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Deal Breakers (Dealing With Love, Book 1): A Second Chance Romantic Comedy Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Laura Lee (Author), Reagan West (Narrator), Lovestruck Publishing LLC (Publisher)
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“I’m a virgin. And you need to relieve me of that.”

What respectable guy could say no to that? Yeah, she was my best friend. But she was also the hottest chick I’d ever known. I thought it would be simple. I thought we’d have a good time, then pretend like it never happened.

It turns out, I was an idiot.

Now, she wants nothing to do with me, but I’m determined. I’ve spent the last five years without her, and I refuse to waste another day. I have a solid plan. All of my figurative ducks are in a row. I’m going balls to the wall, and I’m not stopping until I win back the only girl I’ve ever loved.

Too bad for me, Devyn Summers was sitting on a secret that nothing could’ve prepared me for.

Deal Breakers is filled with lots of laughs, a sexy romance, and an overflowing swear jar. It's the first installment in the Dealing With Love series, but each one can be listened to as a stand-alone.

Review

"This is a beautifully written friends to lovers story. It made me laugh out loud, swoon, cry and make me want to slap someone. Perfect in my book!!" TWO BOOK PUSHERS

"I loved this book. The story flows very well. You are hooked from the beginning." JaM BOOK BLOG

"It held us captive from the very start. We fell in love with Riley and Devyn, we loved Riley's mouth and we loved Devyn's sass. The chemistry between Riley and Devyn was beautiful to read." BLOGGERS FROM DOWN UNDER

"This is an amazing book. I loved it. It's funny, sexy, heartbreaking, loving, just a wonderful read." 2 GIRLS A BOOK & A GLASS OF WINE

From the Author

Dealing With Love Series (Each one can be read as a standalone)
  • Deal Breakers (Riley & Devyn's story)
  • Deal Takers (Brody & Rainey's story)
  • Dealing With Christmas (Holiday story)
  • Deal Makers (Drew & Charlee's story)

About the Author

Laura Lee is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy and sometimes ridiculously funny romance. She's best known for writing the Dealing with Love series and the Windsor Academy series. Laura's spent most of her life with her nose in a book thinking of alternate endings or continuations to the story. She won her first writing contest at the ripe old age of nine, earning a trip to the state capital to showcase her manuscript. Thankfully for her, those early works will never see the light of day again!

Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and three of the most poorly behaved cats in existence. She likes her fruit smoothies filled with rum, her cupboards stocked with Cadbury's chocolate, and her music turned up loud. When she's not writing or watching HGTV, she's reading anything she can get her hands on. She's a sucker for spicy romances, especially those that make her laugh.


For more information, check out:
Website: lauraleebooks.com
Facebook: @LauraLeeBooks1
Twitter: @LauraLeeBooks
Instagram: @LauraLeeBooks
Book + Main: @LauraLeeBooksPinterest: @LauraLeeBooks
Previous slide of product details
  1. Part of series
    Dealing With Love
  2. Listening Length
    6 hours and 18 minutes
  3. Author
    Laura Lee
  4. Narrator
    Reagan West
  5. Audible release date
    April 17, 2019
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Lovestruck Publishing LLC
  8. ASIN
    B07QMZ736Z
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 18 minutes
Author Laura Lee
Narrator Reagan West
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 17, 2019
Publisher Lovestruck Publishing LLC
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07QMZ736Z
Best Sellers Rank #294,005 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#3,297 in Humorous Fiction & Satire
#5,331 in Romantic Comedy (Audible Books & Originals)
#8,033 in Classic Literature

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,940 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline sweet, funny, and cute. They also describe the characters as amazing and the writing style as fast and easy. Readers also mention the tone as emotional and sexy.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
StorylineHumorWriting styleCharactersToneSexual contentPopularity
47 customers mention "Storyline"44 positive3 negative

Customers find the storyline sweet, excellent, and romantic. They also say the characters are enjoyable and the humor and repartee are enjoyable. Customers also say that the book delivers a final, realistic, and happy ending.

"...Deal Breakers is a fun, light hearted, friends to lovers, secret baby romance that you’ll be able to read in a weekend. A MUST READ!" Read more

"...It’s very well done.Ms. Lee also delivers a final, realistic, and happy ending to Devyn and Riley...." Read more

"The story is ok... I think? It is about a second chance friends to lovers secret baby romance...." Read more

"...This story was hysterical and the thoughts coming out of Riley had me rolling on the floor...." Read more

32 customers mention "Humor"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book funny and entertaining. They also appreciate the banter between the characters and the overall conversations. Readers also mention that the writing is good and the book is a fast read with sizzle.

