You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by natcrx
Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard
medium-paced
3.75
Hoax and Kisses had a charming setup—small town coziness, a close sibling bond, and a dash of fake dating—and it’s being marketed as The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, which honestly feels spot-on. The book blends cozy vibes, quirky charm, and emotional undercurrents in a way that’s both comforting and easy to fall into. I can absolutely see readers loving this for its warmth and familial heart.
That said, it didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for. The insta-lust between Zoey and Matt kicks in quickly (they’re hot and heavy by chapter three), but their deeper connection felt rushed. For a romance built around fake dating, I wish we’d seen more of that actual trope play out—more time spent together, more tension and build-up. So much of their relationship is told rather than shown, and it made some of the big emotional declarations feel slightly unearned. At one point, Matt says, “I haven’t seen her in four days and I miss her so much,” and I couldn’t help but wonder—weren’t you supposed to be fake dating?
Zoey’s career arc also left me scratching my head. After working for her father for ten years, it would’ve made more sense to see her striving for the CEO role—only to then reconsider after returning to Pine Falls. Instead, her uncertainty felt at odds with what we knew of her work ethic. Matt, meanwhile, is pretty judgmental toward Zoey in the early chapters, which felt harsh given how little she'd done to deserve it. I kept wishing she’d push back more.
There were a few plot decisions that didn’t quite land for me—Matt’s parents going on a month-long cruise just as their daughter starts school felt odd, and Matt repeating a major relationship mistake (introducing Zoey to Daphne too early) didn’t show much character growth. His protective instincts are sweet, but it felt like an emotional gamble—especially since Zoey hadn’t yet committed to staying in Pine Falls.
All that said, Daphne absolutely stole the show. I loved seeing autistic representation in a romance novel, and Elodie Colliard wrote her with such care. Daphne’s passion for flowers, the confidence it gave her, and her beautiful sibling relationship with Matt were standouts for me. The way Matt cared for her felt deeply genuine, and their scenes added real warmth and grounding to the story.
Overall, Hoax and Kisses is a sweet, cozy romance with plenty of heart and a lot of potential. I just wish the central romance had been given more space to grow. Still, I’m glad I read it, and I truly hope we see more thoughtful, neurodivergent rep like this in the genre. If you're looking for a comforting read with Gilmore Girls energy and a heartfelt sibling bond, this might just be your cup of tea.
That said, it didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for. The insta-lust between Zoey and Matt kicks in quickly (they’re hot and heavy by chapter three), but their deeper connection felt rushed. For a romance built around fake dating, I wish we’d seen more of that actual trope play out—more time spent together, more tension and build-up. So much of their relationship is told rather than shown, and it made some of the big emotional declarations feel slightly unearned. At one point, Matt says, “I haven’t seen her in four days and I miss her so much,” and I couldn’t help but wonder—weren’t you supposed to be fake dating?
Zoey’s career arc also left me scratching my head. After working for her father for ten years, it would’ve made more sense to see her striving for the CEO role—only to then reconsider after returning to Pine Falls. Instead, her uncertainty felt at odds with what we knew of her work ethic. Matt, meanwhile, is pretty judgmental toward Zoey in the early chapters, which felt harsh given how little she'd done to deserve it. I kept wishing she’d push back more.
There were a few plot decisions that didn’t quite land for me—Matt’s parents going on a month-long cruise just as their daughter starts school felt odd, and Matt repeating a major relationship mistake (introducing Zoey to Daphne too early) didn’t show much character growth. His protective instincts are sweet, but it felt like an emotional gamble—especially since Zoey hadn’t yet committed to staying in Pine Falls.
All that said, Daphne absolutely stole the show. I loved seeing autistic representation in a romance novel, and Elodie Colliard wrote her with such care. Daphne’s passion for flowers, the confidence it gave her, and her beautiful sibling relationship with Matt were standouts for me. The way Matt cared for her felt deeply genuine, and their scenes added real warmth and grounding to the story.
Overall, Hoax and Kisses is a sweet, cozy romance with plenty of heart and a lot of potential. I just wish the central romance had been given more space to grow. Still, I’m glad I read it, and I truly hope we see more thoughtful, neurodivergent rep like this in the genre. If you're looking for a comforting read with Gilmore Girls energy and a heartfelt sibling bond, this might just be your cup of tea.