This was my first time reading author Charlotte Stein’s work, and I really enjoyed My Big Fat Fake Marriage, which I read through a mix of ebook and audiobook. Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for early access to both media in exchange for my honest opinion.
Connie has not had very good interactions with men. Enter her neighbor - who Connie at first thinks is a serial killer, for very good reasons. However, once that misunderstanding is cleared up, she offers to jump in and play his fake wife, as he had previously made up a (complicated) relationship which he had told his coworkers about. Connie goes on a retreat with him, as his fake wife, and they plan a fight to prompt their fake divorce. But he is a complete cinnamon roll, and Connie finds herself feeling very not-fake feelings. There are a few really steamy scenes, and I couldn’t put this one down once I started reading/listening to it. It’s available now everywhere!

Connie and Beck are neighbors and Connie can't figure out what's off about him until she finds out his secret. His wife is not real. And he is so nice and innocent he only told the lie because of a bully at work and he doesnt know how to end it. Connie somehow says shes his wife and the story really starts.

I love me a sweet innocent MMC and she knows who she is tot he outside world but behind close doors she's lost. As they team up and get to know each other I love that part if the story but when it came to the sexy parts it was very corny and I was uncomfortable, it had parts I was laughing that I shouldn't and the golly gee became a bit much. I think if we could do the romance different this would be a 4 star but I had a good time with everything but that.

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for my thoughts.

3.5 stars!

Super cute and fluffy contemporary romance! The MMC is a complete cinnamon roll but just a tad cheesy! There are a quite a few cheesy lines throughout the book.

Overall this was a quick and enjoyable read that will have you kicking your feet up and giggling!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a fun, steamy, and delightfully chaotic ride! The fake marriage trope is executed perfectly with plenty of sizzling tension and laugh-out-loud moments. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts, and their emotional journey adds depth to the spice. While some parts felt a little rushed, the charm and humor more than made up for it. A solid 4-star read that’s perfect for fans of witty banter and swoony romance!

Charlotte stein is not for me. This is the second story of hers that just doesn’t hit. I don’t enjoy her writing style.

I started this book on a Saturday morning, expecting to read for a bit before going about my day. I proceeded to read non-stop for the next 4 hours, laughing out loud and kicking my feet in amusement the whole time. The banter between these two adorably nerdy, oblivious characters was perfect, the smut was hot and I had such a fun time reading it!

Spicy, male female, 1st person single point of view, contemporary romance. This was much spicier than I was expecting. Especially considering the characters' personalities and relationship. I thought it was well written, but I had a hard time connecting to the characters. A quick easy, steamy read though.

I am loving this series!!! Book 1 was great and now book 2 was also!! I look forward to seeing this little world continue and to reading future Charlotte Stein books in general.

From the moment they met I was excited for them to be together. I enjoyed them so much as individuals and their journey as a fake couple on the way to a real couple.

It was such a cute book. If like fake relationship tropes this book is for you!

It is such a cute rom-com. It certainly made me laugh out loud, and it featured a plus-size character that we could relate to. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

A fab read, the story of Connie/Hazel and Beck. I loved his character and wanted everything to work out for them beyond a fake marriage. I liked the notes to see things from his point of view. Looking forward to more from this author.

This was absurdly horny while also being vulnerable—so overall, just loads of fun. Stein is a classic romance author unafraid to make big tropes her own.

This book was sweet, but a bit 'meh'. I liked Beck and Hazel. I wanted more description of place - their apartment building, their neighborhood, the location of the writers retreat. And this would have been a fun read if there were lots of eccentric or surprising supporting characters, but the only character described with detail is Beck's horrible coworker.

Not having the best romantic past Connie is cautious when it comes to men as in her experience, they have the side they show her and the side of who they really are. As a result, her neighbor Beck seems too good to be true however that does not mean she’ll say no when he needs a wife for an upcoming company function.

Beck finds himself in a difficult situation as everyone at his company believes that he is married since he had grown weary of the comments from his co-workers about being single. With the upcoming function he is not sure how things will unfold without a wife until Connie agrees to pretend to be his. The only problem is that the feelings are becoming very real.

Beck is delightful as he is so kind and considerate when it comes to Connie while Connie may be cautious when it comes to Beck but that does not mean she won’t support him. The circumstances they found themselves in were entertaining and their story was entertaining as two quirky characters find their perfect match.

Fun read. Light hearted. The characters are delightfully flawed. Enjoyed the role switching in the marriage of convenience trope.

Loved this book and the characters! While not quite as much as it's predecessor "When Grumpy Met Sunshine.," it captured the same ideas of helping and focusing on character emotions without overplaying it. Both characters in this book clearly were struggling, but with such different things that it made them perfect companions. Would definitely purchase tis book and would love to see these characters pop up again!

This book has great banter and laughs, and a lovely story. Beck - what can I say? Sweetheart. Connie's constant inner dialogue started to wear me out. I get it, you want the book to be realistic. We all have spiraling inner dialogues at times, but I don't want to read it ad nauseum in my rom-coms. Very cute overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the ride of My Big Fat Fake Marriage (publication day March 11, 2025) by Charlotte Stein, although there weren't any surprises. The banter, though, is superb!!

Set somewhere in England, Hazel, who goes by Connie as an adult, works for a marketing company and is somewhat jaded, although she is close to her two best female friends. She has had many bad dates and is wary of "nice guys." Mabel, one of those best friends, is a writer, and her editor is Henry Samuel Beckett, who goes by Beck. He's an American, a 6'5" mountain of a man who wears bow ties and suspenders. When Beck takes a permanent position at the publishing house, Mabel suggests a flat in Connie's building, because she is certain of Beck's trustworthiness as a good person.

Connie is still wary, but Beck bakes pies to leave on her doorstep, and when he perceives that he frightens her in the elevator one day, he bakes her an apology cake. But that leads Connie to finding out his secret . . . to deal with a terrible co-worker, Beck has invented a fake wife who is still in the States. And when Connie meets that terrible co-worker, her instinct is to protect Beck by introducing herself as his wife, Hazel.

But there's one thing she hasn't though of. She had planned to go on a 2-week writing retreat because she's considering starting to write something other than ad copy. And Beck is running the retreat, and they will have to stay in a cottage with terrible co-worker! So we have both fake relationship, and only one bed tropes!

I was delighted with the banter, and how Beck's nerdiness got Hazel to let down her guard about her own, and stop being so jaded. Their interactions were spicy and sweet. Beck is the ultimate nerdy nice guy who doesn't curse and says things like "golly" and "you bet your sweet bippy," which maybe seemed a little unrealistic, but it was nice to imagine someone like Beck exists.

I also loved that it was so fat-positive! The cover clearly shows two big people, but there's not much discussion about Hazel's size except for her recalling one date that gave her weight loss tips. She's fat, and Beck thinks she is just super-cool, awesome, and sexy. And she's very attracted to the fact that Beck is both tall and a large man.

If you want a fat-positive, hetero romantic comedy, I highly recommend it!

This book feels so much different than the usual romance! Not only does it NOT adhere to the usual buff, s3xy guy and rail-thin girl, but it is such a lovely, fluffy comedy!

Connie has been watching her shy neighbor, Beck, for awhile now. She doesn't really believe in nice guys, there's always some sort of secret they're harboring.

As for Beck? Well, she finds out in the worst way possible that he has been telling his work that he has a wife...that is not real. Well, at least he's not a murderer!

What else is Connie to do but do nice-guy Beck a favor and pretend to be his wife on a writing retreat?

It's so much fun, it's comfy, and just a delightful read!

This was such a cute read. I think Charlotte’s writing has come so far since her debut. The banter between MCs was easy and felt natural. The characters were the right balance of confident and vulnerable.

I am OBSESSED with Becks. He must be protected at all costs, that beautiful cinnamon roll, golden retriever of a man. Think Ted Lasso vibes, but if Ted could also throw down.

I also loved that both the MMC and FMC were plus. It was a great dynamic and I appreciated that Connie had some things to work through from her upbringing but was also confident.

I do really think the story could have benefitted from dual POV. There were so many times that as a reader it would have been beneficial to be inside his brain. I also didn’t love when Connie/Hazel was self deprecating about her sexual history, calling herself a slüt just because she’s had a few partners.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Charlotte Stein for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

I tried to enjoy this book, but the language of the American was so over the top, I couldn't finish. The storyline is great, but I couldn't finish.