Things We Fake: A slow-burn fake engagement romantic comedy

by Melinda De Ross

He’s all crisp shirts and color-coded calendars. She’s chaos in heels—and pure temptation.

❤️ Slow-burn romance with a steamy payoff 🌶🌶🌶
❤️ Fake engagement
❤️ Cinnamon roll hero
❤️ Friendship & sisterhood
❤️ Family drama

Susanne Morelli has a teaching job she loves, a gang of amazing (if slightly unhinged) friends, and a lifetime supply of wine thanks to her family’s vineyard. The only dark cloud is her mother’s relentless campaign to marry her off—and now Mamma Morelli wants Sue back with her cheating ex-fiancé.

Cameron Jones likes things neat, quiet, and commitment-free. His software company is his world; dating is just background noise ever since his ex wrecked his trust. His new neighbor, Sue, wreaks havoc on his routines. All sass, messy hair, and bombshell curves, she’s everything he never expected to crave this badly.

When circumstances push them into a fake engagement, pretending to be in love seems like the perfect plan. Until it feels they’ve stopped faking it.

Between a meddling mother, scheming exes, and an imaginary relationship that’s getting dangerously real, Sue has two finally grow a backbone… or let everyone else decide her happily ever after.

A funny, sexy, slow-burn romance about finding your voice, following your desires, and discovering that love shouldn’t come with conditions.

* While reading in publication order is recommended, every Singleville story can be enjoyed as a standalone romance.

‘Witty banter, sizzling tension, and heart-tugging warmth.’ – Reader review
‘I laughed, I swooned, and fell head over heels for the characters!’ – Reader review
‘Fantastic book to start a new series.’ – Reader review

Genres: Rom Com, Romance

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Melinda De Ross is a USA Today bestselling author, loving wife, avid reader, and lifelong gourmand. Best known for her witty romantic comedies, Melinda offers readers a unique blend of humor, escapism and interesting characters. While she's a law graduate and professional target shooter, she prefers to spend her days spinning tales, or cuddling with her husband. Her books are available in numerous languages. She loves to hear from readers, so if you have a question or want to learn more about her books, visit her website: MelindaDeRoss.com

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Things We Fake is the engaging first fun book in the Singleville series, and a fake dating slow burn romantic comedy. I laughed along this journey to love enjoying the wit in which Melinda writes for her characters.
Susanne Morelli is a mess. She is beautifully flawed, sassy, funny and a BFF to her quirky but loveable friends. She is everything her sexy neighbour is not. Cameron Jones and relationships don’t mix, likes everything ordered and that is so not his unexpected chaotic beautiful neighbour.
Things are about to get interesting when they come together to try to convince everyone they are in a committed relationship. Now they just must convince themselves that they aren’t, or are they?
When Mama Morelli wants something, she is on your case and when exes come sniffing around our characters decide to be in a fake engagement then the fun begins.

Things We Fake is a feel-good read. Don’t miss out on all this fun and madness.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Things We Fake by Melissa de Ross was such a sweet, fun rom com that kept me smiling. It’s got that perfect mix of humor, heart, and romance that makes you want to keep reading. The characters felt real and relatable, and the chemistry between them was playful but also tender.

I really enjoyed how the story balanced lighthearted moments with genuine emotion—it wasn’t just fluff, there was depth too. The fake-dating setup gave plenty of laughs, but it also led to some heartfelt scenes that made the romance feel authentic.

Overall, it was a loving, feel-good read that reminded me why I enjoy rom coms so much. If you’re looking for something charming and uplifting, this one definitely delivers.

[Amanda Kimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things We Fake (Singleville #1) by Melinda De Ross

5 out of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I can’t wait to see what they have next in store. Things We Fake is the first book in the Singleville Series. Sue and Cam will make your hearts melt. I absolutely loved how I was taken to New York with this book and it felt like I was sitting in the corner of each setting watching it play out in front of me. If you like a good romance then this is the book for you.

Sue is glad she left her family behind, but she doesn’t like that she left the country behind. After dumping her ex-fiance for cheating on her she moves to New York to get away from her brother and said cheating ex. When her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and her ex decide they are coming to New York for a wine thing. She has to make up a boyfriend on the spot so she uses her temporary neighbor as the fake boyfriend. Then all that changes when he asks her out. Sue says this to Cam on their first date: “I knew that, although I don’t consider myself special for it. When I moved to New York I was so damn lonely, but I’ve come to love it here. I’ve made some wonderful friends, embraced my independence, and I love my job–food fight, bitchy boss, and all. As for other men in my life, I’ve dated some, but… Let’s just say I didn’t find my soulmate yet. What’s your story? How come you’re still single and now living in New York? Assuming that you are single?”

Cam has had a thing for Sue for a while now, but has never approached her on the fact. He’s moved his company from Denver to New York where he is staying with a friend who happens to live right next door to Sue. He sees her in a robe, bunny slippers, and a homemade face mask the first time. The next time she is wearing a huge flannel at a parent meeting that he said he’d sit in on for his sister-in-law. When he goes to help with the new tech at the school he sees her in an art smock because she was in a food fight. The date though changes his mind as she’s dressed to the nines. Will he continue seeing her for her or will he leave her as well. He tells Sue this when talking about mottos: “There’s always something to see, but conquering? That takes a little more time and effort. Things worth having are worth working for–that’s actually my motto.”

[Effrosyni Moschoudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and intelligent prose, sometimes, outright lyrical.

This is not your average rom com. The prose is witty and intelligent, the characters well-fleshed-out, and the slow burn romance is utterly delicious. In places, the author's writing in her descriptions was quite lyrical. My emotions fluctuated and were diverse as I read this compelling romance. There are many amusing dialogues but also heart-rending exchanges between dear family members. Both protagonists are largely flawed, insecure and traumatized, which helps to instantly warm up to them and want them to find happiness. Their EXs are atrocious, however, so it was a delight in itself to watch them get their comeuppance. I recommend this book, especially for its hilarity and its heart. I do not normally read spicy romance, but will certainly seek to read more from this author. I received a free copy and chose voluntarily to review.

[Stephanie Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue’s mother and her friends were trying to get Sue to find someone to date. Unfortunately, her friends Ange, Jesse, Nikki, and Lily had set her up on a blind date on the same Saturday she had to attend a parent's committee that she had been forced into attending, despite not having any children. Sue was wearing a worn fuzzy robe and bunny slippers while relaxing on her couch with a pink gloppy facial on. She thought Mrs. Hoffman was the person who knocked at her door, as she had called to ask for an ingredient for cookies. Sue told the person that the door was unlocked, and she turned to see Cam. Cam had come to get his friend’s spare key for his apartment. From the horrified look on his face, Sue was certain that she had blown any chance of becoming more acquainted with her new handsome neighbor.

Sue was wrong. Cam had a crush on Sue from the multiple times he had seen her before that day. However, she had always been with someone and he was too afraid of rejection. To his astonishment, Cam saw Sue at the parent’s committee meeting that he was substituting for his injured cousin. A chance moment alone, Cam offered to share a cab with Sue. Sue’s heart dropped, as she had to meet with her blind date.

A disastrous date with a man who collected Murderabillia and an all-organic supe-health nut with specific tastes. Sue was lugging two heavy grocery bags through the snow when Cam entered the apartment building behind her. He offered to carry her bags. It doesn’t take long for the two to become embroiled in an intricate lie to convince Sue’s family that she was dating Cam.

For the life of me, I couldn’t understand how Sue didn’t know that Cam had feelings for her. She brought her past relationship baggage with Niel and projected it onto Cam. Her insecurity and need to make people happy despite causing herself a massive amount of stress could tragically end any potential future with Cam. Cam’s devotion and ability to deal with every issue that arose was admirable. If there are any single men out there like Cam, please sign me up!

The Things We Fake by Melinda De Ross is easily worth five stars. The character development was exceptional. Alternating views between Cam and Sue gave a deep look into the emotional inner thoughts of both. Both fell for the other, but neither was making a strong move toward being committed to the other. Every moment is filled with tension and several supporting characters added to the suspense. Could a fake engagement turn into something more? I recommend this entertaining novel to mature romance lovers who like to see a multiple-faceted relationship develop over insurmountable odds.

[Mercedes Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does a teacher and a tech genius have in common? Could it possibly be love? Sue and Cam meet in an unexpected way and eventually decide to become engaged. But only for pretend. But will their slow burn engagement turn into the real thing? Read this fun and entertaining romance novel by Melinda De Ross to find out. The characters are smart and relatable. They’re both dealing with situations in their lives that could happen to anyone. Sue is a wonderful teacher who cares for her students but can’t seem to outrun her hometown. Will she be able to get her mother off of her back? And Cam! Oh man, the chemistry between these two is undeniable. The way they joke together is an absolute favorite in this book.
I am a huge fan of romantic comedies and this is marketed as such. And what a book it was! I can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Kat Parson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I swooned and fell head over heels for the characters! There's no turning back from the fake engagement trope when it's this good! Also, massive Sex & The City vibes for the nostalgic :)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging romantic comedy with a fake dating/engagement theme. Opposites attract in this funny, slow-burn, steamy romance. Whilst teacher Susanne is chaos in heels, software company owner Cameron, likes colour coded calendars and crisp shirts. In order to stop her mother meddling in her love life and marrying her off, Sue enters into a fake engagement with her neighbour Cameron. Having been single since his ex broke his trust Cameron has his own reasons for a fake engagement. However, they soon discover that their fake love might not be so fake after all. I love the likeable and relatable Sue and Cameron, and their chemistry really sizzled off the page. I enjoyed their witty banter and how although they had an instant attraction, their relationship developed throughout the story. This heartwarming romance kept me happily turning the pages and hoping for a HEA!

[Heidi Sturgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was comic relief and I that the doctor ordered !

Sue is a teacher at a private school and she has an awesome group of friends . Her family are winemakers and are of Italian decent so you can imagine she’s a real beaut and she’s really funny , has a good heart and lives a humble life 🥰het mum just wants to marry her off and have her produce grandkids 😂and she almost did but she dodged the bullet fortunately but she did get hurt in the process because “ truffle prince “ cheated on her but she didn’t even share those retries with her family !

Cam is a tech guru snd his eye caught Sue sometime ago but how’s his chance to get to know her when he serves on the committee at his nephews school 🤗😉he to dodged a bullet with britt and let me tell you she’s a piece of work 🤢


Cam and Sue are on a date when Britt makes an appearance and she really tries to sour things but that back fired because her revenge plan actually just sped things up for our lovebirds so boo hoo to you Brit !

I laughed so hard and it’s was that laughs that come from the bottom of your belly you know the really good kind ! I’m determined to get a pair of bunny slippers of my own and I’m going to try a wine mask luckily I’ve hit the pink fluffy robe covered and I’ve an array of hats sadly I do r wear them for an Easter parade but I do wear them none the less 😉

This is one of my top reads for the year and one I just want to share with anyone and everyone❣️📕

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue and Cam have both been let down by those they loved. Sue caught her ex with her then best friend and Cam's ex left him for his best friend. Needless to say neither of them believe in love. Sue's mother is not only determined to marry her off, but make sure that she gets back with her two timing ex. Cam has never said as much but he has harbored a crush on Sue for a while and this is the perfect opportunity for him to be her savior. Though their engagement starts off as fake things progress to the point where it's hard to tell what's fake and what's real. Of course Sue wants a happily ever after but one of her own choosing, not one that everyone else has chosen for her. Cam may have wanted to be single but maybe making things real with his spitfire of a neighbor is just what he needs.

[Maisie Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melinda De Ross’ Things We Fake follows perpetually single teacher Sue, and heartthrob tech bro Cam. They meet during an awkward encounter and are thrown together in multiple situations, leading to them opening up to each other about their difficult pasts and rocky previous relationships. Faced with multiple problems from exes to family members, they decide to fake a very serious relationship. My favourite character was Cam, and my least favourite characters were Britt & Neil. I recommend this book because it was a decent romance story, and I liked the Sex and The City vibe. However, the conflict didn’t feel very strong to me, it felt like some things were either exaggerated or dragged on to make a point. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about the mentions of AI or sexual harassment. ‘Here, I saw the origin of that duality. I wasn’t torn between two worlds, I was the bridge between them. And I had inherited the best of both.’

