A Play Pretend Marriage

by A.K. MacBride

He's ready to be real, but her heart won't play along.

I never wanted a wife. But to secure everything I’ve fought for, I need one.
Enter my brilliant, infuriatingly beautiful assistant, Kate.
She’s fighting a battle of her own. There’s a little girl who needs her, and she’ll do anything to keep her.
Even agree to a play pretend marriage with me.
It’s strictly business. No feelings. No future.
But the chemistry is impossible to fake.
The kisses feel real. The touches linger.
I wasn’t supposed to want her.
Now I can’t stop.
And if I don’t convince her this was always more than a deal, I’ll lose the only people that ever truly mattered.

Genres: Amazon, Marriage Of Convenience, Romance, Billionaire Romance

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

About the author

Introducing A.K. MacBride, a passionate wordsmith with an insatiable love for crafting heartwarming love stories. She brews tales as tantalizing as her coffee and indulges in the bittersweet world of dark chocolate, all while savoring life's sweetest moments in a quaint South African town.

When she's not creating intricate tapestries of love, longing, and untold desire, you'll often find her lost in the aromatic embrace of freshly brewed coffee—her trusted companion in moments of reflection and creativity. As the rich aroma permeates her writing sanctuary, she lets her imagination soar, conjuring captivating characters and delightful encounters that leave her readers yearning for more.

But it's not just coffee that sets her heart aflutter. A connoisseur of the finest dark chocolate, she indulges in the velvety decadence, allowing its rich flavors to inspire her characters' intense passions and the intricacies of their relationships. Just as the delicate balance of flavors dances on her taste buds, her writing tantalizes the hearts of her readers, leaving them craving the sweetness of true love.

Amidst the joyous chaos of her literary world, she finds unwavering support and endless love in her husband and daughter. They are the pillars of her existence, a constant reminder that true romance is not only found within the pages of a book but also in the tender moments shared with loved ones. With their presence in her life, her stories overflow with authenticity, depth, and the promise of happily ever afters.

So, grab a cup of coffee, savor a piece of dark chocolate, and lose yourself in the tender embrace of A.K. MacBride’s enchanting tales. For within the pages of her novels, love blossoms, hearts mend, and extraordinary journeys of the heart await, all crafted with the delicate touch of a romance author who understands the power of a perfectly brewed love story.

Reviews

[Koisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Mochi Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

“We didn’t mean for it to happen, but somewhere along the way, all that playing pretend grew into more... Into everything.”

This was a cute read with a few swoony moments, but I wanted a little more. It had all the right ingredients, a billionaire reformed playboy protective MMC, a guarded and soft-hearted FMC, a sweet kid, and all the tropes I normally love. But something in the execution didn’t quite land as hard for me and felt missing...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Set in New York, this dual POV follows Kate and Tristan. Kate is Tristan's assistant and has seen all the women he's paraded in front of her for years. Now, Kate hasn't had an easy life. Three years ago, she became the legal guardian of Millie and had her heart broken by her ex, who cheated on her with her sister and then went on to marry her sister. Now, Millie's aunt is threatening to sue Kate for custody of Millie, so Kate goes full mama protection mode. Tristan is dealing with his own stuff. He's been told that his promotion is threatened unless he can prove he's a family man. So the two strike up a deal to pretend to be married. It helps them both show a "loving family front" to help with both of their issues... but now the thing is, how much pretending until it starts to feel real?

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Kate is very guarded, doesn't trust very easily and has closed off her heart. She is also super protective of Millie and has put up massive emotional walls especially when it comes to accepting Tristan's advances even though the physical and sexual attraction is there.

Tristan spends a lot of the book dealing with family trauma. He’s never really been loved by his family. He has a very estranged, detached relationship with his parents, so he finds it very difficult to love because he doesn’t actually know what that emotion looks like or how it feels. A lot of his journey is about discovering how love looks. How it looks between a partner, between a family, between friends, and between parents and learning how to show it and feel it. Not the way he was conditioned to see it because of his own dysfunctional family. He realises that love isn’t just about big declarations and money but about showing up, being there, choosing people again and again.

There were some really sweet moments between him and Kate. He clearly cares deeply for her and Millie, and you can tell he wants to be part of their lives. I appreciated how steady he was, especially when Kate was pushing him away or unsure about letting him in. But if I’m being honest, I didn’t fully feel the romantic chemistry between them. It sometimes felt like Tristan was more in love with the idea of being a dad or having a family than he was specifically in love with Kate. I get that Kate was emotionally closed off and that they agreed Tristan could prove he was different. But it took so long for their relationship to start, and when it did, it felt too sudden. Like, one minute he’s saying he’ll work for it, and the next they’re acting like they’ve always been in love? I needed more build-up to believe in their connection. It felt too quick to go from “I don’t trust you” to “You’re my forever.” I guess I just wanted more of the tension, the yearning, and the spark.

A big part of this book centres around Millie. She was the glue that made the relationship work. She was cute, adorable, and sweet, and her obsession with pancakes, BTS, and Tristan was JUST. SO. CUTE. Also something I really did like was Kate's relationship with her parents. They were so good at being their for her, communicating and just being the definition of parental love. Like the perfect role model for Tristan.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Workplace Romance - BossXAssistant
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Reformed Bad Boy
▶ Marriage of Convenience
▶ Single Mom "Vibes"
▶ Fake Dating

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ "Beg Me"
▷ Cages her with his Arms
▷ Chin Lift
▷ "Look At Me"
▷ Takes Care of Her when Sick
▷ Mirror/Reflection Sex

Overall I liked the story. It had heart, was cute and was mostly low angst. I do believe this is definitely worth the read even if I wanted more chemistry. I liked seeing Kate slowly open up and learn to trust again and I liked watching Tristan realise what love could be.

Thank you to Alica MacBride for the beautiful gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

[tae (miss mood reader 2025) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman can do no wrong when it comes to writing spicy romance novels! 🤭

Tristan, I see his hurt and confusion and love how he LOVES deeply. How he accepts Katie for who she is, and the little baggage that comes along! 🥺❤️ Little Millie!!

Katie, I started getting a bit frustrated with her jumping up and running away but then I realized that she is me, I build my walls way too high up and can't handle anything if I'm overwhelmed. So another main female character I relate to that A.K MacBride has written 🥺😍❤️

This was just WOW! Honestly I'm speechless. Thank you for my digital ARC copy ❤️

[Read_withchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride
ARC received for free, but honey, I am SHOUTING this review voluntarily because this book deserves ALL the chaos and heart-eyes 😍🔥

Tropes that will have you swooning:
💸 Billionaire vibes (yes, the “buy me a yacht and my heart” kind)
💍 Fake fiancé drama (with an actual slow burn that melts your soul)
👩‍💼 She’s the good girl… but don’t let that fool you—feisty, independent, and not taking any of his billionaire BS
💘 He falls harder than gravity
🔥 Spicy scenes that should come with a fire extinguisher
😂 Banter so good, you’ll snort-laugh in public and not even care
Spice is of the CHARTS 📊 🥵🔥

Let’s talk TRISTAN AND KATE 😍
Oh. My. God. You guys. This is literally a masterclass in slow-burn romance, emotional growth, and sizzling sexual tension. Tristan? Lawyer. Playboy. Future partner. Problem: Kate. And babe, the chemistry is so damn palpable you can feel it radiating off the pages. Kate’s heart is big, her love for Millie (the cutest little human on earth) is pure, and Tristan’s past trauma? It makes him hot AND heartbreaking. You want to hug him, slap him, and swoon at him all at once.

And the TWIST at the end? I literally screamed 😱. Tears? Oh honey, prepare your tissue box. Heartstrings? Pulled. Torn. Stolen. DONE.

The heat?
Let’s just say if this book were a temperature, it would be molten lava 🌋. Tristan calling her Kitty alone? Enough to make you melt. Every interaction, every heated glance, every fight-and-make-up moment? Deliciously messy and perfectly addictive.

My favourite quotes that now define my life:
💬 “She wasn’t you; I didn’t touch her because she wasn’t you.”
💬 “I can’t shake you… It’s a mess up here… And in the middle of it all, there’s you. You fucking own me, Kate.”
💬 “Why don’t you call me yours, and I call you mine?”

Bottom line: RUN. Don’t walk. Clear your schedule, grab a blanket, snacks, and prepare to fall headfirst into the MOST swoon-worthy billionaire romance of the year. MAY 8, 2025, PEOPLE. DO NOT SLEEP. 🏃‍♀️💨💖

PS: Rafe’s book better be on my shelf ASAP or there will be consequences 😏🔥

Thanks SO much, A.K. MacBride, for the ARC! My fangirl soul is officially yours, and these opinions? 100% my chaotic, heart-eyes-approved truth 💅💞

[Original Stepher · Rating 2 out of 5]

If Goodreads would let me, I would rate this book a 2.5 star.

This book has a spicy-ish trope we have all read before with a compelling twist. Unfortunately, this book fell a little flat for me. It felt disjointed and rushed, with minimal character development. I was left with a lot of questions that could have easily been answered and those details would have added more substance to the characters and the plot. How did Millie’s mother die? Where is her father, or her grandparents? Why was Kate chosen as caregiver? Is Julia okay?

The tenderness and love that is showered on Millie saves this book. Not only does it fuel the plot, but it is a catalyst for the emotional breakthroughs Kate and Tristan experience, which enables their relationship to flourish.

Thank you A.K. MacBride for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Chante Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow. A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride didn't just deliver—it devoured me. From page one, I was hooked by the sizzling dynamic between Tristan and Kate. What started as a tropey setup—a fake marriage, of all things—quickly unfolded into a gorgeously layered story about vulnerability, healing, and learning to love someone exactly as they are.

Let’s talk chemistry. The sexual tension between Tristan and Kate was so intense, I swear my tablet fogged up like a steamed mirror in a hot shower. Every lingering glance, every almost-kiss, every “we can’t but we’re going to anyway” moment? Literal fire. The kind of slow burn that scorches your soul before it sets your heart ablaze. MacBride knows how to craft tension that aches.

But what made me fall in love wasn’t just the heat—it was the growth. Watching Tristan evolve from guarded and gruff to a man completely undone by love was immensely satisfying. And Kate? Her journey from wary and self-protective to someone willing to open her heart again was so beautifully done. The banter, the emotional breakthroughs, the soft moments tucked between all that heat—they hit deep.

MacBride writes with heart, humor, and just the right amount of heartbreak.

A Play Pretend Marriage is more than a spicy romance—it’s a story of two people learning to stop pretending and start choosing each other, for real.

One of my favorite reads this year. I didn’t just read it—I felt it.

[Lizl Kuschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sizzles with chemistry!
Kate’s family bonds run deep here — full of warmth, unspoken understanding, and moments of pure joy. Where Tristan grapple with the deep wounds left by unloving parents — the kind of coldness that lingers long into adulthood.
Both Kate and Tristan sit with a situation that can only improve if it seems they have it all — a picture-perfect, stable, loving relationship. What starts as a fake arrangement quickly spirals into something dangerously real, and the emotional push-and-pull keeps you hooked.
AK Macbride perfectly captures that delicious slow-burn romance, making every touch and every look feel significant. If you love fake marriage plots that blur the line between pretence and passion, this book will sweep you off your feet.

[Daniela French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly read this in less than 24 hours and it’s safe to say…. I AM OBSESSED!!!😍❤️ Tristan had so much to work through and I literally felt so proud of him as he navigated his past traumas and evolved into a man anyone would be lucky to be with!! ❤️ A.K has a way to write such swoon worthy material, I became so attached to each character and to be honest….I cannot wait for Rafe’s book 😍 (also every time Rafe says “stupido” I love him even more😂)

[Odette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an ARC for this book. This is my first book from this author and I was so excited to read this book. Let me tell you, the author did not disappoint. AK Macbride may be a South African author, but it did not feel like I was reading a book from a local author, that is how good her writing is. This book belongs and author belongs amongst authors such as Ana Huang. The story line was good, the spice was spicing and the characters absolutely loveable. A quick read with not many trigger warnings & the back stories of the main characters are not too heavy that it makes the book feel heavy or dark. Such a fun read. AK Macbride, you have gained a fan for life. I cannot wait to read what flows out of your pen in the next book. Thank you for this beautiful story.

[Sanri Du · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.K. MacBride has done it once again. Captured my heart and kept me captivated from the dedication up until the very last page.

This has been my favorite book in the series thus far. Just could not put it down and read it all up in one day.

Seeing how the chemistry between Tristan and Kate developed has been my favorite part of the story.

Packed with love, friendship and spicyness it is billionaire romance at its best.

[adeela_books ❁ཻུ۪۪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

✨️Tropes:
• marriage of convenience
• boss x assistant/workplace romance
• spice
• slowburn
• fighting their attraction
• fmc is a guardian to her bff's daughter
• drama/mild suspense
• he fell first & hard

❤️☕️

Ak Macbride does not miss yall 👏🏻
This was so good! I love these tropes and they were executed perfectly. The way the author takes you into her character's world is so effortless, she'll have you enjoying your reading time.

I eat up the marriage of convenience trope every single time and Ms Ma'am delivered on it once more!

The character's were all written so well and I enjoyed getting to know them. Both the fmc and mmc had great personalities and together they made the cutest couple with the spiciest tension! Like I have no complaints with any of them. No notes ✨️ and I love that.

Tristan!! The man that you are. This man had me going squeal! When I got to the scenes referenced on the merch items I was left grinning. There were so many layers to these characters of vulnerability and Kate especially being scared to get into a relationship hit hard. These two complimented each other so beautifully, one can only hope to have what they do. Their chemistry was hawt & the fluffy/deep moments had me melting.

And can we talk about that cutey Millie and the way Kate was a total sweetheart of a guardian. Plus Tristan being better than his own parents ever could be and breaking that generational trauma by being so gentle with Millie!!!

APPM has a little bit of everything in all the right amounts; spice, love,swoony moments,tension, chemistry, fluff and drama. I devour it when books have the right amount of directed drama or suspense like yes please 🤌🏻

I'm so eager for Rafe's story,
gimme gimme!

It was nice to get glimpses of Liam & Everlee.
I'm excited to see cameos of Tristan in Rafe's book.

Go and read this now! Run!

• Thank you author for the arc of this book and goodies. All opinions are my own honest ones •

[Mariette De kock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride

📚Book 3 (Standalone) in the Destined Vows series

💍 He Falls first
💍 Office Romance
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💍 Billionaire
💍 Single Guarding
💍 No 3rd ACT breakup

A.K. MacBride is a South African author and she is definitely a new favourite author. I couldn’t put this book down so I read it in one sitting. The writing style is amazing and I was captivated by the story. It is a force proximity, work place romance with a fake marriage. What more can you ask for?

The book follows Tristan and Kate as they both found themselves in a situation where the only way out is a fake marriage. Tristan doesn’t do cuddles and small talk, he is the work place play boy. He is a walking sin but this is jeopardizing his chances to make partner at the law firm. The only way to get what he want is a fake marriage.

Kate is Tristan’s assistant and to say she despises him doesn’t begin to explain it. She has found him more than once in a compromising position. Kate is the guardian of a six year old Millie and she trying her best to give her the best life she can. But she finds herself in a custody battle. The fact that she isn’t married and works long hours doesn’t count in her favour.

Millie is the sweetest six year old and Kate is the best mom. Kate does everything in her power to make Millie happy and to make her feel loved and safe. Tristan will do anything for the people he loves. He has demons from his past that he is forced to deal with.

This story was so sweet. It just made my heart happy. I love the slow burn romance, the spice and the found family. Can’t wait to read book 1 and 2. I am also looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you A.K. MacBride for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

After growing up in a cold and detached home where appearances and status are the only thing that matters, he continues to chase it. Casual dating and corporate climbing are the priorities. When he finds out that he might be passed for partner because he isn't "stable" enough in his personal life, he lets his boss think he has a partner. The most significant other in his life is his assistant. his long suffering assistant. When he finally looks at her, really looks at her, he realizes that she has been shouldering some hefty burdens of her own, and that does something to him. She loves her job but her boss is infuriating. A playboy who couldn't possibly understand family and the pressures of holding it all together. Until she breaks down, and he is the one to catch her, and then he proposes an unconventional solution. While playing house, both of them feel the pull and attraction. He seems both ready to explore it and then terrified of it. The characters are good and well developed, love the quirky boyband fandom she has with her little charge. I would say that he is more emotionally conflicted than she is, which makes this a little unique in my reading history. He runs through his conflict on page and it makes him that much more endearing. Especially when he decides that he is all in with "his girls". This turns into such a sweet story, but not to worry it is also a little steamy and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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

[Jana Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Tristan and Kate as they marry out of convenience. Kate as a means to keep guardianship over Millie, and Tristan to get to be partner at the firm he is working at.

The biggest benefit in this book is the love they show Millie. Tristan not only faals for Kate but showers Millie with all the love and attention he never got as a kid. His own childhood traumas plop up a few times in the book, but are never truly delt with or giver more depths.

My biggest ick with Tristan is how he, in the first part of the book, several times grabs Kate and makes her stay in situations against her will. It's never really addressed between them even though she is bothered by it.

When they sort their feelings out their relationship is really sweet with a lot of chemistry.

The ending felt rushed with a lot of things happening all of a sudden. The kidnapping could have been given more room, or more background information. How was Julia? We get to know that Millies father isn't in the picture, but how did her mother die?

And lastly. If the marriage was only for show why not tell anyone about it?

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Play Pretend Marriage has charm, suspense and is a page turning billionaire romance. The novel is fabulously written, well balanced and beautifully executed by A.K. MacBride. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and was blown away by the storyline. The story is captivating from beginning to end, entertaining and an enjoyable read. I absolutely did NOT want to set this book down until read the last page of this book. The characters are well developed and beautifully executed throughout the story. The main characters of this story are Kate and Tristan. The chemistry between these two characters is absolutely incredible and undeniably irresistible. I loved getting to know both Kate and Tristan as well as witnessing the feelings they have for each other grow stronger as their story progresses forward. I loved getting that they have a happy ending to their story with them being happy together as a couple. A Play Pretend Marriage is certainly a recommended book for anyone to checkout and give it a read. I’m definitely going to be checking out more of this author’s work in the future.

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

[ZelaKiir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride, and honestly—it swept me off my feet! It left me giggling and kicking my feet the whole way!!

This book drew me in from the very first page and didn't let go. MacBride expertly blends some of my favorite romance tropes: billionaire love interest, fake marriage, hero who falls first and harder, and a deliciously slow-building attraction.

Tristan stole my heart with his reserved, guarded personality slowly opening up. Seeing him fall for Kate was truly captivating. Kate herself is fierce, independent, and loyal—exactly the type of female lead I love reading about. Their connection is sizzling, brimming with tension, playful banter, and undeniable chemistry.

But this story is more than just passion—it has real emotional depth. Tristan and Kate's journey as they overcome personal struggles and learn to trust love again resonated deeply with me. MacBride's writing has the perfect blend of warmth, humor, and heartfelt emotion.

Easily one of my favorite romance reads this year—sweet, spicy, moving, and deeply satisfying.

A huge thank you to A.K. MacBride for providing me with an ARC.

[B.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment the story starts we all know Tristan is going to be the possessive type. From the way he agreed to meet Milly at the beginning where Kate considered the deal to the point when you can physically feel the way he looks at Kate as if she is the most beautiful creature to ever exist. BUT did i forget to mention how my overies almost exploded at the way he calls Milly princess or the way he talks and listens to her asof she has the most important things to say (like forget my time line i want a child just to experience this type of beauty)


To the point tho. Even tho this was a marriage of convenience and it started out as pretending, it became so much more. Tbh tho i think they always had feelings but just was just reluctant to admit it.

Thank you @akmcbride for sending me this arc. I fully enjoyed it (so much i devoured it in one night).

If you love the marriage of convenience trope this is definitely the read for you especially with all the suspense. (Best part all her books are free with KU)

#CoverReveal #APPMBook #MarriageOfConvenience #OfficeRomance #BillionaireRomance #RomanceBooks
#RomanceReaders #FakeMarriageRealFeels
#RomanceTropeHeaven

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series but didn’t live this book

This book really frustrated me. Tristan did not understand consent and was way too physically pushy for me to like him. It’s a pity because the first two MMC s of the series I loved for the FMCs but Tristan pushed at her boundaries over and over again. It’s too the point that by 42% of the book all I could think about was the Fmc should cut all contact with him and quit because a man who doesn’t understand the word no and takes liberties with your body is not a safe man. He said that if she says no, he would stop no matter what yet grabbed her multiple times and wouldn’t let go when she asked. To the point where she had to get aggressive to get out of his hold many times and he still persisted to a bruising point. After all that it’s pretty hard to like Tristan making the book hard to finish.

Ps. He does get sweet with gestures in the second half of the book ( I just really can’t get past lack of explicit consent when I am not reading a dark romance) but if you love a possessive MMC and don’t mind some manhandling than this it’s totally worth the read & I will definitely be reading Rafes book next .

[M.W. Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just loving A.K. MacBride’s Billionaire series. I might even like Tristan more than Liam 🫢
Read this book in 2 days and not once did my writer brain get in the way. I enjoyed every page like a reader in love with romance.
Absolutely adored Millie and her BTS obsession (is that one hitting close to home Alicia? 😜) and just the story around Kate being her guardian. Kate is sweet, strong, kind and fierce. Her love for Millie, heck her entire family’s love for her is heart wrenching—but in a good way. I 100% supported Kate in the beginning for not just falling for him with his playboy background which made me love his growth throughout the novel even more.
Tristan, Tristan, Tristan. He more than proved he was a changed man and the way he just fit in with Millie and Kate…😍 I respected his journey from an unloved childhood home to accepting love from others. And the twist in the end—nice one.
If you love Billionaire tropes and found family I 1000% recommend this fun and easy read.

[Mea Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, emotional ride. A Play Pretend Marriage gave me exactly what I wanted from a billionaire marriage of convenience story: slow burn tension, plenty of angst, and that sweet moment when fake starts to feel a little too real.

The chemistry between the leads felt natural and well-paced. I loved that the FMC had her own voice and agency—she wasn’t just swept away by money, but challenged the MMC in ways that made their dynamic feel balanced. And the MMC? Classic emotionally unavailable billionaire with bad boy vibes. Predictable? Maybe. But still satisfying.

The pacing dragged a tiny bit in the middle, and I wanted a bit more heat or emotional depth in the big moment. That said, the ending wrapped everything up beautifully, and I closed the book with a full heart.

Would definitely recommend to fans of the fake relationship trope, especially if you like a blend of heartfelt and tropey fun.

[Karen Hrdlicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. And I have to say that A.K. MacBride is a master of the trope. Kate and Tristan's relationship at the beginning is rocky. His assistant (Kate) would rather kill him than look at him. Not only is he a jerk at work but he's a player who thinks nothing of having her bring work to his apartment while he is half naked and "entertaining" a woman. Of course Tristan doesn't see it that way, he thinks she likes him. When he needs a relationship to make partner and she needs someone to help her keep guardianship of her friend's daughter an alliance is formed. The scenes between Tristan and the little girl are so precious and the banter between the couple is stellar. I love this author's writing style and the way she weaves her stories. I cannot wait for the next read from this author.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I was lucky enough to get a review copy of A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride.

This book was chefs kiss, like wow did I love it from the first page I was hooked and definitely could not put this book down.

From Kate and Tristan's spicy dynamic to a beautiful love story. What started off as a Marriage of convenience for both of them soon turned to something neither of them could have seen coming. This story is so much more then just its tropes it is filled with love, healing and vulnerability. A part that I loved was Tristan's bond with Millie.
Also.....
This book was spicy in all the best ways someone could want a book to be. It had sexual tension from our two main characters to wow that was spicy.... 🌶 and everything in between.

[mei_li_terature · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy of A Play Pretend Marriage to review.

I really enjoyed this book ! It was the perfect fast read palette cleanser after some long fantasy books.

Both our MCs needed help with something and marriage was the only solution. Obviously 👀.

The romance aspects were really nice, we got cute and steamy moments.

Loved seeing Tristan evolve and change from his playboy days for his girls. He fell first and HARD. And not only for Kate but also for Millie, the little girl she has guardianship of.


This is the second book in the series but I’ll def go back to read the first one !!

I highly recommend picking it up if you like the following tropes :
💗 marriage of convenience
💗 reformed playboy
💗 assistant x hotshot lawyer
💗 no third act break up
💗 found family friend group

And it’s available on KU 👀👀👀

[Ashisha Sewpal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate and Tristan are one of my favourite couples.

Tristan is Kate's boss. As such, she sometimes sees the number of women he's with. This also works against him when he's up for partnership.

Kate has custody of her best friends daughter and when the friends sister threatens to fight for custody, Kate knows she's in trouble.

Tristan comes up with a plan that will work in both their favours. What he didn't expect was the way he feels around Kate.

I loved this story. The characters were relatable. Loved the relationship between Tristan and Millie. Kate's family is great except for Eleanor but glad she redeemed herself in the end.

Macbride also writes so well, I was immersed in the story. She draws the reader into her world.

[Emma (thecaffeinatedbookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I loved watching this billionaire playboy fall so hard for Kate!! I love Tristan and his confidence, and I adore Kate and the fact that she doesn’t fall all over him the way so many others do. Gotta keep him humble (or at least try to)! Tristan & Kate could both benefit from a fake relationship, and I loved watching them spend time together outside of work, figuring out who they both are outside of their usual boss/assistant dynamic. I loved their banter, I loved the way Tristan actually sees Kate, and I loved watching Tristan bond with Kate’s little girl. I couldn’t put this one down, and I cannot wait for Rafe’s story next!!

[ARC review]

[Cassi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

💗Marriage of convenience
💗Office Romance
💗Single Guardian
💗Reformed Playboy
💗Billionaire
💗Angry kisses and hand necklaces
💗NO 3rd act breakup

Who doesn't love a playboy who goes all in the change for the right girl? Or girls in this case?

Tristan & Kate's fake marriage isn't fake for very long and they're soon strong for each other. I love that there is no 3rd act breakup, but this doesn't mean there won't be emotional damage. There most definitely is. Some will surprise you and some may not.

Tristan, Kate, and Millie were absolutely adorable together. I can't wait to, hopefully, see more of them in Rafe & CeCe's book. We need more of the girls' BTS dance parties.

[Molly Niemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked into this book within the first few pages. It was funny, sad, heartwrenching, heart stopping love story. It may not fit the mold of some but, I adored this book and the banter they gave each other. To see this man who didn't know an ounce of love or affection, show and pour put the most love to his girl's, was beautiful. He never gave up on her and loved her through all her trauma while not hiding from his. He pursued her In a non creep way and broke through her barriers so effortlessly. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a lot of emotions, there is heartbreak, love, and joy but through it all family is the cornerstone. Tristan has never been close to his family, he was never shown love and doesn't believe in it. Kate is very family focused, she has a loving family and is raising her best friend's daughter, Millie, as her own. When these two find they could benefit from a pretend marriage they are not prepared for how it will affect them. Tristan has much to learn but with Kate at his side he can become the father he never had. Their chemistry is strong and they burn up the pages.

[Sarah Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Play Pretend Marriage by A.K. MacBride is the kind of romantic escape that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea and read it all in one sitting. It’s charming, funny, and emotionally satisfying—just the right mix of light-heartedness and heart. The chemistry between the characters is magnetic, the pacing keeps you hooked, and the writing flows so smoothly that the pages fly by if you’re in the mood for an easy, feel-good read that still gives you all the feels; this one’s worth spending the day with.

[Rina's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake it till you make it!

Tristan and Kate's story gave me a bit of whiplash in the beginning. 

One moment they were playing nice, then in the next breath, the gloves were off.

They would be attacking each other's mouths, only to turn around and glare at one another. 


Between their verbal sparring and their intimate touches, were moments that were so incredibly tender. Add in a sweet-as-pie little princess, some drama and some laugh-out-loud moments (thank you, Millie) and you have a great read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate and Tristan enter into this marriage to each solve a problem. Kate is fighting a custody battle and needs the stability of a whole family. I like the characters, more so because of the secondary characters, their family and friends. I like the story because they have real chemistry that turns into so much more, but also for the mystery and suspense factor. It is fun to see how Tristan falls for little Millie and how they make a real family.

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