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Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies
Charlotte Davenport built an empire on discipline and control, and at thirty-six, she isn't about to let anything as inconvenient as feelings undo it. But her twin's wedding means a season of dress fittings, champagne toasts, and entirely too much time around the ex-fiancée she would rather erase from memory. So when her well-meaning family starts asking who she's bringing, Charlotte does the unthinkable: she gets herself a girlfriend.
Fake and uncomplicated, obviously.
Ali McCarthy doesn't stay anywhere long. Six cities, ten years, one cat, and zero regrets. Then she lands behind the counter of a Boston coffee shop, where a woman with an enviable wardrobe orders the same thing four mornings a week. Six months of doodles on coffee cups. Six months of saving the blueberry scones. So when the razor-sharp CEO finally asks her something other than how her morning is going, Ali says yes without consulting common sense. Everything goes according to plan until Ali discovers the woman beneath all that polished control and for the first time in a decade, walking away might be the hardest thing she'll ever have to do.
One of them thinks she isn't enough. The other thinks she's too much. Neither of them has ever been brave enough to say the honest thing out loud… and Ali's lease runs out in November.
Fake and uncomplicated, obviously.
Ali McCarthy doesn't stay anywhere long. Six cities, ten years, one cat, and zero regrets. Then she lands behind the counter of a Boston coffee shop, where a woman with an enviable wardrobe orders the same thing four mornings a week. Six months of doodles on coffee cups. Six months of saving the blueberry scones. So when the razor-sharp CEO finally asks her something other than how her morning is going, Ali says yes without consulting common sense. Everything goes according to plan until Ali discovers the woman beneath all that polished control and for the first time in a decade, walking away might be the hardest thing she'll ever have to do.
One of them thinks she isn't enough. The other thinks she's too much. Neither of them has ever been brave enough to say the honest thing out loud… and Ali's lease runs out in November.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The fake dating situation starts quickly, from the first interaction they have together in the book. It took me a bit of time to get comfortable with their familiarity, creating a gap with the comfort they already felt for each other because they knew each other. But I quickly caught up with them. The vulnerability of the characters, for instance Ali’s OCD, gives them depth and created comfort scenes that still make me feel warm. The chemistry is amazing, providing great spicy scenes. It’s hard not to fall in love with them together and as individuals. In the end, Ali and Charlotte are in such pathological denial of the nature of their relationship that I was sometimes frustrated with them. The secondary characters (except for one) built a solid support system for them, bringing a security blanket kind of feeling. There were a lot of them, maybe too many at times, because sometimes I was a bit lost when a new name was mentioned and thought, "Wait, am I supposed to know this character?"The last part of the book was amazing, with a plot twist that caught me off guard. This book goes deeper than the blurb led on, and I love being surprised that way.
Overall, it is a debut novel that didn’t feel like one. The numerous characters provide many possibilities for the next books in the series, and I really look forward to what Summers brings next.
Overall, it is a debut novel that didn’t feel like one. The numerous characters provide many possibilities for the next books in the series, and I really look forward to what Summers brings next.
October 22, 2026
Ooof this one had me HOOKED.
When I started reading, I was worried the story was going to feel too fast because you jump right into the fake dating, but the author did such a good job of giving you the backstory of them knowing one another for six months already.
My heart hurt for both Charlotte and Ali, their characters were just so real. I absolutely adored their relationship and understanding of one another.
It was a liiittle cheesy but that really didn’t bother me too much, I devoured it.
When I started reading, I was worried the story was going to feel too fast because you jump right into the fake dating, but the author did such a good job of giving you the backstory of them knowing one another for six months already.
My heart hurt for both Charlotte and Ali, their characters were just so real. I absolutely adored their relationship and understanding of one another.
It was a liiittle cheesy but that really didn’t bother me too much, I devoured it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got an ARC of this from Claire Summers in exchange for an honest review, opinions are all mine! And I would like to thank Claire for the opportunity!
Okay so I went into this expecting a cute fake-dating romance and came out kind of emotionally wrecked (in a good way). Charlotte and Ali are both just... really well written, like they actually feel like people, not just "uptight CEO" and "free spirit barista" stereotypes stapled together. Everyone in this book has layers. What really got me was how it handles mental health. It's not glossed over and it's not overdone either, it just feels honest, the good days and the bad days both, and I really respected that.
The whole vibe of this book is so cozy, I basically wanted to read it with a blanket and a coffee (very on brand given the setting lol) and the writing itself has this artistic quality to it that I wasn't expecting going in - there were a few lines I had to just sit with for a second.
Okay so I went into this expecting a cute fake-dating romance and came out kind of emotionally wrecked (in a good way). Charlotte and Ali are both just... really well written, like they actually feel like people, not just "uptight CEO" and "free spirit barista" stereotypes stapled together. Everyone in this book has layers. What really got me was how it handles mental health. It's not glossed over and it's not overdone either, it just feels honest, the good days and the bad days both, and I really respected that.
The whole vibe of this book is so cozy, I basically wanted to read it with a blanket and a coffee (very on brand given the setting lol) and the writing itself has this artistic quality to it that I wasn't expecting going in - there were a few lines I had to just sit with for a second.
October 25, 2026
My new comfort read!!
I love every about it form all the small touches to the absolutely lovely family (blood related and not).
They're do effing perfect for each other and don't let me start talking about when Charlotte becomes Ali's model - pure perfection.
You get attached to every single character, well except one but you get why. They're just a big family and it's so heartwarming reading every interaction and the way they welcome Alina it's the depiction of unconditional love 😭.
Honestly the only thing I did get is why everyone is so obsessed with Charlotte's boobs painting 😶
100/10 very much recommend ❤️
I love every about it form all the small touches to the absolutely lovely family (blood related and not).
They're do effing perfect for each other and don't let me start talking about when Charlotte becomes Ali's model - pure perfection.
You get attached to every single character, well except one but you get why. They're just a big family and it's so heartwarming reading every interaction and the way they welcome Alina it's the depiction of unconditional love 😭.
Honestly the only thing I did get is why everyone is so obsessed with Charlotte's boobs painting 😶
100/10 very much recommend ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 ⭐
Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies ended up being so much more than I expected. I initially picked it up for the fake dating setup, but somewhere along the way it completely snuck up on me, and I realized I was enjoying it for so many reasons beyond the trope that first caught my eye. There's truly a lot packed into this story, and I'm honestly a little surprised this is a debut because Claire's writing already feels so layered, tender, and emotionally thoughtful. If this is her starting point, I'm very curious to see where she'll take her writing next.
On paper, the premise sounds pretty straightforward: Charlotte is a CEO who has built her entire life around discipline and control. When her twin sister gets married and Charlotte's ex-fiancée is going to be there, she asks Ali, the woman from her favorite coffee shop, to pretend to be her girlfriend for the wedding. Easy enough, right? Except getting to know Ali grows complicated when Charlotte realizes this woman is capable of seeing the exact parts of her she spends her life hiding.
And truthfully, there's so much more to this book than the blurb lets on.
One of the biggest surprises for me was just how much I cared about the entire cast. Not only the MCs, but the side characters too. It's been a while since I've felt this involved with practically everyone in a romance. Usually, supporting characters can sometimes feel like they're there to fill space or serve a specific purpose, but that wasn't the case here. Everyone had their own personality, relationships, and place within the story, which made the world feel much more alive.
Charlotte's family in particular totally won me over. Their interactions gave me so many warm, heartfelt moments that I couldn't stop smiling, especially whenever the sisters were together. I loved that Charlotte's relationship with Lizzie felt completely different from the one she had with Lilah, while still making both bonds feel equally meaningful. Can we talk about Ali? Because seeing her become a natural part of their little circle gave me the absolute biggest feels. Char’s mom, Diana, had me particularly emotional. Her maternal instinct fully shines through when Ali's anxiety takes over, and that specific moment of unconditional support was such a brilliant, touching addition to the story.
I was so captivated by how Claire portrayed family as something messy, complicated, loving, frustrating, and supportive all at once. The story also does a beautiful job of putting birth family and chosen family side by side without making one more important or "real" than the other. Sometimes you can have both, and I thought that was such an endearing message.
Also, I NEED more of Lilah.
This girl utterly stole my heart. I don't even know exactly what it was about her, but I spent so much of the book thinking, "Please let Claire's next book be about Lilah!" Her energy was so refreshing, and I was deeply invested in watching her wrestle with the uncertainty of not knowing what she genuinely wants from life. She wants to follow in her sister's footsteps, but she's also beginning to realize that maybe that isn't her path, and the fear that she's somehow a disappointment really got to me.
I think that's why I connected with her so much. Who hasn't been young and wondered whether they're making the right choices or what they're supposed to do with their future? I've certainly had those moments myself, so watching Lilah slowly figure herself out resonated with me deeply. I am absolutely ready to watch her become her own person and hopefully find a love story of her own.
As for Ali, I totally adored her. She's compassionate, gentle, and incredibly caring toward the people around her, especially Charlotte and her family. Every time her anxiety and fears started winning, I just wanted to jump into the book and give her the biggest hug. I also really valued the way her OCD was incorporated into the story. It felt like an authentic part of who she was rather than something added for dramatic effect, and I think that kind of representation will mean a lot to many readers.
Charlotte took me a little longer to connect with, as she's much more emotionally guarded than Ali and very selective about who gets to see behind that wall. I adored getting those little glimpses of her vulnerability throughout the novel, notably around her family. The way she slowly opened up and trusted Ali enough to reveal those deeper layers was immensely satisfying to read.
And the romance? So sweet.
I gotta admit, the transition from strangers to friends happened fairly quickly, and I wouldn't have minded a slower burn with them in that early getting-to-know-each-other phase. Thankfully, the romantic side takes considerably more time to develop, and I really appreciated that they actually talked about their pasts, fears, and experiences instead of relying solely on attraction.
They also had some surprisingly weighty similarities. Both had experience with narcissistic exes, and both understood the particular kind of grief that comes with losing a parent. These shared experiences created a beautiful unspoken language between them; even when they didn't voice their thoughts, their actions showed just how deeply they understood each other, making their relationship feel truly earned.
Now, I do have one little caveat: the fake dating setup didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for. I don't think they necessarily needed to agree to it in the first place, because the "fake" aspect didn't end up carrying as much tension or weight as I expected. The conflict with Victoria also became a little repetitive for me. Her appearances started following a predictable cycle of causing a scene, getting confronted, retreating, and then doing it all over again. I think a little more variety or escalation could have made the stakes feel so much higher.
Still, these were minor issues in what was otherwise such a lovely reading experience.
Ultimately, this story is a beautiful exploration of grief, family, identity, and the courage it takes to build a life that is truly your own. It captures the beauty of finding a person who acts as a safe harbor, trusting yourself enough to let your guard down, and believing that someone will be there to catch you when you do.
There is no doubt that Claire is a writer to watch. And if she keeps breathing this much life and empathy into her characters, I will absolutely buy anything she publishes. Also, Claire, please tell me we are getting that Lilah book soon!
Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies ended up being so much more than I expected. I initially picked it up for the fake dating setup, but somewhere along the way it completely snuck up on me, and I realized I was enjoying it for so many reasons beyond the trope that first caught my eye. There's truly a lot packed into this story, and I'm honestly a little surprised this is a debut because Claire's writing already feels so layered, tender, and emotionally thoughtful. If this is her starting point, I'm very curious to see where she'll take her writing next.
On paper, the premise sounds pretty straightforward: Charlotte is a CEO who has built her entire life around discipline and control. When her twin sister gets married and Charlotte's ex-fiancée is going to be there, she asks Ali, the woman from her favorite coffee shop, to pretend to be her girlfriend for the wedding. Easy enough, right? Except getting to know Ali grows complicated when Charlotte realizes this woman is capable of seeing the exact parts of her she spends her life hiding.
And truthfully, there's so much more to this book than the blurb lets on.
One of the biggest surprises for me was just how much I cared about the entire cast. Not only the MCs, but the side characters too. It's been a while since I've felt this involved with practically everyone in a romance. Usually, supporting characters can sometimes feel like they're there to fill space or serve a specific purpose, but that wasn't the case here. Everyone had their own personality, relationships, and place within the story, which made the world feel much more alive.
Charlotte's family in particular totally won me over. Their interactions gave me so many warm, heartfelt moments that I couldn't stop smiling, especially whenever the sisters were together. I loved that Charlotte's relationship with Lizzie felt completely different from the one she had with Lilah, while still making both bonds feel equally meaningful. Can we talk about Ali? Because seeing her become a natural part of their little circle gave me the absolute biggest feels. Char’s mom, Diana, had me particularly emotional. Her maternal instinct fully shines through when Ali's anxiety takes over, and that specific moment of unconditional support was such a brilliant, touching addition to the story.
I was so captivated by how Claire portrayed family as something messy, complicated, loving, frustrating, and supportive all at once. The story also does a beautiful job of putting birth family and chosen family side by side without making one more important or "real" than the other. Sometimes you can have both, and I thought that was such an endearing message.
Also, I NEED more of Lilah.
This girl utterly stole my heart. I don't even know exactly what it was about her, but I spent so much of the book thinking, "Please let Claire's next book be about Lilah!" Her energy was so refreshing, and I was deeply invested in watching her wrestle with the uncertainty of not knowing what she genuinely wants from life. She wants to follow in her sister's footsteps, but she's also beginning to realize that maybe that isn't her path, and the fear that she's somehow a disappointment really got to me.
I think that's why I connected with her so much. Who hasn't been young and wondered whether they're making the right choices or what they're supposed to do with their future? I've certainly had those moments myself, so watching Lilah slowly figure herself out resonated with me deeply. I am absolutely ready to watch her become her own person and hopefully find a love story of her own.
As for Ali, I totally adored her. She's compassionate, gentle, and incredibly caring toward the people around her, especially Charlotte and her family. Every time her anxiety and fears started winning, I just wanted to jump into the book and give her the biggest hug. I also really valued the way her OCD was incorporated into the story. It felt like an authentic part of who she was rather than something added for dramatic effect, and I think that kind of representation will mean a lot to many readers.
Charlotte took me a little longer to connect with, as she's much more emotionally guarded than Ali and very selective about who gets to see behind that wall. I adored getting those little glimpses of her vulnerability throughout the novel, notably around her family. The way she slowly opened up and trusted Ali enough to reveal those deeper layers was immensely satisfying to read.
And the romance? So sweet.
I gotta admit, the transition from strangers to friends happened fairly quickly, and I wouldn't have minded a slower burn with them in that early getting-to-know-each-other phase. Thankfully, the romantic side takes considerably more time to develop, and I really appreciated that they actually talked about their pasts, fears, and experiences instead of relying solely on attraction.
They also had some surprisingly weighty similarities. Both had experience with narcissistic exes, and both understood the particular kind of grief that comes with losing a parent. These shared experiences created a beautiful unspoken language between them; even when they didn't voice their thoughts, their actions showed just how deeply they understood each other, making their relationship feel truly earned.
Now, I do have one little caveat: the fake dating setup didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for. I don't think they necessarily needed to agree to it in the first place, because the "fake" aspect didn't end up carrying as much tension or weight as I expected. The conflict with Victoria also became a little repetitive for me. Her appearances started following a predictable cycle of causing a scene, getting confronted, retreating, and then doing it all over again. I think a little more variety or escalation could have made the stakes feel so much higher.
Still, these were minor issues in what was otherwise such a lovely reading experience.
Ultimately, this story is a beautiful exploration of grief, family, identity, and the courage it takes to build a life that is truly your own. It captures the beauty of finding a person who acts as a safe harbor, trusting yourself enough to let your guard down, and believing that someone will be there to catch you when you do.
There is no doubt that Claire is a writer to watch. And if she keeps breathing this much life and empathy into her characters, I will absolutely buy anything she publishes. Also, Claire, please tell me we are getting that Lilah book soon!
October 27, 2026
So sweet, so lovely.
I love how Charlotte and Ali(na) were fully fleshed out characters, and their journey to HEA was paced well. The side characters, as many as there were, were also a great part of the story.
I did have more questions about Sasha and Lizzie, but i understand that the author probably didn't want to give us a million more pages diving into every back story possible.
Victoria deserved worse.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and anything from Claire Summers at this point. Great story.
I love how Charlotte and Ali(na) were fully fleshed out characters, and their journey to HEA was paced well. The side characters, as many as there were, were also a great part of the story.
I did have more questions about Sasha and Lizzie, but i understand that the author probably didn't want to give us a million more pages diving into every back story possible.
Victoria deserved worse.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and anything from Claire Summers at this point. Great story.
October 27, 2026
I really wanted to like this more than I did. I liked parts of it, but they never quite came together, and that was my main issue. It didn't feel like the author knew exactly what kind of story they wanted to tell. Some of the characters also felt a bit over-the-top and not like real people. That said, for a debut, there's a lot of potential here. They clearly know how to write. The story and characters just needed a bit more polishing 🤗
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is overflowing with seriously cute vibes. The romance is tooth rottingly sweet, and the found family energy is strong with a sapphic ensemble that makes your heart feel very full.
This is the kind of comforting read that feels like a really safe space to unwind and relax. Often idyllic and romantic— it's definitely on the more sentimental side, but the spice definitely brings some heat. While the romance is very fluffy, it does brush on some deeper moments in a really moving way. There is also some fantastic exploration of OCD.
The perfect cosy read for a relaxing autumn evening.
This is the kind of comforting read that feels like a really safe space to unwind and relax. Often idyllic and romantic— it's definitely on the more sentimental side, but the spice definitely brings some heat. While the romance is very fluffy, it does brush on some deeper moments in a really moving way. There is also some fantastic exploration of OCD.
The perfect cosy read for a relaxing autumn evening.
September 24, 2026
Well this was shockingly delicious. First of all, what a sweet and cuddly story. The MCs were all so lovable and had the best vibes. Charlotte and Ali were so stinking cute together. Utterly cavity inducing. One thing I always love is a good fleshed out back story with at least a little trauma that really helps you understand the character and their actions, and these two were perfect for that. I’m a huge fan of all the dynamics and relationships happening in this book and she’s got me hooked for the rest of their stories because I just can’t wait to see all these ladies happy. Sapphic romance is new for me, but oh boy was it a good time. The spice was utterly delectable and I just couldn’t get enough of these two cinnamon rolls. Fun, sweet, and chock full of feel goods, the first two up for the B&B absolutely stole my heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Claire Summers, in exchange for an honest review, opinions and thoughts are all my own.
Where do I even start with this book? I read this book pretty fast for me. I was hooked from the start. Charlotte being a CEO, high strung and her need for control was something I loved, also certain traits of her personality made me feel seen in my own life. Then we have Ali, and with her OCD it was another thing written into this book and a character which I related to. Both these characters had me from the start, I was cheering them both on for the whole book.
We start of with Charlotte readying for her twin sisters wedding, and when she asks Ali to be her fake girlfriend for the wedding very early on, it’s clear that both these idiots already have feelings brewing...for 6 months they’ve been brewing.
Their relationship grows, and they help each other grow in the most magical of ways . They are each others light in the darkness. And their fake relationship, is not so fake in the end. The amount of yearning, longing stares, protectiveness, fire, and heat there is between them would make anyone blush.
Then Charlottes ex...this was a hard part of the book for me to read personally, due to my own experience with a narcassitic ex.... Victoria is an absolute asshole, and that’s putting it lightly, she is a grenade, she is the darkness pullng down on this whole family. She is nasty and conniving....but what I love about this is the way she tries to manipulate Ali and Ali is just having none of it...because she’s had her own experiences with narcissistic exes.
I fell in love with almost all the side characters too... Lilah, and Diana both hold my heart as my favourite side characters and I hope to read more about them in another book. I want to just hug Lilah, she’s an absoloute sweetheart and reminded me alot of myself. And then Diana, the mother everyone would wish for I think, she was so sweet and caring and understanding and took genuine intrest in everyone she spoke to.
The love that grew between the main characters Charlotte and Ali made my heart swell. Watching these two struggle to admit their feelings even to themselves made me want to throw my kindle. (don’t worry the kindle is safe!) I adored the comfort they found in each other. Some of the scenes just made me melt for them both, the way they both look at each other and spoke to one other like nothing else mattered in the world but them...it made me sob, and I just thought “if only I could find a love like this.”
The depth of these characters was written so beautifully and with such care, you could understand all of them on that deeper level. And the villian of the story was written in such a truthful way that we knew she was just a nasty piece of work, no reason for it, because her reason was bullshit. I wanted to punch her from the first time I saw her.
And that plot twist near the end...my god!! I was so angry and emotional!! I did not see it coming at all!!!
Lastly I just want to mention the spicy scenes, because even though there were only a couple, they were done with such brilliance that it’s all that was needed. They made me needy. They made me hot, and they made me think 'god these women put he hot into spice, written with such craft that I felt every feeling in my very bones.
Coffee Eyes and little white lies had me screaming, crying, laughing, and blushing too. And I need more!!!
Where do I even start with this book? I read this book pretty fast for me. I was hooked from the start. Charlotte being a CEO, high strung and her need for control was something I loved, also certain traits of her personality made me feel seen in my own life. Then we have Ali, and with her OCD it was another thing written into this book and a character which I related to. Both these characters had me from the start, I was cheering them both on for the whole book.
We start of with Charlotte readying for her twin sisters wedding, and when she asks Ali to be her fake girlfriend for the wedding very early on, it’s clear that both these idiots already have feelings brewing...for 6 months they’ve been brewing.
Their relationship grows, and they help each other grow in the most magical of ways . They are each others light in the darkness. And their fake relationship, is not so fake in the end. The amount of yearning, longing stares, protectiveness, fire, and heat there is between them would make anyone blush.
Then Charlottes ex...this was a hard part of the book for me to read personally, due to my own experience with a narcassitic ex.... Victoria is an absolute asshole, and that’s putting it lightly, she is a grenade, she is the darkness pullng down on this whole family. She is nasty and conniving....but what I love about this is the way she tries to manipulate Ali and Ali is just having none of it...because she’s had her own experiences with narcissistic exes.
I fell in love with almost all the side characters too... Lilah, and Diana both hold my heart as my favourite side characters and I hope to read more about them in another book. I want to just hug Lilah, she’s an absoloute sweetheart and reminded me alot of myself. And then Diana, the mother everyone would wish for I think, she was so sweet and caring and understanding and took genuine intrest in everyone she spoke to.
The love that grew between the main characters Charlotte and Ali made my heart swell. Watching these two struggle to admit their feelings even to themselves made me want to throw my kindle. (don’t worry the kindle is safe!) I adored the comfort they found in each other. Some of the scenes just made me melt for them both, the way they both look at each other and spoke to one other like nothing else mattered in the world but them...it made me sob, and I just thought “if only I could find a love like this.”
The depth of these characters was written so beautifully and with such care, you could understand all of them on that deeper level. And the villian of the story was written in such a truthful way that we knew she was just a nasty piece of work, no reason for it, because her reason was bullshit. I wanted to punch her from the first time I saw her.
And that plot twist near the end...my god!! I was so angry and emotional!! I did not see it coming at all!!!
Lastly I just want to mention the spicy scenes, because even though there were only a couple, they were done with such brilliance that it’s all that was needed. They made me needy. They made me hot, and they made me think 'god these women put he hot into spice, written with such craft that I felt every feeling in my very bones.
Coffee Eyes and little white lies had me screaming, crying, laughing, and blushing too. And I need more!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, a big thank you to Claire Summers, who very kindly shared the book as ARC.
Firstly, let's get the "obvious" out of the way: if you like fake dating, friends to friends-with-benefits to lovers, cosy romances, a bit of angst, and a plot twist for the end, this is the book for you. And you could easily stop reading the review here.
Be prepared for a proper emotional journey: from jealous (and very toxic) exes to mental health, this book covers a lot and if you find yourself relating to some of these themes, you're in for quite a ride! Whether this is a positive or a negative for you entirely depends on your expectations - for me it was a positive!!
If you want just pure fluff, and no angst whatsoever, this may not be a book for you. However, I really liked how tactful the author was in dealing with one of the character's mental health struggles, grief... and I found most of the tension created via the different issues the two main characters were facing to be believable, relatable, and even entertaining, at various points. All in all, for me this was a very positive rollercoaster of emotions.
The main characters are well written - and thank goodness not perfect: they felt real, with flaws and all. To be fair, it's one of the few books where even the secondary characters were really interesting. One of the MC's family is adorable, and honestly, it's worth a read just to know more about these lovely people, and the way they welcome someone who is not part of the family into their lives. Which also leads me slightly off topic but... Can we please know more about them please? They could be part of a new book..! just putting an idea out there ;)
The narration flows really easily, the pacing is very good - thank you to the author for not giving a 5-page long description of the cafe' or the city (I do love that if I'm reading other genres, but not in my romance fiction books!).
I won't spoil anything, but the plot really pulls you in: from family (and ex-fiancée) drama to the two MCs navigating their feelings around their fake-dating arrangement, to cosy autumn vibes sprinkled all over... Not to mention the unexpected plot twist (I tend not to expect any plot twists in romance books, so for me this was the highlight of the whole read!) that made me smile for the whole day.
There are only 2 real "notes" that led me to rate it 4.5 stars instead of 5.
The first is that I personally would have preferred to see a bit more of the journey that leads to the two MCs actually starting to fake-date. Because we start with an already six-month-established connection between the MCs, I would have loved a deeper insight into some of the "highlights" of those six months. In any case, their relationship still felt authentic, which led me to enjoy the book regardless.
The second is entirely my own issue - I know - but there were a lot of support characters (outside of the "main" secondary characters that were closer to the two protagonists) and I couldn't keep up with who was who in certain points. But again, it may be my own memory issue!
So why does this book still get a 4.5 from me? Because the characters & their love felt authentic, the emotional moments landed well, the supporting cast was adorable, and the story kept me engaged from beginning to end!
Firstly, let's get the "obvious" out of the way: if you like fake dating, friends to friends-with-benefits to lovers, cosy romances, a bit of angst, and a plot twist for the end, this is the book for you. And you could easily stop reading the review here.
Be prepared for a proper emotional journey: from jealous (and very toxic) exes to mental health, this book covers a lot and if you find yourself relating to some of these themes, you're in for quite a ride! Whether this is a positive or a negative for you entirely depends on your expectations - for me it was a positive!!
If you want just pure fluff, and no angst whatsoever, this may not be a book for you. However, I really liked how tactful the author was in dealing with one of the character's mental health struggles, grief... and I found most of the tension created via the different issues the two main characters were facing to be believable, relatable, and even entertaining, at various points. All in all, for me this was a very positive rollercoaster of emotions.
The main characters are well written - and thank goodness not perfect: they felt real, with flaws and all. To be fair, it's one of the few books where even the secondary characters were really interesting. One of the MC's family is adorable, and honestly, it's worth a read just to know more about these lovely people, and the way they welcome someone who is not part of the family into their lives. Which also leads me slightly off topic but... Can we please know more about them please? They could be part of a new book..! just putting an idea out there ;)
The narration flows really easily, the pacing is very good - thank you to the author for not giving a 5-page long description of the cafe' or the city (I do love that if I'm reading other genres, but not in my romance fiction books!).
I won't spoil anything, but the plot really pulls you in: from family (and ex-fiancée) drama to the two MCs navigating their feelings around their fake-dating arrangement, to cosy autumn vibes sprinkled all over... Not to mention the unexpected plot twist (I tend not to expect any plot twists in romance books, so for me this was the highlight of the whole read!) that made me smile for the whole day.
There are only 2 real "notes" that led me to rate it 4.5 stars instead of 5.
The first is that I personally would have preferred to see a bit more of the journey that leads to the two MCs actually starting to fake-date. Because we start with an already six-month-established connection between the MCs, I would have loved a deeper insight into some of the "highlights" of those six months. In any case, their relationship still felt authentic, which led me to enjoy the book regardless.
The second is entirely my own issue - I know - but there were a lot of support characters (outside of the "main" secondary characters that were closer to the two protagonists) and I couldn't keep up with who was who in certain points. But again, it may be my own memory issue!
So why does this book still get a 4.5 from me? Because the characters & their love felt authentic, the emotional moments landed well, the supporting cast was adorable, and the story kept me engaged from beginning to end!
October 14, 2026
I absolutely adored these characters from page 1, I loved starting out meeting Charlotte’s sisters and seeing their dynamic so soon really helped understand the kind of person Charlotte is. The sheer love she has for her family is so beautiful and I loved her relationship with both her sisters and parents. It’s so rare to see a character with a temper like Charlotte’s, and I really liked seeing that here. She was very aware of herself and good at control, but it was so sad hearing her think she’s not enough because of it and that she is scary.
Ali felt like a warm hug, she was so sweet and cozy but so good at the interactions with Victoria and so good at getting under her skin. I thought her OCD was done very well, and how her tics were explained. I felt I was able to understand her and how her brain worked. I love an artist character and I WISH I could see her art in physical form because it sounds so beautiful 😭 I loved watching her heal, and as she realized that this was a place that she could put down roots, and her getting a real family for the first time in so many years. She needed that village so bad and got it and it was so rewarding.
I loved their dynamic together, I loved their banter and the way that they didn’t try to keep physical attention to the public setting for the fake dating purpose, this felt like a different take on the fake dating and I was so here for it. It seemed like they almost forgot about the fake dating halfway through and were just dating, and I really loved that. It also felt so realistic that they had been noticing each other for months and both of them harbored a crush already, so it set up for the perfect build to a real relationship. The little interaction we got with them before the fake relationship gave us an insight into their “friendship” so far. You really just couldn’t help but root for these characters and they are absolutely some of my favorites now.
Also, spice, 10/ 10 no notes🥵
Let’s talk about those side characters!! I literally loved every member of their village, I need more of the sisters and Wren IMMEDIATELY. And their parents were the PERFECT book parents that everyone should have. They added so much depth to the story and just surrounded the main characters with unconditional love and support. Even saying “side character” doesn’t feel like the right words for them because they all added so much to the story that it would’ve been so different without them. And also so glad Victoria got what she deserved, fuck her.
Okay I’m going to shut up now BUT GO READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NEOW
Ali felt like a warm hug, she was so sweet and cozy but so good at the interactions with Victoria and so good at getting under her skin. I thought her OCD was done very well, and how her tics were explained. I felt I was able to understand her and how her brain worked. I love an artist character and I WISH I could see her art in physical form because it sounds so beautiful 😭 I loved watching her heal, and as she realized that this was a place that she could put down roots, and her getting a real family for the first time in so many years. She needed that village so bad and got it and it was so rewarding.
I loved their dynamic together, I loved their banter and the way that they didn’t try to keep physical attention to the public setting for the fake dating purpose, this felt like a different take on the fake dating and I was so here for it. It seemed like they almost forgot about the fake dating halfway through and were just dating, and I really loved that. It also felt so realistic that they had been noticing each other for months and both of them harbored a crush already, so it set up for the perfect build to a real relationship. The little interaction we got with them before the fake relationship gave us an insight into their “friendship” so far. You really just couldn’t help but root for these characters and they are absolutely some of my favorites now.
Also, spice, 10/ 10 no notes🥵
Let’s talk about those side characters!! I literally loved every member of their village, I need more of the sisters and Wren IMMEDIATELY. And their parents were the PERFECT book parents that everyone should have. They added so much depth to the story and just surrounded the main characters with unconditional love and support. Even saying “side character” doesn’t feel like the right words for them because they all added so much to the story that it would’ve been so different without them. And also so glad Victoria got what she deserved, fuck her.
Okay I’m going to shut up now BUT GO READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NEOW
October 18, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this with just a few issues.
First of all. I freaking love adults who communicate and this book has it in spades. There's just a lil failure to communicate at the end but I can forgive that.
Ali and Charlotte are both delightful. They have some trust issues due to prior abusive relationships. Ali thinks she's always too much and Charlotte thinks she's always too cold. They bounce of each other incredibly well and had me kicking my feet.
We built slowly to the spice, allowing the friendship and trust to full develop.
Despite my issues with Victoria, most of the book is about Ali and Charlotte and their developing relationship and I had a great time.
First of all. I freaking love adults who communicate and this book has it in spades. There's just a lil failure to communicate at the end but I can forgive that.
Ali and Charlotte are both delightful. They have some trust issues due to prior abusive relationships. Ali thinks she's always too much and Charlotte thinks she's always too cold. They bounce of each other incredibly well and had me kicking my feet.
We built slowly to the spice, allowing the friendship and trust to full develop.
Despite my issues with Victoria, most of the book is about Ali and Charlotte and their developing relationship and I had a great time.
October 23, 2026
Such a heartwarming sapphic romance! I loved every minute of reading this
October 26, 2026
Very easily one of the best books I’ve read this year
October 7, 2026
I went into Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies expecting a sapphic cozy autumn rom-com, but I got something SO much more than that.
This novel follows Ali and Charlotte, who agree to fake date for Charlotte’s twin sister’s wedding, only to slowly realize that their feelings for each other are very real.
This book was so beautiful. I read it in two days and genuinely couldn’t put it down. There were so many deeper topics woven into the story, including OCD representation, learning to trust again, found family, learning to trust again and figuring out how to let people into your life.
Both Ali and Charlotte come with their own flaws and struggles and I really loved how maturely and thoughtfully those were handled. Their chemistry was AMAZING and they were so easy to root for. I was completely invested in their relationship. The spicy scenes were also chefs kiss.
I also absolutely adored Charlotte’s family. The way they welcomed Ali in and made her feel like she belonged was so beautiful. And honestly, I was really impressed by how well developed the side characters were. They actually felt like real people with their own lives rather than just existing in the background.
The writing was so beautiful, and I genuinely can’t believe this is a debut novel. If this is what Claire Summers is starting with, I really hope she writes many more books because I want to read all of them. This book is definitely going to stay with me for a long time.
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.
This novel follows Ali and Charlotte, who agree to fake date for Charlotte’s twin sister’s wedding, only to slowly realize that their feelings for each other are very real.
This book was so beautiful. I read it in two days and genuinely couldn’t put it down. There were so many deeper topics woven into the story, including OCD representation, learning to trust again, found family, learning to trust again and figuring out how to let people into your life.
Both Ali and Charlotte come with their own flaws and struggles and I really loved how maturely and thoughtfully those were handled. Their chemistry was AMAZING and they were so easy to root for. I was completely invested in their relationship. The spicy scenes were also chefs kiss.
I also absolutely adored Charlotte’s family. The way they welcomed Ali in and made her feel like she belonged was so beautiful. And honestly, I was really impressed by how well developed the side characters were. They actually felt like real people with their own lives rather than just existing in the background.
