I understand the world that Tara Brown is creating and the vibe is very "Gossip Girl" but I just can't get past the fact that I find so many of her characters unlikable. I wanted to enjoy this book and was drawn in by the blurb but it was hard to get into the plot when I just couldn't emotionally connect to any of the characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

He Loves You Not ended up being a did not finish for me.
I liked the idea of this story, but I found it too slow, too drawn out.

This story was great!
It was far from that light fluffy read I expected when starting on the book. The buildup was actually quite nice and felt much more realistic than I'm used to.

It's one of those slow burn relationship, that have always been a favorite of mine, and something that sure is a rare thing in NA nowadays.

Both main characters were lovely flawed and yet very sympathetic. Same with the other characters in the book, they were actually very nicely developed.

I'm VERY happy I read this!

Lacey and Jordan...two people that don't fit into their crowds. This was a great book full of many different stories and emotions. It was a story filled with so many different emotions that at times it was hard to put down. The story plot was a little slow when you knew what was eventually going to happen but it took forever for it too. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

➳ Rate: 3,5 / 5 stars

Let me start off with saying this was my first book by Tara Brown and I really enjoyed her writing and most of her characters. Jordan, and Monty even more so, were a dream and if there is a Monty book I will read it because he is boyfriend goals, and boy did I admire his patience to put up with Marcia.

Anywho, ‘He Loves You Not’ was very Gossip Girl feel, only with more heart than drama and scandal. It depicted the struggle of not only a middle class girl working her way to the top and living amongst the rich but also how the rich,that are more humble and have bigger dreams than just being wealthy, struggle to live with their families’ expectations and demands. There were other issues at play and I think the author gave the story depth with them because the romance was very fun and, I dare say, a bit juvenile too; sometimes I wanted to shake them both at how stupid they were being. But I loved the love/hate relationship they had, it made things very interesting and fun in the beginning of the book.

The book felt a bit long but I think it’s an easy and enjoyable read that will make you smile and also think about certain topics that the story evokes, the same ones that gave depth to the story and provoked strong reactions in you while reading.

This story follows two characters, Lacey and Jordan. Lacey is a smart, middle-class, hard working girl. She is friends with Marcia, who is a rich girl with ambition, but no drive to find her niche and work for her own money. When the summer starts, party season starts too.

Lacey’s first week is a wreck, she finds out her brother has cancer, that her tuition will be used to pay for her brother’s treatment, she meets Jordan, and eats a disgusting protein bar at her summer job.

On the other hand, Jordan and his brother has a reputation, so when he met Lacey the first time and she didn’t recognize him, they clicked and she made a lasting impression on him.

From the moment she realized who he was, things went downhill fast. Add to that the project she starts to get more money for her next year’s tuition and you have a recipe for disaster.

The characters are rich, strong and each to its own – different from one another. I loved how Lacey was a sassy, no filter, realistic girl, with great morals and a strong will. Jordan was not at all what I expected. He was my book crush in this one, such a non-cliché, right? Monty and Marcia was relationship goals, the rich girl with privilege and the rich, down-to-earth guy who adores her no matter how shallow she sometimes gets.

The plot was easy to fall into, a fast and fun read. There is nothing unnecessary or unimportant added to slow the plot progression, making this well worth the time. And the writing, as always, from Tara, is superb. You will have laugh-out-loud moments, yell at the characters for being idiots, see the mistakes coming every now and then and not care that you know, because the writing is enticing and will lure you into making sure you finish this book…

I’d say this is the perfect summer romance to enjoy poolside and share with your girlfriends.

Great read! I really enjoy this author’s writing style. Read it straight through one afternoon. I would recommend this!

Such a fun read.The book felt a bit long but I think it’s an easy and enjoyable read. I loved most of it! I loved the characters and the story line.

What happens when you create the perfect way to make some money to help your family and it practically destroys everything in your life? Disaster, heartache, hurt-you name it. All of these happen for Lacey Winters when her perfect plan goes way out of whack in this imaginative and clever novel.
When Lacey’s brother, Martin, is diagnosed with a curable but costly disease, away goes her last year of college tuition. Listening to her friends talk about wondering if their boyfriends cheat, she and Martin come up with a simple plan to test the guys. But, it all explodes on Lacey when things go terribly wrong. How things resolve is a miracle on their own.

I felt that this was definitely a glimpse into an season of gossip girl, what with the whole upper east side meets middle class vibe. It's about a girl who is friends with the rich crowd, while she herself is decidedly not rich. Her little brother gets sick with cancer and her parents use her college fund for his treatments. In order to make the cash for college, she decides to start a business that tests the fidelity of other girls' boyfriends.

I enjoyed the bits of comedy laced in the novel.

My complaints about the book are minimal. The story seemed too long and the plot developed slowly. I don't think it needed to drag on quite as much. I couldn't relate to the majority of the characters-I didn't feel a bond with any of them. I felt that they were a bit more juvenile that I anticipated- Yes yes I know it's young adult, but I prefer the YA that are a little more mature.

I give it 2.5/5 stars.

***I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

Lacey was driven and creative and a very sympathetic character. I was amazed by how she never seemed to mind not being able to "keep up with the Joneses" amongst her friends. Jordan had a bad reputation and a crazy family dynamic to overcome. The pair was well-matched and fun to read.

So I enjoyed how a)Lacey's parents raised her and how they managed to give them everything despite working a lot and b)how accepting her richie rich friends were of her. I think the second one helped that her bestie's dad treated her like his own. He came from the same background as them. Lacey is a great character, she truly cares about her family and making a name for herself. She has a good head on her shoulders and an amazing makeup artist. She fits in despite being the only one without a trust fund. She get shocking news and needs money fast. Between her and her brother, they come up with a genius idea. It blows up fast! Jordan,on the other hand, is one of the richie rich kids. He has expectations for him but that isn't the life he wants to lead. He wants something different. He just needs to stand up for himself. He's easy to fall for. He has the charm and the down to earth attitude that girls fall for. His life is just to complicated at the moment.
This is not one of these books where the characters meet and fall in love... these two have to overcome before they get together. I liked how we get both point of views with the main characters. This book was definitely different then what I normally read but I enjoyed reading it!

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review**#HeLovesYouNot #NetGalley

"He loves you not" was a fun read!! It was a little bit long for me and it was like watching an episode of "Gossip Girl"!! Overall it was well written and I really laughed in some parts!! I really enjoyed it !!

This was not bad. There were a couple subplots that I had a hard time keeping up with at first, but by the end I had figured out what was going on and enjoyed this a lot. The characters were pretty good, and while part of the story was a little ridiculous, I found myself becoming invested in the characters and relationships that were built up in the story. Speaking of characters, the main characters were well written, and actually had development that could be followed. The minor characters were also built up, and were not just names that were used as friends when needed. I could tell the difference between Hennie and Marcia pretty early on, and that allowed me to enjoy them as characters more. There were no parts that were particularly amazing, but there were also no parts that made me roll my eyes. It was a middle of the road read that was enjoyable, but not life changing.

This is a second in the series. It is truly a stand alone. A group of college students trying to enjoy there summer before there last year at college. Lacey had her summer planned when her world was turned upside down. Jordan from an upper class family was trying to fight unrealistic expectations when he meet Lacey. Everything stood in there way. It was a good book and I loved the characters and concept. I do think there was to much going on in this story and the book dragged on. Fun story to read though.

It's been so long since I've read a new adult romance that I forgot how much of an emotional whirlwind they can be. No joke, I had to put down He Loves You Not many times to sort of regroup only to get sucked right back in. There is a lot going on in this book, which felt a bit overwhelming at times. I had fun getting to know the characters. Jordan is genuinely a good guy that often gets lumped in which his skeezeball brother and grandfather. Lacey is the kind of young woman who'd want as a friend in college. She's fun and hardworking, as well as extremely resourceful which could come in handy if you ever find yourself with a cheating boyfriend. Her group of friends and extended family were loving and thoughtful. I enjoyed spending time with them. Overall, He Loves You Not was a fun new adult romance that kept my attention even when I needed a bit of a breather. The characters were fun. I enjoyed watching Jordan and Lacey grow as individuals and as a couple. I appreciate that it wasn't all sex, all the time. They took their time falling into bed and I liked that. I enjoyed the author's writing style. It was my first book from her and I do hope to pick up another in the future. If you are a fan of new adult romance, He Loves You Not is one that you should give a shot.

This is a very quick read. I enjoyed the characters, but I didn't love the book. There was a little too much sex in the book for my tastes. I really liked Lacey and Hennie and Martin, but I think Jordan and Marcia needed to be fleshed out more. Wealthy people can be three dimensional.

Jordan had potential, but needed to be more developed. And at the end, he should have returned to Harvard to continue his education and then applied to a job where he starts at the bottom and uses his education and skills, instead of his connections, to get ahead. Especially after Lacey made a point of calling him out for his wealth and connections and inability to stand on his own 2 feet...

Lacey has always been the outsider looking in. Being Marcia LaCroix's best friend and attending a private high school gave a glimpse of being an insider. To Marcia, Lacey is her sister--her soulmate. The two are complete opposites in everything. Marcia loves to shop and is completely self-absorbed. Lacey works hard and gives to others. Lacey is also being mentored by Marcia's father to take over his company. She has been working for him every summer as an intern since they started college. Mr. LaCroix thinks of Lacey as another daughter. He's upset with her when he finds out that Lucy's brother has cancer. Lacey doesn't tell him. It's the running joke that Lacey is his favorite. 

