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Would You Rather
Noah and Mia have always been best friends, and their friendship is the most important thing to them. Life is going great for Noah and he’s up for a promotion in a job he loves. But Mia’s life is on hold as she awaits a kidney transplant. She’s stuck in a dead-end job and, never wanting to be a burden, has sworn off all romance. So when the chance of a lifetime comes to go back to school and pursue her dream, it’s especially painful to pass up. She can’t quit her job or she’ll lose the medical insurance she so desperately needs.
To support her, Noah suggests they get married—in name only—so she can study full-time and still keep the insurance. It’s a risk to both of them, with jobs, health and hearts on the line, and they’ll need to convince suspicious coworkers and nosy roommates that they’re the real deal. But if they can let go of all the baggage holding them back, they might realize that they would rather be together forever.
To support her, Noah suggests they get married—in name only—so she can study full-time and still keep the insurance. It’s a risk to both of them, with jobs, health and hearts on the line, and they’ll need to convince suspicious coworkers and nosy roommates that they’re the real deal. But if they can let go of all the baggage holding them back, they might realize that they would rather be together forever.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2022
408 people are currently reading
41161 people want to read
About the author
Allison Ashley
8 books1,730 followersAllison Ashley is a music-loving, coffee-drinking mom of two who loves love stories. She's an oncology pharmacist and spends her days focused on helping patients through the hardest thing life can throw at them. Her escape has always been books—specifically reading books about happiness, love, and laughter—and it was inevitable that she'd eventually write her own. She promises to always write stories with deep romance, intense connection, and humor…but most of all, that coveted happy ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,454 reviews
February 20, 2022
Friends to Lovers, years and years of pining followed by having to BELIEVABLY CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THEY MARRIED FOR LOVE AND NOT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REASONS, a make out sesh because they NEEDED TO PRACTICE KISSING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WOULD LOOK BELIEVABLE (insert Lenny Face pls), a lot of delicious angst and baggage, and also my fave trope ever, which is idiots in mutual love who deny themselves that love because they think it's what's best for the other person. AND THE BEST GINGER ARCHITECT CINNAMON ROLL EVER, 8000000000000/10 WOULD RECOMMEND
(Also I was so invested in Mia going back to school to become a ped dietician my girl followed her dreams <3 )
Disclosure: I got an ARC from the publisher (Mira).
(Also I was so invested in Mia going back to school to become a ped dietician my girl followed her dreams <3 )
Disclosure: I got an ARC from the publisher (Mira).
October 14, 2022
Fake marriage- friends to lovers tropes blended in extremely heartwarming, inspirational, genuine love story! You shouldn’t miss Mia and Noah’s amazing story!
From the first chapter both Mia and Noah made you root for them a lot. They have been friends since they were 7 and now they are sharing office space as Noah working on his dream job as aspiring architect at family company and Mia is administrative assistant.
They keep spending loon time, sharing wings on Thursday nights, pulling pranks on each other.
Noah barely restrains his feelings to stay friends as Mia deals with her chronic illness, waiting for kidney transplant. She also suffers from estranged relationship with her parents after learning the traumatic truth they hid from her for years.
She drops out college because of her health issues but now she finds out she has second chance for going back with full scholarship which will help her become pediatric dietitian.
If she decides to go back to the college, that will mean she has to quit her job, this also means she will lose her health insurance. But unfortunately she cannot afford to pay her medical expanses. So she has to give up!
But Noah finds a solution and makes an offer that makes her get shocked. If they get married, she can get benefited from his insurance and she can concentrate on her lessons at college. This means they will have to stay married for only 2 years.
Mia doesn’t want to be burden and she doesn’t want to hold Noah back to meet other people and chase his own happiness. But one thing she doesn’t know is Noah doesn’t want to date another woman. He has feelings for her and he’ll do everything to make her happy.
They finally decide to give a chance to marriage. But when they start to share the same household, the lines between friendship and true intimacy are getting blurrier.
Mia realizes she has unresolved feelings for Noah but how can she hold him back when she suffers from chronic illness and her health condition keeps deteriorating at each day?
Noah keeps dealing with his own baggage and suffering from grief which restraint him come clean about his feelings.
Will two friends find happiness in each other?
This is angsty, heartfelt, beautiful love story with two adorable MCs! I highly recommend you to read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
From the first chapter both Mia and Noah made you root for them a lot. They have been friends since they were 7 and now they are sharing office space as Noah working on his dream job as aspiring architect at family company and Mia is administrative assistant.
They keep spending loon time, sharing wings on Thursday nights, pulling pranks on each other.
Noah barely restrains his feelings to stay friends as Mia deals with her chronic illness, waiting for kidney transplant. She also suffers from estranged relationship with her parents after learning the traumatic truth they hid from her for years.
She drops out college because of her health issues but now she finds out she has second chance for going back with full scholarship which will help her become pediatric dietitian.
If she decides to go back to the college, that will mean she has to quit her job, this also means she will lose her health insurance. But unfortunately she cannot afford to pay her medical expanses. So she has to give up!
But Noah finds a solution and makes an offer that makes her get shocked. If they get married, she can get benefited from his insurance and she can concentrate on her lessons at college. This means they will have to stay married for only 2 years.
Mia doesn’t want to be burden and she doesn’t want to hold Noah back to meet other people and chase his own happiness. But one thing she doesn’t know is Noah doesn’t want to date another woman. He has feelings for her and he’ll do everything to make her happy.
They finally decide to give a chance to marriage. But when they start to share the same household, the lines between friendship and true intimacy are getting blurrier.
Mia realizes she has unresolved feelings for Noah but how can she hold him back when she suffers from chronic illness and her health condition keeps deteriorating at each day?
Noah keeps dealing with his own baggage and suffering from grief which restraint him come clean about his feelings.
Will two friends find happiness in each other?
This is angsty, heartfelt, beautiful love story with two adorable MCs! I highly recommend you to read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
August 29, 2025
If I hate the best friend-to-lovers trope, the table may be turned now and we have Allison Ashley to thank because this book is the epitome of sweet and lovely, I might've caught diabetes just from reading this.
What I love the most when reading books are the ones that allow me to feel butterflies and this book just makes my heart flutters from the very start.
Although there are a few moments where I feel like scratching my head, especially with the conflict —I am to keep my mind open to the different perceptions that shape people to think how they think, so I am respecting Mia (and Noah) for some of their choices, albeit seeming ridiculous.
Now that I finish this one, I need some cute pining best friends to lover recommendations because I am still hung up from this.
Initially think this book stands off as 4-ish reads but I can't pass up all the swoon worthy moment this book had, so five stars it is.
Further RTC
What I love the most when reading books are the ones that allow me to feel butterflies and this book just makes my heart flutters from the very start.
Although there are a few moments where I feel like scratching my head, especially with the conflict —I am to keep my mind open to the different perceptions that shape people to think how they think, so I am respecting Mia (and Noah) for some of their choices, albeit seeming ridiculous.
Now that I finish this one, I need some cute pining best friends to lover recommendations because I am still hung up from this.
Initially think this book stands off as 4-ish reads but I can't pass up all the swoon worthy moment this book had, so five stars it is.
Further RTC
July 18, 2022
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a seasoned romance reader, so if you are a romcom vet, you may feel very differently about this book.
SYNOPSIS
Noah and Mia have been BFFs forever so when Mia is forced to choose between accepting a scholarship to finish her degree or declining it in order to keep her job and the healthcare benefits she relies on, Noah offers to marry her so she can use his benefits AND go to school. (WHEW what a run on sentence. Sorry folks.) WILL THEY FALL IN LOVE???? STAY MARRIED FOREVER????? FIND OUT!!
MY OPINION
OMGGGG THIS IS THE CUTEST THING I'VE EVER READ. This is only my fourth romcom I've completed in the last decade or so. After Twice Shy I was ready to throw in the towel, but I was craving a sweet and syrupy read so I thought YOLO and requested this. I am so glad I did.
Let me make something clear: this is NOT a literary masterpiece. My enjoyment is not based on Allison Ashley going full Shakespeare and taking me on a mystical journey with unique prose. The writing is simple and straightforward. A little awkward, especially at the beginning. No, my enjoyment is founded in the sweetness of the story and how Ashley wrote a romcom without getting on the Pander Express.
Pink—what's the Pander Express? Glad you asked guys. The Pander Express is a play on Panda Express because that's how simple my mind is. And yes, the way I wrote "getting on the Pander Express", implies that it's some kind of train... but I just said my mind is simple so take it or leave it.
ANYWAYZ, I find that most contemporary novels—esp those of the romcom variety—read like a Buzzfeed article. A deluge of wokeness. Usually there's terms like manspreading, mansplaining, etc thrown around under the guise of GIRL PWR!! I don't want to be pandered to. I don't want to feel like I'm reading Shaun King's twitter feed. I just want to read about two people falling in love with some jokey jokes on the side. And that's EXACTLY what I got with Would You Rather.
Unlike Twice Shy which featured my nightmare male character, I was vibing with Noah. He's the ultimate Fridge—sturdy, cold, useful. Just how I like 'em. Apparently the veteran romance readers refer to his character type as a cinnamon roll. I prefer Fridge.
Mia didn't annoy the shit out of me with inane insecurities; given her illness and the big truth bomb dropped on her at the onset of her diagnosis, I felt for her. Both characters had the appropriate amount of depth and unique backstories for the genre. I did find Mia a bit immature for her age, but whatever.
The chemistry was palpable. I liked the banter. I liked how protective Noah was about Mia and rightfully so. I liked how the difference in personalities and how outgoing Mia was instead of the usual "shy" girl trope who is coaxed out of her shell by Mr popular. And she wasn't a mean girl, popular type either taking advantage of the hopelessly in love software engineer. This was just good vibes.
All in all, if you want a cute read that will make you want to hug a thousand bunnies while running through a field of sunflowers, pick this up. It's harmless fun to read this "marriage by convenience" story.
FYI Chantel this book is NOT for you. Keep it moving my love LOL💓
PROS AND CONS
Pros: good jokey jokes throughout, super sweet and cute, solid characters, no Pander Express, just good vibes
Cons: writing was a bit awkward and basique at times
DISCLAIMER: I am not a seasoned romance reader, so if you are a romcom vet, you may feel very differently about this book.
SYNOPSIS
Noah and Mia have been BFFs forever so when Mia is forced to choose between accepting a scholarship to finish her degree or declining it in order to keep her job and the healthcare benefits she relies on, Noah offers to marry her so she can use his benefits AND go to school. (WHEW what a run on sentence. Sorry folks.) WILL THEY FALL IN LOVE???? STAY MARRIED FOREVER????? FIND OUT!!
MY OPINION
OMGGGG THIS IS THE CUTEST THING I'VE EVER READ. This is only my fourth romcom I've completed in the last decade or so. After Twice Shy I was ready to throw in the towel, but I was craving a sweet and syrupy read so I thought YOLO and requested this. I am so glad I did.
Let me make something clear: this is NOT a literary masterpiece. My enjoyment is not based on Allison Ashley going full Shakespeare and taking me on a mystical journey with unique prose. The writing is simple and straightforward. A little awkward, especially at the beginning. No, my enjoyment is founded in the sweetness of the story and how Ashley wrote a romcom without getting on the Pander Express.
Pink—what's the Pander Express? Glad you asked guys. The Pander Express is a play on Panda Express because that's how simple my mind is. And yes, the way I wrote "getting on the Pander Express", implies that it's some kind of train... but I just said my mind is simple so take it or leave it.
ANYWAYZ, I find that most contemporary novels—esp those of the romcom variety—read like a Buzzfeed article. A deluge of wokeness. Usually there's terms like manspreading, mansplaining, etc thrown around under the guise of GIRL PWR!! I don't want to be pandered to. I don't want to feel like I'm reading Shaun King's twitter feed. I just want to read about two people falling in love with some jokey jokes on the side. And that's EXACTLY what I got with Would You Rather.
Unlike Twice Shy which featured my nightmare male character, I was vibing with Noah. He's the ultimate Fridge—sturdy, cold, useful. Just how I like 'em. Apparently the veteran romance readers refer to his character type as a cinnamon roll. I prefer Fridge.
Mia didn't annoy the shit out of me with inane insecurities; given her illness and the big truth bomb dropped on her at the onset of her diagnosis, I felt for her. Both characters had the appropriate amount of depth and unique backstories for the genre. I did find Mia a bit immature for her age, but whatever.
The chemistry was palpable. I liked the banter. I liked how protective Noah was about Mia and rightfully so. I liked how the difference in personalities and how outgoing Mia was instead of the usual "shy" girl trope who is coaxed out of her shell by Mr popular. And she wasn't a mean girl, popular type either taking advantage of the hopelessly in love software engineer. This was just good vibes.
All in all, if you want a cute read that will make you want to hug a thousand bunnies while running through a field of sunflowers, pick this up. It's harmless fun to read this "marriage by convenience" story.
FYI Chantel this book is NOT for you. Keep it moving my love LOL💓
PROS AND CONS
Pros: good jokey jokes throughout, super sweet and cute, solid characters, no Pander Express, just good vibes
Cons: writing was a bit awkward and basique at times
July 26, 2025
4.5⭐
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Publication date ~ August 23, 2022
Page Count ~ 310
Audio length ~ 8 hours 22 minutes
Narrator ~ Courtney Patterson
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ best friends to lovers, chronic illness, fake marriage, marriage of convenience, no steamage
One of the best best friends to lovers/fake marriage books I've read.
Mia and Noah have been best friends since they were seven, now they're in their 30's and neither have settled down. An opportunity comes up for Mia to go back to school full time and she is elated. Problem ~ she can't quit her job that offers medical insurance that she desperately needs for her chronic illness/kidney transplant. Noah has the perfect solution ~ they'll get married, so she can quit her job and concentrate on her dream of being a pediatric dietician. It takes lots of chicken wings to get Mia on board with this plan ~ and yes, I had wings for dinner the day I finished this, not plain though.
Dual 3rd person POV was perfect for this story. I really enjoyed their easy friendship, Noah's protectiveness (well actually this fits for both of them), the jokes they played on each other, and, of course, the would you rather game they've been playing for all these years. It took a bit, but they finally realize their feelings go deeper and they give in to their desires ~ in a clean manner.
I am a believer in YOLO, so I wasn't feeling either of their decisions for certain things, but luckily it all worked out in the end.
Claire and Graham and Natasha and Barbara were great side characters too.
Overall, super cute ~ super fun ~ quick read ~ heartwarming ~ sweet ~ some teary moments ~ lovable characters (except one, there's always gotta be one) ~ an all around delight.
*Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Allison Ashley and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Publication date ~ August 23, 2022
Page Count ~ 310
Audio length ~ 8 hours 22 minutes
Narrator ~ Courtney Patterson
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ best friends to lovers, chronic illness, fake marriage, marriage of convenience, no steamage
One of the best best friends to lovers/fake marriage books I've read.
Mia and Noah have been best friends since they were seven, now they're in their 30's and neither have settled down. An opportunity comes up for Mia to go back to school full time and she is elated. Problem ~ she can't quit her job that offers medical insurance that she desperately needs for her chronic illness/kidney transplant. Noah has the perfect solution ~ they'll get married, so she can quit her job and concentrate on her dream of being a pediatric dietician. It takes lots of chicken wings to get Mia on board with this plan ~ and yes, I had wings for dinner the day I finished this, not plain though.
Dual 3rd person POV was perfect for this story. I really enjoyed their easy friendship, Noah's protectiveness (well actually this fits for both of them), the jokes they played on each other, and, of course, the would you rather game they've been playing for all these years. It took a bit, but they finally realize their feelings go deeper and they give in to their desires ~ in a clean manner.
I am a believer in YOLO, so I wasn't feeling either of their decisions for certain things, but luckily it all worked out in the end.
Claire and Graham and Natasha and Barbara were great side characters too.
Overall, super cute ~ super fun ~ quick read ~ heartwarming ~ sweet ~ some teary moments ~ lovable characters (except one, there's always gotta be one) ~ an all around delight.
*Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Allison Ashley and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
September 17, 2022
MMMMMMMKAY. Problematic book review ahead:
A woman with a chronic illness marrying her bff for health insurance seemed like SUCH a great premise. And it is. But there are sooo many issues with the portrayal (and lack of) of disability.
1. Mia feels she is a burden to people in her life. Cool, common feeling among people with disabilities. But we are NEVER shown how much of a burden that is. She happily goes to her weekly infusions, is positive about it all, and we never see the work, emotional labor, the physical and psychological pain her disability causes her. So it is very hard to buy her "I'm a burden" personality when we never are shown how it is a burden on HER. We never know, emotionally, how she feels about it. She worries about being a financial burden....cool, provide people numbers on the expenses, examples of how navigating the insurance system is infuriating (also, see point 5.)
2. The author, upon quick searching, appears to be physically abled. NO disability content readers are credited at the end (oh, but she credits someone who corrected her on architectural careers smh.) She works in the medical field, which frustrates me, because of how many books (Ali Hazelwood, looking at you) are written by STEM authors who do NOT have actual experience with disabilities. As someone with a disability, there is a BIG problem with doctors, researchers, and medical professionals thinking they "understand" what a disability is like...when they don't. And patients receive all kinds of abuse from these professionals who do not have understanding or empathy. And it's very clear this author doesn't understand.
3. Her chronic illness isn't labelled. It's kept a mystery, which feeds into feeling like fictional bullshit created for the sake of drama. It appropriates disabilities.
4. HER CHRONIC ILLNESS IS EXPECTED TO BE CURED AND THAT IS THE END GAME. With a magical kidney transplant. Big. Fucking. Yikes. I don't even know where to begin with this, the author needs to take some fucking disability sensitivity training. "Fixing" disabilities is a harmful, unacceptable mentality. You're rejecting people, telling them they aren't allowed to have as equal access to quality of life than able-bodied people. ACCEPTING them is how we change society, to make people with disabilities' lives easier. You can't cure most of them but we sure as hell can accept all people and actively introduce changes to make their lives less of a goddamn struggle. Half the battle is society's attitudes. ALSO she does not address the lifelong WORK and drugs a transplant has - not until the very end, after she's had it. It's held up as this grand solution, "fixing" her when all it does it probably prolong her life but give her new medical concerns and challenges.
5. THE FACT THAT SHE NEEDS HEALTH INSURANCE TO LIVE IS NEVER ADDRESSED. NO commentary about how fucked up our fucking system is in the US that people die and are suffering every fucking day because they cannot access healthcare. And no portrayal of how many hours you end up on the phone with insurances companies, bickering over bills and advocating for yourself because all you are to these companies is a source of profit. Fuck right off, if you're going to appropriate the struggles people with disabilities have with insurance and the medical system and NOT talk about it and how to change it.
6. Minor fucking quibble but she gets a tattoo. It is NEVER addressed that she is LIKELY immunocompromised (well, we don't know for sure, since the author refuses to label the illness.) NO discussion on the risks having an open wound (a tattoo) has with being immunocompromised. Or how her tattoo likely could fail because it won't heal right.
xoxo, a reader with several disabilities
A woman with a chronic illness marrying her bff for health insurance seemed like SUCH a great premise. And it is. But there are sooo many issues with the portrayal (and lack of) of disability.
1. Mia feels she is a burden to people in her life. Cool, common feeling among people with disabilities. But we are NEVER shown how much of a burden that is. She happily goes to her weekly infusions, is positive about it all, and we never see the work, emotional labor, the physical and psychological pain her disability causes her. So it is very hard to buy her "I'm a burden" personality when we never are shown how it is a burden on HER. We never know, emotionally, how she feels about it. She worries about being a financial burden....cool, provide people numbers on the expenses, examples of how navigating the insurance system is infuriating (also, see point 5.)
2. The author, upon quick searching, appears to be physically abled. NO disability content readers are credited at the end (oh, but she credits someone who corrected her on architectural careers smh.) She works in the medical field, which frustrates me, because of how many books (Ali Hazelwood, looking at you) are written by STEM authors who do NOT have actual experience with disabilities. As someone with a disability, there is a BIG problem with doctors, researchers, and medical professionals thinking they "understand" what a disability is like...when they don't. And patients receive all kinds of abuse from these professionals who do not have understanding or empathy. And it's very clear this author doesn't understand.
3. Her chronic illness isn't labelled. It's kept a mystery, which feeds into feeling like fictional bullshit created for the sake of drama. It appropriates disabilities.
4. HER CHRONIC ILLNESS IS EXPECTED TO BE CURED AND THAT IS THE END GAME. With a magical kidney transplant. Big. Fucking. Yikes. I don't even know where to begin with this, the author needs to take some fucking disability sensitivity training. "Fixing" disabilities is a harmful, unacceptable mentality. You're rejecting people, telling them they aren't allowed to have as equal access to quality of life than able-bodied people. ACCEPTING them is how we change society, to make people with disabilities' lives easier. You can't cure most of them but we sure as hell can accept all people and actively introduce changes to make their lives less of a goddamn struggle. Half the battle is society's attitudes. ALSO she does not address the lifelong WORK and drugs a transplant has - not until the very end, after she's had it. It's held up as this grand solution, "fixing" her when all it does it probably prolong her life but give her new medical concerns and challenges.
5. THE FACT THAT SHE NEEDS HEALTH INSURANCE TO LIVE IS NEVER ADDRESSED. NO commentary about how fucked up our fucking system is in the US that people die and are suffering every fucking day because they cannot access healthcare. And no portrayal of how many hours you end up on the phone with insurances companies, bickering over bills and advocating for yourself because all you are to these companies is a source of profit. Fuck right off, if you're going to appropriate the struggles people with disabilities have with insurance and the medical system and NOT talk about it and how to change it.
6. Minor fucking quibble but she gets a tattoo. It is NEVER addressed that she is LIKELY immunocompromised (well, we don't know for sure, since the author refuses to label the illness.) NO discussion on the risks having an open wound (a tattoo) has with being immunocompromised. Or how her tattoo likely could fail because it won't heal right.
xoxo, a reader with several disabilities
October 23, 2022
4.5⭐️
Rarely do I read a romance and can confidently say “These two are meant for each other!” Like “soulmates” kind of meant for each other. This one could have just been a book about Mia and Noah being best friends and I probably would have liked it as much.
I haven’t read a marriage of convenience in a minute!!! This was a great reminder of how fun this trope really is. Mia and Noah had such great chemistry, so even though there is usually awkwardness that comes with this trope, Mia and Noah's own wasn't extreme because they’ve known each other forever. Their love for each other was overflowing in the book due to their devotion to helping each other and being with each other through tough times. I love it when I read a romance and it’s not just sweet words or sex, but ACTIONS!!!
“It hurts when someone you love pushes you away.”
Individually, they are both really struggling, with Mia having health problems and Noah still dealing with the death of his brother. They both struggle to let each other in with these specific issues. Usually, I’m one to get annoyed when characters push people away in the spirit of not putting their burdens on others but Ashley does a great job of making me truly understand these characters' intentions. At certain points, this actually made me want to tear up.
Mia’s relationship with her parents also definitely had my attention. Wow, there were so many emotions going through me any time they came up.
This one was a well-done-executed blend of emotions, including humor, and I loved it!
Rarely do I read a romance and can confidently say “These two are meant for each other!” Like “soulmates” kind of meant for each other. This one could have just been a book about Mia and Noah being best friends and I probably would have liked it as much.
I haven’t read a marriage of convenience in a minute!!! This was a great reminder of how fun this trope really is. Mia and Noah had such great chemistry, so even though there is usually awkwardness that comes with this trope, Mia and Noah's own wasn't extreme because they’ve known each other forever. Their love for each other was overflowing in the book due to their devotion to helping each other and being with each other through tough times. I love it when I read a romance and it’s not just sweet words or sex, but ACTIONS!!!
“It hurts when someone you love pushes you away.”
Individually, they are both really struggling, with Mia having health problems and Noah still dealing with the death of his brother. They both struggle to let each other in with these specific issues. Usually, I’m one to get annoyed when characters push people away in the spirit of not putting their burdens on others but Ashley does a great job of making me truly understand these characters' intentions. At certain points, this actually made me want to tear up.
Mia’s relationship with her parents also definitely had my attention. Wow, there were so many emotions going through me any time they came up.
This one was a well-done-executed blend of emotions, including humor, and I loved it!
August 25, 2022
I was super excited to read this one after seeing a bunch of really glowing reviews from people I usually have similar opinions to, but unfortunately this really did not work for me :( I typically LOVE marriage of convenience stories, but I felt like every interaction between Mia and Noah felt forced at best and cheesy at worst and I just.... did not vibe at all with this story. With that being said, I do want to point out that I am definitely the odd man out on this one! It clearly wasn't the new favorite that I was hoping it would be, but this book has tons and tons of stellar reviews so if the premise interests you I definitely recommend you still give it a go! I hope that it works out better for you than it did for me lol
CW: organ transplant, death of a loved one, adoption, grief
CW: organ transplant, death of a loved one, adoption, grief
February 24, 2022
If this book is not on your radar, what are you doing with your life?! Honestly, I adored it. Would You Rather is a sparkling, warm, romance that reminds us why the friends-to-lovers trope is superior! Allison Ashley skillfully delivered a chemistry-filled, happy-hug-of-a-book set against the backdrop of real life struggle. It’s the kind of story I've been waiting for! A sexy closed door romance? Yes, please.
August 4, 2022
I think we all know by now that friends to lovers is my favorite trope, so I was pretty sure I was going to love this one going in. Add in fake dating and forced proximity and it is pretty much a recipe for perfection.
From the start, I became emotionally invested in Mia and Noah, not only as potential love interests, but also as separate individuals struggling through life. I wanted so badly for Mia to receive the transplant she needed and for Noah to deal with his grief in order to move on and find true happiness. The author did an amazing job at flushing out both of these characters and making them so realistic, I can envision them existing off the page as well as on it.
Ashley also did a great job of portraying chronic illness, and really showcasing the negative effects it has not only on your physical health, but on your mental health as well. It can seem a bit annoying at times that she feels she is a burden, but the fact of the matter is, when you suffer from a debilitating chronic illness, this is how you feel. End of story.
Thank you to MIRA and HTP for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend pre-ordering this one now so you’ll have it as soon as it hits shelves on September 23!
From the start, I became emotionally invested in Mia and Noah, not only as potential love interests, but also as separate individuals struggling through life. I wanted so badly for Mia to receive the transplant she needed and for Noah to deal with his grief in order to move on and find true happiness. The author did an amazing job at flushing out both of these characters and making them so realistic, I can envision them existing off the page as well as on it.
Ashley also did a great job of portraying chronic illness, and really showcasing the negative effects it has not only on your physical health, but on your mental health as well. It can seem a bit annoying at times that she feels she is a burden, but the fact of the matter is, when you suffer from a debilitating chronic illness, this is how you feel. End of story.
Thank you to MIRA and HTP for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend pre-ordering this one now so you’ll have it as soon as it hits shelves on September 23!
October 7, 2022
Would You Rather by Allison Ashley is a romantc comedy novel. The story in Would You Rather is one that changes the point of view between the two main characters and it is a mix of a friends to lovers romance that also has a bit of fake dating in the mix.
Mia has always dreamed of more for her life than just heading to the same old office everyday so when the opportunity to go back to school comes along it’s so hard to say no. Mia however needs her full time job for the medical insurance as she awaits a transplant surgery to save her life so school is not an option.
When Mia tells her best friend, Noah, of the opportunity and having to turn it down Noah comes up with a plan. Being friends forever Noah thinks no one will question them if Noah and Mia suddenly get married and then Mia can use his insurance and pursue her dreams but can the two of them still hide their attraction to one another being so close?
Would You Rather by Allison Ashley was a fun story with plenty of humor but also some heavier moments involved for the characters to pull at a reader’s heart too. I’m one that enjoys a couple with history together in romance stories and Noah and Mia being so close friends already made it easy to want to give them that little push to take their relationship further. And on top of that the push together came with another favorite of mine in faking being a couple so it was double the enjoyment. When finished I would definitely look for this author again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Mia has always dreamed of more for her life than just heading to the same old office everyday so when the opportunity to go back to school comes along it’s so hard to say no. Mia however needs her full time job for the medical insurance as she awaits a transplant surgery to save her life so school is not an option.
When Mia tells her best friend, Noah, of the opportunity and having to turn it down Noah comes up with a plan. Being friends forever Noah thinks no one will question them if Noah and Mia suddenly get married and then Mia can use his insurance and pursue her dreams but can the two of them still hide their attraction to one another being so close?
Would You Rather by Allison Ashley was a fun story with plenty of humor but also some heavier moments involved for the characters to pull at a reader’s heart too. I’m one that enjoys a couple with history together in romance stories and Noah and Mia being so close friends already made it easy to want to give them that little push to take their relationship further. And on top of that the push together came with another favorite of mine in faking being a couple so it was double the enjoyment. When finished I would definitely look for this author again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 28, 2022
Great read. I love them but Mia was a stubborn fool much of the time. Frustrating!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love reading a great story about friends to lovers’ romance. There’s always one that has a secret love for the other that has been festering for years. It’s such a revelation when everything finally comes to light.
Ashley does a wonderful job with her character development, especially with the intense love Noah shows for her. It is a little heartbreaking to watch him struggle with the deep feelings that he is hidden for years.
She too has strong feelings for him that have been hidden. But both of them were struggling with the fear of losing each other so ignorance is bliss I guess – until it is not.
The author delivers a touching story that brings up so many different emotions. Hurt, anger, and fear are just to start. But one of my main peeves is the frustration with her extreme denial of assistance of any kind. She is overly stubborn and it got super repetitive for a bit.
But all of the feels are definitely there. While the steam level is pretty low, the anticipation is high and intense. These two are definitely meant to be. That made it all worthwhile!
Would You Rather is definitely a swoon-worthy read that leaves you with a feel-good smile for days.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/would-you-ra...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love reading a great story about friends to lovers’ romance. There’s always one that has a secret love for the other that has been festering for years. It’s such a revelation when everything finally comes to light.
Ashley does a wonderful job with her character development, especially with the intense love Noah shows for her. It is a little heartbreaking to watch him struggle with the deep feelings that he is hidden for years.
She too has strong feelings for him that have been hidden. But both of them were struggling with the fear of losing each other so ignorance is bliss I guess – until it is not.
The author delivers a touching story that brings up so many different emotions. Hurt, anger, and fear are just to start. But one of my main peeves is the frustration with her extreme denial of assistance of any kind. She is overly stubborn and it got super repetitive for a bit.
But all of the feels are definitely there. While the steam level is pretty low, the anticipation is high and intense. These two are definitely meant to be. That made it all worthwhile!
Would You Rather is definitely a swoon-worthy read that leaves you with a feel-good smile for days.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/would-you-ra...
August 27, 2022
when she falls hard BUT HE FALLS 2828373738 TIMES HARDER
THAT’S RIGHT, READ THAT AGAIN. This was one of the best romances I’ve read this summer.
Two best friends who would do anything for each other, get into a marriage of convenience and slowly but surely start feeling a little more then they were expecting to.
EVEN THOUGH HE’S BEEN IN COMPLETE LOVE WITH HER FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE AND IS JUST THE MOST CINNAMON ROLL IN THE UNIVERSE BUT HOT ASF IN THE BEDSHEETS
Anyways,
there’s nothing I love more than romances with domesticity, small cut scenes like touching her hair, cooking each other their favorite things, and taking care of each other when they’re sick(YES THERE’S A TAKING CARE SCENE), and when they can’t stay away from each other because they miss each other so much.
This book was a delight to read, ugh i cannot get enough of it!
Mia and Noah were just such amazing character, and i just enjoyed this book sooooooo much.
Please red it. Bye.
THAT’S RIGHT, READ THAT AGAIN. This was one of the best romances I’ve read this summer.
Two best friends who would do anything for each other, get into a marriage of convenience and slowly but surely start feeling a little more then they were expecting to.
EVEN THOUGH HE’S BEEN IN COMPLETE LOVE WITH HER FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE AND IS JUST THE MOST CINNAMON ROLL IN THE UNIVERSE BUT HOT ASF IN THE BEDSHEETS
Anyways,
there’s nothing I love more than romances with domesticity, small cut scenes like touching her hair, cooking each other their favorite things, and taking care of each other when they’re sick(YES THERE’S A TAKING CARE SCENE), and when they can’t stay away from each other because they miss each other so much.
This book was a delight to read, ugh i cannot get enough of it!
Mia and Noah were just such amazing character, and i just enjoyed this book sooooooo much.
Please red it. Bye.
October 27, 2023
4 Stars
Heart-warming and deeply romantic, Would You Rather is one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I’ve ever read.
Noah and Mia have been besties since childhood, and although there have been moments over the years when their relationship was on the verge of change, something always happened that would keep them squarely in the friend zone.
When chronically ill Mia receives an unmissable opportunity to return to college to pursue once-abandoned professional dreams, she is torn and heartbroken to realise she’ll have to decline the offer because her precarious health status demands she stay in her unfulfilling job to keep her insurance relevant.
But, when she shares her news with Noah, he provides a new solution that may solve all of Mia’s problems: marry him so she can quit her job and be covered under his work insurance.
Mia agrees, after a fair bit of convincing on Noah’s part, and the two quickly get hitched and then have to find ways to convince all their loved ones and co-workers that their newfound love is the real deal—which, as it turns out, doesn’t involve that much of an act for these two lifelong friends.
The marriage-of-convenience set-up is always a trope that draws me like a moth to a flame, so naturally this 2022 romance has been high on my TBR since it first crossed my path while randomly scrolling on IG. And thank goodness for random book finds, because, I tell you, Allison Ashley’s writing was absolute perfection, and I was very quickly swept away by her lovely characters and heartfelt storytelling.
I adored Noah as our kind-hearted, still grieving (the past tragic death of his older brother), pining hero, who’d loved Mia fiercely (but secretly) since they were teenagers. His adoration for her was swoonworthy—the kind of respect, pride, and longing for his best friend that made my heart skip a beat and my tummy break out in butterflies. He was an absolutely marvellous male lead.
Mia was equally as great—which is saying something because I often don’t feel as strongly about the heroine’s in my contemporary romance reading. The trick here, I think, was that Mia was so damn normal, and in that normalness, she was relatable.
I especially connected with Mia and her chronic illness life. Her experience of what it’s like to be a highly functioning sick person, with a chronic illness that affects literally every aspect of her life, resonated with me on a deeper level. I won’t get into details, but I thought the representation here, in that regard, was absolutely spot on and I appreciated the hell out of it.
Overall, this was just such a lovely read, both emotional and uplifting and unreservedly romantic. If you love yourselves a friends-to-lovers romance or are a fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope, then Mia and Noah’s love story will be for you!
Heart-warming and deeply romantic, Would You Rather is one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I’ve ever read.
“Being around you is my happy place.”
Noah and Mia have been besties since childhood, and although there have been moments over the years when their relationship was on the verge of change, something always happened that would keep them squarely in the friend zone.
When chronically ill Mia receives an unmissable opportunity to return to college to pursue once-abandoned professional dreams, she is torn and heartbroken to realise she’ll have to decline the offer because her precarious health status demands she stay in her unfulfilling job to keep her insurance relevant.
But, when she shares her news with Noah, he provides a new solution that may solve all of Mia’s problems: marry him so she can quit her job and be covered under his work insurance.
Mia agrees, after a fair bit of convincing on Noah’s part, and the two quickly get hitched and then have to find ways to convince all their loved ones and co-workers that their newfound love is the real deal—which, as it turns out, doesn’t involve that much of an act for these two lifelong friends.
“A tingle spread along the nape of her neck. His expression, normally restrained and serious, was bare and exposed, the longing on his face so apparent it was almost uncomfortable to look at.”
The marriage-of-convenience set-up is always a trope that draws me like a moth to a flame, so naturally this 2022 romance has been high on my TBR since it first crossed my path while randomly scrolling on IG. And thank goodness for random book finds, because, I tell you, Allison Ashley’s writing was absolute perfection, and I was very quickly swept away by her lovely characters and heartfelt storytelling.
I adored Noah as our kind-hearted, still grieving (the past tragic death of his older brother), pining hero, who’d loved Mia fiercely (but secretly) since they were teenagers. His adoration for her was swoonworthy—the kind of respect, pride, and longing for his best friend that made my heart skip a beat and my tummy break out in butterflies. He was an absolutely marvellous male lead.
His lips moved to her ear, his breath hot on her neck as he rasped, “You’re my wife. My wife.” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her skin. “Mine.”
Mia was equally as great—which is saying something because I often don’t feel as strongly about the heroine’s in my contemporary romance reading. The trick here, I think, was that Mia was so damn normal, and in that normalness, she was relatable.
I especially connected with Mia and her chronic illness life. Her experience of what it’s like to be a highly functioning sick person, with a chronic illness that affects literally every aspect of her life, resonated with me on a deeper level. I won’t get into details, but I thought the representation here, in that regard, was absolutely spot on and I appreciated the hell out of it.
“Loving someone with a chronic illness is different. It’s harder. Complicated. I’m the one living it, and yet the part that bothers me the most is seeing the people around me suffer. My parents. You… I’m lucky that I’m able to function normally most of the time. But when I was first diagnosed and every time I have a flare, the helplessness I see on your faces is ten times worse than the pain of my actual disease.”
Overall, this was just such a lovely read, both emotional and uplifting and unreservedly romantic. If you love yourselves a friends-to-lovers romance or are a fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope, then Mia and Noah’s love story will be for you!
