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The Single Matchmaker
Who helps Cupid fall in love?
Libby Cassanova is the last in a long line of matchmakers. After years of hard work, her grandmother has finally handed her control of an empire built by generations of Cassanova women.
When the secret that Libby was dumped by her fiancé comes to light, she must act fast to salvage her reputation. There is nothing she wouldn’t do to keep the truth of her failed relationship from toppling her future, and that includes pretending to date a woman if it makes her story more believable.
Reagan Soto is a struggling artist offered a chance at easy money by pretending to be Libby’s girlfriend. Upon meeting the tightly wound thirty-something, Reagan is immediately intrigued by what lies beneath all the polish and barely held-together facade.
As Libby and Reagan play at being in love, the line between fantasy and reality quickly blurs. Can Libby get over her fear of getting hurt and see that her perfect match is right under her nose. . . even if she never expected it to be another woman?
Get struck with Cupid’s arrow and fall in love with this steamy, slow-burn, lesbian romance today!
Libby Cassanova is the last in a long line of matchmakers. After years of hard work, her grandmother has finally handed her control of an empire built by generations of Cassanova women.
When the secret that Libby was dumped by her fiancé comes to light, she must act fast to salvage her reputation. There is nothing she wouldn’t do to keep the truth of her failed relationship from toppling her future, and that includes pretending to date a woman if it makes her story more believable.
Reagan Soto is a struggling artist offered a chance at easy money by pretending to be Libby’s girlfriend. Upon meeting the tightly wound thirty-something, Reagan is immediately intrigued by what lies beneath all the polish and barely held-together facade.
As Libby and Reagan play at being in love, the line between fantasy and reality quickly blurs. Can Libby get over her fear of getting hurt and see that her perfect match is right under her nose. . . even if she never expected it to be another woman?
Get struck with Cupid’s arrow and fall in love with this steamy, slow-burn, lesbian romance today!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2020
191 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Arias
36 books1,235 followersHello! And thank you for finding me!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 21, 2022
Fake dating.
I read this a while back and forgot to write a review but I remember enjoying it even if it isn't my favourite by this author.
This book is about a matchmaker who engages a fake girlfriend for the optics and ends up falling in love. The storyline isn't something I would even consider picking up if it wasn't for the fact that I love whatever this author has written before. But I did read it and liked the romantic development between Libby and Reagan as well as Libby's character development.
Libby, who runs a matchmaking empire, has been hiding the fact that she has been single for a while and when the lie is exposed, she hires a fake girlfriend in a bid to fudge the truth and keep up with the optics of being in a happy relationship. Libby identifies originally as straight and the main reason why she selects Reagan to fake-couple with her is that they were the least likely to end up together for real. But Libby is a dynamic character who learns to be receptive to various possibilities in her love and career and that development, that includes her accepting Reagan as a possible love interest, was a delight to read. Libby's interactions with Reagan were also surprisingly easy and sweet and I think it helped that Reagan is a great person. She's suave, charming and understanding.
I thought this was an enjoyable KU read.
I read this a while back and forgot to write a review but I remember enjoying it even if it isn't my favourite by this author.
This book is about a matchmaker who engages a fake girlfriend for the optics and ends up falling in love. The storyline isn't something I would even consider picking up if it wasn't for the fact that I love whatever this author has written before. But I did read it and liked the romantic development between Libby and Reagan as well as Libby's character development.
Libby, who runs a matchmaking empire, has been hiding the fact that she has been single for a while and when the lie is exposed, she hires a fake girlfriend in a bid to fudge the truth and keep up with the optics of being in a happy relationship. Libby identifies originally as straight and the main reason why she selects Reagan to fake-couple with her is that they were the least likely to end up together for real. But Libby is a dynamic character who learns to be receptive to various possibilities in her love and career and that development, that includes her accepting Reagan as a possible love interest, was a delight to read. Libby's interactions with Reagan were also surprisingly easy and sweet and I think it helped that Reagan is a great person. She's suave, charming and understanding.
I thought this was an enjoyable KU read.
October 11, 2022
Look, usually I wouldn’t go for a book with a title like this because it just doesn’t feel right. I know, extremely vague and a very weird reason not to go for a book.
However, JJ Arias pleasantly surprised me with Guava Flavoured Lies and I wanted to read more by this author. This seemed like as good a place to start as any.
Libby is a Casanova (last name) and a matchmaker. Her longtime boyfriend broke up with her a while ago and she’s been pretending to still be engaged to that asshat. When an announcement of his engagement comes out Libby does some the inn drastic. She hires a fake person to date. At first she was only looking at men, until at the last minute, Reagan came into the picture. Reagan is extremely patient, kind, funny and cool. Libby thought going for a woman for a fake partner would at least keep her from falling for her, well…. Reagan is very hard to resist.
I like how their relationship develops, how their professional lives are important and how they deal with friends and family. Arias does a great job with describing the family dynamics. I’ve really come to appreciate the way Arias approaches a story and its characters, it’s heartfelt, honest and funny. I can’t wait to read more by this author, so that’s exactly what I’ll be doing!
However, JJ Arias pleasantly surprised me with Guava Flavoured Lies and I wanted to read more by this author. This seemed like as good a place to start as any.
Libby is a Casanova (last name) and a matchmaker. Her longtime boyfriend broke up with her a while ago and she’s been pretending to still be engaged to that asshat. When an announcement of his engagement comes out Libby does some the inn drastic. She hires a fake person to date. At first she was only looking at men, until at the last minute, Reagan came into the picture. Reagan is extremely patient, kind, funny and cool. Libby thought going for a woman for a fake partner would at least keep her from falling for her, well…. Reagan is very hard to resist.
I like how their relationship develops, how their professional lives are important and how they deal with friends and family. Arias does a great job with describing the family dynamics. I’ve really come to appreciate the way Arias approaches a story and its characters, it’s heartfelt, honest and funny. I can’t wait to read more by this author, so that’s exactly what I’ll be doing!
August 24, 2024
I like fake girlfriends romances. This one was quite good. Libby is a matchmaker, one in a long line of matchmakers. After it comes out that her engagement has ended she needs a new partner, because who trusts a matchmaker that isn’t in a loving relationship herself. Enter Reagan, a very nice and warm-hearted artist. The connection between Reagan and Libby is wel written and slow burning. After some complications, because a fake relationship means there are some lies and complications, there is a happy ending.
4 stars.
4 stars.
March 8, 2021
I liked it! Nothing ground breaking here, but an easy, slow burn read to breeze through during a winter wknd at the cottage. The two MCs were sweet, and regardless of the title there is really not a lot of matchmaking going on, as it's truly a story of two couples slowly getting together and discovering "true selves." There's a lot of pottery and ceramic-talk, cue the Ghost soundtrack. Also some decent sex scenes. There was some redundancy, by page 44 I read no less than 5 "lopsided smiles/grins" which number expanded greatly as the story went on, so be prepared for a lot of repeating descriptions. Fun read, go check it out.
January 1, 2021
This slow burn, fake dating romance by the incomparable J. J. Arias is funny, sweet, honest, and romantic as hell.
Libby believes that no one will want to work with a matchmaker that can’t succeed at love herself, so when her failed relationship comes to light she is willing to do anything to save her family legacy including hiring a fake partner. Reagan is always in need of extra cash and being Libby’s fake girlfriend seems an easy way to make money. The characters share chemistry right from the start and it appears keeping things fake will be the hardest part.
This story was an absolute delight from start to finish. Libby and Reagan make such a magnificent couple and are both such wonderfully crafted characters. Libby is so concerned with appearances that she lost herself along the way. She has a lot of growing to do throughout the story, from personal biases to opening herself to new possibilities both professionally and personally. I loved seeing a character who makes mistakes and needs to change her world view but you can tell always has her heart in the right place and is a kind a caring person. Reagan has a heart of gold and is suave and sweet. She is a total heartthrob and is super understanding of Libby’s situation. She has compassion, integrity, and passion in spades. She is absolutely swoon worthy.
