Pretending by Holly Bourne

When I started reading this book, I thought I was going to be entertained as the dialogue of the main character when she spoke about hating men was funny. I was wrong because the more I read, I felt like I was missing part of the story I needed in order to identify with the main character April.

April has been through a lot as she tries to navigate the dating world that includes sexual trauma and more. This clearly affects her relationships with men and after the “last” bad encounter, she decides to change and leads to her creating an alter-ego who she names Gretel.
Under that pretense, she meets Josh and for me this is the best part of the story.

Had the author left out a LOT of whining and moaning that the main character April does and just given us a story about a woman searching for love and is accepted for the woman she is, that would have been a hit. While I get it that the main character has suffered trauma, it was overdone for me. Gratefully, other characters in the book, for example April’s roomie Megan, were well written and helped to move the story forward.

I would try something else by this author in the future.

Rating 3
Linda C.

The description and cover of this book leads a reader to believe that this book is on the lighter side - a girl fed up with dating and not finding "the one" and follows a crazy idea to assume a new persona to get revenge on the male population in general. It turns out this book is much heavier than that; instead dealing with nonconsensual sex as rape, and this act happening by a boyfriend. I appreciated the full frontal attention to this topic - societal norms are changing and a voice sharing the impact of nonconsensual sex and the damage it does to future relationships is important. This book was often uncomfortable with April's bouts of rage. She should be angry, I would never fault her that emotion, but the 'rants' seemed "aside" from the story and I felt like I was pulled out of the story into someone's journal or private therapy session for I which I have no credentials to help with. This book was hard.

This book was very real and I liked that. So many women deal with these issues and I truly felt like this was written as a woman who had survived something so tragic.

This book had me ready to throw it a couple times, however. At some point, you have to just realize that you need therapy. Going through something so traumatic is horrendous, but so is enabling yourself. I just could barely get through those parts and sometimes had to skip ahead.

The reasoning for my three stars is that I liked some parts a lot, others really hated, but overall I thought that this book would be good for women opening up and being honest in relationships with good communication about things that happened in the past.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

“Guilt is the luxury of the powerful.” When April was badly hurt in a previous relationship, it changed her life completely, leaving her hating men, unable to get past date five, and having her heart repeatedly broken when she starts to trust them. She decides to change who she is and go on a dating app and finally for once be in control, but will her past keep dragging her down?
Thank you Netgalley, Holly Bourne and Harlequin Trade-Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this very powerful book. I will say that due to the nature of this book and it’s trigger topics (sexual assault and an abusive relationship) it was hard at times to push through. I wanted to cry and scream with April, the main character, whom I felt deeply connected to in this book. Though the book touched on some very sensitive subjects, it was very well written and made it quite the unique story. This book is not for people who are easily triggered and is not by any means a light hearted story. As hard of a book as this was to read, I most definitely recommend it. I rate this⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This is one of those books that will inspire feelings in anyone that reads it. Book clubs should flock to this one because it embodies and doesn't shy away from some of the most important topics that we are still discussing coming from the #metoo movement.

While there can be many wide ranging opinions about Pretending, from love to hate, I honestly believe the overarching theme you have to take away from this book is this: all feelings are valid. I think Holly Bourne did something genius in the formation of this book. Everyone is going to feel differently about the protagonist. Everyone is going to feel differently about the way the main relationship played out. Everyone is going to feel differently about the sex scenes and the consent or lack thereof. I honestly believe that is the whole point.

Your feelings are valid. Find them. Express them. Discuss them.

By taking on controversial topics in a way that isn't necessarily black and white, Holly Bourne gives the reader a chance to explore their own feelings and hopefully discuss them with others. A novel gives every reader the chance to separate ourselves from what's happening, to depersonalize it, and really grapple with the what ifs in a situation.

I completely understand not liking April and the choices she makes, but that in itself is why Holly Bourne wrote her that way. If we completely loved and agreed with the heroine then her situations aren't going to inspire a discussion. But by putting us all in a situation where we aren't necessarily comfortable with how we are feeling in any given situation, she is not leading the reader through her own emotional journey. The readers feelings end up taking the reins.

Love it or hate it, Pretending is an important novel that I hope makes the book clubs rounds soon. Has Reece read it yet?

I really thought this story was well done. Bourne created a romance to revenge to romance again story that had real personal depth. The characters were well crafted and the issues were tackled delicately. I think it was important to read.

This one was more thought provoking and deeper than I expected it to be and unfortunately I was in the mood for something light when I started it. Not a bad book just not for me

If you are looking for a book on the perils of dating, I recommend Pretending by Holly Bourne. Real life and relatable!

What I was expecting to be a light, beach read became a heavy, heartfelt novel full of pain from relationships and let downs. What I like most about this book is that I was fully "in" April's head, and at times felt my mood completely changed based on what was happening in the book. I would advise anyone dealing with trauma over sexual assault to stay away from this book.



I received an advance copy; all thoughts are my own.

Omg this was so good. Not sure what I expected but I went in blind to and I'm so glad I did.
Thanks for this Arc. Can't wait to read more form this author.

April is recovering from a terrible relationship, and she can’t seem to get past date five in a new relationship. Inspired by a former work colleague, she creates an online dating profile for “Gretel” - a “beautiful but low-maintenance, sweet but never clingy, sexy but not too easy, regular, everyday Manic-Pixie-Dream-Girl-Next-Door with no problems.” When Gretel meets Joshua, it doesn’t seem like a big deal to be pretending, but as they grow closer she kept help but wonder if Joshua would like April.

This book was A LOT, and it is a lot more serious than I was expecting from the book description. You should know going in that there is a lot of discussion of sexual violence if that is a trigger. It almost feels disrespectful to say that I “liked” this book - I did like it, but it also made me think. I think that if you are looking for a serious read this is a good change of pace from a typical romance.

Thanks to @NetGalley and Harlequin for my ARC!

Holly Bourne's Pretending is likely best for Bourne fans who haven't read everything by the author, as some of the plot lines are vaguely reminiscent of one another. That said, there are some fun cultural references for those of us who grew up in the 90s/aughts (The OC, Dawson's Creek) that I particularly enjoyed.

April isn't lucky in love until she starts pretending to be someone she is not. And, then, she meets Joshua. The problem is he isn't falling for April. What will happen when he learns things aren't quite as they appear?

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So Pretending would be my second book by Holly and honestly... I'm slightly obsessed with her books and writing. In it, you will meet April. Now she is my spirit animal in a way because I'm basically where she is at. I don't like people and I have zero desire to date. Plus we are still sort of living in a pandemic.. but I wont blame that for the way that I am right now. It's just the mindset that I'm currently in and I'm okay with life.

Unlike me, though, April has an alter ego - Gretel. Is she currently look for her Hansel in this book? No, because they were siblings and that's gross. She was, however, hoping that Gretel could help solve her problems. Ha! I mean, in a way - yes. She just had to prepare for some consequence as well.

In the end, I'm not like April at all but I definitely enjoyed watching her fall in love, dig herself into a giant hole, and then try to figure out a way out. It was cute and I went through some emotions while reading about her hot mess of a life. Plus, her and Josh were all kinds of cute so I was definitely rooting for them.

Definitely enjoyed this book and I need another one by Holly stat!

Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this book from Mira and Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This book does have some heavy conversations about abusive relationships and rape.

This book did take me a while to get through because I had to take a break from it after reading the first third due to the heaviness of the beginning. Once I picked it back up, I was able to finish it in an afternoon.

April is an advisor for a sex and relationship charity and was raped by an ex-boyfriend which has caused her to believe that she hates men. However, she hasn't completely sworn off men so she creates Gretel as an alter-ego so she can date without the emotional baggage that April has. Once she meets Joshua and begins to really fall for him, things get complicated.

I would recommend this book but if you find conversations about abusive relationships and rape triggering, you may want to skip this book.

Thank you to Mira and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my copy of Pretending in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be very intense, which was not at all what I was expecting from the bright cover and synopsis. I feel like it definetly deserves major content warnings for the topic of sexual assualt.

It was an emotional and powerful book for me. April has had it with men and dating and the violations that are done to people. So when she comes up with the plan exact her revenge on mankind, she takes over this whole other persona, Gretel, and proceeds to throw herself in to the person she thinks she could have been, Her journey does not go like she thinks it will, as life often goes. Her discoveries of herself and other people are heartbreaking, raw, and teach her a lesson that she never expected to learn.

This story was hard to put down.
Especially because of the compelling narrative and a fantastic narrator.

All the things I enjoyed about this book:

compelling story
flawed but fascinating heroine
important topics
well written
overall a very unique book
I’m not going to lie, the story was heartbreaking, intense and even dark at times. There were a couple things that prevented the book from being an easy read. For example April’s job was fascinating and rewarding but also emotionally draining. All that, plus April’s own story made for a very emotional novel.

Throughout the book, I was fascinated by April’s inner monologues. They were almost rants, that ran the gamut of every emotion imaginably. The blurb describes her as a manic girl next door, and April fits the bill. It was compelling to hear her thoughts. And her anguish was palpable and real. Heartbreaking!

April was nothing like any other heroine I’ve ever read about. She had ugly thoughts about herself. Made mistakes. Doubted herself. And had insecurities. But most of all she felt real and authentic. It’s just the way she went about it that made things more awkward and complicated.

But there is no doubt that this book left a lasting impression. It’s hard to forget and even harder to put down. And it’s not surprising – it’s a compelling read!!!!

But I feel that going into this book expecting something fluffy is ill advised. This story is different. And much more emotional than what the blurb advertises. It’s actually quite thought provoking too. Also I’m a big fan of British humor, which allowed for some necessary balance. In the end, I’m really glad I read it. It will be one of the books this year that I’ll still remember at the end of the year. And I know that I won’t be able to say that about every book I read in 2021.

April is an advisor for a sex & relationships charity. She says that she hates men (partially as a result of her job, partially due to her experiences with them thusfar) but also wants her budding relationship with a new man to succeed. In her bid to do this, April takes on the persona of "Gretel" - the woman she thinks every man wants. Gretel laughs politely at bad jokes, Gretel has a limitless sex drive, she doesn't nag, she would NEVER be referred to as "My Crazy Ex Girlfriend".

But Gretel isn't real, and the more April pretends, the more she fears that she is losing April too.

This is a really gritty, raw look at dating and relationships, and at the entire notion of women being labelled "the crazy ex". Men label women crazy/neurotic without remembering that, unfortunately, most of us have experienced unwanted or abusive behaviour from a man at one point or another. This isn't an easy read - but it is, surprisingly, a hopeful one.

Recommended.

April has lived a tragic life. She can't trust men no matter how many chances she gives them. She works with a charity where she hears more horrible stories of the ways men treat women. When it all gets to be too much, she decides to do a little experiment and be what every man wants in a woman. She pretends to be Gretel and meets Joshua. Will she be able to prove herself right or will Joshua prove to be different?

Thank you to Harlequin/Mira and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

**TRIGGER WARNING**This book is heavy with conversations about rape and abusive relationships.

This book took me a lot longer to read than it typically takes me. I think the theme really threw me off, I wasn't expecting there to be so much talk about date rape in the book, it is heavy throughout. April is the kind of girl we all know and are probably friends with. A girl who is done with men for good until another one comes along. April takes it a step further though, pretending to be someone she isn't. A carefree girl who doesn't let anything get to her. But with this attitude, will she really be able to be in a relationship? April has a lot of issues to work out. She tries to find help with a local boxing group and therapy.