The Fake Out

Thank you so much for the ARC.

5/5
This is the first book of over 50 that i read this year, that i'm giving full marks. loved it. I was laughing, crying, giggling and smiling throughout the whole book.

I love enemies to lovers AND fake dating tropes and combined they make absolutely explosive mixture I adore. Something about the person seeing you absolutely at your worst and still agreeing to be your fake partner and PROTECTING you and being by your side no matter what is my favourite.

Hazel and Rory. Not only they knew one another from high school, they spent a lot of time together as Hazel used to tutor Rory as well for 2 years. They aren't strangers who are thrown together because their best friends/family members are getting married, like so many romance authors make of their nain couple. They have a common past instead something to link them, a foundation to their relationship. They don't start from scratch even if it seems that way - they continue moving forward, as a team this time around. And that's what I love about this series, the main couple knows each other from before and it makes the relationship more realistic and believeable.

Hazel and Rory used to know one another from high school, when Hazel would tutor Rory for a few years while she tried to get ahead to go to collegge with her then boyfriend, Connor. Rory has had a crush on Hazel for years, waiting for her, and when they finally reunite years later - Rory doesn't seek out other women anymore. For him, it's always been Hazel.
Hazel on the other hand HATES Rory. She has preconceived notions about him that she sticks to and is genuinely surprised when he doesn't act like she expects him to. On the surface, he's quite similar to her ex boyfriend, but when she gets to know him better, she realized that they couldn't be more different. Rory cares. Rory tries. He's got a baggage of his own but he's trying to get rid of it and Hazel helps. And she soon learns that there's the other side to Rory she's never knew, one she secretly adores. And when she does, she doesn't want to run anymore.

I loved the themes in the book, self-love and body issues and how evrrybody is worth love no matter what. And how what people tell you can cut you deeply and you carry it with you for years, but you can learn to heal.

I LOVED the book so much. It was better than the first one and Behind the Net was already my favourite book I've read this year - and The Fake Out kicked it's arse. The plot and spice were so much better for me and I loved every single chapter and every single word. Rory and Hazel's relationship, their progress and character development were beautiful. I LOVED that Rory called Hazel his “fire-breathing dragon” and got her a figurine (and for him to match!). The lingerie, sexting, flirting, everything was cheff's kiss. When he called her “mine” and defended her from her ex, I swooned and melted. The spice was so good I could barely breathe, each spice scene was so hot!!!!!

One of the most memorbale scenes for me was Hazel meeting Rick and letting him know he screwed up. I loved how protective she was of him, and she was not afraid to confront his father, just to let Rory know he was loved.

I love a rich guy obsessed, and boy, did this book deliver. I LOVED it. It's definitely my favourite book of the year and I plan to reread it soon!

Also, can I just say (spoiler alert), the engagement scene was so cute andI LOVED that Hazel knew about it brcause she found the ring!! I think it's the first time I've ever read that the girl knew it was coming and wasn't surprised at all. I ADORED it.

And I love that, while they strted this whole charade to get back at Connor and to improve Rory's reputation as the captain, it soon stopped matter altogether. Hazel was happy to be with Rory regardless of if anyone saw them, and Rory wished it was real and not pretend. And I am so thankful that there wasn't a third-act breakup. I hate them, and so to see that my favourite couple gets to be happy and together without an unnecessary drama was a relief. I LOVED that they could be happy and in love and HE WAS WAITING FOR HER TO TO SAY IT BACK WITHOUT RUSHING HER OR PUSHING HER I AM COMPLETLEY IN LOVE IN THE BOOK AND WRITING AND THE STORY, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY TED TALK