Cover

Praise for Faker

“A funny, charming, and thoroughly entertaining debut. I couldn’t put it down!”

—Samantha Young, New York Times bestselling author of Fight or Flight

“A fresh, sweet, and funny story about how the people we think we know can surprise us in the sexiest way. Full of swoony kisses and heartfelt honesty, Faker is like a warm, reassuring hug.”

—Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club

“I loved every page of Smith’s wonderful debut! The romance was sweet and heartwarming, but it was Smith’s ability to write a main character who embraces all of her power that had me cheering throughout this book.”

—Alexa Martin, author of Fumbled

“Written with insight and humor, Sarah Smith’s Faker is a charming, feminist, and diverse romance that will have you hooked until the very last page.”

—Sonya Lalli, author of The Matchmaker’s List

“A sweet, slow-burn romance between rival coworkers at a power tool company makes for a promising debut.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Smith brings the heat in more ways than one in this enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story with a splash of humor. . . . Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren.”

—Booklist

TITLES BY SARAH SMITH

Faker

Simmer Down

Dedication

For Alex.

You are the best book boyfriend

inspiration I could ask for.

And for you, Mom.

You would have liked this.

Chapter 1

Ocean air has a funny effect on me. Maybe it’s the salt.

I inhale while driving along the lone main road in southern Maui. The briny moisture hits my nostrils, coating the back of my throat and lungs. I wince at the slight burn. A handful of breaths and I wonder just how close I am to reaching my daily allotment of sodium. Leave it to a food truck owner to view everything around me—including oxygen—in terms of food.

But that’s how all-consuming food truck life is. It’s my work, my thoughts, the air I breathe. It seeps into everything. I’ve only been doing this a year, but that’s one of the first things I’ve learned.

I shove aside the thoughts of saline air. Instead I run through my mental checklist like I do every morning while navigating the slow-moving traffic to my parking spot near Makena Beach, one of the most popular tourist spots on Maui.

Chicken adobo wings are chilling in the fridge. Check.

So are the papaya salad and fruit salad. Check.

Pansit is freshly made as of this morning and ready to dish up. Check.

A fresh batch of vegetable oil sits in the fryer, ready to heat. Check.

Waiting for the oil to warm should give me just enough time to prep everything for the day. Check.