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Love on Cue #2
Pretending He's Mine
Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her Love on Cue series!
For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.
Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could really help her save face.
Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it's all pretend. Or is it?
For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.
Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could really help her save face.
Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it's all pretend. Or is it?
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 10, 2018
131 people are currently reading
1710 people want to read
About the author
Mia Sosa
13 books3,194 followersMia Sosa is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Library Journal, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, NPR, and more.
Booklist called her the “go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances,” and Entertainment Weekly described her trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man, as "rom-com perfection."
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (read: sweatpants). Now she writes fun, flirty, and moderately dirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Mia lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, a gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and one rescue cat that rules them all.
For more information about Mia and her books, visit www.miasosa.com.
Booklist called her the “go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances,” and Entertainment Weekly described her trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man, as "rom-com perfection."
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (read: sweatpants). Now she writes fun, flirty, and moderately dirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Mia lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, a gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and one rescue cat that rules them all.
For more information about Mia and her books, visit www.miasosa.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
July 27, 2020
"Like a tiger approaching its prey, I climb onto the bed and watch her reaction. She stretches awake, her back arching off the mattress, and my gaze roams over her naked skin, taking in the sight of her breasts. If I'm not mistaken, her dusky nipples are speaking to me. Julian, suck us, they say."
Nothing like some good old-fashioned talking nipples, am I right?
Mia Sosa's Pretending He's Mine is well...it's not great. The book suffers from a serious inability to introduce meaningful conflict, and as a result, it's nearly 400 pages of two people sitting around and doing nothing. It's not that the protagonists, Ashley and Julian, were poorly-written characters. It's not that the premise of the plot falls flat. The problem is simply that there is no story, no character growth, and no movement of any sort, until the last 20% of the book. And by then, what was the point? (Also: the sex scenes were terrible.)
I cannot emphasize enough that nothing happened in this book. The story begins with both characters having long-standing, deep-seated crushes on each other. Very quickly on, they become aware that said crushes are entirely requited. And for some reason, they both agree that they can never act upon their feelings—yet they continue to live in the same house, attend the same events, and even pretend to be dating for the benefit of their families. Basically, imagine a book where two people are really horny for each other, but don't do anything about it for three hundred pages. It's really A) boring and B) ridiculous.
Of course, the "reason" Ashley and Julian claim that they can't be together is because Julian is best friends with Ashley's older brother. In my opinion, this trope is iffy even at the best of times, but in Pretending He's Mine, it wasn't anything at all, because Sosa doesn't do anything with it. There is no indication in the book that Ashley's brother would be horrified if they started dating, nor any indication that it would seriously ruin the familial balance. It's just an excuse the author provides, but it's an excuse with no meat to it.
We've all read—or at least heard of—the too-familiar "manufactured conflict" in a romance novel. Usually this is exemplified when two people have a misunderstanding that could easily be resolved by a mature, adult conversation. What's going on in this book goes beyond that, because while do two people have a misunderstanding (unrequited crushes), they do have a conversation about this problem (said crushes are, in fact, requited), yet somehow the issue is still there, according to the author. But really, there was zero reason for Ashley and Julian not to be together for the entire 400 pages of this novel. The entire book felt silly as a result. It's a stagnant, stagnant storyline. And because they're just sitting around and not acting on their feelings, there is also no development in the relationship between Ashley and Julian—because the only "relationship" they have is one of avoidance and denial.
So, all in all, I can't say that I liked this. I thought that Mia Sosa's writing was very good throughout most of the book. I thought the characters themselves were interesting people. But there was no conflict or meaningful development present at any point except the last few chapters. And that really ruined the overall quality of Pretending He's Mine.
Also, I simply cannot take a book seriously if the heroine's nipples are speaking. It's a no from me, dog.
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October 11, 2018
Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa was one of my favorite reads in 2017, so it was pretty much guaranteed that I’d want to pick up the next book in the Love on Cue series. The characters in Pretending He’s Mine were introduced in that first book and there was already a hint of a little ‘something-something’ in the air between them to entice the reader to want to know more. With a classic best friend’s sibling trope combined with a current look at Hollywood and its biases, this sexy romance delivers a thoroughly entertaining read.
Julian Hart didn’t plan to become an agent for Hollywood actors, but when his best friend Carter found out he was being bilked by his current management, he reached out to Julian for help and that started them both on a new path. Still best friends, Julian is now just as likely to spend time with Carter on business as on fun. For years Julian has been a little bit in lust with Carter’s sister Ashley. He definitely can’t afford to screw up their friendship or business relationship by going after Ashley, so he’s kept her in the friend zone. Yet when she becomes his temporary roommate, it becomes harder and harder to resist seeing where things could really lead.
If mutual lust is a thing (and it is), then Ashley is just as smitten with Julian. She, too, knows the risks to Julian’s friendship with Carter, but she’s a little less hung up on them. Needing a place to stay, she ends up with Julian and hopes she can entice him to let down his guard. Solo pleasure sessions are a poor substitute for the real thing, though she does manage to get Julian to let loose a little on his side of the wall. When Ashley needs a date for Carter’s wedding back home, Julian becomes the man of the hour. Faking a relationship is no hardship, and an excuse for both of them to finally put their hands on each other. But will they be able to go back to being just friends?
I happen to love this trope with the caveat that the person in the middle (the sibling/best friend) doesn’t go overboard in warning their friend/sibling off. Carter may make the occasional remark about trusting Julian with his sister (and implying that of course nothing would be going on between them even though Ashley is living with him) but it’s mild, and I appreciated that. In these kinds of situations, I get tired of the idea that the female doesn’t have her own agency in the relationship and it’s good to see that it doesn’t become a major issue here. Ashley certainly doesn’t feel any guilt over her attraction to Julian and tries in several ways to entice him to notice her – and is eventually successful. The heat factor in this romance is higher than the previous one or at least it seems that way, with ‘self-love’ scenes and eventually some steamy sex between the leads.
The crux of the matter is Julian’s business relationship with Carter. The firm he works for relies on the business they get in part due to having a big name client like Carter signed on. A secret fling with Ashley weighs on Julian’s conscience, and he can’t afford too many missteps at work. And on Ashley’s side, there is a significant concern that Julian will always choose business with Carter over a relationship with her. This knot in the middle is the key conflict that takes several attempts before it gets unraveled to the liking of Julian and Ashley to get them to a happy ending that satisfies them, and the reader.
From a character perspective, there are two interesting dynamics that play out. Ashley has always been in the shadow of her older, famous brother. She has musical talents that no-one knows about because she worried about being compared with him. She has a decent job as a flight attendant, but it’s not the career she really wants. In her home town, she’d always been picked on and sometimes bullied for being Carter’s sister, so her memories of home – and some extended family members who were particularly mean – aren’t that great. It’s why she wants Julian there as a buffer for Carter’s wedding (plus it will avoid the inevitable questions about her still being single). Over the course of the story Julian is able to pull her out of her shell, convince her to give her music a real opportunity to be heard, and help her see her home situation in a different light.
Julian is one of the few black agents in his circle (certainly at his firm) and he acutely feels the responsibility of that. In a climate where inclusiveness is finally being paid the attention it’s been lacking, he’s been outspoken in a few circumstances that have brought him to the attention of his boss who would rather he not make a fuss. Julian is in a unique position to help aspiring actors get the jobs they deserve and he knows it. He’s tired of actors and actresses of color getting put into stereotypical roles and he wants to make a difference. He also knows that if he’s too outspoken, it could reflect badly on his agency, and therefore on Carter. Ashley pushes him to look at whether he’s really happy in the job he has, and whether he has the courage to break out of those restraints. How he struggles with his conscience and his responsibilities is a key part of the story and leads to some interesting twists and turns that affect everyone in his circle. I like how the author uses this particular industry to make some salient points about the disparity of roles and pay for non-white actors.
There’s a lot to enjoy in this romance. It’s a passionate and sexy story between two longtime friends who make the leap to lovers. It’s a story about how your own dreams can get waylaid and need a helping hand to be realized. And it’s a story about friendship and family. Pretending He’s Mine is a successful and entertaining follow up to Acting on Impulse, and I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye out for the next in the series!
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
Julian Hart didn’t plan to become an agent for Hollywood actors, but when his best friend Carter found out he was being bilked by his current management, he reached out to Julian for help and that started them both on a new path. Still best friends, Julian is now just as likely to spend time with Carter on business as on fun. For years Julian has been a little bit in lust with Carter’s sister Ashley. He definitely can’t afford to screw up their friendship or business relationship by going after Ashley, so he’s kept her in the friend zone. Yet when she becomes his temporary roommate, it becomes harder and harder to resist seeing where things could really lead.
If mutual lust is a thing (and it is), then Ashley is just as smitten with Julian. She, too, knows the risks to Julian’s friendship with Carter, but she’s a little less hung up on them. Needing a place to stay, she ends up with Julian and hopes she can entice him to let down his guard. Solo pleasure sessions are a poor substitute for the real thing, though she does manage to get Julian to let loose a little on his side of the wall. When Ashley needs a date for Carter’s wedding back home, Julian becomes the man of the hour. Faking a relationship is no hardship, and an excuse for both of them to finally put their hands on each other. But will they be able to go back to being just friends?
I happen to love this trope with the caveat that the person in the middle (the sibling/best friend) doesn’t go overboard in warning their friend/sibling off. Carter may make the occasional remark about trusting Julian with his sister (and implying that of course nothing would be going on between them even though Ashley is living with him) but it’s mild, and I appreciated that. In these kinds of situations, I get tired of the idea that the female doesn’t have her own agency in the relationship and it’s good to see that it doesn’t become a major issue here. Ashley certainly doesn’t feel any guilt over her attraction to Julian and tries in several ways to entice him to notice her – and is eventually successful. The heat factor in this romance is higher than the previous one or at least it seems that way, with ‘self-love’ scenes and eventually some steamy sex between the leads.
The crux of the matter is Julian’s business relationship with Carter. The firm he works for relies on the business they get in part due to having a big name client like Carter signed on. A secret fling with Ashley weighs on Julian’s conscience, and he can’t afford too many missteps at work. And on Ashley’s side, there is a significant concern that Julian will always choose business with Carter over a relationship with her. This knot in the middle is the key conflict that takes several attempts before it gets unraveled to the liking of Julian and Ashley to get them to a happy ending that satisfies them, and the reader.
From a character perspective, there are two interesting dynamics that play out. Ashley has always been in the shadow of her older, famous brother. She has musical talents that no-one knows about because she worried about being compared with him. She has a decent job as a flight attendant, but it’s not the career she really wants. In her home town, she’d always been picked on and sometimes bullied for being Carter’s sister, so her memories of home – and some extended family members who were particularly mean – aren’t that great. It’s why she wants Julian there as a buffer for Carter’s wedding (plus it will avoid the inevitable questions about her still being single). Over the course of the story Julian is able to pull her out of her shell, convince her to give her music a real opportunity to be heard, and help her see her home situation in a different light.
Julian is one of the few black agents in his circle (certainly at his firm) and he acutely feels the responsibility of that. In a climate where inclusiveness is finally being paid the attention it’s been lacking, he’s been outspoken in a few circumstances that have brought him to the attention of his boss who would rather he not make a fuss. Julian is in a unique position to help aspiring actors get the jobs they deserve and he knows it. He’s tired of actors and actresses of color getting put into stereotypical roles and he wants to make a difference. He also knows that if he’s too outspoken, it could reflect badly on his agency, and therefore on Carter. Ashley pushes him to look at whether he’s really happy in the job he has, and whether he has the courage to break out of those restraints. How he struggles with his conscience and his responsibilities is a key part of the story and leads to some interesting twists and turns that affect everyone in his circle. I like how the author uses this particular industry to make some salient points about the disparity of roles and pay for non-white actors.
