This book had me at the premise but kept me with the execution. It was delightful and charming, and the nods to some of my favorite romcoms throughout were so much fun. I loved that the book was not only about Julia and Luke, but also Julia's friends and Luke's sister. I'd love a story about Kate next - hint/hint. The animals were wonderful secondary characters. While I'm partial to dogs and enjoyed all the corgis, Bonnie and Clyde the birds were a hoot! In summary, this was such an enjoyable story with old school romcom roots and some steamy times. It's my first book by Melonie Johnson but wont be my last.

I was very excited about reading this book. From the cover to the synopsis, it sounded like a great time. Sadly, it was very dissapointing and I had to force myself to muster up the energy necessary to get through this book.

One of the most noticeable flaws of the book is its writing style. It doesn't inspire you to read more, it reads very dull and moments that are highly emotional don't have that big an impact on the reader. The other issue with the writing is how much dialogue there is, I thought I was reading a script from how much these characters talked and after a while it just becomes uninteresting and you start to skim because what they're talking about doesn't really impact the story.

The characters, while they talked a lot, don't really have any depth to them. They seem to just be a name in the book without really reading like people that you should be interested in reading about. This also affects the most important part of thus book, the romance. As soon as they meet, I knew this was a lost cause. It's insta attraction mixed with miscommunication (2 of my least favorite tropes) and then if course we get to the inevitable but actually quite easy to avoid third act breakup.
To make it all worse, they don't even read like a couple in love. There's no chemistry and their story was just boring.

While I'm sure this romance book filled with the perfect romantic scenarios has an audience, it clearly wasn't for me.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book was sooooo cute!!! I loved it! Very innovative! I am kind of hoping the author does a sequel. The main characters Luke and Julie were so cute and I loved how the author wrote Luke as a little bit awkward and clumsy. This book also had some good laughs. It was just an over all feel-good book that I would definitely recommend to other readers. Very unique!

Welcome to a fun summer rom-com!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a rom-com, well enter the Notting Hill Resort - an immersive resort where guests get to live out their rom-com fantasies. Julia, the main character and journalist, is ready to give up on the idea that life is like a romantic comedy when she pitches the idea of reviewing the resort to impress her boss and hopefully avoid a layoff. She and her two friends go to spend the week at the resort for its opening. At the resort, every patron is given a character and they remain in that for the whole trip. First day at the resort she pretty much ends up in a meet-cute with an aggressive seagull and Luke whom is also participating in the rom-com experience or so she thinks. Both characters hide things from each other but in turn also start to really fall for each other. The question is, is their love really real?

I loved the concept of this book as I love a good rom-com movie and it was so fun to hear all the different connections to characters. I also really liked how even though the characters were staying in a place with so many rom-com references and activities that the author also showed that sometimes it is hard to separate the real from the fake, but that things can also be wonderful when you let someone get to know you.

I jumped back and forth between a 3 and 4 star review simply because I wanted a little more depth with the main characters. There are still some really great things. Julias friends! The supporting characters were amazing! The seagulls! Even though this was more lacking in the romance part the dialog between friends was good, the rom-com references were so fun! And who cannot love the first line of the book (you will have to read it to see what I mean!) . This was still a feel good, fun, enjoyable romcom! One that I would totally binge on a beach with!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Melonie Jackson's last series, I was excited to see she had a new book out! Plus the fact that the plot is set at a resort that specializes in rom-coms, I just had to read this one. Filled with plenty of comedic elements, this romance had everything you could possibly want, just like your favorite romantic comedy movie! This book is perfect for when you need to escape the realities of life and just take time out to read. And if the love story between Julia and Luke doesn't grab you, well there's always the seagulls!

This was such a cute, fun read. I was smiling and laughing pretty much from the first page. I found it to be very entertaining, with characters that were easy to fall in love with. While I never really felt the chemistry between the hero and heroine, the storyline was engaging and the secondary characters were just as interesting as the main characters.

With so many fun moments that included corgis and seagulls, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the world this author created. Despite the hero and heroine having some issues to work through that affected their ability to take a chance on a relationship, the angst level remained low.

A girls trip to a resort that focuses on a Rom-Com experience? Count me in! (lol)

Julie is a writer for a popular website and in an attempt to prevent herself from being in the next round of layoffs, she pitches a story idea which involves traveling to Notting Hill resort and taking part in a real-life Rom-Com experience. When she arrives at the resort with her 2 best friends, she heads right out to the beach because the ride to the resort made her a bit carsick. As she is returning to the resort, she bumps right into Luke, literally. She introduces herself but decides to hide the fact that she is the reviewer and has her friend, Kat, ends up taking on that role. Luke is the gamemaster and runs the game/experience along with this sister, Pen, and his best friend, Jay, but decides to keep that to himself. After the meet-cute, Luke is taken with Julia and decides to take part in the game and turn over the gamemaster role to his sister. What follows is a story with some comedy and some romance (of course).

I like the idea of a rom-com experience getaway. I expected the characters to consist of mostly singles but there were several couples and even a bridal party. The characters were relatable and I found myself caring for not only the main characters but also the secondary ones.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. This was a light-hearted, flirty, easy read....a perfect beach read with a happily ever after. The writing was good and engaged me from the start. There were several funny moments and the concept of a rom-com within a rom-com was interesting. Definitely recommend this book to rom-com lovers and anyone looking for a light, witty, funny book. I'll have to check out other books by Melonie Johnson as this is my first by her.

This was a perfect, light, romantic book to escape into as the weather was warming. I want to go to rom-com camp! I love the brother-sister friendship between Luke and Pen as well, it added a great deal to the story. Julia was a fun main character, and her friends were a hoot. Great book!

Lovers of romantic comedy movies will love this book where Melonie Johnson places her characters in a hotel to experience true love just like in the movies. Silly antics and predictable scenes abound in this novel. It is easy to figure out exactly what is going to happen during this week-long hotel visit. Think true love cannot exist? It can for the characters of this book...and all within a few short days. This book is not particularly rich in plot or in character development but it was a break to have from more serious books, especially during such a non predicable time during this pandemic. I liked the idea behind this book, however I did roll my eyes a few times at the bird scenes and when they were a little descriptive with um...bedroom behavior. Some of these scenes seemed out of place, as if Johnson felt the need to be risque but did not quite hit the mark. I also thought the hotel owner and her dogs were completely pointless and only took away from the realistic environment they were trying to portray. The underlying message of being honest and upfront is always a good message.

I had a hard time giving this one a star rating. There are elements to this book that I like. The main characters seem well-suited and I love all the movie rom-com elements. However, the dialog in this book really bugged me. Something about the dialog was especially off whenever the 3 girlfriends were talking to each other. It didn't seem natural. It also really irked me how the plot is essentially lifted off of Austenland (which I think was a more successful book. I kind of wanted to put this one down to go re-read it). There is a brief mention of how Austenland is just like what they were doing (they were also referring to the movie version and not the superior book version), but it comes way too late in the book even matter.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I loved the concept of this book, with the main characters staying at a romcom themed resort. However, I found it a little too cheesy for my taste. I had trouble connecting to the main characters, especially Luke. I wanted a little more build up to the relationship between Luke and Julia, and after they almost kissed very early on, I found myself losing interest. I did like the side characters, especially Julia’s two friends, Andie and Kat. The friendships and other romances were my favorite part of the book. It wasn’t a bad book and I do think many people will enjoy it much more than I did, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. This book was such a fun summer read. This books takes place over a week at a rom com role playing event being hosted by a small beach town hotel. Prior to this book I had never heard of this trope being used in novels and I actually really enjoyed all the references to popular rom coms and made it easily possible for me to be transported alongside the characters on this adventure. Throughout the book we not only see the blossoming romance between Luke and Julia, but we get to experience seeing the side characters find their match and some of them aren't even human (seagulls). This novel also touches upon the struggles of finding yourself in your career and working towards the things that actually bring you joy. My favorite parts of the book were always when the characters let the environment of what they were experiencing take over, and it was in those moments when you truly saw what was important to these characters. Overall I enjoyed this novel and fell in love with all the characters.

Too Good To Be Real is about a rom com hotel that’s in a Notting Hill-ish town in Wisconsin. Julia, who is a reporter for a magazine, visits the hotel with her best friends to write a staycation review. Everyone that stays, is in a romcom simulation with different names and events based off romcoms. This started out so promising! The first chapter really got me hooked. Around the 50% mark, I was having trouble keeping track of all the characters and their storylines, especially since every character had a different rom com name! Julia and Luke’s relationship was very cute and wholesome! I thought they had good chemistry and I enjoyed their meet cute. Honestly the best part about this book was Julia and her friends. I loved how they interacted with each other and they had such great chemistry!
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Unfortunately I had to DNF this one at 50%. The premise sounded promising and I love the references to all the rom-coms, but i just couldn't connect with the characters at all. I found all their interactions forced and not genuine. After the 50% mark, i tried to skim through the rest of the book and read the ending in the hopes that it would change my opinion, but unfortunately it did not. With all that being said, if this sounds like something you think you would enjoy, please don't let my opinion discourage you. I really wanted to love this one, but it just wasn't for me. I always struggle with writing reviews for books I didn't enjoy because I understand and respect the hard work and dedication the author put into their work.

I struggled with connecting with the characters, however the concept was really fun. Overall it was a decent book.

