fake it ‘til you make it
➝ an adorable, lighthearted romcom book <33

“This is what it feels like, what it looks like, to be yearned for.”

this book is so darn cute UGHH. it feels like a massive hug.
i needed this. something cute, something pure

𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭
abbey and ted have just had devastating breakups. abbey thought her bf, andrew was gonna propose.. boy was she in for a surprise. she goes to dinner all giggly and excited - only to be informed andrew has been sleeping with another girl. brittany.

“Brittany, she’s not like you. She’s different. Exciting.”

this was his version of an “apology” i hate this man with such a burning passion-

so she decides to blow her entire wedding month on starting a new life in New York. she buys a fancy apartment, with a huge walk-in closet everything she’s ever dreamed of. YAYY

now ted. ted is geeky, he works in finance, bit of a nerd. I love him sm his gf, fleur, is a model. a shopaholic. she’s stuck up. annoying. also hate her so much. she ends up sleeping with ted’s best friend roman and he happens to walk in on them poor baby i want to give him a hug. so he’s a mess rn and he goes to his brother, mike’s apartment in New York. that’s right. neighbouring with our dear abbey and they fall in love tehehehe.

just one problem- she thinks he’s his super cocky arrogant older brother mike, a baseball player. and he thinks she’s an actress. they don’t like eachother at first but soon form a beautiful friendship💗💗

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝


જ⁀➴ TED

I AM OBSESSED WITH HIM. he’s so precious he’s a little insecure bless his heart so he thought pretending to be his cooler, confident older brother would make him more interesting.

Guys like my brother and Rome can be arrogant but always get the girl. They keep the girl. Guys like me don’t get a look in.

I am always surrounded by ppl like this - overconfident and self absorbed - and may I say it’s not the most flattering look. ig everyone has a type but id much rather a cute shy boy like ted than a no-commitment man that flirts with anything with a pulse

જ⁀➴ THE ROMANCE

that romance was literally so good im still in shock. i was squealing and i was dyingggg for them to get together ugh they’re so perfect. the tension was there 😩 they had so many almost-kisses and then stopped it was killing me but i knew i loved it deep down 🫶🏼🫶🏼 this book is sort of a sentimental reminder to always be yourself no matter what bc there’s always someone who’ll love you just as you are

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞


જ⁀➴ THE ENDING

i was looking forward to when they finally got together and you know when that is?!?! the last page 😭 no epilogue, no elaboration just a simple i love you and POOF !! It’s over.

on the same sort of lines it dragged on a little at the beginning and then the ending was super duper rushed. she didn’t find out that he was pretending to be his brother until 30-ish pages until the end. that’s just not okay but it did have me on the edge of my seat a lot which probably explains why i was so addicted to this 🥹🫶🏼

𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬

➸ But God, I’ll miss him. I miss him now and we still have days together. It’s like the countdown to a vacation you wish you could continue forever.

➸ This isn’t real, I remind myself. You can’t miss what you don’t have

➸ “We might be the most compatible fake boyfriend and girlfriend known to man”

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
i totally, with all my heart recommend this book. this is in no way a literary masterpiece but idc. I ATE IT UPPP.

the title on goodreads killed me:
“Fake It ‘til You Make It: A BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, fake-dating romantic comedy from Laura Carter”

WHY IS IT SO LONG ?!?! i did in fact laugh out loud though i will admit so at least we know it’s not false advertising

anyways go read this it’s so damn cute. no smut, minimal cursing. just some lighthearted romance that will have you giggling and screaming

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for providing me this ARC.

This was a very cliche story, but good read. 💜

PROS
This book is a very cute funny romance story.
I always love the fake dating trope and dual POV's.
During some parts, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. The characters are loveable and relatable. It was a quick read.

CONS
The mistaken identity lasted too long. I started getting frustrated by this. The reveal should have been sooner.
The ending felt rushed in comparison to the rest of the story. I missed a flash forward. I would've loved to know a bit more about their future together. Lots of my questions are still unanswered.

Overall it's a good book if you love cliches and the fake dating romance trope.

If a guy I just met called me 'Lady Big Panties,' well, I'd simply have to kill him.

In a world where I had never read a fake dating romance before, I might've considered Fake It 'Till You Make It a fun, light read. But, in reality, it unfortunately doesn't bring anything new to the table and frustrates the ever-loving shit out of me.

Why was I so frustrated? Well, if you look closely, you'll notice that our main characters don't do anything wrong ever. Sure, they lie to each other all the time, but since they both do it, it's okay, I guess? On the other hand, their past partners and half the people in their lives are on a Disney villain level of evilness for no good reason (I swear a character was described cackling like a witch at some point!)

