A Bridesmaid's Guide to Fake Dating: A Steamy Small-Town Pretend Boyfriend Romance

by South Hopkins, Michelle Hopkins (Editor)

Genres: Romance, Novella

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2026

About the author

South Hopkins writes contemporary love stories full of supercharged banter, laugh-out-loud humor, and characters who fall hard, fast, and a little recklessly. Her stories are packed with undeniable chemistry and all the chaos that comes with it.

When she’s not writing, South collects crystals, observes life’s little disasters, or sips iced coffee while dreaming up her next story.

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or follow her on Instagram (@southhopkinswrites) and TikTok (@southwrites) to stay updated on her latest swoons, laughs, and upcoming stories.

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

This was a cute steamy romance novella! I was invested in the story early on and really loved Marcus. I mostly wish the book was longer so there would have been more room for character depth (and maybe a little more angst). My rating mainly reflects my want for more to the story. Things seemed a little rushed and flat at the end but I truly still enjoyed the story and the author’s writing.

This is a solid quick feel good romance read.

Favorite Quotes:

“This is definitely the funniest way I’ve ever been asked out.”

“I’m left standing in her driveway, dust on my jeans, heart in her hands.”

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It turns out that I didn't need to get rid of the glitter at all. I needed to find someone who didn't mind a little sparkle on his tux."

I thought this was a cute novella, and more than anything, I'm glad I was able to read a book where I was able to fall in love with both love interests. Poppy and Marcus both were written so well in just a few pages. I actually would kill for a standalone with their story expanded, or something like it. I was fortunate to receive and advance copy of this novella, I hope that South Hopkins continues to write characters that I could see myself being friends with IRL.

In fact...it kinda makes me believe I can find my own Marcus. And I think it's great when a book can make me dive into another world and bring me sparkle and hope again...or, I guess in this case, a little glitter.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This flower girl is living under the shadows of her past and its affecting her future. Poppy, our FMC, away from her family is quirky and sassy and around her family she is unsure of herself and tries to make herself smaller. Her family is judgmental and very much a "keeping up with the joneses". Our MMC, Marcus, is sweet and caring and in love with Poppy. Poppy asks Marcus to be her fake boyfriend, we all know how well that goes. This book while being nice and short is not without hitting everything. Its cute, emotional, and steamy in one. There is also character development that isn't glossed over or sped through. Everything feels like it happens at the right time and right pace. While yes this book could've been expanded to 200+ pages but it doesn't need it, its perfect just the way it is. I can't wait for Violet's story.

[a.vangasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free provided by the author. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you South Hopkins!


Look first of all! Damnn she did it again! And I know i’ve said it before but it’s just the truth.

I’m normally someone who doesn’t like short stories but South Hopkins pulled me in and just keeps pulling me.

I love these books from her. The meet cutes, the chemistry between characters, the different tropes eacht book. Just great!
I loved the story of Marcus and Poppy. The way they start and how there story develops is so cute!

You could say that this book could need more pages but I would tell you that it really doesn’t. It’s perfect how it is.

If you like
👉 novella
👉 fake dating/fake fiancé
👉 a little bit ot yearning


Then you should definitely read this book!

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short romance novella!

Poppy is a beautiful disaster. She thinks she’s cursed. That bad things happen to people that get close to her. Shes a hairdresser who moved back home after her alcoholic boyfriend died in a car accident. She’s also obsessed with anything pink and glittery! Imagine her surprise when Marcus plays along with her little white lie that turns into so much more.

Marcus is the local bars best drink maker. He’s got it bad for Poppy but she won’t give him a chance. He promises to be her knight if she will
be his princess in her time of need.

Who doesn’t like a fake dating trope? I recieved this book as an arc and am leaving an honest review. Can’t wait to see what happens in Violets book for book 4.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you need to save face with your family at the reunion you go immediately to your favorite bartender/friend and convince him to fake date you. Little do you know he secretly wants you and needs little to no convincing at all. Poppy and Marcus find themselves in a very awkward situation and they soon discover a lot about each other. Poppy has a lot to get through personally and thanks to her best friends and bridesmaids they help her not do something insane and help her go down the right path with the Beefcake bartender. This book was fun and sweet and somewhat emotional. This series just keeps getting better and better and this one didn’t disappoint.

[Tasha Thrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming book captivates with its sweetness. I adore how Marcus go with fake dating Polly to meet someone at a family member at Polly's family reunion, and how they effortlessly connect, leading to a beautiful relationship between them.

This is the third installment in the series, and it's best to start with the first book to fully appreciate the story. It appears that the narrative continues seamlessly from the previous book.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read the eARC, and I am happy to provide my honest review in return.

[Shelby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a quick and easy read, from the second I started reading I was hooked! Highly recommend for my fake dating book lovers!!!

When they are at a friends wedding her mother mentions their family reunion and her cousins current relationship status which rubs Poppy the wrong way so her and Marcus decide to fake date for the reunion. Poppy thinks she is bad luck so she is surprised when Marcus seems to think other wise. The lie goes a little too far but we all know fake dating turns into true feelings!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this novella as an ARC. It was such an easy and CUTE read!! I absolutely adored Poppy! Her fun, sparkly, pink personality resonated with me. Marcus was already so deep—I caught that from his first POV chapter. My only complaint was that the story ended sooner than I wanted! ;)I wanted more… More of the familial relationships, more of Poppy’s spunky personality, more of Marcus’s yearning for Poppy, more, more, more! Loved this novella!

[Melly · Rating 2 out of 5]

💐ARC REVIEW💐

For starters I’m super thankful for the author reaching out to provide me with this opportunity. Now onto business, I really wish I had been informed this was an interconnected series, as I was under the impression this book was a standalone or at least could be read as one but there’s several things that are going on that I bet I would’ve understood if I read the first 2 books, which I probably would’ve given it a higher rating if I were to understand it.

[Ashley Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, quick read that I loved! Poppy can be kinda awkward and quirky and you can’t help but to love her! Marcus truly cares about her and she really doesn’t realize it. I love a cute fake dating story and this was perfect! Watching their friendship turn into something more was so fun and I was here for it!

Thank you so much to South for this early review copy! I loved it!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super quick novella, only 74 pages, and I finished it in one sitting. Marcus agrees to fake date Poppy for her family reunion. I love how supportive he was to her. He was exactly what she needed. Poppy's friends are fun too! Definitely a fun girl squad. This was a cute one!

Thank you South Hopkins for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jess M 🩷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ ARC review

This is the 3rd book in the bridesmaid series and I need to say maybe my favourite so far?! Poppy is the perfect FMC and so is beefcakes… I mean Marcus 🤣

♥️ fake dating
💋 he falls first
♥️ short novella
💋 drink named after her
♥️ he calls her princess

Honestly these are perfect for the inbetween reads for
A short romance fix 🥰

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another bouquet toss out of the park

If you love a fake dating scheme that goes horribly wrong but right at the same time, then you have to read this novella. Yes, it's the third in the series, but all of them are short and sweet and definitely work the read.

[Besan Fawaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect palette cleanser after a few thrillers 💖🫶🏼 If you are looking for a sweet small town romance, where the quirky heartbroken FMC gets a second chance at love, pick this novella series! Great for a quick feel good pick me up! I absolutely love Poppy’s fun personality!

[Megan Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet novella. Poppy and Marcus make such a cute couple. There is very little angst involved. I love the support that Marcus gives to Poppy. Give this one a read!

[Racquel Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review. This novella was really cute. Quick read, but didn’t feel rushed. Marcus was super sweet and I loved how supportive he was to Poppy.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute novella. I loved Marcus and Poppy. She was a bit awkward at times but that didn’t deter Marcus from thinking she was perfect. Such a fun and sweet read.

[ValerieK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a good book with a fake boyfriend trope? I know that I am a sucker for them!
This book introduces us to Poppy. She is the third “Flower Girl” we get to hang out with. She is spunky, quirky, unsure of herself and a little awkward. We then meet Marcus who is sweet, caring, and exactly the kind of guy you want in your corner.
Seeing their friendship turn into something more was so much fun. As it’s clear that Poppy has no idea just how much Marcus truly cares about her. When she figures it out it’s such a sweet moment.
The flow of this book is consistent with the first two books. Seeing some of the original characters of the first two books felt like a quick little family reunion.
If you’re looking for a quick fun read that will give you laughs, make you appreciate true friendship and have you falling in love with the MMC at the halfway mark. This is the one for you.

[Anayah Navarrete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful glorious and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.