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Act Like You Mean It
August Chambers is right on the cusp of superstardom, a true leading man in Hollywood. There's just one problem: his love life. He needs a girlfriend who can appeal to his fan base.
Enter Xandra Nicole, a socialite who's famous for being famous. She's done this before, and she's good at it. She knows what to post, what to wear, when to smile. She's a professional at this fake girlfriend thing.
But as the attraction grows, and the sparks fly, the fake lovers begin to wonder what's real. Because in a place like Hollywood, where everyone's pretending, how do you know?
***This is a slow-burn romance with a HEA.
Enter Xandra Nicole, a socialite who's famous for being famous. She's done this before, and she's good at it. She knows what to post, what to wear, when to smile. She's a professional at this fake girlfriend thing.
But as the attraction grows, and the sparks fly, the fake lovers begin to wonder what's real. Because in a place like Hollywood, where everyone's pretending, how do you know?
***This is a slow-burn romance with a HEA.
178 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2021
90 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Shae Sanders
50 books546 followersJust a girl who loves black love. Reading it, writing it, and living it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 28, 2022
3.5 stars
a fun time
a fun time
May 28, 2023
As someone who is not a fan of interracial relationships, I almost didn’t read this book. If it’s not black on black love, I won't even entertain it. So, August’s penchant for white women almost made me move on to another book. Now in his defense, if you can call it that, August doesn’t prefer the palm colored variety. His affinity of women of all color turned his core audience of black women against him. To get back in their good graces, his publicist talks him into a fake “relationship” with a black socialite. For the next 90 days, August and Xandra have to prove their black love is real so, black women will get back to loving him. These two were the cutest. I loved that they both had layers and were the complete opposite of what you would expect from a movie star and a socialite. August was so sweet and endearing in the beginning but, when he and Xandra finally stop pretending they weren’t attracted to each other, he let his BDE flag fly real high! Whew chile! His aggressiveness and passion was hot! Act Like You Mean It is a delicious slow burn. It gives you great dialogue, a lighthearted plot, memorable characters, and some really hot sex. Get into it. You will not be disappointed.
August 13, 2021
this book is so good! fakte dating between a famous actor and a socialite who knows all to well about fake dating. they have so much chemistryyyyyyy and i love their little relationship moments so much i swear im having so many emotions I CANT
i love seeing them actually get to know each other bc yeah they've never met and then BAM! they are signing a contract for a fake relationship and now they need to post instagram pics, comments on each other's pics, have arranged dates with hired photographers. i love this book so much!!!!
and yes, august the hero LOVES SPOILING HER. he's literally "my dick is getting hard while i pass my amex buying her gucci and cartier" where can i get one for myself!!!!!!! more men in romance books who get off on buying expensive shit to their love interests THANKS
i love seeing them actually get to know each other bc yeah they've never met and then BAM! they are signing a contract for a fake relationship and now they need to post instagram pics, comments on each other's pics, have arranged dates with hired photographers. i love this book so much!!!!
and yes, august the hero LOVES SPOILING HER. he's literally "my dick is getting hard while i pass my amex buying her gucci and cartier" where can i get one for myself!!!!!!! more men in romance books who get off on buying expensive shit to their love interests THANKS
April 29, 2022
Xandra x August
This was a pretty good read for me. So, I'm not too hot about the swirl life. Especially when it's BMWW. Only because of the stuff that has been coming to light lately as to why these BM are doing it. So even before I dove in, I had my nose turned all the way up. But, I was surprised to see it's not what I thought it was. Xandra and August lacked chemistry IMO, but towards the end, I felt it. Her parents were a bit toxic. Especially her mother. Shoot, even August's folks too. I wish we could've gone deeper into that. Xandra was nasty and I loved it. Sis told August he can put it in her pushy, he can put it her aśš...anyway he can handle (in the words of Petey Pablo) lol.
Though I was a bit distracted while reading this book, I still enjoyed it.
