What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hart Sisters #1
If We Pretend
FAKE DATING IS MORE REAL IN SCOTLAND.
Reese Hart can’t wait to spend the summer in Scotland, resetting her life while her daughter attends an elite soccer camp. Her goal? To move past what happened between her ex-husband and her former best friend, now happily engaged and eager to rebuild their relationship with Reese. What’s definitely not on the agenda? A summer fling with a sexy Scot.
Two years after an injury ended his professional soccer career—and his bad behavior in clubs made headlines—Oliver Vass is running trainings for a soccer camp. He knows two one, he’s nothing without soccer, and two, if he doesn’t get his act together, he’ll lose the chance to be a father to his ten-year-old son.
When Reese’s ex-husband and his fiancée show up in Scotland, Reese’s reset month dream disappears … until Oliver comes up with a fake dating. A new boyfriend is just the excuse Reese needs to avoid her ex. And if Oliver brings wholesome Reese to his son’s birthday party, it’ll look like he’s getting his act together. It’s the perfect plan, but when Oliver kisses Reese in the ruins of an ancient abbey, their steamy chemistry explodes.
But Reese is only in Scotland for a month. And as the end of their charade approaches, she and Oliver have to figure out what’s real and what’s not, before they end up an ocean apart.
If We Pretend is a first person, present tense, dual POV romance about a divorced mom and a Scottish ex-professional soccer player who fake date against the gorgeous backdrop of the Scottish Borders. For fans of Tessa Bailey, Lucy Score, Meghan Quinn, and Ted Lasso.
Reese Hart can’t wait to spend the summer in Scotland, resetting her life while her daughter attends an elite soccer camp. Her goal? To move past what happened between her ex-husband and her former best friend, now happily engaged and eager to rebuild their relationship with Reese. What’s definitely not on the agenda? A summer fling with a sexy Scot.
Two years after an injury ended his professional soccer career—and his bad behavior in clubs made headlines—Oliver Vass is running trainings for a soccer camp. He knows two one, he’s nothing without soccer, and two, if he doesn’t get his act together, he’ll lose the chance to be a father to his ten-year-old son.
When Reese’s ex-husband and his fiancée show up in Scotland, Reese’s reset month dream disappears … until Oliver comes up with a fake dating. A new boyfriend is just the excuse Reese needs to avoid her ex. And if Oliver brings wholesome Reese to his son’s birthday party, it’ll look like he’s getting his act together. It’s the perfect plan, but when Oliver kisses Reese in the ruins of an ancient abbey, their steamy chemistry explodes.
But Reese is only in Scotland for a month. And as the end of their charade approaches, she and Oliver have to figure out what’s real and what’s not, before they end up an ocean apart.
If We Pretend is a first person, present tense, dual POV romance about a divorced mom and a Scottish ex-professional soccer player who fake date against the gorgeous backdrop of the Scottish Borders. For fans of Tessa Bailey, Lucy Score, Meghan Quinn, and Ted Lasso.
310 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2023
97 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 11, 2023
What a great romance! I'll definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out because I'll be reading this one again!
This book has such an adorable beginning in an amazing setting. Right off the bat, we’re on vacation with the protagonist Reese in Scotland. Yes, please!
The characters are sympathetic and realistic adults. I love that Reese is in her later 30s and as such has a lot going on in her life, including parenthood. Then the relationship between Reese and her love interest Oliver (the other protagonist as this is a dual perspective novel) grows in a realistic way that makes both individuals and the relationship healthier. I was so invested in whether they would make it work and how.
It has a very spicy scene! It fits into the story in a way that doesn’t feel gratuitous.
This isn’t my first fake-dating book, and I particularly enjoyed The Unhoneymooners. However, I liked this even more because this book never stressed me out, kept the length perfect to the genre, and felt more realistic throughout. Like The Unhoneymooners, it had me smiling and laughing a lot. This is my favorite fake-dating interpretation.
Thank you, Netgalley and Fox Hollow Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has such an adorable beginning in an amazing setting. Right off the bat, we’re on vacation with the protagonist Reese in Scotland. Yes, please!
The characters are sympathetic and realistic adults. I love that Reese is in her later 30s and as such has a lot going on in her life, including parenthood. Then the relationship between Reese and her love interest Oliver (the other protagonist as this is a dual perspective novel) grows in a realistic way that makes both individuals and the relationship healthier. I was so invested in whether they would make it work and how.
It has a very spicy scene! It fits into the story in a way that doesn’t feel gratuitous.
This isn’t my first fake-dating book, and I particularly enjoyed The Unhoneymooners. However, I liked this even more because this book never stressed me out, kept the length perfect to the genre, and felt more realistic throughout. Like The Unhoneymooners, it had me smiling and laughing a lot. This is my favorite fake-dating interpretation.
Thank you, Netgalley and Fox Hollow Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2024
I can’t wait to read the next book!
🏴𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗢𝗩
🏴𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🏴𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
🏴𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲
🏴𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🏴𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽 (𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝟱 𝘆𝗿𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿)
4.25/5
Is this really a debut for this author?! Because it was amazing.
I loved Reese from the very beginning and was instantly hooked. And man, Oliver was 🔥. Former athlete, Scottish accent, and tattoos?! Yes please. They both had people in their lives who were manipulative and they both had push past trying to please them. I loved each of their self discovery journeys in this book. Also, the chemistry was 🤌🏻 from the start. The tension was beautiful. The kitchen scene when they first hook up was so perfect 🔥🔥. I loved it.
.
.
Slight Spoilers Below
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I also kind of loved that Oliver had some flaws. He wasn’t and isn’t perfect but he’s trying to be better in every way he can. I also loved that at the end he did the walking before the talking. He didn’t just show up and tell a girl he loved her. He showed up with a plan already in place. I loved it.
Also, I’m so happy Reese ditched her former bff. No matter how ‘nice’ she was… she was the worst and didn’t deserve Reese anymore. Buh Bye!
I can’t wait to read the other sisters books 🥰
🏴𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗢𝗩
🏴𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🏴𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
🏴𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲
🏴𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🏴𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽 (𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝟱 𝘆𝗿𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿)
4.25/5
Is this really a debut for this author?! Because it was amazing.
I loved Reese from the very beginning and was instantly hooked. And man, Oliver was 🔥. Former athlete, Scottish accent, and tattoos?! Yes please. They both had people in their lives who were manipulative and they both had push past trying to please them. I loved each of their self discovery journeys in this book. Also, the chemistry was 🤌🏻 from the start. The tension was beautiful. The kitchen scene when they first hook up was so perfect 🔥🔥. I loved it.
.
.
Slight Spoilers Below
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I also kind of loved that Oliver had some flaws. He wasn’t and isn’t perfect but he’s trying to be better in every way he can. I also loved that at the end he did the walking before the talking. He didn’t just show up and tell a girl he loved her. He showed up with a plan already in place. I loved it.
Also, I’m so happy Reese ditched her former bff. No matter how ‘nice’ she was… she was the worst and didn’t deserve Reese anymore. Buh Bye!
I can’t wait to read the other sisters books 🥰
November 13, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a satisfying read! Did I get caught muttering at the characters and giggling more than once? Yes. It wasn't the first time and won't be the last. The people Chrissy Hopewell has written are multidimensional and feel as if they could jump off the page. I absolutely love the message ingrained within the romance between the characters. It's truly inspirational. Chrissy Hopewell is now and forevermore one of my auto-read authors.
This was such a satisfying read! Did I get caught muttering at the characters and giggling more than once? Yes. It wasn't the first time and won't be the last. The people Chrissy Hopewell has written are multidimensional and feel as if they could jump off the page. I absolutely love the message ingrained within the romance between the characters. It's truly inspirational. Chrissy Hopewell is now and forevermore one of my auto-read authors.
September 12, 2023
I blew through this one, it was easy to do with the likable MC's and their realistic love story.
Reese has decided to take a month-long vacation to reset in Scotland while her daughter is at soccer camp but that all blows up in her face when her ex-husband and ex-bestfriend show up with the same idea. Oliver, the hot tattooed ex-professional soccer player is the coach and now Reese's fake boyfriend. He helps her enjoy Scotland and deters the unwanted attention from the new arrivals.
I adored Reese and her relationship with her daughter right away. I hated to see her struggle with her ex-husband and the pressures her ex-best friend were putting on her and was glad to see with the help of Oliver her confidence bloomed.
The fake dating trope was done well especially since before it was introduced you could see the chemistry between Oliver and Reese and they genuinely had me smiling and laughing during all their interactions.
The spicy scenes weren't overdone and since these two are in their thirties with responsibilities and priorities involved they had to overcome realistic problems but solved them like mature adults.
I highly recommend this easy, fun-to-read romantic story that stands out amongst the rest and will be sure to give you all the feels.
Thank you Netgalley, Fox Hollow Publishing, and Chrissy Hopewell for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Reese has decided to take a month-long vacation to reset in Scotland while her daughter is at soccer camp but that all blows up in her face when her ex-husband and ex-bestfriend show up with the same idea. Oliver, the hot tattooed ex-professional soccer player is the coach and now Reese's fake boyfriend. He helps her enjoy Scotland and deters the unwanted attention from the new arrivals.
I adored Reese and her relationship with her daughter right away. I hated to see her struggle with her ex-husband and the pressures her ex-best friend were putting on her and was glad to see with the help of Oliver her confidence bloomed.
The fake dating trope was done well especially since before it was introduced you could see the chemistry between Oliver and Reese and they genuinely had me smiling and laughing during all their interactions.
The spicy scenes weren't overdone and since these two are in their thirties with responsibilities and priorities involved they had to overcome realistic problems but solved them like mature adults.
I highly recommend this easy, fun-to-read romantic story that stands out amongst the rest and will be sure to give you all the feels.
Thank you Netgalley, Fox Hollow Publishing, and Chrissy Hopewell for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2024
This was adorably cute. I loved Oliver & Reese. It also showed that even in your thirties relationships and ex relationships are tricky. Their two very different personalities absolutely worked in this book and I could imagine every part of it.. especially Oliver’s tattoos. If I could make one recommendation for all of you is buy a physical copy of this book. It is on KU but there is a lot of Scottish slang/words and I found myself trying to figure it out over and over. There was a little translating dictionary in there but that is much harder on a Kindle than a real book.. but also I’m not very tech savvy so maybe that was just me. Overall- great read that made me want to go visit Scotland.
April 20, 2024
3.25 ⭐️
I feel like this book was all over TikTok last fall, and at the time I wasn’t interested in it, but I’m now glad I read it.
The writing definitely struggled, but the overall storyline and MCs were fantastic. It definitely felt unique with an older MFC who had a 16 year old daughter, but there was this amazing level of maturity in the relationship. There were times when they had issues and instead of getting mad or blowing up they’d just sit down and talk it out. Even though the man was younger and had a history of being flaky and unreliable, I still really liked him. He had so much growth and good inner character. And I loved the MFC’s daughter.
I feel like this book was all over TikTok last fall, and at the time I wasn’t interested in it, but I’m now glad I read it.
The writing definitely struggled, but the overall storyline and MCs were fantastic. It definitely felt unique with an older MFC who had a 16 year old daughter, but there was this amazing level of maturity in the relationship. There were times when they had issues and instead of getting mad or blowing up they’d just sit down and talk it out. Even though the man was younger and had a history of being flaky and unreliable, I still really liked him. He had so much growth and good inner character. And I loved the MFC’s daughter.
October 9, 2023
If We Pretend by Chrissy Hopewell is an emotional rollercoaster of a fascinating romance as a single mom takes her teenage daughter to summer soccer camp in Scotland & ends up staying for a reset month. Single mom, Reese, stumbles into her daughter’s soccer coach & their lives will never be the same. Reese is dealing with a recent divorce & the subsequent engagement of her ex husband to her former best friend. The soccer coach, Oliver, is struggling with life after retirement from his pro soccer career & his difficulties with his future, family & relationships.
If We Pretend is great for fans of…
⚽️Fake Dating
⚽️Sports Romance
⚽️Scottish Hero
⚽️Dual POV
⚽️Summer Abroad Fling
The author did an incredible job relating the emotional journey that the leads of this story went on. My heart absolutely ached for them. My stomach sank. My anger boiled up. & finally, my insides melted. If We Pretend wasn’t pretending with this story. It felt very real to me. It was messy & imperfect, but it felt so authentic to me. I also appreciated the fact that the leads were in their thirties & there was a bit of a reverse age gap.
If We Pretend is a lovely & emotional single mom romance that offers hope, closure & new beginnings.
Massive thanks to the author & R&R Book Tours for the gifted copy, which k voluntarily read & reviewed.
If We Pretend is great for fans of…
⚽️Fake Dating
⚽️Sports Romance
⚽️Scottish Hero
⚽️Dual POV
⚽️Summer Abroad Fling
The author did an incredible job relating the emotional journey that the leads of this story went on. My heart absolutely ached for them. My stomach sank. My anger boiled up. & finally, my insides melted. If We Pretend wasn’t pretending with this story. It felt very real to me. It was messy & imperfect, but it felt so authentic to me. I also appreciated the fact that the leads were in their thirties & there was a bit of a reverse age gap.
If We Pretend is a lovely & emotional single mom romance that offers hope, closure & new beginnings.
Massive thanks to the author & R&R Book Tours for the gifted copy, which k voluntarily read & reviewed.
September 3, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of If We Pretend by Chrissy Hopewell.
Thank you Netgalley, Chrissy Hopewell and Fox Hollow Publishing LLC for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
**** POTENTIAL SPOILERS****
Reese is a single mom who decides to vacation in Scotland while her daughter attending a soccer camp there for the month, Reese decides to take that time to find herself and get away from the drama back home. Her plans are cut short when her ex husband and his new fiancé (her ex best friend) are also in Scotland.
Oliver is a former professional soccer player and helping out as a coach at the camp after an injury forced him to retire. I found him very charming and also liked how he navigated through his own family drama and finding out who he was outside of being a soccer player.
The two have a sweet connection and their chemistry is off the charts. Oliver was quick to step in and play the part of fake boyfriend so Reese doesn’t have to face an uncomfortable situation with her Ex Husband and Ex Best friend.
There is a little bit of spice and a whole lot of witty banter between the two.
I love a good fake dating trope and this one was an easy and fun read!
-Single mom
-Fake dating
-Soccer
Thank you Netgalley, Chrissy Hopewell and Fox Hollow Publishing LLC for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
**** POTENTIAL SPOILERS****
Reese is a single mom who decides to vacation in Scotland while her daughter attending a soccer camp there for the month, Reese decides to take that time to find herself and get away from the drama back home. Her plans are cut short when her ex husband and his new fiancé (her ex best friend) are also in Scotland.
Oliver is a former professional soccer player and helping out as a coach at the camp after an injury forced him to retire. I found him very charming and also liked how he navigated through his own family drama and finding out who he was outside of being a soccer player.
The two have a sweet connection and their chemistry is off the charts. Oliver was quick to step in and play the part of fake boyfriend so Reese doesn’t have to face an uncomfortable situation with her Ex Husband and Ex Best friend.
There is a little bit of spice and a whole lot of witty banter between the two.
I love a good fake dating trope and this one was an easy and fun read!
-Single mom
-Fake dating
-Soccer
August 28, 2023
I adored this book! Right off the bat I felt a strong connection to Reese, who just wanted a little break after her husband and the father of her teenage daughter divorced her and is now engaged to her best friend. Planning to enjoy her time in Scotland while her daughter is attending a soccer camp, Reese is horrified when her ex-husband and ex-best friend show up, wanting to hang out and be besties. Cue Oliver, the younger former professional soccer (ahem, football) player and coach at the soccer camp. Not only is he hot (can we talk about those tattoos?), but also he’s so ready to step in and play the part of doting boyfriend so Reese doesn’t have to face those exes alone.
The relationship between Oliver and Reese was lovely. There was plenty of heat but they also had this loving, warm friendship underneath it. This book will definitely appeal to readers looking for a sports romance (but without too much sports), for Scottish romances, and to anyone who enjoys reading about sticking it to an ex and an ex-best friend. Highly reccommend!
The relationship between Oliver and Reese was lovely. There was plenty of heat but they also had this loving, warm friendship underneath it. This book will definitely appeal to readers looking for a sports romance (but without too much sports), for Scottish romances, and to anyone who enjoys reading about sticking it to an ex and an ex-best friend. Highly reccommend!
September 3, 2023
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review.
A sweet romance between a divorced mother and a former football player searching for a new goal in life, “If We Pretend”, by Chrissy Hopewell (Fox Hollow Publishing), features genuine characters with vulnerabilities and flaws that make them relatable.
I liked that both Reese and Oliver display their doubts and insecurities and are honest about them.
Oliver is an approachable hero, going through changes in his life and trying to connect with Lucas.
The struggles and issues about the career changes and the anxiety and anguish it provoked is realistic. The fears about Lucas were also interesting. The fact the boy turns out to be so receptive is endearing, highlighting how parents can suffer because of their children.
Reese isn’t the typical woman Oliver would date and I liked that detour from the norm, the stereotype.
I also liked how the fake dating turned slowly into affection and love.
There was a lot of thinking and talking about the processes the leads go through. Having them describing basically unconscious actions (like biting one’s lip) was a bit distracting.
I couldn’t entirely understand how some aspects were so delayed – connecting with Lucas or Reese distancing herself from insufferable Britt.
A sweet romance between a divorced mother and a former football player searching for a new goal in life, “If We Pretend”, by Chrissy Hopewell (Fox Hollow Publishing), features genuine characters with vulnerabilities and flaws that make them relatable.
I liked that both Reese and Oliver display their doubts and insecurities and are honest about them.
Oliver is an approachable hero, going through changes in his life and trying to connect with Lucas.
The struggles and issues about the career changes and the anxiety and anguish it provoked is realistic. The fears about Lucas were also interesting. The fact the boy turns out to be so receptive is endearing, highlighting how parents can suffer because of their children.
Reese isn’t the typical woman Oliver would date and I liked that detour from the norm, the stereotype.
I also liked how the fake dating turned slowly into affection and love.
There was a lot of thinking and talking about the processes the leads go through. Having them describing basically unconscious actions (like biting one’s lip) was a bit distracting.
I couldn’t entirely understand how some aspects were so delayed – connecting with Lucas or Reese distancing herself from insufferable Britt.
October 11, 2023
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I really found the cover photo of this book to be cute.
The writing skills of the author are fantastic. The storyline is very sweet and I felt very cozy while reading it. Reese аnd Oliver аre relatable аnd mature сharaсters who faсe realistic сhallenges in thеir livеs. Reese is a single mothеr in hеr lаte 30s who hаs to balance hеr cаreer аnd family. Oliver is a kind аnd supportive man who falls in love with Reese аnd hеlps hеr overcome hеr insecurities. Their romanсe develoрs gradually аnd nаturаlly, mаking thеm stronger аs individuals аnd аs a couple. I wаs rооting for thеm to find thеir happiness аnd stay togethеr.
I really enjoyed reading the fake dating trope. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves reading Sports Romance and Contemporary Romance. Grab your copy. You will definitely enjoy reading it.
The writing skills of the author are fantastic. The storyline is very sweet and I felt very cozy while reading it. Reese аnd Oliver аre relatable аnd mature сharaсters who faсe realistic сhallenges in thеir livеs. Reese is a single mothеr in hеr lаte 30s who hаs to balance hеr cаreer аnd family. Oliver is a kind аnd supportive man who falls in love with Reese аnd hеlps hеr overcome hеr insecurities. Their romanсe develoрs gradually аnd nаturаlly, mаking thеm stronger аs individuals аnd аs a couple. I wаs rооting for thеm to find thеir happiness аnd stay togethеr.
I really enjoyed reading the fake dating trope. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves reading Sports Romance and Contemporary Romance. Grab your copy. You will definitely enjoy reading it.
September 23, 2023
Reese has the perfect plan: stay in Scotland for 4 weeks while her daughter is at soccer camp, reset her life after the engagement of her ex-husband and ex-best friend, and enjoy some peace and quiet! She's tired of acting like the bigger person and tired of pretending the exes have her blessing. Four weeks away is the perfect solution to all her problems! Except, the exes had a similar idea and now they're in Scotland for 4 weeks, too, and they want to spend the time with Reese.
"I truly dinna want to witness a murder on day one of camp."
Oliver is trying to repair his life after an injury ended his pro-football (soccer for us Americans) career, a bender ruined his reputation, and poor choices led him to all but abandon his son. When a beautiful American woman, and mother to one of the players he's coaching, seems to go into shock on the field, a strange urge to protect her surfaces. Soon, the two become unlikely friends, and Oliver makes a modest proposal...
...pretend to date to protect Reese from her nosy exes and help Oliver repair his image. Reese will be gone in a few weeks, so there should be no chance of feelings developing, right?
"And I tell you how the past month has been the happiest of my life, knowing I would get to hold you in my arms and kiss you and tell you everything that came into my head."
There are so many layers to this story. Reese is finally learning to set boundaries with two people who screwed her over but somehow want her to accept their friendship. She's trying to be a good mom, a good friend, and has completely lost sight of who she is and what she wants. Oliver's character is my favorite, though. He made so many terrible choices in his past, and he's coming to terms with them and trying to grow. More than that, he lets Reese help him realize that those terrible choices don't define him, and he's still worthy of love and affection!
If We Pretend is a delightful, and surprisingly deep, romance for fans of sexy Scottish accents and women rediscovering who they are. Be prepared to swoon while the unlikely pair unwittingly falls in love while dealing with real-life issues. And the grand gesture is perfect! It isn't over the top or cheesy. It allows Oliver to be who he wants to be AND allows them to be together. Bravo!!
Thank you, Chrissy Hopewell and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"I truly dinna want to witness a murder on day one of camp."
Oliver is trying to repair his life after an injury ended his pro-football (soccer for us Americans) career, a bender ruined his reputation, and poor choices led him to all but abandon his son. When a beautiful American woman, and mother to one of the players he's coaching, seems to go into shock on the field, a strange urge to protect her surfaces. Soon, the two become unlikely friends, and Oliver makes a modest proposal...
...pretend to date to protect Reese from her nosy exes and help Oliver repair his image. Reese will be gone in a few weeks, so there should be no chance of feelings developing, right?
"And I tell you how the past month has been the happiest of my life, knowing I would get to hold you in my arms and kiss you and tell you everything that came into my head."
There are so many layers to this story. Reese is finally learning to set boundaries with two people who screwed her over but somehow want her to accept their friendship. She's trying to be a good mom, a good friend, and has completely lost sight of who she is and what she wants. Oliver's character is my favorite, though. He made so many terrible choices in his past, and he's coming to terms with them and trying to grow. More than that, he lets Reese help him realize that those terrible choices don't define him, and he's still worthy of love and affection!
If We Pretend is a delightful, and surprisingly deep, romance for fans of sexy Scottish accents and women rediscovering who they are. Be prepared to swoon while the unlikely pair unwittingly falls in love while dealing with real-life issues. And the grand gesture is perfect! It isn't over the top or cheesy. It allows Oliver to be who he wants to be AND allows them to be together. Bravo!!
Thank you, Chrissy Hopewell and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 31, 2023
I read the quick synopsis about the book and was immediately interested. After reading this book, let me tell you.. it is definitely five stars! I do not usually give this high of rating but I loved this book. Yes it is a typical fake dating where the characters capture feelings type of story. This story has so much more! I loved the character development and the setting. I felt as if it I was in Scotland with Reese. I felt everything that each character experienced, and just fell in love. I kept turning each page, wanting to slow down so I could enjoy it but also read on to see what happened. This book is 100% worth the read, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Check out my Tik Tok Reel on this book: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8YCWVuQ/
Check out my Tik Tok Reel on this book: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8YCWVuQ/
September 5, 2023
If We Pretend takes us on a journey to Scotland. We are introduced to Reese and Oliver.
Reese is a divorced mother of a teenage daughter who goes to a soccer camp in Scotland. She co parents with her ex husband who happens to be engaged to her ex best friend.
Oliver used to be a soccer player who lived and breathed soccer. He got injured and that ended his soccer career. He is coaching at this soccer camp.
Reese and Oliver meet and game up to pretend to dare to help keep Reese’s ex’s away.
What happens after these two spend a whole month of fake dating? What will happen when the month ends and Reese goes back to New Jersey?
This was a sweet novel! I loved both characters. You could feel the love between them from the start.
Reese is a divorced mother of a teenage daughter who goes to a soccer camp in Scotland. She co parents with her ex husband who happens to be engaged to her ex best friend.
Oliver used to be a soccer player who lived and breathed soccer. He got injured and that ended his soccer career. He is coaching at this soccer camp.
Reese and Oliver meet and game up to pretend to dare to help keep Reese’s ex’s away.
What happens after these two spend a whole month of fake dating? What will happen when the month ends and Reese goes back to New Jersey?
This was a sweet novel! I loved both characters. You could feel the love between them from the start.
August 30, 2023
I really liked this book and oh my god did it make me miss Edinburgh.
I loved how the relationship blossomed and their growth within the relationship too. I appreciated how the problems within the relationship were real life problems that were solved together, realistically.
There were a few spicy scenes, which fit in well within the book and added to the plot rather than just being there for the purpose of adding spice.
I'm not usually a big fan of stories where the MC's have children, but the portrayal of the children was realistic and the relationship between the FMC and her daughter was cute and again, realistic.
I also appreciated how the priorities of the MMC weren't thrown away for a woman.
I loved how the relationship blossomed and their growth within the relationship too. I appreciated how the problems within the relationship were real life problems that were solved together, realistically.
There were a few spicy scenes, which fit in well within the book and added to the plot rather than just being there for the purpose of adding spice.
I'm not usually a big fan of stories where the MC's have children, but the portrayal of the children was realistic and the relationship between the FMC and her daughter was cute and again, realistic.
I also appreciated how the priorities of the MMC weren't thrown away for a woman.
October 11, 2023
um, that was so cute?!
as I was reading this I could 100% see it playing like a movie in my mind - and this doesn't happen very often to me! - and it would definitely be one of those romance movies that I would probably watch several times.
I wasn't exactly hooked from start to finish, but I did really enjoy pretty much the whole story.
PLUS, it's fake relationship (which is one of my favorite tropes) and you can't go wrong with that :)
as I was reading this I could 100% see it playing like a movie in my mind - and this doesn't happen very often to me! - and it would definitely be one of those romance movies that I would probably watch several times.
I wasn't exactly hooked from start to finish, but I did really enjoy pretty much the whole story.
PLUS, it's fake relationship (which is one of my favorite tropes) and you can't go wrong with that :)
August 30, 2023
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me an E-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reese travels to Scotland for her daughter's soccer camp and also for a "reset" of her life. But when her ex-husband and her ex best friend also find their way to Scotland, she stumbles in the arms of her daughter's hunky soccer coach. To help each other out, they agree to fake date, which of course does not end they way they expect it to!
If We Pretend was such a fun and spicy read! There was great chemistry between the two MC and I liked that the author used Scottish dialect; made it that much more enjoyable!
Reese travels to Scotland for her daughter's soccer camp and also for a "reset" of her life. But when her ex-husband and her ex best friend also find their way to Scotland, she stumbles in the arms of her daughter's hunky soccer coach. To help each other out, they agree to fake date, which of course does not end they way they expect it to!
If We Pretend was such a fun and spicy read! There was great chemistry between the two MC and I liked that the author used Scottish dialect; made it that much more enjoyable!
January 13, 2025
Oh I loved this book so so much!! This was a hidden gemstone from a stuff your Kindle event. I loved the Scottish setting and now I want to go so badly🥲 and last but not least, Oliver Vass is such a precious human being, his only problem is that he's barely realising it!!
Read
September 2, 2023Reese & Oliver’s story is categorized as a romcom, but there are some questionable themes that are more angsty than romcom: for example, her best friend and her ex-husband got together within weeks of the divorce becoming final. (Apparently they bonded over CrossFit, which Reese hates). And she’s barely upset about it, agreeing to hang out with them in Scotland.
I cannot with Reese. She's beyond a doormat, she's a red carpet. Ugh.
Also she spewed her tale of woe to Oliver after not even cursorily getting to know the man. And he was cool with that? Intrigued even?
Something else that bothered me: Reese, a 37-year-old woman, has more bizarre squeaking sounds emanating from her throat in a few short chapters than I believe I have had in my entire life.
No bueno.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot with Reese. She's beyond a doormat, she's a red carpet. Ugh.
Also she spewed her tale of woe to Oliver after not even cursorily getting to know the man. And he was cool with that? Intrigued even?
Something else that bothered me: Reese, a 37-year-old woman, has more bizarre squeaking sounds emanating from her throat in a few short chapters than I believe I have had in my entire life.
No bueno.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2023
This book needs 10+ stars ************
I loved this book soooo much. Fake dating is 1 of my favourite tropes so I have read quite a few books on it and this one has been by far the best I have read all year maybe even it was Awesome!
The characters were great, the chemistry was fire, there was 1 spicy scene and they didn't overload it too much. Sometimes they just add way too much and miss out on the sweet moments you know.
Reese's life has so much going on and I felt so bad for her, but she is a kick-butt person and I loved that. She needed a reset and this time away (vacation was supposed to give her that time) while her daughter was training at soccer camp. Then she finds out that her best friend(ex I guess you could also say) and her ex-husband also is staying for the same time and kinda close by. Her friend wants to spend this time recovering their friendship but Reese really doesn't want to be around either of them and I definitely understand that. Well, this whole story gets soooo good and entertaining.
Enters Oliver, her daughter's soccer coach and fake-date. They are sooo adorable together and there are so many fun things that they do. This is the part where I can't say anymore bc you just have to go read the book and you def need to. I think if you like from coms, you will enjoy it but def if you like the fake-dating tropes.
Go read it!!!!! You will not regret it :)
I am so glad to have been given the chance to read this book in advance (ARC), thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley, such a great book. The above is my opinion/review. It's honest and voluntary.
I loved this book soooo much. Fake dating is 1 of my favourite tropes so I have read quite a few books on it and this one has been by far the best I have read all year maybe even it was Awesome!
The characters were great, the chemistry was fire, there was 1 spicy scene and they didn't overload it too much. Sometimes they just add way too much and miss out on the sweet moments you know.
Reese's life has so much going on and I felt so bad for her, but she is a kick-butt person and I loved that. She needed a reset and this time away (vacation was supposed to give her that time) while her daughter was training at soccer camp. Then she finds out that her best friend(ex I guess you could also say) and her ex-husband also is staying for the same time and kinda close by. Her friend wants to spend this time recovering their friendship but Reese really doesn't want to be around either of them and I definitely understand that. Well, this whole story gets soooo good and entertaining.
Enters Oliver, her daughter's soccer coach and fake-date. They are sooo adorable together and there are so many fun things that they do. This is the part where I can't say anymore bc you just have to go read the book and you def need to. I think if you like from coms, you will enjoy it but def if you like the fake-dating tropes.
Go read it!!!!! You will not regret it :)
I am so glad to have been given the chance to read this book in advance (ARC), thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley, such a great book. The above is my opinion/review. It's honest and voluntary.
October 12, 2023
This book was so cute! I adored the blossoming relationship between the two MCs and couldn’t get enough of their flirtatious banter.
I’m a sucker for text message exchanges in This book was so cute! I adored the blossoming relationship between the two MCs and couldn’t get enough of their flirtatious banter.
I’m a sucker for text message exchanges in books, and this one did it perfectly. It was cute to see them get to know one another, asking the silliest questions, as well as the important ones.
I admired Reese’s respect and love for her daughter while navigating the inner turmoil she felt about her divorce and her relationship with Oliver. Oliver's relationship with his son, on the other hand, was hard to see and made my heart hurt for him. Although I feel that the problems in their relationship were a consequence of his own actions, you can see how hurt he is and that he truly wants to mend things.
The spice was not overwhelming and blended with the story nicely. Their first kiss was *chef's kiss*.... I giggled and blushed my way through half the book!
I’ve only read a handful of fake relationship books, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. Perfect for readers who love banter, fake dating, with a little spice sprinkled in.
I was happy to receive this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 stars.
I’m a sucker for text message exchanges in This book was so cute! I adored the blossoming relationship between the two MCs and couldn’t get enough of their flirtatious banter.
I’m a sucker for text message exchanges in books, and this one did it perfectly. It was cute to see them get to know one another, asking the silliest questions, as well as the important ones.
I admired Reese’s respect and love for her daughter while navigating the inner turmoil she felt about her divorce and her relationship with Oliver. Oliver's relationship with his son, on the other hand, was hard to see and made my heart hurt for him. Although I feel that the problems in their relationship were a consequence of his own actions, you can see how hurt he is and that he truly wants to mend things.
The spice was not overwhelming and blended with the story nicely. Their first kiss was *chef's kiss*.... I giggled and blushed my way through half the book!
I’ve only read a handful of fake relationship books, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. Perfect for readers who love banter, fake dating, with a little spice sprinkled in.
I was happy to receive this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 stars.
January 20, 2024
The premise and cover were what drew me in and led me to request If We Pretend on Netgalley (thank you to Netgalley and Chrissy Hopewell/Fox Hollow Publishing!). I'm glad I got to read this one because Chrissy Hopewell has a really easy-to-read writing style and manages to write likable, sympathetic main characters in her debut. I really liked both Reese and Oliver and found them very sweet and down-to-earth.
If I didn't like them both so much, I wouldn't have been able to make it through the drama with Reese's exes (ex-husband and ex-friend) because they infuriated me. You cannot make me like them; I refuse to read the prequel novella on Adrian and Britt (can't understand why it was written tbh but maybe other people didn't hate them as much as I did idk) after the opinion I've got of them from this book. Read the room and leave Reese alone; the number of times I wanted to yell at them and get them to back off when they could tell Reese was not happy around them, like stfu Britt? Don't go pretending you've never done anything wrong and that you've got the moral high ground and supposedly being "worried" about Reese after everything. You just want Reese to forget your betrayal and have her there for you.
I will say the reading discussion questions make me think Hopewell genuinely meant for Britt and Adrian to seem like decent people, but I don't buy it. I refuse to accept it because of all the pain they caused Reese and the way Britt kept overstepping boundaries and acting as if she knew what would be best for Reese's daughter--stfu and go away forever, thanks.
Okay this has turned into me complaining about Reese's exes (but seriously, I got so ANGRY on Reese's behalf), but there's actually a lot to like about the book if you can manage to forget about the backstabbing ex-best friend (and Reese being bullied into feeling like she should try being friends with Britt again and feeling guilty over not feeling good about it). Reese, as a 37-year-old single mom, is such a nice person who loves her family a lot: her mom, her sisters (Reese is, of course, the oldest), and her daughter Chelsea. Post-divorce, she's really been trying her best to be a good example for Chelsea because she feels partly responsible for all the turmoil of the divorce (even though I still don't see how she's at fault when her exes are the problems *shrugs*) and wants to be the best mom she can be. Oliver, a 32-year-old former pro soccer (football) player, is trying to figure out his life post-pro-athlete career so that he can get the chance to be a father to his son Lucas.
Both of them are a little lost in different ways: Reese with her uncertainty about how to untangle the mess of her personal life and Oliver with how to show his son's mother that he's changed and can be a stable figure in his son's life. Their attraction and chemistry is instantaneous and obvious, and naturally it leads to a fake dating scenario when Britt and Adrian unexpectedly show up in Scotland and demand (seriously, that's what it feels like with how pushy they are) to hang out with Reese and Oliver offers to act as a buffer, also asking for Reese's help by showing up to his son's 10th birthday party as a way to make him look like he has his shit together. Their effort to make the relationship look believable ends up making everything pretty real pretty quickly, as Reese and Oliver have adorably sweet get-to-know-you text conversations and in-person discussions, and watching these two open up to each other is what truly makes this book special. The time period of this relationship, considering the soccer summer camp is only a month long, may be short, but Reese lets down her guard since she figures they're only fake-dating, and her openness and warmth and acceptance lead to Oliver telling her things about himself that very few know.
I love the maturity in their relationship, as there's a confrontation that happens when the secret Oliver hid from her (his son's existence) gets out, but after her initial anger, once Oliver explains, she understands his fear and insecurity that she would see him differently and wouldn't want to spend time with him anymore and makes a point to tell Oliver to just talk to her about anything that's on his mind next time. That made me so happy to see because it's such a healthy example of communication. They've got their faults, obviously, with Oliver having a rough go of his childhood with his cold parents and view of himself as being worthless for anything except soccer, and Reese not believing in romantic love and also being terrible at enforcing boundaries and keeping her exes away from her and trying to be the perfect example for her daughter. They both frustrated me at times, but ultimately, their relationship was so sweet that I couldn't help but root for them. (And I was really looking forward to Reese telling Britt and Adrian off... which she did, but not satisfyingly enough to me because unlike Reese, I would totally yell at them or at least say out loud some of the things she left unsaid at the very end. I wish she'd outright said it because they deserve to feel like the pieces of shit they are, sorry not sorry.)
The realization Oliver has about his own life and his understanding that he has more sides to him as a person than he'd believed he did after all the time he spent with Reese and her unwavering belief in his worth is such a good moment in this book. And then the grand romantic gesture :') that was so cute. It didn't happen how I thought it might, originally, but it was actually better because it showed all of the thought that went into the decision and gesture, and I love the epilogue. There is a little steam, but overall I'd rate this one as pretty tame (I think there are only two scenes on-page). A lot of this book is pretty internal-conflict-driven in terms of the romance, so the character growth really shines here.
I do hope there's actually the bonus epilogue somewhere? I signed up for Hopewell's newsletter but haven't found it in the email... only the novella that I refuse to read because I can't bring myself to care about either of Reese's exes.
If I didn't like them both so much, I wouldn't have been able to make it through the drama with Reese's exes (ex-husband and ex-friend) because they infuriated me. You cannot make me like them; I refuse to read the prequel novella on Adrian and Britt (can't understand why it was written tbh but maybe other people didn't hate them as much as I did idk) after the opinion I've got of them from this book. Read the room and leave Reese alone; the number of times I wanted to yell at them and get them to back off when they could tell Reese was not happy around them, like stfu Britt? Don't go pretending you've never done anything wrong and that you've got the moral high ground and supposedly being "worried" about Reese after everything. You just want Reese to forget your betrayal and have her there for you.
I will say the reading discussion questions make me think Hopewell genuinely meant for Britt and Adrian to seem like decent people, but I don't buy it. I refuse to accept it because of all the pain they caused Reese and the way Britt kept overstepping boundaries and acting as if she knew what would be best for Reese's daughter--stfu and go away forever, thanks.
Okay this has turned into me complaining about Reese's exes (but seriously, I got so ANGRY on Reese's behalf), but there's actually a lot to like about the book if you can manage to forget about the backstabbing ex-best friend (and Reese being bullied into feeling like she should try being friends with Britt again and feeling guilty over not feeling good about it). Reese, as a 37-year-old single mom, is such a nice person who loves her family a lot: her mom, her sisters (Reese is, of course, the oldest), and her daughter Chelsea. Post-divorce, she's really been trying her best to be a good example for Chelsea because she feels partly responsible for all the turmoil of the divorce (even though I still don't see how she's at fault when her exes are the problems *shrugs*) and wants to be the best mom she can be. Oliver, a 32-year-old former pro soccer (football) player, is trying to figure out his life post-pro-athlete career so that he can get the chance to be a father to his son Lucas.
Both of them are a little lost in different ways: Reese with her uncertainty about how to untangle the mess of her personal life and Oliver with how to show his son's mother that he's changed and can be a stable figure in his son's life. Their attraction and chemistry is instantaneous and obvious, and naturally it leads to a fake dating scenario when Britt and Adrian unexpectedly show up in Scotland and demand (seriously, that's what it feels like with how pushy they are) to hang out with Reese and Oliver offers to act as a buffer, also asking for Reese's help by showing up to his son's 10th birthday party as a way to make him look like he has his shit together. Their effort to make the relationship look believable ends up making everything pretty real pretty quickly, as Reese and Oliver have adorably sweet get-to-know-you text conversations and in-person discussions, and watching these two open up to each other is what truly makes this book special. The time period of this relationship, considering the soccer summer camp is only a month long, may be short, but Reese lets down her guard since she figures they're only fake-dating, and her openness and warmth and acceptance lead to Oliver telling her things about himself that very few know.
I love the maturity in their relationship, as there's a confrontation that happens when the secret Oliver hid from her (his son's existence) gets out, but after her initial anger, once Oliver explains, she understands his fear and insecurity that she would see him differently and wouldn't want to spend time with him anymore and makes a point to tell Oliver to just talk to her about anything that's on his mind next time. That made me so happy to see because it's such a healthy example of communication. They've got their faults, obviously, with Oliver having a rough go of his childhood with his cold parents and view of himself as being worthless for anything except soccer, and Reese not believing in romantic love and also being terrible at enforcing boundaries and keeping her exes away from her and trying to be the perfect example for her daughter. They both frustrated me at times, but ultimately, their relationship was so sweet that I couldn't help but root for them. (And I was really looking forward to Reese telling Britt and Adrian off... which she did, but not satisfyingly enough to me because unlike Reese, I would totally yell at them or at least say out loud some of the things she left unsaid at the very end. I wish she'd outright said it because they deserve to feel like the pieces of shit they are, sorry not sorry.)
The realization Oliver has about his own life and his understanding that he has more sides to him as a person than he'd believed he did after all the time he spent with Reese and her unwavering belief in his worth is such a good moment in this book. And then the grand romantic gesture :') that was so cute. It didn't happen how I thought it might, originally, but it was actually better because it showed all of the thought that went into the decision and gesture, and I love the epilogue. There is a little steam, but overall I'd rate this one as pretty tame (I think there are only two scenes on-page). A lot of this book is pretty internal-conflict-driven in terms of the romance, so the character growth really shines here.
I do hope there's actually the bonus epilogue somewhere? I signed up for Hopewell's newsletter but haven't found it in the email... only the novella that I refuse to read because I can't bring myself to care about either of Reese's exes.
February 2, 2024
ARC REVIEW
This is a debut novel that deals with a recently single mom fake dating her daughters summer soccer coach in Scotland! I really loved the flow of this book, and enjoyed the trials the MMC faced as moving forward with his life of being a pro soccer star forced to retire due to injury.
I will definitely look forward to reading more from this author in the future and can’t wait to see what she has in store!
This is a debut novel that deals with a recently single mom fake dating her daughters summer soccer coach in Scotland! I really loved the flow of this book, and enjoyed the trials the MMC faced as moving forward with his life of being a pro soccer star forced to retire due to injury.
I will definitely look forward to reading more from this author in the future and can’t wait to see what she has in store!
October 1, 2023
Thank you to Chrissy for the ARC! I've read a few early versions of this book but this is my first time with the final form, and the amount of thought and work put in really pays off in this heartwarming, well-written debut. You will fly through it and the characters and themes will stay with you.
Reese captured my heart from the get. She's a divorced mum with a complicated co-parenting situation. She's funny and utterly loveable, and when things start to get deep, especially in the second half, you'll appreciate her wisdom and gentle understanding as well. She's a person I'd love to have in my life and I delighted in watching her grow across the course of the story.
I really like what Chrissy does with Reese and Britt's relationship. Messy stuff where nobody technically did anything "wrong" happens and it was refreshing to see something like this confronted. The cognitive dissonance Reese feels around Britt is very real. You can tell Britt cares about Reese, and she's sympathetic even though you don't want her to be! Reese's arc towards figuring out that she doesn't owe Britt anything is very satisfying.
Oliver is an absolute sweetheart. You'll love his endearing voice and Scottishness and his glossary of Scottish slang! He's carrying a lot of shame for his past (both warranted and unwarranted) and is trying to be a better person and face up to his responsibilities. He blossoms under Reese's influence and encouragement. And, in turn, I enjoyed reading about Reese in his perspective so much. He's so smitten. He really sees her and knows what she deserves. And that makes him a keeper.
Both Reese and Oliver have a big sense of responsibility, and one of my favourite things is how their arrangement to fake date takes the pressure off. Knowing they don't have to impress each other frees them up to be real and honest and tender and develop feelings for each other organically. The way they slip into their easy dynamic feels so natural and makes perfect sense. It's impossible not to root for them to have their happily ever after!
I can't wait for Stella's book next year. Trust me when I say you'll want to keep an eye on Chrissy's career; after this excellent debut there is so much more to come. And if you haven't already, sign up to Chrissy's newsletter for the free novella of Britt and Adrian's love story (it's actually such a good lead-in to If We Pretend, even if you can't stand Britt (for the record, I find it hard to dislike her, although I agree with Reese's daughter that Britt could stand to be told to eff off once in a while!)).
Thank you again for the ARC and I can't wait to buy a physical copy as well!
Reese captured my heart from the get. She's a divorced mum with a complicated co-parenting situation. She's funny and utterly loveable, and when things start to get deep, especially in the second half, you'll appreciate her wisdom and gentle understanding as well. She's a person I'd love to have in my life and I delighted in watching her grow across the course of the story.
I really like what Chrissy does with Reese and Britt's relationship. Messy stuff where nobody technically did anything "wrong" happens and it was refreshing to see something like this confronted. The cognitive dissonance Reese feels around Britt is very real. You can tell Britt cares about Reese, and she's sympathetic even though you don't want her to be! Reese's arc towards figuring out that she doesn't owe Britt anything is very satisfying.
Oliver is an absolute sweetheart. You'll love his endearing voice and Scottishness and his glossary of Scottish slang! He's carrying a lot of shame for his past (both warranted and unwarranted) and is trying to be a better person and face up to his responsibilities. He blossoms under Reese's influence and encouragement. And, in turn, I enjoyed reading about Reese in his perspective so much. He's so smitten. He really sees her and knows what she deserves. And that makes him a keeper.
Both Reese and Oliver have a big sense of responsibility, and one of my favourite things is how their arrangement to fake date takes the pressure off. Knowing they don't have to impress each other frees them up to be real and honest and tender and develop feelings for each other organically. The way they slip into their easy dynamic feels so natural and makes perfect sense. It's impossible not to root for them to have their happily ever after!
I can't wait for Stella's book next year. Trust me when I say you'll want to keep an eye on Chrissy's career; after this excellent debut there is so much more to come. And if you haven't already, sign up to Chrissy's newsletter for the free novella of Britt and Adrian's love story (it's actually such a good lead-in to If We Pretend, even if you can't stand Britt (for the record, I find it hard to dislike her, although I agree with Reese's daughter that Britt could stand to be told to eff off once in a while!)).
Thank you again for the ARC and I can't wait to buy a physical copy as well!
