Two Unlikely people getting a marriage of convenience and end up finding out that maybe they don’t mind being married after all. But they will have to fight to keep one another or risk losing the best thing either one of them has ever had.

This book was a fun, cute read that will have you rooting for the two main characters to figure out that they really are better together than apart.



**thank you to net galley and the publisher for providing an ARC**

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This one was a super fun and quick read. It was exactly what I needed to break up a reading slump after a slew of heavier stories.

Finley and Hayden were an adorable couple that had fun chemistry. Finley's family was infuriating at times, but I was glad that in the end they were able to work things out in the long run.

One of my favorite bits of the story was how Hayden was willing to support Finley so she didn't have to choose between the guy and her dream, but rather wanted to let her live the life that made her happy, knowing his life wasn't necessarily that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for an honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book.

This book was funny and cute! Was a great romantic comedy. Very lighthearted and short book which is easy to read.

I loved this book so much! Her writing is always spot on and this was no different! Such a great story and strong characters

This book was such a joyful surprise! Surprise because it’s one of my favourite books of the year and actually featured some lovely Christmas / holiday moments! But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised because this is my fourth book by Melanie Summers and I’ve definitely learned she is the best of the best at feel-good-rom-coms!

The first few times I encountered the Fake Dating trope I wasn’t sure I was keen on it, but books like Even Better Than the Real Thing are made to change your (my) mind. As silly as it sounds, it actually felt entirely plausible (the plot) and I found myself wondering if this has ever actually happened. Fenley is one of the most endearing, disarming and relatable characters I’ve read in a while and I honestly am a little sad the book is over because I’d love to read more of their story. And Hayden of course has to be a new book boyfriend of mine. I really enjoyed both their POVs and seeing the story unfold.

Also surprising was a bit of the history woven in re the art and physics history. Pieces like this always spark my interest and really show Melanie’s ability as a writer off. She wrote truly compelling character ARCs for both Finley and Hayden.

4.5 stars rounded up! If you are looking for a light romantic comedy and enjoy the fake dating trope (or honestly even if you don’t - she does it so well you might), I highly recommend.

I read this book in the exact right mood to best enjoy it. It is a light book with some emotional undertones and well-rounded characters. It is the fake marriage plot which, when done well (like here), is a lot of fun.
I think the blurb does the book a disservice by revealing too much of the plot, but it does a good job of setting the tone. Our leading lady is a working PhD student who does a desk job to fund her studies. It is at this time that she faces an ultimatum from her advisor (who is not one of the characters I enjoyed meeting). This ultimatum puts her in the direct line of sight of her boss, who has had his own ultimatum. This ultimately leads to our marriage of convenience.
The standard plot line follows, with a splash of American living in Britain to round off the pair falling for each other without revealing their own thoughts.
The best friends in this narrative take up very few pages but leave a lasting impact by being interesting and involved in the end result of the events.
This book would make a good Christmas movie. I enjoyed the plot all the more because of the author's writing. I like certain writing styles better than others, and this was just what I felt like reading at the time. I managed to read it all in about one sitting. I would recommend it to fans of the genre and look forward to reading others by the author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I loved this book. It was a great romance between Finley and Hayden. It started out as a marriage of convenience, so he could inherit the earldom and so she could view the private art collection at his estate. They ended up falling in love for real over the course of their marriage, which leads to issues but it does have a happy ending. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

I'm a sucker for a marriage of convenience, but this one just fell flat for me. The pacing was weird and I just didn't really feel the chemistry.

Loved loved loved! This book was fun and perfect for summer! Melanie’s books always hit you in the right spot. They make you happy & enjoy a good romance book!

Thank you NetGalley and Indigo Group for providing the e-arc.

I was intrigued by the blurb and the cover (very cute cover btw!) and I couldn't be more right! This is straight up one of the best fake marriage trope books out there and become my favourite rom-com book this year. I love the way it's written, it's flowing effortlessly and made me pouring myself and finished this book in one day--though I gave a late review due to my mundane stuffs. I love all the characters--except the Hayden's step-relatives--and the MCs' character development that was shown in their own POVs, they are so cute, lovely, and so wholesome together, I came to love them so much! I really love their chemistry, banters, and even their sacrifices that wrenched my heart so bad. I lowkey wishing that they ended up winning the earldom. Though the ending doesn't really satisfied for me, but the epilogue paid it all for me. Overall, this is such a wholesome, hilarious, and heart-wrenching book. A must read one, I must say.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Can I just start by saying Hayden is a bit of an arse!

