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Engaged, Apparently: The new must-read fake dating, friends to lovers romantic comedy of summer 2026 from a bestselling Australian author
A sassy fake-dating-with-a-twist, friends-to-lovers, laugh-out-loud romance for readers of Rachael Johns, Beth O'Leary and Marian Keyes.
When Finn and Sweeney return to their hometown to surprise their mothers at Ronnie and Connie's joint sixtieth birthday party, they expect to be the biggest bombshell of the evening. And they are-just not in the way they'd assumed. Because they're ... engaged?
Apparently?
Sick of hearing everyone else's exciting news of weddings and grandbabies, Ronnie and Connie spontaneously fabricated their own fairytale. Their absent children are engaged ... to each other.
Finn and Sweeney will absolutely not pretend to be engaged. Just coming home is giving them both plenty of emotional baggage to unpack. But they have vastly underestimated their mothers and soon find themselves reluctantly agreeing to the fake engagement so their pillars-of-the-community mums aren't exposed as big fat lying liars.
However, when their new relationship goes viral-not just in their small town of busybodies, but internationally-Finn and Sweeney realise that the lie is completely out of control. Will they ever be able to untangle themselves from its clutches?
And what if the biggest lie they've been telling is to themselves?
When Finn and Sweeney return to their hometown to surprise their mothers at Ronnie and Connie's joint sixtieth birthday party, they expect to be the biggest bombshell of the evening. And they are-just not in the way they'd assumed. Because they're ... engaged?
Apparently?
Sick of hearing everyone else's exciting news of weddings and grandbabies, Ronnie and Connie spontaneously fabricated their own fairytale. Their absent children are engaged ... to each other.
Finn and Sweeney will absolutely not pretend to be engaged. Just coming home is giving them both plenty of emotional baggage to unpack. But they have vastly underestimated their mothers and soon find themselves reluctantly agreeing to the fake engagement so their pillars-of-the-community mums aren't exposed as big fat lying liars.
However, when their new relationship goes viral-not just in their small town of busybodies, but internationally-Finn and Sweeney realise that the lie is completely out of control. Will they ever be able to untangle themselves from its clutches?
And what if the biggest lie they've been telling is to themselves?
Audible Audio
Expected publication January 28, 2026
9 people want to read
About the author
Amy Andrews
431 books1,430 followersAmy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written eighty-five contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.
Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.
She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!
She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.
Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...
Follow Amy -
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Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.
She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!
She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.
Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...
Follow Amy -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyAndrewsAu...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyandrewsb...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-a...
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 6, 2026
Engaged, Apparently is a hilarious and heartwarming take on fake dating. Set in the small town of Ballyshannon, I was drawn in immediately by the story of best friends Ronnie and Connie, their close friendship and how small town pressure lead them to ‘ship’ their kids together - because they’re both overseas and will never know!
Little do Ronnie and Connie realise, Sweeney and Finn have decided to come home to suprise their mothers at their joint birthday celebration, only to find that they’re the ones being surprised with the news of their fake engagement. I loved the small town setting and its Irish roots. The side plot of training kids for a Gaelic football tournament in honour of Finn’s dad was engaging. I never thought I’d get so invested in a sport I knew nothing about! I also enjoyed the side plot of Finn knowing sign language and connecting with a child with it. I loved all the characters, they were relatable and well developed. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Finn and Sweeney and seeing their long standing friendship grow into something more and seeing them find home again in the small town they both left. Amy covered topics like family dynamics, trauma and grief beautifully. She also had me laughing out loud many times. For fans of fake dating, friends to lovers and small town romances tropes. I absolutely loved my time n Ballyshannon and am excited to see Amy has a big backlist for me to work my way through.
Little do Ronnie and Connie realise, Sweeney and Finn have decided to come home to suprise their mothers at their joint birthday celebration, only to find that they’re the ones being surprised with the news of their fake engagement. I loved the small town setting and its Irish roots. The side plot of training kids for a Gaelic football tournament in honour of Finn’s dad was engaging. I never thought I’d get so invested in a sport I knew nothing about! I also enjoyed the side plot of Finn knowing sign language and connecting with a child with it. I loved all the characters, they were relatable and well developed. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Finn and Sweeney and seeing their long standing friendship grow into something more and seeing them find home again in the small town they both left. Amy covered topics like family dynamics, trauma and grief beautifully. She also had me laughing out loud many times. For fans of fake dating, friends to lovers and small town romances tropes. I absolutely loved my time n Ballyshannon and am excited to see Amy has a big backlist for me to work my way through.
Displaying 1 of 1 review