This was such an odd premise - Abbey spends all her money to appear that she has her life sorted. The money-conscious woman in me just cringes at that decision!

I almost DNF this book but persevered - though I did skim the last quarter. I struggled to see the chemistry between Ted and Abbey - though did like their banter.

The miscommunication trope was strong in this story which is my least favourite trope. I would have liked to see more of their happily ever after, after the book ended.

Some will love this story but it just wasn't for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! Opinions are my own

#rochellereadsit

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was super cute and lighthearted. My favorite part about this book was Ted (MMC). He's adorable, geeky, and just such a love. The tension between Abbey and him was beautifully written, and watching them finally get together was a *chef's kiss*. The book was a lovely ode to being yourself no matter what; someone will love you the way you are. The only thing I didn't love was that there was no epilogue. You get the last page, and then that's it.

This was my first Laura Carter book and I enjoyed this book. Abby and Ted were amazing I really liked these two. Their interactions had me giggling especially with the romance. There were some parts that were cringe but overall the book was enjoyable. The miscommunication trope is very evident in this book so beware if you do not like that particular trope. This book is a clean romance with angst, slow burn and sweet moments through it.

I really didnt know what to expect with this book but I actually really really loved it. One of my fave reads of the year so far. The banter and the friendships in this book are amazing !!

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Carter for letting me review this book.

There's characters who had their hearts broken. But at least they have each other as support!

I love how there's sort of Pride & Prejudice vibes going on. Especially closer to the beginning.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fake dating romance read.

Includes:
Fake dating
Secrets and lies

this was one of the cutest YA books i’ve read in a while- it had me actually LOLing!

I loved Abbey and Ted together and their banter was on another level! It’s a cute fluffy read that reminds me of a hallmark movie - the only reason I am rating 3 stars is because i HATE how the ending was done - third act breakup!? Cmon :(

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I almost dnf this book. Usually I love an hate to love plotline, but this one wasn't done well. I found the writing to to very ramble-y, with details that just weren't at all necessary. The characters didn't have much depth to them, and I didn't think the two main characters had any chemistry. The biggest problems for me was the micommunication (that wasn't at all mentioned in the synopsis), and the fact that everything happened sooooo slowly. The actually plot didn't pick up until the 50% mark, the miscommunication wasn't revealed until the last 7% of the book, and the book ended super abruptly. An epilogue is not always necessary, but this is a book that definitely could have used one. There were so many questions left unanswered.

This could definitely be a favorite book for the right person, but it just wasn't it for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I DNF fairly quickly. The acronym usage for words was my first red flag. Then the vibes started to feel off. When I got to “freaking” I realized the mistake I had made and looked at other reviews. It’s a PG rated book which I do not like to read. I would not have requested it had I known.

Cute idea and cover though.

This was such a cute fake dating rom com. Nice easy read and loveable characters.

I do wish there was a epilogue a bit later down the line, but either way, gorgeous.

I’m a sucker for a fake dating trope! This was a really cute romcom and I loved the two main characters and how they complemented each other.
I did think it was a very slow burn and would have loved to see more of their actual romance, or even an epilogue as it did seem to end quite abruptly.

Overall I really enjoyed it, was a fun, light and quick read!

3.5 stars!

this is cute and i LOVEDDDD ted. the lies were a bit silly but miscomm is my least fav trope so it’s whatever but i did enjoy this for the most part! i love silly little nerds in love

Thank you NetGalley for this arc it was gorgeous!!

I think for me this is how I envisioned funny story would feel. It was fun, it was nerdy, it made me smile. I enjoyed the concept of then learning to grow into sharing pieces of themselves that they’re ashamed of but sharing it absentmindedly with each other. It was a quick easy read and I felt I got the resolutions I need despite it not having an epilogue. I didn’t connect to either MCs heavily but the plot was fun and harmless. My only issue was the rooted misconceptions on their identities, people need to communicate!!

