This was really good up until it just ended, it ought the character development and their journey together worked well, but then it just ended. There was no real resolution, no epilogue, no closure about her ex, nothing. It just ended.

Two of the healthiest characters I’ve seen in a romance. They make such sound of mind decisions that it was actually a delight to read about their love story.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

The Fake Dating or Marriage trope is one of my favorites. It's a forced proximity where two people may think they have absolutely nothing in common and are really, at the start, out to help themselves. Then along the way find out that maybe they care about helping each other.

Both of the main characters here are needing back up in very public settings, one to sell her new relationship book - when she doesn't actually have a relationship - the him to shut down the massive derogatory public humiliation his ex-girlfriend doled out on social media.

Both have been burned and timid about relationships. It's fun to watch them learn to trust and love again, and overcome reluctance to step back into the dating world.

This fake relationship in Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher is a good one. Their chemistry was fantastic so the fake dating thing was incredibly believable.
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Jessica is a relationship therapist who gets dumped the day before her book about relationships gets published. While out drowning her sorrows, she runs into an old college friend, Galvan, who is also drowning his own sorrows after being publicly emasculated by his ex. With both their reputations on the line, fake dating sounds like a good idea. But is it?
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This was a quick, entertaining read that I am happy to tell you all about!

This was my first book by this author and it was really fun! I loved her authorial voice adn humor. There was some clumsy writing like repetitive language choices, but that could still be an ARC thing. I had a hard time personally taking the name Galvin seriously, but that's a me problem. I also had some issues with the way Jessica talks and thinks about her mom. (I don't love women being called malevolent floozies and cultivating a "town bike image" in a romcom.) In general, I felt like Jessica needed to go straight to therapy with her focus on her mother. (110 uses of the word "mother" in a 300 page book...) But I loved the fake dating of it all and I'm excited to read more from AJC.

I REALLY enjoyed this read.

I was hooked from the beginning and loved this author's writing style.

Jessica is a therapist who is working on releasing her Dating Self-Help book but that doesn't mean she has her whole life put together. Her bf breaks up with her and thats just the beginning. Even though Jessica is a therapist, it's not easy for her to take her own advice. In comes Galvin, who doesn't have a great example of what love is since his parents didn't end up happy. This is reflected in the partners he choses and the choices he makes.

I LOVED the character development, the growth in Galvin and his way of showing up for Jessica was beautiful.

Not a huge fan of the ending, wondering if there will be another book?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher.

I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't extremely engaged in it. I would say that it was fine but I wasn't feeling connected with the characters. I didn't dislike it at all, I just didn't love it.

I thought this book took a minute to really get into but once I did I was hooked trying to figure out how the relationships would develop. I did end up recommended this to a few people who absolutely loved it as well.

I thought I would love this way more than I did and that makes me sad but overall it very cute and I might pick up the authors next book.

Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher is a spicy romantic comedy that delivers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Jessica Gallagher, a relationship therapist facing a breakup on the eve of her book launch, finds herself in a PR nightmare. Enter Galvin Baker, her old crush, and the two embark on a fake dating escapade that turns out to be anything but predictable.

Christopher crafts a narrative filled with witty banter, genuine emotions, and some seriously sweet moments. Jessica and Galvin's journey from fake dates to something more authentic is a joy to witness. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of relationships, weaving a tale that goes beyond the facade of fake romance.

The characters are relatable and endearing, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities. Jessica's crisis management and Galvin's fear of commitment add layers of depth to their dynamic. As they navigate the intricacies of their fake relationship, readers are treated to a delightful exploration of love, expectations, and the unexpected.

Unrealistic Expectations not only explores the pitfalls of modern dating but also delivers a message about replacing unrealistic expectations with genuine connections. Christopher's writing is engaging, and the story unfolds at a pace that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for a romantic comedy that balances sizzling chemistry with heartfelt moments, this book is a must-read.

I really enjoyed this romance from Christopher. The characters were in their 30s that were able to communicate which was nice to see. I love fake dating and the reformed bad boy tropes so this was a fun, sexy read!

I’m in sheer awe of the way the author seems to have combined both the great character as well as sizzling chemistry with a compelling storyline in this tender love story that leaves you feeling all warm and cuddly inside.

As a life long lover of the flawed MMC I greatly enjoyed my experience reading Unrealistic Expectations. Galvin and Jessica are two lost souls that have to redefine how they see relationships and each other. Redemption and rediscovery are the major themes of this novel and it was lovely to see them so well developed between two seemingly different people that fit together so well.

This novel is the story of Jessica Gallagher and Galvin Baker, two people in dire need of a new relationship in order to better their public profiles. Jessica is a debut author whose boyfriend of ten years broke up with her on the eve of her relationship advice novel. This leaves her in a bind, because how can she tell people how to successfully navigate the dating scene if she can't keep a man herself. Gavin on the other hand, recently got out of a relationship with a social media influencer that took it upon herself to ruin him socially after he ended things with her. Due to a recommendation from her publicist, Jessica and Galvin begin a fake relationship that quickly turns into something more.

A new book from @authorandiej ? Yes, please! Her characters are relatable, she writes with grace and ease, and ooooooh is it spicy! (Just the right amount). Not only that, but Miss Andie is a joy in real life. We met briefly at Apollycon and I was left with a great impression.

"When a relationship therapist gets dumped right before her new dating handbook hits shelves, she fake dates to save face in this spicy romantic comedy.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong on an author's publication day, but breaking up with her long-term boyfriend might just be at the top of Jessica Gallagher’s list. She also didn’t expect to run into her old crush, Galvin Baker, the very next day. When Jessica goes into crisis mode about the PR nightmare, she proposes the first solution that comes to fake dating. Luckily, Galvin seems game.

Galvin Baker is used to being a constant disappointment, which is why he can’t—and won’t—commit to a relationship. Unfortunately for him, his last girlfriend used her vast social media power to make sure everyone knows how much Galvin "underperforms.” Fake dating for Jessica’s book promotion seems like the perfect cover—and maybe she can teach him something along the way.

Hookups “for science” and some seriously sweet gestures later, Jessica and Galvin’s fake dates are feeling more authentic than any of their previous relationships did. Have they replaced unrealistic expectations with unexpected realness?"

QOTD: Do you enjoy the fake dating trope?

Also, thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for allowing me to read this.

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #unrealisticexpectations #andiej #andiejchristopher #berkleypublishing #romance #fakedating

This was such a treat for me after reading a few thrillers in anticipation for Fall/Spooky Szn. It was my first time reading anything by this author, but I am so hooked on her writing now and can’t wait to go back and read all of her backlist.

🎧I loved the book and audiobook pairing and the narration was so good!

WHAT TO EXPECT
-open door romance
-slightly spicy
-opposites attract
-celebrity vibes
-fake dating

*many thanks to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copy for review

I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this read. Overall, I'm certain I enjoyed it but it was a chore at times. Jessica's occupation was bothersome in that there were expectations placed on her that were very extreme.

Galvin's name was obnoxious to recall when reading so I just called him Gavin. Its a lovely name but it did not fit the character.

I like how the two ultimately came together and worked everything out. This was just meh to me.

The synopsis of this book sounded so good. But unfortunately, I will be DNFing as the beginning is a huge turn off for me. This is a therapist whose long-term partner didn’t tell her he’s moving out?! The miscommunication is atrocious, and I have no desire to keep reading. Maybe it’s just a “me” thing with the book, but that first scene was totally off-putting and I’m unable to continue. Thanks anyway for the ARC.