ohwowthiswasspicy (although I also find radishes spicy, so take that as you will). I didn't really connect with either of the main characters. The non-relationship plot points felt pretty weak and random to me (more often than not).

tropes:
-brother's best friend
-age gap
-roommates

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I just reviewed Mortgage of Convenience by Dani McLean. #MortgageofConvenience #NetGalley #ARCReader

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Tropes:
no third act break up
brother’s best friend
forced proximity
roomates
dual pov
age gap
FMC is a shy writer
MMC is an ex-stripper

Review:
This marks my first read by Dani Mclean, and I have to say that even though, it won't be making my top reads of 2024, I would definitely want to read more of their work!

I have to say that it took me a while to get through this book. Nothing about it really had me scrambling to flip to the next page. I kept zoning out and going on my phone.

I completely understand when a character has insecurities, but it really overpowered Bee's character, it kinda shadows everything else. Also it felt like her character was a little hollow. I wish I could say that she grew throughout the book, but I didn't feel like she did. I feel like she overcame things, not because of the way she overcame things, but just because Sebastian said so. The romance was very much rushed. I always opt for a slow burn romance, and this was not that at all. I felt like I didn't really see the romance develop, it just kinda happened. They always had feelings for each other, but I feel like it could've been developed a little better, I would've liked to see them go from a concrete freindship to a romantic relationship; instead of flat line friendship to suddenly kissing and zooming through it.

Now for the whole buying a house together thing....why??? Why would she offer to buy HALF A HOUSE for someone she's in no way involved with? Why would he accept? Why did he want that house specifically? just why all of it?? I didn't feel like my questions were answered. It felt like the whole buying a house together plot was just to make it a forced proximity romance, but it wasn't a well planned plot.

Finally, like I said it's not my favorite, but I wouldn't avoid reading more by this author, as it was my first read by them. Hopefully the next read will go better!

Thank you, Dani McLean, Set the Mood Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Mortgage of Convivence is out and ready to read.

In the name of honestly, I was very excited for this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I was expecting in terms of romance. I feel like the tension was there at first and then fell kind of flat. I also feel like her attitude towards him was also all over the place. I think it's a very good concept but maybe wasn't executed how I thought it was going to be.

I find it absolutely strange and perplexing. She gives off the impression of being bashful and unconfident one moment, then when she talks about her past, she radiates confidence. The tension between the two was there in the first few chapters, but after it was just weird with her ignoring him and then not ignoring him. The interactions between them at times felt forced and soon got to be boring.

I really loved this book! Bee reminds me so much of myself in the sense of being the younger sister and having the overprotective older brother. Sebastian is amazing! The way he was so scared to turn out like his father but we got to see the opposite of that. He was so kind and tender with Bee and honestly, to everyone around him.

maybe a 2.5 ⭐️?

this book had so much potential to be great but just fell flat in so many ways.

first of all it felt like Bee and Sebastian were together from the first chapter and I felt like the intention was for there to be a buildup to the romance and that just didn’t happen or wasn’t believable at least.

there was also so many sub plots happening and different character struggles that it was hard to keep up and remember things that were happening.

also not sure why a 36 year old man kept referring to himself as old or ancient?? lol

there was a lot of this book that I liked or saw so much potential in but too much of it was a miss to give the payout of a great romance read

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

I was surprised to like this book more than I did. Other than the romance between Bee and Sebastian, we have themes like friendships, self-discovery, confidence, and unstable family figures. We also have bi representation which I, as a bi woman, love!!!!
I loved the writing and it was addictive. It was my first time reading the brother's best friend trope, and I enjoyed that too. I wasn't expecting that much smut (but that's something I'm discovering that I don't like as much as I did, depending on the days ahah). The characters grow so much and it's so beautiful to see them face the problems and grow because of them.
The theme of friendships and family is something that I always look forward to in my books, but after reading the acknowledgments I felt a little close to home and understood even more what the book said.
My rating was a 4 star and I will look forward to more books by the author.

Mortgage of Convenience has a very good premise and promising characters but it perhaps misses some charm which would've made this a "classic". Sebastian is an extremely well-rounded character and it is great to see a bisexual man as the main love interest in a fm romance. Bee however is missing a spark and in all honesty I couldn't tell you much about her other than she is writing a book and is anxious about it. I would say this is a good romp that you can spend an afternoon with but it isn't earth-shattering in any way.

Mortgage of Convenience is a great fit for readers looking for a heartwarming story about an LGBTQIA+ shy ghostwriter finding confidence and love with her brother's charming best friend, while navigating themes of forced proximity, age gap, and spicy romance.

Reading this was an absolute joy! The growth in these characters. And the love that blossoms between them through all the obstacles life throws there way, is extremely heartwarming.

oh my gosh this book had me absolutely giggling and kicking my feet in the area from start to finish! sebastian is the perfect man, no seriously he was perfect. so wholesome and sweet, his character was everything. bee was such an amazing character and they really complimented each other so well and were perfect for each other. it was lovely to read the progress of their relationship i loved it so much!!

there was something about this book that really touched me and made my heart warm up in the best possible way. it was so sweet, heartwarming and a book full of love 🤍

read this if you love:
🪴 brother’s best friend
🪴 no 3rd act breakup
🪴 lgbtqa+ rep
🪴 mutual pining
🪴 found family

I was very blessed in receiving this book as an ARC and I would like to thank NETGALLEY, the Publisher, and the Author for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

The cover of this novel was beautiful and really drew me in, the book itself… wasn’t great 😞
There are a lot of tropes that are very popular at play, two of which are some of my favorite:
✨ close proximity
✨ brother’s best friend

Unfortunately I felt like the way they were executed made both main characters mildy cringey. There was a lot of spice 🌶️ in this book but the way it played out felt almost awkward? The second hand embarrassment was very prominent.

Overall, I believe books to be subjective and what isn’t my jam may be your Roman Empire, so please don’t let my opinion keep you from forming your own.

i really wanted to love this book!! and while it was cute, i felt like the pace was weird. it felt really rushed in the beginning and then drawn out in other places. it took me a long time to read because the story just felt slow. the tension was good, and the spicy scenes were great and very descriptive! i would be interested in reading aiden’s book if they decide to write it.

This book was perfect and I enjoyed each minute of it. Sebastian and Bee truly were perfect and made for each other. Their moments were so beautiful and I loved to see them care and adore so much each other

I really enjoyed this one! Bee had some great growth throughout the book. Sebastian wad supportive, hot, and all the good stuff I want in a book boyfriend.

Forced proximity with brother's best friend? Yes please!

Dani writes some great spice and I will always request the ARC when I see hers pop up.

Mortgage of Convenience is Dani's best book yet!

I really enjoyed Bee and Seb and their dynamic...and their pining. This book contains some of my favorite tropes, including forced proximity. I related to much more of this book than I was expecting to. Friendship breakups are very, very hard whether you're being broken up with or you're the one cutting ties. Dani handled this aspect of her book so well...it tugged at my heartstrings quite a bit.

I don't know if this book is supposed to be part of a series or not...but I can see one or two couples brewing in the book, and I'd love to see their stories for sure.


Thank you to Dani and NetGalley for the early copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc!

I didn’t love this one and found it a bit disappointing because I didn’t buy into Bee’s plight. It felt like a lot of drama for a normal life situation.

Sebastian felt more realistically written.

Overall not my fav.

How far did I get? Technically, I finished it, but I started skimming about halfway through. I wanted to give the author the benefit of doubt, in case the issues were just with the ARC edition - they were not. I flipped through the finished version, and it was the same way.

Why did I stop? The writing was not living up to the potential of the premise. Other readers have described the writing as choppy, and that is 100% true. It jumps from one scene to the next with zero transition, so I spent a lot of time trying to get my bearings. By the time I'd figured out what was happening, it would shift to the next scene. So I spent a lot of time confused, and then the characters' decisions didn't always make sense. Like... our heroine buys half a house, even though she only plans to be in town temporarily? She knows her brother's best friend can't afford it on his own (neither can she), so I'm still not exactly sure what her game plan was there. The home-buying process is not particularly quick or easy, yet they still hadn't communicated their plans before the paperwork was signed. And what she wanted in exchange was kinda ridiculous. Some of the other compelling elements were wildly underdeveloped. So there were a million things that had me scratching my head.

Was I enjoying it initially? I was! I've heard great things about this author's work, the cover is absolutely gorgeous, and the premise is right up my alley. So I went into this with a whole lot of enthusiasm, and I initially really enjoyed that it jumped right into things. The hero is also such a sweetheart, and there was so much to love about the dynamic between them. There are also some fantastic, intimate moments and these little glimpses of greatness. Those kept me hooked for awhile, until the writing issues started overtaking the plot.

Would I finish this? I skimmed to the end, so I know how it all ends up. The romance still felt underdeveloped, with very strange pacing. I would definitely try the author again, but I'd wait until there were some solid reviews out first.

Who would I recommend this to? It gave me Tarah DeWitt/Hannah Bonam-Young vibes, which is a major plus and the biggest reason I'd revisit the author's work in the future. So if you're a fan of that kind of vibe, then McLean might be a good fit for you.

As I was reading this book, I came to realise that I do not read nearly enough roommate to lover romances. It’s just not a trope I pick up enough yet when I do, I always really enjoy them. This book is no exception.

Bee and Sebastian are the best kind of the couple - the ones that have been secretly attracted to each other forever but work on becoming friends before they become lovers. These two were gorgeous - they couldn’t do enough for each other which I loved reading about. So many thoughtful moments and they truly worship the ground each other walks on. The chemistry is well written and achieves that perfect balance of being slow burn without dragging on too long - it was just enough to get you really rooting for them.

This book has all the best tropes - roommates to lovers, friends to lovers and brother’s best friend. But it’s written in a way that is not so focused on the trope that you don’t believe the story. I genuinely believed the chemistry and love between these two. It was simply gorgeous to read about.

This was just a fabulous romance to read, I really loved it

It's been like a week since I've read this beauty and I still don't feel capable to form the words to explain how much I loved this book. I posted a review on my bookstagram but felt like I needed to share more details but... Oh my goodness, the words fail me.

This book was beautiful. From the very first page I knew I was going to love it, and I was right. More than the plot being perfect, it's the fact that I related to these characters on a personal level that made me love it even more.

Bee and Sebastian are perfect in their own imperfections and they're definitely perfect for each other. They complement each other so well! They're soulmates, truly. Watching them grow together while their love for each other also grew was beautiful and heart warming. I was constantly screaming, crying, giggling, blushing and kicking my feet in the air.
Then fighting for each other but most importantly making sure the other managed to achieved their own dreams above anything was everything! That's true love!

I don't want to spoil anything but if you want to read about a ghost writer trying to gain confidence to write her own actual book and an ex stripper who just wants to buy a house and settle down with a brother's best friend trope into the mix and a sprinkle of age gap, then this is it for you. You found it. This is your perfect match. Swipe right (or simply run to the Kindle, whatever floats your boat!)