The Fiction Between Us by Julie Olivia
If you love a ‘fake dating with a twist’ book, The Fiction Between us is perfect for you. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has reverse grumpy x sunshine, which I love, and it’s set at a theme park, which is so interesting. Our main character plays a princess at the park and her character is ‘dating’ the character of her teenage crush – talk about angst.
Please ignore the ‘woman falls in love with her childhood bully’ vibes the synopsis gives off, this actually turns out to be a misunderstanding and he never actually ‘bullied’ her. I don’t think I even read that part when I decided to pick up this book. I saw ‘fake dating’ and was instantly sold.
I read book one in this ‘series’ (they’re basically standalones) first and because of that I had a greater appreciation for these characters. You get to spend a bit of time with them in the previous book and this does help to make their relationship more believable – not that their relationship needed it as you’re already aware of their past.
Book Review: The Fiction Between Us by Julie Olivia
Synopsis: Some fairytales may be real, but ours is strictly fiction.
I’ve been Queen Bee at our theme park for ten glorious, uncomplicated years. I’m far better at creating fictional magic than real life miracles. So when Landon Arden, my best friend’s twin brother and my old high school bully, starts to work at Honeywood, I’m wishing for some gift from above to fix this mess.
Cue a worse situation.
After Landon falls on stage during one of our shows, the guests mistake him for a character in the park: Ranger Randy.
The problem isn’t when our manager asks him to perform as the bearded, tight tush, short shorts-wearing hero. No, my fairytale comes crashing down when we’re told that Queen Bee and Ranger Randy must appear as a couple.
Fine. Whatever. Ten years ago, my teenage crush for Landon may have been real, but I can fake a happy ending with Ranger Randy. I can sign autographs with him, have his arm around my waist, hold his hand, and… kiss him on stage?
I tell myself it’s all for show. We’re just characters in a theme park. And I won’t fall for true love’s kiss, even if I do want to try it one more time…
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore
This is one of my most recent reads and it completely stole my heart. I wasn’t fully sold on Laurie Gilmore’s books to begin with but I’m slowly starting to love them. Her debut wasn’t my cup of tea but the other two books I’ve read (this one and The Christmas Tree Farm) were great. The characters feel real and the romance is pretty swoonworthy.
This is definitely my favourite in the Dream Harbor series so far and I’d highly recommend it if you’re a romance fan. There’s a decent amount of spice in this, but not too much. So do bear that in mind if spice isn’t your thing. The growing tension between the characters is delicious though. A real ‘I want to but I shouldn’t’ vibe.
Book Review: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore
Synopsis: As a renowned chef, single-dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.
Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when Mayor Kelly suggests Archer is looking for a nanny, and Iris might be available, she shudders at the thought. But in need of money she reluctantly agrees.
As Archer and Iris get used to their new roles, is it possible that they might have more in common than they first thought, or is Olive just determined to play match-maker…
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