*will post on instagram closer to pub date* FAKE SKATING by Lynn Painter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy! My excitement to get my hands on this book was off the charts, and it did not disappoint. Ah! This book was effortlessly funny, swoony, heart warming, and will have you grinning from ear to ear. Not only were the main characters in this book so lovable, but the side characters added so much! Watching Dani’s relationship with her grandpa grow was so sweet. If you’re a lover of witty banter, this book has got it all. Lynn is also so great at writing a book that is low spice, but still packed full will steamy chemistry!

Alec and Dani were childhood best friends who grew apart and eventually, grew into enemies. When Dani and her Mom move back to town, they are forced back into each other’s lives. Over time, old feelings, and new feelings start creeping back in.

Pub. Day: 9/30/25.

Perfect if you like:
•Childhood friends to lovers.
•Found family.
•Hockey romance.
•Fake dating.
•SO MUCH witty banter.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️
Mood: 🌮🍩

🚪: just kisses.
⚠️: lots of explicit language.

Would I let my teen read: in terms of spice, yes. In terms of language, no. If language doesn’t bother you, then it’s great!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

Another great YA romance by Lynn Painter! I don’t read much YA anymore but I will always pick up her new YA romance. This was fun, super cute, and had some drama sprinkled in.

Would recommend.

📚 Fake Skating
✍ Lynn Painter
📖 YA Romance
⭐4/5
🌶️
📆 Out 9/30/2025!
➡ Two childhood friends, who haven't spoken to each other in five years, are reunited when Dani moves to town after her parents divorce. Alec, who is nothing like the uncoordinated, awkward boy she remembers is now a hockey god in a hockey town while Dani is just struggling to fit in. But Alec's facing his own challenges and being seen with Dani may just be the answer to his problems. They begin to put on a show for everyone around them but in actuality, they may just be putting a show on for themselves because their feelings are definitely real.

🙏 Thank you to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy of Fake Skating. All opinions are my own.
◾
My thoughts: I adore Lynn Painter's banter and I can assure any other fans that it was alive and well in this book. Painter did a great job of tackling some deeper themes of family obligation, loyalty and trust with empathy and it was clear she did her hockey research as this had some great, authentic action scenes. For a YA book, this had a lot of mature language. I was personally unbothered by if you're going in expecting a super wholesome teen romance, this is something to be aware of. I did feel like some of the themes felt a little too reminiscent of some of Painter's other YA books (the main character was dealing with her parents recently divorcing) but like that Painter consistently creates a place in her books for teens going through this to feel seen. There were tons of song lyrics incorporated in the text and an awesome playlist at the end- so make sure to have your Spotify queued up as you read this one!
◾
Read if you love:
*fake skating
*hockey town setting
*hockey player MMC
*second chance romance
*childhood best friends to strangers to fake dating
◾
See also: Betting on You, Today, Tonight, Tomorrow, Play Your Part

4⭐️ Fake Skating is a YA childhood friends to lovers with fake dating. Alec and Dani’s moms are best friends who visit eachother every summer causing Alec and Dani to become best friends. Something happens in their childhood causing Dani to not come visit for a few years and one of them ends up being ghosted. Come Dani’s senior year they are moving back to her mother’s home town. Dani learns high school doesn’t always have to be so bad along with learning the ways of the Midwest and the towns love for hockey. With some fake dating Alec and Dani start to reconnect. Will they overcome the misunderstandings of childhood or will they let that stand in their way of finding love? Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this one early! I love a good hockey romance.

Thank you netgalley for the arc!!

This book was super fun and cute, but I won’t lie.. I expected a bit more. Half of the book is miscommunication and drama, which I kind of get it because they're teenagers but they never talked about the original conflict so all of that seem unnecessary.
I also didn’t like all the music references and swearing (and their parents being okay with it). But on the other hand.. I loved Dani so much!! I saw a lot of myself in her, and I’m so happy for everything she overcame 🩵

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Teen for this arc — I am rating this book from a personal (and teacher) POV. I was SO PUMPED to get my hands on this ARC. I love a good Lynn Painter romance—they are always done SO WELL! However, this is not my favorite Painter. The premise (and that cover) had me screaming with excitement, and once I started, reading I was like let’s goooo! But I quickly discovered we were gonna have to wait awhile (35%) for the romance to show up, and don’t get me started on the 13th F words in the first chapter. (I’ll save that for the end of my review.)

Dani and Alec are childhood best friends, reuniting every summer when she visits her Grandpa Mick. They send postcards with their own cute code until suddenly, the postcards stop. When Dani moves to live with her grandpa after her parents divorce, her and Alec, now the town’s hockey hero, reunite in a fake dating scheme.

