Let me begin by saying this: sometimes you just need a fun, light, cute story when the real world sucks. Given how the real world has sucked the last couple years I was definitely in the mood for something sweet and, after having stumbled across Mariah Ankenman’s Instagram a while back, I found her to be an author worth following, not only because of her works but because she wants to have fun while writing and while talking about her works/ writing them. She makes fun of herself, she makes fun of people who look down on romance novels and she tells the realities of writing and publishing books. What more could a reader/ wannabe author want from a fellow author’s page?

Through my adventures of following Mariah I saw she posted about The Dating Dilemma being available for ARC readers through NetGalley and I immediately went to NetGalley and requested the chance to read it. Once given the chance I dove into it and finished the story in a little more than a day (mostly because, apparently, I need sleep.)

While, yes, Mariah’s novel about Lexi, a youth center worker, and Dyson, a gorgeous firefighter with a wounded heart, is the epitome of sugary-sweetness, Hallmark movie level heart-tugs and a mix of spicy goodness, the story itself is complete and strong. While this is number two in the series (I haven’t read number one yet but I will be going back) I didn’t need to read book number one to understand book number two. The world and spaces within it that these two characters inhabit was complete, fleshed out and with enough layers that I could attach myself to the characters quickly without feeling like I was missing out on some details.

If you’re looking for a sweet story, wish some heat and a nice cast of characters definitely check out The Dating Dilemma.

Thanks to NetGalley, Mariah Ankenman, and Entangled Publishing for the advanced copy of The Dating Dilemma.

"There went her fake boyfriend"
"You don't have to date him to do him, right?"
"Danger! Danger raging hormones! We can't jump him yet"
I absolutely loved this book!
In a period of time when I really needed something romantic to make me fell better again, this was exactly what did the trick!
The second book in a series where firefighters meet the love of their life for real this time but in the funniest of ways...
This book had some amazing tropes: fake dating, friends to lovers, sexual tension, slow burn and some drama in the middle of it all!
The author managed to deal with betrayal and loss of trust in the ability to love with the amazement that comes with finding someone who meets your match and can lighten up your days in way you're not expecting!!
That's what Lex and Dyson are for each other. Plus Lex is an amazing character, book-lover, unable to stop her mouth from saying what's in her head, and someone who can be a bit distracted...
"Her TBR was a bit out of control"
"Lex you have to stop asking me questions when you're head deep in Narnia"
There's sadness , trauma but so much love to cover it all, you'll feel like you're floating in cotton candy.
Friends and family around the corner trying to support something that hasn't happened yet... or maybe giving the first hints of it... facing fears together and communicating which are the most important things in a relationship. As well as maybe breaking some rules!
I loved how real both characters are and how scary of their feelings they could be while navigating their dynamics.
I can't wait for it to be published and I really wanna read something more about two of those side characters that picked my interest in more than one way...
"After all, it wasn't like she was going to actually fall for her fake boyfriend"
"At what point had he started to have real feelings for his fake girlfriend?"
"Lex, nothing is impossible. Improbable, but not impossible"
"Ask. As easy and as difficult as that"

*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a ARC of this book*

This was another fun entry to the Mile High Firefighters series by Mariah Ankenman. This one includes an endearing director of a kids center and the hunky fireman sent to inspect safety codes.

When our hero offers to fix up some failing safety codes and also 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 what could go wrong? Even when they eventually turn into a fake relationship with benefits… it's totally under control… Right?

This book was full of funny moments and endearing moments. Many of which include the fact that Dyson loves to read romance and is just a little bit nerdy, which is a lot adorable. I had a great time ringing in New Year's weekend reading this book.

Something that is a bit tough for me with this author's books is that they are 3rd person. It is just always hard for me to fall into a book that is like that. Especially a romance. But it is a style choice that won't bother everyone. Also, I know this is a comedy, but some scenarios were slapstick in the extreme.

But go in for a good, easy time, and you will really enjoy yourself.

4/5 stars

A fun, quick read with the fake dating scenario. Dyson is a firefighter who needs a fake girlfriend to convince his meddling sisters to stop setting him up on dates. He figures if he has a girlfriend, they will stop. And he knows the perfect girl to ask: Lexi, who works in a youth center where he is helping fix some fire code issues. Lexi decides to fake date him because they have obvious chemistry and he's already helping out the center, so why not? Of course, we all know how the fake dating books turn out and this one is fun to read through.

This book is the definition of the perfect fake dating, cute and fast book.
So when Dyson needs a fake girlfriend to convince his sisters to stop making blind dates for him so he could find love that he asks Lexi to be the woman who makes him happy and good. Lexi accepts this because he helped her with something that she cares about.
The fake dating part was so sweet, cute, funny, and spicy. I loved every second of it, I also loved the side characters and their interactions

Overall, this book is so good, and I'm excited to know more about the other characters. I'm looking forward for Mariah Ankenman's future books

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a cute story about 2 people who have sworn not to get into a serious relationship because of bad experiences with previous relationships. While I liked the story, I did find it a little too cute for me. Dyson was too bashful, boy-next-door for me. I like my male MCs to be more alpha. Lexi was also cute but I found her blurting out her inner thoughts confusing as not all her thoughts were spoken out loud. I really enjoyed all the secondary characters; from Dyson’s sisters and his fellow firefighters to Lexi’s co-worker and her roommate.

This one was just ok for me. I felt there was no real plot and it didn’t really bring anything new to the table. There was a lot of will they or won’t they from both sides. Overall I didn’t love it. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was I influenced by the half naked fireman on the cover? Yes I was but thankfully the book itself was just as good as the cover.

I loved Dyson and Lexi. She’s a workaholic who’s constantly given and he’s a fireman burnt by love. It’s hilarious in the fact that they start a 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 because of bets!

It’s hilarious and a typical romcom whilst I love how the story unfolded there was something a lacking from it. The story doesn’t punch in the nuts.

I definitely like the authors writing style and will definitely try her other books.

I liked the first one but could not get through this one. I love the fake dating trope but not like this. I mean they go on a date in the first 30% of the book, they insist saying it’s not a date he pays for their meal to « make it more convincing » but … no one is there to see it ? What’s the point ? I got the feeling they acted as a couple but without saying they were a couple and that was annoying. What’s the point of saying again and again that you don’t want to date, do the fake dating thing to convince someone else and acting like you’re dating even when the person you’re trying to convince is not there ? That’s just denial.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was really excited to get to read this early from netgalley and I was not disappointed. I really loved Lexi and Dyson (and Lucifer). OMG !! The bets this go round❤️❤️ Lexi’s talking what she’s thinking had me laughing and feeling embarrassed in some parts with her. Dyson is just so sweet but he has his issues to overcome. The weekend away ❤️🔥🔥🔥 and I really liked the ending😻.
I hope there are more books in the series, would like to see more of Ward and Diaz.
Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lexi and Dyson are both wonderful characters. They have both been hurt in love and are skeptical about getting into new relationships. The story is both funny and witty. Lexi has the quirky habit of speaking aloud what she is thinking. They also both having phobias that they are working on. What starts out as a fake relationship develops into very real feelings. They both have to conquer their fears and learn to trust their instincts to find lasting love.

Netgalley ARC

Easy summer read that I finished in one morning sitting. So it kept my interest enough for me to read it one go. Who doesn't love the hot fireman trope?!

Both characters were fleshed out enough for me to care about them both and it was a romance that included a lot of insecurities on for each lead character.

Thank you @entangled_publishing for a copy of The Dating Dilemma. I loved the first book so I was excited to read this. This was full of laughs and both Lexi and Dyson were like able characters. Dyson‘e sisters were a hoot as well as the firehouse crew. I loved their fake dating and how their attraction building. I hope there will be more to this series.

The Dating Dilemma is a cute read. Despite starting out on the wrong food Lexi and Dyson made tier fake relationship and friends with benefits turn into something more. There wasn't a lot of drama in the book bit seemed to make up for it towards the end.
Overall it was enjoyable

It's her birthday tomorrow and her roommate told her he was sending a gift to her work at the local youth center. So when a crazy hot fireman shows up, Lexi assumes he's a strip-o-gram gift.... but he's not. Dyson is there for the annual inspection she completely forgot about, and they fail miserably. Unable to pay for repairs with their already strained budget, the center may be forced to close. Dyson volunteers to do the repairs himself, and in exchange she will pose as his girlfriend in front of his well meaning but interfering sisters. Both of them have good reasons not to date or be in a relationship, so the arrangement seems perfect. What could possibly go wrong?
I love how down-to-earth and shy Dyson is with Lexi and had to feel bad with his history of loss. The bond with his fire family is really great and I plan to read more in the rest of the series. This book had just the right mix of humor and her to keep me entertained.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I've been searching for a cute firefighter romance with some added spice so when I saw this book on Netgalley it was right up my alley.

We have sexy firefighter Dyson and overworked youth centre assistant director Lexi who after an embarrassing first encounter decide to start a fake relationship, though both characters are very clear that neither of them want to date and this is only a favour for a favour or is it?

I'm very picky when it comes to the fake dating trope but Mariah Ankenman wrote it in a very enjoyable way, I often found myself laughing out loud and swooning one too many times over Dyson. Nothing about their relationship felt rushed and I felt the plot flowed perfectly.

I could not put this book down and I'm excited for the story about Díaz and Ward to come out next!

* Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review

So, second fake dating book and I am starting to think that this trope is rising in my ranks...not something I thought I would ever say. This was a quick read and a good one.

MC Lexi, resident boss bitch, runs a youth center in her community and does it all. Jumping right in, we arrive on Lexi's birthday where she makes the mistake of confusing the firefighter ensuring the community center is up to code, for a stripper. And mental image, I can't blame her. Dyson, firefighter and brother extraordinaire, is a heart broken love interest, who runs in to fires to rescue others along with the occasional student stuck in a chair. After getting to know one another they come to an agreement to 'fake -date' in order to get Dyson's sisters off his back about dating since its been a few years and he got his heart broken by some she-goblin. Lord knows this trope did NOT disappoint.

I give this one a solid 4 stars. Smut was good, I would have preferred just a bit more tension myself. I like the heroine, her quirks were...well quirky, not something I'd ever really read in an MC before but she is a boss. Dyson is #dreamy&steamy, I'll take two, thank you. Lexi is a great business woman. Has a cat named Lucifer. And has feelings. I'm for it. All of it. Go check it out!

This one was a fun read! It felt a little rushed in the beginning but overall, I enjoyed the story and it was a fun in between book that I was able to fit in between heavier reads! I would definitely be willing to read more by Mariah! I love her style and laughed out loud a lot :)

I'm not going to lie, it reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Maybe it's because I was reading this while watching Hallmark movies. Anyway, it was a very enjoyable read. Plus, it is a dual pov, which we love.

Dyson is a firefighter who has to do an inspection at Lexi’s youth community center. Even though she failed the inspection, Dyson chooses to help her because fixing everything would be extremely expensive. The connection between them began at that same instant, but due to previous relationships, neither of them will express their feelings to the other.

They've each made a bet with their friends. Lexi's bet was that she wouldn't be able to date anyone for six months, while Dyson's bet was that he couldn't pull off fake dating Lexi for a month. His bet came about after his sisters wanted him to date but, he refused, so they took matters into their own hands and arranged for him to date. He wasn't going to let that happen, so he pretended to date Lexi.

As a result, they both ended up pretending to date in order to make his sisters happy. However, true feelings begin to emerge, and neither of them understands how to deal with them.

The Dating Dilemma is a cute laugh out loud read that you are going to fall in love with. Dyson is that sexy firefighter who doesn't date. He is nursing a betrayal and not looking for a relationship. I just love his relationship with his sisters. Lexi is a workaholic trying to do what she can to help kids and give them a safe space. She is bad with relationships and is taking a break. You are just going to love her when it comes to her awkward moments and the bet she has going with her roommate. There is amazing chemistry between Dyson and Lexi from the very start. If you love fake relationships to more, sexy firefighters, a few missteps along the way and pushy sisters then you are just going to fall hard for this one. I could not get enough of Lexi and Dyson and the laugh out loud moments that are to be had. I could not put this down. You need to meet Lexi and Dyson today.