A Not So Meet Cute

A Not So Meet Cute is a 2021 novel by Meghan Quinn, a prolific contemporary writer. Quinn has penned dozens of romances, many of which fall within the romantic comedy subgenre, including this novel. It is a USA Today bestseller that takes inspiration from the 1990 film Pretty Woman. In it, a young woman named Lottie is coerced into an arrangement with the handsome, wealthy businessman Huxley Cane wherein she pretends to be his pregnant fiancée. What starts out as a business arrangement between Huxley and Lottie turns into a complex sexual and romantic attraction, leading them both to better understand The False Allure of Wealth, The Impact of Societal Expectations on Personal Choices, and The Balance Between Authenticity and Appearances.

This guide uses the 2022 Penguin Books Kindle edition.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide feature depictions of bullying, sexual content, and cursing.

Plot Summary

The novel begins from Lottie’s perspective. She is employed by her childhood friend Angela, who comes from a higher socioeconomic background and often uses this class difference to make Lottie feel insecure. When Lottie significantly improves Angela’s business and is due a raise, Angela instead fires her, leaving her with no means of paying her student loans or moving out of her mother’s house. When she returns home, she lies to her mother, Maura, and Maura’s boyfriend, as they told her not to accept the job from Angela.

The perspective shifts to Huxley Cane, an ultra-wealthy businessman who is frustrated about a meeting with another businessman, Dave Toney. Dave is reluctant to sell property that Huxley dearly wants, as Dave finds Huxley to be unapproachable and insincere. Huxley’s brothers, JP and Breaker, point out that Huxley is a good businessman but unlikable on a personal level. While Huxley is getting lunch, he bumps into Dave and his partner, Ellie, who is pregnant. Hoping to appeal to Dave’s emotional side, Huxley lies about having a pregnant fiancée. Delighted, Dave and Ellie invite Huxley and his fake partner to dinner. Huxley is pleased, believing he can find someone to pose as his fiancée, but his brothers are skeptical.

Lottie is discussing her situation with her sister, Kelsey, who runs her own small business. She decides to walk the streets of a nearby wealthy neighborhood, hoping to meet and subsequently date a rich man. While walking, she bumps into Huxley. However, she’s embarrassed by her own ruse and admits to seeking a wealthy husband. Huxley notes the convenience of their meeting and offers her a deal: pretend to be his pregnant fiancée in exchange for help with her finances and a boost to Kelsey’s business connections.

Lottie initially refuses, but Huxley appears at her house and manipulates her into agreeing by pretending to be her fiancé in front of Maura. Lottie finally agrees and moves in with her sister, ready to work for her business. However, Huxley quickly learns that the apartment is too small for them both and requests that Lottie come stay at his mansion in a separate bedroom. They attend the dinner with Dave and Ellie, which goes well, but they fight afterward. Huxley is cold and unapproachable, which makes Lottie upset. Lottie asserts that she hates Huxley.

Huxley and Lottie bicker often, even after he pays her student loans and offers her an expensive car to drive in. Nonetheless, Kelsey is excited about the business opportunities, particularly when they discover Huxley has arranged a meeting between her and his brothers. When the meeting goes awry, Kelsey blames Lottie and tells her to appreciate her situation more. However, she and Kelsey then learn that Huxley canceled the meeting for a reason unrelated to Lottie. Meanwhile, he sets a new meeting for them, proving he can be considerate.

Lottie makes up with Kelsey and resolves to participate more happily in her fake engagement with Huxley, resulting in comedic interactions with Dave and Ellie during a class for expecting couples. Huxley and Lottie’s attraction to each other grows. When Lottie expresses a desire to get to know Huxley, their sexual attraction gives way to romance, though they are slow to admit it. Meanwhile, Lottie has a couple of interactions with Angela, who is planning a class reunion and often makes backhanded comments to Lottie.

Lottie and Huxley discover they like the same band, Fleetwood Mac. After finally having sex with one another, he buys her an original tour shirt and buys tickets to one of their concerts. They have a wonderful time on his private jet and at the concert, and they admit their feelings for one another. At the same time, Dave has agreed to a meeting with Huxley, signaling an end to their ruse; however, Huxley and Lottie agree they want to properly date anyway.

They have a party with their families and then attend another class with Dave and Ellie. They believe things are going well until Huxley learns from a business partner that Dave knew of their charade the whole time. Huxley’s brothers encourage him to ask Lottie about it, assuming she told Ellie, and Lottie is extremely hurt by Huxley’s mistrust. When she leaves his house to stay with Kelsey—who says she understands why Huxley was upset, given that his reputation could be damaged—Huxley follows and begs Lottie to go to dinner so he can apologize.

Afterward, Huxley learns that Dave knew of the ruse based on simple observation: Huxley and Lottie were clearly not in love with each other. However, Dave watched them grow to care about one another over the course of their fake relationship and now believes in their affection for one another. He agrees to sell the property to Huxley. Huxley then attends dinner with Lottie and asks for her forgiveness before proposing. They attend the class reunion and humiliate Angela, informing her that they are getting married in Tulum and that she is firmly not invited. The novel ends with them going on another trip with all their needs met.