To Have and to Fake

by Veronica Adler

/Marrying the billionaire who lost a multi-million dollar lawsuit because of me was not on my bingo card./

Kash Sutherland doesn’t know I’m the reason he lost the lawsuit. He just knows me as the tattooed inn owner he has been flirting with for six months. I know him as the man I met five years ago on a rooftop in New York City on New Year’s Eve.

A night he doesn’t even remember. And now, he’s making me an offer I can’t refuse.

Marry him, and he will pay off my debt and give me five million dollars. Considering his family is the reason I am in debt, I am tempted by his offer. If he knew the truth, he would NEVER offer me this deal.

Which makes me wonder, why me when any woman would jump at the chance to marry him? Like everything else with him, it’s just another secret, one he refuses to share.

I’m desperate, or just plain stupid for saying yes.

It’s six months, and only for show.

Until Kash starts to feel like he’s mine, and I get a thrill every time he calls me his wife, his touch igniting a need I can’t deny.

Sharing a last name and a bed comes with so many emotions—our fake marriage is starting to feel too real. But I can’t stop the doubts that I don’t really know him.

I have to be careful or I can lose my family’s legacy, my home…and my heart.

Genres: Marriage Of Convenience, Romance

Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Veronica Adler writes spicy romcoms full of banter, laughs, some serious moments, and a guaranteed HEA. Her heroines are fluent in sarcasm, stubborn, with a get-things-done attitude and her heroes are swoon worthy and utterly devoted.

Reviews

[Shannai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

Please do not read this if you loved this book or if you're the author. While this review isn't intending to come from a place of malice and is no way attacking the author’s work, it is my honest thoughts on what I have read.

I love me an obsessed billionaire, marriage of convenience. Kash really delivered because he was a man obsessed! My God, the mouth on that man, was sensational, he was just so down bad for his wife, I loved it!

This delivered on the marriage of convenience, billionaire, 'my wife' tropes, wonderfully, however, my main issue with this was the overall pacing. It felt all over the place; Kash and Naina aren't exactly strangers, they met years ago, but you don't really know how or why, until towards the end. They felt like strangers, when entering their marriage and I wasn't really sold on their chemistry, which is a shame because when it came to their intimate moments, they were good, but only in that moment; the hot and cold behaviours displayed from them felt rather contradicting and only added to their lack of chemistry for me.

Naina’s inn was in huge debt, which is how their marriage of convenience came about, so naturally was expecting to see that unfold, and be a large part of the story, but it was only sparsely mentioned and towards the end?

I felt like it could have about 100 pages shorter, because the plot in the second half really began to drag, while I was trying to make sense of Kash's family's and his father's motives. I also felt that in some parts of the book, information was missing. I don’t know, the plot, it just felt underdeveloped in certain places. I had to really read between the lines, or go back to certain places in the book, to see if I had missed something, when it just hadn't been mentioned, or revealed yet.

I did like the side characters, Kat, Vera, Reid— I'm rather curious about Vera and Reid and what happened between them. I did also like Naina's sister, though sometimes, she did come across much younger than 19— I don't if that's because she lost her parents at a young age, I don't know, it was just the overall vibe I had got.

I'm actually quite torn on how to feel about this. There were elements that I really did enjoy and parts that I didn't unfortunately. Thank you to Love Notes PR and Veronica Alder for the e-arc!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review To have and to fake

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Naina and Kash are made for each other… to rephrase it, Kash what a man. The man every girl wants. The story was made great. It was so detailed and structured. Loved it from the first moment. The waitress and the mysterious man what a trope. Paid to be his wife. Have to tell you that is the dream of some people getting paid by a daddy and then falling in love with the handsome daddy. Was so amazing and although some part are dragged it still a book that you will enjoy and fall in love with.

[Mariah Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

3.75/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
•Marriage of convenience
•Possessive MMC
•Billionaire romance
•Cat Daddy

First of all- the dedication alone got me. 🥵 I loved this book and the banter between these two characters. The FMC was strong, funny, independent and so sarcastic. This book put me through all the emotions. This was my first book by Veronica, but won’t be my last.
Thank you LoveNotesPR & Veronica for the ARC!

[Danny Kearl · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 75%

This had good bones but almost too much was happening and the characters kept going hot and cold with no communication or acknowledgment of the 180 of emotions.

[Isabel Jarnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Veronica & love notes pr for the ARC!

I really enjoyed the beginning where the two MC's meet, & overall the storyline had a lot of potential! Always love a good my "wife" moment & the chemistry for these two was *chefs kiss*
It was a little bit all over the place once we got deeper into the story, & some things that were built up and repeated really had no significance later on.

Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Billionare

[Lottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I have such mixed feelings about this book. Firstly thank you to the author and love notes pr for giving me the opportunity to read this arc! I'll start with the positives, it was cute! There was a good storyline with the whole darker side to kash's family and the businesses and the tropes were on point, i also loved the bond that naina and sami shared it was so cute to see and the fact that the mmc was a cat dad😩 However I just feel like this book wasn't for me unfortunately, I found kash to be too intense at points and the way that he had it planned all along and tricked naina into marrying him just didn't sit right with me. I feel like there was a lot of repetition between the main characters having arguments, then it being okay again because the issue was brushed over or they solved it in the bedroom and it got to the point where the fmc just got on my nerves😭 The other thing was that in the second half of the book I feel like the characters were getting in eachothers pants every other chapter and the guy would just be like i want you now and she just went along with it and some times the way it was described made me cringe and cover my eyes so I just skipped those chapters sorry :/ For the most part I liked it though but I just wouldn't choose it for myself, there are lots of other people who loved this book and I'm happy for them!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - 4,25/5⭐️

I really liked Naina and Kash's story ❤️! It was spicy, full of tension and teasing, and really entertaining. I loved the characters (especially Kash with his Cat Dad energy 🫣). I thought that the characters had depth, and that they were funny and endearing ! I also loved the marriage-of-convenience part and the cute/funny interactions between the MCs before. I really liked my reading and I totally recommend it ! I'll totally read other books by this author in the future 😇

[gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

💖ARC REVIEW 💖

I am obsessed! Every little detail in this story drags you in ten fold and creates this romantic story that you can’t put down! Naina and Kash are made for each other even if they do have their differences. Veronica Adler crafted a true marriage of convenience love story that leaves you wanting more!

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

firstly a massive thank you to Veronica and LoveNotes PR for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC 🫶🏼
this was such a fun and cute book and im absolutely obsessed with their story

I loved how obsessed Kash was and how often he was saying ‘my wife’ to literally anyone and everyone 😭
Their story was written so beautifully and even though they both went through different traumas in their past they’re trying to work through things together
“Maybe Kash and I were too broken. But our broken pieces fit together like pieces of a puzzle to make one perfect whole” 🥲
Their characters and personalities were written so well and i just loved how funny, sassy, sarcastic and independent Naina is (id love to be her friend 😔)
the banter and spice between them was phenomenal
I haven’t read too many books with POC representation so this was a nice surprise!
p.s Kassian is such a nice name? obsessed

this was my first time reading Veronica’s books and definitely not my last!!
i adored this book and definitely recommend
the scenes at The Met gallery 🤭😮‍💨

[Gaby Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review 💍🥹🩷

I really enjoyed Naina and Kash’s story! The characters had such good chemistry and the tension between them just keep building!

From the start when he would come in to her family inn’s restaurant and would only be served by her ?? *swoon*

I loved how even though his family was so toxic, her family became his. They fit so well together.

The spice was HOT 🔥🔥 like spicy spicy!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
- marriage of convenience
- second chance romance
- he falls first and hard
- billionaire romance

[Nadja · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
2🌶️

I have really mixed feelings about To Have and To Fake. At first, I thought it was okay—not amazing, but I could at least see the appeal of the whole billionaire marriage-of-convenience trope. But the second half? My god, it was a disaster. Random plot points just kept coming out of nowhere, and none of it made sense. By the time I got halfway through, I just wanted it to be over.

Kash was way too intense at times, and the whole idea that he had planned everything from the start and tricked Naina into marrying him? That really didn’t sit right with me. On top of that, the way their relationship kept going in circles—argue, make up, argue again, solve it in the bedroom—was exhausting. It got repetitive so fast, and honestly, Naina started to annoy me. They were both such headstrong characters on their own, but together they just felt...meh. They weren’t strangers when they entered into their marriage—they’d met five years ago, and Kash had been showing up at her inn for months—so there was something to build on, but it didn’t feel like their relationship actually developed.

And don’t even get me started on the whole backstory. Kash did remember meeting her five years ago, but it’s only mentioned in passing, and we never actually find out what happened then. It’s just brushed aside so he could explain on his “brilliant” plan. Despite being married, they barely shared any meaningful moments, and their lack of communication drove me nuts. The miscommunication trope is one of my least favorites, and this book leaned on it hard.

There were so many little conflicts that popped up for no reason, only to be resolved immediately, which made me wonder why they were even there in the first place. And it was way too long. Like, at least 100 pages too long. Every time I thought it was finally wrapping up, it just kept going. There was so much happening all at once, and half of it didn’t go anywhere. Loose ends everywhere. A single chapter was literally one sentence: “Five years, and I finally had her where I wanted her.” What was the point of that?

The billionaire family drama was over-the-top too. Kash’s family, especially his dad, was so entitled and cruel, but it wasn’t explored in a way that made it feel believable or important. It was just...there, and it landed flat.

The pacing was also all over the place. It would drag in some parts and then suddenly speed up, throwing in a bunch of drama or spice. Speaking of spice, some of their steamy moments were hot, but Kash coming onto Naina everywhere and her always going along with it felt a little too much after a while.

I will say, the “my wife” moments were fun. Those were the only parts that really worked for me, and honestly, the only reason this is getting 2 stars. This book had potential—great setup, decent tension—but it was all over the place and way too long. By the end, I was just confused and exhausted.

[Mara Miniaci · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the beginning, I had a hard time figuring out why, out of all people, Kash would ask Naina to marry him. However, as the story progressed, the reasoning behind it became clearer, as their marriage started to feel legitimate, with both partners becoming emotionally invested. However, I struggled to believe that Naina, of all people, would get involved with someone she didn't even really like at first. The dynamic between Kash & Naina felt more like a love-hate relationship every now & then, as Kash seemed to be struggling with his feelings & hesitated to fully let Naina in.

Both main characters were relatable, thanks to Veronica Adler's deep exploration of their insecurities & toxic tendencies. Adler doesn't shy away from the messier aspects either, making the reader wonder whether this marriage even has the slightest chance of survival. The inclusion of therapy at the end of the story is so refreshing compared to other books that normalize toxic behaviour without tackling the initial problem. I'm glad that Adler chose not to, opting in stead for the two of them to work these issues out on their own. This specific approach added a layer of realism, which seems pretty rare these days. 👌🏻✨

Deception definitely was a major theme throughout the book. Naina was hiding the truth about her involvement in Kash’s failed lawsuit, Kash was keeping secrets from Naina & there was plenty of intrigue within Kash’s family. To put it lightly, it was a lot! Thankfully, Kash was often just one step ahead & justice ultimately prevailed.

One of the most surprising twists was Kash already knowing about Naina's past regarding her former job as a lawyer. The revelation left me speechless, especially because of how he chose to handle it quietly before finally confronting Naina with the truth. This moment showed some serious depth in regards to his character - making it obvious that he had cared for her far longer than she even realized. I also have a soft spot for love-at-first-sight situations, so that element worked out beautifully for me 🤭.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, though the pacing fell off a bit in the middle, making it harder to stay fully engaged. Still, if you’re into romance stories with a broody billionaire protagonist, marriage of convenience story line & a touch of spice, you will definitely like it. And you know what they say - if you like it, then you should put a ring on it! 💍✨

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Have and To Fake by Ms. Veronica Adler is a contEmporary romance centered on two vivid personaLities: Kash Sutherland, a charismatic billionaire with a dash of intriguE, and Naina "Goldie" Hollister, a fierCely independent, tattooed inn owner whose loyalty to her family’s legacy is unbreakable. Together, they bring a dynamic blend of passion, warmth, and complexiTy to this story, where an arrangement foRged out of necessIty begins to evolve into something that feels unFlinchinglY real.

When Naina inherIts the Windfield Inn with her youNger sister Samira, she leaves behind her promisinG law career in New York to rEvive the faMily business, dEspite daunting financial tRoubles. Faced with overwhelminG dEbt and mounting reNovations, Naina finds herself contemplating unusual solutions to save the Inn—finally conCeding a mutuallY beneficial marriage arrangement with Kash, a man whose affluent lifestyle and sEcrets present a stark contrast to her own. Their siX-month marriage contract holds the promise of financial rescue, but also rIsks unearThing Naina’s long-hidden secret about Kash’s past— something that could unravel everything she’s worked for. In this “marriage of (in)convenience,” @veronicaadler.author beautifully plays with the tension of hidden truths, trust, and the surprising warmth that begins to bloom between them.

Authenticity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Banter: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Chemistry: 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Intrigue: 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
Kash's obsession: 📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈
Emotional connection: 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎
Sizzling spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Memorable dialogues: ✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️
Overall Satisfaction: ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

In summary, To Have and To Fake is an enjoyable pick for readers seeking a love story that is both tEnder and grounded, with the eXact amount of cHarm. With wItty banter, veritaBle tense moments and a heartfelt journey toward trust, it’s a satIsfying read for those looking for a sTory that’s sIncere, engaging, and (mOstly) uNproblematic.

A huge thank you to Ms. Veronica Adler and her team as well as the lovely team of LoveNotes PR for providing me with this ARC. It’s a joy to share my honest review, and I look forward to seeing what's next!💕

[TheReadersBoard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off with what I liked about this book, coloured FMC! #represent

I loved the dynamic Naina had with her sister and the whole concept of familial expectations. It added an extra layer to Naina’s character and built up her story well 🙌🏽 It was also quite relatable, especially when it came to looking after Sami (her younger sister).

Same with Kash. He was an obsessed MMC! So much so that he’s been holding onto his feelings for Nina for 5 years?! 🫶🏽 Although, sometimes it felt like all of my favourite book boyfriends’ lines were part of his vocabulary 😂

They individually were headstrong characters but when together, it felt a bit meh? They weren’t exactly strangers before entering into their marriage of convenience. They first met 5 years go and Kash kept coming into Naina’s Inn for the last 6 months. So, there is that baseline to build their relationship on but I’m not sure it really developed.

Despite being married they led quite separate lives and the communication was practically non-existent. I really struggle with miscommunication trope, which is what made this a little tiresome for me. They were very hot and cold with too many little conflicts that immediately resolved themselves, which made me question why they were there in the first place? It was like watching a tennis match but without a satisfying ending.

It definitely could have been at least a 100 pages shorter. Every time I thought I was going to reach the end, it just kept going. I think because there was SO much going on, it felt like some things were introduced without actually being developed and eventually dropping off with no reason whatsoever.

I did like the side characters, it definitely set up the stage for other characters’ books. I’m especially curious about Vera and Reid! 👀

All opinions are my own. Thank you Love Notes PR and the author for providing me with the arc.

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————————-————————-————————-————————-

Some of my favourite quotes 🤭

“I don’t want just anyone, Naina. I want you.”

“Sweetheart, I will destroy all the walls you build until you give in and realize nothing will keep me out.”

“Sweetheart, I will rescue you from the pits of hell if needed. You don’t even need to ask.”

[Kris Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Have and To Fake | ARC review ✧˖°.

✰: 4/5
✉ : marriage of convenience, banter and spice, family drama, billionaire romance, dual pov, "my wife", semi-exhibitionist kink, they can only fall asleep with each other
✎ : @veronicaadler.author

Publication Date: November 1, 2024

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

“𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭.”

“𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬. 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞.”

I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to @veronicaadler.author and @lovenotes.pr for the ARC of the book, To Have and To Fake. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Thank you for your generosity!

Review:

To be honest with you guys, I don't know where to start. But I'd like to say that this book gave me a roller-coaster of emotions. Not in a bad way because that's what really got me hooked on the story.

The writing style is so great! I can really feel the connection between the main characters. Also, I would just like to appreciate the supporting characters too. I loved them all, especially Grayson. I'm so intrigued by his personality. I hope he gets a book of his own.

I would totally give this book a perfect star review but there are just some things that I didn't like in the book that's why I only gave it a four-star review.

I didn't like how Kash never gave Naina an option or a say in their relationship. Especially towards the end. I didn't like that personality of his and I think that's a major red flag. Naina also kept on mentioning it to him in the book, and I'm afraid that I didn't see much-needed character development from him.

I think that would be all for this review! Thank you so much for giving me the chance and opportunity to read this book!

[Loverulesall_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐
Spice: 3🌶️

I honestly do love a 'Marriage of Convenience' book and Veronica outdid herself with this one!

Naina never intended to return back to Carmel again, but when she learns of her parents passing, she inherits the Windfield Inn. Naina has given up her career as a lawyer and is doing her best to keep the business at the inn afloat. With debts to pay, she struggles to see a way out of this situation, until Kash literally comes knocking at the Inn's door 🤭

For the past six months, like clockwork, Kash comes to dine at the Windfield Inn restaurant, despite his family owning Evergreen Resorts. Every time, Naina is requested to take his order, yet she doesn't miss a beat. Kash has a favour of his own and puts forward a proposition to Nina - he will fund the renovations for the Inn plus $5M dollars, if she can become his fake wife for the next 6 months.

Let me just say, Naina and Kash - WOW! 💗 They were unbelievably cute 🥹 what started out to be pretend slowly morphs into something much more real. Their love was simply fierce and precious, and the obsession they had for another was unreal! 🤭 I adored the chemistry and banter between them but what got me most was how protective they were for one another in dealing with toxicity of the Sutherland family. It was wonderful to see Kash break through the notions of who he thought he was, with Naina's constant support and reassurance for him. Naina too had her own fears and secrets and I was glad that Kash could be the one to help her face them. Overall, I loved them as a couple and the way Kash said "My Wife" at every opportunity... Swoooonnnn 🫠🫠

The main reason why I couldn't give this a 5⭐ rating was because there were numerous mentions of what happened between them 5 years ago, but we didn't get the backstory! I would have loved to read about their first encounter 🤗

Thank you Veronica and Love Notes PR for gifting me with an eARC, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️//3🌶️

Let's start with the dedication, because Veronica sure knows how to give the girlies hope that manifesting a billionaire husband to help with all your woes is not all that delusional.

