I have to be honest, usually I am not a huge fan of a single parent trope… BUT The Pick Up might be the exception! I couldn’t put it down!! Absolutely loved!

Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

This was a fun feel good fake dating romance focused on two single parents. Joe was a fabulous book boyfriend and I really liked Sophie. The other Class Moms brought a lot of comedy to the story. The tension, the banter, and the chemistry between the two main characters was fab! I loved Sophie’s relationship with her daughter. There is a miscommunication trope near the end but they at least get called out on it.

Overall, I'd recommend this one to any romance fans, and any fans of clean romcoms.

This was a cute and fast paced read. Sophie is a single mum trying to run her own business. Nothing stands in her way. Joe is a single dad who seems to have sorted his life out. Sophie wants her daughter to have more friends at school so joins the parent group at school along with Joe. One problem, they all love Joe but Sophie not so much. Joe comes up with an idea to fake date one another to help Sophie out.
There are some really funny moments throughout the book. There is tension and banter between both Joe and Sophie. Sophie can’t fall for the fake boyfriend, can she?
A sweet, clean rom com that is heartfelt.

A cute and funny romance read. Was a read that kept a smile on your face and was just a cute and easy read for a day on the sofa. This was my first read by this author, will definitely be trying more in the future

Giggled like a schoolgirl throughout. Really hilarious storyline to be honest. Fake dating is always a trope that I’m not 100% sold on, but this one was good. Enjoyed the banter, the spice, and the lines from each character that appeared in the storyline. Thanks for the opportunity to read this one!

I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, it is leading me to seek out other books by Hannah Doyle. The characters were so well-developed, and I loved the banter back and forth. Will definitely recommend!

This was an excellent book. The characters were fleshed out and the story flowed beautifully, which kept me reading. I finished the book in one sitting and was overjoyed to finish the story with its ending. Great book!

This fake dating story about two single parents (her divorced with a very crappy ex and him widowed) was actually quite refreshing. This felt like a mature story. Both Joe and Sophie were like-able in their own way and made sense with the decisions they made. It just felt real and realistic but still very funny and swoony at times. Even the miscommunication dynamic at the end of the story didn't feel forced and unbelievable. It wasn't the greatest romance story but it just felt good and real, and the little British and Irish touches were a delightful bonus. I give it 3.5 stars.

Hilarious. The tension, the banter, the side characters, I loved every second of this. Fake dating AND single parents? Say less

A romance that proves you can find love again in your 30s. This book was so sweet and cute; both Sophie and Joe had been married previously, have a child the same age (under different circumstances), and find themselves single and struggling with integrating with other parents at their children's schools. They devise a plan to fake date each other to help Sophie garner respect from the other moms and keep the other moms from making Joe uncomfortable. As fake dating goes on, the lines soon blur about what is real and what isn't and whether they can both take a chance on love together.

As someone who generally doesn't pick up fake dating romances much anymore due to the over-saturation, I found this book refreshing, funny, and witty. There was so much banter between Sophie and Joe, and their chemistry shone through immediately.

My only complaint was that Sophie states (internally) so many times that she knows Joe likes her and is wanting something more with her that she can't give him and then when Joe's mom tells her that she's somewhat shocked...that shock isnt believable when she's been saying that for half the book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

There’s something so utterly joyful about a romcom that does exactly what you want it to do—delivers laughs, chemistry, and a romance that has you grinning.

At its heart, this is a classic fake dating setup, but what makes it shine is Sophie Rogers. As a single mum juggling her daughter, work, and an ever-present swarm of school gate mums, Sophie has precisely zero time for romance. Enter Joe, aka Hot Single Dad™, who suggests they pretend to be a couple to sidestep some awkward social situations. It’s a practical solution. Logical. Sensible. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Except, of course, it does. Because Joe isn’t just a prop for convenience—he’s charming, funny, and a bit swoon-worthy with that floppy hair and Irish accent. The problem isn’t pretending to be in love; it’s pretending not to be.

Doyle’s writing is sharp and effortlessly funny. The humour never feels forced, and the banter between Sophie and Joe is exactly the kind that makes you want to grab popcorn and watch them flail their way to a happily ever after. But what truly elevates this book is the cast of side characters. The school gate mums? Hilarious. Sophie’s family? A delight. Even the smaller interactions, like playground politics and PTA drama, feel real and add layers to Sophie’s world.

If I had one (very minor) gripe, it’s that I would have loved a duology. There’s a subplot involving Sophie’s sister that wraps up within this book, but I could have easily spent another novel in this world. That said, The Pick Up is an absolute gem of a romcom—fluffy, heartwarming, and packed with romantic tension that keeps you hooked without needing a single steamy scene.

If you love fake dating, laugh-out-loud moments, and romances that make your heart do that happy little flutter, this one is a must-read.

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish, and I found it incredibly accessible. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

I adored this! I read it in just about one sitting. Normally novels are based on people in their 20s, it was refreshing to read about people my age, on their 30s. Sophie, the main character, I fell in love with instantly. Her relationship with her daughter Poppy was adorable. And when I thought their dynamic couldn't get any better, in swoops Irish hunk Joe. I love when authors give other characters storylines too, and getting to know each of the other mums set this apart from others.
Hannah delivered one of the most perfect books. I can't wait to see what else Hannah does.

I absolutely love a good enemies to lovers, fake dating rom com. The Pick Up was no exception. The banter between single parents captured my attention. I couldn’t put this book down. Give me more please!

☁️ Book Review ☁️
|| The Pick Up ||
|| Author: Hannah Doyle ||
Format: ebook
Read from: January 26-29, 2025
2025 RG: 12/100

MCs: Sophie and Joe

🫧 Single Mom x Single Dad
🫧 School Pick-Up
🫧 Single POV
🫧 Fake Dating
🫧 Closed Door
🫧 Irish MMC x British FMC
🫧 Slow Burn

Single mom, Sophie is used to life being just her and her four-year-old daughter Laila. But she is starting to realize that she needs an in with the school moms in order to get Laila invited to parties and playdates. In comes single dad, Joe, who is just tired of all of the attention from the school moms. He then proposes a plan, a fauxmance. It will help get Sophie her in with the moms (since they are all obsessed with Joe) and it will get her sister off her dating life, as well as getting the moms to lessen up on their attention to Joe.
But Sophie never planned on not wanting him in her life afterwards.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

“With you around, I’m learning to live a little.”

The Pickup by Hannah Doyle is a romantic comedy that explores the complicated journey through love and self-discovery, I found the author writing quite witty and lighthearted, and the chemistry between the main characters quite good. This was a nice read.

I loved this fun romantic comedy and look forward to reading more by Hannah Doyle!

The Pickup by Hannah Doyle is a charming and fun romantic comedy that explores the complicated and often unexpected journey of love and self-discovery. Sophie Rogers, a dedicated single mom, is juggling her responsibilities—her daughter, her job, and her family—when Joe, another single parent at her daughter's school, proposes a fake romance to help them both navigate some personal challenges. Sophie, ever the pragmatic woman, agrees, fully committed to keeping things strictly business.

However, as Sophie and Joe start spending more time together—attending staged events, coordinating calendars, and pretending to be the perfect couple—Sophie finds herself drawn to Joe's Irish accent, floppy hair, and the chemistry that begins to brew between them. The lines between their fake relationship and real feelings blur, and Sophie must confront the possibility that she’s falling for him despite her best intentions.

Doyle’s writing is witty, lighthearted, and full of heart. The banter between Sophie and Joe is infectious, and their evolving relationship is both sweet and relatable. Sophie's internal struggle, as she battles between maintaining control over her emotions and acknowledging her growing attraction, adds depth to the story.

The Pickup is a delightful, feel-good read about love, family, and taking risks when it comes to matters of the heart. It’s a perfect escape for readers who enjoy romantic comedies with endearing characters, plenty of laughs, and a satisfying, heartwarming conclusion. Doyle captures the essence of modern dating and relationships in a refreshingly honest way, making this book an enjoyable and uplifting read.

The Pick Up by Hannah Doyle is a delightful, feel-good rom-com that explores the blurred lines between fake relationships and real emotions. Sophie Rogers, a busy single mom, agrees to a fake romance with Joe, another parent at her daughter’s school, to help them both out of a bind. What starts as a harmless arrangement soon has Sophie questioning her feelings as she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Joe’s Irish charm and undeniable chemistry. With witty humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming moments, Doyle crafts a story about love, family, and the surprises life throws at us when we least expect them. A perfect light read for fans of romantic comedies.

Funny, cute, and sweet! A fun idea for a story, and it was definitely enjoyable! Definitely recommend this one to any and all