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Fake It Till You Break It
Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together. After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.It’s the perfect plan - except that it turns out maybe Mia and Jake don’t hate each other as much as they once thought…
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2019
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June 11, 2021A romcom about fake dating, no matter how many times I may have read it before, is the height of romantic perfection and I can and will read it again thanks
Want to read
January 21, 2019fake dating is the best trope i don't make the rules!!!!!!
February 1, 2021
This is just...not so good.
It feels more like a rough draft than an ARC. (Yes, I read an ARC. Huge brag. I also read it like a year after release date if that does it for you.) And beyond that, the romance feels pretty unrealistic and thrown together.
Also, do you ever read a YA contemporary and just think "no boy has ever had a thought process even one eleventh as sweet and wholesome and inexplicably/suddenly romantic as this one, and therefore it should be a crime to teach teenage girls that that's something they can reasonably expect"?
Is that a normal thing to think? If it is, or if it isn't - either way, I got huge Those Vibes from this.
It's just a no, unfortunately.
Bottom line: Not much to like, sorry!
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pre-review
reading this took easily 10 months off of my life.
review to come / 1.5 stars
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currently-reading updates
i'm not saying i deserve a medal of valor for reading ARCs even when they have low average ratings...but i wouldn't turn one down if it were offered
It feels more like a rough draft than an ARC. (Yes, I read an ARC. Huge brag. I also read it like a year after release date if that does it for you.) And beyond that, the romance feels pretty unrealistic and thrown together.
Also, do you ever read a YA contemporary and just think "no boy has ever had a thought process even one eleventh as sweet and wholesome and inexplicably/suddenly romantic as this one, and therefore it should be a crime to teach teenage girls that that's something they can reasonably expect"?
Is that a normal thing to think? If it is, or if it isn't - either way, I got huge Those Vibes from this.
It's just a no, unfortunately.
Bottom line: Not much to like, sorry!
---------------
pre-review
reading this took easily 10 months off of my life.
review to come / 1.5 stars
---------------
currently-reading updates
i'm not saying i deserve a medal of valor for reading ARCs even when they have low average ratings...but i wouldn't turn one down if it were offered
April 16, 2019
This book reads like if The Kissing Booth and To All the Boys I've Loved Before got together and had a baby.
It contains some of my favorite rom-com tropes of all time, including hate to love, fake dating, and a reverse parent trap years in the making.
But this in no way reads like some sort of amalgamation of the two I compared it to. This truly stands on its own.
The MCs, Mia and Jake, are nice people. Except to each other. You can understand why when their BFF moms have forced them to endure every life stage together. I imagine it would be hard not to resent someone when you don't really like them and yet they've seen you at your very worst and know the kind of things about you that you would only ever divulge to your closest, most trusted friends.
Now that Mia and Jake are teens, their mothers' thoughts have shifted to what a cute couple the two of them would make, and despite their children's protestations, some epic scheming ensues, ending with Mia and Jake spending just about every waking hour together.
To get their moms off their backs, they decide to just give in to their matchmaking and fake date. This is a romance, so obviously they catch feelings for each other.
What I loved about this book was how realistically it portrayed the evolution of said feelings. They truly think they can't stand each other at first, and only when they have to pretend to like each other do they realize...they actually might.
Another big enjoyment factor for me is that this is told through dual first person PoVs. Mia and Jake's voices are each unique, and they read like actual teens.
I especially appreciated the chapters from Mia's perspective, because while she's quirky and spazy, she doesn't come across like a manic pixie dream girl, but like an actual teenager. At 34, I sometimes forget what those crazy, uncontrolled years of my life were like, but Mia reminded me of a lot of the highs and lows. The toughness paired with crippling insecurity. The desire to want to be suave and put together but being borderline out of control 24/7.
Jake is a wonderful character too. I cannot rave enough about how he lifts Mia up so much. That he has no ego when it comes to her. That he revels in the fact that she can stand up for herself and brags about how she could kick his ass both in video games and IRL.
Jake also has a girl named Rose for a bestie, and friends, lemme tell you about how happy their relationship made me. I have been SEARCHING for one like theirs literally for years. Because guess what? Neither one of them is gay. Neither one at any point catches feelings for each other. Neither one tries to stand in the way of each other's happiness because of some weird abandonment issues.
THIS IS JUST A GUY AND A GIRL BEING FRIENDS. FULL STOP.
More of this please. I'm over all the other portrayals. Where men and women can't coexist together in a platonic way without one of them being queer or secretly in love with the other.
So, because Mia and Jake have been forced together their whole lives, they know all of each other's dirt, which means that when the eventual misunderstandings unfold, they know how to cut each other deep. This made the conflict seem all the more believable. The good thing is that since they're basically good people, they recognize their own bad behavior and want to make amends for it.
My only scruples with this are Jake's stubbornness toward the end paired with a little too much cheesiness for my tastes, but honestly, this is a fluffy teen rom-com, so I wouldn't expect anything less.
I definitely recommend this one for anyone looking for a quick, super-cute, hilarious young adult romance that will leave you smiling for days afterward.
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May 10, 2021
FIRST BOOK OF 2021 DONE AND DUSTED ✨
Fake It Till You Break It was the perfect romcom, with one of my favorite tropes -- fake dating. Here are some things I adored about this book:
➸ Mia was Asian just like me so I really related to her so much (I can't live without dim sum too)
➸ Fake dating
➸ Jake and Mia were adorable
➸ And rather than simply stating it the author chose to use their childhood memories to show it. Throughout the book, it's evident that the two of them know each other better than anyone else does.
