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How to Fake a Southern Gentleman: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26A heartwarming and hilarious gender-swapped reimagining of My Fair Lady follows two very different women who join forces to makeover a hustler and take down one of Atlanta’s most powerful and corrupt men.
Proud, single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno have nothing in common—until Atlanta’s most powerful man, Griggs Caldecott Johnson III, turns both their lives upside down. Griggs is threatening Holly’s future and her job as the events manager at the hoity-toity Dogwood Hills Country Club, while Luisa gets fired for trying to expose his scheme to defraud an immigrant family and snatch up their land for a luxury development.
Determined to fight back, the women team up—and hatch a plan to infiltrate Griggs’s inner circle. Their secret weapon? Elijah Denvil Sweet, a charming hustler with a knack for reinvention. With a makeover, some etiquette lessons, and a little help from an entirely too cute linguistics professor, Eli transforms into “Tripp,” the kind of Southern gentleman Griggs might just trust.
As Holly and Luisa set their plan in motion, they come to realize they have far more in common than they ever expected. Along the way, they find friendship, men to love, and ultimately their true selves—and discover that getting justice can be as juicy-sweet as a Georgia peach.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman delivers a rollercoaster of laughs, heart, and triumph, blending sharp wit and deep emotion with a pitch-perfect sense of justice—leaving readers cheering for two women who refuse to be underestimated.
Proud, single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno have nothing in common—until Atlanta’s most powerful man, Griggs Caldecott Johnson III, turns both their lives upside down. Griggs is threatening Holly’s future and her job as the events manager at the hoity-toity Dogwood Hills Country Club, while Luisa gets fired for trying to expose his scheme to defraud an immigrant family and snatch up their land for a luxury development.
Determined to fight back, the women team up—and hatch a plan to infiltrate Griggs’s inner circle. Their secret weapon? Elijah Denvil Sweet, a charming hustler with a knack for reinvention. With a makeover, some etiquette lessons, and a little help from an entirely too cute linguistics professor, Eli transforms into “Tripp,” the kind of Southern gentleman Griggs might just trust.
As Holly and Luisa set their plan in motion, they come to realize they have far more in common than they ever expected. Along the way, they find friendship, men to love, and ultimately their true selves—and discover that getting justice can be as juicy-sweet as a Georgia peach.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman delivers a rollercoaster of laughs, heart, and triumph, blending sharp wit and deep emotion with a pitch-perfect sense of justice—leaving readers cheering for two women who refuse to be underestimated.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 7, 2026
1374 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 2, 2025
* Review to be posted closer to official publication date, as requested by the publisher.
netgalley-arcs
October 26, 2025My Fair Lady in the South, but this time a man gets the makeover. RTC.
December 21, 2025
A searing looking glass into classism, racism, immigration, corruption, the wealth gap, greed, and sexual harassment. Yes, 'How to Fake a Southern Gentleman' is a romance novel but it delivers scorching, timely commentary. The society lifestyle that exists within gilded gates unwilling to welcome progress and keeping more individuals out.
Griggs is, without a doubt, the worst villain I’ve read this year. Grimy, entitled, and outright horrific. A character that preys on the vulnerable and wields their power to bend entire communities to their will. Eli and Hugh (two other characters you'll meet while reading) standout not only because they're the total opposite of his character but Mayra and Marie give them empathy that rises off the pages.
Luisa and Holly’s alliance is pure satisfaction. Watching them team up, plot, and execute their plans is a thrill, you’ll be cheering for them every chapter as justice unfolds in the best way possible.
Thank you so much Atria Books for the digital arc, out later in April 2026 this book is a great read.
Griggs is, without a doubt, the worst villain I’ve read this year. Grimy, entitled, and outright horrific. A character that preys on the vulnerable and wields their power to bend entire communities to their will. Eli and Hugh (two other characters you'll meet while reading) standout not only because they're the total opposite of his character but Mayra and Marie give them empathy that rises off the pages.
Luisa and Holly’s alliance is pure satisfaction. Watching them team up, plot, and execute their plans is a thrill, you’ll be cheering for them every chapter as justice unfolds in the best way possible.
Thank you so much Atria Books for the digital arc, out later in April 2026 this book is a great read.
November 12, 2025
Luisa, an investigative journalist, is running out of time. Her latest assignment to expose the criminal corruption of Griggs, a wealthy and powerful man, has hit a dead end. With a family facing eviction at Griggs’s hands, Luisa is determined to find the proof she needs before it’s too late.
When she meets Holly, a single mom who works in the exclusive country club Griggs frequents, and finds out he’s been sexually harassing her, they join forces to bring him down.
Their plan: enlist a local small-time hustler, Eli, to infiltrate Griggs’ elite world and get the needed information. With help from a linguistics professor, they turn Eli into ‘Tripp’, an old-money southern gentleman who’s looking to invest his trust fund.
As their risky scheme unfolds, sparks fly within this ragtag crew, with unlikely romance blooming between Luisa and Eli, and Holly and the professor, only deepening the stakes of their mission.
This gender-flipped My Fair Lady retelling is a rollicking romcom featuring a thrilling heist storyline and a keen exploration of class, race, and sex. Cuevas and Marquardt deliver a feel-good double happily ever after with Latinx representation and a fierce female friendship storyline that readers will fall for.
Thank you to Netalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
When she meets Holly, a single mom who works in the exclusive country club Griggs frequents, and finds out he’s been sexually harassing her, they join forces to bring him down.
Their plan: enlist a local small-time hustler, Eli, to infiltrate Griggs’ elite world and get the needed information. With help from a linguistics professor, they turn Eli into ‘Tripp’, an old-money southern gentleman who’s looking to invest his trust fund.
As their risky scheme unfolds, sparks fly within this ragtag crew, with unlikely romance blooming between Luisa and Eli, and Holly and the professor, only deepening the stakes of their mission.
This gender-flipped My Fair Lady retelling is a rollicking romcom featuring a thrilling heist storyline and a keen exploration of class, race, and sex. Cuevas and Marquardt deliver a feel-good double happily ever after with Latinx representation and a fierce female friendship storyline that readers will fall for.
Thank you to Netalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman completely won me over. I loved how much heart and depth there was beneath all the humor and scheming, the characters felt real and layered, each with their own motivations and flaws. Holly and Luisa’s partnership was especially great to read; their friendship and determination gave the story so much warmth and strength.
The setup is fun and clever, but what stood out to me most was how emotional and grounded it felt despite the wild plan they hatch. There’s slow-burn romance, justice, and plenty of charm, but also an honesty about struggle and reinvention that makes it more than just a rom-com. I had such a good time with this one and can’t wait to see what this author does next.
Thank you for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
The setup is fun and clever, but what stood out to me most was how emotional and grounded it felt despite the wild plan they hatch. There’s slow-burn romance, justice, and plenty of charm, but also an honesty about struggle and reinvention that makes it more than just a rom-com. I had such a good time with this one and can’t wait to see what this author does next.
Thank you for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt is the kind of book that opens with enough nerve that I immediately knew two things: someone powerful was about to get what they deserved, and I was absolutely going to need a drink before this was over.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC, which arrived at exactly the right moment in my reading life.
This book bills itself as a rom-com, but it’s sneakier than that. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s cozy. Yes, there is banter, flirting, and a makeover montage that would make any classic movie proud. But underneath all that charm is a sharp little story about power, class, and what happens when women stop playing nice. Holly and Luisa come from wildly different worlds, and watching them circle each other, clash, and eventually lock arms is one of the most satisfying parts of the book. Their friendship feels earned, messy, and rooted in shared rage, which frankly is one of the strongest bonding agents there is.
The plot itself is deliciously unhinged in the best way. Take a charming hustler, slap him into tailored suits, teach him which fork to use, and unleash him into Atlanta’s country club elite to take down one truly revolting man. It shouldn’t work. And yet it does. Elijah Sweet is magnetic, frustrating, and far more emotionally layered than I expected, which makes the dual romances land with a slow-burn warmth instead of instant fluff. I appreciated that neither love story rushes to the finish line. Attraction shows up early, but trust takes its time.
What really surprised me was how much heart this book has. The humor never undercuts the emotional stakes. Holly’s role as a single mom trying to protect her son’s future, Luisa’s anger at a system that punishes truth-tellers, and the quiet ways both women carry the weight of being underestimated all give the story depth without dragging it down. The villain is almost cartoonishly awful, but honestly? That felt intentional. Sometimes you want a bad guy you can boo without guilt.
The Atlanta setting adds richness without turning into a gimmick. There’s Southern charm, yes, but also sharp commentary on who gets access, who gets ignored, and who gets exploited behind manicured lawns and polite smiles. The pacing wobbles slightly in places, and a few plot turns are a little too neat, but I was having too good a time to stay mad about it.
“Being underestimated is exhausting, but it turns out it’s also excellent camouflage.”
Did this book make me want to pause mid-read, sip something cold, and mutter “bless his heart” about several characters? Absolutely. Did it also make me root fiercely for two women taking control of their own stories? Even more so.
This is a cozy, witty, slightly sharp rom-com that knows exactly what it’s doing. Come for the makeover scheme and flirting. Stay for the friendship, the justice, and the deep satisfaction of watching powerful men squirm.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ out of 5 stars
#HowToFakeASouthernGentleman #BookReview #NetGalleyARC #RomComReads #SouthernFiction #WomensFiction #Bookstagram #ARCReview #CozyReads #RomanceBooks
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC, which arrived at exactly the right moment in my reading life.
This book bills itself as a rom-com, but it’s sneakier than that. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s cozy. Yes, there is banter, flirting, and a makeover montage that would make any classic movie proud. But underneath all that charm is a sharp little story about power, class, and what happens when women stop playing nice. Holly and Luisa come from wildly different worlds, and watching them circle each other, clash, and eventually lock arms is one of the most satisfying parts of the book. Their friendship feels earned, messy, and rooted in shared rage, which frankly is one of the strongest bonding agents there is.
The plot itself is deliciously unhinged in the best way. Take a charming hustler, slap him into tailored suits, teach him which fork to use, and unleash him into Atlanta’s country club elite to take down one truly revolting man. It shouldn’t work. And yet it does. Elijah Sweet is magnetic, frustrating, and far more emotionally layered than I expected, which makes the dual romances land with a slow-burn warmth instead of instant fluff. I appreciated that neither love story rushes to the finish line. Attraction shows up early, but trust takes its time.
What really surprised me was how much heart this book has. The humor never undercuts the emotional stakes. Holly’s role as a single mom trying to protect her son’s future, Luisa’s anger at a system that punishes truth-tellers, and the quiet ways both women carry the weight of being underestimated all give the story depth without dragging it down. The villain is almost cartoonishly awful, but honestly? That felt intentional. Sometimes you want a bad guy you can boo without guilt.
The Atlanta setting adds richness without turning into a gimmick. There’s Southern charm, yes, but also sharp commentary on who gets access, who gets ignored, and who gets exploited behind manicured lawns and polite smiles. The pacing wobbles slightly in places, and a few plot turns are a little too neat, but I was having too good a time to stay mad about it.
“Being underestimated is exhausting, but it turns out it’s also excellent camouflage.”
Did this book make me want to pause mid-read, sip something cold, and mutter “bless his heart” about several characters? Absolutely. Did it also make me root fiercely for two women taking control of their own stories? Even more so.
This is a cozy, witty, slightly sharp rom-com that knows exactly what it’s doing. Come for the makeover scheme and flirting. Stay for the friendship, the justice, and the deep satisfaction of watching powerful men squirm.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ out of 5 stars
#HowToFakeASouthernGentleman #BookReview #NetGalleyARC #RomComReads #SouthernFiction #WomensFiction #Bookstagram #ARCReview #CozyReads #RomanceBooks
August 17, 2025
From the Library of Sarah Ashley: Book #62
Bless Their Hearts and Pass the Sweet Tea: A Hilarious High-Society Heist with Heart
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of How to Fake a Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt — coming to bless our bookshelves on April 7th, 2026!
Y’all, grab your pearls and sweet tea, because this book is a rom-com rollercoaster with extra sass and a whole lotta heart.
What do you get when you cross a single mom who’s been holding it down solo for 19 years, a scandal-hunting journalist who gets canned for daring to care, and a con artist who’s suddenly learning the fine art of saying “y’all” without sounding like a confused goat?
Apparently, you get country club espionage, the most chaotic etiquette lessons ever recorded, two women healing from deep emotional wounds, and a man who learns to convincingly fake not just a Southern accent, but an entire lifestyle. Think My Fair Lady meets The First Wives Club with a sprinkle of Ocean’s Eleven and a deep-fried twang.
The friendship between the two leading ladies is the beating heart of this book. Their dynamic is full of laughs, loyalty, and exactly the kind of ride-or-die energy you'd want if you were training a fake Southern gentleman to infiltrate the upper crust. Also, bonus points for the duo slow-burn romances, which sneak up on you like humidity in August—suddenly you're sweating and emotionally compromised.
Honestly, this book had me grinning like a fool and yelling “YES, QUEENS!” at my Kindle.
Bottom line: This is the down home, feel-good, southern-fried caper you didn’t know you needed. Equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, with just enough scandal to keep your inner gossip auntie fed.
#BlessYourHeartAndBuyThisBook #HowToFakeASouthernGentleman #NetGalleyARC #RomComReads #BookishChaos #SouthernChicAndSlightlyUnhinged #ConArtistWithAMonogram #Bookstagram #LibraryofSarahAshley
Bless Their Hearts and Pass the Sweet Tea: A Hilarious High-Society Heist with Heart
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of How to Fake a Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt — coming to bless our bookshelves on April 7th, 2026!
Y’all, grab your pearls and sweet tea, because this book is a rom-com rollercoaster with extra sass and a whole lotta heart.
What do you get when you cross a single mom who’s been holding it down solo for 19 years, a scandal-hunting journalist who gets canned for daring to care, and a con artist who’s suddenly learning the fine art of saying “y’all” without sounding like a confused goat?
Apparently, you get country club espionage, the most chaotic etiquette lessons ever recorded, two women healing from deep emotional wounds, and a man who learns to convincingly fake not just a Southern accent, but an entire lifestyle. Think My Fair Lady meets The First Wives Club with a sprinkle of Ocean’s Eleven and a deep-fried twang.
The friendship between the two leading ladies is the beating heart of this book. Their dynamic is full of laughs, loyalty, and exactly the kind of ride-or-die energy you'd want if you were training a fake Southern gentleman to infiltrate the upper crust. Also, bonus points for the duo slow-burn romances, which sneak up on you like humidity in August—suddenly you're sweating and emotionally compromised.
Honestly, this book had me grinning like a fool and yelling “YES, QUEENS!” at my Kindle.
Bottom line: This is the down home, feel-good, southern-fried caper you didn’t know you needed. Equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, with just enough scandal to keep your inner gossip auntie fed.
#BlessYourHeartAndBuyThisBook #HowToFakeASouthernGentleman #NetGalleyARC #RomComReads #BookishChaos #SouthernChicAndSlightlyUnhinged #ConArtistWithAMonogram #Bookstagram #LibraryofSarahAshley
December 11, 2025
HOW TO FAKE A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN - Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt
Luisa, a journalist who has just been fired. Holly, a single working class mom, has just been backed into a corner. Both at the hands of the same scummy rich man. They join forces when they stumble upon a man and convince him to help them serve revenge. With romance sparking for both Holly and Luisa, all with a ‘My Fair Lady’ twist, they work together to get a backwoods southerner to become the opposite and infiltrate high society.
The banter here was the star of the show, I found it witty and full of humour. The premise of the book was fun! The friendship between Holly and Luisa was full of heart and by the end I loved seeing their connection and how they had grown together as friends, with Eli as well.
I was very intrigued by the book blurb, but I found the book left a lot to be desired for me, even though it was well written. It had a lot going on and in this instance, Dual POV didn’t work for me, I preferred Holly's POV way more than Luisa's and struggled through Luisa's chapters. I did end up getting bored about half way through and wished there was more depth to the plot regarding taking Griggs down. It fell very flat for me, so much else was going on and it was fun, but all together, it didn't work for me.
*There was one chapter of heavy open door from Luisa’s POV in the middle, easy to skip*
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this upcoming Novel.
Luisa, a journalist who has just been fired. Holly, a single working class mom, has just been backed into a corner. Both at the hands of the same scummy rich man. They join forces when they stumble upon a man and convince him to help them serve revenge. With romance sparking for both Holly and Luisa, all with a ‘My Fair Lady’ twist, they work together to get a backwoods southerner to become the opposite and infiltrate high society.
The banter here was the star of the show, I found it witty and full of humour. The premise of the book was fun! The friendship between Holly and Luisa was full of heart and by the end I loved seeing their connection and how they had grown together as friends, with Eli as well.
I was very intrigued by the book blurb, but I found the book left a lot to be desired for me, even though it was well written. It had a lot going on and in this instance, Dual POV didn’t work for me, I preferred Holly's POV way more than Luisa's and struggled through Luisa's chapters. I did end up getting bored about half way through and wished there was more depth to the plot regarding taking Griggs down. It fell very flat for me, so much else was going on and it was fun, but all together, it didn't work for me.
*There was one chapter of heavy open door from Luisa’s POV in the middle, easy to skip*
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this upcoming Novel.
August 27, 2025
Bless my heart and butter my biscuit, this book was a hoot!
What happens when you mix a single mom who’s tougher than a Georgia summer, a fired journalist with a bone to pick, and a hustler who suddenly has to master “yes ma’am” and seersucker suits? You get country club chaos, etiquette lessons gone sideways, and a con so outrageous it almost feels polite. Honestly, it reminded me SO much of Ginny & Georgia, but also with a more literary Shakespeare twist, and an ode to My Fair Lady with the genders swapped.
Holly and Luisa’s unlikely friendship is the absolute star of this novel. It is full of sass, loyalty, and the kind of energy you only get when you’re plotting to take down Atlanta’s most corrupt guy. Their banter was perfect and their schemes were delightful. Their slow burn romances were sweet and unexpected but I loved it.
I especially loved the Atlanta setting and the author nailed the Southern details without making them caricatures. The book strikes that rare balance between hilarious rom com antics and deeper themes of family, resilience, and refusing to let powerful men write your story.
If you love con artists, found family, and a little sweet tea with your scandal, then this is your next read! Funny, heartfelt, and just a touch unhinged in the best way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mayra Cuevas, and Atria Books for the eARC of this book.
What happens when you mix a single mom who’s tougher than a Georgia summer, a fired journalist with a bone to pick, and a hustler who suddenly has to master “yes ma’am” and seersucker suits? You get country club chaos, etiquette lessons gone sideways, and a con so outrageous it almost feels polite. Honestly, it reminded me SO much of Ginny & Georgia, but also with a more literary Shakespeare twist, and an ode to My Fair Lady with the genders swapped.
Holly and Luisa’s unlikely friendship is the absolute star of this novel. It is full of sass, loyalty, and the kind of energy you only get when you’re plotting to take down Atlanta’s most corrupt guy. Their banter was perfect and their schemes were delightful. Their slow burn romances were sweet and unexpected but I loved it.
I especially loved the Atlanta setting and the author nailed the Southern details without making them caricatures. The book strikes that rare balance between hilarious rom com antics and deeper themes of family, resilience, and refusing to let powerful men write your story.
If you love con artists, found family, and a little sweet tea with your scandal, then this is your next read! Funny, heartfelt, and just a touch unhinged in the best way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mayra Cuevas, and Atria Books for the eARC of this book.
August 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Primero Sueno Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is a revenge romcom take on My Fair Lady, genders swapped, and who knew we absolutely needed that modern take in the fiction genre? Sharp Luisa is having a fairly cruddy birthday when she’s fired from her journalist job for wanting to pursue a story about a vulnerable family having their home ripped away from them. Meanwhile refined single mom Holly finds her own job, and more importantly her son’s education, at stake when a creeper from the country club she works at finds out a fairly big secret. The man at the heart of both these events is Griggs, and he needs to be taken down. Luckily these two ladies meet at a bar, start to scheme, and bring in maybe grifter Elijah (the fair lady of this book) in to help them.
This story was both incredibly funny and emotional, spending time exploring the immigrant experience, imposter syndrome, what leads us to code switch, and family relationships. While the romantic story lines developed a little too quickly, packaged along with all the topics this book explored surprisingly well given the genre and main driver to the plot, I am still a very happy reader.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is a revenge romcom take on My Fair Lady, genders swapped, and who knew we absolutely needed that modern take in the fiction genre? Sharp Luisa is having a fairly cruddy birthday when she’s fired from her journalist job for wanting to pursue a story about a vulnerable family having their home ripped away from them. Meanwhile refined single mom Holly finds her own job, and more importantly her son’s education, at stake when a creeper from the country club she works at finds out a fairly big secret. The man at the heart of both these events is Griggs, and he needs to be taken down. Luckily these two ladies meet at a bar, start to scheme, and bring in maybe grifter Elijah (the fair lady of this book) in to help them.
This story was both incredibly funny and emotional, spending time exploring the immigrant experience, imposter syndrome, what leads us to code switch, and family relationships. While the romantic story lines developed a little too quickly, packaged along with all the topics this book explored surprisingly well given the genre and main driver to the plot, I am still a very happy reader.
September 30, 2025
I went into this book very intrigued by the blurb. How can you not want to read about 2 strong women who have been wronged by a villain by coming up with a crazy plan to get revenge?! Plus there is a subplot of opposites attract! Immediate yes! I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately there were some things that missed the mark. I thought the concept was interesting but also very familiar and I truly love a book with a good romance plot. With that said there were some things that I just didn’t love. I think the authors introduced way too many characters and it was hard to remember who certain individuals were and to care how they fit into the story. I also think that there were too many concepts and tropes being introduced, and it made the story feel clunky. I love when a story expands on the details of the environment, but it just felt like they were way too many details that it felt like information overload. I will say that of the two main female characters. I truly enjoyed Holly and how she came across but to me, Luisa was an unlikable character at times. The two romances did seem a little quick and out of nowhere, but some of the banter was very cute. Ultimately it was an OK read and I give it 2.5/3 stars.
October 19, 2025
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt is a witty, heartfelt rom-com that delivers equal parts humor, heart, and Southern charm.
The story follows single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno, two women from very different worlds who team up to take down Atlanta’s most powerful man. Their secret weapon? Eli “Tripp” Sweet, a smooth-talking hustler they decide to transform into a picture-perfect Southern gentleman. What starts as a clever scheme quickly turns into something far more complicated—and swoon-worthy.
I loved the dynamic between Holly and Luisa; their friendship feels real and empowering, showing the strength that comes from women lifting each other up. The chemistry between Eli and Holly is slow-burn perfection, and the Atlanta setting gives the whole story a lush, modern-Southern vibe.
It’s a light, funny read with just enough depth to keep things meaningful. While the “makeover” trope isn’t new, the authors bring freshness and heart to it through clever writing and diverse, well-rounded characters.
If you enjoy rom-coms with strong heroines, witty banter, and a dash of social commentary, this one’s a must-read.
The story follows single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno, two women from very different worlds who team up to take down Atlanta’s most powerful man. Their secret weapon? Eli “Tripp” Sweet, a smooth-talking hustler they decide to transform into a picture-perfect Southern gentleman. What starts as a clever scheme quickly turns into something far more complicated—and swoon-worthy.
I loved the dynamic between Holly and Luisa; their friendship feels real and empowering, showing the strength that comes from women lifting each other up. The chemistry between Eli and Holly is slow-burn perfection, and the Atlanta setting gives the whole story a lush, modern-Southern vibe.
It’s a light, funny read with just enough depth to keep things meaningful. While the “makeover” trope isn’t new, the authors bring freshness and heart to it through clever writing and diverse, well-rounded characters.
If you enjoy rom-coms with strong heroines, witty banter, and a dash of social commentary, this one’s a must-read.
September 15, 2025
Luisa and Holly make for an unlikely duo in this modern retelling of My Fair Lady. With help from a few unexpected allies, they hatch a daring plan: take a hustler, teach him proper etiquette, and transform him into a polished Southern gentleman—all for the sake of the ultimate payback. But with the clock ticking, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
I went in completely blind, never having read or seen My Fair Lady, and came out pleasantly surprised! The novel highlights strong female leads, the power of friendship, and a slow-burn romance that sneaks up on you in the best way.
That said, the pacing wasn’t always consistent, and there were stretches with extra details that didn’t feel essential to the story. Still, the bond forming between Luisa and Holly was a highlight and gave the book real heart.
At times, the novel felt like it was juggling too many stories at once, likely due to the dual POVs and the number of characters who were given equal weight as if they were main characters. Overall, it’s a well-written story with a solid plot, even if it wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
I went in completely blind, never having read or seen My Fair Lady, and came out pleasantly surprised! The novel highlights strong female leads, the power of friendship, and a slow-burn romance that sneaks up on you in the best way.
That said, the pacing wasn’t always consistent, and there were stretches with extra details that didn’t feel essential to the story. Still, the bond forming between Luisa and Holly was a highlight and gave the book real heart.
At times, the novel felt like it was juggling too many stories at once, likely due to the dual POVs and the number of characters who were given equal weight as if they were main characters. Overall, it’s a well-written story with a solid plot, even if it wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
November 8, 2025
This was such a fun gender-swapped version of My Fair Lady. Holly grew up among the southern country club set, but her teen pregnancy led her to flee her overbearing parents and judgmental society — only to end up working at a country club in Atlanta. Journalist Luisa has worked hard to rise through the ranks of her paper, only to have a big expose squashed by her editor for seemingly no reason. Then, both realize that powerful, wealthy Griggs Johnson holds their futures in his hands, and team up with a hustler neither are sure they can trust to take him down.
Cuevas and Marquardt have created a charming romance novel and scorching takedown of racism and classism in the south all at the same time — two different and difficult aims to tackle simultaneously, but they do a great job. The protagonists and their love interests are wonderful and imperfect and see growth. Their marks are odious but unfortunately realistic. The metro Atlanta area is practically its own character in the story, which I loved.
Cuevas and Marquardt have created a charming romance novel and scorching takedown of racism and classism in the south all at the same time — two different and difficult aims to tackle simultaneously, but they do a great job. The protagonists and their love interests are wonderful and imperfect and see growth. Their marks are odious but unfortunately realistic. The metro Atlanta area is practically its own character in the story, which I loved.
September 25, 2025
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman was such a fun story about getting justice on someone seemingly untouchable. Holly is a single mother working as the events manager at a country club. One of the members, Griggs Caldecott Johnson III, threatens to get her son kicked out of college unless she sleeps with him. Luisa is a journalist that was fired for trying to push a story that could get Griggs in jail. They work together to infiltrate Griggs’s inner circle by creating a gentleman out of a hustler they saw at a dive bar.
I enjoyed the gender swapped version of My Fair Lady if Eliza had to inflitrate a group of ladies up to no good. Holly and Luisa were great characters that worked well together and I loved reading about their personal growth along with them both falling in love in unlikely places. I would definitely read another book by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the gender swapped version of My Fair Lady if Eliza had to inflitrate a group of ladies up to no good. Holly and Luisa were great characters that worked well together and I loved reading about their personal growth along with them both falling in love in unlikely places. I would definitely read another book by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2025
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is a witty and heartfelt rom-com brimming with humor, heart, and irresistible Southern charm. From the very first page, I was hooked by the premise—how can you not be curious about two strong, wronged women hatching a wildly entertaining plan for revenge?
This clever, gender-swapped take on *My Fair Lady* imagines Eliza Doolittle infiltrating a world of scheming Southern belles, and the result is just as delightful as it sounds. Holly and Luisa are standout characters—smart, bold, and full of depth—and their chemistry on the page is undeniable. Watching them grow individually while unexpectedly finding love in all the wrong (and right) places was both moving and fun.
Cuevas and Marquardt have crafted a fresh, empowering, and charming story that celebrates friendship, reinvention, and the power of reclaiming your narrative.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueño Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This clever, gender-swapped take on *My Fair Lady* imagines Eliza Doolittle infiltrating a world of scheming Southern belles, and the result is just as delightful as it sounds. Holly and Luisa are standout characters—smart, bold, and full of depth—and their chemistry on the page is undeniable. Watching them grow individually while unexpectedly finding love in all the wrong (and right) places was both moving and fun.
Cuevas and Marquardt have crafted a fresh, empowering, and charming story that celebrates friendship, reinvention, and the power of reclaiming your narrative.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueño Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2025
I received an ARC of this very fun book, and I'm excited to share my thoughts! A gender-swapped twist on My Fair Lady set in Atlanta, this story follows single mom Holly and fired journalist Luisa as they team up to take down a corrupt power broker. Their plan? Transform charming hustler Eli into a polished Southern gentleman to infiltrate the villain's inner circle.
Overall, I loved the unique spin on a classic tale, the Atlanta setting, and the cast of quirky characters. I particularly enjoyed Holly's POV and her interactions with the secondary characters like Eli, Luisa's mother, and Professor P. However, I didn't quite gel with Luisa's POV - she came across as a bit annoying at times. Often, the plot / finer secondary character details got very busy and messy, with a lot of the details being pretty unnecessary as well. Had they been edited out, I think the book would likely be 30-50 pages shorter and for good reason.
Overall, I loved the unique spin on a classic tale, the Atlanta setting, and the cast of quirky characters. I particularly enjoyed Holly's POV and her interactions with the secondary characters like Eli, Luisa's mother, and Professor P. However, I didn't quite gel with Luisa's POV - she came across as a bit annoying at times. Often, the plot / finer secondary character details got very busy and messy, with a lot of the details being pretty unnecessary as well. Had they been edited out, I think the book would likely be 30-50 pages shorter and for good reason.
August 13, 2025
Schemes, scandals, and Southern charm.. this is high society mischief at its most delightful.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is a tale of friendship, trust, and maybe just a little criminal activity. This fun, relaxing read follows Holly, Luisa, and Eli, an unlikely trio united by a common goal: exposing Griggs Caldecott Johnson. Along the way, they navigate the polished and petty world of the country club elite, where sharp social maneuvering meets clever character commentary. I loved watching the friendships, love, and understanding grow between them, as well as the dual perspective between Holly and Luisa. It’s charming proof that while two wrongs don’t make a right, sometimes the risk is worth taking, especially when it comes with this much wit and heart.
I received an advanced review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is a tale of friendship, trust, and maybe just a little criminal activity. This fun, relaxing read follows Holly, Luisa, and Eli, an unlikely trio united by a common goal: exposing Griggs Caldecott Johnson. Along the way, they navigate the polished and petty world of the country club elite, where sharp social maneuvering meets clever character commentary. I loved watching the friendships, love, and understanding grow between them, as well as the dual perspective between Holly and Luisa. It’s charming proof that while two wrongs don’t make a right, sometimes the risk is worth taking, especially when it comes with this much wit and heart.
I received an advanced review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2025
My god this was boring. The characters were boring, the plot was boring, even the climax of the story managed to be boring as hell. They just…stumbled upon financial records that prove their entire allegation of fraud against Griggs neatly arranged for their convenience in his locker at the club. Oh, and he happened to tell Eli he hid all his private info in his locker at the club. What was the point of this whole exercise???? Luisa and Holly were simultaneously irritating and useless. Eli took up space and Hugh..wasn’t even really there. I skimmed so much of this because I just wanted it to end.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have no relationship with the authors or publisher.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have no relationship with the authors or publisher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Arc!
I had a hard time actually locking in on this book, it seemed a bit all over the place. It really makes it harder for me to enjoy when I have to keep up with so many people and story lines. It’s like no over details but also don’t let us end up in a place that we don’t know how we got there? The pacing is off.
But, I will say, the cover is very beautiful and the plot just sounds amazing. I can see the vision, I think it could do better with a little feedback with editing. Everything doesn’t have to be overly worded.
I had a hard time actually locking in on this book, it seemed a bit all over the place. It really makes it harder for me to enjoy when I have to keep up with so many people and story lines. It’s like no over details but also don’t let us end up in a place that we don’t know how we got there? The pacing is off.
But, I will say, the cover is very beautiful and the plot just sounds amazing. I can see the vision, I think it could do better with a little feedback with editing. Everything doesn’t have to be overly worded.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I really could not get into this one. It is billed as take off on My Fair Lady, with women as Higgins and a man as Eliza. That sounded interesting. Some of the banter was fun, but I just not feel it overall. The two women have a problem with a rich man, who had one fired and one fighting for her job. They decide to take a man and turn him into a "Southern Gentleman", so as to get info that they could use, on the aforementioned rich man .It was ok, but I did not like the dual POV's, and overall it fell flat for me.
August 23, 2025
Impressive debut novel
The POVs from the two women characters was original. Their unlikely friendship was the best part of How to Fake a Southern Gentleman.
This My Fair Lady reimagining in order to take down a corrupt land developer and his cronies was a great story.
Would definitely look for these authors again.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The POVs from the two women characters was original. Their unlikely friendship was the best part of How to Fake a Southern Gentleman.
This My Fair Lady reimagining in order to take down a corrupt land developer and his cronies was a great story.
Would definitely look for these authors again.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2025
A sweet southern treat of a romantic comedy. I loved the juxtaposition of the men and how they treated two refreshingly different women. Loved Holly and Luisa's prickly start to their Thelma and Louise ride or die. And yet there is more love in this book than just the romance. Holly and Luisa's relationships with their families was one of my favorite parts—particularly, Holly's bond with her son Aiden. A lovely, fun, touching novel. Thanks for the ARC!
October 5, 2025
This was the perfect plane read - I didn't get up once. The set up of Luisa's pursuit of justice had me from the get go. As did Holly's secret and drive to hold on to herself when Power wants to use her for his own whim. Their friendship, at first based on need, and then by choice was wonderful. And I enjoy me a steamy romance. Some of the resolutions were a bit quick and tidy. But, the pages turned themselves and it was the perfect companion as I flew back home from the South.
August 17, 2025
This was a light, fun romcom with enough on the line for the two leading ladies to keep things interesting. I did find myself annoyed though with Luisa at one point near the end because her reasoning for pushing away Eli didn't ring true for me. Otherwise some good characters in the book, down to the smallest of secondary ones.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Hot diggity damn this book was a hoot. Devoured this southern treat in one day. The romances were cute; but seeing the friendship blossom between Holly and Luisa made it special. Also enjoyed how the book expanded the conversation on how language is used to marginalize different communities.
Thank you Primero Sueño for this physical ARC.
Thank you Primero Sueño for this physical ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fun romp! The two authors weave their protagonists (and respective love interests) together with sly wit. The villain made me flinch with his all too believable ick and the tension rarely lets up. I especially enjoyed the hilariously accurate portrayal of the absurdity that abounds at old school country clubs.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick escape and some good laughs.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick escape and some good laughs.
August 10, 2025
I took a break from my summer of Rebecca Yarro reads when a friend handed me this yet to be released rom-com and I couldn’t put it down. The characters and their chemistry kept me turning pages with an ending I did not predict. Great distraction from middle aged mama life.
August 11, 2025
Absolutely delightful!! Okay maybe not the Rich White male country club bunch, but the others!! It definitely shows your heart can take a whole lot more than we give it credit for!!! And ELI!!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!! Hugh is pretty nice too. Fall into love with this one!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unique with a slow build but the characters are easily likable, making this a really fun read.
Unlikely friendships often lead to the most interesting ones! I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a quick, but entertaining read.
Unlikely friendships often lead to the most interesting ones! I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a quick, but entertaining read.
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