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Playing with Matches
Cori Stratton’s a small-town girl. She loves making candles, and her little gift shop is her pride and joy. But when the shop’s building goes up for sale, she might lose her home and everything that makes her happy. The worst timing of all? Her landlord’s daughter Elizabeth Brennan—popular, smart, and oblivious to Cori’s existence in high school—has breezed back into town.
Life has not gone according to plan for Elizabeth. Laid off from her job in the city, she’s forced back home to help her mom run the family’s B&B during a week-long wedding celebration…for Liz’s ex. Not wanting the groom to know the shambles her life is, she grabs the nearest person—Cori—and tells him how happy they are together.
Liz’s father owning Cori’s building may be the trump card she needs to keep Cori playing along. Can they strike a deal to save Cori’s store and help Liz survive the wedding? Just for the week. There’s no way this fake relationship will turn into the real deal.
Life has not gone according to plan for Elizabeth. Laid off from her job in the city, she’s forced back home to help her mom run the family’s B&B during a week-long wedding celebration…for Liz’s ex. Not wanting the groom to know the shambles her life is, she grabs the nearest person—Cori—and tells him how happy they are together.
Liz’s father owning Cori’s building may be the trump card she needs to keep Cori playing along. Can they strike a deal to save Cori’s store and help Liz survive the wedding? Just for the week. There’s no way this fake relationship will turn into the real deal.
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2023
52 people are currently reading
1020 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Beers
61 books1,508 followersLambda and Golden Crown Literary Award-winning author Georgia Beers lives in Rochester, New York. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and published her first lesbian novel in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
January 25, 2024
Liz never thought she would be returning to her hometown jobless and without any future prospects. Add to this, she is back living in her parent’s basement. Being laid off sucks.
Cori has never had the urge to leave her hometown after graduation. She bought her mother’s local gift shop and is happy making candles and running her store. Although Cori was in Liz’s grade throughout high school, Liz was the popular girl and Cori the one most likely to be off reading a book.
Beers is the master of stories with a winter setting. The cold, the snow and the realities of living in winter weather are all described eloquently and accurately. Her storytelling muscles are definitely pumped for Playing with Matches. This storyline has been done many times before this novel yet in Beers’ hands the story is fresh and distinctive. Liz and Cori are sympathetic characters saddled with realistic problems and solutions.
Every inch of the story is honest in its portrayal. You cannot ask more from an author than this.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cori has never had the urge to leave her hometown after graduation. She bought her mother’s local gift shop and is happy making candles and running her store. Although Cori was in Liz’s grade throughout high school, Liz was the popular girl and Cori the one most likely to be off reading a book.
Beers is the master of stories with a winter setting. The cold, the snow and the realities of living in winter weather are all described eloquently and accurately. Her storytelling muscles are definitely pumped for Playing with Matches. This storyline has been done many times before this novel yet in Beers’ hands the story is fresh and distinctive. Liz and Cori are sympathetic characters saddled with realistic problems and solutions.
Every inch of the story is honest in its portrayal. You cannot ask more from an author than this.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 27, 2023
This is a story that has several common ingredients in successful romances: a return home, an unrequited and now rediscovered young love, a fake romance, family dramas of various kinds. Shake it all up with a Christmas vibe and you'll get this.
And it's by no means a nonsensical and excessive hodgepodge, as it may seem from my item list. Quite the opposite, because each topic happens gradually, in the right time, creating a very romantic story, with little drama and some surprises.
The two protagonists are Liz, the prodigal daughter, who must reluctantly return to her family home, and Cori, the shy and sensitive woman who had a crush on the teenage Liz but was practically invisible to the cool kids at school, including Liz. Liz returns to help out in the family business because of a gallbladder surgery that her mother must have. Since she returned, she has had multiple chance encounters with Cori, who is the owner of a local handicraft store and creator of all kinds of scented candles. Until in one of those situations Liz proposes a fake relationship to Cori, to her surprise and a bit of reluctance as well. Because Cori hasn't stopped feeling that teenage attraction to Liz and now this can't end well in any way.
Good ingredients that have made a good story, including several secondary characters, human and not, all of them important to clarify some situation, the little drama, and a lot of snow.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review
And it's by no means a nonsensical and excessive hodgepodge, as it may seem from my item list. Quite the opposite, because each topic happens gradually, in the right time, creating a very romantic story, with little drama and some surprises.
The two protagonists are Liz, the prodigal daughter, who must reluctantly return to her family home, and Cori, the shy and sensitive woman who had a crush on the teenage Liz but was practically invisible to the cool kids at school, including Liz. Liz returns to help out in the family business because of a gallbladder surgery that her mother must have. Since she returned, she has had multiple chance encounters with Cori, who is the owner of a local handicraft store and creator of all kinds of scented candles. Until in one of those situations Liz proposes a fake relationship to Cori, to her surprise and a bit of reluctance as well. Because Cori hasn't stopped feeling that teenage attraction to Liz and now this can't end well in any way.
Good ingredients that have made a good story, including several secondary characters, human and not, all of them important to clarify some situation, the little drama, and a lot of snow.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review
December 20, 2023
Playing With Matches is a small town romance, a favorite trope often used by the author, Georgia Beers. This novel also includes a fake romance, which is another popular trope for many readers.
I’ve always loved Ms. Beers’ small town settings. Crimson Valley, a small tourist town nestled in the Adirondacks is another place I now want to visit…or maybe live.
This story has a slow start, and the fake romance didn’t really help that. I had trouble seeing the connection between Cori and Liz until about halfway through the novel. The second half of the story is much better. There’s quite a lot going on in Cori and Liz’s lives with family and business problems, as well as the transition from a fake to a possible real romance between the two. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the earlier half.
I must give the author credit for a brilliant beginning. They say that a writer should always begin their stories with a bang, and Ms. Beers does exactly that. Let’s just say that if I were Liz, I’d have just set fire to the car and walked home. Read the book if you want to know what I’m talking about.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me the chance to read and review this novel.
I’ve always loved Ms. Beers’ small town settings. Crimson Valley, a small tourist town nestled in the Adirondacks is another place I now want to visit…or maybe live.
This story has a slow start, and the fake romance didn’t really help that. I had trouble seeing the connection between Cori and Liz until about halfway through the novel. The second half of the story is much better. There’s quite a lot going on in Cori and Liz’s lives with family and business problems, as well as the transition from a fake to a possible real romance between the two. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the earlier half.
I must give the author credit for a brilliant beginning. They say that a writer should always begin their stories with a bang, and Ms. Beers does exactly that. Let’s just say that if I were Liz, I’d have just set fire to the car and walked home. Read the book if you want to know what I’m talking about.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me the chance to read and review this novel.
January 10, 2024
Really Cute!
Cori’s handmade candles and little shop are her world, but the landlord is trying to sell the building. When Liz, daughter of Cori’s landlord returns home to help at the family B&B after losing her big city job, she doesn’t recognise Cori from school until their paths cross again. It just so happens Liz’s ex-boyfriend is staying at the B&B for his wedding, and Liz finds herself begging Cori to play along as her girlfriend so he won’t know how messed up her life has become.
I loved every minute of this, even the one at the very beginning that frightened the life out of me almost as extremely as it did Liz! The story had everything a great ‘fake’ romance needs, and was packed with dramatic scenes and moments. Even though Liz hadn’t recognised Cori at first, I loved the connection they had as soon as the penny dropped. They were really good for one another, and after everything and with all that was stressing her out in her own life, it was a testament to how kind and sweet Cori was by how she just went along with Liz’s plan.
It was so cute how they were completely clueless to how attracted to one another they were, which caused a conflict all of its own involving Liz’s sister. Liz had that slightly clueless air about her, but it wasn’t that she wasn’t aware of other, it was just that she’d been so focused on her career and dreams that to have them shattered had taken all her attention. But there were times where she was unconsciously caring for people, especially Cori, and she’d do the nicest things. I was always smiling when they were spending time together.
As an aside, I also loved the moments with Cori’s cat, what a character! A really great story that I can’t recommend enough, and am super excited to read again and again, even if the first chapter terrifies me!
Cori’s handmade candles and little shop are her world, but the landlord is trying to sell the building. When Liz, daughter of Cori’s landlord returns home to help at the family B&B after losing her big city job, she doesn’t recognise Cori from school until their paths cross again. It just so happens Liz’s ex-boyfriend is staying at the B&B for his wedding, and Liz finds herself begging Cori to play along as her girlfriend so he won’t know how messed up her life has become.
I loved every minute of this, even the one at the very beginning that frightened the life out of me almost as extremely as it did Liz! The story had everything a great ‘fake’ romance needs, and was packed with dramatic scenes and moments. Even though Liz hadn’t recognised Cori at first, I loved the connection they had as soon as the penny dropped. They were really good for one another, and after everything and with all that was stressing her out in her own life, it was a testament to how kind and sweet Cori was by how she just went along with Liz’s plan.
It was so cute how they were completely clueless to how attracted to one another they were, which caused a conflict all of its own involving Liz’s sister. Liz had that slightly clueless air about her, but it wasn’t that she wasn’t aware of other, it was just that she’d been so focused on her career and dreams that to have them shattered had taken all her attention. But there were times where she was unconsciously caring for people, especially Cori, and she’d do the nicest things. I was always smiling when they were spending time together.
As an aside, I also loved the moments with Cori’s cat, what a character! A really great story that I can’t recommend enough, and am super excited to read again and again, even if the first chapter terrifies me!
December 15, 2023
"Playing with Matches" has the charm of a Hallmark movie. The narrative follows Elizabeth as she returns home to assist with the family business post a layoff, intertwining her life with that of Cori, a small-town girl who never left their hometown. Despite the incorporation of a fake relationship plot line, its execution lacks the intricacy I anticipated. It simply exists without much depth. The storyline unfolds with a mix of personal drama, heartwarming family dynamics, and a sweet romance. Overall a sweet quick read. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2024
Playing with Matches skilfully combines several beloved romance tropes – a journey back home, rediscovered young love, and a faux romance, all wrapped up in a cozy holiday setting. Playing with Matches is a romantic tale filled with lots of family drama for both characters. At its heart are Liz, the prodigal daughter grappling with her past and present, and Cori, a once-invisible admirer now facing the complexities of a fake relationship with her teenage crush. Their evolving relationship, marked by genuine chemistry and emotional depth, forms the core of this engaging story.
The initial slow build of Liz and Cori's relationship allows for a richer, more satisfying connection as the story progresses, navigating through personal and professional challenges with a backdrop of a quaint, picturesque small-town setting. I enjoyed following the complexities of life for both Cori and Liz, and the way they helped each other through them.
Despite a somewhat predictable plot, the novel shines with its character development and the sweet, evolving relationship between Liz and Cori. Playing with Matches is another cute romance from Georgia Beers.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The initial slow build of Liz and Cori's relationship allows for a richer, more satisfying connection as the story progresses, navigating through personal and professional challenges with a backdrop of a quaint, picturesque small-town setting. I enjoyed following the complexities of life for both Cori and Liz, and the way they helped each other through them.
Despite a somewhat predictable plot, the novel shines with its character development and the sweet, evolving relationship between Liz and Cori. Playing with Matches is another cute romance from Georgia Beers.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2023
I am a huge fan of Georgia Beers, and was super excited when Playing with Matches was released. Sadly, I felt that this book was one of her rare misses. For me, it just didn’t have the typical Beers chemistry and the plot was rather slow and predictable.
The book starts off great, with a very funny and adorable meet-cute between Cori and Liz. I loved the banter and the fact that the spider kept getting bigger in Liz’s retellings! I could feel the start of a spark in that very first meeting, but unfortunately the chemistry never really developed beyond that. If anything, I felt they were better friends than lovers by the end of the book, and even though it was a typical happy ending I still found myself disappointed.
Regardless, Beers is still an auto-read author for me. I understand that not every book is going to be a home run, especially for such a prodigious writer. Even with her books that aren’t my favorite, the writing is still good and when she hits, she hits big! 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
The book starts off great, with a very funny and adorable meet-cute between Cori and Liz. I loved the banter and the fact that the spider kept getting bigger in Liz’s retellings! I could feel the start of a spark in that very first meeting, but unfortunately the chemistry never really developed beyond that. If anything, I felt they were better friends than lovers by the end of the book, and even though it was a typical happy ending I still found myself disappointed.
Regardless, Beers is still an auto-read author for me. I understand that not every book is going to be a home run, especially for such a prodigious writer. Even with her books that aren’t my favorite, the writing is still good and when she hits, she hits big! 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
November 8, 2025
*** 3.33 ***
My main issue was with the set up being so close to the one in Zero Visibility... Otherwise, another pleasant romance by Ms. Beers🙂👍
My main issue was with the set up being so close to the one in Zero Visibility... Otherwise, another pleasant romance by Ms. Beers🙂👍
June 15, 2024
Georgia Beers delivers a warm-hearted story with likable characters and charming small town setting. Low drama and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 1, 2023
This is a small town, fake relationship with hues of second chance.
Liz grew up in a small town and left as soon as she could. She’s now back a little deflated, jobless and single, to help her sister run the family B&B while their mum recovers from surgery. She runs into Cori on her first day home. Cori, who had a crush on Liz throughout high-school. And when the wedding the B&B is hosting turns out to be Liz’s ex she grabs onto Cori and their fake relationship.
This is a book that has all the ingredients to make it a great read, including family drama, surprises and some Christmas snow.
Free ARC via NetGalley
Liz grew up in a small town and left as soon as she could. She’s now back a little deflated, jobless and single, to help her sister run the family B&B while their mum recovers from surgery. She runs into Cori on her first day home. Cori, who had a crush on Liz throughout high-school. And when the wedding the B&B is hosting turns out to be Liz’s ex she grabs onto Cori and their fake relationship.
This is a book that has all the ingredients to make it a great read, including family drama, surprises and some Christmas snow.
Free ARC via NetGalley
December 3, 2023
After a slow start, mainly as I was expecting the fake dating aspect to happen earlier on in the plot, I really got into Liz and Cori’s story.
Liz returns to Crimson Valley unemployed, single and living back with her mother to support her families Bed and Breakfast after her mother’s operation. Everyone is aware of Liz disdain for returning to the small town she grew up in especially Cori who secretly crushed on Liz throughout high School. When Liz meets the groom of the wedding the B & B is hosting, and discovers he is none other than her ex, she grabs the closet person to her, Cori and introduces her to Justin as her girlfriend.
This was a cute, wholesome read, the characters and the character development were my favourite aspects. I loved the multiple relationships spotlighted throughout and I really wasn’t expectation the twist with Cori’s family.
Read if you enjoy:
-Small Town Setting
-Fake Dating
-Holiday Seasonal Reads
-Sapphic Romance
Thank you Netgalley, Bold Strokes Books and Georgia Beers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Liz returns to Crimson Valley unemployed, single and living back with her mother to support her families Bed and Breakfast after her mother’s operation. Everyone is aware of Liz disdain for returning to the small town she grew up in especially Cori who secretly crushed on Liz throughout high School. When Liz meets the groom of the wedding the B & B is hosting, and discovers he is none other than her ex, she grabs the closet person to her, Cori and introduces her to Justin as her girlfriend.
This was a cute, wholesome read, the characters and the character development were my favourite aspects. I loved the multiple relationships spotlighted throughout and I really wasn’t expectation the twist with Cori’s family.
Read if you enjoy:
-Small Town Setting
-Fake Dating
-Holiday Seasonal Reads
-Sapphic Romance
Thank you Netgalley, Bold Strokes Books and Georgia Beers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2023
Good start and I like the way the early chapters about the mains have different vibes reflecting the mains differing personality.
Have enjoyed the book and was totally surprised by one plot twist tho in retrospect, the clues were there. Not sure reading someone's journal is the way to go!
63% and life has got in the way of my reading but it made me realise I've hardly lifted my head from this book! I even forgot it was a Georgia Beers. The banter between characters is typically enjoyable but there is a depth or heart or something that reads fresh. (That is not an insult to her other books at all but this is more!) This more moves from a 3.5 to 4.
Have enjoyed the book and was totally surprised by one plot twist tho in retrospect, the clues were there. Not sure reading someone's journal is the way to go!
63% and life has got in the way of my reading but it made me realise I've hardly lifted my head from this book! I even forgot it was a Georgia Beers. The banter between characters is typically enjoyable but there is a depth or heart or something that reads fresh. (That is not an insult to her other books at all but this is more!) This more moves from a 3.5 to 4.
April 22, 2024
3.5. ⭐️
This is a story about Cori Stratton who grew up and has lived in a small town her entire life. Now at 34 she owns a gift shop in this small Adirondack town. Cori loves making candles and other decorative items. She’s always been an introverted loner and is happy with her life.
Liz Brennan is the opposite, she’s outgoing and popular and couldn’t wait to get out of the small town and live in the city. After 15 years she’s lost her job and comes home for the holidays to help out at her family B&B. Liz’s mom is recovering from surgery and her dad is the town relator. Her dad wants to sell Cori’s shop to out of town developers.
Cori has always had a crush on Liz but has kept it a secret. Suddenly they are thrown together in a fake romance to fool Liz’s ex who’s getting married at the family B&B.
I’m a big fan of Georgia Beers writing style, I find it very cozy and familiar and have enjoyed all of her books. I wish that we could have seen more of Liz’s popular girl younger life, I didn’t get that vibe for her in what I read. I think if we would have had some flashbacks to their high school years it would have been a more emotional and involved book. I would have liked to have seen more of Cori’s upbringing and family dynamic to understand her feelings of isolation. So another 100 bags of back story would have made this 5star for me.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
This is a story about Cori Stratton who grew up and has lived in a small town her entire life. Now at 34 she owns a gift shop in this small Adirondack town. Cori loves making candles and other decorative items. She’s always been an introverted loner and is happy with her life.
Liz Brennan is the opposite, she’s outgoing and popular and couldn’t wait to get out of the small town and live in the city. After 15 years she’s lost her job and comes home for the holidays to help out at her family B&B. Liz’s mom is recovering from surgery and her dad is the town relator. Her dad wants to sell Cori’s shop to out of town developers.
Cori has always had a crush on Liz but has kept it a secret. Suddenly they are thrown together in a fake romance to fool Liz’s ex who’s getting married at the family B&B.
I’m a big fan of Georgia Beers writing style, I find it very cozy and familiar and have enjoyed all of her books. I wish that we could have seen more of Liz’s popular girl younger life, I didn’t get that vibe for her in what I read. I think if we would have had some flashbacks to their high school years it would have been a more emotional and involved book. I would have liked to have seen more of Cori’s upbringing and family dynamic to understand her feelings of isolation. So another 100 bags of back story would have made this 5star for me.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.
February 9, 2024
4/10
It was cute but just wasnt interesting enough to me tbh since i didnt see the attraction between the mcs
It was cute but just wasnt interesting enough to me tbh since i didnt see the attraction between the mcs
December 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this romance. Elizabeth Brennan left her small town feeling she was destined for greater things. She returns home humbled at 34 having been laid off her last marketing job. Officially she is home to help her run the family B&B while her mother recovers from a surgery. She runs into Cori Stratton who runs a local shop. She barely remembers they went to high school together. Cori runs a souvenir store and makes her own candles to sell as well as works from other artisans. Cori also rents decorations which brings her to the B&B to help with a large wedding that is renting out the place for a week. For almost silly reasons Liz claims that Cori and she are in a relationship. The fake relationship is almost unnecessary as the two are brought together through work. But it does give an excuse for a first kiss or two.
Liz is great as she is enjoying her new friendship with Cori while still puzzling out what she wants in life. I like that she speaks up for Cori to her dad even before they are together. Cori has her own story which I won't spoil here, but it plays on her own insecurities. The movie date scene is so romantic and caring. And I love how Liz understands that quietly working together is how Cori processes her own situation. There is gentle communication and no big misunderstandings. Lovely.
I have a few books that are comfort reads from the author. I have pulled them off my shelf and read them multiple times when I want an easy pick me up read. They never fail to delight me. I think this will be one of those for me as well. I love Beer's, including a happy dog and sleepy cat because, why not? This is for lovers of gentle small town romances with supportive friends and family. As someone who married a person I graduated high school with, who I barely knew then, these kinds of stories are more real than you think. Thank you to Bold Strokes and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)
Liz is great as she is enjoying her new friendship with Cori while still puzzling out what she wants in life. I like that she speaks up for Cori to her dad even before they are together. Cori has her own story which I won't spoil here, but it plays on her own insecurities. The movie date scene is so romantic and caring. And I love how Liz understands that quietly working together is how Cori processes her own situation. There is gentle communication and no big misunderstandings. Lovely.
I have a few books that are comfort reads from the author. I have pulled them off my shelf and read them multiple times when I want an easy pick me up read. They never fail to delight me. I think this will be one of those for me as well. I love Beer's, including a happy dog and sleepy cat because, why not? This is for lovers of gentle small town romances with supportive friends and family. As someone who married a person I graduated high school with, who I barely knew then, these kinds of stories are more real than you think. Thank you to Bold Strokes and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)
December 20, 2023
2.5/5 stars
I unfortunately couldn’t connect to this book. I usually love Georgia Beers and have read heaps of her books at this point so I was a bit disappointed that this book was just not for me. I think Beers is a great writer, she always introduces us to well-rounded and developed characters and this book was no different. Apart Liz and Cori were both really interesting and loveable characters that we really got to know in this book.
I don’t know why this book didn’t click for me since it had some of my favourite tropes. I love fake dating and small town settings so I was really hoping to love this one. I think it felt like there was a lot going on in the story which made it feel a bit disconnected. The author introduced a couple of key tropes like fake dating but didn’t really fully commit to it, the trope felt like another side aspect of the book. There was so much family stuff going in for each character, it felt like the romance really got lost in the story. I do enjoy books that have lots of storylines in addition to the romance, but because the romance didn’t feel super strong, it’s like the book lacked the heart of the story that brought all the storylines together.
Obviously I am still a big fan of Georgia Beers and am looking forward to reading more from her, this book just didn’t feel like one of her strongest.
I unfortunately couldn’t connect to this book. I usually love Georgia Beers and have read heaps of her books at this point so I was a bit disappointed that this book was just not for me. I think Beers is a great writer, she always introduces us to well-rounded and developed characters and this book was no different. Apart Liz and Cori were both really interesting and loveable characters that we really got to know in this book.
I don’t know why this book didn’t click for me since it had some of my favourite tropes. I love fake dating and small town settings so I was really hoping to love this one. I think it felt like there was a lot going on in the story which made it feel a bit disconnected. The author introduced a couple of key tropes like fake dating but didn’t really fully commit to it, the trope felt like another side aspect of the book. There was so much family stuff going in for each character, it felt like the romance really got lost in the story. I do enjoy books that have lots of storylines in addition to the romance, but because the romance didn’t feel super strong, it’s like the book lacked the heart of the story that brought all the storylines together.
Obviously I am still a big fan of Georgia Beers and am looking forward to reading more from her, this book just didn’t feel like one of her strongest.
December 10, 2023
Liz is returning to her hometown after getting laid off she feels she a failure and didn’t accomplish anything. She there to help her sister Lauren who isn’t really happy she back with their family B & B while their mother recovers from surgery. Cori loves her hometown and shop she runs making incredible candles she is shock to see Liz return home and still is beautiful and the crush she had still seems to be there. When Liz finds out she be helping with a wedding celebration she didn’t realize it’s was her ex boyfriend wedding when she sees him she grabs Cori who there helping and tells him they are item out of panic and Cori goes along with it. Liz and Cori decides to fake a relationship but as they get closer the relationship feels real then fake especially when Cori finds out something that rocks her world. I enjoy this read I like that both MCs have chemistry and that they weren’t quick to say I love you but to say they have strong feelings for each other and want to see where it’s goes.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
December 10, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an arc copy in exchange for an honest review
The first 70% of the book were great, I couldn't put the book down. The writing style in that part was nice and flowy and put the spotlight on the characters and not on itself. The tropes that were used were well executed and fun to read.
However, the last 30% let me down. The big reveal scene was weird and did not fit within the story. From there the writing style started to be weirdly rocky and unfitting, especially during the transitions between scenes
The whole discussion of love and feelings felt weird, but maybe thats just an American thing?
But I do appreciate that there was no homophobia in this book
Personally, I think the book could've had more "oh no, we're kissing, but its not real :("-scenes because thats what makes me giggle and kick my feet
This book also had a good length for a romance book; long enough to connect to the characters, but short enough for the story not to drag
The first 70% of the book were great, I couldn't put the book down. The writing style in that part was nice and flowy and put the spotlight on the characters and not on itself. The tropes that were used were well executed and fun to read.
However, the last 30% let me down. The big reveal scene was weird and did not fit within the story. From there the writing style started to be weirdly rocky and unfitting, especially during the transitions between scenes
The whole discussion of love and feelings felt weird, but maybe thats just an American thing?
But I do appreciate that there was no homophobia in this book
Personally, I think the book could've had more "oh no, we're kissing, but its not real :("-scenes because thats what makes me giggle and kick my feet
This book also had a good length for a romance book; long enough to connect to the characters, but short enough for the story not to drag
December 1, 2023
I love a sweet Christmas romance and this is definitely a favorite for me for 2023!
Though I still have a few to read.
Liz is having a streak of bad luck!
She was fired and has to go back to her hometown to help the family!
She feels like the ultimate loser!
Then she finds out that she has to help out at her ex's wedding!
The only bright spot is Cori, who has changed so much since school and is so incredibly beautiful and sweet!
After an eternity, Cori sees the person she had a crush on for years at school again. Namely the most popular girl in school, Elisabeth Brennan. Both of them meet again and again and the chemistry always seems to be right! But that can't be right, can it?
Liz and Cori are just extremely adorable!
Her story is heartwarming and full of furtive glances and moments!
The aspect of the fake relationship really shook things up a bit, at the moment when you thought everything was going super smoothly for these two lovebirds.
But no, no, no!
There is not only one a big thing coming, but a lot more!
I don't want to reveal any more!
As always, Georgia Beers created a wonderful story with a lots of feeling and emotions that I could feel!
The romance between Liz and Cori has a special quality and I like that it develops slowly! But then it's so hot!
Definitely recommended!
Though I still have a few to read.
Liz is having a streak of bad luck!
She was fired and has to go back to her hometown to help the family!
She feels like the ultimate loser!
Then she finds out that she has to help out at her ex's wedding!
The only bright spot is Cori, who has changed so much since school and is so incredibly beautiful and sweet!
After an eternity, Cori sees the person she had a crush on for years at school again. Namely the most popular girl in school, Elisabeth Brennan. Both of them meet again and again and the chemistry always seems to be right! But that can't be right, can it?
Liz and Cori are just extremely adorable!
Her story is heartwarming and full of furtive glances and moments!
The aspect of the fake relationship really shook things up a bit, at the moment when you thought everything was going super smoothly for these two lovebirds.
But no, no, no!
There is not only one a big thing coming, but a lot more!
I don't want to reveal any more!
As always, Georgia Beers created a wonderful story with a lots of feeling and emotions that I could feel!
The romance between Liz and Cori has a special quality and I like that it develops slowly! But then it's so hot!
Definitely recommended!
May 22, 2024
4.5 stars
A great book date. Liked it a lot! A Hallmark-style romance for sapphics - and I mean that in the best way. Yay, Georgia!
A great book date. Liked it a lot! A Hallmark-style romance for sapphics - and I mean that in the best way. Yay, Georgia!
November 29, 2023
A cute wintery romance in the Adirondacks. I liked the small town setting and the characters. Cori is lovely and I wish I could visit her store. Liz was fine too but I was hoping for more. I had a hard time believing the mess she made. The chemistry was there but was slow and didn’t payoff the way I’d hoped. I also had trouble following some of the timing. It was cute, I flew through it, but not my favorite.
Short summary: Liz isn’t home for long. She’ll be there the most she needs to be to help her family and find a job and then she’s definitely leaving the small town she fled after high school. But then she meets Cori, and the town doesn’t seem quite so bad anymore.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Short summary: Liz isn’t home for long. She’ll be there the most she needs to be to help her family and find a job and then she’s definitely leaving the small town she fled after high school. But then she meets Cori, and the town doesn’t seem quite so bad anymore.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fun christmassy book
who knew the havoc a spider could bring to your life... just ask liz brennan who crashed her car and jumped out of it frightened for her life
just ask cori stratton who removed said spider from liz car
and that was just the beginning of liz and cori but it was when liz pretended to her ex that cori was her girlfriend that things got really interesting and the hits never stopped
add in snow and christmas and this book is very much a hallmark feel good factor book, its a lovely read with just the right amount of upset and intrigue to keep you guessing on whats going to happen
my fourth book by this author and i cant wait to read more
who knew the havoc a spider could bring to your life... just ask liz brennan who crashed her car and jumped out of it frightened for her life
just ask cori stratton who removed said spider from liz car
and that was just the beginning of liz and cori but it was when liz pretended to her ex that cori was her girlfriend that things got really interesting and the hits never stopped
add in snow and christmas and this book is very much a hallmark feel good factor book, its a lovely read with just the right amount of upset and intrigue to keep you guessing on whats going to happen
my fourth book by this author and i cant wait to read more
June 3, 2024
Eee! I really enjoyed this, even if I listened to it off-season (it's kinda/sorta got some Chrismassy moments to it, but not centrally). This is exactly what it says on the tin, but it also doesn't linger in the fake relationship state for as long as most I've read, which was a refreshing change. It has family drama x2, which is often not my bag, but while one of those family dramas was so very frustrating to me—Liz's sister, who at least does come forward eventually to say her reaction is 'her own baggage'—left me so frustrated on Liz's behalf. I'll never handle "but X is my family, I need to make it right!" when X has treated someone like garbage. That's 100% my baggage, though, so... your mileage will vary.
Corey's family drama, however, was great, and I truly applauded and appreciated a point at which Corey thinks to herself how she might never truly be over what has happened, but that at a certain point, she has to move past it. It's so much nicer than the usual "forgiveness is everything and a gift you give to yourself" narrative I loathe, and way more grounded in a reality of "I can move forward, it's not going to weigh me down, but no, I don't need to say 'I understand/I forgive/it's okay.'"
More of that in spades, please.
The leads were a great couple, I adored and saw them together. T'was good all across the board. Also I want a whole story for Tanner, one of the side-characters.
Also, a note to myself that I maybe need to listen to a few books not by Lula Larkin for a while, as her performance is starting to lose impact.
Corey's family drama, however, was great, and I truly applauded and appreciated a point at which Corey thinks to herself how she might never truly be over what has happened, but that at a certain point, she has to move past it. It's so much nicer than the usual "forgiveness is everything and a gift you give to yourself" narrative I loathe, and way more grounded in a reality of "I can move forward, it's not going to weigh me down, but no, I don't need to say 'I understand/I forgive/it's okay.'"
More of that in spades, please.
The leads were a great couple, I adored and saw them together. T'was good all across the board. Also I want a whole story for Tanner, one of the side-characters.
Also, a note to myself that I maybe need to listen to a few books not by Lula Larkin for a while, as her performance is starting to lose impact.
March 17, 2024
full review when it isn't 1am but this waaaas... okay....
it all felt clunky and shallow 🫠🫠
review;
soooo. this started really strong for me & then about 35% of the way in, it lost all its mojo and i had to push myself to finish it. a romance should not take me nearly a month to finish.
i'm aware it's gotten 3 whole stars from me, atm i'm feeling generous and it was kinda cute? but it could change :|
the setup and the setting were adorableeee. the wintery vibes were great and it felt super cosy, i almost wish i'd read it over the chirstmas period
my biggest issue though was how clunky it felt. the pacing of the story wasn't necessarily too fast or too slow, but i didn't really have any emotional sway towards either cori or liz and while they didn't feel like carbon copies of each other, i just couldn't get myself to care all that much about either of them. and i'm a character person, u could have no plot just vibes and so long as i'm caring about the character, i'll eat it up. couldn't tell u anything about liz or cori except one was pretty in highschool and the other makes candles. descriptions of the surroundings and the other characters were also clunky and shallow. show me the attraction, show me the obsession with creativity, don't tell me !!
it wasn't badly written by any means, and for most people i think this would be a cute, cosy romance with fairly low stakes (except they're probs only low bc i had no pull in the situation at all and so simply didn't really care what happened) and solid communication and honesty, it just didn't do much for me.
thanks to netgalley + publishers for the arc, all opinions are my own
it all felt clunky and shallow 🫠🫠
review;
soooo. this started really strong for me & then about 35% of the way in, it lost all its mojo and i had to push myself to finish it. a romance should not take me nearly a month to finish.
i'm aware it's gotten 3 whole stars from me, atm i'm feeling generous and it was kinda cute? but it could change :|
the setup and the setting were adorableeee. the wintery vibes were great and it felt super cosy, i almost wish i'd read it over the chirstmas period
my biggest issue though was how clunky it felt. the pacing of the story wasn't necessarily too fast or too slow, but i didn't really have any emotional sway towards either cori or liz and while they didn't feel like carbon copies of each other, i just couldn't get myself to care all that much about either of them. and i'm a character person, u could have no plot just vibes and so long as i'm caring about the character, i'll eat it up. couldn't tell u anything about liz or cori except one was pretty in highschool and the other makes candles. descriptions of the surroundings and the other characters were also clunky and shallow. show me the attraction, show me the obsession with creativity, don't tell me !!
it wasn't badly written by any means, and for most people i think this would be a cute, cosy romance with fairly low stakes (except they're probs only low bc i had no pull in the situation at all and so simply didn't really care what happened) and solid communication and honesty, it just didn't do much for me.
thanks to netgalley + publishers for the arc, all opinions are my own
December 15, 2023
The most hallmarkish, cozy and cute sapphic story I have ever read
.
Yes, this type of story is a necessity where the heroine returns to her home town after losing her job and meets an attractive woman who rescues her from an embarrassing situation.
.
Only to find out that they went to school together and that he is the only person who doesn't make her feel lost in the world.
.
For the other protagonist of the story it is reuniting with her high school crush, the most popular girl in the class, the one who graduated with honors and left never to return, always unattainable.
.
But when she meets someone from the past and panics, she is there to help her, being a good friend and posing like her fake girlfriend.
.
Cute, soft and full of scenes of romance is a beautiful story for those who need something cozy and full of hope
.
Thanks to Georgia Beers and bold stroke books for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
.
Yes, this type of story is a necessity where the heroine returns to her home town after losing her job and meets an attractive woman who rescues her from an embarrassing situation.
.
Only to find out that they went to school together and that he is the only person who doesn't make her feel lost in the world.
.
For the other protagonist of the story it is reuniting with her high school crush, the most popular girl in the class, the one who graduated with honors and left never to return, always unattainable.
.
But when she meets someone from the past and panics, she is there to help her, being a good friend and posing like her fake girlfriend.
.
Cute, soft and full of scenes of romance is a beautiful story for those who need something cozy and full of hope
.
Thanks to Georgia Beers and bold stroke books for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
December 6, 2023
*Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Liz has to move back home after she gets laid off and her mom has a surgery that puts her on rest for a few weeks, leaving her sister to need help in their B&B. Cori is a local business owner who creates her own merchandise and strives to give local artists a place to show off their craft. Reconnecting after high school, Liz begs Cori to be her fake girlfriend for a week so she doesn’t look like a failure in front of her ex boyfriend. Cori agrees and the two ladies start spending a lot of time together. Their feels might not just be for show.
Right off the bat, Liz is me and I am Liz. Spiders=death. I, too, would crash my car before I let a spider touch me. Liz is currently feeling like a failure because she doesn't know where her life is headed. This is relatable to so many people and definitely struck a chord with me.
Then we have Cori. She is a crafty, introverted businesswoman who loves her pets like they're her children and would do anything for some quiet. Cori is also a super relatable character for me.
It started out kind of slow, but once we got to the fake dating stuff I was all in. I was definitely expecting more spice or for them to hook up sooner, but this was a bit of a slow burn.
This was a super cliche Hallmark-like book, but I eat those right up. And it's not often that you can get your favorite cliche tropes with LGBTQ+ characters so this was a fun and refreshing read for me.
So many times these fake dating tropes are all about making someone jealous or so you don't show up at the holidays alone, and while I do understand those, I related more to Liz and her incessant need to prove that she is not a failure, even though she's the only one that thinks she is.
At one point, Cori's whole world seems to come crashing down on her and I wish in that time we could have gotten more of her thoughts and feelings. It felt like the narrative was more focused on Liz, but I really wanted more of those deep feelings with Cori when everything first goes down. It's definitely something that you won't see coming, but it makes so much sense.
This book takes place around thanksgiving and Christmas time so it would be perfect to read this time of year. Overall, this book was beautifully put together and Beers did a great job of putting emotion on the page. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next queer romance from this author.
Liz has to move back home after she gets laid off and her mom has a surgery that puts her on rest for a few weeks, leaving her sister to need help in their B&B. Cori is a local business owner who creates her own merchandise and strives to give local artists a place to show off their craft. Reconnecting after high school, Liz begs Cori to be her fake girlfriend for a week so she doesn’t look like a failure in front of her ex boyfriend. Cori agrees and the two ladies start spending a lot of time together. Their feels might not just be for show.
Right off the bat, Liz is me and I am Liz. Spiders=death. I, too, would crash my car before I let a spider touch me. Liz is currently feeling like a failure because she doesn't know where her life is headed. This is relatable to so many people and definitely struck a chord with me.
Then we have Cori. She is a crafty, introverted businesswoman who loves her pets like they're her children and would do anything for some quiet. Cori is also a super relatable character for me.
It started out kind of slow, but once we got to the fake dating stuff I was all in. I was definitely expecting more spice or for them to hook up sooner, but this was a bit of a slow burn.
This was a super cliche Hallmark-like book, but I eat those right up. And it's not often that you can get your favorite cliche tropes with LGBTQ+ characters so this was a fun and refreshing read for me.
So many times these fake dating tropes are all about making someone jealous or so you don't show up at the holidays alone, and while I do understand those, I related more to Liz and her incessant need to prove that she is not a failure, even though she's the only one that thinks she is.
At one point, Cori's whole world seems to come crashing down on her and I wish in that time we could have gotten more of her thoughts and feelings. It felt like the narrative was more focused on Liz, but I really wanted more of those deep feelings with Cori when everything first goes down. It's definitely something that you won't see coming, but it makes so much sense.
This book takes place around thanksgiving and Christmas time so it would be perfect to read this time of year. Overall, this book was beautifully put together and Beers did a great job of putting emotion on the page. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next queer romance from this author.
December 10, 2023
The perfect cozy read for a cold winter day. The main characters Liz and Cori are both looking for fresh starts. Liz returns to her small town after being let go from her job. Liz helps at her family’s business when suddenly Cori someone she hardly remembers from high school start a fake romance. Cori is running a local shop that she has high hopes to make it even better. While the fake relationship trope is common. I loved the wholesomeness of all the relationships that develop in this story. A wonderful winter hallmark movie enveloped in a book. Get your comfy cloths on and some candles going because when you pick up this read you will not want to stop.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
December 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book and it had multiple twist that killed me.
Even though this is a very used trope I feel it was done differently.
Even though they both have crushes on each other they dont follow the typical fake dating path, IE hooking up while fake dating, are actually dating and just being idiots, blowing everything up in the end (no it happens faster than that).
One of my favorite things in this book is that some of the mini plots arent overused cliches. With some of these (which i all love) it has a lot of the same themes parental issues, lying to your friends, blah blah blah, but the dynamic between Liz’s parents and Coris family life is different. It was a nice change. I really liked how it all played out.
I wish the tension would’ve been built up more though. A little more detail about their relationship.
Even though this is a very used trope I feel it was done differently.
Even though they both have crushes on each other they dont follow the typical fake dating path, IE hooking up while fake dating, are actually dating and just being idiots, blowing everything up in the end (no it happens faster than that).
One of my favorite things in this book is that some of the mini plots arent overused cliches. With some of these (which i all love) it has a lot of the same themes parental issues, lying to your friends, blah blah blah, but the dynamic between Liz’s parents and Coris family life is different. It was a nice change. I really liked how it all played out.
I wish the tension would’ve been built up more though. A little more detail about their relationship.
December 18, 2023
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the setting of this book! I'm usually not the biggest fan of small town settings, i find them too cookie cutter, but this mixed with the writing style worked for me. I expected the fake dating to start way sooner than it did but the book still had a plot that you could get invested in before it got to that point. I liked their initial chemistry but it definitely wasn't enough to keep me invested in their relationship towards the end because i felt like their chemistry didn't grow past that initial level. It was still as comforting as a hallmark christmas movie you'd put on in the background to keep you company, which is to say it was a pretty cute, comfortable read.
I loved the setting of this book! I'm usually not the biggest fan of small town settings, i find them too cookie cutter, but this mixed with the writing style worked for me. I expected the fake dating to start way sooner than it did but the book still had a plot that you could get invested in before it got to that point. I liked their initial chemistry but it definitely wasn't enough to keep me invested in their relationship towards the end because i felt like their chemistry didn't grow past that initial level. It was still as comforting as a hallmark christmas movie you'd put on in the background to keep you company, which is to say it was a pretty cute, comfortable read.
December 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this Arc!
This was really cute and especially appropriate for the Christmas season!!!!!!
This was really cute and especially appropriate for the Christmas season!!!!!!
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