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Faking It and Falling in Love
When Philippa comes out at 46 she has no idea what to expect. Juggling a high-powered job as a family lawyer, lone-parenting a 10-year-old daughter and navigating her new life push her to the limit. She doesn't have time to fall in love, but when she meets carefree graphic designer Alex at a professional networking event, people think they are a couple. For both women this is a convenient way to present themselves to the world, so they keep up the pretence.
To Philippa's surprise, her feelings for Alex start to grow, but the graphic designer doesn’t want to settle down with anyone... so their fake relationship status can’t become real.
But when Alex comes to Philippa with a problem that only she can help with, things get complicated. Can Philippa resist her growing feelings towards Alex while trying to help her gain access to her child? Or should Philippa steer clear of Alex and her hedonistic lifestyle for the benefit of her own daughter?
Don’t miss this romantic comedy with heart-felt moments about navigating coming out later in life, the perils of lone-parenting and falling in love when you least expect it, from the author of Swiping Right (and other disasters) and Don’t Fall in Love (and how to break the rules).
To Philippa's surprise, her feelings for Alex start to grow, but the graphic designer doesn’t want to settle down with anyone... so their fake relationship status can’t become real.
But when Alex comes to Philippa with a problem that only she can help with, things get complicated. Can Philippa resist her growing feelings towards Alex while trying to help her gain access to her child? Or should Philippa steer clear of Alex and her hedonistic lifestyle for the benefit of her own daughter?
Don’t miss this romantic comedy with heart-felt moments about navigating coming out later in life, the perils of lone-parenting and falling in love when you least expect it, from the author of Swiping Right (and other disasters) and Don’t Fall in Love (and how to break the rules).
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2025
About the author
Sally Brooks
8 books26 followersI'm Sally Brooks, a British writer of contemporary sapphic romance. These books are perfect for those of you who love diverse characters, romantic comedy and page-turning fiction.
In my books you will find compelling, funny and heartwarming stories - think all the lols with all the feels.
I love complex queer female characters so that's what I write and I'll keep you guessing right to the end.
I live in Birmingham with my wife, our three children and two cats - Cagney and Lacey, who are surprisingly bad at solving crime.
In my books you will find compelling, funny and heartwarming stories - think all the lols with all the feels.
I love complex queer female characters so that's what I write and I'll keep you guessing right to the end.
I live in Birmingham with my wife, our three children and two cats - Cagney and Lacey, who are surprisingly bad at solving crime.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 5, 2025
3.5 stars!
An enjoyable book #3 in 'The Second Chance' ongoing chronicle.
An enjoyable book #3 in 'The Second Chance' ongoing chronicle.
November 25, 2025
Philippa Samfire is a family law solicitor in Birmingham, UK. She is senior partner at her company, Samfire and Partners. After being married for many years she decides that her husband isn’t for her after she realises her sexuality, and they divorce amicably, sharing custody of their ten year old daughter.
Alex Fletcher is an excellent graphic designer, and she and Philippa meet at a networking party, when Philippa comes to rescue her from a tipsy idiot who won’t take no for an answer. After they get to know one another, Philippa realises that there are things Alex isn’t telling her.
This is a lovely warm story, with several characters from other books in this series. I really enjoyed reading this, and can’t wait to read the last in the series soon.
Alex Fletcher is an excellent graphic designer, and she and Philippa meet at a networking party, when Philippa comes to rescue her from a tipsy idiot who won’t take no for an answer. After they get to know one another, Philippa realises that there are things Alex isn’t telling her.
This is a lovely warm story, with several characters from other books in this series. I really enjoyed reading this, and can’t wait to read the last in the series soon.
July 19, 2025
This was sent to me as an ARC and below is my own honest review.
This was a nice easy read! Was the first book I’ve read by this author and I definitely want to read more of their work. This book is the third in the series but they can be read as standalones. Will 100% go back and read the other two.
I love a bit of fake dating and coming out later in life isn’t something I’ve read much of, so that was also really nice to see how Phillipa navigated coming, divorce and having a child!
Written in third person. Single POV. Book Three in The Second Chance Chronicles. Single parent, Starting over/Coming out, Fake dating, Slow burn, First Time with a Woman. 3x Spicy Scenes.
This was a nice easy read! Was the first book I’ve read by this author and I definitely want to read more of their work. This book is the third in the series but they can be read as standalones. Will 100% go back and read the other two.
I love a bit of fake dating and coming out later in life isn’t something I’ve read much of, so that was also really nice to see how Phillipa navigated coming, divorce and having a child!
Written in third person. Single POV. Book Three in The Second Chance Chronicles. Single parent, Starting over/Coming out, Fake dating, Slow burn, First Time with a Woman. 3x Spicy Scenes.
February 19, 2026
Another humdinger from Sally Brooks. Love Philippa who was also a star of book 2. Lovely story, Fake dating always a winner, thank you. On to number 4.
May 26, 2025
This was a fun little book fling, pretty low angst, with a bunch of tropes to tick off those sapphic book bingo lists — fake dating, toaster oven, divorce, coming out (later in life).
I enjoyed the chemistry between Philippa and Alex, and their budding romance in the perfect season for it. Alex’s enigma kept me turning the pages at the start, and then the high drama finale held my attention towards the end. I also enjoyed Birmingham as a setting! The cast of supporting characters were fun… I particularly liked Charlie’s sass!
An enjoyable read!!
Thanks to Sally for the ARC.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Philippa and Alex, and their budding romance in the perfect season for it. Alex’s enigma kept me turning the pages at the start, and then the high drama finale held my attention towards the end. I also enjoyed Birmingham as a setting! The cast of supporting characters were fun… I particularly liked Charlie’s sass!
An enjoyable read!!
Thanks to Sally for the ARC.
June 23, 2025
Great start, backstory laid out clearly. Lots of funny lines.....
Well, I loved it all, from the start right through to the surprisingly tense ending.
Well, I loved it all, from the start right through to the surprisingly tense ending.
July 2, 2025
Exciting!
Coming out later in life leaves Philippa not knowing what to expect. When she meets Alex at a work related event, it becomes convenient to allow everyone to continue to think that she and Alex are a couple. When Alex has a problem only Philippa can help her solve, their carefree relationship gets complicated.
What I loved most about this was the normality of Philippa’s and Alex’s lives. There were no big dramas, just real life happening to them both. As a parent herself, when Alex really needed Philippa’s expertise as a lawyer, she did not hesitate to get her the help she needed and be a support in making sure Alex didn’t lose access to her own child. Some of those moments were heartbreaking and I just hoped they’d get the results Alex needed to find happiness with Philippa and her family. I adored their connection, which was natural and flowing from that first moment.
It was a slow build up to Alex and Philippa actually exploring their developing feelings but all with good reason. Philippa seemed to have judged Alex upon their initial interactions. When she found out Alex was also a mother, it seemed to be what she needed to allow herself to bring her into hers and her daughter’s life too. The whole story was filled with cute moments, flirty fun ones, and deeply emotional connections as they grew closer.
Absolutely loved it! If you have read the other books that are based within this community, it was also great to catch up with some of the characters from before, and finally get to meet Philippa properly.
Coming out later in life leaves Philippa not knowing what to expect. When she meets Alex at a work related event, it becomes convenient to allow everyone to continue to think that she and Alex are a couple. When Alex has a problem only Philippa can help her solve, their carefree relationship gets complicated.
What I loved most about this was the normality of Philippa’s and Alex’s lives. There were no big dramas, just real life happening to them both. As a parent herself, when Alex really needed Philippa’s expertise as a lawyer, she did not hesitate to get her the help she needed and be a support in making sure Alex didn’t lose access to her own child. Some of those moments were heartbreaking and I just hoped they’d get the results Alex needed to find happiness with Philippa and her family. I adored their connection, which was natural and flowing from that first moment.
It was a slow build up to Alex and Philippa actually exploring their developing feelings but all with good reason. Philippa seemed to have judged Alex upon their initial interactions. When she found out Alex was also a mother, it seemed to be what she needed to allow herself to bring her into hers and her daughter’s life too. The whole story was filled with cute moments, flirty fun ones, and deeply emotional connections as they grew closer.
Absolutely loved it! If you have read the other books that are based within this community, it was also great to catch up with some of the characters from before, and finally get to meet Philippa properly.
July 16, 2025
This was a lovely, low-angst, feel-good story. Philippa and Alex are distinct and fun characters, both with their own baggage coming in. Philippa has gotten out of her marriage and begun coming out to her friends, when she unexpectedly runs into Alex, and then the fun begins! Single mom and lawyer Philippa is more professional, conservative, etc. — or so it seems. Graphic designer Alex is more fun-loving with a trail of broken hearts behind her — or so it seems. Getting to the heart of these two characters as they get to know each other was a lovely story.
Fortunately the fake dating angle of this story wasn’t a big obstacle, and they transitioned out of it pretty smoothly. It definitely went better than average for the trope, which is normally one I’m not a huge fan of. All in all it was an enjoyable read, with the tension outside the relationship (initially just the characters unfolding, and later an external problem they face together — which was also well done).
About the only issue I had was that the ending seemed a little abrupt, with some things I’d have liked to see play out in more detail; I guess I’d have liked to be more thoroughly convinced by Roderick and Jess, and had a bit more time with Philippa and Alex together. Worth going to get the extra epilogue, in any case.
Discussion with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIEbHeuCuM/
Fortunately the fake dating angle of this story wasn’t a big obstacle, and they transitioned out of it pretty smoothly. It definitely went better than average for the trope, which is normally one I’m not a huge fan of. All in all it was an enjoyable read, with the tension outside the relationship (initially just the characters unfolding, and later an external problem they face together — which was also well done).
About the only issue I had was that the ending seemed a little abrupt, with some things I’d have liked to see play out in more detail; I guess I’d have liked to be more thoroughly convinced by Roderick and Jess, and had a bit more time with Philippa and Alex together. Worth going to get the extra epilogue, in any case.
Discussion with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIEbHeuCuM/
July 12, 2025
This was such a lovely and fun book to read and swoon about. I needed this type of book to heal a bit after an angsty book binge.
Philippa is 46 years old, a lawyer, a mother and recently divorced after she has realized she is gay. Her ex-husband very supporting and they share custody of their 10-year-old daughter Dottie. Philippa knows she is gay, but she has not done anything about it so far. She wants to meet her person organically, not via dating apps. Her friend Charlie is there as a great support, and he is a darling. Then Philippa sees this woman at a work event, can’t keep her eyes off. When she sees that she needs some saving from an awful guy she sweeps in and saves her pretending to be her girlfriend. Alex plays along and they start to fake date since they both need some help. Philippa needs some guide into the world of being out and Alex has played around for a bit too long and needs a proper grown-up to try to get her life into a better place.
Philippa realizes very soon she has a crush on Alex, the player, that only wants casual right now. This is the opposite to what Philippa wants, she wants the whole thing, a real relationship. Is there a potential for more than being friends and perhaps there is way more to Alex than what meets the eyes at the start.
Philippa is 46 years old, a lawyer, a mother and recently divorced after she has realized she is gay. Her ex-husband very supporting and they share custody of their 10-year-old daughter Dottie. Philippa knows she is gay, but she has not done anything about it so far. She wants to meet her person organically, not via dating apps. Her friend Charlie is there as a great support, and he is a darling. Then Philippa sees this woman at a work event, can’t keep her eyes off. When she sees that she needs some saving from an awful guy she sweeps in and saves her pretending to be her girlfriend. Alex plays along and they start to fake date since they both need some help. Philippa needs some guide into the world of being out and Alex has played around for a bit too long and needs a proper grown-up to try to get her life into a better place.
Philippa realizes very soon she has a crush on Alex, the player, that only wants casual right now. This is the opposite to what Philippa wants, she wants the whole thing, a real relationship. Is there a potential for more than being friends and perhaps there is way more to Alex than what meets the eyes at the start.
May 31, 2026
(rounded up from 2.5)
This was fast-paced and fun enough, but I had a hard time buying the unnecessary drama of not revealing that . It seems like the most unnecessary reason for being mysterious and not disclosing anything about yourself ever. Overall, this was fine and light but nothing to write home about, unfortunately.
This was fast-paced and fun enough, but I had a hard time buying the unnecessary drama of not revealing that . It seems like the most unnecessary reason for being mysterious and not disclosing anything about yourself ever. Overall, this was fine and light but nothing to write home about, unfortunately.
September 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this up til the end. The last 10% is arguably the most exciting, but it felt so rushed that it bordered on anticlimactic.
May 31, 2025
“Faking It” by Sally Brooks is easy to get into and hard to put down. I was supposed to be reading something else first, but I just wanted to get this one started. I know you’ve heard of “best laid plans” before, right? Well, fifty pages later I had to make myself stop reading before it was time for my alarm. Philippa is a 40-something attorney who has divorced her husband and started her lesbian journey of discovery. She doesn’t want to rush into anything. Then she meets Alex . There’s no denying the attraction between the two, but they both have young children in their lives. There is angst, soul searching, and conflict. There’s also seduction, joy, milkshakes, and love. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Milkshakes equal love, right?
June 28, 2025
I love Sapphic romances that avoid the third act breakup trope. Not that they’re bad, just a bit overused and sometimes forced. And while there’s a tiny misunderstanding about 75% of the way through the story, it’s not really a breakup.
But Alex and Philippa? You can tell they’re fated for each other. There’s a moment, and you’ll recognize when, that Philippa goes from “I’m interested in Alex” to “don’t you dare mess with my girlfriend!”
I can’t say more without getting into spoilers but I enjoyed this book!
But Alex and Philippa? You can tell they’re fated for each other. There’s a moment, and you’ll recognize when, that Philippa goes from “I’m interested in Alex” to “don’t you dare mess with my girlfriend!”
I can’t say more without getting into spoilers but I enjoyed this book!
July 30, 2025
fake?
This is a great story. And flows naturally from the previous two books in the series.
Philippa is freshly out of her marriage, finally embracing who she really is. Coming to the rescue of a woman at a networking event turns her life upside down, or is that right way round?
Alex has a reputation as a player, but is that who she really is? Or could the past hold the key to seeing her as she really is.
From fake-dating to feelings, with a few ups and downs along the way. This story keeps you guessing.
This is a great story. And flows naturally from the previous two books in the series.
Philippa is freshly out of her marriage, finally embracing who she really is. Coming to the rescue of a woman at a networking event turns her life upside down, or is that right way round?
Alex has a reputation as a player, but is that who she really is? Or could the past hold the key to seeing her as she really is.
From fake-dating to feelings, with a few ups and downs along the way. This story keeps you guessing.
July 11, 2025
Philippa is dealing with being single with a small daughter, while running her law firm. And she just came out, tentatively.
At a corporate event she sees Alex being hit on by drunk attorneys and rescues her, but accidentally creates the impression they're dating. Which a amused Alex runs with...
Philippa finds herself developing feelings for Alex, but is unsure how she feels.
Solid 3.5 out of 5. Good, didn't blow me away.
At a corporate event she sees Alex being hit on by drunk attorneys and rescues her, but accidentally creates the impression they're dating. Which a amused Alex runs with...
Philippa finds herself developing feelings for Alex, but is unsure how she feels.
Solid 3.5 out of 5. Good, didn't blow me away.
August 15, 2025
newly gay..
Newly gay Philippa rescues Alex at a networking event where she saves Alex from an overeager drunk male. Phil is taken right away but Alex says she doesn’t do relationships. Turns out with some prodding Alex is divorced and her ex wife is preventing her seeing her daughter. Fortunately Philippa happens to be a family attorney. The book is enjoyable and certainly gives good insight to when divorce with children isn’t amicable.
Newly gay Philippa rescues Alex at a networking event where she saves Alex from an overeager drunk male. Phil is taken right away but Alex says she doesn’t do relationships. Turns out with some prodding Alex is divorced and her ex wife is preventing her seeing her daughter. Fortunately Philippa happens to be a family attorney. The book is enjoyable and certainly gives good insight to when divorce with children isn’t amicable.
August 4, 2025
Really Good Older Coming Out Story
Both main characters are well developed and very likable. Their relationship begins as a pretend relationship but develops into something much more serious. I highly recommend.
Both main characters are well developed and very likable. Their relationship begins as a pretend relationship but develops into something much more serious. I highly recommend.
August 17, 2025
finding love e
Philippa is all work and no play. She finds Alex and then attraction begins. I found the plot very good and the characters exceptional. I recommend this book for all romance readers.
Philippa is all work and no play. She finds Alex and then attraction begins. I found the plot very good and the characters exceptional. I recommend this book for all romance readers.
June 28, 2025
Enjoyed this low angst read about two post divorce 40-something’s finding love against the odds. Enjoyable
July 19, 2025
Refreshing to see queer women in their 40s!!! but the pacing was too fast and the storytelling felt a bit lazy. I wanted more depth and emotional payoff
July 27, 2025
Cute, funny book. Low angst, some spice. Likeable characters. Great weekend read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 18, 2025
📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Part of 'The Second Chance Chronicles', though perfectly enjoyable as a stand-alone, this fun and sexy sapphic rom-com follows Philippa as she explores her sexuality in her 40s 🏳️🌈
Set in Birmingham, UK, the story carries a light-hearted, classic British rom-com tone (think phrases like “jolly good”) as we’re dropped into Philippa’s world of lawyers, power suits, and red lipstick 💋
While juggling her demanding job, we also get a glimpse into her home life with precocious 10-year-old daughter Lottie and a well-meaning group of friends keen to introduce Philippa to eligible sapphics (and get her on the apps) 🤳
After an act of chivalry, Philippa finds herself in a fake dating scenario with a beautiful stranger, Alex. And Alex is fun, exciting, and very much enjoying a carefree, hedonistic lifestyle with no intention of settling down. Philippa feels like a daft forty-something with a schoolgirl crush - but once the 🌶 begins, things get hot, and her boldness is undeniably sexy.
The romance between these characters develops quickly and I usually prefer a slower emotional build, but the trade-off here is a sweet, steamy sapphic love story that delivers on charm and reminds us it’s never too late for love or pleasure ❤️
3.75⭐️
Part of 'The Second Chance Chronicles', though perfectly enjoyable as a stand-alone, this fun and sexy sapphic rom-com follows Philippa as she explores her sexuality in her 40s 🏳️🌈
Set in Birmingham, UK, the story carries a light-hearted, classic British rom-com tone (think phrases like “jolly good”) as we’re dropped into Philippa’s world of lawyers, power suits, and red lipstick 💋
While juggling her demanding job, we also get a glimpse into her home life with precocious 10-year-old daughter Lottie and a well-meaning group of friends keen to introduce Philippa to eligible sapphics (and get her on the apps) 🤳
After an act of chivalry, Philippa finds herself in a fake dating scenario with a beautiful stranger, Alex. And Alex is fun, exciting, and very much enjoying a carefree, hedonistic lifestyle with no intention of settling down. Philippa feels like a daft forty-something with a schoolgirl crush - but once the 🌶 begins, things get hot, and her boldness is undeniably sexy.
The romance between these characters develops quickly and I usually prefer a slower emotional build, but the trade-off here is a sweet, steamy sapphic love story that delivers on charm and reminds us it’s never too late for love or pleasure ❤️
3.75⭐️
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