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Forever is the Sweetest Con
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26“Twisty, sharp, and utterly addictive — a love story wrapped in a con you’ll never see coming.” Kristin Wollett, author of As a Last Resort
Cleo Des Rochelles doesn’t believe in love—not after being swindled by her ex and left to repay his debts or risk losing her home and her mother’s safety. Desperate for cash, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250k prize.
But instead of a glamorous retreat, Cleo finds herself in the wilds of Canada’s Northern Ontario, scrubbing toilets and faking romance with Kei, a charming musician with lofty dreams of stardom. Their pact is play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings.
Then the crew vanishes. With no food, no phones, and no refill of Kei’s insulin, the stakes skyrocket from love and money to sheer survival. As danger closes in, Cleo discovers a strength she never knew she had—and a love too real to fake.
Cleo Des Rochelles doesn’t believe in love—not after being swindled by her ex and left to repay his debts or risk losing her home and her mother’s safety. Desperate for cash, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250k prize.
But instead of a glamorous retreat, Cleo finds herself in the wilds of Canada’s Northern Ontario, scrubbing toilets and faking romance with Kei, a charming musician with lofty dreams of stardom. Their pact is play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings.
Then the crew vanishes. With no food, no phones, and no refill of Kei’s insulin, the stakes skyrocket from love and money to sheer survival. As danger closes in, Cleo discovers a strength she never knew she had—and a love too real to fake.
292 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 16, 2026
About the author
Joanna Thurlow
1 book10 followersJoanna Thurlow is a writer & editor, yoga teacher, and professionally trained baker who proudly claims to make the world's best chocolate chip cookies. A lover of books, sunsets at the family cottage, and "pie-in-a-bathing-suit" season, Joanna is happiest with her husband, their two children,and the dog she never expected to adore. This is her debut novel.
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January 7, 2026stop with them taylor swift lyric titles😭🥺
i do love cowboy like me
May 11, 2026
Rating: ★★★.75
ARC Review:
I received an advance copy of this book from Sugar Shack Books in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Standalone or Series: Standalone
POV: First Person, Single
Genre: Romantic Suspense (ish)
Vibe: Love Island Meets Survivor
Pacing: Slow start that blends into a fast end
Spice Level: 🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
Reread-worthy: Yes
Tropes:
✵Reality Dating Show
✵Fake Dating
✵Mysterious Disappearance
Synopsis: Love Island meets Survivor in this debut from Joanna Thurlow. While struggling with debt from her ex, Cleo is approached by a rich man with the opportunity of a lifetime: join a reality dating tv show on a luxurious island and work towards the chance at $250k. Determined to not fall in love, Cleo makes a deal with Kei, the sweet, guitar playing contest to help each other win and take home the cash prize. But, when the crew mysteriously disappears and supplies start to dwindle, the contests are forced to work together and figure out a way off the island.
My Thoughts: This was an excellent debut novel in my opinion. I thought the concept was very unique, and when I first picked up this arc, I had no idea that this would be a romance with a thriller element to it. I have been really enjoying the romantic suspense genre recently, so I was very excited when I heard there was a bit of mystery to this one. While I have never watched Love Island or Survivor, I know the general gist of it and this book really was a great mix of the two. The whole concept surrounding Camp Couple-Up seemed like it was too good to be true from the very beginning. When Cleo joins out of desperation, I expected to her face so many antics being in the Canadian wilderness. What I got was so much more. So many red flags were hinted at from the very beginning, and there were so many moments that I could not tell where the story was going to go. It’s mentioned in the description that the crew suddenly disappears, and it happened at a moment that I was not prepared for. I guessed immediately the reason they disappeared, but I was still so surprised to see how things unfolded after that moment. This is where the story really picked up. Up until this point, the plot was moving a bit too slow for my liking, but when the suspense kicked in, I was hooked. I flew through the rest of the story to find out what happened and I was truly shocked. A few moments in the climax did seem to be a bit farfetched, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
As for the characters, I felt like they were a bit underdeveloped. We learned a lot about Cleo from the first person POV, but I found her a bit unlikable for most of the book. Kei though… WHAT A MAN! I fell in love with him the minute he appeared, and I was rooting for him the entire time. He had such a soft persona, and I found myself swooning over his actions. He made Cleo a lot more tolerable for me. When they were together, her constant complaining paused, and I loved how he really helped her see the bright side of things. Kei really made this story for me. I wish we got to see his POV in this story. The rest of the characters seemed like they were just there to fill the background. I never fully connected with the rest, and we learned very little about them. I liked that Cleo was able to form a few relationships throughout her time on Camp Couple-Up, but I wish we saw some more of these relationships bloom.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one and I think it was a strong debut. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!
ARC Review:
I received an advance copy of this book from Sugar Shack Books in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Standalone or Series: Standalone
POV: First Person, Single
Genre: Romantic Suspense (ish)
Vibe: Love Island Meets Survivor
Pacing: Slow start that blends into a fast end
Spice Level: 🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
Reread-worthy: Yes
Tropes:
✵Reality Dating Show
✵Fake Dating
✵Mysterious Disappearance
Synopsis: Love Island meets Survivor in this debut from Joanna Thurlow. While struggling with debt from her ex, Cleo is approached by a rich man with the opportunity of a lifetime: join a reality dating tv show on a luxurious island and work towards the chance at $250k. Determined to not fall in love, Cleo makes a deal with Kei, the sweet, guitar playing contest to help each other win and take home the cash prize. But, when the crew mysteriously disappears and supplies start to dwindle, the contests are forced to work together and figure out a way off the island.
My Thoughts: This was an excellent debut novel in my opinion. I thought the concept was very unique, and when I first picked up this arc, I had no idea that this would be a romance with a thriller element to it. I have been really enjoying the romantic suspense genre recently, so I was very excited when I heard there was a bit of mystery to this one. While I have never watched Love Island or Survivor, I know the general gist of it and this book really was a great mix of the two. The whole concept surrounding Camp Couple-Up seemed like it was too good to be true from the very beginning. When Cleo joins out of desperation, I expected to her face so many antics being in the Canadian wilderness. What I got was so much more. So many red flags were hinted at from the very beginning, and there were so many moments that I could not tell where the story was going to go. It’s mentioned in the description that the crew suddenly disappears, and it happened at a moment that I was not prepared for. I guessed immediately the reason they disappeared, but I was still so surprised to see how things unfolded after that moment. This is where the story really picked up. Up until this point, the plot was moving a bit too slow for my liking, but when the suspense kicked in, I was hooked. I flew through the rest of the story to find out what happened and I was truly shocked. A few moments in the climax did seem to be a bit farfetched, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
As for the characters, I felt like they were a bit underdeveloped. We learned a lot about Cleo from the first person POV, but I found her a bit unlikable for most of the book. Kei though… WHAT A MAN! I fell in love with him the minute he appeared, and I was rooting for him the entire time. He had such a soft persona, and I found myself swooning over his actions. He made Cleo a lot more tolerable for me. When they were together, her constant complaining paused, and I loved how he really helped her see the bright side of things. Kei really made this story for me. I wish we got to see his POV in this story. The rest of the characters seemed like they were just there to fill the background. I never fully connected with the rest, and we learned very little about them. I liked that Cleo was able to form a few relationships throughout her time on Camp Couple-Up, but I wish we saw some more of these relationships bloom.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one and I think it was a strong debut. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!
February 24, 2026
Love island meets survivor with an extreme twist. Not only is love on the line but everyone’s lives as well! At first, I was a bit iffy but once everything started to fall into place and things that happened in the story started adding up it all made sense. I guess you could call this a romance suspense. Found family. So much character growth. I definitely think this is going to be a huge hit this summer. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read in advance!
April 11, 2026
3 rounded up to 3,75⭐
Thank you to netgalley for giving me access to read this for an exchange of an honest review.
