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The Yearbook #2
Most Likely to Deny Love
*** Previously published as Most Likely to... Deny Love (2022) by Mary Waterford. This Second Edition has been extensively revised and expanded from the original novella. ***I'm not the kind of woman men leave anonymous notes for.
But someone at Catalyst Digital is doing just that. I have no idea who's behind them, but I do know one it can't be Jack Sullivan.
Jack is all business. Broad-shouldered, broody, and intimidating as hell. Me? I'm curvy, chronically underestimated, and have a mother who believes love comes in exactly one Small.
I've spent my whole life trying to be less. Quieter, thinner, easier to love.
So my perfect sister's upcoming wedding is a nightmare.
When my mother's criticism reaches DEFCON 1, Jack catches me having a breakdown in the break room. His offer to be my fake boyfriend is too tempting to resist.
The only problem is, when he touches me, when he looks at me, it feels anything but fake.
Denial isn't a river in Egypt. It's me pretending I'm not falling for my grumpy boss/fake boyfriend faster than my panties hit his bedroom floor.
If this is fake, why does it feel like the realest thing I’ve ever known?
But someone at Catalyst Digital is doing just that. I have no idea who's behind them, but I do know one it can't be Jack Sullivan.
Jack is all business. Broad-shouldered, broody, and intimidating as hell. Me? I'm curvy, chronically underestimated, and have a mother who believes love comes in exactly one Small.
I've spent my whole life trying to be less. Quieter, thinner, easier to love.
So my perfect sister's upcoming wedding is a nightmare.
When my mother's criticism reaches DEFCON 1, Jack catches me having a breakdown in the break room. His offer to be my fake boyfriend is too tempting to resist.
The only problem is, when he touches me, when he looks at me, it feels anything but fake.
Denial isn't a river in Egypt. It's me pretending I'm not falling for my grumpy boss/fake boyfriend faster than my panties hit his bedroom floor.
If this is fake, why does it feel like the realest thing I’ve ever known?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
377 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 27, 2025
Mia is a pushover and need to ghost the mother from hell. Her mother and family is to unlikeable for me to continue with this book. They make my angry. Same with the people at her workplace. There are to many narcissist in this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
“Why the fuck not? He’s tall, broody, looks like he could bench press a small car? That’s exactly the type who’d be too emotionally constipated to just ask you out.”💋
Most Likely to Deny Love (The Yearbook Series 2) by Mary Waterford💋
𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗄𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍, 𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗒, 𝗌𝖾𝗑𝗒 & 𝖿𝗎𝗇.
𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘃𝘆/𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗙𝗖 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳.
𝗔𝗻𝗱, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞?! 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻!
Both were a lil broken/beat down…
and when they came together: perfection.
They each had personal battles & professional success.
The longing.
The desire.
The battles they fought separately and together.
💋💋💋
All the right stuff.
It was lighter than most of my reads-
but I’m not mad about it!
For a mood based reader- it was just what I wanted.
💋
“Seriously, girls, he smells like money and sin.”
“Money and sin?” Maya repeated with a laugh.
“Is that Bath & Body Works’ new fall collection?”
💋
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
Most Likely to Deny Love (The Yearbook Series 2) by Mary Waterford💋
𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗄𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍, 𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗒, 𝗌𝖾𝗑𝗒 & 𝖿𝗎𝗇.
𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘃𝘆/𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗙𝗖 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳.
𝗔𝗻𝗱, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞?! 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻!
Both were a lil broken/beat down…
and when they came together: perfection.
They each had personal battles & professional success.
The longing.
The desire.
The battles they fought separately and together.
💋💋💋
All the right stuff.
It was lighter than most of my reads-
but I’m not mad about it!
For a mood based reader- it was just what I wanted.
💋
“Seriously, girls, he smells like money and sin.”
“Money and sin?” Maya repeated with a laugh.
“Is that Bath & Body Works’ new fall collection?”
💋
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
November 24, 2025
This book started out really strong. Then it just kind of went downhill. So, the premise of this book was that her boss was pretending to be her fake boyfriend to get her family off her case. That was well and good for the few first third of the book. Then it morphed into just a straight workplace romance. Then, later on in the book, it went back to the fake boyfriend. To me, it seemed like the author then went back to the fake boyfriend, almost like an afterthought. In my opinion, she didn't mesh the two tropes together very well. It was like reading two different stories with the same characters.
