Act Like It by Lucy Parker – A- I admit I was far too late to the party on this book. However, just because I was late doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate.

I’ve read a review recently which indicated that some of the theatre stuff depicted in the book isn’t accurate but as I have no idea how theatre works it wasn’t at all a barrier for me. I am a big fan of witty banter and I loved what I got in Pretty Face. And I found more of the same here (even though Act Like It was written first). Grumpy heroes are also made of win for me and the fake relationship trope is a modern kind of marriage of convenience and I am so here for it.

I enjoyed the humour of the book, not just evident in the dialogue. Lucy Parker’s sense of humour and mine obviously mesh well. (Clearly we are meant to be BFFs. Sadly she lives in New Zealand and we have only “met” on Twitter.)

His house was far too big for one person. It took so long to get to his bedroom that he was lucky he was sexy or the mood might have waned.

The story itself took a mostly predictable path. There’s nothing wrong with that. The journey was loads of fun and I breezed through the read with a smile on my face most of the time. Where it diverged a little from the expected was in Lainie’s response to the black moment.

The woman she was now knew what she wanted—and she intended to have him. She would pit her personality against his any day.

Lainie is no damsel in distress. She understands consent as well and it is explicit in the book that if Richard is clearly and definitely not having it, it’s over. But she won’t let a lack of emotional courage on her part be the reason they can’t sort things out. I love that about her. Emotional bravery is an attractive trait and as it happens, it is something Richard admires and appreciates.

I liked that Richard doesn’t have a personality transplant. He modifies his behaviour somewhat for Lainie but he’s still a grumpy sod. Lainie doesn’t let him off the hook when he exhibits bad behaviour either. Basically this book is made of win and everyone should read it.

BUY IT:
AMAZON     KOBO

Reviews of these books will be up soon at AudioGals.