Book Review: World’s Worst Boyfriend (Fake It #3) (ARC)

Author: Carina Taylor

Fletcher is the “World’s Worst Boyfriend” and I have the trophy to prove it—along with the consolation gift card I’ve already spent.

Entering him into the anonymous contest was cathartic and eye opening. It’s obvious I need to end this farce of a relationship… so, I do.

Too bad I’m still comparing every man I meet to Fletcher.
Too bad I can’t get him out of my mind—or my house, for that matter, with the way he’s always stopping by to ‘fix’ something.
And it’s especially too bad that I’m learning not everything is as it seems, and that maybe, just maybe, Fletcher had a good reason for his actions. (Although, there is no justification for the moldy laundry.)

What’s a girl to do? He says he’ll explain everything soon. But am I ready to face that explanation? What if he’s really not the worst—what if I am?

World’s Worst Boyfriend is the third in the Fake It series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is a very light-hearted romantic comedy that is a nice escape and provides some entertaining twists as everything is not as it initially seems. The title immediately made me chuckle as there are days I swear my own boyfriend would quality, just like I am sure I would qualify for the girlfriend version on other days. The title and concept is very relatable, especially when some couples have been quarantined together with stay at home orders during the pandemic and I am sure there are many couples (not even limited to straight couples) where you would love to nominate your significant other for this award – and feel like you would win.

Saidy is an interior designer/decorator who has been dating Fletcher, an IT professional, for four months. They each fell for each other almost immediately and greatly love each other.  The initial part of the story focuses on Saidy, so the reader can see why she believes Fletcher qualifies for the prize of Worst Boyfriend. There are forgotten dates, he is not present as his work takes priority, and he is a flake. It becomes apparent that maybe it is best for Saidy to move on. The only part I did not agree with is that the podcast that hosted the contest told its listeners that they should always come first. While in most cases this could be true, I personally would not want to be put as a priority if it means that something important is dropped for my sake. If the words aren’t taken at face value and instead it means that the communication makes you a priority, then I agree. If something important comes up and I am pushed to the side, then it is fine as long as there was communication to explain. Every person/character is different and can interpret the idea in their way, so it was interesting to see how Saidy wanted to be the priority in Fletcher’s life where he could answer every call, if needed, show up to every date, etc. If this is what she wanted, then I could not fault her for it.

The chapters then change to Fletcher’s point of view and the grand reasoning for his behavior all comes to light. It call becomes clear to the reader why he would be the worst and you start to root for him because you now have an understanding. As the chapters rotate between the two characters, the reader finds themselves caught between the characters as you can easily see both sides of the argument.  These two characters were ones that could not let go and it was difficult for them to move on. Instead, they pined for the other while Fletcher kept trying to win Saidy back and show that he could change while trying to reveal the reasons he was “bad” in the first place. In most situations, I would find it annoying that neither even attempted to move on, but, given the situation that caused the breakup and the secrets behind it, I did not mind it. I found myself rooting for the two of them to get back together and to finally open up for everything to come out in the open.

The story develops very well as it sets the stage with Fletcher and Saidy’s relationship and all of the problems that would win her the award. It then goes in to the truth about Fletcher, so the reader starts to see his reasons. It navigates to Saidy’s decision to break-up with Fletcher because those around her confirm that maybe Fletcher isn’t for her, even though she is not sure she is 100% ready to give up. The story moves on to both of them trying to balance between their want to get back together, but their hestitations. Add in a huge mystery twist element that is revealed to the reader very early on, then you have a very entertaining tale that progresses well from start to finish. It is not the story that I expected once Fletcher’s secret comes out, but I enjoyed how everything was tied together.

I am not quite sure about the laundry aspect as I am not sure Fletcher’s secret made up his reason for Saidy to do his laundry for him, but I was pleasantly surprised how this second chance romance turned out. I loved the reason for Fletcher’s behavior in the relationship as I went into this expecting it to be just his personality and he would reform. The addition of the secrets for it was a fun twist. I did not find myself finding a huge amount of depth in the characters as they were semi-surface level. However, I felt that they fit the story and the author focused on the mystery elements that was the actual cause of the break-up and possible reasons for any reconciliation. I love that there is also a look into friendships with Saidy’s friends Andrea and Zoe and what it actually means to be a true friend. I loved the dive into long-term friendships do not always mean that they should be forever if the friendship is no longer working for one or both. It was another fun surprise that I was not expecting in this novel. In any relationship, trust and communication are keys as it should never be just one-sided. This main lesson is covered in more than one way in this story. In one word, this story would be described as fun. The story is light-hearted with characters that are entertaining and a story that is amusing.  This is my first read by Carina Taylor, but I do not believe it will be my last!

**I want to give a special thank you to Netgalley and the author, Carina Taylor, for a review copy of this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**