When I first requested this book I wanted it because it had my favourite tropes - academic rivals, archaeology and fake dating. Little did I know that I would be ending up with a book that I would reread again and again and again. However, I must digress.

When it comes to the scientific of it - the way the book is written - I really couldn't have asked for me. It was clear the author had done their research and had thought deeply about the representation of the characters in the book. There was no irritating repetitiveness, nothing was said that had me cringing or putting the book down. Instead the representation was well articulated, well thought out and so realistic I felt like I was being seen within a book. Not only were the characters relatable but they were also lovable, the kind that you are rooting for at every moment. I loved Bianca, her personality, her brains, her cat. Xavier was the ideal book boyfriend. Kind, respectful with just the right amount of flirty to be swoon worthy.

The story itself was fabulous. Too often you find a fake dating romance that doesn't deliver. Degrees of Engagement was the opposite. Not only did the author deliver, she delivered above and beyond what I was expecting. The discussions about priorities, the thoughts on marriage, the chemistry between the characters - all of it combined made for a swoon worthy, steamy romance that I would read on repeat for the rest of my life.

Easiest 5 stars ever.

Fun plot! It’s sad that an engagement takes precedence over a major work accomplishment. This was just the in that Xavier needed to get his one chance of getting to be with his dream girl before their lives took them in opposite directions. Playing the fake fiancé made Bianca see him in a new light. Xavier was her support system she needed all along. Their chemistry really came out when they acknowledged their mutual attraction! Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

So, I read this book in one sitting. It's the sort of book that you can tell is going to be brilliant from the first few pages and I couldn't put it down.

I think we have all felt like Bianca at some point - underappreciated, taken for granted and left behind.

This book bad so many tropes that I absolutely love and I devoured it.

Xavier was top tier book boyfriend and the relationship between him and Bianca was so well written. He would literally do anything for this woman!!!!

Tropes:
• Fake dating
• Friends to lovers
• He falls first
• Smart AF FMC


I will absolutely read this author's work again (I personally am hoping that we get a Frankie x Charlie Avery book) and I have a feeling that it's also going to become one of those books that I reread every time I'm in a slump.

Genuinely cannot say anything bad about this book!

I thought this book was a great plot idea, but honestly it was a miss for me. Bianca is tired of her family and society not supporting her professional achievements in the way they should because she’s not in a relationship or ready to start a family - so she starts a fake engagement with a fellow peer, Xavier to prove a point,
I get the point of the plot, but at the 50% mark, I felt like everything felt too forced, the whole “fake relationship” was SO instalovey, and I really didn’t even care what would happen towards the predictable end.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bianca is (quite understandably, in my opinion) annoyed when her friends don’t respect her important life achievement, because it involves a doctorate rather than marriage and children. How to get her point across? A fake engagement, and the fact that she and Xavier have been determinedly not acting on their mutual attraction for the whole five years of their doctoral program won’t be a problem at all…

I liked the premise, because it highlights the default expectations that many single women in their thirties feel - however the execution was a little heavy-handed with the issue repeated over and over. The dual point of view narrative also felt a touch clunky at times, like perhaps it would have been better in first person rather than third. Bianca and Xavier are great characters though, well rounded and respectful of each other - their chemistry is palpable and the eventual conclusion suited them both well.

Okay so I loved the whole premise and idea behind this! Fake dating, especially fake engagement is my favourite trope so I was so excited. And I loved the reasoning behind it all. I genuinely think everyday in some way how getting married / having a kid is still seen as the one goal everybody is aiming for and regardless of anything else, that’s basically the bare minimum goal to have succeeded at life. If you’re not in a relationship or engaged or pregnant whenever you speak to someone (especially if you haven’t seen them a while) the response is always, oh well you have time, or you’ll get there, or you just need to meet the right person. But you’re the top of of your field in say the entire world and it’s like oh, good job I guess but where’s the ring girl? So yeah. I could probably right an essay on my outrage about this, and I was so happy to see this being addressed in a romance book!
I think Xavier and Bianca actually getting engaged was insane, I’m all for the reasoning behind it and the reasoning for fake dating in books is always such a stretch and you kind of just have to look past that, but I couldn’t really get on board with it this time. I loved them as characters and thought they had great chemistry and the build up was amazing, but I had some other issues.

First of all, Xavier and Bianca had known / kinda worked together for 5 years and it was hinted at that they were close and both wanted to cross that line but never did. I really wanted proper flashback scenes rather than tiny one sentence remember this thing! It was basically friends to lovers but we learnt nothing about their friendship and I think that’s so important!

Also what I love most about fake dating is that there is an absolute load of shenanigans that goes along with it. Weird family members forcing you into situations that are just ridiculous but oh no we have to kiss or share this bed or sit on each other’s laps oh no! And we didn’t get this at all!! I was so disappointed as it was basically just them flirting and then they got together? Plus the whole reasoning for the third act break up was just stupid and they still had the same problem at the end but were just gonna deal with it?!

Honestly this book set me up for something I was going to absolutely adore, and unfortunately the execution just let me down slightly

When Bianca Dimitriou's family and friends don't show up to celebrate her PhD, she finds herself reflecting on what they deem important. To get her revenge, fuelled in part by alcohol, she fakes an engagement to Xavier Byrne, a brooding archaeologist turned librarian. Yet as they spend time together, it becomes clear that their feelings for each other have grown. However, her post-doctoral research will keep her close to home whilst his work, will take him far away from her, threatening any chance of their relationship succeeding.
This book did a good job of reviewing how a relationship is challenged by ones career. The chemistry between Bianca and Xavier was clearly evident and how this progressed to a relationship of great depth, was well described. An interesting read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25 stars

I love, love, love this book! Let me just start by saying what a touching dedication it has—really sets the vibe for the story. Now, imagine this: academia, strong women, LA vibes, a mmc named Xavier (like hello?!), and honestly good humor. That’s what this story’s all about.

Bianca’s such a badass, and Xavier literally worships the ground she walks on. Like, come on, he calls her boss! They’re just so good together. The story does develop kinda fast, and it feels a teeny-tiny bit insta-lovey, but you must remember they’ve known each other for five years when the story starts. The fengagement, as Bianca and Xavier call it, is a fun ruse they keep up for basically the entire book, though it obviously turns heated and a little… (too) real pretty quickly.

I really enjoyed all the academia content! It’s so refreshing to see power couples and women in academia getting the representation they deserve. Bianca’s story deals with the struggle of career accomplishments not being acknowledged or celebrated by friends and family, which is incredibly relatable to a lot of women out there.

The writing is flawless, to say the least. Bianca and Xavier’s characters are relatable, fleshed-out, and beautiful. The two of them are almost too perfect for each other already. But seriously, the book is super well-written and so worth reading!

My only issue is with the miscommunication and general lack of communication between Bianca and Xavier. It is one of my least favorite tropes, and basically the make-up of their story. It’s a little disappointing to see such mature characters deal with relationships like that since a whole lot of their mentak beat-ups could’ve been avoided and resolved if they’d just talked to each other. But it all gets resolved nicely, and there’s no unnecessary and cringe third-act break-up—which we love!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Why does society place importance on engagements/marriages and baby announcements only than other life achievements?

To get back at her family and friends who didn't show up to her Phd graduation celebration, Bianca Dimitrou pretends she's engaged to her classmate Xavier Byrne. As predicted her family and friends immediately clamour to celebrate her upcoming nuptials, which further enrages her. Meanwhile she can't help but feel this fake engagement is going all too real, but come end of the summer Xavier is moving to Greece for a year, so there's no future for them, or is there?

This book had such a fantastic premise that I just had to read this. It really started strong, but then the plot steered in directions that let it down the hook of this story to focus on the romance only. While I understood Bianca's reasons for continuing the charade, I was getting tired of her being a doormat to her family and friends (especially her sister). Then, when she really should've started confronting them about their attitudes, and told them the truth, it was Xavier who ended up telling them. The romance was well developed but I'd have liked better character development for Bianca.

Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC.

Bianca is always there for her family and friends, willing to drop everything to be there for all of their big moments. So when not a single one of them shows up to celebrate her successfully defending her dissertation, she's hurt, and pissed. She knows that if this were an engagement party, they'd all be there... and when Xavier suggests that they fake an engagement to make them feel like they've missed out on a big moment (which, they absolutely have), she agrees. It's a drunken choice that's meant to only last a night... but the next day, they throw a surprise engagement party, and every single one of them makes it. Bianca and Xavier decide to extend the fake engagement, but both of them are fighting very real feelings.

I loved this premise, and really liked the characters. I LOVE a fake relationship trope, and especially loved that this one had a really solid reason for them getting together. I also liked that some level of feelings were acknowledged throughout, even as they kept pulling back from each other. While I don't mind miscommunication (it's so realistic) I did have a few moments were I wanted them to just have that conversation--mostly the moments where they almost did, but were interrupted, and then came close again but chose not to. I loved that Bianca continued to show up for her people, because that's just so integral to who she is, but I wish there had been a bit more of a conversation between her and them about how unbalanced the relationships all were.

Overall, Degrees of Engagement was sweet and fun, and I would definitely read more from the author.

I’d never heard of this book before it popped up on Netgalley but as soon as I read the description, I had to request it and I’m really glad I did because I had a great time reading and a hard time putting it down.

Bianca and Xavier were so cute together! Their chemistry was great and I loved the way they couldn’t stay away from each other. After knowing each other for so long and having worked together so many times, they knew each other very well and the intimacy that came with that was beautiful! Their banter was really fun as well, and I loved the way they were each other’s biggest supporters and weren’t afraid to call each other on their bullshit (except when it comes to their feelings I guess lol).

I also really enjoyed the message about the importance of celebrating all big events in a person’s life. This whole fake engagement situation stemmed from the fact that none of Bianca’s friends and family showed up to celebrate her getting her PhD; an already upsetting situation was made worse by them all showing up the next day when they heard that she’d gotten engaged. This was obviously heartbreaking for Bianca, who’d spent years bending her back backwards to celebrate all of her friends; later on in the book, Bianca and Xavier have a really interesting conversation about this, about the difference between an accomplishment and a milestone and I think this could be the topic of such a great discussion.

Overall, this was a great book and a solid adult romance debut from Jennifer Hennessy. I’ll keep an eye out for her next book.

4.5/5 Stars

Thank you to Headline Eternal for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review💙

Fake engagement/Forced proximity- SIGN ME UP!

This was a fast-paced romantic comedy that had me laughing and giggling. Book started with Bianca who is celebrating her PhD when none of her family or friends show up except for Xavier (fellow classmate). They devise a plan to fake an engagement in order to teach her friends/family a lesson.

I loved Bianca's family they really welcomed Xavier. I also liked how both characters were motivated (within themselves and for reach other) and both were well accomplished.

I'm not huge fan of third person POV so it did take a bit to adjust and due to the format I was a little confused at times. Also I wanted more build up and tension between Bianca and Xavier.

swoony and gorgeous romance with some fun characters. felt like an Ali Hazelwood, but uniquely a fresh voice. thanks for the arc.

It was a cute story & premise overall but I also found it a bit boring. The lack of genuine chemistry between the two characters was hard to digest, even though they supported each other. They lived together & the story lacked so many awkward, lusty, angsty moments.

The family & friends ditching her accomplishment celebration, was shitty. I liked how that sparked the fake engagement trope. I just wish the plot advanced beyond " we shouldnt" - because they SHOULD. They do, but it's kind of said a lot. Too much. Too many pages of inner dialog, self doubt, etc. Miscommunication trope is the worst.
I wish the FMC sparked some turmoil early on by going off on her friends & family, or at least expressing her unhappiness.

Overall, a decent read. Im excited to see this author gain additional experience and grow.

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

This was a fun read! I always love love love when the FMC is really smart and especially when the MMC loves that about her! Bianca has just obtained her PhD, but none of her family or friends could be bothered to show up to celebrate...except for her fellow classmate Xavier. Seeing how much pain she's in, he suggests they do a fake engagement to teach them all a lesson. Only one problem...they've both been in love with each other for the last 5 years, but neither will admit it.

I really love the pairing of their professions - Indiana Jones type archaeologist and super smart and sweet librarian! Very much so Rick and Evie vibes from the movie, The Mummy. I loved that they delved a bit into what each of their jobs look like as well, it's so interesting getting to learn alongside of a swoon worthy romance.

I also think this book brings up a great point about celebrating all of your friend's and family's accomplishments even if you personally don't get it. That really resonated wit me as I feel like there have been points in my life where family just doesn't care about my achievements.

I really loved the portrayal of the Greek family as well! Definitely reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding with how welcoming the family was to Xavier!

I think the only issue for me was sometimes I had a hard time understanding who was talking when there was a lot of back and forth dialog, but that may have been due to weird spacing issues with the ePub file on my kindle.

What to expect-

📚 Librarian/Archaeologist
🏺 Friends to Lovers
📚 Forced Proximity
🏺 Fake Engagement
📚 Greek Roots
🏺 Love vs. career

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun to read!! I fully engaged with the characters and their stories. Even the supporting characters were great and added their own spice to the story. I'm hoping there might be a follow-up book (or two).

Bianca and Xavier are exactly who you want to read about. Mature, successful adults. They may not be the best at communicating but they make up for it with love and sarcasm.

The endings of books often (more often than not) frustrate me because things get wrapped up so fast and it's all too pretty. This book wasn't like that and I'm so appreciative of the author writing something that actually felt realistic. To the characters and to life, in general.

Yes, I would recommend this book!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A fake engagement romance. Bianca and Xavier have known each other since the start of their phd's. Now they are about to finish and take engaged, windShield shortly leaving for Greece. Do they have a future together?

I am currently knee-deep in academic trenches, working on my master's thesis which is currently killing me. And during this time, I stumbled upon Degrees of Engagement purely by chance when I was on Netgalley. From the blurb itself, this would be a book that would be the perfect, kind of escapist romance as I start to draft my thesis. For the most part, it was. I definitely related to Bianca and her reaction when no one in her circle showed up after she completed her PhD. Even more so, when you learn that she showed up for everyone. I thought that would make me love this book all the more.

However, it was the writing style that put me off. Like there was nothing wrong with it and it was really beautiful at some points too, but it felt strangely stilted and it lacked a certain degree of emotions you have in romance books. Not that it didn't make me feel things, it just felt short of my expectations. Plus things seemed to progress far more quickly than it can be believable, which is why it was quite hard to believe in the chemistry between Xavier and Bianca. All though, I will say that towards the end, the chemistry started to shine. But by then, I had already, kind of, lost interest and was basically just skimming through the book.

All in all, Degrees of Engagement is not a bad book, it's just not a book for me.

Bianca and Xavier get fake engaged after no one turns but to celebrate her phd. He is leaving anyway so what harm can it do? A great read, looking forward to more from this author.

I couldn’t do it. I was so… bored. There wasn’t any tension, Xavier was just eh. The miscommunication was so bleh. Plus the first scene with them getting spicy was just so out of left field. This wasn’t for me.