All the Ways We Pretend: A Friends to Lovers Small Town Romance

Chinook Island #2

by Lola Kate Bolen

Jo Stewart has spent the last decade bouncing between continents, chasing adventures, collecting stories, and curating a life as a globe-trotting influencer. But after years of relentless travel, she’s drained, burned out, and looking for something more than a selfie in front of a new landmark.

Broke, needing a break, and craving the familiar, Jo returns to her roots in the Pacific Northwest, taking a bartending gig on the quiet, albeit quirky, Chinook Island. She’s not expecting anything to anchor her here, certainly not the hometown golden boy.

Heath Carter is content with his life on the his family, his friends, the slow, steady rhythm of home. He’s always known that the right woman would come along eventually. He just never expected it to be Jo—and certainly not someone who insists they’re “just friends.”

As the months pass, Jo and Heath’s connection grows in ways neither of them anticipated. What started as a playful dance of denial soon blossoms into something undeniable. Somewhere between quiet nights on the island, phone calls across oceans, unexpected moments of vulnerability, and one huge surprise, the truth begins to settle between they are no longer pretending.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Lola Kate lives in the southeast with her husband and son. When she is not daydreaming about what her characters are up to, you can find her watching Bravo, listening to true crime podcasts, or drawing.

In an alternate universe, Lola might teach small children or be an amateur cult expert. In this one, she is happy to share her love of modern romance novels.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I read it as a stand alone and thought it was a super cute hallmark romcom!
I really enjoyed Jo and her free spirit and how she found her own ways to tackle her anxiety and pressure of life.
I enjoyed heath, I would love to get more indepth with his character in the book and more of his insecurities.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed the dynamic. I'd also love to go to this small island town!

[Laura Gerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review of All The Ways We Pretend by Lola Kate Bolen📚✍🏻🎨✈️🏡🏝️📓💘

I’m Completely in Love💘
This book wrapped me up in the best way—sweet, slow-burn, full of longing, and so much heart. Jo and Heath’s love story felt real and effortless, the kind that sneaks up on you and stays. I adored Jo’s independence and how Heath supported her without ever holding her back. And let’s be honest—men who go to therapy and actually do the work? We love to see it.

Chinook Island is pure magic, with its cozy small-town vibes and traditions. The Carter siblings have such a beautiful bond, always showing up for each other, and I can’t get enough of them. Lavender still owns my heart, but Heath is right there with her.

Lola Kate Bolen writes love stories that feel like love—warm, deep, and completely captivating. If Wilder and Lavender are next, I’ll be counting down the days!💘

TROPES
💖 Found Family
🌅 Small Town
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friends to Lovers
🌶️ Open Door Spice
🤰 Unexpected Pregnancy
📱 Long-Distance Phone Calls

🩵My Favorite Quotes🩵
“A new chapter?”
“I wanted to celebrate your arrival in Chinook.”
“I didn’t realize I was worthy of a celebration.”
“Josephine, you are worthy of every good thing.”

“I can’t wait to hear all your stories;
you’re the main character in all my favorite ones.
Love, Heath”

Heath: You’re the most amazing person I know, and I really, really fucking miss you.
Jo: You’re my favorite person.

“Fuck, baby,” he groans. “I’m going to take such good care of you. You’re never going to leave again.”

‼️Book out April 8th on Amazon, and I'm already so stoked for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5

@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#Happyreading

[Jasmine Jauregui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute small town romance 💕

I love heath and Jo they are both so adorable together 🥰 heath surprised me so much it’s always the quiet ones 🤭 I love him so much 🫠 Jo is so strong 🥹 the mental health rep was so well written🥹

Tropes:

💕: small town
💕: found family
💕: mental health rep
💕: friends to lovers

4.5⭐️

[Gosia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh boy. The blurb and tropes were interesting but what a disappointment 🤦🏼‍♀️

The tropes are very deceiving. In fact it’s insta-love turned into 150 pages of friendzone to accidental pregnancy (with math that was not matching!!!) at the last 20 pages. (So if you want to read it for pregnancy trope, don’t, as not much of this trope really happens on page here, there are maybe total of 5 Pages being about pregnancy)

It started off quite cute, but after first couple of chapters I felt it’s rather mediocre but will be a 3⭐️. It would be if I DNFed around 40-50%
It got so boring that I picked up (and finished) another book.
I decided to power through the remaining 120pages and it only got worse.
Somehow it got more boring but also irritating.

