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Unverified
Two strangers caught in one crazy lie—with everything to lose.
Matthew Milles-Lade, a rich kid whose trust fund is suddenly in question, and Margo Valentine Melon, a writer whose career fizzled before it sparked, are two twenty-something strangers stuck living at home, failing at figuring out their lives.
When they each come across a real estate listing for a palatial (and significantly underpriced) guest house in one of LA’s toniest neighborhoods, their lives get turned upside down. Will they be able to get it together before the truth pulls their worlds apart?
Unverified has all the magic and makings of the rom coms you love, set in the world of social media stardom and online fame, with just enough real-world stakes to make it a page turner you won’t be able to put down.
“Unverified will have you laughing out loud. Don’t hesitate with this one!” — Jenni Pulos, star of Bravo’s Flipping Out
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2019
134 people are currently reading
5199 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Giese
2 books129 followersKristin Giese is a talent manager, brand developer, and executive producer. She began her career building the entirety of the Nate Berkus brand — among other talent — and has partnered with the likes of The Oprah Winfrey Show, OWN, Sony, Target, TLC, NBC, HSN, and many more. ANOTHER HYSTERICAL FEMALE is her second book. Find her on instagram and tik tok as @ allmoxie. She'll be the one in double shoulder pads and 18lbs of estate jewelry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
August 4, 2019
Cute premise but a little too much going on for me. The romance wasn't as central as I would have liked but the were some really great humorous parts. I was a bit confused at the second part of the epilogue, though.....
August 14, 2019
Note - I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a full on drama-fest. It had jealousy, angst, lust, success, failure, anger, and everything in between. It was nicely written and though it was not a non-stop read, it was quite engaging.
What I liked about this book:
1. The theme of finding yourself.
2. The happy ending. (I am sucker for those)
3. The problems faced while becoming an adult.
4. Some humor that was introduced. (Not enough, in my opinion)
What I didn't like:
1. Too much drama that was introduced, just for the sake of it. There were just so many issues that were introduced that made the book rushed and unsatisfactory. It seemed that there were issues in all aspects of both their lives - family, finance, career and personal. This was just too much.
2. The wide shift in character's character. For example, one minute the heroine is seething with sibling rivalry and jealousy, while on the next page, she is working for her. Or when, the immature hero suddenly becomes responsible. This made the characters insincere and inconsistent.
3. The couple meets about halfway into the book. It was not after the couple meet that they start changing for better. So, I felt that the romance was not the central theme here.
4. The easy resolution to large issues. Take for example, the hero's relationship with his father. Or, Margo's career - in first chapter, she is a bum; in the next, she is working for her sister.
5. The ridiculous actions of the characters to amp up the angst and drama. For instance, take the heroine's situation with her rival. She brings up the idea, she does all the work and when the rival steals the idea, she goes along with her to save her sister? How would it do that? Wouldn't actually bringing up such employees work out better for her sister's company in the long run? For that matter, if I was an employee, I would never ever dare to steal an idea from my boss's sister. That is a sure way to be fired.
Though there were things that I didn't care for, I still wanted to read this to the end. I will be certainly looking out for more books by this author.
This book was a full on drama-fest. It had jealousy, angst, lust, success, failure, anger, and everything in between. It was nicely written and though it was not a non-stop read, it was quite engaging.
What I liked about this book:
1. The theme of finding yourself.
2. The happy ending. (I am sucker for those)
3. The problems faced while becoming an adult.
4. Some humor that was introduced. (Not enough, in my opinion)
What I didn't like:
1. Too much drama that was introduced, just for the sake of it. There were just so many issues that were introduced that made the book rushed and unsatisfactory. It seemed that there were issues in all aspects of both their lives - family, finance, career and personal. This was just too much.
2. The wide shift in character's character. For example, one minute the heroine is seething with sibling rivalry and jealousy, while on the next page, she is working for her. Or when, the immature hero suddenly becomes responsible. This made the characters insincere and inconsistent.
3. The couple meets about halfway into the book. It was not after the couple meet that they start changing for better. So, I felt that the romance was not the central theme here.
4. The easy resolution to large issues. Take for example, the hero's relationship with his father. Or, Margo's career - in first chapter, she is a bum; in the next, she is working for her sister.
5. The ridiculous actions of the characters to amp up the angst and drama. For instance, take the heroine's situation with her rival. She brings up the idea, she does all the work and when the rival steals the idea, she goes along with her to save her sister? How would it do that? Wouldn't actually bringing up such employees work out better for her sister's company in the long run? For that matter, if I was an employee, I would never ever dare to steal an idea from my boss's sister. That is a sure way to be fired.
Though there were things that I didn't care for, I still wanted to read this to the end. I will be certainly looking out for more books by this author.
July 6, 2019
Do not start this book until you know you will have several uninterrupted hours to finish it. It’s that good! Margo and Matt will steal your hearts from the first page. So will Kirby and Chelsea. And I dare you not to laugh at the incomparable Rita! I laughed so hard during parts of this book that my sides ached.
This book has the makings of a perfect RomCom movie... endearing characters that feel so real you want to know them in person, heartwarming emotion, the struggles of “adulting” and finding your place in the world, side splitting humor, and romance!
Superbly written and thoroughly entertaining! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This book has the makings of a perfect RomCom movie... endearing characters that feel so real you want to know them in person, heartwarming emotion, the struggles of “adulting” and finding your place in the world, side splitting humor, and romance!
Superbly written and thoroughly entertaining! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
August 9, 2019
I swear when I started this I literally disliked everything happening in it. A bunch of wealthy kids living their lives being influencers? It’s a recipe with all the ingredients I hate but surprisingly it did give a tasty end.
The characters over the pages became impossibly loveable and cute and I was rooting for Matt and Margo all the way.
Is it weird to say that Rita was one of my favorites? And I’m dying to see this as a movie cuz it would be a hoot. Hopefully a network like Netflix can pick it up XD can we also get a sequel or something soon? I mean Epilogue 2 literally screams sequel. Can I pick Mix up and flush her down a toilet please? I hate her -.-
Actual Ratings - 4.5 Stars
The characters over the pages became impossibly loveable and cute and I was rooting for Matt and Margo all the way.
Is it weird to say that Rita was one of my favorites? And I’m dying to see this as a movie cuz it would be a hoot. Hopefully a network like Netflix can pick it up XD can we also get a sequel or something soon? I mean Epilogue 2 literally screams sequel. Can I pick Mix up and flush her down a toilet please? I hate her -.-
Actual Ratings - 4.5 Stars
July 8, 2019
Need. Great summer beach read?!? This is it! I literally could not put this book down for 2 days straight! Crossing my fingers and toes it gets made into a movie
August 11, 2019
FBRC REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : I received an ARC( advance review copy) of this book for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.
Unverified is a story for all those who enjoy social media and keenly follow the influencers. I enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. I loved everything about the plot and the idea of social media stardom is what made me want to check this book out. The book is about Matt and Margo who are brought together by their unusual circumstances in life. The story is about the two of them trying to figure out the solutions to their problems together. The story has fake-dating trope and roommates to lovers trope combined with the social media influencer world. Overall I believe the story has the perfect recipe for Turkish Drama Series.
Matt is a fun-loving, party-boy with zero care for money or responsibilities. He is arrogant, entitled and rich. He is a trust-fund baby who blows through his cash carelessly on parties, alcohol, and women. Matt is given an ultimatum by his dad Brooks Milles Lade to clean up his act and, take up responsibilities. His trust fund is frozen by his dad and only a small amount is transferred monthly to his account. Everything Matt depended on is taken away from him and we get to witness the difficulties Matt faces as a result of his financial situation. Matt's friends have all made a name for themselves. His best friend has a successful business empire that makes Matt feel like he is living in the shadow of people around him. Matt is also asked to move out from his home due to the misunderstanding between Brook's trophy-wife candidate Tiffany. Tiffany is an opportunist of the highest order and is vengeful and deceitful. Most interactions between Matt and Tiffany are explosive with Matt having to face problems because of them. Matt's hunt for a house leads him to Margo Melon.
Margo is the kind of girl I could relate a lot with. She was successful in school and college. She was the one for whom life was straight forward. She studies hard, got great grades. Theoretically, in the real world, she should have great success, but she failed. Her unwillingness to take risks left her playing safe and waiting for opportunities to knock on her door. For her life is not simple and she is hoping things would get better. So far she reminded me of myself. She is sure of herself and thinks she needs to only work in her chosen field as an editor. Her stubbornness to not look at other options leaves her jobless and staying at home in her mid-twenties. She feels frustrated and devastated by her lack of profession and her inability to find success in any endeavor. She is rude and jealous of her sister Kirby.
Kirby is Margo's sister who made a name for herself by developing her business with her partner at a young age. Kirby is a college dropout who has garnered attention and respect in the business and home life with her work. Kirby is kind and considerate and offers Margo a job at her company. Margo decides to take on the position with full fervor and works hard to provide success at the firm. Margo decides to stand on her own two feet with a small help from her sister. Her search for a house leads to Matt.
Matt and Margo's meeting is coincidental. They get misunderstood for a couple and decides to play the role to get the house. One lie after the other, the story spirals out of their control. Their life changes for the better in some aspects and for worse in some others. Their lies of being a social media (Instagram-knockoff) influencer backfire when their profile meant to trick the owner of the house gets verified and catapulted to overnight fame and success. Their chemistry was amazing throughout the book and the banter adding to their effortless and easy friendship. The book is an easy read with lots of humor and fun scenes that will make us want to be part of it. The story is an amazing rom-com with a great group of characters that can be easily made into a TV series.
MY THOUGHTS :
I loved the book and am waiting eagerly for a second book. I have no idea if there will be a second book, but the ending kind of made me hopeful about it. I will be immensely disappointed if there wasn't a sequel to this book.
The writing in this book is a bit difficult to follow at first as the storyline and the back story of characters kept going back and forth. The book I believe is more apt for TV than a novel, but still highly entertaining and enjoyable.
The book was primarily written for TV but didn't get picked up. So I guess that is one of the reasons why it felt similar to TV series for me. I have been obsessed with a few for the past month and binge-watching some of them. Almost every aspect and trope of this book reminded me of some of my favorite Turkish TV Series that I have seen. If you are a fan of these shows I recommend checking Unverified out. You will absolutely enjoy it. The chemistry between Matt and Margo reminded me of Erkenci Kuş. A couple of characters and their craziness also reminded me of the eccentricity seen in the series. The fake dating trope can also be seen in Erkenci Kuş and Dolunay as well. The sharing of the apartment, roommates to lovers trope is seen in Her Yerde Sen. I believe this book is for everyone who will love the simplicity of the romance and the effortless chemistry shown by the characters. I think you will absolutely enjoy Unverified if you love the above-mentioned TV series. Do check the book out and the series as well. I am certain you will love it as much as I did.
DISCLAIMER : I received an ARC( advance review copy) of this book for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.
Unverified is a story for all those who enjoy social media and keenly follow the influencers. I enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. I loved everything about the plot and the idea of social media stardom is what made me want to check this book out. The book is about Matt and Margo who are brought together by their unusual circumstances in life. The story is about the two of them trying to figure out the solutions to their problems together. The story has fake-dating trope and roommates to lovers trope combined with the social media influencer world. Overall I believe the story has the perfect recipe for Turkish Drama Series.
Matt is a fun-loving, party-boy with zero care for money or responsibilities. He is arrogant, entitled and rich. He is a trust-fund baby who blows through his cash carelessly on parties, alcohol, and women. Matt is given an ultimatum by his dad Brooks Milles Lade to clean up his act and, take up responsibilities. His trust fund is frozen by his dad and only a small amount is transferred monthly to his account. Everything Matt depended on is taken away from him and we get to witness the difficulties Matt faces as a result of his financial situation. Matt's friends have all made a name for themselves. His best friend has a successful business empire that makes Matt feel like he is living in the shadow of people around him. Matt is also asked to move out from his home due to the misunderstanding between Brook's trophy-wife candidate Tiffany. Tiffany is an opportunist of the highest order and is vengeful and deceitful. Most interactions between Matt and Tiffany are explosive with Matt having to face problems because of them. Matt's hunt for a house leads him to Margo Melon.
Margo is the kind of girl I could relate a lot with. She was successful in school and college. She was the one for whom life was straight forward. She studies hard, got great grades. Theoretically, in the real world, she should have great success, but she failed. Her unwillingness to take risks left her playing safe and waiting for opportunities to knock on her door. For her life is not simple and she is hoping things would get better. So far she reminded me of myself. She is sure of herself and thinks she needs to only work in her chosen field as an editor. Her stubbornness to not look at other options leaves her jobless and staying at home in her mid-twenties. She feels frustrated and devastated by her lack of profession and her inability to find success in any endeavor. She is rude and jealous of her sister Kirby.
Kirby is Margo's sister who made a name for herself by developing her business with her partner at a young age. Kirby is a college dropout who has garnered attention and respect in the business and home life with her work. Kirby is kind and considerate and offers Margo a job at her company. Margo decides to take on the position with full fervor and works hard to provide success at the firm. Margo decides to stand on her own two feet with a small help from her sister. Her search for a house leads to Matt.
Matt and Margo's meeting is coincidental. They get misunderstood for a couple and decides to play the role to get the house. One lie after the other, the story spirals out of their control. Their life changes for the better in some aspects and for worse in some others. Their lies of being a social media (Instagram-knockoff) influencer backfire when their profile meant to trick the owner of the house gets verified and catapulted to overnight fame and success. Their chemistry was amazing throughout the book and the banter adding to their effortless and easy friendship. The book is an easy read with lots of humor and fun scenes that will make us want to be part of it. The story is an amazing rom-com with a great group of characters that can be easily made into a TV series.
MY THOUGHTS :
I loved the book and am waiting eagerly for a second book. I have no idea if there will be a second book, but the ending kind of made me hopeful about it. I will be immensely disappointed if there wasn't a sequel to this book.
The writing in this book is a bit difficult to follow at first as the storyline and the back story of characters kept going back and forth. The book I believe is more apt for TV than a novel, but still highly entertaining and enjoyable.
The book was primarily written for TV but didn't get picked up. So I guess that is one of the reasons why it felt similar to TV series for me. I have been obsessed with a few for the past month and binge-watching some of them. Almost every aspect and trope of this book reminded me of some of my favorite Turkish TV Series that I have seen. If you are a fan of these shows I recommend checking Unverified out. You will absolutely enjoy it. The chemistry between Matt and Margo reminded me of Erkenci Kuş. A couple of characters and their craziness also reminded me of the eccentricity seen in the series. The fake dating trope can also be seen in Erkenci Kuş and Dolunay as well. The sharing of the apartment, roommates to lovers trope is seen in Her Yerde Sen. I believe this book is for everyone who will love the simplicity of the romance and the effortless chemistry shown by the characters. I think you will absolutely enjoy Unverified if you love the above-mentioned TV series. Do check the book out and the series as well. I am certain you will love it as much as I did.
November 25, 2019
Funny, flirty, fabulous. Unverified proved my intro to a well kept secret. Kristin Giese rocked my heart with her sense of humor and her irresistible characters. Matthew and Margo make over the top into an unforgettable ride. When two young people find themselves facing adulthood is when the fun really begins. Giese and company remind hearts it's okay to find a reason to laugh. Even in the hard moments.
July 17, 2019
4.5 stars
Oh, I so loved Unverified: A Novel! It was so much campy 80's-90's fabulousness references in a millennial shell. Just so great.
It starts a bit slowly, which is good because you build into the story having experienced who they are when they meet. It doesn't just start at a random meet cute.
Oy, the characters and the jokes. I really was crying laughing at certain points (the comment about using rice grains to write a letter... it took me a few moments to be able to read my book again) Rita was so crazy, and all the eccentricities of her landlord. Gah. It was just so much fun to read. Even the details of her sister's business, the photoshoot, and even the Woman Dreamteam for the photo shoot was just outlandish and awesome.
I had a lot of fun reading this. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Matt and Margo. I loved how they just fell into step in a conversation or text chat. It was great. This would be an absolutely fun RomCom. I wish we had more. I will definitely be looking for more from Kristin Giese!
Oh, I so loved Unverified: A Novel! It was so much campy 80's-90's fabulousness references in a millennial shell. Just so great.
It starts a bit slowly, which is good because you build into the story having experienced who they are when they meet. It doesn't just start at a random meet cute.
Oy, the characters and the jokes. I really was crying laughing at certain points (the comment about using rice grains to write a letter... it took me a few moments to be able to read my book again) Rita was so crazy, and all the eccentricities of her landlord. Gah. It was just so much fun to read. Even the details of her sister's business, the photoshoot, and even the Woman Dreamteam for the photo shoot was just outlandish and awesome.
I had a lot of fun reading this. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Matt and Margo. I loved how they just fell into step in a conversation or text chat. It was great. This would be an absolutely fun RomCom. I wish we had more. I will definitely be looking for more from Kristin Giese!
August 4, 2019
This book was such a fun read! Even though the beginning felt a bit disconcerting to me because it kept jumping from Margo's situation to Matt's offering us background information about them and some of the other characters surrounding them in order to set the stage for what was to come, it still kept me interested, and once those two cross paths and their words collided I was completely hooked. Their chemistry was palpable from the moment they meet and I really enjoyed their repartee. I love people who have a sense of humor and both these characters had that in spades. And many of the other characters were a delight to read too! I had a real blast with this story and I hope there's a sequel because I feel there's more to explore about this cast of characters and also because I need to know what happens after that ending!
If this is Kristin GIese's debut novel, I can't wait to see what's next from her! I'll definitely keep an eye out for her future works.
If this is Kristin GIese's debut novel, I can't wait to see what's next from her! I'll definitely keep an eye out for her future works.
August 12, 2019
Writing funny is hard. Kristin Giese, you made it look easy, a brilliant beginning to a career as a novelist.
Margo and Matt, from the first chapters to their meet cute, this was going to be one heck of a ride. Their subtle romance was so charming and even though the concept was outlandish, I could totally see it happen on real life. Both characters were developed individually and that made their pairing much more relatable. The banter between the effortless and easy to read.
All the side characters, Dinah, Rita and Chelsea in particular, were over-the-top great, playing their parts to move the plot forward.
The twists were unpredictable and kept me wanting to read evrn after the end. The second epilogue though...
I laughed my way through the antics in this book, it was just the right amount of extra. I have not read a book this entertaining in a long time. Can't wait for the next thing from this author.
Luanna
Margo and Matt, from the first chapters to their meet cute, this was going to be one heck of a ride. Their subtle romance was so charming and even though the concept was outlandish, I could totally see it happen on real life. Both characters were developed individually and that made their pairing much more relatable. The banter between the effortless and easy to read.
All the side characters, Dinah, Rita and Chelsea in particular, were over-the-top great, playing their parts to move the plot forward.
The twists were unpredictable and kept me wanting to read evrn after the end. The second epilogue though...
I laughed my way through the antics in this book, it was just the right amount of extra. I have not read a book this entertaining in a long time. Can't wait for the next thing from this author.
Luanna
July 17, 2019
Kristin Giese managed to capture my attention and keep me reading straight through with UnVerified. The characters of Matt and Margo take quite the journey in this book and I'm glad I was along for the trip. I think that Ms Giese has a definite talent for writing thre dimensional characters with really clear voices. I appreciated that Matt and Margo had flaws and foibles and that I ended up rooting for them in spite of their shortcomings. Of course the dialogue is crisp and witty, and the settings beautifully drawn, which make the read easier. I dont want to give away the plot, but suffice it to say I was lured by the promise of the premise and the promise was kept! I would love to read more from Ms Giese. Dare we hope for a sequel?
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
July 27, 2019
**FULL REVIEW**
Wow. What a fabulous book! I chose to read this while away on vacation and could not put it down.
I laughed, swooned, and fell head over heels for @MattlovesMargo in this light-hearted, but emotionally charged rom-com.
All of the players in the game, the up-to-date feel with an abundance of social media presence...I kept turning pages and shushing family members so I could fully appreciate all this story had to offer.
Honestly, I will probably read it again...and that is saying something since I rarely read a title more than once. It’s safe to say, this book has made it to my top 10 list of favorites!
I only hope there’s more...because that Epilogue? Yeah, Imma need some explanation.
Until then, I’ll be recommending and singing praises for (un)verifed!
**5 Fake it Until You Make it, Stars**
Wow. What a fabulous book! I chose to read this while away on vacation and could not put it down.
I laughed, swooned, and fell head over heels for @MattlovesMargo in this light-hearted, but emotionally charged rom-com.
All of the players in the game, the up-to-date feel with an abundance of social media presence...I kept turning pages and shushing family members so I could fully appreciate all this story had to offer.
Honestly, I will probably read it again...and that is saying something since I rarely read a title more than once. It’s safe to say, this book has made it to my top 10 list of favorites!
I only hope there’s more...because that Epilogue? Yeah, Imma need some explanation.
Until then, I’ll be recommending and singing praises for (un)verifed!
**5 Fake it Until You Make it, Stars**
September 24, 2019
This was my first read by this author. It started off very slow and that funny. I was hoping it will get better so I kept reading. About half way it got better and I did find myself laughing out loud.
It was clear to me that Matt had feelings for Margo. Matt always had to protect his heart because it was broken by his dad and his mother passing.
It was clear to me that Matt had feelings for Margo. Matt always had to protect his heart because it was broken by his dad and his mother passing.
February 18, 2020
I finished this book about a week ago, but am still having trouble articulating the positive and negatives of it. I give it a 4 of 5, but only because the plot was excellent. There were several things to turn me off of Kristin’s writing though. I’ll discuss that later after I get to the best part.
The plot for this book was excellent and I think will resonate with a lot of young adults (Millenials and Gen-Z) right now, as many are still living the dream in their parents basement. That is sort of what this is about, finding your way out of the dark protective wings your parents provide, to figuring it out for good or bad on your own. Only half of this couple is working hard to get out of the basement though, while the other half is a tough love-failure to launch story. When they both discover a rare gem in LA, they can’t help themselves to build upon the misconception of the future landlord so they can get their first place.
This is where the social media angle comes in because next thing you know, the lie is so out of control they are creating a fake #grid_it site to display it for all the world to see. I’m assuming this is like an Instagram site. If you read Kristin’s bio, you’ll realize she probably has a great deal of experience with this and describes the process effortlessly. The story has them becoming the talk of the town, and how they manage their real life around that. I feel this story is like any dream of a Gen-Z person…I mean right now who doesn’t want to be social media famous??? I mean even here at Wickedcoolflight we want to be social media famous–Have you seen our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts lately?!? My apologies, I digress…
But this is also where the story gets hard for me to take. It is written in Gen-Z or Millennial speak of which I’m neither. (OK, I’ve really dated myself now, for anyone following.) This made it very hard for me to read and I even had to look up a few slang terms to make sure I was getting the details correct. There is one character in particular that speaks in Text language that is quite annoying and not the least bit of a good addition to the story line. That is the real reason this doesn’t get a 5 from me.
I would really love to see the pictures from the photo shoots she describes in the book because I feel like they are a little bit Target with Vogue mixed into them, but all in pink. She does a great job keeping the mystery up of how the couple are going to navigate their family and co workers while propelling this lie for their landlord. It is quite hilariously done. She does seem to rush the ending in my opinion and I think just as you are quick to rise in social media, you are quick to fall, may have been her thoughts on wrapping it up quickly towards the end of the book. I would love to see a sequel perhaps of the best friend, but with less Gen-Z and Millennial speak.
If you are into social media and can’t wait to see your SnapChat feed get streaks or whatever they call them then this is really up your alley. Pick it up for a light-hearted laugh and enjoy the shenanigans.
The plot for this book was excellent and I think will resonate with a lot of young adults (Millenials and Gen-Z) right now, as many are still living the dream in their parents basement. That is sort of what this is about, finding your way out of the dark protective wings your parents provide, to figuring it out for good or bad on your own. Only half of this couple is working hard to get out of the basement though, while the other half is a tough love-failure to launch story. When they both discover a rare gem in LA, they can’t help themselves to build upon the misconception of the future landlord so they can get their first place.
This is where the social media angle comes in because next thing you know, the lie is so out of control they are creating a fake #grid_it site to display it for all the world to see. I’m assuming this is like an Instagram site. If you read Kristin’s bio, you’ll realize she probably has a great deal of experience with this and describes the process effortlessly. The story has them becoming the talk of the town, and how they manage their real life around that. I feel this story is like any dream of a Gen-Z person…I mean right now who doesn’t want to be social media famous??? I mean even here at Wickedcoolflight we want to be social media famous–Have you seen our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts lately?!? My apologies, I digress…
But this is also where the story gets hard for me to take. It is written in Gen-Z or Millennial speak of which I’m neither. (OK, I’ve really dated myself now, for anyone following.) This made it very hard for me to read and I even had to look up a few slang terms to make sure I was getting the details correct. There is one character in particular that speaks in Text language that is quite annoying and not the least bit of a good addition to the story line. That is the real reason this doesn’t get a 5 from me.
I would really love to see the pictures from the photo shoots she describes in the book because I feel like they are a little bit Target with Vogue mixed into them, but all in pink. She does a great job keeping the mystery up of how the couple are going to navigate their family and co workers while propelling this lie for their landlord. It is quite hilariously done. She does seem to rush the ending in my opinion and I think just as you are quick to rise in social media, you are quick to fall, may have been her thoughts on wrapping it up quickly towards the end of the book. I would love to see a sequel perhaps of the best friend, but with less Gen-Z and Millennial speak.
If you are into social media and can’t wait to see your SnapChat feed get streaks or whatever they call them then this is really up your alley. Pick it up for a light-hearted laugh and enjoy the shenanigans.
January 21, 2020
I wanna thank the author and publicist for a free copy of this book, all opinions are my own!
3⭐️
Summary:
Matthew Milles-Lade, a rich kid whose trust fund is suddenly in question, and Margo Valentine Melon, a writer whose career fizzled before it sparked, are two twenty-something strangers stuck living at home, trying to figure out their lives. When they each come across a real estate listing for a palatial (and significantly underpriced) guest house in one of LA’s toniest neighborhoods, their lives get turned upside down. What happens next has them racing to catch the truth before it catches them. Two strangers. One crazy lie.
My thoughts:
This was definitely a fast paced read! It’s light and fluffy and fun! I flew through it in one day trying to see what these characters got themselves into next. I could definitely see this book playing out like a Netflix movie in my head as I was reading it, and everyone needs a friendship like Chelsea and Margo do. Fake dating is one of my favorite romance ropes and I think it does it really really well. I really really loved how the author got to show her personality through the humor and pop culture references in this book, and I think that she has the potential to really hit it out of the park in the rom-com world.
However, I think that having an editor come through and comb through this book would’ve really bumped it up for me. There were scenes when it would jump from present day to the backstory and it was a little hard to follow. I also think there were a lot of small little side plots that didn’t really contribute to furthering the main story a whole lot, and the two main characters don’t even meet until halfway through the books. Ultimately I think this book just needed a bit more refining, and it would’ve been a higher rating from me! That being said, I cannot wait to see what’s in store next from this author and I think we’ll be seeing her name a lot more in coming years!
TW: brief mentions of sexual assault and an adult sleeping with a minor
3⭐️
Summary:
Matthew Milles-Lade, a rich kid whose trust fund is suddenly in question, and Margo Valentine Melon, a writer whose career fizzled before it sparked, are two twenty-something strangers stuck living at home, trying to figure out their lives. When they each come across a real estate listing for a palatial (and significantly underpriced) guest house in one of LA’s toniest neighborhoods, their lives get turned upside down. What happens next has them racing to catch the truth before it catches them. Two strangers. One crazy lie.
My thoughts:
This was definitely a fast paced read! It’s light and fluffy and fun! I flew through it in one day trying to see what these characters got themselves into next. I could definitely see this book playing out like a Netflix movie in my head as I was reading it, and everyone needs a friendship like Chelsea and Margo do. Fake dating is one of my favorite romance ropes and I think it does it really really well. I really really loved how the author got to show her personality through the humor and pop culture references in this book, and I think that she has the potential to really hit it out of the park in the rom-com world.
However, I think that having an editor come through and comb through this book would’ve really bumped it up for me. There were scenes when it would jump from present day to the backstory and it was a little hard to follow. I also think there were a lot of small little side plots that didn’t really contribute to furthering the main story a whole lot, and the two main characters don’t even meet until halfway through the books. Ultimately I think this book just needed a bit more refining, and it would’ve been a higher rating from me! That being said, I cannot wait to see what’s in store next from this author and I think we’ll be seeing her name a lot more in coming years!
TW: brief mentions of sexual assault and an adult sleeping with a minor
July 23, 2020
Absolutely hilarious, wise and romantic. Hooked from page one.
February 12, 2020
i Love when I can’t put a book down and it does not happen often. Loved Matt and Margo, hope there is a sequel.
December 1, 2019
I'm very torn with this story. The premise of the story was great, and I liked the two characters working together. However, what I didn't like was the weird tangents the author would take you on that had NO bearing on the story whatsoever. It was like every character that was introduced needed a backstory, when it was really necessary. I'd say the best part of this book was the last 25% because that's when things started to really make sense and the characters finally came full circle.
Reviewed by: Paige R.
Reviewed by: Paige R.
July 8, 2019
How do you write a book that makes me stay up past my bedtime? You make the characters sympathetic and the scenery gorgeous. A lot of contemporary romance novels only focus on the main two people getting together. Especially once it is introduced but this was treated as a subplot which was very refreshing. I found myself looking forward to their interactions rather than being sick of it being shoved down my throat.
It feels like this was a cautionary tale about ineffective communication. There were all these secrets between people who are supposed to be close with each other but as more and more time passes by, the lies just become part of them. I got a little frustrated with Margo for not going along with the deception more easily but I started to think about it, I realized that it made sense that she was against that. She was already being pulled into lies by her friend Chelsea and I think she is at heart a good person. No one lies to be deceptive all the time.
Can we talk about Rita? There were so many times that I was yelling at my kindle saying, “Girl, Get out!”. It was an interesting comic relief but I was a little pressed by the fact she never found them out when she was randomly popping up in places around THEIR rental.
I loved the way Giese talked about style in this book. I wanted to Google everything so I could see what she was talking about. This would be the cutest FreeForm movie because there were so many things that I saw being translated to screen.
4 out of 5 stars. It was definitely a great read and the twists, you won’t see it coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and All Moxie Ink for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It feels like this was a cautionary tale about ineffective communication. There were all these secrets between people who are supposed to be close with each other but as more and more time passes by, the lies just become part of them. I got a little frustrated with Margo for not going along with the deception more easily but I started to think about it, I realized that it made sense that she was against that. She was already being pulled into lies by her friend Chelsea and I think she is at heart a good person. No one lies to be deceptive all the time.
Can we talk about Rita? There were so many times that I was yelling at my kindle saying, “Girl, Get out!”. It was an interesting comic relief but I was a little pressed by the fact she never found them out when she was randomly popping up in places around THEIR rental.
I loved the way Giese talked about style in this book. I wanted to Google everything so I could see what she was talking about. This would be the cutest FreeForm movie because there were so many things that I saw being translated to screen.
4 out of 5 stars. It was definitely a great read and the twists, you won’t see it coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and All Moxie Ink for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2019
I hesitate to write this, since it seems everyone else loved this. It just really didn't work for me though.
There were countless issues with this, but, at first, it was fun so I just kept going. But it was very slow, with Margo and Matt not even meeting until 1/3 of the way through. There were a lot of weird adverbs used that didn't fit the implied tone, and the order of storytelling felt really unplanned. It was as though this was posted live and so the story wasn't editable... ?
This also felt quite a bit like it was meant to be a screenplay rather than a novel, perhaps meant to be an over-the-top cheese-fest Hallmark movie. The dialogue, especially in the last half, was super awkward, and there was SO MUCH "TELLING."
I really wanted to like this, but it was just very shallow, predictable, and strangely-written, getting more so as it progressed. I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough, or care about the characters.
I am also scratching my head at the ending, qondering why it wasn't actually wrapped up. Is there aupposed to be a sequel?? Ia that why there was odd, detailed, backstory for relatively minor charcters?
Unfortunately, I really should have DNF'ed this one. It had potential, but missed the mark for me.
There were countless issues with this, but, at first, it was fun so I just kept going. But it was very slow, with Margo and Matt not even meeting until 1/3 of the way through. There were a lot of weird adverbs used that didn't fit the implied tone, and the order of storytelling felt really unplanned. It was as though this was posted live and so the story wasn't editable... ?
This also felt quite a bit like it was meant to be a screenplay rather than a novel, perhaps meant to be an over-the-top cheese-fest Hallmark movie. The dialogue, especially in the last half, was super awkward, and there was SO MUCH "TELLING."
I really wanted to like this, but it was just very shallow, predictable, and strangely-written, getting more so as it progressed. I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough, or care about the characters.
I am also scratching my head at the ending, qondering why it wasn't actually wrapped up. Is there aupposed to be a sequel?? Ia that why there was odd, detailed, backstory for relatively minor charcters?
Unfortunately, I really should have DNF'ed this one. It had potential, but missed the mark for me.
June 12, 2020
Sometimes, one just needs a simple rom-com to read. And Unverified is just what fits the bill. There are no over-hyped expectations or plot twits to be had. It delivers on what it promises - romance and fun.
October 7, 2019
This book was received as an ARC from all moxie ink - Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I did not know what to expect with this book thinking that it will be a drama since the situation is similar to catfishing but this actually ended up as a romantic comedy like book that ended up being quite upbeat and very whimsical that it was really enjoyable. It was quite shocking at first the relationship between Matt and Margo and how it shaped out but once the book went on, I have really grown to love their relationship and the memories and drama that come with it. Even though this is a Romance Novel, our teen book club will appreciate this book because of the unique twist and writing style of Kristin Giese in luring in the young quirky minds of teenagers that they will appreciate it the most.
We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I did not know what to expect with this book thinking that it will be a drama since the situation is similar to catfishing but this actually ended up as a romantic comedy like book that ended up being quite upbeat and very whimsical that it was really enjoyable. It was quite shocking at first the relationship between Matt and Margo and how it shaped out but once the book went on, I have really grown to love their relationship and the memories and drama that come with it. Even though this is a Romance Novel, our teen book club will appreciate this book because of the unique twist and writing style of Kristin Giese in luring in the young quirky minds of teenagers that they will appreciate it the most.
We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
June 12, 2020
Quick little goofy book. Light read.
July 10, 2019
Finished reading about 5 minutes ago, and still still basking in the warm fuzzy feeling this book left in me. I’d say this is the best book I’ve read this year, maybe even in two years.
It kept me up all night. Not because the suspense was killing me, and i just had to know what happens, but simply because I enjoyed reading this book so much, I didn’t want to put it down and i didn’t want it to end.
I’m so hoping there will be a sequel. The last couple of pages made me think that maybe there was, or that definitely there should be one.
What else do I need to say? I highly recommend this book. The story is great, the characters are indescribable, the writing is flawless, the love story is just perfect, and the wit and sense of humour of the author put this at 6 stars out of 5 for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review
It kept me up all night. Not because the suspense was killing me, and i just had to know what happens, but simply because I enjoyed reading this book so much, I didn’t want to put it down and i didn’t want it to end.
I’m so hoping there will be a sequel. The last couple of pages made me think that maybe there was, or that definitely there should be one.
What else do I need to say? I highly recommend this book. The story is great, the characters are indescribable, the writing is flawless, the love story is just perfect, and the wit and sense of humour of the author put this at 6 stars out of 5 for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review
June 9, 2020
I enjoy the roommates trope, and while some parts of this were predictable, this was still a fun take. Mixing in current social media tends will probably date this book in a few years but that's not necessarily a bad thing - it's fun for books to be set at a certain point in time.
July 7, 2019
This is the kind of book that you don't put down once you start reading it. Well, that's if you love a romantic comedy or generally if you love characters who are witty and always find a way to make things work. Margo is down on her luck, but she's smart and knows more about marketing than her sister Kirby. So, she gets a chance to work for her sister until she gets back up on her feet- but somewhere along the way, she runs into Matt when they're looking for an apartment.
What happens when you have two people who are willing to do anything to get out of a rut? A hilarious experience, that's what.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. PS: I love the cover and I certainly wish I had a friend like Chelsea on my corner!
What happens when you have two people who are willing to do anything to get out of a rut? A hilarious experience, that's what.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. PS: I love the cover and I certainly wish I had a friend like Chelsea on my corner!
July 23, 2019
It starts a bit slowly, which is good because you build into the story having experienced who they are when they meet. It doesn't just start at a random meet cute.
I really enjoyed the characters and the jokes. I really was crying laughing at certain points - Rita was so crazy, and all the eccentricities of her landlord. It was just so much fun to read. Even the details of her sister's business, the photoshoot, and even the Woman Dreamteam for the photo shoot was just outlandish and awesome. I had a lot of fun reading this. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Matt and Margo. I loved how they just fell into step in a conversation or text chat. It was great. This would be an absolutely fun RomCom. I wish we had more.
I really enjoyed the characters and the jokes. I really was crying laughing at certain points - Rita was so crazy, and all the eccentricities of her landlord. It was just so much fun to read. Even the details of her sister's business, the photoshoot, and even the Woman Dreamteam for the photo shoot was just outlandish and awesome. I had a lot of fun reading this. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Matt and Margo. I loved how they just fell into step in a conversation or text chat. It was great. This would be an absolutely fun RomCom. I wish we had more.
October 4, 2019
You know you’ve loved a book when the first thing you do upon finishing, is check which other books the author has written. In this case, I was both equally impressed and saddened to find that this is the debut novel from Kristin Giese, I’m holding out hope for a sequel though!
It’s rare that I give a book 5 stars but what can I say.. I just loved this book! It has the perfect mix of romance, humour (hello Rita!) and pop culture with a little seriousness thrown in there for good measure.
I adored the characters, especially Margo, Matt, Chelsea and Rita. They were so endearing, it almost makes you want to know them in real life.
Kristin needs to hurry up and write a sequel or turn Unverified in to a movie. I’ll be eagerly awaiting either (or both!).
It’s rare that I give a book 5 stars but what can I say.. I just loved this book! It has the perfect mix of romance, humour (hello Rita!) and pop culture with a little seriousness thrown in there for good measure.
I adored the characters, especially Margo, Matt, Chelsea and Rita. They were so endearing, it almost makes you want to know them in real life.
Kristin needs to hurry up and write a sequel or turn Unverified in to a movie. I’ll be eagerly awaiting either (or both!).
July 12, 2019
If you want to read a brilliant rom com that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, you HAVE to pick this one. And make sure you have time to read it all because it is very hard to put down!
Matt and Margo both arrive to view a rental listing at the same time. When the owner says she’s always wanted to rent the place out to a couple, the two pretend they are together purely to get themselves a place to stay.
Things escalate from there pretty quickly but not in the usual love story way. I won’t say much more as I don’t want to give too much away but I LOVED the unique storyline. Definitely a 5 star read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Matt and Margo both arrive to view a rental listing at the same time. When the owner says she’s always wanted to rent the place out to a couple, the two pretend they are together purely to get themselves a place to stay.
Things escalate from there pretty quickly but not in the usual love story way. I won’t say much more as I don’t want to give too much away but I LOVED the unique storyline. Definitely a 5 star read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
July 21, 2019
SPOILER ALERT - Unverified does what an entertaining book should, take you out of your stressful life, distract you for all of the right reasons and leave you wanting more. I can't wait to see the characters brought to life on the big screen where they will shine amidst the dark, violent, gloom and doom stories that just season the negative culture of our current world situation. Yes, there is an audience for those kinds of stories but honestly, enough is enough! Bring back the Rom-Com, the light-hearted, the laugh out loud story for a little "bad news" reprieve cozied up on your couch, beach or poolside!
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