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Uptown Love #2
Faking It In Manhattan
Scarlett Kensington is a badass marketing director, fiercely independent, and guarded after surviving a traumatic marriage that nearly destroyed her. She’s built her life on control, keeping her personal world tightly shut off from the rest. When a PR disaster lands in her lap, she reluctantly steps in to help Blake Beaumont, a wealthy entrepreneur known as much for his playboy lifestyle as his business empire.
Blake’s reputation is on the verge of being destroyed, and his investors aren’t too happy. The solution? A fake relationship with Scarlett to help clean up his image. But as they spend more time together, the line between what’s real and what’s not begins to blur. Tension simmers between them, forcing them to face the feelings they’ve both been ignoring for months.
Blake’s reputation is on the verge of being destroyed, and his investors aren’t too happy. The solution? A fake relationship with Scarlett to help clean up his image. But as they spend more time together, the line between what’s real and what’s not begins to blur. Tension simmers between them, forcing them to face the feelings they’ve both been ignoring for months.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
16 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 14, 2025
I may be biased but I think this book is 10/10
September 28, 2025
"What I really want to tell her is that she came sweeping into my life like an unexpected, ominous thunderstorm, and l've been dreaming of getting caught in the rain every day since, but I opt to keep that to myself."
5 ⭐️
thank you to the author for giving me the chance to read this
before it officially releases 🤎 out october 14th!!
let me just say that this book was everything i needed in a book right now & single handedly brought back my ability to binge read because i could not put her down!!
this book can only be described as the literary manifestation of an early 2000's rom com & i mean that as the biggest compliment.
riley created such likeable characters that i personally was able to resonate with in so many different ways - experiencing both scarlett & blake's inner monologues while they work toward vulnerability just felt so R E A L & validating. not only did they pull at my heartstrings, but they had me giggling, blushing, & swooning !! they were such a dynamic duo & matched eachother so flawlessy, it never felt like they had to lose parts of themselves. i love that we got to see their relationship build on paper. & blake's yearning? yeah y'all need to get into THATTT 🤭
also, the GIRLHOOD IN THIS BOOK!! the added layer of female friendship in here was so heartfelt & truly added so much substance
this book covers themes of DV & i personally think it was done with such care & shed light into how that can affect survivors' perceptions of the world around them - i loved this book!!!!!!
5 ⭐️
thank you to the author for giving me the chance to read this
before it officially releases 🤎 out october 14th!!
let me just say that this book was everything i needed in a book right now & single handedly brought back my ability to binge read because i could not put her down!!
this book can only be described as the literary manifestation of an early 2000's rom com & i mean that as the biggest compliment.
riley created such likeable characters that i personally was able to resonate with in so many different ways - experiencing both scarlett & blake's inner monologues while they work toward vulnerability just felt so R E A L & validating. not only did they pull at my heartstrings, but they had me giggling, blushing, & swooning !! they were such a dynamic duo & matched eachother so flawlessy, it never felt like they had to lose parts of themselves. i love that we got to see their relationship build on paper. & blake's yearning? yeah y'all need to get into THATTT 🤭
also, the GIRLHOOD IN THIS BOOK!! the added layer of female friendship in here was so heartfelt & truly added so much substance
this book covers themes of DV & i personally think it was done with such care & shed light into how that can affect survivors' perceptions of the world around them - i loved this book!!!!!!
October 5, 2025
3.5 🌟
First off I want to say thank you to Riley for sending me an arc of her book!
Okay but this was so cute! I enjoyed being back in this world and with these characters. The setting was perfect for this time of year and I could easily picture everything that was described.
Speaking of how things were described, Riley, your writing is still so good! I really liked the depth that there was to Scarlett’s character and getting to dive deeper into who she is and how she got to be where she’s at today.
Overall, I did enjoy Scarlett and Blake’s journey but something in me just wanted a little bit more from them! It was still a cute and easy read that you can find yourself getting lost in!
But with the way this ended I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next, Riley is always leaving us at the edge of our seats!
First off I want to say thank you to Riley for sending me an arc of her book!
Okay but this was so cute! I enjoyed being back in this world and with these characters. The setting was perfect for this time of year and I could easily picture everything that was described.
Speaking of how things were described, Riley, your writing is still so good! I really liked the depth that there was to Scarlett’s character and getting to dive deeper into who she is and how she got to be where she’s at today.
Overall, I did enjoy Scarlett and Blake’s journey but something in me just wanted a little bit more from them! It was still a cute and easy read that you can find yourself getting lost in!
But with the way this ended I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next, Riley is always leaving us at the edge of our seats!
