charlieavocado's review
3.0
The characters seemed to fly off the handle into different personalities to me. Hot cold hot cold hot, plus whiplash. You could never get settled at all, and not in the good slow burn kind of way. It's a shame because good writing is there, but nothing kept the characters on track. At least it didn't feel that way.
Was able to power through it, but unfortunately had to put it down the first night. My wife had to hear me complain about it as I managed to finish it in 10-20mim sergents at a time.
Was able to power through it, but unfortunately had to put it down the first night. My wife had to hear me complain about it as I managed to finish it in 10-20mim sergents at a time.
angieinbooks's review
4.0
Despite the fact that I had to take a giant leap of faith on the premise of the novel (new employee Caroline has to babysit Emma on a 11-day vacation at a couple's resort where they have to pretend to be a couple? C'mon!), I really liked this. But I can admit this is entirely due to my weakness for an enemies-to-lovers fauxmance with a happy ending. So while this probably really leans closer to a 3 on my scale, I'm giving it a 4 because the payoff is so good. And that big-gesture moment was honestly perfect.
hhushaw's review
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Once this story started going, I really connected to the characters, especially Caroline. Their relationship did go very quickly, and I wished that I had more of them when they got back from vacation. Instead, we only got two scenes when they got back and then the epilogue. Overall this was a great romance, and you won't be disappointed in exploring it!
freelunch's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read. I took a while to warm to Emma as a character, but I think that largely comes down to Caroline's observation of her in the early chapters when they're still in the "enemies" phase of their enemies-to-lovers journey.
Once the ball starts rolling, author M. Ullrich gives us a pair of lovable women who need to be together, and the fact that this is a romance novel so we know it'll happen didn't stop me cheering them along the way.
This is a slow-burn romance, and all the better for it, and when the sex comes it is tender and joyful and kindle-meltingly hot.
Very highly recommended.
Once the ball starts rolling, author M. Ullrich gives us a pair of lovable women who need to be together, and the fact that this is a romance novel so we know it'll happen didn't stop me cheering them along the way.
This is a slow-burn romance, and all the better for it, and when the sex comes it is tender and joyful and kindle-meltingly hot.
Very highly recommended.
meero's review
1.0
DNF at 50%
This book has nice pacing and interesting characters, but I'm afraid it wasn't for me.
I had an issue with one of the main characters saying that she's a lesbian but some men are an exception for her, because to me it read a lot like the whole "lesbians just need to find the right man" argument and I truly couldn't move past it to finish the book. While I understand that sexuality is fluid and people can change labels at any time or sleep with whomever they want, the use of the word "lesbian" in this particular context was upsetting to me personally. However I understand that that won't be the case for everyone else, and so I suggest giving the book a go because the story seemed fun and the character dynamics were interesting.
This book has nice pacing and interesting characters, but I'm afraid it wasn't for me.
I had an issue with one of the main characters saying that she's a lesbian but some men are an exception for her, because to me it read a lot like the whole "lesbians just need to find the right man" argument and I truly couldn't move past it to finish the book. While I understand that sexuality is fluid and people can change labels at any time or sleep with whomever they want, the use of the word "lesbian" in this particular context was upsetting to me personally. However I understand that that won't be the case for everyone else, and so I suggest giving the book a go because the story seemed fun and the character dynamics were interesting.
keelin's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
patricia71's review
3.0
No. I did not feel for neither of the MC’s. And I did not feel any chemistry between them. There was no buildup for me. All of a sudden there were feelings. I still don’t like Caroline(even forgot her name already) and Emma was annoying too. The writing was not for me either. I loved their first sex scene and if the chemistry would have been more believable for me it would have been one of the hottest sex scenes I read in a a non-erotic book. I also would have loved the epilogue if the book was better. I give it 2,5 stars. My first book of this writer and I’m not sure I will read another one soon.
elvang's review
5.0
Loved it. I’m not that big a fan of fake relationships but Ullrich hits all the right notes in Pretending in Paradise.
Caroline and Emma are complete opposites. Emma is Travel Wisdom’s travelling reviewer/photographer. She actively blogs her travels and is not afraid to give hotels and vacation hot spots bad reviews. Her honesty is valued by her followers. She is self-absorbed, at times selfish and more than happy to enjoy one night stands with the women she meets on her travels. Caroline is not. As a new employee in the PR department of Travel Wisdom she is appalled at Emma’s behaviour on the job and in the workplace. When asked to accompany Emma on a couples retreat by her boss, Caroline carries with her as much personal baggage as checked luggage. Her rigid attitude masks a woman struggling to recover from a failed relationship. Tossed into a couples retreat with orders to curb Emma’s Lothario ways is the last thing Caroline wants or needs. Let the fauxmance begin.
I love reading books by Ullrich. I know I am guaranteed witty and often memorable dialogue between her two mains. Her characters shine because they are so well drawn. Emma and Caroline begin their retreat with so much venom that it makes the inevitable attraction, respect and acceptance all the sweeter. It doesn’t hurt that the reader feels like they are also on holiday, enjoying the sun, the sand and the nightlife in and around Little Havana. I liked the group activities at the resort and how they serve to bring Emma and Caroline closer together out of necessity so they wouldn’t blow their cover.
This is a romance so we expect some bumps along the way. With all her hangups it is inevitable that Caroline struggles with trust issues but seeing the growth in Emma throughout the story makes it clear that these two are destined to be together. Sex scenes? Why yes there are sex scenes. The first one is memorable and unique to the genre and fits perfectly with the baby steps required in the moment.
Great escapist read. Well done.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
Caroline and Emma are complete opposites. Emma is Travel Wisdom’s travelling reviewer/photographer. She actively blogs her travels and is not afraid to give hotels and vacation hot spots bad reviews. Her honesty is valued by her followers. She is self-absorbed, at times selfish and more than happy to enjoy one night stands with the women she meets on her travels. Caroline is not. As a new employee in the PR department of Travel Wisdom she is appalled at Emma’s behaviour on the job and in the workplace. When asked to accompany Emma on a couples retreat by her boss, Caroline carries with her as much personal baggage as checked luggage. Her rigid attitude masks a woman struggling to recover from a failed relationship. Tossed into a couples retreat with orders to curb Emma’s Lothario ways is the last thing Caroline wants or needs. Let the fauxmance begin.
I love reading books by Ullrich. I know I am guaranteed witty and often memorable dialogue between her two mains.
Spoiler
fun sponge. PricelessThis is a romance so we expect some bumps along the way. With all her hangups it is inevitable that Caroline struggles with trust issues but seeing the growth in Emma throughout the story makes it clear that these two are destined to be together. Sex scenes? Why yes there are sex scenes. The first one is memorable and unique to the genre and fits perfectly with the baby steps required in the moment.
Great escapist read. Well done.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
rose_exe's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5