What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fake Boyfriend Manual
A disastrous first meeting
A second meeting with an even more catastrophic outcome
The perfect recipe for a fake relationship.
Kali Morese misses the opportunity to be part of the Lourdel art exhibition because she is late, and LSV, the genius artists refuses to share his booth with her.
With her dreams dashed, she is certain that she will never see him again, until they meet at her parents’ fashion gala. That is not all. He is the son of her parents’ new business partners.
Luke wants out of his parents’ world, and the perfect opportunity presents itself in form of a viral picture.
A picture he took with Kali, the Morese heiress, at their parents’ gala.
The seemingly intimate picture has sparked rumors that the two of them are dating.
Luke thinks that it is the perfect distraction for their parents.
It is all in the fake boyfriend manual.
A second meeting with an even more catastrophic outcome
The perfect recipe for a fake relationship.
Kali Morese misses the opportunity to be part of the Lourdel art exhibition because she is late, and LSV, the genius artists refuses to share his booth with her.
With her dreams dashed, she is certain that she will never see him again, until they meet at her parents’ fashion gala. That is not all. He is the son of her parents’ new business partners.
Luke wants out of his parents’ world, and the perfect opportunity presents itself in form of a viral picture.
A picture he took with Kali, the Morese heiress, at their parents’ gala.
The seemingly intimate picture has sparked rumors that the two of them are dating.
Luke thinks that it is the perfect distraction for their parents.
It is all in the fake boyfriend manual.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 1, 2026
Kali and Luke—cute love story, but at the very heart of it, what stood out to me was Luke swooping in and saving Kali. I didn't like the whole savior act one bit!
A fake relationship that I didn't care for because I believe it wasn't necessary to the storyline.
And both Kali's and Luke's parents... I can't even say who is worse. Not everyone deserves to be a parent!
Kali's parents—an abuser and a passive parent—I don't even know who is worse.
I was expecting a very cheesy romance, but this was not it. The savior act, most especially, irritated me.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC.
A fake relationship that I didn't care for because I believe it wasn't necessary to the storyline.
And both Kali's and Luke's parents... I can't even say who is worse. Not everyone deserves to be a parent!
Kali's parents—an abuser and a passive parent—I don't even know who is worse.
I was expecting a very cheesy romance, but this was not it. The savior act, most especially, irritated me.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC.
June 28, 2026
I'm a sucker for a cutesy read, I've said it before and I'll say it again.
These two clashed out the gate, unknowingly so fitting for one another. Both weighed down by the pressures of their families and the industry they dominate. Both trying to find their place within while upholding this air of rebellion. Using this relationship as a ruse, only to see how well they truly work together and just fit.
There is a touch of mental illness representation I do wish was dived into a bit deeper, but it served it's purpose.
Knowing this started off as a novella and was expanded to give the story more body makes the additional POVs in the last bit make more sense, but I do wish they were sprinkled throughout for better pacing.
Above all, I will be recommending this book to whoever wants a cute, quick fake dating trope. It's in the manual after all.
These two clashed out the gate, unknowingly so fitting for one another. Both weighed down by the pressures of their families and the industry they dominate. Both trying to find their place within while upholding this air of rebellion. Using this relationship as a ruse, only to see how well they truly work together and just fit.
There is a touch of mental illness representation I do wish was dived into a bit deeper, but it served it's purpose.
Knowing this started off as a novella and was expanded to give the story more body makes the additional POVs in the last bit make more sense, but I do wish they were sprinkled throughout for better pacing.
Above all, I will be recommending this book to whoever wants a cute, quick fake dating trope. It's in the manual after all.
September 29, 2026
When I first picked up The Fake Boyfriend Manual, the opening felt a little dragged out. During the first few chapters, it was hard to pinpoint who I should actually be rooting for, and the start didn't grab my attention as quickly as I hoped. In fact, I dropped the book around Chapter 2, read a few other things, and then decided to come back to give it another chance.
Once I picked it back up and pushed past the beginning, I started to really enjoy it. I really appreciated how properly developed the main characters were. They were distinct, unique, and had their own well-rounded lives outside of the romance, which made them feel so cool and grounded.
As I got deeper into the book, the true beauty of the story began to shine through, especially seeing how their fake dating arrangement stemmed from the immense pressure they both faced from their parents. The theme of heavy parental expectations and the emotional weight placed on young adults was something I could relate to so deeply.
Watching their love bloom amidst all the family stress was so incredibly sweet! It was beautiful to see them evolve from almost enemies and rivals into two people who genuinely cared for, protected, and grew fond of one another. Together, they faced their past upheavals and tackled their personal demons head-on.
Though there isn't any explicit scene, there are few intense kissing scenes and innuendo.
Pushing past the slow start was so worth it! The Fake Boyfriend Manual is a sweet, relatable, and deeply satisfying romance that earns a very well-deserved hype.
Once I picked it back up and pushed past the beginning, I started to really enjoy it. I really appreciated how properly developed the main characters were. They were distinct, unique, and had their own well-rounded lives outside of the romance, which made them feel so cool and grounded.
As I got deeper into the book, the true beauty of the story began to shine through, especially seeing how their fake dating arrangement stemmed from the immense pressure they both faced from their parents. The theme of heavy parental expectations and the emotional weight placed on young adults was something I could relate to so deeply.
Watching their love bloom amidst all the family stress was so incredibly sweet! It was beautiful to see them evolve from almost enemies and rivals into two people who genuinely cared for, protected, and grew fond of one another. Together, they faced their past upheavals and tackled their personal demons head-on.
Though there isn't any explicit scene, there are few intense kissing scenes and innuendo.
Pushing past the slow start was so worth it! The Fake Boyfriend Manual is a sweet, relatable, and deeply satisfying romance that earns a very well-deserved hype.
July 6, 2026
Ok Luke! I see you, you smooth operator you! It's the blue hair for me.
💜 Fake dating
💜 He falls first
💜 Fashion Industry
💜 Family drama/trauma (generational)
💜 Mental health awareness
We have Luke Wang and Kali Morese who meet and its almost enemies to lovers except Luke was smitten from the first time he saw her. A 2nd chance encounter, a designer dress and a picture is all it takes for all eyes to be on them and for their parents to lighten up on them, if only it was real.
What follows is both Luke and Kali trying to pursue their individual dreams and bide their time so they can get from under their parents thumb and be free. All while their parents are collaborating in business believing Luke and Kali are finally coming around to their way of thinking.
I loved this book because it was cute and heartwarming but also touched on mental heath and the way it affects more then just yourself overtime. I also loved how kali and Luke stayed true to themselves and fought for their right to control their own futures at all costs.
If you like romance with cute lovable characters this is the one for you.
Thank you to the author for this ARC! 4.5 stars!
💜 Fake dating
💜 He falls first
💜 Fashion Industry
💜 Family drama/trauma (generational)
💜 Mental health awareness
We have Luke Wang and Kali Morese who meet and its almost enemies to lovers except Luke was smitten from the first time he saw her. A 2nd chance encounter, a designer dress and a picture is all it takes for all eyes to be on them and for their parents to lighten up on them, if only it was real.
What follows is both Luke and Kali trying to pursue their individual dreams and bide their time so they can get from under their parents thumb and be free. All while their parents are collaborating in business believing Luke and Kali are finally coming around to their way of thinking.
I loved this book because it was cute and heartwarming but also touched on mental heath and the way it affects more then just yourself overtime. I also loved how kali and Luke stayed true to themselves and fought for their right to control their own futures at all costs.
If you like romance with cute lovable characters this is the one for you.
Thank you to the author for this ARC! 4.5 stars!
July 1, 2026
Engaging, horrifying look into generational trauma through the lens of fashion and art.
Kali is an artist whose parents are awful to her, forcing her to do the best she can to pursue art. Its difficult.
Luke is an engineer whose parents are awful to him, but his pop's trust has allowed him some freedom.
When they meet at a family collaboration event, things happen.
In the final part of the book, the parents and grandparent's stories illuminate how they ended up the way they did.
The chemistry between the leads is incredible, navigating their fake relationship while also dealing with family issues and discovering their true feelings about art, food, fashion, and each other.
A brilliant look at the fallout of the fashion industry.
Kali is an artist whose parents are awful to her, forcing her to do the best she can to pursue art. Its difficult.
Luke is an engineer whose parents are awful to him, but his pop's trust has allowed him some freedom.
When they meet at a family collaboration event, things happen.
In the final part of the book, the parents and grandparent's stories illuminate how they ended up the way they did.
The chemistry between the leads is incredible, navigating their fake relationship while also dealing with family issues and discovering their true feelings about art, food, fashion, and each other.
A brilliant look at the fallout of the fashion industry.
July 11, 2026
The relationship feels like it develops naturally, the adult kids going behind their strict parents' backs is very familiar, and of course the trope this is based around, fake dating and falling in love, is cute. The POVs swap, and you get a little insight on the parents - there was one side character POV that felt unnecessary, but was sort of nice to break from the lovebirds.
.
A personal preference, there are way fewer contractions than I'm used to seeing when reading a book. It might be an accent thing, but it feels like my brain is almost buffering when I read "it is" instead of "it's" when the latter would be more often used in the given context.
.
A personal preference, there are way fewer contractions than I'm used to seeing when reading a book. It might be an accent thing, but it feels like my brain is almost buffering when I read "it is" instead of "it's" when the latter would be more often used in the given context.
July 12, 2026
A very good read. I knew from the start when it pulled me from my reading slump.
A well-grounded novella, too, with well-developed characters. I would not like it any other way.
It's a story about Kali and Luke, heirs of major fashion moguls who hope to use a fake relationship to evade their parents. Their parents, both fashion moguls, were suffering from toxic generational trauma that had greatly affected their children.
I love that it beautifully shows how generational trauma affects children and why parents must work on themselves.
I love romance, and I loved this.
It's a 4.5 stars.
This review is from an ARC copy gotten from the author.
A well-grounded novella, too, with well-developed characters. I would not like it any other way.
It's a story about Kali and Luke, heirs of major fashion moguls who hope to use a fake relationship to evade their parents. Their parents, both fashion moguls, were suffering from toxic generational trauma that had greatly affected their children.
I love that it beautifully shows how generational trauma affects children and why parents must work on themselves.
I love romance, and I loved this.
It's a 4.5 stars.
This review is from an ARC copy gotten from the author.
July 31, 2026
"It's in the manual!" 🥰
I LOVE Luke! The chemistry between Luke and Kali is top tier. Such a cute couple. Their parents were an absolute MESS! I didn't know if Luke was going to be strong enough to handle both of their parents. I was like please please don't let this be one of those situations where they have to break up for some time and meet later on in life to get back together (the K-dramas got me bad y'all). The only thing I wanted a little more of is time with Julia and Silas. Hell, even Owen! There was so much drama with the parents though so I understand why we didn't get that. I hope we get books about them in the future 🥹
I LOVE Luke! The chemistry between Luke and Kali is top tier. Such a cute couple. Their parents were an absolute MESS! I didn't know if Luke was going to be strong enough to handle both of their parents. I was like please please don't let this be one of those situations where they have to break up for some time and meet later on in life to get back together (the K-dramas got me bad y'all). The only thing I wanted a little more of is time with Julia and Silas. Hell, even Owen! There was so much drama with the parents though so I understand why we didn't get that. I hope we get books about them in the future 🥹
paused-for-now
October 17, 202610/17/26
Something about the writing feels juvenile and a bit awkward with the pacing and POVs. This is my first book by this author and I had another one I wanted to try reading from her but I think I might have to hold off for now. I loved the cover of the book and was so excited but for some reason it’s giving middle school for me. I started two other books after this and finished those. I’ve started two new books and still haven’t tried to finish this one. So kinda bummed but that’s life. Maybe this is just wrong timing?
Something about the writing feels juvenile and a bit awkward with the pacing and POVs. This is my first book by this author and I had another one I wanted to try reading from her but I think I might have to hold off for now. I loved the cover of the book and was so excited but for some reason it’s giving middle school for me. I started two other books after this and finished those. I’ve started two new books and still haven’t tried to finish this one. So kinda bummed but that’s life. Maybe this is just wrong timing?
July 9, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book.
This author and their writing style are new to be but I really liked the theme/storyline of this book and found it was different. My only complaint was that the ending felt somewhat incomplete. If there was a continuation of this book or other books added as a series, I’d definitely read them. Worth a read!
This author and their writing style are new to be but I really liked the theme/storyline of this book and found it was different. My only complaint was that the ending felt somewhat incomplete. If there was a continuation of this book or other books added as a series, I’d definitely read them. Worth a read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Major heart eyes. Fake dating with a "manual"?? Yes please. Luke and Kali going through a rebellion because F the 'rents that dont listen. Of course he falls first and HARD becuase she's different but similar to him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the arc opportunity!
This was such a cute, fun read! It was a very fun fake dating romance with great writing, fun characters, and a great plot.
I absolutely loved it and I am so thankful for the opportunity to arc read it!
This was such a cute, fun read! It was a very fun fake dating romance with great writing, fun characters, and a great plot.
I absolutely loved it and I am so thankful for the opportunity to arc read it!
July 20, 2026
Not your typical fake boyfriend romance. This book had me feeling all types of emotions. It was amazing, and frustrating. I’ve never been so angry at a book. Beautiful story telling.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews