I have to admit that I'm a bit torn as to how to rate this book. I was expecting a lighthearted laugh-filled rom-com based on the title, cover, and marketing and this did not fit that mold (even the description didn't do it justice in describing how heavy some of the topics would be). Melissa Ferguson tackled some difficult themes in her debut novel; abandonment, addiction, fostering, infertility, singleness. And I would say she handled them quite well. The romance in this book took a back seat through the majority of the book though (I think the couple was at 3 and a tenth dates by the end if I remember correctly). I think what was supposed to be humorous wound up falling flat for me because of the heaviness of the topics being covered. While many will laugh at the antics of the twins, I felt at times it was over the top. Now, I'm not a mother to toddler twins and Ferguson is so I've no doubt she would know better than I do when it comes to how much mischief they can get into. I thought Ferguson could have delved deeper into the feelings of the MCs. When Cassie has her three foster children taken from her care, we don't really get to experience the loss through her feelings and the book even skips ahead a couple of months. I didn't feel that I really knew Cassie by the end of the book as a result. There was also one rather large unanswered question that wasn't explained in the end... which left me feeling a bit gypped with that storyline. Overall, I think this is a solid debut. It held my attention and kept me reading and tugged at my heartstrings (I can certainly understand why Ferguson decided to go into fostering). I will definitely be giving her next book a read (although I'm curious to see if it truly is a rom-com). I think if you go into this book without expecting a fun rom-com, you'll have an entirely different experience with the book.

3.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! I loved this story!!! I cannot believe that this is Melissa Ferguson’s debut! I am definitely going to be watching out for more of her books! I hope she’s a fast writer! This book was full of everything I love in a romance - humor, heart, wonderful main characters, great secondary characters, and, of course, a happily ever after with a few bumps along the way!

Jett and Cassie are both such wonderful and giving characters. There were some serious and sad parts to this story, which really brought out just how giving they both were. And the humor? I laughed out loud so many times while reading this story! Cassie’s sure way out of a date was so funny. And Jett and the toddlers at church was hilarious! I think I laughed nonstop that entire scene! My only one tiny issue with this story was that I wished Jett and Cassie had more page time together.

I’m really hoping we get Bree’s story next. But, if not, I’ll be reading whatever Melissa Ferguson writes next! Wonderful debut! 4.5 stars!

I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

This title was advertised in the Romance section of NetGalley which is why I chose the title. However, I would have categorized this as general Christian Fiction. Yes, there is a dating couple, Jett and Cassie, but this story centers more on each main characters interactions with young people, and how they each step up to take care of children that need help.

This is a light, clean, wholesome read, but I was expecting a romance novel.

What a surprise this book was! When I read the back cover copy I didn’t understand exactly how the conflict would play out. But when I realized this tackled the issue of foster care I was on board especially since I’m a foster parent. Not only is every line and analogy filled with humor, Melissa handles the realities of foster care with expertise and a side of humor. I definitely endorse this book as a foster parent. As a wannabe writer I endorse the fantastic writing and as a romance lover this is one of the best romances I’ve read this year!

Cute! This book totally reminded me of the movie Instant Family. The best parts were with Jett and the kids. As a mom who hasn’t been out of the toddler years for too long, I could soooo relate...and it makes me wonder just how much personal experience Melissa Ferguson pulled from her own kids. 😅

I really wanted to like this one more, but some of the scenarios seemed just a bit too farfetched for me. The characters were well developed and had some fun quirks that made it interesting to read. It was a cute story, one with a happy ending, of course, and a good summer read.

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson is her debut contemporary romance. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance because of the predictability and the unoriginal story ideas with a happily-ever-after ending. I like more action, and the characters running for their lives. But Ferguson's novel isn't your typical contemporary romance novel. It has a raw and realistic view of the foster care system thrown in with some budding romance. I really enjoyed how the novel was funny at times. I really liked the two old ladies in the novel. They were a great addition to the story. I loved when they made an appearance. The romance wasn't over the top and not the main idea of the story. Cassie and Jett had to figure out how to work the romance they wanted in around their hectic lives. I do wish that Jett would have shown how he learned to calm the twins down. They were never told no and had more junk food than anyone I know and wondered why they were jumping around, destroying everything. It doesn't take much parenting to realize this was the wrong way to handle things. Overall, The Dating Charade was a fun read with emphasis on foster parenting. I didn't mind spending the couple of hours with this novel. If you enjoy Becky Wade or Melissa Tagg, then you might enjoy this novel too.

I received a complimentary copy of The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

What a pleasant surprise! I don’t trust debut novels at all, I’m sorry for saying that but this one really was cute and just a perfect weekend read.

Thanks Thomas Nelson for providing this through NetGalley—politeness wasn’t forced on me by the author or publisher and any thoughts I will express will be entirely spontaneous and true! Yay!

The Dating Charade was a charming novel about patience, love, family and sacrifice. It’s realistic, humorous and light despite highlight harsh realities. There are twists and turns in this book even though its supposed to be a happy and light novel, which made me like it even more!!! ♥️

I’ll be looking out for you, Melissa!

Well..first it’s not really a romance book. It’s listed under the Romance category on NetGalley but it’s just a tad and very secondary.
Second..it’s a clean Christian romance. I have no issue but it wasn’t listed as that on NetGalley.
I just couldn’t connect with everything..so much happened in the book. It was just too much.
It’s sweet and inspirational, I suppose.
Just not my cup of tea.
**ARC provided by NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I should start by saying that this wasn’t as romantic as I was hoping it would be. It was filed under “romance” in both NetGalley and Goodreads and the romance was secondary to everything else. I know that Cassie and Jett have a lot to overcome to be together, but their romance wasn’t really what carried the story.

However, all that aside, I didn’t enjoy the book. And not just because of how sweet and soft it was, but because it felt like everything was happening and being crammed into a story as fast as possible. Meeting Cassie and Jett felt so rushed and it took me a long time to really understand what Jett did for a living - paramedic or firefighter? I love contemporary romances, as much as anybody else, but I didn’t expect it to be lacking even curse words. Maybe I misunderstood what I was requesting when I saw the title on NetGalley.

I definitely liked watching Cassie and Jett go through the motions of becoming parents on their own and the struggle was definitely what captivated me most about the book. I don’t know if I would ever recommend the book to anyone else, but there were bits that were really cute and bits that were funny, but for the most part, it was lacking the romance element. And I don’t even mean kissing and smut, I just mean the chemistry wasn’t there.

Whoever came up with the old cliche, 'never judge a book by it's cover' was CLEARLY talking about The Dating Charade. Looking at the fun cover image and even reading the back cover copy, I expected nothing more from this book than a light-hearted romantic comedy. While it certainly had that too, it was so much more than I expected...and I absolutely loved it.



The story drew me in laughing from the start as we meet Cassie and her fail proof date escape plan. I couldn't help but suppress the laughs. THIS was just what I had anticipated this story would be. Fun. But while the humor carries on throughout the story to the final pages, it also goes onto tackle some pretty weighty topics in the midst of that. Topics like the foster care system and addiction. Not topics you'd think to talk about in a romantic comedy, is it? Still, the author blended the humor so beautifully with these deeper issues to create a heartwarming story that I could not get enough of. You'll be laughing at those humorous scenarios... but you'll want to have a box of tissues ready too.

While this is a Christian romance, I could see it appealing to a wider audience as well. There are certainly elements of faith found throughout the story, but there is not a preachy tone in the slightest. The characters attend church, they talk about praying, etc so it really just falls very naturally into the characters lives, reading more like a clean women's fiction or contemporary romance with characters who happen to be Christians/believers.



This book was so well done that I was quite shocked to discover that it was Melissa Ferguson's debut novel.What a debut! I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Cassie knows how to bolt because with dating or worse off online dating the person you meet may be totally different from what they displayed on their profile.
I loved Cassie's friend, Bree, and how she took the reins in pushing Cassie to give in to the possibility of commitment and love. Then there's Jett, he's kind, respectful and a hardworking firefighter but single-so single that the elderly ladies wouldn't mind being young just to date him. It's a great warm read.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Filled with romance and humor. Very heartwarming. A light fluffy read.

Cassie is in her mid thirties. She so kind. But she thinks she will never find true love. So she instead starts online dating.

Jett is a firefighter. He’s had a crush on Cassie in high school. He answers her on dating app.

Fate has a way and turns these two in foster parents. Will they find love? Or is it to never be?

A first time reader of Melissa Ferguson and it was a great read. I laughed so much my mom probably thought I was going crazy .

*Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

It was a great, entertaining book. My only disappointment was that there wasn't a lot of romance, it was more about their individual family situation. Not a bad thing, it just didn't meet the expectation I'd set. Overall, it was fun and had a lot of humor and great characters.

Cassie and Jett meet through a dating app. Just when she is thinking she has met someone she will give a chance too, they both end up with big changes in their lives. The problem is that they don't talk to each other about this, so is it over before it even began?

A great read.

Thank you #netgalley and publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I have barely put a dent in my contemporary romance TBR stacks the last few months due to focusing on thrillers. I am so glad I switched gears to read the Dating Charade!

Cassie and Jett have become my two favorite people! A story of how two single individuals each becomes a foster parent and learning the ropes of how to juggle life, kids, and love.

I think one of the reason I enjoyed this novel so much was because it's not just romance. Melissa Ferguson brilliantly ties in infertility and the ups and down of life and fostering. This novel will have you laughing out loud, shed a few tears, and feel the love of all the characters!

Thanks heaps to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not what I was expecting at all, I thought I was in for a light hearted romcom but this book was so much more. While still having funny moments it delved into Forster care definitely pulling on my heartstrings many times.
I was a big fan of Cassie and Jett as individual characters however I wasn't really feeling their chemistry/love story, They really didn't spend much time together at all in this book. I did however love the friendships Cassie had with Bree and Jett with Sunny and the sweet moments they had with the kids.
This book is a sweet summer read that will make you laugh one minute and be close to tears the next!

The Dating Charade is a cute and fun read where the characters are so endearing. Cassie is a strong character with a heart of gold who is unlucky in love until firefighter Jett comes into her life. I love how realistic Cassie is about love and doesn’t just jump in at the first sign a guy shows interest. She makes him work for it. I loved the twist of the addition of the children for both parties. My favorite characters that steal the book are the two old ladies, Donna Jean and Edie who insert themselves into Cassie and Jett’s love story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this. I really enjoyed this story and have recommended to a few friends. It was a quick read and very enjoyable!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been following Melissa's excitement over this book for months, so naturally, as soon as I saw it available for review on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity to request it.

The author, Melissa Ferguson, has done a remarkable job of taking what should be a light and fluffy romance story, but entwining it with deep and meaningful life issues. After their first date, Cassie and Jett are both ready to put their all into making their relationship long lasting. However, they are both confronted with obstacles that does not allow for this to be as easy as they imagined.

This book not only deals with romance - or dating as the title suggest - but deals with the heartbreaking realities of "the social services system" and the effects that addiction has on the rest of the family.

The Dating Charade is a beautifully written, captivating, sweet page-turner that warms the heart until the very last word.

I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Melissa Ferguson.