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The Kiss Countdown
A struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after, in this starry debut.
Risk-averse event planner Amerie Price is jobless, newly single, and about to lose her apartment. With no choice but to gamble on her shaky start-up, the last thing she needed was to run into her smug ex and his new, less complicated girlfriend at Amerie's favorite coffee shop. Panicked, she pretends to be dating the annoyingly sexy man she met by spilling Americano all over his abs. He plays along—for a price.
Half the single men in Houston claim to be astronauts, but Vincent Rogers turns out to be the real deal. What started as a one-off lie morphs into a plan: for the three months leading up to his mission, Amerie will play Vincent's doting partner in front of his loving but overly invested family. In exchange, she gets a rent-free room in his house and can put every penny toward her struggling business.
What Amerie doesn't plan for is Vincent's gravitational pull. While her mind tells her a future with this astronaut is too unpredictable, her heart says he's exactly what she needs. As their time together counts down, Amerie must decide if she'll settle for the safe life—or shoot for the stars.
Risk-averse event planner Amerie Price is jobless, newly single, and about to lose her apartment. With no choice but to gamble on her shaky start-up, the last thing she needed was to run into her smug ex and his new, less complicated girlfriend at Amerie's favorite coffee shop. Panicked, she pretends to be dating the annoyingly sexy man she met by spilling Americano all over his abs. He plays along—for a price.
Half the single men in Houston claim to be astronauts, but Vincent Rogers turns out to be the real deal. What started as a one-off lie morphs into a plan: for the three months leading up to his mission, Amerie will play Vincent's doting partner in front of his loving but overly invested family. In exchange, she gets a rent-free room in his house and can put every penny toward her struggling business.
What Amerie doesn't plan for is Vincent's gravitational pull. While her mind tells her a future with this astronaut is too unpredictable, her heart says he's exactly what she needs. As their time together counts down, Amerie must decide if she'll settle for the safe life—or shoot for the stars.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 989 reviews
July 16, 2024
3.5⭐️ it's always hard for authors to sell me the fake dating trope, throw in marriage/proposal of convenience as well and it make it even harder
for me it takes a lot away from the natural build up of chemistry and sexual tension and it limits the how fun the romance can be. then most authors struggle with trying not to make the planning around dates and romantic settings seemed very forced.
take out the mmc's pov then the romance is somehow even less believable. did he plan that special date because he was just keeping up appearances and putting on a show to go with the scenarios created? did he just carry her when she hurt herself on a hiking trip with his family because he was a gentleman and a former search and rescue person?
also for most part, there was definitely a good story and solid characters with fine dialogues. I don't know if there was enough of that to be gripping because I was kind of bored for the most part.
***
I heard the mmc is an astronaut and ran to the bookstore 👨🏾🚀🚀🌌🪐☄️
for me it takes a lot away from the natural build up of chemistry and sexual tension and it limits the how fun the romance can be. then most authors struggle with trying not to make the planning around dates and romantic settings seemed very forced.
take out the mmc's pov then the romance is somehow even less believable. did he plan that special date because he was just keeping up appearances and putting on a show to go with the scenarios created? did he just carry her when she hurt herself on a hiking trip with his family because he was a gentleman and a former search and rescue person?
also for most part, there was definitely a good story and solid characters with fine dialogues. I don't know if there was enough of that to be gripping because I was kind of bored for the most part.
***
I heard the mmc is an astronaut and ran to the bookstore 👨🏾🚀🚀🌌🪐☄️
April 7, 2024
The Kiss Countdown follows Amerie and Vincent— an event planner and astronaut who start fake dating for their own reasons that are beneficial to them. Amerie is struggling to get her business back together among other things and Vincent offers her a place to stay with him in his house. through the course of the time spent together, their connection grows and their feelings become real.
”I could have wished on all the stars, planets and moons and still never could I have imagined being led to someone like you.”
i found both Amerie and Vincent to be very likable people and i was rooting for them from the start, i thought they had genuine chemistry and Vincent is the sweetest cinnamon roll to exist. i actually related a lot to Amerie’s pov in having a close family member who has sickle cell and dealing with the constant worry over their health.. it hit close to home and i thought the author portrayed the inner struggles of that really well. Vincent is also dealing with some family issues along with the grief of losing someone close to him and it made the tender moments in the romance even more sweet. i do think this could’ve benefited from having Vincent’s pov though, cause there was a small disconnect in not knowing his full thoughts and feelings in certain situations. but other than that, i didn’t have many other issues with the story and i think the author did a great job with this debut. 👨🚀🩷
⇢ many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
”I could have wished on all the stars, planets and moons and still never could I have imagined being led to someone like you.”
i found both Amerie and Vincent to be very likable people and i was rooting for them from the start, i thought they had genuine chemistry and Vincent is the sweetest cinnamon roll to exist. i actually related a lot to Amerie’s pov in having a close family member who has sickle cell and dealing with the constant worry over their health.. it hit close to home and i thought the author portrayed the inner struggles of that really well. Vincent is also dealing with some family issues along with the grief of losing someone close to him and it made the tender moments in the romance even more sweet. i do think this could’ve benefited from having Vincent’s pov though, cause there was a small disconnect in not knowing his full thoughts and feelings in certain situations. but other than that, i didn’t have many other issues with the story and i think the author did a great job with this debut. 👨🚀🩷
⇢ many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
- This book was so fluffy and fun!! Read this book on vacation and it was perfect. Exactly the book I needed for a warm weather trip. This book has so many swoon worthy moments - the most romantic outdoor date, the hiking scene where Vincent is literally EVERYTHINGGG, and the grand gesture at the end?!?! literally the perfect fluffy read.
