Midnight Haze

by Tate West, Tate West

She’s the queen of pop. He’s a sports god. Together, the press is feral.

When Sienna is spotted leaving her own end-of-tour afterparty in a fierce lip-lock with the sports world’s favorite dreamboat, she never could have anticipated the public’s response.

As #Saugust starts trending, her hope of one night of off-the-charts chemistry and heat is lost when Sienna & August’s publicists cook up an altogether different plan.

With a lot to gain and seemingly nothing to lose, the pair agree to fake-date for a month—but when scandal breaks and Sienna runs to Lavender Creek, she’s shocked when August insists on following her to the small town she loves. The last thing she expected was to want to never leave—and for August to stay. Forever.

But with the city lives they left behind still looming, can Sienna and August find their escape within each other?

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, Football, Music, Celebrity

Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

About the author

Tate West is writing small town, happily ever afters with cowboys... and all the things that go bump in the night.

To keep up to date with Tate’s releases and for bonus content, sign up to her newsletter — or follow her on Instagram at @tatewestbooks

Reviews

[Aleksandra [semi hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

I’m not gonna lie, I really enjoyed the author’s writing. It was running smoothly, and kept me hooked on the story. What I didn’t necessarily like, was the direction the story went in. I mean, the book starts in a big city in the US, but due to the scandal, about 50% in, the setting changes to a ranch in Canada. And you don’t feel like they’re a pop singer, and a football player anymore. So I don’t understand this decision. For me, it was like reading a completely different story to the one I started with. Additionally, the fake dating aspect was okay-ish in the first half, but it went missing in the other one.

When it comes to the main characters, I think that while Sienna was pretty likeable, I cannot say the same about August. I’m not a fan of manwhores to begin with, but the main problem I had with him was the way he was acting, and what he was thinking about her. I was cackling every time he mentioned that she was too young for him. Because 1. their age gap was only 7 years, and 2. she was 28!!!!!!! TWENTY EIGHT and he was 35. Why is he acting like that??? And how he suddenly realised he’s getting old, so he needs to stop being a playboy, and maybe think of settling down…

I didn’t appreciate that I knew so much about his past sexual experiences (countless mentions), while the only thing the fmc tells is that she “dated a little”. Okay 👍🏼. Thank God, there’s no on-page evidence of his manwhore ways, only mentions.

So overall, nice story, good writing, but something went off in the middle.



safety info:
-no OWD/OMD (OM jealousy only)
-reformed playboy (lots of mentions about him having been a manwhore, he was probably celibate for a few months)
-no info about the fmc, only that she dated a little
-no cheating/sharing/3rd act breakup/separation
-HFN

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Midnight Haze* - Tate West - ARC [18+]
4.8/5✨
3/5🌶️

Sienna Slade was a famous solo artist who was trying so hard to find her own voice and personality in a world controlled by her label. When she derailed from her "good girl" image, Sienna ended up meeting football player, August Ashford. But since she was constantly followed by paparazzi, what it supposed to be a one night stand transformed into a fake relationship with handsome August. The tension between them was still very much present when a bomb dropped into Sienna's life, which pushed her to go to Lavender Creek for a while. To her surprise, August wanted to go with her, to be by her side in that dark time of her life. But will they still be able to keep pretending that they were only part of a fake relationship being constantly in each other's presence?

Even from the start I could feel the disappointment in Sienna's demeanor. She had enough with the life her record label pushed her to have. I liked how determined she was to break free from that life she hated. The fact that Sienna met August was something like destiny, because he helped a lot when she was struggling with everything that kept on happening in her life. I simply adoored how cute and kind August was with Sienna and how hard he fell for her🤭. There was lots of angst in this story, something which I always enjoy because it gives to the book an emotional side which I love.

I signed up for this book quite some time ago, almost forgetting about it😅. I decided that I should give it a chance and I'm glad that I did, because I really liked this love story, I liked how these characters grew and how they created that connection with one another. Now I'm pretty curious about the next book from this series, but I guess that I'll have to wait for a while until it will be released.

Thank you so much Love Notes Pr and Tate for accepting me for this e-ARC. I enjoyed it so much!💖

✨Tropes
▫️Celebrity
▫️Fake Dating
▫️Small Town
▫️Pop Star
▫️Athlete
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Football Player
▫️Slow Burn

[Amber Joosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik mocht dit exemplaar ontvangen van love notes pr!


Ik ben echt een sucker voor een goede fake dating en dat begon in mijn Wattpad era dus wat is er beter dan een popster x football speler fake dating? Het is heel vlot geschreven maar ik verloor een beetje mijn interesse vanaf het moment dat ze in Canada aankwamen. Hierdoor is dit boek voor mij 3.5 ⭐️ verder vond ik het hele concept van het boek wel heel leuk!

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved August and Sienna. The escape to a small town was perfect for them. They were in denial a lot. The combination of a singer and football player was perfect. The chemistry was good and it was well written .

[✨MoMo✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

I absolutely adored this book, Sienna and August gave me allllll the Taylor & Travis vibes. Who doesn’t love a fake dating arrangement between a gorgeous pop star and a hot football player?! It had all the tension I love with this trope, and I love the way their story played out. Tate did a fantastic job, I can’t wait to see more of these characters in the next one

[✨ Helena ✨]

I received this complimentary ARC, courtesy of Jade Church, in exchange for an honest review.

