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A review by readastray
The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer
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