This is Alison Cochrun’s second book (debut was the Charm Offensive - queer take on The Bachelor) and it was as strong as her first. A quirky holiday rom-com with two neurodiverse leads. A major theme in the book is overcoming fear, but to me the central message was that the truth will set you free. Very timely. I liked how Cochrun stuck to the genre with this one, which is packed with different tropes- meet-cute, fake dating, only one bed, instalove and slow burn; while also playing with stereotypes and gendered expectations. There were parts that felt a little expository, especially when it came to sexuality and the asexual spectrum..but it’s not bad to have more education on that front. On the whole, I really enjoyed this one- it had me yearning and burning, and feeling ready for the holidays.

Short summary: Ellie is basically at rock bottom, so when her handsome landlord offers her a stupid amount of money to get fake married, she can’t say no. But when she learns his sister is the mystery woman she had a one-night stand with a year ago and has been pining for ever since, she must choose between a life-altering amount of money and the chance at true love.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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