Title: Faking It
Series: UnReal #1
Author: J.D. Hollyfield
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Fake it till you make it.
That’s Lexi Hall, the wild socialite’s motto for how to live life.
Single and allergic to commitment, Lexi is having the time of her life. Or is she? With a new promotion at the art gallery, and her colorful lifestyle as bright as ever, she swears she has no interest in slowing down. When Lexi receives a phone call that can change her career, she pounces on the opportunity. But what this outgoing diva doesn’t plan for is her new client, the closed off, secluded artist, Hunter James. Fighting to draw the line between work and pleasure, it’s up to Lexi to figure out how to balance her fake life for something real.
Hunter James is an artist without a muse. Lacking the beauty in his life that he craves, his art is beginning to suffer. Unfortunately for the mysterious artist, a past mistake also tarnishes his trust in women. Forced to take a meeting with an art gallery dealer, he accepts knowing he’ll turn her down. He turns them all down. But what he doesn’t anticipate is for the seductive bombshell to turn his world upside down. As his body and mind come alive, he vows to stop at nothing to have her on his canvas and in his bed.
As Lexi’s life begins to brighten with the promise of something beautiful, can she stop faking it and find a reason to make it real? Or will Hunter’s past replace their light with darkness?
This was another amazing installment from one of my go-to authors. I simply cannot get enough of J.D. Hollyfield's brand of snark and humor. Her sassy, clever women get me every time, and her men are sexy on a whole other level.
Lexi Hall was, on her own, a very relatable character. I could see pieces of women I know all too well in her, and maybe even a little bit of myself in her fake happy exterior. What I loved about her was that despite her self-admission that she was just faking her way through, it never truly shattered her confidence or her self-worth. She wasn't demeaning herself so much as taking advantage of the choices she felt faced with.
Hunter was a little difficult to love. He was definitely overbearing, mostly an ass, then suddenly he's smitten and causing swoons left and right. One thing that was never in question, however, was that his dark brooding self is sexy as hell. The way he paints her, and lusts for her from across the room. The way he wants to win her, woo her, love her. Ahhh, the feels!
Getting a little glance into the life of a past favorite character was a treat. Chrissy's story in My So Called Life hit me hard in the aww department, with her niece and her second chance romance. Knowing they're doing just fine and still oh, so much in love was good to my soul.
My absolute favorite character in this book though, was New Leaf. She was a bossy, domineering, snarky bitch, determined to get the job done and to steer Lexi on the straight and narrow path. Bravo New Leaf, bravo.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I want to mention that overall this should have been a 5 star. It was a great read, and everything I love about these books. However, the drama/twist at the end was just not a trope I am a fan of. In fact, it was one I specifically dislike. So, take my rating with a grain of salt, and know that what isn't for me can easily be another reader’s catnip. It was, for what it's worth, not enough to make me dislike the book, and overall, I genuinely loved it.
~ Review by George
Faking It was witty, humorous and, more than anything, extremely easy to relate to. The heroine, Lexi Hall, fakes it ‘til she makes it. We have all done that at one point in our lives. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I still do. Whether it's faking something small, acting happy to go to a social event when we really don't want to, or something deeper, hiding your emotional stability, stretching the truth is part of life. Lexi has the science down, until she meets the brooding artist, Hunter James. When these two meet, their worlds are changed for the better.
Lexi acts confident and cocky, she gives off a 'whatever' attitude but deep down she is lonely. When Hunter walks into her life, her walls start to dissolve and we see the real Lexi. Hunter is the same, brooding and grumpy—with a little help from Lexi, we get to see the kind and compassionate person that Hunter really is. Together, they are beautiful, heart-warming and extremely funny.
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did but I couldn't be happier with the results.
~ Review by Kelly
J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, son and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.
Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her Debut Novel. J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions to the Love not Included series, along with her charm, humor and HEA's.
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