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Faking It
Derek Rory never meant to propose to his best friend's little sister. But when her boss tells a family-oriented investor he's Stephanie's fiancé, Derek can either play along or let her get fired. He's hardly one to turn away from a damsel in distress. If only that damsel wasn't adorable and sexy with a laugh that could melt any cold business mogul’s heart.
When a business proposal becomes a marriage proposal, Stephanie Miller tries to keep it strictly boardroom. But when things get hot under the table, it's all they can do to stay apart. As the tangle of lies drags them deeper into the underhanded world of business politics, Stephanie finds herself in over her head—not just with her job, but with her "fiancé." His eyes are cold, but his kisses light her on fire. If she's not careful, she'll end up faking her way into a real romance.
When a business proposal becomes a marriage proposal, Stephanie Miller tries to keep it strictly boardroom. But when things get hot under the table, it's all they can do to stay apart. As the tangle of lies drags them deeper into the underhanded world of business politics, Stephanie finds herself in over her head—not just with her job, but with her "fiancé." His eyes are cold, but his kisses light her on fire. If she's not careful, she'll end up faking her way into a real romance.
149 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2013
25 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
Diane Alberts
34 books1,146 followersDiane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin RandomHouse. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.
Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.
- See more at: http://www.dianealberts.com/about/#st...
Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.
- See more at: http://www.dianealberts.com/about/#st...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 21, 2013
By far one of the bestest books I read this year :)
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Sept. 2013: Buddy re-read with Aly
Loved it all over again! This one may be one of my all times favourites
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Sept. 2013: Buddy re-read with Aly
Loved it all over again! This one may be one of my all times favourites
April 6, 2013
If you want a story full of smoking hot chemistry, fun flirty banter, and strong but likable characters, look no further. This is my fourth read by Diane Alberts, and I’ve found you just can’t go wrong with her stories. Faking It is no exception.
Stephanie wants to make her own way without her brothers or any man stepping in and taking over. Something she feels has happened far too many times in her life. This time the stakes are high because Stephanie is down to her last dollars and if she doesn’t turn her temporary job in to permanent, she’ll be back to living at her parent’s home. So when a misunderstanding by a big investor is taken a step further by her boss, and they assume her brother’s friend, Derek is her fiancé, Stephanie feels she has no choice but to go along with the charade.
Derek finally meets the little sister of his best friend from college, and he’s immediately taken in by this full-of-life, and klutzy creature. Every one of her emotions is on display, and strongly felt. Stephanie’s like a breath of fresh air to his controlled and cold life. For this reason when this awkward misunderstanding is thrust on him he plays along. Oh, he definitely could get used to playing the doting fiancé if it includes “faking” kisses and touches in the name of saving Stephanie’s job.
Stephanie is such a sweet and generous soul, never stingy with her feelings. But she wants to guard her heart when it comes to Derek, because he’s just the kind of man she could fall hard for with his dark and sensual looks, and she doesn’t want to be hurt. When Derek starts showering her with gifts she resists, thinking that it’s only pity motivating him.
Derek was a sweetheart as well even though he was so reserved at first. His normally closed heart opened big for Stephanie, so he feels hurt when she keeps rejecting his help. Watching these two go from “faking it” to the real deal was a pleasure.
This is not a very long story (154 pages) but Diane Alberts is the queen at capturing your attention and heart with a short amount of pages. She has a talent for writing spicy scenes with crackling sexual tension but in a tasteful way. I’ll give you just a small taste:
“Cold,” she murmured.
“Give it a moment.” The flex and pull of her lithe body under his fingertips was hypnotic. Slowly, he began to stroke the sunscreen into her skin, kneading her as if she were clay beneath his sculpting fingers, shaping her to his touch. She let out a sighing sound of pleasure and rolled her shoulders.
Stephanie’s brother, Aaron, was caring and overly protective, and we have hints about his sad story. I was happy to hear from Diane that his story will be told in the future.
A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Stephanie wants to make her own way without her brothers or any man stepping in and taking over. Something she feels has happened far too many times in her life. This time the stakes are high because Stephanie is down to her last dollars and if she doesn’t turn her temporary job in to permanent, she’ll be back to living at her parent’s home. So when a misunderstanding by a big investor is taken a step further by her boss, and they assume her brother’s friend, Derek is her fiancé, Stephanie feels she has no choice but to go along with the charade.
Derek finally meets the little sister of his best friend from college, and he’s immediately taken in by this full-of-life, and klutzy creature. Every one of her emotions is on display, and strongly felt. Stephanie’s like a breath of fresh air to his controlled and cold life. For this reason when this awkward misunderstanding is thrust on him he plays along. Oh, he definitely could get used to playing the doting fiancé if it includes “faking” kisses and touches in the name of saving Stephanie’s job.
Stephanie is such a sweet and generous soul, never stingy with her feelings. But she wants to guard her heart when it comes to Derek, because he’s just the kind of man she could fall hard for with his dark and sensual looks, and she doesn’t want to be hurt. When Derek starts showering her with gifts she resists, thinking that it’s only pity motivating him.
Derek was a sweetheart as well even though he was so reserved at first. His normally closed heart opened big for Stephanie, so he feels hurt when she keeps rejecting his help. Watching these two go from “faking it” to the real deal was a pleasure.
This is not a very long story (154 pages) but Diane Alberts is the queen at capturing your attention and heart with a short amount of pages. She has a talent for writing spicy scenes with crackling sexual tension but in a tasteful way. I’ll give you just a small taste:
“Cold,” she murmured.
“Give it a moment.” The flex and pull of her lithe body under his fingertips was hypnotic. Slowly, he began to stroke the sunscreen into her skin, kneading her as if she were clay beneath his sculpting fingers, shaping her to his touch. She let out a sighing sound of pleasure and rolled her shoulders.
Stephanie’s brother, Aaron, was caring and overly protective, and we have hints about his sad story. I was happy to hear from Diane that his story will be told in the future.
A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2013
Stephanie has three older brothers who have spent their entire lives protecting her, she loves them dearly but is determined to finally stand on her own two feet. She is desperate to do well in her temping job in the hope that she will get a full time contract out of it but most importantly she believes in the project she is working on knowing it will help hundreds of needy families if she can pull it off. When her boss insists on her posing as Derek's fiancée to lure in an important investor it goes against everything she believes in but she doesn't have much choice unless she wants to risk losing her job. Derek is best friends with Stephanie's brother Aaron and he can't let her get fired when helping is a simple matter of spending time with her. As much as he is attracted to her she's Aaron's little sister and there are some lines that you should never cross but the more time they spend together the harder it is to remember that their relationship is supposed to be fake.
I loved Diane Alberts' book Try Me and have been looking forward to reading more of her work ever since so when I was offered a review copy of Faking It I jumped at the chance. I'm happy to say I loved Faking It even more and Diane Alberts has definitely earned a place on my list of must read authors, I'm very much looking forward to starting to work my way through her back list. I absolutely love the humour she injects into her stories and the way she creates such realistic characters.
