Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Fakers

AUTHORS: Lucy Lennox & May Archer

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 311 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2020

BLURB:

Brooks Johnson’s Words To Live By:

When returning to Licking Thicket, TN, for the first time in ten years to reunite with your nosy neighbors, heart-broken ex-girlfriend, and matchmaking mama who never quite believed you were gay, it’s best to bring a fake boyfriend as backup…

Just don’t be surprised when your ex-girlfriend does the same.

And when her incredibly hot fake boyfriend becomes the one island of calm in a sea of bovine-based insanity, it’s best to exercise caution… especially when he pushes you up against the rough barn wall to check you very thoroughly for splinters…

Just don’t be surprised if you fall head-over-hooves in love with him.

REVIEW:

Fakers is a fantastic, feel-good fake-boyfriend-with-a-twist novel. This is one of my favorite tropes, so reading a fresh take on the theme is a welcome change. And this book is ROFL funny. The name of Brooks’ hometown – Licking Thicket – is comedy gold. There are abundant cow jokes, irreverent humor, and Head Licking innuendos. If you don’t have a sense of humor for the silly and suggestive, be on your merry way; this isn’t the book for you. 

Brooks Johnson left his hometown and hasn’t been back in a decade. He was never quite comfortable as the closeted gay kid in a claustrophobic small town. Now he has a successful career in advertising in New York City. That is, until his mother calls him to come home. You see, Brooks’ father fell ill and can’t perform his duties as master of ceremonies – i.e. Head Licker – at Licking Thicket’s extravagant Great Centennial Lickin’ Festival.  

A Johnson’s been Head Licker for as long as there’s been a Johnson in the Thicket.

So, against his better judgement, Brooks heads home to Tennessee – despite being in the midst of a vital ad campaign. He drags his very straight coworker and friend, Paul, along as his fake boyfriend because Brooks’ mother refuses to believe he’s gay. Plus, his high school girlfriend, Ava (yes, he knew he was gay at the time) will be there and she’s bitter over their relationship. Things get interesting when Ava also brings home a fake boyfriend, her very gay bestie, burgeoning artist, Mal Forrester. You can see where this is headed. This becomes a comedy of errors among the foursome (no, not like that!) of heroes Brooks and Mal, and the other main characters, Ava and Paul. Paul’s actions, in particular, are endlessly comical. 

If you’re a regular reader of my reviews, you know I’m usually not fond of insta-love, but there are exceptions and Fakers is one of them. I think that’s because the attraction between Brooks and Mal is strong and immediate but they get to know each other first. They form an intellectual and emotional connection before tossing their clothes across the room and falling into bed. There is such crazy intense chemistry by then and you can feel their bond is more than sexual. The sexy times are hot, though I could’ve used a few more scenes. 

At the heart of the book is how the trip to Licking Thicket changes Brooks and Mal as individuals. The town and its people embrace Mal; he sees the town through fresh eyes and can appreciate the warmth and idiosyncrasies alike. As such, he’s able to share that appreciation with Brooks. 

It felt like coming home, which was fitting in a way, because Malachi Forrester was the guy who’d made Licking Thicket feel like home for the first time in my twenty-eight years. 

Mal’s childhood left him feeling deserted. He doesn’t realize he needs a family, and that’s what his time in Licking Thicket provides. 

My man needed a family and a town who celebrated his successes with him. And now he had us. 

Brooks and Mal are darling, multi-dimensional characters. Ava and Paul are also very likeable. The story is chock-full of quirky secondary and tertiary characters, from Brooks’ family to his and Paul’s client, General Beauregard T. Partridge, to a whole host of Licketeers, the hilarious townsfolk.  

Fakers is a win all the way around for me and is among my favorites from both Lucy Lennox and May Archer. They both bring their ability to craft a successful small-town story, and their collaboration is seamless. The characters are given substantial depth, the humor is ever-present, the cover is enticing (yum), the plot is fun and entertaining, the chemistry is intense, and the all-important love story delivers all the feels. This is a five heart/star book for me. 

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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