Eye Candy (Real Love, #1)

by Jessica Lemmon

DON’T TRUST LUST AT FIRST SIGHT.

Jacqueline: As an adult woman—and the vice president of a marketing firm—I shouldn’t be waiting by my office window to ogle the mystery man who jogs by every morning at 11:45. Sure, he’s a gorgeous, perfect specimen of the human race, but I can’t bring myself to hit on a total stranger. However, my best friend–slash–colleague Vince Carson thinks I should do more than talk to the guy. In fact, he’s borderline obsessive about “getting me laid.” (His words.) But the more time we spend together, the more it’s clear: The one I’m falling for is Vince.

Vince: Jackie Butler’s got it bad for some pompous, over-pumped A-hole who struts his stuff past her window. That doesn’t bother me. I know she deserves nice things. What does bother me is that she friend-zoned me big-time last year, so I can’t ask her out myself. But what if I set her up with Mr. Steroids? Then, when he breaks her heart, I can swoop in and save her like the nice guy I am. Everything’s going according to plan . . . until we share a ridiculously epic kiss. And suddenly anything is possible.

• ASIN: B01MT0J8GS
• Publish Date: 25 July 2017
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Imprint: Loveswept
• Format: eBook (Kindle)
• Pages: 229
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

Yey! A new series by Jessica Lemmon is definitely something to get excited about. This first novel is a friends to lovers romance.

Vince Carson's feelings for his best friend run far deeper than the platonic show he displays for Jacqueline Butler daily. During the day, they share the role of vice president for the marketing firm they work for. The rest of the time, they hang out because they share common interests. When Jackie begins to lust over a guy who jogs past her office window every day, Vince convinces her she should ask him out. Only his best-laid plans don't go as he expects.

Jackie Butler's days have been far brighter since 'Golden Boy' began jogging past her office window at the marketing firm she is vice president of. She's surprised when her best friend and colleague suggests she asks out the object of her desire. However, she's even more astonished when Vince recommends to help her out. Only, he has a hidden agenda she isn't aware of...

The Author has me squirming in my seat (positive response) as Jackie navigates her difficult situation stage-managed by Vince. It's uncomfortable to read in a car crash way as she copes with circumstances way beyond her comfort zone. Yet, simultaneously, the comedy of errors situations are hilarious and highly entertaining. Written from a dual point of view, it's amusing to contemplate their reactions as things don't go according to plan and satisfying when they do.

The dialogue is littered with witty banter as the protagonists muddle their way through the highs and lows of the shenanigans caused by Vince's serious errors of judgement. Throughout the drama, the pair is supported by a likeable bunch of friends, we'd all feel comfortable sharing a drink with. Ms Lemmon is a go-to author for me and Eye Candy more than lives up to my expectations. The writing is style is sexy and light-hearted creating an absorbing, page-turning, fun read.

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept via NetGalley***

[Rowena]

Eye Candy is the first book in a new series by Jessica Lemmon called Real Love. It follows Vince Carson as he tries to win his best friend Jackie Butler over into his life and his..bed.

Vince has got it bad for his best friend, Jackie. She kind of snuck up on him because he wasn’t looking for feelings to creep up on him since he swore off love after his ex-wife left him because he wasn’t successful enough for her. Jackie and Vince work together, they share the VP status at their marketing firm and it was Jackie that helped Vince get his shit together after the divorce. He was an emotional mess and talking things out with Jackie, who showed up at his house with fried chicken and beer helped get his life back on track and he was doing well now. He was done being an emotional basket case and he was moving on with his life. He was ready to date again and he wanted to date Jackie but she wasn’t ready for him.

Jackie came into the picture when she started working at the marketing firm that Vince worked at. She was fresh off a divorce herself but her divorce did a number on her because her ex-husband cheating and fell in love with someone else while still married to Jackie and she hasn’t really recovered from the rejection and betrayal. Vince was off limits when Jackie first meets him and it’s probably for the best because they’re really good as friends. Best friends, even. She saw herself in him when he was struggling to get through the days following his divorce and so she shows up at his house and helps him through everything. She listened to him when he needed to get all of his emotions off his chest. She helped him figure out his next move.

Vince is under the impression that if he were to ask Jackie out, that he would be her rebound and he doesn’t want to be that so when she starts drooling over the hot guy that runs by their office every day at 11:45am, Vince thinks it’s a good idea to become her dating coach. She needs to get back out there so that when the hot guy breaks her heart, Vince will be there to comfort her through the heartbreak.

What a dumbass plan. The whole plan that Vince concocts to win Jackie over was just plain ol’ dumb but for some reason, I kept reading the book. I enjoyed Vince as a character and I enjoyed getting to know Jackie but I still thought that they had a lot of dumb moments throughout the book. I’m not a fan of dating games and these two played a lot of them. They’re best friends, so I didn’t think that the games were necessary but let them both slide some because they were young enough to make those stupid mistakes.

