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The Best Mess
With her dive bar bathroom hook-ups and her aversion to any relationship that lasts longer than the three sentences she shares with the pizza delivery guy, Lottie Wilde is a hot-mess-express in every aspect of her life except one. Her journey to buy and revamp the old diner that practically raised her is the light at the end of the bad side gig tunnel. Finally working a job where she doesn’t have to pretend her boss doesn’t smell like old bowling shoes, she only needs three more months and one bonus check to see her dreams to reality.
That is, until a night out to forget her stress ends with an explosive disaster and threatens to ruin the shot she has at impressing the new to town CFO, Noah Graves. To her surprise, her too hot for his own good boss takes a chance on her tattooed and sharp tongued self—even going as far as to invite her on a business trip to save face with one of their suppliers who might be getting cold feet.
After their chaotic beginning (and despite her clear attraction) Lottie is determined to earn the bonus she deserves and vows to keep things strictly professional. But when their host’s misunderstanding pushes Noah and Lottie into faking their way through a relationship, the lines are blurred and Lottie finds there might be something real under all the pretend—and worse, she might like it.
That is, until a night out to forget her stress ends with an explosive disaster and threatens to ruin the shot she has at impressing the new to town CFO, Noah Graves. To her surprise, her too hot for his own good boss takes a chance on her tattooed and sharp tongued self—even going as far as to invite her on a business trip to save face with one of their suppliers who might be getting cold feet.
After their chaotic beginning (and despite her clear attraction) Lottie is determined to earn the bonus she deserves and vows to keep things strictly professional. But when their host’s misunderstanding pushes Noah and Lottie into faking their way through a relationship, the lines are blurred and Lottie finds there might be something real under all the pretend—and worse, she might like it.
324 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 27, 2025
The Best Mess makes quite the impression and lives up to its name within the first few pages. Charlotte “Lottie” Wilde is a woman after my own heart. She embodies the book’s title perfectly. She makes bad choices, swears too much, and isn’t afraid of a quick hookup with a stranger in a seedy bar’s bathroom. Lottie is the antithesis to Noah Graves, who’s clean cut, genuine, and so sweet, I’ll be nursing a toothache for the next month. They don’t have a meet-cute, more of a series of unfortunate events that’ll have you drumming up your internet search to see if you can die from secondhand embarrassment.
It’s not all a mess. It’s really the opposite. Even as Lottie and Noah’s not-relationship develops into arguably unfake territory, I found myself kicking my feet and cheering them on, even as the main characters were sure the mess was one they wouldn’t recover from. Lottie is achingly relatable, more than any female main character I’ve read in a long, long time. She oozes “I think I know this girl” or “I am this girl” energy. I want to be her. Noah is the man we all deserve in a book boyfriend; sincere, sweet, and appropriately horny (with the body to match) when he’s trying so hard to be the honorable guy…which he is, but watching him struggle with his building feelings for Lottie was a joy. Their chemistry goes up to here, even through the rocky, mortifying start.
As a debut author, Hannah’s storytelling is reminiscent of current favorites of the Romance world. There’s the chemistry and heat a la Julie Soto and Ali Hazelwood, with the heartstring-tugging familial bonds and friendships like Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.
I meant what I said when I compared this book to a Sabrina Carpenter song. It’s flirty, fun, and filled with steamy, steamy heart. This book and its author fit seamlessly on the shelf of my favorite, instant-buy authors.
Look out, Hannah Loraine has arrived.
It’s not all a mess. It’s really the opposite. Even as Lottie and Noah’s not-relationship develops into arguably unfake territory, I found myself kicking my feet and cheering them on, even as the main characters were sure the mess was one they wouldn’t recover from. Lottie is achingly relatable, more than any female main character I’ve read in a long, long time. She oozes “I think I know this girl” or “I am this girl” energy. I want to be her. Noah is the man we all deserve in a book boyfriend; sincere, sweet, and appropriately horny (with the body to match) when he’s trying so hard to be the honorable guy…which he is, but watching him struggle with his building feelings for Lottie was a joy. Their chemistry goes up to here, even through the rocky, mortifying start.
As a debut author, Hannah’s storytelling is reminiscent of current favorites of the Romance world. There’s the chemistry and heat a la Julie Soto and Ali Hazelwood, with the heartstring-tugging familial bonds and friendships like Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.
I meant what I said when I compared this book to a Sabrina Carpenter song. It’s flirty, fun, and filled with steamy, steamy heart. This book and its author fit seamlessly on the shelf of my favorite, instant-buy authors.
Look out, Hannah Loraine has arrived.
June 14, 2025
THE BEST MESS is a sexy romcom that refuses to leave out the very real - very relatable - MESSY side of life and love. Lottie and Noah are the hottest of messes attempting to balance their working relationship and their undeniable attraction. They may have to fake date to land a business partnership, but those are real feelings they’re catching while they work together. Very messy. Very delicious.
I appreciate that Lottie and Noah are BOTH hot messes. Lottie is not emotionally ready for a committed relationship. Noah would probably take her wedding dress shopping the day the met. She's very protective of her independence (horrible ex trauma). He's hyper focused on perfection (horrible dad trauma). And yes, they pretend to be a couple while on a business trip! He's her boss by the way!
It messy.
Yet these two messes, against all odds (including dodging what would probably be a fair few HR violations), find safety and acceptance and very much a partner in each other. Lottie and Noah have an opposites attract vibe that works so well. I also must make special note of how Noah absolutely WORSHIPS Lottie. He's down so bad.
The hooks are a workplace fake dating scheme and some Pretty Woman "fish out of water" shenanigans, but you're turning pages for the Lottie's emotional and professional journey. She's gonna test your patience, but give her time to process some drastic changes and allow new goodness into her life. She's precious to me.
Read the content warnings. There is a minor character death (off page). Early chapters are also hilariously, realistically visceral regarding alcohol consumption and food poisoning.
I appreciate that Lottie and Noah are BOTH hot messes. Lottie is not emotionally ready for a committed relationship. Noah would probably take her wedding dress shopping the day the met. She's very protective of her independence (horrible ex trauma). He's hyper focused on perfection (horrible dad trauma). And yes, they pretend to be a couple while on a business trip! He's her boss by the way!
It messy.
Yet these two messes, against all odds (including dodging what would probably be a fair few HR violations), find safety and acceptance and very much a partner in each other. Lottie and Noah have an opposites attract vibe that works so well. I also must make special note of how Noah absolutely WORSHIPS Lottie. He's down so bad.
The hooks are a workplace fake dating scheme and some Pretty Woman "fish out of water" shenanigans, but you're turning pages for the Lottie's emotional and professional journey. She's gonna test your patience, but give her time to process some drastic changes and allow new goodness into her life. She's precious to me.
Read the content warnings. There is a minor character death (off page). Early chapters are also hilariously, realistically visceral regarding alcohol consumption and food poisoning.
February 6, 2025
Hannah Loraine is a masterful storyteller with a special gift for writing romances that make my toes curl. The Best Mess is no exception! It’s fun and sexy, but also incredibly moving in a way the author has a real gift for writing. I cannot WAIT to have this book on my shelf!
October 14, 2025
Finished this in one day. Devoured it! The best banter, one bed, fake dating. It had it all 🥰
March 20, 2026
“Do you believe me?” His voice is broken now and I pinch my eyes shut before turning back.
“This is just sex. Having a little fun while we close a deal, right?” 💜
The Best Mess
by Hannah Loraine
💜
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹. It ticked all the boxes. Absolutely perfect. Great writing. Excellent dialogue. Plot and pacing were smooth as could be. These characters! 💜
The title may have ‘MESS’ in it—- but this book was anything but a mess!💜
Honestly, I have not one quirk, complaint or dislike.
So well worth reading. It has lol moments. Great chemistry. Great relationships between the FMC & other women in her life. The MMC is a hot AF dream. Everything was on point. No filler. No junk lines. 💜
An easy five star read.
★★★★★
(𝖨 𝖻𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋'𝗌 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗉𝗎𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗁𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗄... 𝗂𝖿 𝗌𝗈, 𝖽𝖺𝗆𝗇 𝖨'𝗆 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 & 𝖺 𝖿𝖺𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝗀𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌.)
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 10 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄.
▬▬▬▬💜▬▬▬▬
◀︎ TROPES & GOODIE GOODS ▶︎
Work Place
Tatted FMC
Fake Dating
Hot AF Boss
Only One Bed
Plus Size FMC
Mile High Club
Smart & Sexy
He Falls First
▬▬▬💜▬▬▬▬
✸Hᴀᴘᴘʏ Rᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ✸
💜
“You have to believe me, please. I would never jeopardize your future. This is safe. You’re safe with me.”
💜
“This is just sex. Having a little fun while we close a deal, right?” 💜
The Best Mess
by Hannah Loraine
💜
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹. It ticked all the boxes. Absolutely perfect. Great writing. Excellent dialogue. Plot and pacing were smooth as could be. These characters! 💜
The title may have ‘MESS’ in it—- but this book was anything but a mess!💜
Honestly, I have not one quirk, complaint or dislike.
So well worth reading. It has lol moments. Great chemistry. Great relationships between the FMC & other women in her life. The MMC is a hot AF dream. Everything was on point. No filler. No junk lines. 💜
An easy five star read.
★★★★★
(𝖨 𝖻𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋'𝗌 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗉𝗎𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗁𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗄... 𝗂𝖿 𝗌𝗈, 𝖽𝖺𝗆𝗇 𝖨'𝗆 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 & 𝖺 𝖿𝖺𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝗀𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌.)
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 10 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄.
▬▬▬▬💜▬▬▬▬
◀︎ TROPES & GOODIE GOODS ▶︎
Work Place
Tatted FMC
Fake Dating
Hot AF Boss
Only One Bed
Plus Size FMC
Mile High Club
Smart & Sexy
He Falls First
▬▬▬💜▬▬▬▬
✸Hᴀᴘᴘʏ Rᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ✸
💜
“You have to believe me, please. I would never jeopardize your future. This is safe. You’re safe with me.”
💜
June 1, 2025
The plot and setting were stellar. A lavender farm? Forced proximity and fake dating?
The main character, Lottie, is not my cup of tea, but my dislike for her negative qualities was washed out by the quality of the plot and setting. (Maybe that's the point- she's a mess!) The writing is dynamic and full of personality, and the cast of characters is so fun. Cheryl, the lavender farm owner, was my insta-favorite thanks to the way she's written to be warm and welcoming yet zany at the same time. I'd love a Cheryl in my life.
I liked that Loraine chose to "go there" and take a few chances, giving The Best Mess an edge that separates it from other rom coms.
The main character, Lottie, is not my cup of tea, but my dislike for her negative qualities was washed out by the quality of the plot and setting. (Maybe that's the point- she's a mess!) The writing is dynamic and full of personality, and the cast of characters is so fun. Cheryl, the lavender farm owner, was my insta-favorite thanks to the way she's written to be warm and welcoming yet zany at the same time. I'd love a Cheryl in my life.
I liked that Loraine chose to "go there" and take a few chances, giving The Best Mess an edge that separates it from other rom coms.
April 24, 2025
As a very early reader of TBM, I knew instantly that Hannah Loraine is a one-of-a-kind author! At once heartwarming and hilarious, Loraine manages to make you laugh out loud from the very first page, only to find yourself falling as deeply in love with this story as the characters fall for each other. Lottie and Noah will always have a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to pick up the next book by this author!
April 13, 2025
Funny, witty, compulsively readable, and outstandingly relatable. Hannah Loraine captures the feeling of being in over your head with life and love in a way that will stay with readers long after the last page. With a sparkling supporting cast and two leads you can’t help but root for, The Best Mess is fake-dating perfection! Also, Noah Graves, who is an endorsement in his own right.
August 25, 2025
I loved Lottie! She really was a mess, but in the best way. Her and Noah got off on what might be the worst foot imaginable and he was still down bad from the first run in, which makes him the perfect love interest, imo. Fake dating and mile high club shenanigans were just the cherry on top and the whole book was great from start to finish!
February 28, 2026
This is everything ilove about romance with everything i feel is missing on romance. The characters are strong complex and most importantly imperfect. I laughed i cried i swooned for a green flag of a consent king comminicative man and felt hard for the strong bad ass woman who was forged between trauma and the best found family one could find. All around perfection.
July 16, 2025
What a journey!! I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with Lottie and Noah. I marveled at Hannah Loraine’s master storytelling. What a stunning debut!
August 27, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️
There were parts that were very cliche, but the ending made me cry so I did enjoy it 🤣
There were parts that were very cliche, but the ending made me cry so I did enjoy it 🤣
April 6, 2026
I liked the characters and the FMC comes first
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews