What do you think?
Rate this book
Familiar Stranger
Two Weddings.
One Divorce.
The Perfect Fake Date.
Anna McKinley, the black sheep of her family, faces the embarrassment of attending her younger sister’s wedding alone after breaking off her engagement last year. But after a couple of glasses of wine with a handsome stranger, they concoct a plan for him to help her save face by attending the wedding as her date. Complete with a fake name and an irresistible first date story, she and “Isaac” embark on an innocent con that turns into a magical night.
Fast forward twelve years, Anna still wound up the average statistic: married with two kids, living in the suburbs, and a husband asking her for a divorce. Even though the divorce is a long time coming, she and her husband decide to keep up appearances during her niece’s wedding, hiding their marriage’s doom from friends and family.
As each wedding progresses, Anna realizes how easy it is to fall in love… especially when she’s faking it.
One Divorce.
The Perfect Fake Date.
Anna McKinley, the black sheep of her family, faces the embarrassment of attending her younger sister’s wedding alone after breaking off her engagement last year. But after a couple of glasses of wine with a handsome stranger, they concoct a plan for him to help her save face by attending the wedding as her date. Complete with a fake name and an irresistible first date story, she and “Isaac” embark on an innocent con that turns into a magical night.
Fast forward twelve years, Anna still wound up the average statistic: married with two kids, living in the suburbs, and a husband asking her for a divorce. Even though the divorce is a long time coming, she and her husband decide to keep up appearances during her niece’s wedding, hiding their marriage’s doom from friends and family.
As each wedding progresses, Anna realizes how easy it is to fall in love… especially when she’s faking it.
88 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2023
30 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Moss
11 books494 followersCaitlin Moss is the author of swoony romance books that give you all the feels.
She is a writer turned stay-at-home-mom turned author and currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, and two golden doodles.
Instagram: @caitlinmossauthor
Tiktok: @caitlinmosswrites
Threads: @caitlinmossauthor
https://linktr.ee/caitlinmoss
She is a writer turned stay-at-home-mom turned author and currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, and two golden doodles.
Instagram: @caitlinmossauthor
Tiktok: @caitlinmosswrites
Threads: @caitlinmossauthor
https://linktr.ee/caitlinmoss
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 22, 2025
This is by far the cutest second chance novella I've read this year.
I've always been biased for strangers to lover's & second chance romance novels, and this one just hits different.
fake dating, second chance, strangers to lover's, valentine day plot what else can I ask in one novella.
so the plot of story goes like:-
Anna meets a stranger at a bar, right before her sister's wedding. The stranger happily offered her to be her date at the wedding.
where she gave him a fake name which turns out to be his real first name ( Issac) throughout the wedding they danced, meet her parents, talk with her sister's and enjoyed the wedding as two people in love.
now ten years later she's married to John, with two kids going on another wedding of her niece while on the verge of divorcing her husband but for one last time for the family sake she's going to attend the wedding without exposing this news to everyone.
guess what, the vineyard where the wedding celebration is going to happen belongs to Issac the guy who she once took to a wedding.
So there she got her second chance at finding love in the most unexpected way ever.
I was so overjoyed throughout reading this book.
I would highly recommend reading this one.
thank you Caitlin for delivering such a beautiful short story.
I've always been biased for strangers to lover's & second chance romance novels, and this one just hits different.
fake dating, second chance, strangers to lover's, valentine day plot what else can I ask in one novella.
so the plot of story goes like:-
Anna meets a stranger at a bar, right before her sister's wedding. The stranger happily offered her to be her date at the wedding.
where she gave him a fake name which turns out to be his real first name ( Issac) throughout the wedding they danced, meet her parents, talk with her sister's and enjoyed the wedding as two people in love.
now ten years later she's married to John, with two kids going on another wedding of her niece while on the verge of divorcing her husband but for one last time for the family sake she's going to attend the wedding without exposing this news to everyone.
guess what, the vineyard where the wedding celebration is going to happen belongs to Issac the guy who she once took to a wedding.
So there she got her second chance at finding love in the most unexpected way ever.
I was so overjoyed throughout reading this book.
I would highly recommend reading this one.
thank you Caitlin for delivering such a beautiful short story.
July 6, 2025
2.5⭐
I really didn’t like that unexpected twist. So much time was wasted for nothing. I don't think the FMC deserves a happy ending with the MMC.
I really didn’t like that unexpected twist. So much time was wasted for nothing. I don't think the FMC deserves a happy ending with the MMC.
July 6, 2025
A cute second chance novella. Predictable with some repetitive dialogue but still I overall enjoyed it.
October 19, 2024
At just 88 pages, this novella truly impressed me! Set across two timelines, it explores a marriage in crisis alongside a flashback to a fake-dating scenario at a wedding, complete with absolutely adorable banter. Caitlin Moss's ability to create such palpable chemistry in so few pages is amazing!
But things aren't quite what they seem, and I absolutely loved the unexpected direction this story took—it completely caught me off guard, which is rare for a novella! While I wish I could have spent more time with these characters, the conclusion was perfectly satisfying. I highly recommend this for a quick, surprising, delightful romance.
(heat level: one open-door scene, explicit details)
But things aren't quite what they seem, and I absolutely loved the unexpected direction this story took—it completely caught me off guard, which is rare for a novella! While I wish I could have spent more time with these characters, the conclusion was perfectly satisfying. I highly recommend this for a quick, surprising, delightful romance.
(heat level: one open-door scene, explicit details)
February 17, 2025
“Life together has always been this awkward song and dance with no rhythm or passion for years. We’ve been walking in this routine of complacency for so long that we rarely misstep. But every time we’re forced to perform one more time, it becomes more and more abundantly clear that it’s time to find our own dance.”
First of all, happy pub day to this novella! 👏🏻🩷
Second, I’m in absolute awe, you guys. This is my first 5-star read of the year & I’m pleasantly surprised because, again, it’s a novella, which I rarely have good experiences with. This one had me invested from beginning to end though. It was so beautifully written that I highlighted almost the entire thing! It’s less than 90 pages, but somehow, Caitlin Moss successfully made me feel all the emotions I would usually only get from a 300+ page novel. I loved the writing, the dialogue, the characters, the plot, & the twist I never expected in such a short story. I can tell this book will be living rent-free in my head for a while.
Read if you love:
•strangers to lovers
•fake dating
•marriage in crisis
•second chance
•dual timelines
•Valentine’s Day
First of all, happy pub day to this novella! 👏🏻🩷
Second, I’m in absolute awe, you guys. This is my first 5-star read of the year & I’m pleasantly surprised because, again, it’s a novella, which I rarely have good experiences with. This one had me invested from beginning to end though. It was so beautifully written that I highlighted almost the entire thing! It’s less than 90 pages, but somehow, Caitlin Moss successfully made me feel all the emotions I would usually only get from a 300+ page novel. I loved the writing, the dialogue, the characters, the plot, & the twist I never expected in such a short story. I can tell this book will be living rent-free in my head for a while.
Read if you love:
•strangers to lovers
•fake dating
•marriage in crisis
•second chance
•dual timelines
•Valentine’s Day
January 30, 2024
What a sweet, romantic yet real life read! I love everything Caitlin writes and this novella just adds to the list! Loved the dual timeline chapters and the reality of Anna’s love life that marriage doesn’t always have a happy ending…Sometimes you have to create your own. Caitlin even adds a small twist to the story 😍 Perfect for a quick Valentine’s Day read!
Thank you Caitlin for an early e-book and can’t wait to get my physical copy! PUB DATE: 2/1/24 ❤️
Thank you Caitlin for an early e-book and can’t wait to get my physical copy! PUB DATE: 2/1/24 ❤️
March 24, 2024
4🌟
I have a love hate relationship with novellas. I love that I can read them quick but most of the time I wish there was more to read!
This was very cute and I loved the dual time lines. This is my second book by this author and I can’t wait to read all of her books.
Highly recommend if you want a quick second chance, dual timeline story.
I have a love hate relationship with novellas. I love that I can read them quick but most of the time I wish there was more to read!
This was very cute and I loved the dual time lines. This is my second book by this author and I can’t wait to read all of her books.
Highly recommend if you want a quick second chance, dual timeline story.
January 12, 2024
Quick, steamy novella just in time for Valentine’s Day or a snowy afternoon. I was so excited for a surprise novella to hold me over until Caitlin Moss’s next novel. 💕
February 3, 2024
There's something so fresh and different when it comes to a Caitlin Moss novel. You First was one of my favorite books last year and Moss has quickly become an auto-read author for me.
FAMILIAR STRANGER is an 88 page novella that combines alternate then and now timelines, fake dating, and an air of mystery to the plot. Both timelines take place at weddings 12 years apart, which I loved, and there was even a steamy scene tucked into this quick read.
I loved that the heroine, Anna, was older and trying to figure out what comes next after her cookie-cutter life hasn't turned out exactly how she thought it would. We see her struggling with "what ifs" and how to proceed after her current reality is falling apart. Even in this short novella, Anna shows strength and conviction when choosing a new path and going after her dreams.
