source: ARC from author
rating:★★★★✩
from goodreads:
Ruth Coldwell is the world’s worst matchmaker.The truth is, she’s a total fraud. She knows nothing about love and even less about actual relationships. But if she can’t convince her boss that she’s a competent matchmaker, Ruth will end up right where she startedーa jobless, hopeless woman with a random doctorate and a broken heart. Her new job as a matchmaker is in danger of imploding, so Ruth does the only thing she can think to do… she claims to have a husband.
Callum Reed just found a fake wife.
When Cal shows up to a speed dating event with the express purpose of reaming out Dr. Ruth Coldwell for her abysmal matchmaking skills, he finds himself with an unusual opportunity instead–she needs a fake husband. He needs a fake girlfriend. It sounds like a match made in heaven, and he proposes a deal. Fake date him, and he’ll fake marry her, and both their problems will be solved.
As the lines between fake dating and real love begin to blur, a sinister shadow from Ruth’s past emerges, bringing with him a painful reminder. Ruth was never meant for love. And Cal was never meant to be hers.
my review:
definitely 3.5 rounded up to 4. this book was really cute and a quick read but it really didn’t catch my attention until the end. i really wish the plot was earlier in the story to grab my attention and hold it the whole way through. besides that, it was a cute rom-com, definitely had me giggling throughout!
Callum Reed just found a fake wife.
When Cal shows up to a speed dating event with the express purpose of reaming out Dr. Ruth Coldwell for her abysmal matchmaking skills, he finds himself with an unusual opportunity instead–she needs a fake husband. He needs a fake girlfriend. It sounds like a match made in heaven, and he proposes a deal. Fake date him, and he’ll fake marry her, and both their problems will be solved.
As the lines between fake dating and real love begin to blur, a sinister shadow from Ruth’s past emerges, bringing with him a painful reminder. Ruth was never meant for love. And Cal was never meant to be hers.
my review:
definitely 3.5 rounded up to 4. this book was really cute and a quick read but it really didn’t catch my attention until the end. i really wish the plot was earlier in the story to grab my attention and hold it the whole way through. besides that, it was a cute rom-com, definitely had me giggling throughout!
i really liked cal as a person but he was similar to all of the “i fall first” mmc. the way he confessed his love was sort of a “oh shit something tragic is happening i need to tell her before it’s too late” and i felt like it was predictable. but i liked that we got his background story and his parents were great!
ruth was also a typical fmc that denied everything until it was right in front of her. she stuck up for those she loves and literally will do anything *eyeroll because of vaughn* to protect them and i commend her for it. she didn’t really stick out to me though.
my favorite character from the book always ends up being someone that isn’t the main character. i really loved gemma, she was like a sister that isn’t blood. she kept the spice in the story and was willing to go to bat for those that she loved.
this was my first book from devon atwood, thank you to her and her team for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. i am looking forward to the second book though because i think it will be much better!
favorite quotes:
“sometimes it just hurts. but sometimes we can make it better, too.”
“we humans might be born with the inherent need to trust and rely on others, but it was so easily broken and replaced with self-doubts.”