Fake Dating Books

The Love Hypothesis

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: New York Times Bestseller and TikTok Sensation

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Olive Smith is a Ph.D. student who does not believe in her ability to be in love. When her best friend develops a crush on someone she dated briefly, she decides to kiss the first man she sees to prove she is over him.

That one kiss happens to be with THE Adam Carlsen, an academic genius, who is also very standoffish. The two decide to fake-date and what starts as pretend, becomes something more- for Olive.

Trigger Warnings

Strong sexual content

Why Jackie loves it

I loved this fake dating book/office romance novel that is also a perfect example of the grumpy sunshine trope. I love reading about a strong and smart female protagonist rather than a damsel in distress.

Adaptation

A movie is being made of the book for Amazon starring Lili Reinhart (Olive Smith) and Tom Bateman (Adam Carlsen). Filming is currently underway but the release timeline is not yet known.

Find this book in: The Complete List of Romance Tropes / Fake Dating Books / Grumpy Sunshine Books / Books Like the Kiss Quotient / Hot Office Romance Books / Ali Hazelwood Books Ranked / Books Becoming Movies/ Books About Women in STEM

The Spanish Love Deception

Author: Elena Armas

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Catalina is a fiercely independent woman who ran away from her past but now she has to face it at her sister’s wedding where her former fiance is the best man.

She needs a fake boyfriend – and fast! Enter Aaron her annoying and grumpy co-worker who offers to help her with her ruse. As they put their differences aside to help each other out, their love begins to grow. This is the fake dating trope at its best.

Why Kirsten loves it

While I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance in this book, at over 500 pages this office romance novel was just a bit too long

Find this book in: Grumpy Sunshine / Enemies-to-Lovers / Office Romance / Forced Proximity Trope Romance

Fake It Till You Bake It

Author: Jamie Wesley

Year: 22

Genre: Romance

More info: Sugar Blitz #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like TV show and now she’s got haters all over!

After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal. 

So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more? 

Why Kirsten likes it

Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot! This is a fake dating book at its steamiest.

Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Fake Dating / Romance Sports Books / Bakery Romances

The Deal

Author: Elle Kennedy

Year: 2015

Genre: Romance

More info: Off-Campus #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

The first in a series of books set in college about hockey players is also the series that got me hooked on the college romance books sub-genre! This one features a bunch of bachelor hockey players who are the campus hotshots.

To get the attention of the man she really wants, Hannah convinces the cocky captain to go on a pretend date with her in exchange for her tutoring services. Garrett is desperate to get his GPA up so that he can stay on the hockey team and play professionally when he graduates.

But when one kiss leads to a STEAMY hook-up, Hannah needs to reevaluate which man she wants.

Trigger Warnings

Rape

Why Kirsten loves it

It’s very similar to the How to Date a Douchebag series, but it has a bit more heart and a little less humor. This is one of the steamy fake dating books EVER but I loved it.

Adaptation Information

The Off-Campus series is now going to be adapted for TV on Amazon Prime Video in a Bridgerton style, with each season focusing on a different love story. Louise Levy, Wick Godfrey, and Marty Bowen will be producing it. Each book in the series will be one season. Ila Bright and Belmont Cameli will star as Hannah and Garrett in Season 1. Other cast members include Josh Heuston, Antonio Cipriano (Season 2’s lead), Stephen Kalyn (Season 3’s lead), Jalen Thomas Brooks (Season 4’s lead).

Find this book in: College Romances / Sports Romances / Fake Dating Romances / Books Set in College / Books About Sports / Books Becoming Tv Shows

The Ex-Perimento

Author: Maria J. Morillo

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: Debut Author

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Maria “Marianto” Camacho has the job of her dreams and a boyfriend who is perfect on paper. She is sure her boyfriend is going to propose to her, so she sets up her camera to record. But things do not go as planned and he breaks up with her. When she looses her job the next day, she has to come up with a plan to win them back.

She decides to document experiments to get her ex back. Imagine “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days” but in reverse! Marianto realizes the easiest way to do this is to fake date Simon Arreaza, the lead singer of her favorite Indie band. He has a man’s perspective on what will actually work to win her ex back.

Why Jackie loves it

This is an adorable romance that had me laughing and cringing with every one of Maria’s missteps. I was rooting for her the whole time.

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books

The Bodyguard

Author: Katherine Center

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (a bodyguard) who looks more like a Kindergarten teacher. When she is given her next assignment to protect Jack Stapleton, a movie star with a stalker, she is less than pleased. After all, this is not how to best use her talents.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he needs to go home to visit and he must bring Hannah with him. But he doesn’t want to worry his mother. The solution? Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend for the duration of the visit- enter the fake dating trope.

Trigger Warnings

Car accident, death of a parent, stalking

Why Jackie loves it

Katherine Center never fails to deliver a great book. This adorable celebrity romance put a smile on my face.

Adaptation

Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki are starring in the Nextflix adaptation which will begin filming in December of 2025. Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum will direct the script written by Gina Matthews, Grant Scharbo, Richard Keith, and Erin Cardillo.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Fake Dating Novels / Books Becoming Movies

Happy Place

Author: Emily Henry

Year: 2023

Genre: Romance

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:18+

Plot

Emily Henry is an author who is always consistent with her romances. She may be the queen of romantic comedy books. Nothing says “summer reads” like Emily Henry.

Harriet and Wyn have been together for years until they broke up 5 months ago. The only problem is that they still haven’t told their best friends and now they will be sharing a room during their yearly vacation with their friends.

How hard can it be to keep up the facade of a happy couple? If you love fake dating books, this is one of the best. And if you are hoping these two will have a second chance at love, you will not be disappointed.

There is something special in every one of Emily Henry’s romances and this newest book is no exception. It is one of the best books of 2023!

Why Jackie loves it

Emily Henry finds a way to write books that are so readable with characters that are so loveable. I was rooting for these two the find their way back to each other.

Find this book in: Emily Henry Books / Second Chance Romance / Romantic Comedy Books / Fake Dating Books / Books Set in Maine

How to Fake It in Hollywood

Author: Ava Wilder

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Grey Brooks wants to stay relevant in Hollywood after her sitcom was canceled. Ethan Atkins is an A-level celebrity who needs to rehab his image. So when their publicist suggests they start fake dating, the duo decides it might be just the ticket.

Why Kirsten loves it

But we all know where the fake-dating trope is gonna lead to real dating and then a break-up and make-up. BUT IT WAS SO CUTE! This is a predictable but adorable celebrity romance novel.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Fake Dating

The Kiss Quotient

Author: Helen Hoang

Year: 2018

Genre: Romance

More info: Book 1 of 3

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This is a great romance with a neurodiverse main character named Stella who hires an escort to teach her about relationships. Math, she can figure out. Algorithms to predict customer purchases are second nature but relationships are beyond her scope. What starts out as a business relationship with Michael turns into a lot more.

Trigger Warnings

Graphic sexual content

Why Jackie loves it

I was not prepared for this book!  Reader beware that it is the Rosie Project with a sprinkle of Pretty Woman and a whole lot of 50 Shades. It is not offensive in the least but, I listened to this one, and let me say that I am very glad that my kids were not in the car.  I did not realize that some of the scenes would be graphic. 

Find this book in: Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Helen Hoang Books / The Complete List of Romance Tropes/ Feel-Good Books / Books About Women in STEM/ Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

The Duke and I

Author: Julia Quinn

Year: 2000

Genre: Romance

More info: Bridgerton #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

There is something about Daphne and Simon that I adore. This book is a perfect historical romance. The Netflix book adaption smashed records and caused a boom in book sales.

Daphne Bridgerton is the fourth of eight children and is beginning her first season in the ton. As young women of marrying age search for a husband, Daphne is not quite like other girls.

When the eligible Simon Bassett suggests they begin fake dating to allow them both a chance to breathe. However, things do not always go as planned. To make matters more complicated, Lady Whistledown always seems to know the truth and the information ready for everyone to read. This is one of our fake dating books of all time.

Why Jackie loves it

I watched the show and LOVED it so much. I previously read some of the others in the series but I really wanted to read this first book in the Bridgerton book series and I have to say, it was my favorite.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love a great historical romance and this one had everything I was looking for – great characters, a steamy romance, and a happy ending.

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Bridgerton Books in Order / Best Netflix Adaptations of 2023 / Best British Books / Best Historical Romance Novels

The Wedding Date

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Year: 2018

Genre: Romance

More info: The Wedding Date #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When Alexa gets stuck in an elevator with Drew, she makes the crazy choice to pose as his fake wedding date for the next day’s wedding. What she didn’t account for was the possibility of a real attraction between them.  She is a good girl, and he is a commitment-phobe.  Can they make it work?

Trigger Warnings

Racism, Body Shaming

Why Jackie loves it

This was such a fun read- it was perfect to take with me for a weekend away. I think you’ll love this wedding book. This is the first book in the Wedding Date Series, so if you are reading Jasmine Guillory books in order, this should be #1 on your list.

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Jasmine Guillory Books in Order / Books Like the Love Hypothesis / Books about Weddings

The Ex-Talk

Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

The concept of this story was cute – two radio show hosts fake a relationship to try to get ratings. Except they are pretending they already dated and broke up… which eventually leads to them actually dating.

Why Kirsten loves it

I picked up The Ex-Talk because I wanted to read a romance by a Jewish author. I loved that this one featured a biracial, interfaith couple. This fake dating book was a cute, easy read.

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Office Romance Books / Books Like the Love Hypothesis

Boyfriend Material

Author: Alexis Hall

Year: 2020

Genre: Romance

More info: Book 1 of 3

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This is the second fake dating book I read this month, but this one hit all the right notes. This was such an adorable LGBTQ romance.

When Luc, the son of two rock stars, needs a boyfriend who is respectable in order to keep his job, he is willing to fake a relationship. Oliver Blackwood is a barrister who needs a boyfriend to bring home to his family. The two could not be any more different.

It is a perfect situation until the fake starts to feel real. Even though the two men could not be more different, they just might be the perfect Ying and Yang.

Why Jackie loves it

This LGBTQ book is one of the enemies-to-lovers books that helped to take my mind off reality and it made me smile throughout the whole book. This is also a great fake dating book. I am always shocked by how many books are enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating…who knew?

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Enemies-to-Lovers Books/ British Romance Novels

Say You’ll Be Mine

Author: Naina Kumar

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

More info: National Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Meghan is a theatre teacher and aspiring playwright who has just been invited to her best friend/ex-boyfriend/crush’s wedding. To add some salt to the fresh wound, he also asks her to be the best man. 

Karthik is allowing his mother to set him up with girls in an attempt to arrange a marriage even though he has absolutely no intention of marrying anyone, ever. 

When Meghan and Karthik allow their parents to introduce them, a fake engagement seems like the perfect solution. He can get his mother to stop bugging him and she will have a date for the wedding. 

Why Kirsten loves it

I read this book in a day and loved it. There is character development and an adorable love story that will have you grinning from ear to ear. #gifted

Find this book in: Fake Dating Books

The Unhoneymooners

Author: Christina Lauren

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Olive and Ami are twins. While Ami seems to be lucky in everything, Olive knows that if it can happen, it will happen to her. So when everyone gets food poisoning at Ami’s wedding except Olive and her nemesis Ethan, she can’t decide if her luck has changed. This is the fake dating trope to the extreme- fake marriage.

As the two head out on the free, all-inclusive honeymoon that was supposed to be Ami and her new husband, Olive hopes they can call a truce long enough to enjoy the trip.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual content, infidelity, vomit

Why Jackie loves it

I loved this hilarious romance as soon as I read it. It is the perfect romantic comedy book.

Find this book in: Romance Tropes / Rom-Com Books / Fake Dating Books / Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / Seaside Books

To Woo and to Wed: A Novel (Regency Vows #5) by Martha Waters

Author: Martha Waters

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

More info: Regency Vows 5 of 5

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range:

Plot

This book is the fifth and final installment in the Regency Vows series. As much as I enjoyed the familiarity with the other characters in the book, it is not necessary to have read any of the other books in the series for you to love this fake engagement romance.

Sophia, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, was once engaged to West, the Marquis of Weston. After an accident, West’s father interfered with their relationship, and their engagement was called off. Now, Sophie’s recently widowed younger sister, Alexandra, has another chance at happiness, but will not act on it unless Sophie is happily married. Sophie does the only thing she can think of: announce a fake engagement to West.

Why Jackie loves it

Each one of the books in this series made me laugh out loud and this was no exception. The antics are hilarious and in Regency Era, are even more amusing.

Find this book in: Fake Dating Romance Books