I love the best friends to lovers trope and this one was such a good addition to that。 I LOVED the friendship between Doug and Lyllian。 You could sense the attention between them from the beginning but you also got the sense of a strong lifelong friendship。 These two live together, have fun together, and are always there for each other。 When Doug gets a call from work telling him that he needs a date for a work dinner, Lyl agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend。 The affection needed to be convin I love the best friends to lovers trope and this one was such a good addition to that。 I LOVED the friendship between Doug and Lyllian。 You could sense the attention between them from the beginning but you also got the sense of a strong lifelong friendship。 These two live together, have fun together, and are always there for each other。 When Doug gets a call from work telling him that he needs a date for a work dinner, Lyl agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend。 The affection needed to be convincing opens the door to the feelings they have both kept hidden。 Super steamy times follow this change in their dynamic。 These two are perfect together if they can get out of their own way, be honest about their feelings, and give their relationship a real try。 Check out their story! It’s a great best friends to lovers book with an amazing ending!I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Stacy De Jesus,
A Date And A Red Dress Change It All!This starts out with a strong idea but then veers of course with Doug being inconsistent。 His not knowing what he said…。really。 Even if that were true, play on it and go somewhere with it。 Create some pain, angst in the story。 Not a quick cry and we’ve moved on to lovey dovey。 The friendship is really beautiful and the beginning is fun yet flirty。 I just wish it carried throughout till the end。 Surprising, since Wylder is one of my favorite authors! Don’t let A Date And A Red Dress Change It All!This starts out with a strong idea but then veers of course with Doug being inconsistent。 His not knowing what he said…。really。 Even if that were true, play on it and go somewhere with it。 Create some pain, angst in the story。 Not a quick cry and we’ve moved on to lovey dovey。 The friendship is really beautiful and the beginning is fun yet flirty。 I just wish it carried throughout till the end。 Surprising, since Wylder is one of my favorite authors! Don’t let this deter you from her other books。 New to Wylder books, try reading her Driven Series… 。。。more
Lisa H,
I really liked this long time friends, roommates to finally lovers。 Lyll is a bit neurotic。 She’s just changed her job (is gluten free) and is afraid to change the status quo between her and Doug。 They’ve known each other since they were seven。 Doug works in production (no one cares whose hooking up with whom) and Lyll is his arm candy。Things finally get steamy。I liked that really liked each other and wanted the best for the other。Recommend。Borrowed on KU。
Tesh,
Douglas needs a date for a work function so asks Lyllian to be his fake partner。 They have been best friends forever。 Dramatic but sweet story about friends to lovers。 This got to be intense as the sort through their decisions after the fact。 Their chemistry just radiated of the page and I really enjoyed their connection。 Such a great book and I was highly impressed。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。
Jennifer,
Can lifetime best friends really be in love and not ruin their friendship? Doug and Lyllian have been best friends since elementary school。 They are now roommates but strictly platonic until the universe gives them a little nudge in the relationship direction。 It's not smooth sailing for them to finally realize they belong together but they do eventually realize they belong together。Lyllian has reasons to never admit to Doug how she feels about him。 Doug senses Lyllian's reluctance and he's not Can lifetime best friends really be in love and not ruin their friendship? Doug and Lyllian have been best friends since elementary school。 They are now roommates but strictly platonic until the universe gives them a little nudge in the relationship direction。 It's not smooth sailing for them to finally realize they belong together but they do eventually realize they belong together。Lyllian has reasons to never admit to Doug how she feels about him。 Doug senses Lyllian's reluctance and he's not totally plugged into how he feels so he doesn't say anything either。 This story is a pretty straightforward story of two grown adults who just need to get out of their own way。 It's sweet and the characters are very likable。 There is no bad guy。This is a contemporary romance。 I recommend it to anyone looking for a nice story that isn't super complicated。 I really enjoyed it and I liked how the author brought everything back to how long the characters had known each other。 Yes, it is a tidy little bow at the end。 。。。more
Susan Anderson,
