Nerds Like It Hot by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Likeable but far-fetched romance

3 stars

Make-up artist Gillian McCormick’s life just took a turn for the worse when she was the only witness to a mafia murder. Hiding out on a cruise for nerdy singletons sounds like the perfect place to hide, especially since she’s donned a blonde bombshell disguise that’s worlds away from her usual self.

P.I. and bodyguard, Lex Manchester, isn’t too keen on a singles nerd cruise but he is keen on Gillian and the sparks that are flying between the pair. His first mission is to protect Gillian at all costs and it’s only right that he stay very close to her at all times even if that means never letting her go.

This is another of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd Series although each book stands entirely alone. Having said that, despite this being billed as one of the series and set on a Nerd cruise – neither the hero or heroine were actual nerds or even particularly geeky which made it different from the other books.

This book was entertaining and if you can put aside the sheer implausibility of the plot then it’s an enjoyable read. However, I didn’t think that any of the characters acted the way they should have if they had really been in the situations they found themselves in and the unlikeliness of this started to grate on me after a while.

Both Gillian and Lex were enjoyable characters but there wasn’t really any romance between the pair. I believed in their relationship well enough but didn’t really feel the passion or love that they supposedly had for each other. There was a large cast of supporting characters and while I liked them too, some of them were really only fillers and had little point to the actual storyline.

All in all, this was an fantastical and amusing read but not one of the better Nerd books. 3 stars but still worth a read if it’s sitting on your book shelf.

My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Fun and entertaining romp

4 Stars

Aspiring psychologist Amanda Rykowsky is focussed on getting her degree and with studying, her internship and her bartending job – she’s got little time for anything else. Men included. But that’s not to say she’s very flattered when she receives an anonymous Valentine… until the messages start getting a little personal and sinister.

Stockbroker and resident nerd William Sloan swears he has nothing to do with the dodgy cards and suspects there’s something a little funny going on. There’s something about the gorgeous Amanda that brings out William’s inner he-man and make him insist on acting as a decoy boyfriend.

A fake relationship with some very real lust – it’s only a matter of time before someone gives into temptation. But with Amanda determined to focus on studying, William has to first dispatch her stalker and then claim her heart.

Oh I love a good nerd and the way Vicki Lewis Thompson writes them makes them so sexy! This is part of her ongoing Nerd series but non of the books are connected so stand completely alone.

Amanda was a lovely heroine as she was determined, realistic but couldn’t help but fall for the charms of the lovely Will. Will himself is the kind of man that any woman would want – very smart, adorably cute but still ridiculously sexy and manly underneath his suit and hat with earflaps! Together the pair have a lot of heat especially since Amanda works with Dr Gloria – the craziest sex therapist in the world.

This is the kind of book you have to suspend reality a little to enjoy. The stalker threat isn’t very pleasant but it’s in keeping with the story and not at all scary – just a little creepy. Plus it gives Will a chance to be all manly which is what any nerd needs. I could have done with a quick epilogue to tie things up at the end but was still satisfied by the happily ever after!

If you want a fun, entertaining romantic romp then you can’t go wrong with this book. 4 stars.

Gone With the Nerd by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Fantastic, fun romance
5 stars

I am currently reading my way through all Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd books and this one, like all the rest so far, has definitely made me into a girl who loves nerds!

This book is about Zoe Tarleton - a movie star who is ready to gain some respect in the industry by taking on a new challenge - the role of a nerdy, plain character in a new film. And to get some input for this role she asks her very nerdy lawyer Flynn Granger to coach her at a hideaway cabin in California’s Bigfoot Country. Add in some Bigfoot sightings, killer bees, strange locals, jealous lovers and threats to Zoe’s life and you have the beginning of the adventure neither Zoe nor Flynn will forget in a hurry. And the fact that Zoe is starting to fall for her nerd makes everything so much more confusing - and interesting.

This is such a fun story that you really get caught up in all the excitement. Zoe is not the stereotypical starlet that you might expect, but she does need a few lessons on how to be uncool which makes her endearing and someone you can admire. Flynn on the other hand is a typical nerd - but with a killer body, a heart of gold and a delicious alpha-male streak. He’ll make everyone want to go out and snag their own nerd! The pair work well together and the chemistry they have really jumps off the pages.

The plot always keeps moving and there are enough twists to keep you guessing and enough sexual tension to keep you reading right the way through to the end. The Nerd books are not a series so you don’t have to have read any of the other books to get this one but I’m sure that you’ll want to read the rest when you’ve finished Gone With The Nerd.

Recommended for those who like their romances with a lot of fun and a tiny touch of mystery.