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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
funny
fast-paced
Book: The Great Dating Fake Off
Author: Livy Hart
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Right from the first chapter, this story was a chaotic but fun adventure! It was easily a 4.5/5 star read for me.
Both main characters get caught in a bit of a tricky scenario when they show up to the same wedding - while fake dating another person to keep away their prying families. They can't deny that there is a connection between them, so they need to navigate how to make things work while not blowing their cover.
This book had more than one laugh out loud moment, and the high stakes of wanting to root for the main characters to end up together kept me wondering what would happen next throughout the whole thing.
Although this was the first book that I've read by Livy Hart, I definitely want to read more of her work in the future!
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the fake dating trope with a fun twist!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Great Dating Fake Off.
Author: Livy Hart
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Right from the first chapter, this story was a chaotic but fun adventure! It was easily a 4.5/5 star read for me.
Both main characters get caught in a bit of a tricky scenario when they show up to the same wedding - while fake dating another person to keep away their prying families. They can't deny that there is a connection between them, so they need to navigate how to make things work while not blowing their cover.
This book had more than one laugh out loud moment, and the high stakes of wanting to root for the main characters to end up together kept me wondering what would happen next throughout the whole thing.
Although this was the first book that I've read by Livy Hart, I definitely want to read more of her work in the future!
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the fake dating trope with a fun twist!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Great Dating Fake Off.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've truly enjoyed every single Livy Hart book so far. But I had so much trouble liking this one.
The Great Dating Fake Off is essentially the Italian version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with double the fake dating. Nora fake dates her best friend to get his mom off his back. Sebastian fake dates his best friend because she's still in the closet.
Nora and Sebastian's relationship is purely based on insta-lust, which is my least favourite trope in contemporary romance. I don't mind this trope in dark romance or paranormal romance, but I generally hate it in your typical mainstream contemporary romance. The banter is witty, sure, but I didn't get the pining I was expecting. I wanted less lust, and more PINING. There's lust and sexual want and a singular focus on body parts. And then there's emotional pining with unresolved sexual tension that makes the characters clench their jaws and fists. I prefer the latter, and instead I got the former 🤷🏽♀️
Because everything about Nora and Sebastian was based on insta-lust, it was easy to predict that they wouldn't be able to keep it in their pants even though they were both aware it was just going to be a hook up. And predictably, their hook up was the trigger for the ultimate chaos that ruined the wedding. Also, the spice here just didn't fit the big wedding and family feud theme. It felt completely misplaced.
Anyway, there isn't anything wrong with this book. It just didn't give me what I wanted, and I didn't like most of the characters. To be honest, I barely remember the names of the supporting characters. But I did like Benji, and I hope he gets his own story because grumpy bookstore owner?? Yes, please and thanks!
I'm sure other people will enjoy this book. This is the first time I didn't like a Livy Hart book, and I really hope it's also the last time because I truly enjoy her writing and storytelling style.
I've truly enjoyed every single Livy Hart book so far. But I had so much trouble liking this one.
The Great Dating Fake Off is essentially the Italian version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with double the fake dating. Nora fake dates her best friend to get his mom off his back. Sebastian fake dates his best friend because she's still in the closet.
Nora and Sebastian's relationship is purely based on insta-lust, which is my least favourite trope in contemporary romance. I don't mind this trope in dark romance or paranormal romance, but I generally hate it in your typical mainstream contemporary romance. The banter is witty, sure, but I didn't get the pining I was expecting. I wanted less lust, and more PINING. There's lust and sexual want and a singular focus on body parts. And then there's emotional pining with unresolved sexual tension that makes the characters clench their jaws and fists. I prefer the latter, and instead I got the former 🤷🏽♀️
Because everything about Nora and Sebastian was based on insta-lust, it was easy to predict that they wouldn't be able to keep it in their pants even though they were both aware it was just going to be a hook up. And predictably, their hook up was the trigger for the ultimate chaos that ruined the wedding. Also, the spice here just didn't fit the big wedding and family feud theme. It felt completely misplaced.
Anyway, there isn't anything wrong with this book. It just didn't give me what I wanted, and I didn't like most of the characters. To be honest, I barely remember the names of the supporting characters. But I did like Benji, and I hope he gets his own story because grumpy bookstore owner?? Yes, please and thanks!
I'm sure other people will enjoy this book. This is the first time I didn't like a Livy Hart book, and I really hope it's also the last time because I truly enjoy her writing and storytelling style.
Hart is such a hit or miss for me. I either absolutely love it or I'm side eyeing and rolling my eyes the whole time.
BIG MISS on this one. The fact that it's being marketed as a romcom is truly insane.
BIG MISS on this one. The fact that it's being marketed as a romcom is truly insane.
This book was ok. The chemistry between the two MCs felt forced and overshadowed by everyone around them. It had fun premise but just fell flat.
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Would have rated it 3 stars but smut where they’re in the same house as his grandma is ….scary