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rosielovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is a friends-to-more fake relationship romance and the start of a new series from Lauren Blakely. It’s a hilarious romantic comedy about Oliver and Summer, who have been friends since they were kids.
Oliver and Summer have known each other for 17 years and are best friends. One thing they have always done for one another, is posed as each other’s respective partners when the need arises, especially if an ex pops up unexpectedly. But they’ve never crossed the line because their friendship means too much to them. Summer is struggling to achieve her dream of opening a gym for over fifty-fives, and unable to get a loan on top of her savings, enters a writing competition for a dating magazine, where you write a letter to your ex. Her letter, addressed Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, is quickly published and goes viral, with social media deciding the subject of the letter must be Oliver. The article sends Oliver’s life into tailspin, with his clients at his law firm deciding he’s untrustworthy, so he spins the subject and is forced to ask Summer to be his fake fiancée. Suddenly having to be affectionate to one another, flirty and thrown into many romantic situations, things begin to feel real. Both of them begin to fall, but will they both be able to admit to their changing feelings? What will happen when the fake engagement comes to an end, or will they be caught in their lie?
This book was not what I was expecting in the best way, it was not a second chance romance as Oliver and Summer never dated. But they may as well have, their friendship was so strong and they had such a deep connection, it was clear their feelings had been underlying all along. They knew each other inside out, were each other’s rock through difficult times and spent most days together, trying new places to eat and exploring the city. Summer was ambitious, determined to get the money for her dream on her own. The article makes her realise her true feelings for her best friend, but also how scared she was that he doesn’t feel the same and it would ruin their friendship. Oliver was charming and handsome but had been through some tough times and leant on Summer, and her twin brother Logan too. He knew the hurt of losing someone you love so his reluctance to have anything more with Summer was purely out of self-protection, but he soon realised his feelings couldn’t be hidden. Both of these characters were easy to like, and you are rooting for them throughout. One of the things I loved most however was how obvious their feelings for one another had been to others for years, but they both needed to be put in this unique circumstance for them to realise it themselves. But once they knew, it didn’t take long for them to embrace their feelings completely.
The secondary characters had me hooked too; I am so intrigued by their stories next in the series. Logan’s story is set up nicely at the end of this and I can’t wait for the release. Oliver’s friendships with the guys was great, their banter was perfect, but I also loved how they supported him and there was no drama there. Summer’s friends Stella was hilarious, her laws of dating had me laughing, although she was definitely glad to be proved wrong.
Overall, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the perfect start to this new contemporary series. There is minimal drama, angst and miscommunication which I loved; it was just two best friends slowly realising their feelings for one another had been deeper all along. It was funny, sweet and steamy and a must read in my eyes!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Oliver and Summer have known each other for 17 years and are best friends. One thing they have always done for one another, is posed as each other’s respective partners when the need arises, especially if an ex pops up unexpectedly. But they’ve never crossed the line because their friendship means too much to them. Summer is struggling to achieve her dream of opening a gym for over fifty-fives, and unable to get a loan on top of her savings, enters a writing competition for a dating magazine, where you write a letter to your ex. Her letter, addressed Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, is quickly published and goes viral, with social media deciding the subject of the letter must be Oliver. The article sends Oliver’s life into tailspin, with his clients at his law firm deciding he’s untrustworthy, so he spins the subject and is forced to ask Summer to be his fake fiancée. Suddenly having to be affectionate to one another, flirty and thrown into many romantic situations, things begin to feel real. Both of them begin to fall, but will they both be able to admit to their changing feelings? What will happen when the fake engagement comes to an end, or will they be caught in their lie?
This book was not what I was expecting in the best way, it was not a second chance romance as Oliver and Summer never dated. But they may as well have, their friendship was so strong and they had such a deep connection, it was clear their feelings had been underlying all along. They knew each other inside out, were each other’s rock through difficult times and spent most days together, trying new places to eat and exploring the city. Summer was ambitious, determined to get the money for her dream on her own. The article makes her realise her true feelings for her best friend, but also how scared she was that he doesn’t feel the same and it would ruin their friendship. Oliver was charming and handsome but had been through some tough times and leant on Summer, and her twin brother Logan too. He knew the hurt of losing someone you love so his reluctance to have anything more with Summer was purely out of self-protection, but he soon realised his feelings couldn’t be hidden. Both of these characters were easy to like, and you are rooting for them throughout. One of the things I loved most however was how obvious their feelings for one another had been to others for years, but they both needed to be put in this unique circumstance for them to realise it themselves. But once they knew, it didn’t take long for them to embrace their feelings completely.
The secondary characters had me hooked too; I am so intrigued by their stories next in the series. Logan’s story is set up nicely at the end of this and I can’t wait for the release. Oliver’s friendships with the guys was great, their banter was perfect, but I also loved how they supported him and there was no drama there. Summer’s friends Stella was hilarious, her laws of dating had me laughing, although she was definitely glad to be proved wrong.
Overall, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the perfect start to this new contemporary series. There is minimal drama, angst and miscommunication which I loved; it was just two best friends slowly realising their feelings for one another had been deeper all along. It was funny, sweet and steamy and a must read in my eyes!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
laneylegz's review against another edition
4.0
Tons of chemistry and witty banter carry this story. Summer & Oliver have been best friends for seventeen years. They've supported each other through thick and thin, life and death, and disastrous relationships. After a contest entry from Summer goes viral and casts Oliver in a very different light, they decide to have a fake relationship to turn the tide of haters on the internet. It's hard to have a fake relationship when you already have a real relationship that you just haven't taken to the next level. The journey is fun, eye opening, and it's a great friends to lovers romance.
hm08's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
The relationship history between the main couple felt severely undeveloped. Oliver was a sleazebag and never won me over. I didn't fall in love with the relationship and the plot direction itself.
Thank goodness this was short, otherwise I'd be more mad.
The relationship history between the main couple felt severely undeveloped. Oliver was a sleazebag and never won me over. I didn't fall in love with the relationship and the plot direction itself.
Thank goodness this was short, otherwise I'd be more mad.
v_nerdbooks's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favourite tropes, friends to lovers.
The rom-com queen is back again with another knock out!
I can't get enough of Lauren's books, she makes a dull day much brighter.
I listened to this whole book with a smile on my face, and I can't wait to see what she has got coming next.
Shane East, Andi Arndt, Joe Arden, Kit Swann AKA "The Dream Team" made this so much fun to listen to.
The rom-com queen is back again with another knock out!
I can't get enough of Lauren's books, she makes a dull day much brighter.
I listened to this whole book with a smile on my face, and I can't wait to see what she has got coming next.
Shane East, Andi Arndt, Joe Arden, Kit Swann AKA "The Dream Team" made this so much fun to listen to.
saber's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
This was a fine romance, but I was frustrated by the male MC being pointlessly British. I think I’ve read too many romances where the man was British just for the accent which = sexy. As someone whose lived in England let me tell you a British accent is rarely sexy (no offense meant to my British friends). My point being that I’m over this trope. Especially since it made no logical sense for this book. The guy grew up in the US after his family moved to NYC for the better health care (which also makes zero sense) and he still has an accent after being in the states since a young teen when all his friends are American? And the one word he uses is arse? I’d get it if his accent came out with his family but with his friends and co-workers? It’s a minor thing, but it did bring me out of the story a lot which is why I mention it.
It was also pointlessly set in NYC. Again I think I’m at a point where I’ve read too many books set in NYC when it doesn’t need to be/city isn’t being utilized. Other than the MCs running in Central Park there was nothing to say this book was set in NYC and since the MCs become internet famous and recognized it would have made sense for the book to take place in a different city. Because New Yorkers don’t care about real celebrities let alone Twitter ones.
Overall a solid romance I liked just fine. I’m just so bored/frustrated of the above tropes that I’m unable to ignore them and focus on the otherwise good story.
This was a fine romance, but I was frustrated by the male MC being pointlessly British. I think I’ve read too many romances where the man was British just for the accent which = sexy. As someone whose lived in England let me tell you a British accent is rarely sexy (no offense meant to my British friends). My point being that I’m over this trope. Especially since it made no logical sense for this book. The guy grew up in the US after his family moved to NYC for the better health care (which also makes zero sense) and he still has an accent after being in the states since a young teen when all his friends are American? And the one word he uses is arse? I’d get it if his accent came out with his family but with his friends and co-workers? It’s a minor thing, but it did bring me out of the story a lot which is why I mention it.
It was also pointlessly set in NYC. Again I think I’m at a point where I’ve read too many books set in NYC when it doesn’t need to be/city isn’t being utilized. Other than the MCs running in Central Park there was nothing to say this book was set in NYC and since the MCs become internet famous and recognized it would have made sense for the book to take place in a different city. Because New Yorkers don’t care about real celebrities let alone Twitter ones.
Overall a solid romance I liked just fine. I’m just so bored/frustrated of the above tropes that I’m unable to ignore them and focus on the otherwise good story.
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
5.0
Oliver and Summer's friends to lovers story is sweet and steamy and simply a great book to read anytime around, faking an engagement should become with a warning, but these two didn't get it. A sizzling chemistry that will drive them closer and have you reading with a smile on your face and pulling an all night to finish it. I definitely recommend it, and the audiobook as well.
grmbow21's review against another edition
4.0
For me this book started slow. I love the relationship between Oliver and Summer, best friends since they were 17. Both of them are attracted to each other even before the Dear Ex Boyfriend letter goes viral.
So they embark on this fake relationship, but by half way through, I’m getting a bit annoyed because it’s the same thing over and over again. ‘I like him, but I don’t think he likes me’, ‘I’m attracted to her but I don’t want to ruin our friendship’ and it goes like that for most of the book.
It’s funny in places and light-hearted. I enjoyed it but it doesn’t need to be as long as it is. It’s not a book I would necessarily read again
So they embark on this fake relationship, but by half way through, I’m getting a bit annoyed because it’s the same thing over and over again. ‘I like him, but I don’t think he likes me’, ‘I’m attracted to her but I don’t want to ruin our friendship’ and it goes like that for most of the book.
It’s funny in places and light-hearted. I enjoyed it but it doesn’t need to be as long as it is. It’s not a book I would necessarily read again
krispyxx's review against another edition
5.0
I love a best friends to more book. I mean alot of these problems can be fixed by just talking but then there wouldn't be a story. Haha.