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyable! Loved the whole fake engagement, scheming exes and incredible family influence in this story. The meet cute was funny and that led to a whole new relationship. I can really see a snowball effect in here and how they felt it was out of their control. Family is hard at times but we really see some growth in this one between all the characters. The exes in here are the worst! I really disliked them on principle then they did nothing to dissuade that thought. Overall a good story that kept me interested and wondering what would these two do next.

[Beverly Finnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue’s friends feel she needs to get out more. She’s always working. And it's time for them to take matters into their own hands. Setting her up on s blind date.
Despite her best efforts Sue wants her best friends to stop worrying about her. She’s got this and has no real desire to date right now. But since she’s a people pleaser she goes out on this one last date for them.
Cam is in the process of relocating to NY, so he’s staying with a friend. When he knocks on the neighbors door to get the key, what he encounters is unexpected. However he’s familiar with her. It’s the girl who he’d always get glimpses of whenever he’d come to visit. A girl that he wants. So when he got up the courage to ask her out as an apology, he was surprised that she said yes. It’s the surprising twist that comes out of the date. The decision to “fake date,” keeps her friends at bay and it’s a win-win for both parties.
What will Sue’s friends think about Cam?
Will the fake dating blow up in their faces?
A cute story about two people finding their way in NY. What the author brings the reader in Things We Fake will keep you turning the page. So check it out and come to your own conclusions.

[Jules Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a fun read with a fake dating troupe and a slow burn then this fun and quirky book is definitely for you! I so needed the laughs this fabulous book gave me and what a series starter. With a lot of great characters especially Susanne and Cameron and such a fun storyline you don't want to miss this one. I know I will be back for more for sure!

[Zoe Piengkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many quick love, fake love type of stories and this one delivers! I can help but love the budding romances in these situations. Sue is a great character and her sass relatable. IFace paced, quick read, great story and characters, it is an Win for me. If you love this sweet romancing ce comedy kind of love, you will want to add this one to your collection!

[Micalah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things we fake was an incredibly fun romantic comedy. It is book one of a series called the singleville series. The characters were realistic and they jumped off the pages and I became invested pretty quickly. I really enjoyed reading their adventures. It was fast paced and a quick read.

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rom-coms are one of my favorite genres to read, and Things We Fake is one of my recent favorites. It's not just your typical rom-com; it has unique elements that make it stand out from the rest.

Susanne Morelli, Sue, comes from a big Italian family. Her mother wants nothing more than for her to return to her hometown and get married, rather than live in Manhattan and be single. However, Sue likes her life. She has a wonderful, supportive group of friends and a job as a teacher that she loves, but not all of her coworkers. She has tried the dating game, but now she has pretty much given up on finding “Mr. Right,” especially after the disastrous date with the “wacko” one of her friends set her up with. That is, until she meets Cam Jones. What an unforgettable first meeting that was for both of them!

Cam, like  Sue, has given up on dating as well since his ex completely shattered his trust in anyone. Now, he likes being commitment-free and focusing on his software company, which he has recently moved from Colorado to NYC. From the first moment he laid eyes on Sue, she changed everything for him. As the two of them cross paths frequently, they can’t deny their pull towards one another. When she reveals to him on their first date that she has been dating him for several weeks, he agrees to be “her boyfriend” for their upcoming visit, which later snowballs into a fake engagement. What happens when their relationship begins to feel less fake?

I fell in love with both Sue and Cam. The banter between them was not only adorable but also downright entertaining. As much as this was a rom-com, the book had more substance to it as well, mainly where Sue was concerned. She has always wanted to please her family since she left her hometown to go to NYC. She feels as if she has disappointed them. Because of her ex, whom her mother adored, things have been strained between the two of them. With Cam, Sue discovers herself and finally stands up for herself. 

