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Holidays in LA
Venice Actually
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer... but what are the rules for resisting your hot fake fiancé?
Getting evicted right before the holidays wasn't on Leighton's Christmas list. Rather than inconvenience any of her blissfully happy friends or run home to her family in *gasp* Ohio, she turns to her last Los Angeles' newest soccer coach and her boss' best friend, Killian. From his sunny disposition to his infuriatingly good looks, Killian's got a knack for pressing all of her buttons. Well, almost all of them. So, why can't she stop thinking about unwrapping his package?
Killian only has one Christmas to finally make Leighton Wheatley his. He's been harboring feelings for the buxom babe for almost a year, but between his anxiety, her prickly attitude, and I-10 rush hour traffic, something always seems to get in the way. But now they're staying under the same roof - during the most romantic time of year - and he's finally got the opportunity he's been hoping for. That is until her family pays them a surprise visit for the holidays. Suddenly, he's being upgraded from roommate to fake fiancé... and much to Leighton's surprise, there's nothing fake about his feelings.
As it turns out, Christmas isn't the only one coming fast this year.
Venice Actually is a low-angst, high-heat holiday romance novella. This book features a British, golden retriever hero with Ted Lasso energy and Roy Kent f*ckability, a mid-size, pansexual sass queen with a thing for knitting, baking as a love language, sexy times on the soccer field, sexy times in the shower, and (naturally) sexy times while watching Murder She Wrote.
Content Warnings:
For adult readers only due to explicit (consensual) sexual content, recreational drug use, anxiety rep, PCOS rep, menstruation, generational trauma, and discussions about the death of a parent.
Getting evicted right before the holidays wasn't on Leighton's Christmas list. Rather than inconvenience any of her blissfully happy friends or run home to her family in *gasp* Ohio, she turns to her last Los Angeles' newest soccer coach and her boss' best friend, Killian. From his sunny disposition to his infuriatingly good looks, Killian's got a knack for pressing all of her buttons. Well, almost all of them. So, why can't she stop thinking about unwrapping his package?
Killian only has one Christmas to finally make Leighton Wheatley his. He's been harboring feelings for the buxom babe for almost a year, but between his anxiety, her prickly attitude, and I-10 rush hour traffic, something always seems to get in the way. But now they're staying under the same roof - during the most romantic time of year - and he's finally got the opportunity he's been hoping for. That is until her family pays them a surprise visit for the holidays. Suddenly, he's being upgraded from roommate to fake fiancé... and much to Leighton's surprise, there's nothing fake about his feelings.
As it turns out, Christmas isn't the only one coming fast this year.
Venice Actually is a low-angst, high-heat holiday romance novella. This book features a British, golden retriever hero with Ted Lasso energy and Roy Kent f*ckability, a mid-size, pansexual sass queen with a thing for knitting, baking as a love language, sexy times on the soccer field, sexy times in the shower, and (naturally) sexy times while watching Murder She Wrote.
Content Warnings:
For adult readers only due to explicit (consensual) sexual content, recreational drug use, anxiety rep, PCOS rep, menstruation, generational trauma, and discussions about the death of a parent.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
66 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 15, 2023
I truly wasn’t capable of putting my ARC down. From the occasional roast of Ohio to the growth of Leighton’s confidence, I could not be more in love with this book or its characters. Add in a Thor look alike with a dirty mouth? I’m a goner.
Potential spoiler!
If Killian ever decides to come off page, I’d like first dibs for the sole purpose of reading the whole list.
Potential spoiler!
If Killian ever decides to come off page, I’d like first dibs for the sole purpose of reading the whole list.
December 4, 2023
Fake fiancée for Christmas oh my
I loved this forced proximity, fake dating for the holidays, dual POV romance novella featuring a fat, pansexual FMC with PCOS and a British former pro footballer with anxiety rep. I’m always a sucker for a dirty talking hot athlete and a he falls first situation. A slow burn that was full of festive fun and family drama. I gobbled this one up and enjoyed it soo much!! I can’t wait to read more from this author ASAP!!
