Title: How To Date A Douchebag: The Failing Hours
Author: Sara Ney
Genre: New Adult, Sports Romance, College Romance
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Zeke Daniels isn't just a douchebag; he's an asshole.
A total and complete jerk, Zeke keeps people at a distance. He has no interest in relationships—most assholes don’t.
Dating? Being part of a couple? Nope. Not for him.
He's never given any thought to what he wants in a girlfriend, because he's never had any intention of having one.
Shit, he barely has a relationship with his family, and they're related; his own friends don’t even like him.
So why does he keep thinking about Violet DeLuca?
Sweet, quiet Violet—his opposite in every sense of the word.
The light to his dark, even her damn name sounds like rays of sunshine and happiness and shit.
And that pisses him off, too.
Review by: Amy E
What a douchebag!!! From the very beginning until the very end Zeke was a growly, rude, antisocial Dbag. He rails against authority, keeps his friends at arms length, and does his best to push everyone away.
Violet. Sweet, shy, smart, compassionate Violet. She gets thrown into Zeke's path and what follows is a bumpy ride for both of them. Because hidden behind the blushing and nerves is a little spit fire.
I loved the back and forth between Zeke and Violet. It kept me flipping pages as quickly as possible. Having duel perspectives helped you understand Zeke better. The inner workings of his mind is complex, intriguing, and explains so much!
An outstanding story with amazing characters that stick with you long after the book was over. Sara Ney is quickly becoming a favorite author for me.
5 Stars
Review by: Amy C
To be a total douche or not to be a total douche, that is the hottest question. I mean at first glance Ezekiel Daniels is HOT, muscular and just totally dreamy... And hen he speaks. He's like that enigma or the total verbal train wreck you can't seem to look way from or shield your ears from. Because you seriously can't believe the crap coming out of his mouth. Que the eye roll. I mean seriously, who buys into that? Well there is one little lady that has dreams of one Ezekiel, or Zeke, Daniels having some redeeming qualities and she's set on finding them.
Sweet, shy Violet would give anything to be noticed for more than her white blonde hair or stutter. She is almost finished with college and knows exactly where her lonely heart needs to go. Just one problem... While babysitting she runs into the one man she day dreams about and he isn't all peaches and cream like she believes. He gruff and absolutely self centered, something she's not used to. Can he see her inner beauty and fall for her sweetness? Can she see past his douchebaggery and understand the real front he's putting on? These two are the least likely to succeed together and the most rooted for. Love conquers all, but is it enough to bitch slap some sense into a self absorbed ass?
I loved this book for its humor and realism. I mean who can't be behind the damsel and the douche? I was rooting for Zeke to pull his head out of his arse straight away. Even though his front was brutally gruff, I wanted Violet to be able to melt him into the goo he so fondly made fun of! Cute, endearing, funny and sarcastically brilliant, this book had it all. I was a fan of all the words Sara gave me and couldn't read fast enough. Great story and completely recommend!
4.5 Stars
Review by: Stacey
Omg I absolutely LOVED Zeke Daniels even though he was a grumpy, moody bastard! He had a hidden deep very deep sweet side that only came out when he got to know or let Violet. But can she be around someone who isn't always nice or to be honest is rarely nice & truly can't control it??? Violet herself has a dark past but she truly wants to trust Zeke and let him in....but is it worth it??? Can he ever change his ways??? Or will he always be a selfish, moody jerk??? This story is addicting...once I started it I couldn't put it down and really enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't wait to see what would happen next!!!
I highly recommend this series I LOVED book 1 and book 2 was equally amazing and I truly feel I had a soft spot for Zeke despite all the mean and rude things he did throughout the story!
Get yours and dive in!!! Love love loved it!
4 Stars
"Best Read of 2017! A one click must for any lover of hot, sexy romance done RIGHT ! [This] story is the quintessential slow burn effect...Zeke will come to own your body and soul--I am OBSESSED with this series and The Failing Hours has just shot to my 'Best of All Time' list. Be prepared to fall in love with a douche bag and the woman who sets him straight. " - Books and Boys Book Blog
“That was EVERYTHING I expected, wanted, dreamed of. . . this is a MUST FREAKING READ. UNFORGETTABLE goodness. NA romance at it's best.” - Angie’s Dreamy Reads
"Sara Ney has delivered a sexy, jerkwad douchebag with soul-deep feelings and the sweet, kind, unassuming girl to reach his hidden heart in one of the best NA romantic comedies I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Ney's impeccable writing, fresh characters, and feel-good story will stick with you forever." - Bestselling Author Staci Hart
"I took so much pleasure in Zeke’s looming destruction (insert evil laugh)...." - The Reading Belles
The clock on the wall counts the seconds, steady as the rhythm of my beating heart, which thumps wildly within my chest until the glass door to the library opens, propelled by a gust of wind.
Some new fallen leaves flutter in, the heavy doors slamming from the draft.
Along with them? Zeke Daniels.
He shuffles in, dark gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips, black Iowa Wrestling hoodie pulled up over his head, the university’s bright yellow mascot screen-printed across the chest. Backpack slung over one shoulder, black athletic flip-flops, and a pair of black sunglasses perched on the bridge of his strong nose complete the overall ensemble.
He is utterly…ridiculous.
Unapproachable.
Daunting.
His arrogance knows no bounds; I can see it in his loose gait, the exaggerated swagger, and the too-casual way he’s dragging his flip-flops across the cold, marble tile floor. It’s noisy, irritating, and completely uncalled for.
In the moment, my mind drifts to his personal life, and I theorize that he listens to heavy metal music to sooth his foul temperament, drinks his coffee black—as black as his soul—and his liquor straight up. I imagine once he’s had sex with someone, they’re never invited back. I go one step further and theorize that they’re never invited to spend the night at his place, either.
Zeke Daniels makes his way to a table at the far end of the room, near the periodicals, one out of the way with plenty of privacy.
Sets his bag down in one of the four wooden chairs. Flicks on the small study lamp. Plugs his laptop cord into the base and stands.
Turns.
Our eyes would have met then were it not for those ludicrous sunglasses. I choose the exact moment he lifts his gaze to look down at the ground. Busy myself with shuffling papers on the counter. Count to ten instead of chanting, Please don’t come over, please don’t come over, please don’t come over…
But luck isn’t on my side because he most decidedly does.
Makes his way over like a predator at a pace so deliberate, I’m convinced he’s doing it on purpose. As if he suspects I’m watching from under my long lashes, dreading his imminent arrival.
He basks in my discomfort.
The distance between us closes, his strides purposeful.
Twenty feet.
Fifteen.
Ten.
Eight.
Three.
His large hand reaches up, pushing down the hood of his sweatshirt, his fingertips pinching the earpiece of his sunglasses and pulling them off his face. My eyes follow the movements as he folds them closed, hanging them on the neckline of his hoodie.
His gaze lingers—those clear gray eyes famous around campus—and finds the shiny silver bellhop bell perched on the counter with the sign next to it that reads, Ring for help.
Ding.
The tip of his forefinger presses down on the small bell.
Ding.
He hits it again, despite me standing not three feet in front of him.
What an ass.
Purveyor of all things witty & romantic, I love: iced latte's, traveling, and bright, bold colors. On any given day, you can find me in my office, lovingly gazing at my bookshelf or shuffling my Bic felt-tip pen collection. I love hand writing letters, and sarcasm.
I live in the midwest, but "Will Write for Travel," and believe everyone should follow their dreams, no matter how big or small. My favorite authors include Cindy Miles, S Walden, Suzanne Enoch, Tessa Dare (to name a few). I am a glutton for Historical, RomCom, Sports and MC romance.
One husband. Two daughters. Plenty of chaos.