The connection Libby and Reagan make right from the first meeting is so perfect. I loved all of their fake dates that are as far from fake as can be. They are both so clearly into each other even though Libby is still trying to figure that part of herself out. The flirty dialogue is great and funny. The sweet slow burn romance is so perfectly paced. The fiery build up is so worth the wait and felt very organic.
There are so many twists and complications that mount as the lies grow, from family and friends to feelings both are keeping in check, through it all I loved how Libby and Reagan supported and cared for one another.
This romance is so sweet and quite steamy. I loved the characters and relationships. Arias always delivers delicious and sweet romances with lovable characters and beautiful stories, The Single Matchmaker is no exception. A fun, flirty, and sexy read you are sure to enjoy.
Libby believes that no one will want to work with a matchmaker that can’t succeed at love herself, so when her failed relationship comes to light she is willing to do anything to save her family legacy including hiring a fake partner. Reagan is always in need of extra cash and being Libby’s fake girlfriend seems an easy way to make money. The characters share chemistry right from the start and it appears keeping things fake will be the hardest part.
This story was an absolute delight from start to finish. Libby and Reagan make such a magnificent couple and are both such wonderfully crafted characters. Libby is so concerned with appearances that she lost herself along the way. She has a lot of growing to do throughout the story, from personal biases to opening herself to new possibilities both professionally and personally. I loved seeing a character who makes mistakes and needs to change her world view but you can tell always has her heart in the right place and is a kind a caring person. Reagan has a heart of gold and is suave and sweet. She is a total heartthrob and is super understanding of Libby’s situation. She has compassion, integrity, and passion in spades. She is absolutely swoon worthy.
The connection Libby and Reagan make right from the first meeting is so perfect. I loved all of their fake dates that are as far from fake as can be. They are both so clearly into each other even though Libby is still trying to figure that part of herself out. The flirty dialogue is great and funny. The sweet slow burn romance is so perfectly paced. The fiery build up is so worth the wait and felt very organic.
There are so many twists and complications that mount as the lies grow, from family and friends to feelings both are keeping in check, through it all I loved how Libby and Reagan supported and cared for one another.
This romance is so sweet and quite steamy. I loved the characters and relationships. Arias always delivers delicious and sweet romances with lovable characters and beautiful stories, The Single Matchmaker is no exception. A fun, flirty, and sexy read you are sure to enjoy.
December 26, 2020
You can't go wrong with an Arias book!
Read
August 24, 2021DNF at 40%. It took me a while to get to 40%, I tried to read it but the fauxmance this time didn't work for me.
The matchmaker and the artist (can't even remember their names) are faking it, but it feels like instalove, but it isn't, and characters keep appearing and posible plot points but I still feel like this isn't going anywhere and I just couldn't finish this, felt like a chore.
The matchmaker and the artist (can't even remember their names) are faking it, but it feels like instalove, but it isn't, and characters keep appearing and posible plot points but I still feel like this isn't going anywhere and I just couldn't finish this, felt like a chore.
January 1, 2021
This was my first JJ Arias book and it certainly won’t be my last. While this plot has been done before, what made this book unique was that Libby didn’t resent the fact that she had to hire a fake girlfriend. Libby and Reagan were really nice and intelligent women who went from being strangers to quickly catching feelings. There wasn’t any unnecessary drama which I really liked. The romance between them was sweet. I highly recommend this book!
September 23, 2023
This book was cute and kept me hooked. I liked the premise of a matchmaker in a fake relationship to save her reputation. But, it was a bit too syrupy for me and the timeline wasn’t always clear- some things moved too fast and others slow. I liked the characters, but I wanted a little bit more of their backstories to fully understand their motivations. Overall, entertaining but not my favorite. BUT, there are so many wonderful books by JJ Arias- her latest just get better and better.
