I did not intend to spend my morning reading and reviewing this book. I have 5 other books that need to get reviewed. Very little about this book appealed to me at first glance. I didn’t like the premise, the blurb, the title, or the cover. But it kept getting good reviews from Cannonballers. And then Amazon offered it for $.99, but I still might not have read it were it not for a short expletive filled rant from Mrs. Julien wondering which of her favorite heroes was about to move down a notch on her list.
New Cannonballer, Ellepkay, was the first to review the book, swiftly followed by Scootsa100, alwaysanswerb, and Malin. I’ve linked their reviews to their names. I really should have known I would like a book with this many good reviews.
Lainie and Richard agree to a faux-mance, each for their own reasons. Richard is an arrogant prick and Lainie has no patience for his shit. However, they agree to act like they are dating and find they can be themselves around each other. The bickering is delightful, and the progress of their relationship feels natural (if compressed).
I have qualms about Richard as a human being. I don’t love the trope in fiction that the hero can get away with being an asshole because he’s an equal opportunity asshole and he isn’t as bad as the “nice guy” who is really a smarmy shit. That said, Parker managed to breath so much life into Lainie and Richard that I ended up liking them both so much I was sorry to reach the end of the book.
I’m compiling a database of reviews done here over the last three years: just for my own entertainment. And this is definitely one of the more popular books over the last couple months.
I think my theme next year will be to read the more popular books in Cannonball history.
I kind of love that idea. A cannonball made up of only the most beloved cannonball selections!
That’s such a great idea!
If you do that, you will have an excellent reading year.
Well, fake dating leading to real dating is one of my favorite plots in fanficiton, so why not give it a try in regular fiction too? Especially for 99 cents!
I love a marriage of convenience plot. It might be my favourite.
Fistbump for this review! Agree very much re: Richard’s prickishness but that Parker still made it work.
She really did make it work. He’s good to Lainie and becomes nicer but not perfect. It was enough.
I have also started clandestinely reading this, pretending that I am *totally* going to finish those other books I’m reading before I actually read this one.
I really like Parker’s tone. Her authorial voice is open and friendly, which is surprisingly not something all romance authors get.
Her voice is great as are the many, many references. My review of it goes up tomorrow. When can we expect yours?
next week? I do have a couple others I must finish first.
I am so far behind. I’m trying to get caught up and then stagger my postings to one a day on weekdays.