This book was a nice, cozy RomCom with all the classic elements. It didn't take much to draw me in but the story did start out a little slowly. Once it really got going and I got to the fake dating plotline, I was hooked. I really liked both of the main characters and seeing them grow and get together throughout the story.

This book was a fun sapphic romance with lots of cute tropes and fantastic elements. The writing, at times, felt a bit redundant and stilted, often repeating itself or going back on past statements.

Truthfully, I hated the MCs sister, and despite her demanding apologizes and blaming the MC for ruining her life, I felt like it was just immature and stupid all around, so the family elements weren’t interesting.

The plot twist at the end was super interesting and kept my interest renewed in the book, and the romance felt relatively realistic and interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Unfortunately, this is another miss by Georgia Beers, although better than the two that came before it. It seems like the author is having trouble with deciding what the message is for her stories and it shows.

This was a cute festive read. I enjoyed the small-town setting and the insight into candlemaking and liked both characters - they had chemistry from the start and were very sweet together. The returning home plot has been done many times but the fake relationship added a different angle, and it was nice to see both characters develop in their professional and personal paths. The author mentioned one of the characters having a crush on the other when they were teenagers which could have added some further complexity to the story but wasn't really developed any further than that, having said that, this was an enjoyable light read.

This was a super sweet sapphic holiday book (though I think the cover could telegraph the holiday element more, as I wasn't sure it was holiday-centered until I read some reviews). I didn't love how the predatory landlord/investor father of one of the MCs was initially presented unproblematically, but in the end I felt like everything resolved nicely. I loved the small town vibes and character development as well.

This book is a prime example of what Georgia Beers does best - quirky, fun romances, usually set in small-town America. The last few books from Beers fell short for me, but this one sparked (get the pun? Playing. With Matches?) The characters were very relatable and likable. The premise was highly unbelievable but aren't all romances?

A high point for me - the author didn't overly use cute sayings or make the characters over-the-top cute or witty.

Overall, a cute, short read, perfect for reading over the holidays!

PS...I'd REALLY like to see the author write something with more mature characters. Even though I love her stories, they all involve 30-somethings or younger.

2.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, this seems like a rare miss for me from Georgia Beers. I'm not sure why this book didn't quite click for me, but it just didn't despite being a fun cute story (with all the makings of a great Hallmark rom-com) with likeable characters. I hope this doesn't discourage other readers--this one may just not have been for me!

While I'm still not convinced by the name of the book, I really enjoyed the cosy romance at Christmas vibes. It's very much Hallmark movie territory but gay and better done by far.

It's got some of the typical aspects you expect from these holiday romances: girl returning to a small town, fake dating, family drama, an ex and a little bit of spice. All of this is teamed with well-realised characters, realistic dialogue and a storyline that has enough going on to keep interesting.

I can see myself revisiting this book next Christmas as it's really sweet and it is nice to see a sapphic relationship written well - even if it is a bit cheesy.

This small town romance includes fake dating which is a trope I throughly enjoy.
Cori and Liz had an interesting connection, always running into each other for the first half of the book but I really enjoyed the second half where they also dived into other problems with family and business. I enjoyed reading about how their fake relationship turned into a real one with genuine feelings for each other. Overall this was a great quick read.

Playing with Matches is a small town romance. Liz moved back home after getting laid off from her job. Feeling like she was behind in life she started a fake romance with small business owner Cori.

I enjoyed the characters in this book and enjoyed their banter. It was a cute winter/Christmasy book

This was a cute, quick, enjoyable read, if occasionally a bit lacking in some plot/technical elements. I'm giving it three stars because the setting was cute and the characters were charming in many ways, but there were some strange parts that took me out of the plot a bit. For example--Laura reveals towards the end that she is furious at Liz for not valuing her work at the inn and for not taking her own work seriously, but I didn't feel that there was much build up to that. If anything, Liz's internal monologue shows us that she is deeply impressed with Lauren's industriousness, shares these feelings with others, and also is thoughtful in sharing the load with Liz. Also, the plot element about Liz's dad owning Cori's block of buildings was built up to potentially be a really bad thing, but then is forgotten about for 70% of the book, and the resolves itself quickly and cleanly. I do enjoy a nice, low conflict story, but that element just felt a bit rushed.
That said, I loved the small town setting and the descriptions of Cori's store and workshop and the Inn. It was a fun little winter/holiday read!

-Copy kindly provided by NetGalley for review purposes-

This book offers an easy and quick, heartwarming read. I particularly enjoyed elements like the references to it being akin to a Hallmark movie and the use of the fake dating trope, which added a layer of unpredictability. The sensible decision-making by the characters lent credibility to the possibility of them being together in the future.

