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The Great Dating Fake Off
One over-the-top Italian wedding. Two fake couples. And a million hilariously disastrous possibilities…
Nora D’Amato would do almost anything for her best friend. Pretend she’s smitten with him to get his overly invested Italian family off his back? Absolutely. Attend a wedding for said overbearing family? Bring it. Spend the next six days at a posh resort watching the bride and groom’s families hate on each other? Pass the popcorn.
There’s only one tiny little hiccup. Nora’s crush—and the object of some very inappropriate thoughts—is here, too. And looking so delectable that she could spoon him faster than stracciatella gelato in a heat wave.
But Sebastian Rossi isn’t available…officially. He’s here with his fake wedding date. And he owes her big time for keeping an eye on his nonna while he’s away months at a time for work. A week in the Adirondacks is a piece of overly frosted cake. Besides, it’s not as though he can have a real relationship when he’s constantly on the move. Definitely not with the cute bookstore manager he can’t stop thinking about.
And a wedding war zone with two feuding families is not the time or place for flirting or sexy sneak-arounds. Everyone is watching—whether it’s during the pickleball tournament, the angry patriarch showdowns, or even the bull-riding bachelorette party. This wedding is one slipped fauxcade away from catastrophe, and if Nora and Sebastian can’t keep to their own sides of the aisle, they risk exposing the very secrets they’re sworn to protect.
Nora D’Amato would do almost anything for her best friend. Pretend she’s smitten with him to get his overly invested Italian family off his back? Absolutely. Attend a wedding for said overbearing family? Bring it. Spend the next six days at a posh resort watching the bride and groom’s families hate on each other? Pass the popcorn.
There’s only one tiny little hiccup. Nora’s crush—and the object of some very inappropriate thoughts—is here, too. And looking so delectable that she could spoon him faster than stracciatella gelato in a heat wave.
But Sebastian Rossi isn’t available…officially. He’s here with his fake wedding date. And he owes her big time for keeping an eye on his nonna while he’s away months at a time for work. A week in the Adirondacks is a piece of overly frosted cake. Besides, it’s not as though he can have a real relationship when he’s constantly on the move. Definitely not with the cute bookstore manager he can’t stop thinking about.
And a wedding war zone with two feuding families is not the time or place for flirting or sexy sneak-arounds. Everyone is watching—whether it’s during the pickleball tournament, the angry patriarch showdowns, or even the bull-riding bachelorette party. This wedding is one slipped fauxcade away from catastrophe, and if Nora and Sebastian can’t keep to their own sides of the aisle, they risk exposing the very secrets they’re sworn to protect.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
89 people are currently reading
20347 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 462 reviews
July 17, 2024
the writing was fine. the spicy scenes were fine. overall, this book is fine.
my main issue is with the characters. there were far too many characters and dynamics to keep track of, and none of them felt properly developed enough. i just didn't care about anything that happened or if the two leads would end up together, especially with the insta-love-ness of it all. it's unfortunate, as i think i would've given this a higher rating had the characters been kind enough to not ruin it for me.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review
my main issue is with the characters. there were far too many characters and dynamics to keep track of, and none of them felt properly developed enough. i just didn't care about anything that happened or if the two leads would end up together, especially with the insta-love-ness of it all. it's unfortunate, as i think i would've given this a higher rating had the characters been kind enough to not ruin it for me.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review
October 21, 2024
I can't believe this was written by the same person who wrote Planes, Trains, and All the Feels because WHAT IS THIS?? I really did not care for it whatsoever.
I couldn't feel the chemistry between the two leads, and at the start I even shipped Nora with Benji because he was, at least, more interesting than Sebastian.
The first half of the book was overall better, the second is where it really went downhill for me. I kept rolling my eyes every time there was a sex scene, because they felt really out of place in this story. Not to compare AGAIN, but I didn't get this feeling with the other book I read by Livy Hart, so this just wasn't put together the best.
The audiobook was fine, and I liked the feuding families, but that's about it. Maaaybe I'd read Benji's story if he got one and maaaaybe I'd give Hart's other books a try, because there's always a chance they could work for me like PTAATF did.
I couldn't feel the chemistry between the two leads, and at the start I even shipped Nora with Benji because he was, at least, more interesting than Sebastian.
The first half of the book was overall better, the second is where it really went downhill for me. I kept rolling my eyes every time there was a sex scene, because they felt really out of place in this story. Not to compare AGAIN, but I didn't get this feeling with the other book I read by Livy Hart, so this just wasn't put together the best.
The audiobook was fine, and I liked the feuding families, but that's about it. Maaaybe I'd read Benji's story if he got one and maaaaybe I'd give Hart's other books a try, because there's always a chance they could work for me like PTAATF did.
March 23, 2024
➸ 4.5 ⭐️
another winner from Livy Hart 😌
I'm convinced that Livy has the best recipe for stories that are equal parts funny, heartwarming, spicy and tear-jerking.
Read this if you like:
➤ dual POV
➤ fake dating (other people)
➤ fueding Italian families
➤ teasing (all kinds 👀😏)
➤ spice
➤ she's his type to a T (and T stands for tempting)
➤ found family
➤ bookish FMC x protective MMC
There's something about Livy's writing and the stories she tells that gives me the feeling of curling up on my couch and rewatching a fav 2000s rom-com.
No surprise here I loved everything about this.
Her writing was as always so engaging, the characters well fleshed out and developed, the pacing was fantastic.
I'm not gonna give too much away but prepare for hilarious family feuding and drama, heartfelt found-family moments, romance and some very intimate (and spicy) scenes.
I absolutely loved the MCs.
Nora with her sunshine personality who was so loyal and loving despite everything she'd gone through with her mother in the past and Sebastian who cares so deeply about the people around him and constantly feels like he isn't enough even though he's a "god among mortals" (Nora's words, but also mine 'cause 🥵🥵).
I loved their romance so much, the tension between them was delicious though I honestly expected it to be much more intense than it was.
The side characters were also fantastic I loved and cared about all of them which doesn't happen often to me.
I adored Nora's relationship with Benji and Seb's relationship with Alessia, I wish we'd seen even more of them.
The last 10% really had me stressing with everything happening I wasn't sure who will get their happy ending or if they will at all. I'm not gonna spoil but I'm gonna say that LH doesn't disappoint.
I can't wait for Livy's next book!! Could it be Benji and a certain maid of honor's???👀👀👀
eternal gratitude to Livy Hart for the arc
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
another winner from Livy Hart 😌
He slides his hand from my chest to my neck, his thumb pressing into my pulse. "If it's not you for me, it's no one."
I'm convinced that Livy has the best recipe for stories that are equal parts funny, heartwarming, spicy and tear-jerking.
Read this if you like:
➤ dual POV
➤ fake dating (other people)
➤ fueding Italian families
➤ teasing (all kinds 👀😏)
➤ spice
➤ she's his type to a T (and T stands for tempting)
➤ found family
➤ bookish FMC x protective MMC
There's something about Livy's writing and the stories she tells that gives me the feeling of curling up on my couch and rewatching a fav 2000s rom-com.
No surprise here I loved everything about this.
Her writing was as always so engaging, the characters well fleshed out and developed, the pacing was fantastic.
I'm not gonna give too much away but prepare for hilarious family feuding and drama, heartfelt found-family moments, romance and some very intimate (and spicy) scenes.
I absolutely loved the MCs.
Nora with her sunshine personality who was so loyal and loving despite everything she'd gone through with her mother in the past and Sebastian who cares so deeply about the people around him and constantly feels like he isn't enough even though he's a "god among mortals" (Nora's words, but also mine 'cause 🥵🥵).
I loved their romance so much, the tension between them was delicious though I honestly expected it to be much more intense than it was.
"I'm so far past gone for her and I don't want to be found."
The side characters were also fantastic I loved and cared about all of them which doesn't happen often to me.
I adored Nora's relationship with Benji and Seb's relationship with Alessia, I wish we'd seen even more of them.
"What do I do?" I lift my head and search for an answer in his steadfast gaze. "You're the smartest man I know. Tell me the answer and I'll accept it."
"Decide. You have to."
"Okay, Yoda."
"I'm saying I can't make this decision for you. Nor will anyone else."
[. . .]His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows. "I'm not going to tell you to go for it with him, but I will say some people wait their whole lives to meet someone worth agonizing over and never get the chance. You're going to miss him either way when he goes why not at least give it a shot? It's not a perfect plan, but it's a start. Otherwise, what was all this misery for?"
The last 10% really had me stressing with everything happening I wasn't sure who will get their happy ending or if they will at all. I'm not gonna spoil but I'm gonna say that LH doesn't disappoint.
I can't wait for Livy's next book!! Could it be Benji and a certain maid of honor's???👀👀👀
eternal gratitude to Livy Hart for the arc
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
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August 9, 2024DNF! I know, I’m completely in the minority here, but I just couldn’t get into this book. It gets great reviews and sounded like it would be fun, but sadly a miss for me. Too many books on my TBR to continue with one that just isn’t working for me.
October 6, 2024
***4.5/5 Stars***
The Great Dating Fake Off was smile worthy and so much fun! Hart has a way of writing characters that you can’t help but love and a storyline that keeps you captivated and turning the page to see what happens next. If you like fake dating….but with other people, adult romance, and books that make you laugh, then definitely add this one to your tbr!
Starting out, I loved Nora and Sebastian’s meet cute! The tension thrummed between them from the beginning, and I loved watching those sparks fly! But fate had other plans, and they found themselves fake dating other people at a mutual wedding. When they ran into each other again, I was screaming with laughter! This book would make such a fabulous movie!
With a wedding that was hosting families whose feud spanned generations, nosy people everywhere, and fabulous friends, I adored this book! While there were a lot of people within the pages, as a romantasy lover I didn’t have a problem following along with who was who. Yet there was a huge hiccup…. Sebastian was leaving shortly after the wedding. To another state. Nora was someone who had moved around her whole life, and she finally found the place that she wanted as her forever home. As they snuck around and fell harder for one another, I was so nervous how their happily ever after was going to play out.
/Every single time Nora and Sebastian were together, it was memorable. Their scenes played out like I was watching a movie…. while waiting for them to get caught haha. The sauna, the game room, the lake, the photo booth *fans face*, they had so many beautiful moments together. All the while making me laugh so much! And I adored how they just clicked. They felt like lifelong soul mates. Plus, Sebastian was the best book boyfriend! He stood up for Nora, was thoughtful, kind and oh so sexy!/
If you’re a fan of angst and tension, it was so fabulously done in The Great Dating Fake Off! And the steam was incredible too! Plus, the emotional side of this book rounded out the story so well. I got tears in my eyes twice; this book warmed my heart! I’m so happy I read this story! The Great Dating Fake Off was a romcom that will keep you laughing and smiling from that first page to the last, I can’t recommend it enough!
PS I love that they played Catan, I adore that game!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
The Great Dating Fake Off was smile worthy and so much fun! Hart has a way of writing characters that you can’t help but love and a storyline that keeps you captivated and turning the page to see what happens next. If you like fake dating….but with other people, adult romance, and books that make you laugh, then definitely add this one to your tbr!
I take a deep, slow breath. Nora D’Amato is an occupational hazard to fake dating.
Starting out, I loved Nora and Sebastian’s meet cute! The tension thrummed between them from the beginning, and I loved watching those sparks fly! But fate had other plans, and they found themselves fake dating other people at a mutual wedding. When they ran into each other again, I was screaming with laughter! This book would make such a fabulous movie!
“Last night was…”
Those sea glass eyes snap up. “It was what?”
Risky.
A bad idea.
Like I was finally awake after years of being asleep.
With a wedding that was hosting families whose feud spanned generations, nosy people everywhere, and fabulous friends, I adored this book! While there were a lot of people within the pages, as a romantasy lover I didn’t have a problem following along with who was who. Yet there was a huge hiccup…. Sebastian was leaving shortly after the wedding. To another state. Nora was someone who had moved around her whole life, and she finally found the place that she wanted as her forever home. As they snuck around and fell harder for one another, I was so nervous how their happily ever after was going to play out.
This woman loves playing with fire and apparently, I’m more than happy to fall into the flames.
/Every single time Nora and Sebastian were together, it was memorable. Their scenes played out like I was watching a movie…. while waiting for them to get caught haha. The sauna, the game room, the lake, the photo booth *fans face*, they had so many beautiful moments together. All the while making me laugh so much! And I adored how they just clicked. They felt like lifelong soul mates. Plus, Sebastian was the best book boyfriend! He stood up for Nora, was thoughtful, kind and oh so sexy!/
She’s left me speechless, but one singular thought plays in my head. Don’t let go.
If you’re a fan of angst and tension, it was so fabulously done in The Great Dating Fake Off! And the steam was incredible too! Plus, the emotional side of this book rounded out the story so well. I got tears in my eyes twice; this book warmed my heart! I’m so happy I read this story! The Great Dating Fake Off was a romcom that will keep you laughing and smiling from that first page to the last, I can’t recommend it enough!
I will never stop wanting you.
PS I love that they played Catan, I adore that game!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
June 27, 2024
Sebastian Rossi is my new boyfriend pls don't tell my husband!!
I don't understand how it's possible, but Livy Hart just keeps getting better and better. This was one of those books I read in the bathroom, listened to in the car, while walking (or skiing) with my dog, anywhere I could, anytime I could, because I couldn't stand to be away from Nora and Sebastian for more than a few hours!
There is so much to love here. Hart's trademark humor shines in this hysterical comedy of errors (including a wedding scene that made me laugh so hard I was crying, and then screaming, and then crying some more). The chemistry between Nora and Seb sparks off the page. The steam is BONKERS HOT (hello photo booth shenanigans)!!! The cast of characters of two warring Italian families with secrets of their own is phenomenal, and I want to hang out having frozies with all of them!
The Great Dating Fake Off is non-stop fun featuring a golden retriever himbo who uses coffee as a love language, and a fish out of water with her heart on her sleeve who is always trying to do the right thing but...she's also really horny. In fact, they're both really horny. On second thought, everyone in this book is horny!!
Thank you so much to the author for this ARC. Best. Time. Ever!
I don't understand how it's possible, but Livy Hart just keeps getting better and better. This was one of those books I read in the bathroom, listened to in the car, while walking (or skiing) with my dog, anywhere I could, anytime I could, because I couldn't stand to be away from Nora and Sebastian for more than a few hours!
There is so much to love here. Hart's trademark humor shines in this hysterical comedy of errors (including a wedding scene that made me laugh so hard I was crying, and then screaming, and then crying some more). The chemistry between Nora and Seb sparks off the page. The steam is BONKERS HOT (hello photo booth shenanigans)!!! The cast of characters of two warring Italian families with secrets of their own is phenomenal, and I want to hang out having frozies with all of them!
The Great Dating Fake Off is non-stop fun featuring a golden retriever himbo who uses coffee as a love language, and a fish out of water with her heart on her sleeve who is always trying to do the right thing but...she's also really horny. In fact, they're both really horny. On second thought, everyone in this book is horny!!
Thank you so much to the author for this ARC. Best. Time. Ever!
August 12, 2024
i love the part of this book where they never fall in love 😀
September 9, 2024
*audiobook🎧*
The plot was messy. There were multiple storylines and the way it was written made it hard to follow along even on narration. I couldn't take the sex scenes seriously but the dialogue was good, definitely had me chuckling.
