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Calloways vs. McGraws #1
Just (Fake) Married
They’re faking forever. What could possibly go wrong?
Ethan
I swore I’d never set foot in Last Hope Gulch again. I traded cowboy boots for scrubs, the family ranch for the operating room—and left behind one infuriating Harmony Calloway. A do-gooder with a megawatt smile, she’s been getting under my skin since we were kids.
Then my dad died and left a will straight out of a soap opera. If the feuding McGraws and Calloways don’t unite in actual matrimony, the ranch gets sold off—and the town that raised us might just go under.
So I’m fake-marrying the one woman who’s always made my blood boil... in every possible way.
Harmony
I’ve spent my whole life dedicated to keeping Last Hope Gulch thriving. Marrying Ethan McGraw, my high school heartbreaker —isn't my idea of a good time. But if it saves the town, I’m willing to fake it with a smile.
The plan is a fake wedding, a fake marriage, and absolutely no real feelings. The only problem? The very inconvenient chemistry we've had since high school and some family secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Between forced proximity, staged kisses, and town gossip hotter than a jalapeño, I am starting to wonder…
What if our fake marriage is the truest thing we’ve ever had?
Ethan
I swore I’d never set foot in Last Hope Gulch again. I traded cowboy boots for scrubs, the family ranch for the operating room—and left behind one infuriating Harmony Calloway. A do-gooder with a megawatt smile, she’s been getting under my skin since we were kids.
Then my dad died and left a will straight out of a soap opera. If the feuding McGraws and Calloways don’t unite in actual matrimony, the ranch gets sold off—and the town that raised us might just go under.
So I’m fake-marrying the one woman who’s always made my blood boil... in every possible way.
Harmony
I’ve spent my whole life dedicated to keeping Last Hope Gulch thriving. Marrying Ethan McGraw, my high school heartbreaker —isn't my idea of a good time. But if it saves the town, I’m willing to fake it with a smile.
The plan is a fake wedding, a fake marriage, and absolutely no real feelings. The only problem? The very inconvenient chemistry we've had since high school and some family secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Between forced proximity, staged kisses, and town gossip hotter than a jalapeño, I am starting to wonder…
What if our fake marriage is the truest thing we’ve ever had?
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
54 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Hailey Shore
16 books203 followersI love cold wine, hot coffee and writing swoony rom coms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
October 28, 2025
Listen to me, I don’t care what anybody says, faking dating/marriage will never get old. This was charming and cute and I loved it so much.
I was thoroughly relieved that the whole book wasn’t just about a miscommunication. It starts out a little that way but in a gentle way that still made it easy to read.
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for the e-ARC! I really enjoyed reading this.
I was thoroughly relieved that the whole book wasn’t just about a miscommunication. It starts out a little that way but in a gentle way that still made it easy to read.
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for the e-ARC! I really enjoyed reading this.
December 7, 2025
If you love Stars Hollow and Tomahawk (from Becoming a Vincent) as much as I do - Last Hope Gulch is the place for you.
Colorful townies, cute and adorable animals and families feuding to the point that they have their own annual Feud festival. Now these two families need to come together to save their town and bring more tourists, and what better way than unite in holy matrimony, if only temporary. Good thing both families have like a million children of appropriate age. For one reason or another, the choice lands on the prodigal doctor son and favorite town daughter, who already have a famous history but what can you do, the town needs saving.
All they have to remember is to play their parts and not fall in love. Easy, right?
I mean it was so much fun I didn't want it to end. I almost cried when I saw book two was ways away yet. Each book would be about different couples but with an overarching story and I can already tell that all of them will be fun.
Thank you Hambright PR and Hailey Shore for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over and out
Colorful townies, cute and adorable animals and families feuding to the point that they have their own annual Feud festival. Now these two families need to come together to save their town and bring more tourists, and what better way than unite in holy matrimony, if only temporary. Good thing both families have like a million children of appropriate age. For one reason or another, the choice lands on the prodigal doctor son and favorite town daughter, who already have a famous history but what can you do, the town needs saving.
All they have to remember is to play their parts and not fall in love. Easy, right?
I mean it was so much fun I didn't want it to end. I almost cried when I saw book two was ways away yet. Each book would be about different couples but with an overarching story and I can already tell that all of them will be fun.
Thank you Hambright PR and Hailey Shore for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over and out
December 7, 2025
First, I want to thank Hambright PR for sending me this ARC.
I really enjoyed the story. I love the pacing, tropes and banter.
If you’re looking for a small town romance, grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, fake marriage, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, family rivals and secrets, this is definitely the book for you.
Harmony and Ethan get married as a forced condition of Ethan’s father’s Will in order to save the town. The two families have been rivals for years. What if their fake marriage actually involves their real feelings?
Also the spice was spicy! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 28, 2025
I start every Hailey Shore review with how much I love Hailey Shores writing and I so do but for me, this isn’t her strongest one. It’s the first in a new series and I was so sad to leave Calico Cove behind. It’s tough to say goodbye to friends but I can still visit whenever I feel the need. And I do look forward to making new friends.
In this firstbook about the longstanding feud between the Calloways and the McGraws, we meet Ethan and Harmony. The Calloway/mcGraw feud has been going on hundreds of years. It’s at the point the small town they live in has an annual festival that includes the whole town, which brings in tourists which brings in much needed revenue. But the festival is dying away, thus affecting the town. The newest generation of feeders isn’t really into it. But things are changing. The patriarch of the McGraws and his will stipulates the feud must end with a McGraw marrying a Calloway. Otherwise their horse farm will be sold off and no one wants that. Ethan and Harmony step up to the plate and and agree to wed. But they have history. Back when they were in high school and at a teenage party, Ethan, mostly drunk, pulled Harmony into a kitchen pantry and kissed the stuffing out of her. Harmony was in love and looked forward to them becoming a couple. The problem with that was because Ethan was so blitzed, he had no memory of it and broke Harmony’s heart the next time they met at school and she realized it wasn’t that magical moment for him that it was for her and she did her best to make life hard for him.
But they grew up. Ethan moved away and became a very successful surgeon and Harmony took over the general store. But they grew up death of Ethan’s father brought them back together and they agree to a temporary arranged wedding to save the town.
Since this is a romance we know what happens. I had a tough time figuring out how to grade this one. At first it was a solid 3.5 but as of doing this review, I remembered so many amusing moments that made me smile and chuckle and how much I enjoyed Ian and Harmony and their many siblings so I was thinking 4.5. But then compared it to the previous series and it went down. So if come up with 4. Going to have to change it when I post this. But whatever, if you like small town, cute romance between fun characters, you have to add this one to the TBR pile.
In this firstbook about the longstanding feud between the Calloways and the McGraws, we meet Ethan and Harmony. The Calloway/mcGraw feud has been going on hundreds of years. It’s at the point the small town they live in has an annual festival that includes the whole town, which brings in tourists which brings in much needed revenue. But the festival is dying away, thus affecting the town. The newest generation of feeders isn’t really into it. But things are changing. The patriarch of the McGraws and his will stipulates the feud must end with a McGraw marrying a Calloway. Otherwise their horse farm will be sold off and no one wants that. Ethan and Harmony step up to the plate and and agree to wed. But they have history. Back when they were in high school and at a teenage party, Ethan, mostly drunk, pulled Harmony into a kitchen pantry and kissed the stuffing out of her. Harmony was in love and looked forward to them becoming a couple. The problem with that was because Ethan was so blitzed, he had no memory of it and broke Harmony’s heart the next time they met at school and she realized it wasn’t that magical moment for him that it was for her and she did her best to make life hard for him.