➸ Positive girl friendship -- Mia and Aly were amazing
➸ AND WHEN THEY FINALLY FELL IN LOVE!!!!!
However, I did feel that the love triangle was beside the point, and added a lot of unnecessary angst and drama to the story. The book really could've done without it.
But otherwise, FAKE IT TILL YOU BREAK IT is a great summer read, one that is sure to uplift your spirits and make you smile from ear to ear. Bonus points if you like dim sum, ice cream, theater, and music.
Fake It Till You Break It was the perfect romcom, with one of my favorite tropes -- fake dating. Here are some things I adored about this book:
➸ Mia was Asian just like me so I really related to her so much (I can't live without dim sum too)
➸ Fake dating
➸ Jake and Mia were adorable
I’d forgotten that Mia was a snuggler. Ever since we were kids. During naptime in kindergarten, she would always roll from her mat onto mine. Every single time. It didn’t matter if I was on her right or her left side. After five minutes, she’d be pressed against my arm. Funny how she never rolled onto anyone else’s mat.
➸ And rather than simply stating it the author chose to use their childhood memories to show it. Throughout the book, it's evident that the two of them know each other better than anyone else does.
Huh. That never occurred to me before. To either of us. Like sitting on the same side. Jake ate my tomatoes. I ate his oatmeal. And we always sat next to each other. That’s the way things always were. It never occurred to us to change it.
➸ Positive girl friendship -- Mia and Aly were amazing
“You’re not just the single friend. And the only reason you don’t have a boyfriend is because all guys are idiots. Who needs them anyway? All they’re good for is reaching for stuff on the top shelf and eating all of your leftovers.”
➸ AND WHEN THEY FINALLY FELL IN LOVE!!!!!
But I still couldn’t brush the feeling off. Especially when he sang about finding a love who was always there. Right next to you your entire life. And the moment you finally opened your eyes and saw them bright and shining in front of you. A part of you. Each sentence hit me like a bolt of lightning. This was more than just a song sung to me. This was exactly how I felt. I needed Jake in my life. I wanted him there. And it was obvious now that Jake felt the same way.
However, I did feel that the love triangle was beside the point, and added a lot of unnecessary angst and drama to the story. The book really could've done without it.
But otherwise, FAKE IT TILL YOU BREAK IT is a great summer read, one that is sure to uplift your spirits and make you smile from ear to ear. Bonus points if you like dim sum, ice cream, theater, and music.
May 22, 2020
well, that cute™ i just love the enemies to friends to lovers trope, one of the very best, especially when it's written with a dual pov amen thank you. it was adorable, with a bit of drama but not too much, so so sweet and the Vietnamese rep was 10/10 (it's never said Mia's family is Vietnamese, but their last name is, and the the author is as well). this really made me happy!
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May 11, 2020Mia was a bit too...cliché Wattpad? hyper? for me. I thought the concept was cute but some of it felt a little forced quirkiness, tbh. I'd say fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before who want a protagonist who's a little sillier and young will enjoy this!
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September 17, 2021Let’s be honest: the enemies-to-lovers trope never gets old.
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December 22, 2023
the sheer number of adorable, heartmelting tropes combined in this book (enemies to lovers, fake dating, guy falls first, mutual pining, next door neighbors, etc.), the gorgeous writing, and the phenomenal character development made this literally the most perfect modern romances I have read in a solid six months.
👏 GORGEOUS 👏
👏 GORGEOUS 👏
May 29, 2019
Fake It Till You Break It was absolutely adorable! If you're looking for a book that will make you smile and laugh, then look no further. This hate to love and fake romance story was a ton of fun. I got sucked in right away and I loved how it all unfolded. So if you're a fan of YA romance, Kasie West or cute movies like To All The Boys I've Loved Before, then you definitely have to pick this one up!
Mia and Jake had known each other since they were babies. Their moms were bbfs and just knew that their children were destined to fall madly in love someday. So both of their mom's made numerous attempts to make their dreams come true. And it was all over the top. It was impossible not to laugh or roll my eyes at their crazy antics. But all of their efforts were in vain since Mia and Jake became enemies over the year. In an attempt to get their moms off their backs, they decided to fake date and then break up. That way they'd never get shoved together again.
I liked both Mia and Jake from the start! Mia could be so sarcastic, but she felt like the sweet, girl next door. Well except when she liked to mess with Jake, which was hilarious. And even though Jake messed with Mia too, it was impossible not fall for him. He was such a good guy who was not only kind, but thoughtful. Jake also had this boy next door vibe, even though he was a neat freak. So when I watched Mia and Jake interact, I realized they could be such good friends to each other. Well, when they wanted to be lol.
When Mia and Jake pretended to date, they could be so awkward. Yet they knew each other inside out. There was a comfort level to them that made them smile. I loved that not only did they tolerate each other but they had fun together. But to make their relationship believable, there had to be touching and kissing. And when they threw that into the mix, lines between them became completely blurred. It should have just been pretend. What they felt for each other wasn't real right? But if that was the case, then why were they excited to see each other next?
This book was so much fun, that when I was in the middle of reading this story, I went and bought Jenn P Ngyen's other book! So if you love fake romance, hate to love and adorable stories then you definitely have pick this one up. It kept me smiling and laughing till the last page and I can't wait to read this author's other book!
PS I would LOVE to read Finn's story!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
When he hooked his pinkie against mine, I couldn’t help remembering all the times we had done this when we were kids. All the promises and secrets. Then it all went away.
We haven’t been friends for nearly ten years, but today it felt like we never stopped. And I was glad some things never changed.
Mia and Jake had known each other since they were babies. Their moms were bbfs and just knew that their children were destined to fall madly in love someday. So both of their mom's made numerous attempts to make their dreams come true. And it was all over the top. It was impossible not to laugh or roll my eyes at their crazy antics. But all of their efforts were in vain since Mia and Jake became enemies over the year. In an attempt to get their moms off their backs, they decided to fake date and then break up. That way they'd never get shoved together again.
A small smile played on his lips. “Good night, Brat.”
“Good night.” The way he said “Brat” this time didn’t sound like an insult anymore. It almost sounded . . . nice. Sweet. Like an endearment.
Oh, God, what was wrong with me? This was Jake. He wasn’t nice or sweet. Ever.
I liked both Mia and Jake from the start! Mia could be so sarcastic, but she felt like the sweet, girl next door. Well except when she liked to mess with Jake, which was hilarious. And even though Jake messed with Mia too, it was impossible not fall for him. He was such a good guy who was not only kind, but thoughtful. Jake also had this boy next door vibe, even though he was a neat freak. So when I watched Mia and Jake interact, I realized they could be such good friends to each other. Well, when they wanted to be lol.
“For future reference, that’s what a kiss on the cheek is supposed to be.”
Not sure why, but the kiss took me by surprise . I stared at Mia for a moment before finally pushing her away.
When Mia and Jake pretended to date, they could be so awkward. Yet they knew each other inside out. There was a comfort level to them that made them smile. I loved that not only did they tolerate each other but they had fun together. But to make their relationship believable, there had to be touching and kissing. And when they threw that into the mix, lines between them became completely blurred. It should have just been pretend. What they felt for each other wasn't real right? But if that was the case, then why were they excited to see each other next?
Jake pulled back slightly, and the cool air hit me in my face, bringing me back to reality. My head swirled like I had stood up too fast. What the heck just happened?
This book was so much fun, that when I was in the middle of reading this story, I went and bought Jenn P Ngyen's other book! So if you love fake romance, hate to love and adorable stories then you definitely have pick this one up. It kept me smiling and laughing till the last page and I can't wait to read this author's other book!
He let out a short laugh as he reached out to touch my arm. “To be honest, I want a lot of things. But at top of the list is that I always want to see you.”
PS I would LOVE to read Finn's story!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
March 29, 2022
fuck, all my homies love the good n old hate-to-love books! this book was a surprise, so good because i wasn't expecting it to check all the things i love in a book BUT it did, and im thankful! it was being so funny and good to read that the end shocked me (too suddenly), but i have nothing to complain about this one!
June 14, 2019
A perfectly fun and cute book about fake dating enemies-to-lovers with dual POVs (my fave) as well as well-written characters. It reads like a YA rom-com and there are some really hilarious and awkward scenes. I really loved how much Jake admired Mia being a strong woman who can do anything. I like one (1) healthy relationship (in which they start out trying to trick their moms and fail miserably LOL)
Mia is talkative, extremely loyal and kind so a very well-rounded main character. Her dream is to be on a stage someday, but she's too scared to go for it. Meanwhile, Jake is dealing with his abandonment issues thanks to his brother and I think that was explored quite well. I also really liked the music aspect to his arc
So yes, these two coming together was great to read about and I loved the amount of references to Asian food such as dim sum, Korean dramas and whatnot. I might actually finally watch one just because of the sheer amount of mentions those got 👀
Another thing of note are the friends that they both have and just so good to see both of them having strong support systems. Poor Ben, though LOL
LASTLY, I JUST HAVE TO MENTION THE ENDING WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED AND CANNOT GET OVER ITS CUTENESS 😭
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A book featuring fake dating as well as hate-to-love that I didn't want to read? Can't relate
Mia is talkative, extremely loyal and kind so a very well-rounded main character. Her dream is to be on a stage someday, but she's too scared to go for it. Meanwhile, Jake is dealing with his abandonment issues thanks to his brother and I think that was explored quite well. I also really liked the music aspect to his arc
So yes, these two coming together was great to read about and I loved the amount of references to Asian food such as dim sum, Korean dramas and whatnot. I might actually finally watch one just because of the sheer amount of mentions those got 👀
Another thing of note are the friends that they both have and just so good to see both of them having strong support systems. Poor Ben, though LOL
LASTLY, I JUST HAVE TO MENTION THE ENDING WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED AND CANNOT GET OVER ITS CUTENESS 😭
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A book featuring fake dating as well as hate-to-love that I didn't want to read? Can't relate
June 3, 2019
3.5 Stars
Fake it till you break it is a sweet contemporary romance between Mia and Jake, two enemies that have been stuck together for life because of their mothers’ close friendship. I love me a good dose of hate-to-love relationships and this was done pretty well. I especially liked how they really tried to fight their attraction at first, but in the end they had to admit defeat and declare their love for each other. The fact that they knew so much about the other was the sweetest thing ever, I loved reading about their past and their quirky habits. Even in the part where they still claimed to hate each other I could definitely see the deep care they felt for one another.
There wasn’t a lot of drama, something which I’m quite thankful for. I still think Mia overstepped a little bit by sending those e-mails but I’m happy that Jake got the chance to reunite with his brother Finn.
Overall it was a quick and nice read, perfect if you’re looking for a cute romance for the Summer!
Fake it till you break it is a sweet contemporary romance between Mia and Jake, two enemies that have been stuck together for life because of their mothers’ close friendship. I love me a good dose of hate-to-love relationships and this was done pretty well. I especially liked how they really tried to fight their attraction at first, but in the end they had to admit defeat and declare their love for each other. The fact that they knew so much about the other was the sweetest thing ever, I loved reading about their past and their quirky habits. Even in the part where they still claimed to hate each other I could definitely see the deep care they felt for one another.
There wasn’t a lot of drama, something which I’m quite thankful for. I still think Mia overstepped a little bit by sending those e-mails but I’m happy that Jake got the chance to reunite with his brother Finn.
Overall it was a quick and nice read, perfect if you’re looking for a cute romance for the Summer!
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May 18, 2019
Mia and Jake hate hate hate each other. Which would be totally fine, except their moms are best friends and force them to go everywhere—dentist appointments, school, vacations, etc—in the vain hope that one day they'll fall in love. Mia just wants to date whoever she wants, and Jake wants to get out of another cruise. So they decide to pretend to be in love...which is totally just fine, right?
Okay okay okay. So I rated this three stars. It's not bad, it just felt kinda bland and like something I've read a jillion times before...and it felt very similar to How to Game the Walk of Shame but with two childhood frenemies instead of two people who didn't know each other.
And I read this in another review, but this really does pull out all the tropes.
But don't just take my word for it! Take Stefon's!
Stefon, if you were a fifteen year old would you be interested in this book?
Stefon, everybody!
So, it has the tropiest of tropes, and it does pull them off. If I wasn't the most jaded and bitter crust of dried belly-button lint that ever existed, I think that I would have enjoyed this book a lot more.
I did like that Jake was musically talented, as he writes and sings and had a YouTube channel with his brother that had 3k subs (is that a good number? I dunno), which meant that he was famous or something. Mia really wanted to be in a musical, but lacked talent—although apparently she was judging herself too hard? This was a plot point that kinda fell by the wayside a little and was only picked up when convenient.
I also wanted more drama and resolution with Finn, Jake's brother who fled two years ago to sing on a cruise ship, because that is a backstory that needs more delving into.
I also liked that this is a story about unconventional families. Mia's mom is single after her dad passed away (or left, I wasn't really paying attention??), and Jake's mom is really his aunt, who took him and his brother in after their parents died in a car crash when Jake was two. And the moms are best friends and did everything together. And Asian rep!
So I wanted to like it a whole lot more than I did. Well, I liked it but didn't love it.
To sum up:
It's cute. It's sweet. Mia and Jake really do have an adorable relationship, and act like that cute couple that have been together a gajillion years and subconsciously know all of each other's quirks.
But cute and sweet only go so far.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Okay okay okay. So I rated this three stars. It's not bad, it just felt kinda bland and like something I've read a jillion times before...and it felt very similar to How to Game the Walk of Shame but with two childhood frenemies instead of two people who didn't know each other.
And I read this in another review, but this really does pull out all the tropes.
But don't just take my word for it! Take Stefon's!
Texas' hottest club is Fake It Till You Break It and it. has. everything.
1. Childhood frenemies
2. Dead parents!
3. Fake relationship
4. Skincare!
5. Enemies-to-lovers
6. Korean dramas
7. And a love triangle!
Stefon, if you were a fifteen year old would you be interested in this book?
Stefon, everybody!
So, it has the tropiest of tropes, and it does pull them off. If I wasn't the most jaded and bitter crust of dried belly-button lint that ever existed, I think that I would have enjoyed this book a lot more.
I did like that Jake was musically talented, as he writes and sings and had a YouTube channel with his brother that had 3k subs (is that a good number? I dunno), which meant that he was famous or something. Mia really wanted to be in a musical, but lacked talent—although apparently she was judging herself too hard? This was a plot point that kinda fell by the wayside a little and was only picked up when convenient.
I also wanted more drama and resolution with Finn, Jake's brother who fled two years ago to sing on a cruise ship, because that is a backstory that needs more delving into.
I also liked that this is a story about unconventional families. Mia's mom is single after her dad passed away (or left, I wasn't really paying attention??), and Jake's mom is really his aunt, who took him and his brother in after their parents died in a car crash when Jake was two. And the moms are best friends and did everything together. And Asian rep!
So I wanted to like it a whole lot more than I did. Well, I liked it but didn't love it.
To sum up:
It's cute. It's sweet. Mia and Jake really do have an adorable relationship, and act like that cute couple that have been together a gajillion years and subconsciously know all of each other's quirks.
But cute and sweet only go so far.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
May 29, 2019
4/5
- the first ya contemporary that I’ve read with a Vietnamese lead I’m-
- like I knew I was starved for a female Vietnamese mc but I didn’t know just how starved I was until chao ga was mentioned
- I’m Vietnamese and throughout the story there’s so many little moments from Mia and her family that I could actually relate to (for once) from habits, mannerisms, looks
- not to be dramatic but I almost had a meltdown
- Overall I don’t mind the fake dating trope but it’s far from my favourite; that said I really enjoyed this!!
