About THE FINE ART OF PRETENDING:
According to the guys
at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with,
and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second
type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises
a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the
perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most
notorious player.
With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.
But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.
With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.
But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.
Review:
"The cute and funny girl who's just friends with all the popular guys is gone."
"The cute and funny girl who's just friends with all the popular guys is gone."
What can I say about The Fine Art of Pretending? Oh, just that it's the
single, most cutest story ever. To say I've been waiting to read this
would be a HUGE understatement. I remember when I first realized the
book wouldn't be coming out for months. MONTHS! I was crushed. Then I
started stalking...no that word's too scary...um, I started following
all of Rachel's pages just to see when the ARCs would be going out. I
even emailed her publisher. That's how much I wanted it.
Alas, I finally got my greedy little hands on a copy and the rest is history. As soon as I dove into the book? Oh, I just knew I was going to love it. Aly is the type of character I love to read about. The only fault I would say I had a bit of a problem with, was her need to change herself so that boys could like her. That's basically the whole gist of the story.
"Basically, we sorted the girls in our class into two groups: the Casuals and the Commitments."
Can you take a wild guess which one Alyssa is?
Alas, I finally got my greedy little hands on a copy and the rest is history. As soon as I dove into the book? Oh, I just knew I was going to love it. Aly is the type of character I love to read about. The only fault I would say I had a bit of a problem with, was her need to change herself so that boys could like her. That's basically the whole gist of the story.
"Basically, we sorted the girls in our class into two groups: the Casuals and the Commitments."
Can you take a wild guess which one Alyssa is?
She starts what's called "Operation Sex Appeal" and it definitely gets her noticed by all the people she wants to notice her. Particularly, Justin, one of the hottest guys at her school, not to mention a big playboy. She just knows that once she is able to get him to ask her to homecoming, she'll be seen as more than just the girl that wants more in a relationship.
"If I want to get out of the perpetual friend zone and experience how the other half lives, I'm going to need a total life overhaul."
Other than Aly's insecurities, I really enjoyed her character. After all, we were all teenagers once (or still one) and we tended to act dramatic in that way as well. At least I did. I believe in the end Aly learned her lesson about one's self worth. This goes for girl's of all ages too. You DO NOT need a man for approval. The only approval you need is the one buried deep inside yourself. Confidence is key and there is nothing more beautiful than a girl who sees herself as beautiful. Easier said than done right?
"If I want the male species to finally find me dateable, I have to do something drastic."
That's the message I took from reading TFAoP. Along with that message, I had loads of fun on this journey with both Brandon and Aly. I loved the tension between the two and I adore the fact that they're best friends. Best friend stories won't ever grow old in my book.
"I've spent years watching the two of you pretend you weren't hot for each other. So go for it already." -Gabi, a best friend of Aly.
"If I want to get out of the perpetual friend zone and experience how the other half lives, I'm going to need a total life overhaul."
Other than Aly's insecurities, I really enjoyed her character. After all, we were all teenagers once (or still one) and we tended to act dramatic in that way as well. At least I did. I believe in the end Aly learned her lesson about one's self worth. This goes for girl's of all ages too. You DO NOT need a man for approval. The only approval you need is the one buried deep inside yourself. Confidence is key and there is nothing more beautiful than a girl who sees herself as beautiful. Easier said than done right?
"If I want the male species to finally find me dateable, I have to do something drastic."
That's the message I took from reading TFAoP. Along with that message, I had loads of fun on this journey with both Brandon and Aly. I loved the tension between the two and I adore the fact that they're best friends. Best friend stories won't ever grow old in my book.
"I've spent years watching the two of you pretend you weren't hot for each other. So go for it already." -Gabi, a best friend of Aly.
Enter Brandon, the best friend.He's one of the guy's Aly confessed her love to once upon a time...only to be told that they're better off as friends. Ouch. But Aly was a team player and instead, both her and Brandon were able to remain close. Even if it wasn't the way she wanted it to be. He's also the candidate to be her boyfriend; all pretend of course! Can the two make it as pretend? And what exactly is the definition of pretend anyway? Are two friend of the opposite sex really able to remain friends without feelings getting in the way? Or more importantly, pretending to be more when deep down inside that's all you really want?
"Guys and girls can't be friends. The sex part always gets in the way."
"Guys and girls can't be friends. The sex part always gets in the way."
The romance was adorable and I enjoyed being able to see two lovestruck teenagers fall in love without really realizing they were doing so. Then when they did realize it, they pretty much just put it on the back burner. Communication people! That's all it takes is for you to open your mouth. It would be so much more easier.
"I learned what love really does-it leads to misery. Friendships last. Relationships end."
Honorable mentions would pretty much be all the secondary characters. One in particular surprised me very much and I found myself rooting for him. I'm hoping he is the one who gets his own book!!
"I learned what love really does-it leads to misery. Friendships last. Relationships end."
Honorable mentions would pretty much be all the secondary characters. One in particular surprised me very much and I found myself rooting for him. I'm hoping he is the one who gets his own book!!
If you're looking for a light hearted story thats full of love and a great message, this is the book for you. It's romantic and has you falling in love all over the place!
"I'm just no good without you, Aly."
"I'm just no good without you, Aly."
Buy at
Barnes & Noble | Books-a-million | Amazon | Amazon UK | IndieBound
Award-winning and Bestselling
author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door
and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong
relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing.
An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.
An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.
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