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Mile High Firefighters #2
The Dating Dilemma
Lexi’s Reminders
* Work.
* Don’t think about your birthday tomorrow. Or debt, your crappy apartment, and nonexistent social life.
* Re-stock wine and ice cream because that’s coming.
* Die in a raging blaze of humiliation when the super-hot and very delicious fireman waiting in your office is not in fact the strip-o-gram birthday present you suspected.
* Reschedule the fire safety inspection you 100 percent failed because of said humiliation.
* Figure out how you, in fact, agreed to fake dating Mr. Not a Strip-O-Gram Fireman to help him with a bet.
* Oh yeah, and do not fall for this guy. Seriously, they call him One Night O’Neil. Red flags all over the place.
* Remember, this is fake dating, even though his very talented, very real lips are doing some sexy things you definitely like.
* Realize bending one tiny rule can’t be that bad, can it?
* Except bend too far, and something breaks. Something you can’t get back.
* Work.
* Don’t think about your birthday tomorrow. Or debt, your crappy apartment, and nonexistent social life.
* Re-stock wine and ice cream because that’s coming.
* Die in a raging blaze of humiliation when the super-hot and very delicious fireman waiting in your office is not in fact the strip-o-gram birthday present you suspected.
* Reschedule the fire safety inspection you 100 percent failed because of said humiliation.
* Figure out how you, in fact, agreed to fake dating Mr. Not a Strip-O-Gram Fireman to help him with a bet.
* Oh yeah, and do not fall for this guy. Seriously, they call him One Night O’Neil. Red flags all over the place.
* Remember, this is fake dating, even though his very talented, very real lips are doing some sexy things you definitely like.
* Realize bending one tiny rule can’t be that bad, can it?
* Except bend too far, and something breaks. Something you can’t get back.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2022
64 people are currently reading
647 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Ankenman
36 books777 followersBestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her.
Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books follow her on social media or sign up for her newsletter.
Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books follow her on social media or sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
May 4, 2022
I am so behind my reading target. It has been busy, confusing days lately for me. The weather has been very humid so it nakes my mood not on reading.
Anyway, The Dating Dilemma is OK read. Not really good but not really bad either. I am always confuse wha to write for mediocre book.
The chemistry is there but not sizzling hot. The banter is standard. Miss Ankenman attempting for humor but it fells flat.
And the cat allergy? Come on, you can get ur cat injected so it does not cause allergy reaction to human.
Anyway....
3 stars
Anyway, The Dating Dilemma is OK read. Not really good but not really bad either. I am always confuse wha to write for mediocre book.
The chemistry is there but not sizzling hot. The banter is standard. Miss Ankenman attempting for humor but it fells flat.
And the cat allergy? Come on, you can get ur cat injected so it does not cause allergy reaction to human.
Anyway....
3 stars
January 22, 2022
Fun, fake dating, family and friendship are all at the heart of this story and it’s fully engaging (see what I did there? Alliteration and a fire pun all in one lol:)
Lexi is a hardworking, selfless woman who runs a center for kids to keep them busy and off the streets. Dyson is a fireman who’s been burned by love ;) The day before her birthday, Dyson comes to the center to do an inspection and Lexi mistakes him for a strip-o-gram because he’s so hot. (I know, enough with the fire stuff lol) Once they sort out what’s really going on, they learn that they can be of help to each other-Dyson can help get the center up to code and Lexi can pretend to be his girlfriend to get his sisters off his back about dating. It starts out mutually beneficial and turns into so much more than they both ever anticipated.
I really enjoyed how they didn’t just dive right into things despite their obvious attraction for one another and the fact that they both had background noise that they needed to overcome helped add depth to the story. This will be a perfect beach read this summer, but in the meantime you can grab it to warm you on a cold day!
Publication date: January 24, 2022
Thanks to Entangled, wildfire marketing and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.
Lexi is a hardworking, selfless woman who runs a center for kids to keep them busy and off the streets. Dyson is a fireman who’s been burned by love ;) The day before her birthday, Dyson comes to the center to do an inspection and Lexi mistakes him for a strip-o-gram because he’s so hot. (I know, enough with the fire stuff lol) Once they sort out what’s really going on, they learn that they can be of help to each other-Dyson can help get the center up to code and Lexi can pretend to be his girlfriend to get his sisters off his back about dating. It starts out mutually beneficial and turns into so much more than they both ever anticipated.
I really enjoyed how they didn’t just dive right into things despite their obvious attraction for one another and the fact that they both had background noise that they needed to overcome helped add depth to the story. This will be a perfect beach read this summer, but in the meantime you can grab it to warm you on a cold day!
Publication date: January 24, 2022
Thanks to Entangled, wildfire marketing and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.
April 16, 2022
4.5 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
Featured Review
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a strip-o-gram when he is there to complete a fire inspection on the youth club that she manages. Both Lexi and Dyson have traumas that they are dealing with, and together they become friends to lovers. Fake dating to satisfy a bet and face your fears with fun, sexy, and sweet story additives that Mariah Ankenman knocked out of the park.
Video review available in Week 11: Mar 13 – Mar 19, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Featured Review
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a strip-o-gram when he is there to complete a fire inspection on the youth club that she manages. Both Lexi and Dyson have traumas that they are dealing with, and together they become friends to lovers. Fake dating to satisfy a bet and face your fears with fun, sexy, and sweet story additives that Mariah Ankenman knocked out of the park.
Video review available in Week 11: Mar 13 – Mar 19, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
January 7, 2022
*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a ARC of this book*
This was another fun entry to the Mile High Firefighters series by Mariah Ankenman. This one includes an endearing director of a kids center and the hunky fireman sent to inspect safety codes.
When our hero offers to fix up some failing safety codes and also needs a fake girlfriend to get his sisters off his back, Lexi finds herself in an interesting situation. She's supposed to be taking a break from dating to focus on herself. But Dyson isn't looking for a real relationship either, so what could go wrong? Even when they eventually turn into a fake relationship with benefits… it's totally under control… Right?
This book was full of funny moments and endearing moments. Many of which include the fact that Dyson loves to read romance and is just a little bit nerdy, which is a lot adorable. I had a great time ringing in New Year's weekend reading this book.
Something that is a bit tough for me with this author's books is that they are 3rd person. It is just always hard for me to fall into a book that is like that. Especially a romance. But it is a style choice that won't bother everyone. Also, I know this is a comedy, but some scenarios were slapstick in the extreme.
But go in for a good, easy time, and you will really enjoy yourself.
4/5 stars
This was another fun entry to the Mile High Firefighters series by Mariah Ankenman. This one includes an endearing director of a kids center and the hunky fireman sent to inspect safety codes.
When our hero offers to fix up some failing safety codes and also needs a fake girlfriend to get his sisters off his back, Lexi finds herself in an interesting situation. She's supposed to be taking a break from dating to focus on herself. But Dyson isn't looking for a real relationship either, so what could go wrong? Even when they eventually turn into a fake relationship with benefits… it's totally under control… Right?
This book was full of funny moments and endearing moments. Many of which include the fact that Dyson loves to read romance and is just a little bit nerdy, which is a lot adorable. I had a great time ringing in New Year's weekend reading this book.
Something that is a bit tough for me with this author's books is that they are 3rd person. It is just always hard for me to fall into a book that is like that. Especially a romance. But it is a style choice that won't bother everyone. Also, I know this is a comedy, but some scenarios were slapstick in the extreme.
But go in for a good, easy time, and you will really enjoy yourself.
4/5 stars
March 22, 2023
One of the most poorly written books I have ever read. The story outline was actually fun and creative. In the hands of someone who had ever learned to write it would have been pretty good.
January 25, 2022
The Dating Dilemma was a sweet, fake- relationship story with a funny meet-cute between the hero and heroine, the banter between them was entertaining especially when the heroine had a habit of speaking things out loud she didn’t intend to, and there was definitely smoldering heat between them.
Lexi loves her job as the assistant director of the Denver Youth Center, a non-profit that gives kids a safe place to come after school. Always low on funds, Lexi gives everything she has in her to the center and often to those around her never really taking her needs in to consideration. She’s one month into a bet with her best friend and roommate to not date and put herself first when she meets Dyson, in a funny and unusual way.
Dyson will admit he finds Lexi funny and attractive when he shows up to do a fire inspection at the Denver Youth Center and sees her panic at the repairs needed. He really didn’t mean to offer to help, but he also knows centers like this one are important and rely heavily on volunteers. After fending off a bad set-up by his sisters and with them bugging him to get on the dating apps, he tells them he’s dating Lexi and realizes now he needs to get her on board for a fake relationship.
I liked these two together and the arrangement they made to help each other out, but their relationship was almost too easy. They were very comfortable together and fell into an easy friendship that turned into a friends with benefits and eventually more. They both had some hang-ups from previous relationships and of course there was a conflict but it really wasn’t anything big and was solved pretty quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a big fan of angst but everything just was so easy for these two. At times the story seemed to lag a bit but all of that being said I did like the book; it just isn’t one I’d ever re-read.
Overall, this was a cute story but not all the memorable.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Lexi loves her job as the assistant director of the Denver Youth Center, a non-profit that gives kids a safe place to come after school. Always low on funds, Lexi gives everything she has in her to the center and often to those around her never really taking her needs in to consideration. She’s one month into a bet with her best friend and roommate to not date and put herself first when she meets Dyson, in a funny and unusual way.
Dyson will admit he finds Lexi funny and attractive when he shows up to do a fire inspection at the Denver Youth Center and sees her panic at the repairs needed. He really didn’t mean to offer to help, but he also knows centers like this one are important and rely heavily on volunteers. After fending off a bad set-up by his sisters and with them bugging him to get on the dating apps, he tells them he’s dating Lexi and realizes now he needs to get her on board for a fake relationship.
I liked these two together and the arrangement they made to help each other out, but their relationship was almost too easy. They were very comfortable together and fell into an easy friendship that turned into a friends with benefits and eventually more. They both had some hang-ups from previous relationships and of course there was a conflict but it really wasn’t anything big and was solved pretty quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a big fan of angst but everything just was so easy for these two. At times the story seemed to lag a bit but all of that being said I did like the book; it just isn’t one I’d ever re-read.
Overall, this was a cute story but not all the memorable.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
December 30, 2021
I'm not going to lie, it reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Maybe it's because I was reading this while watching Hallmark movies. Anyway, it was a very enjoyable read. Plus, it's a dual pov, which we love.
Dyson is a firefighter who has to do an inspection at Lexi’s youth community center. Despite the fact that she failed the inspection, Dyson chooses to help her because fixing everything would be extremely expensive. The connection between them began at that same instant, but due to previous relationships, neither of them will express their feelings to the other.
They've each made a bet with their friends. Lexi bet was that she wouldn't be able to date anyone for six months, while Dyson bet was that he couldn't pull off fake dating Lexi for a month. His bet came about after his sisters wanted him to date but he refused, so they took matters into their own hands and arranged for him to date. He wasn't going to let that happen, so he pretended to date Lexi.
As a result, they both ended up pretending to date in order to make his sisters happy. However, true feelings begin to emerge, and neither of them understands how to deal with them.
*Thank you to Netgallery for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Dyson is a firefighter who has to do an inspection at Lexi’s youth community center. Despite the fact that she failed the inspection, Dyson chooses to help her because fixing everything would be extremely expensive. The connection between them began at that same instant, but due to previous relationships, neither of them will express their feelings to the other.
They've each made a bet with their friends. Lexi bet was that she wouldn't be able to date anyone for six months, while Dyson bet was that he couldn't pull off fake dating Lexi for a month. His bet came about after his sisters wanted him to date but he refused, so they took matters into their own hands and arranged for him to date. He wasn't going to let that happen, so he pretended to date Lexi.
As a result, they both ended up pretending to date in order to make his sisters happy. However, true feelings begin to emerge, and neither of them understands how to deal with them.
*Thank you to Netgallery for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
January 24, 2022
I wanted to read this book since I've read the blurb, and those abs on the cover helped a little. The story kept me glued to my kindle from the very first scene where Lexi mistakes the hot firefighter for a stripper as a birthday present for her. I just had to see what will happen next, and next till the last page.
It is an interesting, entertaining fake relationship that will grow into something more. All that fake dating started as a mutual agreement to get Dyson's sisters of his back and she would have a help to fix up some failing safety codes in the Centre where she works.. Perfect deal for both of them, what would go wrong? Through the story that fake relationship, evolves into fake relationship with benefits and later....you will have to find out by yourself.
I really enjoyed reading this cute romance and as a part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series, I will read the other instalments too
*Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
It is an interesting, entertaining fake relationship that will grow into something more. All that fake dating started as a mutual agreement to get Dyson's sisters of his back and she would have a help to fix up some failing safety codes in the Centre where she works.. Perfect deal for both of them, what would go wrong? Through the story that fake relationship, evolves into fake relationship with benefits and later....you will have to find out by yourself.
I really enjoyed reading this cute romance and as a part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series, I will read the other instalments too
*Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
January 19, 2022
If you are looking for a fun, fake-dating romance that has a wonderful element of friendship and family, then look no further. This novel is an absolute delight, Mariah Ankenman has written such a charming and delightful romance between a fireman and a woman who runs an center for kids. Ankenman's story is low on angst, full of humor and charmed with strong familial and friend relationships. The story is well paced, with fun situations and wonderful moments of sweetness that it keeps the reader engaged with a smile on their face as they root for this romance.
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a birthday strip-o-gram present from her best friend and roommate, but soon comes to realize he is a real firefighter here to do a fire code inspection of the Kid's Center. This charming start to their relationship is taken in stride and humor as these two learn that they can be of help to the other. Dyson can do pro-bono work in order to bring the center up to code and Lexi can help Dyson by being his fake girlfriend to get his sister's off his back. What turns out as a mutual relationship of help blossoms into friendship that might just tip over into love.
This story is just really delightful, sweet and charming. Lexi is such a hard worker who puts others before her. Her heart is so big that she just wants the best for her kids and her friends even at the cost of her own comfort. Dyson is sweet and smart, his heart is also big and he loves his sisters so much. I love the softness of the way Lexi and Dyson begin to develop their relationship, they are both attracted to each other, but they have both had poor romantic relationships in the past that they spend a lot of time tip toeing around each other. I really love that these two see the worth in the other, they both are able to understand each other. Lexi and Dyson are able to build a foundation of friendship which is really lovely before they decide to explore a more physical side of their relationship. Once they move into a friends with benefits situation, the steam level rises to a nice level and we see how the opening up of their relationship to this level really helps to motivate them in understanding the importance of the other.
Definitely pick this book up if you are looking for a fun and delightful read! Not only does it have such an endearing romance but it has wonderful friendships and strengths of family that help to guide our hero and heroine in the development of their relationship. It is the perfect way to spend and evening and I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of Mariah Ankenman's works.
OUT January 24, 2022
Thank you to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a birthday strip-o-gram present from her best friend and roommate, but soon comes to realize he is a real firefighter here to do a fire code inspection of the Kid's Center. This charming start to their relationship is taken in stride and humor as these two learn that they can be of help to the other. Dyson can do pro-bono work in order to bring the center up to code and Lexi can help Dyson by being his fake girlfriend to get his sister's off his back. What turns out as a mutual relationship of help blossoms into friendship that might just tip over into love.
This story is just really delightful, sweet and charming. Lexi is such a hard worker who puts others before her. Her heart is so big that she just wants the best for her kids and her friends even at the cost of her own comfort. Dyson is sweet and smart, his heart is also big and he loves his sisters so much. I love the softness of the way Lexi and Dyson begin to develop their relationship, they are both attracted to each other, but they have both had poor romantic relationships in the past that they spend a lot of time tip toeing around each other. I really love that these two see the worth in the other, they both are able to understand each other. Lexi and Dyson are able to build a foundation of friendship which is really lovely before they decide to explore a more physical side of their relationship. Once they move into a friends with benefits situation, the steam level rises to a nice level and we see how the opening up of their relationship to this level really helps to motivate them in understanding the importance of the other.
Definitely pick this book up if you are looking for a fun and delightful read! Not only does it have such an endearing romance but it has wonderful friendships and strengths of family that help to guide our hero and heroine in the development of their relationship. It is the perfect way to spend and evening and I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of Mariah Ankenman's works.
OUT January 24, 2022
Thank you to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 10, 2022
I'm going to admit, I picked this up because of the yummy abs on the cover. Plus who doesn't love a spot of fake dating? I also stan a hero who reads romance novels! Yes!
Lexi and Dyson are both a bit of a hot mess, and I love that about them. I didn't love how Lexi's tendency to accidentally verbalizer her inner thoughts was done - I was never quite sure what she actually SAID as the book is written in the third person. So if she thought she needed to jump on his pogo stick (not a real example, lol), what came out of her mouth? "I need to jump on his pogo stick" I assume? But some of the things don't translate so directly, and it just jolted me out of the story each time. I feel like this could have been done a bit more smoothly if her thoughts she was accidentally verbalizing were "thought out" on the page in italics in the first person, as you sometimes see. That being said, her tendency to blurt her inner thoughts was really adorable, and I loved how cute Dyson thought it was as well.
The side characters in this were really fun. I love Dyson's sisters and want to read their books for themselves as well please! Lexi's roommate and his boyfriend were also a lot of fun, as well as Dyson's coworkers at the firehouse. I absolutely want to go to trivia night with this cast of characters please!
The chemistry between Lexi and Dyson is so sweet and fun and flirty - and also super hot. Also I love the tropes in this one: fake dating, slow burn, "we just need to get this out of our systems," oops feelings... This was my first book by Mariah Ankenman, but I'm definitely going to go read more now!
This is the second book in the Mile High Firefighters series, and can be read as a stand alone. There are some spoilers I think for the first book in the series, The Wedding Dilemma, as well as another couple that I think is from another of Mariah's series, Mile High Happiness. I haven't read either of these other books (yet) but the spoilers don't seem to be much more than what you'd get from reading the back cover blurb. I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series, The Firefighter's Dilemma, an enemies to lovers trope for Ward and Diaz!
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
Lexi and Dyson are both a bit of a hot mess, and I love that about them. I didn't love how Lexi's tendency to accidentally verbalizer her inner thoughts was done - I was never quite sure what she actually SAID as the book is written in the third person. So if she thought she needed to jump on his pogo stick (not a real example, lol), what came out of her mouth? "I need to jump on his pogo stick" I assume? But some of the things don't translate so directly, and it just jolted me out of the story each time. I feel like this could have been done a bit more smoothly if her thoughts she was accidentally verbalizing were "thought out" on the page in italics in the first person, as you sometimes see. That being said, her tendency to blurt her inner thoughts was really adorable, and I loved how cute Dyson thought it was as well.
The side characters in this were really fun. I love Dyson's sisters and want to read their books for themselves as well please! Lexi's roommate and his boyfriend were also a lot of fun, as well as Dyson's coworkers at the firehouse. I absolutely want to go to trivia night with this cast of characters please!
The chemistry between Lexi and Dyson is so sweet and fun and flirty - and also super hot. Also I love the tropes in this one: fake dating, slow burn, "we just need to get this out of our systems," oops feelings... This was my first book by Mariah Ankenman, but I'm definitely going to go read more now!
This is the second book in the Mile High Firefighters series, and can be read as a stand alone. There are some spoilers I think for the first book in the series, The Wedding Dilemma, as well as another couple that I think is from another of Mariah's series, Mile High Happiness. I haven't read either of these other books (yet) but the spoilers don't seem to be much more than what you'd get from reading the back cover blurb. I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series, The Firefighter's Dilemma, an enemies to lovers trope for Ward and Diaz!
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
June 10, 2023
It was really good, but there was something about it that didn't draw me in. Fun read and great characters.
January 24, 2022
Amazon / Nook / Kobo / Google Play / Apple
When Dyson's dispatched to a center to inspect it for fire regulations, he gains much more than just an inspection when he meets the center's director and agrees to help her pass the next time they're inspected if she agrees to be his fake girlfriend.
Lexi's thinking this "firefighter" isn't so much a firefighter as a birthday present and a strip o gram when he shows up all muscular and hot to "inspect" her youth center. Luckily for her, not only is he a real firefighter, but he's got a heart of gold and agrees to help her pass inspection next time. One little thing she has to do is be his fake girlfriend. But that's no problem as long as she keeps her heart out of it and remembers they aren't real. No problem...
Aww, I loved this one! Lexi and Dyson are so sweet together. They both have insecurities, though, so made things a tad difficult at times, but in the end they figured everything out and found happiness with each other. Their chemistry is hot, they're funny and adorable, and I can't wait for more firefighters to fall in love now.
ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
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January 26, 2022
"The Dating Dilemma" was a funny, sweet fake relationship romance between firefighter Dyson O'Neil and Lexi Martin, the assistant director of the Denver Youth Center. Their incredibly awkward first meeting had me both laughing out loud and experiencing secondhand embarrassment on Lexi's behalf. Fortunately, Dyson wasn't offended when she mistook him for a strip-o-gram sent by her best friend as a birthday surprise. In fact, when he found several fire code violations while conducting the center's annual fire safety inspection, he offered to do the repairs himself as an excuse to spend more time with her. Shortly thereafter, when his friend suggested that Dyson find a fake girlfriend in order to get his younger sisters to stop trying to set him up on blind dates, Lexi was the first person who came to mind. She agreed to his plan, but it quickly became apparent that the only thing they were faking was not falling for each other.
In addition to Lexi and Dyson, the book featured a number of likeable, entertaining secondary characters who added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. My favorites were Dyson's fellow firefighters Ward and Diaz, whose antics were just as entertaining in this story as they were in the previous book of the series. I'm so happy that they'll be getting their own story later this year! I also enjoyed getting to know Dyson's sweet but meddling younger sisters, Gemma and Macy. I'd love to read future stories about them too.
Overall, I really enjoyed "The Dating Dilemma" and recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
In addition to Lexi and Dyson, the book featured a number of likeable, entertaining secondary characters who added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. My favorites were Dyson's fellow firefighters Ward and Diaz, whose antics were just as entertaining in this story as they were in the previous book of the series. I'm so happy that they'll be getting their own story later this year! I also enjoyed getting to know Dyson's sweet but meddling younger sisters, Gemma and Macy. I'd love to read future stories about them too.
Overall, I really enjoyed "The Dating Dilemma" and recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 8, 2022
The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman - my first book by this author I discovered on instagram. It's a fun read with likable characters who work to figure themselves out all while fake dating each other thanks to a couple of bets and bad experiences with previous boyfriends and girlfriends.
I enjoyed the characters of Lexi, who puts her heart and soul into a community center for kids, and Dyson, who is a local firefighter. When their paths crossed there are instant sparks for an attraction that only grows as the story goes on.
The story was a pleasure to read, had a great happy ending, but didn't have to deal with a lot of angst that would stress me out. I read the first few chapters last night before bed and finished the rest in one sitting today. If you're looking for a fun read that'll make you laugh, but not cry, pick up The Dating Dilemma!
I am all over books with a fake dating trope. I don't know why I love these, but I do! OK fine - probably because it gives the characters to really get to know each other and then find out that yeah - there is more than just the person's good looks - even if they aren't a strip-o-gram!!
Now I want to go back and read book 1 of this series!
Happy reading!
I enjoyed the characters of Lexi, who puts her heart and soul into a community center for kids, and Dyson, who is a local firefighter. When their paths crossed there are instant sparks for an attraction that only grows as the story goes on.
The story was a pleasure to read, had a great happy ending, but didn't have to deal with a lot of angst that would stress me out. I read the first few chapters last night before bed and finished the rest in one sitting today. If you're looking for a fun read that'll make you laugh, but not cry, pick up The Dating Dilemma!
I am all over books with a fake dating trope. I don't know why I love these, but I do! OK fine - probably because it gives the characters to really get to know each other and then find out that yeah - there is more than just the person's good looks - even if they aren't a strip-o-gram!!
Now I want to go back and read book 1 of this series!
Happy reading!
January 17, 2022
Lexi Martin runs a kids youth center and us surprised when her friend sends a Fireman stripogram to her work! How fun is that?
Well Dyson O'Neill is just trying to make a routine inspection of the center but you can see where this might go.
Lexi who has a bet with her roommate to not date since she never puts herself first in relationships. Dyson has a strict no dating rule due to a horrible break up.
When Dyson's sisters try to get him to date again he panics and mentions he's already dating Lexi.
I forgot to mention the center failed the inspection and he had been visiting to help fix the issues on his time off so them starting to date isn't out of the realm of possibility. Also, Lexi is one of those that accidentally says what she is thinking which is good for him but embarrassing for her lol.
Definitely enjoyed this cute story of two people that had been unlucky with love finding eachother.
Read if you like:
🔸 Fake dating
🔸 One bed
🔸 Hot Firemen
This is part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series which I need to read more of!
Thank you entangled_publishing and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
Well Dyson O'Neill is just trying to make a routine inspection of the center but you can see where this might go.
Lexi who has a bet with her roommate to not date since she never puts herself first in relationships. Dyson has a strict no dating rule due to a horrible break up.
When Dyson's sisters try to get him to date again he panics and mentions he's already dating Lexi.
I forgot to mention the center failed the inspection and he had been visiting to help fix the issues on his time off so them starting to date isn't out of the realm of possibility. Also, Lexi is one of those that accidentally says what she is thinking which is good for him but embarrassing for her lol.
Definitely enjoyed this cute story of two people that had been unlucky with love finding eachother.
Read if you like:
🔸 Fake dating
🔸 One bed
🔸 Hot Firemen
This is part of The Mile High Fire Fighters series which I need to read more of!
Thank you entangled_publishing and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
January 2, 2022
Netgalley ARC
Easy summer read that I finished in one morning sitting. So it kept my interest enough for me to read it one go. Who doesn't love the hot fireman trope?!
Both characters were fleshed out enough for me to care about them both and it was a romance that included a lot of insecurities on for each lead character.
Easy summer read that I finished in one morning sitting. So it kept my interest enough for me to read it one go. Who doesn't love the hot fireman trope?!
Both characters were fleshed out enough for me to care about them both and it was a romance that included a lot of insecurities on for each lead character.
May 27, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. I follow the author on Instagram, and I like the content she produces there. I was looking forward to reading one of her books, especially one with such a hook: mistaking a regular old fireman for a strip-o-gram at your place of work.
What shenanigans! I love a good romantic comedy.
Unfortunately, it became clear to me nearly from the first page that I would not like this book. There was something about the writing style that came across as amateur -- there was a little too much telling right off the bat that was a little too on the nose about the sort of people the romantic leads were. Toss in some unrealistic mannerisms and side characters, and I just couldn't continue. I had to DNF before I even got to the sex, which is saying something, because I love sex in my romance books and Mariah had promised this was her spiciest book to date. But I really couldn't force myself to get there.
Lexi works at a nonprofit center for troubled youth. When Dyson (yes that's his name and this book was allowed to publish with him named after a vacuum) arrives to do a fire inspection, Lexi mistakes him for a strip-o-gram. They manage to get over that embarrassment, and Lexi learns the center is not up to code. Dyson volunteers to fix the issues pro-bono. Back home, Lexi makes a bet with her roommate to stay single for six months, since she has a problem of putting more into relationships than she gets from her partner. Dyson, on the other hand, is determined to stay single after his fiancee cheated on him with a friend. He's wrangled into a separate bet with his co-workers: he has to convince his sisters that he's dating someone for a month. He asks Lexi to be his fake girlfriend after blurting out her name to his sisters.
The set-up is convoluted as all get out. If Lexi loses, she has to clean her apartment in a clown costume, which her roommate will film and post online (not only is Lexi ~deathly~ afraid of clowns but apparently such a video would also make it so the kids at the center would never respect her again) -- it's a ridiculous bet and one that no adult would take. But it's not as bad as Dyson agreeing to compete in a bet he literally has no stake in: his success or failure affects his two co-workers and he has no stake in at all. I think if one loses, the other has to eat his terrible food? There's literally no reason for Dyson to agree.
Let's talk about Dyson's sisters now. Dyson is their parental figure after the death of their mother and father. So he's a little overprotective in a cliche manner. But they suck even more, because they want him to find a woman and settle down and don't believe he's fine with one-night-stands. (He's not, but I'll talk about that in a bit). They don't listen to him when he says to back off and even submit one of their co-workers to a blind date at family dinner that neither Dyson nor the woman in question knew about! They threaten to set up a dating app profile for him and get him dates that way. I have an older sibling and I have never, ever wanted her to settle down so bad I would threaten to impersonate her to set her up with strangers. It's frustrating and I can't believe that he puts up with it as much as he does.
But here's the kicker: Dyson's whole "I'm better off single" shtick is from the cliche "I was burned by love before and therefore it must be useless" bullshit our society lets men get away with. Go to fucking therapy and work through your trust issues and emotional wounds. Go get closure and stop taking it out on every woman you ever meet in the future. So I don't like Dyson.
Then there's Lexi. She kicks off the book saying how important her job is, helping disadvantaged youth so you know she's a Good Person(tm). It felt lazy to have the character herself literally tell the reader how great of a person she is. What she did should have been enough for the reader to figure out she was a nice person who believed in doing good things for little pay. Not only that, she has a cringey habit of saying her inner thoughts out loud without knowing she's doing it and my response to that is: how? If you don't realize your body has engaged the physical mechanisms to form speech, surely she should be able to HEAR herself? It's so unbelievable and embarrassing to read.
So, I stopped reading. I made it about 30% in and I couldn't go on. Dyson and Lexi felt one dimensional. I didn't buy into their "chemistry" (sorry, Lexi just saying that she wanted to kiss Dyson's sexy, sexy face isn't enough. There was no TENSION). I didn't like the set up for the fake dating, and I love fake dating. The stakes were just so unrealistic.
My apologies to Mariah, but she didn't do it with this one.
| I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest, freely given review. |
What shenanigans! I love a good romantic comedy.
Unfortunately, it became clear to me nearly from the first page that I would not like this book. There was something about the writing style that came across as amateur -- there was a little too much telling right off the bat that was a little too on the nose about the sort of people the romantic leads were. Toss in some unrealistic mannerisms and side characters, and I just couldn't continue. I had to DNF before I even got to the sex, which is saying something, because I love sex in my romance books and Mariah had promised this was her spiciest book to date. But I really couldn't force myself to get there.
Lexi works at a nonprofit center for troubled youth. When Dyson (yes that's his name and this book was allowed to publish with him named after a vacuum) arrives to do a fire inspection, Lexi mistakes him for a strip-o-gram. They manage to get over that embarrassment, and Lexi learns the center is not up to code. Dyson volunteers to fix the issues pro-bono. Back home, Lexi makes a bet with her roommate to stay single for six months, since she has a problem of putting more into relationships than she gets from her partner. Dyson, on the other hand, is determined to stay single after his fiancee cheated on him with a friend. He's wrangled into a separate bet with his co-workers: he has to convince his sisters that he's dating someone for a month. He asks Lexi to be his fake girlfriend after blurting out her name to his sisters.
The set-up is convoluted as all get out. If Lexi loses, she has to clean her apartment in a clown costume, which her roommate will film and post online (not only is Lexi ~deathly~ afraid of clowns but apparently such a video would also make it so the kids at the center would never respect her again) -- it's a ridiculous bet and one that no adult would take. But it's not as bad as Dyson agreeing to compete in a bet he literally has no stake in: his success or failure affects his two co-workers and he has no stake in at all. I think if one loses, the other has to eat his terrible food? There's literally no reason for Dyson to agree.
Let's talk about Dyson's sisters now. Dyson is their parental figure after the death of their mother and father. So he's a little overprotective in a cliche manner. But they suck even more, because they want him to find a woman and settle down and don't believe he's fine with one-night-stands. (He's not, but I'll talk about that in a bit). They don't listen to him when he says to back off and even submit one of their co-workers to a blind date at family dinner that neither Dyson nor the woman in question knew about! They threaten to set up a dating app profile for him and get him dates that way. I have an older sibling and I have never, ever wanted her to settle down so bad I would threaten to impersonate her to set her up with strangers. It's frustrating and I can't believe that he puts up with it as much as he does.
But here's the kicker: Dyson's whole "I'm better off single" shtick is from the cliche "I was burned by love before and therefore it must be useless" bullshit our society lets men get away with. Go to fucking therapy and work through your trust issues and emotional wounds. Go get closure and stop taking it out on every woman you ever meet in the future. So I don't like Dyson.
Then there's Lexi. She kicks off the book saying how important her job is, helping disadvantaged youth so you know she's a Good Person(tm). It felt lazy to have the character herself literally tell the reader how great of a person she is. What she did should have been enough for the reader to figure out she was a nice person who believed in doing good things for little pay. Not only that, she has a cringey habit of saying her inner thoughts out loud without knowing she's doing it and my response to that is: how? If you don't realize your body has engaged the physical mechanisms to form speech, surely she should be able to HEAR herself? It's so unbelievable and embarrassing to read.
So, I stopped reading. I made it about 30% in and I couldn't go on. Dyson and Lexi felt one dimensional. I didn't buy into their "chemistry" (sorry, Lexi just saying that she wanted to kiss Dyson's sexy, sexy face isn't enough. There was no TENSION). I didn't like the set up for the fake dating, and I love fake dating. The stakes were just so unrealistic.
My apologies to Mariah, but she didn't do it with this one.
| I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest, freely given review. |
February 24, 2022
I voluntarily received an ARC of "The Dating Dilemma" by Mariah Ankenman via NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
"The Dating Dilemma" is a fake-dating romance with a bit of spice and lots of laugh out loud scenes.
2022 is my year of reading more contemporary romances and this was such a good start! I follow the author on tiktok and found I loved her humor so wanted to read some of her works.
Lexi and Dyson both have their personally reasons not to date. But when Dyson's sisters get too meddling he asks Lexi to pretend to be his girlfriend. What can go wrong when she is sworn off dating for a bet and he is know as 'One Night O'Neil'? What goes wrong is their fake relationship is just too right and real feelings begin to blur the lines.
This romance was really fun and had lots of laugh out loud moments. So many fire fighting puns and friends who are there to humble the main characters. The spicy scenes are also pretty good, not the spiciest out there but they are well written and really highlight how much the characters really want eachother.
My only complaint is that Dyson is not my favourite type of hero. Despite his own claims that he's not perfect, he's kind of too perfect. Though I gotta admit he sounds pretty hot! I just wish there was just a bit more grit.
If you love a lovey-dovey fake-dating romance with a hunky hero and a heroine learning to prioritize herself then this is definitely worth the read.
3.5/5 Stars
"The Dating Dilemma" is a fake-dating romance with a bit of spice and lots of laugh out loud scenes.
2022 is my year of reading more contemporary romances and this was such a good start! I follow the author on tiktok and found I loved her humor so wanted to read some of her works.
Lexi and Dyson both have their personally reasons not to date. But when Dyson's sisters get too meddling he asks Lexi to pretend to be his girlfriend. What can go wrong when she is sworn off dating for a bet and he is know as 'One Night O'Neil'? What goes wrong is their fake relationship is just too right and real feelings begin to blur the lines.
This romance was really fun and had lots of laugh out loud moments. So many fire fighting puns and friends who are there to humble the main characters. The spicy scenes are also pretty good, not the spiciest out there but they are well written and really highlight how much the characters really want eachother.
My only complaint is that Dyson is not my favourite type of hero. Despite his own claims that he's not perfect, he's kind of too perfect. Though I gotta admit he sounds pretty hot! I just wish there was just a bit more grit.
If you love a lovey-dovey fake-dating romance with a hunky hero and a heroine learning to prioritize herself then this is definitely worth the read.
3.5/5 Stars
January 24, 2022
Lexi and Dyson's story is one charming and funny story. I definitely liked this one better than the first one. If their first meet-cute is any indication, it sets the tone for the rest of the book, you know it's going to be a fun one. I definitely loved Lexi's character and all her verbal vomit. Even though they're fun and cute, they also have scorching chemistry and how slow burn their story is, adds to the tension between them even more. And I loved the side characters too, they add to the fun of the story too.
January 30, 2022
With an adorably sweet and funny heroine who has trouble with her brain-to-mouth filter and a long-suffering older brother, The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman gets off to a hilarious start that had me LOL and chuckling on and off for a good hour. Ankenman develops and evolves her complex, likable, and intriguing characters who draw you into the novel from page one, making it all 0too easy for you to care about them and their lives. In this quick read, she nicely balances intense, angsty, emotional moments with amusing, silly moments and steamy love scenes.
Lexi Martin is the assistant director of the nonprofit Denver Youth Center, which offers kids homework help, recreational activities, and a safe space after school. She wishes to forget her birthday—tomorrow—debt and crappy apartment. Denver Firefighter Dyson O’Neil comes to the center to perform a fire safety inspection and gets the surprise of his life when Lexi mistakes him for a stripper sent by her BFF for her birthday. Lexi’s not at all surprised when the center fails the inspection since it’s in disrepair and short on funds and staff. After a failed relationship and betrayal of trust, Dyson closed himself off from romantic relationships and now only engages in one-night stands, earning himself the nickname “One Night O’Neil.” Wanting him to start dating again, Dyson’s sisters and friends keep encouraging him to get back out there and trying to set him up on blind dates. To fend off his sisters’ relentless setup attempts, he tells them he’s already dating somebody. Dyson asks Lexi to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for him doing the repairs to get the center up to code as offered after the failed inspection. She agrees.
Dyson’s a good guy. He’s generous, kind, and an amazing brother who raised his sisters when their parents died in a house fire. Lexi is sweet, caring, and warm. Driven by the need to help others, she works too many hours at her job. Unfortunately, her overly generous nature leaves Lexi open to boyfriends taking advantage of her. So, she’s on a dating hiatus because of a bet with her roommate. But she is totally into Dyson. Ankenman does a lovely job developing the chemistry and relationship between Lexi and Dyson. Their attraction is immediate and intense, and it isn’t long before they have difficulty resisting giving in to desire. The more time they spend pretending to be dating, especially after sex enters the equation, the more difficult it becomes to keep things casual and their emotions uninvolved.
The Dating Dilemma is a sweet, steamy, hilarious, and angsty fake dating romance about facing and overcoming your fears, forgiveness, and taking a chance on love recommended for steamy and angsty rom-com fans.
Advanced review copy provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC via Netgalley for review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lexi Martin is the assistant director of the nonprofit Denver Youth Center, which offers kids homework help, recreational activities, and a safe space after school. She wishes to forget her birthday—tomorrow—debt and crappy apartment. Denver Firefighter Dyson O’Neil comes to the center to perform a fire safety inspection and gets the surprise of his life when Lexi mistakes him for a stripper sent by her BFF for her birthday. Lexi’s not at all surprised when the center fails the inspection since it’s in disrepair and short on funds and staff. After a failed relationship and betrayal of trust, Dyson closed himself off from romantic relationships and now only engages in one-night stands, earning himself the nickname “One Night O’Neil.” Wanting him to start dating again, Dyson’s sisters and friends keep encouraging him to get back out there and trying to set him up on blind dates. To fend off his sisters’ relentless setup attempts, he tells them he’s already dating somebody. Dyson asks Lexi to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for him doing the repairs to get the center up to code as offered after the failed inspection. She agrees.
Dyson’s a good guy. He’s generous, kind, and an amazing brother who raised his sisters when their parents died in a house fire. Lexi is sweet, caring, and warm. Driven by the need to help others, she works too many hours at her job. Unfortunately, her overly generous nature leaves Lexi open to boyfriends taking advantage of her. So, she’s on a dating hiatus because of a bet with her roommate. But she is totally into Dyson. Ankenman does a lovely job developing the chemistry and relationship between Lexi and Dyson. Their attraction is immediate and intense, and it isn’t long before they have difficulty resisting giving in to desire. The more time they spend pretending to be dating, especially after sex enters the equation, the more difficult it becomes to keep things casual and their emotions uninvolved.
The Dating Dilemma is a sweet, steamy, hilarious, and angsty fake dating romance about facing and overcoming your fears, forgiveness, and taking a chance on love recommended for steamy and angsty rom-com fans.