This was the cutest thing ever. I want more books like this, please. 🥹

RTC

[Katie_thebookslayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ - I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love it when a story starts out a little chaotic and becomes comforting, this one did that for sure.

Pop princess Sienna is ready for a change in her image. She’s not the teen that she portrayed on tv and she’s outgrown the vibes at twenty-five, despite what her record label pushes her to do, over and over again.

When the sequins and cheap costumes of her tour ends, she takes a leap to make sure her fans know that she’s not the girl they’ve branded her as, she’s a woman who wants to play music close to her heart.

August is helping his brother relax after a year of stress from becoming a first time father unexpectedly. He takes him to a party that a host of celebrities and athletes like himself have been invited to.

The party that changes everything. An instant connection between a former pop princess and a football star is instant. But before they can get their clothes off, Sienna’s best friend and August’s brother (both their managers) barge in with protests and a plan to improve both of their public images, a fake relationship.

The fake dating was a little lacking, but it was still there and I get hooked on that trope easily. The small town romance portion of this story was my absolute favourite. I loved the found family aspects of this story and the side characters too. Don’t even get me started on Muffin, the sassy little cat!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a 2 book series called Lavender Creek.

From hot new romance author Tate West, Midnight Haze is a steamy small town romance with celebrity drama, meddling paparazzi, and a city-to-country escape. Readers who love slow burn romance, fake dating angst, near-kisses and forced proximity tension, and men who look good in cowboy hats will devour this story! Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope, and Lyla Sage.

She the Queen of pop and good at sports!

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! I thought both Sienna and August were super likable. I feel like they both struggled with people making assumptions about them since she is a famous pop star and he is a football player so it was fun watching them start to trust each other and let their walls down. Lavender Creek seems like such a fun place and it was nice to see that Sienna had such a great support system. I also enjoyed the side characters and I would love to know more about Louise and Cade 👀 I am excited for the next book.

🌸 Fake dating
🎸 Reformed playboy
🌸 Opposites attract
🎸 Forced proximity
🌸 Pop star x athlete
🎸 Slow burn

Rating ⭐️: 4.5/5 | Spice 🌶️: 2/5

Thank you so much to the author and love notes pr for the arc

[Manda Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I might be falling for the girl who was only supposed to be a PR stunt.”

Fake dating after a failed one night stand between a football playboy who wants to clean his image and the pop princess who wants to destroy hers. Absolutely amazing. The chemistry between them was amazing the circumstances having them go from New York to small ranch in Canada was heartbreaking but we met the best side characters to add to this story and I cannot wait for book 2 I was so excited when I saw who it would be!

🎼 Song Vibe-Unrighteous by Ruth B
💬POV-Dual
💞Relationship-MF
🌶️Spice- Yes Slow Burn

~~What to Expect~~
🎤Fake Dating
🎤Forced Proximity / Roommates
🎤Opposites Attract
🎤Small Town
🎤Reformed Playboy
🎤Pop Star
🎤Football Player
🎤Celebrity
🎤Found Family
🎤City to Country Escape

~~Quotes~~
🩷I don’t think you’re just anything
🩷I knew without a doubt that Sienna Slade was the kind of girl who only came around once, and I couldn’t let her go. Not when I knew she was meant to be mine.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought it was okay! i kinda loved it but also, i thought it could be much better because you don't get the vibes that they're big celebs and it would have been nice if you could feel that. the fmc is the highlight of the book, she's awesome and amazing!!! I loved her bad

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sienna’s the queen of pop. August’s a sports god. Together, the press is feral.

When Sienna is spotted leaving her own end-of-tour afterparty in a fierce lip-lock with the sports world’s favorite dreamboat, she never could have anticipated the public’s response.

As #Saugust starts trending, her hope of one night of off-the-charts chemistry and heat is lost when Sienna & August’s managers cook up an altogether different plan.

With a lot to gain and seemingly nothing to lose, the pair agree to fake-date for a month — but when scandal breaks and Sienna runs to Lavender Creek, she’s shocked when August insists on following her to the small town she loves. The last thing she expected was to want to never leave... and for August to stay. Forever.

But with the city lives they left behind still looming, can Sienna and August find their escape within each other?

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.

Tropes: Small-Town Romance, City-to-Country Escape, Slow-Burn, Fake-Dating, Angst, Forced Proximity/Roommates, No OWD (OM Jealousy Only), Reformed Playboy, No Info about the FMC/only that She dated a Little, No Cheating/Sharing/3rd Act Breakup/Separation, HFN, Opposites Attract, Popstar, Football Player, Celebrity, Found Family, Popstar/Celebrity x Football Player, Celebrity Romance, Dual POVs, Popstar x Athlete, Fake Dating, Small Town Escape, “One Night Turned into More”, Soft + Swoony with Spice, She Teaches Him to Ride, They Run Away Together, He Falls First, Sports.

Midnight Haze is the 1st book in the Lavender Creek series A Fake Dating Steamy Romance by Tate West. From hot new romance author Tate West, Midnight Haze is a steamy small-town romance with celebrity drama, meddling paparazzi, and a city-to-country escape. Readers who love slow-burn romance, fake-dating angst, near-kisses and forced proximity tension, and men who look good in cowboy hats will devour this story! Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope, and Lyla Sage.

