Romancing the Complicated Girl

By: Angie Pepper

Narrated by: Tiffany Williams

Megan “Meenie” Gardenia rubs people the wrong way. She claims it’s just her sense of humor. People can’t take a joke!

Megan attends a weekly support group, but not because she has any type of problem. Oh, no. She only goes to meetings to unload her baked goods and tell other people how to smarten up and fix their lives.

Now, there’s a new guy coming to the group. He says he doesn’t have problems, either. But he keeps showing up. And everyone is starting to notice the sparks that are flying between Megan and the new guy.

What will Megan do to make a perfect, problem-free man fall madly in love with her? Wrong question. It’s more like what won’t she do.

There are plenty of LOLs and bittersweet moments to enjoy on Megan Gardenia’s bumpy journey toward love.

From USA Today best-selling author Angela Pepper, writing under her romance name Angie Pepper.

Note: This is an expanded and updated full-length novel based on a story originally published in 2014 as Complicated Girl under the pen name Mimi Strong.

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Megan Gardenia was about to ruin yet another potential romance in record time.

The timer started when she walked into Sweet Caroline Antiques, located up the street from the flower shop where Megan and her sister worked.

Megan hadn’t been looking for a date. She’d only gone in to see if they had any special vases. Sometimes Megan’s flower shop customers turned their noses up at the inexpensive vases that Gardenia Flowers carried.
That was when Megan first met Duncan, the young man who introduced himself as the owner of the shop.

He didn’t have any vases under a thousand dollars, but he did have a question.

“Is that Delilah’s place any good?”
Megan replied, “Who wants to know?”

In her own head, Megan was funny and sassy, like a heroine in a rom-com movie. Other people - boring people - felt that Megan’s approach to introductions could use some refining. Maybe she shouldn’t spit on her palm before shaking hands with people. Maybe folks needed some time to warm up to her particular sense of humor.

Duncan didn’t flinch.

Megan liked that about the guy. She took another look at him as a potential partner for fun and games. Duncan had long hair. Duncan wore a goatee. Duncan was short. Those were three strikes against him, but he did have nice eyes.

“I’m the one who’s asking,” Duncan said casually. “Do you know the local neighborhood or not?”

He was issuing her a challenge. She liked that. This guy had some nitro in his fuel line.

“I know everything and everyone,” she said. “I’m friends with Luca Lowell, the owner of Ralph’s Garage.”

“Am I supposed to know who that is?”

“He’s kind of a big deal, Duncan. Try to keep up.” She walked over to the antique store’s door and checked the posted hours. “You’re closed now,” she said.

“I’m trying to close up shop, but a cute girl came in to flirt with me and waste my time asking about vases.”

A tingle went up Megan’s spine. She liked the attitude on this guy.

“Well, you’re closed now,” Megan said. “And you’re hungry, because who isn’t starving after a long day of not yelling at customers?” She looked him over again and nodded. “Okay. Yes.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll let you buy me dinner at Delilah’s."

©2021 Angie Pepper (P)2021 Angie Pepper

A Treasure of Therapy, Toothaches and Trysts

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Although this is the second book in the clean romantic comedy series, this story stands on its own and does not require having read the first one in order to enjoy it. If you have read the first one then you will be happy to hear that Teenie and Luca do make a few appearances.

This book is about Megan "Meanie" Gardenia. She is abrasive, anti-social, sarcastic and judgmental. Everyone else has a problem. She's perfect just the way she is. (sarcasm noted) It's interesting to approach a romantic comedy from the POV of a quick-witted but damaged. Fortunately she bakes so at least her group therapy group puts up with it.

In comes the dashing dentist Drew and they're at each others throats (both metaphorically and literally) They have their back and forth, their ups and downs, clashes and romance. It's a whirlwind.

This is a hilarious character study with a few twists thrown in as we get to know both characters and why they present themselves the way they do. Angie Pepper is always a pleasure to read and Tiffany Williams is always a pleasure to listen to. She voices the ever expanding cast and brings them to life. Her performance is an audible delight.

I enjoyed this story and look forward to further romances in this neighborhood. Especially one for the shy roommate. *hint hint*

Love it!

Just ask cute and funny as the first on the series. Only difference, Megan has so many more problems than her sister did! Can't wait for more from this author, the writing is excellent.

Tiffany Williams does a wonderful job with her narration. Loved every second listening to her.

I received a free copy of this audible and I'm thrilled to be able to provide my review.

So Much Fun

This was a very fun book. I have to admit I laughed out loud and cringed more then once at something Meghan would say. Overall a fun light read and exactly what I was looking for at the moment.

My least favourite in the series...

I like Angie Pepper's romances - they are usually funny, warm stories with characters you like from page one. And as far as the general story goes, it's also true about this one, except one thing - I really didn't like Megan...

The Publisher's summary starts with 'Megan “Meenie” Gardenia rubs people the wrong way. She claims it’s just her sense of humor. People can’t take a joke!' - and that's exactly what Megan does, rubs people the wrong way. She says she is straightforward and always tells the truth about people (mostly unpleasant, as it happens) because that's the right thing to do, and if they can't take it, it's their problem. BUT in my opinion you can be straightforwad and empathetic at the same time. Megan isn't - and that's why I couldn't really warm up to her... And as a reader I really, really need to like my heroes and heroines, especially in romances...

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book in general, the plot is fast and has that humorous touch of all the other books by Angie Pepper, but because Megan is so mean as a character it was hard for me to believe in the growing love between her and Drew. Even the eventual change in her character was not really convincing and just didn't work so well - for me...

But don't let that stop you from reading the book; it really is an entertaining, plotwise concise and emotional story with a lot of pretty well-written background characters you'll love. And you should definitely continue with the series, as the other books will give you lots of fun (I know that for sure - I've binge listened to books 2, 3 and 4 this week:)).

Narration by Ms Williams is fantastic; she reads at the right pace and gives characters life with her voice. She gives all the books in the series great interpretations.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Romancing the Complicated Girl

Megan sure is a complicated girl and it takes the perfect guy to understand and except this. Luckily she found hers and we are all able to see the love grow in this book. I have enjoyed this book as well as Romance the Flower Shop Girl and am hopeful there will be more in the future.

Entertaining

Book 2 involves Megan “Meenie”, the other owner of the local flower shop, and her antics in the dating world. Sarcastic satire and a strong chemistry between Megan and Drew make for an interesting and entertaining story. I smiled and chuckled throughout listening to the story. Definitely would recommend this series. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

good listen

This was a good listen even though I really didn't care for the main character. The narration was excellent.
I was given this free audiobook copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Complicated indeed

The reason l gave a five star review is: yes this girl was mean, unpleasant and someone hard to be around when you first meet but as you will see that is part of the plot . l would say this story is well written to pull this variety of emotions from you as it progresses. I enjoyed the narrators voice, she can really express a situation.

You can change your attitude for the better

The beginning of this book is full of sarcasm, some of which is mean. Meghan uses it to protect herself and has the nickname of Meanie as a result. Meeting Drew helped her change for the better but that change was a challenge.

Great Read

Romancing the Complicated Girl: A Sweet Romantic Comedy was a good read by Angie Pepper. Megan "Meenie" Gardenia has a way of rubbing people the wrong way. She attends a weekly support group but claims that it's to unload her baked goods and fix others lives. There's a new guy at the group, that claims he doesn't have a problem either but he keeps showing up anyways. Everyone except Megan and the new guy notice the sparks that are flying between them. I really enjoyed this book and the comedy aspects of it. I can't wait to read more by the author.