10 Romance Novels to Read If You Love the Fake-Dating Trope

The inspiration for the first season of Prime Video’s Off Campus, Elle Kennedy's hit 2015 novel centers on college students Garrett and Hannah. He needs a tutor so he can stay in his hockey coach’s good graces, and she needs a fake boyfriend to make her crush jealous—the perfect setup for a spicy, not-so-pretend romance.

Julia Quinn’s long-running series of Regency romances is the source material behind Netflix’s Bridgerton. It all started here, with the story of Daphne Bridgerton, who strikes up a pseudo-courtship with her older brother’s best friend, the Duke of Hastings, to simultaneously make her look more desirable on the marriage market and help him avoid other matchmaking schemes.

Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman are set to star in Prime Video’s film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s best-selling book, with the movie due to hit streaming in September 2026. It’s all about the simmering connection between Ph.D. candidate Olive and hotshot professor Adam, who agree to a fake relationship that soon makes the scientists realize there’s quite a bit of actual chemistry between them. 

Prolific and beloved rom-com writer Tessa Bailey has tried her hand at practically every romance trope out there. Her entry in the fake-dating pool is, of course, delightful: Fix Her Up pairs off birthday party clown Georgie with athlete-turned-house flipper (and her brother’s best friend) Travis in an effort to rehab both of their reputations around town. Hilarity and spice ensue.

Another #BookTok favorite, EmHen’s bibliography also includes a fake-dating romance. Funny Story is indeed a very funny story, as it weaves the tale of a pretend relationship between Daphne and Miles, who somehow end up first as roommates and then as co-conspirators after their respective exes unceremoniously break up with them to be together instead.

Jasmine Guillory’s rom-coms are always smart and sexy in equal measure, and this one, her debut novel, is no different. It starts with groomsman Drew asking total stranger Alexa to be his plus one the night before a wedding, then blossoms into a whirlwind long-distance romance between two ambitious people who just might be convinced to find time for love in their busy schedules. 

Abby Jimenez has earned a devoted fanbase of romance readers thanks to her knack for crafting charming love stories. Yours Truly begins like an enemies-to-lovers tale, until newly divorced Briana discovers that fellow doctor Jacob isn’t actually as horrible as she thought and, in fact, might be incredibly sweet (and incredibly sexy). From there, with their friendship secured, things shift firmly into fake-dating territory. As so many friendships inevitably must in the land of romance novels!

When single mother Dolly returns to her seaside hometown for the summer, she’s not expecting to find love. She's especially not expecting to have a whirlwind pretend romance with rich townie Stewart—complete with appearances at fancy benefits and swoon-worthy sunset boat rides that send her head (and heart) spinning. If you're looking for a beach read to sweep you off your feet, this is it.

Max’s ambitious career goals hit a snag when he’s told his single status might be hurting his chances for an ambassador position. The solution? Hire an actor to play his perfect boyfriend, of course. Things escalate not only when their fake relationship turns into a full-on marriage of convenience, but also when their less-than-convenient feelings for one another start to surface.

Short on funds, Noelle starts taking on gigs first as a stand-in bridesmaid, then as a stand-in girlfriend to a handsome business heir for the summer. Their relationship is supposed to be superficial, but gets a lot deeper than expected as they get to know each other and their complicated pasts.