So when I heard Lynn Painter was writing a hockey romance? Immediate yes. I’ve loved her YA books before, and Fake Skating delivers more of what she does best: witty banter, messy teen feelings, and heart squeezing moments that make you root for the characters, even when they’re being a little ridiculous.

The story follows Dani and Alec, who are childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in years. Now they’re high school seniors in a hockey obsessed Minnesota town, and Alec has gone from nerdy sidekick to full blown hockey star. Through a series of misunderstandings (classic), they end up fake dating, and obviously feelings start flying.

✨ Fake dating
✨ Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
✨ Dual POV
✨ Bantery goodness
✨ Hockey setting that actually feels legit

I loved the premise and the slow shift from old friends to something real again. Alec and Dani’s dynamic is equal parts sweet and chaotic, and their chemistry shines through even in their more stubborn moments. I also appreciated the emotional depth when it came to family dynamics and the pressure of expectations, especially in a town where hockey is practically religion.

That said, I wish a few plot points had been fleshed out more because it felt like there were a lot of threads that didn’t get as much development as I’d hoped. And heads up: this is marketed as YA, but it has a lot of profanity and some intense kissing scenes. Not necessarily for younger teens, in my opinion.

Still, it’s fun, fast paced, and full of heart. If you’re a Lynn Painter fan or a sucker for fake dating with a sports twist, go ahead and add this one to your fall TBR. It’s got just enough sweetness to balance out the sass.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lynn Painter, and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the eARC of this book.