Faking It with My Bossy Ex

Let me start by saying I love fake dating trope, but I am not fond of second chances (don't know why). So I was a little torn if I should pick this up, and I am glad that I did.

I liked how the author handled the second chance story, and there were so many emotions but the FMC was still clear what she wanted. I can't say it without spoiling so I won't but the end was just a cherry on top.

Looking forward to Leah's next book.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lindsey Adams

1,105 reviews22 followers

December 7, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️

On the 11th release of Sweet Christmas Kisses Leah Blair gave to us, Faking it with My Bossy Ex! This series has made my holiday season so much better. I can’t wait for the last one to come out, but definitely will be sad to see it end. Each book has added the perfect storyline to the interconnected series, giving us sizzle and heat, without all the spice. Good, clean fun that has our hearts racing, palms sweating, and lips smiling.

Amy is headed to her hometown to help work a fundraiser. She hasn’t been home in 8 years, ever since her heart was smashed and it was never the same. When her car breaks down she is thankful for small miracles when someone comes by and is willing to stop to help her. Except that person ends up being the last person she wanted to see. The person who broke her heart. Nothing is going her way when her reservation is lost too and they have to pretend to be a couple in order to get a room for the night.

Dylan doesn’t expect his high school sweetheart to be behind the wheel of the car he pulls over to help during a snowstorm. He can’t stop himself from helping her out at the inn when her reservation is lost and she needs to be a couple to get a room. He is batting a thousand when he finds out they are working on the fundraiser together, but she didn’t know he was on the committee until now. How can he start showing Amy how sorry he is for 8 years ago and explain why he did what he did, if she has zero interest in speaking to him.

As they are forced to spend time together, they begin to talk, and truths come out. Amy learns the truth of why Dylan broke up with her, begins to see parts of the young man she fell in love with, but is cautious to start anything again. Leah gives us sweet romance, forgiveness, and the magic of a second chance within these pages and I loved it!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
🌨️Second Chance
🎄Christmas Romance
🌨️Snowed In
🎄Forced Proximity
🌨️Enemies to More
🎄Witty Banter
🌨️Coming Home

Jane litherland

4,138 reviews77 followers

November 16, 2024

Dylan and his Ames sitting in a tree ,he thinks he knows she wants and let’s her fly free . Silly man doing all he can to make her go . Then what do you know eight years have passed and her car won’t go and she’s stuck in the snow. Amy thinks it can’t get much worse as she’s stuck in the car contemplating her lot in the universe .when her ex comes along and there’s bird song…no scrap that because she’s far from happy. When she finds out that he’s her boss too she’s extra snappy. But beggars can’t be choosers and they end up snowed in together as they stop at an inn . Only one room and so the fake dating begins to snap up the one room . So what’s this now they act like they’re still remembering their honeymoon?! Beggars can’t be choosers though so she goes along with. Well it’s either that or the snow drift. Saving face they’re suddenly a couple but that fake date thing well that’s a bit blurry , is that because of the snow flurry or their beating hearts asking for a second chance . Well he sure wants a dalliance. He should never have let her go those eight long years ago . He never stopped loving her ,still carried a photo. He loves her enough to let her go. That doesn’t quite help matters in this scenario, what with his ex hanging about too. What the heck they going to do. . Kisses under the mistletoe and she’s ripe to go.Faking into a second chance romance . Well he was a fool he knows and his heart and his mind wants her to know . He even knows what desserts she likes and if she likes Jello . Yikes! Is it a go Ames ? Do you let bygones be bygones and call him silly. Or is that it permanently? Well no spoilers here ,just let’s say it’s the holiday season and there’s good cheer as well as some tears . Are they of joy or those lost years fears…very well written by Leah Blair . Her writing is great and this Holiday disaster and him being dumb , was expertly thought up and superbly done. Great character work.

Chad Barrus

1,294 reviews23 followers

I received an ARC from the author in return for an early review on the book.

This is the next to last book in the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series and I am sorry the series is coming to an end! I have throughly enjoyed each and every one of these wonderful books and wholeheartedly recommend them all for your reading pleasure!

In this book Amy Bennet is returning to her hometown after eight years to participate in a fundraising project. Her car quits in a snowstorm and who should stop to offer assistance but the one person who broke her heart eight years ago causing her to leave her home town in the first place, Dylan Carter!

He offers to give her a ride into town and she reluctantly accepts since there’s no cell coverage to call for assistance. Things only get worse later on when she finds out her reservation she made was lost and the only cabin left is one reserved for a couple. Just them Dylan shows up and convinces the owner that they are a couple and take the cabin.

It’s then we get the story of what happen between these guys and why Amy harbors so much resentment towards Dylan! Unfortunately for Amy they are forced to work together on the fundraising
project as well and when Amy’s brothers show up more reasons are revealed for what Dylan did to Amy that day eight years ago.

Amy starts to see the things that made her fall in love with Dylan when they were growing up but she doesn’t want to get hurt again. During the fundraising auction Dylan goes to the podium and makes a speech which lets Amy know she won’t have to worry about him ever breaking her heart again!

I encourage you to pick up this wonderful book and read it and when you finish it, by all means pick up the entire series! These stories will delight you and fill you will Christmas joy year round regardless of when you read them again and believe me you will read these stories again and again! They are just too good to only be read once and not picked up again!

Share this book with your family and friends! It’s a great book to give to those you love! A book about second chances in love is always welcome in this world where love is in short supply!

These stories will rekindle hope in your heart that goodness and kindness still exists in this world after all!!

Emily

519 reviews16 followers

November 10, 2024

Faking It with My Bossy Ex is the first book I have read written by Leah Blair and I really enjoyed it. It was an easy read, and once I started, I could not put it down. It is part of a 12 part stand-alone Sweet Christmas Kisses series and it really is the perfect series to put you in the Christmas mood.

The character development is good. There wasn’t anything to deep, but it was fun watching Amy and Dylan sort through their past.

The storyline and setting were cute. The only hotel room in the whole town is reserved for couples only involved in the couples’ contest. So Amy and Dylan fake their relationship to get a room and end up repairing their relationship. Just screams hallmark. If you are not a fan of hallmark-sweet, cheesy, predictable then this might not be your cup of tea.

The rekindling relationship between Amy and Dylan was the perfect balance of romance and closed-door romance. Which I appreciate when things are clean and not over the top.

This is not a Christian book, so there is no faith element. Though it is super clean. I feel ok recommending this to my fellow Christian readers if you are looking for a clean Christmas romance heavy on the hallmark.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Mary Ann Speel

354 reviews5 followers

Enjoyable story and I recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet story that occurs at Christmas. The H and h were boyfriend and girlfriend through high school and college and expected to get married after college. The H breaks the relationship off when he finds out from the h’s brother that she has received a full scholarship to further her painting studies in Europe, she won’t accept it because she expects to marry him. The h goes to Europe broken hearted and is further devastated by another relationship. When she returns to the US she becomes a successful artist. Eight years later the story starts and tells what happens when by accident they come together again when they both work on the organization of an auction to raise money for the home town community center. The H is there to put on the auction and unknowingly the h has volunteered to help. They also have to share a cabin which is the last place available due to scheduling errors. The H is over joyed in having the h help him and the h is very distressed. How they work together and share a living space while also participating in community activities is a great story. Also the end the h learns the truth of the past and finds healing. There are other things that the h learns that are totally unexpected. But they do get their HEA. Get the book and have an enjoyable time reading it.

Coffeenbooks

1,871 reviews33 followers

- Second chance
- Christmas romance
- Snowed in
- Only one room
- Enemies to more
- Banter
- Close proximity

This sweet book is part of the amazing multi author Sweet Christmas Kisses series. I have been enjoying this series so much!

This story contains many of my favorite tropes, but the banter is what makes this stand out! Amy and Dylan dated throughout high school, but Dylan ended things abruptly. Amy has never forgiven him for the callous treatment, especially since he started dating another girl immediately. What she doesn't know is that Dylan did this so that she would go to Europe for art classes. He knew she wouldn't go if they were still together....

Now 8 years have passed and the two meet up again when they are both headed back to their hometown to work on a fundraiser. Amy doesn't know Dylan is involved...

When a blizzard and room reservation issues leave them stranded at the local inn where the only room available is solely for couples, Dylan convinces Amy to pretend to be a couple to secure the room. Amy isn't sure this is a good idea.....

Have I mentioned the banter in this book? Because it is so fun! I giggled and smirked througout this book. So, so cute!

Mitzi Neiderhiser

77 reviews

Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy

Faking It With My Bossy Ex is a well written second chance romance with captivating characters and a story that will hold your attention. This story starts out with a sputtering, dead car that causes a chance run in with the ex and starts the entire ball rolling for the story.

Amy and Dylan meet up for the second time along the side of the road on their way to their hometown to help with the annual fundraiser. It has been years since they were last in the town and a terrible mistake took away their chance at happily ever after, but Dylan never gave up hope they would find each other. The story follows Dylan's attempts at making amends for past mistakes and finding a way for them to get back together. Through some interesting ups and downs, including a pillow wall and Amy's friend Leo, the couple is able move forward. Amy works her way through hurt feelings and trust issues to discover a new love waiting for her.

This story caught my attention from the beginning and didn't disappoint in the end. I recommend this book for a shorter read with a great story line that is able to hold your interest. See who you cheer for in the end? Dylan? Amy? A pillow wall?

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

Cindy Burrell

198 reviews5 followers

November 28, 2024

Amy is returning to her hometown after moving away from Snowfall Springs to pursue a career in art. She’s come back home to help with a fundraiser that is being put on to raise funds for Snowfall Springs to get their own convention center. Amy has car trouble and who stops to help her…her old boyfriend, Dylan. She is not ready to see him, but he can’t be avoided. Amy doesn’t want to accept a ride from him, but she has no other choice. They find out they’re both helping with the big fundraiser when they meet up at the library for their first meeting. Dylan finds out that the president of the community center passed away and he wasn’t very organized. Marge pairs them up to work on the project together. Amy can’t believe her luck, or lack of luck. Her luck just continues when she and Dylan are forced to share a cabin. How will they get through this? Will Dylan reveal the secret he’s kept from Amy all these years? I read this book in less than a day, I just couldn’t put it down. Leah is a wonderful storyteller, and she kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. This story is loaded with surprises and the effect they have on Amy and Dylan. Get your copy of Faking It With My Bossy Ex today. You won’t be sorry!

R.S.05

272 reviews

November 7, 2024

My heart is full, my chest aching that this story has come to an end, and my eyes brimming with tears of happiness.

This book left a gaping hole in my chest, a permanent mark in my soul.

I don’t know where to start.

I was captured from the start, the main characters feelings portrayed in such a perfect way that I felt like I was the one going through it.

I felt the heartache, felt the happiness, felt the grief and sorrow, felt all the wonderful and happy moments that both our main characters went through.

This book had everything in it: Second chance, witty banter, tension, fake dating, close proximity, two extremely likable main characters - it was all in all an amazing book.

I rarely give books five star, but when it has such an impact on me as a reader, it feels like a crime not to leave the highest rating possible.

Leah Blaire, you deserve a round of applause and so much more.

Thank you for writing this beautiful story and sharing it with us.

Amy and Dylan, and their wonderful story, will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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

Heather Kelley

424 reviews5 followers

November 10, 2024

I received a digital ARC of this book. This is my first time reading this author but it won’t be my last. This book is part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses series, all are stand alone books by different authors, but I’ve really enjoyed it. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, you should check out the entire series. I read this book in one sitting. Amy is heading back to her small hometown to help with a big fundraiser when her car breaks down. It’s freezing and snowing and she has no cell signal. A car approaches and when it stops, inside is the one man she never wanted to see again. Dylan is her ex boyfriend who shattered her heart in a million pieces. What ensues from this point on will keep you turning the pages. Will the truth come out about what really happened 8 years ago? Also, Amy & Dylan have to fake being a current couple when both their single rooms have been double booked and there’s only a couple cabin left. You’ll be routing for Amy & Dylan to rekindle their relationship, but can old scars be healed? You’ll have to read to find out.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

2,038 reviews64 followers

Amy is thinking to herself that this cannot be happening. She returned to her hometown to help with a fundraiser, not have to work with her ex. Dylan broke her heart, or shattered it, many years ago. To make matters even worse, he is her boss on this project. She is seeing red and is one unhappy lady. It seems that things can get worse when they arrive at the inn and find out they have no room.

This is one of those instances when if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong, but it is also serendipitous. Throw in the Christmas season, a fake relationship as well as the possibility of a second chance as these two characters learn more about each other, and you have the perfect combo for a sweet romance.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The spark was still there for Amy and Dylan. When you learn all the facts about the breakup, Dylan will be your hero. This sweet Christmas romance full of wonderful characters set in a charming town will steal your heart.

Thank you to the author and BookSprout for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Hannah Fuller

91 reviews

The 11th book in the Sweet Christmas Kisses series, and one of my favorites of them all! 😍 They are all such wonderful short stories, I am so glad I got the privilege of reading each of them and sharing my opinions.

This is such a beautiful, emotional, heartfelt, romance story and at what better time than Christmas! 🎄💚🎅🏻❤️

Faking it with my Bossy Ex, is about two high school sweethearts, Dylan and Amy, who endured a heart crushing split when Dylan was forced to make a decision to breakup with her, in order to get her to follow her dreams of being an artist, leaving him behind.👩🏻‍🎨

After 8 years of heartache for the both of them; they are both coming back to their hometown for the holidays and to help with their community’s fundraiser. After magically finding themselves stuck together for the week when they’re forced to work together for the fundraiser, as well as having to share a room at the Inn they’re staying at, they ultimately have face the past. Dylan has a lot of explaining to do, but with Amy’s past of abandonment and heartbreaks, will she be able to get past it?

Eeekk this was such a great story!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love a guy that try’s hard and is willing to prove his love ❤️ Dylan is so dreamy (but both of them are still realistic, and relatable)

If you enjoy forced proximity, and second chances this is one of the best in clean romances! 🙌🏼 You won’t regret picking this one up! No better way to get in the holiday spirit than a wonderful romance story! ❤️🎄

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
.

Hope

340 reviews1 follower

went in thinking it's a cute Christmas romance and eh... it's not

H is said to be a playboy and H/h dated at the end of high school and in college until she gets a opportunity to visit Europe as an artist. he thought girlie pop can't make her own choice so he made it for her by dumping her so she'd leave

just to dig the knife deeper into her heart, he asks out her nemesis in front of h and goes out with her. he keeps repeating that it wasn't real w ow but also that he 'used' her, now i'm not sure how far he went with using ow iykwim

they meet 8 years later when they stumble onto the same small town, him with a pikachu face when she doesn't run back into his arms. the rest of the book is just him bulldozing into her life. this is why i'm skeptical of second chance romance, it's not like he had 8 years to make it right or prove his love for her. makes me think if he hadn't run into her now, he never would've gone for her again 🤷‍♀️

(it's also a closed door romance)

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Tatiana Paulo

19 reviews

November 27, 2024

** ARC REVIEW **

Leah Blair has a gift. She can make you love every character and every flaw they may have.

This book is short but adorable. Both characters are very well written, and you can understand every fear and decision they make.

Amy is still in love with her high school boyfriend, but after he abruptly ended things, she goes after her dream and tries to move on. It is pure coincidence (is it?) when she goes to her home town to help organising a fundraiser for Christmas and finds him there.

Dylan still loves Ames too, and he is determined to have her back. They need to work on the fundraiser together so he assumes the boss’s role 🤭

Second chance trope is not one of my favourites but this couple is to cute and adorable I was rotting for them since the beginning.. and when we find out the reason why he broke up their relationship we understand everything.

I cannot not love Leah’s work and I hope to keep reading her books

Crafty Lady Dyess

14 reviews2 followers

March 30, 2025

Amy & Dylan’s Second Chance at Love

I have to say Leah, the author, did an amazing job writing her first book. There was romance, nostalgia, and past experiences all wrapped in one story. I have to admit I was a little surprised when Amy gave Dylan a second chance since she was so bent on ensuring she stayed away from guys and love as a whole after she was jilted on two occasions, but Dylan found a way to slowly melt that exterior and caused her to fall in love with him again. It was quite unique how they posed as a couple for the Couple retreat they attended together and won the cruise. I also was totally shocked to realized who Leo really was in this story. Leah did such a great job of bringing so many pieces together to make this such an amazing storyline. This book is definitely well-worth reading and KUDOS to Leah on a job well done on her first book. I look forward to reading more of her books!

Cheri

26 reviews

November 11, 2024

This is the 11th book in the Sweet Christmas Kisses series but can be read as standalone. The story follows Amy and Dylan, high school sweethearts, who went separate ways after high school. They ended up back in their hometown of Snowfall Springs, 8 years later and at the same time, to help with a Christmas fundraiser for their community.
Dylan knows he made a mistake letting Amy go all those years ago and wants to win her back. They ended up in a fake relationship when the last room at the inn is for couples only. If you love forced proximity and fake relationship story lines and second chances, I definitely recommend this book. You will find yourself rooting for both Amy and Dylan to find themselves back together and living happily ever after.

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

Destiny Imperati

1,040 reviews38 followers

received-advanced-readers-copy

ARC Review ✨️

☆Amy and Dylan♡

Amy's returning to her hometown during the holidays. Sadly, her car has other plans and breaks down in the snowstorm. Lucky for her, someone comes to help. Unlucky for her, it's no other than her ex Dylan. They head to where she has a reservation and come to find out something happened with the reservation she made, now they have to share a room. If things can't get worse, she finds out they have to work together on the fundraiser.
I thought this story was so cute and so easy to get into. I really enjoyed how the book first started out, and the author's writing was incredibly good. I fell in love with these characters and this town so quickly. I always love a good second chance romance, especially around the holidays!

Thanks so much to the author and booksprout for this ARC!

Margaret Hejmanowski

1,397 reviews16 followers

November 15, 2024

I have never read anything by Leah Blair before, OMG this was fantastic; this is part of The Sweet Christmas Kisses series. Amy Bennet is on her way to Snowfall Springs, her hometown after being away for eight years; to help with a major fundraiser. On her way there, her car breaks down and she has no cell service to call for help. As she is standing on the side of the road in the snow waiting to see a car. someone does stop. It is none other than her ex Dylan Carter, who broke her heart eight years ago; he gives her a ride to town because she doesn't have a choice. He is also there to help with the fundraiser. They end up having to share a couples cabin, because their cabins were rented to others. Can Amy survive the week without killing Dylan? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Leah Blair!!!

Anna Morelock

346 reviews

December 20, 2024

This is a very sweet, zero spice, second chance romance in a winter wonderland setting.

This book was very cute & sweet, but it was a little too slow moving for me. The last 20-25% of the book was especially drawn out. Amy & Dylan reconnect after eight years apart. He broke up with her b/c he wanted her to chase her dreams...*sigh* you get the picture. It bothered me that they were so in love (like planning forever), and he was okay with breaking up with her and never speaking to her again. Both characters were fine; there just wasn't much substance to either of them. There was a secret that kept being hinted at, but when it was finally revealed, it was kind of a letdown. There could've been some angst, and there was definitely an opportunity to make this more emotional, but in my opinion, the author kind of missed the mark.

Janine

1,120 reviews10 followers

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Wow. I could have kicked Dylan! I mean... Really!

Amy was a fun character, and I enjoyed her friendship with Laura.

I enjoyed the setup and how Dylan and Amy reconnected. I appreciated how Dylan decided to do all he could to make things right with Amy, and how he did that without overly pushing against her boundaries, but rather through showing her how he had changed over the years, and how he worked to allay her fears.

I also enjoyed the competition aspect to the story, and how it worked into the epilogue. :)

A really fun read, and one I look forward to reading again in the future...

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

JC_Books 16

65 reviews2 followers

November 8, 2024

⭐️5/5
🌶No spicy scenes, but there is tension.

Tropes:
❄️Christmas season.
💐Second chances.
🌇Small town
❤️‍🩹Fake relationship
💬Dual POV

I rarely read second chance books, but I loved this one.❤️
I really loved seeing Dylan accept her mistakes and she did it in a way where she knows that everything is serious.
I liked Amy because she didn't let herself fall at the first attempt.
I had a surprise almost halfway through the book that I didn't expect, I mean, I didn't even suspect it, but I liked it.
In conclusion, I loved seeing how the story gradually unfolded, and I loved the extra epilogue ❤️
I hope to read more about the series this book belongs to❤️

Stacy

24 reviews1 follower

November 10, 2024

Perfect book for the upcoming holiday season.
First time reviewing a book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
While this book is part of a multi-author series, it felt like a stand-alone, and I didn't have to read the other books to know what was going on.

The characters were well written and thought out.
I enjoyed the banter and the sweet moments between Amy and Dylan. Two exes who were reunited thanks to a snowstorm, a broken-down car, and the fact that they are both headed to the same small town.

I am looking forward to reading Leah Blair's other novels.

ARC received in consideration for an honest review.

Jean Katchmar

523 reviews

Amy heads back to Snowfall Springs for their annual Fundraiser. She hasn't been back in 8 years as that is when Dylan told her he didn't love her anymore and he walked away. She went off to Europe to study and he went off to find success in NYC. But Dylan soon regretted that he pushed his "Ames" away. Now he is also headed to the same town looking handsome as ever when he stops to help Ames with her broken down car. But fate has more ways to get them back together. It is a wonderful small town romance with flirting by Dylan as he tries to win her back! (And then Leah sends you the Bonus Epilogue of 5 years later, too!)

Ineta

1,395 reviews11 followers

Some love stories are meant to be written twice. And this is their 2nd chance to write it.
One more amazing book in my favorite Sweet Christmas Kisses Series. Snowfall Springs, Amy and Dylan.
He broke her heart, but now they are back into each other's orbit after years. Riding together, working together, sharing a cabin, participating in Couples' contest. Will he be convincing enough to win her back?
Loved characters and storyline. Easy to read, heartwarming, white Christmas story. Loved the Leo's role and paintings of their love story.

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

Sarah

198 reviews2 followers

This is a sweet, clean romance about Dylan and Amy.
Amy returns to her hometown only to run into her ex, who broke her heart 8 years ago. She then finds that he is her boss and they have to share a cabin - whats worse is that it's a couples cabin, hence the fake dating!

This book is so sweet, fake relationships, second chances, and a christmas book. It's absolutely perfect to pick up this Christmas season!

This is a sweet, clean romance, so only kisses and no language are used.

Leah Blair is a new author to me, and I really enjoyed the book. Would recommend 👌

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

2024

Jan Tomalis

873 reviews12 followers

christian-romance holiday

Amy’s car breaks down on her way home to work on a fundraiser. She is rescued by her ex who broke her heart years ago. With her luck, the only room left is a couples room and they won’t let a single person stay there. Since no other rooms are available, she has to share it with Dylan. Since Dylan was the one to end their relationship, he has a lot of explaining to do. Amy is slow to come around, but then she didn’t know the whole story. A delightful fake relationship and second chance set in a small town at Christmas!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Emily Pennington

20.7k reviews362 followers