A romance that proves you can find love again in your 30s. This book was so sweet and cute; both Sophie and Joe had been married previously, have a child the same age (under different circumstances), and find themselves single and struggling with integrating with other parents at their children's schools. They devise a plan to fake date each other to help Sophie garner respect from the other moms and keep the other moms from making Joe uncomfortable. As fake dating goes on, the lines soon blur about what is real and what isn't and whether they can both take a chance on love together.

As someone who generally doesn't pick up fake dating romances much anymore due to the over-saturation, I found this book refreshing, funny, and witty. There was so much banter between Sophie and Joe, and their chemistry shone through immediately.

My only complaint was that Sophie states (internally) so many times that she knows Joe likes her and is wanting something more with her that she can't give him and then when Joe's mom tells her that she's somewhat shocked...that shock isnt believable when she's been saying that for half the book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

There’s something so utterly joyful about a romcom that does exactly what you want it to do—delivers laughs, chemistry, and a romance that has you grinning.

At its heart, this is a classic fake dating setup, but what makes it shine is Sophie Rogers. As a single mum juggling her daughter, work, and an ever-present swarm of school gate mums, Sophie has precisely zero time for romance. Enter Joe, aka Hot Single Dad™, who suggests they pretend to be a couple to sidestep some awkward social situations. It’s a practical solution. Logical. Sensible. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Except, of course, it does. Because Joe isn’t just a prop for convenience—he’s charming, funny, and a bit swoon-worthy with that floppy hair and Irish accent. The problem isn’t pretending to be in love; it’s pretending not to be.

Doyle’s writing is sharp and effortlessly funny. The humour never feels forced, and the banter between Sophie and Joe is exactly the kind that makes you want to grab popcorn and watch them flail their way to a happily ever after. But what truly elevates this book is the cast of side characters. The school gate mums? Hilarious. Sophie’s family? A delight. Even the smaller interactions, like playground politics and PTA drama, feel real and add layers to Sophie’s world.

If I had one (very minor) gripe, it’s that I would have loved a duology. There’s a subplot involving Sophie’s sister that wraps up within this book, but I could have easily spent another novel in this world. That said, The Pick Up is an absolute gem of a romcom—fluffy, heartwarming, and packed with romantic tension that keeps you hooked without needing a single steamy scene.

If you love fake dating, laugh-out-loud moments, and romances that make your heart do that happy little flutter, this one is a must-read.

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish, and I found it incredibly accessible. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

I adored this! I read it in just about one sitting. Normally novels are based on people in their 20s, it was refreshing to read about people my age, on their 30s. Sophie, the main character, I fell in love with instantly. Her relationship with her daughter Poppy was adorable. And when I thought their dynamic couldn't get any better, in swoops Irish hunk Joe. I love when authors give other characters storylines too, and getting to know each of the other mums set this apart from others.
Hannah delivered one of the most perfect books. I can't wait to see what else Hannah does.

I absolutely love a good enemies to lovers, fake dating rom com. The Pick Up was no exception. The banter between single parents captured my attention. I couldn’t put this book down. Give me more please!

☁️ Book Review ☁️
|| The Pick Up ||
|| Author: Hannah Doyle ||
Format: ebook
Read from: January 26-29, 2025
2025 RG: 12/100

MCs: Sophie and Joe

🫧 Single Mom x Single Dad
🫧 School Pick-Up
🫧 Single POV
🫧 Fake Dating
🫧 Closed Door
🫧 Irish MMC x British FMC
🫧 Slow Burn

Single mom, Sophie is used to life being just her and her four-year-old daughter Laila. But she is starting to realize that she needs an in with the school moms in order to get Laila invited to parties and playdates. In comes single dad, Joe, who is just tired of all of the attention from the school moms. He then proposes a plan, a fauxmance. It will help get Sophie her in with the moms (since they are all obsessed with Joe) and it will get her sister off her dating life, as well as getting the moms to lessen up on their attention to Joe.
But Sophie never planned on not wanting him in her life afterwards.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

“With you around, I’m learning to live a little.”

The Pickup by Hannah Doyle is a romantic comedy that explores the complicated journey through love and self-discovery, I found the author writing quite witty and lighthearted, and the chemistry between the main characters quite good. This was a nice read.

I loved this fun romantic comedy and look forward to reading more by Hannah Doyle!

The Pickup by Hannah Doyle is a charming and fun romantic comedy that explores the complicated and often unexpected journey of love and self-discovery. Sophie Rogers, a dedicated single mom, is juggling her responsibilities—her daughter, her job, and her family—when Joe, another single parent at her daughter's school, proposes a fake romance to help them both navigate some personal challenges. Sophie, ever the pragmatic woman, agrees, fully committed to keeping things strictly business.

However, as Sophie and Joe start spending more time together—attending staged events, coordinating calendars, and pretending to be the perfect couple—Sophie finds herself drawn to Joe's Irish accent, floppy hair, and the chemistry that begins to brew between them. The lines between their fake relationship and real feelings blur, and Sophie must confront the possibility that she’s falling for him despite her best intentions.

Doyle’s writing is witty, lighthearted, and full of heart. The banter between Sophie and Joe is infectious, and their evolving relationship is both sweet and relatable. Sophie's internal struggle, as she battles between maintaining control over her emotions and acknowledging her growing attraction, adds depth to the story.

