Just wrapped up Fake It 'Til You Feel It by Fortuna Lux, and it was a delightful whirlwind!

This novella dives straight into the classic fake-dating trope with a spicy office twist. Dana, our sharp and independent heroine, finds herself pretending to be the girlfriend of her infuriatingly attractive boss, Nathan, for a weekend retreat. What starts as a simple charade quickly spirals into a tangle of real emotions and undeniable chemistry.

The banter between Dana and Nathan is electric, making their interactions both entertaining and steamy. Despite its brevity, the story packs a punch, delivering a satisfying dose of romance and tension. Some readers wished for a deeper exploration of the characters and a more gradual build-up, but if you're in the mood for a quick, spicy read that doesn't skimp on the feels, this one's for you.

Perfect for fans of fake dating, workplace romance, and a good dose of sass. Just be prepared to wish it lasted a bit longer!

A cute short little novella romance the perfect little quick light read. With all work place romances go with the excitement, drama and tension of blurring the lines of right and wrong and the forbidden thrill of being with someone you should even if its just fake dating but thing change as they fall for each other.

I thought this was a cute little read. It was very easy to figure out where the story was going to go just based off the first few pages. However, that didn't make me enjoy it any less. I thought Dana was funny and brought a lot of personality and that Nathan was your typical hot boss. The spicey scenes though rushed (because duh short book), were well done and enjoyable. I also really liked the way the story ended, love when the FMC comes out on top.

Thanks netgalley for the opportunity!
A short but sweet and cute story. It's a great read between books, when you need something light to get over your reader's block.
It's a super quick and easy read!

A very nice book🫶🏽

A little novella romance. It’s a bit predictable as the coworker goes with her boss to fake a relationship and they fall for each other. Having said that it was still an enjoyable read.

I decided to give this novella a try as I have been reading more and more erotica. However, I was very disappointed. The story was riddled with errors, including entire phrases repeated. I know that the story is supposed to be short, but Fake It 'Til You Feel It lacked the necessary elements to make the narrative compelling. The basic storytelling structure was lacking... so it did not make sense how the two main characters even end up together.

This was a super quick and easy read. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I feel that it was just the size a story for the plot and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 STARS

Fake It 'Til You Feel It was a captivating read that had me hooked from the first page! The story flowed effortlessly, with just the right mix of drama, emotion, and steamy tension. The chemistry between the characters was off the charts—definitely brought the spice! If you're looking for something fun, flirty, and impossible to put down, this one’s a must-read.

Oh my God...I am not big on short stories but this was a hoot and so fun. The characters were strong and enjoyable tossed together. I dont really understand why he did what he did towards the ending but it's a short story soooo...... I would love to read a longer story with these two!

Fake It 'Til You Feel It is a fast-paced, forbidden romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The chemistry was fire, the spice level was just right, and the emotional connection made it more than just a fun fling. My only complaint? I wanted more! Just when I got fully invested, it ended. I’d love to see a sequel or extended version that dives deeper into their post-trip relationship. Definitely keeping Fortuna Lux on my radar.

Fitting for the length of this book, I don‘t have much to say.
Unfortunately, I couldn't form a connection with the characters, as the story felt too short to develop any depth. While I understand it's a short story, I feel the book could have benefited from a few more pages for this particular storyline.
The love story felt rushed and the characters underdeveloped. However, I would consider picking up another title by this author, as I enjoyed the writing style itself.

This was so enjoyable! The romance was sweet and their established relationship was so inspiring. The spice was just right but didn’t overwhelm the story.

This book was a very good and very easy read. The way the characters interact with each other in the book really draws your attention from the first chapter. I really enjoyed watching the love story unfold. There is a small amount of spice in this book so if you do not like spice this may not be for you. I am really impressed and this book left me wanting more of this author. Thank you for allowing me to read this book ahead of time. I really enjoyed it and I know you will also!

This book is perfect for readers who love stories that combine the excitement of workplace romance with the tension of forced proximity. It explores the thrilling dynamic of a relationship where the lines between professional pretense and genuine passion become increasingly blurred. As the characters navigate their complex feelings and the challenges of their shared environment, readers will be captivated by the emotional rollercoaster and the irresistible pull of their forbidden connection.

I stepped a bit out of my comfort zone for this one. My main thought is ‘meh.’

Really, this reads like Tumblr fanfiction. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but this is supposed to be a novel. It’s also supposedly an extended edition, but my digital copy was just under 80 pages. This also doesn’t give the characters a chance to be flushed out. I’m assuming that’s because the focus of the book is the spice, but even that could’ve been better.

I’ve read better fanfics that really draw a connection between the characters and readers. They also usually have some better tension and spice.

Just not my cup of tea I guess.

Oooh this one was saucy!

Workplace romance always hits. Dana & Nathan were so firey together and I loved their push & pull dynamic.

The boat setting was super fun and I loved that they flaunted their “fake” relationship so shamelessly to everyone by the end.

Fortuna Lux is definitely one to watch for me now.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author!

Are you a fake romance lover? Check out Fake It ‘Til You Feel It by Fortuna Lux is available now. Pick it up!

A short and sweet (with some spice) office romance. The main characters had great chemistry that lead to a lot of tense and flirty moments. I loved that Dana was portrayed as intelligent, independent, and the backbone of the company. While the story was predictable, and I do wish it was a bit longer than 55 pages, it is still a fun, quick read!


Thank you BDA Publishing LLC for providing this book for review via NetGalley!

Typical story of the boss and assistant in love with each other. I enjoy the short story, but I disliked how they continued to say it wasn't going to work. Isn't that the whole plot of the story...for them to fall in love? Some pages frustrated me, but I also wouldn't mind working for a Nathan in my life!

Thanks NetGalley!

If there’s one trope I’ll always come back for, it’s fake dating—and this novella delivered exactly that with a fast-paced, fun office romance between a boss and his assistant.

Nathan is a successful CEO who needs to impress a major client over the weekend. His solution? Bring his right-hand woman, Dana, along—not as his personal assistant, but as his girlfriend. What follows is a whirlwind of flirty banter, undeniable chemistry, and the classic will-they-won’t-they tension that makes fake dating so addictive.

What Worked:
Great chemistry – Nathan and Dana had solid romantic tension, and their flirty moments kept me engaged.
Fast and easy to read – This novella wastes no time, making it perfect for a quick, spicy read.
Tropes galore – Fake dating? Check. Office romance? Check. Black woman/white man pairing? Check. If you love these elements, this book delivers.

What Didn’t Work as Well:
Predictable plot – It followed a familiar formula, and while enjoyable, it didn’t bring anything fresh to the table.
Too short to build tension – If this had been a full-length novel, there could’ve been more time for deeper emotional stakes and a more satisfying arc.
Not much beyond the romance – The story is straightforward, which works for a novella, but it left me wanting more.

This book has the ingredients of a great read, but the short length didn’t allow it to reach its full potential. Still, if you love boss/assistant romance, fake dating, and steamy moments, this is worth picking up!