Such a cute and fun read. I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Plus who doesn’t love a hot fireman? I flew through pages! Can’t wait to read the third one!!

Fake dating and firefighters?! SIGN. ME. UP.

This is book 2 in the Mile High Firefighters series. Book 1 is my favorite so while these can be read as standalones, I still recommend reading book 1 too!

This book gives us Lexi who is a do-gooder, workaholic and Dyson who is an anti-dating firefighter. Dyson stops by Lexi's work for a fire safety inspection and the attraction is immediate.
They end up working together to help the Youth Center Lexi works at and making a few deals, fake dating as one of them!
This book reads so smoothly. I loved Lexi and Dyson's story and how the side characters were realistic and fun. Definitely pop this one on your TBR if you're looking for an easy, fake dating read.

Can I just gush! I am so in love with Ankenman's writing and her characters! They are freaking adorable. Lexi is such a relatable character, someone who always gives way more than they ever get. I just wanted to give her the push to just take what she wanted! And Dyson! was such a sweetheart but sadly so heart-broken. The fake dating trope was just perfect for these two, one who has to take a 6 month break and one who needs to get his sisters out of his hair because he refuses to date ever again after that horrible ex. The banter was cute and I flew through this one so quickly, but if we are being honest I was really wanting into the heads of Diaz and Ward!! I loved them in book one and even more in this one and I need their story! And I'm sitting here thinking it must be next RIGHT??
Overall I'm so excited I had the chance to read and review this book early. It was one of my top books for this year. I've been just watching Ankenman's Insta getting all the details I could gather for this one for SOO LONG!! So thank you!
If you are looking for a funny romance, cute banter, complex character, STEAMY bedroom scenes, and the cutest HEA then you must pick this one up and don't forget #TheWeddingDilemma either!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book.
3.5 Stars

This was a fun read for me it took me a while to really get into it because of the style of POV. That a personal preference so it's a matter of what you enjoy.
If you love the fake dating trope and firefighters this is something you want to add to your TBR.

I felt a little disconnect with Lexie at first but I warmed up to her and her "oops I said this out loud " moments.

Dyson was a good male lead too and his relationship with Lexie was really cute.

I will be posting a more in detail review after a few days of release to avoid spoilery topics on my bookstagram @bookish.blus!

Dyson and Lexi were great characters and The Dating Dilemma had a lot of laugh out loud moments, some sweet moments, and a whole lot of awwwww. Lexi works for a center that helps underprivileged kids and she has a heart of gold and would give anyone anything. Because she's so selfless, her roommate has to make a bet with her just to get her to focus more on what she wants and not always what everyone else wants. Enter sweet, generous, kind Dyson. After a crushing heartbreak, he lives his life full of rules. Lexi helps Dyson break his rules and he helps her learn the value in telling people what you want and making it happen. These two were sweet and fun and I loved the other characters too.

I wanted to read this book since I've read the blurb, and those abs on the cover helped a little. The story kept me glued to my kindle from the very first scene where Lexi mistakes the hot firefighter for a stripper as a birthday present for her. I just had to see what will happen next, and next till the last page.
It is an interesting, entertaining fake relationship that will grow into something more. All that fake dating started as a mutual agreement to get Dyson's sisters of his back and she would have a help to fix up some failing safety codes in the Centre where she works.. Perfect deal for both of them, what would go wrong? Through the story that fake relationship, evolves into fake relationship with benefits and later....you will have to find out by yourself.
I really enjoyed reading this cute romance and as a part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series, I will read the other instalments too
*Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

Loved this so much. It started off with that funny scene where she mistook him for a stripper gram. And the fun continued as they embarked on a fake relationship. Of course, they did have some obstacles to overcome. And I loved their chemistry during their steamy scenes.

When Dyson O'Neil shows up to inspect the Denver Youth Center, he never expected to be mistaken for a Strip-O-Gram. Lexi Martin, assistant director at the youth center was so sure her roommate had sent this for her birthday. Embarrassed by her mistake, it only gets worse when the center fails their inspection But he offers to come in during his free time to help repair the things he can around the center.

After another attempt by his sisters to set him up on a blind date, He blurts out that he's dating someone. When his sisters press for more info, the last name he expected to say was Lexi. Now, he has to ask her if she'll do him a favor.

Lexi agrees but only after they put together a list of ground rules for themselves to follow. Until they decide to bend one of their rules.

Thanks so much to the author, Entangled and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Cute firefighters AND fake dating? Sign me up! This book is so cute. Dual POV, which is my FAVE.

Dyson is the sweetest man ever. Definitely a cinnamon roll main character. He is afraid to get hurt again but his sisters are pushing him to find somebody. He happens to meet Lexi when he is doing an inspection at the the youth center she works at. She doesn't pass the inspection so he ends up helping her. A favor for a favor. This is where the fake dating begins. This never goes as our characters plan and I love it. Their chemistry, UGH. This is exactly what I wanted and more out of this book.

I love Dyson's sisters. His family is the best, so close knit. I hope it's one of them falling in love with a firefighter next!

My only criticism is there were some typoes/things that bothered me a little like "accidently" and "there're". Regardless I still loved the book. This is the second book in the Mile High Firefighters books. I will definitely be reading the first one and any more that come out. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!

After reading the blurb for this book I had to read it. This is my first time reading this author and she did not disappoint. I love a good fake dating story. The Dating Dilemma was a sweet fast paced read.

Lexi runs a center for kids, she is overworked and surprised when a fireman shows up at work.
She doesn’t know what to think and things get interesting.

Lexi and Dyson both went into this fake relationship knowing things would remain fake. Will these two find they have more in common and the relationship a real chance?

If you are looking for a sweet read with no angst look no further. I love Hallmark movies and this has that feel to it.

Lexi manages a youth center, and she is selfless when it comes to being there for the people in her life. When a sexy fireman shows up at her office, she thinks he is a birthday gift from her roommate and not there to perform an inspection. Things go from embarrassing from worst when she fails the inspection, and she isn’t certain how to pay for the repairs.

Dyson offers to do the necessary repairs on his days off so when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to avoid his matchmaking sister she agrees. The more time they spend together the more immersed they become in each other lives and what was supposed to be casual is starting to feel very real.

The characters draw you in and both have pasts to overcome. Neither was looking for love or a relationship but sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥

What would you do if a hot alpha-roll firefighter who raised his two younger sisters comes by weekly at your work to help you out?

Apparently, in Lexi's case, you start saying your inner thoughts out loud.

Lexi works as a director at a youth center that is always in need of volunteers and other forms of help. She works more than her share to fill in the gaps, leaving very little room for anything else in her life. That suits her just fine because she also has a bad history with relationships and is on a dating hiatus.

On her birthday, someone stops by the youth center, claiming to do a fire safety inspection of the building. She mistakes him to be a stripper-gram from her best friend when it turns out that Dyson was an actual real-life firefighting hottie. When he cites her building for some serious violations, panic takes over as the youth center is short on funds. Dyson ends up volunteering to help, but he firmly establishes the rule that while he finds Lexi attractive, he too is on a dating break.

However, when Dyson's sisters press him to start dating again by setting him up on surprise (and awkward) blind dates and telling him that they will work on adding him to dating apps, he fibs about seeing Lexi. When Lexi agrees to fake-date him to return the favor with him helping out at the center, would these two keep their no-dating boundaries?

I enjoyed this book. I thought Lexi and Dyson were cute, and I love them individually and as a couple. Lexi is passionate about the youth center and the kids who go there. She is also supportive not just of her own friends but even people she just met like Dyson's sisters. Dyson shares her compassion, being the guardian of his sisters. Despite their quirky efforts to annoy him, he adores them completely.

This was a fun steamy read if you're into fake dating and adorable support networks. There were some points where Ward and Diaz stole the show, and I cannot wait to read their story in the next book.

She's a hard working, dedicated woman with the kindest heart you'll find. Lexi spends her days helping kids find their way, and her nights...in with her fur kid (Lucifer), and giving away more of her self than taking. A recipe for disaster of the heart...thank goodness she has a BFF to watch out for her...although the bet they make might be pushing them both to their limits of facing their fears. He is a hard working, dedicated man with the kindest heart you'll find. O'Neil spends his days fighting fires with a crew that is like his second family, and his nights...caring for his grown sisters like he's always done, but neglecting his own heart. It was broken severely, once upon a time, so he shut it up, never to be involved in his love live again. A recipe for disaster of the heart...thank goodness he has two sisters, and the firehouse crew to look out for him...although the bet some make is seriously going to test his self restraint. Two stories that sound strangely familiar...that collide with FANTASTIC results!

I loved the quirks she gave our leading lady and leading man. Lexi couldn't think through entire monologue in her mind without uttering some question or thought aloud...often times ending up in rather embarrassing circumstances because of it as well, but it was so endearing at the same time! I mean, she ended up blushing a lot, but what guy is going to take it hard that you accidentally thought he was a stripper because he was just that HOT?! Oh and her biggest fear, shared by many people as it turns out, definitely left room for laughs...or chuckles...but not by those that cared for her most, and those are the people that actually count! As for O'Neil, his penchant for always being early to everything was cute, but the way he took care of his sisters, and would rise to the occasion for someone in need, totally touched my heart. His biggest fear was also something shared by many, but considering he runs into burning buildings for a living...shocking nonetheless...and if he doesn't get it under control, the end of the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Oh, the tension was high, the meet cutes a constant, the inevitable coming together (not saying anything about that unintentional statement) something to look forward to, and the whole time you have a story unfolding about two people finally learning to say what they want, what they need in a relationship in order to see it through to the happily-ever-after. Everyone's looks different, and everyone's story is unique, but communication...intentional or accidentally muttered...is important...and it doesn't hurt to have besties in the game that have your back, or an unintentionally instigating fur kid that shifts things into high gear.

The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman, book two in her Mile High Firefighters series, had me laughing-out loud, tears rolling down your face, while reading the first two chapters. Lexi is a hardworking, kind, big-hearted woman who runs the local youth center. She always has too much on her plate but in the long run, she doesn't mind because she loves the kids that she helps so much. It's her birthday and when she learns that a hot firefighter is at her office she automatically assumes that he is a Strip-O-Gram Fireman. Yes, she may be talking dirty to him and asking for him to take his clothes off and yes she is absolutely embarrassed. But it sure makes for one amusing meet-cute. Dyson is a hunky fireman sent to inspect safety codes at the youth center. He is strong, loyal, wants to help others, and good to look at. When he meets Lexi, he can't help but feel a connection. She is beautiful, quirky, and has s good sense of humor. When Dyson offers to fix up some failing safety codes and since he needs a fake girlfriend to get his sisters off his back, Lexi finds herself in an interesting situation. She's supposed to be taking a break from dating to focus on herself. But Dyson isn't looking for a real relationship either, so nothing could go wrong; right? Not even when their fake relationship shifts to one with benefits; it's totally under control. Lexi and Dyson have sizzling chemistry and it was fun watching them interact with his sisters, colleagues, the kids at the youth center, and her best friend.

Ms. Ankenman wrote a laugh-out-loud, wonderful and endearing fake relationship story that I could not put down and should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, attraction, chemistry, clever banter, good intentions, and a cast of secondary characters assisting Lexi and Dyson admit their feelings and love for one another. I highly recommend The Dating Dilemma to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I want to be Lexi’s friend. She is passionate about her work at the youth center no matter how far she has to stretch a dollar. From the moment she meets Dyson, well, Lexi demonstrates that she has several funny quirks that are endearing and a joy to be around. Dyson is sent to perform the fire safety inspection for the center but he is surprised by Lexi and her dedication to the kids at the center. He has sworn off relationships but finds that Lexi is a breath of fresh air and someone he enjoys being around. When his sister’s ramp up the tactics to set him up on blind dates, he enlists Lexi to pretend to be his girlfriend as a favor since he is going to fix all the issues at the center to ensure they pass their next inspection. Lexi struggles with giving too much of herself and never asking for what she wants so her roommate has her on a dating moratorium. But when Dyson needs help, well, she can’t say no since being around Dyson is so much fun. Now, both of these characters are avoiding dating but now find themselves pretending to date, can they really keep feelings out of it? I had fun with Lexi and Dyson. There are so many fun and unexpected moments between them and the wonderful family and friends that kept me glued to my Kindle. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

This romance was so sweet, charming , funny, heartwarming and full of characters I have read about and loved in other books from Mariah Ankenman.

