I tried really hard to get into this book and it's completely possible it was just my mindset at the time. I can see myself enjoying Playing House at a later date but right now, it just wasn't for me.

It was a very quick story, and I honestly wished there was more development to the plot, because the writing was really good, if a little hurried. I haven't read the other books in the series, but it never felt like I was missing out, so that is always a win win

Yes to diverse characters: I don't like the word diverse since it doesn't focus on singular identities, but I loved reading about this love story. I was rooting for them!

The book is about:
Playing House is about two Chinese-American urban planners that bumped into each other in one of the home tours in their neighborhood. Surprisingly, this bumping actually involved them locking lips so early in the story. This book, like many other romances, is the story of how these two, Fay and Oliver, fell in love.

What drew me in:
This book is a part of a series with 3 titles. I read the first two before this one and I could not resist going back because of how I enjoyed the other two. I also loved seeing more Asians in the romance genre, writing beautiful pieces highlighting Asians as well.

Characters & connections:
Unfortunately, this book is a very quick read, and at the onset, it felt like being pushed into the middle of the story when you feel a little lost. Because of this, I felt like it was hard for me to connect more with the two leads.

Everything I liked:
I liked that this book showed a good combination of sweet and steamy. Unfortunately, I felt like this book was a little too slow in the pacing but still lacking on the storytelling front.

Overall thoughts:
Playing House, overall, is a little lacking in the magic that the other two books in the series presented. It was cute learning about architecture and urban planning, but sometimes it showed more of that instead of the cute and sexy romances that readers expect when they are turning the pages.

I love following Oliver and Fay on their open house-hopping adventure (ngl, I thought of Selling Sunset the whole damn time).

Felt a bit guilty for taking so long to read this book, I have no excuse. I think this is my first Ruby Lang book? Definitely going to read more of her works.

If I had to describe Playing House in one word, the word would be "awkward." Everything about this novella pretty much was awkward.

The writing includes many strange turns of phrase. Neither POV feels authentic, and the two sound very similar. The attempts at banter are clunky and occasionally cringe-inducing. The plotting and emotional development are predictable and uncomfortable in turn. Nothing feels organic; you can feel the writer at every step, rather than falling into the world of these characters.

In theory, I love the idea of two urban planners falling in love over shared nerdery, but the execution didn't work for me. On the plus side, it's short and mildly entertaining.

Sample quote:
" But his personal lust ocean had already started walking west." <- see what I mean???

Unfortunately, this ended up not being entirely what I was hoping to get. A bit too short for my taste and maybe therefore it felt like there just wasn’t enough character development. I couldn’t really form a connection to the characters, which makes such a huge impact on my reading experience then.

The promise of the story is so good and at times, there’s definitely some stronger written scenes present so if you like the synopsis I’d still recommend you to pick it up an see for yourself what you think of it!

I did not like this. I didn’t like the way it was written or the characters. I’d still try it it may just be a me thing

Playing House by Ruby Lang (1st in series, m/f, NYC-contemporary). Urban Planners pretend to be a couple to indulge their real estate nerdiness going to open houses. I loved how they are both in transition (divorce/job loss). Witty, sexy & fun. #bkbrk

I wanted to love this one, the synopsis sounded so cute and I love HGTV vibes in romance. Unfortunately I struggled to feel connected to the characters and decided to DNF at 41%.

Since this is short, I felt like I didn't get the character development I wanted, but as a quick escape read I could see myself recommending this to customers. Quick, sweet, and has a happily ever after

*~~*ARC kindly provided from the publisher/author to me for an honest review *~~*

Full review to come

5 stars

I had super high hopes for Playing House by Ruby Lang. The premise sounded so cute and it grabbed me right away, plus it was the start of a series so there was potential for so many more cute books. In the end, it was alright but it didn't really wow me.

Here's the synopsis:
Romance blossoms between two city planners posing as newlyweds in this first in a bright new series by acclaimed author Ruby Lang
The last thing Oliver Huang expects to see on the historic Mount Morris home tour is longtime acquaintance Fay Liu bustling up and kissing him hello. He’s happy to playact being a couple to save her from a pushy admirer. Fay’s beautiful, successful and smart, and if he’s being honest, Oliver has always had a bit of a thing for her.
Maybe more than a bit.
Geeking out over architectural details is Oliver and Fay’s shared love language, and soon they’re touring pricey real estate across Upper Manhattan as the terribly faux but terribly charming couple Darling and Olly.
For the first time since being laid off from the job he loved, Oliver has something to look forward to. And for the first time since her divorce, Fay’s having fun.
Somewhere between the light-filled living rooms and spacious closets they’ve explored, this faux relationship just may have sparked some very real feelings. For Oliver and Fay, home truly is where their hearts are.
Reading as Oliver and Fay pretended to date and then got to know each other was my favourite. The relationship was bound to be a good one as soon as they realized they actually had true feelings for each other. Their chemistry was great, even though it took awhile (like most romance books) for them to realize they belonged together.




