Almost Real

by Nicole Snow

A love for paws and claws unites a fiery vet tech and a bad boy billionaire in this intense and steamy fake engagement fiasco by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.

Lena Joly has a fierce soul for healing every pet who limps into her struggling clinic. Taming human jerkwads is nothing new—until the day Brady Pruitt storms in with an adorable lost puppy.

There’s nothing cute about him. His wicked reputation overshadows devastating good looks and a jaw-dropping fortune. She’s relieved to send Seattle’s infamous bad boy billionaire packing and get back to fighting for her clinic. But Brady already decided the spitfire who ranks him lower than a banana peel can convince his family he’s finally respectable.

Lena could scream. A temporary “engagement” to fool his optics-obsessed parents? An obscene payday to keep tails wagging forever? And practice kissing?

Holy hell. The girl with barbed wire guarding her scarred love life can’t hide when the butterflies hit. And after their love for animals sweeps them away, after pillow talk becomes bad habit, after it feels too real, two stone hearts will be glorious confetti…

Genres: Romance

381 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.

Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty.

Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.

Find more about Nicole here:

Website: http://nicolesnowbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesnowbo...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicol...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleSnowBooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Snow/e/...

Reviews

[Shelly’s Kindl3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Damsel In Distress

I loved Lena from book 1 so once I saw that book two was all about her I was excited. Lena is a forced to be reckoned with. She is super determined and has the ability to make a way when there’s none. The vet clinic is her life and she loves her career. She was devastated when the doctor lost her drive to save the clinic but not determined Lena. Her determination landed her in a fake engagement to billionaire Brady who is a known play boy in the media. Brady is trying to save his image and thought being engaged to Lena was going to be easy. It was easy until feelings were caught on both sides. Brady came to the rescue when Lena’s ex from Hell made himself known. I would recommend this book to all the animal and romance lovers. I gave this book 5 stars because it was relatable in so many parts. This is a great fake engagement story everything just flowed well.

[Mary]

DNF at 60%. Just no.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

This is the kind of small-town romance that’s easy to sink into - cozy, low-effort, and pleasant enough to keep me engaged. Lena is a solid heroine with actual backbone (we love a woman who sets boundaries and means it), and Brady’s self-aware, quietly persistent rich-guy energy mostly worked, especially when the book leaned into respect, emotional maturity, and found-family vibes. That said, some parts dragged, the conflict felt very familiar and I kept waiting for a bit more emotional punch or on-page tension to really sell the romance. Everything wrapped up a little too neatly and a little too safely, which kept this firmly in “nice but forgettable” territory. Overall, an easy, low-angst read with good bones - just missing that extra spark to push it higher for me.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: March 3 2026
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This book gave me a mixed bag of feelings, and I mean that in a thoughtful way, not a dramatic one. This book was easy to get through, and I can’t deny that I had fun with it. It’s the kind of romance you pick up when you want something light, a little dramatic, and built around a trope you already know you enjoy. I liked it, I really did but I also had moments where I paused, sighed, and wished a few choices had gone differently.

One of the strongest parts for me was the banter between Lena and Brady. Their back and forth had spark and humor, and it kept the story moving when things could have felt flat. it was fun. The playful comments, the stubborn clashing, and the way they slowly let their guards slip made their interactions enjoyable. I found myself smiling during those moments.

However, the names truly pulled me out more than I expected. Lena and Brady are fine on their own, but knowing they felt like clear nods to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt honestly rubbed me the wrong way. It distracted me more than I expected, and I couldn’t fully shake that association while reading. It’s a minor thing, but it kept poking at my enjoyment.

Also When more of Lena’s past was revealed, and the part involving revenge porn, I felt uncomfortable, I understand why it was included and what it was meant to show, though it really caught me off guard. It’s a heavy subject, and I wish I had known beforehand. That part of the story didn’t sit well with me and affected my overall enjoyment, It’s not a topic I’m comfortable reading about in romance, and had I known it was included, I wouldn’t have probably requested the book.