“I’ve waited my entire life to get to where we are. I’m not interested in going back or starting over.”
August 28, 2022
No....just...no.
Both of them need therapy. And they need to really question their definition of love. Love does not equal lust for fucks sake.
He's a creep. The way he described her body and wanting to "do things to her" was hella gross. He kept describing her body constantly. Very rarely did he mention any other feature. He also played the martyr act too much for someone who was lusting after his ill best friend. Also dude really made a huge deal of sacrifice and what not while describing wanting to touch her and not lose control around her because he was scared of the consequences like jesus. That's scary as hell. The power dynamic was WAY OFF in this relationship if you can even call it that.
She's a selfish idiot. I rarely side with parents but damn she treated them badly and for what? Adopting her and being there for her? Jesus Christ. Also whiny af. Like the reason she distanced herself from her parents was them not telling her she was adopted. And even when she found out the truth (that they found her abandoned and didn't tell her to not hurt her) she still called it a betrayal. So fucking selfish. And I read a review that said it is unearned and unfair to describe a character as well loved but not actually giving her any trait to make the reader love her and SO FUCKING TRUE!
No redemption for either of them. Both of them are insufferable individually and together. Also they have zero chemistry like none. Beyond having a lot of sex, they don't really have much going on in their relationship. There's nothing to make me believe that they actually love each other and want to be together beyond wanting to jump each other's bones. Also the jealousy and possesive behaviour was weird af. I am a total masochist so I finished this book but damn these two really need help.
Also their "redemption arcs" are done so like "okay now we have to make these annoying characters better so no character development but both of them will do a hurried gesture each to show they have grown". Also they kept harping over Noah's guilt for Rachel but Rachel gets to utter a total of 2 sentences. Way to make it all about Noah ugh.
Claire was a way more interesting character who was not brought in enough. I would much rather watch a story of her and Graham or her alone rather than these two. I would do the same for Julia.
Also need authors to stop equating lust with love. It's annoying as hell. Most of it was then describing each other bodies (majorly Noah. Massive creep) and thinking that is somehow supposed to convey they love each other? No. They have pent up sexual tension. There is more to why two people love each other and it is frustrating to see authors ignore all that and just considering sexual attraction the same as romantic feelings.
Terrible, terrible book. Also stop using the word "saucy". It's gross.
Both of them need therapy. And they need to really question their definition of love. Love does not equal lust for fucks sake.
He's a creep. The way he described her body and wanting to "do things to her" was hella gross. He kept describing her body constantly. Very rarely did he mention any other feature. He also played the martyr act too much for someone who was lusting after his ill best friend. Also dude really made a huge deal of sacrifice and what not while describing wanting to touch her and not lose control around her because he was scared of the consequences like jesus. That's scary as hell. The power dynamic was WAY OFF in this relationship if you can even call it that.
She's a selfish idiot. I rarely side with parents but damn she treated them badly and for what? Adopting her and being there for her? Jesus Christ. Also whiny af. Like the reason she distanced herself from her parents was them not telling her she was adopted. And even when she found out the truth (that they found her abandoned and didn't tell her to not hurt her) she still called it a betrayal. So fucking selfish. And I read a review that said it is unearned and unfair to describe a character as well loved but not actually giving her any trait to make the reader love her and SO FUCKING TRUE!
No redemption for either of them. Both of them are insufferable individually and together. Also they have zero chemistry like none. Beyond having a lot of sex, they don't really have much going on in their relationship. There's nothing to make me believe that they actually love each other and want to be together beyond wanting to jump each other's bones. Also the jealousy and possesive behaviour was weird af. I am a total masochist so I finished this book but damn these two really need help.
Also their "redemption arcs" are done so like "okay now we have to make these annoying characters better so no character development but both of them will do a hurried gesture each to show they have grown". Also they kept harping over Noah's guilt for Rachel but Rachel gets to utter a total of 2 sentences. Way to make it all about Noah ugh.
Claire was a way more interesting character who was not brought in enough. I would much rather watch a story of her and Graham or her alone rather than these two. I would do the same for Julia.
Also need authors to stop equating lust with love. It's annoying as hell. Most of it was then describing each other bodies (majorly Noah. Massive creep) and thinking that is somehow supposed to convey they love each other? No. They have pent up sexual tension. There is more to why two people love each other and it is frustrating to see authors ignore all that and just considering sexual attraction the same as romantic feelings.
Terrible, terrible book. Also stop using the word "saucy". It's gross.
September 6, 2022
4.75 out of 5 stars.
If you loved Marriage For One by Ella Maise and Purple Hearts, then this book is a MUST read for you.
I was planning on giving this book 4 stars because at times it got ridiculous and even awkward, but I couldn't help myself and despite it all I'm rounding this up to 5 stars.
Even though it's been almost 10 minutes that I finished it I'm still melting because how freaking cute this was.
If you loved Marriage For One by Ella Maise and Purple Hearts, then this book is a MUST read for you.
I was planning on giving this book 4 stars because at times it got ridiculous and even awkward, but I couldn't help myself and despite it all I'm rounding this up to 5 stars.
Even though it's been almost 10 minutes that I finished it I'm still melting because how freaking cute this was.
August 24, 2022
This wasn’t bad and I liked a lot about it but there was also a lot I didn’t like and that kinda balances out to a three
October 21, 2023
What a delightful read. I love this book. Would You Rather is a sweet simple straight forward friend to lover romance. I usually not a fan of this genre but Miss Ashley certainly change my mind.
Mia and Noah are both likeable and relatable. Their friendship is sweet and cute. Their romance is intimate and heartfelt. Love the writing style.
4 stars
Mia and Noah are both likeable and relatable. Their friendship is sweet and cute. Their romance is intimate and heartfelt. Love the writing style.
4 stars
September 3, 2022
oh i just so did not care. like at all.
May 9, 2022
Allison Ashley wrote one of my favorite books of this year FOR SURE!!! Would You Rather is the story of two best friends who agree to get a marriage of convenience in order for Mia, the heroine, to get Noah's health insurance. I love me a marriage of convenience romance, BUT ALSO WITH BEST FRIENDS TROPE???? SIGN ME UP IMMEDIATELY.
This was amazing; I was swooning from page one. Allison Ashley has a very great voice and her writing is superb, I truly enjoyed every second I spent reading this book. It's so sweet and romantic, but also very deep and emotional. Noah is grieving his brother's death and because of it, he is still harboring some guilt and emotions deep inside him that he has to work out through the novel. So, read the trigger warnings before anything, because I do not want any of you to come into the book and not know what you are in for!
But also fully expect cute moments between the main characters. OH AND THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE A LITTLE KISSING LESSON IN ORDER FOR YOU KNOW... SO THE PUBLIC AND FRIENDS DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS FAKE. lmao so they're like "we should kiss so we can practice and we can sell our marriage as love" and it's wonderful because oooooh they have sexy tension and their kisses are intense!!!! There's some forced proximity because Mia moves in with Noah and there's a moment where they have to sleep in the same bed/room because one of their friends sleeps over and they don't know they're not really married because they love each other lmao.
I adore that Noah has been in love with Mia since they were teens and he has waited for her patiently sobs he knows she's the one for him and just wants her to see him in that same way!!! They have so much history and they feel like each other's person, you know? I love that. They know each other inside and out and better than anyone else. This is one of the main reasons why I love the best friends to lovers trope because they already know each other... and they practically feel married already so it's just wearing a ring to let everyone know they are each other's person.
This was amazing; I was swooning from page one. Allison Ashley has a very great voice and her writing is superb, I truly enjoyed every second I spent reading this book. It's so sweet and romantic, but also very deep and emotional. Noah is grieving his brother's death and because of it, he is still harboring some guilt and emotions deep inside him that he has to work out through the novel. So, read the trigger warnings before anything, because I do not want any of you to come into the book and not know what you are in for!
But also fully expect cute moments between the main characters. OH AND THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE A LITTLE KISSING LESSON IN ORDER FOR YOU KNOW... SO THE PUBLIC AND FRIENDS DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS FAKE. lmao so they're like "we should kiss so we can practice and we can sell our marriage as love" and it's wonderful because oooooh they have sexy tension and their kisses are intense!!!! There's some forced proximity because Mia moves in with Noah and there's a moment where they have to sleep in the same bed/room because one of their friends sleeps over and they don't know they're not really married because they love each other lmao.
I adore that Noah has been in love with Mia since they were teens and he has waited for her patiently sobs he knows she's the one for him and just wants her to see him in that same way!!! They have so much history and they feel like each other's person, you know? I love that. They know each other inside and out and better than anyone else. This is one of the main reasons why I love the best friends to lovers trope because they already know each other... and they practically feel married already so it's just wearing a ring to let everyone know they are each other's person.
August 16, 2022
I haven't read many, but I adore marriage of convenience romances! This one had the added bonus of Noah and Mia not only being colleagues but also best friends. You could really feel the years of friendship between them. And the pining? So good. The intense love Noah had towards Mia was palpable within the first few chapters!
Awaiting a kidney transplant and wanting to return to school, Mia accepts Noah's proposal to marry in order to keep her medical insurance. The awkwardness between them as they settle into their new arrangement was absolutely adorable. There were some fantastic one-bed scenes, let me say!
I liked this romance a lot, but the sporadic jumps of time were sometimes jarring. It often felt like important moments weren’t given enough detail. Overall I simply wanted more depth, especially in the storylines outside of the romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Awaiting a kidney transplant and wanting to return to school, Mia accepts Noah's proposal to marry in order to keep her medical insurance. The awkwardness between them as they settle into their new arrangement was absolutely adorable. There were some fantastic one-bed scenes, let me say!
I liked this romance a lot, but the sporadic jumps of time were sometimes jarring. It often felt like important moments weren’t given enough detail. Overall I simply wanted more depth, especially in the storylines outside of the romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
June 13, 2023
"Would you rather do this life separate or together?"
She smiled, covering his hand with hers. "Together."
This book and the characters were just so wholesome guys! I'm in love with Mia & Noah's story! Both of them cared for each other and wanted nothing more than each others happiness. The way they encouraged each other to follow their dreams and not let their problems hold them back was commendable! They were such pure and real characters and I couldn't help but root for them to end up together forever. Besides, the mutual pinning was EVERYTHING! All the other side characters were adorable too especially Claire & Graham. Is it wrong that I want them to have their own book because I definitely felt some chemistry between them! This is the first book I read by Allison Ashley and it certainly won't be the last, looking forward to read her future works.
She smiled, covering his hand with hers. "Together."
This book and the characters were just so wholesome guys! I'm in love with Mia & Noah's story! Both of them cared for each other and wanted nothing more than each others happiness. The way they encouraged each other to follow their dreams and not let their problems hold them back was commendable! They were such pure and real characters and I couldn't help but root for them to end up together forever. Besides, the mutual pinning was EVERYTHING! All the other side characters were adorable too especially Claire & Graham. Is it wrong that I want them to have their own book because I definitely felt some chemistry between them! This is the first book I read by Allison Ashley and it certainly won't be the last, looking forward to read her future works.
July 25, 2022
WOW!! All the stars possible!! Would You Rather totally exceeded my expectations and is a MUST read for fans of romance books with emotional depth. I’m still thinking about this one and would recommend it to literally all readers.
Noah and Mia have been best friends since they were seven. While each deeply attracted to the other, neither of them have acted upon their feelings. When Mia gets the opportunity to go back to school to pursue the career of her dreams but needs her job's medical insurance, Noah proposes that the two get married. As Mia and Noah spend more time together, live under the same roof and display public signs of affection, they have a harder time hiding their feelings and start to see what was there all along.
I LOVE a childhood best friends to lovers book and this one is now ranked very highly on my favorites list. I felt the instant chemistry between the two, loved their banter, all the would you rather games and how they always just got each other. I loved how the marriage of convenience was used for medical reasons and how their history and backgrounds made it all the more plausible. There was a big emotional side to the story that pulled at my heartstrings so many times- the worry of being a burden because of an illness, the weight carried after a family tragedy, the emotions you feel when a friend just gets you and the opportunity to have a second chance to do what you love. Literally pre-order this book/ request from the lib because it is SO GOOD.
Read if you like:
-Best friends to lovers
-Marriage of convenience
-Forced proximity
-All the pinning
-Closed door scenes
-Dual POVS
-Baking/ nutrition
Thank you HTP and Mira for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 8/23
Noah and Mia have been best friends since they were seven. While each deeply attracted to the other, neither of them have acted upon their feelings. When Mia gets the opportunity to go back to school to pursue the career of her dreams but needs her job's medical insurance, Noah proposes that the two get married. As Mia and Noah spend more time together, live under the same roof and display public signs of affection, they have a harder time hiding their feelings and start to see what was there all along.
I LOVE a childhood best friends to lovers book and this one is now ranked very highly on my favorites list. I felt the instant chemistry between the two, loved their banter, all the would you rather games and how they always just got each other. I loved how the marriage of convenience was used for medical reasons and how their history and backgrounds made it all the more plausible. There was a big emotional side to the story that pulled at my heartstrings so many times- the worry of being a burden because of an illness, the weight carried after a family tragedy, the emotions you feel when a friend just gets you and the opportunity to have a second chance to do what you love. Literally pre-order this book/ request from the lib because it is SO GOOD.
Read if you like:
-Best friends to lovers
-Marriage of convenience
-Forced proximity
-All the pinning
-Closed door scenes
-Dual POVS
-Baking/ nutrition
Thank you HTP and Mira for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 8/23
August 8, 2023
Me devoré en pocos días este libro porque estaba atrapada en su trama. Un friends to lovers donde se conocen desde pequeños, lleno de humor pero también drama, su toque spicy infaltable, compañeros de trabajo, este fake dating llevado a otro nivel en un matrimonio por conveniencia y mi cliché favorito: "él se enamora primero" o mejor aún "él siempre estuvo enamorado de ella". Pero hay harto drama, y es que hay secretos familiares, un accidente devastador, duelo, culpa y problemas de salud que se suman a las mentiras y engaños en las que se verán envueltos los protagonistas, pero por una buena causa, que Mia pueda retomar el curso hacia su vocación sin perder su seguro médico.
La trama me recordó un poco a películas como La propuesta o Corazones malheridos, pero tiene elementos que la hacen muy original también y me encantó. En los primeros capítulos ya estaba enamorada de Noah y es que su actitud tierna y a la vez protectora me derritieron. También quedé encantada con los personajes secundarios que son los mejores amigos de los protagonistas y estoy ansiosa por conocerlos más en el siguiente libro de la autora sobre ellos: The Roommate Pact. Espero la editorial también nos traiga la traducción porque complementa totalmente la gran apuesta que fue esta novela llena de emociones pero con un final que es un abrazo al corazón.
4,5 stars
La trama me recordó un poco a películas como La propuesta o Corazones malheridos, pero tiene elementos que la hacen muy original también y me encantó. En los primeros capítulos ya estaba enamorada de Noah y es que su actitud tierna y a la vez protectora me derritieron. También quedé encantada con los personajes secundarios que son los mejores amigos de los protagonistas y estoy ansiosa por conocerlos más en el siguiente libro de la autora sobre ellos: The Roommate Pact. Espero la editorial también nos traiga la traducción porque complementa totalmente la gran apuesta que fue esta novela llena de emociones pero con un final que es un abrazo al corazón.
