ARC Review: ‘The Almost Romantic’ by Lauren Blakely
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Almost Romantic
by Lauren BlakelySeries: How to Date #3
Published by Self-Published on March 14, 2024
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Format: eArc
Pages: 376
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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Fake engagement. Real marriage. Both have an expiration date in this spicy marriage of convenience romantic comedy standalone…
“Marry me.”
They were the last words I expected to say to my fake fiancé, but I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t back down from a challenge.
Pretend I’m engaged to my gorgeous and talented business partner to secure a business deal?
No problem.
Agree to a no-touch rule even though she’s been driving me wild since I met her?
Challenge accepted.
Resist grinning like a damn fool every time that same big-hearted, sunshine-y woman laughs with my little daughter?
Done.
So, yeah, when my fake fiancé’s vindictive business rival threatens to expose our make-believe romance, I can handle that too.
I’ll prove our engagement isn’t fake – by marrying her for real.
A marriage with an expiration date at the end of the year.
But that’s when I run smack dab into the biggest challenge ever – not falling madly in love with my wife.
The Almost Romantic is the third book in Lauren Blakely’s How to Date series, but each book can be read as a standalone. This was the perfect book to read when I had such a rough week and needed something with a funny and spicy storyline. I found myself giggling out loud with the humorous moments and my face turning pink from the spicy moments between the characters, but it helped heal me from my rough week of health issues.
I adored both the MCs, Elodie and Gage, and how they initially ended up together involves a delivery mishap, which will be forever a memorable story that I will never forget. Both characters are single parents and business owners who aren’t looking for anything serious until they end up going on a date and later on find themselves in a fake engagement due to a business arrangement that they both want to go in on. Before you know it, these two characters are trying to fight their attraction to one another because they can’t break the rules they established initially, especially when it’s temporary between the two.
I’ve always loved reading fake relationship/marriage stories, and this one was well done, especially with how the characters end up with their fake engagement in the first place. Elodie was such an adorable and fun character with her bubbly way of life and how passionate and determined she was with her business and taking care of her little sister. It was hard not to love her, and she definitely is someone who would be fun to be around, especially when she runs a business making chocolate, something I could never pass up. Gage was another MMC that was hard not to love, especially with how responsible, caring, and protective he was with others. He also had a way with words and making sure Elodie was taken care of when it came to certain things. The best part in the story, when it came to Gage, was when he stuck up for her with the guy who was making her uncomfortable. The second Gage said, ‘My Wife,’ I was a goner for sure.
Not only did the MCs steal the show, but the secondary characters did, too. I loved how Gage’s Grandma, his daughter, and Elodie’s younger sister encouraged Gage and Elodie to be together, and they played a significant role, especially toward the end.
Another thing I loved was finding out who Gage was related to in this book and having one of my favorite couples, Zane and Maddox from Turn Me On, show up and play a role in the book. It amazes me how Lauren keeps up with all the characters and manages to sneak them into other books.
If you enjoy reading fake engagement/marriage storylines between two single parents who are business partners together and end up breaking all the rules, then add this book to your TBR.
Tropes:
💍Fake Engagement
💍Most romantic fake proposal ever
💍Single Father
💍Marriage of Convenience
💍Found family
💍Possessive Hero
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About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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