What do you think?
Rate this book
Pretend #2
Pretend We're Over
I’m not looking for a date. I’m definitely not looking for a husband—just one night of passion. I’m in Vegas, after all. And what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
So how did I end up with a giant rock on that finger, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine.
Now I’m stuck fake married to the biggest self-centered jerk I’ve ever met. We agree to keep the charade going for six months to protect our pride and dignity. We have six months to convince everyone we aren’t meant to be. Should be easy.
I’m sweet, kind, fun Millie.
He’s cynical, self-absorbed, loner Sebastian.
We don’t belong together. Convincing everyone we’re married is the easy part. Convincing everyone we’re over—that’s proving more difficult. Convincing myself that we’re over is proving hardest yet.
I just have to remember that it was all pretend from the start. We were never together. Pretending we’re over is just going back to my life before. But what if I don’t want to keep pretending?
So how did I end up with a giant rock on that finger, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine.
Now I’m stuck fake married to the biggest self-centered jerk I’ve ever met. We agree to keep the charade going for six months to protect our pride and dignity. We have six months to convince everyone we aren’t meant to be. Should be easy.
I’m sweet, kind, fun Millie.
He’s cynical, self-absorbed, loner Sebastian.
We don’t belong together. Convincing everyone we’re married is the easy part. Convincing everyone we’re over—that’s proving more difficult. Convincing myself that we’re over is proving hardest yet.
I just have to remember that it was all pretend from the start. We were never together. Pretending we’re over is just going back to my life before. But what if I don’t want to keep pretending?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2020
139 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Ella Miles
82 books1,014 followersElla Miles writes sexy romance with strong females that could kick your butt if you piss them off, which they often do to the men that fall for them. She's currently living her own fairy tale near the Rocky Mountains with her high school sweetheart husband. Her heart is also taken by her goofy two year old black lab that is scared of everything, including her own shadow. Ella is the author of the Aligned series. Get a free book by visiting her website: EllaMiles.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 2, 2022
Making Deals Vegas-Style
4.5 stars .. A fun, hot, and interesting read! Millie is a spitfire. And Sebastian? Well, he's grown up since we last saw him but in many ways he's still that same guy from the latter part of the previous book. They play off each other well, being what the other needs - even if they don't realize it.
They may have forgotten their wedding night but they are on fire as they make up for it. And for as much as Sebastian and Kade think they aren't alike, they have a lot of similarities with their relationships - hospitals, stalkers, and poor communication for starters. They're also both pig-headed and really good at playing the role of a jerk.
I'm voluntarily leaving a review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
4.5 stars .. A fun, hot, and interesting read! Millie is a spitfire. And Sebastian? Well, he's grown up since we last saw him but in many ways he's still that same guy from the latter part of the previous book. They play off each other well, being what the other needs - even if they don't realize it.
They may have forgotten their wedding night but they are on fire as they make up for it. And for as much as Sebastian and Kade think they aren't alike, they have a lot of similarities with their relationships - hospitals, stalkers, and poor communication for starters. They're also both pig-headed and really good at playing the role of a jerk.
Her words are a lie. I know it, she knows I know it. But her words strike me. Like a blow from a sword, they weaken me. They may not be true for her, but they are true for me.
-- Sebastian King
I'm voluntarily leaving a review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
June 20, 2022
Pretend We're Over is Sebastian and Millie's story it was so good I could not put this book down!
This couple finds themselves in a honeymoon suite with wedding rings on their fingers and no memory of what happened. They pretend to be married and go on the already paid for honeymoon and try to figure out what to do next. They promise to pretend for 6 months and that's when things get complicated and not what each other wanted.
I love this couple the most as they were struggling and it felt so real and chaotic!
This couple finds themselves in a honeymoon suite with wedding rings on their fingers and no memory of what happened. They pretend to be married and go on the already paid for honeymoon and try to figure out what to do next. They promise to pretend for 6 months and that's when things get complicated and not what each other wanted.
I love this couple the most as they were struggling and it felt so real and chaotic!
Read
July 31, 2020Good grief.
When the writer is telling me what transpired versus showing me - literally from the first page? Yeah, no. Bugger off.
And maybe don't use the word 'fucked' in every other sentence. I have no qualms dropping the 'f' bomb myself - if the situation warrants it. But when the heroine has shown herself from page one to be foul-mouthed slag who can't handle her drink and makes stupid choices under the influence, I'm out.
Again, there is a thing called class. Look it up in the Oxford - perhaps look up some new words as your vocabulary seems to be quite limited.
No way in hell I'm wasting my time with a book that reads like it's written by a prepubescent lad whose mam needs to sit him down and swab his gob with a bar of Palmolive.
When the writer is telling me what transpired versus showing me - literally from the first page? Yeah, no. Bugger off.
And maybe don't use the word 'fucked' in every other sentence. I have no qualms dropping the 'f' bomb myself - if the situation warrants it. But when the heroine has shown herself from page one to be foul-mouthed slag who can't handle her drink and makes stupid choices under the influence, I'm out.
Again, there is a thing called class. Look it up in the Oxford - perhaps look up some new words as your vocabulary seems to be quite limited.
No way in hell I'm wasting my time with a book that reads like it's written by a prepubescent lad whose mam needs to sit him down and swab his gob with a bar of Palmolive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2022
This was the dumbest freaking book I have ever read. Seriously, it's low key enraging.
We have Millie and Sebastian who get drunkenly married in Vegas to make up for her friend not getting married, then they decide to fake it for 6 months. OH THE PLOT HOLES. Legit I'm so annoyed I can't even write this review.
Firstly, everything is smoothed over. K. Legit I was mad that I made it so far into this book because I didn't want to just give up after a certain point, but this was so freaking dumb.
I will say that while this did start off as potentially fat shaming, it really wasn't a theme so I was glad for that. In the end this book legit reads like a porno trying too hard to have a plot (tho the smut is nothing special). I don't really have a high bar for these romance novels but yikes the bar is on the ground and this barely clears. Do not waste your time. Why is this rated so highly!?
We have Millie and Sebastian who get drunkenly married in Vegas to make up for her friend not getting married, then they decide to fake it for 6 months. OH THE PLOT HOLES. Legit I'm so annoyed I can't even write this review.
Firstly, everything is smoothed over. K. Legit I was mad that I made it so far into this book because I didn't want to just give up after a certain point, but this was so freaking dumb.
I will say that while this did start off as potentially fat shaming, it really wasn't a theme so I was glad for that. In the end this book legit reads like a porno trying too hard to have a plot (tho the smut is nothing special). I don't really have a high bar for these romance novels but yikes the bar is on the ground and this barely clears. Do not waste your time. Why is this rated so highly!?
July 23, 2020
Sebastian And Millie’s Story Has It All – Great Tension, Steamy Scenes, A Fake Marriage, Adventure, Surprising Twists, Addiction, Family Drama, And A Few Tears.
This is book two of the Pretend series. Book one is the story of Kade King and Larkyn Day. Here, Sebastian King gets his own story with Millie Raine. It takes place a decade later, giving fans a peak at Kade and Larkyn in the future.
From Pretend I’m Yours (book one):
Kade And Larkyn's Story Has It All - Great Tension, Steamy Scenes, First Time, A Fake Marriage, Family Drama, And A Little Suspense!
Larkyn Day, twenty-two, is hoping to lose her virginity before graduating from UC Santa Barbara in a month. Her dreams of love and romance are over after her four years of dating produce nothing. Now she just wants to do the deed and get it over with. To that end, her bestie helps her sneak into the most exclusive party of the year, hosted by the most popular guy in their class, Sebastian King. Larkyn dresses up in hopes of blending in with the uber-wealthy in attendance. Never did she imagine that Sebastian himself would decide to make her his flavor du jour.
Kade King, roughly twenty-five, has one rule: never sleep with women from Santa Barbara. He graduated from Stanford four years ago, then took over running the family businesses he inherited. He is loaded, which means the stealthy single women of Santa Barbara want two things from him: a ring and an heir. They aren't terribly subtle about it, and he isn't interested in either. L.A. women are more understanding of his one date limit. Even if he did do love, Kade doesn’t have the time. He is too busy working nonstop or digging his younger brother Sebastian out of more trouble.
When Larkyn's latest attempt to lose it fails, she blames Sebastian's dark and mysterious brother Kade. She hates both King brothers. But as fate would have it, she later encounters Kade and reluctantly accepts that he is a nice person after all. Before she knows it, they become friends and he agrees to be her fake date at a dreaded family party. They soon after find themselves leaping into a fake marriage. Kade needs a layer of protection from the aggressive women of Santa Barbara, and Larkyn, who rejects financial assistance, would benefit greatly from the protection and respect that Kade's last name provides.
In Pretend We’re Over:
Sebastian King, roughly thirty-three, doesn’t believe in the institution of marriage. His brother Kade and sister-in-law Larkyn are the exception, of course. But Sebastian cannot afford to go down that road and make a mistake. He is always just one mistake away from going off the program. Even with over a decade of sobriety under his belt, he knows he will never be safe from falling back into addiction. He lives a regimented life. Routine keeps him clean. One of his rules is that he never sleeps with a woman more than once – for self-preservation. He has devoted his life to helping people like himself. He co-owns a non-profit with Larkyn, a wellness center for addiction and healing. But most people don’t know that side of him. To most, he is known as a jerk and relentless playboy.
He and Kade had been orphaned, and they hadn’t had a loving childhood beforehand. While his older brother Kade threw himself into running the family empire, Sebastian threw himself into drugs, alcohol, and women in his youth. He barely graduated from UC Santa Barbara without landing in jail for drunk driving. Today he understands his triggers. He mostly avoids bars, strip clubs, and similar temptations. But Boden, the last of his single friends, has asked him to be his best man. Sebastian is convinced the marriage will fail, but that is for Boden and his bride Oaklee to figure out on their own. The wedding is taking place in Las Vegas. How that setting might impact Sebastian isn’t something that occurs to Boden. Boden also doesn’t see the problem with having a joint bachelor and bachelorette party in a Vegas strip club, even though Sebastian attempts to point it out to him.
Millie Raine, thirty-two, has never had a one night stand. She has had several relationships, though, and mistakenly believed she was in love in the past but every relationship ended in heartbreak. As much as she tries, she still cannot shirk the last man in her life. She swore off men some time ago and doesn’t believe marriage is in the cards for her. With the exception of her best friend Oaklee and Boden, Oaklee’s boyfriend of five years, she doesn’t believe marriage is a good idea for anyone. She loves to be free. To travel. To live life doing what makes her happy.
When Sebastian and Millie awake in bed together in the honeymoon suite of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, neither has a memory of how they got there. But when they discover their matching rings, dread sinks in. To save face in front of their friends, they decide to play along and quietly divorce or get an annulment later. But Millie sees an opportunity to put some space between her and an ex that keeps pestering her, and Sebastian is surprisingly fine with giving her six months of a pretend marriage.
For fans of Pretend I’m Yours, it is wonderful to see Sebastian clean ten years later. He has matured, though he is somewhat cynical and the spark in his life is gone. He and Millie are an unlikely pair on the surface. He lives a rather dull life, full of routine. She lives a life full of spontaneity. He is neat, but she is a slob. Yet Millie is actually perfect for Sebastian. He had given up most things that made him feel good in order to stay clean, but Millie brings laughter and fun back into his life. They can only have one night together, per Sebastian’s rules, so the romantic tension builds. They have incredible chemistry together. As for Millie, she has self-image issues. Her past relationships left her feeling inadequate. Unmarriageable. She comes across as super self-confident – Sebastian calls her bossypants and loves it. But she developed that attitude to mask the darkness inside. Sebastian’s experience working in the wellness center gives him the tools necessary to help identify Millie’s underlying problem and to get her to feel safe opening up. As Sebastian and Millie grow closer over the course of their six month arrangement, neither wants to pretend anymore. But the possibility of a real future together is threatened by the secrets that they keep. The couple gets a beautiful happy for now ending!
Sebastian and Millie’s story has it all – great tension, steamy scenes, a fake marriage, adventure, surprising twists, addiction, family drama, and a few tears. The story is nicely written. The plot is somewhat complex, with surprising twists that come out of nowhere. The characters are nicely developed, particularly Sebastian’s character (which carries over from book one). The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Sebastian and Millie. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book two of the Pretend series. Book one is the story of Kade King and Larkyn Day. Here, Sebastian King gets his own story with Millie Raine. It takes place a decade later, giving fans a peak at Kade and Larkyn in the future.
From Pretend I’m Yours (book one):
Kade And Larkyn's Story Has It All - Great Tension, Steamy Scenes, First Time, A Fake Marriage, Family Drama, And A Little Suspense!
Larkyn Day, twenty-two, is hoping to lose her virginity before graduating from UC Santa Barbara in a month. Her dreams of love and romance are over after her four years of dating produce nothing. Now she just wants to do the deed and get it over with. To that end, her bestie helps her sneak into the most exclusive party of the year, hosted by the most popular guy in their class, Sebastian King. Larkyn dresses up in hopes of blending in with the uber-wealthy in attendance. Never did she imagine that Sebastian himself would decide to make her his flavor du jour.
Kade King, roughly twenty-five, has one rule: never sleep with women from Santa Barbara. He graduated from Stanford four years ago, then took over running the family businesses he inherited. He is loaded, which means the stealthy single women of Santa Barbara want two things from him: a ring and an heir. They aren't terribly subtle about it, and he isn't interested in either. L.A. women are more understanding of his one date limit. Even if he did do love, Kade doesn’t have the time. He is too busy working nonstop or digging his younger brother Sebastian out of more trouble.
When Larkyn's latest attempt to lose it fails, she blames Sebastian's dark and mysterious brother Kade. She hates both King brothers. But as fate would have it, she later encounters Kade and reluctantly accepts that he is a nice person after all. Before she knows it, they become friends and he agrees to be her fake date at a dreaded family party. They soon after find themselves leaping into a fake marriage. Kade needs a layer of protection from the aggressive women of Santa Barbara, and Larkyn, who rejects financial assistance, would benefit greatly from the protection and respect that Kade's last name provides.
In Pretend We’re Over:
Sebastian King, roughly thirty-three, doesn’t believe in the institution of marriage. His brother Kade and sister-in-law Larkyn are the exception, of course. But Sebastian cannot afford to go down that road and make a mistake. He is always just one mistake away from going off the program. Even with over a decade of sobriety under his belt, he knows he will never be safe from falling back into addiction. He lives a regimented life. Routine keeps him clean. One of his rules is that he never sleeps with a woman more than once – for self-preservation. He has devoted his life to helping people like himself. He co-owns a non-profit with Larkyn, a wellness center for addiction and healing. But most people don’t know that side of him. To most, he is known as a jerk and relentless playboy.
