Falling for Real : A fake dating wedding weekend romance novella

Dare to Fall #2

by Carly Phillips

Fake Date • Wedding Weekend • Forced Proximity • One Bed • Miami Heat • A Dare Family Series Story

One canceled date. One overbooked hotel. One fake boyfriend who feels way too real.

I fly into a destination wedding expecting maid-of-honor chaos—not to share a room with Tristan Hayes, the devastatingly charming nightclub owner I’ve crushed on for too long.

When the hotel runs out of rooms, Tristan gives his to an elderly couple without hesitation. I see the kind of man he is… and offer to share my king bed. Just for the weekend. Totally innocent.

Until my ex shows up.
With a date.

Suddenly Tristan’s hand is on my waist, his smile lethal, and he’s my fake boyfriend. Temporary. Perfect.

Except the chemistry isn’t fake.
And wedding weekends don’t last.

Or do they?

A fun, flirty wedding-weekend romance featuring fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, and a hero who always shows up—with a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Adult Fiction, Fake Dating

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

Reviews

[autwenreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one and really enjoyed Carly Phillips’ writing. It was fun, flirty, and such an easy read.

Tristan was everything I wanted in a book boyfriend. Charming, protective, and so caring. The way he showed up for Kaylee had me swooning the whole time.

Kaylee was sweet, relatable, and easy to root for. She matched Tristan so well, and their chemistry was amazing.

I also loved getting a glimpse of Lucas and Rainey again.

Honestly, I loved everything about this one. My only complaint is that it was too short because I wanted more of Tristan and Kaylee.

Thank you The Author Agency, Wildfire Marketing Solutions and Carly Phillips for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon



Kaylee has had a crush on Tristan, but has never acted on it. Then at a mutual friends' wedding weekend, she sees him do something that melts her heart - gives his hotel room to an older couple whose hotel reservation could not be found, on their anniversary weekend no less. She can't help but offer to let him stay in her room for the weekend, and that action and all the close proximity make for a tension filled weekend that has to culminate in delicious ways.



Tristan's reputation is misleading. He knows everyone thinks he's a player, but in actuality, he's looking for a relationship, he's just never met a woman who was the one. But now he's staying in the same room and bed with Kaylee, a friend to whom he's always been attracted but didn't act on it due to their mutual friend circle. The attraction is only getting stronger, now that he's stepped in and is acting as Kaylee's fake boyfriend to give her a buffer against her douchey ex, an ex who's also in the wedding party with him and Kaylee. It may have started as fake, but his attraction and his feelings for her aren't fake. He wants a lot more than this weekend, and he'll have it if Kaylee allows herself to take that leap with him.



Tristan and Kaylee are so darn sweet together. I love the way he steps in and seamlessly wraps himself up in her life, supporting her, showing her she was the one, helped her see herself the way he saw her, not the way her ex tried to make her believe. I do wish this novella was a full length novel, though, because I want a lot more of this amazing couple.



ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.

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[Michelle Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for Real is a novella in the Dare to Fall series by Carly Phillips. Kaylee shows up solo to her cousin’s wedding weekend after her date cancels last minute—and she’s dreading it even more knowing her ex will be there. Tristan, a groomsman and someone she’s crossed paths with through mutual friends, steps in and offers to play the role of her date. What starts as a simple favor quickly turns complicated as their undeniable chemistry makes it harder to keep things strictly pretend.

This was a quick, satisfying read that hit all the right notes. The story felt complete without dragging, with just the right amount of detail to keep things engaging. The romance developed naturally and at a believable pace, and the chemistry between Kaylee and Tristan definitely brought the heat. I’ll be picking up more from this series for sure!

[Isabel Jarnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Carly for the ARC!

Kaylee and Tristan are friends, but a friends wedding weekend changes all that.

Sparks fly when the hotel is overbooked, and they need to stay in the same room.

I loved their chemistry and how protective Tristan is.

Tropes:
Fake dating
Forced proximity
One bed
Friends to lovers

[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling For Real is book 2 in the Dare to Fall series and follows Midnight business partner, Tristan, as he finally finds the woman he has been waiting to find.

Tristan has known his business partners, Lucas and Jack, for years. They opened Midnight, a hot Miami nightclub, a few years ago. He tends to be the more silent partner, but he is active. He has been known to be a playboy. But most people do not know the full story.

Kaylee is best friends with Rainey Dare, fiance to Lucas, one of Tristan's business partners. She has had a crush on Tristan for years, but she thinks he does not even notice her. Her best friend knows how she feels, but she has never acted on it. They tend to do business together and she does not want to ruin that relationship if something were to go wrong, or he does not feel the same way.

