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jenniferforjoy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Recommended: sure
For a sweet story with some actual mystery to it, for a fun integration of nerdy gamer things that you'll be in on the joke for if you're a gamer, for characters who support being their true authentic selves
Thoughts:
This starts off with a premise that could easily fall to the lazy, boring trope where the conflict is driven by people simply not talking to each other. Happily, that lazy boring trope is not where this book draws from. Instead, there's a well-developed sense of identity and authenticity, as well as mutual support. Considering this is a fake-dating trope, it's really impressive that it still felt very genuine for the characters!
I loved that they were pretty honest with each other from the start. Even though there's the one obvious lie of pretending this guy is an excellent gamer, they both focus on staying true to themselves and encouraging each other to do the same. Daniel's interactions with Samaya's friends was focused a lot on who he genuinely is, rather than solely on his assumed persona. They even call that out to each other after, which was a heartwarming moment of clarity. This is a critical basis of any relationship, so I was quickly invested in them, regardless of if romance came or it stayed as a strong friendship.
As a sense of identity is a core of this story for both main characters, there's also a side dish of racial commentary. Devin's parents look down on Samaya's family for not being Indian-Indian; Daniel gets all kinds of micro-aggressions about being a great player for a Filipino -- and even that feels like an improvement over the outright racism and violence he'd dealt with previously. It's not the full core of the story, but they each find ways to deal with it and commiserate together to find community and support.
One little aspect of this that niggled at me as a gamer was how some of the gaming things just seemed incorrect. Now, note: this only annoyed me because I have done these things and could see the logic holes, but realistically, they didn't affect the story of the novel (and were usually being used to propel it, in fact). One weird idiosyncrasy was that Discord, an online platform for voice chatting, was acknowledged to exist. Yet somehow their gaming guild was only able to play and talk by being in a room together, instead of using Discord to connect like just about every other gaming guild around???
But to be fair LAN parties can be hella fun so no shade at the end result, the excuse for it just didn't make sense. xD
Anyway, I definitely enjoyed this one and was pleasantly surprised at the depth brought to what's usually a bit of a fluffy trope for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyscape for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review.
For a sweet story with some actual mystery to it, for a fun integration of nerdy gamer things that you'll be in on the joke for if you're a gamer, for characters who support being their true authentic selves
Thoughts:
This starts off with a premise that could easily fall to the lazy, boring trope where the conflict is driven by people simply not talking to each other. Happily, that lazy boring trope is not where this book draws from. Instead, there's a well-developed sense of identity and authenticity, as well as mutual support. Considering this is a fake-dating trope, it's really impressive that it still felt very genuine for the characters!
I loved that they were pretty honest with each other from the start. Even though there's the one obvious lie of pretending this guy is an excellent gamer, they both focus on staying true to themselves and encouraging each other to do the same. Daniel's interactions with Samaya's friends was focused a lot on who he genuinely is, rather than solely on his assumed persona. They even call that out to each other after, which was a heartwarming moment of clarity. This is a critical basis of any relationship, so I was quickly invested in them, regardless of if romance came or it stayed as a strong friendship.
As a sense of identity is a core of this story for both main characters, there's also a side dish of racial commentary. Devin's parents look down on Samaya's family for not being Indian-Indian; Daniel gets all kinds of micro-aggressions about being a great player for a Filipino -- and even that feels like an improvement over the outright racism and violence he'd dealt with previously. It's not the full core of the story, but they each find ways to deal with it and commiserate together to find community and support.
One little aspect of this that niggled at me as a gamer was how some of the gaming things just seemed incorrect. Now, note: this only annoyed me because I have done these things and could see the logic holes, but realistically, they didn't affect the story of the novel (and were usually being used to propel it, in fact). One weird idiosyncrasy was that Discord, an online platform for voice chatting, was acknowledged to exist. Yet somehow their gaming guild was only able to play and talk by being in a room together, instead of using Discord to connect like just about every other gaming guild around???
But to be fair LAN parties can be hella fun so no shade at the end result, the excuse for it just didn't make sense. xD
Anyway, I definitely enjoyed this one and was pleasantly surprised at the depth brought to what's usually a bit of a fluffy trope for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyscape for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review.
courtlove18's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story line and character development. It was a little too much YA for my personal tastes ( nothing to do with the author). I wished for a little more revenge/drama/lovin scenes. It was a good read and a cutesy story,
livinthebubble's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
What a great start to the reading year. So... is Farah Heron a possible new fave? This is the second book I've read from her, and both did not miss.
After an unexpected breakup with her ex before summer, Samaya has enough of the gossip and decides she's going to win their breakup (hence the name of the book), which is where Daniel comes in: the fake boyfriend.
I really loved this. I think I will never not like a fake dating book. I'm slowly falling off the YA wagon when it comes to romance, but this never felt cringey or too young for me. I really enjoyed the fact that Tahira and Rowan were part of the story.
Samaya and Daniel were so cute together. Samaya - gamer girl, math genius, grump - was relatable to me (I'm not a math genius but I do enjoy maths) and Daniel - baker, hockey player, sunshine - was perfect to the point of impossibility.where can I find one? I loved them both. The banter and the tension...oof. Their breakup (tbh I almost cried) was slightly annoying to me but it was solved nicely. >/spoiler>
I also loved that Cass's pronouns were seamlessly put in. I've read some books where it felt forced, but here it felt natural.
My only problem with this was that the Instagram gossip-account-person reveal was boring and felt insignificant when Samaya focused on it for almost the entirety of the book.
Overall, so fun and so cute. I really want to get to more of Heron's work.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After an unexpected breakup with her ex before summer, Samaya has enough of the gossip and decides she's going to win their breakup (hence the name of the book), which is where Daniel comes in: the fake boyfriend.
I really loved this. I think I will never not like a fake dating book. I'm slowly falling off the YA wagon when it comes to romance, but this never felt cringey or too young for me. I really enjoyed the fact that Tahira and Rowan were part of the story.
Samaya and Daniel were so cute together. Samaya - gamer girl, math genius, grump - was relatable to me (I'm not a math genius but I do enjoy maths) and Daniel - baker, hockey player, sunshine - was perfect to the point of impossibility.
I also loved that Cass's pronouns were seamlessly put in. I've read some books where it felt forced, but here it felt natural.
My only problem with this was that the Instagram gossip-account-person reveal was boring and felt insignificant when Samaya focused on it for almost the entirety of the book.
Overall, so fun and so cute. I really want to get to more of Heron's work.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
dansydreads's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I love a good messy romance.
Samaya is a high school senior trying to save face as the new school year starts. She has to deal with frenemies, gossip, misogyny, and of course her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend (who, naturally, is one of the aforementioned frenemies). The solution? A fake boyfriend. Daniel all but falls into her lap at her new volunteer gig and agrees to help her win the breakup.
Throw She’s All That, Never Have I Ever, and a little bit of One Of Us Is Lying together and this is what you get. The gamer-girl academic needs her new pastry chef/hockey player fake-boyfriend to pass as a gamer nerd to try to trick the schools gossip instagram account into believing that their relationship is real.
I liked how neurotic Samaya is. Her worries felt very real in terms of what seventeen year olds go through, especially those who are held to higher standards not only by their parents but by themselves as well. I also liked the friendships in this book, including the frenemies, especially because the frenemies served an actual purpose to the plot and not just to create drama.
This book went deeper than just a fake dating romance. It touched on racism in ways that were effective but not in-your-face or obviously added to check a box. The LGBTQIA+ characters had substance and depth and didn’t serve as just a character trope - Cass is the friend we should all strive to be! And the conversations around homelessness and Samaya’s reflection on what it means to be housed should give readers something to think about.
My only real problem with this book is that even though I know it’s YA and told in first person, the occasional acronym like LOL and IRL bugged me. It would be one thing if they were written in one of the text messages, but they were included in the narrative and I don’t think they belong there.
Overall I enjoyed this book! It was pretty cute, pretty quick, and worth it!
Samaya is a high school senior trying to save face as the new school year starts. She has to deal with frenemies, gossip, misogyny, and of course her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend (who, naturally, is one of the aforementioned frenemies). The solution? A fake boyfriend. Daniel all but falls into her lap at her new volunteer gig and agrees to help her win the breakup.
Throw She’s All That, Never Have I Ever, and a little bit of One Of Us Is Lying together and this is what you get. The gamer-girl academic needs her new pastry chef/hockey player fake-boyfriend to pass as a gamer nerd to try to trick the schools gossip instagram account into believing that their relationship is real.
I liked how neurotic Samaya is. Her worries felt very real in terms of what seventeen year olds go through, especially those who are held to higher standards not only by their parents but by themselves as well. I also liked the friendships in this book, including the frenemies, especially because the frenemies served an actual purpose to the plot and not just to create drama.
This book went deeper than just a fake dating romance. It touched on racism in ways that were effective but not in-your-face or obviously added to check a box. The LGBTQIA+ characters had substance and depth and didn’t serve as just a character trope - Cass is the friend we should all strive to be! And the conversations around homelessness and Samaya’s reflection on what it means to be housed should give readers something to think about.
My only real problem with this book is that even though I know it’s YA and told in first person, the occasional acronym like LOL and IRL bugged me. It would be one thing if they were written in one of the text messages, but they were included in the narrative and I don’t think they belong there.
Overall I enjoyed this book! It was pretty cute, pretty quick, and worth it!
fringebookreviews's review
4.0
✨Revenge is best served baked by a hot hockey player.✨
What a tangled web we wove in this one, huh? If you’re one for the DRAMA this is the journey for you! I really loved the writing and read this in basically one sitting.
There’s just something about YA drama that loves ME. I’m so far removed from high school and grades and scholarships that I take such comfort in the fact that I never have to do that again.
Maybe some spoilers below? You’re warned.
The lies—at least lying to Daniel—didn’t last for too long because as soon as he knew what he needed to know, this turned into fake dating! I was holding my breath until the photoshopped secret was revealed, but it wasn’t long. YAY.
So that was only a little of the drama because WOOF that school culture was toxic as hell and I kinda wanted to Lana-got-coned Aimee 🍦because she was so FAKE. Jayden deserved to be challenged to a duel because good god we sword fight villains in 2023. Devin was kinda impressive in the sense that he just kept getting worse, but also so pathetic that it was hard not to empathize with him (impressive).Hana was honestly a great character and I’d have loved to explore her character and relationship with Samaya further. Cass was the MVP and very lovely and very real.
Daniel, my man, yes. Hockey player and baker? Yes. Samaya lost the plot for a while there—about what was really important in her life—but by the end she was a great character and I really loved her. She stood up for herself in really satisfying ways towards the end there. She made ✨choices✨ and the drama loved her, but I sure did love reading about it.
The ending and their “break-up” was just a bit hard because it was very understandable but gah! we’d been through so much by that point I was wrecked. On top of that, as soon as they made up it was over and I really did just want more of them fake dating and/or being a real couple/ doing couple things. We had good development in their relationship, but the romance did get a bit covered up by the reasons for fake dating…if that makes sense. I was also just a bit confused about the runner of the instagram gossip account—it felt a bit rushed when it was all revealed. I wanted a villain monologue!
Overall, this was a very fun time! I learned a lot about gaming and baking and how to maybe not acquire a fake boyfriend (stressful). I also really loved how Samaya started as a shelter volunteer but stayed after her hours were over! This will be a fun audiobook and a reread will probably be even more enjoyable because I’ll be less stressed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
What a tangled web we wove in this one, huh? If you’re one for the DRAMA this is the journey for you! I really loved the writing and read this in basically one sitting.
There’s just something about YA drama that loves ME. I’m so far removed from high school and grades and scholarships that I take such comfort in the fact that I never have to do that again.
Maybe some spoilers below? You’re warned.
The lies—at least lying to Daniel—didn’t last for too long because as soon as he knew what he needed to know, this turned into fake dating! I was holding my breath until the photoshopped secret was revealed, but it wasn’t long. YAY.
So that was only a little of the drama because WOOF that school culture was toxic as hell and I kinda wanted to Lana-got-coned Aimee 🍦because she was so FAKE. Jayden deserved to be challenged to a duel because good god we sword fight villains in 2023. Devin was kinda impressive in the sense that he just kept getting worse, but also so pathetic that it was hard not to empathize with him (impressive).Hana was honestly a great character and I’d have loved to explore her character and relationship with Samaya further. Cass was the MVP and very lovely and very real.
Daniel, my man, yes. Hockey player and baker? Yes. Samaya lost the plot for a while there—about what was really important in her life—but by the end she was a great character and I really loved her. She stood up for herself in really satisfying ways towards the end there. She made ✨choices✨ and the drama loved her, but I sure did love reading about it.
The ending and their “break-up” was just a bit hard because it was very understandable but gah! we’d been through so much by that point I was wrecked. On top of that, as soon as they made up it was over and I really did just want more of them fake dating and/or being a real couple/ doing couple things. We had good development in their relationship, but the romance did get a bit covered up by the reasons for fake dating…if that makes sense. I was also just a bit confused about the runner of the instagram gossip account—it felt a bit rushed when it was all revealed. I wanted a villain monologue!
Overall, this was a very fun time! I learned a lot about gaming and baking and how to maybe not acquire a fake boyfriend (stressful). I also really loved how Samaya started as a shelter volunteer but stayed after her hours were over! This will be a fun audiobook and a reread will probably be even more enjoyable because I’ll be less stressed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
readwithchan_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
5.0
I started this book as a buddy read and I have to say although there was a very slow start this book was actually a good read. I love love love me some Daniel and just the way that he is always ALL smiles. To me we never see that alot when reading because some teens have trauma or something else going on with them. With Samaya I felt like she doubted herself way too much. Especially when she was that chick when it came to math and her gaming. This is another thing that I feel teenagers do alot. Doubt themselves because they aren't told how good they are. Devin I didnt like him because he was just a douche and I feel like he did Samaya wrong with no explanation. Her friends are truly something special and I loved to see that for her. I highly recommend this book when it releases March 21, 2023. When you read it make sure you come back and let me know your thoughts
-Chan
Thank you for my ARC copy of this read
-Chan
Thank you for my ARC copy of this read
teeclecticreads's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I'm so grateful to Farah Heron and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. It did not disappoint.
Such a sweet and feel-good read with great representation. I love how diverse the story was and how the plot moved along. I didn’t expect the identity reveal and it tied together soo perfectly. Plus who doesn’t love a good pastry-filled romance?
One thing that I loved that Samaya was that she had so many layers to her as a girl. She was a gamer who loved math and lived in a well-off family, while also caring way too much about what others thought of her and how they saw her. I don’t really like that she credits Daniel for the wake up call though when Cass was telling her the same things the whole time…but love I guess
Such a sweet and feel-good read with great representation. I love how diverse the story was and how the plot moved along. I didn’t expect the identity reveal and it tied together soo perfectly. Plus who doesn’t love a good pastry-filled romance?
One thing that I loved that Samaya was that she had so many layers to her as a girl. She was a gamer who loved math and lived in a well-off family, while also caring way too much about what others thought of her and how they saw her. I don’t really like that she credits Daniel for the wake up call though when Cass was telling her the same things the whole time…but love I guess
veronicalovestoread's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was such a cute read. My parents are immigrants from India so books in which people are navigating life as a second-gen are always of particular interest to me.
Things I loved:
- depiction of gamer culture (even though I'm not a gamer)
- reversal of gender stereotypes with who is a gamer and who is a baker
- non-binary representation
- cis males not winning everything
- diversity
- Daniel all around
- Yasmin! aww
Things I struggled with:
- Devin. in general. mostly because I know so many Indian men like him and so many aunties and uncles like his parents. and just... ugh.
This story was super cute and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for this ARC!
Things I loved:
- depiction of gamer culture (even though I'm not a gamer)
- reversal of gender stereotypes with who is a gamer and who is a baker
- non-binary representation
- cis males not winning everything
- diversity
- Daniel all around
- Yasmin! aww
Things I struggled with:
- Devin. in general. mostly because I know so many Indian men like him and so many aunties and uncles like his parents. and just... ugh.
This story was super cute and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
joannecl's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5