Book Review: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

The Spanish Love Deception is the classic “pretend relationship becomes real relationship” romance, with all the tension, longing, and charm you’d expect from this beloved trope.

Right off the bat, I have to say: I loved the spice, emotion, pace, and rawness of the last 60 pages. If the entire book were written like that, this would have been a solid 5-star read for me. Unfortunately, the length held it back—at over 430 pages, it felt unnecessarily stretched.

The relationship setup worked beautifully. Catalina put up the requisite resistance to taking a colleague—one she didn’t even know well or like—to her sister’s wedding. Aaron’s secret motives for volunteering (because he already loved her) were subtly and nicely revealed. Their dynamic had a strong foundation, and the payoff felt earned.

But Catalina’s character was a mixed bag for me. Her reason for being slow to trust and believe in Aaron—stemming from her traumatic betrayal by Daniel—was valid. However, it manifesting as her outright refusal to believe Aaron liked her didn’t quite land. Her stubbornness as a dominating personality trait also wore thin. Aaron, on the other hand, was absolutely everything you’d want in a male lead: strong, attuned to her needs, persistent, reliable, confident, giving, and humble. His “origin” story was relatable and gave him the necessary depth to balance the romance.

One of my favorite turning points was when Catalina realized how much Aaron intuitively knew what she needed emotionally—like being by her side with a hand on her back as she faced her family and Daniel at the wedding. These small, silent moments of support spoke volumes, and their unspoken connection in those scenes was everything.

The book also did a great job exploring the power dynamics of a woman dating a man in a higher work position and how society views those relationships. It’s a very important topic and one that many women can relate to.

As for the writing, Elena Armas delivered strong dialogue, especially between Catalina and Aaron. Their banter was hilarious, and I laughed out loud more than once at Catalina’s inner monologue. The tone stayed consistent throughout—lighthearted and funny, with serious moments where needed. However, the book was overly descriptive, contributing to its unnecessary length. I also missed the male perspective that is often present in romance novels, which could have added even more depth.

Favorite Scene

When Aaron told Catalina’s family about the first time he met her. This moment was incredible because it was raw and vulnerable, with him sharing it for the first time, Catalina hearing it for the first time, and the family reacting in real time. It was beautifully written and a highlight of the book for me.

Favorite Quote

“You always have my undivided attention, Catalina.” Swoon.

My Recommendation

In the end, The Spanish Love Deception is a slow-burn romance with memorable moments and a strong male lead. It’s perfect for fans of witty banter, fake relationship tropes, and heartfelt endings. While it could have been shorter, the emotional highs and satisfying payoff make it worth the read.

If you love “fake relationships” and workplace romances, this is the book for you!

Have you read The Spanish Love Deception? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!