Romance Books by Trope: Fake Dating
Fake Dating is one of my all time favorite tropes when it comes to Romance. It’s fun, flirty, and the tension is unmatched. Especially if it’s dual POV, you get an inside look at how the characters are feeling, wondering if the other one feels the same way, and the small moments that burn like fire. A hang graze here, a soft smile there…it’s just so good! Here are 10 Fake Dating Romances plus a couple on my TBR!
How to Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder
It’s right there in the title but this is a Hollywood fake dating/PR stunt romance and it’s SO GOOD. It also has a bit of an age gap situation, as the heroine is in her late twenties and the hero is close to 40. It’s juicy. It also delves into grief, alcoholism and addiction, and depression.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
I feel like everyone has read this book already, a student/professor fake dating in the world of academics and STEM, but it’s a fun book. I couldn’t put it down! You have to suspend your disbelief a little bit but it’s really fun and nerdy.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Another classic that I’ve been thinking about rereading this summer. It was one of my first romances! When the entire wedding gets food poisoning except the best man and maid of honor, they’re set on the nonrefundable honeymoon to Hawaii but they have to pretend to be the newlyweds. Did I mention they can’t stand each other?
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Full disclosure, I DNF’s this book. But people out there LOVE it. It’s an office romance where two coworkers attend a wedding together, pretending to be in a relationship to get their meddling families off their back. But how long will they just pretend?
The Kiss Quotient by Helena Hoang
This was also one of the first romances I read! Stella believes in math and science, so hires a male escort to practice intimacy so she can make her family happy and find someone to settle down with. Practice makes perfect, right? Michael can’t afford to turn down her offer but what happens when practice starts to feel like the real deal? Bonus, the main character is autistic and it’s such important representation in romance.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
I know so many people who don’t like this book….but I personally LOVED it. It’s Tessa Bailey so you know you’re going to get the SPICE and it’s just fun. It’s a brother’s best friend, fake dating romance because Georgie wants her family to finally take her seriously. She’s not a little girl anymore.
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefour
This sapphic retelling of Pride and Prejudice is * chef’s kiss * perfection. It’s also a sneaky holiday read and takes place between Thanksgiving and New Years.
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Jasmine Guillory’s debut romance novel! I love revisiting this one because her world has fleshed out so beautifully. Drew needs a date to his ex’s wedding and Alexa agrees….even though they only just met in an elevator.
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
Childhood friends to fake dating to lovers! A PERFECT take on the trope. Daisy is a software engineer more focused on work and her family wants her to settle down. She asks Liam, her childhood crush, who needs a relationship to legitimize him so he can get his inheritance. But you know how it goes…fake dating, real sparks.
The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
Oh this book is funnnn. Set in DC, it’s juicy and full of family drama after the heroine catches the hero’s fiance mid canoodle with his best man….
On my TBR
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
I was sold on this because it’s a small town romance and now that I know it’s Fake Dating…it’s moved up on the TBR.
Accidentally Engaged by Farrah Heron
This has been on my shelf for over a year and I need to read it!
Addicted to You by Krista Ritchie
This is a TikTok made me buy it choice but everyone raves about the Calloway Sisters series!
Would love to know any other recommendations you have in this trope!