I've been in a reading slump recently, and romance novels are helping me getting out of it. The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams was the perfect book for this task. It's light, cute and makes you fell all warm inside.

Bree and Nathan have been best friends for years. They lost track during college as Nathan left for his football scholarship and Bree recovered from an accident at home. Meeting by chance years later in LA, they pick up their friendship right where they left it off. It's like nothing has change... not even the romantic feelings that they have been harbouring for each other since they first met. When Bree makes a faux pas while out with Nathan, now a famous football player, the two start to fake date to make the most out of the situation. But when keeping it strictly friendly becomes difficult, Bree and Nathan need to decide if they want to give a chance to the best thing that could happen to them.

I found this story really lovely. Bree is such a relatable character. She's shy and avoids the spotlights. After an accident that destroyed her career as a ballerina, she had to deal with physiotherapy and depression but now she's in a better place both mentally and physically as a dance instructor. Nathan worked hard to get where he is, although he doesn't feel like he deserves it. They both recognise the struggles that affected their mental health, and they work to make it better. It's not easy to recognise that they need help, but when they are together they push each other to be better. This take on mental health was one of the reasons why I liked the book this much.

The only downside of this book for me is that at times the thoughts and actions of the characters are too explanatory slowing down the reading flow.

We all love a good rom com. The 90s and early naughties was well known for the best rom com movies. We don't get see anymore. Reading some romance books remind me of that time. This book was one of them. Perfect rom com material. I could easily imagine seeing Bree and Nathan's story on the screen. Was a great read, so I rated it 4 stars.

Bree and Nathan's story have you stuck in from the first page, the idea of the cheat sheet was clever and something new. Highly recommended

Okay, I absolutely ADORED this one!

Honestly, I've not laughed this much at a book in such a long time—it hit the mark in every possible way!

The banter and dynamic—and of course the miscommunication—between Bree and Nathan I absolutely loved so much. I was constantly screaming at the book, knowing fine well I'd have to wait out alongside them both—and it's was bloody worth it!

To find this kind of love, trust, acceptance and all-round support is one thing I can only hope hope hope (as Bree would say) crosses my path one day! It was beautiful to see it all unfold between these two—as well their friends and family who seriously made this hilarious!

Tell me that a bunch of NFL stars with a whiteboard plotting how to woo the woman their friend is after isn't epic, funny and hot! I dare you! 😂💗

It also touched on subjects of anxiety, depression and panic attacks—and was done so beautifully and so very truthfully as well. As someone who suffers with both, it was like seeing myself. So I'm very thankful for this representation 💗

Please PLEASE read this one. It gives you hope back for love and humanity! 🥺💗

3.5 stars, rounded up.
Best friends to lovers. It’s closed door but there’s plenty of chemistry and connection between the two main characters.
It’s a fast, sweet book and I breezed through it. I’ll definitely be reading more by the author.

A really quick, easy and cute read that I read in one sitting, It is well written with a captivating storyline, well developed characters that were relatable and good pacing. I couldn't put it down.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for my advanced reader copy of this book.

I just love love love friends to lovers! There’s something about it which just makes my heart melt, I’m obsessed. It’s my favourite romance trope ever. I also love the fake dating trope but I felt like these were a bit of a disappointment in this book. I just wanted so much more from them.

I did like the two main characters and I liked how they had history and a lovely friendship. It was also so great to get the dual POVs in which I loved getting inside Bree and Nathan’s minds.

Bree and Nathan were cute and I had such a cheesy grin on my face whilst reading the first half of this book. But while I felt the first half of the build up was a nice slow burn, it ended up dragging and I felt like there could have been so much more tension between the two characters.

The other thing that let it down for me is some of the language. It just made me cringe a bit too much! I think considering the age the characters were supposed to be, their dialogue didn’t really reflect that so it just felt quite immature. Also I get that this is a closed door romance, but I would have liked that door to be open just a tad more. Still an enjoyable read though that I’d recommend if your looking for a lighthearted, easy read.

3.75 stars
This had tropes that I normally really enjoy; fake dating and friends to lovers. But it wasn't the best take on either of them.
There is far too much buildup for what it turns out to be. There's slow burn and then there's just slow. Then when they actually do act like a couple and eventually get together, it is incredibly tame. All we get are a few kisses. And then the next thing they are getting married and in turn waiting until then to have their first night together.
When I saw that this had been trending on TikTok and Bookstagram, I expected a little bit of spice or something special, so I was ultimately disappointed by how this turned out.
I actually really liked Nathan as a main character and love interest, even if he did seem a little too perfect/unrealistic.
But all of the characters act a lot younger than their actual age (early thirties), which almost gives this YA vibes at times.
There was no real tension, even if there was a bit of longing.
I just wanted more from this.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The writing style really isn't for me. The protagonist Bree felt a little too overly-dramatic, with many SHOUTY CAPS throughout that I'm really not fond of and just acting a lot younger than her age. Don't get me wrong, I also have my moments but it was all the time with Bree. I think she's trying too hard to be quirky and adorable but it came off a little annoying.
I liked Bree's story of running the ballet studio and helping the girls though, but honestly, the rest of the story just fell a little flat for me. Nathan was okay, I liked him more than Bree.

I'm also not into books that are very negative towards other women just because she's not the protagonist. Like, any other woman who is attractive (who always has manicured nails, that's always mentioned) is basically an airheaded bimbo who only wants to date/sleep with guys for status and money. Just constantly throwing themselves at them, winking inappropriately and just being a straight up horrible person with the personality of a mop.
I've read this too much and I'd love it if authors moved past this.

Having said that, while it wasn't for me, it would still be enjoyable to someone else! I think I'm just fussy when it comes to books like this. I like the idea of the story, I'm always happy to read a Friends to Lovers book, that's a trope I do like, and this book has much potential. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Unfortunately I did DNF this but thank you for sending me a copy of the book to read!

This book combines two tropes that I love - friends to lovers and fake dating - so I was already expecting to enjoy it and I definitely did!

Bree and Nathan were so cute and I was really rooting for them, and the dual POV really helped with this as I loved knowing how both of them were feeling. I did find that the ending felt very rushed compared to the rest of the book which was a slow burn, and there were some sections where it was really obvious that the characters liked each other but were still oblivious about this, but I did still enjoy it.

I also liked how this book handled men's mental health and I thought it was done very well.

DNF @ 40%

Okay so this was a surprise, it has all the tropes I like:

Friends to lovers ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Sports star ✔️

so why did I DNF?

Boredom, absolute boredom!

From the first page I KNEW but I persevered anyway until I found myself skimming every single page just to get through it.

I didn’t particularly like Bree our female MC, Nathan was better but only marginally. I just didn’t see the connection between them and the fact they were both “secretly” in love with each other for SIX YEARS but didn’t say anything irritated me so much. I did like like the scenes between Nathan and the other guys on the team though.

There wasn’t anything specific that was bad about the writing, I was just bored and didn’t care!

Disappointing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Rating: 4/5

This is the first rom-com I’ve read of Sarah Adams and it did not disappoint. I’ve seen this book blow up all over Tiktok so I was definitely excited to read it. The story follows the love story of Bree, a ballet dancer, and her best friend Nathan, a famous American footballer.

Ok and I will admit, I was definitely not the biggest fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but this book may have converted me. Because the tension, mutual pining and the behaviour between the 2 was literal perfection. Sarah Adams writing is clear, easy and can I mention the dual-POV was executed perfectly.

There was an endless amount of wholesome, fluffy scenes between Bree and Nathan and some of the things that were said deserve a standing ovation because that’s the definition of a healthy relationship. I was screaming, laughing, smiling and I felt actual butterflies in my stomach which definitely quality’s the book for the emotional factor.

Even though there are elements I can definitely nit-pick like the “I’m not like other girls” trope, how rushed the final part seemed and some of the childish behaviour between some of the characters, overall I really enjoyed this book. It’s a cute, quick read that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publishers and Sarah Adams for allowing me to read this eARC! I will definitely be buying!

The friends to lovers trope has been done many times over the years, but The Cheat Sheet still feels fresh. With two leads you can’t help but root for and a supporting cast who keep you giggling (I particularly liked the group of sassy teenage ballet dancers!), this is a perfect romantic read that you’ll simply fly through.

Thanks for my earc.

Spoilers:

I generally enjoyed this but the tone/narration felt a bit immature/young. I felt like 80% if the book was slow burn and then all of a sudden they’re married and sleep together for the first time?! The waiting for marriage & marriage felt a little trivialised somehow? It was sweet and enjoyable but not my kind of HEA

Bree and Nathan are best friends who both love each other but think the other doesn't. They end up in a fake pr relationship even though they both want the real thing. Nathan's friends help him come up with a plan to get Bree for real.
Sometimes a bit cringy but generally really sweet and feel good. Loved the dual pov in this !

