Sports romance? Swoony MMC? Fake dating? Body positivity? Closed door? What more could you want in a book? I loved this book. Sports romances have a special place in my heart and this one did not disappoint. It's been forever since I've seen a football romance (or soccer for my fellow Americans). Wade Hunter had my heart from his first mention on the page. He is supportive and just overall lovely. He also just steps in and goes with the flow when Roxy declares that they are dating even though he totally doesn't even know her. Roxy agrees to fake date him when he shows up at her flat with a proposal that they can both get something out of this fake relationship. Oh, and to make things worse Wade Hunter turns out to be a famous footballer and Roxy absolutely hates football. It was so fun to see the progression of their story from strangers to friends to lovers. This book had a good balance between romance and sports. The football games are described but not in such great detail that it takes away from the story. As an American who knows nothing about soccer, these descriptions helped me to understand the basics of the game. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for that next sports romance to satisfy their craving.
I received an ARC but these are my own honest opinions.

Do you like sports romance? How about the sweetest body positive MMC? And you can’t forget the Fake dating. If you like those you’ll love this. This is the story about Roxy and Wade who end up in a fake dating situation after some unforeseen circumstances. Not only will you absolutely fall for the characters the banter throughout the story is amazing and I absolutely fell in love with the MMC and his support for the FMC I’ve been in kinda a book slump for awhile and this has got me excited to read again :) I was sent this book and this is my honest opinion #netgalley

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing by NetGalley and Marion De Re for allowing me to read this book early with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Roxy is at the airport to pick up her crush, thinking their relationship is moving beyond friendship. Where she finds out he’s coming back after a 10 month work trip with a fiancée. She panics and grabs the closest guy to her to act as her boyfriend. That guy happens to be the biggest football star.

My thoughts:
I adored the characters in this whirlwind romance. I also appreciated how they came together as a couple! The first half of the book is perfect pace and you can easily see how it all unfolds. But the second half felt rushed. Everything between our main characters happens really fast. I would’ve like more pov’s from Wade (MMC) at some situations.
No spice.

Resuming:
I think it’s a cute book and I recommend it. It´s good for when you’re having a reading slump too!

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing by NetGalley and Marion De Re for allowing me to read this book early with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot of endearing qualities in this story. Their meet-cute was adorable and I instantly loved how ride-or-die Wade was when Roxy called on him. They also have some cute call-backs to extravagant date ideas that Roxy jokingly requests early in the story. While I wish we got a little more spice from them, I knew going in this was a fade-to-black story and just to appreciate the smooching.

Now, for what I didn't like as much. Roxy has body confidence struggles that are brought to light while "fake" dating Wade in the spotlight. While Wade's compliments of Roxy's figure are swoon-worthy for sure, there was another side of the coin that was less body positive and leaned a bit too much towards dissing other body types for me...
"Roxy is full of life, full of femininity. If you ask me, we don't see the right body types on those runways and magazine covers. This is what sexy and beautiful looks like". I appreciate your love for curves, Wade, I really do, but maybe not harsh on other body types in the process.

Overall, this was a cute read for those who love the fake-dating trope, which I certainly do.

"Fake Dating the Footballer" is a fantastic emotional rollercoaster experience, complete with unexpected airport encounters and false dating.
After Roxy and Wade are photographed by airport paparazzi, they decide to go along with the fake dating. Even though Wade and Roxy initially pretended to be dating, their chemistry became obvious as they spent more time together at events. I enjoy how their bond and friendship develop over time and how Wade shows Roxy that playing football can be enjoyable. I loved Roxy's acceptance that she was looking forward to seeing a football game. That's when I realized Wade had won her heart.

All things considered, this endearing romantic comedy won my heart with its endearing plot and lighthearted tone. I can't wait to read more from the series as I'm a first-time reader of this author. This book is excellent, and it deserves every star! I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had so much fun reading this book! The book is lighthearted, delightful and filled with witty banter between the main characters. I enjoyed the characters of Roxy & Wade and how they played off of one another. I was able to read the book in an entire day and I spent the entire book smiling & laughing!

While I am familiar with football, I still had to research a few rules (just like Roxy). And even if football seems too boring De Re does such a great job writing about football that I think anyone can find the excitement in it.

Despite the light-heartedness and laughter of the book, De Re does not shy away from the topic of today’s perception of body images. She is sensitive about the issue and still brings about her message of loving your body in a way that does not pull the mood of the book down.

Finally, I loved how she incorporated the purple roses and their significance. I am not sure how am people look at the meanings of flowers but the meanings are overwhelming and beautiful. The purple roses are perfect for this story.

All I can say now . . . READ the book if you are looking to smile, laugh and fall in love with the wonderful Roxy & Wade!

Roxy & Wade are so cute! I love how their relationship started and they didn’t shy away from the fact for very long that they had feelings for each other. Typically with fake dating they act like it’s not happening and this was refreshing!

Wade taking her to all of the places she joked about going to was completely adorable - like the top of the Eiffel Tower.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes fake dating and sports romance.

WOW! This was my first book by Marion De Ré and I will definitely be reading more!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fake Dating the Footballer was everything I was hoping it would be! Wade is the ultimate book boyfriend. I loved that they were complete strangers when they first met and he helped Roxy without a second thought. The character growth that they both go through is fantastic. If you are looking for a sweet, fluffy, feel-good read this book is perfect!

P.S. the side characters were also great and I NEED their books right NOW! (Colton!!!)

I was given a chance to read this early thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I adored the characters in this whirlwind romance. I also appreciated how they came together as a couple! The first half of the book is perfect pace and you can easily see how it all unfolds. The only problem I had was the second half of the book felt rushed. Everything between our main characters happens really fast.

DNF at 22%

I really wanted to love this book. Wade is a great candidate for a book boyfriend. I'm a sucker for fake dating and sports romance. Plus football? I was sold. Add in the promise of body positivity and I felt that this book would be a great fit for my tastes.

However, the kind of 'body positivity' in the first 22% that I read was the FMC saying "ew I can never wear that outfit again I look so fat" or "I chose this outfit cause it makes me look like a 14, not a 16, and I'm just so fat." The 'body positivity' from the MMC was equivalent to him saying "hot bod." I am just not a fan of the kind of body positivity that relies on the idea that a woman can't love her body until a man shows her she's allowed to.

The story and characters also just felt like a caricature of what it could have been.

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing by NetGalley and Marion De Re for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 3rd book on the series but I felt ok with this being a standalone.

Roxy is picking up her crush from the airport thinking their relationship is moving beyond friendship only to find out he’s coming back to town after a 10 month work trip with a fiancée. She panics and grabs the closest guy to her to act as her boyfriend. That guy happens to be the biggest football star. Cue fake dating.

I enjoyed Roxy being curvy but struggled with how it was handled/such an ongoing topic. Maybe that’s my insecurities but it didn’t feel empowering,.

The ending felt rushed to me and wish it would have had a little more substance to it but overall a cute story.

Fake dating to (assumed) lovers. Famous/commoner. No spice.

As much as I love a fake dating story, this one didn’t quite manage to draw me in. Wasn’t fully sold on their chemistry with a lack of depth and quickly finished scenes and zero steamy moments. Lots of predictable story lines and easy conclusions

I love a feel good romance and a good meet cute. This is both! I couldn't put this book down. It didn't shy away from issues like foster care and body issues but at its core it was a wonderful heart warming read. 10/10!

"Fake Dating the Footballer" by Marion De Ré is an absolute gem of a rom-com! It's like a warm hug on a chilly day, filled with all the best tropes: fake dating, sports romance, and a cinnamon roll hero you can't help but adore. Roxy and Wade's chemistry leaps off the pages, making you grin, chuckle, and swoon in equal measure. Plus, the witty banter and tender moments keep you hooked from start to finish. Trust me, this book is a touchdown in the rom-com genre! 🏈💕

From unexpected airport encounters to fake dating shenanigans, "Fake Dating the Footballer" is a delightful rollercoaster ride of emotions. Roxy and Wade's journey from fake to real love is heartwarming and endearing, with just the right amount of tension and tough decisions to keep you on your toes. While there were a few minor hiccups along the way, like stereotypical portrayals and surface-level moments, the overall experience is a joyous one. If you're looking for a fun and quick read to brighten your day, look no further than this charming rom-com! 📚✨

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am so thankful to of had the chance to review this ARC! This book was such an easy read, and so swoon-worthy! Could not put this down!! Currently on my faves list; highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, Marion De Re, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderfully sweet and utterly delightful romcom featuring some of my favorite tropes and an absolutely adorable cover!! Fake Dating the Footballer is the third book in the "For The Love of Rom-Coms" series but it stands alone as a complete story. This book boasts the classic fake dating trope, a captivating sports romance, a male main character who falls first and is a genuine cinnamon roll, forced proximity situations, themes of body positivity, dual points of view, closed door/fade to black scenes, and concludes with a heartwarming happily ever after. Throughout, it's filled with witty banter, palpable tension, tender moments, and undeniable chemistry. I thoroughly loved this book; it had me grinning, chuckling, and swooning from start to finish!! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Roxy hates football with every fiber of her being. The irony? She is dating Wade Hunter, aka England's most eligible player. Oops! It's a fake dating scenario. Long story short, her longtime crush, Karl, returned from a mission abroad with a fiancée on his arm, just when Roxy thought he was going to confess his love for her. Feeling humiliated, she grabbed the first guy she saw at the airport and introduced him as her boyfriend. Surprisingly, he played along. Even more surprising, he showed up at her door days later, asking to keep up the charade. Dating a footballer, even if it's fake, is the last thing Roxy wants to do while nursing a broken heart. But when he suggested she could use their fake relationship to make Karl jealous and win the feature contest at her work, she signed on the dotted line and secured herself a fake boyfriend. No problem, right?! However, the more time they spend together, the boundaries between what's fake and what's real start to blur. Ultimately, difficult decisions lie ahead, forcing contemplation on life's true priorities: career, fame, family, or fortune.

Overall, it is a charming rom-com from start to finish, capturing my heart with its loveable storyline and lighthearted tone. As a first time reader of this author, I'm eager to dive into more from the series. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and it deserves every star it receives!!! 💫💫💫💫💫

4.25/5

This book was the sweetest! Roxy drags Wade over to greet a friend (who she thought was more) at the airport when her friend shows up with his fiance! Roxy had no clue Wade was a professional athlete and their moment at the airport would land her in the press. In order to help Wade’s image and help Roxy’s career they decide to fake date. Both Wade and Roxy develop feelings for each other but don’t express their feelings until it’s almost too late! There’s tension, tough decision making, found family, and fake dating to lovers with a happy ending!

This is a really sweet story! Roxy and Wade are adorable in the way they simply fall in love. There were parts I found myself laughing out loud and then swooning at others. I just wish there was more - more introspection, more pining, more fake dating, more of really everything, even more of Karl being around. I didn’t love the way Kim was described - it felt very stereotypical and left me feeling a little icky. There were some parts that were a little misogynistic but I think that’s only because there wasn’t enough introspection to go along with it. Things were just a little too surface level.

“Sometimes, you have to let the people you love go..”

This book was so cute!! I love fake dating tropes!! This was an easy read for me! I started it yesterday and stayed up literally all night reading it. I want to fall in love with a football player now. Some parts were extremely cheesy but I actually enjoyed it very much!! 5 stars for me

This is a very fun, quick read if you want to increase your reading goals! I loved the plot, the characters were well thought out. My only tiff being that the “Body Positivity” sometimes felt like a forced plot line. I can appreciate the brother-sister relationship that’s portrayed! With that being said, it was very cute and I did enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for providing me with this copy!