Lessons in Faking

An enemies-to-lovers plot meets the fake dating trope in this by the numbers new adult romance, Mae’s Hall Beck University series debut. College student Athalia Payton Pressley has longed for the attention and affection of her twin brother, Henry, ever since the death of both their parents seven years prior. But while Henry, their school’s star athlete, is extremely protective of Athalia, he struggles to connect with her emotionally. When Athalia’s statistics professor informs her that she’s failing and assigns her to private tutor sessions, she winds up one-on-one with Henry’s despised athletic rival, Dylan McCarthy Williams. Athalia initially balks, but Dylan, who has always had feelings for Athalia but never acted on them due to Henry’s hostility, is determined to help her pass the class. After Athalia realizes the arrangement has finally earned her Henry’s attention, she recruits Dylan’s help keeping it by pretending to date her. From there, the story hits all the expected beats without adding much depth, especially not to the thinly drawn characters. The result is enjoyable but forgettable. (Nov.)