It was good. I love second chance romance so I devoured it. Haha will totally recommend this . Must read

The Faking Game was a quick and easy read, but it was just okay. The premise seemed flimsy to me: The whole breakup ordeal was predicated on a simple misunderstanding that you don't even find out about until the very end. I also wasn't a huge fan of the author's writing style; there was way too much description about everything, and I skimmed most of the long blocks of text—yet the important things are glossed over. There are pages and pages detailing Cara's awful Matcher dates, but when she and Millsy are finally reconnecting—like when they go to the movie—that part is totally skipped. In the end, everything is too neatly resolved.... like their breakup happened spontaneously and so was their reunion. This was a flop for me, so I probably won't read anything else by this author. It wasn't bad... it just wasn't good.

I was in a bit on a reading slump and knew I could trust @portiamacintoshauthor to get me out of it. I like the lighthearted romance in her writing. Easy quick read where a couple breaks up but has to pretend for their families that they are still together. Millsy and Cara have chemistry and are trying to navigate faking it for their families during Christmas. The horrible dates Cara goes on allows for some humor throughout but the ending was just perfect. I loved how the couple is just prone to have something go wrong whenever they are together.

I devoured this book in one sitting and was sad it was over. I really enjoyed the couples banter and how they families are with each other. Add in a nasty aunt (I’m sure we can all relate lol) and the story was easy to feel engrossed in.

This was a good read. Liked where it was set. Leeds. Cara and her boyfriend have split up but pretend to be together as a big family Christmas is planned. Lots of twists and laughs. App dating sounded fun not. Family can be a real pain but we need them. A perfect ending and not what you expected. Read in go and I loved it.

When I requested an ARC from Netgalley, I wasn't aware that this was a sequel, so I think it works better if you read the previous book first (which I obviously hadn't).

I had never heard of this author but I see she has written a lot of books which I'm surprised about as this one felt like a debut novel. I don't know where the author is from but an accent was coming through in her text when it said things like 'he weren't' instead of 'wasn't' and 'could've' etc.

As for the storyline. It seemed stupid to me! Not sure why they decided to pretend they were still together just because they had a few events to attend together. I didn't like the writing style and didn't really care about Cara and Millsy. I started to lose interest throughout the story as I wasn't invested enough in the couple.

This was a really enjoyable, easy read with genuine romcom humour ❤️ The characters are likeable and I really enjoyed the U.K. setting 🇬🇧

We follow Cara and Millsy who had been in a relationship that had fizzled out after a few years and they’d amicably split. However, Christmas is approaching and they had a calendar packed with family events and they didn’t want to let anyone down. So they embark on pretending to still be together until the Christmas period is over 🎄

My only slight negative about the book was that spicy scenes were closed door, I would have loved them to be open door scenes, but that’s very much personal preference 🌶️

If you’re after a quick, fun, fake dating romcom, you’ll enjoy this!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book but very disappointed that at 80% through the book corrupted and I haven't been able to finish it!
I will definitely be buying it in October to find out will they get back together or not, and why did they originally break up?
I didn't realise this was a sequel and it doesn't seem to have been marketed as such. I will be looking out for the original now as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Would recommend to fans of Sophie Kinsella or Beth O'Leary.

The Faking Game is honestly so funny. I found myself laughing out loud! This has that Bridget Jones's Diary awkwardness, that at times leaves you feeling second hand embarrassment, and at other times, leaves that heavy feeling in your stomach as our main characters navigate a fake dating, second chance romance, filled with a series of mishaps and misunderstandings.
Cara and Millsy have broken up, but their families don't know yet. They decide to continue to fake date until after their families celebrate Christmas together in Scotland. I absolutely adore Cara and Millsy. Their characters are so familiar with eachother, that it just makes your heart ache that much more for them.
I really enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read that you are guaranteed to fly through, and enjoy every moment of!
I would like to thank NetGalley, Portia Macintosh and Boldwood books for the opportunity to read the ARC of this fantastic book.

"The Faking Game" is a combination of the "second chances" trope and "fake dating" trope. As a result, I was interested in the premise: Cara and Millsy have broken up, but their families don't know it yet. Since they have several important family events, they agree to pretend to still be together in order to not upset or disappoint their families. However, when they're not with their families, they can still go on dates with other people.

While I liked the originality of the premise of this book, I didn't really care for Cara and Millsy. They both seemed too self-centered and were hard to root for. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I've meant to read a Portia MacIntish book for ages, but life got away with me.
First, I didn't know this was a follow-up story to characters introduced in a previous book, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. In fact, it's made me want to get the first book so I can learn more!
Cara and Millsy are the perfect couple in everyone's eyes. Only they've broken up but can't tell anyone until a huge planned Christmas holiday is over.
It has a delightful cast of characters and a few annoying ones. But you need that. We all have those annoying people in our lives, don't we?
Tally being one of them. I wanted Millsy to man up and tell her to disappear, but he never did!
I wish Millsy's gran Iona had a bigger part, though. Even from the few scenes she was in, you could feel the power she would hold over things. A true character.
You could feel the romantic tension between both characters throughout the book. There were a few moments where I thought Cara would find her true love somewhere else but that wouldn't be second-chance romance, would it?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

This book focuses on Cara and Millsy and their relationship after they break up over the festive period. They decide to make a pact to keep it a secret from family and friends over Christmas. What follows is a game of one up man ship and then both making each other jealous with some mishaps along the way.
This book was a romantic but funny read especially some of Cara’s dating disasters (no spoilers).
An enjoyable festive read but not as good as Portias last novel.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood books and Portia Macintosh for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

After reading this, I don't understand why this isn’t being marketed as:
A) a sequel to The Plus-One Pact, when it follows the same couple, 3 years later
B) a holiday romcom

Honestly, I just really wanted these two characters to grow up and communicate with each other. They played too many games and didn’t act like mature adults. This book had some funny moments that I enjoyed, as mishaps seem to follow Cara and Millsy wherever they go.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this digital ARC.

Romcom perfection! Portia MacIntosh once again completely charmed me with this story packed with delightful characters and whimsical antics. So much laugh out loud fun! Another stellar book from this fabulous author!

I had mixed feelings about this book. Millsy isn't the end-all-be-all that I think his character is supposed to be, and Tally was super annoying throughout her appearances. Cara...just keeps stumbling around in her real-life escape room, but it all works out for her. There's a little bit of Christmas thrown in, but I wouldn't really call it a Christmas book. It was just not my favorite Portia read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read everything Portia writes, and it was so exciting to read this book to get an update on Cara and Millsy who we first met in The Plus One Pact. It was a well written story, as always, funny and engaging as we follow their misadventures. The miscommunication trope felt a little overplayed, it would have. been nice to see some more open dialogue between Cara and Millsy about their struggles.
Its a great read, an enjoyable story.

The Faking Game is a delightful and laugh-out-loud look into the world of fake relationships, second chances, and festive celebrations.

I didn't really like Millsy nor his choices throughout the book despite it being clear that he was supposed to be a swoon-worthy MMC. It was however, a fast paced, captivating read with plenty of cute moments.

The book is an ideal pick for anyone looking for a light romantic comedy to brighten their reading list during the winter holidays.

Cara and Millsy have always been the perfect couple. And for the first time this year at Christmas both of their families are getting together to spend the holidays together. Unfortunately the two of them broke up six weeks ago. Determined not to ruin everyone’s holiday the two of them plan to keep up the charade until the New Year.

Classic rom com with a bit of Christmas goodness thrown in. A whole gamut of Christmas activities for these two to get caught up in provides plenty of room for misunderstandings and some long looks between two people who might not be as ready to split up as they thought.
Absolute side note but I think Cara has my dream job, designing escape rooms! So cool!
Reading about the Christmas festivities definitely put me in the mood for Christmas things.
If you also want to get into the holiday spirit with this book it hits shelves October 5 2023.
Thank you to @netgalley @bookandttonic and @portiamacintoshauthor for letting me hop into Christmas early with this one in exchange for a review.
#bookstagram #thefakinggame #readersofinstagram #netgalley #readforjoy #read #reading #christmas #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #holidayreading #book #bookworm #booklover

I have mixed emotions about this one. Second-chance-romance tied in with a fake relationship is always an interesting combination. And when done right, it can hit all of the right notes for a heartbreakingly sweet rom-com.

In the case of this story, the premise is what drew me in. Cara is a unique, fun FMC, and Millsy is the typical I-can't-believe-he's-mine (ex) boyfriend.

I'm pretty sure that Millsy was supposed to be this swoonworthy, too good to be true MMC, but if I'm being honest, he was pretty frustrating for most of the story. He was so hot and cold towards Cara, and gave Tally waaaaay too much attention. Seriously, who invites their accent coach to spend the holidays with your girlfriend's family? As for Tally, lawd, she definitely didn't know her place.

Cara wasn't much help either. She did try, to some extent and didn't go on any dates until after Millsy basically confirmed that he wanted her to move on. But, it didn't make sense that she kept trying, when it was pretty obvious that it was too soon for her.

I do like how the story ended, and how their shared memories brought them together. Neither of them ran away in a panic when things got "real". But, more importantly, I love how supportive their families were (except for Mary's family and of course, the elusive Jay.)

3 ⭐️

Cara and Millsy are everyone's favorite couple. They decide to break up but fake it in front of their love ones to not let them down.

Love Cara and Millsy together. They are both likable and great characters. It's funny and romantic. So many LOL moments.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I love Portia Macintosh’s writing style as it makes the main character feel like a friend. Combine it with a festive story and, for me, you have the perfect book.
This story is great. I loved both Cara and Millsy, but god, I would never invite them to any kind of gathering as they are fun but disastrous. Both families ( except the awful Aunt Mary and some of her clan) are the kind of people I would love to spend time with.
There are great laugh out loud moments and some of those dates are truly awful. Loved the story, loved the ending, hate that I’ve finished it!