This was just the story I needed!! So much fun!

Dave is the book boyfriend, and real life boyfriend everyone needs. And Vivian is the kind of character you want to be friends with, get coffee or drinks with… They’re both beautifully written and relatable. I loved their chemistry and the way the author handled consent in a very real but sexy way.

Definitely recommend.

V and Dave were cute. I liked how they never really doubted their feelings for each other. They knew very early on that it was more than a one night stand for them. He wanted to do better for her and I liked that.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Loved getting to read Dave and Vivian's story! They are such a pare. I enjoyed watching different "seasons" of their time together.
Watching Vivian finally open up and let Dave play a larger role in her life was everything! These two had their highs and lows but it was all worth it in the end!

V (Vivian) meets Dave while on a girl’s trip to Rochester. We see this trip through Kez’s perspective in Risky Restoration and get to watch V and Dave’s love story unfold in the background of the first two books in the (Not) Looking for Love series. Almost Perfect is the full story of how they navigate from a one-night stand, to a long distance flirtation, to the couple we see in Earning It, the second book in the series. I knew before even reading their full story that it would be special!

I think one of my favorite aspects of this story is how realistic it is. Love stories don’t exist in a vacuum and this one highlights some of the things that people encounter in real relationships. Family acceptance, career challenges, differences in upbringing, long-distance struggles… V and Dave have to navigate all these things together and I loved watching them becoming stronger because of it. They both grew a lot throughout the story! As in the first two books of the series, the strong female characters and the friendship you see between V, Kez, and Rae is super refreshing. And the humor and banter is absolutely on point from start to finish! The long distance aspect gave E.F. Dodd the opportunity to use texts, emails, and even FaceTime (JUST WAIT for that scene) in a super creative way that I really enjoyed. And if you’re looking for spice, you will find it here in spades!

It was a good and entertaining story!!!

This book is a contemporary romance novel that captures the essence of love and personal growth. The story focuses on Dave and Vivian, who have an almost instant connection when she walks into the bar where he works.

The relationship between these two was beautiful, I won't deny it, but the long-distance relationship thing doesn't work for me (but this is due to personal preference), if they evolve as characters and learn to let go of their rigid expectations and take a chance on a connection that feels right.

Despite the cover of this book I didn't feel the christmas vibes, if anything until almost the end they focuses on this holiday and that's why I wanted to read it, because of the beautiful and Christmassy cover it has but oh well.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Almost Perfect" by E.F. Dodd is an excellent book for a cozy fall read. It's the third book in the (Not) Looking For Love series and follows the charming holiday romance between Dr. Vivian Walters (referred to as V) and Dave Richardson.

The story begins with V and her girlfriends enjoying a weekend getaway. V is a vibrant and intelligent woman who doesn't have time for a serious relationship but is open to having some fun. Dave, on the other hand, is a charming and handsome man who happens to be perfect for the task.

After a passion-filled weekend, V and Dave agree to maintain a long-distance "situationship." They keep in touch through phone calls, text messages, video chats, and occasional in-person visits that inevitably lead to them developing deeper feelings for each other. As their relationship progresses, they have to deal with the challenges of distance and the pressures of their respective careers.

V and Dave are adorable together! Their dating journey is full of frisky dialogue, humorous mishaps, and sizzling chemistry. The author does an awesome job of creating inviting and relatable characters. The story has minimal angst and drama making it a lighthearted and enjoyable love story.

I loved how this story made me feel; it brought back so many gitty and hopeful memories of when I met my husband. If you're looking for a delightful romance that will leave you smiling, "Almost Perfect" is definitely worth reading.

I think E.F. Dodd is my new favorite author. Almost perfect is a lovely story that just sucks you in. I loved every minute of reading this book and look forward to more books.

If you're looking for a nice hallmark-esque romance look no farther. You've got the meet cute, the banter and the disapproving mom all wrapped up in a quick read.

This was a cute book, definitely spicy!! It’s not a “holiday” book which the cover kind of misleads and I didn’t love that Dave called V Doc over and over, but overall, a quick and easy read! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Almost Perffect is a fast paced, easy to read, spicy feelgood holiday book.

I say holiday an not Christmas because the story follows Dave and Vivian and their relationship over a fair share of holidays.
We see two people who fell in love and both have to overcome their own insecurities whilst battling the struggle that is long distance.
V. is a doctor, She has achieved all she ever wanted in life from college, to med school and residency to her job.
Dave"s life on the other hand did not turn out the way he wanted it to. That was until V walked into his bar.

The chemistry between these two was undeniable form the beginning. This book has amazing banter, some great heart-felt moments and realistic characters you can't help but love. I personally had to adjust to the writing style since 3rd person writing usually isn't quite my speed but this book is the exception to the rule.

