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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
4.75 ⭐️
After going on another terrible blind date, Darcy swears off of romance. When her brother doesn't stop hounding her, Darcy lies and says the date went really well--just to get him off her back. Except Darcy's disastrous date, Elle, is actually her brother's new colleague, and they couldn't be any more different. Darcy is straight laced and Elle is an astrologer to believes in soul mates. Darcy asks Elle to pretend to date her through the holidays and so it begins. However, what's fake and what's real starts to become blurry.
This book was SO good! I loved how polar opposite Elle and Darcy were. Elle is kind of a hot mess, yet she has herself together and has aspirations. Darcy has been burned before and is slow to trust someone again. Their blossoming romance was so heartfelt and I loved the many layers and familial trauma packed into this book.
After going on another terrible blind date, Darcy swears off of romance. When her brother doesn't stop hounding her, Darcy lies and says the date went really well--just to get him off her back. Except Darcy's disastrous date, Elle, is actually her brother's new colleague, and they couldn't be any more different. Darcy is straight laced and Elle is an astrologer to believes in soul mates. Darcy asks Elle to pretend to date her through the holidays and so it begins. However, what's fake and what's real starts to become blurry.
This book was SO good! I loved how polar opposite Elle and Darcy were. Elle is kind of a hot mess, yet she has herself together and has aspirations. Darcy has been burned before and is slow to trust someone again. Their blossoming romance was so heartfelt and I loved the many layers and familial trauma packed into this book.
This was better than I was expecting in some ways and less so in others. It’s cute, don’t get me wrong. And I desperately want more wlw stories that aren’t completely tragic. The fake dating trope is just… eh, for me. Especially when the two people fake dating are so obviously incompatible at first blush.
This wasn’t simple opposites attract, it felt like an uncrossable chasm that Elle was constantly trying to bridge while Darcy kicked the sticks away. Yes, they grow into a real relationship, yes Darcy begins to appreciate Elle’s quirks and passions, even begins sticking up for her. But it’s not until Darcy is completely heartbroken by Elle FINALLY demanding she meet her even halfway (and she can’t/won’t/doesn’t) that anything is realized/discussed/expressed. And that happens in the last hour and a half of the audiobook, which happens to be nearly 12 hours long. There was too much back and forth, too much denial, too much letting doubts simmer and fester on Elle’s end for me; I was also a little disappointed that after everything the story just ends with Darcy’s apology and declaration of love & Elle accepting it. There wasn’t even an epilogue of them attending Christmas together or how things work out later.
Things that were done well: pop culture references (minus the HP stuff, ick), astrology, realistic family dynamics, unique jobs for the characters, interesting back stories without being TOO tragic/depressing (realistic, not hyperbole), great narrator
Things that were better than expected: pansexual representation, bisexual representation, banter, intimacy, steamy scenes (not fade to black! What?! Loved it)
This wasn’t simple opposites attract, it felt like an uncrossable chasm that Elle was constantly trying to bridge while Darcy kicked the sticks away. Yes, they grow into a real relationship, yes Darcy begins to appreciate Elle’s quirks and passions, even begins sticking up for her. But it’s not until Darcy is completely heartbroken by Elle FINALLY demanding she meet her even halfway (and she can’t/won’t/doesn’t) that anything is realized/discussed/expressed. And that happens in the last hour and a half of the audiobook, which happens to be nearly 12 hours long. There was too much back and forth, too much denial, too much letting doubts simmer and fester on Elle’s end for me; I was also a little disappointed that after everything the story just ends with Darcy’s apology and declaration of love & Elle accepting it. There wasn’t even an epilogue of them attending Christmas together or how things work out later.
Things that were done well: pop culture references (minus the HP stuff, ick), astrology, realistic family dynamics, unique jobs for the characters, interesting back stories without being TOO tragic/depressing (realistic, not hyperbole), great narrator
Things that were better than expected: pansexual representation, bisexual representation, banter, intimacy, steamy scenes (not fade to black! What?! Loved it)
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Extremely tropey and disappointing. The characters were not at all compelling and Darcy’s brother Brendan was the actual worst - constantly meddling in her life and crossing every boundary possible.
Two Harry Potter mentions in the first 40 pages - i am on my knees crying and begging millenials to move on but they just won't. Idc that you liked the book by the transphobic author, keep that to yourself!
I wanted to like this book! I wanted to like it so much! But the breakup before the ending made ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WITH THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. There were so many conflicts the author could have chosen to lean into! But no! Instead she went with the cliche that was out of character for how they both grew and changed! I skimmed to the end and I don’t even care that they got back together, it was still SO FRUSTRATING.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
funny
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:
No
This book was absolutely wonderful. I always think about when I’m going to read that book that’s going to make me tear up. It’s been a long time coming, and this one made my eyes watery. Tears of joy, of course. 💕
I completely loved everything about Elle. I wanted to hug her from page 2. I strive to be as open, loving, optimistic, and hopeful. I hope on most days I’d make her proud.
To say I could identify with Darcy is an understatement. It’s as though Alexandria Bellefleur took my chart and said you know what I’m just gonna tweak this one thing so Darcy isn’t an exact replica. But damn did AB absolutely nail so many of my own feelings, actions, and risks I’ve been afraid to take. 😭 that Pisces moon doesn’t play.
I love the fake dating trope, and the banter between these two while trying to navigate it was excellent. I was nervous about the act three breakup, especially because my ereader was taunting me with the percent complete. But AB, and Elle and Darcy, handled it with such care, with so much love, that it just warmed my heart even more.
Positively loved it 🥰❣️
I completely loved everything about Elle. I wanted to hug her from page 2. I strive to be as open, loving, optimistic, and hopeful. I hope on most days I’d make her proud.
To say I could identify with Darcy is an understatement. It’s as though Alexandria Bellefleur took my chart and said you know what I’m just gonna tweak this one thing so Darcy isn’t an exact replica. But damn did AB absolutely nail so many of my own feelings, actions, and risks I’ve been afraid to take. 😭 that Pisces moon doesn’t play.
I love the fake dating trope, and the banter between these two while trying to navigate it was excellent. I was nervous about the act three breakup, especially because my ereader was taunting me with the percent complete. But AB, and Elle and Darcy, handled it with such care, with so much love, that it just warmed my heart even more.
Positively loved it 🥰❣️
