This was fantastic. I cried, laughed, giggled, blushed, screamed, was frustrated, and yet so pleased with how this ended.

Summer is such an interesting and multi-layered character. There’s so much DEPTH to her and it made me want to protect her and yet scream at her all at once. However, by the end I just was immensely proud of her and am willing to defend her with my life. The love she has for her sisters, her friends, Barbie and Zach, and also for Jules is just WOW!!! And she expresses it in so many different ways. I love her down.

Jules was also a character that was interesting and had depth to him. His past with Alex and the media in general was so sad and frustrating to read about. It also made me want to hug him because he deserves the world and I hate it for treating him any less.

I loved the diversity, which Tashie always makes sure to put, in her books, in this. Summer is Bangladeshi and Jules is Persian and then Zach is Black. I missed what race/ethnicity Barbie was but I don’t think she’s white lol.

I also liked the lgbtqia+ rep, however suffocating it felt while we were reading it in Summers POV throughout the book. The epilogue made me smile BAD.

While this is a romance book, it had some heavy topics that bleed very directly into the plot of the book as well, such as parental emotional abuse. I’d definitely recommend this read to anyone who can handle it but it doesn’t shy away from the complicated and toxic family dynamics which I loved.

Loved, however much they made me absolutely SOB!!!!!!!

Tashie writes with so much EMOTION and I LOVE HER FOR IT. Another banger from her and I’m so glad I got to read this early. I did see someone say this would be amazing as a NA novel rather than YA, and I have to say I agree.

However, this was still fantastic in my opinion as is. 10/10.

YA romance has really hit its stride lately - this book reminded me a bit of Susan Lee's Romance Rivalry in that this is a book that clearly loves romance tropes, and is really aware of how to adjust them for a younger audience. More than adult romance, YA romance is about the messiness of figuring out who you are at the same time you are navigating romantic relationships. I thought that this book did that incredibly well.

After turning 18, Summer has decided to fire her abusive parents as her manager and is excited when her manager suggests that she enters into a PR relationship with actor Jules, who is looking for a more serious persona. The two quickly become friends and learn how to be more comfortable in their own skin.

I appreciated that this book was both a page turner (I read it straight in one sitting, reading it through dinner at a restaurant while tuning out my husband and son), and it dealt with a lot of deep subjects without feeling too emotionally overwhelming. Jules and Summer both deal with some institutionalised racism (both have adopted more White sounding monikers, while Jules deals with being white passing as a Persian American), Summer is dealing with the ongoing trauma of her abusive family, and considering whether to come out as pansexual. I was surprised to realise that I hadn't seen these stories told in other YA fiction (score one for the importance of diverse authors), and this is definitely a book that parents could use as a jumping off point to discuss these issues with their teenagers.

Thanks to Harper Collins for the early copy of the book and I would recommend for fans of Susan Lee or Ali Hazelwood;'s YA books.

*** Spoilers ahead***

Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins for providing me with this arc!

I've been a fan of Tashie Bhuiyan's novels since Counting Down With You, and I'll Pretend You're Mine was just as amazing as her previous works. I loved the extremely slow burn romance and the fake dating premise. I really enjoyed the authentic portrayals of her friendships and her relationships with her sisters. While her parents were portrayed as one-dimensional villains, I appreciated that they did not magically become better parents or people in order to give the novel a fairy tale happy ending. I do wish Jules and Summer had actually admitted their feelings a bit earlier in the novel so we could actually see their romance develop further, but the fiance chapter gave great insight into how their relationship progressed. I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this book to add to my collection. If you enjoy fake dating, dysfunctional families, and slow burn romance, this book is definitely for you!

Another emotionally deep YA coming of age story featuring a South Asian American teen singer who has recently cut ties with her controlling parents only to find herself fake dating an actor. I loved the T. Swift similiarities in this story, how well the author writes about mental health and accepting that it's okay to remove emotionally abusive people from your life. There's also a relatable coming out as pansexual storyline made more challenging by living in the limelight and having homophobic parents. I adored the friends to lovers fake dating romance, it was sweet and swoony all at the same time with no unnecessary drama or miscommunications. Great on audio too narrated by a fav, Soneela Nankani. Highly recommended! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loved I’ll Pretend You’re Mine. Going into this book, I thought it was going to be a fluffy read. Boy, was I wrong! Bhuiyan did an incredible job with the heavy themes in this book. The main characters, Summer and Jules, were going through it. I found both of their character arcs satisfying. No longer under control of her abusive parents, Summer slowly started to come into herself throughout the story. It was heartbreaking and empowering to see her journey play out with her parents. I liked that she wasn't ashamed of her anxiety and wasn't afraid to seek support from her friends. Jules was also going through some heavy things. He was struggling with his identity and making real connections in Hollywood. I liked how supportive Jules was. He understood Summer and was always there when she needed it. His hug promise was everything 😭I thought both characters were likable, relatable, and layered. I enjoyed the way Jules and Summer's relationship played out. I liked how they went from business partners to friends to lovers. The J necklace was cute. I thought the side characters were strong and detailed. I loved the friendship dynamic between Summer, Zach, and Barbie. It was nice to see how supportive they were of each other. I also liked the diversity representation in this book👏. The headlines at the beginning of the chapters were fun and the headlines epilogue was cute and clever. I definitely will be recommending this book to the teens at my library, especially those looking for a no-spice romance. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

I’ll be honest, I did DNF the book. The story just wasn’t resonating with me personally in the way I had hoped it would. I don’t want to give it one stars because I do think there are others that will love the book, it’s just one that is not for me personally!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of Bhuiyan's stronger works, and I appreciated the gentle relationship between Summer and Jules. I do wish that the third act fight had occurred sooner, since this story mirrored the pattern in many other contemporary romances where the third act fight takes place toward the end of the novel, rather than near the beginning of the third act, resulting in little time for a satisfying resolution. But overall, this may be the most memorable of Bhuiyan's works so far, and I would easily recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, gentle YA contemporary romance.

A musician and a actor have an accidental run in that could lead to scandal... but decide the best solution is to have a fake dating PR relationship until it passes... only things are beginning to feel very real the more time they spend together. Summer Ali is a musician who is trying to finally make a break for herself and her career after leaving her toxic parents and firing them as her manager. She's tired of being controlled and wants to pursue her own path. When she runs in (literally) child-actor-turned-playboy, Jules Moradi, things get complicated when they get twisted together and its caught by the paps. Jules is trying to get a role in a film and needs to fix his image, so when this happens he offers a solution: if she helps him in a fake PR relationship until the film is done he'll help her in anyway he can. At first they maintain a professional distance but the more time they spend together the more they begin to become real friends... and possibly something more. But Summer has to deal with her own family drama and question whether or not she's ready to risk her heart on something she doesn't know is real or not? This was a beautiful book that deals with toxic family relationships, about facing toxic people and standing up for yourself, about healing and having the courage to speak. It's very heartwarming and the romance between Summer and Jules was so sweet because of how supportive and loving they were to each other. I had a delightful time reading this and would absolutely recommend it! I also absolutely loved the pansexual rep in this book!

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This author writes the best YA celebrity romance books! This one has the sweetest slow burn coupled with the coming-of-age challenges in the Hollywood spotlight. The main characters engage in PR fake dating and develop a supportive friendship. Likely because of the author's background in PR, their relationship seemed realistic as far as photoshoots and how a normal relationship might develop under these circumstances. It was really cute! After turning 18, Summer breaks free of her extremely controlling parents and has to navigate new boundaries and how to create her own path forward. This YA novel has lots of emotional depth while still having a fun, romantic and interesting celebrity aspect!

This was cute. I liked seeing Summer's journey to becoming an adult and what that's like without her parents. The romance was really slow but I enjoyed it. I do wish that we got to know a bit more about Jules though.

I received an arc through netgalley.

4.5 stars

The hold this book would've had on me if I read it when I was 19 or 20! As it is, it healed a part of my teenage self I didn't know was still hurting.

I love all the characters. Summer and Jules perfectly encapsulate "famous teenager". They're dealing with issues and tasks that some adults can't figure out while still being very young adults themselves. Their voices, actions, and behaviors felt true to both their age and their circumstances and I devoured it. And I loved that Summer had moments with Barbie and Zack, too, giving them room to be their own people in this story instead of just the best friends.

This book covers some hard-hitting topics: emotional abuse, setting boundaries, homophobia, finding yourself, racism, and even gender disparity in media portrayals. I applaud Tashie for tackling so much -- though I wish the story could've explored some of them with more depth. But that's my only criticism!

This book is vital. It's young and queer and wise and heartbreaking and healing. Absolutely everyone should read it!

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Excuse me while I sob. I was at work trying not to burst into tears with how much I loved this book. Tashie Bhuiyan is one of the best romance writers I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

I’m all for a fake dating trope book. Summer and Jules were caught in an unfortunate paparazzi moment and have to pretend to date for a while. Jules is the sweetest person ever. I loved learning more about him. Summer has such bad panic attacks/anxiety and this also does a really good job at looking at mental health issues and how to help.

Summer was a great MC and we are her struggle with her sexuality as well as her emotionally abusive parents. And Jules deals with the issues with him being Persian and how being typecasted in Hollywood has made him take on white roles instead of getting to be himself.

This book was just as cute and sweet and I fell in love with everyone. Barbie and Zach are great friends to Summer as well as Raj to Jules. I wanted to see a bit more of Barbie and Zach’s romances, but they were still really sweet.

I’ll be reading everything of Tashie’s now because honestly this was one of the best romances I’ve ever read. Besides her book before this one which I loved just as much. I never thought of care about pop star/actor romances but here we are.

I loved every second of this adorable story!

The pansexual rep was a happy surprise, and I'm glad Summer had so many supportive people around her. The way Jules supports Summer with her anxiety is so sweet. The strangers/fake dating to friends to love arc was so wholesome and sweet. Another thing that was really well done was the way Summer handles the abuse from her parents and that she would do anything for her sisters.

Absolutely would recommend to teens and lovers of YA romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

The authors writing will never let me down i am constantly enthralled in every book of hers I've read!

Loved the pansexual rep, enjoyed the plot. It did feel quite a bit fanfic like at times tho (maybe it's just cuz I saw how she promoted it with real ppl on insta).

I do howrver think it would've just been better as a new adult book. The characters are 18+, living on their own, and often are underage drinking, partying, etc. I get that there are a few child actors that do live on their own and support themselves, but it's like the top 1% and I don't know how relatable ya readers will actually find this.

Overall will still recommend Bhuiyan's books to anyone, just not sure I'll reread this particular one.

In I'll Pretend You're Mine, Tashie Bhuiyan delivers a heartfelt and glitzy fake-dating romance that cuts deeper than its celebrity-studded premise might suggest. Summer Ali may be a rising star, but her journey to authenticity is anything but glamorous. Freshly untethered from her controlling parents and trying to reclaim her voice—literally and figuratively—Summer's story is one of growing pains, self-reinvention, and unexpected tenderness.

Enter Jules Moradi, the former child star with a party-boy image, whose chemistry with Summer turns their fake relationship into something far more vulnerable and real. Bhuiyan masterfully peels back both characters’ layers, showing the cost of fame, the hunger for sincerity, and the fragile thrill of letting someone truly see you.

With sharp banter, emotional beats, and a spotlight on reclaiming one’s narrative, this is a swoony, thoughtful romance for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets Tweet Cute. Summer and Jules will charm you, surprise you, and stay with you long after the curtain falls.

3.5 stars!
It was super cute! This book was incredibly bingeable and scratched the romance itch I was feeling. It's full of heart and I loved how the author bled Summer's problems together, incorporating how fame impacted them. Summer and Jules' relationship was a perfect slow burn pace. It was such a treat watching them fall in love together through little moments instead of sweeping gestures or bickering fights. The epilogue also might have been the cutest thing I have ever read before, it was so clever and adorable.

I read this book fast, with the straightforward writing style that was masterfully smooth and short chapters aiding that. I don't think this is a book that I'll ever reread or that is going to stick with me, but I definitely want to check out the author's other books now.

My biggest issue was that the fake dating was never really a problem. Oftentimes, there's tension with having to pretend. Maybe the love interests hate each other, or the stress of the secret weighs on them, etc. But Summer and Jules always got along and Summer wasn't very stressed about keeping the secret. I would have loved to see some more tension the trope typically offers. It felt like Jules was just there to help Summer through her other problems rather than him serving as one of those. If you're looking for a romance that doesn't have much tension/reason to not be together, but instead gets tension from other factors (like writer's block and family problems), this is the book for you! If you're looking for a romance that also features sweet support or lighthearted teasing rather than animosity, this is the book for you!

Overall, the book was super cute, maybe a little too smooth sailing for my taste, but I had fun with it. I'd highly recommend you check I'll Pretend You're Mine if you're looking for a YA romance that is slow burn, full of heart, and a PR relationship.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Harper Collins, for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I DNFed Tashie Bhuiyan’s previous book, but I had high hopes for I’ll Pretend You’re Mine, especially given I had enjoyed her prior works. The little references to the other books were fun, especially her other “Hollywood” book, A Show for Two. However, while there were some positives here, it was otherwise underwhelming.

The book includes an intro from the author highlighting her connection to the lead, Summer, and her personal arc, so I’m not shocked that this was the best part of the book. She’s dealing with a lot, like navigating setting boundaries with her toxic parents and figuring out the next steps for her career independent of their control. The addition of discussing her anxiety was also a plus, as it really resonated with me, as it realistically deals with the ups and downs of that, with the additions of the pressures of celebrity and how these issues intersect.

But the romance fell very flat for me. Initially, Jules intrigued me, as he and Summer had some banter-filled scenes early on. But I never really felt like I understood him and what made him tick, so the relationship didn’t resonate. And I’ve had this ongoing “fake dating” fatigue that manifested while reading this book, finding it very boring. Often, the celebrity angle can add stakes to the setup, but this one didn’t really do so in a compelling way. While I can’t say it’s not a genre romance, it’s definitely not one that was executed to convince me to root for the couple.

While I found this book underwhelming, I’m obviously in the minority, based on the other early reviews praising it. If you happen to enjoy romances with celebrity protagonists with fake/PR relationships, as well as a prominent self-discovery journey, I recommend giving this a chance to see if it works for you.

I'll Pretend You're Mine is a heartfelt YA contemporary romance that goes beyond its fake dating premise. Summer’s journey—breaking free from toxic parents and reclaiming her autonomy—is raw and powerfully written. She has a long and hard mental health journey that I think many will relate to. Her connection with Jules offers comfort and healing more than swoony romance, and while the love story takes a backseat, the emotional depth shines.

The supporting cast adds warmth and dimension, and the themes of found family and self-discovery make this a compelling read. Again, this leans more contemporary than romance, which may not match expectations, but it’s still a touching, memorable story well worth your time.

4.5 ⭐️
Oh my gosh, I loved this book so much. I appreciate Summer so much and absolutely adored loving her character. Grateful for the author to have brought her character to life and for me to feel truly so connected to her.

I loved Summer & Jules relationship and their progression through the book. I am a sucker for fake dating and it will get me every time. I thoroughly enjoyed falling for these characters and getting wrapped up in their lives, and even got goosebumps at the Oscars scene!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy, and thank you to Tashie Bhuiyan for writing such lovable characters and a great story, while covering more sensitive topics that always need to be talked about!

Summer (Sumaira) Ali and Jules (Juyan) Moradi agree to fake date for career reasons, but end up falling in love in Tashie Bhuiyan's latest book "I'll Pretend You're Mine". I enjoyed the representation for anxiety and family issues because I think those are important for the books’ target audience. I also enjoyed the friendships and the character development, but the length of their fake dating scheme and some of the plot points didn’t make sense to me. Overall, this was a cute and quick contemporary YA romance that I would recommend for younger audiences.

4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.