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The Anti-Boyfriend

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From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

At first, my neighbor Deacon frustrated me.

Sure, he was great-looking and friendly.

But our walls were thin, and on occasion, he’d bring women to his place and keep me awake while he “entertained” them.

As a single mother to an infant, I didn’t appreciate it.

So, finally it was my turn.

When my daughter wouldn’t stop wailing one night, Mr. Manwhore came knocking on my door.

Miraculously, at the sound of his voice, Sunny stopped crying. And when he held her…she eventually fell asleep in his arms.

Deacon was rough on the exterior, but apparently on the inside? Mr. Single-and-Ready-to-Mingle was a baby whisperer.

After that night, we became friends.

He’d go for coffee runs. Come over to chat. Normal friend stuff.

But over time, our conversations ran deeper. We got closer.

Until one night we crossed the line.

Our friendship turned into a complicated mess.

I’d gone and fallen for a guy who’d sworn off commitment and kids.

I knew Deacon was starting to care for me too, even though Sunny and I didn’t fit into any plan he’d ever imagined for himself.

He was wrong for me—so wrong that I’d dubbed him the “anti-boyfriend.”

Then why did I wish more than anything that I could be the one woman to change him?

282 pages, ebook

First published August 31, 2020

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About the author

Penelope Ward

87 books25.2k followers
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.

In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).

Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,536 reviews
Profile Image for Becky .
244 reviews327 followers
September 14, 2020
holy shit, again Penelope, really?? it’s time you realize nobody can take it anymore when the celibate heroine has to hear the hero having monkey sex with ow. It’s overdone, Room Hate has that shit and it killed the book so why do it again?
Nothing screams romance more than have heard the guy you’ll love screwing other women 🤢🤬

UNSAFE • DOUBLE STANDARDS

He friendzoned her and went fucking around while she waits for him to realize he wants her. After she confronted him about the sex noises she never heard it again, but he was still fucking others

• Heroine: celibate
• Hero: not celibate during their friendship and not celibate after being intimate for the first time (he made her orgasm- oral sex and fingering)
• Four months separation: both celibate


1. He is fucking someone

- They only met a few times in passing. He not doesn’t always have woman over but when he does it is loud so she heard him fucking ow more than once
- After a night of not being able to sleep because of the sex noises she decides to talk to him the next morning
- She talked to him but she was not mad and he was fun (ha). He went to the store for her and bring her coffee so they talk for a few minutes and they had good laughs. They made a joke about playing Parcheesi associating it to having sex.
- She is already lusting after him
- She told him about Sunny’s (her baby) dad abandoning her


2. 3. Two weeks later (first ow: Kendra). He is cockblocked that night but he is still fucking Kendra and who knows how many more women

- It’s evening she saw him bringing an “fiery redhead” to his apartment. They met at the entering area he helps her carry the stroller to her apt and jokes saying he is about to have a nice quiet evening and make a joke insinuating he is about to have sex.
- She is already jealous of Kendra because she developed a crush on him
- The baby cries and he can listen to it from his bedroom so he is cockblocked, Kendra left and he goes there to help
- She is already feeling electricity with his contact
- She mentions she hasn’t heard anything and he tells her about moving the bed
- After she confronted him he had sex only once at his apartment it was w/ Kendra so obviously he was having it but somewhere else
- Their friendship really started
- They talk about his stamina he says sometimes it can be because of lack of interest
- She never had a one night stand
- He also checks her out

“Now that I knew Carys could hear me, it changed things. I couldn’t do anything without wondering whether she was listening. The sick thing was, the idea of her listening turned me on a little.”


4. He is on a date with a woman but isn’t feeling it so he doesn’t go to bed with her

- She had a little hope of having something with him until he friendzoned her and tells her about going out with a woman
- She is happy he wasn’t feeling his date and was thinking about her because he text her during the date 🤦🏽‍♀️


5. Three weeks after his date he receives a text from a woman named Katy who he was seeing a few months ago but he can’t go because he is babysitting


6. 7. A few days later they have dinner together because she is cooking as a way to say thank you. They are good friends.

- She knows she has to keep things platonic despite how widely attracted to him she is and needs her expectations to remain low but deep down she knows she is full of shit.
- The attraction between them is intense. She is super attracted and into him but knows he won’t act on his attraction to her so settles for his friendship
- They got closer emotionally sharing sad experiences
- He thinks about how beautiful she is and how she isn’t like no other woman he ever met
- He is very interest in her but is a coward so he won’t act on it and decides to take a step back


8. Five days after the dinner he is keeping his distance until something happens and she is put in a embarrassed situation

- They talk via text about masturbation and porn and she gets aroused


9. 10. 11. Time jump. Two months go by and they’re just friends. She is frozen and he is talking to someone online and had a date who he didn’t ended up in bed with but I’m pretty fucking sure he is fucking others outside of his apt DOUBLE STANDARDS

-She is so fucking pathetic that she still masturbastes to the text messages (they weren’t even sexisting)
- She basically admits to her best friend that she is has a crush on him but he doesn’t make a move. Meaning, she is pinning and he doesn’t want her (we know desires her but what is the point of wanting if he still is out and about and doesn’t act on his lust for her)
- He leaves abruptly every time things get a little tense between them
- She is single, has money for a nanny so why she can’t date? Why she can’t enjoy no strings sex? Why she can’t talk to a guy online before deciding to meet him? Why the fuck she doesn’t act like a strong woman who has her shit together instead of lusting for a manwhore who friendzoned her?
- A man related to her job but who she doesn’t work with and is handsome, respectful and nice asks her out to a date and she sees no point of going out with him bc he lives in another city and they have business together. Bullshit, she said she envy some of Deacon freedom and would be probably living like him if she could but then she pretty much refuses and tells the guy she probably doesn’t have time and is a single mother, he doesn’t insist so she assumes her being a single mother is a deterrent to him. Honey grow the fuck up!!!!! The man is nice and lives away from her and she knows it so like adults we would assume he doesn’t want anything serious but she complained has been too long since she had sex so really what is the problem???? MON WHO ARE SINGLE CAN HAVE A NO STRINGS SEX
- Man and woman don’t usually throw the “im single and have a kid” card to someone who only asked them to a date.
- Single dads heroes usually have sex in books but single moms are frozen
- Deacon see them having a coffee but it’s a work reunion. He is jealous

