It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?
Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.
As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?
About The Author
My Review
This book is about fake dating that slowly turns into something real, blending sports romance energy with the tender ache of best friends realizing their feelings were never pretend. In this story, Bella North delivers a heartfelt contemporary romance set in the high-pressure world of professional football and public scrutiny.
The story shines through the deeply rooted connection between the hero and Serena. Their friendship gives the romance a strong emotional foundation, allowing the transition from playful banter to genuine vulnerability to feel natural and believable. The fake dating trope is handled with confidence, letting the tension build gradually without leaning on unnecessary drama. Instead, the emotional stakes grow through quiet moments, shared history, and the fear of risking a friendship that already means everything.
The pacing moves smoothly from lighthearted fun into deeper emotional territory, keeping the reader engaged while allowing the relationship to evolve organically. Although a little more exploration of commitment fears could have added extra depth, the story remains satisfying and emotionally resonant.
Warm, swoony, and comforting, this romance proves that sometimes the love you’re searching for has been beside you all along.
My Rating
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