One of our reading goals is working on our Netgalley feedback ratio. Eventually we want to get it to 80%. And to help motivate us we decided to do this new post every week. We pick three of our eARCs and based on the first line, paragraph, or page we decide which one we’ll read next. Let’s take a look at today’s picks for this week’s Netgalley Next!
The Fiancee Farce – Alexandria Bellefleur
Lambda Literary award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur returns with a steamy Sapphic rom-com about a quiet bookseller and a romance novel cover model who agree to a modern-day marriage-of-convenience…
Tansy Adams’ greatest love is her family’s bookstore, passed down from her late father. But when it comes to actual romance… Tansy can’t get past the first chapter. Tired of her stepfamily’s questions about her love life, Tansy invents Gemma, a fake girlfriend inspired by the stunning cover model on a bestselling book. They’ll never actually meet, so what’s the harm in a little fib? Yet when real-life Gemma crosses Tansy’s path, her white lie nearly implodes.
Gemma van Dalen is a wild child, the outcast of her wealthy family, and now the latest heir to Van Dalen Publishing. But the title comes with one tiny condition: she must be married in order to inherit. When Gemma discovers a beautiful stranger has been pretending to date her for months, she decides to take the charade one step further—and announces their engagement.
Gemma needs a wife to meet the terms of her grandfather’s will and Tansy needs money to save her struggling bookstore. A marriage could be mutually beneficial, if they can fool everyone into thinking it’s a love match. Unexpected sparks fly as Tansy and Gemma play the role of affectionate fiancées, and suddenly the line between convenient arrangement and real feelings begins to blur. But the scheming Van Dalen family won’t give up the company without a fight, and Gemma and Tansy’s newfound happiness might get caught in the fallout…
“A few stray petals fluttered to the floor as Madison van Dalen nee James’s bouquet soared through the air.”
Okay, I knew I needed this book after reading the beginning of the synopsis. The main characters are a quiet bookseller and a romance novel cover model? And a marriage of convenience? Sign me up! The first sentence doesn’t give us much, but I’m so excited about reading The Fiancee Farce.
The Hookup Plan – Farrah Rochon
Strong female friendships and a snappy enemies-to-lovers theme take center stage in this highly anticipated romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Dating Playbook.
Successful pediatric surgeon London Kelley just needs to find some balance and de-stress. According to her friends Samiah and Taylor, what London really needs is a casual hookup. A night of fun with no strings. But no one—least of all London—expected it to go down at her high school reunion with Drew Sullivan, millionaire, owner of delicious abs, and oh yes, her archnemesis.
Now London is certain the road to hell is paved with good sex. Because she’s found out the real reason Drew’s back in Austin: to decide whether her beloved hospital remains open. Worse, Drew is doing everything he can to show her that he’s a decent guy who actually cares. But London’s not falling for it. Because while sleeping with the enemy is one thing, falling for him is definitely not part of the plan.
“London Kelly struggled to pinpoint the source of the persistent throb assaulting the base of her skull.”
Enemies to lovers can be a lot of fun to read and this synopsis sounds like something I’ll love. Again, the first sentence doesn’t give us much, but I wonder if it’s Drew who is causing the headache, haha.
Off Script – Ashley Marie
The oldest trick in the book turns out to be the best thing that’s ever happened . . .
Jada Berklee’s acting career is finally heating back up after an on-set romance with her ex ruined her last job on a popular TV show. When she gets a second chance with a desirable supporting role in a hot new romantic comedy, Jada’s determined not to let on-set politics or her off-set ex get in the way again. She’s prepared, polished, professional–and she’s going to knock their socks off.
Still, despite Jada’s best efforts to keep her head down she accidentally walks in on leading man–and notorious lothario–Tristan Maxwell cheating on his latest fling. An intense and embarrassing showdown on set ensues. Of course, there are no secrets in Hollywood, and when their confrontation makes its way to the biggest gossip site in the world, it has consequences for both their careers.
With their reputations on the line, they need public relations rehab, and stat. Tristan’s agent suggests the perfect solution–a fake relationship to get the press off their back and repair both their images. Jada reluctantly agrees. But when their faux-romance begins to have real consequences for them both, Tristan and Jada need to decide if they’re in it for real, and not just when the cameras are rolling.
“A burst of adrenaline pulsed through Jade’s veins, the sensation familiar but unwelcome.”
When the main characters are in the acting business there can be a lot of drama. Which is either a lot of fun to read or can be a bit too much. I’m not sure which way this one is going to go, because again this first line doesn’t really grab me from the start.
It’s always hard to choose what books to start first, because so many of them sound amazing. Also, these sentences don’t really give me much to go on or have me wanting to read right away! If I look at the dates of releases, I really shouldn’t pick The Fiancee Farce, but it’s the one I’m most excited about. So I guess I’ll be starting that one first. Which one would you choose first? Let me know in the comments!