This debut book was a very interesting read and a first to me. I loved that it's a reality TV show mixed between Love Island and Survivor. I had a great time reading it and there were moments where I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen, which made me like it even more. I could not put it down when I reacher the last part of it at all, which is very good. A closed off FMC who doesn't believe in love anymore, and a MMC that's fresh out of a bad breakup is a plot that was very interesting to see, especially with the slow burn.
The story follows Cleo, an aspiring actress that got all her dreams shattered because of her ex-boyfriend who took advantage of her money and put her in a very bad financial situation to the point to never trust any man and to swear off love. When the chance of getting on a reality TV show that promises a big amount of money if you win, she takes it since she is drowing and dept and doesn't have any alternative. On the set of the show, weird things keep happening, the camera crew and the management are being secretive, the setting feels off and they don't even have the luxury of an actual reel reality TV show. On set, she meets Kai, a canadian singer who's trying to find a contract to make himself a well known artist. He looks like the shy golden retriver guy, but what she didn't know at first was that he was also there for the money and that's when things get complicated. He is also diabetic, type 1, which complicates things at some point throughout the book. He wants them to fake a relationship to be the couple that wins so that they can share the money and each one of them gets what they want. Although, in the behind the scenes, things keep getting even worst, one day the camera crew and the management team leaves and doesn't come back, which puts the participants in a very bad situation, and from them, things go south.
If you're curious about what happens next and you're an adept of a fake relationship and slow burn, you might want to add this book to your tbr <3
Thank you to netgalley for giving me access to read this for an exchange of an honest review.
This debut book was a very interesting read and a first to me. I loved that it's a reality TV show mixed between Love Island and Survivor. I had a great time reading it and there were moments where I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen, which made me like it even more. I could not put it down when I reacher the last part of it at all, which is very good. A closed off FMC who doesn't believe in love anymore, and a MMC that's fresh out of a bad breakup is a plot that was very interesting to see, especially with the slow burn.
The story follows Cleo, an aspiring actress that got all her dreams shattered because of her ex-boyfriend who took advantage of her money and put her in a very bad financial situation to the point to never trust any man and to swear off love. When the chance of getting on a reality TV show that promises a big amount of money if you win, she takes it since she is drowing and dept and doesn't have any alternative. On the set of the show, weird things keep happening, the camera crew and the management are being secretive, the setting feels off and they don't even have the luxury of an actual reel reality TV show. On set, she meets Kai, a canadian singer who's trying to find a contract to make himself a well known artist. He looks like the shy golden retriver guy, but what she didn't know at first was that he was also there for the money and that's when things get complicated. He is also diabetic, type 1, which complicates things at some point throughout the book. He wants them to fake a relationship to be the couple that wins so that they can share the money and each one of them gets what they want. Although, in the behind the scenes, things keep getting even worst, one day the camera crew and the management team leaves and doesn't come back, which puts the participants in a very bad situation, and from them, things go south.
If you're curious about what happens next and you're an adept of a fake relationship and slow burn, you might want to add this book to your tbr <3
March 30, 2026
4.5 ⭐ ARC Review - The perfect summer romance with a thriller twist that had me binge reading 80% of the book in a single sitting!
🏕️ For Fans of:
- romantic suspense
- dating show romance
- reality show romance
- fake dating everyone
- recently single
- short chapters
- thriller elements
- FMC healing and growth
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Without giving away the whole plot, this romantic suspense had me cheering for the main character, heart hurting for her, suspicious of the bad vibes, and my eye twitching because I was so concerned and read the last half of the book in a single sitting!
This is only the second romantic suspense book I’ve read and I truly enjoyed it! There was one moment that I had to suspend belief, but even that felt inconsequential compared to the larger plot and intensity of the book.
With all that the characters go through (and oh boy do they go through it) the ending was that much more meaningful. I’ll even admit that I teared up a bit because there WAS so much going on in the FMC’s life that I could feel the heartache, the panic, the love, and the relief as I was reading.
🖤 Thank you to author Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley for the free digital advance copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
📅 Release Date: June 16, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
🏕️ For Fans of:
- romantic suspense
- dating show romance
- reality show romance
- fake dating everyone
- recently single
- short chapters
- thriller elements
- FMC healing and growth
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Without giving away the whole plot, this romantic suspense had me cheering for the main character, heart hurting for her, suspicious of the bad vibes, and my eye twitching because I was so concerned and read the last half of the book in a single sitting!
This is only the second romantic suspense book I’ve read and I truly enjoyed it! There was one moment that I had to suspend belief, but even that felt inconsequential compared to the larger plot and intensity of the book.
With all that the characters go through (and oh boy do they go through it) the ending was that much more meaningful. I’ll even admit that I teared up a bit because there WAS so much going on in the FMC’s life that I could feel the heartache, the panic, the love, and the relief as I was reading.
🖤 Thank you to author Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley for the free digital advance copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
📅 Release Date: June 16, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
March 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book before publication!!
I was REALLY looking forward to this book, with the themes of Love Island in it.
The story starts off with Cleo, a girl who had just been left without a proper home, money and a meaning in life.
As she’s working her next shift at the bar, she is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to win £250K on a dating show…
There were SO many twists and turns in this book and the last 45% was a TURN and a half that I didn’t see coming at all!
What a read!! ☺️
I was REALLY looking forward to this book, with the themes of Love Island in it.
The story starts off with Cleo, a girl who had just been left without a proper home, money and a meaning in life.
As she’s working her next shift at the bar, she is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to win £250K on a dating show…
There were SO many twists and turns in this book and the last 45% was a TURN and a half that I didn’t see coming at all!
What a read!! ☺️
Read
December 22, 2025I couldn't put this book down. It was so good. Its part romance, part adventure.
The characters are contestants on a "love islands" meets "survivor" type dating show, which, honestly, seems like a really good idea for a show. The FMC, Cleo, needs money so she agrees to go on a dating reality show in the Canadian wilderness in hopes of winning the prize money. To do that, she partners up with a fellow contestant to fake a relationship to win. Then, things go wrong. The last half of the book was very suspenseful. I really liked the twist and that it wasn't simply a romance book.
The characters are contestants on a "love islands" meets "survivor" type dating show, which, honestly, seems like a really good idea for a show. The FMC, Cleo, needs money so she agrees to go on a dating reality show in the Canadian wilderness in hopes of winning the prize money. To do that, she partners up with a fellow contestant to fake a relationship to win. Then, things go wrong. The last half of the book was very suspenseful. I really liked the twist and that it wasn't simply a romance book.
January 23, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC.
What a fun ride! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to go wrong in this story, and when it did, I couldn’t put it down! I was even wondering if this was going to turn quasi-horror at some points. Writing very reminiscent of another Canadian gem, Karina Halle, the imagery was beautiful.
If you love reality tv and especially if you HATE reality tv (me) you’ll love this read.
Note: this is a Closed door romance / fade to black
What a fun ride! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to go wrong in this story, and when it did, I couldn’t put it down! I was even wondering if this was going to turn quasi-horror at some points. Writing very reminiscent of another Canadian gem, Karina Halle, the imagery was beautiful.
If you love reality tv and especially if you HATE reality tv (me) you’ll love this read.
Note: this is a Closed door romance / fade to black
May 6, 2026
3.75✨
I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. This book embodies summer camp, with very strong Camp Rock vibes if it was mashed with Love Island. I just couldn’t put it down!
I was hooked from the very beginning of this book. Joanna writes with so much wit and humour I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cleo and Kei. This disaster of a dating show brought so many people together, and formed some very unlikely friendships. I also appreciated that in true rom-com fashion we got a happy ending.
I really appreciated Cleo as a heroine because she was strong and confident, but also recognized her shortcomings. I just wished she had a little more self-reflection before coming to the realization that she loved Kei. Kei was such a sweetheart. From the very beginning I knew he could do no wrong. Some of his choices (you’ll know the one) made me gasp because they were so contradictory to his character, but he always came through in the end.
I also loved how fast-paced this novel was. I genuinely read it in two sittings because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. And that ending?!?! Lord, I’m gonna need a minute to recover from that.
This has to be one of the best debut novels I have ever read and I can’t wait for June when everyone else can experience this delight of a summer romance novel for themselves!
I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. This book embodies summer camp, with very strong Camp Rock vibes if it was mashed with Love Island. I just couldn’t put it down!
I was hooked from the very beginning of this book. Joanna writes with so much wit and humour I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cleo and Kei. This disaster of a dating show brought so many people together, and formed some very unlikely friendships. I also appreciated that in true rom-com fashion we got a happy ending.
I really appreciated Cleo as a heroine because she was strong and confident, but also recognized her shortcomings. I just wished she had a little more self-reflection before coming to the realization that she loved Kei. Kei was such a sweetheart. From the very beginning I knew he could do no wrong. Some of his choices (you’ll know the one) made me gasp because they were so contradictory to his character, but he always came through in the end.
I also loved how fast-paced this novel was. I genuinely read it in two sittings because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. And that ending?!?! Lord, I’m gonna need a minute to recover from that.
This has to be one of the best debut novels I have ever read and I can’t wait for June when everyone else can experience this delight of a summer romance novel for themselves!
March 28, 2026
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley!
I haven’t watched an IRL reality show in … a while. But I consume the drama like water, so I was intrigued by this concept if anything! Northern Ontario and our MMC kind of sold it. I lived for the drama and outlandishness of it all and the chaos from the beginning had me hooked and I read this in pretty much one go. I found the characters enjoyable for the most part and thought the way they were written showed their personalities & layers beyond what we saw for their first introductions and we didn’t need big revelatory moments for them, so I didn’t even particularly dislike the enemies, y’know? When the twist twisted, the vibe change was distinct enough that I felt as on edge as our characters must have and it kept me flipping pages so I could see where things would end and how it would all play out!! It was a rollercoaster and I was happy to be on it.
I will only said I didn’t enjoy the epilogue and thought it fell a little flat, I felt like I didn’t fully understand it but maybe that’s on me! I enjoyed the journey :)
I haven’t watched an IRL reality show in … a while. But I consume the drama like water, so I was intrigued by this concept if anything! Northern Ontario and our MMC kind of sold it. I lived for the drama and outlandishness of it all and the chaos from the beginning had me hooked and I read this in pretty much one go. I found the characters enjoyable for the most part and thought the way they were written showed their personalities & layers beyond what we saw for their first introductions and we didn’t need big revelatory moments for them, so I didn’t even particularly dislike the enemies, y’know? When the twist twisted, the vibe change was distinct enough that I felt as on edge as our characters must have and it kept me flipping pages so I could see where things would end and how it would all play out!! It was a rollercoaster and I was happy to be on it.
I will only said I didn’t enjoy the epilogue and thought it fell a little flat, I felt like I didn’t fully understand it but maybe that’s on me! I enjoyed the journey :)
March 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and here’s my honest review!
✨baby’s first ARC ✨ lol
This story started off really strong, and I liked the FMC. It was a fun twist on a reality tv romance, with some believable trauma for the FMC. The first 70% of it was great, 5 stars. And then it started to go downhill for me - it was so much disaster all at once, and some serious medical events that definitely needed trigger warnings. As person with a partner with T1D, I really would’ve appreciated a trigger warning here!!! Yet, there were these very serious medical events that did not end like they would have in reality. So it felt like a roller coaster of emotion to me! The ending felt so rushed, and the epilogue was a bit hard to follow. Altogether I did like the story, but the plot was lost at the end.
**All genres of books should have trigger warnings! Please list them in your novel, and in online descriptions like here on Goodreads.
✨baby’s first ARC ✨ lol
This story started off really strong, and I liked the FMC. It was a fun twist on a reality tv romance, with some believable trauma for the FMC. The first 70% of it was great, 5 stars. And then it started to go downhill for me - it was so much disaster all at once, and some serious medical events that definitely needed trigger warnings. As person with a partner with T1D, I really would’ve appreciated a trigger warning here!!! Yet, there were these very serious medical events that did not end like they would have in reality. So it felt like a roller coaster of emotion to me! The ending felt so rushed, and the epilogue was a bit hard to follow. Altogether I did like the story, but the plot was lost at the end.
**All genres of books should have trigger warnings! Please list them in your novel, and in online descriptions like here on Goodreads.
April 18, 2026
Ummmmm WOW. I did not see half of that coming. I adore Cleo and how cynical she is. Loved the found family aspect of this book and I was NOT expecting the SUSPENSE.
I requested this title on Netgalley solely because the title (cover is cute too), I’m a swiftie. What can I say. I knew absolutely nothing about the book going into it, like I didn’t even read the blurb 😅😅 but damn that was a wild ride. It was honestly kinda fun starting it knowing absolutely nothing about the tropes, plot, anything.
Pitch from Joanna’s IG that perfectly encapsulates the vibes:
“A contestant on a shambolic reality dating show fakes her on-screen relationship, only to discover the show itself is fake... but despite her best laid plans, her feelings are not.”
If you need a slightly unhinged love story to escape from reality, I definitely recommend this one 👌🏽
I requested this title on Netgalley solely because the title (cover is cute too), I’m a swiftie. What can I say. I knew absolutely nothing about the book going into it, like I didn’t even read the blurb 😅😅 but damn that was a wild ride. It was honestly kinda fun starting it knowing absolutely nothing about the tropes, plot, anything.
Pitch from Joanna’s IG that perfectly encapsulates the vibes:
“A contestant on a shambolic reality dating show fakes her on-screen relationship, only to discover the show itself is fake... but despite her best laid plans, her feelings are not.”
If you need a slightly unhinged love story to escape from reality, I definitely recommend this one 👌🏽
January 3, 2026
4.5
This book came out of nowhere!
Described as Love Island meets Survivor or Fyre Island.
I actually couldn’t put it down. It was kinda crazy that you knew that the twist was coming but you didn’t know how or when.
I love a romance/thriller survival story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC that was perfect!
This book came out of nowhere!
Described as Love Island meets Survivor or Fyre Island.
I actually couldn’t put it down. It was kinda crazy that you knew that the twist was coming but you didn’t know how or when.
I love a romance/thriller survival story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC that was perfect!
April 8, 2026
I thank NetGalley for the pleasure of receiving this ARC.
A lovely little summer romance with a shocking plot twist!
I devoured this, reading most of it in a single session. Really loved the plot, was really quickly paced and the plot twists kept things progressing beautifully.
A thrilling read, perfect book to bring to the beach.
Congrats to Joanna on such a great debut.
A lovely little summer romance with a shocking plot twist!
I devoured this, reading most of it in a single session. Really loved the plot, was really quickly paced and the plot twists kept things progressing beautifully.
A thrilling read, perfect book to bring to the beach.
Congrats to Joanna on such a great debut.
February 23, 2026
I’d like to start by thanking NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for the advanced reader copy of Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow.
Wow. Just… wow. This is my first 5-star read of 2026, and what a way to start the year. It’s also the first book in a long time that made me cry.
Going in, I knew there would be some kind of twist, so I was half-prepared for it to either fall flat or completely blow me away. It absolutely blew me away.
What begins as a fake romance on a reality show quickly spirals into a terrifying survival situation in Canada. The stakes skyrocket when Kei’s diabetes becomes central to their fight for survival. Watching him struggle without access to insulin while stranded added a level of tension that made every page feel urgent. It wasn’t just romantic tension, it was life-or-death tension. The suspense was relentless.
Fake dating will always have my heart, but this book might have ruined the trope for me. I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to compare.
Wow. Just… wow. This is my first 5-star read of 2026, and what a way to start the year. It’s also the first book in a long time that made me cry.
Going in, I knew there would be some kind of twist, so I was half-prepared for it to either fall flat or completely blow me away. It absolutely blew me away.
