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Playing Pretend
One bed. Two best friends. Three nights playing pretend.
When I agreed to let Rome be my fake boyfriend on a work trip, I didn’t think acting like a couple would be that complicated.
He’d flash his killer smile at my colleagues.
Impress them with his charm.
While keeping my toxic ex at bay.
But that’s not the reality I’m currently drowning in.
From the moment we arrive at the resort Rome’s hands are all over me.
His whispered words in my ear more scandalously filthy than sweet.
He’s acting like a lust-drunk fool who’s dying for a taste and I can’t stop blushing… Or panicking… Because there’s only one bed in our hotel room and Rome Cavanaugh wouldn’t know how to sleep in anything other than his birthday suit.
**AUTHOR NOTE - This book is spicy, contains a cocky (sometimes arrogant) hero and flirts with the age-gap trope.
When I agreed to let Rome be my fake boyfriend on a work trip, I didn’t think acting like a couple would be that complicated.
He’d flash his killer smile at my colleagues.
Impress them with his charm.
While keeping my toxic ex at bay.
But that’s not the reality I’m currently drowning in.
From the moment we arrive at the resort Rome’s hands are all over me.
His whispered words in my ear more scandalously filthy than sweet.
He’s acting like a lust-drunk fool who’s dying for a taste and I can’t stop blushing… Or panicking… Because there’s only one bed in our hotel room and Rome Cavanaugh wouldn’t know how to sleep in anything other than his birthday suit.
**AUTHOR NOTE - This book is spicy, contains a cocky (sometimes arrogant) hero and flirts with the age-gap trope.
194 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2023
204 people are currently reading
4663 people want to read
About the author
Eden Summers
67 books2,492 followersEden Summers is a bestselling author best known for the Hunting Her World, Reckless Beat series and the Vault.
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Join Eden's Reader Group on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
April 28, 2023
It was cute and hot but verrrry sketchy. The ‘I liked you when you were 12 and I was 18’ sketchy.
Tbh I’m more bothered w the fact that the fmc kept acting like a kid when she didn’t even need to. She caused so many problems for herself it was ridiculous.
However, I enjoyed the cutesy ending. I loved how her brother took it all in stride and for once the brother wasn’t the cause of any drama in this trope.
And this was V SPICYYY uff the mouth on this man 🔥
Tbh I’m more bothered w the fact that the fmc kept acting like a kid when she didn’t even need to. She caused so many problems for herself it was ridiculous.
However, I enjoyed the cutesy ending. I loved how her brother took it all in stride and for once the brother wasn’t the cause of any drama in this trope.
And this was V SPICYYY uff the mouth on this man 🔥
April 27, 2023
DNF @ 18%
i love a friends to lovers fake dating, age gap is always a plus but this guy is SO unlikeable. and talking about sexual innuendo’s when sharing a bed with her when she was 12 and he was 18 is weird as fuck. the whole ‘i’ve been in love with you this whole time but slept with loads of women and told you all about it as well’ is also weird to me as well. just felt too pushy and the plot of him going to be her fake boyfriend so him and his brother would hire her early made no sense it me. just uncomfy all around
i love a friends to lovers fake dating, age gap is always a plus but this guy is SO unlikeable. and talking about sexual innuendo’s when sharing a bed with her when she was 12 and he was 18 is weird as fuck. the whole ‘i’ve been in love with you this whole time but slept with loads of women and told you all about it as well’ is also weird to me as well. just felt too pushy and the plot of him going to be her fake boyfriend so him and his brother would hire her early made no sense it me. just uncomfy all around
April 16, 2023
what in the 50 shades of gray meets pedophelia meets sexism meets the actual fuck
March 8, 2023
Thank you for the ARC! I’m always in for some fake dating – especially when it’s a slowburn romance with her brother’s best friend. Smash.
This didn’t quite hit for my personal taste (I weirdly almost needed it to be more problematic, or less), but it was still a fun, easy read.
3⭐️ 2.5🌶️
This didn’t quite hit for my personal taste (I weirdly almost needed it to be more problematic, or less), but it was still a fun, easy read.
3⭐️ 2.5🌶️
May 17, 2023
3.25 stars ⭐️
Cute and fun. Good spicy and great banter.
3.25 stars cuz Piper could be really frustrating at times and she irritated me a lot in those moments.
Read this if you like:
✓ Best friends to lovers
✓ Brothers best friend
✓ Fake dating
✓ One bed
✓ Forced proximity
✓ Slow burn
Cute and fun. Good spicy and great banter.
3.25 stars cuz Piper could be really frustrating at times and she irritated me a lot in those moments.
Read this if you like:
✓ Best friends to lovers
✓ Brothers best friend
✓ Fake dating
✓ One bed
✓ Forced proximity
✓ Slow burn
March 31, 2023
This had potential. Brother's best friend. A little bit of age gap. Childhood friends to lovers trope. But the hero being "it's always been you but I've slept with countless of women and imagined you the whole time" isn't romantic. The heroine was also annoying, the whole push and pull got tiring after a while.