🔥Steam level: open door, lots of graphic content
I loved this forced proximity, fake dating for the holidays, dual POV romance novella featuring a fat, pansexual FMC with PCOS and a British former pro footballer with anxiety rep. I’m always a sucker for a dirty talking hot athlete and a he falls first situation. A slow burn that was full of festive fun and family drama. I gobbled this one up and enjoyed it soo much!! I can’t wait to read more from this author ASAP!!
🔥Steam level: open door, lots of graphic content
October 14, 2023
I LOVE a holiday novella. And I especially love a holiday novella written by Kelly Reynolds in October!! Just like Meet Me in Los Feliz this was short, sweet, and sexy! I loved every single second of Leighton and Killian’s story! I loved seeing Bowie and Nora again!
I am obsessed with a man who HAS IT SO BAD. Killian has been in love with Leighton since the moment they met and I LOVE THAT. Especially since he was just biding his time, letting thing play out naturally. And of course when she needed a place to stay he was there to help!!! I also love that she had literally no clue that he had any feelings for her. She thought he was ATTRACTIVE. But that was it? He was Bowie’s other best friend. But then all of a sudden he’s her new roommate and the fake fiancé?! And the fake engagement, forced proximity, and you add in the fast pace of a novella and this was PERFECT. I loved them so much.
I also loved all the heavy things they were able to talk about with each other and how it was written with so much care. Both of their childhoods, Killian losing his mother, Leighton feelings like such a failure. And I loved that he was able to really help her reconcile, or at least to start, with her family. It was so sweet to see. And I love all of the other really good representation Kelly is able to write about because it’s all just LIFE - Killian’s anxiety, his grief, Leighton’s sexuality, her PCOS. All of it was written with so much love and care as well and I love it so much.
Thank you so much to Kelly Reynolds for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I am obsessed with a man who HAS IT SO BAD. Killian has been in love with Leighton since the moment they met and I LOVE THAT. Especially since he was just biding his time, letting thing play out naturally. And of course when she needed a place to stay he was there to help!!! I also love that she had literally no clue that he had any feelings for her. She thought he was ATTRACTIVE. But that was it? He was Bowie’s other best friend. But then all of a sudden he’s her new roommate and the fake fiancé?! And the fake engagement, forced proximity, and you add in the fast pace of a novella and this was PERFECT. I loved them so much.
I also loved all the heavy things they were able to talk about with each other and how it was written with so much care. Both of their childhoods, Killian losing his mother, Leighton feelings like such a failure. And I loved that he was able to really help her reconcile, or at least to start, with her family. It was so sweet to see. And I love all of the other really good representation Kelly is able to write about because it’s all just LIFE - Killian’s anxiety, his grief, Leighton’s sexuality, her PCOS. All of it was written with so much love and care as well and I love it so much.
Thank you so much to Kelly Reynolds for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 18, 2023
Venice Actually by Kelly Reynolds is the second book in her Holidays in LA novella series and I will read anything she writes. Last year I read and reviewed Meet Me In Los Feliz and absolutely adored it and Venice Actually was no different.
Leighton and Killian are mutual acquaintances with friends in common who end up fake engaged over the holidays after Leighton is evicted from her apartment and moves in with Killian after he offers up his spare bedroom. Never mind he's been in love with the pansexual mid-sized woman of his dreams since he first met her and now needs to spend the holidays with her and family.
Kelly is fantastic at including a casual diversity and pop culture references into all her books - she's a millenial who knows millenials! - and her characters are engaging and leap off the page. Leighton struggles to connect with her family because she has different expectations of her life compare to her parents while Killian is a former pro-footballer-turned-coach who's a total golden retriever/cinnamon roll dealing with anxiety. Together they compliment one another and have great chemistry and banter. Plus, through in a host of wonderful side characters (including plenty of appearances by the couple from the first book) and this is just a delightful holiday novella that will entertain you.
Rep: Pansexual, mid-size heroine, anxiety, PCOS
Tropes/Keywords: Holiday romance (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year), forced proximity, opposites attract, fake engagement, only one bed, cinnamon roll, golden retriever, he falls first, football/soccer, British hero, dirty talk
CW/TW: Fatphobia, anxiety attacks, alcohol/drug use, car accident resulting in injury (historical, off page), death of parents (historical, off page)
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Leighton and Killian are mutual acquaintances with friends in common who end up fake engaged over the holidays after Leighton is evicted from her apartment and moves in with Killian after he offers up his spare bedroom. Never mind he's been in love with the pansexual mid-sized woman of his dreams since he first met her and now needs to spend the holidays with her and family.
Kelly is fantastic at including a casual diversity and pop culture references into all her books - she's a millenial who knows millenials! - and her characters are engaging and leap off the page. Leighton struggles to connect with her family because she has different expectations of her life compare to her parents while Killian is a former pro-footballer-turned-coach who's a total golden retriever/cinnamon roll dealing with anxiety. Together they compliment one another and have great chemistry and banter. Plus, through in a host of wonderful side characters (including plenty of appearances by the couple from the first book) and this is just a delightful holiday novella that will entertain you.
Rep: Pansexual, mid-size heroine, anxiety, PCOS
Tropes/Keywords: Holiday romance (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year), forced proximity, opposites attract, fake engagement, only one bed, cinnamon roll, golden retriever, he falls first, football/soccer, British hero, dirty talk
CW/TW: Fatphobia, anxiety attacks, alcohol/drug use, car accident resulting in injury (historical, off page), death of parents (historical, off page)
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 31, 2024
Cute Fake Dating Roommates to Lovers Novella
4.5 Stars
Sometimes I want an unserious, cute, romantic comedy with a bit of steam. This book delivered on that front.
This book had the following of my favorite tropes:
🌶 Friends to Lovers ( Friends who decide to Bible together in Venice CA)
🌶 Fake Dating ( Roommates who pretend to be dating for the holidays)
Killian, who is a soccer player from the UK and Leighton, and American live near LA and decided to cut costs and move in with each other. Leighton can't quite hide her attraction to her new roomie. When a little white lie snowballs in a big lie, Leighton takes Killian home to meet her parents as her boyfriend. Sparks fly and they both realize they don't want to pretend to be together, they want to be together for real.
Cute, short book, I'd recommend reading 📚.
4.5 Stars
Sometimes I want an unserious, cute, romantic comedy with a bit of steam. This book delivered on that front.
This book had the following of my favorite tropes:
🌶 Friends to Lovers ( Friends who decide to Bible together in Venice CA)
🌶 Fake Dating ( Roommates who pretend to be dating for the holidays)
Killian, who is a soccer player from the UK and Leighton, and American live near LA and decided to cut costs and move in with each other. Leighton can't quite hide her attraction to her new roomie. When a little white lie snowballs in a big lie, Leighton takes Killian home to meet her parents as her boyfriend. Sparks fly and they both realize they don't want to pretend to be together, they want to be together for real.
Cute, short book, I'd recommend reading 📚.
November 13, 2023
This was cute and Killian was adorable. BUT I felt it tried to cram too much into a novella. He’s loved her for a year- we never see that- she gets her creativity back and starts sewing again- we don’t see that - they FALL IN LOVE - we don’t see that!
Surprisingly a lot of the spicy scenes are FTB? But Im glad I didnt have to read about sex in a onesie again like in the previous book (I still have nightmares about that)
Surprisingly a lot of the spicy scenes are FTB? But Im glad I didnt have to read about sex in a onesie again like in the previous book (I still have nightmares about that)
November 8, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up! This was such a great follow up to Meet Me in Los Feliz. I wanted a quick serotonin boost and this sweet and spicy holiday novella delivered.
April 1, 2025
3.5! fun!! great palette cleanser and a quick smutty romp!! reading a holiday novella in march seems silly but i am liking this author, she writes fun characters and the banter makes me laugh
November 29, 2023
oh i’m obsessed with them they got me so bad
October 17, 2023
I received a copy of this book for an honest review, thank you to Kelly Reynolds for the opportunity to review it.
Venice Actually is a super sweet follow up to Meet Me In Los Feliz. This novella follows the fake engagement between Killian and Leighton. Leighton moves in with former soccer star Killian after being kicked out of her old apartment. What she doesn’t realize is Killian is madly in love with her. And when Leighton’s sister calls Killian her fiancé, an alliance is formed to get through Christmas.
This novella is spicy, and sweet. It’s quick, wham-bam-thank you mam, and perfect for a quick read before Christmas!
Venice Actually is a super sweet follow up to Meet Me In Los Feliz. This novella follows the fake engagement between Killian and Leighton. Leighton moves in with former soccer star Killian after being kicked out of her old apartment. What she doesn’t realize is Killian is madly in love with her. And when Leighton’s sister calls Killian her fiancé, an alliance is formed to get through Christmas.
This novella is spicy, and sweet. It’s quick, wham-bam-thank you mam, and perfect for a quick read before Christmas!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2023
I was so excited when I found out Leighton and Killian were getting a story - and it was perfect! Killian is the absolute perfect book boyfriend, I love everything about him. Not only does Killian have it SO bad for Leighton- which we love to see, he isn’t afraid to have real conversations and talk feelings. Leighton knows what she wants and she’s brave to go for it, and I love that about her, even with minor hiccups. I will always forever love a book with PCOS rep. because it’s nice to be seen. Throw in fake dating, and the best spice and banter? Just like MMILF, I could not put this down, Kelly writes perfect holiday novellas every single time. A must read!
October 24, 2023
If Kelly Reynolds writes it, I’m gonna read it. This was the perfect novella to get me out of my slump. This had me smiling and giggling and swooning through the entire thing. Just like her last book, I will be reading this over and over and over!
December 2, 2023
The only issue I have with these is that they are too short!! Killian and Leighton have my whole heart. This is such a win for the plus size girlies. Also the representation in this book for PCOS was unexpected but welcomed.
March 23, 2024
I’m always a sucker for the boy obsessed trope along with the girl completely oblivious trope. Throw in a bajillion others and it was a cute and short story. Only one bed, enemies-ish to lovers , fake relationship, family shenanigans. Overall enjoyable and very spicy 🌶️🤙🏽
October 5, 2024
It’s always time for a Christmas novella- couldn’t sleep so I finished this. Fake dating, Mr. Darcy & PCOS? Yes, please!
October 9, 2024
4.25⭐
January 5, 2025
I'm not a fan of the cover, but I am a fan of the book. Someone find me a Killian, kay thanks.
October 21, 2023
hot damn.
HOT DAMN.
HOT DAMN.
January 11, 2026
This is such a cute fake dating, Christmas novella. The characters are so likable and the banter was great.
October 17, 2023
Loved this spicy holiday romp! A terrific follow-up to Meet Me in Los Feliz! Color me happy when I finish a story wishing the characters were in my circle of friends, find myself laughing out loud and rooting for love from the cheap seats, and anxious to read the next story in the series!
If you're a sucker for some forced proximity, relatable characters (my husband and I might slightly resemble the parents 🤪), enough steam to fog your glasses, and a happily ever after, grab a copy of Venice Actually!
If you're a sucker for some forced proximity, relatable characters (my husband and I might slightly resemble the parents 🤪), enough steam to fog your glasses, and a happily ever after, grab a copy of Venice Actually!
November 2, 2023
My first festive read of the season! Just like her first Novella, my main complaint is that I wanted more!! Also, who doesn't love a man who loves watching Murder, She Wrote?!
January 1, 2024
I adore everything about this author and knew that I would be reading Venice Actually this holiday season. I really liked the first in this series, but I loved this one even more. First of all fake dating is my favorite trope, but I'm also a sucker for the guy falling first and oh so hard. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a quick steamy holiday read.
October 27, 2023
After reading the authors first book in this world, I expected a bit more. I felt we didn’t quite get to know the characters well enough to believe in their HEA.
However, the disability rep was great in this book and at my heart I am a sucker for a fake dating trope.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
However, the disability rep was great in this book and at my heart I am a sucker for a fake dating trope.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
November 26, 2023
Trigger warnings: anxiety attacks, death of a parent (in the past), grief, mentions of fatphobia, drug use, alcohol use, menstruation, chronic illness.
I loved the first book in this series so I was very excited to read this one. I didn't enjoy it QUITE as much, but I did adore the characters a lot. I think my enjoyment was less partly because it felt like the ending was rushed and it also felt a little bit like there was so much focus on the sex scenes that the actual plot of the story fell by the wayside.
So don't get me wrong, I did really love the protagonists and their relationship. I just feel like this needed 50 or so extra pages to develop things just that liiiiiiittle bit more.
I loved the first book in this series so I was very excited to read this one. I didn't enjoy it QUITE as much, but I did adore the characters a lot. I think my enjoyment was less partly because it felt like the ending was rushed and it also felt a little bit like there was so much focus on the sex scenes that the actual plot of the story fell by the wayside.
So don't get me wrong, I did really love the protagonists and their relationship. I just feel like this needed 50 or so extra pages to develop things just that liiiiiiittle bit more.
November 6, 2024
This is what happens when people write tropes, not stories.
November 19, 2023
Mini Book Review: I do not have many experiences with reading novellas but if its like this, then I am all for it! I had been a fan of Kelly’s since I discovered her podcast and then her Instagram account and so when she posted that she was writing a book, I was ready for it! I knew she knew what her audience wants, and she brought it! Now I am reading out of order as I had the perfect opportunity the week it came out to read and so I took it! I will be circling back to the first closer to my book club
“And yet, somehow, I’d known that kissing her would change my life.”
I thought this was the perfect length for this story. Reynolds was able to have a start, middle and end with the pacing moving beautifully from chapter after chapter. I love that we got both point of views as I personally love having both love interests view throughout the course of the book. Also I am a big fan of when it is clear that the male interest falls first. We knew that Killian always had a crush on Leighton and to see how they interacted together and then eventually living together. Plus, hello let’s throw in one of the best tropes fake dating to really rile Killian up! I just love both of these characters and their banter!
This is a 2nd in a series as I mentioned above but the author noted and I can confirm you do not need to have knowledge from the first one to connect with these characters. The prior characters are in this one so I think having being introduced to them previously would have been fun but not necessarily needed.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick, steamy holiday novella!
Swoon Meter Rating: 10/10
Karaoke: Kind of ish
Content Warning from the author's author note:
“And yet, somehow, I’d known that kissing her would change my life.”
I thought this was the perfect length for this story. Reynolds was able to have a start, middle and end with the pacing moving beautifully from chapter after chapter. I love that we got both point of views as I personally love having both love interests view throughout the course of the book. Also I am a big fan of when it is clear that the male interest falls first. We knew that Killian always had a crush on Leighton and to see how they interacted together and then eventually living together. Plus, hello let’s throw in one of the best tropes fake dating to really rile Killian up! I just love both of these characters and their banter!
This is a 2nd in a series as I mentioned above but the author noted and I can confirm you do not need to have knowledge from the first one to connect with these characters. The prior characters are in this one so I think having being introduced to them previously would have been fun but not necessarily needed.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick, steamy holiday novella!
Swoon Meter Rating: 10/10
Karaoke: Kind of ish
Content Warning from the author's author note:
January 9, 2024
I really loved the first in this series (Meet Me in Los Feliz) last year and so was super looking forward to this one, but I ended up not liking it quite as much. Still a great read, really loved the characters - particularly the hero - out of the bedroom but the bedroom scenes just didn't work for me.
I am aware that this is a very personal thing. But Killian is one of those Cinnamon Bun on the Streets, Dommy Top in the Sheets heroes - which I know is someone's thing (and if it's yours you will for sure enjoy this) but I just am not into the Dom Top vibe. Also, one of my favourite things about Los Feliz was all the open conversation and consent which we not really things in this one (for example, Killian Does A Thing during sex, then tells us he wouldn't want to do anything she didn't want so he's making her say she wants the thing done again. The fact that the thing was a VERY MILD pain/BDSM thing, but was NOT talked about or consented to before anything happened made me super uncomfortable). We find out during sex play (relatively late in the book actually) that Leighton likes a little pain with her pleasure, but only in her internal narrative, and Killian has been mixing them in their actual sex almost from the beginning with no discussion.
I know this is very personal to me, but the stark contrast in communication and consent between the books - one of the things I found super sexy about the first one that made me love it - really tips this down a lot for me. I am so not into pain with sexy times, but I'm ok with it in fiction when there's lots of... you guessed it... communication and consent. But I feel pretty confident that if you aren't like me you'll probably love this. (Also, again, this is super mild, grown adults very first bdsm level and anyone into that stuff will certainly think I'm a baby for my feelings about it. Just so you don't go in expecting more than there is.)
But I still really wish I was seeing more of the romance and smut reviewing girlies reading these books. They definitely deserve a wider audience.
I am aware that this is a very personal thing. But Killian is one of those Cinnamon Bun on the Streets, Dommy Top in the Sheets heroes - which I know is someone's thing (and if it's yours you will for sure enjoy this) but I just am not into the Dom Top vibe. Also, one of my favourite things about Los Feliz was all the open conversation and consent which we not really things in this one (for example, Killian Does A Thing during sex, then tells us he wouldn't want to do anything she didn't want so he's making her say she wants the thing done again. The fact that the thing was a VERY MILD pain/BDSM thing, but was NOT talked about or consented to before anything happened made me super uncomfortable). We find out during sex play (relatively late in the book actually) that Leighton likes a little pain with her pleasure, but only in her internal narrative, and Killian has been mixing them in their actual sex almost from the beginning with no discussion.
I know this is very personal to me, but the stark contrast in communication and consent between the books - one of the things I found super sexy about the first one that made me love it - really tips this down a lot for me. I am so not into pain with sexy times, but I'm ok with it in fiction when there's lots of... you guessed it... communication and consent. But I feel pretty confident that if you aren't like me you'll probably love this. (Also, again, this is super mild, grown adults very first bdsm level and anyone into that stuff will certainly think I'm a baby for my feelings about it. Just so you don't go in expecting more than there is.)
But I still really wish I was seeing more of the romance and smut reviewing girlies reading these books. They definitely deserve a wider audience.
October 23, 2023
Perfect Holiday Season Steamy Treat
I spent the morning on my couch with a cup of tea, binging the frack out of Venice Actually, Kelly Reynolds’ second novella in her Holidays in LA series. I had every intention of reading the first few chapters over breakfast, getting some work done, and then finishing it at lunch. But I didn't want to put it down to do anything else. I was wholly and completely absorbed by Leighton and Killian's story. What a perfect way to kick off my holiday reading binge!!
Reynolds’ use of banter and humor is fantastic, building authentic and easy connections between the characters and the reader. Her ability to create real and relatable characters is wonderful. Leighton is honest and emotionally deep while still being hilarious and vulnerable, and Killian is swoonworthy and stunningly gorgeous while still being imperfect and complex. Even when some of the characters are completely over the top (*cough*Wanda*cough*)—because we all have those relatives, we all know they exist—seeing them in print, surrounded by all of their family shenanigans, is truly the most amazing way to feel relevant and connected with them.
Reynolds does not shy away from the steam either. Leighton and Killian are fire once they figure their way through their feelings. And she handles the time span perfectly, building depth and realism into a fake relationship novella that a lot of full length novels lack.
Venice Actually is a perfect holiday treat, blending together elements of acceptance and being seen and heard and recognized. Of understanding who you are and what you want and how they can work together into a wonderful relationship when the right people are allowed in. There is so much heart amidst the heat, it’s an easy story to get lost in and feel a lovely sense of being found.
I spent the morning on my couch with a cup of tea, binging the frack out of Venice Actually, Kelly Reynolds’ second novella in her Holidays in LA series. I had every intention of reading the first few chapters over breakfast, getting some work done, and then finishing it at lunch. But I didn't want to put it down to do anything else. I was wholly and completely absorbed by Leighton and Killian's story. What a perfect way to kick off my holiday reading binge!!
Reynolds’ use of banter and humor is fantastic, building authentic and easy connections between the characters and the reader. Her ability to create real and relatable characters is wonderful. Leighton is honest and emotionally deep while still being hilarious and vulnerable, and Killian is swoonworthy and stunningly gorgeous while still being imperfect and complex. Even when some of the characters are completely over the top (*cough*Wanda*cough*)—because we all have those relatives, we all know they exist—seeing them in print, surrounded by all of their family shenanigans, is truly the most amazing way to feel relevant and connected with them.
Reynolds does not shy away from the steam either. Leighton and Killian are fire once they figure their way through their feelings. And she handles the time span perfectly, building depth and realism into a fake relationship novella that a lot of full length novels lack.
Venice Actually is a perfect holiday treat, blending together elements of acceptance and being seen and heard and recognized. Of understanding who you are and what you want and how they can work together into a wonderful relationship when the right people are allowed in. There is so much heart amidst the heat, it’s an easy story to get lost in and feel a lovely sense of being found.
October 24, 2023
“You make it impossible to hate you.”
After getting evicted (on Thanksgiving no less) and being forced to move in with her last resort, Killian, Leighton Wheatley thinks things can’t get much worse.
Well, that was until her family pays her a surprise visit, and her new roomie gets upgraded to fake-fiancé. Now, she has to navigate a crazy family Christmas while trying to keep up the charade of a fake engagement with the too-sunshine-y Brit.
Piece of cake.
Except Killian is not what she expected. He’s challenging her views of him AND love at every turn, and making her feel things she doesn’t want to feel. Will these two opposites be able to survive the holiday season with both their hearts intact?
I really enjoyed this novella!😭🩵 It was such a fun holiday read! It was super cute and very well developed. I feel like we really got to know the characters over the course of the book, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with them!!😭🫶🏼
Leighton is such a bad ass. She’s so strong and independent and I LOVED seeing her character development! And Killian is the absolute SWEETEST!! He was so incredibly patient with Leighton and was so dedicated to her!! The way he pines for her and would do anything to make her happy just had me swooning.💙 I hope I find me a Killian someday.😭😭
“She didn’t hold a candle to Leighton, as far as I was concerned. Leighton was the candle, the flame, and the whole fucking matchbox.”
I absolutely recommend you to check out this book if you like:
🩵 Holiday romance
💙 Forced proximity
🩵 Fake engagement
💙 Only one bed
🩵 Opposites attract
💙 He falls first
🩵 Dual POV
💙 Anxiety, PCOS, mid-size, and pansexual representation
“I wanted to know all of Leighton Wheatley’s smiles.”
Thank you so much to Kelly Reynolds for sending me an ARC of Venice Actually!!🩵🫶🏼
After getting evicted (on Thanksgiving no less) and being forced to move in with her last resort, Killian, Leighton Wheatley thinks things can’t get much worse.
Well, that was until her family pays her a surprise visit, and her new roomie gets upgraded to fake-fiancé. Now, she has to navigate a crazy family Christmas while trying to keep up the charade of a fake engagement with the too-sunshine-y Brit.
Piece of cake.
Except Killian is not what she expected. He’s challenging her views of him AND love at every turn, and making her feel things she doesn’t want to feel. Will these two opposites be able to survive the holiday season with both their hearts intact?
I really enjoyed this novella!😭🩵 It was such a fun holiday read! It was super cute and very well developed. I feel like we really got to know the characters over the course of the book, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with them!!😭🫶🏼
Leighton is such a bad ass. She’s so strong and independent and I LOVED seeing her character development! And Killian is the absolute SWEETEST!! He was so incredibly patient with Leighton and was so dedicated to her!! The way he pines for her and would do anything to make her happy just had me swooning.💙 I hope I find me a Killian someday.😭😭
“She didn’t hold a candle to Leighton, as far as I was concerned. Leighton was the candle, the flame, and the whole fucking matchbox.”
I absolutely recommend you to check out this book if you like:
🩵 Holiday romance
💙 Forced proximity
🩵 Fake engagement
💙 Only one bed
🩵 Opposites attract
💙 He falls first
🩵 Dual POV
💙 Anxiety, PCOS, mid-size, and pansexual representation
“I wanted to know all of Leighton Wheatley’s smiles.”
Thank you so much to Kelly Reynolds for sending me an ARC of Venice Actually!!🩵🫶🏼
August 2, 2024
I don't think her books are for me, I just want a different vibe even if that's not what she is going for.
Reynolds has a way of pacing and plotting her romances in a way I don't jive with - from the timeskips to the transitions to the low stakes and love of quirky scenes, it has an appeal for the right people and she accomplishes what she sets out to do. It's just not what I envision? For example, the fake dating (fake engagement to be exact) was not at all necessary? I know why it's there but the fact they could not a) say that her sister made a joke or b) simply say they are roommates or c) lie about renovations makes it clear that there aren't really any stakes in the situation and the book does not take itself that seriously. It added a bit of spice to an otherwise normal Christmas novella.
I just want more queer, fat, disabled women in my life and the book did deliver on that aspect. Leighton and Killian bond over their disabilities (PCOS and anxiety), with sweet moments of care and understanding, we get to see Leighton as desirable and fat, and she is open about her sexuality with her family, funny ally moment included.
But I think I need to dial back the queer m/f romances I read because I am becoming frustrated at how little their queerness spills over into their relationships, especially when the other party is cishet. And it's not that I need "proof" that Leighton is pansexual, I was just hoping that experience had shaped her view on relationships and sex.
Reynolds has a way of pacing and plotting her romances in a way I don't jive with - from the timeskips to the transitions to the low stakes and love of quirky scenes, it has an appeal for the right people and she accomplishes what she sets out to do. It's just not what I envision? For example, the fake dating (fake engagement to be exact) was not at all necessary? I know why it's there but the fact they could not a) say that her sister made a joke or b) simply say they are roommates or c) lie about renovations makes it clear that there aren't really any stakes in the situation and the book does not take itself that seriously. It added a bit of spice to an otherwise normal Christmas novella.
I just want more queer, fat, disabled women in my life and the book did deliver on that aspect. Leighton and Killian bond over their disabilities (PCOS and anxiety), with sweet moments of care and understanding, we get to see Leighton as desirable and fat, and she is open about her sexuality with her family, funny ally moment included.
But I think I need to dial back the queer m/f romances I read because I am becoming frustrated at how little their queerness spills over into their relationships, especially when the other party is cishet. And it's not that I need "proof" that Leighton is pansexual, I was just hoping that experience had shaped her view on relationships and sex.
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