Swati Hegde’s Can’t Help Faking in Love is a charming, heartfelt rom-com that blends the glitz and drama of Bollywood with the grounded realities of love, family, and personal growth. Equal parts swoony and self-aware, this book will have you rooting for its unlikely couple and dreaming of a wedding invitation to their chaotic, colorful world.

Harsha Godbole is the kind of protagonist you immediately want to hug. Her struggle to carve out a life separate from her family’s wealth is relatable and admirable, even when it lands her in trouble. She’s sharp, stubborn, and fiercely independent—sometimes to a fault. Meanwhile, Veer Kannan is her perfect foil: laid-back, kind-hearted, and carrying the weight of his own family’s expectations. Their dynamic is electric from the start, with plenty of snarky banter and underlying chemistry that practically leaps off the page.

The setup? Classic fake dating with a delicious Bollywood twist. Harsha hiring her favorite barista as her plus-one to her cousin’s over-the-top wedding is a delightfully outlandish premise, but it works. Veer’s reluctant agreement—spurred by his own financial struggles and lingering dreams of stardom—adds depth to what could’ve been a simple arrangement. And, of course, as the wedding festivities unfold, so do the inevitable feelings, misunderstandings, and moments of realization.

Favorite moments? Oh, where to begin. The wedding weekend is a treasure trove of awkward encounters, tender glances, and laugh-out-loud moments. The scene where Veer unexpectedly wins over Harsha’s distant relatives with his charm and quick wit? Priceless. Or when Harsha’s carefully constructed mask starts to crack during a heartfelt dance under the stars? Swoon-worthy. Hegde also nails the Bollywood-style big gesture near the end—it’s equal parts dramatic and heart-melting, as it should be.

What really sets this book apart is its exploration of family and identity. Both Harsha and Veer are grappling with what they owe their families versus what they owe themselves. Harsha’s tension with her cold, controlling parents is palpable, and Veer’s devotion to his family adds layers to his character. Watching them navigate these challenges—and inspire each other to dream bigger—is as rewarding as their romance.

The backdrop of a lavish Indian wedding adds vibrant cultural flavor to the story, with detailed descriptions of everything from food to fashion to the inevitable family drama. Hegde strikes a perfect balance between celebrating the extravagance and poking fun at it, making the setting feel as much a character as the people.

If there’s a small critique, it’s that the pacing lags slightly in the middle, with some scenes feeling repetitive. But the strong character arcs and undeniable chemistry between Harsha and Veer more than make up for it.

Can’t Help Faking in Love is more than just a fun rom-com—it’s a celebration of finding your voice, embracing your dreams, and learning to trust in love, even when it scares you. Whether you’re a fan of fake dating, Bollywood flair, or just need a warm, feel-good story, this book is a must-read. Harsha and Veer might’ve started as fake partners, but their romance? Completely real, and utterly delightful.

Thank you so much to Swati Hedge and NetGalley for sending me this beautiful love story! First, this is Swati’s sophomore novel, and I am astonished yet disappointed because I need to binge more of her books ASAP! I loved this book, and what’s not to love when there’s hysterical banter, immediate chemistry, fake dating, and South Indian representation? I wish this read were longer because I grew so attached to Harsha and Veer. Being Middle Eastern, this book hit home when looking at the elements of independence and familial acceptance. Swati wrote a beautiful, sizzling, slow-burn, closed-door romance that made me want more! I wish there had been more character development and exploration within Veer and Harsha, which would’ve also made the read longer, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was super fast-paced, and their chemistry was so powerful that I forgot they were fake-dating! I loved this one and cannot wait to see more from Swati! 🧚🏻‍♀✨💗

Loved Veer from the very beginning! I took a little longer to warm up to Harsha. The way she viewed many things and the way she made Veer feel in the beginning were disappointing. Enjoyed the fake dating and how it progressed.

I'm a sucker for a good fake dating trope. And this was a good one.

Harsha and Veer are a couple that I truly believe would've found their way to each other without the fake dating scheme. There was chemistry already there. That's what made the whole thing possible. If they didn't have their little crushes on each other, I don't think Harsha would've asked nor would Veer have said yes.

Harsha puts a plan in place to expedite the "getting to know you phase" and it works. Both for them and for me as a reader. I think because of their actual chemistry, it makes the reluctance I would expect from this kind of situation non-existent. They genuinely enjoy the fake dates they are going on, and want to spend more and more time together. It's not fake. Pretty much from the beginning. A plus for putting "intimacy practice" into their contact, and for explaining what Harsha limits were. Made it a lot of fun, and less creepy at the same time.

The pacing of this book was fast. It felt like it was trying to be a screen play. The beats were quick. One of the great parts of reading a book is we can stay in the minds of characters for pages. We get to hear long streams of consciousness that in a film would have to be shrunk to seconds. It felt like seconds when I was reading. I was glad for it when we had conflict, but it meant that some more tender moments felt rushed.

3/5 stars

A cute fake dating contemporary romance. Perfect for fans of Sajni Patel, Annika Sharma, and Sonya Lalli

"Can't Help Faking in Love" is a sweet, close door romance that is also a love letter to Bollywood. Full of vibrant colors and the energetic atmosphere of Bangalore, Hegde's latest contemporary romance soars with big emotions, sensuality, great characters, and effectively uses with the faking trope. Harsha may have ties to wealth and big names in the movie industry, but she yearns to be independent and establish herself as a photographer. Meanwhile Veer is an aspiring actor who has put his dreams on hold so he can financially help his younger brother get into business school. The two struck a deal to fake date to alleviate stressors in their lives without realizing that catching real feelings is possible. The push and pull of Harsha's and Veer's romance felt organic and progressed naturally. With a few added musical numbers, this would be a great Bollywood romance on the big screen.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Berkley for the advanced readers copy of the book.

Book: Can’t Help Faking in Love
Author: Swati Hedge
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Dell, for sending me an ARC. This is my second book by this author. I did like this, but I didn’t like it as much as the other book. This is an Indian romance. I like this aspect. I don’t read a lot of romances centred in another country.

Harsha Godbole has always lived in the shadow of her family's wealth, surrounded by their Bollywood business empire but never feeling their love. After studying in the U.S., she returns to Bangalore ready to start her adult life on her terms—without relying on their fortune. But when everything she’s worked for collapses, Harsha faces the humiliation of showing up at her cousin's lavish wedding as a failure, and worse, as a single one. In a desperate bid to save face, Harsha comes up with a bold plan: hire Veer Kannan, her favourite barista, as her fake boyfriend for the weekend. Veer, who gave up his dream of becoming a Bollywood star to support his family, is struggling to make ends meet. When his brother's financial aid falls through, he needs a large sum of money fast. Harsha’s offer seems like a lifeline—and possibly his ticket into the industry he's always dreamed of. What begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something far more complicated as Harsha and Veer navigate the complexities of love, family expectations, and their dreams. Together, they embark on a heartwarming journey, discovering that the greatest risk of all is the leap of faith into the unexpected—and that sometimes, love shows up when you least expect it.

This one offers a lighthearted, entertaining romp through the world of fake relationships and unexpected romance. The story revolves around Harsha Godbole, a woman raised in the lap of luxury but starved for love, and Veer Kannan, a humble barista who has sacrificed his dreams for his family. When Harsha faces the prospect of attending her cousin’s extravagant wedding as a failure, she hires Veer to be her fake boyfriend for the weekend, hoping to save face and maintain her family’s expectations.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is how Hedge weaves in the nuances of Indian family life and cultural values without letting it overshadow the romance. Harsha Godbole, a woman raised in privilege, faces not just personal struggles but the intense pressures of a family rooted in old traditions. Her journey is rooted in the universal themes of love, acceptance, and the quest for independence—but what makes it special is the lens through which these themes are explored in the Indian context.

The setting, with its colourful weddings, family gatherings, and societal expectations, creates a vibrant backdrop for the story. The cousin’s grand wedding, a key event in the plot, feels like a living, breathing character in itself—full of Indian customs, rituals, and the drama that often surrounds big family celebrations. Harsha’s dilemma of showing up at the wedding as a ‘failure’ is something many Indian readers will relate to, especially when considering the cultural pressures to present a polished, successful image to the extended family and community.


The premise of a fake relationship turning into something real is a popular one, and Hedge does a good job setting up the classic opposites-attract dynamic. Harsha is the privileged, guarded heiress who’s always felt unseen, while Veer is the selfless, grounded man with a quiet ambition of his own. The chemistry between them is palpable, and watching their relationship evolve from a business transaction to an emotional connection is the book's strongest point.

However, while the story is sweet in parts, it doesn't quite hit the emotional highs it aims for. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with some moments dragging and others rushing too quickly. There’s also a bit of predictability in the narrative, as the tension between Harsha and Veer’s growing feelings and the looming obstacles in their relationship often feel familiar.
The character development is decent but not extraordinary. Harsha’s journey from someone relying on her family’s wealth to learning to stand on her own feels a bit too simplified, and Veer’s struggle to break free from his responsibilities is explored only on a surface level. The secondary characters, while adding some flavour, don’t feel as fleshed out as they could be, leaving some emotional beats to feel less impactful.
Still, this book has its moments of heart. It’s an enjoyable read for fans of rom-coms who like a bit of Bollywood flair mixed with a predictable, feel-good romance. The book doesn’t break new ground, but it provides a cosy escape into the world of fake relationships, family drama, and personal growth.
Overall, this is a fun and heartwarming read, but ultimately lacks the depth and emotional resonance to elevate it beyond a typical rom-com.

This book comes out on February 11, 2025.

This was so good! I loved the Indian influences throughout the book and the fake dating aspect was done so well. I was happy that although there was a small moment where the mc’s were on edge, it wasn’t a third act breakup.

Swati Hegde has done it again!!! This was such a fun and sweet romance. I love a fake dating plot, and this one was really well done. 10/10 would recommend to all the Desi romance lovers!

This story gave me huge The Wedding Date vibes, which is one of my go-to romcoms. This was a very cute story!

I loved the immersion of Indian culture, especially Bollywood and the expectations Indian parents have for their children. I appreciated both Harsha’s and Veer’s struggles as they tried to live up to these expectations while forging their own paths.

I wish the side characters had been more fully developed - at times I struggled to emphasize with Harsha because her strife with her parents and Neha (especially) did not seem as well defined as Veer’s. Overall, this was a heartwarming and fun story. It was easy to root for Harsha and Veer alike, and I would recommend this story to anyone who loves the fake dating romance trope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Romance for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. it was so cute and Swati is an author I'd read anytime. The characters, the setting, the fake dating was my favorite and I could not put this down.

A sweet fake dating romcom that will make you laugh.

A very sweet book. It was a little difficult for me to get through the first bit, but once I was through I enjoyed it all the way until the end! The characters make you want to be their friends and rally with them until the end.

Most of the Indian authors I read have given a more Americanized perspective, so I really enjoyed feeling like I was immersed in a new culture with this romance set in India. The premise was light and fun, and the romance was very sweet to read. Despite the fake dating of it all, the story felt authentic and novel.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'll start by saying that I haven't seen any Bollywood films so maybe what I felt was confusing character development was actually an homage to those films. However, I felt that Veer was immature and passive. He gave up acting quickly, he was supposed to be a great, thoughtful fake boyfriend but he never seemed to give a thought to how anything he did would make Harsha feel (like cutting off contact for days), and he was so upset at seeing his father (who'd walked out on the family 12 years earlier) in the airport unexpectedly that he almost passed out but, after a couple of days, he decided that one sighting and making a phone call and hanging up has given him closure. Huh? Harsha's thoughts and actions made more sense but still felt inconsistent and confusing at times. This book had its moments but overall was more frustrating for me than enjoyable.

There were a LOT of subplots, which sometimes made the story feel jerky, and rendered some of the characters a bit two dimensional. On the other hand, I don't know which of the threads I would have cut. I really liked Veer and Harsha both having to overcome assumptions about one another, and find a way to communicate. I liked the subplot about getting representation for gays out there into India television, and I was fascinated by the glimpses of Bollywood and Indian TV, so like Hollywood and yet different. I think my biggest disappointment was Veer's and his father's relationship getting scanted. On the other hand, the arc of the romance was wonderful.

Harsha Godbole and Veer Kannan come from very different backgrounds. Harsha was raised by an affluent family with Bollywood connections while Veer’s mom raised him and his brother, Arjun, alone after their father left and filed for divorce. Harsha prides herself on being self-sufficient (while having access to her family’s wealth) as a freelance photographer. Veer works hard as a coffee barista to help support his family and put Arjun through school. Veer’s employer happens to be Harsha’s favorite coffee chain, and the two meet and become friendly. After Harsha’s most recent breakup, she’s left with a conundrum: her entire family is expecting her to show up, date in hand, for her cousin’s wedding! When said cousin happens to stumble on Harsha and Veer randomly out at the same bar one night, she decides the two are a couple, which propels the plot forward as the two agree to fake date to help Harsha save face and help Veer financially. What could possibly go wrong?

Can’t Help Faking in Love is a fast-paced story set in India in the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai. It features fake dating, arranged cuddling sessions, exchange of money for dates, one bed, betrayal of trust and a happy ever after. Characters drink but not to excess. Intimate moments are closed door but spicy enough in description before and after to be sweet and memorable.

This is my first experience with Indian romance and I’m hoping there’s more to explore in this genre because Hegde hit it out of the park for me. There’s so many things happening in this book. It’s packed with culture and a love of home while also subtly steamy. The writing is quick-witted (I tore through this book in 3 days) and would be a perfect escape for other readers as well. While the book also hits on complex themes of wealth gaps and arranged marriages, it does so in a clever way and I thoroughly believed the budding romance arcs. I wanted to slap Harsha’s parents while I also wanted an invitation to Veer’s mom’s house for dinner! I look forward to more from Swati Hegde.


Thank you to author Swati Hegde, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine | Dell for the ARC of Can’t Help Faking in Love, scheduled for publication February 11, 2025, in exchange for my honest review.

Set in India this is a beautiful and romantic love story. As the title suggests it is a fake relationship novel, my favorite trope. It centers around Harsha’s cousin’s wedding. Harsha hires Veer to be her Plus One. Her father is a wealthy businessman, her mother a socialite and they are somewhat estranged. Keeping up appearances is important. She doesn’t want to look like a loser in the romance department.

Veer is dreamy; a most charming and romantic man. He is a barista and an aspiring actor who needs the fake relationship money to pay for his brother’s college tuition. From the first he cherishes Harsha and tells her he admires her. He creates lovely experiences for her on their ‘dates.” Largely through those dates we get glimpses of busy Bangalore as well as the amazing Bangalore and Mumbai scenery. It is so rich with Indian culture but is still accessible to Western audiences.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

With "Wedding Date" vibes (circa 1995), the two cities of Bangalore and Mumbai provide the backdrop for this contemporary romantic novel. Descriptions of the cities transport the reader.

Veer's motivation to participate in Harsha's scheme stems from a devotion to his immediate family while Harsha's seems initially superficial. The reader, however, learns from Harsha's multiple encounters with her parents why she acted that way. Three stars rather than four as all the secondary characters (Veer's brother, mother and his friends) are superficially drawn. Only Harsha's bff's character receives definitive characteristics.


This ARC was provided by the publisher, Random House Publishing House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute read! Harsha and Veer had the best chemistry since page 1! The writing style is straightforward and filled with dialogue that brings the characters to life, making the book easy to read. The story shifts between Harsha and Veer's perspectives, allowing readers to understand their thoughts and challenges. This romance shines with its chemistry. The witty exchanges and gradual development of feelings make the story engaging and heartwarming

In this fake dating trope, Swati narrates how Harsha and Veer go from being friendly faces at a local coffee shop to being in a fake relationship. In this feel-good romance, we see Veer break his walls and open his heart to Harsha and we see Harsha release herself from the expectations of her parents and choose her path to find herself. Swati sets the story in Bangalore and introduces themes of acceptance, forgiveness, love, and friendship. Veer and Harsha are both ambitious and dedicated people for different reasons, but their love blossoms as they let go of old weights and chase after everything that life has to offer. My favorite thing about this book is how relatable the characters were and how easy things were between Harsha and Veer. 10/10 for me