Published: August 13, 2024
Length: 320 pages
Format: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Characters: June and Levi
POV: June’s, 1st person

𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉:
childhood friends, fake dating, second chances, exes getting revenge, a little spice.

Review

I enjoyed some parts of this book, but not everything. Unfortunately, I had a hard time with the romance. There was so much miscommunication, and both characters’ actions had me annoyed. Also, I wish there was dual pov. I couldn’t fathom Levi’s feelings for his ex, I sometimes got the impression he wasn’t completely over her, therefore wasn’t sure if his feelings for June was that deep. There were still some sweet moments in the story though, overall a decent read.

“I love you, June.” He says it plainly, sincerely, but with more depth in his voice than I’ve ever heard before. Like he’s pulling it out from the blood in his veins, the marrow of his bones. Some thing that is every bit as much a part of him as the pieces that keep him alive. “It’s the only thing I’m certain about. The only thing I always will be.”

“It’s a date.” The words are still rattling between my ears as he leaves, the full impact of them settling in. It’s a date. It’s a pact. It’s a new chance. But more than that, it’s something to feel.”

“I will be here, and I will love you, no matter what we are going to be to each other. And if you need time, I can give that to you, June.”

“I don’t think anyone ever gets to be settled in life. I think you just find people who weather it with you.”

Blurb

Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel.

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?