“Rent To Be” presents a familiar struggle that many millennials face today. Isla Jane, armed with a fresh MBA, finds herself in the all-too-common predicament of a low-paying entry-level job and the inability to afford rent. With her brother conveniently away on business, she sees an opportunity to stay at his condo. However, her plan takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that Cade Greenley, her brother’s best friend, is also temporarily residing there due to renovations at his own place. Desperate to keep her housing situation under wraps, Isla strikes a deal with Cade: she’ll pose as his girlfriend at corporate events in exchange for his silence about her predicament. The premise of “Rent To Be” has all the elements of a promising romance, combining the fake dating trope with the potential for an enemies-to-lovers relationship. However, the book falls short in some aspects. Isla, the main character, can be exasperating at times due to her immature decisions and prideful nature. Nevertheless, her character does experience growth throughout the story, which adds depth to her arc.

What truly shines in the book is the chemistry between Isla and Cade. Their interactions are filled with tension and sparks, making for an engaging and captivating read. The supporting characters, including Isla’s co-workers and her brother’s friends, contribute to the story’s depth and provide moments of humor and camaraderie. “Rent To Be” delves into themes of financial struggle, the importance of pride, and the challenges that young adults face in today’s world. It underscores the idea that seeking help is not synonymous with failure but rather a crucial step in navigating the complexities of adulthood.

The writing style is engaging and accessible, with a pacing that keeps the story flowing smoothly. Nevertheless, some readers might find the third-act conflict and the back-and-forth between the main characters somewhat repetitive. In conclusion, “Rent To Be” offers a relatable portrayal of the financial and personal challenges that many millennials encounter. While the romance has its captivating moments, the book’s strength lies in its exploration of character development and growth. It’s a story that resonates with the evolving mindset and struggles of today’s young adults, making it a relevant read for those transitioning into adulthood.

I'm not going to lie the cover was cute and the premise was good. This rom com is a little on the steamy side I didn't mind that, but some readers might. However what got me was the heroine wasn't likeable in the least and the hero wasn't much better. And the heroine who's a millennial gave millennial's a bad name. And as a millennial I feel like I can make that call.

This book maybe hit a little to close to home, as Isla's struggles with money and student loans and making enough after earning advance degrees is all too real. The banter between Isla and Cade, her brother's best friend, as he begins to figure out that she needs help is absolutely fantastic and some fake dating ensues. Soon their fake dating starts to become something more, but will Isla's brothers or overbearing parents ever except that the two of them are meant to be together? As Isla works to figure out where she is going with her life, the added pressure is the last thing she needs and the two of them have to figure out their own baggage before they can be together, as this story balances out the fun and goofy with the real and serious.

This was such a funny, sweet & spicy read. It was so much fun and had me laughing out loud multiple times. It was a bit of a slow burn, which usually I don't like, but I found it worked well in this book.

The characters were relatable facing a lot of millennial issues, which were totally realistic. Their issues were all super believable and I found myself super invested in their outcome. I really enjoyed Cade and Isla together and apart, they were just a great set of characters. Isla was a bit more on the extreme side of things, she refused to ask for any help at all, which I would've taken all the help offered.

I really enjoyed the storyline and the way it unfolded. The spice was good and hot but not overbearing to stir you away from the plot which is what I love.

I really enjoyed the narrators on the audiobook, I could easily feel the emotions, they also made it super funny where I found myself chuckling a few times. I really enjoyed listening to them.

If you're looking for a brother's best friend romance with great characters and a relatable storyline pick this one up!

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @alcovepress, RBmedia & @soniahartl for my free ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It is interesting when the plot of a romantic story uses realistic hurdles which are contemporary and make sense, even under the circumstances depicted in the book.
Isla Jane got an MBA, not because she felt like it was the best thing to do but because she did not think her parents would appreciate any lower ambitions. Her brother has a high-flying job and is the golden child in their eyes, and her wish to just probably write for a living would not match up to their hopes and dreams. Her roommates throw her out, and she ends up with all her boxes at her brother's place. The beginning is a little bit of a cliche with the whole dropped towel bit, but once the story gets going, we see how someone who is struggling for money and does not have the time and energy to find another basic job manages to make more money on the side.
Although there are only a few house-sitting jobs by the end of the book, Isla runs the gamut between normal and weird. In the meantime, she agrees to fake-date her oldest crush to improve his standing at the latter's workplace. Only when she starts to work for a company with a good work ethic and, more importantly, a respectful balance amongst most of the employees/employers does she start to understand the toxic environment she spends her days in.
I ended up reading the book in a few sittings and liked the overall changes that happen in the family balance. I would recommend this to fans of the genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I didn't realize that I didn't leave a review for this, even though I finished it at the beginning of August. URGH.

I enjoyed the first half of Rent to Be, but things went downhill after that. I was waiting for the female MC, Isla's character to grow, but she annoyed be immensely. The story was pretty slow as well, and many events repetitive events kept happening which took away from my enjoyment of reading Rent to Be. The romance had so, so much potential - but the lack of chemistry ruined it. The representation about financial struggles was the only thing that I loved about the story.

Really disappointed tbh, but keep an eye out for the author's other romances as people seem to really love her earlier releases!

I liked the book but i wasn't enamored with the female character, the story felt actual, relatable and the characters have a familiar situation than the rest of the world. So it's a modern love story

Read if you like: brother's best friend, fake dating.
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Isla's life is falling apart. She is kicked out of her apartment and she hates her job. She starts house-sitting for some extra cash. She also reconnects with Cade, her brother's best friend. They start fake dating, which brings up some feelings between the two.
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Overall, I liked the book but didn't love it. The tension between Isla and Cade was well done but Isla did a lot of questionable things and I struggled with the development of her character.

I really enjoyed Sonia Hartl’s zodiac cove books (even tho I had lots of criticism they are fun) and I was excited about this. It was fine. Some parts I loved:

Pros - the MC had student loans, financial struggles, low-wage. All of that felt so relevant and awesome to see rep of financial insecurity. Also this is quite funny - funny one liners that tickled my fancy. I also loved the complicated and messy family dynamics. And Neeta.

Cons - there is too much use of the word cock during non sex scenes. Isla is super annoying - like in the end of the first scene she flashes her boobs at Cade to “catch him off guard” who does that?! The third act breakup is annoying. Cade is kind of annoying.

oh my goodness! this was adorable and fun and sweet and cool and hilarious! i loved this book so very much and i hope that you'll pick it up! thank you so much to netgalley!!!!

This was adorable and funny and such a quick and immersive read. I knew what was going to happen but I didn’t even care!

I chose this book for the romance, but I was pleasantly surprised by the criticism of capitalist society and expectations. Isla did what many of us were told to do: go on to college, get a degree, apply that degree...and like many of us, she's swimming in debt. She thinks she can get away with staying at her brother's place, but his best friend Cade is already crashing there while his place undergoes some renovations. The chemistry between them is obvious from the start. I adored Isla and Cade and everything about this book.

Isla and Cade's chemistry leaps off the page right from the start and the tension the author creates between them is impeccable. This book includes many tropes including brother's best friend, childhood friends, fake relationship, hidden relationship, and dysfunctional family.

This is only told from Isla's POV which usually isn't my favorite way to read a romance. Usually I feel like I'm missing out on the other characters development. However, I think it's really well done in this instance. Isla gives us enough of Cade's background that I feel like I know him as well as I know her.
The spice is low and later in the book but is a lot in a short span. The big focus is on the slow build of their romance and the tearing down of the MC's walls on both sides. I loved the larger issues woven throughout the story such as the idea that college is the only way to succeed, and how our words can hurt others. I also love Isla's relationship developments with her parents and her own character growth.

Overall this was a fun romance with amazing tension between the characters and great character development.

Isla has been kicked out of her apartment and tries to go stay at her brothers while he’s out of town to stumble upon her brothers best friend, that she grew up with, naked. He propositions her to fake date him at his work functions and he won’t tell her family that she’s without a place to live.

Isla was pretty infuriating at times with how stubborn she was and unwilling to accept help, due to how she was raised. The story was good but I really struggled to connect with Isla because of how stubborn she was to accept help. Just when you think that Isla and Cade move past some hang ups they revert right back to it and I found it really difficult to stick with. I am glad that everything is resolved by the end and loved many if the side characters.

This rom-com was so good! I had a hard time putting it down.

The age-old dilemma of crushing on someone you shouldn't. Rationalizing with yourself the many ways it wouldn't end up horribly but knowing deep down that it really could, all the while, your life is in shambles. Poor Isla. 5/5

Thank you to the author @netgalley , and @alcovepress for letting me read the ARC. I loved it!

Isla is overeducated and grossly underpaid. When she is kicked out of her apartment for not being able to rent, she hopes to crash at her brother's apartment while he is out of town. However, that plan is quickly dashed when she realizes his best friend is using the guest bedroom while his own condo is being renovated. Refusing to ask her parents for help and with no other options, Isla stumbles into a house sitting gig. Cade's got some work issues of his own and agrees to keep quiet if Isla pretends to be his fake girlfriend at his various work functions.

I started this one off as an audiobook, but quickly transitioned to my kindle because it was just that good and I could not seem to put it down. This is a brother's best friend, forbidden romance with fantastic banter. I always appreciate rom-coms that dive a little deeper and this one did just that. It was both funny and heartfelt with a great message of self-love and setting healthy boundaries.

A great read, the story of Isla and Cade. He is her brothers best friend, so should be off limits, but as they spend time together will this change?

4.25 stars

This was a cute romcom that was (unfortunately!) relatable in more ways than one. I really enjoyed the plot line, and many of the characters were well-rounded enough to feel realistic. The story was angsty and funny in turns, and honestly, it was the (mostly) light and fun summer read that I needed.

This was a quick read with some of my favorite tropes but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I didn’t particularly like or connect with either of the main characters. This book had a lot of tell rather than show and that made the leads feel pretty one-dimensional.

I could not get into this book. Read 29% of it but it was to predictable.
I would like to thank Alcove Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.