The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris

Title: The Fine Art of Pretending

Author: Rachel Harris
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release: September 30, 2014
Review: 4.5 Stars

Synopsis:

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.

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Review:

First Impressions

I've wanted to read all of Rachel's books for a long time now. The Fine Art of Pretending did not disappoint! The book was super fun. I was immediately sucked in to the story. I haven't read a lot of contemporary recently, but I've read a couple really good ones in the last couple weeks! If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy, this is definitely it!

Characters

Although the main characters are Aly and Brandon, I am in love with Justin. Aly is very fun, and it's cool to see a sporty yet nerdy main character. Brandon is tad to guy-ish for me, what with the pick-up truck and stuff, but I like him nonetheless. That said, Justin is so sweet. Right off the bat, Justin has been labeled as mean and a no-good person. As soon as I got to see more of Justin's character, I started to fall in love. I seriously like him and want to give him a big, fat hug. He just seems so sad. If you're also a Justin-lover, please let me know!

Writing

The writing in the book was okay. At times, it wasn't always the best quality, but it was fun.

Plot

I kinda wanted to stab the plot, simply because the characters just. Kept. Missing. The. Point. They kept not realizing that the other person actually liked the other, and thought that it would 'ruin their friendship'. Denying their love for each other was actually what was destroying it!

World-Building

I couldn't really see much of the world-building. Also, what school spends a week at a summer camp the week before school starts?!?! The world wasn't fully believable, but I'll roll with it.

Author Bio:

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.

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