A fake romance will solve all their problems

…And stir up a bunch of new ones!

Veterinary student Saira Rawal definitely believes in love. It’s just…not for her. Not when getting through her days without panic attacks is a struggle enough.

But at least she has Tyler Hart—her brother’s best friend, who has always been her safe space. He even takes her in when she and her disaster of a therapy puppy need somewhere to stay!

So when she can return the favor, helping him save face with his brother by pretending they’re together, she steps right up. With a pretend relationship, it’s not like there’s any chance of someone really getting hurt…right?

Titles in the Once Upon a Wedding series include:  The Five-Day Reunion ~ Matched by Masala ~ No Rings Attached ~ The Business Between Them ~ Their Accidental Honeymoon ~ If You Can’t Stand the Heat ~ The Dating Game ~

This is a no-spice romance with either closed doors or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂

Title:  The Dating Game
Series:  Once Upon a Wedding #7
Author:  Mona Shroff
Published:  December 30, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition
My Rating:  4 stars

The Dating Game is a charming romance, the seventh title in the Once Upon a Wedding series.  I’ve read some of the titles in the series and enjoyed myself in this world.  I believe you can easily enjoy Saira and Tyler’s story on its own, but it may tempt you to go pick up the earlier books in the series.  This one “feels” like the final story, but I’ve learned never to say a series is done because authors surprise me all the time. *grin*

One rambunctious puppy, who doesn’t quite get the idea of potty-training (or should be in Saira’s apartment to begin with), is the catalyst for Saira and Tyler to finally acknowledge the attraction that’s been brewing between them for years.  But not before we’re taken on an adorable journey of puppy chaos, brother issues, and a fake relationship that turns out to be not so pretend after all.  The subject of panic attacks is thoughtfully and respectfully addressed in a way that I appreciated. 

I had such fun with Tyler and Saira, and one cute, mischievous puppy.   Their story was well-written, full of emotion, with laughter as the key and heartbreak avoided.  If you enjoy a friends-to-lovers trope, with a couple who are believable and totally cute, then you’d enjoy The Dating Game by Mona Shroff.  I would not hesitate to recommend this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon