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The Crawford Family Playbook #1
Faking The Shot
After my divorce, I swore off dating.
No commitments, no complications—just a clean, quiet life.
So when I’m assigned to fix Kaden Crawford—the grumpy hockey star with a reputation as the league’s biggest PR disaster—I’m determined to keep things strictly professional.
But Kaden has a knack for creating chaos.
The solution?
Staging a fake relationship to save his reputation.
My answer should’ve been a hard “no.” But somehow, I’m tangled up in his mess—sharing staged kisses, dodging cameras, and trying to ignore the sparks we can’t control.
The plan was clean up his image and move on.
But the more we fake it, the messier it all becomes.
The line between real and pretend is blurring, and I’m risking everything for a man I swore I’d never fall for.
Faking The Shot is the first book in the Crawford Family Playbook series, featuring a determined divorcee publicist rebuilding her life—one play at a time—while facing off against a grumpy hockey player who’s more trouble than he’s worth… or so she thinks.
No commitments, no complications—just a clean, quiet life.
So when I’m assigned to fix Kaden Crawford—the grumpy hockey star with a reputation as the league’s biggest PR disaster—I’m determined to keep things strictly professional.
But Kaden has a knack for creating chaos.
The solution?
Staging a fake relationship to save his reputation.
My answer should’ve been a hard “no.” But somehow, I’m tangled up in his mess—sharing staged kisses, dodging cameras, and trying to ignore the sparks we can’t control.
The plan was clean up his image and move on.
But the more we fake it, the messier it all becomes.
The line between real and pretend is blurring, and I’m risking everything for a man I swore I’d never fall for.
Faking The Shot is the first book in the Crawford Family Playbook series, featuring a determined divorcee publicist rebuilding her life—one play at a time—while facing off against a grumpy hockey player who’s more trouble than he’s worth… or so she thinks.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2025
127 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
March 6, 2025
I didn't realize how much I like fake dating for PR in sports. I love fake dating and sports, but adding PR in there is such a fun twist. I always love the moments where we aren't sure if we're doing it for cameras or for ourselves.
Both, always both!
I thought this romance was so charming. I enjoyed the tension and fire between Kaden and Val. When it boiled over and even led to Val ceding some control to Kaden... wow! It was explosive. And yummy! There was even a scene with c*ckwarming and I loved how casually it was in there. You'd almost miss it, but it was also very moving.
I also really enjoyed meeting Kaden's family, his dads and siblings were so loving. They are gonna be so fun to learn more about in future books! There was even a bit of Found Family for Val and I am a sucker for that.
This was narrated by Lee Samuels and Samantha Peachwood. They sparked off each other so well and Lee really brought across Kaden's stern Brunch Daddy energy just perfectly.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
*Thank you to Must Love Audio and the author for an ALC of this title.*
Both, always both!
I thought this romance was so charming. I enjoyed the tension and fire between Kaden and Val. When it boiled over and even led to Val ceding some control to Kaden... wow! It was explosive. And yummy! There was even a scene with c*ckwarming and I loved how casually it was in there. You'd almost miss it, but it was also very moving.
I also really enjoyed meeting Kaden's family, his dads and siblings were so loving. They are gonna be so fun to learn more about in future books! There was even a bit of Found Family for Val and I am a sucker for that.
This was narrated by Lee Samuels and Samantha Peachwood. They sparked off each other so well and Lee really brought across Kaden's stern Brunch Daddy energy just perfectly.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
*Thank you to Must Love Audio and the author for an ALC of this title.*
March 3, 2025
I am such a sucker for hockey romance and add in some fake dating...immediately sold.
These two had straight chemistry right off the bat. It was crackling with so much TENSION that when it finally went to the next step and went into those spicy scenes…IT WAS OFF THE CHARTS. And the way this man enabled Valentina to love again had me SWOONING.
Lee Samuels and Savannah Peachwood slayed this audiobook. They were the perfect cast for Kaden and Valentina. Their delivery makes the witty banter and flirty text exchanges even more fun.
Overall: 4
Spice: 4
Tropes:
Hockey Romance
PR Rep x Hockey Player
Fake Dating
He Falls First
Anxiety Rep
These two had straight chemistry right off the bat. It was crackling with so much TENSION that when it finally went to the next step and went into those spicy scenes…IT WAS OFF THE CHARTS. And the way this man enabled Valentina to love again had me SWOONING.
Lee Samuels and Savannah Peachwood slayed this audiobook. They were the perfect cast for Kaden and Valentina. Their delivery makes the witty banter and flirty text exchanges even more fun.
Overall: 4
Spice: 4
Tropes:
Hockey Romance
PR Rep x Hockey Player
Fake Dating
He Falls First
Anxiety Rep
March 19, 2025
Imagine you came out of a fresh divorce, and now you're forced to work with this guy who's rude to everybody and he admits it. You're a crisis manager and the crisis occurs whenever Kaden - this hot ice skater opens his mouth. He doesn't want to change himself either. Why? Coz he's the hot guy that has zero fcuks to give. But he will date you in this fake relationship agreement, for PR. Will he listen to any suggestions you make though? Nope. He will fight and even shout at you for it, hell, he'll go as far as firing you on the spot. He will redeem himself, how? You'll be forced to listen to his apology, which is money. You can avoid him but you can't avoid the gifts he's sending to your parents, right? Now add lots of borderline degrading smut to this book, boom, you got this romance book.
Sigh.
Both Valentina and Kaden had a good personality potential in the beginning of the book, but then it morphed into him always getting mad at her for doing the job she was forced to? She's trying to communicate so much, all he does is shove her away emotionally. Well, until he needs someone to warm his bed at night.
Kaden is genuinely that arrogant athlete who thinks he is all that, he's always yelling at everybody around him, sometimes you'll see him be nice to kids and his siblings. After he yelled at her for no reason, he grovelled with gifts, are we surprised? That's the most personality a rich guy can have these days. His other personality trait is how aroused he is at all times.
The writing style in this book is so weird, things happen and there's no smooth flow to it, the only way scenes come together is when these two also come together. 💀😭 The smut made me so bored because it got repetitive. She's trying to talk, he's asking her nvdes, he's steering the conversation towards himself and his needs, she's hesitant, and he's persistent. Imagine sending nvdes to an arrogant celebrity who has once fired you on the spot over a misunderstanding he created out of thin air? Brr. Scary to even think about.
It made me uncomfortable for her. He never listens to her No even outside the bedroom. It's always body betrayal body betrayal. OMG I'm nervous but I actually want him. 🥺 He almost forced her to be his fiancé out of the blue instead of investigating who has been making these rumors? At the end of the book the truth comes out that these people had been fake dating, once again, nobody's investigating anything, and only Valentina seems worried? He's super chill? Brother if you were always this chill why didn't you just not be a good person from the start? What in the inconsistent a$$ personality is this? One time he's a sarcastic introvert who hates everybody, another time he's a sunshine extrovert who randomly flirts with Valentina in a coffee shop.
Valentina was always physically intimate with him, and suddenly at the end of the book she's unsure of the relationship? What? Then in the next chapter she suddenly declares her love to him? Is this a novel or a riddle? What is happening? He said he'd be patient with her because she wants to find herself in therapy and won't immediately date him, he said he'd be patient, then guess what? He's co ercing her to be his fiancé. He doesn't care if she's uncomfortable. Patience who? 🤣
This book made me laugh multiple times because genuinely just ANYTHING be happening. No connection, events that bring no plot to the story. Did I mention that this is a fast burn, insta lust, forced proximity relationship? This would've been a much better book if he had yearned for her for five minutes, emotionally, not from his other brain.
Sigh.
Both Valentina and Kaden had a good personality potential in the beginning of the book, but then it morphed into him always getting mad at her for doing the job she was forced to? She's trying to communicate so much, all he does is shove her away emotionally. Well, until he needs someone to warm his bed at night.
Kaden is genuinely that arrogant athlete who thinks he is all that, he's always yelling at everybody around him, sometimes you'll see him be nice to kids and his siblings. After he yelled at her for no reason, he grovelled with gifts, are we surprised? That's the most personality a rich guy can have these days. His other personality trait is how aroused he is at all times.
The writing style in this book is so weird, things happen and there's no smooth flow to it, the only way scenes come together is when these two also come together. 💀😭 The smut made me so bored because it got repetitive. She's trying to talk, he's asking her nvdes, he's steering the conversation towards himself and his needs, she's hesitant, and he's persistent. Imagine sending nvdes to an arrogant celebrity who has once fired you on the spot over a misunderstanding he created out of thin air? Brr. Scary to even think about.
It made me uncomfortable for her. He never listens to her No even outside the bedroom. It's always body betrayal body betrayal. OMG I'm nervous but I actually want him. 🥺 He almost forced her to be his fiancé out of the blue instead of investigating who has been making these rumors? At the end of the book the truth comes out that these people had been fake dating, once again, nobody's investigating anything, and only Valentina seems worried? He's super chill? Brother if you were always this chill why didn't you just not be a good person from the start? What in the inconsistent a$$ personality is this? One time he's a sarcastic introvert who hates everybody, another time he's a sunshine extrovert who randomly flirts with Valentina in a coffee shop.
Valentina was always physically intimate with him, and suddenly at the end of the book she's unsure of the relationship? What? Then in the next chapter she suddenly declares her love to him? Is this a novel or a riddle? What is happening? He said he'd be patient with her because she wants to find herself in therapy and won't immediately date him, he said he'd be patient, then guess what? He's co ercing her to be his fiancé. He doesn't care if she's uncomfortable. Patience who? 🤣
This book made me laugh multiple times because genuinely just ANYTHING be happening. No connection, events that bring no plot to the story. Did I mention that this is a fast burn, insta lust, forced proximity relationship? This would've been a much better book if he had yearned for her for five minutes, emotionally, not from his other brain.
February 19, 2025
4.5 🌟
A true grumpy/ sunshine trope where the cranky hockey player is on his last warning and requires the help of a PR agent to turn his attitude and image around. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for said PR person. Their meet cute was really sweet in this story and the plot line flowed really well. I will say that a real life Kaden would deserve a good kick in the face or bum for his less than stellar personality and Valentina was a total saint for dealing with it especially with the trauma from her past relationship. Kaden’s family was intriguing and I hope we get books on them! They are all super athletic, either football or hockey, thanks to their famous dads and they know how to play but have this competitive edge.
It was fun to watch these Val and Kaden connect with each other in that awkward dating but not really dating phase and the banter was great. There was a light dom/sub energy at play that made the spice yummy! I really enjoyed this!
My only real con was the use of the phrase “good girl” was used way too much for my liking and also I feel like she forgave him way too easily when he disrespected her at one point in the story. Other than that it was great sports romance!
🌟 NHL/ PR
🌟 Fake Dating
🌟 Fun banter
🌟 light dom/sub
🌟 slow burn
A true grumpy/ sunshine trope where the cranky hockey player is on his last warning and requires the help of a PR agent to turn his attitude and image around. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for said PR person. Their meet cute was really sweet in this story and the plot line flowed really well. I will say that a real life Kaden would deserve a good kick in the face or bum for his less than stellar personality and Valentina was a total saint for dealing with it especially with the trauma from her past relationship. Kaden’s family was intriguing and I hope we get books on them! They are all super athletic, either football or hockey, thanks to their famous dads and they know how to play but have this competitive edge.
It was fun to watch these Val and Kaden connect with each other in that awkward dating but not really dating phase and the banter was great. There was a light dom/sub energy at play that made the spice yummy! I really enjoyed this!
My only real con was the use of the phrase “good girl” was used way too much for my liking and also I feel like she forgave him way too easily when he disrespected her at one point in the story. Other than that it was great sports romance!
🌟 NHL/ PR
🌟 Fake Dating
🌟 Fun banter
🌟 light dom/sub
🌟 slow burn
February 12, 2025
Valentina x Kaden 💕
PR person x NHL player
Grumpy/sunshine
Fake dating
He falls first
Anxiety reps
I am grateful to have received an arc for this.
It unfortunately was just not for me. Felt disjointed and at time more spice than plot.
Some things I’m hoping are ironed out before release.
PR person x NHL player
Grumpy/sunshine
Fake dating
He falls first
Anxiety reps
I am grateful to have received an arc for this.
It unfortunately was just not for me. Felt disjointed and at time more spice than plot.
Some things I’m hoping are ironed out before release.
March 4, 2025
This is my first book from Kendall, and I really enjoyed this. It was a fun one! Definitely one to pick up in between series or if you’re in the dreaded slumpy slump, if you want something quicker and really just wanna have a good time! 😉
This had a really great blend of some of my fave tropes (hockey, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine)! Plus you’ve gotta love a romance where he falls for her first. 🤭 I loved the banter and chemistry between Kaden And Valentina, and don’t even get started on the spicy texting 😋 This also had the perfect amount of angst and tension buildup, so that when the spicey spice hits, it reaaaaally hits. 🥵
Lee and Savannah were perfect as these two characters and I really enjoyed their performances and this audio! 💕
Highly recommend this if you want something fun to read/listen to! I’ll be checking out more from Kendall and looking out for more in this series. ☺️
This had a really great blend of some of my fave tropes (hockey, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine)! Plus you’ve gotta love a romance where he falls for her first. 🤭 I loved the banter and chemistry between Kaden And Valentina, and don’t even get started on the spicy texting 😋 This also had the perfect amount of angst and tension buildup, so that when the spicey spice hits, it reaaaaally hits. 🥵
Lee and Savannah were perfect as these two characters and I really enjoyed their performances and this audio! 💕
Highly recommend this if you want something fun to read/listen to! I’ll be checking out more from Kendall and looking out for more in this series. ☺️
February 23, 2025
Fake dating with a pro hockey star? Count me in!
Once again, Kendall successfully delivered another light-hearted, super fun, and spicy romcom that'd make you feel good. Faking the Shot was the first book in her brand-new series, The Crawford Family Playbook, featuring Kaden the hockey star and his PR salvager, Valentina Holiday. I was sold the moment Kaden "handpicked" Valentina to be his fake girlfriend for the public image as their chemistry was off the charts and physical attraction intense. Unsurprisingly, the steamy scenes were all-so-hot and the HEA well-deserved. What's more, in Kendall's fashion, family dynamics in this series was spot-on and I couldn't wait to read book 2!
I'd totally recommend Faking the Shot to anyone who's looking for a quick and intriguing feel-good read! Kaden and Valentina's story will undoubtedly lift your spirits.
***Thanks to the author for generously providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
Once again, Kendall successfully delivered another light-hearted, super fun, and spicy romcom that'd make you feel good. Faking the Shot was the first book in her brand-new series, The Crawford Family Playbook, featuring Kaden the hockey star and his PR salvager, Valentina Holiday. I was sold the moment Kaden "handpicked" Valentina to be his fake girlfriend for the public image as their chemistry was off the charts and physical attraction intense. Unsurprisingly, the steamy scenes were all-so-hot and the HEA well-deserved. What's more, in Kendall's fashion, family dynamics in this series was spot-on and I couldn't wait to read book 2!
I'd totally recommend Faking the Shot to anyone who's looking for a quick and intriguing feel-good read! Kaden and Valentina's story will undoubtedly lift your spirits.
***Thanks to the author for generously providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
February 23, 2025
3.25 Stars – A Hockey Romance with a Pushy MMC
I’ve been really into hockey romances lately, and Faking the Shot had a lot of potential. I love a good bad boy, but the MMC in this one just rubbed me the wrong way. He was too pushy from the start, and even by the end, it didn’t feel like he had grown or changed much. I kept waiting for some real character development, but instead, it felt like it was always his way or the highway. The romance had its moments, and I did enjoy the hockey setting, but I think I would have liked the book a lot more if the MMC had shown more growth.
I’ve been really into hockey romances lately, and Faking the Shot had a lot of potential. I love a good bad boy, but the MMC in this one just rubbed me the wrong way. He was too pushy from the start, and even by the end, it didn’t feel like he had grown or changed much. I kept waiting for some real character development, but instead, it felt like it was always his way or the highway. The romance had its moments, and I did enjoy the hockey setting, but I think I would have liked the book a lot more if the MMC had shown more growth.
February 20, 2025
I love me a misunderstood grumpy hockey player. Kaden and Valentina’s meet cute was exactly that, cute. But then come to find out he’s her brother in law’s client and they’re “forced” into a fake dating situation.
Overall this was a cute story, I really vibed with the couple. But there were things mentioned in the story that were never explored and left me questioning why they were mentioned at all.
Overall this was a cute story, I really vibed with the couple. But there were things mentioned in the story that were never explored and left me questioning why they were mentioned at all.
February 17, 2025
Valentina has sworn off men after her husband divorced her for a younger woman. Now, years later, she's living with her sister and brother-in-law, while working with him at a PR firm, and trying to keep her head above water. She's pulled into an unexpected meeting with the PR firms worst nightmare, hockey bad boy Kaden Crawford, and tossed in as the fake-dating solution to his troubles. Her job is to clean up his image, while trying not to fall for the dirty-mouthed grump with his sights set on her.
*****
I unabashedly loved these characters. Valentina was mouthy, cool, collected and stubborn, while also absolutely weak to Kaden's ministrations. Kaden was grumpy, rude and dismissive, and a total softy for everything Valentina did. Together the chemistry was off the charts, even if at some points I was a little confused with the storyline.
There were some moments in the middle where Kaden screwed up, and it was muddled on when he last saw Valentina, and how long it had been since he tried to fix his mistakes. Missing details of the events on page having to do with Valentina's job probably didn't help, especially with Kaden's travel schedule and her visiting her parents. We get an idea that time is passing but it's not shown on page in a clear enough way that I read back and forth a bit to try to figure out if I missed something or not.
The relationship progression was kind of messy as well, but it suited the characters. It may start out with a slow burn like mentality, but this is more of instant chemistry/infatuation overall. I do wish we had a bit of a deeper dive into Valentina's boss though, as there were breadcrumbs there that she was awful and her treatment of Kaden as a client was off, but that was kind of passed over as the relationship solidified. I also loved the anxiety and mental health rep, and the LGBT representation done so casually and normal and not made into a trope unto itself. I also was obsessed with the spice. There isn't a ton of it, but it is done so well, with nods to a kinky/DDlg style dynamic play session they fall into.
Overall this was fun, with engaging characters and solid spice. If you like MMC's with filthy mouths, and FMC's who are weak to it, this ones for you!
*****
Thank you to The Author Agency for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****
I unabashedly loved these characters. Valentina was mouthy, cool, collected and stubborn, while also absolutely weak to Kaden's ministrations. Kaden was grumpy, rude and dismissive, and a total softy for everything Valentina did. Together the chemistry was off the charts, even if at some points I was a little confused with the storyline.
There were some moments in the middle where Kaden screwed up, and it was muddled on when he last saw Valentina, and how long it had been since he tried to fix his mistakes. Missing details of the events on page having to do with Valentina's job probably didn't help, especially with Kaden's travel schedule and her visiting her parents. We get an idea that time is passing but it's not shown on page in a clear enough way that I read back and forth a bit to try to figure out if I missed something or not.
The relationship progression was kind of messy as well, but it suited the characters. It may start out with a slow burn like mentality, but this is more of instant chemistry/infatuation overall. I do wish we had a bit of a deeper dive into Valentina's boss though, as there were breadcrumbs there that she was awful and her treatment of Kaden as a client was off, but that was kind of passed over as the relationship solidified. I also loved the anxiety and mental health rep, and the LGBT representation done so casually and normal and not made into a trope unto itself. I also was obsessed with the spice. There isn't a ton of it, but it is done so well, with nods to a kinky/DDlg style dynamic play session they fall into.
Overall this was fun, with engaging characters and solid spice. If you like MMC's with filthy mouths, and FMC's who are weak to it, this ones for you!
*****
Thank you to The Author Agency for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 13, 2025
From Kendall’s previous books, I was SO excited for her to FINALLY dive into the sports romance trope and MY GOD I FUCKING LOVED IT!
Even coming from post-divorce to an absolute asshole, Valentina damn well stood her ground and was ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. Her personality, humour and how she took on her job, I really enjoyed… aka that job being the one and only Kaden Crawford. She didn’t take NONE of his bullshit and wanted the best for him, even when he was being a complete pain in the ass. With that being said, Kaden WAS A DREAMBOAT. He was selfless, caring and an all-round cutie patootie, even when he portrayed to the media he was an ass. Oh, and I am definitely not going to forget to mention HOW THIS MAN EVEN MADE ME WEAK IN THE KNEES and he wasn’t even talking to me! His way with words could put ANY WOMAN on a man embargo out of one, and he DAMN WELL SURE AS FUCK DID.
Even with their little meet-cute, Valentina and Kaden’s chemistry straight off the bat was crackling with FIRE BREATHING INTOXICATING TENSION that when it finally evolved and exploded into those hot as fuck spicy scenes… I WAS DONE FOR. And the way this man enabled Valentina to love again just made me SWOON. AND HARD. This story was SUPER CUTE, witty and charming, and I adored it so much. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Crawford Family Playbook *smirk*.
Even coming from post-divorce to an absolute asshole, Valentina damn well stood her ground and was ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. Her personality, humour and how she took on her job, I really enjoyed… aka that job being the one and only Kaden Crawford. She didn’t take NONE of his bullshit and wanted the best for him, even when he was being a complete pain in the ass. With that being said, Kaden WAS A DREAMBOAT. He was selfless, caring and an all-round cutie patootie, even when he portrayed to the media he was an ass. Oh, and I am definitely not going to forget to mention HOW THIS MAN EVEN MADE ME WEAK IN THE KNEES and he wasn’t even talking to me! His way with words could put ANY WOMAN on a man embargo out of one, and he DAMN WELL SURE AS FUCK DID.
Even with their little meet-cute, Valentina and Kaden’s chemistry straight off the bat was crackling with FIRE BREATHING INTOXICATING TENSION that when it finally evolved and exploded into those hot as fuck spicy scenes… I WAS DONE FOR. And the way this man enabled Valentina to love again just made me SWOON. AND HARD. This story was SUPER CUTE, witty and charming, and I adored it so much. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Crawford Family Playbook *smirk*.
February 11, 2025
Okay, so, swore off dating after divorce + a grumpy hockey star who’s a PR nightmare = a delightful rom-com that had me up way past my bedtime. Our heroine, jaded by love, is all about the quiet life until she’s tasked with fixing Kaden “Mr. Grumpy Pants” Crawford’s image. Their solution? Fake dating, of course! Because that’s never messy.
Look, we all know how this trope goes, but this book nailed it. The forced proximity, the witty banter, the slow burn that had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room in frustration (in a good way!). The chemistry between these two was electric. I was genuinely invested in their relationship, even when I was yelling at them both for being dense. The author did a great job of making their fake relationship feel real, blurring those lines just enough to keep me guessing. And the grumpy hero? Swoon. He was the perfect mix of broody and secretly sweet.
Honestly, I devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was the perfect escape, full of humor, heart, and just the right amount of steam. If you’re a fan of rom-coms, especially those with a fake dating trope, then you absolutely need to read this. Just be prepared to lose some sleep. Five out of five stars!
Look, we all know how this trope goes, but this book nailed it. The forced proximity, the witty banter, the slow burn that had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room in frustration (in a good way!). The chemistry between these two was electric. I was genuinely invested in their relationship, even when I was yelling at them both for being dense. The author did a great job of making their fake relationship feel real, blurring those lines just enough to keep me guessing. And the grumpy hero? Swoon. He was the perfect mix of broody and secretly sweet.
Honestly, I devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was the perfect escape, full of humor, heart, and just the right amount of steam. If you’re a fan of rom-coms, especially those with a fake dating trope, then you absolutely need to read this. Just be prepared to lose some sleep. Five out of five stars!
March 23, 2025
After Valentina’s divorce, she swore off dating. She was ready to live a quiet life for herself, stress free with the exception of her job. She’s a PR rep and has been assigned to work with grumpy hockey star Kaden to fix his reputation before it turns into a huge disaster. Someone suggests Kaden get into a fake relationship to polish up his image, and that's when Valentina’s name is thrown in. She reluctantly agrees and the two head out on the town with the line between real and fake blurring.
Athlete/PR is one of my favorite tropes! I devoured this book in two days, which is quick for me. I found Valentina super relatable and loved her personality. There's lots of spicy banter and praise in this book and it is top notch. If there was a grumpy hockey star out there for me, Kaden would be it. He was a little too grumpy for my taste but I still enjoyed the book. I couldn't get enough of them. I'm excited for book two!
I absolutely loved Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels as this grumpy sunshine pr athlete combo! I would 100% listen to this book again just for their performance!
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You love a great grumpy sunshine couple who is into a lot of discovery and praise.
Athlete/PR is one of my favorite tropes! I devoured this book in two days, which is quick for me. I found Valentina super relatable and loved her personality. There's lots of spicy banter and praise in this book and it is top notch. If there was a grumpy hockey star out there for me, Kaden would be it. He was a little too grumpy for my taste but I still enjoyed the book. I couldn't get enough of them. I'm excited for book two!
I absolutely loved Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels as this grumpy sunshine pr athlete combo! I would 100% listen to this book again just for their performance!
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You love a great grumpy sunshine couple who is into a lot of discovery and praise.
February 24, 2025
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter:😂😂😂/5
•Re-Listen/Re-Read: Mayne
•Platform: E-book
•Trope: Hockey Romance, Fake Relationship,
• Thoughts:
This was my very first Kendall Hale book, and it will not be my last. I enjoyed the banter so much! Valentina did not go easy on Kaden. His grumo and snark were met with sass and quick wit. Kaden and his mouth dear night!! That was shocking in the most delicious way ever!! I feel Valentina and Kaden worked really well together their chemistry was explosive, and they balanced each other out so beautifully. I loved the Crawford family immensely! I am so excited to read more about this family!
•Recommend note:
I will always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinion. Happy reading, friends.
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter:😂😂😂/5
•Re-Listen/Re-Read: Mayne
•Platform: E-book
•Trope: Hockey Romance, Fake Relationship,
• Thoughts:
This was my very first Kendall Hale book, and it will not be my last. I enjoyed the banter so much! Valentina did not go easy on Kaden. His grumo and snark were met with sass and quick wit. Kaden and his mouth dear night!! That was shocking in the most delicious way ever!! I feel Valentina and Kaden worked really well together their chemistry was explosive, and they balanced each other out so beautifully. I loved the Crawford family immensely! I am so excited to read more about this family!
•Recommend note:
I will always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinion. Happy reading, friends.
Read
February 24, 2025✨ARC Review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story was an absolute delight and exactly what Valentina needed (and me if I’m being honest)! Fresh out of a divorce and nowhere near ready to date, Valentina is trying to find her footing. But then there’s Kaden Crawford. Oh Kaden Crawford. The bad boy who just can’t seem to stay out of the spotlight… or out of her orbit. Even if he was pushed into it.
The chemistry between these two, was too good. Then add in the banter. Their push-and-pull dynamic kept me hooked. I Neve know what these two would say next.Even though a third-act breakup isn’t always my favorite, it was handled so well that it made the ending all the more satisfying.
I’m already counting down the days until the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story was an absolute delight and exactly what Valentina needed (and me if I’m being honest)! Fresh out of a divorce and nowhere near ready to date, Valentina is trying to find her footing. But then there’s Kaden Crawford. Oh Kaden Crawford. The bad boy who just can’t seem to stay out of the spotlight… or out of her orbit. Even if he was pushed into it.
The chemistry between these two, was too good. Then add in the banter. Their push-and-pull dynamic kept me hooked. I Neve know what these two would say next.Even though a third-act breakup isn’t always my favorite, it was handled so well that it made the ending all the more satisfying.
I’m already counting down the days until the next book!
February 18, 2025
Faking The Shot by Kendall Hale
3.75🌟🌟🌟
Oh a Bad Boy Hockey Player and a PR Queen enter into a fake relationship to rebrand his image - What could go wrong? The banter and chemistry between them is definitely on point. Valentina trying to protect her heart hurt by her divorce and Kaden not understanding why he’s falling for her because that’s not who this grumpy bad boy is. Will the media find out they are fakes and both their careers come crashing to a hault or are they playing the part so well they actually might have truly fallen in love?
3.75🌟🌟🌟
Oh a Bad Boy Hockey Player and a PR Queen enter into a fake relationship to rebrand his image - What could go wrong? The banter and chemistry between them is definitely on point. Valentina trying to protect her heart hurt by her divorce and Kaden not understanding why he’s falling for her because that’s not who this grumpy bad boy is. Will the media find out they are fakes and both their careers come crashing to a hault or are they playing the part so well they actually might have truly fallen in love?
February 21, 2025
In the first book of The Crawford Family Playbook series, PR strategist Valentina is tasked with fixing the image of grumpy hockey star Kaden Crawford. She’s determined to keep things strictly professional, but their fake relationship starts to feel anything but staged. As Kaden reveals the softer side beneath his tough exterior, resisting their growing attraction becomes impossible.
Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels bring Kaden and Valentina to life with spot on narration, perfectly capturing their personalities and playful dynamic. Their delivery makes the witty banter and flirty text exchanges even more fun. This is definitely one to add to your TBR!
Thank you, Kendall Hale for the ARC/ALC.
Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels bring Kaden and Valentina to life with spot on narration, perfectly capturing their personalities and playful dynamic. Their delivery makes the witty banter and flirty text exchanges even more fun. This is definitely one to add to your TBR!
Thank you, Kendall Hale for the ARC/ALC.
March 4, 2025
I always love a good fake dating trope!
They both have up walls that must be knocked down. And Kaden is good at that 😉
The banter was good, though they could've communicated better.
Overall I enjoyed their story!
And I love that Val is the sister to Holly from the night before grumpmus!
They both have up walls that must be knocked down. And Kaden is good at that 😉
The banter was good, though they could've communicated better.
Overall I enjoyed their story!
