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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a cute fall romance about a fake engagement that becomes all to real! This book reminded me a lot of the Hallmark Channel Movie "December Bride' and I am here for it!
I thought the relationship between Will and Lexi was well written and had my rooting for them throughout the book. I felt like their relationship was so raw and real.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Stephanie Cozart.
I thought the relationship between Will and Lexi was well written and had my rooting for them throughout the book. I felt like their relationship was so raw and real.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Stephanie Cozart.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story was simply bland. Too many hot rich people, fake family drama, and insta love. This book is like bread with nothing on it. Like. Sure. We like the bread. Bread is fine. But it would be greatly improved by so many things. That is this book. Supremely fine.
If you want a romance with 0 spice and a man that is written by a woman (but in a way that you go “girl that isn’t a man that is a fake person you wish existed” not in a cool and good way), go for it. Read it. But otherwise perhaps skip this one.
If you want a romance with 0 spice and a man that is written by a woman (but in a way that you go “girl that isn’t a man that is a fake person you wish existed” not in a cool and good way), go for it. Read it. But otherwise perhaps skip this one.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
“Maybe the best things in life weren’t planned down to the minute.”
“You’re exactly what I want and need every step of the way.”
Okay, this book was cute and fun! It did have quite a lot of swearing (f-words for sure) and while there weren’t any open door scenes, sex was definitely alluded to/implied off page many times throughout.
But Lexi and Will were so good together! They were funny and supportive and I loved their family and friend dynamics. I loved how they were both able each other through their struggles and problems.
Even though the cover shows it, I don’t really think this book gave fall vibes… but it was still cute!
“You’re exactly what I want and need every step of the way.”
Okay, this book was cute and fun! It did have quite a lot of swearing (f-words for sure) and while there weren’t any open door scenes, sex was definitely alluded to/implied off page many times throughout.
But Lexi and Will were so good together! They were funny and supportive and I loved their family and friend dynamics. I loved how they were both able each other through their struggles and problems.
Even though the cover shows it, I don’t really think this book gave fall vibes… but it was still cute!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What starts as Lexi and Will pretending to date to avoid Lexi's former friends finding out she hasn't lived up to everyone's expectations, quickly turns into a fake engagement as the situation gets out of their control.
I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. I felt like the story was too slow and the romance was too fast, and it just didn't work for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.
I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. I felt like the story was too slow and the romance was too fast, and it just didn't work for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.
medium-paced
I thought I was diving into a cozy fall romance with this one, but I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. The story didn’t have the cozy fall vibes I was expecting at all, and as I kept reading, I began to wonder if maybe I’m just not the type who enjoys a straightforward romance without much else going on. I need more than just romance to hold my attention, and this book fell short.
The main character’s immaturity was frustrating, and there was little to no chemistry between her and the male lead. Their entire fake dating setup was shaky from the beginning—there was no strong reason to keep up the ruse, yet somehow, the plot insisted on dragging it out.
One thing I couldn’t overlook was how often the book harped on her being “just a waitress.” It felt unnecessarily repetitive and almost insulting, as if her job was a huge source of shame. And her obsession with her high school years? It made no sense for someone in her mid-20s to still be so hung up on being popular and athletic back then. Not to mention her attitude towards her mom felt overly dramatic, considering her mom was grieving the loss of her husband.
There were also several plot threads that seemed to go nowhere. Her best friend’s relationship with Ethan? Barely touched on. Her running hobby, which she started again and then… crickets. And the situation with her father’s debt felt like it was going to be significant but never really came together. It all made the story feel disjointed, with too many loose ends left dangling.
And then there’s the lack of chemistry. The romance felt flat, dry, and unconvincing, which made it hard to care about their relationship at all. Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to the cozy fall romance I had hoped for—it was a slog to finish, and if it weren’t for my Bookstagram bingo boards, I might not have.
The main character’s immaturity was frustrating, and there was little to no chemistry between her and the male lead. Their entire fake dating setup was shaky from the beginning—there was no strong reason to keep up the ruse, yet somehow, the plot insisted on dragging it out.
One thing I couldn’t overlook was how often the book harped on her being “just a waitress.” It felt unnecessarily repetitive and almost insulting, as if her job was a huge source of shame. And her obsession with her high school years? It made no sense for someone in her mid-20s to still be so hung up on being popular and athletic back then. Not to mention her attitude towards her mom felt overly dramatic, considering her mom was grieving the loss of her husband.
There were also several plot threads that seemed to go nowhere. Her best friend’s relationship with Ethan? Barely touched on. Her running hobby, which she started again and then… crickets. And the situation with her father’s debt felt like it was going to be significant but never really came together. It all made the story feel disjointed, with too many loose ends left dangling.
And then there’s the lack of chemistry. The romance felt flat, dry, and unconvincing, which made it hard to care about their relationship at all. Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to the cozy fall romance I had hoped for—it was a slog to finish, and if it weren’t for my Bookstagram bingo boards, I might not have.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
I received a complimentary e-galley on NetGalley from St Martins Press.
This was a sweet little fall romance with enough autumn vibes to be perfect for October. Will and Lexi were fun together, andI really wanted more of the romance subplot with Gwen. The overall flow seemed a little muddled though, with some weird continuity errors and pacing issues in certain scenes, more so than even expected for an advance copy.
This was a sweet little fall romance with enough autumn vibes to be perfect for October. Will and Lexi were fun together, and
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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:
Yes