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Tropes & Tags
Best friends to lovers, fake marriage, mutual pining, close proximity, unspoken love, protective hero, strong heroine, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, small-town setting.
The One I Stood Beside
Piper Rayne





4.1 Rating on GoodReads
Summary
It’s the classic story— best friends since childhood agree to a fake marriage, thinking they can pretend to love each other without their relationship changing.
Jude would do anything for me. He’s stood by my side since we were six, and I’ve done the same for him.
When my father dies, leaving our family farm drowning in debt and on the brink of being auctioned, I’m not surprised Jude steps in to help. I just never dreamed he’d fall to bended knee and devise a plan for us to fool everyone into thinking there’s more than a lifelong friendship between us.
Soon, I’m moving into his house, we’re planning a wedding on his family’s ranch, and we discover a new side to our relationship. I keep reminding myself it’s not real—it’s only to secure a loan to save the farm.
I’ve secretly loved Jude all my life, and now that I know how good we are together, I’m not sure we can return to being just friends.
Content/Trigger Warnings
While the novel primarily focuses on romance and personal growth, it includes themes of family loss and financial struggles. Readers sensitive to these topics should approach with awareness.
Content/Trigger Warnings
While the novel primarily focuses on romance and personal growth, it includes themes of family loss and financial struggles. Readers sensitive to these topics should approach with awareness.
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The One I Stood Beside
Piper Rayne





4.1 Rating on GoodReads
Contemporary Romance
Duet Narration

Few ways to listen

Summary
It’s the classic story— best friends since childhood agree to a fake marriage, thinking they can pretend to love each other without their relationship changing.
Jude would do anything for me. He’s stood by my side since we were six, and I’ve done the same for him.
When my father dies, leaving our family farm drowning in debt and on the brink of being auctioned, I’m not surprised Jude steps in to help. I just never dreamed he’d fall to bended knee and devise a plan for us to fool everyone into thinking there’s more than a lifelong friendship between us.
Soon, I’m moving into his house, we’re planning a wedding on his family’s ranch, and we discover a new side to our relationship. I keep reminding myself it’s not real—it’s only to secure a loan to save the farm.
I’ve secretly loved Jude all my life, and now that I know how good we are together, I’m not sure we can return to being just friends.
Tropes & Tags
Best friends to lovers, fake marriage, mutual pining, close proximity, unspoken love, protective hero, strong heroine, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, small-town setting.
Content/Trigger Warnings
While the novel primarily focuses on romance and personal growth, it includes themes of family loss and financial struggles. Readers sensitive to these topics should approach with awareness.
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