Man Card by Sarina Bowen, Tanya Eby Series: Man Hands #2
Published by Self-Published on January 15th 2018
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Format: eARC
Source: ARC
Purchase @ AMAZON or BN
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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.
Liezel’s Thoughts:
If you’ve read Man Hands (which I recommend that you do) you would understand my concerns about the hero of this story, Braht. Even as I was reading the first book in the series I determined that his character isn’t like anyone that I have come across before. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing mind you. In fact, it is one of the elements which made this book stand out.
What am I talking about? Figuring out if Braht possessed a Man Card. This guy was seriously so much more feminine that I was! Some of the stuff he did was completely absurd which definitely added to the overall humor in this story.
The things that kept me so enraptured was figuring out what exactly shaped his personality and if he would be able to convince Ash if he was the right match for her. Did these authors succeed in doing that? Absolutely! I can’t compliment the authors enough for providing us with not just the most appropriate title ever but an all too perfect story too.
The bottom line is, I enjoyed Man Card just as much as I enjoyed Man Hands and can not wait to see how Sadie gets her well deserved HEA too!
The Verdict:
Excerpt:
“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.
About Sarina Bowen
Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of Vermont.
She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.
With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of HIM and US.
About Tanya Eby
Tanya is a starving artist without the starving part. Maybe, then, she’s a snacking artist. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her two kids and tiki-obssessed husband and writes quirky fiction.
After writing a gripping, dark, gothic novel IN THE GARDEN ROOM, Tanya decided to switch it up. She’s hard at work on a romcom, which doesn’t feel like work at all.
She likes to keep things interesting.
She is also an award-winning narrator and audiobook publisher. She has been lucky to narrate some of the best books around…600 and counting! Many of the books she narrates are NY Times bestsellers.
She loves the challenge of narrating and truly adores words. Reading other writers’ work encourages her to keep working on her own.
