Series: The McCauley Brothers #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casa
Publication Date: 10/7/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 stars
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It's Not Easy Being Right...
Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She's fit, successful...and decidedly lonely. She can't stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He's just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right—except when dealing with her.
...But Someone's Got To Do It.
Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too well. She's a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault—also like him.
A past misunderstanding has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up—get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?
Opening Lines "Hello?" Cam knocked as he opened the door. "Yo, Mike, you here?"
1. This story has been building since the first McCauley Brothers book. Ruining Mr. Perfect is the perfectly antagonistic-friends-to-lovers story between Cam McCauley and Vanessa Campbell. What makes this fun is that Cam and Vanessa aren't opposites, driving one another crazy - they're very much alike. They work in the same field, have the same view on food and health, organization, cleanliness, you name it.
2. Buuuuut.... Cam and Vanessa are so much alike that they can drive each other crazy, particularly when it comes to being right and coming out on top in any argument or discussion. Fun, right? It is, trust me. Now, Cam is definitely the more flexible member of this relationship, and Vanessa does push that need to be right to the limits. But Vanessa didn't have the parents Cam did; parents who exhibited love and affection and taught by example. So Cam gets to help Vanessa learn the fun way to love.
3. Cam McCauley is pretty much the perfect guy. I feel like I say this about all the guys in the series, and though Cam is the least my type, he was probably the least boneheaded guy of the bunch. Being that he gets Vanessa so well, he knows exactly the right way to treat her. He knows what to expect of her, how to be what she needs, can be strong enough to keep her from trouncing him when she gets on a tear, but gentle enough to bring out her sweet side. Plus, Cam is so gone for Vanessa, which makes me melt, to be honest. I love that while he waits to tell her how much he cares -for fear of scaring her off- that Cam never lies to himself. And in the meantime, while he's winning her heart, he's taking care of everything else...
He wanted to devour her, but he didn't. She'd kissed him. This was her show. "You tell me what to do, and I'll do it." He nodded. "Anything you want. It's yours."
4. While this is the Cam and Vanessa show, we also get a very surprising secondary story in James and Beth McCauley, Cam's parents. There were hints in book two that something was amiss in this marriage. In this installment, James and Beth's issues come to light. These issues weren't uncommon issues at this stage in a marriage, and they were examined so wonderfully. Believe me, I've bookmarked many passages in preparation for the years ahead. The parents of MCs generally have marriages that are characterized on the farthest ends of the spectrum, usually an awful caricature or so sugary-sweet it's off-putting. To have parents in their mid-to-late 50s who are portrayed as real people with real issues, was pretty great.
5. Once again, we have the fabulous McCauley men, in all their ball-busting glory! I love any scene with these guys together, but when you have them circled around a table, playing poker, drinking beer, and giving each other hell, that's my idea of a good time. Then add in the scheming, manipulative, hilarious Colin -a six-year-old!- and we're golden.
6. Okay, so the last book in the McCauley Brother series is What to Do with a Bad Boy. This is Mike McCauley's book and I can't wait!!! Mike is the oldest brother, single father to Colin who lost his high school sweetheart six years prior. Mike's lady is going to be Del, a tattooed, tough-ass mechanic and she's HOT. These two are way too similar for their own good. They've been circling each other for two books now (well, he's been circling her, she's been scowling), and when they finally connect, it's going to be awesome. Weeee!
Favorite Quotes
"Well, I sure the hell don't want to double with Flynn and Brody anytime soon." He grimaced. "I love the guys, but they can be such assholes."
"True." She worried her lower lip, then immediately stopped when she realized Abby did the same thing all the time when nervous. God forbid she take on her roommate's neuroses. "We enjoy each other's company, like the same foods, love to exercise, and we're far more intelligent than the people we live with."
"Exactly."
Cam sighed. "I can't imagine life without her."
"Oh boy. I knew this was coming." Brody rubbed his hands together with glee. "Today's the twenty-third, right?"
"Shit." Flynn dug in his pocket and handed Brody a few bills.
Then Mike swore and handed Brody a twenty.
"What the hell?" Cam stared.
"We bet on when you'd admit you loved her. It was obvious from the day you moved in." Mike shook his head. "Only took you fourteen months."
The McCauley Brothers Series
I think you just gave me good reasons to read the other instalments as well, Andrea... Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to have to have to get started on this series soon! I love how much you are enjoying them and they simply sound like something I would really enjoy! Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou totally sold me on Cam!
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
The more reviews I read about this series, the more I want to read it, especially this review, Andrea. I bought the first book after I read your review for the previous book but I haven't had a chance to read it. I will very soon though and I can't wait. Cam sounds like a sweetheart and I love how realistic everyone just sounds.
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
This sounds like a series I would enjoy and I'd be taking notes in the elder couple's issues as well. Wonderful review Andrea! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun series, and that's awesome you enjoyed this latest book!
ReplyDeleteI really do love this series. I've been waiting for Del and Mike since Del fixed Abby's tire. lol!
ReplyDeleteDangit! I need to start these still! I have book one at least :D I'll dig it out this next week :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really going to have to pick up this series, Andrea. It sounds fantastic! I like that the couples (at least two of them) are actually alike rather than opposites attracting. And you know I love series with strong family dynamics. Seems like a winner to me! Thanks for sharing your 6 reasons to read Ruining Mr. Perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of Cam and Vanessa
ReplyDeleteThanks for recommending this to me, I just finished Abby & Brody's book last week and totally loved it! Looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! I I can't believe I never heard about this series before, but that's it's going to be quickly fixed after today :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I didn't think I was going to like this book but Cam and Vanessa surprised me. I loved getting mom and pops story even though it was touch and go for a bit. MIKE AND DEL ARE NEXT! Pinch me!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this around. It sounds like so much fun! I think I definitely need to check it out. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, you butt heads more when you're alike than when you're different! especially, if that's stubbornness!
ReplyDeleteoh my this series sounds like fun :D antagonistic you say? I think id love Cam
ReplyDelete