This was really cute, so I wish it hadn’t been so… boring. It’s way too long, all of their feelings are way too internalized, and the dating gimmick was way too drawn out. I liked both characters and I liked their connection, I just wish there had been a stronger emphasis on that. It’s sort of like the whole book is devoted to the crush two coworkers have on each other, rather than having any sort of forward momentum. The story’s got tons of potential, and ultimately it just felt wasted. It’s still got some adorable moments, so if you’re looking for something cute and clean, then this might work better for you.
The story follows Everly, a woman who works at a radio station. After a bad breakup, she vents to a coworker without realizing that she’s on the air, and soon finds herself the focus of many listeners’ interest. Her boss, Chris, decides to capitalize on that – for a variety of reasons. Not only is finding Everly a guy via the radio station great for ratings, but it also means that maybe he can finally put his inappropriate crush behind him. Because there’s no way Chris can admit his feelings for Everly when he knows he’ll be leaving soon. The only problem? Spending more time together makes those feelings even stronger.
This has all the elements of a romance that I should’ve loved – likable characters, genuine feelings, a slow burn that focuses on the emotional, and an interesting concept. It just didn’t work out that way for me, unfortunately. I feel like these two characters never got to know each other well AT ALL, because everything is so internalized. Their big fight just proves that. There’s also a lot of time devoted to the dating show, and the romance is an afterthought. I did love the focus on Everly’s anxiety and appreciate how authentic that felt – that’s really the winner here. All in all, this didn’t live up to its potential and really dragged for me. I received an early copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this clean romance.
Blurb:
What happens when your love life becomes the talk of the town?
As birthdays go, this year’s for radio producer Everly Dean hit rock-bottom.
Worse than the “tonsillectomy birthday.” Worse than the birthday her parents decided to split (the first time). But catching your boyfriend cheating on you with his assistant?
Even clichés sting.
But this is Everly’s year! She won’t let her anxiety hold her back. She’ll pitch her podcast idea to her boss.
There’s just one problem.
Her boss, Chris, is very cute. (Of course). Also, he’s extremely distant (which means he hates her, right? Or is that the anxiety talking)?
And, Stacey the DJ didn’t mute the mic during Everly’s rant about Simon the Snake (syn: Cheating Ex).
That’s three problems.
Suddenly, people are lining up to date her, Bachelorette-style, fans are voting (Reminder: never leave house again), and her interest in Chris might be a two-way street. It’s a lot for a woman who could gold medal in people-avoidance. She’s going to have to fake it ‘till she makes it to get through all of this.
Perhaps she’ll make a list: The Ten Rules for Faking It.
Because sometimes making the rules can find you happiness when you least expect it.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WOnNa6
About the Author:
SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast who loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She writes around her day job as a teacher and spends her spare time with her sweet family watching reruns of Friends. TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT is her romcom debut novel, but she’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.
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