The Substitute: A Sweet Fake Engagement RomCom (The Wedding Pact

by Rachel Thorne, Denise Grover Swank

366 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[Shannon Babin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a train wreck waiting to happen. And I was here for every hilarious minute! Josh and Megan meet on the plane when Megan mixes alcohol with dramamine and ends up very loopy. Josh inadvertently gets mistaken as her fiance' (whom she split from six weeks earlier and her parents had never met) and a romance in the making begins. When Josh finds out Megan's father is the one he believes stole his patent, he hangs around longer than necessary. I kept waiting for the moment when the truth would come out and things would explode, only it didn't exactly happen quite like I expected. Megan's mom, Nicole, was the ultimate momzilla--she was dismissive and controlling. I desperately wanted to see Megan finally stand up to her mom. But we see a very different side of Nicole by then so I didn't exactly get what I wanted. Overall, it was funny and sweet!

What to Expect:
--plane meet cute
--strangers to lovers
--fake engagement
--momzilla
--damsel in distress
--mistaken identity
--closed door romance

[Angie Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I received this book as an ARC through Crowns & Chaos and the author for my honest review. This was a cute play on fake dating. I thought the characters were interesting and the story had consistent pacing, so I never got bored. The plot was fun, albeit a bit of a stretch which made it hard to buy into. If you enjoy love at (almost) first sight and fate, this one will check off some boxes for you. There are a couple of scenes that reminded me of Denise the Menace type chaos - funny but a little over the top. Sex is eluded to but not described.
Rachel's writing style is engaging and easy to read and she writes excellent funny old lady characters. I enjoyed this about her holiday romance novel as well.

[Ashlee Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW ✨

The Substitute
By: Rachel Thorne

Published Date: May 14, 2026

📚 Book Description

Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it’s time to come clean — a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex.

A couple drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her entire sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger beside her. Josh McMillan is heading to Kansas City on a last-ditch mission to save his business when fate throws him directly into Megan’s chaos.

One misunderstanding later, Megan’s family believes Josh is her fiancé… and somehow pretending to be engaged may actually help both of them. What starts as a fake relationship quickly becomes something that feels all too real. But can a relationship built on a farce turn into a happily ever after?

Oh. My. Goodness.

What a GREAT read!!

Grams was absolutely unhinged in the best possible way and had me laughing nonstop 🤣🤣🤣

Fate truly worked overtime in this chaotic yet hilarious rom-com, and I loved every single second of it. This was one of those books that completely hooks you from the start and refuses to let go. I absolutely devoured it.

Josh and Megan were SO clearly meant for each other, and watching their relationship unfold through all the chaos, tension, and hilarious misunderstandings was such a fun ride.

This book had:
💍 Fake engagement chaos
✈️ Accidental meet cute
🤣 Hilarious family dynamics
🩷 Incredible chemistry
✨ All the rom-com vibes

Definitely one of my top romance reads lately.

If you haven’t read it yet… you NEED to. Like RIGHT NOW ‼️📚

Thank you HambrightPR for the opportunity to dive into such an amazing book 🫶🏼

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Substitute by Rachel Thorne [Denise Grover Swank] (2026)
Wedding Pact (Sweet Version) #1
361-page Kindle Ebook story 5-357

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Rating as a movie: R for adult content

Featuring: Note from the author - Rewrite, No Spice, 3rd to 1st Person; Seattle, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; Fake Relationship, Fake Engagement Trope, Wedding Planning, Family Dynamics, Sex - Off-Camera, Overbearing Mother, Link to free prequel The Fortune Teller, Link to The Player (Book 2 coming June 18, 2026, Bibliography for Rachel Thorne/Denise Grover Swank

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️🏻💺💒💍💐

My thoughts: 🔖Page 98 of 361 Chapter Eight - Megan - This is like watching a movie on video after seeing in theaters, but it's the director's cut.
🔖158 Chapter Thirteen - Megan - So sweet doesn't mean clean or PG-13. I was expecting naked grandma to be put from the script, but I guess not. I'm now guessing only the details of BJs will be cut. This story is better written and the wedding budget has doubled.

This was actually better than the original version. I was expecting it to be a clean romance but it's just closed door it's still totally would be R-rated as a movie as there are nude scenes but there's no details on play-by-play of you know. The scenes were improved, the dialogue has been tweaked to perfection, and now I am debating if I want to go ahead and finish the series as planned with the original X-rated versions or wait for the new and improved R-rated ones.

Recommend to others: Yes. Whether you prefer spicy or sweet this story is fantastic.

Wedding Pact (Sweet Version)
1. The Substitute (2026)
2. The Player (2026)
3. The Gambler (TBA)
The Fortune Teller! (free prequel)

Songs for the soundtrack: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion,

Books and Authors mentioned: Dawson's Creek by Kevin Williamson, Beauty and the Beast by Linda Woolverton [based on] Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve; Aladdin by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio [based on] "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" from One Thousand and One Nights; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Ted Sears, Richard Creedon, Otto Englander, Dick Rickard, Earl Hurd, Merrill De Maris, Dorothy Ann Blank, and Webb Smith [based on] Snow White by the Brothers Grimm; Cinderella by William Peet, Ted Sears, Homer Brightman, Kenneth Anderson, Erdman Pennern Winston Hibler, Harry Reeves, and Joe Rinaldi [based on] Cinderella by Charles Perrault; The Little Mermaid by John Musker and Ron Clements [based on] The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen; Twilight by Melissa Rosenberg [based on] Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Memorable Quotes: The overhead PA sounded again and Blair gasped. “Are you actually at the airport?” “Blair…” “You never canceled your flight, did you?” she asked in disbelief. I brushed my hair out of my face and leaned forward, lowering my voice. “Honestly, Blair, I forgot.” “Lie.” Tears stung my eyes. “Blair, I need a friend right now. Not a damned lie detector.” “I’m sorry.” Blair sighed. “You’re right. Trust me, I understand why you’ve held off. Your mother scares me, and you know I don’t scare easily. But you have to tell her, Megs. The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.” “I know, but I want to tell her in person. At this point, I can hardly do anything else.” “So, you’re really coming home?” I cast a glance at the gate. “I’m boarding the plane in two minutes.” “Okay.” Blair was quiet for several seconds, and I knew she was making some kind of plan. Blair was the one person you could count on in a crisis. If there was ever a zombie apocalypse, my best chance of survival was to stick by Blair’s side. “You’re going to need to escape tonight. Maybe you, me, and Libby can go out.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you.” “What are best friends for? Call me when the deed is done, although I suspect I’ll hear the yelling all the way in downtown KC. If you need to stay at my place, I have a spare bed for you.” “What about Neil?” “He’s on a three-day business trip and won’t be home until Friday. But even so, he doesn’t like to spend weeknights together.” “But you’re getting married in three months. Aren’t you going to be living together?” “Of course,” she said, sounding defensive. “We’ll work it out when we need to.” “I don’t get it,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Says the woman boarding a plane to fly to her wedding even though she broke up with her fiancé five weeks ago.”

I turned to her, surprised by the anger that smoldered in my gut. “What are you accusing me of? Do you think I’m out to hurt her?” “No,” she said, taking another sip of her wine and looking over at Megan. “Quite the opposite. I think you really like her.” “So, I’m pretending to be her fiancé to get her into bed?” I asked, sounding indignant, though the thought of her in bed with me… Well, now that it was in my head, it would be hard to get it out. Down, boy. Wondering what Megan Vandemeer would look like in my bed wouldn’t help my case. “No, I think you’re helping her out of a difficult situation because there’s a spark between you two and you want the chance to get to know her better.” “By pretending to be her fiancé?” She shrugged, still grinning at me. “Hey, stranger things have happened.” “Then you approve?”

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Hambright PR for the eARC of The Substitute by Rachel Thorne.

This edition of The Substitute is a sweet/closed-door adaptation of the previously published New York Times Bestselling steamy version written by Denise Grover Swank.

How is this book not a movie already?!?! This has all the vibes of the perfect 2000s rom-com.

Megan
Imagine having a fear of flying, so you decide to take a double dose of Dramamine (because, why not), then wash them down with some of the free drinks offered in first class… then waking up to find out the smoking hot guy that was seated next to you is now in the kitchen of your childhood home, laughing with your parents. Oh, and they think he is the fiancé that you intend to marry in a week… is that worse than admitting you and your real fiancé broke up months ago and you STILL haven’t told your parents? So all she has to do is have a HUGE public breakup with her fake fiancé and her parents will feel sorry for her and not be mad at her for the super, over-the-top expressive wedding they have planned and paid for.

Josh
The incredibly hot seatmate-now-fake fiancé is determined to find the person who stole the patent for the item he designed to save the family business. Well, it looks like destiny has struck because he realizes the woman he is fireman-carrying off the plane because she is completely passed out is the daughter of the head of the company that stole the patent from under him. All he has to do is play the role of the fake fiancé and get the patent without Megan finding out his true agenda. Easy peasy…

The only thing that is difficult for each of them… how achingly good-looking and fun to be around they each are. Oh, and the sparks they both felt when they kissed to get her parents to leave them alone so they could come up with a game plan.

I absolutely loved this book. I was laughing out loud throughout the entirety of the book. There were so many sweet romantic moments as well. I loved that the author chose to write this book to be closed door, as I am not a reader of spice but LOVE a good rom-com. For once, I didn’t have to sacrifice anything when reading this book. Megan was completely relatable in the most adorable ways, while everyone will be rooting for Josh, despite the fact he is keeping a huge secret from Megan. I have already cast the characters for the movie in my head. This is definitely a book I will read and recommend over and over again. This was my first book by the author, and I am so glad I took a chance. Her writing is completely binge-able and has left me thinking about this book days after finishing it. Is it a predictable romance? Yes. Did I absolutely eat this up? Also, Yes. This is a comfort read for all the rom-com fans out there. Do not skip this book.

The Substitute is a sweet, closed-door romcom packed with a fake engagement, banter, chemistry, and wedding-week chaos.


TROPES ✨
🚪 Closed Door Romance
💍 Fake Fiancé
🤞🏻 Forced Proximity
👀 Mistaken Identity
💘 He Falls First
🛏️ One Bed

[Rhea Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this one really excited because I previously read Snow Place Like Home by this author and absolutely loved it. That book was such a sweet romance, so I was hoping for a similar experience here. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me the same way.

The biggest issue for me was that the romance felt very flat because the relationship relied so heavily on physical attraction. There was a lot of lust, but not much relationship building underneath it, so I struggled to really connect with the couple emotionally.

That said, there were still parts of the story I genuinely enjoyed. Megan’s grandmother absolutely stole the show for me. She’s the kind of granny character that instantly makes every book better. I also appreciated that Megan took the time to hear Blair out instead of immediately dismissing her when things about Josh started coming to light. More importantly, she didn’t immediately run away from Josh either. Josh had only given Megan bits and pieces of the truth about why he was in Kansas City, and I liked that she trusted her instincts, listened to Blair’s perspective, and gave herself space to figure out what was actually true before making a decision.

Now Blair herself? I could not stand her. She was honestly awful, and I personally won’t be continuing the series for her story. Libby, however, was delightful and easily one of the more likable side characters in the book.

And Megan’s mom… wow. Truly a nightmare. Once her backstory was revealed, I understood why she behaved the way she did, but it still didn’t excuse the years of emotional bullying Megan endured growing up.

One thing I do want to mention for readers who may prefer cleaner romance: this author is currently rewriting her spicier novels into either closed-door or no-spice romances under the pen name Rachel Thorne, which I think is really exciting for readers who enjoy sweeter romance stories.

Coffee Pairing: Chocolate Cream Cold Brew That Forgot the Cold Brew
Looks layered and indulgent, but the substance underneath gets overshadowed by everything piled on top. Basically the drink version of a romance that focused more on attraction than emotional connection.

If you enjoy spice-forward romances with family drama and complicated friendships, this may work better for you than it did for me.

[Lady Pagewhisper | Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Crowns and Chaos PR and Rachel Thorne for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun and easy romance to get into. I’m always a sucker for fake dating/fake engagement stories, and this one had plenty of those awkward, chaotic moments that make you smile while reading.

Megan and Josh had a really enjoyable dynamic. Their banter felt natural, and I liked seeing their relationship slowly develop throughout all of the wedding week chaos. Josh was especially hard not to like. He was sweet, supportive, and played the role of fake fiancé a little too well at times.

I also loved the overall vibe of this one because it gave me a mix of The Proposal and The Wedding Date energy. It had the fake relationship chaos, family interactions, and those moments where two people start catching real feelings when things were only supposed to be temporary.

