coffee addict books: Review: The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

New York’s Finest
Blogging as *The Socialmedialite* April 22

LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!

You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the anger management issues, the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy. Well, I have a confession to make…

THE HERMIT
Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New York’s Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actual reality? Not so much.

THE HOOKER
Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media—social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy. Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…

THE PLAN
When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggests pairing them together. What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?

The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaboration between authors L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid, is a full length 110k word novel, and is a standalone.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

MY REVIEW

The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 I haven't had this much fun in forever STARS

“Let's be unprofessional together, Annie.”

Reading this book was the best decision I made all week. What an amazing change from the fucked up twisty stuff I read before. I definitely need to remind myself to pick up some funny books every once in a while. In fact, if any of you have similar recs for me, that would be highly appreciated.

But let's talk about The Hooker and the Hermit. Above all it's a witty, swoon worthy and highly addictive read. Well written, gloriously entertaining and just all around fabulous. I love it! There I said it.

In a nutshell: Secret gossip blogger and the troubled star of the rugby world fall in love with each other. They just have to circumnavigate some minor obstacles first, but that's what makes life worth living.

“I'm The Socialmedialite.I'm that girl, the most influential infotainment blogger in the world.”

Annie Catrel, a.k.a. the Hermit is living a double life. By day she is a very intelligent and highly respected PR specialist who can salvage just about any failed public opinion and her firm pays her a lot to do just that. But the most interesting part about socially awkward little Annie is her online persona. The Socialmedialite. A rather brilliant celebrity blogger who likes to go in for the kill. Always honest, most definitely hilarious, but never mean. Over a a span of three years she has managed to become one of the most successful blogs in the world.

In her capacity as ever vigilant and anonymous perv she one day spots a Colin Farrell look-alike all dressed up in spandex. The joke practically writes itself and a new blog post is born. While Annie enjoys writing a witty and slightly sarcastic entry about said male specimen's goods and questionable fashion choices she doesn't have a clue that he is in fact a famous rugby player who has a public perception problem and who will be her new client in real life.

“Holy heathen in heaven, it wasn't even his looks.He was...overwhelming and magnetic. Sensual and in-your-face sexual. Also not helping matters, he had no concept of personal space.”

Ronan Fitzpatrick. “Body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star”, in short the most perfect man you will ever meet. Amen. And if you don't believe me just read all the other reviews who deem him as god's greatest gift. Here is a book boyfriend you have to meet.

Twenty-seven year old Ronan is an Irish rugby superstar, a hooker (that's apparently something like a quarterback - not that I know about either...I'm German, we play soccer). Unfortunately his ex-girlfriend cheated on him with one of his team mates and long story short...his quick temper and the beating he put on the guy got him suspended. Now here he is in exile, hitting up New York City in an attempt to flee his life and the media; as well as trying to polish his reputation with the help of Davidson & Croft Media - yes that's Annie's employer.

And the plot thickens...

(**little side-note: There is no beach scene, but this graphic sort of happened and I'm keeping it, damn it. Think future honeymoon and concentrate on the below mentioned backside.)

“I might have been a little mesmerized for a moment as I took in the sight of her shapely backside. It was incredible. I just wanted to spank it and bite it and worship it and completely fucking defile it.”

The most adorable thing about this book is how the main characters just clash. Annie is as the title says a hermit and she embraces that trait whole heartedly. She is socially awkward, doesn't want to be noticed, can't really look people in the eyes and even in her work life she hardly interacts with human beings. She hides behind a computer...quite literally. Only behind that screen she can be who she really is and say what she wants to say. Without fear.

But she isn't that way by accident, all of this behaviour has a deeply rooted and understandable cause - that's important for later. Of course Annie has severe abandonment issues and that in return absolutely excuses any and all commitment issues she might or might not have. *wink wink*

Ronan on the other hand is a team player with a quick temper and there is most definitely no social awkwardness involved. The only thing he can't handle is the media.

So when those two crazy kids get 'paired with each other' (yes, we are talking fake girlfriend) two extremes collide. It certainly helps that Ronan is practically in lust with her from the first moment (and that's not a bad thing - just sayin') and dear Annie has a hard time keeping her eyes off as well. And of course there is still the matter of the Socialmedialite's blog post. You don't think he would just let that stand, would you? *nudge nudge*

I absolutely love both characters together. A constant back and forth, a little cat and mouse play. But what makes this book so special is Ronan. He has a way of getting under Annie's skin and his patience and determination is absolutely heart-warming. No wonder everyone loves this guy. Just to make sure I say it again...HE IS FREAKING PERFECT!!!

“Yesterday I was comatose, heartbroken and depressed beyond measure. Now I couldn't stop grinning as I punched my fist into the air in victory,Yeah, that's right, I just victory-punched, butt-naked in the shower.”

Fun fact. Same here...regarding that quote above. ;P

I believe the authors did a brilliant job bringing Annie and Ronan alive on page. Apparently each author was writing the POV for one character. I for one didn't feel any difference. The writing felt very homogeneous and had a lovely flow. I laughed, I screamed at my kindle, I cried a little and I'm so enamoured I could re-read it right now. What a joy!

I don't think it's premature to announce on the 10th of February that I have found my BOTM. Honestly, if some other book wants to snatch this crown it really has to dazzle me beyond imagination. Good luck other authors out there, you just found the book to beat. Let the games begin. ;D