e-Audio, 10:15:08
Narrated by: Avi Roque
Release Date: December 5, 2023
Published by: Books on Tape (Joy Revolution)
Read from: December 4-6, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Death of a Parent, Vomit
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Family Diversity (Loss of a parent- mom & Divorcing Parents), Holidaze, 2SLGBTQ+, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Latine), Realistic Fiction, Socioeconomic Status Diversity, YAA fresh, fun contemporary rom-com from debut author Elle Gonzalez Rose, about an aspiring artist who agrees to fake date one of his family’s longtime enemies in the hopes of gathering intel good enough to take down their rivals once and for all.
Devin Baez is ready for a relaxing winter break at Lake Andreas. That is, until he runs into his obnoxious next-door neighbors the Seo-Cookes, undefeated champions of the lake’s annual Winter Games. In the hope of finally taking down these long-time rivals, the Baezes offer up their beloved cabin in a bet. Reckless? Definitely.
So when annoyingly handsome Julian Seo-Cooke finds himself in need of a fake boyfriend, Devin sees an opportunity to get behind enemy lines and prove the family plays dirty.
As long as Devin and Julian’s families are at war, there’s only room for loathing between them. Which is a problem because, for Devin, this faux game of love is feeling very real.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was ADORABLE. Probably one of my favorite books I’ve read this month. There was only one small thing that I found and even that is probably just a me thing. I’d be curious to see what other character driven readers think about this one as well.
Ok so the writing style of Rose was amazing! I was sucked in from the very beginning. And no I’m not just saying that lol Their high jinks and the way they were pulling these pranks on each other was INTENSE! Some of them would have made me want to throw hands too because wtf was that mayo thing? Yeah naw, I would have just started swinging. But the way I was also laughing the whole time this was happening too. This book had some of everything and I was so sad when it ended. Trust me when I tell you there’s some of everything in this book. Like something for everyone. There’s food (and y’all know I love me a good foodie romance), there’s romance, feuding families, and more. It was a wild ride and I loved it!
The romance was so cute! It was adorable to watch them “hate” each other lol And I really wanted to know what they thought was going to happen when they started “fake dating.” They had to know that that never works right? Lol But I think the best thing about this book was the way they were making up all these excuses to be like oh yeah we like each other when it was absolutely clear that they did not.
The one thing that made me cringe tho was that the author seemed to gloss over the feelings of everyone in this book. When the dad took that invention, he was mad, but was told to let it go because there was nothing they could do. So in turn they just went and started playing pranks on each other. But it didn’t really SHOW them being mad if that makes sense. I think the most emotion I saw in this book was when they went to the party and the jacket thing happened and when the climax of the story happened. And like at the very end when there was something that happened that changed the mind of the person that was there, why didn’t we get that conversation? I wanted to know what was said and why it made them have a change of heart when nothing else did. It was so weird.
Otherwise, this was completely amazing. I was sad that everything was wrapped up in the end because I’m not gonna lie I wanted them to make it their way to the cabin by the water again. The games, the romance, the characters, just all of it. I can see why Rose already has another book deal ready to go. I’ll be waiting for that one too!
Overall, I give this