Kaylee is the maid of honor for her cousin Ashley. Since everyone knows everyone, that means Rainey and Lucas, Tristan, and her ex will be in attendance for the wedding. Sadly, her ex is also the best man, which puts them in constant contact with each other. But she can do this. It is just a few days and then she will never have to see him again.

But Mark has other ideas. He blindsides Kaylee in the bar while waiting for dinner. He is a jerk to her. But when Tristan sees her facial expression change, he joins their conversation. And the ruse has now begun.

But is it really a ruse? Kaylee obviously has feelings for him. Could he possibly have feelings for her?

As the weekend progresses, and events take place, Kaylee and Tristan grow closer. But she keeps asking herself if he could have feelings. Since he is supposed to be her fake boyfriend for the weekend, why is he being so attentive?

Tristan has the power to completely break Kaylee. She is in deep with her feelings. So she runs. Will he catch her? Or will he let her go?

Let me start by saying that Kaylee's ex is a complete sad sack. He does not deserve one ounce of her thought. He is mean, vindictive and cruel. He takes every chance he gets to tell her that Tristan will never stay with her.

I have such a hard time believing that Kaylee wasted two years of her life on Mark. But she was looking for something she thought he could provide. Sadly, he is not capable, and probably never will be.

Tristan is a quiet man. He does not need to be the center of attention. He does not need people falling at his feet. He just wants a woman he can love and spend his life with. Yes, he has dated a lot of supermodels and beautiful women, but they never provided what he was looking for. Does that make him a playboy, or someone who knows what he wants and is just trying to find it?

Mark did such a number, mentally, on Kaylee that she worries that Tristan will not be able to deal with her "flaws". So she tends to run late. So she is not great about putting laundry away. So she dreams. To the right person, those will never be deal breakers. She just needs to find the right person.

I loved seeing two more of our favorites fall in love. The fact that everyone is best friends with each other makes it even better. They know each other. They know their likes and dislikes. They know their flaws. No surprises. Now we just wait to see who ends up with Jack.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a good fake date trope especially when you add in one bed accident and two people that have never admitted they were attracted to one another. Carly Phillips gives us a sweet and sensual novella between two friends of friends that are suddenly thrown together due to unforeseen circumstances and find that their feelings for one another are much more explosive than they ever realized. Kaylee Martin and Tristan Hayes have been in the same friend circles for ages, but they’ve never let their chemistry move into dangerous waters, until they find themselves at a wedding in Key West and sharing a hotel room with only one large bed. Then Tristan goes a step further pretending to be her boyfriend to save her from an awkward situation with her egotistical, rude ex when he is trying to embarrass Kaylee, which just pushes Tristan over the edge. The more time that Tristan spends with Kaylee the more he comes to respect and admire the sweet and sensual party planner that has always been in the background of his life, but can he convince her to give their relationship a real chance once the wedding is over, or will their unexpected fling end when they head back home? I enjoyed every page of this short read, gobbling up all the amazing romantic and gratifying interactions between Kaylee and Tristan, but also the way they both worked through their fears and had to come to terms with their pasts and present in order to accept that their “wedding fling” was so much more and they were meant for one another. Tristan was loving, sexy, noble and just the kind of guy I would like at my side, even just pretending to be my boyfriend; but ultimately the fact that he was so self-aware and knew immediately that Kaylee was different, that she was the woman the finally convince him to enjoy a relationship, made him perfect in my mind. Kaylee was a great character, admitting her flaws to herself, as well as those around her, but not letting them stop her from getting things done, or being there for those she loved, and of course she knows how to go for the things she wants, even if she sometimes overthinks things when she lets fear rule her. The chemistry that sparked between these two was apparent from the first moment they allowed themselves to open their eyes to one another, and I cannot wait to see more of them in future novels in the series. Carly’s style and grace for bringing characters to life and knowing the way to readers’ hearts is mystifying but she never fails to hit every note and proves to me why I’ve been a fan for decades.

[Kazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaylee is maid of honour for her cousin and is standing in line at the resort waiting for her room key when she sees in front of her Tristan, besides being one of the groomsmen, is one of the owners of the nightclub that she goes to with her best friend and business partner Rainey, who is engaged to the other owner of the nightclub. She has always thought Tristan was really hot, but the last time she seen him he had a beautiful model girlfriend. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he turned and smiled at her, which made her knees go weak, and said Hi, they chatted, while waiting their turn to be served and she found that he no longer had a girlfriend. The elderly couple in front of Tristan were having an issue with their reservation and were getting upset, there was no room for them, as the hotel was fully booked, they were celebrating their 50th Anniversary and they had been married at the resort, Tristan stepped up and said you can have my room. Kaylee was so moved at his kindness and as he now had nowhere to stay, she offered to share her room with him, it had two beds as she was planning to share with her friend Cole, they had planned to be together to give her some armour against her ex who is the best man.
Kaylee and Tristan get to the room and discover not two beds as expected but one king bed, the debate over who will sleep on the ridiculously small sofa until it’s time to leave for the first official wedding event. Tristan has gone to the bar to get a drink while Kaylee was making her way across the room when she ran into her ex Mark and his new girlfriend Shannon, Mark is particularly rude and has me clenching my fists, then he asks me where my date is, I just know he is not going to believe he was sick, but before I could say anything Tristan appeared at my side, wrapped his arm around me handed me a glass of wine and said that’s me! Isn’t that right honey?
Now we were stuck being in a fake relationship for the rest of the weekend but the arms around each other, the hand holding and the kisses are all starting to feel real. The chemistry between them is explosive and sharing a bed is only asking for trouble how long is it going to be before that restraint is gone? Will Kaylee decide a weekend romance with Tristan is worth the inevitable pain afterwards and will Tristan realise that he has found the one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

FALLING FOR REAL is the second instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult DARE TO FALL erotic, romance series, a next generation set in the author’s interconnected DARE series. This is nightclub owner Tristan Hayes, and thirty year old, event planner Kaylee Martin’s story line. FALLING FOR REAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line or series is revealed where necessary.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Tristan and Kaylee) FALLING FOR REAL focuses on the few days leading up to Ashley and Eric’s Miami wedding. The bride Ashley is Kaylee’s cousin, and the groom Erica, is one of Tristan’s best friends but upon Tristan and Kaylee’s arrival, they encounter a few problems at registration, when Tristan offers his room to another couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. With no rooms available, Kaylee suggests sharing her room but will quickly discover one bed makes for an uncomfortable weekend but things go from bad to worse when the best man, Kaylee’s ex, directs all of his pent-up hostility towards our heroine. Tristan will step up, playing the doting boyfriend in an effort to calm the situation, a fake relationship that feels anything but fake. Three days and nights together find our couple growing closer together but some words of warning send Kaylee home alone.


The building relationship between Kaylee and Tristan is a friends to lovers predicated upon circumstances, and forced proximity.Their attraction to one another is palpable but Kaylee’s ex refuses to back down, seeing an opportunity to destroy our heroine’s struggling self-esteem. Tristan doesn’t do long-term relationships but Kaylee is the woman who is about to steal his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


The dynamic secondary and supporting characters include the members of the wedding party. We are reintroduced to the bride and groom-Ashley and Eric, as well as Kaylee’s ex boyfriend Mark, and his new girlfriend Shannon.


FALLING FOR REAL is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is fast paced, entertaining and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic and determined.


copy supplied for review

[Jami Birnbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

*An advance reader copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*

Kaylee Martin is the maid of honor for her cousin, Ashley’s, destination wedding. Unfortunately for her, her ex is the best man. Kaylee was going to bring a friend as her plus one, but he had to back out at the last minute. While checking into the hotel, she runs into Tristian Hayes, co-owner of the nightclub Midnight, who she knows through her business partner, Rainey Dare. Kaylee’s had a crush on Tristian for a while now. But she’s a relationship type of gal and he likes a different girl on his arm every time she turns around. When they overhear that the hotel is booked solid and the older couple at the counter had a snafu with their reservation, Tristian doesn’t hesitate to give them his room. Seeing what a big heart Tristian has, she offers to let him stay with her, since that’s where the wedding party is staying.

At the pre-wedding festivities, her ex swoops in on her, seeing that she is alone and tries to make Kaylee see that she shouldn’t have dumped him, although he did have his new girlfriend with him. From across the room, Tristian sees how uncomfortable Kaylee is and comes to her rescue, not that she really needed the help. After that, Tristian doesn’t leave Kaylee’s side. By the end of the evening, they agree to a fake relationship for the weekend and so that her ex (hopefully)doesn’t cause any drama for the happy couple.

Kaylee and Tristian make a really convincing fake couple. From their cutesy nicknames for one another, to their witty banter that could be considered foreplay. Kaylee and Tristian may want to believe that their teasing of each other is just for show, but it leads to so much more. They say that opposites attract, but they may not be as far apart as they had once thought. Now they just have to let each other in on their feelings so this can lead to something real.

I’m a fan of forced proximity and an only one bed scenario. Because you know at some point the main characters are just not going to be able to keep their hands off one another. Carly Phillips certainly doesn’t disappoint on both counts. The only thing that makes me sad is that this isn’t a full-fledged book. Then again, I always feel like Carly Phillips books are too short.

