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The Trust Factor
Lyla Brooks could never hit the mark when it comes to pleasing her dad. She’s either too much or not enough, and she’s tired of him controlling her life. Trying her best to escape the past, Lyla wants two to have fun during her senior year of college and use her trust fund money to kickstart her dream of owning a bookstore. But when a video is leaked of Lyla having too much fun on the dance floor, her dad threatens to keep her funds locked up until she proves herself to be responsible.
After the loss of his youngest brother, Deacon Scott planned out as much of his life as possible. Go to college, graduate, and build a life with his college girlfriend. But his agenda gets turned upside down when the girl he planned on marrying breaks up with him right before his senior year. Deacon has spent his entire college career in a relationship, and when all of his plans are forced to change, he needs to muster up a new plan to win his ex-girlfriend back.Lyla and Deacon have more in common than just their roommates having a fling. When Deacon offers to be the knight in shining armor Lyla’s dad is looking for, she agrees to be the perfect new girlfriend to make his ex jealous. With some harbored secrets and a friendship neither of them planned on gaining, Lyla and Deacon discover that sometimes the rules can be broken and that things can work out as long as you have a little trust.
The Trust Factor is a stand-alone novel. For more information about this title regarding CW/TW, please visit the author's website!
After the loss of his youngest brother, Deacon Scott planned out as much of his life as possible. Go to college, graduate, and build a life with his college girlfriend. But his agenda gets turned upside down when the girl he planned on marrying breaks up with him right before his senior year. Deacon has spent his entire college career in a relationship, and when all of his plans are forced to change, he needs to muster up a new plan to win his ex-girlfriend back.Lyla and Deacon have more in common than just their roommates having a fling. When Deacon offers to be the knight in shining armor Lyla’s dad is looking for, she agrees to be the perfect new girlfriend to make his ex jealous. With some harbored secrets and a friendship neither of them planned on gaining, Lyla and Deacon discover that sometimes the rules can be broken and that things can work out as long as you have a little trust.
The Trust Factor is a stand-alone novel. For more information about this title regarding CW/TW, please visit the author's website!
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2024
12 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 27, 2024
4.25/5
I truly thought going in that this would just be a cheesy college fake dating romance, but I was wrong. Yes it had all of that but I love the way that Brittany was able to bring in tough topics and discuss they with care.
Deacon is a guy that any mom would be proud to know their daughter is dating. 💙
I truly thought going in that this would just be a cheesy college fake dating romance, but I was wrong. Yes it had all of that but I love the way that Brittany was able to bring in tough topics and discuss they with care.
Deacon is a guy that any mom would be proud to know their daughter is dating. 💙
September 27, 2024
First of all, Thank You to Brittany for choosing me to be an ARC reader for her! What a pleasure!!
Secondly, I don't know what the author put in this book. I COULD NOT put it down once I started reading it. The fake dating trope hooked me, and I read it in one day!
Lyla had my heart as a woman with fellow "absent dad issues". My heart broke for her each time she had to face her father, who took his daughter's love and twisted it for his convenience. She is such a sweet, fun loving, adventurous FMC!! I LOVED HER!
Deacon had me from the jump. The SWEETEST, most validating book boyfriend out there! His story of loss and grief had me bawling. His attention to Lyla's anxiety and panic attacks had me loving him even more. The way he never called her out on it but gently went about validating her and had her seek help had me on tears.
The author wove sensitive topics such as, grief, anxiety, panic attacks, attempted sexual assault (not on page) in such a graceful and understanding way.
My favorite part if the whole book is how Lyla and Deacon helped each other heal first as friends and then as a couple. Deacon validated Lyla's feelings and made sure she knew she was worth everything. The way he stood up to her father * swoon*. Lyla found out about Deacon's loss and gave him safe place to be sad and talk about his brother and his grief....where he never felt he could in his past relationship.
I highly, highly recommend this book and Author!!
Secondly, I don't know what the author put in this book. I COULD NOT put it down once I started reading it. The fake dating trope hooked me, and I read it in one day!
Lyla had my heart as a woman with fellow "absent dad issues". My heart broke for her each time she had to face her father, who took his daughter's love and twisted it for his convenience. She is such a sweet, fun loving, adventurous FMC!! I LOVED HER!
Deacon had me from the jump. The SWEETEST, most validating book boyfriend out there! His story of loss and grief had me bawling. His attention to Lyla's anxiety and panic attacks had me loving him even more. The way he never called her out on it but gently went about validating her and had her seek help had me on tears.
The author wove sensitive topics such as, grief, anxiety, panic attacks, attempted sexual assault (not on page) in such a graceful and understanding way.
My favorite part if the whole book is how Lyla and Deacon helped each other heal first as friends and then as a couple. Deacon validated Lyla's feelings and made sure she knew she was worth everything. The way he stood up to her father * swoon*. Lyla found out about Deacon's loss and gave him safe place to be sad and talk about his brother and his grief....where he never felt he could in his past relationship.
I highly, highly recommend this book and Author!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
On the surface of this book it’s your typical fake dating, college romance; however, upon further inspection, this book is much more. Our MCs deal with trauma, grief, and excellent character growth. We still have all the fun aspects of a college romance and the yearning in fake dating, but we also have an extra depth to this book than in most contemporaries. I really enjoyed this book and read the majority of it in one sitting! Brittany Wilson’s books have been on my TBR for a while thanks to N.E. Butcher posting about them, but she was recently bumped to the top of my TBR when she became a local author.
Read this book if you like:
🌹fake dating
🌹college romance
🌹friends to lovers
🌹future bookstore owner FMC
🌹grief rep
🌹overcoming trauma
🌹mental health rep
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
On the surface of this book it’s your typical fake dating, college romance; however, upon further inspection, this book is much more. Our MCs deal with trauma, grief, and excellent character growth. We still have all the fun aspects of a college romance and the yearning in fake dating, but we also have an extra depth to this book than in most contemporaries. I really enjoyed this book and read the majority of it in one sitting! Brittany Wilson’s books have been on my TBR for a while thanks to N.E. Butcher posting about them, but she was recently bumped to the top of my TBR when she became a local author.
Read this book if you like:
🌹fake dating
🌹college romance
🌹friends to lovers
🌹future bookstore owner FMC
🌹grief rep
🌹overcoming trauma
🌹mental health rep
September 20, 2024
A college rom-com with a fake dating trope that also tackles mental health struggles? Sign me up! A guy with SO many green flags?? DEFINITELY sign me up!
At first, I thought I was too old to read a college romance. I mean… I was feeling hungover from just reading about their fun. As soon as Deacon and Lyla have their meet-cute - I never looked back.
Where Brittany shines as an author is her dialogue. I was really there with her characters. The friends, the family, and the romantic scenes were all so believable and relatable.
It breaks my heart that the author has lost her sibling in real life, but it made her uniquely qualified to write about a character who is processing those emotions. This is not just a light and fluffy. There is some real substance to this story.
I was so invested in how Lyla and Deacon were going to turn out, and I know you will be too.
At first, I thought I was too old to read a college romance. I mean… I was feeling hungover from just reading about their fun. As soon as Deacon and Lyla have their meet-cute - I never looked back.
Where Brittany shines as an author is her dialogue. I was really there with her characters. The friends, the family, and the romantic scenes were all so believable and relatable.
It breaks my heart that the author has lost her sibling in real life, but it made her uniquely qualified to write about a character who is processing those emotions. This is not just a light and fluffy. There is some real substance to this story.
I was so invested in how Lyla and Deacon were going to turn out, and I know you will be too.
August 13, 2024
First of all I would like to thank Brittany for selecting me to be an arc reader. I finished this book in one sitting. I absolutely devoured it and couldn’t put it down. The angst, the slow burn, and the banter were all done incredibly. Slow burns are not always my favorite, but holy cow just the leading up to it was enough to have your toes curling. There are some hard topics talked about in this book, and it was done beautifully with such care. The MMC is a golden retriever with all the green flags and provides support for the FMC and her mental health battle, in the best way possible. He is seriously such a dream and the kind of guy every girl deserves. I loved witnessing him breaking down the FMC’s walls, and not only advocating for her mental health, but also teaching her to love herself along the way. This book is near and dear to the authors heart and I’m so thankful she chose to share this piece of her with us all. This was a 5 star read for me and I already can’t wait to read it again.
Tropes- college romance, fake dating, friends to lovers, slow burn
Tropes- college romance, fake dating, friends to lovers, slow burn
September 20, 2024
It has been approximately 3 mins since I finished The Trust Factor. I will follow that by telling you I haven't read a "real" book in....20 years (I'm currently 39). I have never been able to stay focused enough to get past the first page or two of any kind of reading I have attempted...wait for it...I just crushed this 450+ page book in about 12 hours. As my wife sat and watched me blow through page after page, her mouth was hanging open in amazement. I found it so easy to slip right into the reality with Lyla and Deac as I continued to be totally engulfed in the story of the beginning of a healthy, loving, extremely sexy relationship. The way the characters were so relatable but also, full of surprises is absolutely what kept me staying up way too late to have to be up way too early getting as far as I could into the next chapter. The times that I was at work (Blue collar, manly man, defo not the target audience. Lol) and didn't have the book in my hand, all I could think about was "what happens next?" I am already anticipating reading it again to make sure I didn't miss any of the vanilla and not so vanilla details.
To the author, Brittney:
Bravo! Somehow, some way, you've done it. You've managed to totally keep a seriously ADHD, easily distracted, extremely dirty mind occupied. Thank you for that! Here's to keepin' on keepin' on!
To the author, Brittney:
Bravo! Somehow, some way, you've done it. You've managed to totally keep a seriously ADHD, easily distracted, extremely dirty mind occupied. Thank you for that! Here's to keepin' on keepin' on!
January 12, 2025
4.5⭐
I think the most successful relationships are built on friendship, and this book was the perfect illustration of that. That's probably also why friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes.
This story was fun, funny, and sweet. Deacon was the most emotionally mature MFC I've read in with MCs in their 20's and Lyla and Deacon both had great character development! Both characters are battling with big emotions regarding major life events, and the topics of grief and anxiety are handled with the utmost care.
Brittany, thank you for not giving us a real third act breakup... I hate them and you spared me... Lol.
I think the most successful relationships are built on friendship, and this book was the perfect illustration of that. That's probably also why friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes.
This story was fun, funny, and sweet. Deacon was the most emotionally mature MFC I've read in with MCs in their 20's and Lyla and Deacon both had great character development! Both characters are battling with big emotions regarding major life events, and the topics of grief and anxiety are handled with the utmost care.
Brittany, thank you for not giving us a real third act breakup... I hate them and you spared me... Lol.
August 18, 2024
This was such a cute college romance. It felt real, even thought it was college the characters didn’t feel too young and what they were working through was real life stuff. The chemistry between Deacon and Lyla was perfect and overall the fake dating trope hits every time and this book was no exception. Certain spots felt a little long and I wish I could have see Lyla stand up to her dad, but it was such a good read!
Thank you for the ARC.
Thank you for the ARC.
August 27, 2024
This book had me kicking my feet, sobbing, giggling, and sweating!!! Perfect amount of spice, romance and relatability. I am so grateful to have read this as an ARC and cannot recommend it enough! The mental health inclusion, fake romance, and “atta girls” SOLD me. Make sure you buy this when it comes out!!!
August 28, 2024
I want to start with a huge thank you to Brittany for selecting me and trusting me to be an ARC reader for such a personal and important story. This book had me hooked from the start. The fake dating and slow burn of course made it such a fun read but there are also some sensitive and relatable topics that Brittany incorporated in such a beautiful and perfect way. I related to Lyla’s character so much. As an anxious over thinker, I share a lot of the emotions and experiences she went through during the story. And that authors note at the end?! To have written this book in 4 months and capture everything that was captured in such a meaningful way really says a lot. I definitely recommend this book!
November 23, 2024
As a BG grad, I was so excited to find this author! It brought me back to my college days!
I really enjoyed watching the relationships grow and change in this book. The banter back and forth seemed genuine. The friendships really did feel like it was natural. It did cover some mental health issues in a way I really appreciated! Easy read, I can’t wait to read more!!
I really enjoyed watching the relationships grow and change in this book. The banter back and forth seemed genuine. The friendships really did feel like it was natural. It did cover some mental health issues in a way I really appreciated! Easy read, I can’t wait to read more!!
November 15, 2024
Okay absolutely not normally a romance reader by any means and joined a book club that was reading this. Took a chance and absolutely adored it. It had enough spice that it added to the plot, the sweet little notions in this book were so good. The heavy subjects she touched on were so well written, honestly just a beautiful view of a rom-com, boyfriend-girlfriend shit relationship. Seriously love this book.
September 19, 2024
College romance? ✅
Fake dating? ✅
New favorite book boyfriend? ✅
Lovable banter? ✅
I love the way Brittany Wilson brings characters to life. You can tell she has thought through not just who her characters are in the timeline of the story but also who they were and who they will be. It makes the story feel so complete once you get to the end.
Lyla Brooks and Deacon Scott have an amazing amount of chemistry and the friendship and relationship that forms between them grows so naturally. Their banter is just phenomenal and had me laughing out loud.
Brittany also handles really heavy emotional topics with such grace and dignity. I highly recommend taking a look at the trigger warnings prior to reading just to protect your peace. However, if you are looking for a romance author to read while waiting for the next Abby Jiminez book, read anything written by Brittany Wilson!
Fake dating? ✅
New favorite book boyfriend? ✅
Lovable banter? ✅
I love the way Brittany Wilson brings characters to life. You can tell she has thought through not just who her characters are in the timeline of the story but also who they were and who they will be. It makes the story feel so complete once you get to the end.
Lyla Brooks and Deacon Scott have an amazing amount of chemistry and the friendship and relationship that forms between them grows so naturally. Their banter is just phenomenal and had me laughing out loud.
Brittany also handles really heavy emotional topics with such grace and dignity. I highly recommend taking a look at the trigger warnings prior to reading just to protect your peace. However, if you are looking for a romance author to read while waiting for the next Abby Jiminez book, read anything written by Brittany Wilson!
August 27, 2024
This book was lovely.
It was very romcom with a side of sad. The grief that Deacon feels and survives is so inspiring. The way that Lyla navigates accepting her anxiety is so real.
And how they help each other, love each other through it all? I *swoon*
This was such a fun college romance, fake relationship, spicy book. I think my favorite part was how Deacon and Lyla became best friends almost immediately. Their relationship from day one was so charming and sweet and I’m obsessed with them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
It was very romcom with a side of sad. The grief that Deacon feels and survives is so inspiring. The way that Lyla navigates accepting her anxiety is so real.
And how they help each other, love each other through it all? I *swoon*
This was such a fun college romance, fake relationship, spicy book. I think my favorite part was how Deacon and Lyla became best friends almost immediately. Their relationship from day one was so charming and sweet and I’m obsessed with them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
August 23, 2024
***ARC REVIEW***
Deacon is a green flag guy!! He has a plan for his last year of college and his future with his girl…until she dumps him before senior year starts and he is left picking up the pieces. Lyla is a book lover just waiting for graduation to get her trust fund from daddy-not-so-dearest so she can open her bookstore and take care of her mom. But a night out and a video on a stripper pole threaten to get her trust fund taken away. Deacon wants to make his ex jealous, Lyla needs a stable boyfriend in her life to keep appearances with her dad so they start fake dating (one of my favorite tropes). Not only does a trust and a friendship build between them, but the spice is spicing if you know what I mean. I think the author did a fantastic job writing these characters with complex emotional backstories and yet keeping the story fun and romantic. It is a college romance after all!! Highly recommend you read this book and don’t skimp on the authors note at the end!
Deacon is a green flag guy!! He has a plan for his last year of college and his future with his girl…until she dumps him before senior year starts and he is left picking up the pieces. Lyla is a book lover just waiting for graduation to get her trust fund from daddy-not-so-dearest so she can open her bookstore and take care of her mom. But a night out and a video on a stripper pole threaten to get her trust fund taken away. Deacon wants to make his ex jealous, Lyla needs a stable boyfriend in her life to keep appearances with her dad so they start fake dating (one of my favorite tropes). Not only does a trust and a friendship build between them, but the spice is spicing if you know what I mean. I think the author did a fantastic job writing these characters with complex emotional backstories and yet keeping the story fun and romantic. It is a college romance after all!! Highly recommend you read this book and don’t skimp on the authors note at the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
"The universe didn't hand you a solution when you shouted your problems into the void. A gorgeous man didn't appear on your doorstep because you required assistance. That shit only happened in romantic comedies and serial killer documentaries, and I would take Michael Myers any day."Brittany makes me kinda wish I went to Bowling Green State University. From the beginning with her description of “Falcon Flames,” all the way through Grounds for Thought & its many appearances throughout the story, she paints such a vivid picture of campus life, I love it. Then she hits us with the emotion in this story & I’m a goner.
"Before Lyla, there were moments when the world felt heavy... I couldn't sleep, I couldn't focus, and I couldn't recognize who I was in the dark. Lyla Brooks became a light in my life, and she was my favorite thing I never planned. "I loved everything about this story. I loved the main characters: their flaws, their quirks, the way they interacted with one another & their humor. Deacon is all of the green flags with a bit of spice too, while Lyla is a young woman who grows right in front of us as she realizes exactly what she deserves.
"It was painful how we tried to numb ourselves from the people who hurt us the most, only to feel everything ten times more when they knocked down the last defense in their path. I wanted to be a wall in Lyla's life, one that wouldn't threaten to crumble if she felt she wasn't good enough."I loved the emotion in this book: the anxiety rep, the emotional intelligence & self-reflection from the main characters, the grief rep, dealing with anger responsibly & the masterclass in choosing your words wisely. And I loved the organic relationships, whether they were ones we're supposed to despise or ones we're supposed to love, the relationship growth in this book is beautiful.
There are so many layers to this story, it’s impossible to sum it up accurately. The heart, the love, the comedy, the slow burn, the mental health rep, the grief rep... it’s the perfect combination. This is such a complete story and I think Brittany did a fantastic job. I really like how she uses her acknowledgements to kind of write a letter to the reader, giving us a glimpse into her thinking for each book. And the personal connection to this particular story is beautiful. Thank you for sharing, for using this to heal, and for allowing us to heal ourselves a little bit too.
September 11, 2024
ARC Review of The Trust Factor by Brittany Wilson🌹📚🩺💰🍵🍻🃏🩵☕️
Honestly, I don't know what the author put in this book. I COULD NOT put it down once I started reading it. The fake dating trope had me on a hook, and I legit thought this would just be just another cheesy college fake dating romance, but boy was I wrong, this book obviously had the cheesiness as well as touching very sensitive topics such as grief, anxiety, panic attacks, attempted sexual assault (not on page) in such a graceful, beautiful and understanding way.
I love getting to know Lyla and Deacon, I loved how they helped each other heal first and foremost as friends and then as a couple.
I absolutely adored how Deacon always validated Lyla's feelings and he consistently made sure she knew that she was worth absolutely everything. Like the way he stood up to her father? I was swooning. Also when Lyla found out about Deacon's loss and gave him a safe place to be sad and talk about that loss and navigate through this grief when he never felt he could in his past relationship. Soulmates at its best.
I absolutely LOVED every single second I spent reading this beautiful book, it was definitely a piece of art!🩵
Tropes
✨College Romance
✨Fake Dating
✨Slow Burn
✨Communicating emotions
✨Mental Health Rep
✨Forced Proximity
✨Consent Loving MMC
✨Open Door Spice
🩵My favorite Quotes🩵
“Has it always been hard? Letting someone take care of you?”
“Take care of me? There’s no reason to. Why, as my fake boyfriend, do you want to?”
“I do want to, Brooks,” he admitted softly. “But there’s nothing fake about that.”
For the first time in a long time, I was happy. And for the first time since Dominic passed away, I didn’t feel guilty about it.
‼️Book coming out September 27th and I'm already so excited for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#Happyreading
Honestly, I don't know what the author put in this book. I COULD NOT put it down once I started reading it. The fake dating trope had me on a hook, and I legit thought this would just be just another cheesy college fake dating romance, but boy was I wrong, this book obviously had the cheesiness as well as touching very sensitive topics such as grief, anxiety, panic attacks, attempted sexual assault (not on page) in such a graceful, beautiful and understanding way.
I love getting to know Lyla and Deacon, I loved how they helped each other heal first and foremost as friends and then as a couple.
I absolutely adored how Deacon always validated Lyla's feelings and he consistently made sure she knew that she was worth absolutely everything. Like the way he stood up to her father? I was swooning. Also when Lyla found out about Deacon's loss and gave him a safe place to be sad and talk about that loss and navigate through this grief when he never felt he could in his past relationship. Soulmates at its best.
I absolutely LOVED every single second I spent reading this beautiful book, it was definitely a piece of art!🩵
Tropes
✨College Romance
✨Fake Dating
✨Slow Burn
✨Communicating emotions
✨Mental Health Rep
✨Forced Proximity
✨Consent Loving MMC
✨Open Door Spice
🩵My favorite Quotes🩵
“Has it always been hard? Letting someone take care of you?”
“Take care of me? There’s no reason to. Why, as my fake boyfriend, do you want to?”
“I do want to, Brooks,” he admitted softly. “But there’s nothing fake about that.”
For the first time in a long time, I was happy. And for the first time since Dominic passed away, I didn’t feel guilty about it.
‼️Book coming out September 27th and I'm already so excited for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#Happyreading
September 11, 2024
The Trust Factor was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been chosen as an ARC reader. Watching Brittany Wilson’s journey from the very beginning has been a privilege. She’s an author who embodies integrity, compassion, and undeniable talent.
I read The Trust Factor in 24 hours-I couldn’t put it down. I intentionally avoided reading the tropes and the synopsis because I wanted to dive in blind, and it absolutely paid off. The angst and emotional depth kept me captivated throughout.
Deacon is one of the best male main characters I’ve ever read. He is honest, kind, and embodies those golden retriever vibes that make him so endearing. His character shines with a sincerity that’s both refreshing and heartwarming. The representation of mental health in this book is handled with such care and authenticity, adding layers of realism to the story.
Lyla Brooks is confident, witty, and fiercely independent. She navigates life with a blend of humor and resilience. She’s the kind of person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Lyla values her friendships deeply, often putting others before herself, but she also struggles with the expectations placed on her by her family. Despite these challenges, she remains true to herself. Lyla shows vulnerability and strength that make her relatable and endearing.
Lyla and Deacon stole my heart right from the start. Their quick wit and the banter between them are fantastic. Their dynamic feels real, filled with genuine emotion and chemistry that kept me completely engaged.
This review cannot be complete without talking about Lyla and Charlie’s friendship. Their bond is Oprah-and-Gayle strong-or-Blake-and-Taylor for the younger generation. From laughing over inside jokes to supporting each other through tough times, their connection is the kind that makes them more like family than friends.
Brittany has a remarkable ability to bring her stories to life, and The Trust Factor is no exception. From the first page, I could feel her heart in the narrative, making the experience all the more immersive and meaningful.
I won’t spoil any plot details, but I’ll leave you with this: The Trust Factor is a beautifully written, deeply emotional journey that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. If you’re looking for a romance that’s rich in both heart and substance, this is a must-read.
I read The Trust Factor in 24 hours-I couldn’t put it down. I intentionally avoided reading the tropes and the synopsis because I wanted to dive in blind, and it absolutely paid off. The angst and emotional depth kept me captivated throughout.
Deacon is one of the best male main characters I’ve ever read. He is honest, kind, and embodies those golden retriever vibes that make him so endearing. His character shines with a sincerity that’s both refreshing and heartwarming. The representation of mental health in this book is handled with such care and authenticity, adding layers of realism to the story.
Lyla Brooks is confident, witty, and fiercely independent. She navigates life with a blend of humor and resilience. She’s the kind of person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Lyla values her friendships deeply, often putting others before herself, but she also struggles with the expectations placed on her by her family. Despite these challenges, she remains true to herself. Lyla shows vulnerability and strength that make her relatable and endearing.
Lyla and Deacon stole my heart right from the start. Their quick wit and the banter between them are fantastic. Their dynamic feels real, filled with genuine emotion and chemistry that kept me completely engaged.
This review cannot be complete without talking about Lyla and Charlie’s friendship. Their bond is Oprah-and-Gayle strong-or-Blake-and-Taylor for the younger generation. From laughing over inside jokes to supporting each other through tough times, their connection is the kind that makes them more like family than friends.
Brittany has a remarkable ability to bring her stories to life, and The Trust Factor is no exception. From the first page, I could feel her heart in the narrative, making the experience all the more immersive and meaningful.
I won’t spoil any plot details, but I’ll leave you with this: The Trust Factor is a beautifully written, deeply emotional journey that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. If you’re looking for a romance that’s rich in both heart and substance, this is a must-read.
November 15, 2024
The Trust Factor by Brittany Wilson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
When i joined the buddy read for this book with @brittanywilsonauthor and @romancelandia_bookstore, I had no idea what to expect. The summary showed it as a fake dating college romance where she is trying to show her dad she's changed and he's trying to win back his ex. I figured it would be cute and sweet... I was NOT expecting the emotional depth that this book hit and ended up finishing the book 3 days early because I had to know what happened.
Yes, Lyla is trying to show her dad that she's mature and responsible by being in a relationship... but that's because her dad is an absent narcissist who holds his money over his daughter as a way to belittle and control her. On top of that she's dealing with trauma from an incident with her boyfriend in high-school that was brushed off by her best friend- making Lyla feel like she's blown it out of proportion but also not being able to move on. Oof. Watching Lyla navigate her feelings toward her dad, her fears, and her self-confidence throughout this book was quite the character arc and very well done.
Then there's Deacon- the almost too perfect fake boyfriend who wants to win back his ex (who broke up with him on the phone after three years together). He's empathetic and kind and always looking out for everyone. That alone could be enough of a character arc, but no, @brittanywilsonauthor took it 500 steps deeper by having Deacon and his family dealing with the sudden loss of Deacon's younger brother.
Like I said, depth. The romance aspect was swoony with a decent amount of spice once they got over their fears of "ruining their friendship", but the deeper plot points of grief, loss, and moving on from the past was done so, so well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
When i joined the buddy read for this book with @brittanywilsonauthor and @romancelandia_bookstore, I had no idea what to expect. The summary showed it as a fake dating college romance where she is trying to show her dad she's changed and he's trying to win back his ex. I figured it would be cute and sweet... I was NOT expecting the emotional depth that this book hit and ended up finishing the book 3 days early because I had to know what happened.
Yes, Lyla is trying to show her dad that she's mature and responsible by being in a relationship... but that's because her dad is an absent narcissist who holds his money over his daughter as a way to belittle and control her. On top of that she's dealing with trauma from an incident with her boyfriend in high-school that was brushed off by her best friend- making Lyla feel like she's blown it out of proportion but also not being able to move on. Oof. Watching Lyla navigate her feelings toward her dad, her fears, and her self-confidence throughout this book was quite the character arc and very well done.
Then there's Deacon- the almost too perfect fake boyfriend who wants to win back his ex (who broke up with him on the phone after three years together). He's empathetic and kind and always looking out for everyone. That alone could be enough of a character arc, but no, @brittanywilsonauthor took it 500 steps deeper by having Deacon and his family dealing with the sudden loss of Deacon's younger brother.
Like I said, depth. The romance aspect was swoony with a decent amount of spice once they got over their fears of "ruining their friendship", but the deeper plot points of grief, loss, and moving on from the past was done so, so well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
Trope:
🌹College Romance
🌹Friends to Lovers
🌹Slow Burn
🌹Fake Dating
🌹Consent Loving MMC
🌹Open Door
🌹Communicating Emotions
🌹Mental Health Rep.
💭My Thoughts💭
I’m going to start by saying Deacon Scott is at the top of my book boyfriends list. This man is every green flag anyone could want. From the beginning, he is a good friend, loyal, respectful and caring. Lyla Scott is her own person and she isn’t afraid to be who she is. However, she is very relatable with the internal battles that she fights daily. I love a good faking dating/friends to lovers story and this book delivers on that!
The thing I love about both, Deacon and Lyla, is they both have depth to them. I loved seeing their growth as friends and then in their relationship. Both are fun and like to go out. However, they are characters who have dealt with loss and trauma, but they help each other work through their struggles. They aren’t struggles that are fixed overnight and this book shows how we don’t just “get better,” we just have to learn how to move forward. I love the side characters in the story as well. Lyla has her bestie and her roommates, while Deacon also has his own group of friends.
Although his book is a slow burn, it is totally worth is and you won’t be disappointed by the spice! If you love fake dating, friends to lovers, college romances, you definitely don’t want to miss this one! I would 100% recommend!
Thank you Brittany Wilson for the ARC for an honest review!
🌹College Romance
🌹Friends to Lovers
🌹Slow Burn
🌹Fake Dating
🌹Consent Loving MMC
🌹Open Door
🌹Communicating Emotions
🌹Mental Health Rep.
💭My Thoughts💭
I’m going to start by saying Deacon Scott is at the top of my book boyfriends list. This man is every green flag anyone could want. From the beginning, he is a good friend, loyal, respectful and caring. Lyla Scott is her own person and she isn’t afraid to be who she is. However, she is very relatable with the internal battles that she fights daily. I love a good faking dating/friends to lovers story and this book delivers on that!
The thing I love about both, Deacon and Lyla, is they both have depth to them. I loved seeing their growth as friends and then in their relationship. Both are fun and like to go out. However, they are characters who have dealt with loss and trauma, but they help each other work through their struggles. They aren’t struggles that are fixed overnight and this book shows how we don’t just “get better,” we just have to learn how to move forward. I love the side characters in the story as well. Lyla has her bestie and her roommates, while Deacon also has his own group of friends.
Although his book is a slow burn, it is totally worth is and you won’t be disappointed by the spice! If you love fake dating, friends to lovers, college romances, you definitely don’t want to miss this one! I would 100% recommend!
Thank you Brittany Wilson for the ARC for an honest review!
September 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I wouldn’t put The Trust Factor in the same category as many of the fluffy rom coms that generally read (and love). Not only do I generally feel like Brittany’s writing style has a level of sophistication that I don’t often find in the genre, but she also manages to marry the traditional rom com vibes and tropes with more serious content and topics seamlessly.
There is so much about Lyla that was exactly who I was in college (almost to a point that it’s scary) but more than anything I love that this story manages to be both fun, flirty, and hot and also take on being serious and handling topics and events that so many of us have gone through and have to work through and doing so in a way that is incredibly relatable and authentic.
Lyla is both confident and insecure at the same time. But more than anything she is brave and empathetic. And when you pair her with someone like Deacon who is compassionate and intuitive while also being insanely hot and having that edge of dominance that peaks thru at the perfect moments I couldn’t help but want a front row seat to how their journey unfolds.
I wouldn’t put The Trust Factor in the same category as many of the fluffy rom coms that generally read (and love). Not only do I generally feel like Brittany’s writing style has a level of sophistication that I don’t often find in the genre, but she also manages to marry the traditional rom com vibes and tropes with more serious content and topics seamlessly.
There is so much about Lyla that was exactly who I was in college (almost to a point that it’s scary) but more than anything I love that this story manages to be both fun, flirty, and hot and also take on being serious and handling topics and events that so many of us have gone through and have to work through and doing so in a way that is incredibly relatable and authentic.
Lyla is both confident and insecure at the same time. But more than anything she is brave and empathetic. And when you pair her with someone like Deacon who is compassionate and intuitive while also being insanely hot and having that edge of dominance that peaks thru at the perfect moments I couldn’t help but want a front row seat to how their journey unfolds.
December 16, 2024
🌹 Trust Factor 🌹
Brittany Wilson
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes
🌹 College Romance
🧡 Fake Dating
🌹 Mental Health Rep
So this might be the best book I’ve read this year. No clue what the author put in it but I couldn’t put it down. This book did the fake dating SO well. Lyla Brooks is so much more than what she puts out into the world and Deacon SEES her beyond that. Deacon is a sweet baby angle, like anyone would be lucky to know a person like him & have them in their life. I think what I loved most about this book was the genuine friendship they had before anything ever happened. They helped heal each other. And it was beautiful, it was healing to read for myself. Very much “to be seen is to be loved”
The author handles grief, difficult parental relationship, panic & anxiety attacks, off page SA in such a delicate & graceful way.
Trust Factor will genuinely be a book that stays with me for a long, long time. Lyla & Deacon will forever be in my heart.
Brittany Wilson
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes
🌹 College Romance
🧡 Fake Dating
🌹 Mental Health Rep
So this might be the best book I’ve read this year. No clue what the author put in it but I couldn’t put it down. This book did the fake dating SO well. Lyla Brooks is so much more than what she puts out into the world and Deacon SEES her beyond that. Deacon is a sweet baby angle, like anyone would be lucky to know a person like him & have them in their life. I think what I loved most about this book was the genuine friendship they had before anything ever happened. They helped heal each other. And it was beautiful, it was healing to read for myself. Very much “to be seen is to be loved”
The author handles grief, difficult parental relationship, panic & anxiety attacks, off page SA in such a delicate & graceful way.
Trust Factor will genuinely be a book that stays with me for a long, long time. Lyla & Deacon will forever be in my heart.
April 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This was seriously so cute!
The MMC is a guy that any mom would love for their daughter to date. Seriously so gentle and caring. Absolutely love his communication style and that he is willing to support others even when he's been through some things.
Also love that mental health struggles were portrayed for these college aged kiddos, cause at that age you do truly go through a lot, but you're taught it doesn't matter or push thru.
Felt like the storyline with her dad totally dropped off, maybe she should have had a scene of closure with him? Even if it meant they weren't in each other's lives, but I'm glad she is done with him.
Felt just slightly a tad too long and I didn't really like the randomness of her pushing him away when he's done nothing but show her he's for her, but overall loved it! Also loved that they continue on the tradition of celebrating his brothers life
This was seriously so cute!
The MMC is a guy that any mom would love for their daughter to date. Seriously so gentle and caring. Absolutely love his communication style and that he is willing to support others even when he's been through some things.
Also love that mental health struggles were portrayed for these college aged kiddos, cause at that age you do truly go through a lot, but you're taught it doesn't matter or push thru.
Felt like the storyline with her dad totally dropped off, maybe she should have had a scene of closure with him? Even if it meant they weren't in each other's lives, but I'm glad she is done with him.
Felt just slightly a tad too long and I didn't really like the randomness of her pushing him away when he's done nothing but show her he's for her, but overall loved it! Also loved that they continue on the tradition of celebrating his brothers life
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
*** ARC REVIEW *** The Trust Factor by Brittany Wilson is available 9/27!!! Lyla and Deacon find themselves in a fake dating relationship. Lyla wants to impress her toxic father so she can have access to her trust fund after college. Deacon wants to make his ex girlfriend of 3 years jealous so they can get back together. If college romance, fake dating, friends to lovers, slow burn are you jam- you will really enjoy this book! Deacon is especially top notch- you will be rooting for him the entire time. The book has great banter and chemistry while dealing with tough topics such as navigating grieve, anxiety and past trauma. Side note, I lovedddd the side characters Charlie and Drew!!! If this wasn’t a stand alone series I would be begging for more from them!
August 23, 2024
First of all, I want to thank Brittany for choosing me as an ARC reader for The Trust Factor.
The story of Deacon and Lyla is now one of my favorites. Their relationship is why I love a good fake dating/slow burn trope. The tension and the banter and the build up was so much more than I could've asked for!
This book had such amazing grief and mental health representation. You can tell how much these characters truly mean to the author.
Deacon is top tier, golden retriever, green flag energy. I couldn't get enough of him. He was there for Lyla through so much during this book. We love him! 🥰
Lyla is such an amazing and strong FMC. She has been through a lot and deals with so much from her past and present, and still she pushes through. She is so deserving of the man that Deacon is.
My only complaint is that this book wasn't longer and isn't a series. But that's okay because it came at a time when the author needed healing, and I'm sure it will serve as healing for many readers who are going through similar situations. Amazing job, Brittany. I wish I could give this book all the stars. It definitely deserves it! "Atta Girl!" 🥰😍♥️🌹
The story of Deacon and Lyla is now one of my favorites. Their relationship is why I love a good fake dating/slow burn trope. The tension and the banter and the build up was so much more than I could've asked for!
This book had such amazing grief and mental health representation. You can tell how much these characters truly mean to the author.
Deacon is top tier, golden retriever, green flag energy. I couldn't get enough of him. He was there for Lyla through so much during this book. We love him! 🥰
Lyla is such an amazing and strong FMC. She has been through a lot and deals with so much from her past and present, and still she pushes through. She is so deserving of the man that Deacon is.
My only complaint is that this book wasn't longer and isn't a series. But that's okay because it came at a time when the author needed healing, and I'm sure it will serve as healing for many readers who are going through similar situations. Amazing job, Brittany. I wish I could give this book all the stars. It definitely deserves it! "Atta Girl!" 🥰😍♥️🌹
September 12, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
A fake dating college rom-com?! Yes please! This book took me completely by surprise, as I was not expecting it to be as deep as it was. Layla and Deacon were the cutest fake couple, and I loved the friendship they developed. The way they both handled grief and trauma at such a young age was incredible. They supported each other with open and honest communication, and I loved every second of it! The ending had me sobbing, which was completely unexpected but I think that shows how much I connected with the characters.
Thank you so much to the author Brittany Wilson for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review “We don’t lie.”
Highlights
-Fake Dating
-College Romance
-Rom-Com
-Dual POV
-3🌶️
A fake dating college rom-com?! Yes please! This book took me completely by surprise, as I was not expecting it to be as deep as it was. Layla and Deacon were the cutest fake couple, and I loved the friendship they developed. The way they both handled grief and trauma at such a young age was incredible. They supported each other with open and honest communication, and I loved every second of it! The ending had me sobbing, which was completely unexpected but I think that shows how much I connected with the characters.
Thank you so much to the author Brittany Wilson for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review “We don’t lie.”
Highlights
-Fake Dating
-College Romance
-Rom-Com
-Dual POV
-3🌶️
September 24, 2024
I had the privilege of being an ARC reader, and finished this book SO fast!
The MMC and FMC were so likable; nothing about them seemed unrealistic or annoying—it was quite refreshing. Their banter was really cute and made me root for them from the get-go.
There's a lot to love about this book on a personal level for me! I graduated college in 2016 from a University in Ohio, so I felt extra connected to this story and the time. But the main thing I want to touch on is how well the author handled grief. It was woven into the MMC's story in a way that wasn't forced but revealed in time, and the way they talk about therapy and grief not being linear is so beautiful and true.
Brittany Wilson forever has my attention and is an auto-buy author for me!
The MMC and FMC were so likable; nothing about them seemed unrealistic or annoying—it was quite refreshing. Their banter was really cute and made me root for them from the get-go.
There's a lot to love about this book on a personal level for me! I graduated college in 2016 from a University in Ohio, so I felt extra connected to this story and the time. But the main thing I want to touch on is how well the author handled grief. It was woven into the MMC's story in a way that wasn't forced but revealed in time, and the way they talk about therapy and grief not being linear is so beautiful and true.
Brittany Wilson forever has my attention and is an auto-buy author for me!
September 16, 2024
I received this book as an arc and I am so thankful I got to read it before.
I read Brittany’s first book and it was good, but this was amazing. It tugged my heart strings, and had a really good storyline.
I think Brittany touched on death in such a beautiful way. It wasn’t the whole premise of the story and what Deacon had gone through helped Lyla and that was beautiful.
I loved that we saw so much character development and it was incredible to see both mcs come such a long way.
Spice: 🌶️.75
Tropes:
🌹 fake dating
🌹 friends to lovers
🌹 narcissistic father figure
🌹 found family
🌹 death rep
🌹 mental health rec
I read Brittany’s first book and it was good, but this was amazing. It tugged my heart strings, and had a really good storyline.
I think Brittany touched on death in such a beautiful way. It wasn’t the whole premise of the story and what Deacon had gone through helped Lyla and that was beautiful.
I loved that we saw so much character development and it was incredible to see both mcs come such a long way.
Spice: 🌶️.75
Tropes:
🌹 fake dating
🌹 friends to lovers
🌹 narcissistic father figure
🌹 found family
🌹 death rep
🌹 mental health rec
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2024
4.5/5
I received this book as an ARC, thank you, Brittany!
The premise of this book seemed interesting, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I was shocked by how much I liked this book. I knew I was going to like it from the beginning and I am so happy I did. This book has the lightness of a fake dating college romance, but the depth Brittany accomplished is beautiful.
Both characters have gone through so much and the way they support each other is amazing. I think that that is one of my favorite aspects of this book. Both have real problems going on, and I loved how they supported each other until the end.
I loved this one!
I received this book as an ARC, thank you, Brittany!
The premise of this book seemed interesting, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I was shocked by how much I liked this book. I knew I was going to like it from the beginning and I am so happy I did. This book has the lightness of a fake dating college romance, but the depth Brittany accomplished is beautiful.
Both characters have gone through so much and the way they support each other is amazing. I think that that is one of my favorite aspects of this book. Both have real problems going on, and I loved how they supported each other until the end.
I loved this one!
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