I wanted to like this book, but honestly the whole remise seemed strange. Two people both having to take care of three kids, keeping it from the other. It just seemed a little silly to me, and I didn't quite understand the need for the secrecy. I also never really felt Chemistry between Jett and Cassie.

You ever read a book that sounds like it’ll be fun and then it just hits you across the head with how right it is? That’s The Dating Charade.

I was offered an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story
Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

The opinion
The one thing I was kind of scared of when I started reading this story? That whole “oh, let’s hide a giant part of our identity from each other, what could possibly go wrong?”

In many cases, the answer has been: everything. Including my enjoyment of the story. After all, there’s only so much second-hand embarrassment I can handle, and it’s usually not even handled that well. That was not the case in The Dating Charade, though.

Melissa Ferguson manages to strike a wonderful balance between humour, some cosy winter- and Christmas-touches, and the steep learning curve that is unexpectedly finding yourself caring for 3 children. The parallels she managed to draw between Cassie and Jett’s story only made for a more captivating story.

The rating: 4/5
Honest, this is one of those books that you just have to experience. If nothing else, then just because of the respectful way in which the author managed to bring the wide variety of emotions across. (Goodreads)

-Saar

I LOVE THIS STORY! I smiled, giggled, chortled, and guffawed. I sighed, gasped, and choked back tears. Whew… I plowed through a gamut of emotions. And that makes me incredibly happy. I love a story that makes me FEEL. That makes me see things in a new way. That makes me learn and grow.

The Dating Charade is fresh and fun. I was entertained and amused, and also moved by its incredible and unexpected intensity. Melissa Ferguson is a clever storyteller, infusing her writing with equal servings of wit and depth. I know I’m fan-girl-gushing, but I’m holding back as best I can.

The characters, main and secondary alike, are so well developed. Cassie is likeable, fun, witty, and caring. Jett is charming, handsome, and fun. (He’s also a hero fireman, so that certainly chalks up several points.) Sunny is snarky, Sarah is sweet, Donna is sneaky, and Star adds a complexity and special richness to the story. They all have flaws, as expected, but none so grand that it’s difficult to sympathize with them. I connected to each in different ways and was moved by their spirits and growth.

Okay, let’s get to the romance. Swoon! I love the slow build, the meaningful decisions, the intercepting issues, and the heartwarming conclusion. The best way I can describe this romance is to say it is sweet, unconventional, fun, comical, and swoon worthy. It flows much deeper than that, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out how.

After all my gushing, there’s little need to say more, except that this heartwarming book has earned its spot on my Favorites of 2019 list.

I adore this story and will most certainly seek out future tales from this debut author!

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

3 1/2 solid.

This was a cute book. I liked how down to earth Cassie was, how dedicated and genuinely interested in the girls she cared for.

Jett is an all-around good guy, a firefighter who indulges the old ladies who live on the hill. He remembers Cassie from high school and he's still impressed with her.

Their first date goes great, and they have good chemistry, but I would have liked for them to spend more time together.
After the children entered their lives, the focus was on the kids and how Cassie and Jett adapted, individually and respectively. Since they tried to keep it a secret from the other, they didn't go out as often. That's the reason I took out one star.

It's well written and it kept me reading. Super cute ending!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A sweet and chaste romance featuring two people- Cassie and Jett- who have more or less given up on romance. They both serve their community; she helps at risk kids and he's a firefighter. It's also a second chance romance because these two knew one another years ago. Now, as adults, they find themselves both caring for children who have entered the system. There's 6 kids (that's a lot) between the two of them and in some ways, the issues with the children take the lead in the plot but that's ok. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. This is an HEA for more than the couple.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s the perfect contemporary romance - just the right blend of funny and serious moments, with relatable characters that feel like they could walk right off the page. The story is unique and relevant, dealing with topics like online dating and foster care with humor and heart. I loved the relationship between Cassie and Jett - they got off to a little bit of a rough start and had a few misunderstandings along the way, but I love how their story turned out! Dating mishaps, kids’ crazy antics, and two meddling older ladies provided lighthearted moments. I can’t wait to read whatever Melissa Ferguson writes next!

If you are looking for a feel good charming read for Christmas, then look no further than The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson. Beautifully written with genuine characters, it’s the perfect work of fiction to get you into the holiday spirit.

Cassie Everson dedicates every waking moment to her disadvantaged teens at Girls Haven. Providing a secure environment and a place of refuge from their day to day lives is something she strives for; but Cassie longs for a good man in her life too. When she finally decides to join an online dating network she finally hopes to meet her Mr. Right. However, all she seems to be paired with are Mr. Wrongs. Her latest disastrous date does nothing to convince her Mr. Right is out there waiting. As a result she swears off online dating and worries that may-be she’ll always be alone.

Jett Bentley is a paramedic with the local fire department that dedicates his days and nights to helping the public in his local community. He is a solitary young man who doesn't feel he needs a family to be complete, but would love to have a woman in his life to share his days. When his friends push him to join an online dating service, he reluctantly does so in private. He assumes it never hurts to look, but when he discovers Cassie Everson’s profile he decides to leap at the opportunity to contact her. Jett has never forgotten Cassie from his high school days. Still carrying a torch after all these years, he feels now is the perfect opportunity to go for it.

After a rocky start, the two hit it off and find they love spending time with each other. Cassie begins to allow herself to believe she may have finally found her Mr. Right, but life has other plans for the two. When one of her favorite teens from Girls Haven finds herself in crisis, Cassie rushes in to help and takes her and her sisters under her roof. At the same time, unbeknownst to Cassie, Jett’s handling a crisis of his own. Hiis sister arrives unexpectedly with 3 children in tow and Jett, always the good brother, tries to help. But when his sister leaves town without her children, Jett unwittingly finds himself now a caretaker for 2 toddlers and a baby. Afraid to scare each other away, neither Jett or Cassie share their new circumstances, trying to pretend it’s business as usual. But when each are confronted with the truth, misunderstandings abound leaving the new relationship in tatters. The only question that remains is can the two handle their current crisis and find a way back to each other's hearts.

I loved this book. Cassie and Jett were very likeable characters and the children in the book melted my heart. The storyline moved along beautifully and I found myself looking forward to reading every time I had the opportunity to sit down. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about family, relationships and love. It has moments both beautiful and tense and altogether a delightful read.

I want to thank the publisher Thomas Nelson - Fiction and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Melissa Ferguson’s debut novel is the perfect cozy, holiday read!

I really enjoyed that this book was set during the holidays, but wasn’t a holiday book (if that makes sense). This would appeal to those of you who normally don’t like cheesy Christmas novels because the holidays are just a part of the setting and not a huge part of the plot.

I would consider this one an inspirational romance (perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber-like me!) as it is wholesome and strictly romance (no steam). This book also deals with quite a few heavy topics like addiction, which is a topic very close to my heart. ❤️

I appreciate @netgalley and @thomasmercer for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. It’s well-written and oh so fun. I laughed out loud a couple of times. I loved the interactions between Jett and Cassie. They had a way of teasing each other and bringing out the humor in some awkward situations. It was delightful.
The crazy situations they found themselves in reminded me of Jen Turano’s books. Things like trying to hide the fact he had poop on his coat by tripping and spilling coffee on himself….that takes real commitment to keeping your secret.
I laughed at the lengths Cassie and her best friend Bree went to while Cassie was meeting dates she’d met online. It was so funny. At the same time, Jett is getting dating advice from two old ladies who make up excuses for the fireman to come to their home every week.
Besides the humor, there was depth as both Cassie and Jett dealt with grief and loss and having three children apiece thrust into their lives.
I found this book to be quite entertaining and I’d highly recommend it. I will certainly be on the lookout for more from this author and hope the humor and quirky characters continue. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with an e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

A typical and not so typical romcom that will make you smile, Cassie is a single 33 year old who works for Girls Haven, helping girls without a home. After a series of bad online dates, she happens to go on one with Jett, former high school classmate and current fireman. However, they happen to keep from each other a similar secret—Cassie has now taken in girls from the Haven and Jett has taken in her sister’s kids. How easy or complicated could dating be?

This debut novel was packed with funnies, character, and love. The kids played an equally important role as the leads. And being my first Christian romance read ever, I can’t say I didn’t like it! I just found it slightly odd that the chapters were alternately named “Cassie” and “Jett,” but they were all written in third person POV.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cassie and Jett went to school together. Although Cassie was three years ahead of Jett and way out of his league, he had a major crush on her. When he sees her on the dating site that he is on, he immediately responds to her. Cassie, having had enough of the fakes and liars, deletes his post after only reading the first sentence.
Through some interference from her best friend, they wind up dating. During this time Cassie, who can not have children of her own due to an accident in her past, becomes the temporary guardian of three sisters, the oldest of which is involved in the program that she runs and is very close to her heart. At the same time, Jett becomes the temporary guardian of his sisters three children. The result being them both trying to hide the fact from the other as they are each under the impression that the other doesn't want children.
This makes for an entertaining story, although the romance does get somewhat lost amid all the children and drama.
I would recommend this story for anyone who is looking for an entertaining family story. If you are looking for a romantic love story, this is not it.
Thank you Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson was a fun book! When you don't have much downtime, and you love to read, this is the book you hope to pick up. It was laugh out loud funny, thought-provoking and a page-turner. I can't wait for Melissa Ferguson's next book!

First of all I'd like to thank Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for sharing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit this was a hard book to get through. When I read the blurb it seemed to be a light-hearted romantic comedy. So I was kind of surprised to discover this is actually more a drama and the romance was kind of stuck into it. There weren't too many funny moments to be found, but I do recall laughing out loud at least a couple of times. Also it's a bit hard to see how the romance even developed considering they only went on 3 and a half dates...or something like that. It's just a bit of a stretch to believe the romance, even knowing these two actually knew each other from high school so were not complete strangers.

All that said, the characters were likeable and I could relate to their situations in many ways. If this was marketed more as a drama with a little romance and maybe a better title, I think I would have liked it better. Also I would have liked a bit more exploration of Cassie's accident and the effects it had on her. It seemed to be more a teaser that might be elaborated on at some future point and then wasn't.

Overall this was an okay read and I give it two stars.

The plot is built on two rather unlikely coincidences: after a date in which the two protagonists both feel that they’ve found “the One,” they each have to suddenly take responsibility for three children.

Thinking that the other person won’t be interested in building a relationship with someone who has three children in tow, they try to hide what has happened from the other and still date. Yeah, that’s going to work.

We’re told how difficult a time they are having with their sudden responsibilities. But somehow, they are able to have child care and go to work and even on dates. I just kept getting hung up wondering who was taking care of a baby and twin toddlers while working the long hours that a fireman works, even in a small town.

Instead of stupidly lying about what was going on with them, I would have enjoyed reading more about the difficulties they faced joining together their six children. That would have been a more interesting plot. Unfortunately, the author just waves her hands over those difficulties..

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

An enjoyable romantic comedy with more depth to it than your average light read. Bonus: the author is a fellow King College alum! I look forward to more of her work!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

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I thought this book was excellent. But I must say that I think the title simplifies the content. While this book did tackle a bit of the complexities involved in adult dating, the themes were so much more. Really concepts were as much about family and about supporting those in your community. The value of foster care including both the blessings and challenges were a key component. The characters were complex, The story line was meaningful. This one might very well be a title that I read again someday as it was that enjoyable! I read this book on #NetGalley, but this feedback is honest and in my own words.

'Does lying impress you? Because I can lie. I can be the best pathological liar you've ever met.'

Cassie Everson escapes bad first dates. She is now ready, after many abominable dates, to hang up her hopes for a happily ever after. Jett Bentley knew of Cassie in high school and has just seen heeer dating profile online. He contacts her and a nice date follows.

Sometimes you read a debut novel that just grabs you and draws you into the story first thing. This is such a novel. Well written, good plot, nice characters, with some pretty good with thrown in and you have a recipe for success. Give Melissa Ferguson a chance with this debut novel. You won't regret it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Both Cassie and Jett have a hard time with finding true love, but when they get together, everything seems perfect. Then, they both get custody of three children each. Soon they are having a hard time trying to make their relationship work while raising three kids without letting each other know. Can their relationship work? The Dating Charade is a funny, romantic, and shows you the true meaning of family.

I received a complimentary e-copy from Netgalley for a review. All opinions are my own.

I’m feeling a bit neutral with this book, hence the three stars. I didn’t hate. I didn’t love it. But I did enjoy it!
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Review of The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Cassie and Jett are two single people diving into the dating pool. Both are content with their choice to not have children. But just when things start, they each unexpectedly find themselves with three children to care for. Obviously it makes sense to hide the kids from each other and pretend they don’t exist. What could really go wrong with that plan? 🤨
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An adorable debut novel that had me smiling throughout. I expected a romantic comedy but when you read this you get more than that. You get family, relationships, heartbreak and other challenging themes including addiction, abandonment, and infertility. It wasn’t overwrought with descriptions and yet you could feel the emotions that each character felt. A bit predictable but a cute novel nonetheless. No one character was perfect as they each had their own flaws. What it was lacking in was more romance. It was certainly about relationships but I found it was more-so about juggling the relationships while fostering children. It lost the romantic vibe when most of the book was spent on the children. There were also some unanswered questions and loose ends that needed tying up. I do look forward to reading more from this author though. Maybe a story about Bree???
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Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for an advanced readers copy of The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson in exchange for an independent and honest review. Look for this book set to be released on 12/03/2019!

I absolutely loved this book and the cast of characters. The writing style was full of wit and heart. I look forward to more of this author’s work!
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.