I love this story! Holden is such a sweetheart. I love how sincere and kind he is. Him and Sophie are absolutely adorable together. Their easy banter, their children memories and that their never unkind to each other no matter what. It's a absolutely amazing, sweet, funny, make your heart melt kind of read. All the side characters are awesome and I can't wait to see if Liv and Jobe get their own book. This is definitely a must read and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Holden is officially my New favorite book boyfriend.


I received a Advanced Readers Copy and I'm leaving a voluntary review

For those who like:
» Small town romances
» Friends to lovers
» A marriage of convenience
» Quirky small town shenanigans
» Childhood friends
» Incredible sibling bonds
» Lots of delicious steam!

You know who does small town romances well? Adriana Locke. And with this new series, you know you’re in for a big treat! And when combined with some of the best tropes, Like You Love Me is everything that you could ever ask for.

Sophie and Holden grew up together every summer. With his grandfather living in Honey Creek, Holden would visit the town every year and he and Sophie would spend their time together. They shared their first kiss, they explored parts of town and discovered parts of their friendship together. But like always, you grow up and life changes and they don’t see each other for a few years.

Now as adults, Sophie and Holden are brought back together in the most adorable way possible. She’s grown up to be beautiful, sassy and too much for Holden, while he’s gotten hot, sexy and distracting for Sophie. So you can only imagine what they believe is the right thing to do - get married. For a reason, obviously. They both need the help and assistance to make something happen and they both can offer something the other wants to make their lives a little easier. So why not get married?

It’s a marriage of convenience, of course. One only Sophie’s sister knows about, but one that has many benefits. They make a deal too, no kissing, touching or sex, because this not a real marriage. It’s one to get what they want and none of those things are happening in the bedroom. But when you’re two people who’ve had these secret feelings for each other for so long, there’s only so much a deal and a fake marriage can hide.

Sophie and Holden. Holden and Sophie. Gosh, the chemistry is insane. I love their friendship, obviously, but that’s what really ignites the relationship too. They are just so great together and so much fun. The banter, the sass, the constant support to make sure the other is okay. And I love how unintentionally they fall into this husband-wife pattern of cooking and looking out for each other. But that obviously comes from years of being friends.

But outside of the two of them, their relationships with other members of their families and people in town is just perfect. Sophie’s got a great relationship with her two siblings, while Holden and his grandfather have an incredible bond. And these are the people that give the two leads the strength to realise that what they have is not just fake. It’s real as real can be and it’s what they’ve both been waiting for.

And let’s not forget the steam. If every book had kitchen counter sex, I would die happy. Holden and Sophie’s physical relationship warms you up just as much as their emotional connection. From their fake wedding to the first time they kiss as adults and all the steam they build between the two of them - it’s explosive! Did I wish there was more steam? Most definitely, because I love the way Adriana writes her sex scenes, but what we got was perfect and absolutely delicious.

I am so excited for the rest of the books in the Honey Creek series, because these characters completely have my heart.

Thanks to Adriana Locke, Social Butterfly PR, NetGalley and Montlake for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Star Review Like You Love Me (Honey Creek #1) by Adriana Locke

I loved stories that are based in small towns and Like You Love Me is the first book in her new series and I was excited to jump in and read .

This is Sophie Bates and Holden McKenzie friends to loves story that was a captivating read that held my attention from the first to the last chapter.

When circumstances arise that means that they can help one another achieve their goals, they jump in to a marriage of convenience. What happens when feelings become involved and pretence becomes reality?

The writing was descriptive and I could easily imagine myself in Honey Creek with all this wonderful and entertaining characters. I fell hard and fast for Holden, he is totally swoon worthy and ticked the boxes for me. Sophie is someone I could easily see as a friend , I like her caring nature and these friends certainly deserved to find the happiness together that they did.

I love Adriana Locke’s style of writing. There is something about the stories she weaves and the characters that I find so easy to relate too.

3.5 stars
Cute friends to lovers, fake relationship, small town romance. It was definitely a sweet story. Nothing amazed me though.

What a fantastic start to the new Honey Creek Series!!!!!
Small town romances are one of my favourite genres so Like You Love Me was always going to be on my radar but this book went way above anything I expected and I found myself falling hook, line and sinker for the residents of Honey Creek.
Holden McKenzie needs a wife to prove to a prospective employer that he is a committed family man and Sophie Bates needs money to keep her Tennessee bed and breakfast open so maybe a fake marriage will work for these childhood friends.....
Problem is what happens when feelings come into play, what happens when friends turn to lovers and can they really walk away. Well that’s not the only issue because the job Holden desperately wants is in another State and Sophie could never leave her grandma’s beloved bed and breakfast. So will one of them compromise.......
I loved everything about this book, it was a story that took my breath away, it made me smile, it made me giggle and it made me cry as I joined Sophie and Holden on their journey. Ms Locke described Honey Creek so well, I felt like I had visited at some time or another, I felt like the characters were my friends and I really can’t wait to visit again.
A swoon worthy romance that ticked all my boxes and I’m sure it will tick yours as well.

Adriana Locke is one of my most favorite authors. This book is perfect. She writes such beautiful love stories. I was hooked from chapter one until the last page. The banter between the main characters is perfect. I love love this book. Fake marriage but real love.

Like You Love Me is the first book in the Honey Creek series. Every time Adriana Locke comes out with a new book I get really excited to read it and then it becomes my new favorite. Like You Love Me is no different! I love Holden and Sophie so much! This book is told from dual points of view.

Holden and Sophie were childhood best friends. Holden would spend the summers with his grandparents and Sophie lived at Honey Creek and they would spend all summer together. Now as adults both are struggling with their own problems. Sophie owns a bed and breakfast and Holden is a vet. He just lost his job and fiancée and is back in Honey Creek to help his grandpa at the vet clinic. He's trying to get a job in Florida that he's been dreaming about his whole life.

Holden ends up renting a room in the bed and breakfast Sophie owns and they decide to get married for convivence to help both of them out with something they need. As the book goes on though they start to have feelings for each other. Holden and Sophie both have to make some tough decisions in this book.

Will Holden get the chance of a lifetime with the job he wants? Will Sophie be willing to leave her bed and breakfast behind? Will their feelings evolve?

I loved this book so much, and I can not wait for the next book in the series! I'm really hoping it's Sophie's sister's book with her new boss.

Like You Love Me is the first book in the all-new Honey Creek Series by Adriana Locke. Adriana Locke is normally a one click author for me. I have come to depend on her unique take on small-town romance novels. Her heroes are usually swoon worthy nice guys, while her heroines are kind and strong.

The blurb summarizes the plot perfectly. Holden McKenzie is back in Honey Creek for a change and because his grandfather asked him for help running his veterinarian clinic while he is away. Being that Honey Creek is a small town, you get the typical, funny, and classic secondary characters. I will say, I did find Dottie at Frank’s office a bit annoying. Her scenes were meant to be endearing, but I found myself growing tired of the meddling old woman with her nose in Holden’s business. The heroine’s sister was sweet and helpful.

As with most marriage of convenience stories, there’s usually a reason for the fake marriage. Holden is in the running for his dream job however the CEO thinks he’s currently engaged and will only hire a “family man”.

Sophie runs her grandmother’s bed and breakfast in Honey Creek. She’s struggling to pay her bills. She and Holden have known each other for years. When he comes back to town, she feels comfortable seeing an old friend. What she doesn’t expect, is for him to propose marriage. She gets her bills paid while he gets the fake fiancé.

What I didn’t expect was the lack of emotions during the decision-making process. It came about it a very simple and anticlimactic way.

Overall, the book was lackluster but not bad. I do love most of Adriana Locke’s books, therefore I would always read more of her books.

With Like You Love I didn’t see the chemistry between Sophie and Holden. There were no fireworks, passion, or spark. I didn’t get a sense that they were falling for each other even though they said they were. It was an actual marriage of convenience. I do respect the fact that the characters in this novel did portray themselves like mature adults and worked through their issues.

I received an ARC and I am providing my honest opinion.

This book is an ode to moms and grandmothers that have passed away, finding a best friend as a child and realizing that is the love you needed as an adult. To small towns where everyone knows your business but cares about you and wants the best for you and wants you to see you succeed. I felt all of this deep in my soul.

I was a ball of mush reading this story! I cannot recommend it enough. If your looking for a love story that is romantic, sad, steamy and makes you think about love in the best way then this is the book for you. Congrats Adriana Locke I loved this story so much and I cannot wait for more from this series!

Coming back to help his grandfather with the local vet clinic, Holden keeps his eyes on the prize of a prestigious job in Florida. But when the man that holds the key to that job only wants a family orientated man Holden needs to find a wife ASAP. Sophie needs an influx of cash to keep the B&B she inherited from her grandmother alive. can the two childhood friends make a pact to work together to help each other out? Or will the feelings they have been ignoring come too close to the surface? Once again Adriana Locke has started a new series with adorable characters the reader will instantly fall in love with. Her sense of family holds true and her storyline is not only enjoyable but makes the reader feel like they are right there in the small town. Entertaining from the opening pages makes this another book that deserves more than 5 stars!!

This book has it all. Best friends to lovers, second chance, small-town swoon and a hot hot marriage deal. Holden is so amazingly sexy. Gray sweatpants. That's all I have to say. Sophie is so sassy and doesn't see her own beauty. I love them together. I can't wait for more of these characters and was so happy to get a glimps of some Dogwood characters. Couldn't put it down.

Like You Love Me by A. Locke, published by Montlake is the first book in the Honey Creek Series.
LYLM is a story you can fall in insta-love with and tells Holden and Sophie's story, a story that gave me all the feels.
A story that I fell pretty quick in love with. A witty and fun read, seriousness mixed with rom/comness and wrapped up in a beautiful story.
A great read, 5 stars. I recommend the book and the series and can't wait what's coming next.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Montlake.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Two childhood best friends end up marrying not for love but for other reasons. She needs to save her B & B business while he needed to prove he is a stable person to his new employer. So he comes up with this plan of marriage to help each other out.

