The Boyfriend Clause

by Bridie Blake

Sabrina’s new Melbourne cafe, her lifelong dream, is struggling—despite her exceptional baked goods and fabulous coffee.

Her love life isn’t faring much better—she just keeps dating the wrong kind of guy. But the boyfriend clause in her loan agreement requires her to be in a committed relationship or pay back the loan in its entirety.

That would mean losing the cafe.

What could be worse? Making up a fake boyfriend, and accidentally giving him the name of the rude and brooding famous writer in her apartment block, the one she wildly insulted when he moved in—that’s what!

And when that leads to the rude and brooding writer joining her rambunctious family on a trip to England and a charade of perfect romance, Sabrina finds herself navigating a whirlwind of contradictory emotions. Including an unignorable awareness of just how infuriatingly hot the insufferable writer is.

But as the boundaries blur, one question looms what, or who, is he writing about?

The Boyfriend Clause

is everything you could ask for in a contemporary a totally relatable heroine, a steamy love interest, an offbeat family holiday, delicious pastries and just enough spice to set your heart on fire.

Bridie Blake is a Melbourne writer. The Boyfriend Clause is her first novel.

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Bridie Blake lives and writes in Melbourne, Australia. She is a self-confessed daydreamer and consumer of reality TV, who can sniff out chocolate like a bloodhound and will never turn down a coffee or the opportunity to listen to Taylor Swift.

Her novel, The Boyfriend Clause, will be released in Australia and New Zealand in 2026 via Text Publishing.

Reviews

[Pousali Ghosh (thispandareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the cutest romcom, meet cute, fake dating book I’ve read! I was hooked with the first page, that elevator scene was so damn funny, I was laughing out loud. And so relatable too! When I came across this book online, I just knew this was going to be a favourite read of mine. And then on top of it, Aussie author and set in Australia? Double triple sold! Her writing is phenomenal and so easy to read that I finished the book in one setting. I am in love with Sabrina, she’s such a cool and relatable character who’s doing everything I think a lot of us dreamt of! And then Adam is just pure drool worthy.

Adam, a typical grumpy man, moves into the apartment next to Sabrina. But their first meet was not something Sabrina wants to be reminded of. She’s tried to apologise but he seems super … broody! And to make it worse, he keeps visiting her cafe and just orders coffee. You know one of those customers. But when her mum forces her to go on another disastrous dates she lies to say Adam is her bf. And somehow her parents end up visiting her to meet this new bf of hers. Now she’s in trouble. She manages to convince the grumpy Adam to help him, but she didn’t realise the manipulation power of a mother. Who convinces him to go on a two week planned family vacay with her. And then all the trouble begins! Will she lose her heart to him in the process?

There were so many LOL moments and so many tearful moments. Her family is a crazy one like I guess most of us are! Especially her mother, she is a hell of a person I’m still unsure if I like her or not haha. This was such a fun read, highly recommend.

Thank you so much Text Publishing for this beautiful ARC!!!!

[Booked.withb · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Boyfriend Clause” by Bridie Blake 🍰✍️

Thank you to Text Publishing for the early copy! 🤩

Releasing March 3rd, The Boyfriend Clause is a swoony, angst-filled slow burn that absolutely delivers on tension. Sabrina’s struggling Melbourne café and the ridiculous “boyfriend clause” in her loan agreement set up the perfect fake dating chaos — especially when the fake boyfriend turns out to be her rude, brooding (and infuriatingly hot) famous writer neighbour.

The slow burn and angst? Perfection. The emotional push and pull had me hooked. The spice is definitely there and good but after that delicious build-up I wanted just a little more detail and intensity.

If you love:
Fake dating 💘
Grumpy x sunshine ☀️
Slow burn 🔥
Forced proximity 🥰
Chaotic family trips 🗺️

This one’s for you. Romantic, tense, and full of heart.

[Casey Nott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a glorious debut! I laughed out loud at the first line and knew I was in for a treat! Funny, warm and full of shenanigans. I adored hanging out with Sabrina, Adam and the chaotic extended family.
Warning: do not read on an empty stomach as there is a vast array of baked goods which made me sad this book didn’t come with a chocolate eclair or a scone. (Jam first, then cream, obviously)

Loved it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of The Boyfriend Clause

‘A big-hearted romantic romp full of feeling, family and fun, The Boyfriend Clause is a book for everyone with a parent who's a little too well-intentioned.’
Jodi McAlister

[Emma Mugglestone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous debut filled with all my favourite romance ingredients - brilliant banter, simmering sexual tension and characters I'd love to be friends with in real life. Bridie Blake is one to watch and I can't wait for her next book!

[Sue Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 ⭐️'s
Review to follow

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Natalie Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars