Faking it has never been so much fun…
In her ultra-competitive family, April Beckett is used to taking last place. For years, she’s put up with jabs about her modest job and her pathetic love life. Especially after she tried to impress her older sisters with a fake boyfriend in college and failed miserably. But now she has a smoking-hot date for her brother’s wedding, guaranteed to wow them.
Until he bails. Cue total desperation.
Without April’s friendship, Brody Blackwood wouldn’t have survived his last breakup. So, if she needs a plus-one for a family wedding, he’s all in. Even if it means pretending to be her boyfriend. And committing to six days of activities at a wooded resort in Wisconsin. But how hard could a relaxing getaway with your best friend be?
Too bad there’s a grueling 10K race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all turn out to be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined?
Purchase Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/red-velvet
Books2Read Link: https://books2read.com/u/m0KQrW
Review
When April's plus-one to her brother's wedding falls through, her best friend Brody steps up to the plate. He's nursing his own broken heart but April was there for him during his own bad break-up and the miserable months that followed. Pretending to be her boyfriend at a destination wedding is the least he can do. April's family might be ultra-competitive and she might have been nursing a crush on him for the last few years, but they can pull this off, right?
Like the namesake cupcakes, Red Velvet is sweet and delicious, full of banter and character growth. I loved both April and Brody, seeing their similarities and differences - April is the short and curvy graphic designer in a family of competitive corporate high-fliers, whereas Brody is the second son of a multimillion dollar business, and both feel like they can never live up to their parents' expectations. They complemented each other so well - April helps Brody realise what he actually wants out of life and he helps her stand up to her overbearing family. Both felt like real people with real problems, and yet I fully believed in their happily ever after.
Family is a strong theme through this book (and likely the whole series) and April's family surely deserve an honourable mention here, especially the decent ones. They might push and prod too far but it comes from a place of love - and this book does a good job at respecting that love while still drawing boundaries. The trivia quiz was possibly my favourite scene and even though the series is about Brody's family, I surely hope Ginger gets her own book (and away from her parents!).
Light, sexy, and entertaining: I'm definitely interested in reading more by this author! Best enjoyed on the couch with a glass of wine.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own
Author Bio
Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat.
Social Media Links
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