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A review by serahlunareads
Pretend You're Mine by Lucy Score
4.25
Overall Thoughts:
As a military wife who has gone through my very fair share of deployments and separation, I knew what I was going into when I picked up this book. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I connected to these characters so much. Maybe it’s because Harper is equal parts reckless and amazingly strong, or that Luke is equal parts idiotic and incredibly sexy. Idk. All I know is that these two characters (and really the entire town of Benevolence, MD) are permanently branded into my brain. I love them so much.
Even though this book involved some of my least favorite tropes (insta-lust/love, unrequited love) I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There was even a bonus small plot twist and a few chapters that felt very thriller-esque.
About 25% through this one I thought I was going to loathe it. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and I really don’t jive well with insta-lust and it was allll over this one. By the end of the book? Torn apart in two pieces, ruined, put back together again, ruined again, and now I’m a puddle on the floor trying to recover from these emotions.
More Detail, But Beware of Spoilers:
Luke is a piece of work. He strings Harper along the entire book knowing that he is still healing from the loss of his wife. He tells her and himself that he will never love her, but their physical attraction to one another keeps them coming back for more. Which brings me to Harper. She’s either as much of a massive idiot as Luke or the saint I wish I could be one day. She’s patient with him. She doesn’t react in anger to all the punches thrown her way. I don’t know if it’s from her past trauma or what, but I’m glad she toughed it out and Luke is a damn fool for not seeing how incredible she is and not toughing it out for her, too. As I’m writing this, I’m realizing what a selfish idiot he is, and how selfless Harper is the entire book.
So tell me why I still love Luke with all my heart?! I’m honestly confused and tormented by these feelings.
Bonus Thoughts:
A soldier with the last name Garrison? Possibly a bit too on the nose for me.
Was there anything other than physical chemistry between Luke and Harper? No, not really. Did that matter to me? No, not one bit.
Every time Luke used the pet name “baby” I about gagged. Didn’t work for me here. It rarely does, though.
Tropes:
Grumpy Sunshine
One Bed
Fake Dating
Insta-Lust
Unrequited Love
Military
Small Town
Found Family
As you can see, this one comes with a LOT of tropes! And honestly, I’m here for every single one of them.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ This had so much chemistry, along with the fmc trying at least one new thing she never had before, and an alpha-male taking control minorly. It was hot and I enjoyed every single bit of it.
Plot Twist: Yes, minorly
POV:
Third person, mostly focused on Harper but we did get some of Luke’s perspective as well.
Trigger Warnings:
Abuse (Domestic & Child)
War
Child Death
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a military wife who has gone through my very fair share of deployments and separation, I knew what I was going into when I picked up this book. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I connected to these characters so much. Maybe it’s because Harper is equal parts reckless and amazingly strong, or that Luke is equal parts idiotic and incredibly sexy. Idk. All I know is that these two characters (and really the entire town of Benevolence, MD) are permanently branded into my brain. I love them so much.
Even though this book involved some of my least favorite tropes (insta-lust/love, unrequited love) I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There was even a bonus small plot twist and a few chapters that felt very thriller-esque.
About 25% through this one I thought I was going to loathe it. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and I really don’t jive well with insta-lust and it was allll over this one. By the end of the book? Torn apart in two pieces, ruined, put back together again, ruined again, and now I’m a puddle on the floor trying to recover from these emotions.
More Detail, But Beware of Spoilers:
Luke is a piece of work. He strings Harper along the entire book knowing that he is still healing from the loss of his wife. He tells her and himself that he will never love her, but their physical attraction to one another keeps them coming back for more. Which brings me to Harper. She’s either as much of a massive idiot as Luke or the saint I wish I could be one day. She’s patient with him. She doesn’t react in anger to all the punches thrown her way. I don’t know if it’s from her past trauma or what, but I’m glad she toughed it out and Luke is a damn fool for not seeing how incredible she is and not toughing it out for her, too. As I’m writing this, I’m realizing what a selfish idiot he is, and how selfless Harper is the entire book.
So tell me why I still love Luke with all my heart?! I’m honestly confused and tormented by these feelings.
Bonus Thoughts:
A soldier with the last name Garrison? Possibly a bit too on the nose for me.
Was there anything other than physical chemistry between Luke and Harper? No, not really. Did that matter to me? No, not one bit.
Every time Luke used the pet name “baby” I about gagged. Didn’t work for me here. It rarely does, though.
Tropes:
Grumpy Sunshine
One Bed
Fake Dating
Insta-Lust
Unrequited Love
Military
Small Town
Found Family
As you can see, this one comes with a LOT of tropes! And honestly, I’m here for every single one of them.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ This had so much chemistry, along with the fmc trying at least one new thing she never had before, and an alpha-male taking control minorly. It was hot and I enjoyed every single bit of it.
Plot Twist: Yes, minorly
POV:
Third person, mostly focused on Harper but we did get some of Luke’s perspective as well.
Trigger Warnings:
Abuse (Domestic & Child)
War
Child Death
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.