Loved this fake-dating romance

This was a fun book! It was interesting to see how Mila and Kai navigated dating with her son, it added a nice dimension to the story.
It was great to see Kai and Mila come together and see the rest of the characters from past Marabella books. I look forward to the next book.
This was a sweet read, I'd rate PG for kissing.

ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mila swore off love seven years ago when her husband Brad walked out on her and their unborn child. While the couple never planned for children, she thought their relationship was strong enough to weather the unexpected new addition. Now a single mother, Mila spends her time raising her son Noah and running her bed and breakfast, Mila’s Place. But her world is about to be rocked when Brad reenters her life asking to get to know Noah.

Kia, an ex professional surfer, spends his days running the water sports rental for the island resort and giving surf lessons. Despite having lots of loved ones on the island, he lives a rather quiet and solitary life. With his sister’s upcoming wedding, he is desperately trying to prove to his family and friends that he is happy on his own and doesn’t need them playing matchmakers.

When Mila and Kai learn of each other’s struggles they decide to work together. Agreeing to fake date, the pair aim at establishing healthy boundaries with Brad and Kai’s family. Will their plan be a smashing success, or will it blow up in their faces?

Resorting to Romance is the third book in The Love Trippin’ Series by Savannah Scott. While the book is intended to be apart of a series it can easily be read as a standalone. I myself came into the series late, starting with book three. While I plan to read and aquire all of the books, I have only had the opportunity to read two of the five thus far. Thankfully, Scott does a phenomenal job of catching readers up on important information so no matter where they start in the series they can enjoy themselves.

The single parent trope isn’t one I tend to read. However, Scott opened my eyes to how beautiful it can be when done correctly. Her character development of the main characters was perfectly executed. Kai was the ideal MMC displaying patience and understanding. He allowed Mila to set the pace and always kept Noah’s interest above his own. In the same way I loved watching Mila’s journey as she learned to set aside her trepidation and become brave for the sake of love.

Needless to say, I adore this story!!! If you are a fan of contemporary romances I urge you to read this. Special thanks to Netgalley, Victoria Editing, and Savannah Scott for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I saw this romance bewing for a while now and was excited to explore it.
Savannah has a really cool way of making you feel as though you're there at the beach, at the bnb, or whereever the couple was watching with your own eyes the relationship blossom. The main characters had such good chemistry.

This very slow burn story tells us the story of Mila, a single mom that runs an Inn in an tropical island, and Kai an ex-surfer who now gives surf lessons on the beach.
They know each other for several years , and have been really good friends since they met. It actually seemed that they were already in a romance without the displays of affection.
So when her ex shows up, and she needs to send hom some 'back off' feelings, Kai gets a caveman reaponse and acts as her boyfriend. They soon realise that being in a fake relationship can be benneficial, but don't count the wheight of their (unspoken) feelings and how they tend to grow with their proximity. It takes some good time, but they eventually give in.
It was nice seeing a good friendship and how they valued one another, not wanted to lose what they had for fear of losing one another.
Mila had some bad experiences with men, and was also afraid to have someone with her little boy in the middle. Kai is an easy-going guy, whith a big heart and a problem solver. He loves to take care of those he loves (yes, even the mutt) and Mila and Noah are is family (even if they don't know it yet). He is really a lovable character.
The side characters, mainly Kai's friends were perfect for some laugh out loud moments, especially Ben!

Awe! I was so excited to read Kai and Mila’s story. I felt like we really got to know Kai when we read Kala and Bodhi’s story. It was nice to see him in another light in this story. We still got to see how he was protective, we got to see him fall in love. Mila is such a strong woman. The fact she is a single mom while running a business is so admirable and I’m glad she was able to open up to Kai. I also love stories where there is a child involved because of the innocence and honesty the child provides. Noah just said it like it was and how he saw things and I think that helped open Mila’s eyes when the time came.

This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel.

Kai sees Mila as a friend. A friend he wants to help out with the inn she owns. A friend who has a loveable 7 year old son. A friend that he wants to date. Wait, scratch that. Definitely not. A friend he wants to protect by pretending to date her. There, that's it... He's just stepping in to keep her ex-husband at bay. There is definitely no possibility of a relationship. Mila is just kind and beautiful and feels like home. But she is very anti a real relationship. So, this is very much not happening.

But...the more they spend time together pretending to date, the less comfortable Kai feels staying in the friend zone. Is a real relationship even a possibility?
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All the warm fuzzies and butterflies for this one. Kai and Mila are mature adults who are well established in who they are, so they don't play games with their feelings (although they try really hard to stuff them down and ignore them). So, as they navigate these fake dating waters, their comfort level as friends really shines as they grow even closer. I adore a relationship that is setting up the forms for a solid foundation.

Many single parent books don't feature the kid or kids too much. But here Noah is his own loveable character. His relationship with Kai is so heartwarming and you can see why that is a reason that Mila finally allows herself to admit her feelings for Kai.

This book is a sloowwww burn, so the tension just keeps ratcheting up and when they do finally kiss, it is such a sweet moment and worthwhile payoff.

Savannah Scott continues to knock it out of the park in this series. She balances hilarious shenanigans with heart so well and gives us those characters we have grown to love in previous books as side characters we can love here.
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This is a closed door, kisses only rom com. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Content Note (from the author): In this story, you will read about: Divorce (not on page), child abandonment (not on page), parental reconciliation with child (on page), and death of parents (character backstory).

Thank you to the author for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own.

Savannah Scott is a new-to-me author, and my first introduction into her writing was fantastic. I was able to read two of her books recently. Her books have the perfect amount of fun and humor mixed with real life. Resorting to Romance is a great example of this.

Mila and Kai are the cutest couple ever. These friends turned lovers had me cheering them on from the get go. They are the perfect example of how friendship can be a great foundation for a romantic relationship. I loved seeing how these two cared for each other, but it drove me crazy how they denied their feelings. Thank goodness for side characters, who not only add to the fun, but know better, and help bring these two together.

Resorting to Romance is a fabulous read for anyone who loves the beach, fake dating, single mother trope, and definitely friends-to-lovers. I laughed multiple times. I swooned. I loved this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. These thoughts are my own.

"Resorting to Romance" by Savannah Scott is a delightful and heartwarming contemporary romance that whisks readers away to a charming resort setting. Scott's writing shines through with its vibrant descriptions and endearing characters. The story centers on a romance that blooms amidst the idyllic backdrop of a luxurious resort, blending elements of escapism with genuine emotional depth.

I loved Kai and Mika and enjoyed every minute of their story! The small island, surf culture was the perfect backdrop for a summer read. I look forward to reading more of the connected stories in this collection!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me all the summer / beach vibes I could hope for. I loved Kai and Mila's story. Very clean and fun, which is just what I had hoped for.

*4.5

This was adorable. Kai was so in love with Mila even if he didn't want to admit it. He would literally drop everything in his life to go help her or Noah. Mila didn't know if she was ready to love again but Kai was right there and ready. Kai's relationship with Noah was so cute and I loved it.

I received an arc through netgalley.

The newest installment of the Marabella Island series did not disappoint. Mila stays quite busy running the island's bed and breakfast while raising her son on her own. When her son's father returns to the island, her friend Kai steps in as her fake boyfriend. Mila and Kai have been friends for years and their fake relationship is starting to feel very real. A cute, single mom, fake dating romance with lots of heart.

This is such as amazing book by Savanah Scott and I think it’s my favorite by her! I love the mom son bond in this book and loved that the MMC bonded with her son as well. All all the way around I love this book and recommend.

Savannah Scott has done it again - another irresistible romcom. As the fourth instalment in the Love Trippin’ series, Scott weaves deep themes with her usual humour and laugh out loud moments in a seamless and authentic manner. Readers will not feel confused or like they are missing details if Resorting to Romance is read as a stand alone. With a title that tells all, you’ll be reading with a sappy smile on your face the whole time, as these characters are all so loveable.

My only disappointment is how Brad’s reunification falls to the way side and isn’t mentioned in the last few chapters & epilogue. As such a vital component of the book, this storyline for Noah’s sake needed a conclusion. If you haven’t read a Savannah Scott novel, beware they are like Lays chips - “bet you can’t eat (aka read) just one”!!

3.5⭐️ My first book by Savannah Scott, and I enjoyed it. I thought her writing was great, her characters were fun, but ultimately, it was a too long for me. I feel like there were a lot of unnecessary conversations with characters from the previous Love Trippin' books that I frankly did not care about. I wanted Kai and Mila and that was it. We got a lot of them together, but I think they could have fake dated better ha. I think I just needed more ya know?

I will say, I feel like a lot of contemporary romances fall into immaturity when the characters act much younger than they are. But this in this story, the characters felt so mature, which was refreshing. They are adults. One had a child. They should act like it, and they did! Mila and Kai were very cute and Kai was an angel for Mila and Noah. I couldn't help but love them. But Brad. Brad Brad Brad. I don't agree with what he did at all and I didn't really love him as a character, but I think I wanted them to come back together and work things out. I loved Kai, he was such a good man for Mila, but in the back of my mind, I wanted Brad and Mila to come back together and be a family for Noah. Maybe I need to find another book with this storyline ha.

There were also characters to love. Chloe is the all time cutest best friend, her fairy godmother's were hilarious, and little Noah was such a cute kid. And Kai? The dad day literally almost had me in tears. So adorable.

All in all, it was cute. I enjoyed the characters. I just got a little bored and skimmed some of the book. So it was a little long for me, and I didn't care for some of the side characters. I think I could have really loved this book if I was at a different place in my life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Savannah Scott, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the complimentary copy of this books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
- Fake dating
- Friends to lovers
- Dual POV
- Single mom
- Small island vibes

Goodreads review: I thought this book was a sweet story but ultimately missing some substance.

I loved Mila in this. She has such an interesting backstory and she proves herself as a great mom throughout the book. She gave off such a sweet presence.

I also really liked the dynamic between Noah and Kai. It warmed my heart!

I loved the start of the fake dating but by 70% I was bored of it and just wanted the characters to get together. I was hungry to see these characters to manage their relationship, telling Noah, etc. However, I did enjoy seeing Mila and Kai plot out how they were going to carry out the fake dating.

Ultimately I think I may just not be the reader for this. It is a sweet story with lots of fun moments but I was just missing some extra backstory and substance. I am not opposed to reading this author’s other books, however.

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

I love Savannah Scott but this is the second one that I feel was just okay for me. Maybe I’m just not reading them at the right time, sometimes I swear timing is everything for books. I love the main characters in this book and the little boy too. I guess what I didn’t love was the whole dad re-entry thing. It was a big piece of the story but she should have told him to get lost, honestly. A fun setting and a super cute couple though.

First, you can read this as a stand alone, but you should read it with the series. It gives you more background on Kai, Mila and all the other Marabella friends. It creates a richer experience. This book might be my favorite from the series. I adored Cam and Riley, but Kai and Mila bring a whole new level to the romance game.

Mila has been burned by an ex, but is a wonderful single mom living her best life on the island. Kai is a retired pro surfer who runs a sports shack. They have been friends for a few years and one unexpected visit and protective moment puts them into a fake relationship, that is founded on their friendship. When does it become real or what is fake?

This is the sweetest story and I feel like there is so much depth and building of characters. When you read it, it feels like hanging out with your friends. This is an adorable story of trust, friendship and of course love.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

this story was really cute, loved the concept of it. but it fell a bit short for me. it read very much YA, maybe even lower than that. not that we need all this spice in every romance, but just how the story was written read very young.

I wished there was more parts with Noah, the fmc's son, and more moments with the three of them together, fmc, mmc, and Noah. I felt like both characters went back and forth in their mind a lot and that felt very young, if that makes sense LOL I also wished there was more having to do with the surf shop and the bnb, I was some more fluff with both!

I just wanted more, I felt like it was missing stuff. feeling unsatisfied after reading this.

BUT, I think if you enjoy simple, quick, low romance romance books, then this book would be a perfect one for you!

Hmmmmmmm, what to say. I’m going to give this a 3.5 rating. I was given the opportunity to read Catch a Wave as an ARC book a few months ago and now I have been given the opportunity to read Resorting to Romance also as an ARC copy. I mentioned in my review of Catch a Wave that I hadn’t read the first two books of the series (and I still haven’t gotten around to it) but that it wasn’t necessary as Catch a Wave truly could be read as a stand alone book. The same doesn’t exactly apply for Resorting to Romance. I really do think you need to at least read Catch a Wave before reading this book as there are a lot of details and plot points that are continuations. While we do have a lot of Ben, Summer, Cam and Reilly in this book, and I would have benefited from reading the first two books of the series to have more background information on them, it’s not mandatory.

As for the story. Savannah is a closed door writer. No problem there as I do enjoy reading these more toned down books occasionally. However, I felt that this book was a VERY SLOW burn. I think Kala and Bodhi’s story was also slow burn but not as slow as this one. I mean, we had to wait until 90% of the book for the to say anything to each other. Any kiss before that was Kai and Mila were all part of the ploy and lie they were portraying. I had been waiting since Catch a Wave for them to get together.

Here we basically have Kai, a retired professional surfer, who now manages the water activities hut on the island of Marbella and older brother of Kailane. He is in his early 30’s and is lonely but not interested in random hook-ups with anyone from the small community on Marbella island. Mila is a single mother who owns an inn or small bed and breakfast on the island. She has a 7 year old son, Noah, and is divorced. Her husband, they were childhood sweethearts, divorced her when she became pregnant because they had agreed they didn’t want children. Kai and Mila became friends when Kai moved to the island and he helps her out with handy work around the inn and is a surrogate uncle to Noah. There has always been a small attraction between the two but either have ever acted upon it. Well, now Mila’s ex-husband is back on the island for business purposes and because he has learned from his mistakes and wants to get to know his son. Mila is scared she may lose her son and that her ex may try to win her back as well. Kai steps in as the fake boyfriend but their real feelings eventually become too strong. They each hold back for fear of what Noah may think and that it may be too many changes in his life all at once.

The premise of the story is cute and understandable. However, I don’t like when stories have a fear of communication or lack of communication trope. The characters automatically assume what others think or want and they end up losing so much time stressing over the potential outcomes of a hypothetical relationship rather than take the leap to experience a real one.