Faking Ever After

by Chiara Crane

Jesse and I are trending on Twitter. No one knows our relationship’s fake.

I had a crush on Jesse in high school. That is, until he betrayed my trust.

Since then, I’ve been avoiding my hometown. But I got dragged home for a season of my parents’ TV show.

Jesse’s and my parents have been giving love advice on air for 20 years, but the whole thing’s in jeopardy. I only made it worse with my drunken bad decisions.

The guilt is killing me, and I want to make it better. I want to save my family’s show. I want to get my own show.

We can smooth things over with the public if I pretend to be in love with Jesse.

Cocky, irritating, hilarious, infuriatingly sexy Jesse.

The thing is, the longer we fake it, the more real it feels…

This fun, steamy romantic comedy gives Natalie and Jesse an “ever after” of their own. Faking Ever After is a standalone novel, with more “Ever After Show” stories to come.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2022

Reviews

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this semi-steamy romance is how when a character was confronted about something they would own up to their wrong doing. So many times characters will deny or keep lying and digging themselves deeper to where it's difficult to keep rooting for them. While there is still some lack of communication it's not nearly as bad as others I've read. I really enjoyed Natalie and Jesse's banter and friendship. It was actually believable that they were truly comfortable with one another by the way they would talk and interact. It did feel like there was something off with Gabrielle though. I'm hoping that is because there will be a second book with her story. There was also the perfect amount of steam for my liking. It was done so well and appropriately that I will definitely be reading more from Chiara Crane!

I received a free copy of this book. Thank you Chiara Crane!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contemporary romance story is an excellent book about a second chance romance with a fake relationship, a tv show, and characters with a bit of wanderlust. The drama in this book is very realistic, and the love stories are as well. I like how the author approached the characters, families, issues, and resolutions. This was a refreshingly current read with many integrations to technology we use for the characters and their livelihoods. I enjoyed the humor from Jesse and the overthinking from Natalie. I love how the book wrapped up and really enjoyed this read.

Natalie is a writer living in New York. She works as a freelancer for a newspaper. Her summer job doesn't pan out, and she gets given a new opportunity, but it also diverts her summer plans. Until the agent diverts them back, this could be interesting.

Jesse works on the family show, helping find a broken couple to put back together, but he is cynical about love. She is hot a mess on arrival, and then together is awkward. I do love her geeking out about volcanoes and travel. Despite her own history, she manages to make a drunken action that quickly becomes a mistake. Now she must be in a fake relationship with Jesse for the show.

The author includes a little sass, steam, and fun into this fake relationship and tv producing storyline. She is hot and cold, unsure of what she wants, and it seems to confuse him. The deep harbored resentment of their past does come up a few times.

Natalie is anything but confident she often second guesses and worries about everything around her and her every action. Okay, I didn't see that coming, but the geek in me loves it. I also didn't see him finally going after her; just wow. But I love how the author worked out the end of this book with the tv show, the revamp of their parents' show, and of course, real love.

[Cma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book :Faking Ever After
Author: Chiara Crane
Genre: Romance, fake relationship, friends-enemies-lovers..
Synopsis:
This is Jesse and Natalie’s story. A story which starts with a TV show which is basically hosted by two families for last 20 years and when it dips in terms of ratings.. the producers call for the extended family to be a part of the reality show. Except no one in the family wants to fake it any more.. but choose to go along..

Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️/5

Thank you to Booksprout for providing me the ARC of this beautiful book.. Thank you to the author for writing this gorgeous book..
I absolutely loved everything about this one. The fake relationship between the two characters.. the banter.. the chemistry despite being fake.. the romance.. the spice was perfect..
The topics like Family , friendship, love and the bond which everyone in the family has is really the important factor.. no matter how frustrating the world and worldly requirements are.. faking the relationship no longer helps because thats going to burst out.. what stays is your heart ❤️ and the real feelings.. feeling of being loved.. feeling of belonging.. feeling of freedom are the ones which shape up your relationship and your bond within family..
I liked how the author slowly builds up the relationship between the characters.. the various incidents that force everyone to behave in a certain way and brings them to the brink of breaking free.. and then realising - Yes this is what my heart always wanted..❤️❤️❤️
The supporting characters were really great..
every chapter is an entertainment bucket full of laughter.. love..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katja · Rating 5 out of 5]

As teenagers, Jesse and Natalie used to be the kids of the hosts in a reality TV show that was a cross between Dr. Phil and the Duggars. You know, where staged counseling sessions meet the parents who sell their children's privacy for TV dollars and fame. Natalie used to have a crush on Jesse but both her teenage crush and her role in the TV show ended abruptly when her secrets were leaked in the public. Now it's years later and the show's popularity is waning. The show wants all the now-adult kids back for a reunion season. Jesse and Natalie meet again and are forced to play nice for the cameras. Even the parents aren't happy with the show anymore and they really need some mushy, happy footage for the ratings.

What I liked: The plot idea seemed fresh and both the main characters were likeable. The unpredictable vulcanoes seemed nicely symbolic of the show: there were things below the surface just bubbling under that could erupt at any time. I liked everyone who stood up to the fakeness of it all and the way Natalie and Jesse got back together in the end.

What I missed: I think they needed to have it out with the both sets of parents, to have a flaming row followed by a teary reconciliation, or something. Not just Jesse and Natalie, but also Gabby and Derrick (their siblings). But they never did, and I don't think the parents learned anything about how terribly exploitative they had been, and still are, of their own families..

Steam level: Some sexual content but that was not the point of this story.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read. We join Natalie our main character as she tries to find work to get out of reuniting on the TV show she and her family hosted when she was a teen, and there is one main reason why...Jesse.

As teenagers, Jesse and Natalie used to be on a reality TV show that was hosted by their families. The two families have been intertwined ever since. The parents did counseling sessions with families at breaking point and gave them hints and tips to fix things. The kids were used on the TV show to show good parenting etc. Both Jesse and Natalie had crushes on eachother but when Natalie's diary was leaked exposing the truth behind the TV show, Jesse was blamed and their relationship ended.

The show is waining and wants all the now-adult kids back for a reunion season to boost ratings. Jesse and Natalie meet again in an interesting bathroom scene and are forced to play nice for the cameras. When viewers see glimpses on social media of the two they are instantly shipped and the producers pressure them to fake a relationship.

But the relationship soon feels real and when secrets new and old are revealed, what will happen to not only Natalie and Jesse but the families as a whole...

Fund and fast paced read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[heerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I tell you I 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 this book, I mean I loved it. all caps and all😆

——————————

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
📹 small town
📹 only one bed
📹 forced fake relationship
📹 childhood friends to enemies to lovers
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 : Coming April 21st, Standalone Romance

——————————

when the author of this incredible book reached out and invited me to be an 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, I was absolutely honoured. and I'm so glad that I didn't pass up the opportunity, because this one is a must read🤩

following 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞 & 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞, high school friends turned nemesis', 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 is a fake dating romance laced with humour and a teeny bit of enjoyable suspense!

going into this i had no idea what to expect, but I'm glad to report that I uncovered
🔷 engaging writing
🔷 a couple I quickly fell in love with
🔷 side characters that induced strong emotion
🔷 and really just a heartwarming and classic romance in the best way possible :)

with the unique background and small town + mini vacation setting this book provided, I was engaged beginning till end, and may or may not have shed a tear when 𝒚𝒐𝒖 [or you'll] 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 happened🤪

𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞 & 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞 made for such an interesting pair of protagonists, especially with all the crazy social media and show stuff happening in the background, and again, I'm so darn happy that I didn't pass up on having the chance to early read and review this gem💗

——————————

a little PSA to 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 — I'm watching you, you little punk🙄

[LAJordan Leigh Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to be an eARC reader for your fabulous book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5 scale)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5 scale)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 First person dual POV—it’s my favorite for knowing the MCs inside and out.
🤩 This whole series is based on these two families who do The Ever After Show. It’s so much fun, especially if you like reality TV and social media in your romance books.
🤩 Give me all the fake dating trope books! The “is this real or for the show?” vibes are good.
🤩 Plus, second-chance romance, sort of enemies-to-lovers, and some close proximity! All the tension and banter is hot. Jesse and Natalie (#jessalie) are stinkin’ 🥵.
🤩 Both MCs are adorable and genuine, so I really loved them and longed for them to be together.
🤩 Weddings and wedding planning in books. In this small-town romance, it gives us some fun remote location scenes.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I was hoping for a little more steam towards the end, maybe on location or back at the cabin.
💫 I hope Gabrielle gets a story, with Wesley maybe? And Derrick really needs an HEA, poor guy.

I found my free copy of the prequel novella—Pretending Ever After. It’s a story from The Ever After Show 10 years prior to Faking Ever After. Find the link in Chiara’s profile @chiara.cane

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie Greer is dreading spending the summer in her hometown of Willow Springs filming the "family reunion" season of her parents' reality program, The Ever After Show, but when the show's executive producer offers her the chance to make a pilot of the travel show she's been dreaming of hosting for years, she reluctantly agrees to participate. The worst part about coming home is being forced back into proximity with Jesse Finch, the son of her parents' co-hosts and her former high school crush. When a scandal involving Jesse's parents breaks and threatens the future of the show, the producers decide to try and shift the public's attention by creating a fake relationship between Jesse and Natalie. Things didn't exactly end well between them back in high school, but as she gets to know Jesse again, Natalie realizes that she may have misjudged him all those years ago. Will Natalie and Jesse get a second chance at their first love, or will their relationship be canceled along with their parents' show?

Jesse and Natalie were super cute together and I really enjoyed their snarky banter. The problem was that they were opposites in a lot of ways, and that definitely created some problems for them to work through. For example, Jesse was a homebody who loved his life in Willow Springs, while Natalie couldn't wait to go and see the world, especially her beloved volcanoes. In the end, I think they found a good balance that would allow them both to do what they loved, and it was great fun cheering them on to their HEA.

I recommend "Faking Ever After" for all romantic comedy fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jannreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie and Natalie had a falling out / misunderstanding in High School where Natalie believes Jessie has betrayed her trust and humiliated her. Jessie on the other hand has no idea why Natalie suddenly stopped talking to him and hasn't spoken with him in years. Fast forward several years and they are forced into a fake relationship in order to save their families reality show. Jessie and Natalie's parents host a reality show together giving love and family advice and the show is in danger of failing after 20 seasons. Jessie and Natalie are different in so many ways but bring out such fun things in each other and it doesn't take them long to start having true feelings for each other. Unfortunately mistakes on both their parts may end up causing problems for each other and the show. You'll have to read for yourself to see how they work things out. I thought the author did a good job with the side stories of the other characters as well. This was a super cute enemies-to-lovers rom com. It does have a few steamy parts but nothing over the top. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much to Chira Crane for my ARC of this book!

[Lindsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faking Ever After is the first book in a new series. I felt though that I was missing something; it almost felt like I was reading the second in the series at some parts.
Natalie is a freelance writer that works in New York. She’s supposed to be heading home to the family reunion show that her family is putting on but she would rather not.
Her parents and Jesses parent host a TV show that ruined her middle school and high school years so they got rid of the kids part of the show. Now it’s time for the reunion where Natalie and Jesse will see each other again.
This book is all about the reunion show and the drama that comes with it.
Jesse has been working on the show for the last 10 years and doesn’t know what he will do for a job when/or if it ends. These two have a past but now they don’t know how to have a future since they got thrown together.
I enjoyed this story and the characters but I felt confused at times and realized how unfair working in television can be. Hopefully Derek gets a happy ending at some point as well.

[Jessie Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you like: Dual POV, fake dating, opposites attract, enemies to lovers, second chances, light steam

Jesse and Natalie have known each other since they were younger. Jesse was Natalie's childhood crush. Their parents host a reality television show together and it's not doing too well after 20 years. Jesse works on thr show,, but Natalie moved away. Jesse and Natalie had a falling out when they were younger but Jesse doesn't really know why.

In order to help boost the ratings on their parent's show they come on the show for the reunion. They begin to fake date. Fake dating and enemies to lovers are my two favorite tropes. I'm not a huge lover of misunderstanding storylines but this one did make sense.

I do feel like the characters needed a bit more development besides the backstory they mutually share. This felt like it was missing personal backstories a bit. I really liked the book.

