Yes, I finally found it—my favorite YA romance of the year! Lynn Painter has officially outdone herself. While I’ve long been a fan of her sparkling adult romcoms, this YA novel captures something even more special: the magical mixture of first love, heartbreak, family chaos, personal growth, and the second chances that make your heart flutter in the very best way. This isn’t just a love story—it’s a celebration of resilience, reconnection, and finding your voice when the world keeps trying to silence it.

The story centers around Dani and Alec, childhood best friends and first loves who grew up side by side as neighbors. They shared their first kiss, secret jokes, and late-night dreams—until Dani’s father, a strict and often emotionally distant colonel, uprooted the family time and again, moving them from country to country. Despite their promises to stay in touch with coded postcards, life intervened. Miscommunications, pain, and unspoken assumptions led to silence, and the once-inseparable pair drifted apart, each secretly blaming the other for ghosting.

Now, after her parents’ divorce, Dani returns to her grandfather’s home in small-town Minnesota—back to where it all began. Grandpa Mike is a local legend and former hockey star with a sharp tongue and an unexpectedly warm heart. Their relationship is rocky at first, but watching it slowly mend is one of the most touching parts of the novel. Mike adds so much humor, wisdom, and unforgettable one-liners to the story, and honestly? He steals every scene he’s in. (The hospital scene had me laughing out loud. He deserves his own book!)

But things get complicated when Dani crosses paths with Alec again. He's no longer the boy she remembers—he’s the school's charismatic, devilishly handsome hockey star with a legion of admirers and a carefully constructed image. Dani is still furious at being ghosted; Alec is quietly hurt and harboring his own regrets. Their reunion is tense, charged, and irresistible to watch unfold.

When a chaotic moment leads them to a spontaneous fake-dating arrangement—meant to help Alec clean up his public image and Dani boost her extracurricular résumé for Harvard—things begin to shift. Pretending to care quickly turns into something dangerously real, forcing them both to confront the unresolved feelings, wounds, and dreams they’ve been hiding. But with college, distance, and old fears still looming, can they risk falling again—knowing how much it hurt the first time?

Painter absolutely nails the dynamic between Dani and Alec. Their banter sparkles with wit, their chemistry leaps off the page, and their emotional growth is deeply satisfying. I adored Dani's fierce intelligence, vulnerability, and sarcasm, and Alec’s layers—beneath the charm is a guy who’s trying to keep everything together while dealing with pain of his own.

And let’s not forget the fantastic supporting cast. Dani’s journey of making new friends, standing up for herself, and finding her place in a new school environment is handled with so much heart. The small-town hockey backdrop adds such a cozy yet dynamic vibe, reminiscent of Friday Night Lights with a YA romcom twist. Honestly, it felt like Fredrik Backman’s Beartown collided with a feel-good Netflix teen movie, in the best possible way.

This book has everything I love in a YA romance: emotional depth, hilarious moments, slow-burning chemistry, heartwarming family themes, and characters you genuinely root for. I didn’t want it to end—and yet I couldn’t stop reading. You know that rare feeling when a book makes you laugh, swoon, tear up, and want to hug the characters all at once? That’s this book. It’s extra adorable, extra emotional, and extra unforgettable.

Final verdict: A five-gazillion-star knockout! This book is a total gem—heartfelt, charming, and one of Lynn Painter’s best works to date. I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers of all ages looking for a romcom with depth, laughter, and heart.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sharing this amazing YA romcom digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I loved every moment of it and didn’t want to say goodbye to these wonderful characters.

This might be my favorite YA Lynn Painter book! Fake dating, friends to lovers and a hockey romance..I’m not sure if I could have asked for more. I loved seeing Alec and Dani’s relationship grow and develop, I don’t always like the miscommunication aspect but I think it was done well. I hope Lynn writes more sports romances in the future. Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC!

HOLY MOLY this book was amazing! No notes. The story was incredible, The characters were incredible. ALEC BARCZEWSKI!!!! This is definitely in my top 3 for Lynn Painter books. The story felt relatable with Dani's family problems and the weight on Alec's shoulders that he has to hold so no one is disappointed in him. Truly this was such a good book and I am so happy I got an arc! This was such a quick read and I never wanted it to end! If there was 300 more pages of this, I would DEVOUR it. Please write more sports YA books, you never disappoint!

I have read almost all of Lynn Painter's books and over time I have noticed that her YA books are significantly better than her ones marketed towards adults. Fake Skating, a YA hockey romance caught my eye for a couple of reasons. Number one; it's a hockey romance, and number two its young adult. I feel like whenever a book has to do with hockey it's almost always adult, so this was a pleasant surprise. I was super excited to read this book and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Fake Skating by Lynn Painter is about Dani and Alec. The two were childhood bestfriends, inseparable. However that soon changes when Dani moves away. The kids had a pack to always keep in touch, but when the letters stop coming both Dani and Alec feel betrayed. Years pass and Dani moves back to town, only to meet a teenage Alec, who is nothing like she remembers. The two get to talking and one thing leads to another and Dani and Alec find themselves fake dating.
This book is one of my favorite Lynn Painter books. Lynn creates the perfect blend of romance and real life as a high schooler. This book is for fans of tropes like boy-next-door and fake dating. I highly recommend putting this book on your tbr.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC!

3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I’m a huge fan of Lynn Painter so I was excited to get this one! It wasn’t my fav by her tho but also still super cute. It’s YA which is fine since that’s what I expect from Lynn but these characters just didn’t do it much for me. The fake dating trope I love so that was a plus. I did enjoy the ending a lot. So am I gonna recommend this book? Yes. Am I gonna buy the physical copy as a trophy? Also yes! 😉

I really enjoyed this book! I love the fake-dating troupe and this was done super well! I love that they were childhood friends turned strangers that had to learn the new versions of each other. I also really liked how the book also covered Dani’s sense of belonging and her relationships with her family. Most of the time, I struggle with miscommunication as a conflict but this was done well. The end felt a little rushed to me but overall I really liked it! Lynn Painter never disappoints!

I went into Fake Skating totally blind other than knowing it was written by Lynn Painter, and honestly, that's all I needed. No one writes yearning rom-com quite like her, and this book was no exception. It had me smiling, swooning, and feeling absolutely giddy from start to finish.

The story follows Dani, as she moves back to her mother's hometown in the middle of the spring semester of her senior year. While trying to fly under the radar and graduate, she gets swept up in a fake dating scheme with Alec, a popular high school hockey player and her childhood best friend. As their pretend relationship starts to blur into something real, the tension and chemistry between them build in all the best ways. I loved this fun take on a high school hockey romance!

I'm a total sucker for fake dating, and Lynn, if you're reading this, please never stop including it in your books! Fake Skating was everything I wanted from a YA rom-com and more. Sweet, funny, and full of heart.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this ARC!

Fake Skating was such a heartfelt and authentic read. The teen characters felt so real, with emotions and reactions that made me genuinely care about them. Dani’s struggles with panic attacks and adjusting to life after her parents’ divorce were handled with care and realism, never overdone or brushed aside. I appreciated how these serious topics were woven into the story naturally, helping me connect with her on a deeper level.

The setting really came to life with vivid descriptions of small-town Minnesota and the ice rink atmosphere. The relationships, especially between Dani and Alec, had a slow, believable build that made the story even more enjoyable. I didn’t want it to end.

As a long time Lynn Painter fan I have to admit this is my new all time favorite YA romcom by her. Like I didn’t think anything would top Better Than the Movies but Dani & Alec’s story did it.

Fake Skating is former friends to lovers fake dating hockey romance. Literally all my favorite tropes in one book. But in all seriousness this book was so freaking cute. I hate to be that person but I’m going to quote Olaf. This book felt like a warm hug, and some people are worth melting for.

Now the only reason I didn’t give this a 5 stars was because I felt the ending was a little rushed and there were a couple of plot points that I felt weren’t fully addressed. However, even with that said I loved every minute of this book and I devoured it in less than 24 hours. Also I’m secretly hoping the rushed ending is a hint we may get a book 2. Like Lynn hear me out if you can do Liz and Wes college story, I want Dani and Alec’s.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to pick up my trophy copy when it releases September 30th! Lastly big Thank you so much Simon Teen, Lynn Painter and NetGalley for the eARC!

Fake Skating, in my opinion, is some of Lynn’s best work yet, which says a lot because I absolutely devour everything she writes. A childhood friends to lovers, fake dating, AND hockey?! Three of my favorite tropes that will ALWAYS be a hit on their own, but all of them at once? Sign me up!

After spending years a part, Dani & Alec are not really sure where they stand with each other when they’re reunited. They’re both going through some things and decide faking dating might help them. As they navigate their way through their fake relationship, they realize their feeling probably aren’t as fake as they thought.
I ADORED Dani & Alec. Their chemistry & banter was off the charts. I can definitely say I will be purchasing when it comes out this September and am soooo looking forward to a reread.

(Can I also just say, I LOVED Grandpa Mick 🙂‍↕️)

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the arc!

When I tell you this had me fucked up in the best possible way I mean it. Childhood best friends? Fake Dating? Hockey bros? Sticky sweet chest-monstery feelings? It had everything I need in a book and more. 5 stars given with my whole chest.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

4.5 ⭐️

She does it again!! Nobody is doing feel good like miss Lynn Painter. I thought the romance was sweet (obviously I giggled and kicked my feet), the individual arcs and struggles of each character felt fully developed and rich, and the drama was delicious throughout. Really felt like she elevated her game in this one, specifically with the side characters and dynamics at play, felt extremely well rounded overall. Mick especially was SUCH a fun character to get to know, and watch interact with Dani. Lynn just knows exactly how to balance heartfelt, earnest, worthwhile stories with lighthearted fun, her writing is addictive!

This was so close to earning a five star from me, I just wish we had gotten a slightly clearer insight to the breakdown of their relationship in the past, specifically why Dani took Benji there that night and what exactly went down with the arrest situation. But all in all, SO much fun and a great read!

I love love love love Lynn Painter. I’ll read anything she writes. Throughly enjoy all of the characters she creates and who doesn’t love a fake dating trope.

There are few YA high school romances that I can stand, and Lynn Painter writes all of them. My only complaint was the fmc’s refusal to communicate or tell the truth. Like…fake break up instead of real break up. However Lynn’s impeccable ability to write the perfect high school boy is truly *chefs kiss* so made up for it.

I was excited to receive an advance copy of Lynn Painter’s book, Fake Skating, which is scheduled to be released in September (2025). If you have enjoyed her previous YA books, you are going to like this one.

The story revolves around Dani and Alec, who were best friends when they were younger, but only saw each other in the summers. Time passes and they’re now seniors in high school and Dani moves to Minnesota permanently after her parent’s divorce.

It’s Minnesota, so hockey, and 2 old friends reconnecting… The chapters alternate narrators, which I always love. This is a quick, easy read that I liked.

Lynn Painter was put on this earth to write young adult romance. Every single book of hers that I have read is a four star minimum. Alec and Dani were no exception. I adored them. Childhood friends to lovers is always a hit for me and they did it perfectly. I specifically really enjoyed seeing Dani’s individual journey in finding new friends and adjusting to life in a new environment. I wish the ending was a bit less rushed and bit more flushed out, but it did not at all affect my feelings toward the book. It was a sweet and beautifully book! I loved Alec and Dani.

Reviews on Goodreads and Instagram will be posted within a month of the books publication.

Lynn has done it again! I already have Fake Skating pre-ordered, that’s how much I was looking forward to reading it. I read Fake Skating in less than 24 hours. I loved it, absolutely loved it. Alec and Dani were perfect. If you loved Lynn’s other YA reads then you need to pick up Fake Skating. Reading this reminded me how much I love her writing and the way she is able to capture the authenticity of high school, friends, first loves, and all of the above. Alec will be added to one of my favorites, along with her other MMCs. And Dani was just as good as Liz and the gang from her other books. I just cannot stop about how much I loved Fake Skating. I want to thank Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I was so excited to receive an advanced copy.

The characters growth and depth was great to see as I continued reading. I love that this miscommunication ended immediately at the end as it showcased how much time it took away from the characters. Not only the plot of the main characters but the plot of the parents was a great reminder of what characters go through at home that reflect on their personalities.

4⭐️ This was fun!! They’re childhood best friends who haven’t seen each other in years, they’re fake dating, he plays hockey, she’s a genius. These characters and their families were so much fun. It was a very quick read and such a cute clean romance. Lynn Painter’s books absolutely never fail to make me smile, the banter and chemistry is always a 10/10. If you aren’t a fan of clean closed door romance, I wouldn’t say the plot was so insanely good that you have to make an exception and read this but if you’re into this type of romance it’s such a good choice and Lynn Painter should be on your auto-buy author list because she writes the best clean romances!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

What a great read! Fake Skating is a small town romance for younger adult readers that explores our struggles to be true to ourselves, using its romance to support the characters rather than add to those struggles. Dani has just moved to her Grandpa’s house with her Mother following her parents divorce and a childhood of constantly being on the move, except for magical summers at the house where her best friend, geeky Alec, was a touchstone for her. Alec is not happy about this move and Dani is shocked her childhood buddy isn’t so geeky anymore as the town’s teen hockey god. There’s a lot of catching up between the two given they both think the other stopped writing years ago and thanks to a little comedy of errors that lands them in a fake relationship. Dani especially had some very real conflicts to work through separate from Alec while he has some demons and tragedy to work through. Together this teens were part of a lovely story about friendship and strength, and the romance was the perfect foil.