I loved this sweet and spicy romance! The characters were very genuine and believable. I felt like I flew through this story.

I had worried about there being a lot of talk about books, because it can feel slightly self-indulgent or trying to almost placate readers in some stories. However, I really enjoyed the way the author navigated this element and felt there was genuine critique with interesting discussions around the topic. This makes sense with Eva working as a professor and the tone was perfect here!

I adored the slightly silly/tropey fake dating start of their relationship without any drawn out miscommunication. They felt like a real couple trying to navigate the shifting dynamics in a relationship between people in their late 30s-40s. I appreciated the discussion around having children and I felt this was very relatable as many people are choosing to be child-free, but remains an important consideration in modern relationships.

I would include a trigger warning as there is a stalking subplot which might be a sensitive/difficult area for some readers.

As a whole, this was an extremely enjoyable romance that felt very real. I would highly recommend Fake Flame to any romance lovers who appreciate instant connections!

Eva is a college professor who is being stalked by her cheating ex boyfriend, Darren. One day he tries to make a grand gesture to win her back by playing what he thinks is "their song" on a grand piano in the quad. This is a step to far for Eva and she goes out with a lighter and a can of roach spray, attempting to make her own flame thrower to get Darren to leave her alone. Due to her actions, someone calls the fire department and that's when she meets Sean.

Sean talks her down and then they start chatting about books before he has to leave, but on the way out he warns Darren away from Eva. At some point within the next few days, Sean proposes they have a fake relationship to get it through to Eva's ex that they're done. Initially Eva refuses but then Darren turns up in her office and Sean takes over and tells him to leave his girlfriend alone and it goes from there.

Clearly they're going to fall for each other and obviously there is a third act break up - though this one actually made sense. Sean is 36 while Eva is 41 and long decided she doesn't want children, Sean had never really thought about kids but Eva asked they take a break to give him time to really think about how important being a dad is to him.

Originally I was only going to give this book 2 stars and this is mostly down to the fact I had to read about Eva picking up her dog's poop, why this is needed in any book I really have no idea. It added nothing to the story and while it might be a reality for dog owners, who wants to read about it?! This wasn't the only reason though, the first part of the book felt clunky, it wasn't well-written and too much of it felt like it had been crowbarred together rather than a natural flow. I increased to 3 stars because it did get better though neither of the characters has much depth to them, they're very two-dimensional and while we get glimpses of their backgrounds it's very surface level and as it had no bearing on anything in the story, it could have just been left out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mills & Boon for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Fake Flame opens with a public proposal - of the most unwanted kind. University professor Eva's ex-boyfriend has decided that the way to win her back after cheating on her is to serenade her in the middle of the quad. Eva disagrees and finds it deeply manipulative (she's not wrong there!) and tries to set the piano on fire. Sean is one of the firefighters called to the scene and manages to talk her down. And soon he's offering to be her fake boyfriend to keep the Awful Ex off her back. He's hot and sweet - but he's also younger than Eva - but there's something about him that makes her agree. And soon they're enjoying spending time together - but it can't go anywhere can it?

This is the first in a new series from Adele Buck and it's a lot of fun. It's a reverse age-gap, fake relationship romance, with a smart heroine who knows what she's looking for in life, and a hero who is pretty wise for his age, but needs to work a few things out. There's not a huge amount of conflict between the two of them until quite late on, but I actually liked it more for that - and there's other sources of conflict going on to keep the tension going. I think if you liked Cathy Yardley's Role Playing, then this will hit some of the same spots for you. I basically inhaled it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the series brings. And if you haven't read any Adele Buck before, may I point you at my post about her Centre Stage series, which I read last year.

Overall this was okay.

The chemistry between characters just didn’t click for me.

There seemed to be added drama just for the sake of it (having children) rather than focussing on a natural development of a relationship.

The plot pace was fast at times missing key moments and then slow at other points. There was a lack of resolution with Eva’s ex too.

I think this was an okay story - just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Adele for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book is well written, has its funny moments as well as its serious moments and is an easy, lighthearted read.

I really resonated with Eva a lot as I too am an only child, married to a man that is slightly younger than me and we are also currently on the fence about having children, so this book really spoke to me in more ways than one.

Can I start off by saying, Sean is such a damn treat I mean not only is this 6ft something, gorgeous man a firefighter, he is also a man who reads classic romance books, he's great with kids and he is fire In the bedroom!!!

I mean, tell me he is a fictional character without telling me he is a fictional characters😆Book boyfriend goals for sure.

Eva is a smoke show, a literature professor, with fire hot red hair and the brains to match her pretty face, not to mention the cutest little dog you ever did see.

Ok now that the very important characters details are covered!!!

If you love fake dating, delicious spice, smart woman and hot as hell men (in uniform), cute dogs, over protective MMCs, age gap romance and a burning hatred for your ex (optional extra) then this book will definitely light your fire🔥

Unfortunately DNF’ing at 14%.

I think this book is for you if you like Insta Love and the fake fating trope (though the latter is one of my faves! This just moved too quickly for me).

This sort of writing style is not for me, would say it has some similarities to Olivia Dade which I also struggled with but I know is really loved. It’s very insta love which is also not something I enjoy. I also felt we were flipping between the fireman not wanting to scare this woman and keeping his distance from her, and then suggesting he touch her through self defence, so just conflicting ideas.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Plot:3/5 The Characters:3/5 The Setting: 3/5 The Writing:3/5

Thoughts:

3.5 stars! Thank you Mills & Boon + NetGalley for this pre-release copy!!

This was a fluffy, poofy, and 'occasionally' steamy romance novel about a college professor Eva who is in her early 40’s, and Sean who is a firefighter in his mid 30’s. As my first fake dating book (I think??) this was a cute read.

It was the first time I had multiple POV’s within the same chapter. So sometimes I would be following Eva, then the next paragraph would be Sean’s thoughts.

Overall this was a quick read for me and I enjoyed the story 😊

Tropes:

Fake dating
Toxic ex
Men in uniform
Reverse age gap
Spicy romance

Pro's + Con's:

Pro's: I like that this book covers an array of lesser spoken about topics for a romance level: not wanting kids, an older woman vs an older guy etc.

Con's: Perhaps if there were a few scenes before Eva and Sean met, there would be more excitement for Eva and what she deserves! The fake dating idea was implemented very quickly into the story and then dropped just as fast 😹

I always enjoy a fake dating book, and this one hit the mark!

I really enjoyed this book from the start, Eva and Seans first meet cute had me smiling.
Their whole relationship was cute and charming. I loved Sean’s easy going nature paired with Eva’s strong determinations.
The more serious elements of the book was also well handled. This book featured many strong female characters who were well developed.

A sizzling love story for enjoying by the pool.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, it's refreshing to read about a mature woman who knows what she wants , and doesn't want in life and makes no apologies for it. The way the relationship grows between them feels real and fluid.
I would definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed the set up this book from the moment meet cute occurred. Then I found the whole thing in regard to their relationship evolving positively charming. I thought Eva and Sean had really great chemistry and all their interactions left me with such a big smile on my face. The third act was really great and I felt like it dealt with a valid and important question really well and very realistically. I thought that it allowed for character growth from Sean.

The Darren element of the storyline I thought was well handled and it ws nice to see the way the women rallied Eva in her time of need, especially the Dean.

Overall, I thought it was a good read, perfect for lazy days by the pool

I loved the age gap, love the style of writing but I wasn't 100% gripped overall it was ok. I think it was the reverse age gap that threw me but I'd reccomened it to friends.

This was just what I needed! Perfect timing!

Sean and Eva meet while she is trying to get her cheating ex off her case by trying to scare him with fire! They have a shared love of books and he’s a dream!

The book had me gripped from the very first page! I flew through it!

The heat is definitely on!!!

Can’t wait to get my own copy.

This book definitely brought some heat, that's for sure! I really enjoyed the dual pov for this book and the polarity of the 2 characters, but them still finding a common thread in literature. A good read for those who like the fake dating trope, and while predictable it was cheesy and satisfied by Inner cheeseball 🤣

Title: Fake Flame by Adele Buck
Release Date: May, 23rd, 2024

3.5 Stars


In this lively and fast-paced romantic comedy, Eva Campbell, a literature professor with a penchant for Jane Austen, finds herself in a predicament when her ex employs manipulative tactics to win her back. Enter Sean Hannigan, a charming firefighter with a heart of gold and a penchant for romance novels. When Sean offers to pose as Eva's fake boyfriend to thwart her ex's advances, she reluctantly agrees. As their fake relationship unfolds, Eva finds herself drawn to Sean's genuine warmth and kindness, despite their differences. But as lines blur between fake and real, Eva must decide whether to take a chance on love and risk getting burned.


"Fake Flame" by Adele Buck is a delightful romantic comedy that masterfully combines humour and heartfelt moments. Eva and Sean's journey through a fake relationship is both amusing and sincere as they grapple with real relationship challenges. What makes this book stand out is Eva's empowering journey of self-discovery, beautifully depicted by Buck. However I did feel that there could be more to Sean.


An aspect that shines in "Fake Flame" is its portrayal of age diversity in romance. With Eva and Sean in their late 30s and early 40s, Buck offers a refreshing perspective on love. Breaking away from stereotypes, the dynamic between an older woman and a younger man adds depth and richness to their relationship.

This story is an engaging and heartwarming tale that will leave readers cheering for Eva and Sean's love story. With its authentic characters, clever dialogue, and themes of self-acceptance and love, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a charming contemporary romance.


Tropes:

Reverse Age Gap
Dual POV
Fake Dating
Spicy
Third act breakup


Thank you to The Publisher Mills & Boon | Afterglow Books , The Author Adele Buck & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Fake Flame by Adele Buck
Rating: 3/5
Tropes: Reverse Age Gap, Dual POV, Fake Dating.

Fake Flame tells that story of Eva, a college professor, and Sean, a younger fireman.

This reverse age gap, was a very enjoyable read.

Eva and Sean are brought together with Eva’s ex makes a grand gesture which leads into the local firefighters being called out.

This book deals with a lot of normal day-to-day issues, which I really liked. The characters responses to these issues were spot on which made me relate a whole lot more to them.

Overall, a highly recommend this book if you’re wanting a cute and easy read with a whole lot of intra love.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mills & Boon for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This was better than the other romance novels I've read this year and it's a solid 3 stars – would be a perfect poolside read!

Some things I did enjoy though:

⭐ The reverse age gap without it being too big of an age gap that it's gross and creepy.
⭐ MCs in their 30s and 40s.
⭐ Conversation and expectations of women who choose a childless life.
⭐ Focus on being in an emotionally abusive and gaslighting relationship.
⭐ A redhead FMC!
⭐ The fact the MCs had a healthy level of communication – how utterly refreshing!

I think the main thing that put me off was that I didn't fall for Sean. He was supposed to be sold as this sensitive, caring, feminist firefighter but I physically recoiled every time he referred to Eva as "woman". It just didn't fit with the rest of the way his character was built and I feel like Eva would have called him out on it.

Also, the dual POV gave me whiplash. I love a dual POV but if it's broken up by chapter. However, this would multiple times per chapter, which didn't quite flow right for me.

However, this was a short and sweet read and I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys contemporary romance.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary review

This was a solid 3.5 star. Easy read, a great summer/holiday book.
Liked this take on a popular fake dating trope. Both main characters were likeable, and weren’t exaggerated or unrealistic. Appreciated the personal growth of the FMC. Her parents were toxic and I would have liked to have seen more of them and maybe an apology from them! All for a MMC with emotional intelligence!

A very cute tale with lots covered. The stalkerish ex gives a great first meet up story and then a friendship and potential relationship. If the book had stuck with entwining the romance and the issues with the ex it would have been just right. The addition of issues with Eva’s parents, Sean’s parents being a bit off, questions over having children all made this quite over the top. So many issues being flung into the story hid the lovely core story that I had a lot of time for

Fake flame 🔥
I absolutely loved how this book started off. Eva the FMC is having trouble with her ex leaving her alone and she’s threatening him with a flame thrower when the fire department show up. Sean is the firefighter that talks to Eva about what’s happening and soon finds out what is going on. To get her ex off her back they decide to fake date. I love a fake dating trope and this one was short and sweet. This is an age gap but she’s older, I’ve never read a reverse age gap before but loved it. He falls first. FireFighter MMC and teacher FMC. Dual POV. Just a cute, easy read romance I enjoyed it. 🌟🌟🌟

Eva is having issues with an ex, issues so bad she threatens to set a flame thrower on him. Sean is a firefighter, sent to diffuse the situation, and also beginning to dip his toe into the world of romance books. When he sees Eva’s predicament, he offers to be her fake boyfriend, and well, sparks fly!

‘Fake Flame’ was an insta-love fake dating romance, with actual grown-up characters who pretty much were able to communicate and then resolve issues. It constantly goes back and forth between the two povs, so you’re never in the dark in terms of what each character is thinking.

There’s also two fantastic dogs and a plethora of fab side characters.

I also wish Eva had been a professor at my uni and I could’ve studied pop culture - what a dream!


Thank you NetGalley and Mills and Boon for the ARC.