There’s a lot to enjoy in this romance. It’s a passionate and sexy story between two longtime friends who make the leap to lovers. It’s a story about how your own dreams can get waylaid and need a helping hand to be realized. And it’s a story about friendship and family. Pretending He’s Mine is a successful and entertaining follow up to Acting on Impulse, and I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye out for the next in the series!
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
May 7, 2018
The first book in the Love on Cue, Acting on Impulse, was an underrated gem. It had everything I enjoy in a romance and easily made me a Mia Sosa fan. I couldn't wait to read Pretending He's Mine for several reasons, but the main one being that the book has the fake-dating trope. This book left me grinning and with a warm feeling in my heart - you know that's a sign of a good romance!
Pretending He's Mine tells the story of a flight attendant, Ashley, and Hollywood agent, Julian. Julian also happens to be Ashley's famous brother's best friend and agent. Talk about complicated dynamics! Both Ashley and Julian were endearing characters. They were both flawed, messy and so very real to me. I adored Ashley and how headstrong she was, but I also admired how Mia Sosa explored her vulnerabilities, especially her self-doubt, throughout the book. I think a lot of readers will connect with Ashley's character and see a fraction of themselves in her. She was a little lost in life and was figuring out where she fit in. I enjoyed her journey a lot! I also loved Julian, who also had his fair share of vulnerabilities and self-doubt. Seeing his passion for his job and for diversity in the movie industry was one of the highlights of Pretending He's Mine.
Together, these two were just perfect. They both have a crush on each other but have never acted on their feelings because of Ashley's brother. When Ashley temporarily moves in with Julian, all bets are off. The chemistry between the two was smoking hot. And the fake dating? Perfection! It was different than the fake dating that I'm used to where the couple fights like cats and dogs, but nevertheless, I enjoyed it. The romance was very very sweet and when Ashley and Julian gave each other to their attraction, it was very very steamy too! Besides the romance, I loved seeing Ashley and Julian's respective families, and the roles they played in the book. I always love it when there are big family dynamics in books - I think they add an extra dimension to a love story.
Pretending He's Mine was a delightful and entertaining love story. I had so much fun reading the book and meeting these characters. The next book in the series looks equally good with the "you frustrate me, but also entice me" chemistry. I can't wait!
March 18, 2018
The synopsis of a fake relationship paired with the best friend’s little sister had me giddy.
I liked Ashley and Julien well enough. They’re both interesting characters with a lot going on in the background. Add in the extra layer of Ashley’s brother being Julien’s client and things get a little complicated for them.
Plot wise it was just okay. It felt like a lot of telling and not showing, especially when it came to their chemistry. 98% of Ashley and Julien’s inner monologue was about having sex with the other one or various body parts. They’ve supposedly known each other for years, but I didn’t see the familiarity.
Overall, I think I might have done better if I was familiar with the first book. I did like this story and these MCs, but I’m not sure if I’ll read any others in the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Ashley and Julien well enough. They’re both interesting characters with a lot going on in the background. Add in the extra layer of Ashley’s brother being Julien’s client and things get a little complicated for them.
Plot wise it was just okay. It felt like a lot of telling and not showing, especially when it came to their chemistry. 98% of Ashley and Julien’s inner monologue was about having sex with the other one or various body parts. They’ve supposedly known each other for years, but I didn’t see the familiarity.
Overall, I think I might have done better if I was familiar with the first book. I did like this story and these MCs, but I’m not sure if I’ll read any others in the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
February 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
I enjoyed this brother's best friend, dual POV, slow burn, roommates interracial romance. Full of Mia Sosa's trademark humor and spice, this one kept me entertained from start to finish as aspiring singer Ashley tries to get Julia, her longtime crush and a Hollywood agent to give them a chance despite the fact that he's her brother's best friend. Good on audio narrated by Erin Mallon and Sean Crisden.
I enjoyed this brother's best friend, dual POV, slow burn, roommates interracial romance. Full of Mia Sosa's trademark humor and spice, this one kept me entertained from start to finish as aspiring singer Ashley tries to get Julia, her longtime crush and a Hollywood agent to give them a chance despite the fact that he's her brother's best friend. Good on audio narrated by Erin Mallon and Sean Crisden.
October 8, 2018
You can find this and many more reviews on my blog Marianna's Corner!
Pretending He’s Mine is the second book in Mia Sosa’s Love on Cue series (first being Acting on Impulse –reviewed-) and I loved it waaaaaay more than the first one!
I’m going to make a quick break down of the reasons why I loved this romance:
💕 The main character. Ashley is my one and only queen. By far one of my favourite heroines I’ve ever read. I love her personality, her humor, her kindness and her sassiness and how she thinks in sexual innuendos ALL the time, which to be honest is #relatable. I think with Ash I’ve found a person to use on the answer of “which book character would be your BFF” in future tags.
💕 Big brother’s best friend with little sister trope. I will burn with this trope which I don’t see enough of. Seriously where are all my “oh my god my big brother’s bff is so hot but unattainable because he is my big brother’s bff” books????? BRING THEM TO ME!
💕 The chemistry. I think I actually have legit burns on my skin because this couple was on FIRE. Ok, that was so lame I cringed while writing it BUT no regrets. Their interactions, their BANTER, the sexual tension and desire and overall all scenes they had together were the best.
💕 Reserved hero and ultra extra social heroine. G U Y S this is everything. Julian was so reserved and kept everything inside and didn’t let people touch him while on the other hand Ashley was so outgoing and funny and adventurous. THIS COMBINATION = MARIANNA’S DEATH.
💕 Right amount of political. I always love when my romances have some form of politics thrown in; whether that being a comment here and there, or a discussion between the characters. However I don’t want the political part to overwhelm the story; and Pretending He’s Mine had the exact right amount. Ashley would briefly think of some “woke” things, she would talk about sexism and her experience enough to bring attention to the issue and for the reader to get the point, but not too much so that the story becomes something it was not meant to be.
Pretending He’s Mine is a romantic comedy that will make you laugh, fall in love with the characters and most of all swoon. Recommend to everyone reading romance novels!
Pretending He’s Mine is the second book in Mia Sosa’s Love on Cue series (first being Acting on Impulse –reviewed-) and I loved it waaaaaay more than the first one!
I’m going to make a quick break down of the reasons why I loved this romance:
💕 The main character. Ashley is my one and only queen. By far one of my favourite heroines I’ve ever read. I love her personality, her humor, her kindness and her sassiness and how she thinks in sexual innuendos ALL the time, which to be honest is #relatable. I think with Ash I’ve found a person to use on the answer of “which book character would be your BFF” in future tags.
💕 Big brother’s best friend with little sister trope. I will burn with this trope which I don’t see enough of. Seriously where are all my “oh my god my big brother’s bff is so hot but unattainable because he is my big brother’s bff” books????? BRING THEM TO ME!
💕 The chemistry. I think I actually have legit burns on my skin because this couple was on FIRE. Ok, that was so lame I cringed while writing it BUT no regrets. Their interactions, their BANTER, the sexual tension and desire and overall all scenes they had together were the best.
💕 Reserved hero and ultra extra social heroine. G U Y S this is everything. Julian was so reserved and kept everything inside and didn’t let people touch him while on the other hand Ashley was so outgoing and funny and adventurous. THIS COMBINATION = MARIANNA’S DEATH.
💕 Right amount of political. I always love when my romances have some form of politics thrown in; whether that being a comment here and there, or a discussion between the characters. However I don’t want the political part to overwhelm the story; and Pretending He’s Mine had the exact right amount. Ashley would briefly think of some “woke” things, she would talk about sexism and her experience enough to bring attention to the issue and for the reader to get the point, but not too much so that the story becomes something it was not meant to be.
Pretending He’s Mine is a romantic comedy that will make you laugh, fall in love with the characters and most of all swoon. Recommend to everyone reading romance novels!
July 1, 2018
This was good and bad. First, it seemed like a lot of the editing on this book was tighter. I'm also tired, and not heavily sensitive to some of that, but I thought I'd note it in case that gives you pause.
Unfortunately, there was some major drag on this book. . The story was of the compartmentalized Hollywood agent and brother's best friend, Julian, and flight attendant who is figuring her life out little sister of Carter, Ashley. In the beginning, these characters focus on wanting to be intimate, rather than building intimacy. I wasn't getting a sense of the characters or a budding relationship. The type of tension built was just from all this 'I want' from the character's POV...nothing to it really. Things begin to shift ever so slightly and really hit stride way too late. I'd estimate 85% by the time I felt the conflict was true, legitimate conflict. This left so little time for growth of the characters. I think parts of it were set up well, but until the last 15% the developments and motivations for the characters felt not even secondary (that'd be Carter & the challenges of a relationship between best friend/little sister) but tertiary. And frankly, it's pretty hard to pull off.
Because I thought I recognized some more polish in this book, and her characters from the first book, I will continue with her. I have a feeling this author will pull off a gem. For me though, this wasn't it. 2.75
Unfortunately, there was some major drag on this book. . The story was of the compartmentalized Hollywood agent and brother's best friend, Julian, and flight attendant who is figuring her life out little sister of Carter, Ashley. In the beginning, these characters focus on wanting to be intimate, rather than building intimacy. I wasn't getting a sense of the characters or a budding relationship. The type of tension built was just from all this 'I want' from the character's POV...nothing to it really. Things begin to shift ever so slightly and really hit stride way too late. I'd estimate 85% by the time I felt the conflict was true, legitimate conflict. This left so little time for growth of the characters. I think parts of it were set up well, but until the last 15% the developments and motivations for the characters felt not even secondary (that'd be Carter & the challenges of a relationship between best friend/little sister) but tertiary. And frankly, it's pretty hard to pull off.
Because I thought I recognized some more polish in this book, and her characters from the first book, I will continue with her. I have a feeling this author will pull off a gem. For me though, this wasn't it. 2.75
April 10, 2018
Mia has done it again!! Made me fall so hard for these characters. And I mean hello that cover??? Is gorgeous. We got a MOC on this here lovely cover and look how cute it is!!
Julian and Ashley were so fun to read about! Loved their voice, I especially enjoyed being in Ashley's head. her thoughts lol. i could so relate to so many of them.
This book was just so happy making. So many fun scenes. Between Julian and Ash. Between Carter and Tori's families and i especially enjoyed whenever Ash, Tori and Tori's bestie, Eva were in a scene together. Having female friendships like this is always a plus for me in romance. I love the couple of course, but I'm always appreciative when he see them with their friends and families :)
The tropes in this book are so my jam: forced proximity, fake dating, crush on brother's best friend. yes to allll of it. Julian and Ashley truly brought out the best in each other. It was great to see that. Julian is so serious. He came off like that in book 1 and continued to be so partially in his book but then!! the banter with Ashley and his terrible attempts at making jokes. i love that guy seriously.
How Ashley is way more carefree but J makes her see she is her own person, not just Carter Stone's lil sis as everyone seems to just refer to her. Their relationships with Carter are so different but in the end they both realized their lives and hopes and creams didnt have to centre on him, even as they both loved him. That was so well done over the course of the book.
I am saying right the heck now that the end of chapter 20 almost killed me o mg. Julian walks in on Ash taking care of biznesssss and calling out his name and awkwaaaard but the end result. helloooo ;) Mia Sosa bring the sexy and steamy and I was so here for it. The damn build up, so much tension!! was worth the wait mmhmm.
I enjoy ensemble casts in books. We learn so much from the people the MCs surround themselves with. Ashley needs Julian to be her fake boyfriend to keep the family members she can't stand off her back and Julian goes along with the plan as it's come to light that the cousin who is always mean to Ash had a crush on Julian. Perfect set up for shenanigans! Like, "oh you two are dating you can totally sleep together in this room/on this bed no prbs right?" type shenanigans. My fave kind. LOL
But yes. Listen, Tori and Carter getting married was just so emotional to me, because if you've read book 1 you'll know why. Carter really did that ya'll!! :) And hello i adored Eva, and we meet her LI in this book and hellooo Anthony. They dont get along. this is gonna be awesome mwahahaha.
So while we have the budding romance going on between Ashley and Julian, there was also commentary on the whitewashing in Hollywood. So timely. and explored so well. Julian is the only MOC at his agency, and his boss keeps trying to get him to not be vocal on the whitewashing problem in their industry, as it could affect Carter's career. Which since J is also his friend is some cause for internal conflict but in the end, it played out really well.
I just really enjoyed this book. That ending!!
I highly rec this series :)
Julian and Ashley were so fun to read about! Loved their voice, I especially enjoyed being in Ashley's head. her thoughts lol. i could so relate to so many of them.
This book was just so happy making. So many fun scenes. Between Julian and Ash. Between Carter and Tori's families and i especially enjoyed whenever Ash, Tori and Tori's bestie, Eva were in a scene together. Having female friendships like this is always a plus for me in romance. I love the couple of course, but I'm always appreciative when he see them with their friends and families :)
The tropes in this book are so my jam: forced proximity, fake dating, crush on brother's best friend. yes to allll of it. Julian and Ashley truly brought out the best in each other. It was great to see that. Julian is so serious. He came off like that in book 1 and continued to be so partially in his book but then!! the banter with Ashley and his terrible attempts at making jokes. i love that guy seriously.
How Ashley is way more carefree but J makes her see she is her own person, not just Carter Stone's lil sis as everyone seems to just refer to her. Their relationships with Carter are so different but in the end they both realized their lives and hopes and creams didnt have to centre on him, even as they both loved him. That was so well done over the course of the book.
I am saying right the heck now that the end of chapter 20 almost killed me o mg. Julian walks in on Ash taking care of biznesssss and calling out his name and awkwaaaard but the end result. helloooo ;) Mia Sosa bring the sexy and steamy and I was so here for it. The damn build up, so much tension!! was worth the wait mmhmm.
I enjoy ensemble casts in books. We learn so much from the people the MCs surround themselves with. Ashley needs Julian to be her fake boyfriend to keep the family members she can't stand off her back and Julian goes along with the plan as it's come to light that the cousin who is always mean to Ash had a crush on Julian. Perfect set up for shenanigans! Like, "oh you two are dating you can totally sleep together in this room/on this bed no prbs right?" type shenanigans. My fave kind. LOL
But yes. Listen, Tori and Carter getting married was just so emotional to me, because if you've read book 1 you'll know why. Carter really did that ya'll!! :) And hello i adored Eva, and we meet her LI in this book and hellooo Anthony. They dont get along. this is gonna be awesome mwahahaha.
So while we have the budding romance going on between Ashley and Julian, there was also commentary on the whitewashing in Hollywood. So timely. and explored so well. Julian is the only MOC at his agency, and his boss keeps trying to get him to not be vocal on the whitewashing problem in their industry, as it could affect Carter's career. Which since J is also his friend is some cause for internal conflict but in the end, it played out really well.
I just really enjoyed this book. That ending!!
I highly rec this series :)
March 19, 2018
"It's going to take more than a little willpower to remember it's all pretend."
*ARC provided by Edelweiss and publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This might be one of the cutest book I read this year. I finished it last Friday and I can't stop thinking about it. It's a book that doesn't only have an adorable couple with beautiful dynamics that made my heart sing, but it also uncovered and discussed a lot of problems about diversity in the entertainment industry, living in the shadow of a more "successful" family member and still maintaining a good relationship with them, the meaning of being "successful", toxic family relationships, expectations and complicated friendships. This had the trope of the best friend's sister but it was taken into a healthy route because it didn't follow that toxic thought of the big brother being protective of his sister because she's a girl and can't make her own decisions, this relationship was "forbidden" because the hero in this story didn't allow himself to mix complicated personal relationships with business ones and that, to me, was so well done. I especially enjoyed that Julian wanted to use his privileged position in the industry by focusing on helping artists who were part of minorities and this job was super important for him. I adored that Ash understood and respected that.
I have to say that roommate to lovers and fake relationships are some of my favourite tropes ever and both of them were in this book. I actually think I could feel how they grew and how their relationship became more complex through the years and the time that they spent together before the book even started even if we didn't get see it. And then I saw them grow even more throughout the duration of this book. I thought the writing was wonderfully done because it managed to engage the characters in constant banter that was fun to read and incredible chemistry that kept me at the edge of my seat. The sense of humour that Ash had was the sense of humour that I love to read. It was diverse and beautiful and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to read it.
September 8, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot and thought it was stronger than the previous one for a few reasons that are partly personal preference. First, while this book has famous-adjacent people (like Carter), it’s not a book about a celebrity. Second, hello... (seemingly) unrequited crush on your brother’s best friend with some fake dating thrown in? And they’re roommates??? Hell yes.
Actually, the fake dating storyline wasn’t that prominent IMO because almost everyone was in on it. And I was a little tired of how long it dragged out with keeping it from Carter, but I’m happy it didn’t turn into “MY SISTER?!” toxic masculine posturing, which is a downfall of the brother’s best friend trope.
What I loved was how much Julian supported Ashley’s love of music when he realizes how much it means to her. He understands she’s always comparing herself to others and feeling like she’s coming up short. He doesn’t pat her on the head and patronize her but nor does he speak over her and pretend like he knows what is best for her more than she knows herself. Rather, I felt Julian listened to her and read between the lines and supported her when she needed it.
Obviously, his career was a source of conflict, and I thought the way this was negotiated between them was both frustrating and rewarding.
This book also shows some really great platonic friendships between men and between women, as well as strong family bonds, and I’m always here for that.
I haven’t read the first book since last year, but I don’t remember it being as steamy as this one! Woo. I had to fan myself a few times.
Can’t wait to read Eva’s book next.
Actually, the fake dating storyline wasn’t that prominent IMO because almost everyone was in on it. And I was a little tired of how long it dragged out with keeping it from Carter, but I’m happy it didn’t turn into “MY SISTER?!” toxic masculine posturing, which is a downfall of the brother’s best friend trope.
What I loved was how much Julian supported Ashley’s love of music when he realizes how much it means to her. He understands she’s always comparing herself to others and feeling like she’s coming up short. He doesn’t pat her on the head and patronize her but nor does he speak over her and pretend like he knows what is best for her more than she knows herself. Rather, I felt Julian listened to her and read between the lines and supported her when she needed it.
Obviously, his career was a source of conflict, and I thought the way this was negotiated between them was both frustrating and rewarding.
This book also shows some really great platonic friendships between men and between women, as well as strong family bonds, and I’m always here for that.
I haven’t read the first book since last year, but I don’t remember it being as steamy as this one! Woo. I had to fan myself a few times.
Can’t wait to read Eva’s book next.
April 8, 2018
I liked the idea of this story. It's not something new, but it's a genre I enjoy usually. I didn't like how the idea was executed though. I got tired of the constant back and forth between Julian and Ashley. It was mostly Julian's fault though. I got frustrated after the tenth time he pulled back after they kissed or things got more than platonic. Also, I felt time too much time had passed before the pretend part of the story came into play. That was Toni's idea and it came at the 30% mark. And time passed after that before they actually pretending that they were a couple. The author took too much time to establish her characters and the thing that was going on between them. Ashley knew what she wanted and went for it which was something that I liked about her and I appreciate it in a character. Julian, on the other hand, couldn't decide what he wanted and he was a pain in my arse. I don't understand why he kept working for Quinn. He was a boss from hell. Julian was not one of my favorite people. My favorite person in this book is Eva (or Eve, I am really bad with names), the heroine of the next book and best friend of Tori. She is fierce and has a fire I haven't seen in a while. I can't wait for her book!
December 25, 2019
2.5 stars
While the core of what I like about Sosa's writing is here, this couple didn't work for me. Ashley and Julian have an overwhelming physical attraction and precious little else. Over time we see flashes of why they admire each other, but it wasn't enough. The conflict was fine, how things came together at the end was fine, but I wasn't pulled in by the actual romance. Definitely continuing on in the series, though, because book three will be about Eva and I ❤ Eva.
While the core of what I like about Sosa's writing is here, this couple didn't work for me. Ashley and Julian have an overwhelming physical attraction and precious little else. Over time we see flashes of why they admire each other, but it wasn't enough. The conflict was fine, how things came together at the end was fine, but I wasn't pulled in by the actual romance. Definitely continuing on in the series, though, because book three will be about Eva and I ❤ Eva.
June 29, 2020
Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020: There Was Only One Bed
This was fine, but for someone who loves a) fake dating, b) THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED, and c) falling for your best friends sibling (& vice versa) I was left pretty cold by this. But this was also a book I probably wouldn't have picked up were it not for bingo, so maybe that's a little harsh.
I just didn't get why Julian & Ashley liked each other, and I wasn't into Ashley's story separate to the romance.
This was fine, but for someone who loves a) fake dating, b) THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED, and c) falling for your best friends sibling (& vice versa) I was left pretty cold by this. But this was also a book I probably wouldn't have picked up were it not for bingo, so maybe that's a little harsh.
I just didn't get why Julian & Ashley liked each other, and I wasn't into Ashley's story separate to the romance.
April 4, 2022
This was funny, hot and a good combination of the brother’s best friend and fake relationship tropes. The fake/real relationship got a little confusing at times but Julian’s career evolution was so interesting, and I enjoyed seeing more of Carter and Tori and their families
April 12, 2018
Carmela gave this one 4 very enjoyable stars over on Scandalicious Book Reviews - follow the link to see her full review:
http://bit.ly/2JFw20l
http://bit.ly/2JFw20l
April 12, 2018
I am so happy I read this book!
August 14, 2019
*3,7 stars*
did-not-finish
August 11, 2021I read a quarter of this and honestly I was just bored. IIRC the first book in this series didn't work for me either, so I should have known better than to try the second.
February 18, 2019
i'll be completely honest, i liked the first one but didn't love it. i got the third from edelweiss and knew i needed to read this first, but it wasn't jumping out at me and i kept putting it off. i mean, 'unrequited love for a long time trope' and 'brother's best friend/best friend's little sister' are two of my favourite tropes -mix them together with a dash of fake relationship and forced proximity and you've got a tropetastic fun time that sounds right up my alley. but because i didn't love love love the first, i kept putting this one off. which was stupid, obviously.
i really, really, really, really enjoyed this one. it was really cute. i liked the characters more, the story, the writing all flowed really well. there were a few snippets that pushed me out of the story, a few clunky bits that i noticed more in the first book, but overall i liked it a lot more than the first. it just flowed a lot better. the chemistry was there, the dialogue more realistic, i loved how both characters matured. according to amazon, this one is longer than the first and i do think both of them could benefited with being shortened, there's just a few moments in both where it drags.
now i'm excited for the third - which publishes tomorrow, oops. better get on that!
i really, really, really, really enjoyed this one. it was really cute. i liked the characters more, the story, the writing all flowed really well. there were a few snippets that pushed me out of the story, a few clunky bits that i noticed more in the first book, but overall i liked it a lot more than the first. it just flowed a lot better. the chemistry was there, the dialogue more realistic, i loved how both characters matured. according to amazon, this one is longer than the first and i do think both of them could benefited with being shortened, there's just a few moments in both where it drags.
now i'm excited for the third - which publishes tomorrow, oops. better get on that!
August 29, 2021
4.5 rounded up!
I loved this book. A great slow-burn, best friends younger sister/brothers best friend, trope-tastic book. The structure was great, the narrative through-line was clear and consistent. It’s funny and heartfelt. I’m getting the other two books in this series (this is the series she wrote before she put out WORST BEST MAN) pronto!!
I loved this book. A great slow-burn, best friends younger sister/brothers best friend, trope-tastic book. The structure was great, the narrative through-line was clear and consistent. It’s funny and heartfelt. I’m getting the other two books in this series (this is the series she wrote before she put out WORST BEST MAN) pronto!!
July 18, 2024
These two had me drooling. I loved them so much. I liked the pacing in this and how they couldn't be together but they wanted each other so much. The messiness. I loved it.
March 8, 2025
This was fine, a 2.5 rounded up. I still enjoy Sosa’s wit and steam. But the tension was very one note for this couple. There was no evolution of it at all.
April 10, 2018
Mia Sosa never fails to dazzle, and Pretending He’s Mine is a refreshing, witty and steamy romance that left me with a huge smile on my face. Ashley Williamson has crushed on her older brother’s best friend and Hollywood agent, Julian Hart, for years, and she’s now temporarily living with him and attempting to subtly seduce him. Julian desires Ashley, but he also feels enormous guilt for being attracted to a woman who is like family to him and whose brother is his biggest client. Julian prides himself on his work ethic and his ability to separate business and personal, and he engages in an intense inner battle to resist the alluring and free-spirited Ashley. But he can no longer deny his feelings when they find themselves continually pushed together while sharing living space and after agreeing to fake a relationship. Julian begins to wonder if a life with Ashley might be worth risking the displeasure of his best friend and the overhauling of some of his carefully laid career plans. He and Ashley are fun to watch and perfectly matched, and their dynamic is downright electrifying as they engage in copious amounts of laugh-out-loud banter infused with delicious sexual tension. Pretending He’s Mine is an intelligently written, feel-good love story boasting an engaging plot and charming characters, and its sublime blend of tenderness, sexiness and poignancy ensure it’s a must-read.
Recommendation appeared on USA Today’s Happy Ever After on April 10, 2018.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
Recommendation appeared on USA Today’s Happy Ever After on April 10, 2018.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
August 29, 2018
Another cute romance in the Love on Cue series.
As with the first book, Sosa presents an atypical hero: one who is logical, kind, and straitlaced. Julian's Carter's agent, and he's the sort of guy who thinks with his head more than his dick, which hells yes to heroes like this. He's put together, organized, and professional. Enter: Ashley, Carter's sister, who is an outspoken free spirit and in need of a place to stay.
Ashley and Julian spend most of the book openly discussing the fact that they want to be together but afraid of the complications. There's also a constant reminder that Ashley's not looking for something serious, which I found a bit strange because she so is looking for something serious with Julian from the beginning. But whatever. I like their dynamics a lot: Ashley's openness about her feelings and sexual needs and Julian's bashfulness. Like the first book, the banter doesn't hit the level I need for strong shippy feels, but they do have a cute relationship. Though I didn't like the unnecessary and frankly unconvincing fight they had near the end; it did spur needed emotional growth for Julian, but I think there were better ways to accomplish that which would have fit their relationship better.
Sosa touches on the diversity issue in Hollywood through Julian's job as an agent, and I think that aspect really helps round out the novel. I do like when characters in romance novels are in flux more than just romantically, and Sosa does a nice job with both professional and interpersonal relationships, though I did want a bit more closure from Ashley's relationship with her cousin Lydia.
As with the first book, Sosa presents an atypical hero: one who is logical, kind, and straitlaced. Julian's Carter's agent, and he's the sort of guy who thinks with his head more than his dick, which hells yes to heroes like this. He's put together, organized, and professional. Enter: Ashley, Carter's sister, who is an outspoken free spirit and in need of a place to stay.
Ashley and Julian spend most of the book openly discussing the fact that they want to be together but afraid of the complications. There's also a constant reminder that Ashley's not looking for something serious, which I found a bit strange because she so is looking for something serious with Julian from the beginning. But whatever. I like their dynamics a lot: Ashley's openness about her feelings and sexual needs and Julian's bashfulness. Like the first book, the banter doesn't hit the level I need for strong shippy feels, but they do have a cute relationship. Though I didn't like the unnecessary and frankly unconvincing fight they had near the end; it did spur needed emotional growth for Julian, but I think there were better ways to accomplish that which would have fit their relationship better.
Sosa touches on the diversity issue in Hollywood through Julian's job as an agent, and I think that aspect really helps round out the novel. I do like when characters in romance novels are in flux more than just romantically, and Sosa does a nice job with both professional and interpersonal relationships, though I did want a bit more closure from Ashley's relationship with her cousin Lydia.
April 7, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the second book in the series, and I think it would be richer for having read them in order. Whilst this is a new romance, it follows on closely from book 1 and the friendship and working relationship between Carter and Julian is first explored there.
It is often fun to read about the 'fake' boyfriend at the wedding stories, but this one is to say the least complicated. Both Ashley and Julian are attracted to each other, but he is resistant. His life is so stressful, mainly due to the walls he has built between his personal and professional dealings with Ashley's brother Carter. Add in his attraction to Ashley, his father wanting him to return to help run the family business and Julian is nearing a meltdown.
Just as Julian is having a bit of a work crisis, he also questions why Ashley is denying her musical talents. As the story progresses, I enjoyed how they challenged each other about their values and their priorities. It added some depth to the chemistry between them.
I enjoyed how this story gave us more of Carter and Tori - the preparations for the wedding, and especially the girls' evenings out gave some lovely comedic moments. There were some lovely hints of future romantic interests too!
This is the second book in the series, and I think it would be richer for having read them in order. Whilst this is a new romance, it follows on closely from book 1 and the friendship and working relationship between Carter and Julian is first explored there.
It is often fun to read about the 'fake' boyfriend at the wedding stories, but this one is to say the least complicated. Both Ashley and Julian are attracted to each other, but he is resistant. His life is so stressful, mainly due to the walls he has built between his personal and professional dealings with Ashley's brother Carter. Add in his attraction to Ashley, his father wanting him to return to help run the family business and Julian is nearing a meltdown.
Just as Julian is having a bit of a work crisis, he also questions why Ashley is denying her musical talents. As the story progresses, I enjoyed how they challenged each other about their values and their priorities. It added some depth to the chemistry between them.
I enjoyed how this story gave us more of Carter and Tori - the preparations for the wedding, and especially the girls' evenings out gave some lovely comedic moments. There were some lovely hints of future romantic interests too!
April 9, 2018
Pretending He's Mine (Love on Cue #2) by Mia Sosa
3.5 stars
M/F Friends to Lovers
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is a story about acquaintances who become friends who pretend to have a relationship. I found that despite the premise of the story, this seemed to be much more YA than a romance novel.
Julian is working for Carter as his hollywood agent. Carter and Julian have been friends a long time and despite that friendship and their working relationship, Julian has kept strict lines between friendship and work relationship.
Ashley feels like the black sheep of her family. Despite her amazing talent of singing and playing her guitar, she feels like everyone always measures her against her very successful brother. When she finds herself in a tight roommate situation, she leans on Julian for help.
What follows is unimaginable attraction and a story that will help her get through her brother's wedding. There is a conflict between main characters - within themselves. They each are finding their own path.
In the end, this is a sweet story about friends who become more. However, it was highly predictable and I believe geared towards a younger audience.
3.5 stars
M/F Friends to Lovers
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is a story about acquaintances who become friends who pretend to have a relationship. I found that despite the premise of the story, this seemed to be much more YA than a romance novel.
Julian is working for Carter as his hollywood agent. Carter and Julian have been friends a long time and despite that friendship and their working relationship, Julian has kept strict lines between friendship and work relationship.
Ashley feels like the black sheep of her family. Despite her amazing talent of singing and playing her guitar, she feels like everyone always measures her against her very successful brother. When she finds herself in a tight roommate situation, she leans on Julian for help.
What follows is unimaginable attraction and a story that will help her get through her brother's wedding. There is a conflict between main characters - within themselves. They each are finding their own path.
In the end, this is a sweet story about friends who become more. However, it was highly predictable and I believe geared towards a younger audience.
November 28, 2022
JESUS H. CHRIST!!! When I tell you I’ve never wanted a couple to get it on more than this one I’m not lying. They are one of the thirstiest couples I’ve read about and I loved every second of it!!
So get this, Julian and Ashley have the hots for each other. But they haven’t done anything about it because 1. Julian is best friends with Ashley’s big brother, Carter and 2. he is also Carter’s agent(Carter’s a movie star, we met him on book 1). Well, stuff happens and now Ashley is staying at Julian’s house and he’s having a bit of trouble keeping his personal and professional life separate.
I loved this couple so much they are mutually obsessed with one another, supportive and protective of each other, would do practically anything to make the other happy and also they call each other out on their BS. I would have to say that I liked the intimate moments of their relationship more than the sexual moments, even though I spent most of the book waiting for them to get it on. Cause it needed to happen, you know, for catharsis. 😂😂😂
GO GET THE BOOK!!! This one was funny, cute, sexy and works with some teasing and delayed gratification so sit back and enjoy.
So get this, Julian and Ashley have the hots for each other. But they haven’t done anything about it because 1. Julian is best friends with Ashley’s big brother, Carter and 2. he is also Carter’s agent(Carter’s a movie star, we met him on book 1). Well, stuff happens and now Ashley is staying at Julian’s house and he’s having a bit of trouble keeping his personal and professional life separate.
I loved this couple so much they are mutually obsessed with one another, supportive and protective of each other, would do practically anything to make the other happy and also they call each other out on their BS. I would have to say that I liked the intimate moments of their relationship more than the sexual moments, even though I spent most of the book waiting for them to get it on. Cause it needed to happen, you know, for catharsis. 😂😂😂
GO GET THE BOOK!!! This one was funny, cute, sexy and works with some teasing and delayed gratification so sit back and enjoy.
March 30, 2018
Pretending He's Mine is a handful of sunshine on a cloudy day. Mia Sosa never loses her sense of humor as she opens her heart to readers. To be open to love, one has to be willing to risk the consequences. Julian and Ashley had a bit of wreckage to work through, but watching them muddle through was the fun part. Ashley's looking to find herself. Julian's trying to keep his sanity. A relationship of convenience is the answer to both their prayers, unless their hearts end up being collateral damage. Ms. Sosa will help find your smile, even as she confiscates your heart.
Copyright of Night Owl Reviews
Copyright of Night Owl Reviews
April 10, 2018
PRETENDING HE'S MINE is a happy read for me. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this book. It ticks all my boxes when it comes to romance novels:
- likeable and well formed characters in Julian and Ashley
- witty banter
- undeniable chemistry between the leads
- sub plots of functioning family dynamics and strong friendships
- memorable diverse secondary characters whose stories I want to read more of
- super hot sexy times
- multicultural/interracial reflecting the reality of the world we live in
- has depth and worthy message
The writing is so vivid I can see it play in my head like a movie. Five stars.
- likeable and well formed characters in Julian and Ashley
- witty banter
- undeniable chemistry between the leads
- sub plots of functioning family dynamics and strong friendships
- memorable diverse secondary characters whose stories I want to read more of
- super hot sexy times
- multicultural/interracial reflecting the reality of the world we live in
- has depth and worthy message
The writing is so vivid I can see it play in my head like a movie. Five stars.
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