The Spanish Love Deception: A Novel (The Love Deception Series)

Fake Relationship – Real Feelings By Valencia Turner Believe the hype from what you see on Instagram and TikTok. “The Spanish Love Deception” is wonderful. It’s an exceptionally well-written romance novel with heart, heat, family, friendship, and romance. This is a slow-burn romance and normally, I don’t like slow burn. I’m an impatient reader. I’m an even more impatient writer. I want to get to the first kiss immediately. I’m not sure why. I guess I can handle only so much sexual tension before I get frustrated and put the book down. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put this book down and it is a slow burn romance. It’s an expertly crafted novel with two complex characters who face real challenges in their personal and professional lives. So many things don’t go according to plan. That’s okay because Armas does a great job in weaving a narrative that is so engaging, you don’t really want to put it down. I devoured this book in less than a day. The simmering chemistry between the two leads pulls you in and takes you for a ride. The story centers around Catalina Martin, who needs a date to her sister’s wedding because the best man happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Not just any ex-boyfriend. Apparently he was THE Boyfriend. We later learn what this man did and, yes, he deserves to be an ex. This ex is also happily engaged, and Catalina doesn’t want to show up to the wedding alone. Enter Aaron Blackford; her grumpy but devastatingly handsome colleague at work. He offers to help her with her dilemma, agreeing to go to Catalina’s home country of Spain, meet the family, avoid the ex, and somehow survive the persistent questions from a slew of aunts, grandmothers, and nosy cousins. What ensues is a lush and emotionally detailed love story between two very stubborn people. The romance is subtle. It happens between glances, whispers, gazes, as well as promises made and kept. Catalina and Aaron banter and bicker throughout the novel and the reader can’t help but smile at how the story of these two plays out. Armas makes you wait for the steam that eventually comes in the novel. I will say, the wait is worth it…and this is coming from someone that doesn’t normally like slow burn romances. The payoff will make you squeal, swear, and fan yourself. Catalina and Aaron each have complicated backgrounds and demons they have to vanquish in the pursuit of mutual happiness. This isn’t just a story of flowers, roses, and rainbows. There are good guys and bad guys. Real life problems creep into the narrative, which makes it relatable. The reader connects with the characters, who are complex, imperfect, but not broken. The story is told solely from Catalina’s perspective. There are several novels that switch the point of view to help readers learn how each main character sees the world and the challenges they face. Armas sticks with Catalina’s first person perspective, while doing an excellent job of conveying how Aaron feels through his words and actions. We don’t need to hear his inner monologue because there are plenty of clues to how this drop dead gorgeous Clark Kent look-a-like feels about Catarina. It takes our heroine much longer to realize there is more going on than just an agreement between to coworkers. Clueless heroines frequently annoy me, but in this case, the reader completely understands Catalina’s hesitation to acknowledge her feelings. Yes, TikTok and Instagram made me buy this book, and I’m so glad that I did. I’m sure you will enjoy it too.

I really liked the beginning to the middle of the book. Like, really liked it. But then the characters stared to change. He started to not be the perk with a stale personality and she no longer took too long to respond to a question (which I hated). I also dislike how there was so much discussion throughout the plot regarding this huge party/work event that Lina would have to host. And then *insert balloon deflating* the huge part was skimmed over and quickly forgotten about. Nope.

Out of the 200 romance novels I've read this year, this might be my favorite one. Period. This is what I call a ROMANCE; an intimate read with a torturous slow burn that absolutely captivated me and a hero that every woman needs in her life. It’s incredibly romantic, with page after page of quote-worthy text. At nearly 500 pages, I'd usually think it’s 200 too many, but... I didn't want it to end. I ignored real life for two days and simply immersed myself in this love story, and I don’t regret it for a single second. The story follows Lina, a woman who moved from Spain to the U.S. after a breakup left her reeling. She’s been in the States for several years now, but she’s never really moved on. So as a family wedding in Spain approaches, Lina isn’t sure how to show her family that she’s okay and isn’t stuck in the past. Her solution? Bring a fake boyfriend along for the journey. But the only man Lina can find for the role is her infuriating coworker, Aaron. They’ve been office rivals for nearly two years, and can’t be in the same room without arguing. Lina isn’t quite sure why Aaron would volunteer for the job, but desperation has her willing to agree. As the two rivals team up and show a united front, things feel more natural than anticipated… and Lina soon realizes that she never really knew Aaron at all. Other reviewers have called this a combination of The Hating Game and Marriage for One, which, yes, is definitely why I finally picked this book up, lol. I LOVED both of those books, and while this storyline is completely different, the vibes are similar. If you liked trying to figure out what was going on inside Josh’s head during The Hating Game, then you’ll love putting together the puzzle that is Aaron. He might be my new all-time favorite hero. If the length of Marriage for One didn’t turn you off, and you loved the growth in intimacy, then you’ll delight in that aspect of this. The combination of the two? Phenomenal. The slow burn is downright delicious, and it definitely pays off by the end. This might have the best love scene I’ve ever read, and that’s because I was so completely invested in the relationship. The subtle shifts along the way built into something truly swoonworthy, and I was holding my chest with glee through some of the more romantic moments - and there were a LOT of them. I devoured every word yet didn’t want to binge too fast, because it was just that good. I don’t have a single complaint - I loved it.

Likes: Slow burn Hate to Love Office Romance - workplace disparity well represented Dislikes: Baby as his pet name for her Inconsistent personality inside and outside of sex scenes Overall, this book is a nice read, and I do not regret spending my time reading it. I liked both of the main characters, and I even laughed out loud a few times. The slow burn was a little too slow without much fire leading up (other than proximity heat). I did enjoy the first kiss build up, and the writing of that part. I felt like his character changed personalities after their first sex scene. His original pet name was much better than 'baby'. It didn't match his original character. In and outside the sex scenes his mannerisms and speaking were like two different characters. The physical descriptions of the act were on point, but he sounded like a caveman during the sex dialogue. Then he would return to the intelligent man after it was over. It isn't the words that turned me off, but the out of character-ness (not a word, I know) they were. There were some scenes that were unfortunately dragged out way too long, and some not long enough. I found myself skimming some of those parts that were dragged out, or my mind would just drift away from the book. I have inner dialogue ramblings similar to the female lead, so I connected well with her. The women being the target during sex scandals is an unfortunate reality. Especially in the work environment. I felt the author did a great job of showing how much injustice women in STEM careers deal with, even outside of sex scandals - such as party planning being an assumed additional job duty. So while there are some high highs, there are some low lows to this novel. So my final rating is 3 out of 5 starts.

AARON BLACKFORD 🛐🛐🛐🛐 Tropes : ✅️ Office enemies to lovers ✅️ grumpy sunshine ✅️ fake dating ✅️intercultural couple ✅️ It has always been you ✅️ ONE BED ( because he broke the other bed xD ) Ok in my defense, tiktok books can be hit or miss ( hellooo The Hating game I'm looking AT YOU 😠) and because people compared it to that awful book I hesitated. But THIS this is OMG MY OVARIES 💣💥 Like catalina would say..joder..Este libro está de puta madre.. 😂😂😂 Office enemies to lovers, fake dating..yes the usual..but very well done . Catalina was fun and although this was all in her pov I never felt bored with her monologues.. she was hilarious and the BANTER with Aaron...they were so stubborn with each other , not your classy raunchy banter but it was like reading Twilight all over again.. Because YES Aaron is a 2020 version of Edward Cullen and IM HERE FOR IT.✨️😍 And like in Twilight, where Edward couldn't stay away from Bella here the dinamics are the same. He loves her to the point that he can't stay away from her although she hates him. 🥹 There are more similarities as well when he is described by Catalina as a " Greek god" and his marble body..so basically he is only missing the sparkling ✨️ 😉 And he is a manipulative bastard as well 😏 hahaha because he never gives Catalina the chance to step away from him ..he teases her tricking Catalina into thinking that she has a choice but clearly she doesn't..and that's so Twilight and I love it 😍 ( I don't care is it wrong for nowadays standards I like my books with red flags 🚩🚩 ) The last part of the book was a little cheesy but I didnt care because I didnt want it to end . Sooo I need Aaron Blackford now in all languages..im going to read this book in spanish and maybe I can practice my german too with him 🤣🤣🤣 I need to read all the Spain scenes in all the languages available 🫠🫠 Spice 🌶: nothing til circa 75% , after that open doors and explicit Banter 🍿🍿: enemies to lovers banter ( teasing each other ) sex scenes with raunchy but simple banter, after that all love dovey and POSSESIVE

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ 🫑 (open door) Tropes: 📈 Workplace frenemies 👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 Fake Dating 🛌 Just One Bed ❤️ “It was always you” Catalina needs a date to her sister’s wedding in Spain because her disastrous ex will be in attendance, enter grumpy but persistent workplace “rival” stage left, cue lights and classic 1990’s rom com music. “He’s so MEAN!” she says, eating a homemade granola bar. “PRICKLY” she insists, slamming the door of his car he drove her home in the rain in. “UPTIGHT” she shouts over the barking rescue dogs he attends fundraisers for. Catalina, darling, have you considered that he’s shy? The pacing of this was very reminiscent of Lucy Score. Pretty low stakes, a little twist that feels well timed, but very light- when Elena Armas said “put on a sundress, we’re going on vacation,” she means it. Could have used some editing (collective groan from everyone around me) which I know I say a lot, but I found some of the prose overly cheesy and at times redundant. Cute, fun, classic rom com feel. Banter is there, ending is sweet. Worth a spin, great vacation or summer read!

A new addition to my All-Time Favourites list, Elena Armas sure brought out the big guns with this stunning debut with a delicious mix of the best romance tropes in history: enemies to lovers, fake dating, and a bit of an office romance; topped off with a hefty serving of slow burn and laugh-out-loud banter! Did I mention fake dating? This book is a whole ass meal and I just want more! The Spanish Love Deception follows Catalia “Lina” Martin: single and dateless to her sister’s upcoming wedding where her ex-boyfriend is the groom’s best man. She shouldn’t care about her singlehood and neither should other people, but she left Spain for a reason and she’s not about to reunite with her Hispanic family and be the subject of all pitiful glances so she tells them she has an American boyfriend, who ends up being her pain-in-the-ass coworker, Aaron Blackford. I knew I was going to be hooked just from the blurb alone, but The Spanish Love Deception starts off with an iconic first line that immediately grabs you from the get go. I just knew I wouldn't be able to put this book down. Everything about this book left me in giggles; the dialogue is superb and fabulously hilarious. I truly can’t express how much fun I had reading this book. You can tell Lina and Aaron’s chemistry would be explosive just from the very beginning and them pretending to be dating just added so much fuel to the fire. However, what made me slightly frustrated was how much of a slow burn this book is! (SCREAMS) It’s not all fun and games though (Spoiler alert: watch out for the Wedding Cup). This romantic comedy surprisingly delicately explores a lot of vulnerabilities, especially from Lina’s point of view and the deeper reason behind her decision to leave Spain for the US. A brilliant (and successful) attempt by Armas, I might add. Another thing that sets this book apart from the other enemies to lovers romances I've read is the integration of the Spanish language in dialogues, most especially during parts with Lina's family. As a Filipino, I'm quite familiar with some Spanish words and phrases but I still had to use the Translate option on Kindle a few times but it's truly no trouble at all. It's an added uniqueness to this book and I even enjoyed sounding out the phrases! All in all, The Spanish Love Deception is just incredibly stunning and a must-read, especially for times when you just need to feel good and have a lot of fun. It’s got everything I want in a romance novel with its own unique Hispanic twist, and I just need more of this. Here’s to reading more of Elena Armas’ works in the future!

"The Spanish Love Deception" is a delightful and entertaining romantic comedy that whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Barcelona. Filled with witty banter, hilarious misunderstandings, and sizzling chemistry, this novel delivers a perfect blend of humor and heart. The story follows our protagonist, Lola, a determined and ambitious woman who finds herself entangled in a web of lies when she pretends to be engaged to her infuriatingly attractive coworker, Diego. The dynamic between Lola and Diego is electrifying, and their witty exchanges and undeniable chemistry make for a captivating read. What sets this novel apart is its vibrant and vivid depiction of the Spanish setting. The author's vivid descriptions bring the streets of Barcelona to life, immersing readers in its rich culture, stunning architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine. The backdrop of this beautiful city adds an extra layer of charm and allure to the story. While the plot is engaging and the characters are well-developed, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit uneven, with certain scenes dragging on while others seemed to rush by. Additionally, some of the conflicts and resolutions felt a bit predictable. However, these minor drawbacks do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. "The Spanish Love Deception" is a fun and lighthearted romp that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. It's a perfect choice for anyone in need of a feel-good read filled with laughter, romance, and a touch of adventure. Fans of romantic comedies and those who appreciate stories set in vibrant international locations will find this novel to be a delightful escape.

