Book Review Genre: Contemporary romance

Disclaimer: Reading is all about exploring new worlds, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of my free-flowing thoughts about a book.

The Analysis:

This book started off so strong. It’s been on my Amazon wishlist 4ever and an amazon gift card made this book a necessity along with a few others. I have so many thoughts. But, let’s book review it. First, follow me on Goodreads.

Here’s The Blurb:

Ashanti Lane would do anything for her best friend Luke. Even pretend to be his girlfriend so his traditional Chinese parents would accept a black woman into their family.

The plan is simple. Get in and get out so Luke can have a happily-ever-after with his African queen. But when it’s time to make the switch, Ashanti realizes her feelings for Luke are more than a ruse.

Should she risk their friendship for love or step back and watch Luke walk away with someone else?

Cover Critique:

This cover is everything. Everything cute, adorable, and intriguing. It was what drew my interest in the beginning and made me want to read.

Now The Story:

Book Info:
Pages: 242
Author: Nia Arthurs
Available: Amazon

Fake dating. Friends to lovers. And two people that are too cute together. It’s hard not to fall for the heroine’s bubbly personality and the hero’s mellow strength. But the subject matter of the hero’s family not being accepting of his dating outside his race is not without its troubles. For instance, he discusses this issue with his black bestie, whose being really supportive. Then he goes and says something along the lines of, my life is not some crusade. Problematic. The fact that he even sees it as a social justice issue and not him taking control of his love life is concerning. As was his cousin’s assertions, we fight for what is important. But love, life, and career aren’t in that mix. It sounded brainwash-y. But he was a good guy and that more than came through on the page and I gave him some slack. Mainly when his parents tried to blackmail him into breaking up and he still walked away. Besides, his bestie was determined to get him and his family all the way together and it was cute.

I was less excited about there being another woman at the base of this romance. OW or OM drama is a no-no for me in my friends-to-lovers trope. I felt bad for Michelle, who was caught between them lying to themselves. Particularly when he was making excuses to continue the relationship with her. Like, I started this all for her, I can’t just drop this now. Uh, your parents don’t even know who she is…drop it. As for why you started this, it should be about reclaiming a voice in your life, and no matter where this couple ends up it’s sad that he still believes the collective matters more than the one, in every situation.

Then somewhere around the 60% percent mark, I was reminded that the heroine was a journalist. Maybe it was the cultural dissonance, but this couple came across as terribly young. Maybe because in the U.S. culture, it’s a rite of passage to separate from your parents and make your own decisions and leave the nest. So, the hero seemed young and then the heroine’s bubbly personality that never really seemed serious made her seem young too. But when the heroine’s job is yet another reason he can’t reconnect with the OW, I’m left screaming, you know who else would enjoy such devotion? Michelle. If you moved your butt out of the way and allowed her to find it.

The turn Michelle took was disappointing, to say the least. She suddenly became a villain on their road to love. Not only did it display a lack of respect for herself. I wasn’t sure what I thought of the hero’s attempt at rescue. I certainly know what the intention was, the reader should think that he’s such a good guy. However, I’m not sure he should’ve gone at all. Maybe staying out of it altogether would’ve been a mercy. She would’ve spent all night there until she called a friend and that friend would have genuinely supported her without the asterisk of not feeling like she’s enough.

Truthfully, I definitely would have written this one differently. There isn’t much courtship to their relationship as it’s all about fighting his family and their feelings. Yet, I enjoyed this one immensely. I appreciated it for what it was and that was a peek into another world.

Just FYI, there was no cheating. But if you’re just starting with Nia Arthur’s try, The Ex Proposal, or The Ex-Swap first. The Ex Swap was part of a readathon. So scroll down until you see prompt: unlikely relationship.

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Book Review At A Glance:

Recommendation:  3 out of 5

Book Cover Appeal:

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Story & Narration:

🍓🍓🍓

Romance:

🍓🍓🍓

Heroine’s Personality:

🍓🍓🍓🍓

Hero’s Personality:

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Closure:

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