What begins as a fake romance on a reality show quickly spirals into a terrifying survival situation in Canada. The stakes skyrocket when Kei’s diabetes becomes central to their fight for survival. Watching him struggle without access to insulin while stranded added a level of tension that made every page feel urgent. It wasn’t just romantic tension, it was life-or-death tension. The suspense was relentless.
Fake dating will always have my heart, but this book might have ruined the trope for me. I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to compare.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(because this was fun!)
Thank you to Netgalley for proving me this ARC for review purposes
I enjoyed this so much! This is the perfect summer read. It is fun, definitely flirty, will make you laugh and for some reason, will also make you want to go camping (despite everything this experience serves up for our characters). Anyone who has ever been to summer camp will definitely be getting flash backs.
Cleo Des Rochelles is jaded and broke. After her ex-boyfriend leaves her with shattered trust in men and a huge amount of debt, she agrees to be a participate on a new dating game show in hopes of taking home the $250k prize money. To be clear, she is doing this for the money and NOT to catch feelings. Unfortunately for her, the game show takes places in Northern Ontario, deep in the wilderness and is lacking all the glamour of a typical reality show.
First Thoughts
My first thoughts as Cleo arrived on the island were that it was all a bit over the top. We had characters sliding into every stereotype and super sketchy producers who seemed to rush them through everything. Honestly though, that may have been what made it work in the end. Somehow the author gave us a million characters without it being wildly difficult to keep track of them, and they played their roles to perfection. It was cheesy and ridiculous, but isn't that exactly what reality television typically is? Were there moments that were a bit too cheesy and rushed for me? Yup (thank you, POPPs). Still, I can still appreciate what those over dramatized moments did for the story.
The cast of characters was perfect for this setting. Cleo was everything she told us she was. She was jaded and determined not to love, but underneath it all it was love that drove her to the show. She was there to find a way to take care of her mother, and is honestly a softie underneath. I loved watching her character grow and find that self worth again. Kei was so darn sweet and is basically the walking green flag we should all be looking for. All of our side characters played their roles perfectly, and I just loved how these characters (eventually) evolved together throughout the story.
Writing and Plot:
Joanna did an incredible job with her debut novel. Her writing style flows easily and her pacing is perfect. The story moved along quickly, ensuring there were no “lags” in the flow. I loved how every plot hole that I latched onto was patched up neatly moments later (for example, the maple syrup tapping!). As a Canadian who has family in Thunder Bay, I was super excited to dive into this and find TBay as the setting. This book has closed door spice, which was refreshing. It fit perfectly to the story.
There were moments that had me giggling aloud and there were definitely moments that had the tears going. One of my favourite moments is a hardcore spoiler, so for the sake of a spoiler free review I will just say that the ending did not disappoint. It moved quickly and a LOT happened, but I loved it. I was actually really pleasantly surprised by the twist the book took around the 55-60% mark, so definitely buckle in for a fun ride from there out.
As a side note, I also loved that Kei had diabetes. As someone who has diabetics in their life, I love to see representation in books.
My last thoughts:
This was a fun read with some exhilarating curve balls and super sweet moments. A definite recommendation for your summer TBR.
(because this was fun!)
Thank you to Netgalley for proving me this ARC for review purposes
I enjoyed this so much! This is the perfect summer read. It is fun, definitely flirty, will make you laugh and for some reason, will also make you want to go camping (despite everything this experience serves up for our characters). Anyone who has ever been to summer camp will definitely be getting flash backs.
Cleo Des Rochelles is jaded and broke. After her ex-boyfriend leaves her with shattered trust in men and a huge amount of debt, she agrees to be a participate on a new dating game show in hopes of taking home the $250k prize money. To be clear, she is doing this for the money and NOT to catch feelings. Unfortunately for her, the game show takes places in Northern Ontario, deep in the wilderness and is lacking all the glamour of a typical reality show.
First Thoughts
My first thoughts as Cleo arrived on the island were that it was all a bit over the top. We had characters sliding into every stereotype and super sketchy producers who seemed to rush them through everything. Honestly though, that may have been what made it work in the end. Somehow the author gave us a million characters without it being wildly difficult to keep track of them, and they played their roles to perfection. It was cheesy and ridiculous, but isn't that exactly what reality television typically is? Were there moments that were a bit too cheesy and rushed for me? Yup (thank you, POPPs). Still, I can still appreciate what those over dramatized moments did for the story.
The cast of characters was perfect for this setting. Cleo was everything she told us she was. She was jaded and determined not to love, but underneath it all it was love that drove her to the show. She was there to find a way to take care of her mother, and is honestly a softie underneath. I loved watching her character grow and find that self worth again. Kei was so darn sweet and is basically the walking green flag we should all be looking for. All of our side characters played their roles perfectly, and I just loved how these characters (eventually) evolved together throughout the story.
Writing and Plot:
Joanna did an incredible job with her debut novel. Her writing style flows easily and her pacing is perfect. The story moved along quickly, ensuring there were no “lags” in the flow. I loved how every plot hole that I latched onto was patched up neatly moments later (for example, the maple syrup tapping!). As a Canadian who has family in Thunder Bay, I was super excited to dive into this and find TBay as the setting. This book has closed door spice, which was refreshing. It fit perfectly to the story.
There were moments that had me giggling aloud and there were definitely moments that had the tears going. One of my favourite moments is a hardcore spoiler, so for the sake of a spoiler free review I will just say that the ending did not disappoint. It moved quickly and a LOT happened, but I loved it. I was actually really pleasantly surprised by the twist the book took around the 55-60% mark, so definitely buckle in for a fun ride from there out.
As a side note, I also loved that Kei had diabetes. As someone who has diabetics in their life, I love to see representation in books.
My last thoughts:
This was a fun read with some exhilarating curve balls and super sweet moments. A definite recommendation for your summer TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ok so the gist is that Cleo is in a bit of a bind after her ex left her drowning in debt and she's expected to pay for his fuck ups. The stars magically align and she ends up on a dating show with a cash prize for the winning couple. She is looking for money, not love. But are things really what they seem? Can she make it out of this show unscathed? Is it all too good to be true?
So… yeah. I liked this! It's not my usual genre but I think the added mystery/survival element helped make this more enjoyable for me.
The pacing was, unfortunately, one of my biggest gripes. It takes about 20% to REALLY get off the ground. I do like how our main couple met but the story slowed down after that first meeting. I'm torn. I also felt like the third act breakup/separation happened at a weird time?? And it seemed to last forever given how short this book is. (60-80% if you're curious). And the last third of the book is wild. Things go off the rails. I haven't decided if it hurts or helps the book.
And the characters!! I liked our main couple together. Mostly. Cleo is an acquired taste but every time you see the vulnerability beneath her mask, it makes the frustrating bits worth it. There's some stuff left unanswered or expressed very vaguely that I wish we'd delved deeper into but that might just come down to personal preference. Same with the love interest, Kei. I really wanted to crack that boy open even further. We got SOME stuff, which was delightful. But… I don't know, you guys. I just wanted MORE. More pages! More time with these characters spilling their guts and doing things.
The support cast was decent. Obviously not really fleshed out but it wasn't just our main couple that had moments to shine. I'd like to say more about a few of them but it would be spoilers, so I'll refrain.
The writing style isn't anything special but it's also in first person, so it's very much done on purpose. The author leans into Cleo's voice and I loved that. The only time I was unsure of the voice and writing was pre-show bullshit.
There were comments about women's bodies that didn't bother me at first because I figured it was commentary on how fatphobic, fake, and problematic reality tv is. But… it kinda all stayed surface level. Which isn't the end of the world! But I was definitely disappointed. We did get a very brief discussion of a past ED, which was nice. I guess what I'm getting at is the average person isn't necessarily going to feel represented in this book. It's not an unforgivable sin, but it's worth noting.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fake relationship type of romance. Bonus points if you watch reality tv. It's a closed door romance for those who care (didn't bother me).
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
So… yeah. I liked this! It's not my usual genre but I think the added mystery/survival element helped make this more enjoyable for me.
The pacing was, unfortunately, one of my biggest gripes. It takes about 20% to REALLY get off the ground. I do like how our main couple met but the story slowed down after that first meeting. I'm torn. I also felt like the third act breakup/separation happened at a weird time?? And it seemed to last forever given how short this book is. (60-80% if you're curious). And the last third of the book is wild. Things go off the rails. I haven't decided if it hurts or helps the book.
And the characters!! I liked our main couple together. Mostly. Cleo is an acquired taste but every time you see the vulnerability beneath her mask, it makes the frustrating bits worth it. There's some stuff left unanswered or expressed very vaguely that I wish we'd delved deeper into but that might just come down to personal preference. Same with the love interest, Kei. I really wanted to crack that boy open even further. We got SOME stuff, which was delightful. But… I don't know, you guys. I just wanted MORE. More pages! More time with these characters spilling their guts and doing things.
The support cast was decent. Obviously not really fleshed out but it wasn't just our main couple that had moments to shine. I'd like to say more about a few of them but it would be spoilers, so I'll refrain.
The writing style isn't anything special but it's also in first person, so it's very much done on purpose. The author leans into Cleo's voice and I loved that. The only time I was unsure of the voice and writing was pre-show bullshit.
There were comments about women's bodies that didn't bother me at first because I figured it was commentary on how fatphobic, fake, and problematic reality tv is. But… it kinda all stayed surface level. Which isn't the end of the world! But I was definitely disappointed. We did get a very brief discussion of a past ED, which was nice. I guess what I'm getting at is the average person isn't necessarily going to feel represented in this book. It's not an unforgivable sin, but it's worth noting.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fake relationship type of romance. Bonus points if you watch reality tv. It's a closed door romance for those who care (didn't bother me).
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Choosing this title was a little out of my comfort zone as I am not usually a fan of reality TV scenarios, but I was very intrigued by the aspect of mystery/potential thriller that was referenced in the description and how that would play out in a romance genre.
Cleo was positioned as a morally gray character at the beginning of the novel, but most of her grayness was due to deceptions in her past and understandably her trust issues. Her hesitancy to trust and be authentic (ie. if I play you, maybe you won't be able to play me) sometimes made it hard for me to personally connect with her character, but I could certainly understand her motives in being that way. Kei, on the other hand, was a sweetie from the moment we met him and it never let up. This is not a dual perspective book, but I would have loved to see his experience of the events in the novel. I also loved how kind and reassuring he was to everyone, not only Cleo.
There were some situations/content that felt a little cheesy, but I also think that was intentional given that is often at the crux of reality television. I do think that the novel may have been stronger with one genre focus or the other--ie being either a mystery/thriller or a straight romance novel. That is not to speak poorly of the author's writing skills, I think she did an amazing job keeping the reader wanting to keep reading. There were simply times when I wanted more content. I wanted to know more about Kei's and Cleo's family backgrounds and have more time for their love to develop in the romance genre, and wanted to go more in-depth with the reasons behind the nefarious events taking place in camp. I wasn't left entirely dissatisfied, just wanting more content! Despite that, I would definitely recommend this as it was a quick, enjoyable read, and I think Kei will win many a book girlie over!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to read and review this eARC--thank you Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley!
Rating: 3.75
Cleo was positioned as a morally gray character at the beginning of the novel, but most of her grayness was due to deceptions in her past and understandably her trust issues. Her hesitancy to trust and be authentic (ie. if I play you, maybe you won't be able to play me) sometimes made it hard for me to personally connect with her character, but I could certainly understand her motives in being that way. Kei, on the other hand, was a sweetie from the moment we met him and it never let up. This is not a dual perspective book, but I would have loved to see his experience of the events in the novel. I also loved how kind and reassuring he was to everyone, not only Cleo.
There were some situations/content that felt a little cheesy, but I also think that was intentional given that is often at the crux of reality television. I do think that the novel may have been stronger with one genre focus or the other--ie being either a mystery/thriller or a straight romance novel. That is not to speak poorly of the author's writing skills, I think she did an amazing job keeping the reader wanting to keep reading. There were simply times when I wanted more content. I wanted to know more about Kei's and Cleo's family backgrounds and have more time for their love to develop in the romance genre, and wanted to go more in-depth with the reasons behind the nefarious events taking place in camp. I wasn't left entirely dissatisfied, just wanting more content! Despite that, I would definitely recommend this as it was a quick, enjoyable read, and I think Kei will win many a book girlie over!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to read and review this eARC--thank you Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley!
Rating: 3.75
March 29, 2026
"Play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings."
I went into this without fully reading the description and HOLY CROW. So glad that was the case!
A reality dating show setup (real connection or not), a $250,000 prize, and then suddenly... the crew disapears??
I was SHOOK.
Like fully locked in. I read this in one day. ONE. UNO. That almost never happens to me.
This was an absolute catch. This book was such a fun mix of suspense and romance. It starts off feeling like a strategic, fake-it-for-the-money situation, and then it flips into something way more intense. I was on the edge of my chair at a few points. LOL
Cleo is... a lot. I won't lie. She's relatable in some ways (financial stress? yeah, felt that), but also very "girl, what are you doing??" at times. Not for everyone, but I did appreciate her growth. Also, she's a pinot grigio girly and I love that.
Kai though??? Perfect. Exactly the kind of MMC this story needed. Grounded, refreshing, and the balance to Cleo's chaos.
And their dynamic? So good. The banter, the tension, the slow shift from "this isn't real" to something that maybe is... yeah, that really worked for me.
What I loved:
- the twists
- the suspense once things went sideways
- character growth
- one of the strongest openings I've read in a while
Why not 5 stars?
I just wanted more. More depth, more time with the characters (especially side characters), and a slightly less rushed ending. It felt like there was a handful of unfinished questions.
Still, this was an absolute thrill! 4 stars.
If you like suspenseful contemporary romance with twists, fake dating energy, and chaotic characters who are messy but worth it... this one is right up your alley.
Be sure to keep an eye out for it! Releases June 16th, 2026.
Thank you NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this without fully reading the description and HOLY CROW. So glad that was the case!
A reality dating show setup (real connection or not), a $250,000 prize, and then suddenly... the crew disapears??
I was SHOOK.
Like fully locked in. I read this in one day. ONE. UNO. That almost never happens to me.
This was an absolute catch. This book was such a fun mix of suspense and romance. It starts off feeling like a strategic, fake-it-for-the-money situation, and then it flips into something way more intense. I was on the edge of my chair at a few points. LOL
Cleo is... a lot. I won't lie. She's relatable in some ways (financial stress? yeah, felt that), but also very "girl, what are you doing??" at times. Not for everyone, but I did appreciate her growth. Also, she's a pinot grigio girly and I love that.
Kai though??? Perfect. Exactly the kind of MMC this story needed. Grounded, refreshing, and the balance to Cleo's chaos.
And their dynamic? So good. The banter, the tension, the slow shift from "this isn't real" to something that maybe is... yeah, that really worked for me.
What I loved:
- the twists
- the suspense once things went sideways
- character growth
- one of the strongest openings I've read in a while
Why not 5 stars?
I just wanted more. More depth, more time with the characters (especially side characters), and a slightly less rushed ending. It felt like there was a handful of unfinished questions.
Still, this was an absolute thrill! 4 stars.
If you like suspenseful contemporary romance with twists, fake dating energy, and chaotic characters who are messy but worth it... this one is right up your alley.
Be sure to keep an eye out for it! Releases June 16th, 2026.
Thank you NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75⭐️
Ok, so based on the description, I thought the reality show was going to be a small part, with everything described in the summary being the whole story but only with the two MCs. But nope, I was wrong, and you know what? I’m not mad about it. I had a really fun time. The show is pitched to contestants as Love Island meets Survivor. That already sounded like an interesting premise.
Cleo is trying to win the money to pay off a debt her scummy ex left her with, so she decides to scam her way through the show by pretending to fall in love and gain the audience’s approval. What she doesn’t expect is falling for Kei, a sweet musician who’s willing to partner with her and take part in her scheme. I really liked their relationship. She needed someone she could trust, and Kei provided that for her. My only gripe with their relationship is how quickly they fell in love. Maybe because I’m a fan of slow burns, but two weeks seem way too fast to say “I love you.”
Cleo had me laughing from the start. She’s a realist and has become jaded after her past relationship. She doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t trust men. She finds any excuse to not see someone as compatible. Her commentary on reality shows and her fellow contestants felt real and like something a lot of us have probably thought when watching these types of shows. The characters were your stereotypical reality show personalities. Some she became good friends with, others took some time, but in the end, I liked how it all played out between them. I would have liked to see them together one last time at the end after the show, especially because of how close they became. I wanted to see what they were up to and if they were still close with Cleo.
If you're looking for something quick and entertaining, I think it makes for a great summer read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Ok, so based on the description, I thought the reality show was going to be a small part, with everything described in the summary being the whole story but only with the two MCs. But nope, I was wrong, and you know what? I’m not mad about it. I had a really fun time. The show is pitched to contestants as Love Island meets Survivor. That already sounded like an interesting premise.
Cleo is trying to win the money to pay off a debt her scummy ex left her with, so she decides to scam her way through the show by pretending to fall in love and gain the audience’s approval. What she doesn’t expect is falling for Kei, a sweet musician who’s willing to partner with her and take part in her scheme. I really liked their relationship. She needed someone she could trust, and Kei provided that for her. My only gripe with their relationship is how quickly they fell in love. Maybe because I’m a fan of slow burns, but two weeks seem way too fast to say “I love you.”
Cleo had me laughing from the start. She’s a realist and has become jaded after her past relationship. She doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t trust men. She finds any excuse to not see someone as compatible. Her commentary on reality shows and her fellow contestants felt real and like something a lot of us have probably thought when watching these types of shows. The characters were your stereotypical reality show personalities. Some she became good friends with, others took some time, but in the end, I liked how it all played out between them. I would have liked to see them together one last time at the end after the show, especially because of how close they became. I wanted to see what they were up to and if they were still close with Cleo.
If you're looking for something quick and entertaining, I think it makes for a great summer read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 27, 2026
I love books about dating show, its always fast-faced and love how the characters always calculate the way to gain viewer attention that make it fun.
Forever is the sweetest con is about a young woman, Cleo who's desperate for money. She's beautiful and talented actress but life doesn't always went well for her, she's working in a wine bar to pay debt that left behind by her former boyfriend. One day she offered to go this new dating reality show and win great money for the grand prize, not that she has much to lose, she accepted it. In there she met plenty of people, some girl friends and of course the eventual love interest, however that place is not what it seems to be, there's something strange about it but she couldnt put finger on it, but she only focuses to win, even what it takes is fake dating a hot man she's desperately convinced herself she's not fall to.
I found Cleo as an interesting character, I share her trait of finding icks and general dislikeness towards men lol and how she trying to be a girl's girls but at the same time trying to beat them, she's done many questionable and stupid things too but well that's okay.
Also I found a bit silly that she think she's a con artist when she participates in a dating show but not really want to find new partner but only eyeing the money, I think everyone already knows that and to think otherwise just a bit naive and not in line with her initial personality in the first time we got to know her. If you really want to find partner for good, dating show is not it, it's lucky if you got one but not many people really expects you too and its public knowledge lol but yeah I think we need a protagonist who think that's not a good thing to do, i don't know.
Anyway, I have a good time reading this, thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. all reviews are my honest thoughts.
Forever is the sweetest con is about a young woman, Cleo who's desperate for money. She's beautiful and talented actress but life doesn't always went well for her, she's working in a wine bar to pay debt that left behind by her former boyfriend. One day she offered to go this new dating reality show and win great money for the grand prize, not that she has much to lose, she accepted it. In there she met plenty of people, some girl friends and of course the eventual love interest, however that place is not what it seems to be, there's something strange about it but she couldnt put finger on it, but she only focuses to win, even what it takes is fake dating a hot man she's desperately convinced herself she's not fall to.
I found Cleo as an interesting character, I share her trait of finding icks and general dislikeness towards men lol and how she trying to be a girl's girls but at the same time trying to beat them, she's done many questionable and stupid things too but well that's okay.
Also I found a bit silly that she think she's a con artist when she participates in a dating show but not really want to find new partner but only eyeing the money, I think everyone already knows that and to think otherwise just a bit naive and not in line with her initial personality in the first time we got to know her. If you really want to find partner for good, dating show is not it, it's lucky if you got one but not many people really expects you too and its public knowledge lol but yeah I think we need a protagonist who think that's not a good thing to do, i don't know.
Anyway, I have a good time reading this, thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. all reviews are my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Forever is the Sweetest Con was a cute, easy read overall. The premise is fun and high concept. A fake dating reality show set in the wilderness with a cash prize, only for the crew to disappear and survival to take over. It blends romance with light thriller elements in a way that makes it accessible and suitable for most readers.
Cleo and Kei have a mild chemistry. There is connection there, but no real burning tension. Their relationship develops in a softer, steadier way rather than anything intense or consuming. That works for the tone of the book, but it does keep the romance from feeling particularly memorable.
There were also some questionable decisions made once the survival element kicked in. A few moments, especially around fleeing the island, felt obviously reckless or poorly thought out, which pulled me out of the story a bit.
One thing that stood out stylistically was the heavy use of em and en dashes. It sometimes read more like a script than a novel, and at points it almost felt AI generated because of the excess formatting and pacing choices. That distracted from what could have been a tighter, more immersive narrative.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Mild
There are a few romantic moments, but nothing intense. The spice is light and very manageable, making this suitable for most readers.
Cover Art: 🎨🎨 Mixed
The cover fits the vibe of the book, but it definitely could have been cooler given the premise. With a reality show survival twist like this, there was room for something more dynamic or striking.
Overall, this is a solid three star read. It is entertaining, approachable, and suitable for a wide audience. I did not love it, but I did not dislike it either. It lands comfortably in that middle space.
Cleo and Kei have a mild chemistry. There is connection there, but no real burning tension. Their relationship develops in a softer, steadier way rather than anything intense or consuming. That works for the tone of the book, but it does keep the romance from feeling particularly memorable.
There were also some questionable decisions made once the survival element kicked in. A few moments, especially around fleeing the island, felt obviously reckless or poorly thought out, which pulled me out of the story a bit.
One thing that stood out stylistically was the heavy use of em and en dashes. It sometimes read more like a script than a novel, and at points it almost felt AI generated because of the excess formatting and pacing choices. That distracted from what could have been a tighter, more immersive narrative.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Mild
There are a few romantic moments, but nothing intense. The spice is light and very manageable, making this suitable for most readers.
Cover Art: 🎨🎨 Mixed
The cover fits the vibe of the book, but it definitely could have been cooler given the premise. With a reality show survival twist like this, there was room for something more dynamic or striking.
Overall, this is a solid three star read. It is entertaining, approachable, and suitable for a wide audience. I did not love it, but I did not dislike it either. It lands comfortably in that middle space.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐ 3
🌶️ 0
🥵 Steamy Chapters: 26, 34
❤️🔥 Swoon Factor: 1.5
👫 Keiji + Cleo
📚 Tropes/Themes: forced Proximity, reality show, interracial romance, fake dating, fade to black, romantic suspense, steamy kisses
👀 Single POV 1st person
💔 Content warnings: violence, gore, death
🎀 Special editions: none
Well.
Not sure about this one 😂 I thought it was going to be a DNF but obviously I finished it (because of the last half).
Idk I try not to let little things get to me any a book and rate more on an overall sense but there was some stuff that got to me.
The story idea itself was interesting, but I think the writing could use some more work I guess is the best way to say it? I'm not an author or editor so take that with a grain of salt (and it's always easier to tell someone else how to "fix" something than, say, write a book yourself) basically this appears to be a debut and while it's good, you can tell it's a debut.
The biggest thing that got to me was Cleo's "icks". I mean, I guess people have preferences but saying you'd never date someone who wears flip flops bc they're icky is just...childish 😂 or there was another one near the end that I can't remember but it was silly also
I did not expect the suspense in the second half, and thought this might take a Life of Pi or J.T. Geissinger type twist at the end, but it was pretty straightforward. I would've liked to see more buildup with that, I think, as well as Kei's character.
Cleo was not what I expected, and reminded me why I dislike reality shows 😅 even though I get why she was like that.
The romance was cute at first but then went from zero to 60 at the end and I found it unbelievable.
Ultimately I'd say the plot has good bones, but the execution needs a revamp.
🌶️ 0
🥵 Steamy Chapters: 26, 34
❤️🔥 Swoon Factor: 1.5
👫 Keiji + Cleo
📚 Tropes/Themes: forced Proximity, reality show, interracial romance, fake dating, fade to black, romantic suspense, steamy kisses
👀 Single POV 1st person
💔 Content warnings: violence, gore, death
🎀 Special editions: none
Well.
Not sure about this one 😂 I thought it was going to be a DNF but obviously I finished it (because of the last half).
Idk I try not to let little things get to me any a book and rate more on an overall sense but there was some stuff that got to me.
The story idea itself was interesting, but I think the writing could use some more work I guess is the best way to say it? I'm not an author or editor so take that with a grain of salt (and it's always easier to tell someone else how to "fix" something than, say, write a book yourself) basically this appears to be a debut and while it's good, you can tell it's a debut.
The biggest thing that got to me was Cleo's "icks". I mean, I guess people have preferences but saying you'd never date someone who wears flip flops bc they're icky is just...childish 😂 or there was another one near the end that I can't remember but it was silly also
I did not expect the suspense in the second half, and thought this might take a Life of Pi or J.T. Geissinger type twist at the end, but it was pretty straightforward. I would've liked to see more buildup with that, I think, as well as Kei's character.
Cleo was not what I expected, and reminded me why I dislike reality shows 😅 even though I get why she was like that.
The romance was cute at first but then went from zero to 60 at the end and I found it unbelievable.
Ultimately I'd say the plot has good bones, but the execution needs a revamp.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun, fast-paced romance with a clever premise and strong chemistry between the leads. The book is based around a "Love Island meets Survivor" style dating show. After reading the description of this book I knew I had to pick it up.
Cleo is forced to say yes to a reality dating show in order to keep her house and ensure her mother's safety after her ex leaves her responsible for repaying all of his debts. The problem is, Cleo doesn't believe in love. She finds herself faking a romance with Kei, a charming musician, and the two must make their relationship believable if they want a chance at winning the prize money at the end.
This book started out strong and had me hooked right away. The reason for the four star rating is that some elements felt reminiscent of Love Island, just with a summer camp twist. However, the chemistry between the characters kept me hooked. I really enjoyed watching the different relationships that Cleo built throughout the book. Once the crew vanished, the tension ramped up and I truly couldn’t put the book down as twist after twist unfolded.
I enjoyed the realness that Cleo brought to the story. I fell in love with Kei. He was a true sweetheart and you can’t help but hope he gets the happy ending he deserves. Be prepared that if you pick up this book you are not going to want to put it down until you are finished with it.
If you enjoy tropes like fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, and heist/con storylines, this will likely be right up your alley. Fans of reality-TV-inspired romances will especially enjoy this fun and twisty take on the genre.
Cleo is forced to say yes to a reality dating show in order to keep her house and ensure her mother's safety after her ex leaves her responsible for repaying all of his debts. The problem is, Cleo doesn't believe in love. She finds herself faking a romance with Kei, a charming musician, and the two must make their relationship believable if they want a chance at winning the prize money at the end.
This book started out strong and had me hooked right away. The reason for the four star rating is that some elements felt reminiscent of Love Island, just with a summer camp twist. However, the chemistry between the characters kept me hooked. I really enjoyed watching the different relationships that Cleo built throughout the book. Once the crew vanished, the tension ramped up and I truly couldn’t put the book down as twist after twist unfolded.
I enjoyed the realness that Cleo brought to the story. I fell in love with Kei. He was a true sweetheart and you can’t help but hope he gets the happy ending he deserves. Be prepared that if you pick up this book you are not going to want to put it down until you are finished with it.
If you enjoy tropes like fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, and heist/con storylines, this will likely be right up your alley. Fans of reality-TV-inspired romances will especially enjoy this fun and twisty take on the genre.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Forever is the Sweetest Con is such a breath of fresh air, combining romance, mystery, and thriller all wrapped into one in a uniquely fresh take on both genres. It kept me up all night reading, and as someone who prides herself on usually guessing the endings, this book had me hooked and fooled all the way to the last page.
Cleo finds herself in financial trouble and signs up for a reality TV dating show in the hopes of winning a cash prize, and although she starts off with the 'not like other girls' mentality, she soon grows and evolves into a character you can't help but root for. I do not enjoy reality TV shows at all (I prefer my entertainment fictional and in a literary format), but the concept was so gripping that it hooked me in, and I devoured this book in what felt like no time at all.
The story gets off to a slightly slow start, but that just adds to the crescendo that builds up to the electrifying climax, which will have you sitting on the floor because you sat just too far off the edge of your seat. It's truly one of the only thrillers which you'll find actually thrilling. My heart is still racing from the conclusion of it all.
I love the inclusion of the diabetic representation, and how it wasn't used in the cliché way of being the financial strain on a character. Thurlow will have my eternal gratitude for this, and I cannot wait to see what they write next.
Thank you to Pownal Street Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
(4.5 stars, rounded up to 5)
Cleo finds herself in financial trouble and signs up for a reality TV dating show in the hopes of winning a cash prize, and although she starts off with the 'not like other girls' mentality, she soon grows and evolves into a character you can't help but root for. I do not enjoy reality TV shows at all (I prefer my entertainment fictional and in a literary format), but the concept was so gripping that it hooked me in, and I devoured this book in what felt like no time at all.
The story gets off to a slightly slow start, but that just adds to the crescendo that builds up to the electrifying climax, which will have you sitting on the floor because you sat just too far off the edge of your seat. It's truly one of the only thrillers which you'll find actually thrilling. My heart is still racing from the conclusion of it all.
I love the inclusion of the diabetic representation, and how it wasn't used in the cliché way of being the financial strain on a character. Thurlow will have my eternal gratitude for this, and I cannot wait to see what they write next.
Thank you to Pownal Street Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
(4.5 stars, rounded up to 5)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The main reason this drops a star for me is that I found there were some issues with the pacing. I thought the first part was really slow, especially as they don't get to the island until like 20%. Then, although we know the production crew disappear from the blurb, that doesn't actually happen until around 60% with in my opinion too much build up before that. Also the action doesn't really get going until the last 20% which I would've liked to have started earlier. The other negative thing is that while I liked the little cliffhangers at the end of some of the chapters, I would've liked if the tension had been held there a little longer rather than instantly finding out what happened at the start of the next chapter. I think because of this, another person's perspective might have been good for this book to break it up a little bit.
That being said, I loved the relationship that progressed between Cleo and Kei and I think the title referencing Cowboy Like Me is perfect for this couple. I also really liked that this wasn't just a simple romcom like the cover would make you think and that it did have the elements of mystery, tiny hint of thriller and the action towards the end. This is the first book I've read by this author and I didn't realise it was also a debut, so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley, Pownal Street Press and Sugar Shack Books for providing me with an e-arc. This review is entirely voluntary and all thoughts expressed here are my own.
