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Fake Flames
A desperate deal. A dangerous attraction.
When Julian Selorm, a struggling delivery worker, is thrust into the orbit of Leona Bentsil, the fiery and fearless heir to a corporate empire, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot. Her proposition? Pretend to be her husband long enough to secure her place at the top.
But Leona isn’t just a woman who knows what she wants—she’s a woman who takes it. What starts as a business arrangement spirals into a storm of heated gazes, clashing wills, and secrets that threaten to ignite their fragile world.
As the line between pretense and reality blurs, Julian and Leona must face the ultimate question: Can you fake love without setting your soul on fire?
When Julian Selorm, a struggling delivery worker, is thrust into the orbit of Leona Bentsil, the fiery and fearless heir to a corporate empire, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot. Her proposition? Pretend to be her husband long enough to secure her place at the top.
But Leona isn’t just a woman who knows what she wants—she’s a woman who takes it. What starts as a business arrangement spirals into a storm of heated gazes, clashing wills, and secrets that threaten to ignite their fragile world.
As the line between pretense and reality blurs, Julian and Leona must face the ultimate question: Can you fake love without setting your soul on fire?
- GenresRomance
400 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 12, 2025
9 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Jaynhi Allen
5 books35 followersJaynhi Allen is a passionate storyteller and author of captivating romance, fantasy, thriller, and dark romance novels. With a talent for weaving complex characters and emotionally charged narratives, she invites readers into worlds where love, danger, and passion collide.
In addition to her love for storytelling, Jaynhi has a background in airline tourism, aviation, customer service, and hospitality management. Her diverse experiences enrich her writing, bringing depth and authenticity to her characters and the worlds they inhabit.
In addition to her love for storytelling, Jaynhi has a background in airline tourism, aviation, customer service, and hospitality management. Her diverse experiences enrich her writing, bringing depth and authenticity to her characters and the worlds they inhabit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ | Completely devoured this book in about 24 hours. Great read the hooks you from the very beginning & I was definitely emotionally invested in this story, as I could literally feel the chemistry between the protagonists in this story. The title fits the story perfect as the flames in this book will definitely burn you. The characters had emotional depth, character development, were very complex & you will find yourself loving & hating them at the same time. I especially enjoyed the dual POVs from Leona & Selorm, it was good to hear the story from both of their views. I thoroughly enjoyed Jaynhi Allen’s writing style (even during the times I wanted to scratch Leona’s eyes out lol), and although my first read of hers it will definitely not be my last.
Overall a solid read that I highly recommend for fans of fiery romance novels, with a hint of mystery. I was pleased to receive this advanced reader copy & all opinions are my own.
Overall a solid read that I highly recommend for fans of fiery romance novels, with a hint of mystery. I was pleased to receive this advanced reader copy & all opinions are my own.
March 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I can’t promise a life without mistakes or struggles. But I can promise you this—I’ll always be there. I’ll always stand by you, even when it’s hard or feels impossible. Because even fake flames can burn, and Leona, you’ve set me on fire in ways I’ll never recover from.”
“Because I gave you my word. And because, even though you’ve made it hell, I’d rather burn in this madness with you than walk away now and wonder what could’ve been.”
Fake flames has two strangers enter an arranged marriage for mutual gain. Involves enemies to lovers with plenty of tension and dual POV which I love in any read.
I was appreciative to have recieved an ARC of this book and it wasn't what I expected at all. I absolutely loved this and couldn't put it down! There were plenty of twists and unexpected events that left me with my mouth wide open and thinking "what the hell?!"
Watching their relationship develop from both POVs was interesting and left me feeling frustrated and heartbroken for both sides! Seeing both Leona and Julian go through a mixture of emotions kept me gripped throughout and kept me wanting to read more.
They both show different types of vulnerability, but especially Leona towards the later stages of the book and Julian has the patience of a saint and man does he have a way with words. I was swooning. However their lack of communication left me frustrated. Early on, Leona definitely came across as mean, unlikeable and downright rude. However I found that I felt a lot of empathy towards here towards the end of the book and wanted a nice end for her.
I loved that throughout there were letters written by Julian to Leona that gave a further insight to his thought and feelings, and I love how these were illustrated, as well as illustrations of both the MMC and FMC.
My only reason for deducting a star was that I found the timelime confusing to follow. I wasn't always aware of how much time had passed in-between chapters or points in the story, which sometimes made parts feel either rushed or drawn out too much. Other than that, I had no complaints!
Would definitely recommend this 📚
“I can’t promise a life without mistakes or struggles. But I can promise you this—I’ll always be there. I’ll always stand by you, even when it’s hard or feels impossible. Because even fake flames can burn, and Leona, you’ve set me on fire in ways I’ll never recover from.”
“Because I gave you my word. And because, even though you’ve made it hell, I’d rather burn in this madness with you than walk away now and wonder what could’ve been.”
Fake flames has two strangers enter an arranged marriage for mutual gain. Involves enemies to lovers with plenty of tension and dual POV which I love in any read.
I was appreciative to have recieved an ARC of this book and it wasn't what I expected at all. I absolutely loved this and couldn't put it down! There were plenty of twists and unexpected events that left me with my mouth wide open and thinking "what the hell?!"
Watching their relationship develop from both POVs was interesting and left me feeling frustrated and heartbroken for both sides! Seeing both Leona and Julian go through a mixture of emotions kept me gripped throughout and kept me wanting to read more.
They both show different types of vulnerability, but especially Leona towards the later stages of the book and Julian has the patience of a saint and man does he have a way with words. I was swooning. However their lack of communication left me frustrated. Early on, Leona definitely came across as mean, unlikeable and downright rude. However I found that I felt a lot of empathy towards here towards the end of the book and wanted a nice end for her.
I loved that throughout there were letters written by Julian to Leona that gave a further insight to his thought and feelings, and I love how these were illustrated, as well as illustrations of both the MMC and FMC.
My only reason for deducting a star was that I found the timelime confusing to follow. I wasn't always aware of how much time had passed in-between chapters or points in the story, which sometimes made parts feel either rushed or drawn out too much. Other than that, I had no complaints!
Would definitely recommend this 📚
April 1, 2025
4.25 stars - thank you to NetGalley and Jaynhi Allen for an advanced reader copy! this book was a RIDE! one of my favorite tropes, probably my favorite one, is fake dating/marriage so I knew I would like it going into it! Leona and Selorm’s dynamic made me feel every kind of emotion: frustration, heartbreak, happiness, literally every kind of emotion! Leona was absolutely unhinged, possessive and dangerous and I loved that about her! I loved seeing both of their perspectives as they navigated their arrangement, and I have to admit I did enjoy the toxicity (guilty pleasure trope). I got a bit confused at the timelines at some points, but everything started to make sense as I kept reading! I also loved the letters thrown in and Selorm’s yearning it was the cherry on top! Such a fun yet frustrating (in a good way) book that I devoured!
April 19, 2025
thank you to tales and teacups & jaynhi allen for an advanced copy!
it was really awesome to read a story that takes place in ghana and had a good amount of focus on food. that was different for me and one of the aspects that i actually loved about this book.
everything else, unfortunately, was not. i found myself not interested. the plot was confusing, the pacing was bad, and the characters constantly were conflicting themselves and changing how they felt. there was a little bit too much going on. i see the potential of this and for me it was unfortunately not done well.
for those who loved it, im glad for you! if you want to give it a shot go ahead! but for me, this was a book i was very excited to be done thinking about.
it was really awesome to read a story that takes place in ghana and had a good amount of focus on food. that was different for me and one of the aspects that i actually loved about this book.
everything else, unfortunately, was not. i found myself not interested. the plot was confusing, the pacing was bad, and the characters constantly were conflicting themselves and changing how they felt. there was a little bit too much going on. i see the potential of this and for me it was unfortunately not done well.
for those who loved it, im glad for you! if you want to give it a shot go ahead! but for me, this was a book i was very excited to be done thinking about.