- Really hope this author continues to write books about these characters because I would love to hear more about so many of the side characters - Gina and Camille neeeeed their own book!
- Even though the book didn’t have as much dialogue as the books I usually love and wasn’t dual pov which is my preferred writing style, this book still ATE. That’s when you KNOW it’s good! Love love loved every minute of this romance!!
- This book was so fluffy and fun!! Read this book on vacation and it was perfect. Exactly the book I needed for a warm weather trip. This book has so many swoon worthy moments - the most romantic outdoor date, the hiking scene where Vincent is literally EVERYTHINGGG, and the grand gesture at the end?!?! literally the perfect fluffy read.
- Really hope this author continues to write books about these characters because I would love to hear more about so many of the side characters - Gina and Camille neeeeed their own book!
- Even though the book didn’t have as much dialogue as the books I usually love and wasn’t dual pov which is my preferred writing style, this book still ATE. That’s when you KNOW it’s good! Love love loved every minute of this romance!!
June 10, 2024
**Many thanks to Berkley and Etta Easton for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 4.9!!**
Amerie Price is desperate to find a lucky star...but all she's been seeing lately are LOTS of clouds. After a breakup that left her crushed AND losing her job, she is scrambling to put together enough money to pay her rent. She feels terrified at the prospect of having to gamble on herself by jumping headfirst into her very own business venture as an event planner...but simultaneously hopes she has the goods to make it all happen. In this vulnerable state, she grabs a coffee at her favorite local Java Joint and bumps into NONE other than the ex she's been eager to forget.. and he has his shiny NEW girlfriend in tow.
Looking for the upper hand, Amerie takes a chance encounter with a VERY sexy, Tall, Dark, and Handsome stranger (one that resulted in coffee being spilled all over her), grabs the handsome hottie, and presents him as her boyfriend. The man in question, she will later learn, is Vincent Rogers, and he's got the kind of job that sounds as unlikely as "CIA operative" or "bodyguard to the stars": Vincent is a certified, bonafide ASTRONAUT. Despite his glamorous job, Vincent's been dealing with struggles of his own...namely, a family that is DESPERATE to see him paired up with a nice girl with marriage on the horizon. Vincent decides to play along with Amerie's scheme...by hatching one of his own: Amerie's that one special girl, and he has her move into his pad to help her save some cash AND further the idea that these two are in a long-term, committed relationship.
But when family health struggles come up on Amerie's side, and Vincent's family grows increasingly worried that his next mission could be catastrophic...Vincent and Amerie begin to bond in a REAL way...and on a level that neither expected. With so much at stake, can Vincent fulfill ALL of his dreams? Will this next journey into space be his last? And will Amerie have the courage to ask him to stay with her...or is she in line for ANOTHER devastating heartbreak with the 'one who got (lightyears!) away'?
This is a debut novel, and since I had no point of reference coming into this story, I figured it would go one of two ways: VERY cheesy fake dating or adorable, charming fake dating with two MCs you just couldn't help but root for from beginning to end.
...And I am thrilled to say there was NO moon cheese here, folks!🧀
Amerie (or Mimi, as Vincent affectionately calls her) was such a fun MC to read. She's a bit bruised, a bit naive, and at time neurotic, but she also has a big heart and has so much love to give. I loved that she was so passionate about her business and despite her missteps, was able to pick back up and work towards her goals. I'm also glad that I liked Mimi as much as I did because this is a single POV story, so if she had been less likable, getting through this one would have felt like more of a slog, and instead it was all systems go! Vincent was also a terrific lead, with a sensible head on his shoulders, enough compassion and affection to be a solid match for Mimi, but with enough hardheadedness at times to give the book some depth. I liked that as much as you FELT there should be a HEA ending, things were up in the air (or up in space, if you prefer!) until the end! 🚀
Fake dating is also one of those tropes that can either be very fun or feel VERY convoluted and odd...and in this case, despite the happenstance circumstances of their meet-cute...I bought it. This is the kind of romance that I really NEED to read once in a while: fluffy, fun, with SOME emotional depth, but moreseo just light and airy. I never felt overly stressed at any time reading this one in terms of will-they-won't-they become an actual couple, or about most of the plot in general...and sometimes it's a relief to just be able to kick back and GO with it. That being said, the plot itself is a little thin in places, and lacking some of the depth you find in other romances CAN be a drawback, so if you are in the mood for more of a romantic rollercoaster ride, you probably will want to keep walking around the amusement park (so to speak!) 🎢
And to find out by story's end whether these two can stand to have any space (or any OUTER SPACE) between them?
You'd 'blast' be 'off' to find out!
😏
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Amerie Price is desperate to find a lucky star...but all she's been seeing lately are LOTS of clouds. After a breakup that left her crushed AND losing her job, she is scrambling to put together enough money to pay her rent. She feels terrified at the prospect of having to gamble on herself by jumping headfirst into her very own business venture as an event planner...but simultaneously hopes she has the goods to make it all happen. In this vulnerable state, she grabs a coffee at her favorite local Java Joint and bumps into NONE other than the ex she's been eager to forget.. and he has his shiny NEW girlfriend in tow.
Looking for the upper hand, Amerie takes a chance encounter with a VERY sexy, Tall, Dark, and Handsome stranger (one that resulted in coffee being spilled all over her), grabs the handsome hottie, and presents him as her boyfriend. The man in question, she will later learn, is Vincent Rogers, and he's got the kind of job that sounds as unlikely as "CIA operative" or "bodyguard to the stars": Vincent is a certified, bonafide ASTRONAUT. Despite his glamorous job, Vincent's been dealing with struggles of his own...namely, a family that is DESPERATE to see him paired up with a nice girl with marriage on the horizon. Vincent decides to play along with Amerie's scheme...by hatching one of his own: Amerie's that one special girl, and he has her move into his pad to help her save some cash AND further the idea that these two are in a long-term, committed relationship.
But when family health struggles come up on Amerie's side, and Vincent's family grows increasingly worried that his next mission could be catastrophic...Vincent and Amerie begin to bond in a REAL way...and on a level that neither expected. With so much at stake, can Vincent fulfill ALL of his dreams? Will this next journey into space be his last? And will Amerie have the courage to ask him to stay with her...or is she in line for ANOTHER devastating heartbreak with the 'one who got (lightyears!) away'?
This is a debut novel, and since I had no point of reference coming into this story, I figured it would go one of two ways: VERY cheesy fake dating or adorable, charming fake dating with two MCs you just couldn't help but root for from beginning to end.
...And I am thrilled to say there was NO moon cheese here, folks!🧀
Amerie (or Mimi, as Vincent affectionately calls her) was such a fun MC to read. She's a bit bruised, a bit naive, and at time neurotic, but she also has a big heart and has so much love to give. I loved that she was so passionate about her business and despite her missteps, was able to pick back up and work towards her goals. I'm also glad that I liked Mimi as much as I did because this is a single POV story, so if she had been less likable, getting through this one would have felt like more of a slog, and instead it was all systems go! Vincent was also a terrific lead, with a sensible head on his shoulders, enough compassion and affection to be a solid match for Mimi, but with enough hardheadedness at times to give the book some depth. I liked that as much as you FELT there should be a HEA ending, things were up in the air (or up in space, if you prefer!) until the end! 🚀
Fake dating is also one of those tropes that can either be very fun or feel VERY convoluted and odd...and in this case, despite the happenstance circumstances of their meet-cute...I bought it. This is the kind of romance that I really NEED to read once in a while: fluffy, fun, with SOME emotional depth, but moreseo just light and airy. I never felt overly stressed at any time reading this one in terms of will-they-won't-they become an actual couple, or about most of the plot in general...and sometimes it's a relief to just be able to kick back and GO with it. That being said, the plot itself is a little thin in places, and lacking some of the depth you find in other romances CAN be a drawback, so if you are in the mood for more of a romantic rollercoaster ride, you probably will want to keep walking around the amusement park (so to speak!) 🎢
And to find out by story's end whether these two can stand to have any space (or any OUTER SPACE) between them?
You'd 'blast' be 'off' to find out!
😏
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
April 10, 2024
✨This is one small step for man, one GIANT leap for people who want to fake date hot astronauts 💁♀️🚀✨
Well, fake dating an astronaut is now on my bucket list so that’s unfortunate for me. I love fake dating—under duress—so much. Like “oh no my ex is right there I need to prove I’m over him by dragging this hot dude into my lies by saying he’s my boyfriend” never gets old!!!
And not to be a menace to society, but fake dating should be a TikTok trend, honestly. Like can you imagine the gold that would come out of watching people go up to random strangers and pull them into a fake dating scenario to see how they react?? In THIS book, the hot man got to tell her ex that he was a legit astronaut and that was a delicious moment for us all.
I understand why others would want this to be dual POV, but I think the single POV was a good choice for the story! But I do agree that there could’ve been more overt ways to show that he was obviously into her besides just staring at her body in silence. It’s hard to describe…but like just more obvious signs of pining.
While I love fake dating—especially here!!—I didn’t quite understand why they couldn’t be together or at least get together earlier? Like yeah he’s an astronaut and that’s a bit ~up in the air~ in terms of commitment, but they’re both mature adults that can handle it! Also the third act was definitely a bit clunky and very obvious. How is breaking your heart protecting your heart?? I know that’s a typical character type but!!!! Just a bit frustrating.
As for the narrator, I LOVE HER. She sounded familiar, but I didn’t recognize her name, Angel Pean. Either way, she was fantastic and carried the single POV audiobook with ease. Her hot astronaut aka guy voice was so gooooood!!!
Overall, this was a really fun debut, but it was definitely a debut. The writing was a bit more telly than showy, but the voice was strong and story compelling. You had me at astronaut!! I can’t wait to read more from the author to see where her writing goes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️/5
I received an ALC from PRH Audio. All opinions are honest and my own.
Well, fake dating an astronaut is now on my bucket list so that’s unfortunate for me. I love fake dating—under duress—so much. Like “oh no my ex is right there I need to prove I’m over him by dragging this hot dude into my lies by saying he’s my boyfriend” never gets old!!!
And not to be a menace to society, but fake dating should be a TikTok trend, honestly. Like can you imagine the gold that would come out of watching people go up to random strangers and pull them into a fake dating scenario to see how they react?? In THIS book, the hot man got to tell her ex that he was a legit astronaut and that was a delicious moment for us all.
I understand why others would want this to be dual POV, but I think the single POV was a good choice for the story! But I do agree that there could’ve been more overt ways to show that he was obviously into her besides just staring at her body in silence. It’s hard to describe…but like just more obvious signs of pining.
While I love fake dating—especially here!!—I didn’t quite understand why they couldn’t be together or at least get together earlier? Like yeah he’s an astronaut and that’s a bit ~up in the air~ in terms of commitment, but they’re both mature adults that can handle it! Also the third act was definitely a bit clunky and very obvious. How is breaking your heart protecting your heart?? I know that’s a typical character type but!!!! Just a bit frustrating.
As for the narrator, I LOVE HER. She sounded familiar, but I didn’t recognize her name, Angel Pean. Either way, she was fantastic and carried the single POV audiobook with ease. Her hot astronaut aka guy voice was so gooooood!!!
Overall, this was a really fun debut, but it was definitely a debut. The writing was a bit more telly than showy, but the voice was strong and story compelling. You had me at astronaut!! I can’t wait to read more from the author to see where her writing goes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️/5
I received an ALC from PRH Audio. All opinions are honest and my own.
April 9, 2024
The Kiss Countdown is a tender romance following Amerie, a struggling events planner, and Vincent an astronaut getting ready for his next mission. When the two bump into each other over coffee, and Amerie runs into her ex, Vincent plays along as her new doting boyfriend. When they both realize they could use their fake relationship to help with work and family, they decide to stick it out until Vincent leaves for the moon. However, when their connection starts feeling real, Amerie must choose whether she is willing to risk herself and her newfound business on falling in love with a man set to leave for space.
I loved every minute of reading this fast paced, fake dating, slow burn romance! Vincent and Amerie were so much fun together, their banter and chemistry was everything. I loved how they each had their own struggles and reasons for pretending but were so willing to lean on each other and open up. Etta Easton did a wonderful job of balancing the sweet and lighthearted plot with some heavier topics, the raw and rough moments really contrasted with the warm and gentle connection between Vincent and Amerie. The only pause I have with this book is I wish it was dual POV. Despite being an absolute cinnamon roll, Vicent is rather aloof and I would have loved to read his POV of falling in love alongside Amerie.
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I loved every minute of reading this fast paced, fake dating, slow burn romance! Vincent and Amerie were so much fun together, their banter and chemistry was everything. I loved how they each had their own struggles and reasons for pretending but were so willing to lean on each other and open up. Etta Easton did a wonderful job of balancing the sweet and lighthearted plot with some heavier topics, the raw and rough moments really contrasted with the warm and gentle connection between Vincent and Amerie. The only pause I have with this book is I wish it was dual POV. Despite being an absolute cinnamon roll, Vicent is rather aloof and I would have loved to read his POV of falling in love alongside Amerie.
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
May 17, 2024
4 stars
Fake dating romance between an event planner and an astronaut! I had so much fun reading this book. It was sweet, emotional, and exciting, and I loved Amerie and Vincent—my first book by Etta Easton and a great debut. I’ll be reading more in the future!
Fake dating romance between an event planner and an astronaut! I had so much fun reading this book. It was sweet, emotional, and exciting, and I loved Amerie and Vincent—my first book by Etta Easton and a great debut. I’ll be reading more in the future!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Angel Pean
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 10h 25m
July 28, 2024
Amerie is trying to start her own event planning business after an incident causes her to be fired from her previous company. Building from the ground up isn't easy especially with her mother's medical bills waiving over her head and the rent in her building increasing. When she meets Vincent at her favorite coffee shop and he pretends to be her boyfriend to show up her ex they end up keeping up the ruse for his family.
This is the first Berkley Book I've read in awhile that I enjoyed from start to finish. It was slow burn but it kept me invested the entire time. Early on I did wish it was dual pov but I grew to really enjoy Amerie's pov. As someone who was fascinated by Artemis 1 and used to follow Victor Glover (who was selected for the Artemis II mission to the moon) on Twitter I was excited to see a Black male astronaut as the love interest here. So I loved all the random space facts and Vincent taking Amerie the space center. Fake dating hasn't worked for me in a lot of recent books because it's felt forced but here it was believable enough to go a long with.
My only tiny nit pick was that we didn't need that 3rd act breakup but other than that this one is a keeper!
I recieved a copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Berkley Book I've read in awhile that I enjoyed from start to finish. It was slow burn but it kept me invested the entire time. Early on I did wish it was dual pov but I grew to really enjoy Amerie's pov. As someone who was fascinated by Artemis 1 and used to follow Victor Glover (who was selected for the Artemis II mission to the moon) on Twitter I was excited to see a Black male astronaut as the love interest here. So I loved all the random space facts and Vincent taking Amerie the space center. Fake dating hasn't worked for me in a lot of recent books because it's felt forced but here it was believable enough to go a long with.
My only tiny nit pick was that we didn't need that 3rd act breakup but other than that this one is a keeper!
I recieved a copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
This was cuteeee, I love a lil astronaut romance. The way he'd go and correct Amerie about astronomical facts was so funny.
Even though I'm not super huge on fake dating, I liked it here. Though I really wish at least once it wouldn't blow up in their faces. Like why couldn't they just agree that yes they're together for real for now, never mind that we lied to our families, it's water under the bridge, you know?
I was hoping there wouldn't be a third act breakup and there was, but the ending made up for it.
The narrator picked for the audiobook was great, I saw someone say that she sounds familiar AND SHE DOES!! But I've no idea from where. I'd 100% listen to her though, she did such a good job.
And, for a debut book, this was amazing. I can't wait to see what Etta Easton puts out next.
Even though I'm not super huge on fake dating, I liked it here. Though I really wish at least once it wouldn't blow up in their faces. Like why couldn't they just agree that yes they're together for real for now, never mind that we lied to our families, it's water under the bridge, you know?
I was hoping there wouldn't be a third act breakup and there was, but the ending made up for it.
The narrator picked for the audiobook was great, I saw someone say that she sounds familiar AND SHE DOES!! But I've no idea from where. I'd 100% listen to her though, she did such a good job.
And, for a debut book, this was amazing. I can't wait to see what Etta Easton puts out next.
April 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
2.75 stars
I could not get into this book for the life of me. The storyline was really intriguing and I think this is the first astronaut MMC that I've read, so I was excited for that portion.
But I could not get behind either character for some reason. I enjoyed both of them at the beginning, but I don't think they really got out of two dimensions once the story started progressing.
This may just be me. Other than the above, it was your typical fake dating story so I think a lot of people will still like it, but it was missing a lot of marks for me 🤷♀️
2.75 stars
I could not get into this book for the life of me. The storyline was really intriguing and I think this is the first astronaut MMC that I've read, so I was excited for that portion.
But I could not get behind either character for some reason. I enjoyed both of them at the beginning, but I don't think they really got out of two dimensions once the story started progressing.
This may just be me. Other than the above, it was your typical fake dating story so I think a lot of people will still like it, but it was missing a lot of marks for me 🤷♀️
April 16, 2024
I really loved the premise of this one. I didn’t realize I needed a rom-com about an astronaut before finding this book, but I was wrong, I totally needed that. I liked Vincent’s character quite a bit, but Mimi’s character frequently drove me a little crazy. I found her reactions to be over the top most of the time (the dust, really?), but I did love her interactions with her best friend and parents and the slow burn with Vincent (fake relationship may be my favorite trope, so I could be a bit biased there). I thought the drama that led to their separation was weak and could have been better. I mean I’m ok with the formula but it just didn’t feel real for me. But overall this was a sweet, fun, romantic story that was also about family. I really liked the relationships and building communication within those familial relationship with both Mimi and Vincent’s families. Honestly that was my favorite part of this book, the supporting characters. I’ll definitely be on the look out for future books by this author.
July 12, 2024
This one was just okay! It's fake dating and I enjoyed the beginning and the banter a lot, but the romantic connection was just okay. The book is only in the heroine's POV and I would have loved to get to know the hero and his mind more. I was never swooning over the relationship and was just listening to the story to get to the end rather than reading because I loved the characters. This just let me wanting bit more.
April 7, 2024
“I could have wished on all the stars , planets, and moons and still never could I have imagined being led to someone like you”
"When midnight strikes, kiss that astronaut until he sees stars”
I LOVED IT!!!!
So we have Vincent, the dreamy and charming astronaut. He's all about exploring the great unknown, but underneath that adventurous exterior lies a guy who's dealing with some heavy stuff(the loss of his brother). And then there's Mimi, the sassy event planner who's got a bit of a grumpy facade, but deep down, she's sweet and selfless and is also dealing with some tough stuff of her own(her mom's battle with sickle cell). Now, when these two meet and in a stroke of fate (more like just sheer craziness), they decide to fake date each other and sparks starts flying. And let me tell you, watching these two navigate their way through fake romance and eventually real feelings is like watching fireworks.
I really enjoyed this story. Mimi and Vincent were such lovable characters. They were cute and sweet and their bantering was top notch. I loved how Vincent's sweetness and thoughtfulness perfectly complemented Mimi's sarcasm and independence which in some odd way created a dynamic that was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
And although the story tackles tough topics like grief and sickle cell, it’s also infused with so much heart and humor that you can't help but smile through teary eyes. So if you're in the mood for a feel-good romance that'll leave you with a goofy grin plastered on your face, this one is definitely for you.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
"When midnight strikes, kiss that astronaut until he sees stars”
I LOVED IT!!!!
So we have Vincent, the dreamy and charming astronaut. He's all about exploring the great unknown, but underneath that adventurous exterior lies a guy who's dealing with some heavy stuff(the loss of his brother). And then there's Mimi, the sassy event planner who's got a bit of a grumpy facade, but deep down, she's sweet and selfless and is also dealing with some tough stuff of her own(her mom's battle with sickle cell). Now, when these two meet and in a stroke of fate (more like just sheer craziness), they decide to fake date each other and sparks starts flying. And let me tell you, watching these two navigate their way through fake romance and eventually real feelings is like watching fireworks.
I really enjoyed this story. Mimi and Vincent were such lovable characters. They were cute and sweet and their bantering was top notch. I loved how Vincent's sweetness and thoughtfulness perfectly complemented Mimi's sarcasm and independence which in some odd way created a dynamic that was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
And although the story tackles tough topics like grief and sickle cell, it’s also infused with so much heart and humor that you can't help but smile through teary eyes. So if you're in the mood for a feel-good romance that'll leave you with a goofy grin plastered on your face, this one is definitely for you.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
September 5, 2023
Wow, what a debut! I absolutely adored this fake dating romance between event planner Amerie and astronaut Vincent - they had great chemistry, the entire cast of characters was so well fleshed out, and I found the pacing and conflict to be done very well. Vincent reminded me of Adam from The Love Hypothesis, a quietly grumpy genius who is laser focused on making sure the woman he's secretly in love with has everything she needs. I can't wait for more from Etta!
Thank you Berkley and Edelweiss for the ARC!
Thank you Berkley and Edelweiss for the ARC!
February 5, 2024
Amerie is jobless, and about to lose her apartment so she decides to start her own business. When she unexpectedly runs into her ex and his beautiful new girlfriend, she panics and pretends to be dating the annoying man she met when she spilled his coffee all over him.
Vincent plays along with Amerie, but he needs a partner leading up to his space launch in three months. In return Amerie will get a free room.
Of course, the two don’t plan on actually being pulled towards each other.
First off this book was fantastic for a debut. It read like a more seasoned author wrote it, so I am excited to see what comes from this author next!
This book was a lot of fun. Both Amerie and Vincent were easy to like and had lots of likeable qualities, and only a few minor annoying onesThis book found the sweet spot with the slow burn. It felt very realistic, and that the relationship took a natural progression towards the hook-up. The biggest hang-up I had with this book was the pacing. While I understand that the romance was a slow burn, the pacing was rather slow for me and I kept getting distracted, which makes for a frustrated reading experience for me. This won’t deter me from reading the authors subsequent works, but it did knock off about half a star from my rating overall just because it hindered my enjoyment.
I think that this one would have been amazing had it been a dual point of view and I hope that is something the author considers for the future!
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub, @BerkleyPub, Berkley Romance, @BerkleyRomance, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Vincent plays along with Amerie, but he needs a partner leading up to his space launch in three months. In return Amerie will get a free room.
Of course, the two don’t plan on actually being pulled towards each other.
First off this book was fantastic for a debut. It read like a more seasoned author wrote it, so I am excited to see what comes from this author next!
This book was a lot of fun. Both Amerie and Vincent were easy to like and had lots of likeable qualities, and only a few minor annoying onesThis book found the sweet spot with the slow burn. It felt very realistic, and that the relationship took a natural progression towards the hook-up. The biggest hang-up I had with this book was the pacing. While I understand that the romance was a slow burn, the pacing was rather slow for me and I kept getting distracted, which makes for a frustrated reading experience for me. This won’t deter me from reading the authors subsequent works, but it did knock off about half a star from my rating overall just because it hindered my enjoyment.
I think that this one would have been amazing had it been a dual point of view and I hope that is something the author considers for the future!
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub, @BerkleyPub, Berkley Romance, @BerkleyRomance, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
May 21, 2024
The number one reason that I picked up this book is because the male love interest is a Black astronaut at NASA! Black?! And in STEM?! Instant read for me.
For the spicy lovers looking for smut every other chapter, sit this one out. The one is for the rom-com lovers who get swept up with a cheesy yet adorable meet cute followed by a fake dating plot that you know is going to be full of shenanigans.
I loved both Amerie and Vincent. Their chemistry takes a bit to get off the ground but their instant banter sucked me in.
I saw so much of myself in Amerie as someone who is risk adverse, but I could also completely relate to Vincent’s diehard passion for science even at the expense of his family’s wishes.
If you’re looking for a cute, Black romance that also puts STEM front and center then this is for you!
Thank you PRH Audio and Berkley Romance for providing a review copy.
For the spicy lovers looking for smut every other chapter, sit this one out. The one is for the rom-com lovers who get swept up with a cheesy yet adorable meet cute followed by a fake dating plot that you know is going to be full of shenanigans.
I loved both Amerie and Vincent. Their chemistry takes a bit to get off the ground but their instant banter sucked me in.
I saw so much of myself in Amerie as someone who is risk adverse, but I could also completely relate to Vincent’s diehard passion for science even at the expense of his family’s wishes.
If you’re looking for a cute, Black romance that also puts STEM front and center then this is for you!
Thank you PRH Audio and Berkley Romance for providing a review copy.
June 27, 2024
Unpopular opinion but this FMC was the worst and I didn’t enjoy a fake dating + slow SLOW burn romance + mild secks scenes
October 15, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
It was such a good read. I was extremely connected to the characters (🥹❤️). I enjoyed it so much (🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰). Her writing was pretty good considering it is her debut novel. Hope to read more of her novels soon (🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻). Please give this a chance (🫵🏻) you will not be disappointed AT ALL.
It was such a good read. I was extremely connected to the characters (🥹❤️). I enjoyed it so much (🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰). Her writing was pretty good considering it is her debut novel. Hope to read more of her novels soon (🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻). Please give this a chance (🫵🏻) you will not be disappointed AT ALL.
April 18, 2024
I WANT MORE 😩 stop it this book was SO cute. It’s definitely more of a fluffy sweet contemporary romance, with little to no smut but dang Vincent was SO SWOONY😭Like i have never found an Astronaut so attractive in my LIFE. i also thought space being a theme in this book was SO COOL!! the universe is so cool, and if was nice to be reminded of that. In addition to that, the Black excellence🫶🏼 I loved the representation and the reminder that Black people fill all spaces! This was such a great debut, I found the characters to be, surprisingly, relatable when it came to their family and why they did what they did. 10/10 book for me! And again, I just wanted more of THEM😭🩷
June 11, 2024
🥹🥹
I didn’t expect to swoon for over 300 pages of this book 🥹- Vincent and Amerie were so stinking cute together. But, this was a “he falls first” book and Vincent has my whole heart, ❤️. He was perfect in every sense of the word. He was such a nerd but had the ability to tap into his sex appeal, I know Amerie was beside herself. Lol. I loved everything!
I didn’t expect to swoon for over 300 pages of this book 🥹- Vincent and Amerie were so stinking cute together. But, this was a “he falls first” book and Vincent has my whole heart, ❤️. He was perfect in every sense of the word. He was such a nerd but had the ability to tap into his sex appeal, I know Amerie was beside herself. Lol. I loved everything!
April 10, 2024
4.25-4.5 rounded up
NEW ROMANCE RELEASES
Thank you #partners @berkleyromance for my #gifted copies and @prhaudio for my gifted audio copy. 💕 #berkleypartner #berkleyig #penguinrandomhousepartner
Happy pub day to The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
📖 A struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after, in this starry debut.
💭 The Kiss Countdown is scrumptious! It's sweet, smart, sexy, and satisfying! It's the kind of book you can't wait to return to, as Easton builds up unbelievable tension! Y'all, the pining is next level!🔥 I adore Amerie and Vincent, two well-crafted characters, each with their own troubles, giving them depth, complexity and believability. I also appreciate that Easton shines a light on Sickle Cell, (which disproportionately afflicts Black folks) and the ways this disease impacts families. Well-paced, with the perfect blend of heavy and light, The Kiss Countdown is a ✨winner✨ and I absolutely recommend it for romance readers.
🎧 I went hard on this one, rotating between print, ebook, and audio. 😅 The audiobook is divine! Narrator Angel Pean is exceptional, portraying both feminine and masculine voices. I recognized her voice from Jodie Slaughter's Bet on It, and hope to hear more from her in the future.
NEW ROMANCE RELEASES
Thank you #partners @berkleyromance for my #gifted copies and @prhaudio for my gifted audio copy. 💕 #berkleypartner #berkleyig #penguinrandomhousepartner
Happy pub day to The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
📖 A struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after, in this starry debut.
💭 The Kiss Countdown is scrumptious! It's sweet, smart, sexy, and satisfying! It's the kind of book you can't wait to return to, as Easton builds up unbelievable tension! Y'all, the pining is next level!🔥 I adore Amerie and Vincent, two well-crafted characters, each with their own troubles, giving them depth, complexity and believability. I also appreciate that Easton shines a light on Sickle Cell, (which disproportionately afflicts Black folks) and the ways this disease impacts families. Well-paced, with the perfect blend of heavy and light, The Kiss Countdown is a ✨winner✨ and I absolutely recommend it for romance readers.
🎧 I went hard on this one, rotating between print, ebook, and audio. 😅 The audiobook is divine! Narrator Angel Pean is exceptional, portraying both feminine and masculine voices. I recognized her voice from Jodie Slaughter's Bet on It, and hope to hear more from her in the future.
May 3, 2024
3.5 stars!!
cute book, it's a fake dating trope which isnt my favourite but i think it worked well. vincent(love interest) was perfect but amerie(mc) was extremely annoying lol and i couldn't stand her which was a shame.
vincent is an astronaut which is a rly unique profession and instantly when i read that i was drawn into the book.
it was an easy read(read in 1 day) and cute. would still recommend it and it's a great debut book :)
cute book, it's a fake dating trope which isnt my favourite but i think it worked well. vincent(love interest) was perfect but amerie(mc) was extremely annoying lol and i couldn't stand her which was a shame.
vincent is an astronaut which is a rly unique profession and instantly when i read that i was drawn into the book.
it was an easy read(read in 1 day) and cute. would still recommend it and it's a great debut book :)
March 28, 2024
As far as debuts go this one wasn’t bad at all! It is rather cute and charming.
I think my issues are mainly with the leads. I found myself struggling to fully understand Amerie. I didn’t fully understand why she was always so unsure. Then with Vincent I felt like I never knew what he was thinking.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.
I think my issues are mainly with the leads. I found myself struggling to fully understand Amerie. I didn’t fully understand why she was always so unsure. Then with Vincent I felt like I never knew what he was thinking.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.
October 5, 2024
4⭐️
Cute. Love the space stuff. FMC was a tad bit dramatic at the end and as with the majority of the romcoms I read the 3rd act conflict was silly at best.
Still a great time and I’m looking forward to her next book!
Cute. Love the space stuff. FMC was a tad bit dramatic at the end and as with the majority of the romcoms I read the 3rd act conflict was silly at best.
Still a great time and I’m looking forward to her next book!
October 16, 2023
~actual rating 3.5
A solid debut romance. I would highly recommend this to readers starting out with the genre as it has classic romance tropes and a hero who is down bad for our heroine. I wanted more oomph overall, especially as a single POV romance and we are not privy to Vincent's motivations beyond what we are shown from Amerie's POV. It was absolutely lovely to see all the care Vincent took to check in with Amerie as they pretended to date for his family's sake, and his actions did speak loudly to the love he was clearly feeling (if not yet expressing).
What kept me from very much loving this was the deception toward's Vince's family (especially the fake engagement thrown on top of the fake dating), and the fear i had that something would befall Amerie's mother, who she is very anxious about throughout the story. Amerie's mother has sickle cell anemia, and Amerie has spent her life worrying and having bad news hit (including losing her job when she ditches a big profile wedding she's the planner for when her mom is hospitalized). Thankfully! Amerie's mother is doing well the entire story, phew.
Other than that, if you enjoy cinnamon roll heroes with granite jaws, an excellent home library AND telescope, and who can show you the stars in more than one way, this one is for you!
open door, but just light steam near the 75% mark.
Thank you to the pub for the advance copy; also reviewing professional for LJ (TK)
A solid debut romance. I would highly recommend this to readers starting out with the genre as it has classic romance tropes and a hero who is down bad for our heroine. I wanted more oomph overall, especially as a single POV romance and we are not privy to Vincent's motivations beyond what we are shown from Amerie's POV. It was absolutely lovely to see all the care Vincent took to check in with Amerie as they pretended to date for his family's sake, and his actions did speak loudly to the love he was clearly feeling (if not yet expressing).
What kept me from very much loving this was the deception toward's Vince's family (especially the fake engagement thrown on top of the fake dating), and the fear i had that something would befall Amerie's mother, who she is very anxious about throughout the story. Amerie's mother has sickle cell anemia, and Amerie has spent her life worrying and having bad news hit (including losing her job when she ditches a big profile wedding she's the planner for when her mom is hospitalized). Thankfully! Amerie's mother is doing well the entire story, phew.
Other than that, if you enjoy cinnamon roll heroes with granite jaws, an excellent home library AND telescope, and who can show you the stars in more than one way, this one is for you!
open door, but just light steam near the 75% mark.
Thank you to the pub for the advance copy; also reviewing professional for LJ (TK)
May 6, 2024
What a lovely DEBUT novel!🥹🫶🏾
From the adorable cover to the fun storyline. A very sweet, fluffy contemporary romance with beautiful writing, the perfect spring/summer read.
Can’t wait to read more from this author 💕
“There will come a day, when I’m in my own bed in my own home, when I’ll wake up to a feeling of peace like I’ve never known. There will be no grogginess, no disorientation, no dread for what lies ahead. Just a slow and soft emergence into consciousness as I greet the morning. Today, however, is not that day.”
From the adorable cover to the fun storyline. A very sweet, fluffy contemporary romance with beautiful writing, the perfect spring/summer read.
Can’t wait to read more from this author 💕
“There will come a day, when I’m in my own bed in my own home, when I’ll wake up to a feeling of peace like I’ve never known. There will be no grogginess, no disorientation, no dread for what lies ahead. Just a slow and soft emergence into consciousness as I greet the morning. Today, however, is not that day.”
April 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ The Kiss Countdown was really cute and such a solid debut! I liked both Mimi and Vincent and I really enjoyed seeing them navigate their complicated relationships with family, and obviously falling for each other along the way. Plus, fake dating is always a good thing in my book!
The writing was great but the relationship between the two MCs left something to be desired at times. I just felt like there was a disconnect and wanted more. Vincent would have these funny or swoony moments but more often than not, his character felt distant and flat. Also it’s a veryyyyy slow burn (but things do eventually heat up!).
Overall, I enjoyed this and think that while it did include some heavier subject matter (off page) it was still a pretty light and breezy read. I loved Mimi’s bestie and the rest of the side characters were great. Also, I learned a few things about space!
I look very forward to seeing what Etta Easton whips up next! Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
🥳PUB DAY: APRIL 9th
The writing was great but the relationship between the two MCs left something to be desired at times. I just felt like there was a disconnect and wanted more. Vincent would have these funny or swoony moments but more often than not, his character felt distant and flat. Also it’s a veryyyyy slow burn (but things do eventually heat up!).
Overall, I enjoyed this and think that while it did include some heavier subject matter (off page) it was still a pretty light and breezy read. I loved Mimi’s bestie and the rest of the side characters were great. Also, I learned a few things about space!
I look very forward to seeing what Etta Easton whips up next! Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
🥳PUB DAY: APRIL 9th
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
May 21, 2024
Darn it, I wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I did.
Mostly because Amerie acted like Vincent's leaving for six months was the end of the world—I was like, "he's most likely coming back!"
Also, I was really, really miffed that Vincent's parents had their 35th anniversary vow renewals scheduled for the day their son was supposed to launch for a historic six-month mission to the moon. I get it, you really, really don't want your son to go and the launch date is bad timing buuuuuut...after 35 years, you can reschedule some things. That they weren't ever really called out on this but applauded over and over for their vow renewal was really annoying to me. (This is not why it was 3 stars, it was a minor plot point but I was annoyed by it).
Anywho, it was enjoyable. It was quick. The chemistry was solid.
Mostly because Amerie acted like Vincent's leaving for six months was the end of the world—I was like, "he's most likely coming back!"
Also, I was really, really miffed that Vincent's parents had their 35th anniversary vow renewals scheduled for the day their son was supposed to launch for a historic six-month mission to the moon. I get it, you really, really don't want your son to go and the launch date is bad timing buuuuuut...after 35 years, you can reschedule some things. That they weren't ever really called out on this but applauded over and over for their vow renewal was really annoying to me. (This is not why it was 3 stars, it was a minor plot point but I was annoyed by it).
Anywho, it was enjoyable. It was quick. The chemistry was solid.
May 5, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
A fun contemporary romance with fake dating between an astronaut and a party planner, The Kiss Countdown is a promising debut. Amerie is struggling to launch her own business after losing her job, juggling stress about her mom's health, AND the fact that her rent is about to jump up! Then of course she runs into her ex at a coffee shop. The same one where she accidentally spilled coffee on a man's shirt, and he goes along with her pretending he's her boyfriend. As it turns out, Vincent is an actual astronaut and also in need of a fake girlfriend to get his worrying family off his back. But things heat up between the pair in unexpected ways...
I really liked the setup and characters in this. It's fun but has some more serious threads to do with family as well. I didn't love the way all of the conflict between the characters played out, but for a debut this is really quite good and I would read more from this author in the future. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
A fun contemporary romance with fake dating between an astronaut and a party planner, The Kiss Countdown is a promising debut. Amerie is struggling to launch her own business after losing her job, juggling stress about her mom's health, AND the fact that her rent is about to jump up! Then of course she runs into her ex at a coffee shop. The same one where she accidentally spilled coffee on a man's shirt, and he goes along with her pretending he's her boyfriend. As it turns out, Vincent is an actual astronaut and also in need of a fake girlfriend to get his worrying family off his back. But things heat up between the pair in unexpected ways...
I really liked the setup and characters in this. It's fun but has some more serious threads to do with family as well. I didn't love the way all of the conflict between the characters played out, but for a debut this is really quite good and I would read more from this author in the future. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
April 1, 2024
I could have wished on all the stars, planets, and moons and still never could I have imagined being led to someone like you."
This was a really sweet and cute debut romance. I really liked the writing and how evenly paced the book was. The main characters Mimi and Vincent were likable and I found myself rooting for them. Their chemistry and interactions were cute and though it’s a slow burn when they got together it was a bit steamy. Even though this book is light read there are still some things like the loss of a sibling and a parent who is ill that brought some seriousness to the book. There is some miscommunication with a third act breakout but I would recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet diverse romance.
Read for:
- Fake dating
- Black romance
- He falls first
- Astronaut mmc/event player fmc
- Forced proximity
- Only one bed
This was a really sweet and cute debut romance. I really liked the writing and how evenly paced the book was. The main characters Mimi and Vincent were likable and I found myself rooting for them. Their chemistry and interactions were cute and though it’s a slow burn when they got together it was a bit steamy. Even though this book is light read there are still some things like the loss of a sibling and a parent who is ill that brought some seriousness to the book. There is some miscommunication with a third act breakout but I would recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet diverse romance.
Read for:
- Fake dating
- Black romance
- He falls first
- Astronaut mmc/event player fmc
- Forced proximity
- Only one bed
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