Reviews

The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman

mistysreads's review

4.0

This was the cutest story, I laughed so much during the antics between these two characters. You knew as soon as they started faking their relationship while also having electric chemistry that they would fall in love. This is my first book with this author and I am so glad that I gave her a chance. I am looking forward to finding more of her books.

Received ARC In exchange for voluntary honest review

jillmlong's review

1.0

This was not for me. I was cringing from the first page. Hot fireman/inspector gets mistaken for a stripper by a woman who thinks her friend sent him (to her work for!) her birthday. How old are these people? NO, no, no.

catthered's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

books_and_more_books_byt's review

4.0

The Dating Dilemma is the second book in the Mile High Firefighters series by Mariah Ankenman. The books have been fun, but they would be fine read as stand-alones. It was fast-paced, easy to read, and had lovable characters.
Lexi is a giver and after her last relationship ended, her roommate, Jordan, bet she won’t date. A misunderstanding had her thinking Jordan sent her a Strip-O-Gram fireman to her work for her birthday. The fireman actually was there to inspect the youth center she runs. The center is always low on funds, but they must fix the discrepancies to stay open. Dyson volunteering to help was a good thing.
Dyson was a rule follower and had a strict no relationship rule after being burned by his ex-fiancé and best friend. His two sisters keep pestering him about dating and blindsiding him by inviting women over to their weekly family dinner. To keep them from setting up more dates or a profile on a dating app, Dyson asks Lexi to be his fake girlfriend.
This was a cute fake date storyline, and I loved the two main character’s cute meet. Lexi and her adorable habit of speaking her thoughts out loud were so hilarious. I loved watching Lexi and Dyson’s relationship and trust in each other grow. This was a charming story, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a funny book that will leave you with a smile on your face.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

smalltownbookmom's review

3.0

A fun opposites attract, fake dating, dual perspective romance between Dyson, a hot rule-folowing firefighter and Lexi, a bad luck in love girl. These two have the funniest meet cute and super steamy chemistry. I wasn't a fan of how willing Dyson was to walk away from it all over a fear of needles though (he's allergic to pets and she thinks of her cat as family). Overall though a decent audiobook experience.

victoiredt's review

2.0

I liked the first one but could not get through this one. I love the fake dating trope but not like this. I mean they go on a date in the first 30% of the book, they insist saying it’s not a date he pays for their meal to « make it more convincing » but … no one is there to see it ? What’s the point ? I got the feeling they acted as a couple but without saying they were a couple and that was annoying. What’s the point of saying again and again that you don’t want to date, do the fake dating thing to convince someone else and acting like you’re dating even when the person you’re trying to convince is not there ? That’s just denial.

rachelreadsdaily's review

4.0

Dyson and Lexi were great characters and The Dating Dilemma had a lot of laugh out loud moments, some sweet moments, and a whole lot of awwwww. Lexi works for a center that helps underprivileged kids and she has a heart of gold and would give anyone anything. Because she's so selfless, her roommate has to make a bet with her just to get her to focus more on what she wants and not always what everyone else wants. Enter sweet, generous, kind Dyson. After a crushing heartbreak, he lives his life full of rules. Lexi helps Dyson break his rules and he helps her learn the value in telling people what you want and making it happen. These two were sweet and fun and I loved the other characters too.

kidisitor's review

4.0

This is a rather sweet read, but there is some heat to it as well. He is a firefighter who has sworn off love and relationships after a devastating breakup a few years back. She works in a youth community center helping keep kids out of trouble, and tends to put everyone and their needs ahead of her own, and has been taken advantage of many times in her relationships. The two meet during a fire inspection and had a connection, but due to their past, neither was going to make a move on the other.... but then the bets starting forming. Now sorta forced to get to know each other, because, yes, they were now fake dating, things start to get a little tricky. He is a really great guy who is kind and generous and not at all cocky. She is beautiful, selfless and has a heart of gold who will do anything to help the kids she works with. Together they are a perfect match, but everyone has fears and those fears threaten to tear them apart before they even begin. The characters are wonderful (and the side characters bring a little added humor to the story.) There are laughs and some tears. She has a little quirk to her personality, that endears her to you a little more. He is just an all round good guy, even if he is a bit of a stickler for the rules. Maybe, just maybe she can get him to bend. It alternates between POVs. It's easy to read and the story moves nicely. Even though they were fake dating, they still had the big break up before the grand gesture. There is some sexual content that may be deemed suitable for mature readers.

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

mdb8199's review

4.0

This was my firsts book by this author for me. It as told in 3rd person which was different for me and took some time to get used to. After a mistake in identities, Lexi and Dyson decide to help each other out. I enjoyed this fire fighter romance over all and will be looking into more of this series.

I received this ARC through #netgalley and I am voluntarily reviewing this book.

lagadema's review

4.0

I wanted to read this book since I've read the blurb, and those abs on the cover helped a little. The story kept me glued to my kindle from the very first scene where Lexi mistakes the hot firefighter for a stripper as a birthday present for her. I just had to see what will happen next, and next till the last page.
It is an interesting, entertaining fake relationship that will grow into something more. All that fake dating started as a mutual agreement to get Dyson's sisters of his back and she would have a help to fix up some failing safety codes in the Centre where she works.. Perfect deal for both of them, what would go wrong? Through the story that fake relationship, evolves into fake relationship with benefits and later....you will have to find out by yourself.
I really enjoyed reading this cute romance and as a part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series, I will read the other instalments too
*Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*