The plot of Dolly All the Time is built around the fake dating trope, a popular narrative device in which two characters pretend to be in a relationship for mutual benefit, only to develop genuine feelings. This structure creates a low-stakes environment for emotional intimacy to grow, exploring themes of vulnerability and authenticity. The appeal of the trope lies in watching the characters navigate the line between performance and reality, often leading to both humorous and heartfelt moments as their manufactured connection evolves into a real one. This trope has some historical precedent, as many famous literary courtships involve deceit of a similar kind, including Benedict and Beatriz being duped into love in Much Ado About Nothing; Frank Churchill courting the title character in Jane Austen’s Emma to cover his secret engagement to Jane Fairfax; and Merton Densher pursuing an engagement with the wealthy, terminally ill Milly Teale to gain her fortune for his secret fiancée in The Wings of the Dove. The fake dating trope in contemporary romance has evolved from the high social and economic stakes of romance to lower stakes comedy.