I love a fake dating romance. The slow burn, watching them deny their feelings only to give in. It's hot. This book is no exception. Daphne and Calvin's chemistry is off the charts and I liked how the home/small town vibes were expected but not overdone.

I found some of the grandma plot to be overdone and dragged a bit in spots. Otherwise, loved it!

Quick and fun read- I was looking for a enemies to lovers theme when I stumbled on this title and it sure did fit the bill. Enjoyed Daphne and Calvin's banter, sparks and the little side of mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s a lighthearted romance about Daphne and Calvin who knew each other since high school. They’re reunited several years later when things go wrong in Daphne’s love life. She ends up in a situation that puts her and Calvin in a closer relationship situation than they’d like. What starts out as fake dating turns into much more. The characters were very likable and so was the storyline. There was a nice mix of love, laughter, work relationship banter, family and friendship. I enjoyed the ending as well. The only reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars is because the “fake dating” trope is becoming too common and predictable. Overall, I did love this story!

Daphne and Calvin are high school rivals, but when they both move back to their home town at the same time, and start work in the same place, they are put in positions they never saw coming. Needing a date to his mothers vow renewal, Calvin makes a deal with Daphne, little does he know that she is using this invitation to prove herself as more than what people have always believed her to be.
This book felt like watching a hallmark Christmas movie (even though it’s not set at Christmas time)! It was a little silly and goofy and had characters were comforting and relatable. There was a mystery to be solved, a family heist, and a choreographed dance, that made the story that much more endearing. Daphne and Calvin had good banter and an interesting past that made seeing them come together even more enjoyable. I appreciated the different kinds of families and they ways the characters upbringings influenced who they were as adults. I also appreciated how these characters were still figuring their lives out past their early 20's because it's not always as easy as graduating high school or college and getting a job, both Daphne and Calvin had already been through a lot yet they still had a lot to learn from each other.
This gets 4 stars from me because of the nostalgia I felt while reading it. I did feel like love came a bit too quickly for our characters, but this only added to the hallmark feeling.
One thing I would say is there is really amazing potential for a cute cartoon drawn cover that I think would really add to the appeal!

It a super fun read. Enemies(ish) to lovers set in a small island town. Reminded me a lot of the Stephanie Plum series right down to a cop boyfriend, crazy grandma, and slightly haphazard FMC. All the characters are super likeable with fun, witty banter. Highly recommend this read, now I want to read this whole series.

Needing a new start from her life Daphne decides to return to her hometown where she runs into her high school nemesis. With their years of high school battles behind them they agree to lay down their swords and come to an agreement. With both of them having their own agenda they start to fake date to under the guise of fooling the town. As they get to know one another they realize what they thought of each other in high school was all wrong. Forming an alliance to uncover the mystery of wierd happenings going on in town they form a bond. With the plan of right a former wrong her family urges her on in finding her grandmother’s missing Dutch oven. This leads to some laughable antics. . I really enjoyed this book so I went back and read Four Steps for the Perfect Revenge. Another cute story with a little mystery and a lot of fun along the way for the perfect romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thanks NetGalley and Lilian Monroe for the chance to read this book. I really enjoyed Daphne and Calvin's story, it was fun and fast paced.

I found myself laughing out loud a lot, especially when Daphne's grandmother was involved and also Calvin's Mum's dance routine.

I enjoyed the slow burn, will they won't they, he's been pining for her plot line.

It was a fun easy read with a good plot and well rounded characters.

Overall liked the book, even though I had not read the first in the series. I have read Lilian Monroe before, and really liked her style of writing. The story was good, kind of a second chance romance even though they did not have a prior relationship. Daphne is a good girl who has figured out that being one is not making her happy. She is very hung up on the fact she is boring and everyone treats her differently than her more vivacious family members. The story does not give a genuine enemies to lover trope, more like blasts from the past find themselves together. The enemies part was more like angsty teenager is reflecting a bad home situation onto Daphne who has the complete opposite. I was disappointed that Calvin did not really resolve any issue with his mother. Daphne kept the mission to obtain the dutch oven a secret despite thinking about confessing to Calvin way too many times. He fell way harder than she did, which I did like. The mystery behind the corrupt police department was a great subplot, ad it reminded me of Lucy Score's Knockabout series. I really liked the love interest Calvin, he just wanted someone to show real affection for him, Daphne’s moping at first was moving but then it got so repetitive and eventually annoying. Her story line could have been better, the whole goal was for her not to be a people pleaser good girl, but she tries to make her grandma happy by retrieving the famous pot. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date is a contemporary romance that features a 2nd chance romance, fake dating, and a heist. When Daphne moved back home after her fiancé dumped her, she didn’t expect to see a blast from her past, and certainly didn’t expect to have to work with him. A fake dating proposal turned heist turned real feelings makes this fast paced book an easy read. Calvin has officially made cupcake my favorite nickname 😍

Such a great story that will suck you into the drama. Honestly this was fab, I really enjoyed four steps to the perfect revenge, so had high expectations for this story, and I loved it. Daphne Davis is such a great character, she is seen as someone steady and straight, but in all honesty, she is so much deeper and more complex. Calvin was well written he has such deep hurt that will break your heart for him, as you get to understand the story and the history, they share a history that they both see from different sides and don’t always understand. But imagine failing and then having to go to work for your old nemesis and then finding out that the history wasn’t what you thought, it all adds to something extra, and this story adds to it all.

I love everything this author writes!! This book was no different. Perfect pacing and the storyline was soooo good! Thanks for the ARC!

This was my first book by this author. This gave me a good laugh at times and I enjoyed the lightheartedness of this book. I was more intrigued by the mystery than the romance tbh. The romance wasn't the best, hence the low rating. Other than that, this was a good read

In Lilian Monroe's latest book, Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date we find rule follower Daphne suddenly finding her normally routine life riddled with everything going wrong.

She's dumped by her ex and has no place to live, loses her job and forced to go back to her home town of Fernley Island. She finds herself in a situation with the Sheriff, Calvin Flint, her old high school nemesis and also her new boss. Fun!

Reading about Daphne going from being the top performer in everything to her sudden string of bad luck and then watching her fall for Calvin was a joy. They have hilarious situations pop up and I laughed with them, never at them, all the while waiting for and being pleased to watch them discover their feelings for each other.

As a fellow rule-follower, I was rooting for Daphne the whole time and glad she was able to loosen up a bit by the end, but keep true to herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

First of all this is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The characters were well developed and consistent in how they were written in the story. Daphne and Calvin had great banter and the author did a good job of developing their connection. I appreciate a good romantic slow burn.

The basics of the story is that Daphne has returned to her home town to work as an accountant for the sheriff's department because they are investigating a possible crime in their department. She is faced with working for her old high school nemesis Calvin who is the new acting sheriff. Sparks and banter begin almost from the start and it is delicious. There are fun side characters in the form of older women who are not above creating some chaos and fun shenanigans. There is a little mystery to solve and old hurts to heal.

This book is a great palette cleanser between more emotionally intense or complicated reads. I highly recommend this book for a fun and romantic read.

Has anyone else ever read a book and felt like they just had to be friends with a character? That’s exactly how I felt about Daphne in The Four Steps to a Perfect Fake Date. It was such an enjoyable read, and it’s part of the reason I’ve been so immersed in reading lately. I keep discovering books that grab me from the first page and make it hard to put them down.

Lately, I’ve found myself reading whenever I can—whether it’s first thing in the morning, during a quick break at work, or in between shifts at my second job. It’s become a bit of a routine, and I can’t wait to explore more books by this author. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend setting aside some dedicated time to read because it’s definitely a story you’ll want to finish in one sitting. The alternating points of view between the characters really elevate the story and give it that extra depth.

This delightful rom-com follows Daphne Davis, a reformed rule-follower who’s had her life upended and decides it’s time for a rebellious new outlook. Returning to Fernley Island, she crosses paths with Calvin Flint—her high school nemesis turned ridiculously handsome sheriff. Now Daphne’s boss, Calvin becomes her unlikely ally as they stumble through a fake dating scheme, old grudges, and the hunt for a missing heirloom. With mishaps, laughs, and sparks aplenty, this story is a feel-good journey about second chances, unexpected chemistry, and daring to break the rules for love.

Daphne and Calvin knew each other in school, and it was not a good relationship. He resented her strong family ties and seemingly perfect life. She hated him for tormenting her.

Flash forward to the present. They’re both adults, and Daphne is back home for a contractor position with the sheriff’s department as an accountant after losing her job. Former bad boy Calvin is the sheriff.

After receiving an ARC of this book from NetGalley, I went back and read my review of the first “Four Steps” book. I immediately wished I hadn’t because there was something in the 3AB of that book that pretty much ruined it for me after really enjoying the book up until 80%.

Despite my trepidation, I enjoyed this book all the way through. Daphne and Calvin both have complicated family dynamics and the story is absolutely over the top and zany at times, but it brought some fun and levity to some serious feelings about parental acceptance mixed in.

Daphne was hired to try to track some missing money, and there’s a side story with a little mystery thrown in.

This was a fun read and I definitely will want to read the next one.

Aw, man. these two really touched my heart; I saw so much of myself in them. Beyond the humor and the unfolding mystery, it was a beautiful exploration of forgiveness and dealing with long-held insecurities. In an ideal world, we could simply talk things out, but we all know it's much more complicated in reality, which is reflected in both characters’ personal journeys. I think that’s what gives the story its charm and makes these flawed characters so relatable.

A great read!

I enjoyed the romance between Calvin and Daphne. Both are complicated characters and find solace in each other which I thought was beautiful. I find emotional intimacy to be really romantic. I just really liked the bond these two created. It felt genuine and realistic. It definitely gave the book a cozy vibe. The steamy scenes are nice but not anything crazy.

I also was pleasantly surprised by the mystery storyline. It didn't feel like it was out of left field. It flowed nicely with the rest of the story. I also thought it had a good resolution.

Would recommend!

This was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the romance going on in this. The characters had that realism that worked with everything that I wanted, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and enjoyed the overall concept. Lilian Monroe wrote this perfectly and left me wanting to read more.