The Fake Out by Sharon M. Petersen

5 Stars Jul 07, 2023

My review

5/5 stars

The library element and fake romance trope were what drew me to this book. The characterisation and chemistry are what made me stay.

Both Chris and Mae were likeable in their own right, with personalities that leapt off the page and gave the book it's heart. What really stood out for me was how they interacted with one another - the banter, respect and admiration of each other was evident pretty much from the start. My favourite part of their relationship was the back-and-forth text messages full of cheesy chat-up lines. I did also enjoy the space that was given for their relationship to grow naturally in amongst all the drama and acting that was expected.

What made this book extra special for me was the vital role that both Chris and Mae's families played in the development of the story. It gave the narrative a depth that I wasn't expecting. There was a strong female presence in the book that spoke volumes in the story without actually saying a word.

One thing that came as a surprise to me was the level of actual drama that played out alongside the romance of the story. There were serious threads of life woven into the fabric of Chris and Mae's relationship that made it feel real and well-developed, and also gave a fuller meaning to the book as a whole.

I picked this up as a light, fun read and was given something that really stuck with me.

* I received an advanced copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book blurb

I can’t lock up the library until the guy asleep at his desk leaves. Thank the universe for audiobooks because I could be here all night. But I see his mouth twitch at the exact moment a steamy kiss takes place. My face burns when I realize my headphones aren’t plugged in and my phone is at full volume.

It's not every day you see a new face in my small hometown of Two Harts, let alone one belonging to an annoyingly handsome all-star NFL player. But for some reason Chris Sterns has decided that the library where I work is his go-to spot to hide from his mega-fans, and unfortunately, winding me up is his new favorite sport.

Being crowned “world’s sexiest man” has done little to curb his confident charm and when he somehow ropes me into his two-person book club, I can’t help warming to his endless positivity.

But when a photo of him stumbling out of a Las Vegas club with a woman in tow is leaked to the press, I can’t help but question whether his good boy persona is just an act.

And that’s far from the only answer I’m left searching for when Chris pops the question I’ve only ever heard in my favorite romance books. Did he really just ask me to marry him?

It’s not the proposal I was expecting, but with my mom’s medical bills piling up faster than I can pay them, and with the scandal threatening to ruin everything Chris has worked for; could an engagement be the perfect fake out for us both? Or is this a game we’ll both lose?