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Not Pretending Anymore
Finding a good roommate through a classified ad isn’t as easy as it sounds.
I was starting to lose hope.
Until a knock at my door came and God answered my prayers.
Except…uh…wrong prayer, God.
I’d definitely requested the big guy find me a drop-dead gorgeous man on more than one occasion...just not as my roommate.
Declan Tate talked me into interviewing him anyway.
While he was amusing and charismatic, I wouldn’t have been comfortable living with a man, so I regretfully declined.
Then cupcakes showed up at my door—freshly baked by Declan and just as sinfully delicious as he was.
You could say he was persistent.
I eventually folded. It wasn’t like I had another viable candidate anyway.
Plus, I was interested in someone else. And Declan was into another woman. So it wasn’t like anything would happen romantically.
After he moved in, the two of us became the best of friends. We even started to give each other advice on getting our crushes to notice us.
Eventually, Declan concocted an idea: we should pretend to be a couple to make our love interests jealous.
I was hesitant, but went along with it anyway. To my utter shock, his crazy plan worked.
Now I was dating the supposed man of my dreams, and my best friend had the woman of his.
But there was one problem.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Declan.
Those feelings we were trying to fake?
Yeah…I wasn’t pretending anymore.
I was starting to lose hope.
Until a knock at my door came and God answered my prayers.
Except…uh…wrong prayer, God.
I’d definitely requested the big guy find me a drop-dead gorgeous man on more than one occasion...just not as my roommate.
Declan Tate talked me into interviewing him anyway.
While he was amusing and charismatic, I wouldn’t have been comfortable living with a man, so I regretfully declined.
Then cupcakes showed up at my door—freshly baked by Declan and just as sinfully delicious as he was.
You could say he was persistent.
I eventually folded. It wasn’t like I had another viable candidate anyway.
Plus, I was interested in someone else. And Declan was into another woman. So it wasn’t like anything would happen romantically.
After he moved in, the two of us became the best of friends. We even started to give each other advice on getting our crushes to notice us.
Eventually, Declan concocted an idea: we should pretend to be a couple to make our love interests jealous.
I was hesitant, but went along with it anyway. To my utter shock, his crazy plan worked.
Now I was dating the supposed man of my dreams, and my best friend had the woman of his.
But there was one problem.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Declan.
Those feelings we were trying to fake?
Yeah…I wasn’t pretending anymore.
350 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2021
3,245 people are currently reading
18.9k people want to read
About the author
Penelope Ward
101 books25.4k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,049 reviews
April 14, 2021
I thought you guys were exaggerating about this book being a bore. It's totally is.
The main characters in this book spent so much time being in love/dating other people than being together. I'm not kidding. They didn't even end up together until at the very end.
Which brought the question, are the authors trying something new? This book is very different than their normal books. Very much so in tone, the plot, and the characters. Even the stupid humour that they sometimes have was absent from this. Even the intimate scene (yes, there was only one) was subpar and rushed.
I don't know guys. It was at least readable but felt hollow at times. I don't get it.
The main characters in this book spent so much time being in love/dating other people than being together. I'm not kidding. They didn't even end up together until at the very end.
Which brought the question, are the authors trying something new? This book is very different than their normal books. Very much so in tone, the plot, and the characters. Even the stupid humour that they sometimes have was absent from this. Even the intimate scene (yes, there was only one) was subpar and rushed.
I don't know guys. It was at least readable but felt hollow at times. I don't get it.
Read
April 11, 2021 ★ ★ NOT PRETENDING ANYMORE IS LIVE! ★ ★
The eBook is live early on Amazon! Penelope Ward and I are so excited for you to meet Declan and Molly in this sexy roommates story!
US: https://amzn.to/2Rme2Ah
UK: https://amzn.to/3uz44Km
CA: https://amzn.to/3mL48Ec
AU: https://amzn.to/2QglnRm
The eBook is live early on Amazon! Penelope Ward and I are so excited for you to meet Declan and Molly in this sexy roommates story!
US: https://amzn.to/2Rme2Ah
UK: https://amzn.to/3uz44Km
CA: https://amzn.to/3mL48Ec
AU: https://amzn.to/2QglnRm
Read
April 11, 2021★ ★LIVE! ★ ★
NOT PRETENDING ANYMORE IS LIVE EARLY! Available in Kindle Unlimited. Roommates to Lovers with a little pretend relationship mixed in. A sexy, slow burn!
US: https://amzn.to/2Q9WbvX
UK: https://amzn.to/3uz44Km
CA: https://amzn.to/3mL48Ec
AU: https://amzn.to/2QglnRm
(Vi Keeland's and my *co-written books only* such as this one are available in Kindle Unlimited. Our solo books are wide on all retailers and *not* in KU.)
NOT PRETENDING ANYMORE IS LIVE EARLY! Available in Kindle Unlimited. Roommates to Lovers with a little pretend relationship mixed in. A sexy, slow burn!
US: https://amzn.to/2Q9WbvX
UK: https://amzn.to/3uz44Km
CA: https://amzn.to/3mL48Ec
AU: https://amzn.to/2QglnRm
(Vi Keeland's and my *co-written books only* such as this one are available in Kindle Unlimited. Our solo books are wide on all retailers and *not* in KU.)
