I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Sizzle Paradox
by Lily Menon
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on June 14, 2022
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
Format: Kindle
Source: NetGalley
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
The Kiss Quotient meets Love Potion No. 9 in the next sparkling romantic comedy by Lily Menon, The Sizzle Paradox...
Lyric Bishop feels like a fraud – she’s studying sexual chemistry in romantic partners and what makes for a successful long-term relationship, only she can’t seem to figure it out in her own dating life. The science is sound, but how can she give her expert opinion with no real-world experience? In order to complete her doctoral thesis, she must crack the Sizzle Paradox – it seems the more sexually attractive she finds a guy, the less likely it is to come with an emotional connection; but why? – and to do that she must get the help she desperately needs.
Kian Montgomery, her best friend, roommate, and fellow grad student, has no trouble bringing both romance and sizzle to his own relationships. When he offers to tutor Lyric on dating tactics to find a good match, she’s certain it will solve her problems, and in exchange she agrees to set long-term-commitment-averse Kian up with someone different to give his romantic life a much-needed shakeup.
But once the two progress with their "tutoring sessions," they start to feel less like the academic exercise they were supposed to be as real feelings develop. Which is a problem, because Lyric and Kian are best friends and absolutely, irrefutably nothing else... Right?
The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon is an adorably nerdy romance.
Will Lyric and Kian figure out what everyone else already sees?
Lyric Rae Bishop
Our heroine is Lyric, a grad student whose dissertation is based on what she has dubbed the Sizzle Paradox. However, Lyric can’t seem to crack her own paradox. She goes out with lots of guys, has had two relationships, and still hasn’t been able to figure out what makes the sizzle paradox work. Honestly, I felt like she was easy.
Lyric is a bit nerdy, opinionated, but kind-hearted. However, she is kind of clueless too, for someone as smart as she is. I didn’t really care for her. Quite a few times I actually disliked her. She can be selfish and blind to what other people need. One of her redeeming qualities is her love for her crazy family and the way that she was able to help Kian deal with his dad.
Kian Montgomery
Our hero is Kian, also a grad student. However, he is graduating during the story whereas Lyric still has a year. Kian is a nice guy. He has a lot of baggage regarding his family and worries that he will be like his cheating father. Even though, Kian is so different from his dad and doesn’t have the same goals. I kind of liked Kian, at least better than Lyric. He seemed to truly try and see the good in people. Oh, and that treehouse restaurant thing was so cool.
Kian figured out he likes Lyric first, but he didn’t try to push her. He just kept plugging along with their stupid tutoring sessions. Their romance unfolds slowly almost painfully.
Three Stars
My rating for The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon is three stars. I had a hard time finishing the story. The better I got to know the characters the more turned off I was by their journey. The writing is good and the story is well thought out. It just wasn’t for me.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon.
Until the next time,
About Lily Menon
Lily Menon has always been enamored of romantic comedies and happily-ever-afters in all shapes and sizes. Her very first love story, written at age nine, was about a handsome young boy who wooed the heroine with books, chocolates, and a very fat puppy. Now Lily lives with her own handsome boy (who indeed wooed her with books, chocolates, and fat puppies) in the mountains of Colorado, where she spends her days dreaming up kissing scenes and meet-cutes.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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