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There isn’t much I wouldn’t do.

In fact, my income depends on doing things most women wouldn’t.

But after accidentally turning my whole life into a cautionary tale, it’s time to write a list of all the things I should absolutely, positively never do again.

1. Don’t offend every duck lover on the planet.

2. Don’t get dragged into my mother’s war with her neighbor.

3. DEFINITELY don’t fall for the charms of Mason Lennox.

Mason may be the manliest hunk of manhood I’ve ever salivated over, but he’s the son of my mother’s arch-nemesis. Besides, he already broke my heart once, so I’d have to be certifiable to go back for seconds.

Plus, I’m pretty sure he’s hiding something big from me. And not just in his pants.

Come to think of it, I should probably add one more thing to my list:

4. Don’t fall for a man with secrets…

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2020

183 people are currently reading
672 people want to read

About the author

Talia Hunter

23 books145 followers
Bestselling romance author Talia Hunter likes to include her three favorite things in her novels: toe-curling romance, snort-laughs, and heart-warming friendships.

She recently moved to Australia, where she's constantly amazed and not at all freaked out by the weird and wonderful critters. When she's not writing, you can usually find her with a glass of wine, a good book, and a jumbo-sized can of bug spray.

If you want to chat, you can often find her on Facebook. Usually when she’s supposed to be writing. www.facebook.com/taliahunter

Want a free book from Talia? Grab your limited-time freebie from her website now: www.taliahunter.com

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5 stars
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102 (34%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Nathathida Atirekasâra.
1,177 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2020
Sorry but aside from Mason and Carlotta's chemistry, I don't enjoy reading this book at all and I disagree that it is a romantic comedy because I didn't laugh while I was reading this book one bit. Well, if it isn't labeled as a romantic comedy, maybe I would enjoy it more than this and give it more than 2 stars though. Their love story involves a few of serious issues. I also think Carlotta is a little bit naive for my liking. So... no, it isn't a book for me and even if I want to give it more than 2 stars, I can't find the reason why I would give it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,067 reviews42 followers
March 5, 2021
A small town second chance romance that will keep you laughing and guessing. Carlotta is forced to come home after her Instagram biz crashes and she is broke. Mason was her high school boyfriend who broke her heart. As luck would have it he's her Mom's next door neighbor. He seems to be hiding something and she doesn't know that's he an undercover agent. Their chemistry's still there and this book covers a range of emotions for them. She's a little quirky and not as likable as him. The book is well written with some twists. A fun read that I read as an arc via the author and I voluntarily chose to review it
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
19.6k reviews341 followers
December 27, 2020
Carlotta Watson’s Instagram account was hacked which destroyed her source of income. So she returned home to sort things out and begin again. Her mother is a bit eccentric and, sure enough, she walks into the middle of a silly feud between her mom and her neighbor, Ed. In the past, Carlotta had been dating Mason Lennox, Ed’s son. And although she never thought she would see him again, he happened to be visiting his father. Carlotta and Mason had sizzling chemistry together in the past, and it seems that it’s still strong.

Mason still had secrets and Carlotta hated secrets. Would they give each other a second chance? Or would they use the feud to stay away from each other? Or will Mason step in when Carlotta gets inadvertently tangled up in something dangerous that is exactly what Mason excels at fixing?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. The feud is priceless, and the reader will have to read it for themselves for the full impact! Will the two lovebirds get back together? There is so much going on and twists and turns happening. Grab your copy and enjoy this exciting, humorous story line that feels just right!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
968 reviews26 followers
December 28, 2020
Won a e-copy of this book from the author's contest and in return i promised an honest review. This book is a Rom-Com with a small town, second chance trope. It's part of a series and doesn't have to be read in any particular order.

Carlotta Watson returns home to stay with her mom until she gets back on her feet and decide what she's going to do now that her Instagram business has gone Bust. Her mom lives next door to Mason Lennox, her sweetheart from high school who broke her heart and also the son of her mother's enemy. Coming home gets Carlotta in the middle of a family feud, a hacker out to get her, touching distance to mouth watering Mason and right smack dab in a drug smuggling business.
Carlotta likes to make people feel good about themselves and laugh but Mason Lennox is a man with secrets and falling for him would be No Laughing Matter.
413 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2020
What struck me the most about this very funny tale of small town hijinks is how utterly feminist it is. It has several side stories that make it a well rounded tale, but its the growth of Carlotta Watson at the heart of it all. Not only is she extremely likable, but her story is relatable on several levels.

She arrives home with her tail between her legs after her stint as a social media influencer got derailed. She is visiting her eccentric mother, and before she knows it, she's mired in the feud of a lifetime.

"“Sorry?” His father snapped. “I’m not sorry. And if that dog doesn’t get off my property, I’ll…” He broke off as Xul lifted his leg and sprayed another stream of liquid onto his steps. Mom hooted. I could hear boards creaking as though she were doing some kind of victory dance, but I didn’t want to turn around and look. I was suddenly finding it hard enough to keep a straight face. “Sorry about Xul, Mr. Lennox,” I said. “He’s old, and you know how the elderly have to pee every five minutes.” The old man made a choking sound. “Get that mutt under control, or I’ll go inside and fetch my gun.” A muscle twitched in Mason’s jaw. “You don’t own a gun.”“Then I’m going inside to order one!” The door slammed behind Edward so violently, I winced."

This feud brings her face to face with her teenage crush, Mason Lennox. Mason is also visiting his father. While the chemistry is still viable between Mason and Carlotta, she is standoffish. Mason took off when they were young and won't tell her why. Mason has secrets that slowly come out through the story. It wouldn't be a small town without many secrets! And Mason isn't the only one.

But Carlotta? She's the star of the show. Im trying not to say too much here, but she's into body positivity, and seems to wear her emotions on her sleeve. She's also independent and strong willed. She has a breakthrough in this story that will make you cheer, and it only cements her as an amazing feminist icon of the book.

"Instead of arguing, he folded his arms and tightened his square jaw. Standing like that made his biceps bulge, and he radiated solid determination, like the living embodiment of all things right and good. All he needed was a cape. Suddenly, I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. “And in breaking news from Gotham,” I muttered. “Super Muscle Man is forced to rescue his bumbling arch-nemesis, Raw Omelet Girl.”"

I really liked the way Author Hunter linked all the characters and their storylines, while making some truly clever and inspired dialogue. There is no cliffhanger, but it sets up the next book about another Lennox brother. These characters are irresistible, and there are always more secrets to reveal in a small town. I can't wait to find them out and suspect even Xul the dog would approve.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,071 reviews26 followers
November 11, 2020
The thin line between love and hate is a family feud!

Hang on for the ride of your life! This romance starts off right in the middle of a years-long family feud between Carlotta's mother and her next-door-neighbor, Ed Lennox, whose eldest son, Mason, was Carlotta's high school boyfriend. There are secrets and misunderstandings around every corner, and the non-stop pranks between Trixie and Ed are shockingly hilarious!

I just loved Mason and Carlotta together. She's a tough, confident young woman with an unabashed sense of humor that hides her insecurities and self-doubts. Her mother's quirky approach to reality has undermined her own confidence, which leads her to doubt her own better judgment. Mason is the epitome of a protective alpha who simply can't resist a damsel-in-distress, but he knows right away that his feelings for Carlotta have always been and are still much deeper than that.

The secrets that stand between them are huge, and there's no shortage of angst as they work through the inevitable fallout once the truth comes out. When I realized the author wasn't going to magically resolve Mason's sacrifice for Carlotta, I almost lost hope in their HEA. But true love wins in the end, and their love and their future is solidly secure by the final scene.

This story hits all the emotional highs and lows, and I loved every bit of it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Charmaine Nouwen.
4,866 reviews20 followers
January 20, 2021
No Laughing Matter by Talia Hunter is a fun,entertaining,enjoyable steamy with a roller coaster ride of emotion. a romance story of Mason and Carlotta..Mason is an secret agent whos back in his hometown on assingment.Carlotta is a social media influencer..when Carlottas social media account got hacked and post something that is not acceptable all her sponsor drop her and got an stalker so she went home to her hometown to laylow but he met Mason the son of their next door neighbor and the enemy of her mother..Mason and Carlotta is attracted to each other but Mason doesnt want to pursue it because hes going to left when his assignment is done. but when Carlotta got mixed up with the drug lord the one she didnt know she went to jail but with the help of Mason she got out in exchange for another assignment the one he didnt know if he can back a live..broken hearted Carlotta cannot move on so she wait until Mason come back..and to have their own HEA

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews180 followers
December 27, 2020
I know that description of No Laughing Matter totally showed me that I was going to laugh, but I just didn't realize how much & hard I would be laughing throughout. See, Carlotta has to come home when her career took a dive, and finds herself in the funniest feud with her mother in the middle that had me to the point it was hard to breathe through the laughing at their crazy antics. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, the boy, Mason, who broke her heart is back home (his father is the other portion of the feud program), and it seems that they still have some crazy intense chemistry, but he has secrets that won't make friends. Carlotta is one of the best heroines that I've read as she has no filter, and is totally a positive woman about body image (we all need more of this in our lives I suspect) & has no issues being herself. I loved every minute of this entertaining story, and CANNOT WAIT for the next Lennox brother's story! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL! 
84 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2020
If you want a laugh out loud, realistic (mostly) quick read this book is ideal. Carlotta is a young social media sensation intent on laughing at herself until her account gets hacked. This leads to a few death threats and moving in with her English teacher, slightly ballistic mother who lives in the books that she teaches rather than the real world. Their relationship grows and changes which has a beautiful ending.
Along comes Mason Lennox, the hunky cop son of her mother’s neighbor. Mason and Carlotta knew each other and dated in school. He then disappeared and she was never told why. Until now.
This book has so much to give, great characters, drug busts, crooks and a spoonful of tasteful smoldering intimacy. I highly recommend it and will be looking to read more by Talia Hunter.
Thank you Voracious Readers Only for the complimentary copy of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,584 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2020
No Laughing Matter by Talia Hunter. OMG! Fantastic laugh out loud rom com. I loved that Carlotta was able to see her attributes as beautiful and so others that its okay to just be yourself and most of all love yourself. And Mason- oh gosh so many times was a smiling like an idiot when these two were together, he’s so easy going around her and lets things just be. I enjoyed the banter between these two main characters, and the side drama and characters again- had me smiling like an idiot. I enjoyed this contemporary romantic comedy full of drama, personal conflicts, passion, and dual POV perspectives, humor and charismatic characters. I would recommend this book and author to others. Bring on Asher- I’m ready! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
18.7k reviews234 followers
December 26, 2020
Carlotta had to return home to stay with her mother due to financial troubles after her social media influencer job goes off track. Mason is the eldest Lennox son, and he is also home for a break after working undercover as a bodyguard for the DEA and infiltrating drug cartels. Mason is Carlotta’s ex-boyfriend who left her heartbroken when he left town. When they come face to face the chemistry is intense, but Mason has secrets, and their family’s feud between his father and her mother is still going strong. No spoilers: - this is definite must read you will not be disappointed. This is a well written flawless story which is filled with angst, drama, secrets, emotions, heartbreak, misunderstandings, and is a humorous and entertaining read. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Jenny.
Author 5 books22 followers
December 29, 2020
As we come to the end of what turned out to be a pretty spectacularly horrible year for a lot of reasons, Talia Hunter is what I needed. Nothing I've read from her so far has let me down, and that includes No Laughing Matter. What I'm learning is her trademark humor and delightful characters just jump off the page of this one, and you can't help but fall in love and root for both Carlotta and Mason from the beginning. Carlotta is so much fun, and her job as an "influencer" and what she does with it is pretty brilliant. I have to wonder if there's someone out there in real life I can follow! And Mason is just this sexy hunk of man with a sweet, funny side. It's another great Lennox Brothers book, and I'm totally, completely looking forward to reading more about the mysterious Asher!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,324 reviews27 followers
December 27, 2020
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Carlotta has returned to her hometown after her career was tanked. She finds herself walking into a feud between her mother and Ed. He is the neighbor and Masons father. Carlotta and Mason have a chemistry together that has not died over the years. He is an undercover agent and on break. She finds herself caught up in some messes. It is a good thing the secret Mason is keeping can help. Their story is full of humor, drama, lust and love. I thought it was really well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melinda Swaine.
2,111 reviews13 followers
January 2, 2021
Talia Hunter books never fail on making me laugh out loud and swoon all at the same time. No Laughing Matter is no exception to that . . . It's just the perfect combination of everything! It’s laugh-out-loud, snort-your-drink, absolutely-do-not-read-this-book-in-public hilarious, with this crafty writer's clever wit creatively showcased on every page. No laughing Matter combines snort-laugh humor, amaze-balls characters, non-stop shenanigans, hilarious and well flowing storyline. Just hilariously funny sexy love story! READ THIS BOOK! You won't know how badly you needed it in your life until you find yourself smiling and laughing in an empty room. Happy reading everyone!!
Profile Image for Misty Goan.
2,808 reviews13 followers
January 3, 2021
A brilliant humourous exciting small town second chance romance.  This entertaining storyline is a standalone in a new series of each having a journey of a HEA.  This second chance has angst, humor, love, secrets, parental feud, drama, misunderstandings, hilarious banter, and more that had me addicted and laughing out loud. The characters are interesting,  well developed, strong and have undeniable chemistry that never went away. I loved how their were a couple little side stories that rolled into one fabulous romantic comedy that ends with a HEAand leads you into the next story of the series.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC. 
9 reviews
November 30, 2020
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of No Laughing Matter. When I finished it, I immediately read the first novel in the series: No Ordinary Christmas; and pre-ordered the next book.

I read No Laughing Matter in one sitting. I was enjoying it so much I didn't want to put it down. The characters are portrayed with warmth and humor. The plot has enough twists to make you wonder if the two main characters will be together at the end.

I liked it so much I'm going to add Talia Hunter to my list of authors I want to keep reading.
50 reviews
December 21, 2020
Carlotta and Mason are reconnecting after years of separation and major misunderstanding. This story is a fun story about Carlotta, who likes to laugh at the world and herself and Mason, who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I loved the interaction between the characters and the way that Carlotta brought out the fun side of Mason. A few misdirections later, I loved the ending with a few twists and all. Great read to relax to.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for M Hurford .
1,238 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2020
A Five Star Romantic Comedy
This is a great comedy starring Mason and Carlotta. They are fantastic. And the seaside town of San Dante add so much with its residents. Some of whom are strange, some are evil, and some make best friends.
The storyline is well written and kept my interest throughout the book. Never once was I bored or flipped pages.
I’m definitely recommending this book for its charm, its love story, and the wonderful comedy. Peace.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,249 reviews16 followers
December 29, 2020
This is a rom com and it was a nice change. I thought it was funny. We have a feud between families and all sorts of secrets that will come out like they always do. Mason and Carlotta and their families have a feud or bad feelings. Mason left town when they were younger and broke her heart. This book was absolutely delightful, it was funny and we have our relationship with Carlotta and Mason but we also have all kinds of drama. This book is a hoot. This is a must read again book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,337 reviews17 followers
December 30, 2020
A romantic comedy that grabs your attention and holds it from the start. Never a dull moment with this comedy. The characters are just as entertaining and fun as the story line. It's well written, captivating and pure enjoyment to read. Plenty of moments throughout the story where you can't help but laugh. A great book for a weekend curled up on the couch and escaping every day life for a bit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Profile Image for Christine.
10.2k reviews28 followers
December 13, 2020
ARC Review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Carlotta Watson is home in San Dante while mason Lennox is too and these two will make you laugh and cheer for their reunion ,but Lennox has a secret that must be told before then . 10 stars fantastic writing.
4,638 reviews29 followers
December 27, 2020
Carlotta and Mason dated in high school until he up and left without explanation so when she returns home after her career fell apart she runs into Mason again as his father lives next door to her mother and they have a ongoing feud about almost anything. This book has some hilarious moments mixed with suspense and some hot chemistry between Carlotta and Mason.
6,849 reviews32 followers
December 28, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The story will have you laughing out loud in parts and holding on the next. The story is well written, the characters are perfect for one another and have amazing chemistry. A perfect read for a quite afternoon to get away for a bit. You will enjoy this book.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Helena Mendes.
1,370 reviews15 followers
December 29, 2020
I loved this story, it is so funny, all the characters are well developed and the storyline is very romantic besides funny. This is the first book from Talia Hunter that I've read but already got another from amazon to read. What can I say? I'm a fan.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Paige Whitecotton.
2,389 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2021
Awesome.

This was an awesome, hilarious, quirky book. Talia’s humor was some of the best I’ve read. Her ability to give each character their own sense of humor each unique but each funny. Great book.
108 reviews
November 25, 2020
Loved it and need to know what Asher has been up to! Great humor and plot twists. Perfectly entertaining! Thank you Talia Hunter and Voracious Readers Only for my free copy.
2,303 reviews24 followers
July 7, 2023
I am in awe of this fantastic romance. Childhood best friends Carlotta and Mason reconnect years after their friendship was forever changed and damaged. Their lives are completely different and Mason knows he’s all wrong for Carlotta, but can’t help the connection he feels to her. This story takes several twists that I didn’t expect and really enjoyed their execution. The ending of this book was especially heart melting and I adored it!

Carlotta and Mason are wonderful characters. I loved how Carlotta took her teenage insecurities and turned them into body positivity messages. She even manages to turn it into an influencer job with sponsors and followers. She is incredibly funny and I loved her sense of humor. Her Spock underwear. Her Chuck Norris jokes. Her lack of embarrassment and embracing her own flaws. I loved that Mason not only respected her for being true to herself, he loved her for it. The more time they spend together the more he realizes how much she means to him.

Mason was also amazing. He’s had a hard life which has formed a lot of his life choices. He’s always ready to do the right thing though. When that right things means signing up for a dangerous job in order to protect Carlotta, he does it in a heart beat. There are so many things I want to say about Mason but don’t want to give away the story. He’s just absolutely amazing. The ending that is given him is beautiful and perfect. It’s everything he deserves and was written so beautifully.

I would definitely recommend reading this book and I can’t wait to read the first and third books for this series. The characters are all written with deep layers and passionate hearts. There is so much going on in this book too but the way the twists are written everything flows smoothly. The lies that broke their friendship. The drama between her mom and his dad. The secrets around his work. The part time job that isn’t what she thinks it is. The deal he makes to save her but sends him away. All leading up to a heart warming and steamy ending.

I read this book using Kindle Unlimited.
98 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2020
I obtain this book from the Author via Voracious Readers. Carlota Watson comes home from L.A. to San Dante due to financial troubles as her facebook account sponsorship has dried up after her account was hacked. She meets up with her ex school boyfriend Mason Lennox who is working undercover as a bodyguard for the DEA and infiltrating dug cartels/. He cannot tell Carlotta what his job is as he is home for a couple of weeks rest before getting involved with a new lot. Unfortunately the attraction between them is very strong and as Carlotta is out of work her old friend invites her to a party where unbeknown to them there are drug dealers and Carlotta is offered an office job with the occasional collection of what she thinks is a legitimate job. The web gets very tangled and intertwined. Running parallel to this is the long running feud between Carlotta's Mother and Mason's Father resulting in some childish behaviour to the frustration of their offspring. Personally I think there was too much detail with Carlotta's and Mason's sex life, it would have been better to have a little less detail but leaving more to the reader's imagination but it is a story on several levels and is very enjoyable and funny alongside the serious side of the drug barons. I would like to read more of her books.
Profile Image for K Huskić.
1,826 reviews35 followers
December 11, 2020
Carlotta returns to her hometown when her career falls apart. When she walks into her mother's house she finds her mother is still the eccentric person she always was, she is having a crazy war with her neighbour, Ed Lennox (which is hilarious), and her ex, Ed's son, Mason, still makes her heart race.

Mason has secrets - one being the reason he left Carlotta all those years ago, without explanation, and the other - what his job really is. The attraction between them is still there after all this time, however Carlotta hates secrets, and this naturally causes tension.

This story had humour, romance and a little suspense, and was just such fun to read. I loved the chemistry between Carlotta and Mason, and just wanted them to sort themselves out and get together, already!

This was my first Talia Hunter book, but won't be my last. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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