Imprint: Bedford Square Publishers

Can’t Help Faking In Love

Swati Hegde

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‘…Joyful, fun, and heartfelt. I will read everything Swati Hegde ever writes!’ —Hannah Bonam-Young, author of Out on a Limb

Harsha Godbole is struggling to make ends meet as an aspiring photographer making a name for herself away from the glitz and glamour of her family’s Bollywood fame.

With her cousin’s wedding looming, and the pressure from her family to bring a date, she finds herself in a fake dating contract with the handsome, but hesitant, barista at her favourite coffee shop, Veer Kannan.

Veer needs money to help support his younger brother through university, and so Harsha’s generous offer is something he cannot refuse. As the two learn how to make their relationship convincing, sparks begin to fly, and their two different worlds may end up being just what they needed.

Author’s first book Match Me If You Can released in June 2024 has garnered great praise from readers and romance authors such as Sarah Adams and Amy Lea.
Including popular tiktok romance tropes such as friends to lovers, fake dating, slow burn and closed-door. Representation of Indian culture and heritage.

Category:

Paperback

RRP: £9.99

ISBN: 9781835012864

Published: September 25, 2025

Extent: 288 pages

Ebook

RRP: £6.99

ISBN: 9781835012871

Published: September 25, 2025

Reviews

‘Hegde is one to watch!’ Amy Lea, international bestselling author of Exes and O’s

‘Hegde’s sophomore novel is joyful, fun, and heartfelt. I will read everything Swati Hegde ever writes!’ Hannah Bonam-Young, author of Out on a Limb

‘I couldn’t help falling in love with this story. Can’t Help Faking in Love is the kind of romance that leaves you kicking your feet and grinning ear to ear. Hegde has crafted a love story that feels like a first kiss—you’ll love it!’ Denise Williams, author of How to Fail at Flirting and Technically Yours

‘A fake-dating delight with all the warmth and charm of a classic Bollywood movie! I adored Harsha and Veer, and rooted for them every step of the way!’ Naina Kumar, bestselling author of Say You’ll Be Mine

‘A sweet and funny love story with so much heart. I was rooting for these characters all the way through’ Aisha Saeed, author of The Matchmaker

‘The vibrant Bangalore setting is an appealing backdrop for this thoroughly enjoyable closed-door, fake-dating romance’ Library Journal

‘Hegde takes on the fake relationship trope in her solid, Bangalore-set sophomore novel’ Publishers Weekly

Swati Hegde

Swati Hegde is the author of Can’t Help Faking in Love and Match Me If You Can. She is also a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favourite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.

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