Book Review: Faux Beau
Author: Marina Adair
Genre: Romance
Publisher: The Adair Group
Publish Date: January 5, 2023
Format: eBook
★★★★☆
This book is perfect for those that like: Friends-to-lovers, fake dating, men who grip the tops of door frames
You might not like this book if you aren’t into: Storylines involving cancer (off-page), grief, a parent who dies by suicide (off-page), or childhood trauma
Favorite Line: “Could you imagine, never eating meatloaf again?” ~ Gennie Smartt
The Book
Who said a one-night-stand can’t last forever…
Self-appointed hall monitor of life, Milly Smartt is ready to take some chances and live life balls-to-the-wall. After all, it was her sister’s dying wish for Milly to chase happy, which is the only reason she accepts a dare to kiss a random stranger in a bar. Only the stranger isn’t a stranger at all—in fact, she’s pretty sure it’s her childhood crush, Lucas Macintyre. And when one kiss turns into a passion-filled night, Milly couldn’t be happier—until she discovers she slept with Jaxon Macintyre—Luca’s playboy of a twin brother.
Professional snowboarder and self-proclaimed bachelor, Jax Macintyre has a gold medal in one-night stands. No fake promises, no morning after, and definitely no meeting the family. Only when Milly’s parents stage a surprise visit, he’s caught with his pants down—literally. He’s ready to climb out the window if necessary, when Milly introduces him as his twin brother, Lucas. Even worse, she panics and, rather than come clean about their no-strings fling, she tells her parents that he’s her boyfriend. Jax isn’t looking for a plus-one in life, especially a too peppy, too sunshiny, hopeless romantic who wears Mr. Darcy lingerie. But when he finds himself in a logistical nightmare heading up a snowboarding competition for his family’s lodge, he approaches her with a proposition. He’ll go along with this fauxmance until her parents leave town and, in exchange, she’ll help him plan the perfect competition.
How hard can it be? A few appearances, maybe a date or two, easy-peasy. Only once word gets around that they’re dating, everyone has an opinion. Milly’s mom is practically planning the wedding, Jax’s family is inviting them over for dinner, and his siblings are finally seeing him as a reliable part of the lodge’s team. Then after an impromptu kiss intended for show, the fake begins to fade into something more real. Only Milly’s parents are leaving town, the event is coming to a close, and Jax is ready to jump back into the competition circuit, rendering their deal unnecessary. Will they abide by the original agreement, or will they chase happy?
my thoughts
I’ve only read two Marina Adair books, but I have to say that she’s quickly becoming a favorite. So far, both books have ticked all the Romance Boxes that I love:
Well throughout characters with layered backstories? Check.
Plausible Romance Reasons* why these two can’t be together? Check.
MMCs who give all the angst? CHECK.
Sex scenes featuring protection AND consent? DOUBLE CHECK.
Faux Beau hit ALL those notes AND MORE. We get “people-pleasing, too afraid to try new things” Milly, who has spent her life putting everyone else’s dreams before hers matched with “I run from everything when it gets hard but it’s really if I leave first then they can’t leave me” Jax. These two are instantly attracted to one another and while, it does seem a bit odd that it takes Milly so long to figure out who Jax really is, it did work for me. ESPECIALLY in the way it’s revealed. I DIED laughing. I was also super into their fake relationship, despite the fact that this trope usually makes my anxiety an 11. What made it believable for me was that they kept checking in with one other and resetting to the “original plan” in an effort to not catch feelings. It was total bollocks though, lol, as they both were dum dums for one other almost from the get-go, but where’s the fun if they just immediately got together? I enjoyed these two as they stumbled and were uncertain and WHEW when one of them takes the leap and the other isn’t there to catch them?? TEARS. I absolutely loved these two and their journey to “finding happy”.
Overall, this was a super fun read with a lot of great sex scenes, enough angst to win me over, and a pretty spectacular Grand Gesture at the end. And while I did think a couple of the side plots were a bit uneven and there were a handful of spelling and grammar errors, it wasn’t enough to keep me from enjoying the story. In fact, the second in the series is slated to come out this December and will center on turbulent Kat, one of Milly’s BFFs, and her straight-laced neighbor, Nolan, who also happens to be Jax’s brother. I cannot WAIT.
*Romance Reasons is shamelessly “borrowed” from Fated Mates. Check out their full glossary here.
about the Author
Marina Adair is a New York Times and #1 nationally bestselling author whose fun, flirty contemporary romances have sold over a million copies. In addition to the When in Rome series she is also the author of the Destiny Bay series, the Heroes of St. Helena series, the Sugar, Georgia series, and the St Helena Vineyard series, which was the inspiration behind the original Hallmark Channel Vineyard movies: Autumn in the Vineyard, Summer in the Vineyard and Valentine in the Vineyard. She currently lives with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats in Northern California.
As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Instagram, Facebook or in her AdairAbles Group!