In I Love You, Hypothetically by Stacy Goforth, Piper West is a witty writer for a men's health magazine who finds herself under constant pressure from her well-meaning parents to settle down and find the right man. In a moment of panic, she tells them she's dating Josh, the handsome neighbor who lives across the hall. The problem is that he has no idea he's suddenly become her boyfriend. A little lie snowballs when Piper is forced to tell her co-workers and boss about him, too, to write a story that may seem like a better topic for a guy. As the deception grows, she asks Josh to pretend to be with her for a workplace dinner. He accepts because he can’t say no to anyone. Meanwhile, he is dealing with challenges of his own, leaving them both facing situations they never expected. How long can Piper keep her story straight before everything comes crashing down?
Once I began reading I Love You, Hypothetically by Stacy Goforth, I was completely hooked. The writing expertly blends humor and romance with emotion. All three play an equally important role in the plot. The dialogue flows naturally, and the characters seem like people I could actually know. Piper's voice is funny, relatable, and wonderfully chaotic. She had me laughing one minute, then feeling genuinely sad the next. She also had great chemistry with her best friend, Holly. Their friendship felt real, and their sharp wit and rapid-fire exchanges reminded me of Lorelai and Sookie from Gilmore Girls. They add energy and balance the more serious moments. That said, the growing connection between Piper and Josh was my favorite part of the book. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next for them. Readers who enjoy romantic comedies with plenty of sparks and witty banter should give this novel a try. It had me smiling long after I turned the final page.