Published 27 May, 144 pages, Mills & Boon True Love, £2.99

Synopsis:

She’s strictly off-limits…
Isn’t she?

Jannes is a professional yachtsman with a playboy reputation. The tabloids devote more columns to his romantic entanglements than his round-the-world races! But scandals spook sponsors, so Jannes makes a proposal of mutual convenience to his commitment-phobe best friend Lara: pose as his girlfriend for PR purposes only and he’ll help keep her chaotic family at bay. It’s perfect… Until the paparazzi leak photos of Lara with a diamond ring on her finger!

Review:

Everything felt effortless with this. Ellie Darkins firmly guides us through an adorable friends-to-lovers and fake relationship tale that made a soothing weekend read. There’s a tendency with lighter romance for MCs to be quite bland and the plotline too loose, but I immediately connected with Lara and Jannes. I felt like I knew them very well – not easy for a book under 200 pages!

There was no frustrating slow burn as well, without giving away too much, I’d say there was a controlled hesitation which was intense at the right moments. Of course, we have our classic tropes, especially only-one-bed and my favourite – the wise, all-knowing grandma. The MCs had their inner demons, but they had a confidence about them, especially with Lara. It wasn’t too tortuous and drawn out, and I felt assured she would be able to conquer them.
This story reminded me just how fun and easy love can be – a delightful quick read.

The author was kind enough to reach out to me – thank you so much for my copy.