Is Honestly I’M Totally Faking It Worth Reading And Books Like It?

My take: 'Honestly I'm Totally Faking It' is a messy, hilarious contemporary romance built around accidental fame and a not-so-charming political type who collides with a scrappy protagonist named Rach (short for Rachel) — she’s the down-on-her-luck assistant trying to keep her head above water when a viral incident dubbed "Boobgate" upends everything. The book is by Amanda Gambill and the audiobook edition lists Dahlia Summers as the narrator. If you liked the loud, chaotic energy of an imperfect heroine shoved into the spotlight, try these: 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne (workplace rom-com tension and sharp banter), 'The Unhoneymooners' by Christina Lauren (forced proximity and outrageous setups), 'One to Watch' by Kate Stayman-London (public image/reality-TV vibes and commentary on fame), 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang (quirky, heartfelt chemistry), and 'Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating' by Christina Lauren (chaotic, goofy chemistry). Each of those scratches a similar itch — high-stakes embarrassment, snappy banter, and the messy pull between being yourself and performing for others. I really enjoyed how Gambill mixes cringe moments with tenderness; it feels like a rom-com that refuses to behave, and that’s why those recs clicked for me.

If you loved the gritty, high-stakes deception in 'Faked', you might dive into 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch. It's got that same clever, morally grey protagonist pulling off elaborate cons, but with a fantasy twist—think Renaissance Venice with magic and thieves' guilds. The banter is razor-sharp, and the heists are so intricate you’ll reread scenes just to savor the setup. Another pick is 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo, which blends heist dynamics with a found-family vibe. The crew’s chemistry crackles, and the stakes feel personal, like in 'Faked'. For something more contemporary, 'The Art of Deception' by Leonard Goldberg offers a modern con artist navigating deadly power plays, though it leans heavier into thriller territory.

I get why you want a free copy — that book is such a fun romcom vibe. The quickest legit route is your public library: 'Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It' shows up in library digital catalogs as an audiobook, and you can often borrow it through Libby/OverDrive or Hoopla if your local system carries it. Search for the title in your library’s digital app (Libby/OverDrive will list which nearby libraries have it), and if your library has Hoopla you might be able to stream or download immediately with your library card. If you don’t have access to a participating library, there are still legal ways to listen for free: many audiobook platforms offer free trials that let you claim at least one or more books during the trial period. Services like Audiobooks.com and Audible have run promotions where new users can get a free trial that includes credits or selected free listens — that can be a good short-term option to get the audiobook without paying up front. Always check the current trial terms on the platform before you sign up. Finally, if you want to support the author after sampling it for free, paperback and retailer copies are available to buy, and the author’s site has extras and info about the book if you want playlists or more context. I loved the energy of the characters, so borrowing from a library or using a trial felt like a great, ethical way to give it a listen without paying full price right away.

If you want the short, satisfying scoop: the protagonist of 'Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It' is Rach — a messy, lovable woman who somehow manages to be both hapless and competent at once. In the book she’s working as an assistant to personal assistants, crashing on her ex’s couch, and then—because life enjoys chaos—she accidentally goes viral in an episode the internet dubs “Boobgate.” That viral moment and her job intersect with an aspiring politician named Pres, and the story kicks off from there as Rach navigates a fake-relationship setup, career worry, and figuring out how to be herself under public scrutiny. I laughed more than I expected because Rach isn’t a caricature; she’s written with real warmth and a sharp, self-deprecating sense of humor. Amanda Gambill gives her space to be vulnerable and stubborn in equal measure, and the dynamic with Pres (grumpy-but-slowly-sweet) fuels a lot of the romantic tension. If you like rom-coms where the lead is gloriously human and the plot leans into media circus satire, Rach is exactly the kind of protagonist who carries it well.

