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It's Complicated #3
Never Fall for Your Fake Fiancé (Especially not on Valentine's Day)
One thing I’ve learned this Valentine’s day is that fake fiancés should remain just that: fake.
Pretending to be engaged to James Brody, the hot, single London deputy mayor who graces gossip columns, is just a business deal. Nothing more. I’m his appropriately demure fiancée that makes him look like he’s not the playboy the media thinks he is, and he’s my ticket to getting my pushy mum off my back about not being married and producing her two perfect grandchildren.
What’s more, while we’re pretending to be engaged, I can spend all my time trying to capture the real prince in my fairy tale. The guy I’ve been in love with forever.
The problem is, I’ve started to enjoy being with James on our fake dates and public appearances. And, if I’m being totally honest, with his tall, dark, and handsome looks, he’s pretty easy on the eye, too.
And then there’s that kiss we shared that took my breath away. Yeah, that.
Sure, I know it was for an audience. I know I shouldn’t read anything into it. I know he’s kissed more girls than I’ve had trips on the Tube. But the heat in that kiss can’t be fake.
The problem is, I want the fairy tale, the Hallmark movie, the real thing. And I know James Brody isn’t the real thing.
Nope. This is a business deal.
Only the deeper I get, the more I realize someone forgot to tell my heart that.
Never Fall for Your Fake Fiancé is a laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy rom com with a fake relationship, a totally swoony guy, and romance. As with all the books in the It’s Complicated series, this is a closed-door romance with some incredible kissing and all the feels. It is a full-length novel and can be read as a standalone story.
Pretending to be engaged to James Brody, the hot, single London deputy mayor who graces gossip columns, is just a business deal. Nothing more. I’m his appropriately demure fiancée that makes him look like he’s not the playboy the media thinks he is, and he’s my ticket to getting my pushy mum off my back about not being married and producing her two perfect grandchildren.
What’s more, while we’re pretending to be engaged, I can spend all my time trying to capture the real prince in my fairy tale. The guy I’ve been in love with forever.
The problem is, I’ve started to enjoy being with James on our fake dates and public appearances. And, if I’m being totally honest, with his tall, dark, and handsome looks, he’s pretty easy on the eye, too.
And then there’s that kiss we shared that took my breath away. Yeah, that.
Sure, I know it was for an audience. I know I shouldn’t read anything into it. I know he’s kissed more girls than I’ve had trips on the Tube. But the heat in that kiss can’t be fake.
The problem is, I want the fairy tale, the Hallmark movie, the real thing. And I know James Brody isn’t the real thing.
Nope. This is a business deal.
Only the deeper I get, the more I realize someone forgot to tell my heart that.
Never Fall for Your Fake Fiancé is a laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy rom com with a fake relationship, a totally swoony guy, and romance. As with all the books in the It’s Complicated series, this is a closed-door romance with some incredible kissing and all the feels. It is a full-length novel and can be read as a standalone story.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2022
324 people are currently reading
1428 people want to read
About the author
Kate O'Keeffe
66 books851 followersKate O'Keeffe is a USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author who writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy but loveable dogs.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
February 18, 2022
***ARC Provided by the Author***
I finished this one, but it never really grabbed me and when I found myself tempted to skim, I figured out why.
There's too much focus on others. I know Matt, Stanley, Mr. T and Tabitha and Lottie's mother (and I'm forgetting the name of the other roommate) better than I ever got to know James and Lottie.
This book spends so much focus away from the central couple that I never really felt they had enough time to make an honest, real, connection, which is a shame as when they first meet, I was intrigued and was looking forward to watching the relationship develop.
Unfortunately, the relationship development I got from the book were all of her relationships with everyone else and by the time it got back to really focusing on them, I'd sort of stopped caring and all of the energy that was between them was so long ago I was no longer engaged.
The writing and the dialogue both worked, but the pacing and the story arc of this one just couldn't keep me invested.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
I finished this one, but it never really grabbed me and when I found myself tempted to skim, I figured out why.
There's too much focus on others. I know Matt, Stanley, Mr. T and Tabitha and Lottie's mother (and I'm forgetting the name of the other roommate) better than I ever got to know James and Lottie.
This book spends so much focus away from the central couple that I never really felt they had enough time to make an honest, real, connection, which is a shame as when they first meet, I was intrigued and was looking forward to watching the relationship develop.
Unfortunately, the relationship development I got from the book were all of her relationships with everyone else and by the time it got back to really focusing on them, I'd sort of stopped caring and all of the energy that was between them was so long ago I was no longer engaged.
The writing and the dialogue both worked, but the pacing and the story arc of this one just couldn't keep me invested.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
August 6, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Trigger Warning: brief mention of cancer
Lottie is tired of being set up on horrible dates and needs a way to get her overbearing mother off her back. James is the Deputy Mayor of London and looking for a way to be taken more seriously by voters. When they meet at Pinkerton House, the museum where Lottie works, they end up agreeing to a fake engagement that will solve both of their problems. All they have to do is avoid falling in love for real.
Reread July 2022: This is still my favorite book in the series. James and Lottie are adorable. Matt is a royal prick.
This book was such a delight! I started it last night and finished almost all of it in one sitting. Lottie and James had the best banter and chemistry from the very beginning. Lottie was an enjoyable main character, and I really liked her passion for the museum where she worked. I adored James so much and how he truly cared for Lottie. I also enjoyed Stanley, the elderly tour guide who worked with Lottie. He was so sweet! This book is the third in the series, but it definitely can be read as a standalone. Since I haven't read the previous books, I will definitely be going back to check those out!
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Trigger Warning: brief mention of cancer
Lottie is tired of being set up on horrible dates and needs a way to get her overbearing mother off her back. James is the Deputy Mayor of London and looking for a way to be taken more seriously by voters. When they meet at Pinkerton House, the museum where Lottie works, they end up agreeing to a fake engagement that will solve both of their problems. All they have to do is avoid falling in love for real.
Reread July 2022: This is still my favorite book in the series. James and Lottie are adorable. Matt is a royal prick.
This book was such a delight! I started it last night and finished almost all of it in one sitting. Lottie and James had the best banter and chemistry from the very beginning. Lottie was an enjoyable main character, and I really liked her passion for the museum where she worked. I adored James so much and how he truly cared for Lottie. I also enjoyed Stanley, the elderly tour guide who worked with Lottie. He was so sweet! This book is the third in the series, but it definitely can be read as a standalone. Since I haven't read the previous books, I will definitely be going back to check those out!
February 26, 2022
James was a truly adorable hero. He was just good. Stanley, I love old people. They are so fun and add a layer to the story that I am always happy to have. Her mum was frustrating but I did appreciate that she very obviously just wanted what was best for her.
So, if you like friend series, fake relationship, forced proximity, love triangles, bones and bugs, and minor commentary on the irony of hipsters, this book should absolutely be on your book bucket list. Plus, a Kate O'Keefe guarantees laughs and swoony. Which are two of my favorite things
So, if you like friend series, fake relationship, forced proximity, love triangles, bones and bugs, and minor commentary on the irony of hipsters, this book should absolutely be on your book bucket list. Plus, a Kate O'Keefe guarantees laughs and swoony. Which are two of my favorite things
October 5, 2022
This book was really cute. First, I loved that it was set in London! I also really enjoyed all the little oddities of Lottie's job. It was definitely unique.
The back and forth between James and Lottie was so good. I loved that they were almost instant friends.
This would have been a 5-star read but I feel like we missed a lot of character development because we didn't get to see James's POV. That would have added an entire layer of depth to the fun and banter.
Overall though, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series!
The back and forth between James and Lottie was so good. I loved that they were almost instant friends.
This would have been a 5-star read but I feel like we missed a lot of character development because we didn't get to see James's POV. That would have added an entire layer of depth to the fun and banter.
Overall though, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series!
November 30, 2023
I picked up this book after reading a pretty frustrating story and I think it was a combination of that book hangover and the all the pushy people this book seemed to have taken and clubbed together but I did not enjoy this book in the series. Lottie was a serious doormat with her head in the cloud. James Brody is such a well written and swoony book boyfriend that he deserved a better woman than Lottie who spent quite literally 90% of the book swooning over the good for nothing hipster, Matt. She even rationalizes his laughter when she has an accident! Who does that?!
The most annoying part of this book for me was Lottie going with Matt, knowing he was up to no good towards the end, while harboring feelings for James! I mean, here she is, feeling like she is falling for James and the next instant she brushes him off, goes away with Matt in a closet and makes out with him. Not only that, she is enjoying it too and having a hard time pushing him away even when he is treating her like shit! THEN the very next instant she confesses to being in love with James because she finally realizes what a terrible person Matt is! This woman is too much!
In the end, I can't help but wonder if she only fell for James because Matt didn't return her feelings and when he did, he treated her like dirt. Would she have still left him for James, had Matt been a true gentleman?
The most annoying part of this book for me was Lottie going with Matt, knowing he was up to no good towards the end, while harboring feelings for James! I mean, here she is, feeling like she is falling for James and the next instant she brushes him off, goes away with Matt in a closet and makes out with him. Not only that, she is enjoying it too and having a hard time pushing him away even when he is treating her like shit! THEN the very next instant she confesses to being in love with James because she finally realizes what a terrible person Matt is! This woman is too much!
In the end, I can't help but wonder if she only fell for James because Matt didn't return her feelings and when he did, he treated her like dirt. Would she have still left him for James, had Matt been a true gentleman?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2022
This very British romance is filled with “dad” jokes and other quirky happenings that make it an enjoyable, light story in addition to a swoony and sweet romance.
James is the consummate gentleman and Lottie the everyday lady who find they have mutual benefit in being fake engaged to one another. James gets to look like a more settled politician for a possible race for Mayor of London. Lottie hopes to first stop her mother’s incessant string of blind dates and second, look more appealing to the guy she has a real crush on.
Well as it happens with lying, the story, events and emotions get complicated making for a romance that has you rooting for the sweetest man ever - James to be enough for Lottie to see through the kind of guy her crush really is. It’s a lot of fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
James is the consummate gentleman and Lottie the everyday lady who find they have mutual benefit in being fake engaged to one another. James gets to look like a more settled politician for a possible race for Mayor of London. Lottie hopes to first stop her mother’s incessant string of blind dates and second, look more appealing to the guy she has a real crush on.
Well as it happens with lying, the story, events and emotions get complicated making for a romance that has you rooting for the sweetest man ever - James to be enough for Lottie to see through the kind of guy her crush really is. It’s a lot of fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2022
This is a fun clean Romcom. You make think “fake fiancé” - been there done that - but this story has some quirkiness to it. I mean, bugs and bones, dentures on Twitter and of course his Honorable hotness! Doesn’t that draw your attention? An entertaining story, that is well written, the characters are engaging and some topics are quite amusing. It is part of a series, but this is the first one I’ve read and didn’t get lost. Each book is about a different bff or roommate. I think I will go back and read the others now.
May 1, 2022
didn’t love it
It had everything a romance could need….Great H, nice h, a LITTLE ‘angst’—although the ‘angst’ here, was 99% of the story. Less anticipation, more ‘good grief, does this thing end’?
The ending, was less sizzle, more fizzle.
It could have been fabulous, but the writer snatched it out of the jaws of greatness, leaving me bored, more than entertained.
It had everything a romance could need….Great H, nice h, a LITTLE ‘angst’—although the ‘angst’ here, was 99% of the story. Less anticipation, more ‘good grief, does this thing end’?
The ending, was less sizzle, more fizzle.
It could have been fabulous, but the writer snatched it out of the jaws of greatness, leaving me bored, more than entertained.
December 6, 2024
Badly written and silly story. I only finished it because I had nothing else downloaded and a long train ride
February 15, 2022
What an awesome story!
What fun! What a great book to escape reality with for a while! Well written, with great characters and lots of quirkiness! It was really good, highly rec!
What fun! What a great book to escape reality with for a while! Well written, with great characters and lots of quirkiness! It was really good, highly rec!
February 4, 2022
Lottie is passionate about many things. Unrequited love for a co-worker. Museums-the more oddball, the better. Her job and her museum (and the odd collections of George Pinkerton.) Pleasing her mum and going on blind dates she sets up. Honoring her commitment even to a fake fiancé.
What a wonderful book from start to the delicious finish! Characters that are refreshingly honest. Romance-fake and real. Unusual collections and museums around London. Great friends. Family.
I laughed, I worried, and I loved this book. Such a great entry in a fun series of unpredictable love. Especially fun around Valentine's day, but great any time!
What a wonderful book from start to the delicious finish! Characters that are refreshingly honest. Romance-fake and real. Unusual collections and museums around London. Great friends. Family.
I laughed, I worried, and I loved this book. Such a great entry in a fun series of unpredictable love. Especially fun around Valentine's day, but great any time!
March 8, 2022
(I'd like to thank Hidden Gems Books for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.)
I really enjoyed reading NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FAKE FIANCE. The characters were great, even though Lottie was REALLY annoying when it came to Matt. You build up this nice character in your head when Lottie describes him and he seems amazing and then you meet him and learn little bits and pieces about him with their interactions and you're just like, "Is this really the guy she's in love with?" With every interaction with Matt, I grew more annoyed with him and wanted to punch him and shake Lottie. She was so blindsided over her infatuation with him, she couldn't see how amazing James really was. She was stuck over how different he was than Matt when that was a GOOD thing. I really loved the side characters as well and Ralph, of course!
The writing made the book a fast read, and the pacing was pretty perfect, though sometimes I wanted for it to hurry to the end because I was sick of Matt. I do really wish Lottie and James got together sooner, though, because I really wanted to see more of them together and it be 100% real. There wasn't as many interactions with them as you would think.
Overall, this was a fun read, and I will definitely read the next one. Especially if there are more amazing dad jokes because they were hilarious and made James and Lottie's chemistry even more appealing. I will also be picking up the previous two books as well, as this is the third book in the "It's Complicated" series. If you're looking for a fun, quick romcom, I recommend NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FAKE FIANCE!
I really enjoyed reading NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FAKE FIANCE. The characters were great, even though Lottie was REALLY annoying when it came to Matt. You build up this nice character in your head when Lottie describes him and he seems amazing and then you meet him and learn little bits and pieces about him with their interactions and you're just like, "Is this really the guy she's in love with?" With every interaction with Matt, I grew more annoyed with him and wanted to punch him and shake Lottie. She was so blindsided over her infatuation with him, she couldn't see how amazing James really was. She was stuck over how different he was than Matt when that was a GOOD thing. I really loved the side characters as well and Ralph, of course!
The writing made the book a fast read, and the pacing was pretty perfect, though sometimes I wanted for it to hurry to the end because I was sick of Matt. I do really wish Lottie and James got together sooner, though, because I really wanted to see more of them together and it be 100% real. There wasn't as many interactions with them as you would think.
Overall, this was a fun read, and I will definitely read the next one. Especially if there are more amazing dad jokes because they were hilarious and made James and Lottie's chemistry even more appealing. I will also be picking up the previous two books as well, as this is the third book in the "It's Complicated" series. If you're looking for a fun, quick romcom, I recommend NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FAKE FIANCE!
December 24, 2022
I listened to this as a feee audiobook on Scribd. It is the third book in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone. This book sounded like a cute “fake lovers” trope and I had a 15 hour road trip ahead of me, so I gave it a try. I spent the whole book trying to find the connection between Lottie and James. In addition of being sick of hearing a character utter “falling for my fake fiancé” over and over, i just could not see the connection. Maybe it was because the author just didn’t give it to us! We learned too much of Lottie’s fascination over her coworker, Matt, and her reasons for loving him that when she finally realized she loved James, I was left wondering WHY! James is a wonderful character but the author spent the entire book until the last 6-7 chapters not showing any love connection between the two at all. It’s okay. I wouldn’t have paid for this book, that’s for sure. Also, I just did not enjoy the narrator’s voice and what I assumed to be her fake British accent.
July 22, 2023
Una protagonista obsesionada ("enamorada") con su compañero de trabajo por 3 años.
Una madre OBSESIONADA con casar a su hija porque ya va a cumplir 30 años y la sra. ya a esa edad ya estaba casada y con hijos. 😒
Mucha obsesion y desesperación en esta historia.
En serio creí que sería una buena historia, pero fue desesperante la protagonista al no superar que su compañero de trabajo no quiere nada con ella. Ella siempre pensaba o le decía a sus amigas que era cuestión de tiempo, qué ella lograría enamoralo! Cambió su estilo de ropa, le aceptaba bebidas que no le gustaban, iba a lugares que a él le gustaban pero ella sabía que no estaba bueno, le hacía mandados, entre otras cosas. Ella se enfocaba más en personajes secundarios que en el protagonista masculino 🤦🏻♀️
No lo terminé... DNF 💔
Una madre OBSESIONADA con casar a su hija porque ya va a cumplir 30 años y la sra. ya a esa edad ya estaba casada y con hijos. 😒
Mucha obsesion y desesperación en esta historia.
En serio creí que sería una buena historia, pero fue desesperante la protagonista al no superar que su compañero de trabajo no quiere nada con ella. Ella siempre pensaba o le decía a sus amigas que era cuestión de tiempo, qué ella lograría enamoralo! Cambió su estilo de ropa, le aceptaba bebidas que no le gustaban, iba a lugares que a él le gustaban pero ella sabía que no estaba bueno, le hacía mandados, entre otras cosas. Ella se enfocaba más en personajes secundarios que en el protagonista masculino 🤦🏻♀️
No lo terminé... DNF 💔
December 9, 2023
I enjoyed the start to this book. The banter between the H & h was great. Then it seemed like the focus moved from the couple to everyone else, including Lottie's co-workers that treated her poorly and she just took it. She was nice, but such a doormat, and immature to boot. I had trouble staying focused with this book, and I had to skim through part of it. The epilogue was weird, with some random new facts about their relationship thrown in and it was quite disjointed and seemed out of place. Overall, a cute story with some funny scenes. * I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 22, 2022
Far too much focus on skeevy Matt. James was adorable, though.
February 6, 2022
LOL funny with uniquely quirky characters
I think this might be my favorite book in this series so far. James and Lottie are perfect together, and James' English bulldog, Ralph, steals the show. But when the mothers get together and join forces, no power on this planet will stop them from seeing their children united. Everyone in the story gets what they deserve, which is my definition of a happy ending.
I always felt sorry for Lottie being set up on innumerable blind dates by her mother, with extreme pressure to marry. Ms.O'Keeffe has talked about Lottie's infatuation with her coworker Matt Now we get to meet him and he is entirely... underwhelming, apart than his overwhelming narcissism. He gets his kicks from making women change themselves to meet his expectations, no matter how unreasonable or ridiculous. In his desire to be culturally non-conformist, he is even more rigidly conforming to the hipster style, almost to the point of caricature.
Bring in London Deputy Mayor James Brody, named 'Hottest Man in London' by Georgette magazine, to shake up Lottie's fixated mind. Until James loved Lottie for who and what she was, AS she was, she had forgotten that she deserved to be respected as she was. Not even sweet Stanley, the 82 year old, volunteer docent at the museum, could change her fixation on Matt. It takes Matt dropping his pretense of professional behavior for Lottie to see him for what he really is and see fully what James is offering her.
James and Lottie 'get' each other. They understand instantly the direction of the conversation and the niche pop culture references, which creates an ease between them and allows each to relax and be more themselves with the other. They support each other both personally and in their professional goals. They make a couple I can believe in.
I received an ARC copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.
I think this might be my favorite book in this series so far. James and Lottie are perfect together, and James' English bulldog, Ralph, steals the show. But when the mothers get together and join forces, no power on this planet will stop them from seeing their children united. Everyone in the story gets what they deserve, which is my definition of a happy ending.
I always felt sorry for Lottie being set up on innumerable blind dates by her mother, with extreme pressure to marry. Ms.O'Keeffe has talked about Lottie's infatuation with her coworker Matt Now we get to meet him and he is entirely... underwhelming, apart than his overwhelming narcissism. He gets his kicks from making women change themselves to meet his expectations, no matter how unreasonable or ridiculous. In his desire to be culturally non-conformist, he is even more rigidly conforming to the hipster style, almost to the point of caricature.
Bring in London Deputy Mayor James Brody, named 'Hottest Man in London' by Georgette magazine, to shake up Lottie's fixated mind. Until James loved Lottie for who and what she was, AS she was, she had forgotten that she deserved to be respected as she was. Not even sweet Stanley, the 82 year old, volunteer docent at the museum, could change her fixation on Matt. It takes Matt dropping his pretense of professional behavior for Lottie to see him for what he really is and see fully what James is offering her.
James and Lottie 'get' each other. They understand instantly the direction of the conversation and the niche pop culture references, which creates an ease between them and allows each to relax and be more themselves with the other. They support each other both personally and in their professional goals. They make a couple I can believe in.
I received an ARC copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.
February 23, 2022
I’m a big lover of romantic comedies. And my very favorite ones are fake relationships. I was so happy to get to read this one by Kate O’Keeffe. I loved this one and I need to read more of her books!
Lottie is such a fun character! I loved the way she loves her job in a small London museum. And one of her favorite things is her co-worker Matt. I really loved the way that Lottie grew in this book. She had a huge crush on Matt. But I think that maybe blinded her a little bit to other guys. And being fake engaged to James helped her step back and see a little clearer.
The reader sees the whole book through Lottie’s point of view. It would have been so fun to see a bit of what James was thinking, especially when he met her roommates, or in the castle scene. But I loved the way Lottie saw James. He was a true gentleman. I loved the way he went out of his way to do things for her. He was just a good guy.
There are so many fun side characters in this book. Lottie’s Mum, who keeps trying to set her up. And her roommates, Zara, Tabitha and Kennedy. The author did such a great job with her characters. I loved them!
This is one of those books that I just loved. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
I was sent a copy of Never Fall for Your Fake Fiancé as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
Lottie is such a fun character! I loved the way she loves her job in a small London museum. And one of her favorite things is her co-worker Matt. I really loved the way that Lottie grew in this book. She had a huge crush on Matt. But I think that maybe blinded her a little bit to other guys. And being fake engaged to James helped her step back and see a little clearer.
The reader sees the whole book through Lottie’s point of view. It would have been so fun to see a bit of what James was thinking, especially when he met her roommates, or in the castle scene. But I loved the way Lottie saw James. He was a true gentleman. I loved the way he went out of his way to do things for her. He was just a good guy.
There are so many fun side characters in this book. Lottie’s Mum, who keeps trying to set her up. And her roommates, Zara, Tabitha and Kennedy. The author did such a great job with her characters. I loved them!
This is one of those books that I just loved. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
I was sent a copy of Never Fall for Your Fake Fiancé as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
February 5, 2022
Fake fiance stories aren't new but I knew that one written by Kate O' Keeffe was going to make me laugh and probably make me cry,I wasn't disappointed.
Charlotte (Lottie) Sullivan had never lied to her mother before and what a whopper to start with, telling her mother that she was engaged was right up there but would it get her mother off her back ?
Lottie had a job that she loved, she was development manager at Pinkerton House that held George Edward Pinkertons treasures......that is when she wasn't drooling over dreamy Matt, the museum curator, all she had to do was get Matt to fall in love with her but she hadn't had any success so far.
When handsome James Brody dropped into the museum for a tour and Lottie practically told him her life story her life was about to change forever.
James was deputy Mayor of London and if he was to fulfil his ambition to be the next Mayor he had to project a stable lifestyle, if he could persuade Lottie to become his fake fiance it would benefit both of them, it would stop Lottie's mum from arranging yet more mortifying blind dates and give James a lovely stable profile.........Lottie was unsure, that is until James pointed out that if dreamy Matt saw her with someone else it would spark his interest in her, that was the clincher.
This book follows the sometimes hilarious story of Lottie and James fake engagement, her persistent pursuit of dreamy Matt, the interfering but entertaining mothers and the blossoming romance between Lottie and James.
I loved this story, I loved Lottie and her zany friends, I loved James love and support of Lottie and I look forward to reading Tabitha's story.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
Charlotte (Lottie) Sullivan had never lied to her mother before and what a whopper to start with, telling her mother that she was engaged was right up there but would it get her mother off her back ?
Lottie had a job that she loved, she was development manager at Pinkerton House that held George Edward Pinkertons treasures......that is when she wasn't drooling over dreamy Matt, the museum curator, all she had to do was get Matt to fall in love with her but she hadn't had any success so far.
When handsome James Brody dropped into the museum for a tour and Lottie practically told him her life story her life was about to change forever.
James was deputy Mayor of London and if he was to fulfil his ambition to be the next Mayor he had to project a stable lifestyle, if he could persuade Lottie to become his fake fiance it would benefit both of them, it would stop Lottie's mum from arranging yet more mortifying blind dates and give James a lovely stable profile.........Lottie was unsure, that is until James pointed out that if dreamy Matt saw her with someone else it would spark his interest in her, that was the clincher.
This book follows the sometimes hilarious story of Lottie and James fake engagement, her persistent pursuit of dreamy Matt, the interfering but entertaining mothers and the blossoming romance between Lottie and James.
I loved this story, I loved Lottie and her zany friends, I loved James love and support of Lottie and I look forward to reading Tabitha's story.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
May 30, 2025
I was initially really excited for this book. When they first met I thought this was going to be a really great book yet as it progressed I found myself disliking it more and more. The story is supposed to revolve around Lottie and James and yet we hardly see them interact. 60% of the way through the book and they still haven’t spent more than 10 pages together it feels like. You see her with all of her friends and coworkers far more than her and James.
Then there is the cheating. She may be in a fake relationship but she kisses the gross Matt that she seems to think she’s in love with. He comes across as an obnoxious hipster who knows she likes him and uses it to his advantage. He just appears slimy and she could have realized it without kissing Matt while engaged to James. It just comes across super gross.
It’s a shame this book had great potential and yet it fell completely flat.
Then there is the cheating. She may be in a fake relationship but she kisses the gross Matt that she seems to think she’s in love with. He comes across as an obnoxious hipster who knows she likes him and uses it to his advantage. He just appears slimy and she could have realized it without kissing Matt while engaged to James. It just comes across super gross.
It’s a shame this book had great potential and yet it fell completely flat.
February 14, 2022
James is perfect. Or, at least, I think so. (Perfect for me, maybe?) He’s sweet, kind, and caring, and it seems like he never puts a foot wrong. Lottie, on the other hand, I want to call a hot mess. Her life isn't the disaster that descriptor usually implies, instead she comes across as more immature than you would expect for her age. It may simply be the extra years of experience I have on her, but I cannot imagine allowing anyone in my life to treat me the way she lets her mother and co-worker get away with. However, the book has some interesting revelations about both those characters that makes me think a little differently about one of them by the end. I had so much fun watching James and Lottie fall in love with each other. It was such a sweet, funny story that I kind of hate to see it's over already. Though, the tease in the end makes me a lot curious to find out what's going to happen in the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
February 17, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I think this is one of my favorite RomComs!! James and Lottie are such a likable couple! Lottie is quirky, funny, but also insecure and lets people walk all over her. James is a Deputy Mayor of London. He is self assured, kind, caring and pretty much the perfect guy. When the two come together they make the most beautiful, healthy and romantic relationship!!
I would LOVE to see this as a movie!! Whether Netflix, Passionflix or the big screen, it would make a wonderful movie!! I’m gushing, but I really, really loved this book so much!! This will definitely be a book I read over and over!!
I would LOVE to see this as a movie!! Whether Netflix, Passionflix or the big screen, it would make a wonderful movie!! I’m gushing, but I really, really loved this book so much!! This will definitely be a book I read over and over!!
February 16, 2022
this was such a good book
i loved the office romance and the first meeting of the fake fiance
it was great how so many things changed at the end
so thankful for that
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
i loved the office romance and the first meeting of the fake fiance
it was great how so many things changed at the end
so thankful for that
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
Bummed, but not surprised, that this fit the exact story arc that has been written time and time again, right down to the shrill mother obsessed with marrying off her daughter. I see that this is book 3 in the series and I don't see a need to read any of the others.
February 5, 2022
A fun take on the fake dating trope!
November 5, 2023
I wish I this author wrote better. The plots are interesting but my god this authors writing is not good
January 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a cute, light hearted, clean romance. No triggers, no sad parts, just cute. It was a nice palette cleanser for me, in between thrillers.
This was a cute, light hearted, clean romance. No triggers, no sad parts, just cute. It was a nice palette cleanser for me, in between thrillers.
November 29, 2025
I love the fake dating trope! This one was done so cute and fun to read. I also loved the Jamie Fraser/Outlander references.
August 25, 2022
First of all, let me say that Matt is a total tool! Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I really enjoyed this book. Kate O'Keefe is one of my favorite authors for rom com books and the It's Complicated series has been so much fun and just all around enjoyable so far. I do believe this one is my favorite so far because I do love the fake relationship trope so much. And I absolutely loved James. I was internally just yelling at Lottie to give up on Matt and focus on James! Matt is a tool! Also, there's been a dog featured in each story which I adore. These can all be read as standalones but they're all so good that I'd recommend the whole series.
August 29, 2025
Fake engagement
Public figure
Unexpected chemistry
Closed door romance
It’s a flirt-filled, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that proves sometimes the best covers end up becoming unexpectedly real. Their connection sparks so naturally that each staged moment feels genuine and full of possibility.
Content Warnings:
-kisses only
-no language
-emotional confusion switching between two men
-pressured by family expectations
Public figure
Unexpected chemistry
Closed door romance
It’s a flirt-filled, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that proves sometimes the best covers end up becoming unexpectedly real. Their connection sparks so naturally that each staged moment feels genuine and full of possibility.
Content Warnings:
-kisses only
-no language
-emotional confusion switching between two men
-pressured by family expectations
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews