I’ve finished The Fake Out by Sharon M. Peterson and I absolutely adored it! I can say with certainty that I had a goofy smile on my face a majority of the book. If you love a fake dating/engagement of convenience, this is for you.

Mae is a headstrong librarian in a small town who has pretty much the entirety of her little family’s wellbeing on her shoulders. Chris is a pro football player who is trying to lie low in her town due to a misunderstood paparazzi video clip.

The sass and banter between our two main protagonists is great and the chemistry is *chef’s kiss*. Chris is such a big teddy bear of a man and the way he just wanted to take care of Mae was heartwarming. Mae absolutely needs to be taken care of for a change and needs a stronger voice than her own to convince her of that.

There were a few twists to their story but it is a romance, so you know theirs is a happily ever after in the end. I highly recommend The Fake Out and I thank Sharon and the fine folks at NetGalley for the advanced copy!

awwww okay this was cute. kinda strangers to friends to lovers which is technically always how it works. i liked the characters and yeah. solid 4 stars.

thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC.

yesterday I told my husband of 23 years “If you were a booger, I’d pick you first.” Followed by “I wanna watch Star Wars because yoda one for me.” I mean, thanks Sharon Peterson for keepin the love fresh here. 🤣 the pickup lines starting each chapter were hilarious and on point. Do kids even say ‘on point’ anymore? I digress.

This was a fun book to read and it didn’t even have smutty spice in it 😮 I am a sucker for cutesy covers and tropes like fake dating, enemies or friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine. Give me strong leading characters with fun bantering and problems to work through. This one gave me most of that. I read it straight through and will continue to read this author.

Chris, the leading male, was a pro football player and Mae a small town librarian. Chris was a good man (almost too good. Give me some flaw in this man). Mae was working multiple jobs to pay for her moms illness and sisters education. I loved the work ethic that was portrayed and fun bantering between them.

With that said, this is what I wish were a touch different and my reason for a star deduction- Mae was actually kinda mean and while I understood her standoffishness, it didn’t feel like she really ever let up much on Chris. She was independent and stubborn, yes, but didn’t see that soften much even with Chris. Seeing her fall for him more would’ve wooed me. I would’ve liked to see more flirting between them, some fun bantering and not just mean and a little more of a slow burn with romance. I needed to be sold more on what made Mae “the one”.

Chris, golden retriever energy, golden boy was so patient and fun and giving. Like I said, he could have been given some flaw. Even his public tabloid drama wasn’t even his drama. His family- amazing also. Loved all the misc other characters as well.

I immediately looked up what else this author has written and followed her on some socials. I look forward to reading more and her growing.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Publishing and Author Sharon M Peterson for the advanced digital copy of this book to read and review. Anticipated publish date July 5, 2023. Review to be provided on Netgalley, Goodreads, tiktok, Facebook and Amazon.

#TheFakeOut #NetGalley

The Fake Out by Sharon M. Peterson is a delightful and heart-warming romantic comedy that takes readers on a journey filled with humour, unexpected twists, and a fake engagement. The story follows the protagonist, who works at a small-town library and finds herself caught up in the charming and mischievous antics of Chris Sterns, an all-star NFL player seeking refuge from his fans.

Peterson's writing is engaging and filled with witty banter that brings the characters to life. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their evolving relationship is a joy to witness. The author skilfully blends romance, humour, and a touch of drama, creating a compelling storyline that keeps readers invested until the very end.

The Fake Out explores themes of love, family, and the power of unexpected connections. It tackles serious issues, such as financial struggles and public perception, while maintaining a light-hearted and entertaining tone. Readers will find themselves rooting for the protagonists as they navigate their way through fake engagements and personal challenges.

Overall, The Fake Out is a delightful and engaging romantic comedy that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. It's a perfect escape into a world of laughter, love, and unexpected surprises.

This book was a complete surprise for me. The blurb of this book had me intrigued right away and even though Sharon M. Peterson is a new author for me, I wanted to pick it up as soon as I had it downloaded on my Kindle.

The writing was really good. I was able to read this book nearly in one sitting without even realizing how far I got in the story. It was SO funny as well. I have laughed so many times while reading this.

Chris has to be one of my favorite male characters in a book. He was sweet, hot, caring and literally a sunshine. Also, he reads a lot, which makes him even more interesting. The banter between him and Mae was great, too. And Mae is the grumpy to Chris’ sunshine. She is an older sister and feels like she has to take care of her mother, who recently had a stroke, her sister and nearly everyone she meets, except for herself. I have to admit she got on my nerves after some time, but overall she was really likable and a good MC.

There are a lot of tropes in this book, especially the fake dating one, which I love. This is one of the factors that had me drawn to this book. Some things are predictable, but this doesn’t lower the fun at all.

Every chapter starts with a cheesy pick up line and these alone had me laughing so hard. Some had my eyes rolling, but one or two were actually pretty good.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Being scared is halfway too brave.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored this book! A small town librarian agrees to have a fake engagement with a star football player. But then what will happen when their fake feelings start to feel like real feelings?

Mae has always taken care of everyone else in her life. Her mum, her sister and of course, her library. But what happens when Chris wants to take care of her? I absolutely loved the sunny/grumpy dynamic these two main characters had throughout the book.

“We can’t be happy all the time. If we were, we wouldn’t appreciate it when we are.”

At the start of each chapter Sharon M Peterson gives you a different pick up line, which is a brilliant addition to the book! But I also loved how Chris texts Mae regular pick up lines throughout the novel.

For any romance reader I would definitely recommend giving this book a read.

Thank you to Sarah M Peterson, Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review.

A mostly predicatable feel good romance. A very enjoyable read but I had difficulty believing in Chris as a male lead. He's just a little bit too perfect for me. I like both of my main characters to have flaws!

If you're looking for a truly heartwarming, swoon worthy rom com that will plaster a smile on your face for a while after you're done reading, The Fake Out is the book for you.

Well-rounded, consistent characters with amazing chemistry - and not just the romantic type. Mae is a strong, funny and engaging heroine who has become a caretaker for her mom and younger sister, refusing any outside help in the process. Who better than Chris, a gorgeous football player to break her defenses? Chris may be muscled and sexy, but that's not at all the focus of the story. He wins Mae over with his patience and his respect for how she is.
An unlikely friendship ensues and there's a fake engagement who benefits them both - although we're seeing events unfurl through Mae's eyes and she's completely oblivious to Chris's feelings, which, in hindsight, puts a big question mark on the "fake" aspect of their arrangement.

It read quickly and there was enough humor and sarcasm to keep things interesting the whole time. I loved Chris's character, the only brother with a family of evil mastermind sisters - who were also hilarious, by the way. His relationship with his family only made him more likable. My favorite part of this novel was the love story between Chris's parents, it was adorable and well-written.

All the praise out of the way, now let me get into the reasons for the 3 star-review:

1. The pacing was inconsistent, with some chapters dragging on while the plot was at a standstill. Other chapters were unpredictably short and snappy, which made up for some of the slower parts, but still..
2. So. Many. Jokes. - this book takes the "com" in "rom com" extremely seriously. It was mostly funny and entertaining, but too much of a good thing can sometimes ruin the thing.
3. As a consequence of the cumulated effect of points 1 and 2: Mae was irritating ever so slightly. Since hers is the only POV, she ultimately becomes a bit annoying with the non stop comedy-infused train of thoughts. Granted, humor is the way she copes with trauma, and she is a lovely and endearing heroine after all. I just needed a break from constantly being stuck in her rambling for pages on end.

I ultimately got my break towards in the second part of the book though - which is when the pacing improves, the plot becomes more emotionally charged and Mae (finally) steps out of her shell.

Special thanks to Bookouture and Sharon M. Peterson for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I loved this book, it was nice to read about the main women character not been stick thin and blonde hair. I love the Chat up lines at the start of every chapter had me laughing my head off, I did find near the middle of the book a bit lacking, but loved it again afterwards and love the ending how she did the big romantic gesture.

Loved his family and especially his dad and his saying he kept saying.

Usually I read murder mysteries, crime thrillers etc so I didn't even notice on what a serious note I always ended my days. This book had me laughing so much. I've read all the cheesy pick up lines to my boyfriend in which case he ALSO had fun!

I need this book as a movie! Every character was amazing and I really enjoyed it. I would have loved it if it was longer and I also need standalone books about all the other characters ( especially the Stern Sisters ).

and seriously : IM A CUCUMBER had me dying!!!! Thank you Netgalley for providing me this copy!

I loved this story. It’s a sweet romance between an unwilling librarian, and a caring nfl player. The male lead really seems to care for our female lead as he does little things for her like personally fixing her mums dishwasher rather than just paying someone to do it so he doesn’t offend her, and cares for his family so much he’s willing to lose out himself in order to protect them. The romance is a slow burn and has a lovely HEA. I’d recommend

the cute little puns and flirting stories at the beginning of each character were incredibly cute. the main characters are very likeable and real, although chris sometimes seems too perfect, in comparison with mae (fiercely independent sometimes to a fault). the plot was interesting, nothing original but hey, I love a good cliché. it bothered me that I got to the end of the book and did not swoon due to the romance in a book that *is* a romcom.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Peterson's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy for readers to become fully invested in the lives of the characters. The dialogue is witty and entertaining, with moments that will have readers laughing out loud. The pacing is well-maintained, and the story flows smoothly, keeping the reader captivated from start to finish.

Mae and Chris, this sweet romance covered some trickier topics, especially for Mae. She's working hard, managing her job, her young sister, her mum's medical bills and the attention of a toxic ex. The book is a dig at the cost of medical care in the US, and how this essentially brings Mae and her family into poverty. That's the heavy stuff. The lighter side is the budding romance with American footballer Chris Sterns and the impact he has on Mae's family and small town. It's a charming, swoony, closed door (no door) romance that still shows a lot of chemistry between Chris and Mae. He falls first (it suits him) and they navigate their way to a HEA. The author has a light touch and real skill in creating warm and relatable characters. I was so gunning for Mae! Highly recommended.

Thanks NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

It's been fun nosing in on Mae and Chris' story. Straight up, I had no difficulty believing Chris is a dreamboat haha. He is undoubtedly a man written by a woman. A little too good to be true, you know? But I guess all swoony book boyfriends are. As for Mae, I hope more female main characters are like her. I like Mae. Despite her stressful life, I had a relaxing time being in her head. I can't wait to read Sharon Peterson's other works.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

FABULOUS!! Hands down one of my favorite rom-coms EVER!! I cannot recommend this book enough!! What a sweet and wholesome romance that has your friends to lovers, reverse grumpy/sunshine and fake engagement tropes filled with hilarious banter, tension, chemistry, family/friendships and love. OMG! I loved how every chapter began with a cheesy pick up line! This is a book I could read over and over again!! Yes, I loved it that much🩷🩷!! Definitely, need to purchase the physical copy for my personal library.

The Fake Out is about a small town librarian and a NFL all-star player who agree to a fake engagement. Mae is independent, snarky and has a huge heart. She is the librarian at Two Harts Public Library and loves her job helping others. While Mae is shelving the return books she finds Chris sleeping in the stacks. Chris is sexy, caring and a famous football player. He has escaped to Two Harts to avoid the press after a negative story is leaked about him. Chris and Mae develop a wonderful friendship and I laughed so hard at the banter between them🤣🤣. In order for Chris to save his reputation, he needs Mae's help. Therefore, he offers her a beneficial arrangement if she will agree to a fake engagement with him. What could possibly go wrong? They are just friends, right?

The many quotes in this book are just swoon-worthy!! One of my favorite phrases is "it suits you". When I learned the story behind the quote I just lost it.😭😭🥰🥰

It is such a relatable and sweet love story that I finished in a day. Do yourself a favor and read this book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maebelle is the librarian in a small sleepy town in Texas. She spends all of her time trying to make life easier for other people. Working herself to the bone. One day she meets NFL star Chris Stern who strikes up an unusual friendship that leads to a fake engagement.

This book was okay but I felt pretty mislead by the description when I realized that the story is so closed door the door has multiple bolts on it. Sadly I think it was a detriment to the narrative as there was a complete lack of sexual tension between the two main characters. Mae spends the majority of the book insisting they are just friends and I felt it. I’m a sucker for grumpy sunshine especially when the FMC is the grump but without the tension Mae often came across excessively judgmental and cold.

Okay...
This book was such an easy and enjoyable read. The Fakeout tells the tale of Mae, a librarian, and her fictitious engagement to Chris Stern, an NFL player. Despite Mae being so cruel to him, Chris, the nice guy philanthropist, falls madly in love with her.

This romantic comedy book was really adorable! Dad jokes, corny pickup lines, and small town romances all have a special appeal for me. This book did not let me down. I read it all in one sitting because it was so entertaining and enjoyable.

I was given this book in exchange for a honest review. I appreciate the chance, and I thank Netgalley and Sharon Peterson

Mein Leseerlebnis

Besonders lang wird die heutige Buchrezension nicht ausfallen, denn allzu viel habe ich zum Roman nicht zu sagen.

Die locker geschriebene Geschichte ließ sich ohne Probleme lesen, tief berührt oder fasziniert hat mich im Buch aber leider nichts. Alles war ganz nett und ich fand das Happy End auch schön, nach dem Lesen war das Geschehene aber nur eine Randnotiz und keine tiefe, mir wichtige Erinnerung.

Der Geschichte und teils den Charakteren fehlte es etwas an Tiefe, zudem machte in meinen Augen nicht immer alles Sinn.

Ich hatte mit dem romance Buch eine nettes, kurzweiliges Leseerlebnis, nicht mehr und nicht weniger.

🖤🖤3/4

Für wen?

Wer Liebesgeschichten zwischen zwei recht unterschiedlichen Charakteren rund um eine vorgetäuschte Beziehung mag, für den könnte das Buch etwas sein.

First of all, thank you Sharon M. Peterson and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of The Fake Out in exchange for an honest review. This book was such a fun and easy romantic comedy. Both the FMC and MMC are easy to love and root for. I absolutely loved being in the mind of Maebell as a person who also tries to solve every challenge in life on her own.

The only thing I would change? I would have LOVED to have seen Chris’ point of view. He was so thoughtful and intentional, I would’ve loved to have seen the thinking behind his actions.

Overall, such a great, sweet, romantic read! I loved it!