Reviews

The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale

ari4napasiva's review against another edition

4.0

3.5⭐️

I think this one was a completely surprise.
I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, the writing, everything !!! and ngl, the sex scenes were really good, i wasn't expecting that.
The only con was the ending. I wanted to know more, like how are they gonna explain everything??? Anyway, this book was cute.

thebookishbrief's review

fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

This was a cute read; it gave exactly what it promised - fake relationship, switched identity vibes. It did feel a bit insta-lovey. Taft was immediately attracted to Freya without any real reason except that she didn't allegedly recognize him as a celebrity. I liked how they were able to see each other for who they really are but it was a very fast turn around from their initial snarky banter to being all about each other. I also wish there was some further exploration into Freya's cultural background. With her career in publishing and Mandi's career in Hollywood, it would have been cool to see them connect on being South Asian women in such high profile places. I also wish we actually got to see how they navigated their relationship once it became public.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. 

madsjordan's review against another edition

5.0

this was so so good, as a simp for a good fake dating book this caught my attention but exceeded any expectations i had, tate and freya were such deep yet relatable characters and as a writer myself i really saw myself in freya (especially the writer's block), i just love the two of them so much and tate bamber really is the ultimate book boyfriend, lillie vale plz send me my own personal tate

thank you, NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

tori_b_reads's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

winemakerssister's review against another edition

3.0

Fake Dating is one of my favorite tropes, and The Decoy Girlfriend features a double-fake situation. It started off great but sort of fell flat by the end.

hiweeboop's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 ⭐️

What a delight!!!

Also, f u OB cast!

shae_bentley's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

gibbyupsidedowncake's review

lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

caitlincariseo's review against another edition

4.0

"Honestly, though," she says with a hint of a blush, "I like every thing about you. Sometimes, with other people ... I feel like I have to try? You know? Not like I'm trying to impress them or anything, but that I have to live up to my best self. Someone who I haven't been in years. With you, I just have to exist. You take me as I am. You meet me where I am, who I am right now."

"You're the bedside book I would reach for a hundred times over. A five-star favorite I'd reread like I was visiting an old friend or long-lost lover...For the record, this reader loves a good bedside book"

!!!!!!

maggie6832's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This book was a strong mediocre romance. There were some good moments, good banter, and a fun idea for a book.

And satisfying zingers from Freya about Taft’s ex-show mates, and I did really enjoy Mandi and Taft's friendship.

But a) never in my life have I heard a man describe his reading taste as “lush, sweeping women and queer author romances/books” lol. Appreciate the wish fulfillment though.

b) I felt like Freya’s writer block was talked about a lot in the beginning, and then just sort of swept away. Like, she’s been working on this book for several years, and then in the span of four weeks, writes it? And she never opened up to her writer group about it!