Honest Review of Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
I’m a big fan of Lynn Painter, but I had some thoughts about this book. Don’t get me wrong–I will continue with her other books (like her newest release!), but this is one that I just can’t recommend to others. Read my full thoughts on why that is below.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:
“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.”
Full Book Review Without Spoilers
For full disclosure, I am a fan of romance books and a big fan of Lynn Painter’s books (both YA and adult romance), but this book just wasn’t it for me. Admittedly, this does include a trope I don’t particularly like, and I read it after her other books. Painter is a great writer and the plot is interesting, but these two and their relationship fell short this time.
Coming off of Maid for Each Other and Accidently Amy, this book felt too similar to those but worse. The MMC is a rich, success man who runs into the messy, but fun FMC who’s life is in shambles, and they make it work. Not only did it seem redundant, the dynamic between Olivia and Colin just didn’t work like the couples in the other books.
While I do enjoy an enemies to lovers book, this is one of those books that you end thinking there’s no way these two people would stay together. While the banter between the two was my favorite part of the book, there wasn’t anything deeper to make me feel committed to the relationship. It felt very surface level, and the train wreck FMC really doesn’t seem compatible with this particular MMC.
Again, I don’t love reading the wealthy MMC trope especially when it’s mixed with complete opposites in personality as well. It felt way too unrealistic, which is saying a lot coming from me, an avid reader of romantic comedy and even fantasy romance.
What I did like about the book was that the set up of the plot, a thrilling anonymous relationship and a mistaken text message, is what made me pick up the book and pulled me in at first. Painter has a lot of good ideas, and really knows how to channel the classic 90s and early 2000s rom-coms. And on top of that, the banter between the two was the best part of the book.
All that being said, Painter knows how to write a hilarious rom-com, and you should still read her other books. I know I will!
Characters
This is probably my least favorite couple that Painter has written. I couldn’t get attached to either character or their relationship together because none of it felt deep or real. Maybe I’m just not a good audience for these characters, but I didn’t even get excited when they got together.
Plot
This plot felt super similar to a few others of Painter’s books, so it didn’t really feel exciting or fun to read. A little predictable and a little shallow, the plot did not pull me in like her other books.
Writing
While I am a fan of Lynn Painter’s writing, the writing of this story didn’t feel as satisfying as her other books. The characters didn’t feel as deep and the story felt a little too forced. And the steamy scenes did not really add to the plot of the book at all.
Full Book Review With Spoilers
You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them.
I’m not a fan of either Olivia or Colin, or them together as a couple. I never got the feeling that they actually made a deep connection, and I fully believe if the book was real that they would break up at some point. The connection was purely physical, which even that felt too forced.
For full disclosure I’m not a huge fan of billionaire MMC tropes as it is, but Colin also had no personality. You’re supposed to see that the billionaire/rich guy actually has a great heart, an awesome sense of humor, or is a huge green flag under the grumpiness, but none of that happens with Colin. I still feel like I know nothing about him after reading the book.
Olivia feels like a worse version of some of Painter’s other FMC. Her life is supposed to be funny to the reader, but I didn’t find that to be true in a believable way.
I just didn’t get enough substance from their story at all. I need to feel involved or at least caught up in the romance to really enjoy these types of books, and I just didn’t this time. 100% this couple wouldn’t work in real life, sorry.
Pros of the Book
The best part of the book is by far the banter between Olivia and Colin. This is something that Lynn Painter just does so well in all of her books, and something that pulled me in even though this couple wasn’t my favorite.
Cons of the Book
The biggest con of the book was that I didn’t like the relationship between Olivia and Colin as each main character was just too different. Even having the dual POV didn’t convince me that these two who actually end up in a relationship that’s going to last.
Conclusion
Overall, I would skip this book even if you are a fan of Painter’s other books. It just doesn’t measure up to the other ones and even feels repetitive if you’ve read all the other ones. There are definitely books out there to read first.
You can find the book here.
Rating- 3 out of 5 stars
I did finish the book, and enjoy pieces of it, but it wasn’t that great to me. It’s like watching a romantic comedy movie that’s good but not memorable. However, I will still continue to read Painter’s books and recommend other ones.
Here’s how I rate all my books: My Rating System
Who Would Enjoy Reading?
If you’re a romance reader that really enjoys the wealthy MMC, forced roommates or brother’s best friend tropes, this may be a great choice for you. Overall, it’s not a bad romance, just not a great one when there’s so many better ones out there.
What to Read After Mr. Wrong Number
If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below. These all have similar vibes, but I liked them better.
Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
This is also a billionaire MMC form Painter, but better story. Read this one next!
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
If you really liked the brother’s best friend or finally seeing someone you’ve know your whole life, give this one a try. It is the fourth in the series, but the whole series is really good!! So it’s worth it.
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
This one is a little different but similar vibes. This is the best pick if you loved the dynamic of both of them not looking for love or a serious relationship.
