2.5 Stars

The Best Wrong Move starts off with a bang! Our FMC, Olivia, proposes to Rex on live tv. He rejects the proposal and she unfortunately goes viral for all the wrong reasons. She goes on an 8-week sabbatical to Hawaii so that she can reset and work towards her dream of becoming a screenwriter.

She arrives on the island of Oahu and tries to check into her AirBNB but couldn't get the door open. A passerby helps her into her townhome unit. It ends up being a townhome with a shared large back deck and you'll never guess who the neighbor is... That's right - her ex, Rex, and his stunning and charming new girlfriend Juju.

There were no window treatments so anyone could look inside her unit. She calls the property owner and lo and behold it happens to be the passerby that helped her in - Dom. He arrives to the unit to install curtains and explains that the rental rate was so good because the place needed some work.

They begin fake dating and real feelings start to emerge soon after.

This book had a nice pace and was entertaining.

A few things that bothered me though:

-I was really excited for the Hawaii setting, but I don't think it was as immersive as it could have been. I did love the ABC Store shoutout, lol, but homegirl was there for 8 weeks and didn't even try LOCAL FAVORITES?! I would have loved if she tried musubi, malasadas, poke bowls, shoot - even the Portuguese sausage and Spam breakfast platter from McDonald's!
-Olivia met a few of Dom's friends at a local bar and one of the girls kept talking about how "great of a package" Dom has. They hooked up in college and it was nothing serious. It was info that didn't add anything to the plot line and the comments were weird AF to me especially since she was there with her husband.
-We all know Hawaii has a housing crisis and the fact that Dom "owns 85% of the rentals and small hotels" was so FUCKING OFF PUTTING. It truly pissed me off. ALSO - it made zero sense to me that he'd be so rich and successful that he wouldn't have his properties perfectly ready for guests to move in to.

I do believe that a lot of people will enjoy reading this story, it just wasn't for me due to the things that gave me a strong negative reaction that I listed above.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review The Best Wrong Move

well where do i even start with this book

Firstly, i would like to say i appreciate netgalley and the publisher giving me the opportunity to review this book before it comes out.
The book was certainly spicy and it does claim to be, however i do not particularly enjoy most spice but i can appreciate it sometimes when its well written but this was not, the chapters in the book was so short it sort of felt episodic when they got down to it because it would start out of nowhere and end before i even got my head around what was going on.

I did love the fmcs character traits and the plans she had for her life but i found it sort of funny we never learned what her plot was for the script even at 80% in especially since it was the whole reason she was in hawaii, i mean id probably not have cared all too much for it but i would’ve appreciated to know.

Also i fully do not know what she look like and don’t remember her name, there was like barely any descriptions of what she looked like but i figured out farther into the book that maybe that was perhaps because description is not this author’s strong point but rather she’s fantastic at conversational writing which i hear is hard to make work so kudos to her!!

JUJU MY GIRLLLL she was so cute idc idc especially at the beginning, but on the topic of her the characters names in this book were like so weird lol eg. Rex : dog name, JUJU : black magic, and the mmcs name is Dom… do i need to expand? oh and back the the spice scenes it was so weird to see her scream out the name Dom but yeah.

Although this book never claims to be slow burn, i expected less of an insta lovey feel but this is technically a novella i think so how slow could she really make the burn.

All things said i think the book is a fast an cozy read, it’s very easily digestible but this also makes it easily forgettable

This was a fun, lighthearted rom-com and such a relaxing read. A series of unfortunate (maybe fortunate?) events lead Olivia to make the best wrong move of her life by agreeing to a fake dating relationship…As luck would have it, Olivia runs from a failed proposal/social nightmare and her struggling job to retreat to Hawaii-only to find her vacationing neighbor is the ex she thought she left behind. A super cute meet-cute with her sexy landlord, Dom, turns into a fake dating experience that becomes more: a slow-burn and spicy romance. Dom is such a golden retriever MMC, caring for and catering to Olivia, showing his feelings with so many small gestures. The tropical setting and imagery were realistic and beautiful, really bringing the magic to a vacation relationship. I enjoyed escaping into Olivia’s story and was there for the drama, romance and the scenery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC, I loved it!

This book gave me all the feels! What began as a tale of a girl running away from an embarrassing moment broadcast across national tv became a beautiful love story which I enjoyed throughly.

In some places, this book felt a little bit rushed but overall the story was lovely. I loved the friendship and banter between the main female character Olivia and her best friend Abby, and I loved how Dom, the MMC, and Olivia's relationship blossomed!

I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, easy to read romance!

A holiday romance with some sprinkles of fake dating.

I believed it would be a slow burn when I signed up for this. But it was my mistake to expect things beforehand. Overall, it was good writing except in some parts the dialogues or the inner monologue gave me second-hand embarrassment.

As for the plot development, I believe it would have been better if it was a slow burn then it would have given some more time for the characters to interact cuz at first the interactions were very less. I believe it wasn't enough and this caused the plot to be rushed. The character development, and the story development felt rushed.

As for Olivia and Dominic, they were cute together. Dom was nice and Olivia was decent.
The setting was very refreshing, the beachy-tropical vibes and the descriptions of sunset were very heartwarming. I loved those parts.

Overall, it was a fun read and I had a good time reading it.

Thank you so much, Lily Parker, the publishers and Netgalley for providing this ARC

This is a fun, lighter, steamy read. Dom and Olivia are interesting, relatable, complex, wounded, strong, feisty, intriguing, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have a major weak spot for golden retriever MMCs, and The Best Wrong Move delivered in the best way! This book had me glued to my Kindle I didn’t want to put it down. It gave me Forgetting Sarah Marshall vibes in the best possible way, blending romance, spice, and just the right amount of drama. And the setting? Absolutely dreamy. If I wasn’t already desperate to visit Hawaii, this book sealed the deal! If you want a setting that transports you straight to paradise, this one’s for you! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review!

I really loved this book. I liked the main character a lot ! I also liked the Mmc Dom ! I do feel liv will relate to most readers ! There is some spice but not a lot

I love this cover! The first few pages made me sad and mad for the female character. I loved the fact that the male character made her feel special.

I received a copy of the fake dating romance novel The Best Wrong Move by Lily Parker from NetGalley. After a failed live proposal, Olivia goes viral online. Deciding to take a break and focus on writing, she rents a townhouse in Hawaii, where she meets the owner, Dom. With her ex-boyfriend living next door with his new girlfriend; Olivia and Dom decide to pretend to date.
The story begins with Olivia aka Liv getting rejected on live television by her live-in boyfriend when she proposes to him. This moment goes viral online. The producer who suggested this idea in the first place asks Liv to take a sabbatical from the news station. Wanting a clean break, Liv decides to rent an Airbnb in Hawaii to focus on writing her script. Sadly, Liv ends up in the townhouse next to her ex and his new girlfriend. This odd situation makes her brave choice seem unbearable. She contemplates simply going back to New York City, then she meets the owner, Dom.
The Best Wrong Move by Lily Parker is a fun and light fake dating romance book. The story maintains a nice pace; it faltered a little at the end for me. I was hooked throughout because I wanted to know how things ended up for Liv and Dom. I enjoyed reading the book. It was a fun and interesting story.

Every girl dreams of the perfect proposal. And my boss thought it would be a ‘media moment’ if I proposed to my boyfriend, Rex, live on national TV. With everyone watching. Rex said no. Now I’m a social media sensation for all the wrong reasons and hiding out in Hawaii. But because the universe apparently hates me, so is Rex . . . with his supermodel new girlfriend!

To avoid total humiliation I need to find my own irresistible date. And the gorgeous surfer who looks like he’s walked straight from the ocean and into my fantasies is the perfect solution. He needs a distraction. I need help. Dom is the perfect fake date and the heated looks between us are enough to convince everyone we’re in love. But why are the fake sizzling kisses suddenly beginning to feel all too real.

Loved this one! Not that I ever revel in people getting humiliated like that in real life, it's great fodder for books. 🙂 I have to say that the fake dating trope is one of my favorites, so I'm already biased, but this was well-done. I loved both our main characters, their chemistry was chef's kiss perfect, and the backdrop of Hawaii was gorgeous. High praise from this reader! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

4.5
That was pretty perfect . Sinfully hot and sweet. Straightforward and predictable sure, but only in the best way, so you can just sit back and relax. Paced really well. Though I would've liked the HFN end, instead of the last chapter trying to tie it up quickly and add a kid. I just love anything set in Hawaii. Though it did feel like a very touristy description, if you wantna mini vacation this is a great book, to sit back and not think too hard with.

Thank-you NetGalley and Joffe Books for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed, and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A cinnamon bun MMC with a touch her and die attitude! An adorable story with a wholesome ending and a great plot. The setting was enjoyable, the plot flowed without any slow points that made me want to put the book down. A true feel good romance!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Lily Parker for the ARC!

This book completely took me by surprise, in the best way possible! I went into it expecting a fun romance, but I didn’t realize just how hilarious it would be. The plot itself is so unique, and from the very first chapter, I was hooked. The surprises just kept coming, especially in the beginning, making it impossible to put down. I found myself smiling and laughing so much while reading, which only made me love it more!

Let’s talk about the characters because they truly made this book shine. Olivia, the female lead, was incredibly well-written, and I connected with her right away. She felt so real, with her thoughts and emotions jumping off the page. And then there's Dom, who, honestly, might just be the dream book boyfriend. Their chemistry was fantastic, with just the right amount of tension and banter to make their relationship feel natural and engaging. Even the side characters had depth, adding to the immersive feel of the story. I felt like I was right there with them, enjoying their holiday in Hawaii!

For a book under 300 pages, it packed everything in perfectly, romance, drama, friendships, and just the right amount of spice! I never once felt like anything was rushed or missing. Every scene hit exactly how it was supposed to, whether it was fun, heartbreaking, or deeply emotional. I was completely invested in every moment!🩷

I honestly wish there were more books about the other characters! If this turns into an interconnected series, I’d be first in line to read the next one. Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I genuinely think it deserves all the hype once it’s released. If you love romance with humor, heart, and a swoon-worthy love interest, The Best Wrong Move is a must read!😍

3.5 🌟

This steamy Hawaii set read was a fun little read. It ticked a lot of great trope boxes - fake dating, secret millionaire, holiday romance. It's definitely an escapist read and I think being in dreary wintery England made it hard for me to really connect with what was happening. Some bits were veering on cringe but if you can suspend belief somewhat this is an enjoyable read.

With thanks to Netgalley & Joffe for the ARC

Congratulations on the debut! I loved this romance and had a very fun time reading this book! The banter is super fun and my evil side had fun seeing the ex run himself into a wall!

The tropical vibes were unmatched and reading this on a beach would be best!!

This was a fun romance beach read! It was a nice quick romance. I would definitely recommend this book.

A super-fun rom com set on the beach, with an excellent cast of characters, an ex turning up next door, surfing and sun. Loved it!

As a fan of the fake dating trope, this book was right up my ally! The story is solely told from Olivia’s POV which is fine but I would have really liked to see the story also from Don’s POV. While a lot of the themes were predictable there were twists that kept me wanting to read more. I really liked how direct the main characters were with one another. I can’t stand the miscommunication trope where all you want to scream is “JUST TELL THEM!” But with this book I never had that feeling. A very cute (and spicy!) story with a guaranteed HEA!