Review: The Matchmaker's Replacement by Rachel Van Dyken (Wingmen Inc. #2)

Note: This ARC was provided by Skyscape (Amazon Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.

When Rachel Van Dyken writes a romantic comedy novel, there's always this seemingly patented concoction of snark and absurdity with equal parts romance and humor that culminates in a rewarding read guaranteed to put a smile on your face. When you have not just one but two ridiculously adorable main characters who are way more than they seem to be, the far more enjoyable the read becomes. That's what Van Dyken's given readers with the second novel in her Wingmen Inc. series, which is the story of Gabi and Lex and who we originally met in the series starter, The Matchmaker's Playbook. It's clear just how tumultuous their relationship is as showcased in the first book. They may share a best friend but they seriously can't stand to be in the same room together...but there's a story there and it's one worth reading.

Nicknamed "Lex Luthor" for good reason, Lex is the villain to his best friend Ian Hunter's Superman and is the bane of Gabrielle Sava's existence. But Lex wasn't always that way, not when he, Ian, and Gabi were growing together us kids. When Lex moved away, Ian was the best friend he and Gabi shared in common. When they meet again in college, Lex and Gabi share one more thing: a kiss and it's a kiss unlike any other Lex has experienced before. But Ian makes it clear that his two best friends can't get together and he's not saying that simply to be an ass. He's protective of Gabi and Lex's reputation precedes him. So in the place of an immediate connection grows an adversarial relationship, but when Ian brings Gabi into Wingmen Inc., can Lex find a possible way to train her and still keep the attraction that's always been there in check? 

I loved the whole frenemies thing going on between Lex and Gabi and these two push each other's buttons like no other. There's a great deal of frustration and tension that exists between them and it belies the chemistry that was there from the beginning. I really liked getting to know these two and the fact that their story is different from Blake Olson and Ian's meant this wasn't some rehashed version with something new thrown in just to make it stand out. Yes, the whole friends to enemies to lovers trope has been done countless times before, but the author has brought what I call a frisky freshness to it. Lex isn't the villain that he's let people to make him out to be and he was fun getting to know and fall in love with just as Gabi falls for him too. Yes, even villains deserve a happy ending. The Matchmaker's Replacement gets 4.5 stars. ♥

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Read my reviews for the Wingmen Inc. series: 

The Matchmaker's Playbook (book one) - 4.5 stars - My Review

The Matchmaker's Replacement (book two) - 4.5 stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 09 August 2016

Date Read: 27 July 2016

Learn more about Rachel Van Dyken.

Purchase The Matchmaker's Replacement on Amazon.