By Kaylie Seed
Content warnings: mentions of suicide, mentions of domestic violence
The Fake is one of those stories that starts and ends in the middle of a larger story. There is no true beginning or ending but instead, the reader will be immersed in a tense tale that will leave them wanting to know what is going to happen next. A fast-paced novella, The Fake is bound to drag readers through numerous emotions before the final page. This story about a conartist (or is she?) who manipulates others for emotional gain will have readers wondering who or what to believe.
Since Shelby’s wife died she has yet to feel alive like before. She cannot seem to find the strength to be herself anymore. After finally deciding to attend a group grief counseling session, Shelby meets Cammie, a high-energy, charismatic, young woman who has had a number of things go wrong in her life. Gibson has recently divorced his wife and while trying to rediscover himself, he meets Cammie, who he thinks is the best thing to ever happened to him. Cammie seems to keep it all together which inspires Shelby to start taking her life back and has Gibson head over heels. But after Shelby and Gibson start comparing notes, they feel that Cammie may not be as forthcoming as she portrays.
Readers will learn about Cammie through Shelby, Gibson, and Cammie herself. All three of these characters are deeply flawed, but this makes them all feel so real. Shelby and Gibson are believable narrators, but Cammie is completely unbelievable and unreliable. Readers may find themselves wanting to show Cammie empathy and understanding in the beginning, but as the story progresses, they will find themselves questioning Cammie’s intentions.
The Fake is a quick read that packs a punch even with the lower page count. Quality over quantity shines in this one and will leave the reader wanting to know more and maybe with the feeling that there are a lot of unanswered questions. Is the story predictable? Yes, but it captures the reader's attention and keeps them engaged—the sign of a well-written story. Readers who enjoy Whittall’s other works or those who enjoy contemporary fiction will likely enjoy The Fake.
Thank you, HarperCollins Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.