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.
Jennifer McKay MSc is a qualified SEN teacher with a Master’s degree who writes emotionally rich, swoon-worthy romance. When she’s not crafting slow-burn love stories, she enjoys running and reading contemporary romance novels that celebrate connection, growth, and honest relationships.