EEEEpppppp.
This one didn't work for me. I am just not invested in the characters at all.
I'm not sure there is one specific reason except...I just don't get their relationship. At all.
Sadly, I am putting this on my DNF shelf. Possibly will pick up later...if I do I will update this review at that time.

I was very excited for this book since it had an enemies to lover trope, which is my favourite but unfortunately this one didn’t work me. I couldn’t emotionally connect to either the hero or heroine and the hero was too much of an asshole for me to be happy about the couple finally ending up together. So I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest opinion

A nice debut for Sarah Smith, but lacked something.

Usually enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, but this couple fell a little flat for me. Emmie and Tate were just a little lackluster and I honestly couldn't understand the attraction between the two. The only scenes where I felt that their was actually chemistry was when Emmie was hospitalized and Tate took care of her.

The class reunion conflict was a little disappointing both in originality and execution. Not a bad book, but not very interesting either. Neither character really had a flaw unless you count their insecurities and tendency to second guess everything.

I loved this book, and I'm going to be brutally honest and say I loved Tate more than Emmie for most of it. I could tell from the beginning there was more to what was going on with him than we could see. Yes, he was a little bit of an idiot at one point, but I really loved him. That doesn't mean I didn't love Emmie too, because she was pretty awesome-the perfect combination of tough, sassy, and vulnerable. Really, I just loved it all.

Totally loved this book!! This is such a fun read! I picked up this book and could not put it down once I entered the world of Emmie. I enjoyed the dynamic created between Tate and Emmie. I seriously started and finished this book in one sitting! I can relate to how difficult it is to be a female amongst an all male staff so I get why Emmie had to put on a tough face all of the time and not allow her co-workers to walk all over her.

I love a good rom-com read through this read I found myself reacting when Emmie had experienced something. When it was good or silly, I smiled and giggled. When she was hurt, I was upset. Overall I loved rooting for her to kick butt and be a strong woman through every chapter.

Most rom-com books leave me wanting so much more at the end, but the way Smith ended this book was perfect. I was really happy that she didn't throw in some quick last minute details into an epilogue, but rather ended it when she did.

3.5 Stars

Faker is Sarah Smith's début novel, and it's a strong one. I was very impressed with the writing. It pulled me in right away. I loved the banter between Emmie and Tate. Their relationship was definitely solid in the hate to love game. I liked how things changed for them in a way that felt natural. I enjoyed reading their romance.

There a couple of things that bothered me, though. One was Emmie's attitude toward Tate. I got why she put up a front with him, but I didn't always like the way she antagonized him. I loved that she played a part to keep her co-workers respecting her in a predominantly male workplace, but a lot of the time Tate didn't deserve what Emmie was dishing out. The second thing that bothered me was the twist. It's not a twist I like in romance novels. I was disappointed that the author took the story there because there were a couple of opportunities for other twists that would have been less...disturbing?

In the end, I did enjoy Faker. Things ended in a way that I was good with and that brought back some of the happier feelings I had in the middle of the book. Emmie and Tate's relationship was really cute for the most part. I'm looking forward to see what is next for Sarah Smith.

This book reminded me a lot of The Hating Game, which I simultaneously loved and hated. I love enemies to lovers especially when the guy ends up being totally sweet.

I liked the characters, but didn't love them. Emmie was cute, but I never quite felt connected with her. and Tate was wonderful, but still no Joshua, I wanted a little more brooding and smoldering.

The story was good, though there were a couple of things near the end that I had a bit of an issue with, and it left me wanting a little more. I felt like the conflict resolved a little too quickly for my taste. There were also a few romance tropes I could have done without.

Overall it was a quick enjoyable read!

3.5 Stars

Faker is author Sarah Smith’s debut novel. It’s a sweet and romantic, office-enemies-to-lovers introductory story about that I really enjoyed, beginning to end.

