Book Review #bookreview #contemporaryromance #newbookrelease #netgalley #thedatingdilemma #mariahankenman
If you are looking for a fun, fake-dating romance that has a wonderful element of friendship and family, then look no further. This novel is an absolute delight, Mariah Ankenman has written such a charming and delightful romance between a fireman and a woman who runs an center for kids. Ankenman's story is low on angst, full of humor and charmed with strong familial and friend relationships. The story is well paced, with fun situations and wonderful moments of sweetness that it keeps the reader engaged with a smile on their face as they root for this romance.
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a birthday strip-o-gram present from her best friend and roommate, but soon comes to realize he is a real firefighter here to do a fire code inspection of the Kid's Center. This charming start to their relationship is taken in stride and humor as these two learn that they can be of help to the other. Dyson can do pro-bono work in order to bring the center up to code and Lexi can help Dyson by being his fake girlfriend to get his sister's off his back. What turns out as a mutual relationship of help blossoms into friendship that might just tip over into love.
This story is just really delightful, sweet and charming. Lexi is such a hard worker who puts others before her. Her heart is so big that she just wants the best for her kids and her friends even at the cost of her own comfort. Dyson is sweet and smart, his heart is also big and he loves his sisters so much. I love the softness of the way Lexi and Dyson begin to develop their relationship, they are both attracted to each other, but they have both had poor romantic relationships in the past that they spend a lot of time tip toeing around each other. I really love that these two see the worth in the other, they both are able to understand each other. Lexi and Dyson are able to build a foundation of friendship which is really lovely before they decide to explore a more physical side of their relationship. Once they move into a friends with benefits situation, the steam level rises to a nice level and we see how the opening up of their relationship to this level really helps to motivate them in understanding the importance of the other.
Definitely pick this book up if you are looking for a fun and delightful read! Not only does it have such an endearing romance but it has wonderful friendships and strengths of family that help to guide our hero and heroine in the development of their relationship. It is the perfect way to spend and evening and I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of Mariah Ankenman's works.
OUT January 24, 2022
Thank you to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.