Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat: A Wingmen Novel

I know what you are thinking: "Oh, great, another book about a suave, rich, jerk-faced, unrepentant man-whore who carelessly uses and discards women like toilet paper because his mommy never loved him." WRONG. So wrongI love Tom. Do you know why Tom gets ladies so easily? Because Tom is awesome. He's a manly-man, bearded, outdoorsy, capable with a chainsaw, motorcycle, boats and welding torches. Yeah, girls, he'll chop wood for your fire and keep it stoked all night. But, he's also honest, handsome, charming and dimpled, kind, funny, artistic (in a manly way) and loves his family and friends with all of his heart. He's not ashamed to cry or to sit at the kids table at Thanksgiving. He's also got a nearly endless supply of tourist-ladies who love a bit of vacation fun.Tom's also not a superficial douche:"Confession Time: It takes a lot for me to not want to sleep with a woman. Size didn't matter if she had confidence... Age didn't matter if she didn't act old. Language barriers? Not a problem and sometimes a bonus. As long as there was chemistry, I could make it work."So I ask you, can we really hate on a man who enjoys what's freely given when he's not interested in settling down? Heck, no! I'm jealous, actually.Because I really loved Tom, I thought the all-hero POV was fun. I like hero perspective on love and life. But I will be honest and say that while this was funny and had steam and very likeable characters, it fell a little short in the romance department.There wasn't much conflict, just Tom's ridiculously long journey to the realization that he loved Hailey. It went as follows: sort-of-friends who do it, then stop and try to be real friends then date and fall in love.Their road to love is actually the least fun and interesting part of the book. Tom's life, in general, was a hoot. I loved him and his family and Hailey was a bonus because she was cool. As a romance reader, I was a little bummed that it wasn't more fantastical. I'd have liked more conflict and "awww"-inspiring romance. Hence the 4-stars.

To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. I wasn't a huge fan of Tom in the first book, so I was hesitant. I jumped in with both feet though, determined to continue enjoying this series.I am so glad I kept reading!I fell in love with Tom pretty quickly. While he was a bit of a player, he knew how to take what he wanted. Enter Hailey. She's absolutely perfect for him. Their chemistry was off the charts and I rooted for them to get together almost instantly. She calls him on his bull$*** and they make a lovely pair. They're funny and sweet and just plain wonderful.I also love how every other character is important. We see old favorites and make new friends, as well.Don't miss this awesome entry in the Wingmen series!

I love romances told exclusively from the male point of view, so this one piqued my interest. Daisy Prescott does an outstanding job of creating a believable manwhore with no intention of changing his ways. At least until he falls for his sister's best friend. But this is no love-at-first-sight story. Instead, Tom falls kicking and screaming into love. It's a straight-up romance, but the family dynamics the author weaves in, makes it something a little special in the genre. Each chapter starts off with a confession by Tom about his approach to women, love, and sex, and we know each time, he's going to eat his words.PlotTom is a player, and he likes it that way. His best friend, John, is settling down and Tom never misses a chance to chide him about it. His sisters are married and procreating, but he feels no pressure to do the same. Instead, he works his way through girls on and off the island where he lives until his sister, Lori's, best friend, Hailey, comes back to town. Tom does have a few rules, however; he never leads women on and he never, ever goes after his sisters' friends. So when Hailey, on the rebound from the recent breakup with her fiancee, comes onto Tom, he knows he should turn her down, but she's all kinds of hot. What should have been a one-time thing slowly chips away at all of his rules, including the biggest one, he doesn't date.CharactersI like Tom. He's a dog, often crude, but beneath it all beats the warm heart of a lonely man who doesn't realize what he wants or needs. I know guys like him. Heck, I've dated guys like him, but one thing he is, is honest. He never leads women on. So while I wouldn't want to date a Tom again, I did pull for him, did want him to be happy in whatever way that was. But even the Warren Beattys and George Clooneys of the world eventually find their Annette Bennings, and Tom's happens to be a girl nicknamed Idaho.Tom's family members and friends were all three-dimensional, adding color and depth to Tom's character as well. And Hailey is completely believable as the strong-willed woman who falls for the wrong man, but never loses herself, nor gives into anything less than what she deserves.World BuildingSet in on an island in the Seattle area of Washington, the author perfectly captures the essence of small-town life, where everyone knows your business and feel they have a right to tell you how to live your life. The settings were familiar enough that I could lose myself in the scenes.Top Five Things I Loved About Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat1. Nicknames. Everything from his boat, the Master Baiter, to Tom Cat, and Idaho, the nicknames add a twist of humor that subtlety reveals Tom's character.2. I know. The sweet inside joke between Hailey and Tom is as endearing as they are.3. Families. Tom's family is his rock and that's the hallmark of a really good guy.4. Bar room brawls. Because what's better than a bunch of testosterone-laden dudes getting liquored up and having a fist-fueled pissing match?5. Female project managers. As a former project manager in a male-dominated industry, I could totally relate to the issues Hailey has to deal with, and I thought the author portrayed this aspect of the story particularly well.Bottom LineAn authentic male character, a strong female love interest, and plenty of light-hearted moments make for a fun read.DisclaimerI was provided a copy of this book by the Author in exchange for an honest review.