Ce bouquin, j'avais envie de le lire depuis des lustres, je l'ai même acheté il y a un an, mais je voulais vraiment attendre que la hype de folie qui l'entourait retombe pour le lire à mon tour. D'entrée de jeu, je peux vous dire que pour moi, cette hype est justifiée car j'ai adoré ce roman, la plume de l'autrice, et ses personnages ! Bien sûr, l'intrigue n'a rien de novateur ou de surprenant, c'est du déjà-vu, mais puisque c'est bien écrit, que les personnages sont attachants et que c'est bourré de tropes dont je raffole, pour moi ça a vraiment un régal du début à la fin. On y trouve du ennemies-to-lovers (bon c'est très léger sur ce point), de l'office/rival romance (très léger là aussi, ça sert juste de point de départ), de la fake relationship et ... la cerise sur le gâteau : du slow burn !!! ♥ J'ai adoré la froideur et le côté sec et coincé d'Aaron, qui m'a invariablement fait penser à un certain Darcy (le père spirituel d'un sacré paquet de héros de romances si vous voulez mon avis !). J'ai un gros crush pour ce type de personnage qui semble tellement indifférent, mais chez qui on peut déceler, à travers un regard en coin, un petit geste anodin, la réelle nature des sentiments. Et c'est ce que j'ai vraiment aimé ici, voir Aaron jouer si bien son rôle, et se rendre compte très vite, en tant que lectrice, qu'au final, pour lui, c'est tout sauf de la comédie. Catalina est très attachante, sympa, c'est le genre de nana avec qui on pourrait être copine. On met un peu de temps à découvrir son parcours et pourquoi elle en arrive à avoir besoin de mentir à sa famille, certains la trouveront peut-être un peu aveugle, mais moi je trouve que c'est un personnage cohérent du début à la fin. J'ai beaucoup aimé voir Aaron et Catalina évoluer ensemble et tâcher de former une équipe. La première partie installe bien le décor et les petites hostilités du quotidien, tandis que la partie centrale consacrée au mariage est un vrai tourbillon d'activités, de moments partagés, et de personnages secondaires plus ou moins intrusifs ! La toute partie est très courte, n'apporte pas vraiment grand chose à mes yeux, mais correspond aux codes du genre. Je mentionnais plus haut qu'on était dans le registre du slow burn et wow, c'est vraiment bien exécuté ! Le moindre regard qui s'attarde, le moindre geste un tant soit peu tendre ou sexy , ou en tout cas qui sort de l'ordinaire entretiennent une tension de folie, c'est vraiment TOUT ce que j'aime, et tous ces papillons dans le ventre, tout ce kif ressenti lors de ma lecture, c'est vraiment la raison pour laquelle j'aime lire de la romance ! Vous l'aurez compris, cette lecture aura été un vrai délice pour moi ! ♥

I'll tell you, writing this review has something of a sarcastic edge to it. You may wonder why... as I read the various comments around about The Spanish Love Deception, I noticed that it is compared to, if not put on the same level as, The Hating Game. It's funny, because I personally didn't love The Hating Game (my rating was two stars), but I madly loved every single word of The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. Catalina is desperate to find someone to accompany her to her sister's wedding in Spain, especially after a little white lie made her family think she was engaged and now everyone can't wait to meet the man who won their little girl's heart. Time is running out and Lina only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic. Now, imagine her surprise when Aaron comes to her rescue. At first she's tempted to respond negatively, but that irritating, insufferable and incredibly charming man could be her salvation. Lina and Aaron are colleagues, theirs not really a printer/computer hate relationship, but one of poking and skirmishing. What struck me about this novel is the relationship between our young protagonists. I would define this novel as an office romance/slow burn. Given the length of the book, the author has a way to take her time and develop the story in a consistent and linear manner. Just as our main characters evolve personally, so does their relationship. If you've read Zapata's books, you know what I'm talking about. No page is left to chance, in fact, if it had been a little longer I wouldn't have minded. By now I felt like family too. Lina is a young girl of twenty-eight, after a burning disappointment of love, she finishes her studies and armed with high hopes, leaves Spain, to land in the Big Apple and embark on her future work. She is a sunny person, always smiling, always has an answer ready and is also, as Aaron defines her, a bit "bossy". Aaron is the guy everyone wants to meet in their life. No, no, we're not talking about the classic bad boy, but a loyal person, with sound principles, really interested in the people around him, in their well-being and above all interested in Lina. Let's say that the whole world was clear about Aaron's interest in Lina, but here, as I told you at the beginning, having come out of a burning relationship, it's not easy for her to trust people and express her feelings freely. But Spain will work miracles. Coming to the conclusion, I wouldn't put The hating game and The Spanish Love Deception on the same level at all. In the first one we have a story between two children who tease each other in an office, in the second one we have a real love story, well developed and really well written. Elena Armas' win in the Goodreads Choice Awards was more than deserved.

bro way cheaper than in store and more convenient yk also this book my friend read it she said it’s a slow burn so u into that then i recommend

I think this book was figging fantastic, it had me crying, laughing cringing 💀. I even through my phone across the room and dented the wall :/ but nevertheless it was so much fun I LOVE FREAKING AARON and Lina (ofc) but I think this man has a holddd one me. this book had it moments ( cringe dirty talk but whatever) however I loved the writing the niche references really did it for me. OU AND THE TENSION. TOP.TIER. the characters especially Lina felt realistic with there struggles and not push to force drama. Also the family in the book was 😘, the blatant love between everyone was perfect I could feel it through the book. UGH and I loved the spainsh in here even learned I few words myself.🤪 BUT everything between the tension, banners and love story was amazing and i think I found a new fav. So tiktok recs do have my turth in em ;)

Es un libro que esperaba que me gustase, pero he de admitir que ha ido más allá: me ha encantado. Ha sido muy fácil ponerse en la piel de la protagonista y enamorarse perdidamente de Aaron, porque sinceramente, ¿quién no lo haría? La lectura es maravillosamente ligera, adictiva y divertida. Es imposible no meterte en la historia y soñar con un amor así de puro y real. Dadle una oportunidad a Lina y Aaron.