Picture this: you're at school, your impulsive friend dares you to ask out your longtime crush in front of everyone. Heart pounding, you do it—only for Kai, the guy who swears off dating, to say yes. But it's all pretend, right? Just one fake date to settle a bet, make friends happy, and prove you're not their playthings. That's how Emma's wild plan kicks off in Faking What's Real, the first book in the Haven Valley High series.
Emma's no stranger to peer pressure, but this bet pushes her limits. Kai, usually aloof and rule-bound, breaks his own no-dating vow for reasons he can't quite explain. Friends up the ante, turning one date into a full-blown fake high school romance lasting until Halloween. They have to sell it—hand-holding in hallways, cozy study sessions, even kisses that linger a bit too long. It's a classic fake dating trope done with fresh, relatable teen angst.
Beyond the butterflies, this story digs into real emotions. Emma questions her impulsiveness; Kai wrestles with vulnerability. Sensory details pull you in: the awkward thrill of their first staged hug, the electric tension during a group hangout, the quiet moments where pretenses slip. Laughs come from friend meddling, secrets add suspense, and temptations build steam without going overboard—perfect for sweet contemporary romance fans.
Grab your Kindle for late-night reads under the covers, beach days craving light romance, or gifting to a teen navigating crushes. It's that book where you laugh at the schemes, sigh at the sparks, and cheer as fake turns real. If you've loved enemies-to-lovers or slow-burn YA, this fake relationship romance delivers the swoons with authentic high school vibes. Join Emma and Kai—your next book boyfriend (or girlfriend crush) awaits in Haven Valley High.
