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Text Appeal
Love enters the chat in this hilarious, heartfelt rom com by New York Times bestselling and Audie award-winning author Kylie Scott.
Romance author Riley Cooper always dreamed of living by the water. But within a day of landing in the charming seaside town of Port Stewart to work on her latest book, she's getting calls and texts for some dude on her new number. Weird ones. Sad ones. Sexy ones. Ones that make her want to meet him. For curiosity's sake...if nothing else.
After years of being on-again, off-again with his high school sweetheart, all Connor wants is to move on with his life. If only everyone in Port Stewart would let him. What he needs is to be seen with someone else. So when fate puts him in the path of the new girl in town who got his old number, faking it together seems like the perfect solution.
Spending time with the gorgeous former prom king might be great research for Riley’s romance writing…if only she can keep her feelings in check. But the more she gets to know him, the harder she’s falling. Can their serendipitous meeting turn into something real and true?
Romance author Riley Cooper always dreamed of living by the water. But within a day of landing in the charming seaside town of Port Stewart to work on her latest book, she's getting calls and texts for some dude on her new number. Weird ones. Sad ones. Sexy ones. Ones that make her want to meet him. For curiosity's sake...if nothing else.
After years of being on-again, off-again with his high school sweetheart, all Connor wants is to move on with his life. If only everyone in Port Stewart would let him. What he needs is to be seen with someone else. So when fate puts him in the path of the new girl in town who got his old number, faking it together seems like the perfect solution.
Spending time with the gorgeous former prom king might be great research for Riley’s romance writing…if only she can keep her feelings in check. But the more she gets to know him, the harder she’s falling. Can their serendipitous meeting turn into something real and true?
Unknown Binding
First published October 22, 2024
136 people are currently reading
1346 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Scott
60 books17k followersKylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning Romance author.
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October 22, 2024Available now!
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Narrated by: Andi Arndt
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Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!
Amazon: https://a.co/d/3pO3q2Z
Apple Books: https://apple.co/44XDyxD
Nook: https://bit.ly/3Vhc7M1
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3UW381x
Google Play: https://bit.ly/4f50Mph
Audible: https://adbl.co/450CfxR
Narrated by: Andi Arndt
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3QUH0U0
July 23, 2024
2.5 stars.
Some of this book was cute and funny. But too much of it felt... contrived?
This is a fake dating book. I am not a fan of this trope. But why did you read this if you don't like that trope, Tina? You ask. Well, I am attracted to plot and sometimes a writer can include a trope I don't like, but the plotting, character development, dialogue, and writing can transcend a less than desirable trope. And honestly all those things should. The book shouldn't be the trope, the trope should exist within the framework of the story as an element, but not the overriding identity of the book.
And I have liked this author's work and I am always up for being surprised and gratified when an author can be the exception to a rule and upend my expectations. But this book was an illustrative example of what I dislike the most about the fake dating trope. It needs to make sense and this one, imo, did not.
It starts out with an interesting premise. Riley is a romance author who grew up in Nevada (basically the desert) but always wanted to live by the sea. so she moves to a Pacific NW town of Port Stewart. She also decides to get a new local cell phone number. She quickly learns that it was the former cell number of a guy named Connor who comes from a big family and apparently hasn't informed everyone of his new number because he is still getting texts to the old number that is now Riley's. And the texts don't only come from family and friends, but one of the more persistent texts is from one of Connor's exes named Ava.
Ava doesn't believe Riley doesn't know Connor. She believes that Riley is in fact Connor's new girlfriend. Ava and Connor had been together since they've been kids and have had an on again/off again volatile romance and Ava is coming back to town for their 10 year HS reunion and has put Riley on notice that she is gonna get her man back.
Ava isn't the only one who wants Connor back, apparently the entire town is rooting for Ava and Connor to get back together. And I am not exaggerating, The. Entire. Town. How do we know this. Because within a day of Ava texting Riley, The. Entire. Town knows that Riley is Connor's new girlfriend and are taking sides. Mind you, Riley has not ever met the man.
Could she have shut this down with a well placed.. 'Who the fuck is this Connor dude y'all keep talking about? Never met the man in the my life." Yes she could have. But did she? No. Because that would mean we couldn't contort ourselves into the fake dating trope.
When Connor finally makes an appearance at her door, it is to introduce himself and to propose that they fake date because Ava won't leave him alone and The. Entire. Town. wants them back together. Could Connor have shut all that down with a well placed "Mind your business and no, Ava, I don't ever want to get back together."? Yes he could have. But did he? No. Because... Trope.
Instead we get them putting on a belabored show for the town. And when I saw show, I mean that literally, because every single thing they do is on display for the town. It is like their entire existence is for the delectation of the observers of the town and everyone has an opinion and are constantly watching them. It was so bizarre.
Of course this is fake dating that turns into real emotion because that is the trope, but even the 'I love yous" are done on full display for everyone in town. It was like dinner theater for goodness sake.
So yeah.. the reason for the fake-dating felt overly contrived. There was one limp explanation that Connor was a 'people-pleaser' because of the reasons we are given about his background. But dude, grow a pair.
Ok, maybe that was a bit harsh. Because one of the things that did work for me was Connor's background, his family and their place in the town. And it does explain why Connor would care what people thought. But it really was a but much. I do wish this had been a dual POV. I would have loved to know more about Connor's inner thoughts and maybe I wouldn't have been so unimpressed with him.
And even though I hated that the entire town seemed to exist to be an audience to this romance, I actually liked the different personalities in the town. They were all different and funny and interesting.
Surprisingly, I thought the character of Ava was one of the more enjoyable aspects. I thought she was gonna be a run-of-the-mill OW asshole, but she wasn't , she was very well drawn. I really enjoyed her texts with Riley and their evolving relationship. And yeah, I liked the way the author drew the history of her relationship with Connor as well.
So yeah, like I said. There were parts that were funny and enjoyable but those parts would get derailed by my exasperation with how the trope seemed to gobble the story.
And finally as a person who reads diversely, I would like to shout out this author for making her town diverse. As well as being one of the small, but growing number of authors who do not automatically presume that their charaters are white by default. Instead of only describing their a character skin's color when they are POC, she also makes a point to indicate when a person is also white, not just assuming we know they are. It is a small thing, but I like to note it when it happens.
The audiobook was well narrated.
Some of this book was cute and funny. But too much of it felt... contrived?
This is a fake dating book. I am not a fan of this trope. But why did you read this if you don't like that trope, Tina? You ask. Well, I am attracted to plot and sometimes a writer can include a trope I don't like, but the plotting, character development, dialogue, and writing can transcend a less than desirable trope. And honestly all those things should. The book shouldn't be the trope, the trope should exist within the framework of the story as an element, but not the overriding identity of the book.
And I have liked this author's work and I am always up for being surprised and gratified when an author can be the exception to a rule and upend my expectations. But this book was an illustrative example of what I dislike the most about the fake dating trope. It needs to make sense and this one, imo, did not.
It starts out with an interesting premise. Riley is a romance author who grew up in Nevada (basically the desert) but always wanted to live by the sea. so she moves to a Pacific NW town of Port Stewart. She also decides to get a new local cell phone number. She quickly learns that it was the former cell number of a guy named Connor who comes from a big family and apparently hasn't informed everyone of his new number because he is still getting texts to the old number that is now Riley's. And the texts don't only come from family and friends, but one of the more persistent texts is from one of Connor's exes named Ava.
Ava doesn't believe Riley doesn't know Connor. She believes that Riley is in fact Connor's new girlfriend. Ava and Connor had been together since they've been kids and have had an on again/off again volatile romance and Ava is coming back to town for their 10 year HS reunion and has put Riley on notice that she is gonna get her man back.
Ava isn't the only one who wants Connor back, apparently the entire town is rooting for Ava and Connor to get back together. And I am not exaggerating, The. Entire. Town. How do we know this. Because within a day of Ava texting Riley, The. Entire. Town knows that Riley is Connor's new girlfriend and are taking sides. Mind you, Riley has not ever met the man.
Could she have shut this down with a well placed.. 'Who the fuck is this Connor dude y'all keep talking about? Never met the man in the my life." Yes she could have. But did she? No. Because that would mean we couldn't contort ourselves into the fake dating trope.
When Connor finally makes an appearance at her door, it is to introduce himself and to propose that they fake date because Ava won't leave him alone and The. Entire. Town. wants them back together. Could Connor have shut all that down with a well placed "Mind your business and no, Ava, I don't ever want to get back together."? Yes he could have. But did he? No. Because... Trope.
Instead we get them putting on a belabored show for the town. And when I saw show, I mean that literally, because every single thing they do is on display for the town. It is like their entire existence is for the delectation of the observers of the town and everyone has an opinion and are constantly watching them. It was so bizarre.
Of course this is fake dating that turns into real emotion because that is the trope, but even the 'I love yous" are done on full display for everyone in town. It was like dinner theater for goodness sake.
So yeah.. the reason for the fake-dating felt overly contrived. There was one limp explanation that Connor was a 'people-pleaser' because of the reasons we are given about his background. But dude, grow a pair.
Ok, maybe that was a bit harsh. Because one of the things that did work for me was Connor's background, his family and their place in the town. And it does explain why Connor would care what people thought. But it really was a but much. I do wish this had been a dual POV. I would have loved to know more about Connor's inner thoughts and maybe I wouldn't have been so unimpressed with him.
And even though I hated that the entire town seemed to exist to be an audience to this romance, I actually liked the different personalities in the town. They were all different and funny and interesting.
Surprisingly, I thought the character of Ava was one of the more enjoyable aspects. I thought she was gonna be a run-of-the-mill OW asshole, but she wasn't , she was very well drawn. I really enjoyed her texts with Riley and their evolving relationship. And yeah, I liked the way the author drew the history of her relationship with Connor as well.
So yeah, like I said. There were parts that were funny and enjoyable but those parts would get derailed by my exasperation with how the trope seemed to gobble the story.
And finally as a person who reads diversely, I would like to shout out this author for making her town diverse. As well as being one of the small, but growing number of authors who do not automatically presume that their charaters are white by default. Instead of only describing their a character skin's color when they are POC, she also makes a point to indicate when a person is also white, not just assuming we know they are. It is a small thing, but I like to note it when it happens.
The audiobook was well narrated.
October 22, 2024
Oh my gosh, this book was such a treat! Picture a grumpy small-town guy and a bubbly city girl faking a relationship. What could go wrong, right? Well, it turns out, everything goes hilariously right!
Riley is the ultimate sunshine girl, and I loved how she handled texts from Connor’s friends and ex, Ava, like a champ. Her snappy comebacks to Ava were hilarious! And Connor is the perfect moody, protective small-town guy. They balanced each other so well—his grumpiness and her bubbly energy made for the cutest combo.
Their fake relationship quickly turns into something real as they spend time together, and it’s clear they are meant for each other. Plus, shoutout to Connor’s grandma, Martha, for being the ultimate matchmaker. She’s a gem! I even found myself loving Ava, Connor’s ex, once she realized how happy Riley makes him.
This book was such a quick, fun read, packed with witty banter, sweet moments, and just the right amount of spice. I flew through it and can’t wait to read more by Kylie Scott!
Read this if you like:
💘 City Girl - Country Boy
💘 Fake Relationship
💘 Small Town
💘 Grumpy/Sunshine
Riley is the ultimate sunshine girl, and I loved how she handled texts from Connor’s friends and ex, Ava, like a champ. Her snappy comebacks to Ava were hilarious! And Connor is the perfect moody, protective small-town guy. They balanced each other so well—his grumpiness and her bubbly energy made for the cutest combo.
Their fake relationship quickly turns into something real as they spend time together, and it’s clear they are meant for each other. Plus, shoutout to Connor’s grandma, Martha, for being the ultimate matchmaker. She’s a gem! I even found myself loving Ava, Connor’s ex, once she realized how happy Riley makes him.
This book was such a quick, fun read, packed with witty banter, sweet moments, and just the right amount of spice. I flew through it and can’t wait to read more by Kylie Scott!
Read this if you like:
💘 City Girl - Country Boy
💘 Fake Relationship
💘 Small Town
💘 Grumpy/Sunshine
December 4, 2024
3.5 stars
Text Appeal was a fun fake dating story. I enjoyed the meet-cute between Riley and Connor. I liked Riley’s relationship with Ava and Connor’s grandma a lot. I wish I would have felt more of a connection between the main couple, but I liked it.
Text Appeal was a fun fake dating story. I enjoyed the meet-cute between Riley and Connor. I liked Riley’s relationship with Ava and Connor’s grandma a lot. I wish I would have felt more of a connection between the main couple, but I liked it.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Andi Arndt
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 8m
November 4, 2024
4.5 Stars ⭐️
A truly enjoyable story! I’m hoping it becomes a series maybe Angus next??????
A truly enjoyable story! I’m hoping it becomes a series maybe Angus next??????
July 23, 2024
I Listend 👂 to this book with my Audible subscription for free.🎶🤸♂️🤸♀️
I always enjoy most of Kylie Scott's books. I either love them or I'm really glad I picked them up.
This book was no exception, however I listen to this book this time and I have to say the narrator Andi Arndt was amazing as she always is. Really enjoyed the book and binged listened to it until it was finished.
Great characters good plot twist with Ava. Extremely nosey town. 4 and a half stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading 📙📚📕📗📓📒📔📒📓📚📙📕📚📓📗📓📒📘📔📖📙📚📓📒📘📒📓📚📙📕📖
I always enjoy most of Kylie Scott's books. I either love them or I'm really glad I picked them up.
This book was no exception, however I listen to this book this time and I have to say the narrator Andi Arndt was amazing as she always is. Really enjoyed the book and binged listened to it until it was finished.
Great characters good plot twist with Ava. Extremely nosey town. 4 and a half stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading 📙📚📕📗📓📒📔📒📓📚📙📕📚📓📗📓📒📘📔📖📙📚📓📒📘📒📓📚📙📕📖
November 5, 2024
Ava's name (The other woman) was mentioned: 255 times.
Riley's name (The FMC) was mentioned: 99 times.
Need I say more?
Also: How about an MMC who breaks up with you right after (really right after!) giving you an orgasmic oral sex?
Riley's name (The FMC) was mentioned: 99 times.
Need I say more?
Also: How about an MMC who breaks up with you right after (really right after!) giving you an orgasmic oral sex?
November 6, 2024
Spoilers ahead
The romance writer h left her life behind to move to a small town. She gets a new number which turns out to be the H's old phone number. His ex texts and the h responds leading the ex to believe the H had moved on.
H/h meet and decide to continue the fake dating because he's tired of the merry go round of his relationship with his ex in the small town. Over the course of six days real feelings develop between the mcs
*******
This could've been a cute, quick enjoyable read except for one thing.....his ex was present from beginning to end!! Like literally.....we met her before we met him!
So the exes were together forever in a small town, they were off and on a couple times but were Known to always get back together. She's coming back to town so everyone including his mother expected them to get back together
The ex comes back to town expecting that too but the H/h were happily pretending at that point.
Now in all honesty there wasn't much drama, the ex got the lay of the land pretty early and wasn't heartbroken because she actually had her own person but I'm the type of reader where exes don't belong in my romance. I don't want to know how they held hands, how he treated her and how insatiable he was for her!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr I do not need that in my head. I was just so damn uncomfortable with this entire book.
The ex became friends with the h too and I'm just not about that. There are no kids to coparent why the hell did she need to ge do damn present! Her name was probably mentioned just as much as the h's (fun fact I can't remember the h's name but the ex was Ava wtf?)
And the H!!!!!!!! He hardly spoke but I desperately needed his pov. He told the h him and the ex broke up because he proposed to her and she didn't want too but he was relieved when she said no......I needed him to tell ME these things!!!!! I needed him during that dance in particular to reassure me that there were no one feelings there!!!!!!!
Then when the ex kissed her person and there was no further need for the H/h to fake date he immediately asked about a breakup!!!!!! Like sirrrrrrrrrrrrr
And it felt like the h was more invested than he was! Ughhhhhhh
Man this could've been so sweet, there were moments I actually laughed our loud and the h was cool ppl but the ex needed to board a plane immediately ughhhh. This just left a bad taste in my mouth
Let's not forget that one of his ex bed buddies messaged her in the beginning too 🙄😑
No cheating
H had been with his ex for years, when they were broken up he'd sleep with op
Ex was around the entire book, she tried to get him back in the beginning but it was half assed at best
The romance writer h left her life behind to move to a small town. She gets a new number which turns out to be the H's old phone number. His ex texts and the h responds leading the ex to believe the H had moved on.
H/h meet and decide to continue the fake dating because he's tired of the merry go round of his relationship with his ex in the small town. Over the course of six days real feelings develop between the mcs
*******
This could've been a cute, quick enjoyable read except for one thing.....his ex was present from beginning to end!! Like literally.....we met her before we met him!
So the exes were together forever in a small town, they were off and on a couple times but were Known to always get back together. She's coming back to town so everyone including his mother expected them to get back together
The ex comes back to town expecting that too but the H/h were happily pretending at that point.
Now in all honesty there wasn't much drama, the ex got the lay of the land pretty early and wasn't heartbroken because she actually had her own person but I'm the type of reader where exes don't belong in my romance. I don't want to know how they held hands, how he treated her and how insatiable he was for her!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr I do not need that in my head. I was just so damn uncomfortable with this entire book.
The ex became friends with the h too and I'm just not about that. There are no kids to coparent why the hell did she need to ge do damn present! Her name was probably mentioned just as much as the h's (fun fact I can't remember the h's name but the ex was Ava wtf?)
And the H!!!!!!!! He hardly spoke but I desperately needed his pov. He told the h him and the ex broke up because he proposed to her and she didn't want too but he was relieved when she said no......I needed him to tell ME these things!!!!! I needed him during that dance in particular to reassure me that there were no one feelings there!!!!!!!
Then when the ex kissed her person and there was no further need for the H/h to fake date he immediately asked about a breakup!!!!!! Like sirrrrrrrrrrrrr
And it felt like the h was more invested than he was! Ughhhhhhh
Man this could've been so sweet, there were moments I actually laughed our loud and the h was cool ppl but the ex needed to board a plane immediately ughhhh. This just left a bad taste in my mouth
Let's not forget that one of his ex bed buddies messaged her in the beginning too 🙄😑
No cheating
H had been with his ex for years, when they were broken up he'd sleep with op
Ex was around the entire book, she tried to get him back in the beginning but it was half assed at best
August 4, 2025
Story 4 stars. Narration 5 stars.
I’m a fan of author Kylie Scott so I was excited to find this book a couple of days ago. This is a story about a romance writer that moves to a small town off the coast of Washington state. She’s there to write her latest book that isn’t going so well. She’s new to town and has a new phone number. She starts getting all kinds of calls and texts for the man who had the number before her. When the guy’s ex-girlfriend doesn’t believe her when she says she doesn’t know him, it causes quite the stir in the town. The ex is coming home and everyone expects the two to get back together again as they have done for years. Meanwhile the main character finally meets the guy. Sounds like I’ve told a lot? Nope, this is just the second day of the story.
It was a good story with lots of small town charm and small town gossip. I liked the two main characters although the guy is a bit wishy-washy at times and I liked a lot of the side characters as well. The romance was a bit spicy, but not the kind that takes over the story. The trope is fake dating and was pretty much the main focus of the story. Narration by Andi Arndt was stellar as is her usual.
I’m a fan of author Kylie Scott so I was excited to find this book a couple of days ago. This is a story about a romance writer that moves to a small town off the coast of Washington state. She’s there to write her latest book that isn’t going so well. She’s new to town and has a new phone number. She starts getting all kinds of calls and texts for the man who had the number before her. When the guy’s ex-girlfriend doesn’t believe her when she says she doesn’t know him, it causes quite the stir in the town. The ex is coming home and everyone expects the two to get back together again as they have done for years. Meanwhile the main character finally meets the guy. Sounds like I’ve told a lot? Nope, this is just the second day of the story.
It was a good story with lots of small town charm and small town gossip. I liked the two main characters although the guy is a bit wishy-washy at times and I liked a lot of the side characters as well. The romance was a bit spicy, but not the kind that takes over the story. The trope is fake dating and was pretty much the main focus of the story. Narration by Andi Arndt was stellar as is her usual.
November 6, 2024
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Valentine PR)
Riley Cooper is a twenty nine year old romance author who has been more focused on building her career than her social life. She’s bored with her life, and needs a change, so she decides to move from the city to a small coastal town called Port Stewart. She’s always loved the water, and is excited to check out the area, and work on her new book. She’s also hoping to make some new friends and is looking forward to new experiences. What she doesn’t expect is the calls and text messages to her new phone number for a guy she’s never met. Suddenly she’s curious about this stranger, and finds all the new details she’s learning about him fascinating. When she finally meets the infamous Connor he’s easy to crush on.
Connor has been on and off with his high school girlfriend for years. He wants nothing more than to move on, and put the past behind him, but the town is obsessed with them being a couple. He needs a distraction, and the new girl in town could be the answer to all his problems. Being seen with someone new could work. They make a pact, but soon pretend starts to feel real as lines get blurred. As a meaningful connection grows their fake relationship turns complicated.
Text Appeal by Kylie Scott is a small town, new girl in town, grumpy/sunshine, found family, only one bed, fake dating, friends to lovers romance full of humor, sizzling chemistry and fabulous banter. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish! It was so cute and funny. I just loved these two together! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D54CZYYY?...
(ARC provided by Valentine PR)
Riley Cooper is a twenty nine year old romance author who has been more focused on building her career than her social life. She’s bored with her life, and needs a change, so she decides to move from the city to a small coastal town called Port Stewart. She’s always loved the water, and is excited to check out the area, and work on her new book. She’s also hoping to make some new friends and is looking forward to new experiences. What she doesn’t expect is the calls and text messages to her new phone number for a guy she’s never met. Suddenly she’s curious about this stranger, and finds all the new details she’s learning about him fascinating. When she finally meets the infamous Connor he’s easy to crush on.
Connor has been on and off with his high school girlfriend for years. He wants nothing more than to move on, and put the past behind him, but the town is obsessed with them being a couple. He needs a distraction, and the new girl in town could be the answer to all his problems. Being seen with someone new could work. They make a pact, but soon pretend starts to feel real as lines get blurred. As a meaningful connection grows their fake relationship turns complicated.
Text Appeal by Kylie Scott is a small town, new girl in town, grumpy/sunshine, found family, only one bed, fake dating, friends to lovers romance full of humor, sizzling chemistry and fabulous banter. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish! It was so cute and funny. I just loved these two together! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D54CZYYY?...
October 23, 2024
Ive been on a Kylie Scott trip recently so I was really looking forward to reading this and as I dont really do audible I had to wait for it in print.
It was very funny in places, the small town antics and the family interference was really good.
The heroine has moved to a small town from the big city, the Hero has lived in the small town all his life and has a situation with his ex as the blurb explains.
The Hero is the strong silent type so although his motives and reasons for fake dating are explained I did think that it was a quick read and as a result as a reader I would have liked more from him.
There are no intimate details other than the Hero and heroine.
You have the Hero's ex who isn't quite what she seems but a sort of plays a villainy character.
The Hero has a booty call on his phone but no details.
No details about the heroine's dating life except shes dated.
HEA.
It was very funny in places, the small town antics and the family interference was really good.
The heroine has moved to a small town from the big city, the Hero has lived in the small town all his life and has a situation with his ex as the blurb explains.
The Hero is the strong silent type so although his motives and reasons for fake dating are explained I did think that it was a quick read and as a result as a reader I would have liked more from him.
There are no intimate details other than the Hero and heroine.
You have the Hero's ex who isn't quite what she seems but a sort of plays a villainy character.
The Hero has a booty call on his phone but no details.
No details about the heroine's dating life except shes dated.
HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2024
Queen of fantastic banter is here baby!
December 7, 2024
I felt the book was a little slow in the beginning but picked up.
4 stars
4 stars
November 4, 2024
Bof. 🤷🏻♀️
Mistaken identity, small town, fake dating and texting? Of course I fell for the premise once again!
The introduction was engaging but the entertainment died young, sadly.
The quirkiness of the FMC and super witty dialogues couldn't make for the absolute dearth of chemistry between the main characters and in all honesty it wasn't much a surprise nor it was a disappointment because the male main character, Connor, couldn't produce a single spark in a fireworks factory. He was so dull.
Riley was an absolute one woman show though, I really enjoyed her but this nonsense instalove between her and Connor? I couldn't see it.
Let’s not even talk about the third act breakup and the extreme rushed ending. Actually, the rushed ending was probably necessary. I should have DNF this halfway through.
Mistaken identity, small town, fake dating and texting? Of course I fell for the premise once again!
The introduction was engaging but the entertainment died young, sadly.
The quirkiness of the FMC and super witty dialogues couldn't make for the absolute dearth of chemistry between the main characters and in all honesty it wasn't much a surprise nor it was a disappointment because the male main character, Connor, couldn't produce a single spark in a fireworks factory. He was so dull.
Riley was an absolute one woman show though, I really enjoyed her but this nonsense instalove between her and Connor? I couldn't see it.
Let’s not even talk about the third act breakup and the extreme rushed ending. Actually, the rushed ending was probably necessary. I should have DNF this halfway through.
September 7, 2024
Text Appeal by Kylie Scott
Narrated by Andi Arndt
Standalone Contemporary Romance, Available in Audio First in Audible Plus. Kindle and Paperback 10/22/24
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I’ve always loved Kylie’s books, and I love books where the romance unfolds through text, email, or letters—it adds such a unique, intimate layer to the story. So, when I came across Text Appeal by Kyle Scott , I knew I had to dive in. And the fact that it was released in audio first? That was the cherry on top, usually indicating a production that would be something truly special.
Riley is a romance author who always wanted to live by the ocean. After doing some research, she found the little seaside town of Port Stewart and moved there hoping it would be the perfect place to craft her new novel. Wanting a new start, she got a new phone and number when she got there. She quickly learned that her new number used to belong to a dude named Connor, and he hadn’t informed everyone of his number change yet.
One call was from Connor’s ex, Ava, who was coming back to town for a reunion and wanted to get back together. When Riley answered the phone, however, Ava quickly jumped to the conclusion that Riley was Connor’s new girlfriend and refused to believe otherwise. Ava and Connor were childhood sweethearts and the entire town (I literally mean the ENTIRE town) was rooting for them to get back together.
Within minutes, the whole town also thought Connor and Riley were together, even taking bets on who would win him in the end; but they hadn’t even met yet! Once they meet, they decide to fake date so everyone would stop pushing Ava and Connor together. I have no idea what was in it for her.
Likes:
•Cute, quick, and free in Audible Plus.
•The heroine was a romance author.
•Cute interaction with the townspeople.
•The heroine was fun and sassy.
•He took care of her even when she didn’t know it was him.
•Grandma’s edibles.
Dislikes:
•The whole town rooting for another woman.
•They were prom king and queen 15 years ago and the town is still obsessed with them?
•Conner was a doormat people pleaser.
•It needed male POV chapters.
•Not enough texting (like the title indicates).
The Narration:
Andi Arndt was great but it really suffered from not having a male narrator. It was funny when she mentioned herself!
The Down & Dirty:
Text Appeal wasn’t up to Kylie Scott standards for me. I have really enjoyed her other books, but this was just meh for me. It was cute, I never wanted to put it down, but it just didn’t do anything for me either. I never became immersed in the story or characters. I also thought this would be an epistolary novel, told mainly through text, based on the title, and it wasn’t at all. Text Appeal was cute, light and quick, but not one I’d read again or recommend.
Rating: 3 Stars 2 Heat 4 narration
Purchase Text Appeal by Kylie Scott
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Coming 10/22/24: Kindle | Paperback
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May 30, 2025
Cute story. A little too insta-love but what I love about Kylie Scott's is how her characters interact and talk to each other. There's a bit of funny and realism to it and they say what you need them to say.
October 27, 2024
4 ⭐'s
This was a cute, sweet fake dating story.
I really enjoyed Riley and Connor made me laugh at his gruffiness.
The story had the promise of some drama/angst but I enjoyed how it worked out.
Bonus was that Riley is a romance author and I loved how all that was incorporated.
This was a cute, sweet fake dating story.
I really enjoyed Riley and Connor made me laugh at his gruffiness.
The story had the promise of some drama/angst but I enjoyed how it worked out.
Bonus was that Riley is a romance author and I loved how all that was incorporated.
September 24, 2024
This is PERFECT. Broody guy. Snarky woman. Ex with the potential to cause serious drama. A small town looking for amusement while dishing out other drama. This is seriously everything.
So Riley and Connor start off as a wrong number gone horribly sideways. But there’s far more to it than that. Riley ends up the unwitting target of one person’s ire, half of a fake but maybe not fake couple, and friends with many unexpected people in this town. That’s just the first few pages! It just gets better from there, too. And I’m not lying.
Ava and Riley could go either way, but the refusal to be stereotypical is a huge win for them both. Ava actually ends up being one of my favorite people, and you’ll love her too. She and Katja are sort of bestie goals. And so many other goals. I’m not lying. They round out this quirky cast of characters perfectly and become the unlikeliest, yet the perfect pair of, allies and support to Riley, while never losing their snark or wonderfulness.
And Connor? Man. He’s a bit quiet. A lot deep. And when he decides it’s time to let his true self out, he goes ALL IN. This entire book made me fall in love with a town I’ve never met and wish for more from this community. So much. So get comfortable. You’re going to want to eat this one up in one sitting because it’s unputdownable!
So Riley and Connor start off as a wrong number gone horribly sideways. But there’s far more to it than that. Riley ends up the unwitting target of one person’s ire, half of a fake but maybe not fake couple, and friends with many unexpected people in this town. That’s just the first few pages! It just gets better from there, too. And I’m not lying.
Ava and Riley could go either way, but the refusal to be stereotypical is a huge win for them both. Ava actually ends up being one of my favorite people, and you’ll love her too. She and Katja are sort of bestie goals. And so many other goals. I’m not lying. They round out this quirky cast of characters perfectly and become the unlikeliest, yet the perfect pair of, allies and support to Riley, while never losing their snark or wonderfulness.
And Connor? Man. He’s a bit quiet. A lot deep. And when he decides it’s time to let his true self out, he goes ALL IN. This entire book made me fall in love with a town I’ve never met and wish for more from this community. So much. So get comfortable. You’re going to want to eat this one up in one sitting because it’s unputdownable!
October 17, 2024
I loved this book. I ate it up and read it in a day. Didn't want to put it down.
Something about the way it was written was just *chef's kiss* for me personally. I haven't read any other books by this author (YET!) so I don't know if it's just this character or maybe the author's personality/writing style I enjoyed, but I intend to find out!
It's written in Single 1st Person POV (FMC). I usually prefer dual POV, but I was vibing with Riley (FMC) something fierce, so didn't mind a bit.
I really liked all the side characters and the small town antics.
Riley and Connor's sudden fake dating plan and friendship was cute. Their banter was amazing. I was constantly smiling and kicking my feet. And when the time came for the inevitable line-crossing, I was THERE FOR IT. 🔥
It doesn't even bother me how quickly it all comes to a conclusion. I feel like it usually would. What magic is in this book??
I just plain enjoyed reading it.
Banter 5 ⭐️
Personality 5⭐️
Characters 5 ⭐️
Vibes 5 ⭐️
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶
Recommend and might even read again (which is a never for me).
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to Valentine PR, the publishers, and author Kylie Scott!
Something about the way it was written was just *chef's kiss* for me personally. I haven't read any other books by this author (YET!) so I don't know if it's just this character or maybe the author's personality/writing style I enjoyed, but I intend to find out!
It's written in Single 1st Person POV (FMC). I usually prefer dual POV, but I was vibing with Riley (FMC) something fierce, so didn't mind a bit.
I really liked all the side characters and the small town antics.
Riley and Connor's sudden fake dating plan and friendship was cute. Their banter was amazing. I was constantly smiling and kicking my feet. And when the time came for the inevitable line-crossing, I was THERE FOR IT. 🔥
It doesn't even bother me how quickly it all comes to a conclusion. I feel like it usually would. What magic is in this book??
I just plain enjoyed reading it.
Banter 5 ⭐️
Personality 5⭐️
Characters 5 ⭐️
Vibes 5 ⭐️
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶
Recommend and might even read again (which is a never for me).
