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He’s her son’s football coach, and he is off-limits. Until a fake relationship changes everything.

When wealthy heiress, Yolanda Walsh wakes up in a hotel room, the last person she expects to walk in with morning-after coffee is her son’s beloved football coach.
Duane Marden is not someone she can hook up with. He’s famous, totally gorgeous and stares at her like he wants to make her his wife.
But there’s no way he’ll actually fall for a single mother with a secret K-pop obsession.
Especially when he finds out the real reason she needs a fake boyfriend.
Fake dates turn to real feelings as both Yolanda and her son fall for the dashing coach.
But will this romance survive when Duane finds out the truth?

The Ex Project is a BWWM fake relationship romance, with a splash of humor, a dash of heat and tons of heart, set in the tropical paradise of Belize, Central America.

442 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2021

100 people are currently reading
95 people want to read

About the author

Nia Arthurs

165 books976 followers
From an early age, Nia knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began chasing that dream when she was a teenager.

Nia writes interracial romance and contemporary romance with guaranteed happy endings. She loves strong heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, and just enough spice and drama to keep things interesting!

Look for the Taming Series (Taming Mr. Jerkface, Taming Mr. Charming, Taming Mr. Know-It-All, and Taming Mr. Darcy) in ebook format.

And catch up with Nia on Facebook @authorniaarthurs. Happy Reading!

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5 stars
110 (44%)
4 stars
95 (38%)
3 stars
34 (13%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Sara .
269 reviews38 followers
March 1, 2025
3.75 ⭐️

I wanted it to be another trope for fake dating
Profile Image for Nadine (mckread_reads).
104 reviews1 follower
October 17, 2021
Yolanda and Duane

Unsure of whether to give her irresponsible ex another chance or move on, Yolanda propositions her son’s coach to fake a relationship to make him jealous…

I love how this one switches it up and has a female who is the rich and powerful one. Yolanda is a force to be reckoned with and when she walks into a room, people notice. Her son is her whole world and the roller coaster of feelings she experiences over the relationship between Theo and his father is so relatable, albeit infuriating.

Duane, however, is a man that knows what he wants. An ex-pro football player, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill his dreams for career and family. I love his sense of duty towards his players and their families as well, and the way he regards this woman and her child? 🤤*swoon*

This was another good read from this author, though I would’ve liked a little more detail into the triangle between Yolanda, Duane, and Devon and less on Zaka’s plight. Zaka’s story does continue in the upcoming Ex-Wager (book 4).

*Quick read for lovers of billionaire, alpha female, love triangle, fake relationship tropes
824 reviews5 followers
October 14, 2021
Yolanda and Duane - True love at long last

Another great EX book by Nia Arthurs! I loved it. The writing is so real and descriptive that it felt like I was a fly on the wall observing the scenes as they developed. I loved the way Manny got Duane to listen to voice of reason and Gio was definitely, in his mind, Duane’s protector. Finally, Yolanda was able to let that no good opportunist Devon know that she was not taking him back. The rule of thumb for Devon’s character is that “a leopard can’t change its spots”…..and Devon only cares about himself and making Yolanda’s life miserable. Maybe he wants a stake, laying a claim, to Yolanda’s money.
I can’t wait until the next book comes out to find out about Zaka and who will be the first to ask their lady to marry them. It sounds like West is ready and I feel that Duane wants Yolanda to marry him YESTERDAY!!!
234 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2021
Diane, the picture of a real man

Diane did not waste time, words, or actions. He saw Yolanda andcsawchis forever. He saw her son Theo as his and sacrificed his own needs to make room for Theo's bio jerk dad so Theo could be happy and whole. He had good intentions and battled his and Yolanda's insecurities with character and love. Great read and can't wait to read Zaka's story and watch her friends and Kai help her overcome her foolish pride. But first Liz & Johhny needcto kick he who shall not be named over to Doc for repair
121 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2022
So Yolanda wakes up unsure what happened night before, then walks in her son's football coach. This turns her head, and she wants to get out. Her mum is getting on her case to be responsible as she has a status to uphold.

She has a function to attend so ask coach to a be her fake relationship, he has feelings for her, then her irresponsible son father turns up and wants to re-try, for her son she wants it to work, but what about Marsden. The challenge takes place on pitch, knowledge against, bragging they can play. The best man won, but does he keep the girl.
800 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2021
Good Read

I loved the chemistry between Daune and Yolanda it was smoking hot 🔥! I felt like there were parts left out. Devon did not received any consequence for the sneaky things he did. He was a sorry excuse for a dad, he used TayTay to control Yolanda. I read the end and then went back to the middle to finish. I wouldn't read it again. But I say get it and read for yourself you may love it!
Profile Image for Vilma .
883 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2022
fake relationship turns into the real thing

A fake, make the ex jealous, relationship. But the ex is an ex for a reason and real feelings start to develop between Yolanda and Duane.

Can an island heiress and a former professional Soccer player faking a relationship find the real thing?

There’s an ex, a kid, an entire kids soccer team, and corrupt officials all thrown into the mix. And yet somehow, the heiress and coach find real love.
Profile Image for Angela.
35 reviews
October 2, 2021
PHENOMENAL

You never fail me with your writing skills. Everything you write holds my attention to the very end. This is the only time so many emotions escape from me as I read your books. Keep up the amazing work!!!!
89 reviews
October 3, 2021
Average


This was a regular story. Nothing for me stood out . It took me e few days to even finish reading. The author is one of my favorites, so I was surprised I didn't really enjoy this book. I will keep reading her books.
Profile Image for Nancy  L Thompson.
2,158 reviews15 followers
November 4, 2021
Ex's....

This story surprised me. I didn't think I'd like it. But in the end I really enjoyed it. It was nice to see that a man could be as much "in his feelings" as a woman can. And not be afraid to own it
23 reviews
December 19, 2021
The wrong Mr Right

I enjoyed this book I love KPop so this was a fun read I really understand single parenting I needed to be rich like her lol, but seriously this was a quick read and I love the friendship between these women
Profile Image for Laura.
740 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2024
Listened via YouTube, Nia Arthurs page.
This was such a great book. I really liked how the stories overlapped, but it was still a stand alone. Great writing, great characters, and I loved that it had a diverse cast and was not set in the US!
I can't wait to listen to the previous book!
13 reviews
October 1, 2021
Enjoyable read

This was an enjoyable read with likeable characters. Good plot and a great supporting cast of secondary characters. Looking forward to find out what happened to Zaka.
830 reviews4 followers
October 8, 2021
Great story

Another great read by His
It was great seeing Yolanda find true love and her worth
Very enjoyable read you won't be disappointed
Profile Image for Cheryl Jackson.
91 reviews
January 5, 2022
Excellent Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well written sweet romance with just enough angst to get you wondering how Duane and Yolanda are going to react.
377 reviews18 followers
Read
March 23, 2022
You want to show you're tough? You can't do what everyone else does. You have to rise above.
Profile Image for Rita .
1,672 reviews
April 14, 2022
Ok

I didn't really feel a connection between the two. It needed a little more. Asia's storY seems interesting. On to the next
16 reviews
October 7, 2023
Great read

I loved,loved this series. This author is a very talented writer. I look forward to reading all of her books.
Profile Image for Kara.
410 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2024
Awesome!

These books are awesome! I like how the author keeps you updated on everyone's lives from the other books and how their friendship has grown! Great stories!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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