But they grew up. Ethan moved away and became a very successful surgeon and Harmony took over the general store. But they grew up death of Ethan’s father brought them back together and they agree to a temporary arranged wedding to save the town.
Since this is a romance we know what happens. I had a tough time figuring out how to grade this one. At first it was a solid 3.5 but as of doing this review, I remembered so many amusing moments that made me smile and chuckle and how much I enjoyed Ian and Harmony and their many siblings so I was thinking 4.5. But then compared it to the previous series and it went down. So if come up with 4. Going to have to change it when I post this. But whatever, if you like small town, cute romance between fun characters, you have to add this one to the TBR pile.
December 4, 2025
⭐️ Small town, big sparks and one fake “I do” ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️ | 3.25 🌶️
Just (Fake) Married was my first Hailey Shore novel and it will absolutely not be my last. This book grabbed me from page one with its effortless writing, delicious tension, and a story arc that feels both comforting and fresh.
Hailey Shore drops us straight into the dusty, dying charm of Last Hope Gulch, where the Calloways and McGraws have been feuding longer than anyone can remember. Harmony Calloway is the town’s beating heart: sunshine, grit, and loyalty rolled into one. Ethan McGraw is the prodigal son turned hotshot surgeon, returning to town with more emotional baggage than a long-haul flight.
And then? A will reading worthy of prime-time TV throws them into the ultimate small-town trap: marry each other or risk losing everything the community has left.
The setup is pure trope candy: enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, fake marriage, small town drama, and Shore executes it with a perfect mix of heat, humor, and emotional unraveling. Watching Harmony’s carefully built walls crack and seeing Ethan thaw from cold, cutting resentment into something startlingly vulnerable was chef’s kiss satisfying. There’s chemistry, there’s friction, there are “oh no I’m catching feelings” moments that sneak up on you in the best possible way.
The Romeo-and-Juliet energy is there, but never heavy-handed. Instead, it’s fun, flirty, and surprisingly tender, with a cast of townspeople who add just the right amount of spice and chaos.
This is the kind of romance that makes you believe in second chances: at love, at home, at healing what history tried to break.
Huge thanks to Hambright PR for the e-ARC, and congratulations to Hailey Shore on this addictive, heartfelt release. I’m officially hooked.
4.5 ⭐️ | 3.25 🌶️
Just (Fake) Married was my first Hailey Shore novel and it will absolutely not be my last. This book grabbed me from page one with its effortless writing, delicious tension, and a story arc that feels both comforting and fresh.
Hailey Shore drops us straight into the dusty, dying charm of Last Hope Gulch, where the Calloways and McGraws have been feuding longer than anyone can remember. Harmony Calloway is the town’s beating heart: sunshine, grit, and loyalty rolled into one. Ethan McGraw is the prodigal son turned hotshot surgeon, returning to town with more emotional baggage than a long-haul flight.
And then? A will reading worthy of prime-time TV throws them into the ultimate small-town trap: marry each other or risk losing everything the community has left.
The setup is pure trope candy: enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, fake marriage, small town drama, and Shore executes it with a perfect mix of heat, humor, and emotional unraveling. Watching Harmony’s carefully built walls crack and seeing Ethan thaw from cold, cutting resentment into something startlingly vulnerable was chef’s kiss satisfying. There’s chemistry, there’s friction, there are “oh no I’m catching feelings” moments that sneak up on you in the best possible way.
The Romeo-and-Juliet energy is there, but never heavy-handed. Instead, it’s fun, flirty, and surprisingly tender, with a cast of townspeople who add just the right amount of spice and chaos.
This is the kind of romance that makes you believe in second chances: at love, at home, at healing what history tried to break.
Huge thanks to Hambright PR for the e-ARC, and congratulations to Hailey Shore on this addictive, heartfelt release. I’m officially hooked.
September 11, 2025
What a nice surprise.
I've been in a bit of a book slump, so I grabbed this one on a whim; mostly because of the cute cover, the familiar tropes, and the comfort-read synopsis. Sometimes I just need the security blanket of classic romancelandia to ease my anxiety, and this book delivered exactly that.
The setting gave me major Stars Hollow vibes (yes, fellow Gilmore Girls fans, you know what I mean), which scratched my millennial nostalgia itch in the best way. The plot? Fun and soapy. The characters, main and side, felt warm and engaging. And the whole "two battling families with ancient drama" thread hit the spot perfectly.
My rating is based on how much I enjoyed it in this moment: it was the right book at the right time. And honestly? It gets an extra star simply for being a random pick that paid off big time.
(That said, I'm still side-eyeing the cover. Who is that woman supposed to be? Because it's definitely not Harmony Calloway with her Pippi Longstocking-orange hair—or any of the Calloway women, for that matter. Why they didn't just tweak the hair color in the art is beyond me. A small gripe, but it grinds my gears!)
I've been in a bit of a book slump, so I grabbed this one on a whim; mostly because of the cute cover, the familiar tropes, and the comfort-read synopsis. Sometimes I just need the security blanket of classic romancelandia to ease my anxiety, and this book delivered exactly that.
The setting gave me major Stars Hollow vibes (yes, fellow Gilmore Girls fans, you know what I mean), which scratched my millennial nostalgia itch in the best way. The plot? Fun and soapy. The characters, main and side, felt warm and engaging. And the whole "two battling families with ancient drama" thread hit the spot perfectly.
My rating is based on how much I enjoyed it in this moment: it was the right book at the right time. And honestly? It gets an extra star simply for being a random pick that paid off big time.
(That said, I'm still side-eyeing the cover. Who is that woman supposed to be? Because it's definitely not Harmony Calloway with her Pippi Longstocking-orange hair—or any of the Calloway women, for that matter. Why they didn't just tweak the hair color in the art is beyond me. A small gripe, but it grinds my gears!)
October 19, 2025
Thank you Hambright PR for the E-arc. This book was ao cute and everything you want in a small town romance. This has vibes of the Hatfields and McCoys with the family feud.
Our FMC was great. strong woman who loves her town, family and crazy animals. Our MMC who doesn't know where he belongs, has issues with his family and never felt like enough. When the 2 rival family's have to come together with a fake marriage to save the town ,Our characters have to learn to trust each other and work together
Our FMC was great. strong woman who loves her town, family and crazy animals. Our MMC who doesn't know where he belongs, has issues with his family and never felt like enough. When the 2 rival family's have to come together with a fake marriage to save the town ,Our characters have to learn to trust each other and work together
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed Harmony and Ethan’s banter and the chemistry between them. I also appreciated their history and how they were able to overcome to cohabitate. These enemies soon morphed into more. Life had a funny way of putting them where they belonged. This book had all the feels and I didn’t want their story to be over!
October 18, 2025
I just finished reading Just Fake Married and it was such a good read. It has fake marriage, enemies to lovers, a rival family feud, small-town charm, and so much more.
I love how Harmony and Ethan’s love story was written—it was so beautiful and felt so real. The author did an amazing job portraying Harmony’s people-pleasing nature and Ethan’s savior mentality with so much care and depth that I could easily relate to both of them.
The plot twist completely caught me off guard, and I loved every character in this book. I honestly can’t wait to read their stories next.
This is a solid 4-star read, and I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for this book.
