Book Bartender™Pour me a book
The Dating CharadeMelissa Ferguson

Christian Contemporary Romantic Comedy

The Dating Charade

by Melissa Ferguson

336 pages · First published 2019

After a string of disastrous first dates, Cassie Everson is nearly ready to give up on romance and the family she has always wanted. But firefighter Jett Bentley, who has admired her since high school, might finally be the man worth taking a chance on. Just as their promising relationship begins, Cassie unexpectedly takes in three vulnerable sisters from the girls' center she directs, while Jett becomes responsible for his sister's three young children. Since both claimed they didn't want children, neither knows how to explain their suddenly crowded household to the other, and their efforts to conceal the truth lead to increasingly ridiculous situations. Amid the chaos of unexpected parenthood, Cassie and Jett must confront painful family histories and discover what loving someone really requires. Readers who enjoy clean Christian romantic comedies, found-family stories, firefighter heroes, and humor balanced with heartfelt themes of foster care and belonging will find a warm, emotionally engaging romance.

Paired for this story

Chocolate Milk + Amaretto Sour

Jump to the pours ↓

Choose your bookseller

Find the Book

Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.

At a glance

Know what you're getting into

Spice1 of 5
Suspense2 of 5
Creepy0 of 5
What do these symbols mean? →

No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Child neglect, abandonment, emotional distress, and unstable caregiving arrangements, including children being left with relatives or placed in emergency foster care. Parental drug and alcohol addiction and its effects on young children. A serious vehicle accident involving impaired driving, with a reported death and injuries to children. Infertility resulting from a past medical complication, grief over the inability to have biological children, and emotional struggles surrounding parenthood. References to child abuse, foster-care proceedings, and the possible surrender of parental rights. Family conflict, secrecy, and relationship misunderstandings. Mild romantic attraction and courtship without confirmed explicit sexual content. Occasional mild language. Brief comedic embarrassment involving bathroom interruptions and incomplete clothing; not presented as a sexual encounter. A brief reference to a married man attempting to date another woman.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Chocolate Milk

A comforting glass of Chocolate Milk suits the household chaos, unexpected children, and tender moments that teach Cassie and Jett what it really means to become a family.

What you'll need

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

How to mix it

  1. Makes 1 serving.
  2. Pour the milk into a glass and add 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup.
  3. Stir well until the syrup is fully mixed in. Taste and add more syrup if you like a richer chocolate flavor.
  4. For a warm version, gently heat the mixed chocolate milk in a small saucepan, stirring until warm; do not boil. Pour into a mug and let it cool to a comfortable drinking temperature.
  5. Garnish: Top with a swirl of whipped cream, if desired.
  6. Glassware: Tall glass for cold chocolate milk; mug for the warm version.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Amaretto Sour

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

Sweet almond and tart lemon capture the unexpected blend of romantic comedy and family complications as Cassie and Jett discover that love rarely follows a carefully laid plan.

What you'll need

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.

How to mix it

  1. Shake amaretto and lemon juice with ice, adding simple syrup only if desired. Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
  2. Garnish: Lemon wheel and cocktail cherry.
  3. Glassware: Rocks glass.

Set up the bar cart

Shop the Barware

Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.

Browse the bar cart
See this book's two drink pairings ↓ See this book's two drink pairings ↓