Read if you like:

Small-town romance
Found family
Fake dating
Enemies-to-lovers
Hallmark movies

My thoughts:

Hoax and Kisses is a heartwarming small-town romance, blending just the right amount of Hallmark sweetness and sexy spice. Elodie Colliard has been an author I've wanted to read for some time now and this definitely lived up to the hype.

Big town hotel exec heads to small town Pine Falls to convince them to sell their land for her company to build a new hotel. What could go wrong? Well, it's possible the handsome but grumpy town flower shop owner (who she may have had a one-night stand with) turns the whole town against her. He may also then decide to make amends by fake dating her in order to convince everyone in town how wrong he was about her. Let's just say, shenanigans (and romance) ensue.

Hoax and Kisses is the perfect small-town romance. Pine Falls is charming, full of loyal (and a bit chaotic) townspeople, and the perfect blend of outdoorsy and cute. When they pitched it as Gilmore Girls meets The Holiday, they got the vibes 100% right. This is one setting that will make you feel right at home.

The characters only add to the coziness of the book. Matt and Zoey separately were lovely in their own right but put them together and they were absolutely perfect. Enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, with insane chemistry.

Zoey is fiercely independent but sometimes a little too much so. The town of Pine Falls shows her, for the first time in her life, that it's okay to ask for help. Matt may have been the first person to offer but he's far from the last. Seeing her open up and let others take some of the weight off her shoulders felt so relatable and rewarding. Matt was the catalyst for a lot of Zoey's changes. He was outwardly a bit of a grump but more of a teddy bear inside. He was insanely protective of his family, friends, and town. The connection between him and Zoey was immediate but the trust and love between the two of them took longer to build. I definitely wouldn't call this a slow burn when it comes to spice but I think that title would fit when it came to their actual relationship.

While Zoey and Matt were the main characters, I loved the whole group. The town was full of such eclectic people. I know there is a previous Pine Falls book that I'll have to check out but I'm also hoping there will be more in the future. Lola, James, Daphne, and the rest deserve way more page time.

The romance was the ideal mix of sweetness and spice. Matt and Zoey had instant chemistry that made every spicy scene between them so utterly hot. Matt was such a gentleman everywhere except the bedroom. That man had a mouth on him. I'll let you interpret that how you will.

I also have to briefly mention the autistic representation. I thought it was written very well and very honestly. As someone who is neurodivergent, I appreciated the approach that Elodie Colliard took when writing Daphne's character. She showed that autism is a spectrum and that it's not something to be changed, but something to be embraced. Matt's love and care for his sister was probably the sweetest thing about him. 

Overall, Hoax and Kisses will have you ready to risk it all and move to a small town for your own happy ever after. Elodie Colliard has a new fan and I can't wait to revisit Pine Falls and anywhere else they write into existence.

TL;DR

Hoax and Kisses is an adorably sweet small-town romance with just the right balance of story and spice. This book will have you swooning while trying to locate Pine Falls on a map to book your own trip. This cozy romance will leave you with a smile on your face and a sudden urge to embrace nature and possibly a grumpy small-town florist.

🌺 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cute book! Honestly, it gave total Hallmark vibes and I loved it. Hoax and Kisses is definitely a cozy and feel good read.

Zoey is determined to prove herself by taking over her father’s hotel empire. And she is a total city girl. Then you have Matt, the local florist barely keeping things afloat while supporting his younger sister’s education. Their fake dating arrangement turns into something much more. And the spice scenes were 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I adored Matt (even if he was a bit grumpy at first), and really loved the quirky small town setting. I also thought Daphne, Matt’s younger sister, was represented well.

My hot take is that all the parents sucked. Both Matt’s and Zoey’s 😤😤😤

🩷 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Fake dating
• Small town vibes
• Florist MMC
• City girl FMC
• Reluctant allies
• Found family
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 26, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a charming small-town romance! I really enjoyed the dynamic between Matt and Zoey—the grumpy/sunshine vibes, the fake dating trope, and the way their relationship slowly shifted into something real were all so well done. Their banter felt natural, and I loved how Zoey found herself questioning the life path she thought was set in stone. Matt’s devotion to his sister and his flower shop made him such an easy hero to root for.

The cozy, small-town setting was also a highlight—it had that perfect Gilmore Girls feel with the quirky charm of a close-knit community. The romance was heartfelt with just the right amount of steam and sweetness.

My only wish? I would have loved to see the final conflict with Zoey’s father explored a little more deeply. It felt like such an important piece of her story, and I think digging into it further would have made her journey even more powerful.

Overall, this was a delightful read with heart, humor, and all the small-town feels. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author!

After having read and enjoyed The Last Encore, I was so excited to get my hands on this one.

Zoe is a big city girl on a quest to please her father and take over his company by securing a hotel deal in a small town. Matt is a burly florist (swoon) who splits his time between the shop and taking care of his autistic sister. (double swoon)

The townspeople are protective of their home and Zoe’s about to realize this small town has a lot more to offer than a real estate deal. Matt and Zoe hatch a plan to fake a relationship and get Zoe back in the good graces of the townspeople residents, but of course don’t plan on the real attraction they have for each other.

I always get a kettle nervous about a fake dating trope, but there was no cause for concern here, it was really well done. I appreciated that the fake dating didn’t drag on, they didn’t hide their true feelings for 90% of the book and the people around them knew right from the get-go that the attraction was real. There was no big reveal, which I loved because that sometimes ruins it for me.

What you will get with this book which I loved:

🌸 Small Town Romance
🌸 Enemies to Lovers
🌸 Good Disability Rep
🌸 Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌸 Good Side Characters and Self Discovery

Great end of summer read!

This one was not for me, but cute at moments along the way! I enjoyed Daphne’s character, but the MCs were difficult to get along with. I had a hard time believing in their relationship, and I thought that some of the decisions they made didn’t make sense given how smart they were supposed to be. I did enjoy the setting, and might revisit future books in this cute small town.

3.5 ⭐️
This book was okay, was a bit confusing in places but overall it was good.
Thank you for the EArc

This was such a beautiful book, in every sense of the word because that cover truly is a beauty! The story was really wonderful and spoke of many things that are close to my heart: forgetting yourself to please others, trying to impress a parent, being a workaholic leaving no time for love or friendships... to name a few. It also had some romance tropes I thoroughly enjoy: strangers to lovers/insta-love, fake dating, small town and found family.

But on the topic of family, what was most special about Hoax and Kisses for me was the autism rep with Matt's sister Daphne (and not just because we share the same first name)! Her character was so well portrayed and you could definitely feel the care that went into creating her and having her be an integral part of who Matt is yes, but also an integral part of the entire story really.

So all that to say: I related to Zoey very much, Matt was a perfect book boyfriend and this story was super cozy, a perfect fall read. Elodie Colliard's writing was a joy to read and has so many memorable moments and quotes. Oh and I almost forgot: no 3rd act breakup! There's probably half a star for that alone!

This book was very confusing from start to finish. While there were some things I really liked, the overall experience was not great

The book started with a note from the author, which was completely off-putting and aggressive. I vote in the same way as the author and was still very "yucked" out and confused by it. I understand that writing can be considered "political," but in this book, it isn't. This is a steamy romance with two basic white characters. To me, it felt like the author had big political feelings and tried to somehow connect dots between those feelings and this book to make her rant relevant. The reach of having an autistic character and preaching inclusion was a big stretch and quite frankly, hypocritical. Both of her main characters were either white, privileged, or both. Matt was an asshole who almost ran her over, proceeded to pound on a door, use her for sex (might I add that he jackhammered her with his fingers...like, are we sure a female author wrote this?) and then continued to treat her like garbage throughout the book.... add in a man bun, floral shop and an autistic sister and I guess that makes it fine? Might I add.... he is literally everything the author claims to hate in her note to the reader. Again, if the author hadn't started this book with an extremely strong political rant and then written the exact opposite of that, I wouldn't even care but my...pot...kettle....

Zoey is a rich white girl looking to make $$ even though the author tries to portray she is doing it the "right way" in the book. She came into town in red bottom heels and wondered why people mistreated her? Meh....

Daphne. Loved her character, thought she was actually very well written. The supporting characters in the book were also "fine" but again... all cookie-cutter.

There were also a few pacing problems but, I could look past that had it not been for everything else.


I didn't hate the book, but everything I read just connected back to the note to the reader; it was all I could think about. Had that not been included and the main characters not been abusive / had more depth, it would have been a good romance.

This one was so cute. Zoé and Matt had instant chemistry for the first Not-so-cute meetup. This could have felt like insta-lust at first , but Elodie does a wonderful job of building the tension between the two not just sexually but also emotionally.

This one reads like a spicy hallmark! Think Big City corporate girl comes to town with a plan, while the burly local helps her to see what small town life and community is like. Add in some fake dating, town hall meeting mishaps, and a cutthroat corporate dad and you have yourself the perfect setup for a romcom.

But Elodie takes the story farther and adds wonderful side characters that help take the story from typical to one-of-a-kind. Matt’s sister, represents the neurodivergent perspective and you could tell that Elodie really did her homework, and I loved seeing so many character’s relationships with her play out on the page, including the family dynamics with Matt’s parents, her blossoming friendship with Zoé and the security she had in Matt’s best friend Lola.

Don’t let the cover fool you! This one is spicy. 🌶️

|| Had a ONS with the guy who almost ran me over, and now we’re fake dating! ||

Hoax and Kisses starts off with Zoey not making a very good impression on the small town communinty of Pine Falls. This is where Matt enters. The golden retriever florist (who looks like a lumberjack in plaid), who is loved by the town and in charge of taking care of his little sister when their parents go on a trip.

Zoey Delacroix is a powerhouse city woman in charge, who comes to Pine Falls in order to secure land so she can finally gain the approval of her father and take the rains to the company.

Matt Becker is a full-time florist running his own flower shop, when tasked with taking care of his austistic teenage sister during their parents cruise trip, all while trying to earn funds for his sister’s expensive new school.

When these two energies crash, there is definitely a bang!
‘Being pressed up against a sweaty dude like this should make me want to run to the nearest shower, and yet… I don’t want to move. Worse. I like it. Discreetly, I lay my palm to my forehead. No, no fever. I’m not delirious. ‘

With every chapter the characters reveal more about themselves, and their insecurities, all the while trying not to become attached (which the whole town can see is out the window).
‘For a few quiet beats, it’s just Zoey. The real Zoey. A version of her I don’t think she’s ever realized exists. And I’m the lucky bastard who gets to experience her like this. It’s enough to make my chest a little tight.’

Described as The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, Hoax and Kisses explores the path to self-discovery and the unexpected connections that bloom along the way. Steamy and soul-stirring, this story is a tribute to the kind of love that sneaks up on you and never lets go.

Rating: 4.00
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

Hoax and Kisses was an adorable small town romance that has every bit of a hallmark romance with ABSOLUTELY more of the spice. We have a big city girl going to a scenic small town to propose a hospitality plan that will help all involved and a grumpy overwhelmed flower shop owner who is now in charge of the care of is younger sister while his parent galivant across Europe.

This book begins with a bang and ends with a grand gesture that is sure to melt anyone's heart. I loved Zoey and Matt's story and how the banned together for the greater good.
One really frustrating relationship was the one between Matt and his parents. Matt's younger sister is autistic and her mom is very blase about it to the point of being mean. I wanted to reach through the book and shake that woman.
I did love how Zoey and the town banned together to shut down the true villain in this story.

All in all this was a cute small town romance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun, refreshing, and so addictive — this small town romance hit every one of my sweet spots. 💖

Zoey, the hotel heiress in line to take over the family business, heads to a quiet town where her father once failed, determined to prove herself. Enter Matt, the broody local florist just trying to keep his sister in school. When these two clash, it’s game on: sparks fly, deals are struck, and emotions run high. 🌸✨

This book gave Hallmark vibes with heat and a cozy setting, lovable side characters, and just enough drama and tension to keep the pages flying. Zoey stole my heart with her charm and effort to connect with the town. Matt? Took me a bit longer to warm up to (hello, grumpy energy 😤), but the chemistry? Undeniable. 🔥

If you're a fan of heartfelt romance with just the right kick of spice and substance then this one is defintely for you. I devoured it.

💫 Tropes:
✨ Small town romance
💐 Grumpy x sunshine
📈 Workplace tension
💏 Opposites attract
🫣 Forced proximity (a little!)

🌶️ Spice Rating: 3.5/5 — slow burn with a satisfying payoff 👀

Final thoughts: I need another Elodie Colliard book yesterday.

Let's start with the fact that this is probably one of the most beautiful covers to come out of 2025 and I hope we get more of them.

Hoax and kisses is a fake-dating, found family romance that does it tight. It flows organically and doesn't feel forced on our two MCs.

Unlike the cover, the book is not all sweet and deals with some dark themes. They are handled with great care and serves the story well.

The characters and their situations feel real and raw and their love story grows at a nice pace.

I also adore all the small town charm and the theme of coming into one's own.

I really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

This was my first book by Elodie Colliard and it won't be my last. I love finding great new Canadian authors. The book was a great balance of being plot and character driven. Zoe and Matt's meet cute was everything I wanted it to be and set the scene for all the awesome banter that followed. Zoe was a force to be reckoned with, with a sharp tongue and soft heart that belied her upbringing. I really liked how close she became to the townspeople and had their best interests at heart. Despite her fathers machinations.

And how could one not love Matt. Especially with the care and love he had for his autistic sister. Being her biggest champion and protector. As well as the fact that he's so open to love in spite of being burned in the past.

I think one of the other strongest parts of the novel is the amazing small town community. I love me a small town romance and the supporting cast of side characters just made the story so much better. The way they banded together and were so fiercely loyal just made my heart happy.

If you're looking for a great little cozy palette cleanser than this is the book for you.

4.5 so I’ve rounded this up to 5!

I absolutely loved this so much! It was such a cute fuzzy feeling kinda read!

It’s a very insta-love type of book which I love and was great considering the books I’ve read lately have been more of a slow burn!

First book by Elodie but certainly will not be my last, I love her writing style and how she tells a story.

On paper, this book had everything I usually adore: small town vibes, rivals to lovers, fake dating… it sounded like a recipe for success. But unfortunately, it didn’t fully work for me.

I struggled to connect with the main characters. Zoey just wasn’t the FMC for me. Something about her felt off, though I can’t quite put my finger on it. Matt came across as if he had several different personalities, which left me a little confused. And their romance leaned too heavily toward insta-love for my taste.

That said, there were definitely things I enjoyed. The setting was charming and made me want to visit the town. Matt’s sister completely stole my heart! She was adorable and such a highlight of the story. I think it's really great that someone with autism was represented as well.

I also loved Matt’s flower shop and the romantic date he planned for Zoey. Plus, the bookstore owner with her cheeky smut recommendations was a fun touch.

The ending, however, felt rushed, and the drama with Zoey’s dad was a bit over the top for me.

Overall, this book felt like a Hallmark movie in novel form. Though unlike Hallmark, you don’t have to wait until the very end for the kissing. There are open-door scenes sprinkled in!

Judging by other reviews, I might be in the minority here. So if the story appeals to you, it’s worth giving it a try.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for this ARC!

Hoax and Kisses was a sweet story and I couldn't put it down. Matt has to take care of his little sister because his parents don't understand her needs and he is barely keeping his business afloat. Zoey is trying to keep her dad happy so she can someday take over the family business. Zoey tries to win over the town where her dad wants to acquire a piece of land and Matt doesn't want the town to change at first. But then Matt decides he can help Zoey and he might be falling for her too.

Read if you like:
🌺 Enemies to Lovers
🌺 Fake Dating
🌺 Small Town Romance

Thank you to the publishers and NetGally for this Advanced Release copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another amazing book that reminds me why I just love small town romances! You always get a close knit community and funny cast of characters that really add to the story. I adored Matt and Zoey and their fake dating story!

✦I loved that they started as enemies with Zoey coming to town and Matt and the town think she’s coming to finish what her dad started….and of course being totally wrong about her.
✦Zoey is sweet but also a boss bitch and knows her stuff! She doesn’t back down and really wants the town to know that she has their best interest in mind.
✦The chemistry between these two is palpable and the one stand with no names is super hot!!
✦Matt’s relationship with his sister is so sweet and special, the autism rep is very well done in this story and I also love how Zoey interacts with her and is just a natural fit into their little unit.
✦I really love that Matt was a florist and Zoey was in more of a corporate role, I feel like we often see the opposite and I liked that we get a different perspective!
✦Love when bad people get what’s coming to them! That’s all I am going to say about that!
✦The small town cast of characters are fun and quirky and I can’t wait to see what else we get up to in Pine Falls!

TROPES
😈Enemies to Lovers
🫦One Night Stand
❣️Fake Dating
🏡Small Town
🏙️City Girl
💐Florist MMC
🫶🏻Found Family
💙Autism Rep

3 stars.

Zoey works for her dad who has a hotel empire. Matt owns a flower shop in a small town. Zoey's dad wants to build a hotel in Matt's hometown, these two meet and everything gets very complicated very quickly.

The small town is always a nice background for a cute story. First I didn't like the main characters too much. Towards the end I started to like them much more. Matt's sister is Autistic and I (as an Autistic myself) always like when there are neurodivergent characters in books.

I liked this book but I didn't love it. However, this might be your new favorite romance as it was romantic and cute, and steamy too!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: open doors
Pacing: instalust
Communication: both miscommunication and healthy communication
Third act: external crisis / hiccups
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* Cinnamon roll hero
* Enemies to lovers
* Opposites attract

What?
* Fake dating
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Grand gesture
* One night stand turned more

Where?
* Small town

Drama?
* Difficult past
* Family drama

Other vibes:
* Autism rep (Matt's teenage sister)

DNF at 60%

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I wanted to put it down at around 25%, but tried to give it a fair shot.

Although I believe this book has a lot of potential and I enjoy the plot line and the characters, I believe the writing and pacing of the book needs to have some more time spent on it.

Some parts I thought were written incredibly well, but the actual romantic aspect felt like it didn’t have enough time spent on the wording and scenes.

I adore Daphne though, absolutely favourite character.