April 20, 2025
Thank you @talesandteacupspr for the early ARC of Fake Flames by Jaynhi Allen.
The first chapter of this story had me gripped. I was immediately intrigued by Selorms story.
The first 30% of this book I was all in and curious to see how Selorm would fit into Leona’s world. I love a fake dating/marriage for convenience trope.
However, once Fifis and Leonas relationship was revealed, it took me out of the story way too much.
Why that connection? It never was explained in the book and it left me confused the whole time. This book felt like major whiplash the entire time. From I hate you to I love you in a matter of seconds over and over.
I was hoping for any other ending than the way this book ended.
Selorm deserved way better.
The first chapter of this story had me gripped. I was immediately intrigued by Selorms story.
The first 30% of this book I was all in and curious to see how Selorm would fit into Leona’s world. I love a fake dating/marriage for convenience trope.
However, once Fifis and Leonas relationship was revealed, it took me out of the story way too much.
Why that connection? It never was explained in the book and it left me confused the whole time. This book felt like major whiplash the entire time. From I hate you to I love you in a matter of seconds over and over.
I was hoping for any other ending than the way this book ended.
Selorm deserved way better.
March 27, 2025
I have had the privilege of reading this novel before it went to print, and it wasn’t at all what I expected—but in the best possible way. Fake Flames isn’t just another marriage-of-convenience or fake marriage story; it’s a deeply layered, emotionally charged exploration of power, vulnerability, and the dangerous line between control and surrender.
Leona Bentsil is a force of nature—bossy, possessive, and unwilling to let anyone dictate the terms of her life. She doesn’t make mistakes; she fixes them. She doesn’t lose; she takes what’s hers. But when she offers Julian—a quiet, steadfast and unassuming young man—a one-year marriage contract, she unknowingly hands him the power to unravel her carefully constructed world. Julian may be peaceful and kind, but he is not weak. His strength lies in his patience, his pride, and his ability to see past Leona’s defenses in a way no one else ever has.
Passion flares, old wounds surface, and Leona, for all her control, finds herself standing on the edge of something she can’t manipulate—real emotion. Allen masterfully balances the push and pull between these two flawed yet compelling characters, making their journey one of scorching intensity.
Allen’s writing is immersive and razor-sharp, drawing you into the storm of emotions that defines Leona and Julian’s relationship. This is not a love story that unfolds gently—it is messy, raw, and achingly REAL. But that’s what makes it unforgettable.
One of the book’s most ingenious elements is how Allen offsets each scene with diary (or letter) entries, offering an intimate look into the characters’ minds. An action in one scene is often counterbalanced by a thought revealed in the letter, giving a fuller, more nuanced picture of what’s truly happening beneath the surface. It’s a brilliant narrative device that adds depth and emotional resonance, making the characters’ struggles and desires feel even more tangible. I loved this aspect so much, and I hope everyone who reads Fake Flames recognizes the ingenuity in it.
Fake Flames is a novel that doesn’t just burn—it engulfs. And once you step into its fire, you won’t want to leave.
I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to have read this masterpiece in the early stages. Thank you Jaynhi Allen🙏❤️
Leona Bentsil is a force of nature—bossy, possessive, and unwilling to let anyone dictate the terms of her life. She doesn’t make mistakes; she fixes them. She doesn’t lose; she takes what’s hers. But when she offers Julian—a quiet, steadfast and unassuming young man—a one-year marriage contract, she unknowingly hands him the power to unravel her carefully constructed world. Julian may be peaceful and kind, but he is not weak. His strength lies in his patience, his pride, and his ability to see past Leona’s defenses in a way no one else ever has.
Passion flares, old wounds surface, and Leona, for all her control, finds herself standing on the edge of something she can’t manipulate—real emotion. Allen masterfully balances the push and pull between these two flawed yet compelling characters, making their journey one of scorching intensity.
Allen’s writing is immersive and razor-sharp, drawing you into the storm of emotions that defines Leona and Julian’s relationship. This is not a love story that unfolds gently—it is messy, raw, and achingly REAL. But that’s what makes it unforgettable.
One of the book’s most ingenious elements is how Allen offsets each scene with diary (or letter) entries, offering an intimate look into the characters’ minds. An action in one scene is often counterbalanced by a thought revealed in the letter, giving a fuller, more nuanced picture of what’s truly happening beneath the surface. It’s a brilliant narrative device that adds depth and emotional resonance, making the characters’ struggles and desires feel even more tangible. I loved this aspect so much, and I hope everyone who reads Fake Flames recognizes the ingenuity in it.
Fake Flames is a novel that doesn’t just burn—it engulfs. And once you step into its fire, you won’t want to leave.
I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to have read this masterpiece in the early stages. Thank you Jaynhi Allen🙏❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
This book was really good! I laughed, I was appalled on the MMC behalf, Surprised, I cried this book was a rollercoaster.
Leona is a boss plain and simple. She is also very manipulative when it comes to getting what she wants and will go to great lengths to achieve her goals. There were times I wanted to reach through the book and shake her😂😂
Seloram to me is a calm and steady presence in this book until he wasn't. He is struggling to get by and enters into an arrangement with Leona even though I know he was thinking that it was a terrible idea!
This is a marriage of convenience Romance. Leona wants to secure the top stop at her company and Seloram can use the money to help his friend and family. Leona has walls she's very closed off and Seloram really does try to have a connection with her and she's just not having it. My jaw dropped when I found out why👀 They had great chemistry throughout the whole book . I don't want to give too much away because it's such a good book and you just need to read it to find out but I will say that I never read a book where the FMC is the one who grovels usually it's a man.
Thank you Jaynhi and Tales and Teacup PR for allowing me to read this book!
Leona is a boss plain and simple. She is also very manipulative when it comes to getting what she wants and will go to great lengths to achieve her goals. There were times I wanted to reach through the book and shake her😂😂
Seloram to me is a calm and steady presence in this book until he wasn't. He is struggling to get by and enters into an arrangement with Leona even though I know he was thinking that it was a terrible idea!
This is a marriage of convenience Romance. Leona wants to secure the top stop at her company and Seloram can use the money to help his friend and family. Leona has walls she's very closed off and Seloram really does try to have a connection with her and she's just not having it. My jaw dropped when I found out why👀 They had great chemistry throughout the whole book . I don't want to give too much away because it's such a good book and you just need to read it to find out but I will say that I never read a book where the FMC is the one who grovels usually it's a man.
Thank you Jaynhi and Tales and Teacup PR for allowing me to read this book!
April 12, 2025
Julian Selorm, a struggling delivery worker, accepted to be Leona's fake husband for one year, but he discovers he has married the devil.
"Leona Bentsil isn't just rich; she's a fortress. Unapproachable. Detached. And incisive enough to leave someone reeling with just her words. Most men wouldn't dare approach her, and those who did probably ran the moment they realized money wasn't enough to soften her edges."
Selorm is peaceful and kind, the sunshine MMC, but he is not weak. He showed his intelligence and his determination.
Their fake marriage began as a mutual gain, but they will discover that some flames are too real and too dangerous to be faked. Watching their relationship develop from both POV was so engaging. Nothing about it was normal, their story was an intense journey of ups and downs.
What I liked the most was the fact that the female character is the one who is morally grey, but Selorm was drawn into the danger and the darkness of Leona's life. I didn't see this very often in the books.
Although there were plenty of twists and unexpected events that left me shocked and there's a lot of toxicity, I really enjoyed reading their wild story and I gave it 4,5⭐️.
"Leona Bentsil isn't just rich; she's a fortress. Unapproachable. Detached. And incisive enough to leave someone reeling with just her words. Most men wouldn't dare approach her, and those who did probably ran the moment they realized money wasn't enough to soften her edges."
Selorm is peaceful and kind, the sunshine MMC, but he is not weak. He showed his intelligence and his determination.
Their fake marriage began as a mutual gain, but they will discover that some flames are too real and too dangerous to be faked. Watching their relationship develop from both POV was so engaging. Nothing about it was normal, their story was an intense journey of ups and downs.
What I liked the most was the fact that the female character is the one who is morally grey, but Selorm was drawn into the danger and the darkness of Leona's life. I didn't see this very often in the books.
Although there were plenty of twists and unexpected events that left me shocked and there's a lot of toxicity, I really enjoyed reading their wild story and I gave it 4,5⭐️.
April 11, 2025
Thanks to @jaynhi_allen & @talesandteacupspr for the ARC read.
I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started Fake Flames, but it wasn’t this.
At first I struggled to get into the book, but once I got past the first couple of chapters the book had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down.
Some parts were a little confusing with the timeline as it went from 0-100 in the space of a page which followed no logic and the letters between chapters threw me off as they were after the story, but after awhile once I was in the rhythm of the book, it all kind of made sense and it was good to see Selorm’s thought and feelings process in these letters to Leona.
I enjoyed how complex and interesting the 2 main characters were, and the split POV to see their “relationship” developing from each Leona’s and Selorm’s perspectives. And I often wondered how Selorm kept his cool and was still being so darling despite how cold, shut off and derogatory Leona was being. She had me mad a few times cause Selorm didn’t deserve the way he was treated💔
But if you enjoy mystery, plot twists, fiery fake dating, definitely give Fake Flame a go! 🫶🏻
I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started Fake Flames, but it wasn’t this.
At first I struggled to get into the book, but once I got past the first couple of chapters the book had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down.
Some parts were a little confusing with the timeline as it went from 0-100 in the space of a page which followed no logic and the letters between chapters threw me off as they were after the story, but after awhile once I was in the rhythm of the book, it all kind of made sense and it was good to see Selorm’s thought and feelings process in these letters to Leona.
I enjoyed how complex and interesting the 2 main characters were, and the split POV to see their “relationship” developing from each Leona’s and Selorm’s perspectives. And I often wondered how Selorm kept his cool and was still being so darling despite how cold, shut off and derogatory Leona was being. She had me mad a few times cause Selorm didn’t deserve the way he was treated💔
But if you enjoy mystery, plot twists, fiery fake dating, definitely give Fake Flame a go! 🫶🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
Ghana's most sought- after heiress Lenoa Bentsil is in need for a man. Don't get her wrong she's fully capable on her own and at the last thing she needs is for someone to hold her back. However, in order to inherit her father corporation she needs to marry.
Julian a 28 years old guy working multiple jobs in order to support himself, suddenly found himself caught in Leona's web and asked to be her fake husband for a year doing whatever she wants without questions in exchange she will secure his future.
The two get caught into a web of power, passion, and deception and lines starts to blur then a mysterious event tunrs their world upside down.
Expect steamy chemistry, enemies-to-lovers, and a dangerous web of secrets that blur the lines between pretense and reality. Can Julian and Leona fake love without burning everything to the ground? 🔥
If you’re looking for a gripping romance that will leave you breathless, this is the one you don’t want to miss! 😱Thank you @talesnteacupspr for having me be a part of this tour!
#FakeFlames #TalesAndTeacupsTours #RomanceThriller #EnemiesToLovers #FakeMarriage #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #TBR #JaynhiAllen
Julian a 28 years old guy working multiple jobs in order to support himself, suddenly found himself caught in Leona's web and asked to be her fake husband for a year doing whatever she wants without questions in exchange she will secure his future.
The two get caught into a web of power, passion, and deception and lines starts to blur then a mysterious event tunrs their world upside down.
Expect steamy chemistry, enemies-to-lovers, and a dangerous web of secrets that blur the lines between pretense and reality. Can Julian and Leona fake love without burning everything to the ground? 🔥
If you’re looking for a gripping romance that will leave you breathless, this is the one you don’t want to miss! 😱Thank you @talesnteacupspr for having me be a part of this tour!
#FakeFlames #TalesAndTeacupsTours #RomanceThriller #EnemiesToLovers #FakeMarriage #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #TBR #JaynhiAllen
April 12, 2025
Thank you, Victory Editing and NetGalley for this E-ARC!
[There will be spoilers in this review!]
If Masquerade and Little Rot had a kid, this would be it. I wandered into this book because I love fake dating, fake marriage—the lot of them! It was refreshing to see the boss and employee gender-rolls switch and the woman being stone-cold for once in a billionaire romance. I expected a little thrill, maybe some discomfort, but I didn’t expect full-on dark mode. I don’t do dark often and it’s rarely voluntary. There was only 40% of my kind of normalcy in this book: thirty at the beginning and ten at the end. I’ve never had a book take me through the ringer the way this one did.
I adored Selorm. He was the only reason I saw this through to the end. Like most of the characters, although he isn’t as deranged, he’s just as complex. And I loved the switch we see with him and Leona at the end. Him gaining control and her losing it was one of my favorite things to witness and what I enjoyed most. Getting to that stage was what twisted me up inside.
I went all over the rating spectrum while reading this; I’ve woken up at two a.m. and read until five with work on the horizon—that’s how hooked I was despite how unhinged I found these people—and I’ve been on the edge of DNFing multiple times. However, the deeper I went, the more I desperately needed to know how it ended. What solidified my rating was once I got to the 80% mark and realized I was rooting for Selorm and Leona. The sickening activities of the last three hundred pages were long forgotten and I believed they could work it out. (After raging to myself that I’d be pissed if they ended up together, mind you.) This story was a ball of contradictions, complexes, confusion, and, at times, predictability. But somehow… it’s an experience I don’t regret, no matter how disturbing and frustrating it was. It says so much about the writing and characterization if I can still root for love with all the toxicity that comes with it.
On the other hand! There were some things that weren’t wrapped up for me. We learned why Fifi married Naya, but I was more curious about why Naya married Fifi if she already knew everything that was happening. Why subject herself to that life if she didn’t need him for anything the way he did her?
Selorm's obsession with Leona majority of the book didn’t make sense to me. She treated him so horribly from the beginning. This woman had me crying for a man… let that sink in. That was irredeemable! So anyone can assume that my constant state reading this book was filled with emotions that made me want to rip my hair out. I sometimes felt like we didn’t necessarily need Leona’s POV because she had her hand in so much and we didn’t really see her grappling with most of it internally. For example, what her and Fifi had going on, and what happened with her father. I just felt like so much was missing on page when it came to her and she still feels like one large mystery to me.
I skipped the letters scattered throughout the book until I got close to the end because I’m not a fan of back-and-forth timelines. In this case, it wasn’t necessary to the story, and I figured those letters would contain spoilers. According to other reviews, they did. The perfect place for those letters to be placed would've been after Leona went missing because that’s when Selorm started writing them. Or simply (to the reader) skip them and go back after you finish the story. The letters also made it seem as if Leona was either dead or in prison by the end of the book (that’s one thing I couldn’t predict).
This definitely isn’t the kind of book I’d read again (maybe the ending though—like I said, that power switch was delicious); however, I would get it as a trophy, and I would recommend to people who like dark romance.
[There will be spoilers in this review!]
If Masquerade and Little Rot had a kid, this would be it. I wandered into this book because I love fake dating, fake marriage—the lot of them! It was refreshing to see the boss and employee gender-rolls switch and the woman being stone-cold for once in a billionaire romance. I expected a little thrill, maybe some discomfort, but I didn’t expect full-on dark mode. I don’t do dark often and it’s rarely voluntary. There was only 40% of my kind of normalcy in this book: thirty at the beginning and ten at the end. I’ve never had a book take me through the ringer the way this one did.
I adored Selorm. He was the only reason I saw this through to the end. Like most of the characters, although he isn’t as deranged, he’s just as complex. And I loved the switch we see with him and Leona at the end. Him gaining control and her losing it was one of my favorite things to witness and what I enjoyed most. Getting to that stage was what twisted me up inside.
I went all over the rating spectrum while reading this; I’ve woken up at two a.m. and read until five with work on the horizon—that’s how hooked I was despite how unhinged I found these people—and I’ve been on the edge of DNFing multiple times. However, the deeper I went, the more I desperately needed to know how it ended. What solidified my rating was once I got to the 80% mark and realized I was rooting for Selorm and Leona. The sickening activities of the last three hundred pages were long forgotten and I believed they could work it out. (After raging to myself that I’d be pissed if they ended up together, mind you.) This story was a ball of contradictions, complexes, confusion, and, at times, predictability. But somehow… it’s an experience I don’t regret, no matter how disturbing and frustrating it was. It says so much about the writing and characterization if I can still root for love with all the toxicity that comes with it.
On the other hand! There were some things that weren’t wrapped up for me. We learned why Fifi married Naya, but I was more curious about why Naya married Fifi if she already knew everything that was happening. Why subject herself to that life if she didn’t need him for anything the way he did her?
Selorm's obsession with Leona majority of the book didn’t make sense to me. She treated him so horribly from the beginning. This woman had me crying for a man… let that sink in. That was irredeemable! So anyone can assume that my constant state reading this book was filled with emotions that made me want to rip my hair out. I sometimes felt like we didn’t necessarily need Leona’s POV because she had her hand in so much and we didn’t really see her grappling with most of it internally. For example, what her and Fifi had going on, and what happened with her father. I just felt like so much was missing on page when it came to her and she still feels like one large mystery to me.
I skipped the letters scattered throughout the book until I got close to the end because I’m not a fan of back-and-forth timelines. In this case, it wasn’t necessary to the story, and I figured those letters would contain spoilers. According to other reviews, they did. The perfect place for those letters to be placed would've been after Leona went missing because that’s when Selorm started writing them. Or simply (to the reader) skip them and go back after you finish the story. The letters also made it seem as if Leona was either dead or in prison by the end of the book (that’s one thing I couldn’t predict).
This definitely isn’t the kind of book I’d read again (maybe the ending though—like I said, that power switch was delicious); however, I would get it as a trophy, and I would recommend to people who like dark romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
Romance thrillers aren’t my usual choice in reading because either the romance is what jumps from the page, or the thriller aspect does. In my experience, it’s been hard to find one that has a nice balance in between to keep me hooked. But this one, Fake Flames, holy (excuse my language) shit was it perfect! As I have mentioned before in other reviews, when I 5 star a book, it’s because that story has found a way to keep me hooked and also pulls at my emotions. And not only has Fake Flames done that, but also kept me on my toes while reading, bringing out surprises I DID NOT expect.
First off, I LOVE that this story was set in Ghana, somewhere outside the usual America/England locations. But also, you get a good bit of culture exposure, it personally made me want to learn more about the country and its people. Second off, the relationship between Leona and Selorm is a beautifully done push and pull. I mean they not only break down each other’s walls but cause each other to build them back up! There were moments I was cheering them on and there were moments that I wanted to fling my kindle across the room from what was happening, ESPECIALLY when it came to Emily. Which I wanna vent about without spoilers but the Emily thing, like you get little snippets of what could happen but my jaw STILL dropped when it did! And the letters between chapters (there is a bit of switching between the past and present) were such a nice touch to add, like a bit of an update on what was happening in the present while you learn of how things got to where they were.
And the descriptions! I know some people don’t like too many descriptions of the surroundings and stuff, but this one, personally for me, was the perfect amount to give my brain enough information to visualize everything. I mean down to the windows, as if I was watching a movie play in my head. It’s rare for me to REALLY hype up a book, but gods this is one of those books that I wish I could read with a fresh mind to enjoy the run I had with it. So hard to put this one down! Give Fake Flames a read when you can because the rollercoaster ride is nothing that you expected!
April 11, 2025
First, huge thanks to Jaynhi Allen and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to dive into this story.
One of my favorite quotes from this story-“I’m already burning in her flames. And no matter how hard I try, I don’t think I’ll ever find my way out.”
This is my first read by Jaynhi Allen and from the first page, I knew this book was going to be a wild ride—twisty, unpredictable, and unlike anything I’d read before. I dove in without reading much about it beforehand, the cover is what drew me in and honestly, I’m so glad I did. The story hit harder that way. What starts as a classic marriage-of-convenience and fake dating trope quickly veers into darker, more dangerous territory. There's an edge to everything—the characters, the chemistry, the stakes.
Leona and Selorm’s relationship is anything but typical. It’s magnetic, chaotic, and at times, had me genuinely questioning if they could make it through. But that’s what made it so gripping. Once they collided, it was over. The spark was lit—and neither of them stood a chance.
I thought Leona was initially the obvious star of the story—beautiful, strong, determined, always in control—it was Selorm who quietly stole the show for me. He might come from humble beginnings, but he held his own with strength, intelligence, and an unwavering calm. The sunshine boy drawn into Leona’s storm, he fell hard and fast, and it was captivating to read. Their love was far from perfect, a bit dysfunctional at times, but rooted in mutual respect. And somehow, that made it work.
From start to finish this story had me in a chokehold. The letters throughout added a touch of mystery, teasing the future and kept me wondering what came next.
And the setting? Yes!! Absolutely stunning!! Set in Africa, the story is rich with culture, color, and cuisine—vibrant and immersive in a way that felt breathtaking. As a black woman I don’t see enough of this in mainstream romance, and it was such a welcome change.
I'd definitely recommend it to my book girlies!
One of my favorite quotes from this story-“I’m already burning in her flames. And no matter how hard I try, I don’t think I’ll ever find my way out.”
This is my first read by Jaynhi Allen and from the first page, I knew this book was going to be a wild ride—twisty, unpredictable, and unlike anything I’d read before. I dove in without reading much about it beforehand, the cover is what drew me in and honestly, I’m so glad I did. The story hit harder that way. What starts as a classic marriage-of-convenience and fake dating trope quickly veers into darker, more dangerous territory. There's an edge to everything—the characters, the chemistry, the stakes.
Leona and Selorm’s relationship is anything but typical. It’s magnetic, chaotic, and at times, had me genuinely questioning if they could make it through. But that’s what made it so gripping. Once they collided, it was over. The spark was lit—and neither of them stood a chance.
I thought Leona was initially the obvious star of the story—beautiful, strong, determined, always in control—it was Selorm who quietly stole the show for me. He might come from humble beginnings, but he held his own with strength, intelligence, and an unwavering calm. The sunshine boy drawn into Leona’s storm, he fell hard and fast, and it was captivating to read. Their love was far from perfect, a bit dysfunctional at times, but rooted in mutual respect. And somehow, that made it work.
From start to finish this story had me in a chokehold. The letters throughout added a touch of mystery, teasing the future and kept me wondering what came next.
And the setting? Yes!! Absolutely stunning!! Set in Africa, the story is rich with culture, color, and cuisine—vibrant and immersive in a way that felt breathtaking. As a black woman I don’t see enough of this in mainstream romance, and it was such a welcome change.
I'd definitely recommend it to my book girlies!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
"I’m already burning in her flames. And no matter how hard I try, I don’t think I’ll ever find my way out."
This book was such an interesting read. I knew it was going to be twisty and unconventional, right from the get go. I actually never would have guessed the path this book was going to take. I mostly went into it blind, which probably adds more value and impact to the story. You get the marriage-of-convience and fake dating with an edge. It feels a bit darker, more dangerous. Nothing about their relationship was normal, and honestly at times I was wondering if it would ever work out. They had this pull toward one another, a flame if you will. And once they had a taste, there was no turning back.
Even though you would think Leona would be the one to carry this book, with her strength and want to have everything in her control, Selorm ended up holding that place for me. Even though he comes from nothing, he held his own throughout this book and never let himself be pushed around. He proved his worth and showed his intelligence and level-headedness so much throughout the book. He was the sunshine MMC, that was so easily sucked into the darkness and the orbit of Leona's world. He was captivated by her and fell hard and fast. Their relationship was definitely dysfunctional at times but they still held such respect for one another that it just worked.
Overall i rate this a 4 ⭐️. It kept me engaged throughout and I enjoyed the inclusion of letters throughout the book to give you snippets of where things would go. It kept you wondering what was going to happen and how it would reach that point. I also loved that this book was set in Africa and the culture, colours and cuisine were all described in such a beautiful way. It was a breath of fresh air, in a sense of you don't see this very often in all the popular books.
Thank you to Jaynhi Allen and Tales & Teacups for providing me with an ARC copy of this book to read and review.
This book was such an interesting read. I knew it was going to be twisty and unconventional, right from the get go. I actually never would have guessed the path this book was going to take. I mostly went into it blind, which probably adds more value and impact to the story. You get the marriage-of-convience and fake dating with an edge. It feels a bit darker, more dangerous. Nothing about their relationship was normal, and honestly at times I was wondering if it would ever work out. They had this pull toward one another, a flame if you will. And once they had a taste, there was no turning back.
Even though you would think Leona would be the one to carry this book, with her strength and want to have everything in her control, Selorm ended up holding that place for me. Even though he comes from nothing, he held his own throughout this book and never let himself be pushed around. He proved his worth and showed his intelligence and level-headedness so much throughout the book. He was the sunshine MMC, that was so easily sucked into the darkness and the orbit of Leona's world. He was captivated by her and fell hard and fast. Their relationship was definitely dysfunctional at times but they still held such respect for one another that it just worked.
Overall i rate this a 4 ⭐️. It kept me engaged throughout and I enjoyed the inclusion of letters throughout the book to give you snippets of where things would go. It kept you wondering what was going to happen and how it would reach that point. I also loved that this book was set in Africa and the culture, colours and cuisine were all described in such a beautiful way. It was a breath of fresh air, in a sense of you don't see this very often in all the popular books.
Thank you to Jaynhi Allen and Tales & Teacups for providing me with an ARC copy of this book to read and review.
May 13, 2025
First of all, a big thank you to Tales & Teacups for including me in the eBook Tour and providing a copy of this book—I'm grateful for the opportunity!
This book was a wild ride. I found myself torn: part of me couldn’t put it down, eager to see where the story would lead, while another part hesitated, uncertain about how things were unfolding. It was definitely unpredictable—plot twists hit like a gust of wind, completely shifting the direction of the story in ways I didn’t expect.
That said, I went into the book with a certain picture in mind, and what I got was something entirely different. Not in a bad way—just surprising. The tension between Julian and Leona sizzled, and there were moments that genuinely pulled me in. I especially found myself invested in Julian. He felt sincere, grounded, and honestly, I wanted more for him. His journey stirred something in me, and by the end, I was left wishing the story had gone a different way.
The pacing was intense, sometimes a bit too fast for my taste. There were parts where I felt like I missed some emotional depth or detail that could’ve helped me connect more deeply to the characters—especially Leona, who remained somewhat of a mystery to me even after the final page. I found myself craving more from her side of the story, particularly in the emotional payoff. Julian wore his heart on his sleeve, but I didn’t quite feel the same vulnerability from her in return.
Overall, this is a compelling and bold romance that doesn’t follow the usual script, and for readers who enjoy unexpected turns and morally complex characters, this could be a standout. While it didn’t quite hit all the emotional beats for me, I’m still glad I read it—and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
This book was a wild ride. I found myself torn: part of me couldn’t put it down, eager to see where the story would lead, while another part hesitated, uncertain about how things were unfolding. It was definitely unpredictable—plot twists hit like a gust of wind, completely shifting the direction of the story in ways I didn’t expect.
That said, I went into the book with a certain picture in mind, and what I got was something entirely different. Not in a bad way—just surprising. The tension between Julian and Leona sizzled, and there were moments that genuinely pulled me in. I especially found myself invested in Julian. He felt sincere, grounded, and honestly, I wanted more for him. His journey stirred something in me, and by the end, I was left wishing the story had gone a different way.
The pacing was intense, sometimes a bit too fast for my taste. There were parts where I felt like I missed some emotional depth or detail that could’ve helped me connect more deeply to the characters—especially Leona, who remained somewhat of a mystery to me even after the final page. I found myself craving more from her side of the story, particularly in the emotional payoff. Julian wore his heart on his sleeve, but I didn’t quite feel the same vulnerability from her in return.
Overall, this is a compelling and bold romance that doesn’t follow the usual script, and for readers who enjoy unexpected turns and morally complex characters, this could be a standout. While it didn’t quite hit all the emotional beats for me, I’m still glad I read it—and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
April 20, 2025
This book had such a strong introduction with a mystery looming over this grumpy x sunshine romance. The letters were a nice change of pace and helped bring the timeline back and forth, which can be fun, but it was so hard to see—the font type might be better suited for a physical copy. The Dual POV was such a highlight and normally, a slow burn would get me but something happened in between that made me feel like this one was not for me.
I don't mind a grumpy character that we can eventually get behind and fall in love with. That type of character development is something I love because I want to understand how our sunshine characters could fall in love with them. While there were sprinkles of personality coming through, our grumpy FMC here felt so harsh that I was rooting against their relationship for so long.
...and then the other relationship was revealed and it fully lost me. I understand taboo topics and dark romances are something readers like sometimes. However, I went into it without knowing this book would delve into that and was thrown off so badly. Also, a dangerous heroine sounded enticing and all, but this felt so beyond that—it was psychopathic without any explanation. I would've loved to understand how this character got to this point and maybe that context would have saved this for me.
By the middle of the book, I was only really enjoying one of the POVs and even that was muddled by the ending. I think if it had ended maybe a little bit sooner that POV/character arc would have made sense to me and I would have rated it higher.
Thanks to Tales & Teacups PR for the ARC!
I don't mind a grumpy character that we can eventually get behind and fall in love with. That type of character development is something I love because I want to understand how our sunshine characters could fall in love with them. While there were sprinkles of personality coming through, our grumpy FMC here felt so harsh that I was rooting against their relationship for so long.
...and then the other relationship was revealed and it fully lost me. I understand taboo topics and dark romances are something readers like sometimes. However, I went into it without knowing this book would delve into that and was thrown off so badly. Also, a dangerous heroine sounded enticing and all, but this felt so beyond that—it was psychopathic without any explanation. I would've loved to understand how this character got to this point and maybe that context would have saved this for me.
By the middle of the book, I was only really enjoying one of the POVs and even that was muddled by the ending. I think if it had ended maybe a little bit sooner that POV/character arc would have made sense to me and I would have rated it higher.
Thanks to Tales & Teacups PR for the ARC!
July 17, 2025
This book is centered around Leona, a woman born into extreme wealth. Her father owns a powerful company and, before his death, he leaves behind one condition in his will: Leona must get married in order to inherit his empire. Simple? Not at all.
Leona is a handful. She’s rude, spoiled, and basically impossible to please. She’s known for being a difficult person, and every relationship she’s tried has ended in disaster. No one sticks around, and frankly, she doesn’t make it easy. But deep down, there’s something missing, and it shows in how lonely and chaotic her life feels.
Then enters Selorm, a quiet, humble cleaner working in her company. From day one, Leona is unimpressed. She fires him on the spot, claiming he didn’t do his job well. But something about Selorm lingers in her mind.
Things get even more tangled when Leona gets involved with someone she is not supposed to be with. Her life becomes a web of scandal and confusion.
Eventually, desperation forces Leona to make a wild move. She convinces Selorm to marry her for just one year. The goal? To fulfill her father’s will and secure the inheritance.
This book is more thriller than it is romance. It’s messy, dramatic, sometimes funny, and surprisingly a good read. You’ll roll your eyes, gasp, and maybe even want to fight someone. The only way to truly make sense of it all is to read it yourself. Trust me, it’s worth the drama. If I had to introduce someone to this author with one book, this would be the one I’d use. The language is simple but not juvenile, the tone is on point, and it’s actually all-ages friendly. I honestly liked this one.
Leona is a handful. She’s rude, spoiled, and basically impossible to please. She’s known for being a difficult person, and every relationship she’s tried has ended in disaster. No one sticks around, and frankly, she doesn’t make it easy. But deep down, there’s something missing, and it shows in how lonely and chaotic her life feels.
Then enters Selorm, a quiet, humble cleaner working in her company. From day one, Leona is unimpressed. She fires him on the spot, claiming he didn’t do his job well. But something about Selorm lingers in her mind.
Things get even more tangled when Leona gets involved with someone she is not supposed to be with. Her life becomes a web of scandal and confusion.
Eventually, desperation forces Leona to make a wild move. She convinces Selorm to marry her for just one year. The goal? To fulfill her father’s will and secure the inheritance.
This book is more thriller than it is romance. It’s messy, dramatic, sometimes funny, and surprisingly a good read. You’ll roll your eyes, gasp, and maybe even want to fight someone. The only way to truly make sense of it all is to read it yourself. Trust me, it’s worth the drama. If I had to introduce someone to this author with one book, this would be the one I’d use. The language is simple but not juvenile, the tone is on point, and it’s actually all-ages friendly. I honestly liked this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
There were things about this book that I liked, and other things that I didn't like. From the beginning it has very strong enemies-to-lovers vibes, and I liked how the power discrepancy between the hero and heroine was opposite of what it usually is (in this book, she's more powerful and wealthier than he is).
The first interaction between these two is her firing him for not doing a good enough job at cleaning her space. There's a clear dislike between them, and I was ready for some good relationship building to happen to get them to finally like each other. Unfortunately, this book missed that mark for me. The fake marriage of convenience trope was well executed, but the move from fake to real never really hit for me. I didn't vibe with the heroine's behaviors at all, and I didn't ever feel like there were moments on page where these two started connecting in a way that made me feel like feelings and emotions were building. One minute the hero dislikes the heroine so much, and the next he's lustful and emotionally invested in her.
I also feel like I missed some important pieces of the puzzle. Some of the transitions from one scene to the next were disjointed. There were big time jumps that made me feel like I was reading an unfinished book. While there were some good unexpected twists (that sometimes warrant secrecy between characters), I don't think they were weeded out enough in this book to excuse away some of the behaviors.
The first interaction between these two is her firing him for not doing a good enough job at cleaning her space. There's a clear dislike between them, and I was ready for some good relationship building to happen to get them to finally like each other. Unfortunately, this book missed that mark for me. The fake marriage of convenience trope was well executed, but the move from fake to real never really hit for me. I didn't vibe with the heroine's behaviors at all, and I didn't ever feel like there were moments on page where these two started connecting in a way that made me feel like feelings and emotions were building. One minute the hero dislikes the heroine so much, and the next he's lustful and emotionally invested in her.
I also feel like I missed some important pieces of the puzzle. Some of the transitions from one scene to the next were disjointed. There were big time jumps that made me feel like I was reading an unfinished book. While there were some good unexpected twists (that sometimes warrant secrecy between characters), I don't think they were weeded out enough in this book to excuse away some of the behaviors.
April 13, 2025
4.5 stars.
“Because even fake flames can burn, and Leona, you’ve set me on fire in ways I’ll never recover from.”
Fake flames is a romance thriller with fake dating/marriage, slow burn, forced proximity, dual POV and a dangerous heroine. There is a little spice towards the end, but nothing major.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved all the tropes, there’s a grumpy FMC x sunshine MMC aspect. Leona is absolutely unhinged and insane, in the best way. She thrives off power and will do absolutely anything to get what she wants. And I absolutely love Selorms yearning. The main characters have so much depth and development throughout the book, which I love. You will love and hate them and their situation throughout, but have the best time reading this. This book has so much danger, passion, intensity and tension, that will keep you gripped the whole way through.
I really loved that there are illustrations of the main characters and letters throughout the book written to each other. Such a nice touch to further enhance the reading experience and give further insight into the story.
The half a star deduction is purely based on me being a little bit confused with regards to the timing. It felt a bit jumpy sometimes, but other than that, it was a perfect read for me!! Definitely one of my favourite read so far this year! Highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Tales and Teacups and Jaynhi for the ARC!
“Because even fake flames can burn, and Leona, you’ve set me on fire in ways I’ll never recover from.”
Fake flames is a romance thriller with fake dating/marriage, slow burn, forced proximity, dual POV and a dangerous heroine. There is a little spice towards the end, but nothing major.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved all the tropes, there’s a grumpy FMC x sunshine MMC aspect. Leona is absolutely unhinged and insane, in the best way. She thrives off power and will do absolutely anything to get what she wants. And I absolutely love Selorms yearning. The main characters have so much depth and development throughout the book, which I love. You will love and hate them and their situation throughout, but have the best time reading this. This book has so much danger, passion, intensity and tension, that will keep you gripped the whole way through.
I really loved that there are illustrations of the main characters and letters throughout the book written to each other. Such a nice touch to further enhance the reading experience and give further insight into the story.
The half a star deduction is purely based on me being a little bit confused with regards to the timing. It felt a bit jumpy sometimes, but other than that, it was a perfect read for me!! Definitely one of my favourite read so far this year! Highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Tales and Teacups and Jaynhi for the ARC!
April 10, 2025
✨ ARC Review✨
4.5 ⭐️’s
2 🌶️’s
Thank you to Tales & Teacup PR and Jaynhi Allen for the early ARC of this book!! I read the synopsis and was so interested in reading and I will say this did not disappoint!
This was my first read from this author and after reading this, I am definitely interested on reading more of her work!
I was initially interested in reading this book because of the tropes, we have marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and slow burn! With those tropes I thought I knew what to expect but this book was so much more than these tropes!
Our FMC Leona Bentsil is a Boss in every sense of the word, she runs a multi-million dollar company with her father and she wants to take over but can’t without selling down and getting married. Que our MMC Julian Selorm a former employee of the company who she hires to pretend to be her husband!! Throughout this whole book I felt so bad for Selorm and the things he had to go through but then he also knew what signed up for when he entered into the agreement.
I also found myself getting annoyed with Leona and how she chose to handle things throughout this entire book! There are some twist that happen that I didn’t see coming and some that will leave you shocked! I will say that by the end of the book you can tell that these two are meant for each other in every sense of the word! This was such a great read and I definitely would suggest to check it out when it officially releases!
4.5 ⭐️’s
2 🌶️’s
Thank you to Tales & Teacup PR and Jaynhi Allen for the early ARC of this book!! I read the synopsis and was so interested in reading and I will say this did not disappoint!
This was my first read from this author and after reading this, I am definitely interested on reading more of her work!
I was initially interested in reading this book because of the tropes, we have marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and slow burn! With those tropes I thought I knew what to expect but this book was so much more than these tropes!
Our FMC Leona Bentsil is a Boss in every sense of the word, she runs a multi-million dollar company with her father and she wants to take over but can’t without selling down and getting married. Que our MMC Julian Selorm a former employee of the company who she hires to pretend to be her husband!! Throughout this whole book I felt so bad for Selorm and the things he had to go through but then he also knew what signed up for when he entered into the agreement.
I also found myself getting annoyed with Leona and how she chose to handle things throughout this entire book! There are some twist that happen that I didn’t see coming and some that will leave you shocked! I will say that by the end of the book you can tell that these two are meant for each other in every sense of the word! This was such a great read and I definitely would suggest to check it out when it officially releases!
April 13, 2025
Jaynhi Allen's Fake Flames is a captivating blend of romance and suspense that explores the complexities of a fake marriage arrangement. The story follows Julian Selorm, a struggling delivery worker, who enters into a pretend marriage with Leona Bentsil, the assertive heir to a corporate empire. Their agreement, intended to be a simple business deal, quickly evolves into a tumultuous relationship filled with passion, secrets, and emotional turmoil.
Allen masterfully crafts a narrative that delves into the psychological and emotional depths of her characters. Leona's commanding presence and Julian's grounded demeanor create a dynamic interplay that keeps readers engaged. The dual perspectives offer a comprehensive view of their evolving relationship, highlighting the internal conflicts and desires that drive them.
The novel's pacing is well-executed, with a gradual build-up that intensifies the stakes and emotional investment. Allen's prose is both evocative and accessible, making the story resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven narratives.
For fans of contemporary romance with a touch of psychological complexity, Fake Flames offers a thought-provoking and emotionally rich experience.
Allen masterfully crafts a narrative that delves into the psychological and emotional depths of her characters. Leona's commanding presence and Julian's grounded demeanor create a dynamic interplay that keeps readers engaged. The dual perspectives offer a comprehensive view of their evolving relationship, highlighting the internal conflicts and desires that drive them.
The novel's pacing is well-executed, with a gradual build-up that intensifies the stakes and emotional investment. Allen's prose is both evocative and accessible, making the story resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven narratives.
For fans of contemporary romance with a touch of psychological complexity, Fake Flames offers a thought-provoking and emotionally rich experience.
April 13, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy of Fake Flames by Jaynhi Allen!
This book follows the dual POVs of Julian Selrom and Leona Bentsil, who enter a fake marriage agreement that is anything but simple. Leona, heir to a corporate empire, is trying to buy time from her family's rigid expectations. Julian, on the other hand, could use the generous payout to completely turn his life and business around. What starts as a business deal turns into something far more complicated and a little unhinged at times.
✨ Rating: 4.25/5 stars
If you're a fan of the fake relationship trope, this one delivers with a twist: Leona is the grumpy, unhinged, slightly possessive one—and honestly, I was living for it. The gender role flip felt fresh and fun. I loved the emotional depth from both characters and how their vulnerability unfolded throughout the story.
🌀 What kept it from being a perfect read? The timeline was a bit confusing—I found myself unsure how much time had passed between chapters or the letters they exchanged. But the plot twists and character development made up for it!
This book follows the dual POVs of Julian Selrom and Leona Bentsil, who enter a fake marriage agreement that is anything but simple. Leona, heir to a corporate empire, is trying to buy time from her family's rigid expectations. Julian, on the other hand, could use the generous payout to completely turn his life and business around. What starts as a business deal turns into something far more complicated and a little unhinged at times.
✨ Rating: 4.25/5 stars
If you're a fan of the fake relationship trope, this one delivers with a twist: Leona is the grumpy, unhinged, slightly possessive one—and honestly, I was living for it. The gender role flip felt fresh and fun. I loved the emotional depth from both characters and how their vulnerability unfolded throughout the story.
🌀 What kept it from being a perfect read? The timeline was a bit confusing—I found myself unsure how much time had passed between chapters or the letters they exchanged. But the plot twists and character development made up for it!
April 27, 2025
I was enjoying this book so much…. Until I hit about 30% then it went downhill from there. The spin at that point made me really upset with the FMC and for the next 40% of the book just ruined it for me entirely. I’m no stranger to dark romance and some characters being off their rocker and doing and saying some messed up things in the name of love, but everything the main characters did to progress their relationship felt like it immediately regressed when she would continue to do what she did at that 30% mark in the book and flashing it in the MMCs face almost I just couldn’t. The mystery that was shown in the prolog and all throughout the book and me liking the MMC is what kept me going and even those fell flat at the end. I felt like he was kind of pathetic by the end of the book she didn’t even gravel or really do anything to gain his affection back especially after all she did to him. And the mystery?! It was a shock but not a good one the author really had an opportunity with that one to make the FMC a little bit more likable and she made me dislike her more with the outcome of that. Overall this book was so close to being good but missed the mark.
July 5, 2025
“I’d rather burn with you, than freeze without you.”
This book is still sitting with me. Fake Flames is one of those stories that messes with your head – in the best way possible. It’s intense, romantic, toxic, passionate... and I hung on every word.
Selorm and Leona aren’t your typical love story. Their connection is as destructive as it is magnetic, and I couldn’t look away. Leona in particular is fierce, cut-throat, and complex. She reminded me so much of Jessica Pearson from Suits - powerful, sharp, and impossible to crack. Are we supposed to like her? I’m not sure I ever did… but I was fascinated by her. Selorm seemed like a good man, but even that had me second guessing everything.
The story starts as a fake marriage plot, but it quickly unravels into something far darker, deeper, and more emotionally chaotic. The illustrations throughout added a beautiful layer to the reading experience.
If you love your romance unhinged, intense, and a little bit morally grey, you need to read this.
🔥 “And the worst part? I didn’t know I loved danger until I met you.”
This book is still sitting with me. Fake Flames is one of those stories that messes with your head – in the best way possible. It’s intense, romantic, toxic, passionate... and I hung on every word.
Selorm and Leona aren’t your typical love story. Their connection is as destructive as it is magnetic, and I couldn’t look away. Leona in particular is fierce, cut-throat, and complex. She reminded me so much of Jessica Pearson from Suits - powerful, sharp, and impossible to crack. Are we supposed to like her? I’m not sure I ever did… but I was fascinated by her. Selorm seemed like a good man, but even that had me second guessing everything.
The story starts as a fake marriage plot, but it quickly unravels into something far darker, deeper, and more emotionally chaotic. The illustrations throughout added a beautiful layer to the reading experience.
If you love your romance unhinged, intense, and a little bit morally grey, you need to read this.
🔥 “And the worst part? I didn’t know I loved danger until I met you.”
July 14, 2025
I finished your book and I must say my emotions went through it. It’s not your regular slow burn and female character. The book is a 10 for me. I didn’t want to finish the remaining chapters cause I was scared I wouldn’t have anything else to read. Leona is a character!like?? But her redemption arc was quite telling of what love when meets purpose can do. The epilogue hit my with another plot twist and I was ah ahh calm down!!😂.My darling Selorm you saw shege and came back. Honestly each perspective was valid even with as twisted as it was, it was their story to tell. This was a good read not just because I know the author but the depth this book takes you, you don’t even realize that you finished a big book in 6 hours. Thank you taking me on this journey especially because I needed to be in this space right now. Selorm qnd Leona story is telling and depicts the extent one can go. Best believe you’re deserving of someone and that person will find you . To any person who wants to read this book, go ahead cause I definitely did
March 22, 2025
I gave Fake Flames 4.5 stars.
Low-level spice.
An intense story, it had me gripped and on the edge of my seat from the minute I opened the first page.
Leona is tough, fierce, and in control of every situation. She thinks poor, struggling to keep his life together, Selorm will be the perfect fake husband to fool her father into giving her the family company. He just has to survive her for one year.
I loved the story of Leona and Selorm. Where the fake marriage stories I've read in the past have normally been the MMC in charge of the situation, and the rich one, it was interesting to read it from a strong, in control FMC perspective. There was a lot in there that I wasn't expecting, and it really brought a different edge to the story.
The only thing I found a little bit hard to keep in check was that the story bounced around a bit. As long as you're paying attention, you can connect it and carry on.
Will definitely be checking out some more of Jaynhi Allen's books!
Low-level spice.
An intense story, it had me gripped and on the edge of my seat from the minute I opened the first page.
Leona is tough, fierce, and in control of every situation. She thinks poor, struggling to keep his life together, Selorm will be the perfect fake husband to fool her father into giving her the family company. He just has to survive her for one year.
I loved the story of Leona and Selorm. Where the fake marriage stories I've read in the past have normally been the MMC in charge of the situation, and the rich one, it was interesting to read it from a strong, in control FMC perspective. There was a lot in there that I wasn't expecting, and it really brought a different edge to the story.
The only thing I found a little bit hard to keep in check was that the story bounced around a bit. As long as you're paying attention, you can connect it and carry on.
Will definitely be checking out some more of Jaynhi Allen's books!
March 29, 2025
In *Fake Flames*, two strangers enter an arranged marriage for their own benefits, giving us a classic enemies-to-lovers vibe filled with tension. The dual POV adds so much to the story, and I couldn’t put it down after getting my hands on an ARC! There were plenty of twists that left me shocked and saying “what the hell?!”
Seeing Leona and Julian’s relationship develop from both perspectives was super engaging. Their emotions were all over the place, and I felt both frustrated and heartbroken for them. Leona starts off kind of rough around the edges, but by the end, she’s more relatable and I really wanted her to find happiness. Julian, on the other hand, is patient and such a charmer with his words. The letters he writes to Leona really deepen our understanding of his feelings, and I adored how they were illustrated alongside the main characters. Overall, their journey was one wild ride!
Seeing Leona and Julian’s relationship develop from both perspectives was super engaging. Their emotions were all over the place, and I felt both frustrated and heartbroken for them. Leona starts off kind of rough around the edges, but by the end, she’s more relatable and I really wanted her to find happiness. Julian, on the other hand, is patient and such a charmer with his words. The letters he writes to Leona really deepen our understanding of his feelings, and I adored how they were illustrated alongside the main characters. Overall, their journey was one wild ride!
March 30, 2025
““I didn’t know fake flames could burn this much. Not until I met you.”
Leona Bentsil is one of the richest and most powerful women…and the most ruthless. Julian Selorm is an average Joe struggling to get by. When Leona proposes he play the role of her husband so she can secure her place in her father’s estate and family company in exchange for access to her considerable wealth, Julian can’t refuse. Julian quickly realizes Leona is a woman of many secrets and won’t hesitate to kill to protect her property, which now includes Julian himself.
I love that the roles are reversed in this dark romance and the woman is the one with all the power. This book also weaves in elements of African culture with a compelling story about cyclical poverty, the dangers of limitless wealth and the lengths people will go to to keep it in the family.
Expect:
Dark Romance
Touch HIM and die
Dual POV
Slow burn
Rich & dangerous FMC
Leona Bentsil is one of the richest and most powerful women…and the most ruthless. Julian Selorm is an average Joe struggling to get by. When Leona proposes he play the role of her husband so she can secure her place in her father’s estate and family company in exchange for access to her considerable wealth, Julian can’t refuse. Julian quickly realizes Leona is a woman of many secrets and won’t hesitate to kill to protect her property, which now includes Julian himself.
I love that the roles are reversed in this dark romance and the woman is the one with all the power. This book also weaves in elements of African culture with a compelling story about cyclical poverty, the dangers of limitless wealth and the lengths people will go to to keep it in the family.
Expect:
Dark Romance
Touch HIM and die
Dual POV
Slow burn
Rich & dangerous FMC
June 18, 2025
Thank you so much, @jaynhi_allen and @talesandteacupspr, for the chance to read and review this stunning novel! 💕
This is definaltey a book that's blurb lives up to the hype! I am not usually one for the fake dating/marriage trope, but this was done so well it was hard not to love!
Leona gives me absolute boss vibes! She knows what she wants and is willing to stop at nothing to get it!
Seloram is just the opposite, the calm and steady presence, and happy go lucky sunshine. In this case, having him open to more and trying to find a connection with her makes it so real!
The chemistry between these 2 characters was to die for. I don't often like miscommunication in books, and I found myself extremely frustrated, but I guess that was the point, and it worked! 😅
I would recommend this if you love ~
❣️ Fake Dating/Marriage
🔥 Thiller Romance
🖤 Dual POV
🗡 Toxicity
❣️ Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn
🖤 Dangerous Heroine
🗡 Grumpy FMC x Sunshine MMC
This is definaltey a book that's blurb lives up to the hype! I am not usually one for the fake dating/marriage trope, but this was done so well it was hard not to love!
Leona gives me absolute boss vibes! She knows what she wants and is willing to stop at nothing to get it!
Seloram is just the opposite, the calm and steady presence, and happy go lucky sunshine. In this case, having him open to more and trying to find a connection with her makes it so real!
The chemistry between these 2 characters was to die for. I don't often like miscommunication in books, and I found myself extremely frustrated, but I guess that was the point, and it worked! 😅
I would recommend this if you love ~
❣️ Fake Dating/Marriage
🔥 Thiller Romance
🖤 Dual POV
🗡 Toxicity
❣️ Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn
🖤 Dangerous Heroine
🗡 Grumpy FMC x Sunshine MMC
April 19, 2025
This was billed as a "thrilling, fiery romance" and there certainly are elements of that.
A love story between a "cold woman" and a "poor man" in Ghana. Love that it was an African novel, and a chance to explore a new place setting for me.
Leona is very mean and I occasionally want to shake her. What is wrong with her? How can she live with such lies?
Leona gets what she wants, and she takes no sass. But once she meets Julian, she starts to crack open, just a touch.
My problem with this novel, is that it has EVERYTHING, and sometimes that everything feels like too much. Perhaps a sharper focus on one or two plot points? But instead we have lying, murder, deceit, sex, love, enemies to lovers, hiding, fake deaths, everything!
It was fine, but a bit overwhelming.
Fun to learn more about Ghanaian culture though!
A love story between a "cold woman" and a "poor man" in Ghana. Love that it was an African novel, and a chance to explore a new place setting for me.
Leona is very mean and I occasionally want to shake her. What is wrong with her? How can she live with such lies?
Leona gets what she wants, and she takes no sass. But once she meets Julian, she starts to crack open, just a touch.
My problem with this novel, is that it has EVERYTHING, and sometimes that everything feels like too much. Perhaps a sharper focus on one or two plot points? But instead we have lying, murder, deceit, sex, love, enemies to lovers, hiding, fake deaths, everything!
It was fine, but a bit overwhelming.
Fun to learn more about Ghanaian culture though!
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