Positives: A super quick read. And that's about it.
It's definitely not some deep psychological thriller or suspenseful mystery. It's very surface level for the topic at hand, with a lackluster conclusion. Based on the synopsis and the first few chapters, you'd think Cammie is some sophisticated, charming pathological liar and this is a gripping tale about two people falling under her spell. She's even described numerous times in the story as able to charm anyone to do anything she wants. However, I only found her to be whiny, and honestly, the worst liar. She's able to con all these people, but how? Rather then feel bad for Shelby or Gibson (the people she cons in this story), I felt annoyed. I think the author was going for "they are emotionally vulnerable and that's how they got scammed" but instead it just read as "these people are incredibly unlikable and deeply stupid."
It was very difficult to stay interested in what was happening. It had a lot of potential, but fell very flat.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am finding it hard to write a review of this book because I feel so indifferent about it. I cannot say I particularly like or dislike it. It is just okay.

This book tells the stories of Shelby and Gibson, two individuals who have recently experienced life-changing losses. Shelby has lost her wife who has died, and Gibson is going through a divorce from his wife. Each of them needs something or someone to help them out of their ruts. Enter Cammie, a young, attractive woman who fills a hole in both of their lives. However, she is not what she seems.

The reader is aware from the start that Cammie is a liar. It is made quite obvious that she is manipulating the two main characters. There is no mystery or intrigue in the story. The synopsis basically tells us the entire story up front. For me, it is a bit boring. Nothing shocks or surprises me in the plot.

It is hard to feel sympathy for Shelby and Gibson. They each are using Cammie for their own needs, so it is not surprising that it is so easy for her to manipulate them. As a reader, I found myself frustrated with their inability to see her for who she really is. Neither of them is particularly likeable or relatable for me.

The book is well-written, and there are no issues with the plot or characters. It just hasn't left much of an impression on me. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it.

A Compelling Con

3.5 stars

The Fake is an oddly compelling novel about a con artist who preys on the weak. When their marks connect to compare notes, an unlikely friendship emerges.

Meet Gibson--39 years old, childless, and on the verge of divorce. He is feeling lost and depressed.

Meet Shelby--mourning the loss of her wife and battling an anxiety disorder, she is barely functioning.

When Cammie swoops into both of their lives, she simultaneously destroys and saves them. She is the woman of Gibson’s dreams and the friend that Shelby had unknowingly longed for. However, Cammie is not who she claims to be. When Gibson and Shelby come together, they compare notes to learn that Cammie is not who they think she is. In doing so, they both go on journeys and face their truths head-on.

Narrated by Gibson and Shelby, both are hot messes in different ways. Both characters are easily relatable, especially in terms of what they are going through. Whitehall captures their emotions and explores the different layers of grief through both. She also captures the elation and joy that Cammie brings into their lives.

It is easy to judge Gibson and Shelby as a reader as it is blatantly obvious what Cammie is doing to them. At the same time, when one is battling depression and grief, it is easy to be taken in by someone offering what one needs.

The reader is privy to a few chapters from Cammie’s POV. They bring a lot of insight into her mind. I would have liked more from her.

This isn’t an easy book to describe. It is different from the norm in that Whittall explores heavy topics such as mental illness and depression shrouded in a character who is either mentally ill or a sociopath or both. At the same time, there is lightness in the tone and humor in some of the events. There is also a lovable dog named Coach Taylor.

I enjoyed Whittall’s writing. The characters are quirky and likable. Even Cammie is likable until one sees the impact of her presence on Gibson and Shelby. The chapters are short, and I had to keep reading to see how the drama would play out.

The ending didn’t feel complete, nor did Shelby and Gibson’s journeys. However, I give this book props for bringing something different to the table.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group.

Wow, I loved this insider look at how a scammer/grifter/con artist works.

I thought I had it all figured out but Whittail still managed more than a few gratifying surprises.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

It's obvious from the get-go that Cammie is a liar, someone who homes in on the weak and the gullible with tales of woe (cancer, abuse, dead relatives). Any suspense comes from waiting for her current marks to discover the truth and what will happen then. So while you might expect this to be a plot-driven story, it's actually character-driven—and Cammie's two current victims are memorable, impeccably rendered characters. You might not like Shelby and Gibson (though then again, you might), but you'll definitely understand and empathize with them. The book excels at rendering grief, anxiety, and loneliness—several times I found myself nodding in agreement and internally shouting "Yes! That's it!" Fortunately, though, it's sparky enough to keep from being a downer. It's a fast read too: I finished it in a day. I'm now going to check out Zoe Whittall's other books.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House/Ballentine Books, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

From the beginning, in the “Note from Camilla,” it was obvious to me that Camilla was the fake, a liar and a scammer. I don’t think that it’s a spoiler, since that’s the title of the book. This was not a psychological thriller – because there was no mystery. It wasn’t a love story – even the love was fake. It wasn’t a story of friendship – yup, fake too.

Camilla was charming, in a psychopathic way, but she never charmed me. She just angered me. She was the worst kind of parasite, feeding on the other two main characters, Shelby and Gibson, with no remorse. And Shelby and Gibson were so naïve. They ignored their gut and intuition and so many red flags, that a few times I felt like throwing the book.

Luckily, this was a quick read because I don’t think I would have picked it up again after putting it down.

My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.

It seems from the acknowledgments that this rooted in the author’s real-life experience - if so, what a harrowing thing but it resulted in a really twisty, propulsive story so at least there’s a silver lining.

Cammie comes into the lives of Gibson, newly divorced and Shelby who is grieving the sudden death of her wife. Both very vulnerable to this too good to be true, new person in their lives. There was a lot of build up to their discovery of who she really was and the expectation of something bigger coming. It ended with a whimper, not a bang. A bang would have been more satisfying but I enjoyed this quick read

This was a good book. Wishing I got to read more about Cami's past that would lead to her lying. I did like her actions between Gibson and Shelby and how she got them locked into her web. I did enjoy Shelby's and Gibson's teamwork towards the end in finding out where her sister really was and tried to make an intervention to help her out.

This one will definitely take you on a thriller ride! Excellent writing with the main characters coming to life on the pages. Must read!

What a whirlwind!

Gibson is newly divorced and reeling while trying to figure out how to continue on. Shelby’s wife recently died suddenly and her anxiety is all consuming.

Then Cammie crashes into their lives and turns everything upside down.

At first she’s charming, thrilling and brings excitement they both love. Then lies start being uncovered and scary things start happening.

When confronted Cammie opts to disappear instead of coming clean.

The best part is the tiny sliver we get at the end from Cammie’s perspective and you still don’t n ow what’s true or fake.

Scammers and grief support groups seem very "in" these days but this book did not disappoint. Whittall is very good at making scenarios that could seem over the top or cheesy relatable. The story was a little predictable but it was so enjoyable and well paced I wanted to keep reading.

Whew. This one didn’t really work for me. Unlikable protagonists are not really my jam, as a rule, and that was true here as well. Too much stress not enough comeuppance.

As a big fan of Zoe Whittall's previous novels, I was thrilled at the opportunity to read THE FAKE early. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

It's fairly clear that the opening sex scene is to set up Cammie as too good to be true. However, something about that scene and Gibson's description of it was very off-putting. Perhaps it was as simple as it went on too long. Still, it set the tone and I struggled to finished the book. This is a rare experience: usually I can't put Whittall's novels down once I start them.

I look forward to seeing--and reading--what the author does next. She's set a high bar for herself and THE FAKE doesn't quite clear it.

I had so much anxiety while reading this. I suppose it's from being privvy as a reader to knowing Cammie is a professional liar/sociopath and the two current victims in her life not knowing it and watching them discover it. It just left me very unsettled. Liars/manipulators/gaslighters just hit a nerve with me, so it was an uncomfortable read. Not that it wasn't a good story or the writing wasn't good - it was. I just don't think I'm the right audience for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Fake.

I was excited my request was approved since the premise was so intriguing but sadly, the narrative didn't work for me.

I enjoy reading about unlikable people and Cammie is definitely one of them; at first, it was fun to read about this manipulating, deceitful woman; what stories and lies she would come up with and what untruths she could conjure up on the fly.

Camme isn't unusual; sometimes you read new stories about women who have been busted for lying about having cancer and scammed thousands of dollars from sympathetic neighbors, friends and strangers who have donated to a GoFundMe account.

But soon, I couldn't understand what was the point of the narrative.

That Shelby and Gibson are chumps for being scammed? That we're all chumps in some way?

I do have to admit I wasn't sympathetic to Shelby and Gibson, though I understand the biggest reasons they were suckers is because they were emotionally, mentally, and psychologically vulnerable.

But many people aren't when they're conned. All these people are sucked in by is a good sob story.

And Cammie (and people like her) are good at spinning a Dickensian tale.

The ending is anti-climatic; everyone's lives move forward and Cammie doesn't receive her comeuppance.

But maybe that's the most realistic ending of all; some people get away with murder, and many people get away with much less.

Zoe Whittall is an excellent writer, so I'm always happy to see a new title from her. I found The Fake to be as well-written as ever, but perhaps not as richly-woven as her other work. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, but didn't find myself thinking about it for days afterward, as I have with her other books. Still, a perfect, engrossing vacation read.

Two disappointing stars for The Fake by Zoe Whittall. This book started with promise - who doesn’t like a believable tale about a scammer who works her way into the lives of unwitting people who are at low points in their lives. It’s easy to see why they are susceptible to her lies, and it’s exciting to imagine how the truth will come out. But the book ends with a whimper. For all of its build-up, there’s very little payoff, and the otherwise sharp writing seems to falter when attempting to come to a conclusion.

While I was reading and devouring each page of this strange, well-written book, I asked myself several times what it was about it that kept me going. None of the three main characters are particularly likeable, and there isn't much of a story or even a mystery to solve. Yet, just like being unable to turn away from a train wreck, I couldn't put this book down.

I like psychological drama as much as the next person; however, I also expect there to be a payoff at the end. Recommended if you want a quick read about flawed characters, one of whom appears to be a master manipulator.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced reader's copy.

The Fake by Zoe Whittall is an unusual novel which I had a difficult time with. It wasn't an enjoyable read for me because I couldn't decide who was telling the truth and who was lying, but I guess that was kind of the point of the novel. I found my emotions being tugged by all the characters, then found Cammie was not who she was pretending to be which completely blew my mind. All in all I found the novel to be somewhat disappointing. Thank you to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.