My Big Fat Fake Marriage was one of those books I had a really hard time putting down—it was just so delicious in all the right ways. The setup is classic fake marriage, but the execution? Total perfection.

Henry Samuel Beckett (or Beck) is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero—soft, swoony, emotionally available, and charming in that bow-tie-wearing, sunshine-on-a-cloudy-day kind of way. I adored him. And Connie? She’s quirky in the best, most relatable way. Her cynicism about “nice guys” made her journey with Beck all the more satisfying and believable. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s the emotional connection that truly shines.

This book has everything I want in a romance: heart, heat, humor, and a love story that makes you believe in the real thing. If you’re a fan of fake marriage tropes with cinnamon roll men and smart, lovable women, My Big Fat Fake Marriage is an absolute must-read.

Read if you like:
🍰 Fake Marriage
🍰 Cinnamon Roll Hero
🍰 Curvy Main Characters
🍰 Forced Proximity
🍰 Only One Bed

I wish I had remembered what I thought about this author's last book before I picked this one up, because I feel exactly the same about this one. This started as a cute, witty rom-com. I liked Connie, and I loved Henry's awkwardness. I can see how his G-rated dialogue could be perceived as cringy, but I thought it was endearing. The fake dating trope was fun, and I liked how Connie was so quick to stick up for Henry with his annoying colleague. However, about halfway through, that all went out the window. For about 8 chapters, the only thing Connie thought about was Henry's "member". Any relationship building ceased. I am not a prude by any means, but this was not even spicy; it was completely cringeworthy and such a turn-off. I almost didn't make it to the end to see how the relationship wrapped up. I do not think this author is for me. If you like spice with no substance, definitely check this one out.

Why why why did it take me so long to read this! It was excellent and wow 🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥. It’s a fake dating / forced proximity romance that packs a punch. I LOVE both the main characters and the way they went on individual journeys of self acceptance, together. Would absolutely recommend! Great beach read (or anytime read).

I really loved Beck, and that is was boosted this rating. I didn’t like the authors writing style; particularly the sentence structure. It was quite odd and distracting. I felt the way she worded her sentences were unnecessarily jambled. There were easier ways to say things and she just didn’t. Or unnecessarily repeating words in a sentence.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and quirky, and I loved the characters. I loved Hazel's internal dialogue, I thought she was so charming and relatable at the same time it really helped in connecting with her. The writing was really funny and the book was just such a fun time. I adored Beck, I loved his character. He was so charming and different from other characters I've read that it was really refreshing. This was just a lovely and enjoyable read.

I cannot even explain to you how sweet this book was. Beck is the cinnamon roll of all cinnamon rolls. I CANNOT. He's so sweet and majorly sexy. And I love love love Hazel and how relatable she is. And. I love the two of them together. The plus size rep was *chef's kiss* and I loved the fun tropes we got--fake marriage, one bed, forced proximity.

So far I've been very impressed with the Charlotte Stein books I've read and this one was no different!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

If you like a slow burn romance and a story about learning about intimacy together and what that means, this is the book for you. Beck (Henry) is so adorably naïve and wholesome and it just adds so much fun to the character development and the development of the relationship between him and Hazel.

Hazel is extremely apprehensive about others and the way that Beck pulls her out of that and they really learn to trust each other is just beautiful. Thank goodness for the Cinnamon Roll MMC to blow in and create a sense of coziness and belonging. I really wish we had been able to see more of this reflected in the parasocial relationship with the side characters in the book as well.

I really enjoy Charlotte Stein’s writing. This is the second book that I have read of hers and I definitely will be back for more because she just has a way of writing that is so cozy and enjoyable.

Phenomenal book! I really loved this book from start to finish! The characters were well written, the book was very well written. Loved it

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this ARC!
This is a book I was super excited about and was so anxious to read. Sadly I thought the book was just fine. The only thing I really liked about it was Henry. He was an adorable golden retriever boy and he has my whole heart. Over than that I was bored and had no interest in finishing the book but I decided to finish it anyway. I can see other's loving this book but for me it was not the one.

3.5⭐️ I listened to this one on audio and enjoyed the narration of the story. I really enjoyed the writer/editor aspect of the storyline. The writing retreat sounded like a lot of fun and the interactions between the two MCs at the retreat definitely built the tension and deepened the fake wife/marriage storyline.

This book definitely plays into some of the common romance tropes - teddy bear MC (achingly sweet - almost too sweet for me), fake marriage, one bed. Overall, I thought the storyline was good - the interactions between the MCs were engaging - I definitely felt like some of the dialogue was a little cringy and the MMC was almost too sweet for me, but overall an enjoyable and quick read.

Thank you to the publisher for the physical copy as well as the eARC. Of course, special shout out to the illustrator who is one of my all time favorites!!

Charlotte Stein never disappoints if you are looking for a fun, spicy romp between the pages.. I enjoyed the character development, humor and heart within these two main characters and found myself smiling throughout the first half of the story and fanning myself through the second half! A fun story for lovers of spice!

This book was an unexpected delight, and I absolutely adored it!

Featuring the biggest, spiciest cinnamon roll I have met to date. I love that this time the sunshine disposition is the guy, because Beck is so goofy and loveable.

Hazel (who goes by Connie, because she never felt like she was the type of person people would accept as "Hazel") has doubts about her neighbor. Yeah, her best friend Mabel works with him and says he's a great guy, and he drops off desserts at her door like clockwork. He's tall and big, with a big mustache, suspenders and a bowtie. He definitely has to be hiding something.

When an awkward encounter in the hall leads to him leaving a letter under her door, a conversation starts. And it becomes clear that Beck has a problem. He has a work bully who's constantly trying to make him seem incompetent and thinks he doesn't deserve the job he has. In the midst of negative comments that Beck takes on the chin, pleasantly joking to make himself seem even sillier, he made a mistake. He made up a wife. A wife that Doug has latched onto, and is constantly asking questions about.

As it becomes clear to Hazel that Beck might possibly be a genuinely nice human, Doug's comments start to burn. How dare he treat someone so cutely, effortlessly good that way? If Beck needs a wife, then he'll have one.

The plan? Convince Doug that Beck is married, but leave hints that the marriage isn't perfect, so later news of their divorce doesn't seem like a surprise. Except when they get to the writing retreat, Beck is constantly throwing her off. Making her food that she's mentioned offhand is her favorite, complimenting her and encouraging her to give writing a try in a way that gives her a confidence she's never known. She's always been told that she's too much, and she needs to tuck herself away to find a man. That she can't be snarky, or be into sci-fi books. That someone her size can't wear revealing or snug clothes, that she can't express her desires freely. And yeah, her mom is the one who's made most of these comments, and guys have only let her down in the past. So why is her fake husband somehow able to know exactly what she needs to hear?

I loved the inclusion of Mabel and Alfie from When Grumpy Met Sunshine, my first Charlotte Stein book, and again, I loved how heavily the dialogue between these two was featured. There were things going on in the background, but even then, they found their way to keep communicating. Their affection and how they got their was real and left no doubts. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for Stein's next book, because once again I didn't want this one to end!
!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC for this one. All opinions are my own!

💍 Book Review: My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein 💍

Fake marriage. Real feelings. 💘

Just your average rom-com chaos in My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein — and I was HERE FOR IT.

Connie Evans has always been wary of nice guys. But when she meets her cheerful neighbor, Henry Samuel Beckett (Beck), she can't help but be intrigued. When Beck confesses he's been telling everyone he's married to avoid office gossip, Connie impulsively steps in to play the role of his wife. Their charade leads them to a writing retreat, where shared accommodations and simmering tension blur the lines between fiction and reality. 📚❤️

Expect:
🛏️ One bed
💬 Banter for days
🫣 Awkward, sweet tension
💥 Off-the-charts chemistry
😂 Laugh-out-loud moments

If you love the “fake it till you feel it” trope with a quirky, heartfelt twist — this one’s calling your name. 💌

📚 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💬 “Maybe the fakest things feel the most real.”

#MyBigFatFakeMarriage #CharlotteStein #RomComReads #FakeMarriageTrope #Bookstagram #OneBedTrope #FunnyRomance #RomanticComedy #BookLover #CurrentlyReading #SpicyBooks #SlowBurnRomance

This was adorable! What a refreshing read in this romance genre. The hero was written so wholesomely and watching our heroine fall in love with him was believable and went at the perfect pace. It was a lovely story about two charming and lovely people who deserve the world. Bravo!

Connie’s neighbor is too good to be true, big and burly, with his thick black hair, lush mustache, bowtie, and she doesn’t trust a good thing. Samuel Henry Beckett can’t be this sweet and nice. It turns out he’s hiding a secret, he has told his coworkers about a wife he doesn’t have in reality. Connie agrees to be his pretend wife on the writing retreat he’s hosting. Can Connie keep herself and growing attraction between them under control as they spend close days and nights together, and Beck’s appeal only grows?

Stein has delivered a book that is both sweet, laugh-out-loud funny, and spicy. Connie is probably the horniest heroine I’ve ever read, and I loved it. Being in her head is like being in a tornado. Her thoughts jump around constantly, and they can be hard to keep track of, but it was a fun time. Beck is delicious, and irresistible, and I love to see a plus size hero in the spotlight. He is conveyed as utterly irresistible, and he definitely came off that way to me. And he was so sweet! I loved his kind, almost old-fashioned (but in a good way) demeanor. He bakes for her! Beck is an 11 out of 10, in my book.

This book is very spicy, but in an interesting way. Each erotic element helps to build the connection and ties to the emotional development of the characters as they explore their sexuality in relation to each other. I loved how attracted they were to each other, and how they found every aspect of each other appealing. A lot of it is about seduction, as the two seduce each other through their interactions and flirtations. As Beck is an editor and Connie is a writer, the letters and correspondence they exchange is sizzling hot. They do a lot of fooling around, and it’s very raunchy. However, when they fully do it for the first time, it’s so romantic. I felt very touched and I knew this was something real.

I admit I would prefer a dual perspective, because I would have loved to be in Beck’s head. Seeing him through Connie's eyes was great, but I would have appreciated the opportunity to experience how he perceives the world, Connie and othrwise. He was such a fascinating character, very unique, lovable and I feel like this would have brought the book up to a five star rating. Additionally, I would have liked more exploration of Connie’s insecurities where it came to her parents. Not much was said about it, but it clear shapes a lot of her behavior and choices. More time was spent on Connie’s bad relationship experiences in the past, but I think it would have been good to find the roots of why she was willing to accept so little from the bad boyfriends in her past. I appreciated the cameos of Connie's friends, who have their story in When Grumpy Met Sunshine. I still need to read that one, and I'm looking forward to it.

Connie and Beck together are magic, affecting each others' lives for the best. I loved how Connie also finds her writing inspiration and passion. And Beck is able to contront his bully.

This was a good book. I want to see more romances where both of the romantic partners are plus sized characters.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book. This was such a fun read. I read it on an overnight flight and I loved every bit of it. I thought that Hazel's apprehension and suspicion towards Beck and his good-mannered way was perfect. Beck truly does seem too good to be true and I guess in a sense he is. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover but in comparison to When Grumpy Met Sunshine I preferred the latter just the teensiest bit more. Charlotte Stein is a wonderful romance author who creates perfect men and perfect chemistry.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

OOOF. I'm sorry to say I hated this. I had to force myself to finish it. The writing needs major work and editing. Some sentences weren't even full sentences??? This entire story took place in a few conversations between the two main characters. For someone who doesn't seem to like men, the FMC sure talked about them a lot. And talking shit about men not being honest, when you can't be honest either? Girl. I don't get the appeal the MMC is supposed to have. "Golly gee willikers" really? This book had no depth, no huge meaning, no nothing. Big pass. OH AND THE FAKE NAME THING??? FOR WHAT????

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein! I'm obsessed with cliche romances and I'm so happy NetGalley provides :)
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'s!! I normally don't give half stars, but in this scenario I was really stuck between 4-5 star rating and couldn't decide on one, so halfsies is it
If you're in the mood for romance that's as sweet as it is steamy, My Big Fat Marriage by Charlotte Stein is an ABSOLUTE must-read! This rom-com delivers everything I wanted in my cliche romance from the witty banter to the slow-burn tension.

Quick Preview : Connie Evans, a cynical writer, has always been wary of "nice guys." So when she meets her overly cheerful neighbor, Beck, she's convinced he's hiding something. Turns out, Beck has fabricated a fake wife to appease a nosy coworker. When Connie inadvertently steps into the role of his spouse at a work event (what a coincidence), the two are forced to maintain the ruse during a writing retreat.
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What I Loved:
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● Beck: Imagine a cinnamon roll in human form. Beck's genuine kindness and vulnerability make him my favorite character in this book. His journey from socially anxious editor to confident lover is both heartwarming and swoon-worthy.
● Connie: Initially skeptical and guarded, Connie's character growth is beautifully portrayed. Her evolution from a distrustful cynic to someone willing to embrace love is both relatable and inspiring
●Chemistry: The fake marriage trope is executed *:･ﾟ flawlessly *:･ﾟ The forced proximity and one-bed scenario are literally my favorite. The slow-burn romance keeps readers eagerly turning pages!
●Humor: I love Stein's writing style and she definitely shows her wit. there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments amidst the romance.
●Emotional Depth: Beyond all the laughs and steam, the novel delves into themes of trust, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.
So why 4.5 and not 5 stars? While the focus on Connie and Beck's relationship is compelling, some secondary characters and the retreat setting could have been more fleshed out. Additionally, the resolution feels a bit swift, especially after the slow build-up.
Overall though! This was a fun read and if these tropes are up your alley I recommend picking this one up!

I started reading this book with high expectations, which quickly slid down with each page. As I read, I found myself bored and wanting to skip pages, hoping for it to improve but it did not. The author included way too much internal dialogue and the first half of the book drones on, without much plot moving the storyline forward. While the characters were somewhat charming, they were also boring and difficult to relate to. I'm not sure I would read another book by this author since this experience was so disappointing.

Couldn’t get into this book. I struggled staying interested and connecting with the characters. I loved the cover art for this book.