How Does The Golden Rule Of Schmoozing Teach Authenticity?

Maria Walker has spent her entire life under the weight of expectations in a world where reputation trumps happiness. As the daughter of the respected Walker family, every choice—including her relationship with kind, loyal Noah Bennett—is judged by high society, who see him as far beneath her standing. Daniel Rothfield faces a different pressure. The powerful, emotionally guarded CEO of Rothfield Holdings has avoided relationships since a devastating breakup left him unwilling to risk love again. Yet his parents and business partners insist a man of his status needs to project stability—and a serious relationship is the perfect image. When Maria and Daniel unexpectedly arrive together at a prestigious charity auction, a fleeting moment ignites rampant speculation. Within hours, social media explodes with rumors that the billionaire CEO and the Walker heiress are secretly dating. Rather than deny it, Daniel proposes a solution: pretend the rumors are true. A fake relationship solves both dilemmas. Maria’s parents would stop pressuring her about Noah, while Daniel’s family and associates would see him finally settling down. It’s meant to be simple, temporary, and strictly controlled. Rules are set: No real feelings. No crossing boundaries. No forgetting it’s just an act. But pretending to be in love proves far more complicated than planned. As they appear together at events, family gatherings, and public functions, undeniable chemistry emerges—shifting from performance to something dangerously authentic. Meanwhile, Noah grapples with quiet jealousy fueled by headlines and photos, Daniel’s past resurfaces to threaten the facade, and their carefully built lie begins to crumble. In a society that measures love by status and appearances, Maria and Daniel face an undeniable truth: the relationship they pretended to have may be the most real thing either of them has ever felt.

Willow Creed always put her career before any relationships but found that the road to building your career could be a lonely one. When her editor suggests that she write a believable romance story, Willow is at a loss for words, especially since she's so jaded about the topic of romance. After hearing Willow complain to her best friend about her situation with her editor, Reid Grayson proposes that they enter into a fake relationship under two conditions: she attends his brother's wedding as his date to get his family off his back about finding someone special, and they are not to fall in love with one another. Willow knows that she would never fall for the arrogant and rude Reid Grayson, so she agrees. Will both of them be able to keep to the conditions set in place when Reid is hiding a secret that could potentially break her? **This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**

THE PLAYBOY AND THE GOOD GIRL Mixing business with pleasure can be dangerous but also quite sexy. “Playboy” Liam Right works for one of the best insurance companies in the States. His skillfulness and professionalism are well appreciated by his boss and rightfully so, he’s in line for a huge promotion. Unfortunately, only married men get such promotions. So, for the next three months, Liam needs someone to play the role of the dotting fiancée. And it’s quite urgent to find this perfect “someone” since his boss wants to meet the “future Mrs. Right”. Chef Maxima Davenport has returned to New York to fulfill her goals: become one of the best chefs in the country and create her own “empire”, starting from a small catering business. She needs a perfect place big enough to take her first steps. The solution to her problem comes from Liam, her best friend’s brother and the one Maxima has loved since she was fifteen. So, Maxima agrees to help him but a few rules of this fake engagement must be followed religiously. No kissing or touching unless it can’t be helped. No sex... Definitely no sex. No fooling around while they are in the privacy of Liam’s apartment. But can they really follow these simple rules?

Aaron Briggs, the most respected, untouchable, and charming boy at Parkview High is caught in a scandal that could ruin his reputation and his family’s name. His solution? A fake relationship. Allison Foster, struggling to keep her scholarship, becomes the perfect partner in his plan. A deal is made. Pretend to date, help each other survive, nothing more. But as they navigate school drama and family tensions, the line between pretense and reality begins to blur. What starts as a simple deal soon grows into something neither of them can control. Because in a world where reputation is everything, falling in love might be the one risk they can’t afford.

"I bet you can't make her like you." "Watch me." Neither of them knew the other one was having that exact same conversation. Ava Bennett has never lost anything worth keeping. Not competitions, not arguments, and certainly not the cheer captain election she has spent three years bleeding for. She is disciplined, intimidating, and completely immune to Mason Reed's charm. Or so she tells herself. Mason Reed has never met a girl he couldn't win over. Football captain, school golden boy, wanted by everyone and challenged by no one. Until Ava Bennett looks straight through him like he is nothing, and suddenly winning becomes personal. When their friends separately dare them to do the impossible, both accept. Neither knows the other made the same bet. So when Mason proposes a fake relationship, the terms are coldly practical. His playboy reputation is costing him his shot at the Elite Prospects Football Program, the most prestigious talent pipeline in the state. Ava needs the popularity surge to pull ahead in the captain election. They hate each other. They agree anyway. The rules are simple. No feelings. No jealousy. No catching feelings. They break every single one. But secrets this size never stay buried, and when the truth finally surfaces, it doesn't just destroy what they built. It forces them to confront the one question neither of them is brave enough to answer. If it started as a lie, how do you know when it became real? So...... Fake It With Me, Because the most dangerous game is the one where you forget you're playing.

“And what does that have to do with me?” I frowned. Ace Hunter didn't even blink. “You're going to save my Boxing career.” I laughed. “Excuse me?” “You're the only genius on this campus who can drag my grades out of the gutter.” He folded his arms. “And in return, I'll help you get over my brother.” My heart skipped. “What?” “I'll fake date you.” I stared at him like he'd completely lost his mind. “The rumors will spread. Brooks will watch the girl he's always taken for granted become someone else's. He'll finally see you as a woman instead of his kid sister.” His lips curved into a dangerous smile. “And while we're at it, I'll keep my GPA high enough to stay captain of the hockey team.” “You're insane.” “Maybe. But I'm also your best shot.” ... For three years, I loved my childhood best friend in silence. The night I finally gathered the courage to confess, he introduced me to his fiancée instead. Humiliated and heartbroken, I accepted the most ridiculous deal on campus. Tutor Ace Hunter—the university's arrogant Boxing Champion, who's one failed class away from losing everything—and pretend to be his girlfriend for six months. The rules were simple. No strings attached. No real kisses. And absolutely no falling in love. But fake relationships have a dangerous way of feeling real. Especially when the boy I thought I'd never stop loving suddenly decides he wants me back. Now I'm trapped between two brothers, and a fake relationship that's beginning to feel like the only real thing in my life.