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valerieullmerauthor's review
5.0
From the moment you meet Robin, he makes you smile. Him and his roommate, Peyton, are looking for a third roommate in Seattle to share the rent and on the last applicant, they hit the jackpot. Dair is an ex-marine who works as a mechanic now that he's out of the service. He's caring, gentle, and grows to care about his roommates fairly quickly, especially Robin. One night, Robin is worried about his upcoming class reunion and while he wants to go and reconnect with his family, he knows his ex will be there. Dair volunteers to go with Robin, to be his bodyguard while pretending to be his boyfriend and Robin agrees.
The characters in this book, especially Robin, is so realistic. He's hung up on the past with his abusive ex-boyfriend and refuses to get emotional or have a relationship, and for the longest time, you can't see why. But then you meet Robin's family, his large, funny, loving family and you realize that Robin would know nothing of abuse and manipulation because he never had to deal with anything like that before. But now he's home, his ex goes about trying to manipulate his relationship with Dair.
Dair is a wonderfully honest character who like Robin, hasn't had a lot of experience past the corp and his work as a mechanic. When he finds himself liking Robin more and more, he gets protective, but he also realizes his growing feelings for Robin have more to do with being his real boyfriend.
The story is a lovely read, angsty at times because of the manipulation and anger from the ex, but in the end, Dair and Robin and their happy ending are all that matters. A lovely read and I highly recommend this book!!
The characters in this book, especially Robin, is so realistic. He's hung up on the past with his abusive ex-boyfriend and refuses to get emotional or have a relationship, and for the longest time, you can't see why. But then you meet Robin's family, his large, funny, loving family and you realize that Robin would know nothing of abuse and manipulation because he never had to deal with anything like that before. But now he's home, his ex goes about trying to manipulate his relationship with Dair.
Dair is a wonderfully honest character who like Robin, hasn't had a lot of experience past the corp and his work as a mechanic. When he finds himself liking Robin more and more, he gets protective, but he also realizes his growing feelings for Robin have more to do with being his real boyfriend.
The story is a lovely read, angsty at times because of the manipulation and anger from the ex, but in the end, Dair and Robin and their happy ending are all that matters. A lovely read and I highly recommend this book!!
robazizo's review
3.0
3.5 stars. While I liked the story overall, I wasn't completely sold on the match between Robin and Dair. I understood what they saw in each other, but I had a bit of a problem with the feeling of equality between them. Dair's progression from straight to not so straight also felt brushed over. I could sympathize with Robin's issues and insecurities though and understood why he let Mac get to him over and over again. Robin's family was adorable and seeing as this is Pine Cove #1, we'll surely see them again. Peyton and Ava perhaps?
roryta86reads's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
gijsvgompel's review
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.