Short summary: Libby’s a matchmaker with a problem- her fiancé dumped her a year ago but she didn’t tell anyone. Now he’s engaged and she needs an explanation. Enter her new fake fiancée Reagan. Imagine Libby’s surprise when she starts feeling attracted to Reagan- but what’s real and what’s for show, and what happens when her family and clients find out she duped them?
Short summary: Libby’s a matchmaker with a problem- her fiancé dumped her a year ago but she didn’t tell anyone. Now he’s engaged and she needs an explanation. Enter her new fake fiancée Reagan. Imagine Libby’s surprise when she starts feeling attracted to Reagan- but what’s real and what’s for show, and what happens when her family and clients find out she duped them?
January 4, 2021
This is a cute slow burn hea romance. Libby is a matchmaker, who is hiding a big secret. She's a bust in the love department. She even wears her old engagement ring & never told anyone it was over. Now her ex rocker boyfriend is engaged to a new flame & her deceit is laid bare.
What's a girl to do but find another fiance immediately & then show the current relationship off to control the narrative via an NDA. Queue the artistic ingenue Reagan, who also happens to be a woman. This new foray into the lady pond & fake romance only lasts if they can make it work. Sometimes being an overachiever brings truth to a lie😉
What's a girl to do but find another fiance immediately & then show the current relationship off to control the narrative via an NDA. Queue the artistic ingenue Reagan, who also happens to be a woman. This new foray into the lady pond & fake romance only lasts if they can make it work. Sometimes being an overachiever brings truth to a lie😉
January 31, 2022
adorable
The Single Matchmaker was an adorable F/F romance. This story has an HEA (happy ending) and plenty of drama. Libby never thought she might find love in a woman, but one bad decision turns into a web of lies that introduces her to happiness.
I was impressed with J.J. Arias’ writing style. It gave enough details to set the scene but didn’t over do it. They being said, this is absolutely a 18+ romance. Some of the scenes get steamy.
The Single Matchmaker was an adorable F/F romance. This story has an HEA (happy ending) and plenty of drama. Libby never thought she might find love in a woman, but one bad decision turns into a web of lies that introduces her to happiness.
I was impressed with J.J. Arias’ writing style. It gave enough details to set the scene but didn’t over do it. They being said, this is absolutely a 18+ romance. Some of the scenes get steamy.
February 1, 2021
I'm a big fan of J.J. Arias' novels as she manages to create loveable characters with very romantic plots. The Single Matchmaker was just that.
Although the fauxmance trope has been done a million and ten times, The Single Matchmaker added unique elements with Libby being a successful 'matchmaker' who hires an actress. I adored this storyline, especially as a 'toaster oven' romance too.
Reagan and Libby had great chemistry from the get-go. Although the storyline hooked me in, it was Reagan who kept me engaged through the novel. I thought the character development of her was fantastic, as there were so many layers to her that made her humanised and intriguing. She was a great romantic lead.
Highly recommend a read if you are looking for a romantic read <3
Although the fauxmance trope has been done a million and ten times, The Single Matchmaker added unique elements with Libby being a successful 'matchmaker' who hires an actress. I adored this storyline, especially as a 'toaster oven' romance too.
Reagan and Libby had great chemistry from the get-go. Although the storyline hooked me in, it was Reagan who kept me engaged through the novel. I thought the character development of her was fantastic, as there were so many layers to her that made her humanised and intriguing. She was a great romantic lead.
Highly recommend a read if you are looking for a romantic read <3
January 10, 2021
This was enjoyable. Arias is becoming one of my favorite authors. It’s set in Florida with two Cuban American protagonists, which I liked. Libby, the heir to her grandmother’s matchmaking agency, has a lot of pressure on her to be in a successful relationship or else they might lose clients. Reagan is a cash-strapped artist who gives free ceramics classes to various groups of people, from elderly folks to those with special needs. They meet when Libby arranges to hire a fake boyfriend, or girlfriend, as it turns out.
Their romance has stops and starts since both are hiding their feelings and uncertain what the other feels during their fauxmance. Since this mostly from Libby’s POV, we get more of what she feels and thinks. She has lots of concerns, but at heart she’s a good person, too. She grows a lot in this story as she mulls over her past and present. Reagan is not quite as complex, but she’s still well fleshed out as a character. The interactions with the families were often amusing, although I could empathize with Libby’s feelings of dread over some of them.
Their romance has stops and starts since both are hiding their feelings and uncertain what the other feels during their fauxmance. Since this mostly from Libby’s POV, we get more of what she feels and thinks. She has lots of concerns, but at heart she’s a good person, too. She grows a lot in this story as she mulls over her past and present. Reagan is not quite as complex, but she’s still well fleshed out as a character. The interactions with the families were often amusing, although I could empathize with Libby’s feelings of dread over some of them.
December 31, 2020
I really like JJ Arias and was happy to end the year with this romance. It wasn't the most unique story, but it was still well written and I really liked the mains. For a faux romance they had great chemistry and I absolutely loved the ending.
April 24, 2021
overall good enjoyable read. 3.5 stars
August 13, 2021
frozen pizza :(
April 5, 2022
Slooooowwwwwww Burn 🔥
To begin with, I consider myself to be a romantic.
So I feel I have to warn you that if you who rate your RomLit on how many pages into the story it takes for the protagonists to get horizontal, this book is not for you !
To be generous to those of you who do, I believe that, in this case, the story and it’s themes of honesty and strong family ties tests the romantic patience of the reader.
The two protagonists are both in their thirties and both have been married, and I found their delay of the inevitable was drawn out far too long.
That is not to say that there is no heat, it’s just that it simmered a bit longer than necessary.
So why a 5?
I loved the fact that the characters found the pull of honesty, no matter the consequences, very admirable.
I liked the old fashioned idea that start with sex often often burn out while those that smolder while getting to know each other, tend to last longer.
I loved the attention that was given to family, and the role I plays it relationships.
I also thank the author for seeing more clearly, the Hispanic culture ( in this case Cuban) more clearly. Especially through the eyes of both working class an earthy Latinos.
And lastly, to point out that sometimes one has to be brave enough to tell the truth and be strong enough to face its consequences.
😘👍
To begin with, I consider myself to be a romantic.
So I feel I have to warn you that if you who rate your RomLit on how many pages into the story it takes for the protagonists to get horizontal, this book is not for you !
To be generous to those of you who do, I believe that, in this case, the story and it’s themes of honesty and strong family ties tests the romantic patience of the reader.
The two protagonists are both in their thirties and both have been married, and I found their delay of the inevitable was drawn out far too long.
That is not to say that there is no heat, it’s just that it simmered a bit longer than necessary.
So why a 5?
I loved the fact that the characters found the pull of honesty, no matter the consequences, very admirable.
I liked the old fashioned idea that start with sex often often burn out while those that smolder while getting to know each other, tend to last longer.
I loved the attention that was given to family, and the role I plays it relationships.
I also thank the author for seeing more clearly, the Hispanic culture ( in this case Cuban) more clearly. Especially through the eyes of both working class an earthy Latinos.
And lastly, to point out that sometimes one has to be brave enough to tell the truth and be strong enough to face its consequences.
😘👍
September 19, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Rounded up probably due to my love for other books by the same author. There were some mistakes in this one and although it’s a sweet easy read, it won’t blow you away.🏺
Rounded up probably due to my love for other books by the same author. There were some mistakes in this one and although it’s a sweet easy read, it won’t blow you away.🏺
May 11, 2024
i was putting this book off for a while then i finally picked it up last year and was obsessed with it
January 19, 2021
In some ways this single match-maker story is a conventional low-angst romance for hire. Of course normally the match-maker has long resigned herself to a single existence. Pretending to be engaged to someone who has long since left her, even purchasing a fake engagement ring for verisimilitude, does put Libby in a class by herself in the genre. Given all of that, hiring herself a girlfriend at the last minute is hardly shocking.
Once the initial insanity is out of the way the couple quickly establish that they are a surprisingly good fit. When misunderstanding do arise the main characters behave like adults and they are able to resolve things with a little communication. The ultimate HEA seems very well deserved.
Once the initial insanity is out of the way the couple quickly establish that they are a surprisingly good fit. When misunderstanding do arise the main characters behave like adults and they are able to resolve things with a little communication. The ultimate HEA seems very well deserved.
January 25, 2021
The pressure of being a successful and partnered leader of Cassanova Matchmaking company is a challenge for Libby Cassanova. Matchmaking has been in the family for generations back in Cuba and in Miami, Florida. Libby was engaged to a man whose relationship fizzled out but she still wore her engagement ring. When it comes out that he's in a new relationship, she thinks fast. A fake relationship could solve her problems. When presented with a last minute option of Reagan Soto, a female, Libby thinks this is an excellent solution.
Written with the vibe and heat of Miami, this story makes me long for a cup of cafesita while I read the story. I wanted to know Reagan. I wanted to see Reagan's work.
Written with the vibe and heat of Miami, this story makes me long for a cup of cafesita while I read the story. I wanted to know Reagan. I wanted to see Reagan's work.
March 27, 2022
Plot: The book starts with Libby panicking because she has been pretending to be engaged for a year and her former fiancé just announced his engagement to another woman. Libby’s assistant proposes hiring someone to fake being her significant other so that they don’t lose clients from Libby’s match making business.
Libby goes along with the plan and chooses Reagan as her fake girlfriend. They have an instant connection and have fun spending time together. They both start to develop feelings but fear that it is only one sided and don’t say anything. Libby realizes that living a lie has negatively impacted her life so she admits her feelings to Reagan and they start dating for real.
They support each others businesses but their friends and families are still suspicious about the timeline of their relationship. Libby decides honesty is the best policy and reveals the initial fake relationship. Her business takes a hit but she is able to have a happy healthy relationship and live HEA.
Characterization: Libby puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on her shoulders. She cares about others but has some previously unconscious biases at the start of the book.
Reagan is a loving person. She cares deeply about her community and does everything she can to support the people around her.
Writing: This was written in third person perspective. I noticed one small typo but overall this was well written. Some of the scenes were truncated. The author would build a scene into a tense moment and then cut to a new scene before the character actually had to deal with the aftermath. It left a lot of the characters in limbo. Overall the book was ok but needed rounded out scenes to better show the characters emotional journey.
Libby goes along with the plan and chooses Reagan as her fake girlfriend. They have an instant connection and have fun spending time together. They both start to develop feelings but fear that it is only one sided and don’t say anything. Libby realizes that living a lie has negatively impacted her life so she admits her feelings to Reagan and they start dating for real.
They support each others businesses but their friends and families are still suspicious about the timeline of their relationship. Libby decides honesty is the best policy and reveals the initial fake relationship. Her business takes a hit but she is able to have a happy healthy relationship and live HEA.
Characterization: Libby puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on her shoulders. She cares about others but has some previously unconscious biases at the start of the book.
Reagan is a loving person. She cares deeply about her community and does everything she can to support the people around her.
Writing: This was written in third person perspective. I noticed one small typo but overall this was well written. Some of the scenes were truncated. The author would build a scene into a tense moment and then cut to a new scene before the character actually had to deal with the aftermath. It left a lot of the characters in limbo. Overall the book was ok but needed rounded out scenes to better show the characters emotional journey.
January 19, 2021
Incredible read!
Libby is the head of a matchmaking business and she has only been at the helm of the company for a short while. That would be enough for anyone to feel an enormous amount of pressure. But that's not all. Cassanova Matchmaking is a family-owned company and Libby looks up a lot to her grandma, who had the reins for as long as she can remember.
Reagan is an artist, and a very inspirational one at that. She teaches pottery to a bunch of people, and her favorites are the seniors from a home close to her studio. She could profit from her classes, but instead she tries to make ends meet selling her pieces to keep herself afloat while she gives back to her community teaching for free.
I fell in love with Libby from the beginning. As a business woman, she often felt like she had to settle for a mediocre love life in order to succeed professionally. I felt less attached to Reagan, however. In fairness, Libby was a more well-rounded character than Reagan. That's not to say I didn't enjoy Reagan... it's just that we only ever saw the overly supportive persona. Her friend and ex-wife, Imani, teased at some issues Reagan might have, but they were talked about and not showed. I would've liked to see Reagan dealing with her issues like we got to see Libby dealing with hers.
The author also forwent the breakup, the slow burn felt earned, they talked through their issues together... all of which warmed my little gay heart.
As for the side characters, both families are great and I would've enjoyed spending more time with them.
I've read a few just-okay books this year so story was a breath of fresh air. I'm very grateful for this!
4/5
Libby is the head of a matchmaking business and she has only been at the helm of the company for a short while. That would be enough for anyone to feel an enormous amount of pressure. But that's not all. Cassanova Matchmaking is a family-owned company and Libby looks up a lot to her grandma, who had the reins for as long as she can remember.
Reagan is an artist, and a very inspirational one at that. She teaches pottery to a bunch of people, and her favorites are the seniors from a home close to her studio. She could profit from her classes, but instead she tries to make ends meet selling her pieces to keep herself afloat while she gives back to her community teaching for free.
I fell in love with Libby from the beginning. As a business woman, she often felt like she had to settle for a mediocre love life in order to succeed professionally. I felt less attached to Reagan, however. In fairness, Libby was a more well-rounded character than Reagan. That's not to say I didn't enjoy Reagan... it's just that we only ever saw the overly supportive persona. Her friend and ex-wife, Imani, teased at some issues Reagan might have, but they were talked about and not showed. I would've liked to see Reagan dealing with her issues like we got to see Libby dealing with hers.
The author also forwent the breakup, the slow burn felt earned, they talked through their issues together... all of which warmed my little gay heart.
As for the side characters, both families are great and I would've enjoyed spending more time with them.
I've read a few just-okay books this year so story was a breath of fresh air. I'm very grateful for this!
4/5
November 26, 2022
The fake relationship not turning out to be so fake story line. This was really good, maybe not 5* for a few nits, but it really checks the boxes I like. Both MCs were very interesting, families were fun, friends were good for the most part (Not sure I totally understood Imani). There were a lot of great moments. The ending was one that didn’t make me wonder how long before break-up was on the horizon, lol. So far every JJ Arias book I have read has been a treat. Btw, this book is not very steamy, one of the characters likes to take things slowly. Which made sense for her.
January 30, 2021
Matchmaking the matchmaker
Reagan is a potter that also moonlighted for ad agency. She took on a job that was easy pay. With an NDA she couldn't share with her closest friends of the reality of the situation.
Elisabeth was almost living her true dream of running her family's Matchmaking business, even though her personal life was in tatters. On a suggestion from her assistant she hires Reagan. There is a couple of complications though, first she is not gay. Second she is living a lie to hold onto the business. Third she falls in love.
J.J. Arias does a great job at the complications and they way she resolves them. The chemistry and attraction is on point. It was well written and greatly enjoyed reading it.
Reagan is a potter that also moonlighted for ad agency. She took on a job that was easy pay. With an NDA she couldn't share with her closest friends of the reality of the situation.
Elisabeth was almost living her true dream of running her family's Matchmaking business, even though her personal life was in tatters. On a suggestion from her assistant she hires Reagan. There is a couple of complications though, first she is not gay. Second she is living a lie to hold onto the business. Third she falls in love.
