The Almost Romantic

How to Date Your Fake Husband

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Fake engagement. Real marriage. Both have an expiration date in this spicy marriage of convenience romantic comedy standalone from #1 NYT Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely performed in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin!

“Marry me.”

They were the last words I expected to say to my fake fiancé, but I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t back down from a challenge. Pretend I’m engaged to my gorgeous and talented business partner to secure a business deal?

No problem. Agree to a no-touch rule even though she’s been driving me wild since I met her?

Challenge accepted.

Resist grinning like a damn fool every time that same big-hearted, sunshine-y woman laughs with my little daughter?

Done. So, yeah, when my fake fiancé’s vindictive business rival threatens to expose our make-believe romance, I can handle that too. I’ll prove our engagement isn’t fake–by marrying her for real. A marriage with an expiration date at the end of the year.

But that’s when I run smack dab into the biggest challenge ever–not falling madly in love with my wife.

©2034 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2024 Lauren Blakely Books

I ADORE Elodie & Gage!!!💋

Love love love Vanessa & Teddy in this one! They are two of my favorite narrators & they were perfect for Elodie & Gage!

I LOVED Gage & Elodie!! Their chemistry is off the charts, they are funny, sweet, spicy, & so so good together! They bring out the best in the other, & fully support the others dreams! And if you love when a man uses “my wife”, buckle up! It’s a favorite phrase of Gage’s😮‍💨

Elodie is bold, fun, sexy, & goes after what she wants. Gage is protective, sexy, sweet, romantic as heck, & just dang near perfect! Plus a man who sees the benefits of therapy, yes please!

This is a fun single parent, fake engagement, marriage of convenience story, that brings all the feels & all spice! 🔥

Loved this !

I fell instantly in love with Elodie and Gage. I loved their banter and their chemistry was on point . What made me love this story more was listening to it as well as following along. The narrators did a phenomenal job playing these characters and boy did I get a good laugh and blush during those steamy scenes. This was such a great book that left me with a smile on my face.

Wanting more

I love these two characters and the duel narration was perfect. This book was definitely a feel good heartwarming story.

Fantastic book

Every woman needs a Gage in their life. Even when he was adamant that he didn’t believe in love, the way he acted around and treated Elodie was swoon worthy. He was a busy man who owned a bar, was a single dad and wanted to expand his business. When a package got delivered to his bar with Elodie’s address, he used the mix up as an opportunity to ask her out. Little did he know that the date would get cut short, but change his life forever. Elodie is a chocolatier who is the guardian for her sister and is struggling to make ends meet. She has a huge decision to make about her business but can’t seem to get Gage off of her mind. When he shows up at her shop with her package she is mortified at first, but then owns it. She accepts the date and is disappointed when it gets cut short. Without even realizing it, they both start acting like their fake relationship is real. He becomes possessive (in a good way) and protective, while she becomes reliant (only when absolutely needed) and more confident due to his belief in her. Seeing some of their friends (characters from previous books) giving them advice was nice. I adored the interactions they had with the girls, Eliza and Amanda, and how well they all fit together. Her business rival was not a nice man and I liked how karma got him in the end. With an end date set from the beginning, they both realize they don’t want it to end, but don’t know how to admit it to the other. His plan to romance her and show her how good it could actually be was sweet and when he had his aha moment he didn’t waste any time. I V loved this book. It was funny, sweet, romantic and I didn’t want to put it down.

Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton were great as Elodie and Gage. I loved the dual narration. Each voice actor brought so much emotion to the character that it felt like I was living the moment with them. I would not hesitate to listen to another book that they narrated.

Almost Romantic

This is my favorite book!! Loved the characters, the story and the narrators!! Character development was great!! Thank you!!

Vanessa & Teddy: perfect pairing in duet!

The Almost Romantic is the third book in the How to Date series by Lauren Blakely. I'm loving this series and I couldn't be happier that this is Gage and Elodie's story! I have loved them since we met them and they are fun and sexy together. They have one hot night together before they decide to go into business together. Now it's hands off. But a series of events leads to them getting fake engaged and then fake married. Now they are living the lie that soon becomes the truth. Gage is a single dad and Elodie is raising her sister and they are pretending to be a family while working together. She's making chocolate, he's making cocktails and it's all just the best game of foreplay. This story has everything we love about romance: a swoony hero, a smart, sassy heroine, family, friends and chocolate! I had the pleasure of listening to Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton bring Elodie and Gage to life. They were the perfect pairing and in duet narration!

Marriage of Convenience Parent Trap Edition

This book was absolutely adorable!!! Elodie and Gage both are into each other from the first time they saw each other. Gage gets a package at his restaurant and when he opens it he sees it’s for Elodie. She sent there on accident while she was waiting for a Togo order. He brings it back and asks her on a date. The date was perfect. They had great conversation and amazing chemistry. During that date they saw a little hole in the wall spot for rent. They both thought it would be a great chocolate tasting (for Elodie) and paired with mixed drinks (for Gage). They set up an appointment to apply for that spot. The owner loves their love and offers them the spot. Problem is. They’re not in love. They’re just business partners to grow their own individual businesses.

Throw in their both single parents, both super busy in life and don’t want to get hurt. Problem is, their kids, family and friends make sure they do fall in love with each other.

The best!

The narration really makes this book amazing! Teddy and Vanessa were wonderful! I loved both AND the story!

Romantically se*y!

The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely sure knows how to be romantic! The story of Gage and Elodie was so fun to read and definitely to listen to on audio. Both Gage and Elodie are looking to grow their businesses and discover that if they team up they just might reach those goals. You will find many tropes within The Almost Romantic such as spicy fake engagement-turns marriage of convenience, single dad. Las Vegas is the setting for their quickie wedding at The Extravagant Hotel (I love that hotel). I love the author’s writing style so much. Her characters are fun, smart, and love their friends and families with their whole hearts. Great news about Gage and Elodie is that there is no 3rd act breakup between our main characters. If you have read and like previous Lauren Blakely books I’m sure that you will enjoy The Almost Romantic no matter if it is the print, ebook, or audio version. Enjoy!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Lauren, does it again! This audiobook made me laugh out loud, it’s sexy, swoon worthy, Beautifully written, and definitely a must read. Teddy and Vanessa were the perfect narrators to bring these characters to life. Thank you Lauren, for always bringing a smile to the readers.