My favorite read from Lauren Landish so far? Quite possibly. It’s light, steamy, and a lot of fun. Landish knows how to write a rom com, with playful antics and a heavy dose of sexy. This brother’s best friend/fake relationship romance is lighthearted and everything you could want from the trope – it’s definitely a play on a familiar storyline, but distinctly the author’s style. I enjoyed it from start to finish.
The story follows Kaede, a gym owner who is seeking out a business partner to build the brand. When a potential investor hints that the deal will only be sealed if Kaede dates his over the top daughter, Kaede panics and claims he’s engaged. The only woman who comes to mind is his best friend’s little sister, Courtney. She’s considered to be a workaholic and a bit of an ice queen, but neither of those things deters Kaede. He’s always found her attractive, but bro code means that she’s completely off-limits. But when Courtney agrees to go along with the ruse and her longtime crush on Kaede is exposed, it makes things even more complicated.
I love both fake relationship and brother’s best friend romances, so this combination really worked for me. It’s low angst and a lot sexy, with more steam than you typically find in a rom com but all of the other things I love about the genre. Landish was able to give the relationship plenty of depth, so while there were a couple of times when I thought the lust was overtaking the story, it settled into a nice, heartwarming read. It moves quickly and stays fun throughout with minimal angst. While this is part of a series, it’s easily read as a standalone – though those who are familiar with the series will love the involvement of characters from the previous books. If you’re looking for a light, STEAMY rom com, then this is certainly worth a read. I received an ARC via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review of this light romance.
Kindle Edition: https://amzn.to/2ZKP0x9
BLURB:
Boss babe. Ice Queen.
That’s what they call me at the office.
But there‘s one man who has secretly melted me for years.
Kaede McWarren.
The only problem? He’s my big brother’s best friend.
But when he asks me to play his fiancée to seal a business deal?
Oh, I’m taking this gift horse and riding it while I can.
He’s got the whole tall, handsome, and intense thing down pat… with a side of quiet mystery and sexy brains to boot.
He’s everything I want. Everything I need.
It should be easy—a business arrangement between two Type-A workaholics. A few dinner dates here, a few kisses there, and none will be the wiser.
But if his business partner finds out it’s fake, he’s screwed. And if my brother finds out it’s real, he might be dead.
There are a hundred ways to lose, but when I’m in his arms, I feel like I’ve already won.
Jeeves Reads Romance 