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books4susie's review
3.0
I had some high hopes for this title after reading another book by this author but unfortunately, it fell short for me. This was not a quick read but took its time before the main love interests found their way to each other. A great premise but a bit long-winded before reaching a satisfying conclusion.
thindbooks's review
3.0
*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
I liked this book which is about a girl named Koty who was kind of forced onto her family's show when she was born during season 4 and now the finale has come but that means she needs a date. After the Homecoming disaster, she doesn't have much trust in guys and the only person she wants to go with is her best friend (and crush), Leo. I enjoyed this book that involved a lot of diverse characters and information about Japanese food and culture. The pacing was slow but I do have to say the story plotline was well structured. Another thing I noticed when reading this book was that I was confused why it wasn't in both Koty and Leo's pov as the summary made it sound it would be. I went into the story thinking there will be two povs but was disappointed to only find Koty's.
The main character in this book is Koty who is a sophomore in high school. I enjoyed how she was a mature character and as a famous tv persona, she was a kind person and didn't care about her fame. There wasn't much character development in this book as most of the story was about Koty finding her partner for the dance. The side characters were well involved in this book and I enjoyed how the parents were also involved in the book. They were all well written and brought in many conflicts to the story. The romance in this book was okay as I felt it was a little forced and could have been better with Leo's pov being involved.
The ending of this book was very well done and I enjoyed the outcome of everything that happened. Sara did a great job with blending the Japanese culture into a contemporary romance book that I will never forget. Even though there were some minor problems with this book, I do have to say that I'm a huge fan of learning new cultures so that was just a major plus for me. Also, I enjoyed the storyline and thought it was well done. I think this book is perfect for fans of friends to lovers romance and Some Kind of Wonderful.
I liked this book which is about a girl named Koty who was kind of forced onto her family's show when she was born during season 4 and now the finale has come but that means she needs a date. After the Homecoming disaster, she doesn't have much trust in guys and the only person she wants to go with is her best friend (and crush), Leo. I enjoyed this book that involved a lot of diverse characters and information about Japanese food and culture. The pacing was slow but I do have to say the story plotline was well structured. Another thing I noticed when reading this book was that I was confused why it wasn't in both Koty and Leo's pov as the summary made it sound it would be. I went into the story thinking there will be two povs but was disappointed to only find Koty's.
The main character in this book is Koty who is a sophomore in high school. I enjoyed how she was a mature character and as a famous tv persona, she was a kind person and didn't care about her fame. There wasn't much character development in this book as most of the story was about Koty finding her partner for the dance. The side characters were well involved in this book and I enjoyed how the parents were also involved in the book. They were all well written and brought in many conflicts to the story. The romance in this book was okay as I felt it was a little forced and could have been better with Leo's pov being involved.
The ending of this book was very well done and I enjoyed the outcome of everything that happened. Sara did a great job with blending the Japanese culture into a contemporary romance book that I will never forget. Even though there were some minor problems with this book, I do have to say that I'm a huge fan of learning new cultures so that was just a major plus for me. Also, I enjoyed the storyline and thought it was well done. I think this book is perfect for fans of friends to lovers romance and Some Kind of Wonderful.
tjreads24's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mamma_calls_me_francis's review
3.0
This was a cute read. Geared more towards young adult/teenagers.
Dakota is an HGTV princess and has had her whole life televised. She barely has any privacy and has a hard time trusting people- with good reason. This book has a very inclusive feel to it- non-binary character, Japanese culture (food, language, tv). I wish I could try the food! It felt really special to see Dakota’s relationships evolve and to see her grow.
Dakota is an HGTV princess and has had her whole life televised. She barely has any privacy and has a hard time trusting people- with good reason. This book has a very inclusive feel to it- non-binary character, Japanese culture (food, language, tv). I wish I could try the food! It felt really special to see Dakota’s relationships evolve and to see her grow.
iheartfictionalpeople's review
5.0
Review originally posted on my blog: I Heart Fictional People
IN A NUTSHELL
Dakota has fallen for her best friend, but Leo has friend-zoned her. They’re at that age where they want to be independent and grow into who they want to be, but will they grow apart or eventually find their way back to each other?
WHAT I LIKED
Uniqueness. I absolutely loved how different this book was! We’ve all read the friend-zoned teenage crush storyline, but Sara Fujimura expanded on that and made it her own. Dakota isn’t your typical teenager. She has grown up in the spotlight her entire life. Her parents’ very successful HGTV show was popular before she was even born, so it’s all she knows. The challenges of being a reality TV star while also trying to navigate other teenager issues was a twist that I really enjoyed. We really never understand the pressures or how hard it is for a teenage celebrity who just wants to be “normal”, and I think this book handles this so well. And then there’s Dakota and her natural DIY and building talent. I really enjoyed this, and I loved how she embraced it and found a way to really turn it into something. Again, not your typical teenager.
Diverse characters. Yes! I love, love, LOVE the diversity! I love how there was so much representation in this book, which I think is not only important but real as well. We have the Japanese main characters, the Hispanic potential boyfriend, and even the nonbinary good friend, to name a few. I’m not one to preach about diversity (even though I should), but this just warmed my heart. Growing up half Chinese with gay cousins and Mexican best friends, all of our cultures and beliefs and opinions were constantly blending together, and I think this book accomplished showing that very real reality. And I couldn’t get enough of the Japanese food, culture, and language. I really felt immersed into their world.
Realistic. Okay, not only did the diversity make this realistic but so did the life and decisions of a teenager. We’ve all been there. We have a crush on someone who doesn’t see us as more than a friend, or who doesn’t see us at all. Or on the reverse side, we are in such a hurry to grow up and be more experienced that we overlook what is right in front of us. And then there’s the things we don’t want to admit, like getting jealous over someone else giving your “just a friend” attention. Sometimes I found myself getting annoyed with the choices these characters were making, but I didn’t count it as a negative because it was so authentic, which I really appreciated.
The growth. I’ll keep this short to avoid spoilers, but I really enjoyed watching Dakota and Leo grow as individuals. In the beginning, they’re almost lost, and then at the end, they find themselves. It was a beautiful thing to witness.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME
Only one viewpoint. Okay, clearly, this wasn’t a huge deal for me since I still gave the book a five-heart rating, but when I sat down and asked myself, what could have been better, this is what came to mind. The description of the book had me thinking that we would get to see Leo’s point of view too, but it really is told from Dakota’s viewpoint. This is completely fine, but throughout the book, I really wanted to know what was going on in that boy’s head!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Sara Fujimura is the author I never knew I needed. I expected a sweet romance (with a beautiful cover by the way), but I ended up getting so much more. The romance was cute, but everything else, the fame, the culture, the family, the diversity, just made the book perfect. I wanted more. I didn’t want the book to end. It was such a real but sweet story that took me by surprise. I 100% recommend it. And I can’t wait to read more from this author.
*Thank you so much to the author/publisher and Jean Book Nerd for a hardcover copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
IN A NUTSHELL
Dakota has fallen for her best friend, but Leo has friend-zoned her. They’re at that age where they want to be independent and grow into who they want to be, but will they grow apart or eventually find their way back to each other?
WHAT I LIKED
Uniqueness. I absolutely loved how different this book was! We’ve all read the friend-zoned teenage crush storyline, but Sara Fujimura expanded on that and made it her own. Dakota isn’t your typical teenager. She has grown up in the spotlight her entire life. Her parents’ very successful HGTV show was popular before she was even born, so it’s all she knows. The challenges of being a reality TV star while also trying to navigate other teenager issues was a twist that I really enjoyed. We really never understand the pressures or how hard it is for a teenage celebrity who just wants to be “normal”, and I think this book handles this so well. And then there’s Dakota and her natural DIY and building talent. I really enjoyed this, and I loved how she embraced it and found a way to really turn it into something. Again, not your typical teenager.
