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Don't Be In Love
When twenty-year-old, career-driven Adelaide Adorno decides to transfer to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Townsen University in London, for her junior year, she couldn’t be happier. Moving to London granted her new friends, a gorgeous apartment in the city, and a chance to work in luxury marketing.
That is until she meets Dorian Blackwood. The male model who is plastered across every tabloid in Europe for his famous parents, handsome look, and notable dating life. He’s not only a student at Townsen University but the person her new best friend, and roommate, is absolutely in love with. Which is how Adelaide ultimately becomes twisted into a deal with Dorian to keep their secret.
But just because Dorian agrees to keep their secret doesn’t mean he’ll make life easy for her. Every lavish gala, photographed event in the city, and excuse to wear an expensive gown becomes a risk for their secret to come out. With Adelaide’s friendship on the line and her future career at risk, she’ll do anything she can to avoid Dorian. Which should be easy for someone who doesn’t date, let alone believe in love—right?
That is until she meets Dorian Blackwood. The male model who is plastered across every tabloid in Europe for his famous parents, handsome look, and notable dating life. He’s not only a student at Townsen University but the person her new best friend, and roommate, is absolutely in love with. Which is how Adelaide ultimately becomes twisted into a deal with Dorian to keep their secret.
But just because Dorian agrees to keep their secret doesn’t mean he’ll make life easy for her. Every lavish gala, photographed event in the city, and excuse to wear an expensive gown becomes a risk for their secret to come out. With Adelaide’s friendship on the line and her future career at risk, she’ll do anything she can to avoid Dorian. Which should be easy for someone who doesn’t date, let alone believe in love—right?
351 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2022
About the author
Liana Cincotti
5 books5,681 followersLiana Cincotti creates characters and stories about romance, self- discovery, and travel for both teens and adults. She recently finished her Bachelor of Science and now works in Marketing and Communications.
On her best days, you can find her sharing tubs of cookie dough ice cream with her friends or curling up in the corners of bookstores reading the newest romance.
On her best days, you can find her sharing tubs of cookie dough ice cream with her friends or curling up in the corners of bookstores reading the newest romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,444 reviews
August 16, 2022
If you love Taylor Swift this book is for you. Nuff said-🫡
Read
October 27, 2024marking this as the first review of the brand new edition of Don’t Be In Love before it’s out in two days 🥹 for anyone that’s confused by the number of reviews prior to this, this book originally came out in 2022. two years later, it’s been completely rewritten, and it’s yours again <3
January 9, 2023
This book is so cute and lighthearted! It is literally an early 2000s rom com in a book. Once you start noticing the Taylor Swift references you can’t stop. Easy read! So so cute!
March 6, 2025
4 stars ౨ৎ this feels just like a 2000s rom com and the banter is everything. it did feel a little rushed at times and the fmc annoyed me a little but it was still rlly cute
tropes<3
-no spice
-enemies to lovers
-dual pov
-london setting
-girl who doesn’t believe in love/boy who loves her like it’s breathing
tropes<3
-no spice
-enemies to lovers
-dual pov
-london setting
-girl who doesn’t believe in love/boy who loves her like it’s breathing
December 29, 2022
I got bamboozled by an aesthetically pleasing tiktok
January 1, 2025
╰┈➤ 4 stars!
this book proved to me that the definition of to be loved is to be seen is real.
my first read of the year turned out to be good, thank goodness! i remember stumbling upon a book called picking daisies on sundays thru tiktok—i fell in love with the cover and the little snippets, so i decided to give it a go. i ended up loving it. months later, i saw the author posting more content, but this time, they were from this book. from that moment, i knew i had to read it, and i have no regrets that i did!
౨ৎ adelaide. her character honestly frustrated me at times because she constantly refused to admit to herself that she deserved to be loved. but at the same time, i understood where she's coming from. she didn't grow up witnessing the kind of love that everyone should receive from their family, and that shaped how she viewed herself and love itself. if the people who were supposed to love her couldn't, then how could anyone else? it's something the many people struggle with, and if you can relate to that, her character will make you feel so seen.
౨ৎ dorian. he completely stole my heart! he might just be my fav british book bf ever! the way he showed his love was so thoughtful—he specifically made a keychain for adelaide that would match with her other keychains, and it may seem simple but it absolutely made me swooned. he has his own struggles and i absolutely loved how adelaide made him realize that the right person would stand by him and his dreams.
overall, this book was light, cute, and incredibly heartwarming. it made me fell in love with london in a way i never had before—i literally want to go there right now! more than anything, this story is for those who convince themselves that they don't deserve love, so they tried to avoid it altogether. it beautifully shows that love isn't just rainbows and sunshine, but still so worth it.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
first read of 2025! i absolutely loved the first book i’ve read of hers, that’s why i’m kind of expecting that this one will be as good or even better 🤞🏼 also, i’ve seen her videos on tiktok about this book and it just hits the spot!
this book proved to me that the definition of to be loved is to be seen is real.
my first read of the year turned out to be good, thank goodness! i remember stumbling upon a book called picking daisies on sundays thru tiktok—i fell in love with the cover and the little snippets, so i decided to give it a go. i ended up loving it. months later, i saw the author posting more content, but this time, they were from this book. from that moment, i knew i had to read it, and i have no regrets that i did!
౨ৎ adelaide. her character honestly frustrated me at times because she constantly refused to admit to herself that she deserved to be loved. but at the same time, i understood where she's coming from. she didn't grow up witnessing the kind of love that everyone should receive from their family, and that shaped how she viewed herself and love itself. if the people who were supposed to love her couldn't, then how could anyone else? it's something the many people struggle with, and if you can relate to that, her character will make you feel so seen.
౨ৎ dorian. he completely stole my heart! he might just be my fav british book bf ever! the way he showed his love was so thoughtful—he specifically made a keychain for adelaide that would match with her other keychains, and it may seem simple but it absolutely made me swooned. he has his own struggles and i absolutely loved how adelaide made him realize that the right person would stand by him and his dreams.
overall, this book was light, cute, and incredibly heartwarming. it made me fell in love with london in a way i never had before—i literally want to go there right now! more than anything, this story is for those who convince themselves that they don't deserve love, so they tried to avoid it altogether. it beautifully shows that love isn't just rainbows and sunshine, but still so worth it.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
first read of 2025! i absolutely loved the first book i’ve read of hers, that’s why i’m kind of expecting that this one will be as good or even better 🤞🏼 also, i’ve seen her videos on tiktok about this book and it just hits the spot!
July 24, 2022
I was pretty disappointed with this book. I love supporting smaller authors, and I was very excited to read. I think the love story overall was pretty cute, but the male protagonist (dorian) of the story was just not a good person. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he would go elsewhere, which is simply not a good foundation to start any relationship. I think highlighting the female protagonist’s independence and strength was wonderful, but at the same time it was overdone to the point where it felt forced. We also never learned the history she had with her family, and it was mentioned so many times, I was confused as to why it was never revealed. There were additionally many spelling errors and incorrect grammar, which just felt very unprofessional. I highly appreciate the idea of this story, but i am not sure the execution was done properly :/
January 2, 2025
dnf @8%, i think it’s safe to say i will not be trusting tiktok for book suggestions anymore
August 28, 2026
The 2000s rom-com vibes were STRONG 🙂↕️
Liana Cincotti is back with yet another adorable, heartfelt read. She has this incredible ability of putting real FEELING into her books. No matter what the plot holds in store for us, I can always count on feeling absorbed in her stories, as if I am really there alongside the characters.
‘Don’t be in love’ will transport you right into student life in London…Step into the shoes of 20 year old Adelaide Adorno who has received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Townsen University for her senior year. All her dreams have come true…that is until Dorian Blackwood enters the scene, threatening to throw her friendships, and hard work into rune. Will he be her downfall?
🇬🇧♥️📖✨
Moving to London for senior year promised new friends and the opportunity to work in a luxury marketing environment. All was well, until one night she meets a charming British guy at a bar. Adelaide reluctantly agrees to dance with him, leading to an embarrassing one night stand that she would much rather forget. Turns out he’s not only one of London’s most famous bachelors, a student at Townsen, but also her best-friends/roommates biggest crush.
Feeling awful about the whole situation, wishing to forget it and move on, she becomes entangled in a deal: “I’ll make a deal with you: I’ll keep our night quiet if you help me pass this class.” 👀
Queue: study dates, lavish galas, and spontaneous romantic gestures (on his part). With her friendship on the line and her future career at risk, can she avoid Dorian? It should be easy for someone who doesn't date, let alone believe in love-right? 🤭
Adelaide was exactly what you’d expect from a young study abroad student. There was something hopeful about seeing London through her eyes. Despite her fears rooted in the past, I still felt a spring of anticipation and ambition witnessing the events of this story…At times I found her a little frustrating, there was opportunity waiting for her at her fingertips and yet she refused to see it, or allow herself to dwell in it. Mainly love. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, she had experienced very little love and that had shaped her expectations on life. So while her character was slightly exasperating, I could empathise with her, sharing in her real life worries. And moreover, it made her character more relatable. She had real life flaws and they felt genuine. It only made her self-development even more satisfying 🥰
“The mistakes I regret the most are the ones I didn’t allow to happen. You have to make decisions with purpose, knowing that they may not be around forever." 💖 ✨
Dorian has all of Liana’s trademark MMC traits…he has passion that oozes out of every move he makes - not only in his yearning for Addy but he also loves art, and paints. I actually grew to really respect this man. He is so persistent about showing Addy how much he cares and loves her, but he is also very respectful of her boundaries. He gives her space when she needs it even though he is down SO bad for her. And he wasn’t without his own struggles but I loved that Addy helped him realise how important his dreams were and that the right person would stand by him. Also, he called her ‘Love’ so I was pretty much sold 🙃
"It was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. This strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it. She was my favorite painting." 🖼️ ✨
Gosh, the yearning…He was so completely gone for her. The chemistry between them was absolutely sizzling from their first night together, although (thankfully) it didn’t have that ‘insta-love’ feeling. It was more of a slow burn with incredible tension and longing. I loved that Dorian didn’t shy away from showing his feelings for Addy, despite her reluctance to admit her feelings. I also appreciated the low spice level - heated kissing but nothing more - leaving the plot clear for more of an emotional connection rather than a physical one. It certainly didn’t lessen the romantic feel of this love story 🥰
"There was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life." 😌 💖 ✨
Overall, this wasn’t my favourite of Liana’s books, but it was still a fun, lighthearted, and atmospheric read. I’ve been to London many times, but this story had me falling in love with the city more than I’ve ever experienced before; it showed me the beauty and romance to be found, even among the rainy skies. But moreover, it is a lesson that love can be found in many different forms, and although it isn’t always easy, it is so worth it 💖
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Liana Cincotti is back with yet another adorable, heartfelt read. She has this incredible ability of putting real FEELING into her books. No matter what the plot holds in store for us, I can always count on feeling absorbed in her stories, as if I am really there alongside the characters.
‘Don’t be in love’ will transport you right into student life in London…Step into the shoes of 20 year old Adelaide Adorno who has received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Townsen University for her senior year. All her dreams have come true…that is until Dorian Blackwood enters the scene, threatening to throw her friendships, and hard work into rune. Will he be her downfall?
🇬🇧♥️📖✨
Moving to London for senior year promised new friends and the opportunity to work in a luxury marketing environment. All was well, until one night she meets a charming British guy at a bar. Adelaide reluctantly agrees to dance with him, leading to an embarrassing one night stand that she would much rather forget. Turns out he’s not only one of London’s most famous bachelors, a student at Townsen, but also her best-friends/roommates biggest crush.
Feeling awful about the whole situation, wishing to forget it and move on, she becomes entangled in a deal: “I’ll make a deal with you: I’ll keep our night quiet if you help me pass this class.” 👀
Queue: study dates, lavish galas, and spontaneous romantic gestures (on his part). With her friendship on the line and her future career at risk, can she avoid Dorian? It should be easy for someone who doesn't date, let alone believe in love-right? 🤭
Adelaide was exactly what you’d expect from a young study abroad student. There was something hopeful about seeing London through her eyes. Despite her fears rooted in the past, I still felt a spring of anticipation and ambition witnessing the events of this story…At times I found her a little frustrating, there was opportunity waiting for her at her fingertips and yet she refused to see it, or allow herself to dwell in it. Mainly love. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, she had experienced very little love and that had shaped her expectations on life. So while her character was slightly exasperating, I could empathise with her, sharing in her real life worries. And moreover, it made her character more relatable. She had real life flaws and they felt genuine. It only made her self-development even more satisfying 🥰
“The mistakes I regret the most are the ones I didn’t allow to happen. You have to make decisions with purpose, knowing that they may not be around forever." 💖 ✨
Dorian has all of Liana’s trademark MMC traits…he has passion that oozes out of every move he makes - not only in his yearning for Addy but he also loves art, and paints. I actually grew to really respect this man. He is so persistent about showing Addy how much he cares and loves her, but he is also very respectful of her boundaries. He gives her space when she needs it even though he is down SO bad for her. And he wasn’t without his own struggles but I loved that Addy helped him realise how important his dreams were and that the right person would stand by him. Also, he called her ‘Love’ so I was pretty much sold 🙃
"It was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. This strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it. She was my favorite painting." 🖼️ ✨
Gosh, the yearning…He was so completely gone for her. The chemistry between them was absolutely sizzling from their first night together, although (thankfully) it didn’t have that ‘insta-love’ feeling. It was more of a slow burn with incredible tension and longing. I loved that Dorian didn’t shy away from showing his feelings for Addy, despite her reluctance to admit her feelings. I also appreciated the low spice level - heated kissing but nothing more - leaving the plot clear for more of an emotional connection rather than a physical one. It certainly didn’t lessen the romantic feel of this love story 🥰
"There was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life." 😌 💖 ✨
Overall, this wasn’t my favourite of Liana’s books, but it was still a fun, lighthearted, and atmospheric read. I’ve been to London many times, but this story had me falling in love with the city more than I’ve ever experienced before; it showed me the beauty and romance to be found, even among the rainy skies. But moreover, it is a lesson that love can be found in many different forms, and although it isn’t always easy, it is so worth it 💖
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
January 5, 2025
this didnt deserve to be my first read of 2025 at all bc i finished it just to see how worse it can get (it did). how did adelaide get two british nepo babies pining over her when she had a personality of a paper. dorian is also fucking weird with his complicated relationship with victoria and his obsession with adelaide. shouldve been titled "dont be stupid".
September 9, 2026
— 3.75 ☆ .ᐟ ⌗ 🫐 spoiler free + mini review
⤷ omg yay another four stars!!
⋆˚࿔ 86th review of the year
⌗ ꒰ my thoughts ꒱ 💌
⤷ AHH i really enjoyed this!! i love that i was able to binge it and just have a good time. the reason i didn't rate it higher is because i didn't resonate with the characters too much and i lowkey wanted more. like there was so much more that could've been said to add more depth!
luckily the london setting really made up for it and i love the fall vibes it gave 💐 overall im happy i finished all her work and am eager to see what she announces next 🙂↕️ so happy for liana for getting her recognition as an author!
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𐔌 ♯┆9.9.26
⤷ so happy to finally read this novel with bff giu!! OUR FIRST ONE YAY 🫂💐 ilysm angel and im happy it is going well for the most part! i love london so this being set there is so cool <3 will also be able to finish all of liana's current released books 🙂↕️
⤷ omg yay another four stars!!
⋆˚࿔ 86th review of the year
“there was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life.”
⌗ ꒰ my thoughts ꒱ 💌
⤷ AHH i really enjoyed this!! i love that i was able to binge it and just have a good time. the reason i didn't rate it higher is because i didn't resonate with the characters too much and i lowkey wanted more. like there was so much more that could've been said to add more depth!
luckily the london setting really made up for it and i love the fall vibes it gave 💐 overall im happy i finished all her work and am eager to see what she announces next 🙂↕️ so happy for liana for getting her recognition as an author!
~ my dear giu, THANK YOU SM FOR READING THIS WITH ME!! IT WAS SO FUN <3 i love how we binged this super quickly and are eager to see what liana does next. also rating twins 🙂↕️ love you bunches girl!
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🫐 — pre-read .ᐟ ⌗
𐔌 ♯┆9.9.26
⤷ so happy to finally read this novel with bff giu!! OUR FIRST ONE YAY 🫂💐 ilysm angel and im happy it is going well for the most part! i love london so this being set there is so cool <3 will also be able to finish all of liana's current released books 🙂↕️
January 16, 2025
i’m trying to be nice because i loved this authors other book and i try to support authors. that being said… everyone in this book was annoying. both the main characters were horrible friends and the main “conflict” could have been solved with one.conversation. and by not having said conversation it created more drama and made me hate both the characters. i was not only not routing for the them main to couple to get together but i was rooting for the worst possible case scenario to happen to them. the only reason this isn’t a one start is because the first 100 pages were somewhat entertaining. after that… save yourself the time and skip this one. i’m pretty sure she wrote this before her other book so it makes sense that it’s not as good but i wish i had known that before going into this… tik tok aesthetic accounts really had me fooled with this one. it did its job as a palate cleanser i suppose. #justiceformymanjames
June 17, 2023
i am this close to dousing myself in gasoline and lighting myself on fire just so i never have to look at this book again
August 24, 2022
this was the worst thing ive ever read. i haven't ever wanted to not finish a book quite like this.
the main character was a pick me and she felt like a forced feminist and the love interest sucked ass.
the main character was a pick me and she felt like a forced feminist and the love interest sucked ass.
July 7, 2026
─ ✶ 2 stars 🎡 ⊹ ࣪ ˖
right so i think it's fair to say i was very disappointed by this book. i spent most of it loving the mmc's best friend anyway so enough said really! the romance didn't stick out to me, the fmc mostly annoyed me, the plot was repetitive in a "i like him, but i'm hurting my friend who i haven't communicated with at all, so let me push him away and also not communicate with him," kind of way that kept repeating until she eventually realized she loved him the whole time (shocker) and he loved her even though he made it pretty clear, but she would not let him talk. just playing with this man's feelings and for what cause now we're all confused. i read a fanfic with a similar plot once and it made me want to scream, but in a wow what a messy masterpiece kind of way. this one was just exhausting. there were a few scenes i liked and i was invested enough to read the whole thing hence the 2 stars, but the real takeaway is justice for james, i will never forget you king.
happy reading (but not for me)
love, hannah 🤍
⟢ "there was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life."
right so i think it's fair to say i was very disappointed by this book. i spent most of it loving the mmc's best friend anyway so enough said really! the romance didn't stick out to me, the fmc mostly annoyed me, the plot was repetitive in a "i like him, but i'm hurting my friend who i haven't communicated with at all, so let me push him away and also not communicate with him," kind of way that kept repeating until she eventually realized she loved him the whole time (shocker) and he loved her even though he made it pretty clear, but she would not let him talk. just playing with this man's feelings and for what cause now we're all confused. i read a fanfic with a similar plot once and it made me want to scream, but in a wow what a messy masterpiece kind of way. this one was just exhausting. there were a few scenes i liked and i was invested enough to read the whole thing hence the 2 stars, but the real takeaway is justice for james, i will never forget you king.
happy reading (but not for me)
love, hannah 🤍
July 17, 2025
— 2 ★
⟡ — pre-read !
I didn't like picking daisies on sunday by this author but I'm willing to give her one more chance...
⊹ "it’s love. everything about love is embarrassing. you’re pining over someone who’s across the room hardly thinking of you. that’s incredibly embarrassing. but I also think there’s something romantic about being secretly fond of someone in a way that only you know." ៹࣪cute. lighthearted. cliche drama where the mmc's best friend obviously falls in love with the fmc? present. the characters? didn't stand out at all. what's more, adelaide didn't want to have anything to do with dorian because her best friend had a celeb crush on him...make it make sense. the plot? felt unrealistic as hell. the best part of this book? the london setting🤌🏻
⟡ — pre-read !
I didn't like picking daisies on sunday by this author but I'm willing to give her one more chance...
January 6, 2023
I wanted to like this book , I truly did. but I guess we can't all have what we want.
the male main character was annoying. I'm sorry but this bad guy played trope is overused come on. I think this is the author's first book which would explain a few things but still. he was straight up annoying. everytime there'd be a scene between him and addy I'd be rolling my eyes. the scene where he leads her into the room and she says (and I quote) "to a place where she couldn't scream" while he was holding her hand so strongly? yeah thanks , we don't stan red flags here. and his excuse for him kissing victoria and everything else? "I slept with her because I needed to forget you 🥺🥺" bitch pleasee
james underrated king for real. we love james in this household !!!! he was the best <3 when we find out he gave her that dress I screamed so loudly and my mom looked at me lmao 😭 I was hoping that he would be the endgame but I guess addy pulled a taylor swift and chose "screaming and fighting" over "he is sensible and so incredible" 🤷🏽♂️ if she doesn't want him , I'll have him. thanks for the leftovers x
dorian ignored addy saying she doesn't want a relationship and kept kissing her but james understood that and backed off yet she chose dorian smh. like come on girl 🤨
also sabrina getting over SO quickly about addy's betrayal was just so unrealistic.
mia unproblematic queen 🙏🏽
victoria was also getting played with so a part of me does feel bad for her. I think she truly liked dorian.
at the end the romance was kinda cute and fluffy but I really disliked dorian so I sadly couldn't get into it.
nevertheless , some of the romantic quotes were really nice !! how addy described love at the end , the scene in the museum -> that was nice. but dorian sighs 🙄
also addy is on the aromantic spectrum idc
at the end , the best thing about this book was the first page with the dedication and james.
thanks for listening and bye <3
update:: I saw the author rated colleen hoover really highly. explains a lot.
the male main character was annoying. I'm sorry but this bad guy played trope is overused come on. I think this is the author's first book which would explain a few things but still. he was straight up annoying. everytime there'd be a scene between him and addy I'd be rolling my eyes. the scene where he leads her into the room and she says (and I quote) "to a place where she couldn't scream" while he was holding her hand so strongly? yeah thanks , we don't stan red flags here. and his excuse for him kissing victoria and everything else? "I slept with her because I needed to forget you 🥺🥺" bitch pleasee
james underrated king for real. we love james in this household !!!! he was the best <3 when we find out he gave her that dress I screamed so loudly and my mom looked at me lmao 😭 I was hoping that he would be the endgame but I guess addy pulled a taylor swift and chose "screaming and fighting" over "he is sensible and so incredible" 🤷🏽♂️ if she doesn't want him , I'll have him. thanks for the leftovers x
dorian ignored addy saying she doesn't want a relationship and kept kissing her but james understood that and backed off yet she chose dorian smh. like come on girl 🤨
also sabrina getting over SO quickly about addy's betrayal was just so unrealistic.
mia unproblematic queen 🙏🏽
victoria was also getting played with so a part of me does feel bad for her. I think she truly liked dorian.
at the end the romance was kinda cute and fluffy but I really disliked dorian so I sadly couldn't get into it.
nevertheless , some of the romantic quotes were really nice !! how addy described love at the end , the scene in the museum -> that was nice. but dorian sighs 🙄
also addy is on the aromantic spectrum idc
at the end , the best thing about this book was the first page with the dedication and james.
thanks for listening and bye <3
update:: I saw the author rated colleen hoover really highly. explains a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2026
rtc
𐙚⋆°. preread
I’m in my romance era right now which is very shocking nonetheless I’m excited to read this book.
𐙚⋆°. preread
I’m in my romance era right now which is very shocking nonetheless I’m excited to read this book.
January 5, 2023
yes, the writing is mediocre. yes, there are grammatical errors. yes, i am most definitely a sucker for these type of books.
Did Not Finish
June 4, 2026Dnfing because our main character meets him and sleeps with him all in the same night and thinks that’s totally okay and that’s just not something I personally condone and think should be our main topic in a book, let alone a YA book—even if it was all only thought about later.
Now, that might just be first impressions being that I didn’t get very far in it, and maybe it gets better, but I also just wasn’t really vibing with this anyway. Everything was happening way too fast for my personal enjoyment. Might pick it up again eventually, but just looking forward to reading something else right now. Really disappointed because I loved Picking Daises On Sundays so muchhhh.
Someone please let me know if it gets better or if there are some redeeming qualities for any of the irks I noted, because that might entice me to pick it back up again!
Now, that might just be first impressions being that I didn’t get very far in it, and maybe it gets better, but I also just wasn’t really vibing with this anyway. Everything was happening way too fast for my personal enjoyment. Might pick it up again eventually, but just looking forward to reading something else right now. Really disappointed because I loved Picking Daises On Sundays so muchhhh.
Someone please let me know if it gets better or if there are some redeeming qualities for any of the irks I noted, because that might entice me to pick it back up again!
February 9, 2025
i don't know what boggles me more - the fact that the entire plot of this novel exists because the main character's best friend maintained the most outrageous parasocial relationship known to man with a random rich white dude, or said white dude's best friend throwing the most ridiculous love profession out of left field.
April 26, 2026
3.50 🌟 this was sooo cute!! rtc
𐔌 . ⋮ pre-read ☎️ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱
i’ve been dying to read a book by liana cincotti for the longest time, and i figured the best way to start was by reading her books in chronological order. this one follows a romance set in london, with two people trying to navigate love, timing, and all the messy feelings that come with it.
i’ve been missing london lately, so i’m really hoping this one brings me right back there!!
𐔌 . ⋮ pre-read ☎️ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱
i’ve been dying to read a book by liana cincotti for the longest time, and i figured the best way to start was by reading her books in chronological order. this one follows a romance set in london, with two people trying to navigate love, timing, and all the messy feelings that come with it.
i’ve been missing london lately, so i’m really hoping this one brings me right back there!!
Read
December 2, 2025DNF 28%
ugh I just don't know why I'm not that interested to read it. but I'll surely give it another chance in the future isa. cause like I kept thus in my currently reading for ALOT so yeah will be sure to give it another chance tho. like btw this is my sec chance so let's day I'll give it a 3 one another time. (as they say the 3 is a charm 🤞)
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Pre read #2:
Hello guys so I stopped reading it once bc I was so fucking busy with school I'm still busy but less tho so yeah let's read this. (Also I added 85 pages as that's my difference between my copy and the copy here!) Let's go I'm going with high hopes as I fuckinh loved "picking up daisies on sundays" LETS GO!
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I can't find pre read one 🤦♂️
ugh I just don't know why I'm not that interested to read it. but I'll surely give it another chance in the future isa. cause like I kept thus in my currently reading for ALOT so yeah will be sure to give it another chance tho. like btw this is my sec chance so let's day I'll give it a 3 one another time. (as they say the 3 is a charm 🤞)
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Pre read #2:
Hello guys so I stopped reading it once bc I was so fucking busy with school I'm still busy but less tho so yeah let's read this. (Also I added 85 pages as that's my difference between my copy and the copy here!) Let's go I'm going with high hopes as I fuckinh loved "picking up daisies on sundays" LETS GO!
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I can't find pre read one 🤦♂️
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July 7, 2025
3 stars ☆.
⤿ romance
adelaide and dorian are so olivia and louis coded & no one can convince me otherwise. anyways, i picked up this book because i really enjoyed picking daisies on sundays, which was written by the same author, so i figured i had to give this one a try too. it was cute & lighthearted but unfortunately i didn’t enjoy it as much as picking daisies on sundays.
plot. a big issue for me was the plot, i found it extremely unrealistic and a little too silly. this book follows adelaide, a 21 year old transfer student. one night, adelaide and dorian get together, only for her to find out later that he is the man her best friend is “in love” with. adelaide finds herself forced to make a deal with dorian in order to keep their relationship secret.
not the best description, but you get the main idea. one thing i didn’t enjoy and just didn’t find believable is the fact that this whole plot was based on the fact that adelaide had to keep the whole thing a secret because dorian was her best friends celebrity crush. i find that a little ridiculous to be honest 😭 it just resulted in her creating a messy relationship with her friends and with dorian which was exhausting to constantly read about
characters.
adelaide. oh she was infuriating. can we please stop writing these annoying fmcs 😔 i couldn’t connect to her character at all throughout the whole story. don’t get me wrong she isn’t full on insufferable but she has some very irritating traits.
dorian. ”i prefer you in every room.” “it was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. this strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it. she was my favorite painting” “tell me you care for me. because i care for you”. and he’s british ?! do i even need to add anything else
i need james’ story asap.
romance. one thing that did not miss was the yearning. i was in fact giggling and kicking my feet, the stolen glances and touches, absolute perfection. i will be thinking about that rain kiss everyday. they are SO ”so american” coded. i will always love the american girl x british guy trope
even though i had some issues with it, this book was very fun and a fast read for me so i’d still recommend it <3
⤿ romance
: ̗̀➛ “it’s love. everything about love is embarrassing. you’re pining over someone who’s across the room hardly thinking of you. that’s incredibly embarrassing. but i also think there’s something romantic about being secretly fond of someone in a way that only you know”
adelaide and dorian are so olivia and louis coded & no one can convince me otherwise. anyways, i picked up this book because i really enjoyed picking daisies on sundays, which was written by the same author, so i figured i had to give this one a try too. it was cute & lighthearted but unfortunately i didn’t enjoy it as much as picking daisies on sundays.
plot. a big issue for me was the plot, i found it extremely unrealistic and a little too silly. this book follows adelaide, a 21 year old transfer student. one night, adelaide and dorian get together, only for her to find out later that he is the man her best friend is “in love” with. adelaide finds herself forced to make a deal with dorian in order to keep their relationship secret.
not the best description, but you get the main idea. one thing i didn’t enjoy and just didn’t find believable is the fact that this whole plot was based on the fact that adelaide had to keep the whole thing a secret because dorian was her best friends celebrity crush. i find that a little ridiculous to be honest 😭 it just resulted in her creating a messy relationship with her friends and with dorian which was exhausting to constantly read about
characters.
adelaide. oh she was infuriating. can we please stop writing these annoying fmcs 😔 i couldn’t connect to her character at all throughout the whole story. don’t get me wrong she isn’t full on insufferable but she has some very irritating traits.
dorian. ”i prefer you in every room.” “it was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. this strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it. she was my favorite painting” “tell me you care for me. because i care for you”. and he’s british ?! do i even need to add anything else
i need james’ story asap.
romance. one thing that did not miss was the yearning. i was in fact giggling and kicking my feet, the stolen glances and touches, absolute perfection. i will be thinking about that rain kiss everyday. they are SO ”so american” coded. i will always love the american girl x british guy trope
even though i had some issues with it, this book was very fun and a fast read for me so i’d still recommend it <3
September 10, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
liana cincotti has this incredible ability to create the most perfect and loving main male characters who happen to be EXACTLY my type. it happened with Levi of Picking Daisies on Sundays and it happened again with Dorian of Don’t be in love (even James was perfect like hello????).
“you know i love a london boy” or whatever taylor swift said ..
and as much as i wish it weren’t true, i saw a lot of myself in Adelaide. the way she keeps people at arm’s length—not because she doesn’t care, but because she’s scared of getting hurt—it hit hard, so reading this book made me reflect on things i usually try to push to the back of my mind.. but that i know i’ll have to face eventually.
her books are the sweetest kind of comfort, and they somehow make me dream like i’m living in a romance novel… which, honestly, isn’t always a good thing because men like that don’t exist in real life. so thanks a lot, liana. really. 👍🏻💗💗
”Maybe life wasn't all about protecting yourself and trying to push away pain.
Maybe forgetting was all about forwardness. To remain steady on the path forward while trying to pick up as many stones filled with gratitude and joy and hope so that the resentment that fueled the lack of forgiveness didn't overwhelm the present.
There was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life.”
“Being in your twenties is arguably the most difficult time of your life. Everything you do in that decade forms what's to come. And it feels as if you're never doing the right thing or making the right decision.”
”It was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. This strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it.
She was my favorite painting.”
liana cincotti has this incredible ability to create the most perfect and loving main male characters who happen to be EXACTLY my type. it happened with Levi of Picking Daisies on Sundays and it happened again with Dorian of Don’t be in love (even James was perfect like hello????).
“you know i love a london boy” or whatever taylor swift said ..
and as much as i wish it weren’t true, i saw a lot of myself in Adelaide. the way she keeps people at arm’s length—not because she doesn’t care, but because she’s scared of getting hurt—it hit hard, so reading this book made me reflect on things i usually try to push to the back of my mind.. but that i know i’ll have to face eventually.
her books are the sweetest kind of comfort, and they somehow make me dream like i’m living in a romance novel… which, honestly, isn’t always a good thing because men like that don’t exist in real life. so thanks a lot, liana. really. 👍🏻💗💗
”Maybe life wasn't all about protecting yourself and trying to push away pain.
Maybe forgetting was all about forwardness. To remain steady on the path forward while trying to pick up as many stones filled with gratitude and joy and hope so that the resentment that fueled the lack of forgiveness didn't overwhelm the present.
There was something beautiful about falling in love with the uncertainty of life.”
“Being in your twenties is arguably the most difficult time of your life. Everything you do in that decade forms what's to come. And it feels as if you're never doing the right thing or making the right decision.”
”It was like seeing your favorite painting for the first time. This strong urge to feel it, wrap yourself in it, cover every wall in it.
She was my favorite painting.”
December 26, 2024
was clickbaited 😒
July 9, 2025
DID SHE NEVER TELL JAMES THAT HER DREAM IS TO WORK FOR HIS MOTHER ?? yes, that was my first thought immediately after closing this book (and why was it okay for mia to ask james for a job but not adelaide?) - but, anyway, let’s get into the review -
thank GOD the main male characters did not have rocks for brains like levi did in picking daisies on sundays. both james and dorian had thoughts, reason, emotions, personality and liveliness (even though dorian apparently lost all ability to reason when he decided not to explain to adelaide during their fight in the book shop that he broke up with victoria).
speaking of victoria, i feel like she could have played a bigger role in this book if she were made to have actually interacted with adelaide, but i guess that would have introduced new problems and made the book a lot longer. (side note - i did like the plot twist about sylvie being her mother because i did not see that coming).
sabrina also deserved more time in the book. adelaide should have told her what happened IMMEDIATELY after seeing the picture. it’s not like she did anything wrong because SHE DIDN’T KNOW !! not telling sabrina kept her at a distance throughout the book that made it seem as if they weren’t actually close friends which made me roll my eyes whenever adelaide used her as an excuse not to like dorian. SABRINA IS NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER MET HIM !! their trio was definitely fractured for most of the book because mia was the only one getting all the info from adelaide, which made them seem a lot closer. sabrina’s reaction when she finally did find out at the very end was completely reasonable though, and they seemed like real best friends in their interactions after that.
also, where were her two best friends on her birthday and why did she spend it with grannies?😭
my rating might also be partially based on personal preference because, like i said in my picking daisies review, i am not really a young adult romance reader and do not like mushy cliches in books (or in real life). i guess in this case though, that makes me a lot like adelaide herself.
as a girl in her 20s who has absolutely no idea what is going on in her life right now, i did resonate with the main messages in the book about holding on until it all works out (which, hopefully it will) and i did like that adelaide didn’t make up with her parents because it was more realistic that way. there isn’t always a happy ending in every aspect of someone’s life. i do feel like her making up with her aunt escalated very quickly though. they went from strangers to besties in 2 phone calls after years of not speaking?
lastly, again, there were typos and grammar mistakes so i feel like i can’t give this higher than 2 stars or maybe 2.5. it also felt kind of wattpad-y and predictable at certain moments.
OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT - the dual pov. i like the idea of this but i feel like it could have been executed better. dorian’s pov scarcely appeared and one chapter was just a retelling of the last chapter but from his pov. it was kind of a messy way to organize things. i would have either committed fully to the dual pov or taken it out completely.
overall - better than picking daisies on sundays in my opinion.
playlist link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4RU...
thank GOD the main male characters did not have rocks for brains like levi did in picking daisies on sundays. both james and dorian had thoughts, reason, emotions, personality and liveliness (even though dorian apparently lost all ability to reason when he decided not to explain to adelaide during their fight in the book shop that he broke up with victoria).
speaking of victoria, i feel like she could have played a bigger role in this book if she were made to have actually interacted with adelaide, but i guess that would have introduced new problems and made the book a lot longer. (side note - i did like the plot twist about sylvie being her mother because i did not see that coming).
sabrina also deserved more time in the book. adelaide should have told her what happened IMMEDIATELY after seeing the picture. it’s not like she did anything wrong because SHE DIDN’T KNOW !! not telling sabrina kept her at a distance throughout the book that made it seem as if they weren’t actually close friends which made me roll my eyes whenever adelaide used her as an excuse not to like dorian. SABRINA IS NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER MET HIM !! their trio was definitely fractured for most of the book because mia was the only one getting all the info from adelaide, which made them seem a lot closer. sabrina’s reaction when she finally did find out at the very end was completely reasonable though, and they seemed like real best friends in their interactions after that.
also, where were her two best friends on her birthday and why did she spend it with grannies?😭
my rating might also be partially based on personal preference because, like i said in my picking daisies review, i am not really a young adult romance reader and do not like mushy cliches in books (or in real life). i guess in this case though, that makes me a lot like adelaide herself.
as a girl in her 20s who has absolutely no idea what is going on in her life right now, i did resonate with the main messages in the book about holding on until it all works out (which, hopefully it will) and i did like that adelaide didn’t make up with her parents because it was more realistic that way. there isn’t always a happy ending in every aspect of someone’s life. i do feel like her making up with her aunt escalated very quickly though. they went from strangers to besties in 2 phone calls after years of not speaking?
lastly, again, there were typos and grammar mistakes so i feel like i can’t give this higher than 2 stars or maybe 2.5. it also felt kind of wattpad-y and predictable at certain moments.
OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT - the dual pov. i like the idea of this but i feel like it could have been executed better. dorian’s pov scarcely appeared and one chapter was just a retelling of the last chapter but from his pov. it was kind of a messy way to organize things. i would have either committed fully to the dual pov or taken it out completely.
overall - better than picking daisies on sundays in my opinion.
playlist link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4RU...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
4⭐️ ”I think you underestimate the power of tension.”
this book felt like a cute rom com, so many scenes were so imaginative.
the main character greatly frustrated me with every decision she made, she is the worst communicator known to man and would ghost you if you did something slightly wrong.
i do appreciate her being flawed though, it gave her some depth. but it was hard to like her when she was compared to Dorian who was almost perfect, the balance just didn’t work.
the side characters were fine and overall the book was very fun to read!
this book felt like a cute rom com, so many scenes were so imaginative.
the main character greatly frustrated me with every decision she made, she is the worst communicator known to man and would ghost you if you did something slightly wrong.
i do appreciate her being flawed though, it gave her some depth. but it was hard to like her when she was compared to Dorian who was almost perfect, the balance just didn’t work.
the side characters were fine and overall the book was very fun to read!
December 18, 2024
A real good labotomy. Felt like banging my head against a wall majority of the book. Good ending I guess
June 11, 2026
5 ⭐️ I loved this book!! it got me giggling and blushing (& sad at times). I noticed that I tend to love books with type a characters. I haven’t been to london but after reading this book, I am adding it to places I want to visit in the future. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did since I didnt really enjoy picking daisies on sundays. This was one of my favorite romance books. Also no spice at all which I prefer!
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