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When you find a book that not only interest you but also surprises you. That is when you know the book is a good one.
Book Description
In this hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel perfect for fans of Fleabag, a woman struggling to move on after a traumatic relationship pretends to be “the perfect girl” in an act of vengeance that goes awry when she finds herself emotionally compromised.
He said he was looking for a 'partner in crime' which everyone knows is shorthand for a woman who isn't real'.
April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal - yet she can't seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she's found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry. Until she realizes that what men are really looking for is Gretel.
Gretel is perfect - beautiful but low maintenance, sweet but never clingy, sexy but not a slut. She's a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems.
When April starts pretending to be Gretel, dating becomes much more fun - especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua. Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?
About Holly Bourn
Holly Bourne is a bestselling UK-based YA and Adult Fiction author and is an Ambassador for Women’s Aid. In 2019, she was an Author of the Day at the London Book Fair, and was named by Elle Magazine’s weekly podcast as one of “Six Female Authors Changing the Conversation in 2019”. Pretending is her US debut.
My Thoughts
First, let me say this book surprised me. I went into it thinking I was going to get a cute, funny, silly romance story. What I got was something completely different. A story of trauma, violence, hope, healing, and emotions.
When I first read the blurb I thought what a cute story. I get this girl as we all seem to pretend to be someone else with social media as it is what you see isn't always what you get. So I thought okay here is a girl pretending to get a guy.
But no what I got was something a whole lot deeper.
April has suffered a traumatic event in her life. She is the victim of a sexual crime. So in the process of trying to get over it, she tries dating. However, they never seem to go very far. This leads April to create the perfect woman in her head, Gretel.
April decides to become Gretel but then she meets Joshua and bits of April leak out and well Joshua doesn't run. April begins to think he is different.
As April faces her past she begins to heal and find hope. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I cried for April, got angry for her, and even found hope with her. It definitely wasn't the story I was expecting but it was a story I truly enjoyed reading.
I will also say this book needs a trigger warning as the author does not shy away from the hard stuff. She delves into it and takes you along. You must take April's journey with her to truly appreciate this book.
I think Holly may just become a new favorite author of mine.
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