That being said, I loved the relationship that progressed between Cleo and Kei and I think the title referencing Cowboy Like Me is perfect for this couple. I also really liked that this wasn't just a simple romcom like the cover would make you think and that it did have the elements of mystery, tiny hint of thriller and the action towards the end. This is the first book I've read by this author and I didn't realise it was also a debut, so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley, Pownal Street Press and Sugar Shack Books for providing me with an e-arc. This review is entirely voluntary and all thoughts expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to author Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley for the free digital advance copy.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
For a debut book, it is really good. The premise of Love Island meets Survivor isn't one that attracts me, as I don't like reality tv shows much. But what caught my interest was that one line about the crew disappearing, leaving them all abandoned out there. As someone who likes campy horror, I had to know what exactly happens next. And I am glad I did.
I loved getting to know the characters, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these kind of reality shows. Cleo is a relatable character, who doesn't want love, but money is always tempting, especially if it's enough to get her out of financial problems. Her 'ick' list was a bit over the top, but so understandable as she really wasn't ready mentally to fall in love. But when someone manages to squeeze in past the defenses, what once was ick can be overlooked. Kei is that type of person, and he is definitely a good MMC. I loved their interactions. Even the other participants were great, as friends and as rivals, and you get attached to them.
When the twist happens, you kind of expect it, but still worry next to everyone and try to wrack your brains on how they could get out of it. You can only hope that everyone will get out of it safely.
All in all, it was a nice, quick read. Loved every moment of it, even the second-hand embarrassment Cleo goes through sometimes. Will definitely keep an eye out for what will be next published by Joanna.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
For a debut book, it is really good. The premise of Love Island meets Survivor isn't one that attracts me, as I don't like reality tv shows much. But what caught my interest was that one line about the crew disappearing, leaving them all abandoned out there. As someone who likes campy horror, I had to know what exactly happens next. And I am glad I did.
I loved getting to know the characters, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these kind of reality shows. Cleo is a relatable character, who doesn't want love, but money is always tempting, especially if it's enough to get her out of financial problems. Her 'ick' list was a bit over the top, but so understandable as she really wasn't ready mentally to fall in love. But when someone manages to squeeze in past the defenses, what once was ick can be overlooked. Kei is that type of person, and he is definitely a good MMC. I loved their interactions. Even the other participants were great, as friends and as rivals, and you get attached to them.
When the twist happens, you kind of expect it, but still worry next to everyone and try to wrack your brains on how they could get out of it. You can only hope that everyone will get out of it safely.
All in all, it was a nice, quick read. Loved every moment of it, even the second-hand embarrassment Cleo goes through sometimes. Will definitely keep an eye out for what will be next published by Joanna.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading this author, and I genuinely finished the book in one go. It’s definitely a fun and intriguing read with both the main characters, Cleo and Kei. I really enjoyed their love story... it’s sweet, simple, comfortable and has just the right amount of drama.
What I loved the most was the setting. The whole concept of a scheduled island and how everything runs there, along with the dynamics between the contestants made it so interesting to read. In the beginning, one thing that bothered me was how Cleo would nitpick small things just to reject guys. But as the story progressed, I realized it was more of a defense mechanism... her way of protecting herself from falling in love. She did mess up at times but at the end of the day, she was just someone scared to open her heart. Once I understood that, I actually started loving her character so much. Her growth throughout the book was really well done! Kei was such a sweetheart. I will always have a soft spot for golden retriever male leads who are not afraid to show their emotions and even cry. He was just so genuine and easy to love. And special mention to Sue Ellen, I loved her so much too.
I won’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of reality dating show vibes mixed with a bit of suspense, you should definitely pick this up! It’s a quick, enjoyable read and I had a really good time with it<3
What I loved the most was the setting. The whole concept of a scheduled island and how everything runs there, along with the dynamics between the contestants made it so interesting to read. In the beginning, one thing that bothered me was how Cleo would nitpick small things just to reject guys. But as the story progressed, I realized it was more of a defense mechanism... her way of protecting herself from falling in love. She did mess up at times but at the end of the day, she was just someone scared to open her heart. Once I understood that, I actually started loving her character so much. Her growth throughout the book was really well done! Kei was such a sweetheart. I will always have a soft spot for golden retriever male leads who are not afraid to show their emotions and even cry. He was just so genuine and easy to love. And special mention to Sue Ellen, I loved her so much too.
I won’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of reality dating show vibes mixed with a bit of suspense, you should definitely pick this up! It’s a quick, enjoyable read and I had a really good time with it<3
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Forever Is the Sweetest Con is one of those books you have to read in one sitting because you cannot possibly guess what’s going to happen next, and the suspense will absolutely eat at you until you turn the page.
Cleo is jaded by love, freshly swindled by her ex, massively in debt, and running out of options. So she signs up for the dating reality show Camp Couple-Up, which is basically Love Island meets Survivor. She’s not there to find love. She’s there for the $250K prize.
She teams up with Kei, a charming musician with big dreams of stardom, and the plan is simple: fake it, win the money, don’t catch feelings.
But after a few days, the show becomes a little less Love Island and a whole lot more Survivor when the crew vanishes, the campers are left on their own, resources start dwindling, and things go from fun and flirty to full-on survival.
I loved how unlike anything else this story felt. The concept is fresh, the stakes are intense, and the characters have so much complexity that you can’t help but get invested in their journey. If I had one tiny note, it’s that I wanted a little more development around some of the mystery threads (More Silver Fox details? What does the film crew have to say?), but overall, I absolutely loved this debut from Joanna Thurlow.
Cleo is jaded by love, freshly swindled by her ex, massively in debt, and running out of options. So she signs up for the dating reality show Camp Couple-Up, which is basically Love Island meets Survivor. She’s not there to find love. She’s there for the $250K prize.
She teams up with Kei, a charming musician with big dreams of stardom, and the plan is simple: fake it, win the money, don’t catch feelings.
But after a few days, the show becomes a little less Love Island and a whole lot more Survivor when the crew vanishes, the campers are left on their own, resources start dwindling, and things go from fun and flirty to full-on survival.
I loved how unlike anything else this story felt. The concept is fresh, the stakes are intense, and the characters have so much complexity that you can’t help but get invested in their journey. If I had one tiny note, it’s that I wanted a little more development around some of the mystery threads (More Silver Fox details? What does the film crew have to say?), but overall, I absolutely loved this debut from Joanna Thurlow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover of the book, it is eye catching and I loved the idea of it. I usually have my favourite genre of romance books that I go for and I wanted to expand that a bit more, see if I can do that and still get hooked.
“Forever is the Sweetest Con” was my choice of it and I’m glad I picked it. The plot was so different from everything I have read and got me hooked.
The only thing that made me lose a bit of interest was the inner monologue, it came off too strong at some points that I lost focus on what was actually going on and sometimes even overshadow the actual dialogue between all the characters.
However, I pushed past it and carried on and I loved the character development these characters had throughout the book. At first when they got introduced they seemed very bland and boring, especially Sue-Ellen but as the story carried on , I realised there was more to them than I thought. I also loved that this book kept me guessing, when I thought I have figured out the plot of the book , I was proven otherwise. Which is something that I love about authors when they do that.
Overall, whoever ends up finding this book, I recommend everyone to read it. It’s worth your while.
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to experience reading this book!
“Forever is the Sweetest Con” was my choice of it and I’m glad I picked it. The plot was so different from everything I have read and got me hooked.
The only thing that made me lose a bit of interest was the inner monologue, it came off too strong at some points that I lost focus on what was actually going on and sometimes even overshadow the actual dialogue between all the characters.
However, I pushed past it and carried on and I loved the character development these characters had throughout the book. At first when they got introduced they seemed very bland and boring, especially Sue-Ellen but as the story carried on , I realised there was more to them than I thought. I also loved that this book kept me guessing, when I thought I have figured out the plot of the book , I was proven otherwise. Which is something that I love about authors when they do that.
Overall, whoever ends up finding this book, I recommend everyone to read it. It’s worth your while.
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to experience reading this book!
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