Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

Cold Billionaire, Hot Chemistry

There are days when I want deep, lyrical prose that gently rearranges my soul.
And then there are days when I want a grumpy billionaire, a fake engagement, and absolutely no emotional restraint.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you know the feeling.

That’s exactly why Grumpy Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée works so well. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It leans fully into the fantasy, then quietly winks at you with feelings when you’re least prepared.

The setup is deliciously chaotic. A grumpy, emotionally armored billionaire. A fake fiancée arrangement that is obviously a terrible idea. You know it. I know it. The characters absolutely do not. And naturally, what starts as pretending spirals into heat, attachment, and complications that refuse to stay fictional.

What I enjoyed most is that the story doesn’t rush past the emotional fallout. Yes, there’s chemistry. Yes, there’s steam. But there’s also that uncomfortable moment where pretending stops being fun and starts asking real questions. The kind romance readers secretly want answered, even when we claim we’re “just here for the vibes.”

There’s humor threaded through the tension, moments that feel like sitting across from a friend who’s telling you a story that keeps getting worse in the best possible way. And when the plot shifts into deeper territory, it doesn’t feel forced. It feels earned. Messy. Human.

This is the kind of book you read when your brain is tired, your coffee is lukewarm, and you want someone else’s emotional chaos for a change. Comforting, indulgent, and surprisingly sincere underneath all the billionaire gloss.

If you love romance tropes done with confidence, characters who don’t magically have it all figured out, and stories that balance escapism with emotional payoff, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.

And yes, I absolutely enjoyed every second of it.

*This review is part of an indie author book exchange I joined at the start of the year, built around a simple idea: writers supporting writers without algorithms breathing down our necks. The goal isn’t inflated praise or forced positivity. It’s genuine engagement with stories we might not have picked up otherwise, and honest reflections shared with readers who appreciate nuance. I picked Grympy Billionaire because its themes sit right at the uncomfortable intersection of day to day life, desire, and identity. Those are the stories that tend to linger, and they’re the ones indie fiction often handles best.