Review: Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman

Rating: 4/5
Series: Mile High Firefighters Series Book 2
Tropes: Slow Burn, Fake Relationship, First Responder, Rom-Com
PoP: 67%

Safety Code violations are not funny.. are serious business until you are reading the Dating Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman.  This book 2  in her Mile High Firefighters series.

This funny and quirky read has charming assistant director of a youth center and the hunky fireman sent to inspect safety codes.

Lexi is the assistant director of the Denver Youth Center otherwise known as DYC.  Lexi spends her days trying to keep the center open. Providing a safe place for the kids is the most important thing to her. Lexi is also someone who gives of her heart easily. She loves big.  Lexi is on a dating/boyfriend break. She is trying to learn to prioritize herself. She is also a cat mom to Lucifer.. 

Our hero Dyson, Denver Fighter is at DYC to do the annual fire code inspection.  Due to the number of violations that need fix and that the DYC does not have the money, Dyson offers to fix up some of the failing safety codes. It just so happens that Dyson also is in need of a fake girlfriend to get his sisters off his back. Dyson is a bit jaded about relationships due to a pretty big heartbreak to him, but his sisters have decided that Dyson needs someone to love. 

Lexi finds herself in an interesting situation. She’s supposed to be taking a break from dating to focus on herself. But Dyson isn’t looking for a real relationship either.  Even with some added benefits to their fake relationship what could possibly happen?

Dating Dilemma is so funny and has so many charming moments.  The banter in this book is witty and will leave you with a smile on your face.  This is a story that is a fantastic example of a true Romantic Comedy.  Lexi and Dyson are both a bit of a hot mess.  That hot mess will just endear them to you. Even thought this story is a slow burn the chemistry between the two of them is fantastic.  I think it is helped along by Lexi’s accidental verbalization of her thoughts.. it gets her in trouble a couple of times. 

The cast of supporting characters in this book were great fun. I love Dyson’s sisters; they are everything a sister should be.  Lexi’s roommate and his boyfriend were also a lot of fun, as well as Dyson’s coworkers at the firehouse. Some scenarios within the book were over the top slapstick.

If you are looking for a book that will leave you will a smile and a side of swoon I highly recommend The Dating Dilemma.