Fake It Till You Make It

by Siera London

Debbie Mason meets Lizzie Shane in this small-town romance where a burned-by-love veterinarian arranges a fake partnership with a down-on-her-luck city girl in order to save his family business.When Amarie Walker goes for something, she goes big—including starting over. Leaving her cheating ex and entire D.C. life in the rearview, she crash lands in a small town with no plan, no money, and no job. An opening at the animal clinic is the only gig for miles, no surprise considering the vet is a certified grump. If Eli Calvary ever cracked a smile, Amarie might faint on sight from shock. At least his adorable golden retriever appreciates her fabulousness…and shares her love of daily treats!When Eli took over his late father’s practice, he quickly discovered the clinic was facing foreclosure. So there’s no time for social niceties, especially not flirting, even with someone as gorgeous, bubbly, and business-savvy as Amarie. Yet when Eli needs to invent an investor on the fly, it’s her name that comes to his lips. Now, for the sake of their furry clients, Eli and Amarie hustle to save the clinic, trying to ignore the nonstop sparks between them. Because while their partnership may be fake, their connection already feels way too real.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2024

About the author

I write heroines you know, heroes you love, and romance you feel.

Siera London is the USA Today Bestselling & Award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and crime fiction.

Repped by Latoya Smith / ArtHouse Literary

Siera's books:
Amazon US https://amzn.to/3coUHpY

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/SieraLondonUK

BookBub https://bit.ly/3w1ywxF

Audible http://bit.ly/sieralondon

Walmart https://bit.ly/2Rt3sYI

Twitter https://bit.ly/2TCyEFB

Facebook https://bit.ly/3cGThYb

Reviews

[Regina Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got engaged with the characters it became a very enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Antoinette Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the title and cover reveal for this book it immediately got my attention. But it was the synopsis for the book that drew me in. I'm a sucker for a good rom-com! And this book certainly fits.

Veterinarian Eli Calvary of The Calvary Clinic and recently homeless and penniless Amarie were thrust together through an ad placed in a flyer unbeknownst to Eli. To say he was not thrilled was putting it mildly. But as fate would have it, it would take an ornery cat named Adele to get grumpy pants Eli to give Amarie a chance to prove her worth. And this was the start of some of the best romcom reading I have read in a lonnnng time!!

The shenanigans throughout this book kept me glued to my Kindle. From the sexual tension between Eli and Amarie, the drama with Amarie's mother, ex-fiance Russell, and Eli's ex-wife Cara, and the matchmaking with the help from Eli's mother Leah, to the gossip hotline in town led by Ms. Klein. Now It's been a minute since I watched a good Hallmark romcom. But this book right here has me ready to look for one right now! Yes, it's that funny, sexy, sweet, dramatic and steamy. And can I just say the hashtags #SexyKittyVet and #PerkyLateBloomer for TikTok were ingenious!!

So, If you're looking for a fast-paced funny, sexy, steamy read then you will love this book. It's a guaranteed HEA that will leave you laughing and smiling. I highly recommend it.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with Amarie Walker finding herself in Service, West Virginia after leaving a toxic relationship and a bigger city to start over on her own. In doing so she finds a job listing for a position at Calvary Clinic ran by Eli Calvary and basically forces herself into the job and his family in a sense. Eli has his own issues to face with his ex-wife and getting over the trauma she put him through financially. and trying to save his family clinic.

The storyline is what made me want to read the book but I felt it moved a little slow and took a long time to get to the part where Amarie becomes Eli's "investor" as written in the synopsis. Once that part was written in the story I felt it took off from there and started to move faster sometimes too fast as there were some scenes that could have used some more attention or time like Amarie's relationship with her mom.

