Would You Rather

Product Information

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Allison Ashley and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review* But all of the feels are definitely there. While the steam level is pretty low, the anticipation is high and intense. These two are definitely meant to be. That made it all worthwhile! The chemistry was palpable. I liked the banter. I liked how protective Noah was about Mia and rightfully so. I liked how the difference in personalities and how outgoing Mia was instead of the usual "shy" girl trope who is coaxed out of her shell by Mr popular. And she wasn't a mean girl, popular type either taking advantage of the hopelessly in love software engineer. This was just good vibes. Ashley also did a great job of portraying chronic illness, and really showcasing the negative effects it has not only on your physical health, but on your mental health as well. It can seem a bit annoying at times that she feels she is a burden, but the fact of the matter is, when you suffer from a debilitating chronic illness, this is how you feel. End of story. Individually, they are both really struggling, with Mia having health problems and Noah still dealing with the death of his brother. They both struggle to let each other in with these specific issues. Usually, I’m one to get annoyed when characters push people away in the spirit of not putting their burdens on others but Ashley does a great job of making me truly understand these characters' intentions. At certain points, this actually made me want to tear up.

Her chronic illness isn't labelled. It's kept a mystery, which feeds into feeling like fictional bullshit created for the sake of drama. It appropriates disabilities. I haven’t read a marriage of convenience in a minute!!! This was a great reminder of how fun this trope really is. Mia and Noah had such great chemistry, so even though there is usually awkwardness that comes with this trope, Mia and Noah's own wasn't extreme because they’ve known each other forever. Their love for each other was overflowing in the book due to their devotion to helping each other and being with each other through tough times. I love it when I read a romance and it’s not just sweet words or sex, but ACTIONS!!! Mia’s relationship with her parents also definitely had my attention. Wow, there were so many emotions going through me any time they came up.I love reading a great story about friends to lovers’ romance. There’s always one that has a secret love for the other that has been festering for years. It’s such a revelation when everything finally comes to light. Claire was a way more interesting character who was not brought in enough. I would much rather watch a story of her and Graham or her alone rather than these two. I would do the same for Julia. This was a completely satisfying read and I can’t wait for @bookswithnopictures buddy read and chat next week! This is a new-to-me author and will definitely be eager to read more by her. Also their "redemption arcs" are done so like "okay now we have to make these annoying characters better so no character development but both of them will do a hurried gesture each to show they have grown". Also they kept harping over Noah's guilt for Rachel but Rachel gets to utter a total of 2 sentences. Way to make it all about Noah ugh.

Pitch-perfect...gives me all the feels, and I love every one of them!"—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

Dual 3rd person POV was perfect for this story. I really enjoyed their easy friendship, Noah's protectiveness (well actually this fits for both of them), the jokes they played on each other, and, of course, the would you rather game they've been playing for all these years. It took a bit, but they finally realize their feelings go deeper and they give in to their desires ~ in a clean manner. When Mia tells her best friend, Noah, of the opportunity and having to turn it down Noah comes up with a plan. Being friends forever Noah thinks no one will question them if Noah and Mia suddenly get married and then Mia can use his insurance and pursue her dreams but can the two of them still hide their attraction to one another being so close? Pink—what's the Pander Express? Glad you asked guys. The Pander Express is a play on Panda Express because that's how simple my mind is. And yes, the way I wrote "getting on the Pander Express", implies that it's some kind of train... but I just said my mind is simple so take it or leave it. Featuring ~ best friends to lovers, chronic illness, fake marriage, marriage of convenience, no steamage Noah and Mia are childhood BFFs who have been by each other’s sides through major life moments like death of a loved one and illness. So much so that Noah proposes a marriage of convenience which Mia is reluctant to commit to.

I think we all know by now that friends to lovers is my favorite trope, so I was pretty sure I was going to love this one going in. Add in fake dating and forced proximity and it is pretty much a recipe for perfection.The story follows Mia, a woman who needs a kidney transplant. She's been living with chronic illness for the last decade, and that has made her avoid relationships. Mia doesn't want to burden a loved one with the responsibility of caring for her, so she's buried her feelings for her best friend (Noah), and has almost convinced herself that they don't exist. But when an educational opportunity presents itself and Noah suggests that they get married so Mia can have health insurance without needing to work on her own, the offer is tempting. Anyone who has met the two of them knows how deeply they care for each other, but spending time in close proximity is dangerous. Noah has been head over heels for Mia for what feels like forever, and calling her his wife is surely not going to change that. Noah and Mia have been besties since childhood, and although there have been moments over the years when their relationship was on the verge of change, something always happened that would keep them squarely in the friend zone. Noah and Mia have been best friends since they were 8 years old. Both of them have very strong feelings for one another, but have kept it secret, not knowing how the other feels. Mia has heath issues, and needs a kidney transplant, so does not want to burden Noah. Noah is happy to have Mia as a friend and doesn't want to scare her off. When Mia gets a scholarship to return to school, she can't go if she has to quit her job as she needs health insurance. Noah is up for a promotion at work, but is willing to take a chance for Mia. He offers to marry her, in name only, so she can be put on his medical insurance and return to school with her scholarship. If the employer or insurance company finds out, there will be consequences. Not only that, but will this fake marriage actually allow them to show what they really feel toward one another? Heart-warming and deeply romantic, Would You Rather is one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I’ve ever read.