3.5 Stars

💕 Tropes
- Fake Dating
- Pansexual FMC
- Actor x Singer

💭 My Thoughts

This book was a mixed bag for me. When it comes to the romance, it started out really good! There were a lot of super cute moments between Summer and Jules. However, the further I got into it, the more it felt like it was put on the back burner and lacked the depth it could have potentially had. As a result, the conclusion to the romantic plot felt unsatisfying. However, I enjoyed the "A" plot regarding Summer's relationship with her parents. While I do wish there could have been more discussion on why her parents are the way they are (which could have brought up a great conversation on the experience of having immigrant parents), it didn't take away from the overall impact of it. Her sisters were adorable, and I loved every single scene with them, as well as the scenes with her friends Barbie and Zach (the three of them are 100% friendship goals). I would recommend this book to any YA readers who are interested in the experiences of child stars with a hint of romance.


A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

In I'll Pretend You're Mine, an actor with a less-than-stellar reputation enlists the help of an up-and-coming pop singer to rehab his image by pretending to be his girlfriend. Summer Ali has just cut off her relationship with her overbearing and abusive parents to navigate her singing career on her own. Jules Matadi is trying to resurrect his acting career. Together, they learn to trust again, figuring out that their relationship might be more than just pretend.

After a falling out with her parents/managers, singer pop star Summer Ali is struggling with her career. When her manager suggests fake dating Jules Moradi, giving her a chance to get back into the industry and with the possibility of having a song on the next summer blockbuster film she agrees. As Jules and Summer get to know each other, making the world think they’re dating, they become best friends as they slowly fall in love, being the person the other ones unknowingly been looking for.
I’ve been reading Tashie Bhuiyan’s books since she first started publishing, and her books always hit. This one in particular blew me out of the water- maybe it’s because it’s just better than the rest or I just haven’t read her books in while, but it’s incredible. Summer and Jules’ relationship is absolutely amazing, and there were so many times where I wanted to cry tears of joy because the two of them make me so happy. I think I need to go back and reread the other books she’s written cause I’m in the mood.
Thank you so so so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of this book.

Quick paced and intimate, I’ll Pretend Your Mine, is a perfect summer read.

Summer Ali, a rising star in the vocal world, finds her life upended when she runs into playboy actor Jules Moradi, quite literally. Jules and his team are trying to land him the lead in the biggest movie of the year, so to erase his playboy image suggests that he and Summer put on a show by fake-dating. Jules will appear to have grown from his playboy ways, ready to take on more serious roles, and Summer gets to write a track for the movie, maybe even get an Oscar nomination out of it.

At its heart, this book is a coming-of-age tale for both Jules and Summer. Jules deals with the pressures of overcoming his public image and the heartbreak of growing out of old friendships. Summer strives to stand on her own feet while overcoming the abuse of her childhood. They both struggle in how to be their authentic selves, while trying to be the best people they can be for one another and those they care about. This book has a lot of great messages for young readers about overcoming adversity, struggling with stress and anxiety, and working through the pains of growing older and outgrowing relationships.

I zipped right through reading this book. The chapters are short and the story well-paced. Despite dealing with a lot of heavy themes, the story is truly soft and indulgent. I appreciated how caring all of the characters are of one another and that the storytelling felt incredible real. Tashie Bhuiyan did a fantastic job in not falling into tropes and stereotypes, and making realistic quarrels and obstacles. And, while it’s a romance, there’s no sex (since I know that’s a concern for a lot of parents right now). The intimacy between the characters is more emotional than physical and perfectly appropriate for young adult or even older middle grade readers.

I really don’t have anything bad to say about this book. Because romance isn’t generally my genre, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it, but I’m glad I picked this one up. Bhuiyan’s deftness in handling the heavy themes of sexuality, authenticity, and familial abuse made this book an absolute delight. It’s perfect for a reader looking for a heartwarming or cozy read.

3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Tashie Bhuiyan for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! Fake dating?! Immediately yes! Really enjoyed reading about all the characters and friendships throughout but I do wish Jules and Summer’s chemistry was a little bit more existent. Overall, a cute and easy read.

Tropes:
- Fake Dating
- Singer x Actor

I had such a fun time reading this both giggling and kicking my feet. The relationship between Summer and Jules was so adorable (if I don't end up with someone like Jules idek). I was pretty relieved that there wasn't a whole lot of name-dropping of random celebrities just for the sake of "summer is famous so she knows these famous people". The fake dating plot felt a little bit separated from the story, but I can see how it sets everything else into motion. Overall this was a fun and quick read that I enjoyed.

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a fun time, and I’ve never read a plot like this before.
I loved the anxiety representation. I feel like I related to Summer a lot.
The chemistry between the Jules and Summer was amazing!
The pacing was perfect in my opinion, and I loved the side characters
Overall, a solid 4.5⭐️ read for me.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I'm a huge Tashie fan, thanks to my daughter, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this book early (much to her dismay). Let's just say I was not disappointed. If you are looking for Tashie to write something completely new and different, this isn't it. However, I like her ya romance style. This book might be categorize new adult based on the age of the characters but the content was very much still ya appropriate which gets confusing.
First, I love that Tashie includes mental health issues in all her books. She doesn't make them taboo or dirty. She helps her characters to work through them, find coping mechanisms, and find support which is so helpful for teens reading the book.
Second, the chapter titles all the way through the epilogue were genius. This touch to the book was perfection.
Finally, she touched on it in the preface and I wondered about her doing another pretend dating trope after being soooo successful with Counting Down With You, Ace is book boybriend material. This felt like a completely different trope because of how she set it up, in my opinion, so it worked and was fresh.
I do wish the parents hadn't been so horrible, but eh.

I hadn’t read any of Tashie Bhuiyan’s books before, but when I saw this one on NetGalley, I decided to give it a shot, and I’m glad I did.

I love the fake dating trope, and it was done really well in this story. Summer was a relatable narrator, and her anxiety was portrayed with such authenticity. I also loved Jules, and they made a cute couple, even if I didn’t always feel their chemistry.

I’m glad this story had so much depth, and I’ll definitely be checking out Tashie’s previous novels!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

this was the cutest book ever!!
now, this is fake dating done well. i loved the pr stunt idea, while i do think that the trope has been overdone, this book is definitely an exception.
summer was honestly one of the most down-to-earth, relatable fmc i've read, i enjoyed how she progressed throughout the book, and learned to stand up for herself and the ones she loved!
jules was the sweetest person everr. i adored his relationship with his family (we love a non-toxic king!) and the way he supported summer was honestly one of the cutest things ever omg.
overall, the cutest book ever!! i literally could not stop grinning because of how absolutely sweet and adorable this was! if you want a light-hearted romance that also explores themes of hope, this book is the one for you.

thank you to netgalley and tashie bhuiyan for this arc in exchange for an honest opinion! <3

A Hollywood romance with the fake dating trope. Some people don't care for the trope but I found it endearing in this novel. The main characters, Summer and Jules had such a sweet, and genuine connection that felt authentic. It's a YA romance so it's a little cheesy and cringe at times, but it was also a quick read and a lot of fun.

I think one of my favorite things in tashie’s stories and characters is how genuine her characters are, especially addressing their problems like Summer’s anxiety. Her characters always seem to be relatable but not in a cringey way, but in a “if you were a real person we’d be best friends” way.

Summer’s anxiety is very noticeable throughout the story, but through her own growth and support of great friends, she is able to control it versus it controlling her. Another important thing in Tashie’s books that I adore, is that these aren’t issues her characters magically overcome, but work through and continue to do so throughout the book. It leaves the reader hopeful and provides a natural depth to her characters.
Summer quickly became a favorite of mine because of her grounded personality and desire to really be true to herself. I feel like despite her celebrity status, she still shows to be human and have emotions and faults.
Her sexuality was another part of her that I love. With her celebrity status and her parents own issues, her fear when it came to opening up about her sexuality is so valid. I love that she was able to become braver and while she didn’t come out on page, she still made had major milestones in opening up and learning to be more comfortable with herself

I love Jules and their relationship. It may have started as PR, but they both fell into a very comfortable friendship that evolved naturally into a romantic love. Even fake dating, they had such a solid connection and foundation that I can’t help but love the development. They both became each others person and I just love just it was such a simple progression into their relationship.

3.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was super cute! I really loved the PR Stunt/Fake Dating aspect of it. I thought Jules and Summer were cute but I do wish I felt their chemistry a bit more.

I also really appreciated the anxiety rep in this book. I feel like a lot of it represented what I feel on a regular basis.

Overall, this was a cute and easy read!

Summer's emotional journey is what I loved the most about I'll Pretend You're Mine, more than the romance itself actually. This book is ultimately about healing and ending toxic relationships, as well as how to cope with oppressive media attention for both Summer and Jules. a lot of emotional growth and a good romance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
I went into I’ll Pretend You’re Mine expecting a sweet, lighthearted YA romance, but what I got was so much more. Tashie Bhuiyan delivers a story rich with depth, heart, and important lessons about self-worth, found family, and breaking free from toxic expectations.

The relationship between Summer and Jules starts as an awkward, PR-driven arrangement but slowly transforms into something warm, genuine, and healing. Summer, newly independent and navigating life outside her parents’ suffocating control, finds companionship in Jules—a guarded actor who’s been burned by betrayal before. Their journey toward trust and love is both tender and deeply rewarding.

One of the standout elements of this novel is how it explores identity, ambition, and self-belief. Jules struggles to see his true talent, weighed down by the hurtful words of someone who once mattered to him. Meanwhile, Summer battles the internalized doubts placed upon her by her parents. Yet, through each other—and the unwavering support of friends like Barbie and Zach—they find the strength to reclaim their passions on their own terms.

With Jules (Persian) and Summer (Bangladeshi) at the center, I’ll Pretend You’re Mine also shines in its representation, showcasing characters of color navigating the complexities of both their careers and personal lives. This book is a heartfelt, beautifully layered story that goes beyond romance, offering readers a powerful message about self-acceptance, love, and the importance of choosing the people who truly see you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love fake dating, and unfortunately this one fell short for me. This felt very dated in 2022, and I wonder how it'll age. I also am not an expert, but I don't think some of this is how the real world works and had to really suspend disbelief for this book.

thank you netgalley for the arc! 🌟 4 stars just because i realized halfway through that i have outgrown YA novels (not a bad thing!) but this was really cute. i think i would've enjoyed it more if it was about adults vs teen stars (again, just my own personal pref). i loved the diverse rep in this book & how unique of a premise it is. you can tell tashie is a fangirl at her heart (same) and it shows - that makes the book even more authentic.

also the playlists at the beginning of each part with the season is SO fun. i always listen to music while reading and this was a great way to incorporate favorite songs that fit the writing!

Characters: 4⭐
Plot: 4.5⭐
Writing Style: 4⭐
Enjoyment: 5⭐
Overall rating: 4.5⭐

What to expect? I'll Pretend You're Mine follows Summer Ali as she navigates separating from her abusive, controlling parents who previously managed her singing career. In the process, she finds herself fake dating Jules, and the two slowly form a deeper connection as they fool the public one stunt at a time. This is a book about acceptance, identity and fame.

Things I loved?
🔸 I loved the use of chapter titles as article headlines and then the little epilogue filled with them. I thought that was really creative.
🔸 I loved that a playlist was included with each section of the book. It really added to the atmosphere for me.
🔸 This might just be the first book I've read where I'm happy the author included some song lyrics. The way they were slid in was so great, and each lyric was well written. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bhuiyan writes songs.
🔸 The relationship between Jules and Summer is so sweet and wonderful. I really liked how their relationship was the focus of the story, but it also wasn't. And it wasn't really a source of conflict.
🔸 This book touches on so many impactful topics like queer identity, race, media portrayal, complicated family dynamics, the ins and outs of fame, what we feel owed, etc. And it doesn't feel like too much at any point. They're all woven together wonderfully while still keeping the romance as the heart of the book.
🔸 And lastly, I liked that spice didn't feel needed at any point. This book was about so much more than that.

What could be improved?
🔸 I will say, I wished we'd gotten a few more deeper moments between Jules and Summer towards the end. I felt the conflict resolution that happens is a little too quick.

Books recs if you liked this one?
🔸 Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold. If you love fake dating, turned real, then this is the book for you. It's an RH, sweet read that leaves you more than satisfied at the end. This romance does have spice though.
🔸 Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery. Another fake dating romance that deals with media attention and queer identity. This book delves more into politics, but it's a really great read too.

Would I recommend this book? Yes! This was a great read.

I was quite excited to read I'll Pretend You're Mine, a YA RomCom about the PR relationship between a young singer songwriter and a child star turned serious actor, and I found myself really enjoying with the story and the relationship between Jules and Summer. This book touches on abusive parents, toxic friendships, race/culture dynamics especially in fame, sexuality, and self confidence struggles and I think that will reach many readers.

While I do wish I could give this book 5 stars, I think that there are times where this book does too much and keeps things too surface. While all the touchpoints of the book are real, I feel like we didn't really get to dive into one area enough. I will also say that some of the dialogue felt unnatural for two people who were supposed to be so connected. There were times both Summer and Jules felt too old for the book. I, personally, would have loved to see therapy worked into this book more - it would have made so much of this book feel more grounded.

That being said, there is much to really like about this book! The friendships that Summer has, how the ending comes together, and the dynamic with her sisters made this so enjoyable and will recommend people to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a copy of this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love fake dating and celebrity romances, so I'm disappointed this one fell flat for me.

The writing style was very Contemporary Fiction as opposed to Contemporary Romance. (Think the opposite of the bouncey rom-com vibes of Meg Cabot, Jenny Han, and Lynn Painter.) The romance is obviously a huge part of the overall plot, but I'd argue Summer's growth in the A Plot. Take out her actually falling for Jules, and you still have a full book. Because of that, it's very inside Summer's head, and to be honest, it sounds like Summer need to go to therapy for a good, long time. She's only 18 in the start of the book but is an internationally famous pop star whose parents have carefully controlled and curated her image. So to an extent, her bumbling naïvety makes sense. But to a huge extent, she's an internationally famous pop star, it doesn't. She doesn't think to call her PR team because she got them through her parents. Wut. They work for Summer, which isn't even her real name so would be easy to distinguish between. Like I said, therapy will do her wonders.

Unfortunately for me, I found the writing style to be something that was easy to put down and walk away from, without having that "I have to get back to it asap!" feeling. The beginning of the story didn't feel like it started in the right place for me, but this is a product of it being more Contemporary Fiction that more strictly adheres to the Save the Cat methodology of needing to have the Slice of Life opening. The opening was boring to me. It picked up pace *a little bit* but was still overall fairly slow and not as engaging as I would've liked. Because this was billed to me as a Romance, I was expecting a little quicker of a pace, a little more time with the main couple, even at the beginning, and a little more capital R Romance conventions. Had I known going in that it was really more Contemporary Fiction with a Heavy Romance Plot, my expectations would've been different.

This is the most generation specific book I have ever read, and I've been reading YA books since they were called "Teen." The author covered all the Gen Z topics possible, it felt like: race, anxiety, depression, sexuality, parentification. In a way, it felt very, very real. And in a way, it felt very key-word-soup. I'm not a reader who has to connect with any aspects of the main characters to enjoy the novel, but Summer was hard for me. She is very, very, VERY self-aware of a lot of her issues, but then also doesn't really do anything about most of them. Or she does something and then internally freaks out over doing the something and forces an anxiety attack on herself. I almost wish she HAD gone to therapy, in the book, or at least done something, anything, to learn actual coping skills rather than just having friends, who are all her same age, reassure her and validate her feelings.

The ending was too rushed for me. The Third Act Breakup comes at almost 90%, and then they get together at almost 96%. But then there's backmatter, so you really don't get a lot. The epilogue is cute--it's a bunch of headlines from the course of their relationship--but because the ending was so abrupt, it wasn't cute in a satisfactory way.

I wanted more romance in the Romance department, so even that wasn't really enough to draw me in. That being said, it was sweet as could be, and I did enjoy watching them get to know each other and grow that way. I just wanted way more focus there.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this one. The Kindle price being set at $15.99 is a tragedy that I hope they fix.