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Trial and Error
Bridget Reynolds hates nothing more than being in close proximity to her ex. When they run into each other, he wastes no time telling her he’s moved on. In the head of the moment, the only thing that feels right, is telling him that she’s also moved on and that she’s engaged. The only flaw in her statement is that she is most definitely not engaged. He’s calling her bluff, but she refuses to let him win. When another white lie—or two—slips past her lips, even she knows she can’t save herself.
Elias Cohen is desperately trying to prove to his mother that he’s happy being a bachelor. While he enjoys being alone, he longs for a partner to share his life with. Enter the pretty blonde at his brother’s work event who just so happens to be digging herself into a deep hole she has no chance of getting out of. Not being able to help himself, he swoops in to save the day, resulting in the two of them playing house for the rest of the evening. When the night ends, they say their goodbyes and don’t look back.
But the universe has other plans. Bridget and Elias soon find themselves tangled up in a small white lie that neither can escape. As people’s feelings become involved, calling it off proves harder than expected. The two of them agree to keep up their ruse for a little longer, but as time progresses, so do feelings. Lines are being blurred, but neither one of them want to stop and as their feelings deepen, they can’t help but wonder: can a relationship built on lies ever truly last?
Elias Cohen is desperately trying to prove to his mother that he’s happy being a bachelor. While he enjoys being alone, he longs for a partner to share his life with. Enter the pretty blonde at his brother’s work event who just so happens to be digging herself into a deep hole she has no chance of getting out of. Not being able to help himself, he swoops in to save the day, resulting in the two of them playing house for the rest of the evening. When the night ends, they say their goodbyes and don’t look back.
But the universe has other plans. Bridget and Elias soon find themselves tangled up in a small white lie that neither can escape. As people’s feelings become involved, calling it off proves harder than expected. The two of them agree to keep up their ruse for a little longer, but as time progresses, so do feelings. Lines are being blurred, but neither one of them want to stop and as their feelings deepen, they can’t help but wonder: can a relationship built on lies ever truly last?
- GenresFriends To Lovers
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 14, 2026
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 2.25 stars
yea no.
rtc
thank you tilly for the eARC, all thoughts are my own
yea no.
rtc
thank you tilly for the eARC, all thoughts are my own
Want to Read
August 26, 2026 ⋆˚࿔pre-read/pre-release
so so excited to read this one!! the tropes sound SO good, i mean friends to lovers, engagement of convenience, down bad mmc?!?! all of my fave tropes together basically! also this cover is GORGEOUS!
thank you so so much to tilly oliver and her team for the eARC!
so so excited to read this one!! the tropes sound SO good, i mean friends to lovers, engagement of convenience, down bad mmc?!?! all of my fave tropes together basically! also this cover is GORGEOUS!
thank you so so much to tilly oliver and her team for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*spa + eng review* 3.75⭐️ - Esta historia estuvo súper cutesy & funsy. Para mí fue una lectura súper fácil, entretenida y sexy. Cuando comencé a leer, me sentí leyendo cosas un poco cliché, especialmente los primeros encuentros entre ellos, pero según la historia fue desarrollándose, fui cogiéndole más amor y pude conectar con los personajes. Hablemos de nuestro MMC Elias: el green flag andante más grande ever. Ese man hizo todo bien de principio a fin, mega aprobado. Para mí, esta historia se sentía un romance súper saludable. El foco principal de la historia es cómo ellos se van enamorando de dates en dates y salidas con la familia/amistades.
Me hubiese gustado ver un poco más de la trama que le da apoyo a la historia central del romance. Un poco más de la relación de ella con su amiga Imani, un poco más de Malik... por decirlo así, un poco más de caos jijijij. Pero, de todas formas, me parece una excelente historia para leer entre lecturas y cuando uno solo quiere leer mucho romantiqueo’.
Random note: las escenas spicy estuvieron súper sexy y se sentían bastante relatable.
Tropes / Vibes:
💚 Engagement of Convenience
💚 Friends to Lovers
💚 Sunshine x Sunshine
💚 He falls first
¿Lo recomiendo?
YES, es una lectura llevadera y fácil de leer. Es bien focus en ellos y cómo se van enamorando.
____________
ENGLISH REVIEW:
3.75⭐️ - This story was super cutesy & funsy. For me, it was a super easy, entertaining, and sexy read. When I started reading, I felt like I was reading things that were a little cliché, especially their first encounters, but as the story developed, I started loving it more and was able to connect with the characters. Let’s talk about our MMC Elias: the biggest walking green flag ever. That man did everything right from beginning to end, mega approved. For me, this story felt like a super healthy romance. The main focus of the story is how they fall in love through date after date and outings with family/friends.
I would have liked to see a little more of the plot that supports the central romance storyline. A little more of her relationship with her friend Imani, a little more of Malik... basically, a little more chaos hahaha. But, either way, I think it’s an excellent story to read between reads and when you just want to read a lot of romance.
Random note: the spicy scenes were super sexy and felt pretty relatable.
Tropes / Vibes:
💚 Engagement of Convenience
💚 Friends to Lovers
💚 Sunshine x Sunshine
💚 He falls first
Would I recommend it?
YES, it’s an easy and breezy read. It’s very focused on them and how they fall in love.
Me hubiese gustado ver un poco más de la trama que le da apoyo a la historia central del romance. Un poco más de la relación de ella con su amiga Imani, un poco más de Malik... por decirlo así, un poco más de caos jijijij. Pero, de todas formas, me parece una excelente historia para leer entre lecturas y cuando uno solo quiere leer mucho romantiqueo’.
Random note: las escenas spicy estuvieron súper sexy y se sentían bastante relatable.
Tropes / Vibes:
💚 Engagement of Convenience
💚 Friends to Lovers
💚 Sunshine x Sunshine
💚 He falls first
¿Lo recomiendo?
YES, es una lectura llevadera y fácil de leer. Es bien focus en ellos y cómo se van enamorando.
____________
ENGLISH REVIEW:
3.75⭐️ - This story was super cutesy & funsy. For me, it was a super easy, entertaining, and sexy read. When I started reading, I felt like I was reading things that were a little cliché, especially their first encounters, but as the story developed, I started loving it more and was able to connect with the characters. Let’s talk about our MMC Elias: the biggest walking green flag ever. That man did everything right from beginning to end, mega approved. For me, this story felt like a super healthy romance. The main focus of the story is how they fall in love through date after date and outings with family/friends.
I would have liked to see a little more of the plot that supports the central romance storyline. A little more of her relationship with her friend Imani, a little more of Malik... basically, a little more chaos hahaha. But, either way, I think it’s an excellent story to read between reads and when you just want to read a lot of romance.
Random note: the spicy scenes were super sexy and felt pretty relatable.
Tropes / Vibes:
💚 Engagement of Convenience
💚 Friends to Lovers
💚 Sunshine x Sunshine
💚 He falls first
Would I recommend it?
YES, it’s an easy and breezy read. It’s very focused on them and how they fall in love.
October 6, 2026
| ARC REVIEW |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Tilly Oliver and her team for sending me an ARC and letting me be apart of Brairwood!💚
Trial and Error is the first book in The Briarwood series, and Tilly Oliver’s debut novel!!
Let me tell you, if you’re looking for a super cute romance that’ll have you hooked from the beginning, this book is for you! And we can’t forget about the biggest yearner there is, Elias Cohen!🫠🤩
Bridget and Elias’s story starts off in an unconventional way, with a fake engagement. But when the engagement news breaks out, they have to pretend for just a little longer. And what’s the harm in that, right?
Their story is so well written, and the story had me giggling, swooning, and made me feel seen in a way that I haven't read about yet. I saw a lot of myself in Bridget and Elias, from how much they will put the feelings of those they care about before theirs, the sense of found family, and the way they feel at ease with each other.
