roryta86reads's review
2.0
I mostly found this annoying. The series has potential so I plan to checking the 2nd book for now. I liked daire but robin was annoying as hell. And I haaaate the miscommunication trope, which happens here.
toshi21's review
4.0
Sweet and adorable
This book was utterly sweet and adorable.
HJ Welch takes the fake boyfriend trope and sweetens it with Robin and Dair and a high school reunion.
Both men are so adorable together, sorting out their feelings in Robin’s hometown.
Dair is an ex Marine trying to find his way to a new family and Robin is a computer programmer avoiding home because of an abusive ex.
When Robin’s high school reunion comes up, they come up with a plan for Dair to be Robin’s cheer guard and fake boyfriend.
This book was a lot of sweetness and goodness. I seriously enjoyed the lightness of the book. I can’t wait to read the next Pine Cove book and see who will be next.
This book was utterly sweet and adorable.
HJ Welch takes the fake boyfriend trope and sweetens it with Robin and Dair and a high school reunion.
Both men are so adorable together, sorting out their feelings in Robin’s hometown.
Dair is an ex Marine trying to find his way to a new family and Robin is a computer programmer avoiding home because of an abusive ex.
When Robin’s high school reunion comes up, they come up with a plan for Dair to be Robin’s cheer guard and fake boyfriend.
This book was a lot of sweetness and goodness. I seriously enjoyed the lightness of the book. I can’t wait to read the next Pine Cove book and see who will be next.
goblinlatte's review
2.0
not even nick j. russo's narration could save this absolute trainwreck, lmfao.
there were aspects of the book i did enjoy. there's dair, the ex-marine "straight" love interest. when the abysmal writing wasn't getting in the way, i found him very likable! but i also have a weakness for big, buff golden retriever men, so. yeah. a slew of other characters were cute, as well, as was the town of pine cove itself.
i absolutely had a very difficult time tolerating robin, the other mc. i think it was intended to be relatable, because who doesn't have insecurities and self-doubt? who hasn't endured pain and trauma they've carried to the point where it's held them back? but robin just -- god. absolutely infuriating. a passive, spineless little twerp who fell for the transparently unhinged contrivances of an over the top ex. he is, in fact, so stupid
yes! this light fluffy fake boyfriends-bi awakening romance ends in an over the top conflict that almost RESULTS IN DEATH. absolutely bananas. it would be funny if it was actually written competently!
also, the smut was just so embarrassing to listen to! there were two scenes written on the page. the first was just okay, but the last one after all the misunderstandings and conflicts were, ostensibly, resolved, was just so god damn cringey that i actually felt my soul leave my body.
there were aspects of the book i did enjoy. there's dair, the ex-marine "straight" love interest. when the abysmal writing wasn't getting in the way, i found him very likable! but i also have a weakness for big, buff golden retriever men, so. yeah. a slew of other characters were cute, as well, as was the town of pine cove itself.
i absolutely had a very difficult time tolerating robin, the other mc. i think it was intended to be relatable, because who doesn't have insecurities and self-doubt? who hasn't endured pain and trauma they've carried to the point where it's held them back? but robin just -- god. absolutely infuriating. a passive, spineless little twerp who fell for the transparently unhinged contrivances of an over the top ex. he is, in fact, so stupid
Spoiler
that he almost dies.yes! this light fluffy fake boyfriends-bi awakening romance ends in an over the top conflict that almost RESULTS IN DEATH. absolutely bananas. it would be funny if it was actually written competently!
also, the smut was just so embarrassing to listen to! there were two scenes written on the page. the first was just okay, but the last one after all the misunderstandings and conflicts were, ostensibly, resolved, was just so god damn cringey that i actually felt my soul leave my body.
gijsvgompel's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
novel_nomad's review
3.0
Ok, this was super cute, and I loved the addition of the family and friends in Pine Cove - there were just so many great friendships in this series. The romance itself was sweet with a little bit of angst (and self-delusion on Robin's part to force everything into a rose coloured world). Self-delusion aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this super adorable romance.
xanthe87's review
5.0
What a wonderful read! This is a great start to a new series. Two adorable men on a trip necessitating a fake boyfriend. Currently one of my favourite tropes and HJ Welch has given us a charming story with lovable characters.
Robin and Dair have a great connection and you can easily see them as friends. As Dair starts the story off as straight, the romantic in me is hoping as to where the story will take me but there are, as always, stumbling blocks in the way in the form of an ex boyfriend and their own thoughts fighting against them.
We have the chance to get to know both MC's as the story starts off and there are some fun people around them as well as one or two negatives that. It's very well paced and gives us a lot to keep our attention. The town of Pine Cove is written beautifully, sounding like such a lovely place to visit. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in this series.
Highly recommended, great writing from a wonderful author.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review
Robin and Dair have a great connection and you can easily see them as friends. As Dair starts the story off as straight, the romantic in me is hoping as to where the story will take me but there are, as always, stumbling blocks in the way in the form of an ex boyfriend and their own thoughts fighting against them.
We have the chance to get to know both MC's as the story starts off and there are some fun people around them as well as one or two negatives that. It's very well paced and gives us a lot to keep our attention. The town of Pine Cove is written beautifully, sounding like such a lovely place to visit. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in this series.
Highly recommended, great writing from a wonderful author.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Adorable and sweet romance with the right amount of angst to satisfy my inner evil self :P
I simply love fake-boyfriends stories, and this one didn't disappoint. The MCs are likeable and I was sold on their relationship from the beginning :P
I liked a lot all the secondary characters, and I foresee a lot of fun when the time comes for their stories. There is even a FF waiting to happen \0/
And Nick J. Russo is fantastic narrating this story. I can't wait for the rest...
I simply love fake-boyfriends stories, and this one didn't disappoint. The MCs are likeable and I was sold on their relationship from the beginning :P
I liked a lot all the secondary characters, and I foresee a lot of fun when the time comes for their stories. There is even a FF waiting to happen \0/
And Nick J. Russo is fantastic narrating this story. I can't wait for the rest...
isalaur's review
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to reading more. The town of Pine Cove sounds wonderful.
Robin is a successful software designer who suffers from a self image problem. Dare is a former Marine, current mechanic who moves in with Robin and his friend Peyton. He is looking for a sense of be,ongoing he’s been missing since his break up and since leaving the Marines.
When Robin has to go home for his ten year class reunion and Peyton suggests Dare go with him as his fake boyfriend to keep Robin’s ex away Dare agrees hoping it will bring he and Robin closer as friends. Robin is nursing a big crush on Dare so while he agrees he’s worried.
As always happens with this trope things progress from fake to real and it is a very sweet journey. I loved Robin’s family and friends in Pine Cove. The story element with the ex is an interesting peek into some of Robin’s issues. The crisis moment is gut clenching and the resolution is wonderful. I loved the book’s ending and it makes me look forward to the next books even more.
Robin is a successful software designer who suffers from a self image problem. Dare is a former Marine, current mechanic who moves in with Robin and his friend Peyton. He is looking for a sense of be,ongoing he’s been missing since his break up and since leaving the Marines.
When Robin has to go home for his ten year class reunion and Peyton suggests Dare go with him as his fake boyfriend to keep Robin’s ex away Dare agrees hoping it will bring he and Robin closer as friends. Robin is nursing a big crush on Dare so while he agrees he’s worried.
As always happens with this trope things progress from fake to real and it is a very sweet journey. I loved Robin’s family and friends in Pine Cove. The story element with the ex is an interesting peek into some of Robin’s issues. The crisis moment is gut clenching and the resolution is wonderful. I loved the book’s ending and it makes me look forward to the next books even more.
ctsquirrel's review
3.0
2.5/5
Tags: Abuse - Gaslighting and physical abuse by Robin's ex, GFY - Dair is demisexual and has only been with his ex-girlfriend before getting together with Robin.
Unrelated note: I'm going to have to try that M&M's mixed in hot popcorn trick. Sounds good.
Tags: Abuse - Gaslighting and physical abuse by Robin's ex, GFY - Dair is demisexual and has only been with his ex-girlfriend before getting together with Robin.
Unrelated note: I'm going to have to try that M&M's mixed in hot popcorn trick. Sounds good.