Description: Julia Irving, software marketing exec extraordinaire, inherits the Maplewood B&B from her aunt and decides to give up the corporate world for small-town living, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns. But she’s out of her depth running a B&B, and if this venture doesn’t turn a profit fast, she’s back to the big-city grind.
Local town artist Sam Calder’s helicopter mother announces she’s coming to town, and he needs to come up quick with a girlfriend to satisfy Mommy’s badgering him to marry. Julia Irving just showed up in town and doesn’t know anyone. Might she go for a little subterfuge in exchange for help with the B&B?
What Had Me Jonesing
- This read is giving all the fall feels. Small-town atmosphere, a cozy B&B, pumpkin pies (though I’m on Team Sweet Potato Pie 🍠), mugs filled with delicious hot concoctions ☕, a fall festival, crackling leaves underfoot 🍂, and chimney smoke perfuming the crisp, clean air.
- I’m a sucker for two tropes: fake marriages and secret babies. So, the fake-marriage scheme was right up my alley.
- Small-town vibe that reminded me of my grandmother’s tiny birthplace village at the foot of the Catskills. Places like this always sport mothers with too much time on their hands (yes, I’m looking at you, Mommy), nosy neighbors who think they bought stock in your life, a vibrant community spirit, and a cozy atmosphere.
What Struck Me
- Julia is a real mystery. No family other than her gone-to-her-maker Aunt Vivian. No friends. Just her cray-cray ex boyfriend who might require institutionalization. 😜
- This read makes no mention at all of Julia’s race or the interracial nature of their relationship, which knowing small towns (and the United States) the way I do, seems pretty unrealistic. But also, refreshing in a wish-the-world-like-this way.
Tropes
- Fake Relationship
- Marriage Pact
- Return to ‘Home’ (kind of)
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a low-drama, sweet, autumn romance to put you in the mood for the coming shorter days and the holidays, Fakin’ It This Fall might be just the ticket. ‘Tis the season to feel cozy, and this does the trick.
Jonesing for another fall read? Check out my review of There’s Pumpkin About You.
Here’s my character meme for Julia and Sam:
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