Pretend You're Mine

Inked Hearts #3

by Crystal Kaswell

Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B07BR6QV4L

This is the worst idea in the history of the world.

Leighton is my best friend. My subordinate.
My girlfriend.
That’s the story we're selling. To our co-workers. To our friends. To everyone who's anticipating the breakdown of the year at my ex's wedding.
It's a terrible idea. This ruse is going to f*ck sh*t up. Losing her is out of the question.
Touching her is all kinds of wrong.
And right deep in my bones.
Then Leighton slides her hands into my hair and presses her berry lips to mine.
And all that wrong fades to right.
I stop pretending.
I forget about the woman who broke my heart. I forget about our rules. I forget I'll be lost without her.
I kiss her back like I'll never get enough.
I won't.
But I can't risk losing my best friend.
Even if she's the woman who might finally unlock my heart.

From the author: Pretend You're Mine is a full-length, standalone romance with a pretend girlfriend theme. Come see why readers say "no one writes broken bad boys like Crystal Kaswell."

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, New Adult, Fiction

496 pages, ebook

First published March 26, 2018

About the author

Crystal Kaswell is the author of the Sinful Serenade series. She writes steamy new adult romance with flawed characters. She loves police procedurals, tea, and The Hunger Games series. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband.

http://www.crystalkaswell.com/
https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell

Reviews

[Denise]

How does this book have such high reviews? The whole book is about Ryan being in love with his ex and how he’s trying to get over her. It affects his whole life and it’s all he seems to talk and think about. It’s more about his ex than any realness to his relationship with Leighton.
In some books it will refer to a past relationship of the H or h being burned or devastated by death but this book is all about that. Like this should seriously be the synopsis on the back of the book.

Leighton has no self respect because even though she knows Ryan is in love with his ex and sees them together and his reactions to her, she still chases Ryan and tries to get him notice her.

How the author thought the reader would find it convincing or sexy for the H to push the h on the floor after she was trying to dance for him is beyond me. This was after he was trying to burn holes in a curtain with his eyes of where his ex was with her new fiancé. Again, no self respect from the h because even after this embarrassment in front of a crowd, she went home and screwed the H.

Also Ryan kept the bed that his ex cheated in because he didn’t want her to “have any holds” on him. Right. That’s why he couldn’t even screw Leighton in the bed because he couldn’t not picture his ex in it. What about the ick factor of someone else’s sex juices in your bed in addition to that? Let alone the sex juices of your girlfriend of eight years and the other mans sex juices in your bed? I guess he showed them by sleeping in that sexed up mattress for a year! So nasty and unbelievable.

Just, no.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretend You’re Mine is the third book in the Inked Heart Series. Once again we visit the beloved tattoo shop & the talented men who make the place hum. Ryan is still feeling the hurt from his ex-girlfriend’s betrayal over a year later. Leighton is the feisty tattoo shop’s all around office help with her punk rock colored hair & fiery attitude. She has been working at Inked Hearts for two years & has lusted after Ryan from the very beginning. She also has a hard time trusting because he mom always chose booze over her. Ryan & Leighton have become best friends & know each other better than anyone. When Ryan receives an invitation to his exes wedding, Leighton wants to do whatever she can to help her best friend & help him get past her. Leighton convinces Ryan to act like they are boy & girl friend to get a rise out of his ex. So Leighton goes to work using social media to let the world know about their fake relationship. Leighton struggles with her attraction to Ryan & Ryan soon struggles with own desire to be all to her. It is roller coaster ride of emotions that propel these two toward being honest with their feelings for one another. But when the big day of the exes wedding comes, they both have to decide to learn to trust & to face what they want.

This friends to lovers romance is a battle of learning that the past doesn’t have to define who you are in the present. Ryan & Leighton have to face the hurt inflicted upon them by others in order to move forward.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Vintage]

DNF and skimmed.

Usually the fake fiancee/date at the wedding trope is fun, but this was not. I never felt anything but inertia with these two characters.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretend You're Mine is an angsty, sexy friends to lovers romance.