March 6, 2025
Fun and easy read, and my first Eden Summers novel. The age gap relevance when they were growing up was a little...*eyebrows* for my tastes.
March 17, 2023
Tropes:
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Age gap
One bed
This book had so many of my favorite things in it! OMG. It was such a good spicy romcom! The banter was so good and I loved how it was a total "I've always loved you" type of love story.
There were parts that made me laugh, parts that frustrated me and above all else -- I really loved this one. <3
Highly recommend if you love spicy romcoms with any of the tropes listed above!
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Age gap
One bed
This book had so many of my favorite things in it! OMG. It was such a good spicy romcom! The banter was so good and I loved how it was a total "I've always loved you" type of love story.
There were parts that made me laugh, parts that frustrated me and above all else -- I really loved this one. <3
Highly recommend if you love spicy romcoms with any of the tropes listed above!
Read
March 13, 2023dnf @ 19%
March 17, 2023
3.5 stars!
A fun, flirty best-friends-to-lovers story that is full of chemistry and bursting with sexual tension, this is my first book by Eden Summers, and it’s an enjoyable read.
Piper is heading off to a work retreat, and needs a buffer from her stalkery-ex-boyfriend. When her (and her brother’s) best friend, Rome, volunteers to be her fake boyfriend for the trip, she’s initially hesitant, given that he’s a complete ladies man, and she’s been in love with him for as long as she can remember. But when Rome dangles a job opportunity in front of her if she can withstand the pressure of the trip, she’s all in.
Rome has wanted Piper for a long time. There’s a six year age gap between them, so he’s kept his distance until they were both age-appropriate, but now they’re both in their 20s and he figures this is finally his chance to get his hands on her in the way he’s been dreaming of. Plus, he has her brother’s blessing to pursue her romantically, so it’s all systems go to change their relationship forever.
It’s a fun set-up, and I saw so on board as Rome takes the opportunity to get his hands (and lips) all over Piper. He’s pushing her limits at every turn, and having a fabulously fun time doing it – flirting with her, riling her up and constantly teasing her with more. He has a filthy mouth, and is a little wild, and though Piper is terrified of giving in to him, there are times when the chemistry becomes all too much.
The sexual tension absolutely simmers between these two. You can feel how much they want each other, and individually you can see that they care for and want each other, but you wouldn’t know that when they interact with each other. It’s messy and overly-complicated, and the line between love and hate gets really blurry. It should be simple, but their situation is far from easy.
It all comes down to the dreaded miscommunication. They’re both madly in love with the other, but neither of them even hints that they want something more, for real. Piper dreams of true love and a family, and Rome has never indicated that he’s interested in that - in fact, his wild sex life would indicate the complete opposite - and she doesn’t want to risk their friendship for a fling. And while I initially really liked Rome, the more their time away together goes on, it seems like he’s just playing games with Piper, and won’t tell her how he feels or what he really wants. It’s frustrating when you’re desperate for some romance!
But all of the angst and drama does drive some good character development. I enjoyed that Piper knew her worth and wasn’t going to be pushed around, and I really enjoyed Rome’s ‘come to Jesus’ moment. There’s quite a bit of back and forth, but they do finally get on the same page, and I enjoyed watching two best friends finally come together.
The epilogue hints at a book for Piper’s brother, Rett, and if he gets the second-chance-romance I think he will, I am really looking forward to reading more about him.
I enjoyed this one. It was frustrating at times, but the build-up was there, and I did like seeing these two finally get their HEA.
3.5 stars!
Note - I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Gideon Frost and Samantha Brentmoor, and they do a great job with it.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A fun, flirty best-friends-to-lovers story that is full of chemistry and bursting with sexual tension, this is my first book by Eden Summers, and it’s an enjoyable read.
Piper is heading off to a work retreat, and needs a buffer from her stalkery-ex-boyfriend. When her (and her brother’s) best friend, Rome, volunteers to be her fake boyfriend for the trip, she’s initially hesitant, given that he’s a complete ladies man, and she’s been in love with him for as long as she can remember. But when Rome dangles a job opportunity in front of her if she can withstand the pressure of the trip, she’s all in.
Rome has wanted Piper for a long time. There’s a six year age gap between them, so he’s kept his distance until they were both age-appropriate, but now they’re both in their 20s and he figures this is finally his chance to get his hands on her in the way he’s been dreaming of. Plus, he has her brother’s blessing to pursue her romantically, so it’s all systems go to change their relationship forever.
It’s a fun set-up, and I saw so on board as Rome takes the opportunity to get his hands (and lips) all over Piper. He’s pushing her limits at every turn, and having a fabulously fun time doing it – flirting with her, riling her up and constantly teasing her with more. He has a filthy mouth, and is a little wild, and though Piper is terrified of giving in to him, there are times when the chemistry becomes all too much.
I succumbed to temptation too easily. I rode my best friend like a pony at a carnival while he murmured heart-palpitating filth in my ear.
