Play with Matches by Georgia Beers follows Liz and Cori and is a quick, sweet, and intriguing story with self discovery and growth. Liz is forced to move back home to her small town after getting laid off and Cori is struggling with the possibility of losing her store. I found this book fast and easy to read. The characters were easy to understand and each plot twist and story-line was a shock.

After losing her job, Liz returns to Crimson Valley unemployed, single and living back with her mother to support her families Bed and Breakfast after her mother’s operation.
Cori, who went to school with Liz, secretly crushed on Liz throughout high School. When Liz meets the groom of the wedding the B & B is hosting, and discovers he is none other than her ex, she grabs the closet person to her, Cori and introduces her to Justin as her girlfriend. As time goes on Cori becomes more and more enamored with Liz and Liz feels the same way. These two are playful with each other and have great chemistry. Lisa starts to spend lots of time with Cori.
Cori has this cute shop in town and is in danger of losing it as Liz’s Dad wants to sell the building.
I love fake relationships. It gives the couple a chance to get to know each other. As it happens, they start to fall for each other. The romance was sweet, chemistry all over the place. This was a very enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute read. It’s a small town, fake dating romance with Christmas in the background. I would’ve loved to have more of those classic fake dating scenes, but even without them the book is still great.

Liz never thought she would be returning to her hometown jobless and without any future prospects. Add to this, she is back living in her parent’s basement. Being laid off sucks.

Cori has never had the urge to leave her hometown after graduation. She bought her mother’s local gift shop and is happy making candles and running her store. Although Cori was in Liz’s grade throughout high school, Liz was the popular girl and Cori the one most likely to be off reading a book.

Beers is the master of stories with a winter setting. The cold, the snow and the realities of living in winter weather are all described eloquently and accurately. Her storytelling muscles are definitely pumped for Playing with Matches. This storyline has been done many times before this novel yet in Beers’ hands the story is fresh and distinctive. Liz and Cori are sympathetic characters saddled with realistic problems and solutions.

Every inch of the story is honest in its portrayal. You cannot ask more from an author than this.

I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Playing with Matches" by Georgia Beers is a captivating romance novel that skillfully weaves together humor, heartwarming moments, and a compelling storyline. Beers' writing draws readers into the lives of the characters, making it an enjoyable and engaging read for fans of the genre. The book masterfully explores the dynamics of relationships, creating well-developed characters with depth and authenticity. Beers' storytelling is both witty and poignant, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and the narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of tension and resolution. Overall, "Playing with Matches" is a delightful journey through love, self-discovery, and the beauty of unexpected connections.

Georgia Beers gives you everything you ask for in a book.
This book gives you small town esthetic, fake dating, quirky cute animals and just enough spice.
Wow, the beginning of the book had me worried because it did start off quite slow, it definitely picked up, and I could not put the book down.
At first, I was worried about the connection between Cori and Liz. But as I continue to read, I really love the dynamic between the two and how they clearly had crushed on one another earlier on in their adolescence and their relationship blossomed. In the end, these two help each other grow and learn about not only each other, but about themselves.
I do wish that I could have seen more about Liz's ex-boyfriend and fiancé, along with with a little background on the other reoccurring characters, but of course, I'm sure that Georgia will have many other stories to tell about them! This is a must and I truly do give it 4.5 out of five stars.

A sapphic Hallmark holiday movie, in all the best ways! A big city gal returns home to her small town, she proposes a fake romance to the girl who was in love with her in high school (unknown, unrequited), and the whole time there's a wedding at the family B&B to prepare for. Like all the best romances, this one is sparkling with chemistry between our two leads, Liz and Cori, and full of an engaging, fully-realized supporting cast. Sweet, sexy, and just right for these long, cold, winter nights!

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

I found this book very enjoyable. The characters were relatable and a lot of fun. I was excited to get the next part to see just how the characters would interact with one another. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Well shoot, the freaking Dedication made me tear up.

Liz just got fired, and so she's going home to help at her family's B&B while her mother recovers from surgery. Cori runs a small store that Liz sorta crashes her car in front of. They went to school together, but ran with different crowds. But, when Liz puts them into a fake relationship situation, they get closer. Still, they both have baggage, and, there are bumps in the road, which made it a very layered. The secondary characters were interesting too. And Cori's subplot was amazing too. It was such an enjoyable read.

This was a cute small town read, perfect for cozying up on the couch over a weekend.

Liz is recently unemployed, single and just moved back with home with her mum and sister in Crimson Valley. It’s here her path crosses with Cori, local candlemaker and small biz owner, who’d gone to high school with Liz and had a secret crush on her. They find themselves in a fake relationship together, so Liz can pretend to her ex, Justin, that she has her life together.

There were aspects of the story I loved, but there were also a few cringey moments too. I found Liz to be annoying at times, and the drama a little frustrating to read through with the family issues going on with both characters.

Otherwise, still a good book for a quick read, but definitely not Beers’ best. 3.5 stars for this one. Still love her writing, she’s one of my favourite authors, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next book. You can’t win them all!

I received a copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The book Playing with Matches by Georgia Beers is an interesting read that tells the story of Cori Stratton, a small-town girl who loves making candles and owns a little gift shop. However, when the building housing her shop goes up for sale, she faces the prospect of losing everything she holds dear. Adding to her woes is the return of her landlord's daughter, Elizabeth Brennan, who was popular and oblivious to Cori's existence in high school.

Elizabeth's life hasn't gone according to plan either, and she's forced to return home and help her mom run the family's B&B during a week-long wedding celebration - for Liz's ex. In order to hide the shambles that her life is in from the groom, she grabs Cori and tells him they are together.

What follows is an unexpected chance for Cori to live out her high school fantasy of Liz as her girlfriend. Although it is a fake relationship meant to last just for the week, Cori finds herself drawn to Liz. Despite the challenges they face, Cori is determined to help her one-time crush survive the wedding.

Overall, Playing with Matches is a well-written book that explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. It is a great read for anyone who loves romance novels with a touch of humor and a lot of heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an early copy!
If you are a fan of a small-town romance, this book is perfect for you. Elizabeth Brennan goes back to her hometown after being laid off from her job and reunites with Cori Stratton, a girl she went to high school with and the owner of a gift shop. Within this cozy sapphic romance, the two indulge in a fake-dating scheme in order to trick Liz’s ex, who happens to be getting married at the Brennan family’s B&B.
It’s cozy, cute, and a breeze to get through. I had an easy time adapting to the scenery of their town, which I felt was the strongest detail of this whole novel. It truly puts you in there with them.
While I thought the story itself was adorable and easy to read, I did believe that some of the writing was repetitive. Because of that, I think some of the characterization was lost. Cori and Liz were not bad characters by any means, but I found myself getting bored with the two of them. I think the romance was okay, but that doesn’t mean the story itself wasn’t cute. It was still enjoyable.
Although this book was not for me, I still plan to check out Beers' other books!

When I think of Georgia Beers, I always think of a wonderful romance author. “Playing with Matches” is one of her recent romance books. It is about a woman who returns home Crimson Valley in the Adirondacks and find unexpected love.

The two main characters are Liz and Cori. Liz is returning to her small hometown because she has been laid off from her job in the city. Confused, low on money, and with no job in sight, she comes home to help her family run their bed and breakfast inn. Cori, on the other hand, loves small town living and has a small gift shop that she owns. In addition to knickknacks, she also makes unique scented candles which are quite popular with her clientele. Cori and Liz knew each other years earlier when they were in school. However, they did not run in the same circles. Cori has always carried a crush for Liz and Cori was shocked when she learns that Liz has returned to town. Cori is even more surprised when Liz comes to her and asks her to be in a “fake” relationship.

Ms. Beers has a gift for writing and developing wonderful characters. Rarely is there a character I do not find enjoyable. Liz and Cori are characters with whom I would want to be friends. While reading, I am hoping that they can find love and success in their business adventures.

I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cori Stratton is a small-town girl who loves her pets, candle making, and her little giftshop that has become her pride and joy. A shop that may be put up for sale by the landlord, who's daughter Elizabeth Brennan, comes back to town suddenly, crashing (literally) into Cori's life. Liz was laid off from her job in the city and moved back home to help her family run their B&B during a week-long wedding celebration during the holiday season, only to find out the wedding is for her ex-boyfriend. Not wanting the groom to know her life is in shambles, she grabs the nearest person - Cori - and tells him how happy they are together. Now they're stuck navigating a fake relationship amidst both of their lives already being about as hectic as possible.

This book hooked me from jump - the opening scene was entertaining to say the least! Cori, and everything about her, was my favorite part of the book. Her cozy and simple life, adorable animals, and successful and inviting shop all did a great job of painting the picture of a cute little mountain town that I would love to visit! I did really enjoy Liz, however there was a lot of times I had to remind myself she was 34 operating on what felt like more of a mid-twenties mentality, which was hard for me to grasp at some of the moments sprinkled throughout the book. The two women had great chemistry as friends, but their romantic chemistry could have been built up a bit in my opinion. All in all, it was a quick read (the e-book was just over 200 pages) that had a lot of depth to it with both women's personal struggles and all in all ended really cute.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Playing with Matches" by Georgia Beers is another great small-town romance. Much like Beers' other books, this one involves a return home, rediscovered young love, a fake romance, and family dramas, all set against a Christmas vibe.

This was my last Christmas read of 2023, and it was a fantastic way to end the year!

The two main characters, Liz and Cori, are very well-developed characters, and the various secondary characters added coziness and realness to the entire novel. I will admit that this novel has a slow start, but please stick with it, because it is amazing towards the back end of it!

It's definitely an easy breezy read if you're looking for one!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Georgia Beers, and Bold Stroke Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a sweet read. This was the first novel I read by Georgia Beers, and with how much I loved it, it certainly won’t be my last! This book was the perfect cozy winter read. Candle making, a cozy small town in upstate NY, forest walks with a sweet golden retriever named Bear; what’s not to love? I’m typically weary of fake dating tropes, but the author did a great job with it in Playing with Matches. You get to know both Cori and Liz in-depth as they’re getting to know one another, and their journey feels authentic and mature. The book also had a great balance between being lighthearted and developing enough complexity to keep it feeling fresh. Overall, it was a heartwarming read that I really enjoyed. I’d love to see a spinoff of this book, I’m not quite ready to leave the world of Crimson Valley yet!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Super quick and cute winter holiday novella. cosy, whimsical and small-town vibes. Nothing really stood out tho so I dnf'd at about 40% mark, I just feel like there was nothing special going on and the fake-dating felt a bit forced on top of already existing feelings? I dunno, it felt bland, as easy as it was to read it started to feel like a chore.

I usually don't give small town-romance's more than 3 stars, because I always find the same cliches that I don't like or they are usually boring in some parts, and establishing that, I'm glad to say that this book was pretty good, it has Bi and Lesbian rep, Fake dating, and the miscommunication it's not as bad as other romance books, the conflict it's focused in the protagonist own problems, not as an item, while they fall in love, it's a quick and easy read, has lovely side characters and a dog that will steal your heart (also a very cute cat).

Getting started on this journey with Liz and Cori I knew I was a goner starting from the first page with the 'meet cute' that was also kind of a 'meet again'.

Liz runs into Cori who she went to high school with but never really had a friendship with. Cori on the other hand definitely remembers Liz. And as it goes in small towns they keep on running into each other and before Cori knows it she's in a fake relationship with Liz. What you say?! Yes, it's as crazy as it sounds but also very cute and fluffy and I enjoyed every bit of their budding romance. Throw in a cute dog and a quirky cat and you've got a cute story to keep you entertained until the end of the book.

I always enjoy anything Georgia Beers writes so I was happy to indulge in this story while regretting to have to put it down to go to sleep and work.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Wholesome and sweet, with a charming small town vibe. Enough characters to create the atmosphere of a neighbourly place without going over into annoying caricature. The stay at home lead is cute, although a little behind the curve with the eye colours (basic biology!). The returning lead is suitably hot and a bit grumpy. Plus there’s a fake romance. Great writing as always from this author, so to sum up it’s everything you could want from a light read.