💔 Cheating Ex 
 🎭 Fake Dating 
 🏒 Hockey Romance 
 👨‍👨‍👦 Polyamory / Why Choose 
 🎓 College Setting 
 👻 Awkward Meet-Cute (Bathroom Encounter) 
 📚 Nerdy Heroine 
 🔥 Slow Burn with Steam 
 😏 Revenge Plot 
 💘 Unexpected Feelings 

 

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

The Fake Date Agreement by Ember L. Nicole is the first book in the Lamont U series, and it delivers a fun, trope-heavy romantic comedy that blends fake dating, personal growth, and a splash of revenge. The story revolves around Tobie Myers, a library science major who finds herself publicly humiliated when she catches her boyfriend kissing another girl on the kiss cam. Instead of retreating into heartbreak, she accidentally ends up forming a fake-dating alliance with three of Lamont University’s most attractive hockey players—Caleb, Reid, and Javier—after a humorous encounter in a stadium bathroom. 

What begins as a scheme to make her ex jealous quickly turns into a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and unexpected emotional connection. Tobie is wonderfully awkward, self-deprecating, and instantly relatable, making her the perfect anchor for a story that balances light-hearted chaos with real emotional stakes. The three hockey players aren’t just cardboard cut-outs of charm—they each bring unique personalities and emotional depth to the table. Caleb is flirty and funny, Reid is the rock-solid protector, and Javier smoulders with both passion and complexity. Together, they not only help Tobie regain her confidence but start to mean more to her than any of them had anticipated. 

Ember L. Nicole’s writing is punchy and accessible, with sharp dialogue and a smooth pace that keeps the reader engaged from the first chapter. There’s a satisfying mix of humour, steamy tension, and heartwarming moments. The fake dating trope is dialled up in creative ways, but the story never loses sight of the emotional grounding that makes it work. Tobie’s development—from someone who doesn’t believe anyone could want her to someone who must choose between the fantasy of her past and the reality of her present—is genuinely moving. 

There’s definite steam, but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, the romantic and physical elements are used to highlight emotional intimacy, reinforcing the story’s central theme: that what begins as pretend can unexpectedly become real. The polyamorous element is handled with surprising nuance and respect, offering a refreshing take in a genre that too often sticks to predictable patterns. 

While the plot plays with familiar romance beats, it’s Tobie’s voice and the trio’s chemistry that elevate it. The novel never takes itself too seriously, but it also doesn’t shy away from genuine moments of vulnerability, making it more than just a breezy read. It’s a book that celebrates finding self-worth, the power of supportive relationships, and the fact that sometimes, the best things in life come from the most unexpected situations. 

The Fake Date Agreement is ideal for readers who enjoy their romance fun, flirty, and emotionally satisfying. It’s a solid four-and-a-half-star read that will leave you smiling, a little swoony, and eager for the next book in the series.