I have decided that Sharon M. Peterson is an auto=read author for me. I loved her first novel and this second one was equally fantastic. I love this take on fake dating. I appreciated that both main characters were respectful of each other and were characters in and of themselves. I just love Peterson's writing and story development. Can't wait to see what is next!

this was my go to book for a weekend away, it was a fun easy read but i did struggle to get on with the mae as she was so down about life but i persisted and it was a sweet love story with some laugh out loud moments

This was a cute romance book, but I found the main character to be obnoxious. Glad I read it though!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Of course, the cover art and the synopsis of the book itself made me want to dive right in. Who wouldn't want to when the story itself is about a small-town, a librarian and a very popular NFL player. Mix in some grumpy/sunshine vibes with a fake dating/engagement trope?! Sign me up!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to completely finish this book. I ended up putting it down about halfway through. I found myself unable to enjoy the main character's POV as it felt a little too irritable, too sarcastic and too pessimistic. For the first half of the book, I felt that it was moving maybe a little slower than preferable and Mae's attitude felt pretty redundant in certain cases. While I completely respect and understand the author's choice for doing so, it made it hard for me to be able to truly connect to the story.

However, I do wish I could've pushed myself to continue through the second half of the book as I feel that the author would have definitely tied everything well together. Not to mention the romance of it all... it was built up very strong in the first half. I believe that others would definitely find this an enjoyable and worthwhile read!

It’s not often that a librarian will get a proposal she can’t refuse; When Mae first sees someone sleeping in the library she does not realise it is the all-star NFL player Chris Sterns. But when he needs a scandal to go away and she needs money, the only solution is to have a fake engagement. But soon they will be questioning just how fake it really is.

This was a feel-good read with two protagonists I was excited to see get together, these main characters were very much opposites but compliment each other throughout the novel.

Peterson writes a fun and easy read with great side characters and a town I hope to visit again.

I am a fan of the fake dating trope, and that might weigh into what I thought about this book since I cannot tell how much of it influenced my final thoughts about it all.
Our lead protagonist is a librarian struggling to ensure her local library stays funded. Her ex pulls those financial strings at the city level, and their past relationship does not help matters much. On the other end, we have a famous, athletic and good-looking sportsman trying to lie low for a while. He ends up in Mae's path one too many times before he decides that they can help each other out.
Mae is a typically responsible head of the family. She has been 'taking care' of things at home without her sister or mother getting to know the extent to which she has had to struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Her commentary on life in general around her as she goes about her life definitely helps. Chris is not very different when things are examined at the base level. He has just had more going for him, and with his skills, he is ahead in the 'taking care' department.
Both the protagonists are portrayed in a way that makes it very easy to want them to get together for their happily ever after. It was a breeze to read, and it was one of those books that I kept reading till i realised I had finished it. The book is more about the tug of war in Mae's head than any actual getting together on their part.
I would recommend this to fans of this genre. I would also definitely pick up another of the author's works if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Thank you netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book. This book was so sweet and just a happy read for me. I know the main character had struggles but I loved the small town vibes and Chris was just the most lovable character! I loved chris’s sisters and really everyone that lived in the town of Two harts. I really hope we get another book that takes place in Two harts because I just can’t wait to revisit this beautiful town with all of these amazing characters! I felt like this book had the perfect mix of everything in it!

Ms Peterson is a new-to-me author, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up. The cover is cute, and drew my attention and when I read the blurb, I definitely became interested in reading it. I was not disappointed! The story was cute, fun, and flirty with just the right amount of spice. When an NFL star, Chris Sterns, comes to the small town of Two Harts, and librarian Mae sees him napping in the non-fiction section, one thing leads to another and they end up with a fake engagement. Both will benefit from this faux arrangement. Chris is in town to hide out from a PR nightmare. The fake engagement is an attempt to fix his tarnished reputation, and Mae will receive some much-needed money. What could go wrong when it's just all fake?
Oh these two were so adorable together! Her grumpy, snarkiness and Chris' sweet, full of sunshine attitude, made for some really fun and witty banter. The chemistry really sizzled between them, and even with this closed door romance the spice was definitely strong!
Chris and Mae's dynamic was great and I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom. This was an enjoyable read and I hope to read more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from Bookouture and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Fake dating
Librarian meets jock
Grumpy sunshine
THE PICK UP LINESs!!!
Mae had the weight of the world on her shoulders and Chris was the perfect salve to lift her spirits and help her see that she isn't weak for accepting help.
This is a sweet romance (line drawn at kissing) but the story really is about Mae's journey of self discovery and saving her beloved library.
Thans Net galley for the ARC

I adored this book. I could not put it down.

I have never really been into insta love books but I think because this book is written from the female characters POV it didn't bother me that the male main character was an insta love.

I loved the characters, the flow of the story and how it all worked well together. Made me laugh, smile, giggle and blush.

Would definitely recommend!

Sharon is one of those rare authors who writes books that are laugh-out-loud funny while also being relatable, emotional, and real.

Mae is a small-town librarian with a huge weight on her shoulders. Her mother is recovering from a health scare, her teenaged sister is testing her boundaries, and her grifter father is nowhere to be found. So, Mae does what she always does.

She takes charge and takes care of everyone... Until Chris comes along, that is.

Chris is the perfect romcom hero. Funny, goofy, (tall and muscular--hello, professional football player!) with a huge heart. He offers Mae a mutually-beneficial fake engagement that will help relieve her financial burden, but along the way, he becomes the first person to notice that Mae could use a little care, too. (Friends, I swooned when he snuck in and fixed her dishwasher while she took a nap 😍)

This book has everything you'd want in a romcom: hilarious banter, a charming cast of friends and townspeople, a "theres only one bed" situation, lots of pining forced-proximity moments, and grumpy/sunshine characters you will root for all the way.

Sharon's first book, The Do Over set a high bar, and this one more than met expectations!

I went into this book thinking that it was just going to be one of those normal average romantic comedies. However what I got was so much more than average and that was definitely thabks to the great character development. I thought that the love story was very natural and there were some great laugh out loud moments throughout. I enjoyed all the cheesy pick up lines.

This was such an unexpected read for me but I really enjoyed it. The characters were well thought out, the plot was great and I really loved every minute of it.

Four stars!

This was exactly the kind of golden retriever energy I needed. The Fake Out is a great story. Our heroine is delightfully sarcastic but hesitant. Mae and Chris's relationship was a joy to read. The book had me laughing out loud at times. The love of books and the cast of characters around them makes it even better.

Here's where I call myself out a bit. I read both closed door and more spicy novels. This book was so funny, paced well, and interesting that I got to the end of the book and didn't realize until later that it was closed door. I was just that into their story. So, if you are looking for a romcom I highly recommend this either way. It's worth the read.

Read this book if you love;
• Fake Dating/Engage
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• He Falls First
• Only One Bed
• Small Town

This is going to be one of my favorite romcom read this year!!
It’s funny, emotional and sweet, what more could you ask for ?

The writing style is easy to read and it flows smoothly as well.
I love all the pickup lines (even the cheeky ones) throughout the story especially the ones when a new chapter began!

I fell in love with the characters as well, they are loveable, well developed and feels very relatable with all their flaws.
There’s Mae - our FMC, I adore her character as an independent and strong woman with her sarcastic remarks and stubbornness. Despite all of that, she genuinely cares for her family and always kind to other people.
I also like seeing her strong friendship with Ali and Ali’s shenanigans always makes me laugh.

Chris is the perfect swoony love interest! I love his infectious smile and pickup lines which seems to rise Mae’s grumpiness sometimes.
He’s the perfect match for her and I’m rooting for them all the way through!

I love all the aspects here, there are sweet and enchanting moments but also the emotional and heart-breaking ones.
One of my most favorite part is discovering the meaning of ‘it suits you’ from this book because it hits me right in the feels!

Overall, this is a wholesome romance with great humor, such a fantastic read!
I feel satisfied with how everything got wrapped up in the end, I would highly recommend people (especially romcom lovers) to pick this one up ASAP!
I’m really looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

This book was 4.5 stars for me - rounded up to 5 stars. I took off half a star because I felt like the FMC took her need to be independent slightly too far, but other than that, I absolutely adored this book. I am a sucker for a good marriage of convenience trope - especially when one half is a billionaire/professional athlete - and this story did not let me down. The characters felt genuine and good-hearted, the story flowed easily, and the romance was so sweet without being spicy. The first real kiss between the two MC's had me swooning, for sure.

I do almost wish we had been able to read this book from a dual perspective, but I don't think the book suffered without it. Both of our main characters had me rooting for them from the beginning, and I was so happy with the way the story ended. This was my first Sharon Peterson book, but I can assure you that it won't be my last. Also - the terrible pickup lines at the beginning of each chapter? Chefs kiss!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Book boyfriend - check, cute funny moments - check, love story you wish would happen to you - check. Romantic comedy perfection - check check! Maebell (adorable name) and Chris are the couple you root for, swoon worthy plot.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is my first time reading this author. What a fun book! I truly enjoyed it. A lovable librarian-doing her best to keep the library going on a very small budget, finds a sleeping man in her library. And from there-it gets crazy. Chris is a pretty famous football player. The characters are interesting, and this story will make you chuckle. The families are interesting and lovable. This is a feel good book. 4.5 stars Well worth a read, I will be reading more by this author. I think most romance readers would enjoy.

This was a sweet romance. Both main characters were extremely loveable, but Chris was just adorable. Also really enjoyed the family drama element, as well as the community vibe in this.

What to expect:

- sports romance
- famous football player and librarian
- opposites attract
- fake dating
- grumpy x sunshine
- one bed
- closed door romance

First of all thankyou to the publisher for such a brilliant read .

I had never read any of Sharon work before so I thought let's see what her books are like I can say I wasn't disappointed, I very much enjoyed this book anytime I hear smalltown romance I'm there I love how it gives it bit more of a cozy vibe .

The plot well what can I say brilliant it kind of spoke for its self , the characters mea she works in a small library and Chris is a big time athlete,it's a great fake dating romance sometimes I'm like oh fake dating let's see how this goes I loved it it was not cheesy ,

Sharon writing is so well paced wasn't slow she kept you guessing what going to happen next just what I need .

I definitely recommend if you love Alii Hazelwood .

I'm rating this brilliant room 5 starts