Ever wonder what a day in the life is like for your favorite influencer? Influenced Love is a rom com, fake dating trope about Alivia who is a very popular hair/beauty influencer. She finds herself in the middle of a publicity nightmare and on shaky ground with her followers after attending her male best friend's wedding and unintentionally stirring up some drama. She then decides that the best way to resolve said mess is to let her followers pick her next date and from there the shenanigans ensue.

This book is a really quick, fun read. The main character reminded me a lot of Jackie Aina, and I appreciated that it gives an honest behind-the-scenes look at the daily grind that is the influencer lifestyle. Hint - it’s not always such a glamorous lifestyle. I also liked that it examines the perennial question of whether men and women can truly just be friends. The pacing of the book did feel a bit sluggish at times, but overall this book is fine for a light weekend read or a palette cleanser. Fans of Jasmine Guillory will enjoy this.

The moment I saw this book I knew I had to read it! I've been reading a lot of romance these days, and I'm really glad this was one of them. It was a fast, nice and fun read, with a very cute romance and good pacing.

I really enjoyed how the author played with tropes we are very used to seeing, subvertng our expectations and bringing a new possibility to what sometimes seems predetermined. However, some of the plotlines seemed a little off. At times, there was so much happening that the story didn't manage to focus deeply on any of the things that were brought up.

It was an overall good story, with enjoyable characters and growth for most of them, really nice for those of us who can't miss a love story with an independent protagonist.

This book is easily one of my favorites! I loved the storyline! I really enjoyed when the main character was talking to herself in her head! It was a really sweet feel good book!

Initially, I thought this was a romance book. Turns out, it’s more of a women’s fiction novel. BUT that did not stop me from having a good time reading. I wasn’t a fan on how Alivia handled her issues with her best friend, but I can see her as an influencer I’d love to follow if she were real. She and her hero were definitely cute.

Overall, it’s a good book perfect when you’re in the mood of a casual and light read.

Final verdict: 3/5 stars (I liked it).

Thankyou for giving me the chance to read this in advance. The subject ie social influencer is very now and with the times. It was well written and good fun. Would highly recommend na good all round ‘romcom’

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Influenced Love by Shellee Marie is an #ownvoices romance that will appeal to fans of Jasmine Guillory and Farrah Rochon. The story revolves around Alivia, a well-known beauty influencer. After her best friend's wedding, online trolls accuse her of trying to seduce the groom. Desperate to turn their attention somewhere else, Alivia agrees to do a "collab" with fellow influencer Moe Gava. Who is the real guy behind his image? And what about his assistant Travis?

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 during the wedding:

"As I continued to attempt to clear my vision, a flash from one of the photographer's cameras hit my eye, leaving me to feel an odd, painful third stage of burning. I moaned and covered it with my hand as a few people started to stare back at me.
...
When she handed me the mirror, I carefully moved my hand away from my eye. It looked even worse than it felt. It had swollen to the size of a baseball and was beginning to tear up. Panic ran through me like a chill on a cold day. I had a meet and greet the next day and videos to upload for makeup tutorials. There was no way I could do all of that with a swollen eye!"

Overall, Influenced Love is a lovely romance for the reality TV star / influencer generation. One highlight of this book is the innovative and new premise. I liked the idea of the protagonist being an online influencer who needs to protect her image. I'm sure a lot of people have dreamed about being influencers, so I thought that was an interesting angle. I did take off 1 star, because I thought that this was going to be a rom-com, but there weren't any humorous scenes. That's probably my fault for not realizing that this is a romance, not a rom-com. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of romances, you can check out this book when it comes out in February!

First of all; love the cover, simple, cute and it encompasses the story.

Alivia is a beauty influencer and like most influencers, she has a fanbase and it seems that everyone knows all about her business even if it ain't her business and she experiences this when she hurts her eye due to a mishap during her best friend's wedding- and to try and wade this negative publicity she conducts a poll and gets her fanbase to pick her next date who happens to be Moe who is into fitness. However, upon meeting Moe, she learns that he's nothing like his online persona, rather his online account is managed by his friend, Travis, whom she finds she can relate to and slowly begins to like spending time with.

It's a fun read I'd say and Alivia is faced with the decision of having to choose what life to lead whether it's for the likes or what she truly likes.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Shellee Marie,
Thank you for this eARC!

Influenced Love
by Shellee Marie

When Alivia Fae a beauty influencer scopes her followers and tries to date one of them is when she meets Moe, another online influencer. Sparks start flying when she starts falling for the guy behind the image.
Soon Alivia realizes he is not a influencer as he makes it seem online.
In order to keep up the appearance they continue to fake date and start a fake relationship. To keep the engagement going with their fans.
The events start unfolding and she starts to fall closer to Moe's assistant, Travis.
Which makes her start question what she really wants in life!

I thought this was a cute novel!
The story was interesting and kept me engaged.
I wanted to see how this all played out.
The characters were what made this story. They each had their flaws and trying to grow as an influencer.
This read has the right amount humor and heart.
The was story was fun and light hearted.
Her writing was on point and I couldn't help but to be glued to my Kindle.
Overall, A fun, quick, cute, fake dating read.

Alivia is the best woman for her best friends wedding, Dan. Alivia accidently causes a scene at the wedding, this causes issues between the bride and Alivia. To take the spot light of her relationship with Dan, Alivia decides she need to find a man, she puts a poll on her social media and her date of choice is not who she expected.

A light hearted read for anyone who enjoys real life relationships with moments of humour and heartbreak. I read this book within a few hours and couldn't put it down as I was really enjoying the characters.

Cute book and storyline. It was well done and easy to read. Definitely like a weekend book. You don’t need a diagram to follow the plot line. Just sit back and enjoy the book.