Scan barcode
A review by theamyleblanc
Faking Under the Mistletoe by Ashley Shepherd
4.0
I was so very surprised by this book, in the best way!
Looking at the cover and reading the title, I expected a cute holiday-themed romance. It's obviously a grumpy/sunshine kind of story and I was in the mood for that (I'm a mood reader).
The trigger warning at the very beginning - for sexual assault - gave me pause. This clearly wasn't going to be your average romance and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down that rabbit hole. But I went and I'm so glad I did.
Olivia is almost unbearably sunny and positive and upbeat. Yes, she's young and a bit naïve but it's more than that. It's partly who she is and partly a defense mechanism. Much like Asher's grumpiness. They both take it to extremes, which created a lovely juxtaposition when they toned those qualities down and discussed serious topics. All the characters were really well done; I'd be happy to dive back into this cast of very relatable people.
This story tackles a really heavy, triggering topic. It may sound weird to say that it handles it well but it does. It handles it accurately, unfortunately. I come from the service and entertainment industries and everything Olivia and Joey and her friends experience is spot on. It's all whispers and subterfuge and never saying it plainly. It was heartbreaking but hopeful.
I will happily recommend this book to everyone but caution that you have to be in the right place to read it. This is the kind of story that sticks with you.
Looking at the cover and reading the title, I expected a cute holiday-themed romance. It's obviously a grumpy/sunshine kind of story and I was in the mood for that (I'm a mood reader).
The trigger warning at the very beginning - for sexual assault - gave me pause. This clearly wasn't going to be your average romance and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down that rabbit hole. But I went and I'm so glad I did.
Olivia is almost unbearably sunny and positive and upbeat. Yes, she's young and a bit naïve but it's more than that. It's partly who she is and partly a defense mechanism. Much like Asher's grumpiness. They both take it to extremes, which created a lovely juxtaposition when they toned those qualities down and discussed serious topics. All the characters were really well done; I'd be happy to dive back into this cast of very relatable people.
This story tackles a really heavy, triggering topic. It may sound weird to say that it handles it well but it does. It handles it accurately, unfortunately. I come from the service and entertainment industries and everything Olivia and Joey and her friends experience is spot on. It's all whispers and subterfuge and never saying it plainly. It was heartbreaking but hopeful.
I will happily recommend this book to everyone but caution that you have to be in the right place to read it. This is the kind of story that sticks with you.