Book Overview: If the Ring Fits by Camilla Isley
Release Year: 2025
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Tropes:

Marriage of Convenience
Fake Engagement
Only One Bed
Age Gap Romance
Opposites Attract
Synopsis
What do you get when a high-flying investment banker and an unemployed, pregnant software engineer fake an engagement? A hilarious, heartwarming, and absolutely chaotic romance of epic proportions.

Adrian, a smooth-talking multi-millionaire, finds himself backed into a corner after fabricating a fiancée to impress his CEO. Enter Rowena, a brilliant yet down-on-her-luck engineer who’s having the worst day of her life. She’s jobless, unexpectedly expecting, and in desperate need of a miracle. Their worlds collide in an unconventional meet-cute, and before they even know each other’s middle names, Adrian gets down on one knee with a deal Rowena can’t refuse.

Rules of the Fake Engagement
Play the Part: Convince everyone they’re madly in love.
Keep Things Separate: Maintain boundaries between their chaotic real lives.
No Catching Feelings: Absolutely, positively, do not fall for each other.
But with every overnight stay featuring only one bed and zero personal space, those rules start to crumble. As their faux romance begins to feel alarmingly real, Adrian and Rowena are forced to confront the inconvenient truth: love isn’t something you can fake.

Why You’ll Love It
Laugh-Out-Loud Humor
Camilla Isley’s trademark wit shines in this fast-paced rom-com, full of awkward moments, razor-sharp banter, and hilariously heartfelt mishaps.

Relatable Characters
Adrian is the perfect mix of arrogant charm and vulnerability, while Rowena is a STEM queen navigating life’s curveballs with intelligence and grit. Their chemistry is electric, and their flaws make them all the more endearing.

Tension and Romance
Between fake kisses that feel all too real and the classic "only one bed" scenario, the slow-burn tension builds beautifully, keeping you hooked until the very last page.

Feel-Good Message
Beneath the comedy lies a story about taking risks, rebuilding after setbacks, and finding love in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Perfect For Fans Of:
Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies)
Sarah Adams (The Cheat Sheet)
Fallon Ballard (Just My Type)
What Readers Are Saying
“Sexy, funny, and filled with irresistible charm—this rom-com is pure gold!”
“I couldn’t stop smiling. Adrian and Rowena are perfect opposites, and their journey from strangers to soulmates is a delight.”
Final Thoughts
If the Ring Fits is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy packed with heart, heat, and a healthy dose of chaos. Whether you're here for the spicy banter, swoon-worthy romance, or hilarious misunderstandings, this book will leave you smiling and swooning in equal measure.

Rating: ★★★★★
A must-read for rom-com lovers who believe love is worth the risk—even when it starts with a lie.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. The author has such a good writing style. This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! I enjoyed the characters. They had good chemistry.

A very unlikely premise that makes for a cute, Hallmark-type story! Rowena finds herself in the unenviable position of tossing cookies in the bathroom after discovering she's pregnant, single, and unemployed. Adrian, too, finds himself in the unenviable position of tossing cookies in the bathroom after lying to his boss about having a pregnant fiance. A little too convenient, but so what -- it's a story, not real life! Camilla is fantastic about taking these completely unbelievable scenarios and making them work out perfectly, drawing the reader in and getting us to root for the characters to have their happily ever after. There were a few places where the time just suddently jumped and I felt like I missed something, but figured that was in the interest of keeping page count down. As someone who experienced it, I would have liked to seen the post-partum aspect addressed a bit more fully, if only because no one ever talks about it, and it felt like a missed opportunity to reach people in a non-confrontational manner.

This was a pretty good book, but it was too cheesy. I think the romance part is just not realistic. I think that it is overdone and it is too much and it took away from the writing in general

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book reminded me exactly why I love reading books by Camilla Isley. It had the perfect balance of sweet, corny, strangers to lovers, sexy, sensual and steamy scenes. I just loved this book!
On top of everything you’ll also get to read about past characters in other books.

Rowena is a very book-smart woman in a dead end job who suddenly finds herself fired and knocked up by her toxic ex boyfriend.

Adrian is a very smart and driven man with a very successful career in finance He has the world at his feet if not for the last point on his wish list, to be the CEO of the company he has worked for his whole life. The only problem here is he needs to find somebody exactly like Rowena to get the job.

This was a funny and at the same time endearing plot from the begging until the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader copy.

I thought I would give Camilla Isley one more chance, but I can definitely say now, I'm not the reader for this author. The different pieces of this novel--fake dating, one bed, and an engagement pact trope--could've added up to something fun and frothy, but somehow the pieces just didn't come together for me. The book is fine but I won't return to this author.

