This book was FANTASTIC!!! The setting was wonderful. The characters were entertaining and had you rooting for them. The storyline was captivating and made you not want to put the book down.

I’m not sure why I expected more from a book with a shirtless man on the cover…

Sofia, a chocolatier, and Roberto, a CEO of a rival chocolate company, are pretending to be a couple who are together in a romantic relationship. It’s only for show, all for the cameras, hence the title. One problem with the book was this premise — I didn’t understand why the Italian public would care about this couple. Why would the paparazzi and reporters be interested in who Sofia or Roberto were seeing romantically? Who knew owners of chocolate making companies could have such a high profile? *shrug*

I must admit though I adore pretend marriage/engagement/boy-girlfriend stories! One of my favourite tropes! But this time, it’s a little wasted. The pair rarely have to put on their ‘show’ for anyone other than the general public (who are much easier to fool, I’d think, than anyone asking questions in an intimate setting) via photo shoots.

Many of the other standard romance tropes are dragged out –stranded and having to share a bed; learning one has stolen company secrets from the other; distrust due to their respective family’s connections and past; evil uncle; mummy issues; daddy issues etc etc.

Marigold’s inclusion of Sofia suffering from anosmia was great, however. Living without the sense of smell and, in Sofia’s case, the sense of taste for anyone would be difficult to deal with, let alone someone who invents chocolate recipes for a living and this was easily the most interesting part of the book. I just wish Marigold could have built a better story around this more original plot bunny.

I hated the opening. It opens with Sofia and Roberto posing for a photo shoot which will show the world they’ve both forgiven each other and each other’s families and they’re madly in love which will counteract their previous bad publicity. Ugh. Those first scenes… I think the problem is Marigold just throws us and her characters into this (apparently sexy but I assure you, it’s not) scene too soon. I didn’t really care about Sofia and Roberto’s chemistry whilst they star in an advertising campaign because there was no build up of sexual tension. If Marigold had started the story earlier, I might have got on board. As it was… Meh.

The ending stretched my sense of belief even further. Marigold suddenly has her hero getting almost naked and belting out a tune on a float in a parade. I expect to see them drop in at the Sydney Mardi Gras next year.

In between there’s some scenes regarding the chocolates and chocolate making. Marigold was also on a winner here and, again, she should have expanded on this and the anosmia.

There’s also sex scenes in between. They’re petty tame, I thought. Even the hint of BDSM is done without being offensive. Again though, I needed more build up.

I don’t know… 2 out of 5 maybe? I’m feeling generous.

This was a quick read. I enjoyed the characters very much. I loved the setting. I didn't realize this was the second book in a series. I will definitely get the first!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Sofia and Roberto agree to be in a fake relationship to help with their businesses but soon, sparks fly. Fast-paced read with plenty of twists and turns, lots of emotion and great chemistry. I really liked it. A good read

A story about Chocolate makers and a fake romance that turns into a real love story. Not as fast pace as I like But was a enjoyable read.

Only For Show by Charlotte Marigold is the story of Sofia Beaumont and Roberto Conti.
Sofia and Roberto agree to a fake relationship to help their business. But what starts out as fake slowly takes a dark turn to something they can't stop...feeling and love. Enjoyed their story.

The combination of luscious gourmet chocolate, emotional discoveries, and falling madly in love, creates Only For Show by Charlotte Marigold. This enemies to lovers romance is replete with characters that are likeable, fun and distinctive. Sofia Beaumont and Roberto Conti are creators of the world's finest chocolate, and their road to professional and personal success is quite intriguing. They are treated like royalty and as a result, the paparazzi is always around.

This is an entertaining read with a few very hot encounters. However, I found the repetitive Italian words used throughout the story to be a bit disruptive.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Sofia and Roberto agree to be in a fake relationship to help with their businesses but soon, sparks fly. Fast-paced read with plenty of twists and turns, lots of emotion and great chemistry. I really liked it. A good read.

Sofia was at a photoshoot and nerves were going through her as roberti Conti was practically naked. He was to be her “ fake” boyfriend. He wore only a gstring. Roberto would make a convincing replica of Michelangelo’s David. Soon those arms would be wrapped around her. She had a fleeting moment of lust. She couldn’t think like that . the man who had tried to destroy her family’s company and heritage . the son of a man who infamously scorned her mother after getting her pregnant. But entering a devil’s deal with Roberto Conti was the only way to save Sofia’s sister and her unborn niece. For as long as she can remember the Conti name meant betrayal. Sofia and roberto were selling a dream, a make believe that supposedly existed in the real world. Three years ago Sofia had been in a bad accident and lost her sense of smell and taste which was devastating her beloved career as a chocolatier. Confident and sassy , that was what Sofia had promised in the contract between her and Roberto. Sofia chastised herself for tingling with desire when her skin should be crawling with repulsion when it touched Robertos. Sofia wanted to run but the thought of her pregnant sister lying helpless in a hospital bed pinned her to the spot. Roberto silently cursed Fabrizio for putting him in such a ridiculous costume . He stood on the tabletop cradling Sofia’s bare thigh as she lifted her subtle figure against his naked torso. Roberto was struggling to maintain his composure with only a figment of fabric shielding his growing arousal. He tightened his arms around Sofia’s waist as she arched back into his embrace. Roberto longed the protection of his suit. Though Sofia tried to deny it, her and Roberto’s sizzling chemistry was mind blowing. Roberto’s reputation was still reeling from the disastrous publicity that followed his desperate attempt sabotage of the Beaumont sisters chocolate business . Now the only way to redeem his good name and save his family’s company was to unite with Sofia. Sofia’s fiery spirit and confidence to stand up to him was an unexpected turn on for Roberto. Roberto had dated a lot of women but none had ever challenged him . His family- the Contis - weren’t entirely innocent but they weren’t the blame for her mothers downfall. But now was not the time for confrontation and what Sofia thought of him didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Sofia had a mentor when she had went to the learn the chocolate business -Marco who used her got her pregnant the returned to his family that Sofia had no knowledge of.
I loved this book. It was a great read and I didn’t want to put it down. Sofia’s and Roberto’s chemistry was off the charts. I read this in one setting. I loved Roberto and Sofia together. I didn't like a lot of what Roberto had planned on doing but understood his reasoning. I was happy to see him change. Also loved Roberto and his mother became close again. I also loved Fabrizio and felt he added to this book and made me laugh about his way of doing things and how he acted. I loved the author's description of the countryside. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

Beautiful book
I liked it
Was ever interesting to read
The characters were perfect and interesting

Sofia and Roberto agree to be in a relationship only to help their chocolate businesses. It doesn’t take long for it to turn into something more, but they both have secrets that can tear it apart.

This is a swoon worthy romance and has a great storyline. I just thought that everything was predictable and I found the banter between the characters awkward.

I received an ARC courtesy of Escape Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Enemies to lovers romance

I was unaware that Only for Show was the second book in Charlotte Marigold’s Only You series.
Perhaps if Id read the first book Only for Pretend I would have been more engaged by the story and by Sofia and Roberto. I thought the part chocolate played was an interesting twist. This was an ok read which I might have enjoyed more if there had been more dialogue moving the story rather than description.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

This book is a fake romance turn tea between business rivals. They both need each other to get back into the worlds good graces. The problem? They are butter rivals and Roberto almost destroyed her sister.

Working together is not so bad. But when their chemistry burns bright their feelings start to ignite. Can they survive th deception and when their contract is ends ?

Only for Show was a great Romance novel. The characters were sexy and easy to follow. I really wasn't expecting the twist. it made it very enjoyable. Sofia fell for Roberto and him to betray her was pretty emotional. His attempt to win her back wasn't what I expected exactly. There were things I didn't expect about the betrayal, and there were such powerful moments shared between them that was heart warming.

Overall I would save a great romance novel, that is well worth the read. The wording did a feww times felt dragged out, but still worth the read.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

New author for me and although I liked some aspects of her writing, I didn't care for this book.

I think what really didn't work for me was that this was the second in a series. I didn't realize that when I requested it or I would have looked into it further to find out if the series was one of stand-alone books or continuances. Not sure which way it is categorized, however, this book was definitely written as a continuation. Having not read the first book, I spent most of this book feeling as if I jumped into the middle of the story.

The relationship was a hoax, which it clearly states, however, never does it really make clear what the purpose is or why this is the solution. It talks repeatedly of the heroine's sister and how active she is in the business until now, but...... only vaguely touches on where the sister is or why she isn't involved.

If you're looking for "steaminess" there is a pretty hot scene, but it's nearly at the end of the book, a one-time thing before "POOF" you're reading the epilogue.

I just felt as if the whole book was partially a mystery for me and barely was able to convince myself to finish it.

Did not finish. Stopped at 26%. Oh the wordiness!! I needed more dialogue. I wanted to just get to the story!! Everything was so descriptive. Boring.

This book was a typical romance novel in my opinion. What made it stand out for me were the twists I wasn't expecting. Going into the book I expected Sofia to fall for Roberto and him to betray her and then of course to attempt to win her back. That is why I read the romance novels for the happily ever after. Even if they don't always exist in real life. There were things I didn't expect in regards to the betrayal, and there were moments shared between the two characters that were vulnerable that wrenched my heart. All in all this was a good read and I had no idea this book was part of a series when I chose it but now I want to go back and read book one to get to know the other characters in the book and to get to know more back story on Sofia and Roberto. Anyone following this series will enjoy this book as much as the first one!

Only for show isn't very long however author Charlotte Marigold wrote a pretty great book. It was sensual. Angry and wittty all at the same time. I feel Iike the characters were well developed and their hatred than later love for each other was beautifully portrayed. I enjoyed this book more than expected.
http://escapepublishing.com.au/

Who doesn’t like romance and chocolate? I was a little confused at the beginning but everything was explained well as I kept reading. I liked the story but didn’t love it.

The story starts off with Sofia and Roberto pretending to be involved in a relationship to fool the media and to regain their individual families reputation. Unable to push aside their families history of Roberto's father affair with Sofia's mother who later became pregnant and given birth to a half-sister Annabella, it's becomes more more than difficult to play nice. Despite that, it crosses the line of make believe when feelings are caught and the mutant attraction between the two grows.

Honestly I really liked this book a lot more than I've anticipated. Sure there were a few grammar and spelling errors but they were few and far between. I thought Sofia anosmia, that was gained from a car accident three years prior to the series, was a unique feature to add to the story element and someway, it helped bond her and Roberto closer. They definitely were the dynamic duo in the culinary world. The characters were extremely likeable and you're able to feel the strong connection from the get-go. Definitely a nice read for any chocolate lovers out there.

Overall, a romance filled story about enemies to chocolate lovers. But would it enough to sweeten up the a old family scandal?