This book was just okay for me. The blurb and cover drew me in, but the book itself didn't win me over. I didn't love the secondary characters, and if I knew them in real life / they were my friends I would have to disown them. The chemistry between the MCs didn't really come through for me which was a bit disappointing considering this is a romance. There were a few LOL moments for me, and I found the comedy aspect more intriguing than the romance. If you're looking for a read that doesn't require too much attention, or something you could bring to the beach - this is a good option, but I wouldn't call it one of my favorite reads.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
I picked up Hate to Fake it to You, a romantic comedy book set in Hawaii that had a really interesting cover art and synopsis. However, to be honest, I found it a bit hard to get into the story. The pace was a little sluggish, and it felt like it went on for too long. I'm sure others would like this one, but I struggled to get into it.

Thank you so much to Amanda Sellet and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book. I absolutely loved this book. It's a great funny, lighthearted book that was also a quick read. Perfect if you love cute funny summer romances. Definitely looking forward to reading more from Amanda.

The characters are quirky and frivolous - although at times I admit I had trouble keeping up with all the antics (however, that's mostly a me thing) - every page a new adventure awaits! Quick and easy read

Have you ever wondered if everything you seen online is true? Libby, Jean, and Keoki have curated the online presence of Lillibet. Each of them taking on certain parts of the influencer’s personality. What started off as an inside joke spirals when heiress Hildy gets rescued by Jefferson in a deadly snow storm. The story has all kinds of press and Hildy wants to use the momentum to her advantage. She convinces Jefferson to join her on her adventure to convince Lillibet to write for her magazine. Libby is forced to take on the role of Lillibet and her friends help her maintain the facade. One that Hildy seems to buy her hot photographer and new fake boyfriend Jefferson doesn’t. Probably because he keeps getting glimpses of the real Libby. Attraction grows between Libby and Jefferson but they’re both in fake relationships and Libby is pretending to be someone she’s not.

If this description sounds complicated to you, you would be correct. This story has a lot going on but somehow the author manages to keep it from being confusing. The prose sucks you in and the crazy story makes the book impossible to put down. It’s laugh out loud funny. It’s really just a huge satire piece on social media and today’s society. I really enjoyed it as an elder gen z. If you take social media seriously this book may not be for you.

businesswoman, recently in the news for surviving an avalanche with aid from wildlife photgrapher Jefferson. Hildy is a huge fan of Lillibet, and wants to use her skills and lifestyle to launch a new magazine- which lands her and Jefferson in Hawaii, where Libby and co have crafted a very precarious tower of cards to keep the ruse up long enough so that their skills will be seen for how brilliant they are. What's unexpected (except for us readers, because obviously we know where this is going), Libby and Jefferson's instant attraction sets sparks flying- or would, if not for his fake relationship with Hildy and her pretend husband Mr. L.

This was a fun comedy of errors and confusion, and while it was hard to keep track of all the ruses happening at any give point, it was a fun little journey. This would be a perfect beach read!

Thank you to Amanda Sellet and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review! Hate to Fake it to You comes out on July 16, 2024!

While drunk, Libby, her roommate Jean, and her childhood friend, Keoki, created a fake influencer account on Instagram under the name Lillibet. Normally that would not matter. However, Hildy Johnson, the heir to the Johnson Media empire, is a big fan of Lillibet. After getting caught in an avalanche and having to be rescued by an attractive wildlife photographer, Jefferson, Hildy sees the ensuing media coverage as the perfect opportunity to launch her new lifestyle magazine, with Lillibet and her advice on "adulting" highlighting the magazine. Hildy and Jefferson travel to Hawaii to meet Lillibet. This of course poses problems, and leads to much hilarity, as Lillibet does not exist, so Lilly and her friends have to pretend she does. This involves “borrowing” a luxurious house from a local bathroom fixtures magnate who creates futuristic showers, faucets, etc., many of which are featured in his home (and which leads to some rather humorous, and wet moments). Keoki serves as the household cook, which is fitting since he is a professional chef. Jean is the housekeeper, which is amusing because she is not a very good or attentive housekeeper and because she pretends that she is part Irish, with fake accent and pithy sayings. Making things more complex, Libby and Jefferson have a chance meeting on the beach before they have been properly introduced, and Libby's appearance and behavior is not at all consistent with the Lillibet image. Imagine their surprise when they are properly introduced. Also, there is an attraction between them, which complicates things, since Jefferson appears to be with Hildy, Libby has a fake husband, and Jefferson knows that something is not right but is unsure whether or not to say anything. If that was not enough, Hildy's uncle, who runs Johnson Media, comes to Hawaii to collect her, believing that Lillibet is taking advantage of her. That complicates things and adds to the hilarity.

3.5 stars rounded down. Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review! these are opinions are entirely my own.

Maybe I could ranked this higher if every character wasn't insufferable. I found it reaching too hard to be more than a rom-com, and falling flat. The book was cute, a little quirky, but I feel like it will be forgettable to me. The goat was by farrrr the highlight of the book lol more goat content! Would be a cute summer read by the beach or pool. If you're a fan of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez or Katehrine Center, give it a shot!

I blame myself that I did not read the description very well. Based on the title I thought it was enemies who fake dated. So after that initial reset in my expectations I loved the imagery described from the island. I could do clearly picture the food, colors, scenery and locations. The book was a bit too silly for my usual taste- way too many hijinx and over the top cringe so that Libby could play her fake role. But overall it was a nice read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

In “Hate to Fake it to You” by Amanda Sellet, I found the characters to be likable, but the plot felt scattered. Libby Lane’s fake online persona adds humor, but the storyline gets bogged down with too many elements. Despite the charming characters, the narrative’s lack of focus left me wanting more coherence. However, the exploration of identity and authenticity amidst the facade of social media is an engaging aspect worth noting. Overall, it’s an okay read but could have benefited from streamlining the plot. I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I found this book to be cute and enjoyable! I struggled a bit with the best friend Jean, as she didn’t feel as warm and friendly to me as she was supposed to. Hilda also felt a bit too naive for the situation she was in.

Overall, a fun and quirky book, but I struggled to suspend my belief in reality to get into the plot as much as I would have liked.

3/5 stars!

A fun and fresh book that made me feel like I was on vacation! I really enjoyed the characters and the romance! This was a fresh storyline and I enjoyed it.

Hate to Fake It to You by Amanda Sellet is a good fit for people who are in the mood for a lighthearted, romantic comedy with a modern twist on the classic "fake it until you make it" trope.

I really liked Libby and Jefferson. Although, I did feel like their interest in each other was a bit sudden. I liked Keoki and Hildy. For the majority of the book I couldn’t help but roll my eyes whenever Jean was on the page. I would definitely not want Jean as a friend and I think Libby just kind of let Jean run all over her. Hildy’s uncle and Mr. L give major creep vibes. Towards the middle of the book I started to warm up towards Libby’s and Jefferson “situationship” and was glad they figured it out at the end. I hated that Jean blamed everything about the downfall on Libby. I felt the storyline was a bit rushed.

I had a very hard time with this book. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters, I had to force myself to finish.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. This was a slow starter for me - I had a hard time wrapping my head around the characters at first - but the story eventually pulled me in. Lillibet/Libby was a good example of someone who isn’t reflecting their true self to the world (aka on social media) and finds themselves a bit lost. With a fun cast of quirky friends and a would-be romance that seems inevitable and impossible, this romance did its job of keeping me entertained.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

I tried to get into this one but I found it a bit confusing in the very beginning, so I just don't think I can get into it. unfortunately, i don't think this one is for me! but thank you very much for the arc!

A lighthearted and fun read.

I had so much fun reading this book. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Libby isn’t your average influencer, she’s a fraud. Her friends have her back and even help out on her blog, Love, Lillibet. But how long will the secret stay hidden when Libby comes face to face with someone who is willing to give her a real writing career? This book was full of humor, witty banter, close friendships, romance and uniquely unpredictable situations. I had a hard time putting this book down.

I really enjoyed this one. it was funny and sweet but I needed more from the caracthers and from the plot itself. Enjoyable but nothing special overall.

I wanted to love this. I keep picking it up over and over and had a hard time getting into it. The story was just meh. It was hard to keep my interest.