Reminiscent of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, in Too Good to be Real we meet Julia who loves Rom-Coms but believes they are just fantasy. When her job for a popular website is on the line she decides to make a pitch... 12 Reasons Rom-Coms don’t happen in real life.. by traveling to a new resort that allows guests to role play living in a rom-com for a week.

Here she has an almost-meet-cute with Luke, a fellow guest with secrets of his own.

Can Julia forge her own real-life Rom-Com or will she prove Rom-Coms just exist in the movies?

This book was so cute and had me rooting for love to prevail!

For Fans of classic rom-coms, Too Good to be Real is likely to check all the boxes. The story is jam packed with references to many iconic movie moments, as our characters embark on a feel good romp through a week at a rom-com themed resort.

The dialogue is hilarious and laugh out loud funny throughout. I especially enjoyed the exchanges between Julia and her girlfriends, and the cute side characters.

Julia and Luke’s romance is cute, but for me it was lacking a little sizzle, and I didn’t quite buy into the inst-love.

Overall, it’s a solid 3.5 stars and a perfect beach read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This is going to hit the sweet spot for many readers. Definitely pick this up if you are intrigued by the storyline of a resort where people can go to role play romantic comedies. There are continuous references to popular romantic comedies, and some colorful and endearing secondary characters.

This book started out for me to be cute and entertaining, but at some point I began to lose interest. That was partly because I didn’t feel any true chemistry between the main characters and I wasn’t truly invested in whether they found their happily ever after with each other. I also found that there were maybe too many characters and storylines to keep track of, especially since the players in the role playing game had both their real name and their character name. Although many readers will enjoy the seagulls as characters and plot device, I did not.

Ultimately, this seemed to become a book focused on showing how cute it could be by how many references to popular romantic comedies it could contain, and I grew weary. The thing that drew me to this book, the ability to live role-play a romantic comedy, is what I ended up finding dissatisfying because it overshadowed the main character connection and romance for me. However, I own that as personal preference and this is going to be an enjoyable read for those looking for a fun nod to romantic comedies.

Julia's a love skeptic, but love may be the only way to save her job. She pitches an insider review of a fantasy rom-com resort to her boss, and suddenly she and two friends are living a real life rom-com. Julia even gets a meet cute with the handsome Luke! But life and love are never simple, and the secrets they hide may tear them apart.

I love romantic comedies, so this book was right up my alley! Any rom-com fan will recognize scenes inspired by their favorite movies, including the infamous "I'll have what she's having" scene from When Harry Met Sally. I wish I could go to a rom-com resort! I was prepared to give this book a 4 star rating, but unfortunately it got bogged down in exploring too many rom-com scenes. The middle dragged somewhat and the ending resolution felt a bit unsatisfying, so it was more of a 3 star read for me, but I still enjoyed the change to revisit some of my favorite love stories.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was attracted by the cover and the blurb and I enjoyed this fast story. Julia is a journalist and intends to write a piece about a live action role play resort (rom-com). She bumps into Luke on the first day. She hides the fact she is at the resort for work, but Luke also has his secrets.

Overall a good story. I just wish there had been more chemistry between the main characters. I liked the setting and the other characters together.

Julia writes for a Buzzfeed type of site. Her job is on the chopping block, and to save it, she convinces her boss to let her do a feature on a rom-com role-playing activity. She'll be traveling incognito to a Michigan resort for a week-long adventure, along with her two best friends. All the common rom-com tropes will be played out - paintball fights, getting trapped in an elevator, and so on.

There, she meets Lance, I mean Luke Every player in the game has an alternate identity. Luke is the game developer, but at the last minute, he decides to join the game instead of masterminding it. He and Julia meet and there's an instant connection. But, they're keeping secrets from each other.

The resort owner is a whack-a-doodle with more money (and Corgis) than sense.

Such a fun premise, but the story just didn't feel plausible at all. Also, it dragged on way too long. Even the resolution had way too much back and forth. I thought it would never end!

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Too Good to Be Real is a contemporary romance about Julia, a journalist in Chicago grasping at straws to keep her job. She meets Luke on her next assignment at a Romantic Comedy LARP experience at a hotel, and rom-com fun ensues.

As a bordering-on-religious romance reader, I was kind of disappointed by this book. The first third was terrific, and the banter between Julia and her friends was so funny and quick and engaging. That alone merits 2 stars. The second third, which is where the romance probably should've built up and the world should've faded away, was nowhere near that. I didn't get why they liked each other. I didn't get why they would fall in love with each other. I didn't get why I wanted to keep reading about Julia and her friends more than Julia and Luke. It was unsatisfying insta-love, with a world and premise more engaging than the actual couple. The last act was, consequently, unavoidably dull. I would read an entire book about their friendships, but Luke and Julia were unmemorable together for me. The tropes and cliches, which I usually love, were exhausting by the end.

Critiques aside, I loved the premise, I loved the secondary characters-- all of them, even the animal ones--, and the author has a serious gift for fun dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy!

When I think of entertaining reads, I have a checklist of sorts that I would like the story to encompass, at least, a few of. This story goes above and beyond and almost checks off each item on my “perfect reads” list. Fresh and Innovative or Intriguing Plot/Engaging Characters/Unique Concept/Relatable Interaction/Romance/Humor....it has all of this and so much more! Through the story, we travel to a place called Notting Hill...one of my favorite movies of all time...and experience a week at a romantic simulation getaway through the eyes of three fabulous friends! While there, they experience the ups and downs of the “sim” and each find their own version of romance and fun interactions along the way. From beginning to end, I was thoroughly entertained. With the romantic comedy references, there was an element of sparkle added and sprinkled throughout. If you are looking for a fun, entertaining, wish-you-were-transported-into-the-story kind of book, this must be on your list! I cannot recommend it enough!!

This was a cute, quick read that I enjoyed. It was similar to other rom-cons that I’ve read lately because of the likable characters and witty one-liners. I gave it three stars because it didn’t quite keep my attention like others that I’ve read lately. I found myself picking it up and putting it down often.

This book is rom-com meets real life or is it real life meets rom-com? Julia is a writer for a trendy website trying to keep her job after another round of layoffs. She accepts an assignment for Take Me!, a travel segment. One problem, she hates travel and gets motion sickness. Thankfully a new resort catering to rom-com lovers has opened and it's not too far to travel. She goes to the resort with her two friends to review it. Luke is a computer guy who's working at the resort, Notting Hill, in order to get the money for his start up. He, along with his sister and best friend, have set up the entire experience for the guests. A lot is riding on the success of the resort. He literally runs into Julia on the first day. He convinces his sister to take over as Game Master so he can spend time with Julia as a role player. Julia decides to let the resort management think that her friend is the reviewer so that she can get the real experience. Julia and Luke spend time together and fall in love but Julia can't help but wonder if the entire thing is real or not. Luke gets outed as one of the staff and much angst ensues. Can Julia trust her heart? Can Luke convince her it's real? A fun book that really delivers. Loved it.

Relatable, enjoyable mad me laugh out loud several times. It’s a fun book to read with friends if you want a new book club read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. Who hasn’t dreamed that they could live in a Rom-Com and have an adorable meet cute? Too Good to Be Real gives us this opportunity at a Rom-Com live action role play resort in Wisconsin. Here we meet Julia a journalist sent to review the resort and Luke one of the brains behind the project. I loved the concept behind the book and loved the idea of a Rom-Com vacation. The romance was hard to connect with and I felt the two main characters story fell flat. The relationship between Julia and her friends thrives as well as the relationship between Pen and Jay, David and Patrick, and other side characters. Mainly the Seagulls stole the show and scenes with the Seagulls were delightful.

This story made me laugh and smile. I found Julia's character so relatable. As I've started to get into the romance genre more, I've found a greater appreciation for the unique story telling. I thought this was a great read, and I loved the character development and the relationship building. I can't wait to read more from Melonie.

I had so much fun with this book! It was an easy read and I found myself staying up late just to finish it. The characters were well-developed, and I felt like I was right there with him. This was a great book, and I can't wait to read more from the author!

I love the idea of a resort that hosts a role-play week devoted to romantic comedy movies! Julia is sent to review the facility. Luke is a manager there but decides to work from the role as a guest. As is classic rom com material, they have a quirky meeting, are smitten with each and keep getting thrown together. This was such a fun read! I don't know if this exists in reality but it is a great idea and made for an endearing book. And there are corgis! You can't go wrong with corgis. I read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an adorable and amusing book. And what a great idea! Julia is a reporter and needs a story to save her job. She finds a gem of a story in the form of a hotel that lets people live through a simulated rom-com atmosphere (the name of the hotel is Notting Hill! I love it). Anyway, Luke is the developer and he and his sister and friend spearheaded development of this activity. Luke needs the bonus in order to start his own game development company. When he meets Julia, he decides to join the game. I laughed a lot at the hijinks, the thriving seagulls, the corgis, and also, the fact that Luke and Julia are written as normal people- not particularly in shape or gorgeous or good at everything. I thought it progressed a little bit slowly towards the end and it was kind of insta-love (I mean the game only lasted like a week!) which goes against the realness of the characters but otherwise, the story was so much fun!

Who has been so exasperated, tired and lost all hope for true love? Enter Julia. As an aspiring writer trying to impress her bosses and readers with a new pitch, she ends up taking part in a role-play act where she begins to question the reality of her life and feelings all in the same. Especially when she begins getting emotionally invested in the role play as if it was real life. Julia hides her true motivations for her part in the role play but can she hide them from herself too?

It's a fun romantic comedy for those that prefer this genre. There were some improvements needed in terms of the development and chemistry among characters that impacted my believability of the ending. There are certain parts that are just a little confusing to understand that also had me lost regarding the story. Overall, it is the perfect light, fluffy and romantic novel to read when you just want to fantasize about love and life!

"Too Good to Be Real" was a light romance perfect for easy reading. The premise is endearing - three best friends go to a resort for a week to experience a LARP (live-action role play) for rom-coms - and the number of references littered throughout the book was fun if you love watching those types of movies & shows.
I did find myself interested in Luke and Julia's relationship, but had a hard time buying that they were in love by the end because it felt a little rushed - it was the epitome of insta-love. They have about three real conversations amidst their intense physical attraction to each other, so while I certainly wanted them to be together, it felt a little quick that they were so in love by the end.
My other issue with the book is the number of storylines that were all happening in one novel. While Julia was definitely the lead, her two friends had their own love and emotional problems that the author brought up and tried to solve. Plus the familial issues that Luke has with his sister, so he also had multiple problems and places for growth. It was just a lot to get through and get resolved all in one book, so I felt like no one thing got the full attention it deserved.
I did enjoy the color from a lot of the side characters, from the other guests to the eccentric owner of the resort to the pesky seagulls!

All in all, while it wasn't my favorite rom-com that I've read, it was still a nice book and I would recommend giving it a read!

A fab read.

Desparate to keep her job, Julia heads off the Notting Hill resort for a week of rom-coms. Within in minutes of arriving at the resort she bumps in to Luke and there is a spark there but they are both keeping secrets so what will happen when the truth comes out.

Too Good to be Real tells the story of Julia, a writer for a popular website, and Luke, a nerd who is planning a live role-playing adventure that simulates a romantic comedy. When Julia shows up to attend the event to write about it online, she has an awkward meet cute with Luke that involves an evil seagull. Luke and Julia hit it off immediately, but they're both hiding the truth about why they are a part of this romantic comedy simulation; Julia is writing about it and Luke is the mastermind behind it.

The good:
This book is funny and relatable with some great dialogue and a very realistic depiction about friendship for twenty-somethings. The premise of a live action role-playing rom-com situation is funny and fascinating and causes some really cute scenes.

The bad:
This book is the essence of insta-love. Luke and Julia fall in love in the space of a week and it's hard for me to take that seriously, no matter how funny or interesting the story is.