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Copper Valley Fireballs #2
Real Fake Love
If people have polar opposites, Luca Rossi is mine.
His butt is in the baseball hall of fame. Mine’s comfortably seated in the hall of lame.
When he’s not snagging fly balls out in center field, he’s modeling in shampoo commercials. I once jammed my own finger while stirring cookie dough, and sometimes I forget shampoo is a thing.
He’s a total cynic when it comes to love.
I make a living writing love stories.
But after my latest broken engagement (no, I don’t want to talk about how many times that’s happened), it’s clear he’s exactly the man I need.
If anyone can teach me to be the opposite of me, it’s him.
The first thing I want him to teach me?
How to not fall in love.
And as luck would have it, he’s in desperate need of a fake girlfriend to get a meddling grandmother off his back.
We couldn’t be more perfect together, because the last thing Luca Rossi will ever be is the next man to leave me at the altar.
Or will he?
Real Fake Love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.
His butt is in the baseball hall of fame. Mine’s comfortably seated in the hall of lame.
When he’s not snagging fly balls out in center field, he’s modeling in shampoo commercials. I once jammed my own finger while stirring cookie dough, and sometimes I forget shampoo is a thing.
He’s a total cynic when it comes to love.
I make a living writing love stories.
But after my latest broken engagement (no, I don’t want to talk about how many times that’s happened), it’s clear he’s exactly the man I need.
If anyone can teach me to be the opposite of me, it’s him.
The first thing I want him to teach me?
How to not fall in love.
And as luck would have it, he’s in desperate need of a fake girlfriend to get a meddling grandmother off his back.
We couldn’t be more perfect together, because the last thing Luca Rossi will ever be is the next man to leave me at the altar.
Or will he?
Real Fake Love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
3,672 people are currently reading
6,146 people want to read
About the author
Pippa Grant
67 books10.3k followersPippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
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August 31, 2020Author's note, 3 days before release:
Okay, total behind-the-curtain confession here:
I've written over 30 books, and until REAL FAKE LOVE, I resisted writing a romance novelist heroine. (I did write a children's book author once, but never a romance novelist heroine.) But when Henri strolled into my brain, she was like, "THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. THIS IS WHO I AM." And so now, I've written my first romance novelist heroine.
And I adore her. And not just because she and I share a few writing quirks. (I wonder if you can guess which ones...) I hope you fall in love with her very soon too!!
Author's note, 2 weeks before release:
It's getting so close, I can almost taste it! I keep basking in my love for Henri, our intrepid heroine, this week as advanced review copies have gone out to bloggers. She's the sunshine to Luca's grumpy face, faced with so much heartbreak but still forging ahead, and I freaking adore her. I can't wait for you to meet Henri and Luca and watch them fight their attraction as they pretend to date!!
Author's note, 3 weeks before release:
I can't wait for you to meet Luca Rossi! He's so grumpy about love. And about his Nonna moving in. And about that thing with the ziti. And about Henri moving in too. With her cat.
Basically, his entire life is spiraling out of control. And I LOVE IT!! I can't wait for you to read it too!
Author's note, 30 days before release:
Recent conversation with my hubby:
Me: "OMG, REAL FAKE LOVE IS GETTING CLOSER!"
Him: "Is this the one with the gophers?"
Me: "Gophers? No. I haven't written a book about gophers. What are you talking about?"
Him: "Oh. I meant the armadillo."
Me: "Are you trolling me about the team mascot options in the Fireballs series?"
Him: "Who, me? No. Never. I think it's awesome that you've made your entire readership furious with you for what you did to Fiery the Dragon in Jock Blocked."
Me: "It's not that bad."
Him: "You have an imaginary dragon trolling you on Instagram over this."
Me: "Can we please talk about the fact that Henri's a freaking awesome heroine, that Mr. Good Hair/Bad Attitude doesn't want to fall in love, and the shower scene?"
Him: "Maybe next month. I'm having too much fun right now watching you get trolled by that imaginary dragon."
Author's note, 6 weeks before release:
Can I tell you how much I love Henrietta Bacon, aka Henri, the heroine of REAL FAKE LOVE? She's had a bit of experience with being left at the altar, and... well, she stopped by my newsletter last week to offer some of her best advice on what not to do when you get dumped on your wedding day.
A few of my favorites...
10. DO NOT cut your hair. (You’d think this would be a “duh” thing, but… well, you’ll read Real Fake Love soon enough.)
8. DO NOT eat all the wedding cake by yourself. Even if you don’t have to fit into another dress for the next forever and the waistline expansion doesn’t matter, the belly ache isn’t worth it. It’s too close to the heartache.
5. If you ignore my advice about not eating all of the wedding cake all by yourself, your garter can be used as an emergency ponytail holder so you don’t get frosting in your hair. I mean, if you really care at that point.
3. DO NOT take your honeymoon solo. It’s a recipe for thinking that the bartender in the cabana is cute, and the next thing you know, you have another engagement ring on your finger and you’re not entirely certain what his last name is or what was in the prenup he had you sign.
Ahhh, Henri... I can't wait for you to meet her!! Coming September 3!
Author's note, 8 weeks before release:
The book is with the narrators!!! WOOT WOOT!! Also, all of my evil plans for the most amazing launch boxes ever are well underway, and soon, the Fireballs will take over the world.
Okay, not really. But I'm super excited about the last special item going in the big boxes. In fact, every time I glance at the mock-up, I start giggling so hard I can't stop, because it captures a little part of the book SO WELL. Related: I'm sometimes really not right.
The hero of Fireballs #2 visited the Pipster Report today to get grilled about his identity by some former Pippaverse heroes too, and he was remarkably closed-lipped about who he is. A small excerpt of the interview:
Rhett (from The Hero and the Hacktivist): How much smaller is your ding-dong than mine?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: In the interest of not embarrassing you, I’m not answering that.
Brooks (from Jock Blocked, and also Rhett’s brother): Oh, SNAP! Nice one, Fireball-mate. Here’s my question – I’m IN YOUR BOOK. And you were in mine. Why can’t I remember who you are?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: Pippa put a temporary amnesia spell on you. Go make out with Mackenzie. Then you won’t care that you can’t remember.
Nick (from Charming as Puck): Can I go home and make out with Kami instead of asking you a question?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: Yes. You’re excused. Anyone else?
Cooper Rock (currently only a side character, as far as we know): Wait, Pippa has amnesia spells? Are you like, ME, and I just can’t remember?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: If you have to ask…
Author's note, 2.5 months before release:
Things I love about this book:
1. Cake fight
2. The shower scene
3. Lovable hot mess heroine
4. Grumpy hero
5. Baseball pants
6. Plus everything else
Author's note, three months before release:
Three words: More Fireballs Romance.
These characters... OMG, they're cracking me up! And also tugging SO HARD on my heart strings. I'm revising this week, with the goal of writing THE END and getting it off to my editor. WOOT!!!
Okay, total behind-the-curtain confession here:
I've written over 30 books, and until REAL FAKE LOVE, I resisted writing a romance novelist heroine. (I did write a children's book author once, but never a romance novelist heroine.) But when Henri strolled into my brain, she was like, "THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. THIS IS WHO I AM." And so now, I've written my first romance novelist heroine.
And I adore her. And not just because she and I share a few writing quirks. (I wonder if you can guess which ones...) I hope you fall in love with her very soon too!!