4,5 stars
January 29, 2022
I am ridiculously picky when it comes to the friends-to-lovers trope...but oh my word! This book is AMAZING!! I seriously couldn't put it down, I am absolute trash for Noah and Mia 😭😍 Allison Ashley nailed this love story that is somehow both a tearjerker and a super cute romance with moments that will make you squeal out loud. Seriously, the way Allison balances the emotional backstories of Noah and Mia with their sweet and flirtatious moments blew me away. One minute I was laughing and aww-ing and the next I was tearing up. This is a book where I'll be rereading my favorite scenes from for a long time to come!
December 31, 2022
“stop thinking so hard and just marry me already.”
i read this book in one sitting. it was such a cute friends to lovers story with a lot of emotional depth. noah and mia had the best chemistry, and the fake relationship plot had me hooked. 🥹🥲🫶🏼
i read this book in one sitting. it was such a cute friends to lovers story with a lot of emotional depth. noah and mia had the best chemistry, and the fake relationship plot had me hooked. 🥹🥲🫶🏼
September 3, 2022
4.25-4.5?
September 8, 2022
This didn't quite live up to the hype for me, but I can see why fans of friends to lovers romances would eat it up. One of my favorite tropes is marriage of convenience, so I was cautiously optimistic that this would be the rare friends to lovers scenario that would resonate with me. And there are some pretty great elements to the story - I loved that the cinnamon roll hero is SO gone for his girl; that was apparent from the first few chapters, and remained one of the best parts for sure. There are some swoony situations that almost melted my heart... but it seemed like something was always getting in the way. For one, the heroine's reluctance to cross the line was very, very frustrating. There were also tons of time jumps that just completely extinguished all of the chemistry that was building. It's like the book moves through time so quickly that none of the moments had the depth they needed - making me feel like this had tons of unfulfilled potential.
The story follows Mia, a woman who needs a kidney transplant. She's been living with chronic illness for the last decade, and that has made her avoid relationships. Mia doesn't want to burden a loved one with the responsibility of caring for her, so she's buried her feelings for her best friend (Noah), and has almost convinced herself that they don't exist. But when an educational opportunity presents itself and Noah suggests that they get married so Mia can have health insurance without needing to work on her own, the offer is tempting. Anyone who has met the two of them knows how deeply they care for each other, but spending time in close proximity is dangerous. Noah has been head over heels for Mia for what feels like forever, and calling her his wife is surely not going to change that.
I always have a tough time with friends to lovers romances because I get distracted with thoughts of the characters' messy dating histories - and this book leads with that. Mia goes so far as to push Noah towards other women, and that definitely got a bit of a side-eye from me. Noah was steadfast the entire time though, determined to have this time with Mia and support her along the way. I really loved Noah, and he's what made me want to rate the book higher. Seriously good book boyfriend material, for sure, and their friend bond was very well developed. I think I would've had a much easier time settling into the story if it hadn't constantly been jumping forward a few weeks or a month at a time. It was like every time I would start to feel the chemistry and become invested in the romance, there would be a time jump. So I was left with my frustration over Mia's attitude or my distraction over their history, and that prevented me from settling into the moment. Which is a real shame, because there's a whole lot that I liked about this - if it hadn't bounced between so many different times and subplots, then I think I would've really enjoyed it.
The story follows Mia, a woman who needs a kidney transplant. She's been living with chronic illness for the last decade, and that has made her avoid relationships. Mia doesn't want to burden a loved one with the responsibility of caring for her, so she's buried her feelings for her best friend (Noah), and has almost convinced herself that they don't exist. But when an educational opportunity presents itself and Noah suggests that they get married so Mia can have health insurance without needing to work on her own, the offer is tempting. Anyone who has met the two of them knows how deeply they care for each other, but spending time in close proximity is dangerous. Noah has been head over heels for Mia for what feels like forever, and calling her his wife is surely not going to change that.
I always have a tough time with friends to lovers romances because I get distracted with thoughts of the characters' messy dating histories - and this book leads with that. Mia goes so far as to push Noah towards other women, and that definitely got a bit of a side-eye from me. Noah was steadfast the entire time though, determined to have this time with Mia and support her along the way. I really loved Noah, and he's what made me want to rate the book higher. Seriously good book boyfriend material, for sure, and their friend bond was very well developed. I think I would've had a much easier time settling into the story if it hadn't constantly been jumping forward a few weeks or a month at a time. It was like every time I would start to feel the chemistry and become invested in the romance, there would be a time jump. So I was left with my frustration over Mia's attitude or my distraction over their history, and that prevented me from settling into the moment. Which is a real shame, because there's a whole lot that I liked about this - if it hadn't bounced between so many different times and subplots, then I think I would've really enjoyed it.
August 29, 2022
”Stop thinking so hard and just marry me already.”
This book caught me by surprise!
If you want a friends-to-lovers read that has:
• quality dual pov
• the marriage of convenience trope
• LOTS of pining
• character growth & protectiveness 😏
then y’all need to pick this up.
I felt things and I liked it! So you might too 😂😌😏🤞🏼
4/5⭐️
This book caught me by surprise!
If you want a friends-to-lovers read that has:
• quality dual pov
• the marriage of convenience trope
• LOTS of pining
• character growth & protectiveness 😏
then y’all need to pick this up.
I felt things and I liked it! So you might too 😂😌😏🤞🏼
4/5⭐️
August 29, 2022
Noah and Mia have been best friends since they were 8 years old. Both of them have very strong feelings for one another, but have kept it secret, not knowing how the other feels. Mia has heath issues, and needs a kidney transplant, so does not want to burden Noah. Noah is happy to have Mia as a friend and doesn't want to scare her off. When Mia gets a scholarship to return to school, she can't go if she has to quit her job as she needs health insurance. Noah is up for a promotion at work, but is willing to take a chance for Mia. He offers to marry her, in name only, so she can be put on his medical insurance and return to school with her scholarship. If the employer or insurance company finds out, there will be consequences. Not only that, but will this fake marriage actually allow them to show what they really feel toward one another?
I absolutely loved this story. First, friends to lovers, or in this case, a married couple is a great trope, and Allison Ashley did a great job with this story. I loved Noah's character. He was so selfless and his love for Mia was so beautiful. Mia was a bit stubborn at times. She was so worried about not letting anyone be burdened, that she wouldn't let anyone help her, nor pay attention to what her actions were doing to someone she loved. I really enjoyed reading this one and seeing how this relationship played out. This is first and foremost a lovely romance, but there are also some serious issues, such as medical problems, guilt, grief, education and following your dreams. This a story that I definitely recommend! Courtney Patterson does a great job with the narration of this one. I loved her emotion, expression, voices and pacing. If you enjoy audiobooks, then I recommend you listen to this one.
I absolutely loved this story. First, friends to lovers, or in this case, a married couple is a great trope, and Allison Ashley did a great job with this story. I loved Noah's character. He was so selfless and his love for Mia was so beautiful. Mia was a bit stubborn at times. She was so worried about not letting anyone be burdened, that she wouldn't let anyone help her, nor pay attention to what her actions were doing to someone she loved. I really enjoyed reading this one and seeing how this relationship played out. This is first and foremost a lovely romance, but there are also some serious issues, such as medical problems, guilt, grief, education and following your dreams. This a story that I definitely recommend! Courtney Patterson does a great job with the narration of this one. I loved her emotion, expression, voices and pacing. If you enjoy audiobooks, then I recommend you listen to this one.
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