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.

If you're looking for a rom-com that's also a comfort read, In a Not So Perfect World is, well, perfect for you. It cuts right to the action, has great main and secondary characters, and (bonus) shows some cool aspects of video game design. Yes, the plot is far-fetched, but if you want escapism, humor, and charm, it's worth it.

It's a little too predictive for me. She's not over her ex and neither is he. He offers a free ticket to a romantic resort and she decides to go... DNF

***I received an ARC, for my honest opinion from NetGalley.***

Sloane and her best friend Tess are on a mission to help Sloane get over her ex. Tess tells her to kiss someone at the bar. Sloane finally chooses someone to talk to and asks if he’ll kiss her. Turns out.. it’s her hot neighbor Charlie. Sloane is also a video game designer applying and interviewing for her dream job, and she’s asked to not have a relationship. Because of extenuating circumstances, Charlie has an extra spot on his all inclusive trip and asks her to come. She goes, albeit a little apprehensively, thinking it’ll give her time to work on her video game concept. Shenanigans ensue.

Okay so this book was really, really good. There are parts on their vacation where I truly laughed so hard I was crying. The section with the game was *chef’s kiss.* While I am not a fan of the third act breakup, I loved the grand gestures at the end and the epilogue is so cute!

The banter in this one was great. I love Sloane’s nicknames for everyone. Man Bun, Bacon Bit 1&2, Hot Neighbor, Mr. And Mrs. Mustache, CrossFit Girl/Guy - had me cracking up. I would definitely recommend this one - a fun, quick romance read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet and exciting rom com story. Sloane Cooper is our heroine. She is still spinning from a surprise breakup and struggling to pay her bills as she gave up her work to put all of her efforts into landing a dream job as a game designer. When her best friend dares her to meet a man in a bar, she finds out later that they are neighbors. Better yet, he is reeling from his own break up and needs a stand in for a trip he has planned. Should Sloane take a leap of faith? Better then your typical story, fun, thoughtful and believable! Grab this book and take a leap with Sloane #Harperperrenial #Inanotsoperfectworld #Neelytubatialexander

This is an adorable romance book to add to your Spring TBR! It comes out in March.

I LOVED ‘Love Buzz’ by @neelyalexanderwrites earlier this year so I jumped at the chance to read her sophomore novel. And I’m so glad I did!

This story is about neighbors in LA, both coming off fairly recent breakups, who end up going on a vacation together. So guys, we’ve got…
- fake dating
- one bed
- travel/adventure romance

Beyond the love story, Neely wrote a really special individual journey for the female MC here as well— which is what made me love her first book so much too. Sloane is vying for her dream job in a male-dominated field and we go along with her on that journey. Neely shines a spotlight on some of the injustices still happening to women in the workplace today. As someone who once had a boss ask me, ‘well you’re not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon are you?!’ I related to this character a ton. I so appreciate romance novels who go a bit deeper with issues like this too. It was done really well here!

I’ll be talking more about this as March approaches but definitely click that ‘want to read’ button now!

Okay I really did like Love Buzz by this author, but this one just wasn’t my favorite. It was underwhelming but still okay!

Sloane dreams of working for the biggest video game company and has an interview for an open position. She’s told by misogynistic men that she’d be expected to be basically have no social life to secure the position. Her neighbor Charlie has broken up with his girlfriend Brooke, leaving him with a tropical vacation he had previously booked for them.

Charlie offers an opportunity to Sloane: accompany him on the trip to make his ex jealous and she gets a free vacation plus time to work on her video game proposal for her interview.

I really enjoyed the banter between them that turned romantic. Charlie was a really sweet book boyfriend, and I think readers will like him a lot.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Neely Tubati Alexander has a beautiful and crisp writing style with a strong voice that gets you involved and rooting for their characters from start to finish. Their portrayal of these characters was a joy to read.

Neely Tubati Alexander’s debut is a quirky, lovable tale, where two neighbors fake date and end up with much more than they bargained for. I adored Sloane as an MC. She’s a real and relatable protagonist; one who is still dealing with the aftermath of a hurtful breakup, while equally doing everything in her power to break into an industry that isn’t exactly known for its diversity. The book opens with her kissing a random guy in a bar, as a means to an end to help mollify a best friend who wants to see her move on from her ex. Except that stranger isn’t exactly one — turns out he’s Charlie, her gorgeous neighbor who also happens to be battling his own set of breakup demons. Charlie’s just been dumped by the girl he thinks is his soulmate, so he recruits Sloane for an all-expenses paid holiday destination trip in an ill-dated attempt to get said girl back. After an unfortunate run-in with her ex and his new fiancé, Sloane jumps at the chance, despite an impending deadline that could be her ticket to her dream job.

Of course, amid an idyllic island getaway which offers up much more creative inspiration than Sloane expected, what begins as a farce starts to feel anything but—as she starts to realize that perhaps hanging onto the past isn’t the best way forward.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Sloane, through her gaming whether it be creating or playing, found her escapism. However, as she brought Charlie into her life and let him and subsequently herself become truly happy and content, that reality can and will be much better than the creation of an alternate universe. Turks certainly set the stage but just like flint, they kept the fire going. It was great to see how it takes time but what an epiphany it is when both she and Charlie realized that they were truly over their exes who had defined them for so long. It was them that were each other's Kix and Fruity Pebbles. The reader couldn't help but feel proud when Sloane chose herself over what she had deemed her dream job especially given the sacrifices she would have had to have made. It was truly a happy ending for both she and Tess and I really enjoyed this book. The shooting star is there for one to wish upon.

A great read! Heartbreak, romance, adventure and surprise! This book has it all. For anyone who has gone through a bad breakup, this book shows the reader to stay tuned for what is to come.
The author does an amazing job developing the characters so you really feel like you know them.
Sloane and Charlie are very likable characters that really open up to each other about their relationship experiences. A must read book with “all the feels”!

I recently read "Love Buzz" by Neely Tubati Alexander, so I was so excited to get the chance to review this book too! I loved how there are little details that tie them together.

Sloane is an aspiring video game designer, who has an interview for her big break. She gets down to the final round and gets the chance to design a sample game!

At a bar one night, she kisses Charlie only to realize that he is also her neighbor. Charlie has a proposition. He wants Sloane to join him on a vacation to Turks and Caicos; his girlfriend was supposed to join him but she broke up with him. He wants Sloane to help him win her back.

Well , you know how fake dating goes!!

I loved Sloane and Charlie. They were too cute! I also loved the women in STEM representation. The spice was amazing!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I can’t say enough good things about this novel! I loved the authors first book Love Buzz so I was anxiously awaiting her sophomore selection. I was not disappointed! I have so many thoughts and a full review to share, but I just wanted to put out there how good it was and how unique it was to be set in the tech/gaming world. I love Tubatis writing style and I just know this is going to be another surefire hit for her! I finished it over a weekend and could not put it down.