Rhiannon Hunter, a tech genius who started a dating app for the modern woman, has always put her career first, with random, no strings attached hookups to keep her satisfied in other ways. She's risen above the odds as a woman of color in a field dominated by white men, and she's always looking to move forward. And that direction leads Rhi to possibly buying a tried and trusted online dating service that could solidify her place at the top of the matchmaking website and app world. Everything is lining up great until she meets the new face for the website she wants to buy - Samson Lima, former NFL player, charismatic spokesperson, and the guy who totally ghosted her.

To be fair, Samson didn't know Rhi was a potential buyer of his aunt's matchmaking website - she did give him a fake name after all. But he can't deny that their super hot hookup hasn't been in his mind ever since he accidentally stood her up. His family has always been important to him, even more so than his NFL career cut short when he took a stand against a potential teammate's safety. But now that their respective companies are working together before a buyer decision is made, Samson is willing to do whatever he can to prove to Rhi that he's not only a great guy, but she deserves to have a little fun once in a while.

As their professional relationship heats up, their attraction can't be stopped. Samson is able to open up to Rhi in ways he hasn't in years, and Rhi doesn't just love Samson's hot football body, she also loves that he makes her feel safe. But dating in the modern world isn't as easy as swiping right or left, especially when your heart is making the decisions.

THE RIGHT SWIPE by Alisha Rai is a fabulous contemporary romance. Alisha Rai deftly takes on modern dating, the often misogynistic tech industry, and the ongoing debate over CTE and player safety in the NFL. Rhiannon and Samson are two people not quite looking for love, even if they both are wildly attracted to each other, and not just on a superficial level. Rhi knows what she wants but still has deeply rooted trust issues after incidents at her last job left her more vulnerable than even she realizes. Samson is dealing with the recent death of his uncle, a celebrated NFL player, as well as the deaths of his parents that took place years earlier. His devotion to the family he has left is admirable, as well as his acceptance of Rhi's various stipulations when their professional and personal lives become enmeshed. There are a number of loveable side characters, most notably Rhi's reclusive best friend and business partner Katrina, a couple of Samson's former NFL teammates, and Samson's aunt Annabelle who owns the matchmaking website Rhi wants to buy.

While things start off hot and heavy, Rhi and Samson actually spend quite a bit of time apart throughout the novel, which was interesting, but believable for two busy people in LA. Their lust is immediate, but a meaningful romance takes time to build, and they both have a lot to figure out on their own before they're ready for a stable relationship. Overall, this is a wonderful story that builds in a believable way, featuring two dynamic characters readers will want to see succeed at work and in love.

Book Summary

Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.

Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules:

- Nude pics are by invitation only

- If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice

- Protect your heart

Only there aren't any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night... and disappears.

Rhi thought she'd buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won't fumble their second chance, but she's wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…