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🫶🏻

cute and a bit unrealistic but it kinda works. 4 stars. tysm for the arc. would potentially recommend to readers willing to ignore plot holes.

I’m going to do something that goes against all my training and begin this review with the negatives.

First, the plot of this Stein novel is quite thin. I don’t expect romance novels to be potty, but I like a sensible, thoughtful plot that moves forward. This was….not that. It was pretty flimsy. I also didn’t connect with Connie/Hazel much as a romantic heroine; she often felt more like a caracature and less of a real character. And, this is just a me-thing, but I really need character description and she felt more like a blank slate.

But now the good.

Henry Samuel Beckett has rewritten what my brain now expects from a romantic novel’s hero. Stein’s portrayal of him is so earnest, so soft, so pitch-perfect even in his flaws. He had me grinning like an idiot at my phone (that I was reading on, not just in general). He is both so amazingly tender and gentle but also so incredibly sexy. I honestly tried to read a different romance novel the next day (that had been widely acclaimed and blurbed with a “charming” cinnamon roll hero) and I honestly couldn’t read it because it could not compete.

Maybe in a few days I’ll get back into the swing of things and my entire brain won’t have been obliterated by Henry Samuel Beckett, but for now, I’m perfect fine with it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Charlotte Stein’s books are always just a little bit off normal-in a fun way- and filled with sarcasm! (Love the Marge & Stencil comment!!). It’s like you think you know whats happening even though the words say something different and then you’re shocked at the end when they go the way they do! A fun book!

I didn't really enjoy the last Charlotte Stein book I read but I thought I'd give her another shot because this one sounded fun but I actually enjoyed this even less. This writing feels like it's trying to be one of those steamy books that takes off on TikTok but it lacks any sort of heart to me. And I didn't even really care about the characters no matter how much I tried so I just found it incredibly difficult to care what was happening or where the plot was going. I think I'll be giving Stein a miss from here on out.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Griffin for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a charming and lighthearted romantic comedy that explores the complications of fake relationships turning into something more.
So funny and sweet! The characters are perfect, and the story was entertaining! Great for fans of fake dating / marriage trope!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Griffin for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever thought that good guys' are just a myth, hiding their true colors behind a polished image? Connie Evans sure did. She’s convinced that perfect, trustworthy men don’t exist—until she meets her neighbor, Henry Samuel Beckett, better known as Beck.

Beck is not your typical love interest. He’s a playful, bow-tie-wearing book editor who brings Connie homemade treats. Despite his sunny personality, Beck admits he’s clueless about romantic relationships. In fact, he’s so private about his love life (or lack thereof) that when his colleagues pressure him with questions, he panics and blurts out a lie—he tells them he’s married.

Of course, that little white lie spins out of control. When his coworkers plan a company retreat and expect to meet his 'wife,' Beck’s secret marriage is on the verge of being exposed. Enter Connie—a reluctant but good-hearted neighbor. She offers to step in and play the role of Mrs. Beck temporarily. What’s supposed to be a fake arrangement turns into something much more complicated when their close quarters start to blur the line between pretend and reality. As Connie gets to know the genuine, thoughtful man beneath Beck’s quirky exterior, she starts doubting her own no-good-guys theory. Could Beck actually be the real deal?

This story takes on a bunch of familiar rom-com favorites—like faking a relationship and forcing two people into confined spaces. Sure, the premise is a bit far-fetched, but that’s part of its charm. It’s not about realism; it’s about embracing the fun, sweet, and slightly ridiculous journey.

Now, let’s talk about Beck. He’s lovable, no doubt, but almost *too* perfect in some ways. His innocent backstory—how he’s made it into his thirties without ever having kissed anyone—might feel a little exaggerated for some readers. Then again, that might be exactly what makes him so endearing. He’s the guy you root for, even if he doesn’t seem entirely real.

If you’re hunting for a book that’s light, funny, and heartwarming, *My Big Fat Fake Marriage* is definitely the book for you.

So funny! The characters are sweet and the story was entertaining! Great for fans of fake dating / marriage trope!

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a charming and lighthearted romantic comedy that explores the complications of fake relationships turning into something more. Connie, a woman who's learned to distrust "nice guys," is thrown for a loop when she meets Henry "Beck" Samuel Beckett, a sweet, quirky editor with a penchant for bow ties. His confession that he’s been pretending to be married, leading Connie to become his fake wife, sets the stage for a fun and heartfelt story.

The chemistry between Connie and Beck is undeniable, with the tension between them building as they embark on a writing retreat where the line between their pretend relationship and real emotions blurs. Stein skillfully blends humor with romance, crafting a narrative that is both playful and emotionally resonant. Connie's internal struggles about falling for Beck, while battling her mistrust of "nice guys," make her character relatable and endearing.

What really makes My Big Fat Fake Marriage shine is its balance of wit and warmth, creating a story that feels light but never superficial. Readers who enjoy the fake-to-real romance trope will find this book an absolute delight, with its quirky characters, engaging banter, and slow-burning romance. It's a perfect read for anyone seeking a heartwarming, feel-good rom-com.

This again reminded me of Ted Lasso (specifically, Ted’s personality). This quite possibly one of the sexiest books I’ve ever read. I’ll read anything Stein writes at this point.

This was such a cute and fluffy romance! This book made me laugh and swoon! It had fake marriage, a cinnamon roll MMC and a curvy FMC in forced proximity! I ATE THIS TF UP

Thanks to netgalley, the publisher & author for the ARC. This was one of the funniest, best and most loving ROM -Coms. I’ve read. The spice is top tier, I loved the whole aspect & you have to read it yourself to experience the best forced proximity & fake wedding tropes.