“What I’d neglected to tell her back then was that she needed a good fuck more than any self-service, whether she realized it or not. I just couldn’t be the one to give it to her. But I wasn’t going to encourage her to go out and get it from some asshole who didn’t deserve her, either.”

> FUCK YOU. The guy is handsome, single, nice and respectful and is straight, why is there not to like for a fuck?

- I fucking hate when the hero gets possessive when he doesn’t get the courage to ask her out herself

“But that interest got squelched as soon as I mentioned I had a baby.”
Despite my jealousy, I was actually offended for her, which seemed hypocritical coming from me—a guy who didn’t want kids.

- They talk like the guy was a prick because his interest dimmed when she told about having a kid. Wake the fuck woman, she said she didn’t have time!!!!!!
- So yeah de didn’t insisted but imo he looks like he was interest in a fling and what’s the problem with that? A girl got needs thanks god there are people out there to satiated us.

“(...)his tone changed. It went from flirtatious to a bit more guarded.” She waved her hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t have gone out with him anyway.”
I shouldn’t have been thrilled to hear that. I should’ve wanted her to find someone who could make her happy. Instead, my selfish ass was relieved that she wanted nothing to do with that rich prick.

>Why she didn’t even considered going out??? Fuck you, move on with your live you‘re 24, a good mom, has a job and a crush on your manwhore neighboor who pretty much runs far away from anything other than friendship with you. I’m tired of this pathetic frozen heroine

- The best part: he had a date that same fucking night with a woman named Alice who he is talking online. Heroines invites him over if his date doesn’t end up in sex so they can have a drink (Jesus woman stop being pathetic. I was ashamed for you “hey if you don’t fuck her tonight come over to have a drink with me)
- His date with Alice didnt end up in sex even though she invited him over to her apt. How many woman invite him to their apt and he said yes? We don’t know but I’m sure they existed. He considered accepting her offer.
- plot twist: it’s her birthday.
- Like the good weak pathetic fool she is she is setting to spending the night with a guy who might not show up because he would be fucking someone else.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shrugged. “Because I didn’t want you to feel obligated to hang out with me. I wanted you to choose to come over because you wanted to have a drink with me, not because you felt sorry for me on my birthday

>REPEAT AFTER ME: PATHETIC

- He purposely gives her the impression he only went to her house because the date was meh even though he went because he wanted to go to her house instead of fucking Alice. He also talks about her being a good friend, making clear she is just that, friendzoning her again.
- They talk about sex and started getting aroused. It is a shit show of a scene I was embarrassed

“(...) I really miss having sex. Unfortunately, I can’t have it without a man. And I’m in no place to trust one right now, so I’m not likely to let a man into my life long enough to have sex. It’s a conundrum.”

> ARGH 🤬🤬🤬 why the fuck the woman always need to get to build a relationship based on trust before having sex with a man??? Her ex was a piece of shit so she has trust issues but that is the exactly reason why many heroes turns into manwhores, they get burned by some ex so they become all about no strings sex because they can’t trust anyone.
> Why a woman need to really trust a man to have sex but for the men the standards are different, they only need to want sex.

My dick hardened, and my heart began to race. “How long has it been exactly?
“(...) eighteen months?”
Jesus. I’d always assumed she hadn’t been with anyone since Sunny was born, but I really hadn’t done the math. I couldn’t imagine going more than a few months without sex. But a year and a half? That would kill me.

> He talks like he can’t imagine going more than a few months which makes it obviously he never went without sex so of course he is fucking others the whole time

- Long short story he ended up giving her an orgasm. He fingered her, sucked her nipples and went down on her.
- Of course that was the most erotic experience of her life and the best orgasm too.
- She begged him to fuck her and he pretend he didn’t listened


12. 13. One week after sucking her he is out with Kendra

- Coward still doesn’t want her so he and his best friend talk and come to the conclusion him and heroine friendship is probably over but he still wants to maintain it the same way as it was before.

“You think she has feelings for you?”
Deep down, I believed she did. “Possibly.” HE KNOWS SHE LIKES HIM

- I would give this book five stars if when he arrived home he heard her fucking some other guy and then she continues to do so but silently for a few months while he is a lost puppy dealing with his “only friend” bullshit. A girl can dream because holy hell that didn’t happened

“From almost the first day I’d hung out with Carys, I’d had to fight my attraction to her”

>He fights it good by fucking other women so he could shove his attraction in his ass where his head is.


14. He almost fucked Kendra two weeks after being intimate with her

Kendra “(...) she took me by the hand and led me to my bedroom. We hadn’t had sex in a while, and she’d given me every indication earlier today that her expectations were set on getting some. But I didn’t know if I could go through with it. Not only was I not feeling it tonight, but how would I deal with Kendra making noises Carys could hear? No freaking way was I going to put Carys in that position. But if I was serious about moving on, I couldn’t stay celibate forever.
When Kendra and I started kissing, it felt…off.
Then the sound of crying next door killed any last shred of hope”

“I was a dick, because as upset as she was, it didn’t really faze me. In fact, her leaving was a relief. Continuing to see Kendra had been more about trying to move on from Carys than anything else. Kendra was merely a distraction, and she deserved more than that.”

> Two weeks after being intimate he is already thinking about moving on. ROMANCE IS DEAD
> So even after they were cockblocked, it’s pretty clear he was still fucking Kendra during the two months time jump and not only her because who knows how many more women was there whom he fucked and talked online with

- He had vowed to stay away from heroine and her daughter after their night together but after Kendra left he went to talk to her and is thinking about how hot she is and jealous (how dare he!!) of the man ogling her. Mind you she is going to a work event not to a date, she is too pathetic to try to move on

“The fact that she was still cold toward me wasn’t a surprise. I knew seeing me with Kendra the other day must have sucked. But the fact of the matter? That was exactly what I was aiming for. I was trying to get over Carys and hoping she’d see things were “back to normal,” back to the way they were before I’d royally fucked up.”


15. Friendzoned her

- She opens up to him about her daddy issues in an attempt to return their friendship and for the love of god I can’t begin to understand why she wants to be friends with him. Any normal woman would like to keep a distance so she could move on with her life to eventually find a man who is not a coward, she doesn’t have self respect or self love I forgot that for a second
- He apologized for being distanced.

“(...)I’ve been struggling with my feelings when it comes to you for a while—long before that night. This has nothing to do with not wanting you. It has everything to do with not being good for you long term, certainly not good enough for Sunny.”

> If a man wants you he tries to be better, he doesn’t friendzone you and fucks others, what a hardship it was for him

“As much as I admired his honesty, it still hurt to hear him confirm what I already knew. There was no chance for us”

> He holds all the cards, she is willing to be with him but he doesn’t want it so she settle for friendship 😡

- He says he valued her friendship but he is only a selfish asshole. If he cared about her he would stay away, because he knows she has feelings for him so how could it be good for her to be around while he doesn’t want to be with her and is willing to move on?


16. THE BOOK WAS RUINED. Six months time jump

“My feelings for Deacon had been put to the test more than ever. Kendra was a thing of the past, but he’d begun dating someone new in May—Rachel. She had long, dark hair and big green eyes and worked behind the scenes for a modeling agency. She was gorgeous, and I hated her. He’d been open about her from the beginning, never tried to hide it, but it still sucked. The whole thing sucked. I wasn’t sure how serious they were, but his meeting her had been the final nail in the coffin of my heart.”

> Of course she is freaking perfect, other women are always flawless while other man never can come close to the hero. Her ex for exemplo was nothing to brag about.

- How noble of him to be honest about his dating/fucking statues.
- But don’t worry girls, heroine went to one date and hero was jealous! Ual. No double standards at all


“Anyway, the date didn’t amount to anything—he didn’t knock my socks off”

> Of fucking course, it wouldn’t be a romance if the heroine gets to enjoy any other man company while the hero is fucking a gorgeous woman after pretty much rejecting her, the girl he claim to have feelings for. Can you imagine it if he didn’t like her? Honey if he likes and is aware that you likes him too but didn’t want anything other than your friendship and is now having sex with others I can’t imagine what it would be like it he didn’t give a fuck about your feelings

“Deacon still brought me coffee almost daily. He didn’t talk much about Rachel, which I appreciated. On the outside, it seemed our friendship had survived the blip of my birthday night last January. So it was important that I not let on that my feelings for him had only grown. I wanted Deacon more than ever. Whenever Rachel was over at his apartment, I was a mess. A mess”

- She doesn’t hear him having sex anymore so I don’t know if Rachel spends the night and he has sex there but it doesn’t really matter because he is having sex somewhere anyway and she is hurting. He knows she likes him but brings his girlfriend over, he has no consideration toward her feelings. I would never want a man like him to be my friend, much less to date me

“No more hope that one day he’d come to his senses and lose control again with me—and choose to never let me go this time. All hope was gone now.”

> This reaction is because he is moving away not because he is dating Rachel. Even knowing he is fucking someone else she is there available for him if he suddenly decides to take her IDIOT PINNING FOR HIM WAITING WITH OPEN LEGS AND OPEN HEART FOR WHATEVER CRUMBS HE THROWS HER WAY


17. He is moving to Japan and is single, has been almost a month since he told Carys about the moving and in a week he is leaving

“I’d ended things with Rachel, the girl I’d been seeing—not that there was much to end. We hadn’t been dating for very long. We’d had fun together, but I knew there wasn’t a long-term future there, even if I hadn’t been leaving. Ending that hadn’t affected me in the least. “

{Translation: Japan is far away so what’s the point of it if he can’t fuck her. }

“When Carys smiled, it literally hurt. I’d spent a lot of time burying my feelings for her. But doing that today felt impossible.”

{Translation: I spend a lot of time burying my cock in other woman, but today I can’t do it so ignoring my desire for Carys felt impossible}

“I’m fucking crazy about her.
I was about to ditch someone I cared about very much. I’d been pretending, when the truth was I ate, slept, and breathed Carys, probably from the first day we’d had coffee together. She just didn’t know it. And I was too much of a damn coward to admit my feelings.”

> Two words for him: Kendra, Rachel


18-30

“Haven’t heard a peep from him in a long time. Not since the day you yelled at him.”
Come to think of it, she was right. No vocal action had come from Deacon’s bedroom since that day I’d announced I could hear him through the wall. I knew he’d had sex since then, but he must have chosen to do it away from home. Either that, or he’d taped someone’s mouth shut. I cringed.”

> He was having sex the whole time so I assume or he was very cautious, used other rooms or took them somewhere else, but what matters is that he was in fact fucking ow

- One day before his trip he asks her to tells him to stay, she is so fucking weak that they start an relationship that very night. She was just waiting like the pathetic fool she is for him to act.
- They date for three months and he left. During the separation she was very unhappy, only left the house to work. He was sad too but he was in Minnesota.
- Of course there was a comment about how he was the one who showed her she still is herself and should have take some time out but he left and instead of being strong and try to move on she was suffering alone.
- The day she went to a date with a very nice guy who obviously is handsome but not drop out gorgeous like the hero (Rachel was prefect remember?!) Deacon arrives and she couldn’t focus on her date anymore and there is never again another date. He arrives and she doesn’t try to move on, I have no idea why. He is regaining her trust as a friend why she can’t date while he does that?!
- Months go by with them being friends to regain her trust until they are together again and HEA, if you can call it that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vi Keeland.
Author 104 books33.1k followers
August 23, 2020
This was a beautiful book with so much heart! I'm not sure who fell harder for Deacon...me or the heroine! It might just be my new favorite from Penelope!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
419 reviews47 followers
Shelved as 'nope-nope-nope'
September 2, 2020
If I had a penny for every plot that involves a heroine hearing the hero have amazing sex next door while she is a virgin or celibate I would be a millionaire. This plot has been done to death. Time to retire it and move on! Jeez

Also is there some romantic fantasy i dont know of where women want to hear or see the man they love or will love having sex with other women? It to me does not belong in the romance genre.
Profile Image for Dawn.
530 reviews
September 4, 2020
This one is a definite return. There is an understanding in the premise that he heroine has heard the “hero” with other women, yes. But the implication is that he met her and changed. He doesn’t. He moves his bed and still regularly screws other women throughout the book. He continues to date (and sleep with) other women after he and the heroine are together. He gets into a new (real) relationship with another woman, after basically telling the heroine that he didn’t want to be in a relationship. We are reading this stupid sexist crap for most of book. What in the actual hell is this crap? Who has this fantasy? Not to mention that this exact plot was done in roomhate. It’s not even a good trope, let alone worthy of being redone so soon. This authors talent has left her. She is obviously struggling with creativity and instead of being creative, she throws in other woman drama to fluff up her story. I just can’t with her anymore. I’ll stick with authors like R.L. Mathewson who can write a creative story and never had to throw in her hero’s screwing other women to add drama to her story.
Profile Image for Penelope Ward.
Author 87 books25.2k followers
Read
September 4, 2020
★ ★SALE ENDING NOW★ ★

Going, Going, Gone! I'm about to change the price of THE ANTI-BOYFRIEND very soon from $3.99 to $4.99. The book will NOT be on sale again and will NOT be going into Kindle Unlimited. So, if you were planning to buy it, it's at the lowest price it will ever be RIGHT NOW. Have you read it? An emotional, single-mom, man-next-door, friends-to-lovers romance! A STANDALONE!
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Paperback ➜ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951045378
Goodreads ➜ https://bit.ly/3eyt4ZL
Profile Image for GimmeAllTheWerdssss.
594 reviews248 followers
Shelved as 'author-i-won-t-read'
July 20, 2020
oh look...PW writing another manwhore Hero and the heroine getting to experience his "dalliances"

so original :-\
Profile Image for swedishruler B.
331 reviews149 followers
August 31, 2020
When you’ve read enough books by this author. You realize there is always a pattern she follows. So it gets tiring cause like I already know what’s going to happen.
I think I need a break now.

What gets me its always the guy sob stories. Never the heroine. He’s always got some past that he can’t get over.
Honestly I read this for little Sunny but she couldn’t save this book. It was ruined by a almost thirty year old man child.
Penelope change it up. And stop embarrassing your heroine.
Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,106 followers
August 31, 2020
AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Boyfriend...

5 STARS

I fall in love with the story from the beginning, it was caotivating and fast paced!Penelope delivers a fun,heartwarming,sweet and sexy story!One of the best things in this one is the connection and banter between the main characters!!

I loved Deacon, Carys and Sunny. They have some really intense and sweet moments.Also there are some super hot mommnets.I loved their connection, they were flirty,funny and sweet.

I devour it, so good!I highly recommend it!This is my top favorite book for this year!

 


  
Profile Image for Jen.
1,655 reviews1,133 followers
October 8, 2020
I devoured this book in one day!! There was something special about this story of a single mother and her super sexy neighbor! One of the things that really touched me about Carys’s daughter; Sunny was the fact she was Down syndrome... I was pleasantly surprised that the author wrote her character to be Downs... and quite honestly it took this story to another level for me! Deacon’s interactions with the angelic Sunny were so heartwarming that I just couldn’t put this book down!

I loved everything about this story and it will go down as one of my favourite’s this year! I haven’t had many!!! I highly recommend this for readers who are looking for a light hearted, funny and sexy read! This book has all that and more... and it’s one that I feel shouldn’t be overlooked!!! A fabulous read and one I would definitely read more than once!❤️
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,256 reviews1,308 followers
October 25, 2020
description

Hm. Not really sure what to say.
I always have my problems with Pen & Vi books.
There's always some weird thing that I hate. Like cancer, surprise baby, crazy ex.
And there was a little bit of that in here. But what I didn't like this time was the talking. They were talking soo much. Way too much and long and weird for twenty-somethings. I felt like reading a business letter between a lawyer and an english professor. Young people don't talk like that to each other!
And then nothing really happens. Not a thing. It's just talking and a few cute and adorable moments. I really liked a few parts of the story. Enough to give 4 stars. But the writing was meh and the story was meh. And the people were meh. The best friends were both meh. But it was still cute and fun and ... no idea. I liked it. More than I was expecting. And an extra star always goes to Vi & Pen's covers anyway.

description
💜 💜


Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for naz.
381 reviews365 followers
September 4, 2020
i think it's time for me to stop reading this author's books because what THE FUCK WAS THAT
Profile Image for ✨ Lucy ✨.
327 reviews93 followers
September 3, 2020
"One : you can't prove yourself with words, only actions.

Two: you can't choose who you love "




I literally don't know how to express in words what I felt reading this book.

I'm still riding the wave of emotions that comes with this story .

I loved it . LOVED IT.

I think i finished it in just one sitting . It was inevitable , there was no way of putting it down.

Like always Penelope Ward created a new masterpiece .

I've always been sceptic about single parents kind of books , but with this one I completely changed my mind.

The emotions and the feelings that this book brings are undeniable .

Deacon and Carys's story was filled with passion , love and friendship .

Carys is an extraordinary mum , with a really big heart .

Her love for her daughter is unconditional , and how she talks about her makes you want to jump in the book hug her and meet her special daughter Sunny .

I took the reading of this book also as a learning moment .

I learned so much about special needs kids and most important I started to see the world with their eyes , and I think i liked it better that way.


“Her elegance was more inside than out. It was the way she carried herself. If there was one word to describe her, it was graceful.”



She's so strong and brave , she's an example for all of us. I don't know how she was able to overcome such difficult and challenging moments in her life , but she did it and also with the highest score .

She dedicated completely to her daughter , but at some point she realized that she was also missing in action in the real world. She closed herself and Sunny in this big bubble forgetting the existence of everything that was outside.

Until one day a comment to her hot neighbor Deacon, about his to loud company at night , changed everything .

That was the start of a beautiful friendship , filled with coffe dates , so much funny moments with Sunny and in between a sexual tension that you could feel coming out of the pages .

Their bond became stronger with time , and so the feelings that they were trying to suppress .

Deacon was the perfect playboy, living his best life .

He had a difficult past that connected him almost immediately with Carys . And how he bounded in a special way with Sunny was amazing .

"Why do you think she loves me?

I guess she had an innate sense that there may be some good in you--

something the rest of us might not see"




He didn't expect to fall in this comfortable routine , that he couldn't give up .

But there was an undeniable walls between them : kids . He sweared he would never have kids , no metter how much he was attached to Sunny and her mother . He couldn't bring himself to overcome that barrier .

Then something happened , and everything one magical night .

He realized they were worth it. He was in too deep already .

His past in a way or another was always in the back of his mind no metter what.

Towards the end there were some pretty shocking plot twist that made me almost jump in the book and kick someone .

No metter where life will take you , if it's destiny you'll find your way back to each other .

" I connected with her in a way I'd never felt before"



This story left a permanent mark on me.

I laughed , I cried and I yelled and I loved every single page .

I wish I'll read something more about them in the future, especially about Sunny's story.

i gave it 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
, i hope you’ll enjoy as much as i did 💙
Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,423 reviews1,499 followers
August 31, 2020
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

E846F744_8044_4629_83B1_14DDDF087414

Carys Kincaid is a 24 yr. old single woman living in New York. She's a single mother of a baby girl, and still adjusting to her new schedule when her neighbor Deacon annoys her with his loud socializing. Between his active single life and her daughters crying, she needs sleep. She's shocked when she learns he's apparently a baby whisperer. As her daughter warms up to the gorgeous bachelor, they form a friendship. Soon she's crushing hard on her hot neighbor, and a connection forms. They try their best to stay in the friend zone until one night they surrender to their attraction. Feelings develop and things turn complicated. Will they put aside their fears and take a chance on love?

9F3037FD_8874_4876_89C7_DF8244D44FFB

-It was hard not to notice her beauty.

-She was like no other woman I’d ever encountered.

DDB0B417_86D0_4573_A2C1_321C422F724E

The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward is a heartwarming, single parent, friends to lovers standalone romance full of angst, humor, explosive chemistry, and intense connections. I really loved this story and these characters. This was another fantastic read by one of my favorite authors! It's super cute, sexy, and packed with emotion.

708800B6-901E-4A2B-8B1A-C8DCD774F259_zpsqkbfrd0n

***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3jv3rfq
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,465 reviews2,181 followers
August 28, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Carys Kincaid was a new mother desperate for a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, her neighbor Deacon Mathers had different ideas with his active extracurricular activities. What started as “neighborly talk” turned into a budding friendship, but fear might stop them from going any further.



I liked both Deacon and Carys and how their pasts connected them. It’s amusing how he inserted himself into her life. And I loved Sunny who absolutely made the book. Oh, of course, the old neighbor should get an honorable mention lol!

But I’d never experienced anything remotely close to what I felt for Deacon. If this didn’t work out, it would be my biggest heartbreak.


I enjoyed the story overall. It was sweet, funny, and heartwarming. One thing is, towards the end I felt there were a bit too much rainbows for my liking.

The Anti Boyfriend is the story of taking chances. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a slow burn, friends to lovers Romance.





🔹🏙 🔹 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔹 🏙 🔹





For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:



Profile Image for Celia {Hiatus until August}.
750 reviews139 followers
April 16, 2022
description
Penelope Ward continua no seu estilo, fofinho, sexy.
Nada chocante, nenhuma surpresa, clichés mas é sempre uma leitura agradável.
description
Carys, mãe solteira com uma bebé com síndroma de down, Sunny.
Decon, o engatatão vizinho do lado.
De todos os livros que já li de Penelope, este é o mais fraco.
Faltou qualquer coisa...
A ligação entre Carys e Decon não me convenceu.
No entanto, Decon e Sunny foram fantásticos.
Acho que faltou um bocadinho de alguma coisa em Carys.
description
Profile Image for Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘.
1,314 reviews3,058 followers
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 8, 2020
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*I Just Couldn't Continue*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

No rating due to DNF
I got to 30% (chapter 8) into the book and I just gave up. I felt no connection to the characters, nor between the characters. There was nothing special about either character - they were too kind for my taste. There was nothing sexy about Deacon Mathers (29), who design interactive games for a company based out of Asia. There was nothing that drew me to him - and you all know the male character is the most important part of the book for me; I know, I'm shallow. I knew the second I met him that he wouldn't do anything for me, and the feeling continued the longer I read. I also didn't feel much for Carys Kincaid (24), the main female character. Nor her daughter, Sunny Kincaid (6 months), who was the result of a brief relationship with Carys' former boss (38). I guess, in my eyes, there was so little depth to each character. I didn't feel that Sunny was cute which most kids tend to be - and no it has nothing to do with her having Down syndrome, it was just the way the book was written. The book just felt shallow to me and I knew it the first chapter. But I didn't want to give up, but at the same time, when I reached chapter 8 and I still felt the same, I knew I couldn't keep going. Overall, others seems to like it, but it just didn't work for me at all.

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance.
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - No one.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Probably
Would I recommend this book/series? - No.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - NO RATING DUE TO NOT FINISHING THE BOOK.
Profile Image for Zita.
116 reviews45 followers
November 7, 2020
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Filled all of my expectations? No.
They remind me of Damien and Chelsea from another Pen book but frankly, this was so rush and I couldn't truly connect with the characters or their motives.
Once It was "decent", otherwise I won't re-read this anytime soon.

Upd: They just pissing me off every time when I think about them so yea, one-star minus.
Profile Image for Dali.
1,994 reviews579 followers
September 5, 2020
I couldn’t put it down, it had allll the feels! Penelope Ward delivers a late summer read that shines with its cute, sexy and emotional journey.

Plot: Former ballerina and now single mom, Carys Kincaid had had it up to the wazoo with her neighbor’s late night shenanigans. Even though he didn’t disturb her daughter’s sleep, he certainly kept Carys up with his wall banging. Until the tables turned and it was six month old Sunny’s wails that brought Deacon to Carys’ door.

It turned out that not only was Deacon a baby whisperer, he was also super nice and didn’t mind going on coffee runs or taking care of sweet little Sunny when her mother was in a bind. Carys and Deacon become good friends. As they spend more time together their bond deepens and even though they’ve never admitted to their attraction they know it’s there and sparks fly when they cross the line. But can they get past all the uphill battles life throws at them?
”I keep waiting for you to show me your @$$hole side, Deacon. But you’re sickengly sweet sometimes. I definitely had the wrong idea about you early on.”
“Manwhores can still be sweet. Sometimes we even shop for flowers for our friends.”
He winked.

Hero: Deacon is a sweet, charming and thoughtful manwhore, but because of similar circumstances that re-shaped their lives, he connects with Carys in a very meaningful way. I loved to see how his relationship with Carys helped him overcome his past trauma and become an incredible man even though it wasn’t easy.

Heroine: Carys-like-Paris is incredibly devoted to her daughter. She’s strong and independent. I really liked her determination.

Sexiness: These two dance around each other for the longest time. But the anticipation Ward expertly and deliciously builds is well worth the wait.
”The truth was I ate, slept, and breathed Carys… She just didn’t know it. And I was too much of a damn coward to admit my feelings.”

Feels: The relationship between Carys and Deacon is perfect. They support and help each other and truly become wonderful friends before becoming lovers, which was a good thing because Deacon had a very hard time – justifiably – not only admitting his feelings, but also dealing with his past that affected their future together.

The Anti-Boyfriend is a delight to read. A standalone contemporary romance by Penelope Ward, told from both points of view that ends with THE perfect happy ever after epilogue.

Amazon Paperback -> https://amzn.to/2YDDN02

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books Promotions. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,670 reviews3,280 followers
August 31, 2020
4 The Whisper Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-It's Live!!!
Penelope Ward's The Anti-Boyfriend is the type of book that will take you by the hand and show you things and people can change...and for the better.
It has, Carys, a newly single mom with the cutest six-month baby girl who is testing this young mom's ability to manage. As much as she loves this wonder, outside elements are causing some sleepless nights.

The cause for this disturbance her neighbor who seems to have extremely noisy partners. The walls are thin, the activity is just RiDICKiculous, and when she is able, she decides to tell him what for!

Deacon is one of those guys, the ones that look just right, who has charm and knows it. However, when Carys confronts him how his "playing around" has impacted her child's sleep and schedule, he has the smarts enough to feel embarrassed. He realizes his impact and this causes a bridge for a shaky friendship.

Mix in the way Carys' daughter responds to Deacon and you have the friendship start to develop and become more. There are secondary characters who are a hoot, the chemistry and burn of the couple, and the growth that comes.

This had many of the cornerstones of a Penelope Ward read and her fans will not be disappointed.


~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Sometimes You Think...
You Have All The Answers...
Like When Your Sexy, Friendly Neighbor...
Keeps You Awake All Night...

Nooooo, It Is Not...
Because You Are Having "Fun" with Him...
It Is Due To Him Having...
Loud Enthusiastic "Fun" with Others...

So When You Think...
You Have The Perfect Way...
To "Ruin" His "Fun"...
With Your Sweet, Adorable Wailing Baby...

That Should Work, Right...

Eh, Not So Much...
I Know...

How Could I Know...
He Would Be The Baby Whisperer...
The One Who Would...
Quiet Her, Rock Her...
And Make Me Swoon...

