They say fake it till you make it, and I’ve been a faker my whole damn life. But it was a lot easier pretending I didn't want my best friend before I needed her to be my wife. Just as I’m on the brink of making my dreams a reality, tragedy strikes. One minute I’m chasing a record deal, and the next, I’m temporary guardian of my niece and nephew. In order to prove to the judge I’m the best fit, I need to show stability. I need…a wife. Even though Natalie Haven swore she left Havenbrook for good, she comes the second I call—no questions asked. But Nat’s always been too big for this small town, and she’s only back long enough to help me fool everyone. Trouble is, we’re starting to fool ourselves. It was easier faking it with half a world between us. Now that we're playing house by day and sharing a bed every night, it’s impossible to deny how much I want her. And how much I love calling her my wife. Pretending to love Nat is the easiest lie I’ve ever told. Because the truth is I never stopped. The real problem is figuring out how to let her go when it’s all over. *This book was originally published as Small Town Pretender in 2021 and significantly edited and updated in 2025*