I’m going to be totally honest; I loved Tate’s writing. It was so smooth, and I just feel right into it and found myself easily enthralled. And I loved how the story started in a big city in the US but after the scanday, which takes place about 50% into the book, the setting totally changes and we find ourselves on a ranch in Canada. Now, maybe I’m a bit biased as I am Canadian but I loved crossing the US boarder into Canada.

And once you find yourself on that Canadian ranch, you no longer feel like Sienna’s this popstar and August is this big football player. And what had started off a something that was just fake-dating for the public had shifted into something very real and both Sienna and August wanted more and had decided they wanted something real, with one another.

I really like Sienna. Even though she was this popstar, I found her to be down-to-earth, relatable, and she felt real and authentic. She cared about her fans but she’s also ready for a change in her image.

Sienna’s got her start on TV playing a teen and now that she’s 25 she’s ready to step out of her teen image and start portraying a more grown-up image even though her label is pushing her to do the same thing over and over again.

Sienna’s tour finally ends and with it so do the constant costume changes with sequins and all the cheap costumes. And with the tours end Sienna takes a chance and tells her fans that she’s not the young girl her PR team and managers have branded her as, and she admits that she’s a woman who really just wants to play music that’s truly close to her heart.

As I learned about Sienna’s past my heart broke for her. She had been raised by her rockstar father who was egocentric and clearly he wasn’t fit to raise a child on his own, his environment unsuitable for any child of any age. Her childhood was nothing more than a mess as her father was unfit to raise Sienna by himself, he could hardly take care of himself and he certainly didn’t know how to love her.

August was a very interesting character. He was a manwhore who managed to reform himself. And I could forgive him for that. The real problem I had with him was his behaviour and the way he acted, and the way he thought about Sienna. I was constantly laughing when he would mention that she was too young for him. And there are a few reasons for this. 1) There was only 7 years between them. (There’s close to 8 years between me and my husband and 10 between me and my ex-husband.) 2) Sienna was 28 and he was 35. So there honestly wasn’t a single reason for him to think that way, she was old enough to make her own choices and decide if he was too old for her or not.

One of the things that really annoyed me with August is the way he was constantly bringing up his past smexual experiences. And I mean this was countless mentions. All Sienna says is that she dated a little bit vs. what almost felt like August’s bragging about his past.

I loved the small-town romance part of this story that came along side the found family vibe and the secondary characters. And as a cat lover I can’t write this review without a mention of Muffin, the sassy little cat. I just loved that cat. I swear Muffin was one of my favorite characters (and yes, Muffin was a character of her own) in this book.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t say that this book gave me Taylor Swift and Travis Kelcie vibes. And while I am not a Swiftie myself, I know that any Swiftie out there would eat this book up in a heart-beat.

I have to say that Midnight Haze is the perfect read for anyone who’s looking for a sweet, cozy, and romantic, with small-town and found family vibes. Now I am so excited to read River and Louise’s story. We got a taste of this story in this book and I loved their banter and I predict that there’s going to be a stunning amount of chemistry between these two.

Two of my favorite quotes from Midnight Haze are:

“I might be falling for the girl who was only supposed to be a PR stunt.”

“I knew without a doubt that Sienna Slade was the kind of girl who only came around once, and I couldn’t let her go. Not when I knew she was meant to be mine.”

[Flavia Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.

First of all, let me say that this book gives off Taylor and Travis vibes and, as a Swiftie myself, I was totally into Sienna and August's story from the first page!

Also, who doesn't love a fake dating plot? In this case, it's lust to love because both characters have had great chemistry since the moment they met. And I must say, Tate West almost killed me with the tension between Sienna and August; I couldn't put the book down.
In addition, I was pleasantly surprised because this book took a different direction than what we usually see in this trope. The second half of the book went from a high-profile, media-circus relationship to a quiet, homey retreat. It felt a little bit like reading two different stories, but not in a bad way—at least, not for me.

I really enjoyed the way it all unfolded. It felt like Si and August weren't a pop star and a famous football player anymore, but just a couple who had fallen in love and were in denial due to their own insecurities: Sienna because of her messy life as the daughter of an egocentric rockstar who was clearly unfit to raise a child by himself and who didn't know how to love her; and August for being a reformed playboy who is finally ready to settle down, yet he's scared because Sienna's life wasn't what he pictured for himself. He's also really insecure about their age gap—although I don't think seven years is a lot, considering she’s 28 and he’s 35.

Honestly, I think my only issue with the story was August's reluctance to get involved with Sienna in the first place. I feel like West could have developed this part a little bit more because, beyond the age gap, I couldn't really understand why he stayed in denial for so long—and if we didn't have his POV to show he's a really great guy, I think he would've seemed like a sexist jock looking for a “trad wife”—while Sienna's fears felt much deeper than his.

Despite this slight hiccup in August's characterization, I genuinely enjoyed the book! Tate West has a very engaging writing style, and I fell in love with not only the main characters but the side characters as well. Speaking of which, Tate West did such an amazing job with the side characters. They're so likable that you can't help but fall in love with them too and want to know more about their lives, yet they never steal the spotlight from the main couple—they just leave you wanting to read their own book. That said, I honestly can't wait for Louise and River's book.

Midnight Haze is the perfect book for anyone looking for something sweet, cozy, and romantic. Also, there is no third-act breakup and no drama other than the characters’ insecurities about admitting they want to be together forever; after all, everything happens so fast that they are taken by surprise. It's such a feel-good story, the kind of book that helps you “escape reality for a little bit."

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I knew without a doubt that Sienna Slade was the kind of girl who only came around once, and I couldn’t let her go. Not when I knew she was meant to be mine.”

I’ve been anticipating this book for roughly two years now, and none of that time waiting for this masterpiece of a novel to reach its perfection state was wasted!! I had a general idea of what to expect when finally getting my hands on this book & it turned out soooo much better than I ever expected! I couldn’t put this book down, even if I tried and spent many late nights in bed turning those pages on my Kindle, eating up every second of this book! It was just too good, so cute and, dare I say, wholesome at times! I couldn’t get enough of Muffin either — the true star of this novel if you ask me….

I eat up a fake dating romance any day (this fake dating take was unique and really refreshing!!), and especially if it has that celebrity pop star x football player? Sign me up immediately. The way Tate wrote this book was so good. It was so easy to follow and easy to relate to and fall for her characters, and even the side & supporting characters too! I’m hoping we may get to see more of them someday….especially maybe Louise and River… ;)

I really enjoyed the depth of this book and how it melded what felt like two different stories into one — starting the story in the city and ending up in the small town of Lavender Creek, all while our characters maintained the same chemistry and ever-present tension between them. It gave me the sense that August and Sienna could be together in any circumstance and every lifestyle-esque situation that could be presented to them, a love everlasting in every lifetime. Seeing them both come to terms with wanting more than the lives they had made during the climax of the book had an even better impact for me than if it had never happened - being true to yourself as something I feel caters to the true human experience more than not, which made it that much more relatable for me.

I can’t put into words how much I loved this book and all its characters, and how it exceeded all the expectations for me — and upped the standards of having a man in my life. Who doesn’t want a golden retriever MMC that follows you to a small town just to be with you?

I don’t know what else Tate has in store for us readers yet, but I can’t wait to fall in love with their writing as much as I did with this one!!

What to expect in Midnight Haze:
 🌹Fake Dating
 🌹Forced Proximity
🌹Opposites Attract
🌹Celebrity Romance
🌹Reformed Playboy
🌹Pop Star x Football Player
🌹Found Family
🌹City to Country Escape

Thank you to LoveNotesPR & Tate West for allowing me to ARC read Midnight Haze and let me celebrate it’s release with you! It was a honor to read this and enjoy it in all its entirety, and can’t wait for others to fall in love with August and Sienna as much as I did! 💖

[Lau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to say thank you to Love Notes PR and the author for kindly sending an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When I read the synopsis I became very interested in the book and was very eager to do so. Now, it's been a while since that so maybe that's part of the reason why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would've thought, but I still gave it a chance.

The story started very well and although I felt some parts were disconnected or a tad unrealistic I didn't mind because it was the beginning of the story, and I could understand some decisions since it was early in the book and we'd have room for development. However, the disconnected feeling remained as I kept on reading. I think I got that feeling mainly because the pace is fast and time advances within the story but I didn't feel I was spending time with Sienna and August per se. I wish I could've seen more scenes of them spending time together and actually bonding, instead of getting a quick recap mentioning how many times they've been hanging out. Because of that, I think, I haven't felt any chemistry between them both.

My second issue comes with their relationship. It's clear they want to spend time with each other and it's clear that suddenly they're "it" for each other but again, I don't feel I saw that change happen. And what's more, I don't understand the final conflict because even when their interior monologues made clear that they didn't know if the other person wanted to become something more serious, their actions and conversations together and their scenes didn't match that feeling. Don't tell me they long for each other, let me see them together! I didn't feel any real development between them, nor in their relationship, so when the final part of the book arrives and I should be feeling anticipation to see if they do end up together, I instead feel disconnected from them.

In relation to that point, I feel the characters need more depth. I wish the "scandal" had been explored more, since it was very closely related to Sienna's development and it's why suddenly Sienna and August have to spend so much time together in a secluded place; and I wish I could've seen August slowly change his mind towards being with Sienna, since he made clear in the beginning that he was looking for a steady relationship and wasn't sure Sienna would provide that because of the age gap between them. Which, again, could've been solved if they spent time together in scenes and not in mentions of them.

All in all, I feel this book is an amalgamation of scenes and tropes, but not a story itself. I don't want to sound mean or ill-intended. I just felt a big disconnection between all the parts that made this story.

[Laura Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Haze by Tate West

⭐️⭐️⭐���⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

Midnight Haze is a fake-dating romance between a pop star and a football player that quickly grows into something far deeper than the trope suggests. The story follows Sienna, a rising pop star trying to step out of the shadow of her rock legend father while battling a label determined to shape her into someone she’s not. Caught between expectations and her desire to stay true to herself—both in her music and her life—she ends up at a party where she dances in the strong, steady arms of August, a football player with a reputation he’s desperate to change.

When the tabloids catch their moment and run with it, Sienna and August are pushed into a fake relationship to protect their images. What begins as a carefully managed, no-strings arrangement—full of staged appearances and strict boundaries—quickly starts to unravel. Because no matter how hard they try to keep things professional, their undeniable chemistry refuses to stay part of the act.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Lavender Shore, much of the story unfolds in close proximity, where Sienna and August are forced to spend extended time together, blurring the lines between performance and reality. From late-night conversations to moments where the act feels a little too convincing, their connection deepens in ways neither of them planned. August’s steady, guarded presence contrasts perfectly with Sienna’s emotional walls, creating a dynamic full of tension, softness, and underlying vulnerability.

As the plot develops, it becomes clear that both characters are running from parts of their past. Sienna is trying to maintain control and protect herself, while August keeps pieces of himself carefully hidden. Their fake relationship becomes a space where those defenses slowly start to crack. But with real feelings growing, the stakes rise—because the truth behind their arrangement, along with the secrets they’re both holding, threatens to undo everything they’ve built.

The pacing provides space for emotional layers to fully develop, making the ending feel satisfying and earned. Midnight Haze is perfect for readers who love fake dating, forced proximity, and angsty slow burns with just the right amount of spice—an immersive, emotional read that lingers long after the final page.

[yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before starting this review, I would like to thank LoveNotesPR, the author, and the publisher for providing me with ARC access to this story. This review is being shared voluntarily and reflects my honest experience reading the book.

Fake Dating and Musician x Athlete are two of my absolute favorite tropes, so I went into this story with high expectations. As a reader who loves diving deep into character dynamics and the complexities of high-profile lives, I found a lot to enjoy here, even if the execution had its hurdles.

The story follows Sienna, a global pop star, and August, a famous footballer with a bit of a womanizer reputation. While the chemistry was there, I did find myself wishing the narrative had leaned more into the fake aspect of their relationship. Given their massive public platforms, I would have loved to see more dialogue and scenes exploring how they navigated the paparazzi, the publicity stunts, and the internal tension of August’s past.

The transition to the second half of the book—moving to a ranch in Canada—was undeniably romantic, but it felt a bit like reading two different novels. We went from a high-profile, controversial fake relationship to a quiet, isolated escape. It raised some questions for me: if they were successfully hiding away from the spotlight in the middle of nowhere, why were they still maintaining the pretense of the fake relationship which doesnt benefit anyone anymore? At times, the logic felt a bit secondary to the romance. However, It’s a beautiful and fun read if you don’t go looking for every little imperfection in the story.

Despite some unrealistic turns, I genuinely enjoyed reading it. I added an extra star to my rating because, at the end of the day, a book’s job is to keep you engaged—and I finished this in just a few hours after receiving it. Tate West has a very engaging writing style... the prose is light, the descriptions are feel-good, and it’s a perfect escape for anyone looking for something breezy and sweet. It’s a quick, lovely read that serves as a great introduction to her world, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Lavender Creek Series unfolds!

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A makeover branding/glow up romance

My Review: Midnight Haze by Tate West is book #1 in the Lavender Creek series. It was released on 4/24/26. It is categorized as "General Fiction (Adult) | Romance."

About the Book: "She’s the queen of pop. He’s a sports god. Together, the press is feral."

In My Own Words: What is it like to be someone the world and your handlers want you to be but you are far removed from?

My Final Say: I could easily get down with this story. It was contemporary and so...now. It was a perception is what you make it, even as it was a but that's not who I really am kind of book. The vibe was ordered chaos. The chemistry was hawt. The tension was real.

While there was a resolution of sorts that leads toward a HEA indication, I personally found it to be more along the lines of a fill in the blanks, as to what comes next. I actually like that approach with some of the stories I read; this was one.

This was the kind of story that I like to read going into the weekend. It was not too serious and not too fluffy. It was entertaining, bomb-worthy (in the good way), and read on repeat in nature.

Can I just say that West did the thing when it came to the heat? (If you know, you know.)

Other: Readers who enjoy pro + pop star scenarios, fake dating relationships, & it's you and me proximity stories may like this novel.

Special Note: I think this will translate well into the audiobook format. It would be nice to hear the characters voices being brought to life.

*** Potential readers should be aware of author/publisher notes. ***

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. I am excited about getting into this new series.

[Nescee Ann Silverio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Haze is a contemporary romance novel by Tata West. Rather than opening with instant sparks, the story begins in a state of exhaustion, and this deliberate choice is what gives the novel its emotional depth and power.

The story follows Sienna Slade, a pop star and the daughter of a deceased rock legend, who feels suffocated by a controlling music industry while carrying unresolved grief over her father’s death. Alongside her is August Ashford, a professional football player who longs for stability, family, and a life that feels authentic beyond public expectations. When they agree to enter a fake relationship for PR purposes, it initially serves as a strategic and professional decision.

What makes Midnight Haze especially compelling is how human its protagonists feel. Despite their fame, Sienna and August are portrayed as ordinary people beneath the spotlight: tired, vulnerable, and searching for meaning.

Despite the struggles that come with being human, the characters find their own gentle refuges through places, people, and even animals. Lavender Creek serves as a sanctuary for Sienna, a place where she is allowed to be herself without the flashes of cameras and the constant noise of social media. The presence of Muffin the cat and Tea the horse reinforces the idea that animals can be deeply comforting companions. Additionally, the found-family dynamics within Lavender Creek are warm and reassuring which provide Sienna with the sense of belonging she desperately needs. These elements collectively support her healing.

The novel uses simple yet evocative language that allow eaders to easily understand the characters’ emotions and actions. The plot is fast-paced and well-organized. It unfolds with meaningful developments that emphasize emotional growth.

Midnight Haze is a tender and emotionally grounded romance that explores grief, identity, and healing with quiet strength. It is a story that reminds readers that love does not need to be loud to be powerful and that sometimes, healing begins in silence, softness, and safe spaces.

[Ayesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Haze by Tate west is a story that revolves around Sienna Slade who is a pop queen and August Ashford who plays Football. Fake dating is the highlight of this book.

The Story is divided In two parts- First part of the story is set up in New York where one can see how Seinna deals with her celebrity status. The media and the label she works with made her life a living hell where she can't have any kind of privacy. One can totally feel how being a celebrity does come with a lot of scrutiny and there is no personal space to breathe. The relationship between Sienna and her father was emotional part of the book and It did show how emotionally unavailable parent can affect child's personality.

August Ashford is shown as a Family man who plays Football and has a tight knit Family. His bond with his Parents , brother River and nephew Tyler was heartwarming to read and it can make one smile. The best part of this book was his unconditional love towards his nephew Tyler and that was so adorable.

The chemistry and Fake dating between Seinna and August did hit on the spot from the start and I did enjoy the tension between them. Though they are Fake dating but the love between them was real and it did melt my heart to read about them.

The second part of the book was set up in a small town called Lavender Creek. This part of the book was calm and soothing and this is where Seinna had a peaceful time without any media. The description of the town was presented in a detailed manner and I did enjoy every event that took place in here.

The Friendship between Louise and Seinna was just amazing and Louise is my favorite side character. Then the role of August' s brother River was prominent in the story and loved their bond a lot. Then there was Muffin, the cat who was really adorable 🥰

I am really excited to read the story of River and Louise, in this book I did enjoy their banter and I can expect a lot of chemistry between them.

Overall I did enjoy this book and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a well written Romantic book😊

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from Love Notes PR! If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope set to the backdrop of a cosy small town, then this is the book for you!  
 
I will always adore and prefer multiple perspectives, and I liked being able to follow the story through both Sienna and August’s eyes. They lead high profile lives with Sienna being a child star turned musician and the daughter of a famous rockstar and August being a football player, and we got to explore their struggles within their industries, especially with Sienna, and having a high intensity life.  
 
I love small town romances, even more so when it’s set on a ranch (August going from pro footballer to cowboy is definitely a win-win). Small town romances create a strong found-family, community feel that adds an extra layer of comfort to the story. I liked that this story started in the city and moved to the small town of Lavender Creek, because it made the character growth stronger.  
 
I liked the fake dating trope, and the moments where we saw of the in the fake dating ruse, such as the photoshoot and the football game, helped build the tension and make their chemistry more clear. I think we could have had more of the fake dating scenarios because they really enhanced the tension in the story.  
 
For the first half of the story when we’re in the city, we’ve got a good handful of side characters that help bring the entertainment. Louise and River (I can’t wait to see their story next) keep August and Sienna grounded and gave them unconditional support. However, in the second part of the book when we go to Lavender Creek, there’s a bit of a big character dump with rushed introductions, so much so I struggled to remember who was who.  
 
Overall, this was a fun, slow burn, tension filled, fake dating romance with heaps of sweetness and spice. Sienna and August are well crafted characters and you can’t help but root for them to get to together and finally find the space to carve out their futures.  
 

[Paula Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received form the author:

4/5⭐️

If I have to define this book in one word it definitely will be “Vulnerability”

At the beginning what catch my attention was the fake dating part. I was so eager to see how their relationship developed and how the two different worlds would interact. Honestly I was expecting to be mostly base on the city as their jobs were there, however it was so refreshing to see the small town scenery.

The chemistry between Sienna and August is out of this world, since the beginning they just “click” however I love how in each chapter you can see the little things that make each other fall a little bit more for the other because at the end a great partner is someone that is there for the small details, for the little things.

Sienna, what a complex character, someone that has been through a lot but always trying to keep going, who would complain about it but wouldn’t stop her from her goals and don’t let me start with her friends, her support system each one of them are a special part of her life and they complement each other. She is written for those women trying to find their place in the world and have felt lost at some point.

Now August, he is the perfect example that no matter how busy your life is, you can always be present for your friends, family and even to a person he barely knows like Sienna. I love how the writer gave us a man so sure of himself that he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable, to show his feelings and that just did it for me.

This book gave me butterflies for how pure their love was and how they realice that they need to be in each other lives. In the future I would love to see more about the side characters because they were just hilarious.

Thank you Tate and Love Notes for this incredible opportunity it was my first time reading one of your books and a small town romance and it was definitely worth it!!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review (ARC) 🎸🐈🏈
Midnight Haze by @tatewestbooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| 🌶️

Tropes/Topics:
🎸 opposite attracts
🐈 forced proximity
🏈 Dual POV’s
🎸 small town romance
🐈 popstar x athlete
🏈 fake dating

Blurb🎸🐈🏈
“She's the queen of pop. He's a sports god. Together, the press is feral”
Sienna wants out from her label, her image, and the life that’s kept her stuck as a teen star. August is a football player with a reputation he can’t shake and with new management, his career is on the line.
One unexpected night and a heated, lip-locked kiss sends them viral as #Sagust. Their solution? Fake dating. But when a scandal forces them out of New York and into the small town of Lavender Creek, everything changes. The last thing Sienna expected was to not want to leave… or to want August to stay. But with their old lives still waiting, can they really find their escape in each other?

This was my first book by Tate West and it definitely won’t be my last. Sienna, a pop star trying to rebuild her life, felt incredibly authentic and offered a compelling glimpse into the pressures of celebrity life. August, an athlete with a complicated reputation, was the perfect counterpart; together, their dynamic was truly chef’s kiss. I also loved the mentions of Canada, which made the story feel even more personal to me. My only frustration was how often the characters held back their feelings out of fear, though I understand it added to the overall tension. Overall, this is a cozy, engaging read that I’d happily recommend.

I signed up for this ARC over a year ago, and I’m so grateful I was accepted, it was absolutely worth the wait! Thank you so much to @lovenote PR and Tate for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📖Available now on KU and Amazon!

@lovenotes.pr #lovenotespr #midnighthaze #tatewest #bookrecommendations #sagust #oppositeattracts

[Erin Geades · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from love notes.

I love when a story starts off with a little chaos and slowly settles you right into the story, and this one really had that shift. It follows Sienna, a global pop star trying to break free from the image she built as a teen, and August, a famous football player with a bit of a womanizer reputation. From the start, their chemistry is there, and their first meeting pulls you in quickly.

Their connection turns into a fake relationship—set up by their managers—to boost both of their public images. I’ll be honest, I wanted more from that part of the story. With how high-profile their lives are, I expected more tension around the publicity, paparazzi, and the pressure of keeping up appearances, especially considering August’s past. That side of things felt a little underdeveloped.

The story then shifts into a quieter, small-town setting at a ranch in Canada. While those scenes were cozy and romantic, it almost felt like stepping into a completely different book. Going from a very public, image-driven relationship to a private, tucked-away life raised some questions—especially about why they were still keeping up the fake relationship when it didn’t seem to serve a purpose anymore. At times, the logic took a backseat to the romance.

That said, this is one of those books that’s easy to enjoy if you don’t overthink it. The small-town setting, found family elements, and side characters really shine here. And Muffin, the cat, adds a fun little spark that’s hard not to love.

Tate West’s writing style makes this a quick, engaging read. It’s light, easy to get through, and perfect if you want something sweet and low-stress. I finished it in just a few hours, which says a lot. Even with a few flaws, it kept me hooked, and I’m interested to see where the rest of the Lavender Creek series goes.

[Anh Duong · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay this book is very “celebrity chaos meets small-town calm” and honestly… i had a good time with it 👀

the whole setup is already messy in the best way—pop star + football star + accidental public makeout = fake dating?? yeah, i was in. the media frenzy and #Saugust thing felt very dramatic but also kinda believable, like you can totally picture it blowing up online.

sienna was interesting because she’s confident on stage but clearly overwhelmed behind the scenes. i liked that contrast. and august… he’s giving golden boy energy at first, but once they get to lavender creek, he softens a LOT. like suddenly he’s this quiet, steady, small-town version of himself and it just works.

and honestly?? the small-town part was my favorite. the vibe shift from paparazzi madness to cozy, slower life made the romance feel more real. like once they’re away from the cameras, you actually get to see them connect instead of just performing for the public.

the fake dating → real feelings pipeline is strong here. lots of tension, almost moments, “this is fake but doesn’t feel fake anymore” type of scenes. if you like that slow build with a bit of angst, this definitely delivers.

also yeah… it is steamy 😭 not over-the-top every second, but when it happens, it happens. and it fits the chemistry they’ve been building, which i appreciated.

if i had to nitpick, some of the drama (especially with fame and outside pressure) felt a bit predictable, and at times i wanted a little more depth from their individual struggles. but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

overall: messy, romantic, a little escapist, and very bingeable. come for the fake dating and celebrity drama, stay for the soft small-town feelings and a man in a cowboy hat 🤠

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every trope this book employs is right up my alley, so I was hoping it would be a home run. Though I enjoyed Sienna and August, a lot of the tropes felt like they just missed the mark.

For example, the whole point of a fake dating romance is that our protagonists struggle with the act– does their partner feel the same or are they doing it “for the cameras”. However, multiple times throughout the beginning of their PR relationship, August changed their plans so that they weren’t in public. When they had a scheduled restaurant date and got spotted by the paparazzi, August had them order at a drive-thru and eat in the car to avoid being hounded by the press, even though that was the whole point of their date. Similarly, when they were supposed to go out to a party and Sienna seemed tired, August had them stay in and watch TV together– not getting spotted by the press. Though I understand that this was in service of developing their relationship, it completely devalues the internal conflict that makes a fake-dating story compelling. Also, I never felt Sienna was the big celebrity the book made her out to be, or that August was a star athlete, those titles felt told to the audience instead of proved or shown. All of this resulted in the me losing the push and pull of a relationship that encourages the reader to keep going.

Overall though, Sienna and August had great banter and I grew to truly care about their characters as the book progressed. I found Siennas unique perspective on fame as the daughter of a rockstar and child star to be a really interesting take on the popstar trope. This was a fun read!

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Tate West for this ARC opportunity!

[Lindsey Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop princess Sienna Slade and football god August Ashford agree to fake date for a month in a bid to improve both their public images. When scandal hits, the pair agree to hide out in small-town Canada, and leave the bright lights of the city behind for Sienna’s ranch and her grandmother’s home in Lavender Creek.

I loved the writing style of this story, it was easy to read and the prose and dialogue flowed naturally. The blossoming romance and chemistry between Sienna and August is the clear standout aspect of this book. Both characters seem very down to Earth and sweet despite their very public professions.

However, the move from big city to small town is a little jarring - especially as the couple take nearly half the book to arrive in Lavender Creek. I did wish that the author had made more of the small-town / ranch setting and introduced it a bit earlier in the story. I felt like the fact that they are pop star and football player just seems to get lost in the ether once they arrive there, and the second half of the book definitely felt a little rushed to me…

Also, the pacing of the story was way off. I found it hard to believe that Sienna and August’s friends and family would agree to move to small-town Canada almost overnight. That part didn’t quite ring true for me.

That said, this was such a quick and easy read and I flew through this book in a couple of days. I would recommend for fans of Elsie Silver who want a cute romance with more than a little hint of spice and the fake-dating trope added in.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, let me start by saying this: I did enjoy the writing style, and I would read something else by this author.

With that being said… I was bored out of my mind. I don’t mind a slow burn, but there were so many little things that just didn’t make sense to me. For example, how is Austin a star football player nearing the end of his career, yet his parents are struggling to pay their bills? That didn’t add up. Even if they refused his help, he could have easily stepped in behind the scenes and taken care of things. That part really confused me

I also found Sienna came across as immature and impulsive. You’re telling me she convinced her friends and family to move to another country overnight? And the scandal that broke honestly didn’t feel like a big deal. If this is set around 2025-6, it just didn’t feel shocking enough to justify that kind of reaction.

Another thing: I don’t think “small-town romance” should have been labeled as a main trope here. They didn’t even get to the small town until halfway through the book. When I think of small town romance, I expect the story to start, drama happens, and head to the small town within the few few chapters….but that’s just my preference.

I’ve seen some people mention the insta-love aspect. While that’s not usually my favorite trope, it actually didn’t bother me as much here, maybe because the banter at the beginning was actually good.

I tried to find a positive note to end on, so I’ll say this: I did enjoy Muffin being her grumpy little self… but that’s about all I’ve got, lol.

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a fun read, and very much is what it claims to be (a fake dating steamy romance). I want to note that I feel "steam" is very accurate, because while characters had a ton of chemistry, there wasn't actually all that much spice.

The characters were endearing, and I liked all the side characters as well. Our mains had wonderful development with beautifully showcased duality that breaks from a lot of stereotypes this genre gets stuck in. The settings were good and fleshed out, especially our special destination late in the book. Occasional British terms were used (for the book to be set primarily in New York) but it was almost like a fun Easter egg hunt rather than something that bothered me.

*Read the trigger warnings, and if you especially are concerned with substance abuse, see my last note:
The thing that did bother me (mild spoilers incoming) was the "he wasn't an addict" thing. Addiction is a disease, it is something that the people suffering from aren't choosing because life is boring without their substances. They are trapped in the cycle of addiction until they get the help they need to break free. Saying someone "wasn't an addict" because they kept up some semblance of functioning (while still showing very clear signs of addiction) is false. Based on the dedication of the book, it seems like the author probably had personal experience coloring their views on the matter and that's okay, but portraying that kind of behavior as "not addiction" isn't the best thing ever.

[Katieroses · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love Midnight Haze, it hits a few of my favorite tropes (fake dating, pop star, sports romance), which usually feels like a guaranteed win for me. And to be fair, there were moments that worked. I’m always a sucker for a good “fuck it” decision, and the tension between the brother/manager and the best friend had me immediately interested (honestly… next book, please). But overall, I had a hard time fully connecting to this one.

The biggest issue for me was the characters, especially the FMC. For someone who keeps talking about wanting control over her life, she spends most of the book feeling passive, a little whiny, and stuck in denial that drags on way too long. The miscommunication trope felt especially frustrating here because it’s so clearly mutual from the start. The fake dating setup kicks off in a way that already blurs the lines, so watching them both act oblivious to their feelings just didn’t land, it felt repetitive instead of tension-building.

Pacing didn’t do it any favors either. It leaned slow, and I kept putting it down and struggling to pick it back up. Adding a whole new set of characters midway through also made things feel a bit scattered instead of deepening the story. While I did appreciate the MMC’s growth and self-reflection, it wasn’t quite enough to balance things out for me. Overall, this one checked the right boxes on paper, but didn’t quite deliver in execution.

Thank you to the author, and lovenotespr for selecting me for this ARC read 💕