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

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

[✨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!

[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.

[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."

[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!

[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!!

[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.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Midnight Haze – Tate West ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

🎤🏈🔥💜🌾

If you love:
• fake dating
• celebrity romance
• small town escape
• opposites attract
• “one night turned into more”
• soft + swoony with spice

THIS BOOK WAS SUCH A VIBE 😮‍💨💜

Sienna = literal pop queen.
August = sports world golden boy.

And one night of insane chemistry turns into a PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP???
Yeah… the chaos starts immediately 🔥

The fake dating setup??? So good.
The media frenzy, the pressure, the expectations—it all felt so real and messy in the best way.

But then… Lavender Creek 🥹🌾

The shift from big, chaotic celebrity life to this quiet, small-town escape??? It added such a soft, emotional layer to the story.

August following her there???
SIR. I MELTED.

He’s not just the charming athlete—he’s patient, grounding, and so intentional with her. The way he shows up when things get hard??? Yeah… I was gone 💜

And Sienna???
Watching her let her guard down, step away from the spotlight, and figure out what she actually wants?? Loved that for her.

The chemistry between them is effortless—what starts as fake quickly becomes something real, and you can feel that shift happening in every moment.

It’s sweet, emotional, and has that perfect balance of fame, chaos, and quiet love that sneaks up on you.

If you love celebrity romances with fake dating, small-town healing, and a relationship that turns real when they least expect it… this one is IT 🎤🔥💜

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨

Thank you to Tate West and Love Notes PR for the ARC. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for the purpose of review.

What to expect:
🤭 Fake Dating
💞 Forced Proximity
🥰 Opposites Attract
👀 Reformed Player

This gave me strong Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce vibes, with the pop star meets athlete storyline and watching them fall in love. The setup for their relationship was done well. I loved how everything started in the heat of the moment and then naturally shifted as their connection deepened.

When unexpected and emotional news comes out, the story really pivots. Seeing Sienna navigate her grief surrounding her rockstar dad while August supports her added a deeper layer to their relationship. Their move to Lavender Creek for her mental health was such a soft and comforting part of the story, although it felt a little lacklustre after this point. I truly felt like I fell in love with Lavender Creek myself, especially with the sense of found family at the ranch.

I do wish the yearning had been a bit stronger so I could have had that full kicking my feet moment when everything finally came together, but I still really enjoyed their story. I’m also very excited that River will be getting a story next, because his character arc has so much potential.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a pop princess meets a football player romance, this might be the book for you.

Midnight Haze is about a pop princess named Sienna who is trying to get out from under her father and labels shadow and live life how she wants to live it. While at a party, Sienna meets August, a football player who is looking for more than just a hook up.

They end up being photographed together and realize this situationship meet work out in their favor if they play it right.

Tropes:
•forced proximity
•faking dating
•pop princess x football player
•likable side characters
•a cat named Muffin
•he falls first
•2⭐️ spicy-meter
•cinnamon roll MMC

For a singer x football player story, it was cute. For me, it wasn't a new story. It ends how you think it will end. No big miscommunication issues. Not much conflict between the main characters.

I wish the plot had focused more on the outside influences messing everything up than just their budding relationship. But it's a minor issue that is a "me" problem.

If you like romances that lean heavy on the romance part and follows the tropes I listed before, this may be the book for you.




Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC. My reviews are my own, shaped by the story and shared of my own accord.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh I really loved this one 🥹💛

Sienna & August gave me alllll the Taylor x Travis vibes—popstar baddie x football golden boy with a fake dating setup?? say less. The tension was so good and their chemistry carried this story from start to finish.

What I loved most is how it felt like two stories in one—the chaotic celebrity world in the first half, then the soft, small-town escape in Lavender Creek. Watching them both realize they wanted something more than the lives they were living made the second half hit even harder.

August is SUCH a golden retriever—sweet, all in, and completely gone for her from the start 🥹 and the slow build + constant interruptions?? the payoff was worth it.

The side characters were everything too (Grams, Louise, Cade, Muffin 🫶) and made the town feel so warm and real.

I did wish we got a bit more on Sienna’s career after the label drama, but overall the story flowed so well and the emotional moments really landed.

so cute, swoony, and full of tension—I already need the next book 😭📚

💋 popstar x athlete
🏈 fake dating
💋 golden retriever MMC
🏈 small town escape
💋 slow burn tension

booktok girlies this is giving “we faked it for the cameras… then ran away together and never wanted to come back” energy 💛

[Mayazings Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I really need to stop torturing myself with arcs that are in a series. I devoured this book and forgot that it was an arc and that book 2 wouldn’t be available to me.
I loved all the catchers in this.
August was such a fun mix of hot and cute and kind. The love he has for his family, particularly River and Tyler was so incredibly beautiful. He didn’t make a big deal about it. Don’t make it about him. It’s about family and love and support.
Sienna was soooo cool. I loved her strength and sass and confidence. It was so wonderful to read her journey of regaining control of herself, her life who the world will see her as.
Where home is.
I loved the development of the relationship. It was fun to start a fake relationship the way it did. It’s a slow burn but also not. The tension and feelings build so well it’s not like it’s lagging slow burn vibe
Had many squealing and giggling blushing moments to laughing to telling the characters to stop fucking around haha

I am soooo keen for book 2 !
Praying we’ll get a broody bodyguard book too….. or a horny puppy one…. Hmmmm

[Cami♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5

I really enjoyed this book, but I have mixed feelings about how the story evolved. On one hand, the romance is lovely and the writing is very engaging, making it a perfect pick to get out of a reading slump.
However, I felt the pacing was a bit rushed, especially regarding the communication between the main characters. They spent a lot of time trapped in their own heads instead of just talking to each other, which was quite frustrating at times.

My biggest issue, though, was the sudden move to Canada. When they changed settings, it felt like they were completely abandoning their past lives. At the start, the story was all about her breaking free from her label and finally taking control of her career as a pop star. But then, suddenly, she didn’t seem to care about that anymore. It didn't make much sense to me why she would just give up on that dream after fighting so hard for her freedom.

That being said, I still loved the emotional core of the book. Seeing her finally be free and watching him decide to settle down was cute. It’s a very sweet and cozy read, and despite my confusion with the middle of the book, I still recommend it!

ARC review

[Marie-Hélène · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Sienna is a legacy popstar who’s done with her force-fed ‘good girl’-persona and suffocating label. August is a football player with a playboy imago trying to keep his spot on the team that is trying to rebrand to a more ‘family first’-set of values. When they hook up at a party, they situationally get forced into a temporary fake relationship. Both convinced they would *never* fall for the other, fate seems to have other plans laid out for them.

Midnight Haze is a wholesome story about growth and finding yourself. The story is really cute and makes for a smooth read, but for me the pacing felt off. It felt like about 70% of the book was building up to their romance, and then things happened, which made for a really short payoff. Sienna and August are both wonderful characters, and I really appreciated Muffin and all the human side characters (except Kennedy Zats, she can choke on her mean articles for all I care).

This is for you if you like a quick read, a slow-burn, popstar x athlete, wholesome, (not-so-) fake dating, soft main characters, and wonderful side characters.

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Haze – Tate West

Thank you to Tate West & Lovenotes PR for the ARC access to this story.

As soon as I saw the tropes for this book I knew I had to give it a read. Forced proximity, fake dating, AND popstar x athlete, I mean, come on!!

This easy feel-good read focus’ on Sienna, a popstar who is trying to become her own person and get out from her father’s shadow, and August, a famous footballer with a rep. Both think a fake relationship will help them with their current situation’s.

The set up of this relationship was done well. The story reels you in with a spicy heat of the moment meet between the two MC’s which naturally flows into more of an emotional connection along the way. When Sienna receives some unexpected news which was leaked to the media, we see a shift from living in the city to a small town called Lavender Creek where August falls first and really supports Sienna during a difficult time.

If you like a romantic, small town cutesy read then this is the book for you.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in Lavender Creek

🩷 Fake Dating
🩷 Forced Proximity
🩷 Popstar X Athlete
🩷 He falls first

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️ 🌶️/5

[Jess Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when your world falls apart and one man refuses to leave you alone?

Midnight Haze is the first book in a new series by Tate West, and you’ll love every page.

Sienna and August find themselves in what appears to be a mutually beneficial fake dating situation but plans don’t always work out the way you expect.

Sienna and August are a great combination. August was once a playboy and is looking for something different. He’s charming, slightly cocky, and loyal to those he cares about. Sienna is sassy, is looking to change how everyone sees her, and believes that eventually everyone leaves her. Their story is full of longing, tension, and heat that will have you wanting more. There’s plenty of banter, swoony moments, and laughs to go around.

Included in their story is their group of friends and family that are equally as lovable. Louise, Cade, and River are the inner circle that keeps this story moving. The crew in Lavender Creek is entertaining and everything that found family should be. I truly can’t wait to see more of all of these characters.

If you’re looking for a new series that is full of fun and high on tension, Midnight Haze is the story for you.

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut book for Tate West and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us. I had a good time getting to know August & Sienna! We also get great side characters and a cat named Muffin! I laughed, swooned, smiled, got mad in one spot but in the end I was left with a great ending!

Sienna is a pop star who just wants to do things her way but her record label won't let her because they like her image the way it is. So when she's spotted with August one evening #Saugust starts trending so they decide to go with it and start fake dating.

But when a scandal breaks out she needs to get away and decides to go to Lavender Creek in Canada. What she didn't expect was for August to go with her. I love how their relationship blossomed and how he takes to her family so easily.

If you are looking for a sweet, spicy, heartwarming book then this will be a great read! I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Tate West & Love Notes PR for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I liked how the author wrote, you can tell she loves to write from how she writes🩷
However, I didn’t enjoy this read at all. I don’t really do insta love, and this is definitely like that from the quick sexual scene to the protectiveness August has for Sienna, to them feeling pulled to each other. Not my vibe.
I didn’t care for them as characters which was so sad because the premise of the story really pulled me in. I found Sienna childish at times, and August was either cocky or sweet? I found his character a little discombobulating.
I don’t think I really took in any of the work because I was too disconnected for the plot and the characters as I didn’t find myself interested in their story. Which is so sad.

This book will be perfect for people who enjoy fake dating, romance between famous people, fictional artists… but it just wasn’t for me- which is why I’m giving this a 3 star!

[Ashlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute read with some delicious spice. I loved that we’re immediately thrown into the moment of change, with the FMC already starting to stand up for herself.
One thing that really stood out to me was how the MMC’s “not my type” comment echoes throughout the story. It starts as a shallow judgment—he doesn’t know her yet—but the book keeps circling back to it in different ways. His assumptions, the executives’ expectations, and even the FMC’s own fears about how she’ll be perceived all tie into this bigger theme.
At its core, this story is really about judgment—how often we box people (and ourselves) into one idea and stop there.
Because the truth is, people aren’t just one thing. We’re layered. Complicated. Contradictory at times. And there’s something powerful in allowing yourself to grow beyond what others expect—and even beyond what you once believed about yourself.
(Well… maybe not that VP. ��)

[Jade Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off Tate thank you so much for allowing me to be an arc reader! I truly enjoyed your book!!!

Second I love that there was no second act break up regardless of them fake dating at first! I never expected to like the football player meets popstar but turns out I did!

I love how grounded August turned after watching his brother become a dad overnight after a one night stand showed up at his door step with the baby and said good luck. It takes a lot of growth and patience to just go from a playboy to a grounded man ready to settle down.

Siennas life has been so controlled due to being the daughter of a famous rockstar to then being a popstar herself. So I wasn't surprised when she wanted to break away from her popstar image and struggled with the idea of a football player staying and actually choosing her.

I honestly cannot wait for book 2! Thanks again for allowing me to be an arc reader.

[Brandi Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off I received this ebook as an arc off of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to author and publisher for approving it.

This book has a long list of popular tropes. Including fake dating, slow burn, forced proximity and etc. I really loved both of the characters. It was impossible to not like them. You have a pop Princess wanting to make a big change in her professional life and an athlete who has a reputation of being a manwhore, that is at the point where he's ready to settle down in his private love life. Fate brought them together. There was a lot of tension and missed opportunities though that will keep you on your toes. And outside involvement thats trying to drag them down and keep them apart. For me at times the story almost dragged along but I still enjoyed the ride. I would recommend it to all the romance girlies!

[chloe .｡.:*♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️i received a copy of this book early in exchange for an honest review ~

i really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, their interactions were always cute to read and they had such good chemistry together!

i loved August so much!!! he is such a gentlemen, he cared so much for his family and Sienna, i liked how he knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to admit his feelings.
Sienna had such a hard time through her career and growing up and i loved reading how her character grew into a new person during her time in her small town around her friends and family, i adored the side characters and i love her cat Muffin!

i do wish the fake dating was explored a little more as it lacked a tiny bit but i still loved reading these two so much, they fit so well together! i finished it within a day i couldn’t put it down at all and i cant wait for the next book

[pagesofzai · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

I was kindly given an ARC of Midnight Haze and this was so good! this was such a good story and I loved seeing August and Sienna’s story! the slow burn in this was so good and so worth the wait, it was everything once they got together. they had an instant connection and I loved seeing them together, they had such good banter. Sienna was a sweet girl, she’s so hardworking and I really liked seeing her do what she wanted with her career. August was such a thoughtful and genuine person, he was the sweetest, loved how he’d do anything for Sienna and his family. the way he was so adamant on being there for Sienna and going away together. they got on so well and were so cute together. the ending was so good, it was perfect, loved reading this! (thank you to Tate West and Love Notes PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Midnight Haze releases April 24!
4.25⭐