Happy Ending by Chloe Liese

 

4*

Unlike most friends to lovers stories, Alex and Thea (or Ted, as he calls her) begin as strangers when they meet up at her old house and find that both his and her exes have gotten together within a week of Thea’s divorce. So what’s the best way to save face and get back at them? Pretend they’re old friends and each other’s first love. However, their fake friendship is so full of affectionate touches, genuine openness and honesty, mutual respect, and admissions of love (as in friendship, of course) that their exes and his family assume that they’re actually a couple. The question is whether either of them will be willing to make it real.

I loved the dynamic between Alex and Thea. He’s the perfect book boyfriend and she’s a kind, quirky bookseller who adores his daughter Mia. Their friendship is enviable, whether it’s cooking her healthy and delicious meals (he’s a James Beard-winning, Michelin-starred chef), helping each other kick bad habits (his smoking and her addiction to gas station hotdogs), sharing time with his precocious and adorable daughter and her dog Argos, or just enjoying cuddle time. I really appreciated her friendship with her friend Lauren (who has a good-natured competition with Alex for being Thea’s BFF). Thea’s ex, Ethan, is the epitome of a “man baby,” making you wonder what Jen, Alex’s ex, sees in him. Although we don’t see much of them, Alex’s big, loud extended Italian-American family also play a part in their journey.

Liese can always be depended on to write heartwarming romances with characters who are flawed but happily embraced by their love interests. Witty banter is always on display, and there are many hilarious moments in this story, especially when Thea “roasts” her ex. Family plays a big part as well. If you’re all about the happy endings, you’ll thoroughly enjoy her latest offering. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.