Ok, so, the writing is simply mediocre. It started pretty cute, the initial flirting between main characters was cute, the moths were also quite cute but like up to third mention, then I was rolling my eyes at every mention of her “moths”.
I didn’t feel the connection between the characters at all. In general the characters were simply not built good enough. It made ZERO sense why they couldn’t “cross the line”. Like literally there was no valid reason for them to friend zone each other.
The anxiety rep was also delivered very poorly.
Don’t even get me started on the pregnancy trope. It happened like 20 pages before the end, she didn’t freak out at all, he didn’t freak out at all and didn’t question HOW and I got sooooo frustrated cause the math was not matching!!!! She was supposed to be in NZ for 3 months, so she literally couldn’t have been pregnant for 8-9 weeks a week after she went back!!!!!

I really get what the author was trying to do here but the execution of ideas and delivery just didn’t go through.
Also the way the next book foundation was incorporated into this one didn’t land, like AT ALL.

I was going to rate it 2⭐️ but the last 20-30 pages got me too frustrated and I lowered my grade to 1⭐️.

Oh, and on top of the characters having no personalities, the spice scenes were not adding up with the rest of the story.
It would have been better without the spice. It could be addressed to teenagers, I think teenagers would appreciate the writing style and (lack of) built characters more.

The only good thing about this book was that it’s a little over 200 pages, not 300+.

[Abbey Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Lola and Good Girls PR for the advanced review copy :) below are my honest thoughts and feelings:

I LOVE a cozy, low-stress, adorable rom-com, and ever since reading Operation Mae Day by Lola Kate Bolen back in September, I have been anticipating more stories from Chinook Island! Heath and Jo were everything I ever wanted!! Jo is new to the island (and the series); she lives a nomadic lifestyle traveling to amazing locations and telling stories of the land and the people on her social media accounts. Meanwhile, Heath has lived on Chinook his whole life and doesn't feel the need to leave for any extended time. Even though they're seemingly pulled in different directions, these two can't help falling for each other and they aren't fooling anyone pretending to be "just friends".

Heath and Jo were literally just so great. I loved the depiction of Jo's anxiety and how she has grown and come to approach her mental health over the years. And of course, Heath is the greenest of green flag MMCs I've ever read. And the small town/island shenanigans were back in full force. The Chinook Island books and characters are ones you just can't help fall in love with and I can't wait to read more about the Carter siblings <3

The only thing I'll say is that you can't convince me that Jo and her debilitating anxiety can be hit with a surprise pregnancy and literally just be 100% fine (also think the pregnancy could have been teased more. The doctor says "that explains the sickness you've felt" and there's literally no mention of sickness to the reader that I recall)...but I'm not here to think critically about a cozy romance!! I'm here for the vibes and the good times and this checked those boxes!!!

[Sunny D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola Kate Bolen has done it again with such a heart warming story. Jo and Heath are a match made in heaven, with chemistry so strong. From the moment they met, I knew their love was going to be strong. I loved how friendship was at the core of this story While I wanted them to be more than friends, and hated that Jo kept friend zoning Heath, it made the journey worth it. Heath was not going to give up on her and that showed throughout the entire story.

What I really loved about this book was the topic of anxiety and how it looks for people. Jo’s anxiety caused her to be independent but in a way that made her happy. I loved how there was so much support from her family and the town surrounding this. With heath, his was surrounding what he has lost in the passed, and how he can mask it. This made them strong as a couple and was very inspiring to read.

Of course the town is always my favorite when it comes to this series. I just love the idea that everyone wants to help each other and will do anything to protect one another. I think that’s what made me appreciate Jo’s decision in the end, because it wasn’t just about heath, but it was about the community.

Also, can we talk abut HEATH!!!! When he gets in hot mode….I was giggling so much! The way he just made me melt ! I loved him so much! Definitely a top book boyfriend.

I have a soft spot for Bram, so I can’t wait to see his story. And with Wilder being back….I just know him and lavender have a story to look into. Thank you Lola for this lovely read! And than you Good Girls PR for this story.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A welcome return to the charming, picture perfect island of Chinook where it’s quirky inhabitants find a cause for celebration and an opportunity to dress up to commemorate all manner of weird events such as carrot day as globe trotter Jo found out when she walked into the local bar and was faced with a sea of orange. Wondering just what she’d landed herself in, she turned, and her eyes caught those of local Heath Carter. She had never thought she’d find someone who would make her consider putting down roots but in Heath made her rethink her plans no matter how much she insisted they were only friends.

Jo and Heath were just such complete opposites, Jo was a seasoned traveller, her only belongings, what she could fit in her rucksack and Magnolia, her trusty bike while Heath was a homebody, only leaving his island home for fleeting visits to the mainland. Everything he wanted was right there, his family, friends and business but what I loved about their story was Heath didn’t attempt to pressure Jo to stay. He knew it had to be her decision. He supported her need for independence and just had to hope she would come back to him. In a cosy feel good story that’s exactly what happens. There was some depth added to their characters with some mild mental health issues. Heath regularly seeing a therapist and Jo having suffered crippling anxiety as a child which still affected her to a certain degree even as she found the courage to travel the world on her own.

[Book Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another lovey small town romance from Lola Kate Bolen. Although it had some heavier themes, it was light and fun to read. I always wish half stars were a thing on here as this is a nice old 3.5 for me :)

You know when you want to read a book without having to second guess everything, wondering if you've missed something hidden in the text, or are plain old short on time and you want a fast paced, feel-good HEA? This was that book for me.

We are back in Chinook with Heath this time, who is just the biggest puppy dog ever; so sweet! I love that the whole gang is there too - we're not forgetting Mae and Tenn from 'Operation Mae Day' - and we get loads of Lavender and Bram (so much so that I'm quite excited to see what happens with those two next!)

Jo lands in Chinook, a traveller running away from her feels with some great inner monologues acknowledging her long standing anxiety. She embraces Chinook in the best ways, and we get a few lovely moments on her journey.

Jo and Heath together? Yes! They're playful and so cute, watching them skirt around all the things was a fun read. It may be a fast paced book, but these guys are great at being friends ;) But they're even better when they stop pretending.

I was able to read this as an ARC and am grateful to the author for sharing this ahead of publication 😊

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and feel good romance! I never lost interest and I found the small town charming, they were perfectly over the top and it all being on an island made the tight knit community make perfect sense. What you see is what you get with this story, the let’s pretend we’re just friends but flirt too hard and become lovers, and eventual open door spice (it’s not overly spicy though, definitely not a fast burn). A good balance of angst as the FMC is a bit of a nomad.

One side character gave me pause and that was the MMC’s sister. She seems autistic coded but without anyone actually ever saying so which I wish the author just went all in with the identity and used the actual terminology. The characterizations were there, the MMC describing her not always picking up on social cues, etc I will say at least later she’s shown having agency and romantic desires and more of her own personality so it wasn’t totally infantilizing or stereotypical. I just kind of wonder if this could use a sensitivity reader or at the very least just call it what it is. Especially because it seems like she’ll be getting her own book and it’s a trope I would love but if the word/identity autistic can’t even be said I don’t know if it’s going to be fully respectful representation so we’ll see. I would read this author’s other work though.

Thank you to good girls PR for the eARC!

[B (ReadLikeB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC but all thoughts are my own.

I'm loving this era of MMC's who are in therapy. Heath knows when he needs help, and has no problems seeing a professional. I love how independent Jo, our FMC, is but watching her learn that it's OK to accept help and support from others was fantastic. Plus I love that Jo was a bookworm and an artist.

This story is a perfect weekend read. It hits all the marks without too much extra drama. Lola Kate Bolen does a great job of lining up the next book as well, but still managed to stay focused on the current couple. I actually wish this book was a little longer, as I would've loved to seen Jo and Heath travel together and have their own adventures.

The story flowed really well, and you could easily read this book on it's own. I'm loving this small town series and can't wait for the next book. I love how the town is it's own character with all the festivals and Carrot Day. The relationship that the Carter siblings have is beyond sweet, and I love how they're always their to support each other no matter what.

[Manda Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝕀𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜, 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕥𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕨 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕠𝕠”

I will have to go back and read Mae’s story I loved this town so much. Heath and Jo compliment each other so well.

