Picture this: you're Emma, caught in your best friend's wild bet to ask out Kai—the brooding guy at Haven Valley High who never dates—in front of the entire lunch crowd. Humiliation looms large, but Kai shocks everyone by saying yes. It's just one fake date to win the wager, right? Wrong. Their friends up the ante, turning it into a full-blown fake relationship that lasts until Halloween.
High school already feels like a pressure cooker of expectations, gossip, and unspoken crushes. Emma's used to being the butt of jokes, while Kai's sworn off dating after past heartaches. This setup lets them flip the script: act coupled-up, shut down the doubters, and reclaim control. But pulling off the charade means holding hands in hallways, sharing inside jokes at parties, and yes, those convincing kisses that linger a beat too long.
Author's knack for real teen voices shines through—awkward moments feel authentic, like fumbling for words during a study session that turns flirty. Sensory details pull you in: the nervous flutter in your stomach matching Emma's as Kai's hand brushes hers, or the electric buzz of a crowded football game where they steal a moment under the bleachers.
Beyond the classic 'fake it till you make it' trope, Faking What's Real explores how vulnerability sneaks in when you're trying to stay guarded. Kai questions his no-dating rule as Emma's warmth chips away at his walls. Laugh-out-loud banter balances steamy tension, with secrets unraveling just enough to keep pages turning. It's sweet contemporary YA—no cliffhangers, just satisfying closure with room for more in the Haven Valley High series.
Grab this for a cozy afternoon curled up with hot cocoa, losing yourself in high school drama that's equal parts relatable and aspirational. It's that book you press into a friend's hands saying, 'You need this after your breakup.' Or gift it to a teen navigating their own crush chaos—they'll devour the mix of humor, heart, and those inevitable 'oh no, feelings are real' twists. Each standalone story in the series builds on friendships that feel lived-in, making you root for the whole crew. By the end, you're smiling, maybe even rethinking your own 'never date' lists.
