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Good at Being Alive
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A party girl and a grumpy British CEO fake a dream European honeymoon for a reality TV show that could save their travel agency—and give them both a new lease on life (and love)—if only they’d take the chance.
Rebecca “Bex” Daniels has just lost everything: her father, stepmother, and beloved stepsister all died in a freak train accident, leaving her completely alone in the world and responsible for her family’s travel agency. Only a few months after the tragedy, her father’s UK partner, the straitlaced Theo Porter, reveals that the business is about to go under. Their only hope? A reality TV deal her father brokered before his death…with a slight rebrand: Now, Bex and Theo are to pose as newlyweds, exploring the world on an extended honeymoon.
Bex and Theo couldn’t be more different—but though they initially clash, once filming gets underway, Bex discovers he’s also amusing, protective, and kind, the sort of man she’d want to be married to in real life, if she thought for a second she deserved him. As for Theo, he can't help but be swept up into the brilliant whirlwind that is Bex, but ever since his brother died, a real relationship is the last thing he wants.
As Bex and Theo flit across Europe, from Capri to Paris, exploring sundrenched villas and remote fjords, they can't help but notice their walls coming down, and their arguments begin to feel a lot more like foreplay than fighting. But they each carry around more than enough emotional baggage, and they'll have to contend with public scandals, crushing grief, and their burgeoning fame before they can decide if they're ready to ride off into the sunset once the cameras stop rolling.
Rebecca “Bex” Daniels has just lost everything: her father, stepmother, and beloved stepsister all died in a freak train accident, leaving her completely alone in the world and responsible for her family’s travel agency. Only a few months after the tragedy, her father’s UK partner, the straitlaced Theo Porter, reveals that the business is about to go under. Their only hope? A reality TV deal her father brokered before his death…with a slight rebrand: Now, Bex and Theo are to pose as newlyweds, exploring the world on an extended honeymoon.
Bex and Theo couldn’t be more different—but though they initially clash, once filming gets underway, Bex discovers he’s also amusing, protective, and kind, the sort of man she’d want to be married to in real life, if she thought for a second she deserved him. As for Theo, he can't help but be swept up into the brilliant whirlwind that is Bex, but ever since his brother died, a real relationship is the last thing he wants.
As Bex and Theo flit across Europe, from Capri to Paris, exploring sundrenched villas and remote fjords, they can't help but notice their walls coming down, and their arguments begin to feel a lot more like foreplay than fighting. But they each carry around more than enough emotional baggage, and they'll have to contend with public scandals, crushing grief, and their burgeoning fame before they can decide if they're ready to ride off into the sunset once the cameras stop rolling.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 16, 2026
13 people are currently reading
16904 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth O'Roark
33 books7,889 followersElizabeth O’Roark lives in Washington, DC with her 3 children. After many years spent writing scintillating brochures about amniocentesis and heart surgery, she is thrilled to have found a job that allows her to just make s*** up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
જ⁀➴ 𝟒.𝟐𝟓₊˚⊹🏖️ 𝟙𝟚/𝟚𝟛/𝟚𝟝—𝟙𝟚/𝟚𝟞/𝟚𝟝
the romance in this book was SCRUMPTIOUS!! i loved the characters and emotional trauma they had 😭!! this book handled the grief so well and the relationship was so beautiful 💕.
i am so happy that I got this arc to be introduced to this author because she seems amazing!! if you love sunshine x grumpy, definitely try this one!!
i will say—i was expecting more of a reality tv show feel. really, i feel like the book glossed over those bits and the fake dating. the focus was definitely more on their relationship rather than the plot. so if your looking for a reality tv show romance heavy on the reality tv—maybe try a different book. but if your just looking for a fun time with a hilarious and entertaining fmc and a grumpy mmc, try this one!!
👀 release date: June 16th, 2026
thank you so much netgalley and random house publishing group for this amazing arc 💙
𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝟒.𝟎𝟎
𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕: 𝟒.𝟐𝟓 🎬
╰┈➤ what to expect!!!
🏖️ sunshine x grumpy
🎬 fake honeymoon for reality tv
🏖️ forced proximity
🎬 opposites attract
🏖️ american x brittish
🎬 emotional grief
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
2nd arc of the day and this one sounds so interesting!! fake marriage, slow burn, likeable characters, fake honeymoon, and only one sled (I don’t even know how that’s supposed to play out)… 🤭
ignore that’s its winter and i’m reading a summer book!!
the romance in this book was SCRUMPTIOUS!! i loved the characters and emotional trauma they had 😭!! this book handled the grief so well and the relationship was so beautiful 💕.
i am so happy that I got this arc to be introduced to this author because she seems amazing!! if you love sunshine x grumpy, definitely try this one!!
i will say—i was expecting more of a reality tv show feel. really, i feel like the book glossed over those bits and the fake dating. the focus was definitely more on their relationship rather than the plot. so if your looking for a reality tv show romance heavy on the reality tv—maybe try a different book. but if your just looking for a fun time with a hilarious and entertaining fmc and a grumpy mmc, try this one!!
👀 release date: June 16th, 2026
thank you so much netgalley and random house publishing group for this amazing arc 💙
𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝟒.𝟎𝟎
𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕: 𝟒.𝟐𝟓 🎬
╰┈➤ what to expect!!!
🏖️ sunshine x grumpy
🎬 fake honeymoon for reality tv
🏖️ forced proximity
🎬 opposites attract
🏖️ american x brittish
🎬 emotional grief
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
2nd arc of the day and this one sounds so interesting!! fake marriage, slow burn, likeable characters, fake honeymoon, and only one sled (I don’t even know how that’s supposed to play out)… 🤭
ignore that’s its winter and i’m reading a summer book!!
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October 22, 2025Releasing June 16, 2026!
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Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/47ojRlk
December 9, 2025
There’s something so comforting about starting an Elizabeth ORoark book and this was everything I could have wanted. Top tier hilarious banter, a delicious slow burn, and dual POV that had pining and angst. This was such a beautiful story of grief and giving yourself again, wrapped in numerous moments and a fake relationship that never was really that fake.
I love Bec’s character and how much she had grown in this story. The things she endured and goes through and we get to see more and more of her as the layers are pulled back. I love that Theo sees her for who she really is and wants more of her, he helps her feel more comfortable in the version of her she was always hiding. And Theo, he was such a fun MMC the quiet and broody type but when he was around Bex he completely transformed and became a more free version of himself.
This book was so so good. The story was such an important own to be told. The layers and complexity of grief while also having the soonest romance and a hilarious plot.
I love Bec’s character and how much she had grown in this story. The things she endured and goes through and we get to see more and more of her as the layers are pulled back. I love that Theo sees her for who she really is and wants more of her, he helps her feel more comfortable in the version of her she was always hiding. And Theo, he was such a fun MMC the quiet and broody type but when he was around Bex he completely transformed and became a more free version of himself.
This book was so so good. The story was such an important own to be told. The layers and complexity of grief while also having the soonest romance and a hilarious plot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What to Expect:
Fake Relationship
Reality TV
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Hate Banter
Grief and Healing
If Elizabeth writes it, I am going to read it and be emotionally wrecked by the story. After Bex suffers the loss of her family in a traumatic event, she finds herself needing to work with her dad's business partner Theo trying to save the travel company they are both linked to. Their plan to save the company becomes a fake relationship and a reality tv show about Bex and Theo on their honeymoon for the cameras. But behind the scenes? Their feelings are changing rapidly.
This book has so many layers that I ate up like candy. Bex and Theo's relationship might have started adversarial, but it quickly became deeply impactful and meaningful. As some truths about Bex's family comes to light, Theo realizes his opinions of Bex and who she is changed over time. As their banter turned from hateful and biting to a simmering tension, I loved seeing their slow burn chemistry play out over multiple locations across the world.
Bex's walls were so tall, and I loved seeing them slowly come down as Theo became a comfort to her. She was so much more than the character she played for her family, and I loved how this story found a way to highlight how people fall into roles within a family to keep the peace, even to the detriment of themselves. It was both heartbreaking to see, but also cathartic as Bex realizes how strong she truly was, and how much Theo wanted to be in her corner supporting her through each revelation. Theo had just as many layers, and as they both started to trust each other, I loved seeing his protective nature come out.
I also loved how the reality tv show storyline played out. The team were secretly rooting for Bex and Theo the whole time and it made my heart happy to see these two people find a community that supported them.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Dell and Elizabeth for the early copy of Good at Being Alive!
Fake Relationship
Reality TV
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Hate Banter
Grief and Healing
If Elizabeth writes it, I am going to read it and be emotionally wrecked by the story. After Bex suffers the loss of her family in a traumatic event, she finds herself needing to work with her dad's business partner Theo trying to save the travel company they are both linked to. Their plan to save the company becomes a fake relationship and a reality tv show about Bex and Theo on their honeymoon for the cameras. But behind the scenes? Their feelings are changing rapidly.
This book has so many layers that I ate up like candy. Bex and Theo's relationship might have started adversarial, but it quickly became deeply impactful and meaningful. As some truths about Bex's family comes to light, Theo realizes his opinions of Bex and who she is changed over time. As their banter turned from hateful and biting to a simmering tension, I loved seeing their slow burn chemistry play out over multiple locations across the world.
Bex's walls were so tall, and I loved seeing them slowly come down as Theo became a comfort to her. She was so much more than the character she played for her family, and I loved how this story found a way to highlight how people fall into roles within a family to keep the peace, even to the detriment of themselves. It was both heartbreaking to see, but also cathartic as Bex realizes how strong she truly was, and how much Theo wanted to be in her corner supporting her through each revelation. Theo had just as many layers, and as they both started to trust each other, I loved seeing his protective nature come out.
I also loved how the reality tv show storyline played out. The team were secretly rooting for Bex and Theo the whole time and it made my heart happy to see these two people find a community that supported them.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Dell and Elizabeth for the early copy of Good at Being Alive!
March 21, 2026
Good at Being Alive was a heartfelt and engaging read that balanced romance, grief, and humor in a really memorable way. Bex and Theo’s fake honeymoon setup was so fun, but what really stood out was how their relationship grew beneath all the tension and banter. It was a romance at its core and it was also filled with emotional moments that hit hard. Despite the heavy topics, these moments never felt like too thanks to the touches of humor woven throughout. I loved watching Bex and Theo's walls slowly come down as they navigated their pasts and their undeniable chemistry. The travel backdrop added a fun escape, but it was the emotional depth and character growth that stayed with me. It was a touching, funny and ultimately hopeful story about learning how to live and love again.
April 25, 2026
I did not read the synopsis of this book before starting it and the way the book began shocked me (but it’s literally in the blurb so that’s on me) 😅
This was so so good, it was such a perfect mix of emotional and funny and sweet. Bex was such a chaotic character but i absolutely loved her, some of her one liners had me crying with laughter. I loved Theo too, he was so grumpy but also so sweet and caring. Their banter and chemistry was everything!!! I also absolutely loved the tv show premise, I’m such a sucker for a reality show trope.
The grief storylines were so beautifully interwoven, I wanted to give both characters a big hug. I do wish we got a bit more of Theo’s story and I felt like the ending was wrapped up a bit too quickly though! Could’ve used an epilogue further into the future.
Overall I had a great time, Elizabeth O’Roark remains an auto read author for me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was so so good, it was such a perfect mix of emotional and funny and sweet. Bex was such a chaotic character but i absolutely loved her, some of her one liners had me crying with laughter. I loved Theo too, he was so grumpy but also so sweet and caring. Their banter and chemistry was everything!!! I also absolutely loved the tv show premise, I’m such a sucker for a reality show trope.
The grief storylines were so beautifully interwoven, I wanted to give both characters a big hug. I do wish we got a bit more of Theo’s story and I felt like the ending was wrapped up a bit too quickly though! Could’ve used an epilogue further into the future.
Overall I had a great time, Elizabeth O’Roark remains an auto read author for me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 ⭐
Thank you to Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley for the e-arc of Good at Being Alive in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I love me an Elizabeth O'Roark book; she hasn't written a book that I haven't enjoyed, and let me tell you this didn't disappoint. One thing I love about Elizabeth's writing is the banter and charisma her characters have and how multi-layered they are. Going into this I was expecting for a light, summer read with how the cover and blurb gave the vibes of exploring Europe, and while it certainly had elements of that, this story is steeped in grief, vulnerability and heartache and Elizabeth done an incredible job of not only portraying that, but balancing it with the humour and romance.
This story that follows Bex and Theo is steeped in grief, as Bex lost her immediate loved ones in a train crash. Having always felt like an outsider within her own family and an identity crisis which was nurtured by her step-mother, who went to some extreme lengths of ostracising her and constantly putting Bex down; Bex plays into the narrative of the black sheep of the family, but when they all suddenly pass away, she is now left to save the family travel agency business, thus ensuing a marriage of connivence between herself and Theo Porter, her father’s UK partner.
Bex and Theo could not be more opposite from each other and I think they really balanced each other well with how polar opposite they were. Theo is also grieving for his brother, who tragically committed suicide. He has his own preconceptions about Bex, which was largely influenced by Bex's step-mother, but they are forced to spend time together and get to know one another, he realises that is actually a very vulnerable woman, who has been diminished for majority of her life.
It was actually quite sad how much Bex had suffered, and even without realising it, until Theo was able to show her otherwise, and that she was more than just the fake persona she put on and was made out to be.
They were a lot of fun, and enjoyed how they visited parts of Europe together, even if it was staged, their growing feelings for each other weren't. That said, Theo was holding back towards Bex, and his friends, they were an interesting group let's say, I'm not really sure why he was friends with them, they all felt different to what he was like and not genuine. There was a bit of miscommunication, just with how Theo was holding back some truths from Bex, which again, I didn't quite understand, but it didn't take too much away from them, as they were able to move past it.
All in all, this was a beautifully told story about two people healing after loss, finding love and themselves again.
Tropes
grumpy x sunshine
reformed playboy
age gap
fake marriage of convenience
reality tv show
Thank you to Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley for the e-arc of Good at Being Alive in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I love me an Elizabeth O'Roark book; she hasn't written a book that I haven't enjoyed, and let me tell you this didn't disappoint. One thing I love about Elizabeth's writing is the banter and charisma her characters have and how multi-layered they are. Going into this I was expecting for a light, summer read with how the cover and blurb gave the vibes of exploring Europe, and while it certainly had elements of that, this story is steeped in grief, vulnerability and heartache and Elizabeth done an incredible job of not only portraying that, but balancing it with the humour and romance.
This story that follows Bex and Theo is steeped in grief, as Bex lost her immediate loved ones in a train crash. Having always felt like an outsider within her own family and an identity crisis which was nurtured by her step-mother, who went to some extreme lengths of ostracising her and constantly putting Bex down; Bex plays into the narrative of the black sheep of the family, but when they all suddenly pass away, she is now left to save the family travel agency business, thus ensuing a marriage of connivence between herself and Theo Porter, her father’s UK partner.
Bex and Theo could not be more opposite from each other and I think they really balanced each other well with how polar opposite they were. Theo is also grieving for his brother, who tragically committed suicide. He has his own preconceptions about Bex, which was largely influenced by Bex's step-mother, but they are forced to spend time together and get to know one another, he realises that is actually a very vulnerable woman, who has been diminished for majority of her life.
It was actually quite sad how much Bex had suffered, and even without realising it, until Theo was able to show her otherwise, and that she was more than just the fake persona she put on and was made out to be.
They were a lot of fun, and enjoyed how they visited parts of Europe together, even if it was staged, their growing feelings for each other weren't. That said, Theo was holding back towards Bex, and his friends, they were an interesting group let's say, I'm not really sure why he was friends with them, they all felt different to what he was like and not genuine. There was a bit of miscommunication, just with how Theo was holding back some truths from Bex, which again, I didn't quite understand, but it didn't take too much away from them, as they were able to move past it.
All in all, this was a beautifully told story about two people healing after loss, finding love and themselves again.
Tropes
grumpy x sunshine
reformed playboy
age gap
fake marriage of convenience
reality tv show
November 28, 2025
I’m convinced that Elizabeth can’t write anything bad because, guys, I loved this one. Each of her releases outdoes the others, and this one was truly a sweet, slow burn that made me B L U S H.
Not only are both characters extremely likable, Bex’s confidence is just what romcoms need. We love a strong female lead (one that refuses to take any shit from a man) and Elizabeth granted my wishes. Bex had this transparency to her that I’m not used to seeing in FMC’s, as they are usually watered down to be shy and moldable. Thankfully, this book blessed us with the most badass woman who embraced her sexuality and refused to submit to anyone.
Theo was also wonderful. The man that only a woman could write, as I should say. He was perfect. A yearner. Moving him up to the top of my book boyfriend list as we speak.
If you love a slow burn, fake marriage, enemies to lovers trope - this is for you. Don’t sleep on her!
Not only are both characters extremely likable, Bex’s confidence is just what romcoms need. We love a strong female lead (one that refuses to take any shit from a man) and Elizabeth granted my wishes. Bex had this transparency to her that I’m not used to seeing in FMC’s, as they are usually watered down to be shy and moldable. Thankfully, this book blessed us with the most badass woman who embraced her sexuality and refused to submit to anyone.
Theo was also wonderful. The man that only a woman could write, as I should say. He was perfect. A yearner. Moving him up to the top of my book boyfriend list as we speak.
If you love a slow burn, fake marriage, enemies to lovers trope - this is for you. Don’t sleep on her!
December 7, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC! 🤍
Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O’Roark follows a free-spirited party girl and a grumpy British CEO who agree to fake a lavish European honeymoon for a reality TV show—hoping it will save their struggling travel agency and maybe even change their lives along the way.
I loved the premise and the overall plot, but I struggled a bit with the characters—especially Bex. I just couldn’t fully connect with her, and I didn’t feel very invested in Theo either, or in them as a couple. I found myself skimming through the second half because of that. That said, I still enjoyed my time reading this and don’t regret it at all—it just wasn’t quite for me. I definitely think a lot of readers will love this one and connect with these characters way more than I did! ✨
Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O’Roark follows a free-spirited party girl and a grumpy British CEO who agree to fake a lavish European honeymoon for a reality TV show—hoping it will save their struggling travel agency and maybe even change their lives along the way.
I loved the premise and the overall plot, but I struggled a bit with the characters—especially Bex. I just couldn’t fully connect with her, and I didn’t feel very invested in Theo either, or in them as a couple. I found myself skimming through the second half because of that. That said, I still enjoyed my time reading this and don’t regret it at all—it just wasn’t quite for me. I definitely think a lot of readers will love this one and connect with these characters way more than I did! ✨
December 27, 2025
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Ballentine books for an advanced copy of this book!
4.5 ⭐️ I absolutely loved this book. The banter between the characters was so much fun to read. Theo and Bex had the kind of dynamic that makes you smile while reading, and once the book ended, I genuinely wasn’t ready to let them go. Honestly, Elizabeth could write another 500 pages about Theo and Bex’s life after this book and I would happily read every single one.
The only thing that held this back from a full five stars for me was the lack of communication. So much of the conflict could’ve been avoided with one simple conversation. That said, I understand every book needs a bit of drama, and it didn’t stop me from loving the story overall.
If you enjoy strong chemistry, great banter, and characters you don’t want to say goodbye to, this one is absolutely worth the read.
4.5 ⭐️ I absolutely loved this book. The banter between the characters was so much fun to read. Theo and Bex had the kind of dynamic that makes you smile while reading, and once the book ended, I genuinely wasn’t ready to let them go. Honestly, Elizabeth could write another 500 pages about Theo and Bex’s life after this book and I would happily read every single one.
The only thing that held this back from a full five stars for me was the lack of communication. So much of the conflict could’ve been avoided with one simple conversation. That said, I understand every book needs a bit of drama, and it didn’t stop me from loving the story overall.
If you enjoy strong chemistry, great banter, and characters you don’t want to say goodbye to, this one is absolutely worth the read.
January 6, 2026
Thank you to Dell Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and an opportunity to do an early review. I absolutely love Elizabeth O’Roark’s writing style and her latest, Good At Being Alive, proved to be another 5 star read for me!
This book deals with some darker themes around grief, infidelity and problematic blended families. I always appreciate how Elizabeth provides depth to her characters with challenges they wrestle with from their past, in order to find happiness in their future. Her trademark brilliant banter and witty humor manage to also make you, the reader, laugh out loud at some of their antics and conversations. The chemistry between Bex and Theo, our leads, is off the charts from the get go, even if they are both quite scared of letting anyone in at the outset. This one is a slow burn but when we get to the steam, it is WORTH the wait!
I love to travel and Elizabeth finds a way in so many of her books to take readers to epic destinations that come alive off the page. In this book, we get to visit Iceland and many locations throughout Europe including Paris and the Amalfie Coast. This was icing on the cake for me in an otherwise super enjoyable romance.
Overall, I loved rooting for a happy ending for Bex and Theo and flew through this one!
This book deals with some darker themes around grief, infidelity and problematic blended families. I always appreciate how Elizabeth provides depth to her characters with challenges they wrestle with from their past, in order to find happiness in their future. Her trademark brilliant banter and witty humor manage to also make you, the reader, laugh out loud at some of their antics and conversations. The chemistry between Bex and Theo, our leads, is off the charts from the get go, even if they are both quite scared of letting anyone in at the outset. This one is a slow burn but when we get to the steam, it is WORTH the wait!
I love to travel and Elizabeth finds a way in so many of her books to take readers to epic destinations that come alive off the page. In this book, we get to visit Iceland and many locations throughout Europe including Paris and the Amalfie Coast. This was icing on the cake for me in an otherwise super enjoyable romance.
Overall, I loved rooting for a happy ending for Bex and Theo and flew through this one!
November 17, 2025
How often do you actually giggle out loud while reading? Elizabeth O’Roark manages to make it happen every time. Her characters shine—especially her heroines, who always feel like chocolates with a caramel center: a tough exterior wrapped around a surprisingly tender heart. And her heroes? They may appear aloof, but they’re usually the ones who fall first, which is one of my favorite dynamics.
This story is packed with sharp, witty banter (including some genuinely funny British jokes), and the settings—Paris, Italy, and beyond—add so much charm that you can practically feel yourself being swept away. It’s one of those books you keep telling yourself you’ll put down or read more slowly… and then you never do.
I can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this one. Elizabeth O’Roark never misses.
This story is packed with sharp, witty banter (including some genuinely funny British jokes), and the settings—Paris, Italy, and beyond—add so much charm that you can practically feel yourself being swept away. It’s one of those books you keep telling yourself you’ll put down or read more slowly… and then you never do.
I can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this one. Elizabeth O’Roark never misses.
November 29, 2025
This was the perfect amount of tension, quick witty banter, and spice! I always love Elizabeth O'Roark's work because of these things and this one was no different!
My only complaint is that at times I felt a little lost with some of the outlying characters. Because of this I felt that the plot was kind of just throw in at the end. I didn't quite understand the friend group (Theo's) until the very end which was disappointing. If I had grasped the friends and their importance I might have enjoyed the ending more! But, I still would recommend this especially for my KU people!
Trigger warnings: tragic death of family members, suicide
Thanks to Ballantine and O'Roark for this eARC!
My only complaint is that at times I felt a little lost with some of the outlying characters. Because of this I felt that the plot was kind of just throw in at the end. I didn't quite understand the friend group (Theo's) until the very end which was disappointing. If I had grasped the friends and their importance I might have enjoyed the ending more! But, I still would recommend this especially for my KU people!
Trigger warnings: tragic death of family members, suicide
Thanks to Ballantine and O'Roark for this eARC!
February 9, 2026
I loved this so much! The banter is top-notch and I laughed out loud throughout the entire book. This story also explores heavy themes of grief that are balanced by the humor.
Bex has just lost her entire family in a tragic train crash that she only avoided because she missed her flight. They were supposed to be heading to London to film a reality TV series that would help save their family-friendly travel agency on the verge of bankruptcy. Now she is left alone to manage the agency with Theo, her father’s London-based business partner whom she has never met.
Despite never meeting before, Theo has heard plenty about Bex from her father and step-monster—all of it negative. Yet when Theo meets Bex he cannot reconcile the girl he has just met to the one her parent’s described. In just a few days time, Bex has managed to set up a meeting with a top reality TV network exec and completely rebrand the show. Unfortunately that rebrand features her and Theo getting married and traveling as newlyweds across the world. What could go wrong?
I absolutely adored Bex and Theo. Bex is so fun and brings humor and light to almost every situation. Theo is definitely more of a stick in the mud—but he does begin to develop a personality as the story progresses. Each burdened by their own grief, they begin to rely on one another as they develop a real connection. Both of them realizing they may have completely misjudged one another from the start.
I just thought this was excellent. The reality TV plot is definitely secondary to the romance, with a little less emphasis on the destinations than I expected. It is a slowww burn and on the longer side for a romance but I loved every second of it. I’m a huge Elizabeth O’Roark fan and this did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bex has just lost her entire family in a tragic train crash that she only avoided because she missed her flight. They were supposed to be heading to London to film a reality TV series that would help save their family-friendly travel agency on the verge of bankruptcy. Now she is left alone to manage the agency with Theo, her father’s London-based business partner whom she has never met.
Despite never meeting before, Theo has heard plenty about Bex from her father and step-monster—all of it negative. Yet when Theo meets Bex he cannot reconcile the girl he has just met to the one her parent’s described. In just a few days time, Bex has managed to set up a meeting with a top reality TV network exec and completely rebrand the show. Unfortunately that rebrand features her and Theo getting married and traveling as newlyweds across the world. What could go wrong?
I absolutely adored Bex and Theo. Bex is so fun and brings humor and light to almost every situation. Theo is definitely more of a stick in the mud—but he does begin to develop a personality as the story progresses. Each burdened by their own grief, they begin to rely on one another as they develop a real connection. Both of them realizing they may have completely misjudged one another from the start.
I just thought this was excellent. The reality TV plot is definitely secondary to the romance, with a little less emphasis on the destinations than I expected. It is a slowww burn and on the longer side for a romance but I loved every second of it. I’m a huge Elizabeth O’Roark fan and this did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for access to the advance reader copy of Good at Being Alive. I love anything Elizabeth O’Roark writes. Her humor, writing style, and ability to tell a story always pull me in. I am a big fan of the enemies to lovers trope, and I was obsessed with Bex and Theo. The story starts off very sad and does a great job navigating grief and difficult conversations.
My only complaint is the big secretive situation, which felt like it could have been resolved with an honest conversation. There were many chances for that conversation to happen. Miscommunication is usually my biggest frustration in books, but it did not take away from how much I loved this one. I would rate it 4.5 stars, teetering toward rounding up to 5. I was in a reading slump and not excited about much, and this book snapped me right out of it.
My only complaint is the big secretive situation, which felt like it could have been resolved with an honest conversation. There were many chances for that conversation to happen. Miscommunication is usually my biggest frustration in books, but it did not take away from how much I loved this one. I would rate it 4.5 stars, teetering toward rounding up to 5. I was in a reading slump and not excited about much, and this book snapped me right out of it.
March 31, 2026
I was blown away by Elizabeth’s latest rom-com, Good At Being Alive!
literally laughing out loud for more than half the book and I can’t remember the last time I experienced that.
Screaming at all my book girlies to read this one at release, PLS!
Not only was Bex the funniest FMC I’ve read in so long, but I had the biggest soft spot for what she’s been through and how strong and admirable she is. She grew so much in this book and I’m so happy for her. I literally just want more Bex & Theo. I never wanted this to end.
I have a vivid picture in my mind of Bex saying something completely unhinged and Mr sophisticated Theo sighing, rolling his eyes drawing out Rebecccccaaaa… 🤭
☀️ Trauma bond
☀️ Enemies to lovers
☀️ Fake marriage
☀️ Reality TV
☀️ Dads colleague
Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼
literally laughing out loud for more than half the book and I can’t remember the last time I experienced that.
Screaming at all my book girlies to read this one at release, PLS!
Not only was Bex the funniest FMC I’ve read in so long, but I had the biggest soft spot for what she’s been through and how strong and admirable she is. She grew so much in this book and I’m so happy for her. I literally just want more Bex & Theo. I never wanted this to end.
I have a vivid picture in my mind of Bex saying something completely unhinged and Mr sophisticated Theo sighing, rolling his eyes drawing out Rebecccccaaaa… 🤭
☀️ Trauma bond
☀️ Enemies to lovers
☀️ Fake marriage
☀️ Reality TV
☀️ Dads colleague
Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼
March 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
I am becoming a big fan of Elizabeth O’Roark — every book I’ve read of hers has been great, this one included!
Premise of this book is kinda crazy where the two main characters have to fake marry in order to film a TV show to save their travel agency, but I LOVE A FAKE MARRIAGE so it works!
I thought their romance was really built out and developed well, you could see how as a couple they helped each other grow and become better people. The way Bex dealt with grief was also really nuanced and unique, showing the complexities of family and loss.
There was a bit of miscommunication and I felt the resolution at the end was a bit rushed (make the man grovel a little bit more please) but overall still loved this couple. Typically when the two main characters are too different I might find it unbelievable, but with these two i’m rooting for them!!!
I am becoming a big fan of Elizabeth O’Roark — every book I’ve read of hers has been great, this one included!
Premise of this book is kinda crazy where the two main characters have to fake marry in order to film a TV show to save their travel agency, but I LOVE A FAKE MARRIAGE so it works!
I thought their romance was really built out and developed well, you could see how as a couple they helped each other grow and become better people. The way Bex dealt with grief was also really nuanced and unique, showing the complexities of family and loss.
There was a bit of miscommunication and I felt the resolution at the end was a bit rushed (make the man grovel a little bit more please) but overall still loved this couple. Typically when the two main characters are too different I might find it unbelievable, but with these two i’m rooting for them!!!
April 17, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine and Elizabeth O’Roark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The way I couldn’t tear my eyes from this book…who needed sleep anyway!
I didn’t read the description beforehand so the train accident was a surprise, not expecting a heartbreaking book but somehow this book ended up being so funny around the grief.
The snark, comebacks, shocking Theo, the banter - well done!
I’m also a recovering reality tv watcher so the subplot of the travel show being taped was really fun.
My one bone to pick with the book is as a stepmom it makes me sad to see a stepmom being a complete failure/manipulate B and perpetuate the “evil step mom” thing but that’s just a small thing.
Oh actually, a real complaint - I wanted an epilogue to go over the outcome of the show, where they are, etc. I wasn’t ready to be done with these two!
This is my first book from the author and now her backlist needs to get bumped up the TBR!
The way I couldn’t tear my eyes from this book…who needed sleep anyway!
I didn’t read the description beforehand so the train accident was a surprise, not expecting a heartbreaking book but somehow this book ended up being so funny around the grief.
The snark, comebacks, shocking Theo, the banter - well done!
I’m also a recovering reality tv watcher so the subplot of the travel show being taped was really fun.
My one bone to pick with the book is as a stepmom it makes me sad to see a stepmom being a complete failure/manipulate B and perpetuate the “evil step mom” thing but that’s just a small thing.
Oh actually, a real complaint - I wanted an epilogue to go over the outcome of the show, where they are, etc. I wasn’t ready to be done with these two!
This is my first book from the author and now her backlist needs to get bumped up the TBR!
February 16, 2026
*ARC REVIEW*
I’ve read enough of Elizabeth O’Roark’s books that by now, when I start a new one, it feels familiar.
This book was not what I was expecting and still everything I love about Elizabeth’s writing. The romance was swoony and full of yearning, the self discovery Bex experiences was heartbreaking and hopeful. Theo was an idiot, but an a scared idiot in love so I’ll allow it.
The grief is heavy throughout the book so just be aware of that.
I’ve read enough of Elizabeth O’Roark’s books that by now, when I start a new one, it feels familiar.
This book was not what I was expecting and still everything I love about Elizabeth’s writing. The romance was swoony and full of yearning, the self discovery Bex experiences was heartbreaking and hopeful. Theo was an idiot, but an a scared idiot in love so I’ll allow it.
The grief is heavy throughout the book so just be aware of that.
April 23, 2026
I enjoyed the overall storyline and the dual POV. Bex was a chaotic FMC that had me cracking up. The second half of the book did feel rushed in areas.
Thank you Dell and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you Dell and NetGalley for the ARC!
November 21, 2025
I loved this book! Elizabeth does enemies to lovers so well and her banter had me laughing out loud. This was a deeper book for me and I loved how Bex grew overtime. Theo was annoying in his miscommunications but also such a cheerleader for her. I wish I could read it for the first time again! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
January 17, 2026
2 stars ⭐️
Overall I enjoyed this book. Was it my absolute favorite book I’ve ever read? No. But for what it was, I had a fun time.
The 1st half was hard to get into, but it threw in a twist that caught my attention and made me want to keep reading. Unfortunately after that the book kind of went downhill.
It was a lot of repetitive things. They would film for a tv show (still a bit confused on how that came to be if I’m completely honest), fight, make dirty jokes and then repeat. And then around the 75% mark that changed and we could officially add spice to that mix.
The humor is what saved this book for me, I can’t count how many times I openly laughed out loud while reading this book. Very well done on that front.
The other thing I did not love is it felt like again we knew a lot about the FMC and her backstory and why she was so quick to want to jump into this fast fake relationship/marriage but little to nothing about the MMC and what we did know made some sense. Like the stuff with his brother? Absolutely made sense and gave them a connection. The other things with the friend group? Could 100% have been left out, I was so confused 95% of the time and keep straight who was who.
Though this book wasn’t my absolute favorite I did enjoy it for the most part and will absolutely continue to read and support this author! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
Overall I enjoyed this book. Was it my absolute favorite book I’ve ever read? No. But for what it was, I had a fun time.
The 1st half was hard to get into, but it threw in a twist that caught my attention and made me want to keep reading. Unfortunately after that the book kind of went downhill.
It was a lot of repetitive things. They would film for a tv show (still a bit confused on how that came to be if I’m completely honest), fight, make dirty jokes and then repeat. And then around the 75% mark that changed and we could officially add spice to that mix.
The humor is what saved this book for me, I can’t count how many times I openly laughed out loud while reading this book. Very well done on that front.
The other thing I did not love is it felt like again we knew a lot about the FMC and her backstory and why she was so quick to want to jump into this fast fake relationship/marriage but little to nothing about the MMC and what we did know made some sense. Like the stuff with his brother? Absolutely made sense and gave them a connection. The other things with the friend group? Could 100% have been left out, I was so confused 95% of the time and keep straight who was who.
Though this book wasn’t my absolute favorite I did enjoy it for the most part and will absolutely continue to read and support this author! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
Good at Being Alive
Thank you Dell Romance for the #gifted arc!
🗓️June 16, 2026
👉🏼 Opposites Attract, Grief Journey, Fake Marriage, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn
I love this book. Like… I might need Botox from the way that I cannot stop smiling. The banter is incredible. The way these two interact has me unable to wipe the perma-smile off my face.
And when I did wipe the smile off my face it was only because the angst was three stories high I had actual tears in my eyes.
This book was PHENOMENAL. I enjoyed every moment. Sometimes in a book… you’re waiting for the good part. That didn’t happen here. I was fully invested in these two.
They both felt human and made mistakes but I loved to watch them grow and learn and love.
Thank you Dell Romance for the #gifted arc!
🗓️June 16, 2026
👉🏼 Opposites Attract, Grief Journey, Fake Marriage, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn
I love this book. Like… I might need Botox from the way that I cannot stop smiling. The banter is incredible. The way these two interact has me unable to wipe the perma-smile off my face.
And when I did wipe the smile off my face it was only because the angst was three stories high I had actual tears in my eyes.
This book was PHENOMENAL. I enjoyed every moment. Sometimes in a book… you’re waiting for the good part. That didn’t happen here. I was fully invested in these two.
They both felt human and made mistakes but I loved to watch them grow and learn and love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5⭐️ Party girl Rebecca “Bex” Daniels has lost her entire family in a freak train accident, leaving her in charge of the family’s struggling travel agency. But when the strait-laced CEO, Theo Porter, offers her a solution to save the company in the form of a reality tv show in which they will pretend to be newlyweds exploring the world, she reticently agrees.
I was very honored to beta-read this book a while back, and like I always do, I absolutely devoured it. I am convinced there is no one who does scene setting, character building, swoony romance, or banter like Elizabeth O’Roark does. She is by far in a league of her own.
First and foremost, what I loved so much about this story is that it is not your typical rom-com, although it’s hella funny. It’s also not a tragedy, although it is quite sad at times. This story is where those intersect— it so perfectly represents the grey areas of life where we either sink or learn to swim (and by the way, you’ll notice how quickly you root for these characters to swim). And it is through this journey our MCs take that the reader is able to form such deep and meaningful connections, those far beyond your typical romance. And our main characters had terrific chemistry, that at times comes right off the page.
As always, the pacing is consistent throughout. There was no point where I felt it dragged or became repetitive. If we break the story into three parts, each is distinct, furthers the plot to where it needs to go, and leads perfectly into the next. Did I mention how immaculate the banter is, including when others are making fun of their intense dynamic…
“𝐼 𝓂𝒶𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝓂 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝑔𝓎. 𝒮𝒾𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝒶𝓃𝒸𝓎 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓉.”
I was also drawn to the mystery element of a character’s very hidden secret. There were times I wanted to flip to the end to figure out what it was, and if you know me, this is incredibly rare. O’Roark would dangle a line here and there throughout until the big reveal, making it even harder to resist the temptation. While I kind of had a sense of what the secret would involve, it still came as a surprise.
Although not everyone has loved the reality tv angle, and I for one despise reality tv in reality, I found it really worked well here, as it offered a great juxtaposition to the sad, heavier moments of the story. There is a scene with a baby doll…well, let’s just say it left me in hysterics; it was so laugh-out-loud funny. And for those who don’t mind open-door romance, but don’t love the really explicit stuff, Elizabeth O’Roark is for you. Every single book is customized, tailored to fit the characters and the situations, never feels forced or gratuitous, and relies on the slow building tension that makes a spicy scene really good versus one that is more in your face.
The only very small issue I had was that I struggled to connect with either Bex or Theo at first glance. One of Bex’s decisions very early on completely threw me off, and I had trouble relating to her because of it. However, through their interactions, and as more and more of their backstories are revealed, it was hard not to fall in love with them wholeheartedly.
Read if you like:
-romance with emotional depth
-journeys of self-discovery
-witty banter
-forced proximity
-reality television
-open door (but not too open)
-dual POV
Thank you to Elizabeth O'Roark and Dell Romance for the advanced copies.
I was very honored to beta-read this book a while back, and like I always do, I absolutely devoured it. I am convinced there is no one who does scene setting, character building, swoony romance, or banter like Elizabeth O’Roark does. She is by far in a league of her own.
First and foremost, what I loved so much about this story is that it is not your typical rom-com, although it’s hella funny. It’s also not a tragedy, although it is quite sad at times. This story is where those intersect— it so perfectly represents the grey areas of life where we either sink or learn to swim (and by the way, you’ll notice how quickly you root for these characters to swim). And it is through this journey our MCs take that the reader is able to form such deep and meaningful connections, those far beyond your typical romance. And our main characters had terrific chemistry, that at times comes right off the page.
As always, the pacing is consistent throughout. There was no point where I felt it dragged or became repetitive. If we break the story into three parts, each is distinct, furthers the plot to where it needs to go, and leads perfectly into the next. Did I mention how immaculate the banter is, including when others are making fun of their intense dynamic…
“𝐼 𝓂𝒶𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝓂 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝑔𝓎. 𝒮𝒾𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝒶𝓃𝒸𝓎 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓉.”
I was also drawn to the mystery element of a character’s very hidden secret. There were times I wanted to flip to the end to figure out what it was, and if you know me, this is incredibly rare. O’Roark would dangle a line here and there throughout until the big reveal, making it even harder to resist the temptation. While I kind of had a sense of what the secret would involve, it still came as a surprise.
Although not everyone has loved the reality tv angle, and I for one despise reality tv in reality, I found it really worked well here, as it offered a great juxtaposition to the sad, heavier moments of the story. There is a scene with a baby doll…well, let’s just say it left me in hysterics; it was so laugh-out-loud funny. And for those who don’t mind open-door romance, but don’t love the really explicit stuff, Elizabeth O’Roark is for you. Every single book is customized, tailored to fit the characters and the situations, never feels forced or gratuitous, and relies on the slow building tension that makes a spicy scene really good versus one that is more in your face.
The only very small issue I had was that I struggled to connect with either Bex or Theo at first glance. One of Bex’s decisions very early on completely threw me off, and I had trouble relating to her because of it. However, through their interactions, and as more and more of their backstories are revealed, it was hard not to fall in love with them wholeheartedly.
Read if you like:
-romance with emotional depth
-journeys of self-discovery
-witty banter
-forced proximity
-reality television
-open door (but not too open)
-dual POV
Thank you to Elizabeth O'Roark and Dell Romance for the advanced copies.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me.
First things first—there were A LOT of Harry Potter references and multiple “jokes” about deportation right out of the gate. Within the first few chapters, it already felt excessive and felt pretty tone-deaf given the current climate—not to mention everything we know about the HP author at this point. Hard pass. It pulled me out of the story immediately and made me side-eye the author’s choices a bit. Points were definitely lost early on because of that.
Anyway…onto the actual story...
Bex absolutely broke my heart. She’s so deeply conditioned to think the worst of herself after years of emotional abuse from her wicked stepmother, and you can feel how much that’s shaped every part of her life. It was hard to read at times, but also one of the stronger aspects of the book. Her growth by the end was lovely, and I was really rooting for her to find her confidence.
Theo, on the other hand…oof. He really tested my patience in the beginning. The lack of empathy, especially considering everything Bex had just gone through, was frustrating to read. Like, maybe give her a little grace since, you know, her entire family just died?! Jesus. He does improve (somewhat) as the story goes on, but for me, he never fully redeemed himself—and when you get to the end, you’ll see why.
Plot wise, I had some questions. The whole premise of their show felt questionable, and I never fully bought into how it came together or why it continued the way it did. The rival influencer subplot also didn’t really go anywhere meaningful—it felt superficial and could’ve been cut without losing much.
Around the halfway mark, the constant snark between Bex and Theo started to wear on me. It just felt nonstop, and not always in a fun way. But then around 70%, things finally picked up. The tension that had been simmering forever actually paid off and their chemistry clicked. I was locked in on the DRAMAAAAAA. I was eating it up all the way to the end…until the resolution.
That’s where it lost me again.
We spend most of the book building up this big mystery around Theo—why he is the way he is, what he’s hiding—and when it finally comes out, it’s resolved so quickly. I wanted more time for that conflict to breathe, more real fallout. Scream in his face, girl! The groveling was practically nonexistent. After everything, Bex forgiving him as quickly as she did just didn’t feel like he deserved it. Make him suffer!
Overall, there were parts I really enjoyed—especially Bex’s character arc and the late in the game drama—but the uneven pacing, questionable choices early on, and rushed ending kept this firmly in 3-star territory for me.
First things first—there were A LOT of Harry Potter references and multiple “jokes” about deportation right out of the gate. Within the first few chapters, it already felt excessive and felt pretty tone-deaf given the current climate—not to mention everything we know about the HP author at this point. Hard pass. It pulled me out of the story immediately and made me side-eye the author’s choices a bit. Points were definitely lost early on because of that.
Anyway…onto the actual story...
Bex absolutely broke my heart. She’s so deeply conditioned to think the worst of herself after years of emotional abuse from her wicked stepmother, and you can feel how much that’s shaped every part of her life. It was hard to read at times, but also one of the stronger aspects of the book. Her growth by the end was lovely, and I was really rooting for her to find her confidence.
Theo, on the other hand…oof. He really tested my patience in the beginning. The lack of empathy, especially considering everything Bex had just gone through, was frustrating to read. Like, maybe give her a little grace since, you know, her entire family just died?! Jesus. He does improve (somewhat) as the story goes on, but for me, he never fully redeemed himself—and when you get to the end, you’ll see why.
Plot wise, I had some questions. The whole premise of their show felt questionable, and I never fully bought into how it came together or why it continued the way it did. The rival influencer subplot also didn’t really go anywhere meaningful—it felt superficial and could’ve been cut without losing much.
Around the halfway mark, the constant snark between Bex and Theo started to wear on me. It just felt nonstop, and not always in a fun way. But then around 70%, things finally picked up. The tension that had been simmering forever actually paid off and their chemistry clicked. I was locked in on the DRAMAAAAAA. I was eating it up all the way to the end…until the resolution.
That’s where it lost me again.
We spend most of the book building up this big mystery around Theo—why he is the way he is, what he’s hiding—and when it finally comes out, it’s resolved so quickly. I wanted more time for that conflict to breathe, more real fallout. Scream in his face, girl! The groveling was practically nonexistent. After everything, Bex forgiving him as quickly as she did just didn’t feel like he deserved it. Make him suffer!
Overall, there were parts I really enjoyed—especially Bex’s character arc and the late in the game drama—but the uneven pacing, questionable choices early on, and rushed ending kept this firmly in 3-star territory for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a huge thank you to netgalley and ballantine dell for letting me read this arc in advance.
tropes:
enemies to lovers
fake marriage / marriage of convenience
forced proximity
grumpy x sunshine
age gap (12 years)
slow burn
the story starts with incredibly bad timing: rebecca “bex” daniels is the only one who survives her family, simply because, true to her reputation as someone who is always late, she misses the train everyone else was on. on top of her grief, she is left running her father’s travel agency, which is close to going under. this is where theo porter comes in, her father’s british business partner: a serious, no-nonsense man who offers her a deal. to fix the company’s finances, they have to honor a contract for a reality tv show where they will pretend to be newlyweds on their honeymoon. just imagine it: the two of them, who can’t stand each other, forced to travel between iceland and the amalfi coast, playing the role of a loving couple in front of the cameras. but what happens when the pain they both hide starts to come out, and the fake touches on set begin to feel a little too real?
bex is a character i truly loved. she is the classic “black sheep” of the family, labeled as shallow and messy, but she uses sarcasm as her armor. behind her sometimes inappropriate jokes, there is a girl who has been belittled for years and who needs to learn how to stop apologizing just for existing. on the other side, we have theo, the typical rigid and controlled british ceo, who seems to have a stick up his back. he also has his own demons, connected to the loss of his brother, which have turned him into an empty shell. at first, theo only sees bex through what he has been told about her, but watching him soften and become her first real ally is probably the best part of the book.
elizabeth o’roark has an incredible talent for making you laugh out loud on one page and then giving you a lump in your throat on the next, dealing with themes like grief and healing without ever feeling heavy. the dual point of view is essential, because it shows how fragile both characters are, despite appearances. don’t get me wrong, this is not a perfect book. i found there were a few too many harry potter references, but the chemistry between the two main characters is so intense that you almost forgive everything. it is a story about how to start living again when you think your life is already over, and it does so in such a compelling way that it will keep you glued to the pages until the very last line.
tropes:
enemies to lovers
fake marriage / marriage of convenience
forced proximity
grumpy x sunshine
age gap (12 years)
slow burn
the story starts with incredibly bad timing: rebecca “bex” daniels is the only one who survives her family, simply because, true to her reputation as someone who is always late, she misses the train everyone else was on. on top of her grief, she is left running her father’s travel agency, which is close to going under. this is where theo porter comes in, her father’s british business partner: a serious, no-nonsense man who offers her a deal. to fix the company’s finances, they have to honor a contract for a reality tv show where they will pretend to be newlyweds on their honeymoon. just imagine it: the two of them, who can’t stand each other, forced to travel between iceland and the amalfi coast, playing the role of a loving couple in front of the cameras. but what happens when the pain they both hide starts to come out, and the fake touches on set begin to feel a little too real?
bex is a character i truly loved. she is the classic “black sheep” of the family, labeled as shallow and messy, but she uses sarcasm as her armor. behind her sometimes inappropriate jokes, there is a girl who has been belittled for years and who needs to learn how to stop apologizing just for existing. on the other side, we have theo, the typical rigid and controlled british ceo, who seems to have a stick up his back. he also has his own demons, connected to the loss of his brother, which have turned him into an empty shell. at first, theo only sees bex through what he has been told about her, but watching him soften and become her first real ally is probably the best part of the book.
elizabeth o’roark has an incredible talent for making you laugh out loud on one page and then giving you a lump in your throat on the next, dealing with themes like grief and healing without ever feeling heavy. the dual point of view is essential, because it shows how fragile both characters are, despite appearances. don’t get me wrong, this is not a perfect book. i found there were a few too many harry potter references, but the chemistry between the two main characters is so intense that you almost forgive everything. it is a story about how to start living again when you think your life is already over, and it does so in such a compelling way that it will keep you glued to the pages until the very last line.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Bex and Theo. I loved their chemistry and their banter. I loved their relationship. This had so many tropes I love...immense dislike to love, marriage of convenience, age gap. Bex's father, stepmother, and stepsister (who she adores more than anything) have all just died in a train crash. They were supposed to embark on a travel reality TV show to bring some life back into their family business, a travel company for young families. Theo is Bex's father's business partner who runs the London office of the company. In order to save the company from bankruptcy and the jobs of their employees, Bex and Theo sign on to a new version of the reality TV show. They will pose as a married couple brought together by tragedy, traveling the world together with some made up drama about whether or not they will last. Theo is type A, put together, a rule follower, a grump, and Bex is the opposite. She's outgoing but has spent so long acting as the black sheep of her family who is always irresponsible. It turns out that she's not who she has pretended to be, and she and Theo grow closer while filming. But Theo is keeping some secrets of his own, and it could ruin everything they are building together.
Again, I loved this. You might be wondering why I've only given it three stars. Well, audience, there are about 40 references to Harry Potter in this (usually brought up by Bex in the process of making fun of the British Theo). And in the year of our lord, 2026, that's about 40 references too many, especially in light of what we know about that heinous, demonic, hag who has made it her life's mission to destroy the lives of trans people. So. If anyone is interested in buying this book, maybe don't, if you don't want to see the Harry Potter references. Sure. That heinous, demonic hag won't technically be getting money, but she doesn't need any more clout than she already has. And again, given what we know about her, that she uses her money to literally fund laws that ruin lives, I think it is entirely fair to question how Elizabeth O'Roark feels about trans people? I know I sure did! Does anyone want to take the risk of funding a transphobe? I'll leave it up to you to decide. Authors, publishers, editors, publishing companies, be forewarned. If you want to keep connecting that heinous, demonic hag to your own works of fiction, don't be surprised if it affects your bottom line when people don't want to spend their money on it.
Ballantine/Dell and Netgalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Again, I loved this. You might be wondering why I've only given it three stars. Well, audience, there are about 40 references to Harry Potter in this (usually brought up by Bex in the process of making fun of the British Theo). And in the year of our lord, 2026, that's about 40 references too many, especially in light of what we know about that heinous, demonic, hag who has made it her life's mission to destroy the lives of trans people. So. If anyone is interested in buying this book, maybe don't, if you don't want to see the Harry Potter references. Sure. That heinous, demonic hag won't technically be getting money, but she doesn't need any more clout than she already has. And again, given what we know about her, that she uses her money to literally fund laws that ruin lives, I think it is entirely fair to question how Elizabeth O'Roark feels about trans people? I know I sure did! Does anyone want to take the risk of funding a transphobe? I'll leave it up to you to decide. Authors, publishers, editors, publishing companies, be forewarned. If you want to keep connecting that heinous, demonic hag to your own works of fiction, don't be surprised if it affects your bottom line when people don't want to spend their money on it.
Ballantine/Dell and Netgalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Going into this, I expected something light & escapist with the whole fake newlywed reality show traveling through Europe setup, but this story had so much more depth to it than I anticipated. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, the banter absolutely hits. But underneath all of that is a really emotional story about grief, identity, loneliness, & learning how to let yourself be seen after spending so long hiding behind a version of yourself everyone else created.
I loved Bex. She’s messy, impulsive, chaotic in a way that makes people underestimate her, but as the layers start peeling back, you realize how much of her personality was shaped by the role she was forced into within her family. Watching Theo slowly see through all of that & understand who she really is ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Theo was exactly the kind of MMC I love reading about. Quiet, guarded, emotionally restrained, but constantly giving the sense that he’s holding something back. Elizabeth O’Roark does such a great job unraveling him piece by piece, dropping little hints throughout the story that kept me completely invested in figuring him out. Even once you start understanding his feelings for Bex, there’s still this layer of mystery around him that adds so much tension to their relationship.
The more time he spends with Bex, the more those carefully built walls start slipping, & I loved seeing the contrast between the controlled version Theo shows everyone else versus the softer caring side that only really comes out around her. Their chemistry felt effortless because it wasn’t just attraction, it was the way they slowly became safe places for each other while both carrying so much grief. And honestly, the pining & restraint made the slow burn even better.
I also loved that this book never felt overly heavy despite the subject matter. The reality show premise worked so well against the emotional moments, & some scenes genuinely had me laughing out loud. Elizabeth O’Roark continues to be an auto-read author for me because her romances always feel layered, emotional, & impossible to put down. This one hurt in the best way.
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💍 Fake Marriage
🧲 Opposites Attract
💬 Hilarious Banter
📺 Reality TV Show setting
🛌 Forced Proximity
🇬🇧 British MMC x American FMC
❤️🩹 Emotional Grief
✌🏻 Dual POV
I loved Bex. She’s messy, impulsive, chaotic in a way that makes people underestimate her, but as the layers start peeling back, you realize how much of her personality was shaped by the role she was forced into within her family. Watching Theo slowly see through all of that & understand who she really is ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Theo was exactly the kind of MMC I love reading about. Quiet, guarded, emotionally restrained, but constantly giving the sense that he’s holding something back. Elizabeth O’Roark does such a great job unraveling him piece by piece, dropping little hints throughout the story that kept me completely invested in figuring him out. Even once you start understanding his feelings for Bex, there’s still this layer of mystery around him that adds so much tension to their relationship.
The more time he spends with Bex, the more those carefully built walls start slipping, & I loved seeing the contrast between the controlled version Theo shows everyone else versus the softer caring side that only really comes out around her. Their chemistry felt effortless because it wasn’t just attraction, it was the way they slowly became safe places for each other while both carrying so much grief. And honestly, the pining & restraint made the slow burn even better.
I also loved that this book never felt overly heavy despite the subject matter. The reality show premise worked so well against the emotional moments, & some scenes genuinely had me laughing out loud. Elizabeth O’Roark continues to be an auto-read author for me because her romances always feel layered, emotional, & impossible to put down. This one hurt in the best way.
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💍 Fake Marriage
🧲 Opposites Attract
💬 Hilarious Banter
📺 Reality TV Show setting
🛌 Forced Proximity
🇬🇧 British MMC x American FMC
❤️🩹 Emotional Grief
✌🏻 Dual POV
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What you can expect in Good at Being Alive:
-opposites attract
-marriage of (in)convenience
-reality TV (married for real, but faking being happy for tv)
-age difference
-angsty
-grief
Good at Being Alive is a book filled with plenty of humor, but also heavier topics like grief. Rebecca also known as "Bex", has always felt like the black sheep of her family. Bex's mom passed away when she was young and her father remarried. The best part of that marriage is the step-sister that Bex inherited - one who she loves. So when in a freak accident Bex's entire family - her dad, stepmom and stepsister - dies on the spot she's left floundering. Unsure of what she should do and how to move on.
When Bex meets her dad's business partner, Theo sparks fly. But they're immediately extinguished when she finds out who he is and how rude he is. Since they now own a business together - him in the UK and her in the US they have to figure out a way to work together otherwise they'll be filing for bankruptcy. Bex has an idea...why not try to get a reality tv deal and fight their competitors (social media influencers) - what do they have to lose? A lot apparently when the show decides to spin their story as a happily married couple who is going through their shared grief together while they explore the world. But what starts off as a marriage of convenience slowly starts to turn into something more. How will Bex and Theo feel when their real feelings start to get involved even though they're supposed to divorce at the end of the show?
Once I started reading Good at Being Alive, I had a hard time stopping. Elizabeth O'Roark's writing has a way of hooking me in immediately and it was no different with Good at Being Alive. While I found the book to be humorous and filled with the angst that I love from Elizabeth O'Roark, I feel like I wanted more of a connection between Bex and Theo. While I felt for Bex, especially with how she was going through her grief, I had a harder time connecting with Theo.
Overall, I give Good at Being Alive 3.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher
CW: death of loved ones, cheating, suicide (family member).
-opposites attract
-marriage of (in)convenience
-reality TV (married for real, but faking being happy for tv)
-age difference
-angsty
-grief
Good at Being Alive is a book filled with plenty of humor, but also heavier topics like grief. Rebecca also known as "Bex", has always felt like the black sheep of her family. Bex's mom passed away when she was young and her father remarried. The best part of that marriage is the step-sister that Bex inherited - one who she loves. So when in a freak accident Bex's entire family - her dad, stepmom and stepsister - dies on the spot she's left floundering. Unsure of what she should do and how to move on.
When Bex meets her dad's business partner, Theo sparks fly. But they're immediately extinguished when she finds out who he is and how rude he is. Since they now own a business together - him in the UK and her in the US they have to figure out a way to work together otherwise they'll be filing for bankruptcy. Bex has an idea...why not try to get a reality tv deal and fight their competitors (social media influencers) - what do they have to lose? A lot apparently when the show decides to spin their story as a happily married couple who is going through their shared grief together while they explore the world. But what starts off as a marriage of convenience slowly starts to turn into something more. How will Bex and Theo feel when their real feelings start to get involved even though they're supposed to divorce at the end of the show?
Once I started reading Good at Being Alive, I had a hard time stopping. Elizabeth O'Roark's writing has a way of hooking me in immediately and it was no different with Good at Being Alive. While I found the book to be humorous and filled with the angst that I love from Elizabeth O'Roark, I feel like I wanted more of a connection between Bex and Theo. While I felt for Bex, especially with how she was going through her grief, I had a harder time connecting with Theo.
Overall, I give Good at Being Alive 3.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher
CW: death of loved ones, cheating, suicide (family member).
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