October 4, 2025
ARC review🌟
first, thank you to riley for this opportunity!!
i enjoyed this read very much!! if you’re looking for a book with 2000’s rom-com vibes then this is a book for you! it’s very much ”how to loose a guy in 10 days” vibes and i’m here for it!! the banter was amazing and the chemistry even better!
a perfect, feel-good book!⭐️
first, thank you to riley for this opportunity!!
i enjoyed this read very much!! if you’re looking for a book with 2000’s rom-com vibes then this is a book for you! it’s very much ”how to loose a guy in 10 days” vibes and i’m here for it!! the banter was amazing and the chemistry even better!
a perfect, feel-good book!⭐️
October 30, 2025
First off a thank you to Riley for sending me an ARC of this book…and an apology bc THIS IS SO LATE IM SORRY!
there were parts of this book that i really enjoyed and there were parts i didn’t. Blake’s character started to get on my nerves after a while, and then i loved him by the end. Their banter just didn’t really hit for me and i didn’t care for them as much as i did with dylan and parker. i think riley has a great writing style it’s like the perfect mix of good intelligent writing with dialogue that’s still realistic in the way that people talk. Overall I did ultimately like the book it just wasn’t a book that i loved with every fiber of my being
there were parts of this book that i really enjoyed and there were parts i didn’t. Blake’s character started to get on my nerves after a while, and then i loved him by the end. Their banter just didn’t really hit for me and i didn’t care for them as much as i did with dylan and parker. i think riley has a great writing style it’s like the perfect mix of good intelligent writing with dialogue that’s still realistic in the way that people talk. Overall I did ultimately like the book it just wasn’t a book that i loved with every fiber of my being
October 16, 2025
4.25⭐️ BLAKE & SCARLETT YES!!!! This was so freaking cute and I absolutely devoured it in just over 24 hours 😂 I feel so immersed into NYC when I read this series & it makes me so happy !! These are the PERFECT NYC nostalgic romcoms & the Christmas vibes in Faking it in Manhattan make it PERFECT for this time of year.
I think Blake is my fave character of the series - he is so naughty & funny and his banter is so good!! I love a reformed playboy 😭
HAD THE BEST TIME
I think Blake is my fave character of the series - he is so naughty & funny and his banter is so good!! I love a reformed playboy 😭
HAD THE BEST TIME
October 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ ahh Riley this was everything i needed! This definitely gave me those 2000’s romcom vibes and I was livingggg for it! The development of these characters were so beautifully written.
The flirty banter between Blake and Scarlett made me so giddy, I loved it 🤭 also who doesn’t love a reformed playboy with a possessive side!? Their love is something special and made the hopeless romantic in me so sooo happy!
….also Riley leaving us with a cliffhanger?!
I’m so happy to have read the arc for this and I need the next book STAT! 💖
The flirty banter between Blake and Scarlett made me so giddy, I loved it 🤭 also who doesn’t love a reformed playboy with a possessive side!? Their love is something special and made the hopeless romantic in me so sooo happy!
….also Riley leaving us with a cliffhanger?!
I’m so happy to have read the arc for this and I need the next book STAT! 💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
5 ⭐️’s because riley knows how to write characters i fall in love with so very easily! the dual pov really gets me everytimeee
i mean who doesn’t love a reformed playboy pining over his fake girlfriend???!
just a few of my favorite things
✨ a beautiful fall & winter setting in the city
✨ fake dating x mutual pining in secret
✨ dual pov
✨ both demanding in the bedroom (HOT)
i mean who doesn’t love a reformed playboy pining over his fake girlfriend???!
just a few of my favorite things
✨ a beautiful fall & winter setting in the city
✨ fake dating x mutual pining in secret
✨ dual pov
✨ both demanding in the bedroom (HOT)
January 15, 2026
The banter in this was TOP tier
October 4, 2025
one thing about me: if Riley writes it, I'm reading it. gobbling it up. begging for more.
first of all thank you so so much for trusting me to alpha, beta and ARC read anything your beautiful brain comes up with. yes this is a biased review, but can you blame me? I love Riley with my whole heart and I just know great things are coming for her and her characters.
NOW.... drum roll for Scarlett & Blake, MY SHAYLAS ❤️🔥
This book is for those who like city romcoms, but with the drama and upper class glitz & glam of the rich and famous. Gossip Girl meets When Harry Met Sally in the best way.
When I first met Blake in TNYC I was immediately smitten. Pinterest collage & playlist without a single chapter for his book written type of obsessed. And boy did Riley deliver!!
FIIM is a fake dating, New York City, frenemies to lovers romance and it eats. It just does.
Scarlett has fire, she has charm, she has wits and is fiercely loyal. A type of woman we all want to have in our corner. But of course there's backstory, there's trauma and there's some things she's not sharing with anyone in fear of being judged - RELATABLE.
Blake is just ... Blake. What in the first book was just silly banter, turns into actual womanizer asshole attitude in this one and at some points he is so incredibly obnoxious, even I couldn't teehehe and giggle it away. But that's exactly the point - reformed playboy is hard to pull off but Riley did the thing. He is unlikable and frustrating at times but anytime we get his POV it's like ... HES JUST A BABY. MY BABY. I WANNA SMOOCH HIM.
My favorite thing in this book however is how again the girls stick together. How they support each other and show love to one another and how Amelia is now set up as the next FMC. I know her book is gonna be my favorite and I'll sob ❤️🩹
Also... both Blake & Scarlett being dominant? Mommy sorry daddy sorry mommy sorry sorry daddy? What? Huhhh??
