The Love Haters by Katherine Center

 

5*

Katherine Center has done it again! Her love stories never disappoint. In The Love Haters, commercial videographer Katie finds herself in Key West after her supervisor Cole asks her to take over a project he doesn’t want while also helping her save her job as the company is laying off almost half the staff. The assignment? To create a Coast Guard recruitment film that highlights the excitement of the job. The added benefit? Cole’s estranged older brother Hutch, a gorgeous rescue swimmer who is far from the taciturn, love-hating Mr. Perfect his jealous brother makes him out to be. As Katie spends her days taking swim lessons from Hutch, being entertained by his eccentric and loving honorary Aunt Rue and her hilarious crew of Golden Gals, and being enthusiastically assaulted by his Great Dane George Bailey, she and Hutch grow closer. However, this is more than a sweet romance with a few steamy kisses. It’s also a story of Katie’s journey towards self-love after a lifetime of hating everything about her body. With the help of her best friend Beanie, who is well-acquainted with self-help books, and the sincere compliments from both Hutch and Rue, Katie finally recognizes how damaging her negative self-talk has been.

Center does a wonderful job of showing all types of love while also keeping readers on the edge of their seats as a hurricane brews. There is humor, heartfelt moments, harrowing water rescue, and so much more. Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Beth O’Leary will love this one. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

 

5*

I loved this story. Two emotionally-damaged people who have been betrayed by negligent, abusive parents and unscrupulous bosses, find a connection and acceptance that neither expected. Although, on the surface, their goals seem to be working against each other, the growing feelings they have for each other can’t be denied. I love how Hazelwood portrayed Rue’s autism and Eli’s innate understanding of her neurodivergency and needs. He’s the perfect book boyfriend who not only accepts her uniqueness, but also gives her the support and protection she’s never had. I also enjoyed Rue’s relationship with her best friend, Tisha.

If you enjoy frenemies to lovers romances with an element of mystery mixed with corporate greed, you’ll enjoy this latest offering from Hazelwood. Highly recommended.

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

Beach Read by Emily Henry

5*

I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this, especially since I love all the other books of Henry’s I’ve read. It’s a second chance romance between 2 frenemies who met in college and, apart from one romantic evening at a frat party, spent their time either ignoring each other or arguing over the merits of romance fiction (hers) and serious literature (his). Fast forward eight years, and they’re both successful novelists, their works mirroring their outlooks on life and love. January is still reeling over her beloved father’s sudden passing and subsequent betrayal and Gus is struggling to make sense of his abusive childhood and his mother’s harmful decisions and untimely death. When they make a bet over who can write and publish a book in the other’s genre, agreeing to introduce each other to the process they use to craft their stories, neither expects the strong, steamy bond that forms between them. Can these two damaged souls defy the odds and find their happily ever after?

Beach Read has some of the most beautiful, wildly romantic dialogue I’ve ever read. Despite Gus’s reticence and grumpy exterior, he has a heart of gold, is so emotionally vulnerable and brave, and is a wonderful book boyfriend. Who doesn’t love a guy who holds you tight and kisses away your tears when you’re upset? Although January is the romance writer who believes in happy endings (“I’d started publishing romance because I wanted to dwell in my happiest moments, in the safe place my parents’ love had always been. I’d been so comforted by books with the promise of a happy ending, and I’d wanted to give someone else that same gift.”), it’s Gus (“writing to try to understand something horrible that had happened to him”) who has the best lines. Highly recommended.

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

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

 

5*

I love this book! The unique premise, a one-night stand that turns into a harrowing, yet somehow romantic, 12-day adventure at sea, is riveting. However, it’s the love story between Lexi and Zeke that is really captivating. On the surface, they’re polar opposites: a 31-year-old plain Jane (only in her own eyes) trying to figure out her future while still dealing with the grief of losing her mother, and a handsome, edgy 23-year-old who works as a junior chef but feels like a failure. They are both dealing with family dysfunction baggage, but when fighting together for their lives, they form an unbreakable bond and help each other see that the low opinion they have of themselves is based on external influences, not reality.

