Scan barcode
mysapphicbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I am honestly obsessed with Jae’s books - they were the reason i started reading Lesfic and especially Just for Show played a big part in that.
Claire and Lana are such opposites, but they complement each other perfectly! A wonderful book with a fake relationship and lovely characters.
Claire and Lana are such opposites, but they complement each other perfectly! A wonderful book with a fake relationship and lovely characters.
motaki's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
Minor: Body shaming and Classism
judeinthestars's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve now read this book twice and gave it 4 stars each time. I didn’t review it the first time around, so here we go.
As I’ve written before, Jae is a consistently good writer, who creates nice and endearing characters. I’ve found some of her books a tad formulaic, but they’re never boring, and I never felt I’d wasted time on them. So it’s safe to say that if I had completely forgotten about this book, it’s because my memory works in mysterious way, not because it’s not worth reading or anything. I wouldn’t give it 4 stars if it was bad, would I?
Just for Show is a sweet and often funny romance, set in the same universe as Jae’s Hollywood series. Claire’s life seems perfectly on track: she’s engaged to her girlfriend of seven years, gets on okay with her family (except for her sister, Steph, who now also has her own romance novel, [b:The Roommate Arrangement|47884434|The Roommate Arrangement|Jae|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566717247l/47884434._SX50_.jpg|73030737], which I reviewed a few days ago) and is about to sign a publishing contract for her self-help book on relationships. It all comes crashing down when her fiancée breaks up with her minutes before their engagement party. Not only is Claire left to deal with their guests, everything she thought she knew is called into question. Is she really competent as a couples therapist when she had no idea her own relationship was failing? And will her publisher be willing to bet on a single author? Enters Lana, an out-of-work actress, who agrees to act as Claire’s pretend girlfriend. As with most good fake romance novels, Lana is Claire’s complete opposite. She’s fun and messy, curvy and easy-going. Claire likes everything to be done in a certain way and Lana’s ways clash with her OCD. Yet they become friends and both fight their attraction to the other. Until they stop fighting it.
Fake romances usually go the same way, and it’s not the story itself that’s important, nor the HEA, but the way the author gets there. The chemistry has to be built up progressively, the romance needs to grow in unexpected ways. And the reasons for the fake relationship need to be believable all along, not feel artificial. Jae did a pretty good job at all these. There are very cute scenes and moments in this story and some rather sexy ones too. All in all, Just for Show is a very enjoyable and heart-warming read. Hence the 4 stars.
As I’ve written before, Jae is a consistently good writer, who creates nice and endearing characters. I’ve found some of her books a tad formulaic, but they’re never boring, and I never felt I’d wasted time on them. So it’s safe to say that if I had completely forgotten about this book, it’s because my memory works in mysterious way, not because it’s not worth reading or anything. I wouldn’t give it 4 stars if it was bad, would I?
Just for Show is a sweet and often funny romance, set in the same universe as Jae’s Hollywood series. Claire’s life seems perfectly on track: she’s engaged to her girlfriend of seven years, gets on okay with her family (except for her sister, Steph, who now also has her own romance novel, [b:The Roommate Arrangement|47884434|The Roommate Arrangement|Jae|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566717247l/47884434._SX50_.jpg|73030737], which I reviewed a few days ago) and is about to sign a publishing contract for her self-help book on relationships. It all comes crashing down when her fiancée breaks up with her minutes before their engagement party. Not only is Claire left to deal with their guests, everything she thought she knew is called into question. Is she really competent as a couples therapist when she had no idea her own relationship was failing? And will her publisher be willing to bet on a single author? Enters Lana, an out-of-work actress, who agrees to act as Claire’s pretend girlfriend. As with most good fake romance novels, Lana is Claire’s complete opposite. She’s fun and messy, curvy and easy-going. Claire likes everything to be done in a certain way and Lana’s ways clash with her OCD. Yet they become friends and both fight their attraction to the other. Until they stop fighting it.
Fake romances usually go the same way, and it’s not the story itself that’s important, nor the HEA, but the way the author gets there. The chemistry has to be built up progressively, the romance needs to grow in unexpected ways. And the reasons for the fake relationship need to be believable all along, not feel artificial. Jae did a pretty good job at all these. There are very cute scenes and moments in this story and some rather sexy ones too. All in all, Just for Show is a very enjoyable and heart-warming read. Hence the 4 stars.
reignreignbow's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just for Show was a feel-good and light read. I'm forever a sucker for fake dating/fake relationship tropes so I was very happy with this one. I also like how it was written, it wasn't dragging or anything. The characters were lovable and adorable and relatable (at least for me). I loved both of the MCs and how mature they were in handling things. This book didn't give me a headache or a heartache. Not really.
wickedregal's review
5.0
Edited to add:
Even after 3 read throughs this is still one of my top favorite books. You know a book has your heart and is near and dear to you when, after multiple rereads it still makes you smile at all the small, sweet moments and makes your heart clench and you cry other times. Even though you know the book hasn't changed, the ending will still be the same and happy, it still gets to you and leaves an impact. That's this book to me.
And as far as the audio version of this book... Angela Dawe is my favorite narrator and add to that, having her read my favorite authors book, well... that just made it an even bigger treat and loved every minutes of it.
Original review of book below:
***ARC from YLVA Publishing***
Right from the start, I'm all in. Very first chapter we have the drama that will set up the story. No spoiler here, as it said this in the synopsis, that Clair's fiancée called off their engagement. But honestly, the timing of it?! Talk about more than just a slap in the face, and then for Abby (the ex-fiancée at that point) to leave Claire to explain to their arriving guests of the situation alone?! What kind of monster is this woman? Call off the engagement then have the other person be the one to pick up the pieces and explain when Abby didn't even give her a proper reason? Pfft bye!
The next chapter starts a couple months down the road, and this is when then fun, rom-com commences from here on. The "casting call" idea and execution of it was pure genius... and awkward. Weird combo, right? But omg I loved it!
So now we have the fake finacée booked, Lana Henderson. And these two couldn't be more opposite if you tried. At first you're thinking, okay seriously, Claire is going to murder her before the day is over. Claire is major OCD and Lana is anything but, not to mention, Lana can't stand psychologists. Welp! This will be fun... awkward... **rubs hands together and grabs the popcorn for the show**
It didn't take long though, and soon the little things they were doing because of the other began to show. Little things like Lana throwing her keys on the counter only to come back seconds later and hang them up. Sure it doesn't seem like anything special but it is the awareness of the other person, Claire's OCD, and Lana doing that. It's the little things about their fake relationship, blossoming perhaps into something not so fake, that makes me squee with giddiness. *_* I'm a sucker for the subtle changes as relationships start to blossom, especially without the parties involved realizing until it is too late and love begins to take over. Of course at this point in the book it is early and nothing is really there as a whole but it's those seeds planted that drive the hope. :)
The photoshoot scene gave me the swooning and giddy feelings again. But then there was the dinner with Lana's friends where things started to get turbulent. Even if it was a fake relationship, you should at least know the history of the person you're supposed to be in a relationship with AND those of their friends. But for these two ladies, opening up was not something they were willing to do, at first, with their vaults firmly closed on certain subjects.
It was Lana's panic attack at the boutique, where lines began to become even more blurred in this "fake" relationship. Walls began to come down a few feet, doors began to open into hearts scared and wounded.
The more outings these two went on, pretending to be a loving couple, the more people they cared about in their life that they told, the messier the feelings were at being concealed, because after all... that wasn't in the "contract". Gotta stay professional, surely it was just one sided, the other person was merely acting the role, or the other was just doing for show in order to get that book deal properly sealed. Or was it?
There are so many parts to this story I want to keep talking about but honestly this book is too good to talk about without spoiling because my feels are in high swing, and I have made this review entirely too long to begin with. Let's just say... the New York trip they took was a game changer in many ways.
Maybe sometimes you think you know exactly what you want, until you realize at some point things have changed and it isn't nearly as important to you as what you thought. Maybe something, or someone, has taken that place instead.
Even after 3 read throughs this is still one of my top favorite books. You know a book has your heart and is near and dear to you when, after multiple rereads it still makes you smile at all the small, sweet moments and makes your heart clench and you cry other times. Even though you know the book hasn't changed, the ending will still be the same and happy, it still gets to you and leaves an impact. That's this book to me.
And as far as the audio version of this book... Angela Dawe is my favorite narrator and add to that, having her read my favorite authors book, well... that just made it an even bigger treat and loved every minutes of it.
Original review of book below:
***ARC from YLVA Publishing***
Right from the start, I'm all in. Very first chapter we have the drama that will set up the story. No spoiler here, as it said this in the synopsis, that Clair's fiancée called off their engagement. But honestly, the timing of it?! Talk about more than just a slap in the face, and then for Abby (the ex-fiancée at that point) to leave Claire to explain to their arriving guests of the situation alone?! What kind of monster is this woman? Call off the engagement then have the other person be the one to pick up the pieces and explain when Abby didn't even give her a proper reason? Pfft bye!
The next chapter starts a couple months down the road, and this is when then fun, rom-com commences from here on. The "casting call" idea and execution of it was pure genius... and awkward. Weird combo, right? But omg I loved it!
So now we have the fake finacée booked, Lana Henderson. And these two couldn't be more opposite if you tried. At first you're thinking, okay seriously, Claire is going to murder her before the day is over. Claire is major OCD and Lana is anything but, not to mention, Lana can't stand psychologists. Welp! This will be fun... awkward... **rubs hands together and grabs the popcorn for the show**
It didn't take long though, and soon the little things they were doing because of the other began to show. Little things like Lana throwing her keys on the counter only to come back seconds later and hang them up. Sure it doesn't seem like anything special but it is the awareness of the other person, Claire's OCD, and Lana doing that. It's the little things about their fake relationship, blossoming perhaps into something not so fake, that makes me squee with giddiness. *_* I'm a sucker for the subtle changes as relationships start to blossom, especially without the parties involved realizing until it is too late and love begins to take over. Of course at this point in the book it is early and nothing is really there as a whole but it's those seeds planted that drive the hope. :)
The photoshoot scene gave me the swooning and giddy feelings again. But then there was the dinner with Lana's friends where things started to get turbulent. Even if it was a fake relationship, you should at least know the history of the person you're supposed to be in a relationship with AND those of their friends. But for these two ladies, opening up was not something they were willing to do, at first, with their vaults firmly closed on certain subjects.
It was Lana's panic attack at the boutique, where lines began to become even more blurred in this "fake" relationship. Walls began to come down a few feet, doors began to open into hearts scared and wounded.
The more outings these two went on, pretending to be a loving couple, the more people they cared about in their life that they told, the messier the feelings were at being concealed, because after all... that wasn't in the "contract". Gotta stay professional, surely it was just one sided, the other person was merely acting the role, or the other was just doing for show in order to get that book deal properly sealed. Or was it?
There are so many parts to this story I want to keep talking about but honestly this book is too good to talk about without spoiling because my feels are in high swing, and I have made this review entirely too long to begin with. Let's just say... the New York trip they took was a game changer in many ways.
Maybe sometimes you think you know exactly what you want, until you realize at some point things have changed and it isn't nearly as important to you as what you thought. Maybe something, or someone, has taken that place instead.
wordsandfiction's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fun and sweet read! It's basically about a "fauxmance" - so nothing new, but it's so charmingly told that I enjoyed it. I constantly laughed out loud because of some dialogues.
One of the main characters is Claire, a psychologist who specialises in couples' therapy. She is a perfectionist, has some OCD, and is wealthy. The other is Lana, a desperate actress looking for new roles and working as a barista on the side. Unlike Claire, she is laid back and lives from day to day.
Of course, their paths cross when Claire needs a fake girlfriend to seal a book deal. Who wants to buy a book on relationship tips when the author can't keep her own relationships intact?
The two are such opposites that there is always friction, which the author tells amusingly. In the end, though, the two characters complement each other. And I loved how they ended up embracing each other's habits (positive and negative). SO CUTE!
Of course, the whole plot is predictable, but the characters are so entertainingly narrated that you fall in love with them and want to read on and on. Also, I would like to note that I liked how the author ended the story, because often "fauxmances" end the same way.
I can only recommend this book to anyone who likes stories about faux relationships and needs something to cheer them up during the pandemic.
~~~
Find more reviews on my blog www.wordsandfiction.com.
One of the main characters is Claire, a psychologist who specialises in couples' therapy. She is a perfectionist, has some OCD, and is wealthy. The other is Lana, a desperate actress looking for new roles and working as a barista on the side. Unlike Claire, she is laid back and lives from day to day.
Of course, their paths cross when Claire needs a fake girlfriend to seal a book deal. Who wants to buy a book on relationship tips when the author can't keep her own relationships intact?
The two are such opposites that there is always friction, which the author tells amusingly. In the end, though, the two characters complement each other. And I loved how they ended up embracing each other's habits (positive and negative). SO CUTE!
Of course, the whole plot is predictable, but the characters are so entertainingly narrated that you fall in love with them and want to read on and on. Also, I would like to note that I liked how the author ended the story, because often "fauxmances" end the same way.
I can only recommend this book to anyone who likes stories about faux relationships and needs something to cheer them up during the pandemic.
~~~
Find more reviews on my blog www.wordsandfiction.com.
justaghostie's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored the interactions between the main characters. it's a fun book that made me finish it super fast
chaoticlesbian's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
queeniesmagic's review against another edition
5.0
i don't usually write anything, BUT. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.