There’s something irresistible about a lie that turns into love.
The fake dating trope has been a romance favorite for decades—and for good reason. It’s the perfect setup for tension, banter, and that delicious moment when two people pretending to be in love… accidentally fall for real.
Think about it: two people agree to fake a relationship—maybe to impress their boss, win a bet, or survive a family wedding. The rules are clear. Boundaries are set. But love? Love was never part of the plan.
And yet.
That first accidental touch. The pretend kiss that lingers too long. The growing realization that they’re not pretending anymore. That’s where the magic happens.
Fake dating stories give us all the fun of slow-burn romance with a built-in emotional twist. Because when the truth finally comes out—when the deal ends and they have to choose love for real—it hits so much harder.
At Capsum Publishing, we’re drawn to stories that balance humor and heart. That mix smart characters with vulnerable moments. That let opposites attract—and then collide. If that sounds like your kind of read, you’ll feel right at home here.
Our latest novella, Fake Dating A Grumpy Scientist leans all the way into the trope. A quirky journalist. A brilliant, reclusive fertility scientist. One very public fake relationship. And the one rule they both forget to follow: don’t fall in love.
If you adore fake dating, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and slow-burn tension with a twist of vulnerability, this one’s for you.
Stay tuned for more releases—because sometimes the best love stories start with a lie.
Want to read it for free?
Download Fake Dating A Grumpy Scientist: An Opposites Attract Romance instantly via this linkl and get a front-row seat to the lie that turned into love.