Bright Lights & Summer Nights: A Book Review

Preston's this grumpy dude who looks like he's all finance, but surprise, he's a sports guy! He's itching to quit. Enter Emma, a 25-year-old on a quest to find herself, currently crashing at a friend's place in the Hamptons. She crashes Preston’s sister’s engagement party, and from the moment they meet, sparks fly. Their banter is hilarious and adorable, and you can totally see Preston falling for her. To dodge unwanted attention, Preston declares Emma as his girlfriend, and boom, they start fake dating. Their chemistry is off the charts from the get-go, with jealousy scenes that had me shrieking (scared my mom a bit there).

Preston’s smooth lines are everything, like, "You're breathtaking, and you know it. Don’t try to pretend you don’t," and his constant compliments like, "But I’m having so much fun watching my girlfriend blush for me." Seriously, I blushed every time he called her his girlfriend! Loved how Grams and Peyton were welcoming with Emma.

The spice comes when you are least expecting it. Now, the third act? Totally unnecessary. The separation felt pointless. But aside from that, I’m all in for the fake dating trope!

Tropes:

- Age gap: MMC 36, FMC 25

- Billionaire romance

- Instant attraction

- Fake dating

- Forced proximity

- Found family

- Quarter-life crisis

- Separation (6 months, both faithful)

- Bonus epilogue (1 year later, their wedding day)

3.75/5 🌟