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Laws of Attraction #1
Down with Love
The cynical divorce lawyer and the hearts-and-flowers wedding planner could be the perfect match . . .
If you ever get married, remember my name: Max Henderson. In my line of work, you acquire a certain perspective on supposedly everlasting unions. . . .
1. Pre-nups are your friend.
2. The person you married is not the person you’re divorcing.
3. And I hope you didn’t spend much on the wedding because that was one helluva waste of hard-earned cash, wasn’t it?
But some guys are willing to take a chance. Like my brother, who thinks he’s going to ride off into the sunset with the woman of his dreams in a haze of glitter on unicorns. And the wedding planner—the green-eyed beauty who makes a living convincing suckers to shell out thousands of dollars on centerpieces—is raking it in on this matrimonial monstrosity.
The thing is, Charlie Love is not unlike me. We’re both cogs in the wedding-industrial complex. As the best man, I know her game—and I can play it better than her. But after one scorching, unexpected kiss, I’m thinking I might just want to get played.
If you ever get married, remember my name: Max Henderson. In my line of work, you acquire a certain perspective on supposedly everlasting unions. . . .
1. Pre-nups are your friend.
2. The person you married is not the person you’re divorcing.
3. And I hope you didn’t spend much on the wedding because that was one helluva waste of hard-earned cash, wasn’t it?
But some guys are willing to take a chance. Like my brother, who thinks he’s going to ride off into the sunset with the woman of his dreams in a haze of glitter on unicorns. And the wedding planner—the green-eyed beauty who makes a living convincing suckers to shell out thousands of dollars on centerpieces—is raking it in on this matrimonial monstrosity.
The thing is, Charlie Love is not unlike me. We’re both cogs in the wedding-industrial complex. As the best man, I know her game—and I can play it better than her. But after one scorching, unexpected kiss, I’m thinking I might just want to get played.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2018
191 people are currently reading
1,892 people want to read
About the author
Kate Meader
54 books3,311 followersKate writes sexy contemporary, sports, and LGBTQ+ romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. She's known for blending heat, humor, and heart into irresistibly romantic stories.
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
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May 27, 2018
Down With Love is book one in the brand new series, Love Wars, by Kate Meader.
Max Henderson may have come from money but he lived on what he earned at his job, a job he loved. Max is a divorce attorney. He considers himself a realist. That love isn’t all hearts and roses. Yes his own parents are still madly in love after all these years. But at work, he sees the reality of it, that there is a very ugly side to love. The one time Max let down his own guard he got badly hurt. Now he is a one night per woman type of guy, two tops. He has a good life, he has his routine, and he’s happy with it.
On a night out with his younger brother, his brother had some huge news for him, he was getting married to his girlfriend of all of three months. Yes, Max liked his brother’s girlfriend but it’s a little too fast. So while he is reeling from this news, the whole, eyes meeting from across the bar and sparks flying thing happens. What a perfect way to cope with the news, a hot woman for the night. But then his brother informs him that this isn’t just any woman, it is his wedding planner!
Charlie Love did not come from money. She was a child who was put into the system after the death of her mother and she had severe anger issues. If it weren’t for the foster parents who she ended up with, she wouldn’t be who she is today, a successful business and home owner. Charlie is a wedding planner. She loves her job. Charlie’s foster parents are anxious to see her settle down and she agrees, that she really wants to find her perfect match. But when she let down her guard with her one serious relationship and let him really see who she was, where she came from, he was no longer interested. Now Charlie tries her best to not let too much show. To just let the good parts out and keep everything else suppressed.
Then Charlie met Max. Max stood for everything she didn’t. He didn’t believe in love and she did. She made her money starting out marriages with their dream day. And Max made his by tearing them back apart. So why did she feel that little zing whenever she was close to him? Why did he keep creeping in to her thoughts? Max was not a relationship type of man and even if he were, he is definitely not what she was looking for. But maybe she could just enjoy him for a night to kind of blow out the cobwebs. Then she could get back to looking for Mr. Right.
“I represent everything he despises – i.e., belief in the lasting power of true love.”
When Charlie and Max give in to their chemistry, it is most definitely hot! A sort of role reversal happens though. Max starts to see the prospect of something good here, something he wants to explore. And Charlie is convinced that Max is not the man for her and that this is a one night stand. What Charlie does begin to see, though, is a side to Max she didn’t realize was there. A side that is addicted to old romance movies where the couple always gets their happy ever after. A side that takes care of his clients, long past the usual duties of a lawyer. A side that if she let herself, she could easily fall for.
“His hand in mine is the hot fudge sauce on my sundae, the relish on my dog, the topper on my Christmas tree. His hand in mine is all I need.”
This was such a cute story. There is plenty of humor, plenty of steam, and plenty of sweet moments. I loved how perceptive Max was and how he helped Charlie not to try to hide parts of herself. That those parts were what he loved about her, the whole package. These two were so perfect for each other. This is one of those books that you walk away from with a smile on your face.
Max Henderson may have come from money but he lived on what he earned at his job, a job he loved. Max is a divorce attorney. He considers himself a realist. That love isn’t all hearts and roses. Yes his own parents are still madly in love after all these years. But at work, he sees the reality of it, that there is a very ugly side to love. The one time Max let down his own guard he got badly hurt. Now he is a one night per woman type of guy, two tops. He has a good life, he has his routine, and he’s happy with it.
On a night out with his younger brother, his brother had some huge news for him, he was getting married to his girlfriend of all of three months. Yes, Max liked his brother’s girlfriend but it’s a little too fast. So while he is reeling from this news, the whole, eyes meeting from across the bar and sparks flying thing happens. What a perfect way to cope with the news, a hot woman for the night. But then his brother informs him that this isn’t just any woman, it is his wedding planner!
Charlie Love did not come from money. She was a child who was put into the system after the death of her mother and she had severe anger issues. If it weren’t for the foster parents who she ended up with, she wouldn’t be who she is today, a successful business and home owner. Charlie is a wedding planner. She loves her job. Charlie’s foster parents are anxious to see her settle down and she agrees, that she really wants to find her perfect match. But when she let down her guard with her one serious relationship and let him really see who she was, where she came from, he was no longer interested. Now Charlie tries her best to not let too much show. To just let the good parts out and keep everything else suppressed.
Then Charlie met Max. Max stood for everything she didn’t. He didn’t believe in love and she did. She made her money starting out marriages with their dream day. And Max made his by tearing them back apart. So why did she feel that little zing whenever she was close to him? Why did he keep creeping in to her thoughts? Max was not a relationship type of man and even if he were, he is definitely not what she was looking for. But maybe she could just enjoy him for a night to kind of blow out the cobwebs. Then she could get back to looking for Mr. Right.
“I represent everything he despises – i.e., belief in the lasting power of true love.”
When Charlie and Max give in to their chemistry, it is most definitely hot! A sort of role reversal happens though. Max starts to see the prospect of something good here, something he wants to explore. And Charlie is convinced that Max is not the man for her and that this is a one night stand. What Charlie does begin to see, though, is a side to Max she didn’t realize was there. A side that is addicted to old romance movies where the couple always gets their happy ever after. A side that takes care of his clients, long past the usual duties of a lawyer. A side that if she let herself, she could easily fall for.
“His hand in mine is the hot fudge sauce on my sundae, the relish on my dog, the topper on my Christmas tree. His hand in mine is all I need.”
This was such a cute story. There is plenty of humor, plenty of steam, and plenty of sweet moments. I loved how perceptive Max was and how he helped Charlie not to try to hide parts of herself. That those parts were what he loved about her, the whole package. These two were so perfect for each other. This is one of those books that you walk away from with a smile on your face.
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January 11, 2023The first book in a series of sexy contemporary standalone romances about divorce lawyers. The Laws of Attraction series was previously published in 2018-2019 and is now re-released with new covers, and for the first time, in print. Each book features a new couple with a guaranteed HEA. While you don't have to read in order, you may enjoy the series more if you do. The suggested reading order is Down with Love, Illegally Yours, and Then Came You.
As partners in Chicago’s premier law firm specializing in divorce, Max Henderson, Lucas Wright, and Grant Lincoln have witnessed humanity at its worst. Bitter fights. Heartbreaking custody battles. Hand-to-hand combat over who gets the Phil Collins CDs. So when love’s young dream burns to a pile of ash, you want one of these hot shots in your corner.
But what happens when the most cynical guys in the war against love find themselves on the battlefront—with their hearts in the line of fire?
Three men who think they know everything about marriage, relationships, and women will learn that, in fact, they don't know jack.
As partners in Chicago’s premier law firm specializing in divorce, Max Henderson, Lucas Wright, and Grant Lincoln have witnessed humanity at its worst. Bitter fights. Heartbreaking custody battles. Hand-to-hand combat over who gets the Phil Collins CDs. So when love’s young dream burns to a pile of ash, you want one of these hot shots in your corner.
But what happens when the most cynical guys in the war against love find themselves on the battlefront—with their hearts in the line of fire?
Three men who think they know everything about marriage, relationships, and women will learn that, in fact, they don't know jack.
December 9, 2020
Down with Love is bit disappointment. I was expecting a lot from Miss Meader. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy the banter between Max and Charlie. I want more sizzling chemistry between the sheet.
This is my second book by Miss Meader. I was looking forward to it, but...well. Moving on...
3 stars
This is my second book by Miss Meader. I was looking forward to it, but...well. Moving on...
3 stars
July 24, 2018
Great story. Love Max and his amazing heart... Charlie- she took a long time to grow on me. Still not convinced. 3.5 Stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have read many many books by Kate Meader. I just love her writing style!! Her books are always full of humor and fun loving stories that you can really relate to. So I always gravitate to new titles by her.
One of the things I enjoy about this author stories is she brings together people that may not necessarily normally bond. People who would technically be opposites are brought together in explosive ways.
This story features a divorce attorney who is a little bit cynical but more a romantic at heart. Max is a delicious hunk of a man who has many secrets tucked away and I adored him. When he meets Charlie, a wedding planner, the first thing he thinks of is how much money she is going to fleece from his brother.
Charlie is somewhat repelled the first time she meets Max and for many of their casual meetings she has the hate/like emotional connection going on. Max is the one who becomes the chaser as he is the true romantic of the bunch.
There were a few things that held me back from loving this story. For one, I did not care for Charlie for most of the book. I felt no real connection or vibe with her. She was annoying at times and I just did not get the buy-in from her at all.
Another issue was the lack of heat in this book. Normally we get the heated attraction and great sex, but this time, I felt it was less important than the rest of the story... More of the day to day activities were featured.
Overall, I love Kate's books because they are always a delightful, engaging read. But this one was a bit lacking for me, mainly because of Charlie.
* copy received for review consideration
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have read many many books by Kate Meader. I just love her writing style!! Her books are always full of humor and fun loving stories that you can really relate to. So I always gravitate to new titles by her.
One of the things I enjoy about this author stories is she brings together people that may not necessarily normally bond. People who would technically be opposites are brought together in explosive ways.
This story features a divorce attorney who is a little bit cynical but more a romantic at heart. Max is a delicious hunk of a man who has many secrets tucked away and I adored him. When he meets Charlie, a wedding planner, the first thing he thinks of is how much money she is going to fleece from his brother.
Charlie is somewhat repelled the first time she meets Max and for many of their casual meetings she has the hate/like emotional connection going on. Max is the one who becomes the chaser as he is the true romantic of the bunch.
There were a few things that held me back from loving this story. For one, I did not care for Charlie for most of the book. I felt no real connection or vibe with her. She was annoying at times and I just did not get the buy-in from her at all.
Another issue was the lack of heat in this book. Normally we get the heated attraction and great sex, but this time, I felt it was less important than the rest of the story... More of the day to day activities were featured.
Overall, I love Kate's books because they are always a delightful, engaging read. But this one was a bit lacking for me, mainly because of Charlie.
* copy received for review consideration
June 20, 2018
I'm hoping by the time I finish writing this review I'll know what I'm rating this one because I'm definitely wavering between a two and a three.
Max Henderson hit on me pretty hard at that bar a week ago and turned cool when he found out who I am and what I do for a living. But I suspect he's gotten over his initial gripe. After all, why allow principles to get in the way of the needs of your penis?
DOWN WITH LOVE, the first of Meader's new series, matches up a divorce attorney with a wedding planner. I wouldn't call this a hate to love, or even enemies to love, but it's definitely an opposites attract situation. They are thrown into each other's orbit when Max's brother, James, proposes to his girlfriend and their three-month-out wedding requires mega planning which is a job that Charlie (who has the last name Love and I still don't know how I feel about it) is more than capable of handling.
"It's hard to determine where we stand with the whiplash of moods you present, Max. One minute I'm the matrimonial Antichrist, the next I'm a damsel in distress."
This was fairly typical 'redeem the player' fare, with that fun -- though becoming a bit predictable -- trope of having the woman turn the man's casual ways back on him; which has him not only questioning his past behaviour but also forces him to admit that maybe the reason he's bothered by said casual behaviour is because he's feeling.. feelings.
"I'm not really dressed for dinner. I thought I'd just--"
"Wham-bam the hell out of me, then leave me a boneless mess curled up in a fetal ball on my floor?"
"On your bed. I'm not completely heartless."
There were times that I was really enjoying some of the banter and the dynamic between these two, and other times I felt I had read it all before and yawn I was bored, which ultimately made me realize that while this was a perfectly decent rom-com(ish), it just didn't offer anything new or get me invested in the characters. DOWN WITH LOVE was at turns really aggressively sexual in the case of both characters' fantasizing about the other, then also trying to play things off sweet or sassy -- even throwing in some emotional layers in the case of dead parents, foster system, childhood stutters, and not so great past dating history -- and while I found them both sympathetic at times, I don't think I really liked either of them. The supporting cast was fun, though, so maybe the next Love Wars book will be more my style.
I know it's a cliché to want what resists you, but as she already thinks I'm a cliché, then I'm okay with playing that role.
If you're a fan of some Blakely-style fourth wall breakage, or rather a fan of Blakely in general, enjoy a good opposites-attract & redeeming the player trope, and also baseball, you'll like this one. I just expected to laugh more or, if I couldn't get that, I just wanted to feel more.
2.5 "Netflix has broken up more marriages than you'd think" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Max Henderson hit on me pretty hard at that bar a week ago and turned cool when he found out who I am and what I do for a living. But I suspect he's gotten over his initial gripe. After all, why allow principles to get in the way of the needs of your penis?
DOWN WITH LOVE, the first of Meader's new series, matches up a divorce attorney with a wedding planner. I wouldn't call this a hate to love, or even enemies to love, but it's definitely an opposites attract situation. They are thrown into each other's orbit when Max's brother, James, proposes to his girlfriend and their three-month-out wedding requires mega planning which is a job that Charlie (who has the last name Love and I still don't know how I feel about it) is more than capable of handling.
"It's hard to determine where we stand with the whiplash of moods you present, Max. One minute I'm the matrimonial Antichrist, the next I'm a damsel in distress."
This was fairly typical 'redeem the player' fare, with that fun -- though becoming a bit predictable -- trope of having the woman turn the man's casual ways back on him; which has him not only questioning his past behaviour but also forces him to admit that maybe the reason he's bothered by said casual behaviour is because he's feeling.. feelings.
"I'm not really dressed for dinner. I thought I'd just--"
"Wham-bam the hell out of me, then leave me a boneless mess curled up in a fetal ball on my floor?"
"On your bed. I'm not completely heartless."
There were times that I was really enjoying some of the banter and the dynamic between these two, and other times I felt I had read it all before and yawn I was bored, which ultimately made me realize that while this was a perfectly decent rom-com(ish), it just didn't offer anything new or get me invested in the characters. DOWN WITH LOVE was at turns really aggressively sexual in the case of both characters' fantasizing about the other, then also trying to play things off sweet or sassy -- even throwing in some emotional layers in the case of dead parents, foster system, childhood stutters, and not so great past dating history -- and while I found them both sympathetic at times, I don't think I really liked either of them. The supporting cast was fun, though, so maybe the next Love Wars book will be more my style.
I know it's a cliché to want what resists you, but as she already thinks I'm a cliché, then I'm okay with playing that role.
If you're a fan of some Blakely-style fourth wall breakage, or rather a fan of Blakely in general, enjoy a good opposites-attract & redeeming the player trope, and also baseball, you'll like this one. I just expected to laugh more or, if I couldn't get that, I just wanted to feel more.
2.5 "Netflix has broken up more marriages than you'd think" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
February 17, 2022
Kate Meader launches her Laws of Attraction series with the sizzling tale of Charlie Love, wedding planner extraordinaire who’s looking for Mr. Right and Max Henderson, divorce attorney and cynic.
Max is good at his job and loves it. He mostly sees the down side of love and considers himself a realist especially after his own failed engagement and subsequent broken heart. So when James Henderson decides to get married, it is up to Max to look out for his little brother and make sure he’s not taken advantage by all the trappings of planning a wedding, which in Max’s experience is a great waste of time and money.
Though they’re completely at odds, when Max meets his brother’s gorgeous wedding planner he knows he’s fighting a losing battle against the wedding and his heart, as she’s not only beautiful, smart and has sharp tongue. She’s invaded his thoughts, gotten under his skin and is a Cubs fan. Not even Charlie’s own desire to sail into the happily ever after sunset is a deterrent to him.
Naturally opposites attract and the time spent together while planning the wedding and the time Max has sought her out – even through her foster parents – has them acting on their attraction. Charlie just wants a night of enjoyment but Max has other plans. Can he convince her love isn’t all rainbows but rather hard work and that what they have is worth it?
I love the start of a new series knowing we’ll get to experience a whole group of characters find their true love over the course of the series, especially when said series is written by an author known to deliver sexy, witty and heartfelt stories.
The animosity between Max and Charlie was a delightful push and pull that kept me flipping pages. I found myself laughing during their snippy exchanges, fanning myself when sparks flew while giving into each other and falling head over heels for Max – he’s not just self-assured, he’s caring and thoughtful. He may be a cynic on the outside, but inside lives a romantic waiting for the right woman. I cheered for both of the very loveable and perfect for each other main characters.
Together with the romance, Meader weaves other aspects in her story that make it so enjoyable like Max’s business associates, his brother, future sister-in-law and parents, his imposed furry sidekick, a cockapoo dog who he named Cujo, and Charlie’s foster parents. And finally, a big smile and warm fuzzy feelings are guaranteed at the end of the book with Meader’s signature swoon worthy epilogue.
Down with Love is book #1 of the Laws of Attraction series by Kate Meader. It is a standalone enemies to lovers romantic comedy, that delivers big dollops of appealing romance, I can’t wait for the books to com. Told from both points of view with a happily ever after, no cliffhanger.
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2K7jvBJ
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
Max is good at his job and loves it. He mostly sees the down side of love and considers himself a realist especially after his own failed engagement and subsequent broken heart. So when James Henderson decides to get married, it is up to Max to look out for his little brother and make sure he’s not taken advantage by all the trappings of planning a wedding, which in Max’s experience is a great waste of time and money.
Though they’re completely at odds, when Max meets his brother’s gorgeous wedding planner he knows he’s fighting a losing battle against the wedding and his heart, as she’s not only beautiful, smart and has sharp tongue. She’s invaded his thoughts, gotten under his skin and is a Cubs fan. Not even Charlie’s own desire to sail into the happily ever after sunset is a deterrent to him.
Naturally opposites attract and the time spent together while planning the wedding and the time Max has sought her out – even through her foster parents – has them acting on their attraction. Charlie just wants a night of enjoyment but Max has other plans. Can he convince her love isn’t all rainbows but rather hard work and that what they have is worth it?
I love the start of a new series knowing we’ll get to experience a whole group of characters find their true love over the course of the series, especially when said series is written by an author known to deliver sexy, witty and heartfelt stories.
The animosity between Max and Charlie was a delightful push and pull that kept me flipping pages. I found myself laughing during their snippy exchanges, fanning myself when sparks flew while giving into each other and falling head over heels for Max – he’s not just self-assured, he’s caring and thoughtful. He may be a cynic on the outside, but inside lives a romantic waiting for the right woman. I cheered for both of the very loveable and perfect for each other main characters.
Together with the romance, Meader weaves other aspects in her story that make it so enjoyable like Max’s business associates, his brother, future sister-in-law and parents, his imposed furry sidekick, a cockapoo dog who he named Cujo, and Charlie’s foster parents. And finally, a big smile and warm fuzzy feelings are guaranteed at the end of the book with Meader’s signature swoon worthy epilogue.
Down with Love is book #1 of the Laws of Attraction series by Kate Meader. It is a standalone enemies to lovers romantic comedy, that delivers big dollops of appealing romance, I can’t wait for the books to com. Told from both points of view with a happily ever after, no cliffhanger.
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2K7jvBJ
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
August 9, 2018
Witty, seductive, and wickedly entertaining!
Down with Love is an engaging, adorable, enemies-to-more romance set in the Windy City that introduces us to a whole slew of new characters, including the warm, sweet, charming Charlie who believes in fairy tales and happy endings, and the intelligent, confident, skeptical, divorce lawyer, Max who believes that saying “I do” is merely a waste of time and money.
The writing is smooth and effortless. The characters are clever, fun-loving, and appealing. And the plot is an enchanting, exceptionally funny, perfect mix of tender moments, friendship antics, delicious tension, catchy dialogue, swoon-worthy chemistry, and true love.
I have always been a fan of Kate Meader, and I think Down with Love has just become one of my favourites. I loved the characters, I loved the chemistry, and I loved the storyline. It’s a fantastic start to the new Laws of Attraction series, and in my opinion, it really doesn’t get much better than this.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Down with Love is an engaging, adorable, enemies-to-more romance set in the Windy City that introduces us to a whole slew of new characters, including the warm, sweet, charming Charlie who believes in fairy tales and happy endings, and the intelligent, confident, skeptical, divorce lawyer, Max who believes that saying “I do” is merely a waste of time and money.
The writing is smooth and effortless. The characters are clever, fun-loving, and appealing. And the plot is an enchanting, exceptionally funny, perfect mix of tender moments, friendship antics, delicious tension, catchy dialogue, swoon-worthy chemistry, and true love.
I have always been a fan of Kate Meader, and I think Down with Love has just become one of my favourites. I loved the characters, I loved the chemistry, and I loved the storyline. It’s a fantastic start to the new Laws of Attraction series, and in my opinion, it really doesn’t get much better than this.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
July 29, 2018
A fun opposites attract and a bit of an enemies to lover story. You can't get more opposite than a divorce lawyer and a wedding planner.
The spark these two had was instant. The fact that they are on opposite sides of the love rainbow couldn't keep them apart. Their banter was fun but on the edge. Max is a cynic. How can he not be as a divorce lawyer. Add in his own personal experience of love turned wrong and he's what you would expect.
Despite being a wedding planner and seeing the better side of relationships, Charlie struggles with her own self image and the results of her own bad break up. It doesn't stop her from wanting the elusive successful marriage. She just isn't sure if she can find a man who can handle that damaged side of herself.
Deep down both characters had emotional issues going on underneath the surface. I always think it's a thing of beauty when you see a couple bring out the best in each other. To love one another just as much because of their flaws as their perfection.
This was a feel good story that brings a bit more emotion than you expect to the surface. Great read!
The spark these two had was instant. The fact that they are on opposite sides of the love rainbow couldn't keep them apart. Their banter was fun but on the edge. Max is a cynic. How can he not be as a divorce lawyer. Add in his own personal experience of love turned wrong and he's what you would expect.
Despite being a wedding planner and seeing the better side of relationships, Charlie struggles with her own self image and the results of her own bad break up. It doesn't stop her from wanting the elusive successful marriage. She just isn't sure if she can find a man who can handle that damaged side of herself.
Deep down both characters had emotional issues going on underneath the surface. I always think it's a thing of beauty when you see a couple bring out the best in each other. To love one another just as much because of their flaws as their perfection.
This was a feel good story that brings a bit more emotion than you expect to the surface. Great read!
August 21, 2018
All the stars. RomComs. Do NOT underestimate them. So surprised at how much I loved this book.
I've read and loved quite a few of Kate Meader's books:. Hot in Chicago - book 2 & The entire Chicago Rebels series.
Down With Love is Book 1 in The Laws of Attraction series- and guess what? It's set in Chicago. And I LOVED it.
I was expecting all snarky humor. There is a lot of snark, but some real feels too.
Max- oh with a name like Max, guess who's the snarky one? He's a divorce attorney and partner in a very successful Chicago law firm. He's from a well to do family, but Max is making his own way.
Charlie is a wedding planner. She's also making her own way. She had a rough start. Her mom died when Charlie was 13 y/o and Charlie was put into the Foster Care "system". Charlie developed a temper and a big rebellious chip on her shoulder. Charlie got a big break at 14 y/o. Sully (Frank) and Donna Sullivan became Charlie's foster parents. They were a huge stabilizing influence on her.
There no flash backs about Charlie's younger years. Just references to it throughout the book. I think that in real life, I would be less understanding of Charlie's in your face attitude Ms Meader has such a way of explaining why Charlie got so tough. It seemed like a contradiction that she is so successful in planning such happy events.
I loved Max. I really liked Charlie and empathized with her and appreciated how far she'd come.
Max and Charlie start off with a little adversarial relationship. They are both shy of relationships. Both had bad prior relationships. Max was all set to be single his entire life. Then he met Charlie. He starts to soften his heart.
Charlie is open about looking for "Mr Right". She wants what Sully & Donna have. She promptly lets Max know that he's not in the "Mr Right" category. He's a love em and leave em guy. A guy that leaves out the love entirely.
Max's parents are great supporting characters (esp his Mom Susanne); as is Max's brother James.
The scene at the Cubs' game & Cubs jail was very funny. Charlie was really pushing it.
I loved this whole book. I didn't notice any slow parts. I was really into their witty banter. It seemed a little different from Ms Meader's other books. Max's POV was especially fun to read. DwL reminded me of a cross between Emma Chase and Lauren Layne books.
There's a heart tugging part with Sully & Donna in the last 25% that involves Max and Charlie. I did not find it distracting at all. I thought that it provided a lesson about realistic life partners' roles and expectations.
There's more to both Charlie and Max. I really enjoyed this book.
I have to mention a couple of tiny negatives: Max's legal papers at home- NO attorney would leave them where a dog could pee on them. Charlie held out a smidgen too long. Although.... she is stubborn.
Lucas, Max's British law partner is a little too wacky int this book, but I think that his book is next (YAY) and I'll get to find out what makes him tick.
Great ending and epilogue- so sweet... and snarky natch. 4.95 stars-rounding up to 5 stars!
Copy provided by NetGalley, my opinion is my own.
I've read and loved quite a few of Kate Meader's books:. Hot in Chicago - book 2 & The entire Chicago Rebels series.
Down With Love is Book 1 in The Laws of Attraction series- and guess what? It's set in Chicago. And I LOVED it.
I was expecting all snarky humor. There is a lot of snark, but some real feels too.
Max- oh with a name like Max, guess who's the snarky one? He's a divorce attorney and partner in a very successful Chicago law firm. He's from a well to do family, but Max is making his own way.
Charlie is a wedding planner. She's also making her own way. She had a rough start. Her mom died when Charlie was 13 y/o and Charlie was put into the Foster Care "system". Charlie developed a temper and a big rebellious chip on her shoulder. Charlie got a big break at 14 y/o. Sully (Frank) and Donna Sullivan became Charlie's foster parents. They were a huge stabilizing influence on her.
There no flash backs about Charlie's younger years. Just references to it throughout the book. I think that in real life, I would be less understanding of Charlie's in your face attitude Ms Meader has such a way of explaining why Charlie got so tough. It seemed like a contradiction that she is so successful in planning such happy events.
I loved Max. I really liked Charlie and empathized with her and appreciated how far she'd come.
Max and Charlie start off with a little adversarial relationship. They are both shy of relationships. Both had bad prior relationships. Max was all set to be single his entire life. Then he met Charlie. He starts to soften his heart.
Charlie is open about looking for "Mr Right". She wants what Sully & Donna have. She promptly lets Max know that he's not in the "Mr Right" category. He's a love em and leave em guy. A guy that leaves out the love entirely.
Max's parents are great supporting characters (esp his Mom Susanne); as is Max's brother James.
The scene at the Cubs' game & Cubs jail was very funny. Charlie was really pushing it.
I loved this whole book. I didn't notice any slow parts. I was really into their witty banter. It seemed a little different from Ms Meader's other books. Max's POV was especially fun to read. DwL reminded me of a cross between Emma Chase and Lauren Layne books.
There's a heart tugging part with Sully & Donna in the last 25% that involves Max and Charlie. I did not find it distracting at all. I thought that it provided a lesson about realistic life partners' roles and expectations.
There's more to both Charlie and Max. I really enjoyed this book.
I have to mention a couple of tiny negatives: Max's legal papers at home- NO attorney would leave them where a dog could pee on them. Charlie held out a smidgen too long. Although.... she is stubborn.
Lucas, Max's British law partner is a little too wacky int this book, but I think that his book is next (YAY) and I'll get to find out what makes him tick.
Great ending and epilogue- so sweet... and snarky natch. 4.95 stars-rounding up to 5 stars!
Copy provided by NetGalley, my opinion is my own.
April 3, 2019
Song for summary: Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette
A delightful read! The characters are cheeky, confident, and enticing; while the plot is an amusing love story about a cynical divorce lawyer trying to win over a guarded wedding planner. Touching yet upbeat, Down with Love is a novel that shows just how much work and compromise it takes to make a relationship last. Packed with diverse and hilarious supporting characters, this book is the perfect way to kick off a promising new series.
A delightful read! The characters are cheeky, confident, and enticing; while the plot is an amusing love story about a cynical divorce lawyer trying to win over a guarded wedding planner. Touching yet upbeat, Down with Love is a novel that shows just how much work and compromise it takes to make a relationship last. Packed with diverse and hilarious supporting characters, this book is the perfect way to kick off a promising new series.
August 17, 2020
nothing better than a good romantic comedy! Especially at a time when the world has gone nuts and you just want to escape for awhile. So pour up a nice cup of tea, grab a cookie and enjoy this book. Or if you go the audio version (which is what I did) grab your knitting project while you listen. This is the ultimate in social distancing. Anyone gets too close or interrupts your "Me Time" they will be threatened with the knitting needles.
Our hero is the best man in a wedding. Not that he likes marriages but they are his bread and butter. At least the ending of one is. He is a divorce attorney. (Don't know that would be my first choice of a best man, but hey, maybe they couldn't find a mortician) Luckily for him the wedding planner is hot.
Our heroine (the wedding planner) is absolutely adorable! She's witty and fun. The building of their romance is hilarious! It's hard to find two such opposites as these two.
Our hero is the best man in a wedding. Not that he likes marriages but they are his bread and butter. At least the ending of one is. He is a divorce attorney. (Don't know that would be my first choice of a best man, but hey, maybe they couldn't find a mortician) Luckily for him the wedding planner is hot.
Our heroine (the wedding planner) is absolutely adorable! She's witty and fun. The building of their romance is hilarious! It's hard to find two such opposites as these two.
May 30, 2018
Wedding-planner, come meet the divorce lawyer: 2 occupations at odds with each other, down to the fundamental beliefs that the people working in these lines should hold. Right? ‘Down with Love’ is where Kate Meader bravely tackles these opposites and tries to prove the contrary with Max Henderson (the first victim, so to speak) and Charlie Love—whose last name is ironically appropriate for her occupation.
Excited as I was by Meader’s blurb of this new series, I was also a little wary, because beneath it lies the stereotypical trope of a commitment phobic player paired with a woman who tries to be sassy and stumbles when the charm comes out. And with Meader’s style of writing, I can say—objectively—that it’s perfectly tailored for the rom-com style that many readers would expect. Meader’s writing is pitched exactly like the voices you hear in romantic comedy, that is, pitch-perfect, if that’s your sort of thing, in other words. That much, it delivers.
Max Henderson kicks of the start of Kate Meader’s new series of cynical men who think they’ve seen the worst of humanity in the battlefield of court when divorce inevitably hits couples. But I think the male POV is tricky to write, period. Getting the fine balance right between voice, hints of vulnerability and the cocky front that many authors try to portray of their alpha males who apparently know so much about women is one that either has me grimacing or smirking. The usual smug, self-satisfied, arrogant tone of Max crosses the line into bar-smarmy faux smoothness and sleazy bad taste and it isn’t frankly something I want to read of a male romantic protagonist who’s head seems to be constantly filled with women’s body parts and what he’d like to do to them. (Here, I’m reminded of another author who’s done the same previously and it isn’t that good a memory, sad to say.)
But because many rom-coms are retellings and rehashes of tropes with varying contexts, character histories and storytelling styles, ‘Down With love’ still feels at its core, one that doesn’t deviate too much from the well-worn but well-loved formula: a woman who finally gives the cynical Max what he’s always fed other women (nothing beyond a night or two) and then it’s the typical reversal of him finally getting a taste of his own medicine just as he realises she’s unlike the others. Cue the game to wear her resistance down, thanks to the perpetual player, no-one-gets-hurt reputation Max strives to cultivate in the first place.
There are a few bits of talking ‘out’ to the reader as well—better known as breaking the fourth wall here, when a character steps out of the fictional word briefly and breaks through the invisible wall separating reader and the cast—and I’m not too sure how I feel about that here. Perhaps Meader seeks to bridge that connection between Max and me when the use of the second person pronoun ‘you’ seems to…mediate this distance that I subconsciously hold, first to convince me that he’s anti-marriage and then later, to convince me that he’s a reformed man. Or perhaps I’m just over-reading this.
In short, I think I wasn’t really feeling this at all sadly—not the pairing, not the context and not the plot. ‘Down With Love’ didn’t exactly move me much even as Meader tries to work out the opposing beliefs of Max and Charlie, and given the many times I managed to walk away and came back to the book (rinse and repeat) it’s clear this isn’t the story for me, as much as I really like Meader’s writing.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Excited as I was by Meader’s blurb of this new series, I was also a little wary, because beneath it lies the stereotypical trope of a commitment phobic player paired with a woman who tries to be sassy and stumbles when the charm comes out. And with Meader’s style of writing, I can say—objectively—that it’s perfectly tailored for the rom-com style that many readers would expect. Meader’s writing is pitched exactly like the voices you hear in romantic comedy, that is, pitch-perfect, if that’s your sort of thing, in other words. That much, it delivers.
Max Henderson kicks of the start of Kate Meader’s new series of cynical men who think they’ve seen the worst of humanity in the battlefield of court when divorce inevitably hits couples. But I think the male POV is tricky to write, period. Getting the fine balance right between voice, hints of vulnerability and the cocky front that many authors try to portray of their alpha males who apparently know so much about women is one that either has me grimacing or smirking. The usual smug, self-satisfied, arrogant tone of Max crosses the line into bar-smarmy faux smoothness and sleazy bad taste and it isn’t frankly something I want to read of a male romantic protagonist who’s head seems to be constantly filled with women’s body parts and what he’d like to do to them. (Here, I’m reminded of another author who’s done the same previously and it isn’t that good a memory, sad to say.)
But because many rom-coms are retellings and rehashes of tropes with varying contexts, character histories and storytelling styles, ‘Down With love’ still feels at its core, one that doesn’t deviate too much from the well-worn but well-loved formula: a woman who finally gives the cynical Max what he’s always fed other women (nothing beyond a night or two) and then it’s the typical reversal of him finally getting a taste of his own medicine just as he realises she’s unlike the others. Cue the game to wear her resistance down, thanks to the perpetual player, no-one-gets-hurt reputation Max strives to cultivate in the first place.
There are a few bits of talking ‘out’ to the reader as well—better known as breaking the fourth wall here, when a character steps out of the fictional word briefly and breaks through the invisible wall separating reader and the cast—and I’m not too sure how I feel about that here. Perhaps Meader seeks to bridge that connection between Max and me when the use of the second person pronoun ‘you’ seems to…mediate this distance that I subconsciously hold, first to convince me that he’s anti-marriage and then later, to convince me that he’s a reformed man. Or perhaps I’m just over-reading this.
In short, I think I wasn’t really feeling this at all sadly—not the pairing, not the context and not the plot. ‘Down With Love’ didn’t exactly move me much even as Meader tries to work out the opposing beliefs of Max and Charlie, and given the many times I managed to walk away and came back to the book (rinse and repeat) it’s clear this isn’t the story for me, as much as I really like Meader’s writing.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
August 7, 2018
At first glance readers will think that Down With Love by Kate Meader is an opposites attract romance as the hero is a divorce attorney, a player, and very anti-marriage and the heroine is a wedding planner, interested in finding Mr. Right and a believer in happily ever after, but there is so much more to this book and as each layer of these very complex characters is pulled away it is easy to see that they both want to find the person who wants them just the way they are and in each other they find that after a lot of verbal volleyball, intense conversations, a few misunderstandings, and a whole lot of discovery in more ways than one. I loved each and every minute of Down With Love.
Max is a man determined to be the best divorce attorney in Chicago and get his clients everything they deserve while helping them come to terms with their new reality. In a lot of ways it is easy to think of Max as a cynic in terms of relationships and love; however it is more about protecting his heart than anything. Max is loyal to a fault not only with his clients, but especially his friends and family which is why despite his instant attraction to his brother and soon to be sister in law’s wedding planner, he can’t help but be wary of everything about her.
Charlie is proud of the woman she has become since losing her mother at age 13 and shuffling through the foster care system before landing with a couple who made her want more from life. Owning her own wedding planning business and now her own home, Charlie is ready for more and that means finding a man to share her life with one that knows the real her and appreciates every facet of her personality. She’s determined to stay away from men who are bad for her and don’t have similar life goals, but she can’t deny the attraction she feels for her newest client’s brother.
From the minute these two collide there are sparks everywhere, but as they are at odds it takes a good, long while before they actually act upon it. I loved their journey, every snarky remark, the innuendo, the way they try to pretend they aren’t affected by each other, and the way they seem to end up spending time together repeatedly. This is a slow burn romance and during that time, they begin to peel away each other’s layers and see that the person underneath is intriguing and fascinating and so damn complex.
This is a busy book with a lot going on in both Max and Charlie’s families and the romance between these two could have gotten lost in the shuffle, however Ms. Meader keeps them front and center allowing them the time they need to move towards a relationship.
Incredibly well written with a depth so many books don’t have these days, full of fun, laughter, and both sexy and serious times, Down With Love is one of my favorite books of 2018.
Read
June 13, 2018He's a divorce lawyer and she's a wedding planner. Sparks fly.
I really enjoy enemies to friends romances if the exchanges are banter rather than bicker, and this was no exception. The standard tropes are here: they're both smoking hot, fighting attraction from the gitgo. But she sees him as a hardened cynic, busy tearing apart the relationships that she hopes to send off with lifetime good memories.
The attraction wins out first, of course, in time-honored lusty fashion, making this a fun beach read. But what I really enjoyed were the side characters. This one had the advantage of being a new series, so we don't have the usual overly coy aren't-we-happy scenes with former series couples in their delirious love (which can drag the pacing in their sameness, especially if you haven't read the preceding books); instead we get siblings and parents, each of whom is dealing with relationship issues.
I also liked the way Meader avoided the cliche of making her hero a shark lawyer out to hurt the female side of the divorce court. Instead, his specialty is older woman who've been dumped for a younger model as soon as the kids are out the door. Further, the heroine is not all bubbly and sweet, she has had a tough time as a teen and can be abrasive at times, though she tries hard to control it.
Into this switching up of usual roles mixed with traditional tropes were a lot of insightful comments on what makes a marriage last. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel. You know what you're getting here, including the climactic misunderstanding, but the pleasure was in the examination of relationships, specifically long-term marriage.
Copy provided by NetGalley
I really enjoy enemies to friends romances if the exchanges are banter rather than bicker, and this was no exception. The standard tropes are here: they're both smoking hot, fighting attraction from the gitgo. But she sees him as a hardened cynic, busy tearing apart the relationships that she hopes to send off with lifetime good memories.
The attraction wins out first, of course, in time-honored lusty fashion, making this a fun beach read. But what I really enjoyed were the side characters. This one had the advantage of being a new series, so we don't have the usual overly coy aren't-we-happy scenes with former series couples in their delirious love (which can drag the pacing in their sameness, especially if you haven't read the preceding books); instead we get siblings and parents, each of whom is dealing with relationship issues.
I also liked the way Meader avoided the cliche of making her hero a shark lawyer out to hurt the female side of the divorce court. Instead, his specialty is older woman who've been dumped for a younger model as soon as the kids are out the door. Further, the heroine is not all bubbly and sweet, she has had a tough time as a teen and can be abrasive at times, though she tries hard to control it.
Into this switching up of usual roles mixed with traditional tropes were a lot of insightful comments on what makes a marriage last. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel. You know what you're getting here, including the climactic misunderstanding, but the pleasure was in the examination of relationships, specifically long-term marriage.
Copy provided by NetGalley
November 24, 2019
Down with Love features the ultimate opposites attract romance between a cynical divorce attorney and a wedding planner who believes in true love.
Max Henderson is the man you want in your corner if your marriage has gone sideways and you need a divorce. Max is willing to go to bat for his clients and his profession may have turned him a bit cynical as a result. So when his younger brother James tells him he’s getting married, Max is hard-pressed to summon much enthusiasm. And when he meets the wedding planner, Charlie Love, he’s convinced his brother is about to be fleeced. Yet despite his low outlook on the situation, Max finds himself continually drawn to Charlie when an unexpected kiss changes everything.
Charlie had a bit of a rough childhood after her mother died when Charlie was thirteen and she ended up in foster care. The lack of stability in her life caused her to lash out and she wasn’t on a great path until she was placed with Frank and Donna Sullivan. To Charlie, Frank and Donna’s marriage was the ultimate dream and she’s longed to find that for herself one day. I enjoyed Charlie quite a bit with her propensity for swearing and her optimistic outlook on life and love.
Max is where this book fell apart for me as I hated him almost immediately upon meeting his character. He’s misogynistic, full of himself, and acts like he always knows what’s best. He makes comments like he’s some paragon for equality and then turns around and makes a misogynistic remark. I did admire how much he loved his family, but his constant dissing on his brother’s upcoming nuptials got old. I understand that working as a divorce attorney would make one wary of marriage, but Max took that above and beyond. I will admit though that he cares a lot about his clients and he’s willing to do anything to help them.
I never really felt there was a connection between Charlie and Max outside of their obvious attraction to one another. I mean don’t get me wrong, the physical scenes are incredibly sexy with a big emphasis on consent which I loved but I didn’t see anything that made them work outside of the bedroom. Plus while there is a ton of consent in terms of their sexual relationship, outside of it Max has too much of a tendency to make decisions for Charlie.
Unfortunately because of my dislike of the hero of this book, Down with Love was ultimately not for me even though I loved the idea of a relationship between a divorce attorney and wedding planner. I did like some of the side characters quite a bit though, so I will likely be checking out the next book in the series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Max Henderson is the man you want in your corner if your marriage has gone sideways and you need a divorce. Max is willing to go to bat for his clients and his profession may have turned him a bit cynical as a result. So when his younger brother James tells him he’s getting married, Max is hard-pressed to summon much enthusiasm. And when he meets the wedding planner, Charlie Love, he’s convinced his brother is about to be fleeced. Yet despite his low outlook on the situation, Max finds himself continually drawn to Charlie when an unexpected kiss changes everything.
Charlie had a bit of a rough childhood after her mother died when Charlie was thirteen and she ended up in foster care. The lack of stability in her life caused her to lash out and she wasn’t on a great path until she was placed with Frank and Donna Sullivan. To Charlie, Frank and Donna’s marriage was the ultimate dream and she’s longed to find that for herself one day. I enjoyed Charlie quite a bit with her propensity for swearing and her optimistic outlook on life and love.
Max is where this book fell apart for me as I hated him almost immediately upon meeting his character. He’s misogynistic, full of himself, and acts like he always knows what’s best. He makes comments like he’s some paragon for equality and then turns around and makes a misogynistic remark. I did admire how much he loved his family, but his constant dissing on his brother’s upcoming nuptials got old. I understand that working as a divorce attorney would make one wary of marriage, but Max took that above and beyond. I will admit though that he cares a lot about his clients and he’s willing to do anything to help them.
I never really felt there was a connection between Charlie and Max outside of their obvious attraction to one another. I mean don’t get me wrong, the physical scenes are incredibly sexy with a big emphasis on consent which I loved but I didn’t see anything that made them work outside of the bedroom. Plus while there is a ton of consent in terms of their sexual relationship, outside of it Max has too much of a tendency to make decisions for Charlie.
Unfortunately because of my dislike of the hero of this book, Down with Love was ultimately not for me even though I loved the idea of a relationship between a divorce attorney and wedding planner. I did like some of the side characters quite a bit though, so I will likely be checking out the next book in the series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
December 13, 2018
Kate Meader writes the best enemies to lovers, and I can't wait to witness cynical Max Henderson falling for a wedding planner, of all people!
This sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of snark!
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February 11, 2022
3 stars.
This book was just ok. Tbh, the hero was too much of a player and manwhore for me from the beginning of the book, and the reminders of his lifestyle were a big turnoff throughout. I just really hated his cocksure attitude, it rubbed me the wrong way. I really liked the heroine of this book but this is yet another book where I wished she had chosen someone else instead. The ending was fine but turned overly cheesy also - the hero did such a complete 180 that it was totally unbelievable.
Safe if you’re ok with a manwhore hero who thinks about his past conquests a lot (although not in graphic detail). The heroine isn’t a virgin but it’s clear that her sex life has been nowhere near as fulfilling as his, and she’s been celibate for a year. There’s no om/ow scenes, no cheating, etc. Heroine goes on two dates after meeting the hero, but nothing happens on any of them, and they don’t even really register as real events tbh. There’s some slight OW drama with an ex f-buddy who confronts the hero after he broke up with her.
This book was just ok. Tbh, the hero was too much of a player and manwhore for me from the beginning of the book, and the reminders of his lifestyle were a big turnoff throughout. I just really hated his cocksure attitude, it rubbed me the wrong way. I really liked the heroine of this book but this is yet another book where I wished she had chosen someone else instead. The ending was fine but turned overly cheesy also - the hero did such a complete 180 that it was totally unbelievable.
Safe if you’re ok with a manwhore hero who thinks about his past conquests a lot (although not in graphic detail). The heroine isn’t a virgin but it’s clear that her sex life has been nowhere near as fulfilling as his, and she’s been celibate for a year. There’s no om/ow scenes, no cheating, etc. Heroine goes on two dates after meeting the hero, but nothing happens on any of them, and they don’t even really register as real events tbh. There’s some slight OW drama with an ex f-buddy who confronts the hero after he broke up with her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2018
ARC Review
Down with Love is the beginning of Kate Meader's new Laws of Attraction series. I always wait with bated breath when a favorite author begins a new series. This book does not disappoint. Admittedly, the first chapter surprised me a little because it is pretty "raw". I thought the author was introducing us to a different style of "edgier" writing. As it turns out, she was. Ms. Meader is writing from the first person perspective of the heroine, Charlie Love. I quickly embraced Charlie because her struggles as a single, successful business woman is realistic. The motivation for her behavior is relatable. If you have ever been told that your personality is too big, you are too loud, too brash, too anything, you will understand Charlie's reticence.
The story is set up as an enemies-to-lovers trope pitting a divorce attorney against a wedding planner On the surface, that IS the story, but I am not sure that is an accurate description of our hero. I do not see him as the jaded shark out to maximize the pain of his enemies. I enjoy the other aspect of his personality, in which he helps the wives recover and find closure. There is something really heroic about Max. It makes him that much more loveable - (and he cooks). What works less for me is his motivation for avoiding marriage. I want it to be a little more compelling. Don't get me wrong, the reasons behind his reluctance makes sense. I just wish it were a little more dramatic.
Nonetheless, this sexy story (it could quite possibly be Kate Meader's sexiest one yet) immediately drew me and I could not let go until I read that very last page. I can see where Ms. Meader is leading us in this new series and I cannot wait for future books.
Down with Love is the beginning of Kate Meader's new Laws of Attraction series. I always wait with bated breath when a favorite author begins a new series. This book does not disappoint. Admittedly, the first chapter surprised me a little because it is pretty "raw". I thought the author was introducing us to a different style of "edgier" writing. As it turns out, she was. Ms. Meader is writing from the first person perspective of the heroine, Charlie Love. I quickly embraced Charlie because her struggles as a single, successful business woman is realistic. The motivation for her behavior is relatable. If you have ever been told that your personality is too big, you are too loud, too brash, too anything, you will understand Charlie's reticence.
The story is set up as an enemies-to-lovers trope pitting a divorce attorney against a wedding planner On the surface, that IS the story, but I am not sure that is an accurate description of our hero. I do not see him as the jaded shark out to maximize the pain of his enemies. I enjoy the other aspect of his personality, in which he helps the wives recover and find closure. There is something really heroic about Max. It makes him that much more loveable - (and he cooks). What works less for me is his motivation for avoiding marriage. I want it to be a little more compelling. Don't get me wrong, the reasons behind his reluctance makes sense. I just wish it were a little more dramatic.
Nonetheless, this sexy story (it could quite possibly be Kate Meader's sexiest one yet) immediately drew me and I could not let go until I read that very last page. I can see where Ms. Meader is leading us in this new series and I cannot wait for future books.
March 16, 2019
Blast me and my stubborness for not DNFing this book. This has to be the most ridiculous and the worst written book I read this year!
July 22, 2018
The Good
Kate Meader’s writing is good. 'Nuff said.
I’m way too wordy to leave it at that.
I’ve been enjoying Ms. Meader’s writing through several series and she’s a dependable writer who can give me the heat and heart mix that makes me happy. I love the way she creates these little clusters of characters, all living and loving in Chicago, and like that vibrant city, the characters across all her series are diverse and colorful. This is another solid rom-com, with alot of potential for future story and some interesting crumbs for future couples that I want to get to know.
Charlie, aka Charlotte Love, is the wedding planner for Max Henderson’s brother and they are on opposites sides of the same coin. She gets to revel in the beginning HEA happy feels, while Max, a divorce attorney, is there for the bitter endings. It’s certainly colored their perceptions of love and matrimony, and they have an immediate attraction, even while they butt heads as they move along on down the road to, yes, you guessed, romance.
Now, the devil is in the details, in life and in romance. It’s the little details that make this story work and occasionally not (more on that later). Yes, their Firsts are fun and flirty, but once you strip away the initial trope of player/rake falls for his match, is when you start to see that while Max is the love cynic, Charlie’s protecting her heart just as much as he is. I liked the bit of a twist and since it is dual POV, you get time in each of their heads to understand their motivations which was helpful. When the story starts to dive into the nitty gritty of their relationship was when I was most happiest flipping to the next page on my kindle.
The Bad(ish)
Those pesky non-romantic details needed a little more page time though. You really don’t get to see Charlotte the wedding planner in action, except what was necessary to drive the romance. Same with Max, you get a bit more of a glimpse at his professional life, but just enough to establish his law firm and future couples. The secondary characters almost all have potential but you don’t get to know them beyond the surface. This felt like a setup book, and it’s fine, but I think there was potential for more. The story is pretty straightforward and perhaps had some time been spent on those other relationships, I would have felt like I knew those characters, and by extension Max and Charlie, better.
Everything in Between
The subplot involving Charlie’s foster parents was a nice touch, even if it also needed a bit more time and definition. They served the main romance, but I would have loved to see a little more time building them up as individuals.
I enjoyed Max and Charlie’s romance, and I was in the right mood for a lazy, weekend read. I would have loved a little more time spent on developing their professional and personal lives outside the romance, but their chemistry more than carried the story.
If you’re into a solid rom-com that focuses strictly on the romance and setting up a new series, I think you’ll enjoy it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
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July 15, 2018
I usually enjoy being inside the hero’s head but his PoV in this book turned me off so fast. He’s mysoginitic and just a straight up asshole the entire time. The amount of slutshaming that he does even in the first few chapters made me feel like he doesn’t deserve a happy ending. He also reminded me of baby boomers who blame everything on technology and young people. What a bummer.
August 8, 2018
4 stars + 1 star for that delicious sense of humor
July 18, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I've been on a roll when it comes to picking up new-to-me authors this year so I was ready to add Kate Meader to the list. I've had Kate's sports romance series on my TBR for some time now though I never got around to reading them, but when I saw read the synopsis for her the first book in her new series my interest piqued and I decided to give it a go.
Down with Love is a hate-to-love romance about a cynical divorce lawyer and a hopeful wedding planner. Max Henderson has seen what happens when love falls apart so to spare his heart of any of that pain, he's sworn off love. But when his brother proposes to his girlfriend, Max has no choice but to get in the wedding spirit. It doesn't help that their wedding planner, Charlie Love, embodies everything Max despises about marriage and the two waste no time clashing heads. But despite their resistance, Max and Charlie can't help but feel drawn to one another and soon that hate turns into something more.
I was really hoping that I would enjoy my first Kate Meader book, but sadly this one just didn't work for me. I think it's because of two things: (1) I couldn't connect with either of our characters and (2) the romance fell flat for me. Max and Charlie have both been hurt by love which is why they are both so guarded, but where as Max becomes a cynical romantic, Charlie still has hope. The thing is, Max wasn't as cynical as I wanted him to be. He actually was the one who ended up chasing after Charlie and not the other way around. And I get Charlie was afraid of being defined by her past but I felt like that was the only interesting about her character. The romance lacked the passion I was yearning for. Just when I was getting in my emotions, the scene would end and I was left wanting more! It felt like a total tease to be honest. Down with Love was an okay read but I probably won't continue the series. I just don't want to be disappointed again but I'm still hoping I'll have better luck with Kate Meader's sports romance series.
I've been on a roll when it comes to picking up new-to-me authors this year so I was ready to add Kate Meader to the list. I've had Kate's sports romance series on my TBR for some time now though I never got around to reading them, but when I saw read the synopsis for her the first book in her new series my interest piqued and I decided to give it a go.
Down with Love is a hate-to-love romance about a cynical divorce lawyer and a hopeful wedding planner. Max Henderson has seen what happens when love falls apart so to spare his heart of any of that pain, he's sworn off love. But when his brother proposes to his girlfriend, Max has no choice but to get in the wedding spirit. It doesn't help that their wedding planner, Charlie Love, embodies everything Max despises about marriage and the two waste no time clashing heads. But despite their resistance, Max and Charlie can't help but feel drawn to one another and soon that hate turns into something more.
I was really hoping that I would enjoy my first Kate Meader book, but sadly this one just didn't work for me. I think it's because of two things: (1) I couldn't connect with either of our characters and (2) the romance fell flat for me. Max and Charlie have both been hurt by love which is why they are both so guarded, but where as Max becomes a cynical romantic, Charlie still has hope. The thing is, Max wasn't as cynical as I wanted him to be. He actually was the one who ended up chasing after Charlie and not the other way around. And I get Charlie was afraid of being defined by her past but I felt like that was the only interesting about her character. The romance lacked the passion I was yearning for. Just when I was getting in my emotions, the scene would end and I was left wanting more! It felt like a total tease to be honest. Down with Love was an okay read but I probably won't continue the series. I just don't want to be disappointed again but I'm still hoping I'll have better luck with Kate Meader's sports romance series.
August 6, 2018
First Date: We meet Max and his brother at a downtown bar where a woman sitting at the bar is distracting Max's attention. That is until his brother announces he is engaged. Turns out the woman he was admiring is Charlie Love, his brother's wedding planner. A fun first encounter leaves both frustrated and despite protests, intrigued. Meader shares their story using alternating POVs. I had a blast getting inside this couples head. They keep bumping into each other and the chemistry between them is sizzling. I was on edge waiting for that first explosive kiss. No commitment promises and tangled sheets quickly ensue. I am all in. I loved the chemistry, the snark and the movie quotes.
Second Date: Side threads involving family members, the firm, clients and weddings balanced out the tale and allowed our couple opportunities to spend time together. I would totally commit to Max if I weren't already happily married. The man made me swoon. The way he handles his clients and how he lifts them up and empowers them was pretty dang awesome. He is an all around nice guy who helps friends and family because he wants to. Love it! Heck, he even does nice things for Charlie's family. The man is a romantic at heart, loves classic films and takes care of an unwanted pet. *fans self* Charlie, despite being a skeptic has set the bar low to achieve her end goal. Her background was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her let her guard down.
Third Date: Moonlight moments that will curl your toes, followed by drama and stubbornness pushed the couple allowing for growth. I loved the secondary threads. In particular, Max's brother's fiancee Gina, the parental units and the pet thread. Hilarious! If you are looking for a snarky, sexy and heartfelt romance you their story is perfect. Meader creates characters I come to care for and I warmed up to both Charlie and Max. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Second Date: Side threads involving family members, the firm, clients and weddings balanced out the tale and allowed our couple opportunities to spend time together. I would totally commit to Max if I weren't already happily married. The man made me swoon. The way he handles his clients and how he lifts them up and empowers them was pretty dang awesome. He is an all around nice guy who helps friends and family because he wants to. Love it! Heck, he even does nice things for Charlie's family. The man is a romantic at heart, loves classic films and takes care of an unwanted pet. *fans self* Charlie, despite being a skeptic has set the bar low to achieve her end goal. Her background was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her let her guard down.
Third Date: Moonlight moments that will curl your toes, followed by drama and stubbornness pushed the couple allowing for growth. I loved the secondary threads. In particular, Max's brother's fiancee Gina, the parental units and the pet thread. Hilarious! If you are looking for a snarky, sexy and heartfelt romance you their story is perfect. Meader creates characters I come to care for and I warmed up to both Charlie and Max. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
August 9, 2018
A cynic and a believer meet at a bar and sparks fly.
You didn't think I would stop right there, no ? ;p
Max is a divorce attorney who's not opposed to love. It's just that he see too much of the downfall it can lead too. In fact, his parents might be the only exception he can talk about. His job is not just about money. For Max, it's more about helping, mostly the women, to recover and keep their pride in the settlements. Profesionnal and considerate, he found an unique and funny way to help them regain a little confidence. But Max also like is routine and doesn't like changes very much. Well, his life is about to change anyway, all thanks to Charlie Love.
His kind and sympathetic side is not the first impression Charlie have of him. Hired by Max's brother to be the wedding planner, she sees a cocky man who can only means trouble. So she put up a show of resistance with her quick wit. Like Charlie's friend said, they have a sexy-hate thing going on. But deep down inside, she can't stop thinking about him and being curious to see what's underneath his clothes. Can the sarcastic and snarky woman is brave enough to open her heart to the first guy to affect her like that ? How will they deal with first lust, and then feelings beyond their control ?
Despite the fact that Down With Love is written in the first person with the double POV from the MCs, I still recognized Kate Meader's great writing style. I personally prefer third person and I finally realized yesterday why. I think that first person let less room for originality with the way a story is told. The "voices" sound more similar at first person than at third. Having said that, this author still presented creative things, like Charlie's lists for example. And a different kind of heroine. More confident but also a little prickly. Max was the perfect man for her because he didn't want her to be anyone else but herself and he gave her time to sort out her feelings.
What else can I say ? Well, that I've never been disappointed by any of the books this author wrote :)
You didn't think I would stop right there, no ? ;p
Max is a divorce attorney who's not opposed to love. It's just that he see too much of the downfall it can lead too. In fact, his parents might be the only exception he can talk about. His job is not just about money. For Max, it's more about helping, mostly the women, to recover and keep their pride in the settlements. Profesionnal and considerate, he found an unique and funny way to help them regain a little confidence. But Max also like is routine and doesn't like changes very much. Well, his life is about to change anyway, all thanks to Charlie Love.
His kind and sympathetic side is not the first impression Charlie have of him. Hired by Max's brother to be the wedding planner, she sees a cocky man who can only means trouble. So she put up a show of resistance with her quick wit. Like Charlie's friend said, they have a sexy-hate thing going on. But deep down inside, she can't stop thinking about him and being curious to see what's underneath his clothes. Can the sarcastic and snarky woman is brave enough to open her heart to the first guy to affect her like that ? How will they deal with first lust, and then feelings beyond their control ?
Despite the fact that Down With Love is written in the first person with the double POV from the MCs, I still recognized Kate Meader's great writing style. I personally prefer third person and I finally realized yesterday why. I think that first person let less room for originality with the way a story is told. The "voices" sound more similar at first person than at third. Having said that, this author still presented creative things, like Charlie's lists for example. And a different kind of heroine. More confident but also a little prickly. Max was the perfect man for her because he didn't want her to be anyone else but herself and he gave her time to sort out her feelings.
What else can I say ? Well, that I've never been disappointed by any of the books this author wrote :)
October 25, 2023
This book was sponsored by HELLOFRESH...
March 9, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
Down With Love is the first book in the "Laws of Attraction" trilogy. This was a book that I read from my Hoopla library subscription and I had a blast with this one in audio. It was so entertaining and I just loved the interactions between the couple. It had a mix of laughs with angst so this author really handles the bantering so well between this. It does have a borderline of enemies to lovers, but its more they are just opposite so that causes some fun conflicts. Just from reading this book, I can see why this trilogy is so well loved by so many readers and I am not sure why it took me so long to read but I can't wait to read more of it in the coming weeks!
Summary
Down With Love is a story about two people that have completely different views on weddings and marriage. Our hero, Max, is a bit cynical about marriage. He works with couples and deals with divorce and seperations and sees the negative affects of long term relationships. When Max finds out that his brother is engaged, but also has hired a wedding planner for their wedding, he is conflicted when there is explosive chemistry with the wedding planner. Charlie Love is a wedding planner, and believe in love and relationships. Charlie and Max go head to head at times as they have differing beliefs, but sometimes love gets in the way.
My Outlook
Down with Love was such a BLAST! I absolutely had so much fun with this one. I love stories with event planners, so it was so interesting to see this dynamic here because this couple was so fun in their interactions. They had me laughing all over the place. I was so entertained in seeing them work through their differences and working with their families. I just love a cynical hero and Max was the epitome of it and seeing him fall for love's tricks was so enjoyable. This author definitely knows how to entertain her readers. I am so curious to see the next one, I have really missed this author's voice in her stories.
Overall View
I found Down With Love to be a lively entertaining romance that curled my toes and kept my heart happy and light! An endearing romance to enjoy!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 3.5
World Building: 3.5
Cover: 4
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending: 3.75
Overall View:
August 22, 2018
I could not imagine a more unlikely pairing than a jaded divorce attorney and a wedding planner whose job it is to bring the romance for happy couples, but Ms. Meader brings together these opposites in a story that is fun, lighthearted and will leave you with a smile and fond memories of long after the last word.
Max Henderson is a highly sought after divorce lawyer and at first glance, one you would think has a deep, dark reason for choice his career and for being jaded. Yes, there might be a little secret in there, but Max actually has good role models in his parents and is not as opposed to the institution of marriage as one would think. However, he's very short on trust and makes it very clear when he meets Charlie Love, his brother's wedding planner.
Charlie has good reasons for choosing her career and she enjoys creating special days for couples in love, but don't let the polished and very feminine exterior fool you cos she can hold her own with the biggest and baddest of them.
Now if you've ever read any book by Ms. Meader, you know to expect a lot of heat and passion and sassy dialogue. DOWN WITH LOVE was a little different from her usual writing, but no less enjoyable. The author focuses more on the characters and their stories, but with lots of enjoyable banter between them. Honestly, that is my favorite thing about this story because she made the characters very easy to relate with and each layer revealed something a reader would enjoy about both Max and Charlie.
I may be in the minority here, but DOWN WITH LOVE is a welcome breath of fresh air when compared to her previous writing. I have enjoyed her sexy and passionate stories, but this shows that she can bring something new to her writing and I am really looking forward to the rest of this series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
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Max Henderson is a highly sought after divorce lawyer and at first glance, one you would think has a deep, dark reason for choice his career and for being jaded. Yes, there might be a little secret in there, but Max actually has good role models in his parents and is not as opposed to the institution of marriage as one would think. However, he's very short on trust and makes it very clear when he meets Charlie Love, his brother's wedding planner.
Charlie has good reasons for choosing her career and she enjoys creating special days for couples in love, but don't let the polished and very feminine exterior fool you cos she can hold her own with the biggest and baddest of them.
Now if you've ever read any book by Ms. Meader, you know to expect a lot of heat and passion and sassy dialogue. DOWN WITH LOVE was a little different from her usual writing, but no less enjoyable. The author focuses more on the characters and their stories, but with lots of enjoyable banter between them. Honestly, that is my favorite thing about this story because she made the characters very easy to relate with and each layer revealed something a reader would enjoy about both Max and Charlie.
I may be in the minority here, but DOWN WITH LOVE is a welcome breath of fresh air when compared to her previous writing. I have enjoyed her sexy and passionate stories, but this shows that she can bring something new to her writing and I am really looking forward to the rest of this series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
July 12, 2020
4 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
Video review available in Week 28: Jul 5 – Jul 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Video review available in Week 28: Jul 5 – Jul 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
June 8, 2018
3.5 stars
This is your typical cliche story of wedding planner meets divorce lawyer. They cant stand eachother but their sexual chemistry is through the roof! I really enjoyed this book but I have to say that I prefer her hockey series a bit more. This book is a rom com which im a fan of but at times I felt like the humor was forced. I had really high expectations for this book 😫 but like I said, I really enjoyed it. It was a cute, fun, quick read. Perfect for the summertime lounging by the pool or lying at the beach.
This is your typical cliche story of wedding planner meets divorce lawyer. They cant stand eachother but their sexual chemistry is through the roof! I really enjoyed this book but I have to say that I prefer her hockey series a bit more. This book is a rom com which im a fan of but at times I felt like the humor was forced. I had really high expectations for this book 😫 but like I said, I really enjoyed it. It was a cute, fun, quick read. Perfect for the summertime lounging by the pool or lying at the beach.
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