Just Like That
by
Nicola Rendell
"I bet I can untangle you."
At an airport baggage claim, Penny Darling looks up from her knotted mess of ear buds to find the sexiest hunk of man she's ever seen. He's got a military haircut, a scar through his eyebrow, and he's rocking a pastel pink dress shirt like only a real man can. But Penny is on a man-free diet so she leaves the airport without succumbing to his delicious double-entendres...or his dreamy dimples.
PI Russ Macklin can't take his eyes off Penny. As she sashays out of the airport with hips swaying and curls bouncing, he suspects they may share more than just sweltering chemistry. That suitcase she's rolling along behind her? It looks a lot like his.
Because it is.
When he tracks her down, he holds her bag hostage in exchange for a date. Their night begins with margaritas and ends in urgent care, and Russ proves that Cosmo's theory about a very particular type of orgasm was oh-so-wrong.
In Penny, Russ finds a small-town sweetheart with a very naughty side. For the first time ever, he’s thinking about picket fences. Penny finds in Russ a loving, caring man who understands the power of massaging showerheads.
But Russ is only in Port Flamingo for a week. They agree it'll be a fling and nothing more. Because really, they can't fall ass-over-teakettle in love just like that...
Can they?
99k words. HEA. Dual POV. No cheating.
Featuring a big drooly dog named Guppy.
At an airport baggage claim, Penny Darling looks up from her knotted mess of ear buds to find the sexiest hunk of man she's ever seen. He's got a military haircut, a scar through his eyebrow, and he's rocking a pastel pink dress shirt like only a real man can. But Penny is on a man-free diet so she leaves the airport without succumbing to his delicious double-entendres...or his dreamy dimples.
PI Russ Macklin can't take his eyes off Penny. As she sashays out of the airport with hips swaying and curls bouncing, he suspects they may share more than just sweltering chemistry. That suitcase she's rolling along behind her? It looks a lot like his.
Because it is.
When he tracks her down, he holds her bag hostage in exchange for a date. Their night begins with margaritas and ends in urgent care, and Russ proves that Cosmo's theory about a very particular type of orgasm was oh-so-wrong.
In Penny, Russ finds a small-town sweetheart with a very naughty side. For the first time ever, he’s thinking about picket fences. Penny finds in Russ a loving, caring man who understands the power of massaging showerheads.
But Russ is only in Port Flamingo for a week. They agree it'll be a fling and nothing more. Because really, they can't fall ass-over-teakettle in love just like that...
Can they?
99k words. HEA. Dual POV. No cheating.
Featuring a big drooly dog named Guppy.
Review by: Tatia
I'm ruined! Major book hangover now in progress. Normally I get this way after a highly emotional book, one that rips everything away and slowly pieces it back together. That wasn't what kind of book this was. Just Like That had me clutching my side with laughter, snorting and choking on my food/drink, and even tearing up at the sweetness of it all. It was all more than I thought I was getting. Nicola Rendell is my new favorite author!
5 Stars
Review by: Kim
Gahhh this book!
Just Like That has everything a really good romance novel needs. I was a little put off at the very beginning when the classic bag switch happened. I thought I was in for a Luke warm read with a tired story line. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Penny is pretty and smart and she's genuinely sweet. She's also got a backbone and she's not afraid to use it.
Russ...Shew what a man! I want a Russ of my own. He's everything a strong, confident alpha male is supposed to be without being arrogant or pompous. This man knows what he wants and goes after it full steam ahead.
His, OMG is this really happening- moment made my little heart go pitter-patter in my chest.
This book is full of a lovable cast of characters, except for one, who will keep a grin on your face.
Russ's Aunt and Guppy made me roll.
Just Like That is so sweet it'll make your teeth ache. Yet the heat and chemistry between Russ and Penny will make your e-reader smoke.
Nicola Rendell has written a book with all the feels. This book is sure to leave you with a bit of a hangover.
Just Like That has everything a really good romance novel needs. I was a little put off at the very beginning when the classic bag switch happened. I thought I was in for a Luke warm read with a tired story line. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Penny is pretty and smart and she's genuinely sweet. She's also got a backbone and she's not afraid to use it.
Russ...Shew what a man! I want a Russ of my own. He's everything a strong, confident alpha male is supposed to be without being arrogant or pompous. This man knows what he wants and goes after it full steam ahead.
His, OMG is this really happening- moment made my little heart go pitter-patter in my chest.
This book is full of a lovable cast of characters, except for one, who will keep a grin on your face.
Russ's Aunt and Guppy made me roll.
Just Like That is so sweet it'll make your teeth ache. Yet the heat and chemistry between Russ and Penny will make your e-reader smoke.
Nicola Rendell has written a book with all the feels. This book is sure to leave you with a bit of a hangover.
4.5 Stars
Review by: Flavia
I don't even know where to start with this book.
Russ Macklin is a private investigator who lives in Boston and is in Port Flamingo, Florida to dig up dirt on the mayor of the town. As there is a developer who wants to build a 5 star gold course with all the whistles and bells and the mayor is holding him up.
But the minute Russ steps off the plane he is in lust with Penny Darling. As she is trying to untangle her ear buds he strikes up a conversation with her.
Penelope Darling lives in Port Flamingo and she loves it. Her family lives there, her best friend lives right next door to her and what more can you ask for. So when the cute guy strikes up a conversation with her she can't believe her luck. Reason is that she is on a man-diet. But I'm sure this one wont count right...
And what can she do when he follows her home, isn't that fate?? Or maybe its because she accidentally took his suitcase instead of hers? But I'm sure its still fate!
Russ and Penny has this instant attraction between them, but Russ is only in town for a week and he can't get attached to Penny, so how can he convince her to have a fling with him. But as he thinks of asking her he knows that Penny is not a fling kind of girl, but a girl that you build a life with
I loved this story, it was funny, cute and the chemistry between Penny and Russ was off the charts Not to mention that Russ is a alpha dirty talking male in the bedroom...
Russ Macklin is a private investigator who lives in Boston and is in Port Flamingo, Florida to dig up dirt on the mayor of the town. As there is a developer who wants to build a 5 star gold course with all the whistles and bells and the mayor is holding him up.
But the minute Russ steps off the plane he is in lust with Penny Darling. As she is trying to untangle her ear buds he strikes up a conversation with her.
Penelope Darling lives in Port Flamingo and she loves it. Her family lives there, her best friend lives right next door to her and what more can you ask for. So when the cute guy strikes up a conversation with her she can't believe her luck. Reason is that she is on a man-diet. But I'm sure this one wont count right...
And what can she do when he follows her home, isn't that fate?? Or maybe its because she accidentally took his suitcase instead of hers? But I'm sure its still fate!
Russ and Penny has this instant attraction between them, but Russ is only in town for a week and he can't get attached to Penny, so how can he convince her to have a fling with him. But as he thinks of asking her he knows that Penny is not a fling kind of girl, but a girl that you build a life with
I loved this story, it was funny, cute and the chemistry between Penny and Russ was off the charts Not to mention that Russ is a alpha dirty talking male in the bedroom...
The more time Russ spends with Penny the more he feels himself falling for her. But what will she do when she finds out the real reason he is in Town? Will they be able to overcome all their obsticles??
“All day, it’s been you. Since the minute I saw you, it’s been you. I think my whole life, even before I knew you, it was you.”
Here lies Penelope, struck through by ten thousand heart-fletched arrows. Me. Just me. This sexy, mysterious man was always waiting to meet me.
Totally over the top drama and romance. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon read.
4 Stars
Russ
In my shopping cart, I’ve got assorted gifts: a box of wine, like I saw in her fridge; every kind of salt-and-vinegar potato chips they sell; a box of Dots; some Kama Sutra warming massage oil because I couldn’t fucking resist.
And that just leaves one more thing.
I put my basket down by a display of cupcakes and clear my throat. “I need to get something written on a cake.”
The baker turns around. She pulls her hairnet off her head and says, “I’m leaving for the night, sir. I can take your order, but it’ll have to be for tomorrow.”
This part can’t wait. Penny needs to know I’m not sleeping on this. She needs to know I listened to every single thing she said—every last detail, every last word.
I lean forward, putting my hands on the curved glass case. I glance at the baker’s nametag and then look her in the tired, baggy eyes. “Jacquie. It’s urgent. I fucked up, and I need to apologize.”
“The bait shop has some nice carnations. Usually.”
“Already tried that. Didn’t take.”
She gives me a stern stare, like if the blue carnations didn’t do it, I must really be in the shit.
“Jacquie. Please.”
She inhales long and hard, pursing her lips tight. “I’ve got my bowling group in twenty minutes.” She points backward toward the freezers, and I see a turquoise bowling shirt hanging on the back of a door. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t have time.” She starts undoing her apron, which is a smudgy, colorful explosion of frostings. “Like I said, come back tomorrow. I’ll be glad to do whatever you’d like then.”
I pull out my wallet and open the billfold. “I’ll pay your overtime. I’ll pay your lane fees. I’ll buy you a new goddamned pair of bowling shoes. Whatever you want.” I put a fifty on the counter, next to the crumbly remains of some free cookies. “I just need a cake, tonight, with a message written on it.”
She looks at the money and then back at me.
“Jacquie. We’re talking about…” What the hell are we talking about? Chemistry? Sparks? That feeling in my gut that I’ve never felt before? Happiness? No, it’s more than that, and there’s only one word for it. “Love, Jacquie. We’re talking about love.”
Holy fuck. As soon as I say it, I know it’s true. Just a few days with Penny and I’m saying the word I’ve never said before—the one I never thought I’d ever say at all.
She lowers her nose, crumpling her chin into her throat. “Love?”
“Love. Like love-at-first-sight, different-planet, just-like-that love.”
She sighs hard, considering the cash. And then finally she untangles her hairnet from her palm, slipping it over her crunchy curls. “Five minutes. Pick out your cake. I’ve only got time for writing, though. No extra flowers. No balloons. No decoration. No sprinkles. We’re clear?”
“Jacquie, you’re a life saver,” I say, and pull a small round cake, decorated with pink roses, from the display shelf below. I slide it across the bakery case as she reties her apron. Then she takes a pad of paper and hands me a pen.
“Print what you want. Nice and clear. No cursive. I’m not letting one of my cakes become a hashtag bakery fail, all right?” She puts on a pair of plastic food service gloves and pops the lid off the cake. She sets it on a pedestal to the left of the register.
I pick up the pen and look at the blank pad, thinking about what I want to say and how.
It isn’t Shakespeare. It’s the truth. Six words does the job. When I’m finished, I put the pad on the other side of the case. “There.”
Her gloves crinkle as she reads it, and then she recoils a little. She gives me a shame on you shake of her head. “Sir, this is a family establishment. I can’t write that on a cake.”
I pull another fifty out of my wallet. “How about now?”
Nicola Rendell writes dirty, funny, erotic romance. She likes a stiff drink and a well-frosted cake. She is at an unnamed Ivy and prefers to remain mostly anonymous for professional reasons. She has a PhD in English and an MFA in Creative Writing from schools that shall not be named here. She loves to cook, sew, and play the piano. She realizes that her hobbies might make her sound like an old lady and she’s totally okay with that. She lives with her husband and her dogs. She is from Taos, New Mexico.
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