Sweet Addiction Summary: A Fake Relationship Turns Real
TL;DR: Fake Relationship, Real History
Dillan Ryan built a quiet life around books, but her family lives in the spotlight.
In Sweet Addiction, Bella Matthews places her between a hidden writing career and a public fake romance. Rome Beneventi is a heavyweight MMA fighter with a title shot on the line and a scandal threatening his reputation.
He knows Dillan’s biggest secret and uses it to demand her cooperation.
Their arrangement forces two stubborn people into close quarters with a history neither has resolved.
- Dillan Ryan secretly writes bestselling romantasy under the name Theia DeLaurentiis.
- Rome Beneventi blackmails her into a fake relationship after a fake sex tape scandal threatens his MMA title fight.
- Two years earlier, a misunderstanding ended their one-night stand and created years of hostility.
- The fake arrangement forces them to confront old wounds, family pressure, and growing attraction.
- The blackmail plot resolves publicly, and Rome wins his championship fight.
- The story ends with marriage and twins.
You May Also Like: Sweet Oblivion Summary | Bella Matthews
Who Is Sweet Addiction For?
This book fits readers who enjoy contemporary sports romance with a fake dating setup and forced proximity.
It includes dual perspectives, family group chats, and a heavy emphasis on emotional backstory.
The romance builds through banter and past misunderstanding rather than instant resolution.
Readers who like protective heroes, curvy heroines, and interconnected family series will find those elements throughout. The story also includes public scandal, secret identity, and a championship fight as plot anchors.
Sweet Addiction Summary: The Full Story With Spoilers
Spoiler Warning: This section recounts the complete plot, including the ending.
Dillan Ryan grew up in Kroydon Hills, Pennsylvania, surrounded by high-achieving family members.
Her father is a legendary quarterback, her mother a successful romance author, and her siblings are famous musicians and athletes.
Dillan struggled with self-confidence for years and eventually opened a bookstore called Hopeless Romantics. She also wrote a bestselling romantasy novel under the pen name Theia DeLaurentiis. She kept the identity secret to avoid public scrutiny.
Two years before the main events, Dillan spent one night with Rome Beneventi. He is a tattooed heavyweight MMA fighter who trains at his family’s gym.
For Dillan, the night felt significant because Rome quieted her anxious mind. The next morning, she overheard him tell his brother Lucky that she was no one important. Humiliated, she forced him out and treated him as an enemy for two years.
In the present, Rome prepares for a title fight against Benny “The Beast.” A fake sex tape screenshot circulates online, and his sponsors demand a clean public image.
At his mother’s bakery, Rome sees a copy of Dillan’s book and recognizes the pen name. He remembers their conversation about constellations and connects it to her. Rome confronts Dillan at her bookstore and blackmails her into pretending to be his girlfriend.
Dillan agrees to protect her secret. She moves into Rome’s log cabin and builds a pillow barrier down the middle of his bed. They attend public dates and family dinners while arguing constantly. Rome defends her from crude comments at the gym.
Dillan learns from Rome’s cousin Ryker that she holds a special place in the family because she learned sign language to support him as a child.
At the Black and White Ball, Dillan has a panic attack in the limo. Rome comforts her. Later that night, they are intimate, but Dillan pulls away afterward. They argue at home, and she finally reveals what she overheard two years earlier. Rome explains he was being defensive with his brother and apologizes. They reconcile, and she agrees to move in for real.
The fake sex tape leaks, and cruel online comments target Dillan. At a press conference, a reporter insults her, and Rome physically threatens him. Seeing his devotion, Dillan decides to reveal her author identity publicly. This move strips the blackmailer of leverage. The extortionist is identified as Elana, Benny’s baby momma and the sister of Dillan’s editor.
Rome knocks out Benny in the first round and becomes heavyweight champion. Dillan joins him in the cage. Two years later, Dillan is pregnant with twins. Her water breaks at their beach house, and Rome carries her toward the hospital.
Continue Reading: Lights Out by Navessa Allen Summary: A Viral Dark Romance That Redefines Obsession
Summary by Chapter
Spoiler Warning: This section breaks down each chapter for readers who want a closer look at what happens inside the book. The novel includes a prologue, thirty chapters, and an epilogue.
Prologue: Dillan watches Rome at a family gathering and notices he is faking his carefree attitude. She recognizes the same outsider feeling in him that she carries inside herself. The moment establishes an unspoken bond between them.
Chapter 1: Dillan endures a bad blind date with Kevin Kosen at the West End bar. Rome sees the date from across the room and invents a fake emergency involving a fictional cat. Dillan leaves with him.
Chapter 2: Rome gives Dillan a ride on his motorcycle through the snow. The physical closeness creates tension. Dillan invites him inside for tequila.
Chapter 3: Dillan and Rome sit on her floor and talk. She tells him about her dream of opening a bookstore and her secret writing. He encourages a pen name and mentions his middle name DeLaurentiis and the Titan Theia. Dillan climbs onto his lap.
Chapter 4: Dillan initiates intimacy, and Rome asks for clear consent. They spend the night together. Rome holds her afterward and says he is done playing games.
Chapter 5: The next morning, Dillan and Rome shower together. Rome’s phone rings repeatedly. He steps out to answer his brother Lucky.
Chapter 6: Rome tells Lucky that Dillan was no one important and just another night. Dillan overhears the call. She puts on an icy front and kicks him out.
Chapter 7: Two years later, Dillan’s bookstore is successful. She holds a book club meeting where the group discusses Theia DeLaurentiis’s novel. Rome and his cousins join the table.
Chapter 8: Rome spars at Crucible gym and learns he has a title fight against Benny “The Beast.” Dillan runs into him after yoga, and they exchange sarcastic remarks.
Chapter 9: At his mother’s bakery, Rome sees Dillan’s book and connects the pen name to their conversation from two years ago. He realizes she is the anonymous author.
Chapter 10: Rome visits Hopeless Romantics and drops pointed hints about knowing Theia DeLaurentiis. Dillan denies any connection. Rome leaves with a smile.
Chapter 11: Dillan worries her secret is exposed. Kaleigh suggests Rome is the type of man she needs. Dillan closes the shop early.
Chapter 12: Olivia, Rome’s agent, tells him about the fake sex tape screenshot. Rome claims he has been quietly dating Dillan Ryan. He now must convince Dillan to play along.
Chapter 13: Rome confronts Dillan at the bookstore and reveals his blackmail plan. Asher walks in and assumes they are together. Rome announces Dillan is moving in with him.
Chapter 14: Dillan’s phone fills with family reactions. Brady demands a dinner. Rome coordinates PR with Olivia and prepares his cabin.
Chapter 15: Dillan arrives at the log cabin and discovers one bed. She builds a pillow barrier down the center and warns Rome not to cross it.
Chapter 16: Dillan adjusts to living with Rome. They bicker over chores. Family group chats continue to tease them.
Chapter 17: Dillan struggles with writing deadlines and social pressure. Her editor pushes for chapters. Rome’s presence becomes a distraction.
Chapter 18: Dillan prepares for the Black and White Ball with Lilah and Lexie. She fears public judgment and body-shaming comments.
Chapter 19: Rome threatens a fighter who makes a crude comment about Dillan’s body. Olivia gives them an invitation to the Black and White Ball.
Chapter 20: Rome and Dillan prepare for a public date. Maddox warns Rome not to mess things up. They go to il leone restaurant.
Chapter 21: At the restaurant, Rome and Dillan perform public affection. Outside, Rome kisses her in front of a photographer. Dillan is flustered.
Chapter 22: Rome finds Dillan asleep in his office chair and carries her to bed. They share a peaceful night together.
Chapter 23: Rome and Dillan drive to her parents’ house for dinner. They agree on a simplified fake origin story. Brady and Nattie welcome them.
Chapter 24: Brady expresses skepticism about Rome. Family conversation makes Dillan feel inadequate. She and Rome step into the kitchen.
Chapter 25: Rome pushes Dillan to stand up for herself. She says he is the one who hurt her. Nattie interrupts before she can explain.
Chapter 26: Dillan locks herself in the office at the cabin. Rome meets Ryker at the bar and learns more about her childhood struggles.
