I loved every bit of this non-fiction! It was eye-opening and informative without being dull thanks to Becky's wit and dry humour.
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I'd known some of the basics of online romance fraud but there was still so much more I learnt through reading this. The personal stories from those who were targeted by these scammers were frightening, intriguing and sad all at once but I gained a better understanding of it all through reading these firsthand experiences than if the book had been without them. Prior to this book I'd never actually known of Becky or discovered her twitter and after seeing snippets of the hilarious conversations she'd had I fear I've been missing out! I loved that there was plenty of light relief all the way throughout without it once feeling inappropriately funny.
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There were also plenty of reflective moments where I found myself realising how close minded I'd been before reading this about the whole idea of romance fraud and those targeted; it's definitely made me think twice about how I personally view those that have suffered at the hands of these criminals. Speaking of the scammers, it was really interesting to get an insight into how they work told from a couple themselves, although it's hard holding much (if any) sympathy for them when you realise how many lives they've ruined and still are ruining.
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Overall, a really enlightening book that has shone a light on a topic we don't hear about as often as we should. I try to refrain from using star ratings on most non-fics but with the context of this one I'm happy giving it five stars.

Thank you Netgalley & Unbound for the digital ARC.

After following the author Becky Holmes for some time in Twitter (X) and finding her comments both hilarious and disturbing I was very much looking forward to this book.

The author started by telling the readers about herself and her online journey, both with dating and contact via social media platforms by such “stars” as Keanu Reeves, taking snippets of these and adding photos as with her online accounts. Of course these are not who they say they are and her comments are hilarious, but when you dig deeper as she did into the world of online romance fraud and scammers the stories that she told were at times harrowing.

This really was a book of two halves, the funny and self deprecating stories about their and her online contacts and the murky and confusing stories of those who have been lured and manipulated by overseas scammers, believing they were in a relationship.

Enjoyable but also informative and will be recommending others to read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was such an interesting topic about a very little reported on subject. becky holmes tells the story in a personable and funny manner, while also highlighting the very real risks and vulnerabilities that these people are put through. an easy accessible read and one i'm definitely going to read more about

I follow the author on Twitter. It’s a fun account about all the pathetic scam artists trying to chat people up and get them to give up their cash. 
As it turned out, it was both silly and heartbreaking, reading about women who had been fooled by these creeps and had got themselves into all sorts of awful messes. Definitely a lesson to be learned in not giving too much away online and questioning everything.

While I thought the premise of this book was very intriguing, it was just ok for me. I would read another book from this author as I loved her writing style and was quite amused in parts.

An easy to read, informative book on romance fraud. Mainly focusing on online scams, but some other stories are mixed in as well. I found the author's tone very funny and I laughed out loud a lot. After reading this book, I have more understanding for people who had to deal with this.

Loved it!!!! Great writing and an all round entertaining read! I’d recommend it to all my friends I know they would love it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a fast funny read about a serous subject and how anyone can be taken advantage of in regard to a Romance scam. Becky even references a policewoman who is taken in. I first read about Becky on twitter when she posted during covid about going out to an oil rig to "meet her love" It was hysterical.
Thank you for this ARC

Keanu Reeves is not n love with you.
Becky Holmes is on a mission. ‘The Cardiganed Crusader’ as she dubs herself is going to reveal the secrets and tragedies associated with romance scams. I read a magazine interview with the author about the book and immediately put it on my ‘To Be Read’ list.
In the foreword, she describes her two years of research and her decision not to use the v-word or victim and scammer due to their stigma.
In 2020, during lockdown, many people turned to online dating sites such as Tinder to find the love of their life and so did the author. She describes viewing lots of photos of ‘men holding a dead fish’ or with a urinal behind them as they stared into a mirror. Classy. But it wasn’t long before she was targeted by a ‘scammer’ He claimed to be a Pilot and the author describes her hilarious experiences as she sent him increasingly nonsensical replies while he persisted with what was obviously a script. The occupation of Pilot is popular with scammers as is that of an oil rig worker, doctors and surgeons.
The author then encouraged romance scam fraud victims to contact her wit their stories and the chapters are interspersed with real cases. They make shocking and sad reading. Especially as the author says that people keep quiet about being scammed, often for significant amounts of money, and that she was the only person that they confided in. It is ‘a very unreported crime’ .
However, the author not only interviews the victims but also the scammers. She travels to Asia where their activities are described as ‘pig-butchering’, also to Africa and the Sakawa boys. She reveals the secrets of a scammer’s script and speaks to academics in the field. Sextortion is also mentioned in which a victim is threatened with intimate photos of themselves being sent to all and sundry unless they pay up. A policeman quoted in the book describes it as ‘the ultimate betrayal of someone’s generosity with their own body and their own sense of self respect.’
But although the book is on a very serious subject, there is a lot of laugh out loud humour especially when the author is targeted by celebrity scammers. Surely there can be nothing creepier than being contacted by someone purporting to be Prince Andrew! This is not a compliment by any standards!
The title refers to scammers often using Keanu Reeves name as an alias whereas in fact he doesn’t use social media. This is a book that made me laugh out loud and then feel sad for the victims. After all, it could happen to anyone.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

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!