Saving Face

by T.J. Dell

Alyssa is all set for the perfect senior year. She's head cheerleader, she's dating the captain of the football team, and every girl in school wishes they were her. That is until she catches her boyfriend with another girl-- in front of the whole school.

Convincing her best friend Brent to play her new boyfriend seems like the perfect solution. Except, is saving her reputation worth jeopardizing the perfect friendship?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, High School, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2011

Reviews

[anuschka.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leichte Lektüre mit einer süßen aber auch oberflächlichen Liebesgeschichte für Zwischendurch.

[Jhoanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good.
The story was just lovely.
Brent and Alyssa are good together.

Alyssa was so dense to figure it out although the chase And waiting was cute.

The novel was so good, young and sweet.

Read it. You'll love it.

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great YA novel that got me from the first page. The characters just came to life in front of me. I look forward to reading T.J Dell's next books.

[Aj de Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it when friends became lover..

[Ela's Welt der Bücher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine kurzweilige aber süße Geschichte, die mich gut unterhalten hat. Mochte die Protagonisten eigentlich doch Alyssa hat mich manchmal echt ein bisschen genervt. Brent hingegen mochte ich echt gerne und es wäre cool gewesen auch seine Sichtweise zu lesen.
4 Sterne

[––––•(-•The Insomniac Book Hoarder•- · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alyssa Maddow and Brent Carter are great together. They're the best of friends, the relationship strictly and comfortably platonic. That was until Alyssa caught her boyfriend kissing some other girl and ended up spouting some white lies and telling everyone that she's with Brent- to risk facing the embarrassment that is getting dumped in high school, she semi pleads her bestie Brent to be her new boyfriend.

He complies, but not without some cute sarcastic comments, and so Brent becomes Lyssa's prince charming; dutiful and attentive boyfriend to keep up with the façade. But how long will this last and will their relationship change? Will sparks fly and kisses be exchanged?

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Without divulging too much more from the book (despite it being a tad predictable), I still think it was an entertaining and sweet, like toothache sweet read. The classic best friends possibly turning into something more...

I liked Alyssa for being a balanced mix of hot and somewhat geeky type of character, yet somehow at times impossibly thick and insecure. Brent for his calmness and no nonsense attitude. But I mostly loved Beth, a side character that's not as prominent as the other two but balances the story and creates a sweet non-shallow presence.


Read it if you like cutesy romantic stories (I know I do)..

[Scimone Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok this is so odd because i literally just read "Her bestfriends brother" and loved it...but then i read this. I am hoping to be an author some day as well so i will not be harsh. I just feel as though...this book was everywhere. It had such potential...but then just faltered. It reminded me of the old "Drive me crazy" with Melissa Joan Hart movie i'm sure we've all seen. But there was no depth in this book. One minute she was talking to (can't even remember the characters name smh) her bestfriend about going to the dance together....the next minute they were there. Same paragraph and all! And i HATED LYSSA'S character with such passion and fierceness i could scream. She was so superficial and kind of a crybaby that when he finally admits to loving her. I'm like why? And i am a big fan of your typical the boy next door...the best friend romance so i was kind of disappointed in this. Which sucks because i actually liked the lead male character....sigh. Well i literally skipped to the end of this book so i have no idea what happened during the middle but...Idk...i just give high praise to "Her Bestfriends Brother" and hope that anyone who has read this "Saving Face" book and did not like it...will give T.J. Dell another chance by reading "Her bestfriends brother". She did an excellent job on that one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about friendship, love and what happens when the line between the two becomes blurred. MC's Alyssa and Brent have always been best friends but going to two different high schools has allowed them to remain friends while leading separate lives. That is until Alyssa is dumped for another girl at a party by her football boyfriend. When Brent is thought to be her new boyfriend by the school gossip, Alyssa chooses not to correct her and asks him to pretend they're dating to relieve the embarrassment she feels from being dumped. Brent agrees, against his better judgement and the lines start blurring before either of them realizes it.

I really enjoyed this fun, fast read. Both MC's were very likable, though at times I just wanted to shake Alyssa for being so blind to sweet Brent. It was refreshing to read a story where the foundation to their romance was friendship and the "pretending to date" aspect of the story was fun.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading Saving Face, best compliment I can give a book is that I read it in one day and that I don’t regret buying it. I am a sucker for free books and regret paying money for bad reads. Dell did not disappoint. I am happy to have it on my kindle to read again. The only complaint I have is similar to another reviewer is missed more interaction between Brent and Alyssa. He comes across as a good guy and a good friend basically what everyone want’s in a boyfriend.

[Ayslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of how teenagers think their lives are all the time. I loved how it really captured me into it and I wouldn't put the book down until I was satisfied with where I was. It made me laugh it made me cry and it really pulled at my heart strings how the detail seemed so real. This is seriously one of the best romance novels I read because it makes me connect to everything at is happening.

[Joanne McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I finished it in one night because I was that eager to find out what happened next. I love the whole will they/ won't they story - especially when it mixes in love between best friends. Loved both characters and it gave me that warm fuzzy feeling after finishing it. What can I say ... I'm a sucker for happy endings. Would definitely recommend to others.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from T.J. Dell! It took me a couple of days to finish this book because of wedding planning, but every free moment i had i was literally pulling my Kindle out of my purse to read even it was only a couple of pages at a time. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next! I cant wait to read more from this author!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books where relationships are based on friendship. I think this book was cute and sweet and very entertaining. I also love Brent and that he is strong and thoughtful and doesn't give in to peer pressure. Yet is a good enough friend to do what he knows his friend needs. Yes Alyssa was a bit blind but sometimes girls are... I really enjoyed the story

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had my heart cracking and eventually breaking at several points!

