Kristie J’s review of Grumpy Fake Boyfriend (Kwan Sisters, Book 1) by Jackie Lau
Contemporary Romantic Comedy published by Jackie Lau Books 22 May 18
I love a grumpy bear hero, one of my favourite types. I’ve seen a couple of good reviews for this book, so I was sold. This story is adorable and reaffirmed my love of the grumpy hero.
Will Stafford is the hero and he’s a pretty anti-social, introverted kind of a guy. He likes sticking to himself pretty much and is uncomfortable in crowds. He doesn’t have a whole lot of patience. But he (very reluctantly) agrees to pose as a boyfriend to the sister of one of his best friends. Only it turns out worse than he first thought. It’s more than just a date. It’s – oh, the horrors – a whole weekend spending time with people he doesn’t know – one of his worst nightmares.
Naomi Kwan is the sister in question. Seems she needs someone to pose as her boyfriend since they will be staying at a cottage with a small group of people, one of whom is her ex who broke up with her. She does NOT want to be a fifth wheel and persuaded her brother to get one of his friends to pose as her boyfriend. But she’s kind of sneaky. She knows that her brother will ask the favour of Will, and, although she doesn’t know Will that well, she’s had a small kind of a crush on him for a while and relishes the thoughts of spending time with him.
Considering he’s such a loner, Will actually does quite well with the group, all things considered. He does need blocks of time to himself or just with Naomi, something which I can totally see. I have my limits with new people or crowds too and while I enjoy them, there are times I just need to get away.
The more time Will spends with Naomi, the more he is attracted to her. Although he promised her brother he would keep hands off, this is becoming more and more difficult to do.
It’s a simple story with a simple premise, but the fact I really like both Will and Naomi elevates it for me. So I’m really enjoying this cute, funny little story as I’m reading along.
But in this book there is something that really and truly blows me away. The story takes place in my own backyard. Well, not literally, but I’m VERY familiar with the different locations, because I’ve spent a great deal of time there. The cottage they are staying at is located in Grand Bend, Ontario, which is maybe forty-five minutes at most from where I live. It’s a real summer town located on Lake Huron and is a great tourist attraction. I don’t know how many times I’ve been there. At one point The Pinery is mentioned. The Pinery is a large, very forested, Ontario government-owned Provincial Park just down the road from Grand Bend. It’s a great place for camping, hiking, cross country skiing in winter, nature lovers – just wonderful. I can’t begin to even count the number of times I’ve camped there with my family. And even more astonishing and something where I even let out a squeal, the city of Sarnia is mentioned. I’M FROM SARNIA, AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN’T LIVED THERE FOR A LONG TIME NOW, IN MY HEART IT ALWAYS WILL BE MY HOMETOWN. And NOBODY ever mentions Sarnia in a romance book. It’s located right where the St Clair River empties into Lake Huron and I’m as familiar with the whole city as can possibly be imagined. Two simple words and anyone who has anything to do with Sarnia will know immediately what I’m talking about – Bridge Fries.
I simply need to find out where the author is from, since it must be very close by. This intense familiarity simply made the book for me. I mean, I enjoyed it already, but it’s rare I ‘bond’ with a book like this. For location alone I have to give it the highest of marks.
Another thing I have to mention about this book is the diversity. I attended RWA this year in Denver and the word of the conference and in romance was diversity. I plan on doing an account of my experience and this will play a large role. The hero in this book is white and I’m sure the heroine is just as Canadian as I am and she is of Asian descent. This was more on the unusual side and much appreciated.
Grade: A+
See Tabs’ review here.
Summary:
I’m a pretty simple guy. When I’m not writing a science fiction novel, I’m watching a good movie or reading a book. Alone. I like my reclusive life. That is, until my only friend asks for a favor—pretend to be his baby sister’s boyfriend on a couples’ getaway. Her ex is going to be there and she needs me as a buffer.
I should have said no, but Naomi is bubbly, energetic, and beautiful. She also means everything to her brother. But now, our fake romance is starting to feel all too real, and I find myself stuck between the promise I made to my friend and risking my heart to the one woman who might actually get me…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