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a gifted ARC via The Author Agency. FALLING FOR REAL is Book 2 of the DARE TO FALL novella series by Carly Phillips. Due to a booking mishap and a cancelled date during a destination wedding weekend, Maid of Honor, Kaylee Martin, offers to share her room with her crush, groomsman Tristan Hayes. This arrangement leads to a fake dating scenario with real chemistry that might be enough to last past the weekend. This is a spicy, open door, first person, dual POV, connected standalone, contemporary romance novella with tropes that include Fake Dating, Destination Wedding Weekend, Forced Proximity, One Bed, Slow Burn, Friends To Lovers, and Miami Heat. I enjoyed this novella. It was on par with other novellas by this author, meaning that it was well written with an appealing storyline and mostly well paced. There was nothing wrong with it and it was an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon, but it didn’t bowl me over and the conflict and resolution were rushed. It is a challenge to write a novella that really delves deeply into character development, the highs and lows of a new relationship, the uncertainty of where that relationship is headed, and the lack of communication that comes from fear of rejection. I felt those challenges with this novella. I think I liked Kaylee and Tristan so much that I wanted more than the author could give me while keeping the word count in the novella range. In an ideal world, I would love to see the author flesh this story out into a longer novel where she would have the freedom to do all of those things. My star rating reflects my feelings of being left wanting. I would also really appreciate a Dare family tree, because I will admit to not being certain where the Dare connection was with these characters. I have a hard time keeping them all in my head and a chart to remind me would have been helpful in order to put those connections in place. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable story and will appeal to many romance readers. If you are a reader who enjoys a destination wedding, fake dating romance novella, then you will enjoy this one by a well seasoned author.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes this book is fire! I absolutely LOVED Kaylee and Tristan's story. This novella was everything and more. I was pulled in and hooked from the very first page and the chemistry between Kaylee and Tristan was so intense it was radiating off of the pages. I am a sucker for a fake romance storyline and this one did not disappoint. It was hot, steamy and the perfect pace to really help me feel the connection. A definite must read book for sure!-By Alisa






I loved this fun, fast paced, quick novella. I couldn’t put it down. Tristan is such a great main character. Poised yet touching, masculine and understanding. Kaylee being relatable, always late yet successful, a crush she has had forever. Both knowing what they want yet a slow burn. Add in a wedding weekend, an ex-boyfriend and a fake relationship. The banter between Tristan and Kaylee was great....so glad Kaylee put Mark in his place!!! Wish it had been a little longer, bc I wanted a tad more....Carly is a new to me author, but I will definitely be checking out her other books. 4.5 stars- Amanda





Nothing better than showing up single for the wedding of your cousin when your ex-boyfriend brings along his new girlfriend to rub it in your face. Yet when someone jumps into rescue you by claiming to be your boyfriend maybe your luck is turning.

Kaylee Martin has had a crush on nightclub owner Tristan Hayes for a long time since her business partner married one of his business partners and they are often at the same functions. She is blown away when he saves her from her ex and maybe she will get through this weekend unscathed.

Tristan Hayes isn't usually the type of guy to settle down but he also knws it is because the right girl hasn't passed by yet, until he meets Kaylee. He is going to do everything in his power to be by her side this weekend and not let the things her ex says bring her down.

There is so much chemistry between these two and will the timing finally be right for each of them to act on how they feel?

This was a really good read and really a reminder not to settle for anything less than what you deserve. Kaylee obviously has some issues from her ex and how he treated her which is why she thought Tristan was so out of her reach. Their banter was great and I loved how much Tristan stuck up for her and put her ex in his place. The chemistry was over the top and you knew things would happen fast!

This is another great book in the series and I look forward to more! 4 Stars- Rebecca

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kaylee travels to a resort for her cousin’s wedding weekend, she knows tensions will be high, given that her ex happens to be the best man to her maid of honour. When he approaches her the first night, with his new girlfriend on his arm, things quickly become awkward, until she is rescued by the man she is forced to share a hotel room with, who pretends to be her boyfriend. The more time they spend together, the less it feels like they’re faking, but while she knows he’s not the relationship type, she can’t let herself fall for him for real.

Tristan has always been attracted to Kaylee, but their shared friend group always kept him from acting on it, until he saw the look on her face when her ex approached her, and knew he had to save her. While he has dated casually in the best, he has never tried for more because it never felt right, but somehow pretending with Kaylee feels more real than anything he’s felt before, and while it started out as fake, it feels anything but.

I received an early copy of this novella from the Author Agency and really enjoyed it. As a quick, lighthearted read, it gave readers everything we needed in a shorter format, yet didn’t leave us wanting more. Kaylee and Tristan may live different lives, but at the end of the day, they want the same thing, something authentic, and it quickly becomes clear that they can find it in each other. Kaylee’s ex may have been planning to manipulate his way back into her life, but all he did was push her and Tristan closer together, and force them to confront the feelings they were trying to keep hidden.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for Real: A Dare to Fall Novella is the second book in The Dare to Fall Series. It can be read as a standalone book. This story is pretty fast paced and full of humor and a couple who start as a wedding fake couple but develop very real feelings for each other.

