Good at Being Alive

by Elizabeth O'Roark

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 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 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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 16, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth 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.

Reviews

[emelie 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ (exams!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Elizabeth]

Releasing June 16, 2026!

Pre-order your copy today!
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[Natalie | nats.bookrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[ash 🌙✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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! ✨

[Kari Bunce (Books With Herb) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mariah Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Dannie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Juliane B]

ohhhh this is going to be good! I can't wait!

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good at Being Alive is one of those rare romances where the ambition of the premise is matched by the execution on the page. Warm, funny, courageously authentic...and powerfully emotive. From the start, Elizabeth O’Roark builds something wholly original: a fake relationship formed through a travel agency and a Netflix-style reality show. A premise juxtaposed with a deeply existential and immersive character journey...one of profound personal loss. It sounds like a lot, yet the story weaves these elements together with remarkable precision. The structure creates natural stakes, compelling pacing, and an intimate, emotionally charged environment that keeps the characters in constant orbit around one another. The jet setting does more than provide beautiful backdrops. It allows distance and closeness to coexist, giving the romance room to breathe while deepening the tension and connection in equal measure. The result is a story that feels fresh, dynamic, and completely absorbing. And one that is so profoundly emotionally affecting that it lingers in your heart as much as your mind. Not only is this a profound love story between Theo and Bex, but it's a loving, but raw, exploration of grief.

The opening is breathtaking. Going in blind, the emotional impact hits hard and without warning. The loss that anchors the story is delivered with restraint, which makes it feel all the more devastating. We experience the shock exactly as Bex does, numbed and disoriented, until her grief finally breaks through. The funeral scene is both heartbreaking and quietly stunning, serving as an unforgettable introduction not just to the story’s emotional core, but to the relationship itself. That first meeting between Bex and Theo, a deeply tragic meet cute, captures microcosmically everything their bond will become: safety, recognition, and the freedom to be fully seen at your most undone.

At its heart, this is a novel about grief and the way it reshapes identity. O’Roark explores mourning in all its forms, from the public and performative to the private and consuming. Bex’s journey is especially powerful. Losing her family means losing the version of herself that existed in relation to them, and that unraveling sparks an existential reckoning that is both terrifying and strangely liberating. Elizabeth captures the paradox of grief with extraordinary insight. In losing everything, Bex gains access to her truest self. Her growth does not erase her pain, but it transforms it into momentum. Painful momentum. Jolting momentum. But also catalytic. Placing her grief alongside Theo’s creates a striking juxtaposition. Where Bex leans into feeling and change, Theo retreats, allowing his loss to calcify into emotional distance. Their parallel journeys make the story richer and more resonant, showing how differently grief can shape us, and how connection can become the catalyst for healing.

Elizabeth always excels at character voice. Her stories are richly character driven. And Bex is perhaps a master class in her deft ability to create characters in deeply unique and specific strokes...but also with a lot of universality. Bex is a wonder She is vivid, magnetic, and achingly vulnerable, a character who feels fully alive on the page. Her humor, warmth, and self awareness are balanced by deep insecurity and longing, making her incredibly relatable. And human. She is a character who feels misunderstood by the world, yet deeply known by the reader. Her voice captures that universal way we feel about the way we shape ourselves to be palatable to others, what we thin we need to do to be loved, and how often that leaves us feeling disconnected from who we truly are. Watching her reclaim herself is both moving and empowering. A bit devastating too.

The romance between Bex and Theo is a case study in slow burn tension. Their chemistry is immediate, but the narrative wisely resists rushing it. Of course, we have Elizabeth's trademark humor and banter. But there's also deeper layers to these characters. The longing builds through quiet moments, shared understanding, and the way they instinctively see and interpret each other with generosity. Which is brilliant considering their relationship is literally under a microscope for the world to see. But it's within the loudness of their absurd adventure that the quite moments shine. They recognize each other’s flaws not as failures, but as survival mechanisms. Theo sees Bex’s exhaustion as devotion rather than weakness. Bex understands his rigidity as a need for safety. Their attraction is as much emotional as it is physical, and when the romance finally ignites, its explosive. Life altering. The fake relationship adds another layer of complexity and tension, forcing both characters to confront what is real, what is performative, and what it means if the feelings are genuine. And if they are READY for that.

Both character arcs are beautifully realized. Bex’s growth is nuanced and honest, allowing space for contradiction and complexity. She learns to hold love and resentment, grief and gratitude, accountability and compassion all at once. Most importantly, she learns to demand more, even when doing so risks losing what she wants most. Theo’s arc is equally compelling, as he learns that protecting his heart by settling for less is not the same as living. Together, they model a love that does not save them, but encourages them to choose bravery, vulnerability, and a fuller version of life. How they inspire each other to DARE TO LIVE.

Good at Being Alive is emotionally rich, psychologically astute, and profoundly romantic. It is a story about daring to live, daring to love, and daring to ask for more than survival. Elizabeth O’Roark has crafted something truly special here, a romance that lingers long after the final page. One that changes you as much as it absorbs you. One of her most meaningful works to do, and easily a favorite.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth O’Roark’s Good at Being Alive is a sharp, emotionally layered romance that blends dry wit, heartache, and just the right amount of wanderlust. It’s everything you’d want from a grumpy x sunshine, fake honeymoon romance—packed with chemistry, banter, and unexpected depth.

Bex is one of O’Roark’s most compelling heroines to date. Branded a mess by those around her, she’s messy in the way that’s honest—smart, loving, deeply wounded, and working hard to survive after tragedy. The way the story unpacks emotional abuse, grief, and self-worth is poignant and at times painful, but it’s balanced beautifully with Bex’s biting humor and vibrant spirit.

The hero… well, let’s just say he’s a tough nut to crack. He has his own grief and trauma, and while it gives context to his closed-off nature, his emotional distance and judgmental tendencies early on are hard to overlook. I wanted more from him—more emotional presence, more vulnerability, more growth on the page. Bex gives so much, and his journey toward deserving her felt a little rushed in the final act.

Still, their dynamic is addictive. The setting—a dreamlike travel show honeymoon across Europe—makes the perfect backdrop for two people learning to open themselves to love, even when it scares them. The banter is top-tier (the wizard jokes alone made me laugh out loud), and O’Roark’s writing, as always, cuts with precision.

This book touches on big themes—grief, healing, self-worth, and the long, messy path to real connection—and though I wanted a bit more balance in the emotional arcs, it’s a read that stays with you. It’s about choosing to believe that you’re worthy of love, even when the world has convinced you otherwise.

[Caroline Pounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth O’Roark, and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of this book. If Elizabeth O’Roark has no fans than I am sadly dead. Her writing just works for me every single time.

Good at Being Alive is an emotional, contemporary romance that deals with grief, past mistakes and how they can haunt us, as well as the scars our childhood can leave behind. We meet Bex while she’s traveling to see her family. As usual she has missed her flight and disappointed her family. Tragedy comes her way quickly and she is left dealing with grief and complicated feelings around her memories of her childhood. Theo comes in to the picture with an epic meet cute at the worst time. The two end up hatching a plan to save Theo and Bex’s family’s business. This involves a reality tv show and of course a fake marriage. The show will take them around the world and create a bond they never saw coming between Bex and Theo.

I had a bit of trouble getting into the first 20% of the book. I believe some of the issues I had will be corrected before publication. It was difficult to discern if they were in NJ or LA a few times. Just slight inconsistencies that took me out of the story but I have faith they will be corrected. After 20% it really picked up for me as the travel started and reality show begun filming. A hallmark of Elizabeth’s writing is witty banter and fighting between the main characters. Good at Being Alive was full of this and I ate it up! The romance, banter, and the travel aspects of the story made up for some potential plot shortcomings. In particular the big reveal of Theo’s secret seemed a little silly. All in all I really enjoyed it and had a great time!

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to start by saying I love Elizabeth O’Roark’s books. They are quick reads because you just want to know what’s going to happen next.

She often writes female main characters who are smarter than they appear to be . I don’t love that aspect of it and wish she would’ve been more confident. It helped that Bex was funny which made her more likable to me but definitely not my favorite Elizabeth O’Roark character.

However, for me I have to be in a certain mood to read her books. They’re so dark and angsty.

The cover of this book doesn’t match the vibe of the actual book and story. It appears like it’d be a light fun romance book which it is not.

This is a slow burn, they don’t truly hook up (not under the influence) until 70%. I didn’t mind that, the chemistry was off the charts. However Theo did say some stuff that was rude to Bex but then he’d be nice. It was all over with him in regard to the insults vs nice ratio.

Also it takes until 92% for the reader to finally learn what is Theo’s secret which ends up falling flat. He slept with his friend Wendy while she was still married but telling Theo she was leaving her husband when she really didn’t. He immediately ended it but kept hanging out with her with their group of friends. Which really didn’t make sense to me but I guess that’s one of his toxic traits is allowing people who have hurt him to continue being friends with him.

This issues gets resolved almost immediately at the 97% mark.

There is a happily ever after but I found something to be missing. This book just didn’t land for me like her others. However I’m glad I read it because I love her and her writing! I would definitely recommend.

I received this as an ARC from Netgalley.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
Good at Being Alive is about Bex, a woman dealing with grief and a deep-seated belief that she’s basically destined to screw things up. The story follows her as she navigates messy relationships, avoids vulnerability, and tries to convince herself she doesn’t deserve better. Even with the heavier themes, this was a compulsively readable book that I flew through, even as my feelings about it became more complicated.

Tropes:

Grumpy / sunshine

Fake marriage

Messy FMC

Navigating grief

Road trip (sort of. They traveled a lot)


My Thoughts:
This honestly could have been a five-star read for me, which is what makes the final rating such a disappointment. The foundation is there: strong banter, some genuinely humorous moments, and Elizabeth O'Roark's writing style kept me fully invested. I was hooked and had a hard time putting it down.

Unfortunately, a few choices pulled me out of the story. The overuse of Harry Potter references became distracting, but more importantly, the jokes about deportation early in the book were uncomfortable for me as a reader. Even if the joke was framed around deporting a white male character—and perhaps that’s why it was considered acceptable—it still felt tone-deaf and unnecessary given the current US climate..

That’s what ultimately makes this a three-star read for me. I’m genuinely sad to be dropping the rating, because the banter and the underlying story are there, but those elements significantly lessened my enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for the ARC! I am pretty sure I've read just about all of Elizabeth O'Roark's catalog so far. She has become an auto-read author for me. If she writes it, I will read it. Good at Being Alive, puts together Bex and Theo, who have both experienced terrible personal tragedies in their lives and lost loved one. They are forced to work together and pretend to be married, with the goal of saving their businesses. As always, I loved the banter, humor, and tension between the two main characters. While this was a book that dealt a lot with grief, I appreciated the humor and sarcasm related to loss. Now were there tender moments? Yes. There were certainly emotional moments where the characters, especially Bex, dealt with the overwhelming grief from the loss of her family. But I also appreciated that sometimes you do have to make jokes or be sarcastic about the terrible or hardest moments of your life. Sometimes humor and sarcasm are ways to navigate through grief. That really resonated with me. I enjoyed the development of Bex's character and the chemistry between her and Theo. I felt like the travel and show plot points helped to make things lighter when the elements of grief could have made the book super heavy. With an Elizabeth O'Roak book you will experience all the emotions, ups and downs, as well as great romance. As always, I read this in about 48 hours and wished i could read more to their story after it was done. Definitely recommend! 4.5 stars.

[Kayne Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Elizabeth O’Roark’s Devil Series and this reminded me of those books, so I thought this was fun. The story starts off sad when Rebecca’s (Bex’s) dad, stepmother and stepsister die in a train crash and Theo, her father’s partner, shows up with news that their family's travel business is ready to go under. But before her dad died, he was planning to do a TV show with Bex’s family traveling to popular destinations to try and save the business. Now, the plan is to do a show with Bex and Theo as newlyweds! This is where the fun begins! Bex is a hoot – she is so snarky and Theo is a straitlaced British CEO. Theo makes the travel plans for their European trip which will be filmed by a reality TV crew. It’s exciting as they travel to Iceland, Amsterdam, Naples, Capri, London and Paris and they grow close as they get to know each other. Bex is beautiful, zany and so funny. She keeps everyone laughing, even as she is grieving for her sister. Theo also has his share of trauma after the death of his brother. He tries to keep himself from falling for Bex (their banter is so funny) but we soon realize he’s got a secret. This was 4 and ½ starts for me. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date, 06/16. Thanks to the author, Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite an emotional read and really deals with heavy themes, like death and grief and family issues and a daughter who thinks she just is not worthy of ANYTHING, but also love perservering throughout this book was fantastic. I really enjoyed it, and the way Elizabeth O'Roark writes just evokes so much emotion and I always feel so connected to her stories and characters. It's smart and witty, and oh my goodness, one of my favorite things that Elizath O'Roark does is her banter! It is so sharp and hilarious and smart and witty. I LOVE how she pulls it off and it really defines her characters. I love the journey Bex goes on, and the healing that takes place. She starts off by feeling like no one loves her and that she wasn't meant to be here in the first place; basically, a total burden. But, Theo SEES her. Maybe not at first, but he really, really does. She really grows and finds herself and realizes that being HERSELF is the best version and the right person or people will love her. I love the setting(s) and the storyline of the TV show and their attempt to save their business that means so much to her family. Theo was also grieving but he's a British hottie who underneath that grumpiness, had a heart of gold. I enjoyed this one immensely!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth O'Roark, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

[Bookstagrambrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book by Elizabeth O’Roark that I did not love and this one is no exception. This might be my favorite. The banter was so good and I literally laughed out loud several times. I absolutely adored Theo & Bex. I enjoyed every minute of their story. Rebecca aka Bex was easily one of the best female main characters I've read. This book features dual points of view, but you do get more from her than Theo, and I would've liked a little more from him. I get why it was written that way though. Theo had been given an impression of what Bex was like, and it only confirmed what he believed after their first encounter. However, the more time he spent with her, the more he realized he was wrong. He was actually instrumental in the way she saw herself and helped her realize that she was in the habit of making herself small to please others. I only wish that she could do for him what he did for her. He had a lot going on in his life and he kept it all to himself. Only allowing little pieces of himself to her. So when his house of cards crumbles, he had to do some groveling, and he did it well.

If you like humor, angst, heat and groveling, you will definitely like this story.
This book will absolutely be on my shelf when it's released in June 2026.
Thank you to the author, netgalley and Dell for this advanced copy.

[chelseabrookelikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely caught me off guard in the best way.

Good at Being Alive is a romance, yes… but it’s also a deeply emotional story about grief, healing, and figuring out how to keep going when your entire world has been ripped out from under you. Elizabeth O’Roark has such a gift for writing characters who feel real, and this one hit me right in the chest.

Bex is messy, hurting, and barely holding it together after unimaginable loss, and I loved her for it. She’s not polished or put together…she’s surviving. Theo, on the other hand, is controlled, guarded, and emotionally locked down… until Bex slowly chips away at every wall he’s built. Their dynamic is peak grumpy x sunshine, but with so much depth underneath the banter.

The fake relationship setup and travel backdrop was such a fun contrast to the heavier emotional themes. One minute I was smiling at their banter, and the next I was sitting there quietly processing the way grief was written so honestly. This book doesn’t rush healing or wrap things up in a neat bow…it lets the characters struggle, backslide, and grow.

What really stood out to me was how much heart this story has. It’s about choosing life again. About letting yourself feel joy without guilt. About finding someone who sees you at your worst and stays anyway.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m never disappointed by an Elizabeth O’Roark book, this one was such a fun read! Lots of laughter and sweet moments filled this grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience with a dash of reality tv, family drama and travel there is a little bit of everything.

In the wake of losing her family in a tragic train crash Bex finds herself trying to save her fathers company. Somehow the best solution for this is to fake marry her dead fathers business partner for a travel reality tv show. Theo the grumpy business partner can’t stand Bex and her troublemaker, party girl ways doesn’t want anything to do with this plan. He has his own family tragedy in his past and plenty of secrets to go along with it. Can they pretend to like each other enough that the world will actually believe them as a couple? And will it be enough to save the company?

Bex and Theo have the best banter! I couldn’t get enough of the way they disliked each other until they didn’t anymore, and then I couldn’t handle the way they loved each other and didn’t realize it. This was a super fun fast read with a great balance of fun humor and tenderhearted moments as two people move past their grief and start fresh.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth O’Roark is firmly in my auto-read category. She writes the kind of swoony alpha heroes I devour in a day. Good at Being Alive is a departure from her usual vibe, leaning more emotional than her typical style, but I loved the shift. O’Roark dives right into heavy themes and even opens with a major family loss. Bold move, but it works.

Bex is hilarious, and her banter with Theo is next-level good. I laughed out loud more times than I can count. She’s the perfect foil for the emotional weight woven through the story and brings just the right amount of light to balance all the heavy. And Theo… swoon. He’s carrying his own emotional trauma and is more closed off than I would’ve preferred, but he’s still every bit the dreamy O’Roark hero. The way he gets Bex made me love him even more. Their chemistry is fantastic. It’s a slower burn, lighter on spice than some of her other books, but still incredibly satisfying.

This was shaping up to be a solid five-star read for me until the end. No spoilers, but the third-act conflict didn’t quite land, and the final wrap-up felt a little underwhelming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell Romance for the early copy. This is the perfect book to kick off summer with!

[Kayla Litke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the humor in Elizabeth O'Roark's books, and this one was no different. :) The banter had me unable to put this down.

Rebecca "Bex" has just lost her entire family in a tragic accident. She is now responsible for her family's travel agency that is about to go under. How to save it? A reality TV show exploring the world on her honeymoon - staring her and her new (fake) husband, Theo Porter (her father's UK business partner AND the man she made out with at her family's funeral). In the beginning, they clash due to all of their many differences. But as they get to know each other without the pressure of the cameras, they see each other in different lights and form a bond neither thought was possible,

This book, although full of romance and humor, also focuses on different aspects of grief and family dynamics that can be dysfunctional at best. I really liked the way everything was portrayed and how at the end Bex was able to see herself as someone who deserved happy endings and being put first.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine/Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review :)

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fake dating/marriage, opposites attract, he falls first and hard tropes get me every time. Combine that with dual POV for 2x the yearning, 2x the tension, and 2x the angst and pretty much guaranteed I’ll love the story. Good at Being Alive has all of this plus more!

I adored both Bex and Theo — both grieving, both trying to live up to others’ expectations, and both needing someone to put them first. Their banter was everything! The back and forth sarcasm, the dry humor — it truly was as if the curtain was lifted behind the scenes of your favorite romance + travel reality show. There’s some heavy themes dealing with grief, infidelity, and never feeling like you’re enough, but couched in an overall light-hearted tone. I could not put this one down!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, Ballantine Books, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[maisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

This was a fun and very quick read for me- I spent the whole day absorbed in this fake marriage, (low key) enemies to lovers romance.

Bex was such a breath of fresh air FMC while also being a complete mess, which is why I think I loved her so much. She’s spent her whole life being treated honestly like sh*t and she grew a lot during this story, especially when she finally had someone like Theo in her corner, who supported her and made her see how wonderful, smart, and witty she is. Theo was a frustrating MMC to me only because he was closed off to Bex for the most of the story and when his drama was revealed, I didn’t really like how the resolution came about. But with that being said, a 6 foot 2, British hottie?! Sign me UP!!!! I do think he was good with Bex and she brought out a side of him that was fun and adventurous.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

[Jess Hilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Good at Being Alive is a heartfelt story about grief, growth, and learning to trust your own voice again. I fell in love with Bex—she’s beautifully written, raw, funny, and emotionally brave. Her healing journey through travel is vivid and grounded 🌍 and you can feel that the author has walked these cities and carried this kind of grief. The result is a heroine who truly shines.

The romance, however, didn’t quite work for me 💔. While Theo played an important role in Bex’s transformation, helping her rediscover her strength and worth, I struggled with his lack of emotional growth. His final gesture felt underwhelming, especially after such a big reveal, and I was left feeling like Bex deserved far more. Still, the story is moving, gorgeously set, and worth reading for Bex alone 💫.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC 🥰

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This follows Bex (most of her family just died in a car accident, leaving her the family travel agency that is kinda sorta failing at the moment) and Theo (a British CEO and partner in Bex's family business).

The two end up going on a reality tv show, faking that they're newlyweds on their honeymoon.

I wasn't really clear as to how and why they end up on this show. It has something to do with the dad. And I do think it's hilarious that the dad planned this and is just a little meddler.

And, of course, there's lots of drama.

I didn't love this as much as I have loved other books from this author, but it was still fun and entertaining. It definitely grew on me the more I read it. Especially when it comes to their relationship and how that progressed.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where there are only two family travel agencies, and only one can be successful, and the only way for one to succeed is to have a TV show…

I rounded up from 3.5 stars because despite rolling my eyes pretty hard at the premise for the first few chapters, I actually really enjoyed the romance in this book and devoured it pretty quickly. Grumpy alpha falls hard for a messy smart girl will get me every time. This one was fun, and I liked the dual POV - more yearning is always good.

I also have to point out that this is only the second Elizabeth O’Roark book I’ve read, but in both of them the FMC catches feelings for a guy who she thinks of as belonging to her sister in a totally nonsensical way..? What’s up with that? Will have to read more of her books to see if the trend continues.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

[Jaime Trupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review

Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O’Rourke is one of those rare books that quietly slips under your skin and refuses to leave. It’s heartfelt, smart, and achingly honest, exactly the kind of story you want to savor and then immediately recommend to everyone you know.

I just loved Theo and Bex’s story. Their chemistry is instant but never rushed, layered with the kind of emotional tension that feels both inevitable and deeply earned. Bex’s vulnerability, humor, and resilience make her a heroine you root for from page one. And Theo, steady, patient, and unexpectedly tender, balances her perfectly.

O’Rourke tackles grief, healing, and second chances with a gentle touch, weaving humor through heartbreak in a way that never feels forced. The writing is gorgeous, the pacing flawless, and the emotional payoff is huge.

[Anna Margaret Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[ChristinaLarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I would love this book without even reading the blurb because I love an Elizabeth O'Roark book. And I was right.

I love Bex's character so much. She is so unserious, and her sense of humor is top tier. She's used to everyone thinking she's incompetent and an underachiever. She dims her own light to keep the peace in her family.
I wanted only good things for her all the way through because she deserved so much better than she was given.

Theo really wasn't that interesting to me. He also had some trauma that affected his relationships but maybe just standing next to Bex's bright light makes you a little dimmer.

Such a good book. I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!