Stephanie is a fun loving young woman who is also a walking disaster, if anyone is guaranteed to trip over their own feet it will be her and that trait gets her into some quite amusing situations! She comes from a loving and protective family but wants to prove to her brothers (and to herself) that she can manage on her own. I loved her for her independent streak and the way she doesn't automatically think of Derek as a meal ticket. She is willing to go along with the pretence that they are engaged but she doesn't want him to get involved in her pitch to the investor even though he has a lot more experience than she does. Derek couldn't be more different, he is very buttoned up and after a difficult childhood he has spent his adult life unconsciously looking for his father's approval. He has his emotions locked up tight but that doesn't mean he isn't a passionate man, he just needed the right woman to bring out his impulsive and romantic side. I absolutely loved seeing the effect that Stephanie has on him, the fact that the story is told from both of their points of view really allows us to get inside his head and see what he is feeling and it was wonderful to read.
Faking It was the perfect feel good romance that had me smiling and giggling to myself all the way though. Stephanie and Derek have fantastic chemistry and this is definitely a case of opposites attract. What I liked most was the way Stephanie helps to bring Derek out of his shell though, she helps him be the man he always wanted to be and that made my heart melt. I also have to confess to developing a huge crush on Stephanie's brother Aaron, I can't tell you how excited I was when the author confirmed via twitter that she will be writing his story! This is a series I can't wait to continue and I can't recommend Faking It highly enough to contemporary romance fans.
I loved Diane Alberts' book Try Me and have been looking forward to reading more of her work ever since so when I was offered a review copy of Faking It I jumped at the chance. I'm happy to say I loved Faking It even more and Diane Alberts has definitely earned a place on my list of must read authors, I'm very much looking forward to starting to work my way through her back list. I absolutely love the humour she injects into her stories and the way she creates such realistic characters.
Stephanie is a fun loving young woman who is also a walking disaster, if anyone is guaranteed to trip over their own feet it will be her and that trait gets her into some quite amusing situations! She comes from a loving and protective family but wants to prove to her brothers (and to herself) that she can manage on her own. I loved her for her independent streak and the way she doesn't automatically think of Derek as a meal ticket. She is willing to go along with the pretence that they are engaged but she doesn't want him to get involved in her pitch to the investor even though he has a lot more experience than she does. Derek couldn't be more different, he is very buttoned up and after a difficult childhood he has spent his adult life unconsciously looking for his father's approval. He has his emotions locked up tight but that doesn't mean he isn't a passionate man, he just needed the right woman to bring out his impulsive and romantic side. I absolutely loved seeing the effect that Stephanie has on him, the fact that the story is told from both of their points of view really allows us to get inside his head and see what he is feeling and it was wonderful to read.
Faking It was the perfect feel good romance that had me smiling and giggling to myself all the way though. Stephanie and Derek have fantastic chemistry and this is definitely a case of opposites attract. What I liked most was the way Stephanie helps to bring Derek out of his shell though, she helps him be the man he always wanted to be and that made my heart melt. I also have to confess to developing a huge crush on Stephanie's brother Aaron, I can't tell you how excited I was when the author confirmed via twitter that she will be writing his story! This is a series I can't wait to continue and I can't recommend Faking It highly enough to contemporary romance fans.
May 2, 2013
For this review and more my blog
I wasn’t expecting much from Faking It, I have been in a bit of a contemporary romance slump lately. I have read some nice books in the genre but nothing that blew me away. Finally my luck seems to have changed because Faking It was really, really good.
Strictly speaking Faking It does nothing differently from all the other contemporary romances out there. The storyline is familiar, the drama a little over done and the characters a little predictable but what it has that so many other books fail to achieve is chemistry.
Chemistry is an integral part of any romance book and Faking It has it in spades. It burst off the page and got right under my skin and I just loved it. The romance came alive for me and I wanted Derek and Stephanie to be together.
Both characters were far from perfect. Steph was far too stubborn to the point where I got a little frustrated with her. I just wanted to slap her occasionally just to snap her out of it. She was caring and loving but her independent streak went way too far. Derek was a little to restrained, he makes some silly mistakes and can be a little too forceful. But despite their annoying ticks and habits when you put them together it just worked and it made this book a joy to read.
Faking It is far from perfect but it is an extremely enjoyable romance with a couple to die for. If you are a romance fan then this is a must.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I wasn’t expecting much from Faking It, I have been in a bit of a contemporary romance slump lately. I have read some nice books in the genre but nothing that blew me away. Finally my luck seems to have changed because Faking It was really, really good.
Strictly speaking Faking It does nothing differently from all the other contemporary romances out there. The storyline is familiar, the drama a little over done and the characters a little predictable but what it has that so many other books fail to achieve is chemistry.
Chemistry is an integral part of any romance book and Faking It has it in spades. It burst off the page and got right under my skin and I just loved it. The romance came alive for me and I wanted Derek and Stephanie to be together.
Both characters were far from perfect. Steph was far too stubborn to the point where I got a little frustrated with her. I just wanted to slap her occasionally just to snap her out of it. She was caring and loving but her independent streak went way too far. Derek was a little to restrained, he makes some silly mistakes and can be a little too forceful. But despite their annoying ticks and habits when you put them together it just worked and it made this book a joy to read.
Faking It is far from perfect but it is an extremely enjoyable romance with a couple to die for. If you are a romance fan then this is a must.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 15, 2013
This was sweet. I love friends to lovers stories, especially when it's a best friends' sister! I was expecting a little more, not sure what exactly but I was. It was quick and definitely entertaining.
Derek is Aarons' best friend. Stephanie is Aarons' sister. Need I say more? It was a case of pretending to be something and eventually becoming that something to the disbeleif of both parties. It was cute seeing how Steph and Derek each made excuses for the others behavior when obviously we all knew what was going on.
I was a little irritated by Steph for awhile because she reminded me of a petulant child who insisted on reaching for something when it was obvious she couldn't do it. It was a case of my way or the highway when she should have been more thoughtful. This is mainly in reference to her boss and all the un-ethical things he expected of her--nothing sexual--. I found myself wondering whether she truly did want things done on her own or was just too stubborn to see otherwise.
Eventually she saw the light and I liked her all the more for it.
Derek was sweet and incredibly kind. He was a man trying to escape his childhood and the hold of an estranged father. He really grew on me and I only wished I got to know him better.
If you like this set up of best friends' sister-type, then also check out Mr. Insatiable. It is amazing and done perfectly.
All in all a decent read.
Derek is Aarons' best friend. Stephanie is Aarons' sister. Need I say more? It was a case of pretending to be something and eventually becoming that something to the disbeleif of both parties. It was cute seeing how Steph and Derek each made excuses for the others behavior when obviously we all knew what was going on.
I was a little irritated by Steph for awhile because she reminded me of a petulant child who insisted on reaching for something when it was obvious she couldn't do it. It was a case of my way or the highway when she should have been more thoughtful. This is mainly in reference to her boss and all the un-ethical things he expected of her--nothing sexual--. I found myself wondering whether she truly did want things done on her own or was just too stubborn to see otherwise.
Eventually she saw the light and I liked her all the more for it.
Derek was sweet and incredibly kind. He was a man trying to escape his childhood and the hold of an estranged father. He really grew on me and I only wished I got to know him better.
If you like this set up of best friends' sister-type, then also check out Mr. Insatiable. It is amazing and done perfectly.
All in all a decent read.
September 29, 2015
Fairly good. It got better, but was still a little overly descriptive for my taste, but that's just me personally. Overall I liked the story line.
