Book Description 

Something has to give… Could it be her heart?

Connie has always distrusted nice guys. In her experience, they’re just waiting to reveal some horrible secret. And then she meets big, adorable, Henry Samuel Beckett—editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he’s real.

Until Henry Samuel Beckett—or Beck, as he’s known to most—tells her the secret underneath his sunny surface: He’s been single all his life. But in a moment of panic, he’s told everyone at his publishing house that he’s married. And when Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can’t help defending him, she ends up being the fake wife he doesn’t actually have.

When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can’t help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds…Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all.

My Review 

I loved the first book in this series, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read this second book. Readers do not necessarily need to start at the beginning: all you need to know is that this series is inspired by Ted Lasso and the first book featured a grumpy footballer modeled after Roy Kent. This book features a Ted Lasso-inspired hero, but Beck works in publishing because a football coach would be a little too on the nose. Beck is, however, an American. We have to stay consistent to the bit, don’t we? 

Hazel (tbh I don’t remember why Connie likes being called Hazel) and Beck are an interesting pairing. There’s definitely an opposites attract vibe going, but they are more alike than they appear. They’re both awkward, but in different ways. Hazel is not very happy with her career and she always ends up dating dirtbags, but she’s very confident in herself. Conversely, Beck is successful professionally, but he’s a total mess socially– which is probably why he invented a wife. Bottom line is that much like Tolstoy’s unhappy families, they are both awkward in their own unique ways. 

Both protagonists are also quite endearing, so it’s nice to see these two awkward people get their happily ever after. I love a geeky hero, so Beck was just about perfect. He didn’t have very much romantic experience, but he’s read a lot of books, and wow, was he taking notes. 

I would absolutely recommend My Big Fat Fake Marriage. Like I said, you can read this book before the first book the series, but you really ought to read both, especially if you are a Ted Lasso fan. I am hoping that there are going to be more entries in the future because I am HOOKED. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley.