This was my first Zoe Whittal read but definitely won’t be my last. A fresh perspective on lies, relationships and what we actually need as humans to survive this world. Great characters with an extra twist of humanity. Enjoyed this one.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Great writing and premise. It was interesting to read the perspectives from the people being scammed and the complicated emotions involved. I thought the book could have been longer and gone a bit deeper, but I enjoyed this one.

The Fake centers around two main POVs; Shelby and Gibson are both floundering after experiencing significant personal tragedies, and Cammie swoops into their lives at the perfect moment to save them. But Cammie is positively too good to be true. The Fake is a fast-paced, smartly-written, emotionally charged novel.

If you're a fan of: true crime documentaries about scammers or shows like Inventing Anna; stories about finding yourself after life deals you a devastating hand; morally gray characters who are so human it's heartbreaking - you'll enjoy this novel.

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing a digital copy of The Fake in exchange for an honest review. The Fake hits shelves March 21, 2023!

The Fake by Zoe Whittall is an interesting depiction of mental illness, personality disorders and grief. It is the story of Cammie, a dynamic young woman who easily draws people under her magnetic spell, and makes them love her and want to care for her. Shelby, a woman who is mourning the loss of her wife Kate and dealing with gripping anxiety, that keeps her in her home with her dog, until the day she goes to grief group and meets Cammie. Gibson is reeling from the recent end of his marriage, and is struggling with grief and loss until the night he meets Cammie at a bar and falls for her in a way he has never fallen for anyone before. Both Gibson and Shelby gain a lot from falling in with Cammie, but things do not always add up with the stories that Cammie tells, and it gives them both pause until Gibson and Shelby get together and begin to share notes. Then they must figure out what to do with the knowledge they have. Sometimes knowing lies are easier than knowing the truth.

Credit goes to Zoe Whittall in the telling of this tale, which goes back and forth between the voice of Gibson and Shelby and a small cameo of Cammie's voice, as well. They are all struggling but each in a unique way and this reader takes her hat off to Whittall, as she did a good job of fairly accurately depicting the inner turmoil of her main characters. This was not always an easy novel to read, due to the struggle of its characters, but it was absolutely an interesting read and one I read in big chunks, as the story was compelling and the characters interesting. Any writer who can make a character who engages in so many wrong behaviors, still be engaging and impossible to hate... shows a great amount of talent in her writing. This reader was impressed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read the e-galley of this novel. My review is given freely and honestly.

I did not think Ms Whittall could write a more whimsically-crafted ode to f’ed up chicks than her last effort, but whoa this was a ride. You would want to go out drinking with these people and then come home and double lock all the locks. But I greatly appreciated hanging out them from the comfort of my living room in my comfy sweats knowing they were entirely made up. But I’ll still double lock my lock tonight.

This book is based on an intriguing premise, is well written and annoyed me the entire time I was reading it!! I strongly disliked each of the characters. And when it all came together I didn’t find it that compelling although I did love the final note (you have to get you the end to read it:)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I read Zoe Whittall’s The Spectacular and found it distinctly less then. But it has enough potential to warrant checking out the author’s further work and, lo and behold, The Fake turned out much more impressive.
This novel is a lean, mean, and strangely hypnotic tale of a pathological liar and the people she drags into her orbit. Physically attractive and physiologically as messy as spilled garbage can, she finds two fundamentally nice people at the lowest point of their lives and proceeds to seduce and manipulate them in their roles as best friend and lover.
For the reader, it’s almost difficult to see the appeal, since you can only imagine the physical beauty and the grifter charm is somewhat on a thin side with obvious red flags all over. But hey, it’s always easier for the observers. For people swept up in the sh*tstorm of a sociopath it’s a different story altogether.
And quite a story. Trainwreck compelling and very well written. A fine psychological literary drama about the power of lying. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

What an intense, emotional, psychological drama! Just WOW!
I read this book in a day!
I had to see what Cammie, the main character was going to do next!
She figures out how to land on top of the world and it certainly does not matter who is hurt in the process.

I am quite sure we all at one time or now, know a person or two like this. I know I could easily see a few people who could be Cammie.
It is truly an interesting, scary situation. I once worked with a "Cammie".
It was tough, emotional and often traumatizing.

A quick read that I know anyone and everyone will relate to.
Definitely give yourself a day or two and try it!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing Group- Ballentine for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review!

WOW! What a wild and crazy ride! I loved this fast moving story about Cammie and her escapades with broken hearted Gibson, and anxiety consumed Shelby! Gibson has recently gotten a divorce and meets her at a bar and the intense romance begins, and brings him back to living life again. When Cammie befriends Shelby at a grief support group, their friendship is one of the only positive things in Shelby's sad life. But Cammie may not be what she seems.

The Fake is incredibly well written, and compelling. I read it in record time - I couldn't put it down! I was not initially comfortable with the way the book ended, but I see now that it HAD to end that way, and it's actually perfect.

Highly recommend to both female and male readers!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Fake.

THE FAKE
BY: ZOE WHITTALL

First I would like to say a sincere Thank you to Random house Publishing Group-Ballantine. Ballantine Books and Zoe Whittall for granting me my wish to read this excellent ARC. It is unavailable to request, so I took a chance and clicked on the "Wish for it," icon. I am grateful beyond words that you granted me my wish to read this OUTSTANDING ARC. Thank you also to Net Galley and this amazing creative writer, Zoe Whittall, who judging by my reading bliss for a few hours reading this accomplished Author's latest novel called, "The Fake." I absolutely loved it and I am proceeding to Amazon, to purchase Zoe Whittall's previous novels. That this was that amazing, that I enjoyed this guilty pleasure of a stellar novel, I am dying to read her prior novels for I was mesmerized from the very first paragraph until the last sentence. I still don't know what genre I would classify this, so I am going to guess it's a psychological thriller.

I was addicted to this story about a pathological liar or sociopath who is a modern day con-woman named Cammie who was so shameless, she lied and used a young woman who took her in and tried to help her out of the goodness of her heart. Shelby meets Cammie at a place that should be safe. Of all of the places, a grief support group. Cammie is so convincing I know that she could have easily fooled me, because I think that most people's default natures are to be empathetic, and automatically trusting. I would think that a grief support group is a gathering of people who are the most vulnerable besides pets and children. Not so with Cammie. I was astounded at the cruelty that Cammie showed to one of the women who is suffering from panic attacks and agoraphobia who can barely function.

Cammie does the same kind of scamming with a boyfriend who also lets her move in with him telling him that she is receiving treatment for cancer. He is newly divorced and Cammie uses her body to reel him in. Their relationship moves way too fast, which his friends tell him is a red flag. He falls for her sad tale of woe, also. Until the woman from the grief support group, named Shelby meets the new boyfriend who Cammie has told Shelby, that her boyfriend Gibson has a gambling problem, and he takes all of her money. When Gibson and Shelby meet one another and, they both begin comparing the lies that they are both realizing Cammie has told. Still both being decent people they still want to help Cammie. Like, most con-artists once confronted they move onto their next mark.

I know that there are scammers out in the big, wide world that we live in. I am grateful to have read this book, because it is a great reminder of that fact. I am way too trusting, so this was a fantastic wake up call to me. Still, it is my hope to think that there are more good people than bad and I want to hope that I have gained wisdom from reading this. I am an empathetic person and I tend to believe people until I catch them lying. This was phenomenally well above average writing and very convincing characterization and the plot was Brilliant. A Favorite! I highly recommend this deliciously fun novel and will be talking about this with my friends and placing it in readers hands as gifts when it publishes.

Publication Date: March 21, 2023

#TheFake #ZoeWhittall #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBallantineBooks #NetGalley

Shelby’s wife has died and she meets Cammie in a grief support group. Gibson is divorced and meets Cammie in a bar. Cammie expertly exploits Shelby and Gibson’s vulnerabilities, worming her way into their lives and extracting financial and emotional support from them. Gibson and Shelby meet and start to realize that things don’t add up. Reading this was like watching a car wreck, you want to look away but can’t. Cammie is a psychopath who takes advantage of two emotionally damaged people. This is well-written and gripping.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. I've read Zoe Whittall's previous books and enjoy her story telling and writing style. The Fake is another well-written book by Ms. Whittall. Cammie is a scam artist who comes across as a down on her luck girl - she tells those she meets that she's been treated for cancer and she's been through some rough relationships. In reality, she's a con artist. Shelby is grieving the loss of her wife and goes to a support group to find support. Gibson is fresh out of a marriage - he's also grieving his divorce. Cammie winds her way into Shelby and Gibson's lives under false pretenses. She uses them financially and abuses them emotionally. The Fake is a quick but satisfying read about what could happen in a friendship gone wrong.