Kaylee is the Maid of Honor for her cousin's wedding. Her ex will be standing up as best man for the groom. She had plans to have a friend stand in as her fake boyfriend, but at the last minute he can't come. Tristian is one of the owners for the club Midnight. She knows Tristain through Rainey, her event planning business partner. Kaylee secretly crushed on Tristain, but she is a relationship girl hoping to find her forever person. Tristain is always a date her and move along person. So, when a mix up has Tristain giving up his hotel room to an elderly couple celebrating their anniversary, Kaylee offers to share her room with him in a friendly way.

Kaylee's ex brings along his new girlfriend, and Tristain overhears Mark making digs at Kaylee. When Mark asks where her boyfriend is, Tristain swoops in to put his arm around her and claims himself as Kaylee's date.

Now they need to keep up the couple image for the long wedding weekend. What starts as cute nicknames and touching starts to grow as they find they have more in common than they thought. Will they be able to keep up their ruse? Will they be honest with each other about the feelings growing between them that are more than the sexy weekend relationship they agree to sharing a bed? Enjoy this funny and hot weekend hook up that becomes so much more.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undeniable chemistry

Carly Philliips' FALLING FOR REAL, Dare To Fall #2, was a fun, quick, and entertaining read which had humour, flirtation, passion, and two totally relatable main characters. A destination wedding, a hotel mix-up, one-bed, and fake dating, who could ask for more?

Kaylee Martin and Tristan Hayes were acquaintances more than friends, but unknown to each other they shared a mutual attraction. Attending their friends wedding at a Key West Resort they find themselves sharing a room after a booking error and Tristan giving up his own room. The chemistry between them was undeniable, I adored their flirting and banter, and their personalities were just so likeable and relatable. When Tristan suggested they fake date due to Kaylee's jerk of an ex being at the wedding, he not only won Kayle's heart but mine too. When it came to relationships Kaylee and Tristan were on opposite ends of the spectrum, she preferred long term while he was more of a casual guy, could the time spent together lead to something neither expected?

I thoroughly enjoyed FALLING FOR REAL. Even though it was a novella Carly Phillips packed a lot into it. It moved at a quick pace, yet the emotions and the timeline felt fully realistic. Of course I would have loved if it was a full length novel, but Carly didn't skip on anything, the romance just moved a little faster. It was another fantastic story from Carly.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨FIVE STARS

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaylee is the maid of honor for her cousin’s wedding but her ex is the best man. While checking into the hotel Kaylee encounters the MMC, Tristan, a groomsman in the wedding she’s crushed on from afar for a while. Tristan generously gives up his room to an older couple that had an error in their booking. With a sold out hotel and one of the most important weekends of Kaylee’s cousin's life she offers to Tristan to have him stay in her room. He ends up agreeing but when they get to the room Kaylee realizes they were given only one bed. While at the first dinner of the wedding weekend, Tristan overhears Kaylee’s ex giving her a hard time and introduces himself as Kaylee’s boyfriend sparking the beginning of their fake dating. But as time goes on the lines of fake and real begin to blur and although Tristan hasn’t found anyone worth settling down with he knows right away that Kaylee is different and excited to see where things could lead. I really enjoyed the story and how it progressed throughout the wedding weekend. Tristan is observant and considerate and passionately attracted to Kaylee. Kaylee tries to push him away by admitting her flaws but Tristan loves Kaylee for who she is anyways. He has no problem showing his affection for her and assuring her of his interest in her. Their chemistry is undeniable to the both of them but they are unsure of how it could last past the wedding weekend. The way it all comes together is so swoony and fun to read. If you’re looking for a sweet read with fake dating, one bed, and wedding shenanigans this is your book!!

[b cozy book lounge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was such a quick, fun, and heartwarming read!

Kaylee arrives at her cousin’s wedding venue and comes face-to-face with Tristan,part of the wedding party and co-owner of the nightclub she frequents (and secretly crushes on). Kaylee is a relationship girl through and through, while Tristan is known for always having a different woman on his arm… so sparks between them feel unexpected but oh-so intriguing.

Right from the start, Tristan shows there’s more to him than meets the eye. When an elderly couple’s reservation is lost while celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, he generously gives up his own room and even adds a bottle of champagne for them.

With Tristan now roomless, Kaylee offers to share hers, only to discover there’s one bed. Cue the tension 😍

Things heat up even more when Kaylee’s ex (who also happens to be the best man) shows up with his girlfriend and still has the audacity to stir trouble. Tristan stepping in and pretending to be Kaylee’s date? Yes please! The fake dating trope was done so well here, adding just the right mix of drama, protectiveness, and swoon.

What follows is a sweet, chemistry-filled story where lines blur between pretending and real feelings. Tristan and Kaylee’s connection builds beautifully, making this a satisfying and feel-good read despite its shorter length.

✨ A quick, enjoyable romance with great chemistry, a touch of drama, and plenty of heart.

[Franci N (Franci's Fabulous Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Finding What They’ve Been Looking For Stars!!

I’m so loving this newest series by Ms. Phillips as it puts me into one of my favorite literary worlds. While this book isn’t focusing on any specific Dare family members, they’re all there because their families are intertwined. This novella revolves around Kaylee and Tristan, business partners with two Dare family members.

What I loved so much about their story is that they’re two people that believe in finding their “person” but haven’t quite accomplished that yet. Tristan has a reputation as a “player” and until recently Kaylee was in a relationship with who I’ll now refer to as a whiny man-child! This quick trip to Key West changes everything for them and very quickly.

Kaylee and Tristan have always been attracted to each other, but neither of them wanted to take the risk in case it didn’t work out. Once they end up having to share a room, thanks to Tristan being all swoony, and Tristan tells Kaylee’s ex that he’s her boyfriend, all bets are off. The steam coming out of their room could fog up every room in the resort!

Their love is quick and instant and I fell hook line and sinker for these two. I loved how they love each other and that once they came to a mutual understanding, what they’ve always dreamed of comes true.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaylee and Tristan were delightful together. Fun, flirty, and great chemistry. They've known each other and been casual friends for years, though she's always had a bit of a crush on him, but never gone past that. She's a forever-relationship type and he seems like he'll never settle down. But at a wedding weekend where Tristan claims to be Kaylee's boyfriend to put an ex in his place, things start to change.

I loved how, once we got into Tristan's head, we discover that it isn't that he likes playing around, it is more that he can tell when a relationship isn't going to go anywhere, so he doesn't see the point of staying in it long-term. It makes him seem like a player from the outside, but he knows he's not. The underserved reputation bites him with Kaylee though, because spending quality time with her means he sees her in a different way. She thinks he's being his normal charming, flirty self and she's setting herself up for heartbreak. He's falling for her.

This novella was a perfect example of why I love dual POV romance. Seeing inside both character's heads and how they change makes the payoff that much better for me. Told with Carly Phillips usual sparkling charm, I fell in love with Tristan and Kaylee at once, and will be going back to this short story again and again!

[Tracy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely exceptional short story. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Carly Phillips had me hooked on page one.
What happens when you are the maid of honor (Kaylee) at your cousins (Ashley) wedding that your ex (Mark) is also a part of? Does it make a difference that your long-time crush (Tristan) will be part of the same wedding? But what happens when you offer to share your hotel room with that long time crush and find out once you get to the room that it only has 1 king size bed? Do you think you can keep your distance from one another? Would it change things when he comes up next to you and introduces himself to your ex as your boyfriend just to save you from your ex and save you from being embarrassed about being at the wedding stag while your ex is there with his new girlfriend?
What starts out as a fake boyfriend weekend turns into a special weekend for Kaylee, a weekend where she finds out how a woman should be treated by a man. A weekend that is full of love making, fun times and just hanging out together.
Tristan for once learns how nice it is to find a woman he finally wants more than a one-night stand with. A woman that he wants to see where a relationship can lead to.
This story will have you laughing, falling in love and of course you will have your HEA!! A must read. A+++++

[Sue Galuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty year old Kaylee Martin is in Key West, FL for her cousin Ashley's wedding where she is the maid of honor. She is checking in at the same time as Tristan Hayes, the guy she has crushed on for a long time. Tristan is a co-owner of Midnight, the upscale nightclub in downtown Miami where her and her friends like to hang. Imagine Kaylee's surprise when she hears Tristan give his room away to an older couple and there are not any other rooms available. Kaylee quickly says he can stay in her room since she will have two beds. Of course when they walk into the room, there is only one king size bed! They are adults....they can handle this! ;)

At the pre-wedding celebration Kaylee runs into her ex-boyfriend Mark who is a cousin to the groom and he brought his new girlfriend. Talk about awkward! When Mark asks Kaylee who her date is she is just about to tell him she came alone when all of a sudden a warm body wraps his arm around her and she sees Tristan smiling! He starts pretending to be her date! Mark is floored since they know each other. Of course you know the old adage....pretending starts to turn into real and before they know it Kaylee and Tristan have crossed that line. Of course it's only for the weekend...right? Nope....their feelings are too strong and they quickly realize that they have found their happy ever after with each other!

I just loved steamy fake dating novella. It was so fun how these two just meshed together. Tristan was the perfect type of guy for Kaylee and together they just worked.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaylee Martin is the maid of honor for the the destination wedding of her best friend and cousin Ashley. Knowing her ex is the best man and she would have to be around him she was planning on bringing a date but he wound up sick and couldn't come.
As Kaylee is checking in she runs into Tristan Hayes, co-owner of the nightclub Midnight in downtown Miami who she knows through her business partner.

As Tristan is waiting to check in he overhears the hotel is fully booked and the couple in front of him celebrating their 50th anniversary had an issue with their reservation so Tristan gives them his room. Seeing as there isn't another room Kaylee offers to share her room with him.

When Kaylee's ex and his girlfriend approach her, he wants to know where her date is and that's when Tristan steps up and says "I'm right here". The ex was shocked and Kaylee hid it well too but she and Tristan agreed to fake date for the weekend. Both of them having crushed on each other but never made the move because of their friends, have chemistry and it looks real. But will it last?

4.25 stars
Loved this little Novella. Even though Kaylee and Tristan are different they really want the same thing.

[Elizabeth Mazzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaylee and Tristin are in the same wedding party on an island when Tristin gives up his room he needs a place to stay and she offers her extra bed or so she thought. Turns out she ends up with one bed and they have to share. Then her ex happens to be the best man and is making her uncomfortable about her relationship life that Tristin steps in and says he’s her boyfriend. And the rest of its history they both have feelings for each other but neither wants to say it until they can’t denied it anymore.
As the wedding comes to a close she walks away from it and goes home, however what she didn’t expect was him to show up on her door step with her favorite take out saying that he really wants her to be his girlfriend.
This is a very quick under 100 pages. It happens over a weekend and is fast pace. This works for this book and this couple because they are anything but normal. I enjoyed this book and I like that it felt like they had a great connection and you were taken into their budding relationship.
I would recommend this book if you want a quick read, forced proximity, one bed read. I also like that’s this is a branch off her other series and I enjoy that. I recommend anyone to read this author and she won’t disappoint!

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re anything like me and love a novella that delivers all the feels in one irresistible sitting, then Falling for Real by Carly Phillips is exactly what you need.

This is one of those deliciously quick reads that still leaves you completely satisfied—one you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again. From the very first page, it pulls you into a whirlwind weekend romance that is equal parts fun, flirty, and undeniably steamy.

Tristan and Kaylee are both part of the same wedding party, and when a room mix-up throws them together, you just know sparks are about to fly. Add in an ex who seriously needs putting in his place, and the fake dating trope slides perfectly into play. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns into something far more electric once that hotel door closes… because the chemistry between these two? Absolutely sizzling.

Tristan isn’t afraid of commitment—in fact, he wants something real, but he’s just never met the right person. Kaylee, however, might be about to change everything. Their connection feels effortless, natural, and full of heat, but the real question lingers beneath it all… what happens when the weekend ends?

This novella is the perfect escape—short, sexy, and packed with heart. So settle back, clear your schedule for an hour or two, and let yourself fall into a romance that proves sometimes the best things come in small, irresistible packages.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaylee is the maid of honour for her cousin’s wedding, but unfortunately her ex is also the best man. After a series of unfortunate events, Tristan (who Kaylee has a bit of a crush on) steps in and pretends to be her boyfriend to get her irritating ex to leave her alone. They also end up sharing a room… and a bed. I’ll let you read the book to see how that plays out😉

This was the first time I’ve read a book where the main character had my name, and it made the whole experience so much more entertaining. It genuinely felt like the MMC was talking to me half the time😂

Speaking of Tristan, book Kaylee and I clearly have the same taste in men. The moment he shared his food with her, I fell in love.

The relationship does develop a bit faster, but considering it’s a novella, it works. It still felt natural and didn’t come across as forced.

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 — it’s open door, but not the main focus of the relationship.

This is definitely more of a light, easy read, but I really enjoyed it. It was the perfect palate cleanser. If you enjoy fake dating and one bed, I’d definitely recommend adding Falling for Real to your TBR.

[Miancka · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Short, Sweet, and So Addictively Swoony!
Falling for Real was the perfect quick romance fix — fun, flirty, and packed with all the tropes I absolutely love! 💕
Kaylee and Tristan had me hooked from the start. A destination wedding, one bed, forced proximity, and fake dating? Say less. I was already all in. But what made this story shine was Tristan. The moment he gave up his hotel room for an elderly couple? I melted. That small act said everything about the kind of man he is — thoughtful, selfless, and completely swoon-worthy.
And Kaylee offering to share her bed? The tension started immediately. Add in an ex showing up with a date, and suddenly their fake relationship felt a little too real… and I was eating it up. 😍
The chemistry between them was effortless — playful, warm, and just the right amount of spicy. Every look, every touch, every moment felt charged, even in such a short novella. And Tristan? The way he shows up for Kaylee again and again… that’s the kind of book boyfriend I’ll always fall for.
This story might be short, but it delivers big on heart, charm, and swoon. A perfect feel-good romance that leaves you smiling long after the last page. 💐✨

[Amber H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is like a sparkler at a summer wedding—quick, bright, and impossible not to watch until the very last flicker ✨💍

Falling for Real leans into classic romance chaos in the best way: fake dating, forced proximity, and a one-bed situation that practically writes its own tension 🛏️🔥 Kaylee and Tristan don’t waste time pretending their connection is subtle—the chemistry is immediate, but what surprised me was how grounded it still felt.