February 4, 2020
I am a huge fan of Diane Alberts' writing. Have loved all her books and recommend them without hesitation. But with Faking It, for the first time I struggled to even finish the book. The writing and story premise were top notch. However I really disliked the main female character, Stephanie. She had a chip on her shoulder that she hung onto until the very end of the book. Her stubborn personality was frustrating and impossible for me to get behind. Her largest complaint about Derek? "He kept trying to help me even when I told him I didn't want or need his help." Yeah this girl, she's her own worst enemy. Derek, on the other hand, showed so much growth and made so much effort to be a real friend and show emotions that were difficult for him. Aaron, her older brother added a humorous bend to the story that was a real bonus without being a distraction. Sadly only 3 stars.
April 20, 2017
Loved it
4 stars
I love this book so very much. The banter alone had but the length of the book was a big thing for me it seems like it could have been shortened in a lot of places. The backstory of the main character and Derek was awesome but I wanted to know more I wanted to get to know him and not just parts of him.
There is this one big scene that had me laughing it was awesome.
The sex was good but not off the charts.
Major kudos to this other.
Happy sexy reading
4 stars
I love this book so very much. The banter alone had but the length of the book was a big thing for me it seems like it could have been shortened in a lot of places. The backstory of the main character and Derek was awesome but I wanted to know more I wanted to get to know him and not just parts of him.
There is this one big scene that had me laughing it was awesome.
The sex was good but not off the charts.
Major kudos to this other.
Happy sexy reading
April 21, 2017
4 stars
I love this book so very much. The banter alone had but the length of the book was a big thing for me it seems like it could have been shortened in a lot of places. The backstory of the main character and Derek was awesome but I wanted to know more I wanted to get to know him and not just parts of him.
There is this one big scene that had me laughing it was awesome.
The sex was good but not off the charts.
Major kudos to this other.
I love this book so very much. The banter alone had but the length of the book was a big thing for me it seems like it could have been shortened in a lot of places. The backstory of the main character and Derek was awesome but I wanted to know more I wanted to get to know him and not just parts of him.
There is this one big scene that had me laughing it was awesome.
The sex was good but not off the charts.
Major kudos to this other.
December 27, 2021
2 stars?
I struggled a lot with this one and despite many attempts to finish it, I just couldn't get into it.
I just didn't feel the connection, wasn't a fan of the heroine (she sounded too high schooly to me) and wasn't really fond of the writing.
Hence the DNF and the rating.
I struggled a lot with this one and despite many attempts to finish it, I just couldn't get into it.
I just didn't feel the connection, wasn't a fan of the heroine (she sounded too high schooly to me) and wasn't really fond of the writing.
Hence the DNF and the rating.
March 21, 2013
I loved Try Me by Diane Alberts and when I saw that her new release Faking It combined two of my favourite tropes (faked engagement + brother's best friend falling for the little sister of said brother) I was really excited, but sadly Faking It wasn't such a hit for me, and trust me it was no fault of the hero.
Derek was quite a complex and three-dimensional hero. At first glance he is the tall, dark and handsome brooding type of billionaire gentleman hero, but step by step as Stephanie got closer to him she unravelled layers of him that weren't apparent at first (his problematic relationship with his father and his refusal of his Hispanic origin, etc.).
Although Derek was a hero I was interested in learning more about, I had a couple of problems with Faking It. The first one being the reason/situation that prompts the fake engagement. Sure, it is a difficult trope to pull off in contemporary romances as it is quite challenging finding a reason that would justify faking an engagement in modern times, and in my opinion the one that Diane Alberts provided us with (the heroine's boss ordering her to lie or else she would lose her job) just didn't cut it. It was so far-fetched, so ridiculous that it was utterly unbelievable and it derailed the story for me.
The second main problem I had was the heroine herself. I get that Stephanie having three older brothers who have constantly cherished and protected her has a huge independence streak (or rather talks about not needing anyone yet through her actions she doesn't prove that is necessarily true...), but I found her stubborn tantrums childish and unreasonable most of the time - and it seems I wasn't the only one since Derek said:
"She clenched her fists. “That’s just it, though. I don’t need or want your help. This is something I have to do alone.” A muscle in his jaw ticked.
“There’s nothing wrong with a second pair of eyes to provide a fresh perspective. It’s a small thing, but you’re too stubborn to see that. You’d rather fall flat on your ass than let me help you.”"
Being a very independent and autonomous person I didn't think Stephanie's big rants and fights were warranted, especially since Derek didn't want to put her in a cage but give her wings, he wanted just to ease her struggles, because when you love someone you want to help, which doesn't necessarily mean to do things in their stead just offer support wherever you can:
“I helped you because I couldn’t not help you. Don’t you understand that?”
“No. I don’t.”
“I helped you because I care about you too much to stand by and watch you struggle.”
But Stephanie didn't seem to understand that. Come to think of it, although Stephanie is passionate about her project and helping the poor, she came across as quite a selfish and egocentric person (she even realizes that when she tells her brother she wasn't there for him when his fiancée died and he was grieving for her). I couldn't come to like her even though I tried and that made it quite impossible for me to root for her HEA. To be completely frank, I didn't care much about her, I found her frustrating and very irritating.
And a small additional complaint: there was neither talk nor mention of protected safe sex. Neither Derek or Stephanie asked the other if they were taking care of protection nor did Diane Alberts just mention that one of them reached for a condom. Unprotected sex and immature approach of (=avoidance of discussing or even considering) this topic is my pet peeve and despite a steamy love scene I couldn't forget that who knows what health/pregnancy issues they were risking.
Verdict: Although Diane Alberts' writing style is enjoyable as always, and Derek was an interesting crush-worthy hero, sadly it was not enough to redeem Faking It. I had some major issues with Faking It due to which I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked. The relationship, the blossoming of the romance between Derek and Stephanie was the saving grace because neither the initial set up of the faked engagement nor the big crisis fight between them was credible, they just felt forced, improbable and thus absurd. Although despite combining two of my favourite tropes Faking It was a miss for me, due to Diane Alberts' flowing storytelling I can't wait to read more of her stories.
Plot: 5/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing: 7/10
Ending: 6/10
Cover: 6/10 - not a fan of this cover. The hero looks too young and the heroine has too much make up on.
I give Faking It 2.5 stars!
Derek was quite a complex and three-dimensional hero. At first glance he is the tall, dark and handsome brooding type of billionaire gentleman hero, but step by step as Stephanie got closer to him she unravelled layers of him that weren't apparent at first (his problematic relationship with his father and his refusal of his Hispanic origin, etc.).
Although Derek was a hero I was interested in learning more about, I had a couple of problems with Faking It. The first one being the reason/situation that prompts the fake engagement. Sure, it is a difficult trope to pull off in contemporary romances as it is quite challenging finding a reason that would justify faking an engagement in modern times, and in my opinion the one that Diane Alberts provided us with (the heroine's boss ordering her to lie or else she would lose her job) just didn't cut it. It was so far-fetched, so ridiculous that it was utterly unbelievable and it derailed the story for me.
The second main problem I had was the heroine herself. I get that Stephanie having three older brothers who have constantly cherished and protected her has a huge independence streak (or rather talks about not needing anyone yet through her actions she doesn't prove that is necessarily true...), but I found her stubborn tantrums childish and unreasonable most of the time - and it seems I wasn't the only one since Derek said:
"She clenched her fists. “That’s just it, though. I don’t need or want your help. This is something I have to do alone.” A muscle in his jaw ticked.
“There’s nothing wrong with a second pair of eyes to provide a fresh perspective. It’s a small thing, but you’re too stubborn to see that. You’d rather fall flat on your ass than let me help you.”"
Being a very independent and autonomous person I didn't think Stephanie's big rants and fights were warranted, especially since Derek didn't want to put her in a cage but give her wings, he wanted just to ease her struggles, because when you love someone you want to help, which doesn't necessarily mean to do things in their stead just offer support wherever you can:
“I helped you because I couldn’t not help you. Don’t you understand that?”
“No. I don’t.”
“I helped you because I care about you too much to stand by and watch you struggle.”
But Stephanie didn't seem to understand that. Come to think of it, although Stephanie is passionate about her project and helping the poor, she came across as quite a selfish and egocentric person (she even realizes that when she tells her brother she wasn't there for him when his fiancée died and he was grieving for her). I couldn't come to like her even though I tried and that made it quite impossible for me to root for her HEA. To be completely frank, I didn't care much about her, I found her frustrating and very irritating.
And a small additional complaint: there was neither talk nor mention of protected safe sex. Neither Derek or Stephanie asked the other if they were taking care of protection nor did Diane Alberts just mention that one of them reached for a condom. Unprotected sex and immature approach of (=avoidance of discussing or even considering) this topic is my pet peeve and despite a steamy love scene I couldn't forget that who knows what health/pregnancy issues they were risking.
Verdict: Although Diane Alberts' writing style is enjoyable as always, and Derek was an interesting crush-worthy hero, sadly it was not enough to redeem Faking It. I had some major issues with Faking It due to which I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked. The relationship, the blossoming of the romance between Derek and Stephanie was the saving grace because neither the initial set up of the faked engagement nor the big crisis fight between them was credible, they just felt forced, improbable and thus absurd. Although despite combining two of my favourite tropes Faking It was a miss for me, due to Diane Alberts' flowing storytelling I can't wait to read more of her stories.
Plot: 5/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing: 7/10
Ending: 6/10
Cover: 6/10 - not a fan of this cover. The hero looks too young and the heroine has too much make up on.
I give Faking It 2.5 stars!
August 9, 2013
I was a little bit so-so on this book. It's a pretty solid 3 ½ stars for me. By the end, I liked it, but there were some annoying things and I wasn't swept up when I first started reading. It took me two or three tries before I felt like continuing past the first couple pages.
Stephanie is the klutzy youngest child, with I believe three older brothers. One of them is an FBI agent and, in between dangerous missions, he's always checking up on her and trying to take care of her. He also likes to set her up with his friends.
This latest friend ends up being Derek. Owner of a company, in town on business, and witness to Stephanie's klutziness even before she knows who he is. The banter between these two is fun, but sometimes seems like too fast ping pong balls. They'd be serious for a while and then just throw in a couple silly lines and I felt like I had to go back and read again to say “oh, that was a silly line”. They could flip flop back for forth in the blink of an eye.
Even though we don't see too much of Stephanie actually getting work done (I don't know much about why she was good at her job, but we're told she is), she has very noble intentions. She's trying to get funding for a series of medical centers for low-income families. Stephanie and Derek end up playing the part of an engaged couple when Stephanie's slimy boss pushes them into that in order for her to keep her job.
Derek is intrigued enough that he plays along and keeps things going. I felt like he was rather condescending to Stephanie a lot of the time. In his mind, he's constantly calling her “little”. She doesn't get angry, she has a “whimsical little temper”. I cringed every time “little” was used, but overall I did like Derek. He was doing what he knew and I felt confident that Derek and Stephanie's obstacles were not insurmountable.
I was glad when Stephanie stood up for herself in the end, but I had been hoping she'd find a way to prove she really could make it on her own. I'm not sure that she really did that. It felt like the book perpetrated this view of women as somewhat inferior, and yes, Stephanie stood up for herself, but it seemed that she just came to accept that she couldn't really take care of herself anyway, so why not let someone else do it. So, I wasn't completely fulfilled with the ending, but I was happy that Derek and Stephanie found a way to work out their differences.
Stephanie is the klutzy youngest child, with I believe three older brothers. One of them is an FBI agent and, in between dangerous missions, he's always checking up on her and trying to take care of her. He also likes to set her up with his friends.
This latest friend ends up being Derek. Owner of a company, in town on business, and witness to Stephanie's klutziness even before she knows who he is. The banter between these two is fun, but sometimes seems like too fast ping pong balls. They'd be serious for a while and then just throw in a couple silly lines and I felt like I had to go back and read again to say “oh, that was a silly line”. They could flip flop back for forth in the blink of an eye.
Even though we don't see too much of Stephanie actually getting work done (I don't know much about why she was good at her job, but we're told she is), she has very noble intentions. She's trying to get funding for a series of medical centers for low-income families. Stephanie and Derek end up playing the part of an engaged couple when Stephanie's slimy boss pushes them into that in order for her to keep her job.
Derek is intrigued enough that he plays along and keeps things going. I felt like he was rather condescending to Stephanie a lot of the time. In his mind, he's constantly calling her “little”. She doesn't get angry, she has a “whimsical little temper”. I cringed every time “little” was used, but overall I did like Derek. He was doing what he knew and I felt confident that Derek and Stephanie's obstacles were not insurmountable.
I was glad when Stephanie stood up for herself in the end, but I had been hoping she'd find a way to prove she really could make it on her own. I'm not sure that she really did that. It felt like the book perpetrated this view of women as somewhat inferior, and yes, Stephanie stood up for herself, but it seemed that she just came to accept that she couldn't really take care of herself anyway, so why not let someone else do it. So, I wasn't completely fulfilled with the ending, but I was happy that Derek and Stephanie found a way to work out their differences.
March 14, 2013
I seem to be on a roll with reading about fake fiancés and friends to lovers stories. The fake fiancé trope used to be one of my least favorites but I've read a few cute ones that changed my mind. The key for me is that the set up isn't too outlandish or the lies get so crazy out of control that it's more wacky than emotional.
Faking It had a good set up. Stephanie needs to land an account at work or she's out of a job and back to needing her family to bail her out. Again. On her way to lunch with her FBI (& hilarious) brother she meets a sexy business man that comes to her rescue when she's caught without an umbrella in the pouring rain.
Turns out that the sexy business man is Derek Rory, one of her brothers best friends and someone who can help her land the deal at work. The catch….there's always a catch….is that the man she's trying to convince to fund her project is a "family values" business man. Derek steps up as her fiancé for the week to help Stephanie and in return she plays tourist guide for him around Miami.
This is a fun story and the characters have great chemistry. They're opposites and Stephanie's bright, quirky personality gets Derek to loosen up and look for something more in his life other than the next big business deal.
If I have one complaint, it's with Stephanie. She wants to be taken seriously as a business woman but keeps doing silly things like losing her files, not backing them up and not taking advice from Derek because of her stubborn pride. Her boss is a total sexist ass. I was so mad that everyone kept deferring to Derek in meetings instead of Stephanie so in that regard I could understand the chip on her shoulder. She's a great person, with obvious compassion and drive, but between her flightiness and Derek calling her "kittenish" multiple times I sometimes had problems seeing her as professional.
Final thoughts: If you like the fake fiancé trope I would give Faking It a try. The couple has great chemistry. Even though the romance develops in quite a short time I completely bought into it. They both bring out something better in each other. I would have liked Stephanie to be worthy of the professional respect she was demanding in the beginning but even that worked out great in the end.
Faking It had a good set up. Stephanie needs to land an account at work or she's out of a job and back to needing her family to bail her out. Again. On her way to lunch with her FBI (& hilarious) brother she meets a sexy business man that comes to her rescue when she's caught without an umbrella in the pouring rain.
Turns out that the sexy business man is Derek Rory, one of her brothers best friends and someone who can help her land the deal at work. The catch….there's always a catch….is that the man she's trying to convince to fund her project is a "family values" business man. Derek steps up as her fiancé for the week to help Stephanie and in return she plays tourist guide for him around Miami.
This is a fun story and the characters have great chemistry. They're opposites and Stephanie's bright, quirky personality gets Derek to loosen up and look for something more in his life other than the next big business deal.
If I have one complaint, it's with Stephanie. She wants to be taken seriously as a business woman but keeps doing silly things like losing her files, not backing them up and not taking advice from Derek because of her stubborn pride. Her boss is a total sexist ass. I was so mad that everyone kept deferring to Derek in meetings instead of Stephanie so in that regard I could understand the chip on her shoulder. She's a great person, with obvious compassion and drive, but between her flightiness and Derek calling her "kittenish" multiple times I sometimes had problems seeing her as professional.
Final thoughts: If you like the fake fiancé trope I would give Faking It a try. The couple has great chemistry. Even though the romance develops in quite a short time I completely bought into it. They both bring out something better in each other. I would have liked Stephanie to be worthy of the professional respect she was demanding in the beginning but even that worked out great in the end.
March 23, 2013
This was a cute story of a woman who can't seem to get people to take her seriously no matter how hard she tries and a man who is so tightly wound I'm amazed he could move at all.
Stephanie just wants to succeed at something and do good for the world. She's very driven but a bit of a wallflower who gets taken advantage of over and over again. When she gets a chance to land a sponsor for a project that means everything to her she is forced to bury some of her principles and ask her brother's best friend to play along. What she finds out is not everyone falls in to neat little categories and having someone willing to help you even when you don't want it isn't always a bad thing. Help can be had with no real loss of self but it takes a lot for her to learn that she doesn't have to go it all alone. I understood why she put up such a struggle to keep her own identity and make her own way but I also got a little pissed when she jumped to the wrong conclusions consistently when it came to Derek but that underneath everything she did manage to learn that not everyone is out to keep her down.
Derek is wound so tightly with keeping up the facade of being a stick in the mud uptight business man. He has his reasons for being so driven to the point of losing a part of his heritage but at his core he is an incredibly giving, feeling man. When Stephanie is blindsided in to pretending that they are engaged he is willing to play the part to help her knowing that this will keep her employed. He also starts to spend more time around her and discover that he isn't his father's copy but is capable of having the successful business and a real life with warmth, love and laughter. I adored him once we got to know him and appreciated that he was honest with himself and in his dealings with Stephanie even if it meant being miserable.
I do hope we get to see stories about her brothers as they are probably going to have some doozies. I have to say thank you to both NetGalley.com and Entangled Publishing for giving me the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. It was a very sweet story of finding yourself when you weren't even really looking.
Stephanie just wants to succeed at something and do good for the world. She's very driven but a bit of a wallflower who gets taken advantage of over and over again. When she gets a chance to land a sponsor for a project that means everything to her she is forced to bury some of her principles and ask her brother's best friend to play along. What she finds out is not everyone falls in to neat little categories and having someone willing to help you even when you don't want it isn't always a bad thing. Help can be had with no real loss of self but it takes a lot for her to learn that she doesn't have to go it all alone. I understood why she put up such a struggle to keep her own identity and make her own way but I also got a little pissed when she jumped to the wrong conclusions consistently when it came to Derek but that underneath everything she did manage to learn that not everyone is out to keep her down.
Derek is wound so tightly with keeping up the facade of being a stick in the mud uptight business man. He has his reasons for being so driven to the point of losing a part of his heritage but at his core he is an incredibly giving, feeling man. When Stephanie is blindsided in to pretending that they are engaged he is willing to play the part to help her knowing that this will keep her employed. He also starts to spend more time around her and discover that he isn't his father's copy but is capable of having the successful business and a real life with warmth, love and laughter. I adored him once we got to know him and appreciated that he was honest with himself and in his dealings with Stephanie even if it meant being miserable.
I do hope we get to see stories about her brothers as they are probably going to have some doozies. I have to say thank you to both NetGalley.com and Entangled Publishing for giving me the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. It was a very sweet story of finding yourself when you weren't even really looking.
March 22, 2013
Faking It is a fun, enjoyable and sexy love story. Diane Alberts takes the fake fiancé scenario and turns it into a lively, entertaining read with sexual tension, sizzling chemistry, and humor. Her talent with words is evident by the way she’s able to take a well-used story line, mix in male chauvinism, an independent woman, a hero with repressed feelings, a meddling brother, and transform it into a witty, lively love story complete with a happily ever after.
The heroine, Stephanie, who has lived in the protective shadow of three older brothers most of her life, is trying to succeed without the help of anyone. She’s strong, determined and finds herself pitted against a male chauvinistic boss who manipulates her into a fake engagement with her brother’s best friend, Derek. Derek, a passionate man with repressed emotions, finds himself falling for Stephanie despite the numerous excuses he uses for not developing their relationship. The chemistry between them heats up, and it isn’t long before they realize there is more to their relationship than just a fake engagement.
Faking It is a delightful, sexy romance that will have you smiling and chuckling as you turn the pages. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance.
I received a copy of the book from Entangled Publishing
in exchange for my honest review.
Janna Shay
Author of Fair Play
The heroine, Stephanie, who has lived in the protective shadow of three older brothers most of her life, is trying to succeed without the help of anyone. She’s strong, determined and finds herself pitted against a male chauvinistic boss who manipulates her into a fake engagement with her brother’s best friend, Derek. Derek, a passionate man with repressed emotions, finds himself falling for Stephanie despite the numerous excuses he uses for not developing their relationship. The chemistry between them heats up, and it isn’t long before they realize there is more to their relationship than just a fake engagement.
Faking It is a delightful, sexy romance that will have you smiling and chuckling as you turn the pages. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance.
I received a copy of the book from Entangled Publishing
in exchange for my honest review.
Janna Shay
Author of Fair Play
March 12, 2013
Applause to Diane Alberts. There are so many books out with a similar plot that they all seem to run together but Alberts' unique style of writing made "Faking It" stand out from the multitudes.
Stephanie won me over when she presented herself as a determined and independent woman. She didn't see Derek (a very handsome and rich man) as dollar signs. Stephanie saw him as her brother's best friend, someone who was interfering with her life and her ability to stand on her own two feet; which made Derek want her even more.
And Derek, yeah, sexy! Those chapters that I got to read that where Derek's POV just made me melt. He wanted nothing more than to help Stephanie and the more she pushed him away because of his assistance, the more it turned him on. Their time together was exciting to read because they were at each others throats (either yelling at each other or making out.)
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
Stephanie won me over when she presented herself as a determined and independent woman. She didn't see Derek (a very handsome and rich man) as dollar signs. Stephanie saw him as her brother's best friend, someone who was interfering with her life and her ability to stand on her own two feet; which made Derek want her even more.
And Derek, yeah, sexy! Those chapters that I got to read that where Derek's POV just made me melt. He wanted nothing more than to help Stephanie and the more she pushed him away because of his assistance, the more it turned him on. Their time together was exciting to read because they were at each others throats (either yelling at each other or making out.)
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
October 27, 2014
Stephanie Miller:
Derek Rory:
I didn't love the story that much. It was too predictable. Stephanie is an "independent" woman who needs no help from anyone, especially Derek Rory, when in fact, she does need his help. She has three brothers you see and from the day she was born, they're spoon feeding her everything. Derek on the other hand has "daddy issues"-playing by the rules given by his dad, he's cold as a rock until he met Stephanie, who is bright as the sun, bringing him happiness and love.
That pretty much sums it up.
I do love Aaron's character though and hope he'll get his happy ending. There wasn't too much sexy scenes, which is fine by me. Overall, this was an OKAY story.
Derek Rory:
I didn't love the story that much. It was too predictable. Stephanie is an "independent" woman who needs no help from anyone, especially Derek Rory, when in fact, she does need his help. She has three brothers you see and from the day she was born, they're spoon feeding her everything. Derek on the other hand has "daddy issues"-playing by the rules given by his dad, he's cold as a rock until he met Stephanie, who is bright as the sun, bringing him happiness and love.
That pretty much sums it up.
I do love Aaron's character though and hope he'll get his happy ending. There wasn't too much sexy scenes, which is fine by me. Overall, this was an OKAY story.
May 20, 2013
I'm always for people faking marriages or engagement plots but this book was awful. All it was was the girl fawning over the guy and the guy being all like "I'M NOT HISPANIC, SO MESSED UP FROM MY DAD" then both of them drooling over each other and it was just so stupid. I wanted someone to hesitate in this facade and I wanted some sexual tension, there was some made up "sexual" tension but I felt none of it. It was just so stupid, she was too willing to go with the facade and he was too willing, he even bought her a pretend ring that was tons of carets! I think that's where I was like I can't fucking do this, I even forgot about it which is bad for me. DNF!
March 14, 2013
*3.5 Stars*
More to come
More to come
August 19, 2016
4 stars
A really great read about two people coming together and finding love when they least expect it. A fun easy read.
A really great read about two people coming together and finding love when they least expect it. A fun easy read.
May 11, 2025
This was on my TBR list for years and I finally got around to it but it was disappointing. I liked Beauty and The Boss by this author and like the fake engagement premise but this book just didn’t work for me. I really didn’t like the heroine who was very immature for her age. Her stubbornness was extreme and illogical. Ex. She wouldn’t take advice from Derek, a successful businessman in her field. It’s not a handout - it’s smart business practice. I agree that he shouldn’t have swept in to fix everything, especially when she told him not to. He should have let her fail - then maybe she’d see how terrible she was at closing the deal.
I really liked the brother and wished to know more about his story.
The dialogue and inner thoughts were very awkward in the beginning and again she just sounded juvenile. Thankfully this improved a little as the book went on.
And this is a story where really the only thing going on is the relationship of the two characters- no subplots, no mystery, no real action. And I’m fine with that IF the romance is compelling enough (it has to be if it’s the only plot) but this fell short. There was a slight attempt at giving Derek more depth with his childhood but it was so glossed over. He didn’t have to get all angsty and tortured but there needed to be more.
I really liked the brother and wished to know more about his story.
The dialogue and inner thoughts were very awkward in the beginning and again she just sounded juvenile. Thankfully this improved a little as the book went on.
And this is a story where really the only thing going on is the relationship of the two characters- no subplots, no mystery, no real action. And I’m fine with that IF the romance is compelling enough (it has to be if it’s the only plot) but this fell short. There was a slight attempt at giving Derek more depth with his childhood but it was so glossed over. He didn’t have to get all angsty and tortured but there needed to be more.
May 20, 2022
Author is amazing. She's soo good that even I have tons of studies but still kept saying its weekend so I have a right to finish a book😛
But I can't rate it higher. No matter how much I appreciate her writing style, I just can't forget that she wrote beautifully about a pathetic damsel in distress women, which is my greatest pet peeve. I kept wanting h to be woman up and stood for herself and clear her own shits.
I mean if you can't afford the home or your living style then change it, go somewhere you can afford. If your boss is bullying you change the job, take something that you can do with respect. And for the love of god be a person who can pay her bills.
I really hate it when some 'gentleman' pays the lady's bill. I mean why going to a restaurant if you can't pay your own bill? God
When some amazing writer, who could have written about amazing women with amazing personalities, but rather have chosen to write about women needing help everytime, and women don't have little self-respect, is really something very unfortunate.
But I can't rate it higher. No matter how much I appreciate her writing style, I just can't forget that she wrote beautifully about a pathetic damsel in distress women, which is my greatest pet peeve. I kept wanting h to be woman up and stood for herself and clear her own shits.
I mean if you can't afford the home or your living style then change it, go somewhere you can afford. If your boss is bullying you change the job, take something that you can do with respect. And for the love of god be a person who can pay her bills.
I really hate it when some 'gentleman' pays the lady's bill. I mean why going to a restaurant if you can't pay your own bill? God
When some amazing writer, who could have written about amazing women with amazing personalities, but rather have chosen to write about women needing help everytime, and women don't have little self-respect, is really something very unfortunate.
January 30, 2024
3.5 stars
Derek and Stephanie are interesting, relatable, entertaining, intriguing, complex, captivating characters. They captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. I enjoyed these characters and their romance. The twists and turns of the story were entertaining and fun to read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.
I enjoyed the audio version of this story and the narrator.
Derek and Stephanie are interesting, relatable, entertaining, intriguing, complex, captivating characters. They captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. I enjoyed these characters and their romance. The twists and turns of the story were entertaining and fun to read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.
I enjoyed the audio version of this story and the narrator.
December 4, 2023
I wish I had skipped this one. It’s been on my Kindle for a decade and I’m trying to get some short books in for a challenge so it fit the criteria of what I was looking for. The blurb sounded good as I love the fake dating trope but wow….this book was just bad. The plot was entirely unbelievable. The writing is bad. It’s just bad. At least it was short and it’s over.
May 23, 2013
- La parte en la que él le pide que se quede <3
- La historia de Aaron - el hno de ella- y su prometida Charlotte que murió :(, ojalá tenga un libro él!
Es muy beuna la historia pero la chica había momentos que te desquiciaba, siempre queriendo ser independiente, ya lo entendimos, pero entendé que si te ayudan es porque te quieren, basta de caprichos cada 5 segs!
"You’re right about me. I’m too serious. So serious that I don’t normally do things like that.”
She was still trembling. It did nothing for his self-control. “But you just did.”
“But I shouldn’t have.”
She stiffened. “Right. Gotcha loud and clear. Thanks.”
“It isn’t you.”
“Then what?”
“I…” He could hear the loud squeak of his teeth grinding. How could he explain a lifetime of conditioning, when he could barely force two words out? “My father wouldn’t approve of such unseemly behavior.”
“Aren’t you a little old for Daddy issues?”
“Probably.”
“Then stop letting them control you.” She unbuckled and climbed over to him, resting her hand on his chest. “Maybe it’s time to be your own man. Do you even know who you are, under his brainwashing?”
She stiffened and backed away from him. “I don’t need help. I can handle things on my own.”
“You have a bit of a complex, bella.”
“Pot. Kettle. Or maybe I should come up with some endearing name for you.” Her lower lip thrust out. “Rhino sounds about right. Big, dumb, obstinate, and slow.”
He’d fucked up.
He’d been trying to help her. Hadn’t he? He thought back on his entire life. His ruthless drive to succeed. The consuming desire to make something of himself, to the exclusion of his personal life. Was he really so fixated on winning, just to gain the approval of a man he cared nothing for? Did he really need to triumph over his father so desperately that he’d ruined everything with Stephanie to do it?
Daddy issues, she’d called it. And right now, as he stood outside her apartment building and looked up at her window, he felt like a stupid, immature little boy. He’d needed to be right. And in doing so, he’d lost her.
When he’d just learned how to love her.
He’d come to respect her. Admire her. But something else had grown, over tortilla chips and paper-cup champagne and her bright, warm laughter. Something deeper than lust. Something that made him want to find out just how real this fake relationship could be.
He’d let that love blind him. He’d thought because he loved her, he could beg her forgiveness after he’d helped her.
“I’m…I’ll be at my hotel. Call when you’re ready to talk.”
She shook her head. “Go home. Back to D.C. We’re done, Derek.”
He couldn’t breathe. He wanted to shout, to do something, anything to make her understand how he felt, but nothing came. Nothing but his damnable silence, and his father’s voice taunting him.
Love is for weak men. Are you weak?
Yes. If having Stephanie meant being weak, then she’d stolen his strength from the moment she’d smiled at him.
“You can’t mean that,” he said. “Let’s take a few days to think, I—”
“I don’t need a few days.” She scrubbed a hand over her face. “This was just an arrangement of convenience. We had a business contract. It’s over now.”
“No.” He gripped the door tighter and tried to push it open. The chain resisted him. “It was more than that. You know it. I admit—I was stupid and insensitive. But I…I…”
She flinched. “Don’t say another word. I can’t do this right now, Derek.”
Her voice cracked on the last word. The door slammed in his face. He barely had time to move his hand. The sound of her sobs came through the thin wood, each one a bullet of regret and guilt, punching holes through his gut. He rested his brow against the door. He should leave. Give her her privacy.
But he couldn’t go.
He sat outside her door, his back against the wood. He couldn’t leave her when she was crying, but she wouldn’t accept his comfort. He could only be here for her, silent and unobtrusive. There was no way he could walk away from her. Not like this.
He would sooner rip his own heart from his chest.
“You won’t let me help you when you fall. You won’t let me…anything. Is there really no reason for me to stay?” For a moment that impenetrable gaze cracked, and he searched her face. “None at all?”
She blinked back tears. “No,” she whispered. “None.”
“If that’s what you want.” He cupped her cheeks, his touch gentle. “But I’ll ask you one last time. Let me help you, Stephanie. Let me. I won’t push anything on you this time.”
“You can’t help me.”
(...)
The ring slid off her finger with difficulty. She clasped it and the necklace tight against her palm for a moment, then thrust them both at him. “Goodbye, Derek.”
But he made no move to take them. He only looked at her, his brilliant eyes so very haunted. Now she could see what hadn’t been apparent before: the dark hollows of sleeplessness, casting that bright blue into shadow. “I don’t know how to tell you how I feel about you, Stephanie. So I tried to show you. And I failed.”
She opened her mouth to speak—but his expression was already icing over, and he turned away. She said nothing to stop him. Did nothing to stop him as he walked out of her life, just as she’d wanted.
- La historia de Aaron - el hno de ella- y su prometida Charlotte que murió :(, ojalá tenga un libro él!
Es muy beuna la historia pero la chica había momentos que te desquiciaba, siempre queriendo ser independiente, ya lo entendimos, pero entendé que si te ayudan es porque te quieren, basta de caprichos cada 5 segs!
"You’re right about me. I’m too serious. So serious that I don’t normally do things like that.”
She was still trembling. It did nothing for his self-control. “But you just did.”
“But I shouldn’t have.”
She stiffened. “Right. Gotcha loud and clear. Thanks.”
“It isn’t you.”
“Then what?”
“I…” He could hear the loud squeak of his teeth grinding. How could he explain a lifetime of conditioning, when he could barely force two words out? “My father wouldn’t approve of such unseemly behavior.”
“Aren’t you a little old for Daddy issues?”
“Probably.”
“Then stop letting them control you.” She unbuckled and climbed over to him, resting her hand on his chest. “Maybe it’s time to be your own man. Do you even know who you are, under his brainwashing?”
She stiffened and backed away from him. “I don’t need help. I can handle things on my own.”
“You have a bit of a complex, bella.”
“Pot. Kettle. Or maybe I should come up with some endearing name for you.” Her lower lip thrust out. “Rhino sounds about right. Big, dumb, obstinate, and slow.”
He’d fucked up.
He’d been trying to help her. Hadn’t he? He thought back on his entire life. His ruthless drive to succeed. The consuming desire to make something of himself, to the exclusion of his personal life. Was he really so fixated on winning, just to gain the approval of a man he cared nothing for? Did he really need to triumph over his father so desperately that he’d ruined everything with Stephanie to do it?
Daddy issues, she’d called it. And right now, as he stood outside her apartment building and looked up at her window, he felt like a stupid, immature little boy. He’d needed to be right. And in doing so, he’d lost her.
When he’d just learned how to love her.
He’d come to respect her. Admire her. But something else had grown, over tortilla chips and paper-cup champagne and her bright, warm laughter. Something deeper than lust. Something that made him want to find out just how real this fake relationship could be.
He’d let that love blind him. He’d thought because he loved her, he could beg her forgiveness after he’d helped her.
“I’m…I’ll be at my hotel. Call when you’re ready to talk.”
She shook her head. “Go home. Back to D.C. We’re done, Derek.”
He couldn’t breathe. He wanted to shout, to do something, anything to make her understand how he felt, but nothing came. Nothing but his damnable silence, and his father’s voice taunting him.
Love is for weak men. Are you weak?
Yes. If having Stephanie meant being weak, then she’d stolen his strength from the moment she’d smiled at him.
“You can’t mean that,” he said. “Let’s take a few days to think, I—”
“I don’t need a few days.” She scrubbed a hand over her face. “This was just an arrangement of convenience. We had a business contract. It’s over now.”
“No.” He gripped the door tighter and tried to push it open. The chain resisted him. “It was more than that. You know it. I admit—I was stupid and insensitive. But I…I…”
She flinched. “Don’t say another word. I can’t do this right now, Derek.”
Her voice cracked on the last word. The door slammed in his face. He barely had time to move his hand. The sound of her sobs came through the thin wood, each one a bullet of regret and guilt, punching holes through his gut. He rested his brow against the door. He should leave. Give her her privacy.
But he couldn’t go.
He sat outside her door, his back against the wood. He couldn’t leave her when she was crying, but she wouldn’t accept his comfort. He could only be here for her, silent and unobtrusive. There was no way he could walk away from her. Not like this.
He would sooner rip his own heart from his chest.
“You won’t let me help you when you fall. You won’t let me…anything. Is there really no reason for me to stay?” For a moment that impenetrable gaze cracked, and he searched her face. “None at all?”
She blinked back tears. “No,” she whispered. “None.”
“If that’s what you want.” He cupped her cheeks, his touch gentle. “But I’ll ask you one last time. Let me help you, Stephanie. Let me. I won’t push anything on you this time.”
“You can’t help me.”
(...)
The ring slid off her finger with difficulty. She clasped it and the necklace tight against her palm for a moment, then thrust them both at him. “Goodbye, Derek.”
But he made no move to take them. He only looked at her, his brilliant eyes so very haunted. Now she could see what hadn’t been apparent before: the dark hollows of sleeplessness, casting that bright blue into shadow. “I don’t know how to tell you how I feel about you, Stephanie. So I tried to show you. And I failed.”
She opened her mouth to speak—but his expression was already icing over, and he turned away. She said nothing to stop him. Did nothing to stop him as he walked out of her life, just as she’d wanted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
Read :March 1, 2021
Rating : 2,5 Stars
I don't know why, but I just couldn't get into this.
I struggled trough the book, none of the characters resonated with me in any way, not even enough to find one annoying...
It felt flat and couldn't keep my attention sadly.
Rating : 2,5 Stars
I don't know why, but I just couldn't get into this.
I struggled trough the book, none of the characters resonated with me in any way, not even enough to find one annoying...
It felt flat and couldn't keep my attention sadly.
March 20, 2020
It was sweet
June 16, 2017
I rate this 4.
Since i'm loving the 'pretend boyfriend/fiance/husband' trope lately, any story that executes it with just the right amount of cute awkwardness is a winner for me.
I wish there's a sequel that will tell Aaron's love story next. :)
Since i'm loving the 'pretend boyfriend/fiance/husband' trope lately, any story that executes it with just the right amount of cute awkwardness is a winner for me.
I wish there's a sequel that will tell Aaron's love story next. :)
April 21, 2013
Published @ http://tsukibooks.blogspot.com
I'm not usually interested in fake engagement stories but this one just grabbed me. I was fascinated by the concept of Derek stepping in to help Stephanie deal with a stupid boss but I was surprised over how the lie came about.
Stephanie and Derek had never met before lunch with her brother/his friend. It was an interesting idea to have them pretending to be engaged with no knowledge of the other for longer than 30 minutes. Of course that plot has been done before but usually one of the pair is trying to lie to a relative or to accomplish some deal for themselves. In this case, Stephanie's boss is the one who declares them engaged.
Derek is Mr. Billionaire Businessman and he comes across that way. He's slightly cold in his treatment/understanding of people but he clearly cares deeply. His past is troubled from an emotional abused childhood and he finds Stephanie refreshing and free. While he spends a great deal of time exerting his control over her business deal and getting her to date him in a temporary situation, he also closes himself off from real emotion.
Stephanie, on the other hand, wishes to make a name for herself by herself. She doesn't want Derek's help and the lie tears her up each time she must utilize it. She lives in near poverty because she refuses any help from her family. As a reader, I had to admire her self-reliance and her inability coast along on the lie. She wanted to be recognized for her merits and time and again she was disappointed.
I loved the relationship development that occurred between the hero and heroine. They had to pretend to be madly in love but at the same time they were falling in love. Derek made life easier for Stephanie and loved her joyful nature while Stephanie made Derek feel normal again. He had been so closed off but with her he could learn to be freer and happier.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fake engagements, development of love stories, and icy billionaires who melt for their woman.
3.5 Stars
Published by Entangled: Indulgence
147 Pages
March 11, 2013
Provided by--Net Galley
I'm not usually interested in fake engagement stories but this one just grabbed me. I was fascinated by the concept of Derek stepping in to help Stephanie deal with a stupid boss but I was surprised over how the lie came about.
Stephanie and Derek had never met before lunch with her brother/his friend. It was an interesting idea to have them pretending to be engaged with no knowledge of the other for longer than 30 minutes. Of course that plot has been done before but usually one of the pair is trying to lie to a relative or to accomplish some deal for themselves. In this case, Stephanie's boss is the one who declares them engaged.
Derek is Mr. Billionaire Businessman and he comes across that way. He's slightly cold in his treatment/understanding of people but he clearly cares deeply. His past is troubled from an emotional abused childhood and he finds Stephanie refreshing and free. While he spends a great deal of time exerting his control over her business deal and getting her to date him in a temporary situation, he also closes himself off from real emotion.
Stephanie, on the other hand, wishes to make a name for herself by herself. She doesn't want Derek's help and the lie tears her up each time she must utilize it. She lives in near poverty because she refuses any help from her family. As a reader, I had to admire her self-reliance and her inability coast along on the lie. She wanted to be recognized for her merits and time and again she was disappointed.
I loved the relationship development that occurred between the hero and heroine. They had to pretend to be madly in love but at the same time they were falling in love. Derek made life easier for Stephanie and loved her joyful nature while Stephanie made Derek feel normal again. He had been so closed off but with her he could learn to be freer and happier.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fake engagements, development of love stories, and icy billionaires who melt for their woman.
3.5 Stars
Published by Entangled: Indulgence
147 Pages
March 11, 2013
Provided by--Net Galley
April 25, 2013
Stephanie is a young woman, working as a temp at a firm. Her first big break in the business is to secure an investor for a huge project. This project means a lot to her because a project near and dear to her heart, helping the less fortunate with health care. She is determined to so a stellar job, all by herself without help from anyone, but her boss has a different plan.
Derek is a CEO of his own corporation. He is thriving in the business world, just like his father had groomed him to be. When Derek goes to Miami for a business meeting, he decides to see one of he old college friend for lunch, on his way there he meets her, without an umbrella and its pouring.
Stephanie and Derek had no idea who one another was when they met. But soon after they realize that he is a close friend of her overprotective big brother. After a short lunch together they go their separate ways. But she forgets her purse and proposal file at the restaurant, Derek saves the day by bring it to her office just in time, but not leaving quick enough leaves them in a bind. Her manipulative boss sees them together and forces them to pretend like they are engaged to show the investor that this is a family company. They go along with it so she can keep her job. But along the way the fake attraction turns very real.
I really enjoyed this book. Both of them have their own issues that they are working on and I love the fact that both of them change for the better for each other. Derek isn't your typical hero in a book, I love that he doesn't know how to express himself and that she brings out the true him that has been shoved down by his father. I wish Diane would have went into more details about his "Daddy issues". But even without them I fell in love with both characters.
Derek is a CEO of his own corporation. He is thriving in the business world, just like his father had groomed him to be. When Derek goes to Miami for a business meeting, he decides to see one of he old college friend for lunch, on his way there he meets her, without an umbrella and its pouring.
Stephanie and Derek had no idea who one another was when they met. But soon after they realize that he is a close friend of her overprotective big brother. After a short lunch together they go their separate ways. But she forgets her purse and proposal file at the restaurant, Derek saves the day by bring it to her office just in time, but not leaving quick enough leaves them in a bind. Her manipulative boss sees them together and forces them to pretend like they are engaged to show the investor that this is a family company. They go along with it so she can keep her job. But along the way the fake attraction turns very real.
I really enjoyed this book. Both of them have their own issues that they are working on and I love the fact that both of them change for the better for each other. Derek isn't your typical hero in a book, I love that he doesn't know how to express himself and that she brings out the true him that has been shoved down by his father. I wish Diane would have went into more details about his "Daddy issues". But even without them I fell in love with both characters.
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