Girls Will Be Girls: A fake-dating, small town, noughties-inspired romcom

by Niina Blake

A people-pleasing magazine writer and a charmingly playful political journalist fall into a fake engagement while on separate assignments in a lakeside small town.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sarah Adams, and Amanda Gambill.

Louisa Candie is a magazine journalist in New York. Her specialties include punishing Pilates classes, dancing on bars as cardio, and the best pelvic exercises to up your sex game. She may be a girly girl’s girl now, but her greatest shame is that she used to be a pick-me girl. After years of living for others, Louisa is determined to embrace the girlhood she never allowed herself to have and write the kind of journalism she loves. But even though she believes being a serious journalist doesn’t mean having to write about innately serious things, she still struggles with the prejudices of writing content that is ‘just for girls’.

Lou Duhl is a political journalist in D.C. When a name mix-up at a coffee shop ends in a fake engagement for an upgrade on their flight to Lake Tahoe, Louisa warms to Lou’s funny, cocky, light-hearted vibe. But when she learns what he does, he instantly embodies the ick she has for ‘serious’ male journalists. When the two of them end up at the same hotel, Louisa can’t seem to keep herself away from him. But when the last person Lou expects to be there overhears Louisa jokingly call him her fiancé, their harmless charade spirals into something bigger.

As their faking begins to feel anything but, Louisa needs to decide if she’s brave enough to keep pursuing a story that pleases her and not everyone else.

Girls Will Be Girls is a noughties-inspired, spicy, banter-heavy romcom celebrating the joys of girlhood.

☀️ Fake engagement
🩷 Small town romance
☀️ Summer at the lake
🩷 Cocky MMC
☀️ Slow burn
🩷 Found family
☀️ People pleaser vs he wants to please her

Genres: Chick Lit

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Niina is a romance author with a love for small town stories with big city characters. She spends most of her time Down Under, but is known for moving around a lot.

She writes swoony love stories with flirty banter, dumb jokes, too many pop culture references, and spice that makes you want to squeal and kick your feet.

When she’s not writing you’ll find her reading about grumpy cowboys or cocky athletes, rewatching her comfort sitcoms, or traveling somewhere sunny with her husband.

Find her on instagram @niinablakewrites.

Reviews

[Brittany Loves Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable story and a great continuation of the series. I found many aspects of Louisa incredibly relatable - her people pleasing tendencies and social anxiety especially, which was nice to see reflected in a character. Lou is a funny, teasing, sweet, golden retriever of a man and I can easily see how Louisa fell so hard and fast.

I truly enjoyed this story and seeing these two fall in love together and grow as individuals, overcoming some of their personal problems to both be their happiest selves. And no third act break-up!

Niina Blake mentions on her website that she writes "too many pop culture references" and the first few chapters were very heavy with the references, but there are fewer and fewer as the story goes on so if that isn't your cup of tea it should not be a deal breaker. I personally enjoyed all the millennial references, and the fact that the FMC is an actually fully developed adult!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Reading Sprite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a fun and light read. I had a hard time liking the FMC but got used to her after a little while. The MMC was adorable. I give it 4 stars mainly because I personally am not big on starting a book in the middle then it back tracking. I know it’s to create interest but it’s not my favorite. Overall though it was such a good book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

This held my attention all the way through. The start was very intriguing and left me wondering what the mystery was behind it. I loved the dynamic between the two characters. It was cute and would highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Niina Blake! I read it in a day. There's a slow burn, I laughed out loud several times, and likeable main characters. I enjoyed Dylan and Louisa's stories, eagerly awaiting Frida's story next!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Lou and Louisa, and the relationship journey they were on because I loved that their meet cute was when he spilled coffee on her after realizing it was the wrong drink. I also like that their second one was at the airport when he gave her a new coffee and treat as well as getting their seats upgraded by being "fake" engaged to each other throughout whole book. Some of my favorite lines come from Lou, but some of them are also from Louisa. I couldn't stop laughing at their banter because they are so dang cute together. Otto has a lot to make up for, but also both sets of parents are a piece of work. Lou's parents shouldn't have ever pitted Otto and Lou against each other when they were kids because at the end of the day parents should really just want their kids to be happy with a career they enjoy instead of forcing them into politics or political journalism because it causes stress, and then there's Louisa's parents treat her job less than important although I like her mom being honest with Louisa even though a parent should never tell child that they didn't want kids, but at least her mom is willing to read her daughter's work because what Louisa does makes her happy even though she wanted to be in trends and not writing travel and well-being articles. This book after finishing it has left me feeling happy and giddy and I would reread this book. It honestly felt like Lou and Louisa were denying themselves something good, from the beginning to the end and it made it even better when they finally let their feelings for each other topple over the edge and it was one my favorite things. I like that Lou didn't judge her the way everyone else did when they found out what her career was, but he asked if he could read her work and the fact that he genuinely enjoyed her work and was proud of her work. I could honestly see him asking her if he could read her rough drafts and help her edit them or join her at Lure Magazine for a job maybe writing for Travel and well-being or even writing a book because he could literally work from anywhere and he would be happy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚
Girls Will Be Girls by Niina Blake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Thank you to Niina Blake and @booksprout for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Louisa is a recovering pick-me girl, happily embracing her new girls’ girl outlook. She’s a journalist writing about travel (yay!) and wellness (ugh), but dreams of breaking into the trends section. Her people-pleaser tendencies keep holding her back, though.

