From page one, the narrator April is snarky, relatable, witty, and I just love this tone and language. It's so relatable and fun that I just want to keep reading. It's set in London, which is my ultimate guilty pleasure as an Anglophile such as myself, so yay, score one. I love reading April's voice and perspective because it's so relatable and funny. I'm like super into this novel from so early on, mainly because April feels so honest and real. She's vulnerable and real, making a stellar protagonist and I'm so invested in her journey and story. The book definitely needs a trigger warning as April discusses and deals with her past sexual assault. But, I think it's brave that she's acknowledging and searching for a way to move forward, but it could definitely be triggering depending on your past. April is after revenge on any guy that's hurt any girl and made them feel worthless. So, she sets out to make a dating profile as Gretel, the girl in her head that she thinks men want and is the complete opposite of the real her. It's such an engaging read that I can't put down! Moving on, she matches with Joshua, who just seems so endearing and sweet, like I keep saying 'aww precious' about everything he does, that, and their first date is super cute, except that she's pretending to be someone else. But, this experiment is helping the real her because April is becoming more confident and not overanalyzing every little detail, but of course, she starts to see they are quote compatible even though she's admitted that he's not good-looking, not bad-looking, and not a good kisser, like eesh. DM conversations help show the passage of time and recount different days and dates to move things along. It's just so vulnerable and open, which makes everything feel so real and raw. Josh is so endearing yet a bit clueless, so I'm not sure if they really have this connection and he's The Guy because he is falling for the fake her and he's super clingy. All in all, this book is witty and captivating, and I can't put it down. I have to keep reading.  I loved this read because I get it, everything April feels, and it's real, authentic, yet still frothy, light, and fun that keeps you turning the pages. So many women's fiction nowadays revolve around a man or romance, and getting a man to fall in love with a girl, her needing or wanting love. And it's refreshing to see that this book isn't that because love and relationships are real and raw and messy, just like life really is. I just want more content, and have so many lingering questions. There's an epilogue that is quite ambiguous, so you can't help but wonder who is that man at the end she speaks of, like is it Josh or someone else. I have so many questions left and I just want to know and keep reading more.

I myself have never been a victim of rape but this author certainly provides a vivid description as to the emotional, intellectual and physical impact it causes. I can see why April channels Gretel in order to portray herself as whom she wanted to be without the trauma. She is lucky that Joshua realized how amazing she is despite coming into the relationship on false pretenses. I do think one of the best realizations that she and Megan had was that they both needed to seek help as they had a codependent relationship that added to emotional escalation. I really enjoyed all segments regarding boxing and the support it gave.

The lightest, most readable book ever about PTSD.  If you have suffered trauma at the hands of a man, you might want to avoid.  For others, it might help you to understand, and it is hard to put down.

When life for the entire universe and planet turns on its end and like everyone else you "have nothing to do" while your place of work is closed and you are in #COVID19 #socialisolation,  superspeed readers like me can read 250+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today. (I AM BORED!!) ANd it is too hot to go outside, so why not sit in from of the blasting a/c and read and review books??

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

April is kind, pretty and relatively normal—yet she can’t seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she’s found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry. Until she realizes that what men are really looking for is Gretel.

Gretel is perfect—beautiful but low maintenance, sweet but never clingy, sexy but not a slut. She’s your regular, everyday Manic-Pixie-Dream-Girl-Next-Door with no problems.

When April starts pretending to be Gretel, dating becomes much more fun—especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua. Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?

I liked this book as 99.99% of "influencers" on Instagram, TikTok, etc. etc. are fake and ridiculous and anyone who knows my reviews knows how I refer to them in my sign off- especially as those who cheat on Fantasy Football. But would it not be fun to be someone else with a DIFFERENT name? And a different personality? And, well, different, everything?? (There are a few "real housewives" out there that I would like to be for one day ... imagine who you want to be for one day?)

The idea/theme of the novel was well presented and was totally enjoyable to read but the writing was kind of uneven and clunky at times, Aside from that, it was a great quick (and in my case very quick) read.

As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I love emojis (outside of their incessant use by "🙏-ed Social Influencer Millennials/#BachelorNation survivors/Tik-Tok and YouTube  Millionaires/etc. " on Instagram and Twitter... Get a real job, people!) so let's give it 🧁🧁🧁