I thoroughly enjoy Justin Myers writing - there’s an emotional truth to it even when events spiral out of the core family / relationship drama that his previous books (and magazine writing) are so strong in. This book is no different in that sense, but takes the main characters out of the ‘usual’ milieu and into levels of unexpected fame.

Another departure for this third novel is that the lead characters are straight, but they are surrounded by a diverse group. One of Myers’ strengths is the way the characters have a real strength of feeling ‘whole’, even the bit parts. My only caveat would be there occasional speeches that arguably I can hear the author and not the character - generally where I think I’ve read him say something similar elsewhere. A minor point though.

Really enjoyed, despite this style of book being out of my usual reading range. Myers is my annual treat…

I've not read a Justin Myers book, yet, and the intrigue of an offer to read a book without even a cover, whet my appetite!
Flo and Dylan are in love. A simple, loving relationship, where they are scraping a living together, him as a wannabe actor, bartending at other times, and her, a singer in small pubs and clubs, recording songs for her YouTube channel or working in a shop to make ends meet.
Even though they are both at a similar stage in their respective dream careers, their backgrounds couldn't be more different, with Dylan from the more working class side, and Flo, or Floria, being from a more affluent background.
They've struggled to get their respective families and friends to accept their relationship for years, and the inevitable happens.
They split up.
Then the doors of fame seem to open up to them both simultaneously.
He lands a part in a popular soap. She finds that a song written during the aftermath of her break-up, uploaded in haste, ends up becoming a hit, made all the more popular by a famous YouTuber sharing it.
Amidst all the craziness, they both find themselves drawn together, under a veil of secrecy, having to keep a relationship that merely floundered, hidden.
What follows is the story of a year of fame, fake romances, fake hate, and a fake break-up... But how long can you fake it for?
A cast of colourful characters helped to keep the story flowing, from Max, Dylan's gay best friend, to Jesse and Sonny, the famous brothers who helped catapult Flo, and her talent, into the stratosphere. You can't forget Flo's best friend, Estelle, and her insufferable partner Barnaby, looking down their noses at Dylan, constantly.
This is a quick, cute read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept of this novel, about Dylan and Flo who split up but as they both begin to become successful in their careers, get together again, in secret.

It was funny and heart warming and the writing style meant that I stayed with the book.

There were times towards the end that I thought the characters thinking was very flawed and felt that it stretched credulity a little too far for me.

That said, on the whole I enjoyed it so it was a 3.5 stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't sure about this book and in fact had to start it a couple of times as it just didn't resonate with me especially as most of the characters didn't click. However, I did try again and being in a better frame of mind I'm glad I did as I appreciated it much more. I found it entertaining and a lesson in second chances plus a bubbling under current of subterfuge. So probably a 3.5 in the end.

I was sent a link to this pre-pub. It took me 2 attempts to start the book but once I had it is funn but exhausting!.
Flo and Dylan are in love but struggling in their chosen careers of music and acting respectively. Stresses with work, and pressure from friends and family bring things to a head with them breaking up. This seems to be a catalyst with their fortunes turning around work wise but they miss each other. Deciding to get back together without letting on to anyone leads to their fake-up.
The path of true love of course does not run smoothly and a series of near misses and almost disasters as they sneak around treads a thin line between being funny and feeling contrived at times.
I felt exhausted reading this book.
With plenty of twists and turns a good sprinkling of humour this woukd appeal to many and would be a good summer/ beach read.

Not my normal type of read,but I found the story line was well written.Would recommend this book and author to anyone who read romance with a different twist.I did think the ending was not what I expected,but overall a well written story.

Dylan and Flo are in love but it isn't going smoothly. They try hard but sometimes that isn't enough. The obstacles are insurmountable. So they give in to the inevitable and split up. This has repercussions for the both of them - whilst Flo writes song after song about the heartbreak she is going through, Dylan channels his own pain into his acting.
And you know what - they both start to make it big... their pain has obviously been the catalyst. Either that or being with each other has held them back.
Problem is, they are still in love... But only in private, in secret, hidden love... They are back together, but shhhhh. Can they keep it secret long enough to make it through...? Or does destiny have another idea...?
I've read and loved this author's previous books so I was quite excited to get my hands on a copy of this one. Unlike many books of this genre his books are not predictable and always deliver at least one or two shocks along the way. He always seems to be able to put his own quirky spin on things and this book is no different. Another thing I love about the author is his characterisation. I think to get ahead in this genre which is quite busy, as well as a cracking story you really need great characters. Ones that a reader can really connect to and get behind, cheer on if necessary. And here, he has created not only two cracking main characters but also a host of supporting ones and extras. Each character, even those with just a small part, is distinct and well drawn and all play their parts well.
It's emotional in parts - well you expect that! But it pretty much runs the gamut of all emotions. Good and bad. Love and hate, anger, sorrow, etc etc... It also covers a few of the prevalent topics around today - mostly regarding sexuality - and does that very well, and seamlessly.
All in all, a good addition to what is shaping up to be a cracking back catalogue. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Engaging romance told from both points of view after a couple breaks up then secretly gets back together to avoid interfering friends and family, from a male author who brilliantly portrays the anguish felt by Dylan. I found it dragged a little as other potential love interests were brought in to create conflict but it would make a great holiday read.

sometimes you just want to curl up with a really well written feel good book. That is exactly what this is. Its perfect for the beach, on the train or time at home.
Flo and Dylan are perfect for each other. Nearly.
Shes choosing not to use the money her parents gave her and lives in a grotty flat to keep Dylan happy. Flo would love to be a sucessful musician and Dylan wants to be an actor. Neither are quite making it.
Then they break up and it makes their careers.

This story follows the love, drama and sneakiness that follows.

I was offered this book by the Publisher and whilst it is not my usual genre I thought I would give it a chance - and am glad I did .
Dylan and Flo's life and marriage is going from bad to worse , whilst they still love each other a break up seems the only choice .
Whilst the heartbreak they both feel in their personal life drags them down their professional lives take an upturn
But the twist in the tail is that if the want to give their love another chance they must keep it a secret !

This is an entertaining and funny romance with moments of heartbreak that keep the reader enthralled .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Such a fun read!

I loved the characters, the storyline and the whole show-biz vibe.

Definitely one to read!

‘The Fake-Up’ is an easy and quick read, following Dylan and Flo. When we meet both characters, they’re relationship is not going well, partially because the stress, their careers not exactly going where they should, and their friends and family meddling. But following a break up, suddenly good things start happening – Flo’s heartbreak song becomes an overnight success, and Dylan finally get his shot at proper acting. The only thing? Flo and Dylan can seem to keep away from each other, and the sneaking around starts.

I liked the premise of ‘The Fake-Up’ and the idea of second chances, as well as seeing how Flo and Dylan grow up and change throughout the book. And without spoiling too much, I did like the ending, it seemed more believable than I excepted! What I wish was handled a little bit differently, it’s the constant narrating of the events, instead of them letting play out in front of the reader’s eyes. The events were losing the sense of immediacy and urgency as a result, and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I could have otherwise. But on the whole, it was a nice and quick read.

3.5 rounded up

Dylan is never late to Flo (Floria) and Elijah's gigs and he always sits in the same seat to bring his girlfriend luck. The musical duo are not overly successful at making a breakthrough mainly because Elijah is an encumbrance who is delusional about his talent or lack of. Dylan is a wannabe actor, he’s desperately trying to get a good steady role in a television soap, sorry, continuous drama. Flo and Dylan are in love but it's under huge strain especially financially and from Flo’s mothers definite disapproval. Their problems grow, so they break up and then they fake up later as both careers start to improve.

This is a bit different from the usual rom-com novel as it’s not very predictable! You think it’s heading in the prescribed direction and then, no, the plot takes a twist and turn. There are quite a few changes in direction or is that deception (for the best of reasons obviously!) so you need to keep up! It’s funny in places, witty in others, some things raise a wry smile and some of the humour is cleverly dry. Parts of the novel are charming as Flo and Dylan are genuinely nice people and their relationship is lovely. There are some really good characters such as Dylan’s best friend Max and Jesse Ribeiro and I like the storyline that develops there. Floria’s friend Estelle is pertinently observed as is her boyfriend Barnaby and their pretensions are sent up well though not in an unpleasant way. I surprisingly warm to Estelle particularly as at one point I most certainly have the opposite reaction. You even end up thawing slightly towards Flo’s mother who really is something else! The book is mostly light hearted in tone but it does address a few interesting issues such as openness about sexuality. The book takes a bit of a dip in the middle but then picks up pace again and gets back on track.

Overall, it’s well written, fun, entertaining and diverting and makes a pleasant change of genre for me.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group, Sphere for the much appreciated widget in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved it! This is the first book by Myers that I read but it won't be the last. What a fabulous story and what a fabulous set of characters. It's so full of twists and turns, and although I did see some features coming I definitely didn't expect it to end like that and I love it when an author surprises me. This is definitely a top seller and I can't recommend it enough.
With many thanks to Little, Brown UK for pre-approving my early copy, to the author and Netgalley.
#TheFakeUp #NetGalley

A light-hearted and well written book that will appeal to those who want to escape and who like a modern romance story with some unexpected turns.
Flo and Dylan are likeable characters, flaws and all. There is a predictability to their romance - a little bit Romeo and Juliet. But this doesn't take away from the fun story line.
Probably for a younger audience than me, but I appreciated #TheFake-Up for what it is.
Thank you to the author, his publishers and @Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy.

I enjoyed most of this book and the intrigue and mystery surrounding Flo and Dylan and everyone they are with. However I did come away feeling let down by the ending as it didn't have the pizazz of the rest of the book.

This sounded right up my street but I'm so sorry I just couldn't get into it. I wasn't keen on any of the characters and the whole scenario just had no realism about it. I also know humour is a very subjective thing but I just didn't find it funny at all. I have to admit I don't like to give up on a book so I just skim read this. I'm so sorry I hate leaving negative reviews, I won't post to Goodreads or Amazon.

This was such a fabulous story and I'm so glad i was given the opportunity to read. So many great characters and a great plot it had me hooked from the very first chapter and now I've been left with a huge book hangover that will take a while to get over!

Highly recommend.

Justin Myers Is on top of my must read authors from now on!

So, I loved the Guyliner, I loved The Last Romeo, devoured The Magnificent Sons and so was delighted to be given an advance copy of The Fake Up. I have to admit, it was far more of a slow burn that Justin's previous novels but I really enjoyed it still. The characters were well written and I found that the more I read, the more I cared about them.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. When Dylan and Flo were dating their hopes and ideas fell apart. After breaking up, their luck starts to change for both. This book was good. But tended to drag in a few places.