You Float My Boat is book two in her Oxbridge series. A best friend’s little sister, fake dating, secret and forbidden romance between Charlie Masterson and Violet Brooks. Set in Oxford as the guys of the Blue Boat team return to university after the Christmas break and are back training for the Boat Race. However, for Charlie, he has the added stress of his ex-girlfriend now being in one of his classes. He comes up with a plan involving his best friend’s sister and ‘Operation Get Rid of Evie’ begins. Enjoy this endearing romance as unrequited love suddenly becomes very requited.

“Everything you ever wanted has come true.”
Violet has had a crush on Charlie, her brother’s best friend and rowing team mate since she was fourteen. She had managed to avoid him her first term and thought she was finally over him, but an intriguing text from him, leads to them meeting up. Charlie had his heartbroken by Evie four years ago and vowed never to love again. The traumatic events involving her meant he couldn’t handle seeing her again. He always panics when he sees her because she manipulates and unsettles him plus she thinks she can get him back. He needs Violet to be his fake girlfriend so Evie will leave him alone. He hasn’t seen her in eighteen months and is shocked over how stunning she now is.

Could this arrangement be the role of a lifetime for Violet and be the perfect way to make him fall in love with her. Could all her dreams come true? Hopefully everyone will believe they are dating especially as the chemistry is there and they find being together very easy. Charlie had promised Hugo nothing would happened between them but when Violet sees Evie she doesn’t think twice and kisses him.

Charlie is finding her a real distraction as she is so good at pretending. She’s amused how awkward and nervous he is around her. It is so adorable how confused he is over his feelings for her especially as he’s a genius. He has never felt like this before and realises he is falling for her fast but what is he going to do about it especially as he feels so guilty for kissing her and worries about telling Hugo. It moves quickly from fake dating to a secret relationship and all Violet’s longing comes back. It helps that she has great acting skills but Violet has to remind herself that it’s not real when it seems very real to her.

This runs along some of the same timeline as the first book, Oar Than Friends so it was fun catching up with the rowing team. I enjoyed all their teasing and how they pull together when they are rowing. I liked we got Oz’s side of his relationship with Kate and more from Olly. I really liked the banter between Violet and her best friend Stella and it turns out Violet might not be the only one with a secret relationship! His class mate Gordon is a sweetie and falls under Violet’s spell.

Overall a sweet read because Charlie and Violet are adorable together. I loved the holding hands and meeting after class, helping her with her lines and the sonnet, the baking and ‘The Violet Effect’. However, the miscommunication and the third act break up were annoying. I know she is dramatic but I felt sorry for Charlie, even though he could have dealt with the situation better. Interesting hint at end for Hugo and his crush on Imogen but I really would like Olly’s story.

3.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

brothers best friend friend
fake dating

it was a cute and cozy read
Charlie was very sweet and violet was nice, they were both very likeable.


Thank you for the eArc

Thank you Lulu Moore, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, NetGalley, Valentine PR for my copy of You Float My Boat. 🤍 I received this book for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.

Oar Than Friends is book 1 of Lulu’s Oxbridge series which I adored. When I saw You Float My Boat I literally squealed and have been so looking forward to reading it! It did not disappoint in any capacity. I absolutely love Lulu’s writing. I’m such a big fan of all of her books to be honest. I wholeheartedly recommend! I am praying she continues this series because I need to know what happens w all of these characters moving forward, I’m not ready to let them go just yet!

You Float My Boat is about Charlie and Violet. What starts out as an agreement for fake dating quickly progresses into not so much fake… I’m telling you fake dating is quickly becoming my bread and butter trope. I would eat it up all three square meals if I could at this point. Not only fake dating trope but Lulu also spoils us w brothers best friend, a little forbidden thrown in and unrequited love. I liked both Charlie and Violets characters. I really enjoyed watching their fake relationship turn very real especially since Violet had such a strong unrequited love for Charlie for years. I loved seeing the side characters and their relationships continue, especially Oz from OTF. But the little twist of Oz and Kate in this book has me on pins and needles, like I need more information on their situation asap. I’d love to see a book for each of the side characters. I will literally read anything Lulu presents to us. She’s absolutely an auto buy author for me.

You Float My Boat releases February 6! 🎉

this book had me feeling as smitten as Violet & Charlie the whole time 🥰

⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: open door, slow burn

💭 overall thoughts:
Violet + Charlie are absolutely adorable!

Charlie enlists the help of Violet (his best friend’s little sister) to be his fake girlfriend, to keep his ex girlfriend from trying yet again, to win him back.

Violet has had a crush on Charlie since her brother brought him home when she was 14 - she tries to remind herself it’s “not real,” but the lines quickly become very, very blurry.

I loved that we got the MCs together right away in chapter 1 - the premise was set up immediately, and I started falling for Violet & Charlie in the first few pages 🥹

I appreciated that college characters were acting their age for once (not that 19 year olds can’t be mature, but this just felt more realistic). I didn’t always love how Charlie handled his ex Evie, but it seemed like how a 21 year old would behave so it made sense!

I can't quite pinpoint what has me dropping a half star, but something about this one didn't grab me as much as the first. I'm still loving this little world, and can't wait to continue the series 😍

read if you love:
💙 brother’s best friend
🥸 fake dating
🏫 college romance
🚣🏻 mmc on the rowing team
🚫 forbidden
🥹 she falls first, he falls harder
🐢 slow burn
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) & NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

My obsession with Lulu is real guys, I worked my way through Lulu’s entire backlog in 2024 and You Float My Boat is no exception.

Fake Dating your Brothers Best Friend who quickly realises he can’t resist you, the feelings you draw out of him. When he names it The Violet Effect — You swoon and you swoon hard.

Violet was everything I didn't know I needed, she may of had a lifelong crush on Charlie but she owned it. She took charge and did exactly what she wanted in the hopes it panned out in her favour.

Charlie fell hard, and he honestly did the cutest things. The cupcakes, who wouldn't fall for a guy that bakes them cupcakes.

Their relationship was build with so many tender moments. Lulu had me glued to the pages.

A little bit of love from Oz to round this one off, because you know, its Oz — Book 2 follows along with the same timeline as Book 1 and I LOVED the little glimpses you get. The friendship between Charlie and Oz. It melts your dang heart.

To wrap this up, Brooks had me giggling during several moments but of course he had to drop in this little snippet towards the end and yes I cannot wait for Lulu to give us his book —

“I warned you that my sister was a drama queen”
“Anyway. You and Violet can be drama queens together.”

Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read Charlie and Violet’s book early!

First I would like to thank Penguin and Lulu Moore for the opportunity to read this early!!

Charlie Masterson is determined to keep his heart locked away, especially from Evie Waters, the girl who once broke it. But when his best friend’s sister, Violet, steps into the picture as his fake girlfriend, things start to get messy in the best possible way. What begins as a strategic distraction soon blurs the lines between acting and reality, and the tension between Charlie and Violet is chef’s kiss perfection.

It is sharp, witty, and full of so much built up tension. Charlie is the perfect mix of brooding and charming, while Violet is the kind of heroine you root for from page one. Their chemistry builds beautifully, making every moment feel earned.

Overall, it was heartfelt and addictive and it will have you grinning, swooning, and maybe even yelling at the characters to just admit their feelings already! If you love academia-set romances with fake dating that feels all too real, this one’s for you!

Would recommend if you love:
📖 Fake dating gone wrong (or right?)
🎭 A little Shakespearean flair
🎓 Academic banter & Oxford vibes
💔 Second chances & slow-burn longing

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I love a good fake dating, childhood crush, forbidden romance! 😍

THOUGHTS 💭
🎭 Violet has always wanted Charlie and he is just realizing she exists; I love a good childhood crush (complete with years of pining from afar) that turns into “the real deal.”
🚣‍♀️ Charlie is a smart, sweet nerd and I loved watching his smart self fall into something as silly as “love”… especially with his best friend’s sister.
🎭 It took me a minute to get into this story and these characters, but once I did, I was all-in on Charlie and Violet’s fake dating love story!
🚣‍♀️ Oz and Kate’s story from Oar Than Friends is one of my favorites and this book takes place alongside Oz and Kate’s story; I loved seeing different snippets of Oz and Kate’s story from a different perspective.
🎭 I love a good forbidden romance! It hits right every time and that underlying “we’re not supposed to be doing this” vibe is perfection.

Thanks so much to Lulu Moore and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book!

Childhood crush turn fake dating is such a specific trope that I continue to love and Lulu Moore really did a great job with that. This book had my heart fluttering non stop. Violet and Charlie were swoony, cutesy and funny. I loved how their relationship grew in such a natural way, like the more they discovered about each other the more in love they fell. The third act hurt but it also felt real and made sense so I appreciated how the end played out. I just adored getting to watch these two fall in love!

I liked that this was happening at the same time as book 1 so we got to see Oz be down bad for Kate again. I am excited to see where this series continues to go as Lulu progresses with it.

🌟 4.75/5

‼️ While this book can be read as a standalone, this is book 2 of the Oxbridge series

ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Lulu's books remind me of a comforting hug or the fuzziest of blankets in the winter. Going into this book, I knew I was absolutely going to love it. I didn't think my heart could see enough to read with all the heart emojis in its eyes!😍

Charlie knows he's in a load of trouble after finding out that he's going to be in the same class as his ex. To ensure that he doesn't get ensnared in her web again, Charlie asks his best friend's little sister, Violet, to act as his fake girlfriend. After being in love with Charlie for years, Violet is hesitant to fake the one the thing she truly wishes to be. Plans are quickly solidified after Charlie's ex waltzes in trying to rekindle things.

These two were literally the cutest! The little things they did for each other were swoony and promising. Even with the attraction these two had for each other, I loved how their friendship remained! IMO, that's one of the best parts about romance.🫶

Are y'all ready for some random thoughts now?
I REALLY REALLY wanted to try that freaking sandwich! Honestly, all the things Charlie made, I would probably be like Brooks!🤣
Another one... Ok, but why did Gordon remind me of a mixture of Five from the Umbrella Academy and Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory?!?!? I LOVED his character and giggled every time he was brought up or appeared!🤣

Thank you to NG and Lulu for the ARC! It was a true pleasure to read yet another wonder book with the same things I always look forward to reading that you write!❤️

‘So you want me to be your bodyguard,’ Violet began, a smirk cresting the corner of her plump lips, ‘I’m Kevin Costner and you’re my Whitney Houston?’

Gawd I love Violet!! I knew I was going to love Charlie but I wasn’t expecting to love Violet as much. I guess it’s the Violet effect. 💜I feel like I have been waiting for this book forever and I am happy to report it was worth the wait.

This book was the perfect blend of brother’s best friend, fake dating, sassy banter, rising tension, complete with a great friends group. I love that it shares a timeline with Oar than friends. Really makes me wonder whom we will get next. I don’t care will be here for it either ways.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author Lulu Moore for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

This book is SO STINKIN’ CUTE!!!! Where do I start? I don’t know! Charlie was such a lovable cheeky chappy (after some coffee) in book 1, and he was just such a fun MMC.

Twelfth Night is one of my fav Shakespearean plays, and I’m glad the FMC wasn’t called Viola (that would’ve been a bit too on the nose!) in this book. With Brooks and Charlie being the dynamic duo in Book 1, I was wondering how this fake dating, brother’s BFF / BFF’s sister thing was going to go down. I won’t spoil it, but I’ll just say that this book was just so cute and fun to read! No notes.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐭 is the 2nd book in the Oxbridge series by Lulu Moore, featuring an entertaining best friend’s sister, fake dating romance for Charlie and Violet. When a crazy ex keeps buzzing around, Charlie decides a fake girlfriend is the best way to deter her, and keep himself from making another mistake. His best option is his best friend’s sister, Violet, who is an aspiring actress. Charlie has no idea that she’s been pining for him for years, so when feelings start to turn real, can they make it work, or are they doomed from the start?

I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book forever! I loved Charlie and Violet! Charlie was a swoon worthy Cinnamon Roll hero always ready with the kind words and sweet gestures for Violet. She may have fell first, but he sure did fall harder! He was a jack of all trades… a physics nerd, a muscular rower, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 he cooks and bakes! Violet kept a smile on my face as well with her sass, quick thinking, and her fun dynamic with Stella and others. While the slow burn romance was sweet, that 3rd act drama was a little frustrating for me… Just communicate!🤦🏼‍♀️😅 That’s just one of my book pet peeves.😆 I was pleasantly surprised by the concurrent timeline with Oar Than Friends, which gave us more of Oz’s perspective of some of his drama with Kate! I loved the close friendships between the guys as well! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5

Oh wow. I literally devoured this book in a day. It started off straight into the story which I loved and the pace of the book was just everything I needed. I absolutely adore Charlie and violet together and I seriously did not want this book to end. I also loved the side character Stella and Gordon! I loved that it followed the boat race too!the ending was perfect and I loved every second of it (minus 1 tiny thing that I won’t spoil).

4.5 stars!!

#Review: *You float my boat* - Lulu Moore - ARC [16+]
5/5✨
2.5/5✨

I adoooreed the 1st part of this series, 'Oar than friends', and I just couldn't wait to read this 2nd part! Thank youu so, so much Lulu for accepting me for this early copy!

Because Charlie's last girlfriend kept on trying to get back together with him, even after multiple breakups because she cheated on him, Charlie was now keen on staying away from love and any other new relationship. But his ex girlfriend wouldn't want to give up, fact that made him come up with a fake relationship. Here was where Violet came into the scene. She was the little sister of Charlie's best friend and one member of his rowing team, Brooks (or Hugo).

Violet was the perfect choice for Charlie, because she was passionate about acting, so this was the perfect way to put her skills into action. But in this case was there that much acting? Why? Because Violet had in fact been acting for a couple of years, trying to seem uninterested about Charlie. Even her bigger brother didn't have any suspicions about her little crush and allowed this plan, but with the condition to remain fake and forbidden Charlie and all his teammates to date his little sister for real.

I really, really had such a great time reading this book! Of course that I was captivated by their fake relationship and the way they interacted with each other. Charlie didn't even know what he hit him, but he definitely fell harder🤭. Violet was such a vibrant person and it was impossible not to like her! Their cute relationship was such a delight to follow. The other members of the rowing team were so goofy and fun that made me laugh so many times! I loved them too and this story wouldn't have been so amazing without them. Oz made his appearance too (the main character from the 1st book) and we had the chance to see another part of his story.

OMG! This book was everything!! I wasn't sure if it could top the 1st book but it definitely did! I love them both so much, each having their own particularly regarding the storyline, one having a enemies to lovers trope and the other fake dating. I recommend this one if you wanna feel good and laugh a bit. It's amazing!!

✨Tropes
#FakeDating
#BestFriendsLittleSister
#CloseProximity
#SheFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#ForbiddenCollegeRomance
#ChildhoodCrush
#SportsRomance
#Rowing

3.5 stars! I enjoyed this Oxford brother's-best-friend fake-dating romance featuring Charlie, a 21-year-old rower and physics major with a problem ex, and Violet, a 19-year-old English major with a penchant for acting. I loved how from the first scene with Charlie and Violet together, Violet is a complete whirlwind. She's confident, a little chaotic, and really charming. Charlie is swept up by her right off the bat and their meeting (or reunion?) really drew me in from there. Watching Charlie's feelings evolve from his own POV really added to this story, and we get to see him battle with that and the guilt over deceiving his best friend. This is, for the most part, a very wholesome story - though Charlie's ex is unhinged and Violet's brother, Brooks, can be a little overbearing. Some of the side plots seemed irrelevant, and not developed enough to add to the story, and I would have liked to see more of Oxford through their eyes. There were a few Americanisms that didn't fit with the very British setting, but they may well have been edited out as I read an ARC copy, That being said this book brings together two interesting characters and I was rooting for them both individually and together, plus I really liked seeing their relationships with their friends too.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

