Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

I’m pretending to be his stable girlfriend while he plays my successful boyfriend. But now faking feels a lot like falling.

Bailey

I’m a walking contradiction—professional on the job, a hot mess at home, and working my “I’ve got this” smile until my cheeks ache while hiding my hobbies: making maple butter and finding a husband. With my perfect sister's recent engagement, I’m desperate to avoid Mom’s pitying looks and matchmaking attempts.

Carson

I used to be hockey’s laid-back southern charmer until a crushing rejection from my high school sweetheart transformed me into a workaholic. When I’m unexpectedly traded to a new team, rumors circulate about whether the gentleman wingman lost his edge. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove them wrong.

Bailey

When our worlds collide after a dessert disaster, we come up with a mutually beneficial solution to our respective woes: a fake relationship. The rules are simple: I get a “successful” boyfriend for family events. He gets a “stable” girlfriend for team image. No feelings, no complications, and a definite expiration date.

Carson

But between posing as a couple at the fall festival, midnight maple butter-making sessions, trying to keep our stories straight, and undeniable chemistry, what started as a convenient lie is beginning to feel inconveniently real. As the clock runs down on our arrangement, we’ll have to decide: walk away when the final buzzer sounds, or take a shot at the love neither of us saw coming.

***

Skating and Fake Datingis a heartwarming hockey romcom featuring Bailey and ‘Bama who are perfect for each other in all the most imperfect ways, plus, small-town charm, family shenanigans, and a guaranteed happily ever after sweeter than homemade maple butter blondies.

The Author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

Book Review

Fake dating + hockey + all the smalltown fall vibes? Yes, please! This was another cute addition to the Love in Maple Falls series- this time introducing us to Carson and Bailey. Carson has just been traded to The Ice Breakers and Bailey's job is to go with him and help him get settled in his new town... which just so happens to be her hometown. These two seem to find themselves in a lot of awkward predicaments... even their fake dating was something they just sort of stumbled into... him to help with his reputation and her to get her family off her back during her cousin's wedding...to her ex! There were so many moments throughout their story that kept me smiling and laughing out loud. They've both had their share of hurts, but I loved seeing them work through it and find love. I love those moments when he stands up for her with her family and just couldn't help but root for them to get their happily ever after. 

Skating and Fake Dating is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Love in Maple Falls series- a multi-author series centered around The Ice Breakers hockey team. While they are connected and follow the same timeline, they can be enjoyed as standalones as well-- though I do think they are most fun when read together! 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4oISl8J