Firstly thank you so much to NetGalley, Mia McCoy and Victory Editing for this ARC copy!

This was a super cute and fun enemies to lovers story. After suffering from a major heartbreak out leading lady ends up in quite the predicament with the rival band’s lead singer leading to fun antics and lots of spice

It was okay, I found that the writing was not my favourite and that the story line was very generic. I would've liked it if the story was a little less predictable. Otherwise it was good.

This was such a fun read! The romance was so much fun and the characters banter was very entertaining. I would highly recommend this book!

Mia McCoy absolutely nails the fake dating trope in I Hate My Fake Boyfriend, delivering a story packed with humor, chemistry, and just the right amount of angst! From the very first page, I was hooked on the hilarious, tension-filled dynamic between the leads. They claim to hate each other, but every sarcastic jab and accidental lingering glance says otherwise—and I was here for every second of it.

The banter? Top-tier. The slow burn? Torturously delicious. And when those real feelings start creeping in? Chef’s kiss. McCoy does an incredible job making the romance feel organic and heartfelt, while still keeping things light, flirty, and full of laugh-out-loud moments.

If you love fake dating disasters that turn into something undeniable, characters with crackling chemistry, and a romance that gives you all the feels, then I Hate My Fake Boyfriend is an absolute must-read. I didn’t just love this book—I devoured it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fake dating perfection!

This was a cute story, though I probably wouldn’t read it again. It kind of felt rushed and felt like the “I love you” part came too early without any significant development to lead to that.

Thank you NetGalley, MiaMcCoy and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me access to read and review this ARC.

3.5⭐ (Three for the sake of this review.)
It was a cute story -- could have used some more description in some of the backstories, like the lawsuit, since they referenced it so much and you don't really learn about it until the book is almost over. Also, there is a spicy scene that involves some BDSM which I thought was a little weird for the first time they have intercourse, but to each their own.

I enjoyed every second of this. It’s a fast paced and a true enemies to lovers. He wanted to sue her! If you need a pick me up this is the book to read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book could have really benefited with 100 more pages. I would have loved some more explanation into the ex-fiance and other topics that were brought up with our main characters. Without the background info the pacing felt a bit off but I did still enjoy the book and would recommend it.

First of all thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I felt the book started of really strong and I enjoyed Lucy and Marcus and their interactions , but as it progressed it felt a little bit like it lost its way. The fake dating bit didn't really work for me and the big secret of all the problems once revealed was like huh?
Overall I did enjoy it, but I felt the story could have been tweaked a little bit.
I loved the dogs love story!

Thanks to NetGalley for this digital arc.

The love story was fun and enjoyable but parts of the story were choppy and left me confused. There is a subplot with dogs that I also really enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.

I hate my fake boyfriend is a standalone romance book, here you’ll find:
✨Fake dating
🎸Grumpy x Sunshine
🐾Dual pov
🎶Forced proximity
•
This was a cute and fun read, nothing exceptional but it was enjoyable.
The book follows the life of two musicians who are forced to fake date so their fans won't fight with each other.
I really the banter between the two of them and how they slowly opened their self up with each other.
I think that the problem with this book was that it felt too rushed sometimes and there were a few of things that weren’t explained at the and and it felt like they were out there just for lengthening the story.

Overall it was a good read and entertaining, I would recommend it if you want something funny and not too demanding.

This... was different. It felt a bit disjointed and didn't flow very nicely, but some of the scenes were fun to read.

The book was entertaining , a little short and really fast paced.
I love that he falls first, and he does everything possible to keep the ruse of fake dating. Their PR relationship has nothing to do with her ex but with their jobs which is nice for a change.

There’s not a lot of characters in the book that play significant roles.
A little spice 😉
Thanks to Net Galley for the eARC

3.5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I Hate My Fake Boyfriend is an enemies to lovers romance that will have you kicking your feet and giggling! Lucy has just gone through a chia pet related break up with her fiancé, and wants to channel that anger and passion in to performing her best in her band, The Whispering Pines Collective. There’s only one thing in her way, and he’s tall, handsome and he hates her. Marcus is a rock god and member of Death Against the Machine, the rival band. Shenanigans ensue which leads to the dreaded outcome - Lucy and Marcus have to fake date to help both band’s images.

This book was a genuinely funny read and the relationship between Lucy and Marcus was filled with tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The character arcs were well thought out with good development and exploration. I also loved the interactions between the two when they were meant to be faking it but obviously just wanted to rip each others clothes off.

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Super cute read with a unique storyline!

I cannot rave about this story enough. It’s unlike anything I have personally read which made it near impossible for me to predict what was going to happen next.

A simple misunderstanding has our main characters hating each other, but when they are forced together, they learn they have more in common then they ever thought possible.

But on a deeper level…. A fake celebrity relationship. *gasp* who would have ever thought of such a thing lol. Even though that isn’t exactly a new concept, I don’t think anyone has written a romance novel about it. Either way, it was definitely a fun read that caught me by surprise.

What was really impressive is the amount of conflict. Not only did Lucy and Marcus struggle to maintain their fake relationship while falling for each other, but they each have problems of their own. So many things to be resolved and I have proud to say that everything is wrapped up nicely at the end.

The characters were both likable, especially after they started to put their differences aside and start agreeing with each other. Even though I don’t think I could ever relate to a celebrity, somehow the author was able to make these two relatable in their own ways making it easier for me to connect with them and yearn for their happiness.

I also really enjoyed their dogs being a major part of the story. I’m a sucker for animals in a story, especially if they are written with the amount of attention the author put into this book.

The sexual tension between Lucy and Marcus is so thick, it was hard to breathe. Seriously, you could cut it with a knife. And oh man was the spicy parts delicious and descriptive!

What wasn’t as strong was their chemistry. It’s undeniable that these two wanted to take a toss in the hay, what wasn’t as convincing is how much they liked each other. Thankfully this didn’t last through the entirety of the book but there were times when I felt like I was being told they liked each other instead of feeling it. This could have easily been a me issue.

The ending was not what I expected, it was even better. It definitely leaves you thinking. Both characters make sacrifices for one another and in the end, Lucy is finally loved the way she deserves. I don’t want to say much for fears of spoiling, but I will say that this story is going to stick with me for a while as I unpack all of the meaning that lies beneath the surface.

Overall, I loved this story and would definitely read it again.

I recommend to anyone looking for a fake dating romance with some forced proximity.

Cute, Short Musical Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

Lucy and Marcus hate each other because of that thing Marcus accuses Lucy of doing and the lawsuit that was eventually settled by their shared label. When their manager decide that they must fake date to save their careers, things are going downhill fast..

In spite of the overly simplistic cover, this book is actually worth surviving the first quarter of exposition for. While the beginning definitely drags, I promise it gets better!
Lucy and Marcus are more complex characters than they appear at first and their problems are well-connected with the romance plot of the book.
Mia McCoy might want to get readers hooked on her books a little earlier, because her initially awkward prose somehow improved over the course of the book and I found myself tearing through the middle section.
Some of the ending twists felt a bit contrived and dissatisfying, which is probably partly due to how rushed they feel and how little build-up they get in comparison to the romance plot line.

I was a little annoyed at Lucy for several characteristics she luckily seemed to lose about halfway through the book - they should maybe not have been there in the first place?

Overall, 4 stars for this one: mainly because of the cover and the first quarter of the book.

There is some mild kink and spice, as well as some venomous snakes.

It was cute and had a lot of promise. I feel like there was an issue with some plot lines and the pacing, but it was a cute, easy read. Some parts had me laughing and I did enjoy reading it. I just wish there was more development.

I was lucky to receive this book through NetGalley as an ARC

This was such a cute, simple, high-tension read! Both main characters Lucy and Marcus were so funny, while also dealing with their own previous trauma. If you're looking for a cute, fluffy, band read that gives off Warped Tour band fics, this is what you want! I could not put this down. I will never look at a chia-pet the same way again.

Launching straight into the book on the first chapter, we get immediate humor from Lucy, while also getting a look into her relationship trauma and her personal fears that we then see her work through and grow from. Having Marcus be the one that is hooked on her from the get-go made me so happy. He was adorable with his attention of her and how he wanted to protect and defend her, while also trying to hide how he truly felt for her. I cannot get over the undeniable sexual tension between the two! Having the dual POV chapters and being able to look into both characters heads is such a gift.

5 stars, absolutely recommend, and will always support a light-hearted, kick your feet giggling read!

Tropes: fake-dating, rockstar romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity

3.5 stars ⭐️ I love a good musician romance! The banter was great. It was a quick and easy read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

thank you netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

this follows two rival musicians: indie artist lucy and rock star marcus. they share a record label, but their fanbases are in a constant state of fan wars. their management draws up a contract for them to fake-date to hopefully bring their fanbases together, but as all fake dating scenarios go, it’s not all according to plan. musicians, dual pov, fake dating, and enemies to lovers? all of my favorite things!

however, although an easy read, it lacked detail in what i wanted. the back half felt very rushed and marcus and lucy’s chemistry didn’t feel as believable. their inner monologues were very similar, so i also got lost in the sauce of who’s pov i was reading at times. some details also felt very stop and go, and i wish we got to see more of them together, including their activities at the couples retreat.

if you’re looking for a quick, trope-heavy read, this is to be considered. however, it does lack in substance and left me wanting more; not enough for me to read any bonus chapters though.