Small town romances are one of my favorites to read. The connections, the people and the surroundings paint pictures of an idyllic way of life. Like You Love Me is a great example of this!

Holden McKenzie has come back to Honey Creek, where he used to spend time in the summers as a child, to help his grandfather out at his vet clinic for a few weeks. He's just left his job and his broken engagement back in Arizona and is looking for a new start, hopefully with the dream job he's always wanted in Florida. However that might be a problem because the man doing the hiring wants someone who is "ready to settle down" so Holden's broken engagement is a potential deal breaker.

Sophie Bates is the owner of the Honey House, which has been in her family for years. The only problem is there are mounting bills that she's not sure how she's going to pay so she can continue to keep the doors open. With competition a town over, she's looking for ways to spruce up Honey House, but that's difficult without funds to do it.

Holden ends up at Honey House looking for a place to stay and he and Sophie reconnect. When he realizes that the two could potentially help one another, a plan is proposed. He helps her with the bills and she marries him so he can get his dream job. Win-win, right?! Well, not so fast. As these friends end up spending more time together, they realize how well they get along and feelings start to emerge. Will this marriage of convenience end up being the real thing?

This was an excellent friends to lovers romance/marriage of convenience. There wasn't a huge amount of angst, but I was good with that. It fit this story and all around this was an uplifting, feel good type of story. One that I would recommend picking up!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**

Loved this new series by Adriana Locke. It’s a small town feel good book that is low drama. This book reminded me of the Doc Hollywood movie with Michael J Fox. Holden has big dreams and big plans but this small town and a girl he spent summers with as a kid makes him question all of that. Sometimes life isn’t about getting to what we think is our destination but instead it’s enjoying the journey and opening ourselves up to the possibility of a new destination. Sweet story with all the feels. I’m looking forward to Liv and Jobe’s stories now!

Sophie and Holden knew each other from childhood summers. Holden is back in Honey Creek while waiting for word on the job of his dreams, and Sophie is trying to clean up some messes in her life. Their marriage of convenience deal quickly turns more romantic.
I loved watching the sparks between them, and how much they care for each other. This was a really sweet small town romance. Quick, fun read, and I am hoping for more about other characters. Adriana writes small town stories so well, and there are even a couple of fun cameos.

Sophie Bates and Holden McKenzie were childhood friends growing up in Honey Creek. After college, Sophie moved back home to take care of her grandma's bed and breakfast, and Holden moved across the country for his career. A decade later he's returned to Honey Creek to help out at his grandpa's veterinary office, fresh off of a break-up and being fired, while he waits to hear back from his dream job. His potential boss thinks he's engaged, and Sophie's about to lose her bed and breakfast because of some back property taxes. They click as no time has passed at all, a marriage of convenience is just the thing they both need to get ahead.

I completely adore small-town books and Adriana Locke is one of the absolute best at writing them. Like You Love Me is sweet, funny, and has the perfect amount of small-town quirk. It's low angst, has good banter, and great side characters, and honestly made my southern heart a little homesick. Yes, it's a little predictable, but that's exactly what I needed, a perfect comfort read.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A sweet small town read with plenty of heart and plenty of sass. The dialogue is quick and easy. The writing is well done with lots of funny quips.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.

This has ALL of the childhood Friends to Lovers goodness that I want. The shared memories that come up throughout this book from Holden and Sophie's childhood are perfection. Some funny, some sweet, always endearing. The sudden awareness of how sexy the pother has become when "grown up". The friendship that lays the basis of the romance. It's all there in LIKE YOU LOVE ME.

And this book also hits you with all of the quirky, small town charm. I loved the interactions between city boy Holden and the residents of Honey Creek. And the tie that Sophie feels to the town, its residents, and the B and B she runs is such a sweet addition to the story.

The family relationships in this story are meaningful, even when complicated and I can't wait to read the love stories of the other members of Sophie's life. Her older brother and sister are supportive and loving while also being funny and in Sophie's face. I loved their quirky interactions and finished this book wanting to know so much more about them.

Holden and Sophie had mad chemistry and the steamy scenes in this book are hotter than hot. I am ALWAYS here for kitchen counter sex. But with the steamy scenes comes a romance filled with truth, sweetness, respect, and kindness that makes this book a 5 star read.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

This combines some of my fave romantic genres - friends to lovers, marriage arrangements, and small towns. Do not miss out on this sweet and sexy romance novel by Adriana Locke.

Holden and Sophie are both extremely likeable characters, and the extended family and friends of the town are so engaging and loveable. I really hope there is more in the series

I am a fan of Adriana Locke and usually love her stories. This was just MEH for me. I had a hard time connecting with Sophie and Holden for some reason. I am not sure where the disconnect came from; weather it was external situations or the story, but I was a little glad when I got to the end. I will say that it has definitely NOT warned me away from this author though. Still a fan!

After experiencing some personal setbacks, Holden returned to Honey Creek to try and regroup. Honey Creek was his childhood haven, and he only had fond memories of those carefree summers and his best friend, Sophie. While reconnecting, Holden realized that Sophie could help him get the job of his dreams. All she had to do was marry him. But would he be able to walk away once he achieved his end goal?

This is the type of romance I gravitate towards. It made me laugh, smile, and swoon, and what more can I ask for? The combination of friends-to-more, marriage of convenience, and small town setting made this an absolute pleasure to read, but it was the characters who won my heart.

This town was so charming and Locke packed it with quirky and wonderful citizens. It was such a treat getting to know them all. I was especially fond of the relationship between Holden and his grandfather, as well as the bond Sophie shared with her siblings. Her brother tried to come off gruff, but he showed his love in his own way, while her sister never failed to be there for Sophie. And granddad was full of love, warmth, and wisdom.

Seeing Holden and Sophie allow their spark to grow was really gratifying for me. I adore seeing characters with history and yearnings finally turn them into more, and I couldn't argue about the foundation these two had. All those summers allowed their friendship to grow deep roots, and some shared personal losses gave them insight into each other.

Yes, I laughed and smiled a lot as I read this book, but when the "drama" came, my reaction solidified my feelings for these two. I found myself grappling with my emotions. Even knowing how it would end, I shed tears for them, because I was so invested in this "marriage" being a success.

Overall, this was a sweet treat for me. I absolutely adored my time in Honey Creek and was happy to see these two reconnect and fall in love. This experience has me looking forward to revisiting Honey Creek in the near future.

This was a good book, it was everything I was hoping and expecting it to be. It was fun, funny, easy to read with likeable characters. Would recommend.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and it’s done extremely well here.
The characters had a strong friendship that bloomed into a romantic relationship. The fake dating trope also serves the story well. It didn’t feel like a gimmick.
Will certainly try this author again!

This was just cute. If you like angst or huge drama, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for a small-town story that feels like the comfiest blanket, ENTER.. NOW!

Sophie and Holden were childhood friends and meeting again years later, they enter a marriage of convenience to help them both get ahead in their lives. Little did they know it would actually impact them more than just the titles of wife and husband. Seeing them see through the veil and start actually feeling things was utterly cute.

Overall, I could have used more backstory to feel the second chance nature of the story and more of their falling in love and figuring out their wishes and how to achieve them. But it's still a cute story with lots of fluff. Do I want to live there? OH for suuuure.

3.5 stars

Love small town romance! Holden and Sophie were childhood friends and reunite when Holden comes to help out his grandfather. Loved their chemistry and loved all the side characters too! I'm hoping we will get Livs book and many more from this town.

Always love Adriana Locke’s books! This is the story of Sophie & her childhood friend Holden. Sophie owns a bed and breakfast and owes some money for taxes. Holden is a vet that has come back to town to fill in for his grandfather at his practice. Holden is trying to get his dream job and is in need of a wife. So to help each other out they get married and pay the tax bill. Then the fun begins.

This was such an adorable friend-to-lover/small town/marriage of convenience romance. The heroine and hero have known each other since childhood. They both came off bad relationships and ready to leave everything behind. How do they do that? Why not get married to each other right? Just for convenience – he needs to show the boss he is stable, and she needs money for her business LOL 😊 I really like their easy relationship – load of fun banters and lighthearted moments. The characters are likeable, and the small-town setting was charming. Overall, this was quick, cute, flirty, and entertaining.


3.5 stars

4.25⭐

Like You Love Me is a fast-paced, enjoyable, and joyous small town romance between vet Holden and B&B owner Sophie; and with a captivating, and delightfully cute friends to lovers story and a great cast of characters I was easily and completely engaged throughout. And I look forward to reading more from these characters, and the town of Honey Creek in the future.

Would recommend.

I love small town romances and when I saw Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke was available for reviewing on NetGalley, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read and review it because she certainly knows how to write small town romances. I've read most of Ms. Locke's books and she never disappoints. Holden and Sophie's romance was a bit more than just small town though -- throw in friends-to-lovers and add on a fake marriage and you've got yourself a winning story! Holden was swoony and sweet and Sophie's kind and compassionate heart made her his perfect soulmate. Not a lot of angst in this one--just a fun, flirty, feel good read that will have you smiling and reminiscing. Lots of good "feels" with this one! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Childhood summer friends Holden and Sofia haven't seen each other in years. When Holden goes to Tennessee to fill in for his grandfather he runs into Sofia Bates. Sofia has taken over her grandmothers B&B and she needs money before she looses it. Holden is up for a huge job in Florida, when he gets a call from the prospective employer they think he is a committed man, which he was until he had to leave Arizona. Holden needs to find a wife ASAP and Sofia needs money. What do the two friends decide do? Get married and quick. This was such a sweet and charming book. I loved Holden and Sofia. I loved the residents of the town, and I love their extended family.

I must say I’m a huge Adriana fan! Every book I read gets better and better. With that said this one doesn’t disappoint. Sophie and Holden’s story was one you just get absorbed in . Marriage of confidence with two childhood friends ? What could go wrong? Maybe falling in. Love for real?

I couldn’t put it down thank you so much netgalley and Adriana locke for my ARC

4 'Follow The Sun' STARS!

Like You Love Me is the first book is Adriana Locke's new Honey Creek series. In it, we follow childhood friends Sophie and Holden who both decide to enter a marriage of convenience with one another in order to get something they both want. Sophie needs money to save her late grandmother's bed and breakfast which was left to her after her passing. Holden agrees to give her the money in exchange for her being his fake wife which he needs in order to get a prestigious veterinary job position in Florida. The rules are clear: once Holden gets the job they can divorce. Not a big deal when they've been friends for years. They trust each other, are comfortable around another, and have fun. Should be easy, right? But, what happens when feelings start to bloom between them? What if what they both thought they wanted isn't really what will make them happy? You'll have to read and find out!

This was first time Adriana Locke and I want to kick myself for not picking up something by her sooner. 'Like You Love Me' was so good! It was a sweet, soft, heart warming story about two childhood friends who reconnect after some years apart and eventually fall in love. This had all the tropes I love. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers and marriage of convenience stories. So the set up for this was right up my alley. Adriana's writing style was easy to read and I found myself instantly immersed in the story and the characters of Honey Creek just jumped off the page. It had a very romance movie feel to it. I could easily see this adapted to screen. It played out just like a film.

I genuinely enjoyed the time I spent in this world with Sophie and Holden. Their friendship and romance stole my heart. I loved seeing them fall in love with each other. I also liked all the side characters we got to meet. Sophie's siblings, Liv and Jobe, were especially interesting. I really hope we get their stories next!

So, if you're like me and love a sweet friends to lovers story - definitely pick this one up!