Faking It

Conrad Billionaire Brothers #1

by Josie Hart

My fingers in his hair.
My dress around my ankles.
And my v-card completely punched.

Sebastian Conrad claimed my v-card,
Then ghosted me like sparks never flew.

Now this arrogant jerk shows up to steal my business deal.
One fake date and I can convince him to give it up.

But after dinner, my heart thunders as he looks deep into my eyes.
My guard crumbles when he cups my cheek,
And I remember why he was my first love.

Fool me once, shame on me.
Fool me twice… shame on you.

I can't fall for him again,
Or I'll lose more than just my job.

My shattered heart can't take another blow,
But, could he be worth it this time?


Faking It features the arrogant bad boy falling head over heels for the quirky girl. Steam hot enough to fog up your Kindle and have you blushing! No cliffhangers and no cheating in this complete standalone, only a highly satisfying HEA.

This is the first in the series, with the other swoony Conrad Brothers making appearances in the other books.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2022

About the author

Hi! I'm an indie author who writes contemporary romance that begs to be read cover to cover.

Bad boy alphas, grumps with a heart of gold, and high levels of steam are my specialty. Every sizzling book ends with a deliciously satisfying happy ending.

Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but the books are interconnected through the characters.

Join my newsletter for sneak peeks, first access to releases, ARC team, and more!

Looking for my free e-book? Get your copy of Off Limits Grump here.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/25/2023)! 🎁

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi a girl who was raised in foster care who didn’t have much at all. She was different from the other girls. Bas is a guy who all the girls want and was never turned down. They attended the same school and at the end of the year they meet at a party and she ends us going home with him. Bas led her to believe that she was different and that he wanted to see her again but he never called. Now years later Lexi works for a nonprofit organization and wants to do good things for others. Bas is a millionaire ladies’ man who is constantly in the lime light. One day he opens his mouth and says he’s ready to settle down and he is looking for someone to date. Well, this opens the flood gates and women and the paparazzi are constantly at his every turn.
When Lexi’s boss asks her to attend a meeting in her place regarding some land to buy, she doesn’t expect to see Bas. Bas wants the land to build a resort on to make him even richer. Lexi’s boss finds out she has a past with Bas and tells her to use him to persuade her to let them have the land Bas decides to get Lexi to date him to get all everyone off his back. Neither of them expected to rekindle the one night they shared. What will happen when each of their secrets come out in the open?

This was my first book to read from this author and I have to say I will be reading more of her books. A well written storyline with wonderful characters and lots of steam. I can’t wait to read Parker’s story. I received an arc copy of this gook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Shyla S · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Faking It' is a short, easy to read second chance romance with a bit of angst and steamy chemistry between the main leads. This was my first book to read from this author and I have to say I will be reading more of her books.

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤/𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 = Sebastian (Bas) Conrad and Alexis (Lexi) Clay
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 = No
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 = Yes
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚(𝙨) = Enemies to Lovers Romance ♥ Dual POVs ♥ Second Chance ♥ Billionaire ♥ Opposites attract
𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧(𝙨):
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 = 🔥🔥🔥 1/2
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lexi and Bas went to school together... Both complete opposites (Lexi is a foster child w/ no family and Bas is the rich kid all the girls want). Towards the end of the school year., they meet at a party and shared one steamy night that ended with him disappearing and her moving on. Now 15yrs years later, they meet again, both vying for the same lot of land... Bas wants to build a lavish resort and Lexi a wellness center to help those in need.

There is def chemistry and sparks b/w Bas & Lexi... But with their history, can Lexi forgive him for using & ghosting her?

[Bookish Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Vibes - Fine, Meh, Already Forgot

They're both keeping secrets but he's two-faced.
Sebastian is a 30-year-old man who never really grew up. He gets drunk and on a dare from his shitty friends (who we never hear from again) he blurts out that he's looking for a wife in front in the paparazzi. Instead of, oh I don't know, admitting that he was drunk and was WRONG, he decides he's gonna just fake it with the one person who hates him and and has already turned him down, twice. The same woman he had a crush on in school. Lexi was the "weird kid" as a teenager and is now just really altruistic. She feeds the homeless and truly believes in paying it forward. I didn't really buy their relationship because Bas was really sweet when he was with her but then he was kind of a prick when he was with his brothers or his friends. Anyone that is only nice to your face but is a douche-canoe behind your back is not a good person to have in your life.

Tropes
-Billionaire
-Second Chance
-Celebrity

[Dark Little Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

I really enjoyed this book by Josie Hart. It's got some great tropes, enemies to lovers, fake dating, and a sort of second chance romance added in there. All of these definitely make for a recipe for success! There were times when I wanted to scream at the book and other times where I was left absolutely laughing out loud. Just want you want from a book.

I loved the instant chemistry and sparks between Bas and Lexi. She's a very likable character and I absolutely loved her stubbornness and determination. As for Bas his cockiness is definitely entertaining but also his love for her is just swoonworthy. I'd highly recommend this book, I couldn't put it down and read it all in one sitting.

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi is a goal oriented, “help the world” team player, despite a tough childhood and a complete lack of a social life. Sebastian (Bas) is a wealthy, successful businessman who has the world at his feet and the playboy reputation to show he takes advantage of what his wealth provides. They have history from school but haven’t seen each other for years when a chance meeting provides a unique opportunity for both of them. Lexi wants to protect herself, Bas wants to fix a stuff up. They’re both faking the relationship for their own reasons until real feelings get in the way. Great chemistry between the main characters, perfect support characters, well written with witty banter, humour, steam, emotional twists and a sweet HEA.
I received an ARC copy and this is an honest review.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author and I am absolutely speechless and Blown away from this book. It was absolutely fantastic and had me enthralled from the beginning until the end. Alexis aka Lexi Clay and Sebastian aka Bas Conrad had one night together where he took her virginity and promised to call but never did. Now years later they're face to face again, but will Lexi's feelings of hurt and pain and angry cost her a job? Bas wants the land but at what cost? She's the one that he let slip away ,but will he make that mistake again? This book was absolutely so darn good that you can connect with the characters emotions and Heartbreak and pain it's like you are apart of the story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a Josie Hart book and I really liked it. I can't wait to read Parker's story next! I loved Lexi from the very first page, she is such a great character. At first I thought Bas was pompous and conceded but the more time he spent with Lexi the more I warmed up to him. She softened him and brought him back down to earth. They both make mistakes throughout the book but make up for it in the end. If you're looking for a light fast read pick this up. Also, the angry sex between these two is so hot! 🔥🔥🥵🔥🔥

**received an ARC from the author for leaving my honest review**

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel in love with Sebastián and Alexis by the end of the book.

When I first started the book I felt so bad for Alexis because of how Sebastián had treated her but then things started developing between them and all you want is for them to be together forever. They both did and said things they shouldn't have but they found themselves with a happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second chance romance between Bas and Alexis. Their story is decent. Unless there are details in a prior or subsequent book, there were some details missing or perhaps skimmed over, albeit minor but multiple. I was not able to attach to the characters emotionally but found their conclusion satisfactory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Susannah Staines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and leaving my honest review voluntarily. I found this to be a very easy read. I love the chemistry between Lexi and Bas. I was surprised to learn that this is the first book from this author, can't wait to see what she will come up with next.

[Tich Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bas needs to date to redeem himself, Lexi needs to date Bas to get the property she wants. Both need to fake it to achieve their goals.
This was an interesting story about lies, fake relationships, and love.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mind was elsewhere

Why did I think the homeless man that Lexi helped in the beginning of the book was going to play a part in the story? I had visions of him being a long lost dad or relative with amnesia. Anyway, cute story.

[Billie Jo W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

What a wonderful story. Jamie Hart is a new to me author. I will definitely be reading more from her.

[literaryobsessed_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Interesting story with interesting characters a great short read for a day at the beach. Just enough steam to plot ratio.

[zen_s]

[did not finish @ 32%] not my cup of tea...

[Carla Bahlz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good writing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great story

I really enjoyed this story, probably because I've always loved 2nd chances. I think it makes for a stronger relationship.

[Jamie Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Overall, it was a good story. But there some minor inconsistencies throughout. That's why I didn't rate it higher. He was an arrogant, immature jerk.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bas & Lexi had a wonderful story. Loved the characters. It was an entertaining, fun read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.