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The Fiction of Us
Not yet published
Expected 11 Apr 26Lilah Rayne knows how to write a love story. Living one is another matter entirely.
After her breakup mirrors the novel she wrote under her secret pen name, Lilah retreats to Wattlewood Ridge—a small mountain town where bookstores matter, friendships run deep, and magic hums quietly beneath the surface. Back in her old apartment above Brew & Bloom Café, she plans to regroup, heal, and stay invisible.
Then she meets Lucas Castle.
Quiet, steady, and rebuilding the beloved Inkwell & Ivy bookstore, Lucas feels like someone Lilah already knows—like a story she once imagined and never meant to live. As their connection deepens through shared silences and slow mornings, the town begins returning pieces of Lilah she thought she’d lost.
But when her past threatens to expose everything she’s been hiding, Lilah must decide whether she’s brave enough to be seen. Not as the woman she writes, but as the one who feels.
The Fiction of Us is a slow-burn, small-town romance about second chances, soft magic, and choosing love that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
After her breakup mirrors the novel she wrote under her secret pen name, Lilah retreats to Wattlewood Ridge—a small mountain town where bookstores matter, friendships run deep, and magic hums quietly beneath the surface. Back in her old apartment above Brew & Bloom Café, she plans to regroup, heal, and stay invisible.
Then she meets Lucas Castle.
Quiet, steady, and rebuilding the beloved Inkwell & Ivy bookstore, Lucas feels like someone Lilah already knows—like a story she once imagined and never meant to live. As their connection deepens through shared silences and slow mornings, the town begins returning pieces of Lilah she thought she’d lost.
But when her past threatens to expose everything she’s been hiding, Lilah must decide whether she’s brave enough to be seen. Not as the woman she writes, but as the one who feels.
The Fiction of Us is a slow-burn, small-town romance about second chances, soft magic, and choosing love that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 11, 2026
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 1, 2026
Firstly, thank you to The Berry Agency and Shae for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
If you love Ashley Poston’s writing style and magic she brings then you will DEFINITELY love this book! 🥰
The Fiction of Us follows Lilah who wrote a novel about moving on and finds herself following the magically journey she wrote into her own life. Then there Lucas who’s just trying to do his Aunt’s memory proud by reopening the bookstore and seems to have found himself falling in love with the small town of Wattlewood Ridge. 1000% recommend this book if you want a little magic in your life 🥰
If you love Ashley Poston’s writing style and magic she brings then you will DEFINITELY love this book! 🥰
The Fiction of Us follows Lilah who wrote a novel about moving on and finds herself following the magically journey she wrote into her own life. Then there Lucas who’s just trying to do his Aunt’s memory proud by reopening the bookstore and seems to have found himself falling in love with the small town of Wattlewood Ridge. 1000% recommend this book if you want a little magic in your life 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Enjoyed this book a lot. Was an easy read which is great.
It’s a cute romance in a small town with a happy ending.
Twists along the way but in a calm way. Great read!!
Will recommend.
It’s a cute romance in a small town with a happy ending.
Twists along the way but in a calm way. Great read!!
Will recommend.
March 10, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of The Fiction of Us by Shae Roberts and I’m so grateful I had the chance to read it.
This was my first time reading anything by Shae and I was genuinely blown away by how beautiful the writing was. From the first few chapters I felt completely drawn into the story. The writing style is thoughtful, immersive, and quietly emotional in a way that makes you really feel the characters’ journeys.
The story follows Lilah Rayne, a writer who has secretly published a novel under a pen name, one that unexpectedly becomes hugely successful. After breaking up with a boyfriend who never truly supported her writing, she returns to her old apartment to start again. There she meets a local bookstore owner who has just inherited the shop from his late aunt, and the two slowly become part of each other’s lives.
At its heart, this is a small-town contemporary romance, but it’s also about finding your confidence, rebuilding after disappointment, and allowing yourself to step into the life you’re meant to live. Lilah’s journey of learning to believe in herself was especially lovely to read, and the growing relationship between her and Lucas felt natural, tender, and very real.
I completely ate this story up and enjoyed every second of it. It’s the kind of book you sink into and don’t want to leave. Warm, emotional, and beautifully written, The Fiction of Us was delicious.
Thank you again to Shae Roberts for the opportunity to read this ARC. I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her books in the future
This was my first time reading anything by Shae and I was genuinely blown away by how beautiful the writing was. From the first few chapters I felt completely drawn into the story. The writing style is thoughtful, immersive, and quietly emotional in a way that makes you really feel the characters’ journeys.
The story follows Lilah Rayne, a writer who has secretly published a novel under a pen name, one that unexpectedly becomes hugely successful. After breaking up with a boyfriend who never truly supported her writing, she returns to her old apartment to start again. There she meets a local bookstore owner who has just inherited the shop from his late aunt, and the two slowly become part of each other’s lives.
At its heart, this is a small-town contemporary romance, but it’s also about finding your confidence, rebuilding after disappointment, and allowing yourself to step into the life you’re meant to live. Lilah’s journey of learning to believe in herself was especially lovely to read, and the growing relationship between her and Lucas felt natural, tender, and very real.
I completely ate this story up and enjoyed every second of it. It’s the kind of book you sink into and don’t want to leave. Warm, emotional, and beautifully written, The Fiction of Us was delicious.
Thank you again to Shae Roberts for the opportunity to read this ARC. I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her books in the future
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
Sometimes you pick up a book and it’s like putting on a cosy sweater or holding a warm mug of hot chocolate. This book was like that for me.
This book is definitely for the bookish girlies. A cute little town, a cosy bookstore and a mysterious author from a small town remarkably similar to Wattlewood Ridge, where the story takes place.
Lilah is a secret author who just when her career is taking off, her life falls apart. While sorting out her life Lilah returns to the small town she lived in previously and to her previous role as a barista at the local coffee shop. Being such a small town everyone’s interest is piqued when there is a new owner for their local bookstore. Enter Lucas and his sassy shop assistant, Jasper, who is determined to discover the true identity of the author of the latest viral novel.
This is a cute story which explores the question do we write our own stories or are they written for us? I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy read and I’m looking forward to more from this author.
This book is definitely for the bookish girlies. A cute little town, a cosy bookstore and a mysterious author from a small town remarkably similar to Wattlewood Ridge, where the story takes place.
Lilah is a secret author who just when her career is taking off, her life falls apart. While sorting out her life Lilah returns to the small town she lived in previously and to her previous role as a barista at the local coffee shop. Being such a small town everyone’s interest is piqued when there is a new owner for their local bookstore. Enter Lucas and his sassy shop assistant, Jasper, who is determined to discover the true identity of the author of the latest viral novel.
This is a cute story which explores the question do we write our own stories or are they written for us? I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy read and I’m looking forward to more from this author.
March 8, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and I appreciate being able to read this story. It was such a cute read. I enjoyed reading both points of view. This story is a cute small town romance and shows that love can turn up when you least expect it
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating
4.5/5
spice
1.5/5
If you are looking for a book with a slow-burning romance with magical realism, this is the book for you. The fiction of us is book 1 in the Paper Hearts series by Shae Roberts, releasing on 11/04/2026. Firstly, I would like to thank the Berry Agency and Shae Roberts for an ARC. Importantly, this book may contain triggering topics, so please check trigger warnings/content warnings before reading.
This was such an amazing cozy romance read, and the magical realism is my favourite part, adding so much to the plot and story. The family aspect was written so well, especially with Lilah and what she goes through, showing that sometimes family does not have to be blood; it can be your friends. Each of the tropes/ parts really worked together really well, creating such an amazing read that had me hooked from the start. The magical realism added so much curiosity and was just the perfect touch of magic; it felt as if it was all planned out from the book and a fated story.
Lucas and Lilah's relationship was written so beautifully, building a relationship from the ground up, from strangers to friends to lovers. I really love how it showed that they were so supportive of each other, and when they needed space, they did that . Lilah was my favourite character, hid who she was cause people did not believe in her and was scared to show her true self . It was amazing seeing her with her group of friends, not just build herself and her confidence back up (after the breakup) but seem to find her home, her safe space. Lucas character was written so beautifully, he is a true book boyfriend, bringing your favourite things over when you are sad and just being there for you. Is he the man of Lilah's book, you will have to read on release day?
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend picking it up on release day. Happy reading.
4.5/5
spice
1.5/5
If you are looking for a book with a slow-burning romance with magical realism, this is the book for you. The fiction of us is book 1 in the Paper Hearts series by Shae Roberts, releasing on 11/04/2026. Firstly, I would like to thank the Berry Agency and Shae Roberts for an ARC. Importantly, this book may contain triggering topics, so please check trigger warnings/content warnings before reading.
This was such an amazing cozy romance read, and the magical realism is my favourite part, adding so much to the plot and story. The family aspect was written so well, especially with Lilah and what she goes through, showing that sometimes family does not have to be blood; it can be your friends. Each of the tropes/ parts really worked together really well, creating such an amazing read that had me hooked from the start. The magical realism added so much curiosity and was just the perfect touch of magic; it felt as if it was all planned out from the book and a fated story.
Lucas and Lilah's relationship was written so beautifully, building a relationship from the ground up, from strangers to friends to lovers. I really love how it showed that they were so supportive of each other, and when they needed space, they did that . Lilah was my favourite character, hid who she was cause people did not believe in her and was scared to show her true self . It was amazing seeing her with her group of friends, not just build herself and her confidence back up (after the breakup) but seem to find her home, her safe space. Lucas character was written so beautifully, he is a true book boyfriend, bringing your favourite things over when you are sad and just being there for you. Is he the man of Lilah's book, you will have to read on release day?
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend picking it up on release day. Happy reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shae Roberts delivers a story that hit straight in my chest and lingered long after the final page was turned, and a huge part of that impact comes from the characters themselves. Lilah and Lucas are sweet as - and their chemistry is on point.