Now We Are Pals...
Talking And Learning...
Sharing Things With Each Other...
Like Lips, Caresses, "Fun"...

This Is A Huge Problem...
But Then Again...
Maybe I Have A Hidden Talent...
Maybe I Am A Whisperer Too...

Maybe I Am A Whisperer For...


The Anti-Boyfriend- August 31, 2020

The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


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Profile Image for Auntee.
1,344 reviews1,444 followers
September 2, 2020
This book was sweet, it had some real heat, and I can't deny it--it made me cry at times. That lets me know that I was invested in the outcome between Carys and Deacon (not to mention little Sunny), which is a sign of a good read for me. This book had lots of details ( that I crave) which helps to make a good story. Did I know why Deacon was so adamant about not wanting children in his life? Yeah, I figured that out almost immediately when he revealed some of his backstory to Carys. Was I surprised that Carys's ex wasn't a complete moron? Yeah, and pleasantly so. Did I love that epilogue three(? )years down the road? It was sublime. Was I worried before I started the book after reading some negative reviews online? Yeah, and I kept waiting to feel the way some reviewers did. But I didn't. I was on board with the author and the way the story unfolded. And I almost forgot—the way the author used The Bee Gees in the book had me snickering...:)
So 5 stars for a mostly sweet story that gave me all the 'feels'.
51 reviews41 followers
September 8, 2020
Before I say anything else let me praise the sheer hotness that the cover of this book is. It's just so gooooood!!!!!


With that said, I really enjoyed reading the book and that comes as no surprise to me because I don't remember not liking a Penelope Ward book.

Though the plot was a bit cliche, it was well-written. I would rather read a book with a well-written, cliche plot than a poorly- written, unique plot. The execution makes all the difference, in my opinion.

The hero was so likable and I couldn't help but swoon over his relationship with Sunny (the heroine's daughter). What I loved the most about the book was its pacing; I felt like enough time was given to the characters to develop, their bond to strengthen, and things to settle down. The storyline didn't feel rushed and it progressed so naturally and seamlessly.

The only thing that slightly bothered me was that at first the heroine's ex is portrayed as a douchebag but later he is shown to be such a great person. What was this with the double persona?
Besides that, I loved reading the book.



September 20, 2020
4 ⭐'s

You know you can't go wrong by reading a Penelope Ward book and while this is a good love story, it could've been so much better.

Deacon and Carys meet because they are neighbors and she's finally reached the end of her rope listening to his nightly sexcapades. Deacon was only too accommodating in toning things down and I really liked that about him.

In fact, knowing that Caryis was a single parent, he bent over backwards to help her out and be a true friend. Naturally, this throws them together more often and as they get to know each other, their feelings grow. However, Deacon does not do relationships and he has told Carys more than once that he would only end up hurting her.

There are several situations where Deacon tries to distance himself and fails. They have too many connections and have built too strong of a foundation for him to deny it no matter how hard he tries.

Their first sexual encounter was a bit cringey...I mean, who says that? Luckily, everything after is sooo good.

I loved, loved, loved Deacon's relationship with Sunny. It was just so sweet. I was disappointed in what happened to it after the last drama.

I thought Deacon did a good job getting things back on track. And it was pretty amazing how Charles helped Deacon out.

Also, the crazy neighbor lady was hilarious! Some of the things that came out of her mouth had me cracking up!

The epilogue was -almost- perfect even though we didn't get much details on what had happened and there was no update on
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,811 reviews1,355 followers
September 5, 2020
***AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW***

4 Monkey Ball CROWNS

The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward is a solid read - good plot, likable characters, solid story-line.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and their relationships. Their meet cute was great, and Deacon actions make him immediately likable. He has the playboy with the kind heart, although the playboy aspect is in short supply.

Caris is also very likable. She is a good mom, and I love that she always has her best interest at heart.

The story was good, entertaining. I liked the conflict and the resolution. It was solid, well paced. There was something that just didn’t click for me. It did have that “can’t put it down” feel to it.

Fans of Penelope Ward will love it, and new ones will as well, but I’ve definitely loved her previous books more than this. The Anti-Boyfriend was just missing the “oomph” for me.

ARC Review

Profile Image for NAT.orious reads ☾.
904 reviews398 followers
November 16, 2020
3.5 STARS ★★★✬✩
This book is for you if… you want to continue your ride on the train of effortless and easy romance novels.

Overall.
If you take a look at my most recent reads you'll come to discover a(n) (un)healthy portion of romance novels. I have streaks where I want to read nothing but steamy, swoon-worthy romance novels and periods I can't bear them for the life of me. I think I'm about to transition from one to the other as I've noticed to be just a tad annoyed with them lately.

Maybe that's the reason I judge The Anti-Boyfriend to be on the good side of mediocre. It was a joyful and heartwarming narrative that definitely proofs Peneleope's got skills. Penelope writes about everyday people being extraordinary doing everyday things and thankfully forgoes overused stereotypes that do nothing but weaken a plot. She makes us see people for what they are: never perfect but always wonderful.

There were some details that just didn't sit well with me. For instance, a baby that age is not as amenable a flatmate as Penelope makes Sunny out to be. You'd need to be extreeeeemely lucky.

What’s happening.
‘I’ve always wanted to drink out of a mug that says, Classy, Sassy, and a Bit Bad Assy.’

Deacon can only sip cocoa from said mug because he's managed to annoy his neighbour with his sex-capades to such a degree she needed to tell him she was pretty much along for every single date that ever made his past his doorstep. The minute he actually gets to know Carys and her daughter Sunny, he's a goner for all the others anyways, and so is Carys. If only they hadn't such a hard time admitting that to each other and themselves.
_____________________
4 STARS.Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.