4⭐️
This was a pretty good read for me. So, I'm not too hot about the swirl life. Especially when it's BMWW. Only because of the stuff that has been coming to light lately as to why these BM are doing it. So even before I dove in, I had my nose turned all the way up. But, I was surprised to see it's not what I thought it was. Xandra and August lacked chemistry IMO, but towards the end, I felt it. Her parents were a bit toxic. Especially her mother. Shoot, even August's folks too. I wish we could've gone deeper into that. Xandra was nasty and I loved it. Sis told August he can put it in her pushy, he can put it her aśš...anyway he can handle (in the words of Petey Pablo) lol.
Though I was a bit distracted while reading this book, I still enjoyed it.
4⭐️
June 29, 2021
Black Love in Hollywood
Act Like You Mean It by Shae Sanders is about actor August Chambers and socialite Xandra Nicole. August has been pictured with one too many snow bunnies and according to his publicist that is not a good look, especially for his brand. They decide the best way to fix his image is to hire Xandra to be his “girlfriend” for 3 months. August isn’t really into the fakeness of Hollywood but he goes along with it because he trusts his team. Xandra has done this before and has no problem with it as long as he doesn’t embarrass her. From the moment they meet the vibes are there. However, they’re not sure if they’re reading signals right, I mean they both seem like they’re good at acting. It’s giving Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey. I think it’s super cute that August is authentic and down to earth. Also, that he couldn’t help building a genuine connection with Xandra. Xandra was doing more for August than with her past clients, just genuinely being there for him. Xandra may be high maintenance but she’s a cool chick, very kind and stays out of drama. I love that August’s journals so you get a snippet of how he feels because he’s a private person. It’s adorable how he goes from the serious straight face guy to a smiley one that doesn’t mind trickin. This is a slow burn but when it heats up baby! 🔥 🔥 🔥 August and Xandra are NASTY! Whew! I want more of these two! If you like the fake dating trope check this one out!
P.s. His nickname for her is bunny🐰 lol she eats like one 😂 chomping in his ear!
Act Like You Mean It by Shae Sanders is about actor August Chambers and socialite Xandra Nicole. August has been pictured with one too many snow bunnies and according to his publicist that is not a good look, especially for his brand. They decide the best way to fix his image is to hire Xandra to be his “girlfriend” for 3 months. August isn’t really into the fakeness of Hollywood but he goes along with it because he trusts his team. Xandra has done this before and has no problem with it as long as he doesn’t embarrass her. From the moment they meet the vibes are there. However, they’re not sure if they’re reading signals right, I mean they both seem like they’re good at acting. It’s giving Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey. I think it’s super cute that August is authentic and down to earth. Also, that he couldn’t help building a genuine connection with Xandra. Xandra was doing more for August than with her past clients, just genuinely being there for him. Xandra may be high maintenance but she’s a cool chick, very kind and stays out of drama. I love that August’s journals so you get a snippet of how he feels because he’s a private person. It’s adorable how he goes from the serious straight face guy to a smiley one that doesn’t mind trickin. This is a slow burn but when it heats up baby! 🔥 🔥 🔥 August and Xandra are NASTY! Whew! I want more of these two! If you like the fake dating trope check this one out!
P.s. His nickname for her is bunny🐰 lol she eats like one 😂 chomping in his ear!
February 28, 2023
soooo good! loved this fake dating and he SPOILS HER! loved it all!
August 14, 2025
Insta -something
The author’s note says it’s slow burn but it never felt that way to me. It felt more like instead love with a hesitation to admit it. I mean he falls first for sure but still it’s pretty mutual. And the pace of the actual story is moderate to fast. What was fun is that I don’t usually like the princess, high maintenance FMCs but Xan was really likable. One of my favorite parts was when August reads his daddy for filth it was disrespectful but deserved. The chemistry was so good, but this didn’t follow the angsty fake dating model. And the conversations around dating outside your race were really interesting. Overall I liked if a lot.
The author’s note says it’s slow burn but it never felt that way to me. It felt more like instead love with a hesitation to admit it. I mean he falls first for sure but still it’s pretty mutual. And the pace of the actual story is moderate to fast. What was fun is that I don’t usually like the princess, high maintenance FMCs but Xan was really likable. One of my favorite parts was when August reads his daddy for filth it was disrespectful but deserved. The chemistry was so good, but this didn’t follow the angsty fake dating model. And the conversations around dating outside your race were really interesting. Overall I liked if a lot.