And I love that Val is the sister to Holly from the night before grumpmus!
March 6, 2025
I was beyond excited to read Kendall 's new sports romance series and It's off to a great start! The story is told in dual pov and follows the MCs Val and Kaden. I loved the grumpy sunshine dynamic that this couple had. The story features Kendall 's signature wit, banter, and steamy moments. I listed to the audiobook. The narration was good and splendidly brought these characters to life. Kendall's books are always a great break from reality and I'm always upset when they end. They have become a guiltless pleasure. This was a fun, quick romance, and I highly recommend especially for my sports romance peeps.
Themes & Tropes:
💙Grumpy Sunshine
💚Forced Proximity
🤍Love After Divorce
💙Fake Dating
💚Hockey Romance
🤍Dirty Talking MMC
Overall, Loved this read! ❤️
Themes & Tropes:
💙Grumpy Sunshine
💚Forced Proximity
🤍Love After Divorce
💙Fake Dating
💚Hockey Romance
🤍Dirty Talking MMC
Overall, Loved this read! ❤️
March 13, 2025
I always love Kendall books and I was so in love with this sports romance! A bit of reformed PR bad boy, fake dating, and a girl who has sworn off love made this an incredible read!
Kaden is a literal PR nightmare for the Barracuda hockey team. He needs to get his act together to stay on the team. Meanwhile, Valentina has recently gone through a divorce and just wants to focus on working her PR career. She ends up having to fake a relationship with Kaden in order to smooth out his publicity. You’ll have to read to find out what happens next! 💓
Kaden was so grumpy yet protective of those he loved. I loved his mental health rep in this book and I loved how he started opening up more to the team once Valentina was in his life.
Valentina, oh my heart hurt for what she had been through. She was such a rule follower but it was nice to watch her relax around Kaden. They were perfect for each other and balanced each other perfectly.
I listened to this one as an audiobook and Lee Samuel’s + Savannah Peachwood do a phenomenal job on dual narration. I loved how they bounced banter and playfulness off each other. They really drew me into the story!
You definitely will love this Kendall book!
Kaden is a literal PR nightmare for the Barracuda hockey team. He needs to get his act together to stay on the team. Meanwhile, Valentina has recently gone through a divorce and just wants to focus on working her PR career. She ends up having to fake a relationship with Kaden in order to smooth out his publicity. You’ll have to read to find out what happens next! 💓
Kaden was so grumpy yet protective of those he loved. I loved his mental health rep in this book and I loved how he started opening up more to the team once Valentina was in his life.
Valentina, oh my heart hurt for what she had been through. She was such a rule follower but it was nice to watch her relax around Kaden. They were perfect for each other and balanced each other perfectly.
I listened to this one as an audiobook and Lee Samuel’s + Savannah Peachwood do a phenomenal job on dual narration. I loved how they bounced banter and playfulness off each other. They really drew me into the story!
You definitely will love this Kendall book!
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July 29, 2025
DNF at 75% - I just cant do it anymore
Something about this book gave me the ick. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. I understand having spice but this wasn’t even spice through character connection or chemistry it was just a back and forth between their chapters “desperately wanting each other” for the first half the book and then following through in the second half. The ML’s POV chapters started getting kind of creepy and pushy - he can’t even have a normal conversation with the FL without mentally doing the horizontal tango and then lauding his control - insane. The attraction and physical relationship was immediate, way too fast for these characters to even get close to each other, I wanted a little more character development, a few more real moments before all of this started.
I thought since the MC’s both suffer from anxiety that they would be easy to empathize with and understand. Not the case here. And I truly hoped that the ML was just misunderstood because of his resting bitch face but, he actually was kind of a douche. I kept having to stop this audiobook when he said things like “You’ve been teasing me without even trying.” That is so off-putting, this woman was actually trying to help him and do her job and yes they are attracted to each other but he was so aggressive about it. I hated it.
So other than my personal grievances; the characters were boring and flat with zero growth, the plot was hanging by a thread. There were continuity errors all over the place, an extra round of editing couldn’t have hurt. I almost DNF’d this book so many times before I hit my limit, I honestly wish I had, but so many people liked this book and left good reviews and I thought if I just stuck with it then it could get better but it was consistently bad.
Something about this book gave me the ick. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. I understand having spice but this wasn’t even spice through character connection or chemistry it was just a back and forth between their chapters “desperately wanting each other” for the first half the book and then following through in the second half. The ML’s POV chapters started getting kind of creepy and pushy - he can’t even have a normal conversation with the FL without mentally doing the horizontal tango and then lauding his control - insane. The attraction and physical relationship was immediate, way too fast for these characters to even get close to each other, I wanted a little more character development, a few more real moments before all of this started.
I thought since the MC’s both suffer from anxiety that they would be easy to empathize with and understand. Not the case here. And I truly hoped that the ML was just misunderstood because of his resting bitch face but, he actually was kind of a douche. I kept having to stop this audiobook when he said things like “You’ve been teasing me without even trying.” That is so off-putting, this woman was actually trying to help him and do her job and yes they are attracted to each other but he was so aggressive about it. I hated it.
So other than my personal grievances; the characters were boring and flat with zero growth, the plot was hanging by a thread. There were continuity errors all over the place, an extra round of editing couldn’t have hurt. I almost DNF’d this book so many times before I hit my limit, I honestly wish I had, but so many people liked this book and left good reviews and I thought if I just stuck with it then it could get better but it was consistently bad.
April 14, 2025
I was graciously giving an arc and ALC in exchange for a review. Well in typical Kendall fashion, she nailed it.
🧡Val: “I can’t stop turning over in my mind: was this the end of the game—or just the beginning of something I swore I’d never believe in again?”
🧡Kaden: “I swear to God, I’ve never wanted anyone more. She’s going to fucking ruin me, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
I absolutely loved this book. It starts as an accidental meet-cute for Kaden and Valentina and it only got spicier from there. Kaden fell hard and fast and when they had to start fake dating he knew he had to make her his.
His mouth and her snarkiness made this book everything.
The narrators did a fab job bring Val and Kaden to life. I loved everything about the audio! def recommend!!
Add this to your TBR and be ready to join Kaden and Valentina on Feb 21st! 😍😍
🧡Val: “I can’t stop turning over in my mind: was this the end of the game—or just the beginning of something I swore I’d never believe in again?”
🧡Kaden: “I swear to God, I’ve never wanted anyone more. She’s going to fucking ruin me, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
I absolutely loved this book. It starts as an accidental meet-cute for Kaden and Valentina and it only got spicier from there. Kaden fell hard and fast and when they had to start fake dating he knew he had to make her his.
His mouth and her snarkiness made this book everything.
The narrators did a fab job bring Val and Kaden to life. I loved everything about the audio! def recommend!!
Add this to your TBR and be ready to join Kaden and Valentina on Feb 21st! 😍😍
February 23, 2025
I absolutely loved Faking the Shot by Kendall Hale; it is an enemies to lovers/fake dating love story. It is the first book in her the Crawford Family Playbook series. Kendall Hale is a new author for me, this is the first book that I have read that she wrote but will most definitely not be the last. Kendall Hale is an amazing storyteller. Faking the Shot had me hooked from the first few pages and it was impossible to put down and I loved every moment on every page. It is one of the most enjoyable books that I have read recently, the book held my interest from the start, and I fell in love. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? Faking the Shot is the story of Valentina Holiday, a publicist, and Kaden Crawford professional hockey player. Valentina is a recent divorcee and on a strict man embargo. I love the initial meeting between Valentina and Kaden that takes place at trivia night at a local coffee shop, and how they meet up again at the same coffee shop and Valentina makes Kaden purchase coffee for everyone. Valentina s’s sister, Noelle is married to Kaden’s agent, Jacob. Kaden needs to improve his image; Valentina suggests faking dating and is chosen to help Kaden clean up his image. My favorite part is the list of rules that Valentina gives to Kaden, and his reaction. As Valentina spends more time with Kaden, things ultimately change between them, but neither one of them is willing to admit their true feelings for one another. I love the sizzling chemistry between Valentina and Kaden and the conversations between them flow so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Valentina constantly flirting with dirty talking Kaden. I love the text stream between them. I love all the little things that each of them does for the other. I love all the heart-to-heart conversations between Valentina and Kaden, especially when Valentina details her upbringing, when Kaden reveals his relationship with his family. I loved that Faking the Shot is a more than just a romance, there are dilemmas that both Valentina and Kaden are facing that need to be resolved, and there are plot twists that threatens their relationship. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. I love the ending of the love story, and how both Valentina and Kaden change because of their love for one another and everything that Valentina is willing to do to have a life with Kaden. I love how Kaden changes with Valentina’s support. Another favorite part is the excerpt for the next book in the series. Faking the Shot is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a love story, Kendall Hale did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments as well as the plot twist and surprises that filled this page turner. I really enjoy how the book is written in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. I love how Kendall Hale incorporated the title of the book into the love story. Another favorite part are the simple statements at the beginning of each chapter. I love all the characters in Faking the Shot. They feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Crawford siblings and the family dynamic, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Faking the Shot, who does not love an enemies to lovers/fake dating love story. It was such an enjoyable book to read. Highly recommend this incredible love story. Received an advanced copy from the author.
February 20, 2025
Wonderful Story & Narration🎧Delightful & Heartfelt!
Faking The Shot
The Crawford Family Playbook Book 1
By: Kendall Hale
Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Lee Samuels
This is a fabulous start to a new series, the “Crawford Family Playbook” series, a sports romance featuring Kaden Crawford, a misunderstood hockey player, who may or may not have a chip on his shoulder, and Valentina Holiday, a publicist who not only swore off men but wants to focus on her career and building a new life for herself. Thanks to her brother, Valentina lands her first job, though she thought her work was behind the scenes to help improve her client’s public image, except they threw her right into the lion’s den with Kaden Crawford. After his last debacle in the media, management decided it would be best if he were in a committed relationship, and it was Valentina’s lucky day to be chosen and now her job depends on it. Kaden and Valentina do not exactly hit it off, and the banter between them was fun to witness, well, the whole situation was, and it turns out the bickering was like foreplay for what was to come, undeniable chemistry, one they could only deny for so long. It was great watching these two get to know each other, Valentina fighting her feelings and then see the relationship morph into something more, something real. I loved all the layers of this story and how it all played out, with a perfect balance of drama, angst, some humor via witty dialogue, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. As always, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Kendall Hale, thanks for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, understanding who they were portraying, and giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took their roles and owned them, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Samuels nailed it as Kaden, grasping every aspect of his personality and demeanor, from his angsty grumpy side to his caring and loving side. Peachwood did the same as Valentina and was just as amazing, showcasing her personality perfectly, including her strength and determination. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary/side characters too. Their pacing and tone were just right for the story and they captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
Faking The Shot
The Crawford Family Playbook Book 1
By: Kendall Hale
Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Lee Samuels
This is a fabulous start to a new series, the “Crawford Family Playbook” series, a sports romance featuring Kaden Crawford, a misunderstood hockey player, who may or may not have a chip on his shoulder, and Valentina Holiday, a publicist who not only swore off men but wants to focus on her career and building a new life for herself. Thanks to her brother, Valentina lands her first job, though she thought her work was behind the scenes to help improve her client’s public image, except they threw her right into the lion’s den with Kaden Crawford. After his last debacle in the media, management decided it would be best if he were in a committed relationship, and it was Valentina’s lucky day to be chosen and now her job depends on it. Kaden and Valentina do not exactly hit it off, and the banter between them was fun to witness, well, the whole situation was, and it turns out the bickering was like foreplay for what was to come, undeniable chemistry, one they could only deny for so long. It was great watching these two get to know each other, Valentina fighting her feelings and then see the relationship morph into something more, something real. I loved all the layers of this story and how it all played out, with a perfect balance of drama, angst, some humor via witty dialogue, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. As always, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Kendall Hale, thanks for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, understanding who they were portraying, and giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took their roles and owned them, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Samuels nailed it as Kaden, grasping every aspect of his personality and demeanor, from his angsty grumpy side to his caring and loving side. Peachwood did the same as Valentina and was just as amazing, showcasing her personality perfectly, including her strength and determination. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary/side characters too. Their pacing and tone were just right for the story and they captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
February 12, 2025
🏒Fake Dating
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🏒Hockey Romance
🔥Enemies-to-Lovers vibes
🏒Forced Proximity
🔥Opposites Attract
🏒Dirty Talker MMC
🔥High Heat
🏒Second Chances at Love
🔥Slow Burn
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Kendall Hale delivers a captivating mix of fake dating, hockey romance, and slow-burn tension in Faking The Shot, the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series. This story is packed with grumpy/sunshine dynamics, sizzling chemistry, and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports romance.
After a difficult divorce, the last thing Valentine wants is another entanglement, especially with a reckless, grumpy hockey player who thrives on chaos. As a PR strategist, she’s determined to do her job, clean up Kaden Crawford’s image, and move on—no feelings, no complications. But when the best solution turns out to be staging a fake relationship, what starts as an act quickly turns into something neither of them can control.
From staged kisses to stolen moments that feel too real, the boundaries between pretend and reality blur, leaving both characters questioning their emotions. Kaden may be the league’s biggest PR disaster, but beneath the gruff exterior and sharp wit is a man battling his own demons. Valentine is independent, strong, and fiercely determined not to fall for him, but resisting the slow-building tension and undeniable chemistry proves harder than expected.
Kendall Hale balances laugh-out-loud banter, heartfelt emotion, and red-hot attraction, making this a story that’s impossible to put down. The character development is flawless, with Kaden evolving from a broody troublemaker to a hero who protects what he cares about, and Valentine proving that vulnerability and strength can coexist. Their relationship unfolds at the perfect pace, delivering just the right amount of angst, swoon, and spice.
With a compelling romance, witty dialogue, and an addictive fake-dating setup, Faking The Shot is a standout in the hockey romance genre. If you love grumpy heroes with hidden soft spots, fiercely independent heroines, and fake dating that turns all too real, this book is for you. Fans of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace and The Deal by Elle Kennedy will devour this one.
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🏒Hockey Romance
🔥Enemies-to-Lovers vibes
🏒Forced Proximity
🔥Opposites Attract
🏒Dirty Talker MMC
🔥High Heat
🏒Second Chances at Love
🔥Slow Burn
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Kendall Hale delivers a captivating mix of fake dating, hockey romance, and slow-burn tension in Faking The Shot, the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series. This story is packed with grumpy/sunshine dynamics, sizzling chemistry, and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports romance.
After a difficult divorce, the last thing Valentine wants is another entanglement, especially with a reckless, grumpy hockey player who thrives on chaos. As a PR strategist, she’s determined to do her job, clean up Kaden Crawford’s image, and move on—no feelings, no complications. But when the best solution turns out to be staging a fake relationship, what starts as an act quickly turns into something neither of them can control.
From staged kisses to stolen moments that feel too real, the boundaries between pretend and reality blur, leaving both characters questioning their emotions. Kaden may be the league’s biggest PR disaster, but beneath the gruff exterior and sharp wit is a man battling his own demons. Valentine is independent, strong, and fiercely determined not to fall for him, but resisting the slow-building tension and undeniable chemistry proves harder than expected.
Kendall Hale balances laugh-out-loud banter, heartfelt emotion, and red-hot attraction, making this a story that’s impossible to put down. The character development is flawless, with Kaden evolving from a broody troublemaker to a hero who protects what he cares about, and Valentine proving that vulnerability and strength can coexist. Their relationship unfolds at the perfect pace, delivering just the right amount of angst, swoon, and spice.
With a compelling romance, witty dialogue, and an addictive fake-dating setup, Faking The Shot is a standout in the hockey romance genre. If you love grumpy heroes with hidden soft spots, fiercely independent heroines, and fake dating that turns all too real, this book is for you. Fans of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace and The Deal by Elle Kennedy will devour this one.
February 17, 2025
𓊈𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𓊉
𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚
Release Date: February 21, 2025
★★☆☆☆
Thank you, The Author Agency, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
Kaden Crawford, a brooding hockey player, desperately needs to clean up his image after a series of scandals. Enter Valentina Holiday, a sharp PR expert brought on to manage his reputation and pose as his fake girlfriend. Valentina, a divorcee wary of commitment, takes on the challenge. What could possibly go wrong? If you enjoy hockey romances, workplace fake dating, and grumpy x sunshine dynamics, this might be a story you’d like.
However, the story didn’t quite resonate with me as much as I’d hoped. Although the initial goal was to revamp Kaden’s image, the focus seemed to shift towards their physical relationship fairly quickly. Several chapters are dedicated almost entirely to their flirty and explicit text exchanges, which, while fun at times, made it harder for me to stay invested in the overall story. I usually appreciate a good amount spice, but in this case, it felt a bit overdone.
The pacing was also quite fast, with several key moments feeling underdeveloped and could've been explored and I found myself wishing certain details or plot points had been expanded on to give the story more depth. Because of this, I had trouble fully connecting with Kaden and Valentina.
One plot point that could have been explored further was Kaden’s unjust treatment of Valentina. At one point, he blames her for something she didn’t do, gets her fired, and ensures no one will hire her—even for volunteer work. While he eventually regrets this, the resolution felt rushed. He promised himself he would grovel for her forgiveness, but before that could even happen, they’re suddenly in a "relationship" without really addressing the fallout. I was livid for Valentina.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed their banter and seeing Kaden’s growth. Watching him evolve from a brooding, self-centered player into a more team-oriented and thoughtful person was a highlight of the book for me. His character development was one of the stronger aspects of the story.
Overall, there are heaps of enjoyable elements, which I know a lot of people would enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a cute and spicy hockey sports romance between a Valentina, a PR fixer, and Kaden, a bad boy hockey star. Valentia had a messy divorce and has sworn off men. She's working for her brother-n-law's PR firm and gets pulled into a meeting with one of the firms clients Kaden, a grumpy bad-boy hockey star that creates chaos wherever he goes and is in immediate need of some good PR. Valentina is assigned to help his image, but because this is a sports rom com, events converge and she's forced to fake date Kaden to help improve his image. She's mortified - him, not so much.
A short time before their office meeting, the couple had an adorable meet-cute where they had an immediate connection. They both couldn't stop thinking about the other, but only Kaden would admit it. I love a he-falls-first storyline and their text exchanges were hilarious - and eventually get a bit dirty (although the phrase "good girl" was way over-used). Their banter was fun to read and it was clear they had chemistry. Kaden and Valentina are both struggling with their own issues and are hesitant to let anyone in, but eventually they start to open up. Kaden allows himself to be vulnerable when discussing his anxiety, which was huge for him, and Val tells him about her bad marriage and divorce.
I really dislike the miscommunication trope, and there is a bit of that here, which I felt slowed down the story's momentum. There were also some issues with Val's job and boss, but we don't get an explanation as to what the problem is and that part of the story is just left hanging. The middle of the book is a bit disjointed and there are a few time jumps that are a bit confusing.
I loved Kaden's family. They are all professional athletes in different sports, so they are very competitive and love teasing each other. They are a very loving family and it was sweet to see them support each other. I hope the next books involved Kaden's brothers, because they were quite the characters.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from The Author Agency. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a cute and spicy hockey sports romance between a Valentina, a PR fixer, and Kaden, a bad boy hockey star. Valentia had a messy divorce and has sworn off men. She's working for her brother-n-law's PR firm and gets pulled into a meeting with one of the firms clients Kaden, a grumpy bad-boy hockey star that creates chaos wherever he goes and is in immediate need of some good PR. Valentina is assigned to help his image, but because this is a sports rom com, events converge and she's forced to fake date Kaden to help improve his image. She's mortified - him, not so much.
A short time before their office meeting, the couple had an adorable meet-cute where they had an immediate connection. They both couldn't stop thinking about the other, but only Kaden would admit it. I love a he-falls-first storyline and their text exchanges were hilarious - and eventually get a bit dirty (although the phrase "good girl" was way over-used). Their banter was fun to read and it was clear they had chemistry. Kaden and Valentina are both struggling with their own issues and are hesitant to let anyone in, but eventually they start to open up. Kaden allows himself to be vulnerable when discussing his anxiety, which was huge for him, and Val tells him about her bad marriage and divorce.
I really dislike the miscommunication trope, and there is a bit of that here, which I felt slowed down the story's momentum. There were also some issues with Val's job and boss, but we don't get an explanation as to what the problem is and that part of the story is just left hanging. The middle of the book is a bit disjointed and there are a few time jumps that are a bit confusing.
I loved Kaden's family. They are all professional athletes in different sports, so they are very competitive and love teasing each other. They are a very loving family and it was sweet to see them support each other. I hope the next books involved Kaden's brothers, because they were quite the characters.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from The Author Agency. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2025
4 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️ | 4 🎧
What to Expect:
- Professional Hockey Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
- Fake Dating
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Opposites Attract
- Witty Banter
- Slow Burn
Faking The Shot is the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series. In this first book we are introduced to Valentina Holiday and Kaden Crawford (KC). Kaden is a grumpy, bad boy professional hockey player with a reputation that needs some help. His PR company decides fake dating is the best solution. Enter Valentina. She is recovering from a tough divorce and has no plans to prioritize a romantic relationship. After unknowingly meeting KC at a trivia night, she is surprised when she discovers Kaden Crawford is the KC she met that night. What starts as a fake dating PR situation turns into something real.
Valentina and Kaden gave me all the feels. The slow burn is delicious, their chemistry is electric, and the banter is top-tier. Both are navigating insecurities - Valentina is afraid to open her heart again and Kaden uses his hard exterior to hide his struggles with anxiety. He is also struggling with his teammates, and his status with his team is up in the air. When there is a misunderstanding, I'm glad Kaden quickly realized the error in his ways and did what he could to make things right with Valentina. I love that Kaden let Valentina in, and she was able to see the real him, not the bad boy he showed the world. Their journey is steamy with lots of humor and emotional moments. Valentina and Kaden were a perfect match and earned their HEA.
Narration:
Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels perform this audiobook in dual-style narration. Both are two of my favorite voice actors and were perfectly cast for Valentina and Kaden. Savannah and Lee fully embodied the characters and brought them to life in the best way. They brought the emotion, fun, and banter. I could really feel the tension and grumpy/sunshine dynamic of Valentina and Kaden's relationship. I highly recommend this audiobook.
