Engaged, Apparently

by Amy Andrews

A sassy fake-dating-with-a-twist, friends-to-lovers, laugh-out-loud romance for readers of Rachael Johns, Beth O'Leary and Marian Keyes.


When Finn and Sweeney return to their hometown to surprise their mothers at Ronnie and Connie's joint sixtieth birthday party, they expect to be the biggest bombshell of the evening. And they are-just not in the way they'd assumed. Because they're ... engaged?

Apparently?

Sick of hearing everyone else's exciting news of weddings and grandbabies, Ronnie and Connie spontaneously fabricated their own fairytale. Their absent children are engaged ... to each other.

Finn and Sweeney will absolutely not pretend to be engaged. Just coming home is giving them both plenty of emotional baggage to unpack. But they have vastly underestimated their mothers and soon find themselves reluctantly agreeing to the fake engagement so their pillars-of-the-community mums aren't exposed as big fat lying liars.

However, when their new relationship goes viral-not just in their small town of busybodies, but internationally-Finn and Sweeney realise that the lie is completely out of control. Will they ever be able to untangle themselves from its clutches?

And what if the biggest lie they've been telling is to themselves?

PRAISE FOR ENGAGED, APPARENTLY

'A cheeky, fun and deeply Australian rom-com about childhood friends, small towns, big dreams and meddling mums. Amy Andrews writes loveable characters with heart and humour.' Clare Fletcher, author of Five Bush Weddings

'Heartwarming and charming. Reading this small town romance feels like a warm hug - filled with hilarious characters, fizzing chemistry and a community, team and couple to cheer on!' Steph Vizard, author of A Smart Girl's Guide to Second Chances

'Cheeky, saucy, and an absolute romp - Engaged, Apparently is rom-com perfection. With toe-curling tension, flirty banter, and a fake engagement that spirals into something deliciously real, Amy Andrews delivers scorching chemistry and a quirky, lovable cast.' Holly Brunnbauer, author of What Did I Miss?

'Bubbly and endlessly romantic, Engaged, Apparently is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. With banter that pops and sizzles and a delicious slow burn, the messiness of falling in love with your best friend has never been so delightfully sexy.' Amy Hutton, author of Ghosted

'Amy Andrews delivers a delicious slow burn fake engagement romance that will have you cheering, cackling and kicking your feet. Engaged, Apparently hit me in all my feels and stole my heart.' Emma Mugglestone, author of In the Long Run

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

349 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2026

About the author

Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written eighty-five contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.

Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.

She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!

She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.

Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...

Follow Amy -

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyAndrewsAu...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyandrewsb...

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-a...

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A delightful, romantic, joyous, witty, sassy and humorous contemporary fiction with moments of flirtation and bursts of steamy.
Amy Andrews has many books up her sleeve and this is my first.
Fin and Sweeney have been friends forever.
Their mothers are also great and longtime friends.
Ronnie and Connie have been forced to make an announcement.
When both adult kids arrive back home in Ballyshannon to surprise their mums at the joint sixtieth birthday party, they soon get wrapped up in the nights shocker.
Sick of the towns gossip mill about engagements, weddings and grandbabies they fabricate that their children are engaged.
While they are back, Fin and Sweeney have past emotions to deal with but they reluctantly agree to the lie.
But soon things get out of control and may be there’s more to this lie than they both realise….
There’s so much to enjoy in this refreshing read.
The plot is charming, the cast is captivating, the setting is community minded and the book as a whole is a great reading experience.
A fake dating and friends to lovers trope shines in this novel and fans of the unique romance tale will be entertained.
So swoon, adore and chuckle with this timeless love story.

[Natalie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A really lovely read! Despite knowing how the storyline would unfold, I was captivated by the characters. The hidden depth was also a lovely little bonus. It was a little long but lovers of the genre may disagree.

Definitely worth resting.

[what.karli.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

𝙰 𝚏𝚊𝚔𝚎-𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛!

𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚖-𝚌𝚘𝚖; 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚘 𝙸 𝚜𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟻𝟶 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚘.

𝙰 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚒𝚝, 𝚋𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝚕𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚛𝚊𝚠 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝.

𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳 𝙸𝚃!

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Aussie set romance with two scheming bestie mums telling their group of friends that their children are dating each other. When Finn and Sweeney return home to surprise their mums for their birthday, they don't know what they're walking into and for the sake of their mothers, they decide to keep the ruse going. We all know where fake dating leads! This book was so fun. I loved the small town with all their unique characters. Our two mains had great chemistry and since they grew up together, a lot of the "getting to know you" phase was bypassed. The ending was super sweet and left me with a big smile on my face. Definitely recommend this one to fellow romcom fans.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️! I really enjoyed this book, and loved reading from an Aussie author 🩷.

The premise so fun - a spin on “fake dating” where the couple are childhood best friends who are pretending to be engaged because their mums told everyone they are 🤭.

It was set in a small town which is always so fun, but I loved how the characters had left and explored the world before coming back 🥹.

The romance itself was a super sweet childhood friends to lovers 🥰. Both characters had a lot of depth individually and together ✨.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review

Amy Andrews is a new to me author, but now I have broken that seal, I will be reading more.

I love nothing but a friends to lovers story, throw in some meddling mothers, small towns and you have a lot of fun.

Did I know how Fin and Sweeney's story was going to end - of course I did. However I couldn't help but enjoy every turn of the page.

Having moved to a small town some time ago, I completely go the gossip mill, how there are always eyes on you, and I could understand Fin and Sweeney's frustration that they couldn't just come home.

But I also got how that small towns will embrace you when you need it.

I now want to go and read more works by this author.

[Leila Petroski · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cosy small-town melbourne romance with a super funny take on the fake-dating trope. I will say, I am not used to the low-stakes plot that this book had- but the characters, who were very lovable and relatable, made up for it

[Evie Pavone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

a nice read of general fiction and a little romance

I liked the sign language aspects of the book it was lovely to include those parts of the story

just felt a heads up on the trigger grief would have been nice as it was heavy into that topic

apart from that a nice read by an aussie author

[Alison W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this Aussie Irish love story. Characters so beautifully written you fall in love with the whole cast.

[Sam Still Reading]

DNF. I felt really disconnected from the characters and the story like I was in the back row of the theatre. Great premise, I just wanted to get into the characters' heads more.

Thanks to Harlequin for the ARC.

[Amy Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

Engaged, Apparently by Amy Andrews is a contemporary romance that blends small‑town charm, freinds to lovers with a classic fake‑engagement setup. If that didn’t win you over, did I mention this is set in Australia! Put 28th Jan in your calendar and this book in your shopping cart!

When childhood best friends Finn and Sweeney head home to surprise their mums at a joint sixtieth birthday party, the last thing they expect is to walk into a celebration of their engagement. An engagement they definitely did not agree to.
Turns out their mums, Ronnie and Connie, tired of everyone else’s wedding bells and baby news, decided to create some excitement of their own by announcing that their long‑absent, jet-setting children are engaged… to each other.
What starts as a wild misunderstanding quickly spirals into a full‑blown fake‑engagement pact, all to protect their mums from being exposed as the town’s newest rumour‑spreaders. But when the story goes viral far beyond their small‑town borders, Finn and Sweeney realise the lie has taken on a life of its own.
As they navigate nosy neighbours, unexpected attention, and the emotional weight of coming home, the biggest question becomes: can they untangle themselves from the chaos? And do they even want to?

Amy Andrews delivers a story that feels light on its feet while still offering emotional depth, character growth, inclusivity, and a strong sense of place. It’s the kind of romance that invites you in with familiarity but keeps you invested through thoughtful character work and well‑paced tension. The emotional beats land well, and the chemistry is written with a subtlety that makes their progression satisfying. Readers who enjoy fake‑dating stories that balance humour, heart, and authenticity will find a lot to appreciate here. Those (like me) that adore friends to lovers won't be able to put it down.

A heartfelt, funny, and surprisingly tender story about family expectations, second chances, and the truths we hide from others, and ourselves.
.
.
.
Thank you to @harlequinaus and @amyandrewsbooks for this copy in exchange for my honest review

[Nikki Sims-Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaged, Apparently by Amy Andrews is a delightful rom-com that ticks all the boxes for fans of the genre. While the storyline follows a familiar and somewhat predictable formula, it’s exactly the kind of feel-good read that rom-com lovers will enjoy.
The story follows childhood friends Sweeny and Fin, who return to their hometown to surprise their mothers on their 60th birthdays. However, the tables turn when they discover that their mothers have already surprised the entire town by announcing that Sweeny and Fin are engaged! A sudden natural disaster forces the pair to stay in town longer than planned, and as they continue their charade of being a couple, they begin to question whether their feelings might be more than just an act.
One of the standout elements of the book is the inclusion of Auslan, with a non-verbal girl on the Gaelic football team adding a heartwarming layer of representation and depth to the story. The characters are well-developed and endearing, making it easy to root for them as they navigate their complicated emotions and quirky small-town dynamics.
With its charming Irish flavour, lovable characters, and a light-hearted plot, Engaged, Apparently is an easy and enjoyable read. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a comforting, entertaining escape into the world of love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally am free. I’m sad because the premise and the plot points for this is are fun and at times I enjoyed myself despite the frustrating writing. The audiobook reader also wasn’t doing it any favours - read it almost like a librarian would read a children’s book - and whoever edited it left in a mistake or flub every chapter or two. That being said, I hope someone picks this up and adapts it. It would be quite charming on the small screen.

[Kristianne Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Spotify and it’s was fantastic. Well written and funny as buggery. Tells the story of a small country town perfectly and captured the Aussie lingo that added extra joy.
The slow burn between the characters was awesome. I wish they had more of it together.
Please read or listen to this book as it was fabulous

[Julia S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! Omgoodness Amy Andrews, I need to read the rest of your books!

As soon as I read the synopsis for Engaged, Apparently, it went straight onto my TBR list!

Finn and Sweeney have been best friends their whole lives. When they return home to surprise their mothers, Ronnie and Connie, at their joint 60th birthday, they discover that their mums, are sick of hearing about all their friends Grandchildren and have concocted a story that Finn and Sweeney are engaged!

What follows is fun, a little chaos and a whole lot of amazing characters with so much warmth that will completely win your heart over time and time again.

I adored the friendship between Finn and Sweeney and their developing chemistry. Their loyalty and understanding of each other was so gorgeous.

I also enjoyed the small town vibe and the interesting characters in this town!

The book felt so cosy and I just wanted to spend more time in this welcoming environment - oh and I can't forget to mention Connie and Ronnie again!!!!! These Mum's are a little cheeky and naughty, but oh so loveable and their love for their children is so lovely!

Engaged, Apparently had me feeling all the feels - laughing and giggling one minute, swooning the next, tearing up, crying with happiness and then giggling again! This book truly has so much heart!

I literally could go on and on about much I loved this book, but it's definitely one you need to experience for yourself.

[Tracey Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much fun

I loved the all the fun we had watching Feeney deal with their mother’s lie and fake engagement. The way they slowly realised their love and how they discovered themselves in the process.
Happy tears and big grins all the way

[Kirsty Wenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable rom-com, with a fun twist on the friends to lovers trope and infused with humour, heart, and nice mix of Australian and Irish flavour. Highly recommend this one!

[Erin Molta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must read

A slow burn, high romantic tension, best friends to lovers master class of a book. The chemistry sizzled, the friendship was rock solid, the antics were humorous and the emotions were fraught. Mine included. I powered through the pages because I couldn’t not know how these two wholly relatable characters got their HEA.

[Jodi]

Could not connect to characters

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaged, Apparently offers a fresh and entertaining take on the friends-to-lovers trope. Childhood best friends Sweeny and Fin return to Ballyshannon to surprise their mothers for their 60th birthdays, only to discover the entire town believes they are engaged—to each other—thanks to a rumour started by their mums.

While I found the story a little drawn out in places, it’s ultimately a sweet and layered novel. Set in a small country town in Victoria, it captures a strong sense of community, particularly through the town’s passion for children’s Gaelic football and how everyone rallies together. The story also explores deeper themes, including the loss of both Sweeny’s and Fin’s fathers. Although these losses happened at different stages of their lives—Sweeny was just 12, while Fin was an adult—the novel thoughtfully shows how each of them processed grief, guilt, and loss in their own way, and how they come to better understand each other through it.

The inclusion of a young girl who communicates using Auslan adds real depth to the story. I especially liked how the community supports her after the tragedy she’s experienced, which reinforces the novel’s themes of care and connection.

As Sweeny and Fin reassess the paths they thought they wanted, the story becomes one about growth, priorities, and recognising what truly matters. The humour woven through the heavier moments keeps the tone balanced and makes it an engaging, enjoyable read overall.

[Tarnia Comber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this book! Sucked me right in, couldn’t put it down. I want more Finnley!

[Jo Clein-McAlister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

What starts out as a little white lie... takes on a life of its own.

This small town romance has everything:

* fake engagement
* friends to lovers
* interfering, but well-meaning mamas
* an entire town invested in their not-real romance
* a bunch of cute kids and their Gaelic football team, the Banshees

Fin has matured into his hotness.
Sweeney has grown into her sexiness.

But will they take the leap from friends to lovers?

Gorgeous characters. They both have such good hearts.

This book was just the combo of fun and heart squeeze I needed this week.

[Catelyn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Julia Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Initially, I wasn’t sure about it but I couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t just a romance story about friends turning into lovers; it was also an emotional journey through grief, love, friendships and ultimately finding your way and your place in the world.

[Lucy Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect romcom - love the pace and the AUSLAN ! Really cool that the signs are described so you can also learn them

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Alicia Ladson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a fun easy read. Some great laugh out loud moments. The hot & heavy scenes were fun, relatable from both sides. I quite liked the suspense of building up the friendship to more

[Evelyn Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I loved this book!!!
As a lover of slow burn fake dating romance books I knew I was going to love this one and *surprise surprise* I did!!
Fin and Sweeny’s chemistry was AHmazing and I love them both so much! (Seriously, my heart cannot take it)
This book was so effortlessly beautiful and funny and I loved it 💗
Also I was expecting this to be a cute, funny, cheesy rom-com- it had me CRYINGGG
I will say the ending was a little anticlimactic and cheesy for my liking- but I still loved it 🩷🩷

4.5 ⭐️

[Suzy Blythe-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. The story delighted me and made my heart smile. Thank you Amy Andrews.

[Angela Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything I’ve read from Amy, so I absolutely no doubt I would live this. And having studied writing with Amy, there’s no doubt she can write.

But wow! This was even better than expected. I love a fake dating story, but the fact this was thanks to their meddling mothers made it even better.

The slow burn and friends to lovers tension was perfect, and as always the laughs were plenty. But there was also grief, a lot of it unresolved that Finn and Sweeney work through together.

The cast of side characters were hilarious and I especially loved the kids as they prepared for their Gaelic football competition!