From the publisher:
A secret romance writer discovers that the hottest story of summer might just be the one happening between her and the Prime Minister’s bodyguard, from the international bestselling author of Set On You.
Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.
Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.
As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.“This contemporary romance features well-developed protagonists with realistic backstories and relatable fears, and there’s plenty of humor and chemistry to balance out the emotion-laden moments. Readers will love Lea’s latest.”—Library Journal
“Lea (The Catch) tugs at readers’ heartstrings with this sweet fake-dating romance…Lea is skilled at balancing heavy moments with light humor. Readers will have no trouble rooting for these two.”—Publishers Weekly
’Tis the season for fake dating! If there’s one standout theme in 2025—aside from romantasy—it’s definitely fake dating. Or maybe I’m just gravitating toward those stories myself.
Andi is the personal assistant to the Canadian Prime Minister’s wife, a people-pleaser to an exhausting degree. Her boss takes full advantage of that, but Andi doesn’t push back as long as she can carve out time to secretly write romance novels under a pseudonym. She’s completed three so far, and while she’s sold a few copies, it’s hardly a career she can rely on—until her latest book, The Prime Minister and Me, suddenly goes viral. Readers are desperate to know if she’s the author—and Andi is desperate to deny it.
A few years earlier, Andi had a one-night stand with Nolan—one that ended up becoming an all-night conversation instead. Nolan is the only person who knows the truth about her writing. Andi insists on keeping it secret, not only to protect her job but also to avoid any suspicion from the Prime Minister’s wife that she harbors romantic feelings for her husband. She is terrified of losing her job, especially since she has never had anything more than a professional relationship with the PM and hates the idea that his wife might suspect otherwise.
Nolan, now part of the Prime Minister’s security detail, has a complicated past. After years of military service, he returned home to care for his mother, who suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s. His sister has shouldered the burden for years, and Nolan feels it’s his turn to step up. But his mother’s history as a neglectful drug addict makes forgiveness difficult, even as his sister has found peace with their past.
When Andi’s book explodes in popularity, Nolan agrees to pose as her fake boyfriend to deflect the growing attention. Their ruse works—until real feelings begin to surface. Meanwhile, all of Andi’s novels take off, and she finally starts earning real money from her writing. As agents and publishers come calling, she realizes this is her chance to embrace her dream. With Nolan by her side, she steps into her new life, and together they find their happy ending.
This story is not just fun—it has real depth. The portrayal of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s is handled with real sensitivity, and Nolan’s painful childhood adds meaningful emotional layers. The behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry feels authentic and engaging. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with substance. Highly recommend!
12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE BODYGUARD AFFAIR by Amy Lea. Berkley (December 2, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593641781. 432p.
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