Lynn Painter will always be the queen of romances that make you squeal and kick your feet! I love her writing and this is no exception! Definitely check this one out if you loved Better than the Movies

Lynn Painter is known for her swoony male love interests and close to perfect romances. I was expecting to read one of those kinds of stories, and the dedication page made me believe that I was going to connect with this story. Sadly, I didn't connect with this story that well.

I felt bad for Dani, because her military father sucks and caused her to move around throughout her childhood. He's causing her to have all this turmoil while she's also dealing with the fact she's having to start over in a new place once again. When she had these emotional scenes, I felt bad for her, but it didn't move me. I found her bland, and I was not expecting that for a Lynn Painter female character.

I could have been reading in his voice wrong, but I just found him whiny. He was complaining a lot in the beginning of the story, and he also cursed on every single page. If you had a friend that cursed in every single sentence, you would be fed up with it. I also found him bland and didn't really feel anything towards him, which I'm shocked at because this is the same author who wrote Wes Bennett.

The romance to me was unconvincing. I feel like Dani and Alec had no emotional connection and that their physical attraction towards one another drove the romance plot. They didn't sit down and talk about the conflicts they had with each other years ago; the thing you would do when you were getting serious about someone. Iny my opinion, their relationship won't last long because of how dishonest Dani was to him and only came clean at the end.

Also, how do these teenage characters feel so comfortable cursing in front of their parents? I just found that a bit unrealistic and odd.

While I didn't enjoy Fake Skating as much as I thought I would, I believe other people would really like it. Others may be able to relate to Dani and Alec and find their romance to be perfect. For me, it just wasn't my kind story. Although I will say, I was still smiling at times so that means you should read this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this arc!

Lynn Painter - you did it again! I have never met a Lynn book I didn't like. I probably looked silly the entire time I read this book because I had the dopiest smile on my face, but I don't care! Fake Skating was so great! LOVED the characters, setting, plot, dialogue, romance, tropes. I also loved the shout-out to God in acknowledgements. Thank you for writing a great romance book, plain and simple: staying true to your characters, and not adding in extras just to check a publishing box. Keep up the great work, and I can't wait to read the next one! Thank you for allowing me to read it early. I will definitely recommend this one and we have already purchased a copy for the library.

One of my favorite authors! All of her books bring me so much joy. Another great read from Lynn Painter

I really enjoyed this one! I think the chemistry between the characters was great and I enjoyed their cute moments!

The only thing that really bothered me was the amount of cussing in the first couple of chapters. It evened out eventually, but Alec’s first couple of POVs were full of the f word. Teenagers definitely curse, and normally it doesn’t bother me, but it was so frequent at the beginning of the book (multiple on one page and even in the same paragraph) that it was pretty distracting and kept taking me out of the book. It just felt jarring and unnatural, but it evened out eventually.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

MY FAVORITE READ OF THE YEAR. Lynn Painter absolutely outdid herself with this one, and I am not complaining.

This book had all of my beloved tropes like childhood best friends to lovers and fake dating (hence the title). Dani and Alec are now my favorite book couple everrrrrr. They have an insane amount of chemistry and the BANTER was chefs kiss 💋

Every character was so formulaic and realistic, it felt like I was a part of the story itself, watching from the sidelines. I finished this in one sitting and i’m already ready to re-read it again because why is it so perfect???

I’m so insanely grateful to have been gifted this arc and I can’t explain in words how much I loved this story. Lynn Painter, you’re my inspiration. Thank you to netgalley, Simonteen publishing, and Lynn Painter herself!

(I’m sending all my friends to buy Fake Skating when it releases)

Going into this book I had no idea that Dani was a military brat.

My dad was in the US Army for over 20 years before retiring out while I was in high school. I spent my entire childhood moving around; Washtington, Japan, California, Texas, Kansas, Washington (again), Guam, Ohio, and South Carolina. Including college, I have attended 12 different schools, including 3 different high schools. 4th grade was the first time I was not the new kid in school and 8th grade was the second time.

I have always struggled with friendships. I think it can really mess with a child/young adult going into friendships knowing that they have expiration dates. I was always incredibly jealous of the people who didn't have to uproot their lives every year, jealous of the people who had long term friendships and memories. I struggled with mean girls, bullies, and making friends in general. The first day of every new school year was always filled with so much anxiety. I always found myself hoping that teachers would do the awkward icebreakers, just so that I could familiarize myself with my new classmates sooner (familiarity helped my anxiety). The second high school I went to, I truly contemplated spending lunches in the bathroom, unfortunately the library was not an option for me.

My grandparents openly dislike my dad because he “took my mom away from them” and I have never had a relationship with them. They chose not to be a part of my life and I do not plan on inviting them to my future wedding…

I say all of this information about me to say that I have never felt more seen by a main character than I have with Dani. Dani is me and I am Dani.

I think that this book helped show me that my childhood, while it was the only childhood I know, was not normal and that it still affects me to this day. I cried twice while reading about Dani's first few days at her new school- it brought up all of the old emotions I used to feel at a new school.

Seeing Mick try to build their relationship really hit home for me. I wish my grandparents cared enough to put in an effort, ever. So, seeing Mick try was very cathartic for me. Also the friendships Dani made her senior year was so nice to see. My senior year of high school I was in a group of friends and had thought these would be my friends going into college since I was going in state (Clemson), I ended up getting in an argument with one of the girls, and everyone dropped me without a second thought. Nobody ever asked for my side of the story. None of them would speak or even look at me- and cherry on top was my birthday was the next day. Cassidy, Lillie, and Liz outright saying that Danni was their friend regardless that they were friends with Alec first was also very cathartic for me.

I loved Alec as a character. His personal struggles and growth added to the story perfectly. The chemistry between Dani and Alec was palpable. The flirting was perfect. Their shared history was so heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved everything about their relationship. I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire book.

My only complaint is the nickname Zeus. I wish there had at least been a conversation where the nickname was explained. It probably came from him “playing like a god” or something, but I wish that had been explicitly addressed- even better if it was Dani teasing him for the nickname.

Overall, I loved this book. Definetly my new favorite Lynn Painter book. I'm going to refine my goodreads/social review to be less personal, but I did want to share that here to help describe how much of myself I saw in Dani. A perfect YA rom com!

I’ve read a few Lynn Painter books and loved them all, so I went into Fake Skating with high expectations and it delivered. The story had me hooked from the very beginning. Dani and Alec’s chemistry was off the charts, and that first kiss? Intense. I loved getting both of their POVs, especially seeing how hard Alec was falling for her even when he tried to fight it.

There’s a lot going on in this book family secrets, complicated emotions, and a fake dating setup that slowly turns into something real. Dani’s relationship with her dad was frustrating but added depth to her story, and watching her finally stand up for herself was so satisfying. Alec was such a great love interest, sweet, protective, and clearly head over heels.

The romance was full of tension and heart, and there were so many scenes that made me smile, swoon, or tear up a little. The writing was sharp, funny, and emotional in all the best ways. And the ending? Absolutely perfect.

If you’re a Lynn Painter fan or just love a good YA romance with humor and heart, Fake Skating is a must read. I couldn’t put it down.

This was a cute read! It definitely felt very YA, which I know was the point. I thought the characters were cute. The story felt a little rushed. But overall, I enjoyed it!

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter is a fun YA romance, obviously based around hockey. Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids before Dani moved away. Years later, Dani returns to town as a high school student. excited to reconnect with Alec, only to find that he is a hockey star. One thing leads to another and Dani agrees to fake date Alec. But is it really fake? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is Lynn Painter’s newest YA romance and I often think her YA books are better than the adult novels because the character’s have more depth and backstory. Dani and Alec were childhood friends who got together every summer, but they had a falling out and haven’t spoke in years. Dani who up until now lived on military bases and moved around a lot. Due to her parents divorce she and her mother are going to live in the same town as her grandfather which is the town she visited every summer and saw Alec. Through a series of events Dani and Alec fake date. Will they rekindle their friendship or possibly become something more?
This book was cute as expected, but it also had a lot of heart and depth. The characters were great and the grandfather became my favorite. The story is a bit formulaic and kind of predictable, but that adds to the charm of Lynn Painter’s books. This will easily fall into the category of a comfort read. If you’ve loved Lynn’s other books then you’ll enjoy this one too. There are a few nods to older books, but you could still read this one first and you’d enjoy it right out of the gate.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this E-ARC via NetGalley!
I wish that we had teen romances like these when I was in high school 🏒

Childhood friends to enemies to fake dating to lovers is what you’ll find in this one! Dani moves to her mom’s home town when her parents divorce and comes face to face with her childhood best friend now known as “Zeus”.

Hockey rules this town and her new high school. Zeus ghosted her years ago and she’s still hurt by it. When Zeus needs an image rebrand and Dani needs an extracurricular for Harvard, they fake date.

The fake dating slowly becomes real. But with Dani’s dad constantly trying to make Dani choose while Zeus has to mask his injuries, will they survive it?

I thought this was a fun coming of age story that addresses the teenage problem of not having any control over their lives and finding their way!

Review

I always love a Lynn painter book, I've read three of hers and I am obsessed with her so going into this, I had high expectations for sure. The premise sounded very interesting for sure! Her dad sounds horrible and that first kiss. What happened after that first kiss to make him feel that way about her? Interesting seeing it from the other pov. I wonder what's going on with the grandpa and the moving. Benji? The dinner and seeing grandpa again. I liked hearing alecs pov on this. The twins and the fact that she didn't know about them because her mom was very wary about talking about that life around her dad, crazy! The dinner. He can't stop thinking about her and the bonfire. His mom texting him about Dani! She loves Harvard. The hockey talk at breakfast and the first day of a new school. Cassie? The rules and she seems nice. Hmm how do they know her through Zeus? Wait he's Zeus?! He thinks she's cute and he hasn't even seen her yet!! The prep rally and the no extracurricular activities? She got knocked out?!? Her figuring it out! Them having class together. Them running into each other! Him trying to ignore her and failing. The library and Cassie. No eating at school? Him trying is very sweet. Olympics?!?! Damn that sounds so sad and the accident. The speeches. Co manager? The postcards sound interesting. The practice and her dad seems like a dick! Her crying and him helping. Damn. This is when the fake dating comes into play i guess. Benji? Why do they hate each other still and what happened with the postcards anyway? Damn he was the guy he fought. The phone call and the backstory. Him coming to pick her up and burrito? That entrance. Lunch and the gummy bears. Them omg I wonder how Alec is after that whole day of pretending! The wreck sounds so painful. Ow. That's so fucked up. The dinner and him almost falling. Them kissing and her grandpa coming out to see it. The conversation about everything. Damn he cleans up nice! She makes hockey sound so interesting!!! Omgggg! The dare and the aftermath. Benji? The 20 questions part! Wow she's super smart but left school so quickly after meeting him? No wonder grandpa hates her dad. Damn wtf. Them talking and dating. He's down bad. The patch part. The changes and him thinking all about her. They are both down bad. This new sport and her grandpa and her was adorable!! The friends banter! Her drinking omg and the hurt he felt after eavesdropping. Diet Pepsi and no alcohol? The game sounds serious. The walk and the kiss. Her dad is such a dick!! The dinner and what is happening? The jersey and the milkshake was so sweet. Him finally being ready and her being the person for him! Woah wtf?!?! Eww. They won! She loves him?!?! Yayyyy! Woah and the spot. Of course Benji shows up! He deserves to get punched and why did she bring him there? His parents being honest to him. Woah Ben sucks! End things? Disgusting. No.. he brought it up! The breakup was so heartbreaking, they better get back together. Her dad just left? Horrible man. Them coming over and her learning she has real friends. The panic attack. Him being upset about the breakup and what kind of playlist? Hahah. He's listening to exile? The hype of Gaga and he seems so sad, he can't even be happy about the game. She told her grandpa everything?!?! They watched from afar and not Kyle tripping Benji! Haha! Ugh her dad again! Her finally standing up for herself to her dad! Hell yeah girl! Wait what and the postcards? He threw them out?!? Wtf is wrong with him. Alec is down? They are going to the hospital. They won?! Yay! The snack and the surgery. Lynn after my own heart by putting role model in here awww. Oh no! Damn the proclamation that they are back together! Them together is so cute omg! Omg busted. Not the nurse calling her out. Them. The postcards live on and Harvard. Damn girl walking all the way there no issues. They won, she got into Harvard and that is near where he is playing hockey, so cute. I loved this book so much!

Quotes: "the girl who'd laminated our decoders had left the chat, and now Dani Collins was somebody that I used to know."

"He kisses me like he plays hockey."

I rated it five out of five stars!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced copy of Fake Skating!! Whenever I want something sweet, cute, and cheesy Lynn Painter's rom-coms never fail me! This one was no different, I loved Dani + Alec, I loved the hockey aspect to it, and all the songs! Such a short fun read! If you like childhood-lovers to friends, fake dating, sports romance and much more be on the look out for this book's release on September 30!

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Lynn Painter’s books, especially her YA books. When I saw that this new Lynn Painter book was coming out and that it was a childhood friends-to-lovers hockey romance, I just about peed my pants from excitement. Even with these being common themes in romance books nowadays, I never had a doubt in my mind that Lynn Painter would deliver, and she absolutely did.

Dani and Alec have to be one of my new favorite Lynn Painter couples. Their story of how they grew up together and were each other’s first loves is so sweet and wholesome. We know that Lynn Painter writes insane banter, and I think this might be some of her best work in that department.

I really love how in each of her books Lynn Painter writes her characters so uniquely and they all have defining characteristics that make the easily memorable. She also does a phenomenal job at bringing some element of struggle into her books while keeping them lighthearted and fun. She touches on some real struggles that people go through making the characters feel relatable.

I think my favorite part of this book that makes it stand out from Lynn Painter’s other YA Rom-Coms, was the introduction of Dani’s Grandpa Mick. Mick is Dani’s grumpy grandpa who also happens to be a retired hockey legend and the towns local celebrity. Even though he is grumpy, he truly values Dani as is granddaughter and wants a relationship with her. Mick experiences similar struggles to Dani and can relate to her in that way, which makes their relationship very unique.

This book was and easy 5 stars for me and I would highly recommend this book to anyone! Probably one of my favorite reads of 2025. Huge thank you to Simon Teen for sending me and ARC of this book.
Go preorder Fake Skating now, out on September, 30th 2025!

What can I say except for Fake Skating is an utter gem of a YA novel. Once again (like in Better Than the Movies and Nothing Like the Movies), Painter creates a rich, timeless, and inviting world within a page or two (no joke). Whether you are 15, 25, 35, or 65, Dani and Alec’s story enraptures you to the point at which you forget how old you actually are, quickly returning you to your teenage self. While there are a few flaws for sure (I would have loved it if we were privy to the conversation Dani needed to have with her mother, Hannah, and Dani was honestly too forgiving of her father re: his choices), Fake Skating on the whole is a straight shot of joy and excitement to one’s veins.

Alec is such a breath of fresh air re: teenagers in this day and age, so certain and comfortable with his feelings (is it cynical for me to believe that he may not be indicative of any Gen Z teen?). Dani was a tiny bit frustrating at times, but her arc was wonderfully developed.

I have yet to read any of Painter’s adult fiction for fear that they pale in comparison to her YA entries. Is it too much to ask for her next follow-up stat?

I hope that anyone who reads Fake Skating enjoys it just as much as I did.

Thank you SO much to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC!

