Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon

Standalone, part of a series

“If you’re intent on a label, you can call us enemies with benefits.”

I’m a big fan of Amy Daws and have enjoyed every book of hers I’ve read. After Last on the List and Nine Month Contract, I couldn’t wait to listen to Seven Year Itch. This enemies-to-lovers romance was fun, spicy, and full of tension.

When I say enemies-to-lovers, I mean it. They hate each other, and unfortunately, that hate was a little too much for me, especially his constant calling her a ‘Karen,’ and their fighting and dislike for each other made it hard to like either one of them at first.

Dakota and Calder have hated each other for 7 years, since he remodeled her house and she was a “Karen” and he ruined her house and her wedding dress the day before her wedding. Since her best friend is marrying his brother, they have to interact occasionally, and it’s never good.

Calder is also a member of a private sex club, and when he sees Dakota there, he is curious and intrigued at what the newly divorced woman is doing there, and inexplicably doesn’t like that she is doing it with others, despite his hatred for her.

When they both attend the destination wedding of his brother and her best friend, the two enemies are forced to share a room (his niece, Everly’s matchmaking at work). They may hate each other, but there is a definite attraction there as well. Plus they both know the other is kinky (or curious).

Likes:

Calder’s cat-daddy moments.
Having a mid-30s divorcee with self-esteem issues.
Everly’s matchmaking interference.
Cameos from past characters.
A sexy, mountain-man handyman who knows what he’s doing—on and off the job.
The Tinder profile scenes made me laugh out loud.
Great personal growth for both main characters.

Dislikes:

The hate and immaturity dragged on too long.
The repeated “Karen” name-calling didn’t work for me.
A few cringey moments.
Too much focus on the sex club, not enough on their emotional connection.
The third act drama didn’t land.
I wish we had more build-up over multiple books before jumping into their story.

The Narration:

Erin Mallon is my go-to for romantic comedy narration, and she delivered again here. Teddy Hamilton is always a win, too. Their voices made the story so much more enjoyable, and I highly recommend listening this duet narration.

The Down & Dirty:

Watching a mid-size, divorced heroine rebuild her confidence in the middle of a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance? I’m all in. While Seven Year Itch wasn’t my favorite of the Fletcher brothers’ books, I still liked it and definitely recommend it. The hatred between Dakota and Calder was a bit much for me at times, but the personal growth and second-chance arc made up for it. I loved seeing a relatable, midsize heroine come into her own, and it was great catching up with past characters. I’ll absolutely continue reading this series.