e-ARC, 368 pages
Release Date: February 22, 2022
Published by: Berkley Books
Read from: February 8-20, 2022
Stand-alone
Source: Edelweiss (I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Anxiety, Homophobia (one small scene), Violence from a fight, Mention of alcohol abuse, Alcohol consumption
For Readers Interested In: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Adult, Spice of II, LGBTQIAP+ (Gay), Fake Dating, Second Chance LoveA chance to rewrite their ending is worth the risk in this swoony romantic comedy from Kosoko Jackson.
It’s been months since aspiring journalist Kian Andrews has heard from his ex-boyfriend, Hudson Rivers, but an urgent text has them meeting at a café. Maybe Hudson wants to profusely apologize for the breakup. Or confess his undying love. . . But no, Hudson has a favor to ask–he wants Kian to pretend to be his boyfriend while his parents are in town, and Kian reluctantly agrees.
The dinner doesn’t go exactly as planned, and suddenly Kian is Hudson’s plus one to Georgia’s wedding of the season. Hudson comes from a wealthy family where reputation is everything, and he really can’t afford another mistake. If Kian goes, he’ll help Hudson preserve appearances and get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in media. This could be the big career break Kian needs.
But their fake relationship is starting to feel like it might be more than a means to an end, and it’s time for both men to fact-check their feelings.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I LOVE reading contemporary romance. More than that I love rom coms. More than that I love rom coms with illustrated covers. And more than that, I love contemporary romance rom coms with illustrated covers that are diverse and have the diverse couple on the cover. And let me tell you, this book delivered on all of that. I KNEW this was going to be a me book, and I was right.
Just when Kian thought he was getting away from Hudson’s grasp, he appears out of thin air and invites him to play as his fake boyfriend for a dinner with his parents. And even though he shouldn’t have, Kian says yes. And things go downhill from there. So, when invited to a wedding that Hudson’s family is having, Kian almost says no, but Hudson beats him to the punch and says yes. So they continue to have this fake dating fiasco and Kian continues to be terrified of his feelings for Hudson coming back. Little does he know, Hudson might have already beat him there…..
Ok first things first, the romance. I LOVED them together. I was not a fan of them apart. I think because I saw too much of myself in Kian. I also have anxiety, so his spirals were a little much. I had to put the book down every so often because I felt too much. But also I had to put the book down because he was working my nerves. I don’t care if he was a journalist, he was a nosey nellie. The freaking third act break-up (which literally happens at 90% grrrrrrrrrr) didn’t even have to happen. That was none of his business. And I was mad as hell at ol girl to tell on him like she did. She didn’t have to do that. It was just a messy ass way to force the conflict, but after that fight scene, I didn’t feel it was necessary. But I would have appreciated to have Hudson’s smooth talkin, Southern gentleman POV so that we knew what was also going on in his head. (And to get a small break from K’s also lol)
The spice was a slow burn. Which y’all know isn’t my favorite, BUT I adore second chance romance, so this was ok. And more than that, I understood it. If you’re exes you would definitely be guarded with your heart, so I wasn’t shocked that it took them a while to get there. But when they got there?! Yassss! That bathroom scene gave me life lol Sneaking away while there’s people milling around is just hot idk what anyone says lol MOVING ON, the spice level is only at a 2. There is some shown, but it’s like only 2 scenes. And they’re not very long.
The writing style was where I got a little ehhhh about this one. Idk, it just seemed like there was so much going on in this book. Like Kian was trying to be a social justice warrior, and a journalist, and tell people how to run their business, and go on other dates, and trying to keep up with Hudson, and just on and on and on. But when it came to him and Hudson, it was like he kept doing the same thing, turning up at his house in a cab. I get it, someone can have all those things going on, especially a Black (gay at that) man, but I just felt it took a bit away from the story.
This was super cute, for Jackson’s debut into adult romance. I can’t wait to see where he will go from here. Because let’s be honest, we need a Divya and J book after the epilogue lol And with the help you received from all of those amazing rom com authors in your acknowledgements, you deserve to be mentioned with them. This was a hell of a debut, well done.
Overall, I give this
Rating for Goodreads and Edelweiss is 4 since they don’t do half stars.
Blog Blitz!: Black Owned Liquor Businesses!
21+
TW/CW: Alcohol is pictured and talked about
So, if you have read or do read, the story, you will know or learn that Hudson’s family owns a beer business. And it is a huge deal across the US. As someone who enjoys spirits and Black Owned businesses, I thought this would be the perfect book to pair with some Black owned Liquor Businesses that I know and Love!
My husband and I are whiskey drinkers. We always gravitate towards the same one, but people know we like to support Black Owned Businesses, so they told us about this one whiskey, called Uncle Nearest.
And then of course I always have a bottle of wine chilling in my fridge, and most of the time it’s the brand of Black Girl Magic, from the McBride sisters. (And just to put it out there, THEY ALSO HAVE A BOOK CLUB)
Both of these kept running through my head as I read I’m So Not Over You. No Hudson didn’t really have anything to do with the company, but it had a lot to do with who his character was and I think ithout it, Jackson could have made him seem as big as he was. (As Kian would say, no pun intended lmao) So, since these two things were favorites, I thought I’d get them all in one place! (Please disregard the glare on my iPad! I didn’t get a physical ARC!) And yes, before you ask, they are mostly gone because we actually enjoy them lol
Other Black Owned Liquor Businesses we enjoy: Snoop’s Gin, Snoop’s Wine, of course Ciroc, & next up to try is Timeless Vodka since they’re from Houston, Tx! (Yes those are some of the bigger names, but we buy the smaller names when we can find them!)
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH! GO SUPPORT A BLACK ALCOHOL BRAND TODAY!
AND IF YOU DON’T DRINK (LIKE SOMEONE FROM THE BOOK) JUST GO SUPPORT A BLACK BUSINESS TODAY!
