shannahaun's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
roryta86reads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this. While I did feel some parts were unnecessary and I did skip them, overall I really enjoyed this story. It felt as if I was traveling myself. A very enjoyable holiday read. Kieran is wonderful, i loved him so much. And Kennedy is so hot.
bookscoffeepie's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Kieran and Kennedy’s story. Loved reading how two intelligent men talk and flirt their way through a fantastic vacation. Loved how, in very different ways, both of them “find” themselves over the course of said vacation, separate from yet also because of their “deal.” Both of them were the type of leads I root for separately (and whose stories I stay up all night to finish….). Put them together and I’m in book-heaven.
But what I loved best? Was that every trope I was afraid I’d see didn’t happen. The broke guy didn’t let the rich guy lead on all things. The rich guy didn’t give up his passion for his work (and the broke guy didn’t ask him to). And boy, I just love when one MC calls out the other one, and when Kieran does this? Turns out Kennedy might have a thing for it too.
Adults being adults and falling in love, with some rich-people-on-holiday fluffy stuff and background corporate shenanigans thrown in to keep the pace going. Also, some great levels of steam, and not just of the sex kind. That dance? Whew.
What a great escape-read on a dreary day.
Copy received for honest review.
But what I loved best? Was that every trope I was afraid I’d see didn’t happen. The broke guy didn’t let the rich guy lead on all things. The rich guy didn’t give up his passion for his work (and the broke guy didn’t ask him to). And boy, I just love when one MC calls out the other one, and when Kieran does this? Turns out Kennedy might have a thing for it too.
Adults being adults and falling in love, with some rich-people-on-holiday fluffy stuff and background corporate shenanigans thrown in to keep the pace going. Also, some great levels of steam, and not just of the sex kind. That dance? Whew.
What a great escape-read on a dreary day.
Copy received for honest review.
amazingchester's review
2.5
Aww this was cute.
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and the fact that a lot of people already knew was different but good.
I got confused a few times about who's POV I was reading, since Kennedy and Kieran look similar while reading. (Dyslexic brain)
I'm exited to read Trevor's and Rudy's story, would love to read a book about Patrick and Joey as well.
Something that I felt was completely out of the blue was
Overall I loved the characters and where things ended up
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and the fact that a lot of people already knew was different but good.
I got confused a few times about who's POV I was reading, since Kennedy and Kieran look similar while reading. (Dyslexic brain)
I'm exited to read Trevor's and Rudy's story, would love to read a book about Patrick and Joey as well.
Something that I felt was completely out of the blue was
Spoiler
the sperm donor thing. It's a weird thing to ask of a person who you've only known less than a month but it't the fact that this part of the storyline was random, a bit pointlessOverall I loved the characters and where things ended up
readingvoyage's review against another edition
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
4.75
ilyarozanov123's review against another edition
2.0
I decided I was going to be nicer with ratings and such this year, so that’s why this one got two. But it really wasn’t my thing. On paper, the set-up was the kind of thing I enjoy. I just couldn’t do with the writing.
I didn’t like Kennedy at all for a lot of this. He somewhat redeemed himself in the end, but it was too late. Kieran deserved better. Kieran was pretty much the only thing I did like, though not all that much.
I’m not sure if it was me or the book, but I didn’t find the jokes funny. I wasn’t interested in the many details of Kennedy’s job. I definitely didn’t like the last chapter with all the kids, because ugh, way to ruin a perfectly okay HEA. So yeah, not a fan.
I didn’t like Kennedy at all for a lot of this. He somewhat redeemed himself in the end, but it was too late. Kieran deserved better. Kieran was pretty much the only thing I did like, though not all that much.
I’m not sure if it was me or the book, but I didn’t find the jokes funny. I wasn’t interested in the many details of Kennedy’s job. I definitely didn’t like the last chapter with all the kids, because ugh, way to ruin a perfectly okay HEA. So yeah, not a fan.
lyssachelle's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this, as I love a good fake relationship. Initially, it seemed really on track for Kieran to break down the seemingly cold-hearted Kennedy's barriers. The descriptions of the locales were lovely and the author either has first-hand knowledge of the places or is just that good. However, a lot of things just didn't add up for me in the end. I think, ultimately, there were a few too many plot points that didn't mesh well with the others. They would seem plausible...and then would not. For instance:
The hiring of a companion didn't really make sense. Since his breakup with Patrick, Kennedy has had a companion come with him so that he isn't alone and single in front of his ex. Okay, I'm with you....but don't the friends notice that he has nothing to do with the men once the vacation is over? Or that they aren't mentioned in the time leading up to the vacation? He spends all this money for a companion and he wants them to be able to fool his friends but apparently, it's just an open secret because a previous companion ratted him out? And the previous years' companion slept with one of the couples? Which is oooo, big scandal, but WHY if everyone knows that these guys are paid? Do they know or don't they? Kennedy doesn't seem shocked or humiliated about sort of being found out, but also doesn't proudly own that he gets hot young things to come on a cruise with him every year.
