The Perfect Fake Date: A best friends to lovers romance

Woah! What an intense love story! Eve and Kenan have been best friends since childhood, but each believes the other would never entertain a romantic interest. This keeps them at arms length for far too long, and the story of how they finally move past all that is deliciously divine in every sense. Their chemistry is absolutely incendiary, their friendship is rock solid, and their insight into each other is unparalleled, except when ferreting out the other's romantic inclinations. This author never fails to entertain with her writing, but this one is by far the best of hers I've yet to read. Eve's inner dialogue is stellar, with so many inventive, unique phrases that perfectly conveyed her frustration and heart's confusion. Kenan's growly, dominating manner with her will melt even a nun's resolve, and their intimate scenes together were as hot as I've ever read. Both Eve and Kenan have issues to resolve with their parents, which are handled with heartbreaking honesty and life-changing secrets coming to light. I'm not sure I'd have forgiven his mother as quickly as he did, though. Still, watching Kenan progress through all the secrets and family ties helped to explain his insecurities and eventually helped him work through them all. I loved the HEA and the sheer beauty of their no-holds-barred honesty. These two have had a legendary love story decades in the making, and it was a joy to watch it all come together. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The Perfect Fake Date is the third in Naima Simone’s Billionaires of Boston series from Harlequin Desire. Kenan Rhodes is the third man to have his world turned upside down by the revelation that the wildly successful and cruelly manipulative Baron Farrell was his father. Forced to leave his family’s real estate business to assume a role in Farrell Enterprises, he continues to feel an outsider, much as he has the rest of his life. His one anchor has been his best friend, Eve Burke. Eve and Kenan have been best friends since they were children. Kenan has always felt more for Eve but recognizes that she’s been longing for his older brother Gavin for years. Determined to move on, he resolved to smooth the way for Eve and Gavin. Except we all know how that is going to work out! Naima Simone’s writing is lush and evocative and we feel every iota of Eve and Kenan’s desire and confusion and heartfelt journey as they fumble then work to restore their friendship and more. The Perfect Fake Date is a great friends to lovers and a fantastic close to this trilogy.

Kenan has been in love with his best friend Eve for 15 years. But Eve has a thing for his brother. He makes a deal with her: if she helps him with a business venture, he'll help her win his brother's heart. Only things don't go as expected. Could Kenan have a chance with Eve at last? This is a super-steamy romance with complex characters and complicated family relationships. Naima Simone is brilliant as usual, delivering an entertaining and satisfying read. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.