The Studying Hours: How to Date a Douchebag

I chose this book as part of a read-a-thon I was participating in. One of the challenges was to read a “hyped” contemporary novel. With all the buzz this series gets in my bookish circles, The Studying Hours fit that criterion for me. This book has been on my TBR for quite some time, and I was excited to read it.Unfortunately, this excitement was short lived. By 10%, I was ready to DNF this book, mostly due to a completely unlikeable male lead. Yes, I knew he would be somewhat of a jerk based on the title of the book, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the active loathing I had for Sebastian “Oz” Osbourne.I wasn’t expecting much beyond the typical college sports romance, and I was OK with that. I read and very much enjoy those. However, this story was just…not good. Besides the clear need for another pass by an editor, the characters are underdeveloped and unlikeable, and there is only the barest hint of a plot throughout this book.Let’s talk about Oz. I didn’t like him. At all. For a guy majoring in HR, he sure needed his own lesson in sexual harassment. I have no qualms with an aggressive alpha male, but Oz was just pushy and pervy and terribly unsexy. His “Don’t You Know Who I Am?” routine became tiresome, and he had NO attributes beyond sports and sex. We know almost nothing about him.Then there’s James. Besides having a quirky name for a girl and a particular style of dress, she is a blank; a void. We know NOTHING about her. Moreover, what little we do learn, we learn much too late to actually become invested in her as a character. (And it’s only one paragraph worth of information, so you’re not missing much) She’s pretty much there as a vehicle for Oz’s machinations and to be a receptacle for the obligatory sex scenes this genre demands.Additionally, I must mention the one POC character in this novel. He’s given one paragraph, and if I’m being honest, it’s clearly thrown in there as an afterthought, a “token” character. His (very) limited dialogue is nothing short of stereotypical, and when I listened to the audio, was downright offensive. The narrator performed this dialogue as if he were auditioning for a “Boyz In The Hood” remake, and it really didn’t sit well with me.The side characters were pretty much a parade of jerks and bigger jerks, and I have no interest in following any of the antics of the students at this school. Do we even know the name of the school? I finished this book only a few hours ago, and I have no idea.The narration was also a bit of a disappointment to me. While the Muffy Newtown did a fine job, I struggled with Josh Goodman’s performance. His “female” voice didn’t differ much from his male voice, so I had a hard time knowing who was speaking at times. The same holds true for Oz’s inner dialogue. I couldn’t always tell when things were spoken out loud and when they were part of his internal thoughts.Overall, this book was disappointing to me on many different levels. Which honestly bummed me out, because I was really looking forward to reading this series. Sadly, it turned out to be cringe-y, super trope-y, problematic, and at times, completely offensive. I won’t be continuing with this series.

It's been quite a while since I've read a NA book, and this one was free and claimed to be funny (the free part was true at least). I read about 30% and this happened: after James repeatedly tells Sebastian she's not interested, he scams his way onto her spring break trip and insists on sharing her hotel room. After that I said nope skimmed some of the rest.Sebastian is majoring in human resources because his older sister was sexually harassed at work, yet he clearly doesn't understand harassment. Other than being good-looking, he doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. James was better, but I can't with women who seem normal but turn stupefied when a hot guy is around. Rude? Jerk? Speaks abhorrently about women? Not cool! But he's hot, so...

I finally finished this book ya’ll! I tried before and DNFed it, but something in me wanted to see if I misjudged it too early. While I can’t say it’s going to be a favorite or the best romance I’ve ever read, it was okay. I'm been going back and forth between 2 or 3 stars. I'm going with 2 because of Sebastian's behavior and the weird dream scenes.I’m so all over the place on how I feel about Sebastian. Sometimes he made me think that he a decent guy, but then he would always mess it up with a comment or looking at other girls. Also, if you are into safe romance, then don't look at this one. So the big question is did he win me over? Meh, he’s alright. Same about Jameson. She was just alright. Honestly, I probably would’ve just left Sebastian and his sexual innuendos alone a long time ago.So, what did I like? I think that they did have a friendship first before they gave into any sort of relationship. They had so much sexual tension that it was steaming up my kindle. This is a book where I was shouting for them to just have sex already. I liked how Sebastian turned out in the end.All in all, it wasn’t terrible. It was just okay and I hope it’s one of those series where it gets better as it goes on.

This was such an interesting book to read and I'm very happy that I I found it. I chose this book to read as I'm looking forward to meeting the author next year during a signing so thought I would read some more of her material and found this series. Sebastian "Oz" Osbourn is a major wrestling champion who can get anyone he wants, whenever he wants and he doesn't even have to lift a finger. Him and his buddies are at the library one night and his best mate Zeke makes a bet with him to see if he can get a nerdy librarian type girl to kiss him. This is where we meet Jameson aka James and yes that's her real name. She's so used to having guys mistake her for a tutor she gives Sebastian a piece of her mind, talking back to him with her quick wit and telling him to move along (as technically she doesn't know who he is) which completely shocks Sebastian. He's never met someone quite as intellectual and mysterious as Jameson, which results in him hanging out with her constantly trying to get inside her head and becoming her friend, much to the displeasure of Jameson as she believes Sebastian is just another dumb jock who can't have what he wants and that's why he's annoying her constantly.But Sebastian does all that he can to break down Jameson's walls and embedding himself in her heart and life. Making them quite The unlikely couple of the hour but their explosive chemistry doesn't take them long to get together and form a bond. Sebastian is a super sexy wrestling machine Who is one of the guys but is totally serious about his future career and taking care of business. Jameson is a an intelligent cardian wearing female / sexy librarian type who is witty as hell and gives as good as she gets. She'll show people that she's not what they think her to be and that she goes against the grain in social standing.I really enjoyed this book a point I could not stop laughing or chuckling to myself and it was really interesting I can't wait to read Zeke's book because seriously he needs a girl to sort him out.

Blimey, what can i say except I LOVED IT.I really don't read sports romance - or college come to think of it as quite often I find the characters too immature for my taste, but what a delight this one turned out to be!!So this is the story of Oz (Sebastian) & James (Jameson). One is a Grade A college jock & douche. The other is the quintessential nerd/non nerd. Honestly I know it was a walking cliche, but I loved every minute of it. Sara's writing was so on point that the humor & feels just flowed from the pages, bringing this pair to life in the most fab ways. I'm in the minority I think because truly I really do love a douchebag lol & Oz delivered on every level. He was cocky, arrogant, over confident, sexually driven yet also smart, funny as hell & quite a cute little charmer when he wants to be. I loved LOVED how Sara wrote his POV & I'm pleased she delivered him in all his flaws as it truly did make him exactly who he was meant to be. As for James, well this girl was amhaazing. I loved her massively as a heroine. Her take no nonsense attitude & dry as sticks humor was such a win for me.Together they gave me a funny, quirky & ok probably predictable story of cat & mouse, but let me tell you this - the chase was oh so good. Their banter was epic, I've not laughed so hard at a book in ages & this one, well it was packed with all dem funnies that make we lol way to loud in public. It was a slow delightful burn, with minimal fuss & drama which a refreshing change of pace.Still smiling now & I cant wait to read more from this new to me author!

Yay, high fives to the cardigan wearing nerd of a girl who gets herself the school hottie.The first book in a series and my first book by Sara Ney.I loved it!.How to date a douchebag is a light read, witty, full of sexual inuendo's with great characters.In a college setting James short for Jameson first meets Sebastian Osborne also known as Oz in the library.As James sits with her nose in her books wearing her glasses, cardigan and pearl necklace she's the steriotypical nerd girl so caught up in her work unaware the table of douchebags are daring one of their friends Oz as a bet he can't get her to kiss him.Oz, a school star athlete, tattood, cocky, has girls throwing themselves at him takes the bet and immediately I'm thinking this scenario isn't one I haven't read before, boy fools girl into falling for him then she finds out she was a bet, blah blah blah BUT it wasn't that at all and I was so pleased the plot didn't go that way.Oz is completely up front with James and nerd girl turns out not so nerdy after all. James is sassy, smart, witty and even manages to hustle Oz into going halves on the bet.Oz, for once faces rejection this girl isnt fooled by his advances and doesen't even know who he is and it's a first for this cocky douchebag.How to date a douchebag is a friends to lovers slow burn romance, a flirty friendship blossoms but Oz never gives up trying to get in James panties, it's refreshing, full of banter and witty comebacks, I loved the characters and there's fan me down hot moments too.A great start to a series and I can't wait to read more.Told in first person dual pov and leads to a hea.

I’ve been dying to read this book for ages and finally bought it and read it. It was worth the wait! I ADORED it!“Never judge a girl by her cardigan.”Jameson ‘James’ Clark dresses like a sexy librarian, with her array of cardigans and her pearl necklace. She’s classy and virginal-looking. However, there’s more to her than meets the eye. She really doesn’t want anything to do with the arrogant jerk who wants to kiss her for a bet.“He’s not my type…He’s everything I don’t want. And yet…Somehow he is.”Sebastian ‘Oz’ Osborne is something of a celebrity. He’s a champion wrestler and champion manwhore. He’s crude, rude, and arrogant. No woman ever says no to him. Until James.One sizzling kiss is all it takes for the chase to be on.God! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters were witty and smart-mouthed. There was a tonne of chemistry between them, and I loved how hard Oz worked for James attention.James was adorable, no-nonsense, sarcastic, and didn’t stand on ceremony with anyone, least of all Oz. Oz was foul-mouthed, direct, and competitive! He was totally a douchebag! LOL However, his constant efforts to win James over, won ME over! I loved how much James turned him on, and how much he obviously wanted her.Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable and recommended!I found Oz’s friend, Zeke, utterly intriguing and I cannot wait for his story, The Failing Hours, due out at the end of the month.

I really loved the start of this book, but I have to give it a lower rater purely because the last 20% didn't hit it for me. Once they got together it was just kind of boring. I kept thinking that another obstacle was going to get in their way to cause some excitement but it didn't. It was as if the author got bored and decided to skim over things instead. Plus we never got to find out why Oz wanted to be in HR, he hinted that his sister had been sexually assaulted by a prior boss but we didn't get to hear about it or even have him tell her. BUT saying all that, I was laughing out loud and loving the rest of the book. The banter between the two characters is hilarious and the sexual tension amazing. I'll probably read the next book too.

“Oz” or Sebastian Osborne is a total Douchebag, he’s a star college wrestler and a total ladies man. He is a walking hormone, sex on the brain 24/seven and he probably gets it being such hot stuff. Jameson Clark or “James” as she is usually known, is working hard to make her grades, spending all of her spare time studying at the library. Dressed in her cardigans and pearl necklace she has the total nerd/librarian look down to a T. Although James has one smart mouth, and is not a prim and proper as she looks. It only takes a bet for these two to start their hilariously funny journey with Oz turning into a lovesick puppy and James trying her best to fend off his blatant sexual advances. A great stream of text messages makes their friendship grow. This is one slow burn romance it’s painful. But hilariously funny throughout. I feel the need to google college wrestlers ;-)

This was such an easy read!It was fun, bubbly and sexy all the way through!I completely fell in love with both Oz and James!!They were both fun and sexy in their own individual ways but then together they were just perfect.James literally seems like your uppity and prim and proper geek girl but underneath those cardigans she’s anything but.In my own personal opinion Oz didn’t seem too much like a douchebag to me. Yeah he had the playboy vibe but I just fell in love with him so quickly that I ended up looking past all the other crap.Both of these had me in stitches the whole way through this book. Along with the little bits in between each chapter!!Just loved this book!

I read a recommendation/ review of this and HAD to read it. It's not without its faults but it reminds me of The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend, something which tries to do something new with the YA/NA genre.I don't know the purpose of the things that preface each chapter, quotes, awful douche-bag chat-up lines - take your pick. I kind of liked them, some were cringe-worthy, some were funny, some made me throw-up a bit in my mouth.This is the classic tale of the hockey player and the girl who looks like the school librarian developing a friendship, despite their differences, learning to see beneath the exterior to the person under the persona.

Loved it! But I must confess I was so surprised there was no sex till late in the book but it didn't bother me and Oz one of those guys I though oh no no but then he was the sweetest thing... the dreams OMG the first one almost killed me lol I was sure it was a dream till I thought it wasn't one I was upset so upset till I wasn't lol great book though I missed a bit of surprise thought there will be some mister about James but still 5 solid stars!

How to date a douchebag was a fun read. I loved the banter between Oz and James. They make absolutely no sense together but at the same time they make so much sense.This was my first time reading Sara Ney and i really enjoyed her writing. I loved that we get a dual pov their always my favourite stories.

This was okay, I have seen so many recommendations for it, but it fell a little bit short for me. The characters we good - Oz was beyond hilarious - but I feel like it was quite surface level with them.

I wasn't sure i was going to enjoy this book as i had read some of the other reviews but I'm so glad i did as it was a great read.This book had everything you want from a college romance, hot jock, plain Jane and spades of funny awkward moments that make you love the characters. I can't wait to start The Failing Hours and find out Zeke's story.

I really like Sara Ney books. They're fun, flirty and easy to read. This one certainly followed the same formula but it just never really got going for me. I kept waiting for the story to explode into life but it never really did. Then it just sort of ended. That said there did seem to be some interesting side characters so I'm sure I'll end up buying the next book as well.

Not very good at reviews but here goes. College campus story. Nerd meets Jock in a library and kiss as part of a bet. Not totally original but the dialogue and descriptions are excellent and realistic. The funny lines are really amusing, unlike some books I have read where you think, is it me? What's so hilarious. Thoroughly recommend for all ages over 17.

Never read Sara Ney before, (am now checking out her other books). The title on this got my attention; read the sample; totally hooked so got the Ebook. Devoured in 2 goes (had to sleep in between) laughed, cringed, cheered, and sighed in equal measure. Reading hours I'm happy to have given up. Now... Where's the next one???