5 Fake Relationship Romance Trope Books
The fake dating romance trope involves two characters who pretend to be in a relationship for some external reason (like making an ex jealous, fulfilling a family obligation, or achieving a professional goal), only to develop genuine feelings for each other as they maintain the charade. Inevitably, their arrangement becomes complicated when real emotions emerge, typically leading to a conflict when the deception is revealed or threatened, before ultimately resolving in an authentic relationship. (Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
Fake Dating the Orc Professor: When twenty-nine-year-old Astrid wakes up in the bed of Alaric, a hulking orc professor who insists nothing happened despite her blackout, his mother's sudden arrival and mistaken assumption that Astrid is his girlfriend launches them into a fake relationship that blurs into something real as she falls for the tweed-clad academic whose powerful body and gentle nature make her hope their rom-com beginning might lead to an actual happily-ever-after.
Sexy Pucking Polar Bear: When Burke, a hot polar bear shifter and new hockey captain saving up to return to Canada, and Kendall, a commitment-phobic cougar shifter teacher still scarred by her disastrous marriage, agree to fake date to stop their families' relentless matchmaking, their pretend relationship quickly escalates into friends with benefits and real feelings that force them to decide if they can compromise on their conflicting futures to turn their fake romance into something lasting.
My Fake Orc Date: When curvy baker accidentally makes orc engagement cookies for her new hunky professor neighbor Xago and he asks her to be his holiday party date, their undeniable attraction faces opposition from narrow-minded locals and her jealous ex who aren't ready for change in their small town, forcing them to fight for their budding romance or let prejudice destroy their chance at a solstice miracle.
Kiss Me, Doc: When fraud matchmaker Ruth Coldwell desperately claims to have a husband to save her job, grumpy doctor Callum Reed proposes a deal after showing up to complain about her terrible matchmaking skills: she'll fake date him and he'll fake marry her, but as their arrangement heats up with steamy anatomy lessons and real feelings, a dangerous figure from Ruth's past returns to remind her she was never meant for love and threatens to destroy everything they've built together.
The Giant Anteater Shifter’s Billionaire Bride: https://amzn.to/3WZX1dT When Demetrius Pappas, a giant anteater shifter running a paranormal orphan ski camp, faces losing his inheritance and closing his sanctuary, wealthy philanthropist Philippa Lucci volunteers to pose as his girlfriend to win over his skeptical grandfather, but their fake relationship ignites real passion that must withstand his grandfather's bigotry and prove their unexpected love is worth fighting for.