let me just say that this book has been a fun read, my rating on this books is based on personal experience and i’m sure there will be a lot more people that will enjoy it more than me… first of all - the writing style was great, super easy to read and understand the inner monologue of the character which i really appreciate. the story itself seems super fun- i love the fake dating trope and i was here for this - the only thing i can say is the timeline seemed a little so short, i don’t believe in love at first sight and in situation definitely we couldn’t go with that considering the main characters knew each other before… lets spread the timeline a little bit.
i absolutely adored the golden retriever energy from charlie, violet was also absolutely amazing. the only character that felt a little flat was evie- yes she did stir a little bit but i was expecting more drama but again this is not the type of book where drama drives the plot.
3rd act break up was good, and the timeline was great- poem a bit cringe but i get the thought behind it so i can get on board with it!

generally i would recommend the book to anyone who loves fluffy college romance. it was too soft for me, but i still enjoyed it!

This series has been so cute and so much fun. I absolutely loved Oz and Kate’s story so I was excited for Charlie and Violet’s!

I have always loved Lulu’s writing and story was no different. I’m always down for a fake dating/brothers best friend story! I loved Violet and her personality. I caught myself giggling at random moments and phrases, and the text messages between the two of them.

It was overall a great time per usual and I loved revisiting this world!

You Float My Boat is the second in the Oxbridge Series and follows Charlie and Violet. This is a delightful, fake dating, slow-burn that completely melted my heart.

Violet has always had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Charlie and can’t believe that he asks her to be his fake girlfriend. Charlie is in a pickle and needs Violet’s help - what he doesn’t imagine is falling so head over heels for Violet.

Their journey from a pretend relationship to genuine affection was beautiful to watch. Lulu is amazing at mixing tenderness and laugh out loud moments together.

I loved the banter and support shown between the boys, Charlie, Oz and Brooks. The friendship groups that Lulu created within her books are such a favourite part. In this book we get the added bonus of new friends - Stella, Violet’s best friend was hilarious and Gordon was such a character and I’m not sure sure, but I wonder if there is something with Gordon’s sister - who was mentioned but we haven’t yet met - I am intrigued but probably so wrong 😂.

The Oxbridge Series is such a comforting read and I can’t wait to see what comes next💕

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Violet & Charlie
Brothers best friend
Fake dating
College romance
She falls first, he falls harder

I ADORE these two!!

Charlie makes a proposal to Violet, for her to help him keep his ex away by pretending to be his girlfriend, and he'll help her practice her lines.

Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and this one did not disappoint! When he finally realises he has real feelings for her! Swoon!

Another amazing book by Lulu 😍

If you love the “she fell first, but he falls harder” trope in a cozy sweet read with a hint of spice, this is a wonderful one to add to your TBR.
I admittedly enjoyed the first one a lot more, but this one was still very good and I loved our MCs.
Violet and Charlie are so sweet together. However I didn’t feel as much connection to them as I did Oz and Kate in book 1. A lot of what was going on around them felt surface level. It was partially welcomed, though, as I just came down from the high of a high stakes read beforehand.

We do have major ex drama. Oh my god she was the worst. And a third act breakup. Which I am a fan of because I enjoy the drama and inevitable yearning that comes with it. Just fair warning, Charlie is an idiot, but we still love him.

This does follow the same timeline as part of the first book, Oar Than Friends, and I highly recommend reading them in order to get the full effect.
And I’m a huge fan of sports romance, so I adore that this series follows one that doesn’t get much attention in the bookish world: collegiate rowing. The tension is so good with the rivalries.


✨ARC review✨