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Love and Fiction

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Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood, this heartfelt romantic comedy combines 90s and 2000s nostalgia with fake dating, forbidden romance and finding love after loss.

After writing three successful novels, Olivia thought she had the whole 'author' thing down. But with an approaching deadline for her fourth novel, she finds herself with one following the death of her fiancé, her leading male character is nowhere to be found. With the worst writer’s block in her career, Olivia embarks on a journey of the ultimate leading man speed dating.

Theo is a man on a find a date for his sister’s wedding before his mother does. With the wedding in two months, Theo sets out to find his leading lady. After watching a woman speed date numerous men, ending each date by taking notes in a green notebook, his curiosity leads him to make a deal with Olivia. Theo will help her find her leading man, if Olivia acts as his fake date to his sister’s wedding.

Will they manage to keep their relationship truly professional? Or will the lines between real love and fiction become all too blurred?

296 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

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Kate Gaskarth

2 books4 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Anna Grace Paulovkin.
729 reviews8 followers
December 8, 2025
Thanks for NetGalley for this ARC! I have mixed feelings about this one! There were lots of things I liked but also things that annoyed me. I loved that she was an author looking for inspiration to stay creative. Their story was cute and felt like a mix between Hitch and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

The writing was repetitive and the two spicy scenes were a little much for me. The end also bothered me in the last few chapters and painted her as way dumber than she actually was. Overall I enjoyed the premise of the book and I especially loved his family!

"When I write," she continued, eyes focused on where his fingers had brushed the side of her knee, "I try to think of people, meetings and love stories like theirs. Matching outfits, teasing each other about the smallest things like coffee coasters, and silently swapping newspaper sections.
The kind of love that's vibrant and noticeable but not yelled. Love that can be seen through the small things.
The unconscious way their bodies move together in synchronicity. When she moves, he moves. They adjust.
Your parents... they just fit. I love that.
I love that kind of love.”
Profile Image for Mallory Moureau.
594 reviews5 followers
January 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and Kate Gaskarth for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The vagueness of “him” for the first 60% of the book felt unnecessary. I hadn’t re-read the description so it wasn’t clear if “he” died or just hurt her and left her. I actually expected it to be something other than he died since it wasn’t addressed and her friends didn’t seem to tread very carefully around it. Not dating for a year after loosing your fiancé isn’t that wild so it was surprising that everyone was pushing her so hard.

There seemed to be an inconsistent or misleading timeline. Several times it would say “a few months ago” referencing something halfway through the book but the entire storyline was over 3 months.

Very much a tell, no show style book which isn’t my favorite.

Seems like it’s setting up for a Georgia and Finn story next since that storyline completely dropped off within the book.

Overall, it was a quick enjoyable read but there were enough moments that pulled me out of the story that it’s a lower rating for me.
Profile Image for MaReads Books.
137 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 15, 2025
A bestselling romance author facing writer’s block turns her love life into research. A chance encounter leads to an unexpected deal: real dates for creative inspiration, and pretending to be the girlfriend he needs for his sister’s wedding. But when fiction and reality collide, feelings refuse to stay on the page.

3,5⭐️ / 5 — 2,5🌶️ / 5 (2 chapters out of 38)

💔 Fake dating / fake relationship
❤️‍🔥 He falls first (and hard)
💚 Green flag MMC
🔁 Second chance at love

Love and Fiction was a really enjoyable, fast-paced read with strong rom-com vibes. The story leans heavily into dialogue, ellipses, and character interaction rather than deep plot complexity, which worked surprisingly well here. While I would have loved a bit more depth and context outside the main couple, I still had a great time reading it.

⚠️ Spoilers Ahead
🌍 Setting & Context
Set in London, the story follows Olivia, a successful romance author struggling with writer’s block. On her best friend’s advice, she dives into dating apps to “research” the perfect male lead for her next book. After a disastrous speed-dating experience, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Theo, leading to a mutually beneficial arrangement: he helps her find dating inspiration, and she agrees to be his fake date at his sister’s wedding. What starts as a practical partnership quickly blurs into something far more complicated.

🧔🏻‍♂️👩🏼 Characters
Theo was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. From the very beginning, his confidence, charm, and boldness stood out. He falls for Olivia fast (and hard) and never hides it. His actions consistently scream green flag: he’s protective, supportive, and emotionally available. Watching him navigate his feelings while respecting Olivia’s boundaries was genuinely satisfying.
«  There sat the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. »

« The woman who had at this point captivated every cell in Theo’s body. »

« —You’ve got that look.
—What look?
—The look. 
—No way, man. No way. Her?
—Her.»

« I believe you’ve been waiting for me. »

« This woman, he swore, could bring any man to his knees with a mere glance. »

« —You know, maybe I should set you up with someone.
Not going to happen, he thought. The only person I want to see is you. »

« —Do we have to kiss?
—If you want to kiss me, Olivia, believe me, I have no objection. »

« —What do I have to do to have parents like yours?
Marry me. »

« You have no idea how long I’ve been waited for you, Livvy. »


Olivia is straightforward, honest, and refreshingly blunt. I really enjoyed her unintentional flirting and the way she slowly allows herself to move forward instead of clinging to what no longer serves her. There were moments where I wanted to tell her to open her eyes already, but overall, her emotional journey felt relatable and realistic.
« Listen, you’re attractive. I get it. You’ve got that whole "I’m the guy you’d take home to your parents, but they’d hat me if they found out what I’m like in the bedroom" look. But, you’re not what I’m looking for. »

« —You’re a good looking guy. You’ve got that tall, dark and handsome mystery thing going for you. Surely you don’t have trouble getting women.
—Is that a compliment?
—Oh, come one. You know you’re handsome. You can’t pretend not te see it, that’s just ego seeking. But yes, it was a compliment. »

« —Don’t look at me like that?
—Like what? How did I look at you.
—Like you want to rip this dress off of me and get down and dirty in the clown maze. »


💞 The Romance
The fake dating dynamic was fun and effective, especially with Theo falling first. However, the familiarity between Olivia and Theo sometimes felt a bit rushed, early on, they refer to each other as mere acquaintances, yet quickly slip into nicknames and comfortable banter. Still, their chemistry worked well, and I loved the moment when Olivia realizes, through imagining conversations with Micah, that she’s genuinely happier with Theo and that choosing him isn’t a mistake.

✨ What I Would Have Loved More Of
-An epilogue or an additional scene to give more perspective on their future
-More scenes involving secondary characters (Theo's mom!)
-More context around Theo’s professional life
-A clearer role for Hannah, who is introduced as a close friend but mostly appears as Olivia’s literary agent
(Also: I need a spin-off about Georgia & Finn ❤️‍🔥)

What Worked / What Didn’t
What I Loved:
-Theo as a love interest (ultimate green flag)
-The rom-com tone and fast pacing
-The fake dating setup
-The emotional honesty between the MCs

What Worked Less for Me:
-The story being very focused on Olivia & Theo, with limited world context
-The lack of an epilogue
-Some secondary characters underused

Overall, Love and Fiction was a charming, feel-good romance that delivered exactly what it promised. While I wished for a bit more depth and breathing room, it was an easy, entertaining read that I genuinely enjoyed.

Thank you Kate Gaskarth, Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and Net Galley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for sam.
344 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2026
**⭐⭐⭐✨☆ (3.5/5)**

*Love and Fiction* is a sweet, charming romance that blends fake dating, writer's block, and second chances at love into an easy, feel-good read. Kate Gaskarth delivers a story that's full of heart, humor, and plenty of romantic moments, making it an enjoyable escape for fans of contemporary romance.

The premise immediately drew me in. An author struggling to write the perfect romantic hero deciding to go speed dating for "research" is such a fun concept, and pairing that with a fake dating arrangement made for an entertaining setup. Watching Olivia jot down notes after every awkward speed date had me smiling, and it was easy to see why Theo became intrigued by her unusual mission.

Olivia was a relatable protagonist. Beneath the lighthearted romance is a woman quietly dealing with grief after losing her fiancé, and I appreciated that the story didn't simply brush past her loss. Her struggle to write again felt symbolic of her struggle to move forward, and seeing her gradually open herself up to new possibilities was one of the novel's strongest aspects. Theo was equally likeable—a genuinely kind and patient hero whose easygoing nature balanced Olivia's more guarded personality. Their chemistry developed naturally, and their banter made many of their scenes together genuinely enjoyable.

I also loved how books and writing remained central to the story. Olivia's search for inspiration wasn't just a quirky plot device; it became part of her emotional healing as she learned that the perfect romantic hero doesn't exist on the page or in real life. Sometimes love is found in the imperfect moments, and I thought the novel captured that idea well.

That said, I did feel the pacing was a little uneven. The romance was sweet, but parts of the middle section slowed down, and I found myself wanting a bit more emotional depth between Olivia and Theo before their relationship progressed. Some of the conflicts also resolved a little too neatly, leaving me wishing for a stronger emotional payoff by the end.

Despite those minor issues, *Love and Fiction* remains an enjoyable and comforting romance. Kate Gaskarth balances humor with heartfelt moments, creating characters that are easy to root for and a story that's as much about healing as it is about falling in love. The fake dating trope is executed well, and the writing has a warmth that makes the book easy to sink into.

Overall, *Love and Fiction* is a delightful contemporary romance with lovable characters, an entertaining premise, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. While I would have loved a little more emotional depth and a tighter pace, I still had a lovely time reading it. If you're a fan of fake dating, slow-burn romance, bookish protagonists, and stories about finding hope after heartbreak, this is definitely one worth picking up.
Profile Image for Georgia.
62 reviews
February 5, 2026
(4⭐️) (Gifted) Love and Fiction found me in precisely the right moment, in need of a break from heavy fantasy worldbuilding and dark thriller themes, a quick, light romcom was exactly what the (book) doctor ordered.

Olivia is a bestselling author suffering with a serious case of writer’s block. Following the death of her fiancé, she just can’t find inspiration for her leading male character anymore. After a chance encounter with Theo, desperately in need of a date for his sister’s wedding, the pair strike up a deal to help eachother out - keeping things strictly professional, of course 😉

What I loved:
- Love and Fiction oozes the perfect amount of 90s/00s romcom nostalgia with the fake dating set up. It’s giving The Wedding Date, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Hitch - yet the story doesn’t feel stale and repetitive, it feels familiar in the best way.
- The writing leans into stereotypes to illustrate Olivia’s hopeless dating experiences, from being called by another woman’s name to being ordered a salad, painting this hilariously disparaging picture of modern dating that I’m sure a lot of women can relate to.
- The through line of Olivia’s writing progress - the ups and downs, deadlines and behind the scenes meltdowns to her best friend - was a really nice element, providing that peek behind the curtain that readers like myself want into the life of an author.

What lacked for me:
- This would have been a five-star read for me had there been more emotional depth and backstory provided. We don’t really find out much about Olivia’s late fiancé until the very end and we don’t really see her grieving him, which struck me as odd.
- I also wanted to tease out a bit more of the subplot around Theo’s sister, which I’d been really enjoying but was left with a lot of unanswered questions. I’m hoping that Gaskarth turns this into a series so that we can turn the spotlight on Georgia and Finn.

All in all, I loved this book, it’s a fantastic easy, comfort read that will satisfy any romcom cravings. I’d happily read more by this author in future! 💗

Thank you to Kate Gaskarth and Cranthorpe Millner for sharing this finished copy with me in exchange for my honest review, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,958 reviews62 followers
January 7, 2026
Love and Fiction by Kate Gaskarth is a charming romance that tells the story of a grieving author with writer's block who is struggling to picture the male romantic lead of her next book, which would not be a huge problem were it not for the looming deadline that her publisher has already pushed up. Olivia's solution to her problem is to try her own version of speed dating in the hope that one of the men she meets will spark her creativity.
Theo needs a date for his sister's wedding following a breakup with his cheating ex, and happens to see Olivia's speed dating in action. Immediately drawn to her he offers her a deal, if she comes to the wedding as his fake date, he will help her find her leading man.
Of course as anyone who has ever read a fake dating romance before knows, Theo and Olivia find themselves falling for each other leading to a blurring of the lines of their "professional" relationship, but the trope works for a reason, and this book gave me exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. I thought that it was interesting to have Olivia struggle with finding love again while grieving, and having that manifest as an inability to even write about love was a clever idea. Theo was a mix as a character, at times he was incredibly sweet, charming and understanding but then he would do or say something that I found off putting, which made it hard for me to root for him and Olivia as a couple for much of the middle of the book. I also found the ending rushed and wanted more of some of the secondary characters, though I suspect that some of them will appear in another book from this author.
Overall this is a cosy comfort read that delivers on its promise - 3.5 stars
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher,
Profile Image for Connie.
2,601 reviews62 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 19, 2026
Olivia is a romance author who after writing several bestsellers, is now struggling getting her next book written with the deadline quickly approaching. Her best friend, Danielle, suggests she do some speed dating to see if she can find the perfect hero for her book, but after many awful meet-ups, all the men she has met are duds.

Theo needs a date to take to his sister’s wedding. When he spots Olivia in a restaurant doing her speed dating with some awful people, he pretends to be here next date and gets to know her. When she confesses that she is looking for inspiration for her book by meeting a good man whom she could change into being her books hero, he promises to help her find some men if she will agree to be his date for the wedding. But the men he produces are also duds.

It’s their get togethers to discuss how her book is progressing that makes both of them open their eyes to one another. Since Olivia lost a love a year ago and Theo’s girlfriends cheated on him, both have been hesitant to find someone else. But could their times together be the start of an attraction between them?

I had difficulty with the beginning of the book and the speed dating which sounds just weird and almost cruel. Theo was just a lovely man from the first time he stepped into the scene. Realizing Olivia’s grief, I can see where she would be skeptical of someone new entering her life but she must be blind to not see how wonderful Theo is. I pushed myself to stay with this story and I’m glad I did. While the beginning was difficult for me, I am very happy with the ending.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Mela.
387 reviews5 followers
January 18, 2026
In this book we follow Olivia a best-selling author who’s struggling to write a new book. She decides that the best way to go about finding a love interest is by going on blind dates. Theo was there that night and introduces himself to help her find “him”. The catch? They have to pretend to be a couple at his sister’s upcoming wedding. Will Olivia get over her slump? And will the two end up catching feelings?

I really liked the premise for this and overall it wasn’t bad, but there were a few things I didn’t love. The timeline was off, we started the book that she has two/three months left before the deadline, but she talks about knowing Theo for longer than that later on in a few scenes. Also some parts were really rushed, I wish we had more time with the two love interests instead. I feel like we got to know Theo through Olivia’s words rather than actually seeing it develop on the page. The wedding subplot was fun, however it got left unfinished. I get that there might be a sequel with two characters of this novel, but the plot was built around the wedding so I expected some kind of closure.
On a positive note I did really like Olivia as a main character, even if she was a bit messy at times, and the relationship felt gradual which I enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Literary.
46 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2026
Tropes:

- Romance author fmc
- Fake dating
- He falls first
- Grief
- HEA


Love and Fiction centres on Olivia, a romance author and Theo Constantine. Olivia struggles to write another romance novel after the death of her fiancé and Theo offers to help set her up on dates. The only condition being she accompanies him to his sister's wedding.

Olivia went through an unbearable pain. One of the worst things imaginable. I was really glad Theo was able to help her heal. She faces writer's block and her deadline has been moved up!

Theo was really sweet and caring. Despite having feelings for her, he still helps Olivia find dates. I swooned when Theo was hanging with his friends but still made time for Olivia by answering her call!

I loved Theo's parents! How Theo's mother, Gladice, knew straightaway that their relationship was more serious than he was letting on! Her nickname for him made me giggle, hehe!! But especially, the way they welcomed her into the family.

Overall, this was a great palate cleanser. A lovely, short story. I love a fake dating and a he falls first trope and this was well executed! I would recommend this if you enjoy cute, feel good romances!


