Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance

By Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Teen TV celebrities Jenna and Jonah (real names, Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers) make more money in a month than most people do in a lifetime. They can't stand to be in the same room as each other, but to boost the TV ratings their agents make them a "real life" couple. Then the deception is uncovered by the paparazzi, and Charlie and Fielding have to disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realise there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Nov 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781408852507

Emily Franklin

Emily Franklin is the author of more than twenty novels and a poetry collection, Tell Me How You Got Here. Her award-winning work has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Guernica, JAMA, and numerous literary magazines as well as featured and read aloud on NPR and named notable by the Association of Jewish Libraries. A lifelong visitor to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, she lives outside of Boston with her family including two dogs large enough to be lions.

Reviews for Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance

[laurustina · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I prefer my teen romance novels vampire and werewolf free, thank you very much. I also like them (as with all fiction) to multi-fasceted characters, rather than utterly bland Mary Sue stand-ins, who for no justifiable reason attract every human and/or supernatural being of the opposite sex within 100 miles. Which is at least part of why I so enjoyed Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance. Well that and the fact that it was as light and tasty as cotton candy on a sunny spring day. So when you finish slogging through "War and Peace", and find yourself with a bit of a sweet-tooth, Jenna & Jonah is a tasty choice.

[bibliovermis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A yound-adult novel based on Much Ado About Nothing is cute. A young adult novel based on Much Ado About Nothing in which the characters actually end up acting in a production of Much Ado About Nothing is a bit obvious.

[annakay21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just felt a bit fake, like reading a Disney movie. It was cute but kind of boring.

[59square · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kearsten says: Charlie and Fielding have starred in Jenna and Jonah's How to be a Rock Star for four years and have starred in their own off-screen romance for the paparazzi for nearly as long. Unfortunately for Charlie and Fielding, they're not actually a couple - in fact, they loathe each other, and every moment spent pretending is agony for the two. When they're finally found out, as will happen, they agree to star in a Shakespeare in the woods production of Much Ado about Nothing in an attempt to salvage their careers. They're also forced to spend some time together - without agents, assistants or photographers - and begin to realize that they may not hate each other as much as they thought...This was pretty charming - it's not at all hard to believe that some Hollywood romances are for the publicity, and the reasons for Charlie and Fielding's is completely plausible. Their chemistry is good and their banter even better, so I eagerly hoped for a happy ending for the two.Charlie's an anxious workaholic, having been in the business since she was a kid, and her fear over losing her career is understandable, as is Fielding's frustration over being forced to act practically 24/7 - as he was an unknown when he was cast as Jonah, he is nowhere near as fearful of his career ending as is Charlie. I liked the behind-the-scenes feel of the book, both while on television sets and then while rehearsing for a stage performance. While secondary characters were pretty flat (it's a quick, short read), I felt Charlie and Fielding were pretty rounded (though Charlie's spazzing and superficiality started wearing on me) and the plot fun. The ending wrapped a little too quick for me, but leaving things open a bit the way the authors did felt realistic in light of the characters' feelings - neither one of them is completely sure what they'll do next, so declarations of forever love would be pretty out of place..A funny, charming, light romance! Recommended.

[kayceel_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charlie and Fielding have starred in Jenna and Jonah's How to be a Rock Star for four years and have starred in their own off-screen romance for the paparazzi for nearly as long. Unfortunately for Charlie and Fielding, they're not actually a couple - in fact, they loathe each other, and every moment spent pretending is agony for the two. When they're finally found out, as will happen, they agree to star in a Shakespeare in the woods production of Much Ado about Nothing in an attempt to salvage their careers. They're also forced to spend some time together - without agents, assistants or photographers - and begin to realize that they may not hate each other as much as they thought...This was pretty charming - it's not at all hard to believe that some Hollywood romances are for the publicity, and the reasons for Charlie and Fielding's is completely plausible. Their chemistry is good and their banter even better, so I eagerly hoped for a happy ending for the two.Charlie's an anxious workaholic, having been in the business since she was a kid, and her fear over losing her career is understandable, as is Fielding's frustration over being forced to act practically 24/7 - as he was an unknown when he was cast as Jonah, he is nowhere near as fearful of his career ending as is Charlie. I liked the behind-the-scenes feel of the book, both while on television sets and then while rehearsing for a stage performance. While secondary characters were pretty flat (it's a quick, short read), I felt Charlie and Fielding were pretty rounded (though Charlie's spazzing and superficiality started wearing on me) and the plot fun. The ending wrapped a little too quick for me, but leaving things open a bit the way the authors did felt realistic in light of the characters' feelings - neither one of them is completely sure what they'll do next, so declarations of forever love would be pretty out of place..A funny, charming, light romance! Recommended.

