This book has the cutest cover and I always pick up Lynn Painter books when I see them! This was a cute one that is set against a perfect soundtrack. Lots of tropes in this one: fake dating, miscommunication, childhood sweethearts, hockey romance. I do think that Mick (the grandpa hockey player) was my favorite (and the dad my least favorite).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The grandpa gahhhhhh I loved him.

This is a Young Adult romance with a high school setting but as a woman over 40, I loved the entire thing. There is nothing more than kissing (which I appreciate in a younger book because then I don't feel like a creep haha).

The emotions were driven right through my heart. I laughed out loud, smiled, gushed, cried, and fell in love. The miscommunication trope was used well even tho at some points you want to bonk their heads together. But the main characters were so cute. They came to life on the pages and no one can convince me they aren't real people.

The grandpa was an incredible character and I felt the fmc's relationship with him was just as important as the main driving story.

As someone who grew up bullied and insecure this did a lovely job portraying those confusing and difficult emotions. You would also like this of you moved often or had a manipulative parent as those feelings were also explored.

I loved this so much.

Lynn Painter did it again with another hit.
Definite 5/5

Lynn Painter for the dub! Thank the hockey gods that this book exists because it is 100% pure magic.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This book was adorable. Like everything by Lynn Painter, I raced through it. Both Dani and Alec were relatable, and had such distinct voices. The side characters were fun also. Maybe we’ll come back to this universe in a companion book? There were a couple of threads that seemed a little under developed by the resolution, but not enough to knock off a star. Definitely looking forward to whatever Lynn Painter does next.

Thank you Net Galley and Simon Teen for this ARC!!!

This YA romance has everything you want in a hockey romance! Dani and Alex were best friends as a kid until one day, they weren’t. Now years later, Dani has moved back for her senior year. Dani hopes to reconnect with Alex but, he’s changed. Alec is hockey god and nothing like her old friend. Dani and Alec are brought together by a series of events and now they are forced into a fake relationship.

This book was perfect!! The romance and plot were all written together so well. I loved seeing both Alec and Dani’s points of views!! There were so many different elements and tropes that I think there was something for everyone!! I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports romance, fake dating, and second chances!!!

The first 50% of this book was miscommunication trope (which I hate) and it felt so dragged out. I loved the characters and fake dating is a great trope. But the 3rd act break up was ridiculous and that paired with the miscommunication was really disappointing. Lynn Painter is an auto buy for me so I’m hoping this was a one off bummer.

AND SHE DID IT AGAIN, LADIES!

Something about Lynn Painter’s YA romances is unmatchable. I FULL-ON GIGGLED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION...

Fake Skating is exactly what it sounds like—a hockey fake dating romance—but make it childhood friends to strangers to, well, fake dating? I loved everything about Dani and Alec’s relationship, even the miscommunication.

What really made this book so special to me—surprisingly—was Dani’s grandpa, Mick. He’s a hockey legend and all, but the way he goes out of his way to learn how to communicate with his granddaughter, to protect her?
It reminds me so much of the best man I know—my grandpa.

I’m so genuinely excited for everyone to experience the thrill of Lynn’s YA magic all over again this September!

A HUGE thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for putting me out of my misery and giving me the opportunity to read this early!

My review will be posted within one month of the publication date, per the publisher's request.

For now the stars can speak for themselves...

A heartfelt thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's no secret I'm a big fan of Lynn Painter, and oh my goshhhh 🤭 I adored her most recent book, Fake Skating, so much. This book made me feel E V E R Y T H I N G. I was kicking my feet with the happiest, giddiest, joy. I was emotional over Dani & Alec and the personal struggles they both faced. I was on the edge of my seat stressed and rooting for them. This was such a perfect childhood friends to lovers story that I adored.

It also has the fake dating trope and I loveee how it was used to force them back together again. Their romance truly gave "it's always been you energy". Scenes and moments from this story are going to be living rent free in my mind forever. The postcards, the first kiss, the mall bathroom scene!!! It also has the most perfect snowy winter vibes and makes me miss when it was cold outside.

BONUS! It's dual POV and he's a hockey player.

One of the best YA romances I’ve ever read!

Dani’s parents are getting divorced, so she and her mom move in with her grandpa in Southview, Minnesota. She used to spend every summer there and had a best friend—but over time, their friendship faded. Now that she’s reunited with Alec, he’s nothing like the boy she once knew.

This is such a heartwarming and sweet story about first love and friendship! I read most of it with a huge smile on my face, thinking about my own school days and first crush. Lynn Painter captured that stage of life so perfectly.

The characters are incredibly lovable and kind—it’s impossible not to fall for them. It was absolutely adorable how Alec wanted to stay mad at Dani but just couldn’t keep his distance. And the chemistry between them? Off the charts! I was holding my breath right along with Alec during their kisses.

I also really loved Dani’s grandpa—watching him try to bond with Dani was so touching.

I flew through the pages without even realizing. This book gave me all the feels, and I know I’ll be rereading it someday. Alec and Dani are the sweetest cinnamon rolls!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
❅ sports romance
❅ fake dating
❅ second chance
❅ young adult
❅ banter
❅ childhood friends

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m such a sucker for the fake dating trope - especially when they have a history. This was such a top tier YA. I come from a small town that goes all in on HS sports so I found this relatable… and I am a mood reader and this was just the right book at the right time for me.

Dani is an Army kid whose parents just split, she moves with her mom back to her mom’s hometown where she used to spend a month every summer with her old best friend, Alec. Circumstances caused them to drift apart but finding their way back to each other was a fun journey. I also appreciated the realistic depiction of divorced parents, sometimes getting caught in the middle and loving them despite their flaws.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read an early copy.

this was so good. I am such a sucker for a hockey romance and Lynn Painter being the writer? Chefs kiss, perfection. No one does banter better. I felt the exact same way reading Better Than The Movies as I did this book. I love Alec and Dani so much. This was just… I want to feel this way after every book I read.

I will forever be screaming about Fake Skating. Now, I absolutely love Lynn Painter’s writing, but Fake Skating is my new favorite by her beating Better than the Movies. I had SO much fun reading this. I was kicking, screaming, squealing and giggling. We follow our FMC Dani who is an Air Force child whose parents separated and moves back to the town where her mother grow up and where she used to spend summers with her childhood best friend. She hasn’t seen him since grade school and now they’re both seniors in high school, so she’s really dreading it. However, they both run into each other and get caught up where they have to make a scenario where they’re fake dating. Childhood friends to lovers might be my new favorite trope. It was so wholesome to watch Dani and Alec’s journey together. As a military spouse myself with children in school arlrrady, I felt for Dani and trying to fit in and finally watching her blossom was everything any parent could want and more! Thank you so much Lynn Painter for writing this fun YA romance.

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an eARC via netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was perfection and my favorite Lynn Painter book—YES, it was the BEST one she’s written!! I was so immersed in the story, I couldn’t put it down.

The plot, the characters, the writing… it was all perfect. The characters felt so REAL, and the book covered relatable topics.

Lynn Painter writes the best romances, and I hope she never stops💞
Honestly no complaints, 5⭐️

CW: a LOT of cursing, maybe a little bit too much for a YA book—my only complaint.

