Ever since I read my first Justin Myers book, I've been absolutely entranced with this author's storytelling skills. And I can safely report that The Fake-Up is more of the same since I couldn't put it down from the moment I read the first page.
We follow Dylan and Flo who are in love but their relationship is on the rocks. As hard as they try, sometimes that just isn't enough. Giving in to the inevitable, they split up - yet their break-up has repercussions they'd never imagined. Suddenly, Flo writes song after song about heartbreak and Dylan channels his pain into his acting - and they turn into stars, exactly what they've always wanted. But as they start to make it big with their pain as catalyst, they also find their way back to each other. But how to be together when the whole world got invested in their work because of their visceral heartbreak? As they fall back in love in private, they keep the secret from the public and drama, pain and shenanigans ensue.
I absolutely loved this subverted twist on the fake dating trope - aka fake break-up! Myers shines with beautiful, hilarious writing and moments that made me feel the pain that comes from following your dreams and learning that not everything that shines is gold. Dylan and Flo were fascinating characters to follow and I could really see this being turned into a Netflix romcom because this story would appeal to so many viewers (and hopefully as many readers!)
With tons of twists and turns, witty and engaging writing and a true romcom that will have you laughing and tearing up, The Fake-Up is a spectacular new novel from Myers!

Fab idea & I really wanted to enjoy it but it fell a bit flat for me.

Very slow to get going & I DNF'd at 35%

This was just okay read. 3 stars for me.
Did not love it, but did not hate it. Just averae, nothing speciale.

I absolutely could not put this book down. I felt like it was completely different to what I was expecting, with characters that were relatable, and that you could fall in love with.

A rollercoaster of emotions that was enjoyable right to the end. At no point was I bored, or wishing to skip ahead. This is a really feel good book, and will for sure get you out of a reading slump! I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

An awfully slow read, gave up twice as got bored. Really was not for me hence the 2 stars - sorry !

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book. It was ok, it had its twist and turns but there were parts which didnt need to be as long as they were. It was a slow read that took me a while to get through

A bitingly clever twist on the fake relationship trope, with lots of snark and wit. I will definitely read more of Justin Myer's books in the future.

First book I’ve read
And definitely won’t be the last
Was a really good read
A rollercoaster of a read
Thanks NetGalley

Dylan and Flo are on very different paths when their romance seems to have run its course. Dylan lands a role in a soap and Flo’s music career is about to take off and Flo’s friends appear delighted that Flo is no longer with Dylan who they openly disapprove of.
Once the sparks return and Dylan and Flo want to rekindle their romance, the timing doesn’t feel right with each of their careers and more obstacles seem to keep appearing. They decide to keep their romance a secret for the time being until life gets a bit simpler-although when that will be is unclear.
I loved this one, couldn’t put it down.

Letting go of relationships is sometimes hard especially when we don’t necessarily know who we are without the other person. This book nails that feeling whilst also acknowledging sometimes it’s okay to grow apart at the same time.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to others

“Nope. Admit it, it sounds exciting. Sneaking around? Like being in the French resistance, or a spy or something?”

Dylan and Flo are in love. The only trouble is, they broke up months ago and everyone was delighted for them.
At first, it’s exciting sneaking around, hiding from disapproving friends, climbing through bedroom windows to avoid family, and concocting hilarious disguises. It’s like Romeo and Juliet. With more sex and less poison.
But soon it becomes harder to separate truth from lies. Dylan and Flo are in way over their heads, and the games have only just begun…

The Fake Up is a rom-com with two characters who are judging their relationship through the eyes of those around them. Already set up for failure, they eventually break up but later decide to date in secret while having a public relationship with someone else through their work.

Their fake dating was an interesting concept and I enjoyed it in the beginning. But it seemed to stretch on without a purpose.

There aren’t many twists and no major conflict in the plot which makes the pace a little slow and meandering. The story is told from both Flo and Dylan’s perspective. However, I felt there wasn’t much that evolved for them.

Their journey lacks spontaneity and a natural flow. You don’t experience any joy or angst for the characters so it is hard to root for them. This is just a compilation of funny instances put together with little thought in looking at the larger picture or the purpose of storytelling.

It is interesting in bits and pieces but felt largely forced. It didn’t engage me but may be more interesting to a comparatively younger reading audience.

This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group, UK.

I mostly enjoyed The Fake-Up, at times I did find it a bit hard to follow but I think that was due to the formatting of the arc I received and shouldn't be reflected in the final product!

A great premise and I enjoyed the plot, at times the MCs were a little irritating but overall I found it as an interesting read.

There are no real surprises in this story as you almost know what is happening next. Flo is a hopeful singer and her partner Dylan is an aspiring actor. Both from very different backgrounds and it's amazing how long Dylan stays in the relationship with the sheer snobbery and put downs he encounters from Flo's mum.
They split and in true Adele fashion Flo writes a break up song that sets the music world on fire. She's an instant hit with appearances and tours cementing her stardom. At the same time Dylan makes it big too with a starring role in a popular soap. You couldn't make it up! (Well.actually the author did). But wait! They don't split for long and rather than come clean with people they continue the charade of meeting when they can but pretending they don't. They get their comeuppance in the end though which I won't leak although the clues are dripped throughout to make sure you know what the ending is likely to be.
A nice easy to read story which I quite enjoyed but unlike Flo's music it's unlikely to set the world I fire

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lighthearted read that would be perfect for the Spring/Summer period. After reading several romances written by female authors, it was time for a change.

Dylan and Flo's relationship becomes strained when Dylan feels he doesn't live up to the standards of Flo and social circle.

Both Dylan and Flo decide a break up is the best case which later leads to both their careers taking off. In the meantime, they decide to get back together, sneaking around in disguises to avoid judgement from friends - think modern-day Romeo and Juliet.

There's a few laugh out loud scenes witht the whole forbidden love dynamic between the lead characters. The drawback for me was the third person narration which I've neven been a fan of and the overwhelming number of side characters - less is more!

It's 3 stars from me.

Not for me in the end. I didn't really like enough (any?) of the characters and although i know other people will find this funny, I was too cringey and anxious about it all. Also although this is a romantic comedy, I think shelving it under romance is not quite right, for reasons that I can't really explain without getting into spoiler territory. I like the writing style, I just didn't like the plot!

Over the years I’ve seen a number of things about Justin Myers’ books but had yet to pick one up. The Fake-Up changed that for me and it was a lovely introduction to his writing. It tells the story of Flo and Dylan who has just broken up. In the wake of the break-up Flo’s music about the break-up goes viral and Dylan lands a role in a soap. They soon realise they can’t be without one another but aren’t sure how to handle that now they’ve gone viral. So, they have a fake-up instead.

The premise of this book is certainly a unique one. I’ve never read a book centring around two famous people who are having to hide their relationship. It is such an interesting concept and one that I’m sure happens in reality more than we realise. I helped give me a little insight into the uncomfortable side of fame that is hidden from the public eye. It is certainly a unique and refreshing look at the rise in fame.

I enjoyed that this book is told in dual POVs. We get to see how Dylan and Flo deal with the break-up, fame and celebrity drama differently. Both Dylan and Flo are wonderful main characters. They are messy and at times not likeable but as a reader you sympathise with them. You root for them too. I loved the secondary characters in this book and the storylines they bring. Max and Jesse are wonderful. Also, it was lovely to see a character called Lois (my name!) because that does not happen often.

It took me some time to read this book and I feel that was down to the pacing. It was quite slow at times which meant I struggled to get into the book and excited about what was going to happen next. When the pacing picked up though I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I enjoyed the different storylines and how they connected in different ways too. It has definitely given me an idea on Justin Myers’ writing and I will be giving more of his books a read.

Overall, this was a fun, entertaining and a nice piece of escapist fiction. Its story is intriguing and its characters are complex. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are a fan of unique, romance books. I will certainly be looking out for more Justin Myers’ books in the future.

A decent and enjoyable read

Would recommend

Thank you to negalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review

I have to say, The Fake-Up is one of the most unique rom-coms I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Now, as someone who LIVES for romance and devours a new romance novel on a daily basis, by now some storylines become inevitably predictable. Not for The Fake-Up, though - it constantly keeps you on your toes. You feel like the story might be going in a particular direction, and then it goes in the opposite direction altogether!

Along with its uniqueness and unpredictability, Myers presents a well-written, enjoyable, and just a humorous and entertaining read. Not only do I genuinely like the characters of Dylan and Flo, but also the supporting characters within the story. It is an overall charming read, and one that I was honoured to be able to read.

I really don't enjoy second chance romances, and especially didn't enjoy this one. There was nothing here that made me want Flo and Dylan to get back together, as they were so awful to each other,

DNF at 25% I'm sorry to say.

The Fake Up is a bit of a departure from the thriller and historical fiction novels that I've had my nose in of late. A distraction some may say, and a great one at that.

The Fake Up concerns Dylan, a struggling actor, and Flo, a struggling musician.

Though ask either of them and they will say that they are moderately successful.

Ask their families, and they will tell you a different story.

Ask their friends and they will tell you another.

As for their relationship, well everyone will tell you that they're not suited to each other, and list a plethora of reasons why. So when they break up, with the exception of Dylan and Flo themselves, no one is surprised or upset.

Heartbreak leads them to throw themselves in to their day jobs with renewed vigour, and astonishing consequences. They are suddenly in the right places, at the right times, being noticed by the right people.

But they miss each other desperately. Realising it was a huge mistake to break up, they being seeing each other again in secret, with some hilarious consequences, as they both now in the public domain, and everyone wants a piece of them.

The Fake Up is a brilliantly funny novel, with some big characters and will keep you entertained til the end.