Title: The Truth About Faking
Author: Leigh T. Moore
Publication date: September 1, 2012
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Challenges: Debut, Contemporary, SARC
Source: Author
Format: Egalley
Format: Egalley
Pages: 328
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?
The Truth about Faking was a cute contemporary. Initially I wasn't the best fan of the main protagonist, Harley, especially with her mind set on Trent. Also, Jason was a bit needy and I didn't like how he wasn't playing it cool with the fake dating. Over time, Harley was more bearable but Jason just got better for me. He finally put his foot down and decided he didn't want to get played, which is when Harley finally sees the good thing in front of her. Towards the end, it definitely got more interesting plot wise.
Plot wise, I really enjoyed how Leigh portrayed Harley's family life as a normal one with loving parents. We don't usually get that with parents from YA novels. The book mentions once or twice the way her parents look at each other and how much they love each other. These moments were the most memorable for me. Also, Harley's father is a Reverend and her mother is a therapist, so it was great to see how different people ended up together. However Harley's relationship with her mother is strained but it isn't due to childish things and it is explored in this book.
At the beginning, this novel felt a bit cliched, however the ending was just so out there. I found it to be a bit bizarre but satisfying. Of course the people who should end up together do end up together but it is how they reached there in the end. Leigh wrote a wonderful novel, while I struggled a bit at the beginning, it was a very enjoyable novel overall. I recommend it to contemporary fans, especially fans of Jennifer Echols' The Boys Next Door.
I'm a huge contemporary fan so I think I would proabably enjoy this despite the sluggish start that you mentioned. I love this line of your review "Of course the people who should end up together do end up together but it is how they reached there in the end." I think that's what normally makes a great read for me too! Another brilliant review Juhina! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this review! I recently got this book to read and I love a good contemp. I think I would enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteHow out there are we talking on this ending? That has me super curious. I love when a book plays around with cliches and has me thinking I've got everything figured out and then BAM hits me with a twist or an ending that leaves me completely surprised:)
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite good reviews for this book so I think I might like to give it a go one day. Great review!
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like kind of a convoluted plot, hah. I really enjoy lighthearted contemporaries now and then, though, so I'll have to put this one on my list! Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my book, Juhina! So glad you liked it. Best to you~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy when parents are actually present in books. It just doesn't happen enough. It sounds like an interesting story though!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a cute fun read. I can imagine Jason is a great guy for Harley so it does drive me nuts when the girl continues to want the guy that is all wrong for her instead of the great thing in front of her. I like happy endings so I'm all good with the right people ending up together.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a lot better than I had expected from the cover and blurb. It sounds like a pretty good contemp. When I'm looking for a break from darker reads I'll keep it in mind :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sound of the parents! I doesn't happen so often that you can see a real happy family. I'm not really sure if this book is something for me, but your review makes it sound better than the blurb :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm...your review has me intrigued, especially the part about the ending. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI have heard nothing but good things about this one, so I am really looking forward to it! My copy has been just sitting there, but after your review I finally go the push I needed to start! Plus, I LOVE Jennifer Echols so I am super excited! Glad you enjoyed this! Brilliant review!
ReplyDelete~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair