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Posing in Paradise

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When a down-on-her-luck costumer agrees to a fake relationship for quick cash, the last thing she expects is to fall for a celebrity she despises.

Margo Wells hates everything about Hollywood. Especially actors. But she loves her job as a wardrobe supervisor, until a spoiled film legend has her fired for an accident on set that wasn’t even her fault. Margo faces the real possibility of returning home to Minnesota in defeat. That is until a friend suggests a crazy pose as his cousin's fiancée for a family wedding in Hawaii and earn some cold, hard cash.

There’s just one problem. It turns out the cousin in question is none other than Caroline Jacobs, the woman responsible for Margo losing her job. Unfortunately, there’s too much at stake to back out, especially after a desperate Caroline offers to triple Margo’s pay to go through with the charade.

What could go wrong?

How about three of Caroline’s most famous exes showing up at the same exclusive island resort at the same time?

Now Caroline and Margo will have to turn in the performances of their lives to avoid being caught in a lie. But can Margo survive being trapped for two weeks in paradise with so many Hollywood A-listers without choking on her lines? Or worse, falling madly in love with the beguiling blond she’s sworn to hate?

If you enjoy reading steamy, enemies to lovers, celebrity romance with a lot of heart, this latest collaboration from Miranda MacLeod and TB Markinson is the perfect summer beach read.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2024

224 people are currently reading
450 people want to read

About the author

T.B. Markinson

70 books1,150 followers
T. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn't writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.

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5 stars
695 (52%)
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448 (33%)
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153 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
Profile Image for Corporate Slave.
358 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2024
I gave this a 4 , and two days later I went back and gave it a 5! Just because it was such an enjoyable read .. it’s got so many things that don’t make sense but I did thoroughly enjoy it so yeah, a 5 it is! Not everything needs to make sense 😁
Profile Image for Sandra.
553 reviews134 followers
July 24, 2024
4,5⭐️
Anyone who follows my reviews already knows that I'm a fan of the stories TB Markinson and Miranda MacLeod write together.

Posing in Paradise is no exception. The story of enemies to lovers, celebrity romance, and fake relationships promises to be a perfect summer read, partly set on a beautiful Hawaiian island.

Margo, a wardrobe supervisor in Hollywood, who has lost her job because of the famous actress Caroline Jacobs, is astonished when she finds out - unfortunately much too late - who she is supposed to be a fake fiancé for. Really? For Caroline Fucking Jacobs, of all people? At some point in her life, she must have stepped hard on someone's toes to be punished so severely. How is she supposed to survive two weeks in paradise with the devil?

Soon Margo realizes there is so much more to this beautiful but infuriating woman. Although it seems to be the most important thing, for all celebrities, always to keep up appearances and never show the slightest weakness in everything that happens, she catches moments of the real Caroline. But how is a normal mortal ever supposed to be sure whether the other person is showing their true self or the show face? See how Margo manages or better stumbles on her way to a HEA.

The MCs had great chemistry, and fit together well despite their differences - if they ever can forget long enough that they hate each other and start to trust. I also liked the important second characters Asher and Caroline’s mom. Humor, glamour, situational comedy, witty dialogues, hot scenes, and great characters are the key to success. Even if some parts are a little unrealistic, it doesn't detract from the fun. After all, reality is serious enough.

The story is written from Margo’s POV which is fine with me, but on the other hand, I would have liked to get to know more about Caroline.

A highly recommended fun summer read.

Thanks to the authors for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cherie.
705 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2024
This was a guilty pleasure reading this in one sitting today while traveling home from a very long and busy vacation. It took me three weeks to read my previous book due to lack of time and it was on the boring side.

I’ve read most of TB and Miranda’s co-writes and this one was better than some others for me. I especially liked the first half. I felt both characters were well developed and their feelings for each other were genuine.

It is a far fetched plot but very entertaining and we all deserve a break from reality.
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,328 reviews100 followers
July 18, 2024
Yea, enjoyed this book: big up to Miranda MacLeod who doesn’t even have a look in from Goodreads! Fun, lots of stereotypical scenarios, and I liked both main characters. Recommended.
Profile Image for emily.
897 reviews164 followers
July 5, 2025
This was a delight. I love a fake dating romance. I love actress/hollywood characters, I love Lori Prince as a narrator, and the writing duo of these two authors nearly always hits for me. Overall I had a great time. I Caroline had me of my favorite voices in Lori Prince’s repertoire (it’s just so dreamy) and I really enjoyed the dynamic between her and Margot.

My ONLY minor qualms were that I really wanted to get into Caroline’s pov too! And I was bummed we didn’t, and the nickname Go and Gogo were… rotted lol. But this was super fun and one I would absolutely reread/listen to.
Profile Image for cloverxheart.
212 reviews12 followers
November 22, 2025
Horrendous cover but the story was entertaining!
I was going to rate it 4.5 or 5 stars but sadly the last 25% weren't as enjoyable anymore.
I feel like the characters went from not liking each other to being together and then loving each other way too quickly.
In like 2 weeks? Pretty damn unrealistic to me.
The conflict at the end made me mad. Why break up when you want her back 5 pages later? That was so unnecessary.
I just feel like there was a lot that could've been done but sadly didn't happen.
But definitely more enjoyable than the last book I read by the authors.
549 reviews12 followers
August 17, 2024
Another winner from one of my favorite duo of authors.
Profile Image for Fran Sappharc.
818 reviews46 followers
July 16, 2024
Well, a screwball comedy off to a great start.
Zip line plot, brilliant both in idea and execution.
I loved the show aspects of the storytelling. The plot device I didn’t see coming then it didn’t and I didn’t see that coming either!
Genuinely amusing and although fake is a common trope, this was fresh and surprising. Another great collaboration from these writers and possibly my favourite so far.
Profile Image for Women Using Words.
481 reviews67 followers
September 6, 2024
Few writing duos capture readers’ attention quite like T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod. Their latest, Posing in Paradise, neatly blends elements of romance, humor, suspense and Hollywood glitz, making it one gem of a celebrity romance. If you haven’t read anything they’ve written before, then this is definitely the one to pick up.

At the heart of this story is a truly charming and likable character, Margo Wells. Readers easily empathize with her; from the start they feel she was unjustly fired. This fosters a solid connection with them. Her pull cannot be denied. She’s industrious and hardworking—relatable in so many ways. Despite her setbacks, she demonstrates that she can push through tough situations and make the most of it. It’s these set backs that work to ensure she remains a dynamic character, making her growth and evolution more meaningful in the end. However, it is her fiery spirit and sense of humor that truly makes her irresistible. Markinson and MacLeod always seem to know what they are doing when it comes to character development; Margo is proof of that.

Caroline Jacobs, Margo’s nemesis, is a fantastic character as well. She’s not what readers expect, making her complex and intriguing in her own right. She’s given a fleshed out backstory that’s rich and layered; it provides the storytelling with a unique depth, making it intriguing as well as captivating. She’s a Hollywood legend but not a diva, and this makes her so much more inviting and warm. It’s that warmth—wrapped around all her endearing flaws—that really captures readers’ hearts. She’s a memorable character, to be sure, maybe even one of Markinson and MacLeod’s best.

This is not just a celebrity romance, and that’s why it’s so much fun. Markinson and MacLeod craftily incorporate the enemies to lovers trope into the storyline with seamless ease. The animosity between Margo and Caroline is masterfully scripted, serving as fertile ground for some great dialogue and captivating scenes. The fake fiancée trope packs its punch too, adding an interesting, spicy dynamic to the narrative. Readers will likely find themselves rooting for Margo as she navigates her conflicting feelings for Caroline and the chaos that ensues as she tries to convince everyone they are the real deal.

Final remarks…

A down-on-her-luck woman posing as a celebrity’s fiancée is a classic trope, but it totally works here. Between that, the mayhem, the misunderstandings and and the assortment of Caroline’s exes that keep popping up around the island, Posing in Paradise is sure to keep readers entertained. It should surprise no one that Markinson and MacLeod have—once again—created a delightful, engaging tale for all to enjoy.

Strengths…

Well-written
Well-told
Delightful characters
Engaging, steamy romance
Fantastic story world
Profile Image for Kelly.
385 reviews21 followers
July 16, 2024
3.5 stars

Another author collaboration from this twosome.

This has a few of my favorite tropes, celebrities, enemies to lovers, and fake relationships. Margo is a costume designer who, through a string of bad luck incidents, is recently fired from the movie she was working on. She agrees to be a fake fiance for her gbf Asher, which entails a paid tropical trip and some extra cash to act as the fiance. Once they arrive at the island, she finds her fiancé is none other than the actress who got her fired from the movie Carolyn.


The faux pairing leads to some hilarious moments and a slow burn into a not so fake relationship.

If you're looking for a quick read, give this one a try.
Profile Image for Juniper L.H..
910 reviews34 followers
July 23, 2024
Loved it! I didn’t expect to love this one this much, although I’m not sure why because it was an obvious recipe for success. Lots of my favorite elements are all here with some delightful fake-dating, enemies to lovers’ shenanigans. I have lots of strong opinions on fake dating stories, and this one did a great job of satisfying them. It took the obviously unrealistic premise and made it work realistically (mostly) and satisfyingly. My main takeaway is that this novel was fun, and my second point would be that it was heartwarming and sweet. Anyone who likes the tropes, would love this novel.

The characters were great together; they had solid chemistry even when they disliked each other, and their dynamic was fun. The single POV was a great choice in this instance, and it was used well. You can see the little glimpses into the second characters mind, which was well done and absolutely delightful. I loved slowly unravelling Caroline’s character and seeing beneath the surface to what she is actually thinking and feeling. If I have a complaint its that we didn’t get an even better understanding of Caroline, her background, and what she was thinking and feeling. Can’t have your single-POV and enjoy your dual-POV insight too I suppose!

If I’m critiquing, I always hate it when the timeline is so short, especially given how strong they want to say the romantic connection is. It’s just unrealistic and, for me, lacks the impact of a more developed relationship. There are also a ton of little choices that I didn’t love throughout the novel (no need for a comprehensive list of spoilers) but noting was enough to ruin the overall package.
Profile Image for nina ʚïɞ (hiatus).
119 reviews443 followers
September 16, 2024

~ ☆ 4 stars ☆ ~

Rating this purely on enjoyment and a suspension of disbelief. I had an absolute blast with this romcom!

”She’s a book I thought I’d never want to read, but now that I’ve flipped through the pages, I can’t seem to put it down.”

~ ⛫ My Thoughts ⛫ ~

❦ The fake dating coupled with the mostly playful animosity between Margo and Carrie was so fun. All of their encounters were rife with humor and mistakes from all their pretenses. I laughed out loud multiple times.

❦ I’m definitely more of a fan of a dual POV, but I think the single POV (from Margo) worked well here. Most of the time, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything and some of Margo’s insecurities played better with not seeing into Carrie’s head. Even so, I think I would’ve liked to have Carrie’s POV (at least towards the end). It would’ve helped to understand her reasoning and motivations for her actions. Although, it was funny to see how Carrie was doing through her family’s eyes instead.

❦ Things to overlook: 1. How does Margo really not know who Asher’s family is? 2. Margo & Carrie just hate each other over something kinda small? 3. There are exes literally everywhere! 4. Celebrities don’t trust technology? 5. Don’t think about how long it takes Margo to get her act together.

❦ Finally, Caroline Fucking Jacobs. A perfect cinnamon roll. That’s it.

Overall, just a super cute, fun read. I’d totally recommend if you can look past the absurdity 😝

•——— * • ☆ • * ——— •

➴🌺 Sapphic Romance
➴🌺 Enemies to Lovers
➴🌺 Celebrity
➴🌺 Fake Dating
➴🌺 Vacation Fling
➴🌺 Only One Bed
➴🌺 Destination Wedding

Profile Image for Carol Hutchinson.
1,124 reviews72 followers
April 16, 2025
Fun and drama!

Actress Caroline Jacobs is the last person Margo would want to help, but she didn’t know it’d be Caroline when she agreed. In Hawaii for her sister’s wedding, Caroline is desperate for Margo to stay as her pretend fiancé despite the tension between them, especially with her three exes also happen to turn up.

As always T.B. Markinson and Miranda have delivered another dramatic story, packed with drama and humour that only this perfect pairing can deliver. The tension between Caroline and Margo was the perfect fuel to make sure there was never a dull moment, from Margo agreeing to help out her friend’s cousin because she’d been fired and needed the money, to finding out the person responsible for her situation desperately needed her help. The flip of the power dynamic was brilliant, and gave for some humorous moments as sometimes it was Margo who had the advantage, where Caroline had been used to that, and it was nice for Margo to have a little win.

Together they really were a great pairing and naturally clicked. Their forced fake situation played a big part to start with them being protective of one another, but it was interesting how as time passed that all became natural, meaningful, and based on growing feelings for one another. There were also some exciting twists and unexpected moments, always just at the right time to bring more excitement or drama. These two had a love story fit for their Hollywood status and I hope we’ll see them again in a future story one day.

A great romance that I enjoyed every moment of, enjoyed the picturesque setting, and fell in love with the cuteness building between two great women.
Profile Image for 3DKing.
274 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2024
If you told me more details about the plot before hand, I wouldn't have touched this story with a 10 ft pole. It's ridiculous at times, over the top most often and utterly ludicrous in its plot line. Like one of those bad Netflix-RomComs which you'll forget the minute they are over.

And then Posing in Paradise is heartwarming, heartbreaking and unbelievably hot. Carey and Margo are HUMANS, who had very bad experiences in life. They are skittish and afraid and insecure. They are vulnerable. Yes, there is a third act breakup, which doesn't come at a surprise, but it's one fitting the characters I learned about. It's fitting the plot, the creeping insecurities and the grand romantic gesture I wanted the moment this relationship turned from fake to real, from enemies to lovers.

And for the love of everything that it holy and sacred: somebody give Lori Prince a freaking Oscar. How this super talented chameleon of a voice genious is able to put every person in my head and transport me into a scene is beyond compare. She's just there, nearly alone at the top of Mount Narrator, giving this book extra stars just through her contribution.
Profile Image for Lexi.
49 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2024
Could Not Put Down❤️

This book was absolutely amazing, it pulls you in right from page one and doesn’t stop reeling you in even after the book is over!! If you’re looking for an amazing romance story with comedy thrown in you’re in luck!! I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did🥰
Profile Image for Lyn Denison.
Author 15 books60 followers
July 20, 2024
Attractive well-known movie star and a nice, kind-hearted, costumer. Stir in someone needing money and someone with lots of money, a saving-face situation and an over-the-top family. Pop everyone into romantic Hawaii and you have a really feel-good read. Leis all round.
Profile Image for murph.
132 reviews5 followers
August 14, 2024
1️⃣🕴️🪡👰🏼👰🏼
Profile Image for Lucía.
38 reviews
September 5, 2024
guilty pleasure totalmente
la portada… lo único que voy a decir
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,862 reviews30 followers
August 17, 2025
4 stars. A very cute and light enemies to lovers fake dating romance. It was a lot of fun. I loved both Margo and Caroline a lot and thought their chemistry was so good. I loved the banter between them. My one and only complaint is that I wish we would've gotten Caroline's point of view but other than that this was pretty damn good.
89 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2024
What an incredible story! This should be made into a movie (imagine that, a movie about movie stars!) I was hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters. I think the bantering helped the characters get to know who they really are. There were many twists that kept me reading well beyond my bedtime (one more chapter, one more chapter, etc.)
I very highly recommend this book if you're looking for a fun, easy flowing book. You won't be disappointed! TB and Miranda have truly written a winner!
Profile Image for Lorraine Rusnack.
1,126 reviews32 followers
September 20, 2024
Enemies not so much

Margo and Caroline seem to really dislike each other until you get further into the book. The story is funny at times as well as thoughtful. The women have great chemistry and make a cute couple. Caroline has family drama to deal with and Margo is very supportive. I love the setting of this story and wish I could escape there.
Profile Image for Kirsty Atkinson.
7 reviews
April 30, 2025
I must say, I think this may be the best story that came from this writing duo. I was hooked on Margo and Caroline’s story, and I think the ‘from villains to lovers’ trope was executed pretty well. With just the right amount of drama to not cause me anxiety (yes I admit that drama in stories can cause me minor mental turmoil haha), and a great amount of emotional moments that left me feeling both sad and happy for the characters, I would say this makes my top 5 favourite LGBTQ stories. The last chapters are what I would describe as something you’d probably see in a movie, but even so, I thought it was perfect. And why isn’t this a movie, actually??
Lori Prince brings the personality of the characters alive once again with her brilliant narration for the audiobook aswell.
Definitely recommended if you enjoy lesbian romance.
Profile Image for Robin Clairvaux.
Author 4 books51 followers
July 27, 2024
Hilarious, Hot, and Heartwarming

When gorgeous Hollywood diva Caroline Jacobs gets Margo fired from her job as wardrobe supervisor on Caroline’s film, Margo is desperate enough for work to agree to an outlandish paid fake engagement scheme that takes her to a posh tropical resort. The dream destination turns into a nightmare when she realizes her phony intended is none other than Caroline Jacobs. But what if Caroline isn’t such a diva after all? And what if the setup leads to feelings that are far from phony?

Posing in Paradise is a hilarious, hot, and heartwarming romance. Margo has a deliciously sarcastic yet vulnerable voice as the single point of view character. As a result, it is both entertaining and inviting to experience the spectacle of a celebrity-laden destination wedding with all its quirky personalities and the shifting relationship with her beautiful and surprisingly genuine celebrity crush through Margo’s perspective. The romance itself ebbs and flows with all the breathtaking speed and turbulence of the Hawaiian surf itself, but it’s a wildly enjoyable ride.

Fans of sapphic romcoms that seamlessly blend the fake relationship and enemies to lovers tropes will fall in passionate love with Posing in Paradise.
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