The best rom com i read this year, I recommend it to all of my friends. Can’t wait to yap about it. I rated it 4 stars

First of all, this book was fun. Well, actually Sophie was all of the fun. Her internal monologues deserve an award for simply existing and it's been a while since I've been so immersed in a character's thought process.

"The pick-up" is a small town fake dating book, involving two single parents. Joe (will never get over this terrible name choice) and Sophie are the epitome of opposites attract- him being a chill literature professor, and her a self employed tornado of a business consultant- which made their interactions extremely entertaining.

Now.. if you know me- you know I had to erase a star because of the third act break-up/ misunderstanding. Was it necessary? No. Was it predictable? Yes. Was Joe an idiot and Sophie even a bigger one? Yes and yes.

(It's 2024, can we please stop with these third-act breakups now??)

Read if you like:
- Single parent MCs
- Fake Dating
- Slow Burn
- Rom-coms

As a mom with a kid around the same age as Lila and Sid, this book was very relatable. I loved seeing Sophie’s POV of motherhood and all of the 4yr old anecdotes of little Lila. This book was really funny and I loved the banter between Sophie and Joe (also a single parent). I did find that it was a bit slow at times and I would’ve enjoyed seeing Joe’s POV, but overall it was a fun and light read.

I just want to note that the description mentioned that it’s for fans of Elena Armas and Tessa Bailey who are known for a lot of spice. This book had no spice, which I didn’t mind but just wanted to flag. I actually preferred this over books that I’ve read from those authors.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A laugh-out-loud romcom in 2024 perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Elena Armas

Committing to a fake romance is easy. It’s keeping it fake that’s the problem …

Sophie Rogers finds it easy to focus on the important things in life. Like her daughter, her job and her family.

So when Joe, another single parent at school suggests they fake a romance to help them both out of a fix, she throws herself in.

But then Sophie starts to look forward to seeing Joe. In fact, she’s thinking about his floppy hair, Irish accent and the way his lips felt when they grazed hers (her commitment to this is exceptional) more than their synced calendars and staged socials. And there is a reason the yummy mummies called him Hot Single Dad.

Sophie Rogers isn't silly enough to fall in love with her fake boyfriend.

Is she?
Tropes
Fake dating
Thanks so much for Netgallery for allowing me to read this book as it was so cute and was so good

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC copy.

A twist on a fake relationship that is so much fun! Divorcee Sophie and widower Joe need to figure out a way to better navigate the pick up spot at their kids school. Sophie needs to fit in with the other moms and Joe needs to figure out a way to cease being the “sad widower” that the moms flirt with and bring endless casseroles to.

But, their perfect plan goes awry when they both seem to catch feelings. Enter Sophie's ex: misunderstandings ensue, feelIngs are hurt, and decisions are made that could tear the couple apart before they even get started.

The banter in this book is immaculate! Add in a hilarious group of imperfect secondary characters and two adorable kids; this book is a delight to read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

🚨 Release date: May 9, 2024

I enjoyed this book so much! I didn’t knew this author before and I’m so happy I do now. Love her writing style.

We’re set in Bristol, United Kingdom. Great start because I love the UK so much (never been there tho 🤣). Okay so.. We have two parents, one divorced and one widowed. The friendship between them felt so effortless, they just fitted so well. They’re so funny I literally couldn’t stop laughing sometimes! The development of their relationship was so sweet and you can also see the personal development of each. I was not a fan of the miscommunication but anyways.

I really loved both main characters, and those behind too! Joe’s mom is my absolute favorite! And don’t even get me started with the kids! Lila is such a sweet funny little girl. Sophie’s sister is one of the best! I reaaaally need to see how her life and relationship (wink wink 😉) goes!!

The fake dating was so funny because of the moms! Honestly loved the moms, each one was very different and funny too. It really is a rom-com on full mode 😂 I really wish we had an Epilogue..

It’s mostly fast paced, good fit for readers looking for a lighthearted funny story, you’ll love it! 💖

Things I liked: There's nothing I love more than a fake dating trope. This book was laugh out loud funny. Sophie's internal monologue is what dreams are made of.

Things I didn't like: Miscommunication, it's an ick for me. Single POV - I've become quite the fan of dual POV because it really gives you the ability to connect with the main characters.

Overall: I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to friends.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Such a delightful read that had me laughing out loud, kicking my feet and continuing to admire the characters. This was such a fun take on a friends to lovers story - full of joy and hope for the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the ARC!

Don’t really want to rate this book as I did find it hard to get into but that could be as I’m in a reading slump. I do want to give this book another chance but atm I can’t and that’s nothing to do with the book or author I just think it was the wrong time for me to try and read this book

I LOVED IT ......

Sophie, a successful business oriented single mom to Lily (a jolly 5 year old) who's done with all things romance and Joe, a hot Irish widower, single father to Sidney who still believes in love, Both get into a fake dating contract for mutual benefits.

wait.. did i mention I loved it !
i enjoyed the plot, loved the characters, their conversations, their humor, and all emotions, very well captivated
It was a cute, fun and easy book to read
A solid 4 star for this one, anyone who's into fake dating troupe will definitely enjoy this one
only i wish we had more Joe and Sid's interaction, it would have been lovely to get snippets of them as well.

Thanks Net galley for sending me this Arc in exchange for an honest review, you can tell I'll be picking more of this author because i definitely need that energy again

The Pick Up focuses on Sophie, a single mum, whose sister, Poppy, is determined to find her a man to date following her divorce from Mark five years ago. Sophie isn't interested in dating anyone as she's focused on building her business and bringing up her daughter, Lila. Upon discovering that Lila hasn't been invited to the party of one of her classmates, Sophie begins to question how she could get herself in with the clique of school mums to make sure Lila doesn't get missed out from any more events.
Enter Joe - hot, single, recently widowed dad, whose son, Sidney, is Lila's BFF at school. Joe gains a lot of attention on "Thirsty Thursdays" (the day he's seen doing the school drop off/pick up) and is trying to find a way to get away from the overbearing mums in the playground.
When they find themselves helping out at the school bake sale, Joe proposes that he and Sophie start fake dating, which will stop the other mums harassing him and Sophie accepts as this will also give her an in with the "Barnaby Babes", the name the PTA group have given themselves.
Just as they start to question whether there might actually be something between them, a blast from the past re-enters the scene and miscommunication between Sophie and Joe might just equal the end of their budding relationship.
The characters are fabulous throughout, very relatable. Lila was hilarious - she reminded me of my own daughter when she was that age. The book was a fantastic rom-com which had me smiling as Sophie and Joe navigated their fake relationship in front of the other mums. I found myself rooting for Sophie and Joe throughout and was even invested in their other family members. It was a great, light-hearted read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

HILARIOUS! I laughed my way through the whole book. The banter between Sophie and Joe was so great. I started highlighting so many funny lines but had to give up, there were too many! I hadn't heard of this author before and now I'll have to get started on her backlist. I love the way she writes. Loved everything about this story except the miscommunication (my absolute least favorite trope) which could easily have been avoided, and the quick resolution ending. I wanted more of Sophie and Joe together. Great representation of parenthood. Highly recommend.

"The pick up" is such a cute and realistic read. In the beginning I had some trouble with really getting into the story (but sidenote: I was in a huge reading slump, so I am not even gonna blame it on the book) but once I got into it, I literally flew trough it! I really enjoed reading about Sophie and Joe aswell as about their kids. Sophie and Joe are both single parents, each with their own history and bagage, however they decide to fake date eachother, each for their own benefits.

The writing style was absolutely amazing, this was the first book i've ever read by Hannah Doyle, but I know for a fact that I will dive into all her other works soon. The book literally did make me laugh out loud multiple times.
The only thing I actually missed was an epilogue, the ending happens pretty fast and in my opnion it would be cute if we would have had some extra content at the end. Maybe a POV from Joe would have been cool aswell, cause I am pretty curious how he experienced all of what happened.

This book will make a perfect fit if you like to read about:
- fake dating
- being a single parent
- reversed grumpy X sunshine
- one bed trope
- forced proximity

Fake romance? Check. He falls first? Check. My heart loving every minute of it? Double check!

Swoon! So so sweet. Sophie and Joe were exactly what each other needed. Him, trying to get away from being the 'man meat' of the school parents; her, trying to get her family off her back for matchmaking. It took Sophie too long to realize that Joe is perfect for her!

The side characters are so fun. Joe's mom is the sweetest and I love her. Sophie's sister is just as dense and lovable as Sophie, and she absolutely deserves her own book!

I thought it was a cute and funny book. As a parent myself I could relate more to the characters. On the other hand as a parent I couldn't understand their choices knowing it could negatively impact the kids so for that reason I struggled.

Title: The Pick Up By Hannah Doyle


Release date: May 9th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

In "The Pick Up" by Hannah Doyle, readers are treated to a delightful romcom that is both funny and sweet. With its slow-burn romance, witty banter, and realistic portrayal of single parenthood, this novel offers a heartwarming and relatable story.

Single mom Sophie is juggling her daughter, job, and family circus when Joe, a fellow single parent from school, suggests a fake romance scheme to tackle life's hurdles. Reluctantly agreeing, Sophie dives into this charade. But as they waltz through their make-believe love story, Sophie gets caught up in Joe's Irish twinkle and the cozy closeness between them.

The plot thickens as Sophie starts to wonder if their pretend love story is becoming a real-life fairy tale, especially with others noticing Joe's "Hot Single Dad" status.

