Breadcrumbs

by Alicia Wilder

Max isn’t ready to give up on her ex — can she get him back by conspiring to fake a relationship with a one-night-stand? Career-driven Max Linney has finally gotten her life exactly where she wants a demanding-yet-meaningful job as a congressional staffer and a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C., with her boyfriend. So when he dumps her, she’s not only surprised, she isn’t ready to let him go. Easygoing digital nomad Micah Abrams wants his judgy and demanding family off his back. When he meets Max on a dating app and flies her to his temporary home for a strings-free date, sparks fly but so does a spontaneous solution for both of they’ll pretend to date each other long-distance to make her ex jealous, and Max will be Micah’s date for his sister’s wedding. As Max starts to realize her ex only gives her breadcrumbs for love, Micah learns no matter how many cities he travels to, he can’t run away from his grief over his father’s death. But with Micah focused on the past and Max on a future with somebody else, can they ever be together somewhere in between?

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

Alicia Wilder is a Colorado romance author. She writes spicy stories with modern settings, external obstacles, and imperfect people who get their happily ever after. Her novels can stand alone but are interconnected.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute fake dating novella I enjoyed. Max shacking up with an ex who she’s still has feelings for and by did that suck . Then met Micah off a dating app which is the thing most people do now a days. With nothing to lose max goes to Florida and they got down on the first date . It was fun watching these two coke together unsure of what they wanted . I was pleased with the ending . It was a nice read.

[the girl who played with books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. There were some moments that didn't fit into the story-line, in my opinion, but the general impressions of this title are positive.
Max and Micah met through an application during the time that was really hard for both of them. Max has just broken up with his boyfriend but she has to keep living with him because of the high cost of living in the city. From the other hand, Micah had lost his father. They are both at certain crossroads in their lives. They decide to pretend they are dating, so Max's boyfriend would be jealous and Micah's family wouldn't bother him about being alone and not dealing with his father's death.
I liked the dynamic of Max and Micah's relationship. They are honest with each other, they communicate openly about all topics and they do not pretend to be something they are not. Even though Breadcrumbs is a novella, both characters are well developed and it was nice to follow how they changed from the beginning to the ending of the story. Both characters have good and bad sides that are well explained by the author. I wish we got the opportunity to meet other people in their lives a bit deeper, but even without that, we have got an overall picture of their backgrounds.
The meaning of the title is well thought out. The story is quite realistic, and it is not just a romance, it is also a book about different ways in which people deal with changes and loss in their lives, about friendship and, most importantly, self-respect and self-esteem.

Thank you NetGalley, A.M. Cohn LLC and author for sending me this book for review consideration.
#NetGalley #Breadcrumbs

[Jennifer (Escape Into Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breadcrumbs is a novella about two people who come together at the wrong time. Max (short for Maxine)'s boyfriend recently broke up with her, but they are still sharing an apartment because rent is so high in DC. Micah lost his dad and is floundering.

This is not a feel good, escape from reality romance. This is more real and gritty than that. Both characters grapple with real issues. While I prefer the escape from reality romances more, stories like this one are still a good read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Alicia Wilder for the ARC. This one comes out on September 26th!

[Rebecca (fictionallybecca) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a novella, and I usually have a hard time rating novellas 5 stars, so I knew this was going to be a 4 at best. Maybe that’s unfair, but I think with such little time to develop a connection to the story, characters, and more, rating something 5 would be too generous.

I enjoyed the characters in this, but I didn’t feel connected to them.
The storyline idea was good, it was cute.
With this being 100 pages I think generally I found it all mediocre. It was fun, a quick and cute one-sitting read.

I liked the anxiety representation but it felt only briefly touched upon and not developed enough for me.

[Bernadette Chappell]

Thank you for allowing me to read this arc. I was looking to read a novella so this met my requiremnet. However, This book was almost unbearable to read. This arc in my thoughts was poorly written it should have a warning about how graphic the language was in this book.

[Dusty Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your average

I was expecting a meet cute, fake date, get straight together. Instead, I got a whole lot more realistic, true to life type. Let's get busy but whoa I like this person, let's be friends, I can help you. You can help me. Oooh, I really like this person, but we aren't right for each other right now, maybe never. Bye, friend.


Hey.

You must read this book. It's the best non traditional fake dating book ever.

[Gail Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book!!
It’s going to be a book I’ll read over and over, at any time when I need a reminder to myself, that what I want is the priority.
Brilliant story, and perfect interpretation of anxiety and self doubt.

[marleyshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t need a romance novella to follow a certain path or even a clear path, but this felt like it had a lot of missing elements and possibly key plot-turning moments. At times I found myself skipping back to make sure I didn’t accidentally skip a page or two.

With that said, it was good and had potential, and I would be interested in reading a novel length romance from the author!

Thank you netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Isira Soliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Love story

Bonded very well with both Max and Micah enjoyed to see that it was a more realistic experience! I recommend this for anyone looking for a short read to get you out of a reading slump. I can’t wait to read more of Alicia!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max wants to make her ex boyfriend jealous so she meets Micah on a dating app they form a fake relationship Micah wants his family to get of Hos back
So the fake relationship begins there both truthful with why there doing this
Well written like the characters
Would recommend this book

[Library.of.linds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breadcrumbs

This is a super cute novella.

Max broke up with Ben but is having a hard time move on. When she meets Micah on a dating app, she discovers he lives hours away from her. impulsively she jumps on a plane to see him.

When they see each other they discover feelings surfacing immediately 😏 Neither want to admit their feelings because they’re scared of getting hurt again but love just won’t take no for an answer. 🥰

This is a spicy modern romance novella and I loved it! I can’t wait for more from this author!


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the length of this novella. It was perfect for Max & Micah’s story.

If I’m being really honest there was so much about this that just wasn’t believable. For example, a grown woman with decent job and a hotel voucher…. Wouldn’t stay in a van willingly.

I wanted to love them, but I just didn’t get enough from Micah. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you to NetGalley & Alicia Wilder for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Valerie Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia Wilder serves up yet another deliciously angsty romance, but this time she's packed it into a tight little novella. The story of Max and Micah delivers emotional punch after punch, with each character fighting their own demons while proving communication is, in fact, totally possible! I loved this story, and some of these scenes will live rent-free in my head until the end of time.

[Lisa Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it

Max and Micah started seeing each other to fool the people in their lives into thinking they were in a committed relationship. Over time and some separation, they decide to figure things out. This is a very good quick read with likeable characters.

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good I couldn't put it down. Max and Micha were great. It was a slow burn but a very realistic love story. The chemistry was great and it was well written

[Heather Arbuckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short novella but had great characters and good world building. I wish it had been longer but overall a good story.

[Liz Ranne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest story! Max was in a relationship with Ben, but they broke up, & had to continue living together, D.C is expensive! So, Max starts using a dating app in the hopes of making Ben jealous. She finds her match in Micah! He sets up a meeting with her, & from there, they have the best relationship either have had before. It starts off really well & they end up best friends, they cross paths a few more times, & realize they'd rather have each other present in their lives, than being apart! Loved this story, it was a quick read, & I highly recommend this author!

[aims.readsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, A.M COHN LLC, and of course, Alicia Wilder for the opportunity to read this novella before the date of its publication.

‘Breadcrumbs’ follows the fake-dating adventure of a pair in their twenties who connected on a dating app - Max after a break-up, and Micah after the loss of his father. Although they both dive into the arrangement for different reasons - Max to make her ex jealous, and Micah to stop his family from asking about his life plans… they find that they share the same (real) spark for each other.

I won’t share any spoilers, as that’s not my style, but I will say, their story turned out to be a really sweet one; and I was really surprised to find out at the end that it was the author’s first go at writing romance!

‘Breadcrumbs’ was an easy and entertaining read, and as much as I’d recommend it, I’d be interested in exploring other titles by this author in the future.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxine, Max, Linney is loving her job, her love life, not so much. Max’s boyfriend is ready to call it quits and Max is not ready for this change. Max goes on a dating site to take her mind off of the boyfriend situation. She meets Micah Abrams. Get this. Micah flies Max out to meet him, despite his nomadic lifestyle. They are very attracted to one another. They also realize that they can help each other. Max needs someone to make her boyfriend jealous and Micah needs someone to get his family off his back.

Both Max and Micah have some growing up to do. They have come together at an awkward stage in both of their lives. Will both find what they are looking for, what they so desperately need? This book is a quick read that will have readers immersed in the story of Max and Micah. Seeing these two find themselves and their future is wonderful. I really enjoyed how these two came together and could not wait to see if these two will make it.

[Malu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Breadcrumbs” is a short story and very easy to read. It tells the story of Max and Micah in dual POV where they begin as a fake relationship because Max wants to make his ex-boyfriend jealous. A story emerges that can be classified as the right person at the wrong time, but they finally achieve their happily ever after. I recommend this reading if you want to read love stories about real people with real problems. I think it is excellent that the author creates characters with different issues and who are not the typical perfect ones in love stories. I liked how the author writes, it is the first time I have read her and I would definitely read her again.

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

“Breadcrumbs” es una historia corta y muy fácil de leer. Cuenta la historia de Max y Micah en doble punto de vista donde comienzan como una relación falsa para que Max ponga celoso a su exnovio. Pero surge una historia que se puede catalogar como la de la persona adecuada en el momento equivocado, pero finalmente logran su felicidad para siempre. Recomiendo leer si quieres leer historias de amor sobre personas reales con problemas reales. Me parece excelente que la autora cree personajes con problemáticas diferentes y que no sean los típicos perfectos de las historias de amor. Me gustó cómo escribe la autora, es la primera vez que leo algo de ella y definitivamente la volvería a leer.

Recibí un ARC (advanced read copy) via Booksprout y mis opiniones son estrictamente personales y realizadas de manera voluntaria.

[Chera · Rating 3 out of 5]

We meet Max, a congressional staffer stuck living with her ex to be able to make DC rent, as she's flying to Tampa to meet Micah, a digital nomad whom she swiped right on Tinder. Neither is in a place to make things work for real, but they agree that fake dating will make her ex, Ben, jealous and keep Michah's sister off his case in the midst of his father's death. Over the next few months, they realize that their feelings might be more than fake, though neither are in a place to make things work for real.

This is a novella that reads like a good first draft of a full-length book. Objectively, I enjoyed it and found myself getting through the whole thing in almost no time. However, because of the length, we have to make a lot of leaps about the growth the two characters make to get to their happy for now. Without that extra character development, for instance, Micah reads like a walking red flag, EVEN after he's supposedly grown as a person and there's some cringeworthy internal dialogue on his part. Likewise, we don't get to see Max work through her anxiety and Micah work through his grief.

At the end of the day, I think the premise is strong and I would love to read this as a full novel.

* Thank you to Author Collective 20 and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *

[Gabrielle Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

In "Breadcrumbs" by Alicia Wilder, Max Linney, a career-driven woman, finds herself unexpectedly single and unwilling to let go of her ex. Enter Micah Abrams, a digital nomad seeking respite from his demanding family. Their plan: fake a long-distance relationship to make Max's ex jealous and help Micah escape family pressures. As sparks fly between them, the novel takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, love, and overcoming the ghosts of the past.

Wilder skillfully crafts a modern romantic tale, blending the complexities of career ambitions and family expectations. The characters, Max and Micah, are relatable and well-developed, each grappling with their own insecurities and desires. The narrative explores themes of love, grief, and the pursuit of happiness with a mix of humor and heartfelt moments.

While the plot may follow familiar rom-com tropes, Wilder infuses the story with a fresh perspective. The long-distance angle and the characters' individual journeys add depth to the narrative. "Breadcrumbs" is an engaging and enjoyable read, offering a balance of romance and self-discovery. With its relatable characters and contemporary themes, the book earns a solid three-and-a-half-star rating, making it a recommended choice for readers seeking a modern love story with a touch of humor and heart.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bread Crumbs is a short and steamy, fake relationship, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance. And I couldn't put it down. I loved this sweet story that had just enough friendship, bad timing, spiciness, and love mixed in. I was drawn in equally by Max and Micah's blossoming friendship and their love story.

Max is recently single, but she still lives in the same house with her ex-boyfriend, she can't move on, and can't help but have feelings for him. When she starts dating again, he seems to have feelings for her too, so she decides to fake date with Micah to win her ex-boyfriend back.

Micah is grieving the loss of his father, and needs his family off his back. When they meet on a dating app, Max flies out to meet him. They have a bit of a connection, but neither is really in the spot for a relationship. They do agree to fake date to make Max's ex jealous and to get Micah's family off his back finally.

Over time, the two develop a friendship, but neither wants to lead the other on. Can they help each other heal? And is love in their future? I thought this was a sweet story about self-discovery and healing. It was good to see this couple finally did enter into a healthy relationship. They had great chemistry.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curl up with Breadcrumbs and a comfy couch!

I loved this sweet story that had just enough friendship, bad timing, spiciness, and love mixed in. I was drawn in equally by Max and Micah's blossoming friendship and their love story.
Breadcrumbs by Alicia Wilder is a story you could read settled in near a cozy fireplace with a warm beverage and get swept into the pages.
Max and Micah took a chance on a dating app and did the whole "fake dating" thing, but that was because Max was still living with her ex whom she was trying to "get over", and Micah's sister was insisting he not bring a hookup date to her wedding from a dating app. Oh, which, by the way, was exactly how Max and Micah's relationship started. They also lived a long way from each other.
They became more than a one-night-stand hookup, though. They were deepening their very real friendship, and I felt the growing trust between them.
The author did a wonderful job of bringing them to life. They do get their HEA.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy the journey along the path to a resounding, satisfying, "Yeah!" at the end.

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

[rachel ♡ chapterswithrae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breadcrumbs is an emotional, reflective romance novella by Alicia Wilder. This is my first time reading Wilder’s work, and I enjoyed it!

What I loved:
- Max and Micah felt real and relatable. Their relationship with each other, their family, and their immediate circle were believable.
- Max’s GAD was realistically represented. I appreciated that you could tell her shift in mental health based on how Wilder framed Max’s point of view.
- Fake dating is always a great trope!

Room for improvement:
- The fake dating aspect of the plot felt like it rushed into real attraction and a relationship too quickly. This may be due to the nature of a novella, but I wish the transition was slower.
- The supporting cast, like Micah’s family, felt very one-dimensional.

Overall, I am rating Breadcrumbs 3.75 out of 5 stars (3 for Goodreads). I enjoyed this and completed it in just one sitting. Thank you to NetGalley and Alicia Wilder for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my unbiased, honest review!

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bread Crumbs is a short and steamy, fake relationship, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance. Max is a smart and savvy congressional staffer. Micah is a digital nomad living out of a van. Max has anxiety and is dealing with the breakup with her ex while still living with him. Micah is grieving the loss of his father. When they meet on a dating app, Max flies out to meet him. They have a bit of a connection, but neither is really in the spot for a relationship. They do agree to fake date to make Max's ex jealous and to get Micah's family off his back. Over time, the two develop a friendship, but neither wants to lead the other on. Can they help each other heal? And is love in their future? I thought this was a sweet story about self-discovery and healing. It was nice to see this couple finally enter into a healthy relationship. They had decent chemistry. This was a good short and spicy, albeit different romance story.

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

[L.L. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So refreshing!
This was such a palette cleaner in the best way possible After reading book after book of insta love and no reason for said love. It was so good to read something more realistic.
The love felt real and adorable. I believed every part of this. I didn't know how much Id been missing that lately
(Ive just had a streak of popular romance books I just couldn't get through. I would stop after a couple chapters because they made me cringe or I didn't believe/understand the characters dramatic feelings that seem to come out of nowhere)
This book is the opposite of that. Max and Micah are so relatable! The mental health representation gave it real depth it was so excellently done.
The breadcrumbs analogy is really inspiring.
I couldn't put this down I was rooting so hard for Max and her ending was so so so satisfyingly perfect and real

I particularly LOVE that the characters are childfree so lovely to see an alternative to having kids represented

[Stormi Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breadcrumbs
By: Alicia Wilder

4 Stars

Getting over an ex is hard, but when you have to live with one, it can be torture. Max is tired of being led on by her ex, who just happens to still be her roommate. When he starts dating, the dilemma leads Max to search on the "dating apps," which leads her to who's a man with his own problems and doesn't want a relationship. Despite that, a friendship is formed and maybe one day more?

This was a fast-paced story with comedy, drama, and romance. For being a short novella, it really had it all. The characters were fun to watch grow throughout the story. Max was hilarious. The beginning was hilarious, and the ending was so sweet. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. If you love novellas and a good romance to boot, this book is it.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

[Rhyann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author Collective for the ARC!

This might be my shortest review yet, which is only fitting since this is a novella 😉

Statistically speaking, Max and Micah should never have met, and yet, thanks to the "interwebs", they met and began a long and arduous journey,

Why, arduous? Because it seemed like they were never in the same place at the same time, both physically and emotionally. And long, for obvious reasons.

Overall, this story was unique in terms of a slow burn. Both characters were realistically flawed, and holding onto a past that they wish that they could change.

This is one story where the more realistic ending would've been for them to part ways as friends with the possibility of pursuing something more in the future.

3 ⭐️

NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Bookishdays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max has been recently single, but she still lives in the same house with her ex-boyfriend, she can't move on, and can't help but have feelings for him. When she starts dating again, he seems to have feelings for her too, so she decides to fake dating with Micah to win her ex-boyfriend back.

Micah is the perfect fake boyfriend, he is kind, patient and they have fun every time they meet each other.

I liked this small novella because it's a story about the changes we need to make in our life. Mental Health is an important part of the story, not only because Micah is mourning the loss of a family member but Max is also struggling with anxiety.

The story is told from a double point of view, and it is a very small book easy to read. I highly recommended it.

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