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Jump into the fake dating pool with these incredibly real fake dating romance books. When it comes to the fake dating trope, you can typically expect to have a fun time, what with the hilarious situations that go hand-in-hand when two people enter a fake relationship.
From enemies being thrust into unwanted partnerships to friends venturing into the fake dating world to strangers striking up mutually beneficial deals to fake dating one another to exes forced back together, you can expect to find something in this curated list of the best fake dating romance books.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
In The Kiss Quotient, an intelligent and successful econometrician who finds herself lacking in the romance department decides to get some intimacy lessons from a bonafide expert.
Honest, heartwarming, and sexy, The Kiss Quotient is a beautifully written contemporary romance featuring ultra steamy scenes, insanely sweet moments, the fake dating trope, and two characters who are absolutely perfect for one another.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Take a Hint, Dani Brown follows Danni Brown, a Ph.D. student who finds herself agreeing to a fake relationship with her unlikely rescuer, a super hot former Rugby player, after a video of the rescue surfaces and goes viral, giving birth to their ship name #DrRugbae. after being rescued during a fire drill gone wrong.
For a friends-to-lovers romantic comedy that offers a fun take on the fake dating trope, Take a Hint, Danni Brown is a wonderful option, especially if you love your romance books on the steamier side.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
In this laugh-out-loud British romcom, an unintentionally famous 28-year-old with rockstar parents and a bad reputation needs to clean up his image. Enter Oliver Blackwood, the handsome vegetarian lawyer with a squeaky clean reputation. He is exactly the type of guy you bring home to meet the parents and luckily, he is in need of fake boyfriend too. What could go wrong?
Hilarious, sweet, and romantic, Boyfriend Material is one of the best fake dating romance books out there. Prepare to spiral into fits of laughter.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
A high school senior drums up the perfect plan to snag a prom date with her childhood crush. To land on his radar, the romcom-loving teen sets out to enter into a fake relationship with his new best friend and her long-standing rival. The plan is 100% foolproof. Or it would be if not for the pesky feelings that have her looking at her fake boyfriend in a more-than-friendly light.
For a feel-good teen romantic comedy filled with hijinks, drama, and teenage angst, Better Than the Movies is for you, especially for fans of enemies-to-lovers books with a side of fake dating.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
In this charming, laugh-out-loud fake dating romance, an Executive Protection Agent drowning in grief following her mother’s passing and ensuing breakup is in need of a distraction. And what better way to distract herself than with a new assignment.
What she did not expect, nor want, was to be assigned to bodyguard Hollywood star Jack Stapleton. He is just the kind of vapid Hannah avoids with a ten-foot pole, and faking a relationship with him is not her cup of tea.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
In this heartwarming Hallmark-esque holiday romance, the owner of a failing Christmas tree farm sets out to save it by entering a content to win a $100,000 cash prize. Of course, a small white lie about her relationship status on the application has her recruiting her best friend, who happens to be home for the holidays, to fill in as her fake boyfriend. To say he gets more than he bargained for would be the understatement of the holiday.
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely puts a fun twist on the fake dating trope with Here Comes My Man. Rather than the typical couple, we have TJ and Jude, exes who are forced into a fake dating arrangement despite their intense hatred towards each other. If you have yet to read the first book in the duet, I recommend getting your hands on Hopelessly Bromantic right away because it is one of the best fake dating romance books.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
The Love Hypothesis is a witty and adorably romantic fake dating love story that follows Olive Smith, a graduate student single-minded in her pursuit of attaining her Ph.D. Nothing can derail her focus, not even the aloof hotshot professor that sends students running from his office in tears. Of course, Olive never accounted for the uninvited smooch she would bestow upon said professor or for the ensuing rampant rumors about their “relationship.” To say that the pair are in a tricky predicament would be the understatement of the century.
Breaking Character by Lee Winter
In this FF celebrity fake dating romance, a former child-star finds herself starring alongside her longtime idol and celebrity crush. What she hoped would be a dream come true becomes anything but when they get off to a rocky start.
To make matters worse, Summer finds herself thrust into the center of a scandal when she is romantically linked to her co-star. And as if the situation was not already tense, things take a shocking turn when Elizabeth asks Summer for a favor: A favor that changes everything.
Redeemed by Lauren Asher
All it took was one mistake to shatter Santiago Alatorre’s career. Now the former racecar driver is a shadow of his former self. Drowning in grief and resentment, Santi is in no way ready to rejoin the land of the living. That is until Chloe Carter breaks into his house, leading to an unexpected fake dating arrangement.
