Playing Pretend
Juliana Haygert
Publication date: October 24th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance
**New extended (13,000 more words) and re-edited version!**
As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.
Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.
When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn’t love who man that made her proud of her true self?
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My Review:
3.5 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Romance--
Charlotte met Mason while on a wild spring break with her friends where she could actually be herself. They enjoy their time together, not exchanging personal information, knowing that they will never see each other again after the week is up. Charlotte returns to her double life trying to please her demanding mother, while on the inside she is dying, her small taste of freedom missed. Mason takes a scholarship and moves across the country for school, just to run into a different version of the Charlotte he can’t forget. But can the two be together when Charlotte can’t be herself?
If you are looking for a steamy, angsty happily ever after New Adult book, look no farther. This was the perfect blend of likable yet flawed characters (aka Charlotte, Mason seemed pretty together but he was also older) and hot stolen moments.
The story frustrated me to no end with how controlled Charlotte was. There were times where I just wanted to shake her or at least get her to open up to ANYONE! She seriously never even protested the choices her mother forced on her, going along with everything such as friends and dates to her educations. I know she was use to this kind of lifestyle, but it was awful. This was the prime example of money can’t buy happiness. And then all of a sudden a miracle happened and I then next thing I knew, Mason was being a tool. Sigh, for two people who claim to be in love I was very frustrated with the lack of communication and bad choices. Mason appeared to be a hard worker and was pretty well adjusted (as much so as an early 20’s male can be, hehe). I liked how pushy/determined he was towards life and especially Charlotte, otherwise the changes never would have come to be. But his need to protect people ended up being a big obstacle that yet again frustrated me. But alas, all ended well so I can't complain (too much).
Both of the characters had the best set of friends, supportive and quirky and I would love to read more books with them finding love (hint hint).
Overall this was a cute, sexy love story about finding yourself and love along the way.
I received this title in return for my honest review.
Author Bio:
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting--but equally gratifying--life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
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Thanks for hosting today, Katherine! This sounds like a good read overall! I like when a book includes good friendships along with the romance story.
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