Fake Skating

In Fake Skating by Lynn Painter, a swoony YA romance glides straight into a Minnesota town where hockey is practically a religion—and first love is hard to ignore. With Painter’s signature humour and heart, it’s the kind of fake dating story that feels cosy, quick to devour, and surprisingly tender.

Dani returns to Minnesota expecting to fall back into step with Alec, her childhood best mate and the steady, nerdy comfort she remembers. Instead she finds a confident hockey star who’s embraced his small-town fame. When circumstances push them into pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend, old history and new chemistry start blurring the lines, and Dani has to work out what she really wants—not just who she used to be.

Perfect for readers who love friends-to-lovers, small-town vibes, and romance with plenty of banter (and ice-rink energy).

Come for the hockey-town charm—stay to see where the pretending leads.