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The Wedding Date #4
Decoy Date
"This page-turner has it all: fantastic characters, witty banter, and sizzling chemistry. I absolutely loved it!"—GINA L. MAXWELL, USA Today bestselling author of the Playboys in Love series for May the Best Man Win
Fake relationship. Real feelings. Big problems.
Brody O'Donnel doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters—at least, not for himself. But he wants the best for his vivacious, beautiful friend Gwen Danes, and he's tired of watching her pine for a clueless man. Figuring a little bit of jealousy will motivate the guy, Brody proposes a fake relationship. It's an outrageous plan, but Gwen figures there's no harm in it—until they share a passionate kiss she never saw coming.
Suddenly, Gwen's fighting a growing attraction to a man she knows she can't have. After all, he's just faking it...isn't he?
The Wedding Date Series:
May the Best Man Win (Book 1)
The Wedding Date Bargain (Book 2)
Just this Once (Book 3)
The Decoy Date (Book 4)
What People Are Saying About Mira Lyn Kelly:
"Outstanding...Kelly proves that she's an author to watch."—Kirkus Reviews for May the Best Man Win
"The perfect balance between sweet and sexy."—RT Book Reviews for The Wedding Date Bargain, 4 Stars
"Delightfully frothy."—Heroes & Heartbreakers for The Wedding Date Bargain
"A perfect light and very romantic read."—Booklist for The Wedding Date Bargain
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
101 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Mira Lyn Kelly
85 books2,734 followersFor Mira's latest book news, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.miralynkelly.com/newsletter
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy… only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running the kids around, she loves watching the Chicago Blackhawks and action/adventure movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy… only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running the kids around, she loves watching the Chicago Blackhawks and action/adventure movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 21, 2020
So yeah, I feel like I've been kicked in the feels. Hard. A few times.
"It’s like now that I’ve been with him, I finally know what it feels like to be whole. And when I’m not with him, it feels like something vital is missing inside me."
I had every intention of only reading a couple of chapters after what's been a hard day, but I couldn't stop until I was finished with this book.
Yes. It's THAT good.
If you've ever read a Mira Lyn Kelly book, you know it reels you in. It's not only about the love story and the connection - it's about creating a world around it, one that is made of a story and of friends who share a special connection. Tonight, I feel like I was part of it.
"Sooner or later, she would’ve fallen. Because with a man like him, how could she not?"
So yeah, Brody. Brody is pretty damned perfect. He has the body, the looks, the talk, he's a nice guy, he keeps in touch and is friendly with his exes. And beneath all the muscle and the lumberjack build, he's a sweetheart. And he's seen every one of his friends find their happily ever after without being jealous, because he doesn't think it's out there for him anyway.
Also... "Brody checked that sexy, oversize beast of a watch, and Gwen was momentarily distracted by how hot it was that he didn’t pull out his phone for the time."... How hot is this?
"It was too soon for promises. His. Hers. But with that warm whiskey gaze still tangled up with his, promises were all he could think about."
Gwen is caught up on a guy who has been her friend for as long as she can remember and who has not been shy about dating others, while keeping her there, waiting. She is the girl who waited. But what happens when she realizes she wasn't waiting for the right guy after all? Or maybe she was, but the guy is not the one she thought he was?
One small note for Ted. F*cking Ted. I wish I could punch him in the face a few times myself.
"After sharing in so many other happily ever afters…his was walking down the aisle, gorgeous in her white fitted gown, the kind of love in her eyes that promised forever."
This is a slow-burn romance, and it's also very sexy and hot - would you expect anything else from Ms. Kelly? It's a story about finding what real love is, about turning the page and realizing what it really feels like to have butterflies in your stomach and to really want someone. Desperately. To know when someone feels like home.
To say I recommend this book, and this series, is the understatement of the year. I so wish I had known about Mira's books when this series came out. Can't help but feel I somehow missed out on the excitement. 5/5.
"It’s like now that I’ve been with him, I finally know what it feels like to be whole. And when I’m not with him, it feels like something vital is missing inside me."
I had every intention of only reading a couple of chapters after what's been a hard day, but I couldn't stop until I was finished with this book.
Yes. It's THAT good.
If you've ever read a Mira Lyn Kelly book, you know it reels you in. It's not only about the love story and the connection - it's about creating a world around it, one that is made of a story and of friends who share a special connection. Tonight, I feel like I was part of it.
"Sooner or later, she would’ve fallen. Because with a man like him, how could she not?"
So yeah, Brody. Brody is pretty damned perfect. He has the body, the looks, the talk, he's a nice guy, he keeps in touch and is friendly with his exes. And beneath all the muscle and the lumberjack build, he's a sweetheart. And he's seen every one of his friends find their happily ever after without being jealous, because he doesn't think it's out there for him anyway.
Also... "Brody checked that sexy, oversize beast of a watch, and Gwen was momentarily distracted by how hot it was that he didn’t pull out his phone for the time."... How hot is this?
"It was too soon for promises. His. Hers. But with that warm whiskey gaze still tangled up with his, promises were all he could think about."
Gwen is caught up on a guy who has been her friend for as long as she can remember and who has not been shy about dating others, while keeping her there, waiting. She is the girl who waited. But what happens when she realizes she wasn't waiting for the right guy after all? Or maybe she was, but the guy is not the one she thought he was?
One small note for Ted. F*cking Ted. I wish I could punch him in the face a few times myself.
"After sharing in so many other happily ever afters…his was walking down the aisle, gorgeous in her white fitted gown, the kind of love in her eyes that promised forever."
This is a slow-burn romance, and it's also very sexy and hot - would you expect anything else from Ms. Kelly? It's a story about finding what real love is, about turning the page and realizing what it really feels like to have butterflies in your stomach and to really want someone. Desperately. To know when someone feels like home.
To say I recommend this book, and this series, is the understatement of the year. I so wish I had known about Mira's books when this series came out. Can't help but feel I somehow missed out on the excitement. 5/5.
April 1, 2019
Mira Lyn Kelly has written a fun and engaging romantic comedy series in The Wedding Date, with a group of bachelors starting out as best men for their friends and ending up finding their own perfect match by the end of each story. Book one, May the Best Man Win got a spot in my ‘best reads of 2016’ folder. It’s still my favorite of the series (in part because enemies-to-lovers is my favorite trope), though the ones that have come after have been entertaining and enjoyable as well, including this latest release, Decoy Date.
Brody O’Donnel is a pub owner and friend to many, the kind of guy who treats women well even after a breakup and whose big body and bigger cheerful presence don’t go unnoticed. He can see that his friend Gwen is waiting for her longtime crush Ted to really notice her, and proposes a fake relationship to grab Ted’s attention and make him see what he’s missing in keeping Gwen in the friend-zone. Ted and Gwen have a long history together: childhood friends and neighbours from the same town, parents who still hang out together on holidays, and the occasional hookup that never developed into anything more despite Gwen’s hopes. Waiting for Ted to finally ‘see’ her doesn’t seem to be working so Gwen figures Brody’s offer is her last best hope.
Things get a little complicated when Gwen finds she’s enjoying her fake boyfriend far more than expected. Though Brody’s intentions at the start are to keep his emotions in check because he knows Gwen has real feelings for Ted, when the sizzling attraction between them gets both of their attentions it becomes a challenge to remember why they started acting like more than friends in the first place. And when their plan starts to work, who will get to have a happy ever after?
This is a classic love-triangle romance trope: Girl 1 crushes on Boy 1; Girl 1 enlists Boy 2’s help to make Boy 1 jealous; Girl 1 and Boy 2 start to develop feelings for each other; Boy 1 realizes he’s been an idiot; and then the final question – does Girl 1 end up with Boy 1 or Boy 2? If this were a ménage romance everybody would get their happy ending but it isn’t, so though the reader can likely figure out the final solution to the equation, it’s the complications, emotional moments, and the sexy times (there are plenty of those) that make it worth reading.
I’m of the same mind as Brody when it comes to Ted. It’s hard to see what Gwen sees in him romantically from the get go. He’s great as a friend – always there for a phone call or a quick meal together, rides out to see the parents and for joint family time. But he dates other women, basically flaunting them in front of Gwen, and yet she still thinks he’s the one for her. It made me shake my head at Gwen for not coming to her senses sooner, especially with a single guy like Brody around. Because Brody’s a nice guy and sensitive to Gwen’s feelings he doesn’t tell her his real thoughts on the man she calls her best friend. Brody believes that once Ted realizes he’s losing his comfort blanket of Gwen’s adoration, he’ll make his move; Gwen will date Ted, realize she’s mistaken about her feelings for him, they’ll split up and then Gwen can finally move on to a new relationship with her whole heart (and Brody hopes that will be with him). Nothing goes according to plan and because of that someone is bound to get hurt, giving this story a little heartbreak amidst the joy of discovering new love.
The wedding part of this story is secondary to the romance plot. Brody is the best man at a wedding of mutual friends, and there are a few scenes with the gang pre, during and post wedding but it doesn’t have the same emphasis or importance as in the original story that started the series. Now it’s a way to catch up with secondary characters and showcase some of the friendships between the guys and gals. Some are married and some are expecting children and it’s nice to see how they’ve all moved forward with their lives.
I definitely think the right couple ends up together and though it seemed easy for Gwen and Brody to pretend to be involved, the actual way to a happy ending requires some soul searching and honest communication. This is a series where each story works just fine as a standalone and the tropes are all different, so depending on your tastes, you may find one story works better than the others. While I don’t think this one is as strong as previous entries, that’s likely because love triangles aren’t my favorite trope rather than a case of problems with the writing style or characters. On the whole, the romantic comedy Wedding Date series gets a positive score from me for the series concept, likable characters, and sexy, satisfying stories.
This review is also posted at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Brody O’Donnel is a pub owner and friend to many, the kind of guy who treats women well even after a breakup and whose big body and bigger cheerful presence don’t go unnoticed. He can see that his friend Gwen is waiting for her longtime crush Ted to really notice her, and proposes a fake relationship to grab Ted’s attention and make him see what he’s missing in keeping Gwen in the friend-zone. Ted and Gwen have a long history together: childhood friends and neighbours from the same town, parents who still hang out together on holidays, and the occasional hookup that never developed into anything more despite Gwen’s hopes. Waiting for Ted to finally ‘see’ her doesn’t seem to be working so Gwen figures Brody’s offer is her last best hope.
Things get a little complicated when Gwen finds she’s enjoying her fake boyfriend far more than expected. Though Brody’s intentions at the start are to keep his emotions in check because he knows Gwen has real feelings for Ted, when the sizzling attraction between them gets both of their attentions it becomes a challenge to remember why they started acting like more than friends in the first place. And when their plan starts to work, who will get to have a happy ever after?
This is a classic love-triangle romance trope: Girl 1 crushes on Boy 1; Girl 1 enlists Boy 2’s help to make Boy 1 jealous; Girl 1 and Boy 2 start to develop feelings for each other; Boy 1 realizes he’s been an idiot; and then the final question – does Girl 1 end up with Boy 1 or Boy 2? If this were a ménage romance everybody would get their happy ending but it isn’t, so though the reader can likely figure out the final solution to the equation, it’s the complications, emotional moments, and the sexy times (there are plenty of those) that make it worth reading.
I’m of the same mind as Brody when it comes to Ted. It’s hard to see what Gwen sees in him romantically from the get go. He’s great as a friend – always there for a phone call or a quick meal together, rides out to see the parents and for joint family time. But he dates other women, basically flaunting them in front of Gwen, and yet she still thinks he’s the one for her. It made me shake my head at Gwen for not coming to her senses sooner, especially with a single guy like Brody around. Because Brody’s a nice guy and sensitive to Gwen’s feelings he doesn’t tell her his real thoughts on the man she calls her best friend. Brody believes that once Ted realizes he’s losing his comfort blanket of Gwen’s adoration, he’ll make his move; Gwen will date Ted, realize she’s mistaken about her feelings for him, they’ll split up and then Gwen can finally move on to a new relationship with her whole heart (and Brody hopes that will be with him). Nothing goes according to plan and because of that someone is bound to get hurt, giving this story a little heartbreak amidst the joy of discovering new love.
The wedding part of this story is secondary to the romance plot. Brody is the best man at a wedding of mutual friends, and there are a few scenes with the gang pre, during and post wedding but it doesn’t have the same emphasis or importance as in the original story that started the series. Now it’s a way to catch up with secondary characters and showcase some of the friendships between the guys and gals. Some are married and some are expecting children and it’s nice to see how they’ve all moved forward with their lives.
I definitely think the right couple ends up together and though it seemed easy for Gwen and Brody to pretend to be involved, the actual way to a happy ending requires some soul searching and honest communication. This is a series where each story works just fine as a standalone and the tropes are all different, so depending on your tastes, you may find one story works better than the others. While I don’t think this one is as strong as previous entries, that’s likely because love triangles aren’t my favorite trope rather than a case of problems with the writing style or characters. On the whole, the romantic comedy Wedding Date series gets a positive score from me for the series concept, likable characters, and sexy, satisfying stories.
This review is also posted at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
October 15, 2018
5 - "Brace yourself…" Stars!
So far, each and every book that I have read in The Wedding Date series has been better than its predecessor, and The Decoy Date was no exception.
"I’m about to do something crazy."
I have to admit I was a little nervous when it came to starting Brody and Gwen’s book, mainly because the story revolves around Brody helping Gwen bag the man of her dreams, I’m not a huge fan of secondary drama, and although there is drama with the guy in question; Ted a man Gwen has been friends with for nigh on two decades. The author didn’t make it too heavy or give it massive amounts of page time.
Even playing around, the man had serious pull…
As with all the previous heroes in the series, I adored Brody. I was expecting too as his involvement in the previous book as Molly’s friend and boss gave a good insight on his character, but with Gwen it was great to see a big, beautiful alpha guy dealing with his own vulnerabilities and feelings, whilst trying to navigate the pitfalls of a pseudo coming together with a woman he actually wants to be with, when in the past he has been all about keeping it casual and not committed.
"Never want to let you go…"
Gwen was easy to like as well, and with the rest of the crew’s involvement from the previous books, The Decoy Date was an absolutely outstanding read.
"Give me forever…"
I hope to see more from this series in the future. The author has got a great base of characters now, and I love the fact we get updates on them as new pairings are added into the mix.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
So far, each and every book that I have read in The Wedding Date series has been better than its predecessor, and The Decoy Date was no exception.
"I’m about to do something crazy."
I have to admit I was a little nervous when it came to starting Brody and Gwen’s book, mainly because the story revolves around Brody helping Gwen bag the man of her dreams, I’m not a huge fan of secondary drama, and although there is drama with the guy in question; Ted a man Gwen has been friends with for nigh on two decades. The author didn’t make it too heavy or give it massive amounts of page time.
Even playing around, the man had serious pull…
As with all the previous heroes in the series, I adored Brody. I was expecting too as his involvement in the previous book as Molly’s friend and boss gave a good insight on his character, but with Gwen it was great to see a big, beautiful alpha guy dealing with his own vulnerabilities and feelings, whilst trying to navigate the pitfalls of a pseudo coming together with a woman he actually wants to be with, when in the past he has been all about keeping it casual and not committed.
"Never want to let you go…"
Gwen was easy to like as well, and with the rest of the crew’s involvement from the previous books, The Decoy Date was an absolutely outstanding read.
"Give me forever…"
I hope to see more from this series in the future. The author has got a great base of characters now, and I love the fact we get updates on them as new pairings are added into the mix.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 23, 2018
I’m a sucker for the fake relationship trope, so I was all over this one.
I liked Gwen and Brody well enough. They’re both good, loyal people. She’s sweet and he’s charming and they have great chemistry together. There’s a good cast of characters here and I’m tempted to go back and read some of the previous books.
Plot wise, it was mostly good. I liked the flirting between Gwen and Brody and when they finally got together, it was fantastic. My main problem was Ted and all the BS that went along with it. I get why some of it happened, but seriously, if someone would have just opened their stupid mouth...
Overall, it was a quick, fun read. I would have liked a bit more out of this one, but I did enjoy it.
**Huge thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Gwen and Brody well enough. They’re both good, loyal people. She’s sweet and he’s charming and they have great chemistry together. There’s a good cast of characters here and I’m tempted to go back and read some of the previous books.
Plot wise, it was mostly good. I liked the flirting between Gwen and Brody and when they finally got together, it was fantastic. My main problem was Ted and all the BS that went along with it. I get why some of it happened, but seriously, if someone would have just opened their stupid mouth...
Overall, it was a quick, fun read. I would have liked a bit more out of this one, but I did enjoy it.
**Huge thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing the arc free of charge**
November 28, 2018
This book was SO FREAKING GOOD!!!
I haven’t had a book hangover in way too long but I’m finding it really hard to stop thinking about Brody and Gwen. I don’t want to move on yet.
I haven’t been dazzled by a hero the way that Brody managed to in a really long time. Everything about him felt so genuine and kind. I hate to refer to anyone as perfect but in all the ways that really matter, Brody really was perfection. You know how sometimes heroes come across as very smooth when it comes to women but you just know that it’s just because they are players? I’m so over those heroes right now and honestly I was worried when Brody first kickstarted his plan to help Gwen “get her guy” because he was really good at getting Gwen to blush and react to his lowered voice and lean-in. However, the more you get to know him, the more you realize that he’s just really good at paying attention and reading people and oh man, is that an attractive quality!!
I really enjoy when I love the heroine just as much as the hero. I love that Gwen, while she came across at times as a pushover, especially when it came to Ted, was not naive and was willing to open herself up to Brody’s help. I was worried that the issue of her protectiveness of Ted and insistence that he was a good friend to her was going to cause bigger issues with the developing relationship between her and Brody but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how self-aware Gwen was about everything.
The whole premise of the fake-relationship to win over someone else is a pretty basic and well-represented trope but Brody and Gwen’s story was written in a way that made it feel fresh and exciting. I genuinely have zero complaints about how this story played out. The pacing, the character and world-building were flawless. This is by far my favorite book in a series that I’ve loved the whole way through.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
I haven’t had a book hangover in way too long but I’m finding it really hard to stop thinking about Brody and Gwen. I don’t want to move on yet.
I haven’t been dazzled by a hero the way that Brody managed to in a really long time. Everything about him felt so genuine and kind. I hate to refer to anyone as perfect but in all the ways that really matter, Brody really was perfection. You know how sometimes heroes come across as very smooth when it comes to women but you just know that it’s just because they are players? I’m so over those heroes right now and honestly I was worried when Brody first kickstarted his plan to help Gwen “get her guy” because he was really good at getting Gwen to blush and react to his lowered voice and lean-in. However, the more you get to know him, the more you realize that he’s just really good at paying attention and reading people and oh man, is that an attractive quality!!
I really enjoy when I love the heroine just as much as the hero. I love that Gwen, while she came across at times as a pushover, especially when it came to Ted, was not naive and was willing to open herself up to Brody’s help. I was worried that the issue of her protectiveness of Ted and insistence that he was a good friend to her was going to cause bigger issues with the developing relationship between her and Brody but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how self-aware Gwen was about everything.
The whole premise of the fake-relationship to win over someone else is a pretty basic and well-represented trope but Brody and Gwen’s story was written in a way that made it feel fresh and exciting. I genuinely have zero complaints about how this story played out. The pacing, the character and world-building were flawless. This is by far my favorite book in a series that I’ve loved the whole way through.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
June 20, 2020
I wish this series ended on a better note, but I still really did enjoy it. I needed Gwen and Brody to fake date for longer and this would have been better. All in all the series was addictive and one everyone should read.
December 27, 2018
I've been eagerly awaiting Brody's story so I was excited to see this one was coming! This one centers around a fake relationship that the hero proposes to help the heroine catch the eye of another man. As a result, there is also a love triangle trope also going on in this one. Brody (the hero) is a fantastic character and his relationship with Gwen (the heroine) is one of such respect, kindness, and warmth. I love their banter and how clearly they like each other before and after the relationship grows into something more. I think the triangle was actually handled well - I was worried it would be a huge 'jealous men go after each other' thing but it was handled more deftly than many other romances that I've read. All in all, I think this was a really good read. I enjoyed the story and the characters. This series has been a really good one. I definitely recommend it!
March 6, 2019
It's been a while since I've swooned over a hero like I did Brody. He was just everything you would want in a fake boyfriend and so when he volunteers to help Gwen get the attention of her best friend whom she has been gaga for a number of years with hardly an emotion back... Brody decides to help her out. The only thing is he plays the doting boyfriend just a little too well.
Brody and Gwen were refreshing. I loved their banter together. The ease of their friendship and consequently their relationship.
I think every girl can relate to Gwen and her need to be noticed by that one guy that she thinks will be perfect for her and ends up being oh so wrong.
A great read and my first in the series. I can't wait to read more!
Brody and Gwen were refreshing. I loved their banter together. The ease of their friendship and consequently their relationship.
I think every girl can relate to Gwen and her need to be noticed by that one guy that she thinks will be perfect for her and ends up being oh so wrong.
A great read and my first in the series. I can't wait to read more!
October 31, 2019
Probably my second favorite book of the series. I absolutely loved Brody. I liked Gwen too, but Brody was the big draw for me. I want to live close to his bar so I can be a regular. I think saving his story to last was perfect. Fake relationships is my second favorite trope so that might have tipped it more to 5 than 4 for me. I listened to the audio version of this.
December 27, 2018
Whenever I start a Mira Lyn Kelly contemporary romance, I always think how silly her premise and then end up loving it … despite the implausible, low-angst, near-non plot, the characters out of run-of-the-mill rom-com, and the Friends-like atmosphere of the secondary characters (I’m probably one of the few who found that show puerile and boring). Decoy Date checked all the above boxes.
Bar-owner Brody O’Donnel (okay, I have been waiting for his romantic comeuppance) is annoyed with his friend Gwen Danes. She carries a torch for childhood boy-next-door friend, Ted Normandy. Brody wants her to move on, to go for other guys instead of mooning over Ted and because Brody, with his easy-going charm, beautiful green eyes, and bruiser-bod always gets what he wants, he convinces Gwen to fake a relationship with him. He hopes that Ted will be jealous and come after Gwen, Gwen will realize that her “crush” is an adolescent vestige and move on to a better guy. Gwen, in turn, hopes that Ted will finally notice her and they’ll live happily ever after. So, the fake relationship is ON not far into the first few chapters.
‘Tisn’t long before Brody and Gwen give in to what has always been an incipient attraction. Kelly, however, isn’t an insta-lust rom-writer, to her credit, and Gwen and Brody’s interactions are affectionate, funny, emotionally intimate, and caring. It’s evident these two are compatible: physically, sure, but also in terms of temperament and values. It’s important to establish these two parameters for contemporary romance to work, especially because the tearing-asunder of the couple tends to the contrived. I mean, really, what CAN keep two people apart, if you’re not resorting to the Big Mis, or the withholding of how the hero or heroine “truly” feels, the I’m-in-love-with-him/her-but-she’s/he’s-not-in-it-for-the-long-haul? These contemporary rom conventions get pretty tired after a while. On the other hand, I’m really glad that Kelly didn’t use the “bad parent” backstory and source of emotional blockage. As a matter of fact, I loved the portrait of Gwen’s happy-marriage parents and Brody’s cold, but not negligent mom NOT making him emotionally inaccessible, except for one childish bad narrative note (an important one though).
Thankfully, while Kelly’s protagonists do tend to these weaknesses, she’s a good enough writer to do some interesting stuff with them. The fulcrum of interest, in this case, is The Other Guy, Ted, and the hero and heroine’s perceptions and expectations. Kelly does not resort to he-man-thumping jealous rages on either man’s part: she deals with feelings in a clear, honest, and believeable way. And everyone, pretty much, behaves well. Ted has a dark moment, but it’s understandable. Brody has a dark moment and I think it’s the weakest link in the romance narrative, but something had to give to do the tearing-asunder so the couple can be built back up. Nevertheless, what always holds Kelly in good stead is her ability to create likable characters who make mistakes, own them, and talk honestly with each other, better late than ever often enough, but still, they do.
Kelly’s problem, on the other hand, because she’s rightly all too aware of the contemporary romance’s pitfalls (see Big Mis, etc. above) tends to the meandering narrative. She draws cool and often funny scenes of courtship, of falling in love, but they’re also scenes where I, as the reader, thought this is nice, but where’s it going? Gwen and Brody’s emotional investment was evident, but the stakes looked too low for too long. But I’ll always return to Kelly for the adorably squeezable characters, the chuckles, and the exuberant belief in an HEA that involves both a wedding and a baby. I like’em. With Miss Austen, we’d say that Decoy Date offers “real comfort,” Emma.
Mira Lyn Kelly’s Decoy Date is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was released on December 4th and would be a good way to while away a few hours. You can find it at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca, via Netgalley.
Bar-owner Brody O’Donnel (okay, I have been waiting for his romantic comeuppance) is annoyed with his friend Gwen Danes. She carries a torch for childhood boy-next-door friend, Ted Normandy. Brody wants her to move on, to go for other guys instead of mooning over Ted and because Brody, with his easy-going charm, beautiful green eyes, and bruiser-bod always gets what he wants, he convinces Gwen to fake a relationship with him. He hopes that Ted will be jealous and come after Gwen, Gwen will realize that her “crush” is an adolescent vestige and move on to a better guy. Gwen, in turn, hopes that Ted will finally notice her and they’ll live happily ever after. So, the fake relationship is ON not far into the first few chapters.
‘Tisn’t long before Brody and Gwen give in to what has always been an incipient attraction. Kelly, however, isn’t an insta-lust rom-writer, to her credit, and Gwen and Brody’s interactions are affectionate, funny, emotionally intimate, and caring. It’s evident these two are compatible: physically, sure, but also in terms of temperament and values. It’s important to establish these two parameters for contemporary romance to work, especially because the tearing-asunder of the couple tends to the contrived. I mean, really, what CAN keep two people apart, if you’re not resorting to the Big Mis, or the withholding of how the hero or heroine “truly” feels, the I’m-in-love-with-him/her-but-she’s/he’s-not-in-it-for-the-long-haul? These contemporary rom conventions get pretty tired after a while. On the other hand, I’m really glad that Kelly didn’t use the “bad parent” backstory and source of emotional blockage. As a matter of fact, I loved the portrait of Gwen’s happy-marriage parents and Brody’s cold, but not negligent mom NOT making him emotionally inaccessible, except for one childish bad narrative note (an important one though).
Thankfully, while Kelly’s protagonists do tend to these weaknesses, she’s a good enough writer to do some interesting stuff with them. The fulcrum of interest, in this case, is The Other Guy, Ted, and the hero and heroine’s perceptions and expectations. Kelly does not resort to he-man-thumping jealous rages on either man’s part: she deals with feelings in a clear, honest, and believeable way. And everyone, pretty much, behaves well. Ted has a dark moment, but it’s understandable. Brody has a dark moment and I think it’s the weakest link in the romance narrative, but something had to give to do the tearing-asunder so the couple can be built back up. Nevertheless, what always holds Kelly in good stead is her ability to create likable characters who make mistakes, own them, and talk honestly with each other, better late than ever often enough, but still, they do.
Kelly’s problem, on the other hand, because she’s rightly all too aware of the contemporary romance’s pitfalls (see Big Mis, etc. above) tends to the meandering narrative. She draws cool and often funny scenes of courtship, of falling in love, but they’re also scenes where I, as the reader, thought this is nice, but where’s it going? Gwen and Brody’s emotional investment was evident, but the stakes looked too low for too long. But I’ll always return to Kelly for the adorably squeezable characters, the chuckles, and the exuberant belief in an HEA that involves both a wedding and a baby. I like’em. With Miss Austen, we’d say that Decoy Date offers “real comfort,” Emma.
Mira Lyn Kelly’s Decoy Date is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was released on December 4th and would be a good way to while away a few hours. You can find it at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca, via Netgalley.
January 22, 2019
Brody has had enough of his friend Gwen mooning over some dumbass guy who can't see the forest for the trees. In other words, can't see how amazing Gwen is. So he comes up with a plan to get Gwen the guy. Of course we all know how these plans go - horribly! And that's exactly what happens when Gwen and Brody start their fake relationship. They catch feelings and of course then the dumbass guy realizes how amazing Gwen really is, and mucks up Gwen and Brody's newfound relationship. Roll eyes. Not at the story because it's pretty adorable, but at human nature, and roll eyes at Ted, the dumbass guy. Because, although Brody and Gwen insisted that Ted is really a great guy, even at the end, I never saw him that way and I hated that Gwen wasted all her time on such an idiot. An idiot who wasn't worthy of her, ever. Not in the past, and not in the present. He was icky if you ask me. Thank God Brody got his head out of his ass and went and got his woman back!
I've only read one other book in this series, Just This Once, and I'm pleased to find that I liked Decoy Date much better. It's sweet and sexy, and Brody and Gwen are absolutely adorable! I don't know if there's more to come in this series, but I hope so, because this one is pretty great.
ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
Full review posted on my blog ---> Live Through Books Blog.
January 2, 2021
So cute, and I totally fell for Brody :)
November 12, 2018
Ahh, the fake relationship. This was a kind of refreshing take on the fake relationship trope in that it was also a rescuing her from Mr. Wrong take on it. How fun! I'm not usually much of a fan of love triangles, but since Gwen's love for Ted is so one-sided I figured it would all be fine... or would it?!
This book is told in the third person limited POV and alternates between giving a deeper look into Gwen's inner thoughts/feelings/motivations and into Brody's. I can't believe how just unbelievably GOOD Brody is (even if he does mess up and do A Very Stupid Thing a couple of times.... Oh Brody.) Gwen is also pretty dang great, and I just LOVE THEM TO PIECES. Brody's friends are also really fun, and I feel like I'd have loved this book so much more if I'd read the first three books in the series and gotten to know them more through their own stories. As it was sometimes they were a little much, and I think that's because to some extent the reader is expected to already be familiar with them and have built a certain level of affection for them. (But that MOLLY, oh my gosh, OK, I need to go back and read Molly's book.)
The Decoy Date is just an amaaaazing slow burn until suddenly it's not, and I was sitting there like "Uh oh, I'm only halfway through this book, what the heck is going to happen?!" Because you know there's not going to be 150 pages of Happily Ever After, so there is SOME BIG ASS DRAMA COMING DOWN THOSE PAGES, FRIEND. Oh my gosh, this book. BRODY. GWEN. YOU GUYYYYYYS. 3 Suffice to say that The Decoy Date delivers all the best bits of the fake relationship trope, right down to both of them falling hard for the other and being convinced that the other person is just playing their part. NNNGH, right in the feels. And then it gets WORSE FROM THERE! (Or maybe... BETTER.) And that's all I can say because no spoilers, so you'll just have to read the book and ride the Brody + Gwen Rollercoaster of Love.
This is the fourth book in The Wedding Date series, but it can be read as a stand alone. There are some spoilers for books in the earlier series (but I'm totally going to go back and read the earlier books anyway...)
This book is told in the third person limited POV and alternates between giving a deeper look into Gwen's inner thoughts/feelings/motivations and into Brody's. I can't believe how just unbelievably GOOD Brody is (even if he does mess up and do A Very Stupid Thing a couple of times.... Oh Brody.) Gwen is also pretty dang great, and I just LOVE THEM TO PIECES. Brody's friends are also really fun, and I feel like I'd have loved this book so much more if I'd read the first three books in the series and gotten to know them more through their own stories. As it was sometimes they were a little much, and I think that's because to some extent the reader is expected to already be familiar with them and have built a certain level of affection for them. (But that MOLLY, oh my gosh, OK, I need to go back and read Molly's book.)
The Decoy Date is just an amaaaazing slow burn until suddenly it's not, and I was sitting there like "Uh oh, I'm only halfway through this book, what the heck is going to happen?!" Because you know there's not going to be 150 pages of Happily Ever After, so there is SOME BIG ASS DRAMA COMING DOWN THOSE PAGES, FRIEND. Oh my gosh, this book. BRODY. GWEN. YOU GUYYYYYYS. 3 Suffice to say that The Decoy Date delivers all the best bits of the fake relationship trope, right down to both of them falling hard for the other and being convinced that the other person is just playing their part. NNNGH, right in the feels. And then it gets WORSE FROM THERE! (Or maybe... BETTER.) And that's all I can say because no spoilers, so you'll just have to read the book and ride the Brody + Gwen Rollercoaster of Love.
This is the fourth book in The Wedding Date series, but it can be read as a stand alone. There are some spoilers for books in the earlier series (but I'm totally going to go back and read the earlier books anyway...)
December 5, 2018
This is my favorite in the Wedding Date series. Brody and Gwen make great friends and even better lovers. And their little experiment to make her lifelong friend Ted jealous and finally look at her in the way she's always looked at him, worked a bit too well. Neither planned on falling for the other but with the sexy nothings whispered in Gwen's ear and the kisses that made her weak in the knees, there was no doubt they belonged together.
This is an easy read and very enjoyable. I've truly loved all of these Wedding Date characters and they make plenty of appearances in The Decoy Date. They all have each other's backs and it is never more evident than in this one.
Brody is such a great guy and I was rooting for him to win Gwen's heart and not just for Ted's benefit. These two have plenty of detours on their road to this unexpected happiness but it was all worth it in the end. I even have a soft spot for the beleaguered Ted and hope his story is told as well. Kelly made me actually like him when I didn't want to!
The book went on a bit too long at times and a few incidents of miscommunication were a bit frustrating for me. But it's a sweet little read for a cold winter's day, and I give The Decoy Date a 3.5 stars!!
This is an easy read and very enjoyable. I've truly loved all of these Wedding Date characters and they make plenty of appearances in The Decoy Date. They all have each other's backs and it is never more evident than in this one.
Brody is such a great guy and I was rooting for him to win Gwen's heart and not just for Ted's benefit. These two have plenty of detours on their road to this unexpected happiness but it was all worth it in the end. I even have a soft spot for the beleaguered Ted and hope his story is told as well. Kelly made me actually like him when I didn't want to!
The book went on a bit too long at times and a few incidents of miscommunication were a bit frustrating for me. But it's a sweet little read for a cold winter's day, and I give The Decoy Date a 3.5 stars!!
November 6, 2018
My opinion is a little biased regarding novels about fake relationships because I love it so much. But the subject in this book was approached differently than what I'm used to reading and I really enjoyed it because it was refreshing!
In this story, the main characters, Brody O'Donnel and Gwen Danes, know each other and they have been friends for a while. Thus, that typical storyline of "I have this wedding and I need literally the first guy I see to be my date" does not happen here.
BUT, Gwen is head over heels for some other guy, who has been her best friend her whole life, Ted Normandy. If only he could see she's always been in love with him *sighs*. So the pretending begins gradually. Her friend Brody is tired of seeing her suffering for a guy who doesn't deserve her. And he's willing to "date" Gwen to show Ted she's not his and can't have her whenever he wants.
Nevertheless, people change and also their feelings! In the end, it was a light and very cute and sweet read. 4.5/5
*Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
In this story, the main characters, Brody O'Donnel and Gwen Danes, know each other and they have been friends for a while. Thus, that typical storyline of "I have this wedding and I need literally the first guy I see to be my date" does not happen here.
BUT, Gwen is head over heels for some other guy, who has been her best friend her whole life, Ted Normandy. If only he could see she's always been in love with him *sighs*. So the pretending begins gradually. Her friend Brody is tired of seeing her suffering for a guy who doesn't deserve her. And he's willing to "date" Gwen to show Ted she's not his and can't have her whenever he wants.
Nevertheless, people change and also their feelings! In the end, it was a light and very cute and sweet read. 4.5/5
*Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
June 8, 2019
The Decoy Date is the fourth (and alas, last) in Mira Lyn Kelly's The Wedding Date series. This is Brody O'Donnel and Gwen Danes's story, one where a kind of fake relationship between friends kickstarts an all too real connection of hearts and minds.
I love the fake-relationship trope, and Ms Kelly does a terrific job with this one. The Decoy Date is fun, funny, and gives you all the feels. Brody and Gwen don't expect their game of pretend to lead the two of them to find a happily-ever-after, at least not with each other. But Ms Kelly shows us vividly why what they share is exactly what they've been looking for, just not with the other.
While this is most definitely Brody and Gwen's story, glimpses of the rest of the gang from the previous stories give us a peek at after-the-HEA for those couples.
All in all, a VERY satisfying read to close out a VERY satisfying series. I only wish there were more books to come ;) Guess I'll have to be happy to re-reading!
I love the fake-relationship trope, and Ms Kelly does a terrific job with this one. The Decoy Date is fun, funny, and gives you all the feels. Brody and Gwen don't expect their game of pretend to lead the two of them to find a happily-ever-after, at least not with each other. But Ms Kelly shows us vividly why what they share is exactly what they've been looking for, just not with the other.
While this is most definitely Brody and Gwen's story, glimpses of the rest of the gang from the previous stories give us a peek at after-the-HEA for those couples.
All in all, a VERY satisfying read to close out a VERY satisfying series. I only wish there were more books to come ;) Guess I'll have to be happy to re-reading!
November 9, 2018
I wouldn't say Gwen is a control freak, but the one I don't think likes things disrupting her schedule, “I have to get back. My break is going to be over and… Oh my God , Brody, look at me. Can you tell what we were doing in here?” Brody just takes things into his own hands at times, "...too shocked to do more than grip his belt, she gaped as he strode toward the stairwell. “What do you think you’re doing?”“You said you were headed up there anyway. Just helping you along.” Through the middle of the hotel lobby, caveman style?" I liked this book, I loved Brody.
May 17, 2021
Boy, does Brody know how to romance a woman! He's sweet, kind and caring. He knows how to talk to a woman to make her feel special. And when he called Gwen gorgeous, I just melted. I wish I met a guy like him!
Gwen thought that Ted was the man, for her. They've been friends for a long time and I guess Ted started taking Gwen for granted. Ted needed to man-up.
Gwen thought that Ted was the man, for her. They've been friends for a long time and I guess Ted started taking Gwen for granted. Ted needed to man-up.
May 10, 2019
Enjoyable. I like Mira Lyn Kelly.
November 26, 2019
Fabulous. Loved it. Adored it!
October 12, 2018
Awesome romance! Will there fake relationship turn into the real thing? Will Gwen realize the boy next door (Ted) was never meant to be more than a first crush? Will Brody let Gwen know she is the one? Read on to find out!
January 19, 2019
DNF
I was about to give this book 5 stars, because the build up was amazing, the intimacy between the main characters was amazing, and there wasn't too much drama. I thought I finished the book. Turns out that was only half of the book and there were a-lo-hot more chapters to go. Were the main characters are together but now the drama is about the "childhood-crush" that wasn't meant to be? This author should have really quite while she was extremely ahead. It's a shame, I really enjoyed this book and that it was perfect, but adding so many chapters in the end where nothing really happens...I couldn't keep reading, she completely lost my interest.
I was about to give this book 5 stars, because the build up was amazing, the intimacy between the main characters was amazing, and there wasn't too much drama. I thought I finished the book. Turns out that was only half of the book and there were a-lo-hot more chapters to go. Were the main characters are together but now the drama is about the "childhood-crush" that wasn't meant to be? This author should have really quite while she was extremely ahead. It's a shame, I really enjoyed this book and that it was perfect, but adding so many chapters in the end where nothing really happens...I couldn't keep reading, she completely lost my interest.
July 12, 2020
*2.5*
I am just annoyed mostly with the pacing and the conflict. Okay, I know this is a personal preference but I do not like it when the hero and heroine get together before the 75% point AT LEAST. So when they got together at the 50% point I knew I was not excited about the rest of the book. I also knew that the conflict (both actually) hinges on miscommunication which is honestly my least favorite plot device currently. Like I really loved the Hero and they were so cute, but I was so annoyed that they had to spend so long being apart because of stupid reasons. Ugh.
I am just annoyed mostly with the pacing and the conflict. Okay, I know this is a personal preference but I do not like it when the hero and heroine get together before the 75% point AT LEAST. So when they got together at the 50% point I knew I was not excited about the rest of the book. I also knew that the conflict (both actually) hinges on miscommunication which is honestly my least favorite plot device currently. Like I really loved the Hero and they were so cute, but I was so annoyed that they had to spend so long being apart because of stupid reasons. Ugh.
April 25, 2021
This audio took me awhile to finish because I didn't spend much time cross-stitching this month. I think this would have gone from an OK to a Like for me if Tim? Tom? whatever the boy-next-door's name was, wasn't such a dummy. The revelation that Gwen had been pining for him the same time that he was pining for her and despite him being her first for everything that they never got it together was just dumb.
December 5, 2018
This final book in the Wedding Date series follows the last single member of the group of friends we've gotten to know over the course of three previous books.
Brody O'Donnel has been attracted to Gwen Danes since the moment he saw her. The problem is, Gwen has had secret feelings for her childhood best friend, Ted, for years. Brody sees what Ted has been doing, stringing Gwen along, and he's ready to open her eyes to it as well. So, he offers to be her fake boyfriend in order to make Ted jealous enough to finally notice Gwen. Brody figures this will finally show Gwen what he sees: that Ted is no good for her.
Gwen has been waiting forever for Ted to finally notice her, so she's more than willing to give Brody's idea a try. Despite what he thinks, she knows Ted is a good person. But soon, what Gwen starts feeling for Brody becomes more than pretend, but one thing's for sure, she's done being the one on the other end of unrequited feelings.
For his part, Brody does come to care for Gwen beyond the friendship they've formed. Unfortunately, he'll have to contend with Gwen's friendships and her past if he wants things to work out.
This is another one, like Just This Once before it, where Mira Lyn Kelly takes an oft-used trope (in this case the fake boyfriend) and turns it on its ear in terms of how I thought the story would go, and it's much the better for it.
At first, I was a little put off by the set-up. I don't remember Gwen being mentioned in previous books, if she was the forgetfulness is completely on me and I apologize. But with that in mind, I felt like the story just pops up out of nowhere. I would have loved if we were given hints in previous books (again, if we were, I apologize for my forgetfulness). I think it would have made the impact of the developing relationship between Brody and Gwen resonate much more. I was also a little thrown by the fact that it's not as centered on the group of friends as Just This Once was. Obviously that book was dealing with a friends-to-lovers storyline in which said friends are in the same group of people so of course there was going to be a lot of interaction with the other couples from the previous books, and I was missing that this time around. Don't get me wrong, the group is featured (you couldn't cut them out completely), but I felt, for the most part that Brody and Gwen were in their own orbit, so to speak.
Luckily, Brody and Gwen work really well together. The chemistry is hot. Honestly, and I feel a smidgen bad for saying this, but, initially, I felt like Brody always occupied the background. I didn't dislike his character, but he didn't much register on my radar as wanting or being excited for his book. I felt like what we knew was just on a periphery. Well, I'm happy to say that, now having finished the series, Brody is by far my favorite. His sexiness jumps off the page. Mira Lyn Kelly does a great job of getting to the heart of this character who is so genuinely good and kind, yet you can also see he looks for the forever type of love that was lacking in his own family growing up. But he's not broken in the sense that he's afraid to end up like his parental units, no, he welcomes the differences he has with them and sees the capability of love when he looks at his group of friends.
I equally liked Gwen, who, for so long thought she wanted something (or someone) only to see the difference of those feelings when they're real. The idea of changing over time, how despite how much people love a happily ever after where everything works out in the end, sometimes people are not meant to be together.
The Decoy Date was so much more than a "fake boyfriend" trope and I welcome anyone to give this one a try if you're looking for romance that challenges our own perceptions of these tropes.
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Brody O'Donnel has been attracted to Gwen Danes since the moment he saw her. The problem is, Gwen has had secret feelings for her childhood best friend, Ted, for years. Brody sees what Ted has been doing, stringing Gwen along, and he's ready to open her eyes to it as well. So, he offers to be her fake boyfriend in order to make Ted jealous enough to finally notice Gwen. Brody figures this will finally show Gwen what he sees: that Ted is no good for her.
Gwen has been waiting forever for Ted to finally notice her, so she's more than willing to give Brody's idea a try. Despite what he thinks, she knows Ted is a good person. But soon, what Gwen starts feeling for Brody becomes more than pretend, but one thing's for sure, she's done being the one on the other end of unrequited feelings.
For his part, Brody does come to care for Gwen beyond the friendship they've formed. Unfortunately, he'll have to contend with Gwen's friendships and her past if he wants things to work out.
This is another one, like Just This Once before it, where Mira Lyn Kelly takes an oft-used trope (in this case the fake boyfriend) and turns it on its ear in terms of how I thought the story would go, and it's much the better for it.
At first, I was a little put off by the set-up. I don't remember Gwen being mentioned in previous books, if she was the forgetfulness is completely on me and I apologize. But with that in mind, I felt like the story just pops up out of nowhere. I would have loved if we were given hints in previous books (again, if we were, I apologize for my forgetfulness). I think it would have made the impact of the developing relationship between Brody and Gwen resonate much more. I was also a little thrown by the fact that it's not as centered on the group of friends as Just This Once was. Obviously that book was dealing with a friends-to-lovers storyline in which said friends are in the same group of people so of course there was going to be a lot of interaction with the other couples from the previous books, and I was missing that this time around. Don't get me wrong, the group is featured (you couldn't cut them out completely), but I felt, for the most part that Brody and Gwen were in their own orbit, so to speak.
Luckily, Brody and Gwen work really well together. The chemistry is hot. Honestly, and I feel a smidgen bad for saying this, but, initially, I felt like Brody always occupied the background. I didn't dislike his character, but he didn't much register on my radar as wanting or being excited for his book. I felt like what we knew was just on a periphery. Well, I'm happy to say that, now having finished the series, Brody is by far my favorite. His sexiness jumps off the page. Mira Lyn Kelly does a great job of getting to the heart of this character who is so genuinely good and kind, yet you can also see he looks for the forever type of love that was lacking in his own family growing up. But he's not broken in the sense that he's afraid to end up like his parental units, no, he welcomes the differences he has with them and sees the capability of love when he looks at his group of friends.
