thank you to netgalley for the arc!

this book was just not for me. nothing flowed the way i would've liked and too many plot holes.

A Grumpy Billionaire's Fake Engagement, is well written. I thought that there would have been more erotica from reading the summary. it was great for a normal steamy romance novel though.

Stars: 1.5
Review Release: 11/02/25
Review Platform: Goodreads/Amazon
Review: If you like single dad, second chance romances where it’s the whole grumpy x sunshine trope and fake dating? Yeah, I would skip this one cause there is no flowing plot at all. It was so jumpy, no flow at all. There were so many missing plot holes I was left wondering about many things. There is no lead up to important things and the one biggest thing I noticed was the inconsistencies in backstories about his ex. I feel the author needs to revisit this story and flesh it out a little more.

Readers who are drawn to tales of second chances, where love reignites amidst the complexities of life, will find themselves captivated by this novel. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a strong, independent woman who refuses to be defined by her past, and a brooding, alpha hero whose tough exterior hides a depth of emotion. Their compelling love story unfolds against a backdrop of high-stakes corporate intrigue and the unraveling of long-held family secrets, adding layers of suspense and anticipation to the romance. This book is a perfect fit for those who enjoy a passionate, emotional journey with characters who are as complex as they are captivating.

Nope...this book didn't work for me. It jumped forward skipping plot points that could've really turned it into a great read, but instead it became unreadable. I can't in good faith recommend anyone read this.

**Thanks NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this in exchange of my honest opinion.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

If you are looking to unplug for an hour or two and don’t mind the apparent potholes in the storyline that will have you wondering if you just picked up book six of a series instead of a standalone, then this billionaire, runaway bride, fake engagement, jilted groom, what that’s not enough, single dad, second chance, surprise heiress, found family and more tropes that could possibility fit into a story, this one might be for you.

Mia thought she had her life all figured out until Ethan Sinclair burst open the church doors before she could say “I do” and walked her out of her wedding, stopping her from making the worst mistake of her life. In the same breath, he makes her deal: to be his fake fiancé. And everything goes downhill from there.

Oliver’s execution is disjointed. There is no flow to the writing. The jarring time jumps leave readers struggling to piece the story together. The backstory, which seems to impact the present decisions, is sorely lacking.  Why all the glitzy parties? Sure, it makes for glamorous settings, but without context or substance, what’s the point? Readers are not invested since we have no knowledge of why Ethan needs a fiancé for his business; besides him saying he does, no details are given. Oliver’s writing is tell, tell, and more tell; where is the show to draw us in? The entirety of the book felt underdeveloped and rushed, resulting in a chaotic ride.

This book’s most lovable and authentic character is Lily, Ethan’s daughter. The single dad dynamics is on point. He worries about how his fake relationship with Mia will impact her and its consequences when they have to end the charade, which is the only genuine emotion Oliver brings to light, salvaging some of this reading experience. All in all, this was a disappointing 1-star read.

It took a little to get through this book as I felt like I could only handle a couple chapters a day. The premise of the book was good, it was the execution of it that had me questioning whether I was going to finish or not.


Thank you to NetGalley for this copy!

This story follows Mia, who is about to marry a man she does not love when her childhood best friend, Ethan, steps in to save her, giving her the option of a fake engagement to him.

I liked the premise for this book, but the execution could have been way better. It felt as though there was no connection between the two main characters and some of the story wasn’t explained well enough. For example, she finds out she is the heiress to a billionaire fortune after her parents told her she was adopted. This is contradicted when she finds out she was ‘taken’ as a baby and that her biological parents never stopped looking for her. It’s never explained as to how she was taken and if her adoptive parents knew.

Tropes:
— Single dad
— Billionaire
— Found family
— Fake engagement
— Second chance

This book delivers everything you’d expect—glamour, chemistry, and the irresistible tension of a fake relationship turning real. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked, quickly falling for the story.

The fake dating trope is executed well, adding just the right amount of playful denial between the protagonists. Watching them navigate their "pretend" relationship while obviously battling real feelings made for an entertaining and swoon-worthy read. And Lily? Absolutely the sweetest! I only wish we had gotten more of her presence in the story, as she added a heartwarming touch to the dynamic.

However, one aspect that pulled me out of the story was the repeated use of the word "curves/curvy." The frequency of the term felt excessive, to the point where it became a distraction. Every time it popped up, it momentarily took me out of the narrative, making it harder to stay immersed in the romance. Which ultimately made it hard to enjoy the story when all my brain could focus on was that one word and waiting for it to pop up like a jack-in-a-box

I really got caught up in this book. It wasnt a long book but it packs a lot in it. Hero saves old friend from bad marriage and they are off and running. Plenty of surprises and his little girl is amazing.

First time reading a book by this author. Writing style is unique and took me a bit to get used to it. Storyline kept you invested. Fake relationship romance. Nice ending.

I'm not sure how I made it through this book, I'm so sorry I tried so hard to give this book a chance, I finished it but only because I was to the point of just giving up when I realized I was just a few pages from the end. The book started out with a wedding and a runaway bride and from there it went completely downhill. I hate giving books a one star, but sadly this one gets one.

The book left a lot to be desired. The storyline could have been good if there was just more to it. Very short read and it felt rushed. I gave it 2 stars because I do believe that with more of the plot, it has the potential to be a good read. I wish it would have explained more of the relationship that was so unforgettable between the main characters. Unfortunately, it was just confusing, and I'm still left wondering what exactly the book was about.

⭐ ⭐

A Grumpy Billionaire's Fake Engagement by Vivian Oliver promises a whirlwind romance with high stakes, sizzling chemistry, and a touch of mystery. The premise—a billionaire offering a fake engagement as a way to save both his empire and the heroine's freedom—was intriguing and delivered the escapism I was hoping for in a quick romance read. The chemistry between the leads kept the pages turning, and the fun glitzy settings provided a glamorous backdrop for their fiery interactions.

However, I found the execution somewhat disjointed. The time jumps were jarring and left me struggling to piece together parts of the story, particularly the heroine's journey from a "quiet life of submission" to the Carter heiress revelation. Why were they at all these parties anyway? The lack of backstory made it feel like I had missed key chapters or that this was part of a series rather than a standalone novel. While the twists and surprises added drama, the transitions between the second-chance romance, single-dad dynamics, and billionaire corporate intrigue felt rushed and underdeveloped, as if three book ideas had been crammed into one.

Despite these issues, the book did deliver on its promise of an escapist romance with plenty of passion and drama. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a fast-paced, trope-packed read and don’t mind a bit of narrative whiplash. With tighter plotting and a more focused approach, it could have been a standout. As it stands, it’s an enjoyable, if chaotic, romantic ride.

I always enjoy the fake relationship troupes / standoff-ish guy who has everything going for him vibes. So coming into the story I liked the premise, but it had too many plot holes and felt disjointed. While it was a quick read I found myself going back pages because I had thought I had somehow skipped a chapter because of the storyline jumps. The story itself had a lot of promise, but in the end it fell flat for me.

Always so appreciative to be able to ARC!

"A Grumpy Billionaire's Fake Engagement" by Vivian Oliver is a fun and lightly steamy second chance romance with curvy FMC Mia and grumpy MMC Ethan. Just as Mia is walking down the aisle to marry her fiance Brad, her highschool sweetheart Ethan bursts in and gives her an excuse to run from the altar with her doubts. While the two are making their getaway, Ethan offers a proposition: Mia pretends to be engaged to him and he'll protect her from however Brad tries to retaliate. But Ethan won't give up what he gets out of the deal...and life keeps throwing curve balls at the pair on top of it all.
I had such a great time with this read! It's the second book I've read by Vivian Oliver and I once again was not disappointed. The book was a fairly quick read for me, and I didn't want to put it down. As soon as I started it, I was immediately thrown into the action and the suspense was already building! I loved reading about Mia and Ethan, as well as the interactions with those close to them. I'm a sucker for a fake relationship, and this one was no different! The spice was not very explicit, but I absolutely love how it was portrayed to still give off the passion and tension between Mia and Ethan. I loved the conflicts that were brought up and couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
I do wish some plot points were described more in detail. Enough information was given to get your attention, but sometimes it was not elaborated on, even by the end. I feel that if they were expanded upon more, it would have made the story that much more enticing and get the reader even more hooked. These things were almost said in passing, but they appeared to be big enough deals that I felt they would have benefitted from being fleshed out. There was also a moment where the POV switched from first to third person, but it was a single paragraph. However, I still had an awesome time with this book, and I hope Oliver gives us more couples to meet. 💞
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This book was given to me as an ARC through NetGalley 🥰
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book: A Grumpy Billionaire's Fake Engagement - Vivian Oliver
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#AGrumpyBillionairesFakeEngagement #NetGalley #arc #arcreader

I thought this book was good. It wasn't the best billionaire story ever for me but overall I did enjoy it. I would like to read more from this author to see the other stories she's crafted. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The chemistry between Mia and Ethan is so endearing and I love her relationship with Lily, and but there are unexplained subplots that confuse the storyline, We should k more about her sister and Vince, and where are her Parents, and why was she getting married to Brad, and and the animosity from Brad should have taken a few hits from her inheritance story as well. But the way Mia and Ethan respond to each other is so endearing and sweet.

This was such a fun and steamy romance, perfect for all fans of the grumpy-sunshine trope and fake relationships! The arrangement is purely for business—Ethan needs a fiancé to secure a deal, and Mia needs to get out of loveless marriage —but, of course, sparks fly as they spend more time together.

Oliver does a great job of balancing the chemistry between the leads with their personal growth. The tension between them builds gradually, making their eventual emotional connection feel earned and satisfying. The fake engagement premise is a familiar one, but this author added enough wit and charm to make it feel fresh and engaging. While the plot is predictable at times, the banter between Nathan and Mia keeps things entertaining.

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
2 ☆
Mia thought I had it all figured out: the "perfect" man, the "perfect" wedding, the "perfect" life of quiet submission. Then Ethan Sinclair—six feet two inches of pure temptation—stormed through those church doors. My childhood protector, now a ruthless billionaire CEO, had a deal that would save us both: be his fake fiancée, stabilize his empire, and win my freedom from a loveless marriage. The catch? Living under his roof.

I like the premise of this story, but honestly, it had too many plot holes, and the flow was off. I know it's a novella or short story, but it was missing many details, such as who Lily's mother is and what happened to her (details, not just tell us and move on). What happened to Mia's parents, etc.? This story just fell flat for me. I don't think I was the targeted audience for this story.

Thank you, Netgellay, and BooksGoSocial for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.