I wanted to like this but ended up feeling quite indifferent in the end. We’ve got a #complicated relationship and some twists and turns but the story still didn’t have that sweeping pace that would have carried the reader through it. There were parts where it was present, showing that the author is capable of it but it was interspersed with slumps where we slowed to a crawl and in the end, I still didn’t feel invested enough in the relationship. This one wasn’t for me but I see potential so will keep an eye on the author’s other works!

What an apt title!

You have heard of the fake dating trope, well this is the fake break up!

Dylan and Flo start the book as dating for real, things then come to ahead and they break up for real, which lead to Flo writing a hit song and Dylan being on the cusp of finally getting a good role in his acting career and then they decide they need to be together.

So get back together, and sneak around as their friends and family are a lot happier with them apart.

At times it is hard to remember who knows what, and what is real or not.

But what I really enjoyed wasn't necessarily their relationship, but seeing their career trajectories, and seeing just how they deal with success, fame, the media, vultures of tabloid hacks, potential showmances and more.

I loved getting to know Dylan and Flo, as well as various people in their lives.

And that ending was pure genius, I didn't expect it but yet it totally worked! Brilliant.

This was an enjoyable book, and the first that I have read from the author. It kept me on my toes and I love books set in the world of showbiz, so it definitely kept my attention.

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Justin Myers' "The Fake-Up" offers an intriguing premise. We meet Flo and Dylan, a passionate couple whose dreams of stardom are overshadowed by the pressures of their relationship. He craves success as an actor, while she longs for a singing career. Together, they seem to hold each other back. Ironically, their careers skyrocket after a well-publicized break-up. The heartbreak becomes fuel for their creative fire, propelling them into the spotlight.

This initial setup holds immense potential. The angsty separation layered with dark humor could have been a delightful twist on the classic fake-dating trope. Here, the couple is secretly together while pretending to be apart. Flo and Dylan navigating the pressures of fame while hiding their true feelings promised a captivating journey.

Unfortunately, the promise dissolves. The narrative drags in unexpected places, bogged down by repetitive passages that fail to capture the initial spark. The humor loses its edge, and the central conflict becomes tiresome. The ending, rather than offering a satisfying resolution, feels like a disappointing afterthought.

Ultimately, "The Fake-Up" is a missed opportunity. While the idea holds charm, the execution falls flat. This might not be the perfect love story, and readers seeking a heartwarming romance might be left unsatisfied.

This book fell flat for me. Whether it was the character development or lack thereof, or that I just didn't seem to engage and route for the characters but I found this overall slow and lacking. I expect to come away from books like this uplifted but it just didn't seem to hit the mark.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

DNF - the premise no longer appeals to me, I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel however

Brilliant book. Great story, fab writing, lots of depth and the characters were lovely. Did not want it to end. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

I really liked the sound of this book. A couple from different walks of life , struggling artists, living to make ends meet, then dealing with a break up. Then, they decide to get back together but not tell anyone. The book was well written and there were some amusing moments. However, the story and characters just didn't grab my attention. which is a real shame.

This was an interesting read! I enjoyed the dialogue and found it a pretty easy read! The cover is also quite cute!!

First Justin Myers book I’ve read and loved it!

Flo and Dylan are in love but as far as everyone else know they have broken up!

Both characters careers are soaring yet they were together when it was tough and now have to pretend not to be together.

I loved Dylan as he’s more down to earth, Flo grew on me, both have endearing backstories and the story gave an insight into how media blows things out of proportion.

This just wasn’t for me. I didn’t like the characters or the style it was written. Sadly it was a DNF therefore marked as an average read at 3 stars

Unfortunately - this plummeted for me half way through with how unrealistic it was.

The start I really enjoyed and could see potential.

Half way through I ended up skipping bits to get to the end to see if I was right not to read on...end was a end let down.

Dnf @ 10% Chapter 3

Honestly I should have realized this one wasn't for me, based on the premis and not being a big fan of second chance romance. But I did love the concept of the fake break up, twist on on a trope I adore so I decided to give a try.

The couple of chapters I read, were lovely and showed their relationship so well. Giving glimpses into their past and romance, the little details and the life they've formed together was really sweet.

Getting to see Dylan & Flo's povs was interesting too, as while both are creative types
it appears they have come from very opposite lifestyles. Which made some off the cracks start to show, as have oppossite pov.

Especially Flo's friend group which came across awful, although it did seem strange that targets on Dylan when it's not like Flo had shown any progress either.

Sadly I think I just lost interest in the idea of them like breaking up just to then reunite and fake it. Very much a case of me and not the book, I will say I think it would probably make an incredible movie RomCom.

Especially having looked at some other reviews and skimming further, I just don't think it's the right book for me.

This isn't the normal style of book I ho for but the plot outline sounded interesting so I decided to give it a go. Im glad I took the chance to read it as I loved it. The main characters are fab and I could imagine being friends with Dylan and Flo. It's interesting to see how the dynamic between the two changes as their relationship adapts to their respective change of fortunes. Will they manage to stay together when game and fortune beckons.

The Fake Up is an original novel about Dylan and Flo, a couple who are in love but pretend to the world that they’ve split up. It’s hard to give a more detailed synopsis without including spoilers.
I loved the idea of the novel and thought it was quite unique but really struggled to get along with the characters, who in some cases were incredibly unlikeable. It’s a fun idea and a great choice for romcom fans.

I didn't enjoy The Fake-Up. I struggled to connect with either character and didn't finish the book.

Sorry not for me. I found it slow and boring (just my opinion) there wasn't enough to the story to keep my interest which is a shame as the reverse fake dating sounded like such a cool idea. This obviously was just not my cup of tea

The Fake-Up wasn't a book for me. I struggled to push to the finish line.
After being drawn in by the premise, I didnt feel any connection with the characters - it seemed they were going through the motions with no desire to actually get to the outcome. It was ... tedious and a shame as I think with some development this could have been unputdownable but instead it's forgettable.

I have a lot of mixed feelings here, the characters worked well together and from the minute I met them I loved them and was heartbroken during the first breakup. But they were just very toxic for each other and I didn’t enjoy seeing their hidden relationship play out, but it is good for a one time read!