I love how Harmony and Ethan’s love story was written—it was so beautiful and felt so real. The author did an amazing job portraying Harmony’s people-pleasing nature and Ethan’s savior mentality with so much care and depth that I could easily relate to both of them.
The plot twist completely caught me off guard, and I loved every character in this book. I honestly can’t wait to read their stories next.
This is a solid 4-star read, and I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for this book.
December 7, 2025
4.50 ✨
2.00 🌶️
⁀➴ Overall: This was a great read! I really enjoyed the small town and the whole cast of characters! Seems like a perfect series starter!
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
❤️🔥 enemies to lovers
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🔒 forced proximity
💋 fake relationship
🏘️ small town
🤍 feuding families
💍 marriage of convenience
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
I absolutely loved the small town vibes in this story! There were so many amazing characters in the town, such rich history, and so many opportunities for amazing love stories among them! I kept guessing who might pair up with whom in future iterations, and who was responsible for starting and spreading the small town gossip! I thought the descriptions of the family feud were well done. There was so much history being shared and learned throughout the story. All of the additional details really made it feel like a real feud.
Harmony was an excellent FMC. She was strong, independent, and incredibly caring. She always puts the town before herself, and is definitely in need of some support, whether she wants to accept that or not. Her kindness radiated from the page, and I just loved her (even though she made up some pretty silly rules)! 😉
Ethan was everything you could hope for in a totally obsessed MMC. He’s driven, cares deeply about supporting Harmony and his family, and doing whatever he can to save everyone. I loved seeing him grow in his love for Harmony, the town, and really himself.
I am very much looking forward to future books in Last Hope Gulch. There’s so many McGraws and Calloways whom I cannot wait to fall in love with!
Thank you to Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for the opportunity to read this one!
2.00 🌶️
⁀➴ Overall: This was a great read! I really enjoyed the small town and the whole cast of characters! Seems like a perfect series starter!
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
❤️🔥 enemies to lovers
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🔒 forced proximity
💋 fake relationship
🏘️ small town
🤍 feuding families
💍 marriage of convenience
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
I absolutely loved the small town vibes in this story! There were so many amazing characters in the town, such rich history, and so many opportunities for amazing love stories among them! I kept guessing who might pair up with whom in future iterations, and who was responsible for starting and spreading the small town gossip! I thought the descriptions of the family feud were well done. There was so much history being shared and learned throughout the story. All of the additional details really made it feel like a real feud.
Harmony was an excellent FMC. She was strong, independent, and incredibly caring. She always puts the town before herself, and is definitely in need of some support, whether she wants to accept that or not. Her kindness radiated from the page, and I just loved her (even though she made up some pretty silly rules)! 😉
Ethan was everything you could hope for in a totally obsessed MMC. He’s driven, cares deeply about supporting Harmony and his family, and doing whatever he can to save everyone. I loved seeing him grow in his love for Harmony, the town, and really himself.
I am very much looking forward to future books in Last Hope Gulch. There’s so many McGraws and Calloways whom I cannot wait to fall in love with!
Thank you to Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for the opportunity to read this one!
September 3, 2025
✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC REVIEW
Just Fake Married - Hailey shore
4/5⭐️
📚📚📚
Okay this book was such a good read! From page one until the end I just couldn’t stop reading. I did finish in about two sittings. As a reader texts and group chats are some of my favorite things to see in books… and omg the guys group chat was just to good! Ethan and Harmony are from rival families and have some history but with the town needing saving they get fake married!! The banter between these two and many other moments has me giggling! By the end I was just in love with these characters and I can’t wait to see what’s to come with this series! Totally recommend adding to the tbr.
📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Hate to love
- No kissing on the lips
- Marriage of convenience
- Fake relationship
- Forced proximity
- Rival families
- Small town
- Ranch setting
… You should definitely check this out
📚📚📚
Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy
✨would you fake marry someone you have history with to save the town? Or what’s a song thats been stuck in your head recently?
#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok
ARC REVIEW
Just Fake Married - Hailey shore
4/5⭐️
📚📚📚
Okay this book was such a good read! From page one until the end I just couldn’t stop reading. I did finish in about two sittings. As a reader texts and group chats are some of my favorite things to see in books… and omg the guys group chat was just to good! Ethan and Harmony are from rival families and have some history but with the town needing saving they get fake married!! The banter between these two and many other moments has me giggling! By the end I was just in love with these characters and I can’t wait to see what’s to come with this series! Totally recommend adding to the tbr.
📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Hate to love
- No kissing on the lips
- Marriage of convenience
- Fake relationship
- Forced proximity
- Rival families
- Small town
- Ranch setting
… You should definitely check this out
📚📚📚
Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy
✨would you fake marry someone you have history with to save the town? Or what’s a song thats been stuck in your head recently?
#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok
November 22, 2025
Summary:
The Calloways and McGraws’ feud goes back generations, but when Last Hope Gulch’s future is at risk, Harmony Calloway is willing to do anything to save her town—including marrying her high school crush and nemesis, Ethan McGraw. Ethan returns home only to discover his father’s will demands a marriage between the families to save everything, but can he really give up the life he’s built away from the town he’s spent years avoiding?
What starts as a fake, temporary marriage of convenience quickly turns complicated when old feelings resurface, undeniable chemistry sparks, and their ground rules get shakier by the day. Can their fake marriage remain just that—fake? Or is their pretend relationship the realest thing either of them has ever had?
The Sparks:
- Fun side characters and small-town dynamics that give off Gilmore Girls vibes
- Great humor and flirty tension (with definite “he falls first” feels)
- Adorable, chaotic pets that bring a smile to everyone’s face— characters and readers alike
- A dual POV giving the inside look at both characters falling for each other
- I can’t wait to dive into book 2: Opposites (Never) Attract
The Shadows:
Some predictable small-town romance elements, but still totally enjoyable!
Special note:
Thank you to Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for providing me with access to this book. All opinions are my own.
The Calloways and McGraws’ feud goes back generations, but when Last Hope Gulch’s future is at risk, Harmony Calloway is willing to do anything to save her town—including marrying her high school crush and nemesis, Ethan McGraw. Ethan returns home only to discover his father’s will demands a marriage between the families to save everything, but can he really give up the life he’s built away from the town he’s spent years avoiding?
What starts as a fake, temporary marriage of convenience quickly turns complicated when old feelings resurface, undeniable chemistry sparks, and their ground rules get shakier by the day. Can their fake marriage remain just that—fake? Or is their pretend relationship the realest thing either of them has ever had?
The Sparks:
- Fun side characters and small-town dynamics that give off Gilmore Girls vibes
- Great humor and flirty tension (with definite “he falls first” feels)
- Adorable, chaotic pets that bring a smile to everyone’s face— characters and readers alike
- A dual POV giving the inside look at both characters falling for each other
- I can’t wait to dive into book 2: Opposites (Never) Attract
The Shadows:
Some predictable small-town romance elements, but still totally enjoyable!
Special note:
Thank you to Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for providing me with access to this book. All opinions are my own.
October 28, 2025
ARC Review: Just (Fake) Married
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Just (Fake) Married by Hailey Shore was such a fun read! Ethan and Harmony are seriously the cutest—they’ve got that perfect mix of tension, chemistry, and banter that makes enemies-to-lovers so addictive.
I loved the whole Hatfields and McCoys vibe with the feuding families and the fake marriage to save the town. It gave the story a playful, small-town charm while still delivering plenty of spice and heart. Ethan pushing Harmony’s boundaries (and her pushing right back) made their dynamic feel real and fiery in all the best ways.
