writing itself is fine and the premise and tropes are good, but I’m afraid this one just didn’t come together and click with me as a reader.

The pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, and I wasn’t hooked right off - which I think was part of it for me. I kept going, as I had read another book (The Fixer Upper) by the author last year and really enjoyed it. Other than that, I didn’t really connect with either of our leads, and was hoping for a stronger secondary cast as well.

It was definitely a decent read and a cute story and I think it will serve as a great poolside read for many. Definitely an author I would still try again.

Let me just come right out and say that the Epilogue saved this review. I was very confused with the ending and unsettled, but the epilogue did clear some of it up. I still am not a fan of the ending, but I can accept it. Cute, easy read. Nothing too heavy. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dealbreakers
by Lauren Forsythe
Review Score: 3 1/2 Stars

Five Key Feels
-I love the overall concept of “Dealbreakers” and what it is used for.

-I also loved seeing women in STEM as a focal point.

-The battle between Marina and Lucas was fun to watch unfold.

-It was fun to see Marina and her friends figure our who they are and what they are looking for, and how that may differ than what you think.

-Overall, I felt unsure about Marina’s final decision in terms of Lucas. Luckily, the Epilogue cleared some of those feelings for me.

———

Dealbreakers was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 8/1/23

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I met my Husband through online dating, and went on dates with a few guys I was not compatible with before I got to him. So obviously, I loved the idea of getting extra notes on a guy.

I also loved that Marina works in technology, and is really pushing to prove that she is worth more within the company.

It was fun to read though the activities Marina and Lucas had to do, and see their opinions on if they are dates or friend activities.

Where I struggled, and, no spoilers here, is their overall compatibility. It made me feel like Marina had to choose compatibility OR passion. And it makes me feel like she gave up compatibility FOR passion in the end. I am a strong believer that you can have both, and I agree with her (for most of the book it seemed), that you should not settle.

Overall, I just really struggled with that ending decision long term. The epilogue clears up some things for me, but overall, I disliked that decision.

Have you read this book? You will have to tell me if you agree with my conflicting opinion!

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #fiction #arcreview #netgalley #laurenforsythe #dealbreakers #penguingroupputnam

At 30 and newly single, after her 15-year-long relationship ends, Marina knows her dealbreakers. No smokers, no tattoos, no swearing, someone who wants 2.5 kids, and a picket fence lifestyle. She's ready to settle down and is aggressively dating to find the one that meets every item on that list.

Lucas is everything that Marina doesn't want. Charming, slightly rakish, with tattoos, and a foul mouth. He never settles down in one place for long. Even worse, he's her professional nemesis (I, too, have a nemesis and I love that that language is used!).

When the two are sent on a series of fake dates with a major promotion at stake, Marina starts to realize that maybe those dealbreakers aren't dealbreakers at all when the man in front of her gives her butterflies. Lucas realizes that maybe being in the same place wouldn't be so bad if he gets to spend it with a woman who gives as good as she gets.

This is a sweet, closed-door romance with plenty of great tropes: enemies to friends to lovers, workplace, forced proximity, and sort of fake dating. Marina has an excellent set of friends who can push her on her hang-ups and who have interesting stories of their own. The banter between the two love interests is also well-done. The primary downside here is that the enmity between Marina and Lucas isn't well-developed, we're launched fully into their story with only brief mentions of that background. As a result, it's not particularly surprising that Lucas is really smitten with Marina and goes all out to charm himself into her life.

All told, if you don't mind closed-door romances, this is a good choice with a fun premise and plenty of enjoyable tropes.

* Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *

Dealbreakers are a part of dating, no matter what you might feel. There are certain things people don’t like yet The Dealbreakers by Lauren Forsythe takes that concept and applies it to a romance novel.

The book begins with Marina who is vying for a promotion after being dumped by her long-time boyfriend. After being interrupted by her work nemesis Lucas, they end up being forced together for an idea pitched by one of Marina’s co-workers. Essentially, they’re trying to figure out if outings are better for a group as Marina pitched or dates as Lucas pitched to give a more streamlined experience for the app they both work for.

Of course, those types of encounters feel more like dating although it’s clear these two have wildly different ideas of what they want in relationships. Marina wants marriage, kids, and the picket fence while Lucas is figuring things out and having fun which makes for some delicious tension and an even more exciting connection.

However, things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows for these two. Marina is still learning how to say no and figure out her boundaries while Lucas is trying to be there for his family. Either way, they end up being such perfect complements to each other that I couldn’t put this book down once I started.

Things did feel a bit predictable at times, but that’s just the nature of reading sometimes. I do feel like The Dealbreakers did have a fun concept as Marina starts to realize her dealbreakers aren’t helping and the app she developed to judge men didn’t help anyone. While I did have to suspense my disbelief a bit, this one was fun.

While the ending was a bit cheesy, I do think The Dealbreakers is fun and will scratch the itch of those looking for a fun and light-hearted story.

Thank you NetGalley and author for this ARC!

I enjoyed it a lot! Such a cute book. This book is a fun and flirty romantic comedy. I highly recommend this and will most definitely will be reading again. Fun lighthearted read! I highly recommend

This book was a nice lighthearted read. I enjoyed the characters and writing and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and easy read.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

Thank you Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Dealbreakers" by Lauren Forsythe is a heartwarming romantic comedy that explores the intersection of love, work, and the perils of online dating. The story follows Marina Spicer, a driven coder with a no-nonsense approach to love, armed with a meticulous list of dealbreakers. Tired of the disappointments of online dating, Marina creates Dealbreakers, an anonymous app where women can review and rate men based on their internet profiles.

However, Marina's world is turned upside down when she encounters Lucas Kennedy, a charismatic Irish content writer who becomes her biggest rival in the race for a long-awaited promotion. To Marina's dismay, they are paired up for a project that involves testing out various date ideas to determine who will take charge of the department. Curiosity leads Marina to investigate Lucas on the Dealbreakers app, only to discover that he holds the dubious distinction of being the worst-rated man on the entire platform.

As Marina and Lucas embark on their date experiments, which range from mixing cocktails to salsa dancing and even axe-throwing, they find themselves engaged in hilarious arguments and unexpected moments of fun. Marina begins to question her rigid dealbreakers as she realizes that Lucas is not the man she initially thought he was. The temptation to break her own rules becomes increasingly difficult to resist, challenging her belief in the infallibility of Dealbreakers. After all, if the app deems Lucas as Mr. Wrong, can he possibly be Mr. Right?

Lauren Forsythe weaves a delightful tale filled with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and captivating romantic tension. The chemistry between Marina and Lucas sizzles, providing readers with a delightful slow-burn romance that keeps them rooting for the characters' happily-ever-after. Marina's transformation from a staunch rule-follower to someone willing to take risks in love is beautifully portrayed, showcasing the power of personal growth and the allure of stepping outside one's comfort zone.