Fall for Me: A Sweet, Small-Town Summer Romance

by Lexi Kingston

Beckett Harlow is a player. He’s incapable of keeping a girl longer than a week. A commitment phobe.

He’s my best friend.

I’ve known him forever and a day, so when an innocent joke leads people to believe we’re engaged, Beckett wants to use the opportunity to get my mom off my back and prove to his exes that he’s capable of being in a serious relationship.

Everything goes according to plan until faking it unearths feelings I thought I’d buried years ago, and the longer we pretend, the harder they are to hide.

Telling him the truth could ruin our friendship.

Because if there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Beckett would chase every random girl to the ends of the Earth and back again, but never me.

He’d never fall for me.

Fall For Me is a sweet, contemporary romance standalone that’s perfect for a sunny day at the beach. If you’re obsessed with friends to lovers, small towns, and summer romance novels, then Mac and Beckett’s story will have you smiling at the pages during this wholesome read.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Self-proclaimed romance junkie. Lover of music. Too invested in the lives of fictional characters. Bestselling author Lexi Kingston has been enamored by fictional worlds since she was a child. She became obsessed with the allure of crafting characters people could relate to.

Lexi writes sweet, no spice contemporary romance (Lexi Kingston) and paranormal romance (Lexi J. Kingston) books with characters who fight for and find home in each other.

When she’s not plotting or writing, she’s likely submerged in a book. And when she’s not reading… well, she’s probably writing again because she’s a workaholic who loves her job.

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WEBSITE: lkingstonbooks.com

Reviews

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac and Beckett have been best friends since kids. Now, Beckett is back in their hometown before he starts his senior year at college in faraway Boston. This summer, things start to change when a rumour blows up leading them to fake their engagement.

For various reasons, both of them continue with the fake relationship as their real feelings are finally revealed. Mac is hesitant to take the first step as she does not want to lose Beckett, if he doesn’t feel the same for her.

Finally, after a truth-shattering chat, they realise that what they have is precious and real. I loved those moments when Beckett would care for her (even before the dating starts). Their banter and mutual teasing is also excellent.

The side plot on Mac’s reconciliation with her brother was also brilliantly done, while allowing the trip to bring our young couple together in close proximity. And we also get to learn more about how Beckett was already in love with her, years back.

[Talynn A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes a book isn’t what I was expecting and it is awful. This was not the case, however, for this book. Although it wasn’t completely what I expected, it was such a fun and quick read! Beckett and Mac’s friendship was literally everything and it was so realistic that I feel like it could happen often in real life. If you’re in need of a short, light hearted read then this book is for you! 4⭐️

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

This is a sweet love story between best friends Mac and Beckett. What started off as a misinterpreted engagement turns into true love between them. Mac had always been in denial of her true feelings for Beckett but when they play along and pretend to be engaged, she realizes that she has always loved him but was afraid to act and end up losing Beckett. I liked how this was a clean love story but disappointed that it didn't have Beckett's pov.

[Ashley Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book I got to meet Lexi at librarycon 25 and picked this book up to read I will definitely be a repeat customer this book was hard to put down I finished it in 24 hours

[Joanna- LifeWithPrinceMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 For as long as Mac can remember, she's been best friends with Beckett. Even though he's two years older, these two have been stuck at the hip ever since they were kids. Even distance when Beckett's at college, or other relationships can't break these two apart. So when Mac jokes around at the mall, and it appears like he's proposing, their small town can't help but let the rumors run wild. These two are FINALLY together! Not wanting to shake things up, they decide to go on with the ruse for the summer. What could hurt? These two were always meant to be friends, or were they actually meant for something more?

What I 🤍:
💞 Best Friends to Lovers
👧 Childhood Crush
🥞 Small Town Romance
💍 Fake Engagement
🤍 Soulmates
🔑 It Was ALWAYS You
🚗 New Adult
💋 Sweet, Kisses Only
🔆 No Third Act Breakup

You know the song 'Rumor' by Lee Brice? Well this book IS THAT SONG! It was ADORABLE y'all! Since they were kids, Mac and Beckett have been best friends. They've literally been through it all together. Everyone in town KNOWS they are in love, yet they can't seem to admit their feelings to one another. The moment they finally talked made me SWOON. 🫠 I really loved how these two really made their friendship work~through dating other people, going off to college and even family drama. These two just GOT one another, and the whole time reading, it felt like a warm hug. I mean, any guy that wants to hang out and watch you while doing your hair is marriage worthy!

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🔥 (Kisses Only)
Read If ➡️: You want a New Adult, Clean, Summer Romance Read
Read 📅: Summertime ☀️
CW ⚠️: Estranged Sibling Relationships, Argumentative Parents

One of the best parts of this book, besides the sweetness of it, was the other storyline. You have Mac trying to build a relationship with her older brother and figure out where she belongs in her family dynamic. Her parents really confused me. They were constantly fighting, and I wondered often while reading why they were even together. One reason I knocked off a star is just logistics. I know Mac was in her second gap year, but I felt she had zero aspirations besides waiting on Beckett to come home. Also, these two were totally broke. I understand a college kid not having any money, but Mac worked full time and lived at home. Where did all her money go? Additionally, I wish there was some more resolution with Mac's friend drama. But overall, this was a super sweet, summer romance.

Fall for Me is out August 13! Thank you so much to Grey's Promotion and Lexi Kingston for an advanced reader's copy of this book. I really enjoyed it, and I think anyone wanting a feel-good, swoony romance will love it as well.

[Ehva · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars with all my heart!!

Becket and Mackenzie 😫😫😫 I absolutely loved these two. One of the cutest and sweetest romances I've ever read 😌

Friends to lovers!! Its always been you!!!
F*ck it moment 😫🤚🔥

The second I laid eyes on these two, I knew they were it for me 😎 I was a goner, and I have no regrets! The bond between these two! Absolutely beautiful.

Mac and Beckett have been best friends since forever. They're each other's lifeline and always come back to one another no matter how far life takes them. After someone sees them at a jewellery store and misunderstands, the entire town thinks they're engaged and even more...... in love. With Beckett needing to prove he isn't a commitment-phobe and for Mac to get her mother to stop interfering in her love life, they both agree to pretend. What could change right? 😏🤭

Beckett Harlow 😫 Charming, caring, protective, possesive, an absolute Golden Retriever and not afraid to prove his love for Mackenzie. He's such a sweetheart you can't help but fall head over heels for him. He's absolutely adorable! And will literally do anything for her, even put himself at a disadvantage, all just to see her smile 😫❤ MY HEART 🤧😫

Mackenzie 😌 sweet, independent, brave, protective, beautiful, caring and gentle. She's been through a rough childhood, her friendship with Beckett being her shining beacon through it all and I see why. I loved how her brother and sister-in-law were involved in their story and I can't wait to go and read their book 😌

When their relationship finally changes from friends to lovers, it's a real FINALLY moment 😏😌❤ Thank you so much Lexi for the ARC, I adore you ❤

If you haven't picked them up yet, you need to do so asap ❤

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie "Mac" and Beckett have been best friends since they were kids. They did everything together, and his family loves her like she is a member of their family. Beckett is home before his senior year in college in Boston. This summer, Beckett accidentally starts a rumor that they are engaged. They end up going along with it, for different reasons, but in the end it changes their relationship.

Mac has been in love with her best friend for years, just didn't want to tell anyone, because what if she lost him? She has had to watch him date other women for years and never thought she would have her chance with him. When their true feelings are finally revealed they realize they missed out on so much. I loved watching Beckett care for her, and show her his feelings, even though she is completely oblivious until he starts pointing things out to her that he has done over the years and now she sees them in a whole new light.

I thought this was a beautifully written, realistic book and I loved it. I cannot wait to read it again. I was so sad when their story ended. Fall for Me is filled with love, friendship, family, reconciliation and hopes and dreams for the future. I highly recommend Mac and Beckett's story.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Lexi Kingston and Grey's Promotions.

[Only.ever.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:
✨Fall For Me✨

By Lexi Kingston

⭐5/5 ❤️5/5

✨ Small Town Romance
✨ Best friends to Lovers
✨ Young Adult

Mac and Beckett

We follow the story of Mac and Beckett. These two have been best friends since they were born. No matter that Beckett is two years older or is studying ten hours away.
Now their evenings contain movie dates in a different way.
Beckett seems to have a commitment problem. His relationships never last or get somewhere.
And it looks like it is the same in Mac’s life. Until this summer an incident turns into an engagement that is fake.
But both get along with that since it keeps Mac’s mother off her back and let Beckeet’s track record now look better.
While pretending to be something they aren’t, Mac and Beckett begin to see each other in a different light, and secrets they thought had to be kept hidden forever come out.
but their families find out about their fake engagement and are less than pleased.
And now Mac and Beckett have more issues than they had before to get through.
A sweet story about finding a way to get the person you always loved and navigating from friendship to being lovers and seeing the things in life in a new way.

[Elizabeth Mazzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story! You meet 2 best friends who leave loved each other their whole lives finally figure it out enough to tell each other. This is like a hallmark movie. Right now to the him showing up in the middle of the night to have a talk with her. They are both sweet l, caring and kind individuals that have been there for each other. There isn’t any spice in this book, and you know what? It’s prefect! When they find out why neither one can hold a relationship, you find out that he really isn’t a playboy, he just is so in love with his best friend that no girl can compare to her. And when she dates, he is always there making sure it doesn’t work well. Because neither one can think of being with anyone else. This is probably one of the best and cutest books I’ve ever read and would deff recommend this to anyone. Best friend meets small town meets fake relationship turned into the real thing!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I am hooked! After reading the blurb and seeing the sweet cover I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I love this genre small town friends to lovers, is my jam. Mac and Beckett grew up together and have been best friends since they were kids.

Beckett is home for the summer before starting his senior year of college. Whenever Beckett is home these two are always together. When a rumor starts to spread about them being engaged they decide to go with it. With the fake engagement it forces them to finally realize they could have something real. The feelings they have for each other aren’t one sided.

I loved all the characters and how the story unfolded. There is nothing like falling for your best friend and realizing he feels the same way. Loved this book and can’t wait to go back and read more from this author. Must read1

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town
Best Friends to Lovers
Fake Engagement
New Adult

I love Mac and Beckett so much. ❤️ They have been best friends since forever. Beck attends college in Boston and is home for the summer, and Mac couldn’t be happier to have her best friend back.

When a rumor starts around town that they are engaged, they decided to play along. This is the perfect “everyone can see it but you” type of situation. The whole town has always known these two were in love, but they could never admit their feelings for each other for fear of ruining their friendship.

That “ah ha” moment between Mac and Beck was perfection. I shed some tears in this book. It was so sweet 🥲. I related so much to some parts as I felt like I was reading my husband and I’s story. This was a sweet summer romance and I absolutely swooned over it. 🥰

[Andrea Mehalco · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Fall For Me" by Lexi Kingston was my first read from this author, and it turned out to be a delightful, clean romance. Mac and Beckett have been best friends for years, and their relationship is incredibly sweet. Beckett, who’s never been serious with any of the girls he dates, makes a joke during one of their many outings, unaware of the prying eyes in their small town. This leads them to pretend they're engaged, which might just change everything between them.

I loved discovering Beckett’s secrets and seeing how vulnerable he became with Mac as he opened up. Mac also had her own secrets and took a brave step by revealing them. This book is a heartwarming friends-to-lovers story, filled with emotions and that cozy small-town vibe. The ending was sweet, tying everything together beautifully.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love romance this is the book for you!!!!
Mac and Beckett have been friends since childhood even when they were on opposite sides of the country they still made time for their friendship. So what happens when they find themselves back home at the same time and the local rumour mongers start talking about them as a couple. Well a fake engagement might just do the trick but feelings were always going to come into play and that’s when it gets real interesting.
Fall For Me is a Sweet, fun romance with wonderful characters and the perfect mix of love, humour, and drama. I have no problem recommending this book to all romance lovers because I’m sure like me you will be left smiling. Looking forward to my next read by the very talented Lexi Kingston.

[BookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sweetest book I’ve ever read

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was a lighthearted, wholesome read. Just so freaking sweet.

Beckett and Mac have been friends forever but we get to see them finally start to become more. Beckett is in college and Mac lives at home working at a diner, so neither have much money which complicates things when Beckett has to leave for his senior year of college. But the two lovers make it work without a huge and uneccessary third-act breakup. They are quite literally the most perfect couple, and I swooned SO many times. Plus Mac’s relationship with her neice and nephew is just perfect. I read this author’s 13 Days of December series and absolutely loved every book, but this book was on another level.

[Rebecca Massek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally read this book sitting by my pool, soaking up the sun, and devoured it in an afternoon! Mac and Beckett are everything you want in a best friends falling in love romance novel! The atmosphere of the town, the sticky Southern summer heat, and the absolute adorableness of these two characters and all of the supporting characters drop you into this world so beautifully. The chemistry between Mac and Beckett is so well-written, and their banter is so wholesome and lovely that you can't help but feel like a member of the town rooting for them! If you're looking for a sweet, funny, charming, and heartwarming romance novel that will have you kicking your feet like a preteen IMing her crush on MySpace, then this book is a must read!

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Loved!! Friends to couple, fake engagement, small town, and a mean girl villain! I would rate this as a young adult read because there isn’t really any spice. Mac and Beckett’s story was perfect though! I mean sometimes the love of your life is right in front of you the whole time. It takes small town rumors to get things headed in the right direction and a mean girl villain who tries to ruin everything. Their story ends like you hope a friends to lovers story does. There’s even a little side story tucked in there to keep you from getting bored with the denial between them.- Elizabeth

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi Kingston is a new author to me, and this was enjoyable.

Mac and Beckett were fun characters to follow, and it was nice to see them being so vulnerable. The two have been best friends forever, and after an innocent joke, they are placed in a position of a fake romance and confess some secrets.

This was a fun, quick, light-hearted read. I want to stay in this small town for a while. Kingston wrote Mac and Beckett in such a way that you felt like you’ve known them your whole life. This friend-to-lovers story is a clean, behind-closed-doors romance. I felt like I had some unanswered questions, but maybe I need to re-read it.

[Lou_lovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Lexi Kingston book and it won’t be my last!
What a feel good lighthearted book.
Mac and Beckett best friends for years harbouring feelings for each other that they were both blind too. When an opportunity arises for them to get her mother off her back about dating and his ex’s thinking he is non committable they decide a fake engagement is the way forward.
An easy and lighthearted read - enjoyed it.
Thank you to Lexi and the team at Grey’s Promotion for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Bookreader B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Friends-to-lovers
• Fake fiancé
• Small town
• Sweet romance
• Feel good romance
• Clean/closed door

Fall For Me was a super cute small town rom com. Lexi created this book with tons of witty banter and charm between the two main characters.
Mackenzie and Beckett were definitely made for each other and have the ultimate connection. The storyline throughout this book was consistent as well, which is not always the case.
If you have ever heard the song 'Rumor' by Lee Brice, this song was exactly on point for this book. Very sweet and clean romance while ending in an HEA.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett is a playboy and Mac’s best friend since childhood. When an innocent joke gets out of hand, and people believe that Beckett and Mac are engaged, he wants to use the opportunity to get her mom off her back.
This is a well written story which is easy to read with family, friendships, rumours, drama, humor, witty banter, emotions, fake relationship, friends / lovers, revelations, young adult, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and sweet, small town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.

[Robin ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read this as an ARC, and it is a best friend fake dating romance.  She is in love with her best friend and he doesn't realize it but she also doesn't realize that he loves her too. something is taken out of context, and people think they are engaged, so that is where the fake engagement comes into play. This is my first book from this author, and it was a really cute book, of course, with a little bit of drama.  I would recommend it

[Kayla Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett and Mac have been friends since they were kids. Beckett has come back to their hometown before he starts his senior year of college in Boston. But this summer things are changing and leads to their fake engagement!

They both have their reasons on to why they are keeping their fake engagement. Their feelings are finally revealed to one another!

Finally after they talk and coming realization what they have is real! If you love a happy ever after then this is a book for you!

This book was so good I didn’t want to put it down! If you haven’t read it you definitely should!

[bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you’re looking for a quick and sweet romance read, this is for you. first book read by this author and i enjoyed it. i admire best friends to lovers but wish there was more depth to the characters and relationship. beckett and mac have been best friends for so long until they accidentally agree to go along with a fake engagement that eventually leads to lifetime romance.

thank you to grey’s promotion & lexi kingston for the e-arc! & happy release day! <3

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I loved the dynamic between Beck and Mac! The only note I had was I wish Mac had a little more to her it just kind of seemed like Beck was her world and that was it I wish she had a little more depth! The part about the Jake shakes hits home so much being from Pittsburgh and that also being my favorite shake so I loved that little touch! I love a small town romance and this definitely hit the spot!

[Kirstie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This was a quick and sweet closed door romance about two lifelong best friends that finally realize they’re in love. They overcome distance and meddling so-called friends, and they come out stronger at the end. Beckett and Mac were super cute, but I wish there was more to their characters. It felt a little surface level to me, but overall, I enjoyed their love story!

[Shirin Rasheed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall for me is a beautiful best friends summer romance that is perfect for a beach or vacation read. It's a sweet small town romance about Beckett and Mac. Their fake relationship starts feeling real when their feelings come out after years.

I Really Loved this sweet story and Highly Recommend it to all readers.

[Rae-Rae79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac and Beckett have been best friends from the beginning and always fall back on each other in times of need. For these two, rumors get started and the whole town thinks they are a couple. To make others leave them alone they have a fake engagement. For these two the friendship has been more but neither one wanted to admit it till it was on the line. Great love story overall!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!! Mac and Beckett are childhood best friends. Fake engagement. Her mother is on her case about dating and finding that love that she thinks her daughter deserves, but dating is not on Mac's mind.

First book by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly what it says: a sweet, small-town summer romance. Beckett and Mac have known each other forever. They grew up together. They are best friends. The story opens with Beckett calling Mac to tell her he has just been dumped and is a commitment-phobe. With that conversation, the story is off and running. Beckett is adorable; Mac is oblivious. Together, they give you a sweet story.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun sweet rom-com with some of my favorite tropes including friends to lovers and fake relationship. You will be rooting for these two the whole book. There are perfect amounts of humor, angst, and two people finally admitting their real feelings. A great beach read for August!