REVIEW: Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard

LET’S KISS AND TELL by Joss Richard: Lucy Reid has built her career around telling women they don’t need a partner to have a fulfilling life. Marshall Oakley has just walked away from a nine-year relationship and isn’t exactly looking for his next one. When Lucy needs a relationship to write about and Marsh needs a plus-one, their fake-dating arrangement seems like the perfect solution. Until the line between pretending and actually wanting each other starts getting harder to see.

LET’S KISS AND TELL by Joss Richard was a funny, spicy workplace romance about a sex columnist who doesn’t believe relationships are necessary and the recently single coworker who needs a fake girlfriend for his ex’s wedding.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that the fake relationship gives both Lucy and Marsh a chance to question some pretty deeply held ideas about love, commitment, and what they want from their lives. Lucy’s sex-positive approach also gave the story a refreshing perspective and the LA setting, workplace drama, and rom-com energy made this such an easy book to settle into.

The chemistry between Lucy and Marsh was flirty, and full of tension. Their banter was one of my favorite parts because they have completely different ideas about relationships, yet they keep finding reasons to spend more time together. I liked watching the fake dating arrangement slowly become less convincing—even to them. The flirting, the attraction, the friendship underneath it all, and Marsh being increasingly obvious about how much he wants Lucy made their relationship so much fun to watch.

LET’S KISS AND TELL gave me the fake-dating setup I wanted, but I especially liked how much more it had to say about independence, relationships, family expectations, and figuring out what happiness actually means to you. Add in Lucy’s unapologetic personality, Marsh’s very obvious feelings, plenty of banter and spice, and that fun rom-com energy, and this was a really entertaining romance.

TROPES & VIBES:
💋 Fake dating
📰 Workplace romance
🔥 Forced proximity
💘 He falls first
😏 Banter & chemistry
💼 Career-driven characters
🌶️ Spice
💔 Ex’s wedding
🌴 LA setting
📻 90s rom-com vibes

Book Info:

Publication: August 11, 2026 | Dell |

Lucy Reid is a sex columnist whose views on relationships aren’t exactly optimistic. She empowers readers to embrace their sexuality and challenge the idea that you need a partner to be happy—until her editor points out their audience is mostly coupled up . . . and maybe it’s time for something (or someone) new. To buy herself time, Lucy impulsively claims she’s started a new relationship she can write about. Enter Marshall Oakley.

Marshall is the new senior news writer at Lucy’s company. When they meet at a work event, he reveals his ex of nine years is getting married, and he needs a plus-one to keep his family off his back. They agree to fake date until the wedding—Lucy can write about finding “the one” before proving relationships don’t solve everything when they “break up”, and Marshall gets a no-strings date to convince his friends, family, and ex he’s moved on.

But as they spend more time together, the lines blur and each begins to reevaluate their views on love. As fear gives way to misunderstandings, can they find the courage to rewrite their story with a happily ever after?