I'm giving it 3 stars because I started it to distract me while I was taking down my braids and it did its job🤗💕
The plot was messy. There were multiple storylines and the way it was written made it hard to follow along even on narration. I couldn't take the sex scenes seriously but the dialogue was good, definitely had me chuckling.
I'm giving it 3 stars because I started it to distract me while I was taking down my braids and it did its job🤗💕
February 20, 2025
This was a fun story and a twist on a normal fake dating trope considering they were both fake dating other people. The family drama was pretty entertaining at points too haha.
November 10, 2025
actually 1.5 because that was just too boring for words
August 4, 2024
This book left me with such a reading hangover - I was so invested in everyone in this story, and just felt so sad when it ended! I couldn't put it down, read it in less than a day 🙃
📖 The Great Dating Fake Off
📝 Livy Hart
🗓️ 08/06/2024
💜 contemporary romance
📱 read on kindle (arc)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💭 overall thoughts:
I laughed, I cried - I loved this book so much.
Not only do we get a sweet & angsty romance between Nora & Sebastian, but we also get so much more from the side characters!
They genuinely felt like real people to me, and I was entirely enthralled by all their lives/relationships.
I LOVED their meet-cute, it had me laughing so hard.
After meeting at the bookshop where Nora where works, she and Sebastian have an instant connection but don’t expect to see one another again.
Days later they find themselves at the same big Italian wedding, fake dating other people to ward off their families.
They can’t seem to stay away from each other, as their chemistry and connection is undeniable.
Nora has finally found a place she calls home and feels like she belongs. Sebastian’s job has him travelling and spending months at a time in different places, setting up Boys & Girls Clubs.
They know it can’t work out, but they can’t help it…
The spice 😮💨 this book is incredibly HOT.
These two can’t keep their hands off each other, no matter where they are (and mostly that’s in public 😉).
tropes + topics:
🥸 fake dating with a twist
(they’re not dating each other!)
😍 instant connection
💍 big Italian wedding setting (with feuding families)
📚 bookstore manager fmc
💛 non-profit director of development mmc
🔗 forced proximity
🫶🏼 found family
💞 dual 1st person pov
Thank you to Entangled Publishing & NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
📖 The Great Dating Fake Off
📝 Livy Hart
🗓️ 08/06/2024
💜 contemporary romance
📱 read on kindle (arc)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💭 overall thoughts:
I laughed, I cried - I loved this book so much.
Not only do we get a sweet & angsty romance between Nora & Sebastian, but we also get so much more from the side characters!
They genuinely felt like real people to me, and I was entirely enthralled by all their lives/relationships.
I LOVED their meet-cute, it had me laughing so hard.
After meeting at the bookshop where Nora where works, she and Sebastian have an instant connection but don’t expect to see one another again.
Days later they find themselves at the same big Italian wedding, fake dating other people to ward off their families.
They can’t seem to stay away from each other, as their chemistry and connection is undeniable.
Nora has finally found a place she calls home and feels like she belongs. Sebastian’s job has him travelling and spending months at a time in different places, setting up Boys & Girls Clubs.
They know it can’t work out, but they can’t help it…
The spice 😮💨 this book is incredibly HOT.
These two can’t keep their hands off each other, no matter where they are (and mostly that’s in public 😉).
tropes + topics:
🥸 fake dating with a twist
(they’re not dating each other!)
😍 instant connection
💍 big Italian wedding setting (with feuding families)
📚 bookstore manager fmc
💛 non-profit director of development mmc
🔗 forced proximity
🫶🏼 found family
💞 dual 1st person pov
Thank you to Entangled Publishing & NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
August 4, 2024
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while to get into this book and up until the end I was struggling with trying to tell the two families apart, there were just way too many characters. The romance in this book was okay but I unfortunately didn’t care too much about the love interests and their relationship. Nevertheless, the book was well-written and I’d still be interested in checking out some of Livy Hart’s other books in the future.
It took me a while to get into this book and up until the end I was struggling with trying to tell the two families apart, there were just way too many characters. The romance in this book was okay but I unfortunately didn’t care too much about the love interests and their relationship. Nevertheless, the book was well-written and I’d still be interested in checking out some of Livy Hart’s other books in the future.
July 21, 2024
4.5 stars!!
this book is HOT!! the tension !!!! wow! it's also such a fun fake dating concept where the people fake dating aren't actually interested in each other... they're interested in someone in another fake dating situation. the stakes are high but the pining is going nowhere despite the fact that both couples need to stay in their fake relationship...
also the italian family wedding was just hilarious. it was giving my big fat greek wedding vibes. honestly thoroughly enjoyed this book & would def recommend it as a fun romance!
this book is HOT!! the tension !!!! wow! it's also such a fun fake dating concept where the people fake dating aren't actually interested in each other... they're interested in someone in another fake dating situation. the stakes are high but the pining is going nowhere despite the fact that both couples need to stay in their fake relationship...
also the italian family wedding was just hilarious. it was giving my big fat greek wedding vibes. honestly thoroughly enjoyed this book & would def recommend it as a fun romance!
September 10, 2024
5 STARS!
Livy Hart is one of my favorite authors. She is incapable of missing and only knows how to write hit books. "The Great Dating Fake Off" is another winner. I absolutely LOVED Nora and Sebastian. They might be one of my all-time favorite book couples. Hart really knows how to write banter, how to write longing, how to write pining. What starts as insta-love very quickly turns into something much deeper and much more profound. Nora and Sebastian YEARN for each other so deeply that you feel it in your bones. Fake dating with a twist, wedding shenanigans, large, headstrong families, decades-old beef, intense spice, and self-discovery combine to make one heck of a riotous, sexy, meaningful, theatrical, swoon-worthy novel. I seriously love every single thing about this book. I love the setting, I loved the characters, I love their jobs, I loved the friendships, I loved the family dynamics (mostly because they bring the drama!!), and I loved the love!! This book is well-paced, well-thought-out, and has a well-earned ending. Another winner for Livy Hart.
Thank you to NetGalley, Livy Hart, Entangled Publishing, LLC, and Entangled: Amara for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Livy Hart is one of my favorite authors. She is incapable of missing and only knows how to write hit books. "The Great Dating Fake Off" is another winner. I absolutely LOVED Nora and Sebastian. They might be one of my all-time favorite book couples. Hart really knows how to write banter, how to write longing, how to write pining. What starts as insta-love very quickly turns into something much deeper and much more profound. Nora and Sebastian YEARN for each other so deeply that you feel it in your bones. Fake dating with a twist, wedding shenanigans, large, headstrong families, decades-old beef, intense spice, and self-discovery combine to make one heck of a riotous, sexy, meaningful, theatrical, swoon-worthy novel. I seriously love every single thing about this book. I love the setting, I loved the characters, I love their jobs, I loved the friendships, I loved the family dynamics (mostly because they bring the drama!!), and I loved the love!! This book is well-paced, well-thought-out, and has a well-earned ending. Another winner for Livy Hart.
Thank you to NetGalley, Livy Hart, Entangled Publishing, LLC, and Entangled: Amara for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 29, 2024
“Have I earned the right to call you by your last name like your best friends do?”
“Wear the name out. Someday it could be yours.”
Each Livy Hart book just keeps getting better and better!
Synopsis:
Nora’s best friend - Benji- has a giant Italian family who won’t let up on why he doesn’t have a girlfriend. So for his sisters wedding, Nora steps up and pretends to be his girlfriend. The problem? The guy she DOES like is also at the wedding …. Pretending to be someone else’s date.
My Thoughts:
Sebastian and Nora were just combustible in the best way. The one liners were phenomenal. The love was so perfect. Nora falls first, but Sebastian catches up quickly and will fight anybody that gets in her way. She’s bookish and loyal. He’s protective and constantly feeling like he’s not good enough. The side friendships were also terrific. I just really loved this whole book.
What You’ll Find:
💕 Fake Dating….other people
💒 Big Italian Wedding
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Rival families
💪 “Touch her and die” vibes
🔥 Spice
2️⃣ Dual POV
🚘 Forced proximity
“Wear the name out. Someday it could be yours.”
Each Livy Hart book just keeps getting better and better!
Synopsis:
Nora’s best friend - Benji- has a giant Italian family who won’t let up on why he doesn’t have a girlfriend. So for his sisters wedding, Nora steps up and pretends to be his girlfriend. The problem? The guy she DOES like is also at the wedding …. Pretending to be someone else’s date.
My Thoughts:
Sebastian and Nora were just combustible in the best way. The one liners were phenomenal. The love was so perfect. Nora falls first, but Sebastian catches up quickly and will fight anybody that gets in her way. She’s bookish and loyal. He’s protective and constantly feeling like he’s not good enough. The side friendships were also terrific. I just really loved this whole book.
What You’ll Find:
💕 Fake Dating….other people
💒 Big Italian Wedding
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Rival families
💪 “Touch her and die” vibes
🔥 Spice
2️⃣ Dual POV
🚘 Forced proximity
July 29, 2024
As always, Hart delivers on the banter and playful vibes, with a new twist on the fake dating trope and a fast-paced feel. I loved the chemistry and sexual tension between our couple - it was apparent from the start, and only increased along the way. They’re the kind of couple who feel an instant connection, yet don’t jump in because of obstacles standing in their way. Both fake dating other people at a family wedding, there’s no good way for them to move forward. This loses a star from me only because the conflict rubbed me the wrong way and the family chaos sometimes overtook the romance, but I really did enjoy it. Hart’s books have been consistently great, and this is no exception. It’s fresh and fun in the best of ways, and was exceedingly easy to binge.
The story follows Nora, a woman who agrees to attend a wedding with her best guy friend to help get his family off his back. They’re totally platonic, but faking a relationship at the wedding will just make everything easier for him. It seems like a great plan until Nora runs into Sebastian… and his own fake date. The two have only met once, but the interaction was decidedly flirtatious, so neither is fooling the other with their fake relationship. Unfortunately, they still have to keep up appearances for the rest of the family, and that complicates things even further. As Sebastian and Nora struggle to avoid giving into the chemistry that sparks between them, they form a bond neither expected.
There’s a reason why Hart’s books have made my best of the year list on multiple occasions, and that’s because they have such a unique feel and effortless readability. She’s so good at writing banter and chemistry, which are the best parts of this book. I loved the moments with Sebastian and Nora alone together, which truly showcased how great they were together. They definitely had a very solid physical connection, with plentiful spicy scenes. There were probably a few too many obstacles in their path, especially for such a short timeline. And the family dynamics added a lot of tension and humor, but there were a lot of people to keep track of. Ultimately, I seriously enjoyed the majority of this though, and it was an obvious high 4/low 5-star read for me.
The story follows Nora, a woman who agrees to attend a wedding with her best guy friend to help get his family off his back. They’re totally platonic, but faking a relationship at the wedding will just make everything easier for him. It seems like a great plan until Nora runs into Sebastian… and his own fake date. The two have only met once, but the interaction was decidedly flirtatious, so neither is fooling the other with their fake relationship. Unfortunately, they still have to keep up appearances for the rest of the family, and that complicates things even further. As Sebastian and Nora struggle to avoid giving into the chemistry that sparks between them, they form a bond neither expected.
There’s a reason why Hart’s books have made my best of the year list on multiple occasions, and that’s because they have such a unique feel and effortless readability. She’s so good at writing banter and chemistry, which are the best parts of this book. I loved the moments with Sebastian and Nora alone together, which truly showcased how great they were together. They definitely had a very solid physical connection, with plentiful spicy scenes. There were probably a few too many obstacles in their path, especially for such a short timeline. And the family dynamics added a lot of tension and humor, but there were a lot of people to keep track of. Ultimately, I seriously enjoyed the majority of this though, and it was an obvious high 4/low 5-star read for me.
June 10, 2024
Nora and Sebastian are helping out their friends by agreeing to fake date them for an upcoming wedding. This is a weeklong event, made more difficult by feuding families. When Nora and Sebastian arrive, they realize they have met before and they also realize the attraction they felt at the first meeting wasn't by chance. They agree that they need to shelve it for the time being, until they have their respective breakups, but being in such close quarters isn't doing them any favors.
Nora and Seb were fire together and it was hard to deny their flames. They got along so well but knew that their lives were headed in very different directions. Nora loved the town they lived in and had no reason to move anywhere else, but Sebastian was a traveler. Never putting down roots anywhere, until now. Nora has him questioning his whole life's plan, and since the have been stealing away together and learning more and more about one another, it seems like Nora is his breath of fresh air and maybe he should come up with a new plan.
This book has all the things, amazing chemistry, forced proximity, a meddling Italian family and lots of drama. If you haven't met a Livy Hart hero, what are you doing with your life.
Nora and Seb were fire together and it was hard to deny their flames. They got along so well but knew that their lives were headed in very different directions. Nora loved the town they lived in and had no reason to move anywhere else, but Sebastian was a traveler. Never putting down roots anywhere, until now. Nora has him questioning his whole life's plan, and since the have been stealing away together and learning more and more about one another, it seems like Nora is his breath of fresh air and maybe he should come up with a new plan.
This book has all the things, amazing chemistry, forced proximity, a meddling Italian family and lots of drama. If you haven't met a Livy Hart hero, what are you doing with your life.
July 31, 2024
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Reading a Livy Hart book is one of my favorite things: I love the comfort of knowing that I am going into a book by an author whose books I've loved before, and The Great Dating Fake-Off was no different.
The fun twist on the fake-dating trope in this story - Nora and Seb are fake-dating other people - was refreshing. Them being insanely attracted to each other, while trying to keep things under wraps, and all of that with the potential of chaos that arises during this week-long wedding celebration, truly kept things interesting all throughout.
The Great Dating Fake-Off felt like being in a movie, and also a contemporary week-long house party à la histrom with all the drama (if that makes sense). The story flew really well, and I enjoyed every bit of it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Reading a Livy Hart book is one of my favorite things: I love the comfort of knowing that I am going into a book by an author whose books I've loved before, and The Great Dating Fake-Off was no different.
The fun twist on the fake-dating trope in this story - Nora and Seb are fake-dating other people - was refreshing. Them being insanely attracted to each other, while trying to keep things under wraps, and all of that with the potential of chaos that arises during this week-long wedding celebration, truly kept things interesting all throughout.
The Great Dating Fake-Off felt like being in a movie, and also a contemporary week-long house party à la histrom with all the drama (if that makes sense). The story flew really well, and I enjoyed every bit of it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 6, 2024
There’s something magical when you read a book that can make you genuinely laugh out loud, but still give you characters with depth and then make you blush with the spice. @livyhartromance does this consistently. To say I’m in love with this book is such an understatement - Seb and Nora are everything good.
✨Forced Proximity
✨Fake Dating (with a twist)
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Sebastian “Girlfriend Menu” Rossi
I was raised on 90s/2000s romcoms. I chase the feelings those movie gave me constantly, and Livy Hart’s books always deliver. This book was delightful - two incredible strong MCs with the BEST chemistry amid a wild, ragtag group of side characters (hello feuding big Italian families!) and a wedding full of hijinks.
This is Livy’s hottest (the chair scene! The PHOTOBOOTH!) but it has so much more to it, too. Sebastian is constantly on the move, never staying in one place too long, always trying to live up to the expectations he places on himself by doing more good and putting himself last. Nora is the opposite - having lived a childhood on the move with a mom that was more friend than parent, she wants stability and a place to call home. They are at total odds with each other, but can’t stop the pull they feel for each other from their first meeting.
Nora is one of my favorite FMCs, with the biggest people pleaser heart that I related a little too hard to. Her friendship with Benji is my favorite ever (talk about amazing side characters!), and the way she loves him and those around her both broke and healed my heart.
And Sebastian - oh whattaman. He was the definition of green flag and my new love in life. Pining and down bad for Nora from their first meeting, man was all “look I’m wearing a baseball cap and have tattoos and care about your needs and work with a charitable organization and dote on my grandma” - I mean, listen he needs to be experienced fully.
The twist on the fake dating trope was so perfectly done, and the forced proximity/sneaking around? I was GIDDY. These two were so hot together, sweet and full of pining and the banter was impeccable. Witty and sharp and so much fun. Livy does it like no one else.
✨Forced Proximity
✨Fake Dating (with a twist)
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Sebastian “Girlfriend Menu” Rossi
I was raised on 90s/2000s romcoms. I chase the feelings those movie gave me constantly, and Livy Hart’s books always deliver. This book was delightful - two incredible strong MCs with the BEST chemistry amid a wild, ragtag group of side characters (hello feuding big Italian families!) and a wedding full of hijinks.
This is Livy’s hottest (the chair scene! The PHOTOBOOTH!) but it has so much more to it, too. Sebastian is constantly on the move, never staying in one place too long, always trying to live up to the expectations he places on himself by doing more good and putting himself last. Nora is the opposite - having lived a childhood on the move with a mom that was more friend than parent, she wants stability and a place to call home. They are at total odds with each other, but can’t stop the pull they feel for each other from their first meeting.
Nora is one of my favorite FMCs, with the biggest people pleaser heart that I related a little too hard to. Her friendship with Benji is my favorite ever (talk about amazing side characters!), and the way she loves him and those around her both broke and healed my heart.
And Sebastian - oh whattaman. He was the definition of green flag and my new love in life. Pining and down bad for Nora from their first meeting, man was all “look I’m wearing a baseball cap and have tattoos and care about your needs and work with a charitable organization and dote on my grandma” - I mean, listen he needs to be experienced fully.
The twist on the fake dating trope was so perfectly done, and the forced proximity/sneaking around? I was GIDDY. These two were so hot together, sweet and full of pining and the banter was impeccable. Witty and sharp and so much fun. Livy does it like no one else.
September 21, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! The whole storyline of them getting to know each other and then running into each other at a wedding while they are both in a secret fake relationship is really too hilarious and the pact is also really comical!
The attraction between Sebastian and Nora is really so much fun too!!!
The spice is spicing! 2/5 >> not really dirty talk, more dirty thoughts and I'm here for it!
I also really liked that we also read how another relationship is saved and that 'more is told about it' and that Seb and Nor are part of this too!
I really enjoyed this book immensely!
*I read this book in exchange for an honest review*
The attraction between Sebastian and Nora is really so much fun too!!!
The spice is spicing! 2/5 >> not really dirty talk, more dirty thoughts and I'm here for it!
I also really liked that we also read how another relationship is saved and that 'more is told about it' and that Seb and Nor are part of this too!
I really enjoyed this book immensely!
*I read this book in exchange for an honest review*
August 10, 2024
A really fun (and SPICY) fake dating insta-love type romance that has two people who are both in fake relationships for a week-long big Italian wedding between two feuding families falling for one another. There's soooo much family drama in this book but it was hilarious!
The chemistry between Nora and Sebastian was top notch and Livy Hart definitely delivered on both the humor, heart and HEAT! Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jessica Joyce. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
The chemistry between Nora and Sebastian was top notch and Livy Hart definitely delivered on both the humor, heart and HEAT! Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jessica Joyce. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 20, 2024
Such a cute and funny romcom. I loved the characters from the beginning. I liked the attraction between Nora and Sebastian. You could sense how hard it was for them to stay apart….which of course leads to funny scenes during a wedding week that is already tense due to the couple being from two families that have been feuding forever.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for a copy of The Great Dating Fake Off in exchange of an honest review.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for a copy of The Great Dating Fake Off in exchange of an honest review.
September 10, 2025
I started this one quite some time ago and returned it without finishing but now I can’t remember why. I actually really liked the story. I would actually enjoy a backstory for the side characters whose wedding brought our mains together though.
June 21, 2024
If Livy Hart has no fans it must mean I’m dead. My absolute favorite romance/rom com writer in the game. Her books might be the only rom coms that genuinely make me laugh and the romance is top tier.
I loved both the MMC and FMC in this one, and their romance was wonderful. Their connection felt genuine and sincere. I was so invested in their happily ever after and very satisfied with how it ended. Would absolutely recommend this book and all of Livy Hart’s books!
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC! It was my absolute delight to get my hands on this one!
I loved both the MMC and FMC in this one, and their romance was wonderful. Their connection felt genuine and sincere. I was so invested in their happily ever after and very satisfied with how it ended. Would absolutely recommend this book and all of Livy Hart’s books!
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC! It was my absolute delight to get my hands on this one!
June 23, 2024
It has banter and drama and family and 2 adorable main characters with good chemistry, add in a little spice, and you have yourself an adorable little romance book.
August 19, 2024
This was a cute fake-dating read where two couples essentially try to avoid being detected as fake a wedding where two rival families are to be joined.
However the focus is really on Nora of the Nora-Benji couple and Sebastian of the Sebastian-Alessia couple. You can tell that they just can’t stay away from each other and I was just waiting for all the inevitables to happen!
My biggest takeaway from this book is how important it is to communicate even when it’s a tough topic. Many of these characters started shutting down when drama unfolded… and some of it could have been avoided had someone just started the darn conversation!
The Great Dating Fake Off was overall a cute read, especially during wedding season! Thank you to Entangled Publishing for an opportunity to read it. The opinions shared above are my own.
However the focus is really on Nora of the Nora-Benji couple and Sebastian of the Sebastian-Alessia couple. You can tell that they just can’t stay away from each other and I was just waiting for all the inevitables to happen!
My biggest takeaway from this book is how important it is to communicate even when it’s a tough topic. Many of these characters started shutting down when drama unfolded… and some of it could have been avoided had someone just started the darn conversation!
The Great Dating Fake Off was overall a cute read, especially during wedding season! Thank you to Entangled Publishing for an opportunity to read it. The opinions shared above are my own.
August 22, 2024
Livy Hart is one of my favorite authors. I typically love everything that she writes. I think I had super high expectations for this one, and maybe those high expectations made me a little disappointed. So this was definitely an interesting concept. There is of course the wedding trope and fake dating tropes in here. However, the fake dating was completely different because the two main character's were not fake dating each other. I feel like for me this threw off the vibe of the book a little bit. I understand why the author went this route, but I'm not sure if it was for me. Also, it almost felt like there were two different plots. The first half focused on the fake dating and the second half focused on something else that I'm not going to mention because it might spoil the book. Anyways, I just felt like it was almost divided in a way that wasn't as natural as I wanted it to be. That being said, I did laugh and smile throughout reading it. I love Livy's writing style and am excited to see what she writes next.
September 24, 2024
⭐️ 4.5
🌶️ Open Door, Explicit
🍰 Romantic Comedy
🍰 Fake Dating
🍰 Forced Proximity
🍰 Travel/Vacay Themed
🍰 Stern Brunch Daddy Hero
🍰 Slow Burn
🍰 Dual POV (First Person)
Maybe it's because I just got engaged, but I've been on a wedding-themed romance book kick. The Great Dating Fake Off did not disappoint, and I am not surprised because Livy Hart's romantic comedies always do it for me!
Sebastian and Nora have an instant connection when they first meet, but their second meeting? A week-long Italian wedding where they're both fake dates to different people. They try and resist one another, but of course, by the end, they can't help but give in. 😉
This story was such a cute concept and it was definitely giving 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding Vibes'. If you love banter, meddling families, and hilarious mishaps, The Great Dating Fake Off is for you!
🌶️ Open Door, Explicit
🍰 Romantic Comedy
🍰 Fake Dating
🍰 Forced Proximity
🍰 Travel/Vacay Themed
🍰 Stern Brunch Daddy Hero
🍰 Slow Burn
🍰 Dual POV (First Person)
Maybe it's because I just got engaged, but I've been on a wedding-themed romance book kick. The Great Dating Fake Off did not disappoint, and I am not surprised because Livy Hart's romantic comedies always do it for me!
Sebastian and Nora have an instant connection when they first meet, but their second meeting? A week-long Italian wedding where they're both fake dates to different people. They try and resist one another, but of course, by the end, they can't help but give in. 😉
This story was such a cute concept and it was definitely giving 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding Vibes'. If you love banter, meddling families, and hilarious mishaps, The Great Dating Fake Off is for you!
October 13, 2024
*ReREAD Update* This is fake dating with a new twist! The Great Dating Fake Off gives us a group of family and friends who systematically coordinate with each other to keep their traditional Italian Ma at bay. All the elderly Italian ladies want is for their children to be happily married with kids. Seems innocent enough.
Straight up I read this book with a big goofy smile plastered on my face. The humor was on point! If you’re a 90s lover and want to feel nostalgic read Livy Hart! God bless big Italian families and their drama. I ate it up like Nella’s homemade spaghetti. Y’all, the spice!! Sebastian Rossi, please send me a Mets hat and claim me as yours! Like I need to invest in a pool table, a photo booth, a cowboy’s pillows tank top, and some new poker chips! I had such a fun time with this reread!
Straight up I read this book with a big goofy smile plastered on my face. The humor was on point! If you’re a 90s lover and want to feel nostalgic read Livy Hart! God bless big Italian families and their drama. I ate it up like Nella’s homemade spaghetti. Y’all, the spice!! Sebastian Rossi, please send me a Mets hat and claim me as yours! Like I need to invest in a pool table, a photo booth, a cowboy’s pillows tank top, and some new poker chips! I had such a fun time with this reread!
May 19, 2025
so adorable, perfectly cheesy with just the right amount of smut. The subjects of what “home” is, passion in life vs career, and - my fave - found family is done so well. Such a nice treat!!
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