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laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Radio producer Everly Dean is having the worst birthday ever. Worse than the birthday spent in the ER. Worse than the birthday where her parents announced they were separating (for the first time). Somehow, finding your boyfriend in bed with his assistant (assisting him in an, uh, unique way) then ranting about the experience ON LIVE RADIO takes the birthday cake.
Humiliated, Everly makes a list of Rules for Faking It, AKA surviving her thirties. She'll try new things, speak up for herself, pitch her ideas at work, and generally be bold--all things that are hard to do when one has anxiety. Unexpectedly, she gets an opportunity to put her Rules to the test when her (dreamy) boss--in an attempt to save Everly's job, her best friend/DJ's job, and his own--suggests that they turn all of the incoming listener support towards Everly and offers to replace her cheating slimeball ex into a Bachlorette-style contest. Six strangers. Six dates. One second date.
Everly agrees, but try as she might, none of the men she chooses for her dates capture her heart. No, against all logic, her heart is leaning towards Chris, her boss. Who maybe hates her. Who maybe.... likes her back?
Sullivan's brilliant debut rom-com is fun, sexy, addicting, and shines a light on dating with a mental illness--in this case, anxiety. (Let's just say, I felt for Everly. A lot.) Not to mention, this is a great book about self-care, and how that often means having to set boundaries with a variety of people--to include your parents--in order to thrive. Snagging a copy of "Ten Rules for Faking It" is a great way to welcome in 2021 and set your own goals and rules for making the new year your year. Not to mention, it's a good way to laugh and swoon away the garbage fire that was 2020.
Radio producer Everly Dean is having the worst birthday ever. Worse than the birthday spent in the ER. Worse than the birthday where her parents announced they were separating (for the first time). Somehow, finding your boyfriend in bed with his assistant (assisting him in an, uh, unique way) then ranting about the experience ON LIVE RADIO takes the birthday cake.
Humiliated, Everly makes a list of Rules for Faking It, AKA surviving her thirties. She'll try new things, speak up for herself, pitch her ideas at work, and generally be bold--all things that are hard to do when one has anxiety. Unexpectedly, she gets an opportunity to put her Rules to the test when her (dreamy) boss--in an attempt to save Everly's job, her best friend/DJ's job, and his own--suggests that they turn all of the incoming listener support towards Everly and offers to replace her cheating slimeball ex into a Bachlorette-style contest. Six strangers. Six dates. One second date.
Everly agrees, but try as she might, none of the men she chooses for her dates capture her heart. No, against all logic, her heart is leaning towards Chris, her boss. Who maybe hates her. Who maybe.... likes her back?
Sullivan's brilliant debut rom-com is fun, sexy, addicting, and shines a light on dating with a mental illness--in this case, anxiety. (Let's just say, I felt for Everly. A lot.) Not to mention, this is a great book about self-care, and how that often means having to set boundaries with a variety of people--to include your parents--in order to thrive. Snagging a copy of "Ten Rules for Faking It" is a great way to welcome in 2021 and set your own goals and rules for making the new year your year. Not to mention, it's a good way to laugh and swoon away the garbage fire that was 2020.
rvarma's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michelles_bookshelf's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
melanie_books's review against another edition
4.0
Everly hates birthdays and after finding her boyfriend with another woman she thinks this may be one of the worst yet. But things take a turn when she shows up to her job as a radio show producer and tells her best friend all about it, not realizing that her tirade is being broadcast live accidently. When support starts pouring in for Everly, Chris Jansen, the temporary station manager who has had a crush on Everly since the day he laid eyes on her, proposes a contest to not only help Everly find love, but also capitalize on the sudden publicity for the station. Everly (and her social anxiety) hates the idea initially, but realizing that it could help her follow her newly-minted "Ten Rules for Faking It," she hesitantly agrees.
I really liked the story! Everly is just a sweetheart, and despite the sometimes-crippling anxiety, she presses on, determined to make the most of the situation and to grow as a person. Chris is a delight as well, even as he is torn between what he wants and what is "right" for his life. I liked that the story was about the personal growth of both the main characters and was told from both of their perspectives. I especially enjoyed the fact that they had a friendship first before they embarked on a romantic relationship. The side characters were entertaining and had some great storylines as well. Additionally, the romance was closed door and there was very little language. Loved it!
I really liked the story! Everly is just a sweetheart, and despite the sometimes-crippling anxiety, she presses on, determined to make the most of the situation and to grow as a person. Chris is a delight as well, even as he is torn between what he wants and what is "right" for his life. I liked that the story was about the personal growth of both the main characters and was told from both of their perspectives. I especially enjoyed the fact that they had a friendship first before they embarked on a romantic relationship. The side characters were entertaining and had some great storylines as well. Additionally, the romance was closed door and there was very little language. Loved it!
brieanamartino's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The main character really annoyed me, unfortunately. I know people struggle with severe social anxiety, but it was tough to like her personally. There were many times I almost stopped reading, so I finished just to say I did.
pixiepages's review
5.0
This book was so funny and freakin cute. Everly was just having a horrible birthday and to make matters worse she accidentally broadcasted on her radio show that her boyfriend, well now Ex was cheating on. Happy Freakin Birthday to her. What she didn’t expect is for the whole town to support her decision. The manager decides to come up with a bachelor style dating game for her and that kicks off some fun dates. This book was just so cute! Loved it!!
jmstergas's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75