January 2, 2026
This book is a 4 ⭐️ read leaning to 5 ⭐️’s, but I’m giving it 5⭐️’s because I know this author put in major work.
I’d read this author before and she was such a hit and miss all in one book. I genuinely thought this author would be a pass going forward. But Facebook ads recommend a curvy girl and her boss romance that sounded good so I investigated. And this is what I found “This Second Edition has been extensively revised and expanded from the original novella.” My personal review on book #1 of the series said that the book needed an editor stat. With these two things in mind I decided to give the book a chance.
Once I started reading this book had me in a choke-hold. I stayed up all night just to finish it and it did not disappoint.
I absolutes loved Mia and Jack in equal measure. I read A LOT, and trust me when I say that it is so hard to find an author who does both her female lead and male lead justice. Usually, I walk away invested in one and almost indifferent in the other. That was so not the case here.
Also, the side characters were a bit more developed that in book #1. Emily made an impression and I’d like to read her book. 1/22/26 can’t get here fast enough. Nan was a hoot. Can’t say I didn’t see it coming that she’d be fine, but it made me laugh when it happened anyway.
And the other high school friends were ok. They didn’t add or detract from the storyline. But it was clearer this time around that we’d see them again in future books. I don’t really remember getting that vibe in book #1.
All-in-all I’m definitely ready to put this author on my must read list going forward if the next books in the series are anything like this one.
Back to the story: Mia’s recently moved up the company ladder but the company’s not doing to well. Enter Jack, he’s got a reputation for turning failing companies around and now he’s her boss. Strange thing though, ever since Jack showed up Mia’s been finding post-it notes with inspirational messages in her office. It can’t be him, can it? I mean he’s her boss after all…
Ooh girl! Yes, it was him. Jacks got miles of walls built around his heart but Mia is sneaking right past all of them. Spoiler: his family sucks! But he’s got one great Nan on his side.
Mia’s best friend Emily is her cousin and roommate. She’s lucky to have her cause the rest of the family is toxic. Mom especially has spent years putting g her down for her weight and with her sisters wedding approaching it’s about to get worse.
Enter Jack again. This time to save her as her fake boyfriend for all her family’s pre-wedding and wedding events.
Late nights, deeply honest conversations, and a couple trips to Paris and Colorado and love is in the air.
These two a chefs kiss. I absolutely loved them!
I’d read this author before and she was such a hit and miss all in one book. I genuinely thought this author would be a pass going forward. But Facebook ads recommend a curvy girl and her boss romance that sounded good so I investigated. And this is what I found “This Second Edition has been extensively revised and expanded from the original novella.” My personal review on book #1 of the series said that the book needed an editor stat. With these two things in mind I decided to give the book a chance.
Once I started reading this book had me in a choke-hold. I stayed up all night just to finish it and it did not disappoint.
I absolutes loved Mia and Jack in equal measure. I read A LOT, and trust me when I say that it is so hard to find an author who does both her female lead and male lead justice. Usually, I walk away invested in one and almost indifferent in the other. That was so not the case here.
Also, the side characters were a bit more developed that in book #1. Emily made an impression and I’d like to read her book. 1/22/26 can’t get here fast enough. Nan was a hoot. Can’t say I didn’t see it coming that she’d be fine, but it made me laugh when it happened anyway.
And the other high school friends were ok. They didn’t add or detract from the storyline. But it was clearer this time around that we’d see them again in future books. I don’t really remember getting that vibe in book #1.
All-in-all I’m definitely ready to put this author on my must read list going forward if the next books in the series are anything like this one.
Back to the story: Mia’s recently moved up the company ladder but the company’s not doing to well. Enter Jack, he’s got a reputation for turning failing companies around and now he’s her boss. Strange thing though, ever since Jack showed up Mia’s been finding post-it notes with inspirational messages in her office. It can’t be him, can it? I mean he’s her boss after all…
Ooh girl! Yes, it was him. Jacks got miles of walls built around his heart but Mia is sneaking right past all of them. Spoiler: his family sucks! But he’s got one great Nan on his side.
Mia’s best friend Emily is her cousin and roommate. She’s lucky to have her cause the rest of the family is toxic. Mom especially has spent years putting g her down for her weight and with her sisters wedding approaching it’s about to get worse.
Enter Jack again. This time to save her as her fake boyfriend for all her family’s pre-wedding and wedding events.
Late nights, deeply honest conversations, and a couple trips to Paris and Colorado and love is in the air.
These two a chefs kiss. I absolutely loved them!
January 4, 2026
Rating 2.5
I really wanted to love Mostly to Deny Love because the blurb was intriguing and the first few chapters were genuinely promising. Unfortunately, after that, the story started to feel like it was going in circles.
One of my biggest disappointments was the fake boyfriend trope for her sister’s wedding. It felt like it was introduced and then mostly forgotten, or at least not properly executed. There were so many missed opportunities to develop this trope and use it to move the plot forward, but instead the story dragged.
From what I understood, this book was originally a short novella that was later extended, and in my opinion, it should have stayed a novella. The extension didn’t add depth—it added repetition. The plot stalled, the pacing suffered, and it often felt like nothing new was happening. The story had potential, but the plot was not plotting.
I also struggled to connect with Mia and Jack. Not because their struggles were unrealistic, but because their emotions and issues were told to us repeatedly rather than shown. The constant repetition made their “brokenness” feel flat instead of emotional or compelling.
I think that’s a shame, because this book could have been much more. I was interested in reading the first book in the series, but after seeing that it was also an extended version, I decided not to.
That said, I’m still willing to try another book by Mary Waterford, since I’ve seen many positive reviews about her other works. This one just wasn’t for me.
I’d still encourage readers to check it out; this book just wasn’t for me, but it may be exactly what you’re looking for.
I really wanted to love Mostly to Deny Love because the blurb was intriguing and the first few chapters were genuinely promising. Unfortunately, after that, the story started to feel like it was going in circles.
One of my biggest disappointments was the fake boyfriend trope for her sister’s wedding. It felt like it was introduced and then mostly forgotten, or at least not properly executed. There were so many missed opportunities to develop this trope and use it to move the plot forward, but instead the story dragged.
From what I understood, this book was originally a short novella that was later extended, and in my opinion, it should have stayed a novella. The extension didn’t add depth—it added repetition. The plot stalled, the pacing suffered, and it often felt like nothing new was happening. The story had potential, but the plot was not plotting.
I also struggled to connect with Mia and Jack. Not because their struggles were unrealistic, but because their emotions and issues were told to us repeatedly rather than shown. The constant repetition made their “brokenness” feel flat instead of emotional or compelling.
I think that’s a shame, because this book could have been much more. I was interested in reading the first book in the series, but after seeing that it was also an extended version, I decided not to.
That said, I’m still willing to try another book by Mary Waterford, since I’ve seen many positive reviews about her other works. This one just wasn’t for me.
I’d still encourage readers to check it out; this book just wasn’t for me, but it may be exactly what you’re looking for.
January 21, 2026
Book two in the Yearbook Series comes in with all the feels. Both Mia and Jack have some emotional baggage from their families, which proves to be one of the reasons they are perfect for each other…they get it. The fact they not only help each other heal, but stand up for themselves, was great. I also loved how Jack never made Mia feel less than. He accepted and loved her for who she was, not the image someone else wanted her to be. He boosts her up and always sees the beauty in her, even though she sometimes can’t see it herself.
The smexual tension and chemistry between the pair was there in spades. And the surprise trip Jack takes her on really ups the romance factor in a book that already had romantic elements throughout. Things got steamier as the story progressed, and even though the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, it picked back up and ended strong.
Despite the family drama, the characters do have some allies in their corners. Jack’s grandma is straightforward and fun, and Mia’s cousin, Emily, was a breath of fresh air. I’m looking forward to reading her book.
I have to say, the way the story ended was absolutely perfect! And you know how I mentioned romance? There were major “aww” points in the ending that wrapped up the story with a warm and fuzzy bow.
The smexual tension and chemistry between the pair was there in spades. And the surprise trip Jack takes her on really ups the romance factor in a book that already had romantic elements throughout. Things got steamier as the story progressed, and even though the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, it picked back up and ended strong.
Despite the family drama, the characters do have some allies in their corners. Jack’s grandma is straightforward and fun, and Mia’s cousin, Emily, was a breath of fresh air. I’m looking forward to reading her book.
I have to say, the way the story ended was absolutely perfect! And you know how I mentioned romance? There were major “aww” points in the ending that wrapped up the story with a warm and fuzzy bow.
