Fake Skating

By Lynn Painter

Book Overview

A #1 New York Times bestseller

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled "feel-good rom-com" (School Library Journal) 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 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 stuck 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1665921269
• ISBN13: 9781665921268
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

3.5 stars Not Bad

The plot had potential and so did the characters but something was missing.

I loved this book!

This book definitely got me into hockey romances in the best way. The characters were extremely well written and I felt a connection in different ways to both. The chemistry made it hard to put the book down! I definitely recommend this book to anyone with a love for romance and friends-enemies-to lovers trope