The forced proximity trope is there, but not in the formulaic way it’s used in most romances. Yes, there is a strong attraction, but it takes a backseat to the struggle to survive against nearly insurmountable odds. There are many lighthearted moments, so it’s not all doom and gloom, but when O’Leary adds a twist you don’t see coming, the tension continues to grip you until the end. Highly recommended!

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

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

5*

This is the second book I’ve read by Bastone (the first being Ready or Not), and I can’t wait to read more. This friends-to-lovers romance between Lenny and Miles is a touching and heartbreaking exploration of grief and the process of working through it to be able to live and love again. I absolutely love how Miles is so committed to helping Lenny navigate her grief journey (following the death of her best friend), using his own experiences to inform the way he both supports her and gently and patiently guides her through her depression.

“You are not betraying her [her friend Lou] by healing,” he whispers directly into my ear. “You are honoring her. You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn’t here anymore … That’s who she is now. And this journey through grief … It’s what we do for the great loves of our lives.” In return, Lenny helps Miles build a relationship with his half-sister and niece, the only family he has left.

Lenny has what Miles refers to as “love-at-first-sight fantasies” which are really just her first reactions to men she sees, and hers toward Miles is initially positive, but quickly dashed when he opens his mouth. Yet, she soon realizes that he’s just socially awkward (perhaps autistic-coded) and his gruff exterior masks a kind, empathic man. He turns out to be the perfect book boyfriend, sensitive to her needs and totally supportive and protective.

Bastone is wonderful at building tension. This is a VERY slow burn, but the wait is worth it with a hilarious, but spicy love scene towards the end. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dial Press and Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

 

5*

(Publication date: 4/1/25)

Jimenez has done it again, written a romance that renews our belief in the goodness of humanity in spite of toxic parents, misogynistic exes, and more. The love story between soulmates Samantha and Xavier is one of the most beautiful she’s ever written. When you know, you know, and both of them fell fast and hard, even with Sam moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles the morning after the first best date of their lives. Long distance relationships are hard enough for couples who have a history, but what do you do when you’re just getting started and it’s too good to give up?

There is so much I enjoyed and appreciated about this book. The depiction of Sam’s mother’s early-onset dementia is sensitive and compassionate, portraying how a caring family is willing to make huge sacrifices to fulfill their loved one’s wishes and treat her with dignity. Xavier’s hard-earned success as a veterinarian, in spite of his abusive, narcissistic parents, is a testament to his strength of character and inherent goodness as is his need to take care of the people he loves and the animals he’s sworn to protect and heal to the best of his ability. Samantha’s wit, as evidenced by her sassy and snarky social media posts for the mustard company she works for, and her dedication to her family draw grumpy Xavier out of his shell, making him happier than he’s ever been, especially when her family falls for him, too. There are some LOL moments, especially the dead mouse and swallowing the earbud, that bring levity to some pretty heavy subject matter. Finally, the relationship Sam has with her siblings and parents is a clear example of how, despite their different personalities and irritation towards each other, they can work as a team to take care of their mother.

Fans of ACOTAR will appreciate how Xavier resembles Rhysand (had to look it up since I’m not a romantasy fan, but wowza!) and anyone who craves delicious, slightly steamy romances without the miscommunication and third act breakups that are far too prevalent in the genre will want to read this gorgeous love story. Very highly recommended.

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

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

 

5*

Second chance romance, gorgeous book boyfriend with a killer British accent, and plenty of steam? Yes, please! After loving Hameroff’s debut novel Till There was You, I was excited to read Never Planned on You, and it didn’t disappoint.

On the night before Ali is due to return home to Baltimore after her semester in London, she finally meets her friend Artie’s reclusive roommate Graham. What starts as a friendly darts competition leads to matching horrendous tattoos and a night neither will forget. Flash forward eight years, and they run into each at her local coffee shop. The spark is still there, but the timing is all wrong, yet again. Will it ever be the right time?

This is a wonderfully swoon-worthy romance, the perfect read for Valentine’s Day. Both MCs were endearing, and the chemistry between them is off the charts. I really enjoyed Ali’s family and the way 3 generations of Rubin women and Graham’s grandmother play matchmaker for these two misguided soulmates. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid

 

4* (release date: 3/4/25)

Rachel Reid writes beautiful, heartwarming hockey romances that get me every time. That this one is a second chance romance between former best friends and teammates makes it even more special. Professional male athletes, especially hockey players, are “liars” as Adam says. They lie about their pain, their mental illness and addictions, and, sometimes, their sexuality as well. Reid gently explores the pressure to “man up” in this story, with Adam denying his love for and attraction to Riley for over two decades. In the process, he hurt Riley deeply and himself as well. It isn’t until two years into retirement that he reconnects with Riley at his father’s funeral, and it’s anything but smooth sailing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way these two navigate their second chance, with honesty, humility, forgiveness, and a good deal of steaminess. The choice of a dual point of view really helps to round out the relationship. I highly recommend this beautiful soulmates’ love story.

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

Unromance by Erin Connor

 

4*

Author Erin Connor has given us a delightful romance where life imitates art…or vice versa. Each chapter begins with the name and description of a romantic trope or element, such as “Meet-Cute,” “Just Once, To Get It Out of Our Systems,” “Miscommunication,” and “The Grand Gesture,” which then plays out on the page. Sawyer is a romance writer with a severe creative block and Mason is an actor who is also a hopeful romantic who falls in love too fast, only to see it fall apart after the wrap party. In a bit of serendipity (which is actually one movie that ISN'T mentioned in this story that borrows from several classic romances), they meet up and agree to help each other. He’ll provide inspiration to help her get over her writer’s block and she’ll “unromance” his notions about love by having a series of stereotypical dates gone wrong. However, in the best romantic traditions, those pesky feelings get in the way.

Although I’m not a fan of third person narration or third act break-ups, I still thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. Mason is the perfect cinnamon roll boyfriend (in a gorgeous package), Sawyer writes my favorite genre, and there’s loads of laughter, friendship, and steamy scenes. The secondary characters aren’t very fleshed out, but there’s so much to enjoy in the central romance that there’s really no need for a supporting cast. I look forward to reading Connor’s future books. Recommended.

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

Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson

 

4*

Debbie Johnson can always be counted on to write heartwarming, sensitive stories, laced with closed door romance, that plumb the depths of emotion and the human experience. In Statistically Speaking, we meet Gemma Jones at age 16, in the process of birthing a baby girl that she’s putting up for adoption. She’s mature enough to understand that she’s not able to raise a child herself, just as her own mother wasn’t. The one thing she leaves for Baby is a long letter, telling her a bit about her life and giving reassurances that she loves her, but wants her to have a chance at a good, loving, and safe childhood.

Fast forward almost 18 years, and we’re seeing Gemma all grown up but still carrying emotional scars from her neglectful childhood and her never-ending doubt about the decision she made. After an adulthood marked by a need to escape relationships of any kind, she starts to meet people who care about her without exception and who just might be worth breaking down the walls she’s built up to protect herself. There’s handsome, lovely Karim, her teacher colleague and perfect book boyfriend, surrogate mom feisty and irreverent Margie, new friend Erin, and Katie, Erin’s daughter and Gemma’s student who bears a striking resemblance to her and shares a birthday with the baby she let go off. Statistically speaking, the odds are very slim that she’s her daughter, but the heart isn’t always logical. You’ll need to read the book to find out more.

This is very much a character-driven novel and Johnson has done a wonderful job developing both Gemma and her chosen family. The pacing is a bit slow at times, but Gemma’s reawakening is a pleasure to behold. Her thoughtful depiction of adoption from the perspective of birth mother, adoptive mother and child is illuminating for those of us who don’t have first-hand experience with it, too. I highly recommend this fine piece of women’s fiction.

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

The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt

 

3*

This is the second book by DeWitt I’ve read (the first being Savor It which I rated highly), and I’m disappointed that I struggled to get through it. I’m giving it the benefit of a doubt because I’ve been distracted by life, but the story didn’t compel me enough to want to put everything else aside to focus on it. First and foremost, I just didn’t care for LaRynn, the FMC. Yes, she had major baggage after being abused and neglected by her father and abandoned by her mother, feeling like she was incapable of being loved. However, her behavior towards Deacon, the anger, the rudeness, and her inability to be vulnerable and to share important parts of herself and her history, really frustrated me.

The use of a dual timeline (present-day and when they were lovers for a summer prior to her first year of college) and alternating chapters from both points of view, gave a full picture of their love story and the mistakes they both made along the way. However, in a character-driven romance, I need to believe in both main characters, and I just couldn’t with LaRynn for about 75% of the story. So, I was actually really thankful for the insight provided by the epilogue ten years in the future.

It’s not a badly-written book, and, if I were in a different frame of mind, I might have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, I was just bored.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews

 

4*

Such a sweet Christmas short story! In less than 100 pages, Andrew’s has managed to pack in a temporary squatting situation, a painless breakup, and a budding friends-to-lovers romance full of witty banter and high school reminiscences. The setting, a Victorian New England shoreline cottage, is the icing on the cake. Recommended.

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

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay

 

3*

This dual romance has vibes similar to the movie, The Holiday, but is about two best friends, not strangers, who swap holiday destinations. Holly, whose fiancé dumps her the night before their wedding, goes to an eco-cabin in upstate NY where Ivy was going to take her annual two-week art retreat while Ivy goes to Holly’s honeymoon resort in Hawaii only to find that the a’hole ex-fiancé is there with his new girlfriend. The hot bartender, Oliver, who resembles Ryan Gosling, finds her a place to stay and there’s an instant attraction. Meanwhile, Holly, who still hasn’t cried after the breakup of her 10-year relationship, meets the cabin’s owner, Aiden, who is, serendipitously, her former high school friendly rival who’s had a major glow-up, now resembling Henry Cavill.

The chapters alternate between Holly and Ivy (this nod to the holiday is mentioned more than once), and describe not only the different ways Christmas is celebrated in a small Hudson Valley town and on a breathtakingly beautiful Hawaiian island, but also how each female lead finds instalove when neither is looking for it. Although there are some mildly steamy scenes, there’s not really much obvious chemistry. It definitely has a Hallmark movie feel to it. In fact, the focus is just as much on the loving friendship between Holly and Ivy than the two romances. If you’re looking for a feel-good, low angst Christmas story, this is a good one to check out.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy

 

4*

After more than half a year, Callie is still devastated by the breakup with her childhood sweetheart. With the best of intentions, her meddling sister Anita reintroduces a family tradition of an advent calendar comprised of 24 wrapped presents. On odd days, the boxes contain treats and, on the even days, tasks that correspond to the treats. Anita’s hope is that this will encourage Callie to embrace spontaneity and write a new chapter that includes opening herself up to meeting new people. When Anita is sent out of town on a business trip for 3 weeks, she suggests that Callie ask Marco, the handsome pastry chef she had an adorable meet-cute with at the Christmas tree lot, to be her wingman in her place. As the days to Christmas count down and she and Marco spend time together swapping puns and dad jokes, attending community events in their picturesque upstate New York town, and discovering how much they have in common, Callie begins to realize that the greatest gift her sister has given her can’t be found under a tree.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet Christmas romance. Although there’s no spice (fade to black and kissing only), the chemistry between cautious and steady Callie and charming and kind Marco is palpable. There’s some workplace drama, a number of really funny escapades, lots of descriptions of mouth-watering foods, and very little angst. Even though both leads are still in their 20s, there’s a level of maturity that I really appreciate. This is a delightful addition to anyone’s Christmas romance collection.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P.Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey

 

