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Faking It For Summer
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 2, 2026
This was the worst book I've read in a long time.
The plot idea was there and had so much potential. The writing wasn't able to meet the needs of the book. The writing was extremely immature, repetitive, and drawn out. I ended up having to skim half the book, and didn't miss anything doing so.
It's unfortunate, sounds like there's more books in the world of Coconut Beach but I will not be reading them. I don't know if I can give J.S. Cooper another chance - this was my first impression of their writing style and I hated it.
Not only was the writing immature, but so were the characters. The amount of miscommunication, misread of moments, etc. when Mia and Luke supposedly can read each others minds and have been best friends forever was ridiculous.
The plot idea was there and had so much potential. The writing wasn't able to meet the needs of the book. The writing was extremely immature, repetitive, and drawn out. I ended up having to skim half the book, and didn't miss anything doing so.
It's unfortunate, sounds like there's more books in the world of Coconut Beach but I will not be reading them. I don't know if I can give J.S. Cooper another chance - this was my first impression of their writing style and I hated it.
Not only was the writing immature, but so were the characters. The amount of miscommunication, misread of moments, etc. when Mia and Luke supposedly can read each others minds and have been best friends forever was ridiculous.
September 10, 2026
I love the friends-to-lovers trope, but this friendship was lacking in depth and logic. How come they hadn't seen each other in years!? They face-timed a few times at the beginning of the story. Why did they keep talking about how their physiques had changed so much? Also, what kind of friend doesn't support your career?
The main plot, Rex, was so very plain. The beginning of the story was overdramatic and unrealistic. Who reacts like that? A crush you had in high school sends you a wedding invitation with an offensive card. Can't you ignore it and live your life... be grown-ups?
All of this had so much potential: the crush, the wedding, the room and bed sharing... But it was so badly executed. The interactions, dialogs, and every argument were illogical. The main couple kept allowing other people to approach them in a flirting way while the partner was there, and every other character was inadequate for doing so. In what kind of world would you allow your brother to sexualise your girlfriend, or let a girl flirt with your man right in front of you? I can't even fathom how he let that Talia chick talk shit about the woman he supposedly loved. He should have been clear from the start about her and defended her.
The dialogs between them and their thoughts were very inconsistent. She insisted she didn't want anything with him, but then she provoked him with lewd comments, and he kept lying about his feelings in ridiculous situations. So did he.
The ending was meh, very underwhelming to know there is no treasure. While the narration and the setting were good, the building of the story and the development were pitiful.
The main plot, Rex, was so very plain. The beginning of the story was overdramatic and unrealistic. Who reacts like that? A crush you had in high school sends you a wedding invitation with an offensive card. Can't you ignore it and live your life... be grown-ups?
All of this had so much potential: the crush, the wedding, the room and bed sharing... But it was so badly executed. The interactions, dialogs, and every argument were illogical. The main couple kept allowing other people to approach them in a flirting way while the partner was there, and every other character was inadequate for doing so. In what kind of world would you allow your brother to sexualise your girlfriend, or let a girl flirt with your man right in front of you? I can't even fathom how he let that Talia chick talk shit about the woman he supposedly loved. He should have been clear from the start about her and defended her.
The dialogs between them and their thoughts were very inconsistent. She insisted she didn't want anything with him, but then she provoked him with lewd comments, and he kept lying about his feelings in ridiculous situations. So did he.
The ending was meh, very underwhelming to know there is no treasure. While the narration and the setting were good, the building of the story and the development were pitiful.
June 13, 2026
If you’re feeling like you need a cute little summer read, then Just Another Summer Romance (now Faking it for Summer), may hit the spot for you 🏖️
Mia and Luke are longtime best friends even with distance between them. Now enter Luke’s brother who is quickly getting married and sending invites out that have some pointed remarks on the back of them. With this brother being Mia’s old crush and the two friends wanting to show that they aren’t alone, they devise a plan… show up to the events and act like they’ve been dating. This causes disbelief, blurred lines, and some definite miscommunication.
Although I don’t usually like miscommunication, I feel like it worked well for this book in my opinion. Yes, it made me want to scream at them to just talk to each other, but I liked the little drama and how it came together in the end. That combined with their little moments where everyone could see how they feel, make me really pleased. It was cute and perfect for this sunny summer. Really helped me feel positive 💕
Thank you, JS Cooper, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚
Tropes:
☀️ Fake Dating
🥥 Blurred Lines
☀️ Summer Rom-Com
🥥 Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
☀️ Small Town Beach Setting
🥥Forced Proximity
Mia and Luke are longtime best friends even with distance between them. Now enter Luke’s brother who is quickly getting married and sending invites out that have some pointed remarks on the back of them. With this brother being Mia’s old crush and the two friends wanting to show that they aren’t alone, they devise a plan… show up to the events and act like they’ve been dating. This causes disbelief, blurred lines, and some definite miscommunication.
Although I don’t usually like miscommunication, I feel like it worked well for this book in my opinion. Yes, it made me want to scream at them to just talk to each other, but I liked the little drama and how it came together in the end. That combined with their little moments where everyone could see how they feel, make me really pleased. It was cute and perfect for this sunny summer. Really helped me feel positive 💕
Thank you, JS Cooper, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚
Tropes:
☀️ Fake Dating
🥥 Blurred Lines
☀️ Summer Rom-Com
🥥 Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
☀️ Small Town Beach Setting
🥥Forced Proximity
June 12, 2026
🏖️ ARC Review 🏖️
After receiving a rude wedding invite from Rex, Luke’s brother & Mia’s childhood crush, these longtime best friends decide to hatch a plan. They will attend together and convince everyone they’ve been secretly dating.
Three Simple Rules:
🌊 Pretend we’re soulmates
🌊 No crossing physical lines (yeah right!)
🌊 Break up immediately after the wedding
Well as I’m sure you know, these things never go according to plan. Luke & Mia must navigate these blurred lines & mixed feelings and must decide if the reward is worth the risk of losing the best friendship of their lives.
This one releases in just two days!! 4/16!! I implore you to check it out. It was so delicious!! Although there were plenty of times where I just wanted to shake Luke and smack him in the forehead, he eventually figured out what is really important.
This was my first read by J.S Cooper but I am so excited to do a deep dive & read more of her work!!
Thank you so much @jscooperauthor for this ARC!! I loved it so so much!! And OH MY GOSH I cannot wait for Next Time We’ll Fall!!
After receiving a rude wedding invite from Rex, Luke’s brother & Mia’s childhood crush, these longtime best friends decide to hatch a plan. They will attend together and convince everyone they’ve been secretly dating.
Three Simple Rules:
🌊 Pretend we’re soulmates
🌊 No crossing physical lines (yeah right!)
🌊 Break up immediately after the wedding
Well as I’m sure you know, these things never go according to plan. Luke & Mia must navigate these blurred lines & mixed feelings and must decide if the reward is worth the risk of losing the best friendship of their lives.
This one releases in just two days!! 4/16!! I implore you to check it out. It was so delicious!! Although there were plenty of times where I just wanted to shake Luke and smack him in the forehead, he eventually figured out what is really important.
This was my first read by J.S Cooper but I am so excited to do a deep dive & read more of her work!!
Thank you so much @jscooperauthor for this ARC!! I loved it so so much!! And OH MY GOSH I cannot wait for Next Time We’ll Fall!!
June 2, 2026
I LOVE the concept of best friends to lovers…when it’s done well.
Unfortunately this one really wasn’t. The miscommunication trope lasted the entire book. Our MCs spent more of the book fighting with one another than anything else. While there was sexual tension and pining it just really wasn’t on the level I hoped for.
Luke is so sweet and caring but pretty dense about what is expected of him. Even when it’s spoken clearly.
Mia is insufferable… she’s incredibly self-centered and does not even attempt to see things from Luke’s side when situations arise. Hence the miscommunication and arguing nonstop between them.
I love Coconut Beach and all the side characters. I really look forward to reading Juniper’s story as I’m intrigued by her and Rafe.
Unfortunately this one really wasn’t. The miscommunication trope lasted the entire book. Our MCs spent more of the book fighting with one another than anything else. While there was sexual tension and pining it just really wasn’t on the level I hoped for.
Luke is so sweet and caring but pretty dense about what is expected of him. Even when it’s spoken clearly.
Mia is insufferable… she’s incredibly self-centered and does not even attempt to see things from Luke’s side when situations arise. Hence the miscommunication and arguing nonstop between them.
I love Coconut Beach and all the side characters. I really look forward to reading Juniper’s story as I’m intrigued by her and Rafe.
June 12, 2026
hated it!
July 26, 2026
Good story but the MWC is super annoying always getting offended by everything
July 27, 2026
What can I say? I'm a sucker for friends to lovers.
August 9, 2026
anyone want to fake date me and then fall in love? lmk
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews