Loved the story of Elle and Darcy. Thought this book was very cute. Love the fake-dating trope and also opposites attract. Will definitely be checking out other books by this author

An adorable romance with the touches of fate that the title implies. The fake-dating-then-realize-they-ACTUALLY-like-each-other trope is fun and well done here.

Adorable and fun! The nods to Bridget Jones's Diary and Pride and Prejudice are *very* slight--the initial dislike, a line or two, and some names--really, it's mostly its own story.

Bonus: it's a fake relationship story. Extra bonus: its heroines are freaking adorable--yes, even Darcy the actuary. Sometimes especially Darcy the actuary ;) The steamy scenes were verrrry steamy--so bonuses all around!

My only real complaints are that their reason for starting the fake romance is a bit thin and that the book ended fairly abruptly--since they'd just made up at that point, I was a bit bummed to not get a *teensy* bit of Darcy-and-Elle-being-cute-in-a-comfortable-relationship time. Something to look forward to in the next book, I guess? Fingers crossed!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

This was such an adorable love story between two characters loosely based on Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. A grumpy/sunshine romance with two very unlikely women falling in love with each other? I mean, that's the recipe for a good romance in my eyes!

The story follows Elle, an astrologer who is working with an app to build in a zodiac-specific feature. Set up on a blind date with a friend's sister, Elle meets Darcy, a sophisticated, intelligent, and successful business person (tbh, I have no idea what an actuary does). However, the date couldn't have been any more awkward. Not only spilling drinks and having one of those terrible first date conversations, Elle and Darcy silently agree that this wasn't going to work out.

However, things change when Elle meets with her mother and accidentally bump into Darcy's brother, Ben (who set them up). From that point, Darcy and Elle agree to a fake relationship to get them through the holidays with their family. And by the time the new year rolls around, they'll be over. Of course, that's not what happens.

I absolutely loved this book and Darcy and Elle were so sweet and romantic with each other. It's always fun to see a grumpy/sunshine story where the grump grows to love the sunshine more and more each day. It was the little things and there were little things Darcy remembered about Elle that just showed she cared. From buying her a box of her favorite wine to going ugly holiday sweater shopping with her, seeing Darcy open up in front of Elle (especially after some bad former relationships) put a huge smile on my face the entire time.

This was also a romance + book, which I truly enjoy. It's not just about the couple and how they get together, but also about them as individuals, their hopes and career goals, and seeing those come to fruition. The romance itself didn't move too slowly, but it felt like a slow burn. If anything, it felt natural. The pacing felt not too quick to make it feel like insta-love, but not too slow to bore you with a chaste kiss at the end. There was some steam for sure!

Truly such a fun and cinematic story that made me so happy! While it felt weird to be reading a holiday-centric story in the middle of February, I would totally read this during the Valentine's Day season!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars

This books hit me in allllll the feels. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I am always a total sucker for a book that can make me do all three. I cannot recommend this one enough! It's got a fake relationship trope, the perfect combination of grumpy/sunshine heroines, and plenty of fandom references for those - like me - who are fangirls at heart. This is probably my favorite book of 2020. Go add it to your TBR and/or pre-order your copy!

This is a cute queer romance. I love the character's quirks; it makes them a lot more fully fleshed out and realistic. It has a little spice, but not as much as others may claim. It also bodes well to having more in the series.

This was a cute addictive read with a really great plot!

What I loved:

1. I'm not sure how I feel about astrology (it's always been something fun to read, but I never put much stock in what I read) so I was nervous this book would force it on the reader, but the author did a great job of having it present without being overwhelming.

2. This a great opposites attract fake dating romcom! Elle and Darcy are very different from each other, but they fit together so well. I loved them and their story.

3. This is a good f/f romance without a traumatic coming out saga. While the angst (miscommunication angle) was a bit annoying, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had an amazing plot, but I felt the characters were a bit hard to connect to.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

A love story that starts as opposites definitely not attracting - but the slow burn/turn is as irresistible as the tides of the Puget Sound. I was drawn both by the story premise and its location, as I love Seattle and always hope to see accurate representation - and in this, I was not disappointed. Both the lovely setting and the burgeoning love story between two women with very different backgrounds and perspectives drew me in and created a very enjoyable reading experience. Some moderate heat will be encountered, but it all fits within the story that Ms. Bellefleur has crafted. Recommended!

After a disastrous blind date, Darcy is done letting her well-meaning brother play matchmaker. Darcy recently suffered a devastating break-up and she is very much not looking for love. So, in order to get him off her back, she lies and says her latest date was a success. But... this comes back to bite her in the ass. Her latest date was with Elle, a happy-go-lucky astrologer who is the opposite of buttoned-up, high-strung, Darcy. Elle also happens to be Darcy's brother's new business partner. When he expresses how happy he is that Elle hit it off with his sister, Elle is extremely confused. But, Darcy begs her to play along... just for a little bit. The last thing either of them expect is to develop very real feelings...

The fact that it took me so long to read this book is CRIMINAL! I've been highly anticipating it since it came out a year and a half ago and I'm so happy that I finally got around to picking it up because I LOVED it!

Seeing Darcy & Elle's relationship grow was so satisfying. I loved their grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and the fake dating trope is always a good time! I kind of wish there had been a little more pining/tension, as the fake relationship turned real fairly quickly. But, their chemistry was palpable, the steam was HOT, and there were so many cute, swoony moments. This was really a perfect romance & I can't wait to read more from this author!

This was a cute and steamy book, albeit pretty predictable. You have a fake dating trope and a friends to lovers trope all in one. I would say it was not very deep or drawn out and I would have liked more to make me invested. The relationship happens quickly and you don’t get a real sense for who this couple is or why you should even root for them. It was a solid okay, three star book. I am curious, though, to read the others in the series to see where those characters go and if their stories are more in depth.

Overall underwhelming title, I didn't hate it but wont be recommending it further. Better romances are available for my time effort and energy

Absolutely loved this romance! The chemistry was spot on, I totally believed their romance, and I loved both of the heroines so much! I need more sapphic romance in my life like this book!

What better than starting the year with a good sapphic romance. Love the fake dating and dynamic they build. Genuinely an overall sweet story.

I waited more than I would like to admit to read this - and I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner! I adored both Elle and Darcy a lot. Add in one of my favorite troupes - fake dating - we got a winner. Their chemistry was amazing and their encounters had me swooning, smiling from ear to ear or giggle incessantly. As a fan of astrology myself, it was fun to read Elle blabber on about it - you can tell it was her passion!

Fun aside, I think the book also tackled a lot of serious issues well as well. Other personal relationships, families, friends, and healing from heartbreak.

My favorite read this year. Seriously, I could read her books all day! (which, I did after downloaded the other two books and devouring them)

This is a heartwarming romance between polar opposites. Elle is a successful astrologist who wears her heart on her sleeve and sees the positives in life, manifesting this in her cheery personality and belief in goodness. Darcy is an actuary who values order, keeps her feelings close to her chest, and hides her emotional baggage. When their first date, a set-up by Darcy’s brother and Elle’s new business partner Brendon, ends in disappointment, the last thing Elle expects to hear is that Darcy is “smitten.” When confronted, Darcy admits to lying to Brendon so he’ll stop trying to set her up and convinces Elle to fake a relationship for a couple of months.

For anyone familiar with the fake dating trope, the rest of the story follows the script: feelings becoming real, fears getting in the way, parents who are either neglectful, dismissive, or horribly misguided, preemptive heartbreak and more. The only thing that sets this apart is that it’s a relationship between two women. It used to be rare to feature a main couple who weren’t heterosexual, but major publishing houses are finally beginning to acknowledge that there’s an eager market for LGBTQ romance, including fans from the cis straight community. Bellefleur’s lovely story proves the point that, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, people who love risk getting hurt, but the heart wants what it wants.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

really good romance novel. character's voices were really distinct and were really fun to read from the perspective of. all the plot points really rang true and I felt connected to them both. have read the second book as well and enjoyed it too. excited for the 3rd one!

When I first started this one, I knew it would be too good to try to read on my phone with my eyes hating me for it. This book is incredibly easy to pick back up again and be right back in it after months away. I loved the characters - very grump x cinnamon bun. I'd love a sequel that's just them supporting each other as they work through their other issues.

rep: bi mc, lesbian mc, pan sc

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with a temporary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. (full disclosure, since I was so late reviewing, I took out the published version from the library and will be reviewing that.)

A different entry into the rom-com market, as this one sets up our heroine Darcy on a blind date her brother set-her up on with the quirky Elle. (Yes, you are reading that correctly: Darcy and Elle are both women.) Disastrous events ensue and we wonder if either of these vivacious gals will ever find true love.

Alternately sweet and heart wrenching, this is a great beach read for those looking for something different than the same old, same old. Note that sex scenes (yes, there are sex scenes) are not the fade to black variety, but are a bit graphic and detailed.

A big thank you to Alexandria Bellefleur, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.