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

Can't Help Faking in Love is an enchanting story about fake dating and fake feelings that turn in to the real thing. Harsha and Veer have palpable chemistry from their first on-page interaction as barista and customer. Their banter, sweet smiles and shy glances turn into "practice" holding hands, hugs, and forehead kisses as their fake dating takes off. The tension between the two continues to grow as they get closer and are able to lean on each other and let their walls down. I was internally screaming for them to "kiss already", and when they did it was everything!
I loved the side characters that were supportive of Veer and Harsha. Veer, his mom and brother, have good relationships with each other, even if in the beginning they lean on Veer a little too much. But the way they show up for each other, even in small ways like short phone calls or food left on the doorstep, is pure love. Harsha's family is a little intense and they make nice for appearances, but she has a wonderful Auntie who gives her some sage advice as well as unwavering support. Harsha and Veer also have some close friends who have become their found family, and if there's any way to get me to truly love a story, found family is it.
This was a truly enjoyable and immersive read and I'm looking forward to more South Asian representation in romance novels!

~Thank you to Random House Publishing, Dell, Swati Hedge and NetGalley for this complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own~

Got an ARC of this, thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse! It was really lovely. I enjoyed the different sit-com quotes the started each chapter; that was a fun touch! I also enjoyed the two main characters, Veer and Harsha! They fake date their way into love, but I enjoyed the ride.

After her boyfriend dumps her, Harsha is in need of a date to her cousin’s wedding. She asks Veer, a barista at the coffee shop she frequents, to be her date. In need of some cash to fund his brother’s tuition, Veer agrees to be Harsha’s fake boyfriend—a role he’s fit to play as he’s an aspiring actor.

This was a cute, easy read. I really liked both Harsha and Veer as characters and thought that they complemented each other so well.

There were a few too many subplots that were introduced throughout the book that I felt took us away from the love story. While most of the subplots were resolved, I felt that a few weren’t by the time we made it to the end.

Thank you to Random House, Swati Hegde, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute read! Harsha and Veer had the best chemistry since page 1! I loved it and will read from swati more.

this was honestly such a banger. I love Harsha and Veer's relationship. Their fake dating was super fun and I loved the writing Hedge performs

This was a DNF for me- our main characters were annoying and I could not get into it i gave it 50 pages and I just couldn't continue- just was not for me

In this touching romance set in the lively cities of Bangalore and Mumbai, readers are welcomed into a world of pretend dating and intense attraction. The story features Harsha, a freelance photographer who left her wealthy but distant family to follow her dream, and Veer, a dedicated son and brother who paused his acting ambitions to support his family. Despite their different backgrounds, their lives come together in a pretend relationship that feels real.

The main plot centers around Harsha needing a fake boyfriend to bring to family gatherings—a familiar scenario that quickly pulls readers into their growing relationship. As they deal with the ups and downs of pretending, their chemistry gradually deepens, adding warmth and humor to their interactions. The "intimacy practice" scenes were especially noteworthy, highlighting the fake-dating theme and offering refreshingly authentic moments.

Harsha and Veer feel very relatable as characters. Harsha's quest for approval from her family, her passion for photography, and her coffee obsession make her an engaging character. Veer's willingness to sacrifice his dreams for his family and his charming personality make him someone you can't help but root for. Their struggles—like money issues, family expectations, and personal aspirations—add richness to their characters and a realistic touch to the romance.

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 book delves into themes of family loyalty, honesty, and the complexity of relationships from different financial backgrounds. It invites readers to think about how much one should sacrifice for one's family, the importance of honesty in love, and the beauty and challenges of navigating cultural expectations in relationships.

This romance shines with its chemistry. The witty exchanges and gradual development of feelings make the story engaging and heartwarming. I enjoyed this book, especially its rich cultural elements, like the colorful wedding celebrations and family dynamics. Veer was a particularly lovable hero, showing both strength and vulnerability.

"Can't Help Faking in Love" is a fantastic pick for romance fans, especially those who love the fake-dating theme and stories set within South Asian culture. Its charming characters, strong themes, and delightful plot make it an excellent read for anyone looking for an uplifting romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!

Cute but felt a little underdeveloped? I wish I’d gotten more depth from the characters, more backstory with the parents that could really give me more of a reason to root for their relationship. It felt surface level, and while it was a cute story about how on the whole, I was left with wanting more.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harsha is looking for a date to her cousins wedding. She asks someone at the coffee shop she frequents to be her plus one. She grows to like him the more time she spends with him. A quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Can’t Help Faking in Love tells the story of Harsha, a young woman who’s well-off family has ties to Bollywood, and Veer, a barista who dreams of making it big as an actor in India. Veer is Harsha’s favorite barista, and when she finds herself without a date to her cousin’s wedding, decides to hire Veer to be her date.

I truly loved this story! Harsha and Veer had chemistry from the first time we see them at the cafe, and I loved the banter and tension they had throughout the story. Beyond the romance, the story really focused on two young people finding their purpose in life and their careers while living in the shadows of their family, which I thing a lot of twenty- and thirty-somethings will relate to!

This was also the first book that I’ve read that was set in India, and I loved all of the details about Bangalore and learning about Indian wedding customs.

A wonderful read that I’d definitely recommend to any romance fan!

Can’t Help Faking in Love was a four star read for me. Harsha comes from a wealthy family and is trying to make it on her own as a photographer. She propositions her favorite (very handsome) barista Veer to be her fake boyfriend for upcoming family events. I instantly fell in love with Harsha and Veer as this story had great character development. If you love a book with fake dating, slow burn and minimal spice I highly recommend Can’t Help Faking in Love.

I loved Swati’s first book, so I had to read this one. And it’s so good! Fake dating is a fave trope of mine, and it hit all the marks. Harsha and Veer were superb together.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.