Fake Skating is a great YA sports romance and I enjoyed every second, it was a very quick read! However, some of the details are slightly unrealistic such as the maturity, physically and emotionally,of the characters (they are only supposed to be in high school). The high level athletic play of said high schoolers with absolutely no training regime or talk of diets or personal coaches, they just seem to show up and be a “God” of the sport. Lynn Painter always delivers on good pacing and a good time though!

This was such a cute about childhood friends fake dating and falling in love - there’s hockey, swoony moments, and a very sweet romance that you can’t help but root for!

If you haven’t tried a Lynn Painter YA novel, you definitely should! Fake Skating most assuredly ranks near the top of those I have read. When childhood besties, Dani and Alec, are thrown back into each other’s lives, things get interesting. Alec needs to improve his image to ensure a future in the hockey world, so fake dating good girl, Dani, seems like the perfect solution. I loved the story line, the main and side characters (Grandpa Mick has my heart), and the relationships that bloomed within the book. Mia was actually dying to get her hands on this release early and I am so glad she had me get this one from Netgalley. Out Septmeber 30th. Put it on your TBR. Thank you, @netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

2.5 ⭐️ It pains me to write this review. I did not enjoy this book! It took me so so long to finish this and I read her other release this year so fast and loved it!!
I don‘t know what happened as I‘ve enjoyed all of the authors previous books but I just didn‘t care for a single thing in this one.
The fmc was too whiny for my liking, I didn‘t like her and as a result didn‘t care for any of the things she went through.
Same goes for the mmc even though I liked him a tiny bit more. He was so grumpy and not in a good way, i don‘t know why it didn’t work this time because I typically enjoy a grumpy mmc.
Also why is it so cold in Minnesota and did I mention that the mmc is huge? Because the fmc did mention that once or twice or a million times!!
Also I‘m the last person to get fussy over curse words but there were so so many in this book!! It didn‘t fit the genre and the story at all in my opinion.
I‘m still so grateful that I got to read another arc from one of my favorite authors, sad that this one wasn’t my cup of tea but I‘m sure her next release will be one of my favorites again! The biggest thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!!

What a sweet YA romance, I'd give this book 4 stars. I loved the childhood friendship between Alec and Dani, growing up is so hard and I was so happy they had each other to rely on. After 5 years, both Dani and Alec have changed so much, and it was fun to see them navigate those changes within themselves and with each other. My heart hurt for Dani and the way that she's had to grow up, moving every 2 years, trying to navigate and survive new schools, ugh, what a nightmare. I enjoyed the complicated relationship with Dani's parents and felt like it gave the story some depth. I absolutely adored Grandpa Mick; his grumpiness was so fun to read and his love for Dani was so sweet.

*Young Adult Romance
*Fake dating
*Childhood friends to lovers
*Second Chance (kind of)
*Complicated parental relationships

Whenever I need a palate cleanser or a cutesy story to make my heart flutter I normally turn to a Lynn Painter book because they are too fucking sweet. This book is no different. I absolutely loved it! Although this one was a bit more angsty than some of her others, I adored everything about it.

This story is told in dual POV between Dani and Alec. Both characters are in their senior year of high school and Dani is an army kid, so she's been moving around through most of her childhood. Her parents just divorced and her mom and her just moved back to Minnesota to live with her estranged grandfather. This town is big on hockey and her grandfather is a bit of a hockey legend. Before they became estranged with her grandfather they used to visit once a year and she befriended Alec. They were best friends that eventually became strangers. When she moves back Alec is not happy to see her, but has an image he needs to clear up to get the attention of hockey scouts. They make a plan to fake date for mutual benefits. But once they start spending more time together old feelings they are both trying to hide start creeping in.

I have a love/annoyed relationship with Dani. Mostly love because her need to not be around people reminded me so much of my time in high school. Her anxiety issues were incredibly relatable. The descriptions used to relay her anxiety were nearly spot on to my experiences with it. She went through a lot and I can see how she retreated into herself as a result. My only annoyance was for the amount of faith and slack she gave her father. I get it, she's a kid who craves her father's love but that dude used manipulation like a weapon. I wanted her to stand up to him so badly, but I really do understand why she didn't.

Alec had his moments that made me want to throttle him but for like 95% of the time he was a sweetheart and I adored him. His need to not drudge up the past while also growing feelings felt a bit moronic because a lot could have been cleared up sooner but I get not wanting to open up old wounds. He was so attentive to Dani even when he didn't want to be. Alec and Dani are the perfect couple/friendship. They had me giggling like a school girl most of the time.

Most of the adults in this story were also amazing. Big John was such a ray of sunshine even after his big accident. It's hard not to admire that. And don't even get me started on Mick. I absolutely loved him. I honestly think he was my favorite character in this story. Gruff and standoffish with a heart of gold.

Benji though, he needed to get punched. That kid was such a spoiled and whiny brat. The things he did were not ok and I'm surprised worse hadn't happened to him because he deserved it.

I could probably rave about this book for hours. But I'll leave it all at that. I highly recommend this book, especially if your looking for a cute love story.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

2.5 stars. I’ve loved every single one of Lynn Painter’s books, but Fake Skating didn’t quite work for me. It felt like a story I’ve read before, filled with familiar tropes and lacking anything fresh or engaging. The pacing was slow, and there just wasn’t enough to keep me invested this time around. Thank you for an advance copy!

Lynn painter has done it again. Dani and Alec were always platonic soulmates, until the last night of summer. When Dani had to move again her and Alec made up their own code, so they could send letters to each other without other people being able to read them. When all of a sudden Alec ghosted Dani, but Dani also ghosted Alec? Throughout the book you see their childhood relationship and young love slowly start to fog their brains until they can’t tell if it’s part of the fake dating or for real. Because everything was just pretend, right?

This book. THIS BOOK. Lynn you’ve outdone yourself. I loved this book. I mean LOVED it. Genuinely could not put it down. The combination of sports romance (the best kind - hockey) and friends to strangers to fake dating to lovers AHHHH I was OBSESSED. Dani and Alec are so relatable, and I loved all the characters so so much (not benji, we don’t talk about benji). Lynn has this writing style that makes you feel immersed in the story, as if you’re friends with the main characters, which makes it such a special experience for every reader. I could not recommend this book more.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Fake Skating follows Dani and Alec, childhood best friends who used to spend every summer together in Alec’s hometown. A sudden family tragedy uproots their lives and they are forced to grapple with a waning friendship that eventually succumbs to distancNow both 17, Dani’s life is shaken up once again, and she ends up moving permanently to Alec’s hometown, where she’s suddenly face-to-face with her childhood best friend, the boy she shared her first kiss with.

This was my first time reading a fake dating and childhood friends-to-lovers story, and I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it! The story was so cute, funny, and full of nostalgia. I found myself genuinely laughing out loud at times, especially thanks to the witty dialogue and Dani’s hilarious grandpa, Mitch—who completely stole the show in the best way.

Hockey plays a big part in the story too, it adds energy and charm to the dynamic between Dani and Alec, and helps deepen their bond as they navigate their fake dating arrangement. I really loved how it tied into Alec’s world and the overall vibe of the book.

There were a few moments of miscommunication between the characters, but I thought they were handled well and felt realistic for their age. The ending wrapped everything up nicely, and there were so many scenes that made me nostalgic for what it felt like to be in high school, those hallway moments, the fluttery nerves, and that intensity of young love.

Also, I have to say..I really liked the cover and the title. It fits the story so well and I will definitely be purchasing my own copy once this book is released!

Overall, Fake Skating was such a fun, feel-good read with heart, humor, and just the right amount of emotional depth. I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

**Reviews to be posted on Instagram and Goodreads in early September*

This book was so cute I could hardly stand it. Dani and Alec were childhood best friends who lost touch when Dani moved away. Now Dani is back in town for senior year and Alec is NOT the sweet lil nerd he used to be - he is (obvi) the star of the school hockey team. And what do you know but one thing leads to another and Alec needs sweet, good girl Dani to help improve his ~image~…let the fake dating begin 🥳

The banter was top tier and the yearning my goodness THE YEARNING. This was fake dating perfectly executed, the slight blip of miscommunication made logistical sense and was resolved without being dragged on for too long, and we KNOW I love an epilogue and this book gave us TWO.

I was literally squealing, giggling, kicking my feet for the entirety of this delightful booo. I couldn’t read it fast enough and therefore I hardly put it down. I loved loved LOVED Dani and Alec’s story and can’t wait for everyone to read it in September!

thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this arc in exchange for an honest review

this feels difficult for me to say, especially because i’m always grateful to receive ARCs, but i really struggled with this one. i’ve loved all of Lynn’s books in the past (we don’t talk about NLTM), so i went into this with high hopes, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me

the chemistry was nonexistent, and i found Alec especially hard to connect with. he didn’t have the charm or appeal i’ve come to expect from Lynn Painter’s book boyfriends. honestly, i found him frustrating, which made it tough to stay engaged. the dialogue also felt overly cringy at times, which added to my struggle. if this hadn’t been an ARC, i probably would’ve DNF’d

Dani is an air force kid that moved around a lot growing up and now that her parents have divorced her mom decides to go back to her small hometown in Minnesota. It’s bad enough Dani is starting yet again another new school, she also is living at her crabby grandpa’s house and trying to avoid her ex best friend, Alec. Alec and Dani were inseparable when she came for summer visits to her grandparent’s house until her ghosted her. Now she’s just trying to keep her head down and finish out her senior year and keep her sites on her dream of attending Harvard. And of course, avoid Alec.

I’m a huge fan of Lynn Painter so I was excited to see she had a new YA booking being released.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

As a longtime Lynn Painter fan (Betting on You, Better Than the Movies, and Nothing Like the Movies all live rent-free in my head), I had very high hopes for Fake Skating—and it absolutely delivered.

This book is such a sweet mix of all the tropes I love: childhood best friends to almost strangers to fake dating partners, layered with that familiar Painter charm and laugh-out-loud inner monologue. I am also a huge hockey romance lover so I was happy when I found out this was a hockey read!

Dani is such a well-drawn character—awkward, funny, deeply real—and I really felt for her as she tried to adjust to a new school yet again while dealing with the weight of expectations. Alec, of course, is the golden boy with depth, and their dynamic had that total slow-burn tension that Lynn writes so well. Dani & Alec history and banter was everything!

One thing I appreciated: the fake dating actually made sense plot-wise. I appreciate the third act conflicted and how the resolution made sense. Did not feel rushed to me at all.

My only tiny critique (which keeps it from being a full 5 stars): the beginning took a bit to find its rhythm for me, but once it hit its stride, I couldn’t put it down of course!!!

This is such a good teen romance for ALL ages, I am mid 20s and enjoy Lynn's books so much. If you love her other books or you’re a fan of the fake dating, found family, and sporty soft boys with hidden feelings, Fake Skating needs to be on your TBR!!!

Thank you SO much for this arc. I love Lynn's books so much.

Ahhhhh Lynn Painter just knows how to write a YA romance!!!! Honestly her books never let me down, this was such a sweet story! I loved all the characters, I felt so enveloped in this book! The childhood friend’s trope just gets me every time, Alec was such a sweet MMC. My only complaint is I wish it was longer!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Lynn Painter for the eARC!

Thank you Lynn Painter for writing a hockey romance! I have been a Lynn Painter fan since I read Better than the Movies in 24hrs and could not contain my excitement when I got this ARC. She writes adorable YA Romances that have you laughing, crying and kicking your feet. Dani and Alec are ex-childhood friends, that end up fake dating after Dani and her mom move in with her grandfather she spent her summers with. It is a wonderful fake dating romance with comedy if you are the fan of The Deal but want a YA version here you go!!!

Lynn Painter has done it once again! Sue me, but I think this book tops Better than the Movies. It was a story straight out of a winter rom-com, combined with all of my favorite tropes. Alec is the model boyfriend, even when it's fake. I would say that my only con would be that halfway through the book it started getting a bit repetitive, but that's how it usually is for a slow burn. Overall, loved it and can't wait to see what Lynn Painter does next!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, which will release on 9/30/25.
This book did not hold up to my expectations. I've enjoyed Lynn Painter's books before, but this one fell flat. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the perspective of a military teen, but in general did not care for the book. The amount of profanity was ridiculous! I know teenagers swear, but it was so frequent that it took away from my reading enjoyment. I found it difficult to connect with either main character, especially Alec and found the dual POV to be choppy. The fake dating trope did not work for this one and the miscommunication between the characters was extremely drawn out and frustrating. I was honestly ready for it to end and only stuck with it because it was an ARC. Definitely disappointed.

4.5
Fake Skating is a first person dual POV ya high school hockey romance that was so much more than I thought ima going to be. This is a second chance/former best friends and fake dating, they use to also be pen pals, high school hockey romance where our FMC has just come to town and is in a new school. Her mother and father are not together anymore and now her mother has brought her back to her hometown. They live with her grandfather who was a big name in hockey. Her, our FMC Dani, father is in the military, and she has done a lot of moving around, and sadly she has not had the best experience when it comes to new schools. She also needs to find an extracurricular activity to put on her application to Harvard. Enter in Alec. He is our MMC and the star player. He is also her former best friends. They were inseparable, and when they were catch them writing each other.
I really liked that part. I loved the reconnection. Alec is the way in for Dani to her extracurricular. So that is where the fake dating comes in.
I have many Lynn Painter books in my personal library but have yet to read them. I am now kicking myself because I know if they are all along these lines I am going to love them. It was a fun fast read that left me smiling.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own

YA queen Lynn Painter strikes again!!!!

I love how sweet the romance between Alec and DANI was. It did feel somehow fast paced at times but that didn't really affect the overall mood/plot of the book.

One thing YA in particular has shown me is that it's never too early to fall in love. I mean Alec literally fell in love with Dani at 9 years old.

It was a cute and nice read!