Thanks to Kendall Hale, Lyric Audiobooks, and Must Love Audio for the gifted advanced listener copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
What to Expect:
- Professional Hockey Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
- Fake Dating
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Opposites Attract
- Witty Banter
- Slow Burn
Faking The Shot is the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series. In this first book we are introduced to Valentina Holiday and Kaden Crawford (KC). Kaden is a grumpy, bad boy professional hockey player with a reputation that needs some help. His PR company decides fake dating is the best solution. Enter Valentina. She is recovering from a tough divorce and has no plans to prioritize a romantic relationship. After unknowingly meeting KC at a trivia night, she is surprised when she discovers Kaden Crawford is the KC she met that night. What starts as a fake dating PR situation turns into something real.
Valentina and Kaden gave me all the feels. The slow burn is delicious, their chemistry is electric, and the banter is top-tier. Both are navigating insecurities - Valentina is afraid to open her heart again and Kaden uses his hard exterior to hide his struggles with anxiety. He is also struggling with his teammates, and his status with his team is up in the air. When there is a misunderstanding, I'm glad Kaden quickly realized the error in his ways and did what he could to make things right with Valentina. I love that Kaden let Valentina in, and she was able to see the real him, not the bad boy he showed the world. Their journey is steamy with lots of humor and emotional moments. Valentina and Kaden were a perfect match and earned their HEA.
Narration:
Savannah Peachwood and Lee Samuels perform this audiobook in dual-style narration. Both are two of my favorite voice actors and were perfectly cast for Valentina and Kaden. Savannah and Lee fully embodied the characters and brought them to life in the best way. They brought the emotion, fun, and banter. I could really feel the tension and grumpy/sunshine dynamic of Valentina and Kaden's relationship. I highly recommend this audiobook.
Thanks to Kendall Hale, Lyric Audiobooks, and Must Love Audio for the gifted advanced listener copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
March 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Every book that Kendall writes I am excited for, excited to read, excited to finish, and excited to promote! I love her voice, writing style, and the way she grows her characters throughout the story. Faking the Shot is no different and I loved seeing Kendall write a sports romance. It is evident she truly cares about the characters she writes.
Valentina is done with men. After being left by her husband, for a younger woman, her life isn’t exactly where she wants it to be. She lives with her sister and BIL and works in PR. When she is assigned to help fix Kaden Crawford’s image, she isn’t sure if she is the right person for the job. When it becomes a fake dating situation, she knows she isn’t the right person for the job. That won’t stop her from doing the job and not letting the hockey player walk all over her. Despite the attraction she feels towards him.
Kaden is hockey’s foul mouth, rough image, bad boy. Although he comes across as grumpy and hard, he is instantly taken by Valentina. He is definitely all in when it comes to fake dating, however he isn’t ready for Valentina being comfortable putting him in his place. I loved watching him shed his reputation and truly show Valentine who he really is. As he peeled back layer and layer, it is hard to not love and know he is perfect for her in every way.
Kendall gives us instant attraction and chemistry that drips off the pages between these two. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship change from a job to the real thing. And as always, Kendall’s side characters add so much to the storyline. Side characters that I both love and dislike, they fully round out the story and provide insight to our main characters. Highly recommend and highly enjoyed reading this book!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
🔥Pro Athlete x PR Agent
🏒Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥Fake Dating
🏒Protective MMC
🔥Divorced FMC
🏒Close Proximity
🔥He Falls First
Every book that Kendall writes I am excited for, excited to read, excited to finish, and excited to promote! I love her voice, writing style, and the way she grows her characters throughout the story. Faking the Shot is no different and I loved seeing Kendall write a sports romance. It is evident she truly cares about the characters she writes.
Valentina is done with men. After being left by her husband, for a younger woman, her life isn’t exactly where she wants it to be. She lives with her sister and BIL and works in PR. When she is assigned to help fix Kaden Crawford’s image, she isn’t sure if she is the right person for the job. When it becomes a fake dating situation, she knows she isn’t the right person for the job. That won’t stop her from doing the job and not letting the hockey player walk all over her. Despite the attraction she feels towards him.
Kaden is hockey’s foul mouth, rough image, bad boy. Although he comes across as grumpy and hard, he is instantly taken by Valentina. He is definitely all in when it comes to fake dating, however he isn’t ready for Valentina being comfortable putting him in his place. I loved watching him shed his reputation and truly show Valentine who he really is. As he peeled back layer and layer, it is hard to not love and know he is perfect for her in every way.
Kendall gives us instant attraction and chemistry that drips off the pages between these two. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship change from a job to the real thing. And as always, Kendall’s side characters add so much to the storyline. Side characters that I both love and dislike, they fully round out the story and provide insight to our main characters. Highly recommend and highly enjoyed reading this book!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
🔥Pro Athlete x PR Agent
🏒Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥Fake Dating
🏒Protective MMC
🔥Divorced FMC
🏒Close Proximity
🔥He Falls First
February 15, 2025
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
🩵Fake Dating
🏒Hockey Hero
🩵Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒opposites attract
🩵forced proximity
🏒dirty talking MMC
🩵second chance at love
Faking The Shot, the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series by Kendall Hale. Faking the Shot gives us the story of Valentina Holiday and Kaden Crawford. It is the story of second chances, found family, banter and one dirty talking hero.
Valentina Holiday, has just went through a difficult divorce not too long ago. The last thing she needs right now is a grumpy hockey player who thrives on making her life difficult. She’s now working in Pr, working for her brother in law, Jacob’s agency. Valentina is bound and determined not only to do her job, and clean up Kaden Crawford's image and persona on social media, but to get her own life in order. Jacob, Kaden’s agent, determines the best solution for Kaden is a fake relationship… and whom better than Valentina. But what happens when lines are blurred and the banter and kisses become very real?
Kaden Crawford .. the man is one dirty talking hockey player. Kaden is one disaster of losing his endorsements and contracts if he doesn’t clean up his act. The fact is Kaden is the opposite of how he appears, and deep under his tough exterior, is a hockey player with the weight of the world on his shoulders suffering from anxiety, especially social anxiety. Will he finally reveal his true self to the world?
Faking the Shot is not just a hockey romance. This book is filled with great chemistry along with found family and emotional support. The banter and the meet cute were great and really added to the book. I do wish there was just a bit more plot to balance out the spice but was still a very solid book.
Tropes:
🩵Fake Dating
🏒Hockey Hero
🩵Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒opposites attract
🩵forced proximity
🏒dirty talking MMC
🩵second chance at love
Faking The Shot, the first book in The Crawford Family Playbook series by Kendall Hale. Faking the Shot gives us the story of Valentina Holiday and Kaden Crawford. It is the story of second chances, found family, banter and one dirty talking hero.
Valentina Holiday, has just went through a difficult divorce not too long ago. The last thing she needs right now is a grumpy hockey player who thrives on making her life difficult. She’s now working in Pr, working for her brother in law, Jacob’s agency. Valentina is bound and determined not only to do her job, and clean up Kaden Crawford's image and persona on social media, but to get her own life in order. Jacob, Kaden’s agent, determines the best solution for Kaden is a fake relationship… and whom better than Valentina. But what happens when lines are blurred and the banter and kisses become very real?
Kaden Crawford .. the man is one dirty talking hockey player. Kaden is one disaster of losing his endorsements and contracts if he doesn’t clean up his act. The fact is Kaden is the opposite of how he appears, and deep under his tough exterior, is a hockey player with the weight of the world on his shoulders suffering from anxiety, especially social anxiety. Will he finally reveal his true self to the world?
Faking the Shot is not just a hockey romance. This book is filled with great chemistry along with found family and emotional support. The banter and the meet cute were great and really added to the book. I do wish there was just a bit more plot to balance out the spice but was still a very solid book.
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