lonechastesoul's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishnicole's review
4.0
So cute. No 3rd act break up which was fun, this was a perfect palet cleanser with fake dating fun.
christine757's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed it
This book is a little bit of everything. I enjoyed how it started off from the past and worked its way to the future.
This book is a little bit of everything. I enjoyed how it started off from the past and worked its way to the future.
smitch29's review
3.0
2.7
I was hesitant to pick up this book. The concept seems over done and predictable, and I was worried this would be just another book I've multiple times before. After reading some reviews, especially one from my favorite reviewer, I thought I'd give the novel a shot. As it turns out, the blurb didn't really do this book any favors. This book felt lot different than any of the other romance novels that have the main characters start out in a fake relationship. I'm not sure why it felt different, but it definitely felt fresh to me.
As the book developed past the initial negotiations and settling into the pseudo-affair, the characters really came into their own. They are very nice, only our hero is a bit more selfish and very football driven. Sunny is kind of dull. She has a good backstory, but her personality is a little lacking. It wasn't that she was too nice, she just didn't seem to do much. She realizes she's falling for Max, and thusly does what she can to help him succeed, including trying to avoid anything that would stress him out during the season. She wasn't a pushover, she just had no great motivations. Max saved her life three years ago, but when they re-met in college, neither acknowledged what had happened, creating the question of whether they remembered each other. It took half the book before the author revealed that Sunny did remember. Ultimately it was a supremely underwhelming reveal, that hurt the story. It would've given more foundation to Sunny's initial actions if it would've been acknowledged. It felt like it was drawn out just to give more plot and narration to Sunny in the middle of the story, since she didn't really have anything new happen to her until the end.
M problem with Sunny is really my problem with the entire story. It just ends blandly, and never really captured my attention. The set-up was interesting but fell from then onward. It wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't do much for me.
I was hesitant to pick up this book. The concept seems over done and predictable, and I was worried this would be just another book I've multiple times before. After reading some reviews, especially one from my favorite reviewer, I thought I'd give the novel a shot. As it turns out, the blurb didn't really do this book any favors. This book felt lot different than any of the other romance novels that have the main characters start out in a fake relationship. I'm not sure why it felt different, but it definitely felt fresh to me.
As the book developed past the initial negotiations and settling into the pseudo-affair, the characters really came into their own. They are very nice, only our hero is a bit more selfish and very football driven. Sunny is kind of dull. She has a good backstory, but her personality is a little lacking. It wasn't that she was too nice, she just didn't seem to do much. She realizes she's falling for Max, and thusly does what she can to help him succeed, including trying to avoid anything that would stress him out during the season. She wasn't a pushover, she just had no great motivations. Max saved her life three years ago, but when they re-met in college, neither acknowledged what had happened, creating the question of whether they remembered each other. It took half the book before the author revealed that Sunny did remember. Ultimately it was a supremely underwhelming reveal, that hurt the story. It would've given more foundation to Sunny's initial actions if it would've been acknowledged. It felt like it was drawn out just to give more plot and narration to Sunny in the middle of the story, since she didn't really have anything new happen to her until the end.
M problem with Sunny is really my problem with the entire story. It just ends blandly, and never really captured my attention. The set-up was interesting but fell from then onward. It wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't do much for me.
clem_mathieu's review
4.0
I liked the love story even if I feel like we didn't get a lot of backstory on either characters. The lake story didn't insert itself well in Max and Sunny's story. I liked the mystery of the daisy etc, but would've liked more attention on the fake girlfriend/fiancée thing rather than the threats.
ambrizs's review
5.0
Sucked in
I loved every minute of the story. Awesome characters and a great storyline with plenty of detail. I highly recommend this book.
I loved every minute of the story. Awesome characters and a great storyline with plenty of detail. I highly recommend this book.
amyheartsfiction's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Was a little too cut and dry. Reality slipped a few too many times for it to be 3 stars. I don't like when a non-fantasy book starts to feel like make believe. Perhaps if there would have been any character flaws, I could have felt more connected to it. It's a quick read, I don't recommend just skipping it, but know you won't get an epic Rollercoaster ride, rather a Disney theme ride while they sing "it's a small world after all".
Was a little too cut and dry. Reality slipped a few too many times for it to be 3 stars. I don't like when a non-fantasy book starts to feel like make believe. Perhaps if there would have been any character flaws, I could have felt more connected to it. It's a quick read, I don't recommend just skipping it, but know you won't get an epic Rollercoaster ride, rather a Disney theme ride while they sing "it's a small world after all".
iggyebab's review
4.0
This is the least angsty fake dating book I’ve ever read and I must say I enjoyed it.
The plot was not perfect. The past interaction didn’t quite fit but honestly, I don’t really care. The “mean” things that happened were not necessary either. But, again, it didn’t mess the story up for me.
I loved the meet cute, the banter, the spending time together. I loved how they got to know one another.
The plot was not perfect. The past interaction didn’t quite fit but honestly, I don’t really care. The “mean” things that happened were not necessary either. But, again, it didn’t mess the story up for me.
I loved the meet cute, the banter, the spending time together. I loved how they got to know one another.
luetta's review
4.0
Touchdown!
Did I just make this cheesy? oh well.
This book was wonderful. I like when Ilsa digs into college life, and creates an entertaining story.
Would I read it again? hell yeah.
The reason it isn't a 5 star is only because I felt like some things were left in the open, or that I would have liked to know more about different events.
Did I just make this cheesy? oh well.
This book was wonderful. I like when Ilsa digs into college life, and creates an entertaining story.
Would I read it again? hell yeah.
The reason it isn't a 5 star is only because I felt like some things were left in the open, or that I would have liked to know more about different events.
rockchick's review
3.0
Fake Fiancée was a fun book to read.
It surprised me. Max and Sunny had more depth that I anticipated.
Yes, Max was the Football star and Sunny just the girl next door, but they were so much more than just that.
Sunny knew Max but wasn't afraid to confront him.
She agreed o pose as his fake girlfriend and was livid when he went too far and fake proposed.
She didn't just go with his ideas and actions, she stood her ground and knew how to manage him.
Max was the typical joke, but his relationship with Sunny made him realize he can be so much more.
They were both burned in the past by cheating partners and at first bonded over that.
Slowly, and yes, predictably, they got to know and fall for each other.
I enjoyed their journey towards an HEA.
They didnt give up on each other, learned to trust one another and didn't let rumors, malicious ex girlfriends , rivals and separation stand in the way of their happiness.
It surprised me. Max and Sunny had more depth that I anticipated.
Yes, Max was the Football star and Sunny just the girl next door, but they were so much more than just that.
Sunny knew Max but wasn't afraid to confront him.
She agreed o pose as his fake girlfriend and was livid when he went too far and fake proposed.
She didn't just go with his ideas and actions, she stood her ground and knew how to manage him.
Max was the typical joke, but his relationship with Sunny made him realize he can be so much more.
They were both burned in the past by cheating partners and at first bonded over that.
Slowly, and yes, predictably, they got to know and fall for each other.
I enjoyed their journey towards an HEA.
They didnt give up on each other, learned to trust one another and didn't let rumors, malicious ex girlfriends , rivals and separation stand in the way of their happiness.