Cricket Success is what you make of it. That’s my motto and the premise of my speech; the one I’m heading back to Southern Illinois University to give at my college alumni reunion. As the morning co-host of Good Morning, San Francisco, I was asked to be one of the keynote speakers, and while I’m honored to do so, there’s only one problem. The other speaker is Danny Ohara, my former boyfriend. Throw in an issue with my credit card that leaves me stuck at the airport, no rental car in sight, until a familiar face appears like a guardian angel in sexy black glasses. Here’s my dilemma with my attraction to Rueben Rigsby, my airport savior and old friend from I’m not supposed to be attracted to him. At all. He’s my ex’s former roommate. Yet that doesn’t stop my big mouth from lying about the status of our relationship when we come face-to-face with said former roommate. As in, we have one. Together. Rueben I don’t know why I agreed to come back to SIU for the alumni reunion, but I’m damn sure glad I did. When I found the familiar face stranded at the airport, I readily agreed to give her a ride. It’s great to catch up with Cricket Hill, as we make our way back to the place we ultimately met. What I’m not prepared for is this overwhelming attraction I feel for her. I’m not supposed to notice how amazing her butt looks in a pair of black yoga pants. She’s a friend. Period. But Cricket has other plans. When she lies about our budding relationship to my former roommate and her ex, I have no choice but to go along with it to save face. I have to pretend to be her boyfriend. I mean, it’s one little white lie, right? Wrong.
Avid reader, writer, mother, and wife! I love to read contemporary romance. Add in a little "spice" or hot guys in uniform pants, and I'm a happy woman. There's just something about diving into a book and engrossing in the magic of your hero and heroine getting their happily ever after.
Pants on fire are the first book I have read by this author. It definitely will not be my last—such a beautiful story.
At Crickets college graduation, with plans to move To San Francisco with her boyfriend, Danny. With a single text message from Danny, her life is now in another direction. Cricket is a trooper and goes to San Francisco and continues with the plan she has in place.
Ten years later, she is now at the reunion and runs into Rueben, a mutual friend of Cricket and Danny. After some small series of events and trying to catch up, Danny shows up, and cricket lies she is dating Rueben, who agrees to the lie. Of course, Danny is skeptical.
Let's talk, Danny, Such an egotistical tool. However, I would have loved to see a few chapters with his POV. I love Cricket; she is strong, takes no crap, and shoves it right back. And Honey Rueben is HOT with his Clark Kent self. He is such a great MC.
Pants On Fire is sweet, beautiful to read outside my regular reading, and I am glad I went outside the box.
OMG did I LOVE this sweet sexy n SO HOTTTTT book:). These two were the cutest, sweetest and very sexiest couple!!!!! It was a quick easy read filled with a lot of sweet and a whole lot of pure sexiness!!!! Rueben, oh where can I get one of him lol. Would love to read about his brother, wink, wink!
Pants on Fire is Lacey Black’s newest standalone. I have read every single word Lacey has written and beta read for most of her books and I will say that this is one of my favorites! I, once again went in without reading the synopsis so I had no idea what I was in for but I did know it was going to be a fun ride. And it completely was!!
Ten years. Ten years ago, Cricket left Southern Illinois University to San Francisco with a broken plan and a used car. It was most definitely not what she had envisioned when her and her jackass of an ex planned the big move. Together. She didn’t give up though. She was going to show him that she didn’t need him. And she didn’t. Years of dedication and determination moved her up the ladder of her life and career. So much so that she was invited to speak at Homecoming weekend. The other speaker? You guessed it...her ex. Danny f*cking Ohara.
Rueben wasn’t sure why he was going to the Homecoming Weekend but then he saw her. Cricket Hill. His friend and ex to his former roommate and friend. He always knew she was beautiful but now...she was stunning. And when her rental at the airport had a mixup, it was fate. They always got along but over the years lost touch. He wanted to know everything about her and not just about her career but now about what her favorite position was. He knew he shouldn’t think about her in that way but damn...she was amazing. Still so funny, sweet, and witty. After just a few hours, he was done for especially when she kisses him in the middle of a bar. In front of her ex. Yep!! She went and told him they were dating and he was not about to tell him the truth.
A fake relationship. Off-the charts chemistry. Swoon-worthy moments. Hot AF glasses. Golden dresses. It was everything and more. It was a weekend made in heaven. Will their fake relationship turn into more? She lived in California while he was Tennessee. City and Smokey Mountains.
Omg! I love this couple!! It was like no time went by. It was an easy flow with built-up. And don’t even get me started on those glasses. Damn. And that ass. For real though, they are both supportive, protective, and sweet characters with sides of badassness. I know this isn’t a series but I am hoping to see them again in the future.
Quotes:
“You’re horrible. That was dirty.” “I’m a delight,” I tell him. Besides, he hasn’t seen dirty yet.
Her lips are painted a deep red. The color of wine and bad decisions.
“You are without a doubt, the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.” She blushes an even deeper shade of pink and gives me a grin. “You should see me without this dress on,” she sasses, throwing a wink my way. “Oh, sweetheart, I plan on it.”
A sweet, funny romantic comedy from Lacey Black was exactly what I needed to read. I’ve read all of Lacey’s work, and for me, her small town romances, set around big families, are the gold standard of that genre. While Pants on Fire wasn’t that, it was the warm, feel-good love story I hoped for from her.
A friends-to-lovers romance that begins on a bit of a white lie turns out to be the most real thing Cricket and Ruben have ever felt. Friends from their college days, they run into each other at their ten year reunion. Cricket had been in a relationship with the charismatic big man on campus, who also happened to be Ruben’s best friend, and she and Ruben shared a strictly friends relationship at that time. That boyfriend broke up with Cricket in epic fashion, and when she left that relationship behind for her dream job in San Francisco, she left Ruben behind.
Fast forward to the reunion where she is approached by the ex, and the lie just slips out of her mouth. Ruben, stand-up guy that he is, was never really cool with the way that his friend unceremoniously tossed Cricket aside, and he was more than happy to fill in as her fake boyfriend. The thing neither expected, however, was the chemistry zapping between them. Lines blur, fake starts to feel real, and they extend their time together. But Cricket lives in San Francisco and has a job as an on-air news personality, and Ruben is an IT professional based in Tennessee.
Ruben, with his Clark Kent glasses sexiness, and Cricket, with her cute, quirky confidence, were a couple I couldn’t help but root for. Pants on Fire is another winner from Black with endearing characters, a charming, sexy romance and a satisfying blend of heartfelt emotion and humor. Lacey Black’s Pants on Fire gets 4.5 smooches from me! ~Danielle Palumbo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lacey Black is a new to me author and she completely blew me away with this story. From the very first page I was hooked on her captivating story telling. Such a beautiful friends to lovers romance that will leave you swooning.
Cricket (awesome name by the way) and Rueben have known each other for over a decade but have always just been friends. When they see each other again for their college reunion, unexpected feelings overwhelm them and the lines of friendship begin to blur. Cricket is independent and determined but is just coasting through her life and not truly happy. Rueben is so unbelievably sweet, caring and so supportive.
This is such a beautiful story of finding love when you aren’t looking for it with someone you least expect. I love that they build on their already solid friendship of respect and comfort, making their relationship so much stronger when they embrace the new, exciting and a little scary feelings they for each other.
For pretty much the entire book I just felt happiness and a sense of comfort. It was a nice to change to read a book with not really that much conflict, although it did get a little emotional towards the end.
Loved the secondary characters, hilarious grandparents and their tight knit families. Danny surprised me in the end. Although he is a complete asshole, he steps up in the end and gives Cricket the little push she needs. The plot was great and well thought out and it flowed effortlessly, never once feeling rushed or to slow.
Overall, it was such a beautiful and sweet read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a little intrigued by Royce and I’m hoping he has a story coming out next.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
I have so much praise for this book I don’t even know where to begin. Reuben and Cricket are such amazing characters that suck you in from the very beginning. My heart was in my throat the entire read and I couldn’t stop smiling. Lacey writes love in such a beautiful and heartwarming way. I love how strong Cricket is and how supportive Reuben is. They didn’t leave anything behind to be together, they both found their true happiness with each other and in their work lives. It’s refreshing to read something different in that sense but with the same affection Lacey always brings to her books. I love this as a stand-alone but would also love to hear Royce’s story, and maybe even Danny’s. I’m so glad Lacey brought these characters to life and can’t wait to read what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
[1.75 star] book was okay, the epilogue is pretty damn funny. but the other chapters doesn't seem to have the same amount of humor. also, i'm curious about the heroine's name why there is no explanation why she was given this name by her parents. because to me, "cricket" is an insect or a sport.
Pants on Fire by Lacey Black is the 2nd chance love story of Rueben Rigsby and Cricket Hill. Ten years ago, Cricket left Southern Illinois University to San Francisco after having her heart broken the day she graduated from college by her jerk of an a now ex boyfriend who up and left her for greener pastures after planning their move together. Fast forward 10 years later and Cricket is this successful woman who has been asked to speak at her college Homecoming Weekend but the bad news was- her ex was the other guest speaker. Cricket ends up running into a blast from the past at the airport when she flew into town homecoming weekend-Rueben Rigsby. He was her college ex's best friend and yes, they got along but when her ex dumped her, they lost touch. Rueben always liked Cricket back then but she was his friend's girl. Then his friend Danny dumped her and they all went their separate ways- now 10 years later they're back in each other's lives, however briefly. Rueben still finds her as attractive as he did then. Something occurs that makes Cricket need Rueben's help and *bam* fake relationship to the rescue. The story goes to tell you what happens in the course of the weekend and after that changes 2 lives📚. It's a sweet and funny story that shows how funny life is. That you may go down a path that will take you where you think you have to go but really is it? The plot is good, the characters are very likable and the chemistry between the main characters are sizzling. I did feel the ending was somewhat rushed. Overall, the feels, humor, steam, romance, pulls, drama are just right.
Pants on Fire is Lacey Black's latest and let me just say I LOVED every single thing about this friends-to-lovers, "fake" relationship romance! It's got a strong, kick-ass heroine (Cricket), an ex-DOUCHE who I SERIOUSLY wanted to take a hit out on at times (Danny) and a DREAMY hero who set my heart to racing and OTHER parts of me "ON FIRE" (Rueben)!!!
When Cricket and her so-called boyfriend Danny are about to leave for California after graduation and start their HEA....and the DOUCHE dumps her via a text (see? DOUCHE!!!) while driving HER car yet, Cricket manages to get to where she needs to be and proves her mettle by steadily rising in the ranks at the TV station over the next 10 years. When she gets the invite to be a key-note speaker at her college reunion, she decides to do it....let the shenanigans begin!
Rueben was the geeky computer whiz in college who also happened to be Danny's roommate and "best friend". He also has become the HAWT IT guy 10 years later and when Cricket runs into issues at the airport with her credit card, he offers to give her a lift to get back to Carbondale and the reunion. The INTENSE chemistry between these two was OFF-THE-CHARTS and continues to get MORE intense as time goes on! When Cricket tells Danny her "little white lie" that she and Rueben are dating, Rueben steps up to the plate and goes right along with it....and HOLY HAWTNESS, the stage is set!
Ms. Black has written another MUST READ with all her signature banter, heat and heart and I couldn't get enough!
Cricket currently lives in California and has a pretty successful career. She has been invited to be a speaker at her college reunion and she is hesitant on accepting due to a horrible break up. I really liked Cricket. She worked hard to get where she is at in her career. She did not allow things in her past to make her bitter. She grieved her heartbreak and moved on. Reuben has his own successful career. He is quite but so sweet and thoughtful. I loved the pair together. Their chemistry was fantastic. I loved the flow of the story. I really enjoyed the established friendship between Cricket and Reuben, they were able to pick up as though no time had passed and build on that. If you are looking for a fake-relationship turned real, with chemistry, and cute characters this is your book!
Cricket and Danny were college sweethearts and had planned their future together until he not only ended their relationship but also took over her car and the apartment they planned to live in together. Rather than crushing her dreams she used his betrayal as fire and has created a successful career in television over the last decade.
Rueben is the perfect combination of smart and sexy. He was roommates with Danny while they were in college so he and Cricket forged a friendship as well. They are both attending their college reunion when he not only comes to her rescue at the airport but with her ex as well. What starts out as pretending to date to push away her ex becomes more but what happens when the reunion comes to an end?
Hot chemistry, witty banter and great characters all add up to an entertaining story that doesn’t disappoint.
This was such an easy book to read. It has a great storyline and also some of the best characters you could ever wish to read. Cricket and Rueban’s story is a friends to lovers romance - sort of. Yes they’re friends but haven’t seen each other in ten years, so I guess their relationship is more acquaintances at this point. I liked how they met again - I thought that was so very realistic. Then add in the little fib that helped push their friendship to the next level and I couldn’t read all the words quick enough to find out what was going to happen next. This pair being together was very natural to me the reader and I was basically cheering as all their new feelings for each other basically leapt from the pages. I have to say I am super excited that Royce gets his own story next. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
This book was light, but full of funny banter between the h & H. What begins as a fake relationship with steamy chemistry keeps you turning the pages & so engrossed you don’t realize that it’s over way too quickly. I enjoy all of this author’s books & this one was in the top!! Yes a friends to lovers romance, but with a little twist. It was beautifully written & the added run in with a nerdy friend who is now more sexy than nerdy with smoking hot glasses to add to the new sexiness!! The run in at an lightly embarrassing moment just adds to the storyline & their cute meet after so many years. Ruben is charming, smart & sexy, just what is needed for this H!
