Ahh fake dating and single parents romcom? Sign me up!

This book was hilarious with heartwarming feels.

Sophie is a single working Mom to cute almost 5 year old, Lila. She is worried that Lila is not fitting in and she isn't with her the other Moms.

Joe is the single Dad who is swooned over by every Mom, much to his dislike.

The two come up with a plan to fake date so Sophie can get some play dates for Lila and Joe can stop getting casseroles from the Moms.

Joe and Sophie start hitting it off, with some fine lines between the fake and real. Can these two just finally admit there is more to their story? Or will their pasts ruin that chance?

This book had me laughing out loud and I absolutely adored the secondary characters. It is the perfect romcom for a quick summer read!

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

4 Cup of Tea Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 0/5 (This is Closed Door, nothing explicit but firework kisses)

I cannot remember the last time I finished a book in ONE SITTING. This book hooked me, sucked me in and had a chokehold on my attention the entire time I was reading. This is surprising because this is not typically the type of book that I read, given it was a more traditional closed-door rom-com with the single-parent tropes I don't typically pick up.

This is a first-person narrative told by Sophie, a 33-year-old single mom of the adorable little Poppy. Sophie is desperate to get in with the moms at her daughter's school, as she feels that the other kids are slightly ostracizing her daughter by not being invited to any social events or parties because of her not being in the mom clique. Then there is Joe. Joe is a single dad who is completely hounded and swarmed by the car park mommies whenever he comes and picks up his son. It might be because he is gorgeous, HAS AN IRISH ACCENT and the car park mommies feel sorry for him. So Joe proposes an idea... to get the car park mommies off his back and to get Sophie in with them they should fake a relationship. It's a total win-win situation for the two of them. Because what could ever go wrong with faking a relationship?

One thing that I enjoyed about this was that the characters were older. Joe is 35 and Sophie is 33. It is super refreshing to read about characters MY AGE. While I know that Sophie and Joe have had issues and trauma in the past, I love it when the characters are not children navigating life. They have been through some of life, they have had to overcome struggles and they are people I CAN ACTUALLY RELATE TO!

Sophie has a rough past. She is raising Poppy on her own after divorcing her husband when she found out he was cheating and would rather she have an abortion than be a father - she is doing it all alone. But she is determined to succeed, and she is stubborn to do so. She has a very hard exterior, can be cold and she finds it very difficult for her to let people in because of how she's been hurt in the past. She has a small support system but doesn't open the door to new help very easily.

Which is why this was sweet. Because Joe is the person that makes her inadvertently do just that. Joe is absolute PERFECTION. He is such a good man. He is a great listener! He is a perfect amazing father and is just kind, generous, sweet, compassionate and RESCUES BABY DUCKS! I mean, come on, who wouldn't love a man who would rescue a baby duck?

It was heartwarmingly sweet to see how their arrangement formed into friendship and how he slowly fell in love with her. His adoration of Sophie bled off the pages through his interactions, conversations and general actions towards Sophie and Poppy. They had excellent banter and insane chemistry.

I also really adored the found family element that plays a big part and role in the story. She found a family with Joe and his family and the one she formed with the moms of the school. She forms real friends and finds connections she was missing in her life. This book also delves into the challenge of the idea that first impressions are not always what they seem. Making her see how she's been influenced into who she thinks Joe and the Moms are in the beginning to who they were by the end was completely different.

The one thing that kept this from being five stars for me is that it did contain my favourite trope - miscommunication and the following assumptions that came from that misunderstanding. I felt that Sophie was very stubborn and very quick to form her ideas of the situations that happened, and whilst it was cleared up in the end, it added unnecessary conflict that could have been resolved by being brave and having an adult conversation.

Trope Summary:
▶ Single Mom (Divorced) and Single Dad (Widowed)
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Witty Banter
▶ Reverse GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Toxic Ex
▶ Adorable Toddlers
▶ One Bed
▶ Slow Burn

But all in all, if single mom, single dad romances are your thing...actually if you want a sweet little rom-com that is cute and fluffy, that gives you all the vibes and makes you smile, then pick up THE PICK UP!

I'm a sucker for fake dating, so I had hoped that I would like this one. Unfortunately, it wasn't really for me. I think I'm just not cut out to read or care about the drama of elementary school parents. The characters were ok but I ultimately found myself bored by this book. This may be a great read for someone else, just not my cup of tea.

Another triumph by Hannah Doyle. I love her writing style and character development. I enjoyed this book and would re-read, 5/5.

This is one of my favorite reads of 2024! Sophie is an amazing protagonist, who is independent, loving and an amazing mother. Joe is so swoony - he is perfect! Their chemistry was amazing, but even better was their friendship and support of each other! The side characters - including the other moms - made me laugh out loud. While this book was lighthearted and fun, it also addressed the challenges of being a working mom and societal pressures! I just finished and I cannot wait to read it again!!

"The Pick Up" delivers a delightful romcom experience, blending humor, heart, and irresistible chemistry between Sophie and Joe. With its charming narrative and engaging characters, readers will be swept away by the witty banter and slow-burn romance that unfolds against the backdrop of fake dating antics. This book is a must-read for fans of the genre, offering a perfect blend of laughs and swoon-worthy moments that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages until the very end.

Single parents Joe and Sophie meet at the pick up line while picking up their children at school. All of the moms are hot for Joe, flirting with him, etc. Sophie is not impressed. However they get to know each other a little bit and strike up a bargain to have a fake relationship. This way, Joe will get all of the moms off of his back, and Sophie will have an in with the mom‘s group. Flirting ensues but will this couple ever get together for real?

I thought this book was cute, but very tame. I didn’t feel much sexual connection between the two of them, but they got along great. It was an easy read and I did want Joe and Sophie to get together in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this book.

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s

The Pick Up follows Sophie and Joe - two single parents at the pick up of theirs kids school with a common goal - Joe, who wants to get all of the school moms off of his back and Sophie, who just wants to be in with the moms for the sake of her daughter. The two conspire to fake date in order to accomplish both of their goals but will they accomplish even more?

This book was so dang cute! I love the back and forth banter between Sophie and Joe - I actually laughed out loud multiple times. I also love that they are both on the outskirts of this group and find each other to form such a great friendship.

Even though I assumed what the outcome would be, I couldn’t put the book down! The characters are so loveable and I want a sister like Poppy! This was such a great rom com and I highly recommend giving it a read! ❤️

A cute rom-com. If you are looking for a light read with romance, this is it, although the fake-dating trope isn't for me I've discovered.

The Pick Up by Hannah Doyle is a delightful romcom that tickles the funny bone and warms the heart. Sophie and Joe's fake romance scheme takes unexpected turns as they navigate parenthood and budding feelings.
Doyle skillfully weaves humor, chemistry, and relatable moments, making the characters and their predicaments endearing. The banter between Sophie and Joe is electric, and the supporting cast adds depth and laughter.
Despite a predictable miscommunication trope, the story remains engaging. With its British and Irish charm, alongside heartwarming family dynamics, The Pick Up is a clean romcom treat that leaves readers smiling.

Single Parents + Fake dating should equal an adorable romcom right?
I unfortunately did not feel that while reading it. Now this is not a judgement against the authors writing as sometimes the writing can be very different depending on the book. However, this one just read a bit flat for me.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Sophie and Joe, it was cute, but not in a "they have insane chemistry" way. It was more like they'd be great friends...

Now, if there is one thing I despise, it's an unnecessary miscommunication trope. I understand that the way it was implemented was... different, but it was still a bit annoying to just have that thrown in there towards the end.

If you are looking for a stock standard, not wanting to think too hard about it romcom vibed book, this is the one for you.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I could not get into this one. The fake dating trope just didn’t work for me.

This was a cute, clean slow burn, but it wasn’t for me. I didn’t think there was too much chemistry between the two, and it fell more flat for me than I expected it to.

A cute rom-com. If you are looking for a light read with romance, this is it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I LOVED Sophie and Joe! I loved their banter, but what I most loved is how real they felt to me. Not wanting to have uncomfortable conversations, but doing it anyway. Being tired and scared and worried about being the best for their kids and doing it anyway. I think they feel like some of the most realistic characters I've read in a while.
Their kids were adorable, and even though I'm not British I definitely feel like I know some of those PTA moms. Hannah Doyle does an amazing job or writing great characters and giving them such a fun story. We've seen the fake dating to real lovers pipeline, and she does it so well that it felt new and fun!

Sophie Rogers finds it easy to focus on the important things in life. Like her daughter, her job and her family.
So when Joe, another single parent at school suggests they fake a romance to help them both out of a fix, she throws herself in.
But then Sophie starts to look forward to seeing Joe. In fact, she’s thinking about his floppy hair, Irish accent and the way his lips felt when they grazed hers (her commitment to this is exceptional) more than their synced calendars and staged socials. And there is a reason the yummy mummies called him Hot Single Dad.
Sophie Rogers isn't silly enough to fall in love with her fake boyfriend.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Wow what a book! I urge everyone to get this when it is released on the 9th May.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy.

I could not put this book down. It was one of the most easiest reads I have read in a long while and got me out of a reading slump.

Yes some of it is predictable but Romance usually is! I really enjoyed the characters interaction and how the book featured a lot of other characters that were part of the story. It wasn’t just focused on the lead couple Sophie and Joe. What Sophie does to get accepted into the mum clique and for her child to have play dates is heartwarming. You really feel how much she loves her daughter. There’s a curveball in the middle of the book and you question what will Sophie do?

This book was an easy read, I laughed, I felt sad, I just wanted to keep on reading. I will definitely be investing in more of Hannah’s books!

This book was very cute. It wasn't groundbreaking in any way BUT I definitely enjoyed it a lot while reading.

The fake-dating trope is nothing new. I really enjoyed the kids, Lila & Sid, and how they impacted everything.

I'd recommend this book for a light, cute read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a cute book , it just gave me cozy, summer vibes .
I loved the concept of this book . It was interesting to read about and unique.
This book follows a single mom ,Sophie Rogers who teams up with a single dad “ joe “ to fake date him to avoid her sister from setting up on terrible blind dates .

I loved Sophie relationship with her daughter . Her banter and chemistry with Joe was everything.They were so cute together . He really went all out for her , he never questioned her when she needed his help . He is the definition of “cinnamon roll boyfriend “

I loved the side characters too , they were all fun to read about . What I didn’t like was how how Sofia forgave Celeste too quickly , the sudden time lapse in some chapters and I felt like the ending was rushed a bit but overall had a great time reading this

What to look for in the book ;
- [ ] Fake dating
- [ ] Single mom & single dad
- [ ] Cute kids
- [ ] PTA meeting with the moms at school
- [ ] Friends to lovers
- [ ] He feel first but she fell harder
Rating ;⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice ;🫑( just kissing )

Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins for this Arc. This Arc was provided in exchange for my honest review .

Rating: 3/5 stars

This book could be a really great option for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance novels that are funny and sweet. The single parents angle is a relatively fresh one, in my opinion; it isn't one that's overly done. So, if you like that trope or are looking for something new, definitely give this book a try!

Similarly, if you enjoy the fake dating trope (I usually really do!) then this, again, is a book you should consider reading.

I liked Sophie and Joe, and there were many aspects of this book that I did really enjoy. Notably, I could really relate to the way Sophie enjoys how he interacts with the kids. The beginning of chapter 5, as in, the first paragraph, had me a little swoony for Joe. This is probably the aspect of the story that most made me keep reading. This side of Joe was so endearing.

That said, this book was just not a great fit for me. I did finish it, but it wasn't one I would read again. Really want to stress that I don't think this is because of anything about the book. I can't pick out any one thing that made me not love it, or anything that was missing to really draw me in. I just didn't "vibe" with this particular book. But I really do think plenty of people who enjoy contemporary romance and the aforementioned tropes will love this book.

I recommend giving this book a read if its description is at all intriguing to you.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.