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ekloretto's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aeriell's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
syrairai's review against another edition
4.0
This book had most of the things I love in a book: fake dating, small town and grumpy/sunshine!
Faking it with the Grump is the first book in the Second Chance Cafe series and it did not disappoint. I loved getting to know the MMCs and seeing their romance unfold. Christopher is a really staunch guy with so much responsibility seemingly on his shoulders. He just wants to work to earn enough to support his little sister which is admirable - it does make him seem grumpy, uptight and a little bit of a stick in the mud (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Harper has been dumped by her high school sweetheart and is ready for a fresh start in her hometown, or is she? As a primary teacher she exudes sunshine and patience which makes their pairing all the more great. A sweet closed door romance!
While I enjoyed the book, I felt as though it moved very fast and I personally like a slower burn and a slower pace for the book. However, I did appreciate that it was a quick and easy read.
3.5 stars!!
Faking it with the Grump is the first book in the Second Chance Cafe series and it did not disappoint. I loved getting to know the MMCs and seeing their romance unfold. Christopher is a really staunch guy with so much responsibility seemingly on his shoulders. He just wants to work to earn enough to support his little sister which is admirable - it does make him seem grumpy, uptight and a little bit of a stick in the mud (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Harper has been dumped by her high school sweetheart and is ready for a fresh start in her hometown, or is she? As a primary teacher she exudes sunshine and patience which makes their pairing all the more great. A sweet closed door romance!
While I enjoyed the book, I felt as though it moved very fast and I personally like a slower burn and a slower pace for the book. However, I did appreciate that it was a quick and easy read.
3.5 stars!!
reeyabeegale's review against another edition
3.0
It was cute. It was a light and quick read!
It's nothing special, it's your usual small-town rom-com. I would have probably liked it more if it wasn't predictable. In a way, the discussion of the conflict between Harper and Christopher was so obvious, and I didn't like that the author tried to write Christopher in that part as someone who is dumb and dense.
In a way, I couldn't believe that the Christopher who was smart, quiet and who has compassion was written to ask Harper to move to NYC despite knowing how much she resented leaving her hometown for a guy before. Sorry, but that was so out of character that it makes me think it was just written merely to put conflict in the story.
Nonetheless, it was okay. If you're looking for something that doesn't require much thinking in terms of plot, pick this up!
It's nothing special, it's your usual small-town rom-com. I would have probably liked it more if it wasn't predictable. In a way, the discussion of the conflict between Harper and Christopher was so obvious, and I didn't like that the author tried to write Christopher in that part as someone who is dumb and dense.
In a way, I couldn't believe that the Christopher who was smart, quiet and who has compassion was written to ask Harper to move to NYC despite knowing how much she resented leaving her hometown for a guy before. Sorry, but that was so out of character that it makes me think it was just written merely to put conflict in the story.
Nonetheless, it was okay. If you're looking for something that doesn't require much thinking in terms of plot, pick this up!
stormyways13's review
Every chapter was becoming repetitive with a recap that Christopher was leaving and the relationship was temporary.
helen_88's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
loadsofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had hopes that this would be a cutesy romance that I would enjoy, but unfortunately this book didn't deliver for me.
It was a short read but I feel like both the characters and storyline could've been delved into a little deeper. The book felt a two dimensional and seemed to be missing something the whole way through.
I found that it was slow paced, but then went super fast towards the end. They went from a fake relationship to suddenly declaring their love within a couple of weeks.
I also have seen a few comments from other reviewers about this, but there was some slight racism and also making jokes of the #MeToo Movement. I definitely disengaged after this.
I had hopes that this would be a cutesy romance that I would enjoy, but unfortunately this book didn't deliver for me.
It was a short read but I feel like both the characters and storyline could've been delved into a little deeper. The book felt a two dimensional and seemed to be missing something the whole way through.
I found that it was slow paced, but then went super fast towards the end. They went from a fake relationship to suddenly declaring their love within a couple of weeks.
I also have seen a few comments from other reviewers about this, but there was some slight racism and also making jokes of the #MeToo Movement. I definitely disengaged after this.
myreadsjournal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This book was so cute!! Full transparency here: whatever has small town romance, fake dating and grumpy x sunshine will always win me over and I will never, everrrr, say "no" to such book!
The story follows Harper Cole who gets dumped rather publicly at one of the most romantic spots in L.A but her high-school-sweetheart and now one of the biggest Hollywood stars, Dex Ryder.
As if this wasn't hard-bad-sad enough, moving back to the small town both Harper and Dex grew up in isn't any bed of roses, either.
And how do you think our Harper feels when literally everyone in Hunter's Creek is trying to set her up with every bachelor in town? Yeah, doesn't seem like fun.
So when Harper spots a new-hot-guy in town, Christopher Young, she sees a perfect opportunity: convince him to fake-date her so that everyone can move on and stop bringing all the spotlight on Harper. Especially since Christopher is in town for business and his stay in Hunter's Creek is very temporary - around 2-3 months, to be more precise. So, you see, a perfect opportunity indeed! I mean, what can possibly go wrong here?
I loved getting to know Harper and Christopher, seeing their differences and also how they complement one another.
Btw, Christopher is not your usual grump. He has his grumpy moments, but he's the sweetest at heart and I could easily see him winning an amazing book boyfriend award.
This book is like a romantic Hallmark film: short, light, sweet, romantic and with a HEA. It's "Not exactly a straightforward love story, but it's the best love story because it's ours."
Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Kate O'Keefe for providing me the early copy of this book.
This book was so cute!! Full transparency here: whatever has small town romance, fake dating and grumpy x sunshine will always win me over and I will never, everrrr, say "no" to such book!
The story follows Harper Cole who gets dumped rather publicly at one of the most romantic spots in L.A but her high-school-sweetheart and now one of the biggest Hollywood stars, Dex Ryder.
As if this wasn't hard-bad-sad enough, moving back to the small town both Harper and Dex grew up in isn't any bed of roses, either.
And how do you think our Harper feels when literally everyone in Hunter's Creek is trying to set her up with every bachelor in town? Yeah, doesn't seem like fun.
So when Harper spots a new-hot-guy in town, Christopher Young, she sees a perfect opportunity: convince him to fake-date her so that everyone can move on and stop bringing all the spotlight on Harper. Especially since Christopher is in town for business and his stay in Hunter's Creek is very temporary - around 2-3 months, to be more precise. So, you see, a perfect opportunity indeed! I mean, what can possibly go wrong here?
I loved getting to know Harper and Christopher, seeing their differences and also how they complement one another.
Btw, Christopher is not your usual grump. He has his grumpy moments, but he's the sweetest at heart and I could easily see him winning an amazing book boyfriend award.
This book is like a romantic Hallmark film: short, light, sweet, romantic and with a HEA. It's "Not exactly a straightforward love story, but it's the best love story because it's ours."
Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Kate O'Keefe for providing me the early copy of this book.
gem_reads_too's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0