Thank you again for this arc it was a good palate cleanser and make sure to read on release day x

ARC REVIEW
This book was a cute romcom. I really liked how Ted and Abbey both grew throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the banter between them. The first half had me invested then I felt myself getting bored. It was really dragged out and felt like the book could have been shorter. Then the ending felt rushed and we didn’t really get answers. I would have liked an epilogue. I’m also not a huge fan of closed door romances. Overall I still enjoyed this book and was a fast read. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for letting me read this ARC.

I might have enjoyed this book more if it didn’t have two tropes that irritate me. First, we have the heroine, Abby, finding out that the guy she has been dating for four years and thinks might be asking to marry her has actually been cheating on her and wants to break up. And then she loses her job the next day. It seems that whenever the heroine of a romance novel is going to see her long-time boyfriend while also thinking about how much she loves her job, we all know that she’s going to lose both. It’s just too common a trope. And we always have to wonder why this great girl would be with this yucky guy whom her friends know is rather awful. Also, you know he’s bad because he likes wax in his hair. I’m not even sure what that is, but it’s not romantic or attractive.

Then there are all the lies that she and the hero, Ted, tell each other. I really don’t like books that are all built on deceptions that we have to wait all book to get unraveled. Ted and Abby are a cute couple and I enjoyed their interactions. But it all got wrapped up very quickly. It’s as if the author got tired of writing and she just wrote an end-cute and stopped writing. I would have liked to find out how Ted resolves his business problems and gives Fleur the final heave ho. And Abby needs a job. Where are they going to live? Is she going to move to San Francisco where his business is or Canada where she says she’s happiest and he seems to like also? The book needed an epilogue.

I have a couple of other minor quibbles. Ted is pretending to be his brother, Mike. Abby’s mother buys him a plane ticket to go from NYC to Canada for their visit to see Abby’s mom and dad renew their vows. How would he get through security if his ticket is for Mike, but his passport is for Ted? There is even a reminder to bring their passports. Hasn’t the author ever been on a plane these days?

The other thing is the book takes place mostly in New York City. Ted is from California. But the author is quite clearly British and the book is full of Britishisms like “whilst” and “fecking.” And they use WhatsApp when texting in NY. The author has a whole series about Brits in Manhattan. She could have continued that with this book or just gotten an American to proofread the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

What a great story; at times you could really laugh out loud at some of the adventures Abbey and Ted get up to. Both have been in bad relationships previously and when Abbey requires a date for her parents wedding renewal party, Ted is the perfect option. A thoroughly enjoyable book which grabs you from the start. Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy.

This was a great book. The chemistry was sizzling, I loved the characters together. They were so well suited and I was rooting for Ted to reveal his true self.

I also liked when Ted met Abi's family. That whole adventure was a big swoon!

A great easy read @lauracarterauthor

Thank you to theboldbookclub and netgalley for this arc

Definitely not for me. Sped through this one despite the abhorrent characters. Main character actually says one of her dislikes is cats on account of disliking men who love cats. A true sign of someone terrible. The rest of the story just didn’t work for me at all. Even the side characters were gross

An adorable, feel-good, light-hearted romance. There is something about a love interesting that is slightly insecure that will do it for me every single time! Ted, I love you. I loved the build up between Ted and Abbey, the tension was so good. Two characters with great chemistry that I was definitely rooting for! So, I definitely would've appreciated an epilogue.

I love romance books with fake dating, but I'm definitely not a big fan of books where the basis of people's relationships are lies, the two lying about basically who they were didn't please me at all, I was also bothered by the fact of the events of the renewal of vows taking so long to happen since it was in the synopsis and it was what I was waiting for. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

When her ex and his date are invited to her parents’ vow renewal, Abbey fakes a relationship with her handsome pro-athlete neighbor. But little does she know, “Mike” has secrets of his own.

This book was slow to start, but it ended up being a lot of fun. Abbey and Ted are both pretty messed up after being betrayed by their mutual exes. The author did a good job of conveying that hurt and disorientation. But this book is solidly a rom com, with all the awkwardness that entails. Abbey and Ted are a perfect couple once they get their act together.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.