elvipa 's review for:

The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle

3.75

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I loved the romance at the core of this story. West and Nora were a great main couple and their love for each other was clear from the beginning. The way they couldn't ever fully be themselves because they were missing their other half was a great way to show how great they were when they were together. They brought out the best in each other and were definitely better together than apart. The best friend group was great and the use of group text to hint at what all of their storylines will be was clever. I hope Alex ends up with Amber just to give West a taste of his own medicine; because how else did Alex find out that West and Nora were at the Paradise Lost party??

Now, where the book falls apart is with everything else. The stalker plot was weak at best, it didn't have a lot of tension or build up that would cause the rest of the story to unfold, but it got us where we needed to be so I guess it worked. The mention of both of their deadlines were also super weak because it didn't seem to be a barrier for either one of them.

I did super appreciate that there was no third act breakup and that the miscommunication was resolved before it became an issue, that was awesome.

Overall I loved the romance of this book but the plot was the weakest part of all of it.