Tristan especially stood out. He’s not just the broody-romance type; he’s considerate in small, meaningful ways that make him feel real rather than constructed 💫 That moment of kindness toward strangers early on quietly sets the tone for everything he does afterward.

Kaylee holds her own too—witty, reactive, and never just orbiting the romance 😌 Together, they fall into that delicious space between “this is fake” and “wait… is it?”

For a short read, it packs a full emotional arc without feeling rushed. It’s light, playful, a little spicy 🌶️, and very easy to devour in one sitting 📖

A solid pick if you want romance that doesn’t overstay its welcome but still leaves a warm afterglow 🌙✨

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for Real: A Dare to Fall Novella (The Dare to Fall Series, Book 2) by Carly Phillips is a fun, flirty romance set during a wedding weekend. Kaylee Martin is the maid of honor for her cousin Ashley, and Midnight nightclub co-owner Tristan Hayes is a friend of the groom. They know each other through mutual friends, so when they meet in the hotel lobby where the wedding party is staying, a room shortage forces them to share a room with a king-size bed instead of the two queens originally booked. At the first gathering with the family and wedding party, Tristan finds Kaylee being questioned by her ex about whether she has a boyfriend. Tristan jumps in and claims he is, which sets up a fun weekend of run-ins with the ex-boyfriend and his plus-one, friends enjoying time together, and a new, instant attraction between Kaylee and Tristan. Carly Phillips’ books always end with an HEA, but how the story unfolds here demonstrates that she is a master of her craft when it comes to writing romance. She also has an extensive backlist of romance series to check out if you get impatient waiting for her new releases.

[Alexandrea Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

With novellas and how fast-paced they are, there has to be a point where the characters have already met and have some connection. The story also has to be told in a way that doesn't feel rushed and is believable. For the most part, Carly Phillips did a really good job of that with this Novella.

Kaylee and Tristan have met and interacted before in previous books. They were both attracted to each other, which is why that part of the Novella worked. It was believable. They had good chemistry, and it was a quick acquaintances/friends-to-lovers scenario.

What didn't quite hit the mark for me was the pace. I know novellas are supposed to be quick, but I felt that this was a little too fast for me. This could easily have been a full-length novel to me. I wanted to see more of them interacting and a little more of them falling in love. I loved the story and really liked these characters together, though!

If you have read the first book, you will definitely want to pick up this book. It was a cute, fun read that you can enjoy in one sitting. Thank you for the advance copy. I really did enjoy it!

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
If chaos had a dress code, it would be “wedding weekend with your ex as the best man.”
Falling for Real by Carly Phillips is basically a greatest-hits album of romance tropes—and I mean that as a compliment.
We’ve got: ✔️ one bed
✔️ fake dating
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ unresolved tension that absolutely refuses to stay unresolved
Kaylee is just trying to survive a wedding where her ex is lurking like a bad decision she already made once. Enter Tristan—quiet, observant, and suddenly very committed to the role of “fake boyfriend.” (Sir, that arm around her waist was a little too convincing, but okay.)
The chemistry? Immediate. The banter? Flirty with intent. The emotional damage from the ex? Annoying but necessary for the glow-up.
Tristan was the standout for me—less “playboy,” more “man who quietly has his life together and just needed the right woman.” And Kaylee? She deserved better from the start, and thankfully… she finally gets it.
It’s quick, it’s fun, it’s a little spicy, and it delivers exactly what you want: two people pretending not to fall while absolutely falling.
Would I have taken more pages? Yes.
Did I still eat this up in one sitting? Also yes.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novella Story
If you’re looking for a fast paced romance story, look no further. This was a great quick read that still had all the love and romance that you are looking for in a Carly Phillips story. This is the story of Tristan Hayes and Kaylee Martin. These two have mutual friends, in that Kaylee is friends and co-owner with Rainey Dare, while Tristan owns a club with Lucas Carras. This story finds these two at a weekend wedding where they are suddenly sharing a room and the romance takes off from there. Poor Kaylee has to deal with her ex at this wedding as well, but Tristan steps in and acts as her boyfriend to keep her ex away from her. Kaylee has always had a secret crush on Tristan, but had heard that he’s more of a player, while she is looking for a relationship. Throughout the story we get to see the real Tristan and how he does want a relationship, but he just hasn’t found the right lady for him. Well get ready for some smoking hot time between these two because they were certainly made for each other. Great story!