Hannah Doyle's writing is engaging and witty. While the romance may be slow-burn and lacking in spice, the banter between the characters adds a delightful layer of humor and charm.

If you love romantic comedies or just want a heartwarming story, "The Pick Up" is an ideal pick for anyone seeking a feel-good read.

The Pick Up is a standalone (so far?) about Joe, aged 35 and Sophie,aged 33. Both single parents whose kids attend the same school clasl. Picking their kids from school is where their initial encounter takes place and due to individual circumstances, they strike a deal to pretend they're fake-dating. Peppered with forced proximity, which, as we can all guess from the very beginning, will lead to the fake relationship becoming more genuine than they initially expected. Navigating through this blossoming romance is the essence of the book, and it is worth every page.

What I liked
- The building up, the execution of the story and the banter these two characters have. I could not stop reading the book, I laughed histerically at numerous interactions they share throughout the book as well as those with the kids who equally cracked me up. Sophie's inner thoughts are witty and it felt like experiencing you best friend's firsthand experience fake-dating and it just brightened my day.

The story felt authentic and the slow-burn is exquisitely portrayed. I enjoyed reading how they were slowly falling in love with eachother and how neglected they were to admit it, all while everyone around them saw it coming due to the realistic portrayal of their fake relationship and the palpable chemistry between them.

- I typically don't come across romance books with a funny banter involving characters over their 20s,making this book a refreshing different read. A reminder that there is life after one's 20s!

This book is easy to read, comprehensible vocabulary (suitable even for non-native English speakers). Sweet, funny and entertaining.

I'd like to appreciate Net Galley and HQ for providing me with an eARC of this book and Hannah Doyle for writing such a cute romance. This review reflects my genuine opinion and was written voluntarily.

This was a fun and cute read, but I felt like it wasn't for me for a few reasons. I loved that this was not only a single parent romance, but BOTH the MMC and FMC are single parents. There were some really funny, laugh out loud moments and dialogue that was really good. Sophie and Joe are just so good together, and I love the idea of their blended family coming together. I do wish the book was dual POV and that the book had spicy scenes (it's closed door) but I thought it was a great book despite those missing elements for me. I also think that this was too lighthearted, given that you're merging two families and I feel like this would have been better as a different kind of book, rather than a rom com. Overall, I loved the premise and the concept, as well as the tropes, but it was lacking and could have some things changed and it would be SO good!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Doyle, and HQ Digital for the eARC of this book!

Hannah Doyle is a new to me author but after reading The Pick Up, I'm a fan! She writes with wit, smart dialogue and emotional connection. I have already gone back to her previous books and added them to my books to read.
This book was a nice slow burn and I only took a star off because there wasn't any spicy scenes (would have loved to read that connection fully described behind closed doors). The two main characters are single parents of 5 year old kids and they meet at the Pick Up line at school. Sophie has an impression of Joe that he's a little full of himself because all of the other school moms at pick up act gaga about him when he shows up. Sophie is trying to get in the "clique" of moms so that her daughter is included in future playdates and birthday parties and Joe is tired of being the subject of the mom brigade trying to make him dinners and dote on him. They make a deal to be in a fake relationship (not one of my favorite tropes) but in this book they make me not hate it as much. You can see the friendship that is forming in their scenes together and you actually feel that their teasing has that undertone of playful flirtation (even if our FMC doesn't pick up on it right away).
I like that he fell for her hard first and she's still trying to resist.
There are some side characters (Joe's mom is delightful and Sophie's sister Poppy cracks me up!). I wish the author didn't give Poppy the nickname Pop because in some scenes I think she's referring to her dad as Pop and it caused some confusion for me.
Great book and would have been a full 5 stars with a little open door bedroom scenes.
Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy!

This book was exactly what I needed at the time! It was funny, easy to read, and contained some of my favorite tropes.

I always love reading about a single dad, but also including a single mom seemed to be a great choice! I loved Sophie's inner monologue during school pick-up. Her wanted to be included but also critiquing those in the "inner circle" is so me. Enter Joe, though! I loved how her thoughts about him changed throughout the book and how she found herself wanting to talk to him and to see him. It was extremely cute.

The banter was great - always bonus points for me. Like mentioned above, I felt like these characters, their inner monologues and their dialogue was so relatable, so real. I could see myself in Sophie, but also in Joe too.

I did wish this book had dual POV because Joe was definitely a character where I wanted to know every single one of his thoughts. That didn't take away from the book at all, though. What did get me a bit was a little bit of the miscommunication trope. I understand each of them was working out their feelings, but them being so open and honest about other aspects of their lives, I wished for them to be a little more open about their feelings/struggles with each other.

Overall, The Pick Up had great characters, both the MCs and the side characters (I loved Joe's mom and Frankie!!), that kept the book interesting, relatable, and most of all, fun. It was a great book read at a great time for me.

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