Published: December 15, 2020
I signed up for an ARC of this one because I love Erika Wilde but I didn’t really know what this book was about. I’m sure many of you out there know what I’m talking about. You see the author and are like “yep, I’m in.” Well that’s what happened here. It ended up good but I didn’t realize that it was a Christmas book nor a fake relationship romance though I really should have realized the latter. The point is that even knowing nothing about this book, so having no preconceived notions, I really enjoyed it. Austin owns the company Fantasy for Hire and he is getting really tired of running it since his new landscaping company (his real passion) is beginning to take up more and more of his time. Though it is at one of his last gigs as the owner of Fantasy for Hire that he meets Teddy. Teddy is focused on getting the promotion to senior graphic designer and proving to her parents that a career for a woman isn’t a waste of time. The only problem is the one choosing who to promote is a creep who will hit on her at every opportunity. In order to finally convince him that she is not available and has a boyfriend she needs to bring someone to the company Christmas party. That would be easy if she knew anyone who could do it. Then she comes upon the idea of hiring Austin to be her fantasy boyfriend for one night. But with their chemistry would it really be a fantasy?
The answer is “no” obviously. But the journey they take is really cute. I actually really loved the insecurities on both sides. The male protagonist is too often characterized as someone who doesn’t have their own insecurities about dating but that wasn’t the case here. I did also think that Teddy was a bit of an idiot. There might have been some muttered curses at her while I was reading. Unfortunately, characters never do what I tell them to do. It’s a problem. I would like to see another book dealing with Austin’s brother, Jordan, so I hope that happens. Especially since he wants nothing to do with Fantasy for Hire and I really want him to find someone because he is a Fantasy for Hire. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what Erika Wilde comes up with next. Until then you should enjoy this one.
bookishlyromantic.com 