🌼 Book Review: Fake Dating the Next-Door Neighbor by Zoey Rose (Kindle Edition, Curvy Wives of Cedar Falls Book 6)
A short, sweet, and steamy small-town romance that blends fake dating, opposites attract, and age-gap chemistry—Zoey Rose delivers another heartwarming instalove story in her beloved Cedar Falls series.
🧠 Overview
Published on July 30, 2025, Fake Dating the Next-Door Neighbor is the sixth book in the Curvy Wives of Cedar Falls series. It follows Garrett Stone, a grumpy ex-military loner, and his bubbly, chaotic neighbor—a freelance graphic designer with a penchant for loud music and late nights. When her parents announce a surprise visit, she panics: they disapprove of her lifestyle and single status. So she makes a bold move—she asks Garrett to pretend to be her boyfriend.
What starts as a one-night ruse quickly turns into something deeper. As they rehearse hand-holding and stolen glances, Garrett’s icy demeanor begins to thaw, revealing a protective, passionate side that surprises them both. The fake relationship starts to feel real, and soon they’re both wondering: what if they stopped pretending?
💘 Key Tropes & Highlights
- 🌞 Grumpy/Sunshine dynamic: Garrett’s stoicism clashes delightfully with her optimism
- 🧓 Age gap romance: Adds emotional depth and tension to their evolving connection
- 🏡 Next-door neighbors: Forced proximity fuels the chemistry and banter
- 💑 Fake dating turned real: Classic rom-com setup with a satisfying emotional payoff
- 🧁 Curvy heroine confidence: Celebrates body positivity and self-worth
“Just for one dinner. Just to shock them into silence. To my surprise, he agrees. But as we practice holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes ‘for authenticity,’ something changes between us…”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from over 30 reviews
- 📖 Readers love the story’s quick pacing, emotional warmth, and low-angst romance
- 💬 “Garrett is the perfect grumpy hero, and their chemistry is off the charts. Loved the humor and heart.”
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 64 pages, it’s a fast read—ideal for fans of bite-sized romance
- 📚 Series continuity: Can be read as a standalone, but complements the other Curvy Wives of Cedar Falls titles
- 🔞 Steamy content: Includes mature scenes—recommended for adult readers
🏁 Final Verdict
Fake Dating the Next-Door Neighbor is a fun, flirty novella that delivers all the cozy charm and spicy tension fans of Zoey Rose expect. With a lovable heroine, a brooding hero, and a fake relationship that turns deliciously real, this Kindle edition is a delightful escape for romance readers who enjoy small-town settings and swoon-worthy age-gap dynamics.