Chapter 27: Rome carries Dillan to bed again. She murmurs that nobody has her. Rome vows to change her mind.
Chapter 28: Dillan walks in on Rome in the shower. She is overwhelmed and hides in the bathroom.
Chapter 29: Dillan descends the stairs in a blue gown. Rome promises she will scream his name. They leave for the ball in a limo.
Chapter 30: Dillan has a panic attack in the limo. At the ball, they share a private encounter. Back home, they argue and reconcile after she reveals what she overheard. The sex tape leaks. Rome attacks a reporter who insults Dillan. Dillan tells her family about her pen name. Elana is caught. Rome wins the championship by knockout.
Epilogue: Two years later, Dillan and Rome live at a beach house. Dillan’s water breaks with twins. Rome carries her to the car.
Characters In This Book
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Dillan Ryan | Bookstore owner who secretly writes bestselling romantasy under the pen name Theia DeLaurentiis. |
| Roman “Rome” Beneventi | Heavyweight MMA fighter who blackmails Dillan into a fake relationship to protect his career. |
| Lilah Ryan | Dillan’s older sister and a world-famous pop star who offers relationship advice. |
| Noah Ryan | Dillan’s older brother, a protective rock star. |
| Asher Ryan | Dillan’s younger brother, a star college quarterback who accidentally forces the fake relationship public. |
| Brady Ryan | Dillan’s father, a Hall of Fame quarterback and coach who is skeptical of Rome. |
| Nattie Ryan | Dillan’s mother, a successful romance author who supports her daughter’s writing. |
| Ryker Beneventi | Rome’s deaf cousin and professional fighter who shares a close bond with Dillan. |
| Lucky Beneventi | Rome’s younger brother whose phone call triggered the original misunderstanding. |
| Lexie Sinclair | Dillan’s cousin, married to Lucky, who works at the bakery. |
| Olivia St. James | Rome’s cousin and sports agent handling the sex tape scandal. |
| Killian St. James | Rome’s cousin and sparring partner, married to Lilah. |
| Sam Beneventi | Rome’s father, who notices the fake relationship early. |
| Amelia Beneventi | Rome’s mother and owner of Sweet Temptations bakery. |
| Nonna | Rome’s great-grandmother and family matriarch. |
| Kaleigh | Dillan’s only employee at Hopeless Romantics. |
| Benny “The Beast” | Rome’s opponent in the heavyweight championship fight. |
| Elana | Benny’s baby momma and the blackmailer behind the extortion plot. |
| Kevin Kosen | Dillan’s self-absorbed blind date in Chapter 1. |
| Cade | Rome’s uncle and owner of Crucible gym. |
Read Also: Duke Summary: Steamy Cowboy Romance
If You Liked Sweet Addiction, Try These Books
- All In by Bella Matthews — This romance follows Dillan’s parents, Brady and Nattie Ryan, and introduces the family dynamics of Kroydon Hills.
- Rise of the King by Bella Matthews — The love story of Rome’s parents, Sam and Amelia Beneventi, set in the same close family circle.
- Sweet Temptation by Bella Matthews — The first book in the Love & Legacy series, focused on sports, family bonds, and second-generation romance.
- Sweet Surrender by Bella Matthews — The third book in the series, following another second-generation character with similar cozy and passionate themes.
- Mile High by Liz Tomforde — A sports romance with family expectations, public image concerns, and emotional vulnerability.
- The Right Move by Liz Tomforde — A fake relationship between a basketball player and a woman protecting her private life.
Story Snapshot
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre & Subgenre | Contemporary Sports Romance, Romantic Comedy, New Adult Romance |
| Core Narrative Tropes | Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Secret Identity, Enemies-to-Lovers Banter |
| Tone & Atmosphere | Humorous, emotionally intense, protective, passionate, set in snowy Kroydon Hills |
| Primary Conflict | Fake relationship used to cover a scandal while old wounds and an extortionist threaten both leads |
| Pacing Style | Fast-paced with dual perspectives, group text threads, and a championship climax |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8218853396 |
| Pages | 304 |