Marcia is constantly dragging Lacey to socialite parties. Lacey is always hanging on the edge since everyone knows that she doesn't have money. At one of these parties, Lacey meets a gorgeous man. She knows him from somewhere--probably another one these stupid parties that Marcia drags to her to. It bugs her that she knows him but can't place him. He comes from money--how he carries himself, dresses, etc. tells her that. The way he speaks--speaks to her soul. Before she knows it, she's cornered in the bathroom about to kiss him. Ok, she was willing to do a lot more than that. Marcia saves her. 

Jordan Somersby is the youngest of the Somersby brothers. His family is one of the most affluent families in America. His father wants him to date a spoiled socialite in order to close a deal with her father. Dating her will ruin his chances with his dream girl from the boat. Now, if he can find his dream girl. He's not like his brother. He doesn't love crunching numbers and closing deals. He doesn't know what he wants to do. Instead of following his heart and discovering himself, he blindly follows the family tradition to work in the family company with his father, brother, and beloved grandfather. 

Once Jordan finally discovers that Lacey is his dream girl, everyone knows that he's dating Amy. How can he get out of dating Amy without blowing the deal between Amy's family and his? 

Lacey starts a new business on the side in order to pay for her last year of college tuition since her parents have to use her tuition money to pay for her brother's medical bills. Her new business test whether or not men are faithful. The first test is to two of her best friends' boyfriends. When she tests DJ Spark aka Miguel she gets drugged and Jordan takes care of her. Testing these guys is dangerous, she gets a bit of that after her brush with Miguel, but not until she is beaten by a cheating bartender does she realize how dangerous testing these men really are. The only reason why she isn't raped or beaten further is because Jordan is following her after she refuses to see him since he's still involved with Amy. 

Jordan has a brilliant idea of how to get out of this arrangement with Amy. Have the Test Dummy test him--fail. He poses as Amy online to request the test and pays for the whole arrangement. 

Lacey knows that she can't test Jordan. She has Hennie do it. Lacey's heart breaks when Jordan fails. She's hoping that he can stay true even if it is to Amy who is a complete pill and doesn't give a crap about Jordan. 

How can the two of them find a way to be together when so many obstacles are in their way?

Lacey was going to a boat party with Marcia. Marcia’s family was wealthy and Lacey’s family was middle class and lived in Brooklyn. Life in Brooklyn was nothing like where Marcia was from. It was a whole different world. But Lacey and Marcia were close friends. Lacey and Marcia had just finished there Junior year at NYU. Marcia and Lacey;s favorite person was Martin who was Lacey’s seventeen year old brother. Lacey’s grandma didn’t like Marcia much as she felt Marcia and her family were entitled. Lacey worked for Marcia's dad Frederick during the summer break. Lacey’s entire future rested on LeCroix Marketing and PR- one of Frederick’s businesses. Lacey loved nothing like she did when she got to work in Frederick’s LeCroix office, assist in all the greatness going around there. Then Martin is diagnosed with cancer .and Lacey needs to find a second job to be able to help at home and save for college as her parents had to use her tuition money for Lacey’s senior year for surgery Martin needed in his fight to survive the cancer. She definitely can’t hang out with Marcia and all her other friends. Then Martin and Lacey came up with a business idea to make money. Make a company that Lacey tests females boyfriends and see if they will cheat with her or not. Lacey had met Jordan during the boat party Lacey had went to She felt a connection to Jordan who is hot and charming. Then she finds out that Jordan is another rich kid and she had already been hurt by a rich kid and wasn’t going to let it happen again especially one with a girlfriend and Lacey had walls up now to protect her heart..Lacey has been single two years. Lacey knows as far as the rich boys are concerned she is good enough to sleep with but not good enough for them to take her home to meet Mom and dad. Jordan’s dad is trying to make a deal with a rich family and hopes to get a partner. His father wants Jordan to date the guy’s daughter. Make her Jordan’s fake girlfriend. Jordan isn’t interested in the man’s daughter as he already had a thing for Lacey so he does whatever he can to be with her. But Lacey doesn’t have time for a boyfriend. But Jordan agrees to the fake relationship as he always does what he family expects him to do. Jordan saw Lacey’s add and decided set himself up to be tested by Lacey and comes out a cheater to get rid of the man’s daughter.
I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the plot and pace. I loved Lacey and Jordan together and how they interact with each other. I really liked Lacey and Marcia’s friendship. At times i choked up while reading this and other times I chuckled. I loved the building of a relationship between Lacey and Jordan. I also loved how Lacey was willing and gave up her time with her friends for a second job. And doesn’t turn to her friends for help.but goes for a second job to help her family and save what she could for college. I loved how Martin was one of Lacey’s and Marcia’s favorite people I do think this could have been a little shorter. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book I wish I could have rated this a 4.5. I Recommend this book.

He Loves You Not isn’t just a slow burn, it’s slow. Period.

I felt like I was reading for days waiting for something to happen. It was a long book, full of what I would call pointless rambling, instead of an actual storyline.

I did enjoy parts here and there, but I won’t be rereading. I just feel the whole thing was missing something - I don’t know what. Maybe I’m just better suited to something with a faster pace 🤷🏼‍♀️