Falling by Janisha Boswell
This was my most recent fake dating read and I absolutely adored it. Apparently I really like hockey romances, which is not something I ever thought I’d say as I have no interest in the sport. But I’m a little hooked on them at the moment. This was the one that made me love them. I feel like there’s a very fine line between great hockey romance and cringe hockey romance. Thankfully, this one falls on the great side.
The characters instantly have chemistry to the point that the fake dating never really feels fake. However, I loved that this fake dating plot had a little twist. Rather than trying to get back at an ex or make someone else jealous, they’re doing it to help Wren sell more tickets for her skating showcase. Which she desperately needs after an almost fatal injury ruined her reputation.
Both characters have reasons for struggling to get back on the ice and getting to see them help each other overcome their fears is wonderful.
Synopsis: Welcome to North University!
Wren Hackerly refuses to quit. Figure skating has always been her life, but after her ex humiliates her on the ice and her career hangs in the balance, she needs a comeback. With her college team’s morale – and funding – crumbling, she has to find a way to keep people interested.
Miles Davis is North University’s golden boy, famed for his hockey skills and movie-star looks. But after a team tragedy, he’s the only one still struggling to bounce back, making it hard to care about the sport that once defined him.
When a bet-turned-date throws them together, they realise they might just be the perfect pair. A fake-dating pact could help Wren rebuild her reputation and Miles find his way back to the ice. But as Miles’ kindness thaws Wren’s frozen heart, and the line between real and fake begins to blur, will either of them admit to feelings that aren’t just for show?
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
Now this is a pairing I adore: nerdy boy, theatre girl. It’s basically me and my boyfriend, except I’m the one that loves D&D more. This was my most recent fake dating read and I loved every minute of it. It was a great palette cleanser and I’m thinking about reading the second book soon to get me back into reading again.
This is a book with fake dating that actually stays fake for most of the book. I won’t spoil too much but Riley spends 90% of this book thinking Nathan is totally indifferent towards her. I’m not sure how as it’s so obvious he has feelings for her, but it’s pretty cute.
They fake date to make someone else jealous, and that person is extremely annoying, but those moments are hilarious. I hate the whole ‘she’ll want you because she thinks you’re taken’ bit, but it did create some great moments between Riley and Nathan.
Synopsis: When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!
Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school’s spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom’s car without permission, she’s grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad’s game shop.
Riley can’t waste her time working when she has a musical to save, so she convinces Nathan—a nerdy teen employee—to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she’ll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous.
But Riley didn’t realize that meant joining Nathan’s Dungeons & Dragons game…or that role playing would be so fun. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn’t require as much acting as she would’ve thought…
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