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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was a satisfying, quick read. I liked that the two MCs were a bit older.
The POVs changed midchapter and sometimes it was confusing as to its current POV.
Eva's (the MFC) ex-boyfriend was incredibly narcissistic and I didn't care for how the whole situation was handled.
*ARC courtesy of the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. I want to thank the valued author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy.*
The POVs changed midchapter and sometimes it was confusing as to its current POV.
Eva's (the MFC) ex-boyfriend was incredibly narcissistic and I didn't care for how the whole situation was handled.
*ARC courtesy of the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. I want to thank the valued author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy.*
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book had zero pay off. The whole point of the fake relationship was to keep her “dangerous” ex away from her and the end was wholly unsatisfying.
The male MC was cardboard, his feminism was bordering on performative and pandering, and his internal monologue about how his sisters would be mad at him for being even mildly masculine was giving teenager and not 35 year old man. If he had spent 35 years of his life being an actual feminist, he wouldn’t have to recall his sister’s voices every five minutes.
The female MC was wishy washy AF. She constantly reminded the reader that she was a Strong, Independent Woman Who Didn’t Need A Man, and then immediately would melt into puddles whenever said Man was around. She’s 40. She brings it up multiple times. Grow the eff up.
Ultimately, if I knew how unsatisfying the ex storyline would be, I wouldn’t have read this. The epilogue was also useless. We get it. It’s a HEA. It was before the epilogue, and honestly, it was a better one.
The male MC was cardboard, his feminism was bordering on performative and pandering, and his internal monologue about how his sisters would be mad at him for being even mildly masculine was giving teenager and not 35 year old man. If he had spent 35 years of his life being an actual feminist, he wouldn’t have to recall his sister’s voices every five minutes.
The female MC was wishy washy AF. She constantly reminded the reader that she was a Strong, Independent Woman Who Didn’t Need A Man, and then immediately would melt into puddles whenever said Man was around. She’s 40. She brings it up multiple times. Grow the eff up.
Ultimately, if I knew how unsatisfying the ex storyline would be, I wouldn’t have read this. The epilogue was also useless. We get it. It’s a HEA. It was before the epilogue, and honestly, it was a better one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC!
Finally! A romance novel where the adult characters act like adults! And communicate with each other! Thank god!
This was really sweet, and I really adored both Eva and Sean. The reason for the third act breakup felt realistic and necessary, although I will say it wrapped up a bit too quickly. In fact, the ending very much felt like the book was running out of steam. That aside, I deeply enjoyed myself!
Finally! A romance novel where the adult characters act like adults! And communicate with each other! Thank god!
This was really sweet, and I really adored both Eva and Sean. The reason for the third act breakup felt realistic and necessary, although I will say it wrapped up a bit too quickly. In fact, the ending very much felt like the book was running out of steam. That aside, I deeply enjoyed myself!
relaxing
medium-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
I DNF'd this one after the first chapter. I usually give books about 50 pages before deciding on DNFing because of the juvenile writing and the stereotypes of the MMC. I don't find myself wanting to give it the chance to prove me wrong. I'm also not one for a third act breakup. I find the FMC reads like a younger teenager when she's meant to be a university professor and some of the FMC thoughts don't make sense with the tone of the situation.
lighthearted
medium-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
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fake Flame is an entertaining, heartwarming contemporary romance with a fun fake-dating plot centre around an older female main character, Eva, who is an English Professor in her 40s, and a main male character, Sean, a firefighter in his 30 who meets in quirk circumstance on the job. It is one of the best meet-cute opening scenes of a romance I have read in a long time!
Adele Buck's writing style is enjoyable, easy to read, and fast-paced storytelling that combines humour and heartfelt moments to bring to life the relationship challenges that befall Sean and Eva. This story reminded me of Collen Hoover's tone of voice and Olivia Dade's complex story beats. There is a lot packed into the plot, which could be a little distracting at points from the core romance building between Sean and Eva. It's nice to see an older, successful career woman at the heart of the romance and a younger male main character unthreatened by her position and the fact that she earns more than him.
The romance between Sean and Eva is sweet, centred around two emotionally mature characters who talk to each other about their problems and have a sizzling chemistry. Firefighting wasn't the only hot thing in this book – the bedroom scenes are smoldering with spice!
The Fake dating quickly spirals out of control, and reality blurs around their feelings towards each other. Eva and Sean were relatable, likable, and well-developed as the main characters – I did feel the secondary characters didn't have the same finishing touches, leading to some of them being a little stereotypical, like stalker ex-boyfriend antagonists who can't take no for an answer. I loved Eva's sassy nature – anyone willing to take a homemade flame thrower at their bothersome ex is a woman after my own heart. Any bookworm will sigh in appreciation for Sean, the book boyfriend who is an avid reader, kind and thoughtful.
An entertaining, cute, and fluffy romance that can sometimes be a little cheesy and predictable. The humour and drama are well written and blended well around the romance at the heart of the story, making it a perfect light read to enjoy at the end of a summer day.
Adele Buck's writing style is enjoyable, easy to read, and fast-paced storytelling that combines humour and heartfelt moments to bring to life the relationship challenges that befall Sean and Eva. This story reminded me of Collen Hoover's tone of voice and Olivia Dade's complex story beats. There is a lot packed into the plot, which could be a little distracting at points from the core romance building between Sean and Eva. It's nice to see an older, successful career woman at the heart of the romance and a younger male main character unthreatened by her position and the fact that she earns more than him.
The romance between Sean and Eva is sweet, centred around two emotionally mature characters who talk to each other about their problems and have a sizzling chemistry. Firefighting wasn't the only hot thing in this book – the bedroom scenes are smoldering with spice!
The Fake dating quickly spirals out of control, and reality blurs around their feelings towards each other. Eva and Sean were relatable, likable, and well-developed as the main characters – I did feel the secondary characters didn't have the same finishing touches, leading to some of them being a little stereotypical, like stalker ex-boyfriend antagonists who can't take no for an answer. I loved Eva's sassy nature – anyone willing to take a homemade flame thrower at their bothersome ex is a woman after my own heart. Any bookworm will sigh in appreciation for Sean, the book boyfriend who is an avid reader, kind and thoughtful.
An entertaining, cute, and fluffy romance that can sometimes be a little cheesy and predictable. The humour and drama are well written and blended well around the romance at the heart of the story, making it a perfect light read to enjoy at the end of a summer day.
medium-paced