January 24, 2026
I loved this book.
Mia is very good at her job. The company she works for is failing so they bring in a corporate fixer, Jack.
After the first few months Jack notices the work that Mia is doing and starts to have her work closely with him. They are attracted to each other.
Mia has more curves that her sister who is getting married. Her mom makes comments about her weight and losing weight before the wedding. In order for her mom to not set her with a random person for the wedding Jack agrees to be her date.
Jack likes Mia for who she is and how she looks.
Throughout the story Mia realizes that Jack likes her for her, and she became more comfortable with her body.
I like the romance, the spice, and the love that takes place in the book. It doesn't hide the fears that women have and also fear some men might have.
Spice level 3.5
Mia is very good at her job. The company she works for is failing so they bring in a corporate fixer, Jack.
After the first few months Jack notices the work that Mia is doing and starts to have her work closely with him. They are attracted to each other.
Mia has more curves that her sister who is getting married. Her mom makes comments about her weight and losing weight before the wedding. In order for her mom to not set her with a random person for the wedding Jack agrees to be her date.
Jack likes Mia for who she is and how she looks.
Throughout the story Mia realizes that Jack likes her for her, and she became more comfortable with her body.
I like the romance, the spice, and the love that takes place in the book. It doesn't hide the fears that women have and also fear some men might have.
Spice level 3.5
December 4, 2025
What a wonderful story. I enjoyed every moment!
Yes, there are mothers exactly as miserable and cruel as Helen. I know all too well! This book touches on so many things wrong with families. These are the people who should love, support, understand and accept you with no reservations! It's really hard when you begin to believe what they keep telling you. Don't fail yourself! Don't listen to the junk they spew! Believe in yourself, your worth and potential! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I just wish mine had ended as beautifully!
Yes, there are mothers exactly as miserable and cruel as Helen. I know all too well! This book touches on so many things wrong with families. These are the people who should love, support, understand and accept you with no reservations! It's really hard when you begin to believe what they keep telling you. Don't fail yourself! Don't listen to the junk they spew! Believe in yourself, your worth and potential! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I just wish mine had ended as beautifully!
December 19, 2025
This is a cute story, not bad. It’s not my usual read and I not a big fan of books where the FMC suddenly can’t act/think/work/care about anything other than the MMC. MIA isn’t always like that in this story, she really is intelligent, hard working, and cleaver at her job and very capable and Jack absolutely loves that about her.
What I liked about their attraction is that it truly wasn’t just physical and they were there to support each other and not just in a physical way.
It was a fluff read.
What I liked about their attraction is that it truly wasn’t just physical and they were there to support each other and not just in a physical way.
It was a fluff read.
December 31, 2025
3 stars
Started out as a nice, solid 4 stars but went downhill in the second half.
* Hero(s) - 3/5
* Heroine(s) - 3/5
* Secondary Characters - 3/5
* Plot/Storyline - 3/5
* Romance/Steam - 3/5
* Drama/Conflict/Angst - 4/5
* Worldbuilding/Atmosphere - 4/5
* Writing Style - 3/5
This review is based on my personal preferences and the rating reflects how much I enjoyed reading this book.
Started out as a nice, solid 4 stars but went downhill in the second half.
* Hero(s) - 3/5
* Heroine(s) - 3/5
* Secondary Characters - 3/5
* Plot/Storyline - 3/5
* Romance/Steam - 3/5
* Drama/Conflict/Angst - 4/5
* Worldbuilding/Atmosphere - 4/5
* Writing Style - 3/5
This review is based on my personal preferences and the rating reflects how much I enjoyed reading this book.
December 3, 2025
Nice Read.
I really enjoyed the way the characters interacted. They all made me laugh. They also made me cry. It was the kind of book you could recommend to almost anyone. (Maybe not my Nana, not because of the sexy sex scenes but because I know we’d be crushing over the same guy!)
I really enjoyed the way the characters interacted. They all made me laugh. They also made me cry. It was the kind of book you could recommend to almost anyone. (Maybe not my Nana, not because of the sexy sex scenes but because I know we’d be crushing over the same guy!)
January 6, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was a easy, fun read. We follow Mia who is a curvy woman who while is independent the belittling her mother and step sister inflict leads to her having a panic attack in work, where Jack her boss finds her.
She confides in Jack that her mother is setting her up with a date for her sisters wedding, so Jack tells her he will be her fake boyfriend.
With secret notes, fake dating and working on a project at work together out of hours the attraction only grows between these two. When Jack needs to take his Fiance home to see his sick grandma and toxic family, Mia agrees to help him out.
This was a easy, fun read. We follow Mia who is a curvy woman who while is independent the belittling her mother and step sister inflict leads to her having a panic attack in work, where Jack her boss finds her.
She confides in Jack that her mother is setting her up with a date for her sisters wedding, so Jack tells her he will be her fake boyfriend.
With secret notes, fake dating and working on a project at work together out of hours the attraction only grows between these two. When Jack needs to take his Fiance home to see his sick grandma and toxic family, Mia agrees to help him out.
January 6, 2026
Wow
I came across this title on social media and added to my TBR, this book did not disappoint. The characters were so well written and their development was beautifully written. I could relate to Mia on some levels of her anxiety on her size. Was such a lovely stoy and can't wait for Emily's story.
I came across this title on social media and added to my TBR, this book did not disappoint. The characters were so well written and their development was beautifully written. I could relate to Mia on some levels of her anxiety on her size. Was such a lovely stoy and can't wait for Emily's story.
January 18, 2026
cute
What a cute story! The first half of the book made it seem like there would be zero spice, just some cute read. The second half got better in that department! The story…I didn’t care for the time apart. Especially since they didn’t communicate the entire time. The word “professional” was also widely overused during the first half of the book.
What a cute story! The first half of the book made it seem like there would be zero spice, just some cute read. The second half got better in that department! The story…I didn’t care for the time apart. Especially since they didn’t communicate the entire time. The word “professional” was also widely overused during the first half of the book.
December 2, 2025
4 stars
Jack & Mia
I love the fake relationship/ engagement trope. Working closely together and spending more time together and then falling for each other! Chefs kiss. The spice was really good too
Jack & Mia
I love the fake relationship/ engagement trope. Working closely together and spending more time together and then falling for each other! Chefs kiss. The spice was really good too
January 25, 2026
Jack and Mia were an HEA worth reading. The story was a combination fake boyfriend/ workplace romance. Even though the plot felt like it lost focus at points and I wish we had more of the side character Nan I enjoyed the romance and was left with a heartwarming feeling at the end.
November 14, 2025
This started out as a novella, but the author decided to lengthen it. Big mistake. It just went on and on.
November 26, 2025
GOBSMACKED
This was even better than the first book. Jack and Mia are so amazing with the connection and just the awestruck instant chemistry they have. I love their story.
This was even better than the first book. Jack and Mia are so amazing with the connection and just the awestruck instant chemistry they have. I love their story.
November 29, 2025
My weakness is curvy heroines and heroes who lust after them. There, I said it. Loved this book so much, can't wait for book 3 in the series.
December 10, 2025
No words at the moment but their wedding vows at 98% were lovely.
December 10, 2025
I liked this one better than the first, mostly because Jack is🔥it did drag a little in the middle, but totally easy to overlook bc the story was so gd cute!
December 11, 2025
cute and has good spice!
A cutesy boss/ employee romance. It has that hallmark sweetness with some very good spice mixed in! I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars
A cutesy boss/ employee romance. It has that hallmark sweetness with some very good spice mixed in! I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars
December 27, 2025
1.5 stars
I loved this book for the first 50% of it. Then the rest happened and I just wasn't invested.
I loved this book for the first 50% of it. Then the rest happened and I just wasn't invested.
December 28, 2025
Awesome Read!
Mia and Jack were amazing. I was so rooting for them. I loved this book. I believe I found a new favorite series. i can’t wait for the next book.
Mia and Jack were amazing. I was so rooting for them. I loved this book. I believe I found a new favorite series. i can’t wait for the next book.
December 29, 2025
great story
January 4, 2026
Was too much like a wattpad fanfiction to me. Not my cup of tea. Very fast paced as well.
January 6, 2026
This is a cute couple. Their families are horrible.
January 6, 2026
Easy read! Cute and lots of spice
January 8, 2026
Plot twist
Not too spicy as I like them but a good read. Actually there are more than 1 twist. Enjoy this.
Not too spicy as I like them but a good read. Actually there are more than 1 twist. Enjoy this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews