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Tricked into Paradise
Theo Whitmore has spent his life chasing his golden-boy twin brother’s shadow. While his father expects him to take over the family’s world-renowned hotel empire, all Theo wants is to be a hockey star—just like his brother. The only way to prove himself? Win a high-stakes match that could change both their futures. The problem? His brother is unbeatable. Desperate for recognition, Theo faces an impossible choice—one that could finally make him a star but at a devastating cost.
Sofia Duvall has dreams bigger than her circumstances. Struggling to raise her little sister while working toward her dream of becoming a Michelin-star chef, she’s barely holding everything together. To make matters worse, her relationship with rising hockey star Noah Whitmore is crumbling. Just when she’s ready to walk away, he suddenly becomes the perfect boyfriend overnight. But when the truth comes out, Sofia realizes—it wasn’t Noah at all.
Sofia Duvall has dreams bigger than her circumstances. Struggling to raise her little sister while working toward her dream of becoming a Michelin-star chef, she’s barely holding everything together. To make matters worse, her relationship with rising hockey star Noah Whitmore is crumbling. Just when she’s ready to walk away, he suddenly becomes the perfect boyfriend overnight. But when the truth comes out, Sofia realizes—it wasn’t Noah at all.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2025
8 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
I want to start by saying I am very thankful for being given the opportunity to ARC read this book. Overall, this book was easy to read and easy to get emotionally involved in. I IMMEDIATELY loved the friendship and banter between the FMC and her best friend. I feel like the characters could have had a little more depth to them overall and I wish that the MMC's character arc was more detailed. It seemed that he was one way one chapter and the very next one, he's a totally different person. Some aspects of the story seem to be a little repetitive but overall, it didn't take away from the story line. There were a few minor grammatical errors and repeated sentences, but the author already covered that by saying that it will have another pass through the editors.
I really look forward to reading the next story and seeing how this author continues to grow!
I want to start by saying I am very thankful for being given the opportunity to ARC read this book. Overall, this book was easy to read and easy to get emotionally involved in. I IMMEDIATELY loved the friendship and banter between the FMC and her best friend. I feel like the characters could have had a little more depth to them overall and I wish that the MMC's character arc was more detailed. It seemed that he was one way one chapter and the very next one, he's a totally different person. Some aspects of the story seem to be a little repetitive but overall, it didn't take away from the story line. There were a few minor grammatical errors and repeated sentences, but the author already covered that by saying that it will have another pass through the editors.
I really look forward to reading the next story and seeing how this author continues to grow!
March 19, 2025
Thank you to Vera Mai for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
- dnf
I would love to say that there are parts of this book I enjoyed, like reading about Sofia’s journey to culinary school, but these moments are all over-shadowed by the disgust I felt reading about a MMC who, acting as his twin, sleeps with his brother’s girlfriend to win a game.
For me, an absolute non-negotiable within a book is the acceptance of sexual assault. If it is not clear, tricking someone into sex is a breach of consent, pretending to be someone you are not is a sexual situation is a breach of consent and writing a love story based upon this is heinous.
The lack of sensitivity and carelessness of the author is clear throughout the book. For one, the FMC, who is the victim, in her inner monologue says “I’d love for that assault to happen again”. Which speaks for itself on the atrocity of the message being delivered by the book.
Secondly, the MMC has the audacity to believe what he did was not sexual assault but actually a good deed to get the FMC out of a miserable relationship. Theo is the most repulsive, insensitive and insecure character I have ever read in a romance novel. How is he a love interest? Throughout this book he finds every opportunity to be the most obnoxious and annoying man to ever exist. The only way he should have ended this book was with jail time.
The most reproachable part of this book is the MMC gaslights the FMC into thinking she wasn’t assaulted. If this was a literary fiction, analysing the psyches of a victim and a rapist, I could perhaps have understand the inclusion of this. Unfortunately, this is a Sports Romance. If I am supposed to be happy for this relationship to succeed, something has gone terribly wrong.
- dnf
I would love to say that there are parts of this book I enjoyed, like reading about Sofia’s journey to culinary school, but these moments are all over-shadowed by the disgust I felt reading about a MMC who, acting as his twin, sleeps with his brother’s girlfriend to win a game.
For me, an absolute non-negotiable within a book is the acceptance of sexual assault. If it is not clear, tricking someone into sex is a breach of consent, pretending to be someone you are not is a sexual situation is a breach of consent and writing a love story based upon this is heinous.
The lack of sensitivity and carelessness of the author is clear throughout the book. For one, the FMC, who is the victim, in her inner monologue says “I’d love for that assault to happen again”. Which speaks for itself on the atrocity of the message being delivered by the book.
Secondly, the MMC has the audacity to believe what he did was not sexual assault but actually a good deed to get the FMC out of a miserable relationship. Theo is the most repulsive, insensitive and insecure character I have ever read in a romance novel. How is he a love interest? Throughout this book he finds every opportunity to be the most obnoxious and annoying man to ever exist. The only way he should have ended this book was with jail time.
The most reproachable part of this book is the MMC gaslights the FMC into thinking she wasn’t assaulted. If this was a literary fiction, analysing the psyches of a victim and a rapist, I could perhaps have understand the inclusion of this. Unfortunately, this is a Sports Romance. If I am supposed to be happy for this relationship to succeed, something has gone terribly wrong.
March 15, 2025
ARC reader
This is the type of book I love to read, curled up in a blanket after a stressful day of work. Vera’s romance writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. Although, there were a few areas that could have been further developed. I hope to get a deeper understanding of Theo and Noah’s relationship and hope to get further insight in future books.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Theo and Sofia’s relationship after the way it started, but I enjoyed their path and seeing Sofia’s conflicting thoughts/emotions.
I also loved Sofia’s relationship with her sister Rita. And her relationship with Diana was so relatable, every girl needs a friend like that. I look forward to reading future work! I can’t wait to watch Noah and Diana’s relationship develop from Diana from her dislike of him to a love story.
This is the type of book I love to read, curled up in a blanket after a stressful day of work. Vera’s romance writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. Although, there were a few areas that could have been further developed. I hope to get a deeper understanding of Theo and Noah’s relationship and hope to get further insight in future books.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Theo and Sofia’s relationship after the way it started, but I enjoyed their path and seeing Sofia’s conflicting thoughts/emotions.
I also loved Sofia’s relationship with her sister Rita. And her relationship with Diana was so relatable, every girl needs a friend like that. I look forward to reading future work! I can’t wait to watch Noah and Diana’s relationship develop from Diana from her dislike of him to a love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
1.5– rounded up to 2 stars.
Grit and determination is what got me to the finish line with this one.
I didn’t know what was happening for the most part. I got where the author was going, but I do think this one lacked on the world building & could possibly benefit from some finer tuning in regard to details & the overall plot.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn’t snap my crackle.
Grit and determination is what got me to the finish line with this one.
I didn’t know what was happening for the most part. I got where the author was going, but I do think this one lacked on the world building & could possibly benefit from some finer tuning in regard to details & the overall plot.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn’t snap my crackle.
March 14, 2025
I was so excited to receive an ARC for this book!!! I wish there was more dialogue and more explanation for some of the things that happened which is why I only rated it 3 stars. Noah was all of the sudden nice to Theo and Sofia with no explanation and just some other small things! Overall though I did like the book a lot and I am excited for book 2!
March 17, 2025
unfortunately i DNF’d at 17%
so many repeats happen… there was a scene that one of the characters found out why he was made captain then 10+ pages later AGAIN he was finding out why he was made captain and had the same reaction as before
the author did send an email out to arc readers to let us know that there are some editorial errors (the same line being repeated immediately after it was already written) so i did manage to ignore this
there was also many jumps in the book and things were not explained so it was a bit chaotic to be honest.
thank you to vera mai for the arc!
so many repeats happen… there was a scene that one of the characters found out why he was made captain then 10+ pages later AGAIN he was finding out why he was made captain and had the same reaction as before
the author did send an email out to arc readers to let us know that there are some editorial errors (the same line being repeated immediately after it was already written) so i did manage to ignore this
there was also many jumps in the book and things were not explained so it was a bit chaotic to be honest.
thank you to vera mai for the arc!
March 12, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Thank you for giving me the chance to read the ARC to this book, I finished it in one sitting. I absolutely loved it couldn’t put it down. Romance novels are definitely a bit of me.
I feel like the characters needed a bit more development and maybe here and there the story was a bit rushed but I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Well done ❤️
Thank you for giving me the chance to read the ARC to this book, I finished it in one sitting. I absolutely loved it couldn’t put it down. Romance novels are definitely a bit of me.
I feel like the characters needed a bit more development and maybe here and there the story was a bit rushed but I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Well done ❤️
April 5, 2025
This book was sent to me in exchange for an ARC review.
This is a hard review to write. I see a lot of promise in this book but it just didn't hit the mark. The main characters fell flat for me - but the appeal is definitely there! I felt frustrated at times, almost like I was stuck and was trying to force myself to get through it. The dialog felt forced in some places.
In saying that, the main characters were cute and the story has a lot of promise. It just needs some tweaks and the dialog could use some work.
I did not hate it, but I didn't love it either.
Entertainment is subjective. What I dislike, may be exactly someone's favorite story. Please take all reviews with a grain of salt. Authors work so hard to put their stories out. It's always a brave process. To entrust their "babies" to the public and hope they'll be loved.
This is a hard review to write. I see a lot of promise in this book but it just didn't hit the mark. The main characters fell flat for me - but the appeal is definitely there! I felt frustrated at times, almost like I was stuck and was trying to force myself to get through it. The dialog felt forced in some places.
In saying that, the main characters were cute and the story has a lot of promise. It just needs some tweaks and the dialog could use some work.
I did not hate it, but I didn't love it either.
Entertainment is subjective. What I dislike, may be exactly someone's favorite story. Please take all reviews with a grain of salt. Authors work so hard to put their stories out. It's always a brave process. To entrust their "babies" to the public and hope they'll be loved.
March 19, 2025
Sofia was trying to cook s perfectly medium steak but failing. Unfortunately she got rejected from her ultimate cooking school. Noah, her boyfriend who's trying to achieve his hockey dreams was supposed to come over to see her and hang out but canceled.
Diana, her bff was coming ovet for a movie night. Noah’s twin, Theo is seen as an afterthought to him because according to his father, Noah is the future hockey star. Theo thinks of an evil plan to try and distract Noah so he can show his father that he’s born for hockey as well
Absolutely loved all the twists and turns of this book. Loved Sophia & Theo
Diana, her bff was coming ovet for a movie night. Noah’s twin, Theo is seen as an afterthought to him because according to his father, Noah is the future hockey star. Theo thinks of an evil plan to try and distract Noah so he can show his father that he’s born for hockey as well
Absolutely loved all the twists and turns of this book. Loved Sophia & Theo
March 11, 2025
I thought the premise of this book was interesting. I liked the main characters, and only wish there had been more time spent on dialogue, banter, and actually showing more of their development. I enjoyed the way Theo and Sofia’s chemistry was so natural and Theo’s jealousy and manipulation “incident” seemed so uncharacteristic of him
afterward. He just did a 180 that I don’t feel was explained, but could have been believable if we had more exploration and depth to the story line instead of skip-aheads. For a first time novel and the beginning of a standalone series/universe…. I thought it was good, but could use some parts removed and some things added. I also would have liked to pursue more complexity with the surrounding characters, but I do look forward to the next book. And I look forward do this author finding more of her way and her voice.
afterward. He just did a 180 that I don’t feel was explained, but could have been believable if we had more exploration and depth to the story line instead of skip-aheads. For a first time novel and the beginning of a standalone series/universe…. I thought it was good, but could use some parts removed and some things added. I also would have liked to pursue more complexity with the surrounding characters, but I do look forward to the next book. And I look forward do this author finding more of her way and her voice.
March 12, 2025
Thank you to Vera for allowing me to read this copy early. I absolutely adored the storyline and the build up of characters. I liked Theo way better than Noah! I definitely can’t wait for the next book! 10 plus stars!!!!
March 19, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I was so excited to be provided with an ARC for this book!
Vera! I loved your writing style.
The story sucked me in so fast and I spent most of my work days reading. Oops
Sofia was actually one of the first female main characters that I havnt wanted to smack over the head.
She felt real and I could actually be lost in the story because of that. It was easy to read and easy to get lost in.
Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Things I did not enjoy -
I Did not enjoy the in depth recipe writing
It is very in depth at times but that’s just because I have zero interest in reading about cooking. My personal opinion is that it could have been toned down a little bit.
It was a little unrealistic how fast she forgave Theo for pretending to be his brother. Things moved extremely fast at that point in the story.
There were a couple of issues I found in the book that I would suggest doing a final edit on as there are a couple of grammatical and spelling errors.
I do feel like for your first book this was really well written but there could be improvements in certain areas. This is to be expected.
All in all this was a really enjoyable book!
Looking forward to the next book and I really hope I can be privileged enough to have an ARC for the second book! I’m so sure you’ll be taking on board the criticism (good and bad) from this book and making the second so much better!
I was so excited to be provided with an ARC for this book!
Vera! I loved your writing style.
The story sucked me in so fast and I spent most of my work days reading. Oops
Sofia was actually one of the first female main characters that I havnt wanted to smack over the head.
She felt real and I could actually be lost in the story because of that. It was easy to read and easy to get lost in.
Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Things I did not enjoy -
I Did not enjoy the in depth recipe writing
It is very in depth at times but that’s just because I have zero interest in reading about cooking. My personal opinion is that it could have been toned down a little bit.
It was a little unrealistic how fast she forgave Theo for pretending to be his brother. Things moved extremely fast at that point in the story.
There were a couple of issues I found in the book that I would suggest doing a final edit on as there are a couple of grammatical and spelling errors.
I do feel like for your first book this was really well written but there could be improvements in certain areas. This is to be expected.
All in all this was a really enjoyable book!
Looking forward to the next book and I really hope I can be privileged enough to have an ARC for the second book! I’m so sure you’ll be taking on board the criticism (good and bad) from this book and making the second so much better!
March 15, 2025
Review coming soon 🫶🏻🤩🫢
April 9, 2025
Despite the extremely controversial way Theo made his way into Sofias life, I did love their love story development .
I found a few areas repetitive, lacking and skipped over.
I don't understand how someone can be cooking steak for 5 hours, what did she have, an abattoir in the back of the kitchen?
Hopefully with editing and constructive feedback the series will flow better. Vera Mai is an author I would read again and I'm looking forward to book 2 in the series.
I found a few areas repetitive, lacking and skipped over.
I don't understand how someone can be cooking steak for 5 hours, what did she have, an abattoir in the back of the kitchen?
Hopefully with editing and constructive feedback the series will flow better. Vera Mai is an author I would read again and I'm looking forward to book 2 in the series.
March 20, 2025
Loved this cutesy romance -wish they would get a second book🥰
March 19, 2025
ARC REVIEW! Thank you for letting me have an arc copy, very much appreciated
I really enjoyed this book a lot, but I felt the characters could have had more dialogue. But that doesn’t take away anything, I have had time to reflect and I have done a lot of reflecting on this book, it was just what I needed.
Let’s just say I haven’t read anything with the main trope with what is it: twin brothers one has a girlfriend the other tricks the girlfriend into thinking he’s her boyfriend and they sleep together 👌🏻 a sticky situation but a very good read 🫶
I really enjoyed this book a lot, but I felt the characters could have had more dialogue. But that doesn’t take away anything, I have had time to reflect and I have done a lot of reflecting on this book, it was just what I needed.
Let’s just say I haven’t read anything with the main trope with what is it: twin brothers one has a girlfriend the other tricks the girlfriend into thinking he’s her boyfriend and they sleep together 👌🏻 a sticky situation but a very good read 🫶
November 13, 2025
Star Rating: 3/5
Spice Rating: 3/5
“Shh. The dog is sleeping”
ARC Review
Thoughts: This book had such a cute concept and powerful writing, but the deceit at the beginning didn’t sit right with me—it felt like a bit too much and made it hard to get behind the romance at first. That said, the chemistry and progression of the story were enjoyable, and the way the characters communicated stood out refreshingly. It’s a sweet story once it gets going, but I would’ve loved to see it unfold without the deception. It was surprising that there wasn’t a typical third-act breakup. It almost threw me a bit, but it ended up being nice to watch the characters grow instead. The fight-that-turned-into-a-conversation scene was such a win!
Favourite Moment: When they went to argue but actually communicated instead—that felt real and mature and gave me a lot of respect for the characters.
Notes: This would’ve been a much stronger read if the deception at the beginning had been handled differently. The story didn’t need it to be engaging, and I think a softer intro could’ve still led to the same romantic payoff.
#trickedintoparadise #veramai #romance #arcreview #goldenretrievertype #arcreview #arc
Spice Rating: 3/5
“Shh. The dog is sleeping”
ARC Review
Thoughts: This book had such a cute concept and powerful writing, but the deceit at the beginning didn’t sit right with me—it felt like a bit too much and made it hard to get behind the romance at first. That said, the chemistry and progression of the story were enjoyable, and the way the characters communicated stood out refreshingly. It’s a sweet story once it gets going, but I would’ve loved to see it unfold without the deception. It was surprising that there wasn’t a typical third-act breakup. It almost threw me a bit, but it ended up being nice to watch the characters grow instead. The fight-that-turned-into-a-conversation scene was such a win!
Favourite Moment: When they went to argue but actually communicated instead—that felt real and mature and gave me a lot of respect for the characters.
Notes: This would’ve been a much stronger read if the deception at the beginning had been handled differently. The story didn’t need it to be engaging, and I think a softer intro could’ve still led to the same romantic payoff.
#trickedintoparadise #veramai #romance #arcreview #goldenretrievertype #arcreview #arc
August 14, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, unfortunately it just didn’t hit the mark for me. I think the main incident in the book was just kind of skipped over. I don’t think things were ever really resolved and I would have liked to see that explanation better. I feel like things were very repetitive throughout. Things felt like we were constantly jumping around time wise.
Example: One minute we’re in the diner & Theo was supposed to drive her home the next we’re standing outside of the house.
I do think it’s a good first book overall and I’ll be checking out book 2.
April 17, 2025
Sofia Duvall, a gifted and driven young woman juggling the demands of raising her younger sister with her aspirations to become a Michelin-starred chef, is sick of begging her boyfriend, Noah Whitmore, for attention. Theo Whitmore, Noah's twin brother, on the other hand, is fighting for his love of hockey in an attempt to outdo Noah, who is already a future hockey star. The already strained relationship between Sofia and Noah Whitmore takes a new turn when he unexpectedly demonstrates all the qualities she has always desired: kindness, love, and attentiveness. But after discovering the truth about this change, she is forced to consider whether deceptive love can ever truly exist. Why did Noah suddenly change? Did his metamorphosis result from Sofia? What steps can Theo take to establish his superiority over Noah? Get your copy to learn more.
Vera Mai's "Tricked into Paradise" is an engrossing, poignant romance that intertwines themes of ambition, betrayal, identity, and unexpected love. The novel examines the cost of recognition in a society where expectations are high, with a focus on Theo Whitmore, an underdog who is misunderstood and eclipsed by his golden-boy twin brother. Although his father encourages him to carry on the family's hotel empire, Theo's real passion is the rink. His only chance to prove himself is in a high-stakes hockey game, but winning might cost him more than he is willing to lose. The significance of passion and dreams is demonstrated by Sofia, an abandoned daughter who is already working full-time at a burger joint to support herself and her younger sister while juggling the demands of getting into the top culinary school in New York.
The plot, which is not your typical romance novel but rather one of ambition, passion, and self-improvement, is the book's greatest strength. The story revolves around Theo's development from an insecure child who made some extremely harsh choices to a responsible adult. However, I have the utmost respect for Sofia for putting herself in a relationship before the world's right and wrong. The love triangle is amazing, and Noah and Theo's rivalry is stunning.
I did not find anything objectionable about this book. However, at times, it appeared that the narrative was overly drawn out.
Your heart will both hurt and flutter as a result of Vera Mai's masterfully written, emotionally complex tale with likable characters and a surprising turn. Ideal for those who enjoy sibling rivalry, sports romance, and secret identity clichés. For all of the aforementioned reasons, I give this book a five-star rating.
Vera Mai's "Tricked into Paradise" is an engrossing, poignant romance that intertwines themes of ambition, betrayal, identity, and unexpected love. The novel examines the cost of recognition in a society where expectations are high, with a focus on Theo Whitmore, an underdog who is misunderstood and eclipsed by his golden-boy twin brother. Although his father encourages him to carry on the family's hotel empire, Theo's real passion is the rink. His only chance to prove himself is in a high-stakes hockey game, but winning might cost him more than he is willing to lose. The significance of passion and dreams is demonstrated by Sofia, an abandoned daughter who is already working full-time at a burger joint to support herself and her younger sister while juggling the demands of getting into the top culinary school in New York.
The plot, which is not your typical romance novel but rather one of ambition, passion, and self-improvement, is the book's greatest strength. The story revolves around Theo's development from an insecure child who made some extremely harsh choices to a responsible adult. However, I have the utmost respect for Sofia for putting herself in a relationship before the world's right and wrong. The love triangle is amazing, and Noah and Theo's rivalry is stunning.
I did not find anything objectionable about this book. However, at times, it appeared that the narrative was overly drawn out.
Your heart will both hurt and flutter as a result of Vera Mai's masterfully written, emotionally complex tale with likable characters and a surprising turn. Ideal for those who enjoy sibling rivalry, sports romance, and secret identity clichés. For all of the aforementioned reasons, I give this book a five-star rating.
March 24, 2025
I’ll start with this: there was a very very problematic theme in this book (spoiler : the mmc goes and has sex with the fmc while pretending to be someone else) but the author sent an email after people began reviewing that (correctly) as not romantic, but very much in line with SA. The email promised a correction on that so I’m hoping the author stays true to their words.
That’s the only reason I didn’t dnf. Or give it 1 star.
Now the story itself.
The pros:
I liked the struggles of the FMC, I liked the background she was given to explain her grit and I really liked her relationships (with her sister and bff ).
There was genuine good banter between the characters when dialogue was allowed.
The book had a good story line at its core and it was easy to read through. I got done with it in a couple of days which I appreciate when a book doesn’t drag.
Really liked the fact that the characters were meant to be flawed. Always appreciate imperfect main characters.
The cons;
Everyone was unpredictable without cause. Few side characters were fleshed out but what they did get was so very confusing because they kept doing and saying things that contradicted what we were told about them three lines ago.
Both the main characters found excuses to hard core hate on what sounded like not bad people, despite how much they were made out as villains. Especially the fmc would one minute hate on someone but then say something about that person that made me question her people reading skills.
There were inconsistencies. On major plot points. And also a lack of clarity.
And my biggest problem was the repetitiveness of thoughts and realisations. You don’t keep realising /rediscovering truths about yourself. You do have realisations and build upon them.
Having said that I think the author did successfully try to give the mmc a redemptive character arc though his journey could’ve been explained more. I also would have liked the fmc to be less gullible.
I’ll end with this: the third star is for the side characters. For the fmc’s sister. For Theo’s “only friend” who deserved better. And even for Theo’s mum.
I think this author had a lot of potential. This book just needs a little more editing and it could be a perfect beach read.
I’m grateful though for having received this e-book as an advanced reader copy. And hopeful that once the book is released with the required edits I can buy it, re-read it and take its rating up.
That’s the only reason I didn’t dnf. Or give it 1 star.
Now the story itself.
The pros:
I liked the struggles of the FMC, I liked the background she was given to explain her grit and I really liked her relationships (with her sister and bff ).
There was genuine good banter between the characters when dialogue was allowed.
The book had a good story line at its core and it was easy to read through. I got done with it in a couple of days which I appreciate when a book doesn’t drag.
Really liked the fact that the characters were meant to be flawed. Always appreciate imperfect main characters.
The cons;
Everyone was unpredictable without cause. Few side characters were fleshed out but what they did get was so very confusing because they kept doing and saying things that contradicted what we were told about them three lines ago.
Both the main characters found excuses to hard core hate on what sounded like not bad people, despite how much they were made out as villains. Especially the fmc would one minute hate on someone but then say something about that person that made me question her people reading skills.
There were inconsistencies. On major plot points. And also a lack of clarity.
And my biggest problem was the repetitiveness of thoughts and realisations. You don’t keep realising /rediscovering truths about yourself. You do have realisations and build upon them.
Having said that I think the author did successfully try to give the mmc a redemptive character arc though his journey could’ve been explained more. I also would have liked the fmc to be less gullible.
I’ll end with this: the third star is for the side characters. For the fmc’s sister. For Theo’s “only friend” who deserved better. And even for Theo’s mum.
I think this author had a lot of potential. This book just needs a little more editing and it could be a perfect beach read.
I’m grateful though for having received this e-book as an advanced reader copy. And hopeful that once the book is released with the required edits I can buy it, re-read it and take its rating up.
March 19, 2025
⭐️Tricked Into Paradise | Vera Mai | 20th April 2025⭐️
ARC Review🤓
Spoiler Free!👍🏻
This is a debut novel by Vera Mai one of several interconnected standalone to come soon. This book has its ups and downs but the plot and premise are strong and while it at times felt jilted and slow she has great attention to detail in the world she wants to create(Sofias culinary skills). It is classed as a hockey romance but I’m not sure I would say it’s strictly that but more of a contemporary romance with hockey/sports as an element to it.
Sofia, Theo and Noah are the main characters in this book and while individually they have depth I found that the chemistry and interactions between felt lacking the connection they could have if that depth got brought to page.
Sofia is an independent and fierce woman who has goals and dreams of being a chef and Vera wrote her very well and introduces you to Sofias thoughts and process in becoming a Chef. Noah is a bit of an outsider in the sense of knowing the real him as the romance story centre’s on Theo and Sofia but you can tell Vera has plans for his character as you read and will eventually get to read his story. Theo is unsteady, following in his star brother’s footsteps unsure of where he should be or what he should do and just wants to be seen for who he is not a twin in the mix. He is an interesting character to read because what you think is on the surface is more like a deep well of emotion he himself needs to explore.
The plot was fun to read and kept me interested while still needing to move faster and have more dialogue, banter and commonality amongst the characters. We love those interactions as readers!!! As a Dark Romance girly as well I wasn’t overly offended about the ‘tricking’ that happens but I would definitely recommend a trigger warning put in for those that may not be comfortable reading those types of storylines. (Not excusing the behaviour of the characters at all!‼️)
Overall I did enjoy the book and can see the potential in the world Miss Mai is trying to create. Was it perfect no but I honestly believe that the debut novels for authors are stepping stones to finding their rhythm and audience while learning how to better engage with their readers on the page.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
ARC Review🤓
Spoiler Free!👍🏻
This is a debut novel by Vera Mai one of several interconnected standalone to come soon. This book has its ups and downs but the plot and premise are strong and while it at times felt jilted and slow she has great attention to detail in the world she wants to create(Sofias culinary skills). It is classed as a hockey romance but I’m not sure I would say it’s strictly that but more of a contemporary romance with hockey/sports as an element to it.
Sofia, Theo and Noah are the main characters in this book and while individually they have depth I found that the chemistry and interactions between felt lacking the connection they could have if that depth got brought to page.
Sofia is an independent and fierce woman who has goals and dreams of being a chef and Vera wrote her very well and introduces you to Sofias thoughts and process in becoming a Chef. Noah is a bit of an outsider in the sense of knowing the real him as the romance story centre’s on Theo and Sofia but you can tell Vera has plans for his character as you read and will eventually get to read his story. Theo is unsteady, following in his star brother’s footsteps unsure of where he should be or what he should do and just wants to be seen for who he is not a twin in the mix. He is an interesting character to read because what you think is on the surface is more like a deep well of emotion he himself needs to explore.
The plot was fun to read and kept me interested while still needing to move faster and have more dialogue, banter and commonality amongst the characters. We love those interactions as readers!!! As a Dark Romance girly as well I wasn’t overly offended about the ‘tricking’ that happens but I would definitely recommend a trigger warning put in for those that may not be comfortable reading those types of storylines. (Not excusing the behaviour of the characters at all!‼️)
Overall I did enjoy the book and can see the potential in the world Miss Mai is trying to create. Was it perfect no but I honestly believe that the debut novels for authors are stepping stones to finding their rhythm and audience while learning how to better engage with their readers on the page.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
March 25, 2025
In Tricked into Paradise, Vera Mai delivers a delightful romance that captures the complexities of love, rivalry, and the intricate dance of relationships. Set against the backdrop of a captivating storyline, this book explores the lives of twin brothers caught in a fierce rivalry, with their girlfriend finding herself as collateral damage in their conflict.
Mai’s writing style is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the characters' world with ease. The narrative flows smoothly, making it a page-turner that is hard to put down. What I particularly appreciated were the real-life struggles and emotions that the characters experience. Mai skillfully weaves inner dialogue with outer interactions, providing a rich tapestry of thoughts and feelings that resonate with anyone who has navigated the complexities of life struggles and love!
The alternating perspectives between the male and female leads add depth to the story, allowing readers to understand their motivations and feelings intimately. This technique enhances the emotional stakes, making the dilemmas they face all the more poignant.
Overall, Tricked into Paradise is a well-crafted romance that I yes I would say has a grey area to it with one twin pretending to be the other twin and engaged in sexual relations with the MFC to get under his brothers skin it is well written and I recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted yet meaningful read. Fans of romantic comedies, especially those who enjoy stories about complicated relationships and emotional growth, overcoming obstacles , and resilience will find themselves enchanted by Mai's storytelling. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in the series and will also be purchasing a physical copy when I can!
Mai’s writing style is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the characters' world with ease. The narrative flows smoothly, making it a page-turner that is hard to put down. What I particularly appreciated were the real-life struggles and emotions that the characters experience. Mai skillfully weaves inner dialogue with outer interactions, providing a rich tapestry of thoughts and feelings that resonate with anyone who has navigated the complexities of life struggles and love!
The alternating perspectives between the male and female leads add depth to the story, allowing readers to understand their motivations and feelings intimately. This technique enhances the emotional stakes, making the dilemmas they face all the more poignant.
Overall, Tricked into Paradise is a well-crafted romance that I yes I would say has a grey area to it with one twin pretending to be the other twin and engaged in sexual relations with the MFC to get under his brothers skin it is well written and I recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted yet meaningful read. Fans of romantic comedies, especially those who enjoy stories about complicated relationships and emotional growth, overcoming obstacles , and resilience will find themselves enchanted by Mai's storytelling. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in the series and will also be purchasing a physical copy when I can!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 5, 2025I am very appreciative of Vera Mai and their team for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of Tricked into Paradise!
I love the dedication for Tricked into Paradise: “For all the girls who have ever felt overlooked in love, may you find the kind of love that makes you feel seen, cherished, and truly valued.”
I had high hopes for the book because of that dedication. Unfortunately, the story didn’t meet my expectations.
I liked the premise: delving into and exploring complicated familial relationships and dealing with the burden of others’ expectations. Unpacking complicated family relationships is an important sub genre in fiction that can be so healing and powerful when done correctly.
The main plot of this story seemed to be based on a jilted and neglected Theo meeting his miserable and neglected twin brother’s girlfriend and he finally gets the opportunity to pull one over his brother. This plot does not lay the foundation for the characters to develop healthy and mature relationships with each other—nor does it give readers healthy examples of mature and respectful relationships. Which seems imperative given that the targeted demographic seems to be people who read YA given that our main characters are teenagers.
All of the characters (teenagers and adults) and scenes in this story felt somewhat immature, with writing that seemed pretty surface-level. That may be due to the fact that the book centers around high schoolers.
Ultimately, I DNF-ed this book because I couldn’t get past the writing style and immaturity of the characters. Since I DNF-ed the book, I did not give it a rating. Though if I finished the book, my rating wouldn’t have been higher than 2 stars.
I love the dedication for Tricked into Paradise: “For all the girls who have ever felt overlooked in love, may you find the kind of love that makes you feel seen, cherished, and truly valued.”
I had high hopes for the book because of that dedication. Unfortunately, the story didn’t meet my expectations.
I liked the premise: delving into and exploring complicated familial relationships and dealing with the burden of others’ expectations. Unpacking complicated family relationships is an important sub genre in fiction that can be so healing and powerful when done correctly.
The main plot of this story seemed to be based on a jilted and neglected Theo meeting his miserable and neglected twin brother’s girlfriend and he finally gets the opportunity to pull one over his brother. This plot does not lay the foundation for the characters to develop healthy and mature relationships with each other—nor does it give readers healthy examples of mature and respectful relationships. Which seems imperative given that the targeted demographic seems to be people who read YA given that our main characters are teenagers.
All of the characters (teenagers and adults) and scenes in this story felt somewhat immature, with writing that seemed pretty surface-level. That may be due to the fact that the book centers around high schoolers.
Ultimately, I DNF-ed this book because I couldn’t get past the writing style and immaturity of the characters. Since I DNF-ed the book, I did not give it a rating. Though if I finished the book, my rating wouldn’t have been higher than 2 stars.
March 16, 2025
I was absolutely honoured to be chosen as an ARC reader! Thank you Vera for trusting me with this!
I really wanted to like this book! Hockey, romance, aspiring chef, twin brothers etc.. it had all the makings for a good romcom novel, but it just fell so flat for me. I can absolutely tell that the author had good intentions but it just didn’t come through on the page.
The writing felt very choppy. One minute, they’re talking at the diner, and then on the next page they’re saying goodbye outside the house without any mention of leaving.
There were a few time jumps too which I felt let the story down. Skipping over their summer in Greece, through their first year at school etc. It really affected the continuity of the story.
One character was working at the diner in their small town, and then next minute he’s also moved to New York and is working at Theo’s father’s hotel!?
I don’t like how the ‘incident’ between Theo and Sofia was handled. One minute she feels assaulted, the next they’re on a date and in a relationship!? I would have liked to have seen this handled better and would have liked to have seen Theo have to redeem himself to Sofia and gain her trust again.
I felt the second half of the book really only focused on their individual careers, and their relationship was just filler. There wasn’t a whole lot of dialogue which made the story feel like it dragged a little.
I can definitely see what the author was trying to do and respect to Vera for that, but unfortunately this was almost a DNF for me. I look forward to this author growing and improving, I believe there’s some real potential!
I really wanted to like this book! Hockey, romance, aspiring chef, twin brothers etc.. it had all the makings for a good romcom novel, but it just fell so flat for me. I can absolutely tell that the author had good intentions but it just didn’t come through on the page.
The writing felt very choppy. One minute, they’re talking at the diner, and then on the next page they’re saying goodbye outside the house without any mention of leaving.
There were a few time jumps too which I felt let the story down. Skipping over their summer in Greece, through their first year at school etc. It really affected the continuity of the story.
One character was working at the diner in their small town, and then next minute he’s also moved to New York and is working at Theo’s father’s hotel!?
I don’t like how the ‘incident’ between Theo and Sofia was handled. One minute she feels assaulted, the next they’re on a date and in a relationship!? I would have liked to have seen this handled better and would have liked to have seen Theo have to redeem himself to Sofia and gain her trust again.
I felt the second half of the book really only focused on their individual careers, and their relationship was just filler. There wasn’t a whole lot of dialogue which made the story feel like it dragged a little.
I can definitely see what the author was trying to do and respect to Vera for that, but unfortunately this was almost a DNF for me. I look forward to this author growing and improving, I believe there’s some real potential!
April 2, 2025
Tricked into paradise review
The dedication is so sweet. I couldn’t wait to see what happened if that was dedication I already felt seen. Colton I wish I could punch in the face with a chair. I hate reading about this type character but I know there are many like them in real life and it’s just part of the characters plot on how they deal with them. Some of things that the characters think to themselves happens several times. Like the conversation between Sofia and Diana about dumping Noah and how he has an “I’m better than everyone “ energy. Or the thoughts of Theo not being good enough, the spare of his family. Noah is such an arrogant a**. Colton I can deal with from time to time but Noah was just such a wuss thinking he’s gods gift to women. The story flies by after the about the fifth chapter. It’s a dream relationship between the FMC and MMC especially as they maneuver through learning their new roles in the world. The story kinda ends on cliffhanger but not like a bad one. I just wish there was more or maybe they will have another story? I received this book as an advanced readers copy so this was a rough draft of it and it did touch on some SA but after conversing with the author she has stated she will be redoing the story without that in it which will have the same characters but no triggers and more of a romcom vibe. Either way I loved this book and if you are okay with reading about that trigger then this is it and if not wait til she comes out with the newer version and I promise you will not be disappointed. Also the spice was just enough. It is detailed but there aren’t many scenes with it.
The dedication is so sweet. I couldn’t wait to see what happened if that was dedication I already felt seen. Colton I wish I could punch in the face with a chair. I hate reading about this type character but I know there are many like them in real life and it’s just part of the characters plot on how they deal with them. Some of things that the characters think to themselves happens several times. Like the conversation between Sofia and Diana about dumping Noah and how he has an “I’m better than everyone “ energy. Or the thoughts of Theo not being good enough, the spare of his family. Noah is such an arrogant a**. Colton I can deal with from time to time but Noah was just such a wuss thinking he’s gods gift to women. The story flies by after the about the fifth chapter. It’s a dream relationship between the FMC and MMC especially as they maneuver through learning their new roles in the world. The story kinda ends on cliffhanger but not like a bad one. I just wish there was more or maybe they will have another story? I received this book as an advanced readers copy so this was a rough draft of it and it did touch on some SA but after conversing with the author she has stated she will be redoing the story without that in it which will have the same characters but no triggers and more of a romcom vibe. Either way I loved this book and if you are okay with reading about that trigger then this is it and if not wait til she comes out with the newer version and I promise you will not be disappointed. Also the spice was just enough. It is detailed but there aren’t many scenes with it.
March 18, 2025
Incoming ARC review given freely in exchange for the ebook:
Meet our FMC, Sofia and MMC, Theo.
Sofia's goal is to be Michelin star chef, all while raising her younger sister. More to come on this in a minute.
Theo's goal in life is to be a hockey star. However, he's always been compared to his twin brother.
Overall, this was an okay story, but the characters were way too young for me. From reading the synopsis, I would've guessed the characters as a bit older, but Theo was only 18 and Sofia a year older. Honestly, I wasn't a fan of Theo' nasty trick and how the couple came to be. In my opinion, Sofia forgave him without any real effort.
Their "insta-love" is cute, and I got a kick out of Theo ordering everything on the menu at Sofia's diner. Sofia's sister is only really present when it's relative to the storyline. Otherwise, she's kind of forgotten and left alone most of the time.
I have a couple of other qualms with the storyline that seemed to go against one another. Sofia had money problems for her sister's dance lessons but then wanted to pay for a pastry class for her friend, Diana, being one of them.
These characters were just too young for me and acted like it most of the time. Which fits but reads just too young. Overall, this book just wasn't for me, but it might be for you!
⭐️⭐️/5
Meet our FMC, Sofia and MMC, Theo.
Sofia's goal is to be Michelin star chef, all while raising her younger sister. More to come on this in a minute.
Theo's goal in life is to be a hockey star. However, he's always been compared to his twin brother.
Overall, this was an okay story, but the characters were way too young for me. From reading the synopsis, I would've guessed the characters as a bit older, but Theo was only 18 and Sofia a year older. Honestly, I wasn't a fan of Theo' nasty trick and how the couple came to be. In my opinion, Sofia forgave him without any real effort.
Their "insta-love" is cute, and I got a kick out of Theo ordering everything on the menu at Sofia's diner. Sofia's sister is only really present when it's relative to the storyline. Otherwise, she's kind of forgotten and left alone most of the time.
I have a couple of other qualms with the storyline that seemed to go against one another. Sofia had money problems for her sister's dance lessons but then wanted to pay for a pastry class for her friend, Diana, being one of them.
These characters were just too young for me and acted like it most of the time. Which fits but reads just too young. Overall, this book just wasn't for me, but it might be for you!
⭐️⭐️/5
March 19, 2025
**ARC REVIEW**
While this isn't my normal genre that I read, this was a pretty good read. It's not super spicy, so if I had to put it on a scale, it would be somewhere around 1.5 🌶. Only manor TW is cheating.
This story follows Sofia and Theo. Sofia starts out dating Theo's twin brother, Noah. They don't have the best relationship and Theo decides to do something about it. He decides to trick Sofia into sleeping with him in order to throw his brother off to win the major hockey game between their teams. Once that happens, Theo can't get Sofia out of his head and decides to try and make her see that he's not a bad guy. Throughout the rest of the book, they fall in love while Sofia is pursuing her dream of becoming a chef and Theo decides to give in to his father's demands that he takes over the hotel chain their family owns.
While the ending of the book could have been a little better in my opinion, I enjoyed reading this book. I wish the epilogue could have been a little more detailed instead of a simple paragraph. The story was pretty well written and I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. This definitely makes me glad that I've never dated a twin 😅. I also appreciate the fact that this story has a strong FMC instead of one that relies on others. If contemporary romance is your thing and you like a little spice, this book is right up your alley.
Happy reading!
While this isn't my normal genre that I read, this was a pretty good read. It's not super spicy, so if I had to put it on a scale, it would be somewhere around 1.5 🌶. Only manor TW is cheating.
This story follows Sofia and Theo. Sofia starts out dating Theo's twin brother, Noah. They don't have the best relationship and Theo decides to do something about it. He decides to trick Sofia into sleeping with him in order to throw his brother off to win the major hockey game between their teams. Once that happens, Theo can't get Sofia out of his head and decides to try and make her see that he's not a bad guy. Throughout the rest of the book, they fall in love while Sofia is pursuing her dream of becoming a chef and Theo decides to give in to his father's demands that he takes over the hotel chain their family owns.
While the ending of the book could have been a little better in my opinion, I enjoyed reading this book. I wish the epilogue could have been a little more detailed instead of a simple paragraph. The story was pretty well written and I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. This definitely makes me glad that I've never dated a twin 😅. I also appreciate the fact that this story has a strong FMC instead of one that relies on others. If contemporary romance is your thing and you like a little spice, this book is right up your alley.
Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2025
ARC READ - DNF 46%
⚠️ Triggering topic in book: SA ⚠️
First off, I want to say thank you to Love Notes PR for allowing me the chance to do an arc read prior to this book being published, and because of that, I hate that I need to give such a poor review.
Before this book is released, I fear there needs to be many grammatical error edits as well as some plot revising to be done. Though we received many email updates from the author, no actual updates regarding new edits have been received.
The storyline is chaotic for lack of a better word, very repetitive, and I’m sorry but I’m not sure how an author can “accidentally” write a SA scene and send it out without realizing what they’re giving readers without warning. Now I read lots of dark romance where there are instances of this and the survivors overcoming traumas, but a FMC wanting it to happen again and the MMC seeing nothing wrong with sleeping with his twin’s girlfriend without her knowledge or consent just doesn’t sit right with me to just “accidentally happen.”
I’m hoping that the revised edit makes its appearance with that correction to the story but I’m honestly not sure I can read it.
I hate leaving negative reviews but warnings for such a topic are needed, especially for what’s supposed to be such a lighthearted read.
⚠️ Triggering topic in book: SA ⚠️
First off, I want to say thank you to Love Notes PR for allowing me the chance to do an arc read prior to this book being published, and because of that, I hate that I need to give such a poor review.
Before this book is released, I fear there needs to be many grammatical error edits as well as some plot revising to be done. Though we received many email updates from the author, no actual updates regarding new edits have been received.
The storyline is chaotic for lack of a better word, very repetitive, and I’m sorry but I’m not sure how an author can “accidentally” write a SA scene and send it out without realizing what they’re giving readers without warning. Now I read lots of dark romance where there are instances of this and the survivors overcoming traumas, but a FMC wanting it to happen again and the MMC seeing nothing wrong with sleeping with his twin’s girlfriend without her knowledge or consent just doesn’t sit right with me to just “accidentally happen.”
I’m hoping that the revised edit makes its appearance with that correction to the story but I’m honestly not sure I can read it.
I hate leaving negative reviews but warnings for such a topic are needed, especially for what’s supposed to be such a lighthearted read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
What happens when your twin brother is the golden child and you’re stuck in his shadow? Why not pretend to be him and sleep with his girlfriend to get back at him and watch him lose the hockey game.
Theo always lived in his twin brother Noah’s shadow. He tried so many times to get any attention like Noah. So what does he do, pretend to be his twin and sleep with his girlfriend Sophia for retaliation. What he didn’t know is that he would fall for her afterwards. Noah finds out what Sophia did and decides not to listen to her and ghosts her till they breakup.
Sophia was only a pawn in Theo’s plan to throw his brother off of his game. It worked way too well in his favor. Noah found out and decided that Sophia was not worth fighting for. She started resenting Theo for ruining her relationship but then he wears her down and she finally agrees to go out on a date with him. Little did she know, that both brothers are completely different people. Theo pays attention to her while Noah only cares about himself. Theo wants to treat her like the queen she is and supports her while Noah only cared about his hockey career.
Maybe enemies to lovers are a great way to explain this book and how opposites can make it work out in the end.
Theo always lived in his twin brother Noah’s shadow. He tried so many times to get any attention like Noah. So what does he do, pretend to be his twin and sleep with his girlfriend Sophia for retaliation. What he didn’t know is that he would fall for her afterwards. Noah finds out what Sophia did and decides not to listen to her and ghosts her till they breakup.
Sophia was only a pawn in Theo’s plan to throw his brother off of his game. It worked way too well in his favor. Noah found out and decided that Sophia was not worth fighting for. She started resenting Theo for ruining her relationship but then he wears her down and she finally agrees to go out on a date with him. Little did she know, that both brothers are completely different people. Theo pays attention to her while Noah only cares about himself. Theo wants to treat her like the queen she is and supports her while Noah only cared about his hockey career.
Maybe enemies to lovers are a great way to explain this book and how opposites can make it work out in the end.
March 18, 2025
2.75⭐️
I really wanted to like this book. The premise is great, hockey star, chef, twin brothers. The execution though, wasn’t great. For a book coming out in just a few weeks, major edits need to be done. There are a lot of plot holes, grammatical errors, and continuity errors throughout. Noah is suddenly nice to Theo and Sofia. I think there was a time jump at one point but it wasn’t made clear. Theo’s entire “revenge arc” seemed completely antithetical to who he was as a character. Sofia’s constant thoughts of Noah while her and Theo were together, comparing the two of them was ridiculous. When they finally had their date, she seemed to forget she had an 11-year old sister at home ALONE, and stayed the night with Theo. Mind you, Theo is a high school senior and Sofia is 1 year out of high school while all of this is happening. Also, during the intimacy scenes, there wasn’t a singular mention of birth control or condoms. The MCs were 18 & 19, and seemingly not using protection?
I appreciate that I was given an ARC, and I look forward to reading the next book. I’m also looking forward to the author finding her voice.
I really wanted to like this book. The premise is great, hockey star, chef, twin brothers. The execution though, wasn’t great. For a book coming out in just a few weeks, major edits need to be done. There are a lot of plot holes, grammatical errors, and continuity errors throughout. Noah is suddenly nice to Theo and Sofia. I think there was a time jump at one point but it wasn’t made clear. Theo’s entire “revenge arc” seemed completely antithetical to who he was as a character. Sofia’s constant thoughts of Noah while her and Theo were together, comparing the two of them was ridiculous. When they finally had their date, she seemed to forget she had an 11-year old sister at home ALONE, and stayed the night with Theo. Mind you, Theo is a high school senior and Sofia is 1 year out of high school while all of this is happening. Also, during the intimacy scenes, there wasn’t a singular mention of birth control or condoms. The MCs were 18 & 19, and seemingly not using protection?
I appreciate that I was given an ARC, and I look forward to reading the next book. I’m also looking forward to the author finding her voice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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