May 6, 2021
Wow, seeing so many negative reviews had me worried! While it's true that this one wasn't your typical read by these two authors ( it wasn't super sexy but had a nice, slow burn) I still enjoyed it for the story and character development. Not once was I tempted to put it down. I had to see how this would end. And yes, the characters frustrated me at times (tell her how you feel! Tell him how you feel!) but I still loved them. And Declan (except for his self doubt) was certainly book boyfriend material!
I usually enjoy everything these two authors create, whether separately or together. And this was no exception. Maybe a little different than what they usually come up with, but enjoyable just the same.
4 1/2 stars
I usually enjoy everything these two authors create, whether separately or together. And this was no exception. Maybe a little different than what they usually come up with, but enjoyable just the same.
4 1/2 stars
April 13, 2021
2.75 ★
I am SO disappointed. I really liked the beginning of the book, but after I got to 50% it just got so boring and predictable, I literally had to fight with myself to finish it.
Declan was so sweet and funny and I really liked Molly, but omg!!!! All that drama and miscommunication were so tiring. I wish I could’ve seen more about Declan’s story and his struggle with mental health. Everything felt so rushed, I just didn’t enjoy it.
I am SO disappointed. I really liked the beginning of the book, but after I got to 50% it just got so boring and predictable, I literally had to fight with myself to finish it.
Declan was so sweet and funny and I really liked Molly, but omg!!!! All that drama and miscommunication were so tiring. I wish I could’ve seen more about Declan’s story and his struggle with mental health. Everything felt so rushed, I just didn’t enjoy it.
Shelved as 'probably-not'
April 9, 2021Another gorgeous cover...
BUT
Another cliché "friends to lovers" trope.
Pretending as fake lovers...
Same old same old...
Where is some originality, some creativity?
I'll only try it if some trusted friends of mine with the same taste as me give it 5 stars...
BUT
Another cliché "friends to lovers" trope.
Pretending as fake lovers...
Same old same old...
Where is some originality, some creativity?
I'll only try it if some trusted friends of mine with the same taste as me give it 5 stars...
May 28, 2021
Tenía un montón que no disfrutaba un libro de Vi Keeland en colaboración con Penelope Ward.
Welcome Back mi querida Vi .
Me pareció entretenido, romántico, lindo con un protagonista que uuuf 😍😍🔥 con un Charm que derrite obviamente S E X Y AS F U C K pero sobre todo era demasiado lindo y tierno y finalmente volví a enamorarme a otra vez de un protagonista de Vi.
La protagonista que me cayó bien pero en algunos momentos me desesperaba su necesidad de estar con alguien y si no estaba al que quería tenía su segunda opción y era como amiga What are you doing?
Pero la química y la relación que desarrolló con Declan era bien bonita y amé que se convirtiera en un Friends to lovers.
Me gustó que fuera un libro no tan sexoso, ya que de hecho sólo hay una escena de sexo pero si, más de tensión sexual y de amigos.
Si pudiera cambiarle algo sería el tercero en discordia no era necesario que se le diera tanta relevancia y casi estoy segura que es de la cuchara de Penelope que siempre hace eso en sus libros.
Ahora sí voy a estar esperando el siguiente libro de Vi con un protagonista como Declan.
Welcome Back mi querida Vi .
Me pareció entretenido, romántico, lindo con un protagonista que uuuf 😍😍🔥 con un Charm que derrite obviamente S E X Y AS F U C K pero sobre todo era demasiado lindo y tierno y finalmente volví a enamorarme a otra vez de un protagonista de Vi.
La protagonista que me cayó bien pero en algunos momentos me desesperaba su necesidad de estar con alguien y si no estaba al que quería tenía su segunda opción y era como amiga What are you doing?
Pero la química y la relación que desarrolló con Declan era bien bonita y amé que se convirtiera en un Friends to lovers.
Me gustó que fuera un libro no tan sexoso, ya que de hecho sólo hay una escena de sexo pero si, más de tensión sexual y de amigos.
Si pudiera cambiarle algo sería el tercero en discordia no era necesario que se le diera tanta relevancia y casi estoy segura que es de la cuchara de Penelope que siempre hace eso en sus libros.
Ahora sí voy a estar esperando el siguiente libro de Vi con un protagonista como Declan.
March 23, 2023
4 stars
This was such a fun and sweet romance. Declan was amazing and I loved Molly too. It had a good bit of emotion, but still felt light. Roommates, to friends, to more. Definitely more of a slow burn, and I honestly would have rated it higher but the couple didn’t get together until far too late in the book .
This was such a fun and sweet romance. Declan was amazing and I loved Molly too. It had a good bit of emotion, but still felt light. Roommates, to friends, to more. Definitely more of a slow burn, and I honestly would have rated it higher but the couple didn’t get together until far too late in the book .
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Erin Mallon & Sebastian York
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre:Contemporary Romance
Length: 8h 42m
April 12, 2021
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
"Sometimes a bumpy road takes you to the best places."
Molly Corrigan is a nurse in Chicago who is in desperate need of a roommate, but so far hasn't had any luck. She placed a classified ad for a female roommate, but somehow ends up with a gorgeous man named Declan Tate applying for the open room just as she's losing hope. She's hesitant to interview him, but he wins her over with his charm, humor, and persistence. Right away they just clicked and had an instant connection. A close friendship forms and they start to share advice with one another about how to get their crushes to notice them. They decide to pretend to be a couple to make their love interests jealous. As their plans start to work, their relationship turns complicated as their attraction grows and a bond forms. They suddenly had everything they wanted, but couldn't stop thinking of each other. What do you do when your fake feelings become all too real?
-"I've felt more alive since you've moved in than I have in years."
-She was gorgeous. Absolutely fucking gorgeous. And I wanted to kiss her more than anything.
Not Pretending Anymore by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland is a flirty, fun, slow burn, friends to lovers, fake relationship romance full of emotion, angst and explosive chemistry. I really enjoyed this book! It's a sexy story with fabulous banter and unexpected love that will hit you in all the feels! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2Q0yVRf
(ARC provided by author)
"Sometimes a bumpy road takes you to the best places."
Molly Corrigan is a nurse in Chicago who is in desperate need of a roommate, but so far hasn't had any luck. She placed a classified ad for a female roommate, but somehow ends up with a gorgeous man named Declan Tate applying for the open room just as she's losing hope. She's hesitant to interview him, but he wins her over with his charm, humor, and persistence. Right away they just clicked and had an instant connection. A close friendship forms and they start to share advice with one another about how to get their crushes to notice them. They decide to pretend to be a couple to make their love interests jealous. As their plans start to work, their relationship turns complicated as their attraction grows and a bond forms. They suddenly had everything they wanted, but couldn't stop thinking of each other. What do you do when your fake feelings become all too real?
-"I've felt more alive since you've moved in than I have in years."
-She was gorgeous. Absolutely fucking gorgeous. And I wanted to kiss her more than anything.
Not Pretending Anymore by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland is a flirty, fun, slow burn, friends to lovers, fake relationship romance full of emotion, angst and explosive chemistry. I really enjoyed this book! It's a sexy story with fabulous banter and unexpected love that will hit you in all the feels! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2Q0yVRf
April 10, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 Stars
Molly Corrigan was having a problem finding a suitable roommate. Duncan Tate did not meet her main criteria but managed to weasel himself in as her new roommate. But what started as an easy friendship to help each other’s relationships, turned more complicated than what they anticipated.
Duncan captured my heart the first moment he made an appearance. He was irresistibly charming and a good cook too, while Molly was likable and relatable.
The story is a super slow burn but I didn’t even realize until over 80% that there wasn’t any sexy times. The story was engrossing to distract me from that with some funny and sad moments.
Not Pretending Anymore is a story of following one’s heart. It would appeal to readers who enjoy light-hearted friends to lovers Romance.
💛✖💛 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . .💛✖💛
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 StarsMolly Corrigan was having a problem finding a suitable roommate. Duncan Tate did not meet her main criteria but managed to weasel himself in as her new roommate. But what started as an easy friendship to help each other’s relationships, turned more complicated than what they anticipated.
Duncan captured my heart the first moment he made an appearance. He was irresistibly charming and a good cook too, while Molly was likable and relatable.
What freaked me the fuck out was that I’d been upset because he’d put his hand on my girl’s back. My girl. That’s how I’d thought of her. But she wasn’t, was she?
The story is a super slow burn but I didn’t even realize until over 80% that there wasn’t any sexy times. The story was engrossing to distract me from that with some funny and sad moments.
Not Pretending Anymore is a story of following one’s heart. It would appeal to readers who enjoy light-hearted friends to lovers Romance.
💛✖💛 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . .💛✖💛
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
August 25, 2022
4,5 Sterne
Wow war das wieder gut! Hat mir glaube ich sogar noch besser gefallen als "British Player", welches ich direkt davor gelesen hatte.
Ich habe sowohl Molly als auch Declan direkt in mein Herz geschlossen. Außerdem fand ich die Dynamik zwischen den beiden so toll, wie sich alles langsam entwickelt und aufgebaut hat. Es war nicht die typische "Fake-Dating"-Story, die ich erwartet hatte und enthielt des Weiteren auch noch Wendungen, die ich am Anfang nicht erwartet hatte.
Neben einigen Lachern und Herzklopfen hat das Buch bei mir aber vor allem auch für einige Tränen gesorgt, es hat mich seitenweise echt heftig mitgenommen. Finde es immer krass wenn ein Buch mich auf irgendeiner Ebene so tief berühren kann.
Einziger Wermutstropfen für mich (wie meistens in diesem Genre): das Ende. Es war mir dann doch alles ein bisschen zu sehr Husch-Husch und Over-the-Top... Ansonsten ein (fast) perfektes New Adult Buch in meinen Augen. Große Liebe an Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward!
Wow war das wieder gut! Hat mir glaube ich sogar noch besser gefallen als "British Player", welches ich direkt davor gelesen hatte.
Ich habe sowohl Molly als auch Declan direkt in mein Herz geschlossen. Außerdem fand ich die Dynamik zwischen den beiden so toll, wie sich alles langsam entwickelt und aufgebaut hat. Es war nicht die typische "Fake-Dating"-Story, die ich erwartet hatte und enthielt des Weiteren auch noch Wendungen, die ich am Anfang nicht erwartet hatte.
Neben einigen Lachern und Herzklopfen hat das Buch bei mir aber vor allem auch für einige Tränen gesorgt, es hat mich seitenweise echt heftig mitgenommen. Finde es immer krass wenn ein Buch mich auf irgendeiner Ebene so tief berühren kann.
Einziger Wermutstropfen für mich (wie meistens in diesem Genre): das Ende. Es war mir dann doch alles ein bisschen zu sehr Husch-Husch und Over-the-Top... Ansonsten ein (fast) perfektes New Adult Buch in meinen Augen. Große Liebe an Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward!
April 13, 2021
i wanna start this by saying that when I'm reading i rarely get distracted, but this time was different.
while reading this book i:
- i decided to learn how to glue lashes (how ppl do this?)
- i picking my split ends
- started walking around the house
- watched a lot of tik tok
I'm not saying this book is bad, but...
*btw the first 40% is super fun and fluffy the rest is pure miscommunication drama
while reading this book i:
- i decided to learn how to glue lashes (how ppl do this?)
- i picking my split ends
- started walking around the house
- watched a lot of tik tok
I'm not saying this book is bad, but...
*btw the first 40% is super fun and fluffy the rest is pure miscommunication drama
March 16, 2022
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was great at first and had me super into it and reading late into the night. I really enjoyed their friendship and even the fake relationship part. Only once they got with the other people it felt like it fizzled out. It also got rather heavy with the h’s dad’s sickness and the H’s own worries . Heavy is alright! I like heavy a lot of the time! It just felt disconnected with the beginning and lighthearted feel of this book. Add in the fact that they don’t actually get together until and then gives us the that then jumps into a jump ahead epilogue without what I consider a full HEA ending?! Just writing this makes me realize how many issues I had with it. I wanted to like it, I really did 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Molly and Declan’s story. Molly is in need of a roommate and keeps striking out when she meets Declan, who she reluctantly agrees to give him a shot. Declan is convinced he’s in love with a coworker and Molly feels the same about one of her coworkers, so they decide to help each other out by faking a relationship between them to make the others jealous. Only once they get with the other people do they realize that maybe they aren’t who they really want to be with after all. There is some family drama, some other person conflicts, and a sexy scene…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Molly (mostly) and Declan’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well for the most part but the ending was way too rushed and lackluster.
Instalove: No. Friends to more.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Declan. He was pretty perfect. The only reason for not being 5 stars is that I wanted him to be a little more assertive.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Molly. She was a little better than alright. I would’ve liked to get a little deeper into her character and I wanted her to communicate better.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Not really, just miscommunication.
Heat level: Mild. They have some tension and chemistry -- but only one mild scene that doesn’t take away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No, just kissing.
Cheating: Yes IMO
Separation: They aren’t considered together to be separated
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends abruptly but in a good place with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This was great at first and had me super into it and reading late into the night. I really enjoyed their friendship and even the fake relationship part. Only once they got with the other people it felt like it fizzled out. It also got rather heavy with the h’s dad’s sickness and the H’s own worries . Heavy is alright! I like heavy a lot of the time! It just felt disconnected with the beginning and lighthearted feel of this book. Add in the fact that they don’t actually get together until and then gives us the that then jumps into a jump ahead epilogue without what I consider a full HEA ending?! Just writing this makes me realize how many issues I had with it. I wanted to like it, I really did 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Molly and Declan’s story. Molly is in need of a roommate and keeps striking out when she meets Declan, who she reluctantly agrees to give him a shot. Declan is convinced he’s in love with a coworker and Molly feels the same about one of her coworkers, so they decide to help each other out by faking a relationship between them to make the others jealous. Only once they get with the other people do they realize that maybe they aren’t who they really want to be with after all. There is some family drama, some other person conflicts, and a sexy scene…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Molly (mostly) and Declan’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well for the most part but the ending was way too rushed and lackluster.
Instalove: No. Friends to more.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Declan. He was pretty perfect. The only reason for not being 5 stars is that I wanted him to be a little more assertive.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Molly. She was a little better than alright. I would’ve liked to get a little deeper into her character and I wanted her to communicate better.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Not really, just miscommunication.
Heat level: Mild. They have some tension and chemistry -- but only one mild scene that doesn’t take away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No, just kissing.
Cheating: Yes IMO
Separation: They aren’t considered together to be separated
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends abruptly but in a good place with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
April 28, 2021
Not Pretending Anymore is an enjoyable read. I enjoyed listening to the audio book during a very humid and hot summer. Miss Ward highlighted the issue of friendship and loyalty. Declan is surely a book boyfriend material. Molly is sweet and cute.
What I like the most is how Miss Ward managed to build an sweet, min drama and nice romance story without the unnecessary drama. I wish there is more highlight on the depression that Declan experiencing on and off.
Overall this is a sweet read.
4 stars
What I like the most is how Miss Ward managed to build an sweet, min drama and nice romance story without the unnecessary drama. I wish there is more highlight on the depression that Declan experiencing on and off.
Overall this is a sweet read.
4 stars
Shelved as 'nope-nope-nope'
April 11, 2021I mean unoriginal plot, but I guess I can give them 1 oz of credit for possibly not having a dead fiance lurking about 😂
March 31, 2021
I’m NOT pretending when I tell you that I LOVED this book. This story was everything I had hoped it would be, and then some!!! I’ve read so many roommate/fake romance stories, but this one was a standout from the rest. I found myself getting very wrapped up and emotionally invested in the characters. I messaged Vi and Penelope after I finished this book with a teary-eyed photo. I’m sure they think I’m nuts (or have PMS), but that’s ok, I loved this book.
Not Pretending Anymore will make you swoon, smile, and maybe shed a tear or two. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, Vi and Penelope make it impossible not to fall in love with their characters and their co-authored books. Not Pretending Anymore is on my Best of 2021 list.
Not Pretending Anymore will make you swoon, smile, and maybe shed a tear or two. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, Vi and Penelope make it impossible not to fall in love with their characters and their co-authored books. Not Pretending Anymore is on my Best of 2021 list.
October 24, 2022
Recensione in Review Tour sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkFvtCAM_...
⭐⭐⭐⭐, 5
Con una scrittura fluida e scorrevole il duo di autrici ormai una conferma nel panorama romance, ci presentano uno slow burn appassionante, che mi ha convinta e coinvolta nella narrazione.
Una storia romantica e divertente, che tratta anche argomenti delicati, ma lo fa con garbo e leggerezza senza appesantirne la lettura.
Mi è piaciuta molto l’evoluzione della trama, come pure la trasformazione del rapporto di amicizia tra i protagonisti in qualcosa di più profondo e sentimentale. Ben sviluppato l’aspetto emotivo.
Declan è il tipico bravo ragazzo, gentile, educato, rispettoso. Si presenta da Molly con l’intenzione di dividere l’appartamento con lei e diventare suo coinquilino. Molly però è alla ricerca di una donna ma vorrebbe dare una possibilità a questo ragazzo sfacciato divertente e ironico, e anche sexy, che ha l’aspetto di una persona per bene.
Riuscirà Declan a conquistarla col suo fascino, l’umorismo e le apprezzabili doti culinarie?
Non resta che leggere il romanzo per scoprirlo.
*Ringrazio la CE per la collaborazione e il blog Tre gatte tra i libri per avermi coinvolta nel Review Tour
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkFvtCAM_...
⭐⭐⭐⭐, 5
Con una scrittura fluida e scorrevole il duo di autrici ormai una conferma nel panorama romance, ci presentano uno slow burn appassionante, che mi ha convinta e coinvolta nella narrazione.
Una storia romantica e divertente, che tratta anche argomenti delicati, ma lo fa con garbo e leggerezza senza appesantirne la lettura.
Mi è piaciuta molto l’evoluzione della trama, come pure la trasformazione del rapporto di amicizia tra i protagonisti in qualcosa di più profondo e sentimentale. Ben sviluppato l’aspetto emotivo.
Declan è il tipico bravo ragazzo, gentile, educato, rispettoso. Si presenta da Molly con l’intenzione di dividere l’appartamento con lei e diventare suo coinquilino. Molly però è alla ricerca di una donna ma vorrebbe dare una possibilità a questo ragazzo sfacciato divertente e ironico, e anche sexy, che ha l’aspetto di una persona per bene.
Riuscirà Declan a conquistarla col suo fascino, l’umorismo e le apprezzabili doti culinarie?
Non resta che leggere il romanzo per scoprirlo.
*Ringrazio la CE per la collaborazione e il blog Tre gatte tra i libri per avermi coinvolta nel Review Tour
April 11, 2021
4 STARS
This was fun,sweet and sexy.It has slow burn romance and the characters were fantastic.Declan is such a swoon worthy hero.Molly is amazing , I could relate to her and love her personality, she is really smart.
This story was heartwarming and I loved the journey from page one.Declan and Molly started as friends and fell in love, they have a great banter and they were flirty, sexy and intense.
These two authors never disappoint me!
This was fun,sweet and sexy.It has slow burn romance and the characters were fantastic.Declan is such a swoon worthy hero.Molly is amazing , I could relate to her and love her personality, she is really smart.
This story was heartwarming and I loved the journey from page one.Declan and Molly started as friends and fell in love, they have a great banter and they were flirty, sexy and intense.
These two authors never disappoint me!
April 22, 2021
Offffff, kapının önüne bir kutu cupcake koyan bi Declan nerede bulunur, Canım Vi? Evdeki odaları çok acil kiraya versem mi acaba?😍😍
November 25, 2022
Un po' delusa. Personaggi piatti, tanta fatica per finirlo. Mi è mancato il brio della ViKeeland che qui non spicca come in altri libri scritti in coppia.
November 23, 2021
Okay, fuck it! DNF-ing it at 60%.
Can't do it anymore, this just bored the fuck outta me.
2 stars because I kinda did like Declan for his goofiness and the fact that his sister is a legit nun was a sign for me to quit this one and go read Priest which I had been holding off on.
Can't do it anymore, this just bored the fuck outta me.
2 stars because I kinda did like Declan for his goofiness and the fact that his sister is a legit nun was a sign for me to quit this one and go read Priest which I had been holding off on.
April 17, 2021
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward write stories that are so compulsively readable – I feel like an addict glued to the pages and unable to step away until I know how everything works out. I devoured this one – drawn so effortlessly into Declan and Molly’s world and on the hook from the adorable meet-cute to the sweetly satisfying ending.
That said, the beginning and the ending may have been my favorite parts of the story. The way this story played out was a bit of a struggle for me. I loved Molly and Declan, but I didn’t always love the way their story unfolded. The burn was almost too slow and too frustrating for my personal romance tastes. And, make no mistake - this is definitely a case of personal preference because, as I already noted, the book was still completely addicting. I loved getting to know Molly and Declan. I was so charmed by Declan’s playful sweetness and Molly’s earnest heart. There were definitely pieces that tugged at my heart. It’s just that as far as romances go? It missed the mark for me a bit.
Your mileage may vary. It didn’t capture my heart the way these authors have done in the past, but I was sucked into it all the same and so it was definitely still a book worth reading! ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
***
I’m struggling a bit to come up with a review for Not Pretending Anymore because if I could write a review for only the first 10% and the last 10%, this would be a solid, “I loved this book” review. However, there’s that 80% in the middle that I really couldn’t connect with that’s causing me some strife.
Let’s start out with the really good.
The fun, smart, snarky, sweet meet-cute between Molly and Declan was terrific. I loved the set up as roomies that could potentially turn them from friends to lovers. The premise was great—they had instant attraction and a connection from the start. I loved their banter and beginnings of a friendship that hopefully led to an equally fantastic romance.
The ending was lovely too. I loved how Molly and Declan sorted through their feelings and moved past their fears to finally get together and give their relationship a go. It was sexy, steamy, and sweet—all the good romantic stuff that gives a reader the “man, I want a relationship like that” feeling.
But then there’s the not so good. The middle. The parts where Molly and Declan and their connection seemed to go a bit off the rails. The part where they didn’t communicate and express themselves honestly as to what they were feeling—both good and bad things. Things that if they’d only opened themselves up sooner to each other could have propelled their relationship into something truly fantastic.
But that didn’t happen—not until the very end, anyway. And although I found myself quickly turning the pages of Not Pretending Anymore to see what would finally happen between Molly and Declan, I just can’t say that this was a favorite read. ~ Missy, 3 stars
That said, the beginning and the ending may have been my favorite parts of the story. The way this story played out was a bit of a struggle for me. I loved Molly and Declan, but I didn’t always love the way their story unfolded. The burn was almost too slow and too frustrating for my personal romance tastes. And, make no mistake - this is definitely a case of personal preference because, as I already noted, the book was still completely addicting. I loved getting to know Molly and Declan. I was so charmed by Declan’s playful sweetness and Molly’s earnest heart. There were definitely pieces that tugged at my heart. It’s just that as far as romances go? It missed the mark for me a bit.
Your mileage may vary. It didn’t capture my heart the way these authors have done in the past, but I was sucked into it all the same and so it was definitely still a book worth reading! ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
***
I’m struggling a bit to come up with a review for Not Pretending Anymore because if I could write a review for only the first 10% and the last 10%, this would be a solid, “I loved this book” review. However, there’s that 80% in the middle that I really couldn’t connect with that’s causing me some strife.
Let’s start out with the really good.
The fun, smart, snarky, sweet meet-cute between Molly and Declan was terrific. I loved the set up as roomies that could potentially turn them from friends to lovers. The premise was great—they had instant attraction and a connection from the start. I loved their banter and beginnings of a friendship that hopefully led to an equally fantastic romance.
The ending was lovely too. I loved how Molly and Declan sorted through their feelings and moved past their fears to finally get together and give their relationship a go. It was sexy, steamy, and sweet—all the good romantic stuff that gives a reader the “man, I want a relationship like that” feeling.
But then there’s the not so good. The middle. The parts where Molly and Declan and their connection seemed to go a bit off the rails. The part where they didn’t communicate and express themselves honestly as to what they were feeling—both good and bad things. Things that if they’d only opened themselves up sooner to each other could have propelled their relationship into something truly fantastic.
But that didn’t happen—not until the very end, anyway. And although I found myself quickly turning the pages of Not Pretending Anymore to see what would finally happen between Molly and Declan, I just can’t say that this was a favorite read. ~ Missy, 3 stars
April 12, 2021
There are many ways to a person’s heart, one way is through all the swoons, and Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland certainly delivered them.
Molly desperately needed to find a roommate, but when no single female ones seemed dependable enough she gives in and lets the sexy, charming, cupcake making Declan Tate move in for the next six months.
They form an easy friendship as they settle into their new arrangement. They also come up with a plan to get their crushes to notice them by pretending to be date each other. But after their plan works, they can’t seem stop thinking about each other. Yet there are many obstacles in their way, and some seem insurmountable.
Keeland and Ward have written a fun, sweet and heartfelt romance of two people who are perfect in helping each other to open up to new experiences and love every part of ourselves.
Though this is a slow burn romance, Declan and Molly have great chemistry together with wonderful banter. I loved their give and take relationship. The empathy and thoughtful tenderness was heart melting especially Declan’s.
I greedily read Not Pretending Anymore without pause which had just the right amount of comedy and emotional depth and is fresh take on the tried and true roommates/fake relationship trope.
Not Pretending Anymore is a slow burn romance by the writing duo Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland. Genres: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Friends to lovers | roommates | fake relationship
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2RjKYJK
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
See all my book edits on Instagram ★ FaceBook ★
Molly desperately needed to find a roommate, but when no single female ones seemed dependable enough she gives in and lets the sexy, charming, cupcake making Declan Tate move in for the next six months.
They form an easy friendship as they settle into their new arrangement. They also come up with a plan to get their crushes to notice them by pretending to be date each other. But after their plan works, they can’t seem stop thinking about each other. Yet there are many obstacles in their way, and some seem insurmountable.
Keeland and Ward have written a fun, sweet and heartfelt romance of two people who are perfect in helping each other to open up to new experiences and love every part of ourselves.
Though this is a slow burn romance, Declan and Molly have great chemistry together with wonderful banter. I loved their give and take relationship. The empathy and thoughtful tenderness was heart melting especially Declan’s.
I greedily read Not Pretending Anymore without pause which had just the right amount of comedy and emotional depth and is fresh take on the tried and true roommates/fake relationship trope.
Not Pretending Anymore is a slow burn romance by the writing duo Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland. Genres: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Friends to lovers | roommates | fake relationship
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2RjKYJK
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
See all my book edits on Instagram ★ FaceBook ★
April 17, 2021
Very low steam which was unexpected for these authors. I haven’t read them in a while but it was disappointing. Overall it was a slow story but wasn’t as interesting as usual slow burns. It took way too long for anything to happen and then it was over.
April 13, 2023
FUCK THIS BOOK!!! Yes I’m harsh but this book made me so angry!! I rarely give 1 star ratings, but this book never again. Even if they pay me money for it!
The beginning was okay. I actually liked both MC’s and was swooning over the hero. That all changed when they started dating other people. FOR 85% OF THE
BLOODY BOOK!!! This is not a romance. They were not communicating and I wanted to smash their heads against the wall. Communication would’ve solved this entire shit show of a book. The hero was in love with his co-worker and so was the heroine. They decided to fake date to make their crushes jealous and guess what… it worked. So now they both have their crushes where they want them, but that isn’t as satisfying as expected. Perhaps because they have feelings for each other. Does that stop them to date their crushes? NOOOOO of course not!! They date them for 85% of the book. It was aggravating!! The heroine actually went into AN EXCLUSIVE COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP with her co-worker. The hero wasn’t into his crush anymore but still hooked up with her and stringing her along, even when he was transferred to another state because of his work. He never called it quits with her and that’s why my friends we have a scene at 88% of this fucking disaster where the hero’s crush grabbed his junk. This book can’t be redeemed. We have the first (and only!!) sex scene at 90% of the book which lasted 2 pages!!! I’M DONE!!
Safety:
🚫 not safe
🚫 OW/OM drama
🚫 hero hooking up with OW (no sex though, although since the OW was freely grabbing his junk at 88% of the book, I believe they did a lot more than just a peck on the lips)
🚫 heroine started an exclusive committed relationship with OM for months, but no sex though 🙄
🚫 not celibate since meeting, I don’t believe neither didn’t take their relationships further than a little kissing (although not stated)
✅ can’t think of anything really
The beginning was okay. I actually liked both MC’s and was swooning over the hero. That all changed when they started dating other people. FOR 85% OF THE
BLOODY BOOK!!! This is not a romance. They were not communicating and I wanted to smash their heads against the wall. Communication would’ve solved this entire shit show of a book. The hero was in love with his co-worker and so was the heroine. They decided to fake date to make their crushes jealous and guess what… it worked. So now they both have their crushes where they want them, but that isn’t as satisfying as expected. Perhaps because they have feelings for each other. Does that stop them to date their crushes? NOOOOO of course not!! They date them for 85% of the book. It was aggravating!! The heroine actually went into AN EXCLUSIVE COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP with her co-worker. The hero wasn’t into his crush anymore but still hooked up with her and stringing her along, even when he was transferred to another state because of his work. He never called it quits with her and that’s why my friends we have a scene at 88% of this fucking disaster where the hero’s crush grabbed his junk. This book can’t be redeemed. We have the first (and only!!) sex scene at 90% of the book which lasted 2 pages!!! I’M DONE!!
Safety:
🚫 not safe
🚫 OW/OM drama
🚫 hero hooking up with OW (no sex though, although since the OW was freely grabbing his junk at 88% of the book, I believe they did a lot more than just a peck on the lips)
🚫 heroine started an exclusive committed relationship with OM for months, but no sex though 🙄
🚫 not celibate since meeting, I don’t believe neither didn’t take their relationships further than a little kissing (although not stated)
✅ can’t think of anything really
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
3.5 Pretending Stars
* * * *
February 12, 2021
The "Infamous" They Say...
Be Careful What You Wish For...
And In Retrospect...
I Should Have Listened...
Because When I Was Wishing...
I Was Wishing For Two Things...
Like Any Single Gal...
I Wanted A Drop-Dead Gorgeous Man...
Someone I Could Be Best Friends With...
Someone Who Got Me...
And I Would Love And Be Loved...
My Other Current Wish Was To Find...
A Decent Roommate...
Someone Who Would Hold Up...
Their Side Of The Bargain...
Someone Who Understood Roommate Rules...
And Be Easy To Live With...
What Was NOT Supposed To Happen...
Was Declan Tate...
Because By Having Declan Tate As My Roommate...
I Have Learned More Than A Few Things...
Never Hatch A Plan To Get Crushes Jealous...
By Acting Like A Couple...
Never Think You Will Survive...
The Feelings That Develop...
Because All Those Wishes I Wanted...
It Turns Out Declan Ticked Off All The Boxes...
And I Am...
Not Pretending Anymore- April 12, 2021
Not Pretending Anymore
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * *
February 12, 2021
The "Infamous" They Say...
Be Careful What You Wish For...
And In Retrospect...
I Should Have Listened...
Because When I Was Wishing...
I Was Wishing For Two Things...
Like Any Single Gal...
I Wanted A Drop-Dead Gorgeous Man...
Someone I Could Be Best Friends With...
Someone Who Got Me...
And I Would Love And Be Loved...
My Other Current Wish Was To Find...
A Decent Roommate...
Someone Who Would Hold Up...
Their Side Of The Bargain...
Someone Who Understood Roommate Rules...
And Be Easy To Live With...
What Was NOT Supposed To Happen...
Was Declan Tate...
Because By Having Declan Tate As My Roommate...
I Have Learned More Than A Few Things...
Never Hatch A Plan To Get Crushes Jealous...
By Acting Like A Couple...
Never Think You Will Survive...
The Feelings That Develop...
Because All Those Wishes I Wanted...
It Turns Out Declan Ticked Off All The Boxes...
And I Am...
Not Pretending Anymore- April 12, 2021
Not Pretending Anymorehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 29, 2021
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward never fail to write the cutest love stories!
April 8, 2021
I am forever a huge fan of these authors especially when they write together and Not Pretending Anymore is definitely a good one.
This was very much a different read than your everyday romance novel. It was the slowest of slow burns and had some very real elements of relationships and the ultimate in bad timing. Declan and Molly became friends while roommates and while each had other people in mind the battle of will they or won't they get together was huge in this story. This book held so many tender moments and will definitely pull at your heart strings. It also spoke about mental illness and as that is such an important topic I liked how it was incorporated into this story. Overall a great book that I enjoyed!
This was very much a different read than your everyday romance novel. It was the slowest of slow burns and had some very real elements of relationships and the ultimate in bad timing. Declan and Molly became friends while roommates and while each had other people in mind the battle of will they or won't they get together was huge in this story. This book held so many tender moments and will definitely pull at your heart strings. It also spoke about mental illness and as that is such an important topic I liked how it was incorporated into this story. Overall a great book that I enjoyed!
April 13, 2021
This was an ok read. I couldn’t rate it higher because I just didn’t love the heroine. She keeps dating the om until almost the end of the book. It doesn’t specify that did sleep with him, but it doesn’t specify that she didn’t either. They were dating for a while and there was a reference to him climbing into her bed with her, but that he had to leave because of work. The way it was written wasn’t like he had not stayed before. Declan was pretty great, and the reason for an extra star. He figured out his feelings much sooner, and he never slept with the other woman (they were hanging out dating for a little while, but he specifically states on his inner monologue and out loud that he just couldn’t seem to get to that point). His feelings for Molly popped up, and he lost interest in the ow pretty quickly. He isn’t even hanging out with her anymore by halfway through the book, unlike the heroine who was excited and making long term plans with another guy for far too long.
July 8, 2021
Declan and Molly.
Molly is looking for a roommate. But it has to be a female. Declan needs to rent a room for 6 months. Declan answers the add for a room but uses The first initial of his name so Molly thinks its a female. When they meet he gets everything to get her to budge and say yes he can have the room. But when he leaves cupcakes for her she says yes. Now they decide to help each other win over some other persons heart. But they don't do to well. I loved this book as I do everything these two write. Make sure u have a box of tissues handy . a whole box not just afew
Molly is looking for a roommate. But it has to be a female. Declan needs to rent a room for 6 months. Declan answers the add for a room but uses The first initial of his name so Molly thinks its a female. When they meet he gets everything to get her to budge and say yes he can have the room. But when he leaves cupcakes for her she says yes. Now they decide to help each other win over some other persons heart. But they don't do to well. I loved this book as I do everything these two write. Make sure u have a box of tissues handy . a whole box not just afew
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