I loved this book! The Faking Game was definitely long, but it never dragged and it gave Nora and West’s relationship the time and space to fully bloom. I was hooked the entire time, particularly because fake dating is my favorite trope. These two were absolute perfection together. Nora, with her people pleasing tendencies, needed someone like West, someone who encouraged her to speak up, stand firm, and go after what she really wanted. And he showed up for her in the most sweet, patient, and quietly powerful ways.

What made this story shine for me was how Olivia Hayle built Nora and West’s emotional connection. They communicated so well about everything except, well... their real feelings, which made the slow burn even more delicious. Their tension, their growth, and their banter was all so natural and compelling. I was smiling half the time and definitely highlighting way too many lines from West’s POV (seriously, the man is peak book boyfriend).

Also, I am already obsessed with the friend group. I need Rafe’s book immediately, and if Alex and Amber don’t end up together, I’ll riot. Their chemistry was too obvious to ignore.

Read this if you love fake dating, brother’s best friend, slow burn romance with heart, depth, and just the right amount of spice. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Hayle for the eARC of this book.