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McCullough Mountain #4
Faking It
Bestselling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels writes a sizzling teacher-student romance full of spice, comedy, and big-family drama that delivers!
Sheilagh McCullough is a rebel in need of reform, but her college plans were derailed when she lost her heart to the wrong man. After years of wallowing and acting out with wild behavior, her overprotective brothers intervene. Thrust back into the world of academia, she finds herself under the scrutiny of Dr. Alec Devereux, a brilliant professor who knows better than to blur professional boundaries. But Sheilagh’s bold vulnerability ignites a passion he can’t ignore.
As they venture into forbidden territory, their worlds collide, uncovering Sheilagh's tumultuous past and the complexities of her family. Once Sheilagh’s wildly uncivilized, backwoods big brothers realize she’s sleeping with her–much older–professor, there’s hell to pay.
In this sizzling, age-gap romance full of secrets and scandal, Lydia Michaels delivers a tale of forbidden love that tests loyalty, passion, and the rules we dare to break.
Sheilagh McCullough is a rebel in need of reform, but her college plans were derailed when she lost her heart to the wrong man. After years of wallowing and acting out with wild behavior, her overprotective brothers intervene. Thrust back into the world of academia, she finds herself under the scrutiny of Dr. Alec Devereux, a brilliant professor who knows better than to blur professional boundaries. But Sheilagh’s bold vulnerability ignites a passion he can’t ignore.
As they venture into forbidden territory, their worlds collide, uncovering Sheilagh's tumultuous past and the complexities of her family. Once Sheilagh’s wildly uncivilized, backwoods big brothers realize she’s sleeping with her–much older–professor, there’s hell to pay.
In this sizzling, age-gap romance full of secrets and scandal, Lydia Michaels delivers a tale of forbidden love that tests loyalty, passion, and the rules we dare to break.
223 pages, ebook
First published March 12, 2014
42 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Michaels
74 books1,920 followersLydia Michaels is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty novels. She writes heart-clenching, unpredictable romance with dark elements and high heat. Her work is character-driven and bursting with broken heroes and badass females. With a sweet spot for overbearing, territorial types, her deeply emotional books are spicy, emotionally satisfying, and guaranteed to leave readers with many book hangovers.
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 11, 2026
Re-reading because - Alec!
"Those sharp little flutters in my chest are happiness. I love when he tickles me that way."
I love this book so much. It has everything. EVERYTHING. It just makes me want to dance.
"I'm like a silent but deadly fart. You never know when I'll strike, but once I'm out there no one's safe. Eventually I'll get you."
I'm as happy as a pig in shit. The writing, the sex, ALL the characters, I even want to read Luke's story (I hated him the first time I read this), but especially Alec. I would completely violate that man if I could.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Original review
When I started this I was a bit wary because it had such good ratings off people I follow. The writing isn't what I usually go for and it took a while for me to get into, but when I did this book was a gem.
It's hard to say what's different about the writing style but I lean towards it being a bit more old-fashioned. The sex was hot but in a more sensual way, new writers are all a bit brash in their scenes these days and there's a lot of kink about. The whole book just had a more mature writing style and I ended up loving it, and Alec.
Alec, Alec, Alec sigh.
"Those sharp little flutters in my chest are happiness. I love when he tickles me that way."
I love this book so much. It has everything. EVERYTHING. It just makes me want to dance.
"I'm like a silent but deadly fart. You never know when I'll strike, but once I'm out there no one's safe. Eventually I'll get you."
I'm as happy as a pig in shit. The writing, the sex, ALL the characters, I even want to read Luke's story (I hated him the first time I read this), but especially Alec. I would completely violate that man if I could.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Original review
When I started this I was a bit wary because it had such good ratings off people I follow. The writing isn't what I usually go for and it took a while for me to get into, but when I did this book was a gem.
It's hard to say what's different about the writing style but I lean towards it being a bit more old-fashioned. The sex was hot but in a more sensual way, new writers are all a bit brash in their scenes these days and there's a lot of kink about. The whole book just had a more mature writing style and I ended up loving it, and Alec.
Alec, Alec, Alec sigh.
January 2, 2016
There are not enough words for me to describe how much I LOVED this book. I have a couple of things I really like in books (older man/younger woman - teacher/student) and this book had them all. Alec is a professor and Sheilagh is a student. Sheilagh is brilliant but gets in her own way of success. She's 24 and just started college. Alec is 40. I loved the age difference between these two. Their connection was solid and they had really fantastic chemistry from the first moment they met. The steamy scenes were hot but really beautifully written. There was something special about this book and I don't even know how to explain it but it's one of those books that pulled me in from the beginning and I just didn't want to put this down until I finished it. I'm adding this to my favorite books of all-time list and I plan on re-reading this again in the future. This is the first book I have read by this author and I can't wait to read more!
July 7, 2015
Sigh.. This book was AMAZING. Truly amazing:) I loved the heroine so much! She was wild, funny, smart, vulnerable, passionate, and brought happiness to Alec life. The hero.. My god.. What can I say about him? He was perfect!!! He was there for her every step of the way, and the way he loved her? It's something all of us can wish to find.. LOVED THIS!!
Safety gang:
Safety gang:
November 26, 2016
3.25 stars from my side......
hero is so good but he is not alpha,the one I Like....he is more beta....
however I love heroine...she is too gud...
writing is excellent as Lydia Michaels is author,but I am cutting 2 stars just bc I want hero to be more alpha.....
hero is so good but he is not alpha,the one I Like....he is more beta....
however I love heroine...she is too gud...
writing is excellent as Lydia Michaels is author,but I am cutting 2 stars just bc I want hero to be more alpha.....
April 3, 2014
yes, That's right,5 stars. Youngest McCullough, Sheilagh's story. My expectations were all wrong for this book.I thought Sheilagh was the kick- ass go getter that was in her brothers' stories. I loved this book right from the get go. As the title says, Sheilagh is faking it, going through life-so far-putting up a front. On the outside, she seems confident, super intelligent, assertive, etc... Sheilagh IS super intelligent, but a basket case on the inside. She's 24 and hasn't left home, gone to college, done anything with herself except get into mischief and pine after Tristan, her brother's "friend". She's "persuaded" to go to college-Princeton(!) and apply her great mind to college studies. She meets Alec, her Philosophy professor. Sheilagh's been doing well in her studies and taking a FULL load of classes. Alec gives an assignment to the class, on Plato's Republic which Sheilagh is confident she will ace. This is just the beginning of Alec and Sheilagh butting heads. He wants her to reveal what it means to her personally. She doesn't want to reveal anything of what is on the inside. The real Sheilagh is not what she wants anyone to know. There is no easy solution. Will there be a resolution? Alec realizes she's been coping with depression. This is why Sheilagh has been such a wild child-impulsive. No prior relationships. There is such a sadness that comes out towards the middle of the book. There are a lot of philosophy and psychology terms that, in my opinion, fit right in with the plot. Alec, is 40, and I was worried that he would get too preachy and high and mighty- he really never did, in my opionion, but he did some evolving also. There was a related side-plot with Sheilagh dealing with Tristan-and Luke. I liked the ending, kind of quirky and original. The epilogue was brief but has an HEA. Alec is now my favorite hero in these books, and Sheilagh is my favorite-and so real heroine in this series. I want an update on them- I would like to see where they are in the next year or so.
August 28, 2015
50000 stars for this hero! The man is utter perfection. I don't know how Lydia Michaels managed to create a hero with almost no flaws and still make him look real and masculine. You've never read about a man like Alec!
I was annoyed at Sheilagh at first, but her combination of strength and vulnerability have made her an unforgettable heroine for me. She is a study in contradictions and I loved this girl's fiery spirit.
I was annoyed at Sheilagh at first, but her combination of strength and vulnerability have made her an unforgettable heroine for me. She is a study in contradictions and I loved this girl's fiery spirit.
March 2, 2014
Faking It is Book #4 in Lydia Michael's McCullough Mountain series. I received an ARC of the book which will be available for purchase on March 12 on the Secret Cravings Publishing website and all other sites around March 19th.
As I've come to expect, Lydia Michaels delivers a super sexy romance in Faking It. What I didn't expect and had me thoroughly enraptured was the straightforward, and yet, delicate way in which she addressed an issue not commonly found within the pages of a "romance."
So as not to give any of the plot away, I will refer to the final line of the synopsis written by the author herself. Faking It truly is - "A courageous journey of the soul that confronts one woman’s fears of love and embraces the truth in her heart."
The story was as compelling. Sexy and compelling. It's something I've come to expect from Ms. Michaels and something on which she ALWAYS delivers. Her characters and situations are real...flawed and because of that, utterly perfect. Not only could I identify with Sheilagh (pronounced Shee-lah), and her struggles, but I've either recognized or empathized with each one of the characters in the McCullough Mountain series. I KNOW these people, and you do too.
Let's round back to my comment about the book being compelling. I'm the type who reads a few chapters and sets the book down until the next time I have a free moment. Not so with this book. Housework and errands fell by the wayside as I found myself unable to put the book once I started it. It's that good. A delicious meal that you want to devour and savor at the same time.
Faking It drops on March 12 at Secret Cravings Publishing and all other distribution points on or around March 19th. While you don't HAVE to read books 1, 2 and 3 to enjoy Faking It, if you haven't done so already, I highly recommend it. The McCulloughs are a crazy, sexy bunch that you'll want to make a part of your fictional family.
As I've come to expect, Lydia Michaels delivers a super sexy romance in Faking It. What I didn't expect and had me thoroughly enraptured was the straightforward, and yet, delicate way in which she addressed an issue not commonly found within the pages of a "romance."
So as not to give any of the plot away, I will refer to the final line of the synopsis written by the author herself. Faking It truly is - "A courageous journey of the soul that confronts one woman’s fears of love and embraces the truth in her heart."
The story was as compelling. Sexy and compelling. It's something I've come to expect from Ms. Michaels and something on which she ALWAYS delivers. Her characters and situations are real...flawed and because of that, utterly perfect. Not only could I identify with Sheilagh (pronounced Shee-lah), and her struggles, but I've either recognized or empathized with each one of the characters in the McCullough Mountain series. I KNOW these people, and you do too.
Let's round back to my comment about the book being compelling. I'm the type who reads a few chapters and sets the book down until the next time I have a free moment. Not so with this book. Housework and errands fell by the wayside as I found myself unable to put the book once I started it. It's that good. A delicious meal that you want to devour and savor at the same time.
Faking It drops on March 12 at Secret Cravings Publishing and all other distribution points on or around March 19th. While you don't HAVE to read books 1, 2 and 3 to enjoy Faking It, if you haven't done so already, I highly recommend it. The McCulloughs are a crazy, sexy bunch that you'll want to make a part of your fictional family.
July 29, 2022
Another great entry to the series. This was one I have been highly anticipating. Loved this slightly naughty couple.
I liked the depression rep for Sheliagh and how calm and sweet and protective Alec was. It was another beautiful McCullough tale.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
I liked the depression rep for Sheliagh and how calm and sweet and protective Alec was. It was another beautiful McCullough tale.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
August 31, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
A smart romance is rare but this is exceptional. Alec and Sheilagh are perfect together and her relationship with Wes is hilarious. Interesting family dynamics... and I really need to read Luke's story!
A smart romance is rare but this is exceptional. Alec and Sheilagh are perfect together and her relationship with Wes is hilarious. Interesting family dynamics... and I really need to read Luke's story!
January 7, 2016
I liked this book even though it started out with kind of hokey situation involving the h (just know the book gets way better).
The H is a 40 year old philosophy professor at Princeton and the h is a 22 year old student that can't believe the professor gave her a D on a paper she turned in. She rewrites it and then receives a D-. Seems the professor thinks the student is just "faking it" and not really using her obvious cerebral capabilities to deliver an outstanding essay (she had the highest SAT ever recorded at her high school).
Seems our h has been skating through life for quite awhile. She knows it but doesn't really know why. This book is an interesting story about the tenets of various philosophies and how it relates to human life (specifically forms of depression) and how our H helps our h understand herself in a totally different way.
This sounds very deep for a book about a large family of backwoods hillbillies and I think that's why this story was such a good read. It does get fairly deep in philosophical musings and then turns around and talks about how the father shot a new son-in-law in the leg when he eloped with his daughter. Stark contrast, great MC's (loved the older, British professor and the young feisty Irish lass) and a crazy, crazy family. Apparently there are several McCullough mountain books but this was my first one. I am looking forward to reading another one.
The H is a 40 year old philosophy professor at Princeton and the h is a 22 year old student that can't believe the professor gave her a D on a paper she turned in. She rewrites it and then receives a D-. Seems the professor thinks the student is just "faking it" and not really using her obvious cerebral capabilities to deliver an outstanding essay (she had the highest SAT ever recorded at her high school).
Seems our h has been skating through life for quite awhile. She knows it but doesn't really know why. This book is an interesting story about the tenets of various philosophies and how it relates to human life (specifically forms of depression) and how our H helps our h understand herself in a totally different way.
This sounds very deep for a book about a large family of backwoods hillbillies and I think that's why this story was such a good read. It does get fairly deep in philosophical musings and then turns around and talks about how the father shot a new son-in-law in the leg when he eloped with his daughter. Stark contrast, great MC's (loved the older, British professor and the young feisty Irish lass) and a crazy, crazy family. Apparently there are several McCullough mountain books but this was my first one. I am looking forward to reading another one.
January 17, 2016
Cast--> 
Okay, first and foremost i have to thank you to a fellow Goodreads friend Maayan for telling me about this book. When i started reading it i was expecting a good book base on the blurb i read ... but it was so much more. It comes without saying that everything related to student/ teacher romance i enjoy like crazy but not all of them are a hit! not every book like this leave me feeling a satisfy with a book as with this one. Very few actually "hit the spot". Thank you again girl because this one is a winner!
So the story started a little bit weird, my first though when i started reading Sheilagh's POV if that she was a little bit over dramatic and a little too old to want to be the center of attention, but as i read on i truly started to like her characters. At one point i even saw a little bit of myself in her, which is crazy but true. I saw how hard she struggle to act like someone else so hard that everyone else around her though that was who she really was! when the truth is that she was so different from that. I was elated when she found someone like Alec, a man that saw her for so much more and challenged her every step of the way. They relationship was very realistic, which most student/teacher romance lack. I liked reading about their time together and how the got to know each other.
Tristan...... I HATED HIM BAD. I am so sorry but throughout the book i just coun't bring myself to like him, not even a little bit. Not even when Sheilagh forgave him and they ended thing up for good in a good note. I just felt like he was the most selfish one of all! he kept acting like a jealous boyfriend when it came to Sheilagh but he was going out with her brother Luke? . To me it felt like he wanted her to be always in love with him while he was sleeping with her brother. That's why i was so happy things didn't work out for them. Luke..... What can i say about him? I really can't feel bad for someone that picks a guy over family like that, specially a little sister that obiously is being let on my his one boyfriend!!!! like COME ON! I don't believe he NEVER so what Tristan was doing with Sheilagh. And what really piss me off when when Tristan Kiss her!!!! and she ended up being the bad one. Luke needs a reality check because he is the one that has been hurting his sister from the start. Let me stop ranting because i can go forever when it comes to this two characters.
Wes!, I liked him and i wished he had more interaction with Sheilagh throughout the book . I liked how fun their crazy relationship was, and how funny it was when she found out he was Alec's son.
Some part of the book reminded me of the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" , the fact that her family was a crazy bunch, "redneck" as she called it. and the fact that Sheilagh was the same way when she was around them. Shei-devil as they called her, lol. It just felt a little bit like the main character of Sweet Home Alabama. (i don't mind since i loved that movie.)
Over all, this is a great book. The character, even the two i hated where very interactive and never flat. The plot, not overly dramatic but it always kept me on my toes and wanting to know more. And the underlying problem, that for me was how Sheilagh struggled with depression was interesting. This book even made me look up the book "The Republic". lol.
Okay, first and foremost i have to thank you to a fellow Goodreads friend Maayan for telling me about this book. When i started reading it i was expecting a good book base on the blurb i read ... but it was so much more. It comes without saying that everything related to student/ teacher romance i enjoy like crazy but not all of them are a hit! not every book like this leave me feeling a satisfy with a book as with this one. Very few actually "hit the spot". Thank you again girl because this one is a winner!
So the story started a little bit weird, my first though when i started reading Sheilagh's POV if that she was a little bit over dramatic and a little too old to want to be the center of attention, but as i read on i truly started to like her characters. At one point i even saw a little bit of myself in her, which is crazy but true. I saw how hard she struggle to act like someone else so hard that everyone else around her though that was who she really was! when the truth is that she was so different from that. I was elated when she found someone like Alec, a man that saw her for so much more and challenged her every step of the way. They relationship was very realistic, which most student/teacher romance lack. I liked reading about their time together and how the got to know each other.
Tristan...... I HATED HIM BAD. I am so sorry but throughout the book i just coun't bring myself to like him, not even a little bit. Not even when Sheilagh forgave him and they ended thing up for good in a good note. I just felt like he was the most selfish one of all! he kept acting like a jealous boyfriend when it came to Sheilagh but he was going out with her brother Luke? . To me it felt like he wanted her to be always in love with him while he was sleeping with her brother. That's why i was so happy things didn't work out for them. Luke..... What can i say about him? I really can't feel bad for someone that picks a guy over family like that, specially a little sister that obiously is being let on my his one boyfriend!!!! like COME ON! I don't believe he NEVER so what Tristan was doing with Sheilagh. And what really piss me off when when Tristan Kiss her!!!! and she ended up being the bad one. Luke needs a reality check because he is the one that has been hurting his sister from the start. Let me stop ranting because i can go forever when it comes to this two characters.
Wes!, I liked him and i wished he had more interaction with Sheilagh throughout the book . I liked how fun their crazy relationship was, and how funny it was when she found out he was Alec's son.
Some part of the book reminded me of the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" , the fact that her family was a crazy bunch, "redneck" as she called it. and the fact that Sheilagh was the same way when she was around them. Shei-devil as they called her, lol. It just felt a little bit like the main character of Sweet Home Alabama. (i don't mind since i loved that movie.)
Over all, this is a great book. The character, even the two i hated where very interactive and never flat. The plot, not overly dramatic but it always kept me on my toes and wanting to know more. And the underlying problem, that for me was how Sheilagh struggled with depression was interesting. This book even made me look up the book "The Republic". lol.
March 25, 2014
4.5 stars, a beautiful romance and also a book about sadness.
I thought this book ws one of the most genuine stories I have ever read. It touched something deep inside me to see Sheilagh's inherent sadness and dissatisfaction with herself. I was not too crazy about the philosophy talk, a little of that goes a long way in my opinion, and I always enjoy reading about people who would rather build their own philosophy for life rather than discuss somebody else's but it was ok in this book. There was a lot of introspection in this book, mostly on Sheilagh's side, but it is also true that many young people of her age are dissatisfied with themselves and lack goals, sheilagh represented this by being self-absorbed for most of the book and never seemed to do anything for anyone else, it was just herself, all the time. The same with her brother Luke, who right now is not on my like-list at all. The great thing about this story was the hero, Alec, he brought this story up for me, he was a bright shining star that did not seem to know how to fade, even when the worst did happen to him. I loved that this author wrote him they way she did, he was everything a man of his age should be, tolerant, sweet, willing to love, endlessly intelligent and wise and that he was hunky was the icing on the cake. Sheilagh was a very very lucky girl and i loved that she got him, 100% of him. At the end, i think that this story did take a turn for the better and for me it was about the beauty of their love story, less about the myriad issues , and l ended up loving this book. I give it 4.5stars because I can never see myself reading it again, the sad parts were too sad, but otherwise, it is a great addition to this series.
I thought this book ws one of the most genuine stories I have ever read. It touched something deep inside me to see Sheilagh's inherent sadness and dissatisfaction with herself. I was not too crazy about the philosophy talk, a little of that goes a long way in my opinion, and I always enjoy reading about people who would rather build their own philosophy for life rather than discuss somebody else's but it was ok in this book. There was a lot of introspection in this book, mostly on Sheilagh's side, but it is also true that many young people of her age are dissatisfied with themselves and lack goals, sheilagh represented this by being self-absorbed for most of the book and never seemed to do anything for anyone else, it was just herself, all the time. The same with her brother Luke, who right now is not on my like-list at all. The great thing about this story was the hero, Alec, he brought this story up for me, he was a bright shining star that did not seem to know how to fade, even when the worst did happen to him. I loved that this author wrote him they way she did, he was everything a man of his age should be, tolerant, sweet, willing to love, endlessly intelligent and wise and that he was hunky was the icing on the cake. Sheilagh was a very very lucky girl and i loved that she got him, 100% of him. At the end, i think that this story did take a turn for the better and for me it was about the beauty of their love story, less about the myriad issues , and l ended up loving this book. I give it 4.5stars because I can never see myself reading it again, the sad parts were too sad, but otherwise, it is a great addition to this series.
