Review by Booklist Review
As romance novelist Truly St. James, Truly Livingston champions happily-ever-afters. However, catching her fiancé of six years cheating on her and finding out her parents, who have been happily married for 33 years, are now going to take a break from each other has shaken Truly's long-held belief in the existence of true love. Participating in a podcast on relationships with divorce attorney and romance cynic Colin McCrory does nothing to change Truly's disheartening point of view on all things romantic. Then Colin unexpectedly contacts Truly after the disastrous event, hoping they can have a re-match of sorts. But will accepting Colin's offer restore Truly's hope in true love or squash it forever? With her latest captivating romance, Bellefleur (The Fiancée Farce, 2023) expertly cooks up plenty of smoldering sexual chemistry between her two intriguingly irresistible protagonists, which in turn leads to some truly combustible love scenes. Readers who like their love stories both sweet and steamy and served up with a generous measure of sharp wit will be well-rewarded.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bellefleur (The Fiancé Farce) leans gently into the opposites attract trope in this playful contemporary romance. Caitlin McCrory invites two experts to offer dating advice on an episode of her hit podcast Unhinged: her brother Colin, a divorce attorney, to take the "realist" perspective; and Truly St. James, a historical romance author, to take the "romantic" perspective. It's terrible timing: Truly's reeling from having just discovered her fiancé with another woman. After her parents, who she's always looked to for romantic inspiration, tell her they're also thinking about separating, she's in no mood to engage Colin's on-air teasing--and she's very confused about the off-air flirting that follows their disastrous first meeting. As the duo repeatedly bump into each other, Truly develops an "embarrassing" crush. Though some of the subplots, including Truly goofily attempting to "parent trap" her folks' plans and Colin's rivalry with his twin brother, fall flat, the banter between the McCrory siblings; Truly and her bestie, Lulu; and Truly's show-tune--obsessed parents shines. The romance itself is swoon-worthy and Bellefleur sensitively handles both protagonists' bisexuality. The results are both incendiary and super sweet. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Best-selling romance novelist Truly Livingston should have canceled her guest appearance on a relationship podcast after discovering that her fiancé is cheating on her and learning that her beloved parents are starting a trial separation. Hoping for a distraction, Truly instead finds herself butting heads on air with cynical divorce lawyer Colin McCory, who (while charming and gorgeous) is also completely infuriating, especially when one of his counterarguments hits a bit too close to home. Truly leaves the recording, vowing to never return, but is willing to hear him out when Colin begs her for a fresh start. They form a tentative friendship, and Truly discovers there's far more to Colin than just his profession and skeptical outlook on happily-ever-afters, including their shared queerness. As their debates turn into flirtation, Truly will need to examine her own feelings on love, romance, and marriage, while her very foundation continues to be shaken by her parents' split. VERDICT Nonstop sparkling banter and absolutely delicious chemistry make this one of Bellefleur's (The Fiancée Farce) best and steamiest rom-coms yet. Truly, deeply fun from page one to the touching happily-ever-after.--Elizabeth Gabriel
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a divorce lawyer clash on a podcast over their differing perspectives on love. Truly Livingston has made her name--and her reputation--on her belief in the power of the happily-ever-after. As a successful historical romance author, she bases her stories on the real relationships in her life that have been going strong, including her parents' marriage. But when she walks in on her fiance cheating on her, and then her parents reveal that they'll be separating, Truly feels like everything she thought she knew about love has been turned upside down. Naturally, that's the perfect time for her to appear on a successful podcast and lend her best relationship advice, right? Truly doesn't want to be sitting across from the other guest, divorce lawyer and self-professed realist Colin McCrory, when she's not at her best, and as soon as Colin opens his mouth, she finds herself caught between his handsome appearance and his unattractive outlook on love. When their repartee starts to get a bit too personal, Truly makes a quick exit, swearing that she'll never appear on the podcast again--until Colin reaches out and asks for a do-over. Emailing turns into texting, which turns into random run-ins all over town, and soon Truly's having a hard time remembering why she thought Colin was so irritating in the first place. There's also evidence that their growing chemistry is the definition of fire, and Colin's admission that he doesn't mind Truly bossing him around in more ways than one stirs her up, too. Bellefleur's knack for snappy dialogue and engaging character dynamics is on display. Although secondary relationships aren't fully fleshed out and not every plotline is given a satisfying resolution, the journey of Truly and Colin's romance is well worth following. An irresistible, banter-filled romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
