Scan barcode
aribe2002's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
thebookishnarwhal's review against another edition
This is a captivating addition to the young adult genre, leaving us questioning whether we'd choose fame or the quiet beauty of our roots. I know what my answer is… what’s yours? This is the perfect fish-out-of-water tale that celebrates young love.
In Fake Famous by Dana L. Davis, readers are introduced to the story of an 18-year-old Black farm girl thrust into the spotlight after being mistaken for a global pop star. Set on an Iowa farm, this breezy novel explores the pitfalls of fame and the choices we make when opportunity knocks.
Meet Red Morgan. She has signature red curls, a remarkable singing voice, and is the backbone of her family. The eldest daughter of Iowa farmers, she accepts her role without question. Then a TikTok video of her singing goes viral, and social media users believe she's none other than a Brooklyn-born pop sensation.
Meet Zay-Zay. She has a tempting business proposition. Red can serve as her paid stand-in for a week, attending all contractual obligations, experience the glamour of Hollywood, and the money will help pay off her family's debts. Dates with Zay-Zay’s famous Hawaiian boyfriend are just a bonus.
What seemed like a straightforward arrangement soon becomes a tangled web of secrets, unexpected emotions, and self-discovery. Davis skillfully portrays inner struggle as Red grapples with fame, family loyalty, and her own identity.
This story is a delightful blend of heartwarming moments, witty dialogue, and genuine characters. Whether you're a fan of contemporary romance or simply enjoy stories about unexpected fame, this novel delivers. Davis crafted a relatable narrative that resonated with this reader.
This story reminded me that sometimes the most extraordinary adventures begin when we step out of our comfort zones. Like what I did when I moved in with my dad, in the middle of an unknown world, and then met my husband. With an engaging prose and relatable characters, Davis invites readers to explore fame, love, and the choices that shape our lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In Fake Famous by Dana L. Davis, readers are introduced to the story of an 18-year-old Black farm girl thrust into the spotlight after being mistaken for a global pop star. Set on an Iowa farm, this breezy novel explores the pitfalls of fame and the choices we make when opportunity knocks.
Meet Red Morgan. She has signature red curls, a remarkable singing voice, and is the backbone of her family. The eldest daughter of Iowa farmers, she accepts her role without question. Then a TikTok video of her singing goes viral, and social media users believe she's none other than a Brooklyn-born pop sensation.
Meet Zay-Zay. She has a tempting business proposition. Red can serve as her paid stand-in for a week, attending all contractual obligations, experience the glamour of Hollywood, and the money will help pay off her family's debts. Dates with Zay-Zay’s famous Hawaiian boyfriend are just a bonus.
What seemed like a straightforward arrangement soon becomes a tangled web of secrets, unexpected emotions, and self-discovery. Davis skillfully portrays inner struggle as Red grapples with fame, family loyalty, and her own identity.
This story is a delightful blend of heartwarming moments, witty dialogue, and genuine characters. Whether you're a fan of contemporary romance or simply enjoy stories about unexpected fame, this novel delivers. Davis crafted a relatable narrative that resonated with this reader.
This story reminded me that sometimes the most extraordinary adventures begin when we step out of our comfort zones. Like what I did when I moved in with my dad, in the middle of an unknown world, and then met my husband. With an engaging prose and relatable characters, Davis invites readers to explore fame, love, and the choices that shape our lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
stone_cold_kat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lxmns's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trynitierenee's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4.5 stars. It took this one a second to get going but once it started it got good. I loved the way the story began to build and the more the plot uncovered the more invested I became. I loved the cast of this book. The minor characters and friends were so perfect to round out this story. This was a brilliant story with unique circumstances yet relatable lessons.
thesiberianamerican's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
This book was so sweet and refreshing. I thought Red was a great character and could definitely relate to her oldest daughter syndrome. The plot was fun overall, though some parts of the ending felt over the top, even for a book like this. The romance was written very well and was surprisingly believable and cute. Overall, this was a fun read.
This book was so sweet and refreshing. I thought Red was a great character and could definitely relate to her oldest daughter syndrome. The plot was fun overall, though some parts of the ending felt over the top, even for a book like this. The romance was written very well and was surprisingly believable and cute. Overall, this was a fun read.
mishale1's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Red and Zay Zay do not have similar lives. For all intents and purposes their paths were never likely to cross.
Zay Zay is a very famous singer. Red also is a talented singer but not professionally. She actually works on her family’s farm.
One day Red’s sister makes a silly video of her and posts it online and that leads Zay Zay to her.
Zay Zay asks Red, begs Red, to pretend to be her. She offers a lot of monetary incentive. Red could really use that money to help the family farm.
She agrees to the plan and the NDA she must sign but it gets harder and harder to keep the secret and she’s afraid of getting found out.
I thought this was a cute story but Red had a few quirks that got a bit irritating since they were repeated a few times. Several times Red said things outloud that she thought she was just thinking. I don’t really understand how she kept doing this.
Maybe that little caveat of mine was already fixed in the finished copy, or maybe this is something that would only stand out to me.
It’s a cute story either way. I also loved the potential love interest Koi and also the hair dresser Randy.
I got to read an early ebook edition on NetGalley. Thank you!
Zay Zay is a very famous singer. Red also is a talented singer but not professionally. She actually works on her family’s farm.
One day Red’s sister makes a silly video of her and posts it online and that leads Zay Zay to her.
Zay Zay asks Red, begs Red, to pretend to be her. She offers a lot of monetary incentive. Red could really use that money to help the family farm.
She agrees to the plan and the NDA she must sign but it gets harder and harder to keep the secret and she’s afraid of getting found out.
I thought this was a cute story but Red had a few quirks that got a bit irritating since they were repeated a few times. Several times Red said things outloud that she thought she was just thinking. I don’t really understand how she kept doing this.
Maybe that little caveat of mine was already fixed in the finished copy, or maybe this is something that would only stand out to me.
It’s a cute story either way. I also loved the potential love interest Koi and also the hair dresser Randy.
I got to read an early ebook edition on NetGalley. Thank you!
lynnedf's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and Skyscape for the ARC in return for an honest review.
This was a sweet read.
Red Morgan: 18 year old daughter of farmers who can sing but can't "sang" (belt out the words) ... she bears an uncanny resemblance to someone who can...
Zay Zay Waters: 19 year old pop sensation who can "sang", but wants a break from reality for a week.
And so begins our story - Zay Zay hires Red to replace her for a week. The goal is to stand-in and make people believe that it is Zay Zay standing on the red carpet. All told from Red's perspective, we are thrown into a week of fake-dating, pretend, and a bit of reflection about what Red wants out of life.
I agree with another reviewer who wrote that this book started off a little "over the top" - Red, her siblings - even meeting Zay Zay was a little "much" (so over the top that I worried I wouldn't be able to get past it) -but about 25% into the story things settled and we got a more mature Red.
I think the target audience is a little younger than I am - lots of talking to the universe to see what your place is in this world/ what you want to get out, and get back from life. But overall, a solid message, told in a sweet way.
The fake-romance was adorable, and overall I enjoyed myself. I'm giving this 3.5 stars - a solid, entertaining read (quick, light and fun).
This was a sweet read.
Red Morgan: 18 year old daughter of farmers who can sing but can't "sang" (belt out the words) ... she bears an uncanny resemblance to someone who can...
Zay Zay Waters: 19 year old pop sensation who can "sang", but wants a break from reality for a week.
And so begins our story - Zay Zay hires Red to replace her for a week. The goal is to stand-in and make people believe that it is Zay Zay standing on the red carpet. All told from Red's perspective, we are thrown into a week of fake-dating, pretend, and a bit of reflection about what Red wants out of life.
I agree with another reviewer who wrote that this book started off a little "over the top" - Red, her siblings - even meeting Zay Zay was a little "much" (so over the top that I worried I wouldn't be able to get past it) -but about 25% into the story things settled and we got a more mature Red.
I think the target audience is a little younger than I am - lots of talking to the universe to see what your place is in this world/ what you want to get out, and get back from life. But overall, a solid message, told in a sweet way.
The fake-romance was adorable, and overall I enjoyed myself. I'm giving this 3.5 stars - a solid, entertaining read (quick, light and fun).
esmekizer's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0