Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-fake dating
-roommance
-slow burn
-hurt/comfort

I've been wanting to read this one for a while and am so glad to have received an early copy. This book was low angst and such a lovely slow burn. But added in were Amerie and Vincent's family struggles. I loved how they always had each other's back and were just there for each other through it all as they navigated their fake relationship. Etta built such strong secondary characters that really added to the layers of the story and just had me rooting that it would all work out despite the mess that Vincent and Amerie built for themsleves, all while the countdown is clicking off for Vincent's takeoff.

I loved how these two just loved what they did and enjoyed showing that to each other. The space station date just had me squealing. This book is adorable, soft, and just low conflict and exactly what I needed.

I just finished devouring "The Kiss Countdown" by the excellent Etta Easton, and let me tell you, it's the perfect blend of sweetness, romance, and heartwarming moments!

First things first, let's talk about the characters. Easton has this incredible talent for creating characters you can't help but fall in love with. From the charming protagonist to the quirky sidekicks, each one felt like a friend I'd love to hang out with in real life.

Now, onto the plot. "The Kiss Countdown" had me hooked from the very first page. It's a deliciously sweet story with just the right amount of tension and anticipation to keep you turning those pages late into the night. And let me tell you, what is the chemistry between the main characters? 🔥 It practically sizzled off the page!

But what sets this book apart is its heart. Sure, it's got all the swoon-worthy romance you could ask for, but it's also packed with moments of genuine emotion and vulnerability that had me reaching for the tissues more than once.

Overall, "The Kiss Countdown" is a feel-good read that'll leave you with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart. Look no further if you're in the mood for a charming romance with plenty of heart. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down! 💖😘

The Countdown by Etta Easton is a captivating read that follows a struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut as they navigate the complexities of a fake relationship. Together, they must decide if their connection is worth pursuing a shot at happily ever after in this stellar debut novel. Filled with humor, witty banter, and charming moments, Etta Easton's debut will surely dazzle readers. Fans of the fake dating trope will absolutely adore this book. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Lift off to an uplifting romance!
Reading this book took me into outer space.
I loved the fake dating from all angles. Vincent was to die for. I did want to shake Amerie because she kept running away from her life and all its possibilities.
I read this in one sitting at Mission Control.
If you love space, the stars, a romantic story, and a cosmic experience, blast off into this book!

I’ve been hearing nothing but rave reviews for The Kiss Countdown and I also really enjoyed it!

Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.

Amerie is jobless and single when she runs into her ex and his new girlfriend at her favorite coffee shop. She previously bumped into Vincent and spilled coffee on him so when he enters, she calls his name and pretends they’re in a relationship. This quickly spirals when they bump into his sister and it turns out he’s already been pretending to be dating someone. They begin an arrangement where she’ll live rent free with him and pretend to be his girlfriend around his family.

I loved their relationship. They are clearly attracted to each other even though they start a fake relationship. Vincent is an astronaut and struggling with his mother’s lack of support. I loved how supportive Amerie was and how she helped the mother and son to bridge this gap. This was slow burn and tension filled but I loved every look exchanged. I really enjoyed this and I can’t believe it was a debut! I’m hopeful we’ll get more amazing books from Etta Easton.

This is a powerful love story. It’s just POWERFUL beyond words. Deeply powerful. As I read, I’d get these full body CHILLS (then tears) over and over and over again. I couldn’t out this down.

After a breakup, juggling her mom’s health, and trying to get her party planing business off the ground, Amerie runs into a handsome astronaut. What were the odds of seeing each other again? Well. Turns out their chance meeting develops into a fake relationship of sorts—make Amerie’s ex squirm and Vincent’s family rested knowing he’s being cared for. They just need to fake it for 3 months until Vincent’s mission… easy enough, right?

This was sweet! Can’t go wrong with a fake dating x roomance. There were lots of adorable and just plain silly moments, good writing, and I swooned for Vincent, for sure. Definitely check this one out!

This was a really sweet and cute debut romance. I liked the writing and how evenly paced the book was. The main characters Mimi and Vincent were likable and I found myself rooting for them. Their chemistry and interactions were cute and though it’s a slow burn when they got together it was a bit steamy. Even though this book is light read there are still some things like the loss of a sibling and a parent who is ill that brings some seriousness to the book. There is some miscommunication with a third-act breakout but I would recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet diverse romance. Thank you Berkley for this arc for an honest review!

Read for:
- Fake dating
- Black romance
- He falls first
- Astronaut mmc/event player fmc
- Forced proximity
- Only one bed
6 likes

The Kiss Countdown was okay for me. I just didn’t think anything about it was something new to me. I read plenty of fake dating / engagement books but I just was never super attached to the couple. It was a good book just not like a new favorite or anything for me.

4.5 ⭐️

I read this in one sitting and it was so freaking adorable!!! I enjoyed it so much and it was so wholesome and so funny. I absolutely adore the FMC and MMC and I would definitely be reading more from this author. Love love love!!!

I absolutely adored this debut from Etta Easton. I love fake dating but Amerie and Vincent were on a whole different level. the chemistry was perfect - I wanted to scream at Amerie at how smitten that Vincent was. I loved the families and the side characters. They definitely stood on their own and really added to the story.

I usually dislike the third act breakup but the way this was written worked so well and I loved how they came together at the end.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I initially requested this after falling in love with the cover, but after flying through the book in two sittings, this is one of my favorite debut romances of the year. Mimi an event planner and Vincent an astronaut are two strangers that make a plan to fake date as a win/win for both of them (the set up was hilarious). The two are complete opposites and their journey to getting to their HEA is what makes this one standout.

Read id you like:
-Forced proximity (one bed)
-Fake dating
-Banter and whit
-Cinnamon roll/ sunshine hero
-Slow burn

I thought this was a fun read. It started with a sweet meet cute where the two main characters have attraction but don’t really get along. As the story progresses we learn more about these two as their paths cross again. The forced proximity and fake dating tropes were both well done. Vincent and Amerie have great chemistry with lots of good banter. The reader definitely roots for these two to find their way through their individual issues. An entertaining and quick read. Thank you to Berkley publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: contemporary romance

Amerie Price has just started out on her own as an event planner after losing her job and her boyfriend. At a coffee shop she literally runs into sexy astronaut Vincent Rogers, spilling coffee down his front. Only a few days later she runs into her ex, and sees Vincent nearby and pretends that he’s her boyfriend so that she can feel a little better about her ex with another woman already. But then as payback, Vincent asks Amerie to come to his sister’s New Years Eve party as his girlfriend, which turns into coming to his mother’s birthday party at the family cabin for a week. Which turns into a lot more fake dating than Amerie signed up for.

This was a setup I really wanted to like, but unfortunately the book wasn’t for me. Contemporary romances are really always hit or miss for me, because it’s difficult to convey real life situations and build realistic characters for me. I either need them really zany and bananas or really heartfelt and bringing me to tears. The slow burn relationship between Amerie and Vincent was really lovely, but my brain couldn’t shut out the other details swirling behind the plot. I find that a lot of debut authors are excited to get their ideas on page, but at the expense of putting too many things into motion in the plot. As a primarily historical romance reader, my enjoyment of the book rests in my inability to suspend disbelief at moments of reality that don’t add up for me, like getting upset over the expense of business cards with an incorrect spelling but not over lying about losing a job to your parents for almost a year.

I love that Easton has all Black main and side characters in her book, and love that mainstream publishers are producing books like The Kiss Countdown. If you love fake dating in contemporary romance, you’ll eat up this open door slow burn romance. I loved the moment where Amerie and Vincent finally realize that they actually like each other. They take a lot of big personal risks to open up to each other, making this a worthwhile read.

In this debut novel, a struggling event planner finds herself in a fake relationship with a charming astronaut. Amerie Price, jobless and facing eviction, agrees to pretend to be Vincent Rogers' girlfriend for three months in exchange for a rent-free room and support for her struggling business. As their charade progresses, Amerie wrestles with her feelings, torn between the safety of her former life and the unpredictable allure of Vincent. Will she settle for the safe option or take a chance on love among the stars?

My Thoughts: This romantic comedy centered around fake dating was an absolute joy. Brimming with humor, well-developed characters, heartfelt family dynamics, wonderful platonic friendships, and undeniable chemistry between Amerie and Vincent. The dynamic between Mimi and Vincent had me absolutely giggling when they would sass and make little quips towards each other. I typically don't love single POV books, but I really didn't mind it being only Amerie's POV (although I would have loved Vincent's too!!!)

Read if you love:
-fake dating
-coffee shop meet cutes
-Black MMCs
-astronauts!
-family dynamics
-one bed
-caretaking
-cinnamon roll mmc
-slowburn
-forced proximity
-MEN IN GRAY SWEATPANTS

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub, @BerkleyPub, Berkley Romance, @BerkleyRomance, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this arc!

Read this if you like:
•Fake dating
•One bed
•A man in grey sweatpants
•STEM

This book was seriously so adorable. What a fantastic debut. Vincent is an astronaut & Amerie is an event planner a little down on her luck. I was swooning the entire time. This will be out April 9. Preorder immediately!

Thank you Berkley for eARC!

📣 fake dating between an astronaut & event planner. He romances her so well!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what are you counting down to?

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton is so cute that I was smiling while exercising.

This book features an astronaut hero, an event planner heroine, and adorable moments of flirting. With a fast-paced fake dating romance arc that somehow moves fast but not too fast, family members coming back together after grief & navigating chronic health challenges, & a hero who sings off-key in the morning, this book is such a satisfying & yummy mix of heavy & light.

TKC just feels so real to me, & I loved the time I spent with Amerie & Vincent & all of the secondary characters who love them. Just a wonderful book—I was so charmed!

5 ⭐️. Out 04/09.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the ebook in front of a slate blue wall with different colored flowers painted as a mural.]

4.25⭐️ IM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!!!

I’m convinced I need an astronaut in my life because hearing Vincent Rogers talk about space just made me giggle and fall in love!!


This romance follows Amerie who is a struggling party planner that is newly single and is needing a lucky break and Vincent who is an astronaut preparing for his launch into space.

Both characters run into each other at a coffee shop where they both conveniently find themselves having to fake date to fool her ex and his family!

This book was so funny being in Amerie’s thoughts had me laughing out loud she was hilarious. There was also so many cute sweet moments I just ate up! It was such a fast read for me and if you want a good fake dating & forced proximity rom com I’d def rec this one!!!

Thank you BerkleyPub & Berkley Romance for the ARC!!

Instagram Feature 3/28:

Here in northern VT we’re deep in prep for the upcoming total solar eclipse and our local NASA Solar System Ambassador talked to our patrons about the history of eclipses, safety and local advice about things like travel… and dropped off lots of NASA swag!
So when I received a copy of @ettawritesromance The Kiss Countdown from @berkleyromance I knew I had to bring it to work for a little photo shoot 🚀.
This is a contemporary fake-dating romance between an event planner and a NASA astronaut and it’s perfect to get in the mood for adventures both on and off planet. I didn’t expect the hiking!
The Kiss Countdown is available April 9. The eclipse is available April 8 🌖 Thanks to Berkley for this copy!

Cute fun read , enjoyed the story and the character development as we follow their story “fake dating “ if you will but as life always has other plans
also loved the cover