Heath is a sweet cinnamon roll that will have you with heart eyes with what he says and fanning yourself the next moment. I loved the free spirit of Jo as well as the anxiety representation and how traveling is her escape.

The town is quirky and loves to meddle so it adds that extra bit of charm it is absolutely a place I would want to live, reminds me a little of Stars Hollow. Hope for more from Chinook Island and the other Carter’s siblings HEAs

~~What to Expect~~
🚲Small Town
🚲Friends to Lovers
🚲Long Distance
🚲Quirky Meddling Town
🚲Hallmark Rom-Com Vibes
🚲Unexpected Pregnancy

~~Quotes~~
🤎Heath doesn’t do flings he’s the kind of man who imprints
🤎I want to be more than her friend because she feels like my missing piece.
🤎I would have found you anywhere
🤎You can keep pretending but we were never meant to be just friends

[Chong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️, 2.5/5 🌶

Returning to Chinook Island was everything I hoped for. 🥹 I knew I loved Heath after reading book #1! The small-town charm, the close-knit community & the well-rounded characters made this story feel like a warm hug. If that hasn’t convinced you yet, the punny business names? Smell the Flours, Spill the Beans, etc.—SO perfect! 🫶🏽

Jo is such a relatable fmc. Her quick wit pulled me in, but it was her vulnerability that really stuck with me. Her anxiety, doubts & self-awareness felt so genuine. She even calls her “butterflies” moths because, in her words, it’s more of an ugly feeling & honestly, I get it. 🦋

And Heath? He’s got golden retriever energy with a spicy twist. He’s sweet, nerdy & effortlessly charming—the kind of character that makes you smile so hard your cheeks hurt. My moths (Thanks Jo) were in a frenzy from the tension & I was melting at every kind thing he did! Absolutely swoon-worthy! 🥰

I have a feeling I know whose book is next & I’m already obsessed just thinking about it! ✨️

[Kailyn Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was SO freaking good!!!

5/⭐️
2/🌶️

i absolutely adored this small coastal town i was thrust into, seriously, i wanted to jump inside and follow the characters around like a fly on the wall.

Josephine and Heath are so perfect for each other, i loved everything about their relationship dynamic. let’s be honest, Heath is a total SIMP for her, but oh that dirty mouth he has 🤭😮‍💨 honestly it’s the best of both worlds.

i loved the side characters as well, and i cannot wait to go back and read Aunt Mae & Tenn’s story. my favorite side character was Lavender. OH MY GOD did i love Lavender. all of her little quirks, her love for charts and lists. i loved everything about her.

i related to Josephine so much when it came to her anxiety. as someone who struggles with the same anxiety, leaving my comfort zone can be challenging sometimes, but this book and Josephine give me hope that someday i can conquer this once and for all through healing and unconditional support. that is exactly what she got on Chinook Island 🏝️🐠🌊🌲🐚⚓️

i am thrilled for whoever’s story is next 🫶🏼

[Zee Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨I received this book as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review✨

🖤 Mental Health Rep
🖤 Friends To Lovers
🖤 Surprise Pregnancy
🖤 Small Town
🖤 Found Family

Jo is a social media influencer that travels the world. She is trying to live life to the fullest while also trying to cope with her anxiety. Her travel destination took her to Chinook Island for the summer. On this small remote island she never thought she would feel so at peace.

Heath is a local that loves his island, family and everything there is to living in a small town. He is also trying to navigate life through his mental health after losing both of his parents.

Their relationship goes from friends to lovers and Heath will do anything to make Jo happy and safe. Their attraction to each other is undeniable.

The minor characters in the book are hilarious and I can’t wait to read Lavender’s story.

Thank you to the Author Lola Kate Bolen & Good Girls PR for the ARC!

[Flor Espinoza Sanchez ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment these two meet they immediately fall for one another. There's no denying the feelings they have for one another except for the fear of getting hurt. Both having a history of mental health they're worried of making the wrong decision even if it costs them their happily ever after. Heath isn't afraid of displaying his emotions, he is, however, scared of getting hurt. Jo is scared for falling for someone and letting them both.

They don't realize it but they can't stop fate from pulling them together, especially in such a small town. I enjoyed being able to read about Chinook Island and all the love this family has for one another. They were perfect puzzle pieces for one another <3 For Jo to finally have a place to call home and with the person she fell for is just amazing! Heath is such a green flag, I mean seriously! That man is going out of his way to make her feel happy and safe 😩 Ugh I could swoon for that man.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I can’t wait to hear all your stories; you’re the main character in all my favorite ones.”
Another adorable trip to Chinook Island! Heath and Jo were such a perfect addition to this Island’s happily ever afters!

Heath is a Chinook lifer, born and raised and where he wants his roots to forever be. Jo is a woman destined to travel and find stories everywhere she goes. The last thing either ever expected was to find their other half in each other. They were such a fun duo trying to convince themselves they were only ever friends but it’s hard to ignore what is right in front of you.

I loved all the other Chinook residents that popped in and out throughout the story and I am so ready for what is to come next here!!
Thank you @lola.bolen.author and @good.girls.pr for the ARC!
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥: “You want me to talk you through it, baby?”

[Amber Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heath, Heath, Heath...

This is a really cute coastal town romance with:
📷 Strangers to Lovers
📷 Cant Be More Than Friends
📷 Small Town
📷 Long Distance
📷 He Falls First

Jo is a world traveler, and finds herself in a small coastal town, where she meets Heath. He falls for her right away, but she knows she’ll be leaving soon and doesn’t want them to hurt from that. Eventually they say “screw it” and Heath has to let her go…

I really enjoyed these two. I love it when a man lets her follow her dreams even though it’s going to hurt. He takes care of her from afar to show her he cares, and does everything he can to convince her to come back home to him. There was a fun surprise that I thought added a sweet aspect to the story.

🌶️🌶️

Thank you, Lola and GGPR, for sending me a copy of this book!

[Kelsey Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable! The most perfect small town romance, with an added bonus of people who love to read, draw, travel and have anxiety.

I love that both Jo and Heath had their own personal things to overcome, and that we were there for the journey. Their meet cute as adorable, as well as their friendship and eventual relationship. Bonus no third act breakup!

I cannot wait for Lavender’s story! She was such an interesting character, and I was so excited every time she was in a chapter.

Thank you Good Girls PR for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes
-Small Town Romance
-Friends to Lovers
-Long Distance
-Travel Influencer
-Accidental Pregnancy
-Dual POV

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

[arc review] 3.5⭐️

it was a fun, light read that i enjoyed. i loved the setting, small town on an island where everyone knows everyone and is in their bussines but at the same time it's like one big family where they care about each other. the "found home/ family" vibe was really amazing. And the minor characters are awesome. However, there were few things that didnt sit well with me. The biggest one were the two main characters itself, it was too instant-love for me, no building, no chemistry, they just said "ok we're best friends" and that was it. It wasnt believable, just as anything Heath ever said, he was like a therapist.

setting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

would i recommed this book? yes, if you're looking for a light-hearted read

[Jennifer Arrants · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

*Found Family
*Mental Health Rep.
*Unexpected Pregnancy
*Small town cozy romance
*Friends to Lovers
*Travel Blogger/Artist FMC
*Family Business co-owner MMC

“I want to be more than her friend because she feels like my missing piece.” -Heath

This was a cute small town romance. I loved that the characters were open and honest about mental health struggles and normalized getting professional help when needed.

Medium spice, slow-burn

My "icks": I disliked when Jo got so nervous with the intimacy that she runs off and stumbles and falls in the woods. It's one of my least favorite plot lines in any book. The clumsy, nervous female trope.

**Thank you Good Girls PR for this ARC. All reviews are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Jo and Heath 👌🤗🔥

This second installment in the Chinook Island series is a fun and engaging read.

I ate every second of this and even felt like I wanted more. More of Jo and Heath maybe even them traveling together. I admired that he gave her space to grow and he didn't pressure her to stay.

Being a travel influencer sounds like a lot of fun but you always fall in love with one place and want to stay there forever. I thought it was great that she was still close to her parents.

Lavender continues to be my favorite character, although Heath is a close second.

This did not disappoint 👏 🙌

Im hoping Wilder and Lav are next 🤞🫰

[Aislinn Strohecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars All the Ways We Pretend is a sweet romance between a traveler without roots and a tied to his quirky hometown.

Jo has spent the last decade documenting her travels around the world as an influencer. After years of travel, she’s burnt out but afraid to return home to her family. So she settles temporarily in the small town of Chinook Island in the Pacific Northwest. The one thing Jo didn’t expect was to find an immediate connect with Heath, the town’s golden boy. She insists they are “just friends” despite him spending many hours hanging around at the bar where she works just to spend time with her. Soon, what they have turns into something inevitable, even though Jo is leaving again soon. Will Jo and Heath finally stop pretending they aren’t more than friends?

Though it’s part of a series, I read this one as a standalone and immediately caught on to the goings-on in Chinook Island. Jo is a sweet and anxious free spirit, who can’t ignore the call to travel the world and explore new places. Heath is such a sweetheart and the golden child of the town, but deep down he has insecurities and wants to hold on to Jo as best he can. Though they seem mismatched at first, Jo and Heath are a perfect pair.

Thank you Good Girls PR for this ARC! All the Ways We Pretend is out now!

[Joselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ arc review ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

The literary gods knew what they were doing when they put this cute book in my life. It’s everything I love about small town contemporary romance. It had a cute setting(s), adorable and funny side characters (I need Lavender’s book I M M E D I A T E L Y !!!!!!), one of my top favorite tropes (surprise pregnancy, and I wish it happened sooner in the book), interesting character development, and I was sobbing from a mix of emotions every few chapters. This is the second book in a series of standalones and I am immediately going to read the first installment.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Lola Kate Bolen and Good Girls PR

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up! This was such a fun small town romance, slow burn with really good characters. I fell in love with Jo and Heath they are so cute together. I love that they both have their own depth and they suit each other really well. They worked through their own issues and fell in love with each other. I was intrigued with Jo’s lifestyle it was fun to see the life of someone who loves to travel. Heath is also such a good book boyfriend, he was checking all the boxes. I enjoyed this story.

Thank you for this ARC, all thoughts are my own!

[April | Aprilsbooknook_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a travel influencer, Jo never stays in one place too long. But when she ends up on Chinook Island, something starts to change.

Heath is still living in the past. He's a big softie with an ever bigger heart. But something is holding him back from letting go.

The friendship between Jo and Heath was so precious. It didn't take long for them to become each other's person.

To avoid spoilers, I love how this one played out. I love that they worked on themselves while still building a friendship between them.

This was such a sweet, low conflict romance!! 🤍

[Cassi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌸Small Town
🌸Friends to Lovers
🌸Unexpected Pregnancy
🌸Anxiety & Mental Health Rep


Heath and Jo are both adorably awkward and truly don't know what to make of their feelings. He has deep roots in his small town and she needs to fly and travel. Both of these needs are rooted in their respective mental health journeys. I appreciate how these were played out and represented on page.

I absolutely loved how supportive Heath was in Jo's need for independence. Oh, and the way he demanded enthusiastic consent. Such a king!!

[Nadja]

DNF

I read the first chapter of All the Ways We Pretend and quickly realized it’s not the right fit for me. The writing style just didn’t click, and I could tell I wouldn’t enjoy continuing. I’ve learned not to force myself through a book I’m not connecting with—there are just too many others waiting to be read.

Thank you to Good Girls PR for the advanced reader’s copy and the opportunity to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it’s just not my cup of tea.

[Hannah Soileau · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ☆

~𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀~
This was a cute and sweet book with some mental health reps. I loved how independent Jo is despite her anxiety and Heath- a man who goes to therapy and owns his feelings- perfection. Their “just friends” status gave all the tension and buildup! I really enjoyed how the town has themed parties. It definitely gave a romcom, Hallmark, Hart of Dixie vibe!

Thank you lola and GoodGirlsPR for this advanced reader’s copy!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute small town romance 🥰
I’m definitely going back and reading the first one!
After spending 10 years traveling the world as an influencer, Jo finds herself in Chinook Island, burnt out and unaware of what her next step is. She meets Heath and has an instant connection, once that she fights for weeks. Insisting they be just friends, they “pretend” to not have feelings for each other. How long could that last?

This was super cute. I love all the quirky personalities and mental health reps in this book!! I think Lavender is one of my favorite characters and I’m HOPING her and wilder are next 🤩

✈️ small town | found family | friends to lovers

[Bethany Rupard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall super cute book. I love that they both had fears and anxieties to overcome in their own way.
Heath = total book boyfriend.

I can’t waitttttt to read Lavenders book (love her analytical brain)