The sexual tension absolutely simmers between these two. You can feel how much they want each other, and individually you can see that they care for and want each other, but you wouldn’t know that when they interact with each other. It’s messy and overly-complicated, and the line between love and hate gets really blurry. It should be simple, but their situation is far from easy.
It all comes down to the dreaded miscommunication. They’re both madly in love with the other, but neither of them even hints that they want something more, for real. Piper dreams of true love and a family, and Rome has never indicated that he’s interested in that - in fact, his wild sex life would indicate the complete opposite - and she doesn’t want to risk their friendship for a fling. And while I initially really liked Rome, the more their time away together goes on, it seems like he’s just playing games with Piper, and won’t tell her how he feels or what he really wants. It’s frustrating when you’re desperate for some romance!
“You’re mine.” He bridges the space between us, our mouths colliding in a searing kiss.
But all of the angst and drama does drive some good character development. I enjoyed that Piper knew her worth and wasn’t going to be pushed around, and I really enjoyed Rome’s ‘come to Jesus’ moment. There’s quite a bit of back and forth, but they do finally get on the same page, and I enjoyed watching two best friends finally come together.
“The way I felt, and will continue to feel, is far more than friendship, and I think you know that.”
“I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”
The epilogue hints at a book for Piper’s brother, Rett, and if he gets the second-chance-romance I think he will, I am really looking forward to reading more about him.
I enjoyed this one. It was frustrating at times, but the build-up was there, and I did like seeing these two finally get their HEA.
3.5 stars!
Note - I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Gideon Frost and Samantha Brentmoor, and they do a great job with it.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2023
If you are looking for a softer version of fifty shades of grey where the male character is even cringier, than this book is for you.
April 2, 2023
Linda portada, romance terrible!
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Argumento:
Una cama. Dos mejores amigos. Tres noches jugando a fingir.
Cuando acepté que Rome fuera mi novio falso en un viaje de trabajo, no pensé que actuar como una pareja sería tan complicado.
Mostraba su sonrisa asesina a mis colegas. Impresionarlos con su encanto.
Mientras mantengo a raya a mi ex tóxico.
Pero esa no es la realidad en la que me estoy ahogando actualmente.
Desde el momento en que llegamos al resort, las manos de Rome están sobre mí. Sus palabras susurradas en mi oído más escandalosamente sucias que dulces.
Está actuando como un tonto borracho de lujuria que se muere por probarlo y no puedo dejar de sonrojarme... O entrar en pánico... Porque solo hay una cama en nuestra habitación de hotel y Rome Cavanaugh no sabría dormir con otra cosa que no sea su traje de cumpleaños. .
Mi humilde opinión:
Me llevé una decepción grande con este romance de novios falsos/amigos a amantes.
Primero Rome... Dice que amó a Pipper desde siempre, ok, pero me entero más adelante que compartieron la cama solo para dormir cuando ella tenía 12 y él 18?! NO! Es totalmente inaceptable para mí que la viera de forma romántica, me sentí incómoda con eso.
Y si Rome siempre la amó, por qué se acostaba con otras mujeres? Y lo peor era que le contaba explícitamente sus aventuras sexuales a Pipper en la cara?! Ella decía que lloraba cada vez que él estaba con otra mujer! Me daba mucha pena su situación.
Él se la pasó poniéndola incómoda, humillándola y pinchándola con respecto al sexo durante el viaje de trabajo. Esto no era para nada agradable. Estaba también el ex novio de Pipper que la usó y la convenció de que era frígida durante su relación. Yo no podía creer las cosas que le dijo y su forma de acosarla! Estos hombres no tenían ningún tipo de empatía y respeto para con ella?
Y volviendo a Rome, por un momento creí que estaba en 50 sombras de Grey. Él tenía una relación tóxica con una mujer a la que iba para que le causara daño durante el sexo? De repente se comenta que a él le gusta el sexo de cierta manera, tipo BDSM? WTF!?
No puedo soportar los malos entendidos y el secretismo. Demasiada angustia. Y aquí hay drama innecesario con el juego de fingir a ser pareja. Yo no lo disfruté. La incomodidad que tenía Pipper con el sexo y la forma que tenía Rome de empujarla fuera de su zona de confort no estuvo buena. Encima en un viaje de trabajo y en público! Los protagonistas solo tenían que decir lo que sentían por el otro como personas adultas que eran y santa solución!
No entendí que Rett estuviera de acuerdo con la relación entre Rome y su hermana después de todas las historias de sexo que contó y con Pipper presente. Lo primero que debió hacer fue decirle a Rome no hablara sobre él teniendo sexo con otras mujeres y que respetara a su hermana. Peor aún sabiendo lo que sentía ella.
No entendí que Pipper amara a alguien como Rome. O que aceptara jugar a fingir sometiéndose a las humillaciones de Rome si igualmente iba a tener el trabajo con ellos eventualmente!? Es que no, a pesar de que todo terminó bien, no logró convencerme o gustarme este romance.
March 5, 2023
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This is my first book I’ve read of Eden’s and I adored it!
The story is based around two best friends who are in a fake relationship at a work getaway to try to prove that Piper (FMC) has moved on from her previous relationship with a fellow employee. Rome (MMC) agrees to be her fake boyfriend as he wants to see if there’s any real feelings on Piper’s end towards him.
Rome was such a sweetheart the entire book and I loved his personality throughout. He is known as a playboy with a kinky side who happens to be Piper’s brothers best friend and her long time crush. He constantly wanted the best for Piper while trying to make her see the best in herself.
Piper was very much the grumpy to Rome’s sunshine in this book but I loved her banter and comebacks. We see through the book her constant struggle with self confidence thanks to the previous relationship and as a woman this is a very real issue so many people face. Eden has done an amazing job exploring her mental state as she tries to come to terms with her self worthy and sexuality.
I loved the push and pull of their friendship vs want for each other as they both try to come to terms with what they want from each other.
On a side note to the main couple, shoutout to Everett for being a badass older brother/best friend who supports his sister and best friend without making them feel wrong or weird for wanting a relationship together.
Overall I loved this book and definitely would recommend reading it! It’s a cute friends to lovers, one bed trope, grumpy female / sunshine male story.
Based on those end chapters I can’t wait for Everett and Olivia’s story next hopefully!
This is my first book I’ve read of Eden’s and I adored it!
The story is based around two best friends who are in a fake relationship at a work getaway to try to prove that Piper (FMC) has moved on from her previous relationship with a fellow employee. Rome (MMC) agrees to be her fake boyfriend as he wants to see if there’s any real feelings on Piper’s end towards him.
Rome was such a sweetheart the entire book and I loved his personality throughout. He is known as a playboy with a kinky side who happens to be Piper’s brothers best friend and her long time crush. He constantly wanted the best for Piper while trying to make her see the best in herself.
Piper was very much the grumpy to Rome’s sunshine in this book but I loved her banter and comebacks. We see through the book her constant struggle with self confidence thanks to the previous relationship and as a woman this is a very real issue so many people face. Eden has done an amazing job exploring her mental state as she tries to come to terms with her self worthy and sexuality.
I loved the push and pull of their friendship vs want for each other as they both try to come to terms with what they want from each other.
On a side note to the main couple, shoutout to Everett for being a badass older brother/best friend who supports his sister and best friend without making them feel wrong or weird for wanting a relationship together.
Overall I loved this book and definitely would recommend reading it! It’s a cute friends to lovers, one bed trope, grumpy female / sunshine male story.
Based on those end chapters I can’t wait for Everett and Olivia’s story next hopefully!
March 16, 2023
I was really lucky to receive an ARC for this book. I tore through this book in a night. I sat down to read a couple of chapters before bed and before you know it I had finished.
If you liked the Love Hypothesis but wished it had more spice, this is going to be right up your alley.
It’s got some amazing tropes like fake dating (obvs.), brothers best friend (kind of) and the guy falls first - which is a personal favourite. The brothers best friend element is different and handled in a really good way that we don’t often see.
Would highly recommend!
If you liked the Love Hypothesis but wished it had more spice, this is going to be right up your alley.
It’s got some amazing tropes like fake dating (obvs.), brothers best friend (kind of) and the guy falls first - which is a personal favourite. The brothers best friend element is different and handled in a really good way that we don’t often see.
Would highly recommend!
March 10, 2023
Thank you to the author for an eARC copy of this book!🫶🏻
Guys this was sooooo good!! Has all the good tropes included! Friends to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity.. kinda brothers best friend/friends with benefits vibes!
I loved every single second! I would have rated this higher but i’ve been in a bit of a reading slump so i struggled a bit but i think this is the perfect read for everyone! Has an amazing amount of spice in it as well as a little slow burn! We love a man with a dirty mouth ahhhh!!!! the banter and the teasing was so freaking perfect!!! I highly recommend checking it out whenever it gets released in the next week!!!
Guys this was sooooo good!! Has all the good tropes included! Friends to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity.. kinda brothers best friend/friends with benefits vibes!
I loved every single second! I would have rated this higher but i’ve been in a bit of a reading slump so i struggled a bit but i think this is the perfect read for everyone! Has an amazing amount of spice in it as well as a little slow burn! We love a man with a dirty mouth ahhhh!!!! the banter and the teasing was so freaking perfect!!! I highly recommend checking it out whenever it gets released in the next week!!!
March 17, 2023
I just binge read this, and I am telling you know. I couldn’t put it down, I read it in a day, measly hours🙊
Rome and Piper are best friends, they always have.
Piper always had a crush on Rome, but she just classed it as a childhood crush.
Rome had wanted his best friend sister, since a younger age, but wouldn’t be appropriate.
Now that they are both adults, Rome is helping little Pip to be her fake boyfriend for 3 days for her work retreat, her ex boyfriend will be there and they did not end up in good terms.
