5 Fake Dating Romance Trope Books

The fake dating romance trope centers around two characters who agree to pretend they're in a relationship for some external purpose (like making an ex jealous, satisfying family pressure, or securing a business advantage), only to develop genuine feelings for each other as they maintain the charade. The initial arrangement typically comes with clear boundaries and an expiration date, but the forced proximity and intimate moments inevitably lead to real romance despite their protests that it's "just pretend."

Torn between duty and desire, this attorney never expected to fall for a wolf shifter with a criminal past. Now caught in a fake engagement with mafia ties and real feelings, she must decide if love is worth risking everything—especially when she discovers Kavan's ultimate betrayal might break more than just the law.

Zara's organized approach to finding her perfect magical mate doesn't include falling for a witch who avoids magic. But when Anthony Shelly agrees to help the uptight harpy with her seduction skills, their temporary arrangement ignites unexpected feelings. As Zara pursues her dream of a quiet family life in Folk Haven, she must decide if the magic-rejecting witch helping her find love might actually be her perfect match.

Two fake relationships collide at one over-the-top Italian wedding when bookstore manager Nora D'Amato and the perpetually traveling Sebastian Rossi find themselves fighting unexpected attraction amid feuding families. With everyone watching their every move at a posh Adirondack resort—from pickleball tournaments to bull-riding bachelorette parties—one slip could expose all their secrets. As the week-long celebration spirals into hilarious chaos, Nora and Sebastian must decide if keeping their façades intact is worth sacrificing what might be real between them.

When billionaire dragon shifter Glenn's inheritance and alpha status hang in the balance, he finds his perfect solution in Amelia—a woman the dating agency matched as his fake bride who's now his true mate. What begins as convenience blossoms into genuine love, but their passionate future together faces dual threats: Glenn's secret deadline to father a child and Amelia's dangerous wolf-shifter ex who refuses to let her go.

When a gorgeous stranger transforms into a bear to rescue Heidi from harassment, she never expects to become his fake fiancée—or for their pretend romance to spark real passion. As a witch's prophecy and a Los Angeles job offer complicates matters, this city girl and bear shifter discover that the best magic begins with a little deception and a lot of animal attraction.