Not Quite Dating

Written by Catherine Bybee

Narrated by Amy McFadden

From New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the first novel in the delicious Not Quite series.

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Nov 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469251097

Catherine Bybee

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written twenty-eight books that have collectively sold more than 5.5 million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.

Reviews for Not Quite Dating

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

NOT QUITE DATING was an excellent romance. Jack Morrison is tired of having women throw themselves at him because he is a millionaire and the heir to the Morrison hotel chain. When he meets Jessie Mann in a Denny's after a weekend bachelor party with some of his best friends, he falls in love with her honesty even though she is quick to shoot down a guy she sees as a dreamer and drifter.Jessie has all she can do to support herself and her son Danny. She doesn't have time for a relationship at all. If she did, she would be looking for a rich guy who could ease some of the load she is carrying. Jack wants to be loved for himself. So he decides to lie to Jessie and let her believe that he is just a temporary waiter who might be moving on. Jessie does fall for Jack's kindness both to herself and to her son but she isn't going to let herself love a dreamer who will leave her like her high school boyfriend did when he found out she was pregnant and like another boyfriend did who took a month's rent when he left. She tries to date another guy but realizes it won't work when she spends the date comparing him to Jack (and finding him lacking) and then the date caps off the evening by assuming that she is willing to trade sex for dinner. When Jack proposes after their first night together, Jessie refuses. She tells him that she is afraid that she and Danny will hold him back from following his dreams and that he will come to regret their relationships. All he hears is the "no" and storms off leaving both of them heartbroken. It takes his sister and hers working behind the scenes to get them to see each other again.Things get even worse between the two of them when she finds out that he has been lying to her. Even worse, she thinks he is planning to marry another woman. It takes a lot of fast-talking and Texas charm to convince Jessie that Jack wants her forever. I'm not really sure that saying he loves her "more than roaches love sticky buns" would work as well for me as it did for Jessie but it worked for her. I recommend this romance for its well-written characters and strong emotions.

[junco1312 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Series/Trilogies and my first read of Catherine Bybee. I love book 1, Not Quite Dating and I'm looking forward to book 2. I also love the sense of family and how important it is to each charterer.

[texasbooklover7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 Cute quick read!

[mullgirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On the whole, I liked it. Good character development for her, somewhat so for him and you get a feel for how difficult her life has been. Maybe I need to believe more in that elusive "walks into the room and click" feeling that makes a guy lose his rationality to pursue a total stranger... If you don't do those kinds of stories, you won't like this one. If you can get past that, the author does a great job of developing their friendship so that when they get to the will you part, you're in.

[tanat-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

Not Quite Dating is a contempory romance novel, Catherine Bybee’s writing is easy to read and the story flows seamlessly, it is some wonderful writing. I really liked all the characters involved in this story and felt like you really got to know everyone and of course want the best for them. I always think highly of authors who can make you laugh out loud and get so involved in the story that you cannot put this book down till you reach the end.

Jessie is a single mom that works hard to make sure she can give her son and younger sister everything they need. Life has been a struggle to make ends meet and Jessie works very hard to supply her family with the basic needs of life.

Jack who is a very rich man is tired of woman only wanting him for his money. Out celebrating with his friends they end up stopping by Jessie’s workplace and he makes it appears that he may just be some cowboy. He befriends Jessie and doesn’t tell her anything about his life and tries to get Jessie out on a date. Of course Jessie informs him she is looking for more in a man and doesn’t think he is her type.
His whole plan backfires, now he finds himself helping Jessie find a stable, well off man, the friendship and feelings that develop between these two is actually sweet and makes you laugh at the situation Jack has put himself in.

Lies, betrayal and romance, Not Quite Dating is a great read, I enjoyed Jessie and Jack’s story, I really enjoyed Catherine Bybee writing and cannot wait to read more from her and hopefully all the other characters in this novel will get their own stories.

I have rated Not Quite Dating a 4 star rating, and recommend this to anyone who enjoys romance novels this one is worth it.