Faking It

Max Crawford takes on an unusual role when she agrees to pose as her roommate's girlfriend at a wedding to help avoid family drama. The plan goes awry when she encounters Cade Winston, a theater teacher who sees through her act but agrees to keep her secret. Max and Cade develop an unexpected connection as they maintain their charade. Their shared interest in theater and performance adds layers to their dynamic as they navigate truth, deception, and growing feelings. The story explores the masks people wear and what happens when pretending becomes reality. Through Max and Cade's interactions, themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage to be oneself emerge against the backdrop of staged romance and real attraction.

Readers describe this as a light, fun romance with an engaging blend of humor and heat. Many connect with the awkward, relatable main character Max, with several reviews highlighting her authentic internal dialogue and insecurities. Likes: - Fast-paced dialogue - Chemistry between leads - Realistic friend dynamics - Humorous situations - Dual perspectives Dislikes: - Some found the premise unrealistic - Romance develops too quickly - Secondary characters lack depth - Plot becomes predictable - Several note it doesn't measure up to first book in series Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (136,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,100+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews) "Max's anxiety felt so real - finally a heroine who's genuinely flawed" - Goodreads reviewer "The banter had me laughing out loud" - Amazon review "Started strong but lost steam halfway through" - Barnes & Noble review

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The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West A high school senior convinces a stranger to pose as her boyfriend at a school function, leading to unexpected complications.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles A chemistry class partnership between a gang member and an honor student evolves into a secret relationship that challenges their separate worlds.

Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren A brilliant scientist receives dating lessons from her brother's best friend, resulting in an education neither expected.

The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan A college football star and a music student agree to a no-strings arrangement that becomes more complex with each encounter.

🎭 "Faking It" was Cora Carmack's second published novel, following her breakout hit "Losing It," and both books were initially self-published before being picked up by William Morrow Paperbacks. 🎨 The main character Max's colorful hair and tattoos were inspired by Carmack's own desire to experiment with bold self-expression, though she admits she never went through with such dramatic changes herself. 📚 The book helped popularize the "fake relationship" trope in New Adult romance literature, a genre that bridges the gap between Young Adult and Adult romance. 🎵 Music plays a significant role in the story, and Carmack created official playlists for both main characters, Max and Cade, which she shared with readers on her blog. 💫 While writing the novel, Carmack worked as a theater teacher, which influenced her portrayal of Max's theatrical personality and performance-based storylines.