Not Pretending Anymore

By Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

ISBN# 9781951045999

Ward’s Website:  http://penelopewardauthor.com/

Keeland’s Website:  https://www.vikeeland.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Labor and delivery nurse, Molly Corrigan, is looking for a roommate so she can afford her nicely located apartment in Chicago.  However, the people that have answered her ad have been horrendous!  Then Declan Tate shows up on her doorstep.  Her ad was for a female roommate, but he purposely disguised his gender so he could try to convince her to take a chance on him.  He really was the best candidate, but Molly thinks it will be too awkward to live with a strange man.  She turns him down.  But when a batch of cupcakes show up on her doorstep that he baked himself, she can’t resist them or him!

Both Declan and Molly have eyes on other people.  For Molly, it’s Dr. Will Daniels, who she’s had a crush on for years!  He just became single and she knows he won’t stay that way for long!  Declan has been crushing on his co-worker Julia.  The two of them are actually from California, but are on assignment for six months in Chicago.  Declan hopes that working so close together will help her see what’s right in front of her!

Declan and Molly get along great.  It doesn’t hurt that Declan is a great cook and has a wonderful sense of humor too.  As they spend time together, they start trying to help each other with their respective love interests.  They quickly learn that jealousy is a great motivator so Molly and Declan pretend to be dating to make Will and Julia jealous.  It works!  But what happens when you get the person of your dreams only to find out they aren’t the one your heart wants?

This writing duo is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorites!  They know how to put the perfect mix of humor, emotion, and romance into a book.  This story was amazing.  I didn’t want to put it down and I can’t wait to read more from these authors!

I loved everything about Declan.  Like I’ve already mentioned, he has a great sense of humor, he’s charming, and he just seemed like a lot of fun.  I would love to have a friend just like him!  His gestures were always so sweet and caring even if it’s just being there for a shoulder to cry on.  But he wasn’t without a few warts of his own.  His character brought mental illness into the light.  His fears of becoming his mother were heartbreaking.  And, this book illustrates how much hurt can be hiding behind a smile.  And, he sure knew how to leave a lasting impression…. with the help of the M&Ms.

Molly was a great character as well.  She could be a bit set in her ways, but it just takes the right person to loosen her up a bit!

I enjoyed the way these two interacted and joked around. 

“From the short time I’ve known you, I’m positive you don’t need anyone stroking your ego and making it bigger.”

“You’re right. I got something better than my ego that grows when you stroke it.” I winked.”

Declan’s thoughts and reactions to Dr. Dickalicious were always a good time too.  Speaking of Will, I almost feel bad for him because with a guy like Declan around, he didn’t stand a chance!

I enjoyed Declan’s sister, the nun, Catherine as well.  Between her and the ladies at the lesbian bar Declan was kept in line pretty well.

And, the ending of this book was sooo sweet.

This was a great read that I didn’t want to put down and I can’t wait to read more from these talented authors!  I just wish we could read more about this couple.  This novel was pure romantic perfection!