Book Review: Even Better Than the Real Thing

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Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the advance copy of Even Better than the Real Thing by Melanie Summers. 

I am always torn between what my favorite romance troupe is.  I really enjoy enemies to lovers, but I also love a good fake relationship.  If the book has both then it automatically is going to be a winner in my eyes.  Even Better than the Real Thing had all those things and was such a fun read. 

You know what’s great about applying for an art history Ph.D. program at one of the world’s most prestigious universities? I get to study what I love and land my dream job at the end of it. You know what’s not so great? Being told I’ll only get accepted to the program if I gain access to my aloof, uppity, super grumpy boss’s private art collection.

As it turns out, said boss—a one Lord Hayden Stuart—needs to get married to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom. And if there’s one thing Hayden Stuart is never going to want for real—it’s a wife.

So, we strike up a deal: I marry him and go live at his castle, where I’ll have unlimited access to his collection, he gets his earldom, and when the estate is settled, we part ways forever.

Win-win, right?

Wrong.

I may have fooled myself into believing I wasn’t risking my heart, but there’s one huge problem: I’m definitely falling for him. He’s not just another man. He’s THE man—an irresistibly good-looking, in-control, expensive-suit-wearing man who makes all the other men look like little boys. And the more time I spend with him pretending to be his wife, the more desperate I become to believe the lie.

But he’s never going to fall for some lowly Ph.D. student. So what if at the wedding he looked at me as if I’m the only woman in the world, and kissed me like he’s shipping off to war in the morning? It doesn’t mean anything.

Or does it?

Because the more we’re together, the more I realize that, even though we’re from totally different worlds, we have a lot more in common than I ever could have imagined.

Now all I have to do is convince him he really does want a wife…

Even Better Than the Real Thing was a quick romantic comedy set in England but with a Southerner thrown in the mix.  It was fun and showed a lot of growth between both characters.

Finley Green is a smart student trying to get her Ph.D. when she realizes she needs help none other than her closed off boss, Hayden.  I loved Finley’s character.  She had funny phrases and a distinct personality.  I loved her interaction with her friends, parents, and Grandpa.  She was a loving character, but she also did put up with Hayden’s crap.

Hayden was a grump in the beginning that sounded like he was a selfish jerk but as you got to know him you learned that he just had a tough exterior and really was a good guy.  He and Finley were the complete opposites but perfect for each other. 

As I mentioned, I enjoyed the supporting characters and felt like Finley and Hayden’s friends were there to support them. 

The manor/castle was the perfect back drop to the story, and I felt transported there. 

Overall, this book was a hit.  I enjoyed it from beginning to end.  The characters grew and there were parts that were laugh out loud funny.  I have read other books by the author and plan to continue because they are such fun romance books. 

Have you read Even Better Than the Real Thing? If not, go get your copy now!