Naina Hollister, and her sister Samira, inherited after the unexpected passing of their father the Windfield Inn that has been in their family for generations. After giving up her career as a lawyer in New York, Naina knew that the Inn hasn't been doing great, the extent of it only becomes clear after looking at their family's finances. Unable to afford the renovations for the Inn without some outside help (as far as considering having an OnlyFans account), Naina reluctantly agrees to marry Kash Sutherland, a billionaire heir (whom she had met 5 years prior) who promises her money to save the Inn in exchange of 6 months marriage. The secret Naina is harboring about Kash might break this arrangement, but this is all supposed to be just temporary, right?

I am sorry, but Kash Sutherland proclaiming that Naina is "his wife" every single chance he has and to anyone who would (and wouldn't listen)… No comment. He becomes so dedicated to showing Naina that she deserves all the very best things in life, and he is determined to give her just that. It is so incredibly beautiful to see how despite their pasts, Naina and Kash are learning to mend their broken pieces together, with lots of patience, understanding and devotion.

Also, Miss Veronica, please tell me that the other characters are getting their own stories, because I am INVESTED!!! I am so looking forward to reading more of your works in the future!

Favourite scene: The date at the Art Institute of Chicago
Favourite 🌶️ scene: Emergency Exit 🤭

[Lindsay (LindsayTurnsThePage) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Marrying the billionaire who lost a multi-million dollar lawsuit because of me was not on my bingo card.”

Oh Naina and Kash… these two are a hot mess with each other. So much banter between them. For six months, billionaire Kash Sutherland has been coming into Naina Hollister’s debt-riddled inn, insisting he only be served by her. Which leads to him proposing a scenario to help them both - marry to improve his family’s reputation and he will pay off her debt.

This book had all the makings of a great billionaire romance. Unfortunately, it was a little all over the place. The pacing was off, lagging a bit in the story and then suddenly hurried with TONS of spice. And sure, some of their semi-public escapes were quite steamy, but at the same time, Kash coming onto her any and everywhere and Naina just going along with it every time felt a little over the top.

It took me longer than expected to get through because I was confused by so many details of the story that I wasn’t sure were loose ends or had a point. Such as a single chapter that consisted of one sentence: “Five years, and I finally had her where I wanted her.”

The explanation of how they knew each other from 5 years prior to the current storyline was just hard to follow and while it did get tied up in the end, it felt unnecessary. Also billionaire families - Kash's was excessively entitled and straight up mean. Sure they had their reasonings, but his father hating him with such a level of disdain that I couldn't really get behind. I dont't know. I really wanted to love this one, but for me, it landed on the flat side.


Stars: 3/5
Spice: 3/5

Read if you like:
Billionaire Romance
Family Drama
Marriage of Convenience
Semi-exhibistionist k!nk
Dual 1st Person POV

Thank you so much to Veronica and Love Notes PR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Khushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. If you're craving a book with explosive chemistry, secrets, and a fake marriage that feels oh-so-real, To Have and To Fake by Veronica Adler is your next must-read. Trust me, this romance has it all: tension, angst, banter, pining, and a level of spice that’ll keep you up all night!

Kash Sutherland is the classic billionaire with secrets, and our tattooed, stubborn inn owner, Naina (who also has secrets) finds herself agreeing to a marriage deal that’s as wild as it sounds. But from the get-go, it’s clear things aren’t what they seem. As they start pretending, the lines quickly blur, making you question who’s fooling whom. The stakes? Higher than a rooftop in New York City. The payoff? Beyond satisfying.

And the relationship portrayed between Naina and Samira is just everything I never knew I needed!

Adler’s writing brings out the tension and emotion between these two so beautifully—you’ll be right there in every charged moment, feeling every stolen glance and hidden truth. Kash and Naina go from strangers with a shared past to something so much more, but there’s a ticking time bomb in the form of a secret that could shatter everything.

Here’s why you NEED to read it:

- Fake Marriage
- Angst & Tension
- Enemies to Lovers
- Secret Backstory
- Pining & Spice
- Slow-Burn

In short, if you love banter, chemistry that practically sizzles off the page, and a storyline that has you questioning everything, this one’s for you. Veronica Adler nails the fake marriage trope, and the rollercoaster she takes you on is unforgettable. Grab this book, settle in, and prepare for all the feels.

[Priyanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

💍To have and to Fake🥂
🥂Author: Veronica Adler

💍What you gonna find:
🥂Marriage of convenience
🥂 Billionaire Romance
🥂Dual POV
🥂Possessive MMC
💍Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"𝓢𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽, 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓸𝔂 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓲𝔃𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓴𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓶𝓮 𝓸𝓾𝓽."

Ever read a story where the second leads are as interesting as the first . This is your STOP !!!!

Nana Hollister is a hardworking person full of wits to helve a life, faith chose for her. She and her sister inherit the Inn after her father's sudden demise and she leaves her career as a lawyer. With the debt and need for renovation, she agrees to marry Kash.

Kash Sutherland , the billionaire heir is a private person who happens to be a 'Cat dad' .Dreamy,I know !!!With a hard exterior, he's a businessman in the day and yet finds himself in front of Naina's Inn consistently.

Entering into the marriage was a business but was it？Kash left with no chance for the world to know, "she belongs to him and he can create an empire just for her."

I loved how Naina manouvered around Kash's toxic family encasing her strong character. But Nina has sequestered a secret which can change their lives!!

This book has it all , the superficial grand date , the love is in the air moments , their witty banter and bickering and possessive MMC. I mean what all can a girl demand and the dedication is just the much needed preview.

Quotes I loved:

"𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘕𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳，𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳."

"𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩,𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

Thank you @lovenotes.pr and @veronicaadler.author for the arc🤎.

[Khadija Hassim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: To Have and To Fake
Author: @veronicaadler.author
Thank you @lovenotes.pr for the ARC

Tropes:
- Fake marriage
- Secret identity
- Billionaire romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found family

Trigger Warnings:
- Financial struggles and debt
- Family tension and legacy loss

Genre:
- Contemporary Romance

Themes:
- Trust and forgiveness
- Overcoming deception
- Love that grows against the odds
- Building a family and a future

Review (Contains Spoilers)

In To Have and To Fake, @veronicaadler.author crafts an addictive fake-marriage romance brimming with secrets, chemistry, and heartfelt moments.

When Kash Sutherland, a billionaire cat dad, proposes a six-month fake marriage to help our inn owner heroine pay off her debt, sparks fly. Their connection dates back to a mysterious New Year’s Eve years ago—a night Kash doesn’t remember but she can never forget.

What starts as a convenient arrangement grows into something undeniable as Kash’s devotion (and his two adorable cats) melt her defenses. Grayson, Kash’s stoic bodyguard, and Naina’s loyal girl gang add layers of humor and warmth to the story, making it more than just a romance.

With @veronicaadler.author trademark witty banter and more, To Have and To Fake will keep you turning the pages to see if love can survive the secrets threatening to tear them apart.

For fans of laugh-out-loud romcoms, swoon-worthy billionaires, and heroines with grit, this book is an absolute must-read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#ToHaveAndToFake #FakeMarriageRomance #BillionaireRomance #Romcom #RomanceBooks #ARCReview #BookLovers #VeronicaAdler #RomanceNovel

[Poorvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love both the character so much. Kash has such a toxic family. Which make him feel like he could trust no-one and Naina has lost her job and father. Is in debt and has to take care of sister.
Marrying the billionaire who lost a multi-million dollar lawsuit because of me was not on my bingo card. Kash Sutherland doesn’t know I’m the reason he lost the lawsuit. He just knows me as the tattooed inn owner he has been flirting with for six months. I know him as the man I met five years ago on a rooftop in New York City on New Year’s Eve.A night he doesn’t even remember. And now, he’s making me an offer I can’t refuse. Marry him, and he will pay off my debt and give me five million dollars. But Kash starts to feel like he’s mine.
I love their batter , their chemistry. I love the story so much. I love how Naina stick up to his family and how Kash treated her sister like his own. I love how he don’t leave a chance to call her my wife. He become so committed to show her that she deserves the best. Naina also stick by his side specially during those horrible meet with this family
And the meeting and exhibition scene 🤭. I was like what is happening. 😂
I absolutely love how Kash is cat dad and talks with them like they are his daughter. That scene was so cute.
I love Naina’s sister and love how she is a book girl.
I just didn’t like how they were like but then they have a fight about something , then they start making out, then something happened to FMC. This loop seems to be going on. Otherwise story is so amazing.

[Camryn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 💌

This book was such a good read, I was having a great time reading this! the BANTER and chemistry between these two is so special

Nina literally thinking that he didn't know what happened five years ago but HE KNEW AND WAITED FOR HERRRR like they are so cute, he literally came inside her restaurant for 6 months just to see her

Marriage of Convenience is one of my top tropes and this book was just reminding me why

Nina is such a good character, the sassy fmc who's a lawyer but quit because her dad died and has to run their family INN with her younger sister who's home for the summer

Kass is everything! Like the man literally waited for her for five years and kept up what she was doing, we love a BILLIONAIRE MAN WITH DADDY ISSUES
Quotes

"You deserve to have someone devoted to your every breath. And here I am, your humble devotee."

"Naina made me selfish. The first time in my life I wanted something for myself, even though I knew better. I would burn the world to keep her safe."

"Maybe Kash and I were too broken. But our broken pieces fit together like pieces of a puzzle to make one perfect whole."

"What makes you think I would ever give you up? You're mine, Kash Sutherland. Nothing is going to change that."

"Maybe our love was different than what most people expected. But we were utterly devoted to each other. I didn't even care that our relationship was never meant to be fake or temporary. Whether that was the Stockholm Syndrome talking or something else, I didn't care."

"I've been in love with you since the moment I saw you, Goldie. You have my heart, my soul, my body and every earthly possession I own. Nothing is going to make me hate you and I can't destroy you without destroying myself."

[Nashita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cute marriage of convenience with a HEA and no 3rd act break-up. Overall, the characters had personality and there was an actual plot !! At times, the pacing was a little confusing but there was no miscommunication trope or other cliches. A sweet book with an obsessively caring MMC made for a fun and heart-warming read :) I am so thankful to the author and Love Notes PR for allowing me the chance to read this ARC !

- spoilers ahead -

This book had a lot of meat to it- which came with it's own set of pros and cons. There was such a strong start to the plot that seemed to get a little lost somtimes. At times, the story was a little contradictory- Naina hadn't fallen for Kash and didn't trust him yet but they had that initial face-time call. Naina kept claiming she wanted to come clean to Kash but then made no attempts to tell him she played a role in the lawsuit. I also found some of their interactions a little surface-level. The love between them was very "tell" instead of "show" if that makes sense. As much as I love romantic conversations- it didn't feel like the characters meant them, even if they claimed to- it felt performative to the audience. As for the pacing, certain important scenes seemed rushed while not as important scenes seemed to drag.

That being said, it is a nice read if you want two characters who really are obsessed with each other. I adored how they never reacted without hearing the other out first! Definitely give it a read

[Martina · Rating 2 out of 5]

First things first: thank you thank you thank you to Veronica Adler and Love Notes for giving me the opportunity to read this arc! this book was such a emotionally journey tbh? i’m sad i didn’t get to enjoy it as much as i could’ve, but maybe it wasn’t the right book for me in this specific moment.

the idea of a marriage of convenience with an obsessed billionaire should have been a recipe for something fun and engaging but i struggled with the setup, and i think this is a quite common occurrence for a lot of us who have read this book. i didn’t really get why Kash would want to marry Naina and it felt very forced, even for a marriage of convenience trope. the dynamic between Kash and Naina often felt more like a love-hate relationship, with Kash constantly struggling to let Naina in and Naina resisting him. their back-and-forth made it difficult to get invested in their romance. their arguments felt repetitive, and the way they’d brush things off only to fall into bed together didn’t do much for me. It got to a point where it just felt like a cycle that wasn’t going anywhere.

i actually found the inclusion of therapy towards the end refreshing, as it’s pretty uncommon to see a romance tackle toxic behavior in a realistic way. but for me, by that point, it felt like too little too late. The damage was done, and i wasn’t convinced that the couple had truly earned their happily ever after.

[Fluff & Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

If “my wife” had a spokesperson it would be Kash.

An unforgettable encounter 5 years ago (off page, not discussed) and they’ve carried a torch for each other ever since. This story brings to life what the concept of twin flames is all about - chaotic all consuming and messy love. (I did pick up on it with the authors clever little clue - about his eyes shining like a pair blue twin flames).

- Do you like spicy scenes? 🌶️
- Do you like a man obsessed + worshipping his girl? 🙏🏽
- Do you like an “I can and will do everything for you and lay the world at your feet” kind of man? 🌎

***This. Is. For. You!***

Kash has a toxic and abusive family (most of em except the few treasures). And Naina had a loving family but with her parents gone she came back to home to take care of her family’s inn and her sister. MCs have several scars and traumas that they slowly heal together.

I was pretty invested in their chaotic love and felt very invested in their side characters too… I want to read what happens to the others!!! Great world building woven into their love story. Some of the details or pieces didn’t seem too plausible to me… but what do I know I’m not a billionaire and I’ve never had a twin flame kind of love 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Overall loved the read, and would definitely read more about the other characters stories too!

[Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - 3.5 ⭐️ This was a cute marriage of convenience book about Kash (a billionnaire) and Naina (a former lawyer and now an inn owner). It's your typical "I hate you and this is all pretend" love story until it isnt pretend anymore. Kash is sweet and I love how he spoils Naina like she deserves. I love Naina's relationship with her sister. You can really tell how much she loves her and just became a parent for her. I love Sami and Vera and curious about their stories too. I enjoyed Kash and Naina's love story and was happy to be part of their journey.

The only issue I had was the pacing. I felt like they hated each other, got married, still pretending to hate each other then bam! they are doing spicy things. I didnt feel it transitioned well. There are some story lines that was not explored and left a lot of confusion like their meeting 5 years ago (like what happened and why does Naina think he doesnt remember) and other things. The ending although satisfying (I really hate his dad and what he did), it felt rushed and the dad seemed to have folded so quickly.

Overall, this is a fun read and recommend it to anyone looking for a swoon worthy and spicy love story. Thank you to Love Notes PR and author Veronica Adler for my eARC. I love your writing and cant wait to read more of your work.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Have And To Fake by @veronicaadler.author

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| 🌶️🌶️

୨୧ Arc Review ୨୧
I am a huge sucker for a marriage of convenience trope and this one did not disappoint. I loved everything thing about Naina and Kash! Kash was the perfect example of morally gray with a bit of a toxic side. But at this point, I’m choosing to ignore them. This man had a way with words so I’m choosing to ignore his red flags😂 It was so funny to me when he came out to be a cat dad because I personally didn’t see that in his character, but it was a perfect touch to add. I did giggle every time this man said “My Wife”. To say I’m obsessed with Naina would be an understatement. She was the definition of a girl boss, and she always stood on business. The banter that these two had was so perfect. It had me in tears most of the time. I thought these two characters were so beautifully written, and I can’t wait to read more. I already have an obsession with the rest of the character, so I’m hoping to see them again soon.

Thank you @veronicaadler.author & @lovenotes.pr for this ARC, I utterly enjoyed reading Naina & Kash’s story

#marriageofconvenience #billionaireromance #bookrelease #contemporaryromance #forcedproximity #romancereader #bookishpost #romancebooks #romancerecs #veronicaadler #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #arcreview

[Din · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Have and To Fake' Veronica Adler

“ For all the corporate girlies (and the non-corporate ones), I hope we all find our man in business, trust fund, 6’3’’, blue eyes, and may he be eternally and utterly obsessed with us”.

The dedication of the authors nowadays evolves and I love it. I read the blurb first but now I MUST READ FIRST THE AUTHOR DEDICATION. 😊😊😊😊
Naina Hollister is a strong FMC. A responsible and protective eldest sister to Sami. Kash Sutherland is a “semi-stalker” lol. He always dines at Naina’s inn even though he owns a resort. He will ONLY ask Naina to take his order. For six months it goes this way. I love their banter and Kash “torpe”( sheepish) moves to Naina. Kash becomes a very committed husband to Naina and treats Sami as his sister.

Family drama may be predictable, but it undeniably adds an exciting layer to the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy it. It serves as a refreshing palate cleanser after reading into too much dark romance. A little spice is always enjoyable. I loved their date in an art gallery and the exit door.

Thank you Love @lovenotes.pr and @veronicaadler.author for the ARC.

[Frances | StardustPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Love Notes PR and Veronica Adler for the ARC of her latest book!

From the moment I saw the tropes—billionaire, marriage of convenience, spice—I was hooked! This story has it all: an addictive romance, incredible leads, and supporting characters who keep you on your toes.

We meet Naina, who strikes a deal with Kash to play his wife for five million dollars—the funds she desperately needs to renovate her family’s inn. And let me tell you, there’s nothing like a hero who’s obsessed—Kash is head over heels, all in on taking care of Naina, loving her, and, yes, wanting her 24/7.

Naina is the perfect match for Kash, and I loved how both characters acknowledged their traumas and healed together in ways that felt real and deep. For all the smut lovers, the spice is 🔥! Naina and Kash’s chemistry is off the charts, with scenes that are as passionate as they are captivating.

Another thing I adored was the multicultural romance between two vibrant adults! Naina is of Indian descent, and Kash is half Hispanic, creating a beautiful blend that feels like a true representation of today’s world. 🖤

I’m already hoping we’ll see stories for my favorite side characters from this book because, if they’re anything like Naina and Kash, they’re bound to be amazing!