Too Friendly to Date by Nicole Helm
Contemporary Romance
Released: October 7, 2014
Harlequin

Reviewed by Mandi

I was first introduced to Nicole Helm’s work in her recent release All I Have. It’s an adorable farmer’s market romance (now available as a single title) that I just loved. So, I was excited to try something else by her and I liked this one a lot too.

Leah is an electrician who is fiercely independent and stubborn. If anyone glances at her with the a look of pity, she gets very defensive. All of this is for good reason. Leah was born with a heart defect and had to have a transplant at the age of 13. WIth severe asthma and allergies, as a young adult, Leah got completely sick of her family’s constant hovering and moved in with her aunt. Leah acted out, made bad decisions, putting her life in danger and cutting ties with her parents. Now ten years later, she is beginning the rocky road to rebuilding that relationship with her mom and dad, starting with having them stay with her over Christmas. But before they arrive, she needs to address the tiny lie she told her mom – that she has a boyfriend. Her mom thinks girls need boyfriends, and with her heart condition, her mom had always pressured her to have a boyfriend for help. To stop this insane conversation, Leah told her mom she was dating her co-worker Jacob. Oopsie.

Jacob works with Leah at a renovation company. His sister is best friends with Leah so they’ve been friendly for a long time. Jacob hasn’t had sex in five months because he is sick of dating women and having it end badly. He isn’t a bad guy by any means, but he likes to plan everything, and have everything under his control – which works great in the office but doesn’t always work when dating. When Leah comes to him begging him to be her fake boyfriend over Christmas, Jacob agrees, because he has always had a thing for Leah.

The thing that stands out most in this book is the banter between Leah and Jacob. Let me note – Leah isn’t always the most likable heroine. She can be very stand offish and defensive but once I understood why, I appreciated her much more.  Besides being sick of her family over-protecting her, her reality is that one day she will need another heart transplant and that’s scary. She doesn’t want to marry or have children and put them through that. But she can’t help her growing feelings for Jacob – so she is sharp with her tongue. She tries everything to not fall for him.

“Don’t you think it might be a little awkward pretending to be with Jacob considering…”

Leah straightened in her chair, the heat of embarrassment climbing her cheeks and forehead. “Considering what?”

“Well, you guys just have…a thing.”

“A thing?”

“Yeah. Like a weird energy. Like maybe there’s a little interest of attraction there. Kyle and I have both definitely noticed a thing.”

“There is not thing. We’re thingless! Well, he’s not. I mean, I assume he’s not. It’s not like I actually know. Oh, my God. Shut me up. Please.”

But Jacob is a big boy and can take it, and eventually comes to learn of Leah’s past and health issues. He is a super sweet guy (with a beard!) and I love how he can take Leah’s harsh words and turn them flirty and charming and throw those in her face. They had very nice chemistry together.

He pulled his truck against the curb in front of Leah’s house. Though it was dark, he could make out a hunched figure on the porch. He stepped out of his truck, frowning at Leah’s pacing form. “What are you doing out here?”

“Waiting for you.”

“It’s freezing, Queen Whack job.” He hunched in his coat. The wind was bitter cold. He didn’t want to be out here to walk from truck to house, let alone skulking

“Hey, Assy McGee, what if my parents hear you calling me that?”

“Assy McGee is way worse than Queen Whack Job.”

Leah’s mom is definitely overbearing but fit what a worried, hovering mother would be like. Jacob also has some drama with his parents, that leads to some conflict with Leah towards the end of the book. His behavior seemed a little forced and out of place, but it was resolved nicely.

I read this book in almost one sitting – it’s fun, made me smile and takes place over Christmas which I enjoyed. Definitely watching for more from this author.

Grade: B

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