The Art of Pretend

By: Lauren Kuhl

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

Gossip Girl meets Saltburn: A tantalizing novel about a woman drawn into the orbit of her friend's wealthy family in New York City and the complications and consequences that arise when she embarks on a secret relationship with the golden-boy older brother

“A delicious take on class, friendship, and desire.” —Christina McDowell, author of The Cave Dwellers

Pretending is an art, and all art comes at a price…

Ren loves and hates Etta, her best friend since they met at NYU nearly a decade ago. Etta defines Ren's New York. She lavishes her with designer hand-me-downs and takes her along to parties at trust fund lofts and Hamptons estates. But when Etta moves to Barcelona with no warning, Ren is left to face who she is without her, her unremarkable life of shoebox apartment, thankless job, and estranged family.

Enter Archer, Etta’s older brother, whom Ren’s always been infatuated with. In his sister’s absence, suddenly he’s inviting Ren to visit his art gallery, to prestigious galas, on weekend trips with his friends to Amagansett. Archer’s interest makes Ren feel alive in whole new ways, but she knows Etta can't find out. As their relationship intensifies, so does her unease. If it all blows up, who will she be on the other side?

Set over a heady New York summer, The Art of Pretend is an alluring novel about love and friendship, wealth and power, art and ambition—and the stories we tell ourselves and others to get what we want.

©2024 Lauren Kuhl (P)2024 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Masterpiece on class and the feeling of being in NY in your 20s

Loved how I almost felt what it felt like to be the different characters through the amazing descriptions, and the commentary on how class differences impact life. Also couldn’t stop reading it - listened to it all in one day it was so captivating

Loathsome Creatures

This felt like a modern take on House of Mirth but not a good version. Unless--of course--this was meant to be a parody. To me, all of the characters were annoying and stereotypical. Yes, there was an obligatory gay friend who served no purpose but to be a gay friend. I give the author points for making the three primary characters flawed and unlikeable, which I usually enjoy. However, the social climbing heroine being the rich girl's bx*%$# was disempowering for anyone who has a modicum of self-respect and will make the most patient reader lose patience. Enter the rich girl's brother--an self-proclaimed artist (not a good one)--who ended up breaking the law and getting off Scott-free due to mommy and daddy (while perfect for our current justice system). Maybe the only good thing is that the social climber and the amateur artist/criminal end up together, so they'll both get what they deserve. I just wish the book was more about that disaster than how we got there!

The book isn't poorly written. The author, who has talent, wasted it on this tale.

Meh

This was so slow and so boring!? I don’t understand the hype. I kept waiting for a twist and it just…. Didn’t land. Not for me.