I equally liked Gwen, who, for so long thought she wanted something (or someone) only to see the difference of those feelings when they're real. The idea of changing over time, how despite how much people love a happily ever after where everything works out in the end, sometimes people are not meant to be together.
The Decoy Date was so much more than a "fake boyfriend" trope and I welcome anyone to give this one a try if you're looking for romance that challenges our own perceptions of these tropes.
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2018
Gwen has plenty of things going on, and usually fairly astute, she’s just not seeing that her best friend Ted, the one she’s been in love with for For-Ev-Er isn’t all that, and really hasn’t done anything to deserve (or warrant) her undying admiration. Brody sees all of this, and really can’t get it: sure people fall in love for all sorts of reasons, but after all of this time with zero encouragement and, really, her consideration of Ted as her best friend – it’s just weird. Brody knows that Gwen deserves more, and well, he’d like to show her that – even if he’s not necessarily the guy who gets her heart in the end. He’s not altruistic in the least when the idea that he and Gwen go to the wedding as a “couple” to hopefully encourage Ted’s jealousy and (in Gwen’s world) make him see that they are perfect for one another.
In some ways, this plot device was juvenile and cliched, and yet, it worked (who knew?). The fake relationship that turns real is usually rather straight-forward and clear, with most of the drama coming from the characters and their hangups. But here, we add in a third person – rather more than oblivious and certainly unaware of the underlying potential for drama as Gwen is near-fixated, but it doesn’t overwhelm, and we see (as Brody does) that Ted really isn’t worth the time. Brody, on the other hand, is perfectly suited for Gwen – starting with the fact that HE actually WANTS her to find love and be happy – he sees all of her, faults and all, and appreciates it – not using her friendship and good heart against her to fob off unwanted attention, only to move on at the first opportunity.
Kelly managed to create a story that felt fresh even with an oft-used trope and the heroine feeling rather immature and untested at first. Gwen is determined to schedule and control her world to the best of her abilities, until and unless it involves Ted. Fortunately, much of that control seems to be a direct result of the lack of control she has regarding her feelings for Ted, and it takes a Brody, to loosen her up and challenge her reasons for staying in the one little box – to great effect. I clever little romance that is easy to read, low angst and sure to please fans of fake relationship stories.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
In some ways, this plot device was juvenile and cliched, and yet, it worked (who knew?). The fake relationship that turns real is usually rather straight-forward and clear, with most of the drama coming from the characters and their hangups. But here, we add in a third person – rather more than oblivious and certainly unaware of the underlying potential for drama as Gwen is near-fixated, but it doesn’t overwhelm, and we see (as Brody does) that Ted really isn’t worth the time. Brody, on the other hand, is perfectly suited for Gwen – starting with the fact that HE actually WANTS her to find love and be happy – he sees all of her, faults and all, and appreciates it – not using her friendship and good heart against her to fob off unwanted attention, only to move on at the first opportunity.
Kelly managed to create a story that felt fresh even with an oft-used trope and the heroine feeling rather immature and untested at first. Gwen is determined to schedule and control her world to the best of her abilities, until and unless it involves Ted. Fortunately, much of that control seems to be a direct result of the lack of control she has regarding her feelings for Ted, and it takes a Brody, to loosen her up and challenge her reasons for staying in the one little box – to great effect. I clever little romance that is easy to read, low angst and sure to please fans of fake relationship stories.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
December 9, 2018
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 12/9/18.
The fake relationship troupe can be so much fun when done well, especially when it's being done to make someone else jealous and even more especially when we find out that at least one of the two fakers isn't faking anything at all from the very beginning. With all of the above going on, the first half of this book was absolutely delicious.
And then Brody decides to go all noble on everyone--grrrr....
There were a few times that Brody and Gwen's relationship veered off into the territory of big misunderstanding and I got a tad bit concerned, but they always managed to bring it back from the brink in a fairly reasonable manner...until Brody loses his flipping mind and decides that only he knows what's best for Gwen and he's going to push her towards that without letting her know what he's doing first or giving her any say in the matter. OMG, I wanted to smack him. Gwen definitely should have smacked him. He pulls his head out of his butt in the end and Ms. Kelly gives us an absolutely adorable ending--which *almost* makes up for it.
Almost.
Sigh.
But we do have a wonderful ending, so there is that. All kinds of HEA-goodness flowing everywhere with a super-cute where-everyone-else-in-the-series-is moment that left me with warm fuzzies and a goofy smile on my face, so...
The Decoy Date is the 4th book in the series, and though by starting with this one you won't know the tight knit group of friends at its center as well, it could work okay as a standalone. I'd only read the first book in the series so far ( May the Best Man Win ) and to be honest, I'd forgotten that I had until after I was finished with this one and looked at the rest of the books in the series and I did just fine.
Though of course now I have to read the rest of them, ASAP...
Rating: 4 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The fake relationship troupe can be so much fun when done well, especially when it's being done to make someone else jealous and even more especially when we find out that at least one of the two fakers isn't faking anything at all from the very beginning. With all of the above going on, the first half of this book was absolutely delicious.
And then Brody decides to go all noble on everyone--grrrr....
There were a few times that Brody and Gwen's relationship veered off into the territory of big misunderstanding and I got a tad bit concerned, but they always managed to bring it back from the brink in a fairly reasonable manner...until Brody loses his flipping mind and decides that only he knows what's best for Gwen and he's going to push her towards that without letting her know what he's doing first or giving her any say in the matter. OMG, I wanted to smack him. Gwen definitely should have smacked him. He pulls his head out of his butt in the end and Ms. Kelly gives us an absolutely adorable ending--which *almost* makes up for it.
Almost.
Sigh.
But we do have a wonderful ending, so there is that. All kinds of HEA-goodness flowing everywhere with a super-cute where-everyone-else-in-the-series-is moment that left me with warm fuzzies and a goofy smile on my face, so...
The Decoy Date is the 4th book in the series, and though by starting with this one you won't know the tight knit group of friends at its center as well, it could work okay as a standalone. I'd only read the first book in the series so far ( May the Best Man Win ) and to be honest, I'd forgotten that I had until after I was finished with this one and looked at the rest of the books in the series and I did just fine.
Though of course now I have to read the rest of them, ASAP...
Rating: 4 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 5, 2018
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
It’s always a bittersweet moment when a series winds down to the last story (I can always hope for more but…). Decoy Date is the fourth story in The Wedding Date series, a group of stories that I’ve enjoyed very much.
Gwen has had a crush on, and an off and on relationship with Ted the user, loser for some time now. She always has her hopes up that he’ll fall madly in love with her, but the fact is that Ted is out for Ted alone, he’ll use whoever he pleases and leave them when he moves on to someone else…and then come back as though nothing happened. Frankly, I hate Ted.
Brody is tired of watching his friend, Gwen do anything or put up with nothing in order to get Ted’s attention. In Brody’s opinion Ted doesn’t deserve a second glance from Gwen — but he’s got a plan. If Gwen really wants Ted to step up to the plate and declare himself then Brody will make the jerk sit up and take notice when the always there girl starts dating someone else, namely Brody. Jealous anyone? His plan might have worked out well if not for the small fact that Gwen and Brody started feeling some real emotions in their fake relationship. When Ted finally sees the light of what he’s passed up in Gwen it’s time for Gwen to finally see the truth of her own worth… and of the man she’s really in love with. And that’s not Ted.
If you’re in the mood to watch someone discover what love really feels like, and discover what’s most important to them – then Decoy Date is a story you’ll want to pick up. I’d say you “could” read this one on its own, but you’ll have a much better feel for the entire series, and the other characters if you can start at the beginning. I had fun in this world, I’m sad to see it come to a close… but then I’ll be on the lookout for what Mira Lyn Kelly has for us next.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
It’s always a bittersweet moment when a series winds down to the last story (I can always hope for more but…). Decoy Date is the fourth story in The Wedding Date series, a group of stories that I’ve enjoyed very much.
Gwen has had a crush on, and an off and on relationship with Ted the user, loser for some time now. She always has her hopes up that he’ll fall madly in love with her, but the fact is that Ted is out for Ted alone, he’ll use whoever he pleases and leave them when he moves on to someone else…and then come back as though nothing happened. Frankly, I hate Ted.
Brody is tired of watching his friend, Gwen do anything or put up with nothing in order to get Ted’s attention. In Brody’s opinion Ted doesn’t deserve a second glance from Gwen — but he’s got a plan. If Gwen really wants Ted to step up to the plate and declare himself then Brody will make the jerk sit up and take notice when the always there girl starts dating someone else, namely Brody. Jealous anyone? His plan might have worked out well if not for the small fact that Gwen and Brody started feeling some real emotions in their fake relationship. When Ted finally sees the light of what he’s passed up in Gwen it’s time for Gwen to finally see the truth of her own worth… and of the man she’s really in love with. And that’s not Ted.
If you’re in the mood to watch someone discover what love really feels like, and discover what’s most important to them – then Decoy Date is a story you’ll want to pick up. I’d say you “could” read this one on its own, but you’ll have a much better feel for the entire series, and the other characters if you can start at the beginning. I had fun in this world, I’m sad to see it come to a close… but then I’ll be on the lookout for what Mira Lyn Kelly has for us next.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
January 22, 2019
**I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley, but all opinions provided are my own.
I’m a huge fan of Mira Lyn Kelly’s books. I love how sweet and yet substantive they are. They’re pretty much everything that I’m looking for in a great contemporary romance: complicated lead characters who are usually blindsided by love, thoughtfully developed secondary relationships (with a core group of friends who feel really special), and hot, explosive chemistry.
Decoy Date is a heartmelting addition to Kelly's Wedding Date series, focusing on Brody O’Donnel. Brody is the sweet, handsome, large guy we all dream of. He’s good with people. He’s caring. And he has long, curly hair.
Gwen Danes is the woman that he’s been watching in a non-creepy way for months—as she’s been watching the man she’s crushed on forever, her childhood best friend Ted. Brody offers to be her pretend love interest so that Ted’s attention will be snagged (because that’s how petty Ted is), and then she’ll realize that she doesn’t actually want Ted after all.
Of course, it’s not so easy as that, and what follows is a love story between two really warm, interesting, beautiful people who deserve a beautiful HEA.
I love Brody and Gwen and I was rooting for them from the beginning. You can tell from their first interactions that they’re good people and good friends to each other, and that they belong to each other if they would just open their eyes and see it.
But what kept this from being a five-star read for me was their story felt too heavy on the miscommunication trope front. I don’t want to say too much more for spoiler reasons, but, while I was completely invested in Brody & Gwen and their happiness, I also got a little frustrated with their story along the way.
Still, the last chapter and the epilogue gave me such a rush, and I was so happy for all parties involved. Except for Ted. I really don't like Ted.
Overall, this was another great addition to Kelly’s catalog and reminded me again why she’s one of my favorites.
I’m a huge fan of Mira Lyn Kelly’s books. I love how sweet and yet substantive they are. They’re pretty much everything that I’m looking for in a great contemporary romance: complicated lead characters who are usually blindsided by love, thoughtfully developed secondary relationships (with a core group of friends who feel really special), and hot, explosive chemistry.
Decoy Date is a heartmelting addition to Kelly's Wedding Date series, focusing on Brody O’Donnel. Brody is the sweet, handsome, large guy we all dream of. He’s good with people. He’s caring. And he has long, curly hair.
Gwen Danes is the woman that he’s been watching in a non-creepy way for months—as she’s been watching the man she’s crushed on forever, her childhood best friend Ted. Brody offers to be her pretend love interest so that Ted’s attention will be snagged (because that’s how petty Ted is), and then she’ll realize that she doesn’t actually want Ted after all.
Of course, it’s not so easy as that, and what follows is a love story between two really warm, interesting, beautiful people who deserve a beautiful HEA.
I love Brody and Gwen and I was rooting for them from the beginning. You can tell from their first interactions that they’re good people and good friends to each other, and that they belong to each other if they would just open their eyes and see it.
But what kept this from being a five-star read for me was their story felt too heavy on the miscommunication trope front. I don’t want to say too much more for spoiler reasons, but, while I was completely invested in Brody & Gwen and their happiness, I also got a little frustrated with their story along the way.
Still, the last chapter and the epilogue gave me such a rush, and I was so happy for all parties involved. Except for Ted. I really don't like Ted.
Overall, this was another great addition to Kelly’s catalog and reminded me again why she’s one of my favorites.
October 25, 2018
This is the first book I've read by Mira Lyn Kelly and I've decided to check out her other books. Really like her writing style!
Brody, the story's hero, is tired of seeing his friend Gwen pine after Ted. To Brody, it looks like Ted is just using Gwen to fill in the gaps between girlfriends. He doesn't realize that Gwen's and Ted's families have been friends forever, and that they spend holidays, vacations, etc. together. He does realize that Gwen yearns for Ted to look at her like a serious girlfriend, not just as a "friend with benefit.'
Against his better judgement (because Brody feels that Ted is a 'dickweed,') Brody suggests to Gwen that they become a couple to make Ted jealous. As he tells Gwen, she's just been Ted's 'protective blanket,' and it is time to take the blanket away.
Gwen quickly learns that Brody has all the moves and words to make a woman swoon! He's the perfect potential boyfriend who mixes charm with sexiness. And his actions work--Ted suddenly begins to feel jealous and possessive about Gwen.
As they work together to make Ted jealous, Brody and Gwen begin to realize that they have feelings for each other. Before long, Gwen realizes that her mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Brody.
But tragedy strikes her family, and Gwen needs to return to her hometown to help her mother cope. Of course, Ted is there, too, because he's a long-time family friend. Suddenly, Brody realizes not only his strong feelings for Gwen, but the fact that he may not have a chance to build a life with her because Ted is firmly entrenched into her family. And he isn't sure how if Gwen has strong feelings for him.
Will Gwen land up with Ted or Brody? I guess you will have to read the book to find out!
The author has a very unique writing style that's easy and fun to read. Lighthearted and funny where it needs to be in the story; more serious and sombre when the scene calls for it. I can't wait to read more of her books!
Brody, the story's hero, is tired of seeing his friend Gwen pine after Ted. To Brody, it looks like Ted is just using Gwen to fill in the gaps between girlfriends. He doesn't realize that Gwen's and Ted's families have been friends forever, and that they spend holidays, vacations, etc. together. He does realize that Gwen yearns for Ted to look at her like a serious girlfriend, not just as a "friend with benefit.'
Against his better judgement (because Brody feels that Ted is a 'dickweed,') Brody suggests to Gwen that they become a couple to make Ted jealous. As he tells Gwen, she's just been Ted's 'protective blanket,' and it is time to take the blanket away.
Gwen quickly learns that Brody has all the moves and words to make a woman swoon! He's the perfect potential boyfriend who mixes charm with sexiness. And his actions work--Ted suddenly begins to feel jealous and possessive about Gwen.
As they work together to make Ted jealous, Brody and Gwen begin to realize that they have feelings for each other. Before long, Gwen realizes that her mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Brody.
But tragedy strikes her family, and Gwen needs to return to her hometown to help her mother cope. Of course, Ted is there, too, because he's a long-time family friend. Suddenly, Brody realizes not only his strong feelings for Gwen, but the fact that he may not have a chance to build a life with her because Ted is firmly entrenched into her family. And he isn't sure how if Gwen has strong feelings for him.
Will Gwen land up with Ted or Brody? I guess you will have to read the book to find out!
The author has a very unique writing style that's easy and fun to read. Lighthearted and funny where it needs to be in the story; more serious and sombre when the scene calls for it. I can't wait to read more of her books!
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