I read this book until 80% and I just couldn't continue! There were a lot of things that in the end did not work for me... the heroine was quite annoying actually and hard to like, the love interest a bit of a caricature with abs and the smut was... skippable. Not a lot is going on actually and this book could've been half the size and far more interesting I think.

It's a shame because initially it started well and was enjoying it, but went downhill and i couldn't be bothered to stay until the end to read it because it was quite clear what would to happen upon their return. And the family was generally insufferable and stereotypical.

I was very excited when I saw this was available because I have been so keen to read it!
This is such a fun romance read. I read this over one weekend, a great binge read if you fancy something sweet and heart-warming. I loved the premise – workplace enemies to lovers’ trope. It is a slow burn but I loved reading the relationship develop and watching the pair build a strong connection as it went on. This one had me laughing out loud at times. A brilliant read.
I am SO looking forward to reading The American Roommate Experiment next!

Catalina and Aaron are enemies, but when she needs a fake date for her sister's wedding he offers to help.
A great read, loved both characters and you want everything to work out for them.
Looking forward to more books from this author.

The Spanish Deception is a slow burn enemies to lovers chic lit romance written by Elena Armas. The book/ film went viral thanks to TikTok but does the book live up to all the hype surrounding it?
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I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the novel, there was lots of humour and snappy ripostes between the two main characters. Ironically the humour and chemistry started to fade away as they arrived in Spain for the wedding and moved from enemies/ work place acquaintances to lovers. The storyline became more formulaic and the reader could anticipate what came next.

I jumepd ship pretty late with this book - the whole internet seemed to finished reading it ages ago, however NetGally kindly provided me with a copy for a review.

This year has been a year of reading romance novels and this one was, unfortunately, one of the poorer ones. Thinking about it, it wasn't the plot or the author's skills. No, the problem lay in the main characters.

The plot itself was a classic fake dating scenario. A woman needs a fake date for a wedding. A concept well known but popular for a reason, and personally, one of my favorites. The only thing I wasn't a fan of plot-wise was how long it took for them to actually fly to Spain, and as a result, how late everything happened in the book. The more explicit scenes were also executed well during the novel.

No onto the real issues. First, Lina, the most stubborn and simply daft character in a novel ever. She's one of those people being annoying for no reason, when the other person did nothing wrong and is just trying to start a conversation. Her reason for disliking Aaron was so ridikulous I'm not even sure I cought up why exaclty she was being mean, because for an adult, ignoring a gift and then holding a grudge for 2 years wouldn't cut it. She had a constant blushing going on and tried really, really hard to be quirky, whis really wasn;t working for her at all.

Then Aaron, a guy with no personality traits, apart from being tall, having blue eyes, and calling Lina 'baby' every other sentence. I admire the author of knowing so many ways of describing his height because than man had nothing else going on for him. I don't even know what else to write about him, because apart from him 'towering over Lina' with his broad shoulders or chest I have no recollection of this man.

While the SLD was a miss for me (and a lesson we can't trust BookTok), I probably will give the author another go for her second novel and see if I liked it better.

Wow! The Spanish Love Deception was amazing! Aaron was everything you could possibly ask for in a romance novel and I was desperate for Aaron and Catalina to get together. It was so good I immediately read The American Roommate Experiment straight after which was just as good. I recommend them both, go read them!

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Loved this! Why are fake relationships always better than real ones?!

Catalina needs a date for her sisters wedding, her ex will be there with his new fiancé, the only problem…she doesn’t have a boyfriend and there’s only four weeks until the wedding in Spain. A little white lie about bringing her new boyfriend to the wedding sets off a series of events that lead to her condescending but hopelessly handsome colleague Aaron coming to the rescue.

Ok so it’s not an original plot but the author manages to capture very essence of an overbearing and interfering Mediterranean family completely. The couple is adorable and Aaron sounds super hot!

If you’re a fan of the love hypothesis, the hating game or book lovers you’ll love this!

I don't know why it took me so long to pick up The Spanish Love Deception (maybe it was all the hype?) but I'm glad Simon & Schuster gave me the push I needed (in the form of a Netgalley email) as it was such a fun read!

It's enemies to lovers storyline is full of every romance readers guiltiest pleasures. There was: Fake dating. A wedding, (we LOVE a good wedding!) family and workplace drama and of course the main event... a slow burn, passionate romance that painstakingly keeps the reader awaiting their happily-ever-after. The characters are typical of the genre. Lina, a fun, bubbly leading lady with past hurt and Aaron the usual brooding and intense male. Both likeable enough, but together, let's just say they create a whole lot of spice! 🔥

I enjoyed the second half of the book (the wedding part) way more than the first, as that's when the flirting, banter and chemistry really kick in, especially with the introduction of the Martín family (they're SO much fun!) Overall, watching Lina and Aaron juggle all of the above was an absolute scream, I just wish the first half of the book was as juicy as the second - however I am looking forward to picking up a copy of The American Roommate Experiment. 💙💕

This was an ok book, loved the fact that love triumphs all. I looks forward to reading more from this author

Such a super book with a great storyline - Lina needs a date to her sister's wedding. And she only has four weeks! Panic sets in! Despite seeking out all options, the only person who agrees to go with her is Aaron who Lina works with but does not like one bit and finds him highly annoying! But Lina is desperate so Aaron is her date!

The Spanish Love Deception is full of humour with super in-depth and comprehensive characters - the interactions between Lina and Aaron are just the best - you could feel their chemistry and their emotions! From enemies to lovers, despite what Lina thought, and how long it took, their relationship was destined to be from the beginning. I loved the detailed descriptions of Spain and the Spanish language - I could imagine being there myself! A fun, easy romantic read.

Thank you very much for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

I absolutely adored this!
A slow burn steamy romance. It was so well written. I loved Aaron, the ideal man! I hated Gerald. Can't wait for the next one.

For the first half of this book I have to say I wasn’t too impressed. It seemed like your typical, predictable, fake dating/ enemies to lovers romance. And if I’m being completely honest, that’s what this book. However despite that I really got into it in the second half. It didn’t hurt that it also got steamyyyyy. So I have to say that I ended up really enjoying it.

This book was such a pleasure to read, such a beautifully written, atmospheric book , everything about this book is just so perfect and beautiful, the writing, the characters, the world building and the story. I was so ecstatic at how good a read this was and it completely blew me away. Thoroughly, highly and wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone and can’t wait for more.

I can’t lie I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers arch, and this really delivered for me! It was easy to read and hard to put down. I fell in love with Catalina and Aaron and I wish I had more!
Wonderfully written and far too relateable to my own family!

I was hooked on the concept and the Spanish background, but felt that it dragged for too long. Really wanted to like it!

I adored this book! It had some of my absolute fave romance tropes but in a super fun and fresh way. I loved the dynamic etween Lina and Aaron, especially how charming Aaron was. The male love interest in romances is often the same stoic, boring and uptight man, and while Aaron appeared that way at first, he is actually charming, funny, and so great to read. Definitely a fave for my romance shelf

I get the hype around this book and then some. Wonderful characters and although somewhat predictable I guess there is no need to reinvent the wheel. I cannot wait to read more from this author. .

This title is one I've seen all over Bookstagram and I was keen to get involved in the hype!

Lina, who moved to the US to work at a tech company after a bad break up, is due to fly home to Spain for her sister's wedding. The best man at the wedding is her ex. Lina therefore decides she needs to bring a date to the wedding and ropes in a co-worker, Aaron, who she doesn't even get on with, to be her fake boyfriend.

As you can probably tell from my synopsis, a lot of things didn't make sense to me, not least the giant lie and how it was so unnecessary. The fact that the easier Spanish was translated but the bits which really needed a translation weren't, was also frustrating for me.

Unfortunately this book wasn't one for me but enemies to lovers is a popular trope and I know a lot of people have enjoyed it, so I'm in the minority! I would try another of this author's books in future, though, and as always am super grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Aaron Blackford, need i say more...

Much like everyone, I stumbled across this read through TikTok and knew i desperately needed to get my hand on it. Elena manages to create the ideal book boyfriend, the perfect amount of enemies to lovers to only reveal that Aaron has been secretly pining for Lina the entire time.

The way in which Aaron anticipates Lina's every need, and the way in which they become the ultimate power couple, I honestly fell in love.

I cannot wait for the next instalment!