I will say Megan's family definitely frustrated me at times. I understood learning more about why her mother was the way she was, but I still found myself annoyed that nobody really stood up for Megan. I could understand trying to keep the peace, but watching those insecurities continue to be projected onto her was hard to read at times.

And then there was Blair... we definitely had a love/hate relationship throughout this book. Her intuition was honestly spot on, and knowing everything that was going on made me understand where she was coming from. I just found myself wishing she would have let things play out a little more before stepping in on her own terms. and Libby being the easy going, supportive best friend gave this an easier time for Megan and even myself as the reader to go through.

One thing I really admired was Josh. Even while being painted as the bad guy at times, he continued standing up for Megan and supporting her, and I really loved that about his character.

I also liked that this was a closed door romance. Even without spice, the chemistry and emotional moments still came through, and there were some cute scenes that had me smiling and kicking my feet.

Overall, this was a sweet, light rom com with fake fiancé chaos, family drama moments, and a romance that was easy to root for. If you enjoy fake dating, wedding drama, and feel good romances, this one is definitely for you.

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire premise of this book relies on one very important thing: everyone collectively making terrible decisions.

Thankfully, that includes me, because I happily went along with every single one of them.

Megan broke up with her cheating fiancé weeks ago but has somehow avoided telling her family that the wedding is off. Which means she’s flying home to face the consequences with exactly zero plans and maximum panic.

Then she meets Josh.

A few Dramamine-induced misunderstandings later, her family assumes Josh is the groom, and instead of immediately correcting them, both of them decide to keep the lie going.

Objectively? A horrible idea.

For my entertainment? An excellent one.

What made this work for me was Josh and Megan themselves. Josh could have easily come across as sketchy given the situation, but instead he was genuinely charming, supportive, and surprisingly thoughtful. Megan’s anxiety about disappointing her family felt real beneath all the comedy, which gave the story more emotional weight than I expected.

The banter was fun, the chemistry was strong, and I especially loved how Josh became the one person who consistently had Megan’s back when her family was driving her up the wall.

Speaking of the family—your enjoyment of this book will probably depend on how much tolerance you have for larger-than-life side characters. Megan’s mother is an Olympic-level control freak, and the wedding week is packed with increasingly chaotic situations. Personally, I found most of it entertaining, even when I wanted to shake everyone involved.

This isn’t a slow-burn masterpiece or a deeply realistic romance. It’s a fast-paced, wildly improbable romcom that leans fully into the chaos and somehow manages to be both funny and surprisingly sweet.

By the end, I was completely invested in Josh and Megan getting their happy ending, and that’s exactly what I wanted from this kind of story

[Megan | A Page to Turn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful mix of humor, heart, and emotional depth.

I went into this expecting a fun fake-fiancé romcom, and while it absolutely delivered on the banter and chaos, it also surprised me with how layered the relationships were—especially within Megan’s family.

Megan is easy to root for. Her struggles with her overbearing (and painfully blunt) mother felt incredibly real, and you could clearly see how that dynamic shaped her decision-making and self-worth. The tension there added so much depth to what could have otherwise been a light, surface-level story.

Josh was equally compelling. He steps into a fake role but ends up being the most emotionally honest person in Megan’s life. I appreciated how he challenged her to voice what she actually wanted—something she struggled to do with others. While I didn’t love that he held onto his secret for as long as he did, his intentions and the eventual resolution made it feel worthwhile.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the supporting cast. Gram completely stole the show—she was hilarious, sharp, and unapologetically herself. I also loved that the side characters weren’t one-dimensional; they all had moments of both strength and flaw, which made the story feel more authentic.

The childhood wedding pact between Megan, Libby, and Blair added such a sweet layer to the story, and I’m very intrigued to read the prequel that dives deeper into that origin.

Overall, this was a charming, closed-door romance that balances humor with meaningful emotional growth. The fake engagement trope is executed beautifully here, evolving naturally into something sincere and heartfelt.

A perfect read for anyone who enjoys romcoms with depth, strong character development, and a satisfying emotional Payoff.

[McKenzie Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Substitute was a read that took me by surprise. Mainly due to the fact that insta-love isn't normally a trope that I enjoy. However, Thorne wrote this so beautifully that I couldn't help but sit back and go "you know what, hell yeah the timing of it all makes perfect sense and I want more of it." I found myself thoroughly enjoying the dynamic of Megan and Josh. While Megan is a people pleaser and Josh is a methodical planner who looks at everything at a "risk/reward" perspective, they both collided into each other at the best possible time. The banter between the two characters in the midst of fake wedding chaos made me giggle all throughout the book. It seemed like whatever was thrown at them, they worked through it TOGETHER. Josh and Megan are a couple that embraces chaos with a smile on their face because as long as they are together, they know they'll get through it.
Thorne also does a phenomenal job in bringing in lovable side characters such as Libby, Noah and Gram. Even characters that are pricklier, like Megan's mother, Blaire, and Kevin, you can't help but love and learn to understand why they are the way that they are. Watching all the characters interact provided a real-life feel to the story. Like you could easily see these dynamics in your own family and friendships. I believe this is why the book was such a great read for me - because of the relatability of it all. I have people in my own life that could match the personalities of each and every character. Maybe except for the nudist in Gram. Can't say my Grammy is a nudist. Or at least as far as I know... which I am grateful in not knowing this answer if otherwise.
The Substitute provided me with all the butterflies, laughs, and deep thoughts that I think any reader could relate to and want when wanting to dive into a contemporary romance. I cannot WAIT to see what Thorne has in store for the other characters in this world.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Substitute is book one in The Wedding Pact Series. It is a sweet, fake engagement, rom-com, with closed-door romance. The story is told in first person, dual POV.

Megan walks in on her fiancé cheating on her and breaks it off with him. The problem is, she doesn't tell her family that the wedding is off. She meets Josh on the plane while traveling home to break the news. When Megan's family mistakes Josh for Megan's fiancé, the two go with it, each for their own reasons.

I really enjoyed this story and its characters, both primary and secondary. I felt like Megan and Josh were very relatable and I loved the emotion provoking moments. The humor, banter, and relationship development were also awesome, as was the chemistry between Josh and Megan. The flow, pace, plot, and storytelling were all great as well.

If you are looking for an entertaining read with wit, misunderstandings, and closed door romance, the I'd definitely recommend this book.

Thank you so very much to Crowns and Chaos LM and Rachel Thorne for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started to read, I got the strangest feeling I'd read it before. And I had but this time, it seemed even better.

Megan is flying home to tell her family that her wedding is off. A task that will be monumental since her mother has spent huge amounts of money and time planning it. The plane ride gets interesting when she accidentally combines dramamine with alcohol and is seated next to an extremely attractive man.

Josh is flying out to find proof that the patent for his invention has been stolen. He gets mistaken for Megan's fiancee when he carries her off the plane. His plans are complicated even more when he finds out Megan's dad owns the company that stole the patent.

They decide to let the misunderstanding play out with the understanding that they'll stage a very public break-up right before the wedding but as the days pass, neither of them seems to be in any hurry to do that at all.

Super cute strangers to lovers romance, complete with meddling family and friends. And a happily ever after for everyone.

I received a copy of this version from Hambright PR and the author; many thanks! This review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.

[Blzn Fyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and funny read!

Megan felt so relatable, with being a funny, smart, strong and independent woman….unless it comes to confronting her mom 🫣 who is extra scary Momzilla.
Josh was an absolutely sweet heart who has the best intentions to save his family business from going under.

When these two meet it’s hilarious right from the start. They have a super funny meet cute on a plane and have nonstop banter. Josh is super charming and Megan is slightly insecure and trying to save face after she has to tell her mom that her fiance cheated on her and the super expensive wedding has to be canceled.
Although some of the plot seems a bit outrageous, I thought they worked perfectly for the storyline. The side characters growth all felt so satisfying and made them even more loveable. My favorite side character was the gramma. She was hilarious!! Everytime she was in the story line, it was a GREAT time!

I would absolutely recommend this book to any romcom reader who enjoys witty banter, chaos with sweet character development.

[Bookish Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Substitute by Rachel Thorne is a fun and entertaining closed-door rom-com. 3.5 Stars.

What I loved:
The Meet-Cute: The opening setup for the main characters was incredibly charming and drew me right in.
The Family Chaos: The ensuing drama of meeting the family was highly entertaining. The grandmother completely stole the show—she was absolutely lovable and by far the funniest part of the book!
The Steam Level: I really appreciated how flawlessly the author handled the closed-door romance elements.

Where it fell a bit short:
While I enjoyed the story overall, I wanted a bit more substance regarding how the main characters developed their deeper emotional connection. The jump from the initial meet to true love felt slightly rushed, leaving me a little unconvinced by the end.

