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The Pen Name Project
What happens when romance needs a bit of research?
Samantha MacMillian is in a bit of a pickle. After an almost year-long writer’s block, she’s finally decided what she wants to try writing next – a romance. But Sam isn’t going to write just any romance novel.
Sam is gonna write smut.
There’s only one tiny little problem: Sam has little to no experience in the romance department. Between the ongoing tension with her family and a contract deadline with her publisher breathing down her neck, she simply hadn’t had the time or energy for it. Not to mention that she is *still* dealing with the aftermath of her last attempt at romance.
This is when her best friend, Charlie, proposes a unique solution – a fake dating experiment.
It sounds straightforward enough: the two go on dates and act like any regular couple so that Sam can take notes for her book. Including the physical sides of a relationship…
As long as Sam doesn’t start mixing her very real-life feelings for Charlie for the fictional world she’s trying to create, things should work out... right?
Samantha MacMillian is in a bit of a pickle. After an almost year-long writer’s block, she’s finally decided what she wants to try writing next – a romance. But Sam isn’t going to write just any romance novel.
Sam is gonna write smut.
There’s only one tiny little problem: Sam has little to no experience in the romance department. Between the ongoing tension with her family and a contract deadline with her publisher breathing down her neck, she simply hadn’t had the time or energy for it. Not to mention that she is *still* dealing with the aftermath of her last attempt at romance.
This is when her best friend, Charlie, proposes a unique solution – a fake dating experiment.
It sounds straightforward enough: the two go on dates and act like any regular couple so that Sam can take notes for her book. Including the physical sides of a relationship…
As long as Sam doesn’t start mixing her very real-life feelings for Charlie for the fictional world she’s trying to create, things should work out... right?
380 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2025
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Creek
2 books7 followersLeigh Creek spends way too much time daydreaming about the movie version of her books, drinking ungodly amounts of coffee, and pretending like she has her life together.
Her stories are jam packed with witty banter, chemistry that sizzles off the page, and book boyfriends you'd happily take home to mom.
Oh, and Leigh Creek is also the pen name for Elizabeth C. Cabrera's romance novels. Almost forgot to mention that. [insert spiderman pointing meme]
Her stories are jam packed with witty banter, chemistry that sizzles off the page, and book boyfriends you'd happily take home to mom.
Oh, and Leigh Creek is also the pen name for Elizabeth C. Cabrera's romance novels. Almost forgot to mention that. [insert spiderman pointing meme]
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2025
Sep 28, 2025 - spoiler free review 💕
OH this was GOOD. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this down!
Characters: 5/5 - Charlie and Sam felt like real genuine people (and thank the lord himself that everyone in this book had normal names). I felt like I could visualize them, the scenes, and how they interacted easily.
Tropes: 5/5 - fake dating, best friends to lovers, “touch her and die” vibes, found family. I really loved all of these and how they were done in the story.
Plot: 4.5/5 - I loved the romance and yearning in between the characters and how all the little things added up by the end of the book. The romantic scenes felt purposeful & weren’t just a way to progress the plot. We were left wondering on some things to be found out later (what happened with Erica, & Paul) and too many authors spell everything out for the reader anymore, so that was a really pleasant change of pace. I did not love the entire Paul plot line, but it didn’t ruin the book for me by any means. The entire plot moved along smoothly, I didn’t feel rushed or like things were dragging.
There are a lot of opportunities for future books based on characters in this book and I’m excited to see if anything is done with them!
Thank you again for the e-ARC! I really enjoyed this! 💕
Sep 19, 2025:
All of the tropes are right up my alley. I cant wait to read this! Will update soon with my review <3
Thank you to Leigh for the e-ARC!
OH this was GOOD. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this down!
Characters: 5/5 - Charlie and Sam felt like real genuine people (and thank the lord himself that everyone in this book had normal names). I felt like I could visualize them, the scenes, and how they interacted easily.
Tropes: 5/5 - fake dating, best friends to lovers, “touch her and die” vibes, found family. I really loved all of these and how they were done in the story.
Plot: 4.5/5 - I loved the romance and yearning in between the characters and how all the little things added up by the end of the book. The romantic scenes felt purposeful & weren’t just a way to progress the plot. We were left wondering on some things to be found out later (what happened with Erica, & Paul) and too many authors spell everything out for the reader anymore, so that was a really pleasant change of pace. I did not love the entire Paul plot line, but it didn’t ruin the book for me by any means. The entire plot moved along smoothly, I didn’t feel rushed or like things were dragging.
There are a lot of opportunities for future books based on characters in this book and I’m excited to see if anything is done with them!
Thank you again for the e-ARC! I really enjoyed this! 💕
Sep 19, 2025:
All of the tropes are right up my alley. I cant wait to read this! Will update soon with my review <3
Thank you to Leigh for the e-ARC!
November 26, 2025
An okay romance.
When I first started this book, I liked the idea presented. For me, however, the book started slow and it took some time for me to get interested.
Originally, I thought this book would be a solid 3 star book. Then, about 44-48 percent through it, it hit a plot point that made me NOT want to put it down!
This story follows best friends Sam and Charlie. Sam, a mystery-turned-romance writer, realizes she's what she enjoys reading, she doesn't quite have the experience to write about. Enter Charlie, her childhood best friend, who offers to help her with "research" for her book, by offering to be her fake boyfriend.
As they move through this process, however, they realize that maybe fake dating isn't going to work for them. Though best friends, each character is still hiding a few secrets from the other. Secrets that could jeopardize everything...
By the end of the story, I was happy I picked this book up and gave it a chance.
Why 4 stars and not 5? Well, author Leigh Creek is a good story teller. In this book, however, there is an excessive amount of overused phrase cliches that aren't needed. In my opinion, Creek is a fabulous enough writer that putting these in this story made it sound more cheesy than it needed to be.
While considered a romance, this book has some more serious themes and trigger warnings. Cheesy cliches take away from those important aspects of the story. Otherwise, an enjoyable read!
Side Note- The dedication was fabulous and yes, my mind was in the gutter when I read the acknowledgements. 😁
When I first started this book, I liked the idea presented. For me, however, the book started slow and it took some time for me to get interested.
Originally, I thought this book would be a solid 3 star book. Then, about 44-48 percent through it, it hit a plot point that made me NOT want to put it down!
This story follows best friends Sam and Charlie. Sam, a mystery-turned-romance writer, realizes she's what she enjoys reading, she doesn't quite have the experience to write about. Enter Charlie, her childhood best friend, who offers to help her with "research" for her book, by offering to be her fake boyfriend.
As they move through this process, however, they realize that maybe fake dating isn't going to work for them. Though best friends, each character is still hiding a few secrets from the other. Secrets that could jeopardize everything...
By the end of the story, I was happy I picked this book up and gave it a chance.
Why 4 stars and not 5? Well, author Leigh Creek is a good story teller. In this book, however, there is an excessive amount of overused phrase cliches that aren't needed. In my opinion, Creek is a fabulous enough writer that putting these in this story made it sound more cheesy than it needed to be.
While considered a romance, this book has some more serious themes and trigger warnings. Cheesy cliches take away from those important aspects of the story. Otherwise, an enjoyable read!
Side Note- The dedication was fabulous and yes, my mind was in the gutter when I read the acknowledgements. 😁
November 30, 2025
I am not a romance girly.
But I would read anything Leigh Creek wrote. I absolutely LOVED Charlie and Sam.
The plot was streamed lined and believable. It made sense. The plot points hit exactly where they needed to. The yearning, the pining... I loved it. I especially loved that the "miscommunication" trope was easily pushed aside (THANK YOU ANGEL) and our MCs were able to move forward. It is a trope I dislike but it worked very well here.
Dialogue. Y'all,generally romance dialogue is weird.
However, these scenes and dialogues actually felt thought out and rehearsed. I hope that makes sense. They really flowed well and felt organic, believable. I really enjoyed that.
I do agree with a review that stated that there was a bit too many cliched phrases. I think the author has such a strong writing style that they did not have to rely on them as much. It didn't bring me out of the reading or anything, I just noted it.
Overall, I loved it. I need a book for Peter (because that story would be fun), and Tyler. I can't wait to see what else Leigh Creek has to put out into the world.
But I would read anything Leigh Creek wrote. I absolutely LOVED Charlie and Sam.
The plot was streamed lined and believable. It made sense. The plot points hit exactly where they needed to. The yearning, the pining... I loved it. I especially loved that the "miscommunication" trope was easily pushed aside (THANK YOU ANGEL) and our MCs were able to move forward. It is a trope I dislike but it worked very well here.
Dialogue. Y'all,generally romance dialogue is weird.
However, these scenes and dialogues actually felt thought out and rehearsed. I hope that makes sense. They really flowed well and felt organic, believable. I really enjoyed that.
I do agree with a review that stated that there was a bit too many cliched phrases. I think the author has such a strong writing style that they did not have to rely on them as much. It didn't bring me out of the reading or anything, I just noted it.
Overall, I loved it. I need a book for Peter (because that story would be fun), and Tyler. I can't wait to see what else Leigh Creek has to put out into the world.
November 22, 2025
Samantha is a mystery writer who wants to try writing a spicy romance under a pen name. But she doesn't have a lot of romantic experience. Her best friend Charlie suggests they pretend to date so she can be inspired to write.
I'm a sucker for fake dating, so this was an instant yes. Sam and Charlie are so cute together! There's a subplot of Sam having a stalker, so Charlie gets to be protective 😍 He's also the best at planning romantic dates.
Absolutely check out this book when you're in the mood for a sweet and spicy romance.
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Spicy 🌶🌶
I'm a sucker for fake dating, so this was an instant yes. Sam and Charlie are so cute together! There's a subplot of Sam having a stalker, so Charlie gets to be protective 😍 He's also the best at planning romantic dates.
Absolutely check out this book when you're in the mood for a sweet and spicy romance.
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Spicy 🌶🌶
November 16, 2025
Okay this was so unexpectedly good and I really loved it. I really liked both the main characters which is unusual for me, but Charlie was just perfect. It's one of those books that is a really slow burn but doesn't feel like a slow burn. The pacing was spot on and when the spice hits it really hits. I also loved the slight suspense aspect which added a layer of depth to both the story and the main characters.
Overall a really great read and I would love to see stories for both of Charlie's brothers.
4.25 ⭐️
Overall a really great read and I would love to see stories for both of Charlie's brothers.
4.25 ⭐️
November 25, 2025
I’ve been reading just SO many great books lately!
Honestly it’s refreshing to have an MMC who’s protective but not in a toxic or possessive way. Charlie was so sweet and kind, it was impossible not to fall in love with him.
I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope and this book did it so well. Their slow burn chemistry felt real and earned. Charlie and Sam love each other so much, it was truly a beautiful read.
I can’t wait to see what Leigh Creek will write in the future. I am officially a fan. 💕
Honestly it’s refreshing to have an MMC who’s protective but not in a toxic or possessive way. Charlie was so sweet and kind, it was impossible not to fall in love with him.
I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope and this book did it so well. Their slow burn chemistry felt real and earned. Charlie and Sam love each other so much, it was truly a beautiful read.
I can’t wait to see what Leigh Creek will write in the future. I am officially a fan. 💕
September 29, 2025
"We're not making it to the shower."
This is a book I know I'm going to reread. With best friends to lovers, fake dating, and a healthy dose of spice, it was the perfect mix.
Charlie and Sam are life. And Charlie is bae. I think everyone needs a Charlie in their lives.
This is one I know I'll need in multiple formats, too. Ebook and print. And dare I say audiobook in the future?
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
This is a book I know I'm going to reread. With best friends to lovers, fake dating, and a healthy dose of spice, it was the perfect mix.
Charlie and Sam are life. And Charlie is bae. I think everyone needs a Charlie in their lives.
This is one I know I'll need in multiple formats, too. Ebook and print. And dare I say audiobook in the future?
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book! 💕 The Pen Name Project completely surprised me — it’s actually the first book in this genre I’ve ever given 5 stars to. The story was fun, emotional, and full of heart. I fell in love with the characters and their chemistry, and the writing just flowed so effortlessly. Leigh Creek managed to make me laugh, swoon, and even tear up a little. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end!
I absolutely loved this book! 💕 The Pen Name Project completely surprised me — it’s actually the first book in this genre I’ve ever given 5 stars to. The story was fun, emotional, and full of heart. I fell in love with the characters and their chemistry, and the writing just flowed so effortlessly. Leigh Creek managed to make me laugh, swoon, and even tear up a little. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end!
November 6, 2025
Read this as an ARC and loved it. The banter between Sam and Charlie makes this such a quick read! Sam’s friend Angel had me laughing out loud at times, and their relationship reminded me of myself and my bestie! I loved the mystery aspect with Paul, and he was present enough to keep wondering “what happens next!” Would definitely recommend this book…great balance of romance, suspense, and spice!
November 30, 2025
Such a good book, if you like slow burn and friends to lovers this is the book for you. So happy I won it in a giveaway from the author, she’s such a sweet person and I love how she responds to her readers in such a wholesome way. Hopefully another book with these characters comes out.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews