Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Faking it was supposed to be simple—until the past made everything complicated.

Fake Skating follows Dani Collins, who returns to her hockey-obsessed Minnesota hometown after her parents’ divorce and comes face-to-face with Alec Barczewski—her former best friend turned star hockey player. Once inseparable, their relationship ended in silence, leaving behind unanswered questions and unresolved feelings. When circumstances push them into a fake dating arrangement, old wounds begin to resurface—and so does the connection they never truly lost. As they’re forced to spend time together, Dani and Alec must confront the truth about what pulled them apart—and what might still be there.

Lynn Painter delivers a swoony, banter-filled YA rom-com blending first love, heartbreak, and second chances. With its mix of hockey culture, fake dating, and emotional growth, this story explores miscommunication, identity, and what it means to come home to yourself—and to someone else.

Perfect for readers who love:
• childhood friends-to-lovers
• fake dating
• sports romance (hockey)
• second-chance romance
• sweet, emotional YA rom-coms

Format: Hardcover