Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis
Top 3
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When a sassy high school girl returns to North Lake High, she doesn’t expect to have a one-night mistake with the Beaumont heir, her childhood nemesis, and later team up with him to piss off their exes. Will they eventually fall in love?
text by DramaBoxCast
My Review
final score
5
originality
chemistry
dramas
romance
development
VertiBingo
No Drugged Drink No Toxic Family or Friend No Bullying No Slaps No Red Flag Lead Male
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Reveal the reviewPlot
Enemies-to-lovers. Rich guy, poor girl. High school setting. The girl fights back.
This screams my name!
The “fake dating” setup? A terrible idea on paper, yet it somehow became the best decision of their lives. While the series uses plenty of classic Vertical tropes, it feels fresh thanks to sharp writing, clever pacing, and chemistry you can feel through the screen.
The Characters
Ronan – I loved him. His flirty charm was absolutely no joke, and when he fell, he fell hard. Beneath the confident exterior was someone suffocated by the “rich kid” label. His parents? Proof that you don’t need to raise a hand to deeply wound your child. His decision to stand up to them — for himself and for Tessa — was one of the most satisfying moments of the series.
Tessa – I’ll be honest, I wanted to scream at her more than once. Her fear of opening up was obvious, but rejecting Ronan when he was such a consistent green flag hurt to watch. Still, her growth made her ending all the more rewarding.
Daphné – I did not expect to end up liking the resident Drama Queen. She’s still “on probation,” but her final arc was unique compared to similar characters in other series — and I loved it.
Beckett & Jessie – These two gave me Team Rocket energy — the “villains” who never win but keep coming back for more humiliation. Beckett is full of himself, Jessie needs more self-respect, and their “relationship” is as exhausting as it is toxic.
Milo – The ultimate audience stand-in. He’s the supportive friend teasing Ronan while secretly rooting for him and pushing him toward Tessa. Milo, we see you, and we appreciate you!
The Romance
From their childhood backstory to the fake dating arrangement that turned real, Ronan and Tessa’s relationship was pure magic. Their chemistry was undeniable — these two were meant to be.
Performance
Everyone delivered. Bar Daniel’s portrayal of Daphné’s final arc was played with perfect nuance. Ben & Meg? One of my ultimate comfort pairings. Their chemistry is off the charts, and I’m manifesting a non–high school enemies-to-lovers series with them — Meg as a badass CEO and Ben as a secret billionaire who, for whatever crazy reason, ends up being her assistant — only for them to fall in love by the coffee machine, please!!!
Funny or Iconic Moments
So many to choose from, but one stands out: Ronan says he wants “more,” and Tessa asks what more. The way he looks at her and answers, “Your clothes on the floor and my name on your lips,” — instant chills.
Final Thoughts
This is exactly the kind of Vertical I live for — the reason I spend way too much time (and money) on these series. It’s heartfelt, funny, addictive, and a new favorite.