Surprisingly Us by Erin Hawkins
The most important thing I can say about this book is: don’t go into it expecting to love the characters from the get go. I really didn’t like Colette or Rhys to begin with. He literally describes himself as a manwhore the very first time you meet him. Which may be some people’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely not mine. However, you do come to love both of them, but as this book is over 500 pages long, it does take some time.
This fake dating book has a particular favourite niche of mine: childhood friends that haven’t seen each other in decades that reconnect but not in the most positive way. I love when the stakes of the fake dating are high. The fact that they can slip up at any moment and reveal the whole thing as a ruse is great. Also, they don’t particularly get on at first so their chemistry is pretty intense, which makes the fact that they inevitably fall for each other so much better. There’s a lot of passion and this comes across in the spicier scenes – of which there are many.
But these aren’t the best parts of this book. No, it’s the development of relationships – romantic and platonic.
Synopsis: Colette
I’ve spent the last eighteen years of my life living and breathing dancing, there’s been no time for anything else. Now, as a seasoned member of The City Ballet, my goal of becoming a principal dancer is within reach. But in order to land a pivotal lead role, the choreographer wants more passion and emotion in my dancing. The problem? My lack of experience with relationships and love. The solution? I need to start dating, if only as research for the coveted role.
I’m used to drilling footwork. Repetition. Muscle-memory. But how can I practice dating?
I never imagined Rhys Spencer, my childhood friend and notorious ladies’ man, would be the answer.
Rhys
I’ve only come back to NYC to claim my trust fund, but being faced with losing control of my parents’ legacy foundation to my cousin and rival has me rethinking my plans. Though my reputation as a ladies’ man paints me in an unfavorable light with the foundation board and has me desperate to change my ways, if only temporarily.
My childhood friend, Colette Davenport, is the perfect fake girlfriend. She’s talented, gracious, and stunning. With her on my arm, I’ll have no problem convincing the board I’m the right man for the position. Everyone is shocked by the pairing of the sweet, yet determined ballet dancer and a tattooed bad boy with a BIG reputation.
When the competition intensifies, and I blindside Colette with a new proposal, things start to heat up. Soon, I’m on my knees for a different reason and I’m breaking all our rules.
With every kiss, every touch, I’m even more desperate to have her. To keep her for myself. I never want our arrangement to end, and no one is more surprised than me.
How to Fake-Date a Vampire by Linsey Hall
This book is just pure vibes. There isn’t a lot going on story-wise and there are definitely a few plot holes but if you’re just looking to be entertained, it’s a great read.
The fact that the male love interest is a vampire is a little laughable as he doesn’t really have any of the perks of being a vampire. He isn’t immortal and doesn’t have powers of any sort beyond maybe being strong but that could just be because he’s a huge guy (which is mentioned a lot). Basically he’s a vampire purely because it’s a popular niche for romance books. Him being a vampire made no difference to the story and his lack of cool powers didn’t really affect my rating. I just think it’s a funny thing to point out.
From a fake dating perspective, this book is a pretty good read. I do think I was a little harsh in my initial review as I did have a good time reading this book. I loved watching their relationship go from strangers that agree to a strange proposition, to becoming somewhat friends to then falling for each other. Which is your classic journey of a fake dating book.
Synopsis: Faking it with a vampire duke should be easy, right?
I’ve got one chance to prove to my coven that I’m worth my wand. But to do it, I’m going to have to make a deal with a vampire duke. I get to use his gorgeous estate in Cornwall to host the Beltane Ball–and in exchange, I’ll pretend to be his girlfriend. But it’s all a show for his grandmother.
The rules of our fake relationship are simple:
No flirting. No emotion. No sex. Easy, right?
Except I can’t seem to ignore the allure of the infuriating and devastatingly sexy vampire. Falling for a duke isn’t an option, though. I would lose the anonymity that protects me and my coven, and that would ruin my life–and the lives of the other witches in my coven.
So yeah, totally easy.
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