What do you think?
Rate this book
Fake Dating the Grumpy Fireman
A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
Logan Stone wasn’t supposed to get involved. He’d tuned into a live national relationships podcast one evening—the kind that thrives on hot takes—while a panel of guests mocked and denigrated “the Breakup Coach,” Cassidy Kingsley.
They called her advice hollow, her mission a grift, her listeners gullible. Logan, who had never met Cassidy, felt something in him lock into place. He called in, live, and defended her—calm, steady, and unshakeable. Amused (and a little threatened), the host threw down a if he believed in Cassidy so much, he should prove it. Fake date her for thirty days and see how long his conviction lasted.
Cassidy Kingsley had built her brand teaching women in toxic relationships how to love themselves again—clear boundaries, honest self-reflection, and community over codependency.
She’d taken hits before, but the viral clip of strangers tearing her down—and of a gravel-voiced caller standing up for her—lit the internet on fire. She hadn’t met Logan, didn’t owe anyone a stunt, and yet the public dare put her at a ignore it and let the narrative run wild, or take control and turn the noise into a teachable moment.
Reluctantly, and with strict rules, she agreed. For transparency (and protection), the experiment, The Breakup Coach and the Fireman agreed to open-book conversations about boundaries, green flags, and what healthy romance actually looks like.
Logan’s quiet life by the water tilted on its axis as Cassidy’s quick wit, bright energy, and relentless honesty crashed into his carefully ordered world. She was sunshine and fire; he was structure and stillness. Against the odds, they fit.
At first, it’s all a game. Dates for the dare. Photos for the followers. Controlled questions and staged confrontations that demonstrate what real respect sounds like. But off-mic, between spilled coffees and long walks along the harbor, something real sparks.
Cassidy learns that Logan’s steadiness isn’t stoicism—it’s care. Logan learns that Cassidy’s confidence isn’t performance—it’s hard-won truth. The town of Harbor Keep, which loves gossip almost as much as it loves happy endings, starts quietly rooting for them.
When the spotlight fades, the feelings don’t. The experiment ends; the contract dissolves. Yet the habit of choosing each other—of showing up with candor and patience—remains.
But the test wasn’t without cost. Cassidy’s ex, unable to watch her succeed—especially beside a man like Logan—escalated from bitter threats to legal pressure.
He floated lawsuits aimed at discrediting her work, leaked half-truths to gossip sites, and used his industry connections to push the network and even national fire department leadership to lean on Logan to distance himself. For a tense stretch, it looked like the whole thing might
Logan faced quiet pressure from above, Cassidy faced career-killing smear attempts, and the safety of the fragile trust they’d built hung in the balance.
Their choice to stand together in public, to fight back with transparency, and to bring the town into the process became the story’s crucible. It’s what tested them—and ultimately what proved their partnership could survive the worst of it.
Cassidy must risk the vulnerability she teaches, trusting that not every man bolts when things get hard. Logan must open the door he closed after his divorce and let joy back in, unscripted and imperfect.
Logan Stone wasn’t supposed to get involved. He’d tuned into a live national relationships podcast one evening—the kind that thrives on hot takes—while a panel of guests mocked and denigrated “the Breakup Coach,” Cassidy Kingsley.
They called her advice hollow, her mission a grift, her listeners gullible. Logan, who had never met Cassidy, felt something in him lock into place. He called in, live, and defended her—calm, steady, and unshakeable. Amused (and a little threatened), the host threw down a if he believed in Cassidy so much, he should prove it. Fake date her for thirty days and see how long his conviction lasted.
Cassidy Kingsley had built her brand teaching women in toxic relationships how to love themselves again—clear boundaries, honest self-reflection, and community over codependency.
She’d taken hits before, but the viral clip of strangers tearing her down—and of a gravel-voiced caller standing up for her—lit the internet on fire. She hadn’t met Logan, didn’t owe anyone a stunt, and yet the public dare put her at a ignore it and let the narrative run wild, or take control and turn the noise into a teachable moment.
Reluctantly, and with strict rules, she agreed. For transparency (and protection), the experiment, The Breakup Coach and the Fireman agreed to open-book conversations about boundaries, green flags, and what healthy romance actually looks like.
Logan’s quiet life by the water tilted on its axis as Cassidy’s quick wit, bright energy, and relentless honesty crashed into his carefully ordered world. She was sunshine and fire; he was structure and stillness. Against the odds, they fit.
At first, it’s all a game. Dates for the dare. Photos for the followers. Controlled questions and staged confrontations that demonstrate what real respect sounds like. But off-mic, between spilled coffees and long walks along the harbor, something real sparks.
Cassidy learns that Logan’s steadiness isn’t stoicism—it’s care. Logan learns that Cassidy’s confidence isn’t performance—it’s hard-won truth. The town of Harbor Keep, which loves gossip almost as much as it loves happy endings, starts quietly rooting for them.
When the spotlight fades, the feelings don’t. The experiment ends; the contract dissolves. Yet the habit of choosing each other—of showing up with candor and patience—remains.
But the test wasn’t without cost. Cassidy’s ex, unable to watch her succeed—especially beside a man like Logan—escalated from bitter threats to legal pressure.
He floated lawsuits aimed at discrediting her work, leaked half-truths to gossip sites, and used his industry connections to push the network and even national fire department leadership to lean on Logan to distance himself. For a tense stretch, it looked like the whole thing might
Logan faced quiet pressure from above, Cassidy faced career-killing smear attempts, and the safety of the fragile trust they’d built hung in the balance.
Their choice to stand together in public, to fight back with transparency, and to bring the town into the process became the story’s crucible. It’s what tested them—and ultimately what proved their partnership could survive the worst of it.
Cassidy must risk the vulnerability she teaches, trusting that not every man bolts when things get hard. Logan must open the door he closed after his divorce and let joy back in, unscripted and imperfect.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
12 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 27, 2025
This is book 2 in the Harbor Keep series but can be read as a complete standalone
FMC has an internet show about women being strong in relationships and not being shaped by the man’s opinion. However, her third relationship has died and she is humiliated by the callers. One caller (MMC) speaks up for her. They ask he wants to be the next victim. He agrees to be the test subject to prove she isn’t cursed in love. They agree to one contract, one house, and one camera crew. Her ex tries to make things worse for her by spreading lies and bringing a lawsuit against her. MMC is right there through it all offering her legal advice. MMC is a fireman and a father and his job is put in jeopardy because of the scandal but he stands by her. This is not an easy relationship to walk through due to her ex spreading stories and lies about her. MMC is a solid rock for her and together they weather the storm and end up with a HEA. I love that FMC is a strong character. She tries to take care of her own business while trying to help others. The loyalty of MMC is admirable. He is demoted to desk duty because of the relationship but he doesn’t throw in the town. From the author: ‘how choosing each other—day after ordinary day—is the bravest kind of happily ever after.’ I love that.
FMC has an internet show about women being strong in relationships and not being shaped by the man’s opinion. However, her third relationship has died and she is humiliated by the callers. One caller (MMC) speaks up for her. They ask he wants to be the next victim. He agrees to be the test subject to prove she isn’t cursed in love. They agree to one contract, one house, and one camera crew. Her ex tries to make things worse for her by spreading lies and bringing a lawsuit against her. MMC is right there through it all offering her legal advice. MMC is a fireman and a father and his job is put in jeopardy because of the scandal but he stands by her. This is not an easy relationship to walk through due to her ex spreading stories and lies about her. MMC is a solid rock for her and together they weather the storm and end up with a HEA. I love that FMC is a strong character. She tries to take care of her own business while trying to help others. The loyalty of MMC is admirable. He is demoted to desk duty because of the relationship but he doesn’t throw in the town. From the author: ‘how choosing each other—day after ordinary day—is the bravest kind of happily ever after.’ I love that.
October 29, 2025
Really Nice
I enjoyed this book. I loved the personal growth both of them showed. As much as I like a good romance and a sex scene or two, I like that this book didn’t dedicate whole chapters to the event. So many authors use it as fillers to extend the story. When they do that it usually becomes boring and I find myself skipping right over it. I wish this book would have dedicated a little more information about her ex at the end of the book. So much of the book was dedicated to his manipulations that one sentence wasn’t enough to end him.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the personal growth both of them showed. As much as I like a good romance and a sex scene or two, I like that this book didn’t dedicate whole chapters to the event. So many authors use it as fillers to extend the story. When they do that it usually becomes boring and I find myself skipping right over it. I wish this book would have dedicated a little more information about her ex at the end of the book. So much of the book was dedicated to his manipulations that one sentence wasn’t enough to end him.
November 3, 2025
A great story about how two broken people come together and learn that life isn't perfect. Logan and Cassidy start fake dating to prove that life isn't perfect and that her and Logan aren't broken. However what they don't know is that they start building the perfect life together. I love how this book shows the messy side of life and helps to ensure that girls and women should not be silenced because they are too loud. This is a great book about empowerment as well as showing that love and life is messy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
Would I recommend? ABSOLUTELY!!! Love grumpy mmc , I’m addicted to those types
December 1, 2025
I liked the characters and their banter, the unique plot but it was just too long.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews