A short and sweet (with some spice) office romance. The main characters had great chemistry that lead to a lot of tense and flirty moments. I loved that Dana was portrayed as intelligent, independent, and the backbone of the company. While the story was predictable, and I do wish it was a bit longer than 55 pages, it is still a fun, quick read!


Thank you BDA Publishing LLC for providing this book for review via NetGalley!

Typical story of the boss and assistant in love with each other. I enjoy the short story, but I disliked how they continued to say it wasn't going to work. Isn't that the whole plot of the story...for them to fall in love? Some pages frustrated me, but I also wouldn't mind working for a Nathan in my life!

Thanks NetGalley!

If there’s one trope I’ll always come back for, it’s fake dating—and this novella delivered exactly that with a fast-paced, fun office romance between a boss and his assistant.

Nathan is a successful CEO who needs to impress a major client over the weekend. His solution? Bring his right-hand woman, Dana, along—not as his personal assistant, but as his girlfriend. What follows is a whirlwind of flirty banter, undeniable chemistry, and the classic will-they-won’t-they tension that makes fake dating so addictive.

What Worked:
Great chemistry – Nathan and Dana had solid romantic tension, and their flirty moments kept me engaged.
Fast and easy to read – This novella wastes no time, making it perfect for a quick, spicy read.
Tropes galore – Fake dating? Check. Office romance? Check. Black woman/white man pairing? Check. If you love these elements, this book delivers.

What Didn’t Work as Well:
Predictable plot – It followed a familiar formula, and while enjoyable, it didn’t bring anything fresh to the table.
Too short to build tension – If this had been a full-length novel, there could’ve been more time for deeper emotional stakes and a more satisfying arc.
Not much beyond the romance – The story is straightforward, which works for a novella, but it left me wanting more.

This book has the ingredients of a great read, but the short length didn’t allow it to reach its full potential. Still, if you love boss/assistant romance, fake dating, and steamy moments, this is worth picking up!

This book felt fairly rushed and I wasn't a fan of the writing style. Thank you for the opportunity to read it but it wasn't a book I enjoyed which doesn't mean that it's not for everyone just not for me.

Well this was a short and sweet (and spicy) read. I wish it had been a full length novel because there was a lot of potential with Dana, Nathan and the plot of this couple's retreat. I love a good fake dating trope, especially when the guy is really using it as a means to convince the girl they'd be perfect together. He falls first is wonderful. The only problem is that with the fake dating trope you really need that length to build up the tension and plot. It was hard to connect to the characters relationship build up because it was so short. This plot had plenty of opportunities for build up and deeper dives such as the trivia game or the couples shared talent. Those could have been full length scenes filled with banter and tension and soft moments of reflection between the two. Instead they were just short little paragraphs that flew right by. I enjoyed the writing style as well so again really the main disappointment was that this book was so short and rushed not showing off their writing talent. I enjoyed it even though it took me only 20 minutes to read through basically.

Okay, let’s talk about Fake It Til You Feel It because this novella had me all in my feels. First of all, big shout-out to NetGalley for the early ARC—thank you, thank you. From the dedication to the playlist, this book had me cackling from the start. If you’re the type who loves a book with sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and a plot that’s equal parts sweet and spicy, you’re in for a treat.

The heroine, Dana, is a total vibe. She’s fierce, independent, and not afraid to speak her mind, which I adore. And then there’s Nathan... oh Nathan. This man is both a flirt and a sweetheart, and he’s definitely got a thing for Dana (though he tries to play it cool—spoiler: it doesn’t work). The tension between them is instant, and I was here for every second of it.

The best part? This book’s energy. The banter? So much fun. The romantic tension? Through the roof. I loved how Dana and Nathan’s relationship developed—it’s flirty, it’s steamy, and honestly, I was invested the whole time (despite this being a novella, which is saying something!).

This is one of those books that makes you smile, laugh, and possibly cringe (in the best way possible) at the steamier moments. Think: fake dating trope, but with a bit of a business twist, and lots of moments where the line between fake and real starts to blur.

It’s a quick, steamy read that doesn’t hold back on the chemistry, so if you're in the mood for something fun, fiery, and full of feels, this one's for you. Perfect for a short getaway into a flirty, funny romance.

2.5 stars! *SPOILERS AHEAD*

'Fake It 'Til You Feel It' is a steamy, dual POV, little novella. The absolute best thing about this story is the length! Fortuna Lux does a great job of helping readers quickly get to know the characters and understand the relationship between them. The pacing of this book is wonderful and is, in my opinion, not a chapter too long!

Now, while I definitely didn't hate this book, I couldn't escape an icky feeling every time I read the MMC's POV. Although I can't exactly put my finger on why, he gave off a creepy vibe at times. I suppose I got the sense throughout the book that the female main character was uncomfortable with the progression of their relationship - or rather the rate and environment in which it was progressing. Dana was desperately trying to keep things professional between the two of them, while Nathan seemed to have another agenda he was pushing and it felt slightly awkward.

Considering it is such a quick read, I would definitely recommend readers give it a shot and form their own opinions - especially if you're a sucker for an office romance/enemies (or co-workers) to lovers!

Fake It 'Til You Feel It by Fortuna Lux. This was a fun fake dating novella with a boss/employee twist.

This office romance was a quick read that followed Nathan and Dana pretending to be happily together for the weekend to impress an investor. While I enjoyed the read, I feel like a full length novel would have worked even better with this premise. The development of their coupling moved quickly because of the short length of the novella.

Either way, it was a good time and I’m so glad I was able to read it! Short and spicy! Great book to pick up and finish in a sitting.

Tropes:
Workplace Romance
Force Proximity
Fake Dating

“I hate how much I miss the warmth of his lips already. I shouldn’t. I can’t. This is a game, a performance, a means to end…”

Thanks #NetGalley and BDA Publishing LLC for the opportunity to read this e-book.

Even though the cover says "Extended Version," this is a novella, which I didn't realize until I read it. This story had a lot of potential, and I think things could have been more flushed out in a longer book. Because it's a novella, it felt like everything was happening 10X speed and going from 0 to 100 in no time at all. Somehow we're expected to believe that after one evening of pretending to be in love, the characters are tired of fighting their attraction to each other and can't fight it anymore.
"This isn't pretend. It hasn't been for a while, has it?" But meanwhile, a while is only one night. Even if we chalk it up to insta-love, that should have been embraced rather than something that was desperately fought. However, if you want a spicy scene without having to read much (and there's nothing wrong with that!), then read this novella.

I love office romance, fake dating tropes. This one was a miss for me. With this being a novella I realize that we’re just getting the bare bones of the story. Unless I missed it somewhere there were no physical descriptions of the characters other than he was handsome and she was beautiful. At the end of the book he mentions her blond hair and dark eyes but up until then there was no way to envision the characters. Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

I felt that the book was too short with no real attraction shown in the beginning to go from hate to love. I think the latter end of the book is good, the ending made sense and worked well with the plot line. I just felt that they needed an extra chapter or 2 to make the story more believable

Fake It ‘Til You Feel It by Fortuna Lux is the kind of office romance that keeps you hooked from the first page. It’s got humor, tension, and just the right amount of heart, all wrapped up in a slow-burn dynamic that feels irresistible. At the center of it all is Nathan Clarke—arrogant, magnetic, and completely impossible. When his employee (who has zero interest in mixing business with pleasure) agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend for a high-stakes retreat, the lines between fake and real start to blur. What begins as a strategic arrangement quickly turns into something neither of them saw coming. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is undeniable, and beneath all the playful tension, there’s an exploration of trust, vulnerability, and what it really means to open up to someone. If you love workplace romances with wit, charm, and a dash of drama, this one’s definitely worth a read.

This book was fast paced, entertaining but a little unrealistic. I would’ve liked to know more about the main characters prior to the boss asking her to take a trip with him. The author does a very good job at setting different scenes and giving multiple perspectives. I believe it was a bit unrealistic for Dana to get the company handed over to her at the end. It makes you question why the boss was working so hard to secure a contract. Why did he want to step down? What else would he have done/ what were his other interests ? Overall it was a good story line but I feel like more could’ve been added.

The fake dating trope gets me every time. And just the right amount of spice!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute little novella, strong story it definitely left me feeling like I could of had more of the story.

Fake It Til You Feel It by Fortuna Lux is a short, steamy, office romance novella. The story takes place over three days where a boss and his assistant need to pretend they’re dating to win over a business deal.

Nathan Clarke is an insufferable boss, but that doesn’t stop Dana from being overly attracted to him. When Nathan is trying to close the deal with a conservative business partner, he requires Dana to play the part of a devoted and loving girlfriend over a three-day weekend getaway on a yacht. Nathan believes it’s his chance to finally be able to get a bit closer to his attractive assistant and see if maybe the feeling is mutual. But maybe that pushes them too close to something more..

While the story starts off as a fake relationship, it quickly develops into blossoming tension. novella goes through the blurred lines of professional to personal. It’s a quick, steamy romance that’s enjoyable with strong chemistry between the main characters. Since it’s a short read and the timeline is three days, it doesn’t dive deep into any conflicts or character growth. Its purpose is to entertain, and it does just that. Would recommend to any spicy romance fans looking for a quick time killer.

Such a fun, fast-paced read! I’m always a sucker for a good fake dating trope + throw in a workplace romance and I’m sold. The chemistry was there, and I loved the setup, but since this was a novella, I found myself craving a bit more. I would have loved to see more backstory on the FMC/MMC or even a few extra workplace interactions before the trip to build up the tension. Still, a super cute and enjoyable read!

This is a fun, easy read that is full of spice! The fake dating trope with secret feelings always makes for a good romance. If you like grumpy x sunshine, office romances, one bed, and tension then this novella is for you!

Thank you for the opportunity to read as an ARC!

I love a dual POV and I’m a total sucker for the fake dating trope—especially when it comes with a dash of forbidden romance (hello, boss!) and the classic “only one bed” moment. Despite being a shorter read, this book pulls off a satisfying slow burn, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you hooked. It’s well written, fun, and delivers a perfectly gift-wrapped ending. A great pick for romance lovers!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This is a very fun and spicy quick read. I think the characters are really strong and would love to see more from them! I do think we as readers could benefit from some more context by seeing a little more of their independent behaviors. This definitely scratches the itch for a steamy little short!