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The Sweetest Charade
"A delightful opposites-attract fake-relationship romance with a decidedly modern flair." — Library Journal
Delysia Daniels didn’t intend any of this. Accidentally tagging the wrong person in a slightly racy photo could have happened to anyone. But when the slipup gains her thousands of followers and a much-needed opportunity, she takes full advantage. Fake dating an uptight history professor complete with the proverbial stiff upper lip will raise both their profiles, if she can just get him to agree.
Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill isn’t delusional enough to believe his sudden popularity is due to his fascinating lectures. Agreeing to a high-profile, all-expenses-paid trip across the country isn’t exactly a hardship, although getting along with an online influencer might be. But he doesn’t plan on Delysia. She’s smart, beautiful, and far more…everything…than he’d imagined.
Fake relationship aside, neither of them is very good at pretending. Add their instant attraction and undeniable chemistry, and it isn’t long before they realize this fictional relationship is going to change their lives—just not the way they thought.
Delysia Daniels didn’t intend any of this. Accidentally tagging the wrong person in a slightly racy photo could have happened to anyone. But when the slipup gains her thousands of followers and a much-needed opportunity, she takes full advantage. Fake dating an uptight history professor complete with the proverbial stiff upper lip will raise both their profiles, if she can just get him to agree.
Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill isn’t delusional enough to believe his sudden popularity is due to his fascinating lectures. Agreeing to a high-profile, all-expenses-paid trip across the country isn’t exactly a hardship, although getting along with an online influencer might be. But he doesn’t plan on Delysia. She’s smart, beautiful, and far more…everything…than he’d imagined.
Fake relationship aside, neither of them is very good at pretending. Add their instant attraction and undeniable chemistry, and it isn’t long before they realize this fictional relationship is going to change their lives—just not the way they thought.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 22, 2021
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August 3, 2022A fake-relationship romance between a serious professor and an internet influencer. Very much on the 'rolling around in luxury' side of things (I wasn't entirely clear if Alexander had tons of money or no money) while also holding that a life spent in pursuit of luxury and wealth is shallow and unfulfilling. AKA the eternal contradiction of the millionaire romance, ahaha.
This is a debut, and the plot/structure kind of shows that (it's rather a sequence of events) but the writing is assured, and the main characters likeable, with depth and individuality and a nice slow burn between them.
This is a debut, and the plot/structure kind of shows that (it's rather a sequence of events) but the writing is assured, and the main characters likeable, with depth and individuality and a nice slow burn between them.
September 26, 2021
The Sweetest Charade follows an influencer named Delysia Daniels who tags a professor named Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill in a suggestive social media post. Once the picture goes viral and gossip starts circulating around campus Dr. Abbott-Hill reaches out to Ms. Daniels with threats to sue. Delysia's publicist comes up with a wild idea to have the two of them fake date after their implied relationship has brought them both 1000s of new followers and brands offering sponsorships.
Alexander has been working on a restoring an old luxury train that belonged to his family and Amtrak is calling now offering to fund his endeavors. So he agrees to the ruse and soon discovers that keeping up with Delysia's lifestyle is not easy. There's event appearances, planned content, and brands offering him freebies. And as they spend more time together it's clear there are feelings there that can't be ignored. Then a luxury trip designed to promote the restored train puts them in close quarters for a few weeks.
Alexander is pompous and from a family with a lot of notoriety while Delysia is a quiet woman offline mostly focused on hustling to make money to support her sick mother. Neither one are used to letting people in so both have their guards up.
If your in to luxury trains than you'll enjoy the details about their train ride that spans several East Coast US cities. From baseball games to stage plays to partying it up there's so much going on.
While Alexander's personality didn't always work for me I really liked Delysia. And I can't deny the chemistry this couple had. That train sex scene was hot!
Full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
Alexander has been working on a restoring an old luxury train that belonged to his family and Amtrak is calling now offering to fund his endeavors. So he agrees to the ruse and soon discovers that keeping up with Delysia's lifestyle is not easy. There's event appearances, planned content, and brands offering him freebies. And as they spend more time together it's clear there are feelings there that can't be ignored. Then a luxury trip designed to promote the restored train puts them in close quarters for a few weeks.
Alexander is pompous and from a family with a lot of notoriety while Delysia is a quiet woman offline mostly focused on hustling to make money to support her sick mother. Neither one are used to letting people in so both have their guards up.
If your in to luxury trains than you'll enjoy the details about their train ride that spans several East Coast US cities. From baseball games to stage plays to partying it up there's so much going on.
While Alexander's personality didn't always work for me I really liked Delysia. And I can't deny the chemistry this couple had. That train sex scene was hot!
Full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
September 4, 2021
Read more of my reviews @ The Infinite Limits of Love.
Well, this was a delightful read with some seriously strong writing. Jadesola James' debut novel was a hit for me and I'm so happy I've found a new author whose writing just instantly clicks for me. The Sweetest Charade is a fresh take on the fake-dating trope between a reserved history professor and a vibrant social media influencer.
When Delysia accidentally tags Alexander in a racy photo that nearly wreaks havoc in his professional life, the two enter the most unlikely of fake relationship, but one that will help both of their aspirations. They are both determined to keep things professional between them but we all know how that always ends in a fake dating romance. ;)
I loved both Alexander and Delysia. Delysia has this glamorous life as a social media influencer but manages to be humble and kind towards others. Though she is a social butterfly, she is actually quite reserved. I think most of us have this negative perspective of social media influencers being shallow and lazy, so I liked how the author sheds those stereotypes in The Sweetest Charade. Alexander is one of the few people to really see all that's underneath the layers of Delysia. He came from a long line of wealthy folks, but he was quite humble about it. He was really just a cute old-fashioned little geeky professor who nerded out over trains and history!
Lucky for Alexander, much of the romance between the two develops over a press tour for a luxury train journey across the Northeastern US. I didn't think I'd enjoy how much focus there is on the trains in this book, but I did! It's clear the author did her research and I never thought I'd be a train person, but apparently, I just need a uber luxurious train experience. I loved the maturity that they showcased in their relationship. The forced proximity as they are on this journey also brought them emotionally close to each other. There were so many sweet moments in this book. Alexander, especially, is a sweetheart to Delysia, and he's such a goner for her. I may or may not have made the heart-eyes emoji as I read this book!
All in all, this was a strong debut romance for me. I loved the author's writing and can't wait to read more from her!
Content notes: surgery of a parent (kidney transplant), some elitist/classist comments made towards the heroine
May 26, 2021
This book was just like the title described. It was an incredibly sweet story. One that made me a little jealous, tbqh LOL. I loved the development of the characters, how the little things you liked about the characters became the reasons you loved them in the end. This is a Black romance story that makes your heart feel warm, and it has nothing to do anything happening in The UAE. Now, the story does heat up a little, don't get me wrong, but it was just so sweet. There was tenderness in the love scenes, and honestly, this book feels like it was written with love, I don't get that feeling from a lot of books. I can't wait to read more from this author. #TheSweetestCharade #NetGalley
July 21, 2021
This book started off very promising. While the set-up and motivation for the fake dating were quite unbelievable, I was happily willing to put that aside because let's be honest, fake dating is like catnip, and I was very much enjoying this book in the beginning. But then after a quarter or so I started quickly losing interest. I can't pinpoint exactly why except that this just wasn't my kind of book with the focus on luxury and excess. I wanted a little more emotional depth out of it and by the time that came into play, I had already zoned out of the story, it just took too long to come on.
July 3, 2021
ARC Review
I really enjoyed this! It was a cute opposites attract romance. I really love in romance books when one of the MCs is just nerding out about their job and the other MC has no clue what they're talking about but still finds them cute??? This is Alexander and Delysia. She's an influencer and he's a professor. Things get a bit wild for Alexander after she accidentally tagged him in a racy photo.
I loved that set up for a fake relationship. These two do not walk in the same circles but as they go on this journey together, a literal journey on a train, they learn alot from each other and get closer!
Their chemistry and the tension between them was just delicious! There were also a lot of really sweet moments that had me turining into the puppy eyes emoji for real. I diiiid want to shake them both at different times but while they both had their issues to deal with, they figured it out in the end :)
Looking forward to reading more from this author!
I really enjoyed this! It was a cute opposites attract romance. I really love in romance books when one of the MCs is just nerding out about their job and the other MC has no clue what they're talking about but still finds them cute??? This is Alexander and Delysia. She's an influencer and he's a professor. Things get a bit wild for Alexander after she accidentally tagged him in a racy photo.
I loved that set up for a fake relationship. These two do not walk in the same circles but as they go on this journey together, a literal journey on a train, they learn alot from each other and get closer!
Their chemistry and the tension between them was just delicious! There were also a lot of really sweet moments that had me turining into the puppy eyes emoji for real. I diiiid want to shake them both at different times but while they both had their issues to deal with, they figured it out in the end :)
Looking forward to reading more from this author!
May 18, 2021
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book tells the story of .Delysia Daniels of a gorgeous social media influencer that mistakenly tags a grumpy professor in a viral post. Imagine tagging a grumpty uptight professor in a racy photo and only for him to discover that he is popular not because of his teachings but because of their photo. So they agree to fake date and sparks fly because that's what happens when two beautiful people get together. I absolutely loved this book, I cracked up and totally adored the characters in the book. The book was well written and if you don't end up loving the grumpy sunshine romance trope after this then I don't know what will chnage your mind
June 27, 2021
This wouldn’t be the kind of book I would normally pick up, I have to say, and I wasn’t 100% sure how I was going to feel about it. Having read the blurb, I did have a concern that it might be too geared towards American audiences for my tastes (as I have said before, I sometimes find books written for the American market more saccharine than appeals to us cynics here in the UK) and the subject matter too shallow. Still, one of the reasons I blog is to push my reading out of my comfort zone and keep open-minded so I accepted Jadesola’s offer of a copy of the book, and, boy, am I glad I did.
All of my fears were totally unfounded and I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Two mismatched people meet in the most unlikely of circumstances and enter a fake relationship for their mutual benefit and, despite the fact that the premise under which they meet could seem ridiculous, the author is skilled enough to make it entirely plausible in this digital age. I could see exactly why Delysia would want to fake the relationship with Alexander. Why Alexander goes along with it is a bit more of a stretch, but she makes it work well enough and, when the chemistry starts to fizz on the page you soon forget all that anyway and just go along for the fun of the ride.
I really enjoyed the jaunt into the lives of influencers and how they operate and, I have to say, I’d quite like the opportunity to get paid to do all these fantastic things and wear amazing clothes. (Alas, I fear I am too old and not attractive enough for this to be a feasible career path for me at this stage of my life.) The luxury train journey was a particular highlight of the book, as I love travelling in the US, and train travel always seems so glamorous when it appears on the page. The author does a wonderful job of bringing it all to vivid life through her words and I did feel like I had experienced the trip with Delysia and Alexander by the end of the book.
The main draw of this book, as it should be, it the relationship between the two romantic protagonists and how it develops though. As I said earlier in the review, there is real heat between the two of them in this fake relationship/opposites attract story, and it manages to be spicy without being so lewd it will offend those of more sensitive sensibilities. It is a find line to walk but this author navigated it admirably and I believed in the relationship wholeheartedly.
Jadesola gives Delysia believable and sympathetic motives for taking a life path that might otherwise seem shallow and detract from the depth of character she needs to attract a man like Alexander and I was with her every step of the way. In fact, I was surprised at just how much real emotion and range the author managed to convey in this story, but the fault for that lies with me and nowhere else. I should know better than to come to any book with pre-conceived ideas about a genre and I have certainly been taught a lesson here, one that I will take with me into my future reading adventures. Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a novel by others that share nothing with it other than a loose genre, you may end up missing out on some great reads.
There was nothing about this book I didn’t like. Great characters, great plot, great settings, great chemistry. I highly recommend it to all lovers of romantic fiction and look forward to more titles by this author.
All of my fears were totally unfounded and I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Two mismatched people meet in the most unlikely of circumstances and enter a fake relationship for their mutual benefit and, despite the fact that the premise under which they meet could seem ridiculous, the author is skilled enough to make it entirely plausible in this digital age. I could see exactly why Delysia would want to fake the relationship with Alexander. Why Alexander goes along with it is a bit more of a stretch, but she makes it work well enough and, when the chemistry starts to fizz on the page you soon forget all that anyway and just go along for the fun of the ride.
I really enjoyed the jaunt into the lives of influencers and how they operate and, I have to say, I’d quite like the opportunity to get paid to do all these fantastic things and wear amazing clothes. (Alas, I fear I am too old and not attractive enough for this to be a feasible career path for me at this stage of my life.) The luxury train journey was a particular highlight of the book, as I love travelling in the US, and train travel always seems so glamorous when it appears on the page. The author does a wonderful job of bringing it all to vivid life through her words and I did feel like I had experienced the trip with Delysia and Alexander by the end of the book.
The main draw of this book, as it should be, it the relationship between the two romantic protagonists and how it develops though. As I said earlier in the review, there is real heat between the two of them in this fake relationship/opposites attract story, and it manages to be spicy without being so lewd it will offend those of more sensitive sensibilities. It is a find line to walk but this author navigated it admirably and I believed in the relationship wholeheartedly.
Jadesola gives Delysia believable and sympathetic motives for taking a life path that might otherwise seem shallow and detract from the depth of character she needs to attract a man like Alexander and I was with her every step of the way. In fact, I was surprised at just how much real emotion and range the author managed to convey in this story, but the fault for that lies with me and nowhere else. I should know better than to come to any book with pre-conceived ideas about a genre and I have certainly been taught a lesson here, one that I will take with me into my future reading adventures. Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a novel by others that share nothing with it other than a loose genre, you may end up missing out on some great reads.
There was nothing about this book I didn’t like. Great characters, great plot, great settings, great chemistry. I highly recommend it to all lovers of romantic fiction and look forward to more titles by this author.
June 10, 2021
This is one of those books where interest is caught on page one and the reader finds it difficult to put down. Delysia and Alexander met by accident and definitely are an "opposites attract" sort of couple but for all the planned moments and fake faces found in her world as an influencer, their developing relationship felt real. The chemistry between these two was evident to anybody who watched them near one another in the same room/space. Not going to say more about these two because I don't want to spoil things for others. A friend suggested this book and I'm rather glad she did! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
October 1, 2022
Alexander is an uptight college professor whose orderly life is upended when an "influencer" accidentally tags him on her social media. Delysia is that person. She is always "on" when out and about. They mutually decide to fake date; Alexander agrees to get funding for a pet project he has (trains).
This was a nice story of opposites attracting and the realization they do have things in common. Nice backdrop with passenger trains.
This was a nice story of opposites attracting and the realization they do have things in common. Nice backdrop with passenger trains.
June 7, 2021
This is such a sweet and adorable love story. I can't recall the last book that kept me up reading after midnight, but this one did. The plot was original. The way they met was a bit random, but it made sense for the story. I liked both Alexander and Delysia. I was hooked from page one. Such a wonderful debut. I'm looking forward to see what other books this author has got in store for us.
April 27, 2025
◀ The ARC copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review ▶
My Rating - 1.75/5
✔ Fake Relationship
✔ Dual POV [Third person]
✔ More than 3 months separation
✔ HFN
Delysia accidentally tagged Alexander in a picture which started the whole fake relationship with mutual benefits between them. But soon they started to have feelings for each other. At the end, they decided to try their whole relationship.
Like :
- Alexander's obsession with trains. It was quite unique.
- Dubai. This country is rarely mentioned in any books. At least, I haven't found any book yet except this one.
- Delysia's mother and Faye.
Dislike :
- I wanted to punch that Cadillac driver for saying those stuff to Delysia.
- Oh my gosh! The plot was so fucking boring. The author kept putting all those unnecessary information to slow down the pace of the book to make it a slow burn and prolong the length. Ugh!
- At one point, I wanted to punch both Alexander and Delysia. Because she was acting like a spoiled brat and he was acting like an emotionless prick who didn't care about anything in this world. And he didn't defend her when his cousin was practically talking about her like she's a slut in front of him. It's like the small spark or chemistry they had that died for not exploring their relationship properly. And they're the most unreasonable characters I've ever read. Both of them. I didn't care about them whatsoever. Both were irritating AF!
- I wanted to know what the hell happened with Nicky or whatever his name was.
So, yeah. I didn't like it. I forced myself to finish it for some reason. The writing style was alright. But the plot became boring for not executing it properly. It could've been a really interesting book. And there was no character development or chemistry between the lead characters. Skimmed a lot and didn't enjoy the book.
My Rating - 1.75/5
✔ Fake Relationship
✔ Dual POV [Third person]
✔ More than 3 months separation
✔ HFN
Delysia accidentally tagged Alexander in a picture which started the whole fake relationship with mutual benefits between them. But soon they started to have feelings for each other. At the end, they decided to try their whole relationship.
Like :
- Alexander's obsession with trains. It was quite unique.
- Dubai. This country is rarely mentioned in any books. At least, I haven't found any book yet except this one.
- Delysia's mother and Faye.
Dislike :
- I wanted to punch that Cadillac driver for saying those stuff to Delysia.
- Oh my gosh! The plot was so fucking boring. The author kept putting all those unnecessary information to slow down the pace of the book to make it a slow burn and prolong the length. Ugh!
- At one point, I wanted to punch both Alexander and Delysia. Because she was acting like a spoiled brat and he was acting like an emotionless prick who didn't care about anything in this world. And he didn't defend her when his cousin was practically talking about her like she's a slut in front of him. It's like the small spark or chemistry they had that died for not exploring their relationship properly. And they're the most unreasonable characters I've ever read. Both of them. I didn't care about them whatsoever. Both were irritating AF!
- I wanted to know what the hell happened with Nicky or whatever his name was.
So, yeah. I didn't like it. I forced myself to finish it for some reason. The writing style was alright. But the plot became boring for not executing it properly. It could've been a really interesting book. And there was no character development or chemistry between the lead characters. Skimmed a lot and didn't enjoy the book.
October 1, 2021
I am a SUCKER for a good fake relationship trope and this did not disappoint! Add the social butterfly x academic loner element and you've got this book.
Delysia and Alex start off with a very closed off, rules and all, professional relationship that you just know is going to lead to the best breakdown you can ask for in these types of situations. We got to see the build up where they try their hardest to fight their attraction. Their chemistry was obvious from the first interaction, even though there were so many tense and awkward moments where Alex tries to adjust to his newfound fame, so that the moment that the finally give in to each other you breathe a sigh of relief. We are all Faye in this situation (once you've read this, you'll get my reference).
It's steamy, and it's full of heart.
Delysia has more to her than initially meets the eye, and watching as she finally unravels the tight hold that she has on herself is a beautiful thing to behold.
Very cute overall.
Delysia and Alex start off with a very closed off, rules and all, professional relationship that you just know is going to lead to the best breakdown you can ask for in these types of situations. We got to see the build up where they try their hardest to fight their attraction. Their chemistry was obvious from the first interaction, even though there were so many tense and awkward moments where Alex tries to adjust to his newfound fame, so that the moment that the finally give in to each other you breathe a sigh of relief. We are all Faye in this situation (once you've read this, you'll get my reference).
It's steamy, and it's full of heart.
Delysia has more to her than initially meets the eye, and watching as she finally unravels the tight hold that she has on herself is a beautiful thing to behold.
Very cute overall.
June 14, 2021
The Sweetest Charade rewards persistence. I wasn’t very engaged at first and wasn’t sure I was going to have much to say about it, but in the end, Jadesola James pulls off a lovely debut romance.
Delysia, a social media influencer, accidentally tags Professor Alexander Abbot-Hill, of the Long Island Abbot-Hills. in a slightly racy Instagram photo. He asks for a retraction and her agent asks for them to meet because she’s got an idea that could serve them both. Alexander is surprised at the attention he is getting because of the photo and sees value in agreeing to fake a romance with Delysia. It’s a romance, so of course the feelings become real.
Delysia and Alexander are each in their own way, closed off and isolated. Delysia keeps up a façade for protection, and Alexander is living like a relict of his family’s past. Their forced proximity and partnership open them up to parts of life they had shut down. The real romance doesn’t get going until fairly late in the book and not until after they have started to become comfortable with the real people they discovered under their shells. Their individual growth and growth as a couple were lovely and sweet.
One sour note: I wish that she hadn’t chosen to make the only antagonists also the only Korean/Korean American characters. I don’t think this book needed antagonists.
Other content warnings: mild drug use, misogyny directed at the main character, mild drug use, emotional manipulation during a sexual situation, past parental death, parental illness.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Delysia, a social media influencer, accidentally tags Professor Alexander Abbot-Hill, of the Long Island Abbot-Hills. in a slightly racy Instagram photo. He asks for a retraction and her agent asks for them to meet because she’s got an idea that could serve them both. Alexander is surprised at the attention he is getting because of the photo and sees value in agreeing to fake a romance with Delysia. It’s a romance, so of course the feelings become real.
Delysia and Alexander are each in their own way, closed off and isolated. Delysia keeps up a façade for protection, and Alexander is living like a relict of his family’s past. Their forced proximity and partnership open them up to parts of life they had shut down. The real romance doesn’t get going until fairly late in the book and not until after they have started to become comfortable with the real people they discovered under their shells. Their individual growth and growth as a couple were lovely and sweet.
One sour note: I wish that she hadn’t chosen to make the only antagonists also the only Korean/Korean American characters. I don’t think this book needed antagonists.
Other content warnings: mild drug use, misogyny directed at the main character, mild drug use, emotional manipulation during a sexual situation, past parental death, parental illness.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2021
"Love is a gift. Freely given, freely received. And it went beyond whatever their relationship was or would be. He would do anything for her, and going against that would be going against himself. "
A recluse and an influencer love story. Alexander is a professor who loves academia, history and trains. Delysia is a young vibrant Instagram influencer who dropped out of med school. Alexander comes from money but he's more humble than the typical billionaire type romance. Delysia's mother is back in Dubai and is sick which is why Delysia is had to drop out.
I enjoyed how this mostly took place on a moving train. Alexander, though he can be portentous, never talked down to Delysia. She was self conscious at times, which was very realistic but he enjoyed being her fake boyfriend and having to learn how to be camera ready 24/7. One unrealistic aspect was him being able to take weeks and months off work for this influencer trip and then the semester trip to Dubai. I would have been great if the chapters set in Dubai were longer and took up more of the book.
Tropes: Fake dating, opposites attract, close proximity,
Triggers: drug use, sick parent, loss of parents
Steam: 🔥🔥/5
Thank you Netgally and Carina Press for the eArc
A recluse and an influencer love story. Alexander is a professor who loves academia, history and trains. Delysia is a young vibrant Instagram influencer who dropped out of med school. Alexander comes from money but he's more humble than the typical billionaire type romance. Delysia's mother is back in Dubai and is sick which is why Delysia is had to drop out.
I enjoyed how this mostly took place on a moving train. Alexander, though he can be portentous, never talked down to Delysia. She was self conscious at times, which was very realistic but he enjoyed being her fake boyfriend and having to learn how to be camera ready 24/7. One unrealistic aspect was him being able to take weeks and months off work for this influencer trip and then the semester trip to Dubai. I would have been great if the chapters set in Dubai were longer and took up more of the book.
Tropes: Fake dating, opposites attract, close proximity,
Triggers: drug use, sick parent, loss of parents
Steam: 🔥🔥/5
Thank you Netgally and Carina Press for the eArc
May 6, 2021
A lovely debut! I really enjoyed Delysia and Alexander's (not Alex!) story. It's an opposites attract, fish-out-of-water, fake romance between a social media influencer and a somewhat stodgy history professor which--somewhat surprisingly--largely involves a luxury train ride in two vintage rail cars owned by Alexander's family. Though it seems like a bit of a stretch that a professor who previously (allegedly) was putting his students to sleep would suddenly become wildly popular simply because he started dating a social media darling and live streamed a few videos, it was nonetheless fun to watch them growing to appreciate each other for who they really are on the inside and falling in love during the course of the story.
The teaser for her next book ( Redeemed by His New York Cinderella ) guaranteed I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The teaser for her next book ( Redeemed by His New York Cinderella ) guaranteed I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 7, 2021
I received an ARC of this book and am giving a fair review about it. I was quite intrigued by the premises and a bit doubtful but I quickly got sold on the 2 leads and the great writing. I enjoyed Delysia and Alexander story very much. Del's background was quite unusual as was her professional occupation that I had a bit of a bad opinion of, admittedly. My first impression was not very good of her. I rolled my eyes a bit at all the 'glitter and luxurious' lifestyle but, and cringed at the intrusiveness of social media work. But she quickly grew on me and I ended up admiring her quite much. She was very good and determined at what she did, and I respected that. The reasons why she took on that job was a bit on the cliché side but I went along with it cause the story was otherwise quite good. I also liked that she was from Erytrea. I liked Alexander and he was a great lead. Loved how honest and simple he was, even with his boring academic side, without any over the top alphaness. They made a very nice couple and I rooted for them to make it work. So, that was a very enjoyable read that I wholeheartedly recommend.
May 31, 2021
"They loved it, hated it, criticized it, shared it. It left no time for hobbies... It left no time for friedships that weren't based on reciprocal likes." -From The Sweetest Charade
3 ish stars
I should have loved this book, but something felt off. I did like Delysia; she has more depth than you might assume an influencer would. She made me want to keep reading. Some of her choices seemed random, but it wasn't a huge deal. Alexander is a bit different than the blurb makes it out to be; he has a bit of family status that wouldn't matter, but he comes off as so condesscending he started to be completely unlikeable for me. The boat scene was so cringey.. It took me longer to get through it than I would have thought. It only picked up for me once she was in Dubai.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3 ish stars
I should have loved this book, but something felt off. I did like Delysia; she has more depth than you might assume an influencer would. She made me want to keep reading. Some of her choices seemed random, but it wasn't a huge deal. Alexander is a bit different than the blurb makes it out to be; he has a bit of family status that wouldn't matter, but he comes off as so condesscending he started to be completely unlikeable for me. The boat scene was so cringey.. It took me longer to get through it than I would have thought. It only picked up for me once she was in Dubai.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2021
Jadesola is a debut author and I will most definitely keep Jadesola James on my radar and will be looking for her next book. This is an awesome read, wonderful characters, great word building, great chemistry, easy to read, fast paced, page turner all the making of a book that you can not put down; great from beginning to the end. Fake relationships are one of my favorite reading tropes.
Delysia is big on social media and she accidentally tags Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill in one of her media post. Alexander wants Delysia to retract the post. Delysia agent has something in mind and wants the two too met up. Alexander is suddenly getting a lot attention from the post and decides to meet up with Delysia as her agent had requested and agrees to a fake relationship. Delysia is nothing what Alexander had in mind; but all what he is looking for in a relationship. They both click and the relationship goes from fake to the real thing.
I received an ARC via Netgalley and I’m voluntarily leaving my review. Thank you Netgalley and Carina Press.
Delysia is big on social media and she accidentally tags Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill in one of her media post. Alexander wants Delysia to retract the post. Delysia agent has something in mind and wants the two too met up. Alexander is suddenly getting a lot attention from the post and decides to meet up with Delysia as her agent had requested and agrees to a fake relationship. Delysia is nothing what Alexander had in mind; but all what he is looking for in a relationship. They both click and the relationship goes from fake to the real thing.
I received an ARC via Netgalley and I’m voluntarily leaving my review. Thank you Netgalley and Carina Press.
April 18, 2022
Jadesola James's The Sweetest Charade is a lovely debut about two closed off people learning to open up to each other and make something real out of their fake relationship.
Delysia, a social media influencer, accidentally tags Professor Alexander Abbot-Hill. in a suggestive Instagram photo that gets the attention of students and staff alike at his school. When he threatens to sue her, Delysia's agent suggests a fake dating situation that has the potential to yield big rewards for each of them, which they agree to.
Delysia and Alexander are two people who isolate from others in their own way. Delysia who of course has an online persona that is nothing like who she is in real life, and Alexander, whose academic interests and attachment to his family's past keeping him stagnant. A slow burn, so it the relationship takes it's time to develop but it is a sweet journey as these two slowly find a way to be open to each other.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Delysia, a social media influencer, accidentally tags Professor Alexander Abbot-Hill. in a suggestive Instagram photo that gets the attention of students and staff alike at his school. When he threatens to sue her, Delysia's agent suggests a fake dating situation that has the potential to yield big rewards for each of them, which they agree to.
Delysia and Alexander are two people who isolate from others in their own way. Delysia who of course has an online persona that is nothing like who she is in real life, and Alexander, whose academic interests and attachment to his family's past keeping him stagnant. A slow burn, so it the relationship takes it's time to develop but it is a sweet journey as these two slowly find a way to be open to each other.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2021
THE SWEETEST CHARADE follows social media influencer Delysia Daniels and history professor Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill. The pair decide to fake date to further their careers after Delysia accidentally tags Alexander in a racy photo on Instagram.
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Didn’t mean to start this book, I just wanted to read the first chapter to see if this was the book I felt like picking up next. It was so easy to fall into and before I knew it I was already 30% in. Reading it felt smooth and effortless; it was a nice and sweet, tender read. I liked the voice and the writing, the characters are lovely. I love a fake dating plot, and the description really had my interest.. I’m glad I found this story!
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3.5 stars, THE SWEETEST CHARADE by Jadesola James is available June 22, 2021!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for sending me an eARC to review.
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Didn’t mean to start this book, I just wanted to read the first chapter to see if this was the book I felt like picking up next. It was so easy to fall into and before I knew it I was already 30% in. Reading it felt smooth and effortless; it was a nice and sweet, tender read. I liked the voice and the writing, the characters are lovely. I love a fake dating plot, and the description really had my interest.. I’m glad I found this story!
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3.5 stars, THE SWEETEST CHARADE by Jadesola James is available June 22, 2021!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for sending me an eARC to review.
May 24, 2021
This was a fun and quick read. I read it in an afternoon. There were a couple moments that gave me anxiety, but there are trigger warnings at the beginning, which is great. I wish all books came with trigger warnings. The characters really were the best part of this story. They were so realistic and amazing, and yes, their romance was beautiful, but the highlight really was their friendship and the moments they spent together. The whole plot with the train was also pretty unique. On another note I don't think this cover was the best choice, because it doesn’t really illustrate the story very well. Overall, I really liked this book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
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February 2, 2023rep: Black hero and heroine
cw: grief, illness, hospitalization
It was a bit dull at times with the plot, but I didn’t hate it. I just wish it was given the pacing the characters deserved. I loved the idea of these characters more than what I was reading. And the sex scenes left a lot to be desired. The first one was fade to black, then there was some descriptive foreplay, and then some vague and disappointing final sex scene. Some reviewers mention that this was steamy but I can promise you it wasn’t. A book is NOT steamy if it fades to black and you are left confused and baffled.
cw: grief, illness, hospitalization
It was a bit dull at times with the plot, but I didn’t hate it. I just wish it was given the pacing the characters deserved. I loved the idea of these characters more than what I was reading. And the sex scenes left a lot to be desired. The first one was fade to black, then there was some descriptive foreplay, and then some vague and disappointing final sex scene. Some reviewers mention that this was steamy but I can promise you it wasn’t. A book is NOT steamy if it fades to black and you are left confused and baffled.
May 13, 2021
What happens when you tag someone by mistake . He is a professor and she is an influencer . They fake dating for their own reasons . I loved his hobby with vintage trains . A sweet love story .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 3, 2021
Opposites attract in this book by Jadesola James. It really struck me by how Alexander and Delysia matched each other despite being from vastly different backgrounds. I like Delysia was a smart and cunning social media influencer, despite the connotation of being vapid. It was a slow burn. And I never thought I'd find trains sexy, but I did.
June 29, 2021
Well-researched. Author certainly has writing skills. Not much dialogue, mostly description. Poignant throughout. Chaste. If you can believe an introverted professor can become a raging extrovert, then you might enjoy this book. Most of the book is two people exploiting their lives online for profit. Done.
June 4, 2022
A sweet fake dating romance. Delysia a social media entertainer erroneously tagged grumpy lecturer Alexander in a scandalous post.
They embark on a fake relationship to diffuse the rumours but it ends up real.
Grumpy hero and sweet heroine.
Loved it.
They embark on a fake relationship to diffuse the rumours but it ends up real.
Grumpy hero and sweet heroine.
Loved it.
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May 1, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural, Romantic Comedy, New Adult Romance, African American & Black Romance
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural, Romantic Comedy, New Adult Romance, African American & Black Romance
Read
June 27, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Misogyny
Death of a parent recounted
Misogyny
Death of a parent recounted
September 6, 2021
I loved both main characters and their attempt at fake dating. What a fun read!
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