How to Fail at Flirting Review

By Denise Williams

Star rating: ★★★★★

Blurb

One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.

When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost.

Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.

Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again.

Genre: Contemporary romance

Read if you Like:

🍷 Cinnamon roll hero

🍷 Domestic violence survivor

🍷 Sexism in academia

🍷 He falls first

🍷 Interracial relationship

My Thoughts:

How to Fail at Flirting is a romance that manages to be a beautiful romance as well as, handling a number of difficult issues including domestic violence and sexism in the workplace.

Jake was the perfect hero for someone like Naya, who had good reason not to trust a partner. He showed her how much he cared at every turn, and was willing to do whatever would make her happy. The first time they meet, he goes with her on a ride overlooking the city even though he is scared of heights. The care he takes of her is truly romantic.

While it was more difficult to read about I thought Denise Williams also did a wonderful job writing about Naya's past relationship and how an abuser can use power imbalances and manipulation on a victim.

How to Fail at Flirting is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Abby Jimenez. Denise Willimans writes about difficult issues with the same care and her heroines are smart and well researched. This was my first Denise Williams book but it won't be my last!

I listened to the audiobook version of How to Fail at Flirting and really enjoyed it! January LaVoy does an excellent job with the narration. This book is single narrator but it is also single POV.