Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! I really enjoyed this book. It’s a super quick and easy right, and it’s light and fun. It has fake dating, a little bit of forbidden romance, and friends to sort of enemies to friends to lovers. I also appreciated that there was a bit of a slow burn!

I discovered last year that fake dating is perhaps my favorite romance trope, so after a little research on Goodreads turned up Can't Help Faking in Love, I rushed to get an advanced copy. This story is set in present-day India and offers a peek into a country and culture I don't know that much about, which I really enjoyed, especially as the background to a romance.

I thought the main plot was set up and carried out really well, but there were a few sub-plots that didn't feel complete enough to me. Specifically Harsha's fraught relationship with her parents, which wasn't fleshed out enough to really resonate. Unfortunately I felt the same way about Harsha herself, as I didn't even like her for the first half of the book. I wish the author had given us more backstory for her and her family so I could have felt more of a connection to her.

That said, I did end up falling for Harsha and Veer. I didn't buy into their chemistry until the second half of the book, but eventually I couldn't help rooting for them. An added bonus: I absolutely loved that each chapter began with a relevant quote from a famous sitcom.

Book Name: Can't Help Faking in Love
Author: Sawti Hegde

ARC
Thank you to the random house publishing group - Ballantine for an ARC

Stars: DNF at 30%
Spice: DNF

Pros

- Great descriptions
- Fun Tropes (Fake Dating, Golden Shackles, Complex Family Dynamics, Rich Girl Poor Boy)
- Conceptually Amazing

Cons

- Hallmark Style Banter (he jokes about her coffee order and boom… crush… that's all we're given to establish any connection)
- Flat One Note Characters
- Shallow FMC
- MCs internal dialogue felt so forced and flat
- No backstory or motivation
- No “buy-in” for either character emotionally
- Ending up putting it down and not wanting to pick it back up ….

Out of respect to the author and publisher and Due to the negative nature of this review I will not be posting this to any other platforms

Okay so will start with everything good!!

I loved the mmc!! I enjoyed the entire dynamic they had with each other but also how the l=romance was slowly built without making the readers loose interest in the book.

But sadly the book really felt flat to me. I felt the book being based in India with Indian Characters and written by Indian Author certain terminology felt out of place (millions, grands.. etc) I felt that the author was trying to put it out there fore the white audience which made me look interest at quite a few places.

Also there was random rendition of famous names as well as fell were just used directly. I though that is something that required consistently in the book.

A lot of things in the story required depth and soul searching but they were abandoned. I felt a lot of things where only placed in the book for the sake of it. Especially Veer's brother coming out, the revelation of his dad, why Harsha's cousin didn't like her.

what I enjoyed the most were the quotes from tv shows!!

All in all it was a great story but was just not for me.

As with Hegde's previous novel, my favorite parts of this book were the Indian setting - mostly Bangalore with a quick trip to Mumbai - and the food and culture, which are infused throughout the story. I struggled to warm up to the characters, especially the heroine Harsha, a freelance photographer trying to escape the golden shackles of her family wealth. I do think Hegde did a decent job of showing why Harsha was the way she was, but unfortunately a lot of that came later in the book and I was already irritated with her shallowness and entitlement by that point. Harsha needs cute barista Veer to be her fake boyfriend (and to give himself a fake job upgrade) for a series of stressful family events. Veer is a struggling actor who is mainly focused on taking care of his mother and younger brother. Since this is a romance, I don't need to tell you where the story is going. This was a fun, fast read. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for a digital review copy.

This a solidly good fake dating story. I loved the setting and the experiences of the two main characters. Both wanting to succeed at their chosen art careers. And there journey to love was definitely a pleasure to read. (I read an ARC)

I love fake dating so much. And this didn’t disappoint. The characters had such good chemistry right from the start!

Thanks to Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute romance. I liked seeing how they both went after what mattered to them. It was nice to see her flourish in her photography career. The ending was super cute.

I received an arc through netgalley.

A very quick and easy read! I enjoyed reading a story set in Bangalore, especially since I'd read it while I was visiting Bangalore itself. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this one delivered for sure.

If you are looking for a relationship of convenience then look no further. In this light-hearted fast-paced book we are given two pov’s. First is Harsha who comes from a long line of success but is trying to forge a path on her own, as a struggling photographer. Next is Veer, who is kind-hearted, hard-working and willing to do whatever it takes to send his brother to school even if it costs him his own dreams. These two together are a recipe for either disaster or something more. In each of their chapters you are shown their hardships and the growing chemistry between the two. With the weight of their lie growing around each new date, they are both too stubborn to stop. Harsha and Veer find their feelings growing alongside the lie. As they grow to appreciate the other in a new light, the two can be found wanting more than what the other can give just yet, but that doesn't mean they have to stop liking each other right? As you traverse through the lie with them you are jerked between the layers of fun with a layer of seriousness from what they are both struggling with. We get to grow with both Harsha and Veer as they find the love and success they have always wanted together. No amount of fake dating can stop someone when you have found the type of love that can make you strive for better even in the face of adversity. And, since when was it ever said that one little white lie to a cousin can not be the start of a love story.
So, overall if you like to see cute banter, fake dating, and two honest-not so honest people grow into loving each other, this is a book you will want to pick up.

I found this romance super unconventional, yet I fell in love with the characters and their dynamics. As an Indian, I'm so happy with the representation and exposure Indian culture is getting, alongside the different family settings and relationships. I'm glad someone got up and talked about how Bollywood movies can be toxic rather than just making them out to be something they aren't.

I thought Harsha's relationship with her family, especially her aunt and cousin, perfectly encapsulates what Indian families feel like. Veer's family is so different from Harsha's yet I could relate to both sentiments. Indian media desperately needs queer rep and I think Hegde did it perfectly through a side character to not bring too much highlight to it. I've read both books that Hegde's published so far and enjoyed them equally. I highly recommend this one to a non-Indian audience wanting to read an authentic Indian story.

4-4.5 stars. I love a good faking dating tale and this one did not disappoint.

Harsha and Veer had excellent chemistry from the very beginning of this book. They experienced ups and downs, happiness and disappointment, and love and heartache together throughout the course of their ‘contract’ in regard to both their fake relationship and their independent lives. One of the things I loved most was their mutual support for one another and the gentle understanding and friendship they created in the time they were denying their feelings.

The culture and various settings were all so vibrant throughout the book. It all felt alive and created such a wonderful atmosphere to feel absorbed in while reading. I also really enjoyed the various family and found family dynamics that were at play, especially Veer’s circle. Harsha and Veer both had so much depth behind their characters. Their lack of faith in the other ever reciprocating real feelings beyond their contract did feel like it came up often and got a bit repetitive, but the tenderness they shared as their friendship grew was a great offset to that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun romcom that takes us to Bollywood in a spicy fake-dating trope. This book is perfect for a light, fun read that takes you into Indian culture and lavish weddings. I always enjoy the tension in a fake-dating trope, and this was a cute book. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc!

5/5 ⭐️
Closed door romance
Fake dating

LOVED Swati’s sophomore novel soo much!!! Perfect book to end my year with!

The debut novel, Match Me If You Can was lovely but this story hit it out of the part even more!

The MCs yearning, care/support for one another, and the side characters as support systems was all just so 🤌🏽. So much good romance perfectly and naturally balanced with a bigger storyline of family dynamics, eldest sibling responsibilities, social issues, and striking out on your own.

And I loved the natural realistic way there was queer rep and complex family dynamics without unrealistic resolutions for resolutions sake. Truly was one of the best reads this year!

Couldn’t put the book down - read it in one go. Add this to your TBR!! Can’t wait for Swati’s new works!

Swati Hegde’s Can’t Help Faking in Love is a charming, heartfelt rom-com that blends the glitz and drama of Bollywood with the grounded realities of love, family, and personal growth. Equal parts swoony and self-aware, this book will have you rooting for its unlikely couple and dreaming of a wedding invitation to their chaotic, colorful world.

Harsha Godbole is the kind of protagonist you immediately want to hug. Her struggle to carve out a life separate from her family’s wealth is relatable and admirable, even when it lands her in trouble. She’s sharp, stubborn, and fiercely independent—sometimes to a fault. Meanwhile, Veer Kannan is her perfect foil: laid-back, kind-hearted, and carrying the weight of his own family’s expectations. Their dynamic is electric from the start, with plenty of snarky banter and underlying chemistry that practically leaps off the page.

The setup? Classic fake dating with a delicious Bollywood twist. Harsha hiring her favorite barista as her plus-one to her cousin’s over-the-top wedding is a delightfully outlandish premise, but it works. Veer’s reluctant agreement—spurred by his own financial struggles and lingering dreams of stardom—adds depth to what could’ve been a simple arrangement. And, of course, as the wedding festivities unfold, so do the inevitable feelings, misunderstandings, and moments of realization.

Favorite moments? Oh, where to begin. The wedding weekend is a treasure trove of awkward encounters, tender glances, and laugh-out-loud moments. The scene where Veer unexpectedly wins over Harsha’s distant relatives with his charm and quick wit? Priceless. Or when Harsha’s carefully constructed mask starts to crack during a heartfelt dance under the stars? Swoon-worthy. Hegde also nails the Bollywood-style big gesture near the end—it’s equal parts dramatic and heart-melting, as it should be.

What really sets this book apart is its exploration of family and identity. Both Harsha and Veer are grappling with what they owe their families versus what they owe themselves. Harsha’s tension with her cold, controlling parents is palpable, and Veer’s devotion to his family adds layers to his character. Watching them navigate these challenges—and inspire each other to dream bigger—is as rewarding as their romance.

The backdrop of a lavish Indian wedding adds vibrant cultural flavor to the story, with detailed descriptions of everything from food to fashion to the inevitable family drama. Hegde strikes a perfect balance between celebrating the extravagance and poking fun at it, making the setting feel as much a character as the people.

If there’s a small critique, it’s that the pacing lags slightly in the middle, with some scenes feeling repetitive. But the strong character arcs and undeniable chemistry between Harsha and Veer more than make up for it.

Can’t Help Faking in Love is more than just a fun rom-com—it’s a celebration of finding your voice, embracing your dreams, and learning to trust in love, even when it scares you. Whether you’re a fan of fake dating, Bollywood flair, or just need a warm, feel-good story, this book is a must-read. Harsha and Veer might’ve started as fake partners, but their romance? Completely real, and utterly delightful.

Thank you so much to Swati Hedge and NetGalley for sending me this beautiful love story! First, this is Swati’s sophomore novel, and I am astonished yet disappointed because I need to binge more of her books ASAP! I loved this book, and what’s not to love when there’s hysterical banter, immediate chemistry, fake dating, and South Indian representation? I wish this read were longer because I grew so attached to Harsha and Veer. Being Middle Eastern, this book hit home when looking at the elements of independence and familial acceptance. Swati wrote a beautiful, sizzling, slow-burn, closed-door romance that made me want more! I wish there had been more character development and exploration within Veer and Harsha, which would’ve also made the read longer, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was super fast-paced, and their chemistry was so powerful that I forgot they were fake-dating! I loved this one and cannot wait to see more from Swati! 🧚🏻‍♀✨💗

Loved Veer from the very beginning! I took a little longer to warm up to Harsha. The way she viewed many things and the way she made Veer feel in the beginning were disappointing. Enjoyed the fake dating and how it progressed.

I'm a sucker for a good fake dating trope. And this was a good one.

Harsha and Veer are a couple that I truly believe would've found their way to each other without the fake dating scheme. There was chemistry already there. That's what made the whole thing possible. If they didn't have their little crushes on each other, I don't think Harsha would've asked nor would Veer have said yes.

Harsha puts a plan in place to expedite the "getting to know you phase" and it works. Both for them and for me as a reader. I think because of their actual chemistry, it makes the reluctance I would expect from this kind of situation non-existent. They genuinely enjoy the fake dates they are going on, and want to spend more and more time together. It's not fake. Pretty much from the beginning. A plus for putting "intimacy practice" into their contact, and for explaining what Harsha limits were. Made it a lot of fun, and less creepy at the same time.

The pacing of this book was fast. It felt like it was trying to be a screen play. The beats were quick. One of the great parts of reading a book is we can stay in the minds of characters for pages. We get to hear long streams of consciousness that in a film would have to be shrunk to seconds. It felt like seconds when I was reading. I was glad for it when we had conflict, but it meant that some more tender moments felt rushed.

3/5 stars

A cute fake dating contemporary romance. Perfect for fans of Sajni Patel, Annika Sharma, and Sonya Lalli

"Can't Help Faking in Love" is a sweet, close door romance that is also a love letter to Bollywood. Full of vibrant colors and the energetic atmosphere of Bangalore, Hegde's latest contemporary romance soars with big emotions, sensuality, great characters, and effectively uses with the faking trope. Harsha may have ties to wealth and big names in the movie industry, but she yearns to be independent and establish herself as a photographer. Meanwhile Veer is an aspiring actor who has put his dreams on hold so he can financially help his younger brother get into business school. The two struck a deal to fake date to alleviate stressors in their lives without realizing that catching real feelings is possible. The push and pull of Harsha's and Veer's romance felt organic and progressed naturally. With a few added musical numbers, this would be a great Bollywood romance on the big screen.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Berkley for the advanced readers copy of the book.