"My Big Fat Fake Marriage" is a romance that delivers everything I love in a book: witty banter, emotional depth, and a slow-burn romance that keeps you turning the pages. It follows Hazel, a woman who has been burned one too many times by so-called ‘nice guys,’ and Beck, a man so genuinely honest that lying makes him physically ill. When they find themselves in a fake marriage, their chemistry is undeniable—but Hazel struggles to believe it’s real. What follows is a beautifully written journey of self-discovery, trust, and learning to accept love without changing who you are.
I absolutely loved this story and its characters. They felt so real to me. Connie—Hazel to those she truly cares about—has been burned by too many so-called "nice guys" to trust easily. Beck, on the other hand, is so genuine and honest that lying literally makes him nauseous. When these two finally connect, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the depth of Hazel’s characterization. So often, romance novels frame distrustful heroines as bitter or cold, making their love story about "fixing" them. But Hazel’s doubts and self-protective instincts are validated by her past experiences. She isn’t a woman who just needs to "open up" to find love—she’s complex, shaped by years of being told she’s too much, that she should shrink herself to make others comfortable. Even among her best friends, she feels like an outsider, always waiting for the moment they’ll decide she’s not worth it. Living with that weight takes a toll, and the book captures it beautifully.
Then Beck comes into her life—unapologetically himself, without hesitation or embarrassment. His attitude of this is who I am, take it or leave it shakes Hazel’s worldview. Could being her real self actually lead to something good? Could it even lead to happiness? But self-doubt is hard to silence, and no man has ever been this open with her. Why should Beck be different?
Hazel is witty, but in a way that leans more toward dirty thoughts rather than outright saying them. I really liked that balance—it made her internal dialogue fun without over-the-top crudeness. The pacing was also great; for me, it was a page-turner. I constantly wanted to know when Hazel and Beck would kiss next and how their big reveal of feelings would unfold. Would Beck fight for a chance to show Hazel his love, or would his respect for her opinion win over his heart?
What makes this romance so powerful is Beck’s consistency. He never wavers in his honesty or in his care for Hazel’s well-being. Every moment with him reinforces that he’s not just another person waiting to disappoint her.
A significant portion of the book focuses on the physical relationship between Hazel and Beck, and it’s handled with such care. At 37, Beck has never been in a relationship and has no experience with physical intimacy. As a book editor, he’s read about sex but never lived it. Seeing his first experiences unfold through Hazel’s perspective is beautiful. She worries about corrupting him, believing his first times should be filled with deep emotions. But Beck surprises her again—because, for him, the feelings are there. He might not be ready to say it, and Hazel might not be ready to hear it, but every interaction between them builds toward something real.
The book includes classic tropes like forced proximity and only-one-bed, but they never feel like gimmicks. Instead, the emotional and physical progression between Hazel and Beck is a natural, slow build—a dam bound to break. And when it does, it’s explosive. Watching this big, gentle man unravel, overwhelmed by desire, is so satisfying. Forget Xaden Riorson or Rhysand—Samuel Beckett is my new book boyfriend, the standard against which I’ll measure all others.
One of the most poignant moments in the book comes after they finally sleep together. Overwhelmed by fear and self-doubt, Hazel convinces herself she’s not enough for Beck and calls things off. And Beck? He accepts her decision without protest—not because he doesn’t care, but because he respects her too much to push. Yet, despite his outward confidence, he’s just as afraid as Hazel. Afraid that he’s not enough. That he’s not her type. And yet, he never pretends to be someone he’s not, because "Life is too short to live it based on someone else’s idea of cool." That is a mantra worth holding onto.
The book has a writing retreat for aspiring authors as a backdrop, and Hazel’s personal growth goes hand in hand with her journey as a writer. The more she writes about emotions, the more she understands her own. This adds another layer to the story, showing how creativity can serve as a means of self-discovery.
While I sometimes prefer dual POV in romance, keeping the narration entirely from Hazel’s perspective worked incredibly well here. Maybe it hit so hard because I saw myself in her. While I haven’t had to deal with fake "nice guys," I do understand what it’s like to hide parts of myself to make others more comfortable. To feel like being my true self is too much. To fight against the internalized belief that I need to be more—prettier, thinner, different—to be worthy of love.
I’ve been with my partner since high school—seventeen years together. He knows me better than anyone and has seen me at my worst, yet sometimes, I still feel like I’m not enough. That I should change, fit some imagined standard. And the worst part? He’s not the one making me feel that way—I do it to myself. And breaking that mindset takes an incredible amount of strength.
That’s what makes My Big Fat Fake Marriage so special. It doesn’t just show us a love story—it shows us how deep self-doubt runs, how hard it is to break free, and how love, when real, isn’t about fixing someone. It’s about seeing them—truly seeing them—and choosing them anyway.
And in the end? It’s Hazel who gathers the courage to talk to Beck, to make things right. While part of me wished Beck would fight for her, I think this ending was even more powerful. It completes her journey of self-discovery, proving that she is finally ready to be herself—and to be loved for it.
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