The romance was pretty steamy and I’m mighty curious about the next book in this series so I’m definitely going to be continuuing on. I liked Davis and want to see him get the bartender….I’m also very curious to know where Grace went toward the end of this book. Why wasn’t she at the bar when the boys would go in there? Hmmm…

Overall, I thought this book was good. The characters were funny, the dialogue had me cracking up and I liked the hero. Sure, Vince did some stupid shit but I still really liked him. I liked him more than I liked Jackie. I wasn’t a fan of the whole JT thing but it led Vince and Jackie to each other so I got over it. Jessica Lemmon created a fun little world for these characters and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the gang in the next book. I’m in.

Grade: 3.5 out of 5

[chymerra]

I really didn’t care of Eye Candy. Not that it wasn’t a good story, it was, but I couldn’t pay attention to it. I would read a couple of chapters, my attention would wander, I would force myself back to the book and then repeat. I cannot enjoy a book that can’t command my attention for any length of time and unfortunately, Eye Candy was such a book.


I couldn’t connect with Jacqueline (or Jackie or Butler). It wasn’t that she was funny (the lusting after J.T. was hilarious) but she seemed weak. I understand that she got hurt when her husband cheated on her and then they got divorced. I totally get that but she seemed to cling to that like a security blanket. The only man she even saw on a regular basis but denied dating because you know movies and popcorn on a couch with cuddling for months on end is not dating (insert eye roll there). The man she did that with was her coworker, her co-vice president Vince and she was helping him get over a pretty nasty divorce. When she started dating JT, it was so bland, so that I knew where the book was going to end up.

Vince, I felt the same way about. He knew that he wanted Butler and he knew that he didn’t want to risk losing his friendship with her. So he stayed in the friend zone. Of course, when Butler started showing interest in another man (the jogger that he immaturely nicknamed Jaundice), he started to get jealous. Which is such a double standard because he went through a one night stand bender after his divorce was final. There were points in the book where I was like “What the hell, Vince. You’re a moron.” I actually said that out loud, without the Vince part, and my SO looked up and went “Ummm, what did I do now“…haha.

I will say that the sex was hot. Sex on stairs with heels? Yeah, I don’t think either me or my SO could manage that. Either one or both of us would end up hurt and possibly in the hospital. The sex did get better after the first time. The only thing that I really didn’t like was that they went bareback with only their word that they were clean. Listen, I know it is a romance novel but try to be realistic and have them wrap it up. It is a petty thing that drives me nuts when reading romance novels like this.

Now, I will say that I laughed, a lot during Eye Candy. From the pop culture hints (the Bruce Willis references cracked me up) to the strong female characters (Bethany I loved…kicking JT in the nuts was probably the best part of the book). That is the saving grace of this book for me. It was the laughter and the characters had a genuine friendship before they started bumping uglies.

The end of the book was your typical HEA. I am actually looking forward to reading the next book because I want to read Davis’s story (or Bethany’s!!)

How many stars will I give Eye Candy: 3

Why: Weak plot, characters that annoyed me but it did have some great sex scenes and was genuinely funny

Will I reread: No but I would read the other books in the series

Will I recommend to family and friends: No

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex and language

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

[kimbacaffeinate]

Told from dual perspectives Lemmon severed up a romance that had me laughing, rolling my eyes and wanting to lock this couple in a dark room to see what would happen!

Jacqueline and Vince share the role of vice president at a local marketing firm. The two have become close friends, watching movies together, and sharing lunches but when Vince sees Jacqueline ogling a local runner, he suddenly begins to think of her as more than a friend. Guys are so silly. Vince has a million reasons why he cannot ask her out and instead decides to coach her on picking up the hot runner. He figures he can be her rebound guy, then Vince will sweep in and yeah..like I said, guys.

I knew we were in for a fun ride and Lemmon delivered plenty of snark, delicious teasing and some hot as heck moments as these two sorted things out. The drama was minimal and the dual perspective really allowed me to understand the characters. As I said, at times I wanted to lock them in a dark room until they just came clean on their feelings. Miscommunication almost spoiled my good time but despite frustration, I enjoyed the ride.

I adored their coworker and I am very curious about Vince's drinking buddy. Both meddled and added to the tale.

Awkward, sexy and just plain fun EYE CANDY offered up a tasty afternoon treat. Fans of Lauren Blakely, Kate Meader, and Jennifer Probst will adore this one. Be sure to read the author's note in the back of the book. It shares how Lemmon got the inspiration for this tale and it will make you smile.

Copy provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer