The Truth About Faking
Release Date: 09/01/12
Paperback/e-book
328 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
Jason just wants a date with Harley.
Harley just wants a date with Trent.
Trent's still getting over Stephanie.
When Harley and Jason decide to fake date, they uncover a school of deceptions. Trent's got a secret, but so does Jason. And the more time Harley spends secretly kissing her fake boyfriend, the further she gets from her dreams with Trent.
Worst of all, Harley's mom is getting cozy with her hot massage therapy student, and even Harley's Reverend Dad can't fake not being bothered by it. But when the masks finally come off, can everyone handle the real truth?
Harley just wants a date with Trent.
Trent's still getting over Stephanie.
When Harley and Jason decide to fake date, they uncover a school of deceptions. Trent's got a secret, but so does Jason. And the more time Harley spends secretly kissing her fake boyfriend, the further she gets from her dreams with Trent.
Worst of all, Harley's mom is getting cozy with her hot massage therapy student, and even Harley's Reverend Dad can't fake not being bothered by it. But when the masks finally come off, can everyone handle the real truth?
***Copy provided by author for review***
Harley is your typical boy-crazed girl. She has had a crush on Trent for the past year, and now that his ex dumped him, Harley can put her operation: get Trent to ask her to the Luau plan into motion. On her way back from buying a dress to impress Trent, she is suddenly rear-ended. The guy who rear ends her turns out to be Jason, who happens to be the new guy in town. He tries to flirt a little with Harley, but she is so distracted by her plan to pay much attention to him. Except for the fact that Jason is cute, she does notice that. The next day in school, Harley is wearing her perfect dress, has her hair the way Trent likes it and is ready to put her operation in motion. Just when she is convinced that Trent is about to ask her out, Jason comes out of nowhere and beats him to it. Furious that Jason messed up her plan, Harley confesses her plan to Jason. She comes up with the crazy idea to pretend to date Jason to see how Trent will react, and maybe get him a little jealous. Jason agrees because he actually likes Harley.
Harley’s new plan doesn’t seem to be working as well as she had hoped, but at least she is getting to spend time with Jason. Things between Harley and Jason are easy and fun and soon Harley is starting to get a little distracted by Jason. Maybe it’s time to change plans? Or maybe it’s time she dumps Jason, even though they aren’t really dating. The more time she spends with Jason she realizes that she likes him, but is she ready to give up on Trent? Maybe it doesn’t even matter because she might have pushed Jason away too far one time too many. I LOVED the relationship between Harley and Jason! And Jason? Sigh….he was just…perfection! I usually go for the jerkish guys because the really nice ones sometimes bore me, but there was nothing boring about Jason. He was nice, sweet, funny and romantic! I also really liked Harley, although she annoyed me sometimes when she was a little mean to Jason, she was still a good person. I loved the fact that although she was the daughter of a preacher, she wasn’t the wild child or the super conservative girl. She was just…Harley.
Meanwhile, while Harley is trying to make sense of her feelings towards Jason and Trent, her mom has been spending a way too much time with her hot student. Harley catches them in suspicious encounters more than once and soon the town starts spreading rumors about her mother having an affair with her student. This could possibly have a huge impact on Harley because her father might have to step down as preacher and they might have to move somewhere else. But of course, Jason is there to help Harley as she goes through with this.
The Truth About Faking has everything I love about contemporary stories (and Indies!) Plus, Jolene Perry gave recommends this book so I knew I had to read it. Not only does Jolene write great books, she also recommends great books. When it was over, I wasn't ready to say goodbye and I wanted more of this love story. Leigh Talbert Moore (who is one of the nicest people ever!) wrote a sweet romance story with a touch of humor and sprinkled with a nice message. Sometimes the only way to find your true self is when you pretend to be something you’re not.
4.5 out of 5 sparkly stars!
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from The Truth About Faking:
-"What's the problem?"
"Well, what if dating you's fun? I mean, you might not be so bad to go out with."
"You're joking, right? I'm great to go out with, but more importantly, we are not dating. It's all fake."
"But what if you change your mind? I mean, I've heard I'm pretty great to go out with, too."
-"But if we're going out, I don't think he'll tell me that he likes you. I mean, you're my girl. At least that's what he thinks."
I never thought hearing those words from someone besides Trent would make me happy, but when Jason says "my girl," a tingly little pulse moves through my chest. It makes me want to smile, but instead I frown and shake my head. What's wrong with me? This is all fake. I'm falling for my own scheme.
-"Harley," Jason starts. His voice is gentle, and it's the first time he'd used my name in days. My stomach tightens.
"Yeah?" I brace myself. I'm afraid he might suggest we start dating for real, and I'm not ready to have that conversation with him.
I like our growing friendship, but Trent is Mr. Right.
-"Wow. Is that a compliment?"
"No, I mean...I think you look..." He's suddenly embarrassed. "C'mon, Harley, you know how you look."
In my mind, I'm still braces and legs to my armpits, but I can tell from Jason's expression that's not what he sees.
-"Better?" Jason whispers in my ear.
Tingles race down my back. I jump forward and start grabbing my books. "Thanks. You don't have to do that."
"I don't mind. If it helps you feel better." He's standing too close to me, and his warm hands are still on my shoulders, making my heart beat faster. I'm trying to convince myself it's anger, but I've never felt this angry.
-"What's the problem?"
"Well, what if dating you's fun? I mean, you might not be so bad to go out with."
"You're joking, right? I'm great to go out with, but more importantly, we are not dating. It's all fake."
"But what if you change your mind? I mean, I've heard I'm pretty great to go out with, too."
-"But if we're going out, I don't think he'll tell me that he likes you. I mean, you're my girl. At least that's what he thinks."
I never thought hearing those words from someone besides Trent would make me happy, but when Jason says "my girl," a tingly little pulse moves through my chest. It makes me want to smile, but instead I frown and shake my head. What's wrong with me? This is all fake. I'm falling for my own scheme.
-"Harley," Jason starts. His voice is gentle, and it's the first time he'd used my name in days. My stomach tightens.
"Yeah?" I brace myself. I'm afraid he might suggest we start dating for real, and I'm not ready to have that conversation with him.
I like our growing friendship, but Trent is Mr. Right.
-"Wow. Is that a compliment?"
"No, I mean...I think you look..." He's suddenly embarrassed. "C'mon, Harley, you know how you look."
In my mind, I'm still braces and legs to my armpits, but I can tell from Jason's expression that's not what he sees.
-"Better?" Jason whispers in my ear.
Tingles race down my back. I jump forward and start grabbing my books. "Thanks. You don't have to do that."
"I don't mind. If it helps you feel better." He's standing too close to me, and his warm hands are still on my shoulders, making my heart beat faster. I'm trying to convince myself it's anger, but I've never felt this angry.
About the Author
Wife and mom by day, writer by day, editor by day, reader when time permits, chocoholic, lover of contemporary romance, lover of YA, lover of great books, beach bum, occasionally I sleep.
"The Truth about Faking" is my debut young adult romance. It's just a light, happy book with a hot guy and a little message tucked inside. My first adult romance "Rouge" will be published in December 2012 by Pocket Books. It's neither light nor happy. Sorry. (But it does have a hot guy!)
"The Truth about Faking" is my debut young adult romance. It's just a light, happy book with a hot guy and a little message tucked inside. My first adult romance "Rouge" will be published in December 2012 by Pocket Books. It's neither light nor happy. Sorry. (But it does have a hot guy!)
http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/
***GIVEAWAY***
Leigh is offering a signed paperback copy of The Truth About Faking (US) or e-book (International). Enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you guys so much for the great review! Good luck to everyone in the drawing, and I hope you like my book! Happy reading, :o) <3
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