Overall I enjoyed the book once it picked up but there was some unnecessary drama that could have been left out in my opinion and more focus on some of the other relationships brought up in the book as mentioned above. It was four stars for me and I would recommend if you are looking for a cute romance read and don't mind a slow take off.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Jazmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, but the writing didn’t always flow well for me.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amarie dumps her cheating fiance and decides to leave everything behind. She had to, since she lives with her ex, worked for her ex (she managed his (doctor) practice), and he controlled the money. She took a job at a small town, struggling vet practice. Eli is the hot, local vet. He also happens to have an ex-wife who is manipulative.
Amarie is able to put her social media skills to good use and vastly help Eli's practice gain a solid footing. Good chemistry and characters. I disliked Amarie's parents. Slow start, but picked up.

Smart Bitches Bingo- small town

[Martha Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good story. I was hooked from the beginning of the story until the last word on the last page. The characters were wonderful and easy to fall in love with. I absolutely love the small town vibe of the story and I honestly want to read more stories with it as the setting. An awesome job!!!

[Dannelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siera hit it out the park with this fun and heart warming story of love. Amarie and Eli are a fun slow burn couple. I found myself smiling and grinning through most of their story. The entire Calvary family is enjoyable and I love the town of Service.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fake It Till You Make It" by Sierra London was a super cute read. Amarie moves to a new state to escape her cheating ex. She doesn't know what she will do for a job or money, but being away from her ex is worth it. Eli is a vet and hires Amarie. He isn't the happiest person to work with, but money keeps Amarie there. I loved how Eli's mother signed her sons up for a bachelor's auction to raise money. The name of the goats cracked me up. Every time I heard their name, I was chuckling. The ending scene was super cute, too. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and I am enjoying books by this author.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy small-town, grumpy-sunshine romance with plenty of humor, family dynamics, emotional depth, steamy chemistry, and a strong sense of community...not to mention adorable animals? If yes, I recommend adding Siera London's Fake It till you Make It to your spring/summer reading list.

I loved the differences between Amarie and Eli. He's all follow the rules, we don't need a computer, I work better alone, and if it was good enough for my dad it's good enough for me. She's social media, TikTok live streams, what's the good of computers if we don't use them to make life easier and more organized, and here, let me help you with that. It kept things lively, for sure. The banter between these two had me laughing out loud many times, especially when Eli's matchmaking mom also got involved.

While the humor in the book is plentiful, I was happy that the author also took the time to explore the hidden layers within these two. Emotionally impacted by earlier relationships and experiences, both romantic and familial, they had lessons to learn, confidence to restore, trust to build, and healing to occur before they'd be ready to move forward, whether individually or together. I loved how they brought out the best in one another, how they encouraged and helped each other though, admittedly, Eli was slower to accept that help. He had some pretty strong walls that needed to be knocked down. My heart ached for how some people in Amarie's life had let her down. It made her evolution all the more cheer worthy.

The first few chapters were a bit slow and the ending (pre-epilogue) felt a bit rushed but, overall, this was a fun read with characters I happily cheered for, villains I actively jeered, and a family - and townspeople - I hope to see more of in future books. There are, after all, two more Calvary brothers in need of a happily ever after.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

[Alisheba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that it took me a few chapters to really get into this book. I don’t know if it was the characters themselves, or maybe the vernacular, but I had to slow down from my usual reading pace to really get what was going on sometimes. I am SO glad I kept going!

The relationship between Eli and Amarie was so well-developed! Eli truly appreciated Amarie’s particular brand of peculiarity. They grew slowly, over time, to love one another, even before the words were said, and before they hopped into bed together! They both had been almost destroyed by past relationships, so it would make sense that they’d be hesitant to commit themselves to someone else, but they both decided the risk would be worth it.

I just love Amarie’s ability to express how she was feeling, including the times it was just an internal monologue. She had such a beautiful and REAL way of communicating. In fact, probably my favorite thing about this whole book is the way so many of the characters really spoke what they were feeling. Most notably Eli, Amarie, and Eli’s mom. They were all so good at building one another up with words AND actions!

I generally write reviews *as* I’m reading, so although I’ve already said what my favorite part of this book is, I may need to amend that statement! I LOVED the response of all the main characters when the “drama” showed up on their doorstep! It was SO satisfying to see both Amarie and Eli say exactly what you would have wanted them to say in that situation! (Trying to keep this spoiler-free!) However, the next day, things didn’t end up the way I wanted them to! Regardless, we *had* to have a happily ever after, and it was really great to see how the small town came together to keep Amarie a part of their community, helping Eli bring her home!

[Onceuponabooktalk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fake It Till You Make It - ARC Review
⭐⭐/5
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Some vague spoilers below.
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WHAT I LIKED:
-Fresh Start in a new town
-FMC pushing the MC to try new things
-Family and Town banding together to save a local business
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
-Overly descriptive writing: Sometimes there were multiple, long descriptions of the exact same, mundane thing, such as the color of a room. The constant over-the-top descriptions felt more distracting than helpful. Some didn’t make sense at all and were then just confusing. Example, “skin the color of autumn leaves”. Autumn leaves are orange and yellow… no one has skin those colors. I was so confused by that.

-Level of drama/3rd act was not believable: Having 2 exes who do not live in town show up at the exact same time and both cause a bunch of drama was a little too far fetched

-Domestic Violence mishandled: The situation with the mother and daughter side characters that had an abusive husband/dad was grossly mishandled. At times, their lives seemed thrown in just to add drama. Then, the wedding scene in which Eli steps in to tell the father/dad to stop was such a terrible misunderstanding of how to help in domestic violence situations. No one assured that the mom and daughter would not be going home with the abuser before Eli proceeded to anger and humiliate him in front of the whole town. The abuser very likely would have taken that all out on the mom and daughter the second they got home. This story line was so mismanaged and then did not clearly resolve. There was a hint the mom got a job at the clinic and that was it. Domestic violence should not be added just for shock value.
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Thank you @netgalley for my eARC copy. I was given this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2024/04/22/4-...


Fake It Till You Make It by Siera London was a cute romp through the small mountain town of Service, West Virginia. There were laugh-out-loud moments, several animals and exes, secrets, small town life, gossips, and businesses. There were also money troubles, lies, doubts, insecurities, social media posts many of which go viral, romance, love, hopes and dreams, families, and friends who are like family.

This book is Amarie and Eli’s story, which is front and center throughout until things fall apart. She comes into Eli’s vet clinic looking for a job like a breath of fresh air to his family, but not so much to Eli. Amarie lives by the motto, “Fake it till you make it,” and it is voiced several times throughout. They are good together and balance each other until they have a major falling out. Everyone sees they belong together, but once Eli breaks Amarie’s trust, can their love and relationship survive, especially with others plotting against them?

Many stories were told, and there was a good flow for the most part. Things often get heated, especially when their exes come around wanting them back. There’s also another kind of heat, and it’s not just the weather and humidity. The epilogue takes place fourteen months later and gives some closure and the happily ever after I root for, but Eli’s brothers both need their stories to be told, so I’m hoping we’ll get back in Service at least a couple more times.

Fake It Till You Make It is a small town romance with many townsfolk having big hearts. Sit back and relax and see how the town gets back on track in more ways than one.

[Deborah P · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this, bc I bought it from Siera London herself at an authors festival and she signed my copy and I just loved that experience!

Here’s what I did love:
-Hallmark style plot that I find comforting in its predictability (small town veterinarian needs to save the family practice from financial ruin—city girl swoops in on a breeze and a busted BMW, needing a new start, and uses her talents with technology and social media to help right the ship! All in time to avoid the foreclosure and for the big community event (obviously)!) 😍😂
-found family w/ a small town “we all look out for each other” vibes
-grumpy sunshine trope
-pets (I’m a sucker for a basket a of kittens!)
-traumatic backstory that explains why the characters are how they are (the attachment to the car, etc)
-the 3 brothers & their sweet mama(There’s room to do interconnected Calvary brothers novels!)
-Amarie’s mom finally coming into her own
-Amarie continuing to pursue her professional dreams, even though she has a job and a man now.

What I didn’t like:
-writing was overly descriptive without adding value or nuance— just so many superfluous details this could’ve been a 250 pager. Girlfriend seriously needs a new editor.
-the dialogue was so cringe. Like—no one talks like that.
-none of the plot development or character development was remotely believable. So much time on flowery description could have been used on developing the relationships and plot trajectory in a way that made more sense.
-and I’m not even going near how running a veterinary practice is not at all like that… (This is a risk of reading a book that’s in your field written by someone who is not.)

[Antoinette Goins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Service, West Virginia, where doors and hearts are always open.

Well, most of them, anyway.

When Amarie Walker leaves her fiance' of six years - yes, six years - all she knows is that she needs a change. A change of jobs, a change of scenery, and most important, a change of heart. After talking herself into a job as an assistant for the sexy, local grouchy vet, Eli Calvary, Amarie finds herself taking on the challenge of helping the family with her unique set of skills, and making friends along the way.

To call Eli Calvary bitter is an understatement. Divorced and nearly broke, he now has to determine how to save the family property and clinic. His problem? He's not only stuck in his ways, but feels that he is the only one that can do it. When he meets Amarie, he is hard pressed to believe this fish out of water can help him achieve what he perceives as an insurmountable goal.

As he opens himself to her ideas, he also finds himself opening his heart. Until a situation appears to ruin their happy ever after.

I loved the character development in this story. Although the attraction was there from the beginning, the characters took the time to get to know each other and learn to trust again before making the decision to move forward. Not to mention how time and time again, regardless of her our self-doubts, we discover a strong intelligence and caring in Amerie.

I highly enjoyed this story. And I'm hoping we will hear more from the residents of Service!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’m always looking for new BIPOC authors to try, especially in romance, and I’ve seen Siera London’s name on social media. Plus, Fake It Till You Make It sounded right up my alley, with a fun premise, plus the cute dog. And while this book didn’t necessarily rock my world or anything, it was a lot of fun.
The characters as individuals are definitely a strong point here. Both Amarie and Eli have been hurt in past relationships, and I appreciate how these hurts were depicted, while seeing them make room for new love with each other. The romance, while cringey in places (the dialogue in particular), was rather sweet, if a tad predictable in places, but with fun twists on familiar elements, like the fake dating trope with a grumpy/sunshine character dynamic.
While I was slightly jarred by some of the hyper-modern references (in conjunction with the dialogue choices), it was mostly a smooth reading experience with a fairly engaging story throughout. There was less buildup than I would have wanted between the stages of their relationship from being at odds to being friends to becoming romantically involved, but it does make sense in the narrative context and not being a slow-burn.
This was a solid read, and I’m not opposed to continuing with this series or reading more from Siera London in the future. If you’re interested in a small town romance with an interracial couple, I’d recommend checking this out!

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful book full of engaging characters set in a small town that sounds divine. Amarie Walker has fled the big city and her cheating ex. The only problem is that she is jobless, homeless and pretty much penniless. Her only asset is a purple car she has aptly named Prince. Now Prince has let her down by dying on the side of the road. She finds herself in the small town of Service, West Virginia. She sees a notice for a job opening at the local animal clinic. What she does not count on is the grumpy owner. However, Amarie uses her charm and the art of persuasion to bully her way into him hiring her.

You soon learn that Dr. Eli Calvary is a grump, but he is grumpy for a good reason. He is heartbroken and on the verge of losing everything his father worked so hard to establish. Eli does not realize what a prize he has in Amarie, not only for eventual companionship, but her marketing skills. The romance was a hard fought battle, but it was completely swoony and sigh worthy. Both characters have some past issues that they need to come to terms with so they can truly move forward with their lives. My favorite character was Eli's mother. She is a feisty lady who does not mind speaking her mind. This enemies to lovers romance will steal your heart.

Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too often, I take a mini break from dark romances, especially when I've read and reviewed one after the other. I like to look for something light and fun, and "Fake It Til You Make It" by Sierra London did the trick. This small-town interracial relationship romance where the MMC and FMC were every bit of a grumpy/sunshine couple.

Amarie, a soon-to-be nurse, finds herself in a small town after leaving her long-time boyfriend when she finds out he had been cheating on her —much to her mom's dismay. She decides to pursue an opening at the local vet clinic due to not having any money or other prospects in town.

Eli, recently divorced, has taken over his father's vet business, which is not doing well. At the encouragement of his family, he reluctantly hires the vivacious Amarie to help him out. After a while, she warms up to him, melting off that grumpy demeanor. Though recent past partners have hurt both, they tread carefully with each other. Together, they make a plan to help the business.

I enjoyed Eli and Amare. I especially loved how assertive and untrusting he was with his ex right from the get-go. And Amare's straightforward personality was just the perfect match for Eli.

There are intimate scenes. But the spice is fairly low.

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Haerlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description:
When Amarie Walker goes for something, she goes big—including starting over. Leaving her cheating ex and entire D.C. life in the rearview, she crash lands in a small town with no plan, no money, and no job. An opening at the animal clinic is the only gig for miles, no surprise considering the vet is a certified grump. If Eli Calvary ever cracked a smile, Amarie might faint on sight from shock. At least his adorable golden retriever appreciates her fabulousness…and shares her love of daily treats!

When Eli took over his late father’s practice, he quickly discovered the clinic was facing foreclosure. So there’s no time for social niceties, especially not flirting, even with someone as gorgeous, bubbly, and business-savvy as Amarie. Yet when Eli needs to invent an investor on the fly, it’s her name that comes to his lips. Now, for the sake of their furry clients, Eli and Amarie hustle to save the clinic, trying to ignore the nonstop sparks between them. Because while their partnership may be fake, their connection already feels way too real.

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

Without divulging too much, the description says it all: this is a cute, low heat, small town Black romance. It hits a lot of the traditional feels, so if you are wanting to experience that type of romance, but with Black characters, this is it.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake It Till You Make It by Siera London is a delightfully crafted romantic comedy with a strong emotional presence. Prolific author Ms. London ably uses the trope of enemies to lovers in this story of personal growth, love, and resilience. Amarie Walker had a very unstable childhood where she watched her mother suppress her needs and desires to bolster and support her husband. Amarie finds herself in an almost identical situation as the unpaid force that augments the media presence of her philandering fiancé’s medical practice. With limited resources and an elderly car, Amarie escapes this existence and lands in a small town in West Virginia. Embracing this fresh start, she seeks employment at the local vet clinic owned by Eli Calvary. While their initial meeting is anything BUT cordial, Eli soon comes to realize that Amarie possesses a particular set of skills that just might save his struggling clinic AND his family’s land. Eli and Amarie are both skittish and wounded by partners who should have loved them. Will they be able to trust each other and build a professional and lasting personal relationship. This story is extremely cute and well-written; Ms. London embellishes her story with many moving pieces, and they all come together in a rich tapestry.
I received an advance copy of the ebook from Netgalley. All review opinions are my own.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying I simply love the cover of this book; it is bright lively and an eyecatcher and pulled me inside the pages of “Fake It Til You Make It.” This is a great romantic comedy that had me on the edge of my seat laughing, enjoying the camaraderie between Amarie and her grumpy veterinarian boss Eli. Eli, who recently divorced has just taken over his father’s vet business, and he had no idea that the business was on the brinks of foreclosure. Amarie is off and running fleeing DC and her cheating ex. She finds herself in the small town of West Virginia with her broken down car that she has named Prince, with no job, no money and homeless while readying herself for a new start on life. Amarie gets Eli to hire her at his vet clinic. Amarie and Eli embark on a fake investor relationship and find themselves getting more than they bargained for when they go fake to real when their feelings get the best of them. These two are awesome along with Eli’s adorable golden retriever and Eli’s mom. I do, looking to reading more this authors books. I surely hope that she has more in store with books like “Fake It Til You Make” romantic comedy. Great Job and well-done Siera London.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing; I received an ARC, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Cherryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwwww, such a cute story