Leighton has been crushing on her best friend, Ryan, for years. When his ex, whom he's still not over, sends him an invite to her wedding, Leighton sees it as a chance to perhaps get her best friend to see her in a new light. She'll pose as his girlfriend at the wedding, to show Penny that he's over her. Sounds like a good plan, but we all know how well these things work out...

Crystal Kaswell writes such great bad boys. They're almost always alpha guys with damaged hearts, and Ryan is no exception. He's so broody and closed off, and he hides his feelings behind walls that no one but Leighton can get past. Thank God for Leighton, because she's the yin to Ryan's yang, the light to his dark. She's funny and sweet, and pretty amazing. I wanted to strangle Ryan a few times to make him see that he had the perfect woman right in front of his face! Of course, though, it wasn't that simple. He had to go through all the pain and the angst before he could see past his hurt, and not a moment too soon, because the angst was killin me a bit.

I loved Pretend You're Mine. Ryan and Leighton are great characters and their chemistry is seriously hot. Can't wait for more from this Inked Hearts world!

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... Ok, I am giving it 3 stars but only because I like Dean. And there are some cute and funny episodes. Overall, a bit too trashy.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars of Are you Serious? Nothing Says I'm Over You , Like Obsessing Over your Ex Wedding... Right 😳😏

Reviewed: March 6, 2018

Pretend You're Mine by Crystal Kaswell is a slow burn, young adult type romance. Ryan, the hero owns the tattoo shop where the purple haired free spirit Leighton (heroine) works. The Hero and heroine start a fake relationship when Ryan decides to attend his ex wedding. Okay really, why? I felt Ryan was stuck in past and wan't over his girlfriend even though their relationship ended when he caught her in their bed with another man. For me, it was absurd for Ryan to dedicate so much fervor to grandstand a dishonest ex, "he was over and done with" , in a trip to Hawaii? Are you serious?

The book was lengthy, repetitive and long-winded . With Ryan having feelings for Leighton but being incapable of providing her with what she needed to feel secure about their rapport, connection and intimacy. Once the love scenes begun -at around the 50/51% or so mark- they were sizzling and plentiful; they worked out their problems and eventually reached a HEA.

*I received an ARC of this book through HG in exchange for an honest review.*

[Lu Bielefeld]

Great Review Here=Avoid and move on!

[Wendy Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a long-time fan of Crystal Kaswell, and Pretend You're Mine is an excellent example of why. Ryan is heartbroken, has been, and really doesn't know how to get himself out of his head. Leighton, his best friend, has her own heartbreak--and Ryan is a big reason why!

I love stories about unrequited love when the doofus missing the point finally gets it. Puts together the pieces and sees the love and possibilities ahead of him/her. There is always angst, heartbreak and a bittersweet quality to those stories, and Pretend You're Mine has all that and more.

Ryan is among my favorite Kaswell heroes--and she's written some pretty amazing guys! Love scenes are hot, and the book is vintage Kaswell. Don't WAIT to start this book. Now!

[Gaufre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before you jump into it, let me warn you:
- dual 1st person point of view present tense
- two characters lusting after each other for the first half, then having a ton of sex in the second half
- brother/friend constantly making crude sexual jokes
- typos ("your" instead of "you're" for example)

I still liked it. *shrug*
It's a friend-to-lover story. The main characters are overthinking everything but they are actually talking to each other and I like the conversations and some of the angst.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

[Yvette89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

opy received for honest review
I will say that the first thing to attract me to the book was the title and cover. The story held up to the cover. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, so the description had pulled me in also. Fake romance leads to real romance(eventually). Leighton is a strong,confident, sweet and loyal. When she decides to help Ryan, she goes all in. Ryan is devastated by the betrayal of his now ex girlfriend. It took him a long time to get past that and see what was standing right in front of him. The story has romance, angst, heartbreak and some good characters,

[Sam Larks · Rating 3 out of 5]

My heart really went out to Leigh in this book , to keep being told almost by someone you loved must be awful....I know I felt awful reading it!

Ryan is obviously a much nicer person than me (and he’s not even real) because he wanted happiness for his cheating ex.....

I’m one of those people who are in the 50 ways to say goodbye category (love that song......if you don’t know it check it out on YouTube it’s awesome)

I’m glad it worked it’s self out......but I really wish he hadn’t keep telling her almost, and making her feel second best!

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this to review.

Considering the length of the book I wasn't sure how this was going to go. Luckily for me it went pretty good. Yes, the MC has some flaws. Part of that was because she didn't have the best role model growing up. Thankfully she got it together in the end and thankfully he FINALLY was over his ex. It made their HEA so much better.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their are both idiots! I love a funny idiot, but he's a blind one and she is just scared, which i understand, but it still annoyed me a little! The ex really irked me, he seriously needed to be at least appear a lot more stronger to the condescending ***** (here you can put any word you want, mine are not PG-13) and send her to hell when she called! But it wasn't all bad, I did enjoyed some of it

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal Kaswell examines romance from all angles and finds humor in the tragic, hope in the hopeless and redemption in love. She humanizes the love genre without fictionalizing the romance. Pretend You're Mine begins with a lie and quickly becomes an irresistible reality. With fresh eyes and an open heart, she keeps me in love, with love.

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leighton and Ryan are best friends who decide to pretend they are dating and attend Ryan's cheating ex's wedding together. Leighton is in love with Ryan and Ryan may have feelings for her but is afraid of losing her. Their fake relationship becomes real and things seem to be going great but they still have the wedding that they have to make it through.
I really loved Leighton in the past inked hearts books so I was happy that she got her own story this time with Ryan. The two of them had major chemistry throughout the book and I was happy they were able to work through all their issues and get the happy ending that they deserve.

[Moramee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story of Leighton and Ryan, but it had definitley had it´s lengths. It was forseeable how it would end and the endless doubts of both of them seemed to have no end sometimes. But it is a good story and i enjoyed reading it.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan & Leighton’s Friends-to-Lovers Story Is About Trust, Betrayal, & Moving On. Together They Learn How To Spread Their Wings & Open Their Hearts. Don’t Forget To Download The Free Bonus Epilogue!


This is book three of eight in the Inked Hearts series. Each book reads as a standalone, though they are best enjoyed in order.

Book one, Tempting, is Brendon and Kaylee’s moving story. It is tender and patient. Broody with a dose of kink, Brendon falls for his little sister’s best friend, whose secret crush isn’t so secret.

Book two, Hooking Up, is Walker and Iris’s hookup turned friends with benefits story. Star Wars nerds will love it! Their romance dives deep into the issue of addiction. On the surface they are opposites – he is the bad boy and she is the good girl – but neither lives up to that image.

Inked Hearts is a tattoo parlor in Southern California that sits about five blocks from the beach. Brendon, Ryan, Walker and Dean are like family. They are tattoo artists and the heart and soul of the shop, along with Leighton who runs the front desk. Manning, who had been an absentee owner for the past few years, recently sold the Venice Beach shop to the four tattoo artists, who somehow manage to get things done despite their lack of coordination. Together they all serve a variety of clients – to include some rather well-known celebrity types.

Don’t forget to download the free bonus epilogue! Sign up for the newsletter then scroll down to the bottom of the email for the link.

Book Three:

This story opens in July, one month following the end of Walker and Iris’s story in book two (epilogues aside).

Ryan Maddox, twenty-seven , loves black. His wardrobe is entirely black. His outlook is black. He decorated his apartment in it as well. He also loves tattoos. He loves running Inked Hearts, which he does for the most part with some help from Brendon. He never wanted to follow in his parents’ footsteps. He and his younger brother Dean, twenty-five, grew up in luxury in Beverly Hills. Their parents have MBA’s and wear suits to work, but that never appealed to Ryan, nor to Dean who always looked up to him. Nevertheless, Ryan went on to earn a business degree, strictly to appease his parents.

It was when he began apprenticing during college that Ryan really knew what he wanted to do with his life. As a tattoo artist, he makes a connection with the client. It is a somewhat spiritual experience, learning more about them and then finding the inspiration to design a tattoo that really speaks to their soul. It is gratifying. And as much as he hates to admit it, that business degree he got has been helpful, especially since he and the guys bought Inked Hearts from Manning.

Besides ink and running the shop, there was one more thing that Ryan wanted to make his life complete. Something he thought he had until last summer – twelve months ago. That was when everything fell apart, when Penny took hold of his heart and ripped it out. Ryan isn’t great with words, and doesn’t like a lot of change. He has intimacy issues, too. He hates being touched too much – he isn’t big on passing out hugs. But the hole is his chest left him afraid to get close emotionally now, too. Finding Penny in their bed with someone else after nine years together completely shredded everything he thought he knew about love.

He had been seventeen and she sixteen when they fell deeply in love. Their fathers worked together. And they both swore they would never sell out. Her only apology had been for falling out of love with him. Nowadays Ryan lives a rather vacant existence. Everyone knows him as the eternal pessimist. He comes and goes to work with a scowl on his face and little say. He and Leighton have become closer over the last year, though. She is probably his best friend. She even makes him smile sometimes. He may not understand what love is anymore. He may not understand how he drove Penny away. He may not be worthy of receiving love. But he does know one thing. He doesn’t want to do anything ruin his friendship with Leighton.

Leighton Black, probably about twenty-seven, is a punk rock princess who loves rocking her purple hair. She is also secretly in love with Ryan. It isn’t a well-kept secret, though. Everyone seems to know except for Ryan himself. She fell for him when she first started working the desk at Inked Hearts two years ago. She and Dean went way back, and Dean had hooked her up with the job. Leighton had been bartending at Rock Bottom for four years, where Dean had been a regular. Even though it meant a loss in income, she had needed a change. Inked Hearts was now the closest thing she had to home. It was like family. She couldn’t imagine leaving, but that was the problem. Her job was too easy. She enjoyed graphic design, and had even signed up for a class at Santa Monica College thanks to Ryan’s encouragement. But pursuing a new career would mean leaving Inked Hearts and Ryan behind.

Leighton had declared that she was taking a break from dating after a string of bad choices. She hasn’t been with a guy in quite a while. She is tired of being the second choice. She is tired of dating losers. When she first met Ryan he was with Penny, and her crush had been innocent. He is now single, though, and a year has passed since his breakup with Penny. Their friendship has grown deeper, and their lives have become entangled. Leighton’s love for Ryan has only grown stronger, but Ryan sees her just as a friend. She has been happy to have him in her life any way that she can. He is now pressuring her to spread her wings, but she stubbornly delays the inevitable in the hopes that her friendship with Ryan will evolve into something more.

When Ryan receives a wedding invitation, it is a shock to his system. Penelope Winters is marrying Francis Hobbs – Frank – the same man that he caught her in bed with one year ago. Their parents are friends, which may explain the rather awkward invitation. He toys with the idea of having a fake girlfriend at the event to help save face – he doesn’t want to look like the pathetic mess he really is – but he isn’t sold on it. Leighton volunteers and finally gets him to reluctantly agree. They will help each other. She will stand in as his girlfriend, and he will help get her new career as a graphic artist launched. He knows from the outset that they are putting their friendship at risk, so he makes her promise to speak up before that happens.

Ryan and Leighton’s friends-to-lovers story is about trust, betrayal, and moving on. It is about rebuilding self-confidence. Both have scars from their past that have changed them. Their innocence has been lost, stolen by those closest to them. Neither wants to be vulnerable like that again, so neither wants to take that first step. Still, Ryan’s scars are much more fresh, and his inability to work through his feelings about the past prevent him from opening up to anything more than friendship with Leighton. The pair faces several challenges in the six weeks leading up to the wedding. As their relationship begins to change, the stakes get even higher. The couple eventually earns a happy ending.

For fans of the series, book four will feature Ryan’s younger brother Dean, the jokester and shameless flirt. He and Walker are best friends, and Dean is the last of the four co-owners to couple up. He plays a role in Ryan and Leighton’s story. More is gleaned of the man beneath the façade in this book. At the end of this story, Emma – Brendon’s sister – finally steps in to spend some time behind the desk at Inked Hearts, and Chloe – a new hire – is introduced.