How badly can this 3 days go? 🫢
READ IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS😍
❕No OW drama, HEA and Standalone ❕
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Rome and Piper are best friends, they always have.
Piper always had a crush on Rome, but she just classed it as a childhood crush.
Rome had wanted his best friend sister, since a younger age, but wouldn’t be appropriate.
Now that they are both adults, Rome is helping little Pip to be her fake boyfriend for 3 days for her work retreat, her ex boyfriend will be there and they did not end up in good terms.
How badly can this 3 days go? 🫢
READ IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS😍
❕No OW drama, HEA and Standalone ❕
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
March 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️.75/5
This one was a really fun read/listen! Super funny and easy to read. I loved the angst and tension between Piper and Rome. I just wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication trope. There was quite a bit of back and forth between them and it’s very slow burn.
Read if you like:
- Fake dating
- Childhood best friends to lovers
- Slow burn
- One bed
- Reverse grumpy x sunshine
- Brother’s best friend
*ARC was kindly provided to me by the author for an honest review.
🌶️.75/5
This one was a really fun read/listen! Super funny and easy to read. I loved the angst and tension between Piper and Rome. I just wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication trope. There was quite a bit of back and forth between them and it’s very slow burn.
Read if you like:
- Fake dating
- Childhood best friends to lovers
- Slow burn
- One bed
- Reverse grumpy x sunshine
- Brother’s best friend
*ARC was kindly provided to me by the author for an honest review.
November 6, 2024
De MMC kan zich geen periode herinneren waarin hij niet verliefd was op de FMC. Als je weet dat ze elkaar al kennen van toen zij 12 was en hij 18, is dat niet gewoon raar, maar ronduit illegaal.
Is dit boek iets voor jou?
JA, als je een creep bent en een auteur gewoon gelooft wanneer die zegt dat de hoofdpersonages beste vrienden zijn, zonder daar bewijs voor aan te leveren.
NEE, als je een goeie romance zoekt
Is dit boek iets voor jou?
JA, als je een creep bent en een auteur gewoon gelooft wanneer die zegt dat de hoofdpersonages beste vrienden zijn, zonder daar bewijs voor aan te leveren.
NEE, als je een goeie romance zoekt
April 4, 2023
Well this cartoon cover really got me!
I didn’t realize it would be as spicy as it was.
I enjoyed this so much!!!
Pick it up. So good!
I didn’t realize it would be as spicy as it was.
I enjoyed this so much!!!
Pick it up. So good!
March 8, 2023
Holy mother of god! 🥵🥵
Don’t let this cover deceive you!
This book has so much spice in 🔥🔥
I received this book as an ARC and let me tell you I am left wanting more.
The book follows two best friends that have a 6 year age gap. Piper is going a work event and she doesn’t want to go as her ex boyfriend (complete arse) will be there. Her brother and her guy best friend (Rome) decide it would be a good idea for her best friend to go with her as a fake boyfriend.
Piper has always had feelings for Rome however never acted on them. Rome however has every intention on acting on his real feeling towards piper.
This book has the following:
Slight age gap
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
So much spice
For how short this book was it was jam packed with spice 🔥🔥
Don’t let this cover deceive you!
This book has so much spice in 🔥🔥
I received this book as an ARC and let me tell you I am left wanting more.
The book follows two best friends that have a 6 year age gap. Piper is going a work event and she doesn’t want to go as her ex boyfriend (complete arse) will be there. Her brother and her guy best friend (Rome) decide it would be a good idea for her best friend to go with her as a fake boyfriend.
Piper has always had feelings for Rome however never acted on them. Rome however has every intention on acting on his real feeling towards piper.
This book has the following:
Slight age gap
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
So much spice
For how short this book was it was jam packed with spice 🔥🔥
March 16, 2023
ARC reading🫶🏼🫶🏼I loved this book so much!! It’s cute romance book about best friends to lovers with spice. Cocky Rome is in love with sweet Piper for ages (and vice versa), they’ve been best friends since forever and in love with each other even more (secretly)..until unplanned trip happened and they have to do fake dating. And now they’re stuck, well more like Piper is being teased a LOT. Can they move past they’re friendship and finally take another step? You’ll have to find out 💗
I enjoyed reading this so much and couldn’t stop.
Tropes: Best friends to lovers, cocky­ love interest, one bed, fake dating.
I enjoyed reading this so much and couldn’t stop.
Tropes: Best friends to lovers, cocky­ love interest, one bed, fake dating.
March 4, 2023
I received an ARC of this book…. Here is my honest review
Is is the first Eden Summers book I have read but I can not wait to read more book by her. This book was absolutely amazing.
Rome & Piper are definitely made for each other…. I loved how Rome brought Piper out of herself!
One bed, Best-friend, Friends to lovers & brother best friend.
Of course Piper argued with Rome at every turn, they are so clearly made for each other but she just couldn’t see it!
Ps, I am definitely hoping for a Rett & Olivia book 😍😍
Is is the first Eden Summers book I have read but I can not wait to read more book by her. This book was absolutely amazing.
Rome & Piper are definitely made for each other…. I loved how Rome brought Piper out of herself!
One bed, Best-friend, Friends to lovers & brother best friend.
Of course Piper argued with Rome at every turn, they are so clearly made for each other but she just couldn’t see it!
Ps, I am definitely hoping for a Rett & Olivia book 😍😍
May 2, 2023
Almost DNF. I thought I was reading a fun “friends to lovers” “fake date” story with a little spice. Instead, I found myself reading how Rome, an often callous BDSM sub, decided to subject his life long “best friend” Piper to public humiliation in front of her colleagues, embarrassment, coercion, emotional distress, forced public masturbation, verbal abuse, and whatever toxic demands this selfish control freak insisted upon.
All in exchange for career advancement and a “6 figure salary”.
And all while Piper’s brother cheers him on.
And their “connection” dates back to when they slept together when she was 12 and he was 18 (but he fought back his “urges” so, uh, points for him?).
I suppose there’s an audience for this sleazy kink and I realize some women enjoy being degraded. And, in fairness, there was a “connection” and, eventually, some passion that wasn’t degrading. I have nothing against “dirty talk”, consensual role playing and spicy romance, but this was just too depressing too often.
And having Piper love and pine for her tormentor and feel guilty for complaining about HIS bad behavior, was way too 50 shades for me. But if you like reading about couples who plan to go to a sex party, with a woman who likes being made to do things she says she doesn’t want to do, and a guy who brags constantly about being the best lover on the planet, then maybe this is for you.
But with “best friends” like this, who needs enemies?
All in exchange for career advancement and a “6 figure salary”.
And all while Piper’s brother cheers him on.
And their “connection” dates back to when they slept together when she was 12 and he was 18 (but he fought back his “urges” so, uh, points for him?).
I suppose there’s an audience for this sleazy kink and I realize some women enjoy being degraded. And, in fairness, there was a “connection” and, eventually, some passion that wasn’t degrading. I have nothing against “dirty talk”, consensual role playing and spicy romance, but this was just too depressing too often.
And having Piper love and pine for her tormentor and feel guilty for complaining about HIS bad behavior, was way too 50 shades for me. But if you like reading about couples who plan to go to a sex party, with a woman who likes being made to do things she says she doesn’t want to do, and a guy who brags constantly about being the best lover on the planet, then maybe this is for you.
But with “best friends” like this, who needs enemies?
March 6, 2023
*Received ARC from author*
Massive thank you to Eden Summers for this ARC. I LOVED THIS BOOK! This is a friends to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine trope with likeable characters and an entertaining plot. I will break down my review below:
⭐️ I loved the banter and playfulness that Rome has. The messages they shared were sooo good!!!! I think at times, he was slightly pushy. However, they have been friends for years so he knew her well enough not to overstep the line too much.
⭐️ The big thing in this book for me, was the fact that no other woman really existed for Rome and it was clear from the start that it was only Piper. His protectiveness as a boyfriend and a friend was 10/10.
⭐️ I loved seeing the character development for Piper. I think she needed harsh truths from Rome and Everett and they definitely delivered them. Can we all appreciate how good of a brother Everett was?!
⭐️ Friends to lovers can sometimes be a hard trope to get right but honestly Eden Summers smashed it!
Massive thank you to Eden Summers for this ARC. I LOVED THIS BOOK! This is a friends to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine trope with likeable characters and an entertaining plot. I will break down my review below:
⭐️ I loved the banter and playfulness that Rome has. The messages they shared were sooo good!!!! I think at times, he was slightly pushy. However, they have been friends for years so he knew her well enough not to overstep the line too much.
⭐️ The big thing in this book for me, was the fact that no other woman really existed for Rome and it was clear from the start that it was only Piper. His protectiveness as a boyfriend and a friend was 10/10.
⭐️ I loved seeing the character development for Piper. I think she needed harsh truths from Rome and Everett and they definitely delivered them. Can we all appreciate how good of a brother Everett was?!
⭐️ Friends to lovers can sometimes be a hard trope to get right but honestly Eden Summers smashed it!
February 15, 2024
3.75⭐️
I received this as an ARC from Eden Summers and was so excited to read it!! Best Friends to lovers, Fake dating and one bed trope!? I think yes. It was a quick and fun read (and also spicy 👀). It reminded me of Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, but with more spice :)
This is the story of Piper and Rome. Rome is friends and business partners with Piper’s older brother, Rett, and the three of them have been best friends their whole lives. Piper needs to go on a business vacation, but is hesitant because her annoying ex, who also happens to be her coworker, will be there too. Rett heroically offers up Rome to go with her to be her ‘fake’ boyfriend and the story follows the spicy vacation and the aftermath of testing the boundaries of friendship. A great summer read!
A big thank you to Eden Summers for gifting me this ARC to read and review :) If you’re looking for a spicy and easy read, then Playing Pretend is definitely a great one!
I received this as an ARC from Eden Summers and was so excited to read it!! Best Friends to lovers, Fake dating and one bed trope!? I think yes. It was a quick and fun read (and also spicy 👀). It reminded me of Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, but with more spice :)
This is the story of Piper and Rome. Rome is friends and business partners with Piper’s older brother, Rett, and the three of them have been best friends their whole lives. Piper needs to go on a business vacation, but is hesitant because her annoying ex, who also happens to be her coworker, will be there too. Rett heroically offers up Rome to go with her to be her ‘fake’ boyfriend and the story follows the spicy vacation and the aftermath of testing the boundaries of friendship. A great summer read!
A big thank you to Eden Summers for gifting me this ARC to read and review :) If you’re looking for a spicy and easy read, then Playing Pretend is definitely a great one!
Read
July 25, 2023DNF at 55% but I’m counting it cause that’s 116/190 pages I’ve suffered enough!!!
I’m not gonna rate this since I didn’t finish but I will say this book actually would’ve probs been a 3 or 3.5 stars if it wasn’t for the CASUAL PEDO THOUGHTS. The MMC at one point mentions/implies he had a crush on the FMC when he was 18 and there’s a 6 year age gap so how old was she???? 12!!!!!
I don’t know why but I tried to push through anyways but my brain kept being like nah girl remember that he said this so I had to quit.
Aside from the pedo thoughts the rest of the plot is fine but I couldn’t get convinced that these two were besties lol like all he did was antagonize her and make her uncomfortable and all she did was snap at him and get uncomfortable. The chemistry just wasn’t there for them as friends or as potential lovers. There were some cute moments tho and one spicy pool scene that was pretty hot but that’s about it.
I’m not gonna rate this since I didn’t finish but I will say this book actually would’ve probs been a 3 or 3.5 stars if it wasn’t for the CASUAL PEDO THOUGHTS. The MMC at one point mentions/implies he had a crush on the FMC when he was 18 and there’s a 6 year age gap so how old was she???? 12!!!!!
I don’t know why but I tried to push through anyways but my brain kept being like nah girl remember that he said this so I had to quit.
Aside from the pedo thoughts the rest of the plot is fine but I couldn’t get convinced that these two were besties lol like all he did was antagonize her and make her uncomfortable and all she did was snap at him and get uncomfortable. The chemistry just wasn’t there for them as friends or as potential lovers. There were some cute moments tho and one spicy pool scene that was pretty hot but that’s about it.
March 23, 2023
This book made me feel icky. I don’t mind books where the characters have an age difference. In this case, the characters are 31 and 25. The issue that I had was when there was a description of the two characters sharing a bed when she was 12 and he was 18. There was another description about how he had to control himself when she was 13, and he’s lucky that he could keep himself in check so he didn’t go to jail.
I’m also grossed out that there were references to incest because the main characters are best friends, but they thought of each other as siblings but also loved each other?
I almost didn’t finish this book, but I gave it a chance. I wasn’t rooting for the characters to get together. I didn’t take them as individuals, and I feel yucky after reading this book.
I’m also grossed out that there were references to incest because the main characters are best friends, but they thought of each other as siblings but also loved each other?
I almost didn’t finish this book, but I gave it a chance. I wasn’t rooting for the characters to get together. I didn’t take them as individuals, and I feel yucky after reading this book.
March 15, 2023
I NEED THIS BOOK ON MY SHELF. Eden Summers you wrote a fantastic book, I LOVED IT, and I need it on my shelf. Okay let’s get into it.
Tropes: brother’s best friend, in denial FMC x sunshine/playboy facade MMC, one bed, rich MMC, fake dating, childhood friends to lovers, it’s always been you, forced proximity
The characters are so loveable. Piper is adorable. I love how she blushes during every single banter scene they had (banter and teasing was 10/10 btw). Instead of being annoyed at her being in denial about her feelings, I found it unintentionally charming and funny. And I don’t know how she resisted him at first, i would fold so easily as if origami was an olympic sport. Let me tell you why, because of ROME, described as “overly sexual, nauseatingly charismatic, and flawlessly confident.”. YES HE IS AND I LOVE IT. He’s so witty and protective and so flirty, I needed to practice my breathing exercise before I started ovulating. This man could ruin my life if he wanted to.
My quick summary/synopsis: Piper has a crappy borderline stalker ex at her workplace resort. So our Greek god of a man, Piper’s brother’s best friend and childhood crush, swoops in to play the protective ‘boyfriend’, in hopes of scaring away Piper’s ex. Three nights with two best friends in one bed… What could possibly happen?
SLIGHT early chapter spoiler: I found it interesting that her brother encouraged rather than discouraged their relationship. Hence, not really forbidden romance, which is fine honestly because this is such a good book.
There were two parts that could be a little questionable to some people with regards to the age gap but it wasn’t that detailed or major in the story at all. So, it really wasn’t that bad for me, I’d say it depends on the person. But with everything else going on in the book, I quickly forgot about it.
Favourite…
Scene: literally every time he gets protective *screech*, and THE KNEE THING (DM if you wanna know what it is)
Quote: “It’s effortless because I’ve spent a lifetime wanting you.”
Character: ROME <3 I WANT A CARDBOARD CUT OUT OF HIM IN MY ROOM THANK YOU
Ratings
Spice level: 2/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Closing notes: you know it’s a good book when you read the online book and now want a physical copy to tab.
Eden Summers, everybody.
Tropes: brother’s best friend, in denial FMC x sunshine/playboy facade MMC, one bed, rich MMC, fake dating, childhood friends to lovers, it’s always been you, forced proximity
The characters are so loveable. Piper is adorable. I love how she blushes during every single banter scene they had (banter and teasing was 10/10 btw). Instead of being annoyed at her being in denial about her feelings, I found it unintentionally charming and funny. And I don’t know how she resisted him at first, i would fold so easily as if origami was an olympic sport. Let me tell you why, because of ROME, described as “overly sexual, nauseatingly charismatic, and flawlessly confident.”. YES HE IS AND I LOVE IT. He’s so witty and protective and so flirty, I needed to practice my breathing exercise before I started ovulating. This man could ruin my life if he wanted to.
My quick summary/synopsis: Piper has a crappy borderline stalker ex at her workplace resort. So our Greek god of a man, Piper’s brother’s best friend and childhood crush, swoops in to play the protective ‘boyfriend’, in hopes of scaring away Piper’s ex. Three nights with two best friends in one bed… What could possibly happen?
SLIGHT early chapter spoiler: I found it interesting that her brother encouraged rather than discouraged their relationship. Hence, not really forbidden romance, which is fine honestly because this is such a good book.
There were two parts that could be a little questionable to some people with regards to the age gap but it wasn’t that detailed or major in the story at all. So, it really wasn’t that bad for me, I’d say it depends on the person. But with everything else going on in the book, I quickly forgot about it.
Favourite…
Scene: literally every time he gets protective *screech*, and THE KNEE THING (DM if you wanna know what it is)
Quote: “It’s effortless because I’ve spent a lifetime wanting you.”
Character: ROME <3 I WANT A CARDBOARD CUT OUT OF HIM IN MY ROOM THANK YOU
Ratings
Spice level: 2/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Closing notes: you know it’s a good book when you read the online book and now want a physical copy to tab.
Eden Summers, everybody.
March 20, 2023
This was an easy read, perfect for when you need a decompression read or something quick to devour.
I did struggle in the beginning as the first 10 percent was conversation so it was hard to really hook in. There was also a part where the male main character mentions his sexual thoughts towards the female main character when she was 13 and he was 19 which gave me the ick. 6 years age gap isn't a lot when the characters are older, but for me any sexual attraction when she had just become a teen was a bit much for me.
I did enjoy how the brother was actually supportive of them starting a relationship together (when they were older). That was super sweet and I loved his subtle meddling. And the best friendship between the FMC and her girl was perfection, something I think we all want!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC for review - I'm looking forward to checking out more of your work
I did struggle in the beginning as the first 10 percent was conversation so it was hard to really hook in. There was also a part where the male main character mentions his sexual thoughts towards the female main character when she was 13 and he was 19 which gave me the ick. 6 years age gap isn't a lot when the characters are older, but for me any sexual attraction when she had just become a teen was a bit much for me.
I did enjoy how the brother was actually supportive of them starting a relationship together (when they were older). That was super sweet and I loved his subtle meddling. And the best friendship between the FMC and her girl was perfection, something I think we all want!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC for review - I'm looking forward to checking out more of your work
November 5, 2024
*4.5⭐️
This was the perfect short and sexy read I needed. It is an ideal palate cleanser, and the banter was everything. I just had a great time, and I lost track of how far I got into the books while working. Which has not been happening lately, and that is amazing. Piper was just so innocent and vulnerable, and Rome was the opposite, he was trying everything to get under her skin or maybe even her dress… But he also showed her that she could be this confident, strong, and sexy woman. That has just been hiding for too long. The tension was even killing me! Do not get me started on that present because DAMNNNNN! I listened to the audiobook, and the Narrators just made the experience even better. This was the perfect short read to start this month off.
💋Fake Dating
💋Best Friends
💋Banter
💋A Perfect Gift
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
This was the perfect short and sexy read I needed. It is an ideal palate cleanser, and the banter was everything. I just had a great time, and I lost track of how far I got into the books while working. Which has not been happening lately, and that is amazing. Piper was just so innocent and vulnerable, and Rome was the opposite, he was trying everything to get under her skin or maybe even her dress… But he also showed her that she could be this confident, strong, and sexy woman. That has just been hiding for too long. The tension was even killing me! Do not get me started on that present because DAMNNNNN! I listened to the audiobook, and the Narrators just made the experience even better. This was the perfect short read to start this month off.
💋Fake Dating
💋Best Friends
💋Banter
💋A Perfect Gift
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
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