A typical romantic comedy. A brief, fast read. You can imagine what happens when two people pretend to be in a relationship. All in all, I had a great time reading this.

A whirlwind fake dating/marriage story that delivers on spice but misses on any character development. I could see the framework the story was trying to establish, but it didn't deliver in the end. The FMC's internal narration overburdened the story progression, and we didn't get to know much of the MMC other than that he's not like the other guys she's encountered.

I did find the text formatting quite confusing for being able to understand the flow of dialogue and written conversations (text/email/notes). This was especially difficult when blended with the FMC's internal dialogue. I'm hopeful that this was only an issue in the ARC I received and that the final version makes these portions more clearly delineated.

In summary, this was a quick romp that I read in a single sitting, but I do not foresee it as something that'll stick with me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC for my early review.

oh my goodness, St Martin Press. Another home run, and a SPICY one. That scene in the hot tub <fans self> hooooo-wee!!
So sexplicit and hot.
I love Beck, and i love Hazel. Beck is written so well, he practically jumps off the page, and who knew I'd be interested in a giant furry bear of a man? Hazel is a wonderful conundrum, her facade slips pretty quickly, and she is all the better for it. All the characters are intriguing, There must be a previous book for Mabel, and i will need to go find it.
This book is like a lovely romcom on a Sunday afternoon, fun, exciting, sexy, and satisfying. There is even a bad guy!!

This was a fun read, very Ted Lasso inspired. Both Hazel and Beck were likeable and Beck was especially loveable. It was also fun to see Alfie and Mabel a few times. I think the only thing that I didn't like about this book is that at times Hazel's insistence about what Beck must want was annoying. It was like she kept judging him or painting him as a certain type of person rather than getting to know him. And while I know it's her way of projecting her insecurities, it was still tiresome to read at times. Also this book isn't dual POV, it's only Hazel's POV so that also might be why it was easier to get annoyed with her rather than Beck, because it's her train of thought.

I did not care for the writing in this one and did not get farther than a few chapters into it. It's a common trope and I usually quite like it, but the characters did not grab me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

Sadly, this book was not for me. I was not invested at all, and I found the plot to be not very believable.

Thanks to NetGallery for this Arc.

Typical cute rom-com book. Short quick read. Story of two people who fake a relationship and you can imagine what happens

I really wanted to love this book but in the end it turned out okay. This book saw super syrupy sweet. The tension between the main characters start out slow but builds up nicely. The writing was a little choppy and I found myself rereading some parts because it just did not flow well. The ending did help with the rating of the book. The beginning was slow and clunky.

My Big Fat Fake Marriage is a single POV fake relationship romance. Connie, an aspiring author, distrusts so-called “nice guys, " which extends to her always cheerful, bow-tie-wearing, pie-baking neighbor, Beck. But when she learns his secret, that a workplace bully has prompted him to lie about being married, she can’t help but go along with his ruse. It’s not like she’s going to catch real feelings, after all!

This was both the silliest and horniest book I’ve read in a while, it was absolutely delightfully fun. I knew I liked Charlotte Stein after When Grumpy Met Sunshine but this just cemented her as an “if she writes it, I need to read it” author!

Read dates: 02/05/2025 - 02/07/2025
Goodreads review: 02/07/2025
Instagram review: 02/08/2025
Blog review: 03/11/2025

Cute, Sweet (almost too sweet) and quick read. If you can ignore the unbelievability factor, this was cute with cute banter and a few steamy scenes.

Connie is suspicious of nice guys to the point of distraction for the reader. Her internal monologue is full of gaslighting herself into the worst and spiral after spiral. I can relate. lol I wanted to love the golden retriever MMC, but got a bit lost in his dialogue sounding like a 50's sitcom. His desire to show Connie respect and that she can be who she really is and he still adores her was top notch, though!

- Fake Marriage
- Close Proximity
- One Bed
- Slow burn
- "My Wife"

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a steamy romcom that will have you laughing throughout the book.

Hazel's neighbour, Beck is a 37 year old virgin and has been hiding from his coworkers and boss the fact that is isn't really married. When Hazel witnesses Beck's bully torturing him at a party, she announces that she is Beck's wife. As a result, she and Beck are forced to pose as a married couple at a retreat Beck has been organizing, and must share their cabin with the bully and his wife for two weeks.

What follows is a hilarious romp filled with dirty talk, and sexual tension, as Beck and Hazel pose as a couple, while trying not to take advantage of each other. Beck was a hero like no other I've ever read. His portrayal was completely unrealistic, but I still loved him. His combination of innocence and confidence despite his inexperience made for a fun read. Paired with Hazel's worldliness and cynical attitude, it made this pair an interesting match.

My biggest beef with this book was that shortly after 50% it started to feel repetitive to me, and I found myself easily distracted. It was still a fun read and I'm putting at least part of that feeling down to my mood at the time of reading.

If you're looking for realism, then this book may not be for you, but if you're looking for a hilarious time with a cinnamon roll hero who is too good to be true, then give this book a try.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love Charlotte Stein. This is my third book of hers and her writing is like reading a different, rambling language that takes a few chapters to get used to, but when you do, you can’t stop and you just want to keep going because the payoff is going to be amazing and bittersweet. It’s a style that takes getting used to, but it’s always worth it. Did I think I could love a virginal, mustachioed MMC that wears bow ties and says “jeepers” unironically. No. Did Charlotte Stein make me fall in love with said MMC. Yes. I don’t know how she did it.

I really really wanted to love this book because I loved Stein’s other book about Mabel. However, this book was not it for me. There was a ton of dialogue throughout the book to the point that there was no imagery or description of where they were actually at most times in the book. The book was quick witted I’ll give it that, but I quickly began to notice that the 2 main characters were very self conscious and self deprecating. They kept saying stuff like “I’m such a loser why would you want to be with me.” Over and over again until it got to a point of like I get it you hate yourself let’s move on. They obviously had a thing for each other and it was painfully obvious to anyone but them again because of the self deprecating factor. Mostly the book did not make sense or catch my attention and it was painful to finish. Also the tropes felt very very forced. I’m so sad I didn’t like this book but thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC.

I really wanted to like this book. it had the perfect plot but i felt like i was robbed. there weren't many moments of them faking being together or having any true interactions outside of morning kisses and hugs? It was hard to feel for this characters because they felt distant. the FMC was disconnected. the MMC was too dorky for me to believe she was falling for him. the moment things got intimate is when he finally felt like a real MMC but at the same time he seemed distance.

the writing was good and the smut was good. I just don't think the execution was there.

Thanks to @netgalley for my arc to review.this was cute but cringing at times.the mmc was a mess his character was meant very nerdy and the dialogue was at least for cringing.the fmc was an aspiring author.they end going to a writer retreat together pretending to be married couple. I unfortunately could not get into the story and I like fake relationships troupe at times.

LOVED it!!! It felt so different and refreshing. Beckett's character is surprising. He is a teddy bear that makes you go all mama bear. You want to protect him, and then you understand that he is so much more complex than that. That he got it. He is even able to see through all the walls Haze pulls up and helps her bloom. I found this story to be original and extra hot, too. Oh wow! It is deliciously extra spicy.

This book was absolutely wonderful. Beck was an amazing love interest and in the words of the author a "cinnamon roll" who should be protected at all costs. The chemistry between Hazel and Beck was fantastic, as was all of the yearning and build up. Hazel was a fun, engaging protagonist and I thought she had great character growth throughout the book. I also really enjoyed getting to see Mabel and Alfie again. Such a fun, steamy read!

3.5 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC! 💌

Okay, so this was CUTE, but also kinda ridiculous—and I mean that in both the best and most unhinged way possible. Fake marriage? Forced proximity? A nerdy, bowtie-wearing book editor who says things like oh fudge? Yep, we’re in rom-com land, baby! 🎩💕

Beck was the human embodiment of a golden retriever—so sweet it gave me cavities 😍. But I won’t lie, the fact that this man made it to his 30s without so much as a kiss?? Sir, HOW?? Connie, on the other hand, has been burned by love too many times to believe that someone like Beck is actually as good as he seems. Cue miscommunication, internal angst, and, of course, one bed. 💘

The writing style was a little much at times (Hazel/Connie’s inner monologue was like a spiral that never stopped spiraling), and the pacing was slow in places 💤. But the vibes? The vibes were fun. The banter? Solid. The spice? Surprisingly good for a book featuring a man who literally says fudge. 😏🔥

If you love:
📖 Fake marriage
🔥 Slow-burn tension
💖 Inexperienced but secretly confident MMC
✍️ A bookish setting
🍬 A romance sweeter than a sugar rush

…then you’ll enjoy this one! Just don’t think too hard about the plot logistics, and you’re set. ✨

4.75 ⭐

This was a good time! It has me laughing out loud. Connie is a Plus Size FMC that has been burned by too many "nice guys." So, when she meets her neighbor, Beck, she is waiting for him to show his true colors.

She quickly learns that he truly is a Cinnamon roll and feels protective over him. How does she do this? By becoming his fake wife of course.

If you love:
🩷 Plus size FMC
❤️ Cinnamon roll MMC
🩷 Fake dating/marriage
❤️ Teach me vibes
🩷 Force proximity

This is the book for you!

in this book we follow Hazel/Connie and Beck. they’re actual adults which i really enjoyed. it’s got fake dying/fake marriage, a one bed trope🤭, they’re both bookish people, he’s an editor and she’s a writer, and they’re neighbors in their apartment building, AND it’s set in the UK.

i really enjoyed seeing these actual adults as they’re in their 30’s, but something about the way they acted seemed a little childish to me. like they have these really important careers, goals, things of that nature, but parts of their romance just seemed like they were the actions of a teenager. maybe it’s because they both had rough upbringings whether it was with family or peers, so they never got to experience these things as teenagers, or maybe they just make each other feel young again. some times that really took me out of the story though.

with spice, when i tell you i could FEEL the tension, i truly mean it. them sharing the bed and the dreams had me 🤭🤭🤭🤭 i was definitely giggling at some parts and i was blushing at a lot of others.

all in all, i would recommend this, as i had a pretty good time while reading. i also am really looking forward to listening to this on audio when it comes out in march because i NEED to hear who voices Beck, i truly feel desperate🫶🏻