I love a good childhood friends-to-lovers story. Its one of my favorite troupes

Laniah "Ni" Thompson and Issac Jordan have been best friends since childhood,


Isaac is outgoing modal, artist and social media influencer, who lives in Cali with the rich and famous. Ni is a homebody who cleans hotel rooms, runs a small business with her mom, really values her privacy, and avoids social media at all costs. When Issac finds out that Laniah and her mom are about to close the doors on their business, he OF COURSE comes up with a plan to use his fame and influence ( fake dating) to help.

Feelings start to change and romance ensues...

That being said, this was the slowest of the slow burns for me.
SLOOOOOWWWW BURN
But overall a cute ending.

3.5 stars!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own,

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read this as an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last. I enjoyed it so much. I can’t wait to own it.

This was another NTM author and I was not disappointed in this book. I was surprised to open it and se set in Providence, RI. It was awesome to read about settings I've been to many times. It had a few slower moments but once it geot going I enjoyed the read.

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
-friends to lovers
-fake dating
-denial
-chronic illness rep
-angstyyyy
-it's always been you

This is such a beauitfully crafted story. So many threads interwoven to perfection and a shining example of why friends to lovers is an incredible dynamic between MCs. Laniah and her mother have resigned themselves to the fact that the business they dreamed about has failed. But when laniah's best friend comes back into town, famous for being a good guy, he helps her out by setting up a fake dating scheme. There's so much denial and pining as these two skate around figuring out these dynamics. An incredibel friendship and dynamic that leads to incredible chemistry. The banter was so much fun and easily led into these two flirting their heads off.

The absoltue risks of falling for you brest friend and what that could mean for your friendship. But also the trust and just comfort of being with someone who's also your best friend. Isaih gosh what a simp of a man who just had an incredible heart. His one liners had me screaming because you jsut know this is a man down bad and trying to keep his cool (he fals at it in the most spectacular fashion). The angst of it all.

Weaved into this incredible love story is also the story of chronic illness. Anything I can say on this would feel too personal, but gosh just the gaslighting by doctors, of pushing on and not letting others see you're hurting, and not wantng to burden others.

I couldn't have loved this book more. A must read.

Officer, it was a simp-to-simp pipeline situation. He began the book as a simp and ended the book as an even bigger simp. That man was so down bad crying at the gym, during FaceTimes, on social media... Basically, they’ve been friends forever and he's recently reached minor celebrity status. He actively uses his influence to support her and pamper her and help her small business grow…WHICH WAS SO HOT. And don’t even get me started on the HEAT. Riss made us wait, but good lord it was so good.

Friends to lovers x fake dating is a LETHAL combo in my opinion because normal friends to lovers is normally pretty slowburn because they’re like OPPOSED to touching. But with f2l fake dating, even though they're still probably opposed to touching, it necessitates that they get all over each other wayyy quicker. It was still a slow burn romance—because Leniah was absolutely clueless to Issac’s pining—but the tension was so delicious and I never felt stuck in the story.

Leniah also had health issues that her doctor wasn’t taking seriously, which was a super poignant through line. Although it was frustrating to see her not get a second opinion sooner, I think it would’ve ruined what the author was trying to illustrate. Obviously getting her issues figured out in chapter two would’ve been great for her, but a compelling story that does not make. I also knew where the third act was heading, but to be honest, I ate it up. It was dramatic and it hurt and it made sense for Leniah.

The only thing I had an issue with was the inclusion of a “villain” character/plot. There was already a lot going on and he did NOT get the proper comeuppance to warrant his inclusion. *Spoilers* The book opens with Leniah sending a nude to this guy who literally thumbs down reacts!!! GREAT OPENING. But then he comes back and posts revenge porn of her because he wants clout. His only punishment was getting paid off by Issac’s manager!!! I understand Leniah couldn’t deal with pressing charges, but then just don’t include this plot linet!!! Because what???? I was so angry lol.

It was one of those audiobooks that I simply could not stop listening to. I was running errands and my AirPods were in. I was at dinner and my AirPods were in. I was at a bookstore buying other books and my AirPods were in. But it was also one of those books where I couldn’t physically do anything while listening to it. A staring-at-the-wall-and-taking-it-all-in kind of book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️.5/5


CWs: Dead parent (Leniah’s father, heart issues, recounted), Issac’s parents died in an accident when he was young, not being listened to/being gaslit in a medical setting, and revenge porn


I received an ALC from PRHaudio and an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

☀️🩷☀️
📖Review
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 25/100
📚A Love Like the Sun
💫Genre: Fiction/MultiCultural Romance
✍️Author:
Riss M. Neilson

📝Synopsis 📝
Laniah and her mom’s small business is on the rocks, and they had to make the decision of closing their shop. They decided they’ll run it from their house just like they did when barely beginning it. Laniah has to confess this to her childhood best friend Isaac. He has an idea on saving her from closing it down and saving his face from social media judgment. Does his plan work? Does anything else happen?

My thoughts 💭
This was such a great friends to lovers romance story. You have your introvert and extrovert who just balance each other so well. The wonders of taking chances makes this story such a gem. The fake dating always lures me too, and I felt their chemistry since the get go. I also enjoyed the lack of conflict since there were other elements (medical) that made it work! Yes, it is a slow burn but worth the wait. I really liked both main characters as different as they were.
✨✨✨✨✨

🩷Thank you so much @netgalley and @berkleyromance @berkleypub for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date: June 11, 2024

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ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a super cute, fun summer read. It’s mostly lighthearted, about two best friends realizing they want to be together. I loved the premise of him being a famous artist and her making skin and hair products for her small business. There were some sad moments but in the end it’s an HEA if you’re looking for that. I would recommend to anyone who likes romance and friends to lovers books!

This was a cute fake dating friends to lovers romance. The pacing was a little slow for me but overall I enjoyed this story.

A Love Like The Sun is a deeply emotional friends to lovers with a splash of fake dating. This was more rom than com, and I appreciated the depth of the relationship and the hardships faced. The love story felt authentic and the supporting characters were extremely well developed. I will definitely read more by this author.

A LOVE LIKE THE SUN was the sweetest friends-to-lovers romance that takes place across three sizzling summer months and will make your heart swoon.

~ friends-to lovers and fake dating tropes
~ chronically ill MC rep
~ slow burn spicy scenes well worth the wait
~ perfect summer romance across three sizzling months

Isaac’s life is in the public eye running his international brand on the west coast and Laniah is more of a private homebody, running a hair care shop with her mom on the east coast. Despite their differences and an entire country between them, Laniah and Isaac’s childhood friendship is stronger than ever, fueled by their love and support for each other’s dreams. When they each run into a snag in their personal lives, they opt to give fake dating a try, quickly realizing what it might mean to their relationship and their futures if they became more than friends.

Issac and Laniah have an addictingly magnetic pull to each other that I couldn’t get enough of. This was a solid friends-to-lovers romance with a nice heaping side of fake dating and a slow burn to make the steamy bits worth the wait. And trust when these childhood besties finally give into their feelings… it’s magic! I loved the chronic illness rep and how the author wanted to include a chronically ill MC finding love and being loved after receiving her own diagnosis. There were definitely times when you wanted to scream at Laniah to communicate better with Isaac and to stop shutting him out (!!) and for Isaac to open his eyes and come to terms with his feelings but these two strong MC’s give us what we need in the end.

A LOVE LIKE THE SUN is out tomorrow (6/11) so don’t miss out on this summer romance! Thanks @berkleypub for the advanced digital copy and physical galley to enjoy.

This was a pretty good friends-to-lovers/fake dating contemporary novel. It started a bit slow, but I became invested in the characters, as it was a heavily character driven book.

Laniah was dealing with her and her mother’s shop potentially closing. She was a closed book, much unlike her artist/influencer best friend, Isaac, who came to visit often. When he found out about their lack of sales for hair care products, he came up with a mutually beneficial plan to fake date to help her sales on his platform and to stop rumors about his recent very public breakup.

While the plot seems like that of a lighthearted romcom, the book was definitely more serious and emotional – Laniah was very reluctant to mess up their friendship because he was incredibly important to her. He was a part of the family in some ways, although she never viewed him quite as a brother. It was clear that the stakes were high and whatever was happening was real with real world consequences.

Overall, I liked the book and I loved their friendship and relationship. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for your favorite tropes, but in a book that feels just a little more character driven/serious.

All of my fave tropes! Childhood friends to lovers! Fake dating! Saving a family business! Love to see black love in such a beautiful and emotional tale. One of my faves.

he author has penned a thoughtful and deeply emotional story about the journey from childhood best friends to adult soulmates. I loved the deep connection between Laniah and Issac. It's clear from the beginning how much these two mean to one another. Even though they are now living on opposite coasts they have maintained their friendship through geographical distance, life's challenges, and other relationships.

When Laniah's business is tanking, Issac doesn't hesitate to jump in to help by lending his internet popularity to the cause with a fake-dating scheme. What happens next feels organic, relatable, and authentic to these characters. I understood Laniah's fears of changing their dynamic even though I felt it went on way too long. Can one person really be that oblivious? Issac's feelings came through loud and clear to me and I adored him for it. The deep, abiding love between these two was palpable. The brief flashbacks to various points in their friendship only solidified it. And, the slow transition from friends to lovers - with a few speed bumps along the way - convinced me these two would make it.

The challenges the author put in the paths of both Laniah and Issac gave the story depth and relatability. It was interesting to view all sides of Issac's rise to internet fame and I enjoyed watching him navigate the various aspects of it, especially when they impacted Laniah. And speaking of Laniah, there are many layers to this character which give her depth and flaws and relatability. In particular, a medical side story is one to which many women will be able to relate. It's an important issue that too many deal with.

While the story lagged in a few places, and at certain points I grew a bit weary of Laniah's insecurity, the writing, community of characters, Issac's steadfast support and love (did I mention I adored Issac?), plus Laniah's eventual growth kept me turning pages. A Love Like the Sun is a thought-provoking, heart-tugging, friends-to-lovers romance that I'm glad I read.

ARC received via NetGalley.
Fair and unbiased review.

✨𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀✨
• he fell first
• fake dating
• childhood BFFs to lovers
• Black romance; mixed MFC
• major health issues; dismissive healthcare provider
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨ 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
Childhood best friends Laniah and Isaac conjure a fake dating scheme to help Laniah’s struggling natural hair and skin care business garner publicity using Isaac’s high profile social media presence.

✨ 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
I felt warm and gooey reading this equally sweet and totally spicy story about childhood best friends who fake date their way into admitting their love for one another.

If the main reason for this book was to make usswoon at Isaac’s “he fell first” devotion, then that’s exactly what happened. You can’t help but root for our boy while we watch Laniah struggle with coming to terms with the attraction, she always felt.

This book is for anyone looking to add a gorgeous Black romance to their list, and to those who have felt the injustice of the medical system as a woman.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It had the right amount of lightness and depth, complex and diverse characters, and the HEA that I required from its story :)

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC, and PRH Audio for the ALC.

✨ Review ✨ A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson

Thanks to Berkley and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

So I got hooked on the idea of this book from the Summer Berkley Influencers event -- I was excited about it, but the author's sense of humor made me laugh and hyped it up even more!

Longtime besties Laniah (private, stays close to home) and Issac (famous social media influencer) come crashing back together one summer, when Isaac realizes Laniah and her mom's shop are in trouble. Laniah and her mom opened a storefront to sell their handcrafted hair and beauty supplies after operating out of their home for many years. Isaac tries to rescue them by pretending to date Laniah to hype up their business. As Laniah gets pulled into Isaac's fame, what will come of their growing feelings for each other?

This hits so many favorite tropes and themes:
✅ fake dating
✅ friends-to-lovers
✅ communication and mental health themes
✅ opposites attract
✅ great banter
✅ health and healthcare

And, I loved how it communicates the importance of Laniah and her mom's work in serving the community and giving their clients' hair some love. The book is really lovely, and while I'm not totally sold on the ending of the book, I do appreciate the importance of talking about these topics. (leaving it vague and spoiler free!)

Great writing and a fantastic adult debut!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: m/f romance
Pub Date: Jun 11 2024

A Love Like the Sun follows childhood friends who find themselves at a crossroads as adults when fame and fortune present the need for a fake dating scenario. As feelings intensify, it becomes apparent that they cannot go back to being just friends.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a sweet yet raw love story and I am so glad I chose this one. This is also a new author for this new year for me and this author did not disappoint. I always say I prefer enemies to lovers trope, but a best friends to lovers trope is also so so good and I always enjoy a fake dating situation as well. I was super invested in the characters and I felt the angst and all the feels. This is a perfect summer romance – so please do check it out as it was a 4 star experience for me. Such a great story.

A Love Like the Sun
⭐️⭐️⭐️

“But being with you under a sky, all my stress, my fears fall away. It’s just me and you, and a comforting quiet that I don’t get anywhere else. From anyone other than you.”

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

The cover of this is super pretty and I was immediately excited because I tend to love stories where the characters were childhood friends.
With that being said, I tend to struggle with books where a character is famous. I am not sure exactly why, but I just do not typically like a celebrity aspect.
In this book, Laniah is an introvert who loves to stay home, but her best friend Issac is famous.
This book is written well, and there are many beautiful quotes. Some of the phrasing felt a bit too poetic, but it was still a nice change of pace.
I appreciate the goal of this book, and while it was still good, there were a few things that fell flat for me. I felt like the timeline was a bit confusing, and the romance was zero to one hundred too quickly.
There was also a lot of talk about the main characters' business endeavors. This was fun but got somewhat repetitive.
One of the things I really liked about this book was the chronic illness representation. I thought the author did a great job of showing how difficult it can be to get a proper medical diagnosis, it felt very real.
There are also a few fun little sections in the book that show flashbacks of specific memories from Laniah’s past. These were very sweet and beautiful to read.
While this book wasn’t my favorite, I still think many readers will enjoy this love story! I encourage you to check it out and read other reviews for more perspectives!

Read If You Like:
🌻celebrity romance
🌻opposites attract
🌻fake dating
🌻childhood friends
🌻chronic illness representation

A Love Like the Sun is the perfect summer read. It has tons of romantic sparks, sweet, ever-changing dynamics, and all the feels!

Growing up, Laniah and Issac were inseparable. Now, while they both lead very different lives—Issac is a famous artist, and Laniah struggling to keep her dream afloat, they always find their way back to each other. But when a gesture at helping her small business by telling the world they're dating turns into confronting conflicting emotions that have been brewing for years, will they cross the line from friends into something more?

Whew! This book was ADORABLE. You can feel the connection between Laniah and Issac instantly, and it’s SO sweet and undeniable. I loved seeing their story grow and develop into a tender and passionate romance.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*