Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Go Fake Yourself by Elle Maxwell

1 review

sami_leigh's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Well, of course it would be ideal for you and Audrey to fall in love. Readers do enjoy their happily ever afters.”

Firstly, the concept of an author hiring strangers to participate in a Fake-Dating experiment in order to write an authentic representation of the trope is a fun twist. Though I was skeptical at first, Elle Maxwell proffers ample swoon-worthy moments utilising the predictability of romance tropes in a fresh plot and engaging format; first person, dual POV is interspersed with text messages, emails, diary entries, and conversation transcripts.

Audrey and Walker’s story is delivered with both humour and care for the portrayal of sensitive issues and troublesome relationship patterns. Secondary characters are well-established, offering a window into familial conflicts, past trauma, and the unfair expectations parents can put on children. I was most impressed with how the narrative catalogued the development of healthy communication betwixt its MCs; this book hit me out of nowhere leaving me feeling seen.

“I’m starting to realize I’ve done that too often in my life, subverted my own feelings and needs to smooth things over for other people and keep the peace.” 

The brotherly banter and character development with Walker and Luke is a definite highlight; in the spirit of avoiding spoilers, I’ll just say that the notion of love as sacrifice hits hard. I also appreciated how ableism is highlighted and subverted. The character development in the male MC had me cheering as he discovered self-worth, despite the opinion his parent raised him on. Walker is equal parts closed-off-sarcastic-tough-guy and counts-her-freckles-as-she-sleeps. I love his sandpaper soul!

“She’s silk and I’m sandpaper, but I’m going as gentle as I can”

Victoria is the diabolical, witty, feminist romance author we all need in our lives. ‘Nough said.

“It behooves me to inform you that it is never acceptable for a man to dictate what a woman does or does not wear on her body”

Audrey and Callie’s friendship - and the subsequent banter with other characters across the board - will have you simultaneously cackling and giving heart-eyes for the woman who, if you cross Audrey, will break your face. 
Audrey comes across as self righteous and naive in the beginning, but stick with her; she is the result of overbearing parenting and will deliver personal growth by the bucketload! I was, however, left questioning whether the mother-daughter relationship itself had grown at all (without interference from other characters). 

Overall, an enjoyable and comforting read I will be revisiting over and over! 💕

“Maybe love is the cells in your body tuning themselves not to the forces of gravity or the tides but to another person.”

📖 Dual POV
📖 Emails, text messages, transcripts, diary entries
📖 Fake Dating
📖 Only One Bed
📖 Forced Proximity
📖 MC growth
📖 Disability representation
📖 Healthy communication; therapy 🙌🏻
📖 ‘Touch her and I’ll kill you’ vibes
📖 Sex Positive & Consent Culture
📖 Banter!
📖 Epilogue

⚠️ Mild violence, abandonment, emotional abuse, infidelity (past relationship), sexual harassment, car accident (not on page).
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