Description
Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him.
She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool.
Enter Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague—who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man.
But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.
From the Publisher
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Valencia –
Fake Relationship – Real FeelingsFake Relationship – Real FeelingsBy Valencia TurnerBelieve the hype from what you see on Instagram and TikTok. “The Spanish Love Deception” is wonderful. It’s an exceptionally well-written romance novel with heart, heat, family, friendship, and romance. This is a slow-burn romance and normally, I don’t like slow burn. I’m an impatient reader. I’m an even more impatient writer. I want to get to the first kiss immediately. I’m not sure why. I guess I can handle only so much sexual tension before I get frustrated and put the book down.Nevertheless, I couldn’t put this book down and it is a slow burn romance. It’s an expertly crafted novel with two complex characters who face real challenges in their personal and professional lives. So many things don’t go according to plan. That’s okay because Armas does a great job in weaving a narrative that is so engaging, you don’t really want to put it down. I devoured this book in less than a day. The simmering chemistry between the two leads pulls you in and takes you for a ride.The story centers around Catalina Martin, who needs a date to her sister’s wedding because the best man happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Not just any ex-boyfriend. Apparently he was THE Boyfriend. We later learn what this man did and, yes, he deserves to be an ex. This ex is also happily engaged, and Catalina doesn’t want to show up to the wedding alone. Enter Aaron Blackford; her grumpy but devastatingly handsome colleague at work. He offers to help her with her dilemma, agreeing to go to Catalina’s home country of Spain, meet the family, avoid the ex, and somehow survive the persistent questions from a slew of aunts, grandmothers, and nosy cousins. What ensues is a lush and emotionally detailed love story between two very stubborn people.The romance is subtle. It happens between glances, whispers, gazes, as well as promises made and kept. Catalina and Aaron banter and bicker throughout the novel and the reader can’t help but smile at how the story of these two plays out.Armas makes you wait for the steam that eventually comes in the novel. I will say, the wait is worth it…and this is coming from someone that doesn’t normally like slow burn romances. The payoff will make you squeal, swear, and fan yourself.Catalina and Aaron each have complicated backgrounds and demons they have to vanquish in the pursuit of mutual happiness. This isn’t just a story of flowers, roses, and rainbows. There are good guys and bad guys. Real life problems creep into the narrative, which makes it relatable. The reader connects with the characters, who are complex, imperfect, but not broken.The story is told solely from Catalina’s perspective. There are several novels that switch the point of view to help readers learn how each main character sees the world and the challenges they face. Armas sticks with Catalina’s first person perspective, while doing an excellent job of conveying how Aaron feels through his words and actions. We don’t need to hear his inner monologue because there are plenty of clues to how this drop dead gorgeous Clark Kent look-a-like feels about Catarina. It takes our heroine much longer to realize there is more going on than just an agreement between to coworkers. Clueless heroines frequently annoy me, but in this case, the reader completely understands Catalina’s hesitation to acknowledge her feelings.Yes, TikTok and Instagram made me buy this book, and I’m so glad that I did. I’m sure you will enjoy it too.
Marissa –
Fun Little RomanceI actually Gad fun reading this book. The story reminded me of The Hating Game, but it definitely had its own unique aspects and personalities. Speaking of personalities, I didn’t completely love Lina at first – she kind of got on my nerves, but grew on me throughout the book.Catalina (Lina) and Aaron are coworkers and seemingly sworn enemies. She finds herself in a difficult predicament when she decides she cannot possibly attend her sister’s wedding in Spain alone. Aaron volunteers to go with her, but it’s the last thing she wants. They aren’t friends and she can’t imagine how on earth they can pretend they are in a relationship in front of her very observant family. The pre wedding shenanigans were hilarious and I laughed many times.Content warning – adult language and some explicit scenes.
Bridget –
Came in Perfect ConditionThe book came in great and clean conditions. It’s new so it’s expected, but I mean it didn’t get damaged in the delivery process. The only detail is a little bit of wrinkling on the bottom of the spine of the book. But other than that, it’s good and the pages are clean and neat. Haven’t read it yet, but excited to!
Amazon Customer –
Excelente!!!!Maravillosa historia de amor que comprueba que el verdadero amor puede más que todas las fuerzas contrarias del mundo, Los personajes son extraordinarios. Felicidades por tan linda novela.
Always Reading –
Sweet, funny, beautifully written.I enjoyed Lina and Aaron’s story. It’s sweet, funny, and beautifully written. Lina’s family was delightfully embarrassing, just like family should be.Looking forward to Elena Armas’ next book.
Jocelyn Whoolery –
Great!It’s had everything! Romance, embarrassingly funny moments, hot scenes. Slow burn romance are my favorite! Going on my reread list!
OLT –
Less than I had expected. Nothing new here.(2.5 stars) I’m rounding this up to 3 stars only because this is the author’s debut and, although derivative and trope-ridden, doesn’t have many vocabulary and grammar mistakes, which is one of my personal bugaboos. But as far as characters and plot, it’s very been there, done that. And, let’s face it, much too long for the amount of actual plot.It’ s an office hate-to-love/fake boyfriend rom-com. I think I’ve read enough of those to last me for a while. One of the better ones with a similar plot was Sally Thorne’s THE HATING GAME from a few years back and Armas’ story feels very copycat-ish without being as good. The only reason I decided to download this one was the Spanish connection, but that, unfortunately, turned out to be almost a nothing burger.Speaking of Spanish, somebody someday is going to have to figure out how to transpose to paper the flavor of speaking in another language to books and dialogue written in English without everybody sounding like that Cuban-American family in the old sit com QUE PASA, U.S.A (Am I the only one who remembers it?) or Dora the Explorer. You know, throwing in words or phrases in Spanish in a conversation just to make it feel “authentic.” So far I haven’t read a single book that doesn’t annoy me with the way this is done, Armas’ included. Inserting a SI instead of “yes” or some such does not turn it into Spanish. (Okay, I will admit that every once in a while Armas did a better job than other writers I’ve read, because of using complete sentences in Spanish but still…)But that’s not all that annoyed me about the book. There are also the characters. Catalina’s family is classic central casting Hispanic/Spanish and no one stands out as being anything but representative of a non-American culture. Yet nothing that happened in Spain was anything that couldn’t have happened at a family reunion/wedding anywhere, other than the food and drink involved being slightly different and the people perhaps more exuberant than some of our more stuffy “americanos.” (I’m married to a South American and lived for many years in S.A. surrounded by his family and friends and found that generally to be the case. People are people everywhere and life is life everywhere, as long as we’re not talking about a totalitarian country or a country at war.)But, wait. I’m not done complaining. Let’s forget about culture/country contrasts and comparisons. Let’s talk about the romantic relationship here. Jeez Louise, talk about Failures to Communicate and Horridly Stubborn Behavior that goes on for much too long. Apparently attracted to each other from the get-go, these co-workers protect themselves by sending out indifference and/or hate vibes. Lina, in particular, is unpleasant and rude to Aaron because of one little thing she overheard in the first couple of days he joined the company. And Aaron, who understands him? Not me. He hides his attraction with a cold professional attitude towards Lina. Seems to me that if you like somebody, let them know. Don’t act like a cold, indifferent jerk.And when Aaron finally does decide to try to show his feelings to Lina, she can’t believe it’s real. And a few times it’s hard to blame her because he could be a bit inconsistent. Open and warm sometimes. Closed off and cold at others. At least Lina was consistently a pain in the patootie. But, not to worry, eventually these two do open up to each other and romance lovers may get all melty about it, but I thought it took way too long and made me read way too many pages with way too much circular repetition in their interactions.
Jeeves Reads Romance –
Absolutely LOVED itOut of the 200 romance novels I’ve read this year, this might be my favorite one. Period. This is what I call a ROMANCE; an intimate read with a torturous slow burn that absolutely captivated me and a hero that every woman needs in her life. It’s incredibly romantic, with page after page of quote-worthy text. At nearly 500 pages, I’d usually think it’s 200 too many, but… I didn’t want it to end. I ignored real life for two days and simply immersed myself in this love story, and I don’t regret it for a single second.The story follows Lina, a woman who moved from Spain to the U.S. after a breakup left her reeling. She’s been in the States for several years now, but she’s never really moved on. So as a family wedding in Spain approaches, Lina isn’t sure how to show her family that she’s okay and isn’t stuck in the past. Her solution? Bring a fake boyfriend along for the journey. But the only man Lina can find for the role is her infuriating coworker, Aaron. They’ve been office rivals for nearly two years, and can’t be in the same room without arguing. Lina isn’t quite sure why Aaron would volunteer for the job, but desperation has her willing to agree. As the two rivals team up and show a united front, things feel more natural than anticipated… and Lina soon realizes that she never really knew Aaron at all.Other reviewers have called this a combination of The Hating Game and Marriage for One, which, yes, is definitely why I finally picked this book up, lol. I LOVED both of those books, and while this storyline is completely different, the vibes are similar. If you liked trying to figure out what was going on inside Josh’s head during The Hating Game, then you’ll love putting together the puzzle that is Aaron. He might be my new all-time favorite hero. If the length of Marriage for One didn’t turn you off, and you loved the growth in intimacy, then you’ll delight in that aspect of this. The combination of the two? Phenomenal. The slow burn is downright delicious, and it definitely pays off by the end. This might have the best love scene I’ve ever read, and that’s because I was so completely invested in the relationship. The subtle shifts along the way built into something truly swoonworthy, and I was holding my chest with glee through some of the more romantic moments – and there were a LOT of them. I devoured every word yet didn’t want to binge too fast, because it was just that good. I don’t have a single complaint – I loved it.
Madison Huber –
the spanish love deceptionone of my favorite reads of all time. sweet, spicy, and heartfelt. i loved it so much i couldn’t help but feel sad when i finished it.
Stock Phrase –
Marvelous bookOh my goodness, I really liked this.The elevator pitch: Slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance. With a large family wedding, a New York coffee shop, and a soupçon of Spanish.The heroine, Lina, had suffered a rough breakup with Daniel, her former college professor. After they had broken up, Lina was the subject of a vile whispering campaign while the ex suffered no consequences. Lina’s family and friends had looked on her with neverending pity, inspiring Lina to relocate to New York.In NYC, Lina works for an engineering company, working her way up to team leader. There are some other females in leadership positions in the firm, but they are currently hors de combat, leaving Lina to deal with some of the casual sexism from her coworkers, coming from her boss, Jeff, and her most evil coworker, the snide Gerald.Another coworker, Aaron, always seems to taunt her about an awkward moment at their first meeting. Unlike some of the others, Aaron doesn’t treat Lina in a sexist way, but he doesn’t come to her aid after attacks by Gerald, either. It’s all so much.Then, Lina gets a call from her family. Sister Isa is getting married to her OTP, Gonzalo. Lina will be the maid of honor; Daniel the ex will be the best man [he’s Gon’s brother, you see]. Also, they tell her Daniel is newly engaged. And Lina knows she is single, ever single, since the breakup from years ago; they are going to look at her with pity once again. It’s just too much.Lina lies to her family, saying that she has an American boyfriend. After a varied series of events, her mother gets the idea that Aaron is that boyfriend. Indeed, Aaron offers to pose as the boyfriend for duration of the wedding trip to her hometown in rural, northern Spain. Which indeed he does.That’s the setup.I really and truly enjoyed this. Our heroine Lina is multilayered and grows as a character throughout the story. Our hero, Aaron, reveals more and more of his own layers as the story goes on.One of the best things about this book is that it does not gloss over difficulties. Guilt, sexism, estrangement, etc., do not magically disappear just at the point someone starts to fall in love. Nor do these immediately vanish here.As a language nerd, I personally enjoyed the bits of Spanish language in here. It felt more authentic than if this story would have been written only in English. Indeed, the reader should expect some Spanish when two native Spanish speakers are talking to each other in Spain and without an Anglophone present. I’m not a native speaker of Spanish myself, but I didn’t need to be in order to understand this marvelous book.To the author: ¡Muchas, muchas gracias por escribir este libro! (Espero que mi español no sea tan terrible.)