Not My Fondest Memory

by Lizzy Barlow

Some rules are meant to be broken…

After my last breakup, all I wanted was a milkshake and a quiet place to fall apart. What I got was a run-in—literally—with a gorgeous stranger who ended up wearing my dessert. I figured that was the end of it. Until he walked into my workplace.

Cole is charming, confident… and my boss’s son. And when a coworker mocks me at a company event, he steps in and calls me his girlfriend—without asking. The worst part? It works.

Now we’re stuck keeping up the lie, just to save face. We set one no falling in love.

Simple enough… until he starts making it impossible to follow. No matter how tightly I guard my heart, he keeps finding his way in.

Then I finally land the promotion I’ve worked so hard for… and find out Cole might’ve had a hand in it. I didn’t want help. I wanted to earn it on my own.

Now I’m left to decide what matters more—how I got here, or who I found along the way?

276 pages, ebook

Published May 28, 2025

About the author

Lizzy Barlow loves writing books filled with sassy heroines and the guys they fall for. She considers herself not too shabby in the kitchen and wishes the rest of the house would clean itself. When she's not writing, you can usually find her outside trying to nurse the plants she swore she wouldn't kill (this time) back to life.


Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/authorlizzybarlow

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Reviews

[Tanvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall plot was fine, but the writing style was not for me.

I like fake dating trope, but the book missed the mark. Just one day in the office and everybody starts talking about love seemed far fetched. Also the FMC kept crying at every single thing which didn't really make me root for her and made a mountain out of a molehill about her promotion.

The book had potential, but it was not for me.

PS: The book was mentioned as tame but it is not a closed door read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story, loved the meet cute! Lorelei thinks she jinxes things by getting herself ahead of situations before she should. You know, counting your chickens before they hatch. This was a he falls first, fake relationship, blurred lines, and the thinking that this could/would never be real.
The only thing that I didn’t care for in this book was the use of language, mainly the “F” word. I almost quit reading, but I pushed through and it did get better.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorelei and Cole . . .

Lorelei Rowland has learned that a jinx is a real thing that, for her, occurs anytime she thinks something is a definite certainty and foolishly tells someone about it. Bragging about getting a major part in a play in high school, she ended up on the bottom of the list with only one word to utter: “Winner”. All those she had bragged to now enjoyed shouting “Winner” when they passed in the hall. Then in college, she spent 2 weeks writing the very best paper for Business Writing class, certain it would not only earn an “A” but would boost her graduating status to magna cum laude. She told her parents of her success, they had a celebration dinner for her, and her paper returned with a “C”. And at a restaurant with friends, she was so certain her boyfriend was going to propose that she told them it was a “done deal”… and instead he broke up with her. In her grief, she collided with a stranger and dumped her milkshake all over him.

Now at work, everyone is in the conference room waiting for a mystery attendee who has dared to be late to the boss’ important meeting. When the latecomer finally walks in, Lorelei is stunned to recognize Cole, the guy who wore her milkshake the other day. It turns out Cole is the boss’ son “Nicolas” but his father thinks nicknames are unprofessional! She was relieved she hadn’t told Cole what a jerk her boss is! Everyone in the office starts staring at her and Cole, especially when he asks her to lunch. So he puts his arm around her waist as they head out. Then he asked her for a favor. His father has a suite at the Mariners game the following night to show support for their new client. Cole’s ex was supposed to go with him, so he has an extra ticket. If he tried not to go, his father would have a fit, so he asks her to go with him and she agrees. Coworker Wyatt embarrasses her so Cole claims her as his girlfriend! With no other recourse, they keep pretending, as long as they don’t start getting feelings! But when Lorelei gets the promotion she has been working to earn for 4 years now, Wyatt implies the promotion is because of Cole and made it sound like she didn’t really earn it on her own. And Wyatt isn’t finished humiliating her. Now what will she do? Should she quit her job? Should she walk away from Cole now that their charade is over?

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorelei and Cole have both just gotten out of relationship when they have a cute first meet with her spilling her shake on him and having a long conversation at the laundry mat afterwards. They should have exchanged numbers, but fate had other plans because he’s her hated boss’ son. Lorelei has some self esteem issues after how her coworkers and one terrible one in particular treat her as the owner’s assistant. Cole thinks fake dating will fix that but it isn’t long before real feelings are involved. Still Lorelei doesn’t know what’s real and if she earns the good things that come her way or is given them because of her relationship with Cole. I loved her lazy lovable rescue dog and sweet landlady.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Lorelei and Cole.. this is their fake dating story... a fun fast paced rom/com drama... Lorelei is down in the dumps, her boyfriend dumped her so, she's having a milkshake to cheer herself up but, she walks right into a gorgeous stranger... he also, has an ex now, too... then, the next day, he shows up at her workplace as the boss's son... they already kind of hit it off but... then, he rescues her by saying they are dating from her obnoxious co-worker Wyatt... so good !!!.

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

[Lauren Sengele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fake-dating story is worthy of all 5 stars. Don't you love reading book that keeps making you smile without realizing it? Or a book that makes you stop reading to just take in what you read to savor it? This story was perfection of contemporary romance for me. The MCs are both relatable and very human in their emotions and experiences. They aren't out of touch or idealized, which makes this story feel more real than a lot of others I've read. It's a story that's sweet without being predictable or too perfect. I loved it.

[Reann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book because the author listed it as tame on booksprout. It was not closed door which was a disappointment since I was enjoying reading it until the bedroom scene. The connection between the 2 main characters was nice & I enjoyed the rest of the book. Just beware that it is not closed door.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book in the Love in the PNW series and first book I read from this Author.
Fake dating and workplace romance - it is quite a set to work with. I liked the characters and story line. Funny and entertaining .

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

[LaurenB · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the first 3/4 of this story. The meet cute was, well, cute and the characters had chemistry. But then the conflict came along and it just felt forced and unnatural with the flow of the story for me. But overall, if the fake romance trope is for you, this was a decent read.

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

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Love in the PNW series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's a sweet, lighthearted story with a sweet meet-cute. It's a beautifully written fake dating, workplace romance with endearing characters. Lorelei and Cole's story was entertaining and I enjoyed reading this book.

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

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book if you want a sweet romance that includes an adorable dog, a sweet meet cute, and a caring neighbor. Definitely going to have to keep an eye on this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a good read. The storyline was entertaining from start to finish. Worth the read. Recommend this book.

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

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun fake dating, work place romance. The have a meet cute at a milkshake shop, and then are surprised to find they work together. But he is the bosses son, so will that keep them apart?.

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

[Jodie Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a story from this author and I thought it was okay. I liked the chemistry between the main characters, and the storyline was okay. A Fake Dating Romance.

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

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
An enjoyable read with plenty of humor and a sense of lightness to feel engaging and interesting at the same time. I liked how their relationship evolved. I enjoyed the drama. An entertaining story.

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

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed the book. Would definitely read more from this author.