Still, I can’t ignore how much I enjoyed the rich guy/poor girl dynamic paired with the fake engagement trope. It’s familiar, but still comforting when done right. Watching them pretend while slowly catching real feelings was fun, It made their connection feel warmer and more believable. Add in the shared love for animals, and it softened Brady in a way I appreciated. Those elements carried the story when other parts didn’t fully land.

Even with certain issues, I can’t say I disliked the book. I had fun reading it, I smiled during their banter, and I appreciated the softer moments hidden between the drama. It just didn’t fully win me over emotionally, and a few choices held it back from being something I loved without hesitation.

This was enjoyable book with familiar tropes, playful dialogue, and a couple that works well on the page. It also has elements that may not be for everyone, and I think that’s important to know going in. For me, it was an okay read, just not a standout one.

Thank you to Nicole Snow, Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, veterinarian fmc, age gap, fake engagement, opposite attract

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Real
Almost Ever After Book 2
Nicole Snow

Brady and Lena

From book 1, August and Elle, Elle and Lena are childhood best friends.

Lena works at a vet clinic when Brady comes in. He found a dog and wants to have it checked out. From the looks of the couple, Lena has them pegged as wealthy and assumes his intentions. Meanwhile, the clinic isn’t doing well and Lena wants to help. So when Brady returns the next day, and offers her a deal, she accepts. To be fake engaged.

Brady has tried to live up to his parent’s expectations but he wants different things for his life. To start, he wants nothing to do with the woman they want him to be with. So he comes up with a plan.

Ok..I tried to go into this with an open mind. Numerous people talk about the main characters names and quite frankly I could have cared less. While reading, it’s just Brady and Lena so it doesn’t give off those celeb names. But there are definitely some issues with this one. To start, it’s the same set up as book one, a fake relationship. As much as Lena was involved in Elle’s story, not so much the other way. Don’t you think Elle would be a great source and friend to help you? I thought Brady was ok throughout but Lena? Wow. Not so much. I do not like miscommunication in a story. The flow is off, Then Brady gets blamed for everything while Lena is doing the exact same thing she blames him for. No! Some areas drag while others are rushed and incomplete, including Harry and Nancy which felt like forced drama. This is released in March so hopefully someone will read the reviews, as they are all quite similar, and add some edits.
Thanks to #Netgalley

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lena and Brady made me fall for their love story hard and fast! Almost Real was a full emotional rollercoaster, going from flirty to witty to heartbreaking to happily ever after.

This is not your usual billionaire romance. Brady has his own ideas and missions and he possesses the most beautiful heart. He is so misunderstood and under so much pressure of everyone's expectations and judgements. And Lena gave him the push to be his true self. She is such a sweetheart too and my heart broke for the pain and tragedies she went through. She can be pretty sassy too and she challenged Brady. She wanted to fight her battles on her own. Be it her dream of saving Pawsome Hearts from greedy hands, be it standing up to her painful past..but Brady refused to back down.

❤️ billionaire romance
❤️ fake engagement
❤️ billionaire tech genius developing organic economic dog food × vet tech trying to save the dog clinic
❤️ frenemies to lovers


What started as a fake engagement between the billionaire playboy with a fake reputation and a vet technician for mutual benefit, turned into something very real. I loved how charming and witty Brady was. He has her alpha moments specially during their intimate moments but he is a big adorable bad boy. Lena didnt believe him at beginning but slowly she realises that he is not the typical spoiled c0cky billionaire. I loved all the angsty heartaching feels washing over me intermixed with the lighter moments. At the end, Brady proved to the world that he doesn't deserve the negativity towards him and he definitely deserves Lena.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost Real by Nicole Snow delivers exactly what I want from a fake engagement romance: tension, heart, and just the right amount of spice.

Lena is a hardworking vet nurse who’s been dragged into a messy situation thanks to her absolutely awful ex-boyfriend. She’s broke, vulnerable, and just trying to survive. Enter Brady—rich, powerful, and very used to being in control. Their contract engagement starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but it quickly turns into something much deeper.

I loved the rich guy/poor girl dynamic paired with the fake engagement trope. Brady might come off a little cold at first, but the way he becomes fiercely protective of Lena had me swooning. He’s very much the “I’ll burn the world down to keep you safe” type, and I was here for it. 🔥

Lena is strong, compassionate, and relatable, and her job as a vet nurse added a grounded, caring layer to her character. Watching her slowly trust Brady—and watching him fall harder than he ever expected—was incredibly satisfying.

The chemistry is undeniable, the spicy scenes are well done, and the emotional stakes surrounding Lena’s past and the fallout from her ex kept the story engaging throughout.

If you love fake relationships that feel a little too real, protective heroes, and steamy romance with heart, Almost Real is absolutely worth picking up.

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Listener Copy of Almost Real from NetGalley, and I’m voluntarily leaving this review.

This is Book 2 in the Almost Ever After series, but it stands completely on its own. I hadn’t read Book 1 yet — though now I’m grabbing it because it’s already on Kindle Unlimited with audio.

Lena works at a struggling animal clinic, pouring her whole heart into keeping the place alive. She’s tired, stubborn, and doing everything she can for the animals who depend on her. Then Brady walks in with what he thinks is a stray, and Lena immediately pegs him as a rich, out‑of‑touch headache she does not have time for.

But Brady surprised me. He’s trying to step out of his billionaire father’s shadow and build something real with his dog‑food company. He’s earnest, awkward, and so much softer than Lena expects — and watching her slowly see that softness was genuinely sweet.

Their chemistry is instant and messy in the best way. What starts as a desperate attempt to save the clinic turns into a fake marriage that becomes way too real, way too fast. And when Lena’s ex shows up doing the absolute most, the emotional payoff hits exactly where it should.

This story has warmth, charm, a little chaos, and a whole lot of heart.

Bonus: Almost Real hits Kindle Unlimited on March 3rd, and it includes the audiobook for immersive reading. And Book 1 is already on KU with audio. A true win‑win.

[Preri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book.

I can't believe it took me almost halfway through the book to realize why the names were rubbing me the wrong way. These renditions of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were possibly the worst ones that could have been chosen.

I will say that it's kind of my fault that I didn't really love this book. I don't personally care about animals all that much (shock! surprise! people start throwing tomatoes!), and Nicole Snow has not really been my favorite author in the past.

Nevertheless, I gave this one a go. It was just meh. I didn't really care about the characters. Their romantic relationship developed at a fine enough pace, but it was just boring and I couldn't really get into their connection. I did not care even one iota about the subplot with the fate of the vet clinic. Harry Jay was annoying, and that whole debacle annoyed me.

Were there some cute scenes? Potentially? I can't say that I really found any of it all that cute. It was honestly somewhat of a struggle getting through the book. But I wouldn't say that it was terrible or anything like that. Just not for me.

Please take this with a grain of salt, though. I shouldn't have picked up this book in the first place, if I'm going to be honest. I know what I like to read.

And I'm out.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. It has fake dating/engagement, and a refined hot billionaire playboy. Unfortunately, there were parts of this story that fell flat for me.

Almost Real revolves around our two main characters, Lena and Brady. Lena works as a vet tech where Brady brings in a dog he found and rescued. It was definitely not love at first sight for these two. While the attraction was there, Lena found herself immediately annoyed with Brady and his date. A few days after their initial encounter, Brady decides that he needs a fake fiancé to help fix his playboy image and prove to everyone he's grown up. He thought that Lena would be the perfect person for this role. At first, Lena declines Brady offer, but after some time, she decides that this could help her situation as well. The vet clinic where Lena works, is getting ready to be sold to her ex, and she will do anything to stop it. Even if it is agreeing to be Brady's fake fiancé to help fund the purchase of the clinic herself.

This story had a lot of promise, but I felt that the execution just wasn't there. The flow felt choppy. It could often feel very one dimensional. I do wish we could have had a more in depth connection to the characters and the story itself. I'm sad to say that this one just wasn't for me.

[Laura Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Real is the 2nd book in Nicole Snow's Almost Ever After series. This was my first book by Nicole, and I don't think it will be my last.

To begin, for me the best part of this book are the animals. There are so many puppies and the dogs play a huge role in the story.

Lena and Brady first meet when he brings a found lost dog to the vet clinic Lena works at. It was not a solid first meeting, at least for Lena. She is very wary of Brady, but he is smitten. Brady is trying to change the public's view of him and Lena is trying to save the clinic she works. To help each other they fake their relationship and engagement with each of them benefiting in different ways.

However, Lena and Brady's pasts come back to haunt them and all they are working towards. But it is at this moment, where Brady proves he is all in for Lena and he will be her rock.

Overall, I found Almost Real wonderful, light and fluffy but also has some serious topics. Lena is incredibly strong and doesn’t mince words. Especially when it came to Nancy. I love the moment when a FMC says “fuck it” and does what she needs to do.

Please be knowledgeable that this book does touch on some heavy topics including past abuse.

Steam: 3.5/5
Fun: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an eARC and this is my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love for paws and claws unites a fiery vet tech and a bad boy billionaire in this intense and steamy fake engagement fiasco by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.

Almost Real is a cute, fake relationship romance. Lena needs money to help save her boss's clinic. Brady needs to fix his reputation. Brady's solution seems harmless enough, but what happens when the lines between real and fake blur together??

Overall, I thought this book was an okay read. Lena was a riot right off the bat and loved how she wasn't afraid to tell Brady like it is. These two characters had wonderful banter that had me looking forward to each interaction.

That being said, Lena and Brady both had some growing up to do. The level of immaturity at times made it hard to believe they were in their late twenties and frustrated me to no end. And don't get me started on Lena's ex! What absolute trash. He was the worst of the worst, and while it satisfied me that he got what was coming to him, I would have loved to have seen that play out more on-page than off.

Almost Real is an entertaining, yet chaotic at times, billionaire romance. If you're looking for a drama-filled romance with plenty of heart and steam to go around, you won't want to miss this book.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

[Read With Momma Shark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Real was an easy, familiar romance that worked for me in parts, but didn’t fully land overall.
I liked the fake engagement setup and the rich guy/working woman dynamic. Lena felt grounded and capable, and her role as a vet nurse added a nice layer of warmth to her character. Brady fit the expected billionaire MMC mold, and while he didn’t break new ground, his growing protectiveness and softening toward Lena were enjoyable to watch.
The banter was one of the stronger elements of the story. Their interactions had moments of humor and chemistry that kept the pacing moving, especially in the lighter scenes. The romance itself was comfortable and straightforward, making this an easy book to settle into.
That said, I never fully connected on an emotional level. Some elements felt surface-level, and a few choices pulled me out of the story more than I expected. While I enjoyed parts of the journey, I found myself wanting more depth and a stronger payoff by the end.
Overall, this was a decent, trope-driven romance that sits firmly in the middle for me. Enjoyable in the moment, but not one that stood out or lingered once I finished.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Snow, and Montlake for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[storieswithlizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Brilliance Audio, NetGalley, and Nicole Snow for the advanced listener copy of the book for my honest review.

This is book two in the Almost Ever After series, but it works well as a standalone. Lena is a vet tech at a local clinic when billionaire Brady walks in with an injured pup and that chance encounter sets the story in motion. What follows is a fake engagement romance built on the need to save the vet clinic, instant chemistry, and a classic opposites-attract setup.

On the surface, it’s a cute and easy read (or listen, in my case). The premise is charming, and there are definitely some funny, lighthearted moments throughout. However, the relationship develops quickly, and I found myself wishing the characters had been more fully fleshed out. I wanted more emotional depth and complexity to really make the story stand out.

I listened to the audiobook, and while both narrators were strong overall, there were moments that pulled me out of the experience particularly when the female narrator voiced male characters, and a few uneven moments from the male narrator as well.

Overall, this was an enjoyable but not particularly memorable read for me. A solid three stars: sweet, entertaining, but I was left wanting a bit more depth and a standout emotional moment.

[Stacey Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a feisty, sassy FMC, and Lena Joly is just that. Brady is your typical billionaire trying to rehab his reputation. Enter the fake engagement contract.

I enjoyed the banter between Lena and Brady. There are some cheesy moments. First, the character names. Lena Joly (Angelina Jolie) and Brady Pruitt (Brad Pitt). Then there’s the use of metaphors that don’t make much sense. And Brady seems to have one pace for the intimate moments, and that’s jackhammer. But hey, if that works for Lena, more power to them.

The lack of side character involvement bothered me. Elle is Lena’s best friend, and while she’s mentioned earlier in the book, she doesn’t actually appear until the end. Even then, her appearance is brief. If I’m going through the heavy stuff Lena is going through, I’d be leaning way more heavily on my best friend.

I also wished we had gotten more of a conclusion with the Harry Jay storyline. He was such an integral part of the conflict, but we’re never told what the end result was.

All that being said, I did enjoy the book. If you’re looking for a book with heart, humor, spice, and a touch of cheesiness, you’ll enjoy this book.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay for me. I really wanted to love it, but it ended up feeling more like a miss than a hit. One of the first things that pulled me out of the story was the character names, and I know a few others have mentioned this but Lena Joly and Brady Pruitt? Really? Can we choose any other names that are not basically Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt?

The writing itself is fine, but it often leans heavily into cringe or over the top, and the spicy scenes especially felt like the author was trying too much rather than letting it flow naturally. Overall, the romance stayed very surface level, with little depth or substance to really pull me in.

That said, this is definitely the kind of book that works as a light, escapist read or a palate cleanser if you’re in the mood for something easy and spicy. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me, and I found myself wanting more complexity and emotional connection than the story delivered.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Snow, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.

[books.n.ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Nicole Snow book, but definitely will not be my last!

I listened to this as an audiobook and it was AMAZING! Lena is your typical sweetheart good girl animal lover and vet tech that just wants to save all the animals. Although she is sweet, she does have some sass to her, which I absolutely love and so does our MMC Brady.

He's the Silver Spoon Billionaire heir to an agricultural company with all the familial obligations and pressures to keep up appearances and his reputation. However, he is a former playboy with a bit of a wild past and a big social media presence so his parents are worried about him and what he does and how it will affect the company.

In true rom-com fashion, this clearly means the two must have a fake relationship to help one another accomplish their goals! What transpires is a beautiful, hilarious and at times heartbreaking unlikely love story!

Brady and Lena together just make sense and I'm so happy to have read their story. Now I need to go back and read the first book!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good story. Brady was rich and trying to invent a better dog food that was nutritious but not outrageously expensive. He had dated a lot of girls and didn't have the best reputation. Lena was a vet tech and was working for a small clinic that was in dyer need of cash. Brady proposed that they get fake engaged and he would give her the money for the clinic. But there is always a twist and that was in the form of an ex of Lena's that was a dirt bag. Brady tried to help but made things worse and she broke it off. They both had fallen in love with each other but had not talked about it. When more of Lena's past was exposed, Brady went into full protection mode . Most of the story was just the two of them with a couple friends and his parents a little involved. It's well worth reading but there is some heavy sex in the story. Very consectual, but not for the light hearted

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Dharshani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Real was almost good in so many places. The fake dating arrangement out of necessity is nothing new. Both the main characters feel attraction towards each other and their situation forces them to jump into a fake relationship. When they are both ready to accept that things got real, Lena's past throws a wrench in between them. How they overcome the hardships is the rest of the story.
First thing I noticed were the character names Lena Joly and Brady Pruitt (Angeline Joile and Brad Pitt). I was wondering if I was there only one but one other person had mentioned this in their review so I'm not the only one. The writing is okay but sometimes very cheesy and the intimate scenes felt over the top. This is the 2nd book of the author's I tried (No Perfect Hero was my first) and it just isn't for me.
Overall this was a good diversion from the other genres I've been reading but fell short in many places to be great.

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖BOOK REVIEW📖 ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @netgalley and @montlake_publishers for the chance to read this early.

This book should have it all, fake dating/engagement, hot billionaire, struggling single woman trying to save her favorite organization, shitty ex who must get his comeuppance...

But unfortunately this book feel really flat for me. It has all the elements I enjoy and it is good enough to finish, but it lacks substance, even just enough substance to be considered a "popcorn" book where it's not nutritional but tasty enough to devour.

The characters are one dimensional, there is very little actual threat from the shitty ex, even when he does follow through on being shitty there is no emotion from the characters. The dialogue feels wooden and juvenile and everything is such low stakes.

It's not a bad book, but I feel like it could have been so much more and I'm just let down. But if you'd like to give this one a try, it is published March 2nd.

[Dominique Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc gifted in exchange for review
This was my first Nicole Snow book and it certainly won’t be my last.
I love a grumpy sunshine trope especially when it’s reversed. Brady Pruitt is such a golden retriever guy to Lena’s black cat energy until you threaten his girl and then that man is all Doberman which I love! This was such a fun fake engagement grumpy sunshine story with lots of cute animals that also touched on some sensitive topics. I thought what Lena experienced with her ex was handled very well, and I’m glad that it was called out for what it was. There are so many people out there that have been victims of that particular thing and Nicole’s treatment of it was very well executed. Brady and Lena were absolutely made for each other. The batter was perfection, the spice was giving what it needed to give and no animals were harmed. All in all, I had a great time with this story and I’m a card carrying member of the Brady Pruitt fan club

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage of convenience.
Enemies to lovers.
Bad boy billionaire + jaded vet tech.
Cozy vibes
Dual POV - 1st person

Dual narration - Bryant Walker & Lucy Rivers
Great narrators. Easy voices to listen to.

Book 2 Almost ever after Series
This is my first Nicole Snow Book and I found it to be enjoyable. I liked the characters and the storyline.

Lena is a vet tech that has a passion for her workplace and wants to save the business at any means necessary. Brady is a billionaire that is falling short on his parents expectations of him, but he has his own goals. He may be privileged, but he has a heat of gold wanting to help animals.

Lena is jaded from a past relationship and has trust issues. Takes a little warming up to. Brady is intrigued by her. They have excellent banter and chemistry.

Overall, I found the book to be good. The characters were well developed and written.

[Julia Barthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting from the blurb and much more Hallmark movie style then i would have guessed, but also a good book for a relaxing vacation and a quick paced love story. Not exactly insta love but much quicker lust/love then what the blurb would lead you to believe. Like almost instantly after they arrange the fake dating scenario they immediately go into dating each other but telling themself it isn't dating, even though they were doing the dating when no one was watching. I originally wanted to read the book cause I love a book with deep yearning, due to the quick paced love story you never really get a yearning people are trying to fight. Pretty much as soon as they decide they like each other they are doing each other. All that to say it was still a good quick relaxing read if romance books are your go to thing, I just wanted readers to know the blurb isn't exactly accurate.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost Real delivered exactly what I expect from Nicole Snow: great banter, strong chemistry, and a romance that feels both fun and heartfelt. The fake engagement trope is one I’ll never get tired of, and this one worked really well thanks to the slow-burn build and believable emotional connection.

Lena is easy to root for — independent, sarcastic, and passionate about her work. Brady’s charm mixed with vulnerability made him more than just your typical rich bad-boy MMC. I especially loved the animal angle; it added warmth and helped deepen their bond in a natural way.

The pacing dragged slightly in the middle, and I wished we’d gotten a bit more depth to Brady’s backstory, which is what kept this from being a full 5 stars for me.

Perfect if you’re craving fake dating, small-town vibes, and solid emotional payoff.

[Lra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lena ama su trabajo en una pequeña clínica veterinaria de Seattle y lo último que necesita es lidiar con gente rica con complejo de salvadores. Todo cambia la noche en que Brady aparece después del horario de cierre con un perro perdido en brazos y una actitud que grita privilegio por todos lados. Él parece el típico millonario acostumbrado a salirse con la suya y ella no tiene paciencia para sonrisas bonitas ni gestos para la galería. Sin embargo, cuando el destino vuelve a cruzarlos por culpa del mismo perro y de una clínica que lucha por sobrevivir, Lena descubre que Brady no es tan simple como aparenta y Brady empieza a cuestionar la vida perfecta que su familia ha diseñado para él. Lo que inicia como rechazo y desconfianza termina convirtiéndose en algo mucho más complicado y peligrosamente real.


Gracias NetGalley.

[Reading to Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Real is a fake relationship romance involving Lena, a vet tech and Brady, who comes from money and has a sordid past. Brady is looking for a temporary fake wife to help clean up his image, and Lena is looking to keep the veterinarian practice she works at out of the grimy hands of her ex.

It is clear that Lena and Brady have chemistry and the fake part of their relationship moves into real territory pretty quickly. There were parts of Lena and Brady that I really liked but on the whole I had a hard time connecting with these characters and this story. I had a difficult time staying invested in the story line. My favorite part was probably Queenie.

I love a good fake dating romance, and this one had promise, but the execution fell flat for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kymberly Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️ 5🎧

I really enjoyed this book! I love a good fake dating trope, and this one did it so well! The yearning for it to be real-real was so good, and at times had my heart hurting.

Lena and Brady were so great together. How they met was hilarious, Lena's thoughts on Brady's "friend" were on point and I loved how she was still a girls-girl when she thought Brady was with her and asking her out for a drink on the side. Lena is sassy in all the right ways and I adore her. Lena was so stuck on the contract they signed, and it often sent her into a spiral. The 3rd act was great; I love a good villain take down!

Lucy Rivers and Bryant Walker narrated the audiobook, and they did a great job, I really enjoyed this listen.

Thank you, Brilliance Audio and Montlake Publishing for advanced copies of the eBook and audiobook. I really enjoyed this book!

[Yureli ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2.5/5 ☆
3/5🔥


I received this ALC from NetGalley in exchange for review.
I DNF this at 78% because I didn’t like the FMC, Lena Joly. I found it so annoying how she didn’t think anything through. Her thoughts said one thing… her actions did the opposite. And she was so whiny. I’m not sure if it was the narration or just the actual character, either way I was annoyed… I also didn’t like how she called Brady, “dude” eww. Her lack of communication was also irritating. Her one redeeming quality was her love and care for animals, loved that.
However, I actually really liked Brady… I wanted to stick it out for him, but I was so over Lena that I just wanted him to move on lol.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

[Jeanette]

I have read Nicole Snow in the past and found her to be fun and enjoyable to read. This book just missed the mark for me. I wasn't able to finish it, I didn't find either character particularly likeable. I feel like we were TOLD that Brady is a good guy with a heart of gold, but even when we were shown how good he is with animals and how he's different from his rich, socialite parents, I didn't really buy it.

I couldn't connect with Lena very much, I feel like she isn't shown much of a personality besides, "vet tech and loves animals." This could be down to me not finishing it but I found myself struggling to keep wanting to read. I may pick it back up in the future, since I have enjoyed her stories in the past. This one just wasn't for me, sadly.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena loves her job at a vet practice. One day, a handsome man brings in a dog he found, but his partner is annoyed because it ruined their plans. Lena takes offense when he snaps a photo, thinking it’s just for show. He offers to take the dog home until it can be returned to its owner the next day. Meanwhile, Brady is trying to stop his dad from dictating who he marries, so he asks Lena to fake date him. She refuses at first, but when she learns the vet practice is up for sale, she changes her mind so she can buy it. This was my first read from this author, and I loved it—the story has it all.