Cara Stout

Romance Author

Fake dating and fake royalty lead to real love in this contemporary rom-com debut set at an amusement park, perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and fairytale happily ever afters.

Once upon a time in a fake castle not so far away . . .

Imogen Rogers dreams of happily-ever-afters—but she can’t seem decide what she wants her story to be. She spends her summer hopping from job to job—or getting fired, literally. But when her best friend and soon-to-be investigative reporter suggests that she go undercover at Fairytale Gardens, Imogen is intrigued. And when she gets cast as the fake-royalty theme park’s Princess, it turns out . . . the tiara fits.

Tristian Walsh was born to be Prince Charming—his parents built Fairytale Gardens with Tristian and his brothers in mind. But since his mom died, it feels like the magic has gone and this heir to the make-believe throne wants more. Can he escape a life that’s already been written for him?

When you’re pretending to fall in love, one kiss can blur the lines between fairytale and real life. And when reality steps in, only Imogen and Tristian can choose how this story ends.

“A sweet, character-driven romance with a delightful, fairy-tale-themed setting.” -Kirkus

“VERDICT: A humorous and engaging romance.” -School Library Journal

Add On Goodreads

Harper Teen US Paperback & Audiobook Out February 3rd 2026. Ebook Out Now

buy the us edition
buy the uk edition
a pink book cover with a white boy in a blue vest and shirt, with black pants. He is holding a gray knight's helmet. The title in green reads: A KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS CARA STOUT. A white girl with brown hair is holding a walkie-talkie.

A dating show leads to real romance behind the cameras in this paperback original from the author of Enchanted to Meet You, perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Jenny Han, and fairytale happily ever afters.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and cameras were rolling

But behind the scenes, for Knight Garrick was Juliet falling. . . .

Juliet Ripley knows that happily-ever-afters only happen in fairytales. So she agrees to help run a dating show, not bothered that it’s all a lie.

Garrick Walsh is fake royalty, emphasis on fake. At his family’s fairytale theme park, Garrick has spent his life pretending be someone he’s not: shallow, flirtatious, a knight who breaks hearts instead of risking his own.

But when Garrick meets Juliet, their instant chemistry could melt even the chilliest of hearts. And soon they’re each forced to confront what’s fake—and what’s heartbreakingly real.

US EBOOK OUT NOW. PAPERBACK AND AUDIOBOOK OUT OCTOBER 20 2026

Add on Goodreads
Buy the us edition
Buy the uk edition

About

Cara Stout has been a storyteller since a young age when she would spend hours coming up with intricate lives for her dolls. When she is not lost in her world of stories, she can be found drawing digital art, cooking, and binge watching her favorite TV shows for the hundredth time. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, but has never been skiing.

Cara is represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Starling Literary + Media