On her way to Lake Tahoe for an assignment, she literally collides with Lou, a political journalist, when he spills coffee on her. As an apology, he gets their seats upgraded to first class—by pretending they’re engaged. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and when their “engagement” starts making waves beyond the plane ride, they have to decide if their connection is strong enough to handle the chaos of their little white lie.

I really enjoyed this ultra-slow burn romance. Louisa is so delightfully human, stumbling as she tries to discover who she is as a woman and what she wants out of life. I really felt for her as she struggled with the feeling of disappointing her parents by leaving her former career as a financial journalist. I was proud every time she stood up for herself and vocalized her wants and needs.

And Lou? Pure romcom boyfriend material. Charming, supportive, and focused on making Louisa feel heard. He’s intelligent, funny, and when he finally gives in to the building need between them… chef’s kiss.

Beware, this one is a slow burn, emphasis on the word slow. I felt like it worked here, and the moment when Louisa and Lou finally give in to the sexual tension felt well-earned.

For fans of: 💍 Fake engagements | ✈️ Vacation romance | 📰 Journalists | 🔥 Slow burn | 👭 Found family | 🎬 2000’s romcom vibes | 💖 Female positivity | 🎶 Pop culture nods

#GirlsWillBeGirls #NiinaBlake #ARCreview #RomComBooks #FakeEngagementTrope #VacationRomance #SlowBurnRomance #BookstagramRomance #ContemporaryRomance #SpicyRomCom #RomanceReadersOfIG #BookstagramReview #RomComAddict #RomanceBooksOfInstagram #BookishLove

[Nik Rose (momsonplay) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nik’s Review
🏞️ Girls Will Be Girls by Niina Blake
💗 Genre: contemporary romance
📃 Page Count: 363

Read if you like:
Fake dating (engagement)
Rom-com
Spice

📕 Story Premise: 4/5
While both visiting Lake Tahoe for different work assignments, Lou and Louisa find themselves entangled in a fake engagement that they can’t seem to find their way out of.

💗OTP Energy: 5/5
How do two kind hearted souls, who have the most swoon worthy meet cute at an airport and treat each other like gold, not end up writing the sweetest love story? Lou and Louisa are absolutely perfect for each other.

🌶️ Spice Scale: 3.5/5
This was the slowest of slowburns, but it was totally worth it. Our golden retriever boy Lou really made us wait, but wow did he deliver! There were just a couple of open door scenes that gave us the spice with a little bit of humor that just added to the sweetness of this adorable pair.

⭐️ Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This was such a light and fun read. It was a bundle of nostalgia wrapped in noughties references (who knew that’s what the 2000s were called?) and sweet nods to my favorite shows like New Girl. Sure, the fake engagement plot got a little far fetched, especially at a certain party, and yes, Louisa did frustrated me by constantly downplaying her ridiculously cool job. HOWEVER, I still enjoyed the ride. Escaping to Lake Tahoe with this lovely couple was heartfelt, funny, and just the kind of rom-com escape I love.

💭 QOTD: What’s your favorite leisure or well being activity to do on vacation? 🛥️ 🥾 🧘‍♀️

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me. Louisa Candie is a magazine journalist in New York.She is writing about pilates,cardio and wellness. Lou Duhl is a political journalist in D.C and flying in the same direction as Louisa. After he spill coffee on Loiusa,getting upgrade to first class and getting engaged I would say it was meant to be.
I like Louisa,this avoiding conflict and please all girl really grow and start believing in herself.I also like Lou,he is exacly what Louisa needed,smart ,funny and respectful of her job.They work good together.
This is a slow burn romance,and the tension,banter and sweet moments build up really good.I really like this line when Lou tell Louisa "When's the last time someone pleased you? He whispers."Whooh,boy he know how to get her all bothered and frustrated :). Don't want to spoil the story,but the tension and chemistry lovers will like it. Spice and steamy scenes were perfect and not rushed,they first get to know each other before it come to a boiling point.

Loisa is also a lucky girl having so many great friends and I can't wait for next book ,will it be Frida story next?I know Dylan story is out and hope to read it in future.

If you like rom-com ,banter,spice and fake engagement this book is for you.Perfect summer read.

Thank you booksprout and author for arc.

[Riley Nevels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girls Will Be Girls felt like being dropped into the middle of a witty, banter-filled romcom with all the nostalgic joy of early 2000s movies. I could not stop smiling while I read it.

Louisa’s story was relatable and empowering as she learned to stop living for everyone else and embrace her voice and her girlhood. The way Niina Blake highlighted the divide between “serious” journalism and “girly” writing added such a thoughtful touch to the story. Lou completely stole my heart with his charm and playful energy, and the chemistry between him and Louisa had me hooked.

The small-town lakeside setting was the perfect backdrop. I loved the found family aspect, the fake engagement hijinks, and the way the romance unfolded slowly with just the right amount of tension. The pacing slowed down a little in the middle, but the heartfelt themes and the fun banter kept me engaged.

Overall, this is a bright, spicy, and feel-good romcom that balances humor and heart beautifully. I highly recommend it if you enjoy slow burn romance, found family dynamics, and stories that celebrate the joy of being a girl.

⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars

[Brittany G.]

✨Book Review✨
Title: "Girls will be Girls"
Author: Niina Blake
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Louisa (NYC travel & wellness writer) + Lou (D.C. political journalist) + one spilled coffee, a first-class upgrade, and a fake engagement = pure rom-com magic. ☕✈️💍

I loved watching Louisa grow from people-pleaser to confident queen,👑 and Lou? Total swoon—smart, funny, and respectful. Their slow burn had me grinning nonstop, the banter was top-tier, and the spice? 🔥 Absolutely perfect!

As a people-pleaser myself,🙋‍♀️ I really connected with Louisa’s journey—her growth felt so real and relatable. This story had me laughing out loud, 🤣 swooning over the romance, and loving all the fun pop culture references sprinkled throughout. If you’re into fake engagements, sharp banter, and a slow-burn that finally boils over, this is the perfect summer read. 💕☀️📚

Thank you @booksprout & @niinablakewrites for the ARC!

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, cute and cosy summer romance! 💕

3.5⭐
If you're into fake dating, small town, found family with a slow-burn summer romance that's practically simmering- this one's for you 😉

It's definitely for the girls needing to embrace themselves and enjoy womanhood, and it'll definitely make you love pink again 🥰💞

Honestly, the only downside to this book was that it was quite smooth all the way through, almost too smooth 😅
The setup hinted at a bit more of a drama, but it never really delivered. It was a pretty minor conflict. I just wished there was a little more impact to the conflict.

But other than that, this was a great summer read!

Thank you Niina and BookSprout for the ARC!
I look forward to seeing what comes next! 💕

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect end-of-summer read!
It’s a sweet slow-burn romance with fun banter, found family vibes, and such joy throughout the entire story. I especially appreciated the personal growth that our female main character, Louisa, undergoes. When we meet her for the first time, she’s embarrassed and going through something (unknown to us at the time) and thinking of all the ways she can get out of it. And by the end of the book, she has found her voice and has a new level of confidence that I am so proud to witness. Yes, I love the relationship part of the story, I am an avid romance reader after all, BUT there is something so special when the female lead shows so much growth, not for the guy but for herself.
(Thank you, Booksprout and Niina Blake for my ARC).

[Pà · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been such a joy to read. Louisa felt like that kind of character you just rooted for, watching her finally stop pleasing everyone else and start trusting herself. Lou had this charm that was smart and funny but also respectful. Their banter gave me the right slow burn vibe, and the way tension built between them made every moment between them even better. I laughed in parts, swooned in others, and sometimes felt emotional without expecting it. Niina Blake did it again. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.

[Christie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book - enjoyed reading this so much I didn’t want it to end. Louisa and Lou were the most adorable characters and it was a pleasure to follow along their journey - and witnessing their growth! A light-hearted and emotional read at times - one minute making me laugh, the next swoon. Definitely a book I’ll put in my read-again pile.

[Kylz_TNN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me all the vibes.

Messy, complicated, raw – Nina Blake captures female friendship in all its beauty and brutality. It’s sharp, emotional, and painfully real.

If you love books that feel like a mirror to your own friendships—loyalty, rivalry, secrets, heartbreak—this one is for you.

[Ish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was an easy, cutesy read.. did not take much to get into it. It was very slow paced but comfy none the less. If you love slow burns, fake dating summer romances this is perfect. The slow burn is REALLY slow and burning the hell up, it got me everytime.. each time they were close i was like yes it's happening but the slow burn be burning. Felt very relatable tbh.. this story is about a girl embracing girlhood, definitely gonna help you love pink again🩷.

Even though the trope is cocky mmc and he has a pretty cocky grin and behaviour i will defend him HE'S THE SWEETEST MAN EVER. Character growth is pretty good and there. The side characters are not much into the story but it doesn't feel empty or like something's missing at any point.

The only thing lacking was conflicts. Everything happened very smoothly the promise made in the start turned out to be just a small hiccup in the story there were almost zero conflicts, so doesn't piques the interest that much.

Overall a very sweet summer read, just too many references.. none of which i understood 😂 didn't know what noughties was before it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second story in the Seasons, magazine journalist in New York Louisa Candie and political journalist in D.C. Lou Duhl's story is well written, entertaining with great characters. I enjoyed reading their story. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaitlyn Raasveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louisa and Lou are wonderful. I love how their story played out, and how their interactions made me feel. It was a great story and was heartwarming while also giving me that small taste of drama i needed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

squealing giggling kicking my feet the entire time

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a slow burn romance, and this one was so satisfying to read. Particularly loved the pop culture references throughout. Congrats Niina on an amazing 5 star read!

[Chantal Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love love love. This one really is for the girls. If you want a book that you cannot put down, and characters to fall in love with, read this absolute page-turner by Niina Blake.