I read the first book in this series and dove right into this one. The storyline felt a little generic, nothing that sucked me in and kept me interested. Both books are easy (fast/quick) reads but they weren't for me. These books not being for me could be the timing (I'm struggling through a very real Fourth Wing hangover), or Marni Mann isn't the author for me (and I'm in the minority). There are very steamy and explicit sexual encounters/situations throughout both books (if that's not for you, be advised and/or skip over them).

This was my first time reading a book by Marni Mann and I enjoyed it.

From one night stand to marriage of convenience. This book tells the story of Grayson, an alpha-billionaire dating app CEO—Hooked, and Jovana, an influencer.

They meet at a club. At first sight, Grayson falls for Jovana and wants to have a one-night stand right then. It was an insta-lust for Grayson.

But not Jovana, she felt more for Grayson. Which is scary for him, because he can't compromise with one woman. And because of his past, Grayson doesn't believe in love.

Throughout this book, my heart ached for Jovana. How many times Grayson rejected her and said that he couldn't compromise.

He was an asshole in this book. Despite this, Jovana did not give up and tried to be patient with Grayson. This is what I like about her.

Jovana tries to prove that deep down Grayson has the same feelings as her. And she won't leave him.

That's why she agreed to the contractual agreement between herself and Grayson, to fake dating and marry him for one year.

Thank god, no third-act breakup! That was my first reaction to this book. This book felt long at the beginning, and rushed at the end. Even so, I enjoyed this book. And will read more books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date 4/23.

Grayson Tanner is very up-front about feelings when it comes to commitment and never spends more than a night with a woman. But when Grayson meets Jovana, there’s something different about her. The pull he feels is intense, yet not enough to break his one-night rule. After riding the high of the successful international launch of the dating app he cofounded, Grayson takes a much-needed vacation. What he didn’t plan on was becoming a PR nightmare. When a video of him celebrating his bachelorhood goes viral, his partners have no choice but to bring in a PR firm and change his narrative. Unfortunately for Grayson, changing his narriative comes with the worst possible solution: marriage…

Mr. Wicked is the second book in the Hooked series and it does not disappoint. Grayson is the ultimate playboy. He doesn’t do commitments and lives for one-night stands. But, when he meets Jovana, all bets are off. She is the plot twist he never saw coming. Jovana’s bright attitude and witty banter are a force to be reckoned with and Jovana isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.

Together, Grayson and Jovana had the most incredible and explosive chemistry. But, don’t let that fool you, because Jovana isn’t going to fall for Grayson’s charms a second time around. If he wants more from her than what they give to the public eye, he’s gonna have to work for it. And boy did I love seeing Grayson work for it.

Marni Mann never disappoints with her sinful alpha male characters and the women who tame them. Mr. Wicked provided the perfect blend of steam and spice. If I had to make one complaint, it would be about the whole marriage of convenience aspect of this story. I do feel like that solution was a bit drastic and that there could have been other solutions for the PR nightmare Grayson created. That being said, it did the job and added some great tension to this story.

All in all, Mr. Wicked was a terrific read from beginning to end. I loved getting lost in these characters and can not wait to read the next book in this series. If you’re looking for a sexy, alpha billionaire, grumpy sunshine romance, you’re definitely going to want to get your hands on this book.

Mr. Wicked is a spicy marriage of convenience novel following a billionaire CEO, Grayson, and a fiery influencer, Jovana. This is book two in the Hooked series, but it can be read as a standalone.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I usually don’t care for the marriage of convenience trope, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. Jovana is such a fun FMC. I love how sassy and determined she is. Grayson was a bit questionable at first but he redeemed himself after learning his backstory. Jovana’s parents were such a wonderful part of this story and I love the parallels between the two couples. Their relationship was a bit too insta-love for me, but it was still an amazing book nonetheless. Overall this book was so good and I can’t wait to read more from Marni Mann. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sending me an advanced copy of Mr. Wicked.