He and Kade had been orphaned, and they hadn’t had a loving childhood beforehand. While his older brother Kade threw himself into running the family empire, Sebastian threw himself into drugs, alcohol, and women in his youth. He barely graduated from UC Santa Barbara without landing in jail for drunk driving. Today he understands his triggers. He mostly avoids bars, strip clubs, and similar temptations. But Boden, the last of his single friends, has asked him to be his best man. Sebastian is convinced the marriage will fail, but that is for Boden and his bride Oaklee to figure out on their own. The wedding is taking place in Las Vegas. How that setting might impact Sebastian isn’t something that occurs to Boden. Boden also doesn’t see the problem with having a joint bachelor and bachelorette party in a Vegas strip club, even though Sebastian attempts to point it out to him.
Millie Raine, thirty-two, has never had a one night stand. She has had several relationships, though, and mistakenly believed she was in love in the past but every relationship ended in heartbreak. As much as she tries, she still cannot shirk the last man in her life. She swore off men some time ago and doesn’t believe marriage is in the cards for her. With the exception of her best friend Oaklee and Boden, Oaklee’s boyfriend of five years, she doesn’t believe marriage is a good idea for anyone. She loves to be free. To travel. To live life doing what makes her happy.
When Sebastian and Millie awake in bed together in the honeymoon suite of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, neither has a memory of how they got there. But when they discover their matching rings, dread sinks in. To save face in front of their friends, they decide to play along and quietly divorce or get an annulment later. But Millie sees an opportunity to put some space between her and an ex that keeps pestering her, and Sebastian is surprisingly fine with giving her six months of a pretend marriage.
For fans of Pretend I’m Yours, it is wonderful to see Sebastian clean ten years later. He has matured, though he is somewhat cynical and the spark in his life is gone. He and Millie are an unlikely pair on the surface. He lives a rather dull life, full of routine. She lives a life full of spontaneity. He is neat, but she is a slob. Yet Millie is actually perfect for Sebastian. He had given up most things that made him feel good in order to stay clean, but Millie brings laughter and fun back into his life. They can only have one night together, per Sebastian’s rules, so the romantic tension builds. They have incredible chemistry together. As for Millie, she has self-image issues. Her past relationships left her feeling inadequate. Unmarriageable. She comes across as super self-confident – Sebastian calls her bossypants and loves it. But she developed that attitude to mask the darkness inside. Sebastian’s experience working in the wellness center gives him the tools necessary to help identify Millie’s underlying problem and to get her to feel safe opening up. As Sebastian and Millie grow closer over the course of their six month arrangement, neither wants to pretend anymore. But the possibility of a real future together is threatened by the secrets that they keep. The couple gets a beautiful happy for now ending!
Sebastian and Millie’s story has it all – great tension, steamy scenes, a fake marriage, adventure, surprising twists, addiction, family drama, and a few tears. The story is nicely written. The plot is somewhat complex, with surprising twists that come out of nowhere. The characters are nicely developed, particularly Sebastian’s character (which carries over from book one). The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Sebastian and Millie. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2022
I have just 3 points to explain this book from my POV:
- MAJOR PLOT HOLES (Ridiculous ones)
- SLOW AF TO THE POINT NOTHING WORTHWHILE HAPPENED FOR 85% OF THE BOOK.
- I WOULD'VE DNF'D IF I DIDN'T HAVE IT IN PAPERBACK.
That's it.
- MAJOR PLOT HOLES (Ridiculous ones)
- SLOW AF TO THE POINT NOTHING WORTHWHILE HAPPENED FOR 85% OF THE BOOK.
- I WOULD'VE DNF'D IF I DIDN'T HAVE IT IN PAPERBACK.
That's it.
August 1, 2020
This was a wild adventure! Millie and Sebastian are in Las Vegas to attend their best friend's wedding. Unfortunately, the Maid of Honor and the Best Man can't stand each other. Millie tends to be a free spirit who doesn't let labels and rules stand in her way. Sebastian is a playboy who lives by a set of strict rules. The bride and groom wind up not getting married. And here it comes ….. Millie and Sebastian wake up to find they are and can't remember how that happened!! Ella Miles takes us through a plethora of emotions in this book. It was well written and the entire premise was one that sucked me in and kept me entertained throughout the story.
July 13, 2020
Ella Miles gives us a fake marriage romance story of secrets, lies, attraction, twists, great chemistry, funny moments, forgiveness, plenty of heat and a happily ever after.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
August 4, 2020
Steamy and delightfully engaging and so well written that truly shows that opposites do attract and attract well. Loved everything about this story and then some.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 2, 2020
Probably had enough of these "Pretend" stories I think.
Although this one was a little different.
Quite a good story.
Although this one was a little different.
Quite a good story.
July 14, 2020
**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
I had really high hopes for this one but it fell a little short for me.
I loved the first two chapters. Their meet-cute was awkward yet steamy and laced with great chemistry between Millie and Sebastian.
But the rest of the book just ran hot and cold for me. Like the original, this story is always adding layer upon layer to itself and you really don't know how it is all going to wrap up until the end. It makes it addicting to read.
Yet in the same breath, I thought some things in the plot didn't add up completely upon the big reveal(s). I think part of my issue was that the characters seemed to be all over the place for me. I just couldn't get a solid grasp on who they were as people since their thoughts and actions were a little all over the place. It just lacked some consistency and polish for me.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-3kJ
Actual Rating: 3/5
I had really high hopes for this one but it fell a little short for me.
I loved the first two chapters. Their meet-cute was awkward yet steamy and laced with great chemistry between Millie and Sebastian.
But the rest of the book just ran hot and cold for me. Like the original, this story is always adding layer upon layer to itself and you really don't know how it is all going to wrap up until the end. It makes it addicting to read.
Yet in the same breath, I thought some things in the plot didn't add up completely upon the big reveal(s). I think part of my issue was that the characters seemed to be all over the place for me. I just couldn't get a solid grasp on who they were as people since their thoughts and actions were a little all over the place. It just lacked some consistency and polish for me.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-3kJ
Actual Rating: 3/5
October 5, 2020
I am a sucker for the pretend we're a couple trope. I was super into the story line in Pretend We're Over up until the last few chapters.
There were some inconsistencies in the story that bothered me. One moment she's cooking dinner and the next she wasn't. It was a little weird. He’s an addict. He has a lot of inner monolog about it, but it was like it was no big deal. There are also a million different ways to portray the characters wanting to hump like rabbits without using the word fuck every single time. Thesauruses are a thing... I was willing to overlook all the little things just because the story is my favorite trope, but they bare mentioning. In any other story line the little things would have driven me crazy.
Like I said, I was super into the story line until the end. Then everything unraveled. The reason the characters couldn't be together was flimsy. Neither of them remembers what went down the night they got married, but neither of them was drunk enough to black out when they made their marriage plans. The end negated the whole story line!
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
There were some inconsistencies in the story that bothered me. One moment she's cooking dinner and the next she wasn't. It was a little weird. He’s an addict. He has a lot of inner monolog about it, but it was like it was no big deal. There are also a million different ways to portray the characters wanting to hump like rabbits without using the word fuck every single time. Thesauruses are a thing... I was willing to overlook all the little things just because the story is my favorite trope, but they bare mentioning. In any other story line the little things would have driven me crazy.
Like I said, I was super into the story line until the end. Then everything unraveled. The reason the characters couldn't be together was flimsy. Neither of them remembers what went down the night they got married, but neither of them was drunk enough to black out when they made their marriage plans. The end negated the whole story line!
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
January 15, 2022
The story started promising, but despite the great chemistry between the leads, the witty banters here and there, and the events that moved the story along, I couldn't help feeling stuck, like the story wasn't moving fast enough, nor the itch to know what happened and how did the leads end up married. And lo and behold, when I finally got there, I was disappointed. Not because the revelation didn't measure up to the build up throughout the whole story, but because it seemed to me that the author either wasn't keeping tabs on her story and the events so far, or because she had something in mind initially, but halfway through (or near the end) she changed her mind, wanting to make things more dramatic, but didn't bother revising the story to adapt it to the newer version because there was no way I (or anyone with the most basic common sense) could fit in the forgotten night revealed only by the end with the beginning of the story.
August 5, 2020
Millie’s best friend, Oakley, is marrying Sebastian’s best friend, Boden, in Las Vegas with their friends all attending. Millie and Sebastian are strangers who meet at the co-ed bachelor’s party. Oakley encourages Millie to flirt with Sebastian, but when she approaches him, he is telling Boden that he thinks Millie must be pregnant. Millie is taken aback by his rude remark! She knows she is a voluptuous woman, but her waist isn’t that big! She is thoroughly embarrassed and let’s him know what an asshat he is. Only thing is, Sebastian assumes she was pregnant because she wasn’t drinking alcohol. He actually thinks she is a gorgeous, free-spirited little minx. After Oakley catches Boden cheating on her at the party, she knows Sebastian has encouraged him to do it. After all, he is a wealthy confirmed bachelor who only does one night stands. At the wedding the next day, Oakley refuses to say “I do” and runs away from the chapel, ending up in the limo. Millie thinks she has gotten sick and tells all the guests that she has, but as she runs after Oakley, with Sebastian and Boden following closely behind, she finds her in the limo with the champagne bottle, ready to get drunk. It’s time for a little powwow!
When Millie wakes up with a hangover the following morning, she discovers herself in bed with Sebastian, and they are both naked as the day they were born. Sebastian wakes up, moaning and holding his head, when he discovers Millie in bed with him, only they are in the room Oakley was staying in. They both have no clue what has transpired in their drunken state, but Millie is sporting a huge rock on her left ring finger! They agree to pretend to be happily married for six months and then get divorced, remaining good friends, but they also agree to absolutely NO sex, even if they don’t remember consummating their marriage. However, they both have secrets they are hiding and those secrets can be their total undoing!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Millie wakes up with a hangover the following morning, she discovers herself in bed with Sebastian, and they are both naked as the day they were born. Sebastian wakes up, moaning and holding his head, when he discovers Millie in bed with him, only they are in the room Oakley was staying in. They both have no clue what has transpired in their drunken state, but Millie is sporting a huge rock on her left ring finger! They agree to pretend to be happily married for six months and then get divorced, remaining good friends, but they also agree to absolutely NO sex, even if they don’t remember consummating their marriage. However, they both have secrets they are hiding and those secrets can be their total undoing!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2020
Whirlwind of unknowns
Pretend We're Over by Ella Miles is a very well written romance that took me by storm. Millie is equal parts adorable, quirky, free spirited and accident prone to Sebastian's serious, regimented, ordered and control. These two together seem to bring out the best in each other despite their denials and objections.