Ryan and Leighton’s friends-to-lovers story is patient and tender. Together they learn to spread their wings and open their hearts. After a horrible breakup, Ryan struggles with trust; Leighton has never experienced love, but finds herself hopelessly in love with Ryan, who is clueless about her feelings for him. Both are too afraid of rejection to take things to the next step. The story is well-written. In the conversational passages, it is occasionally a little hard to follow who the speaker is. The plot is fairly simple. The characters are rich and carefully crafted. They feel real. Leighton and Dean have a great camaraderie that lightens the mood – and stands in stark contrast to Ryan’s extreme broodiness. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Ryan and Leighton. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan and Leigh story is cute, it’ not a lot of drama like the other two stories. Or Dean’s story, but overall it’s a cute story that leaves you stratified. Not my favorite story out of the series, but still good. Ryan is still hurt and in love with his ex-girlfriend, and Leigh is very much in love with him.

At first I was sympathetic to him and all that was going on with him, but then I felt more sympathy towards Leigh. Even though she knew what she was getting into you can’t help but feel bad for her.
Yes Ryan story is sad; he gets his heart broken really bad.

I can only image my boyfriend that, I’ve been with 9 years decide to cheat on me. I would be devastated beyond all reason, and think how you can do that. Why would you do that? Why wouldn’t you just break up with me? What in your mind thought? ‘Oh this would be better to cheat.’ Rather than break up with that person. Because you have to know that you’re going to get caught and then everything will be worse, and you will be thought of worse. That would kill anyone who’s been in a long relationship and see that the only person they could see themselves with did something like that.

But while reading the story I came to the point that I’m like “No you have to move on, you can’t keep doing this. You’re basically letting her wins.” It made me stop feeling bad for him and started being upset with him and his choices. I wanted to reach in the book and tell him “MOVE ON RYAN!!”

But I enjoy the fact that Leigh makes it known to Penny that she is not very like, nor is she forgiven by her for what she’s done to Ryan. I can 100% say that I’m in agreement with Leigh when she’s pissed at Penny for inviting Ryan to her wedding. Who does that, who cheats on someone that they been with for years. And then invites them to their wedding, and among other wedding things, like cake testing and etc. Only people who is truly messed up. It made me want to reach into the book and slap her crazy, like come on what decent person does something like that.

Even though Penny doesn’t seem all that bad and that she really is sorry for what she’s don’t, her actions are inexcusable and unacceptable. I believe those who cheat will get what’s coming to them and though she is somewhat happy, I enjoy the fact that she seconds guess herself and her wedding. For some reason why reading the interactions between herself and Ryan you get the feeling that she has some feeling for him still. And I enjoy the fact that she may actually realize that she messed up in the long run.

Overall I enjoy this story, and though it was not my favorite of this series, it still was a sweet book of up and down of a couple in making. It didn’t have that flare that the other 3 books have. ( The first two before this one, and Dean book after this one.) I still say that Dean is my favorite book of this series, even though I started this series backwards. Reading Dean book first which is the 4th book, and then starting with the first book. But I cannot, and I mean CANNOT wait to read Emma’s book, and find out the juicy details with her and Hunter.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Pretend you’re mine is about Ryan, the jaded, broken hearted brooding bad boy and Leighton, the bubbly little purple haired sweetheart that are best friends and co-workers. Ryan had his heart broken a year earlier by his high school sweetheart who cheated on him. But he is still in love with her, and doesn’t find himself worthy of anyone else’s love. Leighton has been in the sidelines and in love with Ryan the whole time since she met him 4 years earlier. She wishes that he would see her as more than his best friend, and how perfect they could be together. So, when Ryan’s ex-girlfriend sends him an invite to her wedding and he pretends that he has a girlfriend so that she won’t know he is still in love with her, who better to offer to help pretend that she is the girlfriend then his best friend. Who plans to help him carry out his plan, while showing that the one he is meant to be with has been in front of his eyes the whole time. Little do either know that they have the same feelings for each other, but don’t want to ruin the friendship.. Their story was special because you could feel the love that they had for one another from the beginning when he insisted on always cooking for her, and taking care of her. They spent all their time together doing things that a couple would do, just needed each other to see IT and for Ryan to take a chance! There was so much sexual tension and push and pull that led to their romance blossoming, that the anticipation was exhilarating and beautiful. I have been waiting for Ryan’s story from the beginning and was not disappointed. I cannot wait for Deans story next as I’m sure there will be much more Ryan and Leighton as well as the rest of the Inked Hearts crew!!

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

“This bad boy is MORE than enough, he just has to believe it and want it.”

I received an Advance Reader Copy for PRETEND YOU’RE MINE (Inked Hearts, Book #3) written by Crystal Kaswell and voluntarily reviewed this book. Ryan’s nine-year relationship all went down the toilet when he found his girlfriend cheating on him at work. One of the bad boy partners at Inked Hearts, he has not been able to see beyond the hurt and betrayal churning in the wake of losing his Penny. One bright spot the last few months, however, is his friendship with Leighton, whom he cannot bear to change anything with, especially their easygoing relationship. But when Penny announces her wedding to the guy she cheated with, he cannot help but accept her invitation, cruel as it was, if only to prove something to himself.

Leighton has had a crush on this brooding inker ever since she set eyes on him. But she cannot help but throw herself into helping his albeit fake show of “I CAN make it without you, Penny” by attending her wedding as his girlfriend. Even it if means her heart becomes more ensnared as she gets to know him better, drawn by all the qualities she is looking for in a man. The trouble is, he is totally oblivious to how she feels!

Their dialog and relationship is golden and charming, and only increases in intensity as they take it to the next step before the big wedding day. But when a glaring lack of trust on both sides from their pasts get in the way, once the truth of what they could have between them is made obvious, are they going to be able to work out what is real between them and what is fake?

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review**

Friends to lovers.

Crystal Kaswell is one of my favorite authors. I love her writing and look forward to her books. This book was no different. This is the third standalone in Inked Heart series. I've been dyingggggg to read about Ryan and Leighton. Leighton is a character that's relatable to all of us. She's liked Ryan since the moment she'd first met him but pushed her feelings away since he was in a relationship. Ryan was crushed by his break up with Penny. They were in a relationship for 9 years and she cheated on him. He put him so many walls that the only person who was able to break some of those wall was his best friend. He was withdrawn but little by little he was getting better with Leighton. Until his ex invites him to her wedding. They come up with an elaborate scheme to make her think he's over her. For Leighton, it's the perfect opportunity to see if Ryan can develop real feelings for her. Through their amazing chemistry and dialogue, these two breaks down each other's walls. This story has an HEA. The only part I didn't like was how easy she forgave him. Maybe it's cause I can relate to her so much is why I'm only giving it four stars but I would've made him show me how he loved me a little more. I loved how Dean (Ryan's brother) was constantly rooting for them and helping them figure out this mess. I just love his goofy nature. Basically, I want to marry every Alpha character Crystal Kaswell writes about. She has my bar of boyfriend material so high, that it's no wonder I'm single. I love those inked heart guys! I can't wait to read about Dean next!!

[Sandy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Inked Hearts series. You can read it as a standalone but I recommend reading the first 2 books so you understand the dynamic of the relationships of all the characters. That and because they are just that good! This one is about Ryan and Leighton. Ryan is part owner of Inked Hearts and Leighton is not only his best friend but she also works the front counter of the shop. Ryan is still trying to get over the crash and burn of his 9 year relationship. Only to be reminded yet again when she sends him an invite to her wedding. When his ex calls to see if he is actually going to come, in order to make her believe he isn't still hung up on her, he says he is seeing someone. Once Leighton finds out, she volunteer's to be his pretend girlfriend to not only show his ex what she threw away. But to hopefully show Ryan what he has been right under his nose all along.

I was impatiently waiting for this book since we first saw Ryan in the previous books! And it definitely did not disappoint!! I loved it! It was the perfect way to have their story play out. Not only are they the best of friends but Leighton truly loves him. Even to the point of pushing off her wants and needs for his. But once Ryan truly understands and is able to put things into perspective it was perfect! I love the fact that they can truly care about each other and even when they are in pain, they are there for whatever the other person needs. I loved it! And after that teaser at the end? I can't wait for Dean's book! He needs someone to kick him in the butt!

I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inked❇⭐ Boy🐺🍆🌋 Gets the Girl💋

The Man In Black💀⭐❇ Learns To Love💘 In Living Color🌈.....

Ryan's ex girlfriend, Penny👹, is a year in the rearview mirror, and he still is hung up over her. Even though he caught her cheating and she told him she didn't love💔 him anymore, he can't let it go. The last straw is the wedding👰 invite.
He tells his ex, Penny👹, he will come, and He's bringing his girlfriend💃, even though he doesn't have one! He's too proud to say he doesn't.
Ryan🐺⭐❇🍆🌋 does have a girl👩 friend though.

Leighton💃💕 is his friend, but she wants to be more💕. She works at Inked⭐❇ Hearts💕 the tattoo shop Ryan🐺⭐❇🍆🌋 owns and operates with his brother and two other men.

Leighton💃💋 is in love💕 with Ryan🐺🍆🌋❇⭐, but she'll never tell him, because he's too broken, she thinks he'll never accept her. It's better to be just his friend👩 than to be rejected💔.
Leighton💃💕 tries to talk Ryan🐺🍆🌋❇⭐ into taking her to the wedding as his fake girlfriend.
His mind is so in the dark, Ryan🐺🍆🌋❇⭐ can't see his ✋hand in front of his face. He hasn't figured out yet that Leighton💋💕 wants only him, needs only him, must have only him.
Yeah! It could Happen!
YEHAW! Ride em Bareback🍆, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

The entire premise for this book is ridiculous and the author makes Ryan🐺🍆🌋⭐ the most oblivious man to ever be wanted by a woman.
BUT, it's lots of sexy fun to read about, and hope for, and wish for. To have a real, sexy hunk of man beast🐺 like Ryan🐺🍆🌋⭐❇ would be like Christmas 🎅, Fourth of July🎉, and Thanksgiving🍗 all rolled into one!
That's a recommendation!

ARC Provided by HG for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
I also got the book📑 with KU.

[Kami Dodson-Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leighton is taking some college classes for design. She also has worked at Inked Hearts at the front desk for about 4 years. And has been in love with Ryan her best friend for the same amount of time. At first Ryan was unavailable and with his high school sweetheart Penny. But about 1 year ago Penny was caught cheating on Ryan with Frank and it left Ryan devastated.

Leighton is afraid to tell Ryan how she feels because their friendship is too important to mess up with a relationship that might not work.

Ryan is hung up on Penny and now Penny and Frank are getting married. To convince Penny that Ryan is over her Leighton says she will be his fake girlfriend. But the kissing and faking it makes Leighton's feelings even stronger with her love of Ryan. And Ryan is trying to keep it together and remember this is fake and Leighton is not his girlfriend but the feelings that are happening within him make is to hard to resist the pull of wanting a REAL relationship with Leighton.

The 2 struggle with trust, love, friendship, and self preservation as they navigate a beautiful love and friendship.

I disliked that Leighton could not give Ryan time to realize his own feelings for her and how he feels about Penny getting married with guy she cheating on him with. I feel like Leighton was selfish and petty. Ryan's character should have realized he had been in love with Leighton for awhile before they ever kissed. His love for her was apart with how he treated her and how concerned he was about losing her to another guy.

Raing: 3 1/2 Stars

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan can't seem to get past his ex's betrayal over a year ago. He gets an invitation to her wedding and decides he can't let her think he is still clinging to her, so he will go and bring his non-existent girlfriend to prove he is over his ex, once and for all.

Leighton is in love with her best friend. She is a one of a kind personality who only wants what is best for Ryan. She wants him, but knows that while he is stuck on his ex, he will never truly be hers. Ryan on the other hand, doesn't want to lose his best friend, especially over something that is a pure fallacy...at least to start.

I loved most of this story. The only real issue that I had was that there were portions of the book where I wanted to smack Ryan and Leighton and tell them to get over themselves and move on. Life is not about being stagnant and there were moments where these characters could not move past their issues. I understand that in some ways that is like most people, however these two seemed to be fighting themselves over the same thing over and over. I understand that trust is an issue with this book but there is only so much "I trust my best friend" but I don't believe what you are telling me. This is not my favorite by Crystal Kaswell, but it was a hot read once you get past the repetitive drama and the ex who should just go away.

"I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review."

[Tangie Spivey Nabors · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review**

Oh Ryan!! (Insert swoon) I absolutely LOVED this book. Ryan is my favorite Inked Heart guy. I knew from the minute he was introduced that he'd be the one I wanted to read about most. Ryan had a very bad break up. I mean, catching the person who supposedly loves you the way he did would devastate anyone. He shuts down. He almost becomes robotic to the world...or so he thinks. Leighton!! This girl is something else. She really is a breath of fresh air and doesn't even realize it. I love everything about her. She has a confidence she doesn't even know which makes you love her even more. She completely fell for Ryan from day one. But, she knows he has closed his heart and she has come to terms with that..for the time being! She does know that having him as a best friend is better than not having him at all. What she doesn't know and he doesn't even realize is that he feels the same, and more!! The heat between these two was off the charts!! I loved their banter and I loved their fireworks. So many times I was literally screaming at Ryan to just kiss her already!!! Ryan truly loves everyone around him. He has such a good and honest heart and so does Leighton. They were perfect for each other. So, not going to give any more details away. This is so worth reading! Another 5 star for me!!

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! - What a couple! 😍

It's not my first book from Crystal Kaswell and I always love them. Being part of her ARC-team is the best thing in the world. 😊

"Pretend you're mine" is the third book of this series and I have to say it's as good as the others, maybe even better. 😊 I love Ryan and Leighton together, they're just cute and complete each other so well.❤️
Looking at Leighton, she wasn't my favorite person in the first books. That's just because I couldn't identify with her and her colored hair and character. That changed while reading "Pretend you're mine" and I really like and understand her now.
Ryan..oh,Ryan. 😍 I absolutely love him! He's so cute with Leighton, even if he thinks he doesn't love her. He's hurt and I could totally understand him and his feelings, Crystal did well with describing that. I loved that Leighton is so special for him, that he trusts her and nobody else.
The whole story is amazing and I was not able to put my kindle down. I forgot to do other things because I was reading this book and I would totally read it again now. I can just recommend you to read it and see yourself what a great book Crystal Kaswell created!! ❤️

***I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.***

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Inked Heart Series and folks I have to say- as much love as I have for the past two books, this one is my favorite!
Why do you ask?
Ryan and Leighton!
They're a hot n heart heavy combustible pair I wanted together so much! It was starting to cause me massive amounts of distress watching them battle their insecurities and fighting with the idea of change!
This angsty, yet laugh out loud tale, kept me on the edge of sanity with its relatable storyline, and characters I have become invested in over the last few books.
Heat level set to inferno, Ryan, and his alpha, take care of Leighton in all ways possible has moved up to the #1 spot on my B.B. list!
I am all about friends to lovers stories; this book takes that to a whole other level! A heart wrenching sexified one; That I did not put down! I didn't want to miss a second of the mayhem that is the Inked Hearts dysfunctional yet awesome family!
I downloaded Pretend Your Are Mine through K.U, but since I knew I would be re-reading this beast of a tale, I went ahead and purchased a copy as well!
I highly recommend reading this book and the others in the Inked Hearts series! They're some tattooing boys and the women who bring them to their knees who are worth getting to know!

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan is still trying to get over his ex...whom he caught cheating...more than a year later. To pour salt in the wound, he receives an invitation to her upcoming wedding to the guy whom she cheated with. Leighton has been in love with her best friend, Ryan, for quite some time now. She hates the hold that his ex still has in him. When she learns of the impending nuptials, she suggests that Ryan take his new gf...albeit a fake one. Ryan agrees to the arrangement and the pair begin attending pre-wedding events together. Penelope, the ex, still seems to harbor some feelings for Ryan and, even though he says that he’s over her, Ryan appears to indulge her. Meanwhile, he’s developing feelings for Leigh, but fights them since she told him that she’s in love w a guy who doesn’t know how she feels. Will the pair ever be honest w each other and get together or will Penelope always be in the way? Leigh also has some insecurities from her past that may also stand in the way of happiness. I really enjoyed this story, although there were times when I wanted to shake Ryan..and Leigh! The ‘supporting’ characters helped to round out the story. Loved the ending...now I need Dean’s story!