An enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy.
The Happy Haven Trailer Park is not where I hoped to be at age twenty-five. Circumstances have left me without a job or a car in a small town where work is scarce. When my insufferable neighbor approached me with a very indecent proposal to co-star in his videos on the Lonely Hands app, I had to resist the impulse to punch him in the mouth. I'll admit, Monroe is hot with his dark eyes and quick grin, but he's the most infuriating man I've ever met. After weeks of no luck finding a new job, I finally accepted his offer with one condition. Nobody can know what we're doing. Now, I'm stuck faking a relationship to hide the real reason that I'm spending so many nights at the home of a man I despise. It's going to be a long summer.
S.M. Shade writes spicy romantic comedies and steamy contemporary romances with relatable characters. Whether it's a good laugh or a good cry, she likes to grab you by your emotions and make you feel. An unashamed Croc enthusiast and poetry nerd, she can usually be found listening to Indie Rock on repeat and watching birds.
When I found out that SM Shade was writing a new romcom series I got excited! She has the best personality and her humor and love for her characters is truly evident in her stories. I remember when I first read her; the book was Scarlet Toys, and I haven’t been able to stop reading her since. In FAKE AROUND AND FIND OUT we get a whole new world (The Happy Haven trailer park 😂) and a new set of characters who are IMMEDIATELY likeable. This book features Row and Cara who are both neighbors AND rivals. The two cannot find anything in common and set out to annoy each other whenever the chance arises. But then Cara sees something that sort of traumatized her… and intrigued her in ways she didn’t think were possible. She also needs money because it’s a hard world out there, especially when she was fired from her job. Can these two POSSIBLY work together in unconventional ways to make a living? And can they finally find common ground because their job requires the ultimate closeness. Guess you’ll just have to read and find out!
Overall, I loved this book and I’m so excited to see where the author takes the series next. I can’t wait to come back to Happy Haven and revisit all these amazing characters and their quirks!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 ❥ Romantic Comedies (truly LOL comedies) ❥ Neighbors to lovers ❥ Rivals to lovers
There were so many laugh out loud moments throughout Fake Around & Find Out that I’m sure I was wearing a perma-grin the entire time I was reading. This is probably one of my favorite reads of the entire year! I love a good enemies-to-lovers romcom and SM Shade always delivers! I also really love that this is a no shame zone. Women Power, no matter the profession!
But for real! The happenings in the Happy Haven Trailer Park! For someone who actually did grow up in a trailer park, this is one I wouldn’t mind so much living in as an adult, for entertainment purposes only! The neighbors would be a riot, unlike the ones I actually had growing up. The rabbit funeral.. I would have loved to have attended one of those! The tears I have just thinking of it now.
And to have the friends that Cara has. What a lucky girl. She may not be in the best spot financially, but she’s got some great girls in her life! And then to help out financially, Monroe isn’t too shabby. I mean, I wouldn’t mind. And I love that she is not shy about putting him in his place, either. I just really love the two of them.
Fake Around & Find Out really had a bit of everything I needed. It had all the spice, a ton of laughs, a bit of drama and a lot of that sexy neighbors that really don’t like each other, but end up needing something from each other vibes going on. So excited to see where Maren’s story takes us next!
Enemies-to-lovers ✔️ Laugh out loud fun ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Steam 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Dual POV ✔️ Fake romance ✔️
I really don't know how Shade does it but I swear each book is better than the last. I literally burst out laughing so many times reading this book, I was getting the side eye from my family.
I absolutely loved that the banter swapped back and forth wasn't lost on our enemies turn lovers the longer their relationship lasts. Too often it goes from sharp, witty, even hateful-ish quips to lovey dovey and you loose the delish that makes enemies to lovers so yummy. These two kept it up for nearly the entire book, which made it such a fun read. And the schemxy scenes, whoo chil'. 🥵🥵🥵
Honestly in the beginning I was a little concerned with the how their relationship starts to change, like how was it going to develop and how much would it change who they were but Shade totally kept them true to themselves. And I gotta admit, she kept it classy. Ish. Maybe? Who am I kidding, the Twist/Pump scene was just too hilarious. Iykyk😂
4.6 ⭐️ 3.7 🌶️ Row and Cara have a small hatred for each other as neighbors after incidents keep happening to each other. Cara finds him one day making money recording videos and finds herself without a job and needs to do it too. They end up fake dating to continue making the videos and end up falling in love.
Even though it was a book about both of them making p*rn, it really wasn’t too spicy. A lot of their scenes were typical or just summarized. Wasn’t what I hoped it would be like similar to the frat boy. They had decent chemistry together but I don’t know if I would read it again. A cute one shot that felt slightly poorly written.
I am still chuckling as I type this, the morning after I finished this one. Happy Haven (Ha-Ha) keeps on giving!! 😁 This is absolutely a laugh out loud read, that will suck you into this world, making your actual reality blur, so understand you may get concerned looks and side-eyes of confusion if you are reading in public. (Or even from your family, if you're home! It's fine, they won't get why you're laughing so much, but oh well.)
Cara and her life's struggles are easy to connect with, and that is one of the reasons why I am such a fan of this author. I was drawn in by the friendships and the community that is the Happy Haven Trailer Park. Everyone is trying to make the best of what they have, support each other, and are working hard to level up. See? Relatable.
This grumpy/sunshine story has so many layers... >Pranks on neighbors >Antagonistic banter >Ridiculously funny situations and incidents (I'm still laughing about some of them) >Steamy chemistry and scenes >Fantastic secondary characters >A mischievous, loveable dog >A fantastic Rom-com HEA that is perfect for this couple
I fell in love with this author when I read her Violent Circle series... Fell deeper when I finished the other series (Slumming It, In Safe Hands, and Striking Back), and I am thrilled to have another of her series to dive into. Her writing is easy to read, her characters are very entertaining and engaging, and the couples are very steamy and addictive. I recommend reading any of her works, as they are all worth your time.
Although this one? This is my new favorite!! Seriously, if you're looking for a laugh-out-loud, entertaining, steamy read with great banter between characters and a rewarding HEA... grab this read. I highly recommend it!!
This is my first rom-com to read by S.M. Shade and I ate it up! I’m so excited for the rest of this series and these quirky characters that reside in the Happy Haven trailer park. Not only were Monroe and Cara full of hilarious and steamy moments that left me blushing, but the residents and their crazy antics left me in stomach-clutching laughter. The banter was impeccable, the spice was definitely spicing, and the reverse grumpy-sunshine trope had me devouring this book in a day!
My girl Cara just keeps getting hit with blow and after blow in life, but she is fierce, independent, and will not let anything bring her down, especially her exasperating neighbor Monroe. When she walked in on him doing his side hustle, my eyes were just as wide, and my mouth was hanging down to the floor right along with her. When Row convinces her to join him on the Lonely Hands app, as a means to make income, things start to really heat up! They need to keep their escapades hush-hush and pretend to be in a relationship to keep all the questions and gossip at bay. But will their fake relationship stay just that? Or will all the time they spend together turn into more than a business deal?
If you’re looking for your next fake dating, enemies to lovers, laugh out loud romance, then look no further! 𝘍𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘶𝘵 has all of it and more! The wild adventures, steamy moments, and sheer entertainment will have you flipping the pages and not wanting to put this book down!
Can’t say that I had this book on my 2024 bingo card, but I was in tears of laughter. The premise sounds like it will be pure filth, and the smut is smutting.. 2 neighbours trapped in a prank war fueled by hatred, until our fmc Cara discovers Monroes side hustle of making solo porn, queue the awkward proposition of a truce to make cash by making porn together. However the antics and scenarios in this book were hilarious it has the best side characters and the complete and utter lunacy of it had me up well into the early hours of the morning trying to hold in my laughter. READ IT.
Opinion Breakdown The Good: The unique premise even though it had the fake dating trope, the H, and the side characters/setting.
