Perfect Strangers by J.T. Geissinger

Perfect Strangers
by J.T. Geissinger

Reviewed by Valerie Palmer

All I can say is that Booktok got me again. I kept seeing such high reviews about this book that I had to give it a try. Did it live up to the hype for me? Not exactly, but I still enjoyed the book. This was the first book I have read by J.T. Geissinger and I think I would give her another chance as well. 

Summary
These kisses of his...they're demanding and possessive. They're hungry and deep. They're the kisses of a man who wants more of a woman - who wants everything - and isn't going to stop until he gets it. 

Author Olivia Rossi hasn’t been able to write a word since tragedy struck two years ago and ripped her world apart. Heartbroken and still haunted by the past, she accepts an offer to spend the summer at a friend’s apartment in Paris in search of healing and her lost muse.

What she finds instead is James, an enigmatic stranger who ignites in her an unexpected and all-consuming passion. Agreeing to tell each other nothing more than their first names, Olivia and James embark on a torrid affair. But the more time they spend together, the more Olivia begins to realize her summer fling is turning into a powerful connection…and that the magnetic man she’s falling in love with might not be what he seems at all.

What I Liked
I liked the writing style and how it was an easy read. The chapters were a great length as I am a huge fan of shorter chapters. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and the relationship that they built. I was happy when the twist came because it made the book far more interesting to read. 

What I Didn't Like
This book was a bit over the top for me. It was supposedly love at first sight but seemed far-fetched. There was far too much sex in it for my liking, but some people love books that tend to have a lot of spice to them. I felt there was not a lot to the plot in the beginning of the book. Once the big twist happens at about 80% is when it got to be more interesting and worth reading. In the beginning it gave me some cheesy "Hallmark" vibes and I considered not finishing it. After asking around on social media if I should continue, I was told to keep going and to finish it. 

I would not put this book in the "thriller" category for genre. It doesn't have any thriller vibes until 80% of the way into the book. The majority of this is a romance with a bit of suspense sprinkled in towards the end. I also found the ending a bit confusing.

Others have also mentioned that there should be a trigger warning for this book as it discusses the loss of a child which could be triggering to some readers.

Rating⭐⭐⭐.5

I gave this book three stars on Goodreads as I cannot give half stars. The reason I rated it as 3.5 is because it is not super realistic and it just did not live up to the hype for me. Sorry Booktok!