No Flowers Required

Loved the enemies to lovers trope. Both funny and very sexy.

No Flowers Required was my first Cari Quinn read, and it won't be my last. This story was so engaging, full of heart and humor that flowed from page to page. If you're looking for a very romantic story about enemies to lovers, a hidden identity, a prickly heroine and a sensitive hero, then the story of Alexa Conroy and Dillon James is definitely for you. This book can be read as a standalone.

Alexa was definitely a fighter and she was determined to keep her shop going even when she felt like she was fighting a losing battle of overdue bills, losing staff and dwindling customers. Her tenacity was one of the things I loved about her, but she was also trying to keep the store going show more in memory of deceased her friend and mentor who had left it to her in the first place. That showed she had a big heart. A reviewer mentioned Alexa's utter lack of business sense as one of the pitfalls of her character, I both agree and disagree. She was a floral designer to begin with. It wasn't that much of a surprise that she had no real clue how to run a business. Was she a fool for not recognizing that people in an economic downturn didn't want to loosen their belts for some exotic plants, yes. I agree that she was incredibly stubborn to ask for help, but at least she accepted it. I saw it as a part of her character arc that she had to come to realize that she didn't have to steamroll everyone out her way. It also lent credibility to her budding feelings for Dillon, her willingness to open herself up and let someone in, only to set her up for the fall.

Dillon James was damn near perfect. What I loved about him was his compassionate and quiet nature. Despite coming from a family that had it made, he preferred to get down and dirty, use his hands for manual labor and give back to the community. The exact opposite of his pencil pushing brother, Cory. Dillon's green thumb, volunteer charity work and skills as an artist showed the softer side of his tough guy exterior with his hot, inked body and piercings. His character arc was also well executed in that he went from being uncertain or reluctant in his role as a partner in the family business to discovering who he was and what was really important to him. I give the hero a lot of credit for being the one to tell her instead of her finding out some other way. Another plus point for him for not allowing Alexa to distract him with sex to fulfill her own (selfish) needs.

Dillon and Alexa had amazing chemistry together. I thoroughly enjoyed their witty banter and that the sex wasn't the only thing moving their relationship forward. They communicated and became friends. His encouragement helped to boost her self-confidence, though I am still non the wiser as to why it was so battered to begin with. Dillon was surprisingly a hopeless romantic at heart. The sex scenes were all incredibly hot! My favorite one had to be the game of "Hide and Go Seek the Hidden Tattoos". The author wrote the scenes with a sensuality that made the scenes more than just an outlet carnal lust. The ending was absolutely perfect for the pair, and I rejoiced in the fact that the author brought them full circle. I can't wait to read Cory's story, and I hope to see glimpses of this couple in the next book as well. I need to know they actually made it.

Rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author for the purpose of an honest review. show less

In the second book in the Love Required series, florist Alexa Conroy is struggling to keep her small, heavily indebted business afloat. Since the chain store down the street sells their flowers for less, she’s losing customers. She’s on the verge of losing everything, but then she meets the sexy handyman working in her apartment building, which is above her store. Luckily for her, he’s perfect for relieving her long-denied libido.
Dillon James is no average handyman. He’s actually co-owner of the building where she lives and works in, and his parents own the hardware store Alexa hates, which he’s set to inherit. It’s no surprise he doesn’t tell her who he really is. As they get to one another, his guilt builds, but will he show more lose her when he finally tells her the truth?
Alexa and Dillon are great characters. They’re determined to do great things with their lives. The sexual tension between them was scorching, but they couldn’t stop thinking about sex, which slowed the pacing.
There weren’t any typos from what I noticed, and I enjoyed Ms. Quinn’s writing style. I will definitely look for more of her books.
3.5 Stars show less

When you’re down on your luck, you’ve sold your dream home to try to save your business, and you feel like the local big box store is sucking your life right out of you, what’s a girl supposed to do? You start doubting your abilities, you start wondering if there is really hope. Then you meet the handy man for your building, and oh man, he is a handy hunk.
This delightful handy hunk has a secret though. His family owns that big box store that’s eating up all of the small business in town, including putting the screws to the newest tenant in the building.
Lust at first sight grows as the handy hunk wants to see the little specialized flower shop and its owner succeed. Only thing is, he’s not up front about the family business. show more
This is a story every woman wants in reality… someone to love them, and support them in their dreams. It’s a spirited quick read that is hard to put down. I couldn’t wait to see how Dillon was going to get out of the whole he was digging himself in. I kept rooting for him, and the ending was just perfect! show less

Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. I did enjoy this book, I loved Dillon! He was such a sweet guy trying to help Alexis out, and be known for himself. Sigh.. Alexis, she was a go getter, she knew what she wanted and even though times were tough and her self doubt was starting to catch up, she didn't give up, and Dillon helped her with that. They were a good couple, of course the lie of who Dillon really was blew up, but the outcome brought out their fighting spirit..now to Cole's book.

I received this from the author is exchange for an honest review.

The cover and back description drew my attention straight away so when I was gifted this boos I started it almost straight away.

It tells the story of Alexa, who has recently become the owner of Divine--a flower shop--after it was left to her in the will of the previous owner, and Dillon, the youngest son of Value Hardware's owners--the shop Alexa sees as her worst enemy.

During the first chapter we meet the two main characters and see their almost instant attraction to each other which results in a steamy encounter. Pheww... It sets the pace for the rest of the story and we see that whenever they're around each other sparks fly.

I liked the style of writing and it flowed show more well throughout and I found it entertaining. show less

Author: Cari Quinn
Published by: Entangled: Brazen
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series # 2
Rating: 4

Review:

"No Flowers Required (Love Required)" by Carl Quinn was a good contemporary romance, women fiction- chick-lit read. This was a novel of Alexa's and Dillion's story that was a quick read. Once I started reading "No Flowers Required" I wasn't able to put down until the end.

Here is what this novel is about ... From the Author:

"He’ll give her everything she desires...except his identity.

Flower shop owner Alexa Conroy had it all before the recession hit and her customers fled to cheaper shopping grounds. Desperate to make ends meet, she sells her dream home and moves into the rundown apartments above show more her shop. When she spots six feet of sexy distraction—complete with muscles, piercings, and tattoos—ripping up flooring, Alexa knows the karmic windfall she’s due just landed on her doorstep.

And the attraction’s definitely not one-sided.

Dillon James, reluctant heir to the corporation about to foreclose on Alexa’s shop, is not about to jeopardize their scorching chemistry by admitting he’s not the building’s handyman. But with only weeks until her business goes under and his identity is revealed, Dillon must find a way to convince Alexa cooperation isn’t a dirty word, help her save the shop from his brother’s greed, and persuade her that he’s not the enemy...or risk losing the only woman who’s seen the real him."

This novel was 'sweet sexy story with lots of heart and humor' however, there was a secret being kept by one that turned out to be a big secret that could fall apart in a flash. Now, to find out what this secret is you will have to pick up this good read to see how the author will bring it out for the reader.

I enjoyed "No Flowers Required" and if you are in for a steamy sexy romantic read you have come to the right place and I would recommend this one for you. show less

Well written, really nice, simple story, filled with humor, lusty thoughts, hidden idenity, and HOT sex.