For a contemporary romance with the grumpy/sunshine trope, Redeemed is a must-read, especially for anyone who loves the fake dating trope.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
From New York Times bestselling author Elena Armas comes The Spanish Love Deception, a hilarious fake dating romcom about a gal who reluctantly recruits her patronizing colleague to stand in as her boyfriend for his sister’s upcoming wedding. Let the hijinks ensue! If you have been looking for fake dating romance books, you could not start with a better book than this one.
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
What was supposed to be a temporary position working as the assistant to the famous football legend nicknamed The Wall of Winnipeg has turned into a two-year-long gig of Vanessa Mazur running around like a chicken with its head cut off for a man who never even has the time to acknowledge her birthday. However, things take a turn when Van hands in her letter of resignation. Imagine her surprise when Aiden Graves shows up on her doorstep, asking that she come back.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
In the popular novel Things We Never Got Over, a runaway bride rolls into town to come to her twin’s rescue only to realize it was an elaborate set-up that ends with her stuck in a town with no money, no job, no car, and a surprise kid. Luckily, there’s a surly grump of a man who refuses to stand by and watch as her world falls apart.
Adorable, fun, and sweet, Things We Never Got Over is an enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance featuring a sunshine runaway bride, a grumpy business owner, a funny kid, a fake dating situation, and a small town full of gossip.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
When Humaira “Hani” Khan tells her friends that she is bisexual, they don’t believe her and question how she would know if she has only ever dated guys. In a moment of panic, Hani blurts out that she does have a girlfriend: Ishita “Ishu” Dey, the grumpy academic overachiever. Luckily, Ishu agrees to go along with the ruse, and, in return, she wants Hani’s help in becoming the head girl.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating is a sweet YA romance perfect for fans of fake dating tropes.
Play by Kylie Scott
In this sexy fake dating romance, 23-year-old Anne Rollins needs a distraction from her financial woes after her roommate left her high and dry without ever paying the money she owed. Luckily, her neighbor invites her to an exclusive party at a friend’s place where she meets Malcom Ericson, a legendary drummer and her teenage crush.
Nothing could have ever prepared her for Mal, not his exuberant personality or unexplainable spontaneity. But with each sexy grin and hilarious shenanigan, Anne finds herself sucked deeper and deeper into Mal’s vortex.
Ruthless Knight by Ashley Jade
Ruthless Knight opens up to Cole Covington, the star quarterback and popular heartbreaker, drunkenly laying his heart out to Sawyer Church, the sarcastic nerd and resident bible-thumping do-gooder of Royal Hearts Academy. And when Cole asks Sawyer to be his fake girlfriend, the two unwittingly find themselves falling for one another despite their differences.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Take a relaxing vacation with Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas on their Hawaii honeymoon. Well, it would be relaxing if Olive and Ethan weren’t always at each other’s throats and if the honeymoon was meant for them.
When the entire wedding party falls sick with food poisoning, the bride and groom choose their feuding siblings to go on their non refundable honeymoon. Determined to ignore each other, the pair find themselves in a less-than-stellar situation that unravels those plans and ends with them in a fake marriage.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
When Hannah Wells finally finds someone who turns her on, she is eager to make a move. But there is one thing holding Hannah back: her lack of confidence in the sexual intimacy department.
In her quest to break out of her comfort zone, Hannah agrees to tutor the arrogant captain of the hockey team. In exchange, Garrett agrees to help her overcome the dilemma.
No one was supposed to catch feelings, but after an explosive night, Garrett is determined to convince Hannah that he is the one for her.
When I Fall by J. Daniels
Reed is in no hurry to jump back into a committed relationship. Not after the humiliation and heartbreak he went through with his ex years before. Now his nights are frequented by hook-ups who know the score from the get-go.
Enter Beth, the cute newcomer looking for a fresh start. When Reed notices her sitting at a pub, he shoots his shot only to be accosted by his ex. In a shocking twist of events, Beth decides to do Reed a solid by planting a hot smooch on his lips and pretending to be his girlfriend. Let the farce begin.
The Risk by Elle Kennedy
In this sizzling fake dating romance, the daughter of a hockey coach lands herself in a fake relationship with the captain of the rival team. Let’s just say chaos ensues.
If you love swoon-worthy hockey players, hilarious banter, and sizzling hot chemistry, I recommend taking a risk on The Risk.