62. 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

read the book from the library
2019 William Morrow paperback
368 pgs. (349 in the actual story, plust later, a 10-page epilogue)
Adult romance (Sizzle factor:  (1.5/4)
Finished 7/12/19
Goodreads rating: 3.50 - 19,540 ratings
My rating:  3
Setting: contemporary anywhere (probably Australia, since the author is from there)

First line/s:  "Nobody taught me this when I first started as a bartender, but luckily I was a quick learner:  When a group of men are walking in, you should work out which one is the alpha."

My comments:  Meh.  I didn't read Thorne's first book, which got rave reviews.  I hope it made more sense than this one did.  The relationship between the two protagonists is ... stupid?  impossible to understand?  And Darcy's personality is all over the place.  Some parts I liked, and I read until the end because I wanted to see how the electricity between the two would finally zap. Then I wanted to see what would happen when Jamie finally appeared, and what would bring him running. Certainly nothing noteworthy.  But definitely fun in places, so not a total waste of time...

Goodreads synopsis: Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…
          Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.
          When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.
          Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.