Book Review: Falling for Mr. October

 

He’s the internet’s favorite Shirtless Chef.

I’m the only woman in town who's not impressed.

Bianca
My grandmother invited her former best friend to move in for the month of October and help run our annual pumpkin patch.

To our surprise, she brings her grandson Giovanni—a thirty-something Italian playboy who calls me Doctor Death because I’m a former hospice nurse. (At least he gave me a promotion?)

The whole situation is suspicious. What grown man willingly goes on a month-long walkabout with his grandmother? He and my brother used to be close, but that was years ago.

Then we find out Giovanni isn't just visiting Apple Ridge.

He’s hiding.

Apparently, he’s the anonymous YouTube sensation known as The Shirtless Chef. He was recently unmasked in his hometown and left to escape the chaos.

Unfortunately for him, a reporter tracks him down after a national magazine names him their official Mr. October.

Now tourists are swarming. Women are throwing themselves at him. My grandmother wants him to stay forever.

And Giovanni—who once thrived on attention—suddenly hates it.

He begs me to pretend we’re dating, and against my better judgment I agree. On one he has to help with my seniors’ group.

I tell myself, and my concerned siblings, that it's a harmless agreement.

Except fake dating a secret internet heartthrob in the middle of pumpkin season turns out to be…complicated.

Because I’m starting to see the man behind the brand, and I’m not sure I want to give him back.

Giovanni
Apple Ridge was supposed to be safe and anonymous.

Instead, I’ve been exposed, crowned Mr. October, and chased by every woman within fifty miles.

Once, that would have been my dream. Now it’s my nightmare.

The only person not impressed with my fame?

Bianca.

Which is exactly why I need her.

Except the longer I pretend she’s mine…the less I’m pretending.

**Falling for Mr. October is a fall-themed, fake-dating romcom with meddling relatives, small-town charm, and romcom antics.**

Giovanni Cafiero first appeared in The Holiday Hate-Off!

My Review

Bianca has a very caring nature and that is probably why she is drawn to Giovanni. Well not at first but the more time these two spend together, the more that they hit it off with one another. Although Bianca can't help but judge Gio as a smoke show. Not that I blame her as Gio does star on a show where he is shirtless. Gio though is more than his persona. He is a thoughtful guy and he does show this. 

Ahh. This book is both charming and spicy. It had witty banter and I like that the romance was not insta lust. As much as it seems that I do like Bianca and Gio, I found my connection to them both as mild. I like them but I wanted to love them. Therefore, I found that at times that I was not so invested in the story and I got easily distracted.