What do you get when you mix the perfect boyfriend, a fickle and indecisive girlfriend, and a bad boy guitarist?
A recipe for seduction, angst, and heartbreak.
Sweethearts since high school and the perfect couple, Olivia Barrett and Emmett Hudson, have had their share of obstacles, but nothing has ever jeopardized their relationship.
Until Tyler Chamberlain…
One thing Olivia cannot resist is a sexy, brooding musician. But her heart is with Emmett. Or is it?
Note: This book contains themes of infidelity which may be a trigger for some readers *This book contains adult situations and is recommended for 18+
☆I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!☆
3.5 stars!!
Having embarrassingly never read any of the prior books from the series, Pretending He’s You was the cherry popper for me into this series.
Normally, I HATE love triangles because of the whole drama-angst fest, but, for this one I just couldn’t help myself. It just called to me really.
You have flashbacks of the past and present. You see how things started, where they are now, and venture to where they end for Olivia, Tyler and Emmett.
Usually I would give more into the story synopsis, but I feel that by doing so, I would spoil things for readers.
Just keep in mind that this read is no walk in the park. It’s one hell of a roller coaster ride filled with conflicted wants, needs, and emotions; as well as navigating what’s right for you and what/who you want in life.
At the height of the plot, I constantly kept thinking, “is any one going to have a happy ending?”. And if so, “who’s heart or hearts are going to break?...It better NOT be Tyler!” Hehe
Anyway, a definite up and down read where I wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out! Author Stacey Mosteller kept me guessing and second guessing the final outcome for everyone! Glad though that there's going to be another book after this!!
Olivia must decide does she want safe and caring boyfriend Emmet even though they have been together for a while they are always on again off again, enough to give anyone whiplash. Or will she choose the sexy British guitar playing tattooed Tyler who she feels she has a connection and he understands her. But Livvie can't tell her best friend SB what's happened as she has her own stuff to deal with and the only person she can talk to is Tyler who's opinion is biased. At time I just wanted to reach in and slap the 3 of them Would advise anyone to read the previous books in this series as they give some more insight into Livvie and the characters crossover into this book.
Great read and can't wait to read more of Stacey's books
Oh my mother loving goodness!!!! This book was EPIC!!!!! This is the 4th book in the Nashville Nights series. Which all of the Nashville Nights have to do with different couples, but they're all connected by being friends and family with everyone else. Its awesome because you never really miss much!!! SoOoOoOooO the story is told from 3 point of views the Main character Olivia then there is her on again off again boyfriend Emmett and then last but not least there is Tyler. The book is broken up into two parts , part one takes place in 2010 and part 2 takes place from 2013 and up. I think its wonderful that she broke it up that way because it signifies the importance of everything that has happened and everything that will happen. Everything changes for Liv on the night of October 15 (her 18th birthday). Things she can never change or take back but does she really want to??? This book gets hot and steamy and WILL leave you begging for more!! Thank god there is going to be another book to continue Livvie, Emmett, and Tyler's story.
Wow! Seriously I just loved this book. I have read all the books in this series and when I got my hands on a copy of this I jumped right in. All of the Nashville Nights books have angst and drama so you if you read them then you know you can expect it. But this book WAS OFF the charts with Angst and Drama. I almost threw my Kindle so many times.
Pretending He’s You is a short read that has a serious LOVE TRIANGLE. Ms. Mosteller tells this story in 3 POV”s. So we get to know how each of the characters feel, their thoughts and what the heck they are going through. This story was also written in two parts. We see how the characters have grown through the years between both parts and it really helps with putting this crazy roller coaster ride together.
Livvie’s character is frustrating but also lovable. She is selfish and she has no problem admitting that. Livvie has been in a relationship with Emmet since Junior School. Their relationship is not easy, they constantly break up and make up, but she loves him. She has never been disloyal to Emmet all the years together until she meets Tyler, one of her brother’s friends. Livvie is instantly crushing on the tattooed hunk, his sexy English accent and swoon worthy voice when he sings. Livvie and Tyler developed a close friendship, one where she could always go to him when she needed a friend, needed advice or needed to cry. They lines get blurred with their friendship one night and when Livvie thinks things are finally looking up Tyler crushes her heart.
Emmett, God you will love this character. He is caring, sweet and loves Livvie. There is no question in his mind that Livvie is his future. He wants to marry and raise and family. He knows Livvie has issues and even though their relationship has many downs, he will always be there. He fights for Livvie even though he knows something is going on. He is not willing to let her go. For Years Emmet deals with Livvie’s strange and confusing behavior, and when he finds out the truth, he still chooses her.
Tyler, Tyler, Tyler you know there is a character you want to hate but you just can’t, that is Tyler. Let’s take a moment to forget all about the tattoos, hard body, sex accent and swooning voice (YEAH SO NOT HAPPENING). He was very crass with Livvie when he broke her heart. He knows he is not ready for a relationship and because she is too young he wants her to live her life and enjoy it. The funny thing is, what Tyler thought would just go away, doesn’t. Livvie and Tyler have this connection. When he sees Livvie again in the arms of her boyfriend Emmet he realizes he is not willing to let her go. The problem is Livvie had been in a long term relationship and Tyler has girlfriend.
I do not condone cheating but the pull between Tyler and Livvie is off the charts. No matter how much they deny it, it is there. Livvie watches her friends fall in love, have families and grow and she is set on making things work with Emmet, the problem is Tyler will not let her go. It is crazy because you can feel where each of characters hearts and minds are at. You know something bad is going to happen. There is only so much back and forth can people do, a decision has to be made, one that will leave one person heart broken. The characters in this story and plot are easy to love and connect with. You can’t stop reading and hoping for the best for the characters because neither one is wrong in their thoughts and feelings. Can Livvie finally choose which man she wants to spend her life with? Will Tyler finally let Livvie go? Will Emmet finally have the future he has always dream of with Livvie?
This is book 4 in the Nashville Nights series. The books in the series follow different couples, but their stories cross over and you see many events from a different perspective. Livvie has always been a bit selfish, and she admits it. Livvie and sweet, football playing Emmett have been together since their junior year of high school. Emmett has known that he wants to marry Livvie from the start. Their relationship has been on and off too many times to count over the past 6 years. Even though she breaks up with him all the time she loves him and knows how much he loves her. Then into her life comes tattooed, guitar playing, British bad boy Tyler with a singing voice that makes girls swoon. Livvie has dreamed of Tyler since she was a little girl and he was in a band with her older brother. Who will Livve choose? The safe guy who sees their future, or the bad boy who can ignite her passion? Livvie's story takes her back and forth between playing it safe and living life on the edge.
I'm reading books from 'What to read after Arsen'(https://www.maryse.net/books/book-rec...) Some good reads but this one was just a waste of time, not my type of reading material when the characters are still teenagers! Meh
Hmm...I usually like to do quick reviews. I'm not trying to make a business out of it, but some books just call for more detail. Pretending He's You. The main character Olivia, pretends that one man is the other through out this entire book. Olivia is the worst female lead character I've ever read in a book. I'm not sure if the author meant her to be this way? She was selfish, a cry baby, self centered. She's a liar. Manipulator. She even says she uses fake tears to get her boyfriend Emmett to not be mad at her. She's slutty. Which was expected. But I didn't think she would be that slutty. I expected for her to be with someone and slowly develop feeling for someone else, then end it. Or something along those lines. But in every chapter she dumped her boyfriend, had sex with Tyler, left Tyler, begged her boyfriend back. And it repeated over and over and over and over and over. She literally says I'm not ready to choose. But in the process she doesn't stay away from them to clear her mind. No, she screws them both. The main characters personality was just horrible. If I met someone like her in real life. I would wonder why anyone would touch her. Ever. Worst main character ever. In fact the only character I liked, the only one with any self respect was Tyler. By the end of the book, even his self respect had begin to diminish. Emmett. Don't get me started on Emmett. He was such a push over. Such a push over. He was Olivia's doormat. She would would flip out on him over nothing, dump him, screw someone else and come right back. She had NO self respect and dignity. Not a bit. Olivia also had impulse control problems. She lied, told Emmett that Tyler pursued her, when the very first time she cheated on Emmett she was the one that initiated the sex. Just throwing this out there, I'm pretty sure Emmett has Stockholm Syndrome. All of Olivias mental abuse against him. I think it's a real thing. Anyway. Rant over.
I want to start this review by saying how much I love the other books in the Nashville Nights series and I suggest before you read this book you check them out. I couldn't wait to dive into this one but my goodness, I did not expect the roller coaster ride my heart was put through.
This book is about cheating, which to me, is always a big no-no in books but I so desperately wanted more I went on ahead. The book features Olivia, who we met previously and her boyfriend Emmett. Tyler, the hot, British band guy who Livvy has a little crush on, is who the other man turns out to be.
I totally felt torn between the two guys, I loved Emmett for being the safe bet, the guy who wanted to settle down and make Livvy happy but I had a total soft spot for the bad boy rocker. I also loved the fact he had a British accent and I felt Stacey got his character down perfectly, coming from the UK myself!
It was evident Tyler loved her, sure he messed up here and there, especially at the start but he saw no one else but her. Livvy though, wow, she was a real annoying character. I hated how she used them both, she was so selfish and only caring about what trouble she would land herself in. I just couldn't like her at all. I felt like I wanted to shake her the whole way throughout, she was so frustrating.
The whole time I was secretly rooting for Ty, though to be fair she doesn't deserve either of them. At times I felt Emmett was a bit of a bully, forceful with some issues and in some ways selfish himself.
A word of warning with this one is that we are left with a bit of a cliffy. I hope we aren't waiting too long to get this one wrapped up and of course I'm all for Team Ty!
I still am reeling from the first part of the Tyler/Olivia/Emmett triangle. It definitely made me scream at them several times. I normally hate triangles, but something in the way the story unfolded drew me in and had me hooked. The tri POV was well done. Can we say angst level nine million!?!?!?!?
Having all three voices made for some very interesting and unexpected twists to the story. And my "I want a bad boy" devil voice is rooting for Tyler. Reformed manwhore for the win! All three of them surprised the s#*! out of me, playing with my heart and making me crazy! The story wandered at times- present, flashbacks with all concerned weaving their memories into the story. Very much like the three of them!
I was surprised how much I wanted to shake Liv. And Emmett. He comes across as so sweet, but not really. He does the push and pull crap just as much as Liv, he has such a drastically different idea of their life that he is adamantly trying to shape for Liv. Liv needs to man up, or maybe not. Maybe she would do well to be UN manned up for a while. Wouldn't kill her to have some growing up time!
Clay was such a douche, looking forward to his heart growing three sizes. Hope love kicks his a$$!
Again, am just waiting on where SM is going to go with their story! Have no doubt she will bring the very best resolution for all concerned...and not break my heart too much ;)
Apparently the 4th book in the Nashville nights series, where have I been, to have not read the previous ones ?
There are two parts to this story, this is significant in how the story is told. It spans several years. It is also told from the three main characters POV. It is the ultimate love triangle. With a hell of a lot of angst and hot sex thrown in. The story starts on the main character Livvies 18th birthday. She comes from a slightly troubled home, and at this point can see her whole life mapped out with Emmett the boy she has been in love with for years. She grasps on to this concept, hard, probably for the security it gives. When things don't quite go to her plan, her path once again crosses with her childhood crush, Tyler, hot, pierced, guitarist. British bad boy........... This story is about growing up and trying so hard to make the right choices for the right reasons.
Although you want to scream at them sometimes, you have to remember they are all young. Passion, loyalty and love lead and dictate every move they make.
Ends on a cliff hanger, can't wait for the next instalment !!!!
Am now hooked and going to start the whole series from the beginning. Well done Stacey !
Pretending He's You was absolutely brilliant! It falls perfectly in line with Stacey Mosteller's other Nashville Night series. I highly recommend reading them in order to avoid any storyline spoilage. While the surrounding story might have a theme that is hard to read (e.g. infidelity), but that is not the over arching theme. There is much more depth to PHY. It's a story of growth and discovering one's self at a time when one's supposed to. This book spans several years following Olivia (or Livvie) Barrett, her long term on and off again boyfriend and bad boy Tyler Chamberlain. Stacey has a way of introducing and developing great characters with very real and relatable situations and oh does she ever do that in PHY!! Love is complicated and messy when you are young and trying to discover what you want most in life can be hard. It's not suppose to be easy. And PHY is anything but simple! It's a wonderfully complex story. Ms. Mosteller manages to make me scream, laugh, cry and want to throw my book across the room (in a good way). I can't wait for the conclusion!! On pins and needles <3
There are three people in this romance and things are getting crowded…
Olivia was young, just turned eighteen, and not dealing well with the drama in her life. Whether out of her control or of her own making, the situation she finds herself in is not going to be solved easily when emotions are involved.
Emmett has always been there for Livvie, but the on-again, off-again nature of their relationship is beginning to wear thin. They are not teenagers anymore and despite the ups and downs, he wants a life with her. He just doesn’t know if she will ever commit to him, and if he willing to wait for her. How much can be worked past if the past doesn’t stay there?
The emotions between Livvie and the men in her life seem real and not trivial but that doesn’t lessen the fact that the relationship is between two and not three people. It would be so easy to cast Livvie as the ultimate betrayer and be done, but things are not that black and white and the grey is very, very painful. Ending with no resolution, I NEED the conclusion to this story as much as the three of them do. ~ Diane, 3.5 stars
I was so happy to finally get this book that I devoured it in one day! I loved it! I'm not usually all that into a messy triangle story, but this one was awesome! I can't wait for the next one as this one kind of ended on a cliffhanger. I'm not generally a fan of those either, but this wasn't a huge cliffy.
Pretending He's You was well written and I loved the characters! They were well developed and I really enjoyed getting to know them. The story line was great and went back a ways in the beginning to tell us the entire story. I really appreciate that in a story like this one. It was great!
What an emotional roller coaster! Wow! Torn between wanting two men, Livvie needs to grow up. Her boyfriend, Emmett, can see their future as a happily married couple. Will Livvie want that too? Or will she run back into Tyler's arms-again? Impressive tattoos and piercings in naughty places, Tyler is the opposite of Emmett. Wild and heated sex, break ups and make ups and written in the POV of all three main characters; Stacey has rendered me speechless! Yes there is a definite cliffy and yes I'd like to pull my hair out. BUT Pretending He's You was an outstanding read and worth every emotion! If I could...10 stars!
Stacey is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I really wanted to love this. The writing is fantastic, as always with her books, but I new I was going to have a hard time with the topic. My personal opinions kind of ruined this one for me. I did not like Olivia, I don't think she deserved either one of the guys. I just don't like reading about infidelity.
Loved this book and the complexity of the characters and the real-life issues that some people do deal with. However, I did not like the ending and I am hoping there is going to be a sequel. The main character is also a bit immature. It's clear her and Emmett are stuck in a high school mentality type of relationship. Both are good people but clearly don't belong together. Otherwise fabulous book.
So I've been waiting for this story. I may have stalked the author until the release. I preordered this book and was so happy to see it hit my kindle today. It explains so much about why Livvie is the way she is. The downside to this book? I want more Tyler!
Pretending He's You is book 4 in the Nashville Nights series and my first book by Author Stacey Mosteller. This was kind of book that made me want to stand up and scream, and then grab a bowl of ice cream and eat myself into oblivion; that means it was GREAT!
Emmett is the all around good guy. He has goals, knows what he wants, and how he wants to achieve them. One of the most important things he's wanted is her...Livvie. She is young, self-centered, indecisive, confused, and completely makes us want to bang our head into the wall. Tyler is the hot rock guy she could never have. He likes Lizzie, but doesn't want to commit. Enter the love triangle for Hades that takes us down many paths, evoking just as many emotions, and setting ablaze everything in its path.
I was so happy to be introduced to this series and author by two fellow readers. Told in multiple points of view from Emmett, Livvie, and Tyler, Pretending He's You was a book filled with angst, drama, love, drama, lust, drama, heartache, drama, and a cliffy...DIE!! But, I knew going into this read that a definitive conclusion was not possible, so that took the sting away just a bit. I am probably an odd-ball reader, but, because this is fiction and not real-ilfe, I enjoy the give and take, push and pull that comes from a well-written love triangle. And I was ecstatic to experience it from all three characters, as they told their point of view of the happenings. The characters were well-developed and became more complex as the story progressed. Because I have not read the other books in this series, it was interesting to view the other characters in the story and piece together some of side stories. The moments of tension, rage, and passion were palpable, which I found to be refreshing. Author Stacey Mosteller did not have to say the reader, "this is what you should feel here." Based on her writing style, it just happened.
So, now I twiddle my thumbs and wait to see what the next book will bring. The thing is, I'm not even sure I know how I want the next book to end. But, I have an idea of what I'd like to see and I am rather surprised to have come to this conclusion as it would not be my typical response. August 11th can't come quick enough. I'm ready!
Stacey Mosteller! You are in trouble, a big “swift” kick in the keister. Hahah! I am probably in trouble too.. so I guess we can call it even. You have left me on this “waiting list” for Pretending She’s Mine now… I will just sit here on the cliff. Pretending He’s You will have you on the edge of your sit, or in my world ‘cliff’ so to speak. Main character Olivia aka Livvie, poor girl, her heart must be full of so many emotions, and going between feelings and sorrows can be hard. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it becomes to feeling safe and secure, but Tyler comes by and now she wants to feel random and spontaneous.
Tyler, one of Livvie’s Brother’s best friends, has one of those “man attitudes”, the “I know I am hot, have a sexy accent, in a band and my tattoos make women rage”. He is one of those who would be considered a player, and a have a different flavor of the week. He is so swoon worthy, and Livvie always feels comfortable with him.
Emmett, Livve’s on and off again relationship aka her boyfriend or “break”a-friend. Ha! Emmett is truly a great guy all the way around, he loves and cares for Livvie. But is he truly her soulmate, or are they just together due to the past?
I can’t say I enjoy cheating, but hey it is a book, and Emmett and Livvie are on a break, who wouldn’t fall into someone’s elses arms when you are getting the attention you deserve? Anything can happen, even in Real Life. The love and story will pull you in all directions, you will feel for Emmett, he seems so genuine. You will be falling, drooling over Tyler, but there can only be one… who will be left heart broken, smashed.. who will be left to pick up all the pieces and will Livvie decide to skip out!? I guess we will only find out all the answers to our questions in a few weeks. Pretending She’s Mine coming out July14th!
Disclosure: I received this book from the author. I did not have to do the review, and this review is my honest opinion. We're Jumpin' Books
Livvie is a very confused young woman. Six years plus dating her boyfriend, she falls for one of her brother's band mates. What initially is a crush, develops into more ... like a raging fire. She was eighteen.
Now at age twenty-one, nothing has changed. Tyler left Nashville with his band to give Livvie plenty of room to get over her feelings for him. The band toured and achieved quite a bit of success. Coming back to Nashville on a break, he confronts the fact that he really loves her and cannot get her out of his mind. Can he possibly get her back?
Boyfriend or Rocker? That is the decision Livvie needs to make. This is it throughout the book. Over and over again she breaks up and cheats on her boyfriend (Emmett) with Tyler. She then feels guilty, goes back to Emmett (keeping her secrets on the cheating) and patches their relationship again. She wants to hang on to Emmett because he loves her, is a good guy, and would provide stability. She cannot give up Tyler because she feels alive when she is with and the attraction is off the charts.
I'm sorry for this review, but this is my honest truth... I do not like plot lines that go nowhere. Characters are supposed to grow and change while they learn from their mistakes. I found Livvie to be immature, selfish, and totally unable to gain my respect and empathy. I am not a prude and can understand the premise of this attraction she has for Tyler. At some point though, she has to face reality. Emmett is a pushover. I realize his love for Livvie is great, but how can he expect to have a solid relationship when he knows she is cheating on him? Why would he even take her back?
I honestly believe this could have been a great book. Stacey Mosteller has a great writing style and this is an interesting premise for a book... but please expand on it. I am sorry, Stacey. Just my honest opinion.
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review by author Stacey Mosteller.This is book 4 from Nashville Nights by the author.
Olivia Barrett has been in an on and off again relationship with Emmett for 6 years. On her 18th birthday instead of spending it with her he went out with the boys. Now her crush Tyler Chamberlain seems to come to her aid and gives her a special birthday surprise, problem is Tyler has a girlfriend. Neither of these 2 can stay away from each other no matter if they are with other people. But can Olivia choose between the 2 or will she be heartbroken in the end.
The author gave the characters very good interaction with each others. I did find a couple rocky areas in the story line flow but it did not take away from the story.
This book is for mature book reader dues to sexual content and adult language.
I loved a great threesome. I could not get enough of this roller coaster ride filled with Angst and Drama. The emotions are off the chart. I truly enjoyed this love triangle and this book gave reader a wonderful 3 POV's all I can say is thank you, thank you, and thank you. Yes, it's about cheating, but keep an open mind because these to hero are going to make it hard to choose side. I am so looking forward to book five.
I don't know where to start. This book was an emotional roller coaster, I just wanted to yell at Olivia for the things she was doing to Tyler. I just can't wait for the next book to see what happens. In case you haven't figured it out I really loved this book. Stacey Mosteller is my new favorite author.
This was a great read, I really felt for all the characters in this book. It was like one big mess after another and I just wanted to hug all of them! It was a captivating, addicting read and I could not put it down. I absolutely adore Tyler and I hope to see more of him in the future ;) I highly recommend this book!
Ahhhhh!! Bloody livvie. I want to throttle her sooo bad, but then a side of me want to comfort her bc God knows she's in a shite position... I can't imagine how difficult that situation must be.. Bring on PSM I'm dying to know what happens next.