My biggest thought is that I wish this was longer to allow for more character development. Helen obviously had some mental health issues and, while they were touched upon, they were never really addressed, even by her. I liked her and Tyler and the evolution of their relationship, but again, I felt like this would have felt more satisfying with more depth.

Not Your Valentine is a fake dating, friends 2 lovers short story. For being a holiday story, this was far less cheesy/hallmarky than expected (not that there's anything wrong with uber sweet stories). It was an incredibly cute, down-to-earth story about getting back on the love-wagon after an epicly embarrassing breakup. Not spicy or heavy on the steam, and a very easy read.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read “Not Your Valentine” in exchange for an honest review.

This book was short, sweet and just the right amount of predictable.

I read it on Valentine's Day and given it's length and subject matter, it ended up being the perfect pick!

I read this one a while back and can honestly say I enjoyed it at the time, but the details are now fuzzy.I recall several mentions of a Valentine's day debacle between Helen and her ex when she was unceremoniously dumped and the event was unknowingly recorded for posterity. To counteract her sudden infamy and to appease her family and friends, she embarks on a fake dating campaign with her friend Taylor. I thought this book was enjoyable but as evidenced by my almost total lack of recall, it was forgettable, getting lost in the quagmire of other books of similar tropes.My review is based solely on the plot line and not the writer's style as I did finish this book, which is a positive in favor of the author.I do thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one and will continue to look out for more works from this author.

It was a short book but it wasn't that memorable. If you are in the middle of a readers slump, give this a try.

This was the perfect, quick low stakes romance read! I loved the way the relationship developed. I haven’t read a story like this before! Definitely recommend!

Sometimes you just need a cute low-stakes romance to palate cleanse before tackling a heavier read. That was this book for me. The relationship between Helen and Taylor made for such a cute read and I really enjoyed the valentines aspect of the story. This reminded me of a cute rom-com style story, with a bit of spice, unlike your average Hallmark movie. Overall, I really enjoyed this short book and recommend for anyone who just wants to enjoy a well-written, straight-forward romance.

This was a NetGalley review.

This was such a sweet and fun valentine book. I really liked the characters, plot, and the cover. If you’re looking for a short and sweet book, I’d definitely recommend this.

Sweet and fun valentine book, love the story , interesting and relatable. Fake dating was fun . The book is short and sweet . Tropes Grumpy x sunshine, friends to lovers .

Cute, fun, steamy! Loved this novella by Jackie Lau. She has a great writing style and I've enjoyed all the books I've read by her so far. Her characters are relatable and I live the witty banter. I also loved the setting in Toronto. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a good, quick read.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I though this novella was super cute, heart warming, and literally made me laugh. I love reading stories that take place in a city that I’m so familiar with. Reading about a cute romance set in Toronto, just filled me with joy. The chemistry is amazing, I loved Helen and Taylor together. It was a short and fast read with it being 136 pages, but a delicious
treat. I highly recommend it.

This one did not do it for me. It left me wanting more, and I found myself frustrated more than satisfied. I als it put it down several times. I did like the swap in the stereotypical roles of the MCs but I just think there could have been more to this story if it had more development. Overall a fun Valentine’s read.

Just finished this novella, and I’m still trying hard to find many good things to say about it.

The trope of fake dating has been executed better by other authors, even though the concept of “fake dating” doesn’t even make sense. The notion that two people can enter into an arrangement like that without it A) going horrifically sideways or B) someone (or both) in said union not developing feelings for the other is ludicrous. Case in point, this book.

Helen is consistently having a pity party for one and thinks that a hair-brained scheme of fake dating her best (and oldest) friend from high school would be an excellent idea to not only mourn an internet-viral breakup from the previous year, but also to get her friends and family off her back because she hasn’t dated anyone since. She consistently says to herself, her friends, even the reader, that she’s unworthy of being loved, that she’ll never find happiness with a partner, and that there’s something fundamentally wrong with her general being. While it was the basis for setting up the storyline, after a few chapters, I stopped feeling sorry for Helen and started to feel angst for Taylor, the poor guy who agreed to go along with this arrangement. The chemistry between the two characters wasn’t much better than the trope concept and made me actually wonder if the author meant for Helen to come off so one dimensionally. The POV was solely from Helen’s perspective, and it read like she was the narrator of her own CW TV show…. With the highlight being her friend group who, sadly, didn’t have that much air time, unlike the train wreck of a “real” relationship that was trying to be portrayed.

Four days and 136 pages later, I’m thankful the dumpster fire is finished (even with a confession at the end, one akin to the When Harry Met Sally one at the New Year’s Eve party), but I foresee this book to be rather forgetful.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Helen started off being tortured from the looks of pity her family and friends would give her. Which would definitely upset most of us! We all get it here and there “Where’s the Boyfriend?” “You seeing anyone new?” but I don’t think our break ups have gone viral! So Helen was dealing with a lot more frustration while still trying to move on.

In comes caring and loving Taylor who was by her side when the viral break up went down. So of course he was also there for her crazy fake boyfriend plan. The way he was into it from the beginning should have tipped Helen off but it was cute seeing both their feelings grow.

Definitely a cute friends to lover story to read!

I enjoyed this anti-Valentine fun. I am such a mood reader and this fit the mood for February reads but I am sure it would be great any time. Cute premise, well done.

I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get into it. The female MC just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure others will really enjoy this one, but it just wasn't for me.

This was a fun comfort read. It was nice to see a gender swap of the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and to have a sensitive male lead who is not at all afflicted with toxic masculinity. I'm really enjoying the perspective of someone who went viral on social media and what happens next.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc of Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau.

I loved this book! Lau’s writing is great and this book was so fun to read. I loved the characters. Helen and Taylor were both characters I rooted for and I wanted the best for them! The steamy scenes were also so well done, the tension and buildup were so good!

I definitely recommend this one !

I love Jackie Lau's work, so I'm sorry to say this was a "meh" for me. Normally the thing I love about Lau's work the most is clear communication and consent between the characters, but I worried these characters were never quite on the same page, and it took away from the joy of the romance for me. Will hope the next book is a better match for me!

This is a cute fake dating romance. Helen’s last relationship ended on Valentine’s Day at a restaurant while being filmed. A year later, she’s beyond ready to move on and she’s tired of being setup by her friends and her mom.

She asks her old friend Taylor to be her fake boyfriend before Valentine’s Day to quiet her friends, and as they spend time together convincing everyone that their relationship is real, their feelings change from friendship to romance.
Reads more like YA but it’s very enjoyable. 3 stars.

The Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.