Read the debut that started it all for the bestselling author of Meet Me in the Margins, Melissa Ferguson. With her signature blend of laugh-out-loud banter, tender family moments, and wholesome romance, Ferguson proves why readers fell in love with her from the very first page.

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband–and children–altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout–but when Cassie finds herself caring for three sisters in an emergency foster placement, she decides to hide them from Jett to avoid scaring him off. And when Jett’s sister’s addiction issues land her three children at his home, he decides the last thing Cassie needs to know about is his family drama.

Neither dares to tell the other about their unexpected and possibly permanent family members for fear of scaring away their potential soulmate, especially since they both listed “no kids” on their profiles! With six children between them and secrets mounting, can Cassie and Jett find a way forward?

Melissa Ferguson’s warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages–and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

“The Dating Charade will keep you smiling the entire read . . . an absolute treat!” –Katherine Reay, The Printed Letter Bookshop

“Melissa Ferguson is a sparkling new voice in contemporary rom-com. Though her novel tackles meaningful struggles–social work, child abandonment, adoption–it’s also fresh, flirty, and laugh-out-loud funny.” –Lauren Denton, The Hideaway

The Dating Charade is You’ve Got Mail meets Cheaper by the Dozen, perfect for readers who love stories about family, second chances, romance without the spice, and the surprises that change our lives forever. The Dating Charade also includes discussion questions–making it a delightful pick for your next book club.

Tropes:

• Firefighter love interest
• Surrogate parents
• Slow burn

For more from Melissa Ferguson, check out Meet Me in the Margins, How to Plot a Payback, and The Perfect Rom-Com!