Sunday, March 26, 2023

The Charade: a fake relationship romance

The Charade is the first book in the Eden Falls Academy series by Judy Corry. Ava Cohen arrives at the Eden Falls Academy for her senior year. As a condition of her attendance, she agrees to math tutoring. Her new tutor is the handsome, standoffish Carter Hastings. Carter insists on a contract with one rule being she can’t fall in love with him. Carter doesn’t date the girls at the school especially after his last relationship ended. Then Ava suggests a fake relationship. He can get revenge on his cheating ex-girlfriend and she can hide the reason why they have to spend so much time together. As they begin to pretend, they soon realize that their first impressions of each other are far from the truth and neither of them can hold their end of the contract. But when a family secret threatens to come to light, they are shocked to consider that their relationship could be forbidden. 

The Charade is a wonderful fake relationship/forbidden romance story. From the very beginning, I was drawn in by Ava and Carter’s alternating points of view as their relationship unfolds. Behind Carter’s standoffish demeanor hides a wounded soul from very humble beginnings and a haunted history. Ava’s warm acceptance brings out a different side of Carter. Their relationship turns passionate quickly and will warm any romantic heart. While I knew the family secret threatening their relationship would be revealed and their relationship would be safe, I enjoyed how it played out in the story and their individual reactions. It is a clean romance with kissing and a couple make out sessions but no sex. I also enjoyed the supporting characters. I look forward to reading their individual romances. Overall, I enjoyed The Charade. There were moments that made me smile. Moments that broke my heart and tender moments that made me sigh. I recommend The Charade


The Charade is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 





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