I really loved the two main characters Dyson and Lexi. They were really likable, awkward and funny together and I felt everything they have been through to get to where they are in their lives when they meet.

Lexi is the manager of a youth center where kids can come and get help either with homework or having a place to go so they don’t get into trouble in their neighborhood. She always gives to others but forgets herself in the process both at work and in her personal life. She has a cat named Lucifer who she adopted from a shelter.
She lives with her best friend Jordan and after her latest relationship ended they made a bet that she has to stay single for six month. If she wins he has to move in with his boyfriend if she loses she has to face her worst fear;-)!
A month into the bet she meets Dyson who is the sexiest man she has ever met. He is a firefighter who loves to help others too but he has been scorned by love and is set in his ways which means he will never ever be in a relationship again. Unfortunately for him his two sisters and some of his colleagues and friends are very adamant that he needs to start dating again. To avoid all of this he asks Lexi if she will be his fake girlfriend.
She agrees and they become great friends but the sexual chemistry is very hard to ignore and they can’t keep away from each other!
But is it a good idea to mix pleasure into a fake relationship and what about the bet?

One thing and the only thing that annoyed to me in this book was Lexi’s habit of saying out loud what she is thinking about without knowing it. I know it is to get some comedic aspect into the romance but it is so unrealistic and I cringed every time it happened and it happens one too many times in my opinion unfortunately.
Everything else I loved from their meet cute to their groveling at the end (they both get to grovel:-))!
The side characters were very great and likable and they really complimented the main characters in the best way.
I can’t wait to see which characters gets the next romance but I know who I would wish to see get their HEA. Let’s just say they have amazing chemistry and they are colleagues and that is all folks;-)!

I can definitely recommend this book.

This is the second book in this amazing series and is Dyson and Lexi’s story. Lexi is the director of a kid’s centre, and Dyson is a hot firefighter, and they meet when Dyson goes to the centre for an inspection, and Lexi mistakes him for a strip-o-gram, as it is the day before her birthday. They agree to a deal between them, where Dyson will get the centre up to code, and Lexi will be his fake girlfriend to get his sisters off his back. This is a well written well-paced story, which is sweet, fun, endearing, and with humor, witty banter, family, friendships, and love, which leads to an entertaining and all-consuming page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

It's a fun, lighthearted, and a beautifully written contemporary romance story. Perfect for a lazy winter afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all romance fans. Bothe the main characters are adorable and the chemistry between them is explosive. I also loved the side characters; the banters between friends and how each character interacted with the others; it was well worth the read.

Lexi and Dyson's story is one charming and funny story. I definitely liked this one better than the first one. If their first meet-cute is any indication, it sets the tone for the rest of the book, you know it's going to be a fun one. I definitely loved Lexi's character and all her verbal vomit. Even though they're fun and cute, they also have scorching chemistry and how slow burn their story is, adds to the tension between them even more. And I loved the side characters too, they add to the fun of the story too.

"But to her, he was more. He made her laugh. Never made her feel bad for her accidental talking out loud quirk. He had been nothing but honest with her regarding their deal. But that wasn't all. He put her first. Something she wasn't used to in any relationship."

The Dating Dilemma follows Lexi, a hard-working manager at the local youth centre, and Dyson, a firefighter. With Dyson helping the centre with free repairs to get it up to code, Dyson asks her to return the favour and pretend to be his girlfriend to get his sisters off his back.

Lexi and Dyson instantly have chemistry and I loved their banter. Ankenman knows how to write witty, laugh-out-loud romances. I enjoyed the fake dating scenario and how they slowly loosened the rules. I also really liked the supporting characters, particularly his sisters.

However, my only critique is the conflict. I know every romance needs a conflict, but this one just didn't feel right for the characters. They both seemed to blow the situation out of proportion, which was unlike them.

But overall, if you're on the hunt for a heartwarming and fun-filled fake-dating romance, I recommend checking out The Dating Dilemma.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fun and flirty, The Dating Dilemma is an absolute joy to read! I adored Dyson and Lexi from their initial meet cute (which was hilarious!) and loved how their relationship evolved in what felt a very natural way. Their chemistry and emotional connection was undeniable and really made the book enjoyable to read. Bonus points for all the wonderful side characters!