Series Review: Manwhore by Katy Evans

Every Monday, at least for the next little while, I'll be sharing books that I've read in the past, before my blog was a reality or I just forgot. Oops. I realize that there are a ton of books I haven't shared with everyone and some that we've probably forgotten about. These books still deserve some shine, don't they? I foresee this type of post going on for months because I have TONS of them to post about.

I'm starting with the Manwhore series by Katy Evans. I read this series back in 2017 and I can still remember how much I enjoyed this author and this new series she had introduced. I actually think the first heroine of the series was the first one who truly irritated me! She made me realize certain things that I wouldn't put up with LOL. Do you remember this series? If you've read it or have it on your TBR, please share XO

Manwhore #1
My Rating - ★★★
POV - Heroine

Blurb from Goodreads

I went into this book with pretty high expectations. I've been a fan of Katy Evans since Real and thought that based on the reviews for this book, I was guaranteed to love it. Not so!

Don't get me wrong. This book was fantastic even with the cliffhanger (luckily I started this series when the other books were printed or I'd be extra pissed). It just wasn't as powerful as I thought it would be.

A lot of that had to do with the fact that I could barely stand Rachel.

Honestly, this chick kept riding my last nerve. Imagine how much it pissed me off that the entire book was told from her POV. Arrrrrrggggghhhhh!! One of her characteristics that really annoyed me the most was her "coyness". To me it seemed she was constantly playing freaking games (I get that he was an assignment) and I dislike mindgamers. Wasn't she the one showing up everywhere Malcolm was like some stalker/groupie in order to get his attention? Then as soon as she got it she played fickle. She even tried to treat him like a one-nighter when she had next to no sexual experience. Also, was I really supposed to take her journalism career seriously??? She barely made any money. Successful businesses weren't trying to poach her. Yet she went on ad nauseam about her "notes" and her "investigation" and how knowledgeable she was about things beyond her tax bracket. She wasn't realistic and if she were, she's be TSTL.

Malcolm, however, made this story worthwhile for me. I would have sold my left breast (not literally) to have gotten his POV. Mrs. Evans did a great job creating his mysterious character. I constantly wanted to know what he was doing, what he was thinking, how he was feeling. Everything about him intrigued me. His fictional looks, quirks, actions, etc.

I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and finding out how Malcolm deals with Rachel after her betrayal.

Manwhore #2
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Heroine

Blurb from Goodreads

I loved this installment. This book definitely turned the tide for me and allowed my opinion and rating of the series to reflect drastic improvement.

I didn't have a lot of love for Rachel in book 1, for many reasons. However, Katy Evans did such an excellent job in redeeming and humbling this character that I couldn't help but like her. She ate her crow and stayed dedicated and determined to atone for her betrayal of Malcolm and win him back.

I really liked that they didn't immediately reconcile. It made the story and pain believable to see them work through forgiveness and earn back lost trust. I think that their second chance was beautiful and I couldn't get enough of them together.

As for Malcolm, I still loved him. He did no wrong. I really wish there was something from his POV, but I could still appreciate his words and actions as seen from Rachel's perspective.

Fave Line:
"You're the only heaven I will ever know, Rachel" - he looks into my eyes - "and if you were hell, I'd sin my whole life just to stay with you."

Manwhore #2.5
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Heroine

Blurb from Goodreads

Extra sweet. Extra mushy. Extra sappy. Extra gooey.

Katy Evans did a spectacular job with this novella. It was like being gifted an extended epilogue to conclude the beautiful story of Malcolm and Rachel. However, I'm slightly peeved that there still wasn't a Malcolm POV. I honestly believe that this would move this series from like to love for me. Why? Because in the end I still don't LOVE Rachel when compared to how I feel about Malcolm. He WAS the story.

Anyways, this was just as beautifully written as any other book in the series. I'm starting Ladies Man as I do this. I'm really excited to find out how Mrs. Evans finagles a HEA for jaded Gina and renowned manwhore Tahoe.

Manwhore #3
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Heroine

Blurb from Goodreads

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book!

I thought for sure that Gina's thoughts and views (more like doubts) on love would irk me but somehow it really worked in this story. I think the fact that Tahoe wholeheartedly shared her perspective helped because I adored him!

Despite the fact that Gina wasn't super confident or as ambitious as Rachel, or as sure about her future or about who she was as a person as Wynn was, she willingly accepted her flaws, her lot in life and acknowledged that she had room for improvement and growth. This outlook was very refreshing as opposed to books with heroines who are exceedingly too perfect to be real. I especially liked how she admitted that her makeup was a mask.

I knew there was more to Tahoe than meets the eye and when what broke him was revealed (view spoiler) he, along with Gina, became that much more real to me. That's when I finally got invested in their HFN/HEA and became excited for how was going to come to pass.

This was an amazingly easy book to read. Hot characters, loads of chemistry, and there's even a huge update for what has been going on with Malcolm and Rachel.

Manwhore #3
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Heroine

I happen to love books by Katy Evans. I fell in love with her writing when I met Remy in Real and I've been hooked on this woman ever since. I think the problem I've been having with the Manwhore series is that I went into it expecting the same level of intensity and was disappointed to find it lacking. It's not the book's fault because the story is fine. It's just a matter of me not adjusting my expectations. Well, I tried to do just that with this one.

And I have to say this. I'm sure there will be those who disagree with me.

There were way too many times that I wanted to slap the crap out of Olivia. In a "knock some sense into her" type of way.

Or shake her until her marbles aligned.

She drove me freaking nuts!! At one point in the story, Callan offers to take her on as his assistant. To really teach her what he knows. She OF COURSE declines. Then a bit later she says:

I came here to work, to learn. Did I let my own personal prejudices and confusing feelings keep me from learning all that I can, from the best man I could possibly learn it from?

Actually don't answer that. Because this chick said a variation of the same thing more than once in this story. MORE THAN ONCE!!

Well, I gave all 4 of my stars to Callan. I loved everything about him, from his smoking (although it is such a nasty habit) to his seduction skills (bring those over her handsome) to his business acumen (teach me). What I really liked about his story is that despite the book's title and his so-called reputation, there was barely a hint of his indiscretions. Yes, women were everywhere, virtually throwing themselves on him and willing to act as human ashtrays, but he wasn't caught kissing or inappropriately fondling anyone much less encouraging them. Nice!

There was another book released from this series about 2 years later, Playboy, but I never read it. I've seen some interesting reviews for it (both amazing and not so much), but I'm not interested enough to give it a shot. This series was alright, but never quite reached the level of greatness I wanted or needed to continue it. I do recommend it for the most part though, so there's that.