A Small Town, Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov. Lulu Sonnet is the bane of my existence. She’s caused me more physical pain than any man should ever endure. From an accidental throat punch to a near death by shovel— Don’t even get me started on that vicious pool ball accident where she almost robbed me of my family jewels. She’s a hot little heathen, and what’s worse? She’s staying in my brother’s rental house while I’m temporarily living in the guest house. And now she needs a favor. A fake boyfriend. I’ll dote on her for a few weeks, she’ll return the favor so my boss’s daughter will stop nagging me, and then we’ll part ways. It seems simple enough. Until we end up in the same shower. And then the same bed. The lines are blurring. She’s beautiful and fierce and sexy all at the same time. But Lulu isn’t staying in Rosewood River forever. The place I call home is just a pitstop for her. But suddenly everything I thought I wanted is no longer important to me. My fake girlfriend has turned my world upside down. And now nothing feels right without her.
**This is book 2 in the Rosewood River Series. Each one can be enjoyed as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**
Laura Pavlov is a USA Today and Amazon top 10 Bestselling author. She writes sweet and sexy small town romance that will make you both laugh and cry. Laura is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome kids who are currently adulting, one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. She's living her own happily ever after in Las Vegas. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves hearing from readers!
LuLu and Rafe were a good freaking time!! 😂👏 Right from chapter one, LuLu had me dying. Honestly, love her energy.
I get so sucked into Laura's books I binge them in a day and this was no different! I loved how kind and loving Rafe was right from the beginning. He loved LuLu so hard and was so protective of her, but one thing I loved was that LuLu could hold her own.
I can't wait for more of this series. Laura does such an amazing job getting you to fall in love with every character from the series so early on!
"I see all of you. And I'll take you exactly as you are."
"“Did you just fucking throat punch me?” I clutched my neck as I straightened, standing a good foot taller than her. She was petite, gorgeous, and without a doubt, a violent lunatic.
-fake dating -small town -annoyance to lovers -forced proximity -right person / wrong time
My new favorite from Laura Pavlov and SUCH an easy five star rating. I ate this one UP. If you love small town romance and fake dating, this is the one for you. The banter was REMARKABLE and all the side characters had me with stitches in my sides. Absolutely loved this!
My Silver Lining was delightful, fun, and had the best banter. I had such a great time reading this book. I love a good fake dating romance, add in that bit of enemies to lovers, and the small town charm Laura Pavlov is known for, I was sold.
Lulu and Rafe have a hilarious meet cute. It’s definitely a memorable one! Lulu’s best friend is dating Rafe’s brother so they’re around each other a lot. And they both are at a place where they need a date. Lulu for a family function, and Rafe for a wedding where he can’t shake his boss’s daughter. So why not?
I adored Lulu and Rafe together. They made such a great pair. And Rafe’s family is the absolute best. I’m excited we have so many more books left in this series. One of my favorite things about this book was Lulu’s personality. She’s just so fun! I listened to the audiobook and the narration was wonderful. Another fabulous read in the ‘Rosewood River’ series.
Audio book source: Book Funnel (arc) Story Rating: 4.5 stars Narrators: Sean Masters & Vanessa Edwin Narration Rating: 4.5 stars Genre: Romance Length: 8h 36m
4.5 stars! My Silver Lining is a small town, hate to love, fake dating romance and the 2nd book in Laura Pavlov’s Rosewood River series! This was another solid addition to the series, I really just love the way Laura writes small town romances!
Lulu is in town to spend time with her best friend (Henley) and get her life back on track after a breakup, Rafe is the brother of her best friend’s boyfriend (Easton). They run into one another cause she’s staying in his brother’s rental house and he’s living in the guesthouse (their meet cute 🤭). After a not-so-great start, Lulu and Rafe quickly realize they can help one another out. She told her family she’s bringing her boyfriend to her grandfather’s 80th birthday so she needs a fake boyfriend quickly! He also happened to tell his boss he’s in a serious relationship to avoid a sticky situation with his boss’s daughter.
This was cute, filled with banter, and so fun! I loved how they both needed a fake date at the same time so it worked out perfectly! He calls her “wildcat” x she calls him “lover boy”. I loved all the appearances from other Laura books, we even get treated to Beefcake appearances (Rafe’s sister is Emerson). The audiobook is a duet narration by Sean Masters and Vanessa Edwin and they really brought these characters to life! I’m so very excited for the next book, we get a sneak peek in the epilogue! Loving the Rosewood River series!
I received an ARC & ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
I really struggled with this book. From the snippets I’ve read, I had high hopes but this book ultimately ended up disappointing me.
The story moved so fast at the start that it made it hard for me to connect to the characters and to be invested in the plot. The whole book felt kind of superficial and I wanted some depth, especially from the characters. I also didn’t particularly like the leads. I found Lulu and Rafe to be very childish and annoying. I did not feel the chemistry between them.
Laura is so good on delivering a wonderful small town romance! I appreciate the fact that even though she is staying in this genre- her books are just different enough each time to keep me entertained and wanting more! This one was no different. I did not read book 1 (yet) and did not feel like I was missing anything by jumping into this one. RAFE. Rafe was wonderful. He was charming and hot and romantic and empowering. He was a wonderful partner to Lulu. He was carefree and really felt things which I liked. Then we have Lulu who has walls so high they are ALMOST unclimeable...ALMOST. She is on the other side of a long term relationship gone bad. She is from money and is used to being in the public eye. She is a savvy business owner, and she is independent and strong! I appreciated how independent this woman was. I also appreciated how Rafe helped her understand that just because he wanted to help her didn't mean he didn't think she could do it. I LOVED the faked dating aspect and like let's keep it casual when they both knew that at one point it became more. I have to say I got a LITTLE annoyed with how much Lulu was deflecting with Rafe- I get it she was scared. But that was a tad overkill in my opinion.
Lulu has found herself in a tough spot. She has moved to Rosewood River to work on her jewelry pieces before her big launch in Paris. She has also told her family she has a serious boyfriend to get them off her back about her ex. Now she has to find someone willing to be said fake boyfriend. Enter Rafe Chadwick. The man she throat punches upon first meeting and continues to accidentally maim him. Well color Lulu shocked when he says yes- he will be her fake date to her grandfather's party IF she will be his fake date at his boss's wedding. She tries to set boundaries. She really does. But Rafe NAILS the interaction with her family. Lines get blurred. She can't get into a relationship right now. There will be a timeline with her going to Paris. But the more her ex butts in and the more time her and Rafe spend together the more she realizes she doesn't want this to be fake. She wants to see where this goes while still pursuing her dreams. So they do that, and it is magical. Rafe makes her feel everything she ever thought a relationship should be. Supported. Cherished. Empowered. Beautiful. Loved. But she can't give up her dreams. She has been there done that, and it didn't work out for her. Now she has to question if maybe her dreams have morphed a little because one thing she does know is that she can't get Rafe out of her head or her heart.
Rafe is comfortable with where he is in life. He has a successful job and dreams of branching off on his own. He enjoys women but at this point doesn't really want more. But then he meets Lulu Sonnett. His brother's girlfriend's best friend. She is hot and a firecracker. She has a way of knowing how to get underneath his skin. But she keeps things interesting. So when she asks for his help to be a fake date for her grandfather's party- he finds himself saying yes. As long as she can do the same for his boss's wedding. He finds himself pushing beyond what she asked for at the party. He finds himself defending her and wanting to put some of her family in line. He finds himself liking her being "his." He finds himself really attracted to her. So when lines get blurred and they have a wonderful night together he isn't mad about it. In fact he just wants more. The more time they spend together and the more things kind of blow up about them, the more he finds himself realizing nothing about this is fake. He knows she is leaving. And of course he can agree to her terms for this relationship. But he knows in his heart there are no terms. She is his forever. And sometimes you have to make hard decisions for the people we love. Which he does but then he realizes he literally can't live without her and so he won't.
I thought this these had wonderful chemistry! I really enjoy the loathe to lovers vibes because the moment they realize they don't hate each other but actually want each other is priceless. Rafe made me swoon so many times! He was so patient with Lulu. He met her where she needed to be. He never pushed her even though he wanted to. I loved how Beefcake was this wise soul who helped Rafe realize he needed to make a change and a stand. I also loved meeting alllll of these beautiful brothers! I can't wait to read book 1 and the rest of the series :)
Thank you to Valentine PR and Luara for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Laura Pavlov never fails to bring the small-town charm, cozy vibes, and hilarious moments, and My Silver Lining was no exception. But while I liked this book, I didn’t quite love it. That being said, I’m still excited for the third book in the series! LuLu and Rafe were such a fun duo! 💌 Their dynamic was entertaining from the start—LuLu’s chaotic energy had me cracking up, and Rafe? The man was all heart. Protective, devoted, and completely gone for her. I loved how their relationship balanced playfulness with deep emotion, especially with LuLu holding her own every step of the way. The fake dating, forced proximity, and the right person, wrong time trope all made for a compelling read. Plus, the banter? Top-tier. However, something about the story didn’t fully hook me like I’d hoped. It was enjoyable, but not something I’d revisit. Still, Laura Pavlov has a way of making you fall for an entire town and its people, and I can’t wait for what’s next! Favorite Quotes: 💌 "I see all of you. And I'll take you exactly as you are." 💌 "Did you just throat punch me?"
4.75⭐️ | 3🌶 as always, I really enjoyed this one. Laura just hits EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Rafe & Lulu and their chemistry uuuugh. I was melting at how sweet Rafe was. The found family was everything. Lulu's relationship with Gramps & how receptive the Chadwicks were of her were just so beautiful. Melody and Beefcake.... love! I cannot wait for the next one. Thank you to valentine pr for this arc.
4.5 stars! ALC Review Thank you to Laura and VPR for this ALC. This was my first Laura book, and it definitely won't be my last! It gave me all the small town feels. The narration of this book was amazing! Vanessa and Sean had me cackling from the first time Lulu and Rafe met. (Did I mention it is Duet narration?😍) Rafe is seriously such a lovable character. I don't know how Lulu doesn't fall for him quicker. The banter between them is top-notch, and the spice is so good! I definitely recommend this book to all my fake dating lovers! 🤭❤️
I absolutely loved Lulu in book one and just knew this story between her and Rafe was going to be fantastic!! What could be more a more perfect meet cute then Rafe getting *accidentally* throat punched by Lulu in the house she’s staying at 🤣
I am a sucker for fake dating, and this book not only had that but some hot tension and good revenge moments that had me wanting to stand up and slow clap!! Rafe would go meet Lulu’s family since they thought she made up a boyfriend (which she had lol) and help her convince them that she was done with her awful ex & no longer had to worry about her, while Lulu would be Rafe’s date to a wedding where he could hopefully get his bosses daughter to get off his back because he didn’t want to date her. What could go wrong, it’s fake right 🤭😉
This story had me giggling and laughing my booty off, it was emotional, it was fun, it was a breath of fresh air! The audio was fantastic & again, this series is the best because we a great family dynamic from the Chadwick’s side, and amazing friendship between Lulu and her bestie Henley (from book 1!!).
Type: audio (thank you must love audio) Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Hate to love Small town He falls first Fake dating Forced proximity
🩵 City girl X Small town boy 💙 Fake dating 🩵 He falls first
These two were so much fun to follow!
I loved how every time they met at first, Rafe ended up getting hurt somehow—hahaha. And her giving him a protection stone? It's absolutely perfect.
Lulu is amazing! She's a strong and independent FMC who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. And Rafe? Another sharp tongue, which led to some incredible banter between them.
I also really liked their communication. Of course, there were moments when they were scared to open up about their feelings, but that felt real. Overall, I think their communication was really solid.
I loved seeing characters from the last series again and getting another dose of Beefcake’s charm!
OMG I loved this one so much!! Lulu and Rafe were SO good right from their first meet cute (and subsequent throat punch lol). Their banter was so funny and kept me tapping those kindle pages. I literally devoured this book - I was damn engaged!!
Lulu and Rafe's connection was really easy; their back and forth banter and bickering was so funny. It did a really good job of progressing their emotional and physical connection, chemistry and the sexual tension between them! There were definitely some heart felt moments in this book, and I thought Laura did an amazing job at executing the fake dating part of their relationship. I loved their communication, and especially how forthcoming Rafe was with his feelings.
I really enjoyed this book, and loved the Magnolia Falls cameos (hi, Beefcake) and how we got to see Nash and Emerson's wedding on the page! As always, the text threads between the brothers and cousins were hilarious and always one of my favourite parts of a Laura Pavlov book!
4.5 ✩ || 𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚: - small town romance - fake dating - enemies (ish) to lovers - close proximity
I'm grateful for the arc, Laura. Thank you to you and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and review early!
My fave of Laura’s more recent books 😍 this was so so good. I read the ARC & then went back & devoured the audio after release. I don’t know how Laura does it but her books are such comfort reads. The banter just hits every time 👏🏼
Thank you to Laura & VPR for the ARC!
- Small Town - Fake Dating - Enemies to Lovers - Forced Proximity
But first a side rant: Holy cannoli, if I had to read the word “chuckled” one more time!! He chuckled. She chuckled. They breathed? Chuckled. Every damn character chuckled every sentence. I will never recover from the overuse of that word. Chuckle this damn book into the river
Okay review: The book was… meh. Painfully boring. I skipped chunks just to get to the end — and that’s never a good sign. The characters themselves were actually great. I liked them. But I felt almost nothing while reading, and that’s disappointing because I genuinely enjoyed book one. Now I’m honestly debating if I should even continue the series.
I have a new favorite Laura Pavlov book, and I don’t say that lightly. This was one of the funniest and most heartfelt books I’ve read in a minute and reminded me once again why fake dating is my favorite trope.
Also 100/10 for one of my favorite meet cutes of all time. Rafe and Lulu were perfection from the moment they met and their subsequent banter (also hi Beefcake! I love that kid)
But really everything about this sucked me in and kept me reading. I couldn’t put this book down. The banter and tension were perfection, and the way they went from this teasing frenemy zone to fake dating to more was just so good.
As always the text threads and cameos made me feral because they are one of my favorite parts of a Laura book!
Lulu might just be my favorite heroine of all time in this world and I swear I want to be her when I grow up.
Absolutely devoured this. Loved every second of it and cannot wait for more!
✨ Hilarious Meet Cute ✨ Frenemies to Lovers ✨ Fake Dating ✨ Small Town ✨ Found Family Vibes
This was so cute! Gosh I love this series and Laura is quickly becoming a favorite author and auto buy.
This is the second book in the series and while you done have to read this first book you should because it’s awesome!
You know a book is going to be excellent when the main female character, Lulu, throat punches the main male character, Rafe. I literally loled and my husband just looked at me funny.
Lulu is trying to show her family that she has moved on from her crazy ex and Rafe is trying to show his boss’ daughter that he isn’t interested so they team up to fake date. And we all know how that goes! Love fake dating! Lulu and Rafe start really dating but there is an expiration date because she is moving to Paris to pursue her girl boss dreams.
This book was romance at its finest in my opinion! It is such a great representation of the genre and it truly gave me classic romantic comedy movie vibes.
Lulu was such an incredible FMC. She was a total spitfire and had me laughing out loud at every turn. Vanessa Edwin absolutely knocked her character out of the park and performed her character perfectly. On the flip side, Rafe was SO charming! While he played the part of reformed playboy perfectly I found myself being like "well I see why the ladies like you" haha! Sean Masters was the perfect Rafe and his performance in duet with Vanessa made the experience of reading this book that much better!
On top of all of this, the tropes were executed so well. This was the perfect fake dating small town romance. And if you have been looking for a classic third act with the perfect swoony grand gesture, look no further. It was a light and easy read that I am sure I will find myself recommending A LOT!
The way they just fall into stride with each other as they navigated fake dating was my favorite thing. There were no “uh-oh” moments because they were just meant to be.
-Fake Dating -Possesive MMC & FMC -Independent FMC who can hold her own & beat the 💩 out of anyone who tries her -Beautifully written family dynamic -MMC who pays attention and knows everything about his girl
Lulu is an absolute spitfire & very much so gave me “Willa Grant” vibes at times. I adore her!
Rafe is one of the most perfect MMC’s IMO. He is possessive, but also lets Lulu handle her own.
Laura always does it for me! I can’t wait for book 3!
This is another fantastic read from Laura, and wow, it did not disappoint! After the first book, I was eager to dive into Lulu's story, and it was everything I hoped for. The banter, the tension, and the spice were all on point! Lulu and Rafe are seriously perfect for each other, and I found myself rooting for them from the very start to the end.
After a rough breakup, Lulu decides to take some time to unwind and clear her head by spending three months with her best friend, Henley, in the charming Rosewood River. That’s where she meets Rafe, who just so happens to be the brother of Henley’s boyfriend. Their first meeting was not smooth (but super memorable!), and it sparked a bit of animosity between them. When they need a fake date, they strike a deal and start helping each other out. But things get complicated as their feelings begin to blur the lines.
I loved Lulu—she’s strong, feisty, talented, and smart! A successful jewelry designer, she built her company, MSL, from scratch. What I appreciated about her is that even though she comes from money, she’s not spoiled; she’s fiercely independent, hardworking, and determined, but she also has this vulnerability. And Rafe? Oh my goodness, what a charming guy! He’s smart, loyal, and caring, and I loved how he won over Lulu’s family with his charm. Seeing his protective side and how thoughtful he was towards Lulu was such a treat. Their relationship is a delicious slow burn, with palpable chemistry.
As always, the side characters were a joy! The funny text exchanges between the siblings had me laughing out loud, and the friendship between Henley and Lulu is so heartwarming. I also loved Lulu's interactions with the Chadwicks. All in all, this was an amazing read! There were hilarious moments that made me laugh, and swoon-worthy ones that made my heart melt. I completely fell in love with these characters, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Obsessed is an understatement. This series is becoming an all-time favourite. I love the way Laura writes small town romances.
Lulu is staying in Rosewood River for a few months to spend time with her bestie, Henley, and get her life back on track before moving to Paris. Rafe is the brother of her best friend's boyfriend and he is staying in the guest house next door whilst his house is being renovated.
Lulu and Rafe have an unexpected, but hilarious meet-cute where Lulu throat punches Rafe, thinking he is an intruder. It's easy to say that this doesn't go down well and they dislike each other from the start. However, they quickly discover that they can help each other out. Lulu has told her family that she has a boyfriend and Rafe has told his boss that he will bring his girlfriend to his upcoming wedding. They agree to fake date each other to get out of these sticky situations, but it isn't long until rules are broken and lines are blurred.
I'm a sucker for fake dating. My absolute favourite trope. This was written so well and full of cute moments, fun banter and great side characters.
Lulu has become a favourite FMC. She was hilarious and always had a witty comeback. She was confident and a kick ass boss lady. Rafe was so confident with his life, until Lulu came and turned his world upside down. He is the golden boy of the town. He was so kind and charming, I couldn't help but love him.
I really enjoyed seeing more of the Magnolia Falls crew in this book. Beefcake is still the best child character. That boy has some game with the ladies and is full of wisdom and advice when his Uncle Rafe needed it.
Thank you Laura Pavlov and Valentine PR for an early e-book copy. I cannot get enough of this series and I am really looking forward to reading Over The Moon when it's released.
- Fake Dating - Small Town Romance - Enemies to Lovers - He Falls First - Forced Proximity - Found Family
As usual, I was super elated to go back to this series! This is the 2nd book of 'Rosewood River' series, but it can be read as a standalone too. Thank youu sooo much Laura and Valentine Pr for this early copy!
Rafael was temporarily staying in his brother's guesthouse, while his own home was being renovated. Lulu Sonnet, Haley's best friend, was going to stay for a couple of months in Easton's main house, because he was now staying with his girlfriend, Hailey and offered his home to Lulu.
This close proximity will only bring tension between Rafa and Lulu, even from their first encounter. But their situations made them put everything behind in order to play their parts in a very tricky fake relationship. Why was tricky? Because nothing will go the way they planned and their whole thing will go in flames only after their first day as a fake couple😂. Rafa needed someone on his arm to get rid of the harassments from his bosse's daughter and Lulu needed him to stop the harsh words her cousin Charlotte always had against her. Only to all that, Lulu's ex boyfriend will become the cherry on top.
I had suuuuch a great time following the constant bickering and banter of these two! As I mentioned, even from their first encounter they had something to fight over for. It was such a funny moment, which was followed by so many more! This funny tension between them made me fall in love with this book and with them, being so delicious to watch. Of course, other characters from the 1st book and from 'Magnolia Falls' series made their appearances too, which perfectly completed the whole story.
Another book by Laura Pavlov which I adore and had such an amazing time reading it! It was such a delightful to follow this fake relationship, which was filled with sarcasm and funny parts😂. Definitely I'm recommending it for all of you to read it!!
This was such a fun fake dating romance! Laura's banter is always top tier, and I loved how these two would poke at each other while also catching feelings. It was so cute how they both needed a fake date, so they both took each other to different events as their significant other. Things really took a turn when she took him to her family event, and he saw how some people treated her. And once they gave into their physical connection, there was no looking back.
The found family aspect in this was great as always and I loved the Beefcake appearances!!
The way I SOBBED reading this! Every single time I read a new Laura Pavlov book, I'm like, wow, this is my new favorite one! Then Laura writes a new one, and my cycle continues, and I'm not mad at all about it. From the moment Rafe and Lulu met, the smile never left my face. The banter, the spice, and the everything between these two characters are absolutely magnetic.
I would like to use this review as an opportunity to say that the necessary shower stall size to make most romance scenes feasible does not exist in most homes and hotels. Same with bathtubs.
Laura Pavlov's My Silver Lining is the second book in the Rosewood River series. It can be read as a standalone.
What an unforgettable read! This is the first Laura Pavlov book I've read, and I'm a fan! The story drew me in immediately. I adore all things small town romance! From the start, there was witty banter and plenty of snark. I totally adored it!
The story revolves around Lulu and Rafe. These two fight hard as enemies, but that gradually changes. Rafe is the epitome of a golden retriever and falls first. I truly adored Rafe and his sweetness! Lulu is a strong entrepreneur who is focused on expanding her business. I admired her confidence and the way she stood up for Rafe and he for her.
Audiobook Narration:
Vanessa Edwin and Sean Masters provided a duet narration. They are amazing! They are both extremely gifted; I could listen to them read anything. They are the perfect voices for Lulu and Rafe, bringing them to life wonderfully. Vanessa and Sean expertly handled the characters' banter, and I felt every emotion. This was an incredible listening experience, and I wholeheartedly suggest this audiobook.
Many thanks to Laura Pavlov and Valentine PR for this opportunity and the advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
What to Expect: * Enemies to Lovers * Forced Proximity * Found Family * Fake Dating * Small Town * Banter * Open Door Romance
3.75⭐️ This is my second book by Laura Pavlov & although I did enjoy book 1 more, I can see why she’s known for her small town romances. -Found family -Fake Dating -Small town -Meet cute -“Hate” to love
This was just a steamy, sweet, & “cozy” read. Your classic small town, found family vibes that never fail to hit every single time. The banter back & forth between Rafe and Lulu was the best, & their little meet cute was everything! I absolutely lovedddd Rafe’s character, he was so incredibly attentive towards Lulu & was truly a MMC that LISTENS & SHOWS it!! Lulu’s personality was so fun & always keeps you on your toes! And of course, I loved the Cameos of the other couple from book 1 & I’m already so excited for the other books to come!
Lulu and Rafe’s story starts with a hilarious first meeting that sets the tone for their dynamic. Their playful banter and countless funny moments make their connection feel effortless and genuine. When they agree to a fake dating arrangement, their chemistry quickly intensifies but with Lulu’s plans to move to Paris and focus on her jewelry business, their time together feels limited. Their journey is equal parts funny, heartwarming, and steamy, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Sean Masters and Vanessa Edwin deliver fantastic narration, bringing Lulu and Rafe’s vibrant personalities and flirty energy to life. Their voices complement each other perfectly, making this audiobook a must listen for fans of lighthearted yet passionate romance.
Thank you, Laura Pavlov and Valentine PR for the ALC.