A Not So Meet Cute by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: A Not So Meet Cute

Author: Meghan Quinn

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 404

Publication Date: 11/02/21

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Fake Dating

How did you two meet?

The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.

My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.

He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.

And that’s when we bumped into each other.

There were no sparks.

Not even a hint of blossoming love.

But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman–minus the frisky behavior.

We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?

The absolute audacity.

But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.

My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.

The best thing I liked about this fake dating romance is the humor especially when it came to the fake pregnancy – the pregnancy classes were just too funny! I did laugh out loud. It kind of had a Pretty Woman (the movie) vibe except Lottie is not a prostitute, etc…but Lottie does reference the movie a lot.

Lottie is desperate – she got fired. She is 28 and still lives at home with mom and step/dad but they hint at every chance they get that she needs to basically move out. Her sister Kelsey is already living on her own and has a small business that is about to take off and Lottie has no prospects except maybe finding a rich husband? Maybe?

Huxley Cane is a rich businessman who deals in real estate and he wants a certain property but the owner won’t cut a deal with him. Hux isn’t relatable enough so what does he do? He lies to get an in with the guy but the lie involves having a pregnant fiancee on short notice. What a predicament. That’s where Lottie runs into him and a plan and contract is set. They will fake date until Hux wins the contract.

These two are opposites attract in a nutshell. Lottie talks and babbles a lot, she says what is on her mind. Her emotions can be all over the place, especially when it comes to Hux who has tunnel vision on this deal like a man obsessed. He doesn’t show any emotions, he likes to be in control and in charge. It worked for the most part and the physical attraction between them was definitely there. When they finally cross the fake dating line, the scenes are steamy.

Kelsey, Lottie’s sister is what keeps her grounded. Same as Hux who has brothers that nag him to loosen up. I liked that they had supportive family. Their siblings are their besties.

I think this book was a tad bit too long. I don’t know why but I thought I could finish this in one sitting, it was funny, Lottie and Hux had sparks, in and out of the bedroom, the story was moving a long…or so I thought. At the 80% mark I was like…this isn’t over yet? lol…by then Lottie and Hux were getting it on, yet it was taking forever for Hux to close the deal with Dave.

It’s an opposites attract relationship but Lottie at first seemed like this lost soul, kind of a doormat because her toxic friend fires her from her job and she doesn’t fight back. Then she turns into this sexual spitball, but only when she is around Huxley. Guess he made her work extra hard to open him up because let’s talk about Huxley. He’s rich and handsome and underneath his cold gaze he actually cares about his workers, his companies and mostly his brothers but seriously…I was irritated with him demanding Lottie be a certain way when it was his big lie in the first place. 🤦🏻‍♀️ He got on my nerves sometimes. They both did, haha.

Why you should read it:

• there are some pretty funny moments
• lots of steamy scenes between Lottie and Hux
• opposites attract and fake-dating tropes

Why you might not want to read it:

• at times the couple got on my nerves, mostly Huxley
• this story could have ended at the 80% mark…so pacing is an issue

My thoughts:

This one was almost a hit and then it was a miss at some parts so I think my rating is a happy medium with how I felt after I read it. I wish Hux could’ve lightened up a bit sooner in the story because I wasn’t feeling it by the time he had to fix things and make everything better. I enjoyed the humorous parts of the story a lot and that’s what will make me remember the book.

📚 ~ Yolanda