Fake Dates, Real Feelings: That Kind of Guy by Stephanie Archer Is a Small-Town Romance with a Big Emotional Payoff

What if pretending to fall in love… meant risking the one thing you swore you’d never give again?

Stephanie Archer’s That Kind of Guy, part of The Queen’s Cove Series, is the kind of book that sneaks up on you with its charm, makes you laugh out loud with banter that bites, and then—right when you’re least expecting it—hits you square in the chest with emotional honesty. This isn’t just another fake dating romance. It’s a beautifully crafted, deeply felt exploration of vulnerability, trust, and choosing love even when it’s hard.

Set in the picturesque, slightly chaotic town of Queen’s Cove, this story takes two opposites, throws them into a fake relationship with real stakes, and lets the sparks fly. The result? A romance that’s sweet, sharp, and quietly devastating in the best way.

From “Just Helping Out” to “What If This Is Real?”

At the heart of That Kind of Guy is Everett, a broody, buttoned-up man with a plan—and zero time for emotional mess. He’s the definition of composed, content with his structured life, and fully prepared to coast through his brother’s upcoming wedding… until a last-minute RSVP twist lands him in desperate need of a plus-one.

Enter Rae, his opposite in nearly every way. She’s bold, impulsive, quick to laugh, and hiding her cracks beneath that bright exterior. When she agrees to pose as Everett’s fake girlfriend, it seems like a win-win: he avoids awkward family scrutiny, and she gets to escape her problems—if only for a while.

But what starts as a favor turns into something infinitely more complicated. Somewhere between forced smiles and hand-holding at family events, between “just pretend” and “just one kiss,” feelings start to shift. Boundaries blur. And the biggest lie becomes the one they tell themselves: this isn’t real.

Tropes You Love, Characters You’ll Root For

The Best Kinds of Romance Elements, Twisted Just Right

That Kind of Guy isn’t just a checklist of tropes—it’s a masterclass in why these tropes work so well when the emotional core is strong.

• Fake dating with real feelings: From awkward beginnings to smoldering chemistry, this one nails the slow build.
• Grumpy/sunshine dynamic: Everett is rigid, closed-off, and allergic to chaos. Rae is a walking storm of color, laughter, and feeling. Their chemistry? Instant and impossible to ignore.
• Found family energy: The small-town backdrop is brimming with nosy neighbors, unexpected allies, and the warmth that makes every scene feel like coming home.
• Hidden vulnerability: Both leads deal with emotional baggage, and the love story honors that rather than glossing over it.
• Low-heat, high-emotion: This romance isn’t built on spice alone—it’s built on trust, growth, and the kind of connection that goes deeper than surface-level desire.

Characters Who Feel Like Real People—Flawed, Funny, and Full of Heart

Everett isn’t cold—he’s cautious. Beneath his calm exterior is a man who’s been burned before and is terrified of getting it wrong again. He’s trying to do the right thing but stops doing what makes him happy somewhere along the way. Watching him slowly open up to Rae and life is one of the book’s most rewarding arcs.

And Rae? She’s magnetic. Sharp-tongued, brave-faced, and nursing wounds she doesn’t always show, Rae is the kind of heroine who doesn’t wait for love to fix her. She meets Everett halfway but on her terms. Her vulnerability never makes her weak—it makes her unstoppable.

Together, they’re awkward, frustrating, and completely perfect. The kind of couple you want to shake and hug in equal measure. The type of couple that feels earned.

For Readers Who Want Romance That Feels Like Real Life—But Better

That Kind of Guy is the ideal pick for anyone who:

• Loves small-town romance with a touch of sass and a whole lot of heart
• Craves character-driven storytelling where emotional intimacy takes center stage
• Lives for grumpy/sunshine pairings with actual depth
• Wants a fake-dating story that delivers more than just tension—it delivers truth.
• Enjoys the quiet, heartfelt joy of authors like Abby Jimenez, Lucy Score, or Tessa Bailey (on her softer days)

If you’ve ever wanted to read a love story that doesn’t rely on grand gestures but on meaningful moments—on laughter, longing, and learning to stay—this one’s for you.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t Just That Kind of Romance—It’s The Kind

Stephanie Archer has done something beautiful with That Kind of Guy. She’s taken familiar ingredients—fake dating, small-town antics, opposites attract—and turned them into something real. Something that lingers. Something that feels a little like hope.

This book is sweet, smart, and quietly powerful. It doesn’t shout to get your attention—it whispers to your heart. And long after the final page, you’ll still be thinking about Everett and Rae, the moments that broke them open and the ones that stitched them back together.

So, if you’re ready to fall for a funny, thoughtful, and deeply human romance, this is that kind of book.

And you’ll be that kind of reader who never forgets it.