This book was absolutely adorable! It is the perfect book for the fall season. The atmosphere and the banter in this romance were top-tier! It had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. I will definitely be checking out more from this author!

thank you netgalley for the arc ୭˚. ᵎᵎ ˚˖𓍢🌷✧˚.🎀⋆

firstly, my memory is SO bad i forgot to write the review (that’s why i just wrote it)

secondly, love love love

──★ ˙🍓 ̟ !!

i really enjoyed this!! the cover was stunning, the characters were just a vibe, the plot was just ˗ˏˋ there ˎˊ˗, it was really fast paced and i couldn’t put it down!!

matt becker. the. man. you are.

zoey delacroix. the girl you are.

daphne was such an icon and a baddie (goal in life 💌) and i loved her attitude and stuff

overall 4 stars out of 5 !!

Zoey is all set to take over her fathers empire, but she has to prove herself to the shareholders. She decides to go to a small town and get a piece of land that her father was never able to secure.

Matt is the owner of a flower shop and is in charge of taking care of his teenage sister. Matt is having a hard time keeping the flower shop afloat and he is needing resources to make sure he doesn’t lose something he loves.

In order for Zoey to get the property that is needed she has to go to a town meeting for a vote. Nothing goes the way she wants, but Matt ends up being there to rescue her.

They make a deal to have a fake relationship that is mutually beneficial.

I really enjoyed Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard. This was my first book by Elodie, but I cannot wait to read more in the When in Pine Falls series!

I adored this. The perfect small town romance with everything I love - enemies to lovers, found family and fake dating. There’s plenty of spice, the main characters have to reluctantly work together and I had serious 2000s romcom movie vibes while reading! I’ll definitely be picking up more Elodie Collard!

I ate up this book. It had a Hallmark vibe with heat, funny moments, a good character growth and some swoony bits. This book as fun, light and just a pleasure to read. I fell in love with Zoey right away and Matt swept me off my feet after the first couple chapters. This story was what I needed to get me out of a reading slump. I liked the plot and even though the ending was predictable I still enjoyed the ride to get there.

This was my first Elodie Colliard book and I am so in love! The story was beautifully written, a perfect rivals-to-lovers romance with amazing dynamics between the two MCs. A small-town guy, who has a one-night stand with the hot city gal that's come there to make her daddy proud, say less! He wants to make bouquets for her and love her the way he knows she deserves. Oh yes, by the way, Matt our MMC owns a flower shop, *swoon*! And of course, Zoey, our FMC, begins falling for him and there's no stopping the chemistry that's ready to bubble over between these two! The kiss in the rain, the way he longs for her, and the way she falls for him! I just couldn't get enough of this story! Hoax and Kisses is such an amazing read! 10/10 recommend!

What a lovely small-town romance! I really enjoyed my trip to Pine Falls and the whole dynamic of the town. I think this is one of the aspects that made me enjoy this book so much more: the fact that I felt like I was part of the town and their decisions. The community part was very well done.

Now to the characters, Matt won me over quite fast, despite his tough exterior that was only shielding a heart of gold. I needed a bit more time with Zoey, but she came around quickly once she started listening more to herself and her wishes, and less to her job and her dad's wishes. Although, Daphne was one of my favorites. I felt like she was well represented and she had a a deserving place in the story.

All in all, this book was really relaxing and enjoyable, one I would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a rivals-to-lovers, fake dating, small town romance.

I was drawn to the book from the cover and synopsis, I was sure I would love it! Unfortunately, I DNF. I couldn't connect with the characters and the plot just didn't draw me in. I am definitely in the minority though, so many others have loved it!

4.5 ⭐️/ 2 🌶️

Okay, full transparency, I was iffy on if I would enjoy this book after the prologue. I thought, based on the prologue, that I might not vibe with Zoey, the FMC, as much as I would’ve hoped. But I’m so glad I kept going because I ended up loving her so much. Zoey is a bit of a workaholic, people pleasing, emotionally repressed woman. In order to hopefully be named CEO of her father’s company and swing the board in her favor, she’s decided to take on a project that her father couldn’t close on many years ago- Pine Falls. It is in this cute, quaint, welcoming town that she meets Matt, the local florist. I loved their torrent relationship, from one night stand, to Enemies to lovers, to fake dating, I just really enjoyed reading about them!

I also really REALKY adored Matt’s younger sister, Daphne. The autism representation in this book was 🫶🏻💜 Another thing I thoroughly loved was just the personal growth for everyone all around: Zoey, Matt, Daphne, Deb (Matt’s mom) and even the townsfolk. Beautifully done!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

This was such a cute small town romance (with a beautiful cover)! Zoey needs to secure a piece of land in Pine Falls to show shareholders that she is ready to inherit her father’s hotel empire. Matt is the town’s florist and he saves her in a moment of need. He suggests they start a fake relationship to improve the town’s views of Zoey.

Zoey and Matt had an instant connection that started off as enemies but it quickly turned to pure chemistry. I loved them together, and I loved Zoey’s work/family storyline. Matt’s younger sister is autistic, and the representation was great. Matt and his sister have such a special relationship, and then Zoey fit right into their family.

I adored the small town of Pine Falls. The characters were perfect, always meddling in everyone else’s business. I hope we get to see some of them in future books!

Thank you to Elodie Colliard for this e-ARC; opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Enemies to lovers
💕 Fake dating
💕 Fish out of water
💕 Small town romance
💕 Found family
💕 Neurodiversity rep (autistic side character)

i ate this book upppp!!! this author is one of my absolutely favorites, and the cover art was such a slay too

This was a super cute read! I love small town romances! This is one of those books that will pull you out of a reading slump. It says what it is, and definitely delivers. It is very "insta-love" though, so if that isn't what you're about this might not be for you. The fake dating trope is *chefs kiss*....my jam. It as so funny and giggly to see their fake relationship blossom to something more. This book left me smiling. I will def recommend to my contemporary lovers!

Honestly this is in my Top 10 of 2025!!

Small town Boy, City Girl! No 3rd Act Break Up. Top notch banter and grown up communication. Amazing side characters. Autism Rep.

This was so swoon worthy. Warm and cozy and spicy too. I could punch the Dad in the face about a million times. I love how the tension & conflict in the book revolves around a situation and not a breakup!!

♾️⭐️ ~ 2🌶️ ~ 5🥰

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Hoax and Kisses was such a fun, charming read! From the very beginning I was pulled into the story and found myself smiling at the banter, the chemistry, and the clever way the plot unfolded. It has that perfect mix of humor, heart, and just the right amount of drama to keep the pages turning.

The characters were a real highlight for me they felt vibrant and believable, and I loved watching their relationships develop. There were so many witty, lighthearted moments, but also enough depth to keep me truly invested in how everything would turn out.

The pacing was great too; it never dragged, and I flew through it much faster than I expected. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 stars is that one or two parts felt a little predictable, but honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the ride.

This is exactly the kind of cozy, feel-good romance that leaves you smiling when you turn the last page. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author!


❤️shaye.readss

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy on netgalley of this wonderful book, so I did get to start reading before it came out ! It's been a while since I've devoured a romance book so quickly! the #smalltown vibes were amazing and so perfect for the beginning of the fall season 💖 I got Gilmore girl vibes from this town loved it so much and Daphne 😍 the cutest sweetest little bundle of joy 💖 Zoey and Matt are wonderful and I love no third act breakup the book just works and flows so well it's just a feel good read with great vibes and well written plot

Hoax and Kisses was everything I thought it would be. A beautiful, small-town romance that features fake-dating, with characters that grow and change into the best versions of themselves while also navigating the tough things that life can throw at you, at any moment.

Matt Becker is a beautiful male main character. He owns a cozy-little flower shop and works hard everyday to provide for his family. He is a protective-teddy bear for his autistic younger sister, Daphne. There is literally nothing that can stand in his way when it comes to protecting his sister, not even his own mother, who struggles with navigating life with her daughter, Daphne, who has autism.

Zoey Delacroix is a strong-willed female main character. I see parts of her in myself. The way she holds her ground and keeps pushing even though life continues to throw her curveballs, is inspiring. Zoey is also a soft-gentle kind soul, she cares so much for others and it really shows.

I love how Elodie represented autism. She presented how those on the autism spectrum can be misunderstood. We see this through Matt's own mother. She struggles to navigate life with Daphne. I really loved the gentle and kind approach from Matt's friends and Zoey when it came to Daphne, there was no judgement, just pure love and understanding.

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Elodie Colliard for the ARC opportunity, this book was beautiful in every way.

Thank you NetGalley and Elodie Colliard for the arc of Hoax and Kisses!

This was everything I wanted, needed and then some!

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this so much. It’s that feeling you get when you know, from the first page of a book, that you’re gonna love it.

Hoax and Kisses follows Zoey and Matt as they make an agreement to fake date to benefit them both: Zoey needs the small town of Pine Falls to hear her out about her plans for a building project, and Matt needs her help with getting a foot in with influential people about his flower business. So they agree to help each other out. It’s only their first meeting wasn’t the best, and the one night stand following didn’t help with the instant attraction between them. Resulting in a lot of tension, longing and loosing train of thoughts due to inappropriate… thoughts- I loved it!

This was so much fun! I LOVE the fake dating trope, and this was executed perfectly. The rivals to lovers, was filled with tension and longing and I’m here for it! Not only was this perfectly balanced with fun and games, chemistry and tension, but also so much love. This was so wholesome and heartwarming.

Matt is so unbelievably selfless, caring, stoic, tender and wholesome. Charming and swoon worthy! The love Matt has for his sister is immeasurable- he’s her protector, her safe space and her guardian. He also knows when he’s in the wrong and apologizes for his behavior when due.

Zoe is independent, caring- truly the biggest heart- strong, witty and so incredibly sweet! She’s learning how to be vulnerable and finding herself and who she is outside of the big city and corporate life.

I wholeheartedly loved this so much! The emotional intelligence (especially presence in Matt), the messages the author conveyed- just so wholesome! I also loved how delicately and carefully the topic of autism was explored and addressed.

I cannot recommend this enough! If you love wholesome small town cutsie and sweet romances, this is right up your alley!

This was a cute romance set in Canada (a first for me). It was definitely a wide mix of stranger enemies to stranger lovers to enemies to lovers. I had a really hard time with Matt's mom. She made me viscerally angry and there wasn't much time for redemption for her. His dad isn't much better by allowing the mom to treat her kids the way she does. Zoey's dad was a little more predictable in being a jerk since it was alluded to big time that he was hiding something. I did love the small town vibe and that it was just one huge family. The spicy was nice and steamy, and I was glad there wasn't a third act breakup. It is rare when one of the MCs appears to be lying and the other believes they aren't and stays.

My favourite of Elodie's work so far!
I instantly fell in love with Matthew and Zoey, their chemistry and banter, and the sexual tension.

The thing I love about Colliard's books is that even though we get spicy scenes, we always get strong human connections and emotional journeys. This book was no different.

Not sure what else to say apart from I loved this, the representation of Matt's sister (autism), the way he cared for her was so beautiful,

Get this in your veins asap!

I’ve been looking forward to Elodie Colliard’s books ever since she announced her debut novel. The minute I finished that book, I knew she became an instant-read author for me and a new favorite contemporary romance author.

Without doubt I enjoyed reading her latest book Hoax and Kisses. It was so easy to get into from the prologue, and the story just kept me hooked all the way through. I loved the small-town vibes, the found family theme, and of course the romance that was both sweet and swoony.

There’s also the microtrope of an older sibling taking care of the younger one, and I’m absolutely head over heels for it. It’s one of my favorites and it always makes the story feel even sweeter.

Elodie never disappoints, and this book just reminded me again why her works are one of my favorites.