A review by judeinthestars
The Only Exception by Allie McDermid

emotional funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Fake romance is a very popular trope these days, but what makes this one special is how lovely Izzy and Ingrid are. They’re not perfect, they have flaws. They’ve both been through emotional hardships, either with family or partners, that could have made them hard, but they’re kind and respectful, of each other and of the world around them. While Izzy is desperate to be in a proper relationship, to the point of questioning whether her feelings are genuine, Ingrid is determined not to fall but can’t resist. Perpendicular journeys to the same destination.

Izzy is an expert at making a fake relationship look real. She’s also a serial dater, as unlucky at finding love as she is great at pretending. After another predictable breakup, Izzy’s friends bet she can’t go six months without dating. Just in case, they allow for an exception if the woman meets certain criteria. As fate would have it, around the same time, Izzy, to keep her employer happy, breaks her own rule of not accepting women clients and agrees to act as Lady Ingrid’s girlfriend up to her brother’s wedding. All sorts of mishaps, misunderstandings, and—of course—feelings ensue.

The secondary characters on either side are a joy too, whether it’s Izzy’s friends or Ingrid’s family. Again, not perfect but lovely. Speaking of Izzy’s friends, this book, despite being the second in a series, can be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, I felt at times that I was missing some background, and I’ll have to catch up and read Long Time Coming.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars