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Olivia's Only Pretending
Olivia Rhode's spent the last couple of years after her bad breakup building a life for herself and strong walls around her heart.
That is until last summer when Victor Hernandez showed up in her life knocking down walls in her fixer upper house—and in her heart.
What started as an offer to help her renovate her house, quickly turned into a close friendship. And “close friends” is all she can ever be with the younger, flirtier best friend she’s ever had.
She’s honestly not looking for any kind of romance. She’s busy enough with her life as a professor.
Things get busier when the fall semester begins. Not only is her ex-boyfriend back on campus as a visiting professor, but now the whole history department is talking about her hot new boyfriend…Victor.
But, even if Olivia’s only pretending to make things easier on campus, calling Victor her boyfriend actually feels really nice, and maybe even…really right.
That is until last summer when Victor Hernandez showed up in her life knocking down walls in her fixer upper house—and in her heart.
What started as an offer to help her renovate her house, quickly turned into a close friendship. And “close friends” is all she can ever be with the younger, flirtier best friend she’s ever had.
She’s honestly not looking for any kind of romance. She’s busy enough with her life as a professor.
Things get busier when the fall semester begins. Not only is her ex-boyfriend back on campus as a visiting professor, but now the whole history department is talking about her hot new boyfriend…Victor.
But, even if Olivia’s only pretending to make things easier on campus, calling Victor her boyfriend actually feels really nice, and maybe even…really right.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
16 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Jo Jackson
6 books147 followersRebecca Jo Jackson writes love stories that make you swoon. She grew up in a small town in TX, but now lives and writes in California.
Find her on Instagram @authorrebeccajojackson
Find her on Instagram @authorrebeccajojackson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
November 12, 2025
Oh I loved this so much. I had rated Lucy's book 5 stars, preceding this one, as well and it was just so lovely to be back in Sweet River with the Rhodes sisters for Olivia's story.
Indie single POV romances with relatable female protagonist character development do not get better than this. I promise you, you will not miss Victor's POV and I mean that in the best way possible. I absolutely felt like I understood (and LOVED) Victor's character despite only getting him through Olivia's lens. His character portrait was shaped so well through hers. I was bought into their friends to more from beginning to end and it was navigated so realistically.
I totally ate up Olivia's dynamic with her sisters and mother as well. I not only related to Olivia's eldest daughter plight but also her defense mechanisms rooted in her father leaving their family when she was young and growing up in a single-parent household. The author includes this depth while also keeping it light-hearted. Another thing that just worked out completely subjectively for me is Olivia is 29 and I am too, so she just felt super relatable to me at this point in time. Olivia is an FMC after my own heart, I love her.
I could picture the author's writing so well! Olivia's college workplace setting as a history professor was such a vibe and added a nice touch to an autumnal romance. I loved Victor and Olivia together. The chemistry was fantastic. Victor's love language is totally acts of service btw!! All the tropes delivered just the right amount in their respective ways. A satisfying ending and epilogue as well! I am very excited for the last Rhodes sister, Gracie, to get her story. We got more of her teased in this book and I'm sure it sets the next one up so nicely. My copy was kindly sent to me by the author, but these are my honest raving thoughts!
In this book:
-friends to more
-fake dating
-reverse age gap (5 years)
-single POV
-golden retriever MMC
-small town
-he fell first
-eldest daughter woes
Content Guide:
romance - clean
language - clean
violence - clean
Indie single POV romances with relatable female protagonist character development do not get better than this. I promise you, you will not miss Victor's POV and I mean that in the best way possible. I absolutely felt like I understood (and LOVED) Victor's character despite only getting him through Olivia's lens. His character portrait was shaped so well through hers. I was bought into their friends to more from beginning to end and it was navigated so realistically.
I totally ate up Olivia's dynamic with her sisters and mother as well. I not only related to Olivia's eldest daughter plight but also her defense mechanisms rooted in her father leaving their family when she was young and growing up in a single-parent household. The author includes this depth while also keeping it light-hearted. Another thing that just worked out completely subjectively for me is Olivia is 29 and I am too, so she just felt super relatable to me at this point in time. Olivia is an FMC after my own heart, I love her.
I could picture the author's writing so well! Olivia's college workplace setting as a history professor was such a vibe and added a nice touch to an autumnal romance. I loved Victor and Olivia together. The chemistry was fantastic. Victor's love language is totally acts of service btw!! All the tropes delivered just the right amount in their respective ways. A satisfying ending and epilogue as well! I am very excited for the last Rhodes sister, Gracie, to get her story. We got more of her teased in this book and I'm sure it sets the next one up so nicely. My copy was kindly sent to me by the author, but these are my honest raving thoughts!
In this book:
-friends to more
-fake dating
-reverse age gap (5 years)
-single POV
-golden retriever MMC
-small town
-he fell first
-eldest daughter woes
Content Guide:
romance - clean
language - clean
violence - clean
August 4, 2025
If you’re looking for a sweet and swoony friends to more story with smalltown charm and a touch of faith… look no further!
I adored Olivia and Victor, or should I say “Volivia”? 🤭 the family vibe in this book is one of the best parts. Olivia had such an amazing support system (though she needed to speak up more!) and I loved seeing more of Lucy and Adam after having read their story.
I would have loved to be inside Victor’s head! I loved his caring personality, his friendship with Olivia, and the way that he was her “safe zone” and vice versa.
I adored Olivia and Victor, or should I say “Volivia”? 🤭 the family vibe in this book is one of the best parts. Olivia had such an amazing support system (though she needed to speak up more!) and I loved seeing more of Lucy and Adam after having read their story.
I would have loved to be inside Victor’s head! I loved his caring personality, his friendship with Olivia, and the way that he was her “safe zone” and vice versa.
September 7, 2025
5⭐️ ARC Review: This book was absolute perfection. My favorite by Rebecca so far! The chemistry between the characters was OFF. THE. CHARTS! The setting and vibes were so cozy. The writing, the fake dating, and literally everything else was so sweet and perfect!
I loved Victor and Olivia! As I said, their chemistry was on fire! Friends to lovers sometimes doesn't work for me, but oh my goodness, partner that trope with fake dating and you have me sat! They were so cute and wholesome. Victor was such a green flag in literally every way. The things he did for Olivia had me swooning. I loved them so much.
If I could only use one word to describe Rebecca's writing, it would be cozy. You can get lost in it. You fall in love with the small town, the family relationships, the romance, the characters, the story, all of it. Ugh it's all so sweet and perfect. Gracie's story is one I am very much looking forward to. She deserves a happily ever after immediately!
This is literally the most perfect fall read ever! I loved it so much. It’s a book I’ll read every fall!
*Thank you to the author, Rebecca Jo Jackson, for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you enjoy:
- Fake dating
- Best friends to lovers
- Single POV
- Clean romance
- Golden retriever MMC
- Reverse age gap
- Fall vibes
- He falls first and harder
Content 💋:
- Kisses only
- No language
I loved Victor and Olivia! As I said, their chemistry was on fire! Friends to lovers sometimes doesn't work for me, but oh my goodness, partner that trope with fake dating and you have me sat! They were so cute and wholesome. Victor was such a green flag in literally every way. The things he did for Olivia had me swooning. I loved them so much.
If I could only use one word to describe Rebecca's writing, it would be cozy. You can get lost in it. You fall in love with the small town, the family relationships, the romance, the characters, the story, all of it. Ugh it's all so sweet and perfect. Gracie's story is one I am very much looking forward to. She deserves a happily ever after immediately!
This is literally the most perfect fall read ever! I loved it so much. It’s a book I’ll read every fall!
*Thank you to the author, Rebecca Jo Jackson, for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you enjoy:
- Fake dating
- Best friends to lovers
- Single POV
- Clean romance
- Golden retriever MMC
- Reverse age gap
- Fall vibes
- He falls first and harder
Content 💋:
- Kisses only
- No language
August 4, 2025
There's just something about the way that Rebecca Jo Jackson writes romance that just feels... cozy! And the fall vibes in this one only make it more so. Olivia and Victor have such a sweet relationship. Even as friends, I love how he shows up for her... but when her ex shows up unexpectedly, giving them a reason to pretend to be more for a bit? Well, it doesn't seem like it's actually pretend for either one of them! The chemistry was undeniable and those kisses? Oh, so good! I truly couldn't help but love these two together. And of course, I loved spending more time with the Rhodes family and their meddling (spying) ways that had me smiling! This book truly felt like curling up with a cozy blanket and a warm mug of coffee on a cool fall day... and I was absolutely here for it!
Olivia's Only Pretending is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have very minimal minor language. It is the third book in the Sweet River Series. While familiar characters do make appearances, I do think this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Olivia's Only Pretending is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have very minimal minor language. It is the third book in the Sweet River Series. While familiar characters do make appearances, I do think this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Victor Hernadas & Olivia Rhodes
- single POV
- Professor FMC
- Carpenter, golden retriever MMC
- Reverse age gap (29 & 24)
- House projects
- Best friends to lovers
- Sorta fake dating, more just denial 😂
- Fall setting
- Small town vibes
- Adorable meetcute
- Author includes playlist
✨ a few of my favorite things:
- how they are truly best friends
- How patient Victor is
- How they do little things for each other like get coffee or each others favorite candy
- All the sisters’ relationships 🥹
- The love confessions!!!!
- The chemistry! The pull they have towards one another.
- The baby girl nickname 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 3 of the Series
This one was so stinking cute. Best friends to lovers are my favorite and this one was so so sweet. Victor and Olivia were truly each other’s best friends supporting one another. They encourage one another and help the other see clearly when they are too in their heads. Victor and Olivia have fun!
I really enjoyed Olivia’s character arc. She had growth but wasn’t magically better. She had to try and fail a little before she truly figured out how to ask for help, share her feelings, and let people in. It wasn’t overnight growth but very human and noteworthy. She struggled hard figuring out what she wanted and was wishy washy because of fear. We get a lot of her thought process so you can see her thought patterns change as she finally stops pretending 😉.
This is a clean closed door romance with nondescript kissing. There are light Christian themes throughout and no suggestive humor.
Songs:
Fragile by Hunger Hayes
Banks by NEEDTOBREATHE
Drunk girls in a bathroom by Maddie & Tae
Home by Good Neighbors
Electric feel by MGMT
Get me some of that by Thomas Rhett
Play pretend by Alex Sampson
There She Goes by Alex Sampson ***
The way I loved you by Taylor Swift
Treacherous by Taylor Swift
Begin Again by Taylor swift ****
Victor Hernadas & Olivia Rhodes
- single POV
- Professor FMC
- Carpenter, golden retriever MMC
- Reverse age gap (29 & 24)
- House projects
- Best friends to lovers
- Sorta fake dating, more just denial 😂
- Fall setting
- Small town vibes
- Adorable meetcute
- Author includes playlist
✨ a few of my favorite things:
- how they are truly best friends
- How patient Victor is
- How they do little things for each other like get coffee or each others favorite candy
- All the sisters’ relationships 🥹
- The love confessions!!!!
- The chemistry! The pull they have towards one another.
- The baby girl nickname 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 3 of the Series
This one was so stinking cute. Best friends to lovers are my favorite and this one was so so sweet. Victor and Olivia were truly each other’s best friends supporting one another. They encourage one another and help the other see clearly when they are too in their heads. Victor and Olivia have fun!
I really enjoyed Olivia’s character arc. She had growth but wasn’t magically better. She had to try and fail a little before she truly figured out how to ask for help, share her feelings, and let people in. It wasn’t overnight growth but very human and noteworthy. She struggled hard figuring out what she wanted and was wishy washy because of fear. We get a lot of her thought process so you can see her thought patterns change as she finally stops pretending 😉.
This is a clean closed door romance with nondescript kissing. There are light Christian themes throughout and no suggestive humor.
Songs:
Fragile by Hunger Hayes
Banks by NEEDTOBREATHE
Drunk girls in a bathroom by Maddie & Tae
Home by Good Neighbors
Electric feel by MGMT
Get me some of that by Thomas Rhett
Play pretend by Alex Sampson
There She Goes by Alex Sampson ***
The way I loved you by Taylor Swift
Treacherous by Taylor Swift
Begin Again by Taylor swift ****
September 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Format: e-ARC
Genre: Contemporary romance (-1🌶️)
Series: Sweet River series, book #4
——
Olivia Rhodes is a college professor rebuilding her life after a painful breakup. Enter Victor Hernández—her house renovation contractor and unexpectedly, her flirtatious best friend. Olivia’s dismissive “fake dating” plan evolves as Victor becomes her pretend boyfriend, making campus gossip swirl. When her ex returns to the faculty, the arrangement starts to feel sweeter, and surprisingly real. Together, Olivia and Victor navigate renewal, friendship, and the blurred line between pretending and falling in love.
——
First off, a huge thank you to Rebecca Jo Jackson for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Olivia’s Only Pretending tells the story of Olivia Rhodes, a college professor, and Victor Hernández, a woodworker, who transition from best friends to lovers. What makes this story shine is how relatable it is—it reminded me of a personal experience from years ago, which made me connect with it on an even deeper level.
The book is brimming with some of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, slow burn, found family, and even a refreshing reverse age gap. What I adored most, though, was the choice to keep the romance closed-door. In today’s romance market, the line between romance and smut often feels blurred, and this book was such a breath of fresh air. It proved that a story can be passionate, tender, and absolutely satisfying without needing explicit scenes. In fact, I’d confidently recommend this both to adult romance lovers and even YA readers.
Rebecca Jo Jackson also nailed pacing. At around 300 pages, this book is the perfect length—tight, thorough, and cohesive. Despite its size, it felt rich and expansive, and by the end I was still craving more (which rarely happens for me).
This was my first time dipping into the Sweet River series, and while I haven’t read the other books yet, it never once felt like I was missing context. That’s not easy to pull off with interconnected standalones, but Jackson did it seamlessly. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series to experience these characters from different perspectives.
Overall: Olivia’s Only Pretending is a tender, heartfelt romance with just the right mix of humor, heart, and found family warmth. It’s one I’ll happily recommend to romance readers looking for something genuine and uplifting. Bravo, Rebecca Jo Jackson, this one truly stole my heart! 💕
Format: e-ARC
Genre: Contemporary romance (-1🌶️)
Series: Sweet River series, book #4
——
Olivia Rhodes is a college professor rebuilding her life after a painful breakup. Enter Victor Hernández—her house renovation contractor and unexpectedly, her flirtatious best friend. Olivia’s dismissive “fake dating” plan evolves as Victor becomes her pretend boyfriend, making campus gossip swirl. When her ex returns to the faculty, the arrangement starts to feel sweeter, and surprisingly real. Together, Olivia and Victor navigate renewal, friendship, and the blurred line between pretending and falling in love.
——
First off, a huge thank you to Rebecca Jo Jackson for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Olivia’s Only Pretending tells the story of Olivia Rhodes, a college professor, and Victor Hernández, a woodworker, who transition from best friends to lovers. What makes this story shine is how relatable it is—it reminded me of a personal experience from years ago, which made me connect with it on an even deeper level.
The book is brimming with some of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, slow burn, found family, and even a refreshing reverse age gap. What I adored most, though, was the choice to keep the romance closed-door. In today’s romance market, the line between romance and smut often feels blurred, and this book was such a breath of fresh air. It proved that a story can be passionate, tender, and absolutely satisfying without needing explicit scenes. In fact, I’d confidently recommend this both to adult romance lovers and even YA readers.
Rebecca Jo Jackson also nailed pacing. At around 300 pages, this book is the perfect length—tight, thorough, and cohesive. Despite its size, it felt rich and expansive, and by the end I was still craving more (which rarely happens for me).
This was my first time dipping into the Sweet River series, and while I haven’t read the other books yet, it never once felt like I was missing context. That’s not easy to pull off with interconnected standalones, but Jackson did it seamlessly. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series to experience these characters from different perspectives.
Overall: Olivia’s Only Pretending is a tender, heartfelt romance with just the right mix of humor, heart, and found family warmth. It’s one I’ll happily recommend to romance readers looking for something genuine and uplifting. Bravo, Rebecca Jo Jackson, this one truly stole my heart! 💕
July 31, 2025
OLIVIA’S ONLY PRETENDING 🍂💜
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
TROPES: friends to lovers, fake dating, reverse age gap, small town romance, golden retriever MMC, fall vibes, flirtatious x serious❤️🔥
SPICE: 0.5/5- clean, closed door romance, kissing only!
If you are looking for a cute, cozy and clean fall romance, this is the perfect book for you!
Olivia has spent the last couple years building a life for herself and protecting her heart after a bad breakup. That is until Victor showed up in her life after helping with her fixer upper house. They are now close friends, and he is younger than Olivia. Olivia knows that is all they will ever be- close friends.
She’s a professor at the local college, and now her ex-boyfriend is also on campus as a visiting professor, and nobody can stop talking about her ‘hot new boyfriend’, Victor. Olivia is only pretending that Victor is her boyfriend, or is she?
First off- WOW! This book is such a cute romance!
The fake dating added the perfect amount of tension and fun! They had such a strong connection from the very beginning, but watching Olivia slowly open up to Victor and them falling for each other was absolutely lovely. Victor is an absolute sweetheart, and I just might have loved him just as much as Olivia.
Olivia has such a supportive family and she is SO loved. This book is so wholesome!
Publishing Date: 8/26/25
Huge thank you to author Rebecca Jo Jackson for giving me the privilege to read this amazing E-ARC! Congratulations on your amazing book!
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
TROPES: friends to lovers, fake dating, reverse age gap, small town romance, golden retriever MMC, fall vibes, flirtatious x serious❤️🔥
SPICE: 0.5/5- clean, closed door romance, kissing only!
If you are looking for a cute, cozy and clean fall romance, this is the perfect book for you!
Olivia has spent the last couple years building a life for herself and protecting her heart after a bad breakup. That is until Victor showed up in her life after helping with her fixer upper house. They are now close friends, and he is younger than Olivia. Olivia knows that is all they will ever be- close friends.
She’s a professor at the local college, and now her ex-boyfriend is also on campus as a visiting professor, and nobody can stop talking about her ‘hot new boyfriend’, Victor. Olivia is only pretending that Victor is her boyfriend, or is she?
First off- WOW! This book is such a cute romance!
The fake dating added the perfect amount of tension and fun! They had such a strong connection from the very beginning, but watching Olivia slowly open up to Victor and them falling for each other was absolutely lovely. Victor is an absolute sweetheart, and I just might have loved him just as much as Olivia.
Olivia has such a supportive family and she is SO loved. This book is so wholesome!
Publishing Date: 8/26/25
Huge thank you to author Rebecca Jo Jackson for giving me the privilege to read this amazing E-ARC! Congratulations on your amazing book!
August 17, 2025
Book Synopsis: Olivia’s Only Pretending is a book about a girl named Olivia. Olivia is a 29 year old history professor who hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to dating. After her recent yet tragic breakup with her manipulative ex-boyfriend Ryan, she starts to focus on herself by building a life for herself outside of their relationship and by guarding her heart from any potential heartbreak. One way that she decides to focus on building a life for herself is by purchasing a fixer upper house, which has always been a dream of hers.
On a random summer day she decides to meet up with her sister Lucy and her then work partner named Adam at a local shop in Sweet River named Coffees and Comma’s. Little does she know, Adam’s handsome 24 year old assistant named Victor decided to tagged along too. That summer afternoon, Victor proposes to wait with her in line in order to order their lattes. While waiting in line, they talk about everything under the sun and he eventually offers to help her with her house renovations that she briefly mentions, since he does woodworking and carpentry. It takes a little bit, but she eventually agrees to his offer. As time goes on while working on her house projects ,they blossom a beautiful “friendship”. The reason why I say friendship in quotation marks, is because Victor has liked her since the day he first laid eyes on her.
With Olivia’s upcoming fall semester in tow, she suddenly finds out her ex-boyfriend Ryan is back in town as a visiting professor. In order to help her cope with his presence, Victor offers to accompany her to all her work events that fall semester. While attending said work events, Olivia’s fellow coworkers start to believe her and Victor are an actual couple and they decide to run with it. Not necessarily confirming their beliefs, but allowing them to believe what they think. Although, as time goes on it becomes harder and harder for Olivia to pretend to date Victor because she starts to fall for him. Little does she know Victor was never pretending, he has always saw her as more than a friend. The question is, will Olivia ever be honest with herself and put her heart on the line in order to confess her true feelings to Victor or will it be too late and she will miss out on what is right in front of her?! Read to find out!
Book Review: This friends to lovers romance novel is perfection! It is relatable, funny, cozy, wholesome, and heartwarming! From the first sentence of the book, to the very last I was laughing, blushing, and crying. Now I am not taking about a sad kind of cry, but rather a cuteness overload kind of cry. What can I say, this book just kind of hit home! In more ways than one. One reason being, is how relatable the FMC was. As a fellow daughter of divorce and a fellow female who was convinced she met the love of her life only to wind up single and heartbroken, I resonated with her wholeheartedly. Like Olivia I had also have given up on love but after reading this novel, it has opened my eyes to what is yet to come and what I am looking for in my future spouse. I want me a Victor! I want me someone who is kind, selfless, humble, thoughtful, patient, witty, spontaneous, supportive, and of course charming! He is literally the definition of what a significant other should be like. It has also taught me to be patient and not settle. The right one will come at the right timing and when you least expect it. That being said, I also truly admired how this story was written. I feel as though it flowed perfectly, while being engaging the whole time. The story was beautifully, yet delicately wrapped up with no loose ends! It also had the perfect amount of frustration and tension. It was the perfect slow burn! In other words, all the built up tension didn’t flat line, but instead kept me on my toes! I also love that we got a happy ending! Nothing beats a good rom com with a happy ending! And bonus points because the FMC and MMC only kissed! Being a fellow Christian, I truly admired that along with the mention of God multiple times throughout this book! I cannot wait to see what is next for Rebecca Jo Jackson! This is going to be a hit!
Would I Recommend: Yes, a million times yes! If you love books that encompass summer/autumn vibes, friends to lovers, fake dating, age gap and/or small town romance you will thoroughly enjoy this story! You may even binge read it just like I did! It is just that good! Once you pick it up, you can’t put it down! That being said, Rebecca you are a mastermind! In 307 pages you gave a beautiful beginning and end of a story! All of my worries and questions were answered enough to be fully satisfied with how this book ended, yet you allowed room for my imagination to run wild. I will forever be grateful that I stumbled across your page randomly on instagram and took the chance of signing up to be your arc reader! I truly feel like this book has changed my life, in many ways! Not only did a gain a new favorite author, but I also gained a new perspective on love and that is all thanks to you! So thank you for taking the risk and allowing me to be apart of something so sacred! You have a forever supporter in me! I cannot wait to see where this release takes you! I know you are going to go far! <3
On a random summer day she decides to meet up with her sister Lucy and her then work partner named Adam at a local shop in Sweet River named Coffees and Comma’s. Little does she know, Adam’s handsome 24 year old assistant named Victor decided to tagged along too. That summer afternoon, Victor proposes to wait with her in line in order to order their lattes. While waiting in line, they talk about everything under the sun and he eventually offers to help her with her house renovations that she briefly mentions, since he does woodworking and carpentry. It takes a little bit, but she eventually agrees to his offer. As time goes on while working on her house projects ,they blossom a beautiful “friendship”. The reason why I say friendship in quotation marks, is because Victor has liked her since the day he first laid eyes on her.
With Olivia’s upcoming fall semester in tow, she suddenly finds out her ex-boyfriend Ryan is back in town as a visiting professor. In order to help her cope with his presence, Victor offers to accompany her to all her work events that fall semester. While attending said work events, Olivia’s fellow coworkers start to believe her and Victor are an actual couple and they decide to run with it. Not necessarily confirming their beliefs, but allowing them to believe what they think. Although, as time goes on it becomes harder and harder for Olivia to pretend to date Victor because she starts to fall for him. Little does she know Victor was never pretending, he has always saw her as more than a friend. The question is, will Olivia ever be honest with herself and put her heart on the line in order to confess her true feelings to Victor or will it be too late and she will miss out on what is right in front of her?! Read to find out!
Book Review: This friends to lovers romance novel is perfection! It is relatable, funny, cozy, wholesome, and heartwarming! From the first sentence of the book, to the very last I was laughing, blushing, and crying. Now I am not taking about a sad kind of cry, but rather a cuteness overload kind of cry. What can I say, this book just kind of hit home! In more ways than one. One reason being, is how relatable the FMC was. As a fellow daughter of divorce and a fellow female who was convinced she met the love of her life only to wind up single and heartbroken, I resonated with her wholeheartedly. Like Olivia I had also have given up on love but after reading this novel, it has opened my eyes to what is yet to come and what I am looking for in my future spouse. I want me a Victor! I want me someone who is kind, selfless, humble, thoughtful, patient, witty, spontaneous, supportive, and of course charming! He is literally the definition of what a significant other should be like. It has also taught me to be patient and not settle. The right one will come at the right timing and when you least expect it. That being said, I also truly admired how this story was written. I feel as though it flowed perfectly, while being engaging the whole time. The story was beautifully, yet delicately wrapped up with no loose ends! It also had the perfect amount of frustration and tension. It was the perfect slow burn! In other words, all the built up tension didn’t flat line, but instead kept me on my toes! I also love that we got a happy ending! Nothing beats a good rom com with a happy ending! And bonus points because the FMC and MMC only kissed! Being a fellow Christian, I truly admired that along with the mention of God multiple times throughout this book! I cannot wait to see what is next for Rebecca Jo Jackson! This is going to be a hit!
Would I Recommend: Yes, a million times yes! If you love books that encompass summer/autumn vibes, friends to lovers, fake dating, age gap and/or small town romance you will thoroughly enjoy this story! You may even binge read it just like I did! It is just that good! Once you pick it up, you can’t put it down! That being said, Rebecca you are a mastermind! In 307 pages you gave a beautiful beginning and end of a story! All of my worries and questions were answered enough to be fully satisfied with how this book ended, yet you allowed room for my imagination to run wild. I will forever be grateful that I stumbled across your page randomly on instagram and took the chance of signing up to be your arc reader! I truly feel like this book has changed my life, in many ways! Not only did a gain a new favorite author, but I also gained a new perspective on love and that is all thanks to you! So thank you for taking the risk and allowing me to be apart of something so sacred! You have a forever supporter in me! I cannot wait to see where this release takes you! I know you are going to go far! <3
August 3, 2025
I don’t remember how exactly I even came across this author but goodness I’m glad I did!
I was fortunate enough to get this e-book as an ARC & promised myself I would be honest & true to myself when reviewing. I am super pleased that I loved this book so much!
Set in a small town in Texas, professor Olivia Rhodes loves her job, her family, and renovating the old historical house she bought, with the help of her handyman best friend Victor Hernandez.
Olivia & Victor have such fun & flirty banter but this isn’t just a cutesy romance book with no plot. Olivia holds her feelings & her heart close to herself in order to avoid getting hurt. Will Victor (who happens to be a few years younger than her) be able to break down her walls & win her heart completely?
This book was so refreshing in the fact that it’s a closed door romance and there was zero cussing throughout the entire book.
I personally feel it’s hard to find good writing in romance books that also don’t have a ton of cussing and unnecessary spice. This book still gives you ALL the feels without getting super explicit.
ALSO, it’s set during my favorite time of year (Fall 🍁) and it got me so ready to celebrate autumn!
book available August 26, 2025
I was fortunate enough to get this e-book as an ARC & promised myself I would be honest & true to myself when reviewing. I am super pleased that I loved this book so much!
Set in a small town in Texas, professor Olivia Rhodes loves her job, her family, and renovating the old historical house she bought, with the help of her handyman best friend Victor Hernandez.
Olivia & Victor have such fun & flirty banter but this isn’t just a cutesy romance book with no plot. Olivia holds her feelings & her heart close to herself in order to avoid getting hurt. Will Victor (who happens to be a few years younger than her) be able to break down her walls & win her heart completely?
This book was so refreshing in the fact that it’s a closed door romance and there was zero cussing throughout the entire book.
I personally feel it’s hard to find good writing in romance books that also don’t have a ton of cussing and unnecessary spice. This book still gives you ALL the feels without getting super explicit.
ALSO, it’s set during my favorite time of year (Fall 🍁) and it got me so ready to celebrate autumn!
book available August 26, 2025
August 15, 2025
I had a great time reading this one! There were a lot of things I loved. First of all, the fake dating! One of my favorite tropes.Victor was a pretty swoon-worthy MMC- I loved seeing him be both carefree and flirty but also so intentional and caring. He adored Olivia, which made me adore him! I really liked Olivia, too, but she frustrated me a little (but I think that was the point). It was clear to literally everyone but her that she and Victor were inevitable. I loved seeing their friendship banter turn into flirty banter! It was fun to see Olivia, a history professor, construct a new class around romance novels. Both Olivia and Victor’s families were so fun, and I love how they all were rooting for our couple to get together. I’m definitely going to read the other books in this series.
did-not-finish
August 20, 2025I tried so hard to like this book, but I just couldn't finish it. All they're doing is hyping up soooo thickly how they're *only* best friends...but he's just a flirt and obviously loves her and they've already kissed by like the 3rd chapter?? They're NOT acting like *only* best friends with each other, and it's a little sickening, and the chemistry is just not there. Not to mention the story is just so weak and not flowing. I'm sure others will love this one, just not my type.
*I received an e-ARC, all opinions are my own
*I received an e-ARC, all opinions are my own
August 10, 2025
I loved this book and story so much!
Rebecca can write anything and I will read it. She’s forever an auto buy author for me. I love a friends to lovers story. I also love the sisters and other characters making appearances in the story.
Rebecca can write anything and I will read it. She’s forever an auto buy author for me. I love a friends to lovers story. I also love the sisters and other characters making appearances in the story.
August 24, 2025
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy!
These books in the Sweet River Series are just sweet and cute and cozy. Im not coming here for philosophical thoughts or unrelenting drama or even smut.. I'm here for the empowered but still flawed FMC, the adorable MMC whether theyre grumpy, golden retriever, or everything in-between, and the sweet closed door romance that still has you squealing. I will say the dilemma with the two main characters getting together felt a little silly to me but silly in a this is a romance book and its not that serious way. Silly in a just get together already cuz yall cute AF way. I have no clue who's next in this series.. if we get a momma Rhodes speed dating men ala golden Bachelorette book id loose my mind but either way its so much fun to come back to this town and these characters every time.
These books in the Sweet River Series are just sweet and cute and cozy. Im not coming here for philosophical thoughts or unrelenting drama or even smut.. I'm here for the empowered but still flawed FMC, the adorable MMC whether theyre grumpy, golden retriever, or everything in-between, and the sweet closed door romance that still has you squealing. I will say the dilemma with the two main characters getting together felt a little silly to me but silly in a this is a romance book and its not that serious way. Silly in a just get together already cuz yall cute AF way. I have no clue who's next in this series.. if we get a momma Rhodes speed dating men ala golden Bachelorette book id loose my mind but either way its so much fun to come back to this town and these characters every time.
September 25, 2025
This was the perfect fall romance! I was loving all the fall vibes this book gave with the fall leaves and pumpkins. I loved watching Olivia and Victor’s relationship progress from a friendship with all the banter and inside jokes. It was nice to see that they would do anything for one another. This book was just such a cozy read. I highly recommend giving it a read during the fall time with a PSL!!
Read if you enjoy:
Friends to lovers
Banter
Forced Proximity
Closed Door Romance
Slow burn
Small town romance
Reverse age gap
Read if you enjoy:
Friends to lovers
Banter
Forced Proximity
Closed Door Romance
Slow burn
Small town romance
Reverse age gap
August 25, 2025
Olivia’s Only Pretending is my first Rebecca Jo Jackson book but it definitely won’t be my last. This was a fun, sweet, cozy read.
Friends to more is normally one of my least favorite tropes but I really enjoyed how this one played out. No one was waiting in the wings, pinning after the other while watching the other person be with someone else. No one tried to fix the other up, only to be jealous. They didn’t try to intentionally make each other jealous to get the other to admit feelings. I love the banter and tension filled slow burn without all the drama!
Victor’s patience and understanding towards Olivia was incredible. He is sweet, caring, thoughtful, while also being a “hot young buck” with a bit of a reputation. He’s never had a serious relationship and Olivia is afraid to be his first. At one point, Olivia tells her sister “I don’t want to be his first love and lesson learned, while he’s the one I’ve been waiting for.” Victor gets a lot of female attention and it doesn’t help Olivia’s confidence even though it’s obvious to everyone else that he’s gone for her.
Olivia took me on a roller coaster of emotions. At times, I understood her hesitation. Other times, I thought she was being ridiculously obtuse. As another reviewer pointed out, there was a quote in the book said during book club that perfectly sums up my feelings - “I think something that I noticed is how often we get an FMC that is really doubtful and questions not only the obviously amazing hero, but also themselves… Like, I relate, but also, I want to throw my book across the room sometimes!” The “pause” is where my patience with her worn thin. But that paved the way to a really sweet moment that wouldn’t have been the same without everything that led up to it. I was so proud when she finally started saying the scary things. My heart went out to her on karaoke night. It’s like once she cracked, all these emotions and feeling came bubbling out, with everyone, not just Victor.
I loved Victor and Olivia’s families. I’m eager to go back and read the first two books. I can’t wait for the other siblings’ stories to be written.
💜Friends To More
💜Fake Dating
💜College Professor FMC
💜Golden Retriever MMC
💜Reverse Age Gap
💜He’s Flirty, She’s Serious
💜Fun Family Dynamics
💜Slow Burn
💜Tension and Banter
💜He Falls First
💜He Has A Nickname For Her
💜Closed Door
💜Single POV
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Friends to more is normally one of my least favorite tropes but I really enjoyed how this one played out. No one was waiting in the wings, pinning after the other while watching the other person be with someone else. No one tried to fix the other up, only to be jealous. They didn’t try to intentionally make each other jealous to get the other to admit feelings. I love the banter and tension filled slow burn without all the drama!
Victor’s patience and understanding towards Olivia was incredible. He is sweet, caring, thoughtful, while also being a “hot young buck” with a bit of a reputation. He’s never had a serious relationship and Olivia is afraid to be his first. At one point, Olivia tells her sister “I don’t want to be his first love and lesson learned, while he’s the one I’ve been waiting for.” Victor gets a lot of female attention and it doesn’t help Olivia’s confidence even though it’s obvious to everyone else that he’s gone for her.
Olivia took me on a roller coaster of emotions. At times, I understood her hesitation. Other times, I thought she was being ridiculously obtuse. As another reviewer pointed out, there was a quote in the book said during book club that perfectly sums up my feelings - “I think something that I noticed is how often we get an FMC that is really doubtful and questions not only the obviously amazing hero, but also themselves… Like, I relate, but also, I want to throw my book across the room sometimes!” The “pause” is where my patience with her worn thin. But that paved the way to a really sweet moment that wouldn’t have been the same without everything that led up to it. I was so proud when she finally started saying the scary things. My heart went out to her on karaoke night. It’s like once she cracked, all these emotions and feeling came bubbling out, with everyone, not just Victor.
I loved Victor and Olivia’s families. I’m eager to go back and read the first two books. I can’t wait for the other siblings’ stories to be written.
💜Friends To More
💜Fake Dating
💜College Professor FMC
💜Golden Retriever MMC
💜Reverse Age Gap
💜He’s Flirty, She’s Serious
💜Fun Family Dynamics
💜Slow Burn
💜Tension and Banter
💜He Falls First
💜He Has A Nickname For Her
💜Closed Door
💜Single POV
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 4, 2025
3 Stars.
The vibes:
- fake dating
- Fall setting
- “Just friends”
- Closed door
My thoughts:
I loved the fall setting. Leaves. Weather. Pumpkin carving. I love the sisters and mama Rhodes. The dynamics between the sisters and their mom are some of my favorite moments in this series.
I really liked Victor and felt like he was clear on what he wanted, but Olivia drove me a bit batty. She was a constant pull and push type of girl. She would express wanting boundaries then be like nevermind. And then nevermind to THAT. It really felt like she was being unfair to Victor and his feelings.
There were flashbacks thrown in that made the timeline confusing to me. It wasn’t a consistent dual timeline situation, but it would mention a memory from a few weeks ago or a month ago. I liked the memories being mentioned but the format of this threw me off everytime.
Something else that is probably just me- I really struggled with the nickname. I know it’s supposed to be cute, but I think I’m just old and grumpy because I kept thinking that a guy doesn’t call his FRIEND “babygirl”.
Overall, this author gives fun romcoms, and I think this will work for readers looking for that. I think I can be picky with a “just friends” trope when they are definitely crossing all the lines while also denying it.
I’ve really enjoyed Rebecca’s books in the past and would read more from her in the future.
Note- closed door
Release date: August 26, 2025.
Thank you so much to Rebecca Jo Jackson for the gifted copy.
The vibes:
- fake dating
- Fall setting
- “Just friends”
- Closed door
My thoughts:
I loved the fall setting. Leaves. Weather. Pumpkin carving. I love the sisters and mama Rhodes. The dynamics between the sisters and their mom are some of my favorite moments in this series.
I really liked Victor and felt like he was clear on what he wanted, but Olivia drove me a bit batty. She was a constant pull and push type of girl. She would express wanting boundaries then be like nevermind. And then nevermind to THAT. It really felt like she was being unfair to Victor and his feelings.
There were flashbacks thrown in that made the timeline confusing to me. It wasn’t a consistent dual timeline situation, but it would mention a memory from a few weeks ago or a month ago. I liked the memories being mentioned but the format of this threw me off everytime.
Something else that is probably just me- I really struggled with the nickname. I know it’s supposed to be cute, but I think I’m just old and grumpy because I kept thinking that a guy doesn’t call his FRIEND “babygirl”.
Overall, this author gives fun romcoms, and I think this will work for readers looking for that. I think I can be picky with a “just friends” trope when they are definitely crossing all the lines while also denying it.
I’ve really enjoyed Rebecca’s books in the past and would read more from her in the future.
Note- closed door
Release date: August 26, 2025.
Thank you so much to Rebecca Jo Jackson for the gifted copy.
August 18, 2025
Thank you to Rebecca Jo Jackson for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my opinion.
Plot: Olivia is a college history professor who has come off a bad breakup and has since built a wall against any future hurt. In walks Victor—handsome, kind, hardworking, and five years younger. Victor instantly falls for Olivia, but she is hesitant to be anything more than friends. She doesn’t trust that Victor’s inexperience with dating and his young age won’t lead to more hurt. But after her ex (Ryan) shows up on campus, Olivia pretends to be dating Victor so Ryan will leave her alone. How long can she pretend that her feelings for him are simply platonic?
My Thoughts: This is the perfect fall romance—full of fall leaves, pumpkins, warm hugs and spicy kisses. Victor is the perfect MMC. He’s kind and caring and truly listens to Olivia’s wants and needs. Olivia, however, was somewhat annoying with her indecisiveness. Why would you not want to be in a relationship with someone like him? Who cares if he’s five years younger? The only thing that would have been better for me was a little more conflict in the story other than Olivia not being able to make up her mind. Overall, this is a clean, cozy love story—a perfect palate cleanser.
What to Expect:
—fake dating
— reverse age gap
—friends to lovers
—small town romance
—slow burn
—clean romance (kisses only)
Plot: Olivia is a college history professor who has come off a bad breakup and has since built a wall against any future hurt. In walks Victor—handsome, kind, hardworking, and five years younger. Victor instantly falls for Olivia, but she is hesitant to be anything more than friends. She doesn’t trust that Victor’s inexperience with dating and his young age won’t lead to more hurt. But after her ex (Ryan) shows up on campus, Olivia pretends to be dating Victor so Ryan will leave her alone. How long can she pretend that her feelings for him are simply platonic?
My Thoughts: This is the perfect fall romance—full of fall leaves, pumpkins, warm hugs and spicy kisses. Victor is the perfect MMC. He’s kind and caring and truly listens to Olivia’s wants and needs. Olivia, however, was somewhat annoying with her indecisiveness. Why would you not want to be in a relationship with someone like him? Who cares if he’s five years younger? The only thing that would have been better for me was a little more conflict in the story other than Olivia not being able to make up her mind. Overall, this is a clean, cozy love story—a perfect palate cleanser.
What to Expect:
—fake dating
— reverse age gap
—friends to lovers
—small town romance
—slow burn
—clean romance (kisses only)
August 7, 2025
“”I wanted to shake the character and say, grow up and go get your man!””
“‘You’ll end up in the pages of whatever beautiful story God’s writing for you. Even if you keep throwing in ridiculous plot twists.’”
These quotes are definitely themes throughout Olivia’s Only Pretending! I enjoyed seeing Olivia’s and Victor’s story unfold! Jackson has created characters for whom the reader is rooting. Olivia, the FMC, definitely has her reasons for pretending Victor, her best friend and MMC, is her boyfriend, but the reader is definitely wanting these characters to stop pretending! And are Olivia and Victor actually pretending? Victor is positively swoon worthy, and if you like swoon, this book is absolutely for you! The plot twists leave the reader asking, WHY!!!
…“Our conversation about our latest book kept bubbling, but my mind lingered on the doubtful main character. How fear and doubt always pop up, but it’s no match for what’s meant for you. What was destined for you has a way of persisting like waves crashing to shore. God created a current that kept pulling you closer and closer to what was meant for you.”...
I highly recommend this romcom. It will have you smiling, laughing, swooning, and sometimes asking why?! If you want to discover if Olivia is truly only pretending or if more is going on here, be sure to read this book!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review, and the thoughts are my own!
“‘You’ll end up in the pages of whatever beautiful story God’s writing for you. Even if you keep throwing in ridiculous plot twists.’”
These quotes are definitely themes throughout Olivia’s Only Pretending! I enjoyed seeing Olivia’s and Victor’s story unfold! Jackson has created characters for whom the reader is rooting. Olivia, the FMC, definitely has her reasons for pretending Victor, her best friend and MMC, is her boyfriend, but the reader is definitely wanting these characters to stop pretending! And are Olivia and Victor actually pretending? Victor is positively swoon worthy, and if you like swoon, this book is absolutely for you! The plot twists leave the reader asking, WHY!!!
…“Our conversation about our latest book kept bubbling, but my mind lingered on the doubtful main character. How fear and doubt always pop up, but it’s no match for what’s meant for you. What was destined for you has a way of persisting like waves crashing to shore. God created a current that kept pulling you closer and closer to what was meant for you.”...
I highly recommend this romcom. It will have you smiling, laughing, swooning, and sometimes asking why?! If you want to discover if Olivia is truly only pretending or if more is going on here, be sure to read this book!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review, and the thoughts are my own!
August 26, 2025
“When love is good and right and real, there’s no space for that kind of doubt because that kind of love lifts you up. It gets you reaching for things you never thought were possible before.”
I have been a longtime fan of Rebecca’s books and the fictional town of Sweet River. The fall vibes of this book are immaculate, and the story is reminiscent of a 90’s / 2000’s rom-com movie that has you feeling cozy and nostalgic.
I loved the dynamic between Victor and Olivia, how they made each other feel seen, cared for, and loved in ways the other needed. They supported each other in their dreams, pushing each other to take risks, and their friends to lovers story was so genuine.
Olivia was incredibly relatable to me as an oldest sibling. Watching her take care of everyone else around her, put others first, and finding vulnerability hard are experiences I know all too well.
Other things I loved:
* The pumpkin carving scene (IYKYK).
* Kim Possible + Lizzie McGuire references
* The Rhodes sisters
* Watson, Victor’s golden retriever
Overall this is a sweet, fun read perfect for fall.
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for having me on your core + ARC teams, and for the advanced copy of this book. Sorry I got sucked into Throne of Glass and it took me so long to read 😂
I have been a longtime fan of Rebecca’s books and the fictional town of Sweet River. The fall vibes of this book are immaculate, and the story is reminiscent of a 90’s / 2000’s rom-com movie that has you feeling cozy and nostalgic.
I loved the dynamic between Victor and Olivia, how they made each other feel seen, cared for, and loved in ways the other needed. They supported each other in their dreams, pushing each other to take risks, and their friends to lovers story was so genuine.
Olivia was incredibly relatable to me as an oldest sibling. Watching her take care of everyone else around her, put others first, and finding vulnerability hard are experiences I know all too well.
Other things I loved:
* The pumpkin carving scene (IYKYK).
* Kim Possible + Lizzie McGuire references
* The Rhodes sisters
* Watson, Victor’s golden retriever
Overall this is a sweet, fun read perfect for fall.
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for having me on your core + ARC teams, and for the advanced copy of this book. Sorry I got sucked into Throne of Glass and it took me so long to read 😂
August 25, 2025
Stole my heart!
Not willing to miss the opportunity to meet the irresistibly captivating Rhodes sister with mature confidence, bookish charm and sweet freckles, Victor took the place in line at the coffee shop behind Olivia where he was completely lost to her and wanted to be a part of her world. His woodworking, construction skills and charisma were just what her life required.
Olivia and Victor bonded over the renovation projects where a deep friendship developed, their lives becoming synchronous as they worked and their attraction grew. The completed to-do list complicates their struggle for trying to make sense of their relationship without the crutch of a shared task. The quick decision to pretend to be dating to deter an old flame that has returned gives them the chance to be close and affectionate in ways they have longed to do but the flirtatious women that seek out Victor causes insecurities. Yearning for wanting to become more and the cautious reservations is an agonizingly sweet push and pull taking place in a golden glow hour full of collegiate aesthetics.
Reverse age gap
Golden retriever MMC
Friends to more
Faking dating
Small town Romance
Sloooow Burn
Not willing to miss the opportunity to meet the irresistibly captivating Rhodes sister with mature confidence, bookish charm and sweet freckles, Victor took the place in line at the coffee shop behind Olivia where he was completely lost to her and wanted to be a part of her world. His woodworking, construction skills and charisma were just what her life required.
Olivia and Victor bonded over the renovation projects where a deep friendship developed, their lives becoming synchronous as they worked and their attraction grew. The completed to-do list complicates their struggle for trying to make sense of their relationship without the crutch of a shared task. The quick decision to pretend to be dating to deter an old flame that has returned gives them the chance to be close and affectionate in ways they have longed to do but the flirtatious women that seek out Victor causes insecurities. Yearning for wanting to become more and the cautious reservations is an agonizingly sweet push and pull taking place in a golden glow hour full of collegiate aesthetics.
Reverse age gap
Golden retriever MMC
Friends to more
Faking dating
Small town Romance
Sloooow Burn
August 7, 2025
Olivia’s Only Pretending by Rebecca Jo Jackson is a tension filled romance that has you at the edge of your seat.
When reading this book, all I thought about was how incredibly easy it was to fit into the lives of the characters and get into the rhythm of them. Their late nights, their inside jokes, and their infectious banter. Of course, we have seen both of these characters in the previous books by Rebecca so we got a little glimpse into their relationship before. But reading this, felt just right.
It wasn’t hard falling in love with Olivia and Victor’s relationship. Both of them not being strangers to hard work in their respective jobs, and social lives. I just loved Victor. His attentiveness, his loyalty, and his seriousness in giving Olivia what she wanted and needed. From space to being stuck right next to her, his jokes, his just everything. Throughout the book, I really felt like sighing and asking the universe, where my Victor was. Olivia too had been burned multiple times so she was cautious in getting in a relationship but man did it feel nice reading their love story.
If you are looking for a cozy love story that hits you just right, I highly recommend this one.
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for the free book.
When reading this book, all I thought about was how incredibly easy it was to fit into the lives of the characters and get into the rhythm of them. Their late nights, their inside jokes, and their infectious banter. Of course, we have seen both of these characters in the previous books by Rebecca so we got a little glimpse into their relationship before. But reading this, felt just right.
It wasn’t hard falling in love with Olivia and Victor’s relationship. Both of them not being strangers to hard work in their respective jobs, and social lives. I just loved Victor. His attentiveness, his loyalty, and his seriousness in giving Olivia what she wanted and needed. From space to being stuck right next to her, his jokes, his just everything. Throughout the book, I really felt like sighing and asking the universe, where my Victor was. Olivia too had been burned multiple times so she was cautious in getting in a relationship but man did it feel nice reading their love story.
If you are looking for a cozy love story that hits you just right, I highly recommend this one.
Thank you Rebecca Jo Jackson for the free book.
August 26, 2025
Solid 4.5 stars, rounded up. I finished this sweet novel soooo quickly.
If you like a slow burn, friends to lovers, fake dating style rom-com this book will be for you. The main characters, Olivia and Victor, are pureness exemplified. I adore how they’d do anything for each other, yet they do not have to give up their dreams/ambitions to do so.
I also appreciate the strength and professionalism shown in Olivia - in ALL the Rhodes sisters, actually. I mean, Olivia’s unique class offering as a professor (no spoilers as to the exact theme/focus)…sign me up pronto!!
This cozy, feel good book is perfect for fall. It has all the vibes. And, if you’ve read Jackson’s other two Sweet River books(which don’t need to be read to understand Olivia’s Only Pretending), there’s some cameos you’ll appreciate. This book has it all…humour, heart, and…mini golf. 😆 😉
A huge shout out to the author for the advanced copy.
If you like a slow burn, friends to lovers, fake dating style rom-com this book will be for you. The main characters, Olivia and Victor, are pureness exemplified. I adore how they’d do anything for each other, yet they do not have to give up their dreams/ambitions to do so.
I also appreciate the strength and professionalism shown in Olivia - in ALL the Rhodes sisters, actually. I mean, Olivia’s unique class offering as a professor (no spoilers as to the exact theme/focus)…sign me up pronto!!
This cozy, feel good book is perfect for fall. It has all the vibes. And, if you’ve read Jackson’s other two Sweet River books(which don’t need to be read to understand Olivia’s Only Pretending), there’s some cameos you’ll appreciate. This book has it all…humour, heart, and…mini golf. 😆 😉
A huge shout out to the author for the advanced copy.
August 16, 2025
Huge thanks to Rebecca for letting me be part of your ARC team and read this gem early!
Rebecca Jo Jackson does it again!! This is the third ARC I’ve read from her, and each one has been such a treat. I absolutely fell in love with Victor and Olivia. Their friendship was so warm and real, and I adored the reverse age gap dynamic. I’m also a total sucker for fake dating, and this book hit that trope perfectly!
This story gave me all the cozy fall feels, I was ready to carve pumpkins and sip a PSL by the time I finished. The small-town charm of Sweet River is alive and well, and it was such a joy to see familiar faces from previous books. (Don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone!)
If you’re looking for a sweet, closed-door romance full of heart, warmth, and autumn vibes, Olivia’s Only Pretending is the one for you. Make sure to grab it when it releases on August 26th!
Rebecca Jo Jackson does it again!! This is the third ARC I’ve read from her, and each one has been such a treat. I absolutely fell in love with Victor and Olivia. Their friendship was so warm and real, and I adored the reverse age gap dynamic. I’m also a total sucker for fake dating, and this book hit that trope perfectly!
This story gave me all the cozy fall feels, I was ready to carve pumpkins and sip a PSL by the time I finished. The small-town charm of Sweet River is alive and well, and it was such a joy to see familiar faces from previous books. (Don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone!)
If you’re looking for a sweet, closed-door romance full of heart, warmth, and autumn vibes, Olivia’s Only Pretending is the one for you. Make sure to grab it when it releases on August 26th!
August 4, 2025
Sometimes you need a romance book that gives you that lovey dovey feeling without having to read about the characters going at it constantly. This is the book for that. It was refreshing to read a romance book that solely focused on the emotional aspect and not the physical aspect. You don’t see that very often and if you do it’s super cheesy, but this book wasn’t cheesy to me at all.
Victor was so swoony. I could tell instantly that he liked Olivia, but was too nervous to tell her how he really felt. The slow burn was worth it for me. I loved Olivia’s relationship with her sisters. And then spying on their mom’s date was hilarious!
Olivia really worked through her trust issues with men and it made her character grow as well!!
Thank you Rebecca for the ARC!!
Victor was so swoony. I could tell instantly that he liked Olivia, but was too nervous to tell her how he really felt. The slow burn was worth it for me. I loved Olivia’s relationship with her sisters. And then spying on their mom’s date was hilarious!
Olivia really worked through her trust issues with men and it made her character grow as well!!
Thank you Rebecca for the ARC!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
5/5 Stars!
This was the cutest and coziest read! The book sucked me right in and it was impossible to put down! I loved how well the characters all entwined with each other and how the MC’s from previous books were throughout the entire story!
Victor & Olivia were the most adorable pair! Victor was so strong, steady, and attentive which so perfectly balanced out Olivia’s fear and anxiety. They consistently uplifted each other and supported each other which was so sweet to read!
🌶️ Spice: Clean - Only Kisses
🤐 Language: None
This book is going on my must read cozy list for the upcoming autumn season! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy! 🍂
This was the cutest and coziest read! The book sucked me right in and it was impossible to put down! I loved how well the characters all entwined with each other and how the MC’s from previous books were throughout the entire story!
Victor & Olivia were the most adorable pair! Victor was so strong, steady, and attentive which so perfectly balanced out Olivia’s fear and anxiety. They consistently uplifted each other and supported each other which was so sweet to read!
🌶️ Spice: Clean - Only Kisses
🤐 Language: None
This book is going on my must read cozy list for the upcoming autumn season! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy! 🍂
August 26, 2025
Well, I have zero words. 🤯
This is probably my favorite RJJ book yet. I thought I loved Emma and Gabriel. I thought I loved reading and watching Lucy fall in love with Adam. Sophia and Jordan were so cute, but OLIVIA AND VICTOR 🥲👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
10 ⭐️
This book had me in a CHOKEHOLD. I binged this all in one night. My thoughts and emotions went from “cutesy friends to lovers”, to “oh yeahhhh, fake dating” to LITERAL TEARS, and ended with “love is the best”.
I think this one hit so intensely because of my close personal ties to what’s going on in my real life right now. I love that RJJ writes closed-door romances. It was such a fantastic and clean love story. I just simply cannot handle it. 🥹🥹
This is probably my favorite RJJ book yet. I thought I loved Emma and Gabriel. I thought I loved reading and watching Lucy fall in love with Adam. Sophia and Jordan were so cute, but OLIVIA AND VICTOR 🥲👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
10 ⭐️
This book had me in a CHOKEHOLD. I binged this all in one night. My thoughts and emotions went from “cutesy friends to lovers”, to “oh yeahhhh, fake dating” to LITERAL TEARS, and ended with “love is the best”.
I think this one hit so intensely because of my close personal ties to what’s going on in my real life right now. I love that RJJ writes closed-door romances. It was such a fantastic and clean love story. I just simply cannot handle it. 🥹🥹
August 26, 2025
Oh how I needed this book and the beautiful, feel-good emotions that enveloped me as the story unfolded. What a delightful, heartwarming, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, closed-door romance. Olivia, a professor, wasn’t expecting Victor to break down her walls (literally and figuratively) as he was working on renovating her house…and her heart. He was and kind and sweet, patient yet persistent. Olivia’s journey was authentic and animated as she learned to open her heart to love. All the characters and situations were realistic and relatable; a cherry on top of the sweet, uplifting story! 4.5 stars
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
August 14, 2025
✨ARC Review✨ Olivia, a history professor at a local college, finds herself in a tricky situation when her ex shows up to teach a guest class on campus. To save face, she lets him—and the entire school—believe she’s dating her charming best friend, Victor.
This was one of the sweetest, most delightful romances I’ve read in a while. The cozy fall atmosphere and fun pop culture references pulled me right in. I completely connected with Olivia’s hesitance to open her heart again after heartbreak, and honestly… who wouldn’t dream of a guy like Victor? He’s the definition of perfect—always in her corner, whether he’s cheering her on from the crowd or showing up with candy and Midol when she needs comfort most.
This was my first book by this author, and it absolutely won’t be my last!
This was one of the sweetest, most delightful romances I’ve read in a while. The cozy fall atmosphere and fun pop culture references pulled me right in. I completely connected with Olivia’s hesitance to open her heart again after heartbreak, and honestly… who wouldn’t dream of a guy like Victor? He’s the definition of perfect—always in her corner, whether he’s cheering her on from the crowd or showing up with candy and Midol when she needs comfort most.
This was my first book by this author, and it absolutely won’t be my last!
August 26, 2025
I can’t get enough of Sweet River, the Rhodes sisters, and Rebecca Jo’s talent for writing the sweetest, swooniest stories. This is her fourth book set in the adorable little town of Sweet River, Texas, and this time we had the added joy of all of the fall vibes!
Olivia and Victor have the close friendship that everyone hopes for in life. Their love for each other even before the “in love” is so fun to see. The time they spend together building the perfect foundation for a relationship, while denying there ever would be one, was so cute and will have you wishing for a Victor yourself. The respect and care they have for each other and their friendship first and foremost is inspiring and gives all the warm fuzzy feelings.
This was such a fun best friends to lovers, reverse age gap, small town, clean romance that will have you curling your toes with the sweet kisses only. As with all of Rebecca’s work, I highly recommend it! Especially at this time of year! Get yourself a hot cup of something, a cozy blanket, and curl up with this one. Make sure you have some uninterrupted time because you won’t want to put it down.
Thank you, Rebecca for allowing me the privilege yet again to be a part of your ARC team. It is a joy working with and supporting you and your God given talents! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Olivia and Victor have the close friendship that everyone hopes for in life. Their love for each other even before the “in love” is so fun to see. The time they spend together building the perfect foundation for a relationship, while denying there ever would be one, was so cute and will have you wishing for a Victor yourself. The respect and care they have for each other and their friendship first and foremost is inspiring and gives all the warm fuzzy feelings.
This was such a fun best friends to lovers, reverse age gap, small town, clean romance that will have you curling your toes with the sweet kisses only. As with all of Rebecca’s work, I highly recommend it! Especially at this time of year! Get yourself a hot cup of something, a cozy blanket, and curl up with this one. Make sure you have some uninterrupted time because you won’t want to put it down.
Thank you, Rebecca for allowing me the privilege yet again to be a part of your ARC team. It is a joy working with and supporting you and your God given talents! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
August 22, 2025
Olivia’s Only Pretending completely stole my heart! Rebecca Jo Jackson crafted such a sweet, fun, and emotional romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Olivia was such a relatable heroine—caught between wanting to protect her heart and learning to open it up to real love. The chemistry between her and the love interest was chef’s kiss perfect: playful banter, swoony moments, and just enough tension to keep me turning the pages.
What I loved most was how this book balanced humor with heartfelt emotion. It’s light and fun in all the right places, but it also dives into the vulnerabilities of pretending versus truly living. By the end, I was smiling like crazy and rooting so hard for Olivia’s happily-ever-after.
Rebecca Jo Jackson delivered a romance that’s both comforting and captivating—definitely one of my new favorites! Highly recommend for anyone who loves fake dating, witty dialogue, and stories that leave you grinning long after you finish.
What I loved most was how this book balanced humor with heartfelt emotion. It’s light and fun in all the right places, but it also dives into the vulnerabilities of pretending versus truly living. By the end, I was smiling like crazy and rooting so hard for Olivia’s happily-ever-after.
Rebecca Jo Jackson delivered a romance that’s both comforting and captivating—definitely one of my new favorites! Highly recommend for anyone who loves fake dating, witty dialogue, and stories that leave you grinning long after you finish.
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