Title: Mr. Wrong Number

By: Lynn Painter

ISBN: 9780593437261

Twitter: LAPainter

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall…or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a What are you wearing? text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining–albeit anonymous–relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing….

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks–and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy. (Goodreads)

Review:

Mr. Wrong Number is a delightful rom-com by Lynn Painter. I laughed, I was sad, I could relate and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that Ms. Painter took me on with Mr. Wrong Number. Will I seek out other titles by this author – absolutely!

“The layoff. The cheating. The breakup. The fire.”

The story begins with Olivia Marshall, ruminating about having burnt down her apartment building in Chicago (and all the events that led up to this event).  To clarify – it was because her ex broke up with her and she went outside to burn his love letters she had received from him previously. Olivia was being responsible by burning the letters in a barrel. But due to her propensity for back luck and a series of unfortunate events – the building burnt down! So really – wasn’t the fire his fault? Regardless, the fire has left Olivia homeless. She was also jobless – so off back to Omaha, where she sits in the condo her brother lives in, feeling sorry for herself. And who does Jack live with? His life long best friend – Colin Beck, the all too perfectly handsome, gainfully employed, successful Colin! And “Liv” did not know that Jack and Colin were roommates. Oh boy… you can just see where this might go. Especially since for a brief moment in high school – Liv had a crush on Colin, until at the tender age of fifteen she overheard Colin telling Jack that she was a little weirdo. Needless to say – they each had a shock. 

As Olivia is starting to rebuild her life, she is busy trying to get a job and to build up her shattered self esteem. And then it happens – she gets a text and a bit of bantering back and forth ensues – certainly caught my attention ☺: 

Wrong Number: “So tell me exactly what you’re wearing.”

Me: “Your mom’s wedding dress and her favorite thong.”

Wrong Number: “Um, what?”

Me: “Seriously, babe, I thought you’d think it’s hot.”

Wrong Number: “Baby”? Wtf?

Me: “Would you prefer something less mommish?”

Wong Number: “Oh, no-it sounds totally hot. You cool with me rocking cargo shorts, socks with sandals, and your dad’s jockstrap?”

There is more to this initial text conversation, which left me chuckling!  And so an anonymous relationship was born.  It certainly seems that two individuals can be freer with each other when it is anonymous. Good for the short term but will their curiosity get the better of them? And what will happen when (or if) they meet?

Olivia’s luck ran hot and cold. Interviews, job offers, a job, and then no job. And around and around it went. Luckily, for the most part – she had Wrong Number to chat with. It was a great relationship, until it wasn’t. I won’t go into details as the journey is entertaining and must be enjoyed by each reader!  Living with Colin was difficult for Olivia because at times he showed his “nice” side and this tended to confuse Olivia. I loved their journey as well as the journey between Wrong Number and Miss Misdial.

One solid piece of advice I gleaned from this story was that one must not judge a book by its cover. Olivia seemed like a hot mess but when Colin examined her actions – he finally understood Olivia. When that light bulb came on for Colin – I was very happy. 

Will Liv’s family let her be the wonderful gal that she can be or will they forever see her as the hot mess from high school? Will Colin stop “placing” his foot in his mouth? The path to a happily ever after (HEA) was convoluted with many twists and turns, laughter and tears and some mighty hot sex and of course – many hours of interesting texts! 

If you enjoy RomCom’s, very relatable characters, the perfect amount of sexy and hot and getting swept away by some mighty fine writing, then I anticipate you will enjoy Mr. Wrong Number as much as I did. Thank you to the author, Lynn Painter, for this delightful romantic comedy!