Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

 

He offered her $50,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend… but neither of them planned on falling in love.”

Dolly Brick is a hardworking single mom who returns to her Rhode Island hometown for the summer to help save her family's home.

When she rescues Stewart Whitfield—a wealthy heir fresh off a very public breakup—he makes her an offer she can't ignore: Pretend to be his girlfriend.

What starts as a business arrangement soon becomes sunset boat rides, family dinners, and feelings that are impossible to fake.

But when real life crashes into their perfect summer, they'll have to decide whether love is worth risking everything they've built.

Introduction: What If Pretending to Be in Love Became the Most Real Thing in Your Life?

What if someone offered you $50,000 to pretend to be their girlfriend?

It sounds like the perfect business arrangement.

Simple rules. No emotional attachments. A clear ending.

But what happens when pretending starts to feel real?

That irresistible premise drives Dolly All the Time, a charming contemporary romance that blends humor, family, emotional healing, and slow-burning chemistry. With memorable characters and a picturesque summer setting, the novel explores how love often appears when we least expect it—and refuses to follow the rules.

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A Summer That Changes Everything

Dolly Brick has always been practical.

As a hardworking single mother, her priorities are clear: provide for her family and protect the people she loves.

When she returns to her hometown in Rhode Island for the summer, her goal is simple—to help save her family's home from financial hardship.

Romance is the last thing on her mind.

Then she crosses paths with Stewart Whitfield.

Fresh off a very public breakup, Stewart is the wealthy heir to a prominent family and desperately needs to repair his public image.

Their meeting is unexpected.

What follows is even more surprising.

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An Offer Too Good to Refuse

After Dolly comes to Stewart's rescue, he presents her with an unusual proposal.

He will pay her $50,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend.

For Stewart, the arrangement offers a chance to quiet the media attention surrounding his failed relationship.

For Dolly, the money could solve problems that have weighed on her family for years.

It seems like a straightforward deal.

No promises.

No real romance.

No broken hearts.

At least, that is the plan.

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When Pretending Stops Feeling Like Pretending

As the weeks pass, the line between performance and genuine emotion begins to blur.

What starts as carefully staged public appearances gradually turns into moments that cannot be scripted.

They share:

• Sunset boat rides along the Rhode Island coast
• Family gatherings filled with warmth and laughter
• Honest conversations that reveal hidden fears and dreams
• Quiet moments that create unexpected emotional intimacy

Little by little, their fake relationship starts to resemble something very real.

Neither of them expected that the hardest part of pretending would be convincing themselves that their feelings were still part of the act.

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Themes That Make the Story Shine

Beyond its delightful romance, Dolly All the Time explores several heartfelt themes.

1. Second Chances

Both Dolly and Stewart carry emotional baggage from their pasts. Their relationship offers each of them an opportunity to begin again.

2. Family Comes First

The novel highlights the sacrifices people make for those they love and the strength that family can provide during difficult times.

3. Love Beyond Appearances

What begins as a carefully constructed public image gradually develops into a relationship built on honesty, trust, and mutual respect.

4. Choosing Happiness

Sometimes the greatest risk is allowing yourself to believe that you deserve love, even after disappointment and hardship.

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Why Readers Love the Fake-Dating Trope

Fake relationships have become one of romance fiction's most beloved tropes for good reason.

The premise naturally creates:

• Playful banter
• Slow-building romantic tension
• Emotional vulnerability
• Moments where genuine feelings become impossible to hide

In Dolly All the Time, the trope feels fresh because it is grounded in believable motivations and emotionally authentic character development.

The romance grows gradually, making every shared glance and heartfelt conversation feel earned.

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Why Dolly All the Time Stands Out

Among contemporary romance novels, Dolly All the Time stands out through its combination of warmth, humor, and emotional depth.

Readers will enjoy:

• A lovable and resilient heroine
• A charming hero with more depth than first impressions suggest
• A beautiful coastal summer setting
• Strong family relationships
• A satisfying slow-burn romance filled with genuine heart

Rather than relying solely on romantic fantasy, the novel balances lighthearted moments with meaningful emotional growth.

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Conclusion: Can a Fake Relationship Lead to Real Happiness?

At first, Dolly and Stewart believe they are entering a simple business arrangement.

Money is exchanged.

Roles are assigned.

Everyone knows the relationship is supposed to end.

But as they spend the summer together, they discover that love rarely follows a contract.

Sometimes the most meaningful relationships begin with the least expected circumstances.

And sometimes, the person you agreed to pretend to love becomes the one you cannot imagine living without.