"...They were so sweet and had me swooning.Deal Breakers is a fun, light hearted, friends to lovers, secret baby romance that you’ll be able..." Read more

"...Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns...." Read more

"Laura Lee delivers a sexy, funny, fast read with Deal Breakers!!..." Read more

"...That favor will forever change them both.Fun, entertaining read. Like the other characters and all the banter between them all...." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing style"27 positive4 negative

Customers find the writing style fast, easy, and well written. They also say the language is flowing and the story is really feel. Customers say the book is fast paced and easy to follow.

"Laura Lee delivers a sexy, funny, fast read with Deal Breakers!!..." Read more

"...If you are looking for an easy-to-read story that you don't have to think about too much, this one is definitely one to check out...." Read more

"This was a fast easy read. Not having read a book by this author I wasn't sure what to expect...." Read more

"...flows effortlessly, changing POV’s between the H & h, and the storyline is fast paced and entertaining, holding your interest from start to finish...." Read more

30 customers mention "Characters"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book amazing, believable, and imperfect representations of real people. They also appreciate their sweet innocence and realness.

"...Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns...." Read more

"...characters were well fleshed out and so believable, imperfect representations of real people, and I envisioned them both so easily and so clearly as..." Read more

"...to give the book 3 stars is because I like their friends and Nathan is so cute and I still want to read Brody and Rainey's story." Read more

"...I loved the whole thing. The story was solid, the characters well developed, and we got a very happy ending. What else can you ask for?..." Read more

11 customers mention "Tone"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the tone of the book has a lot of emotion and feel good material. They also mention that the language is flowing and there are moments where tears are in order.

"...Deal Breakers is a fun, light hearted, friends to lovers, secret baby romance that you’ll be able to read in a weekend. A MUST READ!" Read more

"...Over all this book gave me everything I want; heart, heat, and humor." Read more

"...Overall, this was a very emotionally charged novel that has captured my heart. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to romance enthusiasts." Read more

"...This book has a lot of emotion in it that you feel the way devyn and Riley feel about each other...." Read more

7 customers mention "Sexual content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the sexual content cute, sassy, and well balanced. They also say the premise is cute, but the writing lacks any sort of maturity. Readers also mention that the Daddy reveal was tastefully done.

"...Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns...." Read more

"Laura Lee delivers a sexy, funny, fast read with Deal Breakers!!..." Read more

"...I think the premise is cute, but the writing lacks any sort of maturity...." Read more

"This was such a fast read. Cute and sexy...." Read more

6 customers mention "Popularity"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book hot, sizzling, and sweet all wrapped in one.

"...Over all this book gave me everything I want; heart, heat, and humor." Read more

"...of the romance genre, and thought Deal Breakers sound light, funny and hot. This was my first (and probably only read by Laura Lee)...." Read more

"...Luckily for him their chemistry is still hot." Read more

"...one of those feel good reads that leaves you with a smile & a case of the warm fuzzies. Bravo Laura Lee! Keep it coming!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Amy [Book Addict Reviews]
5.0 out of 5 stars fun friends to lovers romance
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
I had no idea what to expect going into this book but I LOVED every single moment of it!

The story starts when Riley and Devyn are freshman and from the moment, they meet there is connection. Riley is attracted to Devyn; however, she firmly puts him in the friend zone and they spend the remainder of their college years are best friends. I loved seeing their friendship progress throughout their time in college. It was fun, sweet, and they just had a great bond. Flash forward five years later and they are in a new city, a new state and both at different parts in their lives.

Riley and Devyn had AMAZING chemistry from being best friends, to their little one-night stand, to the future. The connection they had never seemed to fade. They had some ups and downs throughout the story, but always seemed to work things out. Little Nathan was super adorable and I loved the moments between him and Devyn and him and Riley. They were so sweet and had me swooning.

Deal Breakers is a fun, light hearted, friends to lovers, secret baby romance that you’ll be able to read in a weekend. A MUST READ!
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Maggie (The Librarian’s Daughter)
4.0 out of 5 stars When your best friend ghosts you only to appear five years later
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was a fun read with a little bit of everything mixed into the plot. So much so that I reached the end and immediately downloaded the next book in the series.

I’ve read Laura Lee’s Wicked Liars trilogy so I am aware that she can write a deep, evolving, twisted, and dark plot.

Deal Breakers, and what looks to be the rest of the Dealing with Love Series, is the opposite side of the coin. Ms. Lee still delivers a wonderful story with some great steam. There are engaging characters, side stories, and a solid basis for a well told series.

Our two main characters in Deal Breakers are Devyn and Riley. Riley sees Devyn from across the quad on the first day of college. Instantly attracted to her, he “accidentally” locks his bike to hers in order to force a meet cute. Which, is sort of cute. Devyn calls him on how “accidental” it really was and Riley surprisingly confesses to just wanting to have a reason to meet her. Much to Riley’s dismay, Devyn stands firm in her “just friends” trench.

Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns. She’s attending school fresh off of losing her last parent. She just needs friends and people to belong to. Riley becomes her person. Surprisingly, Devyn becomes Riley’s person.

In the first half of the novel we see the two open to each other and let each other in more than anyone they date or are attracted to. When the last year of college rolls around, these two are each other’s support system.

Then the plot starts to twist a bit. After graduation Riley is off to the east coast while Devyn starts a competitive and dream job internship in Portland. There is also one last thing that Devyn asks Riley to help her with - shedding her virginity.

After a bit of wrangling back and forth, Riley finally agrees to Devyn’s request. The sparks that have been coming off of these two in their playful banter and the different times they’ve realized an attraction to one another are hot, and always cut short.

For Devyn’s request Riley pulls out all the stops. Full on seduction based around what he knows his girl loves the most. From the start of the evening Ms. Lee builds the chemistry between these two beautifully. It’s edge of your seat “just go get to the good parts!” writing. When we finally get to the “good parts” the chemistry between the two is amazing. Culminating in Devyn finally admitting to herself, and Riley, that she loves him.

Here is where we start the downfall of Riley. In typical guy knee jerk reaction..he’s scared. Then he proceeds to do all the guy things which make you want to throw the book at a wall. Dodging calls, ghosting her, leaving for grad school without a goodbye? All checks. Add in years of unanswered calls and texts till we reach the last wall - a change of number without giving Devyn the new one. Yeah. Riley is high on THAT list.

Once Ms. Lee gets us good and angry at Riley, she redeems him a bit. Riley finally grows up and wakes up. He realizes that he’s spent five years of running from the woman he loves. So he finally gets his business together, moves back out west and plans to track down and romance Devyn.

It doesn’t take long to find her though. Turns out Devyn is Riley’s new acquaintance Drew’s little sister. Drew was Brody’s old frat brother. Brody is Riley’s best friend from grad school. Drew is NOT a fan of Riley’s (unknown to either of them) as Dev has been living with Drew for the last five years. Drew knows ALL about the guy who broke his sister. The scene in the bar where Dev walks in, Riley sees her and everyone slowly yet quickly puts all the pieces together is amazing.

Dev has picked up a kick butt, blunt as a hammer, no filter, protective best friend. Rainey isn’t taking any prisoners just names. Riley AND Brody suffer her wrath through the second half of the book.

Ms. Lee also redeems Riley further by helping him grow the rest of the way up. Four years of having to struggle and compromise has left Dev even more centered with herself and her worth. Yes, there is a guy in her life, but he seems like decoration. She knows what she wants and there isn’t any more compromising.
For the first time, Riley has to work for something and someone. Not only does he have to convince Dev that’s he’s grown up and sees her for the woman he has always loved, but now he’s got to convince and get through Drew and Rainey as well.

The second half of the book is the ending the first half deserves. The frat bro grows up. He works hard to show and tell Devyn how he feels about her.

All the while, Ms. Lee is starting to build Brody, Drew and Rainey as full colored characters. Ms. Lee uses each dialogue and character interaction to give our side characters more definition, personality, traits and hot buttons. It’s very well done.

Ms. Lee also delivers a final, realistic, and happy ending to Devyn and Riley. No, it isn’t an easy road to their ending, however it does their characters justice. Even better, Ms. Lee sneakily slips in the beginning of Brody’s book as we are settling into Devyn and Riley’s ending.

The books in this series are very much stand alones, but it is a series that will pull at you so much you’ll find yourself opening the next one as soon as you finish the current book.
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Jen
5.0 out of 5 stars Epically hilarious and swoonworthy
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
When I first became interested in reading again, a few years ago, it was uncommon for me to put a book down that I had started. Even if it sucked. Even if it put me to sleep night after night, I would push through until I reached the conclusion.

I have no patience for that anymore, however. If a book doesn't grab my attention within the first 10 pages and hold it throughout, I have no qualms about adding it to the pile of DNFs and trying out something new. Sometimes I get in these moods where nothing can hold my attention, and in those moods I'm less convinced it is due to the lack of story or pull or whatever, and more to do with, well, me. 

When I picked up Deal Breakers, I was in one such mood. I felt the pressure of needing to read it because it was an ARC, and you don't NOT read and ARC. But I was also familiar with Laura Lee's writing ability through her Urban Fantasy series, and I knew she possessed one heck of a talent. I crossed every toe and finger that this would be the book to pull me out of my reading slump--both for selfish reasons and to give the book a fair chance once it came time to review it. 

Within the first pages I'd forgotten all about the mood I'd been in for weeks. I was finally able to fully immerse myself in a story again and I felt an immediate connection that only grew with each page. *insert happy dance*

I was reminded why Laura Lee became one of my favorite authors years ago. She never disappointed me in the past, and she sure as heck didn't disappoint me this time. 

I LOVED, LOVED, F-ING LOVED Deal Breakers! In fact, I believe this to be her best work yet, and I'm beyond excited to hear what everyone else thinks. 

In a genre filled with weak women (although there's a definite increase in the opposite), Deal Breakers introduces us to one of the coolest female protagonists. She has a tragic past, but it's done nothing except strengthen her. At a young age, she's already sure of who she is, she's learned to rely on herself, and she doesn't fall for sleazy one-liners or even her college's biggest playboy's attempts to move in on her. She focuses on the things she deems important--school, primarily--and the rest is secondary. 

But once graduation comes around, she finds something new to put her focus on--just one tiny thing that she wants checked off her To Do List before moving forward in the career portion of her life: losing her virginity.

I know, I know, it sounds so cliché, and at first, I thought so too. But her virginity wasn't presented in a way that made her seem wholly innocent or naïve. Sure, she was a little awkward about the subject matter at times, but it was more entertaining than anything--you'll understand once you get to know her. 

The whole thing was approached in such a matter-of-fact way that you couldn't help but think, "oh, no, the turd's about to hit the fan." You just knew, while reading, that her indifferent attitude to the entire thing wouldn't last. 

How could it when you decide to bang your best friend? Especially when he's your first?

And that's when the "real" story begins.

It's not all roses and sunshine, either. It's full of angst, and heartbreak and not so happy emotions. But like in real life, sometimes bad things that are hard to see past while going through them bring something beautiful in the end. That was the case here. Devyn found her beautiful. She moved forward. She found a way to be content in life. 

And then he (Riley) came back and disrupted it all over again. 

And O-M-G, I loved every second of it. Riley and Devyn had chemistry that just built and built and built, even when everything between them seemed to fall apart. I loved Riley, I loved Devyn, and I loved THEM. Their characters were well fleshed out and so believable, imperfect representations of real people, and I envisioned them both so easily and so clearly as I was reading. 

There is a character who completely stole my heart (and he's not even the hero). Seriously, I fell head over heels and I wish he were real so I could steal him. He's my newest favorite character. Again, you'll understand when you read. And then perhaps we can collaborate on how to go about kidnapping him. =D

Overall, Deal Breakers topped my list for new favorites this year. I loved it from the first sentence and all the way through till the last. 

If you're new to Laura Lee or if you've followed her through her Urban Fantasy series, read this! It's everything we love about our modern day romances. 

***warning**** Keep a bucket of ice nearby. 

***additional warning*** do not, I repeat, DO NOT work out your abs for the first time in a while right before reading this. It will hurt like crazy once the laughs start. 
12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Canadian Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Awww they found each other
Reviewed in Canada on June 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
What a great story of these best friends from college getting back to each other. I really love there story.
Best friends, one night, big surprise later on.
The author does a great job of really getting you invested in the characters.
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Anja Dettmann
2.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
Reviewed in Germany on November 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
2,5 stars

Although I enjoyed the book, because of the writing style, I can't rate it higher.
It should have been longer so that we become more insight of the friendship and slowly developing feelings of the MC's over the 4 years. The feelings were suddenly there - out of nowhere.
He, a manw#@re, she the perfect girl who friendzoned him as they met the first time.

The problem is that you just can read their POV's once in a year in their four year long friendship.
Suddenly - nothing.
The H chickened out after the h confession that she loved him after they slept together, because the h doesn't want to leave college as a virgin.
Fast forward 5 years later: the H suddenly want to fight for her, because he can't forget her and regretted the way how he left her, because he loved her from the start.
Luck was on his side that he found her really soon as he moved to Seattle BUT she moved on and has a big secret.

Here comes another but: although she moved on, I got the feeling that her feelings for the OM weren't real. As soon as the H appeared, the h distanced herself from her bf, broke up with him some weeks later and wanted to move in with the H at the same night, into a house he wanted to buy for them while the h was still with her bf. 🧐
Again, no real development in their new friendship/relationship. It just happened.

I would have given the book more stars if there would have been some more character and relationship development. More feelings, some angst and not that rushed.

I kindly received an ARC for an honest review.
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carole mannifield
5.0 out of 5 stars Deal
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Loved it a sweet romantic story .that keeps you turning the pages .best friend .one night what could happen. You need to press but to find out I will say that if you do you will not be disappointed.
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Shri
3.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in India on October 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Good book
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LouB
4.0 out of 5 stars Devyn and Riley
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed. First book in series. Funny. Slow build. Felt quite sad for Devyn the way Riley treated her after they slept together.
Good supporting characters who will get their own books.
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