Pretending He's Mine

Written by Mia Sosa

Narrated by Erin Mallon and Sean Crisden

Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her Love on Cue series!

For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.

Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could really help her save face.

Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it's all pretend. Or is it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jan 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798400100208

Mia Sosa

USA Today bestselling author Mia Sosa writes funny, flirty, and moderately steamy contemporary romances that celebrate our multicultural world. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School, Mia practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation’s capital for ten years before trading her suits for sweatpants. Born and raised in East Harlem, New York, she now lives in Maryland with her college sweetheart, their two book-obsessed daughters, and one dog that rules them all.

Reviews for Pretending He's Mine

[samnreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was good and bad. First, it seemed like a lot of the editing on this book was tighter. I'm also tired, and not heavily sensitive to some of that, but I thought I'd note it in case that gives you pause.

Unfortunately, there was some major drag on this book. . The story was of the compartmentalized Hollywood agent and brother's best friend, Julian, and flight attendant who is figuring her life out little sister of Carter, Ashley. In the beginning, these characters focus on wanting to be intimate, rather than building intimacy. I wasn't getting a sense of the characters or a budding relationship. The type of tension built was just from all this 'I want' from the character's POV...nothing to it really. Things begin to shift ever so slightly and really hit stride way too late. I'd estimate 85% by the time I felt the conflict was true, legitimate conflict. This left so little time for growth of the characters. I think parts of it were set up well, but until the last 15% the developments and motivations for the characters felt not even secondary (that'd be Carter & the challenges of a relationship between best friend/little sister) but tertiary. And frankly, it's pretty hard to pull off.

Because I thought I recognized some more polish in this book, and her characters from the first book, I will continue with her. I have a feeling this author will pull off a gem. For me though, this wasn't it. 2.75

[rabidgummibear-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is my first Mia Sosa book and it won’t be my last. I’ll preface this by saying I bought the first book as soon as I finished this one and I’m excited to read the sequel.

I found the story itself really engaging and enjoyable. We follow Ashley and Julian in the age old trope (that is oh so good) around the older siblings Best Friend. Years of pent up sexual tension come bubbling to a head as Ashley crashes at Julians house AND they have a pretend relationship. I was sold on the premise almost immediately.

Pretending He’s Mine is well written but lacks in some of the things I generally look for in romance. There is to much in the other characters heads for my taste. We read a lot about both Julian and Ashley fantasizing about each other instead of seeing them take action. Much less the fact it took a long time for them to really act anything out.

The positives of this book are more than the negatives though. I loved how the family dynamics were handled and how much growth we saw with the characters. They had relatively healthy family relationships and the drama of the entire book was pretty minor. I liked that it felt more real and not as unrealistic issues we often read about in contemporaries. Also the conflict and resolution happened pretty quickly. I did have my yelling at the book moment when Ashley and Julian hit their main conflict, but we got to see them fix their problems like adults.

Overall I enjoyed my time with these characters and left interested enough to buy the first book and want to read book 3. This really is the epitome of a solid 3 star read for me. I liked it but that’s about it. Perfect palette cleanser too after a heavy read!

*Book was received as an ARC for review purposes.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like the book before it ( Acting on Impulse ), Pretending He's Mine had a beginning that draws you right in to the story as Ashley pulls off a Meg-Ryan-in-the-deli performance for the ages. Poor Julian doesn't have a chance!I really liked Ash and Julin together, though at times it felt like there were a few too many threads going in too many directions--brother's best friend, fake relationship, job dissatisfaction times two, and family drama--there's a lot going on. Julian's tendency to run hot and cold was pretty frustrating--he's lucky Ashley's got more patience than I do, that's for sure. The solutions to resolving their job problems seemed the easiest and most obvious to fix, yet took the longest and we really didn't even see them come to the realization of what they should do, which was a little disappointing. Still, there's a solid ending, plenty of Tori and Carter page time, and a decent set up for Eva's book which helped to keep me satisfied. It can't come out soon enough, IMHO!Pretending He's Mine could be read as a standalone, though you'll definitely appreciate what happens here with Tori and Carter if you've already read their book. (Side note and minor complaint--this is the second book I've read recently with a POC hero where the cover most definitely doesn't reflect it. Facial scruff and a tan just don't cut it, people; WTH? It doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it is getting annoying...)Rating: 4 stars / B+I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.