I won't go in to the details but suffice it to say you most likely will cry and then root for this couple.

TJ Dell has written such sweet books. This book is also another that I will read over and over again.

[Kajal Nehra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, cute, adorable novel. You'll all like it. :))

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute romance! I enjoyed reading it. I think my favorite part of the book was Alyssa "finding" herself and what she was really about. BUT, it sucked how she cut off her best friend for so long.

[Georgie | The Reading Valkyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked this book, short and sweet. I think we all wish we had someone Brent like in our lives

[Aine Kealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book!! Brilliant story!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute story. I liked that Alyssa was more of a sporty girl and was really quite likeable. She and Brent were cute together, I enjoyed their friendly banter.

[Monica M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definately one i will be reading again. i really do love when friends end up together. yeah sure there is always the rocky transition but it works out. willbecome one of my favorite reads

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story full of high school angst. Lovin this author!!!!

[Carrie Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I felt like I was watching a good teen romance movie. This is def. a book I will be reading again.

[Megan Shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

my life would be made if this was a series. seriously. I loved it. I want another one!

[Nicki || lostbutcute · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diese Geschichte habe ich bei Audible als Hörbuch gehört, weil sie dort aktuell für ein halbes Guthaben zu kriegen war. Leider konnte mich die Geschichte nicht ganz überzeugen.
Alyssa ist gerade von ihrem Freund betrogen und verlassen worden. Als wäre das nicht schon schlimm genug, stellt er sie vor der gesamten Schule bloß und alle zerreißen sich den Mund über sie. Das will sie nicht auf sich sitzen lassen, also bittet sie ihren Nachbarn und besten Freund aus Kindheitstagen, dass er ihren neuen festen Freund spielen soll, damit sie in ihrer Clique wieder besser dasteht. Brent stimmt zu. Doch das hat ungeahnte Folgen.
Alyssa war mir soooo unglaublich unsympathisch. Sie war so nervig, naiv, kindisch und einfach egoistisch. Ich bin absolut nicht mit ihr warm geworden und kann nicht verstehen, wieso Brent das alles die ganze Zeit mit gemacht hat. Er hingegen hat mir eigentlich ganz gut gefallen. Er ist stets bemüht, es allen Recht zu machen und für andere da zu sein.
Es ist wohl keine Überraschung, dass Alyssa schließlich Gefühle für Brent entwickelt, womit man ja von Anfang an auch rechnet, aber irgendwie war das nicht glaubwürdig genug für mich. Was aber auch größtenteils an Alyssas Art lag. Mit ihr konnte ich einfach nichts anfangen.

Fazit: Für zwischendurch eine ganz nette Geschichte, die aber nicht wirklich aus der Masse heraus sticht und dadurch nichts besonderes ist. Es wurden mehrere Klischees bedient und leider bin ich mit der Protagonistin nicht warm geworden. Daher konnte mich das Buch leider nicht überzeugen und nur mittelmäßig begeistern.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Cheerleader-Kapitänin Alyssa wird von ihrem Freund Pete mit Lisa betrogen und sie flieht zu ihrem besten Freund Brent um sich darüber aufzuregen. Das Buch ist in der dritten Person geschrieben, was ich nicht so mag. Es las sich daher für mich leider eher wie ein Aufsatz. Das war schade, denn es nahm die Gefühle etwas raus. Die Sache mit dem "besten Freund ist jetzt mein Freund" kann nur zu Problemen führen und wurden - mir persönlich - etwas zu lasch abgehandelt bzw. aufgelöst.

[Ioanna]

too much drama ,but I liked the fact that for a change he wasn't a manwhore who didn't want to kiss her because she is special....Brent is a very good hero, 4 stars for him, but Alyssa is a 2 star or maybe 1,5....

[Avon Bernabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Brent. I love Alyssa. I love this book.

But it's not perfect. I would have given it a 4.5 or 5 if I did not feel that it was going too fast. Like, I am hoping that something happens that particular day but then it would be the next day already, or more. I was actually considering giving it 3.5 but no. Because despite everything, I like the story. The concept. Though Brent and Alyssa are frustrating sometimes, I instantly feel that they are right for each other. I connected with them. I was not bored.
I even loved Timothy and Beth. True and perfect friends. There. I would not prolong this and will just keep it simple.

ALYSSA = BRENT!

READ!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw, what a cute read. This book was cliche and predictable, but I'm a sucker for longtime friends falling for each other, and this book left me feeling happy.

My only complaint is I wish Alyssa didn't spend so much time avoiding Brent. I think there was potential to see more of them building their relationship there. And I feel if I like Brent this much now, I would probably love him if he had a bigger role.

Overall a delightful read that just makes you sigh with content.

[Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought Alyssa was a selfish girl (and she WAS), and totally loved Brent, but, as it seems to happen with all of TJ Dell books, I got over it when they actually addressed it and she confronted her bad behavior and started to get some real friends. And, well, I don’t know if it was PMS or if I’m just head over heels in live with best friend romance, but the ending was just perfect. A light, quick read that I would recommend.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was cute, loved brent and lyssa. they had a good chemistry and friendship, not sure about the 6 month hiatus, but i guess that does happen, glad they found each other though, and stopped acting like they were in junior high and not high school, it is how some people are about relationships these days, not so much self confidence that they think someone would not like them when they are amazing!!

a cute quick read, glad i took the time