Faking It With The Grumpy Single Dad

Stuck Together In Mermaid Shores

by Andrea Ocean

I’m a rockstar’s daughter haunted by my overbearing ex. He’s my grumpy general contractor, a single dad and… my very fake boyfriend.

To most people I’m a spoiled vapid Hollywood brat. That’s definitely the impression Joe Mansfield has of me.

He’s a local, grumpy general contractor with two young sons. And he’s constantly negating every idea I have. We don’t exactly get along.

Until he unexpectedly protects me from my controlling ex by pretending to be my fake boyfriend.

Playing along with the charade gives me a glimpse into his sensitivity. As we’re stuck together renovating my new home, this fake relationship feels more real everyday.

But I wonder if it’s safe to show him the real me.

A woman who’s lived life on the road and faced unspeakable tragedy. A woman who’s looking to put down roots and longing for a family. A woman who desperately wants him to rescue me.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2024

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a rockstar’s daughter haunted by my overbearing ex. He’s my grumpy general contractor, a single dad… and my very fake boyfriend.


To most people I’m a spoiled vapid Hollywood brat. That’s definitely the impression Joe Mansfield has of me.


He’s a local, grumpy general contractor with two young sons. And he’s constantly negating every idea I have. We don’t exactly get along.


Until he unexpectedly protects me from my controlling ex by pretending to be my fake boyfriend.


Playing along with the charade gives me a glimpse into his sensitivity. As we’re stuck together renovating my new home, this fake relationship feels more real everyday.

This contemporary clean, sweet wholesome romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and character that are witty, alpha, a single dad, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with faking it with the grumpy single dad in a small-town opposites attract grumpy/sunshine romance, heartfelt emotions, humor, action, adventure, a woman who's lived life on the road and faced unspeakable tragedy, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with faking it with the grumpy single dad and a clean wholesome sweet romance that is sure to leave readers transported to a world that is humorous and unforgettable.

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

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️

Andrea Ocean never disappoints. I know I can pick up one of her books and always finish it with a smile on my face. I also love getting to know more about Mermaid Shores and going back and visiting.

Poppy and Joe were so fun to read about. I loved the twist on the rockstar trope. Her being his favorite rockstar’s daughter was a fun read. I loved reading about them getting to know each other, their feelings growing for each other, and them finally giving in to said feelings. Joe is a great father and watching Poppy grow closer to both of them was heartwarming. Although he is portrayed as grumpy to anyone looking in, he is a teddy bear underneath. When Poppy’s ex shows up, he doesn’t hesitate to step in and protect her. I loved the dash of drama Andrea included in this story!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
🔨Small Town Romance
🎵Grumpy x Sunshine
🔨Opposites Attract
🎵Single Dad x Rockstar’s Daughter
🔨Fake Dating
🎵Forced Proximity
🔨Clean Romance

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Andrea Ocean and this does not disappoint, this is another book in the Mermaid Shores series. Poppy Minton moves from the west coast, to Mermaid Shores on the east coast. She wants a change, and to get way from her controlling ex boyfriend Percy Barclay. Her friend Aiden and his wife live there, and she bought the house sight unseen. She wants to do a lot of renovations to update the house. She has Joe Mansfield a general contractor give her an estimate. Joe is a widower, and the father of two boys. When Percy shows up uninvited to Poppy's new house, Joe gets protective of Poppy. He finds himself in a fake relationship with her. They would normally find themselves in different circles of friends. Poppy goes to galas, and Joe is in jeans and a t-shirt with his boys. Do they have more in common than they think? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Andrea Ocean!!!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy isn't looking for love. In fact, she has moved to Mermaid Shores, to get away from her ex who refuses to believe she doesn't want him. The small cottage she buys needs some work. She hires the local grumpy contractor. Joe is a widow and father of two boys. He is definitely not looking to get involved with his new gorgeous client. When Poppy's ex arrives, Joe get protective and soon they are faking a relationship. Connecting over losses, and finding out they are not so different soon leads them both down a path they did not expect. I really enjoyed the writing in this book. The chemistry between these two was great and you could really feel their attraction for each other. I would recommend.

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

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely visit to the Shores - Poppy crosses the country to change her life, making a new start around people she will learn are genuinely good-hearted. Getting a fixer upper renovated is the first thing on her to-do list and the contractor is a looker. Single dad Joe is stunned by her beauty but put off by his perception of the blond city slicker. But Poppy is more than she lets the world see, more than her online image. When her ex turns up to make trouble, an off-the-cuff scheme has her and Joe faking a relationship. Surely Percy will get the hint and move on even as the "couple" realizes they have more in common than just the reno. A great addition to the series where people find love in a quaint little hideaway likened to paradise.

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

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, recommend it to anyone who loves to read stories where the H and h are both strong characters who start out being at odds but end up working together. The H is an architect who is also a general contractor with his own business. The h buys a house with the plan of gutting most of it and doing major reconstruction. The H doesn’t agree with what she all wants to do but he carries it out. When the h’s ex shows up unwanted the h claims that she dating someone else and when challenged says that she is dating the H and he goes along with it. So the farce begins and ends when the ex shows up at her house again and attacks her. She successfully defends herself and has him arrested and gets a restraining order against him. The H and h get their HEA.

[belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She looks like Malibu Barbie."

"In a weird way, I almost feel like a knight kneeling before his queen."

"I'm done pretending, Poppy."


TROPES:
• small town romance
• grumpy x sunshine
• opposites attract
• single dad x favorite rockstar's daughter
• fake dating
• forced proximity


I love Andrea Ocean's sweet & clean, fast-paced books. I loved all the tropes and the mild suspense with her ex-boyfriend (the cockroach!) Andrea's books are like watching small town romance hallmark movies. I loved Poppy & Joe together, it sorta gave me Legally Blonde vibes but blue collar and not lawyer. I love seeing cameos of characters from her other books.



Thank you, Andrea Ocean for the ARC 🤍

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this small town opposites attract sweet romance on faking dating. A rock-and-roll princess and Legend's daughter Poppy moves to Mermaid Shores to start over. Joe is single dad and her general contractor on house renovation project. And grumpy teddy bear.
Loved characters so much. ANd story line of fake dating when her controlling ex follow her. And he is something - what a mess he creates.
Loved the story!.

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

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Joe and Poppy's story is so sweet and fun! I enjoyed watching them get to know each other. Their initial assumptions about each other were fun to watch, and I loved seeing how their connection grew. I also loved Poppy's connection with Joe's sons, and I loved how they interacted with her.

There were so many fun, and touching, scenes through the story, and it was a great read!.

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

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming clean romance by Andrea Ocean. She weaves a story that the reader will eagerly read till the end. The story of Poppy Minton an heiress of a Rock and Roll legend and Joe a blue collar contractor that renovates her cottage. When her ex shows up Poppy latches on to Joe who agrees to be her fake boyfriend. Also a part of the story are Joe’s boys Eli and Cody along with his Mom Flo. A very enjoyable read on a lazy day. I highly recommend this book.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the forced, fake relationship between two most unlikely (and yet not!) people….the house contractor, Joe, and Poppy, a rockstar’s daughter! It was fun watching them give Poppy’s ex boyfriend a run for his money while they also unexpectedly start to catch feelings for each other.

Loved Joe’s boys with their different characters and the dramas they have too! However, felt the ending could’ve been different and it seemed a bit rushed too.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming story draws you in with its wonderful characters and plot. It is descriptive and well written with just the right amount of romance along with angst that will have you cheering Joe and Poppy on to getting their chance for happiness.

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

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe and Poppy's love story begins with Joe making an assumption that Poppy is a Malibu Barbie. He quickly realizes his mistake and then Poppy's psycho ex shows up to get her back. In an attempt to twart him, Poppy claims that Joe is her boyfriend, building on the fake relationship trope. They are from two different worlds but want the same quiet life.

For me, this was a quick fun read that hit the right amount of "she's out of my league" thinking, drama (no spoliers), angst, and realizing that she's worth it. A good love story.

[Jean Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming small town opposites romance. Poppy Minton moves to Mermaid Shores to get away from her ex who won't accept that they are no longer a couple. She meets Joe when she hires him to renovate the cottage she bought. When her ex shows up and won't leave her alone, Joe agrees to be her fake boyfriend. Also in the story are Joe's two sons and his mom Flo. A fun, touching story

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great chapter in the ongoing lives of the residents of Mermaid Shores. As with the other books in the series, the author develops lovable characters and honest relationships.

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

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this opposites attract story. Loved how he stepped up and helped and loved how they warmed up to each other. Fun banter for this cute romance.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mermaid shores story. This was a really cute story. Liked the characters Joe was a great love interest for Poppy. The drama wasn't too serious. Was a nice quick read!

[Anelej]

Meh...

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud, highly entertaining and sweetly thrilling adventure. Was a great read that had me on the edge of my seat through the full roller coaster ride. Great reading!

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the characters overlap from previous books but can be read as a standalone. She's wanting to escape the limelight lifestyle she's been stuck in for years. He's trying to raise his kids after the death of their mom. When she hires him to remodel her new home their differences stand out. What happens when her ex shows up? Will they find common ground?.

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