This book brings us lifelong friends, Lyllian and Douglas。 They have been there for each other since childhood, only as friends。 They are now roommates and both would do anything for the other。 They have also had thoughts about "what if," but they have never acted on it。 That is, until Doug needs to bring a plus one to a very important dinner。 Lyllian reluctantly agrees, but they only agree for one night。 However, they have a great time at dinner with the clients, and once home, they take it fat This book brings us lifelong friends, Lyllian and Douglas。 They have been there for each other since childhood, only as friends。 They are now roommates and both would do anything for the other。 They have also had thoughts about "what if," but they have never acted on it。 That is, until Doug needs to bring a plus one to a very important dinner。 Lyllian reluctantly agrees, but they only agree for one night。 However, they have a great time at dinner with the clients, and once home, they take it father, and sleep together。 The client then calls Lyllian and offers her a job, which means that they will have to keep up appearances of being a couple。 The more time they spend together, the more real it becomes。 This was such a good read and I HIGHLY recommend it。 I did receive an arc for an honest review。 。。。more
Anna,
The Fake Girlfriend Rules was a sweet friends to lovers romance。 Lyllian and Douglas have been friends for years and also roommates。 When he needs a fake girlfriend, he asks Lyllian。 These two were cute and had great chemistry。 I enjoyed this romance along with the attraction, drama, emotions and passion。
Dawn M Gilmore,
Lyllian and Doug have been friends forever。 They both have no intention of losing the other by acting on feelings of desire。 They are determined to keep each other in the friend zone。。。。until they don't anymore。 These two are two friends who have strong chemistry。 They already love each other and take the leap to romantic love。 This is a great sizzling story about their journey。 It is a quick fun read。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 Lyllian and Doug have been friends forever。 They both have no intention of losing the other by acting on feelings of desire。 They are determined to keep each other in the friend zone。。。。until they don't anymore。 These two are two friends who have strong chemistry。 They already love each other and take the leap to romantic love。 This is a great sizzling story about their journey。 It is a quick fun read。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Michele,
A wonderful storyline of BFF’s to lovers, this was so fun to read。 When Doug needs a fake girlfriend he turns to Lyllian his best friend。 I liked how relaxed they were with each other that it was such a gradual transition, but can these two open up to their true feelings and tell each other how they really feel or will they lose everything。I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free。
Jessica Brewster,
Friends to Lovers I love friends to lovers stories。 Lyllian and Doug have been friends for a long time 。 He needs a gf for a dinner and he asks her she says yes but then it becomes more than that。 One dinner turns into much more 。 I don't want to give it away but it's a steamy hot story 。 Another great job penny :) Friends to Lovers I love friends to lovers stories。 Lyllian and Doug have been friends for a long time 。 He needs a gf for a dinner and he asks her she says yes but then it becomes more than that。 One dinner turns into much more 。 I don't want to give it away but it's a steamy hot story 。 Another great job penny :) 。。。more
Maja,
Lyllian and Douglas were the main characters in this one。 I love these types of stories, where the characters are friends the whole life and than。。。。 I loved the first person point of view of the story which is always a deal breaker for me。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。
Erika Jackson,
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 This story was engaging, sweet, and beautiful。 I love a book that have minimum conflict。 Lyllian is the sweetest woman! She is nice, gorgeous, a rule follower, and a dedicated worker。 She is on her way。 She really doesn't like breaking the rules or lying。 She is easy to get along with。 I love her personality! She is best friends with Douglas。 Douglas is a great guy! He is charming, handsome, sweet and caring。 He has been keeping a secret。 When he asks his bestfriend Lyllian for a favor they're b This story was engaging, sweet, and beautiful。 I love a book that have minimum conflict。 Lyllian is the sweetest woman! She is nice, gorgeous, a rule follower, and a dedicated worker。 She is on her way。 She really doesn't like breaking the rules or lying。 She is easy to get along with。 I love her personality! She is best friends with Douglas。 Douglas is a great guy! He is charming, handsome, sweet and caring。 He has been keeping a secret。 When he asks his bestfriend Lyllian for a favor they're both are in shock。 I love them! They are so good together。 The writing was very good as always from my favorite author Penny! Her words are a work of art and how she uses them in a way that my your imagination vivid。 I am voluntarily recieved this ARC for my honest opinion through Bookfunnel。 Penny you did an amazing job on this one。 I'm excited for what is next。 AMAZING work AGAIN Penny Wylder!🥰😍😘 。。。more
Emma Roberts,
Yet another fab 5 star ⭐️ read from Penny。Really enjoyed that story and the characters were great。Loved it and highly recommended
Donna Veilleux,
A beautifully passionate best friends to lovers short romance!Doug and Lyllian have known each other since forever and are currently roommates。 Doug loves Lyllian as more than a friend and by a twist of fate they need to act as if they are in a relationship for Doug’s work。 Even though Lyllian establishes rules their feeling and chemistry is heightened and they give into their desires。 And my it is HOT!! These characters are witty, intense and sexy。 I absolutely love this storyline。
Jessica G,
I really enjoyed the story of Lyllian and Doug。 Best friends since kids that never wanted to admit their attraction to one another, until Lyl agrees to be Doug's fake girlfriend for the night。 It isn't long before it becomes more than one night and more than fake。 I really enjoyed this friends to lovers book by Penny。 It was a quick read made me feel like I got to know the characters。 I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 I really enjoyed the story of Lyllian and Doug。 Best friends since kids that never wanted to admit their attraction to one another, until Lyl agrees to be Doug's fake girlfriend for the night。 It isn't long before it becomes more than one night and more than fake。 I really enjoyed this friends to lovers book by Penny。 It was a quick read made me feel like I got to know the characters。 I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Trina Ironmonger,
I loved this story。 Lyllian and Douglas's story is a really great one。 If you like a true love story with a HEA, this book is for you。 You get brought through the ups and downs in their lives, along with some laughs and good chemistry。 I hope you like this book as much as I did。 I read this book straight through with no breaks。 I enjoyed every minute of it。 I really believe everyone will like this story。 Grab your favorite snack, your favorite drink, get comfortable in your favorite reading spot I loved this story。 Lyllian and Douglas's story is a really great one。 If you like a true love story with a HEA, this book is for you。 You get brought through the ups and downs in their lives, along with some laughs and good chemistry。 I hope you like this book as much as I did。 I read this book straight through with no breaks。 I enjoyed every minute of it。 I really believe everyone will like this story。 Grab your favorite snack, your favorite drink, get comfortable in your favorite reading spot, and have a great read with this story。 Enjoy。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Sarah Nielsen,
I received this as an arc for my honest review This was a great friends to lovers/ fake relationship romance。 These two tropes are some of my favorites so I had high expectations and they were met。 Doug and Lyllian had been friends for years when he needs a girlfriend for a work event so he of course asked Lyllian to help。 I liked the chemistry between them and the storyline。 I really enjoyed reading this。
Mulan Book Princess,
Lyllian and Doug have been best friends since they were children。 Both have feelings for each other but don’t want to wreck the relationship in case things don’t work out。 However, one day Doug needs a date to land a client and asks Lyllian to be his fake girlfriend。 Their chemistry implodes and sizzles, and they have an amazing time together。 Things happen and they carry on this fake relationship longer though is it still a fake relationship? These two will have to figure out what they want and Lyllian and Doug have been best friends since they were children。 Both have feelings for each other but don’t want to wreck the relationship in case things don’t work out。 However, one day Doug needs a date to land a client and asks Lyllian to be his fake girlfriend。 Their chemistry implodes and sizzles, and they have an amazing time together。 Things happen and they carry on this fake relationship longer though is it still a fake relationship? These two will have to figure out what they want and if they will have a HEA。 I thought this story was quite sweet and drama-free。I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review。 。。。more
Jeanne,
Friends to lovers while pretending to be in a relationship so it gets complicated。 Doug needs a girlfriend for an important business meeting and the whole things takes on a life of his own when he and Lyllian jump out of the friend zone with both feet, lying to themselves about it。 At one point he really messes up and hurts her pretty badly by not communicating feelings, just a huge idea he has。 Overall a good story。I received a free copy of this book。
Katja,
I rated this three and a half stars, rounding up。 Doug and Lyllian have been best friends forever, now they're adults and roommates。 Doug needs a date for a work related shindig and Lyllian is the obvious choice。 But when the fake relationship turns into a sensual experience neither of them handle it very well。 I like friends to lovers and fake relationship tropes and this is a nicely written, quick read。 The dialogue is good and it's pretty well edited。 The conflicting emotions situation after I rated this three and a half stars, rounding up。 Doug and Lyllian have been best friends forever, now they're adults and roommates。 Doug needs a date for a work related shindig and Lyllian is the obvious choice。 But when the fake relationship turns into a sensual experience neither of them handle it very well。 I like friends to lovers and fake relationship tropes and this is a nicely written, quick read。 The dialogue is good and it's pretty well edited。 The conflicting emotions situation after they had sex seemed a little drawn out。 They were good enough friends and had enough chemistry that it ought to have been simpler to get one of them to say it wasn't fake any longer。 I received an ARC from Booksprouts and this is a voluntary review。 。。。more
Lisa Parker,
