Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
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.
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.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I usually love a fake fiance situation, but this one didn't quite hit for me (as much as I wanted it to). I cared about the characters and was committed enough to find out how everything ended, but it wasn't very compelling and I didn't find myself dying to read it. Overall, still was worth my time and I liked the characters. The setup didn't feel very plausible.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fake engagement, real dating story where there is insta-love from the MMC's POV based entirely on him finding her hot while she experiments with the idea of changing her mind about ever being in a relationship.
My biggest complaint was that she called her Mom "Gwen" but had a Mom kind of relationship and then Emily shows up in the last scene even though she was Will's "Mom" throughout the book.
(My second biggest complaint was the unnecessary language. There were a lot of casual F bombs.)
The biggest pluses were the ridiculous name he gave himself in her phone and his goal of getting a 2nd and 3rd date when he knew it wasn't a given and the spicy kissing scenes in the first couple of dates.
The idea of whether it was a real ring or not was consistently a good metaphor.
I also appreciated that his sisters and both of their friends knew the whole story.
My biggest complaint was that she called her Mom "Gwen" but had a Mom kind of relationship and then Emily shows up in the last scene even though she was Will's "Mom" throughout the book.
(My second biggest complaint was the unnecessary language. There were a lot of casual F bombs.)
The biggest pluses were the ridiculous name he gave himself in her phone and his goal of getting a 2nd and 3rd date when he knew it wasn't a given and the spicy kissing scenes in the first couple of dates.
The idea of whether it was a real ring or not was consistently a good metaphor.
I also appreciated that his sisters and both of their friends knew the whole story.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
inspiring
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and author Sophie Sullivan for providing this eARC!
After her father passed away, Lexi’s perfectly planned life took a detour. A chance meeting with a stranger during her waitressing shift somehow leads to a fake engagement. But the feelings involved are real, and Lexi can't believe her life has enough room for a fairy tale, and becomes her own worst enemy.
This is a perfect book for a cozy autumn weekend! Lexi and Will have such a sweet chemistry and I loved the way they took care of each other in such different ways. The fall season is like an extra character that provides an exceptional backdrop to a romantic love story. Grab a warm apple cider and a cozy blanket and enjoy the fall vibes!
After her father passed away, Lexi’s perfectly planned life took a detour. A chance meeting with a stranger during her waitressing shift somehow leads to a fake engagement. But the feelings involved are real, and Lexi can't believe her life has enough room for a fairy tale, and becomes her own worst enemy.
This is a perfect book for a cozy autumn weekend! Lexi and Will have such a sweet chemistry and I loved the way they took care of each other in such different ways. The fall season is like an extra character that provides an exceptional backdrop to a romantic love story. Grab a warm apple cider and a cozy blanket and enjoy the fall vibes!
relaxing
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan was a sweet treat! A very wholesome book set in Seattle during fall. This book has some of my favorite tropes including meet cute, fake dating, he falls first and a rich MMC.
As a PNW native, I really felt like the fall vibe was captured so nicely. Will is such a dreamy MMC. From the physical and emotional connection, his love for Lexi was delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and romance between these two.
Even though this is a sweet Rom Com, I really enjoyed the mental health aspect of this book. Watching Lexi navigate not only her grief, her mother’s and codependency was very relatable. The healing journey for Lexi that Will allowed space for while encouraging and supporting her was swoon worthy. There were times when Will was building up Lexi that I swore her was talking directly to me.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a PNW native, I really felt like the fall vibe was captured so nicely. Will is such a dreamy MMC. From the physical and emotional connection, his love for Lexi was delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and romance between these two.
Even though this is a sweet Rom Com, I really enjoyed the mental health aspect of this book. Watching Lexi navigate not only her grief, her mother’s and codependency was very relatable. The healing journey for Lexi that Will allowed space for while encouraging and supporting her was swoon worthy. There were times when Will was building up Lexi that I swore her was talking directly to me.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.