DNF 35%
I did not like anything about this book. ( )

Lottie isn't willing to tell her parents that she's been fired, especially since they have been looking forward to having their house to themselves, so literally running into billionaire, Huxley Cane, seems like a miracle when he asks her to pretend to be his pregnant fiance. He pays her student debt, provides her with a place to live, and promises to lend a hand when she looks for a job. All she has to do is help him land a contract by playing this role, but as their relationship blossoms, professional and personal lines become blurred.

A Not So Meet Cute features two characters who are so mean to each other that it is difficult to like them, but when they provide reasons for their bad behavior, they are difficult to dislike. The crisp banter between the two protagonists makes them even more fun even though they continue to lie to those around them. Miscommunication does play a part in this novel, but it is easy to see it coming from the very beginning of the book. Overall, A Not So Meet Cute is a fun, easy read with a few laugh out loud moments, making this an enjoyable first book in this new series. ( )

Not So Meet Cute is a hilarious rom-com with plenty of laughs and several tropes baked in. The scenes at the baby classes were highly entertaining but completely over the top. I did find myself not connecting much to Lottie as she was often irrational and came across as immature. I don't think that is a flaw with the book as much as me having trouble connecting with characters as young as she is.

I was concerned about how the conflict they were dealing with was going to be resolved but I was very pleasantly surprised at how it was handled. Very satisfying for me.
The audio was very well done done by Aaron Shedlock and Ava Erickson. ( )

Lottie and Huxley… an interesting pair. Both made epic screw ups and needed the help of a stranger to fix it. Lottie needed a rich husband. Huxley needed a fake fiancé. They decide to help each other out. Hilarity ensues. But not surprisingly, the two fall for each other.

Most of this book was really funny and crazy and insane. Some of the situations these two get themselves into were truly hilarious. But it also was a lot frustrating watching them fall for each other but continue to deny it. But once they get started, things get very steamy between them.

This book is fun and light on the angst and the villains get what they deserve. So that’s always good. ( )

One of the best lines ever: "Well, that's a cactus to the armpit!"

Lotte loses her job in the most spectacularly shitty way. She was just planning to move out of her parents' house, which they are SUPER excited about BTW and this sets her back. She and her professional organizer sister get together to brainstorm over margi's and Lotte comes up with the hair brain plan to meet a rich husband while wearing cute athleisure wear as she walks down the street in the wealthy neighborhood a block over.

Huxley is a real estate developer trying to close a 10mil deal but he can't seem to convince the guy to sell him the property. His two brothers - who would give even the best female characters a run for a peanut gallery award - say it's because Huxley is too business and there's no connection. So, when Huxley runs into the guy with his pregnant fiancee at the deli, he creates a connection.

Character Development: While Lotte comes across as stupid at times (I mean her entire refusal to come up with an adult plan) and selfish, she is self-aware at least. When she messes up, she fesses' up and apologizes for it. Huxley has the capability to be better and occasionally is but always turns back to his safety net of being the unapproachable businessman. Is there any growth arc in these two? Well, partially. There won't be any super reveal from grump to empathetic lover but he does relax and Lotte takes things a bit more seriously.

Sex: pretty basic, hot, fake fiancee sex. Toys are used

Plot: basic fake fiancee/fake pregnancy tropes and funnier and funnier situations involving those two tropes. Naturally, the two mains are going to realize they actually like each other and there is a moment when that is threatened using a misunderstanding/miscommunication trope.

Recommended for 18+, rom-com/cozy romance readers who are looking for gateway smut that's a bit light and that you would be comfortable recommending to your Mum.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own. Read on my personal KU subscription.** ( )