This is the first book I’ve picked up from Olivia Hayle and it would not be the last! Writing wise, it was such an easy read, making it for a perfect palate cleanser. While the book does lean into popular tropes like billionaire romance, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and he teaches her, Olivia puts her own spin on it which makes the book a fun read and not too formulaic. This is also first in a new series and she does a great job in setting the series up for success by introducing the upcoming leads in such a fun way and I just absolutely adore their personalities already. Why it did not hit the 5 star mark is because while the romance is good, there aren’t any standout scenes that will make the book extremely memorable (to me at least).

Nora is a model that moves to NYC to follow her dream of becoming a designer. Another plus to moving to NYC is that she has a stalker who she is also trying to get away from. Her brother enlists his best friend to be head of Nora’s security and make sure she’s safe. West works with Nora on not being so much of a people pleaser. I really relate to Nora so much with her anxiety and always wanting to please everyone.

Immediately I knew I was going to like this book. I don’t know what Olivia puts into her books but they are addicting. From the very beginning of each book I knew it was going to be a high rated read. And this book is no different. I absolutely loved Nora and West. Their banter was everything!! The spice lessons were something I’ve never read before and I absolutely ate it up !! And I had two theories of who her stalker was and I was completely wrong!! I loved the journey Nora went through to find herself. This book is truly something special.

Brothers Best Friend
Billionaire Romance
Bodyguard
Fake Dating
Spice Lessons
Praise

The Faking Game is the kind of romance that hooks you from the start and keeps you smiling (and swooning) until the very last page. Olivia Hayle delivers a perfect mix of humor, heart, and comedy onnn this book is just that book.

But let’s talk about West. I loved him. He’s the kind of mmc who sneaks up on you, charming, patient, quietly protective, and unexpectedly vulnerable. He wasn’t over-the-top or cliché; instead, he felt incredibly real. The way he supported and understood Nora , while also having his own emotional stuff, made him unforgettable. I kept finding myself smiling at his lines and melting at his moments of honesty.

The banter between the main characters was fun and flirty, but what really stood out was the emotional connection that developed as the fake relationship slowly turned into something much more real. The pacing felt just right, and the writing style made everything flow so naturally.

If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope, soft but steady MMCs, and a love story that makes your heart ache in the best way, The Faking Game is absolutely worth the read.

4.25 stars

The Faking Game was such an enjoyable read! I went in expecting your classic enemies-to-lovers trope—and while it definitely delivered on that slow-burn tension I adore, it also brought multiple layers, depth and character growth to the table.

Nora and West? Total opposites on the surface, but so compatible once you dig into their dynamic. West is basically tailor-made for Nora—supportive, grounded, and just the right amount of swoony. They both come from wealthy families, and while I thought that background would be central to their story, it took a nice backseat. It bulked out their characters but didn't become them.

One of my favourite things about this book was watching both Nora and West evolve. Their journey to love wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it in the end. There were so many different aspects to their relationship—snarky banter, vulnerability, tension, and finally, trust. West made sure no one put Nora in a corner or made her feel less than she was. He stole my heart.

If I had one small gripe, it’s that the story could’ve wrapped up just a bit sooner. A few moments dragged near the end, and I was definitely left wanting more when it came to the side characters—some really intriguing ones I wish we got to explore a bit further.

The story is about Nora who has a stalker. Threatened by it, she has to live with West, her brother’s best friend who she had a crush on when she was younger. They have to fake-date for the public eye while West give relationship lessons and practice to Nora.

Nora’s character was the type of girl who wants to live a normal life, she had a crush on West for a long time. She is a virgin which add a little something to the story, I liked that she wanted to practice what being in a relationship feels like.

West’s character was the typical rich guy who can get anything he wants, I liked that he was willing to help Nora practice without judging her. He was patient and listened to every complaint Nora could have, he let her explore and learn.

For their relationship, they had great communication, the build-up to it was great paced and I really liked their dynamic and banter.

Some things were a bit disappointing like the stalker was a big part of the story but it reveal was a little underwhelming, Nora’s family history was kind of thrown in the story without any explanations on what really happened and I found the book a little bit too long.

I will probably read the second book in the series !

You will like this book if you like the fake dating trope, the enemies to lovers trope and a good slow burn.

Thank you to netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thank you to Olivia Hayle and the opportunity to be part of the arc team!

I was so excited to get a copy of this arc and safe to say it was absolutely amazing.

Loved how the story surrounded the relationship between Nora and West and was done at the perfect pace (no painful draging out). That first kiss was

It was all consuming and a burn at the same time with an interesting sub plot to keep the characters even closer. I enjoyed seeing peaks of the other male friend characters and Amber - looking forward to seeing them in other books fingers crossed

This book has the best version of the trope Fake dating. The dating lessons were perfect (even going beyond surface level and discovering who Nora truly is and her emotions held down).

There are parts of Nora's character that stuck to me and loved seeing it written in such a great way.

Will forever love Olivia's writing

The last thing Nora expected was ending up living with and dating her brothers best friend. The whole thing is fake, a ploy too keep her safe and far away from her stalker. One thing leads to another and eventually her relationship with West feels more real than anything.

This has everything I want in a contemporary romance. Great chemistry and banter between the MCs, as well as bit of spice and suspense. The stalker element may not be for everyone (TW) but personally I think it added a lot to the story.

I found myself relating too Nora’s struggles a lot. Not the stalker but her need to please everyone and putting other people’s needs above her own. I loved watching her grow more confident throughout the book.

If you enjoy steamy billionaire romance and authors like Ana Huang you have to read this one.

Reads this if you like
🩷Brothers best friend
🫶🏼Fake dating
✨Stalker element
🤩Character development

The last thing Nora expected was ending up living with and dating her brothers best friend. The whole thing is fake, a ploy too keep her safe and far away from her stalker. One thing leads to another and eventually her relationship with West feels more real than anything.

This has everything I want in a contemporary romance. Great chemistry and banter between the MCs, as well as bit of spice and suspense. The stalker element may not be for everyone (TW) but personally I think it added a lot to the story.

I found myself relating too Nora’s struggles a lot. Not the stalker but her need to please everyone and putting other people’s needs above her own. I loved watching her grow more confident throughout the book.

If you enjoy steamy billionaire romance and authors like Ana Huang you have to read this one.

Reads this if you like
🩷Brothers best friend
🫶🏼Fake dating
✨Stalker element
🤩Character development

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day.
I thought this book was funny, sweet and steamy. The characters had great chemistry and you really wanted to root for them.
Their chemistry was off the charts and the banter was just amazing.
A great read with humor, steam and great characters.

This was such a good, bingeable contemporary romance! Brother’s best friend who’s a billionaire? Fake dating? A stalker? Yes, yes, yes—I was sold.

West is a consent KING, and the mouth on him? I’m not surprised Nora folded for him. You could really feel the chemistry between them—the tension was palpable.

I will say I wanted a little more from the stalker reveal; it felt a bit brushed over.

This was my first book by Olivia, and it definitely won’t be the last. I’m already looking forward to reading Rafe’s book!

Thank you Olivia Hayle for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book that I’ve read by Olivia Hayle and I don’t think it will be the last. If you are like me and love a fake dating trope with a side of spicy lessons, this is a solid bet for you. Nora is a perpetual people pleaser, so much so that she has had zero success in relationships. When she finds herself with a stalker, her extremely protective older brother enlists his best friend to protect her. The problem is, her protector is the same man that turned her down years ago and their interactions since have been strained. I loved that Nora was in therapy trying to deal with her issues and that setting boundaries was a big focus for her character. Yay positive mental health rep! West was a pretty swoony MMC once he let his guard down a bit. The way he treated Nora and empowered her rather than coddled her was everything. I loved the group chat with his friends too. This was the first book of a new series and it looks like the rest of the books will be theirs, so I’m looking forward to more of those chats! Overall, I really enjoyed this one.

Good story But honestly I would have enjoyed it a bit more if it was a bit shorter. 60 chapters felt a lot. It was close to Ana Huang but not exactly the same.

I read some other reviews and people have really liked it. Maybe this one is not for me or maybe I need to reread it in future. But best of luck! Hope it's a success.

Thanks Netgalley and Olivia Hayle

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the first book I've read by Olivia Hayle and I absolutely loved it!
I loved Nora's character development throughout the book and how West was there every step of the way supporting her (Nora has a bit of a people pleasing problem, can relate lol). The chemistry between West and Nora felt so seamless.
The way they communicated about their wants and needs was so mature and felt so natural and realistic. Also, the spicy scenes were hot!
Overall I would definitely recommend this book! And I'm looking forward to the next book in the Billionaire Games series!

Nora moves to New York City to compete in a fashion designing competition in an effort to make a name for herself and set herself apart from her family legacy as a model. Nora has always been crushing on her brother’s best friend, West, and West has never reciprocated. With Nora, miles away from home, West is tasked with watching over her when Nora’s safety is threatened by a stalker.

Brother’s best friend, fake dating, & roommates!

I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. 30% into this read and I could already feel the tension between Nora and West. The banter, chemistry, and spice made this so entertaining. This is the first book in a 5-book series and we get glimpses of the Billionaire Games men throughout the story. This was my first read from this author, and I’m now really looking forward to reading the rest of her work!

Thank you to Olivia Hayle and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forced proximity AND a fake relationship? Fine, twist my arm and sign me up 🤣

The Faking Game has so many of my favourite romance tropes, following Nora (a people-pleasing model who dreams of becoming a designer) and West (a broody billionaire who drives Nora insane and is her brother's best friend). I loved the banter, the character development and especially the relationship dynamic. It felt organic and authentic, with both Nora and West learning about themselves along the way and growing into their relationship.

There were so many different elements to this story that set it apart from the typical billionaire romance romcom. There were deep emotions explored, and Olivia has written this story wonderfully to explore these more complex elements without it feeling immature or superficial. The stalker plot adds intrigue and suspense to the story, but it comes off a little rushed and unresolved, but if you're reading this book for the romance, it's just a minor thing.

Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

This book had me hooked from page one. Fake dating, brother’s best friend, billionaire vibes—it’s the perfect mix I didn’t know I needed. Nora and West’s chemistry is chef’s kiss, the slow burn is delicious, and the Gossip Girl-level drama with actual heart had me fully invested. Also, West Calloway? Newest member of my book boyfriend club.

Beyond the swoon, the emotional depth hit so good. Their physical closeness mirrored their personal growth in the most beautiful way. Nora’s glow-up was empowering, and West was the kind of supportive love interest we all deserve. Add in hilarious banter, real lessons, and moments that made me squeal? Yeah, instant fave.

Huge thanks to the author and NetGalley for sending me the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 💖

The Faking Game is my first Olivia Hayle book and it will definitely not be my last.

This book was perfection from the very beginning. Billionaire contemporary romances are my favorite, and this one checked every box.

Nora is a model who wants to stop living for everyone else and finally chase her own dream of becoming a fashion designer. West Calloway is a billionaire and her brother’s best friend, who’s now tasked with keeping her safe after a stalker enters the picture. They decide to pursue a fake relationship: not only to throw off the stalker, but to keep West’s mother from meddling in his love life.

Nora is such a people pleaser, and I kept getting frustrated with her—until it hit me that I was really seeing parts of myself in her. Watching West push her to finally put herself first, whether it was with her family, her career, or her relationships, made me melt.

I rated this 4 stars. The stalker element added great tension, and I would have loved to see it explored even more. If you love billionaire romances with a brother’s best friend dynamic and a fake dating trope, you should definitely check this book out!

--

Thank you Olivia Hayle and NetGalley for the arc!

The Faking Game is a slow-burn romance that builds tension and character depth with each page. Initially, I found the pace a little sluggish, but once the main characters, Nora and West, dive into their "lessons" in dating, the story really gains momentum. West and Nora’s dynamic is both fun and heartwarming, and the way they complement each other is what makes their romance truly enjoyable. The book’s ending also left me eager for more, especially with the tease of Rafe’s story. It sets the stage for the next book in the series, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. If you enjoy slow-burn romances with great character development, The Faking Game is definitely worth the read.

Fake dating. Brother’s best friend. A billionaire. Angst. Emotional growth. This book had everything I normally love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Hayle for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

The Faking Game is the kind of romance that pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. I devoured this book. Throughout reading this book, I wanted to reach into the pages and hug them.

Nora is a model and heiress with dreams of becoming a designer but beneath her beauty and fame, she’s spent years trying to please everyone but herself. West, her brother’s best friend and a billionaire who’s stoic on the outside, but fiercely loyal and protective. When a stalker forces Nora into hiding, West offers her safety... and proposes a fake relationship that slowly becomes anything but fake.

What made this book stand out to me is how emotionally grounded it is. Yes, it has all the fun tropes fake dating, forced proximity, a touch of marriage of convenience (but also not) but it also has depth. Nora’s learns to set boundaries, speak up for herself, and finally stop shrinking to fit other people’s expectations was so empowering. Her growth felt earned and incredibly relatable for me, as someone that does not speak up.

This book doesn’t just deliver romance it delivers healing. And while the stalker subplot wrapped up a bit quickly for my taste, it didn’t take away from the emotional resonance of the story.

If you’re looking for a romance that blends billionaire fantasy with believable growth, swoony lines, and deeply satisfying character development, The Faking Game is it. I cannot wait for the next book in this series! Thankyou again netgally and Olivia Hayle.

Love Love Love!! 5 stars

The story, the characters, and the plot were perfect. Could not put this book down. The book was a steady-paced read, similar to their relationship, which was perfect—had me kicking my feet, squealing.

The characters showed immense growth throughout the book, gradually throughout the book. Even the minor characters stood out and excited you for the next book.

The ending was also perfect and brought it up to 5 stars, showing how they finally get together and everything is tied together.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!