Get ready to fall in love with this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class.
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 favourite 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?
If you love binge-watching Korean and Chinese dramas or you’re a hopeless romantic, then this is the book for you. Author Ann Liang captures a perfectly wholesome love story with vibrant and layered leads, who are both endearing and relatable. Eliza is messy but loveable, while Caz is thoughtful and extroverted – but maybe he’s acting a bit more confident than he feels. Together, they will have you squealing into your pillow and kicking your feet at their adorable dynamic while you decipher if their romance is true or a sham.
Liang entered the scene in 2022 with her fantastic speculative debut YA novel, If You Could See the Sun, and her writing doesn’t disappoint. In This Time It’s Real, she skilfully balances laugh-out-loud moments with elements of vulnerability, dealing with the struggles of adolescence and belonging – especially when you’re so far away from home. I particularly adored Eliza’s relationship with her sister. Their interactions were filled with such warmth and humour; it was heartwarming to read.
Charming and Hilarious, This Time It’s Real has it all! Fake-dating, sweet romance and raw feelings that makes it one of the cutest contemporary YA romances out there, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han. We recommend it for YA readers aged 12+
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