Adrian and Rowena's chemistry shines as they navigate one bed, blurred boundaries, and growing feelings that neither expected. The premise is delightful, and the humor hits just right. Their dynamic is messy, hilarious, and filled with enough swoon-worthy moments to keep me flipping pages late into the night.

What Worked:

The Fake Relationship Tropes: One bed? Check. Pretending to be madly in love while feelings sneak in? Double check.
The Characters: Rowena, a STEM FMC, is smart, relatable, and resilient. Adrian is the classic multi-millionaire MMC with a big heart hidden under his sometimes clueless exterior.
The Postpartum Depression Aspect: It was delicately and thoughtfully addressed, adding depth to the story and to Rowena’s character.
What Could Have Been Stronger:

Time Skips: There were moments where weeks passed, and I felt like I missed out on some key emotional developments or relationship-building scenes. I wanted more insight into their day-to-day as their fake relationship started to feel real.
The Postpartum Inconsistency: While I appreciated the delicate handling of postpartum depression, it felt odd that after the early emphasis on Rowena’s care during pregnancy (including finding the best OBGYN for morning sickness), postpartum care wasn’t given the same priority. It left a small gap in the story’s logic.

4 stars.

Since I've enjoyed Camilla Isley's books before, I was eager to pick up this book. And I liked this one too, which is the second part of the series, but which works perfectly as a stand-alone.

Rowena has a problem: she's pregnant and lost her job. Unfortunately, the child's father isn't really involved. Adrian also has a problem: he's told his boss that his fiancée is pregnant, even though he doesn't have a fiancée. The meet cute between these two isn't actually very cute, but Rowena is the perfect solution to Adrian's problem, and Adrian can help Rowena with her financial crisis.

I really liked this book. As usual for Camilla Isley, it was an easy and quick read, it was entertaining and romantic. Maybe not exactly realistic - but it doesn't have to be!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: heroine, 1st person
Heat: open doors / fade to black
Pacing: slowburn

Communication: mostly healthy communication
Third act: hiccups
Ending: HEA

About the main characters:
* Age gap
* Alpha Hero
* Millionaire
* Opposites attract
* Physically very different

What?
* Accidental pregnancy
* Fake dating
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Marriage of convenience
* One bed
* Pregnancy
* Weddings

If the Ring Fits by Camilla Isley is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and romance. From the very first page, I was hooked! The story made me laugh out loud one moment and brought me to tears the next. The characters are so relatable, and their emotional journey truly tugs at your heartstrings. This book made me feel all the things – from the joy of new beginnings to the ache of personal growth. Camilla Isley’s writing is witty and warm, and she has a real knack for creating moments that are both funny and deeply moving. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between, this is the one! Highly recommend!

4.5 Stars

Camilla Isley delivers a lively RomCom with If the Ring Fits, a modern-day marriage of convenience that blends humor, heartfelt moments, and great chemistry.

Rowena and Adrian meet under hilariously awkward circumstances: both are sick in a bathroom, for very different reasons. Rowena just learned she’s pregnant and unemployed, while Adrian’s boss won’t promote him because he’s seen as an unbalanced workaholic. In a desperate bid to prove otherwise, Adrian impulsively claims he’s bringing his pregnant fiancée to a work retreat. Enter the perfect (and perfectly crazy) solution: a marriage of convenience that benefits them both—medical security for Rowena and a shot at the promotion for Adrian. But neither expected the arrangement to spark feelings they can’t ignore.

Adrian’s transformation from a work-focused loner to someone discovering joy and connection through Rowena is heartwarming, while Rowena’s resilience and wit make her an easy character to root for. For a fake relationship, their chemistry feels authentic, balancing humor with moments of genuine vulnerability.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The story opens near its climax, and watching the events unfold to reach that point made me not want to put the story down!

Romance Content: Fade to black with one bonus spicy scene at the end of the story. Some language.

If you like relatable characters with amazing chemistry and great humor, this is a good one!

Pub. Date: January 25, 2025

Thank you Netgalley, Camilla Isley, and Boldwood books for my #gifted ARC.

If the Ring Fits by Camilla Isley is a fun read and the type of book I have come to expect from Ms. Isley - enjoyable, easy to read, and one that I know will give me characters that I will care about and want good things for.

Rowena is having a bad day - she finds out that she is pregnant by the guy she broke up with and then, still reeling from this, goes back to work and is promptly laid off by her odious boss. She gets ill as she is leaving the building and to her mortification, someone comes into the bathroom while she is puking, except...

Adrian thought he was a the top of his game until he overhears a conversation that means everything he has worked for will be for nothing. He leaves his office, and upset by the news and bad sushi get sick - next to Rowena.

They commiserate over their situations from neighboring stalls and Adrian comes up with a plan that may save them both. The rest of the book (no spoilers) tells their story via flashback/present situations.

Ms. Isley has become one of my auto-buy authors and this one will be no different when it's published. She creates characters I want to root for and who I become invested in.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I LOVE Camilla Isley books and this was no exception. I was SO excited to see a cameo of Reese and Thomas. This was a sweet story of a fake romance turned real-- I couldn't exactly figure out what the conflict would be at the end, so it kept me guessing. I will continue to read all Isley puts out as soon as she does.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an invitation to read and review this eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

It’s no secret I love Camilla Isley’s books, and despite the fact that she somehow manages to write so many (thank you, please continue) they never go down in terms of quality of writing or the inventiveness of the story. Similarly, all characters stay wholly unique and yet I always adore each one. It’s a mystery, but here we are with If the Ring Fits and once again it’s another book that I loved reading.
Funny and squeeze your heart sweet, If the Ring Fits sees Rowena wrapping up a great day that sees her newly fired and deemed pregnant (won’t the father being her emotionally abusive king jerk ex) with some morning sickness in the afternoon in her ex employer’s building lobby. I’d be nauseous too if I knew I’d have to move back to Idaho away from my best friends due penguin and jobless due to the very real possibility of not making rent. Enter Adrian, similarly nauseous due to his lie to his boss that he has a pregnant finance. Why would he lie about that? Well Adrian is an investment banker who has a shot at being CEO of his firm, only he heard his boss say he’s going with the guy with the family as he’ll understand and care for the people of the firm due to this touchpoint with humanity.

Naturally the only solution here is for Adrian to proposition to Rowena in a little ‘pull the wool over everyone’s eyes’ which benefits her in that it keeps her in the city. I never said Camilla writes believable stories, but the fantasy of it works for me, as it does here. Blending lots of spice and lost of heart, this story was the sweetest escapism with absolutely lovely characters. I can’t wait for the next one!

3.75★ “I might be old-fashioned, but shouldn’t you at least ask my name before you propose?”

The concept had already griped me from the first chapter in itself. I love how it was different from those stereotypical grumpy billionaire romances, the vibrant prose of the author was magical, i found myself hooked, that too and the short chapters and spot-on pacing made following along much easier.

Rowana and Adrian together were heart-touching and impactful, flawed but relatable with swoon worthy and delicious chemistry. Their first “meet-puke” was the most hilarious and unique first interaction i’ve read in a while. The development of Adrian from career-oriented emotionally unavailable ruthless businessman with a softie supportive heart to a well communicated attentive family man was chef’s kiss.

I found the ending a bit rushed. I would have loved to read more 50 pages of how they fell apart instead of those summarized paragraphs, it kinda made me disconnected with their situation and experiences. A detailed narration instead of just informing the reader of those miscommunications would have been worked better with me. Nonetheless i loved this emotional journey of pretend engagement gone wrong with a must needed touch of hilarious banter.

Bonus:
Their text chats>

Tropes:
☞ Fake Marriage
☞ Age-gap
☞ Surprised Pregnancy
☞ Woman in STEM
☞ He’s a Billionaire

Thank You NetGalley and BoldWood Books for the ARC Copy of the book.

#NetGalley #Iftheringfits

4.75⭐

An amazing story with marriage of convenience, fake relationship, and very real feelings! The story started cliche enough, but the writing was so good that I was hooked. I loved how it did not follow the typical billionaire romance plot and had its own quirks and twists.

I loved Rowena and Adrian, the way they enhanced each other when they were together. I especially loved the fact that Adrian was NOT a typical grump who only scowled except when he was with the heroine. No, Adrian was a workaholic, a ruthless businessman, but not a grump - which made me love his character even more. Rowena felt so relatable and I loved how sass and compassion.

However, there were a few scenes when it was narrated what was happening instead of showing. For example, when Rowena says to her roommates/besties about her situation - that scene is just narrated, not really explained with dialogues and reactions of each character. Those kinda scenes made me feel disconnected from the story since it didn't show much about the other characters involved and how they feel. Also, it felt like I was not there in that scene, if you know what I mean. The story happens, which helps you visualize what is going on very clearly. But when there are scenes like this, it just informs you the story with much less details, which rather feels like a summary than a story.

Otherwise, it was a very funny and heart touching book. I'm surely gonna try out other books by this author.