Many thanks to Kate Gaskarth @cranthorpemillner and for giving me the opportunity to be part of the book tour!
1,516 reviews
February 1, 2026
After the death of her fiancé, successful author Olivia is struggling to finish her fourth novel. Desperate to break her writer’s block, she embarks on a series of speed dates in search of inspiration. Theo, meanwhile, is under pressure to bring a date to his sister’s upcoming wedding before his mother intervenes. When he notices Olivia documenting her dates in a green notebook, the two strike a deal where Theo will help Olivia find her fictional leading man if she agrees to pose as his fake date for the wedding.
The romance between Olivia and Theo is sweet and unfolds at a slow, measured pace, which I appreciated. Theo is a considerate and charming presence, and I enjoyed how supportive he was of Olivia. That said, I often felt I didn’t know enough about Theo outside of his interactions with her, which made his character feel slightly underdeveloped. While parts of the plot were nicely expanded and emotionally grounded, other sections felt rushed, and several side characters were introduced without contributing much to the overall story. These uneven moments affected the pacing and emotional impact for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Becki.
602 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 12, 2026
I wanted to love this book. It started with a great premise... Our MFC is a romance writer who is blocked because of the way her last relationship ended. She decides to speed date in an attempt to get some inspiration for her leading man. Our MMC needs a fake girlfriend to take to his sister's wedding because the sister needs another bridesmaid so that her photos are even.

And honestly, that's when this book started to lose me. The unbelievability of a woman choosing an absolute stranger to be in her wedding party and photos started shading every part off this story with unbelievability. The characters were one-dimensional, The "conflicts" were introduced then never really explained,. Certain characters were set up for bigger roles and then just dropped, never to be mentioned again. This book was a miss for me, though I think with some editing and reworking it could have been really cute.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It drops Jan 27, 2026.
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
5,878 reviews61 followers
Read
December 3, 2025
Olivia es una autora de romance que siempre ha confiado en la magia de sus personajes para contar una historia. Pero después de una pérdida que la dejó vacía, escribir vuelve a sentirse como un territorio oscuro. Los plazos se acercan y su inspiración brilla por su ausencia, así que decide hacer lo impensable: salir al mundo real en busca del hombre perfecto para moldear a su protagonista.

Entre citas fallidas, conversaciones incómodas y copas de vino que solo empeoran la situación, Olivia está lista para rendirse. Hasta que un desconocido aparece frente a su mesa como si hubiera salido directamente de una fantasía literaria. Theo no es parte del plan, ni del desfile de candidatos que ella tenía anotados, pero se ofrece a ayudarla a encontrar al hombre ideal para su novela. A cambio quiere algo sencillo: que ella lo acompañe a la boda de su hermana.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
55 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 31, 2025
What an amazing book to end the year with! This was such a cute yet emotional read, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The story is told from two POVs, which I absolutely love, because it allows you to truly understand how both characters are feeling and experiencing the story.

The writing is beautiful and engaging, and I especially loved how naturally and realistically the characters’ feelings developed over time. Watching their relationship grow was incredibly satisfying. Theo is the perfect male lead—charming, caring, and impossible not to fall for.

The only thing I felt was missing was an epilogue. I would have loved a little glimpse into their future to fully close out the story. That said, this book still delivered everything I was hoping for.

If you’re looking for a book with rom-com vibes, heartfelt moments, and lovable characters, this is the perfect choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC.
Profile Image for krissy.
87 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 19, 2026
I really liked the premise, which was the main reason I picked this up. Olivia is a writer searching for her leading man through dating sites, and then enters Theo, who helps her look for them in exchange to act as his girlfriend for his sister’s wedding. Overall, the vibe of the book was good — it’s the kind you can read in one sitting, and I especially liked the addition of scenes showing Olivia writing her manuscript.

The first half of the book started strong, but by the second half, the pacing and writing felt off. Some parts felt rushed and underdeveloped. There were moments that had the potential to become my favorite scenes, but the transitions and connections between them didn’t flow naturally, which made them feel underwhelming. I really wished Olivia’s grief and past had been explored more deeply — maybe through subtle hints scattered throughout the story leading up to her acceptance. Her realization of moving on felt sudden, and at times I almost forgot she was carrying trauma at all.

Theo is mostly what you’d expect from a leading man: caring, attentive, and the kind of person who makes you think, oh, someone remembers. Still, there was one scene that put me off — it felt slightly manipulative, and because of that, I struggled to fully evaluate him as a good romantic lead. Unless that behavior is meant to be tied to his past, which could make it more understandable, it left me conflicted.

Overall, this book had a lot of potential. The writing did pull some emotions out of me, but it could have gone further and been so much more.

Thank you Kate Gaskarth, NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner for giving me an opportunity to read this story in advance.
70 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 1, 2026
This is a cute story with plenty of feel-good moments! Olivia is a romance author in a slump, speed dating to find inspiration. Theo is looking for a date to his sister's wedding and strikes up a deal with Olivia to help each other out. Their arrangement is working until things take the inevitable turn.

I loved Theo as a character and all of his green flags that make him so likeable. Olivia's character starts off so relatable...my younger self also wanted Draco to be my boyfriend. However, toward the end of the story Olivia begins to miss the obvious. We also met great side characters (especially Theo's parents!).

I'm hoping for a sequel we can dive deeper into Georgia and Finn's story.

4/5 Stars
1.5/5 Spice
Trope: fake dating, second chance at love, HEA

Thanks to Kate Gaskarth and NetGalley for the ARC!

#LoveandFiction #NetGalley


Profile Image for Kristin Straumann.
70 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2026
This was an enjoyable story about an author and her struggle to write a romance book after the death of her fiancee. In an attempt to break free of her writer's block regarding the MMC of her story, she decides to go on "research dates" to gather info and inspiration. After a dreadful speed dating evening, Theo offers Olivia his help. Theo finds Olivia people to date, all while developing feeling for her as they continue to meet and debreif after her excursions. Instead of trying to find men for Olivia to date, Theo recenters his focus to convincing Olivia that HE is leading man material.

While Olivia finds her way out of her writing block, feelings, rainstorms, hotel rooms, and payment arrangements complicate things with Theo.

I liked the premise of this story. It was a new take on having an author as a main character.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC to read and review!
Profile Image for Lisi Bee (Beth).
501 reviews8 followers
May 25, 2026
This quick read was sweet and swoony at times, but I don't think I was quite the right audience for this book. The premise was interesting and I loved the meet-cute, but the story was a little predictable. It felt like Olivia is catfishing these dates as the book goes on, and I wasn't a fan of that plot point. Theo was no angel, either. I did like Theo and Olivia together in general, but their relationship felt disjointed at times and I didn't always connect with them as a couple. There were dual 3rd-person POVs, which I generally like, but they switched back and forth too quickly in places and it pulled me out of the story. I liked it okay but I didn't love it. That said, if you like instant-attraction fake-dating romances that lean heavily on the intentional misdirection trope, I think you'll enjoy this book. 3.5 stars. This review was based on a complimentary DRC of the book, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Emma Shuster.
219 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a cute and enjoyable read. I loved the premise and found Theo’s adoration for Olivia incredibly sweet—it made their dynamic so heartwarming to watch. The story has that perfect rom-com energy, and I truly think it could be the next big rom-com movie; it’s charming, funny, and has a wonderfully cinematic feel.

There were a few moments I wished had played out differently or been explored further, and I would have loved for the epilogue to jump a little further to show more of Theo and Olivia together. 

Overall, it’s a fun, sweet, and satisfying read that I would definitely recommend.

This one releases 1/27/26!
Profile Image for Wendy.
12 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2026
Love and Fiction is a swoony, heartfelt romance that kept me turning pages even if it didn't fully break my expectations in the end. Kate Gaskarth delivers a charming, emotional story with strong chemistry, relatable characters, and moments that truly landed. The romance itself is the highlight. The connection between the main characters felt genuine and sweet, and I loved how their relationship grew with vulnerability. There are moments that made my heart soften, and others that made me smile. The writing style is warm and immersive, and the characters were easy to root for. Overall, this book delivers comfort, chemistry, and emotional warmth. It's a solid 4-star read for anyone looking for a sweet, feel-good love story with heart.
Profile Image for Amber.
267 reviews4 followers
December 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 star review for Love and Fiction by Kate Gaskarth

I was love love loving this book, like fully ready to hand out my shiny 5 stars- because it was funny and sweet and just hit all the right rom-com notes for me. I was having the best time…

…and then the ending happened. Or, like… barely happened? It wrapped up SO fast I legit thought my app glitched. I even redownloaded it because I was convinced there had to be more. (There was not. 😭)

But honestly? I still can’t believe this was a debut. It read just as smooth and cute as books by authors who’ve been doing this forever. I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Natasha sunset_paperbacks.
46 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the storyline and concept behind Love and Fiction. The writing is descriptive and immersive and I found myself invested in the main characters and their journey.

