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britwalsh16's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love a good enemies to lovers romance! I enjoyed this book very much. Hazel and Rory’s story was perfect. They make such a sweet pair, Rory chasing after Hazel since high school, & Hazel fighting her attracting to Rory so she doesn’t get hurt again. But neither of them realize what awaits them. And the whole hockey team & organization that stands behind them is amazing, and something I love so much about the hockey organization & community, they’re a family, & when someone threatens that family they deal with it, even when the threat comes from within, they stand behind eachother & protect! Connor made a great villain, & I love how no matter what he did, Hazel & Rory didn’t let him get between them. I want a love like that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body shaming, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Grief, and Sexual assault
brandie_abbie19's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Abandonment, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Violence
memoirsofabooklover's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i loved this one, even more than pippa a jamie’s book. the story is simple and only focuses on the romance but it’s an easy read, i fell in love with the characters. i’m glad there was no typical 3rd act breakup as it wouldn’t have worked for this story but there was still enough conflict in the story to stay interesting the spice was great as per usual and i loved seeing both of them work through their issues and learn to be vulnerable and communicate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Cursing, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
readastray's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I will start off by saying how thrilled and thankful I am to get the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of another one of Stephanie’s books. She has knocked it out of the park with Rory and Hazel’s story!
I really didn’t know what to make of Rory Miller in the first Vancouver Storm book, but he very quickly won me over in The Fake Out. In fact, he probably secured a top spot in my ranking of the Stephanie Archer-verse of Book Boyfriends (TM). And don’t tell Pippa, but I think I have a new favorite Hartley sister! It didn’t take long to realize that a fake-dating book between these “enemies” was going to be dynamite.
Rory and Hazel’s relationship is like watching an immovable object meet an unstoppable force in the most entertaining way possible. I thoroughly enjoyed having a front row seat to their teasing, banter, and button-pushing. What I loved most about Rory was his unwavering commitment to winning over Hazel despite her reservations. Hazel acts tough to protect herself, but opens up and thrives under the right conditions.
The entire book had me giggling, gasping, and blushing. I even drew out reading this book an extra day or two because I wasn’t ready to lose that first-read feeling. Stephanie has an uncanny knack for creating these compelling characters who just fit together like puzzle pieces. 10/10 would recommend The Fake Out as your next winter rom-com read!
Spoiler-ish(?):
There’s no dreaded third act break-up!
I really didn’t know what to make of Rory Miller in the first Vancouver Storm book, but he very quickly won me over in The Fake Out. In fact, he probably secured a top spot in my ranking of the Stephanie Archer-verse of Book Boyfriends (TM). And don’t tell Pippa, but I think I have a new favorite Hartley sister! It didn’t take long to realize that a fake-dating book between these “enemies” was going to be dynamite.
Rory and Hazel’s relationship is like watching an immovable object meet an unstoppable force in the most entertaining way possible. I thoroughly enjoyed having a front row seat to their teasing, banter, and button-pushing. What I loved most about Rory was his unwavering commitment to winning over Hazel despite her reservations. Hazel acts tough to protect herself, but opens up and thrives under the right conditions.
The entire book had me giggling, gasping, and blushing. I even drew out reading this book an extra day or two because I wasn’t ready to lose that first-read feeling. Stephanie has an uncanny knack for creating these compelling characters who just fit together like puzzle pieces. 10/10 would recommend The Fake Out as your next winter rom-com read!
Spoiler-ish(?):
There’s no dreaded third act break-up!
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
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