BOOK REVIEW: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
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Synopsis:

The friend zone is not the end zone for Bree Camden, who is helplessly in love with her longtime best friend and extremely hot NFL legend, Nathan Donelson. The only problem is that she can’t admit her true feelings, because he clearly sees her as a best friend with no romantic potential, and the last thing Bree wants is to ruin their relationship. But those abs . . .

Nope! Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for Bree. In any case, she has other things to worry about. After a car accident ended her chance at becoming a professional ballerina, Bree changed paths and now owns her own dance studio, with big dreams to expand it. But one more rent increase could mean the end of the studio entirely.

Then, as usual, Nathan comes to the rescue and buys the entire building. A stubborn Bree is not happy about it and decides to rebel with a couple—okay, maybe more than a couple—of tequila shots. Then her plan backfires as she spills her deepest, darkest secret to a TMZ reporter. One viral video later, the world thinks Nathan and Bree are the perfect couple. Before they can really talk about her confession, Nathan’s publicist proposes a big opportunity that could mean financial security for Bree. The catch? They have to pretend to be in love. For three whole weeks.

What will happen when Bree gives in to the feelings she’s been desperately hiding for so long, and could she be imagining that Nathan is actually enjoying it? Sarah Adams scores more than touchdowns in this exciting romantic comedy.

Review:

The Cheat Sheet was a friends to lovers sports romance that was a lot of fun.  With slow burn romance and fake dating mixed together, this book ended up being so adorable.  If you’re looking for a romance story that’s sweet and low on angst, definitely add this one to your tbr!

To my left is a floor-to-ceiling three-million-dollar view of the ocean, but to my right is the view I would give my soul to see every day for the rest of my life. Obviously, Bree doesn’t know I feel this way about her.

Bree and Nathan had been friends since high school and she had been in love with him for forever.  Yet Nathan treated her as just his best friend, while he dated everyone else. Although I had some guesses when it came to Nathan.  He would pause when saying something or the things he did to help her out were sigh worthy.  I loved trying to look for clues to see exactly how he felt!  So I was surprised that after a couple of chapters we also got his POV!  I was squealing with giddiness!  Especially since we got to know a tiny bit of how he felt in that first paragraph!  But there was still a lot of things to piece together, since we spent a lot more time with Bree.  So when drunk Bree admitted to a reporter her feelings, she found herself fake dating her best friend.  At least until the Super Bowl, since they were doing an ad together.  And the lines of what was real and fake definitely started to blur!

What’s happening?! Why am I reacting this way? It changes nothing really—except I feel like everything I knew has changed tonight. My foundation is shaking.

I loved Bree!  Her thoughts cracked me up and it was impossible not to laugh out loud at her.  Plus she was such a kind hearted soul.  She loved the students she taught dance to and would sacrifice for them, so they could dance.  Even if that left her scrambling for rent money.  And she didn’t want to rely on her bestie to help her.  I understood her need for wanting to make it on her own.  Especially when she pictured her bestie married to some other woman in the future.  So she tried her best to remain strong when it came to Nathan.  My heart hurt that she was jaded from the accident in her past.  She didn’t think she got to keep the good things in her life, and still struggled with that years later.  So the moments she would cave, or allow help from Nathan warmed my heart!  But Bree was in total denial that Nathan could ever want her.  Even though there seemed to be clues everywhere.  So of course Bree was nervous about crossing the lines of friendship while fake dating.  She didn’t think she could ever go back to normal after she crossed those lines!

I watch with a sinking feeling as Nathan’s head tilts ever so slightly and a grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. It’s a look I’ve never seen before, like I just got duped by a card shark when I thought I was playing Go Fish against a toddler.
He hands me the pen. “Oh, it’ll definitely be fun. I’ll make sure of it.”

While there were some cheesy moments and miscommunication, it worked perfectly with the low angst in this story.  I did want to shake them and tell them just to be honest with each other.  To be brave.  To take a chance!  And for Bree to not run away when he was practice flirting with her. They had to make it seem real, since he was in the public eye.  So I was glad that Nathan stood his ground, one of them needed to be more mature about it.   And when Nathan started to test the waters to see if she was interested, ohhhh I was so happy!  I loved that he used his friends to help him figure out how to get out of that friend zone.  Their brainstorming session was one of my favorite scenes!  And Jamal was definitely my favorite friend of his!  I loved that his friends were rooting for them to get together, just as much as Nathaniel was!

That’s not me and Nathan in this picture. This is a couple who’s head over heels for each other.
I know why I see that blissful look on my face, but why is it on his too?

With scenes that are forever etched in my brain, I’m looking at you brownie batter! Failed attempts at seduction. Jealousy becoming amusing. Stress and anxiety brought about in an honest way. I loved how this book continued to have a light and fluffy feel to it, even though it covered heavier topics. And it made me so happy! The Cheat Sheet was an absolutely adorable closed door romance. I will definitely be checking out other books by Sarah Adams!

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