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The Fiction of Us
Not yet published
Expected 11 Apr 26Lilah Rayne knows how to write a love story. Living one is another matter entirely.
After her breakup mirrors the novel she wrote under her secret pen name, Lilah retreats to Wattlewood Ridge—a small mountain town where bookstores matter, friendships run deep, and magic hums quietly beneath the surface. Back in her old apartment above Brew & Bloom Café, she plans to regroup, heal, and stay invisible.
Then she meets Lucas Castle.
Quiet, steady, and rebuilding the beloved Inkwell & Ivy bookstore, Lucas feels like someone Lilah already knows—like a story she once imagined and never meant to live. As their connection deepens through shared silences and slow mornings, the town begins returning pieces of Lilah she thought she’d lost.
But when her past threatens to expose everything she’s been hiding, Lilah must decide whether she’s brave enough to be seen. Not as the woman she writes, but as the one who feels.
The Fiction of Us is a slow-burn, small-town romance about second chances, soft magic, and choosing love that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
After her breakup mirrors the novel she wrote under her secret pen name, Lilah retreats to Wattlewood Ridge—a small mountain town where bookstores matter, friendships run deep, and magic hums quietly beneath the surface. Back in her old apartment above Brew & Bloom Café, she plans to regroup, heal, and stay invisible.
Then she meets Lucas Castle.
Quiet, steady, and rebuilding the beloved Inkwell & Ivy bookstore, Lucas feels like someone Lilah already knows—like a story she once imagined and never meant to live. As their connection deepens through shared silences and slow mornings, the town begins returning pieces of Lilah she thought she’d lost.
But when her past threatens to expose everything she’s been hiding, Lilah must decide whether she’s brave enough to be seen. Not as the woman she writes, but as the one who feels.
The Fiction of Us is a slow-burn, small-town romance about second chances, soft magic, and choosing love that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 11, 2026
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 1, 2026
Firstly, thank you to The Berry Agency and Shae for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
If you love Ashley Poston’s writing style and magic she brings then you will DEFINITELY love this book! 🥰
The Fiction of Us follows Lilah who wrote a novel about moving on and finds herself following the magically journey she wrote into her own life. Then there Lucas who’s just trying to do his Aunt’s memory proud by reopening the bookstore and seems to have found himself falling in love with the small town of Wattlewood Ridge. 1000% recommend this book if you want a little magic in your life 🥰
If you love Ashley Poston’s writing style and magic she brings then you will DEFINITELY love this book! 🥰
The Fiction of Us follows Lilah who wrote a novel about moving on and finds herself following the magically journey she wrote into her own life. Then there Lucas who’s just trying to do his Aunt’s memory proud by reopening the bookstore and seems to have found himself falling in love with the small town of Wattlewood Ridge. 1000% recommend this book if you want a little magic in your life 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Enjoyed this book a lot. Was an easy read which is great.
It’s a cute romance in a small town with a happy ending.
Twists along the way but in a calm way. Great read!!
Will recommend.
It’s a cute romance in a small town with a happy ending.
Twists along the way but in a calm way. Great read!!
Will recommend.
March 8, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and I appreciate being able to read this story. It was such a cute read. I enjoyed reading both points of view. This story is a cute small town romance and shows that love can turn up when you least expect it
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shae Roberts delivers a story that hit straight in my chest and lingered long after the final page was turned, and a huge part of that impact comes from the characters themselves. Lilah and Lucas are sweet as - and their chemistry is on point.
A Fiction of Us feels tender and devastating all at once it’s soft in the moments that matter, sharp when the emotions cut deep, and completely absorbing from the very beginning.
The characters are flawed in the most relatable ways, and the way they love, break, and try to rebuild feels so real it almost hurts. Their choices, their mistakes, and their quiet hope give the whole story this raw, human weight that stays with you. It’s ain’t just a love story, it’s a deep dive into choosing someone, losing them, and slowly finding your way back to yourself through the people in your life.
I absolutely loved TFOU and was honoured to be an ARC reader for Shae’s debut novel.
It was real, and sweet….
And let’s face it, the FMC Lucas… we’d all love a little romance like that in our lives.
A Fiction of Us feels tender and devastating all at once it’s soft in the moments that matter, sharp when the emotions cut deep, and completely absorbing from the very beginning.
The characters are flawed in the most relatable ways, and the way they love, break, and try to rebuild feels so real it almost hurts. Their choices, their mistakes, and their quiet hope give the whole story this raw, human weight that stays with you. It’s ain’t just a love story, it’s a deep dive into choosing someone, losing them, and slowly finding your way back to yourself through the people in your life.
I absolutely loved TFOU and was honoured to be an ARC reader for Shae’s debut novel.
It was real, and sweet….
And let’s face it, the FMC Lucas… we’d all love a little romance like that in our lives.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all let me just say Shae I am so beyond proud of you, you’ve put so much into this story and you can really tell. Thank you for letting me ARC read this and I’m glad we met through TikTok 🩷
This story was something I didn’t realise I needed to read and it’s helped heal a part of my heart. I ate this book up, I laughed and I also cried (a lot). I loved the magical realism side of things it was so unique
You should be so beyond proud because this book was chefs kiss amazing. An actual masterpiece
This story was something I didn’t realise I needed to read and it’s helped heal a part of my heart. I ate this book up, I laughed and I also cried (a lot). I loved the magical realism side of things it was so unique
You should be so beyond proud because this book was chefs kiss amazing. An actual masterpiece
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC. When I saw this come up to read I jumped on it. After reading her story in the Sweet Treat
Anthology and loving her writing there I needed more of that magic. And what a delight. Shae has written such a beautifully poetic story. The words made me feel something and transported me right into Wattlewood Ridge.
Lilah and Lucas were brought together by what seemed like a magical force and it was swoon worthy. Lucas owns a book store, one made out of what can only be the dreams of a book lover. All the bookish vibes were in this story which was magic in itself. Lilah’s journey into being proud of herself and living and embracing her story was refreshing.
I enjoyed my time in this little magical town, I can’t wait to come back and keep the story going with the next book. And maybe spot some more paper hearts.
Anthology and loving her writing there I needed more of that magic. And what a delight. Shae has written such a beautifully poetic story. The words made me feel something and transported me right into Wattlewood Ridge.
Lilah and Lucas were brought together by what seemed like a magical force and it was swoon worthy. Lucas owns a book store, one made out of what can only be the dreams of a book lover. All the bookish vibes were in this story which was magic in itself. Lilah’s journey into being proud of herself and living and embracing her story was refreshing.
I enjoyed my time in this little magical town, I can’t wait to come back and keep the story going with the next book. And maybe spot some more paper hearts.
Review of advance copy
**ARC READER**
I cried. I haven’t cried in a while when it comes to reading, but this is a really sweet and cute small town romance between an author/barista and a bookshop owner.
Lilah and Lucas gave each other their missing pieces and made each other whole. I think this is the first cute Australian fictional small town romance that has made me really get lost in the pages and outside the world we currently live in.
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 1 chilli for small intimate spice.
I cried. I haven’t cried in a while when it comes to reading, but this is a really sweet and cute small town romance between an author/barista and a bookshop owner.
Lilah and Lucas gave each other their missing pieces and made each other whole. I think this is the first cute Australian fictional small town romance that has made me really get lost in the pages and outside the world we currently live in.
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 1 chilli for small intimate spice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews