Never Date a Roommate

Ottoni’s fast-paced debut follows a Brazilian game designer who must jump through hoops to land her dream job, including fake dating her attractive roommate. Sol Carvalho is eager to get ahead in her career, even if it means relocating to Denmark. To land a promotion, she must prove to her boss that she’s willing to put down roots in Copenhagen by finding a stable living situation and starting a serious relationship with a Dane. The solution to both problems comes when she matches with burly Erik Storn on a dating app. Erik has a spare room for rent, but he’s been burned before by getting involved with a roommate. Making a pact to let no real feelings develop, the pair agree to fake date. But when they’re in close proximity 24/7, how long can their resolve last? Ottoni has a light and humorous touch with the fake-dating shenanigans, but the romantic development between Sol and Erik feels a bit rushed, making their connection marginally less convincing. Still, this lighthearted contemporary should scratch the itch for die-hard fans of the fake relationship trope. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary. (July)