October 9, 2023
If We Pretend is a really cute story about a young, single mom who really needs a break from life and a reset. Why not ditch Jersey and do it in Scotland? Thank you, Chrissy and RR Booktours for sending me an ARC.
My heart ached for Reese throughout this book. This woman really couldn't catch a break! Her marriage wasn't super great, she gets divorced, and her best friend gets engaged to her ex. She has a 16 year old daughter, so they're all trying their best to be a well put together blended family. Britt (the best friend), wants so badly to still be friends with Reese, and Reese can't get herself to draw up boundaries and just say no. Her daughter is going to be doing a soccer camp in Scotland for a month and she decides to just stay and hang out for the month instead of just dropping her off. Unfortunately, the ex and Britt have the same idea with the pick up...and now she feels stuck with them everywhere.
Daughter's soccer coach is pretty cute. Oliver is a Scot who recently retired from the pros because of injuries, and he's trying to figure out where he goes from here. He's grown up believing that all he's good for is soccer, but secretly is an artist and thinks it would be cool to one day become a tattoo artist. But why would he ever do something that isn't related to soccer? He's trying to get his life together so he can be more involved in his son's life.
Reese and Oliver end up talking and there's instant chemistry. Eventually Reese spills her story to him about her ex and Britt, how she just wanted to get away, and now she feels like she has to hang out with them. Oliver comes up with the idea why don't we fake date? That way Reese has an excuse to be busy and Oliver can take his put together girlfriend to his son's birthday party. There's a natural break up date when Reese leaves, so why not?!
You get to follow Reese and Oliver as they become friends, help each other grow and heal, and start to become more, wondering if they really are fake dating or not. I loved the growth that they both go through, and demonstrate that no matter how much chemistry you may have, relationships are work and you have to put in the work in order for them to be great. I struggled a bit in the beginning because Oliver's voice is written like he speaks with a Scottish accent (and I feel like we don't get that super often), but after I got used to it, I thought it was a really fun touch. It made it feel more authentic and real.
Tropes:
Fake Dating
Sports Romance
He falls first
Slight age gap (she's older)
Single Parents
Strangers to lovers
Travel Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My heart ached for Reese throughout this book. This woman really couldn't catch a break! Her marriage wasn't super great, she gets divorced, and her best friend gets engaged to her ex. She has a 16 year old daughter, so they're all trying their best to be a well put together blended family. Britt (the best friend), wants so badly to still be friends with Reese, and Reese can't get herself to draw up boundaries and just say no. Her daughter is going to be doing a soccer camp in Scotland for a month and she decides to just stay and hang out for the month instead of just dropping her off. Unfortunately, the ex and Britt have the same idea with the pick up...and now she feels stuck with them everywhere.
Daughter's soccer coach is pretty cute. Oliver is a Scot who recently retired from the pros because of injuries, and he's trying to figure out where he goes from here. He's grown up believing that all he's good for is soccer, but secretly is an artist and thinks it would be cool to one day become a tattoo artist. But why would he ever do something that isn't related to soccer? He's trying to get his life together so he can be more involved in his son's life.
Reese and Oliver end up talking and there's instant chemistry. Eventually Reese spills her story to him about her ex and Britt, how she just wanted to get away, and now she feels like she has to hang out with them. Oliver comes up with the idea why don't we fake date? That way Reese has an excuse to be busy and Oliver can take his put together girlfriend to his son's birthday party. There's a natural break up date when Reese leaves, so why not?!
You get to follow Reese and Oliver as they become friends, help each other grow and heal, and start to become more, wondering if they really are fake dating or not. I loved the growth that they both go through, and demonstrate that no matter how much chemistry you may have, relationships are work and you have to put in the work in order for them to be great. I struggled a bit in the beginning because Oliver's voice is written like he speaks with a Scottish accent (and I feel like we don't get that super often), but after I got used to it, I thought it was a really fun touch. It made it feel more authentic and real.
Tropes:
Fake Dating
Sports Romance
He falls first
Slight age gap (she's older)
Single Parents
Strangers to lovers
Travel Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 21, 2023
• ARC REVIEW •
This is a debut sports romcom set in Scotland. Reese decides to spend the month abroad while her daughter is at a month long soccer (football) camp. She’s using this time to reset and come to terms with her ex-husband and ex-BFF being engaged. Enter hot football coach, Oliver who’s trying to clean up his act. To everyone’s surprise, Adrian & Britt have also decided to spend a month in Scotland exploring as well. What starts as a fake dating scenario that’s a win-win for both Reese and Oliver, quickly turns into more.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. The only criticism is about using Scottish slang in the book. Now let’s make this clear, the slang is in fact correct. So thank you for doing the research and using the correct verbiage and including a guide at the end of the book. That being said, I would have preferred to have the guide at the beginning of the book. There were times where I read a sentence a few times and still had a hard time figuring out what it meant. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more had it not been slightly difficult to figure out what Oliver was trying to say. But again, I really appreciate the accuracy of the words chosen. Personally, wants my cuppa tea (see what I did there).
I will say that Adrian and Britt absolutely annoyed the crap out of me. Like seriously how self-centered can you be?? Totally oblivious to how you being together might be hard for Reese 🙄 I was happy to see Reese finally out boundaries up at the end of the book. And her standing up to Oliver’s parents? You go girl! And we can’t gloss over the journey Oliver himself goes on to accepting his life after being a pro athlete. Learning to not let others perceived thoughts stop you from doing anything. Sometimes it’s our own voices in our head that are our worst enemies. Except his parents because they were actually the worst.
Excited to see where this series goes!
This is a debut sports romcom set in Scotland. Reese decides to spend the month abroad while her daughter is at a month long soccer (football) camp. She’s using this time to reset and come to terms with her ex-husband and ex-BFF being engaged. Enter hot football coach, Oliver who’s trying to clean up his act. To everyone’s surprise, Adrian & Britt have also decided to spend a month in Scotland exploring as well. What starts as a fake dating scenario that’s a win-win for both Reese and Oliver, quickly turns into more.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. The only criticism is about using Scottish slang in the book. Now let’s make this clear, the slang is in fact correct. So thank you for doing the research and using the correct verbiage and including a guide at the end of the book. That being said, I would have preferred to have the guide at the beginning of the book. There were times where I read a sentence a few times and still had a hard time figuring out what it meant. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more had it not been slightly difficult to figure out what Oliver was trying to say. But again, I really appreciate the accuracy of the words chosen. Personally, wants my cuppa tea (see what I did there).
I will say that Adrian and Britt absolutely annoyed the crap out of me. Like seriously how self-centered can you be?? Totally oblivious to how you being together might be hard for Reese 🙄 I was happy to see Reese finally out boundaries up at the end of the book. And her standing up to Oliver’s parents? You go girl! And we can’t gloss over the journey Oliver himself goes on to accepting his life after being a pro athlete. Learning to not let others perceived thoughts stop you from doing anything. Sometimes it’s our own voices in our head that are our worst enemies. Except his parents because they were actually the worst.
Excited to see where this series goes!
August 11, 2024
I’m just catching up on good reads, I’m also very excited that I just worked out how to sync my kindle notes/highlights!!
So, let me start by saying I came across this author recently on Instagram and wanted to take a look. I’m a total fan of romance and I’m in the U.K. so loved the idea of this being set in Scotland.
I was really pleasantly surprised, I loved the storyline, firstly with our FMC being slight older, with a child, I didn’t realise how most of the books I read are all younger characters, this really gave it a perspective to me that I hadn’t realised I was missing.
Now before you all get on the, “I hate the single mom trope” waggon bear with me, because actually this doesn’t have a lot of “mum stuff” in it. Like our FMC my children are of an age where they don’t need me to so much and life can be about focussing on ourselves and what we want. So I really loved this storyline. Reese goes after what she wants, with the dilemma of what’s appropriate and a bit of what the hell chucked in, to me it felt well balanced.
Oliver our MMC has his own battles, which he works through with the help of Reece. My only bug bear was that I loved the use of Scottish slang but it was patchy. Some words were slang and the rest was English. So when reading it’s was hard to stay in character for him. I listen to a lot of audio books and I imagine with a Scottish narrator this would have been perfect!
I even did a little book mood aesthetic for this book because the cover doesn’t sell this story for me, this isn’t a cutesy Rom com, it’s a grown up romance which is sweet and funny but still keeping an edge on reality. Not a fluffy everything is perfect but we can still have a HEA.
The tea ☕️
🚫 - daughters football coach
🥸 - fake dating
🔥 - slow burn
🏴 - Scottish slang/location
💞 - single parents
So, let me start by saying I came across this author recently on Instagram and wanted to take a look. I’m a total fan of romance and I’m in the U.K. so loved the idea of this being set in Scotland.
I was really pleasantly surprised, I loved the storyline, firstly with our FMC being slight older, with a child, I didn’t realise how most of the books I read are all younger characters, this really gave it a perspective to me that I hadn’t realised I was missing.
Now before you all get on the, “I hate the single mom trope” waggon bear with me, because actually this doesn’t have a lot of “mum stuff” in it. Like our FMC my children are of an age where they don’t need me to so much and life can be about focussing on ourselves and what we want. So I really loved this storyline. Reese goes after what she wants, with the dilemma of what’s appropriate and a bit of what the hell chucked in, to me it felt well balanced.
Oliver our MMC has his own battles, which he works through with the help of Reece. My only bug bear was that I loved the use of Scottish slang but it was patchy. Some words were slang and the rest was English. So when reading it’s was hard to stay in character for him. I listen to a lot of audio books and I imagine with a Scottish narrator this would have been perfect!
I even did a little book mood aesthetic for this book because the cover doesn’t sell this story for me, this isn’t a cutesy Rom com, it’s a grown up romance which is sweet and funny but still keeping an edge on reality. Not a fluffy everything is perfect but we can still have a HEA.
The tea ☕️
🚫 - daughters football coach
🥸 - fake dating
🔥 - slow burn
🏴 - Scottish slang/location
💞 - single parents
September 25, 2023
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Reese needs a break from her life, and a month in Scotland while her daughter attends an elite soccer camp is the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately her ex-husband and his fiancé (aka Reese’s ex-best friend) have the same idea. Enter Oliver Vass, the hot, young soccer coach. He offers to pretend to date Reese to help her avoid her ex-husband and ex-friend. Oliver’s life has been a bit of a mess since his pro career ended, but he’s sure being attached to someone like Reese, a sweet, responsible mom, will make people think he is finally getting his act together. Pretending to date is not a challenge for either of them, but this has to be fake, because there is a very real expiration date. At the end of the month Reese flies back to her life in America.
I really enjoyed this book! I was so invested in the characters that I read it in one day! The MCs are likable and realistic and though they do have an instant attraction for one another, their relationship evolves in a more subtle and believable way. We also get to see important character development for both of them.
This is an open door romance, but with relatively low spice. In my opinion it was a perfect amount without making that the main aspect of the story or their relationship. If you like fake dating and men with Scottish accents, you’ll love If We Pretend!
Thank you so much to Chrissy Hopewell, R&R Book Tours, and Fox Hollow Publishing for sharing an ARC of this book with me. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion.
Reese needs a break from her life, and a month in Scotland while her daughter attends an elite soccer camp is the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately her ex-husband and his fiancé (aka Reese’s ex-best friend) have the same idea. Enter Oliver Vass, the hot, young soccer coach. He offers to pretend to date Reese to help her avoid her ex-husband and ex-friend. Oliver’s life has been a bit of a mess since his pro career ended, but he’s sure being attached to someone like Reese, a sweet, responsible mom, will make people think he is finally getting his act together. Pretending to date is not a challenge for either of them, but this has to be fake, because there is a very real expiration date. At the end of the month Reese flies back to her life in America.
I really enjoyed this book! I was so invested in the characters that I read it in one day! The MCs are likable and realistic and though they do have an instant attraction for one another, their relationship evolves in a more subtle and believable way. We also get to see important character development for both of them.
This is an open door romance, but with relatively low spice. In my opinion it was a perfect amount without making that the main aspect of the story or their relationship. If you like fake dating and men with Scottish accents, you’ll love If We Pretend!
Thank you so much to Chrissy Hopewell, R&R Book Tours, and Fox Hollow Publishing for sharing an ARC of this book with me. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion.
October 11, 2023
Omg this was such a great read, when I read the blurb of this story I knew I needed to read this book and thank god I did because the story was so much better that what I though it will be.
Reese, a single mom finds her self taking an one month vacation in Scotland while her teenage daughter is at soccer camp, she wants to try to reset and figure her messy life. Things in her life are complicated after her ex husband and ex best friend are engage to be marry. She finally thinks she has a month free of them until they also showed up in Scotland and all of a sudden she feels stuck all over again, thank god for the sexy soccer coach Oliver that comes to the rescued with a very great idea an a solution to both their problems.
Oliver's life is also messy, now he is a retired soccer player trying to make a stable life and connect with the son. But when single mom Reese appear in his life something finally clicks for him and she becomes so much more than a pretend girlfriend.
I love Oliver and Reese's relationship and how they got to know each other. The sparks between them were incredible.
This story was super entertaining, emotional and I love the fact that involve a new beginning for both main characters, it was definitely a great debut novel and I need Reese's sister stories soon.
If you like:
-second chances
-fake dating
-soccer coach
-single parent
-vacation fling
Then this is a book I must recommend.
October 23, 2023
If We Pretend by Chrissy Hopewell
Release Date: October 10th
4/5 Stars
Thank you Chrissy Hopewell and Fox Hollow Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Fake dating has always been one of my most favorite rom com themes, and the fact that this one takes place in Scotland (first location on my travel bucket list), I knew I was going to not only read it, but enjoy it.
Reese finds herself in Scotland for the summer while her daughter takes part in soccer camp. What she doesn’t plan on is that her ex-husband and his new fiancée (her ex-best friend) would also have the same idea. When assistant coach, and former bad boy, Oliver recognizes her distress, he comes up with an ingenious plan: they will fake date for the summer. Reese will have protection from her ex-best friend’s reconciliation plans, but he will have a “safe” girlfriend to help him with his own reconciliation plans. What they don’t factor in is their insane chemistry. The summer just got more interesting for the both of them!
This book was the quintessential romantic comedy. Reese and Oliver had attraction and chemistry from the start, so their love story felt real and organic. Their motivation was clear, even as their relationship got more murky. The only real issue I had with the book was Reese’s continued insistence on mending fences with her exes. With every character telling her she didn’t need to forgive, I found myself agreeing more and more. However, this didn’t stop me from enjoying the book, and I would certainly read it again!
Release Date: October 10th
4/5 Stars
Thank you Chrissy Hopewell and Fox Hollow Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Fake dating has always been one of my most favorite rom com themes, and the fact that this one takes place in Scotland (first location on my travel bucket list), I knew I was going to not only read it, but enjoy it.
Reese finds herself in Scotland for the summer while her daughter takes part in soccer camp. What she doesn’t plan on is that her ex-husband and his new fiancée (her ex-best friend) would also have the same idea. When assistant coach, and former bad boy, Oliver recognizes her distress, he comes up with an ingenious plan: they will fake date for the summer. Reese will have protection from her ex-best friend’s reconciliation plans, but he will have a “safe” girlfriend to help him with his own reconciliation plans. What they don’t factor in is their insane chemistry. The summer just got more interesting for the both of them!
This book was the quintessential romantic comedy. Reese and Oliver had attraction and chemistry from the start, so their love story felt real and organic. Their motivation was clear, even as their relationship got more murky. The only real issue I had with the book was Reese’s continued insistence on mending fences with her exes. With every character telling her she didn’t need to forgive, I found myself agreeing more and more. However, this didn’t stop me from enjoying the book, and I would certainly read it again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews