Review: "Rent-a-Boo" by Lola West

Rent A Boo by Lola West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short on cash to pay next month's rent, New York City-based photographer Jessica Darling decides to answer an ad on the Holidates app from a guy who needs a date for Halloween weekend on Martha's Vineyard. When she arrives at the airport, she's dismayed to discover that the man who hired her is none other than painter Ben Hoffman, the darling of the art world whose disdain for any form of artistic expression besides classical painting has become legendary. His rude behavior when they first meet only confirms her negative impression of him, but she desperately needs the money he's offering, so she gets on the plane. Ben, meanwhile, is tired of his free-spirited mother constantly being disappointed in him for not having a girlfriend, which is why he's gone to the trouble of hiring a fake one for her annual Halloween party. Jess is not what he expected; in fact, she sees him in a way few others ever have, and it makes him uncomfortable, especially because she's not afraid to tell him what she thinks. Could getting out of his comfort zone actually turn out to be a good thing?

I didn't think it was possible to combine the enemies-to-lovers and insta-love tropes, but IMO the author has managed to do so in this novella, and quite successfully. Even though their relationship moved quickly, there was a real sense that their feelings were based on an emotional connection, not just a physical one. That said, the steam was pretty great too. Ben turned out to be quite the dirty talker!

I very much enjoyed "Rent-a-Boo" and recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Lola West writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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