a_neverending_tbr 's review for:

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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 I have loved all of Lynn Painter’s YA books and was so excited when I got this ARC. It definitely had some heavier themes than her other books and I liked that for the YA crowd. Dani has issues to work through with her parents divorcing, tension with her Grandfather and then having to face Alec after the ghosting. Alec is dealing with his own emotions around his severed relationship with Dani and her sudden reappearance in his life but also carrying the weight of his world on his shoulders. Even though I just wanted them to have a conversation, I liked the fake dating and how they just couldn’t deny those feelings. They had some really cute moments of banter and flirting that all too quickly became real. 

My only true criticism is that I feel like I still have questions about the original split and closure on the third act drama. It just wrapped up too quickly for me and I don’t feel like they really addressed the issues. 

I will also add that this book has a TON of foul language.  I’m southern and it was just very abrasive to me. Do all teenagers (and adults for that matter) in Minnesota curse every other sentence? I wouldn’t be okay if my kids talked like this so even though this is perfectly YA in the romantic scenes, I would have a hard time recommending it to the teens in my life without making a content warning on that point. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ebook. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. 

Content Notes: Passionate kisses; lots of strong language