by Leigh Talbert Moore
Published on September 1, 2012
by Smash
Source: bought e-book
My summary: Hayley is crazy about Trent. She just knows she could land a date with him, if if weren't for that new kid, Jason. Ever since she bumped into Jason, he's been stuck to her like glue. So Hayley convinces Jason to be her "fake boyfriend" until she can hook Trent. Unfortunately, things get way more complicated...
My take: I love the idea of supporting indie authors, so I was very excited when Leigh emailed me and asked if I'd read her new book. I also love contemporary YA, so I was happy to say yes. And I'm so glad I did!
The Truth About Faking is a classic YA contemporary that features a girl who thinks she can get what she wants by pretending to be someone she's not. Hayley also has an interesting family situation -- she's the child of an odd couple -- a minister father and a New Age mother. When a few busybodies at Hayley's father's church start spreading nasty rumors about Hayley's mom, Hayley begins to doubt everything she thinks she knows about her family. When she learns that both Jason and Trent have been hiding things from her, she has to figure out what -- and who -- she really wants.
The Truth About Faking is a fun, absorbing read that kept me completely occupied on a plane ride, which is no easy feat, as I'm a very nervous flyer. The version I bought was beautifully formatted for Kindle. Hayley's story does have some minor religious themes, but nothing about the book felt preachy to me. In fact, I've been fascinated with the plight of preacher's daughters since I saw Footloose when I was a kid. Recommended to readers who enjoyed books like Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr.
Leigh has a Mature YA/NewAdult book called Rouge coming out on November 11th, so I asked her to tell me a little bit about that! Here's the blurb:
Trapped in the underground theater world of 1890s New Orleans, Hale Ferrer has only one goal: escape. But not without Teeny, the orphan-girl she rescued from the streets and promised to protect. Freddie Lovel, Hale's wealthy Parisian suitor, seems to be the easy solution. If only his touch could arouse her interest like Beau's, the penniless stagehand who captures her heart.Denying her fears, Hale is poised to choose love until an evil lurking in their cabaret-home launches a chain of events that could cost her everything.
Find out more about Leigh here!
Amazon Author page (will have purchase link to Rouge on 11/11):
Goodreads
Blog
This book sounds really great! I'm glad you enjoyed it and also happy that it's not preachy. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy books with religious themes and I really liked Once Was Lost as well as Footloose (wish there could have been more about Ariel in the films).
ReplyDeleteSara Zarr is one of my favorites and these books do share some similar themes! Did you see the Footloose remake??
DeleteThis does sound interesting. I usually try to avoid religious type themes in novels but I am glad this one isn't preachy. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't find it that way at all!
DeleteThis book reminds me of all the 80/90's movies where a high school boy/girl pretends to be part of a couple to get popular or get the boy/girl of their dreams but it always backfires in the end. I just watched Drive Me Crazy during the hurricane so this is pretty fresh in my noggin. Another great one is Can't Buy Me Love or Roxanne! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right!!!! There's a lot of people pretending stuff in those movies. Not only pretending to be together, but other stuff:
DeleteIn Never Been Kissed, Drew pretends to be a teenager.
In She's the Man, Amanda Bynes is pretending to be her own brother!
Thanks for the great review, Jen! I'm so happy you liked my book! Best to you~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteHi -- thanks for stopping by and best of luck with your writing :)
DeleteGreat review! Sounds like a great contemporary read. The blurb for her next book sounds even better!
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of you like New Adult, so I definitely wanted to let you know about the new one!
DeleteI've seen this book around but never read it. Great review. I'll maybe read it when I catch some time.
ReplyDeleteI've read This Is Not A Test and it's amazing! :)
PS. It's really tempting not to enter all your giveaways, but I'm not sure I'd survove another waiting like the last one :D
I know -- I am so sorry about that. Next time you win, I will use the Book Depository. Do you have better luck with books from them?
DeleteI'll enter only those which you send from TBD...yeah I order from them and everything is fine :)
DeleteWell, I will have a big blogoversary giveaway coming up that will be from TBD, and also this week's Hot Off the Presses will come from Amazon or TBD
DeleteGreat review, definitely makes me want to pick up the book!
ReplyDeleteIndie authors are greaaat!
Kristen @OCA
They are!
DeleteGreat review Jen! This one sounds good and I'm really liking contemporary YA. Adding to my TBR :-)
ReplyDeleteI got this book for review! Looking forward to reaidng it :)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to hearing what you think!
DeleteYay! For indie authors AND great contemporary reads! I'm adding this to my tbr list because I must confess: you had me with the Footloose reference:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I should check out & author too.
ReplyDelete