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Unruly: How to Fail at Fake Dating

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Riley
I know how to paint a sunrise and mind my business. That's always been good enough to sustain my reclusive lifestyle here in Songbird Ridge. Until now. For this year's art auction, my uncle wants me to hobknob with the big donors. And if I don't make a good impression, the local artists' guild is in danger of losing the funding that keeps our community thriving during the off season. What's an extreme introvert to do?

I could be reasonable and practice my social skills by simply getting out more. Or, I could ask Rowdy to go with me and act as my buffer. Why not? He's one of my best customers at the gallery, so he knows my work. Rowdy is the life of the party and everyone around here loves him.

The only problem is Rowdy has zero chill about being my buffer. So much so that he's leaning in hard to his role as my "date." Now, in the weeks leading up to the event, everyone in town thinks we're hot and heavy. I mean, sure, we've secretly shared a few kisses here and there, but that's only because Rowdy keeps showing up everywhere, making me laugh, and restocking my snacks. It doesn't mean anything.

Everyone in town will have to deal with our "break up" eventually, because there's no way Rowdy's chaos will fit into my quiet life as a permanent fixture. Love doesn't factor into my plans. Putting the "fun" into fundraising? Sure. But he and I? Long term? It just doesn't make any sense.

Rowdy

I've been pining for Riley since I first laid eyes on one of her paintings. I know what I like, and I had to meet the artist who sees the same beauty that I see when I hike these mountains. I've bought every piece I could get my hands on, in hopes to meet her someday. Riley's a recluse, though, which sticks in my craw because I need to tell her what her art means to me.

Imagine my surprise when we eventually meet, and Riley asks me to be her date to the annual art auction. Mind blown.

She's made it clear that this is a fake date, and that she needs me only to help her seem social. I'm so pumped to help her out, though, that I go a bit overboard. I turn into Riley's full-time hype man, learn everything there is to know about her, and make it my mission to boost her confidence. And, okay, I admit it. Some people have assumed that Riley and I are officially dating, and I haven't contradicted them.

Do I know the first thing about fine art? No. Do I know how to act around the super rich donors at this fancy gala? Also no. But I'm not worried. A party's a party. How hard could it be?

What I do know is I'll do whatever it takes to spend my life making Riley smile. If our "accidental" kisses are any indication, this "fake date" has the potential to last forever.

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2026

8 people are currently reading
8 people want to read

About the author

Abby Knox

161 books600 followers

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,629 reviews89 followers
February 2, 2026
A quiet artist. A loud handyman. One fake date that changes everything.

Riley Hutchinson paints landscapes and minds her business. It's worked for years, until a high-stakes fundraiser threatens the future of her small-town arts community. To survive a night of donor schmoozing, she asks Rowdy Fraser to be her fake date. He's everything she's not: loud, charming, and always in the middle of things, but somehow, around him, she feels more grounded than alone.

Rowdy's been hooked on Riley’s art for years and on Riley herself from the second they met. Saying yes to her fake date offer is easy. Not catching real feelings while learning her routines, standing up for her work, and sneaking in too many kisses? Not so much. What starts off pretend begins to look a whole lot like forever.

As pressure builds and the gala doesn't go quite to plan, Riley is ready to retreat. But Rowdy is not going anywhere. What feels like chaos might actually be the calm she’s been craving. And the guy who never stays still might be the one who helps her finally feel settled.

Riley grows from guarded and solitary to someone who opens her life, her art, and her heart. Rowdy steps into something more grounded than charm, becoming the kind of partner who shows up, steadies, and stays. Together, they go from fake to real with all the messy, tender, slow-burn emotion in between.

A steamy, fake dating, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, small town romance that brings together a fiercely loyal handyman and a quietly brave artist in a love rooted in trust, vulnerability, and connection. Exploring emotional intimacy, self-acceptance, personal growth, creative expression, and belonging, it’s about choosing the person who sees you clearly, finding purpose in community, and building real love in the middle of beautiful chaos.

The Elevator Pitch: A reclusive artist needs a date for a make-or-break fundraiser and ropes in the town’s charming handyman to play the part. What starts as pretend spirals into stolen kisses, unexpected intimacy, and a connection neither of them saw coming. It’s tender, steamy, and rooted in a love that shows up, stays, and changes everything.
758 reviews
February 4, 2026
Rowdy and Riley, their story is one of the quirkiest ones I have ever read. She’s an artist and Rowdy, wow, he is so cute. He buys up a lot of Riley’s paintings and she asks him to be her date at a function. Of course he says yes! Then things turn, these two have a night of passion, and he wants more! Still the story gets stranger, a formal event, an arrest, a declaration of love and a sweet ending
Truly, an entertaining all over the place romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,315 reviews27 followers
February 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fake dating done right—sweet, funny, and full of heart

Unruly: How to Fail at Fake Dating is an absolute delight. Abby Knox nails the fake-dating trope with warmth, humor, and characters that feel instantly real.

Riley is such a relatable heroine—a talented, deeply introverted artist who just wants to paint her sunrises in peace and protect the community she loves. Her anxiety around social situations is handled with so much care, never played for laughs, and it makes her quiet strength shine. Watching her step outside her comfort zone for the sake of the artists’ guild had me rooting for her from page one.

And then there’s Rowdy—pure golden retriever energy in human form. Loud, chaotic, endlessly supportive, and absolutely gone for Riley. His transformation into her full-time hype man (snacks included!) is peak romance. The way he sees her, values her art, and quietly builds her confidence without ever trying to change who she is? Swoon. Hard swoon.

The fake dating spirals perfectly into oops-we’re-caught-feelings, with accidental kisses, small-town assumptions, and that delicious tension of “this isn’t supposed to be real… except it totally is.” Their chemistry is soft and sweet rather than over-the-top, which fits them beautifully.

This story shines in its emotional beats—introvert validation, community love, and the realization that sometimes the right person doesn’t disrupt your life, they make it bigger. Rowdy doesn’t overwhelm Riley’s quiet world; he learns how to fit into it.

Charming, cozy, and deeply satisfying, Unruly is a comfort read with substance. If you love fake dating, small towns, an introvert heroine, and a hero who is all-in from the start, this one is a must-read. 💛🎨✨.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shalalah.
750 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2026
Fake Dating, Real Feelings, and Small-Town Magic

Unruly was an absolute delight—soft where it counts, funny when it needs to be, and quietly swoony in all the best ways. Riley and Rowdy feel like opposites that make perfect sense together: the introverted artist who prefers sunrise solitude and the golden-retriever chaos man who turns encouragement into an Olympic sport.

The fake-dating setup is handled so naturally that you can see the misunderstanding snowball before anyone admits what’s really happening—and honestly, watching Rowdy lean all the way into being Riley’s “buffer” is half the fun. He’s supportive without being overbearing, confident without overshadowing her, and genuinely in awe of her talent. Their chemistry builds through small moments: shared snacks, accidental kisses, and the kind of care that sneaks up on you when you’re not looking.

Songbird Ridge itself feels alive, full of quirky charm and community warmth, which makes the stakes around the art auction feel real and meaningful. This is a quick read, but it packs in heart, humor, and a satisfying HEA that leaves you smiling. If you love fake dating, opposites attract, and small-town romance with feel-good vibes, Unruly is a wonderful place to start this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.9k reviews49 followers
February 19, 2026
He's been creeping on her the old-fashioned way by asking people about her

Unruly is the first book in the new Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. This book introduces a new town of Songbird Ridge to the readers. It is located in the mountains and does the unusual thing of supporting the artist guild members. Each artist is paid a base living wage, thus allowing them not to have to work full time and instead concentrate on their art which they can then sell at the various shops in town. This story is about Riley Hutchinson and Rowdy Fraser. They went to school together but were three years apart and also complete opposites. He was a wild child who got into a lot of trouble and she was quiet and into her art. But the paintings Riley paints speak to Rowdy and he has a collection that spans his house. He is determined to finally meet Riley and get her to fall in love with him. Riley may know Rowdy's reputation but when she needs a fake date to accompany her to the annual gala fundraiser she asks Rowdy. It may be fake but it is about to become a whole lot more real along the way.
I loved this sweet, spicy, passionate, funny, quirky and more story. I can't wait to read more stories about the people in Songbird Ridge.
Profile Image for Aggie Worth.
19 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2026
I nearly didn't pick this book up as the cover didn't talk to me. But how happy I am to have read it now. It's absolutely brilliant.
The little town of Songbird Ridge full of artists of all description is cute in itself, filled with historic houses and very tightly knit community, no secrets, lots of gossip.
But then there are several characters that give this cute little quirky town an additional charm. Beautiful and very funny people, at least some of them. Rowdy and Riley are just the first couple out of three we're going to meet and I honestly can't wait for the other two stories. Riley and Rowdy have been fabulous together, so hot, but also really hilarious in their approach to each other. I absolutely recommend this book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jenifer.
2,857 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2026
Loved this steamy quick read. It's got that perfect small town setting that made me nostalgic for the town I grew up in. I loved that the town supports their artists rather than having them starving. It set this town apart from other small towns I've read about. For Riley being as shy and introverted as she was, she certainly came onto Rowdy strong and took what she needed/wanted. Good for her! I loved his big, yet quiet and humble, grand gesture at the end. It was such a perfect moment and sealed it in my mind that Rowdy is a good hero after all. I'm looking forward to Ari and Foster next as we got glimpses of their personalities in this story and they are bound to be fun to read about.

I received a free copy of this story and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Book Snob Sue.
1,421 reviews138 followers
February 1, 2026
Rowdy’s the outgoing town bachelor that has a huge crush on his favorite shy artist. He buys so many of her paintings, he is definitely her biggest obsessed fan. She finds out that as one of the town’s artists that she has to go to a gala and mingle to represent her fellow artists. As you probably already guessed, for a shy artist…mingling is not her thing. So, she asks her biggest fan to be her fake date. He agrees to be her fake date, but obviously he wants it to be the real thing. These two have so much chemistry…they don’t even wait until their fake date to uh…enjoy the adult perks. And just a secret between us…she’s not so shy behind closed doors.

Cute and safe read, with an outgoing handful and his shy artist obsessed crush. An epilogue and a hea.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.8k reviews28 followers
February 9, 2026
Alice is an artist who is shy and likes keeping to herself, so when she's asked to attend the town's gala and represent the local artists, she needs some help. She asks Rowdy to be her date, and let's just say he's willing and ready. Rowdy has been crushing on Riley since he met her, so he was determined to win her heart. This is a small town, opposite attracts romance with believable characters that are so perfect for each other. The writing is well done, and the happily ever after is perfect. Unruly is book one and a great start to the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
395 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2026
Unruly is book 1 in the new Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series and follows Rowdy and Riley on their journey to love. I love the dynamic and friendship that the two have together and how Riley knows she can count on Rowdy to help her with the annual fundraising gala. Little does she know that he would help her with anything she needs and is going to use any excuse he can to be close to her. Short, sweet, fun characters, a little spice, and a lot of love with a HEA make this a great start to the new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Fran.
2,562 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy
January 26, 2026
Riley is an artist who is tasked with being the voice of the art community at their annual fundraiser. But she’s shy, introverted and needs help so she asks the one person in town who everyone loves, Rowdy. They call it fake dating so it looks real but of course there’s nothing fake about Rowdy’s love for Riley. He just needs to get her on the same page. Well written sweet and steamy hot romcom with great characters. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,501 reviews15 followers
February 6, 2026
Abby Knox' first installment in her Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series is the fabulous fake relationship romance Unruly: How to Fail at Fake Dating. My favourite romance trope, Abby Knox proves that anytime anyone tries to pass of a fake relationship, the feelings inevitably turn real. Rowdy and Riley are fire together, and when the beautiful artist tries to increase her social capital with life-of-the-party Rowdy, the fake touches soon turn to burning passion. A fun, steamy, entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Johanna.
3,112 reviews56 followers
February 6, 2026
This is Book 1 of the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. It is a very good start to the series.

'This is for you if you love tropey, high-heat insta love romance with feel-good vibes.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable. Plot was pretty straightforward. World building was solidly drawn. Recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,850 reviews
February 6, 2026
3.5 stars.

This story had total devotion, some unique char6and things happened that I did not expect. I really liked Rowdy but would have liked some more info related to what was disclosed towards the end. I thought that he and Riley went well together, had good connection and chemistry, and I liked seeing things work out for them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cynthia Khan.
2,915 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy
January 25, 2026
Book 1 of Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life story of Rowdy and Riley. Wow talk about powerful and inspiring characters and the romance these two find together. I loved the way these two came together for a fake relationship that turned real and lasting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,015 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 28, 2026
Rowdy made me smile the whole time. He is such a great character, true to himself, honest and a with a huge heart. Riley is sweet and shy but with Rowdy she lets go.
I loved this quick, small town instalove romance and look forward to more in this new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kyareth14.
1,389 reviews
February 6, 2026
This new series got off to a fantastic start. This story has everything to give you an entertaining and very fun read. Rowdy is unique; I thoroughly enjoyed his antics, and Riley was the woman of his life. I couldn't put this book down; the plot and the happy ending were great, and I'm looking forward to the next stories, which promise to be just as good.
12.5k reviews76 followers
February 7, 2026
The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Riley and Rowdy. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with determination, a fake relationship, connection, realizations and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,206 reviews30 followers
February 8, 2026
He wants to be her date to all things.

Period. Rowdy is all in for Riley. Riley is the super shy artist who knows that Rowdy is too, well, rowdy for her. She’s a hermit forced to smooze at a gala and she asks Rowdy to be her fake date. Rowdy has been on hundreds of dates in their small town but she’s it for him. Period.
Recommend.
Profile Image for Esme Greiner.
2,046 reviews12 followers
March 2, 2026
Alice is an artist who is very shy so when she is asked to attend an event to represent artists she knows she needs some help. She asks her biggest fan, Rowdy, who she has also been crushing on, for help. He agrees to be her fake date to the event but he plans for it to turn real. Will this be just what the needed to finally admit what they have both been feeling?
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
10.2k reviews35 followers
February 4, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the characters in this book. I liked how the fake date becomes real for Rowdy and Riley who make a great couple.
Profile Image for Tracey Crawford.
1,502 reviews6 followers
February 7, 2026
Nicely written with characters that are interesting and relatable. Rowdy so deserved a happily ever after. The story was fast paced but so good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melinda Swaine.
2,513 reviews12 followers
February 9, 2026
I adored everything about this book!!!

You’ve laugh, swoon, and smile your way to a HEA with this one!! I adored everything about this book. So grab a copy, cozy up in your favourite nook, and enjoy a delicious small town story! Loved it! Happy reading
2,760 reviews5 followers
February 9, 2026
A wonderful new series, I enjoyed Riley and Rowdy they start as fake dating, Ends up so much more, Loved it,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amy Miller.
3,833 reviews34 followers
February 9, 2026
This was truly one amazing and passionate story. The characters will blow you away in this one. Loved it
10 reviews
February 20, 2026
a good quick read

Not my favorite Abby Knox. But it is definitely worth the read. Short sweet and everything you need in a novella.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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