Dirty Trick by Christine Bell (Perfectly Matched #1)
Contemporary Romance
Released: September 23, 2013
Entangled Publishing
Reviewed by Mandi
I’ve read a couple of books by Christine Bell and I really like her voice. Dirty Trick gives us two very likable protagonists. Grace Love runs a matchmaking service, yet never has a match of her own. Her best friend Trick is on the SWAT team (hubba hubba) and has always given her the good tingles when he is around, but they never quite went the dating route. Trick, who is just an all around good guy (I love a good guy hero!) has had all the feelings for Grace, but for various reasons has held back. Now it’s Halloween, Grace is going to a big Halloween party without a date, and Trick has an idea. His good friend puts him into an awesome cat mask (molded onto his face) and he hooks up with Grace at the party (she doesn’t recognize him). But then Trick can’t quite tell her it’s really him.
So I’ve mentioned that I like both characters and this author’s overall voice. But I have some frustrations. First, Trick and Grace have been best friends for a long time. So I just don’t find it believable that Grace would not recognize Trick at the party. Yes he is wearing a mask and has cat contacts in – but his body language? His voice, even if he tries to make it raspy? I’m not buying it!
Second, Trick doesn’t tell her it’s really him for days. They do a lot of naughty things together, under his disguise. Then they meet at a dark theater, and further their relationship all while Grace thinks he is a stranger. I just didn’t’ care for this set-up. Too predictable and frustrating.
I love a best friends to lovers trope, but not when one of them deceives for this long.
Rating: C+
Recommended by Christine Bell: Down for the Count
Recent Reviews:
Fiction Vixen – B
Blue Eyed Book Nerd
Goodreads l Author Website l Series Guide
Okay, that does indeed sound unbelievable. You must recognize his body, the shape of his head, his hands. if you have been friends for so long, you know how he looks.
Yeah agree
It is one of my favorite tropes mixed with one of my least favorite ones. Maybe if she had realized quickly who he was but played along I would like it more.
I read a different Halloween book where the H/H pretended not to know each other and that was fun
I had some of the same issues with this book. Loved the characters and enjoyed the humor and there were a couple of smexy scenes. Overall though it felt rushed and underdeveloped. Not as good as her MMA series.
I don’t think I’ve read her MMA series!