Soon they will realize that they want forever in this fake marriage. Will they be able to admit their feelings and have a forever future? Small town romance at it is finest.

„Promise me you’ll never leave.”


Pure small-town goodness! Adriana Locke mixed the best that can be found in this category and created a swoony, funny and heartfelt story that charmed me completely. Friends to lovers, marriage of convenience and second chances are just the base of this amazing book, in reality it’s so much more! Like You Love Me is a perfect feel-good romance that will bring a bit of sweetness to your life!


I adore Sophie. She’s feisty and sassy, a little bit wild and very much entertaining.
Holden Mckenzie is sexy, sweet, thoughtful and funny.

Their chemistry is sizzling and the banter is hilarious. I loved the development of their relantionship and how naturally their feelings evolved. Sophie and Holden are the perfect mix of sexiness, steam and fun!


And characteristically for a small-town romance, the rest of the Honey Creek community must be mentioned! This story has many amazing supporting characters that only add to the charm. As befits this trope, you can expect here great friendships, meddling, gossips and so much more!


If you’re looking for a heartwarming read with all the feels, this one is definitely for you! Like You Love Me is a great introduction to the Honey Creek series and I can’t wait to read more books set in this charming small-town!

Will they let their past scars come between them ...

I know the author is well renowned in Romanceland, yet as I am mostly a historical romance reader, this explains that.

So when I saw this book, it was the perfect opportunity to correct what I was missing.
I did not know what to expect outside the blurb,
And as a HR lover, a marriage of convenience is a trope I love.

And while the romance part is quite cute, what I very much loved was the dynamic between the siblings, they are fun and love each other without limitations.
Holden and Sophie quickly rekindle their childhood easy friendship, to leave their initial chemistry free rein. But as they believe it with an already settled end date, how can they ask for more when they made a deal with a goal for each one.
Sophie like many needed to leave only to realize that her roots were what made her herself. She now knows from where she comes from and what she wants, if only she was not restrained by material needs.
Holden never reached any of his father’s demands, and now in between two jobs, he is a bit lost, not really knowing what he wants for him or to please his father. What truly are his own dreams...
Their romance is fast paced as in a matter of hours they go from childhood friends to betrothed and married, all for each one’s gain. Well it looks like this on the paper. Until quickly the edges get blurred when they let free reign to their initial attraction.
Yet will chemistry and a deep friendship asking for more be enough when whispers from success call ...
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen mild lovemaking scenes.

Adriana Locke, does it again the queen of small town romances once again delivers in doing just that. This book had some major southern romance vibes. The heroine was a fierce southern belle not at all typical but that's what makes her likable.The hero is swoon worthy as well in a non traditional southern gentleman way.
This is a unique take on a marriage of conveniences will keep you thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

I just loved this book! Friends to lovers is my favorite romance trope, and this had so much more to it. I don't really have the time or desire to reread books anymore, but as soon as I finished this one, I immeaditly wanted to start it over. I loved that it was nothing outlandish, not overly angsty. It made me smile a lot, like I said, friends to lovers is my favorite. It also does a good job of setting up the series with the rest of Sophie's family. Adriana Locke has quickly become a go to author for me

I’m a big fan of this author and am always excited for new releases. Friends to lovers, small town romances are some of my favorite reads. This author also never disappoints with any of her stories. Holden and Sophie’s story is one of those reads that is heart felt and makes you smile while reading. While a bit predictable it is still a great read with a lot of feeling and characters you will love. I know a lot of readers will love this story so make sure it’s on your reading list. You do not want to miss out.

A VET, A B&B, AND A LITTLE LOVING

Small town romance.
Second chances.
Friends fo lovers.
Fake marriage
Good natured banter and humour.
A dotty grandfather
Some family friction
A bed and breakfast
And a ferret that ate one too many gummy bears.

This is like a speed dating advert for Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke. The main characters Sophie and Holden have known each other since they were kids, ever since Holden vowed to marry Sophie after a Wiffle Ball game when they were kids ... He loved her so much another time he dangled spit in her face. Fast forward and they both need each other’s help - she needs financial help to pay her taxes, he needs ... a wife. It’s not white what Sophie had in mind, but she likes Holden (ALOT) and this seems to be a win-win right?

Out February 16, Like You Love Me is a heartwarming read about a couple a whole town could see were destined to be together. It’s just taken the couple a little while to work it out for themselves.

This is such a fun, sweet small town romance and made me really excited to see where Locke takes the next installment. She built the perfect small town for her story to be set in with all of her characters bringing something unique to the town.

Sophie is down on her luck and needs to find money to save her bed and breakfast passed down from her grandmother while Holden needs a wife to prove stability for a job. They enter into a proposed marriage to benefit each other and vow to keep their emotions out of it, but sometimes life has other plans. They have great chemistry together and I loved watching them fall for each other. Growing up together there is familiarity between them and it helps further that bond with them. When decisions have to be made about the future their love is put to the test and they have to decide how their future will look.