Advanced review copy provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC via Netgalley for review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 24, 2022
Lexi manages a youth center, and she is selfless when it comes to being there for the people in her life. When a sexy fireman shows up at her office, she thinks he is a birthday gift from her roommate and not there to perform an inspection. Things go from embarrassing from worst when she fails the inspection, and she isn’t certain how to pay for the repairs.
Dyson offers to do the necessary repairs on his days off so when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to avoid his matchmaking sister she agrees. The more time they spend together the more immersed they become in each other lives and what was supposed to be casual is starting to feel very real.
The characters draw you in and both have pasts to overcome. Neither was looking for love or a relationship but sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it.
Dyson offers to do the necessary repairs on his days off so when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to avoid his matchmaking sister she agrees. The more time they spend together the more immersed they become in each other lives and what was supposed to be casual is starting to feel very real.
The characters draw you in and both have pasts to overcome. Neither was looking for love or a relationship but sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it.
January 20, 2022
What a charming romcom!
The characters are witty and heartwarming. The shenanigans the author has them go through are adorkable. My favorite being the mistaken strip-o-gram the very beginning.
I really liked the emphasis about communication between partners, especially about not being afraid to ask for what you want. It’s a great message and the story didn’t feel preachy.
Her writing is super cute, funny and easy to read. I always enjoy a Mariah Ankenman book.
If you enjoy: romcom, funny shenanigans, fake dating, mild spice, insta-lust and heartwarming HEAs give this a try.
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing & NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
The characters are witty and heartwarming. The shenanigans the author has them go through are adorkable. My favorite being the mistaken strip-o-gram the very beginning.
I really liked the emphasis about communication between partners, especially about not being afraid to ask for what you want. It’s a great message and the story didn’t feel preachy.
Her writing is super cute, funny and easy to read. I always enjoy a Mariah Ankenman book.
If you enjoy: romcom, funny shenanigans, fake dating, mild spice, insta-lust and heartwarming HEAs give this a try.
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing & NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
January 27, 2022
Lexi mistakes Dyson for a birthday 'surprise Stipper' 😂 but she quickly finds out he is an actual fire fighter coming to do an inspection on the kids center. So when the center needs some help to get up to code and Dyson needs a fake girlfriend, maybe they can help each other out😊
This story was sweet, funny and so charming I couldnt stop reading😊 Dyson was the perfect book boyfriend, sweet sexy and he loved his sisters. The chemistry between these two was cute and flirty and HOT. Definitely a plus for me🥰
Read on behalf of
Fay's Corner
This story was sweet, funny and so charming I couldnt stop reading😊 Dyson was the perfect book boyfriend, sweet sexy and he loved his sisters. The chemistry between these two was cute and flirty and HOT. Definitely a plus for me🥰
Read on behalf of
Fay's Corner
January 29, 2022
Escape into the heat of an irresistible temptation. The Dating Dilemma is a showstopper. Lexi and Dyson are laugh your head off, each your heart out unpredictable fun. If laughter is the best medicine prepare to get hooked on love.
January 13, 2022
I love the Mile high firefighters series and this book is no different.
Lexi is a workaholic and Dyson is anti-dating. However, to stop his sisters from setting him up on a date, Dyson decides to fake date, Lexi. The rules were set out and they both would know where they stood.
I loved both Lexi and Dyson. Their quirks and humour made me laugh out loud and I loved the chemistry between them.
This is your typical rom-com, it is sweet, funny and has a happily ever after. What more could you ask for, right!
This book is the second book within the mile-high firefighters series, however, it can be read as a standalone. It has a dual POV which really added to the chemistry between Lexi and Dyson.
Overall I would recommend this book.
Thank you to the author, netgalley and wildfiremarketingsolutions for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Lexi is a workaholic and Dyson is anti-dating. However, to stop his sisters from setting him up on a date, Dyson decides to fake date, Lexi. The rules were set out and they both would know where they stood.
I loved both Lexi and Dyson. Their quirks and humour made me laugh out loud and I loved the chemistry between them.
This is your typical rom-com, it is sweet, funny and has a happily ever after. What more could you ask for, right!
This book is the second book within the mile-high firefighters series, however, it can be read as a standalone. It has a dual POV which really added to the chemistry between Lexi and Dyson.
Overall I would recommend this book.
Thank you to the author, netgalley and wildfiremarketingsolutions for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2022
The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman
Book 2 in Mile High Firefighters Series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dyson has a dating dilemma on his hands. Problem is he doesn’t want to date, but his sisters have other plans in mind. So when he gets mistaken for a strip-o-gram by Lexi when doing a safety inspection, he realizes what he must do to get his sisters off his back.
Book:
Pros….
💜Fake dating
💜Quirky pets
💜Chemistry
💜Amazing side characters
💜Facing fears
Cons…
☠️The strictness of rules
In all honesty I liked the dynamic of this book and would love to read more by Mariah Ankenman. Sometimes you have to face your fears for love.
Rating: 4⭐️
Book 2 in Mile High Firefighters Series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dyson has a dating dilemma on his hands. Problem is he doesn’t want to date, but his sisters have other plans in mind. So when he gets mistaken for a strip-o-gram by Lexi when doing a safety inspection, he realizes what he must do to get his sisters off his back.
Book:
Pros….
💜Fake dating
💜Quirky pets
💜Chemistry
💜Amazing side characters
💜Facing fears
Cons…
☠️The strictness of rules
In all honesty I liked the dynamic of this book and would love to read more by Mariah Ankenman. Sometimes you have to face your fears for love.
Rating: 4⭐️
January 25, 2022
I've been searching for a cute firefighter romance with some added spice so when I saw this book on Netgalley it was right up my alley.
We have sexy firefighter Dyson and overworked youth centre assistant director Lexi who after an embarrassing first encounter decide to start a fake relationship, though both characters are very clear that neither of them want to date and this is only a favour for a favour or is it?
I'm very picky when it comes to the fake dating trope but Mariah Ankenman wrote it in a very enjoyable way, I often found myself laughing out loud and swooning one too many times over Dyson. Nothing about their relationship felt rushed and I felt the plot flowed perfectly.
I could not put this book down and I'm excited for the story about Díaz and Ward to come out next!
* Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review
We have sexy firefighter Dyson and overworked youth centre assistant director Lexi who after an embarrassing first encounter decide to start a fake relationship, though both characters are very clear that neither of them want to date and this is only a favour for a favour or is it?
I'm very picky when it comes to the fake dating trope but Mariah Ankenman wrote it in a very enjoyable way, I often found myself laughing out loud and swooning one too many times over Dyson. Nothing about their relationship felt rushed and I felt the plot flowed perfectly.
I could not put this book down and I'm excited for the story about Díaz and Ward to come out next!
* Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review
February 16, 2022
Meet-cute (more like a meet-mess, which is the best kind of meet-cute, right?!?), hot firemen, fake dating, and allergies... Fun & sassy.
January 16, 2022
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman is the first book I have read by this author. I would consider this a fun, almost Rom Com read. Overall this started out as a 3 star for me. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters and I just couldn’t get past the name Dyson (all I thought was the dyson vacuum)... But I continued on and because of the character development and some of my favorite tropes were in this, I would place this between a 3.5 - 4 star. (depending on who I was recommending this book to).
We start off with Lexi hard at work. Lexi is our 27 (turning 28) year old, dedicated to working, cat loving, female main character. Since Lexi's birthday is coming up, her childhood best friend sends her a gift at work. So when this hot firefighter shows up, she thinks he is a strip-o-gram - thoroughly embarrassing herself. Dyson is enamored with Lexi’s sudden outburst (she has an issue with saying her inner monolog out loud), but does not poke fun at her because of this. Dyson is a real firefighter sent to her place of work to do an annual fire code inspection. This immediately worries Lexi. Because The Denver Youth Center is run strictly by donations and they do not have the means of fixing and repairing issues. However, the center is critical for the local kids who do not have anywhere else to go. Dyson completes the inspection and states that the center did not pass. But to Lexi’s surprise, Dyson volunteers his time to help repair the issues. Leaving Dyson and Lexi to become closer.However, Dyson has a strict no dating rule and Lexi has a bet to be single for 6 months.
Lexi has an issue with trying to fix people, leaving her to always put herself last and everything and everyone else first.
Dyson has developed a lot of fears from his past. He suffers from anxiety and has major trust issues. Because of his anxiety, he is always early. Because of this, he has picked up on reading. (We love a male book lover). In addition to his anxiety, his ex fiance cheated on him with his best friend, he now has major trust issues and vowed to never date again.
This book includes tropes like: fake dating, forced proximity, and sinlge bed.
TW for cheating and death.
Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC and Netgalley for the eARC of this book.
The Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman is the first book I have read by this author. I would consider this a fun, almost Rom Com read. Overall this started out as a 3 star for me. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters and I just couldn’t get past the name Dyson (all I thought was the dyson vacuum)... But I continued on and because of the character development and some of my favorite tropes were in this, I would place this between a 3.5 - 4 star. (depending on who I was recommending this book to).
We start off with Lexi hard at work. Lexi is our 27 (turning 28) year old, dedicated to working, cat loving, female main character. Since Lexi's birthday is coming up, her childhood best friend sends her a gift at work. So when this hot firefighter shows up, she thinks he is a strip-o-gram - thoroughly embarrassing herself. Dyson is enamored with Lexi’s sudden outburst (she has an issue with saying her inner monolog out loud), but does not poke fun at her because of this. Dyson is a real firefighter sent to her place of work to do an annual fire code inspection. This immediately worries Lexi. Because The Denver Youth Center is run strictly by donations and they do not have the means of fixing and repairing issues. However, the center is critical for the local kids who do not have anywhere else to go. Dyson completes the inspection and states that the center did not pass. But to Lexi’s surprise, Dyson volunteers his time to help repair the issues. Leaving Dyson and Lexi to become closer.However, Dyson has a strict no dating rule and Lexi has a bet to be single for 6 months.
Lexi has an issue with trying to fix people, leaving her to always put herself last and everything and everyone else first.
Dyson has developed a lot of fears from his past. He suffers from anxiety and has major trust issues. Because of his anxiety, he is always early. Because of this, he has picked up on reading. (We love a male book lover). In addition to his anxiety, his ex fiance cheated on him with his best friend, he now has major trust issues and vowed to never date again.
This book includes tropes like: fake dating, forced proximity, and sinlge bed.
TW for cheating and death.
Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC and Netgalley for the eARC of this book.
January 7, 2022
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Entangled Publishing LLC, for letting me read an ARC of this amazing book through NetGalley!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TRIGGER WARNING: betrayal, trauma, death, fears
"There went her fake boyfriend"
"You don't have to date him to do him, right?"
"Danger! Danger raging hormones! We can't jump him yet"
I absolutely loved this book!
In a period of time when I really needed something romantic to make me fell better again, this was exactly what did the trick!
The second book in a series where firefighters meet the love of their life for real this time but in the funniest of ways...
This book had some amazing tropes: fake dating, friends to lovers, sexual tension, slow burn and some drama in the middle of it all!
The author managed to deal with betrayal and loss of trust in the ability to love with the amazement that comes with finding someone who meets your match and can lighten up your days in way you're not expecting!!
That's what Lex and Dyson are for each other. Plus Lex is an amazing character, book-lover, unable to stop her mouth from saying what's in her head, and someone who can be a bit distracted...
"Her TBR was a bit out of control"
"Lex you have to stop asking me questions when you're head deep in Narnia"
There's sadness , trauma but so much love to cover it all, you'll feel like you're floating in cotton candy.
Friends and family around the corner trying to support something that hasn't happened yet... or maybe giving the first hints of it... facing fears together and communicating which are the most important things in a relationship. As well as maybe breaking some rules!
I loved how real both characters are and how scary of their feelings they could be while navigating their dynamics.
I can't wait for it to be published and I really wanna read something more about two of those side characters that picked my interest in more than one way...
"After all, it wasn't like she was going to actually fall for her fake boyfriend"
"At what point had he started to have real feelings for his fake girlfriend?"
"Lex, nothing is impossible. Improbable, but not impossible"
"Ask. As easy and as difficult as that"
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TRIGGER WARNING: betrayal, trauma, death, fears
"There went her fake boyfriend"
"You don't have to date him to do him, right?"
"Danger! Danger raging hormones! We can't jump him yet"
I absolutely loved this book!
In a period of time when I really needed something romantic to make me fell better again, this was exactly what did the trick!
The second book in a series where firefighters meet the love of their life for real this time but in the funniest of ways...
This book had some amazing tropes: fake dating, friends to lovers, sexual tension, slow burn and some drama in the middle of it all!
The author managed to deal with betrayal and loss of trust in the ability to love with the amazement that comes with finding someone who meets your match and can lighten up your days in way you're not expecting!!
That's what Lex and Dyson are for each other. Plus Lex is an amazing character, book-lover, unable to stop her mouth from saying what's in her head, and someone who can be a bit distracted...
"Her TBR was a bit out of control"
"Lex you have to stop asking me questions when you're head deep in Narnia"
There's sadness , trauma but so much love to cover it all, you'll feel like you're floating in cotton candy.
Friends and family around the corner trying to support something that hasn't happened yet... or maybe giving the first hints of it... facing fears together and communicating which are the most important things in a relationship. As well as maybe breaking some rules!
I loved how real both characters are and how scary of their feelings they could be while navigating their dynamics.
I can't wait for it to be published and I really wanna read something more about two of those side characters that picked my interest in more than one way...
"After all, it wasn't like she was going to actually fall for her fake boyfriend"
"At what point had he started to have real feelings for his fake girlfriend?"
"Lex, nothing is impossible. Improbable, but not impossible"
"Ask. As easy and as difficult as that"
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