3.75⭐️

I found Let’s Pretend This Will Work to be equal parts relatable and frustrating. Following Mimi and her struggle to figure out what she wanted meant a lot of twists and left turns- enough turns to at times end up right back where she started. Yet there were also many parts of the story to relate to and empathize with as well.

Helen Laser did a nice job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Maddie Dawson, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Maddie Dawson is one of my all-time favorites! Her books always make my heart happy 💕 She has a way of writing such uplifting stories with hard truths buried within, and I just adore that.

This one was no exception. This was a story of a naive yet lovable girl learning to stand up for herself. Mimi is quirky and fun and made me laugh out loud several times. Magic, romance, eccentric characters, what more can you ask for?

This is one of those books you just want to hug!

Mimi, oh Mimi, she is so endearing, with a big heart. Maybe a bit naive, but always giving so much of herself to everyone.

Mimi is engaged to Ren, a divorced father with girls, but when his ex-wife has an accident and needs care, Ren moves back into their former home.

Meanwhile, Mimi, who lost her job because of Ren, moves into an apartment hoping to be closer to Ren, who seems to be doing his best to keep Mimi separate from his family.

The building Mimi now lives in also houses a co-op daycare, and Mimi can’t help but get herself involved and intertwined in the lives of kids and their parents, especially one single dad named Jamie and his little girl, Alice.

As much as Mimi gets walked over and poorly treated—coming in second to the ex-wife and a dead wife—she was always so generous and kind. She took the high road, even helping those many would consider the competition, which paid off because kindness does win. I loved all the different characters, from the pre-schoolers to Ren’s ex-wife to Jamie and Mimi; they were written so well.

You’ll find moments of silliness, tenderness, and even heartbreak, but it all points to joy, and that joy is what you choose to make it—and finding love when you least expect it.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @maddiedaws for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook.

This is another lovely Maddie Dawson romance filled with quirky characters, real life moments, and a few surprises along the way to the HEA. Mimi is an interesting character that makes a few questionable choices and finds herself in an uncomfortable relationship. After leaving that relationship behind there is another relationship that develops, but not without it's flaws too. Who will bring her happiness in the end? It's definitely worth the read to find out. I listened to the audiobook and Helen Laser does a fantastic job of making this story feel so real with all the angst and confusion that goes along with a real life romance.

If I had to use just one word to describe Maddie Dawson’s books, it would be DELIGHTFUL! Whenever I pick up one of her novels, I just know that I’m going to have so much fun, and be thoroughly entertained. I always end up giggling, and smiling from ear to ear. If you like quirky, witty, and extremely lovable characters, then you’ll definitely fall in love with Mimi Perkins, the main character in LET’S PRETEND THIS WILL WORK. Mimi packs up her life in New York, and follows her fiancé, Ren to Connecticut as he deals with a family crisis. Life in the new state isn’t exactly what she pictured it to be, and Ren is way too busy for her, so Mimi navigates everything all on her own. New apartment, new job, new friends, new everything. Mimi’s new apartment is on the floor directly above a daycare center, and at first, I thought that this was a horrible idea. OMG, can you imagine the noise and complete chaos!? Don’t live there, Mimi!!! But as the story goes on, the reader quickly realizes that it’s a blessing in disguise, and exactly what Mimi needs. Prepare to be charmed and totally swept off your feet from there. Dawson also incorporates some very important themes like belonging, found family, self-respect, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. Let’s Pretend This Will Work is available now, and I give it 4/5 stars! It’s a true delight!

Mimi is the quirkiest character I’ve read about all year. She has a psychic, a lucky skirt and is engaged to a man she never sees. Throw in a day care and the most adorable little girl and I flew through this one.

I had moments that I thought why, why, why but ultimately liked Mimi’s choices. She’s a free spirit that deeply believes in her choices and had me rooting for her and finding her way.

Helen Laser narrates the audiobook and brought Mimi’s whimsy to life. She drew me in and gave Mimi the right voice.

If you’re in need of a feel good book, this should be on your radar.

I just finished listening to Let’s pretend this will work by Maddie Dawson and here is my review.

Mimi Perkins lives her life based on what her psychic has to say so when a divorced drama teacher at Mimi’s school proposes to her, it seems like Mimi is on the right track.

That is until right after proposing, Ren receives a call that his ex wife has been in a bad car accident and he goes rushing off to help. Then everything falls apart. She loses her job at the school, and her landlord evicts her. Not knowing what to do, she allows Ren to move her into a new apartment near his ex, in another state.

Below her new place is a quirky co-op daycare and within the walls she finds a purpose. She finds friends, she finds herself and she finds unexpected happiness and none of that seems to include Ren.

This might be the cutest and quirkiest book I have ever read. Mimi is so adorable. Unsure of herself and it gets her into predicaments. Being with Ren wasn’t something that fit her mold so she was bending herself to be something she wasn’t. She allowed herself to be pushed into things she didn’t want but fate corrects her path. That’s how it felt to me anyway.
I really enjoyed the difference in her relationship with Ren and the budding friendship between her and Jamie. Ren is pathetic but Mimi allows him to treat her this way so when she finally stands up for herself… It was a hallelujah moment for me. As a strong woman who played doormat for many years, I get it. I understand her and while she may have upset some readers, I know women like her really exist and when we fly… ROAR!!!!


I wish I knew more about the skirt. It was my only con for this book. Don’t ask me why, I’m an odd one. I loved all the dynamics in this book and how much Jamie's daughter loved Mimi right from the beginning without any reservations and I think that might have been my favorite relationship of the whole book. Even Jamie allowed his dead wife’s family to dictate his life for a good portion of the book so all the characters had their weaknesses but I loved how the book ended.
4.5 stars. Too cute for words. Great audio book.

Thank you @netgalley and @brilliancepublishing for my gifted copy

Mimi’s life is just fine, but when Ron mentions wanting to marry her, she is thrilled. Unfortunately before he can give her the ring, his ex wife has an accident and he needs to go to CT to help with her care. After a few days, he invites Mimi to move to New Haven to be nearby after she loses her job. Not in with him of course, but close enough for him to stop over when he can. Over time, Mimi begins to fall in love with the daycare below her apartment, and specifically with one little girl, and maybe her father?

Oh man did I want to drop kick several of the men in this book! I mean, mainly one, but there was period where another was deserving as well. I just loved Mimi Mommy and that the book took place pre cell phones! This book made me happy, and so angry at the same time, which I love when I read! In the end, my heart was just so happy and fulfilled! Mimi certainly took a ride from start to the finish, and I loved following along as she figured herself out!

Thank you to @brilliancepublishing for my gifted copy of this book!

I got lost in this story and not in a good way. Not that there was so much going on, but I just found my brain wandering and I couldn’t concentrate on the story at hand. Mimi Perkins falls in love with Ren Yardley, a fellow drama teacher at a private school in NYC. When his ex-wife has a stroke, they both move to New Haven, CT. Not together though, Ren moves back in with his two daughters and his ex-wife. Ren’s and his daughter’s selfish behavior throughout the entire story was dreadful. Mimi was a doormat and annoyed me as a MC. The writing style was intriguing, but the constant character study left for very little action. There were a few plot twists, but overall, I could have left this one alone.

A story about weak men and a passive woman who follows them and lets life happen to her rather than pursing and making the life she wants.

This was a great story. I loved it! I think so many women can relate to falling for the charm and charisma of a selfish man. And at the end of the day, Ren is living in the past and wants to have his cake and eat it too. And being a single parent is hard. It is hard to have someone come into your life and make room for them when you are a single parent working full time, much less going to school as well. I think not trying to force that relationship, but letting it come together naturally in the end was beautiful.

Another home run by Maddie Dawson! Her writing is so wonderfully descriptive that I could clearly picture the entire cast of unique characters as well as the building that housed the delightful day care and Mimi’s apartment that she made so homey. I enjoyed this clever story so much that I devoured it quickly but now I’m sad that it’s over. Mimi was an irresistible character that will stay with me for quite some time. I loved her big heart and her belief in a little bit of magic. The narrator was perfect for Mimi’s personality!

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀

𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲! “𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤” 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬, & 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐦𝐢 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬—𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 (𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐦𝐢 )𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱-𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐌𝐢𝐦𝐢 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦…𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐣𝐨𝐲, 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞! 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 “𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝” 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭.

𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝑀𝒶𝒹𝒹𝒾𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓌𝓈𝑜𝓃, 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒫𝓊𝒷𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

This was such a cute read!! I loved Mimi’s and Jamie’s love story. This was such an easy quick read. Mimi did annoy me a bit at first but I grew to love her. I loved the Daycare back drop.

This was absolutely lovely - it's a slow story, very slice of life, but the characters feel so real it's easy to lose yourself in their world.

Premise - a quirky woman begins dating her coworker (a very passion-filled, sex-focused relationship) and, as a result of their poor decision making around sexual contact in front of their minor charges, loses her job as a teacher... her partner does not lose his job. She's okay with the loss, because the two get engaged after a very unromantic, anticlimactic proposal (missing a ring). But before she can head off for her HEA, his ex-wife sustains brain damage and he becomes her caretaker (along with their teen children, who do not like our heroine).

From that premise it's already obvious to the reader that the dude sucks and is not her forever guy, but that doesn't clear up the messiness of their entanglement or her feelings. Which, frankly, felt real!

I loved:
- The love angle (not a triangle, the men weren't into each other) was interesting, because neither man was perfect and while I knew who I wanted her to end up with, I wasn't sure which guy she would end up with (or if she'd end up single) after some light redemption of her original fiance
- The children were so precious!
- The daycare was so sweet and alive
- I felt like this book made me fall in love with the chaos of parenting a toddler all over again
- The ex-wife isn't a monster
- Everyone is beautifully gray
- The guy she has crazy sexual chemistry with can simultaneously NOT be the right guy for her

If you like mature love stories, with a focus on the protagonist's development through the love story, then this one is for you! I think this will be a delight for anyone who enjoys single parent romance/women's fiction (leaning more women's fiction than romance, and for the romance purists: she does have sex with multiple men).

Thanks, NetGalley and Lake Union, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.