Date by Mistake by Candace Havens

Date by Mistake Reviews

• 
  AH

  3.5 stars. A nice little anthology with blind dates and some sneaky matchmakers. All the stories take place in the same town and they kind of had a soap opera feel, but in a good way. These authors were new-to-me authors and I am happy to say that I will be looking forward to reading more of their stories in the future.
  
  Mr. Virile and The Girl Next Door by Gwen Hayes - 4 stars
  This story had a fun premise. Two bloggers and authors who write dating advice are matched up by their agents. Dane is Mr. Virile and he gives men dating advice. Holly's dating advice for women has a huge following. The narrative is punctuated with blog posts by the two authors and their advice is quite entertaining. I loved the romance and the sexy times were hot.
  
  Tycoon Reunion by Candace Havens and Shannon Canard 3.0 stars
  Annabelle had been Jake's high school sweetheart. He ditched her after grad to go off and make his fortune. Ten years later, he rescues her from a blind date gone bad. She's become quite the hottie and he finds that he is still attracted to her. Loved the meddling sister. Loved the romance, though I am not too sure that I would take back a man that left me ten years earlier. I guess it helped that he was a very wealthy man.
  
  Passionate Persuasion by Rosemary Clement-Moore 3.5 stars
  Alex is in the restaurant/bar industy. Kiara is an accomplished cellist. They had dated in college but Alex had gone off to make his fortune. These two were easily my favorite couple in the anthology. I loved how they were set up by a wealthy socialite that just couldn't get anyone's name right. Very cute story.
  
  Date on the Run by Jill Monroe 3.5 stars
  Juliet is a reporter who is dying to write investigative stories. Ezra is on an R & R rotation from the military and in town for a short period of time. As a favor to his best friend's sister, Ezra agrees to go on a blind date on Valentine's Day. Ezra meets up with Juliet who thinks Ezra is Eric, her contact for a story on art fraud. Both are attracted to each other but as they leave the restaurant things go awry. Someone is out to kill Juliet and Ezra acts as her protector. Alpha male at your service with some hotness.
  
  Overall, an enjoyable anthology.
  
  Thank you to Entangled Publishing for a review copy of this book.
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  (✿◠‿◠)

  5 stars to Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door by Gwen Hayes
  
  I really, really loved this one. What a great piece to start this book off with. Immediately, I loved both characters. The heroine was strong and feisty and funny. She was a woman I'd be friends with, and I loved that. The hero was funny and had just the right amount of arrogance to make him hot without being a jackass.
  
  The dialogue was sharp and realistic, and I loved the situations and their relationship progression. For the short length of this, it was very well played out. I also really, really loved the addition of their advice columns. I thought that added a unique touch that played well into the comedy aspect of this one.
  
  I've added Ms. Hayes to my "author gorging" shelf because I need to read everything she's written.
  
  And in case you weren't sure if you want to read...
  
  "You haven't begun to see bossy yet. I'm going to fuck you, Holly. I'm going to make you cry and moan and beg. I'm going to pay you back for every moment of desperation you've put me through. If you can walk after I'm done with you it will be a miracle."
  
  So. You're welcome for that.
  
  1 star to Tycoon Reunion by Candace Havens and Shannon Leigh
  
  This one was a hot mess. It could've been because I'd just gotten done reading a stellar example of how to craft a short story, I don't know. And the kicker was the progression of love between Holly and Dane in Mr. Virile was more plausible than in this one and Holly and Dane were completely new companions, unlike Annabelle and Jake. With history on their side, the progression and path to love should've been believable. It wasn't.
  
  The characters didn't work for me, the storyline didn't work for me, the progression didn't work for me, and absolutely, the lack of editing did not work for me. How can two stories in the same book be edited so glaringly different? Commas, people. We need them.
  
  4 stars to Passionate Persuasion by Rosemary Clement-Moore
  
  This was a sweet story. And a perfect example of how you can do an old flame returned and do it well. I liked both characters. The progression was sweet and believable. My only complaint with this one was the fade-to-black. They are my nemesis.
  
  DNF Date on the Run by Jill Monroe
  
  All in all, if you buy this for nothing more than Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door, it's money well spent.
  
  
• 
  Artemiz

  Date by Mistake is a anthology of bad cliches.
  
  There are four stories - two about totally random meetings and two of old high school/college sweethearts meeting again over almost a decade. What binds this stories together is the place - Port Calypso - and the falling in love on a first sight. Besides that they are all these classic Tarzan and Jane couple. He man beats his chest drum and roars 'Me Tarzan, you Jane', translation: I saw you, I want you, you mine, no other man can touch you, I can dump you, insult you, belittle you, but that's ok, since I worship you, undress you in my mind the moment I see you and dream us of having a family the next moment. While He man does his mating dance, our delicate Jane does her own dance around his home tree, translation: she hates him at first, whether his her competitor, ex or source, but even while her sensible mind tells her to be angry with him, all she can think about how his touch makes her body come alive and how she wants him inside her and ... It's good the stories end where they end course I bet you, that all those four couples ... well maybe not the last one ... will not stay together very long, after the initial lust and bliss wears off.
  
  Well, this book is an excellent source for eye rolling practice, be course I do not remember another book that I have been rolling my eyes so much as I did with this book, I was really concerned, I will sprain the eye muscles.
  
  Beside all this never ending cliche after cliche, all the stories had their inconsistencies. Short stories and still could not been written without errors in logic. Too bad. Maybe it was just the NetGalley version, but still. I was very close to mark this book as DNF, but I'm a curious cat, I want to know the ending and it does not mean I'll just read the ending, I'll read the whole thing, and since I asked the book from NetGalley, it was only fair if I finished it, before I wrote my review.
  
  Not a good read at all.
• 
  Niobe *wants to read all day*

  The rating is for Gwen Hayes story alone. I gave up reading the other 2 while struggling to finish the tycoon. Some people would have enjoyed the other stories I guess but it just was not for me.
  
  I love Gwen Hayes and her story did not disappoint. The premise was interesting and the characters were believable enough. I was hoping that Mitch and Dane's agent also had their HEA.
• 
  Romance Reader

  5 stars to Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door by Gwen Hayes
  
  I really, really loved this one. What a great piece to start this book off with. Immediately, I loved both characters. The heroine was strong and feisty and funny. She was a woman I'd be friends with, and I loved that. The hero was funny and had just the right amount of arrogance to make him hot without being a jackass.
  
  The dialogue was sharp and realistic, and I loved the situations and their relationship progression. For the short length of this, it was very well played out. I also really, really loved the addition of their advice columns. I thought that added a unique touch that played well into the comedy aspect of this one.
  
  I've added Ms. Hayes to my "author gorging" shelf because I need to read everything she's written.
  
  And in case you weren't sure if you want to read...
  
  "You haven't begun to see bossy yet. I'm going to fuck you, Holly. I'm going to make you cry and moan and beg. I'm going to pay you back for every moment of desperation you've put me through. If you can walk after I'm done with you it will be a miracle."
  
  So. You're welcome for that.
  
  1 star to Tycoon Reunion by Candace Havens and Shannon Leigh
  
  This one was a hot mess. It could've been because I'd just gotten done reading a stellar example of how to craft a short story, I don't know. And the kicker was the progression of love between Holly and Dane in Mr. Virile was more plausible than in this one and Holly and Dane were completely new companions, unlike Annabelle and Jake. With history on their side, the progression and path to love should've been believable. It wasn't.
  
  The characters didn't work for me, the storyline didn't work for me, the progression didn't work for me, and absolutely, the lack of editing did not work for me. How can two stories in the same book be edited so glaringly different? Commas, people. We need them.
  
  4 stars to Passionate Persuasion by Rosemary Clement-Moore
  
  This was a sweet story. And a perfect example of how you can do an old flame returned and do it well. I liked both characters. The progression was sweet and believable. My only complaint with this one was the fade-to-black. They are my nemesis.
  
  DNF Date on the Run by Jill Monroe
  
  All in all, if you buy this for nothing more than Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door, it's money well spent.
  
  
• 
  daydreamer

  ARC was provided by Author
  
  Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door - 4
  Tycoon Reunion - 3
  Passionate Persuasion - 3
  Date on the Run - 3
  
  What is your favorite mistake?
  
  Set in Port Calypso, four couples experience life-changing moments because of a mistake of a lifetime. Date By Mistake proves that mishaps, misunderstandings and extenuating circumstances--big or small--can turn out to be the greatest thing that has ever happened to us.
  
  Mr. Virile and the Girl-Next-Door presents the encounter of two bloggers who are polar opposites of their dating beliefs and perspectives. Their personalities clash during one 'blind date' that sparked not only heated arguments but sizzling sexual chemistry that seems so wrong but feels just right.
  
  I was giggling all throughout reading Gwen Hayes' story. I am totally in love with the brilliant banters and perfectly crafted scenes that will just take every romance-novel aficionado from merely a reader to believer in love and romance.
  
  This is the first time I've read a Gwen Hayes creation and what can I say, I'm all for fangirling. Her writing style is unique and brilliant--not that she hasn't been told yet--but I enjoyed the smooth quips in every witty banter embedded in the narrative. Her attention to hot scenes as well as the equally aww-worthy tender moments is very commendable. I appreciate her writing technique because it's sincere, hilarious and smart--sexy, at its best. Not all romance novelists can pull off a refreshing storyline with flair, candor and losta loving; Hayes is a force in the romance genre.
  
  In Tycoon Reunion, former high school lovers found themselves in a predicament--he wants to revitalize a historical property that she's trying to preserve. How can they start breaking-ground when their potent chemistry is attacking their hormones and hearts like a bulldozer gone wild?
  
  The cruel-to-be-kind plot seems a bit cheesy to me but for this story, it works. I definitely appreciated how realizations of still-being-in-love can be powerful enough to change even the biggest of decisions--money or no money involved.
  
  I liked Havens and Leigh's cool vibe of writing. The story was sweet and very engaging. I'm very much looking forward to reading their other titles.
  
  In Passionate Persuasion, a successful restaurateur wants the new Cellist in town so bad--who also happens to be the girl he dumped in college eight years ago.
  
  This story carries an interesting plot that some people dream of and some pray won't happen--that is meeting face-to-face with 'the one that got away'. It was refreshing to look into the characters' internal struggles regarding their emotional baggage and dealing with the inevitable pull of attraction that they still bear. I liked how they were able to put the past behind and start something new now that they are both successful, mature and have finally come to realize that they just can't live without each other.
  
  Clement-Moore has this refined manner of delivering the story. I expected a little more romance though, but all's good considering the story ended with a tickle to the imagination.
  
  Lastly, Date on The Run presents a case of mistaken identity that ended on a hot note on Valentine's Day. A Military-on-break meets an Investigative Journalist each having their own plans for the evening but ended up together and found themselves immediately attracted to each other. Unfortunately, they both have to face the night with someone threatening their lives.
  
  There's nothing better than action and romance married in one sexy episode in Port Calypso. The story has a unique take on romance which really left me wanting more. This time, I felt sad that the story is too short because I wanted to dig deeper into the relationship-dynamics of the two characters and how they managed to get through their time together and apart. But I commend Monroe for this story. I loved reading it.
  
  What I liked about this anthology is the realness of the stories. I'm a fan of contemporary romance because of the wit and humor embedded in the narrative that, well, I can relate to.
  
  I believe what's special about 'Date By Mistake' is that we all see a little bit of ourselves in the characters' and circumstances. I do have a soft spot for relatable stories and seeing how each story is interlaced with their town--all the emotions, layers and narrative--made me see that we are all connected, whether it's the place that we live in, the crises that we are going through, or mistakes that we have made. It's incredible to think that the people we pass by in the streets also have exciting stories of their own that are tied to us in one way or another.
  
  The anthology is a healthy dose of KISS--Keeping It Short and Sexy. And I love it.
• 
  Ashley F

  This review was posted
  Tsuki’s Book Blog on Friday April 26, 2013.
  
  1) Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door by Gwen Hayes
  
  I loved this story so much! It was such a neat concept to have two advice columnists who gave opposing advice fall in love with each other. Mr. Virile gave advice for men getting laid. Girl Next Door gave advice to women on how to avoid players, cheaters, and scoundrels. I loved how Mr. Virile was the one who seemed more invested in the relationship. He avoided relationships and intimacy but when the woman put the brakes on (after sex) he was thrown for a loop.
  
  It was a cute story and I would love to see more from Ms. Hayes. I love it when authors incorporate technology into their stories. They were internet advice columnists not newspaper or magazines. I love it when stories seem a little more up to date.
  
  2) Tycoon Reunion by Candace Havens and Shannon Leigh
  
  This was not one of the best stories of the bunch. The basic premise surrounded a rich guy coming back to the small town he had left years ago to help develop the area/make money. Of course he runs into the girl he dumped after graduation so he could make a name for himself.
  
  What I did like about this story was Annabelle's use in the business world. Her job mattered when it came down to it. He wanted to develop the town and she was part of the historical society. She did research on the buildings, the people, and the actual geography of the land. Her knowledge was useful. I love it when jobs actually matter and its not just billionaire and assistant who does nothing.
  
  3) Passionate Persuasion by Rosemary Clement-Moore
  
  This was also not one of the best stories in this anthology. It had a premise I loved but it didn't really work for me. I love musician stories and in this one it was the heroine who played the cello. I loved that aspect of the story as well as how it played into the overall story.
  
  While I was fine with the storyline featuring the college senior breaking up with his freshman girlfriend because he had commitment issues and wanted to conquer the world. the application of the story bothered me. The idiot took one bad advice moment and turned it into losing the woman he loved. Not only that but he spent their initial email relationship lying about who he was. Sure it was a lie of omission but he still lied. It bothered me how quickly she was supposed to get over it.
  
  The ending was a bit lackluster although everything was happy, happy. I sort of left the story feeling as though their future and actual relationship was not fully hashed out. They might have loved each other but she did travel as a musician and she couldn't guarantee positions close-by. They had some trust issues as well and it seemed convenient how happy everything turned out.
  
  4) Date on the Run by Jill Monroe
  
  This was a bucket of crazy and I loved it. This story was full of misunderstandings, bouts of omissions, and a little bit of suspense that made it spectacular. Ezra is back from a nasty military tour and just wants some rest and relaxation. Instead he is convinced to go on a blind date which leads him to Juliet. Juliet, on the other hand, is a reporter looking at her first big scoop. She agrees to meet her source at a restaurant but ends up with Ezra instead.
  
  Not only did it start as a case of mistaken identity but it quickly became a bodyguard story when Juliet was threatened. I loved the idea Ezra was a bit absent-minded when it came to getting the date's name. I also loved the fact Juliet and Ezra both had to come to terms with their attraction and potential for a relationship. Ezra was having a bit of a tough time now he was home and it showed.
  
  Overall:
  
  I really enjoyed this anthology. I've had pretty good experience with the Entangled lines recently and I am looking forward to more in the future. They are not quite on the level of Harlequin yet but they are certainly on their way. If only I could find one like a Sarah Morgan HP. Ah...the angst!
  
  3 Stars
  Published by Entangled: Indulgence
  March 11, 2013
  215 Pages
  Provided by--NetGalley
  
• 
  Melody May (What I'm Reading)

  Originally posted on
  What I'm Reading
  
  
  Today's read takes us to Port Calypso in Date by Mistake an Indulgence anthology. We get to see four dates that started off really bad and surprisingly work out in the end. Some of them don't even realize they're on a date. We meet bloggers, lost loves reunited, and a disaster date. So, let's get started:
  
  Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door
  Gwen Hayes
  
  I have to say I enjoyed this story and it was a lot of fun. Dane Martin (aka Mr. Virile) gives advice through his blog to guys who need a little help with hooking up with chicks. Then you have Holly Winters (aka Girl Next Door) who also has a blog, but tries to give practical advice to gals looking for Mr. Right. I love how there agents decided to play matchmakers with their two clients. Eek, there must be some ethics violation or something. Love the chemistry and heat between Dane and Holly, but each of them is willing to stand their ground.
  
  Plus, the story line kind of reminds me of the movie HITCH, but only in some aspects. However, I do enjoy the dueling bloggers and who has better method for relationship. Plus, it was fun to see how they were unsuspecting to be on a blind date.
  
  Favorite Quotes:
  "You're an attractive guy. And you emit enough sexual pheromones to power a small city. I'm sure I'd even enjoy sleeping with you."
  "Actually, I think being linked to the town playboy when my platform is teaching women to stay away form the playboys of their town can be construed as a bad thing."
  
  Tycoon Reunion
  Candace Havens with Shannon Leigh
  
  In this story, we have two people who were in love when they were younger. However, Jake Michaels decided it would be best if left his hometown to pursue his career. Plus, he did it in a jerk kind of way and never told Annabelle Darlington he was leaving. Now life has thrown these two crazy kids back together. I thought it was a sweet story.
  
  Passionate Persuasion
  Rosemary Clement-Moore
  
  In this story we meet Alex Drake who happen to be idiot frat boy when he was with Kiara Fredericks. I thought this story was sweet with reuniting lost love. Granted Alex had a lot of ground to make up and had a penchant for sticking his foot in his mouth. He did have a good heart, just a little misguided in college.
  
  Date on the Run
  Jill Monroe
  
  The last story. First off, this was an all right read. I kind of felt the story line was a bit far-fetch and would probably done better as a full-length novel instead of a novella. It did have a great making for suspense romance, but felt rushed. Overall, I did like the hero, Ezra Washington, and his need to rescue damsels in distress. Then you have Juliet Martin who is a report that would like to move up from doing fluffy pieces to an investigate reporter. It had potential.
  
  
  Bottom line: Mr. Virile and the Girl Next Door is my favorite story out of the anthology. With the witty lines and heat between hero and heroine makes this anthology worth the read. Tycoon Reunion & Passionate Persuasion are sweet reads. Which tends to happen when you have long lost loves reuniting. Date on the Run was a bit rush. Was the book worth my time? Yes. Did I love the stories? Most of them. Overall, enjoyable and if you are looking for some quick stories with bad dates you might want to read Date by Mistake. Its definitely safer than venturing out on a blind date yourself.
  
  Copy provide by author
  
• 
  Nayab

  
  Those of you that know me or have been following me for a while now know that I hardly ever don’t finish a book but I got about 30% in to this (with difficulty) and thought “I can’t take any more of this.” and put the book down.
  
  
  
  There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with it, it was an OK book but that’s it. I struggled to carry on reading to be honest but I wanted to give it a fair go and it had its moments but it just wasn’t for me.
  
  
  
  
  
  Because they don’t have the luxury of 300 odd pages to build up their storyline or characters short stories have to grip me from the start whether that’s through an interesting first few sentences or an overall strong plot but these had neither. There was no other plot except for guy meets girl, falls in love, problems & ultimately guy gets girl.
  
  
  
  Don’t get me wrong I liked the stories (the one I read anyway) just not enough to keep me going. I just felt like there was something missing.
  
  
  
  If you’re looking for a short, quick, uncomplicated read whether it’s because you’re waiting for the bus or the kids have gone out and you have a few hours to yourself or you just don’t want to start reading a full length book then this anthology is for you but if you’re looking for something with a little more oomph then I suggest you steer clear of this one.
  
• 
  Brenda Walt

  Four Stories in One Book
  
  I didn’t realize that this was four stories in one book and that disappoints me.
  
  Each story on its own is a good one but they all left me wanting more.
  I liked how in two of the four it wasn’t strangers hooking up as soon as they meet. In the first and third there was a long history between the characters and after being separated for years and they found their way back to each other.
  
  In the second and fourth it was strangers that found themselves together and ultimately ended up in bed. At least in the second one there was some dating that went on before they went to bed but in the fourth they ended up in bed on the same night that they met. Call me old fashioned but I don’t like it when people meet and are in bed the same day or even a couple weeks into knowing each other. There should be more dating and getting to know one another before jumping into bed.
  
  All-in-all they were good stories and I don’t find that reading them was a waste of my time.
  
• 
  Hsiau Wei

  This book comprises of four short stories with blind date or unexpected date as the main focus. The second and the third stories have a similar background; the main character have a long history between them and this date is a way for them to rectified their mistake and be together again where they belong while the first and fourth are about strangers who met and attracted to each other. Overall, I like all the stories but I wish for a longer, more developed story plot as after reading them, it makes me wanting more
• 
  Melindeeloo

  My Virile and the Girl Next Door - Gwen Hayes' dueling bloggers = steamy goodness:)
  
  Tycoon Reunion - Candace Havens and Shannon Leigh - the I love you's come too fast when former lovers run into each other after years apart
  
  Passionate Persuasion - Rosemary Clement-Moore - the pre-existing connnection (and alot of not so subtle manipulation by some friends) make this steamy sweet one work for me.
  
  Date on the Run - Jill Monroe - cute little quicky, with a mistaken identity and some peril to pull the pair together.
  
• 
  Fiorela

  The stories were pretty nice, I like the characters, some stories felt too short but I guess that was what they were supposed to be, the only story that I kind of dislike was Sparks Fly, all happened too fast, I was hoping for more.
• 
  Jess

  Enjoyable short stories.
• 
  Julie

  4 different romances but many of them start on a blind date. More thoughts to come. I didn't really have a favorite romance either.
• 
  Jenny

  3.5 I liked all of the stories here but ultimately the short format left me wanting more.
• 
  Alisa

  Good writing. Not complex stories, as is often true of novellas, but satisfying. Found some new authors to read in the future.