A great quick read! I really enjoyed the writing and the fake date trope. I'll have to keep and eye out for Monica Murphy books in the future!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this complementary arc in exchange for an honest review.

I will give this book 3.5 stars but honestly when I started it I thought I would end up rating it a lot lower. While I did not connect with the main characters as much as I would have liked to, I still enjoyed this book. Fake dating is one of my most favourite tropes, which is why I was really excited to read this. However, in the first few chapters, the plot seemed to drift from the conventional fake dating storyline, which I wasn't. a huge fan of but I am glad that I continued reading. Once the fake dating plot actually started I enjoyed it a lot more. I felt the characters' personalities changed a bit when they started their fake relationship. While in the beginning of the book, Jared seemed like a flirtatious playboy, his character became a little more serious when they got together. At least I felt like I was reading about two different characters.

Overall, I did enjoy the book although I should definitely mention that this is very different than the typical fake dating trope and if that's what you are looking for, you might be a little disappointed like I was.

This is not your usual fake relationship trope. It doesn’t follow the usual storyline for that.It was different and fun!I did struggle with Jared’s character a lot and this is my main reason why this wasn't a five stars read!I has mixed feelings while I was reading it!

Audiobook Review

It was a light and fun book. Low on angst and steam, but definitely enjoyable. I loved the whole world she has created with these standalones.

The narrators were good, too. Definitely an. Enjoyable listen.

Fake Date is an "easy" romance. Everything is sewn with white thread and I was quickly annoyed when I was in Sarah's head. Indeed, she streamlines everything and it upset me to see her contradict herself and challenge the least thing that is yet evident for all to see. It establishes a set of "yes but no" that make me tired.

But I stood by the small scent of Christmas spices that emanated from the action. Sometimes, after an intense reading, it's good to unwind with a novel without headache and that's what Fake date was. It happened at the right time.

OMG!!!
This book is absolutely AMAZING!
I was super excited to receive this book and then kind of had a falling out with reading and switched to audio books for a bit. But this was the first book I read after my short break and I am so glad I did.
I love a book with both sides of view.
Sarah is easy to relate to and I love her strength. Jarad even though he comes off as a jerk is really a softy at heart.
I would most definitely read this book and others by this author again!

Fake Date is a cute, sweet fake girlfriend story. I really enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Working at Bliss Lingerie, Sarah Harrison deals with all sorts of—interesting clientele. Yet no one sparks her interest more than Jared Gaines, the ultra-rich, ultra-sexy businessman who frequents her shop, buying delicate little “gifts” for the women in his life. But one day, Jared sends her a gift from Bliss. Then another—and another. So when Sarah walks into his office demanding to know why he can't stop sending her gifts, he makes her an offer she somehow can’t refuse: be his fake girlfriend for the weekend while attending his brother’s engagement party. Next thing Sarah knows, she’s in San Francisco, pretending to be in love with Jared. Not that it’s a hardship. Once you get the man away from the office, he’s much more relaxed. Sweet. Funny. Even…thoughtful? Oh, and sexier than ever, of course. Their pretend relationship feels very real, very quickly. Soon Sarah’s in over her head. Could what she and Jared share turn into something real? Or is it all actually…fake?
This was an ok story. I really liked Sarah but I had issues with Jared, which soured the book a bit for me. I will probably still try more books from this author in the future.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Sarah Harrison works at a high-end lingerie shop named Bliss. Having to for the past four years after her parents were killed in an accident, she is raising her brother who has started college and sister who is in high school and giving her the fits, as any teen would. Like she does not have any more problems on her plate every so many weeks she must deal with Jared Gaines, rich and super sexy comes in buying what she believes is lingerie for the different mistresses he must have, for the number of times he comes to the store.
Jared Gaines billionaire has not dated anyone in over six months no woman has even slightly made him take notice of her to accept for Sarah and she does not even know that he comes in and buys lingerie from her so he can talk to her and just see her, for him she is beautiful.
One week he changes up and wants to come in again and wants her also, not having a good day from when she left the house she ends up telling him everything that she has been thinking. He smiles and says not the case. Then he asks for her to come to his office. Not wanting to get fired she brings some pieces with her not knowing that he had also been asking her colors she liked as well. Once there he asks her to be his date for his upcoming brother’s wedding weekend, not wanting to go alone because it would just cause him too much trouble. She agrees they have a wonderful time until it’s not the way he talks to his family is horrible, especially his sister and though there is turmoil at the end and how the book ends is not how real life goes. Because most real women wouldn’t be with a man like him not to be treated like he did to others, but this is just a book and for that is was good.

Fake Date is the second book in the Dating series by Monica Murphy. I did read the first book, however I found that each book can stand up fine on its own.

Working at Bliss Lingerie, Sarah Harrison deals with all sorts of—interesting clientele. Yet no one sparks her interest more than Jared Gaines, the ultra-rich, ultra-sexy businessman who frequents her shop, buying delicate little “gifts” for the women in his life. But one day, Jared sends her a gift from Bliss. Then another—and another. So when Sarah walks into his office demanding to know why he can't stop sending her gifts, he makes her an offer she somehow can’t refuse: be his fake girlfriend for the weekend while attending his brother’s engagement party. Next thing Sarah knows, she’s in San Francisco, pretending to be in love with Jared. Not that it’s a hardship. Once you get the man away from the office, he’s much more relaxed. Sweet. Funny. Even…thoughtful? Oh, and sexier than ever, of course. Their pretend relationship feels very real, very quickly. Soon Sarah’s in over her head. Could what she and Jared share turn into something real? Or is it all actually…fake?

Fake Date is a good enemy to friends style romance, with plenty of humor along the way. I liked the characters, and that Sarah was able to stand up for herself and no willing to be treated badly. I like that she called Jared out on his behavior, for the most part. I found the back story for both characters to be well done, and I really loved Sarah's support system. I wish I had a circle of friends as tight as hers. I will admit that I was a little irked that the story took the turn of a guy that needs to be fixed by a woman in love. However, Sarah stood up for herself and made it clear that Jared needed to change for himself before things got too heavy and did not stand for bad behavior and just stick around because of love. I found the actions, reactions, and conversations to be in line with the characters- and enjoyed watching them on the journey towards happy ever after. I really like that it was clear that life was not magically perfect because of love, rather communication and effort were part of the process. I would not have minded seeing more of them figuring things out, because I really enjoyed the characters and their interactions. I am looking forward to what comes next from Murphy.

Fake Date is an engaging read that had me reluctant to step away from the book to do things like sleep, and eager to get back to the story.

I thought Fake Date was a great 2nd book in this series. I have been a huge fan of Monica's writing since her first book and always look forward to her witty, cute couples!

Fake Date is a sexy romance with two main characters you can't help but root for! I can't wait for book 3.

I'm a sucker for a fake situation. Fake date, fake boyfriend/girlfriend, all of it. I was a little bummed that Fake Date wasn't everything I wanted it to be.

I really liked Sarah, and her friends and coworkers. A fun, awesome bunch of girls that I would love to hang out with. Sarah takes on some huge responsibility and I thought she handled everything the best she could.

I definitely had some struggles. First, Sarah works at Bliss, a lingerie shop, where she is the sole shopper for a guy with a bevy of girlfriends. Then Jared then decides to show an interest in Sarah by sending her lingerie that she picked out and that just kind of weirded me out. Jared wasn't the most endearing guy.

All in all Fake Date was just ok for me, I look forward to giving Monica Murphy another try in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request for an ARC of this book. The review below is entirely my own opinion.

I was drawn in by the blurb and the cute cover. But this just story didn't work for me. I found it dragging and I really struggled and pushed myself to finish it.

TBH, I didn't really like either MC but Jared, the H, I especially found to be a douche. I mean, I'm normally a fan of the grumpy, alpha H but he wasn't even that. He first comes off as a major creepy pervert and then, as if a switch is flicked on, he's all of a sudden a docile and sweet puppy. Nope, sorry. He's not the kind of book boyfriend that I love.

***ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR via NetGalley***

Sarah and Jared didn't work for me. There was something about their relationship that just never seemed to be realistic, and I never really felt engaged with the story. I think it was the way they met that worked in the blurb but when it became the actual story felt...odd.

Whatever the reason, this was my first title by this author so I am sure I will try her again, but this one didn't work for me.

This was a fun read for me. I really enjoyed it. I would have given one more star for a little more length to explore JG's development a bit more but otherwise I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon reading this.

Sarah works at a lingerie shop and has one very consistent and persistent customer that drives her up the wall. He's gorgeous, but Jared Gaines is not nearly as easy to deal with as he is to look at. Believing he's got an endless string of mistresses with his multiple times a month visits over the last 6 months, Sarah is peeved and floored when he starts sending her the lingerie he's buying from her. And then he convinces her to be his date to his brother-in-law's engagement party which he properly dreads.

What I loved about JG is that he was pretty forthcoming very early on in their fake date weekend that he genuinely liked Sarah. Although it was a fake relationship he was clear they were real feelings. Of course, there was other stuff he was less forthcoming with, but his openness about his actual feelings toward Sarah made this a refreshing contemporary romance. I love seeing how different authors can take the same trope and keep it fresh.

Fake Date by Monica Murphy is the second book of a romance series. If you haven't read the first book, you can still read other books in the series since the storyline and characters are different in each book.

This book in the series is about Sarah, who works at a lingerie store called Bliss, and her regular client Jared, who comes in once a month to buy lingerie. One day, Sarah receives a gift from Jared, and he makes her a offer to be his "fake" girlfriend for a party. Pretend soon becomes real.

I'm not really a big fan of romance books, because it always tends to be a huge cliche and the dialogues are super cheesy and cringe-worthy. This is exactly what this book is - cheesy and cringe-worthy. Typical handsome, rich, stone-faced guy catches the attention of a plain Jane. Guy acts like he is stoic and have no interest in girl whatsoever but he certainly takes notice. The girl is of course oblivious and has dirty thoughts about guy. Need I say more?

While an entertaining read for me once in a while, I steer away from this genre 90% of the time. If you're into this type of thing, I totally recommend the book though.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

3.5 Stars / 2.5 Steam Fans

Sadly this story was a meh, frustrating, and super slow burn story for me. Sarah works at a lingerie store that is super high end and taking care of her siblings after their parent’s death. Jared is a successful bachelor that has been frequenting the lingerie store and working with Sarah to buy lingerie. Jared needs a date for his brother's engagement party so he gets Sarah to "fake" date him. I was frustrated with Sarah's responsibility and status issues and Jared's "broken heart" issues got old really quick. This just did not go anywhere for me.

This specific video review will be included in the October 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out me YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

I am a sucker for the fake dating trope and this book really gave me that. I really loved these characters and the chapters really flew by!

Even though this was the second book in a series,(I didn’t know that before I started) I never felt lost. It was easy to follow along and Murphy’s writing was great. She had a way of writing that gets me lost in her words and her characters.

Speaking of characters, I have to say that I am living for the female friendship group that we get in this book! Loving!

I was rooting for these two as soon as we got to witness the banter between them. They were sarcastic and the chemistry was downright sinful. I haven’t been this invested in a couple in quite a while. Like seriously, I was craving for this relationship to become real.

Sarah was feisty and I loved it when she continuously called Jared on his behavior. While yes Jared was a jerk at times, he was willing to change. He was willing to become a better man because he knew that Sarah deserved better. I swoon over that than flirty words any day.

The next book is about Jared’s sister Candice and it sounds like an absolute hallmark movie. Saving that one until closer to Christmas will be so tough!

Sarah and Jared"s story is really interesting. it was funny because Jared is such a cold character, I mean he might be the biggest jerk ever and Sarah didn't know what to do with him but she was feisty and didn't let him behave like shit with her.

I loved their chemistry and the age gap was HOT! I thought there ll be a crazy ex gf because Jared had a past but there was none, rather everybody in this book were kind and friendly. I liked how sassy Sarah was and how Jared found her up to his mark because no one talked with him the way she did but still he called her a baby because she was 10 years younger than her. again. the age gap between them was everything!

This plot is really common to Me and I thought it didn't need 300 pages because many things didn't happen really in this book. it had like 4-5 main parts which were stretched out in descriptive words which took 300 pages to complete. it really didnt need so much information and I skipped some pages because the same thing was happening again and again, also i have read many books with a plot like this where the guy asks to be the girl to be his fake date and they fall in love.

This book focused on the unnecessary parts more than the necessary ones because there was no interaction or scene between Sarah"s siblings and Jared because her siblings are one of the main characters whom she dedicated her life to and we dont even get to see their characters after Sarah"s agrees to be Jared"s fake date. I wanted to see more of her sibling"s character rather than some extra words.


however, the fact that Jared confessed he liked Sarah and they started dating before the engagement, made this book a little different and I started gaining interest in it towards the end.

This was my first book by Monica Murphy, and it was a cute, fun read! I finished in about a day. If you're looking for a quick, lighthearted, heartwarming romance, this is perfect! Can't wait to read more by this author.