My Bad Fake Boyfriend: bringing the worst possible boyfriend home for the holiday, what could go wrong?

My Fake Bad Boyfriend by Sara Whitney is the first book in the Hot Under the Mistletoe series. Darby St Claire needs a fake boyfriend. No, the worst fake boyfriend in the world. She needs a man to be so bad that her parents never bother her about her love life again. Gabe Dickinson says he’ll pretend to be that boyfriend. To be so bad that she is never asked to bring anyone home again. He promises he is up to the task. As they arrive at her parents’ home for Thanksgiving weekend, he’s a little too good at being bad. Darby and Gabe get so good at their little game, they forget it’s supposed to be an act. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, Darby realizes that their flirty game has gone too far and she wants Gabe to be the gift she unwraps. But if she does, will she be able to walk away? 

I bought this book as the synopsis sounded fun. Fake dating is usually a hilarious trope to read. However, I quickly learned it was not the book I thought it was. First, it is a reverse age gap, which I have learned is not the trope for me. Strike one. Second, when Darby learns about their age difference, she quips “You were in kindergarten when I was getting boobs!” Ugh, I rolled my eyes so hard, I thought they would fly out of my head. Strike two. Third, this story was a fast burn. So fast, that they went from flirting to wanting to get into bed. Strike three. I don’t mind spiciness in a romance but it happens so fast that it was hard to enjoy this story. If you enjoy fast paced, fake dating, reverse age gap romances, My Fake Bad Boyfriend may be the story for you. 

My Fake Bad Boyfriend is available in paperback and eBook

Say Yes to the Mess: an age gap fake dating romance

Say Yes to the Mess by Kira Archer is an age gap fake dating romance. Summer Laurent is finally on a path to a better life. Her divorce from her ex-husband is freshly inked, She loves her job and her new house. Her group of ride-or-die friends adds to the joy in her life. Garrett Vogel was doing a favor for a friend of a friend, when he overhears an egotistical jerk disrespecting Summer. Without thinking, he jumped in and introduced himself as Summer’s boyfriend and put her ex in his place. What he doesn’t anticipate is accompanying Summer to her boss’s weekend long wedding festivities. What could go wrong? To Summer, everything. Almost ten years older than Garrett, she doesn’t see a future for them. Can Garrett convince her otherwise? 

Kira Archer is a new author to me and Say Yes to the Mess sounded fun. I usually don’t read the reverse age gap (or age gaps in general) stories but I decided to take a chance on it. Unfortunately, this story reminded me why I do not read the reverse age gap. I did not find Summer relatable. Although, the initial meeting between Summer and Garrett was electric and how he swooped in and put Summer’s ex husband in his place was hilarious. However, I didn’t buy their relationship. Overall, I didn’t enjoy the story. However, readers who enjoy the reverse age gap genre will likely enjoy it. If you enjoy age gap romances, I recommend checking out Say Yes to the Mess. 

Say Yes to the Mess is available in paperback and eBook