Lyllian has been in love with Douglas for years, he is her best friend and roommate。 She has never said anything to him as she does not want to endanger her friendship with him as she needs that more, he has always been there for her no one else was。 Douglas has a special business dinner meeting where his boss says to bring a girlfriend, not a bimbo。 He asks Lyllian to pretend to be his girlfriend for the dinner。 She has ground rules but they both end up breaking them by the end of the night。The Lyllian has been in love with Douglas for years, he is her best friend and roommate。 She has never said anything to him as she does not want to endanger her friendship with him as she needs that more, he has always been there for her no one else was。 Douglas has a special business dinner meeting where his boss says to bring a girlfriend, not a bimbo。 He asks Lyllian to pretend to be his girlfriend for the dinner。 She has ground rules but they both end up breaking them by the end of the night。The chemistry between the two characters is so much more do their deep friendship, so hot。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Shannon,
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book。 This is a sweet and steamy friends to lovers romance that starts off as a fake relationship but very quickly turns real。 Doug and Lyllian have been best friends forever and now only let the other know their real feelings。 Sweet story, well-written, wonderful characters。
Denise ,
The fake boyfriend or girlfriend trope is classic in romance novels because it so often works well。 “The Fake Girlfriend Rules” by Penny Wylder is a good example of how this premise can be nicely done。Lyllian and Douglas have been best friends for almost their whole lives。 As adults they’re roommates in a 2-bedroom apartment。 The story is told from a dual point of view, so we get to understand how much each of them is attracted to the other。 Both fear acting upon that attraction because of worry The fake boyfriend or girlfriend trope is classic in romance novels because it so often works well。 “The Fake Girlfriend Rules” by Penny Wylder is a good example of how this premise can be nicely done。Lyllian and Douglas have been best friends for almost their whole lives。 As adults they’re roommates in a 2-bedroom apartment。 The story is told from a dual point of view, so we get to understand how much each of them is attracted to the other。 Both fear acting upon that attraction because of worry about the risk of destroying their friendship if the other person doesn’t feel the same way。 The story itself is fairly predictable, but the author does a great job creating characters that are inherently appealing。 You want to see them take a chance on love。 You want to see them find happy ever after, together。 Lyllian in particular has a lot of emotional fears to overcome, and it’s very satisfying when she does so。 This is definitely a book that will leave you with a smile。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Korkoi,
Taking A Chance On True Love And Friendship - It was fun watching Douglas and Lyllian trying to deny their feelings for each other to protect their friendship, but what they didn’t realise was that that was never going to work as they lived together。 It was meant to be one night of pretence, but once the line was crossed, they knew their relationship had changed。 Their apprehension was still evident, but it took Douglas’s mother pointing out a few truths for them to realise they were destined to Taking A Chance On True Love And Friendship - It was fun watching Douglas and Lyllian trying to deny their feelings for each other to protect their friendship, but what they didn’t realise was that that was never going to work as they lived together。 It was meant to be one night of pretence, but once the line was crossed, they knew their relationship had changed。 Their apprehension was still evident, but it took Douglas’s mother pointing out a few truths for them to realise they were destined to be together。 This was a fantastic read that kept me entertained from the beginning, all the way until the end。 The chemistry between Douglas and Lyllian flowed naturally through because of bonds of friendship and this was evident throughout the story。 This is the first book I have read from this author and I will happily recommend this book for your reading pleasure。I received an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Veronica LaRoche,
Lyllian & Doug have been best friends and one night changes everything。 Lyllian & Doug are a great couple and I really enjoyed them together。 Both have the feels for each other but both don’t want to lose what they have。 I really glad it ended his it did。 Another great read with like-able characters。
Magali,
Good but simple3。5It's a good romance, well written between 2 childhood friends who for a subterfuge, get closer when they thought they were placed in the friendzone forever。 Lyllian and Doug's story is hot, but a bit predictable in the evolution of the characters。 Good but simple3。5It's a good romance, well written between 2 childhood friends who for a subterfuge, get closer when they thought they were placed in the friendzone forever。 Lyllian and Doug's story is hot, but a bit predictable in the evolution of the characters。 。。。more
Janet,
WTF moment three-quarters through ruined it for meThis is the first Penny Wylder book I have read, and I'm not sure that I will read any more。I got an ARC from Booksprout and seeing how many other books she has already published, I was looking forward to this and then going on to read others of hers。 The story was okay, the characters had enough back story for me to know their history, and there was a bit of plot to move their relationship along。 The story is told in dual POV and Lyl and Doug bo WTF moment three-quarters through ruined it for meThis is the first Penny Wylder book I have read, and I'm not sure that I will read any more。I got an ARC from Booksprout and seeing how many other books she has already published, I was looking forward to this and then going on to read others of hers。 The story was okay, the characters had enough back story for me to know their history, and there was a bit of plot to move their relationship along。 The story is told in dual POV and Lyl and Doug both feel that their friendship is too important to them to risk revealing their feelings for each other。 I did find it very strange, however, that after years of keeping her feelings hidden, Lyl suddenly pounced on Doug as though it didn't count because of their one-night arrangement。Get to three-quarters of the way through and everything I thought I understood about Doug was blown out of the water。 The WTF moment completely ruined it all for me and although it was turned around (too quickly and too easily), I lost interest。 It was inconceivable that Doug didn't know why what he had said upset Lyl so much, and what he said made absolutely no sense and was never explained。 I did read to the end but the whole book was ruined for me and made me wish I hadn't bothered with it in the first place。The reason for the two star rating is that I liked Eileen and Tony very much and I would have much preferred their story instead of Lyl and Doug's。 。。。more
Brenda,
Sometimes people are just a bit too afraid to jump in when in comes to relationships。 In romance novels, that’s when the fake relationship pops up。 It’s best when it’s your best friend, that way, you don’t have to take random guesses about the other person。 You’ve known them for years, you know their parents, etc,。, so the people you’re trying to fool fall for the lie easily。 In the case of Doug and Lyllian, each has yearned for the other forever, but Lyl’s been afraid of taking the next step th Sometimes people are just a bit too afraid to jump in when in comes to relationships。 In romance novels, that’s when the fake relationship pops up。 It’s best when it’s your best friend, that way, you don’t have to take random guesses about the other person。 You’ve known them for years, you know their parents, etc,。, so the people you’re trying to fool fall for the lie easily。 In the case of Doug and Lyllian, each has yearned for the other forever, but Lyl’s been afraid of taking the next step thanks to her mom and dad’s ugly divorce。 The fact that she grew up with Doug and could have modeled a relationship after HIS parents’ wonderful one escapes her。Doug knows what he wants, but has never pushed Lyl。 He’s been content to let her be his best friend。 Now, he needs a date for a business meeting and the sparks fly…then ignite spectacularly。 As far as Doug is concerned, the next stop is happily ever。 As far as Lyl is concerned, it’s panic-ville, so there’s a lot of coming together to be done before the HEA can happen 。 I enjoyed this book from start to finish。 Lyl’s issues were pushed, but not to the point where they were annoying, and I wanted to give up on her。 The two legitimately needed to communicate better。 Had they done that over the years, there might have been fewer misunderstandings。 Somewhere in the book, it also said they were only 25, so it’s not like they fooled around and didn’t get themselves together forever and wasted years they could have been together。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Amy [Book Addict Reviews],
Lyllian and Douglas have been best friends since they were kids, now as adults they are roommates。 There has always been an attraction between them but neither one of them acted upon it。 They stuck with the flirty banter and just denying the chemistry that is between them。 Douglas needs a fake girlfriend and it is only natural to ask Lyllian to play the role。 That is until lines are crossed and everything is completely changed between them。 Lyllian struggled a lot with the change in their relati Lyllian and Douglas have been best friends since they were kids, now as adults they are roommates。 There has always been an attraction between them but neither one of them acted upon it。 They stuck with the flirty banter and just denying the chemistry that is between them。 Douglas needs a fake girlfriend and it is only natural to ask Lyllian to play the role。 That is until lines are crossed and everything is completely changed between them。 Lyllian struggled a lot with the change in their relationship, she didn’t want to risk losing her best friend, but also can’t deny what is happening between them。 Douglas, now that he knows what being with Lyllian is like he is struggling to go back to how things were before。 I loved the banter and the flirting between the two of them。 I loved seeing how they both navigate through the changes in their relationship throughout the course of the story, too。 If you’re looking for a quick friends to lovers read this is one to check out。 。。。more
Tima,
3。5 stars。 When Doug, the male lead, needs a significant other for work purposes, he asks Lyllian, the female lead and his best friend since childhood, to pretend to be his girlfriend。 Then they let it go further than pretend as they’ve both separately always wanted but been afraid to jeopardise their friendship。This novella is dual POV, well written and edited, and nice simple light read which I enjoyed。I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review。