Title: Is This Real or Just Pretend?Author: Emily Sullivan
Pages: 352
Publication Date: Sept. 9, 2025
Publisher: Forever
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical
Synopsis:
Alexandra Atkinson’s talent for spotting successful business ideas has helped enrich her father’s company while leaving her with little time for a social life—and certainly nothing as silly as love. But when her father hints that Alex will need to marry as well if she ever wants to win the approval of the company’s far more fusty board members, she hatches her most ambitious plan a fake courtship that lasts just long enough to see an important deal through and secure her place at the head of the company.
As the son of the Atkinson’s chauffeur, Lucien Taylor grew up admiring the family from a distance—and pining for Winifred, the youngest sister. But when he finally accepts that she will never see him as anything other than a playmate, Lucien leaves home to make his fortune. Now he’s back and in search of funding after his duplicitous partner ruins his business. Help comes from the most unexpected place when Alexandra, the eldest Atkinson sister known for her icy beauty and infamously brusque manner, makes a she will help him secure what he needs to start his business if he pretends to court her for a few weeks. Her offer is too good to pass up, but the more time they spend together, the more Lucien realizes that a fake courtship with Alex isn’t enough. He wants something real.
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My Thoughts on Is This Real or Just Pretend?
Emily Sullivan is one of my go-to historical romances, so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Is This Real or Just Pretend? The story reminds me of a gender reversed Sabrina, which is one of my favorite romances from the 90s, and follows Alex, a businesswoman trying to prove her worth, and Lucien, the son of the chauffeur who has returned after several years in Paris. The pair enters into a mutually beneficial arrangement where they pretend to date, but their fake relationship quickly turns into something more real.
Alex works so hard at her father’s business, trying to prove her worth, and Lucien is trying to reinvigorate a business idea that had some success in Paris before he was swindled. They both face a lot of conflicts, as Alex needs a husband to ensure her position at the top of the company, and Lucien needs to find investors. I felt for both of them and their struggles, and thought there were some strong messages about gender issues, social constraints, and more.
Alex and Lucien have a fantastic love story with so many tropes I enjoy. Though Lucien is initially interested in Alex’s sister ( his childhood crush and friend), his affections quickly shift. Generally, I don’t like a love triangle when it involves siblings, but in this case, it totally worked. Even though Alex and Lucien enter into a fake dating situation, it’s pretty clear early on that Lucien’s feelings for Alex are deep and true, and not based on childhood feelings.
I also love how they truly see each other. They’ve known each other since childhood, and though they weren’t close, they circled each other’s orbits. With that background, their relationship feels even more intimate and special. And the way he talks about her, as if he’s in awe of her in so many different ways, is almost as swoon-worthy as some of his romantic declarations. My word, this man might not be super experienced, but he sure knows how to make Alex feel wanted and loved and respected.
There’s also a bit of suspense in the plot, as someone is targeting Alex. Though this relates to the antagonists in the first book in the series, you don’t need to read that one to follow this one. There’s ample context, and it’s a tense and intriguing part of the story.
As you can tell, I really enjoyed this read, which is no surprise. I always love reading books by this author, and I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m hoping it focuses on Alex’s younger sister and a certain side character that seems to affect her.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
“But don’t you know how magnificent you are? How much we all wait for just a glimpse of you so that we might gain a bit of your attention.”
It shocked him how much he longed to be the sole focus of her attention, even for a little while. Even if it brought him to his knees.
Now is the time for big leaps, my boy. Before life gives you reasons to look first.