It’s your typical feel good rom com and it did hit the spot. Don’t go in expecting an atypical romance and it is a lighthearted read that you’ll enjoy

Okay, so I’ve been waiting to write this review, mainly because I wasn’t sure how to do my thoughts on this justice, because, this book is amazing! I’m calling it as one of my top 5 books to the year, and yes, I know it’s only February.

The Cheat Sheet is everything you want and need in a romance book, especially if you’re a friends to lovers trope fan. I’ll be honest, there’s not really any steamy scenes, so you if you’re in the mood for more of a smutty read, it might not be for you, but honestly, that didn’t matter to me, it was that good.

The tension, the love, the adoration, the jealousy, the secret feelings, the support, the banter. Honestly, just all of it.

I adored Bree and Nathan. They were both incredible main characters and I loved that we got to see inside both of their minds in the dual narrative.

And that ending!! 😍😍😍 There was a moment I was like ‘oh really?’ but that didn’t really bother me at all because I just loved it all.

Plus, Sarah Adams also handles mental health really well in this I thought!

Can you tell I loved it? Have I got that across yet?

Sports romance ✔️
Falling for my best friend ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
So stinking cute I want to throw glitter over it ✔️

I really like Sarah Adams work I can feel she is going to be an auto buy author for me. She has just the right blend of Romance Humor and Drama for me.
Bree and Nathan have been best friends since high school. They bonded over a mutual love of running. Both come from different backgrounds. Nathan's well off and feels like he hasn't had to work hard to get to where he is in life and Bree came from a poor family and has had to push herself in life to achieve her dreams.
I just adored this story. Bree is such a fun character I love her quirky side. Nathan was such a sweet heart and I enjoyed his side story with him struggling with certain aspects of his life. They were so damn sweet together. Both hopelessly in love with each other but not wanting to cross that life for fear of the other not reciprocating the others feelings and ruining a great friendship. Great story, great characters and a brilliant closed door romance. I'm ready to eat up anything that Sarah Adams writes ❤

The Cheat Sheet is a sweet friends to lovers sports romance.
Bree has been in love with her best friend and famous quarterback Nathan for years, but she is worried about ruining their friendship. Nathan has also been pining after Bree since they were teenagers, but has kept his feelings hidden. When a drunken night out ends with Bree spilling her secrets and a viral video, Nathan's publicist comes up with a strategy to salvage the situation. The catch is that Nathan and Bree have to pretend to be in love for three weeks - and pretending soon feels a lot like the real thing.

I read The Cheat Sheet in one evening - it was a perfect mix of hilarious banter, comical situations, and sweet romance. Nathan enlisting his whole team to come up with a strategy for making Bree fall in love with him was a highlight, and I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for sweet slow-burn romance.

The Cheat Sheet Sarah Adams

Book 17 - 2022
February 2022 - Book 3

My first Net Galley book since I signed up a couple of weeks ago.

I did used to use Net Galley but then I feel out of love with reading but over the last 14 months that love is back and I decided to align up again.

This boom appealed to me as it was all the tropes I say I won't like but actually really enjoy. Friends to Lovers and let's throw in some fake dating and call it adorable.

Warm, funny and most importantly likeable characters

Bree and Nathan have been best friends since high school. Nathan is a pro althete who is the star if his team and Bree's dreams didn't work out bit she's a dance teacher and while they seem to be polar opposites of the wealth divide they still manage to live 5 blocks from each other Nd have a standing running date every Tuesday.

After drunkenly talking to a reporter in a bathroom who's report goes viral making them the couple of the moment. Nathan's agent thinks it might be a good (lucrative) move to fake date until the playoffs.

Warm, funny, tender with just a couple of hinde your face behind a cushion moments.

Its a solid cheesy romance and I'm here for it! Not perfect but still worth a read if you like these kinds of books.

For me this was a 4/5. I think a lot would be 4.5-5 but I'm very hard to please. There are a couple of moments that let it down for me but not enough to knock it down lower. Plus a 5 star read to me is one that you can't stop thinking about, you have to constantly talk about. Force people to read it, buy it for others. I won't be doing that with this book but I would read more by the same author.

The Cheat Sheet is a light, cute, friends-to-lovers / fake dating book. I found both Nathan and Bree likeable MCs, and I mostly enjoyed the slow burn/mutual pining, though there were times where I just wanted to lock them in the same room so they could hash everything out. One of my favourite parts was actually all the scenes with Nathan's teammates though - they were so much fun and I loved the little Cheat Sheet doodle at the end! Pick this up if you want to read a quick, feel good romance.

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