5*

Last year, I read a beautiful Christmas romance called Five Gold Rings and wondered if Bailey’s newest book, We Three Kings, could ever begin to rival it. I’m happy to say it does. It’s also set in London, which I still maintain is the most beautiful city in which to celebrate the holiday. It’s also a workplace romance but features Maggie and her three male employees in the IT department of a London firm who have become friends in their four years together. So, it’s no surprise how torn she is when she’s told, at the start of Christmas break, that she’ll have to lay off (make redundant) one of these lovely men who are like family. The painful decision is complicated by the plans these three proposed when they learned she’d be spending Christmas alone, and she doesn’t have the heart to ruin them by revealing the sad news. Her new and budding feelings for Leo also compound her decision with the worry about crossing ethical lines as boss and employee. From attending awkward (probably autistic) Frank’s sister’s wedding as a fake girlfriend and then joining eccentric Jasper’s posh but dysfunctional family for a Christmas party and foiling a fox hunt (cue the adorable baby foxes) to visiting Leo’s warm and welcoming family for a raucous Christmas Eve and Day and participating in an annual donkey abduction, Maggie comes to love this trio of wonderful, quirky men as she learns more about their lives and the influences that have formed them into the true “kings” of men they are.

If you’re looking for a truly heartwarming and humorous Christmas story that is full of kindness, love, laughter, loyalty, fade-to-black romance, and a high degree of silliness, I highly encourage you to check this one out. I guarantee you will be absolutely charmed.

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

The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3) by Laurie Gilmore

 

4*

As author Gilmore says in her dedication, “For anyone who ever wished Hallmark Christmas movies were steamier, this one might do the trick,” and how right she is. Like the movies, it’s a small town Christmas romance between a pseudo-local guy (his sister now lives in the town where they both frequently visited as kids) and a former Georgia debutante who buys a farm sight unseen because she’s running away from her oppressive, uber wealthy, socially-conscious parents after her twin and best friend “abandoned” her to follow her new husband to Denmark. Turns out the farm grows and sells Christmas trees, and Kira doesn’t know the first thing about the business (other than what she’s gleaned from homesteading influencers), and, ironically, doesn’t even like the holiday. Bennett’s love language is acts of service, but his compulsive need to fix things has made him a human doormat. He’s a gorgeous, kind, cinnamon roll book boyfriend and she’s the grumpy to his sunshine. However, at some point, she’s going to have to begin believing in herself and making new friends and he’s going to have to realize that not all women just want to use him.

Gilmore makes good on her promise to make this steamier than the traditional made-for-TV movies by giving us a male lead who is the good kind of alpha in the sheets and a female lead who matches his enthusiasm. Their chemistry is hot, but the spicy scenes are also full of laughter and strong feelings. Mix in a trio of friendly mutts, a low-key treasure hunt, a plethora of Christmas activities, and busybody friends and neighbors, and it’s a winning recipe. Recommended!

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

Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe

 

4*

On the way to her brother’s bachelor/bachelorette weekend at a resort a few hours north of Chicago, Charlotte Calhoun is pushed into a deep snowbank by a skidding 18-wheeler during a snowstorm. The last person she wants to rescue her is Hayden Porter, her brother’s best friend and her long-time crush who broke her heart three years before after she drunkenly kissed him and proclaimed her love. Yet, with mistletoe in abundance and being paired off to compete in crazy Christmas games, it is soon obvious that the attraction is not one-sided. As a single dad and busy college coach, Hayden is in no place for a relationship, but the sexual tension between the two is potent, and he’s tired of fighting his attraction. Now they just need to make sure her brother doesn’t find out because the Christmas-obsessed Calhoun family is too important to him to lose if things don’t work out between them.

Although it’s not technically a second chance romance, it plays out like one. For most of the book, Hayden is the perfect book boyfriend. However, I get really frustrated when guys put on the brakes, whether for legitimate reasons or not, without consulting their love interest. It’s insulting to the woman and implies a lack of trust when it’s really just their fears and insecurities winning out.

Other than the afore-mentioned frustration, I enjoyed this story with plenty of sexy banter, a smoking hot single dad, and a plethora of Christmas cheer. If you’re in the mood for a very steamy Christmas on steroids romance, check this one out.

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

The Fake Wedding Project by Pippa Grant

 

2*

This was an okay (not) Christmas story, although the small, fictional town of Tinsel, MI celebrates the holiday year-round. The premise is that Amanda, visiting from NYC, in an effort to avoid having a dreaded conversation with her pushy grandmother, pretends to be engaged to her secret best friend Lorelei’s brother Dane who is visiting from San Francisco. Why a secret BFF? Well, that’s because their families have been feuding for about 150 years and no one remembers why. Unfortunately, the whole town walks on eggshells because their parents’ and grandparents’ primary pastime, when they’re not running rival bakeries (her family’s gingerbread and his family’s fruitcake), is to play a mean game of oneupmanship, not hesitating to use their offsprings’ accomplishments as pawns in their petty war rather than just showing pride. Dane, who hasn’t really seen Amanda since high school (when he harbored a crush on her), readily agrees to fake an engagement with the lie that they’ll elope to Vegas a month later. However, the feud-weary townsfolk decide they should get married within the week. Do they not have enough to keep themselves busy that they can drop everything to throw together a wedding in a matter of days…and not have the courtesy to even ask the couple if they’re okay with it?

I just couldn’t get on board with the idea that they’re both such pushovers and are so easily bulldozed by everyone, that they really think they can use their very brief engagement to end the feud, and that announcing it is fake just before the ceremony won’t have everything blow up in their faces. There’s just so much that’s unrealistic about this story, and I got bored and frustrated with how rude and inconsiderate Dane’s uncle and all their grandparents were to their supposed future spouses. Although there was spice (as in the sexy kind, not the baking type), I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. I also didn’t buy into the instalove trope, even if they were sharing a cabin for a few days. Not a horrible book, but not the least bit memorable either.

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

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

4*

Sarah Morgan has written another heartwarming Christmas story. Set in both London and the Cotswolds, The Holiday Cottage is about finding family, forgiveness, a true home, and unconditional love and finally discovering the joy that is Christmas. I am a true Anglophile, so I appreciate how beautifully Morgan describes the charm of the fictional Winterbury including the sparkle of lights against the yellow stone shops and cottages, the Christmas market, and the wintry walks through the fields. The sweet friends-to-lovers romance between Imogen and Miles isn’t the central focus but adds another touching plot line to a story that’s full of emotion and second chances. I highly recommend adding The Holiday Cottage to your Christmas story collection.

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

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Sophie Sullivan

 

4*

I enjoyed this fake relationship, slow burn, closed door romance. Set in Seattle in the fall, it has a bit of a Cinderella vibe, but instead of a wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Lexi has a mother who has been mired in profound grief and depression after losing her soulmate three years before. After her father died, Lexi quit college just a few credits shy of graduation and has been working 2 jobs while taking care of her agoraphobic mom and paying off her father’s debts. On the day that two of her high school friends show up at the restaurant where she does a poor job of waitressing, seeming to be celebrating the success that has eluded Lexi, she sits down at Will’s table to hide. Since Will’s been flirting with her his entire meal, he welcomes the intrusion and plays along when she says that she’s there with “her boyfriend.” When they’re both invited to a party by one of the friends, they’re introduced as being engaged and the lie gets picked up on social media, thanks to Will’s status as one of Seattle’s most eligible business leaders. Of course, as so often happens with this trope, he wants his status-conscious mother to stop her matchmaking, and Lexi doesn’t want to admit what she perceives as her failure to thrive.

So, although there’s no new ground broken here, it’s just a lovely book with a perfect book boyfriend - handsome, kind, successful, and a man who sees the best in Lexi, propping her up when she doesn’t believe in herself. Other than Will’s classist parents, everyone else is delightful, from Lexi’s best friend Maisie to Will’s supportive and friendly sisters and best friend, Ethan. If you’re looking for a sweet romance low on the angst, check this one out. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St, Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.