Pretend til it Hurts: A Slow-Burn Contemporary Romance

What begins as a simple arrangement turns into something neither of them planned for.

After a very public heartbreak, Lena Hart is determined not to lose herself again — especially not for love. When she agrees to a fake relationship with Theo Blackwood, it’s meant to be temporary, controlled, and uncomplicated.

Theo has built his life around precision and self-protection. Emotional distance has kept him safe — until Lena challenges everything he thought he needed to survive.

As boundaries blur and real feelings emerge, they are forced to confront the hardest question of all:

is love something you manage carefully… or something you choose, even when it risks hurting?

Pretend Until It Hurts is a slow-burn contemporary romance about emotional intimacy, personal growth, and the courage it takes to choose honesty over safety. Tender, reflective, and deeply human, this is a love story for listeners who value connection, quiet intensity, and relationships that feel real.