March 2, 2014
*This is book 4 of the McCullough series! To completely understand it, read the first 3. Also, I received an ARC and this book will be available for purchase on March 12 on Secret Cravings Publishing website and all other sites around March 19th.*
The McCullough Mountain series is my favorite series. It may come as a surprise *not really* but I had fallen for Kelly McCullough since book 1 was released. So when his story (Chaste) came out last, I was in heaven and thought I couldn't be any happier with the series. Well, don't tell my long standing book husband Kelly that his baby sister's book, Faking It, has to be my new favorite!
There was something slightly different with this one. Sure I have some similarities with other characters but it seems like Sheilagh and I are a lot alike and it just clicked into perfect harmony. Well, as much as can be expected. This wasn't the totally typical romance story. It wasn't true love at first sight that sparked these characters. There was an actual connection formed eventually. The "angst" that all good romance novels have, in this book it stands on its own. Sure normal issues arise but they are handled differently than some others. The true test is a long standing issue that many of us have to deal with for a very long time.
A true testament is that I honestly couldn't put the book down. I can normally read a chapter, go be productive, read a chapter *repeat*. At about Chapter 5 & 6, I could no longer do that. This book had me laughing out loud, pausing just to ingest what was happening and just overall falling in love with Sheilagh, Alec and even deeper with my absolutely favorite family, the McCulloughs.
The McCullough Mountain series is my favorite series. It may come as a surprise *not really* but I had fallen for Kelly McCullough since book 1 was released. So when his story (Chaste) came out last, I was in heaven and thought I couldn't be any happier with the series. Well, don't tell my long standing book husband Kelly that his baby sister's book, Faking It, has to be my new favorite!
There was something slightly different with this one. Sure I have some similarities with other characters but it seems like Sheilagh and I are a lot alike and it just clicked into perfect harmony. Well, as much as can be expected. This wasn't the totally typical romance story. It wasn't true love at first sight that sparked these characters. There was an actual connection formed eventually. The "angst" that all good romance novels have, in this book it stands on its own. Sure normal issues arise but they are handled differently than some others. The true test is a long standing issue that many of us have to deal with for a very long time.
A true testament is that I honestly couldn't put the book down. I can normally read a chapter, go be productive, read a chapter *repeat*. At about Chapter 5 & 6, I could no longer do that. This book had me laughing out loud, pausing just to ingest what was happening and just overall falling in love with Sheilagh, Alec and even deeper with my absolutely favorite family, the McCulloughs.
April 9, 2014
Best of the series, One of my fav reads of 2014
I enjoyed reading this book. I did not want this book to end.
Alec was awesome. Patient, possessive , understanding , a rock. This fictitious guy was swoon worthy.
Sheilagh was perfect in her imperfection. She had to yet grow up. She was young and battling her inner demons. Discovering and falling in love or liking oneself is never easy. Its hard for some, easy for some others. Its growth.
This writer showed it nicely in this book.
I enjoyed reading this book. I did not want this book to end.
Alec was awesome. Patient, possessive , understanding , a rock. This fictitious guy was swoon worthy.
Sheilagh was perfect in her imperfection. She had to yet grow up. She was young and battling her inner demons. Discovering and falling in love or liking oneself is never easy. Its hard for some, easy for some others. Its growth.
This writer showed it nicely in this book.
April 2, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story of a woman facing the darkness of depression in her life and overcoming it with the help of the love of an older man. I don't normally enjoy stories where there's a big difference in the ages of the H/h, but this couple fit together beautifully. I look forward to reading more book by this talented author.
October 4, 2016
This book is definitely one of best books I've read this year. EVERYTHING about this book was perfect! Lydia Michaels is an AWESOME author! This is the third book I've read by this author and she is definitely shelved as a go to author for me! Each book is unique from the other. No cookie cutting going on in her books.
April 2, 2018
Rated 3.75 Stars
January 12, 2019
4.5 Stars
I wasn’t sure at the start of this book if it would work for me, but I ended up really enjoying the subject matter, the characters and the romance.
I wasn’t sure at the start of this book if it would work for me, but I ended up really enjoying the subject matter, the characters and the romance.
September 14, 2014
I loved Faking It! I know that’s not really a shocker as I am completely enamored with the McCullough clan. What was shocking to me was to learn that Kelly wasn’t the most misunderstood McCullough after all. The truths I learned about Sheilagh were so much more surprising to me. Maybe because she’s the only daughter in the McCullough clan, Sheilagh’s presence and story intersects everyone else’s far more pervasively than the other siblings. This actually makes several parts of her story off-limits because of spoiler issues; additionally, her biggest secret is a major spoiler in my opinion. However, I can say that it was amazing to watch her journey as she finds herself, finds happiness in and around her, and finds her other half. Her relationship with Alec was a joy to read and I liked how they both grew from it, despite the age difference. The highs and lows that Sheilagh experienced both saddened and elated me and is a true sign, for me, of just how invested in a character I am. And of course I found Alex as the British professor to be an extra bit of sexy.
I thoroughly enjoyed Faking It and it is an excellent addition to the McCullough Mountain series. I do have one tiny issue with this book – and it’s not really an issue but more of a recommendation. I read this series out of order, starting with book five, Forsaking Truths (Luke’s story). Having done so, I think Sheilagh’s story was that much more meaningful as I was already aware of her issues with Tristan. I’m not sure that I would have felt the same depth of character growth had I not already read about Sheilagh and Tristan. I can only imagine how difficult it can be for a writer to decide when to release which book in a series such as this (especially if they’re having to deal with a less than cooperative muse), but this is one of those rare cases where I am actually recommending that you read book five before reading book four. Although with the McCulloughs you really can’t go wrong in whatever order you read them in. Sadly, this is the last of the books available in the series that I haven’t read and I must now wait for Braydon’s story. Until then, I at least get to revisit the McCullough clan anytime I want. Thank you Ms. Michaels for sharing them with me.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
I thoroughly enjoyed Faking It and it is an excellent addition to the McCullough Mountain series. I do have one tiny issue with this book – and it’s not really an issue but more of a recommendation. I read this series out of order, starting with book five, Forsaking Truths (Luke’s story). Having done so, I think Sheilagh’s story was that much more meaningful as I was already aware of her issues with Tristan. I’m not sure that I would have felt the same depth of character growth had I not already read about Sheilagh and Tristan. I can only imagine how difficult it can be for a writer to decide when to release which book in a series such as this (especially if they’re having to deal with a less than cooperative muse), but this is one of those rare cases where I am actually recommending that you read book five before reading book four. Although with the McCulloughs you really can’t go wrong in whatever order you read them in. Sadly, this is the last of the books available in the series that I haven’t read and I must now wait for Braydon’s story. Until then, I at least get to revisit the McCullough clan anytime I want. Thank you Ms. Michaels for sharing them with me.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
June 26, 2014
Ms. Michaels calls this an Erotic Romance, and though there are extremely detailed scenes, it’s difficult to believe that that description is entirely accurate. Woven into a story of self-discovery is an up-close and comprehensive understanding of philosophical treatises and the range and effects of depression.
Read full review in the 2014 May issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 May issue of InD’tale Magazine.
February 16, 2015
This book touched me on a personal level. It was a very enjoyable read for various reasons.
I GOT it!! ;-)
Would truly enjoy listening in when Sheilagh & Alec have their intellectual discussions through the years.
I GOT it!! ;-)
Would truly enjoy listening in when Sheilagh & Alec have their intellectual discussions through the years.
March 27, 2014
This book was amazing! see my full review at http://wp.me/p38Iym-2bv
October 18, 2014
These books have all been very good and this one is no exception, Lydia Michaels has written this series that touches on something in each one of us, whatever it is. Definitely very good books.
February 13, 2018
This book may be my favorite in the series thus far. That surprised me because I have to say, I didn’t like Sheilagh at first. I found her rather selfish and pretty bitchy. But she grew on me as I learned where her issues came from and I found myself cheering her on as I watched her work to find her happiness.
Sheilagh was beautiful, brash, and bold. She definitely earned her name of Shei Devil. She was the family’s wild child. She’d been in love with Tristan since she was a teen. I hurt for her when she realized no matter how desperately she wanted him, she’d never have him. While Tristan was a flirt and seemed to lead her on, he was in love with her brother. The day Sheilagh discovered that, something inside her broke. From that day on she’d made one bad choice after another. She didn’t know what she wanted. Sometimes she wanted to blend in and other times she wanted to do something wild to stand out. She made some pretty reckless choices. Her brothers called her on it and pretty much blackmailed her into going away to school.
It was a good change for her. She was brilliant and needed to further her education. Something she had put on hold hoping that her relationship with Tristan would develop. School had always been easy for Sheilagh, so when she met Alec Devereux, a professor who challenged her, she reacted in true Shei fashion. She was bitchy and arrogant. Alec saw through her façade though. He knew she was afraid of not being good enough. He unsettled her in ways she wasn’t used to. He always tended to ask the difficult side of a question, forcing her to be introspective. Something she usually tried to avoid. So Sheilagh dropped the class. Alec could have just written her off at that point but something about her intrigued him. They became friends and soon that friendship developed into more. He was all she wanted. He forced her to be real with him and didn’t balk at what he got. He didn’t expect her to be perfect. He only wanted her to be happy. But as much as they were enjoying their time together, they were crossing a line. He was a professor and she a student. They were playing with fire. Would Alec just be another person Sheilagh wanted and couldn’t have?
Like I said, Sheilagh grew on me. She felt broken for reasons she didn’t even understand. I don’t think it was all because of Tristan either. I think he just triggered issues she’d dealt with for a long time. She worried so much about what others thought and what she thought was expected of her. The idea of failing at something terrified her. When things were going well, she was okay. But when life lulled or she didn’t feel in control, she became anxious and scared. Alec helped her change that.
Alec was sheer perfection. Patient, understanding, insightful, sexy. He challenged her emotionally and mentally. He understood her more than she realized. He called Sheilagh out on her BS and didn’t mind when she called him out on his. He helped her discover it was okay to just be Sheilagh. He didn’t love her in spite of her flaws. He loved her for them. And Sheilagh helped Alec too. His life had been pretty routine and lonely since his divorce. She made him feel alive.
It was wonderful to watch their relationship develop. And boy, can nerds be sexy! The steam between Alec and Sheilagh was off the charts. And it was beautifully written too. Intimacy is when you’re at your most vulnerable and I loved seeing them open up to and trust each other.
This entire series has been wonderful. These books are more than just a love story. They deal with real life issues. The characters are genuine and because of their flaws, it’s easy to relate to them. These books deal with real lessons about life and love and I love being reminded of those lessons in this series.
Sheilagh was beautiful, brash, and bold. She definitely earned her name of Shei Devil. She was the family’s wild child. She’d been in love with Tristan since she was a teen. I hurt for her when she realized no matter how desperately she wanted him, she’d never have him. While Tristan was a flirt and seemed to lead her on, he was in love with her brother. The day Sheilagh discovered that, something inside her broke. From that day on she’d made one bad choice after another. She didn’t know what she wanted. Sometimes she wanted to blend in and other times she wanted to do something wild to stand out. She made some pretty reckless choices. Her brothers called her on it and pretty much blackmailed her into going away to school.
It was a good change for her. She was brilliant and needed to further her education. Something she had put on hold hoping that her relationship with Tristan would develop. School had always been easy for Sheilagh, so when she met Alec Devereux, a professor who challenged her, she reacted in true Shei fashion. She was bitchy and arrogant. Alec saw through her façade though. He knew she was afraid of not being good enough. He unsettled her in ways she wasn’t used to. He always tended to ask the difficult side of a question, forcing her to be introspective. Something she usually tried to avoid. So Sheilagh dropped the class. Alec could have just written her off at that point but something about her intrigued him. They became friends and soon that friendship developed into more. He was all she wanted. He forced her to be real with him and didn’t balk at what he got. He didn’t expect her to be perfect. He only wanted her to be happy. But as much as they were enjoying their time together, they were crossing a line. He was a professor and she a student. They were playing with fire. Would Alec just be another person Sheilagh wanted and couldn’t have?
Like I said, Sheilagh grew on me. She felt broken for reasons she didn’t even understand. I don’t think it was all because of Tristan either. I think he just triggered issues she’d dealt with for a long time. She worried so much about what others thought and what she thought was expected of her. The idea of failing at something terrified her. When things were going well, she was okay. But when life lulled or she didn’t feel in control, she became anxious and scared. Alec helped her change that.
Alec was sheer perfection. Patient, understanding, insightful, sexy. He challenged her emotionally and mentally. He understood her more than she realized. He called Sheilagh out on her BS and didn’t mind when she called him out on his. He helped her discover it was okay to just be Sheilagh. He didn’t love her in spite of her flaws. He loved her for them. And Sheilagh helped Alec too. His life had been pretty routine and lonely since his divorce. She made him feel alive.
It was wonderful to watch their relationship develop. And boy, can nerds be sexy! The steam between Alec and Sheilagh was off the charts. And it was beautifully written too. Intimacy is when you’re at your most vulnerable and I loved seeing them open up to and trust each other.
This entire series has been wonderful. These books are more than just a love story. They deal with real life issues. The characters are genuine and because of their flaws, it’s easy to relate to them. These books deal with real lessons about life and love and I love being reminded of those lessons in this series.
June 7, 2022
Since picking up my first Lydia Michaels book I have been hooked. Each story has sucked me in, ensuring I cannot get enough, and the McCullough Mountain series promises so much goodness that I cannot get enough. With a whole family to fall for, I go into each book with high hopes.
I will be honest and say that I was a wee bit tentative at the start of this one. It took me longer to get into this story than other Lydia Michaels books, and a part of me feared I would not fall for the story in the way I had hoped. Fortunately, as things progressed, I fell for all the little elements that came together to give this book a powerful impact. There were lots of little elements throughout, details that sucked me in, and I could not get enough. There were some things that I did not love as much as I had hoped – the way some elements were handled in this one had the psychologist part of my brain shaking my head – but it was not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story. By the end, I was wearing a huge smile.
Without a doubt, this was another great addition to the McCullough Mountain series. If you have enjoyed the other books, you need to give this one a read.
I will be honest and say that I was a wee bit tentative at the start of this one. It took me longer to get into this story than other Lydia Michaels books, and a part of me feared I would not fall for the story in the way I had hoped. Fortunately, as things progressed, I fell for all the little elements that came together to give this book a powerful impact. There were lots of little elements throughout, details that sucked me in, and I could not get enough. There were some things that I did not love as much as I had hoped – the way some elements were handled in this one had the psychologist part of my brain shaking my head – but it was not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story. By the end, I was wearing a huge smile.
Without a doubt, this was another great addition to the McCullough Mountain series. If you have enjoyed the other books, you need to give this one a read.
June 5, 2024
British vs Irish
This is book 4 in the series. Although it was a good read, it wasn't high on my list out of the 4. It was nice to see the view from the youngest girl in the clan but I felt like it lacked something like the others.
This is book 4 in the series. Although it was a good read, it wasn't high on my list out of the 4. It was nice to see the view from the youngest girl in the clan but I felt like it lacked something like the others.
December 22, 2023
i'm gonna get her out of there
March 30, 2023
Oh, my heart.
I felt so utterly heartbroken for Sheilagh. How unloved she felt. How worthless… her whole world was turned upside down after Tristan.
I love that she didn’t automatically just fully “heal” after therapy and such. Because mental health situations definitely don’t work that way.
I felt so utterly heartbroken for Sheilagh. How unloved she felt. How worthless… her whole world was turned upside down after Tristan.
I love that she didn’t automatically just fully “heal” after therapy and such. Because mental health situations definitely don’t work that way.
April 20, 2017
Goddd I don't know how I managed to finish this book, maybe only because I hate to leave things undone.
First things first, the heroine Sheilagh is unbearable.
The book starts with her being a total arrogant spoiled brat who's never been through any hardship in her life (the heroine even acknowledged that herself) and whines about going to college (some people actually don't have nor the money, nor the opportunity to study and find theirselves forced to work for a living while she was doing neither of these things).
She literally spends all the book complaining about everything.
The author makes clear she want us, the reader, to accept the fact that her heroine is like that because of some unexplained mental depression.
Regarding how the heroine was presented from the beginning it's impossible to buy the excuse of the "mysterious mental illness". I feel like forced to sympathize with the heroine's "unexplained state of constant sadness". But for me, it basically feels like the author was faking her heroine's illness (so at least the book title makes sense).
When the h does something wrong (like when she lets her teenage crush kiss her while she was dating the H) she reacts like a immature kid (which she is), feeling "all guilty and ashamed", so much she doesn't even apologizes to the H and goes like "ok he is leaving me because I hurt him, bye". He is actually the one who goes after her while she doesn't give a shit.
Talking about the H, Alec. God this man deserves SO MUCH BETTER than her. He goes after her every fuck**g time while she treats him like a dog (she even jokes about him tidying the mess in her apartment, which he does various time).
It seems the only thing she gives to him is her voodoo pussy and the moments she was whining about her "unexplained sadness".
For her, he was unbelievably ready to resign from his job in Princeton and therefore jeopardizes his son's studies (because his son had free tuition thanks to his father's being a teacher)...really ?! I feel really bad for his poor son, who was even literally beaten up by the heroine because he was only voicing the truth ("his father was loosing his mind because he was banging a younger woman").
At the end of the book I just wanted to imagine my own epilogue, something like him coming to his senses and realizing that this immature woman wasn't worth all his blind devotion and that he would find someone much more suitable for him.
I'm the first to love age gap romances but this one feel too much like him always getting on all fours and her playing with him (only because of her voodoo pussy I guess)
We can't even buy the connection they allegedly had, based on philosophy because she was always saying "oh not again" when he wanted to have an intellectual interaction with her. She really behaves like a 15 year old and therefore his attraction to her was totally inexplicable.
(Special mention for her brother Luke and his "boyfriend" Tristan. Luke was basically all about protecting his sister while willingly ignoring the fact that Tristan was playing with her head. Tristan was gay and loved Luke but still wanted to feel "worshiped by the heroine". He was a total jerk and Luke as well for letting Tristan do all this and still act like a "caring brother". Their behavior deserved to be exposed to the all family but never did that happen)
So 1 star only for Alec and his poor son.
In my head Alec find a true reciprocated love with another woman afterwards because he really is an amazing guy.
First things first, the heroine Sheilagh is unbearable.
The book starts with her being a total arrogant spoiled brat who's never been through any hardship in her life (the heroine even acknowledged that herself) and whines about going to college (some people actually don't have nor the money, nor the opportunity to study and find theirselves forced to work for a living while she was doing neither of these things).
She literally spends all the book complaining about everything.
The author makes clear she want us, the reader, to accept the fact that her heroine is like that because of some unexplained mental depression.
Regarding how the heroine was presented from the beginning it's impossible to buy the excuse of the "mysterious mental illness". I feel like forced to sympathize with the heroine's "unexplained state of constant sadness". But for me, it basically feels like the author was faking her heroine's illness (so at least the book title makes sense).
When the h does something wrong (like when she lets her teenage crush kiss her while she was dating the H) she reacts like a immature kid (which she is), feeling "all guilty and ashamed", so much she doesn't even apologizes to the H and goes like "ok he is leaving me because I hurt him, bye". He is actually the one who goes after her while she doesn't give a shit.
Talking about the H, Alec. God this man deserves SO MUCH BETTER than her. He goes after her every fuck**g time while she treats him like a dog (she even jokes about him tidying the mess in her apartment, which he does various time).
It seems the only thing she gives to him is her voodoo pussy and the moments she was whining about her "unexplained sadness".
For her, he was unbelievably ready to resign from his job in Princeton and therefore jeopardizes his son's studies (because his son had free tuition thanks to his father's being a teacher)...really ?! I feel really bad for his poor son, who was even literally beaten up by the heroine because he was only voicing the truth ("his father was loosing his mind because he was banging a younger woman").
At the end of the book I just wanted to imagine my own epilogue, something like him coming to his senses and realizing that this immature woman wasn't worth all his blind devotion and that he would find someone much more suitable for him.
I'm the first to love age gap romances but this one feel too much like him always getting on all fours and her playing with him (only because of her voodoo pussy I guess)
We can't even buy the connection they allegedly had, based on philosophy because she was always saying "oh not again" when he wanted to have an intellectual interaction with her. She really behaves like a 15 year old and therefore his attraction to her was totally inexplicable.
(Special mention for her brother Luke and his "boyfriend" Tristan. Luke was basically all about protecting his sister while willingly ignoring the fact that Tristan was playing with her head. Tristan was gay and loved Luke but still wanted to feel "worshiped by the heroine". He was a total jerk and Luke as well for letting Tristan do all this and still act like a "caring brother". Their behavior deserved to be exposed to the all family but never did that happen)
So 1 star only for Alec and his poor son.
In my head Alec find a true reciprocated love with another woman afterwards because he really is an amazing guy.
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