Counterfeit Boyfriend by Cindi Madsen

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Title: Counterfeit Boyfriend
Author: Cindi Madsen
Published by: Indie
Release Date: June 25th 2018
Format: eARC
Pages: 272
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2018 #LetsReadIndie Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 Author Love Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 New Adult Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Big Summer Birthday Bash 2018
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ iBooks
My rating:

Blurb:

My twin brother’s talked me into a lot of crazy things, but taking his place on a road trip with his girlfriend so he can party with his friends is a whole new level of insanity. What’s even more insane is I somehow find myself agreeing to it—thanks, alcohol, guilt, and bribery. I’m determined to undo the arrangement, but then I meet Gwen, this sexy redheaded hurricane of energy and brains.

And then she kisses me. Just like that, I’m driving her up the coast, on our way to a wedding with a mess of complications. With each hour and each stop, I’m falling harder and harder for a woman who doesn’t know my actual name.

I’m trying to do the right thing. Or the lesser of the wrong things. All my life I’ve had to clean up my brother’s messes, but for the first time ever, I’ve landed the upper hand in one of our switcheroo schemes. Now I’ve just got to come clean and convince Gwen that I’m the brother she should be with.

My Review:

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4 stars — Honestly, this book was kind of up and down for me.  There were so many things I LOVED, but occasionally I felt like I was missing something.  That’s why I ended at 4 stars, b/c there were both 5 star and 3 star moments.

I think part of that was our hero and heroine.  There were things I LOVED about them, but in other areas I felt like I was missing a full connection.  They were both hilarious and sweet.  I loved so many of their interactions with one another, the way they fell right into teasing and joking around.  Gwen could feel like such a ray of sunshine sometimes.  And I loved how fiercely and immediately Ethan cared about Gwen, and earnestly tried to learn about her.  But there was this weird layer of superficial on top that for some reason didn’t always work for me.  It’s like, I liked and felt their friendship chemistry more than their steamy chemistry…but then again, sometimes their steamy chemistry was really good too.  Honestly, I can’t articulate it.  It wasn’t some huge thing, it was just something that separated this book from full 5 stars for me.  I hate when that happens, b/c it’s not super helpful to anyone reading this review, eh?

I was worried how I was going to feel about the whole premise of this book, but you know what?  We got to see inside Ethan’s head as well as Gwen’s, and I think that helped me to not hate Ethan and the ruse he was pulling.  I’m not good with lying, but he wasn’t really either.  And he knew all his excuses were bullshit, he was just afraid.  And fear I understand.  I really felt his pull towards Gwen, and the connection that got deeper and deeper with each interaction, so I understand why he made those selfish choices.  And I appreciated that he didn’t try to excuse his behavior as anything other than selfishness and fear.  And that’s what made me forgive him.

I had a harder time watching Paige and Kyle try to get forgiveness from Gwen, and even that I was okay with, b/c she was also reluctant.  I hated the position they put her in.  I actually totally get Paige’s despair, and so it was a really complicated situation where basically everyone loses.  I’m glad that while there was forgiveness, it wasn’t some magical immediate thing.  Gwen’s feelings with all that were very realistic and I totally felt for her.  What amazed me is that Ms. Madsen made me feel for all those involved (even Madison for remaining friends with Paige and Kyle).  It’s funny, b/c I prefer to feel black and white about things, but we really got to see how many shades of gray come out when presented with this kind of situation.  It was a side plot point, but I appreciated what Ms. Madsen did with it.

As for other secondary characters, I will admit I didn’t really care for Evan…which is a bummer, b/c I feel like he and Tori might have a book coming up.  Maybe I need to give him another chance though, and being in his head might help.  Tori, on the other hand, was hilarious, and a good solid best friend.

The ending was perfect for me, I loved the way it played out and how Ethan got Gwen back.  It was definitely swoony.

So yeah.  There’s my super helpful review.  Basically if the premise is making you wary, I recommend giving it a shot.  This was a solid romance with sweet moments, steamy moments, and lots of giggly moments.