Familiar Stranger is available now! A huge thanks to the author for allowing me to read this one early.
FAMILIAR STRANGER is an 88 page novella that combines alternate then and now timelines, fake dating, and an air of mystery to the plot. Both timelines take place at weddings 12 years apart, which I loved, and there was even a steamy scene tucked into this quick read.
I loved that the heroine, Anna, was older and trying to figure out what comes next after her cookie-cutter life hasn't turned out exactly how she thought it would. We see her struggling with "what ifs" and how to proceed after her current reality is falling apart. Even in this short novella, Anna shows strength and conviction when choosing a new path and going after her dreams.
Familiar Stranger is available now! A huge thanks to the author for allowing me to read this one early.
June 22, 2024
Read it in an hour! This novella is the perfect Valentine's read. The story is sweet and spicy and it surprised me a lot because it's not a predictable plot. Be sure to add to your TBR and pick it up! You won't regret it, plus this quick read is a great way to get your Goodreads book challenge going.
November 11, 2024
Anna is the problem.
February 15, 2024
A quick 88 page novella great for love month 💕
Anna McKinley, initially embarrassed to attend her sister’s wedding after a recent breakup, orchestrates a fake date with a stranger, leading to a magical night. A dozen years later, married with two kids, she faces a divorce but pretends everything is fine at her niece’s wedding. Throughout the events, Anna realizes the surprising ease of falling in love, even when it’s all make-believe.
Caitlin was a new to me author last year and becoming a must read for me! I was excited to see this surprise release!
I love her ability to weave dual timelines. I was especially entertained by the past as the meet cute between strangers was fun and loved their playful exchanges! I could feel for her and the “family drama.” Reading about their marriage challenges was sad, but glad Anna did what was best for her to find her happy in the present! I felt some suspense not knowing where the story was going to go!!
“Oh yes, we are nearly thirty years old and absolutely dying to let the toss of wedding props decide our fate” 😂
4★ | Romance | Indie Author
Anna McKinley, initially embarrassed to attend her sister’s wedding after a recent breakup, orchestrates a fake date with a stranger, leading to a magical night. A dozen years later, married with two kids, she faces a divorce but pretends everything is fine at her niece’s wedding. Throughout the events, Anna realizes the surprising ease of falling in love, even when it’s all make-believe.
Caitlin was a new to me author last year and becoming a must read for me! I was excited to see this surprise release!
I love her ability to weave dual timelines. I was especially entertained by the past as the meet cute between strangers was fun and loved their playful exchanges! I could feel for her and the “family drama.” Reading about their marriage challenges was sad, but glad Anna did what was best for her to find her happy in the present! I felt some suspense not knowing where the story was going to go!!
“Oh yes, we are nearly thirty years old and absolutely dying to let the toss of wedding props decide our fate” 😂
4★ | Romance | Indie Author
February 6, 2024
For a novella, this was pretty perfect! Second chance, now/then timeline, and I really didn’t know how it was going to end! If you are looking for a cute, quick read, this is perfect!
February 5, 2024
Perfection.
January 26, 2024
Let me just take a moment to thank Caitlin for releasing this sweet little novella while we await her next novel release. She said this would be a great palette cleanser or slump un-slumper (is that a thing?…it is now) and she was so right. If I hadn’t been doing a bit of writing myself I definitely could have gobbled up this story in one sitting.
My favorite part was definitely the push and pull I felt throughout. The excitement and the angst as Moss so expertly dipped her reader in and out of past and present. Like an emotional water boarding…but like in a good consensual way. 😂🫣
Im not sure if you can officially say there was a twist…but I’m going to say there was a twist…and I was UNWELL when it happened. All the mixed feelings.
This was a real page turner. A quick and easy read that had me eager to pick it back up. You’ll want to grab a copy on pub day, mark your calendars for February 1st!
My favorite part was definitely the push and pull I felt throughout. The excitement and the angst as Moss so expertly dipped her reader in and out of past and present. Like an emotional water boarding…but like in a good consensual way. 😂🫣
Im not sure if you can officially say there was a twist…but I’m going to say there was a twist…and I was UNWELL when it happened. All the mixed feelings.
This was a real page turner. A quick and easy read that had me eager to pick it back up. You’ll want to grab a copy on pub day, mark your calendars for February 1st!
January 21, 2024
This book was perfect for a cozy afternoon by the fire! No time is wasted in this sweet little novella and I was immediately immersed into Anna’s story. This book was such a fun journey, with a hint of mystery that kept me curious about where I was being led next, which had me flying through the pages. If you need a book hangover cure, are looking to get out of a reading lull or just love a quick and steamy romance, Familiar Stranger is the perfect match!
February 5, 2024
I loved this novella! I want more of the “now” 🥲🫶🏻
February 10, 2024
Sweet, fun quick read! I can always count on Caitlin for a read that will suck me in almost immediately and this one surely did that too! Perfect pre-Valentine’s Day read 💕
July 2, 2024
Super easy bubble gum read.
⭐️ 3.75/5
🌶️ 1/5
📖 Caitlin Moss
I really enjoyed reading this novella. This book left me wanting more, this could easily have been a full novel. Really enjoyed Caitlin's writing style, it was easy to connect with Anna "then" and "now". And was easy to see why Issac had a piece of her heart. They fell in love hard and fast and I suppose every romantic at heart wants to believe love like this really can exists. Don't worry my spicy lovers this book has a spicy scene 😉.
Anna is a mum who looks feels like she has settled and pushed her dreams to the back burner, I'm sure there are lots of readers who feel the same about their lives, so its refreshing to read a book that includes a realistic reality of life sometimes.
Issac is everything and more that we could want from a MMC. He is handsome with his blue blue eyes, charming, quick witted and totally "see's" Anna.
This was my first book by Caitlin Moss and I will be reading more in the future.
If you are looking for a short fun read this summer than this sweet, romantic and realistic book is for you.
⭐️ 3.75/5
🌶️ 1/5
📖 Caitlin Moss
I really enjoyed reading this novella. This book left me wanting more, this could easily have been a full novel. Really enjoyed Caitlin's writing style, it was easy to connect with Anna "then" and "now". And was easy to see why Issac had a piece of her heart. They fell in love hard and fast and I suppose every romantic at heart wants to believe love like this really can exists. Don't worry my spicy lovers this book has a spicy scene 😉.
Anna is a mum who looks feels like she has settled and pushed her dreams to the back burner, I'm sure there are lots of readers who feel the same about their lives, so its refreshing to read a book that includes a realistic reality of life sometimes.
Issac is everything and more that we could want from a MMC. He is handsome with his blue blue eyes, charming, quick witted and totally "see's" Anna.
This was my first book by Caitlin Moss and I will be reading more in the future.
If you are looking for a short fun read this summer than this sweet, romantic and realistic book is for you.
December 30, 2024
This book was some of the most well written and unputdownable writing I’ve picked up in a while. I really love it when you are not just reading an authors book, but you are letting them tell you a story. Caitlin very good job. I was so afraid the whole time of how this story was going to end, but gah just so good.
April 16, 2025
I loved this short novella. It was such a sweet book. I love the way Caitlin writes her characters and how they always have chemistry. This was a nice little break between the thriller books I usually read!
I definitely would have loved if this book was longer but, it was also the perfect length with the right amount of details.
I definitely would have loved if this book was longer but, it was also the perfect length with the right amount of details.
February 6, 2024
What a tasty little snack! Devoured this cute, sexy little novella in one sitting! Loved the characters, banter, and plot! I want to read it again!!! Also — where can I find an Issac of my very own?! 🤔😍
February 24, 2024
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
fake dating
marriage on the rocks
second chance romance
Such a cute and perfect Valentine’s Day novella!
I seriously LOVE everything Caitlin Moss writes!
fake dating
marriage on the rocks
second chance romance
Such a cute and perfect Valentine’s Day novella!
I seriously LOVE everything Caitlin Moss writes!
March 28, 2024
Didn’t realize this was a novella so I flew through this cutie. Loved it
April 2, 2025
4.5 rounded.
July 13, 2025
I literally have no words. Just read the book. It’s really good and it’s really raw. It made me cry and I loved it! Some reviews don’t need to be super long- those five stars don’t lie.
January 19, 2026
Cute short book.
February 3, 2024
Fake dating is probably one of my favorite tropes & Caitlin nailed this one. My only complaint about this book is that it was too short. Yes, it’s a novella, I know that, but I want moreeee. I absolutely loved the characters & how easily Caitlin sucks you in.
I loved this little impulsive release & thank you for the arc. 🫶🏼
I loved this little impulsive release & thank you for the arc. 🫶🏼
February 14, 2024
Loved It
This may be short but it's mightily packed full of emotion. Excitement, intrigue, romance, sadness, happiness. It's all there. My heart was really starting to break until I figured where the twist was heading. Talk about relief.
This may be short but it's mightily packed full of emotion. Excitement, intrigue, romance, sadness, happiness. It's all there. My heart was really starting to break until I figured where the twist was heading. Talk about relief.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews