Not Fooling Anyone, an
all-new fake relationship college romance from Allie Winters, is available now
in Kindle Unlimited!
The
deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each
get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for
fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping
others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.
Except,
I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly,
we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And
when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah,
that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and
funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for.
Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…
No,
that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m
interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is
the last thing on my mind.
Even
if I’m not fooling anyone.
‘Not Fooling Anyone’ is a full-length
contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Lessons
Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Grab your copy TODAY!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BAoNSR
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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LUq2Rm
My Review
While I typically shy away from college aged novels, this one won me over. Ethan and Lexie are in a Psych class, and forced to pretend that they’re a couple for a research study. Lexie needs the funds that participants are paid, and Ethan helps her get what she needs. When the two of them find out the attraction is mutual, and their participation confirms it, they end up taking their pretend relationship to a real one.
These two have some issues: Lexie has past relationship and family trauma, and Ethan is an athlete with connections to her dad. These two finally open up and communicate, but it’s a bit bumpy before they get to that point.
Excerpt
“We need to talk.”
Wow, just what every guy wants to
hear five minutes into his new fake relationship. “Are you breaking up with me?
And just when I thought
we were having a real
breakthrough.”
Those full lips of hers twitch, even
as she rolls her eyes, but she stays silent as she steers me over to the corner
of the lecture hall, her arm still linked with mine, and waits until we’re out
of earshot of others to whisper, “We have to come up with a game plan.”
“I think what you meant to say was thank you, Ethan. You’re my hero.”
She blinks up at me and lets go of my
arm, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s got this shapeless black hoodie
on, the same as last night, but her face is clear of the heavy makeup today,
her hazel eyes filled with annoyance.
“Thank you,” she mutters. I don’t doubt her sincerity, but I still
can’t help teasing her a little all the same.
“Was that painful? You looked like you were in pain
saying that.”
Her mouth tilts up at the corners for
the briefest moment before she stops herself. “I’m being serious here. I really am grateful. I just don’t… I
don’t like
being in anyone’s debt.” She looks down, the smallest bit of vulnerability
seeping through before she clears her throat, looking back up at me. “How about
I tutor you so we’re even?”
Tutor me? She honestly thinks I’m a meathead. I shrug, inwardly grinning. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she
finds out the truth. “Sure. I never turn down free help.”
“So how do you want to play this?”
“For being your fake boyfriend during
the study?”
She nods, gaze darting about.
“Do you not trust me to keep my mouth
shut around others?” I ask.
She releases a sigh. “I’m just double-checking.”
“Why’d you pick me?”
She blinks up at me, caught off guard. “You were
right there.”
Fair enough. “So you don’t have anyone else you’d rather do this with?”
Her gaze narrows slightly. “If you’re trying to ask if I’m seeing anyone,
the answer is no.”
Guess that was kind of obvious. “And you need the money
because you’re not
making enough tips at
the bar?”
“How do you—” She cuts herself off.
“Oh, my Dad.” She drums her fingers against her arm. “Yeah. Listen, I get that I put you in a tough
spot. I’m…” She looks
down at her crossed arms. “I’m
sorry. If you don’t want to go through with it, I understand.”
My fingers twitch to reach out to
her, but she’d probably karate
chop my hands away.
“I said I’d be the love of your life, didn’t I?”
The small smile she gives in response
is worth continuing with… whatever this is we’re doing.
About Allie Winters
Allie is the author of the
Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned
series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A
librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys
reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.
Find Allie Winters online
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