[sithereandread · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

JENNA AND JONAH'S FAUXMANCE, by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin, is an absolutely charming and romantic book that is based on a teen tv-show couple. 'Jenna' and 'Jonah' are the teen stars of a show that children and adults alike are facinated with. Their on-screen romance lead to fans encroaching on their real life romance that paparazzi and tabloids exploit. To keep the show and their jobs, Charlie and Fielding keep the rouse alive until a rumor threatens their livelyhood and their fauxmance. Okay, normally I am not much of a gusher, but beware I am going to gush! I sat down to read it, and two hours later I was finished and completely enamored. This book was so lovely. Franklin and Halpin created some noteworthy characters. These two teens were thrust into the Hollywood life too young and their real personalities were deeply hidden under their facade of a life together as a couple. Charlie had wanted to become a legitimate actor but her job took over her whole life and she couldn't shake 'Jenna' offscreen. Fielding was the sweetest gem. I defintely fell in love with this character. When Charlie and Fielding spent time away from the spotlight, their real feelings for each other bloomed and I raced through the book to find out if they would be able to work out in the real world. Don't worry, I won't tell!These two authors created a journey I never expected to go on. The ups and downs of these struggling characters made me laugh and cry throughout the book. I enjoyed the shifting POVs between Charlie and Fielding. I was prvy to information that the other was not and it was exciting watching the tension build between these two. Overall, great teen chick-lit. Great story, great characters, swoon-worthy boy. A dangerous trifecta!

[trillian711 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Teen stars of Family Network's, Jenna and Jonah's How to be a Rock Star, Charlie Tracker (Jenna) and Fielding Withers (Jonah) are also an off-screen couple ... or are they? They're in every magazine and on every celebrity gossip website, holding hands, cosying up in restaurants but it's all one big publicity stunt. Charlie and Fielding's off-screen relationship is what sells the show (and the merchandise). At least it does until the whole thing is revealed and the two of them have to hide out until it all blows over.This is a cute, fun easy-to-read book. The plot may not be overly challenging and is somewhat reminiscent of a bunch of teen movies/TV shows but it is an enjoyable one. It's kind of behind-the-scenes- Hannah Montana (with less annoying characters) and I could very much see it being turned into a movie itself. At most points throughout the book it might be pretty much obvious where the plot is going but for me it was more about when the two characters would realise it.The book alternates narrators between the two main characters which worked really well because the reader gets to know them both and see both sides of the story. It did get a little confusing at times because essentially they both have three persona's - their on-screen character, their off-screen fake one and then their real selves. The confusion was part of the story though, as the two of them were pretty confused about who they were as well.Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance is a coming-of-age, fame's not all it cracked up to be story with witty dialogue and a fun if not surprising plot.

[booksforcompany · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When l started reading this book l really enjoyed it even though l definitely was more interested reading Jonah's chapters as l just felt he has a much stronger and complex character. Jenna kind of just annoyed me with her spoilt ways, well it was actually Charlie who acted like that (her real name). At the beginning it didn't annoy me which is probably why l enjoyed the first 100 pages more but after a while it started to drain me and l just wanted to say "Wake up, spoilt brat! Why are you 'snapping' that easily?". I always think if a character makes you feel this way they are written in a way which makes them feel real but l have to say, sadly, for Jenna it just didn't work. I felt she was just so spoilt and that was all that was for her. Jonah annoyed me at points but he also had a funny side and a very confident side to him which was interesting to read about. I think for me this was my first problem, Jenna/Charlie just wasn't explored enough, it just seemed to always be the same responses from her to Jonah. Characters in stories have to each be very unique and very explored and Jenna just wasn't explored enough for me.Moving on, the story is quite predictable but it's one of those that is but is still enjoyable. I think that's what makes predictable books good, the fact interactions between the characters are fun to read about. Another probelm for me though was how some conversations just didn't flow. It was like someone was having a conversation and kept just saying random things. It was kinda of fun and funny to read at some points but in others it's like "What are they talking about now?" or "That felt like a pointless sentence". At sometimes l kind of just got so confused by what they were talking about l didn't even know who was actually talking.Saying all that, l did like this book. At some points it had me laughing out loud, mostly in Jonah's chapters and l found it a nice read with a book which is focused in today's time instead of one with vampires or focused in a time 60 years from now!Overall it's a light read which will be good to read if your feeling distracted or a good relaxing read for the beach or bed time. l would recommend it to anyone who likes fun reads which has the little twist of the romance being filmed .. l think this added to the story a lot.

[resugo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was kind of expecting a sweet, innocent romance. I got the sweet part, but the innocent not so much. Which I should not have been surprised about...this is Hollywood. Or, you know, a book version of it.I'm a sucker for romantic stories. And that is what Charlie and Fielding have...a romantic story. Sure, to begin with they hate each other. But that was what made the book so fun. I loved reading about how that hate changed to doubt. And then love. And then then way they come together. Though I wish them coming together had happened sooner. The tension was there...but the actual romance itself took a while to arrive.This is a fun book. I especially liked Charlie and Fielding's banter. They really knew how to push each others buttons. Charlie was, at (most) times, annoyingly uptight, but Fielding's carefree attitude about (most) everything made up for it.

[wsquared_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of two insanely popular teen TV stars -- Charlie and Fielding -- who have been acting out a romance both on and off screen for the last four years. When their off-screen relationship is revealed as a front, the news throws both their careers and futures into a tailspin and forces the pair to figure out if there's any truth in their relationship at all. This sweet, fun novel that will be sure to delight fans of shows like iCarly and Hannah Montana and their respective stars. It offers a bit of voyeurism into the star-studded lifestyle, while also showing that they're just like real teens. It's told through the alternating viewpoints of the main characters, so the reader gets some insight into both, and while the final conclusion is pretty inevitable, there's still enough of that will they or won't they tension to keep the reader interested. The story also takes an interesting turn about halfway through as the two perform in a summer Shakespeare festival and introduces some heavy Much Ado About Nothing references that might scare away more reluctant readers. Ultimately, though, it serves as an effective environment for them to explore themselves and their relationship with each other. This is a great option for tween and younger teen readers or anyone looking for an easy-to-read romance with a bit of Hollywood flair.

[mycutebookshelf · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While it was not an amazing novel, this was a very cute book. I noticed from the beginning that Charlie mentioned Shakespeare and Much ado about nothing a lot. Interestingly, the book turned out to be like a modern version of said play. I liked it but I was not too crazy about it. It was a very fast read and very entertaining. There was not much in the way of plot. It felt more like a character driven story. This is not something bad, but I just wish more happened. I wasn’t too happy with the ending because it felt rushed. One moment, Al & Kyanna are telling them lies just to get them together. Then the next, the book is already over. I would have liked those last scenes to be developed better. Everything was rushed, and I ended up being disappointed with it. Overall, it’s a cute story but flawed.

[ekanderson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I recently had the pleasure of reading JENNA & JONAH’S FAUXMANCE, a sweet, fun novel in two voices from the duo who wrote one of my favorite books of this summer, THE HALF-LIFE OF PLANETS. Brendan Halpin and Emily Franklin take on some very different characters in FAUXMANCE — teen actors Charlie and Aaron, a pair of kids who play an on-screen couple on the family TV show Jenna & Jonah’s How to be a Rock Star. What their fans don’t know is that their real-life romance is just an act, too. They play a couple for the tabloids, keeping public interest — and their ratings — high. But when a news story runs that threatens to out their fauxmance, Charlie and Aaron’s agents are ready to run damage control. Here’s the thing, though — while Charlie wants nothing more than to keep her career on the fast track, Aaron wants to leave acting ASAP, pursue college, and live a “real” life. And as tension flares between the two actors, well, a few romantic sparks are likely to ignite, no? I loved every page of JENNA & JONAH’S FAUXMANCE — a completely different story from Halpin & Franklin’s first book together, and just as well done. FAUXMANCE is funny, exciting, romantic, and ultimately a page-turner — the sort of book you stay up with all night hoping to get to the kissing scene. And, yes, it delivers.

[stephxsu · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Move aside, Hannah Montana. Everybody wants more of Jenna and Jonah’s How to Be a Rock Star, a TV show about two neighbors’ undercover lives as rock stars. But it seems to be “Jenna” and “Jonah’s” off-screen romance that sells…except that in reality, the romance is a publicity ploy, and the two young stars, Charlie and Fielding, can’t stand each other. Fielding thinks Charlie is a Type-A diva who is obsessed with her own career, while Charlie thinks that Fielding takes the whole industry for granted.But then their fauxmance is blown, and as Charlie and Fielding keep each other company in isolation, they begin to actually learn who the other person is.I gave this book a try, despite its predictable synopsis, because, hey, who doesn’t enjoy a he-said/she-said formula romance every once in a while, if it’s done well? Unfortunately, JENNA AND JONAH’S FAUXMANCE was a solid miss for me. Clunky writing, undeveloped characters with minimal chemistry, and an ambitious but failed conclusion all contributed.Let’s talk about the characters first. YA has seen its fair share of Hollywood teen divas. Charlie and Fielding failed at being distinct or memorable. Charlie is supposedly this uptight overachiever who, when relaxed, can be a lot of fun. But when she was relaxed in the book, she was flat and uninteresting, and the only time I felt like she had fun all happened in brief flashbacks. Fielding is an ordinary boy who hails from the Midwest, and who is only in this industry to make enough money so that he doesn’t have to work hard like his dad for the rest of his life and can enjoy his books in anonymity. Now, I like my boys smart, but again, Fielding’s bookishness didn’t ring true for me. The authors seemed to portray Fielding’s literary knowledge only in extremely awkward quotes that fell flat and didn’t lend to his bookish credibility at all.In fact, that was probably the problem I had with the whole book. Tiny details were fine—Hollywood, Fielding’s bookishness, the Shakespearean performance—but they all lacked cohesiveness. Imagine two people having a conversation in which both just talked about their own interests instead of engaging in a flowing back-and-forth. That was kind of how I felt, reading Charlie and Fielding’s supposed get-to-know-ya interactions. Uh, whut? Fielding, are you really seeing who Charlie is, or are you still attempting to talk at your idea of who she is? That just…doesn’t work for me. The writing was jarring and off-putting.I can think of better examples of Hollywood drama, he-said/she-said romances, or plots involving acting. JENNA AND JONAH’S FAUXMANCE didn’t have a bad premise, being what it intended to be, but little within the book had the seemingly effortless chemistry that I want in a good book.

[renkellym · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Charlie and Fielding have played the parts of Jenna and Jonah on a family TV show for three years. Their characters have been in love forever, and the two actors have been forced to pretend they are in a relationship in real life, too. But the truth is, Charlie and Fielding hate each other with a passion. So when Fielding is falsely accused of being gay, he jumps at the opportunity to escape his fauxmance with Charlie. But then the pair is thrown back together to reenact a Shakespeare play, they find out that their hatred for each other might be just the opposite…My thoughts: When I first read the back of Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance, I assumed it would be a watered-down, sugared-up version of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. I mean, read that title and tell me that’s not the first thing that pops into your head. Fortunately, Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance held its own, and was much more enjoyable than I anticipated.The book is told in two different perspectives—one written by the female author (Charlie) and the other written by the male author (Aaron/Fielding). This writing style really worked for the story, because it allowed the reader to see how well the feelings of the two characters matched up. The two authors really did a great job of perfecting the banter between Charlie and Fielding, and though it’s pretty obvious that the two will eventually end up together, the journey they take to get there is all kinds of fun.One thing that was especially interesting about Jenna & Jonah was the incorporation of the celebrity lifestyle. It’s not all expensive clothing and daily trips to Pinkberry for Charlie and Fielding. Their work is portrayed with extreme realism—the authors bring up the long hours, the tough-love agents, and the paparazzi. Charlie and Fielding also learn a bit about acting on stage, something that I personally have a lot of experience with. I felt that the authors of Jenna & Jonah did an excellent job of not sugarcoating how difficult theater actually is.Charlie and Fielding were fun characters, and I enjoyed their internal struggles with both personal obstacles and their feelings for each other. They both change quite a bit from the first pages of the book to the last. The fact that they grew as people over the course of the story made Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance more than just a love story.Fans of chick lit will easily devour Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance: it’s a light, fun read full of snarky comebacks and mixed emotions. I definitely enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.