Friends to lovers… a favorite theme and this version made me laugh, cry and keep reading. Mia’s illness and Noah’s loss add levels to the story and enhance it.

3.5 stars!

This was an incredibly cute friends to lovers romance!! My favorite parts:
-the wings every Thursday tradition
-the sweetness in having a best childhood friend turn into a lover
-emotional arc of BOTH love interests

My one critique is just that I wish we could have gone deeper with the story. I felt like more could have been done with the relationship between the two MCs instead of leaning into a miscommunication trope- or whatever trope it is when you feel like you can't tell the other person your true feelings because they won't take it well.

Overall very cute!

xx
-Christine

This was a wonderful contemporary romance, with some of my favorite romance tropes. Fake to real, friends to lovers, along real emotional growth in light of some truly heartbreaking situations?

Sign me up!

Mia and Noah have been life-long best friends, eventually working together at Noah's family's architecture firm - their sweet, daily pranking and quippy texting have you giggling from the start, and their harmless but escalating pranks are amazing. Mia, the friendly, sunshiny character, doesn't know a stranger but has absolutely insisted she'll never marry, and for the same personal reasons, hasn't pursued her true professional passion. Noah, a little quiet, a little-more reserved, has pined for Mia for over a decade, even as he's wrestled with the loss of his brother. A misunderstanding in college, though, has meant neither of them has ever pursued anything beyond the friendship they both enjoy.

And here's the American medical insurance landscape takes over, and forces their hands. Who knew the awfulness of that minefield would prove to be an excellent plot device to get these two together?

Mia has the chance to return to school, but can't give up her insurance. Noah, who only wants the best for Mia and has medical insurance with his job, offers a marriage of convenience, and now? We're off to the races!

Know that I devoured this sweet book in a day - I loved their relationship evolving and growing, their recognition and honestly with each other as they dealt with their real world problems. The tone was steamy, but not a true open-door; there were plenty of make-out or foreplay scenes, but everything ultimately faded to black.

Grief, chronic illness, medical insurance, and parents could have easily swallowed this book up, making the tone heavier than initially promised. Never once, though, did I think their personal issues overwhelmed the romance plot line, and I cheered them on as they tackled their different physical and emotional situations.

The pacing of the novel was excellent, and the character development was wonderful. I loved this story, and would happily recommend to any reader who loves a good contemporary romance!

This is a great fake marriage romance story. Mia and Noah have been best friends since childhood. When Mia gets an opportunity to return to school she realizes there is no way she can do it because she needs her job’s medical insurance. Mia has a kidney disease and is waiting for a transplant. Noah suggests that they should enter a fake marriage and she can be on his insurance plan. But - once they do this do they both want the marriage to be fake? I loved their relationship and their dialogue and banter. The story is well written and is a perfect romance book for summer reading!

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?

I absolutely loved this story. First, friends to lovers, or in this case, a married couple is a great trope, and Allison Ashley did a great job with this story. I loved Noah's character. He was so selfless and his love for Mia was so beautiful. Mia was a bit stubborn at times. She was so worried about not letting anyone be burdened, that she wouldn't let anyone help her, nor pay attention to what her actions were doing to someone she loved. I really enjoyed reading this one and seeing how this relationship played out. This is first and foremost a lovely romance, but there are also some serious issues, such as medical problems, guilt, grief, education and following your dreams. This a story that I definitely recommend!

Beautiful friends-to-lovers romance between childhood friends who first fell in love in college, though tragic circumstances kept them in the friend zone for almost 10 years.

At age 21, just as they’re about to admit their feelings for each other, Mia falls ill while Noah is on a mountain climbing trip with his brother. The events of that tragic weekend led to both of them lying to themselves and each other, saying they want to remain just friends. It isn’t until Mia wins a scholarship to return to school at age 30 (which she is ready to turn down because she needs health insurance through her job) that Noah proposes they get married so she can quit and fulfill her dream of becoming a dietician. It’s inevitable that what starts as a marriage of convenience with a side of insurance fraud will lead to more, especially since they’re sharing a home. The question is, will Mia allow Noah to sacrifice his own dreams to take care of her as her kidney disease worsens and will Noah be able to give up his fear of losing her if it means he can start living life fully again?

The love between Mia and Noah is intense and oh so beautiful. There’s definitely sexual tension, but the love scenes are all fade to black. The emotional baggage these two share is totally understandable, but the willing, albeit misguided, sacrifices they both make are frustrating to read, which is a tribute to author Ashley. There’s a true villain who gets his comeuppance, enviable friendships, role models in their parents’ long marriages, and some insight into what it means to live with a chronic disease. There are definitely tear-jerker moments, but this beautiful love story is worth the tissues. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from MIRA through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I can't believe that I slept on this book for so long. It's seriously everything I want in my romance novels. There was angst, sweet moments, and the some of the BEST romance trope(s) to ever exist.

This book was everything a romance book should be, cute characters a light plot and a perfect chemistry between the main characters. This book is all about our main characters Mia and Noah. These two have been friends since infancy and it shows nicely in their playful banter. When Mia is diagnosed with cancer her whole world gets turned upside down. To make matters worse she finds out that in order to accept her scholarship to her dream program she has to either quit her job or give up her health insurance which at the moment would be disastrous. That is when Noah decides that they get married and use his insurance to help her get her degree. I loved how close and real their friendship felt because it really gave a genuine feel behind Noah's offer. That characters were amazing and I particularly loved Noah's don't take no for an answer attitude. The chemistry between these characters was out of this world and will leave you rooting for them right from the start. This is the perfect romance book that introduces new fans to the genre. Great read and I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it because it was a very refreshing and light read.

Thanks to HTP and MIRA for my advanced copy of Would You Rather by Allison Ashley. This was such a fun and adorable book. I'm not usually a huge friends to lovers fan, but this story along with the marriage of convenience was done so well. I loved the writing and you can't help but fall in love with Mia and Noah!

Definitely check this one out!

Noah and Mia have been best friends for ages. While things are going well for Noah at work, with a possible promotion on the horizon, Mia is dealing with chronic kidney disease and is on the waitlist for a transplant. Because of her complicated medical history, she has shunned romance to avoid being a burden on anyone and stays at a job she isn’t happy with for the medical benefits. But when a chance comes for her to return to school for something she loves, it becomes so difficult to say no. This is the dream she has had for so long, but she can’t quit her job and lose her medical benefits. Noah’s suggestion that they get married for the benefits is a considerable risk, not to mention illegal. But will this marriage of convenience show them they may be more than best friends?

I really loved every single moment of this story. Not only is it a beautiful love story, but it also covers heavier topics, like self-sabotage, grief, and dealing with a chronic illness, that feel refreshingly real. “Would You Rather” will have you smiling until your cheeks hurt, laughing out loud, and desperate for these two beautiful souls to have the HEA they deserve. I devoured this book and highly recommend it!

This was a fantastic friends to lovers and fake marriage story. So much pining, it was really fantastic when they were finally truly able to get together. I loved both Mia and Noah, especially. They were matched so well and had such a great relationship you couldn't help but root for them immediately. My favorite was the perspective from Noah and seeing how much he felt for Mia through his eyes, it was magic. Thank you to Netgalley and MIRA for the ARC.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and MIRA books for my eARC!

Um ok, so this book was a gem. If you love friends to lovers romance, you must read this book. Would You Rather was sweet, funny and just plain adorable. Mia was stubborn, Noah was thoughtful, their romance was perfect. There were moments where I was like just be together already! But, isn't that part of the fun of reading this kind of novel? Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would most certainly recommend it to my fellow romance lovers

A heartwarming story of two best friends who after years of trying to deny their feelings, find their way to one another. Not wanting to ruin their perfect friendship, Noah and Mia tried their best to stay friends but when Noah offered to marry Mia "only in name" their dynamic completely shifted. Would You Rather is a cute love story of two friends who overcome their demons and find love in someone that's been there all along.

Would you rather a fake dating or marriage of convenience trope?

“Would You Rather” by Allison Ashley took me by complete surprise. I’d never read a book by this author before and admittedly didn’t know what to expect from it. I opened my kindle to sneak in a few pages on my lunch break and at the end of thirty minutes I was 10% in and HOOKED. I didn’t want to put it down, couldn’t focus on work again. All I wanted to do was forget the rest of the world existed and focus solely on Mia and Noah.

I am a fake dating reader all the way. Fake dating is so much easier to believe as a reader, because marriage feels to permanent and too commitment-y to be realistic. Let it be known that Allison Ashley has won me over as a marriage of convenience fan and I feel like she’s opened the door for me to a whole new world.

‘Look at me.’ Something in his voice forced her eyes to his. He looked at her the same way he always did – with focus, friendly affection… maybe a hint more intensity than usual. But overall, he just looked at her like he was Noah and she was Mia.

Would you rather a friends-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers romance?
Mia and Noah have been best friends for years. They lived next door to each other, went to the same college, and now they work together. Mia and Noah are pretty much inseparable.

But…


Mia is sick with kidney disease. Noah is grieving the loss of his brother. Their relationship is strictly platonic, except for that one night back in college where the innocent drinking game almost let some feelings slip and push the boundaries of that strictly platonic friendship… almost.

Mia, fighting a kidney disease, but wanting to continue to follow her dreams of finishing her college degree and being a pediatric nutritionist, she applies for a scholarship on a whim. As luck would have it, she gets the scholarship, but she needs to go back to school ASAP, meaning she’ll need to quit her job and go full time. That means losing her benefits.

Noah would legitimately do anything for Mia. It’s only a natural progression in his brain that they get married. She’ll quit her job, but she’ll be able to keep the same insurance, and he gets to be married to the person he loves, even if it’s only temporary.


“Don’t play dumb with me. You and Noah have the most messed-up dynamic I’ve ever seen. You both want each other but you pretend not to, and it’s the most exhausting and delightful thing to watch. You’re a train wreck of epic proportions.”

Friends, I’m only going to say this once. The pining is off the charts. These two fools yearn for each other, and you’re going to spend the entire time rooting for them to get together for real.

Would you rather only one bed or forced proximity?
The antics of these two adorable creatures trying to make everyone believe that their marriage is legit is laugh out loud funny. There are some second-hand embarrassment moments for sure, let’s be real, but the heartwarming and fun times make these characters shine. Allison Ashley does an exceptional job of balancing the antics of a marriage of convenience while committing insurance fraud with the beautiful moments of two friends discovering their feelings for each other and falling deeper in love.

With vibes of “Life’s Too Short” by Abby Jimenez and “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne, “Would You Rather” will have you smiling until your cheeks hurt, laughing out loud, and desperate for these two beautiful souls to have happy ever after they deserve.

3 1/2 solid stars.

A sweet story about Mia and Noah, friends forever, who take on a marriage of convenience. Mia is sick and needs health insurance. Sad that this is actually a storyline in today's world, but absolutely realistic.

Of course, this being a romance novel, we all know what happens. Of course they're in love, and have been forever.

Some tender moments regarding Nathan, Noah's brother that passed away years ago, and Nathan really needs to manage his emotions regarding that. Don't worry, he figures it all out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a fun contemporary romance! Fast read, great characters, original storyline.

Mia and Noah are best friends since childhood! Fast forward to their early 30s and they work together, playing many pranks on each other, sharing their love of chicken wings and friends from college. While Noah’s star is rising as he’s up for a promotion, Mia life is on hold. She is enduring weekly transfusions and awaiting a kidney transplant. She dreams of returning to college and on a whim, applies for a wonderful scholarship. But she really can’t afford to leave her and her health insurance.

Noah offers her a marriage of convenience so she can keep her insurance and finish her degree. But can these best friends, with plenty of baggage between them, really have a marriage in name only? Their transformation is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are wonderful also. Total enjoyable read! Get lost in Noah and Mia’s relationship. Truthful but mild look at transfusions and dealing with an incurable disease.

Thanks to Ms. Ashley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

OH MY GOD. THIS BOOK GAVE EVERYTHING IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GIVE AND MORE. This is the first marriage of convenience novel I have ever read and I am obsessed. Allison Ashley, you have found a new number 1 fan in me.

Best friends-to-lovers romances always slay - but Noah and Mia literally crowned the trope with their beautiful bond. I fell in love with Would You Rather almost instantly. Just after finishing the first two chapters, I KNEW that it was going to be a 5-star read. The emotions, the humor, the drama, the wholesome feelings - this book served in every possible way.

Would You Rather felt more like a character-driven novel more than a plot-driven one - and I loved that the author decided to keep it that way. We got to see Noah and Mia acknowledge their deep (romantic) love for each other throughout the story - and wow, what a beautiful journey that was! The author portrayed grief and guilt in a realistic manner. I could connect to the characters really easily just because of those factors.

The side characters in WYR were absolutely charming. Noah and Mia's friend circle gave me life. The comedic conversations - MAN I HIGHLIGHTED SO MANY PARAGRAPHS! I loved every single part of this gem of a novel. I cannot wait to read more from Allison Ashley!

Mia and Noah have been best friends since childhood in Allison Ashley's friends-to-lovers romance Would You Rather. Noah is an architect at the firm founded by his now-retired father and Mia is his administrative assistant. They spend the day playing pranks on each other (Mia taped a banana under Noah's desk that smelled after a few days, Noah signed Mia up to receive by email a daily fun animal fact) and playing the game "Would you rather?" (Would you rather be a pirate or a ninja? Would you rather be able to read minds or fly?)

They both have issues to deal with. Noah's older brother died a few years previous in a car accident. Mia has a chronic kidney illness that requires her get weekly infusions at a hospital while she waits for a kidney transplant that may or may not come. She is also estranged from her parents. Both of them feel guilt for reasons that aren't necessarily their fault.

Mia's dream is to become a pediatric nutritionist, but she needs the health insurance from her job to pay for her medical bills. When Noah comes up with a plan to marry Mia so she can keep her insurance while going back to school, Mia is dead set against it. She doesn't want to burden Noah with that, she thinks it is unfair to him, but Noah talks her into it. They are best friends after all.

They have to convince everyone at work, their friends, and Noah's family that this marriage is real in order for their plan to work. Mia sleeps in Noah's guest room, while they both pine away for each other with just a hallway between them.

When one of Noah's coworkers overhears their plan, he uses that information to his advantage. After all, insurance fraud is illegal.

Would You Rather is a sweet slow-burn love story (if you liked season two of Bridgerton as much as I did, you'll enjoy this book) with the requisite misunderstandings and miscommunications. The storyline dealing with chronic illness and the health insurance problems in this country add an interesting element. Noah's devotion to Mia is so touching, and I found the way the characters dealt (or didn't deal) with their feelings and emotions realistic. I recommend Would You Rather.

Thanks to Harlequin for me on their Summer 2022 Rom-Coms Blog Tour.

I love the childhood friends-to-lovers trope when there is depth behind their story. This one definitely has that, as well as layers, heart, and feelings. Mia needs a liver transplant and health insurance, which makes the decision to leave her job to achieve her dreams difficult.

Sweet, loyal Noah would do anything… and I mean anything... for his childhood best friend Mia.
This includes committing insurance fraud by marrying her, for the sole purpose of giving her medical insurance.

In the US, healthcare is expensive and a privilege. Mia’s family has suffered from the cost of her treatments, leading Mia to worry about being a financial burden and avoiding romantic relationships. Yet, Noah is always there for her afraid to leave her alone after losing his brother years ago.

Both characters have their flaws, but their marriage-of-convenience is sweet, funny, considerate, and would you rather questions. It may be fake to them, but to those around them, it’s real. It’s a journey that left me smiling.

Written by a pharmacist, this book is perfect for those struggling with chronic illness who want to see themselves loved fully in a book. Mia works for Noah’s dad’s company and has always wanted to finish college and gets an opportunity - but can’t take it due to her need for medical insurance. Noah has always been her best friend and they have a fun business relationship at work. I loved both characters and am so happy for this book to be published (and for this Oklahoma author!)

Marriage for convenience
Friends to lovers
Character has chronic illness