Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon

This is one bad boy who’s fit to print.

A notorious jock tackles life—and love—after football with a type-A journalist in this sexy standalone from the author of Eye Candy.

Barrett
As a former pro football star, I’m used to playing the field. After injuries cut my NFL career short, my second act as a broadcaster ended on live television when a hot mic picked up a little verbal... indiscretion. But this latest publicity stunt might just land me back on top—much to the chagrin of Catarina Everhart, the prissy, beautiful journalist who’s been assigned to date a bad boy (i.e., me) and write about it. Catarina swears I’ll never touch her, let alone kiss those full lips of hers. Based on our chemistry, I’m not buying it...

Catarina
Barrett Fox seems to be doing everything in his power to make me hate him. The cocky egomaniac is infamous for his bad behavior, and now, thanks to my boss’s harebrained schemes, he’s apparently my problem. As one fake date leads to another, I start to see a different side of Barrett. He’s close with his family. He does volunteer work. And, okay, he kisses like a dream. Am I really dating Barrett Fox? Or is he playing me? Because suddenly I’m risking my reputation—and my heart.

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this book! It’s refreshingly original, laugh-out-loud funny, and left me wanting more.

After an injury ends Barrett’s career as a professional football player, he takes up a career as a broadcaster until his mouth winds up getting him fired. Now, he’s determined to earn a second chance in broadcasting by garnering some good press by doing a few journalist columns for a local newspaper. Catarina isn’t sure what she did to deserve such a punishment, but her boss has informed her that her new assignment is ‘fake’ dating Barrett and writing five articles detailing what it’s like dating such a bad boy. Though the sparks are there, Barrett pushes every one of Catarina’s buttons and she doesn’t think she’s going to be able to finish this job – then once she gets to know Barrett better, an unlikely friendship emerges and becomes something more.

Barrett’s character is freaking hilarious, though he is also an ass about 80% of the time, I still absolutely loved him. Catarina is the perfect balance for Barrett, where he follows none of the rules and lives a very unstructured life, Catarina is the total opposite. The two butt heads at every turn, making this a very enjoyable and fast-paced read. This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Lemmon but I’m definitely going to be looking for future releases after reading this one!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
A refreshing story of dating and romance – or should I say "non-dating." Barrett and Catarina are set up by her editor to pretend date for the summer as the subject of a series of columns to be written by both of the them. Only the newspaper employees would know that their dating wasn't real, everyone else would think that they were actually dating.

Over the course of the pretend dates, Catarina actually begins to like Barrett even though he gets on her last nerve at times. Barrett respects Cat's work ethic but likes to push her outside the box every once in a while.

The characters are well written and easy to relate to. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and although they are linked, you can definitely read this as a standalone.

In the interests of the online magazine she runs, Mia decides that Catarina should expand the reach of her column and write about dates. She has even chosen the man – Barrett, a retired NFL star who has just destroyed his second career as a sports commentator by berating a female referee.

They are the most unlikely mix, but as Catarina gets to know a little more about the real Barrett, the inevitable attraction develops. How they decide to deal with it is a lot more complicated. And Barrett's sluggishness at producing copy is also an issue, but once he reveals why, they become even closer. It is great fun watching them go on dates and listening in to their conversations... and the inventive places they find to get up close and personal!

With some good twists, and a couple of "what would I do?" moments, this is a fun, romantic, and entertaining story. Thank you, Ms. Lemmon.

Also Available in the Real Love Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Eye Candy post.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Man Candy post.

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

Connect with Jessica

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rumor Has It (Real Love #4) by Jessica Lemmon to read and review.