This was a light, funny, slightly steamy read. Definitely recommend. Get it for yourself April 21st!

Thank you to the author Chiara for my gifted copy.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making It Real ? . . .

Jesse and Natalie were the children of the hosts for a long-running reality TV show on broken relationships. The kids were also taking part in the show. But Natalie’s crush on Jesse ended when things got out to the public and they were taken off the show. Thinking she was betrayed, Natalie left town, but with the TV show losing popularity, she comes back to help if she can. The idea is to have a reunion with the children who are now adults.

They hope to make the show more interesting if Natalie pretends to be in love with Jesse. Social media keeps the public paying attention. But what’s going on with the relationship they are faking? Is it disappointing? Or is it starting to feel warm, familiar, and real?

Be ready to find your own feelings going one direction and then changing again as the characters’ reasons for their behavior comes out. Will they talk to each other and find out the facts? Will they try for a second chance to be together again?

[Bookmeadream · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a nice read!

Not only were the chapters short but the pace wasn’t slow or too quick for my taste!

We get Jesse and Natalie’s POVs in first person, which I loved because they are both endearing. Their complicity and banter really added something to the storyline .I also liked that we got an equal amount of POVs from both.
There were a lot of dialogues which added to the concept of the reality show. This TV reality show idea was honestly fun and out of the ordinary!
Of course there was a romcom-y vibe all along, with a few more bonus tropes added to it! You’ll find a one-bed trope, fake dating and even childhood crushes..


You might be wondering why I didn’t give it 5 stars, the only reasons being that I thought the one-bed scene could have lasted a bit longer and I was expecting a different ending. But clearly these were just minor preferences.

I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone who’s in need of a fun and quick-to-read romcom!

[Tantalizing Tomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot going for it, the storyline is one that I haven't really read before. There are cute and funny moments, hot and steamy moments and moments where you want to snack both main characters. A story about a childhood crush that turns into someone she despises, with a second chance at romance things get very interesting when you throw in the reality TV program that both their families are on. With all of that said, there are moments that I really wish I could smack the characters and some nice and sexy explicit moments that will get you a little hot and bothered. Overall I think this is a cute book there are somethings that didn't flow well to me, however I think that Chiara Crane will grow into her own as she continues writing. Over all I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars, with a pepper rating of Serrano Pepper on the pepper scale.

If you love enemies to lovers, second chance romance, contemporary romance and some hot and explicit scenes then this book is worth a read!

I hope that this has helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!

[Drea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake relationships is one of my favorite tropes. Add in childhood first crush and I KNEW this would be right up my alley!
Natalie and Jesse grew up together. Their parents cohost a family and relationship advice show, and now after years away Natalie has to go back home and help save the show. The only way to save the show is for her to pretend to date the boy who crushed her teenage heart.
I really enjoyed this book. Natalie and Jesse were so cute together. I loved their relationship with their siblings, and the friendship Natalie made with Julia. I loved the inside look at reality TV and how difficult it can be. It was so much more than fake dating. It was a story of conflicting emotions, family dynamics, and finding one's calling. This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last.

[Mandy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frenemies to lovers? Natalie is back home to help work on her parents’ television show. Forced to work with the boy who broke her heart, Natalie has to make adjustments in order to keep up with the reality TV chaos. Admittedly, Natalie annoyed me at first. I get like she was just being an entitled jerk. However, once we finally get more background on why she’s being the way she is, it’s much more understandable. And that’s about the time she starts getting her act together. Natalie and Jesse’s chemistry is off the charts! And the background entertainment is sometimes hilarious and sometimes unfathomable! The ending is what really brings this story together (as one would expect), helping these two stubborn people to get their HEA all over the place!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book that was Chiara’s debut novel. If you love a fake dating romance then you will enjoy this one. Jessie and Natalie knew each other in high school from their families reality show. They are reunited years later to be on the show again. But this time they are forced into being in a fake relationship. There was a misunderstanding in high school which has given Natalie a bit of animosity towards Jessie. The more time together the more they break down each other's walls and the real feelings come forward. Natalie and Jessie are a little bit different but they balance each other out and bring out the best in each other. Their mistakes and misunderstandings threaten to ruin their fake relationship and the possibility of a real one. This was very low on the steam so if you are looking for something smutty then this one will not be for you.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance fake romance 4*
I'm afraid reality TV is not for me. The idea of sitting through one episode let alone a whole series would be about as awful as a prison sentence. So, the backdrop of a novel that revolves around the making of a reality TV series was not something that I relished. The author however highlighted the lies and the phoniness of it all. I found the author’s style witty but above all, I was impressed by her use of English vocabulary and the richness of her choice of expressions. As expected, the fake relationship between Natalie and Jesse becomes a very real steamy one and through a series of tension points, there is a happy for now ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only. One. Bed.

Jesse doesn’t want change, but that’s what is coming if he can’t help save his family’s TV show. Natalie wants to finally make it and move onto her dream job. The solution for both of them? Pretend to be a couple and generate positive publicity for the show. Nothing could go wrong with that, right? Especially not when these two had teenage crushes on each other before a break that led to completely different lives for the past decade. Oh, and sharing one bed? That’s obviously not going to be a game changer.

This book was a perfect light read. It is sweet, steamy, and laugh-out-loud funny.

[Nandini Parekh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faking Ever After by Chiara Crane - Natalie and her high school crush Jesse are thrown into a fake relationship in order to save their parents’ long running reality TV show The Ever After Show. Natalie’s incentive is a show of her own and Jesse, being the assist producer of Ever After, needs to save his job. So they agree to fake it. But is it all fake or are there real feeling under the surface?
Faking Ever After has humour, romance and is a perfect pool-side read that I really enjoyed. I received a free copy via Book Funnel and this is my honest review.

[Krishika ( Dramatic Booknerd ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really good!! Such a quick and easy and fun read 🥰🥰

Jesse and Natalie were actually really good together!! Also, who doesn't love to read an adorable Childhood sweethearts who met after a long time but still are head over heels for each other, I mean I certainly do!!

Their chemistry was swoony, their banter made me laugh and I loved them so much! All the side characters too were really good. The best part about the book was how appropriate the title actually was.

Not only a story about love but also about family and acceptance 💖

Thank you to the author for providing the ARC.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse and Natalie used to be friends until he humiliated her. Now they are thrown back together as adults, and needs to play nice to get what they want out of the TV show they are starring in.
Natalie has her list of Mr Perfect's and Jesse is not close to being on there, so do they have a chance at being together or is it just blurred lines in a fake relationship?
Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really drawn to the uniqueness of this story because I've never read a reality show drama. The tropes are also great in here and I loved that the main character loved volcanos and sought them out because I loved a good story with exciting interests💖 I even wish that there were more pages to include more volcanoes and more flashbacks so I could spend more time in this book😂 I love the way this played out and will keep my eye out for books from this author
I was given an arc in return for my honest opinion

[yesenia (Caligirlheartsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light, slow burn, fake relationship read. Jesse and Natalie have history. There parents are close friends so that should make them close by association right? Not exactly.

The start a fake relationship to save their parents show. There is family drama and it puts their family legacy at stake.

It was a slow burn, luke warm steam, and lots of laughs! If you are looking for something on the lighter side. This is a good choice!

[Debra Soehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie and Jesse’s parents have a tv show where they give family and relationship advice to viewers. Jesse and Natalie had a thing in high school but Natalie felt betrayed by him and then she moved away. Can these 2 have a second chance and can they survive this tv show? Great author and story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about conflicting emotions, unresolved feelings and finding one's calling.
It shows how life can make you jaded when you let yourself be run over by the daily grind.

I also offers an insight into the reality TV industry and the way social media gets to shape the modern world.
.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute joy to read!!

Swoony and Hilarious. This was an absolute joy to read. It is funny, the dialogue is sharp and witty, and the chemistry and the connection between Natalie and Jesse is amazing. Be ready to block out your afternoon because once you start this book, you won't be able to stop. I loved it! Happy reading everyone

[Cecily Sarcinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! The characters were easy to connect to, the plot was entertaining and perfectly paced, and it was overall super cute.
The author seems very knowledgeable in how to run a TV show too which made the story that much better!

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. DNF at 50%

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but a bit of a slow storyline.