Reading the Paranormal: Smart Mouth by Emma Lee Jayne [Review]

Smart Mouth (Work For It #4) by Emma Lee Jayne
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: April 10, 2022

Work For It
1. Street Smart
2. Heart Smart
3. Book Smart
4. Smart Mouth - Paperback | Kindle
5. Play Smart
6. Look Smart
7. Smart Move
8. Stage Smart

Emma Lee Jayne
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The rockstar

There are lots of assumptions people make about rockstars. Shallow. Player. Addict. The truth? I’m none of those.

The even bigger truth…the only opinion I care about is her’s and she hates me. Her as in Gwen Matthews, my twin brother’s best friend, the unrequited love of my life. She thinks I’m a liar and a jerk which is why I pretend to be my brother when she needs help one night.

Except Gwen is a genius. Literally. So it doesn’t take her long to figure out it’s me and not my brother, but maybe, just maybe, she’s willing to give me a second chance. Because maybe when she looks at me, she only sees a rockstar with her best friend’s face, but when I look at her, I see my other half. She centers me in a way that no rhythm or line of lyric ever could.

The scientist

I have three priorities in life at the moment: finish my research, defend my dissertation, and get my Ph.D., so that I can actually figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life. Tom Mendoza won’t help me achieve any of those things. Yet I can’t help the sudden feeling that I’ve been completely wrong about him all this time.

The day we first met when we were both teenagers, I saw a glimpse of a sweet, funny boy that felt very much like a kindred spirit; awkward and full of energy and dreams. But that guy seemed to disappear and in his place was this stereotypical stupidly hot rock star that did not make sense in my world.

Being a scientist means being willing to admit when you’re wrong and reevaluating everything. I might not understand much about human behavior, but I can clearly see the tender underbelly that Tom protects. The subtle rituals he uses to stave off his anxiety. Yes, he’s ridiculously hot, but his soul just might be more beautiful than his face and I’m not sure what to do with that.

Especially when I find out that he’s in love with me.

Thoughts on Smart Mouth: The scientist and the rock star. She's wicked smart, a little clumsy, and trying her hardest to figure out what she wants to do next with her life. He's sexy, determined, and convinced Gwen wants nothing to do with him.

Except that's not exactly true.

Circumstances led both of them to believe the other wasn't interested when they were younger and they'd both sort of gone their separate ways. I'm giving a sour lemon face to the circumstances because that was a lot of time these two missed being adorable (and stupid sexy) together, BUT...I do think they ended meeting again when the time was right. So, you know, I get it. I might not like it, but I get it. (And also Grrrrr. For reasons.)

So. Gwen has to get over the hurt of being forgotten by her best friend's famous brother and the misconceptions she's built up about him over the years. Tom, on the other hand, is just flat-out smitten. He might think Gwen isn't into him, but it doesn't stop his hopeful heart from getting all fluttery whenever she's near.

A surprise kiss, a sweet date, grown up members of a boy band, a cranky neighbor, an even crankier professor (Max and Holly, FTW!), and two people who have to overcome a few hurdles before they can find their HEA. The scientist and the rock star. Oh, yeah.

Excerpt

I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, but kissing Gwen is the best stupid thing I’ve ever done.

I know it’s a mistake. I know James will probably kill me if he ever finds out—and he will find out.

Hell, Gwen will kill me herself, if she ever finds out. Plus, she’s smart enough to get away with it—and to make it painful.

Despite all of that, I can’t sit here and let her think that I don’t want her. I can’t let her believe she’s repulsive or any other ridiculous idea. I can’t fucking watch her cry over it.

I’ve never really understood James and Gwen’s relationship. I’ve never understood how he’s been friends with this gorgeous, smart, awkward, frustrating woman without hitting on her. I don’t know how he made it through high school and college without kissing her, because, fuck it, I couldn’t make it through a thirty-minute car ride without wanting to kiss her.

I sure as fuck am not going to let her climb out of this car thinking she repulses men.

I don’t have a plan when I lean across the console and pull her to me. At least not beyond ridding her of this notion that I don’t want her.

But the second my mouth touches hers, I’m a goner.

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About Emma Lee Jayne

I write the kinds of books I want to read. Fast-paced books with lots of world-building, snarky heroines, and swoony heroes. I love story, pop culture, gossip, and baked goods. I’m a modern-day hippy and certified LEGO nerd.

I live in the Austin, Texas hill country, with my geeky husband and two extremely geeky kids. We have dogs, chickens, cats, and more LEGOs than should be allowed by law. Oh, and I stress bake. So if my characters talk about food a lot, that’s why.

Emma also writes as Rita award winning author Emily McKay.

Find Emma Lee Jayne online

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