(I received a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.)⁣⁣

A writer (Rebecca Smith) writing about a writer (Hannah Thompson) who’s struggling with writer’s block while trying to write a sequel to an erotica novel? That was all it took to get me interested in “Faking It”! (I actually didn’t realize this was a sequel to “More Than Just Mom” until I started writing this review… so I wonder if reading that first would have changed my rating in any way?)⁣⁣

Hannah Thompson is a wife, mother, teacher, and secret erotica author. The “secret” aspect of her identity led to quite a few laughs throughout the novel, as she certainly doesn’t want her children or co-workers to find out what she’s doing on the side! I think my favorite moment in the book was when Hannah and several of her female co-workers got together at her house for a very, uh, “adult” presentation (you’ll understand if you read the book – I don’t want to spoil anything!).

⁣⁣I appreciated the sex-positive and body-positive messages the author wanted to convey in her novel. Was it a bit clunky at times? Absolutely… but isn’t that how real-life works? We don’t have all the answers, and figuring out what works for us (and our romantic partners) can be messy!⁣⁣

Unfortunately, the poor pacing and tedious dialogue led to a lower rating on my part. I kept hoping to see more details of Hannah’s adventures (or rather, misadventures) toward the middle of the book; however, what I received were drawn-out, boring scenes with forced conversations between Hannah, her daughter, and her mother. The ending was also a huge letdown.

⁣⁣I liked the premise, but the story didn’t come together as well as it could have. Honestly, I think Hannah’s two erotica novels would have been much more exciting that “Faking It” ultimately turned out to be! I gave this book a 3/5 rating.