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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fake dating has become one of my new favorite romance tropes and The Great Dating Fake Off gives you multiple fake dating relationships to love. Messy family drama, a lot of talk about books and food, and character you can't help to root for; I really enjoyed my first Livy Hart novel, The Great Dating Fake Off.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC.
“I’m so far past gone for her and I don’t want to be found. It’s good to be home.”
This book, these two and their friends and families will leave a lasting impression on me.
I am so upset at the pace I read it because now it’s over and I want so much more. First book by this author and I went in completely blind expecting a play on the Great British Bake off which I love. I didn’t get that but got so much more. This book is funny and witty and oh so horny. But it’s also sweet beyond belief. I highlighted half of it. This is going to be a top read for me this year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
I was given an ARC of this book and my opinions are my own.
This book, these two and their friends and families will leave a lasting impression on me.
I am so upset at the pace I read it because now it’s over and I want so much more. First book by this author and I went in completely blind expecting a play on the Great British Bake off which I love. I didn’t get that but got so much more. This book is funny and witty and oh so horny. But it’s also sweet beyond belief. I highlighted half of it. This is going to be a top read for me this year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
I was given an ARC of this book and my opinions are my own.
REVIEW
cw: childhood financial insecurity
Nora D’Amato spent her childhood moving from one city to the next, so now that she's found a place where people know her name, she intends to stay. Her best friend Benji owns the bookstore she manages, and she'd do anything for him. When Introvert Benji's overbearing Italian family start trying to set him up again on dates and pester him to commit to his sister's week of pre-wedding festivities, Nora steps in as his (fake) girlfriend. But Nora’s crush, Sebastian Rossi, also attends the wedding. And he's fake dating the groom’s sister. Can they keep up the charade long enough for the wedding to go off without a hitch?
I felt quite conflicted by the time I finished reading this story, which is why it's taken me a little while to post my review. I LOVE Livy Hart's characters and she always brings a lot of swoon as well as some seriously divine spice. And those things were in abundance once again here. The slow-burn simmering chemistry here was sublime, and I loved Sebastian and Nora's meet-cute. It was so hilariously bizarre, and I liked that the fake-dating set-up was handled early on. Nora was a good friend, and I felt for her as she recollected her childhood and her constant moving. Her desperation for familiarity felt authentic and I loved the development of her found family throughout the story. Sebastian was a schmexy cinnamon roll, and I loved his altruism. While I understood his (unrealistic) idea about trying to live up to his parents' legacies, he could sometimes be too fixated on it. Still, I loved how utterly gone he was for Nora, even early on. The hotel lobby meeting was SO awkward in the best way. I was cringing so much. But I loved all of Sebastian and Nora’s moments together, and each little 'almost', as they continued to fight their attraction and growing feelings at the wedding. Their growing closeness was gorgeous. From the sauna to the lake to the pasta, each interaction perfectly built the tension. The spice was searing hot in the best way. The poker night was fun, but the following chapter made me fan myself. Who knew darts and bowling could be so hot? Phew! The scene in the games room was incendiary, but the following chapter was SO worth the wait. The aftermath was surprising, but the reveal made me swoon, laugh, and cringe at different points.
This story was full of supporting characters, and sometimes I felt that they took away from the main storyline. It took a while to get a measure of Benji, and I'm still not 100% sure I know him that well. All I can say with certainty is that he was a (possibly misunderstood) grumpy introvert, and an absolutely TERRIBLE fake-dater. Still, I hope he gets his own HEA, as he was adorable when drunk and the stag/hen do cracked me up. The scenes once they all returned to the venue were also hilarious. I liked Alessia, Eloise, Gia, Ro, and Enzo, and I LOVED the growth of the friendships in the story, but the whole family drama between Ro and Enzo really started to annoy me and took up too much of the story. The bride and groom's families were a total nightmare but the resolution was satisfying. Still, I loved Santino, Benji’s grandfather, and Nella, Sebastian's grandmother. Both were hilarious and sweet in their own ways. The conflict between Nora and Sebastian felt inevitable, but the lack of communication was frustrating. Still, I appreciated it when they finally started to talk, and THANK GOODNESS for Alessia and Benji’s advice. The epilogue was perfect.
While not my favourite by the author, there were a lot of sweet, swoony, and seriously hot moments.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating:
cw: childhood financial insecurity
Nora D’Amato spent her childhood moving from one city to the next, so now that she's found a place where people know her name, she intends to stay. Her best friend Benji owns the bookstore she manages, and she'd do anything for him. When Introvert Benji's overbearing Italian family start trying to set him up again on dates and pester him to commit to his sister's week of pre-wedding festivities, Nora steps in as his (fake) girlfriend. But Nora’s crush, Sebastian Rossi, also attends the wedding. And he's fake dating the groom’s sister. Can they keep up the charade long enough for the wedding to go off without a hitch?
I felt quite conflicted by the time I finished reading this story, which is why it's taken me a little while to post my review. I LOVE Livy Hart's characters and she always brings a lot of swoon as well as some seriously divine spice. And those things were in abundance once again here. The slow-burn simmering chemistry here was sublime, and I loved Sebastian and Nora's meet-cute. It was so hilariously bizarre, and I liked that the fake-dating set-up was handled early on. Nora was a good friend, and I felt for her as she recollected her childhood and her constant moving. Her desperation for familiarity felt authentic and I loved the development of her found family throughout the story. Sebastian was a schmexy cinnamon roll, and I loved his altruism. While I understood his (unrealistic) idea about trying to live up to his parents' legacies, he could sometimes be too fixated on it. Still, I loved how utterly gone he was for Nora, even early on. The hotel lobby meeting was SO awkward in the best way. I was cringing so much. But I loved all of Sebastian and Nora’s moments together, and each little 'almost', as they continued to fight their attraction and growing feelings at the wedding. Their growing closeness was gorgeous. From the sauna to the lake to the pasta, each interaction perfectly built the tension. The spice was searing hot in the best way. The poker night was fun, but the following chapter made me fan myself. Who knew darts and bowling could be so hot? Phew! The scene in the games room was incendiary, but the following chapter was SO worth the wait. The aftermath was surprising, but the reveal made me swoon, laugh, and cringe at different points.
This story was full of supporting characters, and sometimes I felt that they took away from the main storyline. It took a while to get a measure of Benji, and I'm still not 100% sure I know him that well. All I can say with certainty is that he was a (possibly misunderstood) grumpy introvert, and an absolutely TERRIBLE fake-dater. Still, I hope he gets his own HEA, as he was adorable when drunk and the stag/hen do cracked me up. The scenes once they all returned to the venue were also hilarious. I liked Alessia, Eloise, Gia, Ro, and Enzo, and I LOVED the growth of the friendships in the story, but the whole family drama between Ro and Enzo really started to annoy me and took up too much of the story. The bride and groom's families were a total nightmare but the resolution was satisfying. Still, I loved Santino, Benji’s grandfather, and Nella, Sebastian's grandmother. Both were hilarious and sweet in their own ways. The conflict between Nora and Sebastian felt inevitable, but the lack of communication was frustrating. Still, I appreciated it when they finally started to talk, and THANK GOODNESS for Alessia and Benji’s advice. The epilogue was perfect.
While not my favourite by the author, there were a lot of sweet, swoony, and seriously hot moments.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating:
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The Great Dating Fake Off by Livy Hart
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 6 August 2024
Nora D'Amato was the epitome of loyalty when it came to her best friend. Need her to play the role of besotted admirer to fend off his overly enthusiastic Italian family? Consider it done. Attend a wedding just to appease the overbearing relatives? No problem. Endure six days at a luxurious resort while witnessing the clash of the bride and groom's families? She'd grab the popcorn and settle in for the show.
However, there was a tiny complication. Nora's crush—someone who occupied her thoughts in ways she'd rather not admit—was also in attendance. Sebastian Rossi was like a temptation she couldn't resist, looking irresistibly delicious, making her pulse race faster than a melting scoop of gelato in a heat wave.
Yet, Sebastian was off-limits... officially, at least. He was here with his pretend date for the wedding, owing Nora big time for keeping an eye on his nonna during his frequent work trips. A week in the Adirondacks seemed like a simple task, especially since Sebastian's lifestyle didn't allow for real relationships. Definitely not with Nora, the charming manager of the local bookstore who occupied his thoughts more than he cared to admit.
In the midst of a wedding battleground, with two families at odds, there was no room for flirting or clandestine rendezvous. Every move was under scrutiny, whether it was during the pickleball tournament, the tense confrontations between patriarchs, or even the unconventional bachelorette party involving bull-riding. Any misstep could unravel everything, risking the exposure of secrets they were sworn to protect.
There's an abundance of reasons to adore this gem. Hart's trademark humour dazzles in this uproarious comedy of mishaps. The chemistry between Nora and Seb practically leaps off the page. And let's talk about the sizzle—those steamy moments are off the charts (thanks to some photo booth antics)! The ensemble cast, comprising two feuding Italian families with their own juicy secrets, is simply stellar!
"The Great Dating Fake-Off" is an absolute riot and I would happily recommend it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, and the author, Livy Hart, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 6 August 2024
Nora D'Amato was the epitome of loyalty when it came to her best friend. Need her to play the role of besotted admirer to fend off his overly enthusiastic Italian family? Consider it done. Attend a wedding just to appease the overbearing relatives? No problem. Endure six days at a luxurious resort while witnessing the clash of the bride and groom's families? She'd grab the popcorn and settle in for the show.
However, there was a tiny complication. Nora's crush—someone who occupied her thoughts in ways she'd rather not admit—was also in attendance. Sebastian Rossi was like a temptation she couldn't resist, looking irresistibly delicious, making her pulse race faster than a melting scoop of gelato in a heat wave.
Yet, Sebastian was off-limits... officially, at least. He was here with his pretend date for the wedding, owing Nora big time for keeping an eye on his nonna during his frequent work trips. A week in the Adirondacks seemed like a simple task, especially since Sebastian's lifestyle didn't allow for real relationships. Definitely not with Nora, the charming manager of the local bookstore who occupied his thoughts more than he cared to admit.
In the midst of a wedding battleground, with two families at odds, there was no room for flirting or clandestine rendezvous. Every move was under scrutiny, whether it was during the pickleball tournament, the tense confrontations between patriarchs, or even the unconventional bachelorette party involving bull-riding. Any misstep could unravel everything, risking the exposure of secrets they were sworn to protect.
There's an abundance of reasons to adore this gem. Hart's trademark humour dazzles in this uproarious comedy of mishaps. The chemistry between Nora and Seb practically leaps off the page. And let's talk about the sizzle—those steamy moments are off the charts (thanks to some photo booth antics)! The ensemble cast, comprising two feuding Italian families with their own juicy secrets, is simply stellar!
"The Great Dating Fake-Off" is an absolute riot and I would happily recommend it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, and the author, Livy Hart, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
the writing was fine. the spicy scenes were fine. overall, this book is fine.
my main issue is with the characters. there were far too many characters and dynamics to keep track of, and none of them felt properly developed enough. i just didn't care about anything that happened or if the two leads would end up together, especially with the insta-love-ness of it all. it's unfortunate, as i think i would've given this a higher rating had the characters been kind enough to not ruin it for me.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review
my main issue is with the characters. there were far too many characters and dynamics to keep track of, and none of them felt properly developed enough. i just didn't care about anything that happened or if the two leads would end up together, especially with the insta-love-ness of it all. it's unfortunate, as i think i would've given this a higher rating had the characters been kind enough to not ruin it for me.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review
This lighthearted story has a big Italian wedding, main characters I was happy to root for (that are both fake dating other people) and tons of witty banter.
Nora is managing her best friend’s book store when Sebastian stops in to ask if his Boys and Girls Club could use the book store as a meeting place for their mentor and mentees. They are eyeing each other up and liking what they see when Benji, the owner of the book store (and Nora’s best friend), bursts into the book store with his mother and sister hot on his heels. While they are hounding him about finding a date for his sister’s wedding, Nora takes pity on Ben and tells his family she’s his girlfriend so they will ease off.
Sebastian is getting ready to attend his friend’s wedding when his best friend Alessia asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend because she doesn’t want her father to know she has a girlfriend. He moved back to his home town and has been taking a year off from his regular job, opening chapters of Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, so he can help his grandmother with home repairs.
When the wedding week arrives (in the beautiful Adirondacks), Nora is there pretending to be Benji’s girlfriend while Sebastian is pretending to be Alessia’s boyfriend and to add to the fun, both big Italian families of the bride and groom have drama and are feuding. It was hilarious.
This story is really fun but doesn't come out until August 6. Her last book, Some Kind of Blunderful, was one of my favorite books of 2023. My full review will be at all About Romance closer to the release date.
Nora is managing her best friend’s book store when Sebastian stops in to ask if his Boys and Girls Club could use the book store as a meeting place for their mentor and mentees. They are eyeing each other up and liking what they see when Benji, the owner of the book store (and Nora’s best friend), bursts into the book store with his mother and sister hot on his heels. While they are hounding him about finding a date for his sister’s wedding, Nora takes pity on Ben and tells his family she’s his girlfriend so they will ease off.
Sebastian is getting ready to attend his friend’s wedding when his best friend Alessia asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend because she doesn’t want her father to know she has a girlfriend. He moved back to his home town and has been taking a year off from his regular job, opening chapters of Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, so he can help his grandmother with home repairs.
When the wedding week arrives (in the beautiful Adirondacks), Nora is there pretending to be Benji’s girlfriend while Sebastian is pretending to be Alessia’s boyfriend and to add to the fun, both big Italian families of the bride and groom have drama and are feuding. It was hilarious.
This story is really fun but doesn't come out until August 6. Her last book, Some Kind of Blunderful, was one of my favorite books of 2023. My full review will be at all About Romance closer to the release date.
I love Livy Hart. Like, genuinely love her writing. She’s great with banter, tender feelings, and the spicy times. With The Great Dating Fake-Off she shows off her skills with aplomb.
Here we have Nora D’Amato, a woman finally putting down roots after a lifetime of being a nomad with her mother. She’s managing her bookstore when in walks former baseball player, current non-profit worker Sebastian Rossi. He’s hot and funny and juuuust about to ask her out when her boss and his loud, nosy family pops up.
Nora was confused when he actually left without asking because he was definitely leading them there. But it’s just as well. She has a week-long gig fake dating her friend and boss at his sister’s wedding in the Adirondacks.
Funny then when she runs into Sebastian at the same wedding event and he’s seemingly already dating a gorgeous woman. Turns out they’re also fake dating for this wedding.
As you can imagine, hijinks ensue. Fake dating is complicated even more when you’re attracted to someone other than your fake date.
This has a lot of banter, fun side characters, intense family dynamics, and those previously mentioned spicy times.
Here we have Nora D’Amato, a woman finally putting down roots after a lifetime of being a nomad with her mother. She’s managing her bookstore when in walks former baseball player, current non-profit worker Sebastian Rossi. He’s hot and funny and juuuust about to ask her out when her boss and his loud, nosy family pops up.
Nora was confused when he actually left without asking because he was definitely leading them there. But it’s just as well. She has a week-long gig fake dating her friend and boss at his sister’s wedding in the Adirondacks.
Funny then when she runs into Sebastian at the same wedding event and he’s seemingly already dating a gorgeous woman. Turns out they’re also fake dating for this wedding.
As you can imagine, hijinks ensue. Fake dating is complicated even more when you’re attracted to someone other than your fake date.
This has a lot of banter, fun side characters, intense family dynamics, and those previously mentioned spicy times.