How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

How to Fail at Flirting

by Denise Williams

"A warm romance that bursts with realism and celebrates the symbiotic power of love and healing.”―Entertainment Weekly

#1 LibraryReads Pick
Indie Next Pick

One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.


When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup.  Check…almost.

Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.

Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again.

Reviewed by edafoe on

5 of 5 stars

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WHOA. I adored this one.

This is just one of the sweetest and swoon-worthy contemporary romances I have read in a long time. Going into this book I was expecting a sweet and steamy romcom, and this book delivered on all of that while simultaneously delivering a big emotional punch as well.

How To Fail at Flirting follows Naya and Jake, who meet by chance and develop a really strong connection (but I wouldn't call it instalove). A its heart this book is about two people trying to make it work despite external complications and trauma from past relationships.

This one has definitely cured the contemporary romance slump I've been in. One of my top reads of the year - just a delightful read!

5/5. Highly recommend. A+.

TW: Domestic violence

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 21 July, 2020: Finished reading
  • 21 July, 2020: Reviewed