Fake It Till You Make It: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

by Dianne Oren

A year ago, her wayward fiance broke her heart and Ashley swore off men for a good long time. So she branded herself the Dragon Lady, and threatens the safety of any man who gets close to the lair of her heart. Except Rick. Never Rick.

The sole-surviving resident of Ashley’s friend zone, Rick sees her for who she really is. He is six feet two inches of viking god come to life, but Ashley can’t forgive herself for her track record of bad decisions when it comes to relationships.

Now the fiancé is back, and setting his sights on her heart again. Ashley must decide whether to revisit their stormy past or let Rick out of the friend zone once and for all.

“How to Date a Dragon” is a fun, romantic friends to lovers, fake dating, only one bed swoon-fest with no third act break-up. If you loved “How to Date a Mermaid”, you’re not going to want to miss this!

Genres: Romance

328 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2025

About the author

Dianne Oren enjoys writing sweet, swoony romantic comedies. She lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband Kevin, dogs Duke & Daisy, house panther Finn, and Rebel...the tiny gray potato tornado.

Reviews

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU]

I loved it so much . Ashley after a very bad break up has became the Dragon Lady and no man is going to get through her heart . When her ex fiance is going to be at the charity gala that she is organise for her father she has to find a date and she ask her friend Rick , a sexy blond 6 feet 2 looking like Viking God guitarist of Royal Rebels . What Ashley doesn't know is that Rick has feelings for her and will do anything for her . Will he be able to realise that in the world real and wonderful men exist ?
I received this book from the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Aunt LoLo]

Hilarious and swoony

This was a delight, from start to finish. I love a dual POV romance, because you can see the thought process on both sides and it covers a multitude of sins, haha. I was laughing out loud, and watching them fall in love genuinely made me giggle and do a little happy dance. The proposal made me cry. Not much I would change about this book - it was pretty great! (I do wish I knew what ended up happening with the ex in that last conversation. Maybe there's a scene floating around somewhere I can find.) Besides showing an adorable (and clean, kisses only) love story, the friend group is amazing. Just lovely. Five stars! A few notes: This is #2 in the series, but it's what I found first, and it's honestly fine that way. I'll go back and see Zach and Marina's love story later. Also, trigger warnings for loss of a parent, heart attack, and heart attack scare (in the story).

[Poetsiren]

Absolutely became one of my favorite clean romance novels!! There is a continuation of the first novel's romance in the background (YAY!), while the pining of Rick for the recently jilted Ashley takes main stage. It's beautiful how he works at winning her over and the way they interact seems so much like a real-life romance as they learn how to communicate with each other while also navigating through the drama of her ex and trouble with her father's health. I bought the first book for a friend so she could catch up with me. I cannot wait for the continuation of these San Francisco stories in future books!!!

[Tanya Thrasher]

5 stars!

I really love this series, "San Francisco Hearts," by Dianne Oren. The story is awesome. The characters are a riot, and it's just all around a fun, easy read! I will definitely keep looking for books from this new author! Kudos, Dianne! Great job! Keep those stories coming!

[Jessica]

From a mermaid to a dragon! I love getting to visit our favorite inner circle and Rebels! This friends to lovers story is a sweet romance with a swoon worthy man! You’ll fall in love with Rick not just because of how he treats Ashley, but how he is with all of her friends!

[Karen]

I really enjoyed this story.

Content: passionate kissing, innuendo, a few swear words

[Kelsey Dicou]

Okay, I am in love with this series!! I can't wait for books 3 & 4 to come out later this year.

Just do me a favor and read How to Date a Mermaid and Fake It Till You Make It. You won't regret it!

[Rhea]

Such a sweet romantic book! I love this sequel to How to Date A Mermaid! From mermaids to dragons, it’s such a FUN read! I can’t wait for the next one in the series!

[BJ Kellogg]

So much kissing he is a Viking god and she has blonde hair. Does this band ever rehearse or practice?
I enjoyed the book but it needed more explosions, plot twists, villains and may I say sex?

[Karen Docter]

Cute and fun romantic comedy. This book is wholesome and sweet. The hero is to die for. Loved this book.

[Tammy]

Thanks to the author for an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this lovely continuation of the characters from her first full length novel: How to Date a Mermaid. This book completely can stand alone but gosh you owe it to yourself to meet these amazing people in it!! I think this author has topped herself with this latest book and I believe other readers will feel the same. I laughed, I cried, I even yelled “don’t do that!!”a few times. You will lose yourself in the kindness of people and for that it’s worth your time. My opinions here are my own and not influenced in any way. Awaiting (impatiently) for the next book in this delightful series.

[Jo]

This was a sweet romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in a series by a new author to me. The basis of the story revolves around a women who had been badly hurt in the past and does not want to be involved with anyone and the guy who wants to change her mind. He decides that spending time in the Friend Zone, and making it as inviting a place as possible that he will want to stay in is the way to go forward. This is the second book in a series but it is a stand-alone story. Although it is stand-alone, I wished I had read the first book first. There are references to things that happened in the first book that I wish I had more information about. There was great conversation among several groups (the four female friends, the hero and heroine, the hero and his best friend, etc). Enjoy a great story.