Part of Bright Falls
First published 2023
Iris Kelly writes romance novels but refuses to date anyone herself. She prefers casual hookups to serious relationships, despite pressure from her coupled friends and family. Facing a looming deadline for her second book with zero inspiration, Iris heads to a Portland bar for distraction. She meets Stefania, a captivating stranger who becomes her most disastrous one night stand ever. Weeks later, Iris auditions for a local theater production of Much Ado About Nothing and discovers Stefania is actually Stevie, another cast member. When Stevie desperately asks Iris to pretend they're dating to impress her friends, Iris agrees. She figures the fake romance might spark ideas for her stalled manuscript. As they perform coupledom in public, their staged affection starts feeling genuine. Both women must decide whether to risk turning their pretend relationship into something real.
Genres: fiction, contemporary, adult, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance, lesbian-romance
Vibes: heartwarming, humorous, intimate, romantic, witty
Tropes: fake-dating, forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers, slow-burn-romance
Setting: Portland
Period: Contemporary
402 pages · Paperback · Berkley