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Unruly: How to Fail at Fake Dating
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.
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
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I received a free copy of this story and am voluntarily leaving my review.
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.
Cute and safe read, with an outgoing handful and his shy artist obsessed crush. An epilogue and a hea.
Review of advance copy
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.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
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.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews