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I received an ARC of this book via Headline and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Description
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FAKE THE PERFECT LOVE LIFE?
Eliza Roth and her sister Sophie co-own a jewelry shop in Brooklyn. One night, after learning of an ex’s engagement, Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her Instagram account beloved by 100,000 followers. Sales skyrocket, press rolls in, and Eliza learns that her personal life is good for business. So she has a choice: continue the ruse or clear up the misunderstanding. With mounting financial pressure, Eliza sets off to find a fake fiancé.
Fellow entrepreneur Blake seems like the perfect match on paper, and in real life he shows promise too – if only Eliza didn’t feel also drawn to someone else. But Blake doesn’t know Eliza is ‘engaged’; Sophie asks Eliza for an impossible sum of money; and Eliza’s lies start to spiral out of control. Now she can either stay engaged online – or fall in love in real life.
My thoughts
Though I will happily read anything, I’m not ashamed to admit that I definitely have a soft spot for romance novels. Love at First Like is a love story with a difference – it’s all a lie…until it isn’t!
Love at First Like uses the fake relationship trope I’m used to reading, except- this time – it’s not just about one-upping an ex and “winning the break up”, it’s to help a business. It took me a long while to get behind the relationship, and to like the two characters involved, but I did (at least partly).
I liked the way this book used social media, and included the idea of influencers and the fanfare around them. Of course posting a picture of a ring on that finger is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard and that started my annoyance at 90% of the main character’s decisions, but it made the book exciting and funny.
I liked Orenstein’s writing style, full of contemporary references and commentary on social media and business.
The only thing I wasn’t keen on was Eliza’s character. I had a love-hate relationship with her, really. Her narrative was still interesting to read and I did want a happy ending for her but I just found myself frustrated by her on a whole.
Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein will be published on 6th August 2020.
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Jen Rose Writes🌹 
Great review! I love the fake relationship trope, so I’m really curious to see how it’s used to help a business – I’ll definitely have to add this to my TBR.
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Thanks, thank you for reading! It’s a really entertaining trope, one of my favourites definitely 😂. Definitely should, such an easy read
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