He rolled his eyes. You’re making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be. But if that’s what you want, then it’s your loss. Too bad there’s a grueling 10k race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined? My Thoughts

When she put it that way, the whole enterprise sounded likely to trigger his anxiety. But unlike Maui, this wasn’t a romantic trip. He had no expectations other than spending a fun week in Wisconsin with one of his closest friends. There was no chance of heartbreak. She dipped another wonton into the sweet and sour sauce. Exactly. I don’t want to get into the details, but several years ago I invented a fake boyfriend and posted pictures of us online. It blew up in a spectacular fashion, and my sisters have never let me forget it.The romance between April and Brody is fantastic and equal parts sweet and steamy. Both April and Brody are nerds, and I loved their references to Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and more. They are the best of friends, and they are a great support to each other. They have such fun together, and it’s clear that they can be completely themselves when they are together. Both have had bad and recent breakups and are a little hesitant about love. However, they have a special connection and care deeply for each other. I love how they slowly admit their feelings for each other and how their relationship grows and transitions throughout the story. They have such fantastic chemistry, and their ease with and love for each other is relatable, realistic, and swoon-tastic! I totally related to this couple, as my husband and I were friends before we became more. We are also big nerds, much like April and Brody.

But before Chris, her bed had been empty for months. Even the crumbs of his affection were better than slowly morphing into a lonely cat lady. I mean, one minute you’re happy being single; the next, you’re watching the bride walk down the aisle and wishing you were her. Did he think her clothes looked that bad? Granted, some of her outfits were out of style, but they weren’t unwearable. I was trying to pare down the options for my brother’s wedding. We’re going to be there for six days, and the weather might be iffy since fall in Wisconsin isn’t dependable.When April opened the door, her frazzled appearance made his heart ache in sympathy. Wisps of chestnut-brown hair had escaped from her messy bun, her Godzilla t-shirt was dusted with flour, and her large, hazel eyes were red and swollen. That was putting it mildly. Over the last three months, he’d felt so ashamed of his behavior at Marc’s wedding he’d curtailed most of his social interactions. Instead, he spent his nights holed up in his apartment, either gaming online or binge-watching epic series like Game of Thrones. Other than his friendship with April, he’d retreated deep into himself. She undid her apron and hung it on a peg. It’s Delilah’s birthday tomorrow. Red velvet cupcakes are her favorite. Tell them you broke it off. If they ask why, you can say you caught him cheating. Even as he said it, he winced, remembering the callous way Taylor had ended their relationship. She’d told him she’d fallen for someone else. And she’d done it via text.

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t leave town for six days. Tears welled up in her eyes. I feel so stupid. What if he has a secret family? No, I can eat whatever I want at the wedding. And no, you can’t make it up to me in the bedroom. Because if you bail this late in the game, then we’re done. I also want to thank the publishers Moon Manor Press and the writer Carla Luna for my e-copy of this book. I enjoyed it and I hope others will as well. About the AuthorThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Like the movie, The Wedding Date. It’s a rom-com where this girl hires a guy to pretend he’s her date at her sister’s wedding. I don’t remember much about it, except they had sex on a boat, and it was incredible. She gave a dramatic sigh. But she paid the guy three thousand dollars." After a series of mixed reads last month, Red Velvet was just what I needed. It is nothing readers won’t have come across before but, if you’re looking for an easy read this autumn, Red Velvet is just the thing. A Few “Thank Yous” I know. And you’re right—Chris didn’t respect me. I realize I’m better off without him, but that doesn’t solve the problem. He was my plus-one for the wedding. I told my entire family about him.