5 ⭐️ for this. I wish I was rich in NYC too.
(Blake pls spit in my mouth)
first of all thank you so so much for trusting me to alpha, beta and ARC read anything your beautiful brain comes up with. yes this is a biased review, but can you blame me? I love Riley with my whole heart and I just know great things are coming for her and her characters.
NOW.... drum roll for Scarlett & Blake, MY SHAYLAS ❤️🔥
This book is for those who like city romcoms, but with the drama and upper class glitz & glam of the rich and famous. Gossip Girl meets When Harry Met Sally in the best way.
When I first met Blake in TNYC I was immediately smitten. Pinterest collage & playlist without a single chapter for his book written type of obsessed. And boy did Riley deliver!!
FIIM is a fake dating, New York City, frenemies to lovers romance and it eats. It just does.
Scarlett has fire, she has charm, she has wits and is fiercely loyal. A type of woman we all want to have in our corner. But of course there's backstory, there's trauma and there's some things she's not sharing with anyone in fear of being judged - RELATABLE.
Blake is just ... Blake. What in the first book was just silly banter, turns into actual womanizer asshole attitude in this one and at some points he is so incredibly obnoxious, even I couldn't teehehe and giggle it away. But that's exactly the point - reformed playboy is hard to pull off but Riley did the thing. He is unlikable and frustrating at times but anytime we get his POV it's like ... HES JUST A BABY. MY BABY. I WANNA SMOOCH HIM.
My favorite thing in this book however is how again the girls stick together. How they support each other and show love to one another and how Amelia is now set up as the next FMC. I know her book is gonna be my favorite and I'll sob ❤️🩹
Also... both Blake & Scarlett being dominant? Mommy sorry daddy sorry mommy sorry sorry daddy? What? Huhhh??
5 ⭐️ for this. I wish I was rich in NYC too.
(Blake pls spit in my mouth)
October 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
FAKING IT IN MANHATTAN by my QUEEN Riley Winters?? Oh she ATE WITH THIS ONE 😮💨
This book had me kicking my feet, twirling my hair, and manifesting my own NYC romcom romance 🏙️🫶
🗽 FAKE DATING with tension so thick I needed a breather
💼 Workplace shenanigans
🧡 A reformed playboy turned absolute SIMP…Blake is down BAD and I support him
💌 “He falls first” energy?? Inj*ct it into my bloodstream
👯♀️ Found family vibes that wrapped around me like a warm scarf
🫠 Yearning. Pining. Fluttery moments that made me SQUEAL
🔥 And the spice? HOTTTT. Blake knows what he’s doing, and Scarlett is NOT okay (in the best way). I was BLUSHING 🥵
💘 Banter so sharp it could slice through Manhattan traffic
Scarlett & Blake had that kind of slow-burn, soul-deep pining that made every moment feel charged. Their connection wasn’t just chemistry…it felt real, raw, and lived-in. The way they navigated their feelings? Ugh, it hit hard!! Watching them fall for each other felt like watching something true. I was rooting for them with my whole chest.
RILEY, I ADORE YOU MY QUEEN 💖🙌🥺 I’m so incredibly proud to know you and to have read this beautiful story early 💖 Your writing?? UNREAL. Everyone needs to read this IMMEDIATELY!!! 5 stars ⭐️ is simply not enough for how happy and giddy this made me!!
🌶️🌶️
FAKING IT IN MANHATTAN by my QUEEN Riley Winters?? Oh she ATE WITH THIS ONE 😮💨
This book had me kicking my feet, twirling my hair, and manifesting my own NYC romcom romance 🏙️🫶
🗽 FAKE DATING with tension so thick I needed a breather
💼 Workplace shenanigans
🧡 A reformed playboy turned absolute SIMP…Blake is down BAD and I support him
💌 “He falls first” energy?? Inj*ct it into my bloodstream
👯♀️ Found family vibes that wrapped around me like a warm scarf
🫠 Yearning. Pining. Fluttery moments that made me SQUEAL
🔥 And the spice? HOTTTT. Blake knows what he’s doing, and Scarlett is NOT okay (in the best way). I was BLUSHING 🥵
💘 Banter so sharp it could slice through Manhattan traffic
Scarlett & Blake had that kind of slow-burn, soul-deep pining that made every moment feel charged. Their connection wasn’t just chemistry…it felt real, raw, and lived-in. The way they navigated their feelings? Ugh, it hit hard!! Watching them fall for each other felt like watching something true. I was rooting for them with my whole chest.
RILEY, I ADORE YOU MY QUEEN 💖🙌🥺 I’m so incredibly proud to know you and to have read this beautiful story early 💖 Your writing?? UNREAL. Everyone needs to read this IMMEDIATELY!!! 5 stars ⭐️ is simply not enough for how happy and giddy this made me!!
October 10, 2025
I was SO lucky to receive an ARC of Faking It In Manhattan! I unfortunately have not read The New York Charm, but after reading this book I know I am a hooked Riley fan for life! Everything about this book was incredible. I’m a sucker for strong corporate girlies, an NYC setting, and amazing friend groups, and this book had all of those things and so much more. Blake and Scarlett are so much fun. It’s impossible not to love a relationship fueled by teasing and bullying. The TENSION in this book?! I mean I get it, because how could you not be obsessed with Blake Beaumont when he flirts like he does? Overall, I loved everything about this book, and that’s not an overstatement. Playboy-turned-lover boy was the perfect arc for Blake, and no one yearns harder than a man who thought he’d never love someone. Scarlett’s growth was similarly incredible, and I love the way Riley handled each of their feelings and heartaches with such care. This is a flawless book; catch me racing to read every one of Riley’s books from this point forward!
September 27, 2025
"I want to spend the rest of my days proving to you that you are worthy of a love that’s gentle, patient, and kind. I’ll climb mountains and let you take your pain out on me if that’s what it’ll take to get you to see yourself through my eyes. Because I think you’re remarkable, Scarlett Kensington.”
Thank you so much Riley for an ARC of your book! This was everything I needed and more. With the nods to some of our favorite romcoms, the female friendships, the overcoming of past traumas, and a playboy turned into a devoted lovesick puppy - this story has the perfect formula for success and I devoured it. Also the spice was spicin let me tell ya 🥵
This is Riley's second book and let me tell you - she just keeps getting better!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I feel honored to have been able to read her stories from the start. I cannot wait to see where she goes next!!
Thank you so much Riley for an ARC of your book! This was everything I needed and more. With the nods to some of our favorite romcoms, the female friendships, the overcoming of past traumas, and a playboy turned into a devoted lovesick puppy - this story has the perfect formula for success and I devoured it. Also the spice was spicin let me tell ya 🥵
This is Riley's second book and let me tell you - she just keeps getting better!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I feel honored to have been able to read her stories from the start. I cannot wait to see where she goes next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
Riley, you have done it againnnnnn👏🏼
& just when I thought I couldn’t love anything as much as book one…
This book was sweet, flirty, sexy, & emotional all put together.
There was a lot of very real life struggles in this book that touched me to my core.
Scarlett’s story was so sad & watching the whole thing come undone as the book progressed was HEART WRENCHING. I’m so proud of this FMC for learning to be vulnerable again after such an awful past relationship.
The MMC, Blake was also dealing with a lot of built up trauma & I think they both healed something in each other.
Oh & the reformed playboy? We love a little MMC development.🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼
The spice in this book… good LAWDDDD🥵 The car scene took me out.
That ending too?!? Excuse meeee????
& just when I thought I couldn’t love anything as much as book one…
This book was sweet, flirty, sexy, & emotional all put together.
There was a lot of very real life struggles in this book that touched me to my core.
Scarlett’s story was so sad & watching the whole thing come undone as the book progressed was HEART WRENCHING. I’m so proud of this FMC for learning to be vulnerable again after such an awful past relationship.
The MMC, Blake was also dealing with a lot of built up trauma & I think they both healed something in each other.
Oh & the reformed playboy? We love a little MMC development.🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼
The spice in this book… good LAWDDDD🥵 The car scene took me out.
That ending too?!? Excuse meeee????
September 25, 2025
2.5 stars. I was super excited to receive an arc for this book and was hoping to love it; however, it fell flat for me, and I struggled. The whole "I have always had super strong feelings for you BUT instead I'm going to sleep around and make sure the entire city of New York knows about it" really bothered me. I really didn't like the mmc until he redeemed himself around 60% when he stopped talking about how if this were a normal date for him he would be doing this and that instead. Additionally, I didn't love how the fmc wanted him to prove himself, but also kept so much about herself a secret. Once he stopped talking about other women constantly, I really did start to0 enjoy this book!
November 20, 2025
I received this book as an ARC but life just got the best to me so I wasn’t able to read it before it came out. But I’m so happy that Scarlet finally got her happy ending after everything she’s been through. She is so hard-working and so deserving of every thing she got in this book. Between the love from Blake and her new promotion I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. Even better when a MMC has such growth from the beginning of the book until the end. Also so proud of Riley Winter for producing another great book when this is her second book ever!!🏙️🩷
October 14, 2025
Thank you to Riley for the ARC!
Blake and Scarlett avoid each other as much as possible, but when your best friends are dating, that gets tricky. Especially when they start fake dating to improve Blake's image.
From the beginning, their banter and tension were obvious. It's mentioned that Scarlett had an abusive relationship before our MMC, and that was handled very well.
I loved the female friendship and found family in this as well!
Tropes:
forced proximity
fake dating
found family
reformed playboy
Blake and Scarlett avoid each other as much as possible, but when your best friends are dating, that gets tricky. Especially when they start fake dating to improve Blake's image.
From the beginning, their banter and tension were obvious. It's mentioned that Scarlett had an abusive relationship before our MMC, and that was handled very well.
I loved the female friendship and found family in this as well!
Tropes:
forced proximity
fake dating
found family
reformed playboy
September 25, 2025
i LOVE a playboy turned into a man in love. it’s gonna hit EVERYTIME!!! AND FAKE DATING? yea im sold
Scarlett is a badass and i love her and she deserves all the love in the world. whenever she talked about her past i was like 2 seconds away from crying in public 😀
I just KNOW Blake is hot AF ok. His flirty remarks had my jaw dropped and i was giggling!!! he’s so attentive and remembers literally everything about her and everything she says😭 hey riley can u write up a man for my real life please <3
i <3 scarlett and blake. also parker and dylan cameos 🥰
obviously i ate this book up
Scarlett is a badass and i love her and she deserves all the love in the world. whenever she talked about her past i was like 2 seconds away from crying in public 😀
I just KNOW Blake is hot AF ok. His flirty remarks had my jaw dropped and i was giggling!!! he’s so attentive and remembers literally everything about her and everything she says😭 hey riley can u write up a man for my real life please <3
i <3 scarlett and blake. also parker and dylan cameos 🥰
obviously i ate this book up
November 25, 2025
Riley’s books just get better and better! I loved this one so much. The character development was great for a “stand alone” romance book. I consider the ending to have two unanswered questions and i can’t wait to see what the 3rd book brings!!! And this is me still demanding a 4th book i feel it’s so needed 😍😍
September 24, 2025
Scarlette is iconic and Riley is even more iconic for writing her. This felt even stronger than her debut (which I loved). Glimpses of the couple from book 1 were sweet without being overwhelming!!! The tension between this couple was top tier—I couldn’t wait for them to give in. The added depth of Scarlette’s healing journey was perfection. Cannot wait to read what she writes next!
October 15, 2025
Riley has done it again! Read this baby in 24 hours ❤️🔥 Scarlett and Blake have chemistry that literally flies off the page. Scarlett is so powerful as a business woman and a softie on the inside. I love her dynamic with Dylan and their other friends. Just like it the first book in this series, the female friendships are such a core. Blake is a typical play boy (which I love) but he holds Scarlett to such a high regard. His respect for her is so sweet . I loved the banter and tension between these two. Fake dating never read so steamy!!
October 24, 2025
Top reads of 2025
Riley knows just how to throw you into the hustle and bustle of New York City. Faking It In Manhattan was no different. I felt like I was watching my favorite feel good romcom movie with this book. Losing myself in this world gave me an incredible sense of nostalgia that doesn’t happen too often. Riley had me drooling after Blake page after page while simultaneously having me wish I was Scarlet living out my NYC dreams with her incredible taste in fashion. Riley brought such dynamic main characters to the page and I couldn’t get enough.
And I have to add, that car scene?! 🥵🥵
This book will be a repeat offender on my kindle when I need that nostalgic romcom movie hug again.
Riley knows just how to throw you into the hustle and bustle of New York City. Faking It In Manhattan was no different. I felt like I was watching my favorite feel good romcom movie with this book. Losing myself in this world gave me an incredible sense of nostalgia that doesn’t happen too often. Riley had me drooling after Blake page after page while simultaneously having me wish I was Scarlet living out my NYC dreams with her incredible taste in fashion. Riley brought such dynamic main characters to the page and I couldn’t get enough.
And I have to add, that car scene?! 🥵🥵
This book will be a repeat offender on my kindle when I need that nostalgic romcom movie hug again.
September 29, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Faking It in Manhattan and I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. I literally couldn't put it down. *Spoilers ahead*
Faking It in Manhattan is the second book in the Uptown Love series of interconnected romances. I really enjoyed the first book, The New York Charm, but Faking It in Manhattan quickly became my favorite in the series.
Scarlett Kensington is a strong, hardworking, independent woman and she never lost that, even as her fake (and then not so fake) relationship with the reformed playboy, Blake Beaumount progressed. Rather than be intimidated by a woman like Scarlett, Blake loved her even more for it.
I love the faking dating trope, but the way Riley wrote this book made it seem far more believable than other books, but there was also so much more to both Blake and Scarlett and the book as a whole that made me love it beyond the main trope. Both of these characters had so much depth and the more I read, the more I fell in love with both of them. There were moments that I cried because of how proud I was of them.
This book does have domestic violence (in the past and off the page) and Riley wrote that storyline incredibly well and respectfully. The way all the characters handled finding out about Scarlett's previous marriage was beautiful to read and made me so happy that she found people to support her and make her feel safe enough to share her past.
On that note, one of my favorite parts of this book was the theme of friendship, whether that was Blake and Parker or between Scarlett, Dylan, Amelia, and Evelyn. I can't wait to keep reading and see these friendships flourish even more.
Overall, I cannot stress enough how much I adored this book. Pick it up, you won't regret it.
Faking It in Manhattan is the second book in the Uptown Love series of interconnected romances. I really enjoyed the first book, The New York Charm, but Faking It in Manhattan quickly became my favorite in the series.
Scarlett Kensington is a strong, hardworking, independent woman and she never lost that, even as her fake (and then not so fake) relationship with the reformed playboy, Blake Beaumount progressed. Rather than be intimidated by a woman like Scarlett, Blake loved her even more for it.
I love the faking dating trope, but the way Riley wrote this book made it seem far more believable than other books, but there was also so much more to both Blake and Scarlett and the book as a whole that made me love it beyond the main trope. Both of these characters had so much depth and the more I read, the more I fell in love with both of them. There were moments that I cried because of how proud I was of them.
This book does have domestic violence (in the past and off the page) and Riley wrote that storyline incredibly well and respectfully. The way all the characters handled finding out about Scarlett's previous marriage was beautiful to read and made me so happy that she found people to support her and make her feel safe enough to share her past.
On that note, one of my favorite parts of this book was the theme of friendship, whether that was Blake and Parker or between Scarlett, Dylan, Amelia, and Evelyn. I can't wait to keep reading and see these friendships flourish even more.
Overall, I cannot stress enough how much I adored this book. Pick it up, you won't regret it.
October 13, 2025
ARC Review of Faking It In Manhattan by Riley Winters - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Scarlett Kensington is a fiery and independent woman taking the marketing world by storm in New York City. While serving major girl boss energy on the outside, she conceals and keeps the trauma of her past marriage inside where it is safe. Scarlett’s personal and work life is turned upside down when Blake Beaumont finds his playboy reputation threatening his new business. In order to improve his image and save his business, Scarlett must fake date Blake. As more time passes by, both Scarlett and Blake find the lines between fake and real begin to blur as the two begin to fall in love.
This was such a great sequel to The New York Charm! I loved how all of my favorite characters from the first book were still such a big part of Scarlett & Blake’s story. One of my favorite parts of this book was reading about the camaraderie of Scarlett’s group of friends. It really added a lot of depth to the story and characters. Scarlett and Blake had the perfect black cat/golden retriever dynamic! I completely ate up their banter and something about fake dating always gets me. I related to Scarlett the most because I am a hopeless romantic and also sought out a love just like my parents. It was endearing to see Scarlett be brought out of her shell by Blake and find the love she always dreamed of. Also, that cliffhanger at the end of the epilogue?! I am gonna need the next book asap! Can’t wait to see how the story continues!
Thank you Riley for the ARC! 🩷 This was my first ARC & I’m so glad it was yours! Please go read The New York Charm & Faking It In Manhattan!
Scarlett Kensington is a fiery and independent woman taking the marketing world by storm in New York City. While serving major girl boss energy on the outside, she conceals and keeps the trauma of her past marriage inside where it is safe. Scarlett’s personal and work life is turned upside down when Blake Beaumont finds his playboy reputation threatening his new business. In order to improve his image and save his business, Scarlett must fake date Blake. As more time passes by, both Scarlett and Blake find the lines between fake and real begin to blur as the two begin to fall in love.
This was such a great sequel to The New York Charm! I loved how all of my favorite characters from the first book were still such a big part of Scarlett & Blake’s story. One of my favorite parts of this book was reading about the camaraderie of Scarlett’s group of friends. It really added a lot of depth to the story and characters. Scarlett and Blake had the perfect black cat/golden retriever dynamic! I completely ate up their banter and something about fake dating always gets me. I related to Scarlett the most because I am a hopeless romantic and also sought out a love just like my parents. It was endearing to see Scarlett be brought out of her shell by Blake and find the love she always dreamed of. Also, that cliffhanger at the end of the epilogue?! I am gonna need the next book asap! Can’t wait to see how the story continues!
Thank you Riley for the ARC! 🩷 This was my first ARC & I’m so glad it was yours! Please go read The New York Charm & Faking It In Manhattan!
November 8, 2025
First off I just wanted to thank Riley for giving me an ARC copy of this book! ☺️💕
Okay so…this book was SO CUTE!!!! I read The New York Charm awhile ago and completely fell in love with not only Dylan and Parker (who I adore very much!! They are the cutest and I looooved that we got some wedding scenes!!!!) but Scarlett and Blake! Their chemistry was amazing in the first book and I was stoked when I found out the next book in the series was goi mg to be their book and let me tell you…Riley DID NOT disappoint!!!! They were even more amazing and the enemies to lovers had be DYING!!! The banter was top tier!! I was eating it up the whole book!!!
I loooooved getting to know Scarlett better! I loved her character in the first book and getting a deeper understanding of her character and her backstory was so amazing to read! I just loved the way Riley writes and tells the story! It rlly was so amazing and beautiful! I loved Scarlett from the very beginning and I love her EVEN MORE now! I was not expecting her backstory either so it was interesting to find certain things out about her and why she’s so closed off to relationships and love.
And then we have Blake…this mans character development was amazing to read!!! One of my favorites!!! I’ve always loooooved Blake since the first book so getting more of his personality and being in his head was so cool and I loved every second! I loved that he turned into a romantic and really wanted to make things work and build a genuine relationship with Scarlett.
This book was so so good! I loved every minute of it! And that ENDING!??? I’m DYING to know what’s happening with Amelia and I can’t wait for the next book!!!
Okay so…this book was SO CUTE!!!! I read The New York Charm awhile ago and completely fell in love with not only Dylan and Parker (who I adore very much!! They are the cutest and I looooved that we got some wedding scenes!!!!) but Scarlett and Blake! Their chemistry was amazing in the first book and I was stoked when I found out the next book in the series was goi mg to be their book and let me tell you…Riley DID NOT disappoint!!!! They were even more amazing and the enemies to lovers had be DYING!!! The banter was top tier!! I was eating it up the whole book!!!
I loooooved getting to know Scarlett better! I loved her character in the first book and getting a deeper understanding of her character and her backstory was so amazing to read! I just loved the way Riley writes and tells the story! It rlly was so amazing and beautiful! I loved Scarlett from the very beginning and I love her EVEN MORE now! I was not expecting her backstory either so it was interesting to find certain things out about her and why she’s so closed off to relationships and love.
And then we have Blake…this mans character development was amazing to read!!! One of my favorites!!! I’ve always loooooved Blake since the first book so getting more of his personality and being in his head was so cool and I loved every second! I loved that he turned into a romantic and really wanted to make things work and build a genuine relationship with Scarlett.
This book was so so good! I loved every minute of it! And that ENDING!??? I’m DYING to know what’s happening with Amelia and I can’t wait for the next book!!!
October 21, 2025
I’m back in Riley’s uptown universe!! After reading Parker & Dylan’s story, i was so excited to know this will be about Blake and Scarlett aka the hottest duo in the universe yet!
Scarlett’s a badass marketing director & Blake’s a hotshot business owner with a playboy lifestyle. Blake’s in hot water with his investors due to all his scandalous moments so Scarlett has been assigned (by Parker) to deal with his mess. The solution?? Fake date Blake.. what could go wrong?
Little do the friends know but Blake and Scar already had a little short fling that ended badly. She wants nothing to do with him but Blake’s pretty persistent.
There were times when I felt bad for Blake because deep down, he’s just a little softie who didn’t want to confront his feelings & Scar was mean to him a lot of the time 😭. Scar has her own issues to deal with so I get her “don’t need no man” attitude. Scar’s shields were up so high but i loved the moments where she let herself loose. They challenged each other so much in this book and it was so refreshing to see them open up to each other little by little. They are SUCH a power couple. Thank you Riley for the ARC!! So so proud of you queen!! 💗
Scarlett’s a badass marketing director & Blake’s a hotshot business owner with a playboy lifestyle. Blake’s in hot water with his investors due to all his scandalous moments so Scarlett has been assigned (by Parker) to deal with his mess. The solution?? Fake date Blake.. what could go wrong?
Little do the friends know but Blake and Scar already had a little short fling that ended badly. She wants nothing to do with him but Blake’s pretty persistent.
There were times when I felt bad for Blake because deep down, he’s just a little softie who didn’t want to confront his feelings & Scar was mean to him a lot of the time 😭. Scar has her own issues to deal with so I get her “don’t need no man” attitude. Scar’s shields were up so high but i loved the moments where she let herself loose. They challenged each other so much in this book and it was so refreshing to see them open up to each other little by little. They are SUCH a power couple. Thank you Riley for the ARC!! So so proud of you queen!! 💗
November 2, 2025
I loved Dylan an Parker’s story so I was really excited about Scarlett and Blake’s! While I loved them both I just didn’t click a lot with their inner turmoil of a story.
Fake dating
PR management
Millionaire x secured in finances made for a good duo
DV background
Blake did everything he could to prove himself to her- and someone like Blake who is known to be a one-night-stand-womanizer words and actions speak loudest when done together. Especially the way he presents himself when showing his feelings to Scarlett. Their stroll in the Christmas market, him wanting to take her to London on a work trip, were both so cute!!
The biggest thing for me was them ignoring their feelings but also acting lovey at the same time?? The constant flirting but the inner “I’m ignoring these feelings” just didnt connect with me. I wasn’t a huge fan of all the immediate response of the friend group. Every conversation between Parker and Blake and Scarlett and the girls seemed the same with the “knowing smirk” and the eye brow raises, them saying they knew it all along everytime they confided in them a little more about her and Blake. It just seemed to be repetitive.
Fake dating
PR management
Millionaire x secured in finances made for a good duo
DV background
Blake did everything he could to prove himself to her- and someone like Blake who is known to be a one-night-stand-womanizer words and actions speak loudest when done together. Especially the way he presents himself when showing his feelings to Scarlett. Their stroll in the Christmas market, him wanting to take her to London on a work trip, were both so cute!!
The biggest thing for me was them ignoring their feelings but also acting lovey at the same time?? The constant flirting but the inner “I’m ignoring these feelings” just didnt connect with me. I wasn’t a huge fan of all the immediate response of the friend group. Every conversation between Parker and Blake and Scarlett and the girls seemed the same with the “knowing smirk” and the eye brow raises, them saying they knew it all along everytime they confided in them a little more about her and Blake. It just seemed to be repetitive.
October 5, 2025
Thank you Riley for giving me the chance to read this book!! ❤️
Scarlett’s story was what captured me for this book. Her past trauma within a relationship and how she has grown and moulded herself to be a strong and independent business woman years after was something quite powerful but to see she also had vulnerabilities still underlying from it is a very real thing & to highlight her going through it alone to then having someone witness it and not just be there to hold her hand through it but to listen to her and support her was beautiful!
Blake is a reformed playboy (love this kind of MMC) and you can sometimes see his own struggles with his past and how it has affected Blake and Scarlett’s relationship in the present.
There’s a few little miscommunication points throughout the book and although miscommunication is one of my least favourite things, I actually don’t think it played a huge role, it was recovered quickly after every incident.
Overall it’s the perfect book for someone wanting a light romance! So cute and I can’t wait to read the next!
❤️❤️❤️
Scarlett’s story was what captured me for this book. Her past trauma within a relationship and how she has grown and moulded herself to be a strong and independent business woman years after was something quite powerful but to see she also had vulnerabilities still underlying from it is a very real thing & to highlight her going through it alone to then having someone witness it and not just be there to hold her hand through it but to listen to her and support her was beautiful!
Blake is a reformed playboy (love this kind of MMC) and you can sometimes see his own struggles with his past and how it has affected Blake and Scarlett’s relationship in the present.
There’s a few little miscommunication points throughout the book and although miscommunication is one of my least favourite things, I actually don’t think it played a huge role, it was recovered quickly after every incident.
Overall it’s the perfect book for someone wanting a light romance! So cute and I can’t wait to read the next!
❤️❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
This book really makes me want to move to NYC. I wish it wasn't so expensive to be there :(
I love fake dating, especially when it's also an enemies to lovers, and this book did those tropes amazingly. There was so much tension, which made the banter even better! I also liked that they did have a bit of history; I think it added an extra layer to the plot and I really enjoyed it!
This book did touch on some tough topics, but I feel like they were all handled with so much care. The characters were lucky to have support from their friends and families, and were able to overcome those hardships and grow as characters.
Ok I absolutely loved the relationship progression in this book. It just flowed very naturally, and the development from being enemies to lovers felt natural and not forced. I loved that Blake tried his best to show Scarlett that he deserved her. He changed for the better to be with her, which was good because he was kind of a douche in the beginning and in book 1. And Scarlett was such a badass, girlboss; I aspire to be like her.
I really enjoyed this book! I cannot wait to read the next one (especially since it left off with a bit of a cliffhanger))!!
tropes
-enemies to lovers
-second chance
-fake dating
-forced proximity
Thank you Riley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
I love fake dating, especially when it's also an enemies to lovers, and this book did those tropes amazingly. There was so much tension, which made the banter even better! I also liked that they did have a bit of history; I think it added an extra layer to the plot and I really enjoyed it!
This book did touch on some tough topics, but I feel like they were all handled with so much care. The characters were lucky to have support from their friends and families, and were able to overcome those hardships and grow as characters.
Ok I absolutely loved the relationship progression in this book. It just flowed very naturally, and the development from being enemies to lovers felt natural and not forced. I loved that Blake tried his best to show Scarlett that he deserved her. He changed for the better to be with her, which was good because he was kind of a douche in the beginning and in book 1. And Scarlett was such a badass, girlboss; I aspire to be like her.
I really enjoyed this book! I cannot wait to read the next one (especially since it left off with a bit of a cliffhanger))!!
tropes
-enemies to lovers
-second chance
-fake dating
-forced proximity
Thank you Riley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
October 13, 2025
This was my first ARC read, and I want to thank Riley for the opportunity!
This is book 2 in Riley Winters Uptown Love interconnected series. I'm usually one to read a series in order, and intended to read book 1 before this one, but I honestly forgot with my never-ending TBR, so I just jumped right in.
Faking It In Manhattan is a fake dating contemporary workplace romance. The chemistry between Scarlett and Blake is undeniable from the start, even if they don't want to believe it. The banter is perfect. I do feel like a lot of their issues wouldn't have been there or could have been overcome faster if they had just communicated like adults. In saying that, given Scarlett's previous marriage, it is totally understandable why she was so guarded at the start.
All in all, this was a cute, easy read, that gives 2000's rom-com vibes. If you love fake dating, reformed playboys, lots of banter, close female friendships and starting to heal from a traumatic past romantic relationship, this book is for you!
This is book 2 in Riley Winters Uptown Love interconnected series. I'm usually one to read a series in order, and intended to read book 1 before this one, but I honestly forgot with my never-ending TBR, so I just jumped right in.
Faking It In Manhattan is a fake dating contemporary workplace romance. The chemistry between Scarlett and Blake is undeniable from the start, even if they don't want to believe it. The banter is perfect. I do feel like a lot of their issues wouldn't have been there or could have been overcome faster if they had just communicated like adults. In saying that, given Scarlett's previous marriage, it is totally understandable why she was so guarded at the start.
All in all, this was a cute, easy read, that gives 2000's rom-com vibes. If you love fake dating, reformed playboys, lots of banter, close female friendships and starting to heal from a traumatic past romantic relationship, this book is for you!
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