It’s got everything you could want—grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, fake relationship chaos, and that irresistible small-town gossip. The spice? Perfect. The plot? Adorable. The chemistry? Off the charts.
The epilogue suggests a second book is coming - what a twist! I can’t wait to see where this goes! If you’re into small-town romances with great banter, a dash of drama, and a whole lot of heat, definitely pick this one up.
Thank you to @haileyshoreauthor and @hambright_pr for sending me an ARC to review!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Just (Fake) Married by Hailey Shore was such a fun read! Ethan and Harmony are seriously the cutest—they’ve got that perfect mix of tension, chemistry, and banter that makes enemies-to-lovers so addictive.
I loved the whole Hatfields and McCoys vibe with the feuding families and the fake marriage to save the town. It gave the story a playful, small-town charm while still delivering plenty of spice and heart. Ethan pushing Harmony’s boundaries (and her pushing right back) made their dynamic feel real and fiery in all the best ways.
It’s got everything you could want—grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, fake relationship chaos, and that irresistible small-town gossip. The spice? Perfect. The plot? Adorable. The chemistry? Off the charts.
The epilogue suggests a second book is coming - what a twist! I can’t wait to see where this goes! If you’re into small-town romances with great banter, a dash of drama, and a whole lot of heat, definitely pick this one up.
Thank you to @haileyshoreauthor and @hambright_pr for sending me an ARC to review!
September 5, 2025
Just (Fake) Married was a fun, charming romantic comedy that kept me smiling throughout. Hailey Shore’s writing perfectly balances humor and heartfelt moments, creating a delightful story with relatable characters and plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes. The fake marriage trope was executed with creativity and a refreshing twist, keeping the plot engaging and unpredictable.
The chemistry between the leads was sizzling, with witty banter and genuine moments that made their evolving relationship feel authentic and earned. I loved how both characters grew individually and as a couple, navigating their fake marriage with real emotions and unexpected challenges.
While a few pacing hiccups slowed things down at times, the overall flow stayed lively and entertaining. The secondary characters added extra warmth and humor, rounding out a story that’s as sweet as it is funny.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with great chemistry and lots of laughs, Just (Fake) Married is definitely worth checking out. I’m excited to read more from Hailey Shore!
The chemistry between the leads was sizzling, with witty banter and genuine moments that made their evolving relationship feel authentic and earned. I loved how both characters grew individually and as a couple, navigating their fake marriage with real emotions and unexpected challenges.
While a few pacing hiccups slowed things down at times, the overall flow stayed lively and entertaining. The secondary characters added extra warmth and humor, rounding out a story that’s as sweet as it is funny.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with great chemistry and lots of laughs, Just (Fake) Married is definitely worth checking out. I’m excited to read more from Hailey Shore!
October 31, 2025
ARC review ⭐️4
Just Fake Married is the perfect book if you’re craving a heartfelt found family, fake marriage, small-town charm, and enemies-to-lovers tension that melts into something real and emotional.
Harmony and Ethan absolutely stole my heart. Their story didn’t start with the arrangement — it started long before, quietly, beautifully, and fate clearly had plans for them.
Harmony’s people-pleasing heart and Ethan’s savior complex were portrayed with so much sensitivity and depth that it was impossible not to connect with them.
Twists, tension, family feuds, tenderness — this book has everything. And it left me desperately wanting the next one.
Thank you to the Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for this ARC 💕
Just Fake Married is the perfect book if you’re craving a heartfelt found family, fake marriage, small-town charm, and enemies-to-lovers tension that melts into something real and emotional.
Harmony and Ethan absolutely stole my heart. Their story didn’t start with the arrangement — it started long before, quietly, beautifully, and fate clearly had plans for them.
Harmony’s people-pleasing heart and Ethan’s savior complex were portrayed with so much sensitivity and depth that it was impossible not to connect with them.
Twists, tension, family feuds, tenderness — this book has everything. And it left me desperately wanting the next one.
Thank you to the Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for this ARC 💕
November 3, 2025
Thank you to Hailey Shore and Hambright PR for the gifted copy!
Just (Fake) Married is the epitome of a romcom. It felt like a mix of Gilmore Girls and a book by Tarah DeWitt with the quirky town, the quirky FMC, and the MMC who realizes dreams can change. I honestly had so much fun with this book from beginning to end. I'm so glad this is a series, because I got attached to the side characters as much I was attached to Harmony and Ethan. And I will say, I did not see that big reveal at the end coming. That has me excited for the next book, but I really want to read Mac and Amity's story.
Overall, a fun read that is perfect when you need a good romcom with some spice thrown in.
Just (Fake) Married is the epitome of a romcom. It felt like a mix of Gilmore Girls and a book by Tarah DeWitt with the quirky town, the quirky FMC, and the MMC who realizes dreams can change. I honestly had so much fun with this book from beginning to end. I'm so glad this is a series, because I got attached to the side characters as much I was attached to Harmony and Ethan. And I will say, I did not see that big reveal at the end coming. That has me excited for the next book, but I really want to read Mac and Amity's story.
Overall, a fun read that is perfect when you need a good romcom with some spice thrown in.
September 8, 2025
There is just something about Hailey Shore’s books that grab ahold of me and do not let go from start to finish. I devoured this book! It’s definitely on my top 10 favorite book list of 2025! It was super fun take on the fake marriage troupe. There’s excellent conflict, and I loved the spice. The connection between Ethan and Harmony is right there from the start and we’re reminded of it in the backstory. The emotion is deep and the humor is spot on. It’s just such a great mix of humor and heart. This book is dynamite from the get go. I can not wait to read the next one! The secondary characters—the McGraws and the Calloways—are just as much fun as Ethan (“He of the hot butt”) and Harmony (the “pantry puncher” lol) I loved the quirky characters in Last Hope Gulch. Ethan and Harmony have to team up to save the town, but they have a bit of an enemies to lovers situation going on between the two of them and between their families. The author did a great job of dropping little Easter eggs of what’s to come with the rest of the characters. There was great character growth, wonderful conflict and lots of laughs! Absolutely perfection!
November 21, 2025
I could not get enough of this small-town, cowboy (ish) fake marriage! I thought the concept of this book was super unique. I loved learning about the Calloway-McGraw family feud and meeting all the Calloway siblings and McGraw siblings.
Harmony and Ethan were both really enjoyable characters, and Harmony’s dog and pet goose provided great comedic relief many times.
I am soooo excited to continue this series!
Thank you so much Hambright PR for the e-ARC!
Harmony and Ethan were both really enjoyable characters, and Harmony’s dog and pet goose provided great comedic relief many times.
I am soooo excited to continue this series!
Thank you so much Hambright PR for the e-ARC!
August 30, 2025
I’d have to say the animals in this story were such a fun time. A domestic goose! This was a fun fake marriage story and the story just kept unraveling at the end. I am excited for the next book because I think the two characters are going to be a feisty bunch! If you want a simple small town romance this is a good one to add to your list.
November 15, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I went into Just (Fake) Married completely blind—other than knowing it was a marriage of convenience—and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. It’s a fun (and genuinely funny!) small-town romance, but definitely a messy one.
Harmony and Ethan’s story starts in full whirlwind mode, and honestly, it felt like one while reading it. Their “enemy-ish to lovers” dynamic goes all the way back to a high school incident, but the way Harmony talks about it makes her feel childish and underdeveloped. One kiss turned into years of her pestering Ethan without ever telling him the truth about what actually happened.
