A review by romancingthereader
The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely

funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Lauren Blakely books are kind of my sweet spot. Uber smutty, unapologetically crazy, and the perfect length. They're no BS, straight up romance with zany characters you can't help but love. 

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: How to Date character series. Book 3.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-Book ARC on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary Romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Single parent (s), fake engagement, "my wife" vibes, found family, no third-act breakup, toys as teammates.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Gage and Elodie have an epic first date, but quickly realize their passion for their respective businesses and their collaboration idea is going to be game-changing. She's a chocolatier; he's a bartender. As they embark on a pop-up shop that will cement their future, they vow not to touch each other again. But that plan becomes even harder when they have to pretend to be a couple. 

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: If you've never read a Lauren Blakely book, let me tell you... they are SPICY. They're usually hot from the start, and The Almost Romantic was no exception.

Gage and Elodie had chemistry from the start. But beyond the spice, I really loved the found family aspect of this book. Gage was a single dad. Elodie was her younger sister's guardian. The characters connected in that sense, and it felt so much more vulnerable with that added layer of character development.

The premise was kitschy in the best way. I loved the chocolate/cocktails portion of this. I loved the way the two of them couldn't resist the pull to each other. I was turning pages breathlessly with the tension. 

I haven't read any of this series, but this is the type of the book that makes you want to rewind and read the rest.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.