I cannot wait for the next book and all the side characters/ potential main characters🤭😉
Thank you once again to Tilly Oliver for letting me step into Briarwood!💚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Tilly Oliver and her team for sending me an ARC and letting me be apart of Brairwood!💚
Trial and Error is the first book in The Briarwood series, and Tilly Oliver’s debut novel!!
Let me tell you, if you’re looking for a super cute romance that’ll have you hooked from the beginning, this book is for you! And we can’t forget about the biggest yearner there is, Elias Cohen!🫠🤩
Bridget and Elias’s story starts off in an unconventional way, with a fake engagement. But when the engagement news breaks out, they have to pretend for just a little longer. And what’s the harm in that, right?
Their story is so well written, and the story had me giggling, swooning, and made me feel seen in a way that I haven't read about yet. I saw a lot of myself in Bridget and Elias, from how much they will put the feelings of those they care about before theirs, the sense of found family, and the way they feel at ease with each other.
I cannot wait for the next book and all the side characters/ potential main characters🤭😉
Thank you once again to Tilly Oliver for letting me step into Briarwood!💚
October 23, 2026
Thank you so much to the lovely author for providing this e-arc!
This debut is one of the best I’ve read this year! It reads like a 2000s rom-com, with a tender and very adorable kind of love, fun situations and also, the emotional parts that make it even more memorable. I adored Bridget and Elias, they were both so transparent, honest and kindhearted, they made so much sense together! I also loved how they care about other people’s feelings while also trying to be mature about the situation they were in.
The best thing about this book is how well described the process of falling in love is. It starts slow and it builds from then, with trust, openness, vulnerability and in every little moment shared between Bridget and Elias. It was a delight to read how they navigate their feelings in the middle of their lives being busy with problems and their own fears.
This debut is one of the best I’ve read this year! It reads like a 2000s rom-com, with a tender and very adorable kind of love, fun situations and also, the emotional parts that make it even more memorable. I adored Bridget and Elias, they were both so transparent, honest and kindhearted, they made so much sense together! I also loved how they care about other people’s feelings while also trying to be mature about the situation they were in.
The best thing about this book is how well described the process of falling in love is. It starts slow and it builds from then, with trust, openness, vulnerability and in every little moment shared between Bridget and Elias. It was a delight to read how they navigate their feelings in the middle of their lives being busy with problems and their own fears.
September 18, 2026
I'm really sad to say that this didn't work for me at all. I really liked the premise and the little snippets we got as teasers, but there were just some things that I couldn't get past. Where I did like the premise, I feel like the execution lacked a bit in the way that it didn't really make sense to me and the fact that the mother knew, just felt toxic to me, because they could've had a 'normal' relationship without all the hassle and they were doing it all for her as some sort of dying wish. I also didn't like the way the mmc spoke about the fmcs body. I assume that it's coming from a body positivity point - which is obviously a good thing and how he appreciated her during spicy scenes etc was lovely - but from the moment he layed eyes on her it was all tits this tits that and it felt objectifying to me, which was only made worse by the fact that everybody else they encountered did the same in his head. Why is everybody leering at her?
Like I said, I'm really sad this didn't work for me, because I was really excited.
Like I said, I'm really sad this didn't work for me, because I was really excited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2026
Thank you Tilly Oliver for an advanced copy of Trial And Error
“I’m telling you to marry me because I know I want you to be my wife. I’m telling you to marry me because I know we are meant for each other—I know you were made for me. I’m telling you to marry me, but I’m asking you to say yes.”
Normally a third act breakup will tear me out of the story and cause me to remove a star - but i’m so in love with this story it stayed 5 AND it’s making it to my all time favorites !
What a FUN book! i adored it so so much. I loved these characters , the emotions, and the plot itself .
I will say I wasn’t a fan of her bestfriend or the bestfriends brother - what gives you any right to be mad at bid when you forced her into the date for years . That’s not pining she just didn’t want you!
The family was so soft - i wish we got to see his mother/ families reaction more but it all was so beautiful!
“I’m telling you to marry me because I know I want you to be my wife. I’m telling you to marry me because I know we are meant for each other—I know you were made for me. I’m telling you to marry me, but I’m asking you to say yes.”
Normally a third act breakup will tear me out of the story and cause me to remove a star - but i’m so in love with this story it stayed 5 AND it’s making it to my all time favorites !
What a FUN book! i adored it so so much. I loved these characters , the emotions, and the plot itself .
I will say I wasn’t a fan of her bestfriend or the bestfriends brother - what gives you any right to be mad at bid when you forced her into the date for years . That’s not pining she just didn’t want you!
The family was so soft - i wish we got to see his mother/ families reaction more but it all was so beautiful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐️ // 3🌶
Trial and error brings Bridget and Elias together with the most endeering meet cute. He saves her from embarrassment swooping in as her fake fiance. Elias, the sweet man, who is worried to get punched by her "real" fiance, just couldn't stand how her ex was belittling her. Only, she is single, and this little white lie gets complicated FAST. Boy did I love how life kept throwing curveballs at them, making them squirm yet find each other in the storm.
I loved how Elias showed Bridget that she is an amazing women, that does not need to hide - not her body nor her feelings, insecurities and opinions. It was also enlightning to have a story where the spice wasn't only rainbows, a story that told it is okay if it might not go perfect in the start. That intimacy needs trust and love, and that sometimes it needs time to get there. Bridget on the other hand was such a kind women, the way she connected with his family was beautiful.
The only thing that felt off was the whole Micah debacle, it did not fit with who Bids is (and does not actually contributes anything to the story). And she needs a better friend than Imani. She just ditched Bids when she got a boyfriend and dissappeared?! Bids deserved so much better. Thankfully, she has her sister - who I loved - Nathalie and also Oscar with Isobel, and Patrick and Helen. Those side characters were genuinely lovable. Trial and error is a solid fake dating / engagement of convienence romance with lots of swooning, that will make you giggle and 'aww', with a sprinkle of romcom magic.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
Trial and error brings Bridget and Elias together with the most endeering meet cute. He saves her from embarrassment swooping in as her fake fiance. Elias, the sweet man, who is worried to get punched by her "real" fiance, just couldn't stand how her ex was belittling her. Only, she is single, and this little white lie gets complicated FAST. Boy did I love how life kept throwing curveballs at them, making them squirm yet find each other in the storm.
I loved how Elias showed Bridget that she is an amazing women, that does not need to hide - not her body nor her feelings, insecurities and opinions. It was also enlightning to have a story where the spice wasn't only rainbows, a story that told it is okay if it might not go perfect in the start. That intimacy needs trust and love, and that sometimes it needs time to get there. Bridget on the other hand was such a kind women, the way she connected with his family was beautiful.
The only thing that felt off was the whole Micah debacle, it did not fit with who Bids is (and does not actually contributes anything to the story). And she needs a better friend than Imani. She just ditched Bids when she got a boyfriend and dissappeared?! Bids deserved so much better. Thankfully, she has her sister - who I loved - Nathalie and also Oscar with Isobel, and Patrick and Helen. Those side characters were genuinely lovable. Trial and error is a solid fake dating / engagement of convienence romance with lots of swooning, that will make you giggle and 'aww', with a sprinkle of romcom magic.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
October 4, 2026
What an insane debut! 🥳 🎉
I was lucky enough to be on the beta reading team for Trial and Error, so I'm absolutely OBSESSED that everyone else in the world finally gets to meet Elias and Bridget!
Once I started reading, I simply could not put it down.. I actually devoured this book.
Elias Cohen has officially ruined all other men for me... honestly he is the ultimate golden-retriever MMC who is completely obsessed with his girl. Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes & Tilly managed to hit it on the head at every single turn! The chemistry was off the charts and I honestly found myself screaming at them to JUST KISS ALREADY!!!!
💜 fake engagement
💜 he falls first
💜 friends to lovers
💜 found family
The story hit every single emotion possible, one minute I was laughing out loud, then I was mad, then I was kicking my feet & then tearing up. It's so raw but it was balanced absolutely perfectly!