Ethan, meanwhile, is a thoracic surgeon with a raging god complex who desperately needs therapy. The story reminds us constantly how intelligent he is, but he’s somehow clueless, emotionally stunted, and expects everyone to cater to his feelings because he didn’t want to be a cowboy and his narcissistic, now-deceased father hated him for it. It was… a choice.
Their love story is messy too. They go from fake marriage with rules to dry humping and finger-f—ing on the couch to suddenly having sex all night every night—yet somehow, no kissing for way too long. There’s almost no build-up, no tension, and it all happens so fast that any romantic development just flies by.
And that brings me to the pacing. Everything is fine until about the 70% mark, and then the story suddenly sprints to the finish line. We somehow cram an entire festival into the last 15 minutes of the book. This section needed at least another 50–75 pages to breathe, but because the beginning was so rushed, the ending had nothing left to work with. It felt abrupt, unfinished, and the mid–sentence cliffhanger left me completely unsatisfied.
What made this even more disappointing is that the concept had so much potential. The setup was genuinely interesting, and I was excited to see where it would go… but the issues above made it all fall apart.
What did work? The family feud. That dynamic added such a fun, intriguing twist to the entire story and honestly kept me turning pages. The history and tension between some of the side characters added depth the main romance lacked. And speaking of side characters—Bruce the Goose, Jenny the blind dog, and the whole quirky supporting cast were absolute saving graces. They might’ve been used mostly for comedic relief, but they made me laugh and gave the story charm it desperately needed.
Overall, the book had a great premise and some fantastic side characters, but the rushed pacing, messy romance, and underdeveloped lead characters kept it from reaching its full potential.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for this eARC!
Spice: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I went into Just (Fake) Married completely blind—other than knowing it was a marriage of convenience—and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. It’s a fun (and genuinely funny!) small-town romance, but definitely a messy one.
Harmony and Ethan’s story starts in full whirlwind mode, and honestly, it felt like one while reading it. Their “enemy-ish to lovers” dynamic goes all the way back to a high school incident, but the way Harmony talks about it makes her feel childish and underdeveloped. One kiss turned into years of her pestering Ethan without ever telling him the truth about what actually happened.
Ethan, meanwhile, is a thoracic surgeon with a raging god complex who desperately needs therapy. The story reminds us constantly how intelligent he is, but he’s somehow clueless, emotionally stunted, and expects everyone to cater to his feelings because he didn’t want to be a cowboy and his narcissistic, now-deceased father hated him for it. It was… a choice.
Their love story is messy too. They go from fake marriage with rules to dry humping and finger-f—ing on the couch to suddenly having sex all night every night—yet somehow, no kissing for way too long. There’s almost no build-up, no tension, and it all happens so fast that any romantic development just flies by.
And that brings me to the pacing. Everything is fine until about the 70% mark, and then the story suddenly sprints to the finish line. We somehow cram an entire festival into the last 15 minutes of the book. This section needed at least another 50–75 pages to breathe, but because the beginning was so rushed, the ending had nothing left to work with. It felt abrupt, unfinished, and the mid–sentence cliffhanger left me completely unsatisfied.
What made this even more disappointing is that the concept had so much potential. The setup was genuinely interesting, and I was excited to see where it would go… but the issues above made it all fall apart.
What did work? The family feud. That dynamic added such a fun, intriguing twist to the entire story and honestly kept me turning pages. The history and tension between some of the side characters added depth the main romance lacked. And speaking of side characters—Bruce the Goose, Jenny the blind dog, and the whole quirky supporting cast were absolute saving graces. They might’ve been used mostly for comedic relief, but they made me laugh and gave the story charm it desperately needed.
Overall, the book had a great premise and some fantastic side characters, but the rushed pacing, messy romance, and underdeveloped lead characters kept it from reaching its full potential.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for this eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
JUST (FAKE) MARRIED By Hailey Shore
Ethan
I swore I’d never set foot in Last Hope Gulch again. I traded cowboy boots for scrubs, the family ranch for the operating room—and left behind one infuriating Harmony Calloway. A do-gooder with a megawatt smile, she’s been getting under my skin since we were kids.
Then my dad died and left a will straight out of a soap opera. If the feuding McGraws and Calloways don’t unite in actual matrimony, the ranch gets sold off—and the town that raised us might just go under.
So I’m fake-marrying the one woman who’s always made my blood boil... in every possible way.
Harmony
I’ve spent my whole life dedicated to keeping Last Hope Gulch thriving. Marrying Ethan McGraw, my high school heartbreaker —isn't my idea of a good time. But if it saves the town, I’m willing to fake it with a smile.
The plan is a fake wedding, a fake marriage, and absolutely no real feelings. The only problem? The very inconvenient chemistry we've had since high school and some family secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Between forced proximity, staged kisses, and town gossip hotter than a jalapeño, I am starting to wonder…
What if our fake marriage is the truest thing we’ve ever had?
😊What i liked -
✔Marriage Of Convenience/Opposites Attract/Forced Proximity/Enemies To Lovers/Grumpy-Sunshine/Small Town.
✔I absolutely loved this Marriage of convenience book. I loved Harmony's choice of pets. I took a chance with this book even though I have read 2 books by this author before and let me tell you what a delight this chance turned out to be. I loved the whole premise of a small town and fake relationship with a twist to the story in the end. I loved how each character's lives are interwoven with each other. With the enemies to lovers spice put in this book was spicy too. I read this in one sitting because that's how engrossing Shore's writing was. I am really looking forward to Sunshine and Tag's story.
🤔What could have been better-
✔ Something very small.
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💍Marriage Of Convenience Romance
🏡Small Town Romance
📈My Rating : 4.5/5
Thank you, Hailey Shore & Hambright PR, for a copy.
Ethan
I swore I’d never set foot in Last Hope Gulch again. I traded cowboy boots for scrubs, the family ranch for the operating room—and left behind one infuriating Harmony Calloway. A do-gooder with a megawatt smile, she’s been getting under my skin since we were kids.
Then my dad died and left a will straight out of a soap opera. If the feuding McGraws and Calloways don’t unite in actual matrimony, the ranch gets sold off—and the town that raised us might just go under.
So I’m fake-marrying the one woman who’s always made my blood boil... in every possible way.
Harmony
I’ve spent my whole life dedicated to keeping Last Hope Gulch thriving. Marrying Ethan McGraw, my high school heartbreaker —isn't my idea of a good time. But if it saves the town, I’m willing to fake it with a smile.
The plan is a fake wedding, a fake marriage, and absolutely no real feelings. The only problem? The very inconvenient chemistry we've had since high school and some family secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Between forced proximity, staged kisses, and town gossip hotter than a jalapeño, I am starting to wonder…
What if our fake marriage is the truest thing we’ve ever had?
😊What i liked -
✔Marriage Of Convenience/Opposites Attract/Forced Proximity/Enemies To Lovers/Grumpy-Sunshine/Small Town.
✔I absolutely loved this Marriage of convenience book. I loved Harmony's choice of pets. I took a chance with this book even though I have read 2 books by this author before and let me tell you what a delight this chance turned out to be. I loved the whole premise of a small town and fake relationship with a twist to the story in the end. I loved how each character's lives are interwoven with each other. With the enemies to lovers spice put in this book was spicy too. I read this in one sitting because that's how engrossing Shore's writing was. I am really looking forward to Sunshine and Tag's story.
🤔What could have been better-
✔ Something very small.
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💍Marriage Of Convenience Romance
🏡Small Town Romance
📈My Rating : 4.5/5
Thank you, Hailey Shore & Hambright PR, for a copy.
September 1, 2025
“It wasn’t fair that the best kiss of my life was with my nemesis.”
Just (Fake) Married is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance with a juicy fake marriage twist that adds just the right amount of chaos and charm. Ethan and Harmony come from two families locked in a generations-long feud that has shaped the very town they live in. But when Ethan’s father passes away, his will delivers a bombshell: the only way to end the feud and breathe new life into the town is for a sibling from each family to marry. Despite their rocky history—including a memorable pantry encounter—Ethan and Harmony agree to the arrangement, and the chemistry they’ve buried for years begins to bubble to the surface.
Ethan and Harmony’s chemistry is undeniable, but Harmony is guarded. She still carries the sting of heartbreak from high school and isn’t quick to trust Ethan again. Her sisters are fiercely protective of her tender heart, adding layers of warmth and sass to the story. Yet Harmony, ever the free spirit, begins to wonder if risking her heart might be worth it—even if only for a fleeting moment of happiness.
Ethan, who left town and his father behind to chase his dream of becoming a doctor, never planned to return. But reconnecting with his brothers and slowly falling for his fake wife forces him to reevaluate everything he thought he wanted.
Their relationship is a slow burn packed with witty banter, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. I especially loved Ethan’s teasing affection and unwavering support for Harmony—he truly sees her, and she brings out a softer, more grounded side of him. Together, they shine.
Just (Fake) Married is brimming with humor, heart, and heat. It’s a feel-good story with a cast of lovable characters and a romance that’s both swoony and satisfying. I’m already counting down the days until the next book in the series.
Just (Fake) Married is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance with a juicy fake marriage twist that adds just the right amount of chaos and charm. Ethan and Harmony come from two families locked in a generations-long feud that has shaped the very town they live in. But when Ethan’s father passes away, his will delivers a bombshell: the only way to end the feud and breathe new life into the town is for a sibling from each family to marry. Despite their rocky history—including a memorable pantry encounter—Ethan and Harmony agree to the arrangement, and the chemistry they’ve buried for years begins to bubble to the surface.
Ethan and Harmony’s chemistry is undeniable, but Harmony is guarded. She still carries the sting of heartbreak from high school and isn’t quick to trust Ethan again. Her sisters are fiercely protective of her tender heart, adding layers of warmth and sass to the story. Yet Harmony, ever the free spirit, begins to wonder if risking her heart might be worth it—even if only for a fleeting moment of happiness.
Ethan, who left town and his father behind to chase his dream of becoming a doctor, never planned to return. But reconnecting with his brothers and slowly falling for his fake wife forces him to reevaluate everything he thought he wanted.
Their relationship is a slow burn packed with witty banter, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. I especially loved Ethan’s teasing affection and unwavering support for Harmony—he truly sees her, and she brings out a softer, more grounded side of him. Together, they shine.
Just (Fake) Married is brimming with humor, heart, and heat. It’s a feel-good story with a cast of lovable characters and a romance that’s both swoony and satisfying. I’m already counting down the days until the next book in the series.
September 1, 2025
ARC REVIEW- JUST (FAKE) MARRIED
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.75
Tropes:
🧡Small Town
🧡Rival Families
🧡Marriage to Satisfy a Will
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Enemies to Lovers
________________
Thanks to Hailey Shore for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
________________
This is my first book by Hailey Shore but it won't be my last! I went into this expecting a cute and fun fake marriage book but came out completely entranced by Hailey's writing and obsessing over this family and this series.
This follows Ethan and Harmony, from rival families in their small town of Last Hope Gulch. The McGraws and the Calloways have been feuding for centuries but after the McGraw patriarch dies and leaves behind a will with the expectation that a McGraw and a Calloway marry, all bets are off. Ethan and Harmony had a jaw dropping kiss back in high school but Ethan doesn't remember it. Since then, the two have been enemies, driven to annoy and insult one another.
This was so fun to read! I loved the development between the two, going from enemies to friends to lovers. The dynamic between the families and the town was so much fun to read and full of a rich history, in both the feud and in how they affected the community. Strings were being pulled from the get go and it was really interesting to see how it played out.
Plenty of spice and loads of "my wife," feral doesn't even cover it! I always love reading a fake dating/fake marriage plot, though this one was honestly more "arranged" in a sense. I was quickly pulled in to the story and the relationships between Ethan and Harmony, as well as them with their families.
I am sold on Hailey Shore and will be exploring her backlist immediately! I have found a new indie author to follow and can't wait to see where she takes this series! All the stars, would reread and will recommend! Be sure to check her out.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.75
Tropes:
🧡Small Town
🧡Rival Families
🧡Marriage to Satisfy a Will
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Enemies to Lovers
________________
Thanks to Hailey Shore for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
________________
This is my first book by Hailey Shore but it won't be my last! I went into this expecting a cute and fun fake marriage book but came out completely entranced by Hailey's writing and obsessing over this family and this series.
This follows Ethan and Harmony, from rival families in their small town of Last Hope Gulch. The McGraws and the Calloways have been feuding for centuries but after the McGraw patriarch dies and leaves behind a will with the expectation that a McGraw and a Calloway marry, all bets are off. Ethan and Harmony had a jaw dropping kiss back in high school but Ethan doesn't remember it. Since then, the two have been enemies, driven to annoy and insult one another.
This was so fun to read! I loved the development between the two, going from enemies to friends to lovers. The dynamic between the families and the town was so much fun to read and full of a rich history, in both the feud and in how they affected the community. Strings were being pulled from the get go and it was really interesting to see how it played out.
Plenty of spice and loads of "my wife," feral doesn't even cover it! I always love reading a fake dating/fake marriage plot, though this one was honestly more "arranged" in a sense. I was quickly pulled in to the story and the relationships between Ethan and Harmony, as well as them with their families.
I am sold on Hailey Shore and will be exploring her backlist immediately! I have found a new indie author to follow and can't wait to see where she takes this series! All the stars, would reread and will recommend! Be sure to check her out.
September 4, 2025
If you like small town, rival families with a feud that has span generations, fake marriage, then this most certainly is a book for you✨
I mean how difficult could it be to marry your family’s rival, fool the whole town it’s a genuine love story and save the town by making the feud day festival a huge success? Well Hqrmony and Ethan thought this would go smoothly but nothing ever does👀
The Calloways and the McGraws families have been at odds for generations and this rivalry didn’t seem to come to an end till know. Upon the passing of Leroy McGraw the Calloway family were shocked to be present at the reading of his will, and at this reading many secrets were disclosed and but not only that there were quite a few stipulations. One of those stipulations being that a Calloway and a McGraw would marry and make the feud day festival a success to put the town back on the map.
Harmony was the first of her sisters to volunteer, she loves her town and she will do whatever necessary to see it prosper, even if it means marrying a McGraw. Now Harmony has quite the history with her groom to be which is disclosed in the early chapters. Ethan returns to his home town while on a leave of absence as a surgeon but I don’t think he expected to walk away with a wife.
I absolutely adored Harmony, she’s fierce and loyal, and honestly I connected with her really well. Ethan can be stubborn at times but the man grew on me👀. I loved the development of these two as rivals to friends and eventually as something more.