This book is a sweet romance about friends that run into each other on their way to their 10 year college reunion. What started out as a fake relationship between Rueben and Cricket so Daniel Crickets ex from 10 years ago to leave her alone and Ellen money hungry leach would leave Rueben alone. It turned real and the started acting on it but it took them a while. After the reunion they kept seeing each other for a few days but then reality hit and it was time for Cricket to go home. If you want to know what happens you'll have read the book. I recommend you do. It was a sweet and at times steamy romance.
Friends since forever but they never thought after 10 years, they felt the attraction they never felt before. To Reuben, Cricket had always been his friend's girl. But when they had to fake a relationship, everything just escalates from fake to real.. What would happen once they go back to their daily lives though?
Their banter is witty and funny! Their attraction and chemistry was undeniable. Another great read from Lacey Black!
Returning to their alma mater for their 10 year reunion, two friends, Cricket & Rueben, accidentally meet up at the airport. They share a rental car, stopping at one of their old haunts for lunch. They soon discover their reawakened friendship has a new dimension: mutual attraction.
Back in the day, Cricket was dating Rueben’s roommate Danny. Their relationship ended abruptly with Cricket’s ex dumping her, stealing her car, and wrecking all the plans they had for post graduation. Danny didn’t even have the courtesy to breakup with her in person, taking off in the car she paid for, leaving Reuben to “collect his things”.
When Cricket & Reuben reach the hotel sponsoring the reunion, Reuben finds himself pursued by a former classmate. Cricket steps in to persuade the woman that Reuben is unavailable. But when Reuben & Cricket meet up at a bar that night, it’s Cricket finding herself in the need of a boyfriend, and Reuben is all to happy to fill that role.
I really enjoyed this book but I must admit some of my reasoning is the fact that it takes place in my neighborhood. Carbondale is a few towns over from where I grew up. All of the sights were memories for me. Although my town Marion was mentioned I wish it had been more than just a driving through. Reuben was the ideal hero for Cricket. Her ex was a douche and even though they had only ever been friends and never thought of each other as that, until they meet up again 10 years later. The only disappointment for me was I wished that Reuben would have told Danny was a shit friend he was, instead of always just letting it go. I wanted him to stand up to him, just a bit...lol
A great fake relationship that brings sparks at a ten year class reunion! Tension and spice burn up the sheets as these two old friends suddenly start to have feelings for each other as they get reacquainted while acting like they are in a new relationship to keep her from being embarrassed that she doesn’t have a significant other in her life in front of the one that got away!
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it sure will not be the last!
This is quite interesting book. Cricket and Rueben used to be friends, but lost contact over the years. When a reunion put them together again, Cricket pretend to date Rueben (or Rueben pretend to date Cricket) to put some unwanted attention away.
Of course, this is romance book, so what started as fake become blur and then it's real.
This is a safe, pretty straight forward, and light for those not looking a complicated book to read.
So I came across the book by reading a different book, so when I was in the mood for another cutesy love story, I chose this one. And it lived up to expectations. It was very sweet and cutesy. I loved Cricket and Rueben together, they were so sweet. Rueben was absolutely an incredible boyfriend.
This was an enjoyable storyline with exceptional characters and storytelling. The pace of this book was perfect from start to finish and I enjoyed how the characters romance was developed and written, it was exceptional. Another winning storyline from this author, definitely a five-star rating for this book.
This book is Fabulous! I loved reading every second of the book. It’s well written & you will fall in love with the characters Ruben & Cricket. I would highly recommend you to check it out. Along with the other books Lacey Black has out. You won’t be disappointed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found this book through another book. I was reading a duet by another author and the characters in the book discussed these characters. I looked it up and it sounded interesting, so I grabbed it up. Recommend this story.
It was nice to read a book where the couple communicate and trust each other. They didn’t allow outsiders come between them. Love without ott corny conversations. Good sex scenes and no repetitive dialogue of how hot the guy is.
When I started reading this book I wasn’t so sure, than once I started I got attached and couldn’t put it down. This book has a good plot, and The detailing is great and makes you think that you are there living everything first hand.
A wonderful book by the talented Lacey Black! I lived this friends to lovers story. I adored the banter between Cricket and Rueben. This book was well written and just so enjoyable! I look forward to reading more from Lacey.