The plot in this book continually build anticipation and the author keeps the reader guessing, revealing little bits and pieces of these characters at key moments throughout the book. Needless to say, these two have a sort of bad rap without a clear understanding of why which only adds to the anticipation of the conclusion at the book's end.
Overall, a great story with just enough suspense within and "unintentional" romance amid the heat; Millie and Sebastian turn it up to supernova on both counts. Best of all, despite the turmoil, misunderstandings and deception all ends well in a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily share my review.
Pretend We're Over by Ella Miles is a very well written romance that took me by storm. Millie is equal parts adorable, quirky, free spirited and accident prone to Sebastian's serious, regimented, ordered and control. These two together seem to bring out the best in each other despite their denials and objections.
The plot in this book continually build anticipation and the author keeps the reader guessing, revealing little bits and pieces of these characters at key moments throughout the book. Needless to say, these two have a sort of bad rap without a clear understanding of why which only adds to the anticipation of the conclusion at the book's end.
Overall, a great story with just enough suspense within and "unintentional" romance amid the heat; Millie and Sebastian turn it up to supernova on both counts. Best of all, despite the turmoil, misunderstandings and deception all ends well in a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily share my review.
August 1, 2020
Millie Raine and Sebastian King are as different as two people can be. They wake up in Vegas married and can’t even remember the glorious details! To save face in front of their friends, they decide to play along and stay married for 6 months and they can figure out how to convince people why their “marriage” failed as they end it. The problem is, their differences may be too great to be able to do that. Sebastian is a loner, following his own set of rules, regimented, one-night stands only, because he never wanted to be married. Millie is adventurous, carefree, and spontaneous.
What looked like a problem, may just be the best thing for both of them, however. Sebastian had given up most things that made him feel good in order to stay clean from his youthful addictions, but Millie makes him happy and brings fun into his too-serious life. Is it enough so that by the end of the 6 months they might not want to end the marriage? Grab your copy and see how things work out for two very opposite types who try to find a HEA of love and trust.
What looked like a problem, may just be the best thing for both of them, however. Sebastian had given up most things that made him feel good in order to stay clean from his youthful addictions, but Millie makes him happy and brings fun into his too-serious life. Is it enough so that by the end of the 6 months they might not want to end the marriage? Grab your copy and see how things work out for two very opposite types who try to find a HEA of love and trust.
August 1, 2020
Ok so the beginning was hard for me to get into but after that it was too good to stop reading. Millie and Sebastian are in Vegas at their friend’s bachelorette/bachelor party. Things start off rough. Thanks to some misunderstandings Sebastian thinks Millie is pregnant and Millie thinks Sebastian called her fat. The friend’s wedding doesn’t happen but the next morning Millie and Sebastian finds themselves married and with no memories about any of it. They go on their friend’s honeymoon in Hawaii and make a plan to pretend they are married for six months and then end things. After lots of adventures and moments they start falling for each other. When memories and the expiration day come up they have to decide if their fake marriage is worth saving. It’s a really good book. The characters are very real and flawed. They learn and grow a lot together. Their story is so good and very hard to stop reading. It’s steamy, it’s got real issues, it’s an HEA and really worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2021
Highly implausible....and I loved it!
Just get over the fact that all of this was so implausible and enjoy the story. Its like having a dream, things don't make sense but you go with it and pretend that girls that get hit with cars on the verge of death having broken many bones in their body including their ankle as a serious runner can stand without physical therapy after 2 weeks and show up to a party with minimal issues. Like seriously, people can't even recover from concussions in 2 weeks like this was really stretching it.
But the story was sweet and the love felt real. The flimsy characters still portrayed potent feelings that reached me and convinced me nonetheless. Its a sort of haters to lovers kinda story where they hate and love each other at the same time and constantly hurt each other, but it's not really overdone. I normally hate this trope but this one didn't bother me as much for whatever reason.
This book does cover topics such as rape and alcohol addiction, so serious trigger warnings. All in all, I enjoyed reading this story! 4/5
Just get over the fact that all of this was so implausible and enjoy the story. Its like having a dream, things don't make sense but you go with it and pretend that girls that get hit with cars on the verge of death having broken many bones in their body including their ankle as a serious runner can stand without physical therapy after 2 weeks and show up to a party with minimal issues. Like seriously, people can't even recover from concussions in 2 weeks like this was really stretching it.
But the story was sweet and the love felt real. The flimsy characters still portrayed potent feelings that reached me and convinced me nonetheless. Its a sort of haters to lovers kinda story where they hate and love each other at the same time and constantly hurt each other, but it's not really overdone. I normally hate this trope but this one didn't bother me as much for whatever reason.
This book does cover topics such as rape and alcohol addiction, so serious trigger warnings. All in all, I enjoyed reading this story! 4/5
July 12, 2020
Sebastian is a reformed bad boy and he wakes up with Millie, the girl he called fat the night before at the rehearsal dinner of a friend that's getting married. The worst part, they've each got rings on their fingers and don't remember anything about the night before. They go on the honeymoon and they are the worst couple ever, so many things happen to them, it's like a tornado swerving through a neighborhood and they are both directly in it's path. Ms. Miles has a way of weaving the story so you are thinking one thing, but it's exactly the opposite to what is actually happening. I really was rooting for Sebastian due to his previous role in Pretend I'm Yours, the first chapter. It's a roller coaster and you want some people to get thrown out of the the coaster car.
I had a great smile on my face when the story was over. You won't be disappointed. I received this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had a great smile on my face when the story was over. You won't be disappointed. I received this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2020
Elle Miles is one of my favorite authors, I have yet to be disappointed with any of her books that I have read. This one was awesome. A well written storyline and captivating characters. Sebastian and Millie are the best man and maid of honor at their friends wedding when all h@ll breaks out when the bride runs out of the Church. Sebastian is a recovered alcoholic and addict having been sober and drug free for 10 years. He’s a complex man with a strict regimented schedule to help him with his sobriety. Millie is a wild spontaneous young woman with plenty of curves. When Millie and Sebastian wake up together in the honeymoon suite—married— neither can remember the night or the wedding. They agree to stay married for 6 months and then they will divorce but is it really fake or something more! There’s humor, drama, twists and turns and surprises along the way. Loved this read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 21, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "PRETEND WE'RE OVER" Millie Raine heads to Vegas to be in her BF Oaklee's wedding as maid of honor and Sebastian King is Best Man their very attracted to one another which leads to hot a steamy night.
Millie and Raine don't remember much from the night before other than trying to keep their friends together the wedding for them didn't happen but apparently it did for them.
Oaklee's arranged a honeymoon for both Millie and Sebastian they agreed to stay married for 6mos to save face then let everyone think it didn't work out but their time spent together was better than they taught it would be.
I definitely recommend to get this quirky funny sassy book with twists, hot steamy scenes, with some secrets that get revealed you'll love these characters so much it's a delightful read from beginning to end a must have for sure.
Millie and Raine don't remember much from the night before other than trying to keep their friends together the wedding for them didn't happen but apparently it did for them.
Oaklee's arranged a honeymoon for both Millie and Sebastian they agreed to stay married for 6mos to save face then let everyone think it didn't work out but their time spent together was better than they taught it would be.
I definitely recommend to get this quirky funny sassy book with twists, hot steamy scenes, with some secrets that get revealed you'll love these characters so much it's a delightful read from beginning to end a must have for sure.
July 29, 2020
Ella Miles has earned a place on my list of must read authors with PRETEND WE’RE OVER. Clever plot twists and great character development aside, I can’t think of a romance book guy this year that tugged my heart more than Sebastian. He keeps his well cultivated uncaring jerk persona close to the surface, but when the right time comes along it is so easy to fall in love with him.
Millie is the free spirit, adventurous and caring person we’d all love a chance to be. What resides in the layers of her life are cleverly crafted. Learning her secrets will be one of the things that entices you to keep reading the story.
So, read this book. See if you can resist shedding a few tears when you find out more about each of these characters. Read it and enjoy a steamy but incredibly romantic story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Millie is the free spirit, adventurous and caring person we’d all love a chance to be. What resides in the layers of her life are cleverly crafted. Learning her secrets will be one of the things that entices you to keep reading the story.
So, read this book. See if you can resist shedding a few tears when you find out more about each of these characters. Read it and enjoy a steamy but incredibly romantic story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2020
4 1/2 Stars!
The whole Las Vegas, married after a drunken night with memory loss has been made into a genre in itself, but I have to say that this author did it best.
The storyline was sweet and fast paced with enough drama and buildup that I was rooting for Millie and Sebastian's HEA from the very beginning. The author did a great job with keeping the mystery of their marriage and the events that led to it alive from start to finish. Sebastian's growing feelings for Millie and the outrageous scenes where they started to bond made for a super entertaining read.
I loved the twist at the end along with the lack of cheating, and the real romance that grew between these two sincere but seemingly mismatched couple. Sweet the way the author had them fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The whole Las Vegas, married after a drunken night with memory loss has been made into a genre in itself, but I have to say that this author did it best.
The storyline was sweet and fast paced with enough drama and buildup that I was rooting for Millie and Sebastian's HEA from the very beginning. The author did a great job with keeping the mystery of their marriage and the events that led to it alive from start to finish. Sebastian's growing feelings for Millie and the outrageous scenes where they started to bond made for a super entertaining read.
I loved the twist at the end along with the lack of cheating, and the real romance that grew between these two sincere but seemingly mismatched couple. Sweet the way the author had them fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2020
Excellent "unwanted marriage"
I liked both the way events are brought and the fact that the past of the two heroes is heavy enough to force them to make draconian choices. But this roamnce which seems to be a simple romance with an alcoholic marriage, is very surprising, unpredictable for a long part of the story, with reversals and more complex sides. It's excellent from the firts page to the last one, and I really liked the way the reader's gaze is diverted. It's very well written, hot, with great characters: Millie who seems so innocent and terrified of one of her exes, and Sebastian, who formally opposes to marriage, who appears to be very arrogant, rude and who is a former addict, but who finds himself pushed beyond the limits that he should allows to himself by events.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I liked both the way events are brought and the fact that the past of the two heroes is heavy enough to force them to make draconian choices. But this roamnce which seems to be a simple romance with an alcoholic marriage, is very surprising, unpredictable for a long part of the story, with reversals and more complex sides. It's excellent from the firts page to the last one, and I really liked the way the reader's gaze is diverted. It's very well written, hot, with great characters: Millie who seems so innocent and terrified of one of her exes, and Sebastian, who formally opposes to marriage, who appears to be very arrogant, rude and who is a former addict, but who finds himself pushed beyond the limits that he should allows to himself by events.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
August 14, 2020
Can a fake relationship become real if they both want it to succeed?
by sewsummore
I have been a fan of Ella Miles writing after reading one of her series. This book is a stand-alone romance but still has all the elements I have come to expect from her books. There was the usual drama as well as the smoking hot bedroom scenes together with the unexpected twists that I have come to expect and love so much. Millie and Sebastion had a connection in this book that was hard to fake. The chemistry between them was intense and electric while the conversations between added to my enjoyment of this story but, it was the genuine and honest care that they showed for each other in times of stress that made me remember and love this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
by sewsummore
I have been a fan of Ella Miles writing after reading one of her series. This book is a stand-alone romance but still has all the elements I have come to expect from her books. There was the usual drama as well as the smoking hot bedroom scenes together with the unexpected twists that I have come to expect and love so much. Millie and Sebastion had a connection in this book that was hard to fake. The chemistry between them was intense and electric while the conversations between added to my enjoyment of this story but, it was the genuine and honest care that they showed for each other in times of stress that made me remember and love this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 22, 2022
Another new and clever twist on the fake marriage story or was it fake? When a hungover Maid of Honor, Millie wakes up beside a naked, Best Man Sebastian, they both realize they can't remember what happened. They decide to continue to farce especially when they are forced to go on the honeymoon that Millie's best friend was supposed to go on. Honeymoons are supposed to be the romantic catalyst for the rest of the lives for two people who are in love not so much for Millie and Sebastian. Their time together during this marriage is spent trying to avoid, but not succeeding falling in love. Can some hurtful and damaging information that comes to light once they are finally ready to admit they belong together keep them from their HEA? This story is full of surprises, and I loved reading each and every page.
June 23, 2020
Usually what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas - but what happens this time is a surprise to the Maid of Honor and the Best Man. They wake up the morning after the 'wedding' and have no idea how they ended up married.
Sebastian and Millie are quite attracted to each other - so they decide to have a week together, and see how they get along, and try and figure out what the heck happened and how to deal with the fallout.
They do spend a fun filled week together in Hawaii, with some funny mishaps, and some near fatal adventures, but, the time has come for them to go home and face their family and friends.
They have a plan - they hope everyone won't see through it, and if they, themselves, can go along with their plan. Expect the unexpected for sure.
Sebastian and Millie are quite attracted to each other - so they decide to have a week together, and see how they get along, and try and figure out what the heck happened and how to deal with the fallout.
They do spend a fun filled week together in Hawaii, with some funny mishaps, and some near fatal adventures, but, the time has come for them to go home and face their family and friends.
They have a plan - they hope everyone won't see through it, and if they, themselves, can go along with their plan. Expect the unexpected for sure.
July 14, 2020
Well, you all know the saying “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” well, sometimes that’s just not the case. Sebastian and Millie are the Best Man and Maid of Honor at a friends wedding, they are like oil and water, do not mix, they don’t like each other, and want nothing to do with each other. Well that is until said friend sets them up and the next thing you know somehow they wake up married. This author takes us on a fun rollercoaster ride filled with secrets, lies and so much more. Sebastian and Millie have chemistry, a spark and the attraction is undeniable, why not see how this works out? Right? What could go wrong? I’ll leave it right there for you. No spoilers, amazing, fun read you don’t want to miss out on. I received a copy of this book.
July 21, 2020
I really enjoyed the storyline with this book. You have Millie and Sebastian who seem to be polar opposites, after one supposedly drunken night, they awake to find themselves Married! Neither have any recollection of how or what happened. This was a highly entertaining read, the banter and chemistry between the main characters was off the charts. However this said i didn't like the supporting characters much and i found the later reveals a bit inconsistent, which i cant explain in full without giving away spoilers, what i will also say is that none of that detracted from the story at all and it was still a really enjoyable read hence the four stars!
I would highly recommend this author and story!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
I would highly recommend this author and story!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
July 21, 2020
This story was… unexpected. Or at least the ending was. Similar to his brother’s book, Sebastian and Millie spend half their time trying to convince everyone else they’re madly in love with one another and the other half trying to convince each other they aren’t. This book was all anger and angst and steam. The story sucked me in with every tiny piece of themselves they disclosed. However, the big revelations leading up to the end weren’t quite what I thought they would be, and that left me a little disappointed. Maybe it was because I was so invested in my own pet theories that I couldn’t embrace the author’s vision. But in the end, I loved the way everything worked out.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews