This is a new series by the author of Dogwood Lane books. In this story we get a glimpse of Haley as she ends up planning the wedding between Holden and Sophie. It is a new series with three siblings in a small town close to Dogwood Lane. In this story we meet Sophie who runs a small bed and breakfast and Holden comes to stay with her when he is let go from his job and loses his fiancee.

He is a vet and in town to spend time with his grandfather while he tries to get his dream job. He and Sophie knew each other as kids and so he enjoys getting to know older Sophie. Sopie is a divorce' who husband stole her money and she has taxes coming up and can't afford them so Holden offers a partner idea to her.

Holden wants his dream job but he needs a wife for the job and so he tries to convince Sophie to marry him. I felt this whole job reason and why she agrees for 5K was a bit on the far fetched side. Other people offer her the money but she won't take it because she did not earn it and so instead a fake marriage is an option, it just was not plausible to me.

This was a slow moving story and very slow burn. It is a fake marriage between two friends but they only saw each other for two days before they get married, after not seeing each other for like ten years. I did like both characters and the writing was enjoyable. I also really loved the side characters like Liz and Jobe, Sophie's siblings. I also loved the quirky characters around town.

I received a free ARC copy of this book from NETGALLERY prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Fake marriage romance is always a fun, entertaining read for me, and ‘Like You Love Me’ was just that. An enjoyable, easy read with wonderful, sweet characters. Small town girl Sophie Bates whose childhood best friend comes to stay from the big city, one thing leads to another and they realise they can help each other achieve their dreams, by getting married. As is always the case though, attraction gets in the way, and things rapidly go pear shaped. Those pesky feelings. Sophie was independent, strong willed and a complete home bird. The exact opposite to big city veterinarian Holden McKenzie, all he wants is the job at a prestigious veterinary practice in Florida, even at the expense of possible true love. Lovely supporting cast, both friends and family. Small town romance works for me, so it was no surprise that I really enjoyed it. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I have read several books by Adriana Locke and she never fails to deliver on a good story. This is another one. Sophie and Holden are an excellent couple and you really root for them for their HEA. I know this is a series starter and I must say that I cannot wait for Sophie's brother's story. I doubt it is next in line, but it really has the roots for an excellent story!

No problems with this book, it has a good pace, and even though it is an insta love, because they knew each other before it really works this time. 5 stars!

To me this is the perfect romantic story. Yes its predictable and yes its fluffy but sometimes that's exactly what we need!
If you are looking for a lovely sweet and fluffy romance this is the book for you!

Like you love me was a cute and sweet read. I loved both Holden and Sophie. Sophie has grown up in the small town of Honey Creek. Holden spent each summer there visiting his grandparents. He spends his summers with Sophie. Then he stops coming at all. It’s been years since he’s been back but he returns while waiting for a job interview in Florida. Holden and Sophie reconnect. And he comes up with a plan that can help them each out. This was a sweet small town romance. With a hea.

This was my first Adriana Locke book -I know , I know, I've been living under a rock for the last number of years.

What a cute and adorable way to pop my Locke cherry.

Holden and Sophie's story is full of small town sweetness and light.... and gossips!

You knew where this story was going to end up, and there were no big twists or surprises, however there were lots of smiles.

I loved the residents of this town, and the vibe that they all give off. They love their extended family and will protect them to no end.

I really enjoyed this story, and will be going back and reading some of the older stories.

No one does small town romance like Adriana! She always has an amazing mix of characters! You love the secondary characters as much as the main hero and heroine! I’m already invested in this small town and the Bates family!

Sophie and Holden are so cute and this story had me grinning and laughing like a fool! Both Sophie and Holden put love aside and decided to follow their dreams and it’s those dreams that led to each other! Old friends finding more than friendship but when Holden’s dreams lead states away what will become of their newly found roles?

Sophie and Holden were childhood summer friends growing up as Holden visited his grandparents every summer. Now they’re all grown up and Holden is a veterinarian like his grandfather and Sophie runs her grandmother’s B&B.

Holden has applied for his dream job to an organization in Florida, but the director favors employees that have “stability”. Sophie’s tax bill is due and doesn’t have the money as business hasn’t been great and her ex cleaned out her bank accounts. They decide to help each other out by getting married. Temporarily, of course. Just to help each other out. That’s what friends do after all.

Sophie and Holden are sweet and nice. The secondary characters certainly add charm to the story. This is a town where everyone knows everyone and their business and no one locks their doors. You feel like you can visit, pour a glass of lemonade and sit on the front porch for a chat.

Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I loved this book from start to finish! Sophie and Holden are relationship goals. And Honey Creek is a place I'd love to visit. Such a great small town romance, with quirky side characters and a love story that will have you on the edge of your seat thinking will they or won't they. Great writing by Adriana, she really knows how to write multidimensional characters and towns that will have you wanting to google map them to find out if they are real!
I received an ARC Copy in return for my honest review

Adriana Locke always writes great "feel good" stories!

Like you Love me, was another make you feel good story, no real problems, yes there supposed relationship or marriage was fake, but this gave them the opportunity to fess up to the feelings that they felt deep down. we have a friends to lovers, second chance love. We have small town situations where everyone knows everyone and all your business.

First sentence: "You're late." The accusation is tossed my way before the door closes behind me.

Premise/plot: Sophie and Holden star in new romance novel by Adriana Locke. Holden spent summers with his grandpa, his Pap, which brought him in and out of Sophie's life quite a bit in their growing up years. But now both are fully grown up and experienced. Both have failed relationships behind them, but do they have a happily ever after before them?

Holden wants to get his dream job--in Florida--but his would-be-boss is looking for a family man with a loving, supportive wife. (And to be fair, at the time he first applied, he was technically engaged to be married). Sophie needs money to pay property taxes on her bed-and-breakfast. (It was her grandmother's bed and breakfast.) The two "need" something from the other that a marriage of convenience would provide. But is playing with happily ever after too much of a risk for their hearts? Can they learn to live without each other once more?

My thoughts: I never know whether to start with what I did like or what I didn't like. About the star rating (if you're reading this at GoodReads and can see my rating), I'd rate it two and a half stars if possible--for the completely and totally neutral rating.

What I Didn't Like:

I didn't like the cussing/profanity. This is 100% subjective.
I didn't like the graphic-ness of the smut. It was a little too what-goes-where for me. Again this is 100% subjective. Another person might find it steamy and marvelous. (Not me.)


What I Did Like:

I liked the small town setting and getting to know a few of the town residents. (Her brother and sister. His grandfather. His receptionist. A few others? like the woman who is famous for her pies?)
I liked them as a couple. I wanted them to make it work.
I liked having both perspectives. The narrative is told in alternating chapters.
I liked that once the initial encounter was graphically portrayed all future encounters were non-graphic and occurred off-page. (This isn't always the case.)


What I found humorous:

Granted this is a netgalley review title, but when she's talking about thread count on the sheets--she's sheet shopping--there's a typo:

"And guests will pay premium dollar for the little touches like homecooked meals, nice soaps, and threat counts."

I am guessing people won't pay more to stay at a place where their lives are threatened!!!

This was a make you feel good story, no real problems, yes there supposed relationship or marriage was fake, but this gave them the opportunity to fess up to the feelings that they felt deep down. we have a friends to lovers, second chance love. We have small town situations where everyone knows everyone and all your business. Enjoy!

Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke a four-star read you will love. I was so close to giving this five-stars, it just missed something I have come to expect from this author. There was the usual charm and characters you could get behind and feel for, but it lacked the gloss and sparkle. It was light-hearted and fun, but had a little depth and drama, Sophie has real challenges and I could understand her completely, she wants to prove something to herself, to her Grandma maybe, but mostly to herself. Holden was good, but I just wished he had stood up to his family more, stood up for his Pap Fred more. Overall a good story, just not as good as I normally expect.

Wow, what a wonderful book! Holden & Sophie filled my heart with sunshine. I loved their story & I’m hoping we get more from the Honey Creek characters in the future

This is a sweet and simple fake realtionship to real lovers story. Whilst it didn't blow me away, I thought it was cute. It's very fast moving. I would read a chapter or two and see I had progressed 10% through, it would seem.

Both Sophie and Holden were decent and mature adults which made this story quite refreshing. Both seemed to be relatively capable at processing their emotions, not getting into petty fights, etc. I quite enjoyed getting to know their inner thoughts.

It's very light on the steam and all in all just a sweet, romance story about two childhood friends who needed a marriage of convenience which slipped into something more. It feels like a warm hug when you've finished.

Another triple S (soft, sweet, swoon) friends to lovers story with arranged marriage theme. The characters were sweet pies. The story’s development may be a little predictable, a little drama, angst, but mostly safe, entertaining, easy to read, heartwarming, relaxing.

Yes, there are some cliches but there are so many awww moments put so many lovely smiles on your face which break your dark cloudy mood.

The agreement was simple: friends with benefits theme. No! They don’t plan to sleep together. At least they didn’t plan it at the beginning!
Sophie needs fast cash to save her inherited bed&breakfast as Holden who recently broke up with her fiancée, tries to prove one of his important employer he can be decent committed man.

The arranged marriage can fix their all problems but what about the secret spark between them which slowly grows throughout the years. It can blurt out any second with additional undeniably hot chemistry.

People think they’re in love. They think they’re great pretenders. But guess what they’re not Oscar worthy actors as like they think. They start to fall for each other which also means the fall out of their perfect plan!

Yes, I gave so many clues. It’s a great beach read but you may also lying on your couch with your snacks and refreshments and consume this lovely book as a reward for happy weekend plan.

I love the author’s work and her writing style. So I’m giving my lovely, second chances, friends-lovers four stars with a big smile on my face.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for sharing this lovely arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Adriana Locke and she didn’t let me down with this book. Like You Love Me is a cute friends to lovers - marriage of convenience story that will have you flipping the pages to see how it ends.

These two have been friends since they were little kids when Holden would come in the summer to visit his Pap, the local veterinarian. They were best friends. And then life got in the way but Holden is back and Sophie and him need each other in different ways. But once these two get what each other needs things change and a love like no other blooms.

Entertaining, swoon worthy, and unputdownable. I would highly recommend this to any romance reader!

*I was provided an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions in the book are those of my own.*

4.5 Stars

This author is my go-to when I need a good dose of romance. There is a certain charm about her characters that draw me in and make me believe in love again. It is wholesome, almost a southern, good-ole-boy charm, mixed with a down-home but feisty girl that is fierce sprinkled with the perfect amount of steam. Her heroines always remind me of how I picture this author to be in real life after watching some of her social media posts. I especially felt her in this story and imagined Holden to be like her husband from the way that she speaks so highly of him. In the afterward part of the story, I discovered I was right and it made me love the characters that much more.

Holden and Sophie were that perfect couple. Even though the storyline itself was a bit cliche, it still was heartwarming to watch these two gravitate toward something that real after starting out as fake. I loved the secondary characters and hope Liz gets a story. I would have liked to have had more of a resolution with Holden's dad.

I recommend this author to anyone wanting to experience what honest to goodness love is.

Holden is not a shy man, “come on, sugar. Let’s go consummate our marriage.” I look at Liv and then Dottie with a slack jaw as Holden guides me inside." I liked this book, I loved Holden.

I loved this sweet romance! Oh, how I love small towns. I always wanted to up and move to a place where everyone knows everyone. It seems so amazing.

That is exactly what happens here. Holden moves to help his grandfather at his Vet practice while he is between jobs Holden has been coming to visit here since he was a kid. He and Sophie has been friends since then. Always a spark between them is now going to be a blessing and a curse when a fake marriage surprises everyone. I loved their chemistry and their relationship!

Another great read from Adriana Locke!