By Tessa Pulyer Posted on

Book Review | Faking It by Rebecca Smith

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Goodreads Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Faking It is a fun romp through a field of duplicity and all the crazy antics that come with trying to live a double life. Hannah Thompson is a teacher of high school English and suburban wife and mother. But, she has another side to her life that she struggles to keep separate and secret – she is a published erotica author.

What I Loved

As a suburban mom, I completely understood Hannah’s need to keep up the perfect wife and mother facade – reserved, involved, prim, and proper. She is afraid her kids won’t accept her and that their friends’ moms won’t either, resulting in social suicide for her whole family. The pressure to keep up the facade of propriety is so intense that Hannah would rather jeopardize her book’s success than to let anyone know that she is the author.

The humor rings true, starting with the opening scene that had me laughing out loud. It goes throughout the story, making for a light, fast, and fun read. The pace stays fast, and the dialogue is very natural. The characters are so genuinely complex – full of strengths and weaknesses, but none that they wear on their sleeve. Instead, they are revealed slowly and methodically as the story progresses, making you feel like they could be friends or neighbors, not just fictional characters.

The theme of being comfortable in your skin is an important one. It is so empowering for women to own their sexuality – feeling free to speak about it even though society makes them think that moms should at least appear like (as the Victorians used to explain it) “the Angel of the hearth” or a paragon of all the is pure and righteous. It is incredible to think that an idea developed hundreds of years ago still holds firm, though it is explained differently today.

To Read or Not to Read

If you are looking for a light read and a you are a mom, know a mom or have a mom, you will appreciate the lovely humor in this fun tale.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

About This Book

  • Print Length: 365 pages
  • Publisher: One More Chapter
  • Publication Date: August 7, 2020
  • Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers

Meet Hannah Thompson: wife, mother, teacher and… secret erotica author?

My Guilt List:

1. If we have a date night then I’m always asleep before it’s halfway through and honestly, if I had to choose, I’d rather have a hot bath and read my book than engage in any other nocturnal activity.

2. If we do actually have you-know-what then it’s not unheard of for my mind to wander… and I’m not talking about sexy things – I’m talking about what food there is in the fridge and when the car is due for its next service.

3. I am struggling to write about anything that could be classed as even a little bit sexually adventurous which is a problem when I’m supposed to be an erotica writer and I am speaking at Sex Con in exactly one month.

With a book to publicise, Hannah has no choice but trade her M&S cardis for S&M parties, and become her writing alter-ego. What could possibly go wrong…

Free Preview and Amazon Link

16 Replies to “Book Review | Faking It by Rebecca Smith”

    1. Tessa says:

      Such fun! It’s always great to find those light, fun reads to intersperse between the books I read more of.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Teri Polen says:

    I’ve seen this one around, and it sounds like such a fun read. You need those light-hearted books every now and then.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. R A I N says:

    Ahhhh!! This one sounds like such a fun and uplifting read, Tessa! Hannah’s character is something every reader will relate – at least one SOME level, like her anxieties about not being accepted and liked! 🌟

    LOVED the reviewwww!!! 😍❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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