OK, I may have been wrong...I think the fact that they were going and checking out all these houses and geeking out over architecture was my favourite. I wouldn't say I'm into architecture but I love the idea of wandering around old houses and being able to see the great old bones of a place. Makes me want to look into some historical walks offered by museums in my area!

I think the biggest issue I had was that it was just so short! I think this story would have benefited from being a full length novel instead of a novella. There was so much more potential and I feel like I could have fallen in love with the book and characters had I been given more of their story.

All in all, Playing House was a nice rom com that was ultimately forgettable. If you want something sweet that'll give you an escape, the first book in Ruby Lang's series is something to check out. You'll be entertained enough while reading it and you can move onto the next in the series (Open House) or a whole new book.

*An egalley was provided by the publisher, Carina Press (Harlequin), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

This was pretty cute overall. I found myself a little bit bored by the end of it but still enjoyed my time with it. Oliver and Fay were a fun couple to be with. A great way to learn about a job I had no idea existed. The NYC built here felt very real as well. I enjoyed the value placed on Oliver's family and family relationships as well.

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Definitely an easy read and something fun to dive in to! Fay and Oliver were a cute, relatable couple, but I think there could have been more depth in their relationship. It could have been more realistic. Overall though, a fun book. I'll be looking for book #2.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This little bite-sized book was really cute. In its brevity, it was difficult to fully connect to or root for the characters, but it was a sweet episode in in their lives. It's pretty heavy on dialogue (with backstory in the dialogue, which can drag), but I still felt for the characters and wanted them to find happiness together. I look forward to reading a full length novel from Ruby Lang!

I really wanted to love this one! As an HGTV junkie, this sounded right up my alley. I think this ultimately would have worked far better as a full length novel. I read through feeling like I was missing so much in terms of character development.

I thought Playing House would be a fun, cute book after I read the synopsis and it totally was! I loved Oliver and Fay, they were adorable and I was rooting for them so hard. Playing House was warm and light with a few little moments that will pinch at your heart. It’s like a perfect beach read that you can just relax and have a ball with. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to reading Open House!

I love Ruby Lang’s voice: fresh, original, droll, sophisticated. “Playing House” is first in a series set amidst NYC-based real-estate-involved characters, whether urban planners, brokers, etc. In “Playing House,” unemployed, gig-economy-victim, urban-planner Oliver Huang is touring houses in Harlem when he meet-cute runs into recently-divorced, college-mate Fay Liu. He helps her avoid “Clompy Brent”, a dude coming on to her who can’t hear, or understand the word “no”. It’s obvious from the get-go that Oliver has harbored an attraction for Fay and Fay reciprocates. They fall into a pattern of pretending to be newly-weds, Olly and Darling, for the chance to urban-plan geek out on beautiful NYC properties. They enjoy their pretend dates and become lovers. In the meanwhile, a potential conflict rears its mild head because Oliver has applied for a job at the urban-planning firm, Milieu, where Fay is partner. Neither Oliver, nor Fay take their affair too seriously and they have a lot of stuff to figure out, given they’re both in transitional life-spaces. But it is serious because feelings are involved, the acquaintance too short-lived to result in anything but misunderstanding, doubts, and hurt feelings.

“Playing House” was too slight for me to say I loved it, but I can easily say I liked it. It had a few bugaboos. Oliver and Fay go from meet-cute bumping-into-each-other to this elaborate pretending to be newly-weds. This happened out of the blue and I honestly thought I must have blanked out an entire chapter while this was arranged. But nope … I kindle-back-tracked and the disjointedness wasn’t “it’s not you, it’s me”. As a couple, Oliver and Fay aren’t together a whole lot and even though their potential HEA is possible, I’m not thoroughly convinced it’ll gel. If you’re okay with that, then my HFN-dislike shouldn’t deter your enjoyment.

What I loved best about “Playing House” was Oliver’s relationship with his family. As a second-generation Canadian, the child of immigrants, I totally understand the expectations, chasms of non-communication, and feelings of obligation, guilt, and love. I loved Oliver’s brother and his relationship with his mother. Their near-mute understanding at the end was the better HEA of the two. Case in point, this wonderful exchange between mother and son:

“Yes, Oliver was right,” Ma said. She flicked a glance at her middle son, “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“When am I ever allowed to let anything go to my head?”

I smiled and smiled. They were funny, dissimilar, and real. “Playing House” wasn’t as perfect as the last Lang I read, Clean Breaks (don’t you dare miss it!), but there was enough of her signature poignancy, humour, and sharp insight into character to see me return for the rest of this series and what she can do with a meatier length. With Miss Austen, we deem “Playing House”offers “real comfort,” Emma.

Ruby Lang’s “Playing House” is published by Carina Press. It was released on August 12. I received an e-galley from Carina Press via Netgalley.