Fake Dating the Grumpy Bigshot

by Leah Busboom

He’s my brother’s grumpy best friend, my enemy, and now we’re fake dating. How did this happen?

Brent Masterson has been my enemy ever since “the debacle” that we don’t speak about. In a moment of weakness, because I can’t seem to land a job in my degreed profession, I agreed to be his assistant. What was I thinking?

It’s easy to resist his usual Resting Grump Face, which apparently is his default mode around me. But sometimes when I least expect it, he gives me a knee-weakening smile or a flirty look, and my resistance to him completely crumbles.

Maybe that’s why, when he explained the ultimatum his dad issued to him to find a serious girlfriend in only six months or the baseball organization that Brent manages will be sold, I also agreed to this crazy fake dating scheme.

So, here I am, working for and fake dating Mr. Grumpy Bigshot. My foolish heart is all in, while my brain screams alarm bells. Why do I feel like this isn’t going to end well?

This hilarious grumpy/sunshine, fake dating Rom Com will make you laugh out loud as these two discover that the person they thought they hated might well be the person they love.

Will Brent and Libby’s bumpy road to love end in happiness or heartbreak?

Fake Dating the Grumpy Bigshot is Book 4 in the hilarious new romantic comedy series Too Busy for Love . If you love Hallmark movies with the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud scenes and heart-touching moments, this book is for you. Fans of Emma St. Clair, Ellie Hall, and Savannah Scott will enjoy this new series of clean and wholesome stories filled with romance and comedy. This full-length novel may be read as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Love, Rom Com

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2023

About the author

Leah Busboom wanted to become an author since the day she learned how to read! She specializes in the Romance genre because she loves a good story with a happy ending. Her books are known for their heartwarming stories; intriguing characters and hilarious real life situations that will make you want to laugh out loud.

Leah currently lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, her "Blue Bomber" bicycle and a hundred bunny rabbits that roam free in the neighborhood.

Reviews

[Olivia Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 star.
I really liked Planning for the All-Star so this was a disappointment. I didn't feel a real connection between the main characters. Most of the time in books like this there is some big miscommunication. In this one there was almost no communication at all. The proposal at the end was not romantic and the characters just felt dumb. They even say so in the book. I will still be reading the next book and hoping it is better. I really loved books One and Three.

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story! While it took about 3 chapters for me to get into it, I was breezing through this book soon. Libby and Brent clearly had some history together, but were able to make things work thankfully.

In the last few chapters I was really afraid things would move in a different direction, which would have made me very annoyed, but it did not so hooray! I was sure it was going to be a "the girl who did not go to Paris" situation (where are my millennials at?!), but YES she did not say no to the job for a guy!!!!!! It would have been 1 star immediately for me then.

I did notice that this is a book in a series, meaning that there were quite of lot of mentions of people I did not know or things that happened in previous books. While I was able to understand basically everything, I think my reading experience would have been better if I read the first three books first!
Thankfully those are on my TBR so I am excited to read more.

Also, the next book has to do with my job as an architect so BRING IT ON!

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

[Christoph J Sikora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rocky Road to a Happy Ending

Spoiler alert: Fake Dating the Grumpy Bigshot takes its couple on a rocky road before giving them the happy ending that's a trademark of all the books in Leah Busboom's Too Busy for Love series. Having told the stories of siblings Asher, Avery, and Arielle, Busboom takes a slight detour and focuses on Libby, younger sister of Ari's fiancee Griff, and her enemy-for-life, baseball executive Brent, who works in the front office of the team Griff starred on before he retired due to injury. Brent's father, the team owner, tells him that he and his wife are tired of Brent not dating anyone seriously, and unless he finds a woman to marry before spring, he'll sell the team. If he does find someone, Dad will turn the team over to him. At the same time, his assistant resigns to follow her fiance to another town. Brent decides hiring Libby and fake dating her will solve both problems. Only one issue: she hasn't spoken to him since he backed out of taking her to the prom after she was ready, eight years earlier.

The ice is broken at a dog park, where they both take their adopted puppies. She named hers Wilma; he named his Fred. After a funny and strangely normal conversation, he asks her to become his new assistant (planning on addressing the fake dating possibility later). When she agrees, then immediately updates the inefficient systems his previous assistant set up, he realizes that her "useless" U.S. History and Art History degrees make her an excellent assistant and asks her about fake dating him to keep his father from selling the team. She agrees reluctantly--prom night's disaster still stings--and they lay out ground rules, which specify who can know about it and where they can act like a couple (not the office; they must remain professional there). Neither of them wants to admit their attraction hasn't stopped since high school!
Libby and Brent attend a charity gala together, and his parents compliment her class (his recent dates were models who acted as arm candy, wore skimpy "gowns", and cared only about his position as heir to a major league baseball team. Libby fits none of those criteria, although she's pretty, and the entire family gives its stamp of approval, including his grandmother Laverne and her sister, Shirley, who were named years before the TV show debuted but are just as comical.
When the rules get broken and they don't care, Brent comes clean about prom night--no surprise, it was Laverne's fault--and Libby relates her preparations and subsequent devastation. They vow to communicate better, but Libby wonders if he means to continue fake dating her or dating for real. The resulting awkwardness bothers them both, but they don't tell each other. So much for better communication!
Libby, heartbroken and convinced that Brent only wanted the team, resigns to take a dream job in Boston as an assistant curator in a museum. Brent, heartbroken himself but unable to show it, asks her to advertise for a new assistant and train her. It looks like their new fledgling relationship is, just as in high school, over before it began.
A visit from Griff and apology from Brent for not being a friend when Griff was injured starts Brent thinking that if he could reconcile with his best friend, he can possibly reconcile with Libby. Her Latina roommate, Maggie, barges into Brent's office and tells him off in Spanish, then informs him that it's Libby's last day. He crashes her farewell party and tells her that just a few days as team owner has trashed his health, so he'll let his dad sell the team and move to Boston to work with a minor league team. Four months later, they get engaged. They've been in love since high school, so it's actually eight years and four months, but Brent's mom liked Libby so much she had booked two weekends in October for the wedding she knew would happen, so the rocky road ends happily. Spoiler over!
Leah Busboom creates characters who have messy lives (literally and figuratively), emotional wounds, and suspicion of good things being followed by disaster. I would have given five stars to Avery and Gavin's story (Shopping for the Grump) and four stars to Ash and Teddy's story (Cooking for the CEO--Teddy blamed herself for a supplier's crime that was blatantly out of her control and decided she should have prevented it by not being "distracted" by hunky personal chef Ash). This book merits five stars because both Libby and Brent are, despite their mutual animosity, sympathetic people who were scarred by an event that happened when they were in their teens and couldn't respond maturely. Now they can, although they don't always do it, and I was rooting for them from the beginning! Highly recommended for fans of baseball and romance!

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humorous, But Too Trope-y

Perhaps genre romance has always been trope-y, but in recent years, it's become its own version of a pandemic, an untamed beast. Entire courses teach would-be publishers how to write income-generating genre Romance by picking several tropes and weaving a story around them.

This particular story has a crazy number of tropes. Let me list them out:

* grumpy / sunshine
* enemies to lovers (though I dispute that)
* second chance
* brother’s best friend
* employee / boss
* fake relationship
* wealthy hero

Make him a vampire and a cowboy and throw in a surprise baby, then you pretty much have all the hottest current tropes in one story. I didn't really feel like the author did a unique twist or spin on the normal. In fact, it felt like the plot had too many masters, if you know what I mean. I also didn't really buy the "enemies to lovers" as being a real thing. What happened in their past didn't quite meet my standard. Authors, especially lately, have been setting the bar pretty low for what qualifies his enemies. Perhaps my love of historical romance prejudices me to want to see something a little more than a date gone wrong be what caused the fractious “enemies” relationship. Yawn. I'm not wild about miscommunication and misunderstandings forming the basis of the conflict between the couple throughout the story; it just doesn't have enough teeth, so to speak, for me. I also thought the initial chapter had a bit too much of an information dump. Some of that key information could have been spread throughout the early chapters or even the rest of the book. The only thing that really saves this book from devolving wholly into trope-land is the touches of humor throughout. I always like it when a romantic comedy actually has comedic elements, as they don't all!

2.5 stars rounded down to 2

I received a free digital copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There really is a fine line between love and hate, especially when that line isn’t really a line at all, and the only one you’re fooling is yourself.

I love a good fake dating scenario, and one of my favorite troupes is friends to lovers, so I got everything I enjoy in one enjoyable romcom. Libby and Brent have great chemistry and the “fake dating” was really only them trying to fake themselves out, and not admit their true feelings to one another. It’s obvious they both caught feelings in high school but both are too stubborn to admit it, but witnessing the lengths that they’ll go to keep up the ruse is quite enjoyable.

The chemistry between Brent and Libby is positively electric without too many real sparks flying. Their bond is as natural as breathing and I loved seeing their interactions so much, both when they are “enemies” and throughout their “fake” dating.

Compared to the other novels in this series there weren’t any real LOL moments but it was still cute in and of itself. There are a few unfortunate events that are entertaining but I had hoped to have a good chuckle moment. I did love seeing Griff again, as I enjoy his character so much, and I cannot wait to see Maggie, Libby’s spicy roommate get her own story next! She was hands down my favorite character and I can’t wait to see her in the spotlight!

This series is seriously so much fun! Each book is such a great escape and always puts a smile on my face.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Moni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 4 of the Too Busy for Love Series and is a standalone, though Brent & Libby & some of the events mentioned here are first introduced in Planning for the All-Star: A Sweet Rom Com - which is book 3 of the series. The book's blurb gives you an idea of what to expect. It's a good fake dating dual pov second chance romance.

Although Libby & Brent's "debacle" happened when they were in high school, neither has forgotten it. Naturally, Libby is upset thinking about that memory & how she never got an explanation & Brent's grumpy attitude towards her doesn't help either. Brent knows that he was in the wrong & that Libby hates him for it so he chooses to act like a grump. However, even though they are at odds, the attraction they have for each is still there. When Brent's dad issues him an ultimatum, both Brent & Libby wonder if fake dating could be their chance to start over again & begin something new.

Brent & Libby's back & forth was fun to read. However, after a while, some may feel as if the misunderstandings aren't as fun to read - though they don't last too long. Their romance is a sweet & clean slow burn. The pacing of the novel is fast & sometimes some of the events can feel summarized. But, overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won't want to put this book down!

This book has a little of everything from fake dating, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine and a little second chance romance. I know that sounds like throwing all the tropes in there and hoping you come up with a good story, but this story is good even with all the tropes. Brent and Libby tried to date once before when in high school but that’s “The Debacle” that neither one of them wants to talk about anymore. They both thought they had moved on from one another but have never really moved on. Libby needs a job and takes one as Brent's assistant and they both think they can walk the line between professional and personal and keep real feelings at bay. (Do people really think this in the real world?) But clearly that never works but will two stubborn people finally admit that they love each other and have for a long time. This is a great read I was hooked from the very beginning. It also helped that I have read all the other books in the series although you do not have to read those to enjoy this book. You will enjoy this book if love romcoms. And of course there are two cute dogs Fred and Wilma and who doesn’t love when there are dogs involved.

[Sharon Akshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story 'Fake Dating The Grumpy Bigshot' by Leah Busboom. It is a story about two people who were attracted to each other in high school but his not explaining why he stood her up for their prom date resulted in them not speaking to each other for ten years. fate brings them together and has the man offering a job for her as his assistant. Because his family is pressuring him to find a suitable mate, he soon offers her the job of being his fake girlfriend because he knows they would make a good match. He has always had feelings for her, and she had always had a crush on him, but they were never able to communicate their feelings because of being afraid it was only one-sided. This book is about the steady breaking up of those barriers and them easing into their love match. It was entertaining and fun to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, wholesome laugh out loud, brothers best friend, second chance, fake dating romance. Phew that was a lot of tropes. But it is done so well, you won't want to miss it.

Libby has been in love with Brent her brothers best friend since highschool, but after a date that never actually happened, they have been sworn enemies. You know to hide how much they still feel for each other.

Brent needs a serious relationship and engagement to secure his place as head of his company when his father retires, Libby is the only woman he wants and he ignores the danger signs and offers her this fake relationship.

Que laughter, no communication, kisses, fun and cold shoulders, all leading to a HEA.

I had so much fun reading this. It is part of a series, but can be read as a complete standalone with no enjoyment lost.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun enemies to love, second chance, workplace/boss, fake relationship, brother’s best friend story. (That’s a lot of tropes stuffed into one story. Let’s just say that work gets pretty complicated when you add all that in.) I was quite drawn to Brent and Libby in the previous book in the series, so I looked forward to reading their story. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Misunderstanding/miscommunication isn’t my favourite plot device, so I didn’t love that aspect of the story. They commit to communicate better…and then just fail to do it. But I liked many other parts of the story. I liked both main characters, and it was fun to have brief appearances from the main characters in book three. It was also fun to meet some new characters. Laverne and Shirley, for example, were fun. This is a clean and sweet romcom with no harsh language.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A six month ultimatum to get engaged seemed a bit unbelievable to me considering Brent is only 27 and hasn’t seriously dated. (Him owning a team at 27 also seems unbelievable to me, but I don’t know much about owning teams, so I’ll let that slide.)

The Debacle could have and should have been cleared up years ago with a simple conversation. That Libby even asked to share her side of the story and that being all there was to her story is embarrassing.

I liked Libby and Brent as characters. They seemed like a good couple I could have rooted for. And for the most part I did here. But their romance was so stilted and had few cute moments. Wasn’t such a fun romance to read. 🤷🏻‍♀️It didn’t seem like either of them grew up and learned from their past mistake with The Debacle which was disappointing.

Also, every one of my guesses from the last book appeared here as well, “octogenarians” and all. Would love some variety in writing!

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brent and Libby know each other well as he is her brothers best friend. The one date they had was a big mess and that ended it, until she hires on as his assistant. With an ultimatum from his father that he date and marry soon to get his inheritance, they decide to fake date and etc. The characters have great chemistry once you get past the grumpiness and misunderstandings. Some interesting backstories and left over misconceptions keep the story rolling. Plenty of drama, laughs, entertaining situations, surprises, revelations, steam, big decisions and much more. Loved the couple, but they also had a great group surrounding them. Lots of laughs head shakes while you read this. Enjoy.... I sure did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faking Until They Believe . . .

These two characters definitely need to learn how to communicate. Libby and Brent have put a great deal of energy into their irritation with each other over “the debacle”. Open conversation might have turned things around much sooner. Their new start begins when she agreed to be Brent Masterson’s assistant when his father put him in an impossible situation of producing a serious girlfriend within 6 months or he would lose the baseball organization that he manages and cares about. So Libby became his fake girlfriend. Will they find out that getting close doesn’t feel so bad? Will they recognize the moment their feelings turn real and they begin to fall for each other? Or will they panic and step back from the relationship that is quickly turning into something they never suspected?

[Noreen Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this rom-com.Too busy for love is one of my favourite series.
Brent and Libby were just hilarious and sweet.She is struggling to find a job, he offers her one.Then they end up fake dating.They have both had a crush on each other since high school,but then fell out.They both think the other hates them.
They get to their happily ever after with lots of laughter,family interference,cute puppies and the hilarious duo of Laverne and Shirley loved them.
Laughed all the way through,of course it has emotional moments too.Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
If you love romantic comedys which make you laugh out loud this series is for you.
Leah thank you once again for a great rom-com.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing fake about this excellent romcom.

I had wondered how Ms.Busboom would make the transition from the Warner siblings' relationships to a longet series, but I think she nailed it. She paired up the All-Star pitcher's sister and best friend, from Planning for the All-Star. With a failed high school prom date and meddling relatives in their history, the road to forever together is going to be anything but smooth.

The flirtatious banter between Libby and Brent is great. I loved watching them learn to work together professionally. At the same time, they 'pretend' to date to get those same relatives off their cases.

I received an ARC copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby and Brent grew up next door to each other and had a crush on each other. But after prom night, Libby wanted nothing to do with Brent. Fast forward several years, Brent's dad is wanting to retire and hand him the team, with a stipulation that he is at least engaged and it seems the only one that might be a suitable candidate would Libby.

Libby and Brent's story is a great read. It is fun, lighthearted, with sweet moment and other oh my moments. The fine line between love and hate is erased when Libby finally stops and listens to Brent's explanation of prom night.

Nice story for a afternoon get away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since he stood her up for prom Libby can’t stand Brent, but he needs a serious fake girlfriend and new assistant pronto and she has a crummy job. Brent does give Libby the opportunity to try another career which she is good at, but I don’t know how long I would have lasted with all the on-the-fly decisions and demands placed upon her especially with his ungrateful clients. It’s not her passion though and when an opportunity presents itself will she take it or hope that Brent will return her growing romantic feelings? There were several laugh out loud moments. I loved their rescue puppies and cute names.

[Trishaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book just by looking at the word 'FAKE' as I prefer to read books under this trope. Here as expected I didn't feel a moment between the leads as fake and the author indeed did a great work by elaborating their chemistry.

Even the prologue of this book was good. I mostly skip prologues to enjoy the suspense but regards to this book, the prologue was a triggered my curiosity.
Libby and Brent, together was like a sun and moon to me. Truly because I felt them grow up in each other's shadows.

Overall, I has an hour of fun with this incredible book. Only lack I found in this book is a proper conversation between Griff and Brent.

[ELC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake Dating the Grumpy Bigshot By Leah Busboom

Would you be willing to help out the one guy who stood you up for prom? Well that is exactly what Libby is facing in this book. Brent ditches Libby on prom and she is now faced with a dilema help him or continue working a crappy job. What is a girl to do. I mean she could say no and make him suffer but then she would still be working the same crappy job. Or she could put her hurt feelings aside and grab opportunity in the face and take him up in his offer. This book was so entertaining and fun to read. It was a first from this author but won’t be the last. I highly recommend this book.

[Lindsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been intrigued by these two since the third book. Enemies to lovers. Kinda grumpy big shot. Best friends sister. This story has it and more.
Brent is hoping to take over his dads company soon. Unfortunately his dad gave him an ultimatum before he will hand over the company.
Libby is still not over the prom debacle and thinks Brent hates her. She needs a job though; a good paying one.
This story turns into a fake dating employee employer relationship. It’s kind of a mess and awkward at times but these two finally figure things out.
These two were made for each other; it just took 8 years for them to finally get back to being friends and more.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this incredible series, and this is Brent and Libby’s story. Brent is Libby’s brothers’ grumpy best friend, and due to some event, he and Libby are enemies. Brent manages a baseball organisation, and his dad tells him he needs to be in a committed relationship before he will hand over the reins. Libby is struggling to find a job, and she agrees to become Brents assistant, and his fake girlfriend for 6-months.
This is a well written story which is easy to read, with family, humor, witty banter, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, heartfelt, and sweet page turner.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon!

I finished this book with such a happy sigh. I definitely enjoyed it. Fake dating books are some of my favorite because while they're just taking it, they have to make it look convincing to everyone else, so you just know their true feelings are going to show despite their best efforts! And that definitely happened with Brent and Libby. They definitely could have benefited from better communication, but isn't that just typical of life. There were several parts of the book that I found extremely amusing, like the fake curse words they were coming up with while playing cornhole. Even my husband looked over at me and asked what was so amusing.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake Dating the Grumpy Bigshot was a fun read. The incident of The Debacle (back in high school) is fully explained. Brent and Libby have a definite connection, but The Debacle caused them to become enemies. However, when they clear the air they can become more, if only they would just communicate better. Fake dating just isn’t what either one really wants and it takes a bit for both to realize it. Libby gets her dream job which means relocating and Brent makes a grand gesture which gives them a happy ending. Looking forward to Leah Busboom’s next book in this series.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Leah Busboom and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found Libby & Brent delightful and charming.
This book was written with a dual point of view which I enjoy because it makes the characters more dimensional and it is refreshing to see vulnerability in the male character instead of just seeing their confident or arrogant side.
I found the story entertaining. It flowed well and kept me turning the pages.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angel Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packed a lot into a seemingly small package. Brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, workplace romance... and a second chance to maybe find a HEA.

Brent and Libby were fantastic characters. Very fun and relatable. But SO bad at communication! It's this lack of communications that causes much of the angst in this book, but it's an enjoyable journey towards the finish.

Fun, sweet, second chance at love. Definitely worth the read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from Booksprout.

This couple is so sweet, so cute together (when they aren't trying to pretend they hate each other), and work so well together that selling the fake dating thing isn't difficult. But each knows the other has hated them since "the debacle."

It was a really well told story with fantastic, meddling secondary characters and a sweet HEA ending. ahhh.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah Busboom has a knack for writing the best rom coms and this one is no exception. This is a well written, laugh out loud, fun filled, fast and sweet, could not put down once started rom com. Libby and Brent are the best couple ever. But will they let their past dictate their future even as they fake date to please Brent's parent. I absolutely loved this book, once I started could not stop. Excellent!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby and her brother Griff's friend Brent do not get along ever since the high school prom debacle. When Brent is faced with losing the baseball team his dad owns, he asks Libby to work as his assistant and then be his fake girlfriend. Libby and Brent are funny together. They fight the chemistry between them. The banter between them will have you laughing out loud. They are the only ones that don't see how good they are together. What a great story!

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUT he never showed up!!! And never explained why. Now they are adults and he needs an assistant — and hires her. BUT his dad won’t give him management of the baseball team unless he has a decent woman by his side. So she agrees to be his fake date . . . .and boy does it ever get convoluted! LOVED this story!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, that was funny indeed. I couldn't help but laugh so often that my sister kept glancing at me and asking what in the world I was reading, lol! I love stories like these that show the funny side of romance.

Don't make me pinpoint a favorite scene because there are just too many to mention! Kudos to the author, this is great stuff!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.