Nerd Love

By: Magnolia Robbins

Narrated by: Alicia Foreman

World renowned sci-fi television star Reese Simmons looks like she has it all - fame, wealth, and a slew of beautiful women who follow her every move. Except Reese’s life is crumbling around her. She hates her job and is constantly accused of being a “reckless party animal.” Reese’s agent decides the one surefire way to get her image back on track. She has to date the worst person in the entire universe, her co-star Justine Turner.

Her solution: she needs a fake girlfriend. And fast.

Enter Lucy, the BFF. Game store manager, board game geek, the world’s most amazing cosplayer, and Reese’s best friend practically since birth. When Lucy finds out Reese’s predicament, there seems like only one solution: pose as fake girlfriends. And Lucy is more than willing to play the part. She’d do anything for Reese - even if it means entirely too romantic tales about their relationship, hearing she’s “incredibly beautiful”, and expert kisses in public.

The problem: Reese and Lucy have been in love with each other all their lives - and they’re both completely clueless.

This book features two best friends, roleplaying games, and countless "fake" kisses and begs the question: Who wants a real girlfriend when faking is so much fun?

©2019 Magnolia Robbins (P)2019 Magnolia Robbins

Same 'Old; Same Old

Th central protagonist Reese Simmons is a hot mess; unable to take a stand against her agent, whenever she is strong armed by the little woman she puts up a token resistance, then folds. Whenever she faces frustration she gets drunk and acts out in a totally ineffective, even self destructive way. She always finds an excuse to not get she really wants.
Lucy has worked in a games arcade since was 18 and even with her college degree she continues to work there. She puts off everyone who advises her to move on. She writes screenplays that she won't show to anyone else; in short she's running away from her life. When her best friend Reese offers her a relationship, she at first runs away from her, then uses Reese's weakness; weaknesses she knows all too well, as an excuse to end the relationship.
Okay now that I've played spoiler I suppose it comes as no surprise that I do not recommend particular book. In my ongoing love/ hate relationship with Magnolia Robbins this one clearly falls in the dislike zone.

It’s so geeky love.

Ok I am a geek I love D&D and board games and video games. I was delighted to read a fun book that has such a nerdy geek way.
This story is light and fun and loving.
Totally loved it.

So cute!

This f/f romance was so adorable. It was kinda boring in some parts but it was a cute friends to lovers/fake romance book about geeky queer woman!

I received this via Audiobook Boom and reviewed voluntarily.

Friends-to-lovers

Endearing, cute, and cozy friends-to-lovers story, but also a bit cookie-cutter and predictable.

The premise is good. I really liked Lucy, the somewhat shy, nerdy, heartbroken by last break-up. But then she falls in love with Reese, who she’s already known for two decades? How did they not know they had feelings for each other? How would those feelings increase only after a drunken stupor?

Lots of background information that got in the way of the plot. Descriptions of gaming is nice for those interested in it but might be a little too much for the world outside of games. Also there was a lot of background information on Lucy’s former relationship with Riley that didn’t seem to add up in the end.

I thought the climax was unsatisfactory. It was too quick, and without giving a spoiler, didn’t seem to fit the characters.

One great thing about this book are the sex scenes – very well-written.

Disappointing main characters; terrific narration

“Nerd Love” was enjoyable, and while the narration was terrific, I was disappointed in the story, primarily because I didn’t particularly like either MC.

MC Reese, a hugely successful actress, is extremely self-centered (though is is extremely kind and focused on helping her parents). She is very shallow, seriously immature, and frequently makes HUGE mistakes after drinking too much. I wish someone in the book had confronted her to help with what is clearly a drinking problem.

MC Lucy is very sweet, but is a serious underachiever for 95% of the book. Jokes abound about straight women feeling like the only available men are 30ish somethings living in their parent’s basement playing video games. Lucy is pretty much the female version of that trope.

I love nerds, and I was disappointed that Reese made fun of nerds, her fans and Lucy alike. Lucy was just too much the stereotype nerd rather than the nerd-on-the-surface who is really so much more complex.

Overall, I rate “Nerd Love” 3*, although the narrator gave a 4* performance!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

A Cute Friends-to-Lovers Story

Welcome to my very first romance/romantic comedy book review. I’ve been wanting to dive into this world but I had no idea where to start. When I saw this book I figured it was going to be the one for me. So, forgive me as I’m just getting into this world and as an atypical romance audiobook lover I’ll probably like things that others wouldn’t and I’ll probably not be bothered by other things.

First and foremost – I knew going into this that if Robbins screwer up the nerdy parts of it that it was going to ruin the book. Thankfully she didn’t at all. There were lots of references to old science fiction that were spot on. DnD games that were played properly and mentions of cosplay and other events at San Diego Comic Con. Robbins is either a nerd, knows a nerd, or seriously did her research for this book. Kudos for that.

Now, onto the love story. I’ve been a long-time fan of romantic comedies. 10 Things I Hate About You, 13 Going On 30, and Hitch being three of my favorite movies. If I was going to compare this to a movie – I would definitely say 13 Going on 30’s plot line (falling for your best friend) with Big Bang Theory nerdiness thrown in.

This is a FF story that I thought was well written. There were two main sex scenes that felt passionate and real. The love and move into and towards love was also well played out (going back and forth and wavering from time to time). Lucy was definitely hurt a few times and Reese wasn’t the best person in the world for her – but I also get why Robbins threw in the ups and downs that she did.

I liked this a lot more than I thought I was going to and I look forward to getting into more books in this genre. I particularly liked that it wasn’t super smut-heavy and it was much more about their dance around each other than about the actual acts (though, of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sex).

Alicia Foreman did a pretty good job with the narration. I liked her pacing, tones, and overall vibe while reading. My only issue was that if Robbins hadn’t told me which point of view we were listening to – I probably wouldn’t have gotten it. The two MC’s were too similarly voiced for me to be able to pick it up quickly and know who was who. But, it didn’t take away from the story since I knew via the book who was actually talking.

Overall, for a new-to-romance guy – this was a win from me. I found myself wanting to listen to more even after it was over.

Cute and nerdy

So I’ll start out by saying, I really didn’t like Reese Simmons. She was immature, judgey, and seemed too snarky to other women. She had contempt for her fans and nerd culture, as she took a paycheck from said nerds. As a participant in nerd culture, I say a hearty harrumph to that nonsense!
That said, I liked the book, because Lucy was a nice person and I was rooting for her. And Reese gets better as time goes on, but, honestly, it was hard to get over the sour taste her earlier behavior left. Maybe that was the point - a journey of personal growth, for both women. Reese becomes more likable, Lucy learns to overcome some of her insecurities.
It hit the expected tropes and kept me reading. Loved the nerdy references and settings. If you’re looking for a nerdy take on a fake romance romance, check this out!

(The author provided me with a free copy of the audiobook, and I am voluntarily leaving a review).

Dungeons and Dragons and Best Friends

I like the fake-relationship trope when paired with a best friend. Chapter 3 set up the scene pretty well. Lucy accidentally spills grape soda on Reese at a restaurant, and the pair struggle to clean up. Lucy brings a backup shirt for her, and Reese agrees to tell her about how the date is going.

The book alternates perspectives, but I thought it was a little odd they were all in third person. Usually alternating perspectives is to give more insight into people's thoughts. The side characters don't serve much purpose in the story as everything focuses on the two main characters.

Between the two of them, I like Lucy more than Reese. Throughout the whole story, Lucy helps and comforts Reese. Plus, Lucy likes Dungeons and Dragons. Then chapter 22 had forced conflict which i didn't like. It was really out of character for Lucy.

I felt Reese was more of the main character. She's focused on her career as an actor in a scifi show. I thought she was maybe a little spoiled. She goes on dates/hookups that don't mean anything to her, and she does her best to ignore them. She has a problem with alcohol and is even mean to her fans. Then in chapter 26, Reese is a bit controlling of her relationship with lucy.

The narrator does pretty well with her performance at enforcing the side character stereotypes. The agent Regina has the voice of the annoying micro manager, and Justine sounds every bit as spoiled as she is.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."