Best Fake Relationship Romance Books (Worth Reading)
There’s just something about a fake relationship romance that hits differently than fake dating. When the couple is already “together” in everyone else’s eyes – engaged, married, or presenting as the real thing – the stakes feel higher and the tension builds faster.
These fake relationship books lean into that pressure. The public expectations, the forced intimacy, the way pretending starts to feel a little too real… it’s the kind of emotional chaos I will happily devour every time.
If you’re looking for the best fake relationship romance books worth your time, these are the ones I’d actually recommend to a friend – the standouts with the chemistry, tension, and payoff that make this trope so addictive.
→ If you want my best romance picks (and the ones I don’t think are worth your time), make sure you’re on my email list. 💌
🎧 Want more on why this trope works so well?
Listen to my podcast episode with Laura Carter where we break down fake relationship romances and share even more favorites.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Best Fake Relationship Romance Books to Read Right Now
⭐ Start Here: My Top Fake Relationship Picks
If you don’t know where to start, these are the ones I’d recommend first:
👉 Hothead by Stella Rhys
If you want high steam, sharp banter, and a fake engagement that turns real fast.
👉 The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
If you want slow burn tension, forced proximity, and a payoff that delivers.
👉 The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
If you want something light, funny, and ridiculously bingeable.
Hothead
by Stella Rhys
Fake fiancée, PR relationship, sports romance
This is one of those fake relationship setups that just works from the start. He needs a reputation reset, she needs to prove she’s moved on, and their fake engagement quickly becomes way too convincing.
The chemistry is immediate: sharp banter, constant tension, and a relationship that feels real long before either of them admits it.
If you want high steam with confident characters who actually feel like equals, this is an easy recommendation.
The Spanish Love Deception
by Elena Armas
Fake boyfriend to wedding, enemies to lovers, slow burn
If you love a slow burn that commits to the tension, this one delivers. Catalina needs a date to her sister’s wedding, and the last person she wants volunteering is her infuriating coworker.
The tension builds steadily, especially once they’re thrown into close quarters with her family watching their every move. The fake relationship feels real long before either of them is ready to admit it.
Perfect if you want drawn-out tension with a payoff that feels earned.
The Unhoneymooners
by Christina Lauren
Fake marriage, enemies to lovers, forced proximity
This is one of the most fun takes on a fake relationship because they don’t just pretend to be dating, they pretend to be married on a honeymoon they definitely shouldn’t be on together.
The forced proximity does all the work here. Sharing a room and constantly playing the part creates tension that slowly shifts from irritation to something much deeper.
If you want something light, funny, and easy to binge, this is always a good pick.
Hard Sell
by Lauren Layne
Fake girlfriend, workplace, PR relationship
This one leans into the PR side of the trope where the relationship is all about appearances. He needs to clean up his image, and she’s the one person who already knows exactly who he is.
The tension isn’t just from the fake setup – it’s already there, and the arrangement forces them to confront it head-on.
If you want something steamy, fast-paced, and polished, this one delivers.
The Earl I Ruined
by Scarlett Peckham
Fake engagement, historical romance, reputation repair
This is the fake relationship trope with real emotional weight. She ruins his reputation and offers a fake engagement to fix it, forcing them into close, constant proximity.
What makes this one stand out is the emotional layering – guilt, longing, and unresolved feelings all wrapped into the arrangement.
Perfect if you want historical romance with depth and strong character growth.
💕 More Fake Relationship Romance Books to Binge
- Right Man, Right Time by Meghan Quinn – A steamy fake relationship designed to spur jealousy brings a professional hockey player to his knees.
- Ex Games by Stella Rhys – A revenge-driven fake relationship that quickly turns messy and emotional.
- If You Were Mine by Melanie Harlow – A hired boyfriend setup that doesn’t stay contained for long.
- To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise – A Hollywood PR relationship layered with brother’s best friend tension.
- Fake Fiance by Ilsa Madden-Mills – A fake engagement to clean up a football star’s image that spirals fast.
- Endurance by Amy Daws – Enemies forced into a fake relationship with heat and banter.
- Outmatched by Kristen Callihan & Samantha Young – A fake boyfriend setup that turns into full opposites-attract tension.
🔥 How to Pick Your Next Fake Relationship Romance Book
Want emotional tension and payoff?
→ The Spanish Love Deception or The Earl I Ruined
Want something lighter and fun?
→ The Unhoneymooners
Want high steam and chemistry?
→ Hothead or Right Man, Right Time
📚 Explore More Romance Tropes
📩 Get More Romance Recommendations
If you want my best romance recommendations (and the ones I don’t think are worth your time), join my email list.
You’ll also get book club picks, new releases I’m excited about, and the books actually worth adding to your TBR.
…because life is better with a love story 💕
I do appreciate these lists very much. Please come out with a list about heroes who grovel. Thank you!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying my book lists! I love your list suggestion…will put it in my queue.