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Fake Night: An Addictive Dark Comedy. Quirky, Witty, and Endlessly Funny!

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A manic, queer, fast-paced dark comedy mystery where identity is a costume, humor goes off the rails, and everything spins beautifully out of control.

Imagine Agatha Christie writing an episode of Community about a chaotic found family.

Every July 26th, six friends gather for Fake Night, a ritual where they slip out of their real identities and become entirely new people for one chaotic evening. Different names. Different personalities. Different lives. The rules are sacred: always stay in character, and whatever happens isn’t your fault, it’s your character’s.

But tonight, one of the six, Detective Vee, goes all in.

Armed with a suspects board, a magnifying glass, and way too much caffeine, she becomes obsessed with the idea that someone is hiding something devastating beneath their fake persona. As the night spirals into absurdity, featuring workaholic accountants, glitter-throwing daughters, chemistry experiments, and emotional explosions, the line between playacting and reality starts to blur.

As Vee digs deeper, her hunt for truth collides with an unexpected attraction to another woman, turning suspicion into desire and making the case dangerously personal.

Fueled by sharp wit, found family dynamics, and characters running from themselves straight into each other, Fake Night unfolds over one wild night of madness, mystery, and razor-sharp humor.

Warning: This book is a rollercoaster through insanity. Strap in for an unforgettable ride.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2026

7 people are currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

Eyal Rosen

2 books10 followers
I write manic dark comedies with queer energy and an obsession with identity, control, and emotional exposure.

My writing comes from inner tension, unresolved desire, and a habit of following uncomfortable thoughts wherever they lead.

I tell stories that challenge certainty, test identity, and use humor as a doorway into something darker.

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Stacy.
106 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2026
ARC REVIEW

Wow, what a wild ride this was! At first, I felt like I was hallucinating because I couldn't wrap my head around what was happening. But then, BAM, I had an epiphany and everything clicked into place. The characters, and their alter egos, were all super likable. This friend circle is tighter than my purse strings. This book is fast-paced, so buckle up, Buttercup, and pay attention, or you'll be lost in character-land. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

Profile Image for Ember Vale.
28 reviews
February 8, 2026
I just finished Fake Night by Eyal Rosen, and wow, what a wild, manic adventure it was! I'm giving this a strong 4 stars on Goodreads and my book review site – it's one of those books that hooks you with its absurdity and keeps you turning pages late into the night. Published just last month (January 2026), it's a darkly comedic psychological thriller that feels like Agatha Christie crashed into an episode of Community, complete with queer vibes and a found family that's equal parts dysfunctional and endearing. If you're into stories where identity is just a costume and secrets bubble up in the most hilarious ways, this is for you.
Without spoiling too much, the plot revolves around six close friends who reunite every year on July 26th for "Fake Night" – a ritual where they ditch their real selves and fully embody new personas, complete with fake names, backstories, and personalities. The rules are strict: whatever happens stays with the character, not the person. This year, things escalate when one of them, Vee, dives headfirst into her role as a detective, convinced someone's hiding a massive secret. What follows is a single, chaotic evening of escalating madness – think glitter explosions, impromptu chemistry experiments, emotional meltdowns, and a suspects board that Vee obsessively updates with caffeine-fueled paranoia. Rosen packs so much into 258 pages; it's fast-paced, twisty, and laugh-out-loud funny, but with an undercurrent of real emotional depth that sneaks up on you.
What really elevated this book for me was how Eyal Rosen brings the characters to life. These aren't flat archetypes; they're messy, relatable people (or should I say, fake people?) who feel vividly real despite the over-the-top premise. Vee, our detective protagonist, is a standout – she's quirky, obsessive, and hilariously unhinged in her pursuit of the truth, but Rosen layers in vulnerability that makes her more than just comic relief. You can feel her internal tug-of-war between suspicion and unexpected desire, which adds a personal stake to the mystery. The other five friends form this tight-knit group that's like a chosen family on steroids – a workaholic accountant type, a glitter-throwing free spirit, and others who bounce off each other with razor-sharp wit and genuine affection. Rosen has a knack for dialogue that's snappy and authentic; their banter feels like eavesdropping on real friends mid-chaos. He uses the "fake" identities to peel back layers of their true selves, showing how playacting reveals hidden truths. It's masterful how he makes you care about them so quickly – by the end, I was invested in their friendships and rooting for them to survive the night intact.
One of the highlights for me was the LGBTQ+ elements woven throughout. This isn't just token representation; it's integral to the story's heart. The book is described as a "manic, queer" narrative, and it delivers with queer characters at the center. Vee's budding attraction to another woman in the group turns what starts as investigative paranoia into something tender and steamy, blurring the lines between role-play and real feelings. It's handled with humor and sensitivity, exploring how desire can complicate (and enrich) friendships in a found family. As someone who appreciates inclusive stories, I loved how naturally these elements fit – they add depth to the themes of identity and performance without feeling forced. It's refreshing to see queer joy and tension in a thriller that's more about laughs than darkness.
That said, it's not a perfect 5 stars for me. The pacing is breakneck, which is mostly a strength, but a few moments felt a tad rushed toward the end, like Rosen was juggling too many chaotic threads at once. Still, that's a minor quibble in an otherwise addictive read. If you're looking for a fresh take on mystery with heart, humor, and queer representation, pick up Fake Night.
Profile Image for Casia Pickering.
Author 20 books63 followers
February 7, 2026
As I was perusing my NetGalley feed, this book popped up. It's not my usual read, but the idea of a book described as The Community written by Agatha Christie intrigued me. I requested it and got a copy! So, here's my review.

First, I want to say that I don't actually agree with the Agatha Christie part. The Community part is still up in the air because I haven't actually seen that show. But, in the standards of a "mystery", I feel Fake Night falters. I wouldn't even label it as a dark comedy . . . more like an overcast grey comedy. I say that because there is drug use and questionable sexual elements, but within the confines of the story itself, it's not dark; it's a more psychological comedy journey.

But "psychological comedy" as a sub-genre doesn't really exist. Therefore, I understand the label "dark comedy." I just wouldn't necessarily put it there.

Fake Night might be a bit difficult to properly convey, to be honest. It was a simple read and very quick to get through. For a fast reader, you could feasibly finish it in a day or two. For a slower reader, I'd say three tops. It's a fast read that keeps you engaged. It was like watching a train wreck, but that's not a good descriptor either. Really, it was like watching a roleplay therapy session without a mediator or actual psychologist.

Actually, yes, that's how I would describe the story in this book. It is very much a roleplay therapy session that a group of friends go through yearly. Drugs and alcohol have historically been a part of Fake Night, but this year it's different. And it's the going through this year's differences that the reader sees different facets of the characters who are actually in character.

Don't go into this book thinking you know who everyone is, because everyone is playing a character of sorts. It says it right in the Fake Night declaration: "4. On Fake Night, you become someone entirely new." So, when you read, you see people pretending to be someone else. All the while, they learn something about themselves through their characters.

Fake Night is a rather niche book. There isn't really a plot per se, and the characters' actions gave me moments of anxiety because of the many mini-explosions and yelling. But I actually really enjoyed the book. It might be because there is a catharsis in how they eventually end up. They clearly trust one another deeply because something like this takes a lot of trust. How they ended up doing the first Fake Night in high school is a mystery to me, but that doesn't matter.

What matters is the moment you learn something about yourself by pretending to be someone else.

And that's what I got from this book. Which, when you look at the book itself, is a rather poignant way to view the story.

Is Fake Night witty? No, I wouldn't say so. But it did make me think in the end. And I tend to value those types of reads more.

Would I read another book by Eyal Rosen? Yes, I think I would. I wouldn't know what to expect, though, because I feel the description of this book wasn't quite on the nose. Did it describe everything in the book to expect? Yes, but there is a deeper meaning that I wasn't expecting.

So, if you're willing to read something fast that may surprise you in the end, read Fake Night by Eyal Rosen.
Profile Image for Jasmine Shouse.
Author 6 books88 followers
January 31, 2026
This book promises a rollercoaster through insanity, and boy, did it deliver! If you want messy, manic, ridiculous queers, Fake Night is the book to read. It's like an explosive, drug-induced 10-hour night of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and every bit as bizarre as that sounds.

Premise: Every year, six friends come together for a night of fake identities and intense fun. Each friend must remain in character and go with the flow. This year, someone has left a note threatening Fake Night's existence. Ashley dons the persona of Detective Vee to figure out who is the culprit. From 10pm to 8am, these friends engage in absolute shenanigans.

This was a really quick read. I couldn't believe how fast I flew through it, but given the manic energy of it, that actually kind of tracks. There were parts that made me uncomfortable And there were times when I wondered HOW they were doing what they were doing and WHY they would.

Once I got into the groove of these are young, messy people (most are 23), it really was an addictive read.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Content Warnings:
Alcohol use/alcoholism
Drug use and abuse
Drug-induced attempts at sexual activity
Profile Image for Nikkyg reads 📚.
25 reviews
February 6, 2026
Welcome to fake night, a darkly comedic psychological thriller where identity is a costume and secrets don’t stay buried.

Fake night is a playground for trying the things. It’s the place where you can do anything. You have to do anything - if it fits your character. In fake night, things are never your fault - it’s your characters fault.

Fake Night by Eyal Rosen is one of those books that doesn’t rush you, it kind of pulls you in slowly and leaves you feeling a little unsettled the whole time. In fact make that very unsettled.
The writing is moody and quite introspective, and a lot of the story lives between the lines. Not everything is explained, and honestly that’s part of the experience, well at least it was for me. It’s less about what happens and more about how it feels disorientation, questioning what’s real and what isn’t. Took me a bit to get into it and had to be in the right frame of mind and remind myself it’s a humour and satire based book.

The characters are quiet and emotionally closed-off, which made them feel realistic to me. I found myself thinking about certain scenes after I finished, even if I couldn’t fully explain why.


This definitely isn’t a fast-paced or super clear-cut read, so if you like tidy endings and obvious answers, it might not be your thing. I found I had to be in the right mood to keep on reading and remind myself of the genre. But if you’re into atmospheric, slightly weird, reflective books that may stick with you, Fake Night is worth checking out.
Would recommend going in with patience and an open mind.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Dani.
238 reviews11 followers
February 8, 2026
I’m trying to add more variety to my reading this year, and with this book I think I overshot my goal by quite a distance. I’d even say it pushed me so far out of my comfort zone that I doubt anything else will compare going forward.

We follow a group of friends who hold a yearly gathering called "Fake Night". They created official rules and documented them as a constant reminder. Each year, they choose a character for themselfes and must stay in that role the entire time.
Based on what I experienced, these characters and their interactions seem to grow more chaotic every year. The current one felt disturbing, strange, confusing, and at times very funny, though some moments were not funny at all. There were sections where I genuinely had no idea what was happening or what exactly I was reading.

This book is unlike anything I’ve come across and feels very much like an acquired taste. Certainly not for everyone. But if you’re looking for something that will genuinely blow your mind and make you question what you’ve gotten yourself into, you might want to give it a try. Just make yourself one promise: stick with it, and accept it for what it is. 😊

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Morgan Berry.
6 reviews
February 7, 2026
I’m incredibly thankful to be approved for my second ARC, and was intrigued by the premise and plot of this book.
Fake Night seems like a cool concept, but the twists seemed a little hard for me to immerse myself initially…then I did find myself having to follow through to decide how I felt about the book. I really started to enjoy the characters as the concepts came together. I think because of the ‘Fake’ characters it took me a touch longer to get connected to them, but once I did it was a lot easier to get immersed!
It reminds me of a book that you tell one of your friends to read because you want help deciding how you really feel about it. I’d give it a solid 4 because of that alone! I look forward to seeing how my friends feel about this YA novel!
Profile Image for SubconsciousShelf.
12 reviews
February 8, 2026
Fake Night is a chaotic, queer dark comedy built around one wild tradition: six friends reinvent themselves for a single night of new identities, new personalities, and zero consequences. This year, one of them—Detective Vee—takes the game too seriously, turning the evening into a caffeine‑fueled investigation that blurs the line between playacting and real secrets.

The concept is fresh, fast, and full of found‑family chaos. Even though the humor and pacing weren’t fully my style, I can still appreciate how creative, unhinged, and sharply written this one‑night rollercoaster is. Readers who love manic energy, queer tension, and stories that spin beautifully out of control will have a blast.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2 reviews
February 10, 2026
I read about half of the book. I was excited to read it because the premise of it seemed really good. I’m disappointed to say I just did not enjoy it. It was frustrating and confusing.

I am disappointed because I wanted to like it. I dislike all the characters and the pacing of the book was all over the place. One minute they are talking about one thing and the next another. It didn’t seem like a group of people in their early 20s but more like a group of middle schoolers left unsupervised for the night. There were no logical decisions made by the characters and it didn’t fall in line with what LARPing actually is. Overall I just found myself saying like what is happening now but not in a good way.
Profile Image for Sue.
244 reviews42 followers
February 6, 2026
Fake Night is a wild, chaotic ride with five founding members—Disney, Alex, Emily, Olive, and Brad—whose night gets completely unhinged. Disney is insane, Alex is sweet, Emily is emotional, Olive is the life of the party, and Brad just steals the show.

The whole thing feels like the author might have been on mushrooms—strange, surreal, and full of twisted humor. Pay attention, and the plot sneaks up on you beneath all the madness. Weird, messy, and absolutely unforgettable. A must read for sure if you like quirky!
I will be waiting for your next book Eyal for a wild ride!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Profile Image for Angelo.
198 reviews
February 6, 2026
Cute and quick, but overall didn’t really work for me - but I think I was just the wrong audience! The stakes were just a bit too low (or at times non-existent), plot a bit too messy, and I think I just needed more of a “why” for Fake Night’s central premise. Felt like we hovered over some interesting topics but never really dove into them. The writing was snappy and flowed well though, so would definitely check this author out again even though this wasn’t for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Brianna Kasyanju.
12 reviews
February 10, 2026
This book was…interesting. I really loved the idea of “fake night”. It sounds like a really fun time! I’d love to have my own fake night- everyone becomes a character and you have to stay in that character at all times? Insane but so much fun! The story felt a little bit juvenile at times. I noticed some weird holes in the story a few times as well. Otherwise, this was a neat story! It was definitely not something I would normally read, which is good because I wanted to get into so other “not my normal” books. Overall I enjoyed this!
Profile Image for Peggy Perna.
10 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2026
From start to finish, this book was absolute chaos in the best way possible. I spent most of the book barely following what was going on, but it felt intentional. You really go along for the rollercoaster ride of Fake Night with the group of friends attending.

Every character has their own ups, downs, and story to tell. With each passing chapter, the constant chaos gives way for each to grow.

I truly couldn't put this book down if I'd tried, and need a sequel ASAP!
Profile Image for Cait Kennedy.
58 reviews
February 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (3.5 Stars)

This book was chaotic from page one and felt like a twisted Mad Hatter’s tea party—colorful, loud, and slightly unhinged. It’s super fast-paced (almost too fast), which makes it a quick read but also a little overwhelming at times.

Entertaining? Yes. Deep? Not really. Memorable? Definitely.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. 📚✨
Profile Image for Victoria.
48 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2026
Fake Night is a yearly tradition where all attendees adopt a persona and no one is responsible for their actions--they are playing characters after all. This year, Vee goes as a detective and the evening takes a chaotic turn.

What a strange and wild tale! I'm not even sure how to describe it or how I felt about it. Truly an original!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
Profile Image for Harley Bennet .
9 reviews
February 8, 2026
"Just finished Fake Night by Eyal Rosen and WOW. 5 stars! 🌟 It’s a masterclass in dark comedy—quirky, sharp, and endlessly funny. If you love witty writing and addictive plots, add this to your TBR immediately. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! #FakeNight #EyalRosen #NetGalley"
4 reviews
February 3, 2026
Arc review !!!!

My thoughts are my own.

Wow!! I throughly enjoyed this book it’s funny witty and everything you could want in a quick read.
Profile Image for Alexis Hirshberg.
74 reviews
February 8, 2026
DNF at 25%. Too all over the place. I don’t think I was the right target audience for this, but that you Netgalley for allowing me to try this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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