GRR Reviews Duping Cupid (A Winter Short Story) by Gina Ardito

For a novelette of only 100 pages, Duping Cupid packed in a LOT of plot about pretend romance, separation, denial, and second chances.

Vivi Maxwell runs "Cupid To Go", who specializes in escort service for social events (no sex, total discretion), but her own love life was rather lacking. When a rich former model Ava Featherstone demanded a mature man for the entire winter season to escort her to events so she does not appear to have been dumped by her cheating husband, Vivi was about to pick through her portfolio when her platonic friend (and silent partner) Sebastian "Bass" Lawrence came to visit, and Ava immediately demanded Bass as her escort, over Vivi's protest. Indeed, Bass' rescue of Vivi at a social event years ago when her then beau Julian dumped her (for being frumpy) was what got the entire business started. Now Bass is stuck with Ava for several months, while Vivi misses Bass, both are denying they love each other. But Ava's sharp tongue made both realize they are really lying to themselves. But is there any love to be had when each was bound by non-disclosure agreements?

As the cliche goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it took this enforced separation for both to see what they mean for each other. The twist as the end made it even more satisfying.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Separation Does Make the Heart Grow Fonder, even for founder of Cupid To Go, a discrete social escort service

Tropes: matchmaker, triangle, fake engagement, fated mate, everyone but you

Overall Rating:  5/5 (rounded up from 4.5/5)