E-galley Review: Never Date the Minister (Whatever it Takes #3) by Julia Kent

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Never Date the Minister by Julia Kent
Series: Whatever It Takes #3
Published by Prosaic Publishing on September 10, 2024
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance, Adult Romantic Comedy
Pages: 268
Source: the author
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Barnes & Noble, Buy on Audible

Cover designer: Staci Hart

Blurb:

Accidental poisonings. Unexpected tidal waves. Jealous stepsisters. Brides caught cheating in the coatroom at the reception.

Just a typical day at work, when you’re a wedding protector.

And Nessa Martini, the newest and youngest member on staff, is doing her best to fix it all.

Starting with her own chaotic life.

A one-night stand with a hot bodybuilding social media influencer who turns out to be a minister is not Nessa’s idea of personal growth, no matter how much she enjoyed it.

She’s trying so hard to be mature, grounded, responsible, and to get ahead in her career working for Wedding Protectors, Inc., where they guarantee your perfect day – whatever it takes.

But when she ghosts on Mr. Perfect after one night of pleasure and he turns out not only to be the TikTok sensation known as “God’s Gift,” but is also the minister at the wedding she’s assigned to for work, all of Nessa’s careful plans go out the window.

She can’t date a man of the cloth.

Or can she?

Matt Draper knows he’s a study in contrasts. A bodybuilder who makes sweaty, shirtless weightlifting videos for millions of followers – and a minister? He didn’t pick the nickname “God’s Gift,” but he’s stuck with it now.

And he’s stuck on gorgeous Instagram influencer Nessa, too.

It may have been only one night, but it was a phenomenal night, and Matt wants more. Way more. When coincidence works in his favor and they meet at a wedding rehearsal, he takes his chance. She’s slow to warm, and so mysterious, yet social media perfect.

Too perfect.

For a guy who is all about depth and connection, can he break through her surface and find more?

Welcome to the Whatever It Takes series, where every book is a complete HEA and a standalone within the same world, with one couple per book:

Every bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue –

But you know what brides don’t need?

Complications.

Welcome to Wedding Protectors, Inc. Have a spritzer or a latte or some lovely Zen tea and sink into a comfortable chair in our sunlit offices as we listen to your wedding problem – and form the perfect solution to every possible contingency.

We plan for everything.

Except our own love lives.

But that’s not your problem. 😉

Excerpt

“I think we’ve met,” he said with a small smile, holding out his hand. “I’m Matt Draper.”

Nonplussed, Nessa looked up at his face, and he did seem vaguely familiar. More than vaguely, in fact, but put on the spot like this, she couldn’t think where she might know him from. Glasses with dark frames, sandy blond hair neatly brushed back from his face, styled nicely. A shade of blue in his minister’s stole highlighted striking blue eyes. She’d been to a lot of weddings and met a lot of ministers in the past two years, but…

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Emily exclaimed. “Reverend Draper, this is Nessa Martini, from Wedding Protectors.”

And then it hit her.

OMG. Oh, no. Not possible.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure we had coffee together once,” he went on, his smile broadening, the all-too-familiar dimples appearing.

My Review

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series. The second one didn’t sound like my thing, because of the whole older man aspect, just not my thing. But this one sounded perfect to jump back into the series with, and it definitely was! And I was correct because I really enjoyed this one! Sped through it, couldn’t put it down.

I loved that when Nessa realized her one night stand, Matt, was a minister, the way she decided she needed to change her wardrobe to a more demure (the actual definition, not the slang) type of outfit for their first real date. But oh my gosh, when he showed up, it was totally a hilarious moment. I mean how could she believe after he had a one night stand that she needed to dress that way was crazy enough. And he wasn’t a priest, which caused her to think about the series by Sierra Simone, lol.

The weddings that Nessa had to deal with were so crazy as well, and then her personality on Instagram also caused issues for the two of them. However it was a little hypocritical the way Matt acted about her, when he also had an online influencer personality account. It was also fun though, to see what he dealt with at the different churches and congregations he worked with. I loved his grandma and her grandma, and their friendship made for some funny situations as well.

Another hit in this series from Julia Kent

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men’s room toilet (and he isn’t a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).

She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, on Facebook at @jkentauthor, and on Instagram @jkentauthor. Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://jkentauthor.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jkentauthor

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/2PIBi9n

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jkentauthor/

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julia-kent

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3238619.Julia_Kent

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Kent/e/B00A99V268/