WOW! Just wow, I loved this book. I’m immediately hooked/drawn to stories that have the fake dating trope AND it’s written by Lynn Painter?? immediately yes. Absolutely, give me the book!!

This story follows two high school seniors Alec and Dani (Daniella) who were childhood best friends. They had a falling out, but were reconnected when Dani moves to Southview for her senior year.

Alec or “Zeus” is an ice hockey player who’s always had a soft spot for Dani. He is, in my opinion, better than THEE Wes Bennett. I’m not even joking, I think i’ve giggled more times in this book than I ever did in BTTM and that books is incredible!!! However, Fake Skating is just a refreshing, new, and exciting story that Better than the Movies doesn’t have. Alec is just chefs kiss in this story. So understanding, just so boyfriend coded. I was a little annoyed how he acted standoffish for a bit and then immediately started being nice to her. I wish there would’ve been more of a slow burn OR he just didn’t act like that. That’s my only concern for him. If I could give him a song it would be “Just Keep Watching” by Tate Mcrae!


Dani is a military kid who moves around a lot and finally gets to fit in at Southview… and gets to fake date their star hockey player. She’s so adorable!! I feel like her and Liz would get along so so well. She loves to read and read and read. I loved her communication with everyone and overall she’s the best! I liked how the author explained her social anxiety and I got to relate to her experience with school/mental health. We could’ve dove deeper into that, but I liked how it didn’t over shadow the book. The story is meant to be a rom-com, not depressing. If I could give her a song it would be “Mirrorball” by Taylor Swift!

Overall I loved Fake Skating! I finished it in a day and it’s a lovely story. Though, if I were to be honest, I wished that the miscommunication they had at the end was more dramatic than it was. I’m a sucker for drama and that’s the only thing I would change. I feel like Dani talked more about it with her Grandpa than she did with Alec. It felt a bit rushed towards the end with that. Anyways, If you’re a fan of Better than the Movies or Lynn Painter in general, please consider picking this up on September 30th!

Lastly, Thank you Netgalley & Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for letting me read and explore the world of Lynn Painter once again :)

Thanks to NETGALLEY for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lynn Painter. She has such a way with whimsy and romcoms. I feel like this book really captured the high school experience, childhood sweethearts reunited vibe while also touching on harder topics like absent parents, medical expenses, moving and not knowing where home really is, and finding yourself.

Alec and Dani’s relationship was cute and fun. Some of their miscommunication could’ve been easily resolved, but then where would the conflict and resolution be, right? Their cute moments added lightheartedness to the story, and their banter was fun. I feel like they really represented a high school couple. They weren't overly mature--they made some mistakes personally and with each other--but they weren't childish either. Painter is very good at portraying age appropriate characters, which I love.

Overall, a cute fun read with a satisfying ending.

**Lynn Painter delivers again with a sweet, small-town hockey romance perfect for YA readers.**

The story follows Dani and Alec, two high schoolers who spent their summers growing up together. Dani, from a military family, returns to a small Minnesota town with her mom to live with her grandfather—reuniting with Alec, now a rising hockey star. Their rekindled friendship quickly turns into something more, set against a backdrop of fake dating, childhood sweethearts, family drama, and a classic coming-of-age journey.

Told through dual POV, the story is charming and heartfelt. While I found the ending a bit abrupt and the overall tone a little too sweet for my personal taste, it never dragged—I stayed engaged the entire time. I’ve just come to realize I may be aging out of YA romances. That said, this isn’t a knock on the book or on Lynn Painter, who continues to craft enjoyable, well-paced stories.

As a high school English teacher, I appreciate having a wholesome romance to recommend—one that doesn’t rely on sexual content to create emotional depth between characters.

**Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the ARC.**

4.5 stars.

A sweet young adult novel with charming and heartwarming moments.

Readers of Lynn Painter will be thrilled with her latest novel for young adults. Even adults will enjoy this book from beginning to end.

Looking forward to reading more of her books and definitely recommend this upcoming release!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.