Great to see you again! This month we’re exploring the FAKE DATING trope!
I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of lying.
You lie once and then you have to lie some more to keep the first lie from coming to light and then eventually you’re all trussed up in a web of duplicity.
Adding in a relationship to that sounds like a horrible idea!
I like my life to stay as uncomplicated by a web of lies as possible… which is why I read about fake dating instead of doing it myself. 🤣
Image
If you grew up watching soaps with your grandma like I did, then you’ve probably acquired a taste for the melodramatic, which means the fake dating trope is right up your alley.
Let’s look at two of my favorite examples: The Wedding Banquet (1993) directed by Ang Lee and The Wedding Banquet (2025) directed by Andrew Anh.
The 1993 film follows Gao Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese naturalized citizen living in Manhattan with his white Jewish partner Simon as they create a sham relationship plot to placate Wai-Tung’s parents, who are desperate for their son to settle down and have children to continue the family line. To this end, Simon and Wai-Tung enlist the help of Wei-Wei, an artist from Mainland China who also happens to be one of Wai-Tung’s tenants and is in need of a green card to remain in the US.
The 2025 film follows four friends; Angela, her partner Lee, Chris - Angela’s best friend from college - and Chris’ boyfriend Min, a Korean artist whose student visa is set to expire soon, a fact that suits Min’s grandmother just fine since she wants Min to return to Korea in order to join the family business. Instead, Min proposes to Angela, offering to pay for Lee and Angela’s IVF treatments in exchange for a sham marriage to stay in the US and with Chris, who has refused to marry only for the sake of Min getting a green card. Things, of course, become even more complicated when it’s revealed Angela isn’t sure she even wants or is ready to have a child with Lee.
Isn’t it interesting how you can tell two pretty different stories with the exact same trope and concept? And while key elements remain the same for both movies, each explores different themes more apropos to their time.
In the 2025 film, Angela struggles with her mother’s performative allyship despite their years long estrangement – the very source of her complicated feelings about becoming a parent herself.
Likewise, the 1993 film explores the complications that come when the life you want to live doesn’t match the cultural expectations of your family, and pretty bravely asserts that culture doesn’t have to result in closed mindedness.
I personally really enjoy both films, but the 1993 is my favorite because it also serves as a pretty cool time capsule of a New York that doesn’t totally exist anymore.
If this blog tickled your fancy at all you can find the 2025 film here on DVD or on Kanopy. You can also find the 1993 film on Hoopla or Kanopy.
In a Not So Perfect World
A Novel
Published in 2024
"A delightful Caribbean-set novel about an ambitious designer of apocalyptic video games with a strategy for (almost) everything who discovers what happens when her best-laid plans go off course"-- Provided by publisher.
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date
Published in 2023
"Everyone around Iris Kelly is in love. Her best friends are all coupled up, her siblings have partners that are perfect for them, and her parents are still blissfully married. And she's happy for all of them, truly. Iris doesn't want any of that-dating, love, romance. She'll stick to her commitment-free hookups, thanks very much, except no one in her life will just let her be. Everyone wants to see her settled down, but she holds firmly to her no dating rule. There's only one problem-Iris is a romance author facing an imminent deadline for her second book, and she's completely out of ideas. Perfectly happy to ignore her problems as per usual, Iris goes to a bar in Portland and meets a sexy stranger, Stefania, and a night of dancing and making out turns into the worst one-night stand Iris has had in her life. To get her mind off everything, Iris tries out for the lead role in a local play, a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, but comes face-to-face with Stefania, whose real name turns out to be Stevie. Desperate to save face in front of her friends, Stevie asks Iris to play along as her girlfriend. Iris is shocked, but when she realizes the arrangement might provide her with some much-needed romantic content for her book, she agrees. As the two women play the part of a happy couple, lines start to blur, and they're left wondering who will make the real first move..."-- Provided by publisher.
Fly with Me
Published in 2023
"Flying-phobic ER nurse Olive Murphy is still gripping the armrest from her first-ever take-off when the pilot announces an in-flight medical emergency. Olive leaps into action and saves a life, but ends up getting stuck in the airport hours away from the marathon she's running in honor of her brother. Luckily for her, Stella Soriano, the stunning type A copilot, offers to give her a ride. After the two spend a magical day together, Stella makes a surprising request: Will Olive be her fake girlfriend? A video of Olive saving a life has gone viral and started generating big sales for Stella's airline. Stella sees their union as the perfect opportunity to get to the boys' club executives at her company who keep overlooking her for a long-deserved promotion. Realizing this arrangement could help her too, Olive dives into memorizing Stella's comically comprehensive three-ring-binder guide to fake dating. As the two grow closer, what's supposed to be a ruse feels more and more real. Could this be the romantic ride of their lives, or an epic crash and burn?"-- Provided by publisher.
Stars in Your Eyes
Published in 2023
"Logan Gray is the stereotypical bad boy of Hollywood--a talented but troubled actor who the public loves to hate. Mattie Cole is an up and coming golden boy, adored by all but plagued by insecurities. When Mattie is cast as the love interest in Logan's newest film, the two are persuaded into a fake dating scheme to bring positive publicity to the project. But as the two actors get to know their new characters, real feelings start to develop. And while both need the movie to be a success for their own reasons, neither thought opposites would really attract. But as the public scrutiny intensifies and old wounds resurface, will they have the courage to chase their own happily ever after?"-- Provided by publisher.
Can't Help Faking in Love
A Novel
Published in 2025
"A young woman with Bollywood roots hires a barista to act as her boyfriend for her cousin's wedding-only to learn you can't fake chemistry like theirs-in this desi romance from the author of Match Me If You Can"-- Provided by publisher.
For One Night Only
Published in 2025
"Despite her fame as a former vocalist and current actress, Valerie Quinn's life does not rock. When her musical TV show finds itself on the network chopping block, Valerie hastily reassembles her old band, the Glitter Bats. A reunion concert could be her ticket to success and good press, especially if people were to speculate about her with bassist Caleb Sloane. The only problem-they haven't spoken since the day the band fell apart ten years ago. Caleb had the makings of a rock god, but fallout from the Glitter Bats breakup left him resentful of the anxiety and heartbreak that fame had brought him. But when Valerie shows up at his doorstep after a decade with that devastating smile and a plea for help, he agrees to this wild scheme to pretend they're back together. You know...for the press. When Caleb struggles to pick up his rockstar persona again, Valerie helps him find his rhythm. And when Valerie is pulled off-key by the press, Caleb's presence keeps her in tune. Making music together revives the harmony between them-as well as the discord that led to the band's downfall. With their futures in the balance, can they survive a romantic reprise?"-- Provided by publisher.
The (fake) Dating Game
Published in 2024
"Holden James picked the worst time to have a meltdown. His chance to audition for his favorite game show, Madcap Market, should have been a moment of triumph, a glorious, loving homage to his adored mom, who died six years ago. Instead, he's destroying the minibar in a grim Los Angeles hotel room? recently dumped, partnerless and sliding into misery. But at least the hotel service is sublime. It even comes with an unfairly fit and sexy (smart-ass) concierge who arrives at the door with pizza, Monopoly, and deliciously distracting forearms. All Holden knows about Leo Min is that he's beautiful and unexpectedly sympathetic, and the chemistry between them is beyond. Maybe it's even enough to convince everyone, including the show's casting directors, that they're a real couple. All they'd have to do is crush the competition, win the huge cash prize and all of Holden's problems, his broken heart, his buried grief, his complete lack of money and direction, will be fixed. Of course, reality doesn't quite work out that way. But love is an entirely different game?"-- Provided by publisher.
Yin Yang Love Song
Published in 2025
"Chryssy Hua Williams comes from such a long line of women who are so unlucky in love that she has started to believe that her great-great-great-great grandmother has caused them to be cursed. Chryssy accepts that she may never have a happy ever after of her own so she sets out to discover how traditional Chinese medicine may bring lasting love to others. When Chryssy meets Vin, a serial dater who has found fame as a classical musician, she attempts to keep him at a distance to avoid heartbreak. After all, it's not Vin, but his brother, who she's been hired to help. While trying to cure one brother, she can't help falling for the other. Now the only logical plan of action is...to break the unbreakable curse"-- Provided by publisher.
Spiral
Published in 2025
"He's on edge while she's en pointe in this fake-dating sports romance from the author of TikTok smash hit Collide. Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. With a growing fan base and too many expectations on his shoulders, he's struggling to make his first career goal. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight. Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina with dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but her lack of popularity online leaves her at a major disadvantage for securing the lead role. When Sage finds herself with the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true by fake dating Elias, she takes her shot. Soon enough, the flimsy fake-dating rules they set in place fall away in the face of their sizzling connection. But before things spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they're willing to take the leap together or if they'll call it quits"--
Say You'll Be Mine
A Novel
Published in 2024
"My Best Friend's Wedding meets Never Have I Ever in this utterly charming, heart-stealing debut romance about two completely different people who get engaged under false pretenses. "I couldn't put down this page-turner . . . A warm, smart, sexy, and absolutely charming debut." -Colleen Hoover When Seth, Meghna's one-who-got-away writing partner and best friend, asks Meghna Raman to be the "best man" for his last-minute wedding, Meghna is determined to move on, even if it means telling her mother she's finally open to an arranged marriage. Since she-a theater teacher and an aspiring playwright-won't fulfill her parents' dreams of becoming an engineer, she might as well marry one. Grumpy, handsome, no-nonsense engineer Karthik Murthy has seen enough of his parents' relationship to know marriage is not for him. He only agreed to his mom's matchmaking attempts to make her happy, never dreaming he'd meet someone as vibrant as Meghna. Though he can't offer a real marriage, a fake engagement could help him avoid the absurd number of arranged set-ups his mother has planned for the next year. Thinking a faux fiancé will dampen the sting of her ex's wedding festivities, Meghna agrees to team up with Karthik until the wedding ends. But as they find common ground and their undeniable chemistry takes shape, their expectations and insecurities threaten to risk something that's become a lot more real than they had hoped"-- Provided by publisher.
Cover Story
Published in 2024
"Natalie Keane is one of Hollywood's top leading ladies, but she's paid a steep price for her fame. After she was stalked eight years ago, the ensuing media frenzy almost broke her. So when a new threat arises, Natalie agrees to extra security, but she wants to keep it under wraps. The last thing she needs is another tabloid spectacle, especially during awards season. Taylor Vaughn has made a career as a bodyguard to the stars, but an injury has kept her sidelined for the past three months, jeopardizing her future in the job she loves. When an opportunity arises to work for Natalie Keane, Taylor jumps at the chance-even before knowing the details of the assignment. From the moment they meet, Natalie knows this could work: Taylor, the bodyguard, masquerading as her girlfriend. The perfect cover story. But as circumstances push the two women closer, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur"-- Page [4] of cover.
Fake It Till You Make It
Published in 2024
"When Amarie Walker goes for something, she goes big--including starting over. Leaving her cheating ex and entire D.C. life in the rearview, she crash lands in a small town with no plan, no money, and no job. An opening at the animal clinic is the only gig for miles, no surprise considering the vet is a certified grump. If Eli Calvary ever cracked a smile, Amarie might faint on sight from shock. At least his adorable golden retriever appreciates her fabulousness... and shares her love of daily treats! When Eli took over his late father's practice, he quickly discovered the clinic was facing foreclosure. So there's no time for social niceties, especially not flirting, even with someone as gorgeous, bubbly, and business-savvy as Amarie. Yet when Eli needs to invent an investor on the fly, it's her name that comes to his lips. Now, for the sake of their furry clients, Eli and Amarie hustle to save the clinic, trying to ignore the nonstop sparks between them. Because while their partnership may be fake, their connection already feels way too real" -- Provided by publisher.
Slipstream
A Novel
Published in 2025
"In the high-speed world of Formula 1, documentarian Lilah teams up with racing driver Arthur Bianco for a whirlwind of revenge--and perhaps something more. Lilah Graywood never imagined she'd be spending her summer amidst the roaring engines and adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing. As a serious documentarian, her passion lies in capturing the raw, unfiltered truth. But when her best friend, business co-owner, and secret boyfriend Max decides to pivot their documentary company to film the Ignition Energy Drink Racing team, Lilah is thrust into a world she despises. Her disdain turns to fury when Max blindsides her, not only ending their relationship but also threatening the company she painstakingly built. Enter Arthur Bianco, the charismatic and enigmatic F1 reserve driver whose career is as tumultuous as the races he dreams of winning. Initially, Lilah is supposed to document Arthur's relegation to backup driver, but together they concoct a plan to take control of Max's documentary, each with their own motives--Lilah's revenge and Arthur's redemption. Their secret alliance promises to change the narrative, both on and off the track. As they navigate the glamorous circuits and behind-the-scenes secrets of Formula 1, an unexpected speedbump forces Lilah and Arthur's partnership to evolve into a fake relationship that feels all too real. The chemistry between them is off-limits and undeniable, and as Arthur's cinematic comeback plays out over the hot globe-trotting summer, Lilah finds herself drawn to his true charm and hidden vulnerability. But as the cameras roll and the world watches, Lilah must confront her own feelings and the reality that no script can dictate the course of true love."-- Amazon.com.
The Broposal
Published in 2025
"Alejandro (Han for short) has never been in love. He purposefully keeps his heart at arm's length from anyone who might want it, which he lets his family and friends think is due to commitment-phobia paired with a heavy dose of emotional constipation. Now, though, he's coming to learn that it might have more to do with his fear of looking too deeply inward, whether that be his sexuality (he's straight, right?), or the looming anxiety about being undocumented in an increasingly hostile environment. On the other hand, Han's roommate and best friend, Kenny, is stuck in a soul-sucking relationship with a woman who wants nothing more than for Kenny to ditch Han and marry her. Kenny can't stand being alone, and has always been afraid of being punished for making the wrong choice, so his girlfriend happily makes most of his decisions for him. But when she forces his hand and makes him choose between their relationship and his best friend, he finally knows without a doubt who the correct choice is. But things aren't as easy as they should be with Kenny's ex out of the picture. When Han loses the job that had promised to sponsor his work visa, it leaves the two of them anxious as ever. In order to give his best friend a chance at security (and ok, maybe to make his ex a little jealous), Kenny asks Han to marry him. But neither of them are prepared for the very real feelings pretending to be madly in love stirs up"-- Provided by publisher.
A Gamble at Sunset
Published in 2024
To save her sister from scandal and ignite her own forbidden musical passions, a shy wallflower stages a shocking kiss with a reluctant composer, sparking a game of hearts and high society deception.
The Matchmaker
A Novel
Published in 2025
"Business has never been better for Nura Khan, a third-generation matchmaker in Atlanta. Her exclusive clientele benefits from her impeccable track record. And while a single thirty-one-year-old matchmaker would normally raise some perfectly threaded eyebrows in the community, Nura's childhood best friend, Azar, is willing to double as her pretend fiancé at her clients' weddings-even though Nura's feelings for him might not be so pretend. But all that glitters isn't gold. While it's not uncommon to get the occasional hate mail from rejected prospective clients, Nura is blindsided after a couple's carefully constructed wedding implodes, the first in a cascading chain of suspicious and increasingly terrifying events. Someone is taking things too far, and with Azar and her matchmaking team by her side, Nura embarks on a dangerous cat-and-mouse game that threatens not only her safety but everything she's worked so hard to build."-- Provided by publisher.
Unorthodox Love
A Novel
Published in 2023
"Twenty-nine-year-old Penina longs for true love and marriage, but being infertile in the Orthodox Jewish community means she's rarely matched with the cream of the crop--or even skim milk two weeks past its expiration date. Matchmakers either set her up with men twice her age or those with serious mommy issues. At this point, she might as well wear a sign around her neck that says "professional virgin." As if things weren't bad enough, her sister Libby then shares a terrible secret: her husband's failed businesses have already put strain on their marriage, and now they might also lose their family home. Penina is desperate to help, so when a secretly gay Orthodox Jew offers a payout in exchange for a fake marriage, it feels like kismet. Who needs true love anyway? Enter Sam Kleinfeld. Rude, secular, undeniably sexy, and also ... Penina's new boss. The last thing he wants is a relationship, especially not with a beautiful, smart-mouthed employee. But soon an attraction builds that they both can't ignore. Will Penina follow her heart and find true love, or will she stick to the traditions she knows best?"--Publisher marketing
The Love Script
Published in 2023
"Hollywood hair stylist and makeup artist Neveah loves making those in the spotlight look their best. But when the spotlight is on her after a photo of her and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont goes viral for all the wrong reasons, they suddenly find themselves in a fake relationship to save their careers. In a world where nothing seems real, can Neveah be true to herself...and her heart?"-- Provided by publisher.
On Her Terms
Published in 2025
"Fresh off breaking up with her boyfriend and swerving away from the conventional, TikTok-ready married life she never wanted, Clementine is ready to explore the alternatives. Not that she wants to be single forever, much less die alone. But at thirty-six, it's time for her to experience new things--including in her love life. And though an invitation to a fake relationship to appease family sounds like a recipe for disaster, Clem finds herself saying yes to smart, spirited dog groomer Chloe Lee anyway... Chloe is long past her own baby gay era, but even before they've tackled Clem's parents' anniversary party and Chloe's friend's wedding, the two of them end up spending a lot of time together. As the attraction between them grows stronger, it all begins to feel pretty real to Clem. Chloe, however, is fine as just friends--plus she's convinced Clem is just eager for "someone" to take her off the singles list. How to persuade her otherwise? After all, Clem is starting to realize her life is wonderfully full and being "alone" doesn't scare her a bit. Still, being without the tiny powerhouse that is Chloe, specifically? That's a whole other story"-- Provided by publisher.
My Big Fat Fake Marriage
Published in 2025
"Something has to give... Could it be her heart? Connie Evans has always distrusted nice guys. In her experience, they're just waiting to reveal some horrible secret. And then she meets big, adorable, Henry Samuel Beckett-editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he's real. Until Henry Samuel Beckett-or Beck, as he's known to most-tells her the secret underneath his sunny surface: He's been single all his life. But in a moment of panic, he's told everyone at his publishing house that he's married. And when Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can't help defending him, she ends up being the fake wife he doesn't actually have. When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can't help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds...Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all"-- Provided by publisher.
365 Days to the Wedding. Vol. 01
Published in 2023
"A sweet 'fake engagement' romance about quiet coworkers. The J.T.C. travel agency is looking for someone to manage its brand-new branch in Irkutsk. But for employees Oohara Takuya and Honjouji Rika, they'd rather just stay home in Tokyo! Thankfully, they've discovered a way out--their manager has narrowed down the recruits to bachelors, so what if they just...got married? The problem is they barely know each other at all! Can they convince their office they're engaged just long enough for the transfer to finish up?"--Publisher.
Just Our Luck
Published in 2025
"A lottery ticket + donuts = love in this steamy new fake dating romance from beloved author Denise Williams. Sybil Sweet has always been lucky, but lately she can't catch a break. After years of bouncing from job to job in search of something that feels right and from man to man in search of something special, Sybil is worried that she's the directionless, floundering daughter her family thinks she is. All she really wants now is a little financial stability and carb comfort. Lucky for her, she's got just enough in the bank to buy a lottery ticket, and the late-night donut store is open. Kiran Anderson put his dreams of becoming a doctor on hold to take over running his family's bakery, and after fighting a losing battle to save the place, he's exhausted, broke, and no closer to getting back to school. But when a whirlwind of a woman sweeps in late one night, flirty energy gives way to more...until she runs out the next morning, leaving behind her winning lottery ticket. Lucky for Kiran, his attempt to return the ticket looks like a grand romantic gesture and goes viral, sending sales through the roof. In an effort to keep the store afloat and to convince Sybil's family she can make good relationship choices, they agree to fake a relationship for three months. Even with hundreds of millions of dollars, finding each other might end up being the sweetest bit of luck for both of them"-- Provided by publisher.
I Think They Love You
Published in 2025
"When Denzel 'Denz' Carter's workaholic father and CEO of 24 Carter Gold unexpectedly announces his retirement, the competition is on for who will become his successor. To convince his family members that he's capable of commitment, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. Now he needs to find a fake boyfriend to seal the deal on the CEO position. Denz is forced to turn to the last person he wants to be in a pretend (or any) relationship with: Braylon, the man who broke his heart. Braylon's sudden reappearance in Denz's life turns everything upside down. But, apparently, he needs Denz's connections to the mayor to win his own promotion. So, they strike a deal. It's all business until the funny texts and the confusing kisses leave Denz struggling to separate this temporary arrangement from the affairs of his heart. 'I think they love you' is a celebration of love, queer communities, big families--in all their beautiful complications--healing, and, most important, falling in love with the person you're becoming"-- Page 4 of cover.
