Review: Faking It by Cora Carmack

Published June 14th, 2013
355 pages (Kindle Edition)
William Morrow

---

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.  (From Goodreads)

---

This book has that quality about it where it seems completely unrealistic, but somehow could happen to you someday...

The characters make the story.  Cade is that underdog I couldn't help but cheer for in Losing It.  Even when Bliss reappears temporarily in this book, I was cheering for Cade.  Max is like that, too.  You know she can do so much better for herself.  I was cheering for her the whole way.  Max is so misunderstood, but Cade sees through it and *swoon*.  These two just draw you into the story.  There is definitely insta-lust, but also this friendship and understanding that blossoms.  I just love these characters and their development through the story.

The problem for me is that, while it makes for a great read, it felt so unrealistic.  Chapter after chapter, each event that occurred felt sort of surreal and unlikely to me.  There was an aspect of realism that was missing.  Max's parents and Cade's ability to play along just felt a little bizarre.

I did really like Faking It.  The characters did it for me.  There was that ability to connect with both sides that drew me into the story.