Man Card by Sarina Bowen & Tanya Eby

Nothing ventured, nothing banged...

ASH

I still don't know how it happened. One minute I was arguing with my arrogant competitor—our usual trash-talk over who deserves the larger commission. But somehow I went from throwing down to kneeling down...

It can never happen again. I don't even like Braht. He's too slick. He's a manipulating mansplaining party boy in preppy clothes.

So why can't I get him out of my head?

BRAHT

There are two things I know without question. One: Ash and I are destined for each other. Two: never trust a man with a unibrow.

Ash is my missing my piece. She's the sweet cream to my gourmet espresso. And nothing gets me going faster than her contempt for me. They don't call her the Ashkicker for nothing.

Eventually I'll win her over... if my past doesn't ruin everything first.

Book 2
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“Name your other favorite movies,” I challenge Braht.

“All of them?” He chugs his margarita.

“Hmm. Top ten? Top five?”

“That’s totally easy,” he says. Somehow I’ve gotten closer to him on the floor. When he sits back, I actually snuggle in beside him. He’s wearing a ridiculously soft shirt that feels good against my skin. And I watch with fascination as he ticks off the names of films on his fingers. “When Harry Met Sally. The Devil Wears Prada. Roman Holiday. Clueless. And Working Girl.”

I burst out laughing. I can’t help it. “Those are all chick flicks. You should just hand over your man card right now.”

“Not a chance.” Braht’s expression grows intense. “In the first place, I gave you a very thorough demonstration of my man card last week. I don’t remember hearing any complaints.”

I swallow hard, because this is certainly true.

“And secondly, you’re looking at this all backward.”

“I… am?” And why can’t I look away? He has the most beautiful, intelligent eyes.

“Yeah, you are,” he whispers. “It’s the guy who has a firm grip on his man card that can hold your purse. He’s not afraid to be seen with that Tory Burch you like to carry—nice color, by the way. He’ll free up your hands because he likes your hands, and he remembers all the terrific things you can use them for.”

“Oh,” I say slowly. Now my fingers itch to reach out for him. I have to make fists with both hands so I won’t do it.

“Furthermore, he’s not afraid to quote Working Girl. Because Joan Cusack is a genius. And who wouldn’t want to say Melanie Griffith’s best line out loud?”

I can’t help saying it with him, and together we sound like the world’s horniest Greek chorus: “I have a head for business and a body for sin.”

Sin sounds pretty good right now, actually. But Braht’s not done with his speech. “Any man who tells you that chick flicks are for pussies can’t be any good in bed. Because that man does not speak the language of women. He doesn’t know that a little luxury can erase a shitty day of worrying about your ex…”

Braht takes my hand in his and begins to massage it. He has a great technique, applying gentle pressure between each joint. I relax just a little bit more against him.

“…That man doesn’t speak the language because he’s afraid of sounding like a girl. But fuck that noise, honey bear. If a man doesn’t have the vocabulary to describe a satin teddy with peekaboo lace and mother-of-pearl snaps at the crotch, he can’t buy it for you and then strategically ask you to wear it. He can’t plan ahead to blow your mind sometime by lifting your skirt somewhere semi-public and dangerous. And he can’t get down on his knees and kiss that lace and then pop open those snaps while you bite your own hand to keep from screaming when you climax.” Braht takes a deep breath and lets it out in one hot gust. “Fuck. What was the point of this speech?”

“Um…” My voice is hoarse, and my face is suddenly very hot. Let’s not even mention my nipples. “Man cards, I think.” But I’m not sure, because everything tingles.

“Right,” he says with a sigh. “Still got mine. Shall we watch Working Girl next?”

“Okay,” I breathe, sinking a little further into his comforting embrace.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shelby – ☆☆☆
Man Card is the second book in the Man Hands series. This can be read as a standalone, but the characters are featured in the first book.

I will start with a bit of a summary, not a complete run-down, but just touch on the characters. Ash is a strong, independent woman. She takes no BS, and expects none in return. She's the consummate business woman. Braht is a metrosexual man who is completely secure in himself. These characters are the complete opposite of one another, yet have many similarities.

They are explosive together, and I was happy to see them come together but...
The humor seemed force, it wasn't as natural as in the first book. I felt like most of the story was spent explaining Ash and Braht's past (which was necessary, but it just seemed excessive).

Overall, I didn't love this story, but I didn't hate it either – it was okay. I chuckled a few times, but nothing like in Man Hands.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is the second in the series, and I would recommend that you read Man Hands first as this follows on directly, and you will understand the state of the (non)relationship between Braht and Ash far better that way. It is also a funny story, which it would be a shame to miss.

Somehow this is less comedic than the first book, perhaps because life seems to get a little more serious and the issues feel more significant. There are still some little gems, like the arranging of the stationery, and the photos in Tom's house. We still get some girl crazy time with Brynn, Sadie, and Ash, but Bramly (Braht's brother) is probably the real joker this time around. It is though, another chemistry-laden romance, which following the pantry incident is not really a great surprise!

I still really enjoyed the book, and was so happy that they could see beyond the issues that could otherwise have kept them apart. In fact, their communication skills did them proud when it was really necessary, and they had worked out the differences between control and trust in particular.

Looking forward to where this series will go next... and hopefully soon, hint, hint!

Also Available in the Man Hands Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

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

Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the Brooklyn Bruisers series, the Ivy Years series, and the Gravity series. She lives in Vermont’s Green Mountains with her family, six chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.

Connect with Sarina

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Tanya Eby

Tanya Eby is the author of Foodies Rush In, Easy Does It, Blunder Woman, Pepper Wellington and the Case of the Missing Sausage, Tunnel Vision and Other Stories from the Edge, Synchronicity, and In the Garden Room; as well as the editor and publisher of Nevertheless We Persisted. Her new romantic comedy series is written with Sarina Bowen: Man Hands and Man Card.

Tanya was born in Lansing, Michigan, moved to Traverse City, went to high school in Coopersville and spent time living in Detroit, Miami and eventually New York City. Michigan is now her home (and setting for all of her novels) and where she lives with her two children. Her work, though genre-crossing, has the same elements of quirky characters in strange situations. At times comedic, at times heartfelt, and even at times downright creepy, Tanya Eby seeks to write stories that are engaging and resonate with the reader. She is also a professional narrator and you can find her audiobooks by doing a search on her name here.

Connect with Tanya

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Man Card (Man Hands #2) by Sarina Bowen & Tanya Eby to read and review.

Man Hands by Sarina Bowen & Tanya Eby

He puts the "screw" in screwball comedy...

BRYNN

At thirty-four, I’m reeling from a divorce. I don’t want to party or try to move on. I just want to stay home and post a new recipe on my blog: Brynn’s Dips and Balls.

But my friends aren’t having it. Get out there again, they say. It will be fun, they say. I’m still taking a hard pass.

Free designer cocktails, they say. And that’s a game-changer.

Too bad my ex shows up with his new arm candy. That’s when I lose my mind. But when my besties dare me to leap on the first single man I see, they don't expect me to actually go through with it.

TOM

All I need right now is some peace and quiet while my home renovation TV show is on hiatus. But when a curvy woman in a red wrap dress charges me like she’s a gymnast about to mount my high bar, all I can do is brace myself and catch her. What follows is the hottest experience of my adult life.

I want a repeat, but my flying Cinderella disappears immediately afterward. She doesn’t leave a glass slipper, either—just a pair of panties with chocolate bunnies printed on them.

But I will find her.

Book 1
Buy Links

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

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
Romantic Comedy is usually hit or miss, for me – it's either hilarious or terribly cheesy. Thankfully, Man Hands was the perfect combination of zingy one-liners, slapstick, and romance.

Brynn is trying to find her "groove" after her recent divorce. Her friends, Sadie and Ash, will not let Brynn become the hermit she so wishes to be. Down on her luck, she's failed at life... she's unemployed, unloved, and ready to give up. Brynn is completely likeable. She isn't an airhead, she isn't full of herself, but she IS funny and relatively realistic. Unfortunately, she's awful at picking men aka pseudo-dudes, and her friends let her know – hilariously.

Tom, aka the Gardener, is trying to regain his footing. He needs to figure out what he wants and needs after a very public, humiliating denial of engagement. He's sweet and sexy, a "manly" man with big hands, etc. He's the perfect match for Brynn!

The banter between Brynn and Tom is entertaining, I found myself giggling a lot more than I expected to. The romance was perfect, it wasn't too sweet or fake. Did I mention that the sexy scenes were hot? They were HOT!! This book was entertaining without being too over the top.

I like this collaborative duo and am excited to read the next book in this series!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really good, fun read. It is fast paced and full of laugh out loud moments which are tinged with a slight sadness. Very cleverly plotted, sometimes very obviously, others brilliantly subtle – mostly in your face and cheeky.

Ms. Bowen and Ms. Eby have written a story which tells of the modern fascination with reality shows, yet reminds us what is actually important in life. Chandra's behaviour, surprisingly, is used with great effect to achieve that end.

I am delighted that this is the first in a series, and the pantry incident makes it clear that there is another comedy to be written about that pairing!

Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the Brooklyn Bruisers series, the Ivy Years series, and the Gravity series. She lives in Vermont’s Green Mountains with her family, six chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.

Connect with Sarina

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Tanya Eby

Tanya Eby is the author of Foodies Rush In, Easy Does It, Blunder Woman, Pepper Wellington and the Case of the Missing Sausage, Tunnel Vision and Other Stories from the Edge, Synchronicity, and In the Garden Room; as well as the editor and publisher of Nevertheless We Persisted. Her new romantic comedy series is written with Sarina Bowen: Man Hands and Man Card.

Tanya was born in Lansing, Michigan, moved to Traverse City, went to high school in Coopersville and spent time living in Detroit, Miami and eventually New York City. Michigan is now her home (and setting for all of her novels) and where she lives with her two children. Her work, though genre-crossing, has the same elements of quirky characters in strange situations. At times comedic, at times heartfelt, and even at times downright creepy, Tanya Eby seeks to write stories that are engaging and resonate with the reader. She is also a professional narrator and you can find her audiobooks by doing a search on her name here.

Connect with Tanya

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Man Hands (Man Hands #1) by Sarina Bowen & Tanya Eby to read and review.