Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Dating Disaster

SERIES: Franklin U #2

AUTHOR: Saxon James

PUBLISHER: May Books

LENGTH: 264 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 1, 2022

BLURB:

Thousands of students on this campus, and I keep being set up with the roommate I can’t stand.

Felix

One date.

That’s how long it takes for Marshall Harrows to end up on my bad side. Luckily I have no plans to see the giant teddy bear again. Except, when he shows up as my new roommate, I can’t escape him, and he’s just as irritating as I thought he’d be. He leaves cupboards ajar and puts empty milk cartons back in the fridge. His bedroom door is always open, I find his underwear on the laundry floor, and he has this whole bashful sweetheart thing going on that I just … can’t … stand.

But the most completely, horribly irritating thing about him, is that he’s totally my type.

And my friends won’t stop setting us up on blind dates.

Marshall

One date.

That’s how long it took for Felix Andrews to steal my heart. The sparky little spitfire is everything I’m not. Confident, adorable, and completely outspoken. He also wants nothing to do with me. Which is a real problem when I want to give him everything. Including my virginity.

But the more I try to gain his attention, the more I see the real him. The one who doesn’t feel worthy of being treated like anything other than a one-night stand. So I decide to take matters into my own hands.

A total do-over. One night. One date. Where hopefully I can steal his heart too.

REVIEW:   

The Dating Disaster is book two in the Franklin U shared universe series. Marshall and Felix were introduced in the first book, Riley Hart’s Playing Games, but The Dating Disaster can be read as a standalone with no problem. However, Playing Games is outstanding so you might as well read it too!

Flirty Felix is accustomed to every “date” he goes on ending with sex. He loves it – it makes him feel powerful, desired. The problem is it affects his self-worth. He calls himself cheap and disposable after a night of sex and it’s just not enough for him anymore. He wants a boyfriend, a meaningful relationship. So, he urges his friends to help him in his quest – Operation Find Felix a Boyfriend.

The first blind date arranged by a friend is a set-up at the Shenanigans bar with big hearted, burly, affectionate Marshall. And it’s a disaster, awkward at best. Felix thinks Marshall is a anxious, sweating slob who takes no care in how he presents himself. In reality, Marshall is introverted and uncomfortable with strangers. But the uber-social Felix makes quick judgements and incorrect assumptions about Marshall. And when Felix offers sex, Marshall turns him down. Marshall is, in fact, the first guy who doesn’t want to fool around with him. It hurts his pride and ego. Little does he know that Marshall is a demisexual virgin who’s attracted to Felix but needs to get to know him better on an emotional level before jumping into a physical relationship. It leaves Felix wishing he was good enough for Marshall. Meanwhile, Marshall is tired of people thinking there something wrong with him because he doesn’t want to have sex constantly like other university men.

Coincidentally they become house mates and eventually friends. They become more compatible as they get to know each other. Felix loves how strong yet cuddly Marshall is. Sweet Marshall is afraid of scarring off Felix, though, with his true feelings and his desire to have everything with Felix. There is miscommunication but fortunately no Big Misunderstanding.

For those of you who read Saxon James’ Frat Wars series, Robbie is Marshall’s brother and makes an appearance in this book. Yay! Felix, btw, is from another of James’ books, Platonic Rulebook; he is Griff’s teenage son who just left for college.

Overall, I enjoyed The Dating Disaster but it didn’t wow me. While I liked Felix in Platonic Rulebook, I never quite warmed up to him or the relationship in this book. Maybe it’s Felix’s self-degradation. I guess I should’ve been more sympathetic but I wasn’t. Or maybe I thought Marshall deserved better or they were too incompatible. I’m not sure, but I seem to be in the minority because I’veI see so many rave reviews. Your mileage may vary.

I think it’s worth a read if you’re following the series, enjoy college romances, and/or like James’ books. Recommended.

RATING:

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