I thought this was a really sweet YA no spice romance. this would be great for someone just getting into romance, an older preteen, teen or fresh out of high school. If you love fantasy, balls, exploring new countries/ cities and strangers to lovers you’d love this story!

This was such a cute read!
It was pretty predictable but I didn't mind. I loved that for once a girl's "rebellious phase" had nothing to do with a boy, or sex, or drinking, or partying, or trying to fit in but a genuine love of READING 😍
Evie was a "popular girl" but not the the typical "Mean Girls" kind of way. She actually reminded me of my friends from HS. Just super nice and active and just willing to give someone a hand and humor people. But she, being a teenager with a perfectionist family, didn't feel she could share the part of herself that liked to cosplay and create art.
Meeting Angelo and also spending time with her snarky partner Gabriel opened her up to new experiences and ways of thinking. She began to feel maybe it was okay to talk about and share her passions and to learn that real friends love you no matter what.
I was a bit like her in the sense that I felt I needed to help people to really show i cared, but it gets exhausting when one gives and gives and takes nothing back or never say no. Gabriel encouraged Evie to say no and try things SHE wanted to do.
Also loved that SHE too helped Gabriel open up and realize not everyone is out to get you. Some people really are just nice and if given a chance, beautiful friendships could come from getting to know someone you may not have wanted to give a chance if one just set aside our own prejudgements of people.
Their growing friendship and budding jokes and teasing was a enjoy to see. While we also joined her at night on her adventures with Angelo, as they joined their fellow fans in a club dedicated to a book Fandom. Gosh I wish something like existed for Narnia 😭 haha
All these while on a school trip to Italy too! So we get a glimpse of the magic of travel and Venice and romance blossoming. Such a cute story that just touched my Bookish heartstrings 🥰

This was a very cute YA romance.

Evie is on her class trip to Venice and is excited to finish her senior year in a few months. She is a passionate art student and is looking forward to the trip with her friends. When her art teacher asks her to partner up with one of the new, quieter students at her school for the project instead of her friends, Evie agrees. Gabriel is known for being quiet and somewhat antisocial, and Evie resolves to bring him out of his shell.

What her classmates don't know is that Evie is sneaking out every night, cosplaying as a character from her favorite book series, The Elven Realms. When she is out in costume, she meets another fan of the book, who happens to be a boy also cosplaying. The two begin to spend each night together, traveling to a club in which other fans meet.

As Evie's feelings continue to grow for Gabriel and their friendship blossoms, will she be able to reveal to him that she has been sneaking out every night? And who is the mysterious boy she has been meeting in the shadows?

Like I said, overall very cute and a very easy read.

I think I had a tad too high expectations because I absolutely loved Picture Perfect Boyfriend and I went into this hoping for something similar. I will say though, this book has a very different vibe and setting but isn't unlikable. The secrecy added a cozy mysterious vibe to the story and I loved seeing the characters interact in different settings. I don't think I'm similar to Evie at all but found myself relating to her internal conflicts. Her character is beautifully written, both in the daytime as a rule following and at night as a passionate explorer.

We don't see much of the family in this book which I would've liked but I think the little bits that were there added more clarity to why Evie is the way she is. Evie is obsessed with the Elven Realms series searching for the secret fan club in Venice which she does wearing a mask and full costume. I'm an avid reader but not familiar with fan clubs and fandoms in any way so I can't speak for that. What did entice me was the description of the settings both in terms of visuals and the experience in itself.

The romance is cute, something that i expected. I of course didn't get the references but I imagine it would be amazing for anyone who does or even the characters in the moment bonding over their love for this fictional universe. The grand gesture in the end stuck out to me in particular and I think parts of this book will stay with me forever. Can't wait to read more of this author and I'm also planning for a Picture Perfect Boyfriend reread.

2.5 Stars

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. Loved the idea and the fact that it was set in Venice. I also love shy/underestimated characters, but the writing was a bit rough. I figured out who was under the mask pretty quickly, and reading Evie's perspective was a bit draining. She kept hiding aspects about herself for fear of rejection, which makes sense for a high schooler...but her love of a fantasy series doesn't feel like that big of a deal. We all are huge fans of things, so why would her friends judge. I do understand her hesitation because of how businesslike her mom is, but still. The ending did feel a little cheesy and like everything was wrapped up with a bow, but that's what I was expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte,

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

This is a sweet masked romance with solid characters and a touch of grief, and I would easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a teen romance.

For sensitive readers, this book references grief and loss, stress, burnout, and neglect.

Love Unmasked is a very sweet and wholesome read with a very magical setting.

This book follows Evie, a talented but shy student, as she goes on a class trip to Venice. The added bonus for Evie? Venice is the inspiration for a popular fantasy series of books called Elven Realms that Evie adores. The downside? She’s been paired up with another student named Gabriel, who is known for being antisocial, for a project that needed to be completed by the end of the trip after already having plans to complete the project with her friend Natasha. Despite Gabriel’s lack of desire to work on the project or talk with Evie, she still does her best to turn things around.

But the project isn’t the only thing Evie plans to do.

On this trip, Evie is on a quest to find a secret underground club devoted to this series, all while trying to keep her adventures a secret herself! However, on the first night of her quest, she meets Angelo, someone who appears to have secrets of their own.

The journey we see throughout this book is absolutely lovely. We get to see Evie exactly as the person that she is, and we learn more about our mystery characters Gabriel and Angelo along the way. It’s wholesome and sweet, and it’s a great way of showing that we don’t need to hide parts of ourselves from the world.

I fully recommend this to someone who wants an easy read, the grumpy x sunshine trope, and a bit of mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

First off, thank you so much for an e-arc copy- Becky Dean and NetGalley. This did not affect my rating.
The FMC, Evangeline, was so relatable, and the MMC was a true grump—until you got to know him, all thanks to Evie and her persistence!
The fact that he called her by her surname was a dead giveaway about how he felt about her. 🤭🤭
There was something so comforting and cozy about the magical/fantasy aspect and their adventures in the dark. I love how they got to know different sides of each other and fell for both versions. 🫶✨

Absolutely amazing book! The plot, the twists...most of all, the characters! *Swoon* If you don't know what to read....read this book.

I honestly couldn't finish this book. I just think I wasn't interested the right headspace for the past month or so that I've had this book. I will continue to try to pick it up so I can leave a proper review in the future. I got about 20% in, and it's definitely a book I would normally like so I am hopeful that I can enjoy this book in full at some point.
Due to not finishing, I will not be leaving a review on my socials until I do finish.

Love Unmasked is a delightful read that offers both escapism and emotional resonance. Its blend of romance, humor, and poignant themes makes it a must-read for fans of contemporary love stories. Becky Dean’s ability to weave a compelling narrative with relatable characters ensures this novel will leave a lasting impression.

Love Unmasked by Becky Dean is a delightful rom-com set against the enchanting backdrop of Venice. Evie Whitmore, a relatable and endearing protagonist, embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery during her class trip to the city of gondolas, crumbling palazzos, and artistic inspiration. Her secret passion for the Elven Realms novels fuels her nighttime escapades, leading her to a mysterious underground fan club and an equally intriguing stranger known only as Angelo.

The charm of this story lies in its vibrant characters. Evie’s “golden retriever” energy—optimistic, eager, and full of heart—beautifully contrasts with the enigmatic “black cat” energy of her love interest, Gabriel Martinez. Their unlikely partnership and evolving dynamic are as captivating as the labyrinthine streets of Venice themselves.

The novel cleverly explores themes of identity and authenticity, urging readers to embrace who they are and look beyond appearances. Angelo’s secrets and Evie’s assumptions create an engaging tension, while the clues they unravel together add a layer of playful intrigue.

With its sweet romance, quirky humor, and heartfelt message, Love Unmasked is an absolute joy to read. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a feel-good story about connection, self-acceptance, and the magic of unexpected encounters.

Becky Dean truly excels at crafting sweet, clean YA romances. Hearts Overboard was utterly charming, and Love Unmasked is just as delightful. While Hearts Overboard made me dream of another Alaskan cruise, Love Unmasked has me ready to book a flight to Venice! Dean’s writing is enchanting, effortlessly bringing her settings to life and capturing the magic and ambiance of the city beautifully. This is another wonderful book that I can feel confident in recommending to younger YA readers. Add to your summer TBR! Thank you to NetGallery and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good secret identity romance and this did not disappoint. I loved Evie so so much and relate to her probably a lot more than I want to admit. Her tendency to people please put other people’s needs before her own felt like a bit of an attack. The setting was so vivid and beautiful, I could imagine the streets and canals in my mind. And the idea of a secret club based off a book series sounds so incredibly appealing. I would pay so much money if that ever became a thing. I LOVED Evie and Gabe and their chemistry. The way they helped each other grow and open up was so beautiful to see. I cannot wait for this book to be out in July so I can talk about every little detail.

First I'd like to thank the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. DNF at about 15%. The book wasn't bad, I'm just not sure it was for me. The premise sounded cute but the characters weren't quite what I was expecting. I think I'll give the author's other works a try. Maybe I'll come back to this one someday and end up enjoying it. Bonus points because there didn't seem to be any swearing or crude dialog at least as far as I read. Definitely had more of the sweet, fluffy romance vibes which I always appreciate.

Becky Dean created a fun cross between “enemies to lovers” and the “I have secret” tropes. She also uses a different genre, fantasy, to create characters who are trying to find a way to be comfortable in their own skins. Evie struggles to deal with facade she presents to the world after the death of her dad and the person she would like to show the world. Pressured to be perfect, Evie closes away the most important aspects of who she is. Forced to work with the anti-social new kid during an international school trip, Evie is forced into situations that she tries to “fix” or control. She soon realizes there is more to Gabriel than she had originally thought. Evie runs herself ragged trying to be everything to everybody, accomplishing nothing but heartache and disappointment. This character has the ability to resonate with YA readers, as they often find they don’t like the box they have been placed into.

I almost feel like this was meant to be a mystery more than a romance. I am completely missing what the plot was

As someone who was fortunate enough to go on an Italian class trip to Italy (including Venice) my senior year of high school and who yearns to go back after another trip to the most gorgeous country for my honeymoon, I am ready to read just about anything set in Italy. When you add in being in a fandom and some romance, I am sold. I enjoyed this read but it was very predictable every step of the way. Sure, lots of romances are predictable. That is kind of the point of romance books— the happily ever after is the light at the end of the tunnel. But it just felt like I knew exactly where every step of the book was going and when secrets being kept and revealed are major parts of the plot, I want to be a little surprised here and there even if I can guess a lot. The story is cute overall and I bet I would have loved it even more when I was a teen. I did appreciate that Evie was working through her grief and the expectations others have for her throughout the story, too. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Love Unmasked by Becky Dean is a charming and sweet romance set against the enchanting backdrop of Venice. Following Evie Whitmore, a talented but self-doubting art student, this book has all the right elements for a cozy, swoon-worthy read: a bit of mystery, a dash of romance, and a lovely setting steeped in history and intrigue.

Evie is on a school trip to Venice—an ideal setting for someone whose heart is set on both art and a hidden passion for Elven Realms, a popular fantasy novel series. When rumors surface about an underground fan club for the books, Evie, ever the curious and cautious people-pleaser, sneaks away to find it, masked and anonymous. However, her plans don’t go exactly as expected when she crosses paths with Angelo, a mysterious and handsome stranger who shares her love for the novels and seems to have secrets of his own.

The premise has a fun, almost Ladybug/Cat Noir-esque quality to it, with Evie’s masked encounters bringing a sense of adventure and intrigue. However, the romance, which hinges on their mystery-solving quest through Venice’s labyrinthine streets, felt a little too rushed for my taste. Evie and Angelo’s first meeting, inside their hotel instead of during their nocturnal search for the fan club, didn’t quite have the build-up I was hoping for. I personally would have enjoyed seeing them connect during one of their mystery hunts, giving their growing connection a bit more time to blossom.

That said, the romance between Evie and Gabriel, her initially distant schoolmate, was much more satisfying to me. Watching their friendship transform from awkward partners to true confidants was one of the highlights of the book. The slow-burn development of their bond felt real and relatable, and it made me root for them as a couple more than I did for Evie and Angelo during the masked moments.

One small suggestion I have is regarding Evie’s Guide to Elven Realms—a crucial part of the story that introduces the lore and significance of the novels that drive much of the plot. I think it would have been helpful if this guide was moved to the front of the book, before the story kicks off. It would allow the reader to better understand the world Evie is so passionate about and make it easier to follow along with her search for the fan club. A clearer introduction to this fantasy universe might have enhanced the connection to the mystery and romance elements of the story.

What I particularly appreciated was the way Dean delves into Evie’s complicated relationship with her mom. The pressure to be "perfect" and meet expectations is something many readers will relate to, and I loved how the book showcased both sides of this dynamic—encouraging self-advocacy while maintaining respect for authority. This nuanced portrayal of family relationships added depth to Evie’s character and made her feel all the more authentic.

Overall, Love Unmasked is a delightful read, perfect for fans of light romance with a touch of mystery. The setting of Venice is vividly captured, and the themes of self-discovery, friendship, and romance are well-executed. If you’re looking for a sweet, slow-burn romance with a splash of adventure, I’d highly recommend this book!

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley for a review. 4.5- This was such a cute story! And was something I dreamed would happen to me through most of High School- Traveling, cute/ nice guys, and a cool nightclub based on your favorite series?!? What is there not to love. It didn't seem realistic, but I didn't care about that part as much.