Love, Lilly

Love, Lilly (Love Always, #1) by Belinda Mary Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: March 21, 2023 Publisher: H&J Publishing Pages: 292 ISBN: 9780645694215 Genre: Contemporary | Romance Source: ARC (ebook) Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Lilly has had a secret crush on Oliver, her best friend Amy's older brother since she was a kid. But Lilly will never act on that crush because Oliver is also her best friend and completely out of her league. Oliver is kind, reliable, organized, and knows what he wants from life. Lilly is quirky, messy, disorganized, and flies by the seat of her pants. She's often finding herself in predicaments that end with Oliver having to rescue her.

Oliver has been pining for Lilly ever since he was a teenager, but he knows his sister's best friend is totally off-limits. Plus, Lilly and Oliver are nothing alike. He never makes rash decisions but whenever he is around Lilly, he finds himself making rash decisions. That's how he ended up being Lilly's fake date/boyfriend to her ex's wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

Review: I first came across this book and it drew me in because of the cover, it's adorable! I am a complete sucker for books with pink covers, romance books with cartoon characters, and hello - this is a book about baking which is also a favorite hobby of mine. Then bonus points, this book has all of my absolute favorite tropes; fake dating, friends to lovers, best friends brother, and one bed. Sign me up!

As for the characters, Lilly is such a fun character! She is like a ball of sunshine and yes, her life is messy but she is so sweet and trying her best. You can't help but wish she was your best friend and root for her to get the guy. Oliver is the absolute most perfect book boyfriend, ever. He is so sweet, so caring, and super supportive. Seriously, we all need a Lilly and Oliver in our lives.

I loved all the baking, and the entrepreneur Lilly becomes. I love how she finds herself and needs to learn to love herself before she can let someone else love her. Perfect messaging! 

“If you don't feel you deserve love, then you won't be able to receive it either." 
― Belinda Mary, Love, Lilly

        “I wish you could see the person I see when I look at you."
         ― Belinda Mary, Love, Lilly

I can't even adequately explain how much I enjoyed this book. This is Belinda's first book, and definitely not her last. It's a closed-door romance with no steam but lots of swoon. 

Overall I give this book 4 stars because I loved the plot, I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline was very engaging. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series, I am really excited to read about Amy and her very own McDreamy (or is it McSteamy? I never watched Grey's!).

I received this eARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.