This socialite left her fiancé at the altar and now she needs a fake date to a wedding! What could go wrong?

It started with one simple request:

“Pretend to like me for three days.”

Canceling her own million-dollar wedding made socialite Alexandra Gold infamous.

Now the only way to avoid going alone to the wedding of this season—and keep vicious gossip account Little Black Book of Secrets quiet—is to bring a fake date.

The almost-perfect candidate: architect Ryder Carson, her brother’s best friend. Ryder’s off-limits, yet tempting, despite their recent history.

And as the celebration heats up, so do the sparks. But is it only a matter of time before Little Black Book reveals their secret?

Titles in the Little Black Book of Secrets series (trilogy) include — The Problem with Playboys —♥— Black Tie Bachelor Bid —♥— How to Fake a Wedding Date —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

Title:  How to Fake a Wedding Date
Series:  Little Black Book of Secrets #3
Author:  Karen Booth
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published:  June 28, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Desire
My Rating:  4.5 stars

How to Fake a Wedding Date brings the Little Black Book of Secrets trilogy to a conclusion – and what an amazing romance it turned out to be.  Alex and Ryder turned out to be my favorite couple of this series – although, Ryder really needed to find his courage to stand up to his best friend and business partner far, far sooner than he did.  If there was a character that I could not stand (aside from the obvious Little Black Book people) it was Daniel, and his inability to see beyond business or to comprehend how his words and actions were hurting his sister (Alex) and his friend/business partner (Ryder).  No, Daniel was not on my people-to-love list, at all.

Alex canceled her very expensive wedding practically at the altar.  She knew she didn’t love the man, she was being pushed into a marriage that she didn’t want.  And when she stood up for herself, for her own happiness she was rewarded with an angry parent, and became the most talked-about woman in town, and not in a good way.  The Little Black Book gossip site made certain that she was always in the spotlight in a negative way.

Now she needs a date for her best friend, Chloe’s wedding and there is one man that she wishes would really see her and not only as his business partner’s sister.  She has a proposition for Ryder, pretend to like her for the three days of the wedding celebrations and she’ll make certain he gets an introduction to a man who could take their business to the next level with one deal.  Daniel isn’t going to let this chance go by but warns Ryder over and over about keeping his distance from Alex.  A warning that, unfortunately, has mixed reactions.

I laughed and cried and got angry for Alex throughout How to Fake a Wedding Date.  The emotions just rolled over me.  Ryder and Alex work so well as a couple, but Ryder needed to get his head on straight about what was truly important in life before that romance left the fake it portion of their time together.  If I could have sat Alex’s mother down for a stern conversation I would have.  The people behind the Little Black Book weren’t the only villain like people in this story.

We finally have answers as to who and why these people were being targeted by Little Black Book.  And I’m not going there, you’ll have to discover that for yourself.  In all, I had a fantastic time back in this world.  I loved the cover, believe it is time to show a more diverse representation of people who fall in love, and the cover nailed that message.  I adored Alex, and wanted her to find her happiness, and was almost as devastated as she was when people let her down again.  Ryder needed to find his backbone.  He let Daniel call the shots far too long, he lost points with me for not sticking up for the woman he loved so much sooner – business deal, bro code or not.  But I loved How to Fake a Wedding Date and would recommend it to any reader who loves a good, solid romance, an emotional journey, sizzling chemistry, and a couple who need to work through issues but eventually finds their forever love.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

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