Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for the ARC of this title.

This so badly wants to be one of those Twitter-to-Book Deal sorts of deals you'd pick up near the checkout at Urban Outfitters, but we don't really do those any more.

The title and copy on this one made me think we were getting something fun, but a little more researched than you're actually getting. If the author could have made this a collection that was _just_ the various ways they had toyed with online romance scammers, I think that's what it would have been. Instead, we get some of those interspersed with (it must be said, very good and well-written) stories of what online romance fraud looks like and red flags to look out for, but the author spends so much time beating an I'm-not-an-expert drum that it's a little sad. You are an expert! You put the info together for this book! It's good infotainment, but don't come in expecting anything too deep.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5


I have no idea where I heard about this book, but I know that I had not read any reviews. It’s a great book, but I was shocked when I got to the end. How does this book not have a traditional publisher? It was crowd funded! Anyway, everyone should read this book. I have no idea who Becky Holmes is, but she writes a funny (!, but not in a mean way at all), engaging book about her digging into online romance fraud.

Becky tells victims’ stories respectfully and gives them a voice about the horrible ways in which they were manipulated by romance scammers. It’s easy to think oh, this will not happen to me, but these victims are smart, educated and accomplished. Becky digs into the scammers’ scripts, MOs and what she finds out about groups in Nigeria and Ghana that promote the scammer way of life for fast cash. It is disgusting. Unfortunately, there seems to be little that law enforcement is doing to slow these scammers down.

This is one of those rare nonfiction books that reads like fiction. Unfortunately, it is all too real!

Thank you @netgalley and @unbound for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It was brilliantly informative and so engaging from the offset and throughout. Becky’s dry and sarcastic humour absolutely made this for me.
As well as being entertaining I have actually learnt quite a lot too & it’s definitely a book I’ll be recommending to friends.

The author’s voice was so strong. I think that’s the part I loved most about this book. That and her interviews and stories she shares from people’s experiences with romance scammers.

I had been following Becky Holmes on Twitter for some time and enjoying her entertaining wind ups of people in her DMs.
The book covers much of this and is very enjoyable. It needs to be, however, as so much of it is dark and depressing. Without the lightness and silliness, it would have been so much harder to read.
There are so many unscrupulous people out there, taking advantage of the vulnerabilities and insecurities of others and there has clearly been a lot of research involved .
Thanks to Netgalley.

This book is a perfect holiday read. It will keep you engrossed when you are at a loose end, but it can be put down and picked up at any point. It's very funny and full of interesting facts to pass on to your travelling companions. It is entertaining and informative - jaw dropping at times. I enjoyed it immensely and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a gift. It's more likely to be read than they latest literary prize winner.

I really wanted to like this, and to an extent I did. However, it is quite repetitive - although, I guess, this is the point. The messages that the writer gives are important - particularly how to be mindful of romance scams and also, the stories of people who have had their lives seriously ruined by such dreadful experiences. At times, Holmes is amusing, acerbic, self-deprecating - and these are the highlights of the book. I found it a bit dull in parts, though, almost as if the point was made but the writer was treading water to get to the end.

This is quite an easy read and I have certainly had my eyes open to the perils of scams online - it has left me saddened that so many people have got caught up in such things and have lost so much as a result. I hope that if people read 'Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You' it will open up discussions into how scams can be avoided.

Keanu Reeves is Not in Love with You" offers a chilling exploration into the world of internet and social media scams. Through a collection of firsthand accounts, the book unveils the intricate tactics employed by scammers to deceive and exploit unsuspecting victims. Each story serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the pervasive nature of online fraud and the devastating consequences it can have. While the narratives are engaging and eye-opening, the book falls short. "Keanu Reeves is Not in Love with You" serves as an important reminder of the dangers lurking behind our screens and the importance of vigilance in navigating the digital landscape.

Brilliant. A real education in how organised criminals set out to scam and defraud. Also hilarious, Becky's humour is a joy to behold. Follow her on social media and beware if Keanu Reeves starts following you... Told with real compassion it is such an insight. Highly recommend.

This was informative but I feel like it could not find its time. The humor was out of place in a book that did cover such a serious topic. It was a very fast & easy read so that was good.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of "Keanu Reeves is Not in Love You" in exchange for my honest review!

Becky Holmes' "KRINILWY" caught my eye initially because of the bright cover with funny Keanu graphics, but the topic is fascinating and is a CONSTANT issue I see online nowadays. Typically, I see the "Hi, I noticed your profile and I want to be friends with you" comments targeting some of my older friends and family-- and I always HOPE AND PRAY that they know that's not a real person.

This has been a constant issue in the height of social media (currently I have 6 Donny Osmond's following me on Tiktok!) so I had to read it. It's a fast paced, humorous covering of this topic that effects us all. I felt like the first half of it kind of focused on her interacting with scammers, and I kind of... I kind of was disappointed with this but once the information started to pour in about statistics and people's true stories-- it really flowed.

Overall, it's a fun read!

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I did and I wanted in before I even knew what it was about. Now I've read it I'm SO glad I did.

This book is about something I will admit I knew very little about, romance scams. I was actually horrified to find out how much of an organised crime it is. It's laugh out loud funny at the same time as being utterly heartbreaking when you read the victims' stories. Becky really did a great job of humouring these scammers to be able to give us such an in depth insight into how they work. I found it particularly interesting to read the conversations she had with one of them who talked about why they do it. Such terrifying corruption.

I feel like I’m quite savvy with these things but I can definitely see how if caught off guard someone could find themselves a victim of this sort of crime. It actually makes me really angry when I think about how they prey on the vulnerable. I will absolutely be having conversations with my children about it

In short, a really worthy read, I learnt a lot, at the same time I was completely entertained by Becky’s humour and wit!

I'd originally been drawn to this book, thinking it would be a fun and light-hearted look at online dating and the perils of having a Twitter profile and an open DM box. And it was those things, with the author sharing ways in which she dealt with the variety of scammers hitting on her. I particularly enjoyed the group Whatsapp discussion between Becky, Liam Neeson and Keanu Reeves. However, underneath the comedic approach to this topic, was the serious nature of these scams and the people affected by them.

I hadn't realised the extent of the issue, how scammers would be 'educated' in the best ways to prey on vulnerable people and the impact it had. I was interested in the topic as I had a friend who was targeted by a scammer a few years ago. Thankfully her suspicions were raised and when she was asked to talk to the scammer's daughter, she had some questions of her own lined up which revealed all was not what it seemed. She had a lucky escape and only came away missing a few hundred pounds.

This is an interesting book that provides an insight into a topic not regularly raised in the news or on TV.

Over the last decade, online romance fraud has skyrocketed & Becky Holmes is on a mission to spread the word so that hopefully fewer people are taken in. From impersonating members of the armed forces to Hollywood stars, & even the British Royal Family, there's seemingly no stone the fraudsters will leave unturned in order to gain financially. The author has spoken to victims of this crime & looks at the psychology behind the frauds, the kind of 'scripts' they use to play on their victims' emotions, & why it seems to be a crime that the victims feel reluctant to report.

I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw the cover. I follow the author on Twitter (sorry, can't get into calling it X) & I find her text conversations with these scammers funny, so I was looking forward to it. It mostly didn't disappoint & her standoff with Norris the cat (an actual cat not a scammer) was hilarious - the final score was Norris 4 Becky 0.

Behind the humour though, there are very unfunny consequences for those taken in. Some people (& the author concentrates on women in this book) have lost serious amounts of money to these fraudsters, not to mention the shame the victim feels for being taken in in the first place. There's also the aspect of people being trafficked & forced to work in large, organised scams. I found it informative, mainly because I've never really had anything like this sent to me (I wonder if it's because my social media is filled with football posts so they think I'm a bloke?!) & I've never really looked into it. It's sad but not surprising that UK anti-fraud law is trailing way behind when it comes to online crime & that actual support for victims is in short supply.

Overall, it may not be everyone's 'cup of tea' but it's definitely different.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Unbound, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This book was such a fun and insightful read on a topic I've been curious to learn more on! After starting her Twitter account in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Becky Holmes began receiving DMS from a host of attractive soldiers, oil rig workers, and even Keanu Reeves and Prince William. The conversation always went the same--the men would confess their undying love for Becky with promises of giving her a dream life, before shortly explaining that due to some sort of unforeseen emergency, they are suddenly desperately in need of large sums of money or gift cards. Becky's account quickly shot to fame as she began to post about her interactions and trolling these scammers. Other women began to approach Becky to share their similar stories, so she decided to do more digging into the world of online romance fraud.

This book presents information in a way that is palatable and accessible; it had me laughing, but also feeling anger, frustration, and sadness for the victims whose stories are shared throughout. The book also provides useful information on the most common romance fraud tactics and what to be on the lookout for, and also goes into the limited number of resources currently available to those who have been affected. This is such a fun and easy way to get more nonfiction into your reading list! I rate it 4.75 stars.

Scam celebrity social media accounts and message requests from supposed military personnel desperate to connect with us are something that many social media users will have come across. My Instagram account, which is totally devoted to me banging on about books, has been followed by none other than Elon Musk - who knew he was such a book worm? But like many social media users, I wasn’t fully aware of the elaborate nature of some of the scams behind these accounts and how much of a big business romance fraud really is.

Becky Holmes looks at this growing ‘industry’ from all angles. Using interviews with victims, scammers and fraud professionals she lays bear the motivations behind the scams, how victims become trapped and the immense struggle of trying to stop the frauds and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Although there are some truly heartbreaking stories from victims, Becky balances this with her own hilarious online interactions with scammers. These bring welcome humour to the book and feel like small victories in a world where the odds are stacked overwhelming in favour of the fraudsters.

The technical and legal information regarding fraud is presented in an accessible way. Becky is very open about her own personal experiences which adds authenticity to the writing and her conversational style makes you forget you are reading a work of non fiction.

I feel much more informed from reading this book and have found myself discussing it with anyone who will listen. As Becky points out we need more education in this area and this book is a step in the right direction. A must read for anyone who uses or knows someone who uses social media.

Keanu Reeves is Not in Love With You by Becky Holmes is a fascinating and often very funny look at online romance fraud, something that has had serious financial and emotional consequences for many people world wide. This book does focus on scams targeted at women and was inspired by the author's own experience with online scammers which caused her to start investigating and reach out to others who had been targeted . While the topic is obviously serious the tone is often quite light hearted and the book includes several examples of the increasingly ludicrous conversations the author has had with potential scammers , many of which made me giggle. The accounts of the women who have fallen prey to such scams make for much more sobering reading, and reading about them makes it easier to understand how and why the scams are sometimes successful. The author does not hold back about the lack of support for those who find themselves caught up in a scam, often too embarrassed to talk to friends or family members , they may try reporting to their bank or to the police but these avenues often yield few results.
This is a short sharp book about a complicated topic, and while some readers might struggle with the tone given the serious nature of the topic being discussed, those who are already familiar with Becky's online persona will know exactly what they are getting into.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

It might seem surprising that that a former PR Manager living in Warwickshire would become a romantic interest for not just Keanu Reeves and Liam Neeson but also Princes Harry, Wills and even Andrew, but these were just some of the celebrity names that slid into Becky Holmes direct messages after she joined Twitter at the start of the pandemic.

Holmes found it surprising too. So much so that she decided to post her exchanges with her love struck suitors on Twitter, gathering over 150,000 followers in a matter of months. It didn’t seem to matter how absurd her answers were, the DM’s kept rolling in, even after a few of them spotted her piss taking tweets. She was even once contacted by someone claiming to be her sister. Called Becky.

Although not a victim herself, her Twitter feed led to a number of victims to get in touch, prompting Holmes to investigate further (one of the few jokes she doesn’t make at her own expense*). Given the books origins in Holmes role reversing Twitter feed, it invites us to continue to laugh at scammers getting rinsed, but there’s quite a shift in mood required when reading the stories of those who were defrauded.
Holmes explains why fraudsters adopt fake names that are often two Christian names, and have a high disposition to pretending to be doctors working in the field for the UN, oil rig workers, pilots or soldiers on peace keeping missions; all occupations that make can add some plausibility to being off line for periods of time, and unable to discuss the details of their work. Anyone responding to their phishing is quickly invited to move their conversations to Google Chat or WhatsApp as dating site or Twitter accounts can get closed before requests for money for replacement phones, or Amazon gift cards can commence.

There are some genuinely amusing moments – setting up a Google Chat group for the five Keanu Reeves she had been exchanging messages with so they could get to know each other. Holmes tells one she lives in a town called Rectum and “Keanu” tells her he’s been there. “Brad Pitt” tells her to stop talking to Liam Neeson as he knows Liam and it must be a fake account.
But there’s a darker side. Death threats for reporting and getting closed down scammers bank accounts. Holmes sets aside the puns to address a number of issues, one of which is the way victims are described as “falling for” the scams, and the victim blaming that inevitably arises. Drawing on her own experience of a relationship with a compulsive liar boyfriend and admitting she’s an online gambling addict in recovery, she points out that most victims initial involvement came at a time in their lives when they were vulnerable, which is not the same as gullible. Many victims sensed that something might not be “right” early on but felt they were too far in to back out, or were simply too ashamed. As much as Holmes plays the fraudsters for laughs, she also wants the book to remove the stigma of being defrauded, in the hope it reduces the number of victims as well as making it easier for those who have suffered losses to seek help.

What should you do if you’ve been scammed and defrauded? Holmes points out that attempting to engage your local constabulary will just result in a handoff to the Action Fraud website, who currently have 858 reviews on Trustpilot, of which 806 are 1 star. Fraud accounts for 40% of crime in the UK, and yet gets 1% of police time. Fake accounts are rarely taken down and banks will maintain they have no responsibility despite providing accounts to scammers, although Holmes found one victim who the Financial Ombudsman ruled in favour of, and ordered the return of £100,000. With the bleakly amusing irony that when she tried to use the returned money to pay down her mortgage, she was told she could only move £8,000 at a time. To prevent fraud and money laundering of course.

The book closes with Holmes making the case for better education and awareness, cautiously optimistic about the possibility of a new improved Action Fraud The indifference of Instagram (bordering on belligerence at Twitter) and the fact that as soon as she opened an account on Threads, the scamming DMs started to pour in suggest any improvements may well be some way off.

* An elementary joke, my dear Watson.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. I've followed Becky Holmes on twitter for a while now and strongly advise anyone reading this to make sure you're doing the same.

Some writers just have the ability to write about seriously serious stuff with a massive helping of bloody good humour, without trivialising it. Adam Kay and Nigel Smith do it in their memoirs, Ericka Waller does it in her fiction and Becky Holmes nails it too.

Humour makes the difficult stuff easier to discuss and this book will hopefully help to raise the profile of this horrific crime and show society that people should not be considered as being in some way responsible for having this crime committed against them.

All in all, this is everything I'd hoped it would be from the twitter account and more. I just hope the author has another book in the pipeline.

I was drawn in by the book's title. Navigating online dating sounds like a craps shoot. I enjoyed the author's use of humor, screenshots of texts and ability to laugh at herself and to ultimately forgive herself for being treated poorly in past relationships. Becky Holmes does a great job of humanizing women who have been scammed in online dating. I found myself empathizing with the people she met and I even learned about scams I hadn't heard of. Good laughs and a great read.