Let me just say — none of this was supposed to happen. I didn’t expect the letter to go viral. I didn’t think anyone would figure out who Dear Sexy Ex was. And I especially never thought he would find out about it. Yeah, bit of a miscalculation there.But see, I need the money to fund my brand new venture. And Dear Sexy Ex, well, it turns out he needs me to save his business. By becoming his fake … business.
By becoming his fake fiancée.
Yup, that’s the pickle I find myself in — pretending to be madly in love with the charming, brilliant, and utterly infuriating man known as Dear Sexy Ex.
Only, it’s not an act. And he can never know.
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is a standalone romance you can escape into! The other standalone romances in The Guys Who Got Away series include The What If Guy and Thanks For Last Night!
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There’s just something about a friends-to-lovers romance, especially when that friendship originates in childhood, that gets me every single time. Maybe it’s because my own happily ever after is one, but these stories are the ones that speak the loudest, that resonate the most with me and touch me the deepest. It’s another whole thing when it’s a Lauren Blakely romantic comedy. Her stories are always special, but for me, these types of stories are the decadent frosting on the luscious cake that is her catalog.
Blakely pairs the sassy, whip smart, optimistic Summer and her childhood best friend, Oliver, an incredibly handsome, successful attorney. I adored their friendship. It was easy, comfortable and so very important to both of them, and it formed a rock solid foundation for their relationship. But even firmly ensconced in the friend zone, the fire between them burned hot, and once they were put in the position of faking a romantic relationship, that fire blazed out of control. I really enjoyed Blakely’s spin on this trope, and the result was a touching romance between two friends who had been burying their feelings all along. The banter, the connection, the chemistry, it all came together in a love story that was full of sweet, swoony emotion and wonderfully drama-free.
I’m all about light and easy books that make me feel good these days. Blakely penned exactly that in this charming and endearing friends-to-lovers romance. I laughed and smiled as my heart soared with happy vibes while Oliver and Summer faked their way to the real thing. A new favorite of mine from Lauren Blakely, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend gets five smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
How do you survive 2 decades with the hottest British accented malebin existence as your best friend!?! No seriously, I o ly had a few hours with these two and I’m melting. Liquid puddle of lust and feels. How did Summer shut her aching, lusting heart down all those years with this amazing, kind, caring man!?! I believe she deserves an award, a stipend, and all the twisted sheets (sex, I mean sex) she can get.
Dear Sexy Ex Boyfriend is an absolute joy and heartwarming story. It’s all kinds of sexy, fun, and real feels. oh did I mention the hot Brit!?! Yeah, it’s definitely HOT in here!
So, when I read the title of this book I really wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this. I am really particular on my second chance romance books. They honestly do not interest me much but I decided to give this one a chance and I am SOOO glad I did. First off, this is NOT a second chance romance– this is a friends to lovers romance which is honestly one of my favorite genres!!! At the beginning of the book, I felt like maybe Summer had more feelings than Oliver did but as you continue to read, that is not the case! They are best friends who love each other but don’t even realize it until they are thrown together. Such a great sweet romance reads!
One of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. They were effortless with each other. They knew each other and that is why it worked so well for them. They truly wanted what was best for the other person. So of course she would become his girlfriend to save his job.
Oliver truly in his heart of hearts didn’t want to rock the boat and give Summer any reason to not be his friend. Her friendship means more to him than anything else. It was sweet how he came to see just how much he loves her, as in more than friends. Summer is the kind of woman who knows who she is but is still holding back, I like that she could and does be herself with Oliver. It was endearing.
I love that there wasn’t angst, there wasn’t drama. This is exactly why I love romance. The falling in love with the person who gets you 100% it is amazing.
The narration: Do I even have to say it, fantastic. Shane is quickly becoming a favorite of mine which kind of threw me for a loop too. Andi is Andi and she is great.
This is the perfect summer rom-com.
Just what I needed – a light, steamy, charming friends-to-lovers romance. Reminded me why Lauren Blakely is one of my favourites in this genre. Going on my 2020 Favourites List. Loved it!
The characters are so great and relatable, the writing style is so engaging, funny and full of fuzzy feeling. It’s a great contemporary romances. The banter between Oliver & Summer is so cute and they have such a good chemistry together. I absolutely loved it! Definitely will be reading the second book of the series. I also loved Fitz character nevertheless I am not into MM books, he is great as a friend. Lauren Blakely is a great author!
I listened to this audiobook all day long on release day. It was so good and I could not get enough of all the swoony, fun, sexy and emotional parts. So many great lines and situations in this book. It was literally a sexy swoon fest. I mean it had all the kissing! My god, every kiss between them was everything. Gah! I just loved this so much I could see myself listening again and again.
Andi Arndt and Shane East really made this book all that it was meant to be. The author chose wisely when it came to them as narrators. They literally became Summer and Oliver and I could not get enough.
If you’re looking for friends-to-lovers perfection, then look no further!
I’m usually in love with Lauren Blakely’s hero instantly, and Oliver is no exception. This man should come with a warning label. He’s highly addictive. With his charismatic charm and British accent, you don’t stand a chance at resisting him. But once you get past those two things, you really get to the core of Oliver, and that is when you find out what an amazing man he is. He’s loving, protective, and loyal. He’s also quirky, funny, and unbelievably sexy. He’s a perfect, well-rounded book boyfriend that is sure to catapult to the top of your favorites list.
Summer is amazing. I love her spirit and personality. She has such a good heart and wants nothing more than to help people. She’s compassionate, sweet, funny, and a little bit awkward. Her quirks are endearing and I love her relationship with Oliver. You can feel the special connection she has with him.
I’ve said it a million times: I’m head over heels in love with best friends-to-lovers romances and this one checks all the boxes for me. It’s quirky, funny, witty, and full of feels. The chemistry between these two is off the charts! I love the banter between not only Oliver and Summer, but between all the supporting cast as well. I’ve fallen in love with this group. This is definitely a classic LB novel and a must-read for any fan.
4 STARS
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the 1st book in The Guys Who Got Away Series. Lauren Blakely never disappoints. She writes with so much passion and humor. This one has two of my favorite tropes. Fake Fiancée and Friends to Lovers. In true LB fashion I had tears of laughter in my eyes one moment and tears of happiness the next. Oliver and Summer have been the best of friends. Oliver is gorgeous, smart and a successful lawyer. He is British and sexy, charming and funny. When these two admit their feelings they fall hard and fast I just loved it so much. Summer is sweet and quirky. She is independent and a successful business owner. She is focused and goal-oriented. I loved their banter, easy conversation, heartfelt moments and crazy chemistry. LB has introduced a bunch of side characters that I am quickly falling for in this new series. I especially loved Summer’s brother Logan and cannot wait for his story next in The What If Guy.
This book is funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
5 A Cockatoo Strangling a Trumpet Stars!!
There are so many things to love about this book by Ms. Blakely… a Hero and Heroine that are smart, funny, loyal and best friends to name a few. But what I loved the most about Summer and Oliver is their willingness to do anything to help each other no matter what the situation. There were so many moments in this book that I had ALL THE FEELS!!
Summer has gotten herself into quite a pickle by writing this amazingly fabulous letter for an online contest that if she wins could get her thismuchcloser to her goal. And let me tell you, letter is EVERYTHING I’ve ever wanted to say to a guy but never had the guts…now with Summer’s example I may just take that leap one of these days!!
And wouldn’t you know that once Summer’s entry has been blasted all over social media, not only does the Twitter-verse chime in, but there’s a problem for Oliver too, but Summer to the rescue and it seems they’re both on their way to solving problems.
Along the way, we get the witty banter I love and adore from Ms. Blakely along with some sizzling between the sheets action that had me turning up the A/C because once these two take that step, it’s like the flood gates have been opened and they’re off and running so to speak!! Through it all though, the connection these two have had for all these years is what opens their eyes to what they could actually have that’s just for them and not for anyone else.
As we get closer to their HEA we’re entertained with their friends who happen to be some of the best secondary characters ever! I loved the camaraderie with this group and that they know how to give as good as they get!! This book was a fun and sexy read and I cannot wait to get up close and personal with these characters again and again!
A fun fake fiancee, friends to lovers story. Summer and Oliver have been friends since they were eleven. What happens when things get complicated and feelings change? Such a great read. Loved it!!
Summer and Oliver, these two, OMG! I can’t even begin to describe how much I love these two. I love how we get insight on their shared past, how they in many ways, couldn’t possible be more right for each other.
I love their banter, their sweet and cute moments and all the sexy ones in between. I love how so slowly they started to realize what they should have realized a long time ago. That they belong together.
Heartwarming and super sweet.
Sweet
This is a sweet, simple and straight forward romance – the kind that leaves you with a soft smile and a HEA you can cherish. It’s the soft kind, with easily overcome drama and just the right amount of heat.
In a word? Charming.
I enjoyed the snark and wit tossed between characters, along with the building heat as realizations were made and decisions come to.
What I did not like? The apparent power of social media. I realize we live in the modern world and many big cities (and quite a few small ones) are inundated with the expectations and demands social media can press upon…. but for a private life to affect the very public one, not to mention a career? That is bothersome, and though this book seems to take it a step farther than normal, it also seems to be rather accurate. Ugh.
Perspective
First Person, Multiple POV
Ending Type
HEA
Rating
Mature
Romantic Dynamic
M/F
Character Age Range
20’s+
With DEAR SEXY EX-BOYFRIEND, Lauren Blakely combines two very popular tropes into one fun, fresh, sexy and delectable rom-com.
Heroine: Summer Clarke is a sweet, sassy and always positive person determined to achieve her goals on her own. She’s been one of Oliver’s best friends since she was fourteen and would never risk their relationship. But she does occasionally have inappropriate thoughts of the lusty kind about him.
“They’re like a side effect of the drug of friendship with a hot guy… Side effect can include temporary hallucinations, including, but not limited to, occasional inconvenient fantasies, inability to control dirty thoughts, and heightened desire to touch your friend’s lips.”
Hero: Oliver Harris is a charming attorney with a sexy British accent that matches the rest of him. He cares deeply for Summer who’s supported him through the toughest moments of his life. He’d do anything for her including posing as her fake fiancée to help her get the money she needs for her business venture while saving his own. But are they really pretending to be in love?
Facts Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is book #1 of The Guys Who Got Away series by Lauren Blakely. It’s a standalone friends to lovers, my brother’s best friend romance told from both points of view with a wonderfully swoony epilogue.
In love with this story. Love the best friends to lovers them and it’s so funny. Couldn’t put it down.
Didn’t finish didn’t like it
I was entertaining nothing heavy ….fun characters
4.5 stars
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is the friends-to-lovers, fake engagement story that I never knew I needed (but definitely needed).
Lauren Blakely brings her signature wit and banter (oh, the banter) to the table in this delightful story, and the chemistry between Summer and Oliver is FIRE. I love the way their friendship blossoms, and I love that the angst is low. And I could see this story translating to film quite well.
Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend is a refreshing glass of lemonade on a hot summer day, and, especially given all that’s happening in the world right now, it’s just what I needed.