I have to admit this was a challenge to get through. I’m a fan of her books but she dragged on Grayson’s meanness too long. And Johana’s willingness to take it, thinking that he will change even if time and time again, he failed. Towards the end, I started skimming because I didn’t like either character much and that is a problem for a character driven reader like me. The switch to loving person was rapid and abrupt and wholly unbelievable. The end was good but no redemption in my mind.

Grayson and Jovana… loved their story. Love Marni Mann and how she writes. He’s the playboy, never settling down. He has a one night stand with Jovana and makes it clear- that’s all it is. She’s amazing and strong and knows what she wants in life and wants a true love. He finds himself in trouble with his company Hooked and needs her help.
I loved watching their relationship grow. Him wanting her and falling for her then he didn’t want too. Her challenging him. Their connection is real, they’ve got great chemistry. I love when the man thinks he knows what he wants but falls for an amazing woman.

An alpha billionaire dedicated to no-strings pleasure. A woman committed to changing his wicked mind.

Grayson has had better days. Coming off the successful international launch of Hooked, the hook-up app he cofounded with his two best friends, and a night with one of the sexiest women he’s ever met, he’s now in a PR nightmare. A video of him has gone viral—a toast to the indulgence of bachelorhood. It’s a bad look for the creator of the app’s marriage arm. As memberships plummet amid a media firestorm, his PR firm has a new narrative to quell the Grayson has to get married. Fast.

Hello, Jovana—social media influencer and Grayson’s former one-night stand. The one-night stand he has yet to move on from mentally. Grayson doesn’t trust women or believe in commitment. Jovana is the opposite, a believer in love who knows what she wants. Now she’s on a mission to turn this fake marriage into the real deal, even though she’s hiding the biggest secret of them all.

I enjoyed this second book in the series a lot! The characters are great, and the story is fun and sexy. You do not need to read the first book in the series, but there is some character overlap.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mr. Wicked is book 2 in the Hooked series. The story follows Grayson, who is a playboy and doesn't believe in marriage. Despite that he created the marriage branch of Hooked. When his playboy ways blows up in his face, his company pushes him to pursue a fake relationship with Jovanna. Grayson and Jovanna had a one night stand and he believes she is the answer to his rebranding.

I absolutely loved these two! Their banter was everything. If you love the grumpy x sunshine trope then you will definitely enjoy this book! Their chemistry and tension is scorching hot from the beginning. This book was a perfect blend of sweetness and spice!

Read if you like:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Dual POV
Spicy

Read this book for…
Fake relationship
Strong FMC
Billionaire MMC

Thoughts:
The premise of this story is a bad boy billionaire founder of an extremely popular dating app, Grayson, gets embroiled in a scandal where he is painted as a forever bachelor, a stark opposite of the mission of his company. Hooked is an up and coming app doing immensely well domestically and internationally. Thus this poor publicity if not acted upon will very likely be the catalyst to its ruin. PR fortunately quickly whips in and Grayson is essentially forced to fake date someone who will improve his image. Who knew it would be the sizzling one night stand?

I found Grayson extremely extremely difficult to like. I know the author (particularly in the beginning) wanted to really showcase his playboy tendencies with the hope to ultimately use it as a foil for when he does change. After all, tamed bad boys are a popular trope. However, Gray was such a douche I honestly could not get over it. His treatment of Jovana was honestly awful. Don’t get me wrong -- Jovana was such a badass feisty FMC. She really put Gray in his place and their banter was AMAZING. I loved how Gray eventually changed but even after all that was said and done I still felt his initial misogynistic tendencies left a poor taste in my mouth. Overall, their chemistry was off the charts from the get-go.

Nonetheless, I have read and enjoyed this author’s previous works and will continue to do so. Sometimes it’s the character and not the writing y’know?

Spice 🌶🌶🌶

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grayson was an A grade alphahole, only interested in pleasure, not a commitment or relationship. Because he didn’t do relationships. Jovana was supposed to be a one night stand, but when a PR crisis hit, and his team told home he needed to marry, there was only one person for that job. Her.

The tension, spice and build up of the angst was good, but I didn’t like the revelation and how it was dealt with. It felt all wrong…. that said, overall I enjoyed the story, the pace, and the writing style.

3.75 stars

Grayson, an alpha-billionaire dating app CEO, and Jovana, a social media influencer continuing to rise in popularity, bring the heat in this wickedly, enticing romance, Not only will readers savor the flirtatious and sexy-as-hell chemistry between the two; but it will have them wishing for their very own Mr. Wicked.

Grayson is feeling on top of the world when his dating app is reaching new heights both in the states and internationally. This calls for a celebration at a bar with his friends. And a hookup with a smoking hot server, Jovana, won't hurt. She is unlike most women he comes to meet. She is fiery, and witty, and yet you can read her every emotion. He knows she wants him and so he promises a night she won't forget. Jovana isn't used to one-night stands but throws caution to the wind. Their chemistry is full of fireworks and everyone can see so it won't just end after one hot night. That's what she thinks and when she wakes up to an empty bed and he tells her that it was a one-night stand she is pissed. How can he just dismiss her like that?

A few days later, Grayson is all over the tabloids, and it's not good. He was pictured with six women on a yacht proclaiming the freedom of bachelorhood. That alone causes a storm for his dating app, Hooked, and subscriptions continue to decline. A PR fix is needed desperately and in walks Laura. She and Grayson's business partners/best friends, come up with a plan; he needs to get married and show the world that his app can be a success.

If you think Grayson is doing everything he can to get out of it, then you are absolutely right. And when he realizes marriage is the only way to fix the problem breaking out in a cold sweat is the least of his worries. Finding a prospective fiancee is going to be difficult until Laura and his friends meet Joavana. They can see the undeniable attraction and chemistry between them so now the only thing left to do is convince Jovana to agree to the terms. Jovana will become financially stable, get to find her parents an apartment they have always dreamed of, and gain an even bigger online presence all if she agrees to a one-year marriage with Grayson. There's no way she can pass up an opportunity like this, but her heart knows trouble and heartbreak are inevitable.

Feelings are a no-go for Grayson and Jovana doesn't know how to have a no-strings-attached relationship. But the only way that she gets to see the softer and more personal side of him is to agree to just that. Sure they know they are getting married but shouldn't they make the most of it? That's what Grayson wants; delicious sex whenever they please minus the cuddling and small talk. Why can't they just have both? That is the question that Jovana wants to understand. But it doesn't mean she can deny herself of her desires. And boy do things get spicy... in the bedroom, in the shower, in the office...I'll just stop because I think you get the picture.

What is so appealing and charming is the interactions that happen when they let down their walls. Grayson despises letting people and becoming vulnerable, but he can't help it when he is with Jovana. Of course, it's hard and uncomfortable but it's either continue to live like he was or lose her. And that's not an option.

If I could give this book and the Wicked Stars I would. I devoured this passionate and insatiable romance. Marni Mann literally slayed! The perfect read for all my fellow smutty romance connoisseurs.

I am a biiiiig Marni Mann fan and loved the first book in the Hooked series.

Grayson gets himself in a PR nightmare when a video of him enjoying his single life with six ladies goes viral when he is one of the founders of a serious dating app and the main creator of the marriage wing. With app membership plummeting, a PR firm gives him a lifeline and his only option is to get married and quickly. The only thing is…he isn’t the serious dating type. He had a one-night stand with Jovana Winters who is a waitress and social media influencer and she seems to be his best option. She is the one girl that he can’t stop thinking about and now he will have to pretend to be in love her to save his company.

I looooved Jovana and Grayson together Jovana was just a breath of fresh air for a FMC. She knew what she wanted, she cares about her friends and family, and she wants to prove to Grayson that she is worth wanting. Grayson has a reason for not wanting a long term relationship after his mom left his family. I knew there was going to be a third act breakup, but this one shocked me with how easily he forgot the problem when he had other things to worry about. Overall, this was a great, spicy read.

I didn’t know this was book 2 of a series prior to downloading, but I don’t think I got overly confused or missed out on much by not reading the first book. Marni is my go-to author when I want the spiciest of books and this one did not disappoint in that department. I loved the premise of this book and it featured one of my favorite tropes - marriage of convenience (and insta-love if we’re being honest…). I loved how our two MC’s balanced each other out. Grayson was so surly and domineering while Jovana was just so sweet. The banter was top notch, the story was fun, and the writing was exciting. I will definitely be going back and reading the first book and am looking forward to the third.

Another great angst filled, steamy HEA from Marni Mann. Grayson Tanner is our MMC that is well known for his penchant for one night stands. After launching a new dating app, a video surfaces painting him in not such a good light. In order to save face, he needs a serious relationship stat. Cue a woman he has previously hooked up with who is looking to make their new situation ship into a long term relationship. Spice and an HEA!

Honestly... this was hard to get through. I don't DNF books, but I thought about it several times while reading. This was a classic case of telling, not showing, and a complete lack of character development. This felt very surface-level, the writing style wasn't for me, and I felt absolutely nothing for the characters/relationship while reading it. I recommend skipping this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montblake for the opportunity to access this ARC through the "Read Now" section on NetGalley.

I have no memory of this place.

I appreciate the synopsis and can understand why I chose this to read - by the time I wrote my review, however, I have zero memory of this story. Well written enough to not result in a DNF, but not something that has stood out to me as exceptional.

As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it, I hadn’t log finished Mr Hook Up ( Book 1 in the series ) so this was perfect timing .

This book brought all the plot , spice and characters that you expect from a Marni Mann book.

I have to be honest and say Insta love is not a favourite trope of mine but it worked in this story , I do prefer a little bit more angst and drama but that is very much a personal preference and not reflection on the writing of the book.

What cannot be denied in the Chemistry and banter between Grayson and Jovana , it’s so well written it draws you to them both and allowed me to work past the insta love.

I do love a reformed playboy and you can’t get much more of a playboy that the co founder of an app designed for no string attached hook ups.

This book was so good. You instantly fall in love with Jovana. There is literally nothing not to like. Greyson on the other hand is a grade A A** hole. When his life style blows up in his face his company pushes him into a fake relationship with Jovana. The only kicker is someone catches feelings and doesn’t know how to process them. I’m so thankful to @netgally and @marnimann for this ARC. Not only am a a sucker for fake relationships but also for a man who becomes a complete cinnamon roll.

Didn’t love it but enjoyed it. Enjoyed the male character versus the female- good amount of spicy but just not my favorite book.

I hate when I run across stories that are technically fine: the plot keeps things moving, there's a good balance of action and spice, and the characters are developed well and grow throughout the book - however, there's just one little thing that keeps me from fully enjoying the story. For me, this was Mr. Wicked and the fact that Grayson, our leading man, "roared" no less than eighteen times in this book. That, honestly, ended up being the thing that stuck out the most to me throughout the entire story. Grayson roared all. the. time. It felt like he had no other discernable actions. Happy? He roared. Upset? He roared. Excited? You guessed it: he roared. I know this seems trivial, but it wholly took me out of the story, which, in turn, affected my whole reading experience.

I liked Jovana. I thought her chemistry with Grayson was evident right from the first chapter, and I was excited to see where their journey took them beyond such an explosive introduction. I loved her personality and tenacity, especially when it came to Grayson. She was a strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted. I totally did not see her big secret coming, and once all was revealed, I actually ended up liking Jovana even more.

Grayson, besides the roaring, sort of fell flat for me. I liked him in the spicy scenes, but outside of those, he was just another confirmed bachelor who swore he would never fall in love, only to be happily paired up a hundred pages later. He just ended up not being very memorable to me, and I found him to be fairly two dimensional and generic.

Overall, Jovana saved this story for me and kept me reading until the end. I loved her character and her story arc; I just wished I liked Grayson more.