📅 Published: 2025
📚 Format: Paperback, Ebook, Audio
📖 448 pages
✅ Target Audience: Ages 15+
🌶️ Little to No Spice
🏷️ Tropes:
Fake Dating
Friends to Lovers
Popular Jock x Shy Smart Girl
Sports Romance (hockey)
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Fighting (not too graphic)
Language (mild profanity)
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Librarian’s Note
Navigating high school as the new girl is hard enough, Dani’s done it over a dozen times. She hoped this time would be different, that she’d have her friend from all those precious summers ago. Alec wasn’t looking forward to seeing Dani again. Now an all-star hockey player for the school team, a lot has changed for him. However, certain situations keep bringing Dani and Alec together. What becomes of their precious friendship?
Full Review
Rating Breakdown:
- Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)
- Plot: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
- Romance: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
- Characters: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
- Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
💕 The Romance & Relationship
Childhood friends to lovers? I’m sat. Childhood friends to avoiding each other like strangers to fake lovers? I’m not sure I want to be seated. Throw in the fact that he’s mostly thinking about himself, when she’s clearly going through things, and I just don’t see the vision. Like, the whole fake dating deal? Alec had more to benefit from it; Dani just wanted her old friend back!
👥 The Characters
Dani
I only really liked Dani’s character… She was constantly moved around in her childhood, never really having a place or time to make long lasting relationships, but she still did her best to be cordial to everyone. Even when people (Alec) weren’t the nicest to her, she was still respectful!
She made the best out of every situation, especially when she was put in the middle of all the family drama. Dani had so much growth throughout the story! When you compare her first interactions to her latest interactions with everyone and everything, it’s clear she changed.
Alec
A lot of people LOVE Alec and I sadly am not one of those people. He started off so sweet in the prologue and flashbacks. I get he’s a teenager who felt a lot of pressure and had a lot on his plate, but that doesn’t excuse his poor attitude towards Dani.
He understood her family situation and knows her personality, yet still chose to act standoff-ish and cold towards her. If you knew her dad was controlling and knew how much she valued your friendship, why wouldn’t you just talk to her when she finally came back to town? I also don’t think he got that much better when they ended up dating, fake or real.
Benji
Benji’s character is meant to be as annoying as possible at all times. Every time he popped up, I was like “what now?!” and hoping it wouldn’t end up a big deal. Of course, it was always a big deal because his role is to make things worse.
✍️ The Setting & Style
What I Loved:
I love that they highlighted how different Dani’s mom is since moving home and how much happier she is! Sometimes the reason for moving is a plot point that ends up forgotten, so the constant involvement of all the families was lovely.
What Could’ve Been Better:
I already don’t love third act breakups. There was so much going on in the third act that it all felt overwhelming! Dani’s family drama was coming to a close with her dad coming to town, the hockey team had their big game everyone was nervous about, and then the Benji situation forced a break up. The stakes could’ve been just as high with a lot less going on.
🎯 Is Fake Skating Worth Reading?
Perfect for fans of:
- Jock x Smart dynamic
- If you enjoy YA books
Consider skipping if:
- You don’t like third act breakups
- You aren’t a fan of sports (hockey)