The writing was so beautiful, and I genuinely can’t believe this is a debut novel. If this is what Claire Summers is starting with, I really hope she writes many more books because I want to read all of them. This book is definitely going to stay with me for a long time.
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I first want to thank Claire for the ARC. I started this book and within pages...my heart just felt so cozy. I loved that the characters were working through relevant, real problems. They felt so human. The side family and found family are so well done. Both Ali and Charlotte make me swoon. I say cozy, but there was some angst and a lot of spice. I loved it so much that I had to go back and read it again right away. I cannot wait to see more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love the fake dating trope and this book shined! Thank you to the author for an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I adored both Ali and Charlotte. They each had their strengths and weaknesses. I loved how the complimented one another. I loved how enamored they both were right from the start. It really only was considered fake because of the situation not the developing relationship. But technically the ‘fake’ jump started them both to go from a six month acquaintance to building a relationship/friendship. So it was very well played even as it was harder to move past because of it.
I loved the supporting characters, especially Wren, Natasha and Lizzie along with Charlotte’s family and friends. There’s definitely a character that was horrible and another the was questionable for a while. Overall the support and chaos was well done and engaging.
Fantastic read, highly recommend!
I adored both Ali and Charlotte. They each had their strengths and weaknesses. I loved how the complimented one another. I loved how enamored they both were right from the start. It really only was considered fake because of the situation not the developing relationship. But technically the ‘fake’ jump started them both to go from a six month acquaintance to building a relationship/friendship. So it was very well played even as it was harder to move past because of it.
I loved the supporting characters, especially Wren, Natasha and Lizzie along with Charlotte’s family and friends. There’s definitely a character that was horrible and another the was questionable for a while. Overall the support and chaos was well done and engaging.
Fantastic read, highly recommend!
Review of advance copy
I want to ultimately thank Claire for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book! From start to finish, it had me hooked. Charlotte is an ice queen CEO who’s in need of a fake girlfriend to get her through her twin’s wedding that her ex fiancée is also attending. Ali is a charismatic artist working as a coffee shop barista who is more than happy to fill the role of fake girlfriend. Almost all of the characters are super likable and easy to root for, except for the problematic ex-fiancé.
Being a twin myself, I loved seeing how amazing Charlotte and Lizzie’s bond was. I loved Charlotte’s family, they were wonderful characters and so welcoming. I can relate to Ali with her mental health struggles and genuinely appreciate authors who mention real life struggles.
I really loved the found family aspect. The story delivers a powerful reminder of how leaning on others and sharing our burdens can make life's heavy weights a little easier to carry. It doesn't shy away from tough topics like handling struggles with mental illness, past trauma, and the heaviness of grief with grace and authenticity.
It kept me on my toes with some fantastic twists and turns that I genuinely didn't see coming. The spice is wonderfully done and sprinkled throughout the story. I love a good book with spice and this had the spice 😉
If you are looking for a book full of adoration and yearning, definitely pick this book up!
I want to thank Claire Summers for allowing me to be one of her first readers. Keep up the great work, can’t wait to see what else you write!
Being a twin myself, I loved seeing how amazing Charlotte and Lizzie’s bond was. I loved Charlotte’s family, they were wonderful characters and so welcoming. I can relate to Ali with her mental health struggles and genuinely appreciate authors who mention real life struggles.
I really loved the found family aspect. The story delivers a powerful reminder of how leaning on others and sharing our burdens can make life's heavy weights a little easier to carry. It doesn't shy away from tough topics like handling struggles with mental illness, past trauma, and the heaviness of grief with grace and authenticity.
It kept me on my toes with some fantastic twists and turns that I genuinely didn't see coming. The spice is wonderfully done and sprinkled throughout the story. I love a good book with spice and this had the spice 😉
If you are looking for a book full of adoration and yearning, definitely pick this book up!
I want to thank Claire Summers for allowing me to be one of her first readers. Keep up the great work, can’t wait to see what else you write!
September 28, 2026
4.5⭐️
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I’m not sure how this could be a debut novel! As I was reading I found the story and characters to be so thoughtfully written. The personality of each character was so layered and intricately thought through. There were a few moments in the book that caught me by surprise, expecting certain characters to behave in certain ways and then discovering that they weren’t like that at all.
I loved Charlotte and Ali’s story and the clever nuanced writing. The comfort, protection and thoughtfulness they provide each other was touching.
From Ali and Charlotte’s chemistry, their fun banter and interactions to the myriad of supporting characters, their found family, this book had all the feels. I tend not to enjoy the fake dating trope and am glad it didn’t go on for half the book, but Summers used it nicely to help propel the story.
The manner in which Summers touches on grief is comforting. Grief is a funny thing…it comes and goes, ebbs and flows and you never really know when it will hit you hardest. Summers does an excellent job showing the reader the path of grief is not always linear and grieving can take on many forms. For a book that appears whimsical and happy it does an excellent job touching upon such a difficult and often personal topic.
This was a refreshing, heartwarming story and I can’t wait to see what Summers has in store for the future.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I’m not sure how this could be a debut novel! As I was reading I found the story and characters to be so thoughtfully written. The personality of each character was so layered and intricately thought through. There were a few moments in the book that caught me by surprise, expecting certain characters to behave in certain ways and then discovering that they weren’t like that at all.
I loved Charlotte and Ali’s story and the clever nuanced writing. The comfort, protection and thoughtfulness they provide each other was touching.
From Ali and Charlotte’s chemistry, their fun banter and interactions to the myriad of supporting characters, their found family, this book had all the feels. I tend not to enjoy the fake dating trope and am glad it didn’t go on for half the book, but Summers used it nicely to help propel the story.
The manner in which Summers touches on grief is comforting. Grief is a funny thing…it comes and goes, ebbs and flows and you never really know when it will hit you hardest. Summers does an excellent job showing the reader the path of grief is not always linear and grieving can take on many forms. For a book that appears whimsical and happy it does an excellent job touching upon such a difficult and often personal topic.
This was a refreshing, heartwarming story and I can’t wait to see what Summers has in store for the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you give this one a chance, you will meet Charlotte - a CEO with control and perfection issues - and Ali - a laid back artist, living day by day, trying to figure out her place in the world.
Both of them so very different, but fitting together so amazingly well...
The whole thing kicks off when Charlotte asks Ali to be her fake girlfriend to her twin sister wedding - which actually means events throughout several months - and guess what, Ali says Yes!
I am not a fan of Insta-Love.. and while this had some sense of Insta Love at play, that was not really what it felt like to me - which was surprising and welcomed.
The fake dating provided them the chance to get to know each other better and granted room for them to explore simmering feelings that had been building up for months, short interaction after short interaction, when Charlotte would go get her coffee before work.
Their chemistry is simply undeniable and the way they both play their part into this so called charade feels so natural, like something meant to be was just patiently waiting and has finally fell into place - and nothing really feels fake, from the very start.
Their connection is warm and cozy and heartwarming and the way they care for each other is sweet and comforting, but more than that, is honest and vulnerable and it is
healing.
They really see each other and choose to acknowledge the hurt and the wounds and the flaws and find that to be another reason to appreciate each other. And to see someone so wholly is something absolutely terrifying and yet, so hopeful.
Side note here: I have a thing with names and nicknames (okay, names mostly...) and while they do call each other in many different ways, there's a particular one that makes it feel so intimate and that is always an extra point, on my book.
Then, more than just the two of them, there is a whole side plot happening, with the wedding and Victoria...... I have really no words to how
much I dislike this person....
And while family dynamics do not always work very well for me, here I felt it was done perfectly and very beautifully, which was great because it was such a big part of this book.
And it was as messy and complex as it was warm, with this amazing feeling of unconditional love that did not feel forced or made pretty just for the sake of the story.
Coming back to our favorite couple, there was some amount of miscommunication happening throughout their story, which in part I could understand by the rooted fears and insecurities they both carried so heavily, but at some moments it did feel a little bit like too much.
Despite that, I think the way they choose to express themselves - when they were busy not having long due conversations - was always so full and so loud!! - which for me, being a particular fan of "show me, don't tell me", made it more special.
In the end, and taking advantage of a little line from the book itself "It's real (...). It's just not... official".
And that road to make it official, to have them heal and confront their own fears and their own feelings, it was a beautiful road to walk, but it also made my heart tight most of the way, while I was rooting for them - two idiots, very much in love!
And I am also incredibly grateful that there was no third act breakup - I was living in full anxiety dreading one, and it made me so very happy that none of us had to go through it..
Lastly, let me please say that I felt that both characters were easy to connect and resonate and understand, at least for me, given there's different things I share with them - and that itself, made me feel even more engaged to their journey.
And can we please take a moment and talk about the cover?.. It is just beautiful!
I feel like there's not enough words for me to say all I want to say about this book, but trust me when I say this is a beautiful written ride with great characters and a great story.