ALSO. There is a card that Kennedy gives his companions for a free BJ (but is Kieran's get out of jail card and yeah, I don't know either,) which one of the friends tells Kieran about and prompts Kieran to use it as its original purpose and then just blown within an inch of his life. Great! You get it, Kieran! But...wtf is the point of a card? And if it's a sexy code, how do the friends know about it?
AND! AND! Why is Patrick painted as a villain, but then turns out to be an okay guy with really shitty minions/friends in Richmond and Mike? What is Richmond's damage about Kennedy? He thinks that Patrick and Kennedy belong together, but is such a s***head to him. And don't get me started on the bi-erasure of Patrick's new boyfriend's sister knowing Kieran and his ex-girlfriend, which obvs makes him a phony. (Which! Apparently! They! All! Already! Know!)
There just is a LOT going on and could have been whittled down considerably. Like:
Not sure of the point of the corporate espionage plot and the random-ass trip to LA. It taught Kennedy to slow down and take better stock of his life but that couldn't have been accomplished with some self-reflection while on the cruise?
The trip to Kennedy's parents was an odd stopover on the way to the main plot, as was the sister's adultery sideplot.
The friend group could have been tightened up, and their role in the deception made more clear. Do they believe these boyfriends are real, or not? Either make them believe it or make Kennedy not even try to deceive them in the first place.
Or! OR! Make all the other ones have been real-ish guys he brings, a friend of friends or casual guys he woos with a promise of a vacation, and then have Kieran be the first hired one.
Also, don't have the cute lesbians decide to have a baby with the dude their friend hired to go on a cruise. (There's a time jump! Make it off-page and throw it in there as a request they make much later! Just don't go around asking your friend's fake boyfriend that you've known for three weeks for sperm!)
Apparently, I have stronger feelings than I realized when I began writing this review. (But seriously, A BJ CARD?)
This gets 2 stars and that's because I was compelled enough to finish it, and the descriptions of the cruise and the foreign destinations were lovely.
Spoiler
Kieran is a bit of a unicorn. He charms the pants off of everyone...to the point that a few days with Kennedy's family changes years of misunderstanding and resentment between all of them. He then is beloved by Kennedy's friends (with the exception of Patrick and his minions, more on that in a sec) and charms the pants off of THEM also, so much so that he seems to spend more time with Laurie and Steph. SO much time that they decide to ask him to GIVE THEM A BABY. I mean, Christ on a cracker, really? And don't get me started on the sexy ballroom routine that they magically know how to do together despite no practice.The hiring of a companion didn't really make sense. Since his breakup with Patrick, Kennedy has had a companion come with him so that he isn't alone and single in front of his ex. Okay, I'm with you....but don't the friends notice that he has nothing to do with the men once the vacation is over? Or that they aren't mentioned in the time leading up to the vacation? He spends all this money for a companion and he wants them to be able to fool his friends but apparently, it's just an open secret because a previous companion ratted him out? And the previous years' companion slept with one of the couples? Which is oooo, big scandal, but WHY if everyone knows that these guys are paid? Do they know or don't they? Kennedy doesn't seem shocked or humiliated about sort of being found out, but also doesn't proudly own that he gets hot young things to come on a cruise with him every year.
ALSO. There is a card that Kennedy gives his companions for a free BJ (but is Kieran's get out of jail card and yeah, I don't know either,) which one of the friends tells Kieran about and prompts Kieran to use it as its original purpose and then just blown within an inch of his life. Great! You get it, Kieran! But...wtf is the point of a card? And if it's a sexy code, how do the friends know about it?
AND! AND! Why is Patrick painted as a villain, but then turns out to be an okay guy with really shitty minions/friends in Richmond and Mike? What is Richmond's damage about Kennedy? He thinks that Patrick and Kennedy belong together, but is such a s***head to him. And don't get me started on the bi-erasure of Patrick's new boyfriend's sister knowing Kieran and his ex-girlfriend, which obvs makes him a phony. (Which! Apparently! They! All! Already! Know!)
There just is a LOT going on and could have been whittled down considerably. Like:
Not sure of the point of the corporate espionage plot and the random-ass trip to LA. It taught Kennedy to slow down and take better stock of his life but that couldn't have been accomplished with some self-reflection while on the cruise?
The trip to Kennedy's parents was an odd stopover on the way to the main plot, as was the sister's adultery sideplot.
The friend group could have been tightened up, and their role in the deception made more clear. Do they believe these boyfriends are real, or not? Either make them believe it or make Kennedy not even try to deceive them in the first place.
Or! OR! Make all the other ones have been real-ish guys he brings, a friend of friends or casual guys he woos with a promise of a vacation, and then have Kieran be the first hired one.
Also, don't have the cute lesbians decide to have a baby with the dude their friend hired to go on a cruise. (There's a time jump! Make it off-page and throw it in there as a request they make much later! Just don't go around asking your friend's fake boyfriend that you've known for three weeks for sperm!)
Apparently, I have stronger feelings than I realized when I began writing this review. (But seriously, A BJ CARD?)
This gets 2 stars and that's because I was compelled enough to finish it, and the descriptions of the cruise and the foreign destinations were lovely.
luciahtk's review against another edition
2.0
Me estaba gustando bastante, pero no puedo soportar a dos ricachones explotando a una mujer pobre pagando por un vientre de alquiler.
No es romántico ni bonito, cada vez que un libro mlm sale con esto me dan ganas de llorar, y más aún en este caso en el que todo el libro es sobre los lujos que se pueden permitir. Me parece ok porque estos romances de dinero me gustan, PERO solo cuando las cosas que compran son materiales y no seres humanos.
Dicho esto, me estaba entreteniendo bastante pero a partir del ~70% me ha empezado a aburrir :/ el final estaba siendo tierno hasta que han soltado esto
No es romántico ni bonito, cada vez que un libro mlm sale con esto me dan ganas de llorar, y más aún en este caso en el que todo el libro es sobre los lujos que se pueden permitir. Me parece ok porque estos romances de dinero me gustan, PERO solo cuando las cosas que compran son materiales y no seres humanos.
Dicho esto, me estaba entreteniendo bastante pero a partir del ~70% me ha empezado a aburrir :/ el final estaba siendo tierno hasta que han soltado esto
larissa_s's review against another edition
4.0
When I read the blurb for this book, I was on the fence about reading it. I love the fake boyfriend/boyfriend for hire trope, but I was initially put off by the “criteria” Kennedy laid out for his “companion”, assuming it would be indicative of a judgmental personality that I wouldn’t be able to engage with. I’m glad I decided to read it though, because my hesitation was not justified.
Kennedy is a determined, hyper-focused, super-successful businessman who has put work above almost everything in his life, hence the need to “hire” a companion for an annual vacation. Kieran is down on his luck, just out of a relationship that he belatedly realizes he probably shouldn’t have been in in the first place, and struggling to take care of his brother and himself. He’s got few options so he lobbies for the “companion” position. While he may not seem like Kennedy at all, they actually have a lot of similarities. They both are smart, hard-working and put other things and other people above themselves. It creates a really interesting dynamic between them in a surprisingly enjoyable plot, notwithstanding its lack of novelty. Overall, it’s a low-angst, enjoyable read.
Kennedy is a determined, hyper-focused, super-successful businessman who has put work above almost everything in his life, hence the need to “hire” a companion for an annual vacation. Kieran is down on his luck, just out of a relationship that he belatedly realizes he probably shouldn’t have been in in the first place, and struggling to take care of his brother and himself. He’s got few options so he lobbies for the “companion” position. While he may not seem like Kennedy at all, they actually have a lot of similarities. They both are smart, hard-working and put other things and other people above themselves. It creates a really interesting dynamic between them in a surprisingly enjoyable plot, notwithstanding its lack of novelty. Overall, it’s a low-angst, enjoyable read.
sammy_lou's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book. It takes a while to get into it, but when you do it's amazing, I loved the characters and the way they evolved through the book. Kennedy is all about business and doesn't really have a life away from it. All he has is one month break a year where is goes on a holiday with his group of friends and his travel companion he pays for. This time his companion is Kieran, who is desperate for the money and agrees to do it despite being straight. Even from the start of the holiday Kieran is there for Kennedy and helps him through a lot that he's going through. He helps Kennedy to get closer to his family and he starts to relax. Kieran brings out the best in Kennedy and it's amazing watching them grow closer. Kieran doesn't get confused and run away from the idea of being with a man he accepts and embraces it. Kennedy's friends are amazing and are there for him when he truly needs them. I loved their happily ever after and it's well deserved for both of them. They both make the other a better person and are so meant to be together. It was a joy reading their journey and love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.