Seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin finds herself in a precarious position when an essay she wrote about a fictional romantic partner goes viral, leading her classmates and a massive online audience to believe she is in a committed relationship. To maintain her academic reputation and secure a prestigious internship, she strikes a deal with Caz Song, a famous actor at her school. They agree to navigate a public, fake relationship: Eliza helps Caz with his schoolwork, and Caz provides the social proof Eliza needs to validate her viral story. As they stage photographs and attend school events together, the boundary between their scripted interactions and their actual feelings begins to blur.
This story is for readers of young adult contemporary romance who enjoy the fake-dating trope and stories set within international school environments. It serves those interested in the pressures of internet fame and the difficulty of maintaining a private identity in a digital world. Readers walk away with a depiction of how vulnerable honesty can be when a person is used to hiding behind a curated persona, along with a resolution that prioritizes genuine connection over social media approval.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2023
- Language
- EN