I understand not wanting to write problematic characters, but Abby is so perfect she doesn't even fuck up on her job hard enough to actually get fired; she just volunteers to quit because she's so pure and fair!! (And it's not even clear if it was actually her fault because her coworker never checked her numbers!)

Also, this book was on some new level of 'not like other girls'-isms that were actually mostly coming from Ted's POV. I hate it. I hate this trope. I know girls want to read about guys seeing *something* in them, but every time Ted describes Abby, he goes out of his way to explain how much different (and more natural) she looks than his ex. (Paraphrasing: 'Fleur wore expensive clothes, had fake nails, dyed hair, and lip fillers, but Abby is so naturally gorgeous in her pajamas.') My good dude, did you even like your ex? Why did you propose to her if you didn't like her?

Finally, the unrealistic dilemma of our mmc, 'Will she still like me when she finds out I'm not a millionaire baseball player but a millionaire tech developer?' is just ridiculous.

All in all, this wasn't it for me. Maybe someone who hasn't read a fuckton of fake dating romances can find something new and charming in this, but I just couldn't.

A super cute fake dating rom-com!

Abbey thinks shes on the way to having all her goals in line when her longtime partner Andrew brings her out for what she thinks will be the proposal of dreams. Instead its a nightmare night where Andrew breaks her heart by telling her hes been cheating on her with someone more 'exciting' ( talk about twisting the knife dude).

Abbey, amid a mental crisis, decides to uproot and spend her wedding savings on a longtime stay in a swanky New York hotel. It's here that we meet our co-main character, Ted. A gorgeous nerdy tech mogul who lives upstairs. Ted is also going through his own romantic crisis as his fiance Fleur had been cheating on him with his (now ex) best friend Roman. Both of them end up getting tangled in their own lies to impress the other, while also deciding they can be the best solution to the problems they're facing. As Abbey's parents vow renewal is on the horizon, she decides they should go together and this is where our fake dating and all it's complicated feelings begins.

This was a super cute story that at times got bogged down by it's own complications. Having dual POV with both of these characters going through a similar obstacle started the story off on an odd note, but followed by extra miscommunication it was maybe a tad too much for the story to hold up. Still an enjoyable read to add to the fake dating catalogue.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Fake It 'Til You Make It. All opinions are my own.

Quick read, drew me in pretty fast, made me laugh out loud several times. Loved to hate the crappy ex's right alongside our main characters (and their besties). My sensitive heart just needed more of Abbey and Ted vocally loving each other for who they are (instead of thinking about how the other person probably wouldn't love them for who they are because THEY WOULD AND THEY DO).

Fake It 'til You Make was such a fun ride. Abbey and Ted were perfect for each other. I will always pick up a "nerdy" romance book and I did enjoy this quite a bit.
The book is a breeze to get through – it's light, it's fun, and it moves through complex emotions without weighing you down. That's the charm of it. But, if I’m being honest, I do wish Abbey and Ted had been more upfront with each other earlier on. The end felt a bit rushed, like we suddenly jumped to the resolve and neatly tied up all loose ends. Real life is messier than that, and a bit more honesty earlier could have added depth.
Still, I had a good time reading it. It's a solid "feel-good" pick, and I breezed through it.

Thanks to Boldwood Books/Laura Carter/NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author.

This is an upbeat, light and airy new romance novel following two characters as they detangle their lives and their feelings for each other. Both have been cheated on by the one “everyone thought would be forever” and they have both branded themselves as “the one who always comes second place”, so when they meet both put on acts they think will make themselves more appealing to the world. With tropes of miscommunication, grumpy neighbours to lovers, and some really loveable side characters, this will make a great light summer or spring read.

3.5 ⭐️ Overall, I found this book very enjoyable, though I really wish all the lies they told each other had been sorted out a bit earlier. The ending felt very abrupt after all the secrets came unraveled, there were no real consequences of anyone’s actions. But this isn’t a massive issue since the point of the book is a lighthearted romance.

Thank you to Laura Carter, her publisher, and NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Fake it til you Make it by Laura Carter, in exchange of an honest review.

This charming and lighthearted novel offers a delightful blend of popular romance tropes that will appeal to a wide range of readers. The gradual development of the characters' relationships provides a captivating narrative arc. While the interweaving of miscommunication and mistaken identities tropes may be somewhat unconventional, their consistent presence throughout the story prevents them from becoming overly jarring. The author skillfully orchestrates the characters' interactions, allowing them to engage in witty banter while also experiencing significant personal growth. The absence of explicit content ensures a clean romance, yet the palpable chemistry between the main characters maintains a high level of romantic tension. The secondary characters are equally well-developed and serve as valuable additions to the storyline. However, the ending of the novel leaves some questions unanswered. The abrupt resolution of the fake dating arrangement and the swift transition to a happily ever after could have benefited from a more gradual unfolding. An epilogue would have provided a satisfying sense of closure and answered lingering questions about the characters' future. Despite this minor critique, the novel remains a highly enjoyable read that will leave readers yearning for more. This was a solid 3.90 Stars read for me!

This book would have been 4 stars if it weren't for how long it took for all the lies told to be straightened out. The lies start really early on in the story and the main one - Abbey and Ted lying to each other about who they are, lasts until basically the last chapter of the book and that was just frustrating!

Abbey thought she was getting a proposal from her long time boyfriend, Andrew, when instead he tells her he's leaving her for someone else. Then she's fired from her job as an auditor the next day, to make matters worse. Her best friend, Shernette, and her sister, Dee, encourage her to "fake it till she makes it" and buys herself a whole new wardrobe of designer clothes and rents an apartment in a fancy building in New York city that she can only just afford.

Ted has fled San Francisco to his brother's apartment in New York after finding his fiancée and best friend mid-act. He's hiding from the world while he tries to figure out his next step with his business.

Abbey and Ted run into each other in the building and Abbey mistakes Ted for his brother Mike when he drops some mail and he doesn't bother to correct her. But as they get to know each other better and spend more time together they begin falling for the parts of each other that aren't a lie - but neither of them admit to the lie until the very last minute, on the night of Abbey's parents vow renewal that Ted has accompanied her to as Mike, her fake boyfriend to save face in front of her ex.

There were a lot of loose ends that were never tied up - even though Abbey exposed Andrew for being a cheater, he seems to have gotten away with it when really her family and Ted should have torn him a new one as well as his mother who seems just as horrible. Ted's accountant wanted to speak to Abbey about a job where she could work from anywhere - what happened to that? Did Ted even tell her? But the biggest part left untold was Ted finally confronting his business partner and fiancée. There should have at least been some closure around this bit - the biggest thing happening in Ted's life that sent him hiding to New York in the first place, but no! We're just left to wonder.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thanks NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book, but unfortunately this book wasn't for me.

‘Fake It ‘til You Make It’ was an easy read even it became a bit tedious for me after a while.

Abbey and Ted, recently broken up with their respective partners due to cheating, form a fake relationship to keep face in front of Abbey’s family.
They also both lie to one another about who they really are - Abbey pretends to be an actress and Ted pretends he’s his brother Mike, an professional baseball player. This causes all kinds of problems and misunderstandings and drama.

It was a big annoyance to me, since the misudnerstanding trope is definitely not my favourite. Abbey and Ted kept going on like this until the very end. They kept telling themselves that was the day they were going to come clean, and they always changed their mind at the very last minute. It became boring pretty soon.

Both of the characters personalities seems to rely on their breakpups and there wasn't much else to them. The srotyline feels forced, the revelation - which was not brought on by any of the main characters - came from someone else. Segue the shortest epilogue I've ever seen when the characters reconcile expressing their love for one another, but still, the fact that they lied to each other was discussed at all.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book to review.
I needed this book. I have been reading so many thrillers lately that I needed a romance story. I knew what would happen because all fake relationship books end like that, but I still loved it!
I loved Ted, I thought he was an awesome character. And Abbey was so relatable, just trying to find herself and be confident.
Fleur and Andrew made me so mad. I was so glad Abbey was finally able to stand up!
I did feel the ending was a little rushed, I was hoping to see more of their story after being together.
Overall I liked this book a lot and very cute funny romance story.

3-4 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book. It was my first by this author, and while I did love the story premise, I felt it needed more. I needed an epilogue, or a few more chapters at least to see what happened with the couple.

I also really couldn’t get over the use of apostrophes in place of quotations around spoken parts between characters. It really bothered me and almost made me quit. I am glad I stuck it out though, until the end where again, I felt I needed more

Ted and Abbey had both been deceived by their partners and trying to figure out their lives by faking who they really are. As their fake relationship starts as a way for Abbey to confront her ex boyfriend, their interactions improve and the chemistry between them is strong. But can they really face their feeling with all the lies and pretend between them? Funny and sexy but a little slow in the story development

1.5 I love a book with a good trope, so that is the reason I wanted to read this one. However, I felt like everything about this book was very surface level, especially the characters. I didn't find them relatable or appealing. Also, I did not enjoy the fact that the lies in this book lasted for the majority, and then they were almost swept under the rug with a quick finish to the book. I just don't think this book was for me, but to each their own.

This has a whole lot of potential from the blurb but I gotta be honest, it dragged. The only thing keeping me from DNFing it is giving it a chance and that I can move kn to the next book on my list. Maybe I expected more laughs, more chemistry, but it lacked. I was ridden with anxiety when the shoe will drop, when it will crash and when it did, it really did in a cliche way. Don't get me wrong, i love good cliches, but the way I already know it will blow during the wedding and the all the nonsense happened 70% of the book, the slow burn was not slowburning at all. I wish I could say better things apart from, i wish i has friend and sister like abbey has.

Thanks netgally and publisher for ARC.

Thanks to the publisher (via NetGallery) for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun dual POV fake dating, mistaken identity, neighbours, closed door romance. Low spice/steam. Enjoyable… however, I missed some deeper connection between them, and felt there needed to be more banter and relationship development, lacked chemistry, but some likeable elements to the read overall, certainly enough so that I wanted to keep reading. Entertaining.

Super cute book!! I laughed, I cringed, and I almost cried. The trope is totally predictable but if it's your thing, this book will please you. Both of the leading characters were very endearing. I loved reading from both their perspectives and seeing all the obvious assumptions along the way.

The final resolution happened very fast though, in my opinion. It could've been drawn out at least a little longer, add some suspense, even though you know how it'll turn out.

This book is mainly set in New York, with a trip to Canada, but there was phrasing and words in the book that didn't fit the locale. It was weird and because of that it stood out to me.

I would recommend this book. I hope there's a follow-up!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book starts with Abbey thinking her boyfriend is going to propose to find out not only has he been cheating but he is breaking up with her! To make matters worse she loses the job she loves!
After blowing her savings to rent her dream apartment Abbey meets her gorgeous new neighbour ‘Mike’ (who is actually Ted, Mikes younger brother)
Both Abbey and Ted have both been cheated on in their relationships and end up fake dating to make their exs jealous.
To say I feel frustrated with Ted! He just needs to stop with all the lies and tell Abbey who is actually is! I do actually love Ted though, he is so cheeky and loveable!
I have enjoyed every page of this book! I could not put it down! I found my self laughing, crying and wanting to scream in frustration!
I just wanted a bit more from the ending! Like what happened with Ted’s business? Does Abbey find her dream job? Does she get to stay in her apartment or does she move and love with Ted?
This is the first book I have read by Laura Carter and it definitely won’t be my last!

If this book was a song: 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 • 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗰

After six weeks away at work, Abbey is looking forward to reuniting with her boyfriend at their favorite Brooklyn taco joint. Her friend suggests that maybe his urgency means he’s going to propose.

In fact, no.

Not only does he break up with her — he’s in love with someone else, that cheater, but the next morning there’s trouble — the account she was away working on found big problems in the numbers she’s crunched, and long story short, she’s lost her job.

So what’s a red blooded, jilted, unemployed girl to do? Abbey uses her wedding savings to rent her dream apartment, get a makeover…and hope for the best?

Just as she’s about to cross paths with her ex, the cute guy from the penthouse steps in, pretends they’re dating, and helps Abbey save face.

Ted is a tech wizard nursing his own breakup: he walked in on his fiancée and best friend having sex in his office. So he’s fled San Francisco to hole up in his brother’s NYC apartment to figure out his next steps.

Unfortunately, Abbey believes Ted is Mike, his pro baseball playing, playboy living brother, and Ted believes she’s a snooty actress with a shopping problem — fake identities fly!

When Abbey needs a date to her parents’ party to thwart her ex at said party, M̶i̶k̶e̶ T̶e̶d̶ Mike (?!) is the obvious choice.

Sparks fly but with so much dishonesty and half truths, will these two kids be able to find love?

This is a romance with no spice told in first person, alternating chapters. The first person threw me initially as it reads like you’re peering into a diary. Also Abbey seems like she’s on the spectrum initially but is never established as such, which makes the narrative harsh in some places.

Overall, as a kooky, fake dating, fake identity romcom, it works. It’s funny and endearing in turns, and despite it all, you’ll root for your new favorite couple.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC to read and review. Available April 8, 2024.

Abbey and Ted end up single and decide to fake a relationship, and ultimately, they fall for each other in this quick, breezy rom-com.
I thought the characters were overall a bit immature with all things related to life and relationships, but this made for a fun read.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this e-ARC.