The (Fake) Dating Game
Ratings7
Average rating3.6
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
This was my first time reading Timothy Janovsky and it won't be the last. I love a good fake dating trope and this one didn't disappoint. A little too insta love, but it fit the story.
The narrator started out a bit off to me, but by midway I was really enjoying his voice and the voices he created.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I expected after the first initial chapters! The book felt quite shallow at the beginning, and some of the writing I found to be awkward at times, but after a while it definitely grew on me and became more charming than grating. The chemistry between the two characters didn't really show at first, and I wasn't a big fan of Leo at first, but their relationship grew to be so genuine and heartwarming, especially from the midpoint onwards. Having protagonists who actually communicated and grew together whilst supporting and uplifting one another was lovely, and it was great to see each of them take initiative towards their own goals rather than solely depend on one another.
I think the writing style wasn't completely for me, but the narrator did a great job at telling the story in a way I found enjoyable, and it definitely added to the charm of the book. At times, if I had been reading this as a paperback, I would have enjoyed significntly less without the actor's voice narrating the story.
Overall, I had a good time with this one! Contemporary isn't always my jam, but the premise was unique and the characters really sold this to me.
[2.9] gah it pains me, but a generous 3 stars. after adoring this author's debut Never Been Kissed (acespec rep yay!) to pieces, i've found his subsequent releases to read increasingly stilted and superficial. with this book in particular, it almost felt like the author had too much fun diving into the more explicit side of writing that the relationship development took a backseat. i can get past the “playing with a