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Pretend You're Mine
When Lauren moved to New York City a year ago, she never could have imagined the disaster her life would have become.
This move was supposed to be the start of a new life, a new career, but instead, she'd told fib after fib to keep her parents from worrying.
Now, Lauren's parents were coming to the city to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, and they were going to find out that her accommodation was more of a closet than an apartment, that she'd quit the job she'd moved here for, and that the girlfriend she'd been telling them about for months didn't actually exist.
Lauren's life was a mess. And now she'd have to deal with it all those lies.
When lawyer turned coffee shop owner, Jackie, checks on one of her regular customers who seems to be having a bad day, she finds out that Lauren has put herself in quite an awkward situation.
Jackie's been harboring a crush on the younger woman for months now, and when a crazy idea came to her after her weekly improv class, she had to put it out there.
If you love age gap fake romances, check out Pretend You're Mine.
Read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Steamy Lesbian Romance
This move was supposed to be the start of a new life, a new career, but instead, she'd told fib after fib to keep her parents from worrying.
Now, Lauren's parents were coming to the city to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, and they were going to find out that her accommodation was more of a closet than an apartment, that she'd quit the job she'd moved here for, and that the girlfriend she'd been telling them about for months didn't actually exist.
Lauren's life was a mess. And now she'd have to deal with it all those lies.
When lawyer turned coffee shop owner, Jackie, checks on one of her regular customers who seems to be having a bad day, she finds out that Lauren has put herself in quite an awkward situation.
Jackie's been harboring a crush on the younger woman for months now, and when a crazy idea came to her after her weekly improv class, she had to put it out there.
If you love age gap fake romances, check out Pretend You're Mine.
Read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Steamy Lesbian Romance
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2020
153 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Laura Conway
26 books58 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 5, 2020
Pretend You’re Mine by Laura Conway was my first FF romance read – and I really enjoyed it!
Jackie is an older woman who previously stopped her career as a lawyer to follow a simpler dream – be a business owner. She takes delight in serving up some strong brew to New York’s finest. And she likes bonding with her customers the most. One day, she notices that one of her regulars is having a bad day. Jackie has had her eye on the younger woman for quite some time now. She takes advantage of the situation to talk to her and see if she could help.
Lauren can’t believe her luck. Moving to New York has turned out to be the worst idea she has ever had. She doesn’t want to disappoint her parents, so she keeps lying about how great she is doing her. When, in reality, she doesn’t have any of those wonderful things she’s been telling them. Lauren can’t help to be a little startled when Jackie offers to help her out of the blue. The agreement? Jackie will pretend to be her girlfriend and lie to her parents if she will agree to go to her ex’s wedding with her.
Jackie and Lauren have an instant chemistry. I wouldn’t say that it is sexually charged or tense, but they just click well together. The fact that Jackie is older, and more experienced with life, than Lauren was a real treat to read about. She assured Lauren that “failure” is ok. That starting over isn’t the end of the world. She didn’t judge Lauren for lying to her parents; instead she encouraged her to be honest and open with herself and them. And when their relationship started to turn into something “more,” Lauren got to help overcome some of her fears about being an older woman.
Oh, and if you are curious about the steamy scenes? They were good. With this being my first FF read, I really didn’t know what to expect. They didn’t disappoint.
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
Jackie is an older woman who previously stopped her career as a lawyer to follow a simpler dream – be a business owner. She takes delight in serving up some strong brew to New York’s finest. And she likes bonding with her customers the most. One day, she notices that one of her regulars is having a bad day. Jackie has had her eye on the younger woman for quite some time now. She takes advantage of the situation to talk to her and see if she could help.
Lauren can’t believe her luck. Moving to New York has turned out to be the worst idea she has ever had. She doesn’t want to disappoint her parents, so she keeps lying about how great she is doing her. When, in reality, she doesn’t have any of those wonderful things she’s been telling them. Lauren can’t help to be a little startled when Jackie offers to help her out of the blue. The agreement? Jackie will pretend to be her girlfriend and lie to her parents if she will agree to go to her ex’s wedding with her.
Jackie and Lauren have an instant chemistry. I wouldn’t say that it is sexually charged or tense, but they just click well together. The fact that Jackie is older, and more experienced with life, than Lauren was a real treat to read about. She assured Lauren that “failure” is ok. That starting over isn’t the end of the world. She didn’t judge Lauren for lying to her parents; instead she encouraged her to be honest and open with herself and them. And when their relationship started to turn into something “more,” Lauren got to help overcome some of her fears about being an older woman.
Oh, and if you are curious about the steamy scenes? They were good. With this being my first FF read, I really didn’t know what to expect. They didn’t disappoint.
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
May 5, 2020
I love age gap romances and this was a really easy, light-hearted read. Perfect for escaping from the world for a few hours. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2020
I wanted something light, something easy, something angst-free. Just to get lost for a bit there.. And I got Pretend You’re Mine... Not a bad read especially if you like to read a mixed of fauxmance and age-gap romance with no ice-queen. Nothing for me to pretend that I like this book but I’ll just pretend for a moment there that the world is all good and well 🙂
Ratings: High 3
Ratings: High 3
June 7, 2025
Who would have thought this lovely bit of fluff would get 5*s? Well I loved this, superb. Brought into both MCs. Highly recommended. And rereadvas a superb grounding following 2 or 3 iffy ones!!
June 10, 2020
Lauren is tired of lying to her family about how well she is doing in NYC as a journalist when she's actually barely eking out a living as a bartender and writing part time. When her parents decide to visit her, Lauren has to come up with yet another lie. Coffee shop owner and former attorney, Jackie, offers to solve her problem. Both women have secretly harbored a crush on one another for many months, but neither has acted on it so Jackie decided to take this opportunity. She will let Lauren move in with her for the parental visit if Lauren will attend a wedding of two exes of Jackie's and pretend to be her very happy "girlfriend!"
The story is quite cute with lots of sizzling charisma, although I would have enjoyed more dates for them as they began to realize their true feelings. There was too much time spent lamenting over their doubts. Overall enjoyable book!
The story is quite cute with lots of sizzling charisma, although I would have enjoyed more dates for them as they began to realize their true feelings. There was too much time spent lamenting over their doubts. Overall enjoyable book!
June 15, 2020
An age-gap, fake-relationship romance on Kindle Unlimited. Well, I’m a big fan or the fake relationship trope, but less so when the MCs so clearly have the hots for each other from the start. Still, the ‘what is fake affection and what is real?’ Is fun. And it was here too, but a hit angsty and insecure. The age gap I’m not a fan of. Especially in this scenario where the younger MC is so immature and not sorted that it’s clear what they being to the relationship is being young and hot and a bit clueless.
There was little tension and excitement. But overall a good read.
There was little tension and excitement. But overall a good read.
May 3, 2020
Just a simple faux romance love story with an age difference. Not a lot here, but no real angst either. Just a simple romp to pass the time.
A fair few grammatical errors so could do with proofreading. Also the younger character still seemed kinda directionless at the end. Not bad, but could be better.
A fair few grammatical errors so could do with proofreading. Also the younger character still seemed kinda directionless at the end. Not bad, but could be better.
May 4, 2020
Ahhh the fauxmance! One of my favorite tropes. I liked that both MCs were into it and the angst about is she feeling real feelings or is she just acting didn’t go on for too long. I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it for anyone looking for a sweet fauxmance story.
August 25, 2020
l've really enjoyed the two Laura Conway novels l've read. Pretend You’re Mine has two favourite tropes- fake romance and an age-gap romance. It’s a short book but I think Conway built the romance really well.
June 29, 2020
Good character development. It isn't that long of a book, but it was packed with a good story. I'd read this author again.
August 22, 2020
Love it! first time i read this author book!
February 26, 2022
I hate losers ! And I refer here to Lauren, the Ohio girl who is never get along with the big city's life such as New York and never successed at any stable good work, also living a pretty random lost love life. Why anybody would like to hangout with such a boring loser ? And why I'd like to read a fiction with such a negative weak character ? That's the first reason I didn't like the story. The two main characters are not likable at any level.
Second, when you see someone struggling like Lauren, you probably feel sympathy for her, but what if she achieved nothing by the end of the story ? She is a escaper and not challangable, only being lucky to meet a reliable person like the generous Jackie .. whose i consider also a pathetic lost human being.
Third, I chose to read this book because it's about love story with age gap, and who doesn't like the action of age gap ? But somehow the author made me to feel really bad and confused about the "Age gap" case. Jackie is always scared, incredulous, questionable and nervous about their age gap. She almost made me hate the idea. And she still have that thoughts till the final chapter of the story ! That's not a happy ending for sure.
After finishing the first quarter of the book, I was wondering why the author of such a funny story couldn't write funny or attractive conversations between the characters ?! Why their routine is so boring although the pace is going pretty good ?
I'm really got confused about this book. An interesting story with boring telling style.
I am really disappointed. This book only deserve two stars, but generously I'd give it three stars as a salute to the steamy scenes between Lauren and Jackie. Although it ends with nothing solid or coherent between the two of them. And That's sad.
Second, when you see someone struggling like Lauren, you probably feel sympathy for her, but what if she achieved nothing by the end of the story ? She is a escaper and not challangable, only being lucky to meet a reliable person like the generous Jackie .. whose i consider also a pathetic lost human being.
Third, I chose to read this book because it's about love story with age gap, and who doesn't like the action of age gap ? But somehow the author made me to feel really bad and confused about the "Age gap" case. Jackie is always scared, incredulous, questionable and nervous about their age gap. She almost made me hate the idea. And she still have that thoughts till the final chapter of the story ! That's not a happy ending for sure.
After finishing the first quarter of the book, I was wondering why the author of such a funny story couldn't write funny or attractive conversations between the characters ?! Why their routine is so boring although the pace is going pretty good ?
I'm really got confused about this book. An interesting story with boring telling style.
I am really disappointed. This book only deserve two stars, but generously I'd give it three stars as a salute to the steamy scenes between Lauren and Jackie. Although it ends with nothing solid or coherent between the two of them. And That's sad.
March 1, 2021
Enjoyed the age gap of Jackie and Lauren. Good read!
February 1, 2021
Simmering attraction held in for a year comes pouring out in this fauxmance.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
May 31, 2020
Quick, fun ecsape.
The POV jumps between the MC's, and is so deliciously written you fall in love with them, and become them, at the same time.
Love this couple!
The POV jumps between the MC's, and is so deliciously written you fall in love with them, and become them, at the same time.
Love this couple!
November 4, 2021
This was a book I picked because I randomly picked a previous book that I had to judge as too steamy and I just couldn't get myself to continue reading it for the time being.
So landed myself with Pretend you're mine and while the whole base of the pretence was a bit out there... it's also quite believable. Their journey before intimacy gave their relationship substance of sort but then comes the intimacy and I had to question myself if this book was not almost as bad as the steam I was avoiding.
Enjoyable read all through.
So landed myself with Pretend you're mine and while the whole base of the pretence was a bit out there... it's also quite believable. Their journey before intimacy gave their relationship substance of sort but then comes the intimacy and I had to question myself if this book was not almost as bad as the steam I was avoiding.
Enjoyable read all through.
December 14, 2020
This was so much better than I expected! The women are very cute and hot together.
I can't think of anything bad to say about it. A bit predictable, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment.
I can't think of anything bad to say about it. A bit predictable, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment.
January 21, 2021
Loved this book
another great book by Laura Conway. An enjoyable story. Age-gap pretend girlfriend romances are fun. This one better then most.
another great book by Laura Conway. An enjoyable story. Age-gap pretend girlfriend romances are fun. This one better then most.
October 12, 2020
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. Great story line, I really enjoyed the characters. Being In love with someone older than me and reading stories like this brings is nice. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story line, I really enjoyed the characters. Being In love with someone older than me and reading stories like this brings is nice. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
June 15, 2020
Wonderfully written!
This is the first book I’ve read by Laura Conway, and I’m certain it won’t be the last!
Pretend You’re Mine, centres around the two main characters Lauren and Jackie. Lauren has been coming to Jackie’s coffee shop for nearly a year, and has always been attracted to the owner from the moment she met her, unbeknown to her the feeling was mutual. Lauren’s parents are coming to town to celebrate her 30th birthday, under the impression that Lauren is living in a wonderful home, has her dream job and a loving girlfriend. When Lauren and Jackie strike a conversation, Jackie is keen to help Lauren keep up with her lies and pretends to be her girlfriend and entertain Lauren’s parents in her home; in return for Lauren accompanying her to ex’s weddings.
The story is well written, engaging, funny and one of those where your rooting for the main characters! Would love to read a sequel!
This is the first book I’ve read by Laura Conway, and I’m certain it won’t be the last!
Pretend You’re Mine, centres around the two main characters Lauren and Jackie. Lauren has been coming to Jackie’s coffee shop for nearly a year, and has always been attracted to the owner from the moment she met her, unbeknown to her the feeling was mutual. Lauren’s parents are coming to town to celebrate her 30th birthday, under the impression that Lauren is living in a wonderful home, has her dream job and a loving girlfriend. When Lauren and Jackie strike a conversation, Jackie is keen to help Lauren keep up with her lies and pretends to be her girlfriend and entertain Lauren’s parents in her home; in return for Lauren accompanying her to ex’s weddings.
The story is well written, engaging, funny and one of those where your rooting for the main characters! Would love to read a sequel!
May 13, 2020
Loved it!
I love stories like this where you know this could never happen but can it? Jackie and Lauren’s attraction to each other with each never admitting or daring to make a move just built their chemistry up, adding in the age- gap. The notion of taking a fake girlfriend to an ex’s function is not new or make believing you have a different life than one we report home to, but thinking this could turn out to be love is where the sweetness of this story comes alive. Big fan of Laura Conway and this did not disappoint.
I love stories like this where you know this could never happen but can it? Jackie and Lauren’s attraction to each other with each never admitting or daring to make a move just built their chemistry up, adding in the age- gap. The notion of taking a fake girlfriend to an ex’s function is not new or make believing you have a different life than one we report home to, but thinking this could turn out to be love is where the sweetness of this story comes alive. Big fan of Laura Conway and this did not disappoint.
May 10, 2020
Another amazing book by Laura Conway! This was a nice light read. I found myself smiling and even laughing at some parts. It was perfect and the sex scenes were hot! I hope another book comes detailing more of their relationship. I want more!
June 16, 2021
Just the kinda of people I love to hate... The inability to tell someone how you feel. The inner dialogue was just ridiculous. How many times does someone have to say the like you for you to believe them.
May 4, 2020
Expected a really nice slow burn but for my liking they got together way too soon. either way nice read from this author
November 11, 2022
So I thought this was pretty good!! Actually, more than good: it was quite incredible.
With all romances — all stories, really — my greatest gripe tends to be communication. I just find drama based around poor communication too unrealistic (of course, this may in itself be unrealistic, but I stand by that a relationship requires good, constant communication and that is a normal thing for people) and generally unenjoyable to read.
I also love fake dating and adult age gap romances (so like, 21+. Enough time to experience life, and on another personal note, my mental state has changed less from 21-24 than from 18-21…and also, legal age of alcohol consumption in the United States and all, 21 seems an acceptable starting age for age gaps?), which this book has both of.
All that to say: I loved this. Coming off my last few reads, this was a solid read: good communication throughout (no third act breakup, miscommunication of a grand scale, or etc.) really helped this be so enjoyable.
With all romances — all stories, really — my greatest gripe tends to be communication. I just find drama based around poor communication too unrealistic (of course, this may in itself be unrealistic, but I stand by that a relationship requires good, constant communication and that is a normal thing for people) and generally unenjoyable to read.
I also love fake dating and adult age gap romances (so like, 21+. Enough time to experience life, and on another personal note, my mental state has changed less from 21-24 than from 18-21…and also, legal age of alcohol consumption in the United States and all, 21 seems an acceptable starting age for age gaps?), which this book has both of.
All that to say: I loved this. Coming off my last few reads, this was a solid read: good communication throughout (no third act breakup, miscommunication of a grand scale, or etc.) really helped this be so enjoyable.
February 12, 2022
HEA the hard way 😉
I have always found enjoyment reading all of Laura Conway’s creations.
Many readers chose books or authors by the fact that there is a guaranteed HEA ending.
While that may be true for me too, I read hers work because each on creates its own geographic love story in which the characters each have a map to find happiness or cope with disappointment.
It is these maps toward joy that I enjoy most when I read her stories. They are both original and enticing.
I believe that true love is always as work in progress. Her characters all bring their histories into each other’s lives and their beds.
I read this story in one sitting rooting for each heroine and basking in the joys and experiences that can only happen in my home town, New York City 😘
I have always found enjoyment reading all of Laura Conway’s creations.
Many readers chose books or authors by the fact that there is a guaranteed HEA ending.
While that may be true for me too, I read hers work because each on creates its own geographic love story in which the characters each have a map to find happiness or cope with disappointment.
It is these maps toward joy that I enjoy most when I read her stories. They are both original and enticing.
I believe that true love is always as work in progress. Her characters all bring their histories into each other’s lives and their beds.
I read this story in one sitting rooting for each heroine and basking in the joys and experiences that can only happen in my home town, New York City 😘
July 30, 2023
A fast paced story about fake-dating. Light and easy reading for the weekend, if you just want to relax without thinking too much.
If you’re looking into a very well written story with complex characters, maybe angst and much depth, I think you won’t love this.
Some parts felt repetitive.
Lauren being so doubtful about herself until the end of the book, was a little too much; although, I kinda get it. It’s not easy when you’re life is a mess. The problem for me was that I couldn’t see the reason for her doubting her relationship with Jackie. Maybe, if there had been similar situation before, gone south, it would’ve made sense.
I really liked the idea of this book, just wished more depth there. Still, would recommend this for a chill afternoon.
If you’re looking into a very well written story with complex characters, maybe angst and much depth, I think you won’t love this.
Some parts felt repetitive.
Lauren being so doubtful about herself until the end of the book, was a little too much; although, I kinda get it. It’s not easy when you’re life is a mess. The problem for me was that I couldn’t see the reason for her doubting her relationship with Jackie. Maybe, if there had been similar situation before, gone south, it would’ve made sense.
I really liked the idea of this book, just wished more depth there. Still, would recommend this for a chill afternoon.
September 9, 2022
4 stars. This was adorable as hell. A fake dating, age gap romance with lovable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I do think it lost a bit of steam at the end there but that’s fine. I had a lot of fun reading this. Lauren and Jackie are so charming and they had great chemistry and I loved watching them fall for each other. This was well written, had great steamy scenes, and there was no angst. I will definitely be reading more from Conway because I adored this.
July 7, 2024
A Wonderful Love Story
Pretending to have a girlfriend so her parents wouldn’t know she had lied about having one is the catalyst
for two women to find each other. It was serendipitous that both ladies had a secret crush on each other. This is a curl up and read to the end kind of story.
Pretending to have a girlfriend so her parents wouldn’t know she had lied about having one is the catalyst
for two women to find each other. It was serendipitous that both ladies had a secret crush on each other. This is a curl up and read to the end kind of story.
May 5, 2023
Loved the book
Laura and Jackie felt their spark immediately, but neither one was willing to take the chance. Until the day they decided to fake date. It was never fake for either of them. The book was a page changer. Read it in a day.
Laura and Jackie felt their spark immediately, but neither one was willing to take the chance. Until the day they decided to fake date. It was never fake for either of them. The book was a page changer. Read it in a day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews