Some day a book is going to be written featuring a Ted Lasso-coded MMC that makes him as attractive as he is on the show but today is not that day and My Big Fat Fake Marriage is not that book. Stein does spice SO WELL but everything about this feel short for me.

*My Big Fat Fake Marriage* is the perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy moments! Connie (Hazel) and Beck’s chemistry is irresistible, with witty/nerdy banter that will keep you turning pages. Beck is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero—kind, cheery, and utterly lovable—while Connie’s relatable skepticism adds the perfect counterbalance.

The fake marriage trope is handled with charm, and as the sparks fly during their shared retreat, you’ll find yourself rooting for these two to turn their staged love into the real deal.

Charlotte Stein’s "My Big Fat Fake Marriage" is a rollicking romantic comedy that delivers both humor and heart in equal measure. With its endearing characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a plot that keeps readers engaged from start to finish, this novel is a perfect escape into the world of love and misadventure.

The story centers around Julia Hart, a feisty and independent woman who finds herself in a bit of a pickle. When her ex-boyfriend gets engaged to her younger sister, Julia concocts a plan to save face and avoid the pity of her well-meaning but overbearing family. Enter the charming and roguishly handsome Owen, who agrees to pose as her fiancé for the duration of the wedding festivities. What starts as a harmless ruse quickly spirals into a series of hilarious and heartfelt escapades that challenge both Julia and Owen in unexpected ways.

Stein excels at creating relatable and lovable characters. Julia is a strong and sassy protagonist with a sharp wit and a penchant for getting herself into awkward situations. Her insecurities and vulnerabilities are portrayed with authenticity, making her a character that readers can easily root for. Owen, on the other hand, is the quintessential romantic hero with a twist. His easygoing nature and hidden depths make him a perfect match for Julia, and their chemistry is palpable from the moment they meet.

The supporting characters in "My Big Fat Fake Marriage" add richness and depth to the story. From Julia’s quirky best friend who is always ready with a snarky comment to her meddling yet well-meaning family members, each character contributes to the novel’s vibrant and engaging atmosphere. Stein’s ability to create a lively cast of characters that feel like real people is one of the novel’s standout features.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of "My Big Fat Fake Marriage" is its humor. Stein has a knack for witty dialogue and comedic timing, making the interactions between characters feel fresh and entertaining. The situations that Julia and Owen find themselves in are often hilariously over-the-top, yet they are grounded in the reality of their emotional journeys. The balance between comedy and heartfelt moments is expertly handled, ensuring that the novel remains engaging and emotionally resonant.

The fake relationship trope is given new life in Stein’s capable hands. While the premise is a familiar one in the romance genre, Stein’s unique voice and clever storytelling make it feel fresh and exciting. The progression of Julia and Owen’s relationship is handled with care, allowing their feelings to develop naturally over the course of the novel. Their journey from fake engagement to real love is both satisfying and heartwarming, making for a deeply enjoyable read.

Stein’s writing style is engaging and accessible. Her prose is crisp and evocative, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with a perfect balance of fast-paced action and quieter, introspective moments. The dialogue is sharp and reflective of the characters’ personalities, adding authenticity to their interactions.

"My Big Fat Fake Marriage" also explores themes of self-discovery and the importance of being true to oneself. Julia’s journey is not just about finding love, but also about finding herself and embracing her true desires and aspirations. The novel’s exploration of these themes is both uplifting and thought-provoking, adding depth to the romantic comedy format.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a little different from what I usually read. I loved reading about each character, not just what they were saying but what they were feeling. Hazel and Beck came together in an unconventional way and the unexpected sparks were not only on fire, in a make you feel it too, it was satisfying in more than one way. I never rooted for a romance so much in a book. I loved everything about this book that had me constantly laughing too. Book provided by NetGalley.

Nice guys are liars and manipulators in Connie's experience, and she has been waiting for the other shoe to drop about her massive, baker, mustachioed, American neighbor, Beck. Obviously, what man wears bow ties and says "might sorry" and "holy moly" if they're not a serial killer???

When Connie is sure she's discovered his murder board, she learns he lied to a colleague (who's out for his job) that he had a wife in a moment of panic. And when Connie meets this jackwad, before she can think it through, she defends Beck and says she's his wife!

Now, they need to spend two weeks sharing a bed at a writing retreat, pretending to be married, and learning they're more similar than they thought.

Starting with how quickly she feels safe to show her true self, and share her given name (Hazel), with Beck, to the yearning and passion between them, the story built steadily and had me hooked! I couldn't put this down as the characters kept pulling me back in. Despite the premise, there was low-drama and a focus on Hazel's growth.

Hazel's inner struggle as she tries to unlearn what she was taught about the world, and feels uncomfortable accepting a future full of the same shit, was growth I enjoyed seeing. She was yearning to break free from the shell she wore, and seeing how Beck's natural acceptance and care was lovely.

You get protective and jealous and acceptance and lots of spicy scenes with such emotion - it was such an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Read for: fake marriage, forced proximity, one-person POV (FMC), plus-size rep, England setting, virgin MMC, opposites attract (they think so), "opens up hiding behind half-truths and sarcasm"

*I do wish we got Beck's POV at least once, maybe a bonus epilogue because you know he's besotted/feral/head-over-heals for her and I want to see it firsthand!*

4.5 stars
3 spice

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was overall a good book. I enjoy these rom com books with the happy endings. They're usually a good quick read for me and a palate cleanser in between more serious and heavy books. I loved the main male character Beck. The main female character Hazel/Connie was ok. Normally I'd give this book 4 stars but it's getting 3 because the characters knew they communicated better with writing and yet it still took them almost the entire book to realize that they wanted each other forever.

I rated My Big Fat Fake Marriage 4.5 stars and rounded up to 5.

If you want to read a spicy book about a cynical plus size woman that lies about being married to a cinnamon roll (that is a cross between Ned Flanders and Kenneth from 30 Rock) and have to spend a writing workshop sharing the same bed/cabin, this book is for you! I laughed throughout it and the spicy scenes were very, very spicy. It was cute and wholesome and wonderful. I didnt realize there was a previous book, but now that is on my TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read.
✨️Grumpy x sunshine
✨️Fake marriage
✨️Forced proximity
This was my first book by Charlotte Stein. It took me a bit to get used to her writing. It wasn't bad, just different. I loved these characters. They were a bit awkward but also endearing. Connie and Beck were adorable. It was lovely to see these characters represented and not your standard people with perfect bodies and looks to match.
I don't want to give too much away but if enjoy the tropes, please read. This was a great reprieve from the same old, same old standard rom-coms.

I'd like to thank St.Martins Pres and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.


Expected publication March 11,2025.

3.5 stars 🌟

🤍 Her POV
🩷 Neighbors to Lovers
🤍 Fake Marriage
🩷 Close Promixty
🤍 One Bed
🩷 Cabin Vibes
🤍 Cinnamon Roll MMC
🩷 Slow Burn
🤍 Writing Retreat ✍️

This was such a fun and sweet read about Hazel and Beck's love story. How their fake marriage turn into something real between them.
Hazel was suspicious of nice guys since her experiences were not so great. When her neighbor is a nice guy who gives her pies and other dessert goodies. She didn't believe he was actually a nice guy. Hazel met the most green flag man in the world! 💚💚

Hazel is helping Beck out by pretending to be his wife for the writing retreat.They are going to have to share a bed together. How fun! It seemed like Hazel's switch was flipped way on when it came to Beck in nature settings, honestly.

Beck was a true gentleman to Hazel that it surprised me he could be a dirty talker. Beck was so polite and innocent that it made Hazel feral. It saddens me when Beck doesn't believe that Hazel would be interested in him. I was rooting for them to end up together 🩷
Definitely slow burn 🔥

Cute and spicy- but a little bit on the boring side. I dragged through this and wasn't sure I was going to finish. Not the best by Stein.

Oh, this one was a <i>delight</i> — charming, sweet, and a surprising amount of spice to boot. I can definitely see the Ted Lasso inspirations here but there's also enough done to make these characters feel wholly their own and bold in ways that show could never, TBH. The only thing I would've liked to see more of was Hazel and Beck's relationship after the retreat, after they ultimately decided to be together, and before the transition into full-on marriage for real, as that part of the book felt a little too neatly resolved. But it's a minor quibble in the overall scheme of things, which is to say I gobbled this book up in basically a day with no regrets about having done so.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A solid 4 stars! This book was funny, and cute, I loved the main characters. It did start to get a bit repetitive with certain phrases or in the doubting romance moments, but it was not bothersome enough to change my rating!

Connie thinks she knows herself and men so well, but when suspicion of her neighbor creeps in, she has to confront him but I don’t think she’s ready for what’s gonna happen next!

Beck is a burly dork who works as an editor, but his coworker is a bully and he can’t stick up for himself. But Connie will!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of My Big Fat Fake Marriage!

this book was such a cute and fluffy romance!! it had a few moments or phrases here and there that didnt exactly hit for me, but i had fun nonetheless! i loved their little notes back and forth and just seeing how well they complimented each other with their similar interests was really heartwarming.

also i just wanna know where i can find my own beck? like is that too much to ask for here? 😅😭

thank you so much netgalley and st martin’s press/ st martins griffin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Honestly starting this read had me questioning if i would finish; the characters were pretty quirky from the jump and the writing took some getting used to but by the end I was jumping for joy for the HEA. I loved this version of almost grumpy x sunshine; MMC is so sweet, kinda dorky and awkward while the FMC is cold, broken from her past and hard on the outside (hiding the most tender heart beneath it all). These two had the chemistry, the spic was unexpected but alluring and overall was a beautiful story that was so unique and original.

Oof. This book.

Look, I wanted to like it, tried so hard to like it, but it was a mess from start to finish. I made my first negative note on page one but kept reading. I have, after all, enjoyed this author before (four stars for When Grumpy Met Sunshine!), and I trusted that my perseverance would be rewarded.

It was not.

So, back to that page one note—Hazel recaps a date with “the last decent-seeming guy” she went out with, but nothing she describes indicates decency, and we are never given a reason why she even agreed to the date. Nor is there any indication that that man, or any other man she mentions throughout the novel, baited-and-switched her. Not once do we see “fakers who use the idea of being nice as some kind of currency” luring her in with a Nice Guy routine. It’s more that her default is something like, ‘Welp, I guess all guys are asshats, so I must date asshats.’

And maybe this rough start would’ve faded from my memory if Hazel’s backstory were more fully developed, but it isn’t. We’re given a smidgen of parental toxicity, but it’s too sparse and superficial to justify her behaviors and decisions—including her decision to rename and then un-rename herself, a gimmick the book didn’t need.

Then there’s Beck. Let me be clear: he is a caricature, not a character.

I’m going to limit myself to the costume choices made on behalf of this over-the-top cinnamon-roll MMC (which means I’m not even going to get into the whole Ned Flanders/Ted Lasso speech-pattern thing, except to say that it was such a lazy way illustrate his naiveté). But Beck’s bow ties, suspenders, and long johns—followed by his complete style change for the writing retreat? It doesn’t make sense, and it certainly doesn’t help flesh out a believable character. Think about it for a minute—a big deal is made about Beck wearing long johns, “the kind that connect with a top.” They get four mentions early in the book. Seems important, right? Like maybe the long johns, or his preference for them over underwear, illustrate an aspect of Beck’s inner world. Except that they are never mentioned again. Instead, we see him don “really, really tiny shorts,” “seventies shorts,” to lead the retreat. Um, really? I get that I’m overthinking this, but let’s face it—there is no world in which it’s cold enough to merit long johns one day and warm enough to casually switch to too-short shorts and a thin t-shirt days later. It doesn’t make sense for character development or for how humans actually live in the world.

Another thing that doesn’t make sense is that nobody ever asks about Hazel’s non-American accent. I mean, Beck is American, and he tells people that his “wife” isn’t with him because she’s “stuck in the US.” Seems like maybe she’s American, too, right? But when Hazel, a native Englander, impulsively introduces herself as Beck’s suddenly-in-London wife, nobody questions it? Are you kidding me?

The last thing I’m going to mention is the banter. It isn’t good. It pains me to say this since it’s one of the things I loved in When Grumpy Met Sunshine, but it too often feels forced and pointless in this book. I had to scan backward several times even to make sense of some of the back-and-forth between Hazel and Beck. Imagine my disappointment when I put in that effort only to find that they didn’t really say anything.

My Big Fat Fake Marriage could have been good. It could have been a light and witty rom-com that nevertheless managed to say something incisive about virginity and self-worth. But it isn't, and it didn't.

This book was funny. I definitely enjoyed reading it. The characters were amazing and the story line was great. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it. And it's definitely 5 stars

2.8/5 Rounded up
I love the fake dating trope so this premise caught my attention, specially since the MMC was described as being a nice guy too. Lately all the male characters in romance are very macho or possessive so this was a nice change. The story has its sweet moments but the characterizations were a bit much. Nothing wrong with Beck being super nice but the way he talked was a bit cringey, with the jeepers, darns and fudging, who really talks like that all the time. As for Connie I liked that she was confident and wanted Beck to be too but her inner dialogues were so long. And I don't really think it was necessary for her to change her name, in what world is Connie better than Hazel. Where it missed me a bit too was that as soon as they got to the retreat it became lust city and that's all she seemed to think about. Overall it was an easy book to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

This was story had me laughing at the situations the two main characters would get themselves in. In this story we have Hazel and Beck who are neighbors. Beck has told his colleagues at work that he has a make believe wife. In a the heat of passion after getting to know him Hazel announces she is his wife to his annoying coworker at a party.

This story has you rooting for this couple the throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing both of them come together and realize they could become their true self.

Hello Fellow Readers,

This is my first read of 2025, and it's a five-star? How delightful. I hope this sets the reading tone for this year because I am ready for more great reads. The main female character, Hazel, was amazing. At a glance, you may think she is self-confident, but it becomes fairly obvious that her self-confidence needs a pick-me-up. From an overly critical mother to very, very, very awful ex-boyfriends, Hazel needs someone to love her and understand that she can be successful and loved.

In comes Beck, the nerdy, inexperienced teddy bear of a man, who has made up a wife because he didn't want Doug (screw you Doug) to tease him. Hazel steps up thinking she could put Doug (screw you Doug) in his place, not realizing that this will unlock exactly what she needs. Beck and Hazel's chemistry is off the charts and the spice is *Chef's Kiss*. Beck may just be the fake book husband of my dreams and I feel sorry for any book MMC love interest that has to compare.

Overall, a delightfully hot read in my favorite trope.

The characters were interesting but the book was too slow for me. . Thank you St Martin’s press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.