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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
614 global ratings
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4 star
28%
3 star
8%
2 star
3%
1 star
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Top reviews from the United States

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Nichole Conway
3.0 out of 5 stars So So
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019
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I love Avery Flynn books. They're cute, sexy, funny and have just enough awww moments. This one was not my favorite though. Every time Zara had a thought about her dad it included how he was always going after the next get-rich-quick scheme when she was a kid, but he meant well. Every time. By the fourth chapter if I had to read one more time about him being the most lovable deadbeat, I was going to throw the book out the window. There were also some story building that I thought would have more of an impact in the plot that didn't. We are given insight into Caleb's reading problem and anxiety. It's mentioned frequently to the point that the reader thinks maybe Zara is going to help him through it or refer him to dyslexia specialist or something but...nothing. I also missed having Caleb actually read Zara's Bramble bio. She kind of mentions her blunt wording in passing but then it's skipped over. It would have been funny to read Caleb's reaction. Overall, it was okay. I probably wouldn't read it twice though as I have with her other books.
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AJ_DCR
5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Sexy, and Funny
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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Brace yourselves for some gushing because Avery Flynn delivered all the smexy, fuzzy feel-good that I was hoping for. Smart, sexy, and thoroughly entertaining with a bevy of colorful side characters, Zara and Caleb’s story proved to be a thrilling ride. The backdrop for their story was comfortable, especially if you’ve read Flynn’s Hartigans series.

I adored Zara and Caleb was the perfect mix between alpha/jock and sweet and thoughtful. There were only a handful of moments where miscommunications happened and when it did, it was wrapped up quickly thanks to all the rational, lovely side characters.

On a more serious note, Flynn addresses some important points about the toxic nature of boys will be boys, locker room talk, and how staying quiet during degrading conversations is complicity. Over the past three years, these have been hot button topics and I was glad to see them represented in a way that added to the story without making the book too heavy.

Overall, this is definitely a five-star read for me and will be reread several times in the future. It isn’t often that I tear up at the end of a book, especially if I have been laughing the entire time. If you loved Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren and haven’t tried Flynn’s work before then you should give Zara and Caleb a try!
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CB
2.0 out of 5 stars I’m sorry to say this was a waste of book time.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
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So much in this book didn’t agree with me...
I did not connect to the characters - not one bit - the plot was horrifically written - don’t even get me started on that ending - and the whole everything had a maddening cliche vibe to it.
I hated how the two best friends only ever talked about men. Gemma was such an inconsequential character she had zero traits, other than conveniently being there to cheer up said BFF.
Caleb is a moronic idiot, who didn’t even understand the slightest thing about what he’d done wrong on his own. All the women had to explain to him why referring to women as objects is a bad, bad thing.
And Zara herself is annoying beyond compare, being all fire at moments that need filling up the cliche of not other woman is like her’ and then acting all stereotypical when plot needs a stumble on the love affair ride. Ugh!!
Characters out of character and a plot twist based off of miscommunication (which you already know I dread and hate) do not a good book make. What a waste!
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Keri Loves Books
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE
4.0 out of 5 stars It Was Only 5 Dates...
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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Five dates, nothing more. A means to an end...for both of them. That’s all it was supposed to be. You know what they say about best laid plans...

What do you do when you are in the middle of a PR nightmare? You join a dating app, let your mom choose the woman for you to date and then film your reactions for the world to see, hoping that this plan improves the public’s perception of you.

Caleb needed to fix the mess he got wrapped up in, but never expected Zara to help fix more than just his image. Zara was just doing the deed for her dad and to get her best friend off her back. She didn’t expect to catch feelings.

This story was fun, sweet and sexy! Caleb was a good guy just not sure how to make Zara want more from him than just five dates, because that was never going to be enough. Zara just had to decide if taking a leap of faith, was worth the risk.

I enjoy all these hockey players. The author creates wonderful characters that you want to know more about. Anchovy was a favorite. I cannot wait for the next hockey guy to get his girl!
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Rachel Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars This is Avery Flynn at her best!
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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I am extremely lucky to have read Parental Guidance early and let me say this, YOU NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE! Parental Guidance is Avery Flynn at her best.

Fair warning, this book will cause full on belly laughs, hot flashes, feels, possible giggle snorting (okay, that’s all me I couldn’t help it) more hot flashes (serious it’s hot) and a whole new appreciation of finding your own dates.

I can’t wait to dive back into Caleb and Zara’s story again. I LOVED THIS BOOK and wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
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Shweet Sandi
5.0 out of 5 stars Laughs, Puns and So much Romance
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
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Author Avery Flynn is one of my 3 go to RomCom authors and this book has me laughing so hard I can not lie I was ready to change my.... What would you do if you were a die hard hockey player with a PR issues and your mommy was picking your dates? What if the dates where being picked by a half crazy dad, well one who is always coming up with some kind of gimmick or get rich quick thing for his family? But thing time it's all for his SAGA card. Yep he wants to be an actor. So his daughter Zara is going along for the ride. Well, and a chance to meet one of the upmost collectors of miniatures. Caleb & Zara are a wonderful mix of hard and soft, funny and zing. I love that she seems to fit his roughness with her soft and while she is small she is mighty. This book is so full of laughter, puns and yes romance abounds because it is an Avery Flynn book after all. And we have our ICE Knights front and center as they are straightening out their little PR mess. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Hot hockey player + ballsy redhead = hot and addictive book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2019
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4.5 stars

The plot line in one line:
A hockey player trying to turn around his reputation embarks on a PR stunt, sponsored by an online dating agency, in which he must go on five dates with a woman, but as the romantic rendezvous progress he falls in love with his relationship-shy match.

The good and the bad:
Having ready many of Avery Flynn’s recent books, I was confident I would enjoy this one – and I wasn’t wrong! She creates characters and sexual tension that keeps you hooked and turning the pages, and this book has earned her a place on my Fantastic Author Billboard (FAB), reserved for my top authors.

Hockey star Caleb is unconventionally attractive in the way that rugby players are considered to be – tall and muscly but he has a broken nose. Zara is a petite, freckly, no-nonsense redhead.

Over the course of their fun dates, you really get invested in their developing relationship and there were numerous moments when I chuckled or smiled to myself.

When they finally give in to their sexual desires it is super-hot (hello, graphic oral sex scenes!)

On the flip side, I was looking forward to a good old bit of heroism on Zara’s part when it becomes apparent early on that Caleb has a vulnerability (I won’t say what it is, so as not spoil things for you). I envisioned her helping him and it being really sweet but once she finds out what his vulnerability is, it kinda gets forgotten about. #MissedOpportunity

My only other teeny, tiny criticism is that the movie-style ending (where everything comes together in a happy-clappy way) was a touch sickly sweet but it wasn’t so bad that I actually needed to reach for a bucket.

All in all, a very enjoyable book and I am looking forward to reading my next Flynn.

PS Butterface is still my fave of her books.
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melinda swaine
5.0 out of 5 stars Avery Flynn never disappoints!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2020
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I fell in love with these characters. Parental Guidance is one of those books that will have you laughing out loud, sexy banter and have you rooting for these two. Avery Flynn never disappoints!! I always feel so happy and smiling after reading one of her books. These stories that she creates, really just hit you in the heart. I couldn’t stop reading once I started. Seriously, I stayed up way past my bedtime to get to the end. Caleb is just funny, sexy and swoony, it’s that simple and Zara well, she was the perfect person for him. Their witty banter, their sarcasm and the passion you felt between them was just jumping off the pages. This will go down as one of my top favourite from Avery Flynn and as well as my best reads for 2019!! Overall, five boundless stars!! Was an absolute pleasure to escape into this book. Just happy reading everyone!!
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MsMerylB
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2019
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A witty and entertaining story. Caleb and Zara attend their first date vowing to complete the five dates and then moving on. Neither were prepared for the alternative.
This is a very sweet, heartwarming story with some wonderful humour. Great characters, the best of course.....Anchovy the Great Dane :)
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Jing
5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Comedy at it's Best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2020
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My first read from this author and definitely not my last. A romantic comedy at it's best. This book will have you laughing out loud but there are some heartwarming moments too not just between the two main characters but also between Caleb and his mother. Avery Flynn did not disappoint to leave a smile on my face after reading this. I will definitely recommend this book.
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Giorgia
3.0 out of 5 stars Kinda mediocre
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2020
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3.5 stars
A bit slow and boring but not necessarily bad.
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