I've fallen in love with Camilla Isley's earlier writings but her latest reads aren't bringing the quality, creativity or romance her earlier works have brought.

In fact, I started this and the writing put me in such a depression that I had to put it aside. I couldn't fathom how a convincing love story could be crafted out of this. Eventually the author painted their love story, with our male hero being perfection, and it got better.

Nevertheless, the tone of the opening was such a downer, it was hard for me to muster the excitement to finish the book.

Adrian is a high flying CIO with no personal life who has managed to tell his boss that he would bring his fiancé to a weekend away at his house. The only problem: he doesn’t have a fiancé.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

However when his path crosses with Rowena, he realises an arrangement between them could be mutually beneficial. I mean, how could a fake engagement ever go wrong?

So, although this one was totally crazy and predictable, I still loved it. There’s just something that has you rooting for the two of them to get together for real the whole way through the book. The only thing I didn’t like was how Rowena jumps to conclusions so quickly without actually talking to Adrian.

Other than that, this was a great romance read and I would definitely recommend!

Thank you Camilla Isley, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. If the Ring Fits is out now and I would definitely recommend it to any romance fans.

Camilla Isley has turned into my new auto buy author. Camilla mixed all my favorite tropes into one! Cannot wait to continue this series- if there is more!

If the Ring Fits was a cute and easy read with its enjoyable moments. Perhaps I wish that they would have made the FMC, a woman in STEM, more of a bad ass. But I struggled with some aspects of her personality and with some of her choices. If you enjoy meet cutes with a billionaire, fake engagements and marriages of convenience, then this one is probably right up your alley.

I ENJOYED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
I had a great time reading this story. Both characters are just adorable. They seemed so real to me! The beginning was a great one. I was hooked right then and there. And the toilet scene it’s absurd but so much fun! I really enjoyed the dynamics between them and how they work as a team.
I missed having sexy times on the page because the chemistry was amazing (thanks for that bonus scene) and the ending felt a bit messy and rushed, but I read this book in one day so totally addictive!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had previously read "It Started with a Book" by this same author, and loved it, so immediately jumped at the chance of reading this one.

If marriage of convenience is one of your favourite tropes, then this book is for you! We follow Adrian - CIO on the verge of an important promotion - and Rowena - software engineer who was fired and found out she was pregnant - as they navigate their marriage. I loved the part about Rowena's career and how she finds her true passion. And I loved their romance and how they learned to rely on each other.

There was a bit too much miscommunication at times (forcing the third act breakup), which I was not fond of.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite the meet-cute—if you can call it that! Bonding over being ill in adjacent bathroom stalls, Adrian and the heroine strike up an unusual conversation. Adrian, a high-stakes stock trader, is feeling nauseous over a lie he told his boss to secure a promotion—claiming he has a pregnant fiancée when, in reality, his personal life is nonexistent. Meanwhile, she has just discovered she’s pregnant with her emotionally abusive ex’s child and, to make matters worse, has lost her job.

Through their conversation, Adrian proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: she pretends to be his fiancée for work events, and in return, she gets to live rent-free as she prepares for her baby’s arrival. Despite their ten-year age gap, she holds her own in his fast-paced world, her programming skills giving her a unique edge in a room full of stock traders. As they spend more time together, their attraction grows, and she’s ready to turn their fake relationship into something real. However, Adrian hesitates, believing his workaholic nature will prevent him from giving her the love and stability she deserves. As the reality of losing her sets in, he realizes he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make their unconventional marriage work.

The marriage-of-convenience trope is always entertaining, and this one was executed well. The chemistry between the characters felt natural, and their emotional struggles added depth to their relationship. Overall, an engaging and heartfelt read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the free advanced copy—I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Format: Ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5

💍Fake Marriage/Marriage of Convenience
💍Age-Gap
💍Surprise Pregnancy (Not his baby)
💍Woman in STEM
💍Billionaire MMC
💍One Bed
💍Forced Proximity
💍Nicknames
💍Slow Burn
💍Closed Door/fade-to-black Romance

I really enjoyed reading Adrian and Rowena's story. For me, their "Meet-Puke" moment was the highlight of the book—it was both unexpected and memorable. I also loved the slow burn romance and the gradual build-up of their relationship, which made every moment feel even more rewarding. The fairy tale elements woven into the story added a charming touch that I truly appreciated.

Although I’m not usually a fan of miscommunication tropes or third-act breakups, I have to admit that everything came together beautifully in the end, making it all feel worthwhile.

I was happy to see K-2P the droid, especially since he’s one of my favorite characters, along with Reese and Thomas from The Love Algorithm. While their appearances were brief, it was nice to see them included in the story.

I’m excited to explore more books by the author and see what other stories await!

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the widget in exchange for a honest review.

If the Ring Fits is Camilla Isley’s newest romantic comedy in her Funny Feelings series. It is a hilarious age-gap marriage of convenience romance and should be read after This Is Not a Holiday Romance. This story contains several F-bombs sprinkled throughout and one sex scene in the bonus scene.

28-year-old Rowena Taylor was introduced in This Is Not a Holiday Romance as Nina’s roommate. She is a software engineer and dated Liam until their breakup six weeks ago. One day she goes to see her doctor on her lunch break and is informed that she’s seven weeks pregnant. Then her boss comes into her office and tells her that her job was eliminated and to pack up her office immediately. As she’s walking across the lobby, she’s hit with nausea and runs into the restroom where she pukes.

39-year-old Adrian West is a career-obsessed investment banker in New York City. He’s the Chief Investment Officer and is competing with the COO for the CEO position when the current CEO retires later this year. Adrian is flabbergasted when he overhears the CEO saying that he will most likely choose the COO, Preston, because he has a wife and children. So Adrian invents a pregnant fiancé and tells the CEO that she will accompany him to the firm’s July 4 barbecue which is being held in two weeks. As Adrian rides in the elevator, he is overcome by nausea and suspects that his sushi lunch is making him ill. He hurries across the lobby and into a restroom stall where he vomits profusely.

Rowena and Adrian strike up a conversation between vomiting episodes as they hover in their adjacent bathroom stalls. Rowena confesses her present circumstances, and Adrian admits to inventing a pregnant fiancée for his boss. Adrian offers a deal to Rowena to pose as his fiancée so that she can remain in New York City. The rules of engagement are simple:
• Pretend to be madly in love
• Keep their real lives separate
• Absolutely, positively do NOT catch feelings

Their off-the-charts chemistry and the nights spent in close proximity wear down their resolve. Naturally Rowena and Adrian fall for each other, forcing them to decide after six months of marriage if they want to stay together. While Rowena’s friends know the truth, Adrian’s colleagues believe the ruse. Complicating the situation is Rowena’s emotional struggles after the baby is born, and Adrian’s adjustment to having a family after a terrible childhood.

This author consistently writes smart and funny romantic comedies featuring STEMinist heroines who find worthy mates. She creates sparkling banter between the main characters, who engage the reader in their lives. The authenticity of Adrian and Rowena’s emotions and character development is what makes If the Ring Fits special. While it has many humorous scenes, there is more emotional depth to this story than the author’s previous works. The friendships, work relationships, and Nina and Dylan’s sibling affection add a richness to this series. I cannot wait to read Hunter and Dylan’s story next!

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is definitely five stars. I love the relationship in this book. I love how it started with the future showing where they were in the pseudo divorce and then jumping back into the past to show how they got there, and I loved how their relationship slowly developed. It wasn’t a slow burn, but it definitely gave you insight into each personality. I love the romance, the banter The cute couple things this book is definitely a five star read.

If you loved the first one then you know you will love this one! I love the tech/business world like it's Camilla specialty! The romance and situationship is relatable! I hope the author continues writing in this world because I really love the side characters and setting. Thank you so much to Camilla, the publisher, and Netgalley!

A cute and entertaining romance.
Yeah sure you might find the regular romance troupes… one bed troupe anyone ;) but honestly they work that’s why they’re familiar and so used. But in this book they almost feel new! They’re handled so well with humour and a freshness it genuinely feels like new.
This is one of those book that remind you why you like romantic comedy’s in the first place.

4.5 Stars

Who doesn't love a bathroom meet-cute... or a "meet-puke" as described in the book. With a marriage of convenience, only one bed, and dual POV, this story is a quick read that had me hooked, as I didn't want to put the book down.

Camilla Isley does it again, bringing readers another fun rom com with likeable main characters and good banter. "If The Ring Fits" is the second book in her Funny Feelings series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend you read the first book as well, so you don't miss out of another good book. I can't wait to read the third book in the series due out in May 2025.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love a good Camilla Isley story and this one even though i found it a little slow to start off really drew me in and I must say it was a good time. Really enjoyed the characters and the plot.

Highly recommend!

⭐️ 3/5

Ok, hear me out... the writer is good and the writing is good.

The story, however, is not.

I was frustrated with multiple patriarchal vibes... for example, the FMC is very educated and capable, but she becomes pregnant and is suddenly incapable, and the only things to save her are her parents or a rich man?! Like, why?

Then she becomes wingy and mean and gives him the silent treatment 🙄 😒 I just couldn't catch a vibe.

This felt more dramatic and less comedic.

But hey, it got alightly better as it went on. But even then, it wasn't for me.

♡ Marriage of Convenience
♡ Age Gap
♡ Forced Proximity
♡ Woopsie Pregnancy (not the MMCs baby)
♡ STEM career FMC
♡ Rich MMC

I didn’t love the set up of this book. The whole thing seemed unbelievable and random. However, once the story got going, I came to enjoy the characters and story. I always love Camilla’s writing and this one was just as addicting and fun as the rest.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[NET GALLEY READ #23]
4.25 ⭐

"Don't let fear hold you back from something wonderful."

Delightful.

Pros:
- Intriguing premise. Good characters.
- Well written. Dialogues are pretty good.
- Easy to read. A few big or fancy words here and there. But smooth sailing otherwise.
- Has that 'want to read the next chapter' quality.
- Not relevant but all I can think of after reading the name Rowena is Ravenclaw. The character is lovely, though.

Cons:
- Maybe a bit saccharine at a point or two. Otherwise, a good blend of funny and serious.

Other:
The first chapter with Adrian seemed a bit... wonky. It didn't click. But the next few were much much better. The backstory is sad and explains why the character is a workaholic.

Rowena's chapters were really good. Right from the start.
I like that she tells her friends everything from the start. There is no sneaking around and waiting for a few chapters til the friends find out.

Recommended. 👍

This book was so fun to read! And the main characters were likable which is SO great when reading a rom com. The banter was so well written and felt true to the character and plot line. I loved the swoony and spicy scenes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ARC

I absolutely loved this book, it had everything you want in a cute rom com. The MCs were amazing and I loved them both so much! It was funny and witty, the banter was great, there were tender scenes that made you swoon plus an optional steamy bonus chapter for the readers that want a bit of spice (which I also appreciated because I could skip and know I didn’t miss any of the story). I really didn’t want their story to end, I can’t wait for the next couple in the series either.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ARC

Basic info:
- Contemporary Romance
- Double POV, 1st person, single timeline
- Part of a series of a series of standalone books.

Tropes & hooks:
- Marriage of convenience
- FMC in STEM, MMC in finances (He is pretty wealthy too)
- FMC in pregnant (MMC is not the father)
- Forced proximity (one bed included)
- Age gape
- He calls her sunshine
- Slow burn

Quick premise:
Rowana (FMC) and Adrian (MMC) work in the same building and haven't really crossed paths before. She is a software engineer and he is an investment broker. The day Rowena finds out she is out of her job because of financial cuts (at which moment she is already pregnant and knows it), Adrian finds out he might be up for a big promotion, but only if he can demonstrate that he is a family man. At this point Adrian most decidedly is not such a person, he is totally devoted to his work. The same day Rowena and Adrian meet and after some discussion, they decide to embark on a journey to help each other and pretend to date and get married. She is moving to his place and as they get to know each other, they slowly fall in love.

<b>My thoughts:</b>
- I Loved the dedication. I was very amused by it.
- Rowena. I loved her. She found herself in a pretty shitty situation but was glad to see she had help from her friends and ultimately from Adrian. As a software engineer myself I felt Rowena. I am totally on board with the business idea she had.
- Adrian. We begin with him being a very work-centered person, he does not care pretty much about anything in the realm of friendships or relationships. The more time he spends with Rowena, the more caring towards her and her baby he becomes. He is very thoughtful and does everything for Rowena to be comfortable and figure out what her next steps should be.
- The tension and banter between the two is delicious. They feel attraction to each other but do not act on it because they both think that for the other is just a business arrangement.
- The meet cure between the main character can go two ways for you, you'll find it funny, or it won't be your cup of tea at all.
- Some might find the third-act breakup not convincing enough.
- It was an interesting choice to start the book with Rowena and Adrian being about to divorce and then go back to explain their story.
- I loved the guest appearance from the characters from The Love Algorithm.

<i>I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to everyone involved in ARC's distribution.</i>