The Not-So-Good: The h and her attitude got old quick (p.s. I didn't find it cute)
The Bad: The ending didn't provide hardly any closure.
Overall: This had such a unique premise that I felt like I just had to give it a try! I'm glad I did, but it's sadly not finding its new home on my favorites shelf. It was just okay for me. The h kind of ruined it for me tbh. On the other hand, the H was likable and I think that made me struggle with her even more. The side characters provided some comedy that I wasn't really expecting- 2 words, rabbit funeral 😂 IYKYK. I think I'm a little bummed because I do feel like it had potential, or at least the author has potential, so maybe I'll give S.M. Shade another try in the future.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Cora and Monroe's story. Cora gets laid off and her car finally gives out and she needs to find some type of work fast. When she accidentally walks in on her nemesis neighbor shooting an adult film and he then offers her a large sum of money to help him out, she can't refuse. They also decide that as a cover, they will have to act like they're dating to spend more time together. As time goes by, feelings develop, there's some baggage they have to work through, some family drama, and some funny scenes...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Cora and Monroe's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, more like hate-to-lust-to-friends-to-more.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Monroe. I liked him, I definitely liked him more than the h.
h (heroine) rating: 2.5 stars. Cora. I struggled with her attitude and how mean she was to the H.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but surprisingly not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, just some very mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had nowhere near enough closure for me. I would call it a HFN ending
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers
I picked this up on a whim after a friend sent me a snippet on TikTok, hoping for a change of pace and it delivered! This rom-com takes two trailer park neighbors who cannot stand each other, throws in plenty of spice and humor, and somehow turns them into lovers.
Monroe was a standout for me; beneath all the smugness, he’s just a genuinely good guy, helping Cara see herself in a new light. The writing was fun, the pace was perfect for a quick Sunday read, and the chemistry? Top-tier 👌🏻
If you’re looking for a sweet, spicy, and hilarious enemies-to-lovers story, I’d absolutely recommend this one!
was it super profound and complex? not at all, but did i enjoy it, did i laugh out loud a few times, and did i think the spice was good? yes i did
i think the whole premise of enemies-to-lovers, neighbors, fake dating…that’s just all so good, so up my alley
cara’s story was relatable…not being where you thought you world be or where you’re told you should be…trying to figure out what to do after she gets fired, how to deal with the horrible but hot neighbor who’s making a lot of noise one night
monroe’s story was interesting…went to prison and is trying to find his footing so he turns to “onlyfans” and when his neighbor interrupts his live video and the fans want to know more about her, he strikes up a deal with her
it was a cute little spicy read…easy, fun, light-hearted
This was so good I devoured it in a day. It had me feel all the things- laughter, love, spice. There was so many cute moments between our characters. Cara is such a headstrong grump and Monroe is perfect for handling it. I love the vulnerable moments between them. It was so good
Maybe it was the banter, maybe it was the guy that fell first. And maybe it was the post I read about her walking in on him live streaming and the images it created. Regardless, I read it in one hazy eyed night.
I demolished this book in an evening it is that good. It’s probably the funniest book I’ve ever read and mixed with the steamy scenes just made it that much better. Everyone should read it ASAP.
okay OKay OKAY. I did it. My first non-fantasy romance book.
My hot take is that THIS is a quirky character done well. She isn’t a Mary Sue and experiences REAL character growth. The ML is fine… he’s sweet but there’s nothing special there. The side characters are great supports that further the plot. I loved how it wasn’t overly smutty despite the premise and even had a few time jumps!
I needed something fun and silly and lighthearted and this was exactly it. Cara and Monroe’s banter and relationship was so fun. Throw in a crazy adopted dog who likes dildos for chew toys and you’re in for a laugh. The characters were fun and relatable and I’ll definitely finish this series!
A perfect palette cleanser of a book. Read it while on vacation, on the beach, and it made for the easiest "pick me up and read whenever" kind of sexy silliness.
The characters and banter are perfect and the funny moments are amazing. I'm a sucker for a good fake dating book and after this one I'm definately reading more of her work.