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Cocky Hero Club
Great Pretender
He needs a wife so he can get his inheritance.
I’m up to my eyeballs in debt with a sick father who needs treatment.
When he offers me a million dollars to be his fake wife, am I supposed to say no ?
Chad Holdsworth is one of the wealthiest football stars in the country.
We’ve been best friends since birth.
So his shenanigans are nothing new to me.
The idea of getting married should have been easy.
Until he kissed me.
We then forgot we were supposed to be pretending.
And broke all the rules.
I know better than to fall for a playboy.
Even if he is my friend.
But I’m so lost in him I can’t see my way back.
With that panty-melting smile and his bedroom baby blues, he could get a nun in trouble.
What chance do I have of resisting?
If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Loving this man might be a mistake I’m not prepared for.
I’m up to my eyeballs in debt with a sick father who needs treatment.
When he offers me a million dollars to be his fake wife, am I supposed to say no ?
Chad Holdsworth is one of the wealthiest football stars in the country.
We’ve been best friends since birth.
So his shenanigans are nothing new to me.
The idea of getting married should have been easy.
Until he kissed me.
We then forgot we were supposed to be pretending.
And broke all the rules.
I know better than to fall for a playboy.
Even if he is my friend.
But I’m so lost in him I can’t see my way back.
With that panty-melting smile and his bedroom baby blues, he could get a nun in trouble.
What chance do I have of resisting?
If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Loving this man might be a mistake I’m not prepared for.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2021
15 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Khardine Gray
133 books817 followersKhardine Gray is a USA Today Bestselling author who also writes under the pen name Faith Summers.
Khardine lives in England with her husband and two adventurous kids.
She writes contemporary romance, dark romantic suspense, and dark new adult romance.
Her books have sassy heroines and sexy, drool-worthy book boyfriends who will make you melt.
She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.
When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her in a ballet class or ice skating.
Khardine lives in England with her husband and two adventurous kids.
She writes contemporary romance, dark romantic suspense, and dark new adult romance.
Her books have sassy heroines and sexy, drool-worthy book boyfriends who will make you melt.
She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.
When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her in a ballet class or ice skating.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 11, 2021
NEW to me author, and as always my FULL REVIEW & More on my BLOG -> CLICK HERE
September 11, 2021
Chad and Piper have amazing chemistry and this has some of my favorites tropes with a friends to lovers and fake relationship romance mixed together. The story flows well and I fell in love with them both while they navigated their new dynamics.
September 12, 2021
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU / AUDIO
Piper and Chad have been best friends their whole lives, so when he needs a fake girlfriend to appease his father and the board, she's the one. She just has to remember to keep her heart out of this fakeness, because Chad's been a player (not just an ex football one either) for a long time, and that means he could devastate her if she doesn't keep this as platonically friendly as possible. So what will she do as time winds by and the fake starts feeling very real?
Friends to lovers can be hard to write, hard to read too, if not done well. It runs the risk of the two being so familiar with each other that there's no chemistry and the feelings not being believable. Fortunately, Great Pretender doesn't fall into this trap because Piper and Chad have chemistry in spades. Their relationship was very believable, and I love finding out the unrequited was perhaps not so unrequited. Their chemistry was sizzling, and the way Chad came to his revelation made everything even better. All in all, this is a great part of the Cocky Hero Club.
ARC via Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
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September 13, 2021
5 Star Review Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray
One of my favourite things about the Cocky Hero Club is that I get to find new authors, such as Khardine Gray and although not a long read, this friends to lovers story was a great read.
Chad Holdsworth is in need of a wife to secure his inheritance and he turns to his friend Piper with an offer she cannot refuse. It seems simple, marry him in name only and it will be a win/win for both of them, he gets his inheritance and she gets enough money to take care of her sick father. However what happens when fake soon becomes complicated and feelings become involved?
These two are meant to be together and the journey they embark on was heartwarming. I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were likeable and easy to relate to. The banter between them was witty and their chemistry intense.
Merged review:
5 Star Review Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray
One of my favourite things about the Cocky Hero Club is that I get to find new authors, such as Khardine Gray and although not a long read, this friends to lovers story was a great read.
Chad Holdsworth is in need of a wife to secure his inheritance and he turns to his friend Piper with an offer she cannot refuse. It seems simple, marry him in name only and it will be a win/win for both of them, he gets his inheritance and she gets enough money to take care of her sick father. However what happens when fake soon becomes complicated and feelings become involved?
These two are meant to be together and the journey they embark on was heartwarming. I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were likeable and easy to relate to. The banter between them was witty and their chemistry intense.
One of my favourite things about the Cocky Hero Club is that I get to find new authors, such as Khardine Gray and although not a long read, this friends to lovers story was a great read.
Chad Holdsworth is in need of a wife to secure his inheritance and he turns to his friend Piper with an offer she cannot refuse. It seems simple, marry him in name only and it will be a win/win for both of them, he gets his inheritance and she gets enough money to take care of her sick father. However what happens when fake soon becomes complicated and feelings become involved?
These two are meant to be together and the journey they embark on was heartwarming. I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were likeable and easy to relate to. The banter between them was witty and their chemistry intense.
Merged review:
5 Star Review Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray
One of my favourite things about the Cocky Hero Club is that I get to find new authors, such as Khardine Gray and although not a long read, this friends to lovers story was a great read.
Chad Holdsworth is in need of a wife to secure his inheritance and he turns to his friend Piper with an offer she cannot refuse. It seems simple, marry him in name only and it will be a win/win for both of them, he gets his inheritance and she gets enough money to take care of her sick father. However what happens when fake soon becomes complicated and feelings become involved?
These two are meant to be together and the journey they embark on was heartwarming. I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were likeable and easy to relate to. The banter between them was witty and their chemistry intense.
September 12, 2021
Chad Holdsworth is a football star who is making the not so great headlines these days, and his father has decreed that he's to settle down & find a wife if he wants to take over the football team his father owns. Piper is his best friend whose life has hit the skids with her boyfriend because she lived with him so now she has nowhere to live, and her father needs serious medical care that takes money so when Chad comes to her with the fake relationship proposition, she can't refuse since it's for a hefty amount of money. These two have been best friends for a long time, and while both have felt more for the other at times & even shared a kiss, they never really crossed that line fully, however, with her moving in with him, they find that there's a lot of chemistry going on, and it won't be denied for long. Friends to lovers is a trope that can go two ways for me, either too much push & pull that I get too frustrated, or amazing like Great Pretender that I couldn't put it down for anything. I'm telling you, don't pass on this fantastic story because you'll really be missing out! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
September 4, 2021
Chad and Piper were meant for each other and what starts out as "fake" slowly turns into something real. I love that they've been friends for a long time so the togetherness is there. Watching them discover they have more than just those friend feelings for each other had me hooked for this whole story. It was so good to watch that develop! Another awesome story in this world so be sure to pick this one up!
September 13, 2021
This is the first time I have read this author and I totally fell in love with this story she has written. Chad and Piper are best friends and have been since they were kids. They have had their ups and downs but remained great friends. Their secret desire for each other is about to come to the surface. Chad has messed up one too many times and now he has a choice to make get married and be responsible or lose his legacy. He doesn't think Piper will go for it, but when he finds out she's been hiding things from him. He will do what he can to help her out. Now, these two have to pull it off will they be able to? Sometimes being friends lives up to the love and passion two people can have. I truly loved this story.
October 3, 2021
Sweet story
Piper is doing all she can to stay afloat. She’s doing her residency, paying her father’s debts and recovering from a cheating boyfriend. So when her best friends offers her a million dollars to be his fake fiancé she agrees. But her heart wasn’t suppose to be part of the deal.
Piper is doing all she can to stay afloat. She’s doing her residency, paying her father’s debts and recovering from a cheating boyfriend. So when her best friends offers her a million dollars to be his fake fiancé she agrees. But her heart wasn’t suppose to be part of the deal.
September 13, 2021
Best friend; fake relationship
I enjoyed this quick read with Piper and Chad that is a fairly typical fake relationship story between best friends.
I did have a little trouble buying in to the real relationship. I just didn’t get the feels for it.
I enjoyed this quick read with Piper and Chad that is a fairly typical fake relationship story between best friends.
I did have a little trouble buying in to the real relationship. I just didn’t get the feels for it.
September 17, 2021
Chad & Piper...
This was a great second chance love story between two amazing characters. I loved how well their relationship developed and just how well they connect with one another. Loved this one!
This was a great second chance love story between two amazing characters. I loved how well their relationship developed and just how well they connect with one another. Loved this one!
December 3, 2021
Loved this
Best friends to fake romance to lovers and I loved it. Lifelong friends from a break up to a fake romance. Not as much drama as usual in one of these and I loved their chemistry. A great read!
Best friends to fake romance to lovers and I loved it. Lifelong friends from a break up to a fake romance. Not as much drama as usual in one of these and I loved their chemistry. A great read!
January 25, 2024
Cute and interesting. I liked the characters but didn’t feel super immersed in the story; it felt more like watching a movie than reading a book tbh. Hard to describe; like I wasn’t actually feeling their emotions, but watching it. But still a good read!
April 24, 2023
This was an OK listen for me. I felt it got a little cheesy at times. For 2 people who were supposed best friends, they really didn't know each other at all.
February 26, 2024
don’t bother
Badly written and very poorly edited. Even in this non-serious genre correct grammar is essential. Confusing YOUR and YOU’RE is unforgivable.
Badly written and very poorly edited. Even in this non-serious genre correct grammar is essential. Confusing YOUR and YOU’RE is unforgivable.
September 10, 2021
3.75 stars--GREAT PRETENDER by Khardine Gray is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line in the multi-authored Cocky Hero Club series inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. This is thirty year old, former professional football quarterback Chad Holdsworth, and twenty-eight year old physician Piper St. Claire’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Piper and Chad) GREAT PRETENDER follows in the aftermath of a social media nightmare wherein former professional football quarterback, and soon to be team owner, Chad Holdsworth finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Laying down the law, Chad’s father and current team owner, gives his son an ultimatum, stop the manwh*ring ways, settle down and find a wife. Enter Chad’s best friend, and recently single Dr. Piper St.Claire. Desperate to prove he is worthy of his father’s respect and ownership of the team, Chad makes Piper an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the fake relationship between Chad and Piper, and the fall-out when Chad’s past comes looking for a second chance.
Chad Holdsworth has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember but Piper had been in a relationship with another man, someone who doesn’t respect our story line heroine. When disaster strikes, Chad is desperate, and the only woman to save his life, is the woman with whom he has fallen in love. Piper St. Claire needs the money Chad has offered to ‘play his wife’ but Piper knows Chad’s reputation may be more than she can handle. Already making paparazzi headlines, Chad and Piper must play the loving couple, a fake relationship that begins to feel all too real.
The relationship between Chad and Piper is a friends to lovers, a fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Chad and Piper have only ever shared one previous kiss, but Chad is about to make up for lost time with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense. Saying that, the relationship does not get sexual until about the 80% mark.
We are introduced to Chad’s best friend and co-worker Murray, as well as Piper’s father, her co-worker Elodie; Piper’s former boyfriend Heath; Chad’s father Richard Holdsworth; his cousin Georgiou, and Chad’s ex Tiffany Carmichael.
GREAT PRETENDER is a predictable story of family, relationships, friendship and love. Chad had been a bit of a wild child, believed to be spoiled by his father’s standards but our hero has placed himself in the direct line of fire. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet and seductive; the characters are charismatic and impassioned
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual first person perspectives (Piper and Chad) GREAT PRETENDER follows in the aftermath of a social media nightmare wherein former professional football quarterback, and soon to be team owner, Chad Holdsworth finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Laying down the law, Chad’s father and current team owner, gives his son an ultimatum, stop the manwh*ring ways, settle down and find a wife. Enter Chad’s best friend, and recently single Dr. Piper St.Claire. Desperate to prove he is worthy of his father’s respect and ownership of the team, Chad makes Piper an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the fake relationship between Chad and Piper, and the fall-out when Chad’s past comes looking for a second chance.
Chad Holdsworth has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember but Piper had been in a relationship with another man, someone who doesn’t respect our story line heroine. When disaster strikes, Chad is desperate, and the only woman to save his life, is the woman with whom he has fallen in love. Piper St. Claire needs the money Chad has offered to ‘play his wife’ but Piper knows Chad’s reputation may be more than she can handle. Already making paparazzi headlines, Chad and Piper must play the loving couple, a fake relationship that begins to feel all too real.
The relationship between Chad and Piper is a friends to lovers, a fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Chad and Piper have only ever shared one previous kiss, but Chad is about to make up for lost time with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense. Saying that, the relationship does not get sexual until about the 80% mark.
We are introduced to Chad’s best friend and co-worker Murray, as well as Piper’s father, her co-worker Elodie; Piper’s former boyfriend Heath; Chad’s father Richard Holdsworth; his cousin Georgiou, and Chad’s ex Tiffany Carmichael.
GREAT PRETENDER is a predictable story of family, relationships, friendship and love. Chad had been a bit of a wild child, believed to be spoiled by his father’s standards but our hero has placed himself in the direct line of fire. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet and seductive; the characters are charismatic and impassioned
www.thereadingcafe.com
September 17, 2021
Pulmonology resident Dr. Piper St. Claire is having a rough month. After announcing that he's leaving her for his secretary, her ex-boyfriend is evicting her from the house they shared, which he owns and plans to sell. Low on funds after paying for her father's recent stint in rehab as well as covering his gambling debts, Piper has nowhere else to turn for help besides her lifelong best friend, Chad Holdsworth, a retired football player who now works for his father running a professional team. Chad, however, is busy dealing with problems of his own after being photographed drunkenly skinny dipping with an infamous model. His father is about to retire and has informed Chad that if he doesn't clean up his act and settle down with a suitable woman within the next 18 months, he will turn the team over to Chad's odious cousin, Georgiou, instead of Chad. Unfortunately, Chad's not ready to settle down, so his friend Murray convinces him that a fake marriage to Piper would solve all of his problems.
I wasn't totally sold on the chemistry between Piper and Chad in the first half of the book, but it improved over the course of the story. I think the main problem is that they were constantly in crisis mode dealing with Piper's dad and his health issues, as well as trying to figure out what to do about Chad's father's demands, which didn't leave them much time to focus on their relationship. Once most of those external issues had been resolved, their love story was actually pretty sweet. They had a number of insecurities and fears to work through, but it was easy for me to root for them to overcome those challenges.
Overall, I enjoyed "Great Pretender" and recommend it for all contemporary romance readers. This was the first book I've ever read by Khardine Gray, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
I wasn't totally sold on the chemistry between Piper and Chad in the first half of the book, but it improved over the course of the story. I think the main problem is that they were constantly in crisis mode dealing with Piper's dad and his health issues, as well as trying to figure out what to do about Chad's father's demands, which didn't leave them much time to focus on their relationship. Once most of those external issues had been resolved, their love story was actually pretty sweet. They had a number of insecurities and fears to work through, but it was easy for me to root for them to overcome those challenges.
Overall, I enjoyed "Great Pretender" and recommend it for all contemporary romance readers. This was the first book I've ever read by Khardine Gray, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 12, 2021
This is my first time reading this author. I enjoyed her writing style, how she tied the characters into the Cocky World and the characters, except for Pipers nasty ex and Tiffany.
This is a second chance at love with two besties who also pretend to be serious about each other. When Chad was 19 and Piper 16, they shared a kiss but they were not ready for each other so they never followed through. Now 10+ years later Piper has been dating a guy and living with him and Chad is terrified he has lost his chance. This causes him to make some awful mistakes that end up with his father giving him an ultimatum.
Meanwhile Piper is being kicked out of her house because two weeks before she found her boyfriend cheating. But since he owns the place he is evicting her. With nowhere to go, she goes to visit Chad and hopes for a bed for the night. And so starts their second chance at love and a plot to save Chad's inheritance.
The Cocky World connection is through Elodie and Hollis as Piper is working alongside Elodie as she works to be a doctor.
There is also a slight angle of Piper trying to help her dad who is depressed and drinking too much at the loss of his second wife. Piper is paying for his rehab and hoping to help him out. Its one reason she is so broke and has nowhere to go what her ex evicts her.
This was a very enjoy second chance at romance with a fake romance and two best friends falling for each other.
I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a second chance at love with two besties who also pretend to be serious about each other. When Chad was 19 and Piper 16, they shared a kiss but they were not ready for each other so they never followed through. Now 10+ years later Piper has been dating a guy and living with him and Chad is terrified he has lost his chance. This causes him to make some awful mistakes that end up with his father giving him an ultimatum.
Meanwhile Piper is being kicked out of her house because two weeks before she found her boyfriend cheating. But since he owns the place he is evicting her. With nowhere to go, she goes to visit Chad and hopes for a bed for the night. And so starts their second chance at love and a plot to save Chad's inheritance.
The Cocky World connection is through Elodie and Hollis as Piper is working alongside Elodie as she works to be a doctor.
There is also a slight angle of Piper trying to help her dad who is depressed and drinking too much at the loss of his second wife. Piper is paying for his rehab and hoping to help him out. Its one reason she is so broke and has nowhere to go what her ex evicts her.
This was a very enjoy second chance at romance with a fake romance and two best friends falling for each other.
I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2021
Chad & Piper have been best friends since childhood. Only once - in their teens - were they ever concerned that their relationship wasn't as it should be. But another 12 years passed before anything happens to make them second guess their feelings.
Chad's professional life hangs in the balance as a result of his private life being splashed across the tabloids. His dad delivers an ultimatum, and in desperation, Chad offers Piper a deal: a million dollars to be his fake wife. He reasons that although Piper isn't attracted to him like he is to her, he can trust her to not take advantage of him.
Piper is suddenly boyfriend-less as well as homeless. Broke, she accepts Chad's offer to move in with him. When her dad needs more help than she can give him on her own, she decides to take Chad up on his fake marriage offer. Her plan is simple: fake being attracted to Chad while keeping her own real feelings for him in check.
This story worked so well because Chad & Piper's love was right there beneath the veneer of close friendship. They had great chemistry, and genuinely cared about each other.
"...all this time, we were masquerading as friends."
I recommend this read. It's a quick, but good read. It is a great addition to the Cocky Hero Club series, and I totally recommend it.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
Chad's professional life hangs in the balance as a result of his private life being splashed across the tabloids. His dad delivers an ultimatum, and in desperation, Chad offers Piper a deal: a million dollars to be his fake wife. He reasons that although Piper isn't attracted to him like he is to her, he can trust her to not take advantage of him.
Piper is suddenly boyfriend-less as well as homeless. Broke, she accepts Chad's offer to move in with him. When her dad needs more help than she can give him on her own, she decides to take Chad up on his fake marriage offer. Her plan is simple: fake being attracted to Chad while keeping her own real feelings for him in check.
This story worked so well because Chad & Piper's love was right there beneath the veneer of close friendship. They had great chemistry, and genuinely cared about each other.
"...all this time, we were masquerading as friends."
I recommend this read. It's a quick, but good read. It is a great addition to the Cocky Hero Club series, and I totally recommend it.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
September 15, 2021
I liked the premise of Great Pretender: friends to lovers, fake relationship with a dash of sports, and millionaire romance. Chad is a former NFL player who has been friends with Piper since they were kids. They tell each other everything and are always there for each other.
When Piper's ex leaves her without a home, Chad offers her a place to stay. She is set on helping him to get his father's team by playing the role of fake girlfriend and agreeing to marry him for at least a year. And it's the perfect plan because who wouldn't believe their friendship evolved into love?
This book was full of elements and topics that could have enriched the story. Some could have been so moving, but they were brushed off and cast to the side to the point that I wondered what was the purpose of including them in the story. I ended the book with more questions than answers, mostly in relation to the context and the side characters.
While I kind of like Chad, I had a really hard time connecting with Piper. Ultimately, the storyline was predictable and it didn't work for me.
When Piper's ex leaves her without a home, Chad offers her a place to stay. She is set on helping him to get his father's team by playing the role of fake girlfriend and agreeing to marry him for at least a year. And it's the perfect plan because who wouldn't believe their friendship evolved into love?
This book was full of elements and topics that could have enriched the story. Some could have been so moving, but they were brushed off and cast to the side to the point that I wondered what was the purpose of including them in the story. I ended the book with more questions than answers, mostly in relation to the context and the side characters.
While I kind of like Chad, I had a really hard time connecting with Piper. Ultimately, the storyline was predictable and it didn't work for me.
September 5, 2021
This is probably my favorite friends to lover book I have read! It was just sooo good! Chad is a former professional football player who now works for his dad who owns his own team. Chads dream is to take over for his dad when he retires. Unfortunately Chad playboy ways and being very irresponsible with his personal life can ruin that for him. When his dad gives him a ultimatum he comes up with a fake relationship scam but who should he do this with? Piper has always been Chads best friend. When her long term relationship with a cheating boyfriend ends she moved in with her best friend Chad. Can she really fake a relationship with Chad? Would the money to help her father be worth a broken heart? This was a great quick that I truly enjoyed. The chemistry was off the charts hot and the relationship they shared was sweet. I really enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
September 12, 2021
Chad’s plan to transition from playing football to assuming his father’s ownership in a team has hit a roadblock due to his playboy reputation and the only way to fix it is by getting married. Piper is the perfect woman for the job as she his best friend and he has been able to deny that his feelings run much deeper for her than friends for years so this shouldn’t be any different.
The actions of Piper’s boyfriend not only ended their relationship but has left her without a place to stay as well. The arrangement that Chad offers is the solution to both of their problems however neither expected that their attempts to pretend to be a couple would feel so real.
Since they were teenagers, circumstances have ensured that the feelings for Chad and Piper remain dormant but now that there is nothing standing between them, they realize that the only place they belong is with each other.
The actions of Piper’s boyfriend not only ended their relationship but has left her without a place to stay as well. The arrangement that Chad offers is the solution to both of their problems however neither expected that their attempts to pretend to be a couple would feel so real.
Since they were teenagers, circumstances have ensured that the feelings for Chad and Piper remain dormant but now that there is nothing standing between them, they realize that the only place they belong is with each other.
January 5, 2022
fun read
Can friendship, best friends, who are always there for each other and know each other’s secrets risk one more? Chad is a retired football player whose father owns the team he now works for. It’s his legacy to one day own the team IF he can clean up his playboy image. Piper is in her final year of her medical residency, has been dumped by her crass cheating wealthy attorney boyfriend who tosses her out of the house they had shared. Her father has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and she has more debts than she knows how to pay. Chad comes up with a plan. They will pretend to marry which will clean up his image, get him his legacy and he will pay Piper one million dollars. Will friendship survive this plan? Will love intervene?
Khardine Gray has written a light-hearted rom-com with delightful characters you not only like but pull for to succeed. Have fun reading…
Can friendship, best friends, who are always there for each other and know each other’s secrets risk one more? Chad is a retired football player whose father owns the team he now works for. It’s his legacy to one day own the team IF he can clean up his playboy image. Piper is in her final year of her medical residency, has been dumped by her crass cheating wealthy attorney boyfriend who tosses her out of the house they had shared. Her father has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and she has more debts than she knows how to pay. Chad comes up with a plan. They will pretend to marry which will clean up his image, get him his legacy and he will pay Piper one million dollars. Will friendship survive this plan? Will love intervene?
Khardine Gray has written a light-hearted rom-com with delightful characters you not only like but pull for to succeed. Have fun reading…
August 23, 2021
Fabulously beautiful!! Oh my this book was so much and more! Khardine was a new author to me and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a wonderful friends to lovers book with Chad and Piper who are best friends since childhood. After a break up Piper turns to her best friend, Chad who is a playboy. He has one too many public mistakes and is given an ultimatum by his dad so he comes up with a plan that involves Piper but we all know plans sometimes don’t go the way you want it. I devoured this book and it left me with happy and with a smile and also wanting more of them as they were absolutely delightful! This book is part of The Cocky Hero Club but can be read as a standalone. I received this book as an arc for my honest opinion but you really need to read this this fabulous book. I wish I could give it more than five stars.
August 29, 2021
This was my first book from Khardine Gray, and I loved it!! Chad and Piper have been best friends since they were kids, and they have had feelings for each other for a long time...problem is neither one knows that the other is feeling the same. Things heat up between them when Chad is given an ultimatum by his father to gain his inheritance. Chad comes up with a hairbrained scheme to fulfill what his dad wants, and he asks Piper to help him. He trusts her, and since she just ended her relationship with the douche she was dating, she has some free time....and what he offers her could change everything for her. In the end Piper agrees to help Chad, and as time goes feelings come to the surface for both of them, so in the end how "fake" is this fake relationship? You'll just have to read to find out what ultimately happens!!
September 11, 2021
This is a great addition to this awesome series and is Chad and Piper’s story. These two have been best friends since birth, and Chad is a playboy who is an ex-football start who is soon to become a team owner, when his reputation is at stake due to a social media nightmare, and when Chad’s professional life is in jeopardy, he is given an ultimatum by his dad, and in desperation he turns to Piper for help. Piper has just broken up with her ex-boyfriend, and she has a sick dad who needs expensive treatment, so she agrees to become Chad’s fake wife which will financially benefit them both. This is a well written story which is and intense friends / lovers’ storyline, with family, friendships, passion, and love, which leads to a steamy and entertaining addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
August 29, 2021
Sweet, sincere and oh-so-swoony, Great Pretender is a lovely read.
Featuring some of my favorite tropes, Chad and Piper have been friends since childhood, both hiding their feelings so as not to risk their friendship. When Chad's recklessness lands him in hot water with his dad, and Piper finds herself between a rock and a hard place, a fake relationship is born, only - nothing about it feels fake at all.
I loved the effortlessness between Chad and Piper, their rapport, chemistry and evident affection for each other were so tangible, I devoured this book in one go and I have no regrets.
4.5 stars and a food fight
Featuring some of my favorite tropes, Chad and Piper have been friends since childhood, both hiding their feelings so as not to risk their friendship. When Chad's recklessness lands him in hot water with his dad, and Piper finds herself between a rock and a hard place, a fake relationship is born, only - nothing about it feels fake at all.
I loved the effortlessness between Chad and Piper, their rapport, chemistry and evident affection for each other were so tangible, I devoured this book in one go and I have no regrets.
4.5 stars and a food fight
September 12, 2021
Stars- ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
This is my first book by Khardine and I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely will read more of her work.
The story was a sweet, sincere and swoonworthy journey for me. It has the typical tropes however I liked how the story unfolded. It was such a joy reading this book. Piper and Chad were the sweetest couple. I loved their friendship and how their story unfolded.
I loved there journey into falling Inlove with each other.
The only downside for me was the POV writing sometimes. It had to do more with me getting use to the authors writing style. However I definitely would recommend this book!
This is my first book by Khardine and I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely will read more of her work.
The story was a sweet, sincere and swoonworthy journey for me. It has the typical tropes however I liked how the story unfolded. It was such a joy reading this book. Piper and Chad were the sweetest couple. I loved their friendship and how their story unfolded.
I loved there journey into falling Inlove with each other.
The only downside for me was the POV writing sometimes. It had to do more with me getting use to the authors writing style. However I definitely would recommend this book!
September 13, 2021
Great Pretender is a beautiful best friends to lovers with a side of fake relationship to add a little extra drama. Chad and Piper have been best friends forever both hiding a secret from each other since they were in their teens. As hearts are broken, bad publicity is splashed about and jobs are on the line these two will cross a line to try to rectify their lives. However as feelings become entwined, past mistakes haunt you and secrets are spilled, Chad and Piper will need to finally face what has been staring them in the face forever and risk the most important thing, their hearts. A sweet romance with plenty of chemistry, sexual tension and a storyline that captivates your heart.
August 22, 2021
PHENOMENAL! SWOON WORTHY!
OmG!! I love Piper and Chad. They have secretly loved each other for years. Piper needed a place to stay after having her heart broken. Chad was told by his father he needed to get his act together and find a wife in order to obtain his legacy. What entails from there you will have to read the book.These two will steal your heart from the very first page. I was actually swooning over Chad. This is one of my favorite friends to lovers stories. This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it!
OmG!! I love Piper and Chad. They have secretly loved each other for years. Piper needed a place to stay after having her heart broken. Chad was told by his father he needed to get his act together and find a wife in order to obtain his legacy. What entails from there you will have to read the book.These two will steal your heart from the very first page. I was actually swooning over Chad. This is one of my favorite friends to lovers stories. This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it!
September 11, 2021
I loved Piper and Chad's story. I loved how they are best friends even though they secretly have feelings for each other. Chad's last stint had caused his dad to really pushed him to propose a marriage of convenience with Piper. I loved how Chad knows his feelings towards Piper and shows it as much as he can even though he didn't admit it to Piper. But how he treats Piper just shows how it wasn't fake to him. Same with Piper. They're just easy to read.
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