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Description Alex Jenkins, an ambitious ex-motorcyclist and heir to billions, fakes his engagement to Evie Cooper to claim his inheritance. But with a single kiss, everything changes. Alex Jenkins has a reputation: he's Atlanta's most eligible bachelor, a former competitive motorcycle racer, and a man who isn't afraid of a bit of a challenge. But when the off-limits marketing intern Evie Cooper catches his attention, self-control has a whole new meaning. Both Alex and Evie attempt professionalism but their undeniable passion pushes them further to the edge. Between in-office outfit adjustments and late-night secretarial work, their close proximity is pure torture. The suspense builds as Evie is reluctantly drawn into an engagement-for-show so Alex can secure his place as the company’s successor. His reputation as a bad boy is not exactly on brand and a serious commitment could prove to his family that he is mature enough to take over. With the engagement comes family drama and the ever-present eye of the matriarch, Alex's steely and strong grandmother, Eleanor Dorothy Jenkins. As Evie becomes immersed in the Jerkins clan, her humble origins come into stark contrast with the snobbery of the billionaire lifestyle. Awash in new-found lust and overwhelmed by a world of luxury, Evie struggles to decipher between what is a ruse and what is real. Can Alex exchange his love for the chase for real love? Can Evie’s spunk and personality win over Alex’s family? Can their raw passion transform their fauxmance into a meaningful relationship? Publisher: Wattpad Books Publication Date: January 24, 2023 Purchase Also available for purchase from Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Books-A-Million, Kobo, Apple, your favorite US indie bookseller, or your favorite Canadian indie bookseller.  My thoughts: I didn't realise that this is the second book in the Pretenders series (the first one dealt with Alex's sister Savannah's love story). You can read Crash as a standalone, but if you want to read Drive, do it first, as there will be multiple spoilers in the second book. If you love the fake dating trope, you know it's all about the motivation, the tension, the suspense -will they get discovered? if they do, what will happen next? will they admit their feelings are anything but fake? Evie Cooper has a very good reason to consider her charming boss's proposal. For the last two years Evie has been raising her teenage sister Sabrina after a tragic death of their parents in a car accident. If only marketing internships paid more. When due to a mix-up with a temporary assistant, Evie's existence is brought to his attention, Alex can't help thinking Evie might be the solution to his immediate problem of proving to his grandmother he has changed his lothario ways and is ready to settle down with a nice, steady girl... It helps that Grandma Eleanor already likes Evie and suspects Alex and Evie are an item. Eleanor is about to choose her successor and the CEO of the company. The only two contenders are Alex and his slimy cousin Beau who has already caused Alex a lot of heartbreak. On the other hand, Evie is desperate for a bit of break, but bills keep piling up and Sabrina is still too young to help her out. Plus, kind-hearted Evie is definitely on team Alex as far as his rivalry with Beau is concerned. But will their ruse succeed once they are surrounded by Alex's family? and will they manage to separate their fake courtship from very real feelings that are beginning to emerge and grow? I have to admit life has dealt Evie a tough hand...Still, the money exchange fake dating is probably one of my least favourite scenarios in this trope. Also, while I could totally understand how a twenty two year old can feel crushed by poverty, I still think Alex could have helped Evie without any stipulations or conditions. He did behave in a very entitled way, coming from the world of privilege. Dual POV narration worked really well in this book, adding to our understanding of the protagonists and how their feelings (which were quite complex and ambiguous even at the beginning of their 'business project') change and develop. The story is entertaining and very easy to get into which is partly due to the writing style full of interesting, memorable detail. I would definitely like to read more books by Tamara Lush. Recomended to anyone who likes the fake dating trope, poverty Vs privilege, family drama and opposites attract-and, of course, anyone who loves a good HEA at the end of their romance book. Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the review copy provided in exchang efor an honest opinion.  Comments are closed.
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