Easily one of my favourite reads this year & I can’t wait for the rest of the Briarwood series... It's going to be epic!!
I was lucky enough to be on the beta reading team for Trial and Error, so I'm absolutely OBSESSED that everyone else in the world finally gets to meet Elias and Bridget!
Once I started reading, I simply could not put it down.. I actually devoured this book.
Elias Cohen has officially ruined all other men for me... honestly he is the ultimate golden-retriever MMC who is completely obsessed with his girl. Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes & Tilly managed to hit it on the head at every single turn! The chemistry was off the charts and I honestly found myself screaming at them to JUST KISS ALREADY!!!!
💜 fake engagement
💜 he falls first
💜 friends to lovers
💜 found family
The story hit every single emotion possible, one minute I was laughing out loud, then I was mad, then I was kicking my feet & then tearing up. It's so raw but it was balanced absolutely perfectly!
Easily one of my favourite reads this year & I can’t wait for the rest of the Briarwood series... It's going to be epic!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an INCREDIBLE debut! I absolutely DEVOURED this book!!! The way I looooove these two!! 🥹
Trial and Error was nothing short of incredible and SO dang impressive, such an easy 5 stars. Elias and Bridget’s story starts with them entering a fake engagement and is such an emotional and complex ride as they navigate their families, friendships, and rapidly growing romantic feelings for each other. I had such a blast! The way that Tilly writes makes you feel every emotion that the characters are experiencing and had me completely immersed in this story. Bridget and Elias were both incredibly relatable to me and felt very real. I was easily able to find pieces of myself within them. I also adored all of the side characters and the found family aspect of it all. I have grown so attached to these two and their story and can’t wait for what is next!
Thank you SOO much Tilly for the ARC and letting me be apart of this beautiful world you’ve built! 🩷💐
Trial and Error was nothing short of incredible and SO dang impressive, such an easy 5 stars. Elias and Bridget’s story starts with them entering a fake engagement and is such an emotional and complex ride as they navigate their families, friendships, and rapidly growing romantic feelings for each other. I had such a blast! The way that Tilly writes makes you feel every emotion that the characters are experiencing and had me completely immersed in this story. Bridget and Elias were both incredibly relatable to me and felt very real. I was easily able to find pieces of myself within them. I also adored all of the side characters and the found family aspect of it all. I have grown so attached to these two and their story and can’t wait for what is next!
Thank you SOO much Tilly for the ARC and letting me be apart of this beautiful world you’ve built! 🩷💐
October 3, 2026
if this is her debut i truly cannot wait to see what’s going to come next!!
i love this!! every aspect, the main characters, the side characters, the side characters i hope become main characters eventually, the setting, the storyline, the character dynamics and chemistry, the romance, the love. all of it. it’s light and funny and comforting and so so wholesome.
the beauty of these two characters falling in love and being connected by this beautifully woven gold thread!
the way their fake engagement played out on the page was so beautiful to see. tilly balanced strangers to lovers whilst also faking an engagement and the story that played out on page made it even more beautiful and heartwarming and oh so swoony!!
i love this!! every aspect, the main characters, the side characters, the side characters i hope become main characters eventually, the setting, the storyline, the character dynamics and chemistry, the romance, the love. all of it. it’s light and funny and comforting and so so wholesome.
the beauty of these two characters falling in love and being connected by this beautifully woven gold thread!
the way their fake engagement played out on the page was so beautiful to see. tilly balanced strangers to lovers whilst also faking an engagement and the story that played out on page made it even more beautiful and heartwarming and oh so swoony!!
Did Not Finish
October 7, 2026to start off, i would like to thank the author for giving me a chance to read this as an arc!
unfortunately i am going to have to dnf this on about page 120, which im really sad about. i have been trying to read this for about a week now, and i just can’t continue. i felt like the characters had no chemistry at all, and the fake engagement was so unnecessary. i also really disliked bridget’s best friend and the best friends brother. but what made me actually dnf this is the fact that they were already having sexual thoughts about each other on page 110 or something. mind you, the book is 330 pages, so yeah.
and not to mention the grammar mistakes. i know this is a debut, but it seems like no proper editing was done when there were about five mistakes every chapter.
unfortunately i am going to have to dnf this on about page 120, which im really sad about. i have been trying to read this for about a week now, and i just can’t continue. i felt like the characters had no chemistry at all, and the fake engagement was so unnecessary. i also really disliked bridget’s best friend and the best friends brother. but what made me actually dnf this is the fact that they were already having sexual thoughts about each other on page 110 or something. mind you, the book is 330 pages, so yeah.
and not to mention the grammar mistakes. i know this is a debut, but it seems like no proper editing was done when there were about five mistakes every chapter.
September 12, 2026
ARC review :
This romcom is a quick and easy read ! It’s cute and funny (there’s some very fun laugh out loud moments !), the characters are fun and endearing, I even liked the side characters and I hope that some future books will be about them !! (Looking at you Malik and Avery !!)
And if you like a MMC that’s gone for his girl, you’ll enjoy this book 😍
Especially if you love the fake dating trope as much as I do !!
I read this book so fast, I would even have read it in one sitting if I didn’t have to go to work 🙄 (the audacity 🤣)
Thanks for the early copy !!
This romcom is a quick and easy read ! It’s cute and funny (there’s some very fun laugh out loud moments !), the characters are fun and endearing, I even liked the side characters and I hope that some future books will be about them !! (Looking at you Malik and Avery !!)
And if you like a MMC that’s gone for his girl, you’ll enjoy this book 😍
Especially if you love the fake dating trope as much as I do !!
I read this book so fast, I would even have read it in one sitting if I didn’t have to go to work 🙄 (the audacity 🤣)
Thanks for the early copy !!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one was really sweet! These two had an aura of comfort around them that was intoxicating in the best way.
I have to say that it took me 35% of the book for me to get more invested, but after that point, I became so much more curious about what the story has in store. And on more of the shelves, there was a down bad man that I got me swooning multiple times.
Overall, I enjoyed that the plot had multiple conflicts which kept it refreshing. Plus, the engagement of convenience trope was done really well.
I have to say that it took me 35% of the book for me to get more invested, but after that point, I became so much more curious about what the story has in store. And on more of the shelves, there was a down bad man that I got me swooning multiple times.
Overall, I enjoyed that the plot had multiple conflicts which kept it refreshing. Plus, the engagement of convenience trope was done really well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, this was such a cute romance! I absolutely loved it. The fake engagement/fake relationship trope was so much fun, especially because she originally did it to get her ex-boyfriend to leave her alone. But then their families find out, and suddenly they have to keep up the fake relationship much longer than they ever expected. Of course, along the way, their feelings start becoming very real, and I loved watching them fall for each other. And the spicy scenes? TOP-TIER. 🔥 This was such a fun, easy romance read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is SUUUCH a good debut!
Firstly, the pacing was immaculate, I truly couldn't put this down despite me having been in what I can only call the longest reading slump of my life. I loved that I felt like I was transported back to the 2000s. I loved the sweet, the spicy, the tension, and the emotion. I loved it ALL. Bridget and Elias have found themselves etched into my soul and I never want to let them go. I cannot wait to see where we go from here in this big and bright and beautiful world that Tilly has created. I am so excited for this to be out and for everyone to feel what I have!
Thank you sooo much to Tilly and her team for the ARC!
Firstly, the pacing was immaculate, I truly couldn't put this down despite me having been in what I can only call the longest reading slump of my life. I loved that I felt like I was transported back to the 2000s. I loved the sweet, the spicy, the tension, and the emotion. I loved it ALL. Bridget and Elias have found themselves etched into my soul and I never want to let them go. I cannot wait to see where we go from here in this big and bright and beautiful world that Tilly has created. I am so excited for this to be out and for everyone to feel what I have!
Thank you sooo much to Tilly and her team for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4/5 🌟
This was a really sweet story. This is a really good start to a series and as a debut novel this was written well. I am thankful to the author for providing me with the ARC. I enjoyed this story.
Bridget and Elias story brought me comfort I didn't expect but absolutely loved it. And the engagement of convenience has always been my favourite and Tilly did really well portraying this trope in this story.
You are it for me, Elias. In every humanly way possible.
You are it for me too.(This line is etched in my mind 😍)
I would highly recommend this story! 🫶
This was a really sweet story. This is a really good start to a series and as a debut novel this was written well. I am thankful to the author for providing me with the ARC. I enjoyed this story.
Bridget and Elias story brought me comfort I didn't expect but absolutely loved it. And the engagement of convenience has always been my favourite and Tilly did really well portraying this trope in this story.
You are it for me, Elias. In every humanly way possible.
You are it for me too.(This line is etched in my mind 😍)
I would highly recommend this story! 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of my favourite romance novels I’ve read all year. The chemistry between the main characters is unmatched and I loved how it explores the raw realities of friendship and relationships. You genuinely wouldn’t believe it’s her debut novel, so beautifully written and completely kept me turning the pages! I can’t wait to read more from the Briarwood series! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
what a debut! Once I started I just could not put this down!
Where is my Elias Cohen PLEASE. This man is an obsessed lover boy and I need him🫦
This book just feels so comforting and loving, with humour and heartbreak throughout. I loved watch Bridget aka “Bids” and Elias fall in love. The fake dating/engagement trope is always a fave, I love reading the little moments when those lines blur and the connection is so clear!! Like just kiss already, for real and not for show!
Tilly does such a fantastic job pulling us readers in and the emotional plot line is so well written, I had tears in my eyes. (You know I love a good sob!)
This book is real, raw and beautiful exploring friendships, family and relationship while juggling life in general. Truly exceptional
A moment of silence for the literal ART that is this book cover omfg?? Isn’t it stunning
I love Bids sister Natalie and I’m hoping we see more of her in the future….OH and
I also saw a little mention of someone called Reeve, Elias best friend….who is a firefighter…. and now I’m side eyeing Tilly, I hope we get his book!
I can’t wait to read more in the Briarwood series!
tropes:
Engagement of Convenience
Friends to lovers
sunshine x sunshine
he falls first
lover boy mmc
spicy!!!!🌶️
Please read TW for this book ❤️
[e-arc provided]
Where is my Elias Cohen PLEASE. This man is an obsessed lover boy and I need him🫦
This book just feels so comforting and loving, with humour and heartbreak throughout. I loved watch Bridget aka “Bids” and Elias fall in love. The fake dating/engagement trope is always a fave, I love reading the little moments when those lines blur and the connection is so clear!! Like just kiss already, for real and not for show!
Tilly does such a fantastic job pulling us readers in and the emotional plot line is so well written, I had tears in my eyes. (You know I love a good sob!)
This book is real, raw and beautiful exploring friendships, family and relationship while juggling life in general. Truly exceptional
A moment of silence for the literal ART that is this book cover omfg?? Isn’t it stunning
I love Bids sister Natalie and I’m hoping we see more of her in the future….OH and
I also saw a little mention of someone called Reeve, Elias best friend….who is a firefighter…. and now I’m side eyeing Tilly, I hope we get his book!
I can’t wait to read more in the Briarwood series!
tropes:
Engagement of Convenience
Friends to lovers
sunshine x sunshine
he falls first
lover boy mmc
spicy!!!!🌶️
Please read TW for this book ❤️
[e-arc provided]
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Elias & Biddy’s story. It was cute and wholesome. I enjoyed their interactions and how gentle they both were to each other. The ending was perfect and I am glad they got their HEA, they both deserved it.
Thank you Tilly for sending me a copy of your book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it 💕
Thank you Tilly for sending me a copy of your book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it 💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
La historia me llamó la atención por sus clichés: found family, friends to lovers, sunshine x sunshine y (sobre todo) engagement of convenience.
Es una historia que se lee enseguida porque te atrapa tanto por la trama como la pluma de la autora.
En general, es una historia de momentos y personajes, pero creo que habría disfrutado más del libro si se hubiera mantenido el equilibrio inicial entre el romance, el resto de las tramas que se desarrollan paralelamente a la historia principal y temas quería tratar la autora.
Aún así, estoy deseando conocer las historias del resto de personajes de esta saga.
Es una historia que se lee enseguida porque te atrapa tanto por la trama como la pluma de la autora.
En general, es una historia de momentos y personajes, pero creo que habría disfrutado más del libro si se hubiera mantenido el equilibrio inicial entre el romance, el resto de las tramas que se desarrollan paralelamente a la historia principal y temas quería tratar la autora.
Aún así, estoy deseando conocer las historias del resto de personajes de esta saga.
October 3, 2026
I had such a great time reading Tilly's debut novel!
Elias & Bridget were such a cute couple and their connection felt natural which I always love. Add in an engagement of convenience and I'm sold!
I can't wait to see what else Tilly has up her sleeve for this series and for future books!
Elias & Bridget were such a cute couple and their connection felt natural which I always love. Add in an engagement of convenience and I'm sold!
I can't wait to see what else Tilly has up her sleeve for this series and for future books!
October 11, 2026
Solid read, great characters, lots of yearning, and generally very healthy communications. Not a huge fan of .
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tilly wrote an amazing story!!! I was obsessed with the characters right from the get go!! Can’t wait for everyone to read this story!!!
Review of advance copy
This is such a CUTE read, the characters are funny a little crazy. I liked the side characters. If you love a MMC that is down bad for his girl then this is for you.
October 6, 2026
"Pray" instead of "prey," "At the mere 'mentioned' (sic) of him.."
If author doesn't care enough to get edits, I can't be bothered to read this.
If author doesn't care enough to get edits, I can't be bothered to read this.
Want to Read
October 9, 2026OCTOBER TBR
October 15, 2026
Didn't touch the mark for me.
September 23, 2026
As I said to Tilly Oliver immediately after I finished this book.. it felt like a hug in a book and I will be taking no criticism about this statement or the book! Honestly, what an incredible debut!
I’m still not over how down bad Elias was for Bridget, he is literally obsessed with her but in such a green flag way! As he so obviously should be because Bids is just a gold star human!
Fake dating is one of my faves tropes and it didn’t disappoint, it had those oh so real moments whilst they tried their best to fake it!😍
Thank you to Tilly Oliver for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
I’m still not over how down bad Elias was for Bridget, he is literally obsessed with her but in such a green flag way! As he so obviously should be because Bids is just a gold star human!
Fake dating is one of my faves tropes and it didn’t disappoint, it had those oh so real moments whilst they tried their best to fake it!😍
Thank you to Tilly Oliver for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW*
What an amazing debut!! This is such a well written wholesome book and I absolutely devoured it! Thank you so much Tilly for letting me part of your world! I am already so eager to dive back into the Briarwood world!
Elias and Bridget’s story gets off to a unusual start when they are thrown together as Elias saves Bridget from her awful ex and they play that they are engaged. It gets more and more complicated as time goes on but so do their feelings for each other.
Their story had such depth but also humour and I just adored it.
If you love a MMC that is gone for his girl, this is the book for you. Elias Cohen the man that you are!!! Top book boyfriend material.
I am so excited to see where Tilly takes this series and the side characters who get their books!
What an amazing debut!! This is such a well written wholesome book and I absolutely devoured it! Thank you so much Tilly for letting me part of your world! I am already so eager to dive back into the Briarwood world!
Elias and Bridget’s story gets off to a unusual start when they are thrown together as Elias saves Bridget from her awful ex and they play that they are engaged. It gets more and more complicated as time goes on but so do their feelings for each other.
Their story had such depth but also humour and I just adored it.
If you love a MMC that is gone for his girl, this is the book for you. Elias Cohen the man that you are!!! Top book boyfriend material.
I am so excited to see where Tilly takes this series and the side characters who get their books!
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