A swoon worthy romance that is a quick read (yes I finished this one in a day) and makes you wish for a love like these two have. I have grinned, cursed but mostly enjoyed this read.

I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cozy & spicy holiday romance. While it did not have as many Christmas vibes as I was hoping. I still really enjoyed the references to cozy seasons. I loved how the book was divided into different parts with cute section titles.

There is a spicy scene in every section and it is very open door. I loved the one-night stand--to relationship trope. I felt like V's and Dave's relationship evolved well and there wasn't any miscommunication. The third act breakup was small--not really even a breakup which is another thing that I love.

There were a couple of things that did not work for me personally. It is really just personal icks. I felt like he called her "Doc" too much, especially during the spicy scene. I also just like when the guy has a special nickname just for her and it always threw me off when her friend called her "Doc" as well.

DNF (did not finish)

I really thought i was enjoying this book in the early chapters. But it makes me so sad saying that i couldn’t even finish it!

However, i must say that this is NOT a BAD book. it just doesn’t work for me.

The characters have chemistry, there’s tension, there’s a plot. But there is nothing that keeps you in. Nothing that makes you WANT to keep reading. The characters seem nice but i couldn’t really connect with them as they didn’t get to know eachother before they hooked up.

The thing that pissed me off the most is that this book has no Christmas theme till like, at least 60% of the book because that’s where i stopped reading it. The cover makes you feel like this book will be warm, full of holiday spirit and cheer and SNOW but its got nothing :(

It’s also in third person point of view and felt dragged to me. However you could enjoy Dave and Doc and their story so I’d suggest giving it a shot <3

Such a heartwarming spicy meet cute story.

I loved the FMC and MMC and how their relationship forms and builds. Such a realistic story.

also love the WNY ties! So awesome to read stories about local places.

Thank you to the author, Sugar Beaver Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb and cover on this book is very misleading - it has next to nothing to do with Christmas. Billed as a romance, I found it a series of extremely steamy sexual encounters, hooked together by a story that did not make sense. Outside of the sexual connection between the two main characters, they seemed to have nothing in common. Pages and pages of detailed sexual encounters do not a romance make, at least for me. I am sure there are readers who enjoy this type of romance story, they will find it an easy read.

DNF review at 12%. I am not feeling the vibes of the book.
The use of the nickname 'V' also annoyed me from the start. And according to other reviews it has almost nothing to do with Christmas.

This was a cute book that had some steamy scenes between the main characters V or Doc and Dave.
V is a pediatric psychiatrist on a girls weekend with her best friends when she meets Dave a bartender in the bar they are at. V has never been one for a one night stand or even a fling, but she feels you only live once and she takes the chance.
It was only supposed to be the weekend, but turned into so much more.

My only complaint was I prefered V's full first name Vivian over the nickname V.

Uncomfortably bad writing. Hard to slog through. The descriptions were very odd and felt off. The characters were abysmal. Just not for me I guess

I have a big smile on my face after finishing and I’m giving this book a big hug! I’m in my happy place. Great read. I loved the romance and intimacy between these two. From the very first minute they had chemistry. The kisses, touches and breath taking moments were swoon worthy. There is nothing better than being able to feel and see the chemistry. The author brought a wonderful, satisfying romance that I just didn’t want to end. What was special was how absolutely crazy they were about each other. Dave was everything I want to see in a relationship and he was scared yes, but always told V how much he wanted her. **Sigh**
I Loved it!
Thanks Sugar Beaver Books via NetGalley.

This warm and charming romance worked for me! Dave and Vivian - he's a bartender, she's a doctor, can they make it work around family and societal expectations? What do they each really need? This is swoony, and steamy, with lots of consent, and care. They are both insecure, long distance is tricky, the road is rocky but it's so satisfying how they grow for each other, and learn to navigate their feelings and trust each other - and themselves.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

Not a fan of thus writing style too much Dave said and Dave did, the tense or whatever was really annoying and hard to read. Also the chemistry and pairing wasn’t great sadly this wasn’t my cup of tea.

*ARC Read*
Thank you to Netgalley and Sugar Beaver Books for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, I have decided to DNF this book. I originally picked it up to read early this month, and I found myself reaching for other books instead. I wasn't compelled to complete this story because as simple and cute as it was it was just very generic. I didn’t mind the characters but I found V annoying, and I was annoyed to constantly hear about their jobs and parent approval. I also felt he called her Doc too many times. Even though their connection was instant, I didn’t feel that as a reader, it felt almost fake. The story didn’t include enough Christmas for what the cover showed. I’m not a fan of a third-act breakup either.