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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I greatly appreciated the “no third act break up” of it all — but this lacked a lot of plot. At the beginning there was a storyline, but it really just set up the spicy scenes. Which — don’t get me wrong — ARE GOOD! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 However, the scenes in between were only medicore and they were all the same and it felt like the book could have been 100 pages shorter.
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book when I started reading it, but this book has exceeded all my expectations. It was such a fun read. I usually don’t read fake dating tropes as much, mostly because I don’t love them. But, this friends-to-lovers, fake dating had me smiling and giggling with my feet in the air. The book had so much heat, and it kept me on the edge all the time. I was so completely invested in the book that I had to force myself to slow down and savour each word, each sentence.
I loved Lacey as an individual. She was fierce, a little sarcastic, funny, and overall, such a good human being. She was sure of herself, she was strong, she was inspiring. She loved her job and was proud of her accomplishments like she should be. She knew what she deserved, and she was the kind of human that made me want to be.
Shawn was a dream. He was, quite literally, perfect. He had me swooning and drooling. He understood what the bare minimum was, and he went over and above that bar. He was the complete green flag. I felt like his anxiety gave him more character. It isn’t easy to be in the public eye, and the descriptions of his anxiety were very real.
The author has put in a lot of love in this book, and it is very clearly visible. It makes me feel really happy that I was part of the journey while reading the book.
I loved Lacey as an individual. She was fierce, a little sarcastic, funny, and overall, such a good human being. She was sure of herself, she was strong, she was inspiring. She loved her job and was proud of her accomplishments like she should be. She knew what she deserved, and she was the kind of human that made me want to be.
Shawn was a dream. He was, quite literally, perfect. He had me swooning and drooling. He understood what the bare minimum was, and he went over and above that bar. He was the complete green flag. I felt like his anxiety gave him more character. It isn’t easy to be in the public eye, and the descriptions of his anxiety were very real.
The author has put in a lot of love in this book, and it is very clearly visible. It makes me feel really happy that I was part of the journey while reading the book.
funny
lighthearted
It’s official, I think I am obsessed with Chelsea Curto’s writing. I read my first book by her earlier this month for my book club. Then I went on to read the Camera Chemistry novella. Expected to not enjoy it but I absolutely loved and devoured it! I was going to read something else next but this series kept calling to me so I had to continue it. She puts crack in these books y’all! I could not put it down. I was obsessed with Lacey and Shawn and it was so nice to see Maggie and Aiden again. I was hooked on this book from the very start. I didn’t love their reasoning for the fake dating but I rolled with it. Things are just so easy for these two. I guess that’s how it almost always is when you go from friends to lovers. It was so clear how good they were for each other. Like yes they were attracted to each other, but they both made the other person better. And their lives just fit together with Maggie and Aiden. And to see how well Lacey fit in with Shawn’s family!? Too cute. Now three books in, I’m learning that I love how Chelsea writes her steam! She’s got these sweet ass guys with filthy mouths who always take care of their girl and are also super good about consent and boundaries. It’s HOT lol If I had any complaints about this book it’s that it wasn’t angsty and didn’t have enough drama. BUT even with that complaint I’m okay with it. I don’t think I could’ve handled a conflict between these two. I loved them too much by the end lol Overall, I’m speechless about how much I loved this book and how much I am starting to love this author. Clearly my next read has to be the next book in this series, to prepare for the new one in July.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Okay but I tell EVERYONE looking for a sweet romance about this book. Shawn is a man who we all want in our lives- he’s committed, funny, sexy, and oh so dirty when it comes down to it. I also really related to Lacey as I’m in healthcare and so it was easy to put myself in that story! But in reality I loved how they were already friends and slowly came to see how much each other meant to them. Like when he stopped to see her when coming back from a trip? That should have been the sign! And let me also say I love a good “one time to get it out of our systems” that THEY NEVER GET OVER!!!! Anyway, 10/10 would read again and probably will!
Curtos writing is wonderful. These characters were so fun to read and learn their story. Smut was excellent. Highly recommend this fun little romance.
Okay well, I LOVE this book.
I definitely fell into a bit of reading slump before this one, and it positively pulled me right out. This was the January pick for an Indie Author Book Club I joined, and i'm so grateful to have started out 2024 with this one.
Individually, as characters, I love both Lacey and Shawn. I feel like I don't often see men in the sports world (or even in fictional book sports world) that are as soft, genuine and not-cocky like Shawn Holmes. I also love that he has a more complex story that builds his character but it doesn't entirely take over the narrative. His past with anxiety attacks plays a role in who he is and how he functions, but it isn't his whole story. At the end of the day this book is a love story and it for sure strays away from over-doing plot points like this one. Its just the right amount.
Lacey is a strong, independent woman who loves her friends SO deeply. I love that she is first established as a pediatrician. The highlight of her success, and painting her as an equal to Shawn is so refreshing. She's funny and logical, not stubborn or "dramatic", which unfortunately many females in rom-coms fall victim to being. I love how confident she is in her sexuality, and how Shawn's money or fame doesn't at all change how she views him.
The lack of a third act break up had me SO EXCITED. It's not often that I find romance books that stay positive throughout the story that actually keep me captivated. But I also often feel many authors will add a third-act break up that follows a simple miscommunication trope. This is NOT that. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did! They portray such a healthy relationship and it is honestly a breath of fresh air.
To say I was hooked the entire time would be an understatement. I truly couldn't put this one down. Lacey and Shawn have incredible banter, great spicy scenes, and so so so much love for each other that bleeds through every page. I honestly can say that I can't wait to read Dallas' book to get more of the characters in this universe. (I love Maggie and Aiden too, they're such wonderful and supportive friends!)
I definitely fell into a bit of reading slump before this one, and it positively pulled me right out. This was the January pick for an Indie Author Book Club I joined, and i'm so grateful to have started out 2024 with this one.
Individually, as characters, I love both Lacey and Shawn. I feel like I don't often see men in the sports world (or even in fictional book sports world) that are as soft, genuine and not-cocky like Shawn Holmes. I also love that he has a more complex story that builds his character but it doesn't entirely take over the narrative. His past with anxiety attacks plays a role in who he is and how he functions, but it isn't his whole story. At the end of the day this book is a love story and it for sure strays away from over-doing plot points like this one. Its just the right amount.
Lacey is a strong, independent woman who loves her friends SO deeply. I love that she is first established as a pediatrician. The highlight of her success, and painting her as an equal to Shawn is so refreshing. She's funny and logical, not stubborn or "dramatic", which unfortunately many females in rom-coms fall victim to being. I love how confident she is in her sexuality, and how Shawn's money or fame doesn't at all change how she views him.
The lack of a third act break up had me SO EXCITED. It's not often that I find romance books that stay positive throughout the story that actually keep me captivated. But I also often feel many authors will add a third-act break up that follows a simple miscommunication trope. This is NOT that. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did! They portray such a healthy relationship and it is honestly a breath of fresh air.
To say I was hooked the entire time would be an understatement. I truly couldn't put this one down. Lacey and Shawn have incredible banter, great spicy scenes, and so so so much love for each other that bleeds through every page. I honestly can say that I can't wait to read Dallas' book to get more of the characters in this universe. (I love Maggie and Aiden too, they're such wonderful and supportive friends!)
slow-paced