I LOVE rom-coms. Especially the classic Rom-Com Movies of the 80's and 90's, Bridget Jone's Diary, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and I could go on and on. This book takes you on an adventure I only wish could be real! It all starts with 3 young women that end up getting a complimentary stay at a resort that literally creates immersive romantic comedy experiences. WHAT?! Is this place for real? Where can I sign up?
Fittingly named, Knotting Hill resort hosts Rom-Com Experiences and is kind of a fun play on the LARPing world, only instead of Kings and Knights, there are popular rom-com tropes, dreamy actors, and a week of rom-com activities. The only catch...it's all fantasy.
Love is dead, is the philosophy of our Heroine, Julia. Until she literally stumbles into a guy on the beach when she first arrives at the resort, a literal meet-cute. The romance and the comedy ensue as the week unfolds. But like all good things, the week must come to an end, and Julia finds herself struggling with feelings in the real world for someone she met in the fantasy of the Knotting Hill Resort. I don't want to spoil the end, but let's just say it doesn't end like My Best Friend's Wedding. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, and sexy and had corgis-what's not to love?!

Like a cream filling hidden in a pastry, we have so many delicious layers to this story!

I absolutely adore the premise of this book! Facing layoffs, Julia makes a last-ditch pitch to review a new resort that is hosting a Rom-Com LARP. Bringing along her two besties for the week, she's determined to get the inside scoop and have a little fun along the way.

Luke is the Game Master, the one who's pulling all the strings to give the guests an unforgettable experience. Along with his best friend and his sister, his team has planned every rom-com trope imaginable into an event-filled week that is sure to fulfill more than a few fantasies.

Set along Chicago's lakeshore, the laughs start immediately with Luke and Julia's first meeting that was crashed by a maniacal seagull. There is plenty of humor throughout the book but the author also does an amazing job of focusing on the deep, emotional issues involved.

There are more rom-com references than you can shake a stick at. Johnny Castle? Check. Meg Ryan? Check. Secret identities? Check and double check. The way all these were worked into the story was simply brilliant, and really elevated this to so much more than a traditional rom-com. It's a beautiful tribute to the genre itself.

As expected, there are plenty of romances happening here in addition to Luke and Julia's. Their HEA is perfectly life-changing, and theirs isn't the only one. I loved every character, even Zach, and I loved every single page of this vibrant, enthralling story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I’m not a big fan of rom-com films; I think, for the most part, they’re cheesy. But I do like romantic novels on occasion -- if they’re well-written with likable, interesting characters. Too Good to Be Real fits that bill with Julia and Luke, as well as a pair of scene-stealing seagulls and a crew of corgis.

Julia, a writer making a last ditch effort to avoid being downsized, goes undercover to review a new rom-com themed resort where she (literally) runs into adorkable Luke, who along with his sister and best friend are in charge of the live action role play at the Wisconsin lake-front hotel. When they meet, of course neither Luke nor Julia reveal their true reasons for being at the resort, which results in a moral dilemma for each of them as they grow closer to one another and things get complicated.

Overall, Too Good to Be Real is an enjoyable read. Julia and Luke are sweet and cute; the side plots with Julia’s besties and Luke’s sister keep things interesting, and the resort’s owner, Ms. Weatherspoon, is hilariously goofy. There are copious references to to rom-coms new and old, so whether you enjoy your romance in print or on celluloid, you are likely to find Too Good to Be Real a fun read.

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

I'm a simple gal, with simple passions. Those passions include corgis, and romantic comedies. Therefore, this book was a no brainer. To begin this review, I will delve into the things that I loved about this book, and then drift over to the things my mushy heart would personally change.

Our heroine, Jules begins the story working as a writer at t a media company (that sounds pretty similar to Buzzfeed). Jaded and disillusioned with love, Jules is looking for something to spark her creative spirit, which is what leads her to the resort experience of a life time. At the resort, Jules is given the opportunity to live her rom com inspired fantasies! At the resort, she meets Luke, the man of her dreams....or so she thinks.

2021 is the year of quirky characters in romance! Personally for me, my TYPE is the gangly awkward guy, This guy seems to never be represented in ANY romance novels. Give me the dorky, self deprecating guy, and Luke was the embodiment of that. I loved how real his relationship with Jules felt, and I love the mush ball tendencies he brought out in her. Also, we need to highlight the corgis! Corgis automatically amplify everything.

Sadly, I felt like a lot of this story was spent giving characterization to Luke (which was fine, I adored him). However, I think the Jules characterization fell flat. She had some funny dialogue moments, but I wanted more. I also wasn't a fan of the fact that Luke fell the need to tone down his dorky tendencies.

Additionally, the ending fell flat for me. I feel weird that Jules didn't accept FULL responsibility for her lies until the end. Additionally, the random "half proposal" type scenario fell flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Thank you Melonie. I needed a book like this!
It was "light and airy". It was funny and it was a break from reality that I needed. Please write more like this.
And again, I loved all the movie references.
To be honest, I'd love to stay at a hotel like the one in this book. A get a way from everyday life.