Loving Her: A YA Sweet Romance

by Clara Nielsen

According to the internet, I’m dating Tino Valentine.
According to reality? I’ve rejected him approximately a hundred times.

When a photo of us goes viral and suddenly everyone at school thinks we’re a couple, I do the only reasonable panic.

Tino, on the other hand, sees an opportunity. His plan? Fake date until everyone gets bored.

It should be simple—we’ve got chemistry, he already knows how to flirt with me, and I already know how not to fall for him… right?

But all the hand holding, inside jokes, and way too many heart-eye emojis make the relationship look all too real, and soon, I start to wonder if I made a huge mistake turning him down all those years.

Because pretending to date the boy who never gave up on you? That might be the most dangerous plan of all.

Loving Her is a sweet & wholesome YA romance set at boarding school. Get your copy today!

Genres: Romance, Rom Com

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2026

About the author

Clara Nielsen writes sweet & swoony YA romances set in high school, all about shy girls and the boys who are head-over-heels for them. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll probably find her out on the lake, putting together the perfect playlist, or sipping on a chai latte while daydreaming about her next story.

Reviews

[Mona M · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: 5 stars! ⭐️ let’s get into it!

This book was SO GOOD and I’ll absolutely be picking up more of her books this is my first book I’ve read in the interconnected series (this is book 3) and it made me want to go and read the other ones (though I think this one might stay my favourite)

If you like YA or want an introduction into YA romance but don’t know where to start, I think this is the perfect book (or series) to start with! The pacing was perfect though I wish the timeframe was longer but it worked very well

The book follows Michael Valentine (Tino) & Lilah Turner their chemistry was really great once they were together once she gave him a chance (reluctantly at first as they’re in a fake dating situation)

It was unique to see this type of dynamic where he already liked her but got to know her more through their fake relationship and fell harder even if it would hurt him to lose her in the process when their arrangement ended just because it gave him a chance to be with her - he yearned trying to get her attention on him for 3 or so years

Such a cute story - a must read 🙌

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC

Quotes:

"And for the record, I would have also planned it in a way that didn't involve me hitting you in the face with a door, that just feels like an important thing for you to know."

"Of course you are, you idiot," I muttered, but I avoided his gaze. Did he not consider himself my friend? Or did he just think that because I always turned down his advances that I wouldn't consider him one?

“Relax, We'll figure it out."
“You sound awfully calm for someone about to sleep two feet away from me."
"What, you've never shared a bed before?"
"Not with you! You're like six feet tall! You take up space!"

[Jessica-Lynn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m grateful to Book Sirens and Clara Nielsen for the advanced reader copy. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Talk about the perfect slow-burn YA rom-com! Lilah and Tino are genuinely authentic and likable protagonists, who just happen to have famous siblings. This is the strongest younger YA fake-dating novel I’ve read to date, and as a high school librarian, I would happily place it in the hands of a young reader. Told through dual perspectives, Tino’s open-hearted narration is especially endearing. Fans of Lynn Painter and K.L. Walther will feel right at home with this book.

[Booklover]

This book needs some editing. First she is running with her brother Luca to hide from fangirls, then she runs into a door and Luca just disappears.

Then the writing, childish as hell:

Despite what others may tell you, I didn’t hate Michael Valentine. Most of the time, I didn’t even mind being around him. He would always me out, I would turn him down, we’d make fun of each other relentlessly, and then I would complain about him to my friends.

He would always what? And his name is Michael but goes by Tino?

“Want some help?” I asked. I wasn’t sure which one in particular she was reaching for but it was obvious she was aiming for the second highest shelf, which was just out of her reach.

You’re not sure but it is obvious?

Then the names, Poppy, Saylor, Bear, Crossy, Mako. What in the world?!? 🤡 Her brother’s name is Luca but his stage name is Jude? Why?

There is literally no reason why Lilah would reject Tino. None whatsoever. This whole plot made no sense.

[alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

soo.. is luca called luca or jude? or was it both names? i read it but years ago so im so confused. but two people who are younger siblings of boy band members are so cute. i mean, tino literally made a GOOGLE DOC. why does this girl keep rejecting him? 😭

i swear in the first chapter she was walking to luca/jude and suddenly he just… disappeared?? like huhhh. and why is miss girl lilah SO against dating him. like i’m genuinely confused because if a man like him wanted me then i would’ve FOLDED immediately. 🤤

[Jen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving Her

I loved this YA story so much. Our boy Tino was the perfect golden retriever energy and our girl fell for him before she even knew what was happening. There were so many sweet moments that had me kicking my feet like a school girl filled with utter giddiness. I loved the sibling relationships and I really loved the friendships at the boarding school. I loved the entire book. Rounding up due to no half points.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving Her Is Book 3 in the Hartwell Academy by Clara Nielsen. I found this enjoyable story to be a wonderful rom/com. Lila might have rejected Tino a million times… BUT, all it took was 1 photo going viral and Lila and Tino are an item. I think that this author has written a romance that is wonderful… Lila and Tino just didn't get that they are really perfect for each other. I think this romance is a fun don't miss. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[books_by_bugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY SHAYLAS. Despite how long this took to come out, IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT. I literally love Lilah and Tino so much and I think this might be second place. Yes, through the dark is still #1 in my heart. I LOVE THIS SERIES SM.
I am so excited for the next book it’s not even funny like-
MAKO AND ELODIE HERE WE COME AHHH

[Anna Steehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good ✨I literally finished it in one sitting. Not only is the book in a series, but it’s intertwined with another series which makes all the connections even better because you can see every perspective. Utter perfection 💅✨

[Camille Blais · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I describe this book other than.. sweet. This is a sweet and cute romance, classic fake dating trope and it’s just such a nice read. I love everything Clara writes and this is no exception. If you like a short little YA love story, this is for you !

[whimsical reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Common tropes, friends to fake dating and forced proximity. I enjoyed that there was no break up. I did get confused with all the people. I did read the books in the past but the only one I really remembered was Luca because of the brothers nearly beating him for being with Nina.

[Scarlett Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this!! Lilah really reminded me of myself!! thank you for the arc!!💌

[Soursallyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a guy who’s head over heels for the girl he likes (not in a creepy way). It’s incredibly cute!! ♡✧

[Yasmine Boumeftah · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT WAS SO GOOD !! Thank you so much for the arc ❤️❤️

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[tre.wandereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

so very ya and so very cute.
i just love it
so light and endearing.
to be read on lonely days when you just need a little pick me up to make you smile!