A engrossing story about a scammer that is so talented that she might just scam you! Cammie meets Shelby at a grief support group and Gibson at a local bar. Before long she has completely inserted herself into their lives. She seems perfect, and both rely on her for most of their emotional needs.

But friends seem to think Cammie is not all that she claims to be and Gibson and Shelby decide they are best served by meeting.

Follow the three down a rabbit hole of cons, lies, deceptions and love. You will surely see the signs before they do, but it's such a compelling story, and Cammie written so perfectly, you would follow her willingly to wherever she wants to go. If you like a page turner, love a good story, or just want to see if you can withstand the beautiful, and fun Cammie, The Fake is for you! #Ballantine #Penguin

The Fake by Zoe Whittall was a wonderful story.
The writing it amazing, descriptive, interesting and I was so engrossed in the story that I could not put this one down without finishing it.
Great story, memorable characters, a sharp, emotional novel about lies, liars, and the people who love them.
I loved the plot, the characters, the writing and the pacing.
This book has memorable characters with distinct traits.
These characters felt real and you could understand where each of them were coming from that guided their decisions. Another thought-provoking book from this author!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Ballantine Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

This book held my interest, but ultimately I ended up being disappointed. Based on the beginning, I thought it was going to be a psychological thriller, but it was really more of a character study. I kept waiting for a twist to happen but it never did. I also thought Gibson and Shelby were naive, which made me dislike them. Overall it was still an intriguing story.

3 stars- two unlucky folks get conned by the same woman. this book is a great beach read, fast paced and entertaining! thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC!

Shelby is grieving her wife and dealing extreme depression and health anxiety.
Gibson is fresh out of a bad marriage and feeling lost. Along comes Cammie, who gives them both someone to focus on and to take care of. They soon find out that Cammie is not who she claims to be.

I have conflicted feelings about this book. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it, but it was so compelling and I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see where the story would take me. It was painful to watch the deception and to see how easy it is to take advantage of those who want to believe everyone is inherently good and honest.

Overall, I don’t think this is everyone’s cup of tea, but it was captivating and thought-provoking and certainly unforgettable.

Gibson, a lonely divorcee who can’t believe that a woman as hot as Cammie picked him up at a bar. But, he’s happy to take what she’s giving out and fancies himself in love. Shelby, whose wife has died, is having a difficult time moving past the grief. Finally, she lets herself be convinced to go to a grief group. Cammie, who is in the same grief group, becomes a staunch support for Shelby. Cammie, who thrives on drama, is soon entwined in their lives. Both Gib and Shelby invite her into their homes, give her a place to stay and loan her money. Cammie gives them what they appear to need. Shelby, grief support and a friend who listens. Gib, sex and companionship. But when Shelby and Gib meet, it becomes clear that they may be in danger from a psychopath.
I am honored to have received a digital ARC from Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley. The opinion and rating is my own.

The synopsis of this book was intriguing. It is basically the story of a con-artist and the people she hurts. Interesting to read but also difficult, because once you figure out who Cammie is, it's hard to want to read further for more details of how she hurts the people around her. There is no special revenge or happy ending here, just a story of how the sympathetic main characters survive her. I actually went back and re-read to find any missing clues. Would have given this a 3, but the story is intriguing or why would I have re-read it? I think the story is meant for 1) people who are fascinated by con-men and women, or 2) people who have been conned. I can see this book helping someone to feel less alone after being taken in. Otherwise, it's a story of a narcissistic player who wounds everyone in her wake, and the two kind-hearted people who have to learn ways to move on.

I love a book about a scammer or con artist in this book is a little bit of both. A perfectly weaved story about someone who is it who everyone thinks. I absolutely loved it!