One thing I loved about this book was the fake dating—this is usually one of my least favorite romance tropes, along with miscommunication, which we also have—but this fake dating is done right! It was evident that these two characters liked each other a lot, and the way it played out was perfection.

Another thing we love? Grandpa Mick, the hockey legend! He was so funny and sassy and caring—top tier book character here! I also loved Dani—she was realistically written as a character that moves around a lot because of her military dad.

But this book was still a let down in a few ways. First, as mentioned, the romance doesn’t start until almost 40% in—like halfway!! And the first half of the book is just plain boring and too much backstory that honestly went nowhere and never had a resolution/purpose.

Second, if Painter is going to continue to write teenage male characters, she needs to take a class or something— it’s like she’s getting progressively worse at writing, a convincing teen teenage boy. Alec’s chapters were a complete mess. The cussing was out of control and the song lyrics were weird— I know the music is her thing, but it did not fit in this book. At all.

And last, but not least, the amount of cussing is unhinged! I haven’t even read an adult book with this much cursing. There were so many times that the F word was said two or three times in a tiny paragraph. It took so much away from the story and was completely unnecessary.

Overall, I liked the book, but the slow start and the cussing were HUGE deal breakers. I cannot recommend this book to my 8th grade students.

Note: The f*ck is used 291 times. Sh*t is used 207 times. A** is used at least 250 times. Partying and binds are mentioned 13 times.

I think this may be Lynn Painter’s best book yet. Dani’s anxiety over moving and starting over was something I instantly connected with as a child of a military parent. Lynn captured those feelings so well. Alec is possibly her swooniest MMC yet and the two of them have amazing banter and chemistry. This book is layered, leaving me laughing and crying at multiple points.

This had such a fun setup—fake dating + figure skating sounded like a recipe for pure rom-com joy. There were definitely cute moments (the banter, the on-ice scenes, the forced proximity) and Lynn Painter’s humor still made me smile.

But… I never fully connected with the characters. The pacing dragged in spots, and some conflicts felt a little repetitive. The romance was sweet but didn’t quite give me the emotional swoop I was hoping for.

If you’re looking for something light, wintery, and trope-y, this will probably hit the spot—it just landed somewhere in the middle for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advanced E-ARC of this book!

I don't think anyone does YA better than Lynn Painter. I'm not the age range for these books, but that doesn't stop me from school girling over her stories and rooting for her couples. It's a testament to her writing that a high schooler and a 30 year old mother can experience the same amount of giddiness over the same story. High school is a universal experience that Lynn Painter emulates perfectly.

Dani and Alec are childhood best friends turned strangers turned misguided enemies turned fake dating turned lovers.
And then there's the fact that Alec is a hometown hockey god and Dani is a introverted book worm with her sights set on Harvard.

I'm usually drooling over the MMC's in Lynn Painter's books, but at first I thought Alec was a bit of a douche. His unexplained disdain for Dani combined with his cocky attitude had me wondering where this was going to go. As we dive further into his home life, his weighted expectations, and his past hurt, all lead to the facade he puts forth.

Dani is like a scared kitten that avoids social situations like the plague. The highlight is when her whip smart comebacks enter the chat. Not only is she smart, shes snarky and the perfect counterweight to Alec.

Another win by Lynn Painter for any fans of her previous novels.

4.5 stars

Lynn Painter you never fail to make me feel like I am living in a high school coming of age romcom!!! I loved this so much. You do have to remember that they're high school kids sometimes when it comes to some of their actions and decisions (because sometimes you just want to scream at them like WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT) but Lynn Painter absolutely never fails.

This book was classic Lynn Painter. It’s hard not to compare to Better Than The Movies as that was perfection. But this was still a fun read.

3.5 🌟 if there’s one thing that lynn painter can do, it’s write an adorable high school romance! she truly never lets me down. wasn’t my all time favorite of hers (btttm is hard to top) but it was truly an enjoyable experience nonetheless. alec & dani’s history felt a little unimportant in the grand scheme of things and kept getting in the way of what pulled me in the most but overall, they were quite the pair! this book is def worth giving a shot!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (infinite stars, actually)

As always happens with Lynn Painter’s books, I’ve just finished “Fake Skating” and already want to dive back in for a reread. This book has everything I love in a YA romance—and more: raw emotion, off-the-charts tension, and characters that feel so real they might as well be my friends. 

Lynn has truly outdone herself. “Fake Skating” is a perfect blend of 🔥 fake dating, 💖childhood friends to enemy to lovers, 💘 second chance romance… and 🏒 hockey! These tropes are already irresistible on their own, but together? They explode into a story that’s sweet, intense, and completely addictive.



Dani and Alec were childhood best friends who spent every summer together. One summer, just before Dani has to leave Southview earlier than expected, something sparks between them—something more than friendship. They promise to stay in touch until the next summer, but something goes wrong, and they lose contact. The disappointment scars them both.

Years later, when they both are 18, Dani is back in their snow-covered Minnesota town for good, dreading the moment she’ll run into Alec. Would he still be the sweet, nerdy boy she remembered?
He’s not. Alec has changed. He’s now a hockey star, so popular he’s literally nicknamed Zeus. And emotionally? Much more closed off. Cold, even. But after a few heated interactions and miscommunications, the two end up agreeing to fake date…. for convenience. Naturally, things spiral, and in the most delicious ways possible 💘.

Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. Every line of dialogue, every glance, every emotionally loaded moment had my heart racing. Romantic tension oozes from every page, built masterfully. Every glance, every moment? Built with perfect tension. I couldn’t stop reading. ❤️‍🔥 Alec can’t stay away from her, Dani finds comfort in him, and watching them circle around each other—drawn in, pushing away, coming closer again—was just… beautiful.

But the magic of this book doesn’t stop at the romance (though, believe me, it will make you swoon). It’s in the character growth. Dani, in particular, has become one of my all-time favorite YA heroines. She’s insecure but brave, awkward in relationships yet desperate to build connections, full of sensitivity and nuance. Watching her find a place to belong—finally, deeply, truly—with people who love her exactly for who she is, was incredibly moving.

The “found family” dynamic hit me right in the heart. Alec’s friend group takes Dani in like she’s always been one of them, and that sense of belonging is one of the things I adored most.

Alec, too, is much more than the golden hockey boy he appears to be. Under the surface, he’s carrying emotional weight, pressure, and scars. His sense of responsibility toward his family, and the way he slowly opens up again with Dani, is written with so much realism and care.
And Grandpa Mick? ICONIC. Funny, gruff, tender when you least expect it. Every scene with him made me laugh or cry… often both!

Another big win: “Fake Skating” also tackles important topics like anxiety, loneliness, parental divorce and complicated family dynamics. It does so gently, never overwhelming the narrative, but adding richness and depth. I laughed. I cried. I saw pieces of myself.

And then there’s Southview itself, this little world of snow ❄️, hockey games and real friendship. It felt like a place I’d actually want to live in.
When I turned the last page, it genuinely felt like I was leaving home.



The ending? Absolutely perfect. Sweet, satisfying, emotionally rich without ever tipping into cheesy. It’s about reaching important milestones—with the people who matter most by your side. I closed the book with a smile on my face and a lump in my throat.
And the cover? Just the cherry on top: wintry, eye-catching, and a perfect reflection of the cozy, romantic vibes inside.

Content warnings: 🧠 anxiety, 👪 family issues, 💔 loneliness and parental divorce, strong language, off-page substance use always explored with care—never heavy-handed, always human.


In short, “Fake Skating” is so much more than a YA rom-com.
It’s the kind of book that wraps you in a hug, makes you laugh, cry, feel. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to highlight every sentence, hug the characters, and never let them go. It’s warmth, safety and love. Pure magic!!



Thank you so much NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Pub., and Lynn Painter for the chance to read this masterpiece. I still can’t believe I got the ARC. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I felt sooo freaking BLESSED.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly Charming and Laugh-Out-Loud Funny!
Fake Skating is exactly what I hoped for and more — witty, swoony, and filled with the kind of banter that makes you grin like an idiot in public. Lynn Painter has mastered the art of writing chemistry, and the fake dating + ice skating premise delivers all the cozy, slow-burn tension my heart could want.

The characters are so well-drawn. The heroine is hilarious and relatable, and the love interest? Total book boyfriend material — charming, a little broody, but with a soft heart that sneaks up on you. Their dynamic had me rooting for them from page one, and I loved watching their fake relationship spiral into something real, messy, and beautiful.

Painter’s signature humor shines through every chapter, but there are also genuine emotional beats that give the story depth. It's not just fluff — it’s smart, heartfelt, and incredibly satisfying.

If you're a fan of rom-coms with a fresh voice, unforgettable characters, and plenty of skating rink shenanigans, Fake Skating is an absolute must-read. Lynn Painter has done it again!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC of this book.

Dani and Alec are childhood friends who end up losing contact over the years. But what happens when Dani and her mom move back to her mom’s hometown where reconnects with Alec, who is now the towns high school hockey hero?

Y’all.. I’m obsessed with this book. I slammed through it in two days. It was perfection.
Lynn Painter writes phenomenal YA romcoms that feel like anyone from the ages of 14 to 40 can read them and enjoy them. That’s truly a talent.
There’s such a thin line that Lynn manages to perfectly balance upon where these books are appropriate for the age group they’re marketed for, but they don’t feel babied down (if that makes sense).

Dani had such a great character arc throughout the story, from an outgoing child, to an introverted teen and then finally becoming her old outgoing self again after being with Alec and her grandfather. Seeing the way her father’s job affected her with all the moving is something that isn’t quite talked about often.
Alec being a clumsy kid, to having a growth spurt and becoming a Hockey God and having to reconcile who is Alec and who is “Zeus”. Especially within his family. He also has a great arc with his character and he’s just so fun to read in his POV.

But no review on this book would be complete without mentioning Dani’s grandfather Mick. He’s my favorite secondary character in this entire book. His and Dani’s scenes always had me laughing or on the verge of tears (I did shed for real tears at one point)

Anyways, this book is great, everyone should read all of Lynn Painters YA books. They’re the best

Thank you, NetGalley for this early ARC!

Song: We hug now- Sydney Rose

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. When I say Lynn Painter was coming out with a hockey romance book, I knew it was going to be a dangerous combo, and I was right! The whole time, I was giggling and kicking my feet. When I read this book, it reminded me why I fell in love with reading. The dynamic between Alec and Dani was so sweet. I related to Dani so much, from the social anxiety to the feeling of not fitting in. Alec was such a funny character, and the pet names he would use caught my heart every single time! Also, Grandpa Mick was such a diva!

Again, thank you, Netgalley so much for this ARC.
This book was such a fun read!

I am so grateful for the advanced copy of this book! It was one of my most anticipated releases and it didn’t disappoint! I love Lynn Painter and Dani and Alec are so cute.

First off, I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to whomever made a mistake at NetGalley and sent me an arc of Fake Skating!!! ;) I never, in a million years, thought I’d be approved when I requested this arc ,and could barely believe my eyes when the approval email graced my inbox. I will try to be worthy of the honor by providing the following unbiased review:

This was a 4.5 star. If you liked Lynn Painter’s other YA books, get ready because this book is as good (or better - yes, I said it!). In this story, we are following childhood friends Dani and Alec as they reunite as high school seniors after not seeing or speaking to each other for some years. Dani is *hopefully* Harvard bound, and Alec is a hockey star at the high school both will attend. Circumstances ensue and the two enter into a fake dating relationship that turns into something more - you get the picture. In this book you get sports, family drama, child friends to lovers and the absolute cutest grandpa … more on that later.

What I loved: Almost everything! I flew through this book in one sitting! I loved both characters and think they were written in a realistic way. I could see and hear real high school seniors saying/doing the things these characters did (and as a high school teacher, sometimes I do). I think Alec and Dani each had their own interesting storylines that worked well and kept the plot moving. I found the side characters super likeable (except Benji - Benji can kick rocks) and especially loved the girl bonding that happened between Cassie and Dani. There are no words for how adorable the grumpy grandpa is in this book. I would read an entire book JUST about him looking up “how to” advice on his phone.

Why I took off half a star: I know the language in this book is in line with Painter’s other books, but I think it is too mature for 14 & 15 year olds. I couldn’t imagine recommending this to an 8th, or even 9th grader, to read with the amount of times the F word (and almost every other cuss word is littered throughout). Also, I am uncomfortable with the reference to P0rnhub. It is a one sentence reference that is very minor, but any reference is unnecessary in a YA level book, in my personal opinion. The “spice” was mild - kissing only.

All in all, I would say if you loved Lynn Painter in the past, you’ll eat this UP! This is actually my new favorite Lynn Painter book! My only caveat would be to be mindful of the language and slightly mature content referenced when deciding if it’s appropriate for you or your reader(s).

Alec and Dani’s mothers were best friends and the two spent their summers together as children. They become very close and promised to stay in touch via postcards when Dani moved abroad for her father’s jobs. But then the postcards stopped, and each thought the other was no longer interested in staying connected.

In their senior year, Dani’s parents divorce, and she and her mother move to the town where Alec lives. Much to Dani’s surprise, Alec is now a hockey star. She is determined to stay out of his way, until a series of unfortunate events leads them to become a fake couple. As they spend more time together, Dani and Alec find themselves drawn to one another as they face the uncertainty of what their respective futures hold.

This was an engaging story. As always, the author effectively captures the highs and lows of this period of life. Dani and Alec are both compelling characters and you can’t help but root for them.

Highly recommended!

Another great Lynn Painter rom-com that has it all. Childhood friends to lovers, first kisses, undeniable chemistry, AND hockey! Lovable characters, laugh out loud funny, slow-burn goodness. Loved it from start to finish!