While mentoring a teen writer last month, she confessed that her biggest fear isn't writer's block—it's that people won't like the real her, only the polished version she shows online. That vulnerability, that fear of being seen authentically, perfectly encapsulates First Comes Like. It's a book about identity, social media, and discovering that sometimes the person you think you're falling for is actually someone even better than you imagined.
Plot Summary
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai is a contemporary romance about Jia Ahmed, a makeup expert and beauty influencer determined to grow her platform. She thinks she's been flirting with Dev Naik, a famous Indian soap opera star, through his verified social media account. But when she finally meets him in person, she discovers she's been catfished—the real Dev has no idea who she is. Despite the awkward beginning, Dev finds himself intrigued by Jia's spirit and proposes a fake-dating arrangement to quell paparazzi rumors and satisfy her protective family. What starts as a strategic lie becomes an unexpected romance, forcing both to question what's real and whether their online spark can ignite offline.
Why I Love This Book
I love how First Comes Like explores the messy intersection of social media personas and authentic selves. Jia is refreshingly unapologetic—she's ambitious, bold, and refuses to shrink herself for anyone. Dev is equally compelling, navigating grief, family responsibility, and the struggle of reinvention in a new country. Their banter is witty and electric; their chemistry is undeniable. Rai beautifully balances humor with emotional depth, tackling themes of identity, cultural expectations, and what it means to be truly seen by someone. The fake-dating trope is executed flawlessly, with genuine vulnerability underneath all the playfulness.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love fake-dating, contemporary romance, enemies-to-lovers with a twist, witty banter, or stories about social media and modern identity, you'll adore this. It's perfect for readers who appreciate diverse characters, South Asian representation, and slow-burn romance with genuine emotional stakes. The book celebrates those who are "too much" and rejects the pressure to be less. Fair warning: there are themes of grief and complicated family dynamics that add emotional weight to the story.
⚠️ Trigger warning: grief/death of family member, catfishing, parental pressure, cultural expectations, mentions of alcohol, family estrangement themes.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, fake dating, social media romance, catfishing, diversity and inclusion, South Asian rep, slow burn, emotional depth, witty banter, character-driven, enemies-to-lovers, HEA, open door, grief themes, family dynamics, humor, indie, part of series.
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Moderate
First Comes Like features steamy scenes that match the heat of Jia and Dev's chemistry, but the romance is balanced with emotional vulnerability and character growth. The spice level builds naturally as their relationship deepens, and the intimate moments feel earned and meaningful.
