The Dating Charade: Half zany, sweet rom-com, half family drama by the bestselling author of Meet Me in the Margins
About this ebook
Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband--and children--altogether.
But fate has other plans, and Cassie's online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett's memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.
No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout--but when Cassie finds herself caring for three sisters in an emergency foster placement, she decides to hide them from Jett to avoid scaring him off. And when Jett's sister's addiction issues land her three children at his home, he decides the last thing Cassie needs to know about is his family drama.
Neither dares to tell the other about their unexpected and possibly permanent family members for fear of scaring away their potential soulmate, especially since they both listed "no kids" on their profiles! With six children between them and secrets mounting, can Cassie and Jett find a way forward?
Melissa Ferguson's warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages--and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren't nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.
"The Dating Charade will keep you smiling the entire read . . . an absolute treat!" --Katherine Reay, The Printed Letter Bookshop
"Melissa Ferguson is a sparkling new voice in contemporary rom-com. Though her novel tackles meaningful struggles--social work, child abandonment, adoption--it's also fresh, flirty, and laugh-out-loud funny." --Lauren Denton, The Hideaway
The Dating Charade is You've Got Mail meets Cheaper by the Dozen, perfect for readers who love stories about family, second chances, romance without the spice, and the surprises that change our lives forever. The Dating Charade also includes discussion questions--making it a delightful pick for your next book club.
Tropes:
- Firefighter love interest
- Surrogate parents
- Slow burn
For more from Melissa Ferguson, check out Meet Me in the Margins, How to Plot a Payback, and The Perfect Rom-Com!
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About the author
Melissa Ferguson is a bestselling author of romantic comedies and cozy mystery rom-coms, including Meet Me in the Margins, Famous for a Living, and The Perfect Rom-Com. Her debut picture book, Our Friendly Farmhouse, introduced young readers to her signature warmth and charm beyond the rom-com page. Two of her novels are currently being adapted for film with Melissa serving as Executive Producer. Come join nearly one million followers as she shares bookish joy and glimpses of farmhouse life with her husband and five children on TikTok and Instagram at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse.
