Vivian and Mark are such an odd couple, I'm not going to lie. On paper, it makes no sense (or on Kindle screen or through headphones, however you roll) that these two are together by the end of the book - but it also some WORKS? They couldn't be more different in a lot of ways, but some shared hobbies and interests and pure sexual attraction can make up for a lot apparently. These two ended up being the queens of compromise (and if you read it you will understand why queen is a perfectly solid moniker for Mark). The comedy aspect of the book was incredibly relatable and I loved that Mark worked through his anxiety and life struggles on stage and through his routines. Vivian is seen as cold and distant, but is really just riddled with anxiety (also relatable). Even with the comedy angle, there were several emotional conversations around culture and family that were crucial for these two.

I enjoyed Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie well enough but wished for more depth. The premise hooked me: Emily’s fake dating scheme with the oh-so-perfect Mark Chan to get her meddling mom off her back had all the ingredients for a fun, opposites-attract romance. Emily’s sarcastic resistance to her mom’s relentless matchmaking, like the time she pretended to be in a relationship with her best friend just to avoid another blind date, felt relatable, and her dry wit brought some good laughs.

But, honestly, I struggled with Emily’s mother’s overbearing interference—it bordered on exhaustion. Despite Emily’s apparent discomfort, her constant raving about Mark felt a bit too much, and I just wanted Emily to stand up to her rather than go along with the elaborate ruse.

Emily and Mark’s 'dates' were filled with enjoyable, tender moments, but their chemistry, for me, felt a bit tepid. Even as they began to dismantle each other’s preconceived notions, I found their connection lacking. Mark’s gradual revelation of his hidden depth and warmth was indeed charming, but it didn’t quite solidify their bond by the end.

Unfortunately, the resolution left me unsatisfied. After all the build-up, I hoped for a more substantial payoff—something with more punch or a greater sense of change for Emily and her family, like her mom finally accepting that Emily can make her own romantic decisions. Instead, it wrapped up quickly without much depth, which felt anticlimactic.

Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie is a delightful blend of romance and small-town charm that captures the essence of youthful dreams and the complexities of love. The story follows its relatable protagonist as she navigates the ups and downs of relationships, friendships, and the challenges of pursuing her passion for baking. The author's warm prose and vivid descriptions make you feel right at home in the quaint setting, while the characters are well-drawn and engaging, each adding their unique flavor to the narrative.

The plot unfolds at a satisfying pace, with just the right amount of twists to keep readers invested. While some of the themes may tread familiar ground, the heartfelt moments and witty dialogue elevate the story, making it both enjoyable and meaningful. Overall, Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie is a charming read that celebrates love and resilience, leaving readers with a sweet aftertaste and a smile.

I was thrilled to see Jackie Lau release a new book! While I absolutely loved Donut Fall in Love, this one didn’t quite capture me in the same way, though I still enjoyed it.

This story delves into more complex family dynamics, with a lot of meddling along the way, which isn’t my favorite, but it adds depth. The fake dating trope makes it a fun, light read, perfect for a quick escape. Overall, it’s an easy, enjoyable romance for anyone looking for something sweet and entertaining.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed watching the character development of Mark and Emily as they explored their fake relationship and it became a real relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Emily, at her youngest sister’s wedding, is pressured by her mother to date Mark Chan. However, their initial encounter is far from love at first sight—they both detest each other, reminiscent of Bridget Jones’s interactions with Mark Darcy.

Undeterred, Emily’s mother persistently believes that Emily and Mark are meant to be together, leading to a series of hilarious and cringe-worthy hijinks that keep them constantly running into each other. Frustrated with her mother’s relentless pursuit, Emily decides to fake date Mark as a means of appeasing her.

I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between Emily and Mark, even the awkward ones were laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming. While her family members, particularly her mother, initially grated on my nerves, I eventually grew to appreciate her mother’s character. On the other hand, her sister Allison was a different story—she made me incredibly angry and frustrated, and my opinion of her remained unchanged even at the end of the book.

Overall, this book was a delightful play on Pride and Prejudice that kept me engrossed and eager to read more. It’s no surprise that I finished the book in a single day—the author has consistently delivered page-turning comfort reads, and this one is just that.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The overbearing family was taken to such an extreme that they were almost caricatures. It went beyond an overinvolved mom and into stalking. The relationship between the main two characters wasn't really developed enough. It felt surface level. I think there's an audience for this. I'm sure many people can relate to the family dynamics in this one but it just wasn't for me.

I was given access to this arc to read thanks to NetGalley. A fun romance. Great read. Would read more by this author.

I'm a sucker for the fake dating trope so I enjoyed this one!

Emily and Mark had many cute moments and I loved that they started to fake date so that Emily could get her mom off her back. I loved the complicated family situations and the pressures that both of them felt due to their upbringing.

It was interesting to get a glimpse into the world of writing books and publishing. It did feel like an overkill to constantly hear about how broke she was, but maybe she was meant to be a little annoying? Mark felt a little flat for me at times and perhaps we needed some more chapters from his perspective to get more depth to him. Overall, I enjoyed the premise and how their romance came to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I liked the plot but the execution fell flat. The dialogue felt stiff and unnatural and there were extra details that seemed unnecessary. However, I can see someone absolutely loving this book - especially those with overbearing parents that just want to get them married off.

This was fun but forgettable. It’s a fast read that’s light hearted and sticky sweet, but I was hoping for more substance with the main characters. The banter and puns were fine, but didn’t feel very clever or especially engaging.

REVIEW: Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie

In Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies, Jackie Lau offers a sweet and lighthearted romance.

Lau’s writing is accessible and infused with humor, making for an enjoyable reading experience. The bakery setting is delightful, and the descriptions of the pies are mouthwatering, adding a cozy element to the narrative. The chemistry between the main characters is evident, and their banter provides some of the book’s more entertaining moments.

However, while the premise is appealing, the story sometimes falls into predictable patterns of the romance genre. Certain plot developments feel formulaic, lacking the depth and originality that could elevate the narrative. Additionally, some supporting characters are underdeveloped, leaving their motivations and arcs feeling less impactful.

Overall, Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies is a fun and light read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance. While it may not break new ground, it provides a cozy escape filled with humor and sweetness, making it a pleasant addition to the genre.

Thank you, Netgalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

This book is incredibly sweet. It's well written with engaging characters and enough romance to keep the reader interested from beginning to end.

I just adored this book. I felt similarly about one of Lau's other books, Donut Fall in Love, so I was so excited to feel as enamored with her newest novel. The couple is just the sweetest and I loved how natural and real the relationship development felt, rather than an author writing to specific tropes - I truly think that is a testament to Lau's writing and style.

Beyond the relationship, I also really enjoyed our heroine and the look into writing and publishing a book (I can only assume it echos a real experience!) - plus the whole family expectations theme and how that ties together.

It was just endearing and sexy and so well written. And now I just want a cherry pie milkshake.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

True rating: 3.75
You had me at fake dating ; )
Seriously, fake dating is my favorite trope, and this book did it well. It was fast-paced and very cute with just a bit of spice. The family aspect of the story was great as well as it really dove into familial pressure to be in a relationship.

Jackie Lau is an author I have read before, and she is very good at weaving together the romantic and family relationships and her writing just seems to flow. She will certainly remain on my go-to authors list, and I recommend this book to anyone wanting to cozy up with a good fake dating romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am always a fan of the fake dating trope, and I adored this one! I loved the family aspect of this story. The characters were truly wonderful. I would recommend this to readers looking for a sweet rom com with a little added spice. Definitely a book that you could cozy up and binge in a few days. I can't wait to read more in the future from Jackie Lau.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc to review. All opinions are my own.

I did not finish this book. I revisited it on multiple occasions to give it a fair shot, but have ultimately decided it is not for me. I may revisit this in the future, and if so I will update my review!

This was a heartfelt romance! I was pleasantly surprised. To be honest, the cover made me weary it was going to be very cheesy but I liked the premise.

It delivered! While I felt it a little slow at times, the emotional pay off was well worth the read. It’s steamy, delivers on the fake dating trope, and has such a deep understanding of family and pressure to be in a relationship!

Highly recommend!

This was a super cute and fast pasted fake dating romance! My first book by Jackie Lau, and certainly not my last.

Thank you net galley and Jackie lau, for the e-arc. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.