I unfortunately did not enjoy this and it was a DNF at 30% but I would recommend it for people who enjoy fake dating, cute pets, strong friendships, and pop culture references.

For me, the main character was kind of annoying. I also found it very odd that she was just okay with the rampant misogyny during the interview at her dream job and didn't really even stop to think about it. I'm hoping that perhaps she addresses it later.

3.5-4 Stars! Good book. I enjoyed reading this one. It did at times drag on a bit but I just skimmed through those parts. I wasn’t a fan of the main female character, Sloane. The main male character, Charlie, was sweet, almost too sweet. Funny and sweet with a HEA ending. I didn’t love what the gamer bosses “suggested” to Sloane and I 100% would’ve recorded a conversation with those bosses and sued the hell out of them so I never needed to work again. All in all it was a decent book and worth checking out.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

"In a Not So Perfect World" by Neely Tubati Alexander delivers a delightful blend of romance, humor, and the challenges of navigating career aspirations. Sloane Cooper's journey to balance love and professional ambitions is both relatable and entertaining. The premise, where Sloane agrees to pose as Hot Neighbor Guy's girlfriend for a tropical getaway, sets the stage for a whirlwind adventure.

The characters, especially Sloane and Charlie, are well-developed, and their chemistry leaps off the pages. Tubati Alexander skillfully weaves a narrative that keeps you hooked with witty dialogue and unexpected twists. The backdrop of a Turks and Caicos resort adds a touch of escapism to the story, creating a vivid and enchanting setting.

The exploration of Sloane's determination to focus on her career, contrasted with the growing connection she shares with Charlie, adds depth to the plot. The internal struggle Sloane faces between her heart and professional goals is portrayed with authenticity, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist.

While the story follows some predictable romantic tropes, the author injects freshness and originality, making it enjoyable. "In a Not So Perfect World" is a charming and heartwarming tale exploring love and ambition's complexities. Neely Tubati Alexander's writing style is engaging, and her ability to capture the essence of the characters makes this novel a solid 4-star read.

The characters felt a little gimmicky to me and I found myself skimming instead of being fully immersed. While not quite insta-love, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief for this rapid relationship.

The Taylor Swift references in this book were to die for!!!

THIS BOOK WAS SO CUTE! I absolutely loved the characters and the story! Watching two people get over ex’s and fall in love with each other was amazing!

The only thing I didn’t like was the last page talking about how the main couple might not work out. I’m a girl who lives in delusion, breakups don’t happen everyday.

Although a cute story with two MC's that I liked, I felt like this one became a bit clunky in the second half of the book. The obstacles that stood in the way came off as a little far fetched. While I enjoyed this novel I still prefer Love Buzz (which was one of my favorite romance novels from 2023).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LOVED! I've had this on my tbr for awhile and I'm so glad I finally got to read it. I loved the characters, the setting. Everything. Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.

This book is so cute and such an enjoyable read. I automatically loved the MFC who is a badass woman in STEM, she has great side supporting characters throughout the book and the MMC was so cute and such a nice guy. Also there’s Taylor swift references because why wouldn’t there be?

I really genuinely liked both main characters and enjoyed watching their story progress and their characters develop. I loved the ending and I would recommend this book to anyone.

I really enjoyed this book and the nice vacation it mentally and emotionally took me on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC of this book. I thought this was a very enjoyable read. It definitely falls solidly within the "chick lit" genre but has some aspects that made it different, mainly the fact that the main character is a video game designer. I would for sure read other books by this author.

Sloane, is an aspiring video game designer, who is without work and on the heels of a traumatic breakup. When her across the hall neighbor, Charlie, asks her to come on an all expenses paid tropical vacation, she reluctantly agrees. It turns out, he is also very recently out of a relationship. Their banter back and forth and the relationship they forge is sweet to read about and felt realistic. They struggle with their feelings for each other due to past experiences and heartbreak. Overall, I enjoyed reading about how the two main characters discover what they're looking for in life and with each other. Would recommend it!

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

Such a great read! Loved the slow-burn, “happily now” romance that exists here between Sloan and Charlie. Great character development and secondary characters. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

If you’re a fan of Christina Lauren or Abby Jimenez, this book is for you!

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

I enjoyed reading this book. The writing had a lot of humor infused (especially the water balloon fight scene), but also touched on important issues, like working in a male-dominated workplace and facing misogyny from bosses/coworkers. I really liked the main characters, Sloane and Charlie. Charlie was such a good male lead: he was so supportive of Sloane and her career and very sweet.

Something that irked me was how the whole plotline of Sloane "promising" her new job that she wouldn't date/have babies/etc played out (which was so frustrating in itself). I thought it would be a major issue throughout the book, but it was barely mentioned in the first half of the book as Sloane was developing feelings for Charlie. She was clearly attracted to Charlie, but the only thing that stopped her was that she thought Charlie might have been hung up on his ex and the misogynistic promise was never mentioned. The issue only came back up again later on only as a way to create a rift between Charlie and Sloane, rather than something that was constantly on Sloane's mind throughout the book (if that makes sense).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it had a lot of great laugh-out-loud moments. I would recommend this read to anyone who likes the fake relationship and forced proximity tropes.

This was such a fun read! I loved that the romance between them made me feel like I was walking hand in hand with them. This is a ROM-COM I will be purchasing for some friends and for a book group read!

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander is a delightful rom-com that follows Sloane Cooper, an ambitious video game designer facing both professional and personal challenges. After a surprise breakup, Sloane is determined to land her dream job, but workplace sexism forces her to make an impulsive commitment during an interview. When her charming neighbor, Charlie, proposes a trip to Turks and Caicos to pose as his girlfriend and make his ex jealous, Sloane sees it as an opportunity to impress her potential employers. The novel cleverly balances humor with more serious themes, including workplace discrimination in STEM fields. The banter among characters adds a lighthearted touch, and Sloane's journey toward self-confidence and empowerment gives depth to the story. Despite the familiar rom-com structure, the book delivers satisfying twists and heartwarming moments, making it a recommended read for fans of romance and humor.

In a Not So Perfect World was a cute read. Nothing really new here but still an enjoyable read. I liked Sloane and Charlie and I'd consider this an easy, quick read.

LOVE! What a fun rom com! The video game designer + apocalyptic planning was a new twist that I didn’t hate - it was the perfect level of casual intrigue. Light trauma bonding between our MCs but you’re rooting for them the whole time. (And the deal Sloane made with her company is v v illegal). Anyway, 5 stars!

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC.

What started strong became really clunky by the end, but overall this was a good read and felt stronger than the author’s debut. I appreciated the gamer subplot but think it could’ve been handled more impactfully (and not just with a neat bow in the epilogue).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a charming book, and somewhat unexpectedly so. I was expecting a bit more of a workplace romance, and this was not that at all. I loved the premise, the setting, the complications, AND the resolution. Very satisfying and I can't wait for more from this author.

In Neely Tubati Alexander's second novel, romance is more of a focal point of the story than her first. And while that was something that really worked for me in book 1, I feel like this also really worked for me in book 2! It felt like a deeper romance, with a lot of self-reflection and character growth.

Sloane has quit her job and is working towards he dream of becoming a professional video game designer. Per the unspoken request from the bosses at her dream job, she agrees to put relationships to the side to show she can be a dedicated employee.

Charlie just got dumped by his girlfriend, right before he was about to take her on an all-inclusive trip to Turks and Caicos (where he planned to propose). In order to get back at his ex girlfriend and make her jealous, he invites Sloane to come with him to. Sloane ends up agreeing, telling herself she can dedicate a lot of time to working on her game (part of her job application). So now we're in a tropical place with fake dating vibes, only one bed (of course) and 2 single but attracted to each other people who kissed once before. What could go wrong!

I loved the banter between Sloane and Charlie but also with the other characters they are on vacation with. (Man Bun, Bacon Bits 1 and 2, etc.). Overall I just loved by the story and characters and plot and cannot wait for her next book!

Thank you Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Sloane is a video game designer interviewing for her dream job. After kissing her neighbor Charlie at a bar, the two strike up a deal to pretend to date to make Charlie's ex-girlfriend jealous. The fake dating takes them on a trip to Turks and Caicos. While on vacation Sloane works on her game prototype for her interview and sparks fly!

I loved seeing Sloane and Charlie open up to get other as they got to know each other in a way they discover they never did with their respective exes. The combo of a vacation romance that goes a little deeper, Taylor Swift references, and video game elements was so good! Don't worry if video games aren't your thing, they aren't mine either but the story gives enough detail and thought to the video game elements without being overwhelming or confusing for non-video game people. Plus fake dating is one of my favorite tropes so it's always fun to find a new read!

A part that I thought was interesting for a romcom that took the book in a slightly more serious direction was the sexism that Sloane faces with the game design company she is interviewing with. They tell her that she has to not date in order to have this job, which is totally illegal! She also faces many different struggles that women in game design and tech careers face in the very male dominated fields. I hated to see Sloane put up with some ridiculous things because she thinks she has to. I don't want to spoil anything, but I loved to she her confidence grow by the end of the book and realize she deserves better.

Overall I enjoyed In a Not So Perfect World and would suggest if you like fake dating, vacation stories, and/or video games.

The opening was sort of all over the place, ended up feeling melodramatic, and I wasn’t really here for it. Stopped after chapter 1 (4%). Probably a solid three stars, four for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC.