BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Playing Pretend

by Juliana Haygert

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Word Count: 65,000
Release date: March 2014
Cover: Berto Designs

Summary from Goodreads:
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**

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My Thoughts:

I had been raised to be a perfect lady. At least on the outside. No one in the world knew what was going on inside.

The last book I read by Juliana Haygert was Breaking the Reins, and it was such an intense read, that I was looking forward to reading something from her that was less gut wrenching and emotional. I wanted to be swept up in romance and fall in love with her characters. I wanted something a little bit hot. And Playing Pretend didn't disappoint on any of those fronts.

This book has the most perfect title. Playing Pretend captures exactly what this book is about. Charlotte McClain is living two lives. The one that is constructed and controlled for the public eye, and the one that is closest to that of her true self. Despite the life she lives on a day to day basis, she is a girl with her own opinions, her own desires, and her own life goals. She has a wonderful group of friends, a love of roller skating and a passion for art. And she's just spent a week with a guy who likes her for her. Not for who she is or how much money she has. But the expectations that are placed on her are not so easy to walk away from. 

I really felt for Charlotte. Her relationship with her Mum left me feeling so sad. One of the greatest gifts in my life is my relationship with my Mum. It is filled with such unconditional love. And I wanted that for Charlotte. But her Mum is so focused on her career and what she needs to achieve it. She has a set of standards that Charlotte must adhere to at all costs. From what she wears, who her friends are, who she will date, even the type of man she should marry. How long will Charlotte be able to keep her other life a secret? And how will her mother react when her secrets come out?

He smiled and I was sure I never had seen a more handsome man. Not only because of beauty, but also because of all that he was. All that he wanted to be.

Mason Rowell. Beautiful, sweet Mason. I'm so glad that he didn't give up on Charlotte. They didn't instantly fall in love. They have amazing chemistry but neither of them is actually looking for love. They have a fling and then go their separate ways. But fate has a way of stepping in and bringing two people together. 

Charlotte's Mum was a real contradiction. While for the most part she was controlling, she would then have a moment of being so caring. But in the end, I was so happy that things turned out the way that they did with her. 

Playing Pretend was a really quick read but I never once felt like anything was rushed. Everything went at a steady pace. I really liked that the story starts where it does. The opening scenes were perfect. There were moments of angst and plenty of obstacles placed in the path of Charlotte and Mason, and I felt that the way they dealt with it all seemed very real and honest. My only wish was that Charlotte had stood up for herself a bit more where her mum was concerned. 

Playing Pretend is a great New Adult read. If you're looking for an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, I would definitely suggest you pick this one up.

3.75/5 Sweet Romance Stars

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.

Author Links:

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