- mia and jake are both likable but still grounded as to not be idealistic
- I love how this is dual POV; I feel like that usually isn’t the case with ya contemporary romances
- the pacing of their relationship is so nice; too often I read romances with initial dislike or disinterest that sort just switch gears immediately
- Idk if i was just hyper focused but In my experience this really nailed slowly getting a crush; suddenly imaging yourselves together and completely catching even yourself off guard
- It’s just so damn cute
- I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author 💕
- the first ya contemporary that I’ve read with a Vietnamese lead I’m-
- like I knew I was starved for a female Vietnamese mc but I didn’t know just how starved I was until chao ga was mentioned
- I’m Vietnamese and throughout the story there’s so many little moments from Mia and her family that I could actually relate to (for once) from habits, mannerisms, looks
- not to be dramatic but I almost had a meltdown
- Overall I don’t mind the fake dating trope but it’s far from my favourite; that said I really enjoyed this!!
- mia and jake are both likable but still grounded as to not be idealistic
- I love how this is dual POV; I feel like that usually isn’t the case with ya contemporary romances
- the pacing of their relationship is so nice; too often I read romances with initial dislike or disinterest that sort just switch gears immediately
- Idk if i was just hyper focused but In my experience this really nailed slowly getting a crush; suddenly imaging yourselves together and completely catching even yourself off guard
- It’s just so damn cute
- I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author 💕
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April 12, 2024This book had its moments. I smiled a few times, I even laughed at one part because of something that was thought by the main character... but overall I have issues with this book.
1. Don't you just LOVE it when toxic relationships are romanticized in YA contemporary? No? Me neither. See, whether you want to believe this or not... YA romances have a huge impact on teen romances in real life because kids expect this to be reality. It's not healthy to shove toxic relationships down the throats of YA readers.
2. I also hate it that this book normalizes porn as just another part of a teenagers routine. Like... again, unhealthy. Stop promoting it through teen entertainment.
Not to mention this book had a predictable twist in the last fifty pages that completely changed the tone and messed everything up until the very last page.
1. Don't you just LOVE it when toxic relationships are romanticized in YA contemporary? No? Me neither. See, whether you want to believe this or not... YA romances have a huge impact on teen romances in real life because kids expect this to be reality. It's not healthy to shove toxic relationships down the throats of YA readers.
2. I also hate it that this book normalizes porn as just another part of a teenagers routine. Like... again, unhealthy. Stop promoting it through teen entertainment.
Not to mention this book had a predictable twist in the last fifty pages that completely changed the tone and messed everything up until the very last page.
April 27, 2021
THIS WAS SO CUTE (even though it wasn't subtle at all 😭) and also has a slightly younger voice than what I'm used to
revieww to comee
revieww to comee
July 18, 2019
Cute, fun, believable and all that. Major applause for the very healthy and cool portrayals of various types of friendships between girls and boys.
But, the resolution to the two major conflicts of the story came waaaaaay too easy for me. And the book took a nosedive from a solid 5 stars.
It might be just me, but if I was Jake I would have punched Finn in the dick and I don't know if ever would have spoken to Mia again. There are just some things that I'm not willing to forgive nor forget in this lifetime.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But, the resolution to the two major conflicts of the story came waaaaaay too easy for me. And the book took a nosedive from a solid 5 stars.
It might be just me, but if I was Jake I would have punched Finn in the dick and I don't know if ever would have spoken to Mia again. There are just some things that I'm not willing to forgive nor forget in this lifetime.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
June 17, 2019
4.5 stars
SO FREAKING CUTE OMG
SO FREAKING CUTE OMG
March 9, 2019
MY RATING: 4.5 / 5 STARS
I received an ARC from Raincoast books in exchange for a honest review.
Okay, I judge books based on publishers sometimes. Yup, it's a fact for me that if I read several arcs from the same publisher and each book failed to make any good rankings for me, I kind of write them off. Swoon Reads was kind of an iffy publisher for me. They had the cutest covers for YA contemporaries that centered over the theme of romance. But they lacked substance, often boring, and childish. HOWEVER, Fake It Till You Break It was a gem in their published goodies. In fact, I'm intrigued now more than ever to read more books printed by them.
Fake It Till You Break It follows the story of two neighbors who are constantly forced to be put together in situations by their respective parents because according to their mothers, they are destined to be with each other. Mia and Jake has had enough of the constant not-so-subtle nudging from their parents to date. From Sunday afternoon dim sum, dinners at each other's places, and car rides to school, they want their lives back and want to have freedom to choose who they want to date. Mia just wants to date her theatre crush and pursue her dreams of being a theatre actress and not a production crew member. Jack wants to avoid the family cruise vacation because he doesn't want to see his older brother who abandoned his family and him when he was so young. Both can achieve their motives if they fake date and go through an epic break-up so they both can just live their lives...separately. It's only until they spend more time together, steal a couple of kisses, and really notice each other do they realize breaking up might be the hardest thing they go through.
I found this book to be super fluffy and captivating. Jake is such a book boyfriend. He's tall, handsome, has a type A personality, and is super respectful and nice to everyone around him. Mia is quirky, cute, and sweet so it makes sense that they date. I loved watching them sneaking glances at each other or when the kisses lingered a little too long to be fake or when they teased each other. I just loved the bits and pieces of this book.
The only reason why it's not really perfect is that the writing at times did come off childish. Dialogue in the book didn't seem realistic as teenagers don't speak like this in this current day in age. But I mean, if you just kind of let it go and enjoy the story, you'll like it as much as I did.
MY RECOMMENDATION
I'm definitely going to go back and buy the author's debut novel because I want more of her writing!
I received an ARC from Raincoast books in exchange for a honest review.
Okay, I judge books based on publishers sometimes. Yup, it's a fact for me that if I read several arcs from the same publisher and each book failed to make any good rankings for me, I kind of write them off. Swoon Reads was kind of an iffy publisher for me. They had the cutest covers for YA contemporaries that centered over the theme of romance. But they lacked substance, often boring, and childish. HOWEVER, Fake It Till You Break It was a gem in their published goodies. In fact, I'm intrigued now more than ever to read more books printed by them.
Fake It Till You Break It follows the story of two neighbors who are constantly forced to be put together in situations by their respective parents because according to their mothers, they are destined to be with each other. Mia and Jake has had enough of the constant not-so-subtle nudging from their parents to date. From Sunday afternoon dim sum, dinners at each other's places, and car rides to school, they want their lives back and want to have freedom to choose who they want to date. Mia just wants to date her theatre crush and pursue her dreams of being a theatre actress and not a production crew member. Jack wants to avoid the family cruise vacation because he doesn't want to see his older brother who abandoned his family and him when he was so young. Both can achieve their motives if they fake date and go through an epic break-up so they both can just live their lives...separately. It's only until they spend more time together, steal a couple of kisses, and really notice each other do they realize breaking up might be the hardest thing they go through.
I found this book to be super fluffy and captivating. Jake is such a book boyfriend. He's tall, handsome, has a type A personality, and is super respectful and nice to everyone around him. Mia is quirky, cute, and sweet so it makes sense that they date. I loved watching them sneaking glances at each other or when the kisses lingered a little too long to be fake or when they teased each other. I just loved the bits and pieces of this book.
The only reason why it's not really perfect is that the writing at times did come off childish. Dialogue in the book didn't seem realistic as teenagers don't speak like this in this current day in age. But I mean, if you just kind of let it go and enjoy the story, you'll like it as much as I did.
MY RECOMMENDATION
I'm definitely going to go back and buy the author's debut novel because I want more of her writing!
July 23, 2019
From the moment I read the synopsis, I wanted to read Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen. Fake dating that might backfire on the characters in the end? That sounded like pure fun (for the reader, probably not the characters), and Nguyen delivered. Some people may think the book is predictable and full of clichés, which can definitely be the case depending on reading preferences (and mood).
But if anyone is looking for a light and funny young adult contemporary romance to read, Fake It Till You Break It is the perfect new release from Swoon Reads. Knowing each other since childhood, Mia and Jake have constantly been in each other’s presence thanks to their mothers being friends. From dentist visits to brunch and even vacation, they’ve done practically everything together growing up.
But now that they’re old enough to be in romantic relationships, their moms think the two of them will be perfect (and bonus: they can continue hanging out together if everything goes well). Tiring? Mia and Jake seem to think so. To get their moms off their backs about being the perfect couple, the two devise a plan: pretend to date, then break it off bad enough that they’ll be out of each other’s lives forever. So much for their moms trying to get them together, right?
Spoiler: Joke’s on Mia and Jake.
Mia and Jake were cute together and I loved their individual viewpoints throughout the book as they evolved from “we hate each other” to “maybe we don’t hate each other.” Their voices were easily distinguishable and not confusing between chapters while adding to the story overall. Both of their moms were so much fun to read despite the irritation Mia and Jake felt with the constant pushing for them to be together.
Fake It Till You Break is such a cute and pure romance, and I highly encourage giving Nguyen’s book a chance if you enjoy the fake dating trope and good banter, and you want a light read for the summer.
This review is originally posted on The Arts STL
But if anyone is looking for a light and funny young adult contemporary romance to read, Fake It Till You Break It is the perfect new release from Swoon Reads. Knowing each other since childhood, Mia and Jake have constantly been in each other’s presence thanks to their mothers being friends. From dentist visits to brunch and even vacation, they’ve done practically everything together growing up.
But now that they’re old enough to be in romantic relationships, their moms think the two of them will be perfect (and bonus: they can continue hanging out together if everything goes well). Tiring? Mia and Jake seem to think so. To get their moms off their backs about being the perfect couple, the two devise a plan: pretend to date, then break it off bad enough that they’ll be out of each other’s lives forever. So much for their moms trying to get them together, right?
Spoiler: Joke’s on Mia and Jake.
Mia and Jake were cute together and I loved their individual viewpoints throughout the book as they evolved from “we hate each other” to “maybe we don’t hate each other.” Their voices were easily distinguishable and not confusing between chapters while adding to the story overall. Both of their moms were so much fun to read despite the irritation Mia and Jake felt with the constant pushing for them to be together.
Fake It Till You Break is such a cute and pure romance, and I highly encourage giving Nguyen’s book a chance if you enjoy the fake dating trope and good banter, and you want a light read for the summer.
This review is originally posted on The Arts STL
August 13, 2021
I feel like two stars is a higher rating than this book deserves, but I try not to give a novel one star if I wasn't absolutely disgusted by it.
Which, in this case, I wasn't.
It was just bad.
And unrealistic.
Had me trying extremely hard not skim through pages or roll my eyes excessively.
The writing style was basic: not a talented writer's work, but not nearly as bad as, for an instance, some of the public figures writing attempts I've read.
It was obvious the author tried to make this a humorous story, but all the "jokes" seemed forced and fell flat. Also the dialogues felt unnatural and didn't flow. Felt somewhat planned and calculated. Almost the entire time I was aware of the fact it was one person behind all the characters.
Not sure how to explain it, but I could almost feel the author's thought process, being all like, "one character is going to say this, then the other character will reply with that, and the third character will react with this...". And it was something that kept pulling me out of the story.
The ending wasn't all that bad, though.
And the cover is cute.
Which, in this case, I wasn't.
It was just bad.
And unrealistic.
Had me trying extremely hard not skim through pages or roll my eyes excessively.
The writing style was basic: not a talented writer's work, but not nearly as bad as, for an instance, some of the public figures writing attempts I've read.
It was obvious the author tried to make this a humorous story, but all the "jokes" seemed forced and fell flat. Also the dialogues felt unnatural and didn't flow. Felt somewhat planned and calculated. Almost the entire time I was aware of the fact it was one person behind all the characters.
Not sure how to explain it, but I could almost feel the author's thought process, being all like, "one character is going to say this, then the other character will reply with that, and the third character will react with this...". And it was something that kept pulling me out of the story.
The ending wasn't all that bad, though.
And the cover is cute.
July 23, 2019
3.5 "Let's pretend to be in love with each other until we fall in love" stars
A little predictable, but really cute! I'm always here for diverse rom-com with funny and adorable family dynamic.
May 8, 2019
This was so freaking cute! Honestly, this would be such a good book for summer reading. I loved our characters and thought they were perfect for each other. Even though they didn’t want to admit at first.
Reading about Mia and Jake fake dating was such a treat! Every time they bickered, had cute moments, and just basically being together added 10 years to my life. Mia was hilarious and quirky while Jake was super cute and ending up being a very swoony guy.
While I did enjoy this, I can admit that it did have its issues. It was very predictable and I did get a bit frustrated with these two not realizing how they felt about the other. But whatever.
It was worth it!
All in all, pick this book up when it releases later this month. Take it to the beach or just cozy up at home. Just read this cute story. I’m off to go pick her debut!
✨I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.✨
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
Reading about Mia and Jake fake dating was such a treat! Every time they bickered, had cute moments, and just basically being together added 10 years to my life. Mia was hilarious and quirky while Jake was super cute and ending up being a very swoony guy.
While I did enjoy this, I can admit that it did have its issues. It was very predictable and I did get a bit frustrated with these two not realizing how they felt about the other. But whatever.
It was worth it!
All in all, pick this book up when it releases later this month. Take it to the beach or just cozy up at home. Just read this cute story. I’m off to go pick her debut!
✨I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.✨
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
June 14, 2020
Under of this stress, whatever it may be, I don't think I'll be able to write a good review. To be honest, are any of my reviews that great? I don't know...XD. I guess I rushed into reading this book and trying to finish it.
THE TITLE REALLY SUITS THIS BOOK!! Anyway, this book was good. PERIODT. Sure, I was smiling and "cursing" some of the characters, but it didn't pump me up. LIES! Okay, maybe it did... I'm not going to go that insane in this review. MORE LIES! Haha. This book was SUPER good!! AHHHH! It was so good, like one of the best fake relationship books out there! I mean I don't have much to choose from since I've only read like TWO fake relationship books. So...yea.
Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen follows that hate-to-love relationship that Mia Le and Jake Alden have for each other. This is mainly because of their annoying moms always forcing them to be together. They absolutely can't STAND each other in the beginning of this book, but towards the end...things CHANGE. For the better? or FOR THE WORST? Do Mia and Jake end up falling hopelessly in love❤️with each other or do they continue to "burn holes"🔥 in the side of each other's faces with their glares and hatred?? Is it really even hatred? READ Fake It Till You Break It NOW to find out! No pressure.
(just kidding 😂) Shout out to Jenn for making this amazing book! I will forever love you for this! (Not actually, but y'all probably get the point🙃)
-Becca da Romance Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!! (follow/friend me for more of my reviews that are DEFINITELY insane!)
THE TITLE REALLY SUITS THIS BOOK!! Anyway, this book was good. PERIODT. Sure, I was smiling and "cursing" some of the characters, but it didn't pump me up. LIES! Okay, maybe it did... I'm not going to go that insane in this review. MORE LIES! Haha. This book was SUPER good!! AHHHH! It was so good, like one of the best fake relationship books out there! I mean I don't have much to choose from since I've only read like TWO fake relationship books. So...yea.
Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen follows that hate-to-love relationship that Mia Le and Jake Alden have for each other. This is mainly because of their annoying moms always forcing them to be together. They absolutely can't STAND each other in the beginning of this book, but towards the end...things CHANGE. For the better? or FOR THE WORST? Do Mia and Jake end up falling hopelessly in love❤️with each other or do they continue to "burn holes"🔥 in the side of each other's faces with their glares and hatred?? Is it really even hatred? READ Fake It Till You Break It NOW to find out! No pressure.
(just kidding 😂) Shout out to Jenn for making this amazing book! I will forever love you for this! (Not actually, but y'all probably get the point🙃)
-Becca da Romance Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!! (follow/friend me for more of my reviews that are DEFINITELY insane!)
May 31, 2022
Note: an eARC of this title was acquired via NetGalley.
So, here's the thing: I didn't enjoy Fake It Till You Break It. Like, at all. Since signing up for the Year of the Asian reading challenge, finding books written by Asian or Asian-American authors is always at the back of my mind. To see that there was a young adult contemporary romance featuring a Korean-American main character and written by (to the best of my knowledge) an Asian-American author seemed like a double-score. That bright pink cover? Gimme. Fake dating? Absolutely.
Unfortunately, Jenn P. Nguyen's story was just very meh the whole way through. It wasn't so much poorly written as juvenile and in need of some solid editing. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of the book, wishing for substance amid the paper-thin character-building and barely-there plot. On top of the "twelve-year-old's idea of what it must be like to be a high-school junior and in love" vibe, the story felt very much like a connect-the-dots attempt to include as many tropes and caricatures as possible.
I should have probably DNF'd once I realized that I didn't care at all about either Jake or Mia, the book's main characters, or buy into their reasons for fake dating. I should have definitely DNF'd when I realized their chemistry was lacking that certain je ne sais quoi every romance needs. Nguyen was never successful in selling Mia and Jake as "enemies," Mia's crush on a fellow drama-geek was clearly there to add unnecessary romantic strife, and Jake's "fued" (hated? apathy?) toward his brother didn't fit well, either. On top of it all, Jake and Mia's mothers were pushy as hell, and their behavior toward their children was borderline problematic; for them to literally say—after the two plus hours I spent reading—"Get together. Don't get together. To be honest, we don't really care anymore" just made me want to throw my iPad in frustration.
I'm happy that other readers enjoyed Fake It Till You Break It, but to me, the book was a complete dud. I probably should have just read To All the Boys I've Loved Before .
So, here's the thing: I didn't enjoy Fake It Till You Break It. Like, at all. Since signing up for the Year of the Asian reading challenge, finding books written by Asian or Asian-American authors is always at the back of my mind. To see that there was a young adult contemporary romance featuring a Korean-American main character and written by (to the best of my knowledge) an Asian-American author seemed like a double-score. That bright pink cover? Gimme. Fake dating? Absolutely.
Unfortunately, Jenn P. Nguyen's story was just very meh the whole way through. It wasn't so much poorly written as juvenile and in need of some solid editing. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of the book, wishing for substance amid the paper-thin character-building and barely-there plot. On top of the "twelve-year-old's idea of what it must be like to be a high-school junior and in love" vibe, the story felt very much like a connect-the-dots attempt to include as many tropes and caricatures as possible.
I should have probably DNF'd once I realized that I didn't care at all about either Jake or Mia, the book's main characters, or buy into their reasons for fake dating. I should have definitely DNF'd when I realized their chemistry was lacking that certain je ne sais quoi every romance needs. Nguyen was never successful in selling Mia and Jake as "enemies," Mia's crush on a fellow drama-geek was clearly there to add unnecessary romantic strife, and Jake's "fued" (hated? apathy?) toward his brother didn't fit well, either. On top of it all, Jake and Mia's mothers were pushy as hell, and their behavior toward their children was borderline problematic; for them to literally say—after the two plus hours I spent reading—"Get together. Don't get together. To be honest, we don't really care anymore" just made me want to throw my iPad in frustration.
I'm happy that other readers enjoyed Fake It Till You Break It, but to me, the book was a complete dud. I probably should have just read To All the Boys I've Loved Before .
March 12, 2019
My lips nearly fell off from smiling so wide, this entire book. Ohhhh my goodness. Is there any trope better than fake dating? It's actually quite difficult to pull off, but Nguyen nails it. It's such a delight to watch Jake and Mia go from hating each other (pfft) to admitting their feelings to figuring out their relationship. I love the little ways that Jake takes care of Mia, and I love that Mia was the one to do the big romantic gesture. Jake is so thoughtful and sweet, and Mia is so hilarious and bold. There were so many memorable scenes and laugh-out loud lines. I actually read this in just one day- I started reading it a little at the reference desk, and then I couldn't resist plunging back in during the evening. I just could not put it down. This is a must read for anyone who love adorable young adult romances. Jake and Mia is extremely easy to root for, and also loved their friend group. Definitely one of my favorites of the year so far, and I hope this gets a lot of buzz when it's published in June!!!
May 11, 2020
This was a pretty obvious story, as is everything I read nowadays. I only read fluff and cutsy books right now, perfekt distraction of the impending doom that is my exam.
The story itself was nice, well-written, characters were cute and sweet, there was some drama but it did not take too long before it was resolved. And I really did enjoy reading about mothers that were so involved (maybe annoyingly so) but for me it was refreshing.
Don´t regret making this purchase.
The story itself was nice, well-written, characters were cute and sweet, there was some drama but it did not take too long before it was resolved. And I really did enjoy reading about mothers that were so involved (maybe annoyingly so) but for me it was refreshing.
Don´t regret making this purchase.
May 24, 2019
I read some of the reviews saying that this book was predictable and cliché but I loved it, I found it heartwarming and entertaining. Mia and Jake are the cutest, softest people !!
Longer review once I finish taking my exams 💌
Longer review once I finish taking my exams 💌
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