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Never Fake Date Your Roommate
🔥❤️ Val Costa is consistent ... in being a total mess. Nick Ford likes his life perfectly tidy (even if it's dull).
They need each other more than they know. ❤️🔥
🩷 Forced proximity
🩷Grumpy-sunshine
🩷Fake dating
🩷Annoyances-to-lovers
The smart and sexy new fake-dating rom-com from the author of the highly praised I Love You, I Hate You!
-------------------------------------
Nick doesn't need more drama. Leaving behind LA and his old life as a TV star, he's happy in a small, cosy town working as a librarian. Until chaotic photographer Val arrives on his doorstep, desperate for somewhere to live.
Sharing a house with the human version of a hurricane will be the death of Nick. He's a put-together neat-freak, and Val is a loud, repeat offender of leaving cereal bowls under her bed. Being the most beautiful woman Nick has ever seen just makes things worse!
When Nick is forced to appear on a dating show, and Val is booked to shoot her ex's wedding, they both need a fake relationship. Fast. Who's better than a roommate you can't stand? There's no way Nick and Val will fall in love, they're match made in hell. But the line between love and hate is dangerously thin...
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Praise for Never Fake Date Your
'Fake dating has never felt so real-or so fun. Smartly written and unexpectedly moving. I adored it.' - Bestseller Camilla Isley
'A fresh spin on a fake dating romance! Elizabeth Davis is Delightful!' - NYT Bestseller Maisey Yates
Reader
'This was a sweet and loving read. Their moments together made me feel all smiley and fuzzy. Elizabeth writes her plot and characters so well. i whizzed through this with such smoothness that only good writing can give to a reader. ' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I really enjoyed this one! It was so fun that is was the roommate aspect as well. It was fun, humorous, and had lots of heart/spice. Highly enjoyed and recommend.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be recommending it.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This is a such a good read that will take you away from reality for a few hours!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
They need each other more than they know. ❤️🔥
🩷 Forced proximity
🩷Grumpy-sunshine
🩷Fake dating
🩷Annoyances-to-lovers
The smart and sexy new fake-dating rom-com from the author of the highly praised I Love You, I Hate You!
-------------------------------------
Nick doesn't need more drama. Leaving behind LA and his old life as a TV star, he's happy in a small, cosy town working as a librarian. Until chaotic photographer Val arrives on his doorstep, desperate for somewhere to live.
Sharing a house with the human version of a hurricane will be the death of Nick. He's a put-together neat-freak, and Val is a loud, repeat offender of leaving cereal bowls under her bed. Being the most beautiful woman Nick has ever seen just makes things worse!
When Nick is forced to appear on a dating show, and Val is booked to shoot her ex's wedding, they both need a fake relationship. Fast. Who's better than a roommate you can't stand? There's no way Nick and Val will fall in love, they're match made in hell. But the line between love and hate is dangerously thin...
-------------------------------------
Praise for Never Fake Date Your
'Fake dating has never felt so real-or so fun. Smartly written and unexpectedly moving. I adored it.' - Bestseller Camilla Isley
'A fresh spin on a fake dating romance! Elizabeth Davis is Delightful!' - NYT Bestseller Maisey Yates
Reader
'This was a sweet and loving read. Their moments together made me feel all smiley and fuzzy. Elizabeth writes her plot and characters so well. i whizzed through this with such smoothness that only good writing can give to a reader. ' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I really enjoyed this one! It was so fun that is was the roommate aspect as well. It was fun, humorous, and had lots of heart/spice. Highly enjoyed and recommend.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be recommending it.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This is a such a good read that will take you away from reality for a few hours!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
74 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Davis
143 books91 followersElizabeth Davis wrote her first book as an elementary school assignment when she was eight years old. It was called Silly Excuses—a book about fantastic excuses young children can tell their parents when misbehaving. Not only did she pass the project with flying colors, but her teacher was so taken with the book that she had it published in the school library. Elizabeth has been writing ever since and is currently the author of the Sanctorum Order series, which consists of thrilling contemporary romances.
She lives in The Netherlands with her husband, their son, and family cat. http://www.elizabeth-davis.com.
She lives in The Netherlands with her husband, their son, and family cat. http://www.elizabeth-davis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 27, 2025
never fake date your roommate’s was my very first book written by elizabeth davis and it a was a very delightful reading!! i guess that i’ll have to look up for more books written by her because of this one :)
this book was such a lovely romcom with two very different main characters… nick our clever librarian and val our messy photographer but u know the old saying that says: “opposites attract” and well with the help of the circumstances they have to deal and so in the end fake dating’s the solution! 😁🤭 and i love reading about a good fake dating story especially if the male character’s such a sweetheart in the end because our nick could seem a grumpy but from the very first beginning he was so caring of our val and it was so cute and funny to read about their interactions sometimes because they were adorable together <3!!
as characters val and nick were relatable as well and the writing was really great because it made me understand well the characters’s feelings and how the story could have evolved! i understood both of the characters and not only them but also the rest of characters present in the book and it was very entertaining in the end!
i would recommend this one for the fans of romcoms and in particular the fake dating trope because it was very well executed especially for a book written in third person… if u have a doubt look at the cover because it encapsulates the vibes of the story perfectly!!
least but not last i would love to thank netgalley and headline eternal for sending me the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
this book was such a lovely romcom with two very different main characters… nick our clever librarian and val our messy photographer but u know the old saying that says: “opposites attract” and well with the help of the circumstances they have to deal and so in the end fake dating’s the solution! 😁🤭 and i love reading about a good fake dating story especially if the male character’s such a sweetheart in the end because our nick could seem a grumpy but from the very first beginning he was so caring of our val and it was so cute and funny to read about their interactions sometimes because they were adorable together <3!!
as characters val and nick were relatable as well and the writing was really great because it made me understand well the characters’s feelings and how the story could have evolved! i understood both of the characters and not only them but also the rest of characters present in the book and it was very entertaining in the end!
i would recommend this one for the fans of romcoms and in particular the fake dating trope because it was very well executed especially for a book written in third person… if u have a doubt look at the cover because it encapsulates the vibes of the story perfectly!!
least but not last i would love to thank netgalley and headline eternal for sending me the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 7, 2025
This was an adorable read. Not quite enemies to lovers, but it was a sweet dislike to lovers. Small town charm and really likeable characters. It was predictable but that didn’t make it less enjoyable. Definitely recommended
April 13, 2025
This book brings together Val, a struggling photographer caught up in a recent scandal, and Nick, a former child star trying to live a quieter life. Thrown together as reluctant roommates, their paths stay fairly separate—until they both need a fake partner for very different reasons. Cue the forced proximity, fake dating, and all the awkward (and sometimes adorable) moments that come with it.
One of the strongest parts of this book was the relationships. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Val and Nick, Val and Amber, and Nick and Josh. The chemistry was solid, and the friendships felt genuine and well-developed. It’s always refreshing when side characters and their relationships feel just as real as the central romance.
Both Val and Nick were likable, well-written characters. The romance was low on spice (maybe half a chili pepper at most), but honestly, it still felt satisfying thanks to the emotional connection and character development. Under different circumstances, I think I would’ve really loved this book—and I’m still interested in checking out more from this author.
That said… I hit a major bump with the whole Caleb situation. Val agreeing to lie to Amber for extra money didn’t sit well with me, even if she was financially struggling and didn’t know Amber well. But I kept going, hoping it would resolve in a satisfying way. Then Caleb kisses her and bribes her to stay quiet about it—with a raise, no less. It was uncomfortable, and unfortunately, it crossed a line that pulled me out of the story. What made it worse was the way it seemed to get brushed under the rug—Nick even ends up apologizing to her. That part just didn’t work for me, and I found myself skimming from there.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential—great setup, strong character chemistry, and some really sweet moments. But for me, the ethical grey area in Val’s storyline made it hard to fully enjoy. It’s not a bad book by any means, and I know some readers will enjoy it more than I did. It just stumbled where I hoped it would shine.
Tropes you’ll find:
Roommates
Fake dating
Small town charm
Final thoughts: Good bones, but the execution didn’t land for me in the end. I’ll still give the author another shot though—there’s definite talent here.
One of the strongest parts of this book was the relationships. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Val and Nick, Val and Amber, and Nick and Josh. The chemistry was solid, and the friendships felt genuine and well-developed. It’s always refreshing when side characters and their relationships feel just as real as the central romance.
Both Val and Nick were likable, well-written characters. The romance was low on spice (maybe half a chili pepper at most), but honestly, it still felt satisfying thanks to the emotional connection and character development. Under different circumstances, I think I would’ve really loved this book—and I’m still interested in checking out more from this author.
That said… I hit a major bump with the whole Caleb situation. Val agreeing to lie to Amber for extra money didn’t sit well with me, even if she was financially struggling and didn’t know Amber well. But I kept going, hoping it would resolve in a satisfying way. Then Caleb kisses her and bribes her to stay quiet about it—with a raise, no less. It was uncomfortable, and unfortunately, it crossed a line that pulled me out of the story. What made it worse was the way it seemed to get brushed under the rug—Nick even ends up apologizing to her. That part just didn’t work for me, and I found myself skimming from there.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential—great setup, strong character chemistry, and some really sweet moments. But for me, the ethical grey area in Val’s storyline made it hard to fully enjoy. It’s not a bad book by any means, and I know some readers will enjoy it more than I did. It just stumbled where I hoped it would shine.
Tropes you’ll find:
Roommates
Fake dating
Small town charm
Final thoughts: Good bones, but the execution didn’t land for me in the end. I’ll still give the author another shot though—there’s definite talent here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
I thought this was cute and funny, and I love my FMCs living like trash pandas, because I relate. I loved almost everything about Val. With the exception of one decision a towards the end of the book. But more about that later.
||Minor Spoiler||
Actually, let's talk about it now..I understand the timing of the incident being released had to happen for most dramatic impact. But I would have preferred for her to come home see Nick asleep and decide she'd tell him the next day, only for everything to drop then. Instead of her accepting a second bribe. The first while yucky was understandable the second was just not. It does make her look good, there's very little reasoning for it, and the drama and tension would still be applicable if she had said no. That choice makes no sense to me.
||
While Val felt like a fairly well rounded character, Nick had depth we weren't really able to explore. I feel like we needed more explanation about how fucked up his childhood was, and how he is now uber reliant on a quiet, consistent, and reliable life, thus explaining why he's so hesitant to start anything with Val. Instead of it being so wishy-washy and bland. While seeming like a better option than Caleb, his actions around that don't differentiate him much for most of the story. Especially since we get his POVs, which would be a great time to explore those issues.
I am obsessed with the fake dating trope and the roommate trope, so it's not surprising I decoured this book. It hit all my favourite moments. However, that's what a lot of the book felt like. Jumping around tbough a string moments, most of them very brief, like a detailed outline of the timeline of their relationship, instead of a fully woven story.
Thank-you NetGalley and Headline Eternal for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
||Minor Spoiler||
Actually, let's talk about it now..I understand the timing of the incident being released had to happen for most dramatic impact. But I would have preferred for her to come home see Nick asleep and decide she'd tell him the next day, only for everything to drop then. Instead of her accepting a second bribe. The first while yucky was understandable the second was just not. It does make her look good, there's very little reasoning for it, and the drama and tension would still be applicable if she had said no. That choice makes no sense to me.
||
While Val felt like a fairly well rounded character, Nick had depth we weren't really able to explore. I feel like we needed more explanation about how fucked up his childhood was, and how he is now uber reliant on a quiet, consistent, and reliable life, thus explaining why he's so hesitant to start anything with Val. Instead of it being so wishy-washy and bland. While seeming like a better option than Caleb, his actions around that don't differentiate him much for most of the story. Especially since we get his POVs, which would be a great time to explore those issues.
I am obsessed with the fake dating trope and the roommate trope, so it's not surprising I decoured this book. It hit all my favourite moments. However, that's what a lot of the book felt like. Jumping around tbough a string moments, most of them very brief, like a detailed outline of the timeline of their relationship, instead of a fully woven story.
Thank-you NetGalley and Headline Eternal for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and @HeadlineEternal for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Never Fake Date Your Roommate is exactly what you'd expect from a rom-com with that title and then some. Val is a disaster, all spilled cereal and emotional chaos, while Nick is her complete opposite: a grumpy ex actor turned librarian with alphabetized spice racks and a strong sense of personal boundaries. Naturally, they're forced to live together. Naturally, fake dating gets involved. And of course, naturally... sparks fly.
The tropes here are doing the heavy lifting (forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, and good old “ugh, why are you so hot while being so annoying?”), and they deliver. Val and Nick have a classic oil and vinegar vibe that’s actually super charming once the tension starts to turn tender. Their banter is sharp, and their chemistry feels real, even when the situation is absolutely ridiculous in a good way.
I docked it a smidge because the pacing dipped a little in the middle, and Val's hot mess energy occasionally tipped too far into frustrating. But by the end, I was totally rooting for these two disasters in love. Elizabeth Davis knows how to write characters that feel alive, even when they’re faking it for the cameras.
If you're in the mood for a trope-filled rom-com with lots of heart and a healthy dose of chaos, this one's worth adding to your TBR.
3.95 Stars rounded to 4!
#NetGalley, #HeadlineEternal, #NeverFakeDateYourRoommate, #ElizabethDavis, #RomCom, #EnemiesToLovers
Never Fake Date Your Roommate is exactly what you'd expect from a rom-com with that title and then some. Val is a disaster, all spilled cereal and emotional chaos, while Nick is her complete opposite: a grumpy ex actor turned librarian with alphabetized spice racks and a strong sense of personal boundaries. Naturally, they're forced to live together. Naturally, fake dating gets involved. And of course, naturally... sparks fly.
The tropes here are doing the heavy lifting (forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, and good old “ugh, why are you so hot while being so annoying?”), and they deliver. Val and Nick have a classic oil and vinegar vibe that’s actually super charming once the tension starts to turn tender. Their banter is sharp, and their chemistry feels real, even when the situation is absolutely ridiculous in a good way.
I docked it a smidge because the pacing dipped a little in the middle, and Val's hot mess energy occasionally tipped too far into frustrating. But by the end, I was totally rooting for these two disasters in love. Elizabeth Davis knows how to write characters that feel alive, even when they’re faking it for the cameras.
If you're in the mood for a trope-filled rom-com with lots of heart and a healthy dose of chaos, this one's worth adding to your TBR.
3.95 Stars rounded to 4!
#NetGalley, #HeadlineEternal, #NeverFakeDateYourRoommate, #ElizabethDavis, #RomCom, #EnemiesToLovers
August 19, 2025
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Former child actor Nick left Hollywood behind and is now happily settled in a small Minnesota town, as a local librarian. He's a homebody, who likes to keep to himself, so when his boss convinces him to allow the chaotic and beautiful newbie, Val, to move in, it's a big shock. But then his mom gets in touch, demanding he steps into the limelight once again and be the lead in a new reality dating show. Having a live-in roommate who can pretend to be his girlfriend is perfect, right?
I really enjoyed this book, and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Seeing the way that Nick and Val - who perfectly embodied the phrase 'chalk and cheese' - fell for each other was both hilarious and emotional. Val was a bit of a whirlwind, messy and chaotic, and due to a mistake, had basically been run out of the city and her photography business is in turmoil. She gets a new contract with an Instagram star, to shoot everything from the engagement photos up until the wedding, and anything else that Autumn can think of in the meantime. The only catch is that Autumn's fiancee is Val's ex-situationship, Cal, and he really has an issue with Val being the photographer, and her being in a 'relationship' with Nick. The Cal story line is the main reason why this book couldn't be 5 stars, because I had serious issues with how he took advantage of both Val and Autumn, and how he cause issues for Val and Nick's relationship.
Former child actor Nick left Hollywood behind and is now happily settled in a small Minnesota town, as a local librarian. He's a homebody, who likes to keep to himself, so when his boss convinces him to allow the chaotic and beautiful newbie, Val, to move in, it's a big shock. But then his mom gets in touch, demanding he steps into the limelight once again and be the lead in a new reality dating show. Having a live-in roommate who can pretend to be his girlfriend is perfect, right?
I really enjoyed this book, and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Seeing the way that Nick and Val - who perfectly embodied the phrase 'chalk and cheese' - fell for each other was both hilarious and emotional. Val was a bit of a whirlwind, messy and chaotic, and due to a mistake, had basically been run out of the city and her photography business is in turmoil. She gets a new contract with an Instagram star, to shoot everything from the engagement photos up until the wedding, and anything else that Autumn can think of in the meantime. The only catch is that Autumn's fiancee is Val's ex-situationship, Cal, and he really has an issue with Val being the photographer, and her being in a 'relationship' with Nick. The Cal story line is the main reason why this book couldn't be 5 stars, because I had serious issues with how he took advantage of both Val and Autumn, and how he cause issues for Val and Nick's relationship.
April 14, 2025
He needs a fake girlfriend, so his mom doesn’t try to make him do a reality dating show, and she needs a fake boyfriend because she’s the photographer for her ex boyfriend’s wedding. So they decide to help each other out.
Val has issues with self worth since her family treat her like a disaster case - they assume she’s always gonna mess up. She’s trying to reinvent herself in the small town after a work mishap almost ruins her photography business.
Nick is a child actor who wants to leave Hollywood behind - he’s happy as a small town librarian and doesn’t want to act. He feels obligated to his brother, keeps bailing him out - which in turn puts pressure on his own finances. Hence him needing a roommate. His mom is also such a piece of work - she doesn’t care for him like a son, just cares about how she can use him for her own gain (I.e. manipulating him into doing the dating show).
Their relationship was cute - I love it when fake dating turns into real feelings. This has definite rom-com vibes!
I had some issues with the side plot with Caleb and Autumn - I understand why they didn’t want to tell her, but surely sets her up to fail if she’s not completely honest about the situation.
Overall it was a cosy small town romance with fake dating and complicated families. I would definitely recommend for a quick fun read.
ARC copy provided by Headline & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Val has issues with self worth since her family treat her like a disaster case - they assume she’s always gonna mess up. She’s trying to reinvent herself in the small town after a work mishap almost ruins her photography business.
Nick is a child actor who wants to leave Hollywood behind - he’s happy as a small town librarian and doesn’t want to act. He feels obligated to his brother, keeps bailing him out - which in turn puts pressure on his own finances. Hence him needing a roommate. His mom is also such a piece of work - she doesn’t care for him like a son, just cares about how she can use him for her own gain (I.e. manipulating him into doing the dating show).
Their relationship was cute - I love it when fake dating turns into real feelings. This has definite rom-com vibes!
I had some issues with the side plot with Caleb and Autumn - I understand why they didn’t want to tell her, but surely sets her up to fail if she’s not completely honest about the situation.
Overall it was a cosy small town romance with fake dating and complicated families. I would definitely recommend for a quick fun read.
ARC copy provided by Headline & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2025
You know that feeling when you find a rom-com where he’s all buttoned-up and allergic to chaos—then she walks into his life like a human glitter bomb with no concept of doing dishes or folding laundry, and they have to live together? This book fed that part of my soul. I wanted to tuck Nick into a weighted blanket and tell him it’s okay to feel feelings, while also cheering every time Val flailed through life unapologetically. Add that Nick was a librarian, and he really couldn't be a better book boyfriend. Every Nick eye twitch was a gift. Every Val disaster was a love letter to chaotic women everywhere. Never Fake Date Your Roommate is a smart romance that’s also fun and tender in a way that sneaks up on you mid-snort-laugh. I also adored the small town setting and the behind the scenes look at Hollywood.
Fake dating has never felt so real—or so fun. Smartly written and unexpectedly moving. I adored it.
Fake dating has never felt so real—or so fun. Smartly written and unexpectedly moving. I adored it.
June 17, 2025
3.5⭐️
Thankyou NetGalley for this arc 🫶🏻
This book was such a fun rom com,I love how real both these characters felt, Val was so messy and I loved her, Nick was so quiet but you could tell how much he cared for those he loved.i love a fake daiting plot so that was such a fun time.
I love a small town romance and seeing all the town care for Valerie was so nice, Nick was such a sweetheart and I loved how unapologetically himself he was. This was such a fun fake daiting, opposite attract sweet romance
(The cover is to die for😍)
Thankyou NetGalley for this arc 🫶🏻
This book was such a fun rom com,I love how real both these characters felt, Val was so messy and I loved her, Nick was so quiet but you could tell how much he cared for those he loved.i love a fake daiting plot so that was such a fun time.
I love a small town romance and seeing all the town care for Valerie was so nice, Nick was such a sweetheart and I loved how unapologetically himself he was. This was such a fun fake daiting, opposite attract sweet romance
(The cover is to die for😍)
April 17, 2025
This was an ARC read through NetGallery.
Always love a good Enemies to Lovers romance and this didn't disappoint. Really enjoyed the story, as it was easy to read and flowed so well, and I enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other and also with the side characters - some more than others.
There isn't too much angst or tension and although there are moments of spice, it doesn't distract you from the main body of the story and also there is a good level of slow burn.
This is a such a good read that will take you away from reality for a few hours.
Always love a good Enemies to Lovers romance and this didn't disappoint. Really enjoyed the story, as it was easy to read and flowed so well, and I enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other and also with the side characters - some more than others.
There isn't too much angst or tension and although there are moments of spice, it doesn't distract you from the main body of the story and also there is a good level of slow burn.
This is a such a good read that will take you away from reality for a few hours.
June 11, 2025
Petty annoyances that likely annoy any roommates to lovers, a cute, smart and romantic read. He's done to his neck with drama, has no more patience fir it, yet she is the epitome of drama, in the best ways. They find the answers to their problems within each other and it's so damn cute. It's a fun, unpredictable read that makes you feel a great range of emotions as only good jooks can.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews