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A review by romancelibrary
The Great Dating Fake Off by Livy Hart
2.0
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.