I really enjoyed reading this story. Amarie was at her wit's end when she caught her unfaithful fiance but she did not let that stop her. She was on her way to her new life when her vintage car Prince died in a mountain town of Service. With no job to fix her car or anywhere to stay, she haggled her way into the only job she found as a vet tech. She turned Dr. Eli Calgary's grumpy butt, family and the entire town upside down with her skills and charm. Eli fought his feelings for her for the longest until he couldn't. His selfish ex-wife Cara put a bad taste in his mouth so far as giving his heart to fall in love again.

With Amarie's skills, she helped to save the vet clinic and family land with the auction and TikTok pages as influencers. But as things happen, those exes, thought they could just prance in and have their way. They succeeded for a split minute and Eli reverted to being his extra grumpy self until he realized what all Amarie did for his family. His family and the town of Service was just the life she and her mother Bethany needed to re-start their new lives.

[Tamarae · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Amarie Walker goes for something, she goes big—including starting over. Leaving her cheating ex and entire D.C. life in the rearview, she crash lands in a small town with no plan, no money, and no job. An opening at the animal clinic is the only gig for miles, no surprise considering the vet is a certified grump. If Eli Calvary ever cracked a smile, Amarie might faint on sight from shock. At least his adorable golden retriever appreciates her fabulousness…and shares her love of daily treats!

When Eli took over his late father’s practice, he quickly discovered the clinic was facing foreclosure. So there’s no time for social niceties, especially not flirting, even with someone as gorgeous, bubbly, and business-savvy as Amarie. Yet when Eli needs to invent an investor on the fly, it’s her name that comes to his lips. Now, for the sake of their furry clients, Eli and Amarie hustle to save the clinic, trying to ignore the nonstop sparks between them. Because while their partnership may be fake, their connection already feels way too real.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amarie Walker had enough of her cheating boss and boyfriend and decided to leave him and town to start over, after answering an ad for a job offer at a vet clinic in Service, West Virginia.

When his dad died, Eli Calvary came back to his hometown to take over the family clinic. A former U.S Army veterinarian, Eli been blinded by love before too. But the biggest problem right now is dealing with the debts his father left. If he doesn't find money soon, his family could lose not only the business but the land and their house as well.

Grumpy Eli doesn't trust Amarie when she first arrive. But it doesn't stop him from blurting to the people who have their eyes on his family's land that she's his business partner. And what's with his mom entering him and his brothers in a bachelor auction ?

It was a fun and sweet read for the first half of the book but unfortunately, the characters's reactions became way too caricatural in the second part that I disconnected from the story and its romance.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Amarie finds Russell, her serial cheater of a fiancé, in bed with another woman she decides to leave him. Unfortunately, Amarie has been working to build his medical practice but instead of paying her Russell puts money into a joint bank account. When she leaves he cuts off her credit cards and all access to the funds. She lucks out and finds a job posting for a veterinary clinic. Amaria gets the job and sets about improving the way the office runs and increasing their visibility in the community. Veterinarian Eli has been burned before and has trust issues, but he eventually warms to Amarie and realizes she if different than his ex-wife. When he falls, he falls hard. The characters in the story are great. Eli and Amarie’s attraction is intense. Eli’s mom is hilarious and the epitome of an over-involved but loving mom. Although the story is a sweet romance it tackles some pretty tough topics including emotional abuse and food insecurities. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes small town romance with emotion and humor. I cannot wait to read Eli’s brothers’ stories.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It gave me all of the feels from beginning to end. Amarie was exactly who Eli needed and Eli was who Amarie needed. Both of them had gone through a lot of turmoil with their exes but once they came into each other's lives and Eli stopped being stubborn, they knew they had found their person. This is a slow burn story but I didn't mind that at all because both of them needed to build their relationship slowly so they could get to the real person underneath. Eli is a grumpy hero but it added to his charm. I loved the way Amarie called him "grumpy pants" and he never denied it. 😂😂😂 There were so many laugh out loud moments between Amarie and Eli as well as the people in town. The way the Calvary family and the whole town treated Amarie like family and accepted her as one of their own from the very beginning was so heartwarming. Ms. London did a wonderful job writing Eli and Amarie’s story and I can't wait for the next brother's book.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amire Walker has left D.C. and everything behind except for her car and a few items. She still has one good friend who gives her the strength to move on from the ex who has trashed her but she still has the upper hand because he is locked out of all of his internet accounts, every last one of them, he looks at her as nothing really when she has helped build up his business along with his partners. Now she is looking for a job and a place to live she thinks she has found one at a veterinarian's office but Eli is stuck in the past, the far past for her liking. After meeting his mother she is hired and given a room at her house she has updated his office along with the business which even though he does not want to admit it surprises him. But like every man, he blows it and has to find her to make his graveling appeal of forgiveness to see if she will return. This is a very good book and all of the characters along with the animals make it a good read.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun rom-com story featuring grumpy Veterinarian Eli, trying to save his family legacy and Amarie, a runaway from her cheating ex-fiancé. Looking for work and to hide from her ex, Amarie answers a help wanted in small town Service. Unfortunately bad luck follows her when Prince her beloved BMW breaks down on the outskirts of town. Then she needs to convince the grumpy man of her worth, plus keep her dream alive of getting her RN license. They make a pact to fake their relationship to save the Calvary lands and he will help her pass her exams. Of course things don’t always go as planned.
A hilarious story with wonderful characters. That takes a different approach to find their HEA. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #FakeItTillYouMakeIt

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of the author's work since her early indie days, and I was absolutely floored and pleasantly surprised when I got approved for her first traditionally released book. And it was not a disappointing read. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. The way the author writes the characters keeps me engaged and entertained. I went through all types of emotions reading this book, so much that it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say about it. One of my favorite troupes is slow burn. I absolutely love the idea of the couple working things out and the pining between them. I think one of the best things about this book is how the FMC learned to stand up for herself. That's always a plus for me in a book, especially how the story started. I can't wait for the next book from the author.

[Franny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two people fresh out relationships who couldn't be more different than each other are drawn together in this small town romance. Cosmopolitan Amarie is a fish out of water in a small West Virginian town where she becomes partners with grumpy veterinarian, Eli.

I liked the premise of this story and appreciated representation of characters from different backgrounds. The execution was a little lacking. The author tried too hard to infuse modern slang. When she does, it often comes out forced. Also, her writing style lacked details that would have enhanced the story. This could be because of the third-person POV. I often wanted to know more about what the characters are thinking, especially towards the end when a bombshell was revealed. The information doesn't really detonate because we have no idea what the characters are thinking.

This is a safe, enjoyable read though for those just looking for a little escapism.

[Shone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amarie Walker, has been cheated on, lied to, lost a pet, the final straw is her Prince has broken down. What will she do? Will she make a new life, in a new town with strangers. full of energy Amarie becomes the joy of Service, West Virginia, and the Calvary Family, Enjoyed the banter between Eli and Amarie, and the relationship the Calvary brothers had with their mother.
The story was a great combination of Rom-Com, Sweet Romance, Small Town, and Enemies to Lovers trope. There were some slow sections, I wanted to know about the brothers, here is hoping they get a story would enjoy spend more time in Service, West Viriginia.
Thank you Grand Centeral Publishing, NetGalley, and Siera London for an ARC of Fake It Till You Make It above is my honest review