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The Problem with Pretending
Literally colliding with the hottest guy in the world and agreeing to be his date to his sister’s wedding? Done… for some reason.
Finding out he’s actually an aristocrat and will one day inherit an ancient Scottish dukedom and castle? Yep, that’s a surprise.
Sharing a bed with him at said castle because his family thinks I’m his girlfriend? Okay, I’m sure I’ll survive. Even if he does make my heart pitter-patter and my lady bits—uh, never mind.
Dealing with his family feud, his bridezilla sister, and his grandma’s gobby cockatiel who fancies himself the castle alarm system? It’s… well, it’s… something.
Oh, and a snowstorm, keeping my real identity a secret, trying to figure out where the heck I know the Glenroch family from, and why his mum keeps looking at me weirdly?
Yeah, that I’ll need some help with…
*Please note that The Problem With Pretending is set in the United Kingdom and is written in British English. It's set in my aristoverse but is a complete standalone.*
Finding out he’s actually an aristocrat and will one day inherit an ancient Scottish dukedom and castle? Yep, that’s a surprise.
Sharing a bed with him at said castle because his family thinks I’m his girlfriend? Okay, I’m sure I’ll survive. Even if he does make my heart pitter-patter and my lady bits—uh, never mind.
Dealing with his family feud, his bridezilla sister, and his grandma’s gobby cockatiel who fancies himself the castle alarm system? It’s… well, it’s… something.
Oh, and a snowstorm, keeping my real identity a secret, trying to figure out where the heck I know the Glenroch family from, and why his mum keeps looking at me weirdly?
Yeah, that I’ll need some help with…
*Please note that The Problem With Pretending is set in the United Kingdom and is written in British English. It's set in my aristoverse but is a complete standalone.*
12 pages, Audiobook
First published May 14, 2023
About the author
Emma Hart
101 books7,512 followersEmma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She first put fingers to keys at the age of eighteen after her husband told her she read too much and should write her own.
Four years later, she's still figuring out what he meant when he said she 'read too much.'
She prides herself on writing smart smut that's filled with dry wit, snappy, sarcastic comebacks, but lots of heart... And sex. Sometimes, she kills people. (Disclaimer: In books. But if you bug her, she'll use your name for the victims.)
You can find her online at www.emmahart.org, www.facebook.com/emmahartbooks, or join her reader group at http://bit.ly/EmmaHartsHartbreakers.
Four years later, she's still figuring out what he meant when he said she 'read too much.'
She prides herself on writing smart smut that's filled with dry wit, snappy, sarcastic comebacks, but lots of heart... And sex. Sometimes, she kills people. (Disclaimer: In books. But if you bug her, she'll use your name for the victims.)
You can find her online at www.emmahart.org, www.facebook.com/emmahartbooks, or join her reader group at http://bit.ly/EmmaHartsHartbreakers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
November 15, 2023
3 stars. A total mixed bag of a book.
The book starts out on a really bad note, and I almost DNFd but was driving and couldn’t take the time to pick a different audiobook, so I continued on. Somewhat regret that decision, and questioning my rating now that I’m thinking about everything that happened.
1. This book opens with a joke being made of the heroine’s best friend, who comes home and tells the heroine about her date the previous night. She went home with him, and he had slipped “accidentally” and stuck his 🍆 in her ass. The heroine treats it as a non-issue, it can even be read as her blaming the best friend for sleeping with the guy right away. 👎🏻👎🏻 Either way, the author really makes light of a situation that would be considered rape by many. Later on, we find out that the best friend went out with this guy again, and he did the same thing a second time. So it was definitely rape, because there’s no way it was an accident twice in a row. Forcing a dick in an unprepared back hole isn’t a joke… it’s very painful and can cause a lot of damage. So the author using this event for cheap humor was just really distasteful to me.
2. The hero and heroine’s relationship was a bit shallow - based on insta-attraction - but I actually really liked both of their characters when ignoring what I mentioned above. The hero is very much besotted with the heroine very quickly, and is generally an actually nice guy. The heroine is self assured and strong, and generally had a good sense of humor (I feel like I have to keep excluding the anal stuff, because that wasn’t funny).
3. I also liked a lot of the side characters in this story. Especially the heroine’s grandma - she’s a fun one.
4. I didn’t really like the backstory of the heroine’s parents. I was feeling VERY triggered because of how it was all laid out. Her father cheated on her mother and married the mistress, except there were extenuating circumstances that made what he did semi-forgivable. Although, I wouldn’t forgive his choices myself, haha. I was not enjoying reading the parts of the book that had to do with them. The heroine’s mother basically became a martyr and then after her death, the heroine’s father acted as one also. I just was not feeling it and all the talk of cheating really grated on me. I cried while reading some of the stuff about her parents’ past.
I will maybe read another book by this author and hope that some of my issues with this book wouldn’t be repeated in others, since they were kinda specific to this story.
Safe w/exception because of how much the father’s cheating is mentioned (surprisingly his mistress turned wife never actually makes an on page appearance)
Non-virgin heroine but I believe it mentioned her being celibate for a while
Non-manwhore hero, no real info about his sexual past
No OM/OW drama or scenes
No cheating between MCs
The book starts out on a really bad note, and I almost DNFd but was driving and couldn’t take the time to pick a different audiobook, so I continued on. Somewhat regret that decision, and questioning my rating now that I’m thinking about everything that happened.
1. This book opens with a joke being made of the heroine’s best friend, who comes home and tells the heroine about her date the previous night. She went home with him, and he had slipped “accidentally” and stuck his 🍆 in her ass. The heroine treats it as a non-issue, it can even be read as her blaming the best friend for sleeping with the guy right away. 👎🏻👎🏻 Either way, the author really makes light of a situation that would be considered rape by many. Later on, we find out that the best friend went out with this guy again, and he did the same thing a second time. So it was definitely rape, because there’s no way it was an accident twice in a row. Forcing a dick in an unprepared back hole isn’t a joke… it’s very painful and can cause a lot of damage. So the author using this event for cheap humor was just really distasteful to me.
2. The hero and heroine’s relationship was a bit shallow - based on insta-attraction - but I actually really liked both of their characters when ignoring what I mentioned above. The hero is very much besotted with the heroine very quickly, and is generally an actually nice guy. The heroine is self assured and strong, and generally had a good sense of humor (I feel like I have to keep excluding the anal stuff, because that wasn’t funny).
3. I also liked a lot of the side characters in this story. Especially the heroine’s grandma - she’s a fun one.
4. I didn’t really like the backstory of the heroine’s parents. I was feeling VERY triggered because of how it was all laid out. Her father cheated on her mother and married the mistress, except there were extenuating circumstances that made what he did semi-forgivable. Although, I wouldn’t forgive his choices myself, haha. I was not enjoying reading the parts of the book that had to do with them. The heroine’s mother basically became a martyr and then after her death, the heroine’s father acted as one also. I just was not feeling it and all the talk of cheating really grated on me. I cried while reading some of the stuff about her parents’ past.
I will maybe read another book by this author and hope that some of my issues with this book wouldn’t be repeated in others, since they were kinda specific to this story.
Safe w/exception because of how much the father’s cheating is mentioned (surprisingly his mistress turned wife never actually makes an on page appearance)
Non-virgin heroine but I believe it mentioned her being celibate for a while
Non-manwhore hero, no real info about his sexual past
No OM/OW drama or scenes
No cheating between MCs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
The problem with pretending… the truth has to come out! This was fun. Grace doesn’t want her upper class title to be the thing that people see. After agreeing to be a fake date things get a little tricky.
William is someone she didn’t completely see coming.
This reminded me of the secret billionaire. The secrets and games were fun. The romance had laughs and love.
I’m a huge fan of this author and this book didn’t disappoint.
William is someone she didn’t completely see coming.
This reminded me of the secret billionaire. The secrets and games were fun. The romance had laughs and love.
I’m a huge fan of this author and this book didn’t disappoint.
July 7, 2023
4.5 stars 🌟 oh this was so so good. I FUCKING LOVED THE ENTIRE PLOT OF THIS STORY. it was like a regency romance but modern and just as entertaining 🏰🦜☃️ williamgrace are so special and dear to me i adored their story sm 🩷 the fact that their wasn’t a third act breakup and grace just reflected on herself instead was so mature and different from what a lot of other writers do!! i liked how william was so respective of her boundaries and kept fighting to be with her 🤞 also his entire family dynamic when they were staying in scotland was HILARIOUS 🙈 i also really liked the friendship between amy and grace throughout the story! i hope amy gets a book too 🤗
Shelved as 'dont-want-to-read'
November 15, 2023See Inna's review.
May 17, 2023
*4 Stars*
ARC kindly received for an honest review.
This was an easy read - another in the world of aristocrats that Emma Hart has created. There is some great world building in this series. I liked Grace and William, and their story was a fun one. I really like Granny and Amber and all the other shenanigans that took place during this novel. There were some moments near the end that made me feel emotional, but for most part this is just an easy slow burn rom com full of great characters.
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ARC kindly received for an honest review.
This was an easy read - another in the world of aristocrats that Emma Hart has created. There is some great world building in this series. I liked Grace and William, and their story was a fun one. I really like Granny and Amber and all the other shenanigans that took place during this novel. There were some moments near the end that made me feel emotional, but for most part this is just an easy slow burn rom com full of great characters.
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July 10, 2023
It took me a while to really get interested in this book. The premise was interesting but I found the first 100 pages a tad bit boring. But afterwards was absolutely adorable ! I loved William and Gracie. I always find it takes me longer to love characters who are purposefully obstinate (probably because I too am purposefully obstinate on occasion) but I adored Gracie as soon as her true character was revealed💙
This book has all the good stuff:
* British aristocracy
* Chaotic old ladies
* Family drama that’s resolved in a very satisfying and emotional way
* Hurricane-like best friends
* A sweet but organic love story that left me feeling happy and slightly dizzy
I need Amber to get her own upper class romance . She’s too precious and insane not to have that 😘
This book has all the good stuff:
* British aristocracy
* Chaotic old ladies
* Family drama that’s resolved in a very satisfying and emotional way
* Hurricane-like best friends
* A sweet but organic love story that left me feeling happy and slightly dizzy
I need Amber to get her own upper class romance . She’s too precious and insane not to have that 😘
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2024
I think I saw a reel pop up on Instagram about this book, which made me curious, but unfortunately this didn't live up to what I was expecting.
The storyline is fun, and was mostly fine. The beginning of the story, with the castle and aristocracy, as well as the meet-cute had me in a swoon. I think that's what made my expectations higher. However, felt that the chemistry and intimacy between Grace and William were lacking. While I'm one who appreciates a good banter between the main characters, here I felt that the snark bordered on rude sometimes.
Overall it's not a bad read, I might check more from this author. It's just that it did not hit me in the feels.
The storyline is fun, and was mostly fine. The beginning of the story, with the castle and aristocracy, as well as the meet-cute had me in a swoon. I think that's what made my expectations higher. However, felt that the chemistry and intimacy between Grace and William were lacking. While I'm one who appreciates a good banter between the main characters, here I felt that the snark bordered on rude sometimes.
Overall it's not a bad read, I might check more from this author. It's just that it did not hit me in the feels.
August 16, 2023
I will not remember this later. I don’t understand Grace’s withholding of information in the first half of the book. Could use another edit.
December 10, 2023
Pura chiripa el encontrarlo en Bookbeat. Lo primero es que la narradora tiene un acento británico que OMG, enamorada 😍
Grace es una joven aristócrata que no quiere saber nada de esa vida. William es un joven que necesita un +1 para la boda de su hermana. Se tropiezan, en un arrebato le pregunta, acepta y la gracia es cuando llega, descubre que es un lord y en la boda va a venir media sociedad aristocrática que seguro que alguien la reconoce 🍿
Dos desconocidos, fake dating, identidad secreta y una boda. Adoro la mezcla que además engancha super rápido porque es todo MUY divertido. El rollo aristocrático ha tenido también su puntillo de exceso muy de peli.
Me ha encantado la relación del par. Empieza ya con mucha pulla y es algo que mantienen hasta la última página lo cual es bien. Y OMG cuando empiezan a flirtear 🔥 Son geniales, de respuestas rápidas, divertidas y una química buenísima. Y muy cucos al final también, han sido perfectos con momentos intensos, inesperados y 0 drama. Una relación perfecta ��
El resto de personajes tambien son muy peculiares y divertidos. Es que me meo con todas las conversaciones, son muy peculiares. La abuela, pls 🤣
Lo que me ha dejado más meh es que se deja el drama familiar para el final tal que rápido y bastante meh (el misscommunication 🙄) y que no termino de entender esa forma de desconectarse de todo el mundo aristócrata pero aún así tenía amigos... No sé si ha sido por audiolibro que perdí o que no termino de pillarlo 🤷🏻♀️
Una lectura muy amena y divertida con un humor maravilloso, un acento que caigo muy fuerte y unos protagonistas que ganan. Will es una monería y con Grace no he parado de reírme.
Grace es una joven aristócrata que no quiere saber nada de esa vida. William es un joven que necesita un +1 para la boda de su hermana. Se tropiezan, en un arrebato le pregunta, acepta y la gracia es cuando llega, descubre que es un lord y en la boda va a venir media sociedad aristocrática que seguro que alguien la reconoce 🍿
Dos desconocidos, fake dating, identidad secreta y una boda. Adoro la mezcla que además engancha super rápido porque es todo MUY divertido. El rollo aristocrático ha tenido también su puntillo de exceso muy de peli.
Me ha encantado la relación del par. Empieza ya con mucha pulla y es algo que mantienen hasta la última página lo cual es bien. Y OMG cuando empiezan a flirtear 🔥 Son geniales, de respuestas rápidas, divertidas y una química buenísima. Y muy cucos al final también, han sido perfectos con momentos intensos, inesperados y 0 drama. Una relación perfecta ��
El resto de personajes tambien son muy peculiares y divertidos. Es que me meo con todas las conversaciones, son muy peculiares. La abuela, pls 🤣
Lo que me ha dejado más meh es que se deja el drama familiar para el final tal que rápido y bastante meh (el misscommunication 🙄) y que no termino de entender esa forma de desconectarse de todo el mundo aristócrata pero aún así tenía amigos... No sé si ha sido por audiolibro que perdí o que no termino de pillarlo 🤷🏻♀️
Una lectura muy amena y divertida con un humor maravilloso, un acento que caigo muy fuerte y unos protagonistas que ganan. Will es una monería y con Grace no he parado de reírme.
March 9, 2024
I thought I would be head over heels for this book, but I'm sad to say it wasn't a great one. There were some actual funny aspects with some great side characters. But my main issue was Grace.
I love William, and I love how him and Grace met! It was adorable and perfect for a rom com book. But as the story went on, I found myself loving Will but hating Grace. That was mostly how hypocritical she was. She claims to hate the aristocracy for some noble reasons. When actually, she just hates her dad and what he did to her mom. Then she gets so angry at William for not telling her that he was the grandson of a Duke and part of the aristocracy. How freaking hypocritical because she is too!! That just baffles me.
After finding out who William was, why didn't she tell him? Like there were plenty of opportunities. And when she started recognizing people or people seemed familiar, why didn't she open her mouth? I just couldn't get past it, honestly. It was really annoying.
The ending was cute, and they do work as a couple, but I just didn't like Grace. William is everything, though, and super dreamy. Granny for the win along with Williams parents! They are the best part of the book.
I love William, and I love how him and Grace met! It was adorable and perfect for a rom com book. But as the story went on, I found myself loving Will but hating Grace. That was mostly how hypocritical she was. She claims to hate the aristocracy for some noble reasons. When actually, she just hates her dad and what he did to her mom. Then she gets so angry at William for not telling her that he was the grandson of a Duke and part of the aristocracy. How freaking hypocritical because she is too!! That just baffles me.
After finding out who William was, why didn't she tell him? Like there were plenty of opportunities. And when she started recognizing people or people seemed familiar, why didn't she open her mouth? I just couldn't get past it, honestly. It was really annoying.
The ending was cute, and they do work as a couple, but I just didn't like Grace. William is everything, though, and super dreamy. Granny for the win along with Williams parents! They are the best part of the book.
September 10, 2023
Emma Hart's books are never boring.
July 5, 2023
gag
oh man this book was NOT it.
cliched & classless (trust me, the opening antics are enough to set the tone).
unfinishable.
Not sure why this author is so prolific and readily available but is bad.
do not recommend.
don't buy this for a long flight.
oh man this book was NOT it.
cliched & classless (trust me, the opening antics are enough to set the tone).
unfinishable.
Not sure why this author is so prolific and readily available but is bad.
do not recommend.
don't buy this for a long flight.
May 18, 2023
***Review can be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***
Hart’s newest release, The Problem With Pretending was such a delightful and entertaining read. This witty romcom will leave you hooked from beginning to end!
At the beginning of the story we get to meet Lady Grace Montgomery-Brown, a PhD history student who is working on her dissertation at Cambridge University. While she might have a title, it doesn’t help when it comes to dating. Men are intimidated with who she is, even though she doesn’t have the best relationship with her family. From titles, inheritances and secrets, Grace is tired of the aristocracy. She doesn’t want to date anyone that could be tied to the same circles her family frequents that could bring more drama to her life. So Grace is shocked to bump into a very good looking stranger outside a cafe, there is instant chemistry that makes her want to get to know him better. Until she gets a surprise request from Will to accompany her to his sister’s wedding. Little does she know just how much her life is about to change forever.
William never expected to become drawn to the witty student who loves obscure historical facts. He can’t get Grace out of his head, so when the perfect opportunity presented itself, Will took it by inviting her to his sister’s wedding in Scotland. Though there a few things he failed to mentioned, one of them is that his grandparents are the Duke and Duchess of Glenroch and that they think that he is his girlfriend. Pretending turns into so much more the more he gets to know her and soon he begins to develop feelings for Grace. But there are things that Grace has been keeping secret, a minor detail that could change the course of everything.
I really enjoyed reading The Problem With Pretending, Hart’s writing is perfect for all the romcoms that she writes. I truly had such a great time reading this blossoming romance between Grace and Will. We get cameos of characters from previous books as well. Their chemistry just keeps getting better throughout the book and they are able to lean on each other in their time of need. I loved the setting itself and the history of the place. All in all, if you’re looking for a pretending romance that turns into so much more that is set in Scotland than I would highly recommend checking out this book, their witty banter will leave you wanting for more!
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
Hart’s newest release, The Problem With Pretending was such a delightful and entertaining read. This witty romcom will leave you hooked from beginning to end!
At the beginning of the story we get to meet Lady Grace Montgomery-Brown, a PhD history student who is working on her dissertation at Cambridge University. While she might have a title, it doesn’t help when it comes to dating. Men are intimidated with who she is, even though she doesn’t have the best relationship with her family. From titles, inheritances and secrets, Grace is tired of the aristocracy. She doesn’t want to date anyone that could be tied to the same circles her family frequents that could bring more drama to her life. So Grace is shocked to bump into a very good looking stranger outside a cafe, there is instant chemistry that makes her want to get to know him better. Until she gets a surprise request from Will to accompany her to his sister’s wedding. Little does she know just how much her life is about to change forever.
William never expected to become drawn to the witty student who loves obscure historical facts. He can’t get Grace out of his head, so when the perfect opportunity presented itself, Will took it by inviting her to his sister’s wedding in Scotland. Though there a few things he failed to mentioned, one of them is that his grandparents are the Duke and Duchess of Glenroch and that they think that he is his girlfriend. Pretending turns into so much more the more he gets to know her and soon he begins to develop feelings for Grace. But there are things that Grace has been keeping secret, a minor detail that could change the course of everything.
I really enjoyed reading The Problem With Pretending, Hart’s writing is perfect for all the romcoms that she writes. I truly had such a great time reading this blossoming romance between Grace and Will. We get cameos of characters from previous books as well. Their chemistry just keeps getting better throughout the book and they are able to lean on each other in their time of need. I loved the setting itself and the history of the place. All in all, if you’re looking for a pretending romance that turns into so much more that is set in Scotland than I would highly recommend checking out this book, their witty banter will leave you wanting for more!
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
June 11, 2023
William, Viscount Kinkirk, has a problem: His older sister is getting married at their grandparents' ancient castle in Scotland, and their grandfather, the Duke of Glenroch, is insisting that Will needs a date for the occasion. Even worse, the duke has taken matters into his own hands by arranging for Will to escort an earl's daughter, who may be a "suitable" candidate for marriage but is also a spoiled brat. The only way he's getting out of it is by finding his own plus one. When he literally bumps into history PhD student Grace outside a coffee shop and they hit it off, Will believes she just might be the answer to his prayers. Despite the fact that his old-fashioned (read: classist) grandfather would prefer that his grandson and heir date within the aristocracy, Will hopes that a shared interest in history will endear Grace to the duke for long enough to survive the wedding festivities. What Will doesn't know is that Grace is also the daughter of an earl, though her relationship with her father is strained and she's spent the last decade distancing herself from his world. A misunderstanding with Will's family causes the situation to become even more complicated; suddenly they're pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend, though as the week goes on, it's harder and harder to remember that their relationship is supposed to be fake...
I'm not sure words can express how much I loved this book. Will and Grace made a fantastic couple, even before they officially became a couple. They always seemed like they were having so much fun together, even under challenging circumstances. I adored their flirting and witty banter, as well as the plot twists that kept me glued to my Kindle. Further, the book's secondary characters added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. My favorite was Grace's hilarious grandmother, but Will's (sort of) bridezilla sister was a close second.
I highly recommend "The Problem With Pretending" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. Hart has been at her very best with these last few books set in the world of the British aristocracy, and I can't wait to find out what she comes up with next.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'm not sure words can express how much I loved this book. Will and Grace made a fantastic couple, even before they officially became a couple. They always seemed like they were having so much fun together, even under challenging circumstances. I adored their flirting and witty banter, as well as the plot twists that kept me glued to my Kindle. Further, the book's secondary characters added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. My favorite was Grace's hilarious grandmother, but Will's (sort of) bridezilla sister was a close second.
I highly recommend "The Problem With Pretending" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. Hart has been at her very best with these last few books set in the world of the British aristocracy, and I can't wait to find out what she comes up with next.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 16, 2023
Emma Hart has done it again! This story had me sitting at the end of my seat, laughing my ass off. There aren't many authors out there that can put a smile so easily on my face I can tell you that much.
I was a fan of Grace and William from the beginning and their meet-cute. Who would have thought, one little accident and one spilled coffee later, both their lives would change forever. The banter and all the family drama will keep you entertained from start to finish. I don't want to go too deep into explaining everything that goes on in the story but you can trust me when I tell you, you'll not regret picking this jewel up.
This book was highly anticipated but the wait was worth every single minute. These two are definitely my favorite couple written by Emma Hart to date.
I was a fan of Grace and William from the beginning and their meet-cute. Who would have thought, one little accident and one spilled coffee later, both their lives would change forever. The banter and all the family drama will keep you entertained from start to finish. I don't want to go too deep into explaining everything that goes on in the story but you can trust me when I tell you, you'll not regret picking this jewel up.
This book was highly anticipated but the wait was worth every single minute. These two are definitely my favorite couple written by Emma Hart to date.
June 4, 2023
***ARC Provided by the Author***
I enjoyed the characters and the "aristoverse" in this book. I also enjoyed that it was written in British English, which made it a lot of fun to have the little moments where a statement or description made perfect sense, but was with words that felt slightly odd.
Grace and William have a great meet cute which leads William to think he might be able to pull off a fake dating relationship with her. And, as we all know is going to happen, the attraction is unavoidable even though Grace is determined to not get involved with anyone who is an aristocrat, which is also understandable as you get to know her.
The connection between them is definitely a slow burn, friends to lovers, scenario which is becoming a norm for the author, but as the books work well and feel new each time, it seems like this is a style that really works for her and as a result it's fun for the readers.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
I enjoyed the characters and the "aristoverse" in this book. I also enjoyed that it was written in British English, which made it a lot of fun to have the little moments where a statement or description made perfect sense, but was with words that felt slightly odd.
Grace and William have a great meet cute which leads William to think he might be able to pull off a fake dating relationship with her. And, as we all know is going to happen, the attraction is unavoidable even though Grace is determined to not get involved with anyone who is an aristocrat, which is also understandable as you get to know her.
The connection between them is definitely a slow burn, friends to lovers, scenario which is becoming a norm for the author, but as the books work well and feel new each time, it seems like this is a style that really works for her and as a result it's fun for the readers.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
March 1, 2024
LOVE a slow burn romance! I really enjoyed listening to this :)
If you look for holes and plot points to critique.. you will find them. I'm not personally reading a romcom in hopes of finding it relatable to world happenings. This book was a really fun and entertaining read - it had me LOL'ing at many points and feeling giddy over certain scenes.
If you look for holes and plot points to critique.. you will find them. I'm not personally reading a romcom in hopes of finding it relatable to world happenings. This book was a really fun and entertaining read - it had me LOL'ing at many points and feeling giddy over certain scenes.
September 24, 2023
this book was such a fun read, also we love a good respectable man 🫶
November 21, 2023
Cute romcom and quick read.
February 11, 2024
Supes cute — classic meet cute - fake dating trope
December 6, 2023
Boring, annoying and not nearly spicy enough to justify the slog. Love how the main character pretends she hates the aristocracy for VERY GOOD REASONS like imperialism and slavery but really she just hates her dad and then like low key she backtracks on all of it because her boyfriend’s dick is so good. I’m giving it two stars because I somehow made it all the way to the ending with my sanity intact.
Oh also another thing this writer does that particularly pisses me off is that her characters are constantly laughing at things that aren’t funny. Like babe that wasn’t a joke, please stop gaslighting me into thinking that was a joke.
Oh also another thing this writer does that particularly pisses me off is that her characters are constantly laughing at things that aren’t funny. Like babe that wasn’t a joke, please stop gaslighting me into thinking that was a joke.
August 10, 2023
This book is long and boring. I liked both characters well enough, but their interactions seemed platonic. I also didn’t understand why they wouldn’t just get together. The h meets the H at a coffee shop. She agrees to go away with him to a wedding after meeting him once. They both like each other, so it seemed silly that the h says she has no intentions of seeing him after the wedding. And there were way too many side characters. I was bored reading about all the aristocrats at the wedding. I was waiting for this books to finish.
May 29, 2023
Okay, I adored this one! It had me giggling from the first paragraph! This is the Emma Hart writing that got me hooked on her stories. The banter between, wait for it, Will and Grace, was hilarious. And not just them. The dialog with her best friend and her grandma, hilarious!!!! It was her discussion/texts with her best friend at the beginning that had me already giggling and laughing out loud as I sat in the cabin with my family reading.
This was set in the world that her other recent Aristocrat Diaries series took place. In fact most of those characters made an appearance or got a mention in this story. They actually went to a castle in Scotland for Will’s sister’s wedding. So of course with my trip to Scotland coming up in just a little over a month, I was loving that!
I loved how the author kept the reason Grace looked familiar to his family off the page for so long, and how it was all discovered and woven into the story as we got closer to the end. I also like that the secrets coming out didn’t make for huge drama, the kind that annoys me even as I know it is part of this type of story so often. I read this book and I felt a smile on my face the whole time almost. I finished the story with a huge smile on my face, and look forward to more of these characters from this author when they arrive.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
This was set in the world that her other recent Aristocrat Diaries series took place. In fact most of those characters made an appearance or got a mention in this story. They actually went to a castle in Scotland for Will’s sister’s wedding. So of course with my trip to Scotland coming up in just a little over a month, I was loving that!
I loved how the author kept the reason Grace looked familiar to his family off the page for so long, and how it was all discovered and woven into the story as we got closer to the end. I also like that the secrets coming out didn’t make for huge drama, the kind that annoys me even as I know it is part of this type of story so often. I read this book and I felt a smile on my face the whole time almost. I finished the story with a huge smile on my face, and look forward to more of these characters from this author when they arrive.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
August 21, 2023
This one took its sweet, sweet time getting to where it was going…. which was, sadly, nowhere!
I wasn’t a fan of the “banter” from the FMC for the first half of the book. It just came across as snippy and unnecessarily insulting to the MMC. I get that he didn’t tell her who he was, but she did the exact same thing. Like, literally! He went along with it though like a trooper, for some reason!
I didn’t feel any good type of angst between them, the inner monologues felt longer then my dry spell in school when I had braces with elastics going between the top and bottom set of my teeth.
If you are interested in the hierarchy of the British Tudor system, this may interest you as it details layers of family connections that offer nothing to the plot. I was not a fan.
I wasn’t a fan of the “banter” from the FMC for the first half of the book. It just came across as snippy and unnecessarily insulting to the MMC. I get that he didn’t tell her who he was, but she did the exact same thing. Like, literally! He went along with it though like a trooper, for some reason!
I didn’t feel any good type of angst between them, the inner monologues felt longer then my dry spell in school when I had braces with elastics going between the top and bottom set of my teeth.
If you are interested in the hierarchy of the British Tudor system, this may interest you as it details layers of family connections that offer nothing to the plot. I was not a fan.
July 8, 2023
interesting
I would give it 2.5 ⭐️
It was interesting. It’s interesting to read a story and clearly see cultural differences.
It was not a story in which I lost myself in the plot, where I was feeling it as if I was immersed in the story, a part of it. But that’s okay. It had it’s intriguing points. One part at the end was cathartic. That was well done.
If this is part of kindle unlimited then I give an okay to read. As far as purchasing the book outright, it would have to be something that fits with you individually and you would have to make that decision.
I would give it 2.5 ⭐️
It was interesting. It’s interesting to read a story and clearly see cultural differences.
It was not a story in which I lost myself in the plot, where I was feeling it as if I was immersed in the story, a part of it. But that’s okay. It had it’s intriguing points. One part at the end was cathartic. That was well done.
If this is part of kindle unlimited then I give an okay to read. As far as purchasing the book outright, it would have to be something that fits with you individually and you would have to make that decision.
September 5, 2023
does she even like him?
Listen, I love sarcasm and a witty little aside. I also love a joke at a friend’s expense. But she couldn’t say two sentences to him without one of them being downright mean. I understand she’s meant to have relationship anxiety, but she was mean. She was mean to him, mean to her grandma. She wasn’t mean but she was cold to her friend. Like who are these women that they are unbelievably unpleasant and we’re meant to believe the men can’t do enough to get her? I just don’t get it.
Listen, I love sarcasm and a witty little aside. I also love a joke at a friend’s expense. But she couldn’t say two sentences to him without one of them being downright mean. I understand she’s meant to have relationship anxiety, but she was mean. She was mean to him, mean to her grandma. She wasn’t mean but she was cold to her friend. Like who are these women that they are unbelievably unpleasant and we’re meant to believe the men can’t do enough to get her? I just don’t get it.
July 16, 2023
Well written but with a snarky main character
Am I the only one who thought Grace was a snarky, condescending, bratty character? I kept thinking “she’s just mean…what does he see in her?” Maybe I don’t understand witty British repartee. Overall, I liked the writing and the male main character, his family, and the descriptions of Scotland. I also liked the storyline but not the female main character.
Am I the only one who thought Grace was a snarky, condescending, bratty character? I kept thinking “she’s just mean…what does he see in her?” Maybe I don’t understand witty British repartee. Overall, I liked the writing and the male main character, his family, and the descriptions of Scotland. I also liked the storyline but not the female main character.
October 4, 2023
4.5 STARS
Fake it till you fall in love.
Despite being a member of the Aristocracy, Grace has kept herself out of those circles for most of her life. What she’s not expecting is to be thrown back into the chaos and hob-knobbing of the upper class when she agrees to be the girlfriend of William, who just happens to heir to the Dukedom of Glenroch. With his grandfather threatening to set William up with someone for his sister’s wedding, he would rather pretend to be dating the woman he literally bumped into at a cafe rather than one of the heiresses he’s known all his life. The goal is simple: pretend they’ve been going out for a few months, attend the wedding, and then say they’ve amicably ended things once they return to reality. Except it’s not the easy. Grace is dragged into final wedding preparations, but with a snowstorm approaching, things are getting more chaotic by the minute. Then there’s the problem of Grace feeling a sense of familiarity in the castle and around the Glenroch family. Oh, and she’s starting to catch feelings for William.
Emma has once again written another fabulous addition to the EHAU (Emma Hart Aristocratic Universe), and I swear each book/couple just gets better and better with each installment! I adore this world and the little references Emma continues to sprinkle throughout to previous characters, all the while crafting sweet, swoony, and hilarious stories for the new characters.
Fake relationships are one of my favourite romance tropes, and while Emma has previously used this trope within the EMAU (Eva and Matthew in The Accidental CountessThe Accidental Countess), this story was a different spin and I thoroughly enjoyed the drama and hilarity that followed Grace and William. They’re relationship was super fun and sweet, with a nice serving of swoon as well. And I appreciated that Emma didn’t just write your typical third-act breakup and added another whole layer to the story by further exploring the issues that lead to Grace’s insecurities with the aristocracy.
Not to mention, there’s some great family dynamics - Grace’s grandmother is an absolute riot, and William’s whole family was so fun as they prepared for Amy’s wedding. And Grace slotted into their dynamic SO well, and I loved seeing the connections she formed with all of them. As always, Emma not only nails it with the romance, but she also excels with the family and friends surrounding the main couple.
If you love regency romances but want a modern spin, this one definitely needs to be on your TBR! This is by far one of my favourite romance universes, and I can’t wait for Emma to release the next, and long-awaited, aristocratic book, so now’s the time to catch up on all the dukedom drama.
Fake it till you fall in love.
Despite being a member of the Aristocracy, Grace has kept herself out of those circles for most of her life. What she’s not expecting is to be thrown back into the chaos and hob-knobbing of the upper class when she agrees to be the girlfriend of William, who just happens to heir to the Dukedom of Glenroch. With his grandfather threatening to set William up with someone for his sister’s wedding, he would rather pretend to be dating the woman he literally bumped into at a cafe rather than one of the heiresses he’s known all his life. The goal is simple: pretend they’ve been going out for a few months, attend the wedding, and then say they’ve amicably ended things once they return to reality. Except it’s not the easy. Grace is dragged into final wedding preparations, but with a snowstorm approaching, things are getting more chaotic by the minute. Then there’s the problem of Grace feeling a sense of familiarity in the castle and around the Glenroch family. Oh, and she’s starting to catch feelings for William.
Emma has once again written another fabulous addition to the EHAU (Emma Hart Aristocratic Universe), and I swear each book/couple just gets better and better with each installment! I adore this world and the little references Emma continues to sprinkle throughout to previous characters, all the while crafting sweet, swoony, and hilarious stories for the new characters.
Fake relationships are one of my favourite romance tropes, and while Emma has previously used this trope within the EMAU (Eva and Matthew in The Accidental CountessThe Accidental Countess), this story was a different spin and I thoroughly enjoyed the drama and hilarity that followed Grace and William. They’re relationship was super fun and sweet, with a nice serving of swoon as well. And I appreciated that Emma didn’t just write your typical third-act breakup and added another whole layer to the story by further exploring the issues that lead to Grace’s insecurities with the aristocracy.
Not to mention, there’s some great family dynamics - Grace’s grandmother is an absolute riot, and William’s whole family was so fun as they prepared for Amy’s wedding. And Grace slotted into their dynamic SO well, and I loved seeing the connections she formed with all of them. As always, Emma not only nails it with the romance, but she also excels with the family and friends surrounding the main couple.
If you love regency romances but want a modern spin, this one definitely needs to be on your TBR! This is by far one of my favourite romance universes, and I can’t wait for Emma to release the next, and long-awaited, aristocratic book, so now’s the time to catch up on all the dukedom drama.
June 3, 2023
Such a cute romance! With a bonus castle ;)
Grace and William's story starts with a meet cute, continues with an accidental fake relationship that morphs into a real one, and ends with a swoon-worthy start to a happiest of HEAs. In between there's a snarky BFF, an even snarkier granny (because they're an Emma Hart requirement, I believe), a mildly terrifying cockatiel/home security system, an inconsiderate snow storm, and a very considerate power outage. (Oh, dear! His phone isn't charged? Better cling to each other for comfort in the dark...)
In other words, a pretty standard Emma Hart story. With a castle. Did I mention the castle?
Will is a swoon-worthy hero, even if Grace gets the lion's share of the POV. He accepts her neuroses and gives her the space she needs to figure herself out, as well as the support she didn't know even she required. Not gonna lie, I did think Grace was a bit OTT about her aristocracy hangups--not saying her feelings weren't valid, but to base your future on someone else's relationship woes seemed a bit much--and *really* didn't see the direction things were going to take helping her to get over them. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped on that one; hopefully no one was looking my way while I was reading! Kudos for Ms Hart going in a direction I didn't see coming ;)
The Problem with Pretending is set in the world of Ms Hart's Aristocrat Diaries books, but slightly removed--so if you've read those three, you'll love the small glimpses we get into the HEAs of those characters, but if you haven't (yet) you'll do just fine since Grace spends 95% of her time trying to avoid that world, so...
Just don't blame me if the single scene they're all in inspires you to binge that series. #sorrynotsorry
Rating: 4 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Grace and William's story starts with a meet cute, continues with an accidental fake relationship that morphs into a real one, and ends with a swoon-worthy start to a happiest of HEAs. In between there's a snarky BFF, an even snarkier granny (because they're an Emma Hart requirement, I believe), a mildly terrifying cockatiel/home security system, an inconsiderate snow storm, and a very considerate power outage. (Oh, dear! His phone isn't charged? Better cling to each other for comfort in the dark...)
In other words, a pretty standard Emma Hart story. With a castle. Did I mention the castle?
Will is a swoon-worthy hero, even if Grace gets the lion's share of the POV. He accepts her neuroses and gives her the space she needs to figure herself out, as well as the support she didn't know even she required. Not gonna lie, I did think Grace was a bit OTT about her aristocracy hangups--not saying her feelings weren't valid, but to base your future on someone else's relationship woes seemed a bit much--and *really* didn't see the direction things were going to take helping her to get over them. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped on that one; hopefully no one was looking my way while I was reading! Kudos for Ms Hart going in a direction I didn't see coming ;)
The Problem with Pretending is set in the world of Ms Hart's Aristocrat Diaries books, but slightly removed--so if you've read those three, you'll love the small glimpses we get into the HEAs of those characters, but if you haven't (yet) you'll do just fine since Grace spends 95% of her time trying to avoid that world, so...
Just don't blame me if the single scene they're all in inspires you to binge that series. #sorrynotsorry
Rating: 4 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 1, 2023
Emma Hart brings readers back into her aristoverse again with The Problem with Pretending, and I couldn’t be happier.
Grace may be a Lady, but she has virtually shunned everything she can that has to do with her aristocratic roots. Instead, she’s happily living life as a PhD student and sharing her home with her best friend, Amber. When she literally collides with an insanely attractive man who insists on buying her a new cup of coffee, manners prevent her from saying no. When that man calls her up for a favor, she agrees, knowing it’s completely insane, but saying yes anyway.
William has been thinking about the beautiful woman he had coffee with every day since they met. When he discovers he needs a plus one to his sister’s wedding to avoid an arranged date, he asks Grace thinking she’ll never agree to a week in Scotland where both of their world’s end up colliding in the most hilarious of ways.
From the moment coffee was spilled, this couple was destined to be! I loved that Grace would never have given William a chance had he not withheld his aristocratic family background. Fate was definitely at work.
This slow burn romance was delicious in every way, from the fairy tale castle in Scotland, to a bridezilla, a cockatiel that acts like an alarm system, a blizzard, meddling parents and grandparents, exceptionally witty banter and a romance for the ages. I adored watching this couple both fight their inner selves, unable to fight the instant attraction and feelings that were clearly so much more than lust, even if they did seem to happen quickly. The author also does a fabulous job of balancing out the wit and banter with a lot of truly heartfelt moments and revelations that explain what Grace feels the way about the aristocracy that she does as well as why William isn’t going to just walk away from what he knows is more than a passing friendship. 5 stars!
Grace may be a Lady, but she has virtually shunned everything she can that has to do with her aristocratic roots. Instead, she’s happily living life as a PhD student and sharing her home with her best friend, Amber. When she literally collides with an insanely attractive man who insists on buying her a new cup of coffee, manners prevent her from saying no. When that man calls her up for a favor, she agrees, knowing it’s completely insane, but saying yes anyway.
William has been thinking about the beautiful woman he had coffee with every day since they met. When he discovers he needs a plus one to his sister’s wedding to avoid an arranged date, he asks Grace thinking she’ll never agree to a week in Scotland where both of their world’s end up colliding in the most hilarious of ways.
From the moment coffee was spilled, this couple was destined to be! I loved that Grace would never have given William a chance had he not withheld his aristocratic family background. Fate was definitely at work.
This slow burn romance was delicious in every way, from the fairy tale castle in Scotland, to a bridezilla, a cockatiel that acts like an alarm system, a blizzard, meddling parents and grandparents, exceptionally witty banter and a romance for the ages. I adored watching this couple both fight their inner selves, unable to fight the instant attraction and feelings that were clearly so much more than lust, even if they did seem to happen quickly. The author also does a fabulous job of balancing out the wit and banter with a lot of truly heartfelt moments and revelations that explain what Grace feels the way about the aristocracy that she does as well as why William isn’t going to just walk away from what he knows is more than a passing friendship. 5 stars!
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