Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date

by Lilian Monroe

From the author of Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge comes a deliciously witty and lighthearted romance brimming with misadventures, misdeeds, misunderstandings…and one perfectly mismatched couple.

A notorious rule follower, the old Daphne Davis could do no wrong. But lately she can’t get anything right.

Jilted by her ex, ousted from her home, and laid off from her job, Daphne retreats to her little hometown, Fernley Island. But even there, she feels out of sync. So, bailing on her own sister’s engagement party, she suddenly embraces a brand-new no more goody-two-shoes.

Unfortunately, Daphne’s new mantra lands her squarely in the headlights—literally—of her high school nemesis, Calvin Flint. No longer a scrawny jerk, he’s Fernley’s acting sheriff, filling out his uniform waaay better than he ought to.

He’s also Daphne’s new boss.

As Daphne balances the books after a department scandal, a series of mishaps throws her and Calvin together. The sparks that fly take them both by surprise. But will a fake dating scheme and quest for a stolen heirloom ruin their chance at something real?

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Workplace Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2025

About the author

Lilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.

No, wait. That's not true.

Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.

Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.

Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—

I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.

How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.

She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).

Reviews

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I really enjoyed this book and actually shed a few tears going through it. There’s a lot of unresolved trauma between the two main characters and you can feel that hate/love going on as the story builds.

Both characters have past issues with their families and a lot to overcome. I think that added so much to the depth of writing and storytelling the author delivers. She touches on a lot of sensitive topics especially surrounding self-esteem and she also includes characters that help balance out the main characters.

Some of the secondary characters are a riot and bring the levity that we need to balance everything else. The plot is a little complex and makes for an exciting story that I really couldn’t stop reading. It was touching and emotional in many places and I love the fact that the male main character has been holding a torch for her since high school.

Monroe brings an epilogue that is a wonderful addition to round out the story. She pours in the emotion and passion we need for a memorable read. I really loved Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date and can’t wait to read this author again.

PS: Three cheers for a cover that shows real people and not graphic art!!

~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/four-steps-t...

[Aya ☕︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @54%
First, he is her ex-bully; second, there is absolutely no chemistry between the FMC & the MMC. In my opinion, there is no plot; the characters just go through the motions. All the MMC thinks about is the color of the FMC's undergarments and her self-esteem is basically nonexistent. The author kept repeating some words again and again and again. And I really didn't care about anything happening in the book

[mackenzie (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was not expecting to eat this up but i finished in less than 24 hours. i couldn’t put this book down – the writing was easy to read, the story was quick, the characters had depth, and i genuinely loved them together.

outside if the romance, i found the sort of mystery to be interesting while also not taking itself too seriously. the town and its members were cozy and entertaining, and i felt like i was actually there for most of the book.

overall this wasn’t what i was expecting but i really enjoyed it! i really hope this gets big when it releases because i feel like so many people would absolutely adore this <3

thank you to netgalley & montlake for the arc!

[Bookskee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so blessed to have received the Advanced readers copy of this book and it was so cute! Many thanks to Author Lilian Monroe and Pelican Cross promotion for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts.

Daphne is the self proclaimed good girl. (Boy, do I know a lot about this position 🙄)

But she's just about had enough living up to this stupid title! She decides to throw all caution to the wind and to fake date the notorious Flint.. acting sheriff and old high school enemy.

They are older now and both able to singe the others brain cells and undergarments😅

I love love loved the final attempt to steal the pot.

This book had parts of steam, fun, mystery, resolution of unresolved issues and was just a fun, sweet ,cute and a teensy spicy read.

Enjoyed😊

[Brooke Kimberlyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Arc Review * Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date! enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and the slow burn makes for such a fun and emotional read. Daphne’s clumsiness and Calvin’s role as the sheriff really add to the chemistry between them. Plus, the hidden family heirloom plotline adds a amazing twist, creating that extra layer of tension and intrigue.

