I really enjoyed this story! It was a lot of fun and a quick read! I must admit I read another last year (Heartbreak) that wasn’t my fave, but I definitely really liked this one! It was quick, fun and very current.

Poor Isla (literally), suddenly gets booted from her apartment by her roommates, since she hasn’t been able to keep up with the rent. Student loans have become too much - who knew having an MBA would make life more difficult and get you an entry level dead end job that others with no education are also doing? Because her family is so unsupportive and awful about everything, she can’t go home or ask her folks for help so she heads to her brother’s condo (since he’s out of town for a month).

Unfortunately, she has a really embarrassing run-in with his best friend Cade who happens to be staying there during renovations at his own place, so she makes a quick decision to lie, leave all her stuff there, and go sleep at work (oh, the plight of millennials!). She ends up nearly getting caught but in the end, comes out with a house-sitting job from one of the company’s higher-ups… which leads to several more, and mostly solves her housing issues and gives some extra cash. When Cade discovers her at one of her jobs, during a work party, he talks her into a fake dating gig to join him at his frequent work events so his coworkers will stop trying to set him up with someone, so he won’t tell her brother what she’s up to. And of course, we can all see how that might end up!

A really fun, millennial, brother’s best friend, fake relationship romcom, with a whole lot more going on - definitely worth the read!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Alcove Press, and this is my honest feedback.

This was a lovely read for me. The writing is easy and engaging and I flew threw it without really noticing.

I really, really liked the main character and narrator, Isla. Her voice as a narrator was really distinct and funny. I had a lot of empathy with her situation; she felt like a truly troubled, lonely character and I felt so happy for her when she made friends with Neeta and began to grow closer to Cade. The way her situation was presented was done really well for me.

Cade was a sweetheart. He was softer than I expected, and he was really cute and good to her, I just wanted her to start letting him in. Their chemistry was great and I loved the dynamic between them; their banter was really fun and the sex scenes were hot and well-written.

I also really liked the angst in this book. It was a good contrast, really, as the book itself is quite gentle and light but the conflict over their feelings, over her situation with her family, was really well-written. The final bits of conflict hurt but they made perfect sense. The subplot involving her family was also quite painful but I did like how it was done and how it resolved – or didn’t, I suppose. The ending was very satisfying to me and I liked that things weren’t perfect but she was happy – it just rounded off the novel really well for me.

I just really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun but occasionally angsty contemporary romance with the best friend’s brother, friends-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Death of a parent (in past), childhood neglect (in past), difficult relationship with parents, references to violence and home invasions, on-page sex.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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Rent to Be follows Isla, MBA holder and sad, corporate employee. Isla is going through it. She was kicked out of her apartment for not paying rent, she isn’t making great money, she doesn’t have a relationship, and she has no friends (anymore). Isla plans to crash at her brother’s while he’s in London, but someone else is too - Cade. Cade is Isla’s childhood friend who didn’t have a great home life and spent lots of time at her house. She also has always liked him - whether she acknowledged it or not. What happens when the two fake date and kind of flirt while Isla is in and out of her house sitting gig and sleeping under her desk?
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I overall liked this. It felt a little slow burn ish but it was good. It had fake dating, childhood friends, brother’s best friend, and found family. I thought it was cute.

I didn’t care for the ending much as it felt abrupt. I do like Cade. I also like Isla, even though she’s a little chaotic. I feel like this book captures the struggle of being in your 20s!

I would love a book about Netta and Seb

thank you to netgalley, alcove press, and rb media for providing me with both the e-arc and the alc in exchange for my honest thoughts <3

*** 4.5 stars

isla jane is going through it like most millennials are these days. she did everything she was “supposed” to: went to college, got a job, and moved out on her own. unfortunately, like many of us she’s barely making it by at a dead end entry level job that barely covers her student loan debt. she’s kicked out of her apartment and has nowhere to go except her brother’s condo while he’s out of town for work. only problem is… her brother’s best friend Cade Greenley is already staying there while his condo is getting remodeled. when a desperate attempt at finding a place to stay ends with her sleeping under her desk at work and unintentionally scoring a housesitting job, things start looking up. but when cade spots her lounging in a bikini in a home she doesn’t own, they strike a deal. he won’t tell her brother about her struggles and in return she will pose as his girlfriend at upcoming corporate events. the line between what’s real and fake is blurry at best and housesitting isn’t going to last forever.

listen here folx: i freaking loved this book!! from the first page i was cracking up. sonia hartl has such a talent for weaving comedy, romance, and tough times into a seriously heartfelt story!! i absolutely loved isla from the start, because she felt so real (and let’s be honest here the post grad struggle hit a little too close to home in this one) because she was a mess and afraid of what her family would have to say if they found out she was struggling. cade was a swoon worthy love interest and i wish so badly that he was real because he was a SNACK!! all that being said i had such a fun time reading this and will definitely be picking up more by sonia hartl in the future <3 <3 kirsten leigh’s voice was hypnotic as she narrated this wonderful story.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the chance to read and review this book. Literally read this book in two sittings. Probably could have been one if I didn’t start it so late the night before. Such an adorable rom-com. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something fun and light to read!

Thanks to Alcove Press, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

This is a really sweet and occasionally funny contemporary romance. We've got Isla who is underpaid and under appreciated at work and in her home life, and Cade, her brother's best friend who is overbearing and overly attractive. We've got some fake dating in here too but mainly it's about a young woman who needs to start standing up for herself.

Both Isla and Cade are great characters and their chemistry is HOT. I really loved Neeta's character and, eventually, Sebastian.

Although it got a little too sappy for me at the end, I still really enjoyed this book overall.

Rent to Be is a swoon worthy rom-com with fake dating, forced proximity and found family - what's not to love!

Isla Jane is very much down on her luck - struggling to pay rent, hating her job and drowning in student loan debt. When things come crashing down and she ends up with nowhere to live, she decides to drop in on her brother's flat while he is conveniently away on a work trip. However, when she gets there and discovers her brother's best friend Cade is also staying there while his own place undergoes renovations, she finds herself in a bit of a pickle.

This was a lovely, quick read that left me feeling warm and fluffy! I feel like Isla represents a lot of young women and I liked how her problems genuinely felt real and relatable, which is something I often struggle with in romance characters. I think that her relationship with her parents is one that will hit home for a lot of people and is something that I think is very relevant for the generation that she represents.

Cade is dreamy - an attractive, but genuinely kind and caring person who has quite clearly always had a strong connection with Isla and from the off I found myself rooting for him. I was glad that he didn't start off as an 'arsehole' who needed to be redeemed as the book went on, he was just a genuinely good guy (but not too good to be true kind of guy) who had valid trauma and hang ups from his childhood - I think the author dealt with these perfectly too.

I think that the reason I enjoyed this book so much and found myself picking it up and wanting to read on was because of how well Sonia Hartl wrote these characters. They are authentic, fleshed out and have real character development. She doesn't shy away from their flaws but also doesn't rely too heavily on them to tell the story either. They are acknowledged, but the characters thrive despite them and I was rooting for them all the way through.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a slightly spicy, fun rom-com read that doesn't shy away from the realities of being a young person in the current climate, but presents you with loveable characters who you will absolutely fall in love with.

I recently stumbled upon an exceptional author whose book left a profound impact on me. The central premise of two individuals feigning a romantic relationship intrigued me from the start, but what truly won me over was the gradual evolution of their emotions.

The author masterfully portrays the shift from mere friendship to a much deeper connection. It's akin to the feelings that often blossom over time between friends. The pacing of the story is commendable; the author takes ample time to let the characters' bond flourish organically.

What impressed me most was the unwavering support the characters offer each other. They provide solace, companionship, and shared laughter, yet they yearn for a connection that surpasses these bounds. Their desire for something profound is palpable, creating an engaging narrative tension.

The story kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover what lay ahead. Each exchanged glance and shared quiet moment had me speculating if they would eventually acknowledge their true emotions. The plot unfolded like a tantalizing puzzle I was eager to solve.

One of the highlights is the realistic portrayal of the characters' emotional journey. Love doesn't strike suddenly; it simmers and intensifies like a gentle flame growing into a roaring fire. The characters navigate moments of doubt and uncertainty, making the eventual resolution even more gratifying.

For enthusiasts of stories that explore the delicate transition from friendship to a deeper connection, this book is an absolute gem. The writing envelops you in warmth and comfort, making it an ideal companion for cozy reading sessions. If you're seeking a tale that tugs at your heartstrings and resonates long after the final page, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this book a read. Prepare to be swept away by the captivating journey, just as I was.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥.5

Isla Jane is looking for a new place. After getting evicted from her apartment, she does not have many options as her entry-level job barely pays her. Knowing her brother is on work travel, she thought spending a month at his condo would buy her some time. Alas, his best friend Cade Greenley beat her to the space while his own place is under construction. Desperate, she ends up with housesitting gigs, but when Cade discovers her temporary job, he agrees to keep her secret if she becomes his fake girlfriend at work shindigs.

As it is with close proximity, our main characters learn more about each other and find that there is more reality to their fake relationship than they thought.

This was a very enjoyable read. Struggling with the combination of adult bills and a low-paying job after business school graduation hit a bit close to home, but Sonia Hartl perfectly portrayed those difficulties -- especially under the microscope of passive-aggressive parents. The connection between Isla and Cade was great. I had hoped for them to be stuck in the brother's condo together, but the fake relationship trope did well to bring them closer together.

There are moments of immaturity, even in Cade's case, but I just had to remind myself that these were young people with little helpful guidance from their parents.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Sonia Hartl, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

You know that moment early in a book when you desperately want to reach into the pages and shake the heroine by the shoulders, screaming “Girl, he’s been in love with you for years, stop being so clueless!!!!” If you don’t have that moment reading Rent to Be, you’re a stronger reader than me. And if you don’t have it again, this time in regards to the MMC, when he’s being stupid during the third act drama, can you please teach me how to live a stress free life because it must be lovely?

This book is super cute. Isla and Cade are so obviously meant to be from the first pages, and I enjoyed getting little peeks into their shared history, starting when they were kids. Their romance is both sweet and steamy. And we get some fake dating, which I always, always, always love. If that was the whole plot – girl falls for older brother’s best friend, fake dating, feelings ensue – I’d be a totally happy reader.

But no, this book had to tug at my heartstrings too. Isla is like too many of us millennials, drowning in her student loan debt and unable to ask for help. Her parents don’t like handouts or people who need help, and they’ve made that known over the years. So she can’t go to them for help, and that fractured relationship will break your heart. It certainly made me appreciate my own parents more, because it was genuinely difficult to read how her parents dismiss her concerns and make jokes at her expense. Some parts of this book are light and fluffy, but this plotline might be hard for some readers who are living an all too similar situation.

Overall though, a great romance, fun leads, and it tackles some important, heavy things.

This was a super fun, coming of age, fake-dating, brother's best friend roommance, spicy love story. I enjoyed how relatable recent college grad Isla is as she struggles to find an affordable place to live and a well-paying job she doesn't despise! The chemistry between Isla and her brother's best friend Cade is OFF THE CHARTS and it doesn't take long for them to give into their romantic feelings thanks to lots of forced proximity, fake dating foreplay. Good on audio narrated by Kirsten Leigh and definitely recommended for fans of authors like Falon Ballard. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!!

This was a quick read with some of my favorite tropes, but it didn't work for me. I didn't care for or identify with any of the major characters. This novel relied much on telling rather than showing, which made the characters feel one-dimensional.

The element of childhood pals to lovers worked well for me. I liked the memories of Isla and Cade's upbringing, as well as their mutual longing. With the addition of the brother's best friend, It gained a few more points from me but overall the character development wasn't there.

Review: Rent to Be - Sonia Hartl

I was very lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC.

Isla Jane is living the millennial nightmare. She’s got a shiny new MBA and no way to pay for it, thanks to her dead-end entry-level job, and nowhere to live, thanks to her miserable salary. Going home to her parents is not possible, but for once Isla’s brother may be her saving grace. He’s out of town on business for a month, meaning the guest room in his condo is blissfully empty. Or so Isla thinks, until she runs into Cade Greenley, her brother’s best friend—who’s crashing there while his own condo is undergoing renovations. When a desperate plan to sleep under her desk miraculously turns into a house-sitting job for one of the big bosses at her office, Isla is certain her luck has turned—with no one, Cade included, the wiser. It’s a perfect solution—until Cade catches her sunbathing at a mansion that is definitely not hers, and she admits she’s house-sitting because she can’t afford rent. The pair strike a deal—Cade will keep Isla’s secret from her overbearing parents if she agrees to pose as his girlfriend at a few upcoming corporate events. The fun and friendly vibe of his office is a surprise compared to hers, but the biggest shock is that each “date” with Cade feels less and less fake. Suddenly she’s looking forward to every minute they spend together while the chemistry between them sizzles. As Isla’s house-sitting scheme begins to unravel, she'll have to face the fact that her biggest lie of all is the one she's telling herself: that she's not falling in love with Cade.

📦Brothers Best Friend
📦Fake Dating
📦Forced Proximity

This book had me hooked from the beginning!!! I could not put it down!! I loved Isla and Cade’s characters!! I really enjoyed the storyline of Isla’s life being in shambles and Cade being her knight and shining armour in a way by wanting to always protect and look out for her. I really loved at the end of the book that Isla put everything on the line.

I definitely recommend this book!! I cannot wait to read another Sonia Hartl book soon!

Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s

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Rent to Be seems so much more convoluted than it needs to be. At its heart it is a story of a girl who has crushed on her brothers best friend and vise versa for years. But to put them together the author has the FMC making a series of poor choices. Isla Jane is stuck with a low level entry type job even though she has an MBA. She is floundering as school loans kick in and she hasn’t made rent for enough months her roomies put her stuff on the doorstep. Taking her boxes in hopes of staying at her brother’s condo since he is out of town she is surprised to find his best friend Cade Greenley staying there while his condo is remodeled.

Instead of agreeing to share the apartment setting up a forced proximity situation, Isla lies and begins a new side job of house sitting. The blurb makes a big deal about a fake relationship. But Cade calls in the favor/blackmail only for a few work events so it is only a small part of the story. The point is to get them together where they can be tempted by their attraction and long held feelings. There is enthusiastic steaminess between the pair. And I will say the original meet up between the two was surprisingly funny.

But Isla also has parent issues. One of the reasons she can’t go home and ask for help is because of the toxic behavior or her mom and dad. And that is also felt to some degree by Cade who was welcome in their home growing up but always as less than. Of course you’re cheering for the two to get together. And extra kudos to the respectfully confronting the parents scene. But over all there is a lot of wrong choices that make it harder to relate to Isla. The epilogue is okay but it was surprising to see Cade isn’t a whole lot better with his finances than Isla. The story is worth reading but I tangled with mixed feelings on some of the characters actions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)

Isla is down on her luck. She is in a dead-end job and struggling to pay her rent and all her other obligations. When she missed a few months of rent and is kicked out of her apartment, her plan is to live in her brother's apartment while he is away on a business trip while she figures out her next steps. But it turns out his brother's closest friend, Cade, is already staying in the apartment while his own home is being renovated. Isla and Cade end up with an arrangement -- he will not share with Isla's family her secret that she is without a home, and she will pose as his girlfriend at his office's many social events. At first reluctant, Isla finds herself looking forward to the time she spends with Cade, and wondering if there may be a future even once their fake dating arrangement ends.

This is a delightful book, complete with engaging characters and a story that is both fun, funny, and often insightful.

Highly recommended!

This was a great read and I enjoyed it from start to end! It begins with a lot of fun and I flew through the first quarter or so, devouring all the hilarity and falling quickly for the fake dating scenario (one of my favourite tropes). I had a bit of hesitation at the parental conflict but love how it was handled and found it provided a realistic representation of how these things go. Life isn’t always tidy or fixable in three hundred pages so this resonated with me.

The main character was lovable from the get go and the supporting cast of new friends and old was the perfect balance to her. This is a single POV novel and I think it works well and the fake dating trope is well done.

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to read and review "Rent to Be"!

I really liked this book!

Isla and Cade were very cute and believable together, I fully got their romance and I was sold on the older brother's friend meets childhood friends to lovers meats fake dating trope mix.

The combination of romance and social issues was an interesting one.
But I feel it worked really well in this book.
Rich versus poor, capitalism versus socialism, financial issues, family/generational trauma, internal dialogue from "values" you received while growing up, millennial adult kids standing up to their boomer parents... it flowed through the romance and to me made it a more interesting read than some other romance books.

They are still VERY YOUNG (recent grads) though so made mistakes and are very messy at times, but it was almost endearing to me. At least, I (at the ripe old age of 36 years old) could think back to when I was 23-26 years old and shake my head at all the things I did wrong.

Bit surprised how Isla could do her fulltime job while housesitting as a fulltime job?

Secondary characters were fun and engaging.

A+ for the cute cover and punny title.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Lots of levity and lots of more serious moments. I think I would have preferred if it leaned I to one more than the other, but I enjoyed the chemistry eternity our couple.

I enjoyed "Rent to Be", but it wasn’t quite everything I wanted.

I loved Cade and I mostly liked Isla, but she was a little bit much at times. They were definitely very cute together and I had a lot of fun reading about their fake-dating relationship. The nickname ‘Rainbow Bear’ was unbelievably cute and I wish there’d been a little bit more focus on their romance.

Isla’s career struggles were relatable and I enjoyed the message of finding your path and doing something that makes you happy, but at times this took away from the lighthearted feel of the book that I was really after. And Isla’s path at the end isn’t really what I expected from her.

Also, I know it’s not exciting to read about characters just going to work, but with how little Isla’s actual day job was mentioned I was starting to wonder if she was still going to it throughout all the housesitting.

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

WHAT A SPICY FUNNY BOOK! I was so here for a romcom that had a lot of com! If you like the fake dating trope this book is for you. It's got some great chemistry between the characters, which keeps the pages turning. As well, it was easy to relate to the main character Isla. The other great thing about this book is the side characters that Sonia Hartl has created--pls write their book as a follow up!

This is a great summer romcom to take with you on vacation or to the beach! It's even great curled up with a blanket at night!

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the eARC!