This is yet another perfect summer read! A fake marriage/ I need a favor and you need me kind of story.

Even through Hayden is a big jerk, he still had me swooning! I mean hello Lord Hayden!

What?! You need a wife but it is all for show, ok! Just kidding….I am already married! 🤫

The whole marriage convince storyline gets me everytime! I can’t stop reading it!!!!

I absolutely adored this book! Finley was just the person Hayden needed and their growth together was lovely. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten teary-eyed at a break up scene, but that definitely happened here. I felt my heart breaking and then it happening again later in the book as Finley is speaking with her grandfather. Even though this book has well used tropes, the feeling and emotion in it made it a wonderful story. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. Opinions are all my very own!

This book was... WOW! Great Rom-Com
It had me hooked from the beginning. so much fun to be put into their story, see their relationship transform and how they faked it bc they both needed each other.
Great Chemistry
The author was great at telling this story, so many elements, great characters, lots of details and well written.
This book gave me all the feels and was amazing. Loved it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me have an ARC copy of this book, this review and opinions are voluntary, honest and my own.

This was such a cute and funny read. It was easy to get in to because of the story and I really enjoyed it.

I mean come on who doesn't like a fake-relationship book where it turns out that the other one actually feel in love.

Book review : Even Better than the Real Thing by Melanie Summers is a romantic and hilarious book that one enjoys every bit of it.

The story starts with Finley who needs access to her boss's extensive art collection at his manor house. Lord Hayden Stuart needs a wife to inherit after his father dies. Neither expects this marriage to ever be more than a contract. But love has a way of sneaking into the equation.

Finley thinks she will pretend to be his wife but never gets to know till their deal gets over that she fell in love with him. It is interesting to find out how she enjoys her married life and then will she ever get back her true love.

The author has beautifully presented their fake marriage and bits of love that dwell them more close than ever. A fake relationship can also change you as a person and your thinking and this story is the best example of the same.

I loved reading this witty relationship story and is difficult to put down. I recommend this book to all romance book lovers.

I am thankful to netgalley and the publisher for giving me this book in return of an honest review. I am looking forward to more of the author books.
Happy Reading!

Fake marriage and opposites attract in this book! This was a darling little romance book and I think this is going to be one of my new favorite rom com authors!

Even Better Than the Real Thing
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/7/22
Author: Melanie Summers
Publisher: Indigo Group
Pages: 332
Goodreads Rating: 4.25

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for providing a digital advanced readers copy of the book for me to read for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Not so great being told I’ll only get accepted to the program if I gain access to my aloof, uppity, super grumpy boss’s private art collection. As it turns out, said boss—a one Lord Hayden Stuart—needs to get married to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom. And if there’s one thing Hayden Stuart is never going to want for real—it’s a wife. So, we strike up a deal: I marry him and go live at his castle, where I’ll have unlimited access to his collection, he gets his earldom, and when the estate is settled, we part ways forever. Because the more we’re together, the more I realize that, even though we’re from totally different worlds, we have a lot more in common than I ever could have imagined.

My Thoughts: This was a cute romantic read. Finley is so messy, yet relatable, while Lord Hayden is the opposite. While it does not appear that they would normally mesh well, it was a perfect match. The characters were well developed, had depth, Finley and Hayden had witty banter and amazing chemistry, and they were intriguing, grew throughout the story, and the supporting characters did not disappoint. The author’s writing style was complex, creative, and kept me engaged throughout the story. The ending felt rushed and I would like to have seen it drawn out a bit. Overall, a cute light romantic read.

I was so lucky to be provided an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I LOVED this book! This book was was such a fun read and kept me engaged all the way until the very last page. This has all the feels - so stinking cute! Do yourself a favor and read this at the first opportunity you have, you won't be disappointed.

I am always down for a marriage by convenience book trope! This cute romance did not disappoint!! Also really well written and the chemistry between Finley and Hayden really came through.