The plot itself was engaging and easy to read, with plenty of emotional moments along the way. While I would have loved a little more detail in places, the overall story was enjoyable and left me with a positive impression.

A lovely read with a strong central idea and I’d happily read more from this author in the future.
43 reviews
April 3, 2026
Love and Fiction is a light but thoughtful romance that blends humour with deeper emotions. The story follows Olivia, a writer struggling with grief and writer’s block, who ends up searching for inspiration in the real world—leading to an unexpected connection. What I liked most is how the book balances a fun, slightly quirky premise with more serious themes like loss and starting again. It feels easy to read but still has moments that make you pause and reflect. It’s a warm, engaging story about love, healing, and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
Profile Image for larddane.
71 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2026
La historia de amor en sí es súper cute y te encanta desde el primer momento. Un poco predecible. Lo único malo es que hay dos cosas mal ejecutadas para mí: “him” y georgia y finn. Cerró muy abrupto el libro y no dio muchas explicaciones queda raro.

Siento que el trauma de ella con el amor es completamente entendible y que para mí un año de soltería no es suficiente, que su compañía la apuren para que tenga citas me parece nefasto…

Cute historia de amor igual pero meh
567 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 24, 2025
A sweet romcom that felt a bit like a made for tv movie, which isn’t a bad thing. You become invested in the main characters, and the secondary characters, but I found Olivia really likeable when sometimes the FMC can just be a bit whiny. The story goes exactly how you think it would, but sometimes you need that predictability.
Profile Image for Naimal Azad Kastro.
409 reviews25 followers
February 15, 2026
Books with bookish themes always intrigue me. The premise was cute. I really liked Theo’s character, so charming, kind and sweet. Olivia was a bit mean tbh especially during the whole speed dating thing. I liked the ending but Theo deserved better. It wasn’t bad but I don’t enjoy insta love and I don’t like dumb characters who can’t even value people who care abt them.
162 reviews
December 10, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was fun and I had a good time reading it, but I don't think it'll leave a lasting impression on me. There were some parts I wasn't a fan of but overall it was a decent book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Nina Frisby.
Author 2 books5 followers
March 8, 2026
DNF.
Could not suspend my disbelief about the whole meet cute premise and that made it hard to continue reading.
25 reviews
April 26, 2026
Love and Fiction

OMG I absolutely loved this book! The immediate chemistry and banter between Olivia and Theo is chefs kiss! Perfect RomCom to lift your spirits!
Profile Image for Kardelen .
56 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
May 15, 2026
"I believe you've been waiting for me"

This is a slow burn romance between Olivia, a well - know author of romance novels, being unable to continue writing after experiencing a terrible loss and Theo looking for somebody to accompany him to his sister's wedding.

The story is told from two POVs. I like knowing what both characters think and feel but in this book the POVs switched so unexpectedly that it made me confused. The plot was well written and the writing was good. The characters were well developed. I just wished we could learn more about Theo, what's his life like when he is not with Olivia. We only get a few scenes with his friends. I liked that there was no love at first sight, only immediate attraction which made the story more believable.

I loved Theo, he was wonderful. He is smart, attentive and caring. Before meeting Olivia he had a bad break up with his girlfriend. Even if he wasn't ready to date again, he agreed to find someone just to make his sister happy. Family is very important to him and he doesn't want to disappoint them. I loved his parents; they are the perfect example of what a loving marriage should be.

Olivia is facing a writer's block and with the deadline for her new book approaching, she needs to find a way to overcome it. She needs to find a leading man for her female character so she starts her "research" by dating various men to find inspiration. That's how she meets Theo who agrees to help her with her research if she goes with him to the wedding. At first I liked Olivia but then she started making decisions that didn't align with her character or in some cases made her look very stupid. She didn't comprehend the consequences of the situations she put herself in till it was too late. Every realization she made was because somebody else explained to her that her actions were wrong. After Theo did so much for her she still only saw him as a helper in her project which was very irritating. Even at the end she couldn't see what was in front of her till her friend pointed it out to her.

The secondary characters were awesome, especially Danielle. I would like to read her story.

Overall, it was an enjoyable feel good romance for people who believe in fate and need hope that there are second chances for love.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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