Pretending I Love Lucy

Apple Valley Love Stories, Book 3

By: Julie Christianson

Narrated by: Rock Engle, Stephanie Rose

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

The first rule of being a winner? Never lose your heart…

People think it’s easy being Felix Dodd III, and sure, the legacy and inheritance aren’t exactly terrible. But the name comes with so many strings; my hands feel permanently tied. Like I’m stuck following in my father’s footsteps. Like I can’t trust people’s intentions. Like my grandmother wants me settled down before my thirtieth birthday.

I’ve got less than zero interest in marriage, ever since my one attempt at love crashed and burned. But Grams won’t let me access my trust until I’m engaged. Which means I need a fiancée.

Someone who’s looking for quick cash and a quicker getaway.

Someone like Lucy Devlin.

She’s got less than zero interest in me. But if I can get her to play along—just long enough to fool my grandmother—Lucy will be a whole lot richer, Grams will be none the wiser, and I’ll stay heartbreak free.

Just as long as I remember the new rule: Don’t love Lucy for real.

This heartwarming, hilarious romantic comedy has all the sizzle and swoon, but no explicit content. The entire Apple Valley series can be listened to in any order.

©2022 Julie Christianson (P)2022 Podium Audio

Absolutely adorable!

I read this as a paperback book first and have now enjoyed it just as much listening to the audio as I did the first read through! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Pretending

Really enjoyable story. Julie Christianson writes romance like Chuck Norris does push-ups: very, very well! I like the narrators too. Though Rock Engle should maybe work on the Grams voice.

Sweet romance

I enjoyed the story and all the characters in this story especially Grams!! It showed how people can learn so much from others and can improve their quality of life

Enjoyed story but enjoyed more when I read it

I enjoyed reading this story more than the audio book. I didn’t care for”Grams” voice, and some of the kids voices. I assumed was done by the man. Lucy’s voice actor did a good job but the overall audio presentation seemed to lack the life and emotion of the characters when reading the book. I often listen to books after reading them and sometimes they are even better than the read.

Not pretending anymore!

This is a classic fake romance to real feelings story. The grandmother will have you laughing all the way through. Fix and Lucy are the sweetest couple & I love their story to HEA. I’ve read and listened to this book- the narrators truly bring the characters to life!

Kisses only contemporary romcom

This is the 3rd in the Apple Valley Love Stories series but could be read as a standalone. There's a brief scene that takes place in book 2 that is referenced in this book, but the gist is repeated here.

I love Julie Christianson. She seems like such a sweet person and that quality shines through in her stories. I haven't read one yet with a mean character. I hate when people are mean. In this one, even the "mean" one isn't. How I appreciate that!

Then our main characters of Lucy and Fix are just adorable. They care so much about Grams! I'd been introduced to Grams in a later book from the Abieville series first. It was so fun to really get to know her in this book. Betterness for the win!

I did listen to this one. As with most of Julie's other books, she has the same narrators reading the stories. I personally have a hard time with the male narrator. I don't mesh wish his recreation of the author's words. And then listening to him over and over, all the male characters blend together. That is one reason I have to take a break in listening to these books. I need to cleanse my ears a bit. I find that he really affects my enjoyment of the story. I tried to intentionally ignore my feelings for him and focus on the author's original words. I've discovered that I like the books by Julie Christianson that I have read more than the ones I've listened to, and I think this male narrator is the reason. I've seen other reviews where listeners have liked him, so it's definitely a personal preference.

I'd give the story 4.5 stars but I took half a star away for the male narrator.

Funny and Sincere Fake Romance

I loved the dual narrators. This story was amazing. I was thoroughly engaged by the plot, twists, silly situations, and the well developed characters. This has been my favorite Apple Valley book to date.

Really good

Another funny and engaging story by Julie Christianson. Christianson has a knack for weird situations and snarky dialog.

So good!

Great narrators! Such a good story hooked from the beginning! Didn’t want to stop listening