Fake It (Taste of Port Andrea)

I want to begin by answering the question, “what criteria do I use when rating a book?” The simple approach would be…. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes Did I find the characters interesting and believable? Yes. Did I learn from the story? Yes. But, the Port Andreas series requires us to do the following: (this is based on my reading 3 of the series) 1. Accept the almost idyllic environment that this locale presents as its setting. 2. Accept the fact that this small town includes an unusually vast assortment of high profile restaurants per capita, and a huge assortment of supporting dining experience ranging from coffee house, ice cream parlors, and small dining establishments. It is not a stretch of the imagination to believe that local residents consume prodigious amounts of calories daily… and yet almost all the characters and customers are fit and trim. 3. And lastly, one of the psychologically and emotionally healthy lesbian communities imaginable. Also with a vibrant economy owned and employed by lesbians. Accepting the above, allows us to truly enjoy the quirky, witty, unique and pleasurable cast of characters that a good author can provide. Of course there are villains and obnoxious characters too, who will, of course, meet with there well deserved justice. It’s not about if, but rather when and how. This is the basis for the HEA RomCom drama. One thing about this story that caught my attention greatly, was the author’s choice of making one of the two main…

I have to say that I'm not surprised that I loved this book, though I am surprised at exactly how much. I've loved everything I've read from Lily Seabrooke but this might be my favorite of hers...so far anyway. While I usually might complain with a book like this that I want more fleshed out side characters, in Fake It I was so busy rooting for and being totally enamored of the main pairing that I forgot I cared about such things. This story was sweet, achingly so sometimes, with low angst but a ton of depth. I loved the sex scenes, and this coming from someone who usually skims sex scenes (I'm ace and often averse, but I'm also aro and love the romance genre so 🤷🏾), I was quite pleased in every way. Fake relationships aren't a new concept, and I came into the book based on the author's name alone, not having even read the premise. There are only a handful of author's I'll do this with. Still, the name of the book gives away much of the plot, or so you'd think. The story isn't just about two people faking love then falling into it, the story doesn't even pretend we don't all know where it's going with that plotline, but it kept me engaged as it followed self development, friendship, conflicting world views, and taking down the most irritating antagonist I've ever loved to despise, who's downfall was a pleasure, because lezbi honest, we've all known *that* guy and dreamed of such vindication. If your reading this review wondering if you should take the time to read this…

Fake it (full-length novel, trans MC, Bi MC, fake relationship, Celebrity MC). This is the 1st book in the Port Andrea series and it serves as a great introduction to this culinary-crazed fictional city. Let me start with a confession - I just LOVE the fake relationship trope. I read every book with that trope that I can get my hands on. But this book puts a twist in it. And a lovely one at that. In this book, the MCs meet, get attracted to each other (like really really hot sizzling attraction) and then the celebrity’s agent forces them into a fake relationship. So they go into it with open eyes (and a loud-beating heart) and decide not to act on their attraction because reasons. However, they realize at some point that they can’t be just friends. They just can’t!! So why not be friends with benefits under the false pretense of a relationship? Well, we all know how that ends… The adorable couple brings down a villain, confess their love to each other, and go on to be celebrities together. There are lots of sinking in chairs and licking of lips which kind of bothered me at first but I got over it 'cause the rest of the writing is great. This story is cute, heart-warming, optimistic in the extreme (because of one of the MCs, she can’t help herself), and full of culinary delights. Seriously, don't read this book when you’re hungry, it’ll make you eat more than ever :) Content warning: explicit sex scenes and mentions of sex and sexual innuendos. Some elements of BDSM.

Seabrooke honestly just gets better with every book, and she was already amazing to begin with. But this one really does have it all. Her first trans lead is the very wonderful Avery, a woman with a million affirmations and the courage to wish her dreams into existence. Even the one where she's wishing for her fake relationship to be something more. The banter between her and Holly, the celebrity chef brought in to help save her restaurant, Paramour, is sparky and entertaining, the tension between them is delicious, and their sex scenes are incredibly hot. The cast of supporting characters also absolutely sparkles. As with the main pair, they feel alive and whole and cover the whole gamut of hilarious and a little invasive (Tay), to genuinely awful antagonists that have made it onto my list of literary characters I dislike the most (Mike and another who I do not wish to spoil). The stakes are high and the potential prize amazing, but the whole book feels grounded and real. Seabrooke again demonstrates superior worldbuilding in Port Andrea, which feels exactly like the kind of place I could move to. This book has absolutely everything you could want and I HIGHLY encourage picking it up.

A celebrity/fake romance HOT love story with a trans woman as an MC! This is such a beautiful book. You can't help falling in love with Avery and Holly. Avery a trans woman with a struggling luxurious restaurant and Holly with the show that saves restaurants. But when a competitor Mike, tries to buy Avery's restaurant and put it in a pyramid scheme, she says no. Holly comes to eat at her restaurant and the two women talk. Holly's impressed with Avery's gumption and with her manager Tays "help" the two women get together to fight Mike. I love this book! 5 stars!!