Review: Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

*I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and an advance reading copy from Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.

Stranger Things Have Happened

by Kasie West

April 14, 2026

Goodreads Summary:

Can fake dating lead to real love? In Kasie West's next sexy adult romcom two people must decide where the lie ends and the chemistry begins.

Sutton knows she needs therapy. After all, she’s managing her newly opened restaurant remotely while taking care of her ungrateful sick mother. Plus, her boyfriend of two years just dumped her over the phone. But does therapy with a handsome stranger, who she has to pretend to be engaged to, in order to help her friend’s struggling relationship count? Probably not. Then why did she just agree to go? Because she’s had a few too many drinks? Because this stranger, Elijah, is smug and annoying and really, really handsome? Because she feels guilty that she abandoned her best friend, Tara, after high school and this might just make up for it? Whatever the reason, she has committed to this unhinged plan.

What the hell is Sutton doing?

Helping Tara prove a point: a good therapist can tell the difference between real love and fake love. That’s what she’s doing. But as they attend their sessions, Sutton and Elijah only seem to be proving one thing—the lines between pretend desire and real desire are very blurry. This true connection forming between them is threatening to unravel everything Sutton thought she knew about family, friendship, and her own heart.

Review

Kasie West nails it again! I’ve enjoyed every book she’s written and can say with certainty that I’ll be reading all of her future ones too. Please never stop writing! Stranger Things Have Happened made me laugh, think, sulk and swoon. All the feels.

Sutton’s controlling nature was so relatable. Even more so knowing she has a moody mother and absent father. They were not a stellar example on love and marriage, so it was easy to see why Sutton had trust issues. I applaud her for going out of her comfort zone to participate in the fake relationship therapy (bet). While her insecurities were not so easily dispelled given the events that occurred, the experience pushed her in the right direction.

I couldn’t get enough of the chemistry between Sutton and Elijah. From their first meeting they sizzled. Sutton had a lot on her plate, so his charming and easy-going personality was exactly what she needed. Stranger Things Have Happened had the perfect amount of spice. The teasing and sexy times were next level fun. Both Sutton and Elijah were also really good at making amends. They valued each other and put effort into making their relationship work.

With her signature humour and swoons, Kasie West delivered yet another must-read romance. I couldn't be happier to add Stranger Things Have Happened to my favourite reads list. I'll definitely be rereading it many more times!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.