This was just the sweetest story. A quick read with some ridiculous situations and a very happy ending. Hazel is basically a walking storm cloud when it comes to relationships and Beck is an absolute ray of sunshine. They are thrown into a fake marriage and all that comes with it. Full of sizzling chemistry, outrageous mishaps, and unexpected tenderness, this book is the perfect blend of sexy and sweet. Stein delivers a heroine who’s messy and lovable, a fake husband who’s anything but forgettable, and a plot that’s both ridiculous and heartwarming in the best way. If you love steamy romcoms with depth, banter, and emotional payoff—this one’s a must-read.

I loved the first book in this series, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read this second book. Readers do not necessarily need to start at the beginning: all you need to know is that this series is inspired by Ted Lasso and the first book featured a grumpy footballer modeled after Roy Kent. This book features a Ted Lasso-inspired hero, but Beck works in publishing because a football coach would be a little too on the nose. Beck is, however, an American. We have to stay consistent to the bit, don’t we?

Hazel (tbh I don’t remember why Connie likes being called Hazel) and Beck are an interesting pairing. There’s definitely an opposites attract vibe going, but they are more alike than they appear. They’re both awkward, but in different ways. Hazel is not very happy with her career and she always ends up dating dirtbags, but she’s very confident in herself. Conversely, Beck is successful professionally, but he’s a total mess socially– which is probably why he invented a wife. Bottom line is that much like Tolstoy’s unhappy families, they are both awkward in their own unique ways.

Both protagonists are also quite endearing, so it’s nice to see these two awkward people get their happily ever after. I love a geeky hero, so Beck was just about perfect. He didn’t have very much romantic experience, but he’s read a lot of books, and wow, was he taking notes.

I would absolutely recommend My Big Fat Fake Marriage. Like I said, you can read this book before the first book the series, but you really ought to read both, especially if you are a Ted Lasso fan. I am hoping that there are going to be more entries in the future because I am HOOKED.



I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was just the sweetest story. A quick read with some ridiculous situations and a very happy ending. Hazel is basically a walking storm cloud when it comes to relationships and Beck is an absolute ray of sunshine. They are thrown into a fake marriage and all that comes with it.

A great book for anyone looking for a love story without the angst.

I liked how this book started and the interactions between the characters. But then it dragged for a bit and then got smutty very fast. I thought there wasn't enough about how they had to fake the marriage or their interactions with other people. There just wasn't a lot to it but also too much of what she was thinking. I did enjoy the ending.

I have read a few of Charlotte Stein's other books and this did not disappoint. Here characters were fun and easy to love. Her side characters were easy to get behind (or hate depending). There was a lot of growth from both of the main characters and it was fun to see their transformation. I loved how they were able to be so open and themselves with each other. That is what a good relationship should be! The simply lack of communication at times was hard but I get the trauma the characters are coming into the situation with. Can't wait to see what she brings us next!

I foolishly wasn't expecting this book to be THAT hot and heavy, but woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyy was I pleasantly surprised ;)

I'm hoping there is a sequel/continuation of Beck & Connie's story, because DEAR LORD BABY JESUS, I need them 24/7. His ooey gooey sweetness and the banter between them, 10/10. Chef's kiss.

Review:
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a deliciously chaotic, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that brings the fake dating trope to new, hilarious heights. Full of sizzling chemistry, outrageous mishaps, and unexpected tenderness, this book is the perfect blend of sexy and sweet. Stein delivers a heroine who’s messy and lovable, a fake husband who’s anything but forgettable, and a plot that’s both ridiculous and heartwarming in the best way. If you love steamy romcoms with depth, banter, and emotional payoff—this one’s a must-read.

This is the first time I am able to put this thought in writing. OK, readers, go to your locked drawer and remove all of your "how to" have great sex manuals and through them in the trash. This book is the only resource tool book you will even need from now on. (You may wish to hold onto your Kama Sutra or Tantric sex textbook, but the rest can go.} This is an endearing story of two apartment neighbors who fail at ignoring each other. They try being "just friends" but that fails too. Each is afraid of being hurt again, afraid to care too much again, afraid this time will just be just sex and no love. When they give in to the lust, there is already a mutual understanding and admiration. Nothing like a happy ending for a 5-star review. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this novel.

I love nothing more than a large dorky man who wants to be a husband more than anything else in the world. I am pretty well obsessed with Henry Samuel Beckett! I thought this book had a great blend of plot and smutty elements.

This book was a DNF for me around 40% in. I could not relate to the characters. I cringed at times. Great writing- just not my cup of tea.

This is another case of “Don’t let that cute cover fool you!”
This book was so spicy and so hot that I devoured it. I ate it up!

Besides the spice I just really enjoyed the story. I love reading a book featuring a plus size FMC. The chemistry was off the charts and I loved it.

This was a first time read for me by this author and what a charming story. What starts as a classic “fake relationship” setup quickly turns into something far more heartfelt and swoony in this utterly charming rom-com. I also listened to this as an audiobook and very much enjoyed that as well. The story delivers warmth, wit, and just the right dose of emotional vulnerability.

Connie is delightfully cynical—a woman who’s learned to brace for the worst, especially when it comes to “nice guys.” Enter Beck: bow tie-wearing, sunshine-dispensing, absolutely-too-good-to-be-true Beck. But underneath the cheery façade lies a man who’s never been in a relationship and just lied to his entire workplace about being married.

The fake marriage trope has been done many times, but this one stands out thanks to sharp dialogue, believable chemistry, and an undercurrent of sincerity that makes you root for both characters from the start.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Once again Charlotte Stein created a cozy little romance bubble that was the perfect escape to dive into for a day or two. I was so happy to join Connie (Hazel) and revisit Mabel and Alfie from When Grumpy Met Sunshine. In this story, we follow Hazel who has spent her whole life not trusting men and feeling like she isn’t deserving of nice things, enter Beck - the most Ted Lasso, kind hearted, nervous hunk of a man who conveniently lives across the hall from her.

When she finds out that he has gotten himself into a pickle as Beck would say and told his work rival that he had a wife Hazel volunteers to play the role of said fake wife. From there chaos, messy feelings and a lot of spice ensue.

I really loved this book and had such a fun time while reading it. One of my only gripes was how hard Hazel was on herself, I just wanted to shake her and tell her you deserve nice things too girl! Thankfully her friends take care of that for me.

Overall I loved this story, this book and these characters and I’m excited to see what else Charlotte releases next!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author Charlotte Stein and the publisher St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:

Connie has always distrusted nice guys until she meets Henry Samuel Beckett—editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he’s real. He’s been single all his life, but in a moment of panic, he’s told everyone at his publishing house that he’s married. Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can’t help defending him, and ends up his fake wife. When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can’t help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds…Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all.

Review:

This book was the CUTEST. I love a fat FMC and it was refreshing to have a bigger MMC as well. Henry was theeee nicest guy - think a sexy lumberjack version of Ned Flanders and their chemistry was *fire*. It was also a refreshing to change to have an inexperienced man with an experienced woman. All the most fun tropes - fake marriage, one bed and I don’t know if this is a trope, but the nice guy wins, yay!! Such a fun and easy read, perfect for the summer!

Wow! Just wow. I can see why people were so excited when the news was announced that this author was coming out with a new book cause it did not miss any of the targets it aimed for. I loved Beck as a hero. He gave off himbo vibes while still showcasing high levels of various types of intelligence. I love the encouragement he gave Hazel even before they entered into the fake relationship and how genuinely happy he was for her whenever she accomplished something she thought she couldn't.

And the spice...I've written before about how one should not judge the spicy content of a book by a cutesy illustrated cover but man...I was not prepared for the level of steam that would be contained between these covers. I had to stop more than a few times to get a clear head.

But that wasn't the only thing about this book. It was like a warm hug and I'm mad at myself for taking so long to read it. Would highly recommend.

2.75 stars, rounded up.
I am a fan of a very specific type of romance, and I am honesty not sure that I like the fake dating (or in this case, marriage) trope. This book is a great pallet cleanser after reading a bunch of horror and thriller novels, however this was not for me.

Absolutely devoured this book! The author did an amazing job and I’ve been recommending it ever since I read it! Loved the characters.

I enjoyed this fake marriage story, it’s one of my favorite tropes when it’s done well, and it’s done very well here. I liked both main characters, they fit together well and when their romance turns real it’s totally believable.
4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Honestly, I wanted to love it. It's a fake marriage trope, with one bed? Add in the plus-sized girlie rep and I should have been sold! I was sold! But I felt like I was reading Ned Flanders try to seduce a distrustful writer. I can get behind the distrustful writer, that's not problem. It's all the things Ned there said. I drudged along but it was a lot and I probably should have stopped while I was ahead.

It's a shame because I absolutely adore Charlotte Stein. Iv'e read a couple other books of hers and they were a delight to read but this one was a touch too far for me.

This was so cute and sweet, definitely an easy summer read. I had so much fun reading these two realise that they were always meant to be together