
Just for Show
by Jae
What happens when an overachieving psychologist with OCD tendencies and an impulsive, out-of-work actress start a fake relationship?Claire Renshaw thought she had it all: a successful career as a couples therapist, a publishing contract for her self-help book, and a happy relationship. But her perfect world falls apart when her fiancée calls off their engagement. Because of that, even her book deal might be off the table. After all, readers don't want relationship advice from someone who can't even make her own relationship work.So Claire sets out to hire herself a fake fiancée.Lana Henderson, the actress who shows up to audition for the role, is not exactly Claire's ideal woman. Her frankness and the messes she leaves everywhere drive Claire up the wall. At least she won't fall in love with someone like Lana.But soon, Lana starts to win her over with her big heart, tickle fights, and--gasp!--carbs after six. The longer they pretend to be a love-struck couple, the less fake their kisses feel and the more the lines between reality and role begin to blur.Once the book contract is signed, will they walk away or is their relationship no longer just for show?A lesbian romance where role-playing has never been so irresistible.
About This Book
Just for Show is a sapphic romance novel by Jae, first published in 2018 by Ylva Publishing. Readers can expect opposites attract, slow burn; hot heat; a slow burn and emotional tone.
At a glance
- Genre
- sapphic
- Trope
- Fake Relationship
- Heat
- Hot
- Ending
- HEA
- Mood
- Slow Burn
- Published
- 2018
Where to read or listen
Get Just for Show by Jae
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- When a rigid couples therapist hires a messy, impulsive actress to play her fiancée to save a book deal, the lines between their contract and their hearts begin to blur.
- Fans of Jae's slow-burn style
- Readers who love the Fake Dating trope
- Cozy
- Features Fake Relationship
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers seeking high-stakes action
- Readers who dislike rigid or 'Ice Queen' protagonists
- Readers looking for dark or high-angst themes
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary
Pairing: F/F
Power balance: Balanced
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High comfort, moderate tension, moderate humor, and a strong emotional payoff.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Moderate
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Claire Renshaw is the queen of order and relationship advice, but her personal life is in shambles after her engagement ends. With a publishing contract for her self-help book at risk, she decides to fake a relationship to maintain her image. She hires Lana, an actress who is her polar opposite in every way. As they navigate the demands of their public performance, the forced proximity leads to unexpected intimacy and the realization that their best relationship might be the one they're pretending to have.
Central Conflict
The tension between professional reputation and personal authenticity, alongside the 'opposites attract' clash between Claire's OCD-like need for control and Lana's chaotic, impulsive nature.
Setting
Unknown
Themes
Strengths
- Strong character development
- Classic tropes executed with depth
- Balance of humor and emotional resonance
Consider before reading
- Predictable ending common to the trope
- OCD representation may be interpreted as personality quirks rather than a clinical diagnosis
Similar Books You May Like
Books that share the romance DNA, tropes, and emotional arc of this one.

Breaking Character
Lee Winter
Shared tropes: Ice Queen, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date
Ashley Herring Blake
Shared tropes: Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]
Getting Lei'd
Aurora North
Shared tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine, Opposites Attract; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: Lighthearted, Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]
Acting Up
L R Martiny
Shared tropes: Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]
Friends to Lovers Volume 2: Workplace
Reba Bale
Shared tropes: Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]
Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition
Casey McQuiston
Shared tropes: Forced proximity, Opposites attract; Shared tone: Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]
Lead Counsel
Aurora Rey
Shared tropes: Forced Proximity; Shared tone: Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]
Make You Mine
Sli Ndhlovu
Shared tropes: forced proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Shared tone: romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
Which theme — Fake engagement — resonated most strongly with you, and why?
- 3
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 4
Did the emotional payoff feel earned by the story's buildup?
- 5
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 6
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 7
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 8
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- September 19, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Jae
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
Be the first to share what you thought of this book.
Publication Details
- Publisher
- Ylva Publishing
- Published
- 2018
- ISBN-13
- 9783955339821
- ISBN-10
- 3955339823
Just for Show: quick answers
- Who wrote Just for Show?
- Just for Show was written by Jae.
- When was Just for Show published?
- Just for Show was first published in 2018 by Ylva Publishing.
- What genre is Just for Show?
- Just for Show is a sapphic romance novel, with opposites attract, slow burn.
- How spicy is Just for Show?
- EIKNA rates Just for Show as hot heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Just for Show by Jae
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Want more books like this?
Let Lyra help you discover lesbian romance books that match your exact mood, favorite tropes, and reading style.
