She’s Faking It | Blog Tour
She’s Faking It by Kristin Rockaway
Graydon House Books – June 30, 2020
*Book Review copy provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Real talk: I wasn’t 100% sure I was up to reading this book. It opens with a cringe-worthy scene where our protagonist is confronted with the professor that told her she was less than mediocre while delivering him food via a delivery service. Oh and then her car breaks down. And her successful older sister has to help her out. Goodness. That hits entirely too close to home. While I’ve never had that exact experience, that feeling of lackluster mid-twenties, still having to get bailed out by family members, and everything collapsing at the same time… that is familiar.
However, I pressed on and gave the book a chance. I ended up devouring it in one day! This is why sometimes we need to read a good chunk of the book before deciding to give up on it.
About the Book
You can’t put a filter on reality.
Bree Bozeman isn’t exactly pursuing the life of her dreams. Then again, she isn’t too sure what those dreams are. After dropping out of college, she’s living a pretty chill life in the surf community of Pacific Beach, San Diego…if “chill” means delivering food as a GrubGetter, and if it means “uneventful”.
But when Bree starts a new Instagram account — @breebythesea — one of her posts gets a signal boost from none other than wildly popular self-help guru Demi DiPalma, owner of a lifestyle brand empire. Suddenly, Bree just might be a rising star in the world of Instagram influencing. Is this the direction her life has been lacking? It’s not a career choice she’d ever seriously considered, but maybe it’s a sign from the universe. After all, Demi’s the real deal… right?
Everything is lining up for Bree: life goals, career, and even a blossoming romance with the chiseled guy next door, surf star Trey Cantu. But things are about to go sideways fast, and even the perfect filter’s not gonna fix it. Instagram might be free, but when your life looks flawless on camera, what’s the cost?
My Thoughts
As I mentioned above, I read this one day. It was a super fast, easy read. What really struck me about this book was how Rockaway balances sarcastic, self-deprecating humor, with a kind of raw honesty and heart that seemed authentic even in a kind of fluffy book. The commentary on influence culture, getting free items that you might not actually care about, all in the hopes of getting likes and praise – whew. that sounds familiar if you’re a #bookstagrammer.
Also, I swear throughout reading this books I was the embodiment of the hand-clap emoji for anything related to the self-help guru DiPalma. Exploring spirituality, ways to improve yourself, and mental healthcare are all worthy endeavors, however I find there are a lot of folks out there that are either not critical enough of so-called gurus or again then that getting some crystals and cultivating a witchy-aesthetic will change your life. I loved that comeuppance in the novel and the ultimate emphasis on putting in the work to change your life and helping other people along the way. YES. THANK YOU.
My main critique of the book is that the ending seemed to wrap up a bit too quickly with a neat bow. I would have liked more time with Bree and the side characters after she found her way. Also, this is definitely, women’s fiction so the romance is not upfront and center & honestly I wanted more Trey in the book. He seemed like an interesting character that I would have like to see more of and see more of the blossoming relationship between him and Bree.
Despite a couple critiques, I think this is a fantastic summer read, especially with you’re looking for a quick read!
About the Author
Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.
Connect with the Author
Author website: http://kristinrockaway.com/
Facebook: /KristinRockaway
Twitter: @KristinRockaway
Instagram: @KristinRockway
BUY LINKS (not affiliated):
