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Checkmate  By  cover art

Checkmate

By: R. L. Mathewson
Narrated by: Fran Jules
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Editorial reviews

In the third installment of R. L. Mathewson's Neighbor From Hell series, Rory and Connor are childhood nemeses who are thrown together as adults to work on a joint construction project. They still can't stand one another, but their outward animosity covers their mutually undeniable attraction, and it isn't long before their passion consumes them. Fran Jules is impressive in capturing the sizzling chemistry between Rory and Connor, including the various flashbacks where Jules uses perfect childish pitch. Checkmate hinges on this love/hate relationship, and Jules' enthusiastic performance makes it a hilarious and sexy romp.

Publisher's summary

There’s nothing worse than living next door to your childhood nemesis, except maybe being forced to share your dream project with him, being blackmailed into going along with something that was just wrong on so many levels, and having your hot cocoa stolen by the person that drove you to drink it in the first place.As long as she has plenty of hot cocoa, a pair of pliers on hand and is able to resist Connor O’Neil’s bad boy charm then Rory James should be able to make it through this project with her sanity intact. If not…

She’d probably face a few more nights in jail, have a few more restraining orders slapped against her and lose her heart to the man that ruined her life.

©2012 R.L. Mathewson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Checkmate

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enemies to Lovers

Make no bones about, Rory and Connor can NOT be in the same room together without something bad happening or someone going to jail. That's how bad they hate each other, or do they? There's a fine line between love and hate. When the dream project is dropped into both of their laps, that line is put to the test.
Talk about crazy! These two put a new meaning in restraining order, which makes their so much fun to read. This book is my favorite of the series so far.
Fran Jules makes a fantastic performance in narrating this humorous and sexy book.

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This Chex Mix is stale....

Rory and Connor have been enemies since childhood and according to Connor nobody can torment her but him. They both are nominated for a job at Strawberry Manor and if it gets done in time they both will benefit from it. Rory and Connor both torment each other throughout the time it takes so that only one of them can get the credit for a job well done. But, when Rory falls in the basement, Connor takes it upon himself to take care of her. He then comes up with a new plan of redeeming himself in the eyes of the public by telling Rory that she can have whatever she wants but, she will have to be his girlfriend and make everyone think they are in love. Will they continue with the games or will they give in to each other? Another hilarious tell of will they/won't they. Fran, you did great this time. I enjoyed listening to this one. Jason and Trevor make an appearance in this story and so does a few more characters from other NFH books. I can't wait for the next one.

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Thoroughly enjoyable read!

If you could sum up Checkmate in three words, what would they be?

Thoroughly enjoyable read!

What did you like best about this story?

The best thing about this story was that it made me laugh out loud many times and I NEVER do that. The pranks that these two pulled on each other were hilarious.

What does Fran Jules bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Jules brings emotion to the book. Hearing reactions to situations in her voice just add to the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think the moment in the book that moved me the most was when Rory fell through the floor of the building and Connor rushed to her aid. It was the first real glimpse of his feeling for her.

Any additional comments?

I completely enjoyed this book. Sometimes you just need a book that will make you laugh and this one will do that for you!!!

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review of book checkmate

loved it hope more of the books come out soon can't wait for the next book

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  • CJ
  • 07-12-21

great narrator, long story

The storyteller did a fantastic job. Friend Jules done amazing job as narrator. The story fell flat for the first five hours. If you’re going to listen to this skip chapters 2- through 17. They mention one of the main characters and her obsession with hot cocoa incessantly. It really wasn’t a necessary storyline. It could’ve mentioned it may be three times and it would have been better. I’ve never left a review before but I feel like that had to be mentioned. Could’ve knocked off five hours of nonsense.

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Fran Jules Narrator is Awesome!!

I really enjoyed Part 3 of this series and I am looking forward to others!!

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Nice book

I love the book, I love the story, why now a days a women need to have it all in control and never have someone to lean on. I love it!

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laughed and enjoyed.

the snippets of things that they done to each other over the years was funny.

love that it can be a stand alone story and that it ties in the rest of the series.

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love this series

I love this book series. This book is as good as the first two. Would recommend.

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Hilarious!

Very entertaining! Absolutely amazing flow throughout the entire book. The Bradford and James family are so much fun that you don't want the book to end. This is a must read .

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