I thought the idea of the book sounded wonderful, but the execution was just not great. I honestly didn't like Connie from the get go. She was annoying, loud, and nosey. She never really grew in my opinion the entire book. I thought that Henry was just blah and nothing special. He was also very fumbly. I think the author went wrong in trying to put every thought she thought her characters would have on paper. I think another edit was definitely needed.

Connie Evans has encountered too many men who present themselves as a "nice guy." They end up have a bad side that they eventually reveal. So when she meet the man across the hall, Henry Samuel Beckett, he is everything she avoids. He is nice, attentive, thoughtful. But she is somehow drawn to him in a way she can't avoid. A chance encounter with one of Beckett's coworkers leads to Evans and Beckett portraying a fake marriage. Stein is adept at the slow build and keeping it spicy. A good fun read!

I was very much bored through this book. Like all the time. I thought I was going to like it more and it be some kind of silly fake marriage situation but I was bored.

Boy, this started off with so much promise and then once they were actually together there was just no more growth or storyline outside of the bedroom. I wanted more of the spark and of the story in general.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, St. Martins Griffin and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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.

All in all, this book was really fun, cute, and quirky read.

The protagonist, Connie, was a total breath of fresh air. She was so spunky and confident that I couldn't help but fall in love with her! I think she complimented Beck's more subdued, gentle personality very well. They were almost a bit like yin and yang in that way. Speaking of Beck, I loved him. I liked how his character was quirky, but not in an obnoxious way. Beck was just such a sweetheart and I really grew to sympathize with and relate to his character.

Even though I liked this book for the most part, I think the romance could've been done a bit better. Towards the beginning, the romance between Connie and Beck was very sweet and good, but sped up way too much around the middle– especially when you consider how inexperienced Beck is. Then, towards the end of the book the sex/sexually charged scenes happen so often that it was a bit nerve-wracking to read and, in all honesty, I did have to skim over most of these scenes for my own sanity.

If you are able to suspend disbelief about the premise of the book, it is a cute and enjoyable read. The FMC's insecurities about her body do get tiresome over the course of the story, and her tendency to "just know" what the MMC is thinking is quite irritating because she is usually wrong and moreso because it makes her not communicate with the MMC clearly.

Pros:
-Ted Lasso vibes
Plus-sized representation
Love a forced proximity/fake dating or marriage trope
Reappearances of Alfie and Mabel from When Grumpy Met Sunshine

Cons:
The majority of the book was just Connie/Hazel in her head. Is Beck a murderer? How is he this nice? I think I like him? Do I like him? Does he like me? No, guys like him never like girls like me? It just felt like the story was mostly Connie's thoughts about everything and the very little actual happenings were when they were hooking up. I've seen lots of people love it, and it's not bad, but it just felt less like there wasn't much of a storyline and development.

Where the first one was witty and grumpy (maybe Roy Kent vibes), this one felt far too soft and Hallmarky. The first part was just slow and a bit awkward until they arrived at the writing camp (I'll admit it did pick up quite a bit from that point forward) but overall it just felt like it missed the mark. There was far too much telling instead of showing when it came to their connection and how they really 'understood each other.' The Hazel character often pre-explained something Beck was going to do which while cute once or twice felt far too much in her head instead of in the story. I also did not understand the point of mentioning the camp founder in so many odd ways. I honestly thought Beck was going to be him secretly except he physically seems so bad at keeping secrets.

Charlotte Stein has written another clever and entertaining story. At times laugh out loud funny and at times very touching, reading how this wonderfully imperfect couple finally realize that they are perfect for each other was really fun. Thanks #NetGalley #StMartinsPress

This book was a real mixed bag for me! I loved the MCs and the sex scenes were HOT. But I almost DNFed it in the first third because the setup and initial conflict between the MCs didn't quite make sense to me and so many side characters were one-dimensional and only there to move the plot forward. Once we got to the forced proximity, fake marriage tropes it grew on me, but not enough to get past the initial wavering.

I picked this book up not only because the cover is cute but because the blurb seems fun and different. As I got to reading, however, I wasn't sure how I felt about this book. I felt like there were too many cringe moments and was so close to putting it down, however, I am so glad I didn't! This book made a complete turn-around (or maybe I just had to get used to the characters and the traits/ characteristics that make them)! This book is fun, sweet, and filled with cute banter. By the end of the book, I actually loved Hazel/Connie and Beck! Beck is such a sweetheart, and Connie is that confident girl we all love! The way they balanced each other out by the end was simply beautiful! Absolutely loved! 4 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Charlotte Stein for this amazing read!

this one was so fun!!! i loved charlottes last book a lot so i was absolutely ecstatic when i could read this one. It was super cute and fummy, just the type of book I needed.

Thank you for the ARC!

I’m obsessed with Charlotte Stein’s portrayal of both MMC and FMC and that big-bodied people of both genders can be great at communication, relationships, and sex. She does an amazing job making sure her characters don’t need to change to fall in love and are in fact embraced for who they are. She’s one of my favs for steamy realness.

What could go wrong we two writers have to pretend to be married? A lot and it makes for an interesting rom com.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

This was fast-paced, steamy and sweet. If you like an epistolary novel with lots of steam, this is for you. If you love Ted Lasso fanfiction, this is for you.
(I just want to know who is going to get the treatment next... Jamie? Beard? Let me know Charlotte.) Hazel and Beck find themselves in a fake marriage on a writing retreat for his job. They quickly fall in love through messages under the door, emails and other activities. Other key words/tropes include: inexperienced hero, plus-size heroine, writers/editors/publishing, single POV, mutual masturbation scenes, "just for the trip," fake married and awful boss (Beck's co-worker/boss sucks). Also, Hazel has some things to work through in terms of her confidence due to how her family treated her growing up and how her relationships with men have been in the past (nothing bad, but nothing very good).

I'll continue to read these! Charlotte Stein is a fun find for me.

Connie doesn't believe good guys exist because.....well....have you met men?
Beck is a literary Ted Lasso. A complete golden retriever and he knows it (a man that reads romance novels, swoon).

Connie and Beck have great chemistry, the banter is quippy and the burn is slow. Beck's accidental virginity is not something I was particularly interested in but it was also surprisingly not a big part of their story. Actually, not much of the plot was necessary to the story which didn't change how much I really enjoyed this book. You're going to pick this book up for the cute cover, you're going to stay for the sweet characters and despite it's flaws you won't regret the read.

I decided to give Stein another shot since the first book I read had me DNF’ing so hard. But I’m so glad I did because this one? WAY better! Sure, the beginning was still a little chaotic—but once it settled, it was warm, adorable, and gave me all the cozy feels.

Maybe it’s because Beck is the PERFECT man (seriously, where is his real-life counterpart), or maybe it’s because Hazel’s dating struggles hit a little too close to home. Either way, this book had me nodding aggressively while whispering, “same, girl, same.”

And the STEAM? HOLY MOLY. 🔥🔥🔥 Stein did not skimp on the sexy scenes!!

If you're in the mood for something quick, hot, and lighthearted but with a surprising amount of emotional depth (healing, growth, all that jazz), this one delivers! Round 2 was a win—3 stars! ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's and CHARLOTTE STEIN FOR SENDING ME THIS ARC! *SCREAMS* Ahem, all thoughts and opinions are my own.









So, about 2 years ago, I reviewed Stein's When Grumpy Met Sunshine and had an absolute blast with it. I'm pretty sure I annoyed friends and family with my enthusiasm for it. I actually didn't know she was planning a sequel until she announced it on twitter. So imagine my surprise when Stein sent me the ARC for it. Yes, this is me humble bragging but it's also letting you know how serious I am about this book. This was my light at the end of the tunnel that was 2025. It's that real.



I'm sorry it's taken so long but long story short, the past 6 months stole my lunch money and stuffed me in a locker but I'M HERE NOW!





Synopsis according to GJ: Connie has a problem. A very large, mustachioed, way-too- nice-to-be-true problem named Henry Samuel Beckett. Initially skittish of the cheery American, she soon discover Beck's secret: His coworkers think that he's married and he's been lying this whole time. Connie soon finds herself protective and fascinated by this shockingly sincere man and when confronted with his workplace bully, Connie introduces herself as Beck's wife.


Now, on their way to a 2-week long writer's retreat, Connie and Beck have to pretend to be a happy married couple. But despite her cool exterior, Connie feels drawn out by Beck's sincerity and feel the desire for something new? Maybe it's the desire to stop being the person people expect her to be. To finally embrace her authentic self and to allow herself to want something more?...To keep staring at Beck's fantastic thighs? Seriously, were those there this whole time?????



Review:

I'm going to try my hardest not to compare this book to its predecessor, "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" too much in this review. Yes, the two book have similar fake dating plots (Which our girl, Connie lampshades by calling it "Just One Bed 2: Electric Boogaloo"). It also have the rapid-fire quips and the quick discovery of a kindred spirit between our leads. Something that I love about Stein's work is how deftly she shows that to be loved is to be seen. I've only read two of her books but both have had me giggling and clutching my e-reader with breath-taking paragraphs.


Digging deeper though, My Big Fat Fake Wedding has such a different vibe to me. When I read WGMS, I literally screamed "Madam, there's only so far 'Such a good friend' can go! You both are killing me!". Alfie and Mabel so quickly drop the mask they've worn for most of their lives and easily fall in sync with each other. This book, on the other hand, gave me similar feelings to watching animal rescue videos? HEAR ME OUT!


You know what videos I'm talking about. Where people rescue a dog or cat that's clearly been neglected and is all dingy, maybe even has babies they're protecting. You're filled with a John Wick level rage as you watch them go to their foster home and hide under a bed for the first week there. Then you see them come out their shells and bloom into the adorable little goober they were always supposed to be in their adorable pajamas. Yeah, that's how I feel when I see Beck and Connie. Beck's just a tall cinnamon roll of a man and I want to give him the softest sweaters while I decimate everyone who's wronged him.


Ditto with Connie. As a plus sized nerd, I fully remember the toxic advice of hiding everything remotely nerdy or even interesting about yourself. "No one likes a book worm, don't blabber on about yourself. Conceal, don't feel". It's honestly to the point where she's even been hiding her real name! So much of this book is just them slowly allowing themselves to be seen, to be proud of themselves, and even to be their true selves. Both of them are hiding from other people's cruelty and just coaxing the other one They believe so wholly into the other one and know how brave they are and MY PRECIOUS BABIES!!!


(P.S. I don't think Stein is an F1 fan but the bully in here reminds me so much of a team principle, it's scary. I won't say who but if you ask me nicely, I'll tell you.)



Another thing I want to talk about is that the spicy elements.(Not like that, you dirty birds). Beck literally says things like "Golly" and "Jeepers" and gives big "Too pure for this evil world" energy. Meanwhile Connie is actively trying not to climb this man like he's the Matterhorn. There are moments where it's like watching a Victorian man burst into flames looking at a sexy, exposed ankle. I had a blast watching Beck worrying overstepping boundaries at every turn while reading Connie lament about how thin the walls are. It's been a while time since I've read a book where the FMC is the more experienced one and honestly? It slaps. Give me more of this, please.

(Also, I don't really have a spot to put this in my review but chapter 25? Put it directly in my veins, please and thank you)


Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I'm almost glad I finished it so late because I want you all to run out and get this right now.



TW: Mentions of bullying, gross men behavior, sexual content

I was able to read "My Big Fat Fake Marriage" by Charlotte Stein on NetGalley. I started out slowly just because of other issues in my life, but towards the end of the book I couldn't put it down! I adored the story of Beck and Hazel (aka Connie). Beck was the sweetest man and Hazel deserved all that he gave her...and there are some raunchy scenes where he gives her more!