Fake Skating
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Genre: Teen Fiction/Romantic Comedy
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.
Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.
Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans…and he loves it.
Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years.
Lynn Painter
Photo Credit: Jackson Okun
Lynn Painter is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, The Do-Over, Betting on You, Mr. Wrong Number, The Love Wager, Nothing Like the Movies, and Fake Skating. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms. You can find her at LynnPainter.com, on Instagram @LynnPainterBooks, on X @LAPainter, and on TikTok @WesBennettsMom.
Dani and Alec were the best of friends way back when. Wherever one was the other was always two steps behind. Then that all changed when Dani moved away. Much to Dani's excitement thought they are about to be reunited... and she is looking forward to seeing her nerdy bestie again. But she soon learns that the nerdy boy she left behind is now the town's hockey playing hero. And the boy all the girls want...
Fake Skating is a wonderfully penned and utterly captivating young adult sports romance. From the get-go these characters had my full attention. They wandered onto the page and I was ready to follow them where ever they lead me. They were so well crafted that at times I truly felt like they were real people and I was right there with them experiencing everything firsthand.
A lot of times when I read hockey romances I feel like the sport is a second thought in the story and it's not really shown in the best light. But with this one I really loved that the author captured the sport accurately and took the time to use all the proper terminology and really invested her time into making the sport shine just as much as the characters. As a hockey fan it was nice to see the game represented well throughout the story.
I have a feeling that this action packed read is going to be a big hit with sports romance readers, it's an unputdownable read with characters that are destined to steal your heart at first glance! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
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