Without giving away too much, the book's ending provides a satisfying conclusion to Sue and Cam's story. If you like your rom-coms with some substance and emotion and quirky and lovable characters, add this one to your reading list. I’m looking forward to reading more in the series!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this endearing tale about faking a relationship when neither Sue or Cam want it to be fake, there is lots of fun, laughs and a little spice. Sue broke up with her cheating fiance about a decade ago. Sue caught him cheating with her es-best friend. Sue packed up and moved out of town to avoid seeing them. Cam had a similar situation. His fiance dumped him for his lottery-winning best friend a couple of days before their wedding. Neither believe in love.

When Cam would visit his friend that lived a couple of doors down, he fell for Sue. But he always saw her with a man. (It just so happened to be her cousin, but Cam didn’t know that.) Even this time, when he first asked her to dinner, she was set up on a blind date she couldn’t get out of (it was horrible). When Sue finds out her parents are coming to town for Easter and her mom wants to set up Sue with her ex who is soon to be divorced, Sue lies and tells her parents that she is dating someone. She names Cam but never figures that she would actually have to have them met.

Cam finally gets Sue to go out to dinner with him and his ex shows up taunting Cam and Sue. The ex steals a couple of pictures of Cam and Sue together and gets them in the society pages. Cam devises the plan that they ‘go with it’ to keep everyone happy including the super exclusive school Sue works. Cam never has any plans to allow this fake dating/engagement to be less than real. Sue is in deep with Cam but never plans on telling him because she doesn’t believe he wants the relationship.

Things get super complicated when all the families come in and want to have dinner. Cam and Sue have to make their relationship seem real. When some old beliefs come out at dinner, things blow up. Will their short but intense relationship stand the test of time? Will it stand for family dinner?

Solid read.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Susanne Morelli prides herself on being independent and loves her job as a teacher; she doesn’t feel that there is anything really missing from her life. Her mother disagrees. Sue’s mom believes it's high time that Sue settle down with a good man, and with no viable options on the horizon, she has taken it upon herself to set Sue back up with her cheating ex-fiancee. Sue finds herself in desperate need of an excuse. Enter Cameron Jones.
The guy likes to be in control and is not mad on commitment. But as soon as he sees Sue, he knows there's something different about her. So when they end up in a fake engagement situation through varying circumstances, Cameron is only too willing to accept. The only problem is that he is quickly realising that this may not be fake for him.

I quite like this book; it was romantic and spicy, and the chemistry between the two main characters was just amazing. Also, Cameron was just the absolute sweetest. It was so nice to read a romance where the ML was actually a sweetheart and treated the FL like a princess. I thought there could have been more interactions with the families on both sides, as I felt this might have given more of an idea of the dynamic between the main characters and their families. It might have just been me, but some moments - between Sue and her family, especially - felt like they came a little out of left field, and I didn’t enjoy the scenes with the exes. That being said, this book was really quite amusing, and there were several laugh-out-loud moments. The characters were likeable and it was so lovely to see Sue grow in confidence, and stand up for herself.

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a sweet romance with low stakes and drama, with plenty of spice. It's got a cosy feel and it's a right laugh.

[Kristi McChurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, fake dating — the rom-com equivalent of comfort food. You know exactly what’s on the menu: two people pretending to be together, a few smoldering glances that definitely aren’t “pretend,” and a deliciously inevitable moment when the line between faking and feeling gets hopelessly blurred.

Melinda De Ross serves all that and more in Things We Fake, a witty, heartwarming, and delightfully addictive romance that proves some of the best relationships start with a well-intentioned lie.

Our leads have chemistry that could power a small city — all sharp banter, playful tension, and that “oh no, I might actually love you” energy that makes fake dating tropes so irresistible. De Ross balances humor and heart beautifully; one moment you’re laughing out loud, the next you’re wondering when you got so emotionally invested in two people who swore this was strictly business.

Her writing sparkles with personality. The dialogue crackles, the pacing never drags, and every scene feels like it’s winking at the reader — a reminder that love is messy, inconvenient, and utterly worth the risk.

By the time the “fake” part starts to crumble, you’re cheering for these two to just admit it already and let the swoon take over. And when they finally do? Chef’s kiss.

If you love stories that blend humor, heat, and heart with a side of self-discovery, Things We Fake is your next must-read. De Ross doesn’t just write romance — she writes emotional magic disguised as witty banter and perfectly timed chaos.

[Anya Davies-schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Things We Fake! It’s such a cute, funny, and surprisingly emotional fake-dating romance. The story follows Susanne “Sue” Morelli, a teacher who adores her job, has a tight-knit crew of slightly crazy friends, and comes from a vineyard-family. She is a strong, witty woman who finds herself pretending to be in a relationship to keep up appearances—and of course, her “fake” partner ends up being the last person she expected to actually fall for. Cameron “Cam” Jones is a neat, organized guy running his own software company, diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, and fully commitment-phobic after his ex burned him. The fake-dating trope comes in full force when Sue’s parents drop in unexpectedly and Cam’s ex reappears with all the drama. They decide to pretend they are engaged / in love for all the external pressure and chaos. But of course… things don’t stay fake for long. Feelings start to sneak in.
What I loved most was the banter between them—it’s sharp, playful, and full of chemistry. The banter made the slow burn worth while. You can tell from the start that their act isn’t going to stay fake for long, but the journey there is so satisfying. There are laugh-out-loud moments, some sweetly awkward scenes, and even a few heartfelt ones that hit deeper than I expected. This was a great fake dating troup that didn’t involve miscommunication, and I am here for it!!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susanne Morelli is a teacher at a private school, living in NYC. She is also a part of a tight-knit Italian family who own a vineyard in Warwick, New York. Sue left Warwick after her now ex-fiancee', Neil, cheated on her with her then best friend. She went to college, got her degree, and became a teacher with a great group of (slightly over the top) friends.

Cameron Jones is tech CEO who just moved his company from Colorado, where he grew up, to New York City. Cam is staying with Sue's next door neighbor, and his friend. Cam had seen Sue on his previous stays with Sebastian, though she hadn't noticed him. Then he knocks on her door for the keys to Sebastian's apartment.

When Sue and Cam go on a date, Cam's ex-fiancee' happens upon them in a restaurant, and they decide to fake a relationship to solve their mutual problems. Sue needs a cover from her mother trying to get her back together with her ex, who has now been left by his wife (and her former best friend). Cam claims to be in it to prove to his ex, Brittany, that he will never be with her again. Due to Brittany splashing their pictures across the society page of the Weekender, the couple decide to fake an engagement to protect Sue's job and get her family to back off.

Soon, they both fall hard and the engagement isn't fake on either side. This book is the first in the Singleville series with a guaranteed HEA. I couldn't put this book down and loved every second of it.

[Sarah Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can a Pretend Relationship Lead to True Love

Susan has her plate overflowing with responsibilities as a teacher when her principal assigns another duty to be liaison to the committee for new software. All she wants to do is exfoliate and curl up with a book and glass of wine. Of course, her neighbor's guest needs the key right now. He checks off so many boxes and sends her body into a tailspin. Well that was a great first impression.

Enter Cameron who just needs a key from the neighbor and finds a lady with pink goop dawning a flimsy robe and fluffy bunny slippers. He really is intrigued with what is beneath everything and leaves before his body fully takes over. I will need to cross paths with her again.

At the first committee meeting, she lays eyes on him again and of course dressed as a sherpa to trek a pass. She just hopes he does not realize that they already met. Of course as her luck has it, he knows it was her all along.

Ross takes her readers on a romp of modern rom-com with a fake engagement to get out of a jam created by miserable exes. Ross gives her readers both sides of the story with witty banter and steamy scenes. This is the first book of the series, Singleville.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At thirty, Susanne Morelli has nearly given up on romance, only to find she has two dates in one week. One is a blind date set up by her girlfriends, the other with Cameron who is temporarily rooming with the guy in the apartment next door. As expected by Sue, the blind date is a fiasco. But in spite of seeing her at her worst – ragged bathrobe, pink face mask and bunny slippers - the date with Cameron sets off a chain of events that will either produce a profound friendship or a jar of broken heart.

Melinda DeRoss has written a lovely, heart wrenching rom-com in The Things We Fake. I loved her use of analogies and situational humor. She describes Cameron’s ex as having a voice “dripping with syrup and cyanide”. Our protagonists are fully developed professional characters both marked forever by their family upbringing and the ghosts of romances past. As in many romance novels, much goes unsaid between the potential lovers, which adds to the tension mounting until the final outcome. You feel their feelings, silently urge them on, and as one would with good friends, pray for a satisfying outcome. 5 Stars.
Note: Some explicit sex.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Singleville Series. This was such a fun contemporary romance. There is chemistry, tension, fake dating turned real and so much more. The author did a great job with Susanne and Cam making them both likeable and relatable, you can't help feel invested in their story.
When Susanne's family decides to come a visit for Easter she creates a fake boyfriend to stop her mother's matchmaking ways. The problem is the boyfriend she describes is the hot guy that's living next door.
Cam has had a thing for Susanne for a long time but he's never been able to act on his feelings.
When Susanne approaches him with the plan to fake an engagement Cam sees it as his chance finally to show her how right they are for each other.
But what happens when the faking becomes real? Will Susanne finally realise how perfect they are together?
With a mother who likes to meddle, an ex wanting to cause trouble and their relationship going from fake to real will they survive? Will Susanne finally stop trying to please other people and think about her own happiness for once?

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this romantic rom-com. I enjoyed this author’s creative writing skills that made the characters fun and pop off the pages. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the beginning to end. I enjoyed how the author used details to make the plot realistic and the characters connectable. This is a story about Sue and Cam When Sue’s parents show up unexpectedly and Cam’s ex ambushes him, they are forced into a fake engagement. What happens between these two throughout the story is something you don’t want to miss. I enjoyed both of these characters and the fun they brought to the story. They have great chemistry and growth throughout the story. They made their story easy and entertaining to read. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story that kept me turning pages to the end. This is a great story that I highly recommend.

[Heather Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read from this author and I’m now hooked. I love a good romance with fake dating. This is the first book of the series called Singleville. I fell in love with these characters right from the start. Their banter was too funny so I could not put this down until the end. It only took me a few hours to devour this amazing story. I can’t wait to read book two.

Suzanne loves her life just the way it is. She is a school teacher and she has the best friends a girl could ask for. Suzanne is only missing a man in her life. She was heartbroken a while ago and now it is time to move on. Suzanne’s new neighbor is the guy that broke her heart and she can’t stand him. They end up finding themselves in a fake engagement to help each other. Suzanne and Cameron start to feel the chemistry again but can the put the past behind them or will it be too late?

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things we fake kick off with a cozy, steamy. Fake-dating romance that will get you right in the feels from page one. Following the story of Sue and Cameron, these two couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. But when family pressure and past trauma continue to push these two together, they fall into an arrangement that was only supposed to be temporary, but the more they pretend it gets harder to tell what’s fake and what’s real. As the lines blur more each day, the fake dating starts to feel too much like a push towards something forever. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you are looking for a meddling family (who only want what’s best for you) and a book that will make you laugh and cry all at the same time, then this is a book you definitely need to pick up today. I can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future!

[Emma Samways · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!
Sue is single and she's trying to stay away from home. She doesn't want to go home to her parents. She works in a private school as a teacher.
Cam has moved from Denver to Manhattan and has a first very awkward meeting with Sue. He's had a crush on Sue for years but never asked her out… yet.
They go on a date which is very successful except they run into his ex who tells everyone even the gossip columns that Sue and Cam are engaged, so they decide to fake it all; a relationship and an engagement. Sue's parents are flying in for Easter and now her ex is divorcing, her mum's always been critical of her life choices and singledom so the whole fake boyfriend scenario seems perfect.
It all soon gets out of hand though and everything is revealed to be a lie, can they all come together for a happily ever after?
I couldn't put this down, such an easy read! Loved it!

[Meghan Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things We Fake by Melinda DeRoss is a whirlwind romance that sweeps readers right into the middle of its charming chaos. From the very first page, you can’t help but root for the good guys — the characters are instantly likable, flawed in all the right ways, and brimming with that irresistible spark that makes you invest in their every move. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and just when you think you know where the story’s headed, DeRoss keeps you guessing with sharp twists and emotional turns that pull you deeper into their world. By the time the story reaches its satisfying conclusion, the happily ever after feels not just deserved but perfectly earned — exactly the ending we’ve been hoping for all along.