I loved Harmony and Ethan’s story but this is most certainly not the end of this world and I cannot wait for more✨
Thank you to the authors who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
I mean how difficult could it be to marry your family’s rival, fool the whole town it’s a genuine love story and save the town by making the feud day festival a huge success? Well Hqrmony and Ethan thought this would go smoothly but nothing ever does👀
The Calloways and the McGraws families have been at odds for generations and this rivalry didn’t seem to come to an end till know. Upon the passing of Leroy McGraw the Calloway family were shocked to be present at the reading of his will, and at this reading many secrets were disclosed and but not only that there were quite a few stipulations. One of those stipulations being that a Calloway and a McGraw would marry and make the feud day festival a success to put the town back on the map.
Harmony was the first of her sisters to volunteer, she loves her town and she will do whatever necessary to see it prosper, even if it means marrying a McGraw. Now Harmony has quite the history with her groom to be which is disclosed in the early chapters. Ethan returns to his home town while on a leave of absence as a surgeon but I don’t think he expected to walk away with a wife.
I absolutely adored Harmony, she’s fierce and loyal, and honestly I connected with her really well. Ethan can be stubborn at times but the man grew on me👀. I loved the development of these two as rivals to friends and eventually as something more.
I loved Harmony and Ethan’s story but this is most certainly not the end of this world and I cannot wait for more✨
Thank you to the authors who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
October 27, 2025
Rating: Loved it!
TROPES ✨
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🔒 Forced Proximity
🤫 Fake Relationship
🏘️ Small Town
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💋 No kissing on the lips (only "safe kisses allowed)
👪 Rival families
OMG, you guys! This series starter is one you do not want to miss! The Calloways and the McGraws are messy in all the best ways, and if book one is any indication (that last line!! I gasped), we’re in for an absolutely wild ride.
This book plays out like a small-town reality show meets a full-on Maury episode and it’s glorious. There’s decades of drama, generational secrets, and enough scandal to keep an entire town gossiping for years. The fact that some of the chaos is literally immortalized in statues? Iconic. There's even a yearly Feud Festival in the town!
We’ve got five McGraw brothers, five Calloway sisters (...or do we?? 👀), and I can already clearly see some of the future tropes/couples and I am so here for it.
Yes, it leans into some classic fake marriage clichés, but it does it so well. It’s the perfect foundation for what’s clearly going to be an epic, drama-filled, small-town saga.
Harmony and Ethan’s “origin story” as kids? Absolutely hilarious and deeply mortifying. Her childhood crush gone wrong turned lifelong feud is pure gold. And the reputations that came out of it? Perfect!
Also, we need to talk about Jenny, the blind dog, and Bruce, her emotional support goose. They completely stole the show and had me cracking up.
Thank you to @hambright_pr and @haileyshoreauthor for the ARC! I’m already obsessed and cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
TROPES ✨
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🔒 Forced Proximity
🤫 Fake Relationship
🏘️ Small Town
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💋 No kissing on the lips (only "safe kisses allowed)
👪 Rival families
OMG, you guys! This series starter is one you do not want to miss! The Calloways and the McGraws are messy in all the best ways, and if book one is any indication (that last line!! I gasped), we’re in for an absolutely wild ride.
This book plays out like a small-town reality show meets a full-on Maury episode and it’s glorious. There’s decades of drama, generational secrets, and enough scandal to keep an entire town gossiping for years. The fact that some of the chaos is literally immortalized in statues? Iconic. There's even a yearly Feud Festival in the town!
We’ve got five McGraw brothers, five Calloway sisters (...or do we?? 👀), and I can already clearly see some of the future tropes/couples and I am so here for it.
Yes, it leans into some classic fake marriage clichés, but it does it so well. It’s the perfect foundation for what’s clearly going to be an epic, drama-filled, small-town saga.
Harmony and Ethan’s “origin story” as kids? Absolutely hilarious and deeply mortifying. Her childhood crush gone wrong turned lifelong feud is pure gold. And the reputations that came out of it? Perfect!
Also, we need to talk about Jenny, the blind dog, and Bruce, her emotional support goose. They completely stole the show and had me cracking up.
Thank you to @hambright_pr and @haileyshoreauthor for the ARC! I’m already obsessed and cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
October 29, 2025
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:
This was a cute and spicy small town read. I loved the characters backstory of a high school secret closet moment that went wrong. The forced to connect years later because of an obligation to family and the town. I enjoyed getting to know the women of the Calloway & cowboys of the McGraw crew. I loved seeing the setup for the rest of the series, definitely can’t wait.
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Harmony Calloway loved Last Hope Gulch it was her home and she do absolutely anything to save it. That even meant marrying her nemesis Ethan McGraw and selling their “love story” breaking a feud that spans generations.
Ethan is home for the first time in years to hear his father will be read. He was working as a surgeon in Seattle but he was just put on a 3 month leave. So when the will stated a McGraw had to marry a Calloway or their family ranch would be sold off, he stepped up. It didn’t hurt that there was also a pull he felt to Harmony and he couldn’t let one of his brothers have her.
But can two families who have been feuding since that start of their town eve set those differences aside and make it work? Guess you’ll have to find out.
𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:
“I couldn’t imagine anyone in the world marrying her, except me.”
𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:
* Enemies to Friends to Lovers
* Marriage of Convenience
* Town Sweetheart vs Big City Surgeon
* Feuding Families for Generations
* Beloved Pets: Support Goose & Blind Dog
* Last Hope Gulch, Wyoming
* Dual POV w/ Spice
🧡🪿🐾💍🧡🪿🐾💍🧡🪿🐾💍🧡
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXwvmbEn...
November 21, 2025
4.5⭐️
Thank you hambright pr for the ARC read. Just Fake Married is a fake marriage romance set in a small town. The story is set between two families with a decades old fued.
Ethan McGraw never wanted the cowboy life. He traded the boots for scrubs and left behind his old town for a new life in Seattle.
After his father’s death, he comes to visit and a surprising will has gotten its claws on him.
Harmony Calloway lives for the small town life. She loves her simple yet thriving life and the people around her. When the eldest McGraw dies and leaves a will resembling that of a soap opera she has no other option to adhere to it if she wants to save her town. Marrying the Dr. McGraw, who also happens to be her high school heartbreak isn’t a very good plan. But she plans on doing it with a smile. The only problem! This is a fake marraige, with fake displays of affection but very real and undeniable chemistry that is very hard to hide.
This book was just so good! The banter, the humour, the chemistry and the characters all were off the charts. I fell in love not only with our main characters but the side characters as well. Both our MMC and FMC were written wonderfully and the story keeps you hooked from the very first page. There were so many moments which made me laugh out loud. I love a good banter with quick jabs of humour and this delivered!!
The spice was just scalding. I only wish we could’ve gotten a little more.
This was my first book by the author and I’m definitely looking forward to further book in this series.
Thank you hambright pr for the ARC read. Just Fake Married is a fake marriage romance set in a small town. The story is set between two families with a decades old fued.
Ethan McGraw never wanted the cowboy life. He traded the boots for scrubs and left behind his old town for a new life in Seattle.
After his father’s death, he comes to visit and a surprising will has gotten its claws on him.
Harmony Calloway lives for the small town life. She loves her simple yet thriving life and the people around her. When the eldest McGraw dies and leaves a will resembling that of a soap opera she has no other option to adhere to it if she wants to save her town. Marrying the Dr. McGraw, who also happens to be her high school heartbreak isn’t a very good plan. But she plans on doing it with a smile. The only problem! This is a fake marraige, with fake displays of affection but very real and undeniable chemistry that is very hard to hide.
This book was just so good! The banter, the humour, the chemistry and the characters all were off the charts. I fell in love not only with our main characters but the side characters as well. Both our MMC and FMC were written wonderfully and the story keeps you hooked from the very first page. There were so many moments which made me laugh out loud. I love a good banter with quick jabs of humour and this delivered!!
The spice was just scalding. I only wish we could’ve gotten a little more.
This was my first book by the author and I’m definitely looking forward to further book in this series.
December 1, 2025
Ethan McGraw, a young surgeon, returns to his hometown of Last Hope Gulch, Wyoming after the death of his father. As a stipulation of his father’s will, Ethan is forced to marry Harmony Calloway, his high school nemesis, and participate in a local McGraw/Calloway family feud reenactment in order to save his family’s ranch.
𝐹𝓊𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝑜𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓁𝑔𝒾𝒸 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝒲𝓎𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒲𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑅𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓋𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝐼 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀𝑒𝒹. 🥰
That being said, was this a super predictable fake marriage small town western romance? Yes. Did I still love it? Also yes.
The main characters are, of course, stunningly beautiful and hopelessly in love with each other, yet perfectly oblivious to it most of the book. I liked their easy camaraderie and their small kindnesses to each other despite their past differences. There are a collection of quirky siblings and good friends that you just know are going to end up pairing off in subsequent books, and even some hidden family secrets. I loved the cute small town vibe and the way the community comes together to help save the town. The conclusion did feel a bit abrupt to me, but all in all it was a solid HEA romance with just the right amount of angst and emotion.
✅ Check this one out if you like a small town, fake marriage, enemies to lovers romance with a spunky animal loving FMC and a gorgeous surgeon MMC with a heart of gold. Pairs well with a glass of red wine by the fire with a special someone.
𝐹𝓊𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝑜𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓁𝑔𝒾𝒸 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝒲𝓎𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒲𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑅𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓋𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝐼 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀𝑒𝒹. 🥰
That being said, was this a super predictable fake marriage small town western romance? Yes. Did I still love it? Also yes.
The main characters are, of course, stunningly beautiful and hopelessly in love with each other, yet perfectly oblivious to it most of the book. I liked their easy camaraderie and their small kindnesses to each other despite their past differences. There are a collection of quirky siblings and good friends that you just know are going to end up pairing off in subsequent books, and even some hidden family secrets. I loved the cute small town vibe and the way the community comes together to help save the town. The conclusion did feel a bit abrupt to me, but all in all it was a solid HEA romance with just the right amount of angst and emotion.
✅ Check this one out if you like a small town, fake marriage, enemies to lovers romance with a spunky animal loving FMC and a gorgeous surgeon MMC with a heart of gold. Pairs well with a glass of red wine by the fire with a special someone.
October 26, 2025
This is Book 1 of the Calloways vs McGraws series!
I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰
If you love enemies-to-lovers with a fake marriage twist, Hailey Shore’s Just (Fake) Married is pure small-town gold — full of sass, steam, and heart. It’s a charming blend of family feuds, buried secrets, and undeniable chemistry that will make you smile, swoon, and maybe tear up once or twice.
Ethan McGraw thought he left Last Hope Gulch — and Harmony Calloway — behind for good when he traded the ranch life for the operating room. But when his father’s will demands a McGraw-Calloway marriage to save the family ranch (and the whole town), he’s forced to team up with the one woman who drives him crazy in every way.
Harmony’s not thrilled either. Ethan broke her heart once, and she’s not about to let him do it again — even if their fake marriage might be the only way to keep her hometown alive. But between staged kisses, forced proximity, and that old spark refusing to die out, lines start to blur faster than they can sign the marriage license.
Tropes:
🥰Fake marriage
🥰Enemies to lovers
🥰Small-town romance
🥰Forced proximity
🥰Second chance vibes
🥰Family feud
Just (Fake) Married is everything I love in a comfort small-town rom-com — equal parts flirty and heartfelt with a dash of chaos only a fake marriage can bring. Ethan and Harmony’s tension practically sizzles off the page, and by the end, you’ll be rooting for them to make their “I do’s” real.
I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰
If you love enemies-to-lovers with a fake marriage twist, Hailey Shore’s Just (Fake) Married is pure small-town gold — full of sass, steam, and heart. It’s a charming blend of family feuds, buried secrets, and undeniable chemistry that will make you smile, swoon, and maybe tear up once or twice.
Ethan McGraw thought he left Last Hope Gulch — and Harmony Calloway — behind for good when he traded the ranch life for the operating room. But when his father’s will demands a McGraw-Calloway marriage to save the family ranch (and the whole town), he’s forced to team up with the one woman who drives him crazy in every way.
Harmony’s not thrilled either. Ethan broke her heart once, and she’s not about to let him do it again — even if their fake marriage might be the only way to keep her hometown alive. But between staged kisses, forced proximity, and that old spark refusing to die out, lines start to blur faster than they can sign the marriage license.
Tropes:
🥰Fake marriage
🥰Enemies to lovers
🥰Small-town romance
🥰Forced proximity
🥰Second chance vibes
🥰Family feud
Just (Fake) Married is everything I love in a comfort small-town rom-com — equal parts flirty and heartfelt with a dash of chaos only a fake marriage can bring. Ethan and Harmony’s tension practically sizzles off the page, and by the end, you’ll be rooting for them to make their “I do’s” real.
September 10, 2025
🦆 ARC Review 🐕
Thank you to Hailey Shore for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A small town romance from Hailey Shore? Sign me up!
Ethan and Harmony are from two families that have a generational feud. When Ethan’s father passes away, a stipulation in his will requires that a Calloway marry a McGraw, or else Ethan’s family ranch will be sold.
Harmony dislikes Ethan not only because of his last name, but also because of an incident involving the inside of a pantry from when they were in high school. She only agrees to the union because she loves her dying town and wants to help save it.
I enjoyed this book! A few references to the town’s history were…interesting, but overall I loved the small town of Last Hope Gulch! The side characters added a lot of charm and gave the story that cozy small town feel.
Ethan and Harmony had great chemistry, and I loved how Ethan enjoyed getting under Harmony’s skin. His teasing felt so naturally affectionate, and even though he didn’t fully understand why at the time, it was clearly a step toward falling for her.
Harmony’s love for her sisters and their close bond were a lovely part of the story. I’m excited for their stories in future books!
🦆 marriage of convenience
🐕 hate to love
🦆 fake relationship
🐕 small town
🦆 dual pov
Thank you to Hailey Shore for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A small town romance from Hailey Shore? Sign me up!
Ethan and Harmony are from two families that have a generational feud. When Ethan’s father passes away, a stipulation in his will requires that a Calloway marry a McGraw, or else Ethan’s family ranch will be sold.
Harmony dislikes Ethan not only because of his last name, but also because of an incident involving the inside of a pantry from when they were in high school. She only agrees to the union because she loves her dying town and wants to help save it.
I enjoyed this book! A few references to the town’s history were…interesting, but overall I loved the small town of Last Hope Gulch! The side characters added a lot of charm and gave the story that cozy small town feel.
Ethan and Harmony had great chemistry, and I loved how Ethan enjoyed getting under Harmony’s skin. His teasing felt so naturally affectionate, and even though he didn’t fully understand why at the time, it was clearly a step toward falling for her.
Harmony’s love for her sisters and their close bond were a lovely part of the story. I’m excited for their stories in future books!
🦆 marriage of convenience
🐕 hate to love
🦆 fake relationship
🐕 small town
🦆 dual pov
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