TESSA TALKS BOOKS

“A wholesome, slow-burn romance that will warm your heart…This is a Hallmark movie in book form.” – USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang

What happens when your love life becomes the talk of the town?

As birthdays go, this year’s for radio producer Everly Dean hit rock-bottom.

Worse than the “tonsillectomy birthday.” Worse than the birthday her parents decided to split (the first time). But catching your boyfriend cheating on you with his assistant?

Even clichés sting.

But this is Everly’s year! She won’t let her anxiety hold her back. She’ll pitch her podcast idea to her boss.

There’s just one problem.

Her boss, Chris, is very cute. (Of course). Also, he’s extremely distant (which means he hates her, right? Or is that the anxiety talking)?

And, Stacey the DJ didn’t mute the mic during Everly’s rant about Simon the Snake (syn: Cheating Ex).

That’s three problems.

Suddenly, people are lining up to date her, Bachelorette-style, fans are voting (Reminder: never leave house again), and her interest in Chris might be a two-way street. It’s a lot for a woman who could gold medal in people-avoidance. She’s going to have to fake it ‘till she makes it to get through all of this.

Perhaps she’ll make a list: The Ten Rules for Faking It.

Because sometimes making the rules can find you happiness when you least expect it.

“Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.” – Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club

Goodreads’ Rating:

Have you ever felt like a book just gets you? Ten Rules for Faking It is a romcom with a great deal of substance along with the expected witty banter and funny situations, and it totally gets me.

What I Loved

I loved the witty banter. The inner monologues during Everly’s first couple of dates had me laughing so hard. It sounded like something I would say or think. This novel spoke to me with its relatable sarcasm and observations – from Everly’s not liking beer (I’ve never been able to develop a taste for it either) to the conversation about Pepper Potts, whom I argue is a Marvel superhero every chance I get.

The focus on an introverted character with social anxiety is so unexpected and so illuminating. The portrayal of social anxiety is aligned with my experiences of people who suffer from it. However, everyone experiences it in their own unique way. I especially loved the way the people closest to Everly supported her without judgment or petty advice. They were just present for her, never scared away by her emotions. That is very unusual in today’s society. If this book helps even one person learn how to be a supportive friend to someone who suffers from any anxiety disorder, it has done a world of good.

I’ve long been an advocate for introverts, talking to as many extroverts as I can, predominantly teachers who penalize students for not speaking out in class. It is entirely unfair and stems from a lack of understanding. Extroverts learn from speaking, but introverts learn from listening. It’s a fundamental piece of how people process information. One that cannot be changed because it is different from the other. I felt that the story strongly advocated for the understanding of introverts, especially those who suffer from introversion’s debilitating sibling, social anxiety. I appreciated that even more than words can say. As you probably can tell, I can totally get on a soapbox when talking about this.

Everly is my favorite character. I found her endearing, relatable, witty, and intelligent. She has terrific ideas and a delightful sense of humor. Chris isn’t always as likable as a character, but he does have some very positive qualities. His empathy knows no bounds. He is determined and focused to a fault. And, Stacey is the kind of friend everybody needs at least one of in their lives. She is fun, full of life, and puts herself out there always.

The romance had its frustrating moments, without a doubt. Still, as a reader, I knew it was inevitable from the very beginning. And the way the story ended actually brought a tear to my eye. Needless to say, I loved how it ended with just the right little heart-warming detail.

To Read or Not to Read

If you are looking for a romantic comedy with equal parts of substance to humor, this is the fabulous story for you to start the new year with.