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to Valentine PR, the publishers, and author Kylie Scott!
October 5, 2024
click here for my rating system
4.8⭐ | 1🌶️ | 4💞 | 4🔥 | 4.8🧪 | 5💌
Big thanks to Valentine PR for the ARC!
THIS WAS AN UNEXPECTED ALMOST 5-STAR READ!!!
I’m convinced the "bad" reviews are mainly from audiobook listeners (ACLs) because, let’s be real, I also tend to rate audiobooks lower. The experience just isn’t the same🙂↕️🙂↕️
This book was SO freaking fun! The premise and setup were super unique, and the small-town vibes were EVERYTHING. It gave me major "Practice Makes Perfect" by Sarah Adams feels in the best way possible.
And Connor? THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥 He was such a grumpy little cinnamon roll, scowling and grunting like the cutest of all patooties 😔🙏🏻
And don’t even get me started on that "I love you" scene PLEAAAASE..... I was in tears, it was SO adorable and once again..... CONNOR !!! THE MAN THAT U FUCKING AREEEEEE !!!!!!!!😭😭😭💖💖💖
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS ASAP WHEN ITS OUT!!!
4.8⭐ | 1🌶️ | 4💞 | 4🔥 | 4.8🧪 | 5💌
Big thanks to Valentine PR for the ARC!
THIS WAS AN UNEXPECTED ALMOST 5-STAR READ!!!
I’m convinced the "bad" reviews are mainly from audiobook listeners (ACLs) because, let’s be real, I also tend to rate audiobooks lower. The experience just isn’t the same🙂↕️🙂↕️
This book was SO freaking fun! The premise and setup were super unique, and the small-town vibes were EVERYTHING. It gave me major "Practice Makes Perfect" by Sarah Adams feels in the best way possible.
And Connor? THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥 He was such a grumpy little cinnamon roll, scowling and grunting like the cutest of all patooties 😔🙏🏻
And don’t even get me started on that "I love you" scene PLEAAAASE..... I was in tears, it was SO adorable and once again..... CONNOR !!! THE MAN THAT U FUCKING AREEEEEE !!!!!!!!😭😭😭💖💖💖
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS ASAP WHEN ITS OUT!!!
October 15, 2024
This was fun!!
September 18, 2024
Riley Cooper is a romance author and decides to move to quaint Port Stewart. When she starts getting texts from an unknown number on her new phone her curiosity it piqued and answers them. That opens up a whole can of worms and how she meets Connor. Conner got a new phone number after trying to break from the past. He never thought that would be the beginning of a very interesting new path in life…and an arrangement. This is an adorable meet cute romance. The nosy town folk and unique storyline makes this strangers to lovers book a very enjoyable read. Told in Riley’s POV.
September 21, 2024
My first book by this author.
I’ve read many fun stories with the mistaken indentity, texting the wrong person trope.
This one was not one of my favorites. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Was a short read. The most interesting character to me was the ex-girlfriend Ava.
I’ve read many fun stories with the mistaken indentity, texting the wrong person trope.
This one was not one of my favorites. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Was a short read. The most interesting character to me was the ex-girlfriend Ava.
October 23, 2024
I love everything Ms Scott writes and pounced on this the minute it was published and I wasn’t disappointed. With a delicious tortured hero, a quirky heroine with blue hair who is a romance author, and a small town full of people who love nothing better than to stick their noses into other people’s business it’s just fabulous!
Author Riley has had enough of living in Las Vegas and has always dreamed of moving to the seaside, so she takes a chance and makes it happen. She relocates to a small seaside town in northwest USA, hoping for a new start. As part of this, she changes her phone number, but someone else has done the same and she starts receiving text messages meant for the previous owner, a seemingly popular guy called Connor. He happens to live in the same small town and has got a new number to try and avoid his ex-girlfriend, who everyone in town thinks he should get back together with. Things are seriously awkward and Riley gets drawn into this drama. When they meet, he proposes a fake relationship between them to once and for all get everyone off his back, but things don’t quite go to plan … The story is funny, emotional and absolutely wonderful!
Author Riley has had enough of living in Las Vegas and has always dreamed of moving to the seaside, so she takes a chance and makes it happen. She relocates to a small seaside town in northwest USA, hoping for a new start. As part of this, she changes her phone number, but someone else has done the same and she starts receiving text messages meant for the previous owner, a seemingly popular guy called Connor. He happens to live in the same small town and has got a new number to try and avoid his ex-girlfriend, who everyone in town thinks he should get back together with. Things are seriously awkward and Riley gets drawn into this drama. When they meet, he proposes a fake relationship between them to once and for all get everyone off his back, but things don’t quite go to plan … The story is funny, emotional and absolutely wonderful!
October 20, 2024
This was a new to me author, and the whole stack of tropes roped me in! Ryle is a romance author that moved to Port Stewart. Ryle and Connor randomly start texting, when Connor gets a new number for a fresh start. Honestly the town was seriously my favorite part and all the side characters were just so good. I found myself laughing out loud.
Overal this read was light and fun and I really loved this small town! Thank you @valentine_pr_ & @authorkyliescott for this EARC!
Overal this read was light and fun and I really loved this small town! Thank you @valentine_pr_ & @authorkyliescott for this EARC!
July 19, 2024
Quite simply, it was cute and quick.
October 15, 2024
This was cute, featuring several romance book tropes like fating dating and only one bed. The main character was pretty down to earth and friendly and I appreciated that the ex girlfriend was also a good person and not an exaggerated villain.
I thought this was a bit too predictable and the ending was rushed. Connor was also kind of a flat character and could have been fleshed out more.
Cute narration and a quick read.
I thought this was a bit too predictable and the ending was rushed. Connor was also kind of a flat character and could have been fleshed out more.
Cute narration and a quick read.
October 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
“How much of our lives do we lose to worrying about what other people think?”
Thank you so much to Valentine PR for sending me an early access copy of Kylie Scott’s new release, ‘Text Appeal’.
Kylie Scott fell onto my radar last year when I came across her Dive series and became obsessed! I devoured those books like candy (and I can’t wait to see it on the screen). She is an author that writes such fun stories, excellent steamy scenes, and characters who love to banter with one another. I didn’t want to put this down. At. All.
This book takes place in a (very) small town and I loved that setting because everyone looked out for one another and called each other out on their BS when needed. The relationships between our main character, who is new to town, and the townspeople is so wholesome and comforting. They welcomed her in with open arms.
I actually became teary eyed during the last chapter before the epilogue because it was so wholesome and made me feel so many different things. I loved how strong Riley was and how she continued to stand up for herself over and over again with no shame. She was a bad ass female lead and I was here for it! The romance between her and Connor really blossomed from a quick friendship that originally had been strangers agreeing to fake date. To me, their chemistry felt natural and so did their relationship.
“Nice is such a strange thing. It’s a social lubricant that doesn’t mean anything. Not really. Nice is just performative. Kindness on the other hand…that’s harder. I struggle with that one sometimes.”
“Change isn’t always easy, even if it was what you wanted.”
I will never be able to look at Jenga the same again 😂
I’d love to see a sequel about Shanti!
November 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It follows the trope of fake dating that turns into real dating. I decided to listen to it because I was looking for something quick and lighthearted and fun.
One thing I really appreciated was the character arc of the ex-girlfriend. Ava started out in the beginning as the competition, the enemy, the mean girl. But by the end she had grown a lot and was actually a lovable character who was no longer the mean girl rival. I don’t see exes become the genuine new best friend in romances very often so I was pleasantly surprised by that unexpected event here.
I thought the ending was a little weak and was bogged down by a form of the miscommunication trope, which angers me because it’s dumb and unrealistic, in my opinion. I just wanted the characters to be like, “You know what, why don’t we turn this fake dating into real dating? Because the attraction I have for you is real, not fake,” or something like that and then carry on with their happy lives. Instead we got, “Well I guess we are breaking up now, but not really because it was all fake. Well, see you around town then.” Seriously? You both know you like each other; just be honest. Other than that frustrating scene though, I enjoyed the book.
One thing I really appreciated was the character arc of the ex-girlfriend. Ava started out in the beginning as the competition, the enemy, the mean girl. But by the end she had grown a lot and was actually a lovable character who was no longer the mean girl rival. I don’t see exes become the genuine new best friend in romances very often so I was pleasantly surprised by that unexpected event here.
I thought the ending was a little weak and was bogged down by a form of the miscommunication trope, which angers me because it’s dumb and unrealistic, in my opinion. I just wanted the characters to be like, “You know what, why don’t we turn this fake dating into real dating? Because the attraction I have for you is real, not fake,” or something like that and then carry on with their happy lives. Instead we got, “Well I guess we are breaking up now, but not really because it was all fake. Well, see you around town then.” Seriously? You both know you like each other; just be honest. Other than that frustrating scene though, I enjoyed the book.
February 28, 2025
Riley is a romance writer and currently searching her muse. So what better thing to do than moving from big city Las Vegas to a small town at the northwestern pacific coast. When she gets a new number on her first day there, the real fun begins: she receives messages for a guy named Connor. Most of them from his on-off ex Ava but a lot from a bunch of other people around the town. Obviously, Conner has changed the number not that long ago. Ava and Connor are currently off but it is clear from Ava's messages that she either chose to ignore that fact or that she is simply determined to change it back to 'on'. However, when Riley tries to tell her that she is neither pretending to be Connor nor his new girlfriend and this also is no prank, Ava is dead set on ignoring that and in the end settles with 'new girlfriend'. The next day when Ava goes out for a much needed coffee, the whole town has learned of her existence and the rumor has started that she is the new girl and some kind of war breaks out. A battle of the townsfolk between rooting for Ava or Riley. Connor and Ava were highschool sweethearts and the town is not ready to let go of the dream of their happily ever after. When Riley meets Connor's grandmother and then the man himself, a plan is set in motion as it is clear that while Ava sees their relationship as 'on pause', for Connor it is really over and he is determined to make that clear once and for all and finally move on. What better thing to do than grab this opportunity and fake date Riley..
I haven't read a Kylie Scott in a while and this book was on my wish list for quite a while. When I 1-clicked it for my kindle, I immediately started the book - and couldn't put it down. It might all be a little rushed but Riley and Connor were really cute. I didn't liked Ava much and it was a bit rushed with her change of mind in the end. Still, this book was cute and funny and very entertaining, all of which is what we all want from a good book. I would have loved a later and more detailed epilogue but that doesn't take away from my overall rating.
I haven't read a Kylie Scott in a while and this book was on my wish list for quite a while. When I 1-clicked it for my kindle, I immediately started the book - and couldn't put it down. It might all be a little rushed but Riley and Connor were really cute. I didn't liked Ava much and it was a bit rushed with her change of mind in the end. Still, this book was cute and funny and very entertaining, all of which is what we all want from a good book. I would have loved a later and more detailed epilogue but that doesn't take away from my overall rating.
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