Book Review: The Hooker and The Hermit by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

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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? 

My Review

5 "Fuck a duck and smack a rapper" Stars

The Hermit

"I would become a true hermit. Maybe I would get a ferret. A cat just felt too benign. My kind of crazy deserved an ambiguously cute rodent with a perching for biting."

Annie Cartel works as a social media expert and scandal-vanisher for Davidson and Croft Media by day, and moonlights as celebrity blogger, the elusive Socailmedialite, by night. Online, she's bold and outspoken, vibrant and unapologetic. In real life...well, that's a different story.  Annie's social anxiety and general awkwardness with life has turned her into a shut in, happily going along in life with no friends and little social interaction. She's amazing at her job, so she's allowed certain leniencies to cater to her anxiety.

She's had a rough past, but despite that and her intense discomfort with face to face interactions, she remains positive with a great sense of humor, and has a gentle air about her that puts you at ease.

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid, Annie. But there is everything wrong with being only afraid."

I was so thankful for that personality, because we really get to see how miserable poor Annie is when it comes to being around other people. It had the potential to be either really frustrating or really depressing, but Annie's hilarious quips and sort of "this is what I am, and this is what I do" mentality made her journey one I rallied for and laughed along the way with. There's enough rawness to make you empathize with her, but it's perfectly balanced with humor and wit. 

The Hooker


"I feel like I could lose myself and find myself in you, Annie."

Ronan Fitzpatrick is one the best rugby players Ireland has seen in decades (he plays the position of "hooker" ;)), and he hates the media with a passion. The press has spun a nasty picture of Ronan, depicting him as a reckless and volatile after his (now ex) fiancee cheated on him with a teammate, and the resulting brawl.

He has a strained family life and worked hard for where he is now, so he reluctantly comes to New York to see the assistance of Davidson and Croft Media in cleaning up his image, and there he meets Annie. He's intrigued by the pretty but anxious young woman, and when Annie is assigned to his case, he couldn't be more thrilled. He tries relentlessly to get the stubborn and skittish Annie to go out with him, flirting shamelessly and without pause. 

Everything about her begged to be fucked, pleasured, worshipped.

I absolutely loved Ronan. He was my book boyfriend of the month in August! He was hilarious and honest, charming and charismatic. He's a shameless flirt with Annie, and I couldn't wait to see what'd come out of his mouth next. He's so gentle and caring with Annie, never pushing her farther than she can take with her anxiety, but showing her what she's missing with her shut in lifestyle. 

The Plan

Annie gives in to her attraction to Ronan and his shameless flirting, and when photos of them kissing explode over the internet, Annie's boss snaps up the potential. Professional and in control Annie is the perfect woman to smooth over Ronan's image, and they can't say no. Shoved into the public eye challenges their relationship, Annie's anxiety always hovering around her, and she fears that she may be discovered as The Socialmedialite....something she still hasn't told Ronan about. Good thing he's figured her secret and is using it to help her open up!

"Family isn't always the one you're born into. Sometimes it's about people who get into your blood, inside your heart, and under your skin all on their own."

I'm a huge fan of L.H. Cosway, and Penny Reid's been on my TBR for quite a while. When I found this collaboration, I had to have it. The hilarious title was just the icing on the cake!

This was one of those books that just makes you genuinely happy, one you can't wait to get back to when you're forced to put it down. The story had such a nice, easy flow to it, so much so that the pages practically turned themselves. I fell in love with the romance, and laughed my ass off on more than one occasion. It was so good that I didn't want the story to end! This was a hugely enjoyable and satisfying standalone contemporary romance. 

This novel was so perfectly realistic and vivid. There was the potential for a lot of angst, given Annie's past and anxiety, and Ronan's family history, but it wasn't like that at all. Their issues were acknowledged and did have a few parts in the story, but they weren't reveled in, weren't integral parts of the story. I loved that so much! They weren't perfect people, and they knew that. They didn't let their issues define them and take over their lives. So perfect!

The snippets of blog posts and social media conversions added a whole, hilarious layer that complemented the story.

"My love.... I want you free. I want you wild. I want you brave. I want you anyway I can get you. I want you now, and I want you for the rest of my life."

Oh, the romance between Annie and Ronan....swoon. Their chemistry was off the charts, their banter had me laughing my ass off, and the natural flow and progression of their love was beautiful. Don't even get me started on the sex scenes!

There were a couple chapters in the middle of the book that were a bit slower than the others, but they soon picked right back up and the flow was back to normal. That was my only qualm with The Hooker and The Hermit!





Overall, The Hooker and The Hermit was an addictive and supremely enjoyable romp, one I couldn't put down and finished in a day. I'd highly recommend it!

Stats:

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: Adult/new adult (toes the line) contemporary romance

POV: 1st person, dual perspective 

Series: Standalone

Steam/sexual content: So steamy, good bit of sex

Warnings: None

HEA: Yes

Length: 327 pages

My own copy