In Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard, Lucy Reid is in a bit of a bind. She’s been writing for the online magazine, The Rue, for almost five years and has a strong following 
for her sex column. The issue? A lot of her readers are now settling down, starting long-term relationships–something Lucy has absolutely no experience with. As her viewership starts to unravel, she realizes she needs a plan. But transitioning her column from having a feminist slant, focusing on empowerment and bringing body and sex positivity to the masses, to having to explore when to meet the parents or move in together is a whole new language for commitment phobe Lucy. Then she meets Marshall “Marsh” Oakley. The new senior news writer at work. And an idea forms that, okay, is kind of nuts but it just might work. She pleads her case to the bespectacled Clark Kent lookalike: outside of work they pretend to be in a relationship so she can do research for her column. In return, Lucy will be Marsh’s date to his ex-girlfriend’s impending wedding. Nothing could go wrong with such a plan, right?
“It’s not that I don’t believe in love–of course I do. But love is fleeting. It leads to heartbreak and hurt. I don’t want women to feel like love is the answer.”
Marsh could never have imagined the woman he briefly met and had a great conversation with would come to his rescue when she found out he needed a date to his former long-time girlfriend’s wedding. Or that he would agree to reciprocate and help Lucy with her column’s new direction. Fake dating wasn’t on his bingo card, that’s for sure. And Marsh knows that it could spell trouble at work if the higher ups find out. But needs must and all that. The other thing he never imagined? That he would be so comfortable with Lucy. And it’s not just their insane chemistry or the fact that they understand each other’s love of journalism. She’s an utter delight to be around. And Marsh hasn’t been this into a woman in…forever. As they go on fake dates, do all the things a new couple would typically do, he realizes things don’t actually feel made up. His attraction and interest in Lucy feels pretty darn real. And that honestly scares him more than he cares to admit.
‘For the first time in my life, I don’t want to kiss and tell.’
In LET’S KISS AND TELL, Joss Richard delivered an office romance that had all the delicious tropes readers crave: fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, one bed, family drama, along with a whole lot of quick, smart banter. And what a fun ride it was.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the body and sex positivity when it came to our heroine Lucy. She was a sex columnist who was self-aware, unafraid to be wholly herself in any situation, and believed women didn’t need to follow society’s rules about getting married if they didn’t want to. She may have been a commitment phobe–there was definitely a reason–but thankfully she didn’t bash others for making that choice as long as it was what they truly wanted. And even better, Lucy’s views were respected by hero Marsh. He had actually been in a long-term relationship that didn’t end up working out so his perspective on dating and settling down were quite different. But there ended up being a lot of similarities to the hang ups both Marsh and Lucy had.
TROPES/VIBES:
💕 Fake dating
📰 Workplace romance
💋 Fake relationship
❤️ Opposites attract
🔥 Forced proximity
👫 Friends to lovers
💼 Career-driven characters
😂 Banter & chemistry
CW: View Spoiler »
Office romances can get complicated and this was no exception. That third act breakup was a doozy but was well done by Richard. What kept me going through it all was the sizzling connection between Marsh and Lucy. It was intense, fun, sexy, and seemed genuine while they traipsed across LA falling head over heels for each other. And I think most readers will have a great time following the couple on their path to forever.
LET’S KISS AND TELL delivered exactly the fake-dating fun I was hoping for, with plenty of chemistry, playful banter, and swoony moments along the way.
QOTD: Have you or someone you know ever fake dated? If so, how did it work out?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: August 11th, 2026 | Dell |
Lucy Reid’s about to fake it.
As a sex columnist, her views on relationships aren’t exactly optimistic.
Instead, she encourages readers to embrace their sexuality and that you don’t need a partner to be happy. But when her team claims that all their readers are in relationships, and that it might be time for something – or someone – new, she’s got to act fast.
Enter Marshall Oakley.
Marshall is the new Senior News Writer at Lucy’s company, and he’s just confessed to needing a girlfriend for his ex’s wedding. Faking a relationship is perfect. Marshall can finally prove he’s moved on, and Lucy can write about finding ‘the one’ only to break up and prove to readers – and her bosses – that relationships don’t solve everything.
But spending lots of time together and faking affection has lines blurring… And now the two of them must find the courage to rewrite their story with a happily ever after.
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