FAKE (Madison Kate)

FAKE, the third installment of the Madison Kate series, is the best one yet! Tate James continues to write the playbook on how to effectively progress a series- masterfully utilizing dynamic pacing, character development, emotional complexity, and intensely gripping action to unfold a story that is not only entertaining but also profoundly layered with meaning. By FAKE, Madison Kate has been through the wringer- first she was blinded by her hateful vendetta after being framed and then she found herself the unwilling victim in a deep web of lies that now has her questioning everything. Kate is trying to solve two very gnarly puzzles- the puzzle that is the mystery of her family, her stalker, and her would-be-murderer AND the puzzle of her tenuous and volatile relationships with her three men. And MK needs only one thing to do so- she needs TRUTH.What I continue to marvel at when it comes to this series is the intentional and captivating evolution of our badass heroine, MK. In book 1 we processed her anger, and in book 2 we got to see her break down walls and be more vulnerable, only to be hurt for it. Now we see an evolved MK- she’s matured. She’s logical and strategic, she’s curious and wants to understand others. Sure, she’s still our fiery hellcat, but she’s more self-assured, grounded, and way more open- even though that risks her heart. This book is really about her journey to find safety- and not physical safety. Although she certainly needs to find that too -a murderer and stalker are both at play and she finds herself consistently in some very dangerous situations. But no, this is really a journey about MK seeking emotional safety, the quest to dissect the shocking revelations about her past and her relationships with these three men, the discoveries of our book 2 cliffhanger. What little trust she has, what small fraction of safety she’d found has been shattered- and the very fragile but intense relationships she’d formed, even the toxic one with Archer, are broken. As much as Book 2 is about establishing and deepening the emotional (and physical) ties with each of her men individually, Book 3 is about her trying to figure out how much of that was real and the arduous task of repairing bonds that might be irreparable. Book 2 established the ties, Book 3 is about testing them. What is a lie and what is real? And how can MK believe anything is real when the very foundation of her relationship with these men from day one has been...well, FAKE.Yes, FAKE. Tate is the queen of giving us titles that hint at layers of meaning. Literally speaking, MK is surrounded by potential fakers. Her lovers, the best friend, her friends and family- hell, even her stalker. No one is as they seem. So who is or is not fake? What is genuine? The character journey here is one of reparations and redemption - as MK determines within these complex relationships what is forgivable and what isn’t, the tension of deciding what is a genuine mistake vs. what makes a relationship a total lie. And that has taken a toll on our heroine- the emotional burden of second guessing everyone around you is as transformational as it is isolating. MK of Book 1 may not have fared that well, but this is evolved MK, and we get to see her shine.But there is another layer to what Tate means by FAKE. Tate plays with this theme by having all four characters grapple with a challenging fundamental internal truth- the fact that we are all a little bit fake in some way. Sometimes cruelly, sometimes defensively, sometimes with an agenda, sometimes subconsciously- but all of us have parts of ourselves that aren’t genuine- or, at the least, are hidden. That tension, Kate’s quest to reconcile what she thought was real with a heart-shattering lie is the soul of this story. And Tate really settles in to let us explore the implications of that essential question. We see that with Kody as he confronts the times his actions did not align with his heart, and with Steele as he confronts his own insecurities and secrecy. We see it with MK as she fights the opposition of her mind and her heart- and as she begins to unravel the assumptions and lies she has about others- both accurate and not. But most importantly, we see this with Archer, the person who has been faking the most. And MY GOD, what a character revelation. The mask comes off and we see the heart of this man. It is absolutely perfect how Tate chooses to crack him open so we finally understand him, moments so visceral it honestly took my breath away. The evolution sets the stage for these four to finally start to figure out their identity as a unit, to find the harmony they’ve yet to achieve. That puzzle, at least, is starting to fit together, even if still incomplete and delicate.FAKE is truly some of the strongest character work Tate has written- because this is really a character story, one with complexity, nuance, focus. Every detail- from the dialogue to the delicious sexy times do something catalytic for these characters, for their own arcs and for their arcs in relationship to each other. Tate brilliantly slows down the pace of the story early on- she let us sit in MK’s hurt, to watch the relationships struggle and evolve without the pressure of intense action, giving time and space for more secrets to come out, for truth to be found. And there’s a lot to expose. But, of course, murder and mayhem and secrets and all the twists spiral around, and the action dials up quickly. Now that the secrets are out in the open, will it cause them to grow together or to further fracture? Tate is testing them- it's make or break, and they have to earn it. And brilliantly, it all leads back to the dual exploration of the theme of "fake"- as they try to confront what is fake around them, they also have to confront their own fakeness. For these characters, the only way to do so is with stark vulnerability- the leap of faith of trusting someone with your truth. And that journey leads these characters to something that is so powerfully genuine. So REAL.Tate fans by now should expect that this one ends on a cliffhanger, and this one is particularly brutal. I know readers can, at times, be averse to this artistic approach- but I want to say this, Tate James does cliffhangers right. This is not some cheap ploy to quickly end a book or a way to trick readers into the next one (although certainly I AM HOOKED), rather, to Tate, cliffhangers are a story telling convention that actually enriches the narrative arc- it adds something more. FAKE is basically a giant plot crescendo- emotionally and action-wise- escalating to a finale that makes your jaw drop. But there is more artistry to it than mere shock- because in MK books, cliffhangers serve as linchpin moments in the overarching vision- the key milestones that mark a purposeful pivot from one “era” of Madison Kate to another. The cliffies have a brilliant duality as bookends- serving both as a demonstration of character and story progress as the result of THIS book while also establishing a tone and theme for the next. Seriously guys, these cliffies aren’t just Tate messing with us- they are a creative masterpieces. And by reading into FAKE’s cliffhanger, I think we have some powerful themes ahead for us in our final book.FAKE is truly preeminent Tate James creative story-telling- it is addictive, captivating, and just downright brilliant. If this is the caliber of story we have to look forward to in KATE, then I can confidently face my book hangover for the next few months knowing that the finale will be more than worth the wait. Brava, Tate- FAKE has raised the bar yet again!

When I finished FAKE, I was speechless. I sat at my desk, stared at my Kindle and wondered, "what in the heck did I just read?" It's amazing how Tate can rapid release this series and have every single book continue to get better and better. She is a mastermind with plot and character development, something I truly envy. FAKE picks up where HATE leaves off and it's every bit as intense as you would expect.Archer, Kody, and Max are absolutely swoon-worthy, just like in the first two books, but...even BETTER! What I love most about their relationship with MK is, it didn't feel fake or rushed, it's more organic which shows just how much all four of them have changed since MK came back from Cambodia. MK develops into the strong, fierce woman we expected her to become at the end of LIAR. She's not naive and trusting as she was in the first two books. She puts the guys through the ringer and I absolutely 100% respect her for it.The mystery as to who MK's stalker is starts to unravel, revelations are made, relationships with some of the secondary characters are enhanced, more truth bombs shared, and the steam level is just mind-blowing...FAKE was everything I could have ever asked for and more. And as to whether there is a cliffhanger? I don't want to talk about it - read the book and you'll find out ;)I'm actually sad that this is the third book but am super excited for KATE to be released in October. Well done, Tate!

Wife. Married. Without consent or knowledge. MK hates secrets, hates lies, and hates them. They all knew. Everything was a lie, everything was fake. She thought Kodi and Steele cared for her; she was falling for them. But no. Her life is in danger from the stalker and the person who wants her dead. Her best friend has been acting sketchy, there's a new annoying love interest who doesn't listen to no, and a creepy professor who wants to meet but those don't matter nearly as much as her bruised heart. But that's okay. If they want to play, she'll play.Whew! This book, this series. It's too much and never enough. One hardheaded, passionate hellcat and three guys who have proved themselves as the baddest of the bad on a road to destroy any and all threats to their ever after. This book is so full of the unexpected. There's action, passion, declarations, violence, and so many surprises. It's a ride to the extreme. The story is compelling but the characters make it sublime. The pure intensity of their interactions with one another carried the story for me. Archer, Kodi, Steele, and Madison Kate are magnificent. Even with all of the life-threatening events and torrid moments there's true character growth. There's incredible relationship development. And Tate James has cemented her title as the Cliffhanger Queen. This one hurt. It better be fixed. Princess Danvers will not settle for anything less.

I love how these books have a clear and defined theme for each one as MK flies through this insane journey...At the end of Liar, we finally found out some truths that changes the feel of the whole series and as we have started to learn more about Archers past...the feel of the books takes a darker turn.This is intensified as we start to understand more about the gangs of shadow grove and lets not forget...MKs stalker(s)/ killer(s) who really start upping their games of physiological torture and violence.The most satisfying thing about FAKE was MKs reaction to the big reveal at the end of LIAR. She dropped those guys like a sack of crap and walked away, head high and made them grovel for forgiveness. She wasn't putting up with lies any longer. She dropped her mask and unless they dropped theirs, she was happy to leave them in the mud at her kickass, boot clad feet.MK has grown phenomenally and I love her even more in FAKE. She has learnt from her past and her mistakes and being in her mind is just too damn fun. Yes, she still makes some questionable choices and yes, sometimes you want to scream at her to make a different call but MK is a relatable and flawed human being who is living in a world of hate, lies, fakery and well...murder!Steele gets a lot more time in this book too and I am IN LOVE with him. All of the characters grow and come together in this third instalment as they start to drop the acts and reveal themselves to MK in order to earn her forgiveness. We also get to know some of the more amazing side characters, like Cass, who is just a big, grumpy cutey patootie.But dont let all this lovey dovey character and relationship development wizardry fool you...lets not forget that someone is still trying to kill MK and a crazy pyscho is leaving her no so subtle gifts and messages.While some questions are answered, so may mysteries are still left to be figured out. Things you thought you had guessed at the end of LIAR were blown out of the water and I LOVED that! No obvious plot reveals for Tate James...Then of course we have the classic WTF TATE JAMES ending. I died. I went to hell. I came back to life. Re read the last paragraph. Died again. Screamed. Cursed and then literally flipped Tate the bird, to which she solemnly replied with "I deserved this".This series is like the best of the top shelf crack netflix series you have ever seen but only inside your head and I caaaannnnoooot wait for the the next instalment.

MK finally finds out why Archer is so cold towards her all the time. And how the guys have so much power and control over, well, everyone.Her stalker intensifies his pursuit even more, and it’s baffling how he has so much information in his arsenal to carry out even half of what he does! Next level creepy.As there is also still someone out there trying to kill her, Kody starts training her in self defence, she gets some boxing lessons, Archer gifts her with a butterfly knife, and Steele teaches her how to shoot. Anything they can do to keep her safe, they do. Will it be enough though?I needed to suspend my disbelief a lot more with this book than the previous two as there is a lot that happens that is just totally implausible. Having said that, the writing and the pace of the action is good enough that it was easy to just sit back and enjoy the story.MK…for all of her fiery, stubborn, feistiness, she is incredibly naive. Especially when it comes to one increasingly shady character which was so frustrating. Girl, you have a stalker AND someone trying to kill you out there and you just keep making excuses for this guy? Come on! His behaviour is honestly so shady that I was IMMEDIATELY suspicious of him, but it takes most of the book before she finally admits that he’s a bit off. I mean with that lack of self preservation it’s a miracle she’s still alive.But what a cliffhanger!

Please read the warning labels. Triggers and stuff.Oh my goodness! How is it possible to outshine the previous book but Tate James did it.Book one was fantastic, and book two was awesome but book three shot my socks off. Loved it.Well written plot with angst, suspense and mystery. The unpredictability of the story is addictive. I wish I could read faster. Truly unputdownable.The clash between Archer D'Ath and Madison Kate is absolutely combustible and the banter is still delicious.The attempted murder deepens and the nightmarish stalker escalates.What an ending. It almost broke me. Do be prepared.Thank goodness book 4 is available immediately.Mind blown...

Stars given on level of engagement;5 stars - less than a day to read because I cannot put it down. I only give 5 stars if it has managed to engage extra emotions from me - extreme lol moments or real teary moments etc. A 5 stars book tends to have me raging about cliff hangers and (legally and not creepily) stalking the author for release dates.4 stars - 2 days to read or less. A book that I have quite enjoyed reading, feisty MC and some racy scenes with thier romantic interest. I would definitely follow a series and author for 4 star books.3 stars - takes around 2/3 days to read, usually because I have become distracted and less engaged in some sections but by the end the end I have enjoyed the overall story and would read any sequels.1/2 stars not given, as I have usually returned it without finishing as I'm not engaged. .

Damn. There's controlling boyfriends and then there's Archer D'Ath.The thing is, we finally get some answers in this book. And you can see Archer's reasoning behind his actions. He's not forgiven in my mind. To me, the only thing worse than doing something horrific, is keeping it secret from those it affects. He's got a long way to go, but this book makes a start.MK also has some incredible character growth through this book. I adore her bratty nature, but I'm so glad she's started making some smart decisions and not acting like the victim in the first 10 minutes of a slasher movie.These books are getting more addictive as they go on, and I love the cliffhanger ending. I'm so excited for the final book!