I loved going on this delicious journey with Rowena Taylor as she navigates a journey of self discovery and finding love. Rowena’s life is quickly turned upside down when her boyfriend breaks up with her, she’s fired from her job and finds out she’s pregnant. She meets Adrian West and finds herself seriously considering a fake marriage proposal to secure some stability for herself and her unborn baby. Very quickly Rowena starts to fall for Adrian. Could this fake marriage actually be something real?

The story is far fetched but I actually loved that about it. It’s not everyday that we meet a sexy, rich financial banker that proposes marriage within the first twenty minutes of meeting. Rowena find herself in a tough situation and had to overcome the negative voices in her head. I was rooting for her when she started to find herself passion for her work again and not compromising herself to fit the mold of a working woman with a child. Adrian was supportive along the way, albeit not so great with the communication. He also grew along the way, realizing that he really could have it all if he learned to let love in. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy. It’s such an endearing story and I highly recommend it.

If the Ring Fits by Camilla Isley is a delightful, modern twist on the classic Cinderella tale that absolutely charmed me from start to finish. This enchanting story brings all the magic, humor, and swoon-worthy romance that Isley is known for, wrapped up in a witty, feel-good package.
I loved how Isley gave a contemporary flair to the fairy tale while keeping the heart of the story intact. The heroine, with her relatable quirks and endearing resilience, felt like someone you’d root for in real life. The hero? Total book boyfriend material—charismatic, kind, and perfectly imperfect. Their chemistry was sizzling yet sweet, making every interaction a treat to read.
What set this book apart for me was Isley’s clever humor and vibrant prose. The banter between the characters was pitch-perfect, and the emotional moments were just as impactful. The pacing was spot-on, keeping me hooked without ever feeling rushed. I also adored the side characters, who added depth and a touch of extra magic to the story.
As someone who loves romance with a dash of fairy-tale whimsy, this book hit all the right notes. It’s the perfect escape for anyone who wants to believe in the power of love, second chances, and happily-ever-afters.
Highly recommend for fans of romantic comedies and lighthearted fairy-tale retellings. Camilla Isley has delivered yet another gem, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

Everything you could hope for all in one book!
Funny
Sexy
Too many variables to be totally predictable but assured of a HEA
Friends
Enemy/adversary
Brilliant minds
Marriage of convenience with an expiration date
Healthy pregnancy
End of contract trouble
Written by an author who isn't afraid to make her heroines smart and confident and the heroes smart and supportive, the results are always engaging but over too soon. I loved that there was additional content. As usual with this author, I had a difficult time finding a spot that I was willing to put the book down. Finally decided around 2 A.M. when I read the last page. :)

Special appreciation to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read and review this book. All comments are my opinions, and I hope they will encourage others to enjoy this terrific book!

To land the big promotion, Adrian West invented a pregnant fiancée, and now he’s just met someone who can perfectly play the part. Suddenly unemployed and expecting her ex’s baby, Rowena Taylor sees that a fake engagement may enable her to stay in NYC as a single mom. Living two separate lives during their agreement sounded easy on paper, but as the weeks unfold, Adrian and Rowena must face their shifting feelings and changing visions for what their marriage could become.

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While I typically avoid books that include pregnancy, I decided to give the topic another try and see how it would integrate with a marriage-of-convenience story line. I’m glad that I gave If the Ring Fits a chance, because it’s a lovely RomCom full of heart and laughter.

Adrian’s evolution from a work consumed CIO to an attentive family man was enjoyable to watch. I also appreciated Rowena shedding the echoes of her past relationship and embracing what a supportive partner means for both her family and her career. The narrative structure of a dual POV built delicious emotional and sexual tension leading up to the decision of whether they’re both all in. While it was a closed-door romance, there is an open-door epilogue for the interested reader (like me!).

I did find the ending a bit rushed. The chapters started to jump months at a time versus the earlier daily/weekly chapters. There were a few paragraphs that summarized those timeframes, but we only see them told from Rowena’s POV. Being told what happened instead of being shown made me feel less connected to the characters’ experiences at the end of the book.

Overall, I’m glad that I gave If the Ring Fits a chance. It was a lovely story of how love grows, families are formed, and that having a family and a career are not mutually exclusive.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my review.

Content Warnings: Vomit, Pregnancy, Postpartum Depression

if the ring fits is a very quick, fun and entertaining read for all of the romance readers, who enjoy tropes like fake marriage, unplanned pregnancy and a little bit of a small burn. It was written in a very easy and enjoyable language and is a perfect pallete cleanser or if you just want to have a quick read to get your mind off of the real mundane live.

3,5 stars!