Tangled in Terms: Pretending for Profit

by The Elusive Authoress

He’s paying her to pretend.

She’s trying not to fall.

But the rules of love were never in the contract…

____________
Olivia Danvers has zero time for distractions. Between juggling two part-time jobs, keeping her GPA sky-high, and managing life with her best friends at Berkwood University, the last thing she needs is to get tangled up with campus heartbreaker Connor Black.

But when Connor offers her a deal she can’t ignore—a three-month fake relationship in exchange for serious cash—Olivia reluctantly agrees. His goal? Convince his longtime crush, Alicia, that he’s capable of commitment. Olivia’s goal? Pay off bills and avoid falling for her fake boyfriend.

Too bad Connor is annoyingly charming, infuriatingly flirty, and hiding more depth than she expected. What starts as banter turns into stolen glances.

As the deadline approaches and the stakes get higher, Olivia and Connor have to ask themselves if it's just a contract or something more genuine.

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Anj · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 67%
Feels like it was written by a teenager in a foreigner language then fed into an AI to translate it to English. Just no.

[Sanri Du · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute college romance with lovable characters which I really enjoyed.

The author’s easy writing style made me flew through the book and finish it in a few hours.

Looking forward to reading more of the author’s work.

[Cozy Chapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read university or college romance books, and I tend to stay away from the fake dating trope but I actually found this book really fun to read!

Olivia doesn’t swoon over hot guys like most female leads do or at least not in the usual way. She calculates, she evaluates, and most importantly, she’s a spitfire when it comes to negotiation. She’s a badass in her own way. A lot of heroines in books either get overlooked or are just instantly popular, but Olivia earns it. She refuses to be invisible. She knows her worth, and I loved that about her.

Connor is charming. Sometimes annoying. But that’s honestly part of his charm. The banter between the characters was cute and funny, which made the whole book such an easy and enjoyable read.

Huge thanks to the author for my ARC copy. This is my first ARC and also my first time reviewing on Goodreads, but this book was such a fun experience that I wanted to share my experience with it.

I’ll definitely look for the first book and I’m already looking forward to the third!

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

— he finally has her. after two years

i was not expecting to gobble this up so quickly! honestly i was a bit worried when i saw this was a fake dating trope but from the start connor was ready to take things seriously and it just makes so much sense when the twist is revealed!

this was so easy to read, it felt somewhat reminiscent of books i would read when i was getting back into reading. the sudden business/political pipeline went well with the story flow too - i feel like this gave me something to hang on to or think about more as the pages went on.

im so excited for the third book! thank you for giving me the ARC copy of this, it did not disappoint<3

[Rielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thank you for this ARC, The Elusive Authoress! ✨️

Rating: 2.5 ⭐️....DNF at 70%

Review:

I got hooked because of the cute cover and the fake-dating trope, ngl. I was really looking for the slow-burn, the tension—yknow? But the build-up just wasn't there. While there were a few moments of fun banter between the characters, overall, this one just didn’t work for me.

The writing style felt very dialogue-heavy, making it hard for me to connect with the story or the characters on a deeper level. Well, I liked Olivia at first because of her witty/sarcastic comebacks but then she later on felt a bit flat to me, and her decisions often left me more frustrated than invested, this goes the same with Connor—he left me very confused with the way he handled things especially communication omg. 😬

Anyway, in terms of their relationship, I struggled to see much actual development between them. It felt rushed and lacking for a slow-burn or enemies-to-lovers dynamic (for someone who's a fan of these tropes and has read a lot on it). The story moved too quickly for any emotional stakes to really settle in, and without that, the romance felt underdeveloped. Also, when he called her “my irresistible mosquito," it was just not it for me I'm sorry. 😭

This was also pitched as a college romance, but the characters often didn’t read that way. Their behavior and dialogue felt more suited to a high school setting, which made it harder to buy into their world and relationships.

I really did try to push through since this is the very first ARC I got and I was really excited, but in the end, this book just wasn’t a good fit for my tastes. That said, I’m sure there are readers out there who’ll enjoy the lighter drama and fast-paced romance this book offers! This might be an easier read for some, so please do check it out! 💕✨️

[Morgan Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an experience that will bamboozle you just when you think you know exactly what is going on and maybe what is going to happen @elusiveauthoress throws in a plot twist that you did not see coming at all i am guilty of not seeing that plot twist coming💯...

I am getting off track because Connor is wow... I loved this book and if you love the trope HE FALLS FIRST AND HARDER this is for you, honestly we might even classify Liv as grumpy and Connor as sunshine🤣 if you love that trope this book is for you. If you love fake dating with a side of he already fell 2 years ago this book is for you, if you like a contract girlfriend where you pay 50% and he pays 100% compensation depending on who ended the contract this book is for you and most importantly if you like- that his whole entire family knows how crazy he is about her and she's clueless this book is for you. Honestly i can go on for days however i wont😌🤣

Connor in the beginning chapters is an actor that played his role well because i did not sense anything that would prepare me for the plot twist (also i am not giving away any spoilers okay maybe one but that is all) 😌 When we reach Roxanne's pov everything falls into place and Connor the actor disappears and he gets replaced with Connor the yearner and my oh my i love a man a who yearns the girlies KNOW!!!!! ‼️

Olivia Olivia Olivia the girl is gorgeous, smart, sarcastic, feisty, witty and sassy and everything else she's the moment from page 1. The @elusiveauthoress has a way with her writing she writes books stemmed in woman empowerment and i am here for it because WHO DOESN'T LIKE A BOOK WITH A DAMN GOOD FMC👌✨

Y'all need to get this book right now and gobble it like i gobbled it cause it was absolutely amazing when i tell you Connor is dreamy, possessive and every good little thing we want from our fictional men‼️

[Mel D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, drama, and a total girl boss moment—Tangled in Terms has everything I love in a story. It starts with Olivia agreeing to a $5,000-a-month fake dating deal with Connor, a charming playboy CEO who’s sweet, flirty, and sometimes a little annoying (in a fun way). Their banter is funny, their connection is strong, and it’s clear from the start that their “pretend” relationship is turning into something real.

Then comes a big twist that totally changes the story. When Connor’s father’s company gets caught up in a scandal, Olivia steps in—and completely takes charge. She walks into the boardroom like a queen, shuts down the critics, and saves the day. It was such a powerful scene, I wanted to cheer out loud.

One thing I really liked was the antagonist. She starts off acting nice and friendly, but it quickly becomes clear she’s manipulative and has her own plan. As the story goes on, she gets more and more unhinged, and the drama she brings between Olivia and Connor had me gritting my teeth. She added just the right amount of chaos without taking over the whole story.

I also enjoyed how the author included real information about investing and the stock market. It was easy to understand and made the story feel even more interesting. I actually learned a few things while reading!

If you like fake dating, quick chemistry, funny moments, and strong female leads, you’ll enjoy Tangled in Terms. It’s fun, dramatic, a little spicy, and full of heart.

[Lovelette · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.5

Fake dating a playboy who can’t stop thinking about you? Yeah… I was in from the start.

What a cute read! This had all the right tropes for a contract relationship romance, and it delivered on the fun factor.

I really liked Olivia — her boldness, tenacity, and self-awareness made her such a refreshing FMC. Connor, the resident playboy turned good boy, was just as enjoyable. He’s patient, protective, and absolutely gone for her — it’s adorable. I also loved how their relationships with friends and family were healthy and supportive, with plenty of clear communication (major green flag!).

That said, I found it a little hard to connect deeply with the characters. The story often told rather than showed important moments, and some conversations felt overly specific without adding much. I wanted to feel more of the chemistry and desire between Olivia and Connor, since their love and support for each other was exactly the kind of dynamic I enjoy. The dialogue sometimes felt more like “teen talk” for college students, and there were a few too many exclamation marks for my taste. Plus, a few grammar and punctuation slips popped up — but nothing that stopped me from understanding the story.

Despite those small flaws, I still enjoyed it! It’s a light, fun romance that works well as a palate cleanser between heavier reads.

Thanks to The Elusive Authoress for the ARC!

[Kim Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book when I started. I’m a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, but this just didn’t seem to hit the mark at first. I couldn’t wrap my head around why someone would enter a fake relationship with a person who despises them, just to win over a crush who set the condition: “Date someone else for three months, then I’ll take you seriously.”

His crush is Alicia, yet he decides to propose the fake dating idea to Olivia, the girl who can’t stand him. The build, up didn’t feel convincing, because why would he suddenly ignore his crush and only focus on his fake girlfriend?

Then came the plot twist. And another. And suddenly my whole perspective (and rating) changed. Didn’t see that coming.

[Aneesha T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've recently finished the book and will highlight its strengths and weaknesses, before sharing my overall assessment.

The story's emotional impact, particularly the bond between Olivia and Conner, resonated with me. Their storyline is heartwarming, making it an endearing aspect of the novel. The author's writing is engaging, effortlessly keeping readers invested from the beginning to the end.

However, criticisms include repetitive phrasing, underdeveloped plot elements, especially with the character of Alicia. Some scenes felt implausible, such as the initial depiction of Olivia's and Conner's feelings despite conflicting behaviors. Conner's excessive spending also strains credibility.

Overall, the book falls somewhere in the middle, neither exceptional nor disappointing.

[Tasneem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake-dating and male pining galore! When a contract binds Olivia and Connor into a three-month long "relationship," feelings are quickly thrown into the mix. Before long, reputations are on the line, and livelihoods are threatened in plot twists you won't see coming.

I enjoyed this book immensely and practically flew through it last night because I just had to know what happened next 😅 Definitely a fun, quick romance with witty banter and lots of longing. I'd 100% recommend this little gem!

Thank you, @elusiveauthoress, for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review, and also for that epilogue 🥹🧡 #swooning
I can't wait to read more of your blacklist!

[Kitty Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I was hooked. This story pulled me in emotionally, and I found myself getting goosebumps with nearly every chapter. There’s a rhythm to the storytelling that keeps you engaged and on edge, never quite sure what will happen next but completely unable to look away.

This is yet another strong entry from an author who consistently delivers powerful, memorable work. I can’t wait to see what they write next.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book from a South African author and I regret nothing.I got drawn into the story and felt justified at the end I cannot wait for her next book corporate clash.The introduction to characters and their growth is very satisfying if you looking for a feel good read this is the one. Romance,lies and proving the mean one wrong what more would u like😊

[Hookedonbooks_23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's too good not to be read. The banter, chemistry, emotions, it just gives you butterflies. The MMC would definitely be in your book boyfriend list