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Making The Catch #1
It's A Win For Me
Amelia Cruz-Taylor is a hopeless romantic, always glued to her rom-coms and billionaire romance books. But after a shattering betrayal, her belief in love has crumbled to dust. With a destination wedding approaching and her ex on the guest list, she needs a date to prove she’s moved on. Who better to ask than her childhood best friend, Caleb?
Caleb Hayes, a star quarterback caught up in LA’s latest gossip scandal, has been in love with the one woman he couldn’t have since high school. Now, after a year apart, it’s time to face her again. He’s landed his dream partnership, and everything he’s worked hard for has finally paid off, but there’s a catch—they need him to fix his reputation first. When Amelia proposes a plan they can both benefit from, it becomes the perfect opportunity to do just that. A win-win.
Faking a relationship with your best friend can’t be that hard, right?
Caleb Hayes, a star quarterback caught up in LA’s latest gossip scandal, has been in love with the one woman he couldn’t have since high school. Now, after a year apart, it’s time to face her again. He’s landed his dream partnership, and everything he’s worked hard for has finally paid off, but there’s a catch—they need him to fix his reputation first. When Amelia proposes a plan they can both benefit from, it becomes the perfect opportunity to do just that. A win-win.
Faking a relationship with your best friend can’t be that hard, right?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
150 people are currently reading
1339 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Mae
1 book89 followersClarissa Mae is an indie romance author who graduated with an associate’s degree in Medical Office Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, magna cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP).
She loves steamy contemporary romances with all the banter and tension. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys learning dances at 2 a.m., trying out the latest makeup products, and filming content. She’s most likely binge-watching her favorite comfort movies and TV shows while stuffing her mouth with White Cheddar Cheez-Its.
She loves steamy contemporary romances with all the banter and tension. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys learning dances at 2 a.m., trying out the latest makeup products, and filming content. She’s most likely binge-watching her favorite comfort movies and TV shows while stuffing her mouth with White Cheddar Cheez-Its.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 29, 2025
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
It’s a Win for Me by Clarissa Mae is the kind of book that makes you want to scream into your pillow and then immediately reread your favorite scenes.
Caleb, our MMC, is everything you could ever want in a man written by a woman. He’s attentive, loyal, patient, and absolutely down bad for his best friend. He notices the little things like her go-to snacks, her love of romance books, and the fact that she always needs a scrunchie. Truly, the dream guy.
Amelia, our FMC, is a relatable mix of guarded and hopeful. After a betrayal by her ex (seriously, kick rocks Jared), she’s unsure about love, but watching her slowly open up to Caleb felt authentic and heartwarming.
This book is packed with tropes I love: friends to lovers, best friend’s brother, fake dating, and of course, the golden standard—he falls first. While you know going in that there’s going to be a happily ever after, the journey is what makes it special. The chemistry between Caleb and Amelia jumps off the page, and the tension? Chef’s kiss.
As a debut, this book absolutely delivers. I’m already counting down the days for the next installment in the series. Clarissa Mae is one to watch!
It’s a Win for Me by Clarissa Mae is the kind of book that makes you want to scream into your pillow and then immediately reread your favorite scenes.
Caleb, our MMC, is everything you could ever want in a man written by a woman. He’s attentive, loyal, patient, and absolutely down bad for his best friend. He notices the little things like her go-to snacks, her love of romance books, and the fact that she always needs a scrunchie. Truly, the dream guy.
Amelia, our FMC, is a relatable mix of guarded and hopeful. After a betrayal by her ex (seriously, kick rocks Jared), she’s unsure about love, but watching her slowly open up to Caleb felt authentic and heartwarming.
This book is packed with tropes I love: friends to lovers, best friend’s brother, fake dating, and of course, the golden standard—he falls first. While you know going in that there’s going to be a happily ever after, the journey is what makes it special. The chemistry between Caleb and Amelia jumps off the page, and the tension? Chef’s kiss.
