Lynn Stevens

I had really high hopes for this one, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. It was still good, but it definitely wasn't a favorite. Books with the concept of fake dating has always fascinated me, so I was really excited for this book. I love seeing the characters in the fake relationship slowly starting to fall for each other, so I loved that aspect.

My main issue with the book was the characters. Rachel was extremely obnoxious in the beginning. Her self-obsessed attitude was a bit frustrating at times, so much so that I considered giving the book up. Adam was a bit toxic despite the relationship being fake, so for a while I was also annoyed with him. He was extremely controlling and the jealous behavior he exhibited was extremely irritating.

However, the character development was pretty decent. By the end of the book, both Rachel and Adam had calmed down and were more tolerable. Adam wasn't nearly as controlling as he was, and Rachel wasn't a self-absorbed.

Overall, if you like fake relationships, you might like this book - if you can ignore the conceited attitudes. The characters did eventually become more bearable, but I personally did find it hard to get to that point. The story itself is unique and interesting and well-written.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Expresso Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Trigger Warnings: [SPOILER] This book contains mentions of death and statutory rape.… (meer)

First off, I don’t think I am the right audience for this book. It is more a book for girls in high school and I am a bit beyond that. I finished the book but I can’t really say I enjoyed it. The main character, Carly, is a spoiled brat who knows more than all the adults. There is also some very unrealistic plot points. (An inexperienced 18 year old becomes the handler for a former teen superstar while he has a gig at her father's theater. I am not a music industry person but it seems to me that performers who need a personal handler travel with some who knows them,and don’t allow a venue to just pick one of their employees.) However, I did try to read this through a teenager eyes and the story was good for that. It just isn’t a book for an adult. (I am upping my rating to a 3 because that is what I think it would be for a teen. Not bad, not great, just an average teenage love story.)… (meer)