Scan barcode
A review by rosielovesreading
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend by Lauren Blakely
4.0
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is a friends-to-more fake relationship romance and the start of a new series from Lauren Blakely. It’s a hilarious romantic comedy about Oliver and Summer, who have been friends since they were kids.
Oliver and Summer have known each other for 17 years and are best friends. One thing they have always done for one another, is posed as each other’s respective partners when the need arises, especially if an ex pops up unexpectedly. But they’ve never crossed the line because their friendship means too much to them. Summer is struggling to achieve her dream of opening a gym for over fifty-fives, and unable to get a loan on top of her savings, enters a writing competition for a dating magazine, where you write a letter to your ex. Her letter, addressed Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, is quickly published and goes viral, with social media deciding the subject of the letter must be Oliver. The article sends Oliver’s life into tailspin, with his clients at his law firm deciding he’s untrustworthy, so he spins the subject and is forced to ask Summer to be his fake fiancée. Suddenly having to be affectionate to one another, flirty and thrown into many romantic situations, things begin to feel real. Both of them begin to fall, but will they both be able to admit to their changing feelings? What will happen when the fake engagement comes to an end, or will they be caught in their lie?
This book was not what I was expecting in the best way, it was not a second chance romance as Oliver and Summer never dated. But they may as well have, their friendship was so strong and they had such a deep connection, it was clear their feelings had been underlying all along. They knew each other inside out, were each other’s rock through difficult times and spent most days together, trying new places to eat and exploring the city. Summer was ambitious, determined to get the money for her dream on her own. The article makes her realise her true feelings for her best friend, but also how scared she was that he doesn’t feel the same and it would ruin their friendship. Oliver was charming and handsome but had been through some tough times and leant on Summer, and her twin brother Logan too. He knew the hurt of losing someone you love so his reluctance to have anything more with Summer was purely out of self-protection, but he soon realised his feelings couldn’t be hidden. Both of these characters were easy to like, and you are rooting for them throughout. One of the things I loved most however was how obvious their feelings for one another had been to others for years, but they both needed to be put in this unique circumstance for them to realise it themselves. But once they knew, it didn’t take long for them to embrace their feelings completely.
The secondary characters had me hooked too; I am so intrigued by their stories next in the series. Logan’s story is set up nicely at the end of this and I can’t wait for the release. Oliver’s friendships with the guys was great, their banter was perfect, but I also loved how they supported him and there was no drama there. Summer’s friends Stella was hilarious, her laws of dating had me laughing, although she was definitely glad to be proved wrong.
Overall, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the perfect start to this new contemporary series. There is minimal drama, angst and miscommunication which I loved; it was just two best friends slowly realising their feelings for one another had been deeper all along. It was funny, sweet and steamy and a must read in my eyes!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Oliver and Summer have known each other for 17 years and are best friends. One thing they have always done for one another, is posed as each other’s respective partners when the need arises, especially if an ex pops up unexpectedly. But they’ve never crossed the line because their friendship means too much to them. Summer is struggling to achieve her dream of opening a gym for over fifty-fives, and unable to get a loan on top of her savings, enters a writing competition for a dating magazine, where you write a letter to your ex. Her letter, addressed Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, is quickly published and goes viral, with social media deciding the subject of the letter must be Oliver. The article sends Oliver’s life into tailspin, with his clients at his law firm deciding he’s untrustworthy, so he spins the subject and is forced to ask Summer to be his fake fiancée. Suddenly having to be affectionate to one another, flirty and thrown into many romantic situations, things begin to feel real. Both of them begin to fall, but will they both be able to admit to their changing feelings? What will happen when the fake engagement comes to an end, or will they be caught in their lie?
This book was not what I was expecting in the best way, it was not a second chance romance as Oliver and Summer never dated. But they may as well have, their friendship was so strong and they had such a deep connection, it was clear their feelings had been underlying all along. They knew each other inside out, were each other’s rock through difficult times and spent most days together, trying new places to eat and exploring the city. Summer was ambitious, determined to get the money for her dream on her own. The article makes her realise her true feelings for her best friend, but also how scared she was that he doesn’t feel the same and it would ruin their friendship. Oliver was charming and handsome but had been through some tough times and leant on Summer, and her twin brother Logan too. He knew the hurt of losing someone you love so his reluctance to have anything more with Summer was purely out of self-protection, but he soon realised his feelings couldn’t be hidden. Both of these characters were easy to like, and you are rooting for them throughout. One of the things I loved most however was how obvious their feelings for one another had been to others for years, but they both needed to be put in this unique circumstance for them to realise it themselves. But once they knew, it didn’t take long for them to embrace their feelings completely.
The secondary characters had me hooked too; I am so intrigued by their stories next in the series. Logan’s story is set up nicely at the end of this and I can’t wait for the release. Oliver’s friendships with the guys was great, their banter was perfect, but I also loved how they supported him and there was no drama there. Summer’s friends Stella was hilarious, her laws of dating had me laughing, although she was definitely glad to be proved wrong.
Overall, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the perfect start to this new contemporary series. There is minimal drama, angst and miscommunication which I loved; it was just two best friends slowly realising their feelings for one another had been deeper all along. It was funny, sweet and steamy and a must read in my eyes!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*