I really enjoyed this book! It had great South Asian representation, the classic fake dating trope and great characters.

I loved the relationship between Harsha and Veer and how they both had to work through personal issues like family drama, self acceptance and insecurity. They were very likable characters and I enjoyed reading their fake dating to falling in love story.

Harsha and Veer’s story had me hooked from the start! Their chemistry was instant, and I loved how the book wove in family expectations, identity, and the pressure to live life on your own terms. Being South Asian, I found the cultural nuances and complex family dynamics super relatable.

Harsha, a freelance photographer, hires Veer, her favorite barista, to fake date her for a series of family events. She’s trying to prove herself without relying on her family’s wealth, while Veer is trying to pay his brother’s tuition. What starts as a practical arrangement quickly turns into something deeper, and their sweet, slow-burn romance is full of laugh-out-loud and heartwarming moments.

This was such a quick, feel-good read. The fake dating, South Indian representation, and slow-burn tension made it so addictive. I’m already excited to see what Swati Hegde comes up with next.

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, so you bet I'm reading everything with the slightest hit of it.

This one was a cute and fun ride! the romance actually felt like it was developing naturally and it was believable

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Can’t Help Faking in Love is a playful take on the fake-dating trope, all set in the backdrop of Bangalore.

Our FMC, Harsha, is recently broken up and needs a date to her cousin’s wedding. Enter Veer, a cute barista/actor juggling caring for his brother and mother after his father abandoned them.

I loved the way the author built their relationship, which blossoms into something wholesome and loving. I also enjoyed the side characters, which really added to the story and fleshed out Harsha’s character.

I feel that at times the writing style occasionally feels incomplete, but overall, this enjoyable read is perfect for a quick and fun escape.

Fake dating, multicultural representation and a wedding? Say no more.

A young woman with Bollywood roots hires a barista to act as her boyfriend for her cousin’s wedding—only to learn you can’t fake chemistry like theirs.

This one starts right off the bat and doesn’t take its foot off the brake at all. I loved all of the characters, laughed multiple times and felt all of the emotions throughout my reading. I also appreciate that this is a no spice book with it fading to black. There’s not one thing that I didn’t love about this book and read it cover to cover in a day.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I loved the nostalgic romance quotes from TV shows in the chapter headers and I thought the fake dating trope was done well. I enjoyed my time with this one.