A Fiction of Us feels tender and devastating all at once it’s soft in the moments that matter, sharp when the emotions cut deep, and completely absorbing from the very beginning.
The characters are flawed in the most relatable ways, and the way they love, break, and try to rebuild feels so real it almost hurts. Their choices, their mistakes, and their quiet hope give the whole story this raw, human weight that stays with you. It’s ain’t just a love story, it’s a deep dive into choosing someone, losing them, and slowly finding your way back to yourself through the people in your life.
I absolutely loved TFOU and was honoured to be an ARC reader for Shae’s debut novel.
It was real, and sweet….
And let’s face it, the FMC Lucas… we’d all love a little romance like that in our lives.
A Fiction of Us feels tender and devastating all at once it’s soft in the moments that matter, sharp when the emotions cut deep, and completely absorbing from the very beginning.
The characters are flawed in the most relatable ways, and the way they love, break, and try to rebuild feels so real it almost hurts. Their choices, their mistakes, and their quiet hope give the whole story this raw, human weight that stays with you. It’s ain’t just a love story, it’s a deep dive into choosing someone, losing them, and slowly finding your way back to yourself through the people in your life.
I absolutely loved TFOU and was honoured to be an ARC reader for Shae’s debut novel.
It was real, and sweet….
And let’s face it, the FMC Lucas… we’d all love a little romance like that in our lives.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Shae Roberts and the Berry Agency for this ARC. I’ve now had the pleasure of reading Shae’s work for the second time, following her short story in TSTA. And what a beautiful, heartfelt read this was! Shae writes with such lovely lyrical prose, it feels poetic. I found it so easy to relate to our FMC, Lilah, who leaves behind a complete douchebag of an unsupportive ex when she returns to her hometown, Wattlewood Ridge. There, she undergoes a journey of healing, self identity and hope. Sparks fly when Lilah meets Lucas; a loveable golden retriever-type bookish guy who speaks gently, loves fiercely and together they shed layers of vulnerability, secrets and self doubt to embrace their true passions, courage and potential. The love scenes were beautifully written with an emphasis on emotional connection, tying in perfectly with the overall sentimental vibes of this story. And that letter towards the end; have your Kleenex handy 😭 For those looking for a cozy and uplifting read with a touch of magic, I would highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all let me just say Shae I am so beyond proud of you, you’ve put so much into this story and you can really tell. Thank you for letting me ARC read this and I’m glad we met through TikTok 🩷
This story was something I didn’t realise I needed to read and it’s helped heal a part of my heart. I ate this book up, I laughed and I also cried (a lot). I loved the magical realism side of things it was so unique
You should be so beyond proud because this book was chefs kiss amazing. An actual masterpiece
This story was something I didn’t realise I needed to read and it’s helped heal a part of my heart. I ate this book up, I laughed and I also cried (a lot). I loved the magical realism side of things it was so unique
You should be so beyond proud because this book was chefs kiss amazing. An actual masterpiece
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC. When I saw this come up to read I jumped on it. After reading her story in the Sweet Treat
Anthology and loving her writing there I needed more of that magic. And what a delight. Shae has written such a beautifully poetic story. The words made me feel something and transported me right into Wattlewood Ridge.
Lilah and Lucas were brought together by what seemed like a magical force and it was swoon worthy. Lucas owns a book store, one made out of what can only be the dreams of a book lover. All the bookish vibes were in this story which was magic in itself. Lilah’s journey into being proud of herself and living and embracing her story was refreshing.
I enjoyed my time in this little magical town, I can’t wait to come back and keep the story going with the next book. And maybe spot some more paper hearts.
Anthology and loving her writing there I needed more of that magic. And what a delight. Shae has written such a beautifully poetic story. The words made me feel something and transported me right into Wattlewood Ridge.
Lilah and Lucas were brought together by what seemed like a magical force and it was swoon worthy. Lucas owns a book store, one made out of what can only be the dreams of a book lover. All the bookish vibes were in this story which was magic in itself. Lilah’s journey into being proud of herself and living and embracing her story was refreshing.
I enjoyed my time in this little magical town, I can’t wait to come back and keep the story going with the next book. And maybe spot some more paper hearts.
Review of advance copy
**ARC READER**
I cried. I haven’t cried in a while when it comes to reading, but this is a really sweet and cute small town romance between an author/barista and a bookshop owner.
Lilah and Lucas gave each other their missing pieces and made each other whole. I think this is the first cute Australian fictional small town romance that has made me really get lost in the pages and outside the world we currently live in.
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 1 chilli for small intimate spice.
I cried. I haven’t cried in a while when it comes to reading, but this is a really sweet and cute small town romance between an author/barista and a bookshop owner.
Lilah and Lucas gave each other their missing pieces and made each other whole. I think this is the first cute Australian fictional small town romance that has made me really get lost in the pages and outside the world we currently live in.
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 1 chilli for small intimate spice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**review to come**
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Fiction of Us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and Shae’s writing style is so lovely, descriptive and easy to read. I loved the storyline, and the slow burn romance. I’d recommend giving it a read!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews