This Time It's Real

My Thoughts:

I read a lot of YA romance, and this one fits the genre. Liang knows all the tricks to bring in YA then romance readers who are looking for this type of story. My rating is just because it was not anything unique. If your young reader is looking for this kind of fake it until you make it romance with the popular cute guy and the socially awkward girl, let them read this. Eventually Eliza does the right thing, but phew, it took a while. 

From the Publishers:

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin's essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine...and a massive secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She's never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?

Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She'll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend -- he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.

But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza's carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

Publication Information:

Author: Ann Liang

Publisher: Scholastic Press (February 7, 2023)

Print length: 299 pages