The way Calvin supports Daphne’s growth, both personally and emotionally made their journey together even more heartwarming, and watching them both find themselves. The balance of humor and drama, with all the ups and downs, really have made for a funny light hearted romance and satisfying story.
Calvin was a perfect gentleman of an MMC he was always uplifting Daphne when she couldn’t find the confidence in herself.
Daphne went through a lot of growth during this story from leaving a rough past with her ex-fiancé to moving back to her hometown and finding herself again, and starting anew.
This book made me laugh and cry all in one! And most of all it comes with a happy ending!
5 star read! 😁🩷

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

I liked this one, but I didn’t love it. The first half was great with the banter between Daphne and Calvin, but the second half was a little repetitive with Daphne’s inner monologue. It seemed like every few pages we were having to read about her convincing herself how boring she is just because she’s an accountant. The grandma and her friends kept the story light hearted and funny at times, and to be honest this kind of reads like a cozy mystery but with a little spice!

[Jennie Stiehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

✨Fake Dating
✨Opposite Attract
✨Stuck Together

Spice level 🌶️🌶️.5/5

I adored this book! This book had me on the edge of my seat multiple times, the plot twists were twisting and the relationships that played out in this story were so well written.

Daphne grew up on the island of Fernley and left for college and to start her career. After losing both her fiancee and what she thought was her dream job, she moved back home to help the local sheriffs department sort through their accounting after the previous sheriff was caught mismanaging and stealing money. The new sheriff is none other than her high school rival, Calvin Flint.
As Daphne balances the books after a department scandal, a series of mishaps throws her and Calvin together. The sparks that fly take them both by surprise. But will a fake dating scheme and quest for a stolen heirloom ruin their chance at something real?

Anyone who loves a good fake dating turns real dating, will they wont they, I always loved you type romance book...this one is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lilian Monroe, and Montlake Publishing for the opportunity to read this amazing book. Releases March 25, 2025

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date is a contemporary romance that features a 2nd chance romance, fake dating, and a heist. When Daphne moved back home after her fiancé dumped her, she didn’t expect to see a blast from her past, and certainly didn’t expect to have to work with him. A fake dating proposal turned heist turned real feelings makes this fast paced book an easy read. Calvin has officially made cupcake my favorite nickname 😍

[Suchona Hasnat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will write a review soon ♥️

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The story follows Daphne, who suddenly finds herself facing a reality she never thought possible: unemployed and dumped by her long-time boyfriend for being “boring.” So, she decides to return to her hometown island to lick her wounds and figure out what’s next. As if her bad luck wasn’t enough, she ends up crossing paths with Calvin—her high school nemesis and former bad boy—who’s now the island's new sheriff.

I loved the initial chemistry between Daphne and Calvin—their banter was so much fun! The fact that they already knew each other made it even more interesting to discover why they couldn’t stand each other in the past. The whole work proximity setup, with them teaming up to solve a case, worked so well in helping them shift their perspectives about each other—especially Daphne toward Calvin. I loved seeing how their behavior changed when they were together, revealing sides of themselves they didn’t even realize they had, especially Daphne. The flashbacks to their past were a nice touch too—I honestly wouldn’t have minded a few more of those, just for personal preference.

One thing that really surprised me (and made me laugh) was the amount of bad luck Daphne faces in the first part of the book: between a black eye and a sprained ankle, it seems like the protagonist can’t stay away from misfortune. This detail made me smile because it’s not the kind of situation I expect in a contemporary romance, even though, given the mystery subplot, it makes sense that there would be risky moments. But I had assumed the person getting hurt every time wouldn’t be the protagonist. LOL

These circumstances, however, give the two protagonists the chance to get to know each other better and deepen their relationship, which had been on hold since high school. I loved how their relationships developed and the little spicy moments scattered throughout that fueled their connection. Their relationship is well-developed, and some scenes are truly touching, while others are adorable.

Although Calvin is described as Daphne’s nemesis, I think “problematic guy” is a more fitting. After reading his POV, I’m glad he managed to climb out of his abyss and give himself a second chance. I liked seeing how his perception of Daphne evolves throughout the story, moving from the memory of her as a high schooler to the woman she is now. I truly adored him as a character, especially for how he cares for his little sister when he could resent her for living the life he once wanted. Instead, he worries about making sure she has everything she needs. On one hand, this situation is sweet and admirable, but on the other hand, the rebellious bad boy and Daphne’s nemesis side didn’t feel very “present.” Let me explain: given his past, I expected that some people wouldn’t accept him or would be wary of him because of his role as sheriff. But instead, everyone was very kind to him. Maybe it's just my perspective, but in a small town where gossip is part of everyday life, I expected there to be more "drama" surrounding this.

On the other hand, I found Daphne interesting in the first part of the story, and I quickly grew fond of her “change,” which seemed to be shaped partly by fate and the circumstances around her. However, by the time I reached the middle of the book, I started to perceive her narration as repetitive and monotonous, which weighed down the protagonist. I wished that, during those moments, she would have confided in a friend who could have pointed out the potential she had, instead of leaving her to wrestle with her thoughts.

The plot is pretty simple, but the touch of mystery adds a nice spark and keeps things moving without losing that light, easygoing vibe. I especially loved Daphne’s grandmother and her group of friends—they brought such a fun and heartwarming energy that balanced out the story perfectly. The ending was sweet and satisfying, just right for anyone craving a romantic story with a bit of emotional depth.

Overall, Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date was a really enjoyable and engaging read, even though a few repetitive moments made the pacing feel a bit slow at times. That said, while I did enjoy the story and the dynamic between the characters was nice to follow, there were moments when I wasn’t fully convinced by the development of Daphne and Colin’s relationship.


Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this e-ARC

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 3.75
🌶️ 1
🥵 Spicy chapters: 29-30
📚 Tropes/Themes: small town, starting over, bickering, enemies to lovers, he falls first, he takes care of her, sheriff x accountant, slow burn
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
🎙️Dual Narration
⏰ Approx 10 hours
🛍️ Available: Now

💬 This was a cute, mostly enjoyable story. So first things first this was an audiobook for me and it was a great listening experience. It is done in dual narration and the narrators did a great job of bringing the characters to life.

The beginning is smart and snarky and hilarious and sucked me in pretty quickly.

I like how they have to do actual police stuff. That probably sounds silly but I feel like in other books where the MMC is a sheriff there isn't much more to that than a namesake, but in this he was actually doing police work.

I also really love how they lean into the "small town" ness, with over the top characters and crazy antics. It gives the story a cozy, homey vibe.

That's said, I try not to overthink characters and books but... well I sincerely hope that Calvin and Daphne underwent a lot of therapy during the 9 years that separates the end of the story and the epilogue 😅

Idk, I think it was meant to be some comic relief but it was really bumming me out the lengths Daphne felt she had to go to to be accepted within her family, especially when there wasn't really much mention of trauma on her side. It really seemed like most of it was self-imposed and I was frustrated that her family didn't recognize the situation for what it was.

Calvin I get and I really loved watching him work through his issues and grow as a person in what felt like a REALISTIC and honest way.

Despite that like I said it was a cute story that I enjoyed. And I plan to read the previous book in the series.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Lillian for sending me your book in the mail I really loved it.

This book was so good it was laugh out loud funny and at times really sad because it really did talk really well about just feeling inadequate about yourself and overcoming that.

The book revolves around Daphne and Calvin who are both from Fernley Island and they left for various reasons and they both end up back there. Daphne has always been the rule of follower doing things right. She's excelled in academics and Calvin was kind of trouble as a kid and had a bad childhood. Calvin got his life together and is now the Fernley Island sheriff until they elect a new mayor. They had a rivalry back in high school that kind of carries over to the Present and all these things keep happening that throw them together.

The banter between Daphne and Calvin was so funny and I liked how Calvin just like to rile up Daphne to see how she'd react. Daphne's grandma and her friends are hilarious and there were times that I was laughing so much from their Antics that I actually had tears running down my face. This book is Romance, funny, and a mystery all wrapped in one. I really love this book and I would definitely recommend it to someone to read.

Thank you Lillian Monroe for sending me this book. I really loved it and I can't wait to read more of your work.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin always envied prefect Daphne with her perfect loving family and her perfect life in high school, and sometimes acted out against her. He never expected to see her again, much less to see her life may not be as perfect as he always thought. Daphne just got dumped by her fiance and lost her big city job, and now she's back at home working for the local police station investigating their finances. Then after a couple incidents where the townsfolk start rumors of a relationship been them, they go with it. Calvin needs a date to his mom's vow renewal and Daphne has her own reasons for fake dating. Soon enough their feelings are all too real, but they both have trust issues from their pasts keeping them apart.
I enjoyed the first book in the series and the shakeup of the police department leads right into this book that features the sister to Ellie and her high school nemesis. Daphne suffers from a lack of self confidence after always being compared to her sister. Calvin felt abandoned in childhood and has a lot of trust issues, but he's so sweet and loving with Daphne. I loved these two together, and the added little mystery with her crazy grandmother and friends added a lot of comedy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Janae McGinnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daphne and Calvin were undeniably a perfect match, but it took them over a decade to truly become the people—and the couple—they were meant to be. Their journey was filled with tension and complexity, especially Calvin’s character, which kept me hooked from start to finish.

However, I found Daphne's struggle with her “good” persona a bit contrived. At times, her choices felt odd, yet I understood the author's intention behind them. The drama surrounding Grandma's cast iron pot seemed unnecessary; it felt trivial to create such an uproar over it. Honestly, that moment showcased a degree of immaturity on Daphne’s part, especially considering how their relationship had deepened by then. I really think she should have just come clean.

On a positive note, I really appreciated the dual point of view—it added depth to the story and enhanced my connection with the characters. Overall, I’d recommend this book, but with a caveat: it's best suited for readers who don’t mind seeing a main character undergo a personality shift that, at times, doesn’t feel entirely authentic or captivating.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving back to the childhood town, working for the sheriff department as an accountant is not what Daphne imagined her life would be.
Dumped by her fiancé, losing her forever home and job. Esteem at an all time low
Getting pulled over by her high school nemesis starts a chain of events.
Romance blossoms but hides a hidden agenda. Can the truth set Daphne free or cause more heartbreak?
Enjoy I did.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date

An amazing story about a young woman who find herself in a situation that feels like her life is at a standstill! No excitement, adventure, just go to work and be there, do your job. What happens when you get stopped by the local sheriff, whom you new back years ago? Sets off a series of many issues and incidents! Full of humor, drama, and dealing with family and nosey friends 🧡!

[the_bookish_betch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable, with some funny moments. I listened to the audiobook, and the constant inner monologue did take away from the experience for me. I lost count of the times I was reminded he was the bad boy and she was the good girl.

[Lauren Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilian Monroe is one of my favorite authors and this story is another to add to my collection that I love. Daphne and Calvin’s good girl/bad boy, nemesis to lovers, opposites attract while fake dating story is one that captivates the reader’s attention while hilarious and mysterious hijinks occur around them. This is one story you don’t want to miss from Monroe

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everything under the sun bad happened to Daphne’s and she felt like she was a bore and stuck in a rut. So she fake dates her high school bully who was too sexy for his own good. This was so repetitive and boring I just couldn’t anymore. DNF

[Hollie Pickelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and easy read!

[Romane | Bookylicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by author Lilian Monroe, and I am in love. In love with her writing, in love with the story, in love with the characters......I need more!

I don't tend to read romance novels, but I am a sucker for a good title and a book cover. When I saw this one, I could not resist, and I am so glad I didn't. The witty banter between Daphne and Calvin had me laughing out loud as I read and the dynamics of some of the secondary characters helped give the book even more depth. Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date was the perfect balance of emotional and funny.

I am still breaking into the romance genre, so I still go back and forth on the steamy scenes. While there are a few, for those who enjoy them, this will add even more flavor to your read. Those who do not, you can easily gloss over them, and it will not take anything away from the story which is absolutely worth it!

This book had my heart feeling full from start to finish. It was warm and cozy, full of chemistry, wit and charm, diving into the complexity of relationships; both romantic and family topped off with a little splash of mystery. The perfect depiction of second chances of all kinds. It was like a big warm mug of "happy" that I never wanted to get to the bottom of.

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC of this book to read and review. This was a special one and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to read it. I have already recommended it to a friend for her book club :)

[Hollyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date is a high school nemesis, small town, co-workers, fake dating book about Calvin and Daphne and is told from both of their points of view.

Daphne is going through a hard time and ends up back in her hometown, where she feels she doesn't compare to her sister. She runs into Calvin and they end up working together. She has some upset feelings for how he treated her in high school.

When Calvin's mom has a wedding renewal, he doesn't want to play her games, so he convinces Daphne to be his fake girlfriend for the wedding. Daphne has other motives for being his fake girlfriend.

With them working together, and doing this wedding stuff feelings are getting stronger between the two. This book had so many funny moments with Daphne's grandmother. Will Daphne and Calvin get their happy ending? I enjoyed this story, and would love to read more by this author.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had my emotions on a tilt-a-whirl, and I love when I can lose myself in a storyline so easily.

Daphne found herself back in her hometown, much to her displeasure. Her engagement, which she perceived as stable and blissful, was far from it, prompting the need for a reset. One aspect I love about this author is her creative characters; this book showcases that perfectly. The local sheriff’s department hires her temporarily for forensic accounting work, which she loves, but the close working conditions with a childhood acquaintance make this situation particularly challenging for Daphne.

Being the acting sheriff is a demanding job for Calvin, requiring him to show trustworthiness and reliability to overcome past misperceptions. His attraction to Daphne and her calming effect make it increasingly challenging for him to stay away from her.

This has an addictive mystery aspect to the storyline, and some laugh out loud situations. Her interactions with her grandmother and her search for the heirloom pot made for a very entertaining story. It’s engrossing and entertaining, with great chemistry, steam, and humor, making it one of my favorites. It was difficult to pull myself away from these pages, and I recommend this story.

I was fortunate to receive my ARC from Netgalley, and happily leave my review.

[Joni (livebythemoon7) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read. I really enjoyed it.

I received a gifted copy. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Adeselna · Rating 3 out of 5]

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

I had never read anything by Lilian Monroe, but “Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date” just seemed like the cutesy and light book to read. You know those books that you can almost smell like Spring? You wanna read them in an afternoon on your balcony sipping a mocktail. It seemed very like that. But in reality, it was hiding something a little more meaningful than just a fun quick read.

The book talks about the expectations that other people put on you. Daphne is boring, the responsible one, the daughter who causes no trouble. And everyone tells her that, her ex, her family, they look at her with the weight of a good child. Daphne carries everyone’s opinion about her like it’s a fact, like she is one of those things and it happened for so long that she says those things like they’re facts. This is something very common in the romance scene where a female character is deemed as boring or not very interested. She then undergoes a change in character in order to be worthy of the affection of the love interest, but in the end, it is clear the people were just wrong about her and that she was fierce all along. My thoughts on it are conflicted. This idea is that women have to be not boring, they need to be fiery and take risks, while guys most of the time are also pretty boring themselves. So while I understand Daphne’s side, that internalized ideas that others have about us that we focus on so much that it becomes reality, it’s really unfair for women to have to carry that weight. 

I really enjoyed it when Calvin saw that moment. The moment when he saw that Daphne wasn’t able to be herself and that the stakes for her were higher than it was for him was very endearing. He saw that while nobody was expecting anything from him because he didn’t have a good reputation, Daphne had a lot to hold on to. Calvin says he sees Daphne as someone completely different from the good girl that she is, so at one point I feel like we lose who Daphne really is. She might be boring and her ex was right, she might be a good girl and her family is right and she might be the feisty woman Calvin believes her to be. But we never know what Daphne thinks about herself. She also contrasts her own opinions of her in the light of what other people tell. She is crushed under the weight of others.
 
We know that Calvin has a lot to prove, that while he made mistakes, he’s not letting those mistakes affect his work and dedication. He also feels like he wants other people’s opinions of him to change, but mostly he wants Daphne to look at him differently. And I don’t find Calvin that interesting to begin with. He is caring, he has good comebacks, and he tries to protect Daphne but he’s a small-town guy who is a sheriff. It’s not like he’s Batman. So maybe he doesn’t find Daphne “boring” because he wants to enjoy a simple and quiet life just as much as she does.

There is a side plot with a family heirloom that is an old pot, which is a little silly and very chaotic, but the more it progresses, the more the author ties it around the idea of Daphne rebelling vs the good girl image.

“Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date” goes beyond the trope of fake dating, while fun and light it also tackles important themes and the characters are allowed to have some meaningful thoughts on their emotions and their lives. 

[Amanda McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since moving back to her hometown, the responsible, quiet, even boring, Daphne Davis hardly recognizes herself anymore. Maybe it was because her fiancé dumped her, and she lost her job and home in the city all in just a couple years, but she’s gone rebellious. Okay, maybe rebellious is too strong of a word for it. But she did steal some ice cream from her parents’ house and duck out of her sister’s engagement party with it. And something about being around Calvin Clint, the mean troublemaker from high school who has turned himself around become the acting Sheriff only feeds the rebellion. As does acting as the sheriff’s department’s temporary accountant to, along with Calvin, work out what strange, potentially criminal things, had been happening in the department while the last sheriff was there. So, when Daphne agrees to pretend to be Calvin’s date to his mother’s upcoming vow renewal, she starts to feel out of control. Is this version of Daphne a fake or is this who she’s always been?

I did not have a good time with this book.

For one thing, the male love interest, Calvin, is a whole collection of red flags for the at least the first third of the book. He insists on calling the other love interest, Daphne, by a high school nick name that she hates, no matter how many times she tells him to stop. At one point he tries to pressure her into letting him into her apartment (not for sex, thank goodness), even though she doesn’t want him there. He even plays into local rumors, suggesting to Daphne’s family that they’re having sex, in order to manipulate her into pretending to be his girlfriend for an event.

In addition to that a lot of things that I would consider sexual harassment or borderline sexual harassment happen. For example, rumors spread throughout the small island that the two main characters are being sexual with each other (I’m being vague to avoid important spoilers), which is horrifying in itself, but Daphne’s friends and family – even her beloved grandmother – make her deeply uncomfortable teasing her about sex and her supposed relationship. Daphne also does a couple of major things without warning (again, being vague to avoid spoilers) to Calvin that could have been absolutely horrible had he not, for some reason, been okay with them.

The book also includes a forgiveness moral that is both cliché, and in my opinion, harmful. Pressuring people to forgive those who have seriously harmed them sets them up to minimize their own pain and potentially position themselves to be harmed again.
I also felt very little chemistry between the main characters.

The book does have strengths, of course, though. I enjoyed the relationship between Calvin and his half-sister, CeeCee. They are adorable together, and Calvin’s love for his sister is the best thing about him. I won’t say much to avoid spoilers, but I also enjoyed the very end in which a long-standing question is answered. It was legitimately clever and funny.

Overall, though, I really don’t recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher, Montlake, for providing an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

Tw: sex, sexual harassment, neglect, parental death, physical violence

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, buckle up, darlings, because I'm about to dive headfirst into Lilian Monroe's "Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date." Let me tell you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill romance story. Lilian Monroe, in her insightful "Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date," doesn't just give us a how-to guide; she offers a glimpse into the messy, beautiful, and surprisingly real emotions that can blossom when you're *pretending* to be in love. Fake dating, at its core, is a performance. It's about crafting an illusion, a believable narrative that convinces those around you that sparks are flying. But Monroe, with a heart full of passion, understands that the magic lies in the *evolving* nature of the charade. It's not about rigidly sticking to a script but about allowing personalities and genuine interactions to shape the relationship. The initial awkwardness, forced laughter, and carefully curated public displays of affection are all building blocks. The beauty lies in the transformation. As the fake relationship progresses, something shifts. The actors, consumed by the roles they play, start to see each other in a new light. The carefully constructed facade begins to crack, revealing vulnerabilities, hidden depths, and unexpected connections. It is in these moments of authentic interaction that the fake begins to feel…REAL. Then there's the juiciest trope of them all: the enemy-to-lover dynamic lurking beneath the surface. Monroe implicitly acknowledges the inherent tension of this element. What better foundation for a fake relationship than underlying animosity? The constant bickering, the thinly veiled insults, the simmering resentment – it all provides a fertile ground for explosive chemistry. Because let's face it, the line between love and hate is often thinner than we'd like to admit. And when those two extremes collide, the result is a passionate inferno that burns all pretense to ashes, leaving behind a raw and undeniable truth. Monroe's "Four Steps" isn't just a guide to faking a relationship: it's a guide to discovering oneself and the unexpected depths of human connection. It’s a testament to the power of vulnerability, the allure of forbidden desires, and the undeniable truth that sometimes, the most authentic love stories begin with a lie. And that, my friends, is the heart of a truly captivating fake dating tale.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daphne is an accountant who returns to her hometown feeling like a failure after losing her career and her relationship. She has to deal with her family, a quirky small town and being attracted to her new boss all while trying to figure out what happened to the money the sheriff department is missing. Calvin returns to his hometown to become the acting sheriff after the town was rocked by a huge scandal involving the prior sheriff. He isn’t sure he wants to stay once the job is over. He left town a bad boy and returned as a sheriff with a lot of weight on his shoulders. Daphne and Calvin don’t seem like a good fit at first glance but they just might be each other’s missing pieces.
The author made a good choice giving the characters a big problem to solve since this story would just be a typical quirky small town romance without it. The big story gave the characters a reason to keep pushing forward and spend time together. Daphne starts the story with a good reason to be upset. She slowly opens her heart and mind to understand her perspective about her family might not be correct. She realizes that her boyfriend at her prior job did her a favor. She also comes to realize that her opinions about Calvin might now be fair. Calvin has a lot of family and personal baggage at the beginning of the story. The addition of his ½ sister was a good way to show that Calvin has always had his humanity. Their relationship is very sweet. Calvin gives Daphne a lot of time to get to know him as an adult. His slow realization that he doesn’t feel the same about his hometown as he did when he was a kid was good to read. The author gave Daphne and Calvin good reasons to end up together. I was rooting for them by the end. Now that he is an adult, all he wants is to do a good job as acting sheriff.
There are bad guys in this story. Each one serves a different purpose in the story. I like that the author gave the characters different bad guys to fight against. Not all of them are equally bad. Not all of the solutions are clean and tidy but they are all good.
This story takes place on an island off the coast of Washington State. This is a sweet love story about two people that return to their hometown only to discover that they needed to come home to find everything they were looking for when they left.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daphne Davis is a notorious rule follower—through and through. But when her fiancé dumps her for being "too boring" and, well... her, a heartbroken Daphne decides she’s done with being the good girl everyone expects her to be and vows to embrace spontaneity. To make matters worse, she gets laid off from work. When her family finds out about her string of bad luck, they insist she return to their small hometown, Fernley Island.

Back home, Daphne struggles to find her footing, and the all-too-familiar feeling of not fitting in with her family of lovable troublemakers creeps back, forcing her to make a hasty retreat from her little sister's engagement party.

Getting pulled over by acting Sheriff Calvin Flint—her high school nemesis—was NOT part of the plan. Finding out she’s supposed to work with him starting next week makes it even worse.

Their banter while being forced to work together to solve the mystery of embezzled public funds by the previous sheriff had me hooked. The fake dating was a bit toned down without all those "we need to convince everyone we are into each other" clichés that most of the books in this genre follows which was quite refreshing honestly (could be because anyone can see the sparks fly between the two.)

The little heist subplot was silly and wacky, and I was so here for it. Daphne’s family and the older ladies in town were hilarious and endlessly entertaining.

Both Calvin and Daphne carried a lot of emotional baggage—Calvin with his abandonment issues, and Daphne feeling overshadowed by her sister and with a constant need to fit in. I loved how these themes were explored throughout the story, though I did get frustrated with how everyone in town (even her own family) always put Daphne in the "good girl" category like it was all there was to her. I appreciated Calvin figured out how much it was bothering her and stood up for her, but I really wanted Daphne to confront her family herself.

I also wish there had been more resolution between Calvin and his mom. That said, I really enjoyed this story—it was fun, emotional, and heartfelt. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author!

*Thank you to Montlake, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*