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whatalicesaw's review against another edition
4.0
It took me over a month to finish this. And not because it was bad. It’s a good story. I just couldn’t make myself pick it up. I lost interest at about 60%. But, I pushed through & loved the ending. There was nothing wrong with this book!! I don’t know what made it so hard to finish. 4 confused ⭐️’s.
booklovintaurus's review
1.0
Started slow. I skimmed a lot. Not sure why I bothered to finish it.
Would I read again? No.
Would I read again? No.
ch60614's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Fun banter, likable characters, too fluffy to be fabulous
fortressofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars
Summer Clarke is a determined individual who wants to achieve her dream of having her own specialty gym for over 50s by herself. Currently working at an assisted living, she almost there in her monetary goal. She doesn't want to be beholden to anyone, least of all her family. She's spunky, sweet, can write very convincing stuff and has douchey exes.
Oliver Harris is an attorney. He's been best friends with Summer and her twin brother since they were young. The loss of his sister has made him determined not to loose anyone he cares/loves in his life, this specifically includes his friend Summer. Doesn't matter that they seem to have a connection beyond friends and they make the most perfect fake couple.
Summer decides to enter a writing contest to gain some money achieve her monetary goal, which is about lessons learned and her sexy ex-boyfriend. It was meant to stay anonymous, no one was supposed to find out who she was talking about but they go viral and well no attorney wants his business to be affected by being the America's worst boyfriend. They decide to fake their relationship so Oliver's business isn't affected and Summer also gets a good business deal out of it. Except this faking thing isn't difficult, seems a bit too real, everything just seems right. EXCEPT the whole being oblivious to each others real feelings.
These two individual are completely it for each other, just needed the extra push to give each other a chance for real and the Stella Law helps bring them 'together' together. I did like Summer and Oliver together, they shared a bond, had been best friends since high school. Knew each other like no one else, and regardless of their sometimes lusty thoughts of each other, they didn't want to lose their friendship so they never came out and shared their feelings.
Well Izy, this seems like something you'd love to read with the whole Fake dating trope.
You're right, me. I do!
Then why not a higher rating ?
Because sigh, from the blurb I had completely different expectations, I was thinking douche sexy Ex that the Heroine still loves, instead I opened the book and saw her being attracted to her best friend and I was super confused because what ?? because no where did it even imply that they were/are still friends. Its not something I had thought this was gonna be about and that's on me (the blurb is still misleading tbh). So it just took me a while to get settled into this different reality of best friends, not so douchey sexy fake ex story! and some aspects of it reminded of Lauren Blakely's other books so while I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. Slight issues with pacing, plus the reason why their first time happened was a bit of a disappointment.
It still has the Lauren Blakely signature humour, banter, wonderful characters, familial and great friendships & sweet romance with added slight angst of being in love with your best friend and faking it for all the world to see. Anyone's who a fan of friends to lovers, fake dating and wants a light read would enjoy this.
Review on Blog
ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Summer Clarke is a determined individual who wants to achieve her dream of having her own specialty gym for over 50s by herself. Currently working at an assisted living, she almost there in her monetary goal. She doesn't want to be beholden to anyone, least of all her family. She's spunky, sweet, can write very convincing stuff and has douchey exes.
Oliver Harris is an attorney. He's been best friends with Summer and her twin brother since they were young. The loss of his sister has made him determined not to loose anyone he cares/loves in his life, this specifically includes his friend Summer. Doesn't matter that they seem to have a connection beyond friends and they make the most perfect fake couple.
Summer decides to enter a writing contest to gain some money achieve her monetary goal, which is about lessons learned and her sexy ex-boyfriend. It was meant to stay anonymous, no one was supposed to find out who she was talking about but they go viral and well no attorney wants his business to be affected by being the America's worst boyfriend. They decide to fake their relationship so Oliver's business isn't affected and Summer also gets a good business deal out of it. Except this faking thing isn't difficult, seems a bit too real, everything just seems right. EXCEPT the whole being oblivious to each others real feelings.
These two individual are completely it for each other, just needed the extra push to give each other a chance for real and the Stella Law helps bring them 'together' together. I did like Summer and Oliver together, they shared a bond, had been best friends since high school. Knew each other like no one else, and regardless of their sometimes lusty thoughts of each other, they didn't want to lose their friendship so they never came out and shared their feelings.
Well Izy, this seems like something you'd love to read with the whole Fake dating trope.
You're right, me. I do!
Then why not a higher rating ?
Because sigh, from the blurb I had completely different expectations, I was thinking douche sexy Ex that the Heroine still loves, instead I opened the book and saw her being attracted to her best friend and I was super confused because what ?? because no where did it even imply that they were/are still friends. Its not something I had thought this was gonna be about and that's on me (the blurb is still misleading tbh). So it just took me a while to get settled into this different reality of best friends, not so douchey sexy fake ex story! and some aspects of it reminded of Lauren Blakely's other books so while I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. Slight issues with pacing, plus the reason why their first time happened was a bit of a disappointment.
It still has the Lauren Blakely signature humour, banter, wonderful characters, familial and great friendships & sweet romance with added slight angst of being in love with your best friend and faking it for all the world to see. Anyone's who a fan of friends to lovers, fake dating and wants a light read would enjoy this.
Review on Blog
ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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niques_books's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
What a fun way to start a new RomCom series! LB has a knack of letting us enter into a world and makes us feel apart of its creation as if we have been there all the time. This first book is a friends to lovers / brother's best friend / fake relationship romance. And I have to say, it is some of my favourite tropes rolled into one.
Oliver and Summer have been friends since high school, best friends for just as long. They know each other inside and out. Well, except for the bedroom, but Summer and her friend Stella have a theory on that, its called Stella's Law. But you will find out more about it when you read the book, and if it is true or not! Ollie and Cupcake have had to save the other out of situations from past ex's and this story is along those lines. Summer needs to win a writing competition to help fund her new gym, and this lands them both in hot water. Oliver being the ever loving best friend his is, thinks quick to get them both out of a jam.
What I love most about a LB novel is the humor and banter she devises and how they feel so convincing. Oliver and Summer have a special bond, a long term friendship but also from losing a loved one. Once they start their fake relationship, and have to show some PDA to cement it, it starts them both thinking of the what if's. For Summer, she is in a fog after the first kiss.... and the second... and well, you get my drift. For me, watching them fall, and fall hard for each other without added drama and angst, it was delightful and satisfying. What's next you ask.... Logan, Summer's twin brother and his come back story. Can Not Wait!
What a fun way to start a new RomCom series! LB has a knack of letting us enter into a world and makes us feel apart of its creation as if we have been there all the time. This first book is a friends to lovers / brother's best friend / fake relationship romance. And I have to say, it is some of my favourite tropes rolled into one.
Oliver and Summer have been friends since high school, best friends for just as long. They know each other inside and out. Well, except for the bedroom, but Summer and her friend Stella have a theory on that, its called Stella's Law. But you will find out more about it when you read the book, and if it is true or not! Ollie and Cupcake have had to save the other out of situations from past ex's and this story is along those lines. Summer needs to win a writing competition to help fund her new gym, and this lands them both in hot water. Oliver being the ever loving best friend his is, thinks quick to get them both out of a jam.
What I love most about a LB novel is the humor and banter she devises and how they feel so convincing. Oliver and Summer have a special bond, a long term friendship but also from losing a loved one. Once they start their fake relationship, and have to show some PDA to cement it, it starts them both thinking of the what if's. For Summer, she is in a fog after the first kiss.... and the second... and well, you get my drift. For me, watching them fall, and fall hard for each other without added drama and angst, it was delightful and satisfying. What's next you ask.... Logan, Summer's twin brother and his come back story. Can Not Wait!
semiresponsive's review against another edition
4.0
This one has been sitting on my audible wish list for a while and I only really got to it because I took a short road trip but my next planned library audio book wasn't available yet. I don't remember how I found this book or how it ended up on my wish list (so most likely, thank you Booktok!) but it was a good read! I particularly enjoyed multiple narrators... a 'his and hers' sort of situation. I especially liked how when it was a chapter narrated from the MFC's POV that the MMC's narrator would drop in for the dialogue. This was my first Lauren Blakely and I'm looking forward to reading her again!
mktaylor's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 Stars | Spice: 2.75
This one just wasn’t it, but I was already too far in to stop. You know when you’re halfway through a book, and you’re like, “Well, I’ve made it this far, might as well finish”? That’s exactly how this went. The premise had promise—fake dating, best friends-to-lovers—but it just didn’t land for me. The FMC talked endlessly about how hot the MMC was, and honestly, it felt like the entire plot hinged on that.
