In The Fiancée Farce, Tansy has had a fake girlfriend for months, one crafted from a face on the cover of a romance novel and other dream fluff. Tansy has plenty of opportunity to perceive that face, what with managing a bookstore, and she even knows the cover model's name. When a man who ruined her in high school marries into her (step)family, a fake girlfriend is the perfect excuse to keep her stepmother from inquiring too deeply into why she doesn't attend all the requisite family events any longer. That won't be enough to get her out of the wedding, though. So it is that Tansy finds herself trying to fade into the background at the (happy?) event, only for her little lie to blow up in her face.

Gemma, the bastard of a groom's estranged cousin, crashes the wedding looking for entertainment. It is to her surprise and pleasure to be approached as Tansy's girlfriend, given that she's in the urgent market for a marriage of convenience. Her stint as a cover model was fun, but her grandfather's newspaper business has just fallen into her lap, and his will has put her in a bind. She can inherit with a spouse at her side, or she can kiss the business goodbye and watch her whole, extended family, horrible, nearly every last one of them, reap the rewards. Gemma leans into Tansy's ruse and offers her the money to save her family's bookstore if they can only make it down the aisle together and save her own family company. And if this sounds like a delightful mashup of tropes, YOU WOULD BE RIGHT.

The book makes use of fake dating (engaging?) tropes to excellent effect. The two fall for one another while putting on a show for others. Whether it's Tansy sticking up for Gemma to a lifestyle reporter, a new experience for a woman who's used to fighting her own battles, or Gemma asking Tansy to be her girlfriend for real while they're already engaged, the moments add up to a mushy, gushy, glorious picture. We get to witness romantic gestures, both big and small, many of which we learn about over text, the montage that clues us into their about-to-be-wedded bliss after moving in together.

It's a whirlwind, which suits the tropes and the stereotypes in a tongue-in-cheek way. I didn't mind it, but I could have used more digging into the characters. I loved them both, and we have a supporting cast that could have shaped up into something really special. Most of those characters come from Gemma's orbit since Tansy has lived an adult life without as much connection as she deserves. We have Gemma's uncle, the only family member who can remotely be trusted in a sea of snakes. Expect a fun little sidebar romance plot for him. Then there's Gemma's raucous crew of roommates. They make a special appearance in my favorite scene in the book, whereby they undertake a team effort at getting revenge that involves putting glitter in the offending party's Lamborghini's air vents, primed and ready to blow in the driver's face.

The book also offers some excellent villains, an underrated quality in romance books. The wealthy De Vans' infighting and self-centered antics provide the perfect backdrop for a carefully crafted fake dating scheme. And I appreciate so much how the book doesn't use homophobia to showcase the De Vans' bigotry. There were so many other ways to make their villainy clear, and the author doesn't subject her readers to that particular brand of suffering in a book about queer love. We also have a spurned lover in the mix, and her story is a smackdown for people who find unrequited, flatly turned down pining romantic (including several other books in the genre, for example).

This book came so close to being a favorite for me. I read it in a flurry, drawn onward by the fun and the heart of the story. The thing that held me up in the end was a slight disconnect from the romance itself. It's fast-paced and features a mismatched pair with a lot to overcome. That combination was hard for me because even though individual moments were romantic, I didn't buy into the arc of it all as much as I wanted. Like a scene would be happening, and I'd enjoy it as an individual entity, but it didn't all come together in a way that made me obsessed. The characters fall for each other pretty quickly, even though we're led to believe it's unusual (unprecedented?) for that to happen for either of them, and I needed a bit more convincing about that, not in terms of what literally happens between them but in the feelings department. This just didn't quite land for me despite all its good qualities. Thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!

Alexandria Bellefleur has done it again — she’s an auto-buy author for me because of her excellent brand of emotional and cathartic storytelling. I LOVED this book so much.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

I am an avid romance reader, but it wasn’t until this title that I realized that I like the marriage of convenience trope. Alexandria Bellefleur writes it SO well. Tansy’s family has been pressuring her for ages to find a partner, so she gives them the name of a romance cover model to get them off her back. When she shows up at a family wedding it’s clear that no one believes her, but magically, Gemma (the cover model) walks through the doors and kisses her. Gemma’s under a strict timeline to get married to inherit a family business, and Tansy agrees to go along with the plan to save them both. What they don’t expect is to develop actual feelings for each other…it is delightful!

Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Tansy has almost everything she wants with the bookstore. Too bad she has essentially a Cinderella complex with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters to boot. And her stepmother would rather cash in then allow Tansy to keep her dream. Enter Gemma. Gemma has an inheritance that she can only claim by marrying and a family who doesn't believe she deserves it, especially her brother. To get what they both, the two begin fake dating and consider marrying to get beyond their hurdles. What they don't expect is something more to spark between them.

This felt like a renewal of my life for Bellefleur's writing. After trying to desperately read the second book in the series and failing, I was hoping for something better with this one. Luckily, I was rewarded. This just felt more to form with what I loved in the Written in the Stars series and I would hate say Bellefluer writes sapphic romance better than straight romances, but... she kind of does?

Thanks so much for the ARC!

Note: I work for the publisher. I adore Alexandria Bellefluer's writing and this was a wonderful book from her. For the fake dating trope lovers among us, this one's for you!

For some reason going into this I thought it was a period piece romance. So I was really confused in the beginning when it seemed like current day. I guess if I had looked at the cover a little better it would have been less of a surprise. But beyond that non twist twist, I loved this book! They were well developed characters with flaws who learned to grow and talk things out. I loved the side characters and the whole set up of the rich family. Perfect beginning to end, I will recommend this to everyone!

I’ve been a fan of Alexandria Bellefleur’s writing since I read her first novel, Written in the Stars, so I was definitely excited to pick up The Fiancée Farce. Here, Bellefleur is back once again with another sapphic fake-dating romp, this time with the stakes upped and a fake engagement on the line. The Fiancée Farce brings with it everything I’ve come to expect from a Bellefleur written romance: heightened sexual tension, steamy moments, and the perfect rom-com plot-line.

Tansy, an anxiety-ridden book seller struggling beneath the pressure of her difficult step-family and Gemma, the fun party girl who uses her loud personality to hide how disconnected she feels from her own family, were great, classic rom-com leads. I enjoyed how they both had such unique voices, which can be tricky to do with a dual POV.

I loved the use of the fake dating trope here. I was worried that adding the modern-day marriage of convenience trope would make this story feel a little ridiculous and take me out of the experience, but that never happened. Instead, the impending nuptials added just the right amount of stakes and excitement to the relationship while keeping the story light and enjoyable.

Like watching a really good 2000s’ rom-com, The Fiancée Farce was such a fun, feel-good read. 💕

Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This was an excellent fake-dating marriage of convenience sapphic romance with a lot of heart. I loved Gemma's quirky collection of friends and Tansy's ability to hold her own against Gemma's terrible family. They made an excellent pair and a romance I could wholeheartedly root for.

I am so glad that we're getting more and more *good* sapphic romances lately. It makes me so happy.

The audiobook performance was excellent with the characters all getting very expressive and easily distinguishable voices and the story easy to follow.


*Thanks to Avon for providing an early copy for review.

This was one of my first June reads, and of course made for a fun Pride month read. I always enjoy a Bellefleur romp and this one did not disappoint at all. I loved both of the main characters and enjoyed the fake dating trope and how things pulled together in the end.

I simply loved these two women together. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, but the fact that one is a romance novel cover model made it even more delightful.

Gemma and Tansy's story is so fun -- Alexandria Bellefleur writes such beautiful queer love stories and The Fiance Farce is no exception to this -- love!

Summary:
Tansy Adams’ greatest love is her family’s bookstore, passed down from her late father. But when it comes to actual romance… Tansy can’t get past the first chapter. Tired of her stepfamily’s questions about her love life, Tansy invents Gemma, a fake girlfriend inspired by the stunning cover model on a bestselling book. They’ll never actually meet, so what’s the harm in a little fib? Yet when real-life Gemma crosses Tansy’s path, her white lie nearly implodes.

Gemma van Dalen is a wild child, the outcast of her wealthy family, and now the latest heir to Van Dalen Publishing. But the title comes with one tiny condition: she must be married in order to inherit. When Gemma discovers a beautiful stranger has been pretending to date her for months, she decides to take the charade one step further—and announces their engagement.

Gemma needs a wife to meet the terms of her grandfather’s will and Tansy needs money to save her struggling bookstore. A marriage could be mutually beneficial, if they can fool everyone into thinking it’s a love match. Unexpected sparks fly as Tansy and Gemma play the role of affectionate fiancées, and suddenly the line between convenient arrangement and real feelings begins to blur. But the scheming Van Dalen family won’t give up the company without a fight, and Gemma and Tansy’s newfound happiness might get caught in the fallout…

A fun, modern engagement/marriage of convenience. I really enjoy Bellefleur's characters and stories, and this was no different.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been extremely excited for this as a huge Alexandria Bellefleur fan and lover of fake dating/marriage of convenience. This did not disappoint and is one of my new favorites!

This is Alexandria Bellefleur at her best. This book and its characters tore my heart into pieces and then put it all back together in the best way. Though the premise may seem unlikely (a fake engagement to a romance book cover model, who also happens to be from an extremely wealthy family), the way the relationship blossoms between Gemma and Tansy is sweet, charming, and sexy all at once. The pining and heart eyes are real, but the narrative never resorts to miscommunication, which I appreciate. This is a lovely sapphic romance, with a bit of heat and a whole lot of heart.

This was an absolute delight! What truly sets Fiancée Farce apart is its refreshing take on the fake relationship trope. Bellefleur breathes new life into this beloved trope, infusing it with humor, heart, and plenty of surprises along the way. The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts, sparking with every witty banter and stolen glance.

This book was everything and more! It was funny, powerful, and with a little bit of spice. I related a lot to Tansy & what she went through, so seeing her work through that felt very personal to me.

Such an enjoyable read!! I really liked this book and was so happy I was given the opportunity to read it here at netgalley. Made me laugh out loud multiple times.

Cheesy and heartfelt, The Fiancée Farce is a sapphic, tropey, gem of a book. Alexandria Bellefleur has yet to disappoint me and this book continues that trend. It was full of wit and delightful spice, truly making it one of my favorite romances of the year.

It follows Tansey, owner of a bookstore, stepdaughter to a rather overbearing Katherine, and a hopelessly single romantic. After coming face to face with the very real Gemma, who she had been pretending was her girlfriend, Tansey finds an unexpected spark in their fake relationship. Gemma, model, disappointment to her family, named heir to Van Dalen Publishing IF she is married by the board meeting, quickly realizes that Tansey is the key to keeping her position. As the two dodge the obstacles the Van Dalen family throws at them, they begin to realize that real feelings are impeding on their fake relationship.

Both Tansey and Gemma are well rounded characters that I really did enjoy reading about. They were flawed and honest while still being a perfect fit for a swoon worthy romance. I appreciated the representation they brought forward because it’s rare I read a sapphic romance where both main characters are bi. The secondary characters however, including Gemma’s family, were not my favorite, some being quite unpleasant. I love a strong secondary cast that are both great for the main character and also make me wish for a story of their own. I just didn’t get that here. But I think Tansey and Gemma make up for it, and I genuinely enjoyed the book anyway.

Overall I loved this book and will continue to quickly reach for any new publishing's from Bellefleur.

3.5 stars

I liked Tansy and Gemma well enough. They're opposites in personality, so that was interesting seeing how their relationship played out. There are a lot a lot a lot of characters here and I struggled to keep them straight. (I mean, Gemma has FIVE roommates and they're around a lot.) Brooks was by far the best and I could have done with loads more of him.

Plot wise, it was okay. There are a lot of moving pieces, but somehow it also felt like nothing was going on. I wanted more conversations, more of a connection, more substance. I did love the grand gesture and always love a good epilogue; however, there were a few topics that were touched on and didn't feel resolved enough.

Overall, it was a fun and quick read, but I also feel like I could have left it unfinished. (And yes, I realize this review is a mess.)

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**