Review - The Date Mistake

I just read the most wonderful book by romance author, Joelle Lynne and I'm already picking up another book by her because my goodness. I want more! 

The Date Mistake by Joelle Lynne

Publication date: June 3, 2023

From my Goodreads and Bookbub reviews:

Fake Dating is my absolute favorite romance trope and The Date Mistake makes me feel like a kid in the candy store.

This is my first novel by Romance Author Joelle Lynne and I adored it! It all starts with a dare after Aaron's brother asks him to be the Best Man at his wedding and suggests - dares? - Aaron to invite Trevor, a server in Aaron's cafe.

Trevor, the openly-gay server who shamelessly flirts with all his customers, men and women alike, is well-loved by all, and has definitely caught the eye of his straight boss. When asked to be his wedding date, Trevor suggests they get to know each other so they can look convincing.

Along the way, they discover a real connection. I love it - absolutely love it. Fake dating forces two people together with a shared goal, but it also gives them the opportunity to really get to know each other so the romance has a foundation in friendship as well as emotion.

I'm sure I'll end up listening to this if it comes out on audio book because I'll want to enjoy Aaron and Trevor a second time. They're so wonderful and this story made me feel good.

Side notes:

* Angelo - made out to be the bad guy, but goodness. I want to see him again. I'd love to learn more about him because I don't REALLY think he's bad.

* The side characters were all well-written and perfectly complimented the main story.

I want to read more of Joelle Lynne's books, especially if her stories are all told as well as this one. Discovering a new author is the best!

Learn more about Joelle Lynne and her books on Goodreads. The Date Mistake can be found on Goodreads and is available for purchase on Amazon.

As always, my reviews can be found on Goodreads and other retail sites.

Take care, and happy reading!

- Heather

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Review - The Dating Dilemma

I am all over books with a fake dating trope. I don't know why I love these, but I do!

OK fine - probably because it gives the characters to really get to know each other and then find out that yeah - there is more than just the person's good looks - even if they aren't a strip-o-gram!!

Nobody's perfect, I suppose.

Enter The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman. It's book 2 in her Mile High Firefighters series of romantic comedies. The Wedding Dilemma is book 1 and while I only just today bought it, not having read it in no way took away from The Dating Dilemma. The story made for a fantastic stand-alone book that I nearly read in one sitting. I really shouldn't have started it so late last night, but hey. That's on me.

This had me laughing throughout and unable to turn the pages fast enough to get to the end.

From the back cover:

Lexi’s Reminders

* Work.

* Don’t think about your birthday tomorrow. Or debt, your crappy apartment, and nonexistent social life.

* Re-stock wine and ice cream because that’s coming.

* Die in a raging blaze of humiliation when the super-hot and very delicious fireman waiting in your office is not in fact the strip-o-gram birthday present you suspected.

* Reschedule the fire safety inspection you 100 percent failed because of said humiliation.

* Figure out how you, in fact, agreed to fake dating Mr. Not a Strip-O-Gram Fireman to help him with a bet.

* Oh yeah, and do not fall for this guy. Seriously, they call him One Night O’Neil. Red flags all over the place.

* Remember, this is fake dating, even though his very talented, very real lips are doing some sexy things you definitely like.

* Realize bending one tiny rule can’t be that bad, can it?

* Except bend too far, and something breaks. Something you can’t get back.

From my review on Goodreads:

The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman - my first book by this author I discovered on instagram. It's a fun read with likable characters who work to figure themselves out all while fake dating each other thanks to a couple of bets and bad experiences with previous boyfriends and girlfriends. I enjoyed the characters of Lexi, who puts her heart and soul into a community center for kids, and Dyson, who is a local firefighter who goes out of his way to help Lexi getting her center up to code so it passes the fire inspection. When their paths crossed there are instant sparks for an attraction that only grows as the story goes on.

The story was a pleasure to read, had a great happy ending, but didn't have to deal with a lot of angst that would stress me out. I read the first few chapters last night before bed and finished the rest in one sitting today.

If you're looking for a fun read that'll make you laugh, but not cry, pick up The Dating Dilemma!

Learn more about Mariah Ankenman at her official website and be sure to follow her on Goodreads. The Dating Dilemma is available wherever you find your books. Goodreads - Barnes & Noble - Amazon

Happy Reading! 

        - Heather

Twitter - @GrantsCrossing 

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Goodreads - H.M.S. Brown - for this and all my book reviews

Read on my nook.