Blog Tour ~ Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Playing Pretend
by Juliana Haygert
Publication Date: March 3rd 2014
228 pages

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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?

Playing Pretend is a quick and quite enjoyable read. The title is catchy and I got interested in this book pretty quickly. I always loved books and movies that deal with this subject, pretending.

Charlotte decides to have an amazing Spring Break and forget about her demanding and controlling mother. When she meets Mason, she sets clear rules. It is only for duration of Spring Break and no personal information, not even the last name. But what she doesn't expect is to start caring for someone is such a little time frame, and what she expects even less is to see Mason in Washington, going to the college near her.

Having parents who are important, well known and famous people, exposed to the media, is never easy. They always have some expectations, some rules, some demands that you have to follow. Being raised to follow those things, it is not always easy to stand up for yourself. It is always a struggle. Charlotte's mother is a Governor with high expectations and strict rules. As long as Charlotte does everything her mother wishes, everything is fine, but Charlotte doesn't feel that way. She pretends every day to be someone she isn't, but that changes when she meets Mason. He likes her for who she is and not because of her money or her mothers status. He makes her question herself and what she really wants. He encourages her to stand up for herself.

The both characters in this book are very dear to me. Charlotte because she is strong and you can see how she learns to stick up for herself, and Mason, just because he is such a sweetheart. The romance was sweet and didn't feel rushed in any moment. I enjoyed the natural flow of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed Playing Pretend. If you are a fan of New Adult romance novels, I recommend you to give this one a try.

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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