Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella. As someone who has read many fake-dating romance stories, this one didn’t stand out. It lacked originality and felt predictable, boring, and uninspired. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, and there was no real chemistry between York and Noelle. Their relationship came across as insta-lust quickly escalating to insta-love, which didn’t feel authentic.
The heavy use of profanity was a big turn-off for me, as were the cringy dialogue and some absurd scenes. Noelle’s parents' encouraging the fake dating scheme felt unrealistic and off-putting. Another major downside was the overabundance of spicy scenes—six in such a short novella. I would have preferred more character development and emotional depth rather than so much focus on their physical attraction. The couple’s dynamic felt more like impulsive teenagers than mature adults, which made the writing come across as juvenile. By the 75% mark, I was ready to move on and ended up skimming the rest just to finish it.
On a positive note, the winter and Christmas vibes were well done, and I enjoyed the festive activities York and Noelle participated in together.
Overall, this author’s style doesn’t resonate with me, and I wouldn’t recommend this novella.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.