No me walking into a Kate Canterbary book expecting a light-hearted jaunt. . . I love her books!
rtc maybe because I am in all sorts of feels. ( )

I don't know how this book ended up on my list, considering that I have tried and failed (moderately failed? Never clicked?) with Canterbury's writing before. Also note, this is a book with tie-ins to prior books and it's the 2nd in the series, so Im growing.I am sure everyone was curious about Sebastian from prior books but I didn't feel like I missed anything-I *did* feel like I wanted to go back to Canterbury's backlist though.

I knew from the opening scene of the book it was going to be a little - well - different from what I was expecting. A trauma surgeon is basically obsessed with thick thighs of cheerleaders and somehow it's...sexy? And not gross? I was like "ok, I love him"

Both principals are near 40. (42&39-seriously one of these days write the hero younger, you cowards) Both are defensive little hissing hedgehogs. So yes, this book was my catnip. It pulled of the animosity and the weird attraction underneath. And Sebastian is the best kind of quiet and grumpy fixer. (I love Zeke from Sara Ney's[book:The Failing Hours|32066878] and Sebastian is just the hotter, more refined grown up version). The heroine is no less compelling, someone who desperately seeks order in certain presentable ways but is rolling chaos underneath. She's highly relatable with a low social battery and her hidden mess.

It kept me entertained and reading. I don't know if I am feeling generous on this little hot streak I'm having or if I am just getting lucky, but this was a lot of fun. ( )

What a way to end 2021

I have waited for Sebastian Stemmel's story for what feels like forever. When he was first introduced in Cal's book, I was hooked on this grumpy crotchety man. There was just something about him that drew me to him. At that time he was just a secondary character that I didn't even know if he even would get a story. It didn't stop me from hoping though. This author finally gave it to me though and I have to say, it was 1000% worth it.

I think the thing that I loved the most about this story, besides the obviously incredible characters, but was how much I related to both of them in more than one way. I felt Sebastian's disconnect and borderline rage/hatred of things. So often I had been told, that I must have some sort of mental disorder. Sara's issues were also easily relatable to me and for obvious reasons other than just being a woman that conforms to things just because it is easier, but more so because I understand being so passionate and such a perfectionist that it comes out in ways that I have to control my life, which in turn, creates a vicious cycle because of the hell that it puts my body through. When I say that the struggle is real, trust me.

I loved that the author stayed true to the grumpiness of Sebastian (this author is one of the best when it comes to creating grumpy multifaceted characters). Yet, she also opened him up in a way that gave insight into what made him tick. I loved that once he and Sara got past their animosity that he seemed to genuinely want to know how to ease things for her. It helped that they both acknowledged that the 'fight' aspect of the relationship was beneficial to them. It allowed them to let their emotions out in a matter of speaking. The steam of this one was pretty dang hot too. I worried for the health of my kindle but not enough to risk it melting.

The bantering in this book was fantastic. I laughed several times. Seeing cameos of some of the characters that made me fans of this author was a definite bonus. The text messages were great as were the times with Sebastian, Erin, and Nick. Also, I am not sure that I will ever look at cheerleading the same way again. I was cracking up numerous times because of that tidbit. O'Rourke was an interesting character. I would not complain if he ended up with a story too.

There were a lot of hidden messages in this book and will give me things to ponder for a while. I have congrats to this author for listening to the demands of her readers and also allowing Stremmel to have his story. It was worth the wait and finished out my 2021, a year that was as almost as bad as that dumpster fire 2020 in terms of my mental health and empathy. I needed Sebastian to get his happily ever after and this book gave that to me. One of my favorites from this author. ( )

https://editrix.ca/the-worst-guy/ ( )