Fake Fiancee Fiasco

Wedding #1

by Natasha Queen

When two friends reunite under false pretenses, sparks will fly.

Katie left her hometown several years ago, leaving behind family, friends, and the boy she secretly loved. When a wedding invitation arrives, Katie is dateless and out of options. Desperate, she calls her former best friend to ask him to go with her.

Max is astonished to see Katie’s number flash across his phone. More than that, he sees an opportunity to salvage a huge lie he told his mother. So when he asks Katie to act as his pretend fiancée, she reluctantly agrees.

It’s a disaster almost right away.

Throw in close quarters, a snobby ex-girlfriend, and an epic field day, and Katie and Max get way more than they signed up for.

The feelings are getting too real, and the lies between them are getting too big.

Will Katie and Max throw this second chance at love away before it even begins?

Find out in this sweet romance set in the small town of Pecan Grove!

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2019

About the author

Natasha Queen writes sweet romance and creates characters that are full of wit and humor.

No cliffhangers and all her stories are HEAs that will leave you with a 'feel good factor'.

Join her LIST and get a FREE WELCOME GIFT - 'The Brides of Pecan Grove' right away.
Link to Join - BookHip.com/HCSFSN

For updates on all her upcoming and new releases, please visit her website www.natashaqueen.com

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

I usually like this plot, but I am kind over the whole heroine secretly was in love with a guy who never noticed her and so she was forced to watch him be with other women. I get it's a popular trope, but it's just so annoying at this point that women in romance are never allowed to live their romantic life, only one man will do, while the men get to fall in love and be attracted to a multitude of women. Why is it a slight for the heroine to have been attracted to other men but it's never a slight when sometimes WITHIN the story the hero is attracted to and wants another woman in his inner thoughts?

I am just tired of heroines always getting the short end of the stick, every plot, every trope

[Paula (on hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would have enraged me if I read it! There is nothing more annoying then to read about a Hero who is still attracted to an ex & unable to make up his freaking mind who he wanted more -heroine or his ex. That doesn't spell "romance" for me. Who wants a man who still has feelings for an ex (same ex who dropped him 'cause he wasn't rich enough and all while claiming that he is tired of dating women who are more interested in his money then him!). The main characters don't start their romance till the end with a quick & unconvincing HEA. That's suppose to make me want to read this? Nope. Pass. Thank you. Next.

This reviewer said it best - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this romance as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of the story is cute: Kate and Max were best friends growing up, but they have lost touch in the several years since they graduated. Kate secretly loved Max and still has feelings for him. She was always hurt, though, because he dated other girls and even had a long-term girlfriend who was very mean to Kate. Kate now lives in New Orleans where she designs and sells her own jewelry, and Max is a rich, successful architect in Houston.

Now Kate and Max have both been invited to a wedding of a mutual friend in their small hometown. Kate needs a date to the wedding, and Max needs a fiance (because he told his mom he was engaged). They decide to go to the wedding (and all the activities in the week before the wedding) as a fake, engaged couple. Then crazy situations ensue.

There were several problems in the storyline that bothered me and made it difficult to buy into:
1. If Max had been engaged to Kate for months before the wedding, why wouldn't he have told his mom that he was engaged to the girl his mom loved!
2. Max saw his ex, and he was tempted to get together with her again (since she was throwing herself at him). She dumped him in high school because he didn't have the money or fame his ex craved. Now she wants him because he is rich. Would you be tempted to get together again?
3. Max vacillates between choosing Kate and his ex every time he turns around, it seems. If you were Kate, would you want to be with a man who couldn't choose between his beautiful and kind best friend or his sexy but mean ex?

Those are just a few examples that made the book difficult for me to enjoy. It was an easy read, which is what I am looking for when reading romance, so that was great.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance romance and it was a fun read. Plenty of twists and lots of drama to keep you interested. Hilarious at times as they just dig themselves deeper and deeper. Lies, secrets, jealous ex-girlfriends and lots of family dynamics. A sweet romance set in Pecan Grove. No cliffhanger and a happy ending. I read an arc via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review.

[Jill Kerich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a second chance romance featuring Katie and Max, best friends in high school. Although they haven’t seen or talked since high school, they both need a date for a hometown wedding and Max needs more, a fake fiancé.
The story is told in dual POV, which is always my favorite way to really know what the characters are thinking.
It was fun following Max and Katie through a week of wedding festivities pretending to be engaged. Max’s high school girlfriend Megan provides a snag as she sees money and a high society life with Max and wants him back.
The story was well thought out and the characters were likeable (even the ones we weren’t supposed to like!). My biggest problem with this book was how long it took the two to actually get together! It was literally the END of the book and seemed a little rushed based on how close the kept their feeling to themselves up to that point. I also missed reading more about their newly found love for each other, the epilogue just wasn’t enough. That said, I would definitely try this author out again in the future!

[Susan Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha is a new author to me. I loved this book I am hooked.

This second chance romance was fun to read and easy to get lost in the pages. There are twist and turns and being a small town there is a bit of drama with it as well.

I absolutely love Katie she is a spit fire she is competitive a strong woman who is on the fringe of her dream of getting her jewelry line into her favorite store.

Max has become a renowned architect in Dallas . He hasn't found the right one but that doesn't stop him from telling his mom that he has. Both Max and Katie get the wedding invitation and both need a date. Max and Katie go together and they put on a show but will their true feelings show?

With out giving a lot away this book has a HEA and who doesn't love a good HEA. This book was well written can't wait to read more from her!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha Queen is a new author for me. I was impressed with the way she took a familiar friends-to-lovers trope and put a fresh spin on it. I particularly enjoyed the character of Katie with her overly competitive nature that added some comedic relief to the story. I rated this book 4.5 as I felt the character of Max was a bit confusing. I couldn't easily follow his reasoning in various places in the book. I enjoyed the story and recommend it! I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another interesting book by Natasha Queen. Two long time friends who had lost touch for over 8 years and then to be invited to the same wedding of a former friend. Max and Katie had been best friends for years and then spent time apart on their own careers. Both are very busy with their different jobs and did not run with the same group of people. They then meet up and become engaged to fool Maxes mother only to fool themselves as she guessed. What they were up to. This is my review of a Free Arc and a good read as well These are my words and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[HiDesert Granny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this story and am grateful that I did. As one who “married late” (I was 28 and it was the late 70s) I understand the unwanted pressure families, directly or inadvertently, put on the single ones. So that premise resonated with me and I enjoyed the quandaries the quirky heroine and her fake fiancé plowed through. Delightful read.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read I read it in one sitting enjoyed how well the characters were developed and engaging and the storyline flowed smoothly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you pretend to be in love, you might just fall in love for real. A well written and entertaining story that grabs your attention.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second chance romance was fun to read.

There are twist and turns and being a small town there is a bit of drama with it as well.

The book is well written and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merrilyn Jeanne Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a exciting twisted story, with a happy ending, keeps you reading.

[Teresa Trahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story a little repetitive in some areas but overall a really cute book. Will read from this author again.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine “Katie” Thomas has made her dreams come true…almost. She designs and makes jewelry in her new home of New Orleans where she relocated after college. While her business has taken off and she has lots of local customers, there is one place she has not been able to get to sell her creations. American Chic in Houston, Texas could easily make her business boom if they would offer her jewelry pieces for sale. Unfortunately, months of contacting American Chic turned into two years and she still has not been able to talk with a buyer there.

Max Cordell has become a well known architect based in the Houston area. He has dated around a lot but has not as yet found “the one” and his Mother wants to see him married and settled down.

Katie and Max share a past. They were good friends in High School in Pecan Grove, Texas, but they had drifted apart. When a school friend sends them both a wedding invitation along with week-long pre-wedding activities, they find themselves in a pickle. Katie would like to go to the events with a date. But she has not found time to get one, working to make something of her business. Max, on the other hand, doesn’t have a fiancée yet, and he told his mother that he does! What to do?

Katie decides to call her old friend Max and he offers to take her to the festivities if she will play his “fiancée for the week” in front of everyone, especially and including his Mother. He further sweetens the pot by offering to get her an appointment with the head buyer at American Chic since he was part of the firm that designed the store.

The fun starts with a crazy, signed agreement cooked up by Katie, an old girlfriend who turns up at the same time to cause trouble, and unrequited feelings on both sides. Fake Fiancee Fiasco is a well written, satisfying read that I really enjoyed a lot. I’d like to thank the author, Natasha Queen, for the ARC she allowed me to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[Carly Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Fake Fiancée Fiasco’ is a sweet romance by Natasha Queen. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I really enjoyed it. It was an upbeat, fun read that had me page turning and I almost finished it in one sitting.

The book is about Katie and Max, two people who have reached the age of 26, and are starting to get the dreaded questions from their loved ones about when they are going to settle down. Katie is an independent business owner, who has never felt the need for a man, and Max is a successful architect who has been making a name for himself away from the small town where they grew up.

But when they both receive invitations to a high school friends wedding, both are determined that they can’t show up solo. Katie panics, wondering what she can do to make herself look better in the eyes of those who used to judge her. She phones her best friend, who casually suggests she ask Max Cornell to the wedding, her ex best friend and teenage crush.

Max is sick of going on meaningless dates with people who appear more attracted to his bank balance than his personality, so when he receives the invitation to an old friends wedding in his hometown, he has no choice but to take his fiancée, the one he has made up in order to keep his mums questions at bay. Unsure of who exactly he can turn to, he starts to panic. But a eerily timed call from his old best friend Katie, is the answer to his prayers. But will they make it out of the wedding drama unscathed, and can they pull off the biggest lie to those who love them?

I loved the plot, the characters and the interference of Megan. It had so many funny moments and was a nice and easy upbeat read.

I’d recommend to sweet romance lovers, and it has made me want to explore and look out for more books by this author.

[Stella Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but Max needed to be smacked upside his head!!!

Fake Fiancée Fiasco is the first book I have read written by Natasha Queen. As suggested by the title, this is the story of Katie and Max who were best friends in high school, but had a falling out. Now, both have been invited to a mutual friend’s wedding, and the week-long pre-wedding activities. Neither want to attend solo, and they decide to go together. However, Max told his Mother he was engaged and he now needed to present a fiancée! It isn’t a big stretch for them to pretend to be engaged...right? The tip-toeing necessary to ensure no one figures out they weren’t really engaged while realizing they really had feelings for each other were quite entertaining. However, I hated Max’s ex! And even more, hated how he was considering getting back with his ex, when he had Katie! She really should have stood up for herself and told him where to go! I’d be really worried Max is not really in love when he can even consider someone as shallow as his ex! I really wanted Katie to stand up for her own self love, especially given their history. I can understand some understanding and patience, but this was a bit too much for me. This aspect and the actions of each of the 2 main characters, forces me to drop my rating a bit as my enjoyment was affected.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

[Athena Rupas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything from Natasha Queen. I really enjoyed the book. The story is about Matt and Katie who were best friends in high school and the friendship ended due to a misunderstanding. Katie ended up leaving their hometown to get far away from Max and all of the feelings she had for him. Now years later both are invited to the wedding of a mutual friend and neither wants to go dateless. Katie ends up reaching out to Max and they agree to go as a fake engaged couple. This made for some hilarious moments. I loved the added touch of the woman trying to get back with Max. Well, it took all darn week for the two of them to realize that their old friendship and their current fake engagement were feeling a bit real for them and they finally got their HEA! I loved the added epilogue. I love when an author includes one in their books. I really really enjoyed Natasha's first full-length book and I look forward to reading all her future releases! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

[Miriam Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fake Fiance Fiasco" by Natasha Queen is true to its name. Here is another heart-stopping second chance sweet romance, to hold your undivided attention from start to finish. You will be so engrossed, spellbound and captivated that it will be virtually impossible for you to put the book down. The two main characters, Katie and Max spring to life with amazing resilience, sparkling wit and humor. Natasha's characters are so realistically portrayed and skillfully delineated that you will happily follow the lives of these sensitive people, who choose true love above all else, to be the guiding light of their lives. Katie's unrequited love, spanning decades, is richly rewarded when Max finally realizes that she is the only person who really loves him for who he is. The human heart always recognizes the authentic nature of true love. Natasha's books are emblazoned with the ring of truth. She is a truly gifted and talented author, who describes true love in her books exactly as it exists in real life. I highly recommend this book to all who want to read about true love in the printed word and its digital formats.

[Frances Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC was sent to me by the author with the condition that I write an honest review. This author is a new-to-me author. I really enjoyed this book about Max and Katie, a couple who were once best friends in High School. They had a misunderstanding and Katie left her hometown to get away from Max and the feelings that she had for him. Invited to the wedding of another friend and classmate, neither Max nor Katie wanted to show up dateless. Katie reached out to Max and they agreed to be a fake engaged couple. There were so many LOL moments occurring during the pre-wedding week, including a woman determined to hook her claws back into Max. It took the entire week for both Max and Katie to realize that their former friendship and fake engagement, was feeling more and more real. They finally achieved their HEA, after several conflicts, with a beautiful epilogue to end the book. I really enjoyed the writing of Ms Queen and hope to read more books written by her. I’ll definitely be recommending her books.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Natasha Queen and WOW this was an awesome book I could not put it down. Natasha hooked me form the beginning with her story and character building she made it easy to lose my self in reading. It's a second chance romance of Max and Katie they both share a past being good friends in high school but they drifted apart. Both are invited to a wedding in their home town and are both in a mess as Max has told his mother he has a fiancee which he doesn't. And Katie would like to attend with a date which she has none. The fun starts with a signed agreement and the fake fiancee fiasco starts there's twists and turns, drama, suspense, wedding celebrations, renewed friendship and romance along with true love. Grab your self a copy and see all the fun and if they get their HEA!!! It's a definite summer must read your sure to enjoy! I will definitely be reading more form this author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie was a little too temperamental and wishy washy with her insane contract demands and her hot and cold moments with Max. Max used her to appease his mother and make his high school girlfriend Megan jealous. I didn’t like how he was checking Megan out when he was supposed to be pretending to be engaged to Katie and then he berated Katie for not showing enough affection in her acting with him. Megan was a selfish spiteful girl who kept throwing herself at him even though she knew he was with someone else. He kept claiming she was a good person, but I didn’t see that with her actions in the past and present. I thought it was cool that Katie was a jewelry designer. She and Max were both artists as he was an architect. His driver Caleb was a riot. The field day competition was insane with mud and injuries. It’s not something I would have chosen for my wedding guests. But I would have loved to try that lavender wine at the winery tour. There were plenty of funny moments in this former best friends pretend romance.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Katie had been friends in high school. Katie had secretly had a crush on Max but Max was with Megan. When Megan broke his heart, Katie stood by him because she wanted him to be happy. She really couldn't stand Megan, but Max seemed to genuinely love her. Now it has been years later and they have not kept in touch but they have a mutual friend getting married in Pecan Grove and are both headed for the wedding. They make an agreement that Katie will be Max's fake fiancee' but at what cost? Are they doomed to have the past repeat itself or will they both get out of this unscathed?

This was a sweet, clean story of friends to lovers after many years apart. For the most part, I liked the story, there were a few parts that I felt were unnecessary and wanted to story to come to a conclusion more quickly, but over all I liked the story.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Terry Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie has made her dreams of designing jewelry come true in New Orleans. Max has become a renowned architect in Dallas. After high school they left Pecan Grove and their friendship behind. Then comes the wedding invitation neither of them can refuse or attend dateless. To solve the problem of Max pretending to be engaged and Katie getting a meeting to expand her jewelry business, the fake fiancée contract is created. Between unrequited love, a week-long pre-wedding celebration, and an ex-girlfriend wanting to rekindle the flames “The Fake Fiancée Fiasco” begins.

Natasha Queen has created a story that will hit all of your buttons. Grab your copy and fall in love! I can’t wait to read more of her creations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would like this story just from the title, Fake Fiancee Fiasco. I enjoyed an ex-girlfriend from high school, Megan being thrown into the plot. I especially enjoyed the banter between Katie and Max, who were best friends in high school but have been estranged for awhile until they both need a date to a wedding back in Pecan Grove, Texas. It was funny they agreed to be engaged while they attend a wedding in their old hometown. Katie is so funny coming up with a contract Max has to sign before she will agree to be his fiancee. I believe this is the first book I have read by Natasha Queen and it will not be my last. I really enjoyed the characters and story. Who says you can't return home? I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unrequited Love Becoming Real
by Korkoi

Katie had been in love with her best friend Max for over ten years, but it wasn’t reciprocated. It takes a wedding, an agreement, a meddling mother, an interfering ex-girlfriend and misunderstandings, to get Max and Katie their happy ending. All the cats and mouse play between Max and Katie, kept playing havoc with my emotions and had me just wanting to put them in a locked room to sort it out. The story has a combination of romance, with a well balanced element of comedy throughout. If you want to laugh, cry and learn that the key to any good relationship, is to make sure the other person is your best friend and you are able to communicate easily with each other, definitely get this awesome book to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosemary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie left Pecan Grove Texas after high school. Now she's going back there to attend a friends wedding. She's nervous especially as she's pretending to be engaged to her high school best friend. What could possibly go wrong? I had to laugh. I knew that misunderstanding and high jinx were eminent. Katie is a talented jewelry designer and a trusted confidante for Max. I liked their interaction. Their dialogue is both sassy and snarky. Max is a well known architect who's extremely successful but he's afraid of his mother. She wants him married. Katie has a secret too. She's loved Max for years. I enjoyed watching them realize that they belonged together. I just wished that Katie would fight for the man she loved and not let his former girlfriend try to get him back. Fake Fiancée Fiasco is an enjoyable friends to lovers romance. I liked the characters, the setting and the love story.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There is a bit of a love triangle going on. Katie has been in love with Max since she was young, she and Max consider themselves best friends but lost touch for a while. Max if falling all over himself over his Ex Megan who broke his heart and now wants him back (because he has someone else in his life and is jealous). Max & Katie are both invited to a wedding and the pre wedding festivities, neither wants to go alone and Max has already told his mother that he is engaged so they decide to go together and pretend to be engaged. Throughout the festivities Max spends a lot of time watching and wanting Megan. I didn't really like this aspect of the book. Usually a bit of not realizing that the H is already with the perfect person for them is ok, but it went on a bit too long for my tastes.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and Max were best friends in high school, and she was secretly in love with him. But he only had eyes for Megan. And it seems like he still might. There's another wedding in Pecan Grove. Katie needs a date, and Max needs a fake fiancee. They reach an agreement as to how they're going to handle being back in town. They have an entire week's worth of festivities to attend before the main event, and they may not make it with their friendship (and engagement!) intact. I loved this story. Max had a little trouble deciding who he was really interested in, but that just added to the drama. This was a sweet, second-chance romance. Katie was Ava's friend in The Brides of Pecan Grove, and I'm so happy to read her story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yolanda Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. I just love when we have an alpha female. Katie has her own jewelry business and is riding high on top of the world. You have two woman that want Max. Megan and Katie. Megan was Max flame back in high school. Katie has been that forever friend. Back in their hometown they are going to a wedding. Max has told a little white lie to his mother. Now he needs a fiancee. He makes a contract with his best friend Katie. Now Katie has always loved Max. Guess who shows up at the wedding and wants Max back. Max sees the ladies in a different light. Who will Max choose to be his forever. This was a fun read. Love how Natasha brought the characters to life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.