This book captured my attention from the moment I had it in my grubby little hands. Lynn was able to recapture the vibes of the BTTM duology and she came out swinging! I truly loved so so much about this book. For the middle of August this book was my safe haven and I just loved the teen drama. At times I felt disconnected with the book, namely the pacing at the beginning and a little bit of the ending (there was a sub-plot that I didn’t feel like got resolved), but honestly, the good far outweighs any qualm I had with the book because Dani and Alec’s romance was so wholesome and sweet. I really loved watching the characters grow in this book - I felt like everyone complimented each other so well!

Also sidebar - but is Alec related to Liz from BTTM? there was a throw away comment about his cousin and I could’ve sworn he was hinting that his cousin was Liz, right? Either way, this is an easy recommendation from me. Painter delivered the warm fuzzies, the teen angst, and just all the perfect vibes.

My rating: 4.5☆

This was really cute, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bearing in mind it was a yound adult so it is written for a younger audience. Sometimes I just don't enjoy YA for that reason, but this one still managed to hit the spot.
The miscommunication though, it was being dragged on to the very end of the book. Then the resolution of it, just felt almost skipped over and meaningless which put a damper on an, otherwise, great book.
Otherwise a definite recomendation

4.75 ⭐️

Firstly thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book was one of my most anticipated releases for this year, and I was so surprised that I was able to receive an early copy 🥹 - One thing about Lynn Painter is that she always delivers and this book has definitely become one of my favourites by her.

The banter in this book was insane 😩🤌, I was giggling or jaw dropped almost the entire time. Dani and Alec were perfect together and their chemistry was off the charts for sure. Both of them were so incredibly well-written and I fell in love with their characters. They were real people with real problems and the relatability was so refreshing. I definitely enjoyed seeing Dani soften through the course of the book, and she was such a sweet character. AND ALEC OMG?! He gives "when the book is YA but the MMC isn't" in the best way! Lynn Painter men and being obsessed with their woman >>>>

For me the plot line was predictable, and in the end that lowered my rating. But overall it was an AMAZING read and I can't wait until it releases so I can go buy a copy for my shelf!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love Lynn Painter's YA books and this book is no different. I first discovered Lynn Painter through her book 'Better than the movies' which remains my favourite of her works. I was extremely excited when I got approved for this ARC and read the whole thing in basically two sittings (would have been one if I didn't have other things to do lol). Read this book if you enjoy YA romance and/or hockey romance books and like your romance books with an equal amount of plot.

Lynn Painter's writing is extremely easy to digest and reads and flows so well. In this book we follow Dani and Alec, two characters that I loved from page 1. I loved Dani's growth throughout the book and how we got to see her open up. I also really enjoyed the dual narration of this story and felt that it really positively added to the reading experience.

The 'heavier' family and divorce topics covered in this book - particularly with Dani's father - were handled really well and something I very much personally related to. I found Dani to be a very relatable character to myself at her age and felt a real connection with her.

The only reason this book wasn't a five star is because I didn't have that completely and utterly obsessed feeling that I had with Lynn Painter's other books. But still an incredibly enjoyable read that I will be thinking about for a while!

Thanks again to Netgalley and the Author for this ARC copy!!

Fake Skating (arc) – Lynn Painter

3⭐️

An extremely nostalgic and wholesome read! I was completely obsessed with Better than the Movies so I have held all of Lynn’s books to an extremely high standard since then. Unfortunately, this one slightly missed the mark for me …

Dani and Alec’s dynamic was interesting. I don’t think I was all consumed by their relationship which was slightly disappointing for me. When I read about childhood best friend tropes turned sour, turned love – I need to be absolutely enamoured with their dynamic. I need to feel like they hold a secret that no one knows but them and they have infinite comfort with each other… I just didn’t feel lie Dani and Alec had this?

This book was extremely easy to read and it was nice to see Lynn write an ice hockey romance trope. I loved the small town setting and the side characters. Seeing the dynamic between the mums was also really nice to read about.

My favourite character was absolutely Grandpa Mick. His character absolutely came in clutch and gave the story some spark. I think I found a lot of familiarity in his character which was quite comforting for me (most of my annotations for the book are his quotes).

Overall, a very easy, comforting read (in true Lynn fashion) but as I said, It just ever so slightly missed the mark for me. Still can’t wait to see what Lynn writes next!

Thankyou to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this book!

❄️🏒Fake Skating Review 🏒❄️

Genre: YA Romance
Series: Standalone
Publisher: @simonschusterau, @simonteen
Release Date: 30th September, 2025
Rating: 5 ⭐️

I have loved Lynn Painter’s YA romance books. There is something magical that she puts into each of them that I adore. Which is exactly what happened with Fake Skating 🏒

Tropes:
•Fake Dating 💖
•Sports Romance (hockey) 🏒
•Childhood Friends - Strangers - Lovers 🫶
•High School Romance

The only thing wrong with this book is that there wasn’t more of it. We get to see Alec and Dani get to know this new, older version of each other and fall in love all over again.

I think we have all lost a childhood friend before, and Lynn Painter explains it perfectly. How there is a sense of homesickness for the person you once knew and Dani and Alec are both going through this after reconnecting.

Though Alec wasn’t the only one that Dani lost touch with, she also hadn’t heard from her Grandpa. The little things he did to try and fix their relationship was so sweet and I got a little emotional in those scenes. I lost my Pop last month and it hit a little close to home.

But let’s focus on Alec and Dani! If you loved Better Than the Movies, you’ll also love this one because it gives all of those happy feelings with them fake dating and just wanting them to be together! The banter was great, the side characters were fun, and you get ice hockey. Honestly what more can you want? The only thing I wish was that there was a bit more communication about why the stopped being friends.

I found myself smiling throughout the whole book and not wanting to stop reading it! I will continue to read every YA romance that Lynn Painter releases because they are always amazing and have some good underlying plot that the characters are dealing with which include good lessons.

*Thank you to @netgalley, @simonschusterau, @simonteen & @lynnpainterbooks for the early eARC*

I don’t typically pick up YA, but due to the hype of the author, I gave it a try. This is my first title from this author, and I found myself really enjoying this story. The childhood sweethearts rekindling a connection that never truly faded was heartwarming, and the balance of teen angst with genuine emotion felt spot on. I especially loved the way the story slowly revealed why the relationship had been strained — it kept me invested in their journey.

The characters felt age-appropriate and relatable, which I think will resonate strongly with the intended audience. My only note is that the antagonist for the third-act breakup didn’t feel fully developed, appearing more in passing than as a real presence.

Overall, this was a sweet and engaging clean romance, and I can see YA readers absolutely loving it. A great option as a cleanse from all the spicy romance that are in circulation.

I’ve really enjoyed some of Lynn’s other books, so I was looking forward to this one. I loved the banter between Dani and Alec, and Grandpa Mick was such a standout character—he really added warmth to the story. While the fake dating setup had potential, it didn’t quite land for me this time. I felt that some of the side conflicts, like the arguments with Benji and Dani’s strained relationship with her dad, pulled focus from the main romance without adding much. The ghosting letter misunderstanding also dragged on longer than it needed to, which made the pacing feel a bit slow. Still, there were fun moments and engaging characters along the way.

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter is such a charming and heartwarming read. I absolutely loved the premise of childhood friends-to-lovers. Watching their relationship develop naturally, with all the shared memories and small, sweet moments, felt so authentic and satisfying. The romantic moments between the two main characters were really cute and genuinely made me swoon.

I also loved the hockey element, which added a fun and unique backdrop to the story. It gave the characters so much personality and passion beyond their romance and was woven into the plot in a realistic and engaging way.

The side characters were fantastic and added so much depth and humour to the story. They made the world feel full and alive and created a perfect balance with the main romance. The dialogue was witty and sharp, and the emotional moments hit just the right notes without feeling overdone.

Overall, Fake Skating is a sweet, funny, and engaging romance that I couldn’t put down. It’s a feel-good story that stays with you long after the last page. I would recommend it to anyone who loves friends-to-lovers stories, charming small-town settings, cute romantic moments, and a bit of sporty flair.

This book was really really sweet from beginning to end and everything in between. Lynn Painter always writes with heart and this story is no exception as she fills the pages with family, community, love and life. Dani and Alec are childhood friends who shared everything together each summer when Dani's mum brought her back to her hometown, from wherever they were based in the world following Dani's military father. However, circumstances, much misunderstood, drove distance between the two, and as Dani returns to Minnesota as a high school senior following her parents divorce, she is not sure if Alec will be the friend he once was to her. Alec is definitely not keen to reconnect with his old friend in any way - but before he knows it they are fake dating and falling back into familiar routines. Their families and friends were absolute highlights in this story - you just wanted to immerse yourself in the friendship and love that encompassed these two young people. Oh, of course there is the villain, Benji - absolutely worth booing and disliking intensely and Dani's dad does a pretty good job of being dislikable too which helps us barrack for Dani and Alec to have a happily ever after even more. There are lots of moments that deal with social anxiety and pressure to succeed highlighting how necessary it is for young people to have good people in their corner. This is definitely a tween/teen romance book that will have plenty of appeal for the teenage reader and the young at heart who want an entertaining hockey story set in small town America.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in return for my honest opinion. It was a nice way to spend morning with great characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Lynn Painter for providing me with an ARC of Fake Skating in exchange for my honest review.
This book was such a joy to read! Fake Skating combines everything I love in a YA romance — second-chance friends-to-lovers, laugh-out-loud humor, and just the right amount of heart. The dynamic between the hockey jock MMC and the shy FMC felt so genuine and endearing. Their history as former friends made the tension and slow build even more satisfying, and I adored watching them rediscover their connection.
Lynn Painter has such a gift for writing characters who feel real and dialogue that sparkles. I was grinning through so many scenes, and the balance between lighthearted fun and emotional depth was spot on. The romance is closed-door, which I think makes it perfect for YA, but the chemistry and banter absolutely shine.
If you love high school romances with sports, humor, and a sweet second-chance twist, Fake Skating is definitely one to add to your TBR. 🏒⛸️💙

If you heard a random high pitched noise on the afternoon of the 1st of August, don’t worry, it was just me squealing after being approved for an ARC of this book. 🥹

Oh, where to begin. Obviously, I’m limited with what I’m allowed to say, but what I CAN say is that Lynn Painter will ALWAYS know how to write a lovestruck boy who only has eyes for one girl. I thought I couldn’t love anyone more than I love Wes Bennet, but Alec blew that theory right out of the water (GOSHHHH every time he kissed her!!). 🤭

This book has the same fun banter and angst between the two main characters that is typical of a Lynn Painter book, but what really made me fall in love with their dynamic is their history, and what they used to mean to each other. It was wonderful to witness them both going through the throes of still loving someone deep down, rekindling that hope that something could happen, but also being terrified of putting your heart on the line again. 🥹

What also really made this book such an amazing read for me were the familial connections that we witness in this book, particularly between Dani and the men in her family (Grandpa Mick I love u 🥹). Both of the main characters felt like real people with real problems, and I especially saw some of myself in Dani. It was heartwarming to read how she slowly becomes more of an outgoing person through her inner monologue throughout this book.

Overall, Lynn Painter has once again proved why she will always be one of the queens of YA books in my eyes. 👸🏼

<i>OMG this book was soooo good!!!! Definitely a 5 stars.

ˋ°•*⁀➷<b>"Dani Collins—that was my type. Period. I just hoped I was her type."</b>˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the chemistry in this book!! Everything about this book, the characters, the setting, the plot was soooo good. I haven't rated a book five stars in so long, and from the minute I started this book I just knew it would be a five stars read.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡𝓟𝓵𝓸𝓽⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

So the story starts by saying Dani and Alec were childhood best friends, visiting each other once a year, and having their first kiss with one another before Dani moves away and they don't see each other again. They both end up with some mixed feelings?? I guess with each other, and their friendship slowly fades away.

Until Dani is moving to Southview to forever live in Alec's town, and go to his school, and see him quite alot since they're basically family friends.

I loved the plot, because there was so much happening so I could never get bored, and I couldn't stop myself from giggling everytime they were forced to interact. I loved it.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓻𝔂⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

I think something that heavily contributed to this book being five stars, is the amazing chemistry and tension. I haven't been able to read such good chemistry in so long, and the amazing slow burn at the start really helped.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

The characters made me feel at home. Everyone just felt so real and gave such a homely feel (I know that might not make much sense but it's the only way I can explain it). There's a few characters who are not really my favourite, but they all added to the story and just made it feel so enjoyable.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

Amazing, the best, 5 stars.
One of the best romance books I've ever read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review, and thank you all for reading my review!!!</i>

I remember complaining recently that YA books felt too young for me. I should have prefaced that by saying anything Lynn Painter reads is not included because once again, she has knocked it out of the park with Fake Skating. What started out with "I'll just read a chapter before bed" became "hang on, I might have to keep going" for a couple of hours. I slept for a bit and then ended up waking early to finish the book because you guys, I COULD NOT PUT THIS ONE DOWN!

Childhood besties Dani and Alec are reunited when Dani moves to Alec's town and begins attending the same high school. Word begins to get around that the new kid knew Alec when younger and before they know it, the two are thrown into a fake dating situation which I guarantee you, will make you swoon! 

The two main characters are both so likable and you can't help but cheer on their happy ending, despite the obstacles that seem to get in their way. This was such an adorable book and one that I would definitely recommend to all my romcom friends. 

Mark your calendars - it comes out at the end of September!

If you’re a Lynn Painter YA fan like me, you’re gonna eat this one up. Because Lynn? She knows how to craft a book boyfriend—and Alec is no different. Cocky, athletic, loyal, protective…and secretly a total nerd. Basically, the blueprint.

Then there’s Dani. Sassy but shy, smart, brave, a fellow bookworm—you just want her in your corner.

And the fake dating? Please. We all know it was never fake. Childhood friends to strangers to lovers is my kryptonite.
All that history, the inside jokes, the slow unfurling of something that’s been there all along. Yes, yes, YES!!

Small-town setting? Loved it.
Side characters? Obsessed.
Grandpa Mick? A national treasure.
Found family, nostalgia, warmth—it was all there. This book was just too good!

While I would quite literally read anything Lynn Painter writes, this book was such a stand out for me. Fake Skating is such a cute ya novel with the perfect romcom vibes. I could not put it down and I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time because Dani and Alex were just too cute. I absolutely loved the childhood friends and fake dating tropes as it created the best yearning and kept me so excited throughout the whole book. I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with these characters and this storyline because I am completely obsessed. Thank you so much NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!!

This was genuienly one of my favourite reads of the year!!

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter follows Dani and Alec, childhood besties. After a messy end to their childhood friendship, Dani returns to Minnesota & is super excited to reconnect with Alec. But Alec is a HOCKEY GOD and isn't as she remembered. There are definitely many twists and turns in this story!!

- Hockey
- Fake Dating
- Rekindling friendship.

AND can I just say Grandpa Mick?! Was truly one of my favourite characters in this whole book!!! Genuinely, the protective man we all need in our lives.

WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Thank you to the Author Lynn Painter, Simon & Schuster (Australia) & NetGalley for this eARC.