A review by bribreez
Until It Was Love by Pippa Grant

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

*Thank you to GoodGirlsPR and Pippa Grant for sending me this book, I greatly appreciate it! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

Pippa Grant once again brought a humorous, laugh out loud romance that had fake dating, enemies to lovers, sports romance (rugby), grumpy/sunshine, and teammates sister! From the first couple chapters, Pippa brought Goldie and Fletcher’s story to life with the laughable moments but also how the two found themselves in a fake dating situation-ship. For fans who love a sports romance, a mustache rugby player who has the cutest dog, a sassy, strong willed female lead, and a fake dating arrangement, and more, then you’ll like this book. 

Goldie Collins was a life coach, dabbled in coaching kids soccer, and helped out others no matter what. After an jury when she was in college, Goldie’s dream to play professionally in soccer was over, but she turned her life around and became a life coach to help others figure out their next steps similarly to how she did. Goldie was a strong character from the beginning especially when dealing with Fletcher, she had no issue turning him down or basically insulting his mustache all the time. Fletcher was the last man Goldie wanted anything to do with, but by helping him fake date, she also had her reasons why she ultimately agreed to help him.

Fletcher Huxley was a well known player in the rugby circuit in Europe, but after leaving his team for some reason, Fletcher came to the U.S. rugby team, The Copper Valley Pounders. Fletcher was in a way starting off fresh from being on a new team, making a name for himself in the U.S. and trying to ensure that he showed all those who doubted him that they were wrong. Fletcher was a man on mission who not only wanted to win and succeed, but also willing to do anything to achieve his goals, namely proposing a fake dating agreement with his teammate sister, Goldie. 

The good old fake dating trope never gets old. Goldie and Fletcher didn’t necessarily like each other at first, but they weren’t blind in their attraction to each other. Goldie and Fletcher found themselves in a fake dating relationship that helped Fletcher gain more visibility for the rugby team, and for Goldie to have a date at a wedding where her ex was also attending. A mutually beneficial arrangement that helped Goldie and Fletcher in their own respective ways, but as we all know, it’s never fake for long! I liked the fake dating in this book because, it was obviously funny as Pippa Grant as writes in her stories, but also showed how Fletcher and Goldie were the opposite from one another. Fletcher was grumpy and kept himself guarded from getting to close to him and Goldie was like her namesake, bright and shining with her warm and kind personality. When in doubt, fake it till you make it or in Goldie and Fletcher’s case, until you reveal your true feelings! 

Fletcher wasn’t the cocky rugby player I thought he was. Instead, the more the story progressed, the more I realized that underneath all those muscles and good looks was a man who just wanted to be loved and respected. Fletcher had the mind set that anyone he let inside his life, usually always left him behind, and because of that, he tended to keep himself guarded with his charm and focus on his career. With Fletcher and Goldie spending time together, it went from a mutually beneficial relationship to a genuine friendship that grew into affection and love. Knowing Goldie was preparing for her big move across the pond made Fletcher realize that Goldie was someone he grew to care for and when he felt sad or anything really, his thoughts gravitated toward wanting Goldie by his side, AWWWW! Behind the mustache, Fletcher was actually really sweet and a lovable man that I liked more as I read. 

Pippa Grant is not only one of my favorite authors, but also one who always makes me laugh and feel happy when I read her books.  Fletcher and Goldie went from not necessarily liking each other to friendship to lovers all within the span of this book. The friendship between Fletcher and Goldie grew as the foundation for their love, and I really enjoyed that aspect of their story together. Goldie and Fletcher were in some ways similar to how they were use to being on their own, but through fake dating, spending time together, they grew to have genuine feelings for each other. Sweet Pea, Fletcher’s adorable dog, was an adorable addition to the story, and I could tell that Fletcher loved her so much, spoiled her a lot haha. Goldie’s friendship with Odette, Evelyn, and Shelia was an unexpected friendship I didn’t see but it was great to see Goldie have that sense of support and love from the older women. Definitely understood the whole “mustache” hero thing that I kept hearing about with Fletcher and while I had similar views like Goldie had about Fletcher’s mustache, in the end I kind of grew to like it haha. All in all, this was a lighthearted, fun, sweet romance that made me laugh and kept me entertained while reading. If you ever have a fun book to read with unique characters, lovable people, and unexpected humor that’ll make you laugh, then I would recommend you read any book by Pippa Grant.