The Fiance Solution

by Anna Barlow

Kat Sutton has always had her life together. She had a plan, and it was all going smoothly. A fiance, a well-paying job, and a mortgage on a nice house in the suburbs. But when her fiance dumps her out of the blue, her carefully controlled life falls apart, and she runs to the only place she can: Mistletoe Valley.

Matt Sanders doesn't believe in love anymore. His fiance abandoned him, and he doubts he'll ever find someone else in a small town like Mistletoe Valley. Until Katherine Sutton crashes back into his life. He's fascinated by her prickly exterior, and can't help coming back for more. She's fiery, and annoying, and everything he shouldn't want, so why does he keep falling back into her orbit?

But when he runs into his ex with Kat in tow, she surprises him by pretending to be his fiance. He goes along with it, because when Katherine needs help dealing with her own controlling ex, Matt's more than happy to step up to the plate. After all, what could go wrong?

Will the two of them be able to heal their old wounds and find happiness with each other? Or will their fake dating solution stay exactly that: fake?

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Second Chance, Rom Com, Romantic Comedy

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2023

Reviews

[Truth Teller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the HEA I look for in a romance book

I have been waiting on this book since I finished Elle and Nick’s book. I knew I would like Kat and I did for the most part. I liked how she owned her behavior and anger and knew she didn’t want to be like that anymore. I also liked Matt and the way he treated her. But SPOILER WARNINGS The things that made me give this the 2 star was the way Matt used the same term of endearment for Kat that he had used on his ex-fiancé. When he explained his reasoning I sort of got it but still didn’t sit right with me. Then he gives her the same ring he proposed to Elise with. Even though he was not proposing to her it was just wrong. The fact that Kat accepted it so easily and didn’t question it was bothersome to me. Then the last thing I didn’t like (AGAIN SPOILER) the fact that Kat no longer wanted to get married to anyone. I get not everyone wants to get married and have kids and that’s fine but I don’t feel like that brought anything to this particular story. It seemed to make the whole thing of Matt giving her a used ring even worse.

[María · Rating 4 out of 5]

Efectivamente Kat, no necesitamos casarnos para estar completos. Una novela preciosa con personajes entrañables y un grumpy sunshine invertido. Literalmente ¿que más puedo pedir? 💖 Este libro es mi casita.

[c ও · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars
If a book contains the trope small town romance, you have all my attention!!

Kat is a strong, ambitious young woman with a very cold personality. All her life she has felt pressure from her parents to be perfect and to make them proud. So you can say: it is definitely not a wonder that she doesn't learned to love herself and doesn't really know what she wants when she only ever learned to please other people.
But then when her future husband suddenly separated from her, it was a down phase for her. The safe life she had built up was gone...
Whether it was something good or bad for her future life, is a good question.

Matt is hot, what Kat would say a "gym bro" and still attached to his ex-wife who broke up with him 2 years ago.
When he then meet Kat, who constantly challenged him and kept matching his energy, he realized he needed to get to know Kat better.
However, whether or not they can both get their energy under control or not, is also a a very good question.

[hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

i mean this was fine but the whole premise was fake dating and enemies to lovers but there wasn’t any fake dating until the book was like 70% done and it was only two small instances. the enemies to lovers also just wasn’t there. like it was better in the first book and they were barely in it

[Lilli-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

I loved this book and Kats character so much, it was such a good short romance that kept me hooked and I can’t wait to read Averie’s story

[Ashleigh Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 Stars (standard rounding rules apply)

Second book in an interconnected series you get to see more of Katherine, Kat, Sutton - Elle's sister and Matt, Nick's best friend overcome heartache and hopefully find their happily ever after. This book resonated in a lot of ways with me and definitely spoke on some topics that may be difficult for readers. With that being said - please, have grace with yourself and check the CW/TWs when it comes to this story.

Kat's story intrigued me the most, and I truly enjoyed it. She was a witty, snarky character that even when things seemed to be falling apart around her, she stayed true to her personality. There was some growth, which we saw after meeting Averie, Matt's sister. She was the friend that Kat had always needed, and the support that she never realized she desired.

Matt definitely left us feeling a certain way after reading The Mistletoe Promise and seeing more of his backstory and just his personality, he was easy enough to fall in love with. He was a guy who thought he was just 'too much' after his fiancé left him. When in fact he was just a guy who was outgoing and knew what he wanted in the world. Matt was sarcastic and witty, never backing down unless he could genuinely see that it was causing pain to another and not helping break down walls.

Finding themselves thrown together while Kat figured out where she went wrong, and how she ended up so far off her plan, you could feel the tension on the pages. The commonalities between these two characters, threw them together but the different stages in which they had already gone through made them perfect for each other. Both being deemed 'too much' by other, only made them feel they were never worth it; except they were to each other.

There was a lot of things I loved about this story including the rawness we felt during Kat's mental health struggles. The way in which she felt that she couldn't let others see her weak, especially not those she loved. It was something that, I believe, most of us have felt at one point or another in our lives. However, I did feel that Averie was likable, but also that there was so much more that we could have seen from her. Hopefully, she will also get her own happy ever after. Another thing I found to be frustrating at times was that even as they worked through things the prickliness from Kat, and even Matt at times, didn’t truly ease up – and while some was definitely banter/foreplay others just seemed downright a hurt person hurting others.

Banter and chemistry were great in this novel. While there was a lot of serious topics throughout the story, it was offset with funny situations and scenes making it not so heavy - while also not taking away that seriousness that was within. As chemistry goes, I would put this at about a two-point-five chili peppers out of five chili peppers when it comes to the steaminess on the pages (please keep in mind this is personal opinion and it may be more or less for you). It was within the pages, but there was a slow burn factor that comes into play.

I would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone. It had everything from funny scenes to serious topics that can affect anyone at any time. Anna Barlow has definitely done it again with this gem.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more books from Anna Barlow his book was fantastic and I binge read it in 2 days. One thing that gets kind of repetitive in romance books is the miscommunication trope and how it’s always at the end, but this book didn’t do that. The characters had an issue but they communicated, and worked it out. Another thing I loved about this book is while it does have some fake dating it wasn’t the immediate go to, the story doesn’t start off with that which is really unique. The healing and growth was something I also appreciated, the female main character has just gotten dumped by her fiancé of 10 years and instead of moving onto the next guy and fall immediately in love, we watch her as she struggles with her emotions and seeks help. Her healing process was so well done and only once she is better does the romance begin. Not saying it’s not sprinkled throughout the book because it is and it is done fantastically I just love that she had her healing journey.

Wonderful things about the book:
Forced proximity
Small town romance
Fake dating
Snarky guy
Only one bed
Dual pov

Rating: 💍💍💍💍💍/💍💍💍💍💍

[Meg Jordan Echols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet, spicy read. As an older sister, it was cathartic to read about the pressures imposed (and self-imposed) on older siblings. There are times you want to shake Kat and tell her to stop being so stubborn, but healing is a process and she needed time to heal and understand. It’s a good reminder of allowing time and grace for people processing trauma.

Also… Matt should be played by Scott Eastwood. 😘

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to return to Mistletoe Valley, especially with the crumbs we got of Kat and Matt during "The Mistletoe Problem." First, can we talk about how adorable the cover is!! I don't know but every time I see the cover in my Kindle library, I stop and smile.

What I didn't expect from this book was for it to be such an emotional journey, but I am not complaining! Kat was such a deep character to learn about, to see why she is the way she is. We meet her when she's not in the best place in her life and she just needs someone to be there for her, but she will not accept any help. Older sisters will be able to relate to how she is feeling. In comes Mistletoe Valley and Matt. The banter and passion started right away.

I really enjoyed learning about Matt's story and what he is going through himself. Matt and Kat had a lot in common that they didn't initially explore with each other. Matt was going through a lot himself, dealing with a sudden breakup with his girlfriend/fiancé of ten years. He's also a big brother to his sister who he cares so much about. He is learning how to be on his own and heal.

When Matt sees Kat, he knows he has to help her. And here the story begins. I appreciated how raw Kat's struggles were. Some of the scenes were not easy to read, but healing and reeling after a major life event leaves you not being okay. Some people cope differently than others, and we saw Kat really struggling. It's hard to see someone hurting and have people around you who want to help, but you can't find yourself able to accept it. I related to Kat a lot in certain circumstances. You don't want other people to see you weak, because you need to be strong for them. That's difficult and we see Kat learning and trying to open up. This journey meant a lot to me to read and yes, there were ups and downs, but it's the "beauty of life" as it's said.

Can I just say I think my favorite parts of this book were the scenes with Averie? She put such a smile on my face but we also learned about her story and how she's healing. I would love to read her story and see her life and how she continues to spread her joy through baking while also continuing her healing process.

Also it was so fun to see Nick and Elle again!! I absolutely fell in love with them during "The Mistletoe Problem" and it was just excellent to be able to meet them again and see how their relationships continue to develop with Matt and Kat.

Anna Barlow, you have done it again! Cannot wait to see what you do next!

To the readers, please make sure you check the TW prior to reading.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Anna Barlow for an ARC for a voluntary and honest review.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiancee Solution

This is one of the BEST READS I’ve found in over a year. Filled with characters who speak, swear, drink, have sex, and interact in ways that reflect the real world rather than a fantasy pastiche of what the world is. The world is messy and so are people, especially when they have been hurt by those around them. Both Kat and Matt have been dumped by fiancees and each are reeling from the fallout of being pushed to the side for either being ‘not enough’ or ‘too much’, and it leaves them reflecting on why they are so much less than what the people in their lives need from them. When Kat comes into town and meets Matt again (they had briefly met previously in Book One: The Mistletoe Problem) he knows that something isn’t right and the Spitfire he found fun to spar with is gone. Without a place to stay after being dumped and sabotaging her job, Kat visits Matt’s real estate agency looking for a house to rent. Not ready to finish the journey to her sister’s, Matt offers her a room in his house so she will not be alone. Seeing an all too familiar reminder of who he was after his fiancee left him, Matt helps her stop self sabotaging and along the way, with some of the best dialogue and fun verbal fencing, Kat begins to see that she doesn’t have to be alone. With Matt's sister Averie as the best secondary character, Katt finds that there’s more to life than feeling lost and Matt's Spitfire returns to the story just in time to help him avoid the return of the manipulative ex-fiancee.

Fair Warning: this is an emotionally raw book that will challenge you to understand what life is like when it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Discussions of alcohol abuse, homelessness, counciling, and family issues are present. These do not detract from the joy of Matt and Katt’s romance when it happens or the power of siblings and friendships to help the characters survive. It is a journey worth taking and a story worth reading.

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

[Jerrica Zeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehhhhh

I don’t know what to say! It was not the kind of love story you expect and for that I am happy because following the typical is boring. But really did it need to end like that?

She just made all the decisions. Like he never made a single one. When she says that to him he says something like ‘you think I would have gone along with all of it if I didn’t want to’. And that is that. That is us supposedly understanding he also made decisions to go along with her decisions. Uhhh.

This couple had a lot against them in the beginning. Both in post breakup grief comas. His much longer than hers. And for him to call her the same pet name and ask her to wear the ring was just creepy and not sweet at all. Then one second the ring is “so her” and the next second it’s not her at all and never was or will be. One second she says “don’t call me that” and the next second she’s swooning.

It was just whiplash of “my ex was like” to “you are all that ever mattered”- like what? How? In the month she ignored you and hung out with your sister? What? There needed to be more build up. More conversations where they aren’t just yelling at each other constantly. But he likes the fighting even though he one second ago was so hung up on his timid mild ex who never said a word, so much so that he couldn’t even continue focusing on the woman he was having sex with. But the next day….
Where’s the balance bro? Where was the romance bud? Where was the actually healing dude? Where’s the compromise and connection yo?

All of my ranting later, I read this in 2.5 days and didn’t want to put it down. So even though my neck is broken from the mood swings and change of minds, I liked it.
That ending less so.
3.5* for that mess of an ending zero cohesion or lead up yo it. No compromise just her decision making and him doing the thumbs up.
Never in any romance novel I’ve read did I actually think after, ya I give this couple five years max.

[Brittany Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy for me to relate to FMC as I am also the oldest sister with parents who have a clear path for their children. I have often stepped in to help my younger siblings but have NEVER even considered having them help me. I loved that Kat came off rude or mean because she was trying to protect herself by hiding behind a front. A lot of times, men are portrayed this way, so it was great to see it with a woman. I love the way Anna Barlow tells a story and really illustrates the complex emotions that everyday people face. She allows her characters to be flawed which makes them more relatable and more multifaceted

Things I liked:
Kat's wit and humor
Kat and Ellie's relationship
Kat standing up against her parents and her ex
Kat allowing Matt into her "mess" when she kept almost everyone else out
Anna Barlow's writing
The trigger warnings listed in the beginning of the book fully explained

Things I didn't like:
It seemed like giving up on the idea of marriage came out of nowhere at the end - I didn't know if this was just a reaction to their previous relationships really or if they truly didn't want to be married (I hope that makes sense. If they truly did not want to get married then so be it but at the beginning, she said that only thing she wanted was to get married and to have a kid- but I don't know if that's what she truly wanted or what she thought she should want).
Averie was delightful but I wanted more dimension to her.

TW:
Sexism
Toxic Relationship
Sexual Assault
Childhood trauma
Disordered Eating
Alcohol Abuse
Unhoused situation

I received an advance copy of this and all opinions are my own.

[Vonn Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathrine Sutton just got dumped by her fiancé after ten years together. Next thing she knows, she’s drunkenly walking around in the department store she works in and quits.

Needing a break, she decides that Mistletoe Valley is a perfect getaway where she can get past her rage, anger and frustration with the male species. Her younger sister Elle found happiness here, maybe it’s a good place.

But when she can’t get any accommodations for her planned three months, Matt steps in. Yes, THAT Matt. Her sisters fiancés best friend Matt Sanders. The one she can’t stand and clashed with a year ago.

Heated arguments, healing (and some moaning) later….she figures out he’s not so bad at all.

I loved Averie. I think Elle was in the wrong. I knew the reaction she would have would be selfish. I did not like that confrontation. After what Matt told Nick, how Kat was doing, you’d think that a sister like Elle, would call first and not “accuse” her sister if “failing” to come to her with her problems. That interaction rubbed me the wrong way.

The rest of the book revolves around Kat and Matt with some quality time between Kat and her sister Elle and Averie.

The scenes with the parents were necessary for Kat to heal.

I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but that was just my romantic heart, hoping for the happily ever after.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading something by this author and it was quite an enjoyable experience. The title is cute and is what drew me to it and when I read the blurb, I definitely knew I wanted to try it. I was not disappointed. The story caught my attention from the beginning and held it all the way through. Matt is done with love. After being abandoned by his fiance, he doesn't believe in it anymore. Living in the small town of Mistletoe Valley, it's not likely he'll even find anyone. But then when Kat comes to town, after having her own bad luck, he can't seem to get enough of the fiery, strong-willed woman and he's willing to give love one more shot.

The characters were interesting and well-developed with realistic qualities that gave them an authentic personality and were easily relatable. The story was delightfully cute and also emotional, and I really enjoyed it. This was a nice introduction for me to this author's work and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

💍 forced proximity
💍 enemies to lovers
💍 small town romance
💍 fake dating

this book was such a good read. it was funny, sad, lovely… i loved kat's strength, matt's patience, averie's personality. basically everything character in this book changed me.
in this world, we baked, drank, argued, talked about mental health, cried, found better ways to cope and received a lot of love.
there’s no words to describe how lovely matt was. how patient he was with kat and how important was for her knowing that he was listening to what she had to say. everyone needs a matt in their lives. maybe not as a partner, but as a friend.
i admit that it was hard for me to really get into the book, but when i did, i read it SO SO SO fast. it was perfect.

thank you anna for sending me this book. i loved it so much! i have a really hard time expressing what i feel about books, when i like it i don’t know what to say. so just know that you’re doing an amazing job with your books 🩷

check the TW before reading this because this book has some really heavy topics.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of a free book I received from Book Sirens.
I may update this review once I actually finish the book.
I'm currently 57% complete, and I'm bored 🥱
Let me preface this by saying that I really enjoyed the first book!
I really like Averie and want to be her friend.
Kat is too angry, almost childish/temper tantrum tendencies. She's too depressing, although she seems to be get help.
Matt creeps me out with saying Sweetheart all the time. Reminds me of creepy older men back in the old movies with saying it with a hint of an accent. Doesn't sound right at all in the context it's supposed to be.
Swearing doesn't usually bother me, but it sounds forced in some of the text.
And I didn't realize this before, but I can see more how it's written by a non native North American. The word choices aren't typical of people from San Francisco.
It's been a struggle to get through this, to say the least. I'll finish it though.

* Update - finished but didn't change my mind on my review.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved this book! So much so that I finished it in one sitting. I loved the fact that none of these characters felt sugar-coated in their fictionalisation. They all had real-world problems and real feelings that I thought were portrayed realistically throughout the book.

The pace and timeline of the story was realistic and really easy to follow.

The tension between Kat and Matt was so good! It lived up to all expectations after their first meeting in The Mistletoe Problem. They had me smiling with their banter - even when they were together. Also their sex scenes played into the tension and were only enhanced by their banter, which was definitely fun to read!

I loved Kats friendship with Averie and that they were both able to help each other with their individual traumas.

Overall, this was a really fun, quick read, which also respectfully covers some harder topics.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marinasbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

city girl moves to small town.
small town realtor can’t stay away from her.
they were both dumped by their fiancées.
roommates.
reverse grumpy sunshine.
he’s her brother in law’s best friend.
healing.
therapy.
fake dating/engagement.

I really hoped we would get a book about Kat and Matt because I lived their first interaction in The Mistletoe Problem. I liked the overall plot of her leaving everything behind and moving to the small town where her sister Elle now lives. And the forced proximity aspect of her living with him, was a great choice because it made the tension between them so much better! While it’s definitely a romance story, it also deals with mental health and therapy.

I liked the book but there were a few things I didn’t enjoy. Like him calling her the endearment his ex wanted him to call her and trying to give Kat his ex’s ring. For me the explanation wasn’t really justified.

*I was kindly given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in Barlow's Mistletoe Valley series and can be read as a standalone which was my experience. Our main characters are Kat and Matt. Both are flawed characters but in a realistic way. Some triggers so be forewarned going in if you're sensitive. I thought the book was well written with good characters and a captivating storyline. Small town romance feel as well as the gumpy/sunshine romance vibe. I liked the characters chemistry and banter as well as the romance and humor to it. Overall a good read and I hope to read more in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Niki Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC got me out of my reading slump!

This was a great follow on to her last book.

I loved Matt and Kat and how similar they both are. They've been through the ringer exactly the same way, used the same vices and are just as out there and angry and loud as each other. They are explosive - in the best way.

Anna has been a must read author since I got an ARC to her last book but this has just solidified it x

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fiance Solution by Anna Barlow is a good, and enjoyable grumpy sunshine enemies to lovers small town romance read. The story has a really good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This is Matt and Kat's story. The banter between them is very funny going on. This story is a really fun read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book without thinking it would be so up your feelings, the develpoment of the characters through their internal traumas, the timetamble more accurelate that other stories that tipically go to fast.

Their were so relatable in the main and side characters, is a story that can make you laugh and cry, and want to meet in real life a guy like Matt.

It is the perfect book for a cold winter Day afternoon.

[A bookworm guide to a good book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book a 3,75 ⭐️ It was good and keep me entertained. It was sweet and full of really real way if dealing with trauma. Really like this author way of showing people that there isn’t a gradation to trauma. Trauma is trauma. The body doesn’t difference the crime. He just shut down. So yeah, her way of writing it was really realistic which made me like this book even more. But yeah, all in all, this book was really good.

[what.elsa.reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly quite liked the book. It was not what I normally read but it kept me on hold. I found the first few chapters boring but they were important for storyline build-up. Matt and Kat had good chemistry but it looked quite fast driven, I felt it might be better to give kat time to process her feelings and step into a new relationship.

It is a good read when you need a small happy romance. I hope you write a book about Matt's sister I am certainly excited for that if it happens.

[Elizabeth Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars: What a wild ride this book was! Loved the connections between the characters & growth of Kat throughout - getting out of a toxic relationship & finding her own way - so good! The storyline flowed easily, Averie is a beautiful character to have added in, & it kept me hooked the whole time. Thank you!

[Molly Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

4.3/5 stars

The fiancée solution was a super fun read. It is the second book of a interconnected stand-alone a series. This story follows Kat and Matt and their love story. I really loved reading this book, Kat and Matt were such amazing characters. I love how they were so similar but still complimented each other really nicely. I especially loves that Kat never backed down no matter what. This book was such a fun read and I’m definitely gonna read the first book since I haven’t read it. I recommend this to anyone that wants a fun read that also deals with serious themes.

Check trigger warnings before reading.

[Christina Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it was a pretty good book, and I enjoyed reading it.

[Carine Oliveira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[JP]

DNF

[⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