Member Reviews
I snagged this book on NetGalley for a few reasons. 1) I love a good romance, 2) this cover drew me in and 3) I was intrigued by the premise. It did not disappoint! It has enemies-to-lovers, it has quirky lead characters, it has enough push and pull to keep you interested throughout. I will say I enjoyed the main characters more in the first half of the book and found myself wishing we could dive a little deeper into Aiden as a character. All in all quick, fun, enjoyable read!!
This was a fun read.
The writing style and the FMC put me off from the storyline, but the overall romance between the two kept me going.
I would’ve wished that the FMC was more relatable and not annoying, but it doesn’t set you off from the story. The romance is there and so is the entertainment. If you’re loooking for those two this book is definitely for you.
I read this book in one sitting, i simply just couldn't put it down!
Liv and Aiden had such great chemistry, i actually really liked them together and their banter was amazing!
I thought the whole Pride and Prejudice thing was so cute and definitely enjoyed it even tho sometimes the Mr.Darcy thing could get a little too much intense for my liking, but that's not something bad.
I could honestly see myself as Liv. She was so human that i actually could relate to her. We have the same tastes and same style, we are both helpless romantics so I enjoyed that a lot.
I definitely recommend you to read this is you like Pride and Prejudice, you are a helpless romantic and love romcoms!
reallyyyyyy cute,and such a fun quick read. this book really surprised me.
thank you to netgalley, boldwood books, and the author for allowing me to read this.
Love Interest by Victoria Walters is a book about two main characters, Olivia Jones and Aiden Rivers. Olivia, who has an enthusiasm for books, is currently working at a university as an assistant librarian with her supervisor, Stevie, who turns out to be a good friend and confidant. She has always had a dream of writing a romantic novel, and that's why she chose to work in the library. She has a brother, Dan, who has a best friend, Aiden, a professor in Film Studies but to Olivia, her brother’s friend is her worst enemy, whom she's been avoiding for a decade at this point. But this proves to be difficult when he surprises her at her place of work, and to make things worse, they will not only work together, but they'll be living together as well. Will life be bearable for Olivia now that the worst has happened? Well, find out in this book, Love Interest, by Victoria Walters.
I like the way the book is captivating all through; it's like the more the story progresses, the more interesting it gets, such that if one decides to read it, there is no putting it down. Additionally, I like the way there are two stories in one book, like a book within a book. The book within is opening the eyes of the main character so that she knows her feelings and the next move she needs to take.
I rate the book Love Interest by Victoria Walters. 5 out of 5 stars for the above reasons.
I recommend this book to those who love deep romance and cultivating stories. They will have a good time while reading this book. I also recommend it to those looking for love; it might open their eyes and make them realize that maybe whatever they are looking for is right in front of them.
This was a solid romance book. Generally, enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope, but this was done well. I find authors make the “enemies” super petty and mean. This was more like how you would tease friends or siblings and the “hatred” was rooted in a misunderstanding. The characters had great chemistry, and there are a couple of open door scenes (more like a little cracked open). This isn’t a personal growth story, just a good romance.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I tried a couple of times to read it and I just couldn't get into it. I didn't even finish the first chapter. Not saying it's a bad book, it's just not for me.
I loved it!
The bright and colourful cover made me want to read this book and it didn't disappoint. I loved the premise, the characters were all brilliant and likeable and the banter was on top form. The enemies to lovers storyline drew me in and the book was funny too. What's not to like? I raced through it!
This book's description drew me in, and while it wasn't fully what I expected, I ended up really liking this story! I had initially thought Liv would experiment more to find her perfect love interest, but she went for her brother's best friend of 10 years pretty quickly. The enemies to lovers dynamic was strong, which was a bit much at first but ended up working out. I was rooting for Liv and Aiden through the end!
I personally really enjoyed how contemporary this book was, with references to some of my favorite movies (A Cinderella Story!), songs, and even Dan's livelihood being an influencer (love that it wasn't the female MC in this role). The book's suggested playlist was perfect, too. And I appreciated how everyone got their happy endings, including Liv and Stevie both landing their dream jobs instead of the focus solely being on their relationships.
My least favorite part was how much of Liv's book was included. I ended up skipping all of it after the first few inclusions.
"The Love Interest" is a rom-com written by Victoria Walters.
Light, fun and sparkling romance, characterized by a fast pace and short chapters. Between an excellent enemies to lovers and a hilarious forced proximity, I laughed, smiled, and swooned a lot! In addition, I loved the various references to Mr. Darcy and the famous lake scene with Colin Firth!
The story follows Liv Jones, a university librarian with a passion for romance, who has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. The only problem? She is stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero, since she has nobody in real life to base him on. When her brother suggests that his best friend, who has just moved to London for work, stay in their shared apartment for a few weeks so he can settle down, Liv can't believe her bad luck. Because Aiden Rivers is not only her brother's best friend, but also her historical nemesis. An irritating, proud, and pompous man, capable of poking her and crawling under her skin. To make matters worse, he is handsome, has a sexy accent, and reminds her of her all-time favorite character, Mr. Darcy. Suddenly Liv finds herself inspired to write, and the romantic hero of her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden, something he must never find out, because Aiden can only be her romantic interest in the pages of her book, not in real life. Or can he?
I liked Liv, the protagonist with her only first person pov! Ironic, chatty, dreamy and a lover of romance, she won me over! And then there is Aiden, an apparently arrogant, gruff, and irreverent film professor, who captured me right away! The interactions between Liv and Aiden are hilarious, with exchanges of banter that had me rolling with laughter. I enjoyed the development of their relationship, the sizzling chemistry they unleash, and the spicy scenes present! I admit that I found the motive behind their enemies to lovers a bit weak and that I didn't particularly enjoy the sudden break-up, which I thought was a bit forced, but overall they absorbed me.
All in all, it is a cute, light and fun romance that gave me a few hours of cheerfulness!
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.4 rounded down to 3/5
Victoria Walters' "The Love Interest" takes readers on a journey through the complexities of love and creativity, with librarian Liv Thomas at the helm as she navigates the challenges of transforming her irritating roommate into the romantic hero of her dreams.
The novel introduces us to the delightful world of Liv, a budding romance novelist seeking inspiration for her perfect leading man. The enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes provide a promising foundation, creating an engaging dynamic between Liv and Aiden Rivers, Liv's brother's best friend and her new, albeit unwelcome, roommate. The banter between the two characters is a highlight, injecting humor and charm into the narrative.
The progression of Liv's book writing is a captivating subplot, offering readers a glimpse into the creative process and the evolution of her characters. The enemies-to-lovers trope is well-executed, and the cute cover sets the tone for the sweet and lighthearted atmosphere of the story.
However, the novel is not without its shortcomings. One noticeable drawback is the slow growth of Aiden as a love interest. While Liv's initial dislike is clear, it takes a while for Aiden to develop into a character worthy of the romantic connection. The surface-level nature of the conflict driving their animosity feels somewhat forced, lacking the depth needed to fully immerse readers in the emotional journey.
The pacing of the narrative is a mixed bag, with moments that feel like a quick and enjoyable read, but also stretches where the story drags on or moves too slowly. This uneven pacing may disrupt the flow for some readers, making it challenging to maintain consistent engagement.
A missed opportunity in the narrative is the absence of Aiden's perspective. Introducing his point of view would have added depth to his character and enriched the overall storytelling. A deeper exploration of the personalities of both Liv and Aiden could have elevated the novel, creating more nuanced and relatable characters.
Furthermore, the spicy scenes, intended to add heat to the romance, feel awkward and somewhat out of place. The lack of seamless integration into the narrative may leave readers cringing instead of swooning during these moments.
In conclusion, "The Love Interest" offers a charming enemies-to-lovers tale with enjoyable banter, creative insights into novel writing, and an appealing premise. However, the surface-level conflict, pacing issues, and the absence of Aiden's perspective hinder the novel from reaching its full potential. Despite its shortcomings, readers who appreciate a light-hearted romance with a touch of humor may find "The Love Interest" a pleasant escape into the world of love, imagination, and unexpected connections.
What a fantastic read! This is my first book that I've read by this author. A solid 4 stars. A great enemies to lovers trope (one of my favourites) with a lot of laughs and heart. I loved Aiden and Olivia....they were so cute together. A fun read - I recommend to everyone who loves romcoms.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
4.25🌟
The Love Interest centres around Liv, who is a romantic through and through, who is trying to write her very own romance novel. Enter into the scene, Adrien, long term nemesis and constantly irritating.
The book explores their dynamic, their history and how past relationships can impact their emotions and actions even now. Add that to the fact that her brother is an influencer and his boyfriend is an artist, this book feels very modern and up-to-date.
Perfect for people who love the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.
I picked The Love Interest on NetGalley because I was looking for a sweet, lighthearted romance and for the most part it did not disappoint! At the start I really wasn't into Aiden but as the book progressed he really grew on me. There were some parts of the book I felt were slow where I found myself wanting to rush through but when the big moments came it made the slower moments worth it. This one is definitely for all the hopeless romantics who regularly dream about Mr. Darcy.
Simple easy to read book that definitely follows the enemies to lovers formula.
Great book for that week between Christmas and New Year when you are full of cheese and have no idea what day it is!!
Fans of romance novels and enemies to lovers will love this book! It feels like an ode to the genre and to the trope in the most perfect way. Aidan and Olivia are great main characters, the side characters are great, and the resolution is very satisfying.
This was a great read and I enjoyed reading the development between the characters. It was one I didn’t want to put down and would love to read a sequel!
I marvel whenever I read a book that sucks me in to the point that the writing and plot disappear and the dialogue and story take me on an adventure. For me, The Love Interest doesn’t ascend to that level.
The main characters and supporting cast are all like able, but their stories lack depth and their conversation always felt stilted. In fact, the plot feels awkward and contrived, mirroring Liv’s inability to write her own novel. The premise for the decade-long antagonism wasn’t believable and often the conversations, particularly between Liv and Stevie, felt more like high schoolers talking than women approaching their 30’s. For me, the book missed the mark.
This book had me hooked from the beginning!
Liv and Aiden are the definition of miscommunication. They had a love-hate relationship from the time they first met to ten years later when Aiden is moving in with Liv and her brother, Dan (who's also his best friend). During this book they navigate working together, living together, and their feelings for one another.
I found the characters really relatable with how they tried to hide their feelings behind anger and indifference when they were actually just embarrassed and didn't want the other one to know. This book also does an excellent job of showing how everything is not always how it seems and there is another side to every story.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Boldwood Books, Victoria Walters, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.
good romance and this is an enemies to lovers book. she is writing a book and ends up using her hate man in the book. They have been fighting for 10 years. He ends up getting a job where she works and from there they end up figuring out their relationship. would love to see stevie find love. I loved both of their grand gestures to each other.