Jackie Lau, author of the “full of heart” (Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author) The Stand-Up Groomsman, returns with a charming rom-com about a young woman’s desperate attempts to fend off her meddling mother…only to find that maybe mother does know best.

Mark Chan this. Mark Chan that.

Writer and barista Emily Hung is tired of hearing about the great Mark Chan, the son of her parents’ friends. You’d think he single-handedly stopped climate change and ended child poverty from the way her mother raves about him. But in reality, he’s just a boring, sweater-vest-wearing engineer, and when they’re forced together at Emily’s sister’s wedding, it’s obvious he thinks he’s too good for her.

But now that Emily is her family’s last single daughter, her mother is fixated on getting her married and she has her sights on Mark. There’s only one solution, clearly: convince Mark to be in a fake relationship with her long enough to put an end to her mom’s meddling. He reluctantly agrees.

Unfortunately, lying isn’t enough. Family friends keep popping up at their supposed dates—including a bubble tea shop and cake-decorating class—so they’ll have to spend more time together to make their relationship look real. With each fake date, though, Emily realizes that Mark’s not quite what she assumed and maybe that argyle sweater isn’t so ugly after all…

Jackie Lau studied engineering and worked as a geophysicist before turning to her first love of writing. She is now the author of over twenty romantic comedies including Donut Fall in Love and The Stand-Up Groomsman. When she’s not writing, she enjoys gelato, gourmet donuts, cooking, hiking, and reading. She lives in Toronto with her husband. Find out more at JackieLauBooks.com.

Jackie Lau's profile page

*Books We Can't Wait to Read in Summer 2024*

Cosmopolitan 

"Heartfelt and hilarious . . . Lau brings the goods."

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The best of opposites-attract romcoms . . . Complex, steamy, and uniquely charming, with plenty of both hilarious scenes and insightful commentary. Jackie Lau’s latest effort is masterful, inspiring, and full of heart!"

Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of LOVE ON THE BRAIN

"LOVE, LIES, AND CHERRY PIE is the perfect fake dating romance! Full of banter and sexual tension, Jackie Lau's richly drawn characters completely captivated me. LOVE, LIES, AND CHERRY PIE delivers everything I want from a fake dating romance, plus enough family drama to keep the story both realistic and relatable. I ate this one up!"

Falon Ballard, author of RIGHT ON CUE

"Lau’s books have some of the best effort-to-emotional-payoff ratios in romance."

The New York Times Book Review

"A quintessential comfort read, full of good, well-intentioned people attempting to navigate complicated family relationships, careers, friendships, and grief."

Olivia Dade, nationally bestselling author of SHIPWRECKED 

*Praise for Jackie Lau's previous novels*

"Captivating."

Library Journal

"What if Lizzy Bennet asked Mr. Darcy to get into a fake relationship, despite their rocky first impressions? Mark and Emily are fun, funny, and nuanced, and the book is a showcase for opposites attracting in the perfect way."

Cathy Yardley, author of ROLE PLAYING

"Feel-good fiction at its finest: as sweet, rich, and layered as its name would suggest, LOVE, LIES, AND CHERRY PIE brought the sunshine—I absolutely devoured it."

Kayla Olson, author of THE REUNION