The Fine Art of Pretending
Author: Rachel Harris
Series: The Fine Art of Pretending, #1
Genre: YA, Romance
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Publication Date: September 30th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 225
Source: Ink Slinger PR
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks
Kobo | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★
According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.
With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.
But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want. (Goodreads)
With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.
But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want. (Goodreads)
Opening Lines
I was extremely excited to read The Fine Art of Pretending. Why? Because I could really relate to Aly. Having been a tomboy myself I had a "phase" where I got my friends to help me out with a makeover to make myself more girly. Although mine wasn't as nearly as extreme as Aly's I knew and felt like I could really relate to how she was feeling throughout the book.
The Fine Art of Pretending is told from duel point of view from Aly and Brandon. I think this was a smart choice since it allows readers to see everything from both perspectives. As much as I liked Aly I really found myself enjoying the chapters from Brandon's point of view instead.
I did really liked the storyline but found it dragged on for a bit too long. I just kept screaming "hurry up and date already!!" at my book. Brandon and Aly had some serious chemistry and I can't believe it took them so long to finally see it!
The only thing that I wasn't a huge fan of was how slightly predictable I found this story. About 3/4 chapters in I guessed how this was going to all play out and end and I was right! As much as I knew and wanted a HEA I wanted there to be more of a non-predictable challenge.
The only thing that I wasn't a huge fan of was how slightly predictable I found this story. About 3/4 chapters in I guessed how this was going to all play out and end and I was right! As much as I knew and wanted a HEA I wanted there to be more of a non-predictable challenge.
Overall, The Fine Art of Pretending was a cute read! I almost wish this came out in the summer instead because this is the PERFECT summer read. At now I know what will be keeping me company at the beach next summer!
Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing.
An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.
Excerpt
Aly grins and kicks her foot again. A mosquito crawls across my bicep. I brush it off, and my fingers graze her smooth arm. Without thinking, I skate my fingers down to her wrist and lift her hand, noticing how tiny it is inside my own. How soft it feels against my rough skin.
I look up into her wide eyes.
Aly exhales a shaky breath. She glances at our joined hands and slowly slips hers away. “I-It’s late,” she whispers. “I better go inside.”
That’s what she says, but she doesn’t move. She stays lying next to me, temptation snapping between us, and I’m glad. I don’t want her to move. I want a replay of the other night. My heart pounds so loud I know she hears it. We’re so close I feel her quickened breaths on my face, and I’m seconds away from taking her.
She places her hand on my chest…and pushes to her feet.
Big blue eyes gaze down at me. Aly worries her lip between her teeth, and everything in me clenches, wanting to mimic that very gesture. The sound of the crickets grows louder in the heavy silence until she finally says, “Goodnight, Brandon.”
Her voice is soft, unsure, and if I tried, I know I could convince her to stay. But that would be wrong. Our friendship is too important. “Night.”
Aly’s gaze lowers to my mouth and the skin burns, feeling her phantom lips on mine. She steps back, turns, and walks back to the house.
The back door closes with a decided click, and I throw myself against the hammock, the force of it rocking me back and forth.
What in the hell are we doing?
I look at the endless sky, fighting the urge to run after her. I search for constellations, one of the few things Dad taught me before he got sick, but I’m not thinking about astronomy. As my eyes trace the lines of the Big Dipper, I imagine I’m tracing the lines of Aly’s body. I replay the last few moments she was out here with me and fill in the gaps of what could have happened had she stayed.
I look up into her wide eyes.
Aly exhales a shaky breath. She glances at our joined hands and slowly slips hers away. “I-It’s late,” she whispers. “I better go inside.”
That’s what she says, but she doesn’t move. She stays lying next to me, temptation snapping between us, and I’m glad. I don’t want her to move. I want a replay of the other night. My heart pounds so loud I know she hears it. We’re so close I feel her quickened breaths on my face, and I’m seconds away from taking her.
She places her hand on my chest…and pushes to her feet.
Big blue eyes gaze down at me. Aly worries her lip between her teeth, and everything in me clenches, wanting to mimic that very gesture. The sound of the crickets grows louder in the heavy silence until she finally says, “Goodnight, Brandon.”
Her voice is soft, unsure, and if I tried, I know I could convince her to stay. But that would be wrong. Our friendship is too important. “Night.”
Aly’s gaze lowers to my mouth and the skin burns, feeling her phantom lips on mine. She steps back, turns, and walks back to the house.
The back door closes with a decided click, and I throw myself against the hammock, the force of it rocking me back and forth.
What in the hell are we doing?
I look at the endless sky, fighting the urge to run after her. I search for constellations, one of the few things Dad taught me before he got sick, but I’m not thinking about astronomy. As my eyes trace the lines of the Big Dipper, I imagine I’m tracing the lines of Aly’s body. I replay the last few moments she was out here with me and fill in the gaps of what could have happened had she stayed.
Giveaway!
About the Author
Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing.
An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.
This one's on my tbr! Those opening lines are gold haha. Having been through a tomboy phase myself (though really I'm right at the inbetween line heh), I could probably relate to this book too. I do love the friends-to-lovers books even if it does take them a while to realize and get there. Glad you enjoyed it and wonderful review, Patty! :D
ReplyDeleteLoved this book so much too and I said almost the exact same thing about yelling at my book for them to get together already haha!! And I totally agree with you about the duel POV, I think it really helped to understand where they were both coming from (and yes being in Brandon's head was my fav too) Lovely review :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of two characters who don't get along and then fall in love, but i do love a really good fluffy read and lots of drama. Thanks for the giveaway, Patty :)
ReplyDelete