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Accidental Honeymoon
Would you marry a woman you hate for a life-changing inheritance?
Monica’s business has been hit hard by a global recession, her ex-girlfriend is selling the house out from under her, and the hot handy ma’am, Ray, who was hired to fix up the place, turns out to be the most annoying woman on the planet. Could things get any worse?
All Ray wants is to finish her job and say adios to the world’s most high-maintenance client. But after being mistaken for Monica’s girlfriend, how can Ray walk away when going along with the charade would grant an old lady her dying wish? It’s not like Ray intended to be so charming that Monica’s grandmother would rewrite her will.
Now the unlikely couple stands to inherit a vineyard in rural New England and a heap of cash large enough to change both their lives. The only hitch? They have to get hitched. And since Monica is a professional wedding blogger, they’ll have to make it the wedding of the century while convincing two million followers they’re madly in love.
No problem, aside from the simple fact that they can’t stand each other. There’s a good chance the whole thing could end in disaster, but is it possible these enemies might find true love along the way?
Monica’s business has been hit hard by a global recession, her ex-girlfriend is selling the house out from under her, and the hot handy ma’am, Ray, who was hired to fix up the place, turns out to be the most annoying woman on the planet. Could things get any worse?
All Ray wants is to finish her job and say adios to the world’s most high-maintenance client. But after being mistaken for Monica’s girlfriend, how can Ray walk away when going along with the charade would grant an old lady her dying wish? It’s not like Ray intended to be so charming that Monica’s grandmother would rewrite her will.
Now the unlikely couple stands to inherit a vineyard in rural New England and a heap of cash large enough to change both their lives. The only hitch? They have to get hitched. And since Monica is a professional wedding blogger, they’ll have to make it the wedding of the century while convincing two million followers they’re madly in love.
No problem, aside from the simple fact that they can’t stand each other. There’s a good chance the whole thing could end in disaster, but is it possible these enemies might find true love along the way?
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2020
278 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read
About the author
Miranda MacLeod
40 books463 followersOriginally from southern California, Miranda now lives in New England and writes heartfelt romances and romantic comedies featuring witty and charmingly flawed women that you'll want to marry. Or just grab a coffee with, if that's more your thing. Before becoming a writer, she spent way too many years in graduate school, worked in professional theater and film, and held temp jobs in just about every office building in downtown Boston. To find out about her upcoming releases, be sure to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
November 12, 2020
"Oh Petunia, we're in trouble!" Hashtag #PantyWedding
A hilariously convoluted story of faux-romance, and hijinks. Two opposites end up with far more in common than they originally thought, and their chemistry is sizzling.
The quippy dialogue and blunt honesty each character utilized is endearing and amusing - you can't help but have a big goofy smile on your face the entire time!
The fact they try to deny their attraction is frustrating as heck. Both characters are vulnerable and flawed, yet fit perfectly. You really end up rooting for them in the HEA they both try to sabotage.
My only complaint is I wanted more. I would love to check in with this couple again sometime!
A perfect rom-com kindle unlimited read, I highly recommend!
A hilariously convoluted story of faux-romance, and hijinks. Two opposites end up with far more in common than they originally thought, and their chemistry is sizzling.
The quippy dialogue and blunt honesty each character utilized is endearing and amusing - you can't help but have a big goofy smile on your face the entire time!
The fact they try to deny their attraction is frustrating as heck. Both characters are vulnerable and flawed, yet fit perfectly. You really end up rooting for them in the HEA they both try to sabotage.
My only complaint is I wanted more. I would love to check in with this couple again sometime!
A perfect rom-com kindle unlimited read, I highly recommend!
March 12, 2021
I'm in love with my first audiobook.
I have always been hesitant about audiobooks until Jude recommended this one to me to start with. She's right about it being a good one and I'm so glad Lori Prince is my first because she livened the story up and made it twice as humourous.
I love the characters so much. The way Ray was brought to life by Prince is amazing. I never understood the obsession with women in toolbelts so I'm not sure I would have fully appreciated handy ma'am Ray as much if I had read the book instead. But Ray caught my attention right from the start and ended up being my favourite character because of her humour, thoughtfulness and selflessness. As for Monica, she is constantly called a princess. I'm not sure if she is but she isn't spoilt. She has standards stemming from her upper middle class upbringing and social media influencer party planner career and that's fine with me.
I love fauxmances so I like how the story goes - from bickering individuals to fake fiancees planning a fake wedding and then more. Monica and Ray are so different in character and background but the banter is so fun to hear. They both have insecurities that resulted in some miscommunication and I can hear their vulnerability in the narration but I love how they support and protect each other.
MacLeod did an excellent job putting the romance together and Prince did an equally wonderful job bringing it to life.
I have always been hesitant about audiobooks until Jude recommended this one to me to start with. She's right about it being a good one and I'm so glad Lori Prince is my first because she livened the story up and made it twice as humourous.
I love the characters so much. The way Ray was brought to life by Prince is amazing. I never understood the obsession with women in toolbelts so I'm not sure I would have fully appreciated handy ma'am Ray as much if I had read the book instead. But Ray caught my attention right from the start and ended up being my favourite character because of her humour, thoughtfulness and selflessness. As for Monica, she is constantly called a princess. I'm not sure if she is but she isn't spoilt. She has standards stemming from her upper middle class upbringing and social media influencer party planner career and that's fine with me.
I love fauxmances so I like how the story goes - from bickering individuals to fake fiancees planning a fake wedding and then more. Monica and Ray are so different in character and background but the banter is so fun to hear. They both have insecurities that resulted in some miscommunication and I can hear their vulnerability in the narration but I love how they support and protect each other.
MacLeod did an excellent job putting the romance together and Prince did an equally wonderful job bringing it to life.
February 24, 2021
Almost every time I read a book by Miranda MacLeod, I’m surprised that they make me laugh. Maybe it’s time I stop being surprised and embrace the fact that she is funny. If you like romcoms, you’ll love this book. And Lori Prince is the perfect narrator for it.
It wouldn’t take much effort for Monica to see her girlfriend dumping her as a blessing in disguise. If only said girlfriend, who had agreed to allow Monica to stay in the house they shared (in exchange for rent), hadn’t decided to sell the house without letting Monica know. No wonder Monica isn’t overjoyed when “handy ma’am” Ray arrives to start work in the house. Their first encounter is full of fire, not all of the lusty kind. At first sight, Monica could be mistaken for a princess. She looks and sounds high maintenance, everything Ray tends to run away from. Yet when Monica asks her to pretend to be her girlfriend and visit her dying grandmother with her, Ray surprises both herself and Monica by accepting. Ray and Monica turn out to be so talented at this fake girlfriend gig that Monica’s grandmother rewrites her will: if they get married, they’ll inherit a vineyard and enough money to make a real difference in their lives.
I love a good fauxmance novel, because everything that can go wrong will and because the author has to work even harder to make the falling in love credible. Miranda MacLeod makes even the lack of communication seem unavoidable. While very different, Monica and Ray share two characteristics: they’re stubborn and they’re insecure. Even when it’s obvious to them that the other lusts after them, they can’t believe they would want a real relationship. They spend so much time fighting their growing feelings that they can’t see the other is struggling just as much. It could be annoying but it’s actually very sweet and that’s because the characters are so endearing.
For some reason, for once, I don’t really have the words to explain why I enjoyed this story so much. It’s enchanting. It made me happy, it made me smile, it made me chuckle, it made my heart squeeze then warm up. It was the perfect counterbalance to Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley, which I was reading at the same time and loved too in a totally different way. Accidental Honeymoon brought back the air Must Love Silence was making it difficult to breathe in. It grounded me, which, for a story set in a vineyard, sounds especially fitting.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It wouldn’t take much effort for Monica to see her girlfriend dumping her as a blessing in disguise. If only said girlfriend, who had agreed to allow Monica to stay in the house they shared (in exchange for rent), hadn’t decided to sell the house without letting Monica know. No wonder Monica isn’t overjoyed when “handy ma’am” Ray arrives to start work in the house. Their first encounter is full of fire, not all of the lusty kind. At first sight, Monica could be mistaken for a princess. She looks and sounds high maintenance, everything Ray tends to run away from. Yet when Monica asks her to pretend to be her girlfriend and visit her dying grandmother with her, Ray surprises both herself and Monica by accepting. Ray and Monica turn out to be so talented at this fake girlfriend gig that Monica’s grandmother rewrites her will: if they get married, they’ll inherit a vineyard and enough money to make a real difference in their lives.
I love a good fauxmance novel, because everything that can go wrong will and because the author has to work even harder to make the falling in love credible. Miranda MacLeod makes even the lack of communication seem unavoidable. While very different, Monica and Ray share two characteristics: they’re stubborn and they’re insecure. Even when it’s obvious to them that the other lusts after them, they can’t believe they would want a real relationship. They spend so much time fighting their growing feelings that they can’t see the other is struggling just as much. It could be annoying but it’s actually very sweet and that’s because the characters are so endearing.
For some reason, for once, I don’t really have the words to explain why I enjoyed this story so much. It’s enchanting. It made me happy, it made me smile, it made me chuckle, it made my heart squeeze then warm up. It was the perfect counterbalance to Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley, which I was reading at the same time and loved too in a totally different way. Accidental Honeymoon brought back the air Must Love Silence was making it difficult to breathe in. It grounded me, which, for a story set in a vineyard, sounds especially fitting.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 19, 2020
Monica, the event planner and Instagram influencer with 1 million followers would have never dreamed of falling in love with Ray the craftswoman. It took some time to get there, but their journey is very entertaining. Fake relationship and enemies to lovers all in one, Miranda MacLeod created wonderfully stubborn, loving, insecure, and sympathetic characters. I loved the dialogues, the humor, the banter, and also the women's willingness to try new things, and ultimately follow their hearts.
I liked how two strangers who barely know each other, but have a lot of prejudices and can't stand each other to death, are forced to work together by unconventional circumstances. It's hardly a problem to pretend to be a loving couple to strangers, but when it's your own mother you have to convince, it gets difficult. During this time they learn to really see each other, to get closer, and to appreciate the work the other one does. The feelings change, the attraction grows, but admitting to yourself that there is more is difficult when you think you are the only one with strong feelings.
I'm pretty happy not to have married into a Greek family, since it's obviously not possible to have a small wedding ceremony, let alone be able to pronounce their names. Ray's Panty-topless was the best and hilarious way to name her. I loved everything about the winery, the farmer's market, and the community and how everyone can help and positively impact each other. I would love to live in that community.
A light and entertaining story about family and belonging, grabbing opportunities, working hard, and daring to risk your heart. As my brain is occupied with worry for my mother's health and I'm very busy at work, this sweet and funny romance, with only a little bit of drama, was exactly the perfect book for me.
My rating 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
I liked how two strangers who barely know each other, but have a lot of prejudices and can't stand each other to death, are forced to work together by unconventional circumstances. It's hardly a problem to pretend to be a loving couple to strangers, but when it's your own mother you have to convince, it gets difficult. During this time they learn to really see each other, to get closer, and to appreciate the work the other one does. The feelings change, the attraction grows, but admitting to yourself that there is more is difficult when you think you are the only one with strong feelings.
I'm pretty happy not to have married into a Greek family, since it's obviously not possible to have a small wedding ceremony, let alone be able to pronounce their names. Ray's Panty-topless was the best and hilarious way to name her. I loved everything about the winery, the farmer's market, and the community and how everyone can help and positively impact each other. I would love to live in that community.
A light and entertaining story about family and belonging, grabbing opportunities, working hard, and daring to risk your heart. As my brain is occupied with worry for my mother's health and I'm very busy at work, this sweet and funny romance, with only a little bit of drama, was exactly the perfect book for me.
My rating 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
November 11, 2020
4.75 Star - a delightfully funny rom-com
You guys! I 100% want this book made into a movie. In fact, I urge you to read it like you watching a really fun enemies to lovers hallmark (but better) rom-com. There were, for me, several legit laughing out loud moments in the beginning of the book. The plot is fun and interesting, the MCs interactions kept me hooked. Everything does come together a bit too perfectly though and that's where picturing it as a hallmark movie kept it in the sweet spot for me. DO NOT OVER ANALYZE IT. Just go with it and I guarantee you will have a good time. I was smiling my fool head off through most of it and I could not put the stupid thing down.
You guys! I 100% want this book made into a movie. In fact, I urge you to read it like you watching a really fun enemies to lovers hallmark (but better) rom-com. There were, for me, several legit laughing out loud moments in the beginning of the book. The plot is fun and interesting, the MCs interactions kept me hooked. Everything does come together a bit too perfectly though and that's where picturing it as a hallmark movie kept it in the sweet spot for me. DO NOT OVER ANALYZE IT. Just go with it and I guarantee you will have a good time. I was smiling my fool head off through most of it and I could not put the stupid thing down.
March 22, 2021
Review of Accidental Honeymoon by Miranda Macleod, Audiobook narrated by Lori Prince
This was an entertaining opposites-attract, fake romance between a wedding planner and a "handyma'am" who need to get married in order to receive a life-changing inheritance. But what they weren't expecting was that their lives were going to be changed by not only money but true love...
This book reminded me of the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding because one of the main characters is of Greek descent and, like in the movie, there is a big wedding planned with a lot of family interference. The author handles all this with a heavy dose of humour, wit and banter.
The story starts with antagonism between the leads which slowly develops into mutual attraction thanks to the excellent chemistry that Ms. Macleod builds between them. The beautiful setting of a vineyard in Massachusetts and a very eclectic cast of secondary characters make the story very enjoyable.
Lori Prince narrated the audiobook, a fantastic choice as she has a very good comedy timing. As usual, her voices are distinct and the pace is spot on. If you are looking for a fun and romantic audiobook, this is a great choice. With 10 hours duration, it's good value for money too. 4.5 stars.
This was an entertaining opposites-attract, fake romance between a wedding planner and a "handyma'am" who need to get married in order to receive a life-changing inheritance. But what they weren't expecting was that their lives were going to be changed by not only money but true love...
This book reminded me of the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding because one of the main characters is of Greek descent and, like in the movie, there is a big wedding planned with a lot of family interference. The author handles all this with a heavy dose of humour, wit and banter.
The story starts with antagonism between the leads which slowly develops into mutual attraction thanks to the excellent chemistry that Ms. Macleod builds between them. The beautiful setting of a vineyard in Massachusetts and a very eclectic cast of secondary characters make the story very enjoyable.
Lori Prince narrated the audiobook, a fantastic choice as she has a very good comedy timing. As usual, her voices are distinct and the pace is spot on. If you are looking for a fun and romantic audiobook, this is a great choice. With 10 hours duration, it's good value for money too. 4.5 stars.
May 28, 2021
I really enjoy a fauxmance or a romcom but I wasn't too taken with this one.
The premise was interesting and unique from other fauxmance set ups I've read. The couple, Monica and Ray, are complete opposites to get those sparks going. The overall tone of the read is cute and light with some amusing moments. And the book is written pretty well. But this is the second book I've read in the last month where one of the romantic leads (in this case Monica) is completely mean to the other for nearly the entire book. Maybe the authors get too deep into their writing to see those special moments of connection are missing from the page but I NEED them to be explicitly written to believe in the relationship especially if the book is an enemies-to-lovers romance, which this is.
Ray starts off being bristly, as both Monica and Ray are adversarial towards each other but Ray quickly becomes a sweet ol' marshmallow of a person who becomes consistently nice to Monica. I can see why Monica goes for Ray but not the other way around.
That and some melodrama (from miscommunication no less) that plays out in the end really knocked the shine off of the enjoyment for me on this read. Ultimately, it was just okay.
The premise was interesting and unique from other fauxmance set ups I've read. The couple, Monica and Ray, are complete opposites to get those sparks going. The overall tone of the read is cute and light with some amusing moments. And the book is written pretty well. But this is the second book I've read in the last month where one of the romantic leads (in this case Monica) is completely mean to the other for nearly the entire book. Maybe the authors get too deep into their writing to see those special moments of connection are missing from the page but I NEED them to be explicitly written to believe in the relationship especially if the book is an enemies-to-lovers romance, which this is.
Ray starts off being bristly, as both Monica and Ray are adversarial towards each other but Ray quickly becomes a sweet ol' marshmallow of a person who becomes consistently nice to Monica. I can see why Monica goes for Ray but not the other way around.
That and some melodrama (from miscommunication no less) that plays out in the end really knocked the shine off of the enjoyment for me on this read. Ultimately, it was just okay.
March 20, 2021
A comical romance with a lot of p*ssy!
I admit, if it weren't for the recommendation to read this book, I probably would have bypassed it. Just the cover alone doesn't exactly scream something I would read. I'm grateful to myself for picking up a copy because this book had me laughing so much, that at times, I had tears in my eyes. Ray and Monica could not have been more opposites of each other if they tried, but their chemistry was explosive from the get-go. Ray and Monica bickered like cats and dogs, and no matter how much they wanted to dislike each other, they couldn't deny their attraction. All the stolen, secretive peeks, silent, longing sighs, unknowingly studying each other's idiosyncrasies, learning how each one ticked, was all a recipe for one beautiful love affair. From one misunderstanding to the next, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ray and Monica slowly fall in love with one another all the while planning their faux nuptials. Unfortunately, there was the cliched moment of the total f*ckery of misunderstandings that had one of them running from the other instead of just simply communicating any concerns. It was overly dramatic, probably the most dramatic exit I've ever read in lesfic, and just utterly eye-rolling, annoying. Apart from the clusterf***, the book was entertaining, sweet, a little angsty, and had an ending that played with my inner, mushy, romantic heart.
3.5 stars for the story altogether
.5 for Monica's primadonna cat
I admit, if it weren't for the recommendation to read this book, I probably would have bypassed it. Just the cover alone doesn't exactly scream something I would read. I'm grateful to myself for picking up a copy because this book had me laughing so much, that at times, I had tears in my eyes. Ray and Monica could not have been more opposites of each other if they tried, but their chemistry was explosive from the get-go. Ray and Monica bickered like cats and dogs, and no matter how much they wanted to dislike each other, they couldn't deny their attraction. All the stolen, secretive peeks, silent, longing sighs, unknowingly studying each other's idiosyncrasies, learning how each one ticked, was all a recipe for one beautiful love affair. From one misunderstanding to the next, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ray and Monica slowly fall in love with one another all the while planning their faux nuptials. Unfortunately, there was the cliched moment of the total f*ckery of misunderstandings that had one of them running from the other instead of just simply communicating any concerns. It was overly dramatic, probably the most dramatic exit I've ever read in lesfic, and just utterly eye-rolling, annoying. Apart from the clusterf***, the book was entertaining, sweet, a little angsty, and had an ending that played with my inner, mushy, romantic heart.
3.5 stars for the story altogether
.5 for Monica's primadonna cat
November 26, 2020
4.4 stars
I very much liked this lovely and light romantic story. It was just right for this time of year. As always with MacLeod the book was very well written. The main characters felt very real with their issues and got to grow on me during reading. I think the way the premise of a fake marriage was worked out was original too. That this isn’t a 5 star book for me is because the beginning felt slow, maybe because the mains didn’t really communicate enough for my taste. After the pace picked up the story held my attention and I couldn’t wait to read on each time I had to put the book away.
Recommend.
I very much liked this lovely and light romantic story. It was just right for this time of year. As always with MacLeod the book was very well written. The main characters felt very real with their issues and got to grow on me during reading. I think the way the premise of a fake marriage was worked out was original too. That this isn’t a 5 star book for me is because the beginning felt slow, maybe because the mains didn’t really communicate enough for my taste. After the pace picked up the story held my attention and I couldn’t wait to read on each time I had to put the book away.
Recommend.
January 18, 2022
3.5 stars
With enemies to lovers romances, a writer has to walk a line with how the two MCs interact. If they butt heads because of a previous hurt or a misunderstanding, it's easier to root for them because there's always more to it than meets the eye. In the case of Monica, however, she behaves awfully from the get-go and it's all due to her personality - not because of anything that potential love interest Ray has done. That's when it becomes tricky. In this case, Monica was horrible for the entire first third of the book and I had pretty much written her off by then. Ray was much easier to like and had a background that pulled on the heartstrings.
The premise of this story is fun enough - totally a thing of dreams. I mean, who wouldn't be tempted in a situation like that? But without giving away any spoilers, it unfolded a bit too easily. I mean - has anyone ever heard of probate? lol But hey - I can overlook that if the rest of the story is strong.
The other thing that struck me is that all the secondary characters said they could tell the two of them were crazy about each other - but as a reader I never saw that on the page. Yes - there were (lots of) lusty looks and references to each finding the other easy on the eyes, but love? I didn't really see that. Although it's true that physical attraction is often the first thing that draws one person to another, most of the sweet gestures that make it more than just the physical were made primarily by Ray until late in the book.
Overall, the first third made me reconsider continuing, the second third made me decide to stick with it and the last third I enjoyed. I wish we would have seen more of Monica's redeeming qualities sooner than we did - because in the end, she did have them.
With enemies to lovers romances, a writer has to walk a line with how the two MCs interact. If they butt heads because of a previous hurt or a misunderstanding, it's easier to root for them because there's always more to it than meets the eye. In the case of Monica, however, she behaves awfully from the get-go and it's all due to her personality - not because of anything that potential love interest Ray has done. That's when it becomes tricky. In this case, Monica was horrible for the entire first third of the book and I had pretty much written her off by then. Ray was much easier to like and had a background that pulled on the heartstrings.
The premise of this story is fun enough - totally a thing of dreams. I mean, who wouldn't be tempted in a situation like that? But without giving away any spoilers, it unfolded a bit too easily. I mean - has anyone ever heard of probate? lol But hey - I can overlook that if the rest of the story is strong.
The other thing that struck me is that all the secondary characters said they could tell the two of them were crazy about each other - but as a reader I never saw that on the page. Yes - there were (lots of) lusty looks and references to each finding the other easy on the eyes, but love? I didn't really see that. Although it's true that physical attraction is often the first thing that draws one person to another, most of the sweet gestures that make it more than just the physical were made primarily by Ray until late in the book.
Overall, the first third made me reconsider continuing, the second third made me decide to stick with it and the last third I enjoyed. I wish we would have seen more of Monica's redeeming qualities sooner than we did - because in the end, she did have them.
March 1, 2021
This was a very charming read, though I'll admit to some big gaps in reading. I never fully lost interest (which can happen), though, so it was engaging enough. The thing is that I really liked both Monica and Ray and they worked incredibly well together.
Plus, if I've encountered the term "soft butch" before, I'd forgotten and Ray was such a great example that I feel like it completely makes sense. Part of what I liked about her was her sense of herself and her style even though she crosses a lot of category boundaries in quirky and interesting ways. So she's a natural caretaker, but she expresses that impulse through providing physical safety and fixing things to provide a nurturing space for those she cares about. I fell for her almost completely right from the start.
Monica was a bit of a tougher sell, as she was so mercurial. She was uncertain of herself pretty much all the time and it caused her to get in her own way. Which I don't love. But I liked how she saw the possibilities in things and was willing to do the detail work to achieve the big dreams of both herself and the people she worked with/for—including herself and Ray.
So it was a decent story and relatively solid romance. I'm taking points off (by which I mean an entire star) for a truly idiotic dark moment. It was bad enough with the timing and the drama, but it was made worse by being based on such a flimsy foundation and then driven by panic and stupidity (with accompanying communications breakdown) into a ditch.
Let's call it 3½ stars. I'm rounding down because as much as I loved Ray, I have to admit that my interest wasn't completely captured.
A note about Steamy: I think there was only really the one explicit sex scene, but one of my pauses hit right about then so I might have lost count. Anyway, the low side of my steam tolerance.
Plus, if I've encountered the term "soft butch" before, I'd forgotten and Ray was such a great example that I feel like it completely makes sense. Part of what I liked about her was her sense of herself and her style even though she crosses a lot of category boundaries in quirky and interesting ways. So she's a natural caretaker, but she expresses that impulse through providing physical safety and fixing things to provide a nurturing space for those she cares about. I fell for her almost completely right from the start.
Monica was a bit of a tougher sell, as she was so mercurial. She was uncertain of herself pretty much all the time and it caused her to get in her own way. Which I don't love. But I liked how she saw the possibilities in things and was willing to do the detail work to achieve the big dreams of both herself and the people she worked with/for—including herself and Ray.
So it was a decent story and relatively solid romance. I'm taking points off (by which I mean an entire star) for a truly idiotic dark moment. It was bad enough with the timing and the drama, but it was made worse by being based on such a flimsy foundation and then driven by panic and stupidity (with accompanying communications breakdown) into a ditch.
Let's call it 3½ stars. I'm rounding down because as much as I loved Ray, I have to admit that my interest wasn't completely captured.
A note about Steamy: I think there was only really the one explicit sex scene, but one of my pauses hit right about then so I might have lost count. Anyway, the low side of my steam tolerance.
November 12, 2020
I love a great fauxmance, and this one was bloody brilliant. It was fun, funny and ugh... all of the feels! I loved it.
December 4, 2020
Simply hilarious and plenty of laugh out loud moments... Loved the banters between the 2 MCs, Super-femme Monica & super-hot handy ma’am Ray, and I just can’t help grinning & smiling away while reading AH.. A good way for me to destress after a pretty hectic week
Ratings: 4+ ⭐️
Ratings: 4+ ⭐️
November 15, 2021
I’m pretty sure this is my first book by Miranda Macleod and 100% sure my first narrated by Lori Prince. Aside from Prince using similar voices for Ray and the male characters and the childlike voice for Monica, I liked the narration lots.
Fauxmance is one of my favourite tropes in lesfic and this one is rather original in the genre. Aside from my aforementioned dislike of the voice used for Ray, I liked this character best. She is funny, easy going and very helpful and optimistic. Monica is constantly called a princess, I’m pretty sure she isn’t, she has some standards based on her upper middle class upbringing, but high maintenance she definitely isn’t.
The conversations and the things they get up to are fun. I like how their romance happens and just the way the story is spun.
As far as fauxmances go, this is a great one. There is some unbelievable stuff in there, but it’s super fine. You should take it for the fun book I think it is intended to be.
I listen to this book while I was roaming the streets of Toledo and Madrid, as one does on a sunny day on their weekend away. This was my best audiobook experience to date. Maybe due to the setting, maybe because this narrator sounds better to my ears, who’s to say.
Both writing and narration are enjoyable and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a fauxmance.
Fauxmance is one of my favourite tropes in lesfic and this one is rather original in the genre. Aside from my aforementioned dislike of the voice used for Ray, I liked this character best. She is funny, easy going and very helpful and optimistic. Monica is constantly called a princess, I’m pretty sure she isn’t, she has some standards based on her upper middle class upbringing, but high maintenance she definitely isn’t.
The conversations and the things they get up to are fun. I like how their romance happens and just the way the story is spun.
As far as fauxmances go, this is a great one. There is some unbelievable stuff in there, but it’s super fine. You should take it for the fun book I think it is intended to be.
I listen to this book while I was roaming the streets of Toledo and Madrid, as one does on a sunny day on their weekend away. This was my best audiobook experience to date. Maybe due to the setting, maybe because this narrator sounds better to my ears, who’s to say.
Both writing and narration are enjoyable and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a fauxmance.
November 13, 2020
I hope this doesn't put a damper on everyone's expectations of this book (and I'm sorry for this 😩), so I'll try to keep it short.
Friends, I know most of you enjoyed this one, but it was only so-so for me 🙈 (I know... What's wrong with me?! Lol)
I promise I told my scrutiny to sit this one out. I gave this book a free pass for the shortcuts it took to skip details and realism. However, I still found myself ambivalent about the MCs' love in the end.
It took me a while to take a shine to the MCs, Monica even more so. She was too rude and immature in the first half to be likable for me. I know her squabbles with Ray were meant to infuriate the two, but their pettiness grated on my nerves too 😅 And though things got better in the second half, seeing a big part of their attraction remained physical didn't convince me enough of their chemistry. Maybe I'm wrong for wanting more heartfelt moments? Idk.
In the sex scene, when Monica , I was like, "Nooo" 😖🤣 It might've made Petunia happy, but that couldn't have been pleasant for Monica, could it? 👀 Hahahaha!
And then there was the conflict. I was disappointed to find it was the sort of miscommunication drama that sent one MC running with bazillion unreasonable assumptions. I'm just tired of conflicts like this, and the execution of it here was over the top.
I guess overall, I simply didn't connect with the characters.
But just to leave this review on a good note, here were my favorite bits:
- when Ray was showing Monica and Helen the furnished house
- George and Helen's (Monica's parents) brief but amusing banter in the penultimate chapter
These moments oozed love without even trying 💕
P.S. What was I saying about keeping this short again? 😆🔨
Friends, I know most of you enjoyed this one, but it was only so-so for me 🙈 (I know... What's wrong with me?! Lol)
I promise I told my scrutiny to sit this one out. I gave this book a free pass for the shortcuts it took to skip details and realism. However, I still found myself ambivalent about the MCs' love in the end.
It took me a while to take a shine to the MCs, Monica even more so. She was too rude and immature in the first half to be likable for me. I know her squabbles with Ray were meant to infuriate the two, but their pettiness grated on my nerves too 😅 And though things got better in the second half, seeing a big part of their attraction remained physical didn't convince me enough of their chemistry. Maybe I'm wrong for wanting more heartfelt moments? Idk.
In the sex scene, when Monica , I was like, "Nooo" 😖🤣 It might've made Petunia happy, but that couldn't have been pleasant for Monica, could it? 👀 Hahahaha!
And then there was the conflict. I was disappointed to find it was the sort of miscommunication drama that sent one MC running with bazillion unreasonable assumptions. I'm just tired of conflicts like this, and the execution of it here was over the top.
I guess overall, I simply didn't connect with the characters.
But just to leave this review on a good note, here were my favorite bits:
- when Ray was showing Monica and Helen the furnished house
- George and Helen's (Monica's parents) brief but amusing banter in the penultimate chapter
These moments oozed love without even trying 💕
P.S. What was I saying about keeping this short again? 😆🔨
March 30, 2021
An entertaining romantic comedy story
3.5 *
3.5 *
April 5, 2021
Awwww
Monica is in a world of trouble. Her business is in trouble because of the economy, her ex-girlfriend is selling the house where she is living and kicking her out, and now there is an annoying, but hot, woman trying to fix up the house and causing a ruckus. How can this get worse? Ray has lost her day job and now just wants to do the side job she was hired to do without having to deal with the annoying, high maintenance woman living there. So why then does she agree to be Monica’s girlfriend and visit her dying grandmother? Apparently, they do such a great job being pretend girlfriends, Gran rewrites her will giving them a vineyard, IF they get married that is. With nothing to go back to, they decide to go for it, they will get married in name only and divorce soon after. But since Monica is a wedding planner with 2 million followers, this is going to have to be a perfect pretend wedding….It might work out better if they could actually stand each other…..
First of all, I LOVE Miranda MacLeod! She is an amazing author who has yet to write a bad book. This one, however, is one of my favourites! I loved everything about it. The Monica and Ray are so different and so realistic. It was easy to care about them. I enjoyed their journey so very much. They have such passion for the things they do and eventually for each other. They are a great match and I loved watching them discover that. The simple wedding they were planning is turned into something else when Monica’s mom gets involved…Her whole family is something else…. Crazy, boisterous, overachievers and there are so many of them! Monica has always felt inferior to them and it was so sweet to see her come into her own. This whole book is so beautiful and perfect that I just cannot recommend it enough!
Monica is in a world of trouble. Her business is in trouble because of the economy, her ex-girlfriend is selling the house where she is living and kicking her out, and now there is an annoying, but hot, woman trying to fix up the house and causing a ruckus. How can this get worse? Ray has lost her day job and now just wants to do the side job she was hired to do without having to deal with the annoying, high maintenance woman living there. So why then does she agree to be Monica’s girlfriend and visit her dying grandmother? Apparently, they do such a great job being pretend girlfriends, Gran rewrites her will giving them a vineyard, IF they get married that is. With nothing to go back to, they decide to go for it, they will get married in name only and divorce soon after. But since Monica is a wedding planner with 2 million followers, this is going to have to be a perfect pretend wedding….It might work out better if they could actually stand each other…..
First of all, I LOVE Miranda MacLeod! She is an amazing author who has yet to write a bad book. This one, however, is one of my favourites! I loved everything about it. The Monica and Ray are so different and so realistic. It was easy to care about them. I enjoyed their journey so very much. They have such passion for the things they do and eventually for each other. They are a great match and I loved watching them discover that. The simple wedding they were planning is turned into something else when Monica’s mom gets involved…Her whole family is something else…. Crazy, boisterous, overachievers and there are so many of them! Monica has always felt inferior to them and it was so sweet to see her come into her own. This whole book is so beautiful and perfect that I just cannot recommend it enough!
January 3, 2021
Fake to love stories are always fun, and this one is no exception. I love the way heroines are left fabulous wealth and homes, if only...!! Worth a read.
November 13, 2020
4,99 for this one, the 0,01 missing is because I wanted an epilogue.
What a great book!! Full of humor, bantering, perfect dialogues and two main characters so amazing I couldn’t put the book down.
I loved both of them and the author’s ability to make you laugh and then want to slap someone -mainly Monica-. How much I needed a book like this I can’t explain with words but I can say it was incredibly worth it
What a great book!! Full of humor, bantering, perfect dialogues and two main characters so amazing I couldn’t put the book down.
I loved both of them and the author’s ability to make you laugh and then want to slap someone -mainly Monica-. How much I needed a book like this I can’t explain with words but I can say it was incredibly worth it
December 29, 2021
I'm still chuckling at #PantyWedding.
There were quite a few laugh out loud moments in this book by Ms. McLeod, and the comedy of errors that led to this "accidental" wedding was thoughtfully and hilariously done. Even though it bordered on ridiculous, I was drawn in and enjoyed the ride. While I didn't really feel the sparks between MC Monica and MC Ray, the vast differences of the two created two dynamos in their own right. Monica was self-absorbed and whiny and high maintenance, while soft-butch Ray was kind, caring, yet sarcastic.
The intimate scenes, on audio, were pretty cringeworthy, sadly. Robotic, poor terminology, did nothing for me.
This is only my second audiobook with this narrator. What was difficult was the voice used for Ray, it didn't feel natural, and sounded much too close to my least favourite character on the New L Word, Gen. Q. Y'know, the extremely annoying one that I wanted that bus to hit. I almost stopped the book a few times because of this, haha. But I persevered because #PantyWedding came up and that was it.
There were quite a few laugh out loud moments in this book by Ms. McLeod, and the comedy of errors that led to this "accidental" wedding was thoughtfully and hilariously done. Even though it bordered on ridiculous, I was drawn in and enjoyed the ride. While I didn't really feel the sparks between MC Monica and MC Ray, the vast differences of the two created two dynamos in their own right. Monica was self-absorbed and whiny and high maintenance, while soft-butch Ray was kind, caring, yet sarcastic.
The intimate scenes, on audio, were pretty cringeworthy, sadly. Robotic, poor terminology, did nothing for me.
This is only my second audiobook with this narrator. What was difficult was the voice used for Ray, it didn't feel natural, and sounded much too close to my least favourite character on the New L Word, Gen. Q. Y'know, the extremely annoying one that I wanted that bus to hit. I almost stopped the book a few times because of this, haha. But I persevered because #PantyWedding came up and that was it.
October 20, 2021
3.5 Wine Bottle Stars 🍷🍷🍷.5
I was disappointed. It was a fun and easy read. I enjoyed it but it did not serve me my beloved trope well. They were supposed to fake date/be fiancés but there was little faking.
I mean the thing I love about this trope is how the couple faking it get to play up being a couple and the merking of the lines of what’s real and fake. And there were little instances where they were out and faking it together. I also felt I missed how they even fell in love in the first place. Somehow even though they had scenes together, giving its their book, it felt as though they were apart or on totally different pages!
How’s that possible!? I don’t get it, it was cute and I enjoyed their banter here and there but it seemed to happen so quickly and bam! Married. Like y’all had one night together and marriage sounds like a good idea???
I suppose it does given the prospect of becoming winery owners but that became an afterthought because they “really wanted it” now. I just didn’t like how it seemed too fast despite the length of the book.
However it was well written had good moments and I really enjoyed each character I just didn’t necessarily feel the end results as completely natural. But again not a horrible read.
Rating: 3.5
POV: First Person Dual (Ray & Monica)
Book: stand-alone romantic comedy
Recommend: Not really.
I was disappointed. It was a fun and easy read. I enjoyed it but it did not serve me my beloved trope well. They were supposed to fake date/be fiancés but there was little faking.
I mean the thing I love about this trope is how the couple faking it get to play up being a couple and the merking of the lines of what’s real and fake. And there were little instances where they were out and faking it together. I also felt I missed how they even fell in love in the first place. Somehow even though they had scenes together, giving its their book, it felt as though they were apart or on totally different pages!
How’s that possible!? I don’t get it, it was cute and I enjoyed their banter here and there but it seemed to happen so quickly and bam! Married. Like y’all had one night together and marriage sounds like a good idea???
I suppose it does given the prospect of becoming winery owners but that became an afterthought because they “really wanted it” now. I just didn’t like how it seemed too fast despite the length of the book.
However it was well written had good moments and I really enjoyed each character I just didn’t necessarily feel the end results as completely natural. But again not a horrible read.
Rating: 3.5
POV: First Person Dual (Ray & Monica)
Book: stand-alone romantic comedy
Recommend: Not really.
January 6, 2021
Absolutely Fantastic!!!
Monica finds herself mixed up in a misunderstanding about Ray, the woman hired by her ex to do some work on the house, being her girlfriend. When an opportunity is presented to both Monica and Ray, they have little choice but to get married. The problem is Monica can’t stand Ray and with each complication is increasingly frustrated by the hoops they might have to jump through for the sake of both of their future. Luckily, Ray feels the same way and so they hatch a plan, but spending so much time together brings them closer and then when it comes down to the crunch, Monica suddenly has a second thoughts but not for the reasons she would have expected.
This has to be the most amazing, and clever enemies to lover’s story I have ever read. I mean, firstly, let’s talk about tension and angst. Miranda has completely delivered. There wasn’t a second when I didn’t believe that Monica and Ray were pretending not to like one another upon meeting. They just clashed and kept on clashing, even when they were trying to act as if they liked one another. Admittedly, Ray was a little sympathetic to Monica’s cause, and despite everything she did selflessly help her when she didn’t have to, but that was what made her my favourite character.
I loved Monica too though because I totally understood her actions and reasons for being wary of others. She was terribly high-maintenance on the surface and it was such fun experiencing how she managed to get herself into the situation in which she found herself with Ray. At the heart of it, Monica was just extremely vulnerable and needed someone like Ray to boost her after her relationship with her ex had worn her down.
What I loved about this though, aside from the comedic and humorous element that gave the story the perfect rom-com feeling, was how relatable the characters were. They needed one another to help them become better people and to boost them out of ruts life had carved them into with past incidents and toxic people or relationships. It is easy to misjudge someone by how they behave without knowing what made them that way, a lesson both Monica and Ray have to learn in this story.
Filled with positivity, angst, and great vibes, I loved every second of Team Monica and Ray coming together to achieve goals and an unexpected twist in fate for a happy future both had only ever dreamed of. A great story that I can’t recommend enough for romance lovers, and everyone. I guarantee this story and these characters will get in your heart and you’ll love it! Hope to see more from them in future, and I just know it’s going to be good!
Monica finds herself mixed up in a misunderstanding about Ray, the woman hired by her ex to do some work on the house, being her girlfriend. When an opportunity is presented to both Monica and Ray, they have little choice but to get married. The problem is Monica can’t stand Ray and with each complication is increasingly frustrated by the hoops they might have to jump through for the sake of both of their future. Luckily, Ray feels the same way and so they hatch a plan, but spending so much time together brings them closer and then when it comes down to the crunch, Monica suddenly has a second thoughts but not for the reasons she would have expected.
This has to be the most amazing, and clever enemies to lover’s story I have ever read. I mean, firstly, let’s talk about tension and angst. Miranda has completely delivered. There wasn’t a second when I didn’t believe that Monica and Ray were pretending not to like one another upon meeting. They just clashed and kept on clashing, even when they were trying to act as if they liked one another. Admittedly, Ray was a little sympathetic to Monica’s cause, and despite everything she did selflessly help her when she didn’t have to, but that was what made her my favourite character.
I loved Monica too though because I totally understood her actions and reasons for being wary of others. She was terribly high-maintenance on the surface and it was such fun experiencing how she managed to get herself into the situation in which she found herself with Ray. At the heart of it, Monica was just extremely vulnerable and needed someone like Ray to boost her after her relationship with her ex had worn her down.
What I loved about this though, aside from the comedic and humorous element that gave the story the perfect rom-com feeling, was how relatable the characters were. They needed one another to help them become better people and to boost them out of ruts life had carved them into with past incidents and toxic people or relationships. It is easy to misjudge someone by how they behave without knowing what made them that way, a lesson both Monica and Ray have to learn in this story.
Filled with positivity, angst, and great vibes, I loved every second of Team Monica and Ray coming together to achieve goals and an unexpected twist in fate for a happy future both had only ever dreamed of. A great story that I can’t recommend enough for romance lovers, and everyone. I guarantee this story and these characters will get in your heart and you’ll love it! Hope to see more from them in future, and I just know it’s going to be good!
January 28, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable romcom with very appealing leading ladies.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
July 19, 2021
What a lovely and heartwarming book. Really enjoyed it and the two MCs and the enormous Greek family hehe
March 11, 2021
This was an amazing listen. Even though the main characters cant stand each other, they had your attention from the start. A definite enemy to lovers book. Kept me hooked from beginning.
April 19, 2022
3 stars
I don't like Monica, I really don't. Granted, the banter is often funny and it's well written overall, but I strongly dislike one of the MCs, which spoils the romance quite a bit.
I don't like Monica, I really don't. Granted, the banter is often funny and it's well written overall, but I strongly dislike one of the MCs, which spoils the romance quite a bit.
November 11, 2020
This was fun to read. It has two characters who dislike each other agreeing to a fake marriage, and lots of humor. It’s an opposites attract story as well; Ray is butch and Monica is femme, both with very different occupations and styles. Ray agrees to go with Monica and pose as her girlfriend for her grandmother. Since they have to maintain the charade for a while, this provides ample opportunities for them to irritate and spend time with one another.
The story moves along well. There are some really amusing scenes as the two women are thrust together. (I was cheering for Ray when she stood up for her wardrobe choices.) The author maintains a good pace as the women spar with one another throughout the novel, which keeps the humor and tension between the two flowing. I felt like I could really see them grow as characters and friends as the book progressed. The secondary characters also bring out the qualities of the main characters. The two women end up bringing out the best in one another as they share their histories. Reading this novel was a great escape from reality.
The story moves along well. There are some really amusing scenes as the two women are thrust together. (I was cheering for Ray when she stood up for her wardrobe choices.) The author maintains a good pace as the women spar with one another throughout the novel, which keeps the humor and tension between the two flowing. I felt like I could really see them grow as characters and friends as the book progressed. The secondary characters also bring out the qualities of the main characters. The two women end up bringing out the best in one another as they share their histories. Reading this novel was a great escape from reality.
November 9, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. It is so great the way the characters start to work together and grow closer day by day. Monica seems like a princess but don't be fooled she has an amazing talent in the way she reads people. Ray may think she can't get along with Monica but they actually share some of the same visions for the winery. Their banter is quite amusing. I love the whole Greek family aspect. Overall just a truly enjoyable story.
March 28, 2021
This was lovely and it’s on KU!
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