J.J. Arias does a great job at the complications and they way she resolves them. The chemistry and attraction is on point. It was well written and greatly enjoyed reading it.
July 22, 2021
Libby Cassanova is a professional matchmaker taking over the business from her successful grandmother. To salvage her business she decides to hire someone to be her fake fiancé after it comes out that her last relationship has been over for a while. (It doesn't look good for a matchmaker not to have a match of her own.) To explain why she hasn't been public she choses a woman, letting others thing she has been closeted. Reagan Soto is a ceramics artist and teaches to give back in her community. She is also very thoughtful, supportive and kind.
I love fake engagement tropes and this works. I liked the two Cuban Americans as the main characters. This is my first J.J. Arias book but I liked the relationship, pacing and the sly humor.
I love fake engagement tropes and this works. I liked the two Cuban Americans as the main characters. This is my first J.J. Arias book but I liked the relationship, pacing and the sly humor.
January 25, 2022
I thought it started okay enough: I appreciated that neither of the MCs are immediately "in lust" even if they objectify each other too much already. Then, as their love develops – too quickly, of course – everything becomes more and more dramatic (including and especially their "sexual chemistry"). There were other smaller points that I actively disliked along the way (like the normalization and cute-ification of old women's objectification of male sex workers). I did find the story overall harmless enough to consider it about a 1.5 star and I rounded up only because it avoids the pitfalls of a dramatic breakup due to miscommunication and/or stupid choices – especially in relation to the "straight" MC's freak outs and world shift over her non-straightness.
May 10, 2024
This was a very enjoyable, easy to read, delightful romance story. I always love fake dating, slow burns, and all that jazz, and this one delivered in a satisfying way. The characters were delightful, especially the love interest, and their chemistry was on-point. I love seeing a relationship develop through the characters mutually supporting each other as well as stories where the relationship is given sufficient time to develop organically in a believable way. The interactions with each others’ families (and friends) were charming and very satisfying. I loved that this story avoided using any of the annoying tropes, which was greatly appreciated! Overall, this story was simply a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
This novel wasn’t perfect. There were a few things I was confused about (such as the MC’s sexuality, at the start of the novel?) but nothing that distracted or took away from the novel in a significant way.
This novel wasn’t perfect. There were a few things I was confused about (such as the MC’s sexuality, at the start of the novel?) but nothing that distracted or took away from the novel in a significant way.
January 4, 2021
Chemistry and passion
I find that this author brings out the chemistry in her lead characters very well. My favorite from her is still Goode News (go read that, folks!) but this is a good story still. I like that the story focuses on the main characters and not muddled by the side stories, which served their purposes but not overbearing. It would be better if I don’t have to keep re-reading certain sentences to figure out who the book/scene is referring to - this part might be better by using their names more generously instead of using she/her to refer to 2 different people in the same sentence (which then made me ask - who?).
I find that this author brings out the chemistry in her lead characters very well. My favorite from her is still Goode News (go read that, folks!) but this is a good story still. I like that the story focuses on the main characters and not muddled by the side stories, which served their purposes but not overbearing. It would be better if I don’t have to keep re-reading certain sentences to figure out who the book/scene is referring to - this part might be better by using their names more generously instead of using she/her to refer to 2 different people in the same sentence (which then made me ask - who?).
November 8, 2021
I have to admit to a little prejudice when it comes to this author. I am Cuban and try to support the community and that is how I stumbled upon J.J. Arias and prompted me to purchase her first book. Her style, humor and wonderful characters are why I own all her books. I was born in Cuba and my family left right after the revolution so this story was a walk down memory lane. The humor is wonderful, the characters complex and engaging and the story a weaving of cultures and generation that just made it a great read. I couldn’t put it down once I started, which has been true for all her work. I hope she is able to become a little more prolific sooner than later.
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