4*
If you enjoy reading about over-zealous, interfering mothers and their adult children who care too much about their opinions and expectations, this book is for you. Children of immigrants (in this case, from China to Toronto, Canada) often have immense pressure put on them by parents who moved for a better life. Emily and Mark are two such offspring, forced together by her meddling mother who fancies herself a matchmaker. Although Emily is a published author with second and third books in progress, she has to work two other jobs and share an apartment with her best friend to afford living in such an expensive city. Compared with her four successful, married sisters, she is satisfactorily single at age 33. So, she’s not eager to meet Mark, who has been hand-picked by her mother. When they finally meet at her sister’s wedding, Emily’s pre-conceived negative opinions guarantee there will be no future for them. It isn’t until her mother tricks them into a follow-up date that Emily proposes the idea that they fake date to get her off their backs. As with all other relationships in this genre, real feelings grow, but will Emily be able to handle it if and when the truth comes out?
Although no new ground is broken in this story, it’s still a fun, albeit at times frustrating, take on the enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, fake relationship tropes. Emily’s insecurities about their secret coming out and her older sister’s aggravating, callous superiority are minor roadblocks to a happily-ever-after, but neither heavily weigh down the narrative. Mark is a kind, caring, supportive book boyfriend, which is always a bonus. This is a great beach read.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Atria/Emily Bestler Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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