Despite these strengths, there were instances where the narrative felt unnecessarily prolonged. One notable aspect was the character Liz's close connection with April, a woman who appears only twice in the story. April's role seems to primarily serve as a device for revealing Liz's past and setting the stage for her return at the end. It's somewhat perplexing that Liz largely forgets about her throughout the book, especially considering the potential for April to mirror Suzanne in her connection with Cori, creating a parallel of confidantes.

Additionally, the unresolved quarrel with Liz's sister, carried over so many years without being addressed, feels a bit far-fetched. It could benefit from more exploration or resolution to enhance the overall narrative coherence.

I read this just before/during the Christmas holidays and it was a really cozy, Christmassy read.

It's more or less exactly what you'd expect from a "woman goes home to her small town for Christmas and gets into a fake dating situation" and there's nothing wrong with that for me. There was enough going on besides the romance that the plot and the characters were well rounded and likeable.

Overall, a really nice festive read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Cute sapphic romance, although I was really antsy for the characters to just get their ish straight sooner!

3.5 stars for Georgia Beers’s latest book. She’s done a nice job with the fauxmance trope and I enjoyed the descriptions and dialogue like I always do. It’s a cozy and sweet romance that develops and I enjoyed my time with Liz and Cori.

I just love Beers books. They are always good feeling, wonderful books and I can never put them down until I've finished.

Cori Stratton is a small town girl who loves making candles and has her own shop that she adores with her dog and cat. I absolutely adored Bear, by the way. She doesn't expect to possibly lose her building possibly thanks to her crush in high school's dad. Nor does Cori expect Elizabeth Breenan to crash back in town, literally.

Liz Breenan's life has not gone according to plan. She never expected to get laid off and come back home with her tail between her legs. She ends up helping her mom run the B&B where a week long wedding festivities is going to happen and the groom is her ex. In a desperate move, Liz asks Cori to be her fake girlfriend and Cori goes along with it.

This was witty, fun and low angst story with a wonderful setting and interesting characters. I laughed out loud numerous times and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I highly recommend this book and I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another winner from Georgia Beers! I loved this story so much! The character development was spot on! I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

There are authors that never disappoint, Georgia Beers tends to be one of them.
When I started reading LGBT romance novels I basically binged on all of her books, that is why this has become a surprise as the book I least have liked of her.
The chemistry between the main characters felt dull, there was no real build of their relationship and some moments felt forced.
I do admit that I liked how they supported each other, in terms of their behavior, but the scenes were not really my cup of tea as they lacked something.
It is okay to read and I would give it 3 stars, but only because the writing felt lacking a bit and could have used a bit more passion, charm and romance.

This is such a cute, cosy book - the perfect holiday read!

I loved Cori and Liz. I loved their relationship development. I loved all the background elements to the story - the family, business dilemmas and general life problems.

It's the kind of book that I could read by the fire with a hot chocolate whilst it's snowing outside.

Georgia Beers’s new romance, Playing with Matches, is a delightful exploration of small town life, family drama, and true love. Beers expertly utilizes the small town setting to create a heartwarming and nostalgic atmosphere, while also crafting a tender love story. The tight-knit nature of the town allows for believable tension and heartfelt joy, providing the perfect backdrop for her characters to grow and change. However, it is Beers’s ability to infuse warmth and tenderness into her settings that truly captivates readers. These moments of hope and promise are the lifeblood of the romance, drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Beers’s love for writing small town romances shines through in Playing with Matches, and it is this passion that elevates the narrative. Set in the fictional town of Crimson Valley, New York, nestled in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains, Liz and Cori navigate the delicate balance between their passions and fears, all while fulfilling their obligations and commitments. The sanctuary of Crimson Valley provides them with a safe space to explore their desires and aspirations, but it is their love for each other, surrounded by the charm of small town life, that gives them the courage to take risks and ultimately find happiness.

While small town tropes may be common in sapphic romances, Beers manages to avoid clichés and instead uses them effectively to enhance her storytelling. The story world seamlessly intertwines with the plot, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. It also allows for an exploration of personal setbacks, making Liz and Cori’s struggles feel authentic and relatable. These flawed yet likable characters draw readers in, and their bittersweet but hopeful romance sets this love story apart from the rest.

Final remarks…

Playing with Matches is a heartwarming and captivating romance that could easily be adapted into a Hallmark movie. Liz and Cori are charming characters with undeniable chemistry, and their sweet and tender small town, “fake-dating” love story is sure to capture the attention of readers. Their journey reminds readers of the importance of love, forgiveness, family, and community, making this feel-good romance a true triumph.

Strengths…

Likable characters
Immersive story world
Captivating themes
Well-scripted dialogue
Heartwarming and tender