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A review by k_cao_xai
Just for Show by Jae
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Fake relationships + real chemistry = lesbians falling in love. That’s all the formula needs.
Character Impressions:
Dr. Claire Renshaw
A couples therapist who loses her longtime fiancé within the first pages of the story. She’s a bit controlling at times and needs everything to be perfect in her life, even herself. The woman’s too hard on herself, honestly. You learn later on in the story as to why she is the way she is, and you bet, I wanted to punch the source who caused her overachieving personality.
It’s a nice change of pace when Lana enters her life even if she doesn’t want it to happen.
Something I appreciate is that Claire’s OCD isn’t treated as a condition or a problem. It’s just part of her life and it isn't romanticized or treated as a cute quirk.
Lana Henderson
Part-time barista. Part-time actress. Full-time getting on Claire’s nerves.
I love her dynamic with Claire. Where Claire is strict, Lana is flexible. Where Claire is reserved, Lana is open. It’s cute seeing their opposite personalities clash which result either in them butting heads or having a heart-to-heart.
The tactics she uses to get Claire to come out of her shell were hilarious and wholesome.
A couples therapist who loses her longtime fiancé within the first pages of the story. She’s a bit controlling at times and needs everything to be perfect in her life, even herself. The woman’s too hard on herself, honestly. You learn later on in the story as to why she is the way she is, and you bet, I wanted to punch the source who caused her overachieving personality.
It’s a nice change of pace when Lana enters her life even if she doesn’t want it to happen.
Something I appreciate is that Claire’s OCD isn’t treated as a condition or a problem. It’s just part of her life and it isn't romanticized or treated as a cute quirk.
Lana Henderson
Part-time barista. Part-time actress. Full-time getting on Claire’s nerves.
I love her dynamic with Claire. Where Claire is strict, Lana is flexible. Where Claire is reserved, Lana is open. It’s cute seeing their opposite personalities clash which result either in them butting heads or having a heart-to-heart.
The tactics she uses to get Claire to come out of her shell were hilarious and wholesome.
Minor Characters:
Abby: Claire’s former fiancé. I understood her reasons for breaking up with Claire and I’m glad she wasn’t painted as a bad person; she and Claire just didn’t fit together. She’s not in the story much, but I wish she was just so I can hear the voice that the audiobook narrator uses for her character, cause goddamn…Other than that, I’m glad she wasn’t used to stir up any drama between the leads. The woman’s got her own life to take care of and it doesn’t involve interfering with her ex’s new life. Respect.
Mercedes: Claire’s friend and agent. She’s the reason Claire meets Lana and thank goodness, because without her fake relationship idea, we wouldn’t get to see the shenanigans those two women put each other through.
Vanessa: Claire’s two-faced co-worker who’s nice to your face but scheming to push her own career forward. I like Vanessa as someone who rivals Claire. She’s promoting her own book like Claire. She wants to be the best at her job like Claire. As a therapist who could probably spot a fake relationship a mile away, it’s marvelous how Claire and Lana try to convince her that they’re completely in love.
Mercedes: Claire’s friend and agent. She’s the reason Claire meets Lana and thank goodness, because without her fake relationship idea, we wouldn’t get to see the shenanigans those two women put each other through.
Vanessa: Claire’s two-faced co-worker who’s nice to your face but scheming to push her own career forward. I like Vanessa as someone who rivals Claire. She’s promoting her own book like Claire. She wants to be the best at her job like Claire. As a therapist who could probably spot a fake relationship a mile away, it’s marvelous how Claire and Lana try to convince her that they’re completely in love.
Story Impressions:
I read and listened to this entire story in one sitting. The moment the two leads had to live together and are forced to put up with each other’s habits had me rolling.
I liked that Lana was never pushy or forced Claire to do things out of her routine. She only made suggestions or asked questions and Claire came to conclusion on her own that it was okay not to be so strict on people or herself.
I only have one gripe about the story.In the end, Lana is handed a role in a movie by her film actress friend, Jill. I would have liked that Lana earned this role instead. Maybe even have a scene where Claire sets down her busy schedule to accompany Lana to an audition, which leads to Lana getting this role at the end of the story. That way it’s something she achieved instead of something given to her. But it’s just a personal preference. Sometimes, gifts are a blessing that don’t need to be earned, just appreciated, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I liked that Lana was never pushy or forced Claire to do things out of her routine. She only made suggestions or asked questions and Claire came to conclusion on her own that it was okay not to be so strict on people or herself.
I only have one gripe about the story.
Highlights:
- Highlight 1: The audiobook is narrated by the one and only Angela Dawe.
- Highlight 2: That first kiss scene was super cute.
- Highlight 3: Characters from other stories make a cameo.
Jill and Crash from “Just Physical.” Emma and Jordan from “Falling Hard” are also mentioned. - Highlight 4: Claire reconciles with her ex so she can fully move on with Lana.
- Highlight 5: That tickle scene was surprisingly fun to read. Only Jae can make something that sounds like a corny idea look good on the page.
- Highlight 6: Smoking sex scenes.
- Highlight 7: I just think it’s cute that Claire wears glasses.
My Personal Tags About the Book:
- Fake relationship
- Forced proximity
- Opposites attract
- Explicit sex scenes
- Stop-holding-back-and-take-me-to-bed-dammit
- Sunshine/serious pairing
- Therapist/actress pairing
- Happily-ever-after