We're going to date so we won't have to date.
I am pretty sure I grinned throughout this book, because it was exactly what I wanted, needed, and thought it would be. The fake-dating trope is always a lot of fun, but throw in a little hate-to-love and people with a tons of history, and I am all in.
Mia and Jake went waaaaay back, and their relationship evolved quite a bit over the years. They had a strong friendship, which may have turned into attraction at one point, but because of their meddling mothers and other factors, it later evolved into a sort of frenemy situation. One of the things I liked about them entering into this fauxmance was that it allowed them to untangle the past and reevaluate their friendship. They each unpacked quite a few memories of each other, and it was terribly sweet. I acknowledge that I am a total sap, but I must confess, that I loved each and every "a-ha" moment they had about each other.
It was also quite beautiful the way they pushed each other out of their comfort zones. They may not have gone about it in the right way, but both Jake and Mia made progress towards some personal goals, because the other was there to nudge them in the right direction. It was wonderful seeing them take those steps, and I liked cheering them on as they did it.
But, can we talk about the moms? First of all, their friendship was so heartwarming. When Jake's mom talked about how Mia's mom took her under her wing, it may have made my eyes a little shiny. I just loved that these two women had each other for support as they navigated life and motherhood. I also liked the way they were with their children. They had a nice rapport with them, and Jake's mom, her whole backstory, got me right in the feels.
Nguyen let us experience so many fun things with Mia and Jake too. Those bits had a great rom-com feel, and I just had a fabulous time.
My list of adjectives for this book: sweet, fun, adorable, amusing, entertaining, and also, touching.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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