Read
May 28, 2023This book was so good! It's a fake relationship story between a male celebrity and a female famous for being famous. He hires her to rehabilitate his image, and the next thing they know, they're falling in love. It's funny, sexy, and romantic. I love everything about it. Just read it. You won't be disappointed.
Read
October 9, 2021A fun romance from my theGrio Summer Reading Top 50 picks:
A super sexy novella that looks to be ripped from current celebrity gossip headlines. Without naming names, I’ll just say many will recognize the real-life inspiration behind this story. After a disastrous interview, a Black leading man known for primarily dating an abundance of so-called “snow bunnies” tries to fix his flagging brand and reputation in Black communities by fake dating a Black socialite. This author was new to me, but this book grabbed me right from page one.
Two things stand out: First, scorching hot and slow burn don’t often go together but here it really works. Act Like you Mean It is a slow burn with habanero/Scotch bonnet levels of heat once they finally get going. Second, a lot of people talk about fake dating as a tool for image management, but this is the most fully fleshed out portrayal I’ve seen: negotiations, strategy; the specific tactics and guidelines for social media. Sanders fits a whole comm strategy inside a romance novel. I don’t have inside knowledge of the influencer scene, but Sanders’ portrayal is thorough and convincing. I always learn a lot from Black Twitter and Bookstagram. This gem appeared on my radar via @FunmiReadsHEAS @Ariesreadtoo and @BBrRrviews.
A super sexy novella that looks to be ripped from current celebrity gossip headlines. Without naming names, I’ll just say many will recognize the real-life inspiration behind this story. After a disastrous interview, a Black leading man known for primarily dating an abundance of so-called “snow bunnies” tries to fix his flagging brand and reputation in Black communities by fake dating a Black socialite. This author was new to me, but this book grabbed me right from page one.
Two things stand out: First, scorching hot and slow burn don’t often go together but here it really works. Act Like you Mean It is a slow burn with habanero/Scotch bonnet levels of heat once they finally get going. Second, a lot of people talk about fake dating as a tool for image management, but this is the most fully fleshed out portrayal I’ve seen: negotiations, strategy; the specific tactics and guidelines for social media. Sanders fits a whole comm strategy inside a romance novel. I don’t have inside knowledge of the influencer scene, but Sanders’ portrayal is thorough and convincing. I always learn a lot from Black Twitter and Bookstagram. This gem appeared on my radar via @FunmiReadsHEAS @Ariesreadtoo and @BBrRrviews.
July 2, 2021
Powerless. Attraction. Grief. Betrayal. Desire. Hope. Release. Xandra.
“Act Like You Mean It” by Shae Sanders stars August and Xandra. August is an actor who is trying to get to the next level in his career. There’s only one problem. His core audience, Black women, believes that he doesn’t like to date Black women. His publicist and agent develop a foolproof plan to help change the narrative. Enter Xandra. Xandra is a socialite and social media influencer. August puts his acting skills to the test as he and Xandra embark on a “relationship.” But what happens when lines are blurred and real feelings get involved?
I really enjoyed this book. This is a slow burn romance featuring the fake romance trope. Although it is a romance, it is also about two people discovering themselves in a world full of expectations. Both Xandra and August are forced to confront different areas of their lives. It was a sweet book with lovable characters who were very relatable and well developed.
“Act Like You Mean It” by Shae Sanders stars August and Xandra. August is an actor who is trying to get to the next level in his career. There’s only one problem. His core audience, Black women, believes that he doesn’t like to date Black women. His publicist and agent develop a foolproof plan to help change the narrative. Enter Xandra. Xandra is a socialite and social media influencer. August puts his acting skills to the test as he and Xandra embark on a “relationship.” But what happens when lines are blurred and real feelings get involved?
I really enjoyed this book. This is a slow burn romance featuring the fake romance trope. Although it is a romance, it is also about two people discovering themselves in a world full of expectations. Both Xandra and August are forced to confront different areas of their lives. It was a sweet book with lovable characters who were very relatable and well developed.
dnf
January 8, 2025DNF’d at 70% but should have done it long before this.
Spoiled bratty FMC that makes living as a socialite should have been immediately been a red flag for me. I guess I was trying to be optimistic. That failed. Then I didn’t care enough about the MMC to offset the story. Time to cut my losses.
People refer to this as interracial romance but both characters were black right? Maybe I misunderstood where the IR comes in. What I’m more shocked to see is that no one mentions the cheating or is Jermaine make believe? Guess I’ll never know since I won’t be sticking around to find out.
Spoiled bratty FMC that makes living as a socialite should have been immediately been a red flag for me. I guess I was trying to be optimistic. That failed. Then I didn’t care enough about the MMC to offset the story. Time to cut my losses.
People refer to this as interracial romance but both characters were black right? Maybe I misunderstood where the IR comes in. What I’m more shocked to see is that no one mentions the cheating or is Jermaine make believe? Guess I’ll never know since I won’t be sticking around to find out.
August 11, 2021
Loved it.
August needed Xandra just as much as she needed him. I loved how they let the relationship grow organically. I’m curious to know what happened when she broke up with Jermaine. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
August needed Xandra just as much as she needed him. I loved how they let the relationship grow organically. I’m curious to know what happened when she broke up with Jermaine. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
September 4, 2023
3.5 stars I struggled to get into the first half but really enjoyed it after that.
January 12, 2024
spoiling kink >>>>
January 29, 2024
This book was perfect. Black love is just better!! Shae captures us so well too. This is the best sex I’ve read all year too. And I love reading a romance that builds omg!!
September 7, 2024
Mrs. Sanders is a consistently good author! I find that interesting and well-rounded novellas are hard to come by. This was good, short, and sweet. Exactly what I needed!
February 22, 2022
Actor August has some work to do on his image, his primary fan base is black women but the problem is he has only ever dated white women so his fans aren't pleased. August publicist convinces him the only way to fix his image is by fake dating a black woman, which is how fate brings him to Xandra. Xandra is a socialite who knows all to well how an image is important to a celebrities career. Having done the fake dating thing before Xandra agrees to the job with August. Neither of them expected to develop feelings for each other and because acting is what they do best they try to hide the growing feeling they have but when its love its hard to hide.
I haven't read a lot of the fake dating trope but I really enjoyed this storyline. In the beginning I was like oh hell no August black ass don't date black women, I didn’t like his ass from the first page. I almost put the book down because I was like oh if he is about to be one of those black men who don’t like black women we have a problem, but as I continued to read I softened a little. August was so sweet and considerate of Xandra during the entire process that I couldn’t help but like him in the end. Xandra genuinely cared for August and was there for him in his time of need doing more than what the job required her to do. I loved how confident Xandra was, sis didn't care what anyone thought about her but when necessary she stood up for herself. I also enjoyed their playfulness it was too cute how Xandra used August’ pet peeve to tease him.
This was a slow burn but when things heated up it heated up honey. I didn't mind the slow burn at all because it built the foundation of their relationship and built on their chemistry which was obvious from the first time they met.
I haven't read a lot of the fake dating trope but I really enjoyed this storyline. In the beginning I was like oh hell no August black ass don't date black women, I didn’t like his ass from the first page. I almost put the book down because I was like oh if he is about to be one of those black men who don’t like black women we have a problem, but as I continued to read I softened a little. August was so sweet and considerate of Xandra during the entire process that I couldn’t help but like him in the end. Xandra genuinely cared for August and was there for him in his time of need doing more than what the job required her to do. I loved how confident Xandra was, sis didn't care what anyone thought about her but when necessary she stood up for herself. I also enjoyed their playfulness it was too cute how Xandra used August’ pet peeve to tease him.
This was a slow burn but when things heated up it heated up honey. I didn't mind the slow burn at all because it built the foundation of their relationship and built on their chemistry which was obvious from the first time they met.
June 29, 2022
I thought August Chambers was the boring main character and Xandra Nicole was the annoying main character. August didn't really have personality and Xandra was high maintenance spoiled brat. Xandra was not a gold digger but she was really near that description. I didn't like the main characters and that's why I didn't care for their romance.
September 1, 2021
"black love. Black motherfucking love, y'all!"
I've been reading a bunch of fake dating Romances with women of colour and this was one of the most fun! Xandra is an IG influencer, and August is an actor who struggles with having kinda 'left the hood' to follow his acting dreams, and he's supporting his family back home but it's getting out of hand with the amounts of money they asking for. He's set up by his management to fake date Xandra bc he's tryna get an Oscar nom and bigger roles but his Black fans won't back him as hard with all the white girls he's dating lol. It's a very 'yeah this is unfair... but it's also true' situation. Also, he keeps a feelings journal throughout the book!
Xandra's mom told her early on "Listen to me. You look like a black Barbie doll. You can either waste it, or you can weild it. The choice is yours but you need to make it with your eyes open." and she was like 'Bet.' and here we are! I loved that the story really leans into the 'listen, baby, you're pretty and we can make money from this, why the hell not?' vibe. because, yeah!! exactly!
The connection between the two characters were great, they're both so vividly depicted, i really felt like I knew them already, and the logistics of their management's arrangement was well-incorporated. They go on holiday together and discuss colonization + tourism. Everything was hella Black and i felt so blessed to be reading it! We go to a Black funeral and get the whole vibe of being at your auntie's house with all your cousins when someone's died. And the author gives us all the humor! the jokes and outfits and banter! This a hella fun book.
i found all the sex right at the end abit rushed and too much for me after the low-key slowburn tone of the story until then, but it didn't take away from my love for the book. also he's into feet and she's like, "okay! i don't get it but i've got you, let's do this!" and goes wild with it.
content warnings: someone we don't know dies bc he didn't wear his seatbelt and went car racing. and they go to the funeral. Xandra kinda has a boyfriend the whole time, we don't meet him or see a connection but it's like an arranged marriage by our parents for in future one day but we just occasionally impersonally text kinda vibe. choking scene during sex.
I've been reading a bunch of fake dating Romances with women of colour and this was one of the most fun! Xandra is an IG influencer, and August is an actor who struggles with having kinda 'left the hood' to follow his acting dreams, and he's supporting his family back home but it's getting out of hand with the amounts of money they asking for. He's set up by his management to fake date Xandra bc he's tryna get an Oscar nom and bigger roles but his Black fans won't back him as hard with all the white girls he's dating lol. It's a very 'yeah this is unfair... but it's also true' situation. Also, he keeps a feelings journal throughout the book!
Xandra's mom told her early on "Listen to me. You look like a black Barbie doll. You can either waste it, or you can weild it. The choice is yours but you need to make it with your eyes open." and she was like 'Bet.' and here we are! I loved that the story really leans into the 'listen, baby, you're pretty and we can make money from this, why the hell not?' vibe. because, yeah!! exactly!
The connection between the two characters were great, they're both so vividly depicted, i really felt like I knew them already, and the logistics of their management's arrangement was well-incorporated. They go on holiday together and discuss colonization + tourism. Everything was hella Black and i felt so blessed to be reading it! We go to a Black funeral and get the whole vibe of being at your auntie's house with all your cousins when someone's died. And the author gives us all the humor! the jokes and outfits and banter! This a hella fun book.
i found all the sex right at the end abit rushed and too much for me after the low-key slowburn tone of the story until then, but it didn't take away from my love for the book. also he's into feet and she's like, "okay! i don't get it but i've got you, let's do this!" and goes wild with it.
content warnings: someone we don't know dies bc he didn't wear his seatbelt and went car racing. and they go to the funeral. Xandra kinda has a boyfriend the whole time, we don't meet him or see a connection but it's like an arranged marriage by our parents for in future one day but we just occasionally impersonally text kinda vibe. choking scene during sex.
August 14, 2021
Up and coming actor August Chambers has a PR problem. If he wants a chance for more roles and awards opportunities, he needs to cater to his fan base. His publicist thinks a fake relationship with influencer and socialite Xandra Nicole is the key to launching his reputation back into good graces.
Xandra is intrigued by August's teams offer; she's not new at playing the perfect fake girl friend for PR. But when real feelings immediately enter the equation, Xandra and August will need to have faith that neither of them is acting.
Slow-burn sexy with the biggest payoff, wow this was delicious fun. A great novella, with wonderful characters and plot. August and the feet holy wow!!! Five alarm fire.
Sanders also does an excellent job of showing two different Black character's experience and background with wealth and fame, as Xandra and August have had completely opposite lives until this point.
A perfect pick for those looking for a mix of the Hollywood fame scene in Kennedy Ryan's Reel and the more lighthearted spoiling and socialite plot of Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer.
CW: Xandra has an "arranged" future match who August thinks is her boyfriend, August likes to be slapped in the face and roughed up leading up to sex (consensual), discussions of grief. An off page minor character passes away and the characters attend the funeral.
Xandra is intrigued by August's teams offer; she's not new at playing the perfect fake girl friend for PR. But when real feelings immediately enter the equation, Xandra and August will need to have faith that neither of them is acting.
Slow-burn sexy with the biggest payoff, wow this was delicious fun. A great novella, with wonderful characters and plot. August and the feet holy wow!!! Five alarm fire.
Sanders also does an excellent job of showing two different Black character's experience and background with wealth and fame, as Xandra and August have had completely opposite lives until this point.
A perfect pick for those looking for a mix of the Hollywood fame scene in Kennedy Ryan's Reel and the more lighthearted spoiling and socialite plot of Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer.
CW: Xandra has an "arranged" future match who August thinks is her boyfriend, August likes to be slapped in the face and roughed up leading up to sex (consensual), discussions of grief. An off page minor character passes away and the characters attend the funeral.
November 8, 2023
Xandra x August
I've never read a relationship of convenience like this. August is a B list actor that has a thing for women of all colors, mostly white women. Sadly his slight infatuation with white women does nothing for his fans or image. Enter Xandra who is a professional dater. She lives, eat, & breathes this type of thing. She knows how to be the cute girlfriend who smiles on cue, says the right thing & knows just how to play up the cameras. She has no problem doing this for August, the only thing is that he's different from the guys she's done this with before. I was really taken aback when it was revealed that Xandra had a boyfriend, because what kind of man would let his girlfriend be a fake girlfriend to celebrities & athlethes ? But then when it was revealed how Xandra got her man, I was like eff him & his parents too. When August claimed Xandra, I was like okayyyyy energyyyyyy. August was down right nastyyy 👅 & Xandra was right there with him. I don't think in all my reading that I ever read about a foot job 😳😳 & let's not forget that I thought Zuri would be completely different considering her one night stand with August, but sis was all about her money & her job. & She was truly a friend to August.
Shae Sanders is slowly becoming an addiction for me.
I've never read a relationship of convenience like this. August is a B list actor that has a thing for women of all colors, mostly white women. Sadly his slight infatuation with white women does nothing for his fans or image. Enter Xandra who is a professional dater. She lives, eat, & breathes this type of thing. She knows how to be the cute girlfriend who smiles on cue, says the right thing & knows just how to play up the cameras. She has no problem doing this for August, the only thing is that he's different from the guys she's done this with before. I was really taken aback when it was revealed that Xandra had a boyfriend, because what kind of man would let his girlfriend be a fake girlfriend to celebrities & athlethes ? But then when it was revealed how Xandra got her man, I was like eff him & his parents too. When August claimed Xandra, I was like okayyyyy energyyyyyy. August was down right nastyyy 👅 & Xandra was right there with him. I don't think in all my reading that I ever read about a foot job 😳😳 & let's not forget that I thought Zuri would be completely different considering her one night stand with August, but sis was all about her money & her job. & She was truly a friend to August.
Shae Sanders is slowly becoming an addiction for me.
August 10, 2022
This Novella was the perfect length for a cute and sexy Fake Dating a Movie Star Romance. It was just under 200 pages.
I don't know what it is, I just love the way Shae Sanders writes. I don't find my eyes trying to skim for dialogue like I have to stop myself from doing sometimes in other books. The narration is always just as entertaining.
This is the second book I have read by Shae Sanders and I've come to expect some steamy open door scenes and characters with explosive chemistry.
I've been reading a lot of Fake Dating books lately and I love the way this one showcased the negotiations and all the effort a successful PR Romance takes.
A focal point, besides the Romance, in this book was the perception of a Famous Black Man dating a lot of White Woman and the affect that has. Xandra is brought in to show that Chambers is about Black Love, too. The discussions about Race in the book helped move the plot and provided perspectives to think about.
Overall, I really enjoyed this Novella and plan to read more by this author.
I don't know what it is, I just love the way Shae Sanders writes. I don't find my eyes trying to skim for dialogue like I have to stop myself from doing sometimes in other books. The narration is always just as entertaining.
This is the second book I have read by Shae Sanders and I've come to expect some steamy open door scenes and characters with explosive chemistry.
I've been reading a lot of Fake Dating books lately and I love the way this one showcased the negotiations and all the effort a successful PR Romance takes.
A focal point, besides the Romance, in this book was the perception of a Famous Black Man dating a lot of White Woman and the affect that has. Xandra is brought in to show that Chambers is about Black Love, too. The discussions about Race in the book helped move the plot and provided perspectives to think about.
Overall, I really enjoyed this Novella and plan to read more by this author.
June 30, 2021
Yasss Shae! I have enjoyed all of your books thus far, but this one here, was just..... everything! AUGUST! He was such a breath of fresh air! Down to earth, respected his craft, worked hard to get to this point; and wanted no parts of the "fake" industry stuff. When Zuri presented this idea to him, I thought he fight her on it. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy going he was about all of it. When August met Xandra, you knew right away that these two would be a force. Although, they both wanted to play their roles, and had a lot to gain from this arrangement; that instant connection was 🔥! I felt the entire time with them it was real, right from the beginning. They both had an underlying fear that the other was acting, due to the circumstances. But, seeing them both grow, learn from each other and fall was beautiful. Loved them together, they were a perfect fit. Great job! 👍👍👍
January 19, 2022
0.5 ⭐️
I don’t understand why authors like to point out how male or feminine their characters feel around each other. Like bro, what’s the point? It just makes me feel like I’m reading a transcript from animal planet. TBH Normally I would try to ignore some BS if the characters appeal to me in any way, but can’t say that about this one. Another thing I hate in romance books is how the guy has to pay everything. I feel like this sends out the wrong signal to readers, most of whom are women I believe. I’m not against a person spoiling their lover, but why don’t we have our Female MC do something special for their man for a change. I bet they would love some attention and spoiling too. Anyway, this book was not my type. Though I do feel that this book was way too small to make a deeper connection with the characters and develop them & their relationship. If you are looking for a short and steamy book then go ahead.
I don’t understand why authors like to point out how male or feminine their characters feel around each other. Like bro, what’s the point? It just makes me feel like I’m reading a transcript from animal planet. TBH Normally I would try to ignore some BS if the characters appeal to me in any way, but can’t say that about this one. Another thing I hate in romance books is how the guy has to pay everything. I feel like this sends out the wrong signal to readers, most of whom are women I believe. I’m not against a person spoiling their lover, but why don’t we have our Female MC do something special for their man for a change. I bet they would love some attention and spoiling too. Anyway, this book was not my type. Though I do feel that this book was way too small to make a deeper connection with the characters and develop them & their relationship. If you are looking for a short and steamy book then go ahead.
August 16, 2021
4/5 stars
This was such a cute and sexy novella! A fake dating scheme between a B list actor and a socialite influencer set in the world of stars!
Being this a novella the pace is very fast, but everything develops perfectly.
I really liked both August and Xandra, together they were so cute! He really really likes to spoil his girl it’s his favorite thing to do. There some steamy scenes towards the end because this is a delicious slow burn and those scenes are worth the wait if you like open door intimate scenes.
This was such a cute and sexy novella! A fake dating scheme between a B list actor and a socialite influencer set in the world of stars!
Being this a novella the pace is very fast, but everything develops perfectly.
I really liked both August and Xandra, together they were so cute! He really really likes to spoil his girl it’s his favorite thing to do. There some steamy scenes towards the end because this is a delicious slow burn and those scenes are worth the wait if you like open door intimate scenes.
November 17, 2021
O-kay. I can’t quite explain my experience reading this. It was a quick read, yeah. Enjoyable? Yep. Did it make me feel all mushy smushy? Nah. It felt fast and underdeveloped, and the MCs were written without character, ya know what I mean? Like I don’t know August and I don’t know Xandra and suddenly they’re thrown together and have small conflicts and those get resolve in like two sentences and then bam! They’re in love?
Okay. Sounds fake but okay 😂
It was cringey but cute I don’t even understand 🤣🤣🤣 but I enjoyed it
Okay. Sounds fake but okay 😂
It was cringey but cute I don’t even understand 🤣🤣🤣 but I enjoyed it
September 24, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶
This is a fake dating novella with a social media influencer and an actor. MMC needs to clean up his imagine by dating a black woman instead of only white women. FMC is hired on as someone to fake date
I like the premise of the book here is where I struggled- there was not a lot of emotions with the characters and as a couple. I think it’s hard to pull off with a novella sometimes but to go from sex to love we needed more.
I was not into a particular spice kink in this book- feet something new to me in a book but definitely not for me.
3 🌶
This is a fake dating novella with a social media influencer and an actor. MMC needs to clean up his imagine by dating a black woman instead of only white women. FMC is hired on as someone to fake date
I like the premise of the book here is where I struggled- there was not a lot of emotions with the characters and as a couple. I think it’s hard to pull off with a novella sometimes but to go from sex to love we needed more.
I was not into a particular spice kink in this book- feet something new to me in a book but definitely not for me.
December 21, 2025
An okay read
This book needs another round of editing to just string some things together. It's got potential to actually be great. There were a lot of lost thoughts and just forgetting personality traits and how one was raised and it got choppy towards the end. Example, Xandra eats her veggies a lot but the one time she eats a big breakfast of bacon and eggs, the guy says "she must workout a lot of she eats like this all the time." Yet we see her always munching on celery sticks and carrots.
But it can be a nice book if you overlook a few things.
This book needs another round of editing to just string some things together. It's got potential to actually be great. There were a lot of lost thoughts and just forgetting personality traits and how one was raised and it got choppy towards the end. Example, Xandra eats her veggies a lot but the one time she eats a big breakfast of bacon and eggs, the guy says "she must workout a lot of she eats like this all the time." Yet we see her always munching on celery sticks and carrots.
But it can be a nice book if you overlook a few things.
June 29, 2021
Love August and Xandra
Shae delivered another page turner again. Couldn’t put it down, Read the whole book in just one day! The chemistry between August and Xandra is palpable. I rooted for them to really be together in the end. August had just the right amount of aggressiveness and passion. Xandra was down for him! Although it was minor, the “Crave” reference didn’t go unnoticed either. Thanks for another great book!
Shae delivered another page turner again. Couldn’t put it down, Read the whole book in just one day! The chemistry between August and Xandra is palpable. I rooted for them to really be together in the end. August had just the right amount of aggressiveness and passion. Xandra was down for him! Although it was minor, the “Crave” reference didn’t go unnoticed either. Thanks for another great book!
June 30, 2021
I knew August and Xandra would be perfect!
They have me everything I needed from a romance novel.( Are we still calling them that?) Beautiful, sexy black realness! Great dialogue, lighthearted plot, memorable characters, really hot sex. It was most definitely worth the wait. These two could have gone on 1000 more pages. So sweet, fluffy, and kinky. Lol yep all of that. This was a quick perfect read.
They have me everything I needed from a romance novel.( Are we still calling them that?) Beautiful, sexy black realness! Great dialogue, lighthearted plot, memorable characters, really hot sex. It was most definitely worth the wait. These two could have gone on 1000 more pages. So sweet, fluffy, and kinky. Lol yep all of that. This was a quick perfect read.
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