~**~ Blog Tour for Not Fooling Anyone (Lessons Learned #2) by Allie Winters w/ Review & Excerpt ~**~

Blog Tour for Not Fooling Anyone (Lessons Learned #2) by Allie Winters w/ Review & Excerpt

Not Fooling Anyone, an all-new fake relationship college romance from Allie Winters, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!

The deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.

Except, I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly, we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah, that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for. Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…

No, that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Even if I’m not fooling anyone.

‘Not Fooling Anyone’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

***5 ‘Pookie Bear & Snookums’ Stars***

I freakin’ LOVED and ADORED this book. It had everything my romantic bookish heart loves and I savored every moment, even the ones that didn’t make that bookish heart of mine all that happy and I really wish there were more words to read because I really want to see what’s coming next for Ethan and Lexie.

I adored Ethan from the start, actually I really liked Ethan going in, so he already had a step up, but the man is charming, observant, humble and determined. He drew me in and I wanted more. Lexie piqued my interest from the start, but took a bit to get to where I was with Ethan. It wasn’t the walls she had that made it difficult, it was her treatment of Ethan. But, once certain things are out of the way, I ended up adoring her. She’s had it rough (understatement) but I loved her drive to be more. She’s snarky, sweet and has a huge heart.

Their journey to their HEA was a lot of fun. I loved how Ethan…I hate to say “broke Lexie’s walls down” because I think that doesn’t really do him justice, but I guess that’s the best for now because he saw more in her than she saw in herself. Lexie, for her part, truly did give as good as she got once they were on the same page. They balanced each other out and just had the kind of flow that had me knowing they were each others missing pieces.

I really liked the first book in the series, Under Pressure, but this one…this one just hit all the right buttons for me. I was hooked from the start and more than happy to just roll with it. There are some topics that could be difficult for some, but they were handled with care and were necessary for character growth. As for the supporting cast of characters, it was great to catch up with Tyler and Mia, Travis and Issac were awesome and the family members we got to meet definitely added to the story and while Austin wasn’t in many scenes, I’m totally looking forward to his book!

~ Copy provided by SmartyPants Romance & voluntarily reviewed ~

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BAoNSR

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3p4H8lN

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3Hanco1

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3sQaeX4

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LUq2Rm

Excerpt

“We need to talk.”

Wow, just what every guy wants to hear five minutes into his new fake relationship. “Are you breaking up with me? And just when I thought we were having a real breakthrough.”

Those full lips of hers twitch, even as she rolls her eyes, but she stays silent as she steers me over to the corner of the lecture hall, her arm still linked with mine, and waits until we’re out of earshot of others to whisper, “We have to come up with a game plan.”

“I think what you meant to say was thank you, Ethan. You’re my hero.”

She blinks up at me and lets go of my arm, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s got this shapeless black hoodie on, the same as last night, but her face is clear of the heavy makeup today, her hazel eyes filled with annoyance.

“Thank you,” she mutters. I don’t doubt her sincerity, but I still can’t help teasing her a little all the same.

“Was that painful? You looked like you were in pain saying that.”

Her mouth tilts up at the corners for the briefest moment before she stops herself. “I’m being serious here. I really am grateful. I just don’t… I don’t like being in anyone’s debt.” She looks down, the smallest bit of vulnerability seeping through before she clears her throat, looking back up at me. “How about I tutor you so we’re even?”

Tutor me? She honestly thinks I’m a meathead. I shrug, inwardly grinning. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finds out the truth. “Sure. I never turn down free help.”

“So how do you want to play this?”

“For being your fake boyfriend during the study?”

She nods, gaze darting about.

“Do you not trust me to keep my mouth shut around others?” I ask.

She releases a sigh. “I’m just double-checking.”

“Why’d you pick me?”

She blinks up at me, caught off guard. “You were right there.”

Fair enough. “So you don’t have anyone else you’d rather do this with?”

Her gaze narrows slightly. “If you’re trying to ask if I’m seeing anyone, the answer is no.”

Guess that was kind of obvious. “And you need the money because you’re not making enough tips at the bar?”

“How do you—” She cuts herself off. “Oh, my Dad.” She drums her fingers against her arm. “Yeah. Listen, I get that I put you in a tough spot. I’m…” She looks down at her crossed arms. “I’m sorry. If you don’t want to go through with it, I understand.”

My fingers twitch to reach out to her, but she’d probably karate chop my hands away. “I said I’d be the love of your life, didn’t I?”

The small smile she gives in response is worth continuing with… whatever this is we’re doing.

About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.