I’ll admit, the duet narration was solid (Shane East and Andi Arndt never miss), but the characters didn’t feel believable, and the chemistry was lukewarm at best. Let’s just say, Lauren Blakely’s books are hit or miss for me, and this one landed somewhere in the middle. Would I reread it? Nah. But if you need a light filler read, maybe it’ll work for you.
louvejita's review against another edition
4.0
I always love me a good friends to lovers’ maybe because I like to see the HEA I didn’t get for myself, and Oliver and Summer’s story does not disappoint.
Oliver Harris and Summer Clarke have been friends since their teenage years when his family moved from London to the U.S. and, as such, have shared the ups and downs of life and have one of those amazing relationships one will do anything to hold on to.
When Summer enters a contest and writes a letter to an ex-boyfriend, social media will do its thing and make erroneous assumptions that will generate a series of events that end up with Oliver and Summer playing a game extremely dangerous when your hearts and feelings are on the line.
This story is cute, swoony and flirty as it should be when a couple that knows each other’s secrets come together even for a fake relationship. Ms. Blakely is a master at creating characters that are relatable and lovable, the kind that make you have all the feels while reading about their journey to find their HEA and she does it once again with Oliver and Summer.
I highly recommend you dive into this new series to meet the men who got away.
4 stars
* Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review*
Oliver Harris and Summer Clarke have been friends since their teenage years when his family moved from London to the U.S. and, as such, have shared the ups and downs of life and have one of those amazing relationships one will do anything to hold on to.
When Summer enters a contest and writes a letter to an ex-boyfriend, social media will do its thing and make erroneous assumptions that will generate a series of events that end up with Oliver and Summer playing a game extremely dangerous when your hearts and feelings are on the line.
This story is cute, swoony and flirty as it should be when a couple that knows each other’s secrets come together even for a fake relationship. Ms. Blakely is a master at creating characters that are relatable and lovable, the kind that make you have all the feels while reading about their journey to find their HEA and she does it once again with Oliver and Summer.
I highly recommend you dive into this new series to meet the men who got away.
4 stars
* Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review*
heamuse's review against another edition
4.0
Summer and Oliver have been best friends since they were kids. Summer's brother and Oliver were best buddies in high school and as the twin sister, Summer was always part of their clique.
I loved Summer and Oliver's friendship. Their banter is very authentic friends and their realization and opening to each other is super sweet and romantic.
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Friend's Sibling
I loved Summer and Oliver's friendship. Their banter is very authentic friends and their realization and opening to each other is super sweet and romantic.
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Friend's Sibling
klwally's review against another edition
4.0
5 Stars all the way. I love Lauren Blakely's writing, but I adore it when she writes for the narrators. And you just FEEL that come through your earbuds. She knows what our hearts want, and she gives it to us. Shane and Andi again! #Shandi for the win!! They once again perform narration that is top notch.
Best friends/fake fiance, yes has been done, but Lauren made it new again, she made it fun again. From the flirty witty banter, to the visuals of speedos and swan boats - she immerses you into the story. You will love these characters, you will root for them, and you may even want to shake them and tell them to be honest NOW! But that's half the fun huh? The tension that builds is amusing, but not overly angsty. It's all full of wimsy and with some bonus hijinx thrown in. This is a story that will make you smile and laugh and feel good at the end.
The supporting cast of characters as usual were not just merely window dressing but added another layer to this story. Particularly Joe Arden as Fitz - what a treat. I can't wait to hear Fitz again. OH And a special Cameo by Cheetah Noah! Because everything is better with Cheetah Noah.
This audio book is full of extras & teasers for not one, but two upcoming books, interviews with Andi and Shane, and a full blooper reel!
Best friends/fake fiance, yes has been done, but Lauren made it new again, she made it fun again. From the flirty witty banter, to the visuals of speedos and swan boats - she immerses you into the story. You will love these characters, you will root for them, and you may even want to shake them and tell them to be honest NOW! But that's half the fun huh? The tension that builds is amusing, but not overly angsty. It's all full of wimsy and with some bonus hijinx thrown in. This is a story that will make you smile and laugh and feel good at the end.
The supporting cast of characters as usual were not just merely window dressing but added another layer to this story. Particularly Joe Arden as Fitz - what a treat. I can't wait to hear Fitz again. OH And a special Cameo by Cheetah Noah! Because everything is better with Cheetah Noah.
This audio book is full of extras & teasers for not one, but two upcoming books, interviews with Andi and Shane, and a full blooper reel!