I really wanted to like this book more than I did. 😕 it’s got so many of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, reality show competition, forced proximity, fake dating, long term pining, a cinnamon roll hero…I mean, sign me UP! Additionally it’s got an interracial relationship and a plus-sized Black heroine? That stuff is usually my catnip!

Unfortunately, this just didn’t *quite* deliver. I think some of the issue was the pacing - there isn’t really enough time or tension built into the story of the couple (Cam and Kenya). Additionally, the tension between the two of them was a little lacking for me. They start off with a very handsy and emotionally affectionate relationship so moving to a physical relationship felt natural. Which, in real life, that’s great! But in a book? I want DRAMA! LONGING LOOKS! PINING! BANTER!!! 

I did love the cosplay aspect of it as well as Kenya, the heroine, in general. She’s a super fun and relatable character. She goes through A LOT in this story arc though so mind the CW. The romance is low angst but her life and situation are absolutely not. She has meddling parents which I never like and she faces a plethora of microaggressions both because of her race and her size, and her role as a reality TV show contestant.