3 STARS.Decent read that I have neither strongly positive nor negative feelings about. Some things irked me and thus it does not qualify as exceptional.
Profile Image for Andrea Fleury.
973 reviews77 followers
September 16, 2020
Decan and carys

Decan lived in an apartment in NY. His next door neighbor had a baby. One day the baby wouldn't stop crying so he went over and knocked on their door. He said hi I'm Decan can I help you. He walked over and picked the baby up and she stopped crying. He fell in love. He refused to get close to anyone because of his past. He was afraid. Cars had a very sad past as well.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,345 reviews970 followers
June 11, 2021
Aw!! This is so sweet. I have hit and miss with Miss Ward's books. The Anti- Boyfriend is a win. And I fall for Deacon. He is my new book boyfriend.

I would like to have someone like Deacon to make fun of grocery list while shopping. That was super fun to read. That banter alone saves the book.

The chemistry alone between Deacon and Carys is sweet, cute and intimate. I do love how these two characters connect in early of the book. The struggle of single parent is real especially when the child have special need.

Overall a wonderful book to start my weekend.

4 stars
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,859 reviews1,511 followers
September 4, 2020
It didn't take long for this book to grab me by the heart.

Between the quick, fun, and flirty connection that sparked between Carys and Deacon, to the adorably sweet connection between Sunny and Deacon - my heart was just gone. Penelope Ward managed to strike a balance between scorchingly sexy and eloquently emotional that just made this story an utterly addicting joy to read.

There were some twists and turns along the way, and some of the transitions felt a little jarring to me. Some of the twists lacked a little of the oomph I was looking for. However, there were other areas of the story that felt perfectly fleshed out to me, and created an emotional depth that felt super satisfying. So it sometimes felt a little uneven for me, but not to the point where it took me out of the story, or impacted how firmly my heart attached itself to these characters.

At its heart, the friends-to-lovers romance between Carys and Deacon was my kind of catnip: flirty, banterific, sexy sweetness. And the perfection of the family unit they formed cannot be overstated. I loved them. I loved their adorable little family. And I loved their entire story. ~ Shelly, 4 stars

***

Who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers romance? I know I sure do! That slow burning romance that’s built from a friendship and turns into something more. Swoon. That’s just what happens in The Anti-Boyfriend and it’s delicious.

I really enjoyed the connection between Carys and Deacon. That they had such a tight friendship bond, and that neither thought that the other would want more. Boy, were they wrong! Their romance flamed hot and bright. And *fans self* hotter in between the sheets.

I also loved Deacon’s connection to Sunny and how it was basically insta-love between them. Funny, sweet, thoughtful, and adorable were Deacon’s reactions to discovering his love for children.

There were some bumps along the way to Carys and Deacons happily-ever-after though. Some rough transitions and jumps to other topics that had me scratching my head as to what was happening. But most of the time I was fully engrossed and had to know what happened next between these two wonderful characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time spent with Carys and Deacon. I loved seeing their love for each other grow and develop while maintaining the heart of their friendship, especially when it came to protecting and loving Sunny. ~ Missy, 4 stars
Profile Image for Kiki ♡.
290 reviews12 followers
December 19, 2020
3.75/5 🌟

Disfruté mucho este libro, una historia coqueta de romance.

En esta historia nos encontramos con Carys, la protagonista, madre soltera de su bebé de seis meses Sunny, la cual ocupa todo su tiempo y por lo tanto no tiene una vida social activa. En el apartamento de al lado vive su vecino Deacon, el cual la mayoría de las noches trae a sus conquistas y hacen mucho ruido con tanta pasión, y como las paredes del apartamento son tan delgadas Carys siempre los escucha, entonces en una ocasión ella lo confronta de una manera amable y se conocen como tal. Desde ese momento empieza entre ellos una conversación bastante cómica y esto llevará a qué formen una linda amistad, lo cual al pasar del tiempo vayan formando una conexión cada vez más fuerte.

La historia la disfruté bastante y me gustaron sus dos protagonistas, además de Sunny que era un amor. Y con las conversaciones de texto de Carys y Deacon me divertí y reí muchísimo. Siempre me mantuve interesada en saber cómo su relación de amistad florecía hacía algo más y transcurre de a poco, aunque hay bastante tensión sexual entre ellos dos. Además también fue una historia de sentimientos, ya que Carys y Deacon tenían un pasado doloroso, del que quizás todavía quedaban cargas.

En resúmen, una historia con bastante tensión sexual y que divierte muchísimo, sobre todo con Deacon, amé su personalidad. En algunas cosas de la historia me faltó mas, por eso no le doy las cuatro estrellas completas.
Profile Image for İlkim.
1,445 reviews11 followers
August 31, 2020
Neden bu yazara ve kankisi Vi'ye sürekli şans verip duruyorum bilmiyorum. Uzun süredir ikisinin öykülerinden de hiçbir zevk almıyorum. Penelope'den ümidim daha çoktu çünkü RoomHate gibi tatlış bir kitap yazıp beni cezbetmişti. Ama artık bu kadar da olmasın, tüm klişeler arka arkaya yazılmasın... Yazdığı en dağınık kurgu bu galiba. Hızlı hızlı bir şeyler yazmış, altını tam dolduramamış. Okurken daraldım ben, nasıl gelişeceğini de çok iyi biliyordum o kadar klişeydi. Kısacası yeni hiçbir şey ama hiçbir şey yok. Sırf konusunda bebekli felan bişeler var diye böyle çıktığı gibi okudum ama bu kitabın şişirilmemiş puanı gerçekten budur.
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