I downloaded this ARC in the afternoon and finished it by evening. As a lover of Lynn Painter's writing, I can attest that this one didn't disappoint! I knew what I was in for -- two characters who are wildly attracted to each other, who call each other by their last names, and who keep thinking of songs that apply to their situation. That's classic Lynn Painter writing and I'm not mad about it. This story is about childhood best friends Alec and Dani who have to (absolutely have to) fake date when she moves back to town even though they are now estranged. There is a lot of yearning. Gosh, the yearning. Add to that a "lost letters" trope that runs throughout the book because the characters don't want to have an honest conversation with each other till the end. I loved the other elements of the book that made it classically YA, too -- the navigation of difficult relationships with parents and grandparents, college admissions, sports (hockey), and fitting in with friends at school. Lynn Painter does such a good job at capturing the teen experience, and at other times, the young professional experience. She can do it all. I'm grateful that this book wasn't spicy (only kissing) and I'll happily recommend it to YA romance readers. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Not to be dramatic, but this might be one of my favorite reads this year! I’ve read all of Lynn Painter’s YA and Adult romance books, and this is definitely up there on my list of favorite books from her! I finished this in like a day and there wasn’t a single moment in this book where I felt bored.
Dani and Alec have known each other since they were kids. Dani moved a lot growing up because her dad’s in the Air Force. There was a falling out between Dani and Alec for a few years because they didn’t keep in touch. In her senior year of high school, she moves to Minnesota to live with her mom and grandpa. Dani reunites with Alec at school and finds out he’s a hockey star. They both agree to fake date for their personal gains. I’ve read several hockey romance books, but this was probably the cutest hockey romance I’ve ever read. I feel like the sport was introduced gradually in the book, so this is great if you’re dipping your toes into a sport romance for the first time. This book got me laughing, feeling sad and surprised. It felt so rom-commy to me in the best way possible.
I loved how this was taken place in Minnesota. I’ve never been there before, but I know how big hockey is in that state, especially high school hockey. I love how this book showcased how supportive hockey families are (i.e. hockey parents showing up to their kid’s games). You don’t really read much of that in other hockey romance books. I love the found family moments that are in this book, with the hockey team’s dynamics and all.
This is a YA romance novel, but Lynn Painter knows how to write kissing scenes. Romantic tensions could be found in some scenes (still clean though) and I would be on the edge of my seat for all of them, giggling and feeling excited.
Dani and Alec had their own family conflicts, but they made sure they were there for each other through those rough times. There were other conflicts that occurred in this book, especially towards the end but it didn’t really last long. I felt the book ended sorta abruptly. However, I felt like all of my questions that I had while reading this book were answered.
I wish I could read this book for the first time again! Thank you so much Netgalley and Simon Teen for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review! This book comes out September 30!

THIS! WAS! INCREDIBLE! Lynn Painter just knows to write a simpy man, and I appreciate that DEEPLY.

I loved the untraditional family dynamic. I loved the friendships/found family vibes. WE KNOW I LOVE SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE AND FAKE DATING SO THIS IS THE PERFECT STORM OF TROPES. I also love a man whose love language is physical touch, so the micro tropes were really doing it for me.

There were some minor things about the plot/lore that took we out of the story a bit, but oh man, Dani and Alec have GOT ME IN A CHOKEHOLD! ALEC BARCZEWSKI THE MAN YOU ARE 😻🙉🥰😘

Thank you NetGalley for making all of my ARC dreams come true!

A new couple has entered the villa: Dani and Alec

More in depth review to come.

Thank you Simon Teen and Lynn Painter for the opportunity to read and review Fake Skating!

Fake Skating is a childhood friends-turn-enemies-turn-fake-dating-partner love story. With Painter's banter forward writing, you can't help falling in love with everyone.

Dani Collins is moving back to Southview after her parents' divorce. She doesn't feel like she belongs there or anywhere, really. Moving from base to base, she learned pretty fast that 'best' friends would slowly disappear. Knowing she could disappear and no friend would care made her come more into her shell. At least, her dorky childhood best friend, Alec, would understand. It's the most non-dread part of her move. Yes, she still hasn't forgotten he ghosted her when she needed him during a difficult time. But, she was willing to try

Alec, codename Zeus, hockey champion of Southview. The pressure to get an NHL draft, save his family from debt, and bring victory to the town is huge, to say the least. He is dreading Dani's return. He misses her sarcastic remarks and her confident aura but it doesn't negate the truth that when his life crumbled after his dad's accident, she wasn't there.

They grow up into people that neither of them were expecting. The roles were reversed. Alec becomes a suave hockey player who seemingly gets what he wants. While Dani's mind can't help to think that no one likes her.

What's sweet is they fall in love with their childhood selves but also the person they grow into with a sprinkles of enemies romance. Alec breaks down Dani's wall and helps her with her social anxiety with the help of Grandpa Mick. Dani reminds Alec that he's perfect even without hockey.

They are two two whole person coming together to share their life and love.

This has become my new favourite of Lynn Painter. That's crazy as she keeps releasing new favourites over and over. I'm sorry Wes and Liz, a new bombshell couple has entered the villa!

lynn painter - the queen of YA rom coms!! I was so excited to read this and loved the hockey of it al. This was another great YA romance, I loved the second chance these two had and how gone Alec was for Dani. The conflict did kind of bother me and I didn't love how they never talked about it and it was in the background the whole book. BUT they're still cute and I love love!