She's Faking It: A Novel

by Kristin Rockaway

Overview

“Smart, fun, fast-paced.”—Helen Hoang, USA Today-bestselling author, on How to Hack a Heartbreak

You can’t put a filter on reality.

Bree Bozeman isn’t exactly pursuing the life of her dreams. Then again, she isn’t too sure what those dreams are. After dropping out of college, she’s living a pretty chill life in the surf community of Pacific Beach, San Diego…if “chill” means delivering food as a GrubGetter, and if it means “uneventful”.

But when Bree starts a new Instagram account — @breebythesea — one of her posts gets a signal boost from none other than wildly popular self-help guru Demi DiPalma, owner of a lifestyle brand empire. Suddenly, Bree just might be a rising star in the world of Instagram influencing. Is this the direction her life has been lacking? It’s not a career choice she’d ever seriously considered, but maybe it’s a sign from the universe. After all, Demi’s the real deal… right?

Everything is lining up for Bree: life goals, career, and even a blossoming romance with the chiseled guy next door, surf star Trey Cantu. But things are about to go sideways fast, and even the perfect filter’s not gonna fix it. Instagram might be free, but when your life looks flawless on camera, what’s the cost?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525804564
Publisher:	Graydon House Books
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	634,826
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 5.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.

Editorial Reviews

04/27/2020

Rockaway (How to Hack a Heartbreak) skewers social media fantasies in this timely romance. Bree Bozeman, a 25-year-old college dropout, is barely getting by: she’s eking out a living delivering takeout for GrubGetters and her boyfriend ditched her to join a cult. But she’ll do what it takes to keep living in her bohemian San Diego neighborhood, especially when she meets her new neighbor, Trey Cantu, a dreamy pro-surfer. After Bree’s ultra-organized older sister convinces her to read the bestselling book from self-help guru and social media sensation Demi DiPalma, Bree starts an aspirational Instagram account (@BreebytheSea) that soon gains a large audience and gives her life a new direction, as an influencer. But as she grows closer to Trey, he expresses concern. His influencer ex-girlfriend used him as a prop to punch up her own Instagram, and he doesn’t want history to repeat itself. Besides, can new followers and freebies from brands she doesn’t care about really fix Bree’s life? Rockaway balances sarcastic humor with psychological depth, making it easy to care about her misguided heroine. Fans of smart romantic comedies will be pleased. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Rockaway skillfully skewers the tropes of social media, while her highly relatable heroine struggles to achieve an unfiltered life. Astute, touching and very, very timely." —Abbi Waxman, USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

"Fun, inventive, accessible, and destined to be a pleasurable beach read."—Booklist

“Smart, fun, fast-paced. Rockaway seamlessly blends the trials of modern dating with the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated workplace.” —Helen Hoang on How to Hack a Heartbreak

“For everyone who has been wronged in the world of online dating! Revenge is a dish best served digitally in Kristin Rockaway’s book capturing what it’s like to pursue ambition and love in New York City. Snappy pacing, a delightful group of best friends, women innovating in tech and a workplace love interest made this a book I really enjoyed.” —Sally Thorne on How to Hack a Heartbreak

“Rockaway has masterfully painted the current dating landscape so many are navigating these days.” —Renée Carlino on How to Hack a Heartbreak

"Will have readers laughing and celebrating… Perfect for fans of Doree Shafrir's Startup and Hannah Orenstein's Playing with Matches." —Booklist on How to Hack a Heartbreak

“A fun, sexy debut perfect for readers who love exotic settings and a great love story.” —Karma Brown, bestselling author, on The Wild Woman's Guide to Traveling the World


"Rockaway balances sarcastic humor with psychological depth, making it easy to care about her misguided heroine. Fans of smart romantic comedies will be pleased."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher