Book Summary: 

Lilavati Gordon needs a date to her cousin’s destination wedding if she wants to keep her family from setting her up with a nice boy. Preferably a fake date. Because Lili doesn’t have time for a relationship right now.

It might work. If she can just find the right man…

Luck is on her side when she runs into a surfer in a beachside carpark. Literally. Her family won’t like him, and bonus, falling for a beach bum—no matter how hot—is not on her bingo card.

Ant Stevens is enchanted by Lilavati from the moment they meet.

Vacationing in Hawaii with her gives him the perfect opportunity to convince her to take the fake out of fake dating.

All he has to do is come clean about the little secret he’s keeping and hope it doesn’t blow up in his face.

The problem is, Lilavati’s convinced they’re not right for each other.

Is Ant going to be able to show her they’re a match made in paradise? Or will her family find a way to break them up before they even have a chance?

My Review:

When I learned Carrie Clarke was creating a spin-off of the Falling in Love Series, I was like a kid on Christmas morning! I absolutely love her protagonists. The characters she writes come across as familiar and relatable – people you genuinely want to root for. They read like real individuals with everyday struggles, the kind of friends who would call you when life gets messy. Not a Nice Boy was no exception. Once again, we’re introduced to a female lead we can truly connect with and a male lead who’s impossible not to fall for. With charming banter, sweet and spicy moments, and a breathtaking tropical backdrop, this story pulls you straight into a setting where insecurities rise, truths surface, and a fake relationship starts feeling very real.

Lilavati Gordon has enough going on as she tries to finish her basic surgical training – the last thing she needs is a destination wedding filled with family opinions she didn’t ask for. Between constant comments about her appearance, her career choices, and her relationship status, she finds herself backed into a corner. In a moment of desperation, she blurts out that she’s already taken… something the beach bum she recently bumped into knows nothing about. Determined to keep the peace, Lilavati hunts him down and makes a bold offer: one week in Hawaii, all expenses paid, if he pretends to be her boyfriend. She isn’t looking for love, and even if she were, her family would never approve. As far as she’s concerned, the plan is simple and safe.

Ant Stevens did not expect his morning surf to lead to a fender bender and a gorgeous woman asking him to play her fake boyfriend. His day flips quickly, but the biggest twist is how easily Lilavati gets under his skin. There’s nothing pretend about the way he feels around her, and even if she wants to keep things strictly fake, he’s quietly determined to show her there’s something real worth exploring.

The Hawaiian setting was one of my favorite parts of the book. Every detail – the food, the activities, the scenery – was so vivid it felt like you were experiencing it alongside them. Carrie captures that warm, peaceful bubble Hawaii is known for, and it creates the perfect backdrop for a story rooted in growth and vulnerability. Lilavati, in particular, stood out. She’s one of the most layered characters I’ve read in a while. One moment she’s strong and self-assured, and the next she’s shrinking around her family, trying not to make waves or be labeled “too difficult.” Watching her navigate the version of herself she wants to be versus the version her family expects was both heartbreaking and beautifully written.

I also appreciated how Ant supported Lilavati’s growth while staying grounded in who he is. He encourages her to step out from behind the walls she built, but he never pretends to be someone he’s not. He says what needs to be said, stands his ground, and refuses to let her stepfather’s intimidation tactics silence him. He becomes the one person willing to call out the things everyone else avoids – and while her family views him as the problem, he ultimately becomes the person who helps things fall into place.

While the story definitely has its steamy moments, the emotional connection between Lilavati and Ant is what truly carries the book. Their bond goes far beyond physical attraction. Ant becomes her safe place – the one person who sees her without asking her to shrink or apologize. The intimacy between them, emotional and otherwise, feels earned and natural.

The story also shines a light on the long-term effects of emotional and mental abuse. Warren’s manipulative, controlling behavior shapes both Lilavati and her mother in painful ways. He tears them down to hold on to his power, convincing them they’re lucky to have him. Watching that dynamic unravel was difficult but incredibly realistic. Carrie handles it with care, giving space to both the hurt and the healing.

I was initially frustrated during the third-act breakup, but I loved the decision to bring in Ant’s sister – a therapist – to help reframe the moment. She reminds both Ant and the reader that someone who has been emotionally worn down for years doesn’t always make decisions that seem logical from the outside. Their internal compass has been shaped by years of criticism and manipulation. That explanation adds depth and helps the moment feel grounded rather than dramatic for drama’s sake. Louise, too, was such a bright spot – steady, supportive, and exactly what Lilavati needed.

I’ve always enjoyed Carrie’s books, and Not a Nice Boy was an absolute delight. I loved the brief cameo from characters in the Falling in Love Series – it felt like catching up with old friends. I truly hope she continues exploring stories within this new cast of characters, because I would absolutely love to see more of Louise and follow wherever her journey leads.