Is This Real or Pretend

Book Review
Is This Real or Pretend

February 2, 2026

Emily Sullivan
September 17, 2025

READ VIA: Thank you, Forever, for the e-arc and Hachette Audio for the advanced audio. I mostly read this immersively. ABOUT: Alexandra Atkinson has never had time for men. She is running her father‘s business and cannot be bothered with the minute details of polite society. However, when LucienTaylor returns to town, she decides to seize an opportunity to have the relationship that society repeatedly tells her she lacks. Lucien, who recently left Paris after a failed business experience, is immediately taken by Alex, with whom he had never shared such a childhood but had never taken a true interest in. MY THOUGHTS: This was just a fun, spicy historical romance. I really enjoyed Emily‘s previous book, and this book about the second Atkinson sister was in the same vein with humor, a little bit of intrigue, and a slowish burn that resulted in some fun spice. While overall lighthearted, I appreciated that the characters felt mature and that through the dull point of view, I was able to see both of their intentions. There is something to be said for just having a good time reading a book, and that’s exactly what this was. AUDIO: I really enjoyed Victoria Aston’s performance here. It was a single narration of a dual point of view, and I felt the narrator did an excellent job of helping the listener distinguish between Lucien and Alex’s points of view. There’s something about a British narrator for a history that I adore, and this felt the bill perfectly. SIMILAR BOOKS: I think if you’re a fan of Julia Quinn (and children who are not quite following the status quo) or Emily’s other books, you’ll particularly enjoy this book, with the references to society, a little bit of scandal, and a woman who lives slightly away from expectations. SHOULD YOU READ Definitely recommend this to readers who can appreciate historical romance, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. While this could be read as a standalone, I think you would appreciate it more if read in order.

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READ VIA:
Thank you, Forever, for the e-arc and Hachette Audio for the advanced audio. I mostly read this immersively.

ABOUT:

Alexandra Atkinson has never had time for men. She is running her father‘s business and cannot be bothered with the minute details of polite society.

However, when LucienTaylor returns to town, she decides to seize an opportunity to have the relationship that society repeatedly tells her she lacks.

Lucien, who recently left Paris after a failed business experience, is immediately taken by Alex, with whom he had never shared such a childhood but had never taken a true interest in.

MY THOUGHTS:

This was just a fun, spicy historical romance. I really enjoyed Emily‘s previous book, and this book about the second Atkinson sister was in the same vein with humor, a little bit of intrigue, and a slowish burn that resulted in some fun spice.

While overall lighthearted, I appreciated that the characters felt mature and that through the dull point of view, I was able to see both of their intentions.

There is something to be said for just having a good time reading a book, and that’s exactly what this was.

AUDIO:

I really enjoyed Victoria Aston’s performance here. It was a single narration of a dual point of view, and I felt the narrator did an excellent job of helping the listener distinguish between Lucien and Alex’s points of view. There’s something about a British narrator for a history that I adore, and this felt the bill perfectly.

SIMILAR BOOKS:

I think if you’re a fan of Julia Quinn (and children who are not quite following the status quo) or Emily’s other books, you’ll particularly enjoy this book, with the references to society, a little bit of scandal, and a woman who lives slightly away from expectations.

SHOULD YOU READ
Definitely recommend this to readers who can appreciate historical romance, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. While this could be read as a standalone, I think you would appreciate it more if read in order.

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