Faker

August 1, 2019
An enemies-to-lovers office romance between two introverts who misjudge each other, and themselves. Emmie Echavarre is always in "boss-bitch mode" at Nuts & Bolts, the male-dominated power tool company where she works as a copywriter. One of the few women or people of color at the company, Emmie is confident and assertive because she has to be. Growing up being bullied for her Filipina ethnicity, she can handle the mansplaining from managers and innuendos from workers on the factory floor, but what she cannot handle is the hostility directed her way every day by co-worker Tate Rasmussen, the social media manager in the office across the hall. From day one, Tate, a blond Chris Hemsworth look-alike with the biceps to match, has disliked Emmie. But when they are forced to work together on a long-term project, they begin to get to know one another, and an unexpected romance begins. Smith, a debut author, writes only from Emmie's first-person point of view and has some trouble nailing Tate's character. His initial attitude toward Emmie is described as "rude, dismissive," "cold, calculating, and hostile," and "passive aggressive," more hate-hate than love-hate. The explanation eventually offered is unconvincing. Tate is an extreme introvert, a loner who is often anxious and awkward in social situations, and he can be rigid and controlling. But Emmie is fascinated by him, as his caring and funny sides are revealed through quiet moments of conversation and kissing, and readers may become so as well. Readers who enjoyed Sally Thorne's The Hating Game will enjoy this one as well. A sweet, slow-burn romance between rival co-workers at a power tool company makes for a promising debut.

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August 5, 2019
Smith’s debut aims for romantic comedy, but misses the mark. Emmie Echavarre is an expert at faking confidence. She’s one of five women working at a power tool company, and one of the few nonwhite employees. Her white male co-workers mansplain at her and harass her, and she has to project toughness to survive. Cruelest of them all is the social media manager, Tate Rasmussen, who never seems to have a kind word for her. After they begin working together on a project to build interest in their company’s charitable ventures, Emmie has a health scare, and Tate’s response threatens to disrupt everything Emmie believes about her tall, blond, and grouchy co-worker. This enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance hinges on a ton of miscommunication that may frustrate readers. The steamy scenes scattered across its second half aren’t enough to convey why Tate suddenly becomes appealing enough for Emmie to risk a workplace romance when she’s already being hassled by co-workers. In addition, the subplot about Emmie’s anxieties over being Filipina doesn’t gel with the rest of the story. Emmie is appealing on her own, but readers will have a hard time believing in her union with Tate. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary.

October 1, 2019

DEBUT Faking it comes easy to Emmie Echavarre. Working at Nuts & Bolts, a power tool company predominantly staffed by men, she must be tough as nails. Luckily, there is much opportunity to hone her skills with the very annoying and extremely hot guy who works across the hall. Tate Rasmussen has never had a kind word to say to Emmie, so when they're forced to work on a special project together there is a good chance there will be more sparks will fly than from an angle grinder. Smith takes the classic enemies-to-lovers trope and builds a sexy interracial romance with a couple who are refreshingly good at communicating, which may make the conflict resolution seem to come too easily for some readers. While the characters do not hesitate to tackle the subject of sexual harassment, there is a definite imbalance in how it was treated depending on whether the behavior was exhibited by a male or female coworker. Smith's approachable style makes for a sweet and fun read in spite of these bumps. VERDICT Fans of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game will find that this delightful debut from #ownvoices author Smith has great potential, as long as they can overlook a few missteps.--Jennifer Hendzlik, Anythink Libs., CO

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2019
Emmie Echavarre fakes everything from orgasms to her tough demeanor at Nuts & Bolts, a male-dominated power tool company where she is a copywriter. Tate Rasmussen, the company's social media coordinator, is Emmie's nemesis, and that's for real. With their offices mere feet apart, they are forced to stare at each other every day, and are well acquainted with each other's (annoying) habits. When the company takes on a charity home building project, Tate decides that the two should work together, combining the social media and marketing aspect of the project. Unbeknownst to Emmie, Tate has an ulterior motive that is hotter than the sun that beats down on them during construction. Smith brings the heat in more ways than one in this enemies to friends to lovers story with a splash of humor. Readers will love Emmie and her various personalities. With graphic, steamy scenes and a painkiller-induced truth serum, Emmie gradually drops her hard exterior to show a softer side. Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)