There’s something about the “coworkers who hate each other fall in love” trope that I really adore. The animosity and back-and-forth between the main characters usually does a lot to build the tension and by the time they finally realize they have feelings for each other, it’s fireworks. When I read the synopsis of Faker, I was intrigued not only by the office romance element, but also that the main character, Emmie, works for an extremely male-dominated company. I had a sneaking suspicion that a woman having to constantly prove herself and stand up for herself in a predominantly male company would add another interesting layer of tension.

And I wasn’t wrong. The author did a great job of building tension and kindling the fire. It really made the chemistry between Emmie and Tate that much more combustible.

Speaking of Emmie and Tate, what great main characters. Emmie is sweet, interesting, and hardworking, but she’s also not a doormat and refuses to be pushed around, especially at work. Tate, on the surface, is this brooding, gruff man who works across the hall and seemingly lives to make Emmie’s life miserable. But as the story progresses, you get glimpses at the softness underneath that really is Tate Rasmussen. Pretty soon you’re swimming in it.

Having said that, there were things about this book that left me wanting more. I felt like the climax of the story was underwhelming. There was so much tension building the entire book, and what could have been this great big contentious crossroads where the story could have evoked a lot of emotion. Instead, it fell quite short and just sort of fizzled out. It was like lighting a big firework, expecting this spectacular, beautiful explosion, only to watch it quietly fizzle and find out it was a dud. I just felt myself wanting more. I expected to feel very emotionally invested in these characters that I liked so much, and I found myself a little bored with their “conflict”. I got the impression that the author felt differently as she was writing it though, that she thought that’s precisely what she was writing. It just left me wanting a little more to make the eventual conclusion of their story feel like a greater payoff.

That bit aside, I really did enjoy the book. I thought it was a great debut novel and I really look forward to reading more from Sarah Smith.

Emmie is a 26 year old women who is surrounded by men all week long at her male dominated job. She is used to having to have a hard exterior to make it around these men and when her coworker Tate starts no matter how hard she initially try’s to get along with Tate there is constant tension. Now after ten months of working together Emmie and Tate are forced to work on a project together hand and hand and are trying to find a way to just make it work. Emmie soon begins to find that behind his buff and rough exterior he really is a softy at heart.

This was a light and easy romance that never got to steamy. Although there was a section towards the middle/ end off the book that I didn’t love this was still a 3.75-4⭐️ read for me.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced copy of Faker!

This was a fun romantic comedy with a hate turned to love relationship between coworkers. The characters are realistic and readers will connect with them for their quirks. The romance was pretty PG until near the end of the book when things steamed up a bit. This wasn’t my favorite rom-com plot of the year, but it’s still worth the read. Fans of Christina Lauren and Helena Hunting will enjoy it.

This book reminded me of The Hating Game. I hated that book. The plot line followed most of the plot points of The Hating Game too.
Girl thinks guy hates her.
Girl starts going on dates with nice guy.
Guy is jealous.
There is a kiss that the girl doesn't see coming.
Girl gets hurt at company sponsored event.
Guy shows his dominance over nice guy by taking girl home(Hating Game)/hospital (Faker).
Guy stays by girl's side while she is sick.
Girl decides she sees a nice side to him and wishes that they can continue not hating each other after she's better which she tells him when under the influence of fever/drugs.
There is weird confusing part with good guy once she's back at work over her still dating good guy and guy getting upset.
Girl starts seeing guy and is horny for him but it doesn't happen.
There is an extremely stupid reason why the guy is a jerk. (Shy/introvert)(Seriously, are you kidding me?)
Guy invites girl to social event out of town.
Girl goes and meets ex-girlfriend.
Freaks out because she thinks guy is still hung up on ex and leaves event.
Guy and girl make up and have sex.
There are some slight differences that made me like the main character, Emmie in Faker more but I hated the main guy, Tate. There were points in the book when he was so jealous that I was ready for him to pee on Emmie's leg to mark his territory. When she was in the hospital, he answered her phone and told the guy Emmie was dating not to come and see her. Emmie thought there was nothing with this.
Maybe I don't get the enemy to lovers genre because it seems to use abusive behavior as hot because they were enemies at one point.

Hilarious, fun and sexy are words that describe Faker by debut author, Sarah Smith. Office rivals are forced to work together on a project and find out they are a lot more "compatible" than they originally thought. Will Emmie finally stop "faking it" at work and in bed? And what will it take for Tate to "turn his frown upside down"? Quick, enjoyable read! Comes out in October!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read my fair share of Berkley Romances this summer. I had great hopes for this one based on the racial diversity, hoping it would feel similar to Jasmine Guillory's books. Unfortunately, I didn't get that vibe. Perhaps, as a female in her early 50's, I am just too old to read these books. I found the miscommunication and false assumptions between the two main characters getting old very fast. While they are two adults in a professional setting, I couldn't help but feel this was 4th period Chemistry class in high school. Also, as I mentioned looking forward to the racial diversity, I felt that it was pushed upon us rather strongly, sort of as an afterthought at times.

Over all it was a cute story, but maybe I have just read too many in this genre this summer.

Before anyone gets all up in arms about the 3 Stars I’m giving this one, let’s get things clear. I use the Goodreads’ rating system. Therefore, 3 Stars = “I liked it.” There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a 3 Star rating. Also, I read this one at the pool so momma sho ‘nuff wasn’t complaining. When it comes to romance novels, they either click with me or they don’t. I’m not the world’s biggest fan of hate to love tropes (not to mention co-workers becoming romantically involved while continually acknowledging the fact that their company has a no fraternization policy), the premise of Emmie being a “professional faker” was a bit of a stretch (she didn’t seem to really fake much other than pretending she wasn’t attracted to Tate), the “we should take it slow” to about 427 instances of using the terms boyfriend/girlfriend (*shudder*) (and clearing a drawer out immediately to boot), and the worst thing of all . . . not being physically attracted (like AT ALL) to the description of the male lead. I don’t care how many times Emmie tried to convince he was some sort of Norse god – in my head he remained the albino monk from The DaVinci Code. And, in case you aren’t aware . . . . that is creepy.

I did appreciate that this remained pretty light throughout and the added drama (because there always has to be a little added drama, right???) was not super angsty and drawn out. I also remain in love with these covers – no matter what some trolly little “author” (*cough blogger cough*) has to say about the reasons why. For the record: #1 NO, I am not so dense that I think Young Adult stories will be contained within the pages and #2 NO, I am not embarrassed to read smut in public. I am the woman who had the following experience:

*SOUND OF ALARM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE LIBRARY*

Pornbrarian: Ma’am? Oh, ma’am??? (Should have murdered her right there, it’s MISS mother*&^%$#!)

Me: Am I doing that?

Pornbrarian: Yes, sorry. NUTS DIDN’T CHECK OUT PROPERLY. WILL YOU PLEASE COME BACK TO THE COUNTER WITH NUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTSSSSSSS????

That was also the last time my youngest ever went to the library with me.

So not only do I call it the Pornbrary – literally to EVERYONE in my life – I also don’t “hide” behind the Kindle and am more than happy to respond to the question of “what are you reading today?” when approached at the fancy coffee maker with answers like . . . . . HATE FUCK.

Keep up the cutesy cartoon covers Berkley. I love ‘em. Just watch out about these leading men . . . .

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It don’t get much more honest than spilling my own tea all over the intertubes, kids.

In more objective terms, this should probably be more like a 3 or 3.5, as there is a little bit of one dimensional quality to the story (there's really no side or sub-plots at all & little character development outside the 2 leads), as well as a lot of Britishisms that had filtered their way into the everyday parlance of Midwesterners for some reason.
That said, I don't care, because I was just charmed by the main couple enough that I got lost in their hate to love romance. This is actually a pretty low angst version of the trope which hits the spot for me-- this was not a book rife with miscommunications or drama. It was so low drama, actually, that I think some readers may be put off, but for me, it was exactly how I like a contemporary. Would read more from this author

Very reminiscent of The Hating Game! I've been looking for something similar for a while and this has the same feel as it. Hate to love is my favorite trope and this one did not disappoint. It all seemed to happen fairly quickly and some parts were a little cheesy, but I still really enjoyed it.

This book was adorable.

Two adorable characters being insanely adorable together. I giggled, I swooned, my face was set aflame.

The coworkers-enemies-to-lovers trope has always been a favourite of mine, so I was really excited to read this one.

It really was the perfect way to sum up my summer reading. Cute and heart-warming. I fully recommend this book when you need something to simply leave you feeling happy.

A great debut romcom.

Fake it, fake it well, and never, ever, let your boss-lady mask fall. This is the motto Emmie lives by as she works at Nuts & Bolts, a power-tool company, surrounded by men. Big, burly, manly men. All day, every day. She's constantly having to deal with men who ogle her, or mansplain, or tell her she's doing her job wrong. But her Number One Enemy is in the office directly across from her: Tate. He's grouchy, surly, and always seems to be making noise. It doesn't matter how tall he is or how big his muscles are, Emmie cannot stand him. So when Tate tells their boss that they are working on a project together as part of the company's volunteer house-building project. But the more they are working together, the more Emmie wonders if she truly knows the real Tate. And, gasp, she might actually like the real Tate...

A wonderful debut featuring the classic enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope in an interesting setting (woman in a male-dominated workplace) with a fantastic heroine (strong woman and biracial Filipino--love to see more Southeast Asian rep in fiction, but especially romance!). Sweet, delightful, witty, "Faker" is one of the fall's best romances and Sarah Smith is the romance author to watch!

If books received awards like at the MTV Movie Awards, Faker would be awarded the title of "Hottest Kisses". Does that entice you enough? No? How about an enemies-to-lovers office romance? Yes, you read that right! Faker has two of my favorite tropes and Sarah Smith's spin on them were fantastic. I had a lot of fun reading this one and I think others will too.

The enemies-to-lovers vibe were strong from the very beginning of this book and I was living for it. Emmie is one of the handful of women that work at a very male-dominated company. Over the years she has had to create a persona for herself to avoid being seen as weak or someone to trample over. Emmie is really the perfect sort of heroine for this kind of contemporary romance. She is fiesty, funny, and very much headstrong. We also get to see quite a bit of her attachment to her Filipina background and culture. It's not a difficult task to want to be on her side. Emmie's most-hated co-worker happens to be Tate, who sits right across her in their office. The two of them don't mesh well together and are constantly at each other's throats. Tate was the quiet and intense type of hero. You're not 100% sure what's going on inside that head of his until it's slowly revealed to you throughout Faker. He is much more introverted than Emmie, but equally smart and passionate. His broody and frowny persona did it for me, especially because it was so delightful to watch him become entirely unraveled by Emmie.

These two and their chemistry are ON FIRE. Seriously, the sexual chemistry is out of this world - they nearly lit my Kindle on fire. Their relationship is HOT and it's not because the book has a ton of sex scenes or anything. It is just HOT. The touches, the kisses, and just the air around these two are fiery! This book also has one of my other favorite plot devices: taking care of the significant other when sick. It brings Emmie and Tate closer together and had my heart all mushy and happy. Admittedly, their "hate" for each other does not last long, but I have no complaints about that because I enjoyed seeing them together so much. The cute little flirty texts they share with each other are one of the best parts of this book! The way Tate was so patient and attentive of Emmie was very romantic! There was some drama towards the end of the book, as you would expect with any book. I was glad that it wasn't dragged out for the sake of angst and these two actually communicated and used their words to get over this hurdle. The only thing I did not care for in this book was the constant mentioning of how "pale" Tate was - it seemed like a fetish for Emmie and I could have personally done without it.

All in all, Faker was a very strong and enjoyable debut romance. I'm looking forward to reading more hot makeout scenes (and more) from Sarah Smith.

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy.

This book was frustrating and honestly very unbelievable. I didn’t connect with the characters. I felt like everything was forced and for lack of better word, fake. I wasn’t invested in the story enough to even care what happens with the characters. I just lost total interest.