As a debut, this book absolutely delivers. I’m already counting down the days for the next installment in the series. Clarissa Mae is one to watch!
June 24, 2025
this book is a sports romance, and the amount of times it had me giggling kicking my feet, i loved the fake dating trope and i was living for it, i loved amelia & caleb. i loved that they are childhood besties.
this was more on the slow burn side but when it gets to the little bit of spice it was wortttthhh it.
& that ending!! i’m still in AW such a perfect epilogue :,)
this was more on the slow burn side but when it gets to the little bit of spice it was wortttthhh it.
& that ending!! i’m still in AW such a perfect epilogue :,)
June 14, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up bc this was super cute, a fun and easy read, and i love love loved the filipina representation !! the food, the tagalog - i was like GASP these are my people.
caleb and amelia were both very sweet together, the friends-to-lovers smooth and i enjoyed reading their lil moments. amelia was a nice and level-headed fmc and caleb was a great boy bestie bf ever. he really knew how to play on my acts of service heartstrings and the MOUTH on him at the end phewieeeee 🤠 anyway where can i get one of him
i did however struggle in some places to connect to the characters because the dialogue read a bit awkward and there were lines/scenes that didn’t feel so necessary as it didn’t move the story or characters along. but otherwise this really was a quick and fun read to get a kick of romance in!
thank you to the author for the arc! all thoughts are my own.
caleb and amelia were both very sweet together, the friends-to-lovers smooth and i enjoyed reading their lil moments. amelia was a nice and level-headed fmc and caleb was a great boy bestie bf ever. he really knew how to play on my acts of service heartstrings and the MOUTH on him at the end phewieeeee 🤠 anyway where can i get one of him
i did however struggle in some places to connect to the characters because the dialogue read a bit awkward and there were lines/scenes that didn’t feel so necessary as it didn’t move the story or characters along. but otherwise this really was a quick and fun read to get a kick of romance in!
thank you to the author for the arc! all thoughts are my own.
July 30, 2025
I ate this up 🥹 It was so gooooooood!!!
June 24, 2025
3.75-4⭐️
This was a cute fake dating sports romance and such an easy read! Amelia and Caleb were just the sweetest, and I loved that Caleb was such an acts of service heavy MMC (we love a thoughtful king 🥹). The side characters were really enjoyable too ! they added to the story without distracting from it.
I do wish there was a bit more of a twist or shock factor plot wise. It stayed pretty surface level, and while that made it super digestible, it also left me wanting just a little more depth or drama. That said, I really appreciated the Filipina representation as well, and thought it was woven in nicely🥹
A quick, light, and super cute and solid debut indie novel ! Cannot waitttt for what this author puts out next! It’s only up from here 💜
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC ! ⭐️
This was a cute fake dating sports romance and such an easy read! Amelia and Caleb were just the sweetest, and I loved that Caleb was such an acts of service heavy MMC (we love a thoughtful king 🥹). The side characters were really enjoyable too ! they added to the story without distracting from it.
I do wish there was a bit more of a twist or shock factor plot wise. It stayed pretty surface level, and while that made it super digestible, it also left me wanting just a little more depth or drama. That said, I really appreciated the Filipina representation as well, and thought it was woven in nicely🥹
A quick, light, and super cute and solid debut indie novel ! Cannot waitttt for what this author puts out next! It’s only up from here 💜
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC ! ⭐️
June 27, 2025
3.5-4 ⭐️'s. aw this was such a cute book. I always forget how much I adore childhood bestfriends to lovers when it's done right.
this book follows amelia and caleb, childhood bestfriends. caleb has always had a crush on amelia but she was dating someone else. they're brought together again when their friends are getting married and decide to fake date for the wedding since her ex will be there. after their first fake kiss, amelia starts to think there might be more between them.
also HE MADE HER A BOOK BOUQUET 😭
this book follows amelia and caleb, childhood bestfriends. caleb has always had a crush on amelia but she was dating someone else. they're brought together again when their friends are getting married and decide to fake date for the wedding since her ex will be there. after their first fake kiss, amelia starts to think there might be more between them.
also HE MADE HER A BOOK BOUQUET 😭
July 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.7
This was such an adorable, feel good read. A sweet childhood friends-to-lovers story where he definitely fell first!. There were plenty of funny moments, the friendships were wholesome, loved the cultural representation. Caleb is the definition of a golden retriever boyfriend. The man literally made her a book bouquet, and I melted 🥹. Also… Marcus and Maya? I’m sensing an enemies-to-lovers situation brewing there and I am so here for it 😂.
This was such an adorable, feel good read. A sweet childhood friends-to-lovers story where he definitely fell first!. There were plenty of funny moments, the friendships were wholesome, loved the cultural representation. Caleb is the definition of a golden retriever boyfriend. The man literally made her a book bouquet, and I melted 🥹. Also… Marcus and Maya? I’m sensing an enemies-to-lovers situation brewing there and I am so here for it 😂.
July 9, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
This was such a cute friends to lovers romance especially because it was fake dating. I really enjoyed it and found myself smiling multiple times while reading. Seeing that this was the author’s first book I really enjoyed it
This was such a cute friends to lovers romance especially because it was fake dating. I really enjoyed it and found myself smiling multiple times while reading. Seeing that this was the author’s first book I really enjoyed it
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Want to read
June 1, 2025The author seems nice and i'm intrigued, can't wait for the release
June 24, 2025
✨arc AND beta review✨
I beta read this, and thought it was a great debut novel. After arc reading the final copy?? My opinion has fully changed - this is an AMAZING debut novel. Caleb and Amelia have been friends for ages, but only now their friendship is turning into something more, because they start fake dating - Caleb because he needs his sponsorships believing in him as a professional athlete and Amelia to get her family off her back. I absolutely loved this story. All of my favorite tropes were there, and I appreciate an author who can take constructive criticism! There were a lot of changes made between the beta copy and the arc copy, and absolutely every single change was positive.
Thank you to Clarissa Mae for the arc!!
I beta read this, and thought it was a great debut novel. After arc reading the final copy?? My opinion has fully changed - this is an AMAZING debut novel. Caleb and Amelia have been friends for ages, but only now their friendship is turning into something more, because they start fake dating - Caleb because he needs his sponsorships believing in him as a professional athlete and Amelia to get her family off her back. I absolutely loved this story. All of my favorite tropes were there, and I appreciate an author who can take constructive criticism! There were a lot of changes made between the beta copy and the arc copy, and absolutely every single change was positive.
Thank you to Clarissa Mae for the arc!!
Want to read
June 24, 2025HAPPY RELEASE DAY. Can’t wait to end this month with this book 💗🤌🏻
December 8, 2025
SO CUTEEE!
Everything about this book raised my standards. You can tell this was written by someone that truly knows what makes people feel something!
Everything about this book raised my standards. You can tell this was written by someone that truly knows what makes people feel something!
January 4, 2026
نفس الموال ينعاد كل مرة مع تغيير اسماء الأبطال 😴 زهقنا ما قدرت كمل رواية من كثر كرينج
مدري قصة تافهة او انا صار مايعبي عيني شي العادي 😮💨
مدري قصة تافهة او انا صار مايعبي عيني شي العادي 😮💨
July 1, 2025
5⭐️! Mesmo!
Best friends to lovers é oficialmente a minha trope favorita, juntamente com enemies to lovers.
Muito bom…relembra-me “The Cheat Sheet”!
Best friends to lovers é oficialmente a minha trope favorita, juntamente com enemies to lovers.
Muito bom…relembra-me “The Cheat Sheet”!
August 27, 2025
DNF at 40%. It was soooo cringy I couldn’t do it. When she mentioned the MMC getting the FMC a “book bouquet as a present” is when I had to stop (at this point I was skimming, trying to get SOMETHING good, and that was it for me)
June 30, 2025
I haven’t finished a book in a day in a while and i’m so impressed I finished this! The chapters were quick and the story just flows chapter after chapter! It felt like talking with a friend with all the side comments hehe.
This book follows FMC (Amelia) and MMC (Caleb), two best friends who lost touch but came back together when Amelia comes back to LA. They devise a plan to fake date so Amelia can have a date to her best friend’s wedding and so Caleb (a hot shot football player) can get a scandal off of his back.
Okay, 1. Finalllyyyyy a FMC that doesn’t get on my nerves 😂. She’s cool, she’s hot but the only thing that’s wrong with her is that she’s oblivious to the fact that she couldn’t see that her boy best friend has been in love with her since high school. Like hello? He’s been calling you pretty girl for years. He’ll do everything ——-anything for you!! 2. Fake dating is one of my favessss… pair that with friends to lovers and it’s a perfect match for me. 3. Love the Filipina rep in this book 🇵🇭
And Caleb “no eyes for anyone but Amelia” Hayes 😍😍. You’d think he’s just a regular guy (and not someone famous) from the way he’s so smitten around Amelia. I love how he was kinda just like “fuck it” when it came to the situation because he still gets the girl!
& okay I’m not usually one for having spice at the end of a book but this was done right in my opinion. It was the right amount and it wasn’t forced! &&&& they were HOT! Caleb has so many cutesy quotes but the one on his slide is my favorite 👀
Thank you to Clarissa for the ARC! I’m so proud of u bb!! & i can’t wait for more!
This book follows FMC (Amelia) and MMC (Caleb), two best friends who lost touch but came back together when Amelia comes back to LA. They devise a plan to fake date so Amelia can have a date to her best friend’s wedding and so Caleb (a hot shot football player) can get a scandal off of his back.
Okay, 1. Finalllyyyyy a FMC that doesn’t get on my nerves 😂. She’s cool, she’s hot but the only thing that’s wrong with her is that she’s oblivious to the fact that she couldn’t see that her boy best friend has been in love with her since high school. Like hello? He’s been calling you pretty girl for years. He’ll do everything ——-anything for you!! 2. Fake dating is one of my favessss… pair that with friends to lovers and it’s a perfect match for me. 3. Love the Filipina rep in this book 🇵🇭
And Caleb “no eyes for anyone but Amelia” Hayes 😍😍. You’d think he’s just a regular guy (and not someone famous) from the way he’s so smitten around Amelia. I love how he was kinda just like “fuck it” when it came to the situation because he still gets the girl!
& okay I’m not usually one for having spice at the end of a book but this was done right in my opinion. It was the right amount and it wasn’t forced! &&&& they were HOT! Caleb has so many cutesy quotes but the one on his slide is my favorite 👀
Thank you to Clarissa for the ARC! I’m so proud of u bb!! & i can’t wait for more!
July 17, 2025
It’s A Win For Me by Clarissa Mae
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Synopsis:
Amelia Cruz-Taylor is a hopeless romantic, always glued to her rom-coms and billionaire romance books. But after a shattering betrayal, her belief in love has crumbled to dust. With a destination wedding approaching and her ex on the guest list, she needs a date to prove she’s moved on. Who better to ask than her childhood best friend, Caleb?
Caleb Hayes, a star quarterback caught up in LA’s latest gossip scandal, has been in love with the one woman he couldn’t have since high school. Now, after a year apart, it’s time to face her again. He’s landed his dream partnership, and everything he’s worked hard for has finally paid off, but there’s a catch—they need him to fix his reputation first. When Amelia proposes a plan they can both benefit from, it becomes the perfect opportunity to do just that. A win-win.
Faking a relationship with your best friend can’t be that hard, right?
My Overall Thoughts:
OMGG…Clarissa Mae you outdid yourself on your debut novel. I truly loved this so much and can’t wait for the next book in the series. This was so close to a full solid five stars if Thomas Hayes didn’t act that bad towards his own son. Especially Jared. How he treated Amelia. Everything about this was so amazing and beautifully written. Well done, Clarissa. Can’t wait to see what you write next soon and in the near future. I will forever support you my fellow filipina author. I love Amelia and Caleb so much together and their relationship and story. I also love the friendship group that they had with Maya, Marcus, Amir, and Tia. Such a beautiful Filipino representation for sure.
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Synopsis:
Amelia Cruz-Taylor is a hopeless romantic, always glued to her rom-coms and billionaire romance books. But after a shattering betrayal, her belief in love has crumbled to dust. With a destination wedding approaching and her ex on the guest list, she needs a date to prove she’s moved on. Who better to ask than her childhood best friend, Caleb?
Caleb Hayes, a star quarterback caught up in LA’s latest gossip scandal, has been in love with the one woman he couldn’t have since high school. Now, after a year apart, it’s time to face her again. He’s landed his dream partnership, and everything he’s worked hard for has finally paid off, but there’s a catch—they need him to fix his reputation first. When Amelia proposes a plan they can both benefit from, it becomes the perfect opportunity to do just that. A win-win.
Faking a relationship with your best friend can’t be that hard, right?
My Overall Thoughts:
OMGG…Clarissa Mae you outdid yourself on your debut novel. I truly loved this so much and can’t wait for the next book in the series. This was so close to a full solid five stars if Thomas Hayes didn’t act that bad towards his own son. Especially Jared. How he treated Amelia. Everything about this was so amazing and beautifully written. Well done, Clarissa. Can’t wait to see what you write next soon and in the near future. I will forever support you my fellow filipina author. I love Amelia and Caleb so much together and their relationship and story. I also love the friendship group that they had with Maya, Marcus, Amir, and Tia. Such a beautiful Filipino representation for sure.
June 12, 2025
I rated this book a 3 stars but don’t get it twisted, I was head over heels for it, and Caleb of course ;)
I wasn’t completely hooked straight away,but by the time I got to chapter 10 there was no way in hell I would be putting it down.
Caleb and Amelia’s dynamic was something I admired throughout the entire book, from start to finish. The way that they communicated with each other was truly special and so incredibly sweet. Caleb was so incredibly in love with her it was at times painful to watch (in the best way). He watched her as she fell in love with other people, viewed him as a best friend and he never could succeed in finding someone quite like her.
Another aspect of this book I really enjoyed was the friend group, I’m a sucker for found family and this showed very very good signs of it. If there’s more books in the series I cannot wait to see this grow. There were hints at possible other couples so I hope those individuals do get a book ??;))
This was an easy, fast paced read which we all need - a sports romance filled with all of your favourite tropes and micro tropes that we know and love.
I feel so honoured to have gotten this opportunity to read this arc, I’ve watched the authors journey and the fact that this is her first book is truly insane and inspiring. I’m looking forward to all of her future work, I will be reading all of it !!
I wasn’t completely hooked straight away,but by the time I got to chapter 10 there was no way in hell I would be putting it down.
Caleb and Amelia’s dynamic was something I admired throughout the entire book, from start to finish. The way that they communicated with each other was truly special and so incredibly sweet. Caleb was so incredibly in love with her it was at times painful to watch (in the best way). He watched her as she fell in love with other people, viewed him as a best friend and he never could succeed in finding someone quite like her.
Another aspect of this book I really enjoyed was the friend group, I’m a sucker for found family and this showed very very good signs of it. If there’s more books in the series I cannot wait to see this grow. There were hints at possible other couples so I hope those individuals do get a book ??;))
This was an easy, fast paced read which we all need - a sports romance filled with all of your favourite tropes and micro tropes that we know and love.
I feel so honoured to have gotten this opportunity to read this arc, I’ve watched the authors journey and the fact that this is her first book is truly insane and inspiring. I’m looking forward to all of her future work, I will be reading all of it !!
June 21, 2025
3.8 ⭐️
It’s a Win for Me is so cute, fluffy and such an easy fast read. This book is perfect for the girls who love childhood friends to lovers, fake dating and sports romance tropes. The relationship between the two characters just flows so easy. To me these two were already dating before they decided to fake date. As someone who wears glasses I love that Caleb wore glasses and is also an athlete. He was so down bad for our girl Amelia. I love a man who does pottery! Lastly, I loved that our main character is a woman of color and really loved the Filipino representation in the book and learning more about the culture honestly we need more sports romance with WOC.
Overall I had a great time reading, I do wish there was a bit more banter and yearning between the main characters. I enjoyed the friend group and their banter and I’m very intrigued to read the next book.
Thank you to the author for this e-arc
It’s a Win for Me is so cute, fluffy and such an easy fast read. This book is perfect for the girls who love childhood friends to lovers, fake dating and sports romance tropes. The relationship between the two characters just flows so easy. To me these two were already dating before they decided to fake date. As someone who wears glasses I love that Caleb wore glasses and is also an athlete. He was so down bad for our girl Amelia. I love a man who does pottery! Lastly, I loved that our main character is a woman of color and really loved the Filipino representation in the book and learning more about the culture honestly we need more sports romance with WOC.
Overall I had a great time reading, I do wish there was a bit more banter and yearning between the main characters. I enjoyed the friend group and their banter and I’m very intrigued to read the next book.
Thank you to the author for this e-arc
August 30, 2025
totally smitten!
Oh my goodness, I am absolutely head over heels for this book! I genuinely love everything about it and really enjoy reading, so it's a total win for me. I can’t wait to think about this book as I drift off to sleep tonight! I adore both the female and male characters—they're just so wonderful! This story has definitely helped me break out of my reading slump, and I’m so excited for the next book. Fingers crossed we get to see their wedding, and maybe even some little ones down the line! Who knows? This one is absolutely going on my list of five-star reads!
Oh my goodness, I am absolutely head over heels for this book! I genuinely love everything about it and really enjoy reading, so it's a total win for me. I can’t wait to think about this book as I drift off to sleep tonight! I adore both the female and male characters—they're just so wonderful! This story has definitely helped me break out of my reading slump, and I’m so excited for the next book. Fingers crossed we get to see their wedding, and maybe even some little ones down the line! Who knows? This one is absolutely going on my list of five-star reads!
June 24, 2025
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
It's A Win For Me was such a cute read! I loved the entire cast of characters and I love a book where the MMC is just so absolutely pathetic for the FMC. I also loved all the Filipino representation, from the food to the bits of Tagalog sprinkled in, it brought such a smile to my face seeing my culture represented in a romance book!!
I am giving the book 3.7 ⭐️ (rounding up on goodreads) because I felt like the book was a bit telly and not showy enough at times. I did have fun reading it - a great debut from the author, I cannot wait to read more of the series!
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
It's A Win For Me was such a cute read! I loved the entire cast of characters and I love a book where the MMC is just so absolutely pathetic for the FMC. I also loved all the Filipino representation, from the food to the bits of Tagalog sprinkled in, it brought such a smile to my face seeing my culture represented in a romance book!!
I am giving the book 3.7 ⭐️ (rounding up on goodreads) because I felt like the book was a bit telly and not showy enough at times. I did have fun reading it - a great debut from the author, I cannot wait to read more of the series!
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
June 29, 2025
”She is my home. Wherever she is, that’s when I’m the happiest”
4 stars ⭐️
I loved this fake dating sports romance!! AMELIA AND CALEB ARE THE CUTESTTT
4 stars ⭐️
I loved this fake dating sports romance!! AMELIA AND CALEB ARE THE CUTESTTT
June 30, 2025
4.5 stars.
this was so cute and for her debut book? this was amazing.
this was so cute and for her debut book? this was amazing.
September 14, 2025
3.5/5
A cute and fast read
A cute and fast read
October 8, 2025
loved it !! a man who yearns is a man who earns
July 5, 2025
reparei agora que não escrevi review, então bora lá.
Eu gostei da história, acaba por ser o mais do mesmo atleta com daddy issues que tem uma fake dating que uma amiga para ajudar a melhorar a sua reputação do público e media.
Mas pronto como dizem que não está mal não mudes.
Agora falando das personagens, gostei dos dois. O Caleb faz me lembrar o ryan shay. E também gostei da found family dos amigos e vou continuar a ler os livros desta série
Eu gostei da história, acaba por ser o mais do mesmo atleta com daddy issues que tem uma fake dating que uma amiga para ajudar a melhorar a sua reputação do público e media.
Mas pronto como dizem que não está mal não mudes.
Agora falando das personagens, gostei dos dois. O Caleb faz me lembrar o ryan shay. E também gostei da found family dos amigos e vou continuar a ler os livros desta série
July 6, 2025
4.25 ⭐️This book was beautiful …CALEB HAYES THE MAN YOU ARE HES literally like perfect almost too perfect like a freaking robot but I’m like obsessed??!!!
he’s def getting added to my list of fav book bf’s
he’s def getting added to my list of fav book bf’s
July 23, 2025
This book was definitely a win for me. I honestly didn’t think I’d love the book as much as I did, but the author and this book exceeded my expectations and I actually had an enjoyable time reading.
The book follows Caleb and Amelia, and reading both of their journeys/stories and how they were together was actually nice. Amelia moves to America from the Philippines in high school and befriends Tia, who’s the younger sister to Caleb (our MMC).
I honestly loved Caleb so much. This man has YEARNED for Amelia for years, always being there for her physically and emotionally whenever she needed someone. He did so much for her it actually warmed my heart. He learned her language, brought her favourite snacks and a heating pad for her period, always came when she called, and was just always waiting for her 😭.
I know he had his own experiences and especially with his opening (having drunkenly kissed a female celebrity while at a party, who was known for being in a serious relationship, but was currently on a break) that introduces us to his scandal, but the rest of the book made it super clear that despite everything, Amelia was really the only person for him. This man yearned so hard, and he was really willing to enter the fake relationship with her just so he could be with her 😭.
I also loved the jealousy from his end. AGH. I loved seeing him being all caveman (not to an extreme extent) and be all bothered with the thought and sight of her with other guys. It just made me swoon so hard.
I liked Amelia for the most part, bringing attention to the Filipino culture. Besides that, she didn’t really bring much else to the story, besides her internal struggle about whether what she and Caleb had felt too real or if it was all pretend (this lasting for at least 10+ chapters).
I did feel for her when she found out her ex boyfriend had cheated on her for a month (their relationship four years). Seeing her sort of doubt herself and if she meant anything to him did add a bit more interest to the story, but her character was fine and wasn’t anything too interesting.
I loved the tension and clear attraction present between Caleb and Amelia, especially on Caleb’s end. The way he always go to her too when he needs comfort or someone to confide in 😭. His complicated relationship with his dad definitely add to his character, Caleb always taking care of everyone else around him and letting not prioritizing himself.
I’m glad Amelia was able to help Caleb not only lose his need for validation from his dad, but also contribute to his shift in character, one where he finally had the courage to confess and tell Amelia how he really felt.
Their friend group was also pretty good as well, Maya and Marcus definitely catching my attention and making me sort of anticipate their book if it happens. Overall, for a debut novel, this was a pretty solid read and I enjoyed myself while reading it most of the time. There wasn’t too much spice which I liked and it focused more on the crackling tension simmering between both MCs, making this fake dating slow burn a nice read.
The book follows Caleb and Amelia, and reading both of their journeys/stories and how they were together was actually nice. Amelia moves to America from the Philippines in high school and befriends Tia, who’s the younger sister to Caleb (our MMC).
I honestly loved Caleb so much. This man has YEARNED for Amelia for years, always being there for her physically and emotionally whenever she needed someone. He did so much for her it actually warmed my heart. He learned her language, brought her favourite snacks and a heating pad for her period, always came when she called, and was just always waiting for her 😭.
I know he had his own experiences and especially with his opening (having drunkenly kissed a female celebrity while at a party, who was known for being in a serious relationship, but was currently on a break) that introduces us to his scandal, but the rest of the book made it super clear that despite everything, Amelia was really the only person for him. This man yearned so hard, and he was really willing to enter the fake relationship with her just so he could be with her 😭.
I also loved the jealousy from his end. AGH. I loved seeing him being all caveman (not to an extreme extent) and be all bothered with the thought and sight of her with other guys. It just made me swoon so hard.
I liked Amelia for the most part, bringing attention to the Filipino culture. Besides that, she didn’t really bring much else to the story, besides her internal struggle about whether what she and Caleb had felt too real or if it was all pretend (this lasting for at least 10+ chapters).
I did feel for her when she found out her ex boyfriend had cheated on her for a month (their relationship four years). Seeing her sort of doubt herself and if she meant anything to him did add a bit more interest to the story, but her character was fine and wasn’t anything too interesting.
I loved the tension and clear attraction present between Caleb and Amelia, especially on Caleb’s end. The way he always go to her too when he needs comfort or someone to confide in 😭. His complicated relationship with his dad definitely add to his character, Caleb always taking care of everyone else around him and letting not prioritizing himself.
I’m glad Amelia was able to help Caleb not only lose his need for validation from his dad, but also contribute to his shift in character, one where he finally had the courage to confess and tell Amelia how he really felt.
Their friend group was also pretty good as well, Maya and Marcus definitely catching my attention and making me sort of anticipate their book if it happens. Overall, for a debut novel, this was a pretty solid read and I enjoyed myself while reading it most of the time. There wasn’t too much spice which I liked and it focused more on the crackling tension simmering between both MCs, making this fake dating slow burn a nice read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
What a knockout for a debut novel. This read truly had me indulged from page to page. First of all our fmc Amelia is such a calm, cool and relatable character, first off she is a person that likes to stay hopeful looking on the bright side but she also is sometimes guarded which is understandable. She is nervous about/unsure about certain aspects of love but overtime I loved how she was open and understanding of the love she wants and how it is received and from whom exactly. Now onto our mmc Caleb he was definitely written in a way for us lover girls, and is a mmc character that is lovable, loyal, kind, patient! Caleb is such a loverboy, and is absolutely down bad for his best friend. I loved every moment. Caleb and Amelia's relationship was so wholesome and warm, first off being attentive to one's needs especially with how Caleb remembered her go to snacks, omg my favorite moments was how he remembered her love of romance novels and books he represented such green flag qualities. Now onto Amelia I loved how once she was comfortable she was able to fully open up to Caleb and it showed the more authentic, vulnerable side of not only her but him as well. The love between Caleb and Amelia story was such a blitz of characters that are relatable, the absolute best amount of a man-down bad for his partner, and being able to be yourself and truly vulnerable around people that love you and support you. The ultimate chemistry, and overall journey of Amelia & Caleb relationship was what made this read special, down from the representation, acts of service that made this read enjoyable, thank you!
☺️ This read and the characters were well written and represented. The journey, the aspect of comfortability, friendship and love is what uplifted this story to the fullest. I loved every part, and recommend everyone to read!
Tropes:
🏈sports romance
👀fake dating
🤞🏼friends to lovers
🤭slow burn, tension, spice
☺️ This read and the characters were well written and represented. The journey, the aspect of comfortability, friendship and love is what uplifted this story to the fullest. I loved every part, and recommend everyone to read!
Tropes:
🏈sports romance
👀fake dating
🤞🏼friends to lovers
🤭slow burn, tension, spice
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