Author's note, 2 weeks before release:
It's getting so close, I can almost taste it! I keep basking in my love for Henri, our intrepid heroine, this week as advanced review copies have gone out to bloggers. She's the sunshine to Luca's grumpy face, faced with so much heartbreak but still forging ahead, and I freaking adore her. I can't wait for you to meet Henri and Luca and watch them fight their attraction as they pretend to date!!
Author's note, 3 weeks before release:
I can't wait for you to meet Luca Rossi! He's so grumpy about love. And about his Nonna moving in. And about that thing with the ziti. And about Henri moving in too. With her cat.
Basically, his entire life is spiraling out of control. And I LOVE IT!! I can't wait for you to read it too!
Author's note, 30 days before release:
Recent conversation with my hubby:
Me: "OMG, REAL FAKE LOVE IS GETTING CLOSER!"
Him: "Is this the one with the gophers?"
Me: "Gophers? No. I haven't written a book about gophers. What are you talking about?"
Him: "Oh. I meant the armadillo."
Me: "Are you trolling me about the team mascot options in the Fireballs series?"
Him: "Who, me? No. Never. I think it's awesome that you've made your entire readership furious with you for what you did to Fiery the Dragon in Jock Blocked."
Me: "It's not that bad."
Him: "You have an imaginary dragon trolling you on Instagram over this."
Me: "Can we please talk about the fact that Henri's a freaking awesome heroine, that Mr. Good Hair/Bad Attitude doesn't want to fall in love, and the shower scene?"
Him: "Maybe next month. I'm having too much fun right now watching you get trolled by that imaginary dragon."
Author's note, 6 weeks before release:
Can I tell you how much I love Henrietta Bacon, aka Henri, the heroine of REAL FAKE LOVE? She's had a bit of experience with being left at the altar, and... well, she stopped by my newsletter last week to offer some of her best advice on what not to do when you get dumped on your wedding day.
A few of my favorites...
10. DO NOT cut your hair. (You’d think this would be a “duh” thing, but… well, you’ll read Real Fake Love soon enough.)
8. DO NOT eat all the wedding cake by yourself. Even if you don’t have to fit into another dress for the next forever and the waistline expansion doesn’t matter, the belly ache isn’t worth it. It’s too close to the heartache.
5. If you ignore my advice about not eating all of the wedding cake all by yourself, your garter can be used as an emergency ponytail holder so you don’t get frosting in your hair. I mean, if you really care at that point.
3. DO NOT take your honeymoon solo. It’s a recipe for thinking that the bartender in the cabana is cute, and the next thing you know, you have another engagement ring on your finger and you’re not entirely certain what his last name is or what was in the prenup he had you sign.
Ahhh, Henri... I can't wait for you to meet her!! Coming September 3!
Author's note, 8 weeks before release:
The book is with the narrators!!! WOOT WOOT!! Also, all of my evil plans for the most amazing launch boxes ever are well underway, and soon, the Fireballs will take over the world.
Okay, not really. But I'm super excited about the last special item going in the big boxes. In fact, every time I glance at the mock-up, I start giggling so hard I can't stop, because it captures a little part of the book SO WELL. Related: I'm sometimes really not right.
The hero of Fireballs #2 visited the Pipster Report today to get grilled about his identity by some former Pippaverse heroes too, and he was remarkably closed-lipped about who he is. A small excerpt of the interview:
Rhett (from The Hero and the Hacktivist): How much smaller is your ding-dong than mine?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: In the interest of not embarrassing you, I’m not answering that.
Brooks (from Jock Blocked, and also Rhett’s brother): Oh, SNAP! Nice one, Fireball-mate. Here’s my question – I’m IN YOUR BOOK. And you were in mine. Why can’t I remember who you are?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: Pippa put a temporary amnesia spell on you. Go make out with Mackenzie. Then you won’t care that you can’t remember.
Nick (from Charming as Puck): Can I go home and make out with Kami instead of asking you a question?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: Yes. You’re excused. Anyone else?
Cooper Rock (currently only a side character, as far as we know): Wait, Pippa has amnesia spells? Are you like, ME, and I just can’t remember?
FIREBALLS #2 HERO: If you have to ask…
Author's note, 2.5 months before release:
Things I love about this book:
1. Cake fight
2. The shower scene
3. Lovable hot mess heroine
4. Grumpy hero
5. Baseball pants
6. Plus everything else
Author's note, three months before release:
Three words: More Fireballs Romance.
These characters... OMG, they're cracking me up! And also tugging SO HARD on my heart strings. I'm revising this week, with the goal of writing THE END and getting it off to my editor. WOOT!!!
September 3, 2020
Pippa Grant is my go-to pick me up, laugh out loud author. The stories are just so out there and hilarious yet realistic enough that I can see how these crazy things can happen. And this series is just so awesome. I live everything about it.
Firstly, the characters are so unique, they could never be confused with anyone else. Henri leaves quirky in the dust. She was just nuts but I adored her. Her heart was so pure, and she deserved to be worshipped for all the crazy that came out of her mouth. And Dogzilla had me in stitches.
Luca started out a little reluctant, but he soon warmed up to all of Henri's quirks and I really appreciated how he realised all that she deserved and worked to get it for her. His family was insane and added to the awesome line up of secondary characters.
This whole book was so entertaining and reading this just made me feel happy. I would have liked to see a little vengeance but that probably wouldn't have fit with the spirit of the story, so I guess I'll just deal. Fingers crossed we get a lot more of our Copper Valley Fireballs.
#FieryForever
Firstly, the characters are so unique, they could never be confused with anyone else. Henri leaves quirky in the dust. She was just nuts but I adored her. Her heart was so pure, and she deserved to be worshipped for all the crazy that came out of her mouth. And Dogzilla had me in stitches.
Luca started out a little reluctant, but he soon warmed up to all of Henri's quirks and I really appreciated how he realised all that she deserved and worked to get it for her. His family was insane and added to the awesome line up of secondary characters.
This whole book was so entertaining and reading this just made me feel happy. I would have liked to see a little vengeance but that probably wouldn't have fit with the spirit of the story, so I guess I'll just deal. Fingers crossed we get a lot more of our Copper Valley Fireballs.
#FieryForever
September 3, 2020
4.5 stars
There was a moment in chapter one that simultaneously had my jaw dropping, my eyes bulging from my head, and my body shaking with laughter. From that moment, I knew this book was going to be a hit. I was not disappointed.
It’s difficult to compare this story to any others but if I were to try I would say it’s a hybrid of the films “Runaway Bride” and “27 Dresses”. I would go as far to say if you liked either, check this book out.
From the beginning, this novel is HILARIOUS but surprisingly it’s also charming and more in-depth than one would think. Both of these characters are incredibly realistic and I loved both of them individually. As well, this author perfects creating a main female character that is realistically unique and has her quirks.
This is only my second read from this author but she has quickly become a newfound favourite. I will be diving into her backlist as soon as I can and keeping my eye out for future releases.
***Thank you to Give Me Books Promotions as well as the author Pippa Grant for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
There was a moment in chapter one that simultaneously had my jaw dropping, my eyes bulging from my head, and my body shaking with laughter. From that moment, I knew this book was going to be a hit. I was not disappointed.
It’s difficult to compare this story to any others but if I were to try I would say it’s a hybrid of the films “Runaway Bride” and “27 Dresses”. I would go as far to say if you liked either, check this book out.
From the beginning, this novel is HILARIOUS but surprisingly it’s also charming and more in-depth than one would think. Both of these characters are incredibly realistic and I loved both of them individually. As well, this author perfects creating a main female character that is realistically unique and has her quirks.
This is only my second read from this author but she has quickly become a newfound favourite. I will be diving into her backlist as soon as I can and keeping my eye out for future releases.
***Thank you to Give Me Books Promotions as well as the author Pippa Grant for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
October 13, 2022
Unreal, too fake love!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narrator: 🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💚🖤💙💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 🤓🙂😎😕
The Hero: Luca Rossi - a Professional baseball player, he is hot as heck, loved by everyone and is allergic to commitment. He attends a friends wedding during the all star break and finds that the groom is in love with his mother instead of the bride.
The heroine Henrietta “Henri” Bacon - she has been left at the alter more than once and she can’t even go get drunk because she is allergic to alcohol. Everything seems to go wrong for her and she is at her wits end as to what to do now.
The Story: Luca somehow finds himself in charge of keeping the jilted bride from going nuts. He talks to her as she breaks down, meanwhile telling her his feelings on Love being a useless emotion. Henri tends to fall in love too easily and she realizes she should give it up for good.
This is told in dual points of view via dual narration. Jason Clarke and Virginia Rose do the narration. Jason Clarke has a deep sexy voice and could narrate every book I read. I love his voice. Virginia Rose has a bit of annoying voice to me and I didn’t like her portrayal of Henri from the start. She sounded crazy not quirky, granted Henri was just dumped at the alter, so she should be a bit crazed at that time, but I just didn’t like her voice.
Henri asks Luca for help, she needs him to teach her not to fall in love. Luca doesn’t want to be bothered with it all but after his Nona gets on him about finding “the one” and threatens to give him “the eye” which is known to work like a curse with other family members. Luca and his entire baseball team are extremely superstitious so he takes Henri up on her offer to be his fake girlfriend.
I love listening to Jason Clarke and I love sports romance, but Henri was a bit too off the wall for my tastes. She is a paranormal romance novelist and the descriptions of her books are a parody on paranormal romance, like were-panda’s that shift into sentient sticks of butter and much more. She comes to pick up Luca wearing pajamas, a towel on her head and fuzzy slippers that have names. It was a bit too out there for my tastes. Not to mention the lack of chemistry between the two main characters.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Narrator: 🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💚🖤💙💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 🤓🙂😎😕
The Hero: Luca Rossi - a Professional baseball player, he is hot as heck, loved by everyone and is allergic to commitment. He attends a friends wedding during the all star break and finds that the groom is in love with his mother instead of the bride.
The heroine Henrietta “Henri” Bacon - she has been left at the alter more than once and she can’t even go get drunk because she is allergic to alcohol. Everything seems to go wrong for her and she is at her wits end as to what to do now.
The Story: Luca somehow finds himself in charge of keeping the jilted bride from going nuts. He talks to her as she breaks down, meanwhile telling her his feelings on Love being a useless emotion. Henri tends to fall in love too easily and she realizes she should give it up for good.
This is told in dual points of view via dual narration. Jason Clarke and Virginia Rose do the narration. Jason Clarke has a deep sexy voice and could narrate every book I read. I love his voice. Virginia Rose has a bit of annoying voice to me and I didn’t like her portrayal of Henri from the start. She sounded crazy not quirky, granted Henri was just dumped at the alter, so she should be a bit crazed at that time, but I just didn’t like her voice.
Henri asks Luca for help, she needs him to teach her not to fall in love. Luca doesn’t want to be bothered with it all but after his Nona gets on him about finding “the one” and threatens to give him “the eye” which is known to work like a curse with other family members. Luca and his entire baseball team are extremely superstitious so he takes Henri up on her offer to be his fake girlfriend.
I love listening to Jason Clarke and I love sports romance, but Henri was a bit too off the wall for my tastes. She is a paranormal romance novelist and the descriptions of her books are a parody on paranormal romance, like were-panda’s that shift into sentient sticks of butter and much more. She comes to pick up Luca wearing pajamas, a towel on her head and fuzzy slippers that have names. It was a bit too out there for my tastes. Not to mention the lack of chemistry between the two main characters.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
September 14, 2020
Dnf at 16%
In rom-com I prefer situational comedy with witty banter adding to the fuel not MC acting immature comedy .But if you enjoy the former then maybe you would like this book.
Also in chapter 3 there were so many characters that were thrown at us without any introduction or even a bit of context.
I generally feel queazy if I have to DNf a book because there this part of my brain shouting " Read on, you will miss out if it gets better" but that voice was nowhere to be found with this one. I don't know maybe this story just wasn't for me.
In rom-com I prefer situational comedy with witty banter adding to the fuel not MC acting immature comedy .But if you enjoy the former then maybe you would like this book.
Also in chapter 3 there were so many characters that were thrown at us without any introduction or even a bit of context.
I generally feel queazy if I have to DNf a book because there this part of my brain shouting " Read on, you will miss out if it gets better" but that voice was nowhere to be found with this one. I don't know maybe this story just wasn't for me.
September 5, 2020
I'm a big fan of Pippa Grant romances because they always contain lots & lots of humor and they are safe! 👏👏 They do tend to lean a little bit to the immature side, but for me that is not a problem, so if that offends you, then pass on it.
So I've gone back & forth between rating it 3 & 4 stars because I did enjoy it, even if I didn't exactly love it as much as some of her other work. The problem for me is the length that Hero took to feel any attraction & warm feelings for heroine. I thought for sure I was going to DNF by chapter 5. By 7 or 8, I was ready to be done with it, but a very kind friend said to stick to it a little longer and I am so glad I did!
There was a lot I liked & disliked. What I disliked is as I said, the amount of time Hero took to be attracted to heroine. Normally, I like my main characters to sizzle right from the first moment they meet. To feel that attraction towards each other which makes me believe they want to be with each other. That didn't happen here. It was a VERY slow burn and sometimes I wanted to hit fictional Hero upside the head - especially those times that he seemed to constantly want to get rid of heroine or found something about her that made her "strange" to him.
Then there is the heroine. She came across as flaky & the whole falls in love with men & gets jilted at the alter thing was not to my liking. Yes, there is a reason behind all of that but it still was a bit of a turnoff for me because I don't like my fictional characters being in love (past or present) with anyone but the person we are reading about.
Anyhoo, as I said, after the first 30% or so, the romance picked up and I found myself enjoying it. Hero was a grumpy non-manwhore who had a bad past experience and was anti love & weddings.
He yanks my suitcase off the bed, straightens, and glares at me.
I risk a glance down south, and what does it say about me that I’m disappointed at the lack of Mr. Woody?
Actually, what does it say about him that he can talk about sex with me without getting even the teensiest bit of a rise going?
Does he have some kind of erectile dysfunction?
Is he tiny?
Or is he honestly not at all attracted to me?
Yeah. I know.
He’s not at all attracted to me.
Which should be a good thing.
Right?
Because the point is to not fall in love.
So if you are looking for a sweet & safe romance with a non Manho Hero and lots of humor, I recommend it! It's not one of the best of Pippa's, but it was still a good read!
Yes, I’m running away. I’m being a total and complete chickenshit.
Ask me to save a dog from a burning building, I’m in. Ask me to read Everybody Poops to a hundred first-graders, and I’m there. Ask me to stand naked in a shower and get recorded rubbing shampoo in my hair, and—
Okay, not a fair comparison, since I get paid to do those commercials.
But still.
I’m not a chickenshit.
Until it comes to my grandmother.
In fact, right now, I’m snagging my keys and dashing straight to Fluffy Maple.
That’s my car. I named her my internet stripper name. First pet, first street.
So I've gone back & forth between rating it 3 & 4 stars because I did enjoy it, even if I didn't exactly love it as much as some of her other work. The problem for me is the length that Hero took to feel any attraction & warm feelings for heroine. I thought for sure I was going to DNF by chapter 5. By 7 or 8, I was ready to be done with it, but a very kind friend said to stick to it a little longer and I am so glad I did!
There was a lot I liked & disliked. What I disliked is as I said, the amount of time Hero took to be attracted to heroine. Normally, I like my main characters to sizzle right from the first moment they meet. To feel that attraction towards each other which makes me believe they want to be with each other. That didn't happen here. It was a VERY slow burn and sometimes I wanted to hit fictional Hero upside the head - especially those times that he seemed to constantly want to get rid of heroine or found something about her that made her "strange" to him.
Then there is the heroine. She came across as flaky & the whole falls in love with men & gets jilted at the alter thing was not to my liking. Yes, there is a reason behind all of that but it still was a bit of a turnoff for me because I don't like my fictional characters being in love (past or present) with anyone but the person we are reading about.
Anyhoo, as I said, after the first 30% or so, the romance picked up and I found myself enjoying it. Hero was a grumpy non-manwhore who had a bad past experience and was anti love & weddings.
He yanks my suitcase off the bed, straightens, and glares at me.
I risk a glance down south, and what does it say about me that I’m disappointed at the lack of Mr. Woody?
Actually, what does it say about him that he can talk about sex with me without getting even the teensiest bit of a rise going?
Does he have some kind of erectile dysfunction?
Is he tiny?
Or is he honestly not at all attracted to me?
Yeah. I know.
He’s not at all attracted to me.
Which should be a good thing.
Right?
Because the point is to not fall in love.
So if you are looking for a sweet & safe romance with a non Manho Hero and lots of humor, I recommend it! It's not one of the best of Pippa's, but it was still a good read!
Yes, I’m running away. I’m being a total and complete chickenshit.
Ask me to save a dog from a burning building, I’m in. Ask me to read Everybody Poops to a hundred first-graders, and I’m there. Ask me to stand naked in a shower and get recorded rubbing shampoo in my hair, and—
Okay, not a fair comparison, since I get paid to do those commercials.
But still.
I’m not a chickenshit.
Until it comes to my grandmother.
In fact, right now, I’m snagging my keys and dashing straight to Fluffy Maple.
That’s my car. I named her my internet stripper name. First pet, first street.
September 6, 2020
3.5 When Nonna Steals The Show Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
In keeping with my confessions of Guilty Pleasures, I first discovered this book because of the cover. Yes, I admit I am a cover ho. There I said it. And for any future authors, if you have any doubts, covers and blurbs are critical.
Pippa Grant's book lived up to its cover and blurb. It was cute, quirky, current, and heartwarming. It took a guy who was determined and believed in No Love after having his own awful experiencer and coupled him with a woman who was able to love even after being dumped at the altar numerous times.
The story follows this hunky, hot, lovable baseball player and his smart, advanced, and independent Nonna, and put them into a story that had enough humor to keep it going. Due to said Nonna, he decides to pretend to be dating this woman who needs tutoring in not falling in love.
The joke is on both of them as she shows him all the good she brings to the world and he is the man who is just right for her.
A solid fun time.
Jock Blocked (Copper Valley Fireballs #1)
Real Fake Love Copper Valley Fireballs #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
When You Have Been...
A Dyed In The Wool Believer In Love...
You Need An Intervention...
A Way To Break You From...
Falling For Another Engagement...
That Is Going To Destroy You Again...
Who Is The Opposite...
Of My Swoony Loving Heart...
Luca Rossi, Mr. Soon To Be...
Baseball Hall Of Fame...
The Man Is Drool-Worthy...
They Hired Him For Shampoo Commercials...
His Body Covered In Suds, Oh My...
This Is A Man Who Does Not Believe In Love...
And I Need Him To Tutor Me...
Guide Me To The Land Of Not Believing...
As Luck Would Have It...
Rossi Needs Someone To Pretend...
To Be His Girlfriend For An Imposing Grandmother...
Well, Hallelujah, Sign Me Up...
I Will Solemy Swear To Be His...
Real Fake Love (Copper Valley Fireballs #2)
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
In keeping with my confessions of Guilty Pleasures, I first discovered this book because of the cover. Yes, I admit I am a cover ho. There I said it. And for any future authors, if you have any doubts, covers and blurbs are critical.
Pippa Grant's book lived up to its cover and blurb. It was cute, quirky, current, and heartwarming. It took a guy who was determined and believed in No Love after having his own awful experiencer and coupled him with a woman who was able to love even after being dumped at the altar numerous times.
The story follows this hunky, hot, lovable baseball player and his smart, advanced, and independent Nonna, and put them into a story that had enough humor to keep it going. Due to said Nonna, he decides to pretend to be dating this woman who needs tutoring in not falling in love.
The joke is on both of them as she shows him all the good she brings to the world and he is the man who is just right for her.
A solid fun time.
Jock Blocked (Copper Valley Fireballs #1) Real Fake Love Copper Valley Fireballs #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
When You Have Been...
A Dyed In The Wool Believer In Love...
You Need An Intervention...
A Way To Break You From...
Falling For Another Engagement...
That Is Going To Destroy You Again...
Who Is The Opposite...
Of My Swoony Loving Heart...
Luca Rossi, Mr. Soon To Be...
Baseball Hall Of Fame...
The Man Is Drool-Worthy...
They Hired Him For Shampoo Commercials...
His Body Covered In Suds, Oh My...
This Is A Man Who Does Not Believe In Love...
And I Need Him To Tutor Me...
Guide Me To The Land Of Not Believing...
As Luck Would Have It...
Rossi Needs Someone To Pretend...
To Be His Girlfriend For An Imposing Grandmother...
Well, Hallelujah, Sign Me Up...
I Will Solemy Swear To Be His...
Real Fake Love (Copper Valley Fireballs #2)
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 7, 2021
This is second in a series and you probably want to read the other one first because a lot of mascot and baseball weirdness is setup there and continues in this story. Also, Grant is an author who has lots of intersections in her serieses so reading the Bro Code and Thruster books probably wouldn't hurt, either, as those characters show up a bit.
So this has a lot of Grant's signature flare for humor. Which I consider a good thing, for the record. Henri as an author of paranormal romance was outstanding and I adored how much Grant played with that as a theme (because Henri's books are crazy pants in a way I'm not sure can actually exist but that I kind of want to). And yeah, a lot of that is dialed to eleven and I didn't care because it was both endearing and engaging.
Luca, on the other hand, was kind of a waste. Oh, he's okay. And I love how appreciative he was once he got to know Henri. He's a great match for her. But Grant gave him an incredibly lame backstory and motivation that dragged everything down to boringsville. And if you read a lot of my reviews, you can smell the negative motivation* coming. Only, this is a particularly bad case because it has an untenable foundation. Yeah, he doesn't "believe in love" and you'd think that him tacking on "for him" would be a welcome innovation, right? Only, Grant doesn't ever pursue that to the reason(s) why. So he thinks, "I could never do love" but without him following that thought into the "because". Yes, we have backstory that seems like it answers the "because", but that line is never actually drawn. Keeping the "because" separate from the whinging about it is almost always a sign that the author is tap-dancing with a fake because so that her story doesn't fall apart. Because with Luca, it would definitely have fallen apart once you realize that his "reasoning" rests on Henri being like the people who let him down and hurt him in the past and she's nothing at all like that. And if he'd ever included that in his ruminations about love, he'd have realized that half a novel too early.
So what I'm saying is that the romantic arc falls apart. And the dark moment is kind of ludicrous. So in the end, all you really have is an interesting protagonist. Which isn't nothing. But is only three stars of entertainment when all is said.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes of some length putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance when you include the random fooling around. They had a little slapstick thrown in, in places, and I'm surprised to say that this actually worked with the situation and protagonists.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
So this has a lot of Grant's signature flare for humor. Which I consider a good thing, for the record. Henri as an author of paranormal romance was outstanding and I adored how much Grant played with that as a theme (because Henri's books are crazy pants in a way I'm not sure can actually exist but that I kind of want to). And yeah, a lot of that is dialed to eleven and I didn't care because it was both endearing and engaging.
Luca, on the other hand, was kind of a waste. Oh, he's okay. And I love how appreciative he was once he got to know Henri. He's a great match for her. But Grant gave him an incredibly lame backstory and motivation that dragged everything down to boringsville. And if you read a lot of my reviews, you can smell the negative motivation* coming. Only, this is a particularly bad case because it has an untenable foundation. Yeah, he doesn't "believe in love" and you'd think that him tacking on "for him" would be a welcome innovation, right? Only, Grant doesn't ever pursue that to the reason(s) why. So he thinks, "I could never do love" but without him following that thought into the "because". Yes, we have backstory that seems like it answers the "because", but that line is never actually drawn. Keeping the "because" separate from the whinging about it is almost always a sign that the author is tap-dancing with a fake because so that her story doesn't fall apart. Because with Luca, it would definitely have fallen apart once you realize that his "reasoning" rests on Henri being like the people who let him down and hurt him in the past and she's nothing at all like that. And if he'd ever included that in his ruminations about love, he'd have realized that half a novel too early.
So what I'm saying is that the romantic arc falls apart. And the dark moment is kind of ludicrous. So in the end, all you really have is an interesting protagonist. Which isn't nothing. But is only three stars of entertainment when all is said.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes of some length putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance when you include the random fooling around. They had a little slapstick thrown in, in places, and I'm surprised to say that this actually worked with the situation and protagonists.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 20, 2020
IN LOVE OR BASEBALL – SOMETIMES REAL OR FAKE DOESN’T MATTER EITHER WAY
“I hate weddings … wedding cakes give me the hives”
Charm. Charisma. Personality. These aren’t JUST WORDS. They’re indefinable human attributes. A form of human magic. You either got it … or you don’t. They also apply to books.
This is my first [attempted] read by Pippa Grant and it might be my last. Maybe I didn’t give it a fair shake, but there are reading rules that I live by. A degree in literature has given me lifelong exposure to books and I’m more tolerant than most because of it. My profession in the movie industry is a quick version of books – scripts are little books that must grab attention fast. Rule of thumb is the first 4 four minutes. After that, it’s floundering time.
This book has a cute premise and no shade against Ms. Grant because she’s clearly written some popular romances with a following of readers to back it up. I’m just not one of them … yet. This book failed to grab interest in the first 4 minutes and for long after that. The wedding scene opener, characters and dialogue were frankly bland, I re-read the same pages trying to capture this author’s brand of magic, but it never clicked or improved for me. My mind was already thinking of the next book to read.
The opener is crucial. Writing style, too. The personality projected by the written word is a nebulous magic all its own. I got none of that before my brain checked out. Too much bland, dull and flat just derailed all my good intentions.
Maybe we’re (I’m) more critical of books and expectations in our Covid pandemic world with more time on our hands to read and judge books with a more discerning eye and heart. I wish I’d loved this book, but the ingredients were lacking FOR ME. That’s not to say everyone won’t fall in love with it, and I won’t give up. I’ll give the author another chance to win my heart with a different story.
“I hate weddings … wedding cakes give me the hives”
Charm. Charisma. Personality. These aren’t JUST WORDS. They’re indefinable human attributes. A form of human magic. You either got it … or you don’t. They also apply to books.
This is my first [attempted] read by Pippa Grant and it might be my last. Maybe I didn’t give it a fair shake, but there are reading rules that I live by. A degree in literature has given me lifelong exposure to books and I’m more tolerant than most because of it. My profession in the movie industry is a quick version of books – scripts are little books that must grab attention fast. Rule of thumb is the first 4 four minutes. After that, it’s floundering time.
This book has a cute premise and no shade against Ms. Grant because she’s clearly written some popular romances with a following of readers to back it up. I’m just not one of them … yet. This book failed to grab interest in the first 4 minutes and for long after that. The wedding scene opener, characters and dialogue were frankly bland, I re-read the same pages trying to capture this author’s brand of magic, but it never clicked or improved for me. My mind was already thinking of the next book to read.
The opener is crucial. Writing style, too. The personality projected by the written word is a nebulous magic all its own. I got none of that before my brain checked out. Too much bland, dull and flat just derailed all my good intentions.
Maybe we’re (I’m) more critical of books and expectations in our Covid pandemic world with more time on our hands to read and judge books with a more discerning eye and heart. I wish I’d loved this book, but the ingredients were lacking FOR ME. That’s not to say everyone won’t fall in love with it, and I won’t give up. I’ll give the author another chance to win my heart with a different story.
April 27, 2024
Henri and Luca ... she's jilted 5 times... so obviously, they get into a relationship to not fall in love. 😂😂What could go wrong??! This is the 2nd book of Pippa Grant, and it's quite enjoyable. The characters are hilarious 😂
Real fake love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.
She sniffs professional athletes' armpit (for research, of course) 😂😂😂
This book seems like a trainwreck... throughout but the ending is beautiful 😍 🤩 👌
**Fake relationship
**Baseball storyline
**Polar Opposites
**Chemistry 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
**Bathroom scene 😂😂😂😂
Galaxyaudiobook.com
Real fake love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.
She sniffs professional athletes' armpit (for research, of course) 😂😂😂
This book seems like a trainwreck... throughout but the ending is beautiful 😍 🤩 👌
**Fake relationship
**Baseball storyline
**Polar Opposites
**Chemistry 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
**Bathroom scene 😂😂😂😂
Galaxyaudiobook.com
November 6, 2020
Whatever water Pippa is drinking, I want some of it. This was absolutely ridiculous in the best way.
September 7, 2020
Real Fake Love is the real deal! This laugh-out-loud rom com is the latest in Pippa Grant’s Copper Valley Fireballs series about baseball hunks trying to make it in the big league. Luca Rossi is hot athlete with great hair who has given up on love. Totally given it up. Believes that love is nothing but a lie. And then he meets Henri, a romance novelist who’s unlucky at love, and she wants him to teach her how not to fall in love. From the funniest jilted-bride scene to the sweetest HEA ever, Real Fake Love is the best sports rom com of the year!
September 8, 2020
I made it to chapter 5 and could not go on. I don't know how this book received such high ratings. If it got better I will never find out. It was too silly and there were so many people in the first five chapters. To me she was being immature and crazy. He was just weird too. The crazy way the book started was gross with his so called friend and his mom.
September 17, 2020
4.75⭐
Oh my gosh, this was a grand slam... Outta the park! This was such a fun and light read. The characters were quirky and instantly likable. I giggled so much LOL! Then other times my heart melted. It was just what my heart needed.
Henri was one quirky, hot mess... and Luca was just plain hot! Henri grew on Luca in the best possible ways. It wasn't instalove, but it was a sweet and swoony story. Everyone needs a Tik Tok Nonna in their lives!
I've loved both books in this series and can't wait to read more!
Oh my gosh, this was a grand slam... Outta the park! This was such a fun and light read. The characters were quirky and instantly likable. I giggled so much LOL! Then other times my heart melted. It was just what my heart needed.
Henri was one quirky, hot mess... and Luca was just plain hot! Henri grew on Luca in the best possible ways. It wasn't instalove, but it was a sweet and swoony story. Everyone needs a Tik Tok Nonna in their lives!
I've loved both books in this series and can't wait to read more!
September 9, 2020
3.5 Stars. I listened to the audio. Perfectly cast: Jason Clarke as Luca & Virginia Rose as Henri (Henrietta).
This was really a true RomCom. A lot of dry humor, with silly moments, and a little raunchy at times.
I love this author's humor. I get her newsletter & it cracks me up every time.
Luca is an athlete but he has a healthy fear of his Nonna & her EYE. Luca's mom was my least favorite character-maybe tied with Jerry.
This is a definite opposites attract.
I need to find out what happens with the next happy couple.
This was really a true RomCom. A lot of dry humor, with silly moments, and a little raunchy at times.
I love this author's humor. I get her newsletter & it cracks me up every time.
Luca is an athlete but he has a healthy fear of his Nonna & her EYE. Luca's mom was my least favorite character-maybe tied with Jerry.
This is a definite opposites attract.
I need to find out what happens with the next happy couple.
September 9, 2020
Pippa owes me a new keyboard, because mine is currently covered with whatever I was drinking and half my lung as I read Real Fake Love. OMG. What a start!
Get your copy of this sporty rom-com for a happy romp through the pages!
Get your copy of this sporty rom-com for a happy romp through the pages!
July 1, 2024
Haven’t read it yet, but it’s going to be epic! After all, Pippa Grant is writing it.
Update- I did read it, and I was right, it was fucking epic!!!
Update- I did read it, and I was right, it was fucking epic!!!
May 8, 2024
I now have a third favorite hero in the Pippa verse. Luca is right up there with Ares and Beck for me. Luca Rossi really is a cranky pants, Mr. GOOD hair Bad Attitude when he first meets Henri. And Henrietta, Henri, Bacon, really is the crazy pants author that loves love, with the laziest cat in costumes. Luca's and Henri's story starts off a bit rocky, but as they get to know eachother and become friends their connection and attraction deepens, even though they're fighting it. Luca is the sweetest with Henri! And Henri goes out of her way to be there for Luca and to support him. I laughed and cried, and snorted and giggled my way through this book. Pippa has done it again with another fabulous book full of sweetness, romance, steam, friendship, and the fabulous cast of characters new and old. Nona with her rainbow hair, Dogzilla the cat with her crazy costumes, the sweet and thoughtful Henri, and the sexy and sweet Luca have stolen my heart! Not to mention the most wonderful HEA. It was also great seeing Mack and Brooks, and some of the Thrusters make appearances. Thank you Pippa!!! I can't wait to read whatever you have in store for us next.
August 29, 2020
Real Fake Love has the grumpy/sunshine trope aspect that I have been really attracted to lately. Henri is a great sunshine character that was so easy to fall in love with from the start. We get to see Henri struggle with her love for love and romance in an entertaining way. Her cat, Dogzilla, is just the right amount of crazy for a little bit of the "crazy cat lady" vibe. Luca provides the grumpy counterpart and is convincing in a way that makes him not allow the reader to instantly fall in love with him. He has to work at getting the reader to jump on board that he is worthy of Henri (and our) love. Grant is a master at writing swoony, romantic words and Real Fake Love illustrates that again. The book is another happy-feeling read and filled with funny moments and some sexy times to round out the story. I can easily recommend Real Fake Love if you are in the mood for fun, romantic times that revolve around a living together fake relationship (with only one bed) between two people with very different views about how love works. (4.5 stars)
August 23, 2020
I spent the first 60% snort laughing and then the last 40% cycling between swooning and snort laughing. And this happens not just because of the couple, although Henri and Luca are amazing- funny, sweet, romantic but comedians at heart, but also because the whole cast of characters are hilarious and a true mishmosh of people who probably shouldn't work but do because they are family in heart. I absolutely loved being enmeshed in this world with old and new characters that feel familiar to me because they represent the people and, more importantly, the feelings that I wish to feel around me every day. I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.
Back to the couple at hand. Henri has been through 5 engagements, only to have them end when she's dumped. Luca is anti-love so Henri asks Luca to teach her how to be anti-love as well. A series of events happen and they find themselves in a fake relationship but a real friendship. And watching how the friendship grows- the banter, the care, the little things that both do for each other- All the feels. Throw in the crazy Nonna (no one writes a better crazy grandmother than Pippa Grant), funny but supportive teammates and their women, a continued rivalry for the team mascot position, a costume wearing cat, and a very very clumsy heroine (totally reminds me of myself) who writes the most hilarious vampire/shifter novels, and this is a well-rounded rom-com full of heart.
Back to the couple at hand. Henri has been through 5 engagements, only to have them end when she's dumped. Luca is anti-love so Henri asks Luca to teach her how to be anti-love as well. A series of events happen and they find themselves in a fake relationship but a real friendship. And watching how the friendship grows- the banter, the care, the little things that both do for each other- All the feels. Throw in the crazy Nonna (no one writes a better crazy grandmother than Pippa Grant), funny but supportive teammates and their women, a continued rivalry for the team mascot position, a costume wearing cat, and a very very clumsy heroine (totally reminds me of myself) who writes the most hilarious vampire/shifter novels, and this is a well-rounded rom-com full of heart.
August 20, 2020
What a book. Did it make me laugh? You bet. Did it make my heart race faster? Oh yes. Did it bring out some emotions? Uh-huh. Did I love it? OH HELL YES.
Pippa Grant has delivered.... again. A book that will make you laugh so very much constantly. But it will also make you think, it will make you feel and empathise with the characters, the journeys they have taken and the scars that are left. Scars that not everyone can see, but Luca and Henri discover each others', try to heal and love them because, despite all the pain, it has brought them to this point.
This book swept me away. There was so much hilarity, but then you'll stop and find those emotional moments. Those moments where the past suddenly has a grasp on the present and stops the joy. And gosh, how sweet Luca and Henri are in seeing that in each other and trying to help, to figure out a way forward. The way they move from unlikely people to ever meet to working together and then more and more just pulled me in and I could not stop reading, well, listening. The story pulls you in and makes you NEED to know the next chapter. And both their vulnerabilities from the past makes your heart ache for them, while the hilarious jokes make you break out in laughter.
Also, finding out the results of the mascot contest? Perfection. And that is all I shall say.
Lastly, the narration. Virginia and Jason embody Henri and Luca in a perfect way. They just are the characters and portray the humor, the vulnerability, the sheer hilarity, the tension and heat between them absolutely flawlessly.
Simply, one of my favorite books of the year.
Pippa Grant has delivered.... again. A book that will make you laugh so very much constantly. But it will also make you think, it will make you feel and empathise with the characters, the journeys they have taken and the scars that are left. Scars that not everyone can see, but Luca and Henri discover each others', try to heal and love them because, despite all the pain, it has brought them to this point.
This book swept me away. There was so much hilarity, but then you'll stop and find those emotional moments. Those moments where the past suddenly has a grasp on the present and stops the joy. And gosh, how sweet Luca and Henri are in seeing that in each other and trying to help, to figure out a way forward. The way they move from unlikely people to ever meet to working together and then more and more just pulled me in and I could not stop reading, well, listening. The story pulls you in and makes you NEED to know the next chapter. And both their vulnerabilities from the past makes your heart ache for them, while the hilarious jokes make you break out in laughter.
Also, finding out the results of the mascot contest? Perfection. And that is all I shall say.
Lastly, the narration. Virginia and Jason embody Henri and Luca in a perfect way. They just are the characters and portray the humor, the vulnerability, the sheer hilarity, the tension and heat between them absolutely flawlessly.
Simply, one of my favorite books of the year.
June 7, 2021
As gargalhadas que eu dei nesse livro super valeram a pena ter lido ele.
Sério morri rindo.
Sério morri rindo.
September 10, 2020
Quick(ish) Review
Possibly my favorite of the Fireballs romances, I loved how this seamlessly integrates with Ms Grant’s existing ‘verse but it’s not necessary to read the earlier books for it to work. The grumpy hero with a soft center, a sunshine heroine who’s been burned by her love of love, this is smutnip for me so I was all in. There are elements that I wasn’t sure were going to work but they all came together for a really sweet sports romance, which I definitely needed. If you love Ms Grant’s books, or if you just love some sweet heat with your funny baseball romances, you may enjoy this like I did.
Possibly my favorite of the Fireballs romances, I loved how this seamlessly integrates with Ms Grant’s existing ‘verse but it’s not necessary to read the earlier books for it to work. The grumpy hero with a soft center, a sunshine heroine who’s been burned by her love of love, this is smutnip for me so I was all in. There are elements that I wasn’t sure were going to work but they all came together for a really sweet sports romance, which I definitely needed. If you love Ms Grant’s books, or if you just love some sweet heat with your funny baseball romances, you may enjoy this like I did.
September 3, 2020
Ok, get ready for MORE Fireballs!
Henri Bacon has had more than her fair share of heartbreak; she’s looking for things that she hasn’t gotten from those closest to her. She’s sunshiney, kind, smart and endearing despite her past. She talks a little too much. She meets Luca Rossi at her wedding that didn't happen and he protects her from people and states that he doesn’t believe in love.
Fate has Henri crossing paths with Luca again and then Nona Rossi, Luca’s grandson, happens. There’s all kinds of funny in this story, but there’s also lots of heart. Luca has his own story and he has fences up around his heart, he makes a few mistakes, but he understands, eventually, what he needs to do. They have a rough road, but they arrive to their HEA!
Henri Bacon has had more than her fair share of heartbreak; she’s looking for things that she hasn’t gotten from those closest to her. She’s sunshiney, kind, smart and endearing despite her past. She talks a little too much. She meets Luca Rossi at her wedding that didn't happen and he protects her from people and states that he doesn’t believe in love.
Fate has Henri crossing paths with Luca again and then Nona Rossi, Luca’s grandson, happens. There’s all kinds of funny in this story, but there’s also lots of heart. Luca has his own story and he has fences up around his heart, he makes a few mistakes, but he understands, eventually, what he needs to do. They have a rough road, but they arrive to their HEA!
August 29, 2020
You can’t keep a brilliant author down.
I know the world is a horrible place to be right now, staying inside is by far, the BEST way to avoid COVID-19 and any other crap-tastic events. There’s plenty of things you can do and one of the best… READING!!!
And this book, my friends, it’ll help you forget.
Real Fake Love by Pippa Grant is her best book to date. It’s a super fun, laugh-your-undies-off story filled with so many likeable and by now, well-known characters.
We met Luca Rossi in the previous Fireballs’ book, but we didn’t get to know him very well, until now. This is his and Henri’s story and what a roller coaster is turned out to be.
When Luca and Heri are first introduced, there is no ‘meet-cute’. Henri’s been left at the altar and it’s Luca who looks after her. He feels kinda guilty, but nothing that happened was his fault.
Henri is quirky, funny and in love with love. But, after this last fiasco, she decides she needs help not being so… in love. And who better than the man known to not believe in happy ever afters to help change her view.
Luca would love to say no to Henri’s request, but his nonna has set her ‘EYE’ on him and he needs all the help he can get to save him from the interference and interruptions his grandmother will bring into his life.
This is more than just a rom/com, it’s more emotional, steamy, and filled to the brim with crazy antics. From the Fireballs team to Luca and Henri, every page is guaranteed to make you … feel.
Everything!!!
I loved every single word, can’t believe it’s over, and need another fix of all things Pippa and Fireballs and Copper Valley.
I know the world is a horrible place to be right now, staying inside is by far, the BEST way to avoid COVID-19 and any other crap-tastic events. There’s plenty of things you can do and one of the best… READING!!!
And this book, my friends, it’ll help you forget.
Real Fake Love by Pippa Grant is her best book to date. It’s a super fun, laugh-your-undies-off story filled with so many likeable and by now, well-known characters.
We met Luca Rossi in the previous Fireballs’ book, but we didn’t get to know him very well, until now. This is his and Henri’s story and what a roller coaster is turned out to be.
When Luca and Heri are first introduced, there is no ‘meet-cute’. Henri’s been left at the altar and it’s Luca who looks after her. He feels kinda guilty, but nothing that happened was his fault.
Henri is quirky, funny and in love with love. But, after this last fiasco, she decides she needs help not being so… in love. And who better than the man known to not believe in happy ever afters to help change her view.
Luca would love to say no to Henri’s request, but his nonna has set her ‘EYE’ on him and he needs all the help he can get to save him from the interference and interruptions his grandmother will bring into his life.
This is more than just a rom/com, it’s more emotional, steamy, and filled to the brim with crazy antics. From the Fireballs team to Luca and Henri, every page is guaranteed to make you … feel.
Everything!!!
I loved every single word, can’t believe it’s over, and need another fix of all things Pippa and Fireballs and Copper Valley.
August 20, 2020
More fun than a barrel of meatballs!
Oh, how I loved Henri, Luca and Dogzilla! Pippa Grant’s books just keep getting better and better! More emotional, funnier, and sweeter!
Henri is hands down my most favorite of Pippa’s heroines. She’s nutty in the best of ways! And Luca is just, ahhh, so swoony! I don’t have words to describe my love for this couple. This book is just too much fun!
Oh, how I loved Henri, Luca and Dogzilla! Pippa Grant’s books just keep getting better and better! More emotional, funnier, and sweeter!
Henri is hands down my most favorite of Pippa’s heroines. She’s nutty in the best of ways! And Luca is just, ahhh, so swoony! I don’t have words to describe my love for this couple. This book is just too much fun!
August 15, 2021
This gem made a new shelf! You know how when you see a play and occasionally a character will turn toward you in the audience and speak directly to you? They call it breaking the fourth wall, and used sparingly it can be powerful. Like a Greek chorus, or narrator’s voiceover.
But used too much it reveals a heightened self awareness that my single digit nieces might call “showing off.” IOW, it’s very annoying.
This book had so much of that in the first ten percent, it was as if the hero took a seat in the front row and picked up a magazine. Seriously, why was he even there?
I know other reviewers thought it was cute and the ensemble was entertaining, but I read romances for….wait for it…the romance! I don’t read for the soon to be ex to dump the heroine for the hero’s mother - EUW, or for the heroine to smear wedding cake all over the hero like she’s an infant. Funny? Might have been - in an alternate universe where it MADE SENSE. But it didn’t make sense. And I don’t read for the whacky ensemble when they’re like every Volvo on the road cutting you off from getting to the good part.
It also did not make sense for the heroine to show up at the hero’s place of employment with a group of romance writers….fourth wall approaching…to research baseball and baseball players. Yeah, he’s a baseball player. ::eyeroll::
Because it totally makes sense from 4 or 5 states away…
Her cat is called Dogzilla, wink wink. Because she’s all creative author and shit.
I did skip ahead to the last chapter. Guess what? It wasn’t really about the couple, either. A few tepid lines tossed in from the hero meh.
I’m joining him in the front row, maybe he’ll share that magazine.
But used too much it reveals a heightened self awareness that my single digit nieces might call “showing off.” IOW, it’s very annoying.
This book had so much of that in the first ten percent, it was as if the hero took a seat in the front row and picked up a magazine. Seriously, why was he even there?
I know other reviewers thought it was cute and the ensemble was entertaining, but I read romances for….wait for it…the romance! I don’t read for the soon to be ex to dump the heroine for the hero’s mother - EUW, or for the heroine to smear wedding cake all over the hero like she’s an infant. Funny? Might have been - in an alternate universe where it MADE SENSE. But it didn’t make sense. And I don’t read for the whacky ensemble when they’re like every Volvo on the road cutting you off from getting to the good part.
It also did not make sense for the heroine to show up at the hero’s place of employment with a group of romance writers….fourth wall approaching…to research baseball and baseball players. Yeah, he’s a baseball player. ::eyeroll::
Because it totally makes sense from 4 or 5 states away…
Her cat is called Dogzilla, wink wink. Because she’s all creative author and shit.
I did skip ahead to the last chapter. Guess what? It wasn’t really about the couple, either. A few tepid lines tossed in from the hero meh.
I’m joining him in the front row, maybe he’ll share that magazine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2020
📖📖 READ THROUGH KU. 📖📖
I have been living under a rock, obviously because this is only my third Pippa Grant novel I’ve read and I don’t know how I haven’t discovered them all before. I love a good romcom and this author has the magic touch. I can only base my opinion on the three books I have read, but what I love about them is each heroine is a little quirky and is not what society would call “normal” and I absolutely love it. I don’t want cookie cutter romance, I want complexities and in-depth relationships. Her heroes have issues as well, and this makes them authentic and extremely adorable. This couple, Luca and Henri, both have problems with love and commitments and the only way they can help each other is to not fall for the other. For Henri, who sees everything and everyone with love in her eyes, it’s hard for her to not get feelings for Luca. Because he’s ..... well Luca 😍. After a childhood of disappointment and his own failed engagement, it takes Luca a while to realize that he was falling for Henri from their first encounter. Each book I read from this author, the current couple become my favorite. I know Luca and Henri will be with me for some time, until I meet my next Pippa Grant couple and up next is Master Baker with Grady and Annika. 🥰
I have been living under a rock, obviously because this is only my third Pippa Grant novel I’ve read and I don’t know how I haven’t discovered them all before. I love a good romcom and this author has the magic touch. I can only base my opinion on the three books I have read, but what I love about them is each heroine is a little quirky and is not what society would call “normal” and I absolutely love it. I don’t want cookie cutter romance, I want complexities and in-depth relationships. Her heroes have issues as well, and this makes them authentic and extremely adorable. This couple, Luca and Henri, both have problems with love and commitments and the only way they can help each other is to not fall for the other. For Henri, who sees everything and everyone with love in her eyes, it’s hard for her to not get feelings for Luca. Because he’s ..... well Luca 😍. After a childhood of disappointment and his own failed engagement, it takes Luca a while to realize that he was falling for Henri from their first encounter. Each book I read from this author, the current couple become my favorite. I know Luca and Henri will be with me for some time, until I meet my next Pippa Grant couple and up next is Master Baker with Grady and Annika. 🥰
October 27, 2020
It's IMPOSSIBLE to read this book and not fall in love with Henri (short for Henrietta). She is quirky and sweet and hilarious and smart and GAH!!....I ADORE HER! Her propensity to fall in love easily never feels like a gimmick in this story. The reader knows exactly why she falls in love so easily and it's because she loves EVERYTHING easily! I love that this was her STRENGTH and not her weakness. She shines in this book.
Luca is so damn sexy. His level-headed thinking is the perfect balance to Henri's kookiness and it makes this book HILARIOUS! You will snort-laugh for sure.
Pippa Grant does such a good job of the subtle shift from two strangers who are so opposite to friends to lovers. This is not easy to write and Pippa does it perfectly here! And, don't forget the hot kitchen counter sex! Whew! These two are steamy and sexy when they finally get it on.
I took off a star from the rating because sometimes the funny scenes are so manic that it was hard for me to follow what was happening and a few seemed to really slow the story.
I loved this book with it's quirky characters, laugh-out-loud dialog, and super-sweet moments. You will love these characters and their love story.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
Luca is so damn sexy. His level-headed thinking is the perfect balance to Henri's kookiness and it makes this book HILARIOUS! You will snort-laugh for sure.
Pippa Grant does such a good job of the subtle shift from two strangers who are so opposite to friends to lovers. This is not easy to write and Pippa does it perfectly here! And, don't forget the hot kitchen counter sex! Whew! These two are steamy and sexy when they finally get it on.
I took off a star from the rating because sometimes the funny scenes are so manic that it was hard for me to follow what was happening and a few seemed to really slow the story.
I loved this book with it's quirky characters, laugh-out-loud dialog, and super-sweet moments. You will love these characters and their love story.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
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August 31, 2020
Pippa Grant’s books never fail on making me laugh out loud and swoon all that same time. Real Fake Love is no exception to that. Anti-love grumpy hero and a love to easily, sassy heroine, plus a TikTok Nonna are everything you need in your life.
Henri is all about love. She loves being in love, she loves writing about love. Her life is full of it. Until, after another failed wedding she is done and she seeks help from the one person she knows hates love, Luca. However, she is in for more than she bargained for when Luca also needs her help. Luca’s Nonna is always hounding him that he needs to settle down and when Henri around, he gives in to her wishes and they start a fake relationship….but those never turn out how either person wants.
Luca and Henri’s “relationship” was so much fun. I loved these two so much. They are complete opposites but they work so well together, plus Henri easily fits in with the lady Fireballs. There is so much awkward and sweet moments and some steamy moments. It’s just the perfect combination of everything.
Real Fake Love is a grand slam and a MUST READ that will have you falling in love with Luca and Henri.
Henri is all about love. She loves being in love, she loves writing about love. Her life is full of it. Until, after another failed wedding she is done and she seeks help from the one person she knows hates love, Luca. However, she is in for more than she bargained for when Luca also needs her help. Luca’s Nonna is always hounding him that he needs to settle down and when Henri around, he gives in to her wishes and they start a fake relationship….but those never turn out how either person wants.
Luca and Henri’s “relationship” was so much fun. I loved these two so much. They are complete opposites but they work so well together, plus Henri easily fits in with the lady Fireballs. There is so much awkward and sweet moments and some steamy moments. It’s just the perfect combination of everything.
Real Fake Love is a grand slam and a MUST READ that will have you falling in love with Luca and Henri.
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