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reanimatedreader's review
3.0
Netgalley ARC
Easy summer read that I finished in one morning sitting. So it kept my interest enough for me to read it one go. Who doesn't love the hot fireman trope?!
Both characters were fleshed out enough for me to care about them both and it was a romance that included a lot of insecurities on for each lead character.
Easy summer read that I finished in one morning sitting. So it kept my interest enough for me to read it one go. Who doesn't love the hot fireman trope?!
Both characters were fleshed out enough for me to care about them both and it was a romance that included a lot of insecurities on for each lead character.
creativelifeofliz's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Full review on Under the Covers Book Blog at: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/2022/04/arc-review-the-dating-dilemma-by-mariah-ankenman.html
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, fun contemporary romance then this book is for you. It’s definitely not anything super new or unexpected, but it was enjoyable to read and broke up some of the more serious books I’ve been reading recently. Honestly, throughout the book I thought that I’d read the first one in the series since it seemed really familiar, but I have apparently haven’t. Guess that means I have another one to add to my TBR when I want another palate cleanser!
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, fun contemporary romance then this book is for you. It’s definitely not anything super new or unexpected, but it was enjoyable to read and broke up some of the more serious books I’ve been reading recently. Honestly, throughout the book I thought that I’d read the first one in the series since it seemed really familiar, but I have apparently haven’t. Guess that means I have another one to add to my TBR when I want another palate cleanser!
fillmoretimereading's review
4.0
Fake dating and firefighters?! SIGN. ME. UP.
This is book 2 in the Mile High Firefighters series. Book 1 is my favorite so while these can be read as standalones, I still recommend reading book 1 too!
This book gives us Lexi who is a do-gooder, workaholic and Dyson who is an anti-dating firefighter. Dyson stops by Lexi's work for a fire safety inspection and the attraction is immediate.
They end up working together to help the Youth Center Lexi works at and making a few deals, fake dating as one of them!
This book reads so smoothly. I loved Lexi and Dyson's story and how the side characters were realistic and fun. Definitely pop this one on your TBR if you're looking for an easy, fake dating read.
This is book 2 in the Mile High Firefighters series. Book 1 is my favorite so while these can be read as standalones, I still recommend reading book 1 too!
This book gives us Lexi who is a do-gooder, workaholic and Dyson who is an anti-dating firefighter. Dyson stops by Lexi's work for a fire safety inspection and the attraction is immediate.
They end up working together to help the Youth Center Lexi works at and making a few deals, fake dating as one of them!
This book reads so smoothly. I loved Lexi and Dyson's story and how the side characters were realistic and fun. Definitely pop this one on your TBR if you're looking for an easy, fake dating read.
megatza's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Oof. This one was not it for me. Not that a contemporary firefighter romance was likely going to be for me...but the set up sounded a little bonkers. Sadly rather than the book being bonkers, it drove me bonkers. 😭 the MCs felt underdeveloped as characters and the plot was a lot of telling rather than showing and very straightforward in a way that doesn't appeal to me.
That said it had some cute and some steamy moments. And if fake dating and 🥵 firefighters is your thing, you might enjoy this one!
That said it had some cute and some steamy moments. And if fake dating and 🥵 firefighters is your thing, you might enjoy this one!
enchxnting_books's review
3.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Dating Dilemma is a well written romance with plenty of moments to laugh out loud. Lexi and Dyson have s great dynamic throughout the story and both were quite relatable. The book felt very grounded and easy to read.
The tropes are executed perfectly. Fake dating can get a little iffy but the chemistry was there from the beginning and the author did a great job in growing their romantic connection through the fake dating. I enjoyed the added fire family within the story line, almost reminiscent of the show 9-1-1 which I absolutely loved!
The Dating Dilemma is a well written romance with plenty of moments to laugh out loud. Lexi and Dyson have s great dynamic throughout the story and both were quite relatable. The book felt very grounded and easy to read.
The tropes are executed perfectly. Fake dating can get a little iffy but the chemistry was there from the beginning and the author did a great job in growing their romantic connection through the fake dating. I enjoyed the added fire family within the story line, almost reminiscent of the show 9-1-1 which I absolutely loved!
the_page_traveller's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
storieswithsoul's review
5.0
It's a fun, lighthearted, and a beautifully written contemporary romance story. Perfect for a lazy winter afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all romance fans. Both the main characters are adorable and the chemistry between them is explosive. I also loved the side characters; the banters between friends and how each character interacted with the others; it was well worth the read.
sarahsbookstack's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.25
What starts off with Lexi mistaking firefighter Dyson (ugh the name is awful to me) coming to the youth center to do a fire inspection as a strip-o-gram for her birthday turns into a fake dating while both of them are on a "no dating rule" there is a lot of fun to be had.
I thought the fact that Lexi would speak her thoughts out loud and not knowing she was doing it was fun. Made for a lot of embarrassing moments with Dyson.
We all know how fake dating goes- someone is always going to go wrong. Though they always planned to "break up" after a month of this charade, the way they actually broke up was different (and a bit scary but that's all I can say)
I thought the fact that Lexi would speak her thoughts out loud and not knowing she was doing it was fun. Made for a lot of embarrassing moments with Dyson.
We all know how fake dating goes- someone is always going to go wrong. Though they always planned to "break up" after a month of this charade, the way they actually broke up was different (and a bit scary but that's all I can say)
thyapollo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
romancereadingreactions's review
2.0
I feel like I need to start this review by saying very clearly this is an "it's not you, it's me" situation. I think there are going to be many people who love this book, it just wasn't the right book for me right now!
I don't know if it's because of all the dark romance I've been reading recently, but this book was sweet. Like, sickly sweet. And I feel bad saying this, but for me, it read like it was trying just a little too hard to be a rom-com. As if every other line had to be a zinger, you know? I love the tropes, and for me, there can never be too many in a book! But they at least need to appear to happen organically. The characters and the dialogue were all over the top, and it actually felt a bit chaotic and hard to follow at times, especially with Lexi and her internal versus external dialogue. It was never clear what she was saying to herself and what was actually said out loud; it seems like it was meant to be a quirky personality trait, but it just made things difficult to follow and wasn't done consistently.
I also have to say it, I couldn't take a hero named after a vacuum seriously. It legitimately bothered me every time I read it.
With how over the top and forced the characters and plot were, along with how repetitive things felt, it just didn't work for me. There were enough moments along the way that did keep me reading though, so I figure if it could do that even when the writing style didn't work for me, a lot of people will probably enjoy this! If you read it, go in expecting lots of cheese and clichés, exaggerated characters, and some disorganized dialogue, but tropes galore and sweetness to enjoy!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
I don't know if it's because of all the dark romance I've been reading recently, but this book was sweet. Like, sickly sweet. And I feel bad saying this, but for me, it read like it was trying just a little too hard to be a rom-com. As if every other line had to be a zinger, you know? I love the tropes, and for me, there can never be too many in a book! But they at least need to appear to happen organically. The characters and the dialogue were all over the top, and it actually felt a bit chaotic and hard to follow at times, especially with Lexi and her internal versus external dialogue. It was never clear what she was saying to herself and what was actually said out loud; it seems like it was meant to be a quirky personality trait, but it just made things difficult to follow and wasn't done consistently.
I also have to say it, I couldn't take a hero named after a vacuum seriously. It legitimately bothered me every time I read it.
With how over the top and forced the characters and plot were, along with how repetitive things felt, it just didn't work for me. There were enough moments along the way that did keep me reading though, so I figure if it could do that even when the writing style didn't work for me, a lot of people will probably enjoy this! If you read it, go in expecting lots of cheese and clichés, exaggerated characters, and some disorganized dialogue, but tropes galore and sweetness to enjoy!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book!