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lauriereadsrom1's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
William, Viscount Kinkirk, has a problem: His older sister is getting married at their grandparents' ancient castle in Scotland, and their grandfather, the Duke of Glenroch, is insisting that Will needs a date for the occasion. Even worse, the duke has taken matters into his own hands by arranging for Will to escort an earl's daughter, who may be a "suitable" candidate for marriage but is also a spoiled brat. The only way he's getting out of it is by finding his own plus one. When he literally bumps into history PhD student Grace outside a coffee shop and they hit it off, Will believes she just might be the answer to his prayers. Despite the fact that his old-fashioned (read: classist) grandfather would prefer that his grandson and heir date within the aristocracy, Will hopes that a shared interest in history will endear Grace to the duke for long enough to survive the wedding festivities. What Will doesn't know is that Grace is also the daughter of an earl, though her relationship with her father is strained and she's spent the last decade distancing herself from his world. A misunderstanding with Will's family causes the situation to become even more complicated; suddenly they're pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend, though as the week goes on, it's harder and harder to remember that their relationship is supposed to be fake...
I'm not sure words can express how much I loved this book. Will and Grace made a fantastic couple, even before they officially became a couple. They always seemed like they were having so much fun together, even under challenging circumstances. I adored their flirting and witty banter, as well as the plot twists that kept me glued to my Kindle. Further, the book's secondary characters added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. My favorite was Grace's hilarious grandmother, but Will's (sort of) bridezilla sister was a close second.
I highly recommend "The Problem With Pretending" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. Hart has been at her very best with these last few books set in the world of the British aristocracy, and I can't wait to find out what she comes up with next.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
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