Member Reviews
This book shows how friendships can be trusted. Ren loves and hates Etta. Etta lavishes Ren with a “luxury” New York lifestyle. Etta moves to Barcelona without warning. Ren stays in Etta’s apartment. Ren has also been around Etta’s older brother Archer without Etta knowing.
Thanks to the publishers at Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House, and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.
A sophisticated story about friendship and secrets and falling for the one person you probably shouldn't. This was a fantastic book. The author crafted a well-thought-out story that was a breeze to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I'm not sure what this book was supposed to be about or what the actual plot was. The book description didn't feature anything that was mentioned. The dialogue was lackluster and kept repeating itself.
Synopsis (From Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
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A tantalizing debut about a woman drawn into the orbit of her friend's wealthy artist family in New York City and the complications and consequences that arise when she embarks on a secret relationship with the golden-boy older brother
Ren loves and hates Etta, her best friend since they met at NYU nearly a decade ago. Etta defines Ren's New York. She lavishes her with designer hand-me-downs and takes her along to parties at trust fund lofts and Hamptons estates. But when Etta moves to Barcelona with no warning, Ren is left to face who she is without her, her unremarkable life of shoebox apartment, thankless job, and estranged family.
Enter Archer, Etta’s older brother, whom Ren’s always been infatuated with. In his sister’s absence, suddenly he’s inviting Ren to visit his art gallery, to prestigious galas, on weekend trips with his friends to Amagansett. Archer’s interest makes Ren feel alive in whole new ways, but she knows Etta can't find out. As their relationship intensifies, so does her unease. If it all blows up, who will she be on the other side?
Set over a heady New York summer, The Art of Pretend is an alluring debut about love and friendship, wealth and power, art and ambition—and the stories we tell others and ourselves to get what we want.
Very Gossip Girl (original, not the awful reboot) at heart this was a fun book to read that screams TAKE ME TO THE BEACH! Full of memorable characters and relatable interpersonal relationships (envy, pride…face it all of the Seven Deadly Sins) you will inhale this book and wait expectedly for this new author’s second book! #shortbutsweetreviews
Ren and Etta has been best friends for almost a decade. But Etta moves to Barcelona and Ren is left with Etta's older brother, Archer. As she falls more and more for Archer, she knows she can't let Etta know.....
A terrific book about friendship and love. The difference in the status and money between the main characters made this an intriguing book. Really enjoy it.
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.
THE ART OF PRETEND is a thoroughly enjoyable novel from beginning to end. Our main character, Ren, has a complicated relationship with her best friend, Etta, who belongs to the world of the wealthy, another world entirely from Ren's world. Everything changes when Etta leaves town suddenly and Ren takes up with Etta's brother, Archer. As their relationship heats up, an uneasiness permeates the pages. The author does a wonderful job of ratcheting up the tension. Ultimately, this is a dramatic and compelling story about ambition and what it might cost.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions expressed herein are my own.
There is a lot of feelings in this book as well; and a lot of complicated ones at that! I didn‘t want to put the book down, but you know, life needs to happen, too. I enjoyed the characters and the plot a lot. Undoubtably, would be reading more from the author.