I finished this book and just wanted to read it again... and I can't wait to see what Claire Summers has for us next!!
Both of them so very different, but fitting together so amazingly well...
The whole thing kicks off when Charlotte asks Ali to be her fake girlfriend to her twin sister wedding - which actually means events throughout several months - and guess what, Ali says Yes!
I am not a fan of Insta-Love.. and while this had some sense of Insta Love at play, that was not really what it felt like to me - which was surprising and welcomed.
The fake dating provided them the chance to get to know each other better and granted room for them to explore simmering feelings that had been building up for months, short interaction after short interaction, when Charlotte would go get her coffee before work.
Their chemistry is simply undeniable and the way they both play their part into this so called charade feels so natural, like something meant to be was just patiently waiting and has finally fell into place - and nothing really feels fake, from the very start.
Their connection is warm and cozy and heartwarming and the way they care for each other is sweet and comforting, but more than that, is honest and vulnerable and it is
healing.
They really see each other and choose to acknowledge the hurt and the wounds and the flaws and find that to be another reason to appreciate each other. And to see someone so wholly is something absolutely terrifying and yet, so hopeful.
Side note here: I have a thing with names and nicknames (okay, names mostly...) and while they do call each other in many different ways, there's a particular one that makes it feel so intimate and that is always an extra point, on my book.
Then, more than just the two of them, there is a whole side plot happening, with the wedding and Victoria...... I have really no words to how
much I dislike this person....
And while family dynamics do not always work very well for me, here I felt it was done perfectly and very beautifully, which was great because it was such a big part of this book.
And it was as messy and complex as it was warm, with this amazing feeling of unconditional love that did not feel forced or made pretty just for the sake of the story.
Coming back to our favorite couple, there was some amount of miscommunication happening throughout their story, which in part I could understand by the rooted fears and insecurities they both carried so heavily, but at some moments it did feel a little bit like too much.
Despite that, I think the way they choose to express themselves - when they were busy not having long due conversations - was always so full and so loud!! - which for me, being a particular fan of "show me, don't tell me", made it more special.
In the end, and taking advantage of a little line from the book itself "It's real (...). It's just not... official".
And that road to make it official, to have them heal and confront their own fears and their own feelings, it was a beautiful road to walk, but it also made my heart tight most of the way, while I was rooting for them - two idiots, very much in love!
And I am also incredibly grateful that there was no third act breakup - I was living in full anxiety dreading one, and it made me so very happy that none of us had to go through it..
Lastly, let me please say that I felt that both characters were easy to connect and resonate and understand, at least for me, given there's different things I share with them - and that itself, made me feel even more engaged to their journey.
And can we please take a moment and talk about the cover?.. It is just beautiful!
I feel like there's not enough words for me to say all I want to say about this book, but trust me when I say this is a beautiful written ride with great characters and a great story.
I finished this book and just wanted to read it again... and I can't wait to see what Claire Summers has for us next!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Claire Summers and BookFunnel for this opportunity to read the ARC and provide a review!
“The second those coffee eyes met hers, her heart began to truly beat for the first time.”
I do not know where to begin with my review. This book sent me through an emotional rollercoaster. I smiled, cried, laughed, and clutched my kindle many times.
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover. Anything with Fall, coffee, and lesbians?! Age-gap, fake-dating, friends-with-benefits to lovers? Sign me up!
I was so amazed at how incredible this book is. It is in my top 5 reads for this year. I will be talking about it forever.
Enter Ali and Charlotte - artist and CEO - who meet at Blend & Brew coffee shop in Boston, where Ali serves up Charlotte’s order four times a week for 6 whole months. The attraction to one another is there immediately.
One day, Charlotte decides to take her attraction further, and ask Ali to be her fake-girlfriend to her twin sister Lizzie’s wedding and related events. Ali obviously says yes, especially with the encouragement of her friend and colleague Wren.
They both fall into the fake-dating seamlessly and perfectly - to where it is believable to those around them that they are actually together. Ali blends into Charlotte’s family so easily and they all love her. Both of them fit one another so perfectly, helping one another navigate hardships - family drama, Ali’s OCD, a toxic ex, and career changes.
Charlotte thinks she is not enough for Ali, whereas Ali thinks she might be too much for Charlotte. They keep up the fake-dating for the majority of the book, yet with plenty of pining, spice, and of course, adoration and yearning .
This is one of very few books where all side characters were written so beautifully and were loveable (with the exception of Victoria - we hate her). Lilah, Lizzie, Wren, Imani, Sasha, Natasha, Diana, and James were amazing. Even Willow! Summers writes them so well that you really get to know the kind of people they are and their love for those they care most about. I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of Charlotte’s relationships with her sisters. It was so beautiful and wholesome.
This book is also even more special to me because of how it depicts OCD, depression, and anxiety. This book found me in a time I need it most, as I navigate my own OCD diagnosis. I resonated so much with what Ali was feeling and with what was running through her mind.
Also, the epilogue was amazing!
Forever obsessed with Ali and Charlotte, Sun and Moon.
Claire Summers, you have truly written a masterpiece. I cannot wait to have a hard copy of this book. Thank you again for picking me to be one of your first readers. I surely am anticipating the next books in the Blend & Brew series.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------
Tropes: fake-dating, ice queen, age-gap, forced proximity, found family, friends-with-benefits to lovers, pining, sapphic spice, dual POV, yearning
Trigger warning: there are mentions of previous emotional abuse/manipulation in a relationship, parental loss and grief, sexual contact while a character is intoxicated, and self-harm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨Claire Summers debut novel feels like anything but. A riveting tale that hooks you with the very first line, pulling you into a will they- won’t they fake dating that will have you devouring each page just to find out. ✨
Every character is beautifully whole, flaws included, giving you an authentic feel and making them so very easy to love. Even the baddie will have you loving to HATE her, wrinkling your lip and testing your will not to yeet the book/kindle at every word out of her terrible, horrible, awful mouth.
Charlotte is the ultimate no-nonsense, type-A, the schedule is golden CEO. I loved her and her punctuality almost as much as the loved her hard shell with a warm and gooey center. Ali is her perfectly lovely, goes where the day takes her, free-spirit artist, opposite. She is the perfect amount of quirky and fun and I loved her as much as my heart ached for her story. Even the star of the show, the four-legged fuzzy feline, Willow, is utterly lovable!
This wholesome love story feels like a warm fuzzy blanket on a rainy day. From tropes everyone loves (fake dating, black cat x golden retriever, friends with benefits) to rougher topics such as struggles with mental illness, past relationships and the heaviness of grief (some of the best depictions I’ve read of living with grief/loss) Summers weaves a delicate web of balance, showing a beautiful story of found family and how loving and relying on others can help ease life’s heavy burdens.
🌶️ Did I mention the spice is spicing?!? 🌶️
After a solid medium- burn (the tension also tensions, if you were wondering) the smut absolutely delivers and is definitely worth the wait! I was happy to find it was not a one and done scene but instead sprinkled tastefully through in a way that kept the tension and the questioning of just where they were headed.
This book is definitely a 5⭐️ for me and a 4🌶️ on the spice level. I would absolutely recommend for anyone looking for a wholesome, real, lived-in sapphic romance and I will surely be rereading it many times to come.
My hat is off to you, Claire Summers, on your debut. You did a stunning job, and I had an absolute riot of a time being one of your first readers! ❤️
Every character is beautifully whole, flaws included, giving you an authentic feel and making them so very easy to love. Even the baddie will have you loving to HATE her, wrinkling your lip and testing your will not to yeet the book/kindle at every word out of her terrible, horrible, awful mouth.
Charlotte is the ultimate no-nonsense, type-A, the schedule is golden CEO. I loved her and her punctuality almost as much as the loved her hard shell with a warm and gooey center. Ali is her perfectly lovely, goes where the day takes her, free-spirit artist, opposite. She is the perfect amount of quirky and fun and I loved her as much as my heart ached for her story. Even the star of the show, the four-legged fuzzy feline, Willow, is utterly lovable!
This wholesome love story feels like a warm fuzzy blanket on a rainy day. From tropes everyone loves (fake dating, black cat x golden retriever, friends with benefits) to rougher topics such as struggles with mental illness, past relationships and the heaviness of grief (some of the best depictions I’ve read of living with grief/loss) Summers weaves a delicate web of balance, showing a beautiful story of found family and how loving and relying on others can help ease life’s heavy burdens.
🌶️ Did I mention the spice is spicing?!? 🌶️
After a solid medium- burn (the tension also tensions, if you were wondering) the smut absolutely delivers and is definitely worth the wait! I was happy to find it was not a one and done scene but instead sprinkled tastefully through in a way that kept the tension and the questioning of just where they were headed.
This book is definitely a 5⭐️ for me and a 4🌶️ on the spice level. I would absolutely recommend for anyone looking for a wholesome, real, lived-in sapphic romance and I will surely be rereading it many times to come.
My hat is off to you, Claire Summers, on your debut. You did a stunning job, and I had an absolute riot of a time being one of your first readers! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, thank you so much for the opportunity to read an ARC, Claire!
This was such a cozy romance! I really appreciated how the story touched on some heavier topics, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and narcissistic exes, while handling them with care. Definitely check the content warnings before diving in!
One thing I especially loved was that the main characters were older adults rather than teenagers. And an age-gap romance? Yes, please! I might be a little biased since there's an age gap between my girlfriend and me, but I always love seeing that represented in books. I also really enjoyed the writing style and thought the story flowed well. And that plot twist near the end?! I definitely didn't see that coming!
Now, there were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. Without giving anything away, the story starts after the main characters have already spent six months interacting and building a connection. I really wish we had gotten to experience some of those earlier moments instead of being thrown right into everything. Because of that, I initially had a hard time connecting with the characters and getting invested in their fake-dating relationship. Thankfully, as the story went on and I got to know them better, I found myself becoming more invested in their relationship.
My other small issue was the number of side characters. There were quite a few introduced or mentioned right from the beginning, and I found myself getting a little lost trying to remember who was who.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It had a great mix of cozy romance, emotional moments, and plenty of yearning. I was also so excited to find out this is only the first book in the Blend & Brew series! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what's next and reading more from Claire.
If you love age-gap romances, yearning, fake dating, and friends-with-benefits-to-lovers, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read!
This was such a cozy romance! I really appreciated how the story touched on some heavier topics, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and narcissistic exes, while handling them with care. Definitely check the content warnings before diving in!
One thing I especially loved was that the main characters were older adults rather than teenagers. And an age-gap romance? Yes, please! I might be a little biased since there's an age gap between my girlfriend and me, but I always love seeing that represented in books. I also really enjoyed the writing style and thought the story flowed well. And that plot twist near the end?! I definitely didn't see that coming!
Now, there were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. Without giving anything away, the story starts after the main characters have already spent six months interacting and building a connection. I really wish we had gotten to experience some of those earlier moments instead of being thrown right into everything. Because of that, I initially had a hard time connecting with the characters and getting invested in their fake-dating relationship. Thankfully, as the story went on and I got to know them better, I found myself becoming more invested in their relationship.
My other small issue was the number of side characters. There were quite a few introduced or mentioned right from the beginning, and I found myself getting a little lost trying to remember who was who.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It had a great mix of cozy romance, emotional moments, and plenty of yearning. I was also so excited to find out this is only the first book in the Blend & Brew series! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what's next and reading more from Claire.
If you love age-gap romances, yearning, fake dating, and friends-with-benefits-to-lovers, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had a good feeling about this book before I’d read a word of it... and I
Love being right!
This debut from Claire Summers has me all excited for what’s to come. Ali and Charlotte’s story is so full of quick banter, touching moments, struggle and heartbreak, as well as incredible chemistry and a family I’d love to be part of.
Charlotte’s pure protectiveness for everyone she cares about is one of my favourite things about her.
“Don’t ever tell me her last name.” Charlotte grumbled.
“Why?”
“Because she’ll end up in a ditch somewhere.”
“Murder?” Ali’s gasp was playful. “I’ll visit you in prison.”
Yes, she’s careful and in control -always- but the way she fiercely protects her sisters, friends and of course Ali, is my favourite thing... Seconded only by her secret vulnerability.
And Ali, my baby! There were so many times I just wanted to hug her. She’s been through so much for being so young, and she got used to doing everything for herself; seeing her accept someone elses care, and that someone be Charlotte, it was beautiful.
Claire writes her OCD, Anxiety and ticks so so realistically, I felt her panic, her tight chested, hyper-focussed carnage deep in my bones.
And I truly loved the way Charlotte’s family (and extended family) welcome Ali (and her bestie Wren) with open arms, it was like finding your own family in the pages. Endless teasing, inside jokes and such care and affection
... whilst also not being perfect, made it perfect.
One of my favourite quotes?
“What just happened?”
“I’ve totally seen this movie before!” Wren exclaimed, clasping both of Ali’s shoulders and shaking her. “This is your chance to get laid by the CEO of Sex on Legs!”
If that doesn’t sum up Charlotte in one sentence... Jesus fucking Christ.
Love being right!
This debut from Claire Summers has me all excited for what’s to come. Ali and Charlotte’s story is so full of quick banter, touching moments, struggle and heartbreak, as well as incredible chemistry and a family I’d love to be part of.
Charlotte’s pure protectiveness for everyone she cares about is one of my favourite things about her.
“Don’t ever tell me her last name.” Charlotte grumbled.
“Why?”
“Because she’ll end up in a ditch somewhere.”
“Murder?” Ali’s gasp was playful. “I’ll visit you in prison.”
Yes, she’s careful and in control -always- but the way she fiercely protects her sisters, friends and of course Ali, is my favourite thing... Seconded only by her secret vulnerability.
And Ali, my baby! There were so many times I just wanted to hug her. She’s been through so much for being so young, and she got used to doing everything for herself; seeing her accept someone elses care, and that someone be Charlotte, it was beautiful.
Claire writes her OCD, Anxiety and ticks so so realistically, I felt her panic, her tight chested, hyper-focussed carnage deep in my bones.
And I truly loved the way Charlotte’s family (and extended family) welcome Ali (and her bestie Wren) with open arms, it was like finding your own family in the pages. Endless teasing, inside jokes and such care and affection
... whilst also not being perfect, made it perfect.
One of my favourite quotes?
“What just happened?”
“I’ve totally seen this movie before!” Wren exclaimed, clasping both of Ali’s shoulders and shaking her. “This is your chance to get laid by the CEO of Sex on Legs!”
If that doesn’t sum up Charlotte in one sentence... Jesus fucking Christ.
October 16, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and although life got in the way rather royally mid-way through reading this I was able to finish this only a day late! Thank you to the author for sharing this book early with advanced readers!
-
This was super adorable and I did not need much incentive to enjoy a sapphic romance but the final product more than exceeded my expectations! I really loved the relationship between Charlotte and Ali, they committed to the fake dating for as long as they claimed they would but in actuality... who were they fooling?! You could see devotion from a mile away with these two from the jump, at least for someone with trained lesbian eyes, but that’s exactly what I love to see— we should all be whipped for our future wives!
There was an array of sexualities amongst the characters here and I love to read about successful queer people but most of all a badass business lesbian. There was also incredible family themes and my favorite particularly being found family, I will eat that up every time! Ali’s relationship with Wren and the Davenports was so beautiful and I loved reading the progression of them.
There was also an especially moving discussion on grief which I loved to read. That hit quite close to home and definitely made me cry. Separate from that subject matter I loved seeing two women caring for each other intimately and being a support system for one another. That scene where Charlotte takes Ali on a drive and the chapter where Charlotte lets herself into AIi’s apartment were my favorites.
Readers who, like myself, are fans of One Last Stop and 6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) will absolutely love this book! I implore everyone to give it a shot!!
-
This was super adorable and I did not need much incentive to enjoy a sapphic romance but the final product more than exceeded my expectations! I really loved the relationship between Charlotte and Ali, they committed to the fake dating for as long as they claimed they would but in actuality... who were they fooling?! You could see devotion from a mile away with these two from the jump, at least for someone with trained lesbian eyes, but that’s exactly what I love to see— we should all be whipped for our future wives!
There was an array of sexualities amongst the characters here and I love to read about successful queer people but most of all a badass business lesbian. There was also incredible family themes and my favorite particularly being found family, I will eat that up every time! Ali’s relationship with Wren and the Davenports was so beautiful and I loved reading the progression of them.
There was also an especially moving discussion on grief which I loved to read. That hit quite close to home and definitely made me cry. Separate from that subject matter I loved seeing two women caring for each other intimately and being a support system for one another. That scene where Charlotte takes Ali on a drive and the chapter where Charlotte lets herself into AIi’s apartment were my favorites.
Readers who, like myself, are fans of One Last Stop and 6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) will absolutely love this book! I implore everyone to give it a shot!!
October 23, 2026
Gosh this book did a number on me in the best way possible. I finished it days ago but needed a minute to sit and think about how to write a review.
Very first thing, it’s almost unbelievable this is Summers’ debut novel. It’s rare that I feel like an author conveys tone in such a realistic way, and for her to nail it so well from so many different characters? That’s so much talent and fantastic editing. That’s a skill I feel takes years to hone, and she did so well. I love a book that feels like I’m part of the conversation, not getting an outsider’s overview.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate how Summers’ portrayed mental health. As someone who experiences intense anxiety and the feeling of “I have to do this over and over again until it ~feels~ right” or needing order in senseless things when I start to spiral, I’m grateful she put so much thought and effort into portraying it correctly. I could feel the anxiety and build up of the spiral. I could feel the tug of slipping out of control. It felt so very real and not like one of those scenes that is just slapped in a story to make it seem like it has more depth.
I will say I did get lost in some of the characters. There are a whole lot of cousins and sisters, but I think it’s to get us familiar with them for her next novels!
Now, the spice. Wooo buddy! I loved the anticipation. I loved the build up. I loved the “will they or won’t they”. I don’t want to give spoilers, but there’s a particular chapter I bookmarked for when I want to get in the mood because, yeah, it’ll get ya in the mood!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the raw emotion, realistic progress of romance, and felt bonded to these characters. I’m so excited to see what comes next in the B&B world!
Very first thing, it’s almost unbelievable this is Summers’ debut novel. It’s rare that I feel like an author conveys tone in such a realistic way, and for her to nail it so well from so many different characters? That’s so much talent and fantastic editing. That’s a skill I feel takes years to hone, and she did so well. I love a book that feels like I’m part of the conversation, not getting an outsider’s overview.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate how Summers’ portrayed mental health. As someone who experiences intense anxiety and the feeling of “I have to do this over and over again until it ~feels~ right” or needing order in senseless things when I start to spiral, I’m grateful she put so much thought and effort into portraying it correctly. I could feel the anxiety and build up of the spiral. I could feel the tug of slipping out of control. It felt so very real and not like one of those scenes that is just slapped in a story to make it seem like it has more depth.
I will say I did get lost in some of the characters. There are a whole lot of cousins and sisters, but I think it’s to get us familiar with them for her next novels!
Now, the spice. Wooo buddy! I loved the anticipation. I loved the build up. I loved the “will they or won’t they”. I don’t want to give spoilers, but there’s a particular chapter I bookmarked for when I want to get in the mood because, yeah, it’ll get ya in the mood!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the raw emotion, realistic progress of romance, and felt bonded to these characters. I’m so excited to see what comes next in the B&B world!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My honest review, I will read anything Claire Summers writes from now on! Usually fake-dating is my least favorite trope because I don’t like how hot and cold the characters get. Typically one second they are hot and the next they are cold. Summers did this fake-dating in a different way, there’s still back and forth and lots of “is this real?” but I wouldn’t call it hot and cold, it was refreshing to read.
This amazing book could be a movie. Exactly the way it’s written. I love that there is antagonist in a rom-com feeling book, I’m not writing any spoilers, but you’ll know who it is.
Charlotte and Ali’s relationship is probably one of my favorites. I’ve read a lot of sapphic books and they are soooo well written. The book is sweet but realistic and the plot flows nicely. The banter between characters is funny at times but also has some fiery moments which was fun to read.
The book centers around Charlotte’s sister’s wedding but it didn’t go into unneeded detail about things not involving the main characters. The supporting characters personalities also came through well which sets up really well for more books from this time line!!!? I hope, at least!!
For those like me that like spice, there’s plenty! One particular strap scene that made me blush, in the best way possible, because holy shiittt! There’s a few fade to black scenes as well. I wish the stress relief scene would have been written out because that would have been hotttt!!
Claire Summers, if you’re reading this, thank you! Keep writing!!! I’ll volunteer as an ARC reader every time!!
4.75/5- overall
4.5/5- plot
4/5- spice
My honest review, I will read anything Claire Summers writes from now on! Usually fake-dating is my least favorite trope because I don’t like how hot and cold the characters get. Typically one second they are hot and the next they are cold. Summers did this fake-dating in a different way, there’s still back and forth and lots of “is this real?” but I wouldn’t call it hot and cold, it was refreshing to read.
This amazing book could be a movie. Exactly the way it’s written. I love that there is antagonist in a rom-com feeling book, I’m not writing any spoilers, but you’ll know who it is.
Charlotte and Ali’s relationship is probably one of my favorites. I’ve read a lot of sapphic books and they are soooo well written. The book is sweet but realistic and the plot flows nicely. The banter between characters is funny at times but also has some fiery moments which was fun to read.
The book centers around Charlotte’s sister’s wedding but it didn’t go into unneeded detail about things not involving the main characters. The supporting characters personalities also came through well which sets up really well for more books from this time line!!!? I hope, at least!!
For those like me that like spice, there’s plenty! One particular strap scene that made me blush, in the best way possible, because holy shiittt! There’s a few fade to black scenes as well. I wish the stress relief scene would have been written out because that would have been hotttt!!
Claire Summers, if you’re reading this, thank you! Keep writing!!! I’ll volunteer as an ARC reader every time!!
4.75/5- overall
4.5/5- plot
4/5- spice
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is easily one of my top 10 reads of all time. This will 100% become one of my comfort rereads.
It was SO refreshing to read about a high-society family that actually has so much genuine love within it. The way they welcomed and loved Ali from the very beginning was beautiful, and I absolutely adored the dynamic between the sisters and how fiercely they love each other.
Fake dating is one of those tropes that can sometimes drive me insane because there is usually SO much unnecessary miscommunication. But I never really felt frustrated with Charlotte and Ali. Even when things were complicated, it felt like they genuinely tried to be honest with each other and navigate everything the best they could.
I also pride myself on figuring out where a book is going and catching twists long before they happen…but THIS ONE GOT ME. I was so caught off guard that my heart was racing and my skin was crawling, and I literally had to stop reading and make my wife take my blood pressure.
There is so much understanding, forgiveness, and growth throughout this book. Not just between Charlotte and Ali, but among so many of the characters. Well…at least the characters that matter. IYKYK. :eyeroll: :vomit:
Finishing this was incredibly bittersweet. I loved the ending, but I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. I need more of this family and more of their stories. And if Lilah ever gets her own book and finds her HEA? My heart would be SO full.
Absolutely one of my favorite reads, and one I already know I’ll come back to again and again.
It was SO refreshing to read about a high-society family that actually has so much genuine love within it. The way they welcomed and loved Ali from the very beginning was beautiful, and I absolutely adored the dynamic between the sisters and how fiercely they love each other.
Fake dating is one of those tropes that can sometimes drive me insane because there is usually SO much unnecessary miscommunication. But I never really felt frustrated with Charlotte and Ali. Even when things were complicated, it felt like they genuinely tried to be honest with each other and navigate everything the best they could.
I also pride myself on figuring out where a book is going and catching twists long before they happen…but THIS ONE GOT ME. I was so caught off guard that my heart was racing and my skin was crawling, and I literally had to stop reading and make my wife take my blood pressure.
There is so much understanding, forgiveness, and growth throughout this book. Not just between Charlotte and Ali, but among so many of the characters. Well…at least the characters that matter. IYKYK. :eyeroll: :vomit:
Finishing this was incredibly bittersweet. I loved the ending, but I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. I need more of this family and more of their stories. And if Lilah ever gets her own book and finds her HEA? My heart would be SO full.
Absolutely one of my favorite reads, and one I already know I’ll come back to again and again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies
**I received an ARC for free from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review of my own free will.**
Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies had everything I could want in a sapphic romance and then some.
The story as a whole was like a warm hug or like the very first sip of coffee that is made just right. I was truly captivated by the immersive writing (the author definitely has a way with words), how well the story flowed together, the character development, the twist I never saw coming, and the way I fell in love with every single character in the book. Especially Diana, who is the kind of mom everybody dreams of having.
Ali and Charlotte are adorable. They both have their quirks and flaws which makes them extremely relatable. Now let's talk about the spice...it was 🔥🔥🔥🤤. The chemistry, romance, and heat in this book definitely had me sizzling. They are the ultimate "fake" girlfriend goals lol. I had a hard time putting my kindle down on this one. I was completely invested from beginning to end. I absolutely adore this book! An easy 5-star read for me and one I highly recommend to sapphic romance lovers. I’m definitely buying a physical copy to add to my queer romance collection!
**I received an ARC for free from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review of my own free will.**
Coffee Eyes and Little White Lies had everything I could want in a sapphic romance and then some.
The story as a whole was like a warm hug or like the very first sip of coffee that is made just right. I was truly captivated by the immersive writing (the author definitely has a way with words), how well the story flowed together, the character development, the twist I never saw coming, and the way I fell in love with every single character in the book. Especially Diana, who is the kind of mom everybody dreams of having.
Ali and Charlotte are adorable. They both have their quirks and flaws which makes them extremely relatable. Now let's talk about the spice...it was 🔥🔥🔥🤤. The chemistry, romance, and heat in this book definitely had me sizzling. They are the ultimate "fake" girlfriend goals lol. I had a hard time putting my kindle down on this one. I was completely invested from beginning to end. I absolutely adore this book! An easy 5-star read for me and one I highly recommend to sapphic romance lovers. I’m definitely buying a physical copy to add to my queer romance collection!
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