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We Are Never Getting Together
In this reverse Parent Trap, two feuding teenagers pretend to be in love to keep their parents apart, but love has other plans. A clean YA rom-com from USA Today best-selling author, Janette Rallison.
Madeline and Cooper have had bad blood since junior year when she beat out his sister for the lead in the school play. Ever since, it’s been one petty escalation after another—plastic-wrapped cars, glitter bombs, and even a derogatory viral video. When their latest prank lands them in the principal’s office with their single parents in tow, Madeline and Cooper are shocked to find that their parents have hit it off and now have plans for a dinner date.
Horrified by the prospect of their parents falling in love, Madeline and Cooper reach a truce. To keep their parents apart, they’ll pretend their feud is over and that they’re in a relationship. They’re positive that by fake dating, their parents will realize their relationship is a terrible idea and stop seeing each other. But the longer their fake relationship continues, the more they discover that there may be things they actually like about each other. How long are Madeline and Cooper willing to keep up the ruse before they have to face the consequences of their actions?
Madeline and Cooper have had bad blood since junior year when she beat out his sister for the lead in the school play. Ever since, it’s been one petty escalation after another—plastic-wrapped cars, glitter bombs, and even a derogatory viral video. When their latest prank lands them in the principal’s office with their single parents in tow, Madeline and Cooper are shocked to find that their parents have hit it off and now have plans for a dinner date.
Horrified by the prospect of their parents falling in love, Madeline and Cooper reach a truce. To keep their parents apart, they’ll pretend their feud is over and that they’re in a relationship. They’re positive that by fake dating, their parents will realize their relationship is a terrible idea and stop seeing each other. But the longer their fake relationship continues, the more they discover that there may be things they actually like about each other. How long are Madeline and Cooper willing to keep up the ruse before they have to face the consequences of their actions?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
Janette Rallison
79 books2,035 followersCheck out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
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June 1, 2026
2 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - YA Rom-Com
This book was kind of a mixed bag and split on things I was entertained by and other parts I wasn’t thrilled about. It was more light-hearted and just a chill read, which was nice. As a contemporary YA fan, I liked the setting and was interested in the plot. But there were some downfalls and why I won’t be broadly recommending it to the majority of my book friends. Entertaining, yes, in a lot of ways, but not quite the content I prefer to promote. Good for those who want a clean YA rom-com in the secular market, but probably not great for those that want squeaky clean content.
Let me just put on my big sister hat, and share that there’s a lot of lessons of what not to do in this book:
- don’t pull pranks in school. Even if they weren’t mean spirited (thankfully), it caused problems and being grounded.
- don’t lie to your parents—especially lying to them with manipulation to keep the parents from dating. There’s a lot of lying in this book, mainly to parents (including avoiding parent controls on a phone and leaving a phone in a place due to a location monitor app).
- don’t fake dating and then kiss the fake boyfriend/girlfriend. This will not end well and cause lots of emotions to flare up. Which is totally what happened for Madeline and Cooper & their not-so-fake kisses.
So, yeah, definitely don’t copy what these two do in this book as it’s not a smart idea at all. That said, the book was entertaining if you look at it as a fictional YA rom-com.
They definitely had their cute moments and I laughed a lot while reading, but I honestly would be shocked if they made it as an actual couple past college as they didn’t seem like they had a lot in common. It started to feel more kissing/physical attraction based between them and their kisses proved that.
I do have to note that I totally disagree with “the reverse Parent Trap” marketing tag-line. That makes me think it should be two biological siblings trying to keep their parents from staying together rather than two teens trying to keep their single parents from dating (the latter is what this book was).
The pacing was a little strange—such as the fake dating didn’t come into play until about 60/70 pages in and the being caught by school friends over 180 pages (according to my Kindle). The ending in particularly, really felt abrupt which was a bummer—I tapped to turn the page in my Kindle, expecting another couple chapters, but nope. That was the end. It was definitely missing more—and an epilogue. I’ll always demand an epilogue, but this book particularly needed one.
**After typing up content, I've decided to drop my rating a star because the kisses/make-outs were a bit much in my opinion for two teenagers. Plus I don't care for the why of most of their kissing--practicing to kiss in front of their parents, which was really just an excuse on Cooper's part.
Main Content-
Spiritual-
Madeline comments about “channeling” someone when pretending or lying (x7); Madeline says her lawyer father could “cross-examine a saint into confessing”.
A few comments of teens acting like a “martyr” when doing something difficult/challenging.
A few mentions of cavemen & the Ice Age; A couple mentions of praying/prayers (but not towards Who); A couple mentions of nuns in The Sound of Music; A mention of meditating; A mention of a shrine of someone; A mention of a good omen; A mention of karma.
Language + Attitudes-
No language stronger than ’BS’, ‘crap’, ‘what the—’, and ‘wusses’; A few mentions of curses (said, but not written out; including by Cooper); A girl also calls Madeline a ‘witch’.
Lots of lying & lies (including to parents and adults at school); Madeline & Cooper are concerned about their parents being able to read their messages, so they also try to avoid their parents’ suspicion and also chat on Snapchat to avoid that possibility; Cooper leaves his phone at work and/or with Madeline to avoid his mom checking his location and it saying something different; Also plans of lying to parents and adults; Cooper complimenting Madeline on being good at lying; Madeline doesn’t want to consider what her father would do if he realized she was trying to manipulate him.
Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Madeline and Cooper have been pranking each other for years (none are mean-spirited; pranks include a glitter bomb, switching clothes for a clown costume in their locker, leaving raw chicken in a locker, & moving a car); The book starts with a scene of Madeline sneaking into the boys’ locker room to switch Cooper’s clothes & lying to the principal; They are caught and punished by the school and also grounded by their parents.
Negative-
Pain & Injuries (up to a couple sentences).
A cat is hit by a cat & injured (broken bones and bleeding), but will be okay (up to a few sentences); A guy offers to kill the cat to put it out of it’s misery (saying it can’t be that hard), but Madeline firmly rejects the idea and wants to help it.
Mentions of a cat being hit by a car, the possibility of it being put down, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of divorces & parents leaving their families; A few mentions of hitmen & the mafia; A few mentions of crimes; A couple mentions of using AI; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of Nazis in a play; A mention of a possible kidnapping or car crash; A mention of a drunk; A mention of bullies.
Divorces / Strained parent relationships-
Madeline’s mother left four years prior to focus on her career & Madeline rarely hears from her (which hurts and she wishes she had a mom who cared about her); Cooper’s parents are recently divorced and he wants them to reconcile (which he believes was do to money & that his father wants to reconcile as well); Cooper starts to wonder if his mom can be happy without his dad, *Spoilers* .
Romance / Sexual-
1 cheek kiss,
1 almost kiss,
2 kisses lasting 1-2 sentences,
3 kisses lasting 3-5 sentences each,
2 kisses/make-out sessions lasting 8-12 sentences each,
Remembering kisses & Wanting to kiss (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Electricity/Warmth, Giving a massage, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a handful of sentences); Blushes & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including muscles/abs, up to a few sentences).
‘hot’ (x10+) and ‘sexy’ (x1) are used when describing guys (also ‘hot’ once about women); ‘Babe’ is also said x4.
Cooper and Madeline come up with the idea to fake date to keep their parents apart because if the adults think that they are “hormonal teenagers in love”, they wouldn’t want to end up getting married and the teens living under the same roof together; Cooper’s mom had him when she was seventeen and Cooper says she doesn’t want him to spend a lot of unsupervised time with a girl he likes (Madeline calls him a “man of ill repute” after this); Cooper later says he’s not supposed to have a girlfriend over unless someone else is home.
When Madeline touches Cooper’s knee/thigh, he tries to avoid the thoughts that are going through his mind because of the electricity and nearness (no details on those thoughts), but it leads to him thinking about kissing her not much later.
Madeline asks Cooper for one of his shirts to sleep in & his mother says that’s wildly inappropriate; Madeline asks for one anyway because it will make her upset (he said she couldn’t sleep in it, so she finds the loophole and wears it during the day instead).
Past the half-way point of the book, Cooper thinks about kissing Madeline & suggests it to her so their parents will see them kissing; When he suggests it, it leads to her talking about practicing it and they do (lasting 8+ sentences and a friend tells them to “get a room” when seeing them together); Cooper and Madeline plan for their parents to see them kissing & Madeline being the “aggressive one” in the kiss; Madeline wonders if Cooper sees her as a “friend with benefits” and will not be that to him.
A few suggestive comments on what Madeline and Cooper’s lips could do together (taken as kissing, but really meant as yelling at each other).
All about & many mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, exes, break-ups, & a homecoming dance; Many mentions of kisses, kissing, good kissers, & making-out; Many mentions of crushes, flirting, & showing PDA; Mentions of cheating, cheaters, & “sidepieces”/“side chicks”; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of getting half naked & undressed (misunderstood to imply something sexual, but meant literally); Mentions of periods & “monthly supplies”; A handful of mentions of guys having ulterior motives & expecting something from a girl; A few mentions of sexual harassment (and one guy thinking that a lot of sexual harassment cases were “manhunts by spurned women”; A few mentions of a girl eating ice cream “seductively” in front of a guy; A few mentions of girls drooling over Cooper; A few mentions of girls throwing themselves at Cooper; A few mentions of teenage hormones; A few mentions of the age difference between Madeline’s dad and Cooper’s mom (around 15 years, which Madeline says it’s “screaming midlife crisis” and looking for a “trophy girlfriend”; Later, her dad says he has learned that “hot younger women” are willing to date him); A few mentions of butts; A few mentions of jockstraps with cup protectors (Madeline accidentally buys one); A couple mentions of misunderstandings about why a girl has blood on her dress or a torn dress (not sexual); A couple mentions of a misunderstanding about ordering a male escort & asking how much someone costs for a night; A mention of a guy telling Madeline he would cast her as “Jabba the Hutt slave girl” in a movie; A mention of Madeline ogling male models; A mention of a girl wearing a low-cut top; A mention of football players wearing tight pants.
This book was kind of a mixed bag and split on things I was entertained by and other parts I wasn’t thrilled about. It was more light-hearted and just a chill read, which was nice. As a contemporary YA fan, I liked the setting and was interested in the plot. But there were some downfalls and why I won’t be broadly recommending it to the majority of my book friends. Entertaining, yes, in a lot of ways, but not quite the content I prefer to promote. Good for those who want a clean YA rom-com in the secular market, but probably not great for those that want squeaky clean content.
Let me just put on my big sister hat, and share that there’s a lot of lessons of what not to do in this book:
- don’t pull pranks in school. Even if they weren’t mean spirited (thankfully), it caused problems and being grounded.
- don’t lie to your parents—especially lying to them with manipulation to keep the parents from dating. There’s a lot of lying in this book, mainly to parents (including avoiding parent controls on a phone and leaving a phone in a place due to a location monitor app).
- don’t fake dating and then kiss the fake boyfriend/girlfriend. This will not end well and cause lots of emotions to flare up. Which is totally what happened for Madeline and Cooper & their not-so-fake kisses.
So, yeah, definitely don’t copy what these two do in this book as it’s not a smart idea at all. That said, the book was entertaining if you look at it as a fictional YA rom-com.
They definitely had their cute moments and I laughed a lot while reading, but I honestly would be shocked if they made it as an actual couple past college as they didn’t seem like they had a lot in common. It started to feel more kissing/physical attraction based between them and their kisses proved that.
I do have to note that I totally disagree with “the reverse Parent Trap” marketing tag-line. That makes me think it should be two biological siblings trying to keep their parents from staying together rather than two teens trying to keep their single parents from dating (the latter is what this book was).
The pacing was a little strange—such as the fake dating didn’t come into play until about 60/70 pages in and the being caught by school friends over 180 pages (according to my Kindle). The ending in particularly, really felt abrupt which was a bummer—I tapped to turn the page in my Kindle, expecting another couple chapters, but nope. That was the end. It was definitely missing more—and an epilogue. I’ll always demand an epilogue, but this book particularly needed one.
**After typing up content, I've decided to drop my rating a star because the kisses/make-outs were a bit much in my opinion for two teenagers. Plus I don't care for the why of most of their kissing--practicing to kiss in front of their parents, which was really just an excuse on Cooper's part.
Main Content-
Spiritual-
Madeline comments about “channeling” someone when pretending or lying (x7); Madeline says her lawyer father could “cross-examine a saint into confessing”.
A few comments of teens acting like a “martyr” when doing something difficult/challenging.
A few mentions of cavemen & the Ice Age; A couple mentions of praying/prayers (but not towards Who); A couple mentions of nuns in The Sound of Music; A mention of meditating; A mention of a shrine of someone; A mention of a good omen; A mention of karma.
Language + Attitudes-
No language stronger than ’BS’, ‘crap’, ‘what the—’, and ‘wusses’; A few mentions of curses (said, but not written out; including by Cooper); A girl also calls Madeline a ‘witch’.
Lots of lying & lies (including to parents and adults at school); Madeline & Cooper are concerned about their parents being able to read their messages, so they also try to avoid their parents’ suspicion and also chat on Snapchat to avoid that possibility; Cooper leaves his phone at work and/or with Madeline to avoid his mom checking his location and it saying something different; Also plans of lying to parents and adults; Cooper complimenting Madeline on being good at lying; Madeline doesn’t want to consider what her father would do if he realized she was trying to manipulate him.
Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Madeline and Cooper have been pranking each other for years (none are mean-spirited; pranks include a glitter bomb, switching clothes for a clown costume in their locker, leaving raw chicken in a locker, & moving a car); The book starts with a scene of Madeline sneaking into the boys’ locker room to switch Cooper’s clothes & lying to the principal; They are caught and punished by the school and also grounded by their parents.
Negative-
Pain & Injuries (up to a couple sentences).
A cat is hit by a cat & injured (broken bones and bleeding), but will be okay (up to a few sentences); A guy offers to kill the cat to put it out of it’s misery (saying it can’t be that hard), but Madeline firmly rejects the idea and wants to help it.
Mentions of a cat being hit by a car, the possibility of it being put down, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of divorces & parents leaving their families; A few mentions of hitmen & the mafia; A few mentions of crimes; A couple mentions of using AI; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of Nazis in a play; A mention of a possible kidnapping or car crash; A mention of a drunk; A mention of bullies.
Divorces / Strained parent relationships-
Madeline’s mother left four years prior to focus on her career & Madeline rarely hears from her (which hurts and she wishes she had a mom who cared about her); Cooper’s parents are recently divorced and he wants them to reconcile (which he believes was do to money & that his father wants to reconcile as well); Cooper starts to wonder if his mom can be happy without his dad, *Spoilers* .
Romance / Sexual-
1 cheek kiss,
1 almost kiss,
2 kisses lasting 1-2 sentences,
3 kisses lasting 3-5 sentences each,
2 kisses/make-out sessions lasting 8-12 sentences each,
Remembering kisses & Wanting to kiss (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Electricity/Warmth, Giving a massage, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a handful of sentences); Blushes & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including muscles/abs, up to a few sentences).
‘hot’ (x10+) and ‘sexy’ (x1) are used when describing guys (also ‘hot’ once about women); ‘Babe’ is also said x4.
Cooper and Madeline come up with the idea to fake date to keep their parents apart because if the adults think that they are “hormonal teenagers in love”, they wouldn’t want to end up getting married and the teens living under the same roof together; Cooper’s mom had him when she was seventeen and Cooper says she doesn’t want him to spend a lot of unsupervised time with a girl he likes (Madeline calls him a “man of ill repute” after this); Cooper later says he’s not supposed to have a girlfriend over unless someone else is home.
When Madeline touches Cooper’s knee/thigh, he tries to avoid the thoughts that are going through his mind because of the electricity and nearness (no details on those thoughts), but it leads to him thinking about kissing her not much later.
Madeline asks Cooper for one of his shirts to sleep in & his mother says that’s wildly inappropriate; Madeline asks for one anyway because it will make her upset (he said she couldn’t sleep in it, so she finds the loophole and wears it during the day instead).
Past the half-way point of the book, Cooper thinks about kissing Madeline & suggests it to her so their parents will see them kissing; When he suggests it, it leads to her talking about practicing it and they do (lasting 8+ sentences and a friend tells them to “get a room” when seeing them together); Cooper and Madeline plan for their parents to see them kissing & Madeline being the “aggressive one” in the kiss; Madeline wonders if Cooper sees her as a “friend with benefits” and will not be that to him.
A few suggestive comments on what Madeline and Cooper’s lips could do together (taken as kissing, but really meant as yelling at each other).
All about & many mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, exes, break-ups, & a homecoming dance; Many mentions of kisses, kissing, good kissers, & making-out; Many mentions of crushes, flirting, & showing PDA; Mentions of cheating, cheaters, & “sidepieces”/“side chicks”; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of getting half naked & undressed (misunderstood to imply something sexual, but meant literally); Mentions of periods & “monthly supplies”; A handful of mentions of guys having ulterior motives & expecting something from a girl; A few mentions of sexual harassment (and one guy thinking that a lot of sexual harassment cases were “manhunts by spurned women”; A few mentions of a girl eating ice cream “seductively” in front of a guy; A few mentions of girls drooling over Cooper; A few mentions of girls throwing themselves at Cooper; A few mentions of teenage hormones; A few mentions of the age difference between Madeline’s dad and Cooper’s mom (around 15 years, which Madeline says it’s “screaming midlife crisis” and looking for a “trophy girlfriend”; Later, her dad says he has learned that “hot younger women” are willing to date him); A few mentions of butts; A few mentions of jockstraps with cup protectors (Madeline accidentally buys one); A couple mentions of misunderstandings about why a girl has blood on her dress or a torn dress (not sexual); A couple mentions of a misunderstanding about ordering a male escort & asking how much someone costs for a night; A mention of a guy telling Madeline he would cast her as “Jabba the Hutt slave girl” in a movie; A mention of Madeline ogling male models; A mention of a girl wearing a low-cut top; A mention of football players wearing tight pants.
March 4, 2026
This was such a fun, witty read! I absolutely loved the premise—a reverse Parent Trap situation where two feuding teens fake a relationship to keep their single parents apart. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Deliciously awkward. The chemistry? Completely unexpected (for them… not for us 😉).
Madeline and Cooper have been at odds for years, and their petty rivalry escalating into fake dating made for some laugh-out-loud moments. The scene with the “accidental” kiss going public had me grinning so hard. Watching them slowly realize there might be more beneath the irritation was pure rom-com gold.
This was my first book by Janette Rallison, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m already looking forward to reading more from her. It’s clean, clever, and such an easy recommendation—especially if you’re looking for a YA rom-com you can enjoy with your daughter. I actually loaned my copy to mine as soon as I finished! (And yes, I may have read several funny passages aloud while I was in the middle of it because I just couldn’t help myself.)
If you love fake dating, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and lots of humor, this one is a delight. 💕
I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
Madeline and Cooper have been at odds for years, and their petty rivalry escalating into fake dating made for some laugh-out-loud moments. The scene with the “accidental” kiss going public had me grinning so hard. Watching them slowly realize there might be more beneath the irritation was pure rom-com gold.
This was my first book by Janette Rallison, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m already looking forward to reading more from her. It’s clean, clever, and such an easy recommendation—especially if you’re looking for a YA rom-com you can enjoy with your daughter. I actually loaned my copy to mine as soon as I finished! (And yes, I may have read several funny passages aloud while I was in the middle of it because I just couldn’t help myself.)
If you love fake dating, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and lots of humor, this one is a delight. 💕
I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
April 15, 2026
‘At times, I’ve joked that my love life is cursed. It was beginning to feel less like a joke and more like a valid hypothesis.’
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow. Did I absolutely NEED this book in my life? 100% YES!!
We Are Never Getting Together is a reverse Parent Trap story where two high school enemies fake a relationship to keep their parents from falling in love—and let me just say…this spirals in the BEST way.
I am not sure I’ve laughed harder through an entire book. This one is genuinely FUNNY. Not just a chuckle here and there—I’m talking full-on laughing while reading.
It’s YA, but don’t let that fool you—whether you’re living the high school life right now or it’s been 20+ years, this will bring it alllll back…in the best way.
The characters are absolutely delightful. The premise is so entertaining. And the way it all plays out? Exactly what your reading mood needs.
If you love witty banter, swoony moments, a little chaos, and that slow realization that maybe…just maybe…you don’t actually hate each other—you NEED this book.
This is my first by Janette Rallison and it will not be my last.
This one is available NOW and ready to be read—and most importantly, ENJOYED!
Two thumbs up. Highly recommend making time for this one!
Happy Reading📚
Content/Trigger: divorced parents (parent abandonment vibes), high school social hierarchy, pranks, romance—kisses only
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow. Did I absolutely NEED this book in my life? 100% YES!!
We Are Never Getting Together is a reverse Parent Trap story where two high school enemies fake a relationship to keep their parents from falling in love—and let me just say…this spirals in the BEST way.
I am not sure I’ve laughed harder through an entire book. This one is genuinely FUNNY. Not just a chuckle here and there—I’m talking full-on laughing while reading.
It’s YA, but don’t let that fool you—whether you’re living the high school life right now or it’s been 20+ years, this will bring it alllll back…in the best way.
The characters are absolutely delightful. The premise is so entertaining. And the way it all plays out? Exactly what your reading mood needs.
If you love witty banter, swoony moments, a little chaos, and that slow realization that maybe…just maybe…you don’t actually hate each other—you NEED this book.
This is my first by Janette Rallison and it will not be my last.
This one is available NOW and ready to be read—and most importantly, ENJOYED!
Two thumbs up. Highly recommend making time for this one!
Happy Reading📚
Content/Trigger: divorced parents (parent abandonment vibes), high school social hierarchy, pranks, romance—kisses only
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fake dating done right!
This book was SO. STINKING. CUTE!
I don’t find myself reaching for as many YA contemporaries these days but this book was just adorable.
I read a Christmas book by this author and also gave it 5 stars. This author has SUCH a fun and humorous writing style! Both Cooper and Madeleine had hilarious inner monologues and I loved seeing them react to different situations. They were both very quick witted which made the banter between them fun to read about. I loved the pranks they played on each other as well.
The fake dating elements were really well done because the two leads had such great chemistry together. The book is also fairly short but both characters felt well developed and I could really see the relationship between them changing.
This was just the perfect fun, feel-good read. I loved it! Highly recommend.
This book was SO. STINKING. CUTE!
I don’t find myself reaching for as many YA contemporaries these days but this book was just adorable.
I read a Christmas book by this author and also gave it 5 stars. This author has SUCH a fun and humorous writing style! Both Cooper and Madeleine had hilarious inner monologues and I loved seeing them react to different situations. They were both very quick witted which made the banter between them fun to read about. I loved the pranks they played on each other as well.
The fake dating elements were really well done because the two leads had such great chemistry together. The book is also fairly short but both characters felt well developed and I could really see the relationship between them changing.
This was just the perfect fun, feel-good read. I loved it! Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Totally a 5 star read. I loved this! And this is exactly why I mood read. I was in the mood for a YA romcom, and this was EXACTLY what I wanted! I expected to take two days to read it. Nope... I finished it in one night because I couldn’t put it down!
What happens when your parent starts dating your nemesis’s parent? Cooper and Madeline are about to find out. So they decide to work together to break them up... and what better way than to fake date? Because what parent wants to get in the way of their kids’ relationship? But all that faking and practicing starts to blur the lines, and soon they aren’t just fake dating for their parents. They’re trying to convince each other that it’s all fake... but is it?
Loved this! It was so fun. I loved the pranks, banter, texts, enemies to more vibes, and the “fake” kissing! This was the perfect YA romance!
Now it has me wondering if Janette will write more romances for the side characters. I need it now! And a future follow up for these two, please!
I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
What happens when your parent starts dating your nemesis’s parent? Cooper and Madeline are about to find out. So they decide to work together to break them up... and what better way than to fake date? Because what parent wants to get in the way of their kids’ relationship? But all that faking and practicing starts to blur the lines, and soon they aren’t just fake dating for their parents. They’re trying to convince each other that it’s all fake... but is it?
Loved this! It was so fun. I loved the pranks, banter, texts, enemies to more vibes, and the “fake” kissing! This was the perfect YA romance!
Now it has me wondering if Janette will write more romances for the side characters. I need it now! And a future follow up for these two, please!
I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fake-dating done right. Cute, witty and funny, hard to put away.
It all starts because Madeline and Cooper don't want their single parents to start dating. The problem is, for the most part, Madeline and Cooper seem to hate each other, constantly pulling pranks on each other. When one of those puts them in the principal's office and their parents hit it off upon arriving, they know something needs to be done here. So they go and start their fake relationship. Question is, does it have a chance of staying fake?
Madeline and Cooper have their own share of insecurities but both seem well developed despite being high school kids. That's not to say their forthcoming about their own feelings. They both take their sweet time to realise they might actually like their fake girlfriend/boyfriend. The time they spend together thinking how to improve their ruse is nicely written - the banter, the back and forth snarky comments, hiding their true feelings - everything flows really well.
This is a fun read that delivers exactly what it promises - a fun, reverse Parent Trap high school romance, with two witty teenagers. My only gripe is a quick conclusion, I'd enjoyed another chapter or at least a few more pages afterwards.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
It all starts because Madeline and Cooper don't want their single parents to start dating. The problem is, for the most part, Madeline and Cooper seem to hate each other, constantly pulling pranks on each other. When one of those puts them in the principal's office and their parents hit it off upon arriving, they know something needs to be done here. So they go and start their fake relationship. Question is, does it have a chance of staying fake?
Madeline and Cooper have their own share of insecurities but both seem well developed despite being high school kids. That's not to say their forthcoming about their own feelings. They both take their sweet time to realise they might actually like their fake girlfriend/boyfriend. The time they spend together thinking how to improve their ruse is nicely written - the banter, the back and forth snarky comments, hiding their true feelings - everything flows really well.
This is a fun read that delivers exactly what it promises - a fun, reverse Parent Trap high school romance, with two witty teenagers. My only gripe is a quick conclusion, I'd enjoyed another chapter or at least a few more pages afterwards.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
April 9, 2026
Madeline and Cooper had me laughing out loud so much throughout this book! If you enjoy the enemies to more trope, YA, reverse Parent Trap story, humor, and so much more, then this book is one I would highly recommend you picking up and diving into!
The pranks were so funny! I kept wondering if the author just made them up, or polled teenagers for ideas, or if they were some she knew firsthand. *Giggles* They were pretty great pranks. Not that I would recommend anyone trying these, but they will definitely have you giggling or laughing out loud over the antics of these teenagers!
I loved watching them be forced to work together and call a truce. Even though it takes a beat until a true truce is called. And then what follows is adorable and just as much fun as the pranks! Pretend dating to get their parents attention and to get them to not date! Hahaha! You know the old adage about the best laid plans right? They always go awry. But I think that Madeline and Cooper are to young to have been around to hear that adage before. So you're in for a treat as they learn about that adage in real time (well, err, umm, fictional real time *cringe and laughs*)!
Such a fun read! If you haven't read any books by this author then you're in for a treat with her wit and humor, fun characters, great plot lines and amazing chemistry!!! Buckle up, or grab some popcorn and enjoy!!!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
The pranks were so funny! I kept wondering if the author just made them up, or polled teenagers for ideas, or if they were some she knew firsthand. *Giggles* They were pretty great pranks. Not that I would recommend anyone trying these, but they will definitely have you giggling or laughing out loud over the antics of these teenagers!
I loved watching them be forced to work together and call a truce. Even though it takes a beat until a true truce is called. And then what follows is adorable and just as much fun as the pranks! Pretend dating to get their parents attention and to get them to not date! Hahaha! You know the old adage about the best laid plans right? They always go awry. But I think that Madeline and Cooper are to young to have been around to hear that adage before. So you're in for a treat as they learn about that adage in real time (well, err, umm, fictional real time *cringe and laughs*)!
Such a fun read! If you haven't read any books by this author then you're in for a treat with her wit and humor, fun characters, great plot lines and amazing chemistry!!! Buckle up, or grab some popcorn and enjoy!!!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
May 8, 2026
This was ADORABLE! It was cute and funny and everything I love about YA romance. I love a good high school setting with all the drama that comes from being in different “groups”. I loved the banter and the enemies-to-fake-dating situation. The tropes felt freshly done and were so fun.
Plus, it’s extremely age-appropriate and easy to recommend to teens. These kids acted like teens, but were still respectful, good kids.
🔥Romance: Kisses
Plus, it’s extremely age-appropriate and easy to recommend to teens. These kids acted like teens, but were still respectful, good kids.
🔥Romance: Kisses
April 27, 2026
Every once in a while I love to dive into a YA book and throw myself back to the past. Janette Rallison is a favorite author to do this with, especially with this reverse Parent Trap, enemies to love, fake relationship story with all the laughs, heart, and swoon.
Madeline and Cooper play bad blood pranks on each other, but when their parents start dating, they’ll do anything to stop them…even jump into a fake dating relationship themselves. These pranks are absolutely epic and hilarious, but their tentative truce leads to all kinds of chemistry, and I was totally there for all of it. I love that there is a mix of sports and arts included in this book. It’s such a fun and sweet story.
Content: pranks, kissing
*I borrowed this on Book Shelf Plus*
Madeline and Cooper play bad blood pranks on each other, but when their parents start dating, they’ll do anything to stop them…even jump into a fake dating relationship themselves. These pranks are absolutely epic and hilarious, but their tentative truce leads to all kinds of chemistry, and I was totally there for all of it. I love that there is a mix of sports and arts included in this book. It’s such a fun and sweet story.
Content: pranks, kissing
*I borrowed this on Book Shelf Plus*
April 8, 2026
4.5 stars rounding up!
We Are Never Getting Together by Janette Rallison
This is such a cute YA romcom. This was my first Janette book, and I definitely want to read some of her others. I loved how delightfully fun and quirky and unique this one was. It is hard to find a book appropriate for teens/YA, and this one definitely checked all the boxes for it being appropriate for ages 13 or 14 and up.
I loved the pranks Cooper and Madeline played on each other and the ones mentioned that they did in the past. Definitely had me laughing right off the bat.
There is character development, healthy relationships and boundaries, and accepting responsibility--all lessons that teens should learn.
Cooper and Madeline are so cute together once they get past their loathing for each other. Their kissing scenes are heart-melting. I loved the fake dating between them in trying to convince their parents.
We are Never Getting Together not only has valuable lessons, but is also both entertaining and well-written. I do recommend it for any teen looking for a fun, swoony romcom.
Favorite Parts:
Enemies to more
Athletic MMC
Drama FMC
Pranks
Paint war
Accepting responsibility
Reverse parent trap
Fake dating
Ice cream date
Quirky fun humor
Flower delivery
Kiss practice
Jealous MMC
Realistic YA Romcom
Content Guide:
Language: Clean-Use of phrase, but cuts off "What the--", phrases used like "seduction" (when talking about another student's behavior)
Sexual Content: Kisses only (passionate, but not descriptive), mild sexual innuendos
Violence/gore: none
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: social classes
Religious Content: none
Other: Divorced parents, money problems
Book Info:
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Romcom
Romance Level: Kisses only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Proper Romance
POV: Dual First Person
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
We Are Never Getting Together by Janette Rallison
This is such a cute YA romcom. This was my first Janette book, and I definitely want to read some of her others. I loved how delightfully fun and quirky and unique this one was. It is hard to find a book appropriate for teens/YA, and this one definitely checked all the boxes for it being appropriate for ages 13 or 14 and up.
I loved the pranks Cooper and Madeline played on each other and the ones mentioned that they did in the past. Definitely had me laughing right off the bat.
There is character development, healthy relationships and boundaries, and accepting responsibility--all lessons that teens should learn.
Cooper and Madeline are so cute together once they get past their loathing for each other. Their kissing scenes are heart-melting. I loved the fake dating between them in trying to convince their parents.
We are Never Getting Together not only has valuable lessons, but is also both entertaining and well-written. I do recommend it for any teen looking for a fun, swoony romcom.
Favorite Parts:
Enemies to more
Athletic MMC
Drama FMC
Pranks
Paint war
Accepting responsibility
Reverse parent trap
Fake dating
Ice cream date
Quirky fun humor
Flower delivery
Kiss practice
Jealous MMC
Realistic YA Romcom
Content Guide:
Language: Clean-Use of phrase, but cuts off "What the--", phrases used like "seduction" (when talking about another student's behavior)
Sexual Content: Kisses only (passionate, but not descriptive), mild sexual innuendos
Violence/gore: none
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: social classes
Religious Content: none
Other: Divorced parents, money problems
Book Info:
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Romcom
Romance Level: Kisses only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Proper Romance
POV: Dual First Person
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 23, 2026
This author is probably my favorite YA Author! These characters were endearing and upbeat and just enjoyable to watch! I loved all the types of tropes and misunderstandings! Loved it!
Listened on Bookshelf!
Listened on Bookshelf!
April 27, 2026
3 Stars
This... was a book. It's a rather inoffensive romance. It does what it promises, but it doesn't provide more. These aren't memorable characters. There aren't any memorable plot points. We don't even spend much time in the pranking phase, which is a real loss. But it isn't bad. It just isn't anything more than it promised to be. If you like the blurb, you could very well enjoy this read.
That's all I have to say here and now, but my full review is already available over at Gateway Reviews. Stop by if you want to know more!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This... was a book. It's a rather inoffensive romance. It does what it promises, but it doesn't provide more. These aren't memorable characters. There aren't any memorable plot points. We don't even spend much time in the pranking phase, which is a real loss. But it isn't bad. It just isn't anything more than it promised to be. If you like the blurb, you could very well enjoy this read.
That's all I have to say here and now, but my full review is already available over at Gateway Reviews. Stop by if you want to know more!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
May 12, 2026
This YA book made my parent-trap loving heart SO HAPPY 🥹 These characters were hilarious and I loved reading about two people so different fall in love 💖 this was my first by this author and definitely not my last!
Madeline. I loved her determination. This girl commits to the bit and goes ALL IN 🎭 sometimes to her detriment 😂 I loved how GOOD of a person she was, even though at times she was a bit misguided 💗 I also loved how petty she could be when she wanted to be 💀
Cooper. Such a good match for Madeline! On his end this was DEFINITELY a slow burn and I really enjoyed it 💖 his feelings for Madeline crept up on him and BOY were they MESSY 🙈 this man can TEASE and BANTER with the rest of them though and I was DYING 😂
The pranks the “apologies” 💐 🍪 and the utter CHAOS of homecoming 🐈 was absolutely GLORIOUS! I highly recommend checking this one out if you love YA 💖
⚠️ CW: absent parents (both MCs), divorce, mild innuendo, cyber bullying (very minor, but there) ⚠️
Madeline. I loved her determination. This girl commits to the bit and goes ALL IN 🎭 sometimes to her detriment 😂 I loved how GOOD of a person she was, even though at times she was a bit misguided 💗 I also loved how petty she could be when she wanted to be 💀
Cooper. Such a good match for Madeline! On his end this was DEFINITELY a slow burn and I really enjoyed it 💖 his feelings for Madeline crept up on him and BOY were they MESSY 🙈 this man can TEASE and BANTER with the rest of them though and I was DYING 😂
The pranks the “apologies” 💐 🍪 and the utter CHAOS of homecoming 🐈 was absolutely GLORIOUS! I highly recommend checking this one out if you love YA 💖
⚠️ CW: absent parents (both MCs), divorce, mild innuendo, cyber bullying (very minor, but there) ⚠️
April 13, 2026
they have been at war since junior year. glitter bombs. viral videos. plastic-wrapped cars. and now their PARENTS are dating. 😳💀
a quick timeline of madeline and cooper's relationship:
junior year: she beat his sister for the lead. war declared. ⚔️
since then: escalating petty chaos at every opportunity. 🎭✨
most recently: a prank so bad it landed them BOTH in the principal's office. 😬
with their single parents.
who met.
and immediately hit it off. 💕
😳😳😳
the horror on their faces? immeasurable. 😭
so naturally they do the only logical thing —
call a truce.
and fake date.
to keep their parents apart. 🤝
the plan is airtight:
pretend the feud is over. ✅
pretend to be a couple. ✅
make their parents so uncomfortable they stop seeing each other. ✅
do NOT catch feelings. ✅
...the last one is going less well. 👀💛
the longer this fake relationship goes —
the more madeline and cooper realize
that maybe the person they've been at war with
is actually kind of
annoyingly
wonderfully
impossible to hate. 😶🌹
Be careful how far you take a prank because it's going to come back at you!
fake dating enemies to lovers with a parental subplot that NOBODY asked for. I really enjoyed this story of how two teens who are forever pulling pranks on each other have to pull the ultimate prank: fake dating to keep their parents apart. Lots of snark, miscommunication and overall rooting for this relationship to truly work out. The side story of Madeline's bff and her attempts at finding her a boyfriend were laugh out loud times. If you are looking for a clean cut, fun romance, this one is for you.
a quick timeline of madeline and cooper's relationship:
junior year: she beat his sister for the lead. war declared. ⚔️
since then: escalating petty chaos at every opportunity. 🎭✨
most recently: a prank so bad it landed them BOTH in the principal's office. 😬
with their single parents.
who met.
and immediately hit it off. 💕
😳😳😳
the horror on their faces? immeasurable. 😭
so naturally they do the only logical thing —
call a truce.
and fake date.
to keep their parents apart. 🤝
the plan is airtight:
pretend the feud is over. ✅
pretend to be a couple. ✅
make their parents so uncomfortable they stop seeing each other. ✅
do NOT catch feelings. ✅
...the last one is going less well. 👀💛
the longer this fake relationship goes —
the more madeline and cooper realize
that maybe the person they've been at war with
is actually kind of
annoyingly
wonderfully
impossible to hate. 😶🌹
Be careful how far you take a prank because it's going to come back at you!
fake dating enemies to lovers with a parental subplot that NOBODY asked for. I really enjoyed this story of how two teens who are forever pulling pranks on each other have to pull the ultimate prank: fake dating to keep their parents apart. Lots of snark, miscommunication and overall rooting for this relationship to truly work out. The side story of Madeline's bff and her attempts at finding her a boyfriend were laugh out loud times. If you are looking for a clean cut, fun romance, this one is for you.
April 11, 2026
Amusing, low-angst, G-rated, YA romantic comedy
Tropes:
Enemies to romance
Fake dating
Madeline is a high school senior at an elite private school. Her father is a 48-year-old, divorced, wealthy attorney. She and her father have a close, loving relationship. Her mother abandoned the family years ago to pursue a career as an environmental scientist in Scandinavia. Madeline rarely hears from her.
Madeline is an excellent student and quite attractive, but she doesn't consider herself popular. She has barely dated and is clearly a virgin, though nothing is overtly mentioned about that. She has one best friend who is also an excellent student, and all of her other friends are among the theater crowd. She has studied dancing, singing and acting for many years and always wins the lead in the school plays.
Cooper is tall, handsome, ripped, and outgoing, so it's perfectly understandable that he is a popular guy. He is a scholarship student at the same school and in the same class as Madeline. His mother is a divorced, gorgeous fitness instructor who is only 34 because she got pregnant with Cooper and married his father while still in high school. His family is poor because his father has struggled with holding down a steady, well-paying job since leaving the military over a decade ago. Cooper loves both his parents very much and desperately wants them to get back together.
Cooper resents the wealthy students around him, most especially Madeline, because he believes they have life much too easy. He is a talented football player with excellent prospects for obtaining a scholarship for college, which he could not afford otherwise. He has dated three or four different girls over the past few years, but none of the relationships have worked out. There is no indication that he is anything other than a virgin, though nothing is overtly mentioned about that either.
Cooper and Madeline have been enemies for the past year and a half. They each believe their prank war was started by the other. They finally go too far, and the principal orders them to her office for a meeting with them and their parents. During that conference, their equally good-looking parents are instantly and obviously attracted to each other and shortly after start dating. Neither Cooper nor Madeleine wants this relationship to go anywhere because it will sabotage any chance of his parents reuniting, and Madeline has no desire for Cooper to be her stepbrother. They decide to fake date as a means to break up their parents.
This is a cute, G-rated, YA romantic comedy. Sexuality beyond kissing never occurs in books by this author, and this story is actually funny. Another huge plus as far as I'm concerned is that both MCs have a good relationship with their parents, who are neither cruel, neglectful, nor clueless. (Well, yes, Madeline's mother is definitely neglectful, but fortunately, she is not a significant part of this story.)
I liked both Madeline and Cooper. They are both presented, for the vast majority of the novel, in a very positive light. I don't typically appreciate the "enemies to romance" trope, but it is done in a non-obnoxious manner in this story. Mainly because, other than beginning the story with a big prank committed by each of them, the rest of their juvenile pranks are in the backstory, and they aren't mean to each other for very long.
Animal lovers will appreciate the fact that there is an important subplot with an adorable feral cat rescued by Madeline.
There is an upbeat HFN, with a believable possibility of an eventual HEA of an early marriage for Cooper and Madeline. There is no epilogue, but that's fairly typical for YA romance.
I obtained access to this novel in audiobook format through Hoopla. It is a dual narration but that choice is less irritating than I usually find it. The female and male voice talents have made an effort to keep their performance of the characters consistent with each other, and the male actor does not utilize a horrendous falsetto for female characters.
Tropes:
Enemies to romance
Fake dating
Madeline is a high school senior at an elite private school. Her father is a 48-year-old, divorced, wealthy attorney. She and her father have a close, loving relationship. Her mother abandoned the family years ago to pursue a career as an environmental scientist in Scandinavia. Madeline rarely hears from her.
Madeline is an excellent student and quite attractive, but she doesn't consider herself popular. She has barely dated and is clearly a virgin, though nothing is overtly mentioned about that. She has one best friend who is also an excellent student, and all of her other friends are among the theater crowd. She has studied dancing, singing and acting for many years and always wins the lead in the school plays.
Cooper is tall, handsome, ripped, and outgoing, so it's perfectly understandable that he is a popular guy. He is a scholarship student at the same school and in the same class as Madeline. His mother is a divorced, gorgeous fitness instructor who is only 34 because she got pregnant with Cooper and married his father while still in high school. His family is poor because his father has struggled with holding down a steady, well-paying job since leaving the military over a decade ago. Cooper loves both his parents very much and desperately wants them to get back together.
Cooper resents the wealthy students around him, most especially Madeline, because he believes they have life much too easy. He is a talented football player with excellent prospects for obtaining a scholarship for college, which he could not afford otherwise. He has dated three or four different girls over the past few years, but none of the relationships have worked out. There is no indication that he is anything other than a virgin, though nothing is overtly mentioned about that either.
Cooper and Madeline have been enemies for the past year and a half. They each believe their prank war was started by the other. They finally go too far, and the principal orders them to her office for a meeting with them and their parents. During that conference, their equally good-looking parents are instantly and obviously attracted to each other and shortly after start dating. Neither Cooper nor Madeleine wants this relationship to go anywhere because it will sabotage any chance of his parents reuniting, and Madeline has no desire for Cooper to be her stepbrother. They decide to fake date as a means to break up their parents.
This is a cute, G-rated, YA romantic comedy. Sexuality beyond kissing never occurs in books by this author, and this story is actually funny. Another huge plus as far as I'm concerned is that both MCs have a good relationship with their parents, who are neither cruel, neglectful, nor clueless. (Well, yes, Madeline's mother is definitely neglectful, but fortunately, she is not a significant part of this story.)
I liked both Madeline and Cooper. They are both presented, for the vast majority of the novel, in a very positive light. I don't typically appreciate the "enemies to romance" trope, but it is done in a non-obnoxious manner in this story. Mainly because, other than beginning the story with a big prank committed by each of them, the rest of their juvenile pranks are in the backstory, and they aren't mean to each other for very long.
Animal lovers will appreciate the fact that there is an important subplot with an adorable feral cat rescued by Madeline.
There is an upbeat HFN, with a believable possibility of an eventual HEA of an early marriage for Cooper and Madeline. There is no epilogue, but that's fairly typical for YA romance.
I obtained access to this novel in audiobook format through Hoopla. It is a dual narration but that choice is less irritating than I usually find it. The female and male voice talents have made an effort to keep their performance of the characters consistent with each other, and the male actor does not utilize a horrendous falsetto for female characters.
April 24, 2026
I don’t read a lot of YA, but since it’s by Janette Rallison—whose rom-coms I love—I knew this book would deliver the perfect mix of messy, hilarious fun! Madeline and Cooper are the definition of rivals-to-enemies, like their pictures next to the definition. They're locked in an ongoing prank war that keeps escalating: plastic-wrapped cars and viral humiliation levels of petty. So when their punishment for the latest prank accidentally brings their single parents together (and sparks that kind of connection), the horror is immediate—and honestly, pretty relatable.
Madeline and Cooper are opposites; she's in drama/theater, and Cooper is the school, but they work together to devise a “reverse Parent Trap” setup; instead of scheming to bring parents together, Madeline and Cooper fake a relationship to drive them apart. It’s a trope-heavy premise—fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity—but the author makes it feel fresh instead of predictable.
What I really liked was watching the gradual shift between Madeline and Cooper. Beneath all the snark and sabotage, there’s genuine vulnerability. As they spend more time pretending, the lines blur in a way that feels natural for a YA story—awkward, confusing, and a little bit sweet. That gradual realization that they really were friends and liked spending time together.
Perfect for readers who love fake dating and watching enemies realize they might not actually hate each other after all. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a digital copy from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.
Madeline and Cooper are opposites; she's in drama/theater, and Cooper is the school, but they work together to devise a “reverse Parent Trap” setup; instead of scheming to bring parents together, Madeline and Cooper fake a relationship to drive them apart. It’s a trope-heavy premise—fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity—but the author makes it feel fresh instead of predictable.
What I really liked was watching the gradual shift between Madeline and Cooper. Beneath all the snark and sabotage, there’s genuine vulnerability. As they spend more time pretending, the lines blur in a way that feels natural for a YA story—awkward, confusing, and a little bit sweet. That gradual realization that they really were friends and liked spending time together.
Perfect for readers who love fake dating and watching enemies realize they might not actually hate each other after all. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a digital copy from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.
May 21, 2026
Oh how I loved this!!! It was so sweet and I loved the narrators.
May 28, 2026
cute but not as witty as her previous books
April 23, 2026
It’s refreshing to read a YA book that is actually geared towards young adults and something I wouldn’t worry about my teenage daughter reading.
Madeline and Cooper start out in a prank war at their high school but when they finally get caught by the principal, their parents are called into the office where they first meet and hit it off. They are willing to do anything to keep their parents apart and prevent the possibility of becoming step siblings, so Cooper and Madeline decide to fake date so their parents will be more hesitant to pursue a relationship.
But sometimes even when you are “faking” you start feeling real feelings and that just gets everything all complicated.
This one was really cute and I would definitely recommend it to teens. Loved the prank wars at the beginning and seeing these two realize their feelings ❤️
Content-There is one part where an animal is injured that could be upsetting but everything ends up ok
Madeline and Cooper start out in a prank war at their high school but when they finally get caught by the principal, their parents are called into the office where they first meet and hit it off. They are willing to do anything to keep their parents apart and prevent the possibility of becoming step siblings, so Cooper and Madeline decide to fake date so their parents will be more hesitant to pursue a relationship.
But sometimes even when you are “faking” you start feeling real feelings and that just gets everything all complicated.
This one was really cute and I would definitely recommend it to teens. Loved the prank wars at the beginning and seeing these two realize their feelings ❤️
Content-There is one part where an animal is injured that could be upsetting but everything ends up ok
March 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Did I pick up this title partially because of the similarity it had to Taylor Swift's song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together? Yes, and I have no shame, as this book was hands down amazing! I was taken back how many times I was grinning ear to ear from the silly banter, which sometimes caused me to actually laugh out loud. Madeline was this hilarious drama queen, paired up against Cooper's snarky remarks, was the perfect mess of fake dating and hysterical reverse parent trap plan. If you are looking for a quick, hilarious read about two crazy high schoolers who will do anything, like fake dating to keep their parents away, I would highly recommend you check out this novel as soon as possible.
Did I pick up this title partially because of the similarity it had to Taylor Swift's song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together? Yes, and I have no shame, as this book was hands down amazing! I was taken back how many times I was grinning ear to ear from the silly banter, which sometimes caused me to actually laugh out loud. Madeline was this hilarious drama queen, paired up against Cooper's snarky remarks, was the perfect mess of fake dating and hysterical reverse parent trap plan. If you are looking for a quick, hilarious read about two crazy high schoolers who will do anything, like fake dating to keep their parents away, I would highly recommend you check out this novel as soon as possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cooper and Madeline pretend to date to keep their (single) parents apart. The problem is that their mutual goal is oddly unifying. In various ways.
I was absolutely delighted to receive this ARC(in exchange for an honest review). I really needed something light to balance out my books on political and economical outrage. And the news. Mustn't forget the news. Both together are quite deflating.
I read Janette Rallison's stories because they go a bit deeper than romance. Her characters are flawed but enjoyable. And there's always a bit of wisdom packed away in the the pages. There are themes about family, growth, forgiveness, and life. The funny tone also helps it seem like life, instead of preachy. She focuses on real teen concerns. Her boys sound different than her girls(I loved that Cooper's POV chapters averaged 9 pages. And Madeline's were 26, 28, 29...). I can't think of another author who does that as well and as consistently as she does. And this book was, as is typical for her, absolutely delightful. And the tension was masterfully done.
In sum: the world needs more YA Romcoms by Janette Rallison. I'm still waiting for a sequel to How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend.
Spoilers:
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I love how Rallison sneakily gets you on their side(about the parental relationship). I was on tenterhooks to see if that relationship would work out the way I wanted.
The only thing that I didn't love about it was the vet trip. I really wanted a bigger showdown between all 6. But it worked.
I was absolutely delighted to receive this ARC(in exchange for an honest review). I really needed something light to balance out my books on political and economical outrage. And the news. Mustn't forget the news. Both together are quite deflating.
I read Janette Rallison's stories because they go a bit deeper than romance. Her characters are flawed but enjoyable. And there's always a bit of wisdom packed away in the the pages. There are themes about family, growth, forgiveness, and life. The funny tone also helps it seem like life, instead of preachy. She focuses on real teen concerns. Her boys sound different than her girls(I loved that Cooper's POV chapters averaged 9 pages. And Madeline's were 26, 28, 29...). I can't think of another author who does that as well and as consistently as she does. And this book was, as is typical for her, absolutely delightful. And the tension was masterfully done.
In sum: the world needs more YA Romcoms by Janette Rallison. I'm still waiting for a sequel to How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend.
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I love how Rallison sneakily gets you on their side(about the parental relationship). I was on tenterhooks to see if that relationship would work out the way I wanted.
The only thing that I didn't love about it was the vet trip. I really wanted a bigger showdown between all 6. But it worked.
May 3, 2026
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a YA rom-com as much as We Are Never Getting Together. It’s the perfect blend of great characters and tons of humor, which is a total delight if you love the fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes.
The story is basically a "reverse Parent Trap." Madeline and Cooper are high school enemies who spend most of their time pulling pranks on each other. When one of those pranks lands them in the principal’s office, their single parents actually hit it off. Desperate to keep their parents apart, Madeline and Cooper decide to fake a relationship of their own.
I absolutely loved the "enemies-to-more" vibes. The pranks, the banter, and the texts were so fun, and the "fake" kissing scenes were honestly heart-melting! It was so entertaining to watch them realize that the person they’ve been at war with is, in fact, annoyingly, wonderfully impossible to hate.
Beyond the romance, the book touches on themes like family, growth, and forgiveness. It’s light, sweet, and clean, making it a great comfort read without heavy angst. I also have to mention Cooper’s little sister, Claire—she was so likable and one of my favorite characters in the book!
The whole story felt very authentic to that time in life when you're navigating grown-up feelings while still figuring things out. If you’re looking for a fun, "spoiled-rich-girl meets poor-boy" dynamic with plenty of delicious tension, I definitely recommend this one!
The story is basically a "reverse Parent Trap." Madeline and Cooper are high school enemies who spend most of their time pulling pranks on each other. When one of those pranks lands them in the principal’s office, their single parents actually hit it off. Desperate to keep their parents apart, Madeline and Cooper decide to fake a relationship of their own.
I absolutely loved the "enemies-to-more" vibes. The pranks, the banter, and the texts were so fun, and the "fake" kissing scenes were honestly heart-melting! It was so entertaining to watch them realize that the person they’ve been at war with is, in fact, annoyingly, wonderfully impossible to hate.
Beyond the romance, the book touches on themes like family, growth, and forgiveness. It’s light, sweet, and clean, making it a great comfort read without heavy angst. I also have to mention Cooper’s little sister, Claire—she was so likable and one of my favorite characters in the book!
The whole story felt very authentic to that time in life when you're navigating grown-up feelings while still figuring things out. If you’re looking for a fun, "spoiled-rich-girl meets poor-boy" dynamic with plenty of delicious tension, I definitely recommend this one!
May 8, 2026
Seriously, one of my favorites. I really struggled to put this one down because it was so fun!
Madeline and Cooper are sworn enemies, both have a different story of who started the battle. They keep pulling pranks on each other, they keep getting more elaborate. The book starts right in one Madeline is pulling and we quickly get a sense for who she is. She doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does about Cooper though, who really is a poor student struggling at a “rich kid” school (he is really good at football and was granted a variance to be able to go to Madeline’s school to play football). Through their shenanigans though, Madeline’s dad and Cooper’s mom meet and immediately go out on a date. In an effort to make sure they DON’T end up siblings, they devise a quick plan to be fake boyfriend and girlfriend…what could go wrong?
Janette Rallison makes characters that the reader can relate to. They’re fun and witty and feel real. I really enjoyed this book, it actually may be my favorite of hers (and I’ve read close to all of them). I did receive an advanced reader copy but I also purchased the Kindle book. For parents that may be concerned about content: there are some kisses and I don’t remember any swearing. This is a book I’d be totally cool with letting my 12 year old daughter read (and I’m pretty strict about the books she gets to read, she’s also pretty sensitive). This book truly deserves 5 stars. I can’t wait to read it again.
Madeline and Cooper are sworn enemies, both have a different story of who started the battle. They keep pulling pranks on each other, they keep getting more elaborate. The book starts right in one Madeline is pulling and we quickly get a sense for who she is. She doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does about Cooper though, who really is a poor student struggling at a “rich kid” school (he is really good at football and was granted a variance to be able to go to Madeline’s school to play football). Through their shenanigans though, Madeline’s dad and Cooper’s mom meet and immediately go out on a date. In an effort to make sure they DON’T end up siblings, they devise a quick plan to be fake boyfriend and girlfriend…what could go wrong?
Janette Rallison makes characters that the reader can relate to. They’re fun and witty and feel real. I really enjoyed this book, it actually may be my favorite of hers (and I’ve read close to all of them). I did receive an advanced reader copy but I also purchased the Kindle book. For parents that may be concerned about content: there are some kisses and I don’t remember any swearing. This is a book I’d be totally cool with letting my 12 year old daughter read (and I’m pretty strict about the books she gets to read, she’s also pretty sensitive). This book truly deserves 5 stars. I can’t wait to read it again.
May 13, 2026
The Brief: Madeline and Cooper are high school enemies, but their pranks have finally landed them in the principal’s office. When their parents show up and flirt their way out the door, they are determined to NOT end up as siblings.
The Debrief: This author has been a go to YA for me for many years so no surprise that this was a hit for me. A bit of fake, a bit of flirt, a bit of teenage drama, and lots of fun. I really appreciated their very real growth and struggles. I also listened to the audio and highly recommend it. The snark and sweet come through perfectly. The twist on the Parent Trap kept me enjoying every page. As much as I adored Cooper, I’m glad I’m not back in high school. Unless I could take the me now back. If that were the case sign me up!
The Rhyme: Madeline loves being on stage, but the spotlight feels different when Cooper shares the light. When their pranks stop can they get to know each other or will they choose to still fight?
The Debrief: This author has been a go to YA for me for many years so no surprise that this was a hit for me. A bit of fake, a bit of flirt, a bit of teenage drama, and lots of fun. I really appreciated their very real growth and struggles. I also listened to the audio and highly recommend it. The snark and sweet come through perfectly. The twist on the Parent Trap kept me enjoying every page. As much as I adored Cooper, I’m glad I’m not back in high school. Unless I could take the me now back. If that were the case sign me up!
The Rhyme: Madeline loves being on stage, but the spotlight feels different when Cooper shares the light. When their pranks stop can they get to know each other or will they choose to still fight?
March 12, 2026
3.5*
-Clean YA rom-com
-Fake dating
-Enemies to lovers
-Reverse-Parent Trap
I loved the idea of a “reverse-parent trap” where the characters were trying to keep their single parents apart by starting a high school romance of their own. So great to see some YA rom coms that can actually be free of profanity and sex but still have some chemistry and decent story telling.
The last thing you want to read is something that has been done a thousand times in other books. So this was refreshing to read something that didn’t end in a jealous homecoming dance brawl or a shameful secret revealed.
I think my one complaint was that the pacing felt a bit slow or the book was just a tad too long. There were some definite cheese parts too.
All that said I can already picture this making a great tv show!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this opportunity to review.
-Clean YA rom-com
-Fake dating
-Enemies to lovers
-Reverse-Parent Trap
I loved the idea of a “reverse-parent trap” where the characters were trying to keep their single parents apart by starting a high school romance of their own. So great to see some YA rom coms that can actually be free of profanity and sex but still have some chemistry and decent story telling.
The last thing you want to read is something that has been done a thousand times in other books. So this was refreshing to read something that didn’t end in a jealous homecoming dance brawl or a shameful secret revealed.
I think my one complaint was that the pacing felt a bit slow or the book was just a tad too long. There were some definite cheese parts too.
All that said I can already picture this making a great tv show!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this opportunity to review.
May 10, 2026
Janette Rallison is the queen of romcoms! We Are Never Getting Together was an absolute delight to read!
The premise of fake dating your high school nemesis in order to keep your respective parents from dating is such a perfect enemies to lovers set up. We are all of us far more prone to have enemies as teens than we are later in life. The conflicts for Madeline and Cooper are both believable and also relatively easy to overcome, so their fake dating turning rather real is quite believable.
The best part of the whole book is hands down the banter. The dialogue is so well crafted and just very witty and I loved it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC; all opinions are my own. Highly recommend this book!
The premise of fake dating your high school nemesis in order to keep your respective parents from dating is such a perfect enemies to lovers set up. We are all of us far more prone to have enemies as teens than we are later in life. The conflicts for Madeline and Cooper are both believable and also relatively easy to overcome, so their fake dating turning rather real is quite believable.
The best part of the whole book is hands down the banter. The dialogue is so well crafted and just very witty and I loved it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC; all opinions are my own. Highly recommend this book!
May 31, 2026
This was nothing exceptional and I think the comparisons to “The Parent Trap” were just a good marketing gimmick to get all of the “We Weren’t Alive in the 90’s But It’s Our Favorite Era” kids. “The Parent Trap” was classy, witty, charming, with sparkling dialogue. This had a few “hah-hah” moments but it’s a typical spoiled/privileged vs. poor/wrong side of the tracks coming together in the middle situation. The social media references and viral pranks make this actual child of the 90’s cringe and sigh. I did appreciate that it was a clean romance with PG level PDA. All in all, I’m not intrigued enough to read anything else by this author.
May 11, 2026
This was SUCH a cute read with all of my favorite tropes! Janette created a masterpiece of a reverse parent trap vibe! I absolutely adored all of Cooper and Madeline’s banter and growing relationship.
This would be such a fun read for parents to read with their teens!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑 Closed door
No swearing
This would be such a fun read for parents to read with their teens!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑 Closed door
No swearing
April 23, 2026
This one was an absolutely delightful YA romcom! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Madeline and Cooper are perfect for each other, even if they can’t see it. The lengths they are willing to go to keep their parents apart without being willing to let each other in is SO entertaining.
This story keeps the reader on their toes, has great conversation points (esp for junior high and high schools kids), and is just fun.
I will recommend this to any young lover of romance!
Read this book if you like:
🍦 Sports and Drama
🍦 Frozen disappointment
🍦 Barbie’s Little Sister
🍦 Symphonizing
🍦 Folding Jeans
🍦 Boy Things
🍦 Reputations
🍦 Painting Projects
Content: separated parents, pranks, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Janette Rallison and Shadow Mountain for the gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Madeline and Cooper are perfect for each other, even if they can’t see it. The lengths they are willing to go to keep their parents apart without being willing to let each other in is SO entertaining.
This story keeps the reader on their toes, has great conversation points (esp for junior high and high schools kids), and is just fun.
I will recommend this to any young lover of romance!
Read this book if you like:
🍦 Sports and Drama
🍦 Frozen disappointment
🍦 Barbie’s Little Sister
🍦 Symphonizing
🍦 Folding Jeans
🍦 Boy Things
🍦 Reputations
🍦 Painting Projects
Content: separated parents, pranks, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Janette Rallison and Shadow Mountain for the gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 4, 2026
Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The enemies to friends transition was realistic and there was nice banter. I didn't love Madeline's character, but she grew on me in time. Sweet, swoony, and clean.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
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