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The Valentine Lock-In: An Enemies-to-Lovers Valentine’s Day Romance
Trapped in an elevator with your childhood nemesis on Valentine’s Day? It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Chloe Bennett has a simple strategy for the Gilded Hearts Avoid her smug ex-fiancé, raid the open bar, and escape with a purse full of stolen mini-quiches. She is a chaotic artist who thrives on mess, but tonight, she just wants to survive.
Councilman Mark Sterling has a regimented plan for the Shake fifty hands, smile for the cameras, and repair his reputation after a ridiculous scandal involving a beagle. He is a polished, uptight perfectionist who hasn’t loosened his tie since 2008.
They haven’t spoken since high school—when Mark snitched on Chloe for sneaking out—and they like it that way.
But when they both dive for the same service elevator to escape their respective nightmares, the unthinkable happens. The elevator breaks. The lights go out. The temperature rises.
And when the doors finally pry open, they aren’t greeted by freedom. They’re greeted by a wall of paparazzi flashbulbs catching them in a compromising, breathless clinch.
Now, the tabloids are calling them the city’s hottest new couple. To save Mark’s career and Chloe’s pride, they strike a desperate weeks of fake dating.Strict ground rules.And absolutely, under no circumstances, falling in love.
It should be easy. They have nothing in common. He’s a spreadsheet in a tuxedo; she’s a hurricane in combat boots. But between staged lunch dates, defensive hand-holding, and late nights pretending to be domestic, the lines between “PR Stunt” and “Real Life” start to blur.
Chloe realizes Mark isn’t the robot she thought he was.
Mark realizes Chloe is the color his beige life has been missing.
But can a relationship built on a lie survive the truth? Or will they realize that the only place they were ever truly honest was inside that broken elevator?
The Valentine Lock-In is a laugh-out-loud, steamy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com featuring a fake relationship, forced proximity, and enough sexual tension to melt the buttons off a tuxedo. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and happy endings.
Chloe Bennett has a simple strategy for the Gilded Hearts Avoid her smug ex-fiancé, raid the open bar, and escape with a purse full of stolen mini-quiches. She is a chaotic artist who thrives on mess, but tonight, she just wants to survive.
Councilman Mark Sterling has a regimented plan for the Shake fifty hands, smile for the cameras, and repair his reputation after a ridiculous scandal involving a beagle. He is a polished, uptight perfectionist who hasn’t loosened his tie since 2008.
They haven’t spoken since high school—when Mark snitched on Chloe for sneaking out—and they like it that way.
But when they both dive for the same service elevator to escape their respective nightmares, the unthinkable happens. The elevator breaks. The lights go out. The temperature rises.
And when the doors finally pry open, they aren’t greeted by freedom. They’re greeted by a wall of paparazzi flashbulbs catching them in a compromising, breathless clinch.
Now, the tabloids are calling them the city’s hottest new couple. To save Mark’s career and Chloe’s pride, they strike a desperate weeks of fake dating.Strict ground rules.And absolutely, under no circumstances, falling in love.
It should be easy. They have nothing in common. He’s a spreadsheet in a tuxedo; she’s a hurricane in combat boots. But between staged lunch dates, defensive hand-holding, and late nights pretending to be domestic, the lines between “PR Stunt” and “Real Life” start to blur.
Chloe realizes Mark isn’t the robot she thought he was.
Mark realizes Chloe is the color his beige life has been missing.
But can a relationship built on a lie survive the truth? Or will they realize that the only place they were ever truly honest was inside that broken elevator?
The Valentine Lock-In is a laugh-out-loud, steamy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com featuring a fake relationship, forced proximity, and enough sexual tension to melt the buttons off a tuxedo. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and happy endings.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2026
10 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 8, 2026
I enjoyed this book! It was third person narrative which I honestly don’t run to, but it worked!
Chloe a chaotic artist, and Mark an uptight politician, who also happened to grow up right next door to each other.
After being trapped in an elevator at a gala, they enter into a fake relationship to help Mark maintain a better political appearance. But then their feelings start to shift…
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Good read! Short and sweet, short chapters.
🌶️ no spice other than kissing
Great read for Valentine’s Day! 💕
Chloe a chaotic artist, and Mark an uptight politician, who also happened to grow up right next door to each other.
After being trapped in an elevator at a gala, they enter into a fake relationship to help Mark maintain a better political appearance. But then their feelings start to shift…
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Good read! Short and sweet, short chapters.
🌶️ no spice other than kissing
Great read for Valentine’s Day! 💕
March 4, 2026
Cute and funny rom com novella. Friends to lovers and a fake dating spin. Quick read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews