I’m a pretty simple guy. When I’m not writing a science fiction novel, I’m watching a good movie or reading a book. Alone. I like my reclusive life. That is, until my only friend asks for a favor—pretend to be his baby sister’s boyfriend on a couples’ getaway. Her ex is going to be there and she needs me as a buffer.I should have said no, but Naomi is bubbly, energetic, and beautiful. She also … beautiful. She also means everything to her brother. But now, our fake romance is starting to feel all too real, and I find myself stuck between the promise I made to my friend and risking my heart to the one woman who might actually get me…
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I found Jackie Lau totally by accident (she commented on a tweet by another author I follow) and when I looked up her work – I had to read this! Yup, my second grumpy/sunshine trope of the week PLUS it checked my love of brother’s-best-friend/best-friend’s-sister as well.
This was a delightfully funny, easy to read, and sexy romance. Will & Naomi have known each other for almost 20 years, however they haven’t really spent a lot of time together so this is best enjoyed when in the mood for an insta love story. Set over an extended Canada Day weekend, I liked that Lau gave these characters plenty of conversations to get to know each other. Their quibbles & quips had me laughing out loud.
I wish that we’d learned a little more about Naomi and that she’d spent less time focused on her ex & his new girlfriend. That said, I like the way that Will was there to redirect her energy and thoughts so that she could enjoy the weekend with her friends. The ending was sweet (literally!) and I’m looking forward to more of Lau’s books.
Will agrees to pose as Naomi’s fake boyfriend for a long weekend with three other couples including her ex. Soon, emotions become all too real. This is complicated by Will’s friendship with Naomi’s brother, Jeremy. This is written in first person with a dual POV.
Will is definitely an introvert. As a matter of fact, he reminds me a lot of my adult son. That ultimately gives me hope that he too can have a HEA someday despite his preference to stay home alone. Naomi is bubbly and social and I loved her confidence.
I really enjoyed this book. It was my first time reading this author, but I felt like the characters and plot were tight. There was some humor as the characters bantered back and forth. There was also plenty of heat. I enjoyed the cultural references of Naomi and her friends. I love seeing a diverse character group in a book, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Short review. Will’s grumpiness if understandable since his family doesn’t quite grasp the whole boundaries thing and that introvert. Naomi is more of extrovert but understands Will’s need for alone time. I really enjoy the chemistry between Will and Naomi and how they fell for each other, I just wish it hadn’t been so rushed and was given more time for the relationship to develop.
I really enjoyed this book. I love both the hero and heroine, and though some of the scenes in the book with the heroine’s ex-boyfriend was hard to read due to its awkwardness, it didn’t detract from how much Jackie Lau grabbed me. Recommended!
Will is a Sci-fi writer, he’s quite happy being in his own company the majority of the time. Naomi is a bubbly, outgoing women, she’s an Event Planner & is happy in most social situations. On the week end of the ‘fake relationship’ trip it starts out with them arguing for most of the 3 hour journey. Once they arrive & are around her friends & her ex they soon settle down into a truce & realise they get on pretty well
This book was a lovely light hearted read. The two main characters were especially likable and I loved that Will was kind of grumpy
The steamy scenes were well written & hot A few hours of escapisy
Debbie, 1970, UK