Diverse characters. Yes! I love, love, LOVE the diversity! I love how there was so much representation in this book, which I think is not only important but real as well. We have the Japanese main characters, the Hispanic potential boyfriend, and even the nonbinary good friend, to name a few. I’m not one to preach about diversity (even though I should), but this just warmed my heart. Growing up half Chinese with gay cousins and Mexican best friends, all of our cultures and beliefs and opinions were constantly blending together, and I think this book accomplished showing that very real reality. And I couldn’t get enough of the Japanese food, culture, and language. I really felt immersed into their world.
Realistic. Okay, not only did the diversity make this realistic but so did the life and decisions of a teenager. We’ve all been there. We have a crush on someone who doesn’t see us as more than a friend, or who doesn’t see us at all. Or on the reverse side, we are in such a hurry to grow up and be more experienced that we overlook what is right in front of us. And then there’s the things we don’t want to admit, like getting jealous over someone else giving your “just a friend” attention. Sometimes I found myself getting annoyed with the choices these characters were making, but I didn’t count it as a negative because it was so authentic, which I really appreciated.
The growth. I’ll keep this short to avoid spoilers, but I really enjoyed watching Dakota and Leo grow as individuals. In the beginning, they’re almost lost, and then at the end, they find themselves. It was a beautiful thing to witness.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME
Only one viewpoint. Okay, clearly, this wasn’t a huge deal for me since I still gave the book a five-heart rating, but when I sat down and asked myself, what could have been better, this is what came to mind. The description of the book had me thinking that we would get to see Leo’s point of view too, but it really is told from Dakota’s viewpoint. This is completely fine, but throughout the book, I really wanted to know what was going on in that boy’s head!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Sara Fujimura is the author I never knew I needed. I expected a sweet romance (with a beautiful cover by the way), but I ended up getting so much more. The romance was cute, but everything else, the fame, the culture, the family, the diversity, just made the book perfect. I wanted more. I didn’t want the book to end. It was such a real but sweet story that took me by surprise. I 100% recommend it. And I can’t wait to read more from this author.
*Thank you so much to the author/publisher and Jean Book Nerd for a hardcover copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
the_bookish_raven's review
3.0
3/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dakota has been hurt by romance before, especially considering the fact that her family's TV show made her embarrassment and pain go viral. She learned just how horrible it can be to have your entire life on TV. Meanwhile, she's wrestling with her feelings for her best friend Leo, whose family owns a Japanese restaurant. His life is rather suffocating, and he can't wait to be free.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it just wasn't what I thought it would be. I was excited to see Asian American rep, but I wish I could have enjoyed the story more.
First of all, the synopsis is somewhat misleading. Potential spoilers incoming, so skip to the next paragraph if you'd like to avoid them.
Putting aside the synopsis, I just couldn't get into the story. I never got very attached to Dakota or Leo. The whole TV show thing didn't really appeal to me--it wasn't described much except to discuss things that annoyed Dakota or made her life difficult. I also felt like the story moved slowly. The romance was a bit all over the place and took way too long to pick up. Some of the side characters seemed to get tossed to the wayside by the end of the book.
Ultimately, I enjoyed certain aspects of the book, but it wasn't enough to keep my interest.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dakota has been hurt by romance before, especially considering the fact that her family's TV show made her embarrassment and pain go viral. She learned just how horrible it can be to have your entire life on TV. Meanwhile, she's wrestling with her feelings for her best friend Leo, whose family owns a Japanese restaurant. His life is rather suffocating, and he can't wait to be free.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it just wasn't what I thought it would be. I was excited to see Asian American rep, but I wish I could have enjoyed the story more.
First of all, the synopsis is somewhat misleading. Potential spoilers incoming, so skip to the next paragraph if you'd like to avoid them.
Spoiler
The synopsis implies that Dakota isn't in a rush to get into another relationship, but that's not really true. She does A LOT of pining in the first part of the book and seems very willing to date again, in my opinion. Also, the synopsis implies that Leo's restaurant is in danger and that this is a huge motivation for Dakota. This randomly happens towards the very end of the book, and I definitely wouldn't consider one of Dakota's main motivations. It's a relatively unimportant part of the novel. Lastly, I would hardly consider Dakota as Leo's secret crush. I won't say much, but that is really not an accurate description.Putting aside the synopsis, I just couldn't get into the story. I never got very attached to Dakota or Leo. The whole TV show thing didn't really appeal to me--it wasn't described much except to discuss things that annoyed Dakota or made her life difficult. I also felt like the story moved slowly. The romance was a bit all over the place and took way too long to pick up. Some of the side characters seemed to get tossed to the wayside by the end of the book.
Ultimately, I enjoyed certain aspects of the book, but it wasn't enough to keep my interest.
aamna_theinkslinger's review
3.0
If you're in the mood for unique and cozy YA romance to lift your mood, Faking Reality by Sara Fujimara will be right up your alley. This book had a unique setup starring our main protagonist as America's DIY Princess, a teen who has a prominent social life. and is someone young content creators, or anyone with a social media presence can relate with. She's a pretty likeable character, with many little things that the author adds to her personality so that the readers can connect with her, and sure enough those things do their job. It's a fun ride as you reel through the the drama, fall in love with the quirky family and grow along with Dakota. It's a pretty light, feel-good romance, but there's also a well done representation of diverse cultures, which was refreshing to see.
The ending wasn't exactly done the way I wanted it go, but that's fine, I think, because it still delivered on its promise of a light-hearted, fun time.
And of course, I absolutely ship Dakota and Leo! They're adorable!
The ending wasn't exactly done the way I wanted it go, but that's fine, I think, because it still delivered on its promise of a light-hearted, fun time.
And of course, I absolutely ship Dakota and Leo! They're adorable!
momwithareadingproblem's review
4.0
Faking Reality by Sara Fujimura is a sweet, contemporary teen romance about a reality TV star, her best friend, and growing up. Living her life online and in the public eye has never been easy, and Dakota can’t say she is upset that her reign as America’s DIY princess is coming to an end. Her entire life has been dictated by her parents’ HGTV show. Their fans have watched Dakota grow up and been invested in her life before it even began, making Dakota’s real life difficult to navigate. With the camera present, it is hard to determine who are her real friends and who are faking it, even dating is not an option after the previous year’s disastrous homecoming dance. But once the cameras are gone for good, Dakota plans to let her crush know how she truly feels.
Final Thought: With a dash of romance and a sprinkling of Japanese American culture, Faking Reality is a sweet contemporary featuring the importance of friendship, how to cope with change, and the butterflies of first love.
See the full review on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/26652-faking-reality
Final Thought: With a dash of romance and a sprinkling of Japanese American culture, Faking Reality is a sweet contemporary featuring the importance of friendship, how to cope with change, and the butterflies of first love.
See the full review on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/26652-faking-reality
readergirl19's review
4.0
Faking Reality is a wonderful read. Sara Fujimura wrote a great book. I love the Japanese culture that was showcased. The characters Dakota & Leo were the best. I would like to thank NetGalley for a eARC. I'm giving this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
aryelweasley's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. As a whole I enjoyed reading it and watching Dakota's journey. It was interesting to see how she lived a dual life between her reality tv self that has to be 'on' at all times and her actual teen self that doesn't want to expose her heart on her sleeve to the world. She's been hurt in the past and her walls have shot up. Trust is hard earned for anyone that hasn't been in her sphere her whole life and it takes time for her to move past this.
I enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture while reading this book, I wish there had been more frequent translations of phrases used because unfortunately if it was used in chapter one and translated then used again in chapter fifteen I was not gonna remember what it meant. This happened pretty frequently.
I know precisely why I didn't love this book, but it would be incredibly spoilery to reveal it. Suffice to say I think Dakota deserved better.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture while reading this book, I wish there had been more frequent translations of phrases used because unfortunately if it was used in chapter one and translated then used again in chapter fifteen I was not gonna remember what it meant. This happened pretty frequently.
I know precisely why I didn't love this book, but it would be incredibly spoilery to reveal it. Suffice to say I think Dakota deserved better.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.