The Art of Pretend, Lauren Kuhl
The Art of Pretend, Lauren Kuhl
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

The Art of Pretend

Author: Lauren Kuhl

Narrator: Karissa Vacker

Unabridged: 10 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/09/2024


Synopsis

Gossip Girl meets Tell Me Lies: 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.

About Lauren Kuhl

Lauren Kuhl is a writer and former publicist. She grew up in Essex Fells, NJ, and now lives in New York City. The Art of Pretend is her debut novel. Find her on Instagram, @laurenkuhlwrites.


Reviews

Goodreads review by nikki ༗ on July 02, 2024

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth. —Pablo Picasso sweetbitter x saltburn (minus the murder and grave humping lol) this was an intriguing read. while the plot follows a secret budding romance between the protagonist ren and her best friend's older brother, archer, the themes are very much cente......more

Goodreads review by Trisha on June 14, 2024

I wanted to like this. I really, really wanted to like this. But....nothing happened? In this entire book? I still have no idea what the conflict or the point of it was, if I'm being honest. The first 50% of the book is Ren being jealous of Etta and her wealth/connections/life/wanting to be her while......more

Goodreads review by Kristin on July 21, 2024

I loved the concept of this story. It felt like watching one of my favorite tv shows like Gossip Girl. Possibly even Saltburn vibes but closed door. It’s a fun light read for beach or pool. It’s mostly about friendships, drama, secrets, wealth, power. It takes place over summer in New York City and......more

Goodreads review by ari on September 08, 2024

3.5 - I don’t know why I enjoyed this, but I definitely did. This is more of a “all vibes no plot” kind of book that centers on our MC as she navigates relationships, wealth, class, and the general feeling of being in your 20s. I really liked the writing style - I noticed my own inner monologue bega......more

Goodreads review by Robyn on April 14, 2025

I loved how immersive the POV was written, experiencing Ren's thoughts and reactions as she's going about her life. The first half was pretty slow and uneventful, but things picked up a little towards the end. For the most part, I didn't Love the characters and there was a real lack of development t......more