Book Review: My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein

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Book: My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy 

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein is a contemporary romance that follows two neighbors, Connie and Beck, through an unconventional “marriage” arrangement. Upon discovering that Beck needs a fake wife to accompany him on a work retreat, Connie agrees to the trip to help him out. Stein takes us on an entertaining and sentimental venture with the protagonists as they go from acquaintances to lovebirds.

It’s really difficult to not love Charlotte Stein’s characters. They are always strong and slightly quirky in their own way. In My Big Fat Fake Marriage, Connie and Beck are opposites in many ways; however, they bond over offbeat interests and a mutual respect for one another’s unique idiosyncrasies. 

Beck is a genuine “cinnamon roll” character type. In the world of romance novels, this term refers to a main male character that is caring, considerate, and generally goodhearted. The type tends to have a strong moral compass, and is a supportive and attentive partner. Beck’s character is so important because he highlights positive masculinity by practicing consent and respect throughout the book. It was very refreshing to see Beck and Connie always checking in with each other to make sure they were both on the same page. 

Connie’s personality offers a lovely, balanced contrast to Beck. She is confident in the places he is shy, and she naturally adapts to spontaneity. We see a lot of growth in Connie when she realizes how she deserves to be treated through her interactions with Beck. As Connie and Beck learn to leave their past experiences behind, they both open themselves up to self-love and love from one another. 

It is worth noting that Charlotte Stein writes and advocates for body diversity in her novels. She normalizes the fact that all bodies look different, and they all deserve the same Happily Ever After. We always need more inclusive representation in romance genres.

I’ve read two of Stein’s books now, and I’ve noticed she has a very distinct style and flow. The pace of her books tend to match the progression of the passion in the romantic relationships in her stories. Things start off slow and steady in the meet-cute stage, and by the time the characters have piqued in passion, the plot is moving fast. I love the way these two aspects mirror each other. I also really enjoy Stein’s ability to write relatable, witty banter between her characters. She mixes this dialogue with emotional, internal monologues from the main character’s point of view that makes the story feel more cerebral and personal.   

Overall, I loved My Big Fat Fake Marriage. It’s funny and spicy, with a few big “awwww” moments. It is a great book to take on vacation with you or to the beach this summer. Charlotte Stein writes books that are reminiscent of 90’s movie rom-coms, and she is easily becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors out there. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlotte Stein, and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book in advance. 

The expected publication date for this book is March 11, 2025 and is available for pre-order below. 

View A Big Fat Fake Marriage on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Audible