Mar 11, 2014

{Book Tour: Review + Giveaway} of Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert


Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Playing Pretend book tour for Juliana Haygert. Hosted by YA Bound Book Tours!

Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: New Adult Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Politics
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:
As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.

Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.

When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn't love the man who made her proud of her true self?

**A light, sexy NA Contemporary Romance**

REVIEW:

Such a cute, sweet and sexy read that was quick but overall great story with some political scandals in the mix. This one reminded me of a mix between the movie First Daughter and Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols, which made it a bundle of fun to read.

Playing Pretend follows Charlotte McClain who just had the best spring break ever; for once in her life she could be herself without the worry of her mothers controlling notions. Charlotte met Mason, he is irresistible in every way and cares for Charlotte only for her and not her money or the life she’s keeping secret from him. Even when Charlotte goes back home and her mother sets her up with another politician’s son, she can’t get Mason off her mind. To her surprise Mason is actually attending the university near her and won’t let Charlotte go without a fight. He cares for the true her, but will she let out her true self?

Charlotte is a girl who has to goes through the day pretending to be happy, perfect and the best daughter only a perfect governor would have. Like most people, I can never imagine what a life in the limelight could be like, but the readers will get a good idea how miserable it could be. I felt so bad for this girl, going day-by-day having her mother control her life and pretend that everything is perfect. Even though I know Charlotte didn’t want to hurt her mothers imagine, I would of told her off a long time ago. She treats her daughter terrible and I don’t blame her for wanting to rebel. It was interesting to see the real Charlotte and how she slowly started to see what it would be like if she spoke up for herself and just did something for her instead.

Mason is such a sweetheart, as well as a passionate and determined guy who cares for the woman he met. Even though they fell for each other over a few days it was a sweet and romantic romance. There was so much chemistry and seriously some smoking hot scenes. Mason has to deal with a lot of ups and downs in Charlotte’s life, but he handles it so well. Mason is also a guy who doesn’t care for money; he has a wonderful career dream in mind and wants Charlotte to see him as someone who just cares for her.

Overall I enjoyed this quick read of romance and politics, there was such a sweet and natural chemistry between Charlotte and Mason, it never felt forced. I also liked the fun secondary characters of David and Liana, who are both friends to Charlotte and Mason and helped guide them into the right direction. In the end I look forward for work from Haygert and maybe a continuation of Charlotte and Masons romance?

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a new adult novel that contains some light sexual content for 18+. Fans of the Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire will enjoy Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert.


View all my reviews

About the Author:
New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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