The Pick-Up by Nikki Ash

“I want the happily-ever-after. There’s no Disney book where the mom gets knocked-up from a one-night stand and raises a baby alone.”

This is my first book to ever read by Nikki Ash and I was excited to read this new author that I have run into. I will write some spoilers below, just giving you guys a little heads up. I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. So here we go!

Here is the synopsis of the book:

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Somebody once said we don’t decide who we love. The world decides for us. But I disagree.

I believe love is a decision. Who we love, how we love. It’s in our control - in our hands.

I grew up having no clue about the true meaning of love. Money. Cars. Houses. Status. Fame. That’s what love means to the people around me.

It wasn’t until the woman I picked up in a bar came back into my life and showed me love can be so much more.

So, what’s the problem?

The woman I’m falling in love with believes in fairytales. She compares everything to a storybook and wants the happily-ever-after.

So while she’s stuck on recreating stories that have already been told, page by page, I’m showing her it’s time we write our own book.

Nobody ever said the journey of falling in love would be easy, just that it would be worth it. 

❈

I did not enjoy this book. It was a fast pace book that it caused me to get winded. There was so much going on with no consequences. The relationship between Nick and Celeste wasn't really expressed as it should, in my opinion. They both make a pact to each other to marry when they reach the age of thirty if Nick doesn't marry someone he loves...what? Nick started off as a decent guy, but gets cheated on and dumped by two girlfriends before and after he enters the draft. So, he becomes a complete manwhore for a year. He's so bad that the coach of the team he gets signed to tells him he can't be whoring around anymore because it looks bad.

During that same year he meets Olivia, and they have a one-night stand. Olivia leaves, and Nick gets pissed because he thought they had a connection. While in Paris, Olivia finds out she is pregnant by 'Cale', as he introduced himself to be. She has no story of who he is, the only thing she knows is that he play professionally. She searches for him but doesn't locate him.

After his night with Olivia, Nick and the friend decide to get engaged and have a MoC. Nick doesn't sleep with anyone else after Olivia, however he and the friend try to have sex and it doesn't work out. He still gets the friend of,, though. Because that's important.


(Spoiler) Fast forward nine months, Olivia finds Nick, confronts him, ends up being Nick's coaches daughter, her water breaks. BOOM! All within the first 100 pages it seems.

(Spoiler) Nick is a colossal asshole to her, accusing her of wanting money and saying he doesn't want to be a dad and will sign away his rights. Olivia is cold to him, but keeps thinking about how hot he is. Nick changes his mind and files for joint custody.

I remember putting my phone down for a bit to get away from the book. Everything was happening too fast and I didn't care about continuing reading after the scene of joint custody. It didn't matter to me but I pushed myself to continue reading.

Rating:  ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book as a must read but it is a good book to read in between breaks. It does have the tropes that short stories have and the unexpected pregnancy trope, as well. I wished for more detail and stronger characters than the ones that were presented. Nick was a weak hero and Olivia was just...meh. If you decide to read this book, hopefully you'll enjoy much more than me.

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