Friday, April 29, 2022

Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters [Review]


Not Fooling Anyone (Lessons Learned #2) by Allie Winters
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 30, 2022

Lessons Learned
1. Under Pressure
2. Not Fooling Anyone - Paperback | Kindle
3. Can't Fight It
4. The Vinyl Frontier

Allie Winters
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
The deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.

Except, I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly, we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah, that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for. Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…

No, that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Even if I’m not fooling anyone.
Thoughts on Not Fooling Anyone: Preconceived notions and a lack of communication kinda mess with this thing blossoming between Ethan and Lexi. To be fair, Ethan tries to be open and draw Lexi out, but he's dealing with issues he's still wrapping his head around and needs to come to terms with that before he feels comfortable sharing. On Lexi's end, she's a fortress of buttoned down emotions and sharp words. With what she's had to deal with, letting people in is hard and she protects herself the only way she knows how. Which means pushing people away before they get too close and shutting down any attempts at friendship.

Fortunately for Lexi, Ethan doesn't get pushed away easily. The bits and pieces she reluctantly reveals about herself make him determined to learn more. His gentle teasing and genuine kindness worm its way under her shields until he's firmly entrenched as someone Lexi actually trusts.

Except, there's one little part of her past she's kept secret. That secret and Ethan's secret sort of intersect (in a way) and suddenly all the progress Lexi's made toward letting people in detonates. (No worries, they figure things out eventually and both of them learn the value of open communication.)

Fake dating as part of an experiment on love is actually the BEST thing that could have happened to these two. I mean, I'm just spitballing here, but it took a lot for Ethan to get under Lexi's walls and she likely wouldn't have given him even a smidge of a chance without the two of them being forced to spend time together for the study. Score one for science!



Excerpt
“We need to talk.”

Wow, just what every guy wants to hear five minutes into his new fake relationship. “Are you breaking up with me? And just when I thought we were having a real breakthrough.”

Those full lips of hers twitch, even as she rolls her eyes, but she stays silent as she steers me over to the corner of the lecture hall, her arm still linked with mine, and waits until we’re out of earshot of others to whisper, “We have to come up with a game plan.”

“I think what you meant to say was thank you, Ethan. You’re my hero.”

She blinks up at me and lets go of my arm, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s got this shapeless black hoodie on, the same as last night, but her face is clear of the heavy makeup today, her hazel eyes filled with annoyance.

“Thank you,” she mutters. I don’t doubt her sincerity, but I still can’t help teasing her a little all the same.

“Was that painful? You looked like you were in pain saying that.”

Her mouth tilts up at the corners for the briefest moment before she stops herself. “I’m being serious here. I really am grateful. I just don’t… I don’t like being in anyone’s debt.” She looks down, the smallest bit of vulnerability seeping through before she clears her throat, looking back up at me. “How about I tutor you so we’re even?”

Tutor me? She honestly thinks I’m a meathead. I shrug, inwardly grinning. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finds out the truth. “Sure. I never turn down free help.”

“So how do you want to play this?”

“For being your fake boyfriend during the study?”

She nods, gaze darting about.

“Do you not trust me to keep my mouth shut around others?” I ask.

She releases a sigh. “I’m just double-checking.”

“Why’d you pick me?”

She blinks up at me, caught off guard. “You were right there.”

Fair enough. “So you don’t have anyone else you’d rather do this with?”

Her gaze narrows slightly. “If you’re trying to ask if I’m seeing anyone, the answer is no.”

Guess that was kind of obvious. “And you need the money because you’re not making enough tips at the bar?”

“How do you—” She cuts herself off. “Oh, my Dad.” She drums her fingers against her arm. “Yeah. Listen, I get that I put you in a tough spot. I’m…” She looks down at her crossed arms. “I’m sorry. If you don’t want to go through with it, I understand.”

My fingers twitch to reach out to her, but she’d probably karate chop my hands away. “I said I’d be the love of your life, didn’t I?”

The small smile she gives in response is worth continuing with… whatever this is we’re doing.


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About Allie Winters
Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

Find Allie Winters online

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