Rules for Faking a Marriage

by Katie King

Liz Harrison swears she has life under control.

Sure, her ex left her with scars and a mountain of debt she’s desperately trying to keep secret. And yes, her coping mechanisms include glitter, questionable snacks, and pretending everything is fine, even when it very much isn’t. But she’s surviving. For the most part.

Enter Nate grumpy stuntman, allergic to full sentences, and frustratingly irresistible. He needs a fake girlfriend for a high-profile family event. Liz says yes, because she’s never backed down from chaos disguised as adventure.

Somewhere between his steady quiet and her chaotic sunshine, the line between fake and real dissolves, leaving Liz terrified. Letting someone in means confronting the parts of her life she’s tried to bury, the fear, the shame, and the truth she hopes no one ever sees.

For Liz, love isn’t the scary part. Believing she deserves it is.

*This novel is a standalone romance set in the same world as Rules for Starting Over.

Genres: Rom Com

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2026

About the author

Katie King was raised in Tennessee and moved to Georgia shortly after graduating college, where she still lives with her husband, two adventurous boys, and two chaotic dogs.

She spent her childhood reading, writing, or crafting stories in her head—and not much has changed. Reading remains her favorite escape, and fiction has always been where she turns for comfort and inspiration. Now, she hopes her books can offer readers the same kind of joy and escape her favorite authors have given her over the years.

Reviews

[Jill Dentel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me first start by saying, this book is NOT in my usual genre. I’m a fantasy/dystopian/sci-fi girlie. However, I’ve followed Katie King for a while and love her content, so when the opportunity came for her ARC I couldn’t resist.

I’ll admit, it took me about 25% to get really invested, but I think this was more of a me adjusting to a different genre problem, rather than a problem with the story.

I adored Nate, and all his grumpiness. Getting used to Liz took a bit longer. She reminds me so much of my bestie who insists her favorite color is glitter, but I struggled on the cringe factor of the not-curse curse words.

Aside from that, their romance was sweet, and I smiled when they finally (finally!!!) came together.

I can’t say this book inspired me to read more contemporary romance (this speaks more to me as a reader than it does to this book. I’m a creature of habit after all), but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

It was quick paced, fun, and had just the right amount of foot-kicking awww factor.

[Heather Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author - thank you!
The story was so fun and had some tie-ins to her previous novel but is definitely able to be read as a standalone.
I appreciated the closed-door romance and the witty banter. Can’t wait for Katie’s next story!

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but it certainly wasn’t the fantastic read that I discovered. Katie King was an unknown author to me, and I took a leap of faith because the tropes appealed to me. However, Rules for Faking a Marriage is much bigger than the sum of its tropes, as the writing is whip smart and packed with a warm energy that had me turning pages into the wee small hours.

Liz was a delightful protagonist, even though she clearly carried a depth of issues stemming from what I concluded was a relationship she was better off without. Her personality was a lot of fun as she oozed nervous energy. She was unable to experience silence and filled every moment with her quirkiness. I’m sure I may find her tiring in real life, but I loved her character from the opening pages.

Equally, Nate was the yin to her yang. Quiet, reserved, and definitely not interested in her special brand of crazy. I was drawn to his brooding aloofness and have added him to my special library of book boyfriends. The real hook wasn’t the descriptions of his obvious movie-star good looks, but his natural kindness and patience with Liz. There’s nothing sexier than a man who truly cares about every aspect of his friends’ lives.

The supporting cast of characters added a real depth to the story, and I particularly liked James, Liz’s brother. He was equal parts proud and protective when it came to his sister. As the story unfolded, it was easy to see why their bond was so strong.

This is a slow-burning romance with a wealth of tropes, including Grumpy/Sunshine and Forced Proximity. The characters are beautifully developed, and I enjoyed following their story arcs.
This is the second of two related books. I’m definitely going to track down a copy of the first, Rules for Starting Over.

Highly recommended and a lot of fun on the way to a delicious, happily-ever-after finish.

[Cece Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
I was lucky enough to read this one as an Arc from the author.
While it wasn't my cup of tea, If you're after a quick, easy read, you'll really like this book.

Pros:
Easy, quick, light-hearted read
Characters with flaws, development, and real, relatable trauma / issues.
The characters complement each other nicely and the banter works well.
No empty plot holes or unresolved ends.

Cons:
I struggled to form an attachment to Liz until quite far into the book, her juvenile internal dialogue and 'alternative' swear words really throw me off.
Dialogue early in the book includes things such as "If I could just get these stupid round thingies off. Bolts? Nuts? Nubbins? Whatever, doesn't matter their name; I will make them my biz-nitch".
The relationship wasn't linear or typical of a fake dating trope.They develop a friendship, and the attraction starts before the proposal is made.
The actual marriage ceremony was a fade to black, which made me sad that we missed out.
There is only a few references to the 'rules', which I thought being the namesake, might've played a more prevalent role in the story, acknowledging I haven't read the first book.
There is a line in there when Nate is conflicted about his feelings and his internal dialogue reveals he 'feels like a girl wondering all this', which gave me an ick.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie did it again, y’all! Knocked this book straight out of the park, making it soar right past my hopes and expectations. As if I didn’t love Liz, Hulk, Chloe, and James already, Katie made me fall for Nate too. And Liz and Nate as a couple?! Yes please! Niz is goals.

In Rules for Starting Over, I felt like I knew Chloe and James in real life. However, as we get to know Liz more in Rules for Faking a Marriage, I realized that Liz doesn’t just feel like someone I know, she feels like a reflection of part of myself. I connected with Liz, Nate, and their grumpy/sunshine dynamic at a level I haven’t before, with other characters. It has to be the chaotic word vomit that barrels out of her mouth before her brain has time to catch up. Girl, same.

As I’m learning is the norm with Katie’s books, I was laughing all throughout the book. POWER ANKLES, anyone?! I knew when I first opened the book and saw that chapter 1 was titled Armpit Squelches that we were in for a treat. And I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but toot toot, I was right.

So, do yourself a favor and dive in, head first. You won’t regret it!


I was elated to receive a copy of this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, but know that my thoughts and opinions are all my own

[Elena Andorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! This book had me laughing out loud!! 🤣 Multiple times my husband asked what I was laughing at! This book was adorable, funny, lovable, had a slow burn angst and fantastic!

Thank you Kaite King for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team! Katie King nailed this book! I now have a new favorite author to follow and read all her books!

Who doesn't love a good fake marriage duo who help each other out, who really get married!! Liz and Nate are so adorable, from Liz who doesn't like silence to Nate who thrives in silence! Nate and Liz work together on a movie set. Nate meets Liz while driving home one night after work to find Liz stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. From the moment he pulled over he knew he was in trouble when he met the crazy chaotic mile a minute talker, Liz.
The banter between these two is hilarious! Their story will have you laughing throughout the book, especially when Liz meets his demon of parents, she can hold her own. You will fall in love with them while they learn how to be friends and trust each other.
Will they find love or end it being friends when the contract ends? To find out pick up the book and find out! I promise you will not be disappointed! 😊

Must Read: YES!!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (advanced reader copy) of Rules for Faking a Marriage by Katie King.

I absolutely loved Rules for Starting Over. James and Chloe’s love story was one of my favorites, which is why I was really excited to read this one.

In Rules for Faking a Marriage, I really enjoyed Liz’s personality, and I liked the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Liz and Nate. That trope is always fun to read, and it definitely made me root for them.

However, throughout the story there were moments where it felt like something was missing. At times there was a bit too much miscommunication and not enough honest conversations about how the characters truly felt.

I don’t mind a slow burn romance—in fact, I usually enjoy it—but in this case the slow burn felt a little too slow and dragged out for me. I was rooting for them the whole time, but it felt like it took them quite a while to finally admit how they felt about each other.

I was also able to predict where the story was heading toward the end. While predictability isn’t always a bad thing in romance, this one felt a little more obvious than I personally prefer.

That said, I was still happy with how things worked out for the characters. If you enjoy fake marriage plots, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and very slow burn romances, this will likely still be a fun read.

Overall rating: 3.8⭐

[Samantha Bible · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well shizznit… Katie King did it again.

I didn’t think she could top the first book in this series (which I absolutely loved), but Rules for Faking a Marriage somehow stole my heart even more.

Liz and Nate’s story felt so real and relatable from the very beginning. Their dynamic was effortless, their chemistry was instant, and every interaction between them just worked! I loved both of their characters individually, but together they were something special. Getting to read both POVs made the story even better and helped me connect so deeply with their emotions.

This book had everything I want in a romance. I laughed out loud more than once, and there were also moments that genuinely made me tear up because the feelings felt so raw and honest. The trust and connection between Liz and Nate felt authentic and mature, which made their relationship even more meaningful to watch unfold.

Katie King has such a gift for storytelling — her characters feel like real people and her romances are full of heart. I already can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

[Tiffany Ly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0🌟

Slow start to the beginning, but it warmed up to me about half way in the book.

Pros:
-the quirkiness of Liz is endearing
-Nate is very thoughtful when it comes to Liz and that was sweet to see
-her adventures with the girlies to the spa was funny
-the way the author write about her character’s (Liz and Nate) adventures together

Cons:
-When Liz is swooning over Nate that was a little cringe to read
(For example, saying that he is hot lol we know he is going to be good-looking -most of the readers will be envisioning someone we is hot so in my preference good descriptions are better than just flatly saying he is hot lol-)


Thoughts:
-Her rambling is a bit much but it’s cute that Nate doesn’t mind it and that he accepts her for who she is.
-Hulk is cute (love cats)
-I didn’t see much spice 🌶️ in this book but I thought it would benefit if there was a little more
-Realized when reading the first couple of chapter that I should of read her other book with Chloe and James before this cause I felt as if there were some spoilers of the aftermath of the couple.

[Zulma · Rating 5 out of 5]

So read book one first, I promise.. I received this book as part of an Advance reader copy. this is my honest review man, do i love Liz, this women had me laughing out loud 😂. her use of alternate words instead of profanity. The way she gives out nicknames or has conversations with Hulk, who is her cat, by the way. also, the way she defends those she cares deeply about. Nate us a stunt double where Liz is the makeup person at a movie set. they become friends and maybe a little more (hint... check the title), but is it fake? I don't think there have been many ARCs that I have read in one sitting, but this one is definitely one of them. Nate is actually the son of the famous Sterling producers of LA. he changed his last name when he was 18 because he doesn't want to be what his parents are. he'd rather be his own person.there are some challenges that each one of them deals with, but that just keeps the story interesting. I kinda relate some with Liz's history, so that kind of brought tears to my eyes, but I absolutely love how Katie made this story so complete.

[Jodi Baxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules for Faking a Marriage was such a cute, feel-good rom-com! I loved every minute of it. The premise is fun, the plot is well paced, and the slow burn romance is done perfectly — all the tension and swoony moments without relying on a lot of spice.

Liz is sunshine in human form — quirky, lovable, and impossible not to root for. Nate is the ultimate grumpy, quiet hero, and watching his walls slowly come down had me smiling the entire time. Their chemistry builds in such a satisfying way, and the fake-marriage trope is executed beautifully.

It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and packed with charming moments. The characters feel real and lovable, and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic is chef’s kiss. If you’re looking for a rom-com that makes you laugh, swoon, and close the book with a happy sigh — this is it. 💍✨

Thank you Katie King for this ARC. I loved the first book (Rules for Starting Over) and this one! Can’t wait to read more!

[Amanda Shinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler-free review: This is such an amazing romcom!! First of all, it's genuinely hilarious. You are going to love the fmc, Liz, who is a quirky spitfire. She's so naturally funny, and comes up with the funniest nicknames for the mmc, Nate. Nate is a quiet and broody guy, who's very drawn to Liz, who is his complete opposite. Okay, onto the story. Liz is a make-up artist on a movie set, and Nate is a stunt double. They end up getting to know one another, and as the title reveals, they get into a fake-marriage. The events that lead up to the fake marriage are so dang good (I was giddy the entire time). Their chemistry is fire!! Ya'll, their first kiss (oh my hotness)!! The story is perfect, the pacing is on point, and the story just gets better and better. You're going to love it.
Very clean fade-to-black romance.
Some language.

[Leila Heikkinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to have received an ARC of Rules for Faking a Marriage--because I adored this book!! It was hilarious, and adorable, and oh so swoon-worthy. The way Nate was enamored with Liz even before the book began was perfect because it shows he always loved her "much"! The dynamic between these two, first as besties, then as fake lover, and then as real lovers was flawless all the way around. The nicknames, the teasing?! The way they so perfectly played their parts--because they were the parts they were always meant to play anyway? UGH! SO many HILARIOUS scenes, SO many scenes that were sweeter than honey. The way Nate would DIE FOR Liz?! THIS MAN! And she is just the biggest ray of sunshine ever, she was so beautifully written and I adored every second of this read in her pov and Nate's. I refuse to stop gushing over this book until THEY MAKE IT INTO THE ROMCOM IT DESERVES!!!

[Julia Gardial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Chloe and James, but Liz and Nate absolutely charmed me! Even after leaving a horribly abusive relationship, Liz is perfectly chaotic and optimistic, but she’s worked hard to find herself again. Her surprising strength gives Liz texture and makes her more than just another ditzy chatterbox. Nate, grumpy and monosyllabic, can’t help his attraction to her, and his careful caretaking anchors their story. I usually don’t gravitate toward fake marriages, but the author did the work of building their relationship before the wedding bells, so the marriage isn’t really the point, just a step in their road. I ATE this up and you will too! Liz and Nate will have you smiling through every page.

[Serena Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+⭐
Katie did it again! She wrote another amazing, beautiful story! If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It deserves all the stars!
Rules for Faking a Marriage is a hilarious, heartwarming, captivating grumpy/sunshine, fake dating/marriage romance! I'm obsessed with Liz and Nate's story! I love them so much! Love the banter! Love the protection and care for each other! This story is beautifully written and captures your attention. The slow burn keeps you hooked, wanting more! I could not put this book down! I love this story so much!
Thank you Katie for including me as an ARC reader!

[Anna Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
It was so awesome arc reading for Katie again! I loved the first book and so I was very excited to dive into this one as well! Katie King is seriously hilarious! If you're a fan of witty, banter and hilarious nicknames then this is the book for you!

This book definitely has the grumpy Sunshine trope but that does not mean that the sunshine is constantly that way! Lexi went through such a horrible experience and is still dealing with repercussions of it.

Nate is absolute perfection in regards to book boyfriends! I loved how the relationship, although in a lot of ways happened quickly, their love for each other grew gradually through their experiences together!

[Suzanne Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am So incredibly lucky to have been a member of the ARC team for this book and for Katie’s 1st book. They are both so amazing. I love her style of writing. She does such great Character development. I can visualize Liz and Nate and see them in a Hallmark movie. I loved how protective Nate is of Liz from the beginning. They were so incredibly perfect for one another. I’m so happy she is finally safe and happy and the ending was so perfect. A cherry 🍒 on top of the Sunday for me. I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 starts! Can’t wait to read more from this Author. 🥰

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie King’s second novel is a laugh-out-loud rom-com full of fun characters and moments that made me smile from ear to ear.

Liz is a makeup artist working on a film when she runs into Nate, a stuntman for the same movie. What starts as a classic grumpy x sunshine story devolves quickly into a marriage of convenience. It was entertaining to watch their relationship go from fake dating to married literally overnight.

I loved the combination of tropes—it kept me interested and invested in the characters’ relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m grateful to Katie for sharing an ARC with me! I’m all in and can’t wait to read her future books!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very rarely is a second book better than the first, but that is absolutely the case for Rules for Faking a marriage. Five stars isn’t enough for this book. Katie’s writing captures the emotions of her characters so well, making her books so relatable. Throughout this book, I loved all the little “clicks” (not to give too much away, but when Nate realized exactly what her agreement meant…swoon!). I’ve been in a six month reading slump and I’m currently typing this after midnight as I couldn’t put it down.

[Stephanie Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be an advanced reader of “Rules For Faking A Marriage” and I’m so glad! I loved Katie’s first book but this one was even better! The characters grabbed you right away and I giggled through the trials and tribulations of Liz and Nate’s “fake” marriage! It was a great way to spend Atlanta’s icemageddon and I sure hope Katie keeps writing books (maybe even about James, Chloe, Liz and Nate…) I’d love to see where they go next! Having had the privilege of meeting Katie in person, it’s fun to say that her writing is just like her personality - bubbly and fun, but smart, too!

[Kristi Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the first of the series is great…. And the 2nd is even better!!! Loved this book so much. I loved Liz’s scenes from Rules for Starting Over, so it was so much fun reading a whole book with her as the main character! She’s quirky & loud and he’s quiet & grumpy. The perfect combo 😍 Definitely laughed out loud at some parts and was feeling deep feels at others. Katie King knows how to write good banter, that’s for sure!!

[Crystal Counelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Katie King for the ARC
This was such an easy read, it flow so nicely and kept me interested. The characters are great. The banter was fabulous and I giggled out loud a few times. I mean if you love a grumpy mmc on a motorcycle, fake dating/ marriage and a good touch her and 💀 type feel. This was definitely a slow burn ( which I love) with not much spice, but enough. I felt this was just a good all around heartwarming sweet romance ❤️

[Marsea Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie King please take a bow! Girl you earned it!

A funny, sweet love story!

Reading this was like watching a hallmark movie with all the feels! You will laugh, get a little tear eyed, gasp and cheer them on. You might even yell a little ( just tell him/her already).

I love Liz and her crazy energy. How she lives life to the fullest dispite what she has been through. Nate is the poster boy for the strong silent type. I love how he stays convicted to what he wants even with all the pressures he faces. He never wavers.

This story was well written. With great characters. It draws you in from page one and holds on.

[Amanda Werrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc and I absolutely loved it! I didn’t read the first book in this interconnected series however that didn’t stop me from enjoying or understanding anything in this book, that being said I will absolutely go back and read that one because I loved this one and want to read they’re story too! It is a closed door romance but had a ton of tension, best of all no annoying miscommunication troupe or third act break up! I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the cutest books I’ve read in awhile. Liz is a makeup artist on the set of a movie and Nate is a stunt double. Liz is sunshine. Nate is grumpy. They meet when Liz’s car breaks down at night and Nate stops to help her. They both need something from each other so they decided to “fake date”. Then they began to be “fake married”. It’s a great comedy and truly the characters are great.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be the best fake dating story I’ve ever read. Nate and Liz are the best grumpy/sunshine couple, with both of them taking their personalities to the extreme. And it works so well! I loved this book so much, and didn’t want to put it down. The way Nate silently but completely loves Liz will have you grinning like a fool and kicking your feet the whole time. Definitely adding this book to my comfort reads list to read again when I need a great feel good love story.

[Jennifer Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie did it again!!! I loved following Liz and Nate’s story. This book had me feeling all of the emotions! Sad, anxious, happy, you name it! There were tears and laughter. I love when a book makes me laugh out loud and that happened quite a bit in this one! I can’t wait to see what else Katie writes. She is one of the those authors that I will read whatever she puts out! Never disappointed!!

[Jenna Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Just like in her first book, Katie made the most relatable characters that you just fall in love with and root for from the beginning. Liz is hilarious and Nate is the perfect grumpy man turn perfect love interest for Liz. Super fun read, I can’t wait for her third! I don’t give 5 stars too easily, but this book had me happy and hooked on the characters from the beginning. Must read!

[Kiersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz and Nate’s story is one for the ages, grumpy man meets the literal sun, and they have to get fake married to help each other out with their personal life issues.

I laughed, I cried, I caught myself smiling throughout the whole read.

An easy to read, closed door romance with loads of comedy wrapped in a nice book-shaped bow!

[Melanie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️ Bear and Cricket ❤️❤️
This was one of the sweetest stories I’ve read this year. The way their relationship and friendship built throughout the book was lovely. They were so good to each other without ever being over the top or performative. I love a good opposites attract story. Just wonderful and I will take no criticism!