Final Verdict:
Despite wishing for a bit more depth in the development of the relationship, it is still a lighthearted, good time. I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a fun rom-com!

Thank you to Hambright PR for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, chaotic, and heartwarming romcom. The setup is pure comedy gold. Megan, terrified of flying, mixes Dramamine with a few too many drinks and wakes up to find herself in the middle of a misunderstanding that spirals completely out of control. Her parents mistake Josh, the handsome stranger seated next to her on the plane, for her fiancé… the one she actually broke up with weeks ago but never told them about.

From there, the fake engagement trope takes center stage, and I loved every second of it. Megan is relatable in her panic and her struggle to stand up to her overbearing family, while Josh is charming, supportive, and surprisingly thoughtful despite holding onto a secret of his own. Their banter was sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and the way they slowly became each other’s safe place made the romance feel both sweet and genuine.

The side characters added so much humour. Megan’s Gram was hilarious and stole every scene she was in.

While the plot leaned into improbable situations, that’s exactly what made it such a delightful romcom escape.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Grover Swank is another author that I will read every book she writes. So when I saw she was writing this as a sweet romance under Rachel Thorne I knew I needed to re-read it again! Her writing is so good and you have such a fun time reading her books. I can't tell you how much I loved this story. It was funny, and romantic, full of drama and suspense. The characters are really well written. Some of them you'll like some of them you will have a love/hate relationship with but that just makes it feel like everyday life.

This is a charming closed door romance that has the perfect blend of humor and emotional growth! The fake romance trope was executed beautifully and it evolved naturally and felt realistic and heartfelt. I loved everything about this book and I highly recommend this book!

Thank you Rachel Throne and Hambright PR for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the jump, you're in for a wild, chaotic ride with Megan and Josh in Rachel Thorne's The Substitute.

Megan is the bride-to-be in the fast-approaching "wedding of the year" if her over-bearing mom has anything to say about it. The problem is, she's currently without a groom after she caught her ex-fiance cheating on her. She's on her way back to Kansas City to face the music and tell her family that the wedding is off.

Josh is also on his way to KC to make a last-ditch effort to save his family business from an underhanded engineering firm. He has no definitive plan - but is trusting in fate to help him along the way. He has no idea just how much assistance fate gave him when he plane ticket has him sitting next to Megan on the flight from Seattle.

Both characters have a big challenge in front of them - maybe there's a way to help each other out?
What starts out as a fake-dating scheme puts this couple through a gauntlet of overbearing parents, suspicious friends and siblings, and one sassy grandma. As Megan and Josh tackle challenges that come along the way - could something real be developing between them?

This was a fun, closed-door ride with a lot of chemistry between the main characters.

[smalltownspellbound · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, The Substitute by Rachel Thorne, and I absolutely loved it!

We've got a fake wedding, an overbearing mom, and a spirited granny who steals every scene she is in. When you throw in a charming substitute groom with a secret, this story just takes off!

The chemistry between our two main characters is sizzling. The hilarious chaos kept me giggling the entire time I was reading. This was the perfect, feel good escape.

Rachel Thorne nailed the banter and the slow burn tension between our leads. The side characters also stole the show. Granny had me laughing out loud. She is the kind of chaotic, no filter elder we all need in our lives.

If you are looking for a light, witty, and heartwarming romance, this one delivers. I am obsessed with Rachel Thorne's writing style and will definitely read more of her work! I highly recommend this one, especially if you love fake relationship tropes done right!

[Brandi Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fake engagement closed door romance. Megan is flying to her parent's house for her wedding, the only problem is she broke up with her fiance weeks ago and is going to let her mother know. She has a not so great relationship with her mom and everyone is afraid of her.

Josh is flying out to try and save his company after his brother lost something important for the company. He is trying to find more information and get things taken care of for his company.

The way the two of them meet is really funny and I just can't say too much without giving anything away. The two of them end up faking being fiances and so many funny moments and really sweet ones too. I just love Grams too! She definitely steals the show.

Here's hoping for more books about Megan's friends. Definitely recommend this book!

[Kristen A · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute, no-spice, mistaken identity romance! Megan is on a flight headed to her hometown for her wedding... except she broke up with her fiancé (that no one in her family has met or knows anything about) six weeks ago and hasn't told anyone - particularly her controlling, unforgiving, doesn'tbelieveinanyboundaries mother. Whoops! Right before the flight leaves, Josh boards the plane and sits right next to her. Thankfully, Josh is a gentleman and helps Megan when her accidental mixture of Dramamine and alcohol causes her to struggle getting off the plane and to her waiting family. And that's when the fun ensues!

This book comes in 2 formats - a no-spice version (this one) and a spicier version by the author's other name. I don't usually read many no-spice romances but this one's story was so captivating (lots of hijinks and wedding drama!) that I really enjoyed it!

[Lisa Gaede · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Substitute was such a fun read, right from the beginning. The way it's written immediately pulls you in and keeps you engaged. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout because the dialogue feels so natural and real. You can actually picture the characters saying the things they're saying to each other and see the scenes playing out as the characters interact. What I loved most was how upbeat and entertaining the story felt, while still letting you get to know the characters. They felt relatable, layered, and easy to connect with, which got me more invested in where the story was going. This is the first book in a series, and after finishing it, I can honestly say I can't wait to read more. If the rest of the series is anything like this one, I'm already hooked.

[haley hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review.
First I want to thank Rachel Thorne for the opportunity to read this story.

The Substitute follows Megan and Josh. Megan is a bride-to-be with a wedding approaching. There is only one problem... she no longer has a groom since finding out her fiance was cheating on her. She heads back to her family in Kansas to tell them that there will no longer be a wedding. Josh is flying to Kansas to save his company. These two end up next to each other on the plan and well.. the fun begins!

This fake engagement romcom had me laughing and kicking my feet. I normally go for spicy romances, but this one had me hooked from the first line. I absolutely adored Megan and Josh. Their chemistry and relationship was wholesome and refreshing.

5 ⭐

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the author. The Substitute by Rachel Thorne is the kind of rom com that makes you smile and stay up way too late saying “just one more chapter.” I absolutely adored this book.

What begins as an unexpected setup between the two main characters quickly turns into a heartwarming story. I loved watching Megan and Josh’s relationship unfold as they navigated misunderstandings, sweet moments, and growing feelings for one another.

I can’t wait to read Rachel Thorne’s next book!

[emma beresford · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star
I loved everything about this story from the moment they meet on the plane and the witty banter. But can we talk about Megan's grandma 🤣🤣 she was so witty. So can Josh and Megan pull off being happily in love and ready to marry?? Guess you'll have to read it and see 👀 😏
Tropes
Closed door
Fake fiance
Forced proximity
Mistaken identity
He falls first
One bed
Highly recommend really enjoyed 😉

[CO Ajumma Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from Hambright PR.

Such a fun book with all the right pieces that made it great.

Megan, post cheating fiancé accidentally does a mix of Dramamine and alcohol and starts a conversation with the handsome passenger next to her. Next thing you know Josh ends up at a part and her family thinks he is her fiance.

With all the family drama, fake romance, and ultimate HEA this is a great book for lovers of fake romance, family drama but ultimately liver overtakes all!

[Cara Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC this was a cute read. It reminded me of wedding crashers a tad. Crazy funny grandma, uptight mom. Fake dating but bigger because there faking a soon to be wedding. I loved the side characters and the humor in this book and the family dynamics.
Fun enjoyable read! Would recommend

[madi_loves_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a closed door romantic comedy that has a fake engagement and witty banter, forced proximity and he falls first.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me feel happy and the chemistry was giving. I love a dual POV in a romance, especially when the banter is witty. The meet cute was a bit of a disaster in a very rom com way, if you know you know. It was so fun to read.

[Brianas.bookhaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this a 3.5⭐️

Right from the start you could tell this was gonna be a good romcom. Megan and Josh started out as a lie but over time they became more, Josh had his own agenda to why he was helping Megan but their meet cute was something I’ll always remember

[TiffanyMarieTicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! Read this in a few hours! It was adorable and red flags everywhere lol, but it worked! I could see this on the hallmark channel! It was funny and brought several smiles to my face! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thanks to Rachel and Hambright PR for the gifted eARC!

[Judith R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the opportunity to read and review this Book as an ARC. It started off really funny and refreshing. The family dynamics and overall fast development and relatively clean romance (closed door) reminded me of a kDrama romcom. And really glad to say: No 3rd Act break up!