Picked up 'Dead Fake' on a whim because the premise sounded like someone had mixed my worst social-media nightmares with a slasher flick—and it totally delivers that sticky, adrenaline-high teen horror vibe. Vincent Ralph sets this in Bleak Haven, where a viral site called Swipe to Die generates AI ‘death’ videos of students, and those staged deaths start happening for real. The protagonist, Ava Wilson, is complicated in a way that kept me rooting for her even when the plot piled on side mysteries about her family. The book is a Young Adult thriller, published as part of the Bleak Haven series with a release date of January 20, 2026, and it leans into gore and fast pacing more than quiet character study. I read it like I was watching a horror-obsessed friend narrate the scariest TikTok—lots of breathless momentum and visual shocks. The strengths are obvious: a punchy hook about deepfakes and tech-enabled cruelty, plus scenes that read like short, tense film sequences. On the flip side, the story introduces several subplots—Ava’s family history, changing friendships, and a messy romance thread—that sometimes make the middle feel scattered rather than razor-focused. Critics have praised the book’s modern and gory thrills while noting that the plot can feel disjointed in places; I felt that tension too, but the finale has some clever turns that mostly justify the ride. If you like your YA thrillers on the bloodier, high-energy side, this scratches that itch. If you’re trying to decide whether to pick it up, think about what you usually enjoy: if you want atmospheric slow-burn horror, maybe try something else, but if you want a quick, bingeable YA whodunit with contemporary tech scares, go for 'Dead Fake'. For similar reads I’d put it alongside 'One of Us Is Lying' for the high-school mystery energy and ensemble-suspense, and for readers open to older, moodier tech-or-cult horror, 'Night Film' scratches a different but complementary itch. If you want more of Ralph’s voice and pacing, his earlier thrillers like 'Lock the Doors' and '14 Ways to Die' are solid follow-ups. Those comparisons helped me figure out what I liked most here: the book is best consumed when you’re in the mood for pulpy, modern scares rather than delicate, literary dread. Definitely a fun, messy, shout-it-out-loud read—I closed it a little breathless and grinning.

I picked up 'Fake It Till You Bake It' on a whim after seeing it recommended in a cozy mystery group, and I was pleasantly surprised! The book blends humor, romance, and a dash of baking chaos in a way that feels fresh. The protagonist’s struggle to keep up appearances while her life crumbles around her is both relatable and hilarious. The supporting cast adds depth, especially the quirky bakery staff who feel like real people. What really sold me was the balance between lighthearted moments and genuine emotional stakes. The baking scenes are vivid enough to make you crave cupcakes, and the slow-burn romance doesn’t overshadow the protagonist’s personal growth. If you enjoy stories where the messiness of life is baked into the plot (pun intended), this one’s a treat. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a delightful escape with heart.

Just finished 'How to Fake It in Hollywood' last week, and wow—what a ride! It’s this juicy blend of romance and behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama that feels like binge-watching a guilty-pleasure series. The characters are messy in the best way, especially the leads who fake a relationship for PR but (shocker) catch real feelings. The author nails the glitz-grit balance of fame, like when the heroine realizes her curated Instagram life is emptier than her cluttered apartment. What stuck with me was how it critiques performative authenticity without being preachy. Like, yeah, it’s fun to ship the couple, but you also get these sharp little moments about media manipulation. If you love 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' but wish it had more meme-worthy banter, this one’s your match. My only gripe? The third act drags a smidge before rebounding with a finale that made me hug my Kindle.

I picked up 'Faking It with the Billionaire' on a whim after seeing it pop up in my recommendations. At first, I thought it might be another cliché romance, but honestly? It surprised me. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the fake dating trope is handled with a fresh twist—less cringe, more genuine awkwardness that makes you root for them. The billionaire character actually has depth, grappling with family expectations, which is rare in this genre. The pacing is brisk, but it doesn’t sacrifice emotional beats. Some side characters feel underdeveloped, but the main duo carries the story well. If you’re into rom-coms with heart and a sprinkle of drama, this one’s a solid pick. I finished it in one sitting and found myself grinning like an idiot at the ending.

I picked up 'Faked' on a whim after seeing mixed reactions online, and honestly, it’s one of those books that grows on you. The first few chapters felt a bit slow—almost like the author was testing the waters—but by the midpoint, I couldn’t put it down. The protagonist’s voice is raw and relatable, especially when they navigate moral gray areas. Some reviews criticize the pacing, but I think it mirrors the protagonist’s internal chaos. The ending isn’t neatly tied up, which might frustrate some, but it feels intentional, like life itself. What stood out to me was how the book plays with perception. Side characters aren’t just props; they have their own arcs that subtly challenge the main narrative. If you enjoy stories that make you question who’s really 'right,' this might be your jam. It’s not a light read, though—expect to sit with your thoughts afterward.