The Pickup is a delightful, feel-good read about love, family, and taking risks when it comes to matters of the heart. It’s a perfect escape for readers who enjoy romantic comedies with endearing characters, plenty of laughs, and a satisfying, heartwarming conclusion. Doyle captures the essence of modern dating and relationships in a refreshingly honest way, making this book an enjoyable and uplifting read.

The Pick Up by Hannah Doyle is a delightful, feel-good rom-com that explores the blurred lines between fake relationships and real emotions. Sophie Rogers, a busy single mom, agrees to a fake romance with Joe, another parent at her daughter’s school, to help them both out of a bind. What starts as a harmless arrangement soon has Sophie questioning her feelings as she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Joe’s Irish charm and undeniable chemistry. With witty humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming moments, Doyle crafts a story about love, family, and the surprises life throws at us when we least expect them. A perfect light read for fans of romantic comedies.

Funny, cute, and sweet! A fun idea for a story, and it was definitely enjoyable! Definitely recommend this one to any and all

Hannah Doyle’s The Pick Up is a heartwarming and humorous contemporary romance that perfectly balances lighthearted fun with emotional depth. With a vibrant setting, a relatable protagonist, and a quirky cast of characters, this novel is a delightful escapade for fans of modern rom-coms.

The story centers on 30-something protagonist Izzy, who finds herself at a crossroads after a tough breakup. On a whim, she decides to take a fresh start in Lisbon, Portugal, embracing the chaos of a new city and a chance to redefine her life. While fumbling through language barriers, cultural quirks, and unexpected adventures, Izzy crosses paths with a mysterious yet charming stranger who makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

Doyle’s writing sparkles with humor and warmth, capturing both the hilarity and the vulnerability of starting over in a foreign country. Izzy’s journey of self-discovery is refreshingly authentic, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the ups and downs of expat life, career challenges, and a budding romance. The Lisbon setting is beautifully described, adding a rich and sunny backdrop to the story.

The romance itself is slow-burning and filled with delightful banter and chemistry, though it’s balanced by themes of friendship, independence, and personal growth. Doyle does an excellent job of portraying Izzy’s internal struggles and the joy of finding strength in unexpected places.

If there’s one minor drawback, it’s that the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, but the engaging characters and witty dialogue more than make up for it.

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

an hilarious rom com with two single parents and their slightly meddling kids who met of all places in the school pick up line.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ digital, and Hannah Doyle for the advance e-copy.

The Pick-Up was a delightful closed door romance with banter, a fake romance, relatable, dynamic characters, and a slow burn. I read it all in one sitting, because I just could not put it down. I was absolutely riveted. The overall feel of the book gave off Bridget Jones vibes with the UK location and pop culture references as well as the constant questioning by the FMC, Sophie, in her head about what is happening around her. The MMC, Joe, was a charming cinnamon roll that you wanted to root for. The plot was fun and although a spin on the common "fake dating" trope, it felt fresh and new due to the unique location (school pick ups) and the main characters being in their 30's and established. I can definitely see myself re-reading this time and again for a good laugh!

This book is for you if you like:
* A UK setting
* Single parents
* Fake dating
* Dislike to lovers
* Cozy, but sometimes overstepping, families
* Closed door romance

This was a delightful rom-com that had me laughing out loud from start to finish. The author did a lovely job of crafting a wonderfully quirky love story filled with hilarious mishaps, witty banter, and swoon-worthy moments. The characters are lovable and full of personality. Joe and Sophie are both single parents and decide to help each other out by pretending to be in a relationship. Of course they know from the start that it's all an act, but then why do things begin to feel so real?
The plot is lighthearted, combining the right amount of romance and humor. This is a super cute story that will have you grinning from ear to ear when you are done, leaving you with a warm feeling of contentment.
If you're looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud story with a heartwarming romance, then you,ve come to the right place. It's the perfect escape, and I found myself smiling long after turning the final page.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a great, lighthearted read with a bit of emotional depth. Two single parents find each other and agree to fake date to help each other out. The progression of their relationship is so cute!

I found "The Pick Up" by Hannah Doyle to be a fun and heartwarming read. The story follows Sophie Rogers, a single parent who, along with another single parent, Joe, decides to fake a romance to solve all of their issues. What starts as a practical arrangement soon becomes something much more as Sophie finds herself genuinely enjoying spending time with Joe.

Doyle's writing is charming and relatable, making it easy to root for Sophie and Joe. The humor and warmth in the story are perfect for rom-com fans who want a light and easy read and the book provides a lovely escape into a world where fake relationships turn into something real. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud story.

Overall: 3.5

Divorce mom and widowed father meet agree to a fake dating and the rest is history. It was cute, fun and lighthearted. You'll find yourself laughing at times. It feels like a hallmark or lifetime movie in written form.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I loved this book. It is such a cute and funny rom com with my favorite trope, fake dating. The characters are wonderful! I very much enjoyed the communication between them and the humor. I truly laughed out loud several times reading this. Absolutely didn't want this story to end and slowed my reading pace down towards the end just to make it last a little longer. I look forward to future releases from the author and will definitely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the arc to review. All opinions are my own.

Alright guys. Here is a a closed door romance that I enjoyed. The main characters were my age and I could actually relate to them!

◽ Single divorced mom X single widowed dad
◽ Fake dating
◽ Slow burn
◽ Witty banter
◽ Grumpy X sunshine
◽ Forced proximity
◽ Clean RomCom
◽ Closed door romance

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ digital for the advance copy.