There’s something about a fake dating romance that gives me all the feels. It’s the tension of will they/won’t they fall in love paired against the is it or is it not real?
I know some people don’t like this trope because of the lying aspect, but that’s actually one reason why I like to read it in Christian contemporary romance. Almost always, the author does a fantastic job of explaining the reasons behind the lie and often we get to see the consequences and how God turns beauty from ashes or in this case.
So if you’re a fan of this trope or just want to dip your toes in, I’ve got some recommendations from the awesome authors of InspyRomance.
First up is me, just because it’s easy for me to talk about my newest book, The Love Script.
It’s a fake dating, celebrity romance set in metro Los Angeles area. Two people decide to fake date in order to keep a Christian actor from being cancelled.
Next we have Narelle Atkins’ Her Cowboy Blind Date.
From the blurb: He’s a small-town guy, a cowboy at heart. She’s a city girl from the other side of the world. Will a blind date lead to a love that lasts a lifetime?
You’ll also want to add Valerie Comer’s Marry Me For Real, Cowboy.
I’ve already read this one and thoroughly enjoyed it.
From the blurb: A desperate kiss results in a fake marriage proposal from a hunky rodeo cowboy in this Montana Ranches Christian Romance.
Another book I’ve enjoyed is Teresa Tysinger’s Say It’s For Good.
This book is book 4 of the Laurel Cove romance series but it can be read on its own (in my opinion, you want the whole series).
Brief snippet from the blurb: Is a decade enough time to heal old wounds?
How about a fake dating romance that is also set during the Christmas season?
Lindi Peterson’s Rich in Hope is up next.
I haven’t read this one yet, but the cover is beautiful and knowing it’s a fake dating romance is great as well. I may have peaked at the blurb (I usually do not do this) and saw that the heroine also is disfigured. Color me intrigued.
Jan Thomson’s His Wake-Up Call is also a beach read!
I don’t know about you but I think we need more books set by the beach.
From the blurb: A desperate jilted man. His summer rent-a-girlfriend. Their own beach town.
Want another beach read? Julie Carobini’s Beach Sunrise fits the bill.
From the blurb: To save his business—and her livelihood—she’ll have to take a risk. But what happens when that risk goes too far?
Tara Grace Ericson’s The One Who Got Away is up next.
This fake dating relationship involves a firefighter! If you love a man in uniform, one who regularly lays his life down for others, then this is for you.
From the blurb: The relationship is fake. But the sparks are real.
Can these best friends rekindle a second chance at first love? Or will they both end up burned?
Another Christmas one is Meghann Whistler’s The Baby’s Christmas Blessing.
This time the newborn plays matchmaker for the nanny and the hero.
Well, I think I’ve given you guys just enough to get started and fall in love with this trope. Did I miss any other great Christian contemporary romances that feature the fake-dating trope? Let me know!!
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Find out more on her website at http://tonishiloh.com.
Thanks for the list of new books to read.
I have read The One Who Got Away and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the list of other books to read in this trope.
I have Jan Thompson’s and Tara Grace Ericson’s books, but I haven’t read them yet. I guess I need to bump them up in my list now. ;)
I love this trope and your book which includes a celebrity angle sounds even more fun.
I’ve read Meghann’s and Narelle’s books, and I think I have at least one or two or three of the others in my TBR stack! I really loved both of the books I’ve read that you mentioned!!
Thanks for the recs! I love this trope, and I look forward to reading many of these books. :) For YA, I think Liwen Ho’s How to Kiss a Guy in Ten Days also fits the fake dating trope. Oh, and I haven’t read it, but I’ve heard of The Engagement Cover by A.M. Heath.
I read her cowboy blind date,the baby’s Christmas blessing and the one that got away and I enjoyed all of them. I have read more with the fake relationship trop but it would be a long list and can’t think of them right now
lots of books
thanks for the list. I know I have read others but dont remember the names right now. I love this trope
That’s a good list of books. I read The Baby’s Christmas Blessing and enjoyed it. Definitely can recommend that one to anyone that has not read it.
I loved the One Who Got Away!
I really agree with you that this trope has to be done well to work, particularly in CCR. I’ve read Narelle’s ‘Her Cowboy Blind Date’ and Meghan’s ‘The Baby’s Christmas Blessing’ and really enjoyedbthem, so will have to try some of the others on your list.
You’re welcome!
Happy to help!
Yes, do!
I had a lot of fun writing it!
They’re all so great!
Oh those sound good. Thanks!
I can understand that.
And more I’m sure!
Such a great trope!
Good to know!
I’ve heard great things about it.
These ladies are fantastic writers so I’m sure you’ll enjoy more.
I read Narelles books and really liked it. I know it was fake but it was for a good reason and they didn’t really lie about it they just didn’t correct misinformation.
For me its a trope that is hit and miss. One I read frustrated me cos of the storyline. I understood why but it was then carried on leading to people getting hurt. I think where its for a valid reason it works well but when people are getting hurt then I don’t like it.
Its like being single living alone sometimes its better to make people think you are not alone. I had some suspect people ask oh so you live here alone. I will say no and sometimes no Henry lives here to. its not a lie Henry does (or did hes on holiday right now) live here but hes a cat. I also tend to say We are doing this or that and people say who is we. its from something we learnt in school for business studies you don’t let people who ring know you are alone you say we are etc. Because of that it is a habit I have used for so long I just tend to go we are going to do something to people who don’t need to know they think its more than one person and you get left alone. So sometimes a fake romance etc can just be a misunderstanding or for safety so that doesn’t worry me.
Its the ones as I mentioned where its intentional to hurt someone I struggle with.
Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot think of any others at this time. God bless you.
All of these books sound like great stories. I love the fake dating troupe.
Thank you. I have never read anything with the fake dating romance trope.
I’ve read several of your recommendations and have Narelle’s in my TBR pile. It looks good!
I totally understand that.
Blessings to you too!
So do I!
Hope you enjoy it!
Agreed! I can’t wait to read it.
One of favorite tropes!
I have The One Who Got Away on my TBR list. My hubby was a firefighter for many years & I still love reading about them. One of my favorite series with first responder is Staci Stallings Courage series ❤️