I loved Faker! Emmie was such a sweet character, and I adored her from the beginning. She has to put on a complete facade while working in a male-dominated field, and sadly, has to work with the insufferable Tate.

The plot reminded me of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game (hate-romance work place plot), but it was still a unique voice from Sarah Smith. Tate completely grew on me, and I can't wait to read what Sarah Smith comes out with next!

A quick, enjoyable read for those that enjoy a good rom-com romance. The banter is enjoyable between the characters as their relationship progresses.

A satisfying debut novel from Sarah Smith. Faker started out with many similarities to one of my all time favorite books, The Hating Game. It was appearing to be too in step with that book, but as I continued reading I began to become thoroughly engaged with Emmie and Tate. Their relationship evolved slowly through shared experiences, lighthearted and deep conversations, and proximity….just like all good relationships, real or fictional.

Looking forward to more from Sarah Smith

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Faker is a quick, fun workplace romance. After reading the description, I instantly thought of The Hating Game, which I loved, so I gave it a try. No, it wasn’t as good as The Hating Game, but I did enjoy Faker, especially since it is a debut novel. Emmie and Tate are co-workers that do not like each other. In my opinion, the beginning of their relationship didn’t really capture love-hate. The witty banter wasn’t really there. Once their relationship starts to develop more, I did think their chemistry became more apparent. Through Emmie’s experience being employed at a mostly all-male work place environment, important topics like workplace sexual harassment are discussed. This added a level of depth to a typical contemporary, romance novel. Faker is definitely worth reading if you’re in the mood for something easy going to read.

‘Faker’ surprised me much, in a good way, more so considering it’s Sarah Smith’s debut book with the enemies-to-lovers trope that I always dig.

Still, I couldn’t help but look at the many shades of Sally Thorne’s ‘The Hating Game’ colouring Emmie’s and Tate’s circumstances and relationship from the start: a love-hate relationship in the office underlaid with more conflicted and complicated emotions that both seem to harbour for each other, a holding pattern of sniping, arguments and clenched jaws (and lip-trembling, withheld tears) up until the point where something changes the dynamics of it, the slow-burn that follows the turnaround.

Written wholly in Emmie’s POV, the whole narrative is more introspective, more centred about her emotions and her changing perceptions—and her interpretations of Tate’s overreactions that the reader sees as something else other than hate and dislike. It all ends up quite endearing and buoyant in some ways, though the slow, slow burn and the multiple cock-blocking scenes made me impatient at parts.

In essence, apart from the exteriors that both Emmie and Tate wear, much of ‘Faker’ reads like the honeymoon phase of a relationship: the effusive optimism about falling in love (more so as Emmie turns into a stalwart fan of Tate), the thrill of seeing someone with fresh eyes, the yearning for constant physical closeness and all. It’s bubbly, and oddly heart-twinging in some bits, and past the last page, I find myself hoping that Emmie and Tate actually do last.

A fast and enjoyable read, but it was way too similar to The Hating Game for my comfort. The intense romantic and loving feelings by both characters seemed off to me, too. Something just didn't click for me.

Tate Rasmussen is SO DREAMY! I loved this book especially for the feminist ways of Emmie being the only girl in a job surrounded by burly men. My only gripe is what happened near the end.