What do you think?
Rate this book
Faking the Faceoff
There’s a reason you shouldn’t fake date a friend—because the biggest mistake you’ll ever make might just be falling for them... and NEVER ever wanting to let them go.
As the assistant to the coach of the River City Renegades, my life is a whirlwind of schedules, crisis management, and saving the day when things go sideways. I love my job, but sometimes I wonder if there’s more for me out there.
Then, I discovered my dad needs help. I’ll do anything to support him—even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone. So when the team’s publicist decides Ollie Decker, my long-time friend and the Renegades' star defenseman, needs a fake girlfriend to boost his image, I volunteer. After all, it’s just pretend, it pays, and who knows Ollie better than me? But as the lines blur, I start to realize there’s more to Ollie—and us—than I ever let myself see.
Being on the ice is easy. Off the ice? Not so much. Apparently, I’m not “relatable” enough, and the team wants me to soften my tough guy image with a fake relationship. When Anna Denault offers to step in, I figure this’ll be a breeze. But somewhere between staged date nights and late-night strategy sessions, I stop seeing Anna as just my rock and start noticing the spark that’s been there all along.
Now I’m wondering if the biggest risk of my career isn’t losing her as a friend but losing her entirely.
She could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made…but also the only one I’ll never regret.
Faking the Face Off is a closed door hockey romcom that includes tropes like fake dating, friends to lovers, and found family. This is the first book in a closed door hockey series with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses. Content This IS a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like gambling addiction and parent dealing with fraud/scam artist.
As the assistant to the coach of the River City Renegades, my life is a whirlwind of schedules, crisis management, and saving the day when things go sideways. I love my job, but sometimes I wonder if there’s more for me out there.
Then, I discovered my dad needs help. I’ll do anything to support him—even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone. So when the team’s publicist decides Ollie Decker, my long-time friend and the Renegades' star defenseman, needs a fake girlfriend to boost his image, I volunteer. After all, it’s just pretend, it pays, and who knows Ollie better than me? But as the lines blur, I start to realize there’s more to Ollie—and us—than I ever let myself see.
Being on the ice is easy. Off the ice? Not so much. Apparently, I’m not “relatable” enough, and the team wants me to soften my tough guy image with a fake relationship. When Anna Denault offers to step in, I figure this’ll be a breeze. But somewhere between staged date nights and late-night strategy sessions, I stop seeing Anna as just my rock and start noticing the spark that’s been there all along.
Now I’m wondering if the biggest risk of my career isn’t losing her as a friend but losing her entirely.
She could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made…but also the only one I’ll never regret.
Faking the Face Off is a closed door hockey romcom that includes tropes like fake dating, friends to lovers, and found family. This is the first book in a closed door hockey series with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses. Content This IS a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like gambling addiction and parent dealing with fraud/scam artist.
242 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2025
164 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Anne Kemp
31 books436 followersAnne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she doesn’t it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
January 22, 2025
Faking the Face Off by Anne Kemp - A Winning Combination of Romance and Hockey Anne Kemp hits it out of the park-or should I say scores a hat trick-with Faking the Face Off. This delightful hockey romance captures everything I love about the genre: lovable characters, witty banter, heartfelt emotion, and just the right amount of tension.
Hockey romances are undeniably popular right now, and Kemp stands out in the crowd with her vibrant writing and well-drawn characters. While this book includes cameos from her other works, it can be read as a standalone. That said, once you meet her characters and experience her storytelling, you'll be tempted to dive into the rest of her catalog.
At the heart of the story are Anna and Ollie— aka #OllieAnna-two best friends who embark on a fake dating arrangement to solve their respective problems. Anna is the dedicated assistant to the River City Renegades' coach, while Ollie is a star defenseman with a "tough guy" reputation that needs softening. What begins as a practical solution quickly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization that their friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper.
The emotional depth in the book is a standout feature. Anna's close relationship with her father is heartwarming, and Ollie's complicated dynamic with his dad, shaped by addiction and dysfunction, is handled with sensitivity and care. The story strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing.
At the heart of the story are Anna and Ollie— aka #OllieAnna-two best friends who embark on a fake dating arrangement to solve their respective problems. Anna is the dedicated assistant to the River City Renegades' coach, while Ollie is a star defenseman with a "tough guy" reputation that needs softening. What begins as a practical solution quickly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization that their friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper.
The emotional depth in the book is a standout feature. Anna's close relationship with her father is heartwarming, and Ollie's complicated dynamic with his dad, shaped by addiction and dysfunction, is handled with sensitivity and care. The story strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how Kemp avoids overused clichés in the fake-dating trope. There's no unnecessary "big breakup" drama or frustrating miscommunication. Instead, the characters approach their arrangement with honesty, mutual respect, and vulnerability, which makes their love story feel all the more genuine. Plus, the camaraderie among the Renegades team adds humor, warmth, and a touch of found-family charm.
Anna and Ollie are such well-developed characters that you'll root for them from start to finish. Anna's journey to rediscover herself beyond her role as a helper is inspiring, and Ollie's thoughtful, swoon-worthy moments will have you wishing for a best friend like him in your life. Their chemistry is palpable, and the progression from best friends to lovers is executed beautifully.
Faking the Face Off is also a testament to Kemp's ability to weave complex, relatable issues-like gambling addiction and family struggles-into a lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy. It's rare to find a book that balances humor, romance, and emotional weight so seamlessly.
If you love sports romances, friends-to-lovers dynamics, or fake-dating plots that feel fresh and authentic, you won't want to miss this one. With a cast of endearing characters, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of swoony moments, this closed-door hockey rom-com is a standout read.
Mark your calendars-Faking the Face Off releases January 29, 2025, and it's one you won't regret adding to your TBR!
Hockey romances are undeniably popular right now, and Kemp stands out in the crowd with her vibrant writing and well-drawn characters. While this book includes cameos from her other works, it can be read as a standalone. That said, once you meet her characters and experience her storytelling, you'll be tempted to dive into the rest of her catalog.
At the heart of the story are Anna and Ollie— aka #OllieAnna-two best friends who embark on a fake dating arrangement to solve their respective problems. Anna is the dedicated assistant to the River City Renegades' coach, while Ollie is a star defenseman with a "tough guy" reputation that needs softening. What begins as a practical solution quickly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization that their friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper.
The emotional depth in the book is a standout feature. Anna's close relationship with her father is heartwarming, and Ollie's complicated dynamic with his dad, shaped by addiction and dysfunction, is handled with sensitivity and care. The story strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing.
At the heart of the story are Anna and Ollie— aka #OllieAnna-two best friends who embark on a fake dating arrangement to solve their respective problems. Anna is the dedicated assistant to the River City Renegades' coach, while Ollie is a star defenseman with a "tough guy" reputation that needs softening. What begins as a practical solution quickly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization that their friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper.
The emotional depth in the book is a standout feature. Anna's close relationship with her father is heartwarming, and Ollie's complicated dynamic with his dad, shaped by addiction and dysfunction, is handled with sensitivity and care. The story strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how Kemp avoids overused clichés in the fake-dating trope. There's no unnecessary "big breakup" drama or frustrating miscommunication. Instead, the characters approach their arrangement with honesty, mutual respect, and vulnerability, which makes their love story feel all the more genuine. Plus, the camaraderie among the Renegades team adds humor, warmth, and a touch of found-family charm.
Anna and Ollie are such well-developed characters that you'll root for them from start to finish. Anna's journey to rediscover herself beyond her role as a helper is inspiring, and Ollie's thoughtful, swoon-worthy moments will have you wishing for a best friend like him in your life. Their chemistry is palpable, and the progression from best friends to lovers is executed beautifully.
Faking the Face Off is also a testament to Kemp's ability to weave complex, relatable issues-like gambling addiction and family struggles-into a lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy. It's rare to find a book that balances humor, romance, and emotional weight so seamlessly.
If you love sports romances, friends-to-lovers dynamics, or fake-dating plots that feel fresh and authentic, you won't want to miss this one. With a cast of endearing characters, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of swoony moments, this closed-door hockey rom-com is a standout read.
Mark your calendars-Faking the Face Off releases January 29, 2025, and it's one you won't regret adding to your TBR!
January 21, 2025
Faking the Face Off was a fun, friends to more story. I loved that Ollie had been pining for his friend, Anna, for years, yet was hesitant to show her how he felt out of fear. Yet, when they began fake dating, well, Ollie sure stepped up to the challenge!
Ollie’s sincerity in the way he treated Anna and the way things started to feel real for both of them made for a very heartwarming story. It was great to see two people who knew each other so well as friends begin to take steps to move into something more.
Even though this was a fairly low angst story, Anna and Ollie had to deal with some difficult family situations, work troubles, and even decisions for Anna about what she really wanted to do with her life. Anna and Ollie did a good job of trying to communicate well and their willingness to be open with each other was refreshing.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Ollie’s sincerity in the way he treated Anna and the way things started to feel real for both of them made for a very heartwarming story. It was great to see two people who knew each other so well as friends begin to take steps to move into something more.
Even though this was a fairly low angst story, Anna and Ollie had to deal with some difficult family situations, work troubles, and even decisions for Anna about what she really wanted to do with her life. Anna and Ollie did a good job of trying to communicate well and their willingness to be open with each other was refreshing.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
February 7, 2025
This book was so ridiculously cute, and it had a clever little twist before the end that was a little different than I thought was coming. I loved this pair! Ollie and Anna were absolutely perfect together. They already had a lifetime of history together, and being there for one another, so this step made perfect sense to me. Though I also understood the fear of risking something as precious as the friendship they shared. I really appreciated that while their journey had drama, it was relatively low angst. I also had a lot of fun getting to know the rest of the characters that surrounded this couple. My fingers are crossed that we get books for every last one of the friends and family that supported them.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.
January 29, 2025
~There’s a reason you shouldn’t fake date a friend-because the biggest mistake you’ll ever make might just be falling for them... and NEVER ever wanting to let them go…
“You’re not alone in this. Whatever you need, whatever I can do, I’m in.”
-Faking THE FACE-OFF, is a closed door hockey romcom that includes tropes like fake dating, friends to lovers, and found family. This is the first book in a closed door hockey series with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses. It is lighthearted and fun story but does address some realistic harder topics with care. I thoroughly enjoyed how there is such a wonderful balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing. Seeing with what starts as a practical solution slowly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization for the main characters, that a dear friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper. The ties to the importance of family, friendship, teamwork in this story also were great. This is a cute story worth reading!🙌🏻
“When life surprises you with something-or someone
-worth taking a shot on.”
-Content: Gambling addiction, Parent dealing with fraud/scam artist, some drinking (alcohol), and mild crude language, kisses (some makeouts).
“SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A RISK TO GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT."
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
#fakingthefaceoff
#ollieanna
#annekemp
#allaboutthebestreads
“Could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made… But also the only one I’ll never forget.”
“You’re not alone in this. Whatever you need, whatever I can do, I’m in.”
-Faking THE FACE-OFF, is a closed door hockey romcom that includes tropes like fake dating, friends to lovers, and found family. This is the first book in a closed door hockey series with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses. It is lighthearted and fun story but does address some realistic harder topics with care. I thoroughly enjoyed how there is such a wonderful balance between lighthearted romcom vibes and meaningful moments of personal growth and healing. Seeing with what starts as a practical solution slowly turns into a sweet, slow-burning realization for the main characters, that a dear friendship has always had the foundation for something deeper. The ties to the importance of family, friendship, teamwork in this story also were great. This is a cute story worth reading!🙌🏻
“When life surprises you with something-or someone
-worth taking a shot on.”
-Content: Gambling addiction, Parent dealing with fraud/scam artist, some drinking (alcohol), and mild crude language, kisses (some makeouts).
“SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A RISK TO GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT."
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
#fakingthefaceoff
#ollieanna
#annekemp
#allaboutthebestreads
“Could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made… But also the only one I’ll never forget.”
March 16, 2025
Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Another fantastic hockey romance from Kemp!
While I enjoy spicy reads, I also love a well-done clean romance, and this one delivered. Anna is a strong, fun character who tries to balance helping her father and best friend while figuring out what she truly wants in life. Ollie is the ultimate book boyfriend—hot, sweet, and protective in all the best ways.
Though fake dating isn’t my go-to trope, I really enjoyed it here, especially with the added depth of Anna’s family struggles, Ollie’s father’s addiction, and Jimmy’s mishandling of the team.
A great pick for fans of closed-door, clean romance and sports romance alike!
Another fantastic hockey romance from Kemp!
While I enjoy spicy reads, I also love a well-done clean romance, and this one delivered. Anna is a strong, fun character who tries to balance helping her father and best friend while figuring out what she truly wants in life. Ollie is the ultimate book boyfriend—hot, sweet, and protective in all the best ways.
Though fake dating isn’t my go-to trope, I really enjoyed it here, especially with the added depth of Anna’s family struggles, Ollie’s father’s addiction, and Jimmy’s mishandling of the team.
A great pick for fans of closed-door, clean romance and sports romance alike!
January 29, 2025
I think friends to lovers is my favourite romance trope. There’s something so sweet in watching two people who already have a clear affection for one another develop into more. My wife and I were the same trope, so I think I’m biased, but I still enjoy reading them.
Ollie is the sweetest guy you could meet, but he’s not marketable. He plays hockey, he doesn’t play the media game and when his best friend Anna overhears the top brass wanting to set him up with a fake date to improve his image, she volunteers. She doesn’t want Oli to have to fake it with a stranger, she knows he would hate that so she puts herself forward, not knowing that Ollie has been secretly crushing on her for years.
I loved watching them together, Ollie going all out to convince Anna he’s real boyfriend material, Anna watching her best friend become more desirable with each fake date. They had great chemistry from the start as they were already close friends so their interactions were always on point.
I loved Ollie’s roommate Dixon as well, he was great fun and a good sounding board for Ollie. I can’t wait to read his story next.
Ollie is the sweetest guy you could meet, but he’s not marketable. He plays hockey, he doesn’t play the media game and when his best friend Anna overhears the top brass wanting to set him up with a fake date to improve his image, she volunteers. She doesn’t want Oli to have to fake it with a stranger, she knows he would hate that so she puts herself forward, not knowing that Ollie has been secretly crushing on her for years.
I loved watching them together, Ollie going all out to convince Anna he’s real boyfriend material, Anna watching her best friend become more desirable with each fake date. They had great chemistry from the start as they were already close friends so their interactions were always on point.
I loved Ollie’s roommate Dixon as well, he was great fun and a good sounding board for Ollie. I can’t wait to read his story next.
January 22, 2025
Ollie and Anna’s fake relationship was a cute story. I’ve read several of Anne Kemp’s books and have liked them all. This was a sweet, clean romance.
I received a complementary e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I received a complementary e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 30, 2025
I’m such a pushover for a fake dating hockey story, so I was already won over with those elements, but there’s so much more to love in this book! Including, but definitely not limited to, long time friends, he has a long time crush on her, Mexican food delivery, fake dating to save his image, that first kiss 😍, and lots of hockey! This is the 2nd book I’ve read of Anne’s, which characters make a fun cameo in this book, and just completely fell in love again! Just do yourself a favor and read this wonderful closed-door book!!
January 23, 2025
I really engaged with this book,perfect friend to lover trope ,full of hope. I positively squealed out loud ( and I was in a crowd for crying out loud !) as I read they both had the same feel. So early on in the book too. I was hooked ,that was it . Anne Kemp this was exquisite,no other word for it .I absolutely applaud it…. “Did you know you can freeze your eggs?” A dad to his daughter this is a bit odd…Are we talking about my eggs or eggs in general?” “ “Eggs from the store, from chickens. You can freeze them and they’ll still be good if you use them within a year.” Well she had to be clear ,father dear. He’d sell her kidney if he could I’m sure. And here’s poor Anna all demure. Well that’s how a certain hockey player sees her. He’d love to please her. Pined from afar and knows just how perfect she is. Wishing she was his. A boy can dream…Only it’s not quite the pipe dream that it seems ….When a new owner starts shaking things up with the team . Anna is an assistant for the Ben the coach of the River City Renegades an AHL IceHockey team from River City , Virginia and she happened to be there when the owners were discussing players and their worth in regard to attracting the media. They don’t think her best friend Ollie is a fit and what to do about it…Her father drives the Zamboni ,he’s quite well liked as he’s been doing this job a long time. He has his struggles ,his gambling is out of line . Now he’s getting threatening messages that demand attention about the money he owes. When opportunity knocks it knocks loud ,sure won’t get lost in a crowd of uncertainty that’s for sure when Anna is approached to be a fake girlfriend ,she at first thinks what have I done. Money she needs and apart from that ,she might just break her heart stat. What to do ,she can’t let down her friend or her dad no matter how it’ll hurt her heart so bad . This really is endearing and sweet with all the good feels it can’t be beat.Anne Kemp she knows what to do to get her reader’s heart beating and edge of their seat and that I think is pretty neat. Bravo Anne Kemp for another great book . Full,of love and a hockey puck or two ,it’s what you do and of that I’m glad because if you didn’t I’d be sad.
January 26, 2025
Anne Kemp has done it again! This book is an exhilarating kick-off (or should I say face-off?) to a new series absolutely chock full of potential. I am so excited about this new town, this hockey team, and all these new characters. Bravo on the world building, Anne, I’m now searching out River City, Virginia on the map, looking for houses for rent!
Highlightables:
- Ollie (Just Ollie. Period.)
- Ollie’s teammates
- Some of the secondary characters (Sutton, Ben, Molly, etc) and the “family” that is the River City Renegades
- Anna and her commitment to her family
- O&A’s chemistry, banter, and friendship
- Their natural progression to more - (How many times did I scream Yes! Yes! Yes!)
Notable Quotables:
- Anna was the girl the other guys on my hockey team pursued, but she only hung out with me. She is sunshine and warmth, a ray of light that brightens even the cloudiest of days. I’ve always felt protective of her and our friendship, so when I realized my feelings were a little more than being a buddy, you can bet I put a lid on them. I never want to lose her or the friendship we’ve built.
- Like an iceberg, where you can only see the tip so things look safe, but what you don’t know is that the true beast is all underneath the surface and you need to go easy. If I look at it this way, we’re either gonna sink…or we’re gonna swim. And I’m not sure which outcome scares me more.
- I whirl around to find Ollie standing just a few feet away, his broad shoulders filling the space as if he was made to command it. His jet-black hair is slightly mussed from the cold, his jaw tight with barely contained irritation, and he’s rocking a huge shiner on his right eye, which he hadn’t told me about. He’s wearing a fitted leather jacket over a Renegades hoodie, and he looks every bit like the guy you don’t want to mess with. He. Is. Beautiful.
In summation: Anne Kemp sucked me right into this new story and the world she’s so cleverly penned. I wanna move to River City and get a job with the Renegades, just to rub elbows with these interesting characters. There is so much potential here and so many wonderful stories to be told. And I can’t wait!
Do yourself a favor and jump right in, you will love Ollie and Anna, the Renegades, and River City too.
Highlightables:
- Ollie (Just Ollie. Period.)
- Ollie’s teammates
- Some of the secondary characters (Sutton, Ben, Molly, etc) and the “family” that is the River City Renegades
- Anna and her commitment to her family
- O&A’s chemistry, banter, and friendship
- Their natural progression to more - (How many times did I scream Yes! Yes! Yes!)
Notable Quotables:
- Anna was the girl the other guys on my hockey team pursued, but she only hung out with me. She is sunshine and warmth, a ray of light that brightens even the cloudiest of days. I’ve always felt protective of her and our friendship, so when I realized my feelings were a little more than being a buddy, you can bet I put a lid on them. I never want to lose her or the friendship we’ve built.
- Like an iceberg, where you can only see the tip so things look safe, but what you don’t know is that the true beast is all underneath the surface and you need to go easy. If I look at it this way, we’re either gonna sink…or we’re gonna swim. And I’m not sure which outcome scares me more.
- I whirl around to find Ollie standing just a few feet away, his broad shoulders filling the space as if he was made to command it. His jet-black hair is slightly mussed from the cold, his jaw tight with barely contained irritation, and he’s rocking a huge shiner on his right eye, which he hadn’t told me about. He’s wearing a fitted leather jacket over a Renegades hoodie, and he looks every bit like the guy you don’t want to mess with. He. Is. Beautiful.
In summation: Anne Kemp sucked me right into this new story and the world she’s so cleverly penned. I wanna move to River City and get a job with the Renegades, just to rub elbows with these interesting characters. There is so much potential here and so many wonderful stories to be told. And I can’t wait!
Do yourself a favor and jump right in, you will love Ollie and Anna, the Renegades, and River City too.
March 9, 2025
This was really cute. Ollie and Anna have been best friends forever. When the owner of Ollie's hockey team says he might get rid of him if he doesn't get a larger social media presence, and the team's PR rep suggests a fake girlfriend, somehow Anna gets roped in to play the part. Ollie doesn't mind so much. The only thing he'll have a problem with is keeping his real feelings to himself. On the other hand, maybe it's his opportunity to show Anna how good they are together. He just can't afford to mess this up.
Anna is in a tough position. She doesn't want Ollie to get cut from the team, but the whole fake dating thing is just not him. When someone approaches her about pretending to be his girlfriend, she doesn't exactly jump at the idea. He's her best friend, and this could totally mess up their relationship. But the money they offer would help her dad too, so she reluctantly agrees. At least she and Ollie are in it together, right?
Ollie and Anna are really cute together. They're good friends, so they're comfortable with each other, and spending time together is easy. Anna promised herself that she wouldn't start having feelings for her best friend, but the more time they spend together, the harder that becomes. When their little ruse is over, they have to decide what's real and what's not.
There's plenty of team drama and family drama. There are also quiet moments between them that are really sweet. They have a bond that means so much.
This was a fun story, with a soulful hockey player and the best friend who held his heart. Expect teasing teammates and caring friends. Just a little intrigue, too. I found myself smiling so much. I can't wait to read more about this team!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Anna is in a tough position. She doesn't want Ollie to get cut from the team, but the whole fake dating thing is just not him. When someone approaches her about pretending to be his girlfriend, she doesn't exactly jump at the idea. He's her best friend, and this could totally mess up their relationship. But the money they offer would help her dad too, so she reluctantly agrees. At least she and Ollie are in it together, right?
Ollie and Anna are really cute together. They're good friends, so they're comfortable with each other, and spending time together is easy. Anna promised herself that she wouldn't start having feelings for her best friend, but the more time they spend together, the harder that becomes. When their little ruse is over, they have to decide what's real and what's not.
There's plenty of team drama and family drama. There are also quiet moments between them that are really sweet. They have a bond that means so much.
This was a fun story, with a soulful hockey player and the best friend who held his heart. Expect teasing teammates and caring friends. Just a little intrigue, too. I found myself smiling so much. I can't wait to read more about this team!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 3, 2025
This was a cute read! I’ve been loving hockey romances lately, and this one did not disappoint.
I loved Anna’s determination to help her family and also her relatable struggle to find her place. She didn’t want to stick with something just because it felt safe, but she also wasn’t sure where she wanted to go next. It was fun to see the found family aspect of this book and how the team supported her.
Ollie was such a sweetheart! The poor guy was trying to figure out a way to show Anna how much he cared, and I loved the little ways he helped her like getting her favorite food. He genuinely adored his family too, but he had to work out a complicated relationship with his father. I would have loved to see his imposter syndrome explored a bit more though, but in some ways, he overcame it by helping his team succeed.
This was a fun and fast paced romcom! The romance is pretty quick but since it was a friends to lovers, it fit well with the story. I love how the miscommunication trope is avoided and also the big and small ways that the characters show up for each other. While there were times when I had a hard time getting invested in the characters, I ended up enjoying this read! It’s a sweet romance perfect for fans of friends to lovers and sports romances.
CW: gambling addiction and parent dealing with fraud/scam artist
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
I loved Anna’s determination to help her family and also her relatable struggle to find her place. She didn’t want to stick with something just because it felt safe, but she also wasn’t sure where she wanted to go next. It was fun to see the found family aspect of this book and how the team supported her.
Ollie was such a sweetheart! The poor guy was trying to figure out a way to show Anna how much he cared, and I loved the little ways he helped her like getting her favorite food. He genuinely adored his family too, but he had to work out a complicated relationship with his father. I would have loved to see his imposter syndrome explored a bit more though, but in some ways, he overcame it by helping his team succeed.
This was a fun and fast paced romcom! The romance is pretty quick but since it was a friends to lovers, it fit well with the story. I love how the miscommunication trope is avoided and also the big and small ways that the characters show up for each other. While there were times when I had a hard time getting invested in the characters, I ended up enjoying this read! It’s a sweet romance perfect for fans of friends to lovers and sports romances.
CW: gambling addiction and parent dealing with fraud/scam artist
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
January 30, 2025
Anne Kemp always makes sure you have a good time while reading her books. I was hooked from the beginning until the very end. I definitely didn't want Anna and Ollie's story to be over. I had such a great time getting to know these two.
Ollie is a hockey player who is needing to be more relatable so since Anna is the assistant to the coach of his team and Ollie's best friend why not help him out. Since she opened this can of worms she is now in a fake dating relationship with Ollie.
Anna. is dealing with her dad who has got himself into some financial problems and when the fake dating situation comes up it ends up being a paid gig. So now she will be able to help her dad and her best friend. But will she be able to just stay best friends with Ollie or will their relationship turn into more?
This was the perfect sweet hockey romcom story. I just fell in love with the story and the characters. I had so many moments that I laughed out loud. Ollie was definitely putting a smile on my face and making me swoon like crazy throughout the book. This story will have you feeling at home with these characters and your heart bursting from all the love in this story.
I would highly recommend this book. I also recommend checking out Anne Kemps other books if you haven't read anything else by her as well.
Thank you Anne Kemp for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Ollie is a hockey player who is needing to be more relatable so since Anna is the assistant to the coach of his team and Ollie's best friend why not help him out. Since she opened this can of worms she is now in a fake dating relationship with Ollie.
Anna. is dealing with her dad who has got himself into some financial problems and when the fake dating situation comes up it ends up being a paid gig. So now she will be able to help her dad and her best friend. But will she be able to just stay best friends with Ollie or will their relationship turn into more?
This was the perfect sweet hockey romcom story. I just fell in love with the story and the characters. I had so many moments that I laughed out loud. Ollie was definitely putting a smile on my face and making me swoon like crazy throughout the book. This story will have you feeling at home with these characters and your heart bursting from all the love in this story.
I would highly recommend this book. I also recommend checking out Anne Kemps other books if you haven't read anything else by her as well.
Thank you Anne Kemp for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
February 24, 2025
This book was a fun and heartwarming friends-to-lovers, fake-dating hockey romance! Here’s what made it unforgettable:
❤️🔥 The Chemistry – Anna and Ollie's long-standing friendship provided a solid foundation, and the fake dating scenario allowed their simmering feelings to finally surface.
💙 Ollie’s Character – Ollie's vulnerability and his genuine care for Anna were endearing. Seeing him realize his feelings for her and shed his "tough guy" image was a highlight.
🏒 The Hockey World & Found Family – The hockey world setting was fun and added a touch of excitement. The team dynamics and the found family aspect of the Renegades added depth and warmth to the story. I loved the camaraderie and support they offered each other.
💔 The Emotional Depth – The book also explored some deeper themes, like gambling addiction and family struggles, which added a layer of realism and emotional depth to the story. It wasn't just all fluff and fun.
💕 The Swoon Scale 💕
To understand my book rating system, please see my pinned post (https://shorturl.at/Y9vqs).
📖 Swoon-Worthy Sparks ✨ (4/5)
💬 The Dialogue 🎭 (3.8/5)
🦋 Butterfly Effect 💓 (3.8/5)
📖 Re-Readability 🔁 (4/5)
🎉 Final Verdict: If you love friends-to-lovers romances, sweet and satisfying stories with plenty of sizzle and swoony kisses, this is a must-read!
❤️🔥 The Chemistry – Anna and Ollie's long-standing friendship provided a solid foundation, and the fake dating scenario allowed their simmering feelings to finally surface.
💙 Ollie’s Character – Ollie's vulnerability and his genuine care for Anna were endearing. Seeing him realize his feelings for her and shed his "tough guy" image was a highlight.
🏒 The Hockey World & Found Family – The hockey world setting was fun and added a touch of excitement. The team dynamics and the found family aspect of the Renegades added depth and warmth to the story. I loved the camaraderie and support they offered each other.
💔 The Emotional Depth – The book also explored some deeper themes, like gambling addiction and family struggles, which added a layer of realism and emotional depth to the story. It wasn't just all fluff and fun.
💕 The Swoon Scale 💕
To understand my book rating system, please see my pinned post (https://shorturl.at/Y9vqs).
📖 Swoon-Worthy Sparks ✨ (4/5)
💬 The Dialogue 🎭 (3.8/5)
🦋 Butterfly Effect 💓 (3.8/5)
📖 Re-Readability 🔁 (4/5)
🎉 Final Verdict: If you love friends-to-lovers romances, sweet and satisfying stories with plenty of sizzle and swoony kisses, this is a must-read!
January 12, 2025
New hockey romcom series
Ms.Kemp takes us to the home ice of the River City Renegades, the team that loaned Noah Beaumont to the Icebreakers in the Love on Thin Ice series. We are getting to meet the team who helped Noah become the player he was in Penalties and Proposals. Ollie is the defenseman stepping up to fill Noah's skates now that he is coaching. I loved the friends to more trope and the way Ms.Kemp used a fake-dating relationship to shake up Ollie and Anna's too-comfortable friendship, so they were able to see the 'more'. Their banter was so comfortable and just exactly the right tone for friends that have known each other more than half their life. All of the Renegades players were very team oriented and would back each other up, on and off the ice.
There were several plot twists that took me by surprise, which opened opportunities for some significant character development and interaction in future books in the series. I finished the book so quickly that I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters when I came to the end of the book. So I am really glad that there will be more stories about the other members of the team and front office staff coming in the future. This new series is definitely on my 'must read' list.
I received an advance beta copy of this story directly from the author and voluntarily chose to share my review.
Ms.Kemp takes us to the home ice of the River City Renegades, the team that loaned Noah Beaumont to the Icebreakers in the Love on Thin Ice series. We are getting to meet the team who helped Noah become the player he was in Penalties and Proposals. Ollie is the defenseman stepping up to fill Noah's skates now that he is coaching. I loved the friends to more trope and the way Ms.Kemp used a fake-dating relationship to shake up Ollie and Anna's too-comfortable friendship, so they were able to see the 'more'. Their banter was so comfortable and just exactly the right tone for friends that have known each other more than half their life. All of the Renegades players were very team oriented and would back each other up, on and off the ice.
There were several plot twists that took me by surprise, which opened opportunities for some significant character development and interaction in future books in the series. I finished the book so quickly that I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters when I came to the end of the book. So I am really glad that there will be more stories about the other members of the team and front office staff coming in the future. This new series is definitely on my 'must read' list.
I received an advance beta copy of this story directly from the author and voluntarily chose to share my review.
January 21, 2025
Fake dating your best friend has disaster written all over it. However, when your dad and best friend need your help, you do what you must to help them.
Ollie Decker is the Renegades' defenseman. He needs a PR update, or at least that's what the front office says. Ollie is Anna's best friend, so when she hears that the team's owners are looking to fluff him up, she gives her input about their fake dating scenario which puts her in the hot seat when she is asked to do the honors of being his fake girlfriend.
Anna and Ollie are best friends, but they needed something to happen between them to help them admit their feelings for one another. They were already toeing the line between friendship and romance, but neither wanted to cross that line. Who better to play the part of a fake a girlfriend than someone who knows you better than your own family?
Anne Kemp always writes great romance, but this one was a little deeper than her usual style, and I loved it. She gave us a glimpse into the background of the main characters outside of their relationship and this story, which gave them more depth. This in turn allowed me, as the reader, to more fully appreciate their circumstances.
This sweet romance between two best friends will make you smile and maybe even shed a tear or two.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ollie Decker is the Renegades' defenseman. He needs a PR update, or at least that's what the front office says. Ollie is Anna's best friend, so when she hears that the team's owners are looking to fluff him up, she gives her input about their fake dating scenario which puts her in the hot seat when she is asked to do the honors of being his fake girlfriend.
Anna and Ollie are best friends, but they needed something to happen between them to help them admit their feelings for one another. They were already toeing the line between friendship and romance, but neither wanted to cross that line. Who better to play the part of a fake a girlfriend than someone who knows you better than your own family?
Anne Kemp always writes great romance, but this one was a little deeper than her usual style, and I loved it. She gave us a glimpse into the background of the main characters outside of their relationship and this story, which gave them more depth. This in turn allowed me, as the reader, to more fully appreciate their circumstances.
This sweet romance between two best friends will make you smile and maybe even shed a tear or two.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2025
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Anna and Ollie ran in the same high school crowd. However, their friendship didn’t truly take off until the majority of their friends moved away for college and they stayed behind. Now as adults, they find themselves closer than ever, even working for the same organization, the River City Renegades (Ollie as a hockey player and Anna as the assistant to the head coach). But when Anna learns that Ollie could potentially lose his job, she is willing to cross the line of friendship. Will their plan work, or will it cause discomfort that cannot be fixed?
Anne Kemp’s Faking the Face Off is a clean/ closed door, hockey romance that features the fake-dating and friends-to-more tropes.
If you are looking for top tier sports romances, I always recommend Kemp. She has a handful of books that fit this description, from football to hockey. With that being said, Faking the Face Off, has quickly become my favorite book of hers.
This book stands out above the rest for so many reasons, but the most important one being its authenticity. The main characters and the problems they faced felt realistic. We have all worried about our jobs, struggled with family members, and contemplated our place in the world.
Read this book if you enjoy:
-dual POVs
-strong FMC
-cinnamon roll MMC
Special thanks to Anne Kemp for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team/ read this book in exchange for my honest review.
* I cannot wait for Goalie Interrupted, Elle and Dixon’s love story set to release this April!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Anna and Ollie ran in the same high school crowd. However, their friendship didn’t truly take off until the majority of their friends moved away for college and they stayed behind. Now as adults, they find themselves closer than ever, even working for the same organization, the River City Renegades (Ollie as a hockey player and Anna as the assistant to the head coach). But when Anna learns that Ollie could potentially lose his job, she is willing to cross the line of friendship. Will their plan work, or will it cause discomfort that cannot be fixed?
Anne Kemp’s Faking the Face Off is a clean/ closed door, hockey romance that features the fake-dating and friends-to-more tropes.
If you are looking for top tier sports romances, I always recommend Kemp. She has a handful of books that fit this description, from football to hockey. With that being said, Faking the Face Off, has quickly become my favorite book of hers.
This book stands out above the rest for so many reasons, but the most important one being its authenticity. The main characters and the problems they faced felt realistic. We have all worried about our jobs, struggled with family members, and contemplated our place in the world.
Read this book if you enjoy:
-dual POVs
-strong FMC
-cinnamon roll MMC
Special thanks to Anne Kemp for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team/ read this book in exchange for my honest review.
* I cannot wait for Goalie Interrupted, Elle and Dixon’s love story set to release this April!
February 5, 2025
Who doesn't love a fake dating scenario? Sometimes you have to take a chance to find your happy ending.
I loved this story because Ollie and Anna (#ollieanna) are good friends from their teen years. There is just enough connection to build their backstory without it taking a long time. Ollie is the sweetest cinnamon roll hockey player and his reluctance to agree to fake date is wonderful. He was already crushing on Anna and wants to date her for real. He’s always been there for her, and he just wants to support her and her dad. Anna wants to make Ollie’s life easier, not harder and she wants to help her dad. Suggesting the fake dating is fine….as long as they are always honest with each other.
“You’re not alone in this. Whatever you need, whatever I can do, I’m in.”
When the lines start to blur and you finally get to that first kiss, there's no going back after that. Can they make it last? Can they help their Dads and keep their own lives together. Anna and Olli have such good chemistry and trust, it was perfect! Even when other people didn't think she should trust Ollie, she 100% knew his true character and didn't doubt him. I loved that!
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I loved this story because Ollie and Anna (#ollieanna) are good friends from their teen years. There is just enough connection to build their backstory without it taking a long time. Ollie is the sweetest cinnamon roll hockey player and his reluctance to agree to fake date is wonderful. He was already crushing on Anna and wants to date her for real. He’s always been there for her, and he just wants to support her and her dad. Anna wants to make Ollie’s life easier, not harder and she wants to help her dad. Suggesting the fake dating is fine….as long as they are always honest with each other.
“You’re not alone in this. Whatever you need, whatever I can do, I’m in.”
When the lines start to blur and you finally get to that first kiss, there's no going back after that. Can they make it last? Can they help their Dads and keep their own lives together. Anna and Olli have such good chemistry and trust, it was perfect! Even when other people didn't think she should trust Ollie, she 100% knew his true character and didn't doubt him. I loved that!
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!
January 28, 2025
I’m pretty sure I say this about all of Anne Kemp’s books, but Anna and Ollie are the CUTEST! I loved their friends to more vibe. Ollie has been pining for YEARS and it was so good to see how they ended up coming together.
Anna Denault is the personal assistant to the head coach of the River City Renegades hockey team. Ollie Decker is the Renegades’ star defenseman. When the co-owner of the team decides Ollie needs to up his image, a plan is concocted to have Ollie and Anna fake date for awhile. For Ollie, it’s never been fake, and Anna quickly realizes she has feelings for Ollie as they embark on their fake dating journey. They both need this arrangement to work out for more than Ollie’s image. Anna’s dad is in trouble, and Ollie’s dad….well he just IS trouble.
I loved watching Anna really come to know herself and find what she needs in her life. Ollie was there every step of the way. The trust and love they share is often hard to come by in the real world and I love watching it unfold on the page.
This friends to lovers, fake dating, hockey romance was just what I needed. I can’t wait to see more of the Renegades!
Anna Denault is the personal assistant to the head coach of the River City Renegades hockey team. Ollie Decker is the Renegades’ star defenseman. When the co-owner of the team decides Ollie needs to up his image, a plan is concocted to have Ollie and Anna fake date for awhile. For Ollie, it’s never been fake, and Anna quickly realizes she has feelings for Ollie as they embark on their fake dating journey. They both need this arrangement to work out for more than Ollie’s image. Anna’s dad is in trouble, and Ollie’s dad….well he just IS trouble.
I loved watching Anna really come to know herself and find what she needs in her life. Ollie was there every step of the way. The trust and love they share is often hard to come by in the real world and I love watching it unfold on the page.
This friends to lovers, fake dating, hockey romance was just what I needed. I can’t wait to see more of the Renegades!
January 30, 2025
Is a sweet fake dating, friends to lovers, found family, Hockey Romcom with no cliffhanger.
Trigger Warning -- * Gambling addiction;
* Parent dealing with fraud/scam artist
Some of the lines I really like --- Where the ice is hot, and the action won’t end,’” --- have a stack of books to get through because my TBR pile is never-ending. --- He is the apple that not only fell far from the tree, but was kicked down the hill, crossed a highway, and then rolled into the gutter. --- “It’s amazing the deal with the devil you can be willing to take if someone you love is in trouble.” --- “Living with women is so much easier. Some days, I miss having three sisters around.” --- When life surprises you with something—or someone—worth taking a shot on. --- Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Oh wait, too late. You’re already doing EVERYTHING I wouldn’t do.” --- “Sometimes you’ve got to take a risk to get what you really want.” -----
Who keeps calling and threatening Anna's dad? What's Jimmy up to? What's Ollie's dad up to? What's Jason up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Anna and Ollie's story and I'm sure you will too. I can't wait to read her next book.
Trigger Warning -- * Gambling addiction;
* Parent dealing with fraud/scam artist
Some of the lines I really like --- Where the ice is hot, and the action won’t end,’” --- have a stack of books to get through because my TBR pile is never-ending. --- He is the apple that not only fell far from the tree, but was kicked down the hill, crossed a highway, and then rolled into the gutter. --- “It’s amazing the deal with the devil you can be willing to take if someone you love is in trouble.” --- “Living with women is so much easier. Some days, I miss having three sisters around.” --- When life surprises you with something—or someone—worth taking a shot on. --- Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Oh wait, too late. You’re already doing EVERYTHING I wouldn’t do.” --- “Sometimes you’ve got to take a risk to get what you really want.” -----
Who keeps calling and threatening Anna's dad? What's Jimmy up to? What's Ollie's dad up to? What's Jason up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Anna and Ollie's story and I'm sure you will too. I can't wait to read her next book.
January 31, 2025
What a sweet story and characters.
I really liked this sports romance and loved how relatable both main characters were.
Ollie was such a nerdie and at the same time not what we would have expected from a hockey player, but so sweet and caring that was unbelievable. And also had charisma and could make himself have a strog presence when needed.
Anna was a ray of sunshine and both determined and lovable.
We could see from the begining their feelings for one another and what made them be apart.
Anna discovers that her dad is having some money problems and is trying to help him, but just dosn't know how.
Ollie is a hokey player, but is not really famous because he never gave in to all the media things.
When he is forced to fake a relationship and Anna is the candidate he can't say no and she nees to help him and her dad by accepting that role.
But can you fake what's already real? Can they keep their hearts protected from themselves?
We have also several other side characters that I believe are going to heve their story told and I can't wait for them. It was such a strong connection between all of them that felt like family.
I really liked this sports romance and loved how relatable both main characters were.
Ollie was such a nerdie and at the same time not what we would have expected from a hockey player, but so sweet and caring that was unbelievable. And also had charisma and could make himself have a strog presence when needed.
Anna was a ray of sunshine and both determined and lovable.
We could see from the begining their feelings for one another and what made them be apart.
Anna discovers that her dad is having some money problems and is trying to help him, but just dosn't know how.
Ollie is a hokey player, but is not really famous because he never gave in to all the media things.
When he is forced to fake a relationship and Anna is the candidate he can't say no and she nees to help him and her dad by accepting that role.
But can you fake what's already real? Can they keep their hearts protected from themselves?
We have also several other side characters that I believe are going to heve their story told and I can't wait for them. It was such a strong connection between all of them that felt like family.
January 17, 2025
I have not yet read all of Ms. Kemp's books but I have enjoyed each one that I've read to date. And this book was right up there on the enjoyable level with the others I've read. This is a sweet, friendship to more, sports romance. I enjoyed the story and the relationship between Anna & Ollie. I liked that when they agreed to a fake relationship that would be mutually beneficial for both of them that they made honesty be one of their rules and I appreciated that there wasn't really a big break up that neither wanted but feared expressing their true feelings. I don't really love that element in a fake relationship trope so I was glad the story didn't go that way. There was a pause of sorts which I only kinda got but it wasn't a break up.
I enjoyed the found family feel in the story and how they looked out for each other and wanted to help others. I also enjoyed how they worked together to right wrongs. It was a good cast of characters and I look forward to future stories.
Sex: no
Language: a little
Violence: a little
I enjoyed the found family feel in the story and how they looked out for each other and wanted to help others. I also enjoyed how they worked together to right wrongs. It was a good cast of characters and I look forward to future stories.
Sex: no
Language: a little
Violence: a little
January 29, 2025
A reason, a season, or a lifetime?
I just love a friends-to-more romance. You just thought this was about fake dating, right? The fake dating is just the catalyst for #OllieAnna to be a real couple. I don't even want to talk about the fake dating part because BFF Ollie finally getting to take his shot with Anna is MAGIC.
"I’d hand her a flashlight and a map to my soul if it meant she could shine her light in the darkness and reveal more. All for her."
See what I mean?!
I wish I could recount every kiss in this story because they are the sweetest and written in a way that feels natural and perfect. I love the absolute trust that being friends brings to their dynamic because we don't have to get bogged down in drama of the story, even though there is plenty. Ollie and Anna are end game, even if they need some help and a grand gesture or cupcake to help them along.
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story as part of Anne's ARC team. There was no expectation of a positive review, and thoughts contained here are my own.
I just love a friends-to-more romance. You just thought this was about fake dating, right? The fake dating is just the catalyst for #OllieAnna to be a real couple. I don't even want to talk about the fake dating part because BFF Ollie finally getting to take his shot with Anna is MAGIC.
"I’d hand her a flashlight and a map to my soul if it meant she could shine her light in the darkness and reveal more. All for her."
See what I mean?!
I wish I could recount every kiss in this story because they are the sweetest and written in a way that feels natural and perfect. I love the absolute trust that being friends brings to their dynamic because we don't have to get bogged down in drama of the story, even though there is plenty. Ollie and Anna are end game, even if they need some help and a grand gesture or cupcake to help them along.
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story as part of Anne's ARC team. There was no expectation of a positive review, and thoughts contained here are my own.
January 30, 2025
The sweetest hockey romance you'll read (without giving you a toothache, it's perfectly balanced).
I'm not an enthusiastic of the fake relationship trope, but I totally trust the author. And the reason for the fake relationship it's the more altruistic I had read, not your typical "I need to pretend to be adulting so my parent let me lead the business" or the like.
On the other hand, friends to lovers is one of my favorites, and Anna & Ollie are the cutest. They are perfect, their friendship is beautiful, they complement each other and both totally trust each other. That lead to not have any unnecessary drama for miscommunication or other silly things.
This is a wholesome read, the relationship of Anna and her dad squished my heart (in a good way). The book touch serious themes like gambling and scams, but not heavely, in a light but respect way.
Although we have some cameos from previous books (I need Travis's story), it's a standalone story (but you totally should read her other books too 😉).
I'm not an enthusiastic of the fake relationship trope, but I totally trust the author. And the reason for the fake relationship it's the more altruistic I had read, not your typical "I need to pretend to be adulting so my parent let me lead the business" or the like.
On the other hand, friends to lovers is one of my favorites, and Anna & Ollie are the cutest. They are perfect, their friendship is beautiful, they complement each other and both totally trust each other. That lead to not have any unnecessary drama for miscommunication or other silly things.
This is a wholesome read, the relationship of Anna and her dad squished my heart (in a good way). The book touch serious themes like gambling and scams, but not heavely, in a light but respect way.
Although we have some cameos from previous books (I need Travis's story), it's a standalone story (but you totally should read her other books too 😉).
January 31, 2025
This was a cute introduction to the world of the River City Renegades, and now I am excited to read the rest of the guys' books as they come out. As is typical of a first book in a series, there are a LOT of moving parts to this story, and sometimes it felt just a little bit disjointed. However, it wasn't so much that it interfered with my enjoyment of the story, and I think it set up the rest of the books well.
Tropes include:
- Friends to Lovers
- Hockey Romance!
- Parent with addiction issues
- Grand gesture with a truck
- Fake Dating
- He falls first
Ollie was an absolute sweetheart, and I love how he is patient to allow Anna to catch up to him in his feelings for her. He doesn't rush her or try to make her do anything that she's not ready for...he just woos her and loves her as they are, and she can't help but fall for him. (Plus, he brings snacks. Who wouldn't be all over that?) I'm confident that anybody would enjoy this story, and I'm excited for the ones that will follow!
Tropes include:
- Friends to Lovers
- Hockey Romance!
- Parent with addiction issues
- Grand gesture with a truck
- Fake Dating
- He falls first
Ollie was an absolute sweetheart, and I love how he is patient to allow Anna to catch up to him in his feelings for her. He doesn't rush her or try to make her do anything that she's not ready for...he just woos her and loves her as they are, and she can't help but fall for him. (Plus, he brings snacks. Who wouldn't be all over that?) I'm confident that anybody would enjoy this story, and I'm excited for the ones that will follow!
February 7, 2025
Fake dating your best friend? Bad idea. Catching real feelings? Even worse. But when star defenseman Ollie Decker needs an image boost and Anna Denault needs cash to help her dad, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution—until the lines start to blur.
This closed-door hockey romance has friends-to-lovers swoons, sizzling chemistry, and a team that feels like family (seriously, I already love the River City Renegades!). Ollie and Anna’s friendship was so sweet, supportive, and full of banter, making their transition to something more feel natural and heart-melting. I didn’t want it to end!
Anne Kemp is an auto-buy author for me, and when I heard she was writing a hockey romance series, I was ALL over it! The Renegades might be one of my new favorite teams, and I loved every second of Ollie and Anna’s story. Fake dating + friends to lovers? Sign me up! Now I’m counting down the days until the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This closed-door hockey romance has friends-to-lovers swoons, sizzling chemistry, and a team that feels like family (seriously, I already love the River City Renegades!). Ollie and Anna’s friendship was so sweet, supportive, and full of banter, making their transition to something more feel natural and heart-melting. I didn’t want it to end!
Anne Kemp is an auto-buy author for me, and when I heard she was writing a hockey romance series, I was ALL over it! The Renegades might be one of my new favorite teams, and I loved every second of Ollie and Anna’s story. Fake dating + friends to lovers? Sign me up! Now I’m counting down the days until the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 18, 2025
Looking for Multiple Solutions . . .
Anna Denault, the assistant to the Coach of the River City Renegades, and Ollie Decker, their star defenseman, are awesome friends with a strong, long-lasting friendship and loyalty. Each has complete trust in the other. So they are ready to do whatever must be done to help each other no matter what the crisis. When she is at home and overhears a phone conversation her dad is having, she finds out that her dad needs financial help after losing a large sum of money money in a scam. While she worries over that, the team’s publicist makes a decision that her best friend Ollie has to change his public image. He is always projecting a rough and tough persona, behaving gruffly on and off the ice. He needs to be more marketable and approachable to his fans, however. So in this case, their issues, while different, can be solved by a fake-dating solution. The compensation Anna will be paid for her part in the relationship can go to help her father. Ollie is also dealing with his father having gambling issues and may need to find somehow to take care of that. Regardless, Anna volunteers to be Ollie’s fake girlfriend which might make Ollie’s attitude adjustment happen more quickly. And she definitely knows Ollie the best and can draw him out. Ollie readily agrees. This should be easy for two such friends! Instead, it feels too comfortable. Have they always felt this way? Will falling in love with her for real ruin their long-time friendship? Or is this how it was always supposed to be? Things may not always be easy, but it’s nice to see that family matters as well.
Anna Denault, the assistant to the Coach of the River City Renegades, and Ollie Decker, their star defenseman, are awesome friends with a strong, long-lasting friendship and loyalty. Each has complete trust in the other. So they are ready to do whatever must be done to help each other no matter what the crisis. When she is at home and overhears a phone conversation her dad is having, she finds out that her dad needs financial help after losing a large sum of money money in a scam. While she worries over that, the team’s publicist makes a decision that her best friend Ollie has to change his public image. He is always projecting a rough and tough persona, behaving gruffly on and off the ice. He needs to be more marketable and approachable to his fans, however. So in this case, their issues, while different, can be solved by a fake-dating solution. The compensation Anna will be paid for her part in the relationship can go to help her father. Ollie is also dealing with his father having gambling issues and may need to find somehow to take care of that. Regardless, Anna volunteers to be Ollie’s fake girlfriend which might make Ollie’s attitude adjustment happen more quickly. And she definitely knows Ollie the best and can draw him out. Ollie readily agrees. This should be easy for two such friends! Instead, it feels too comfortable. Have they always felt this way? Will falling in love with her for real ruin their long-time friendship? Or is this how it was always supposed to be? Things may not always be easy, but it’s nice to see that family matters as well.
January 18, 2025
** Thank you so much to Anne Kemp (the author) for giving me an ARC of this book for free in exchange for my honest thoughts!**
I had a good time reading this book! I binge-read it about 2 days, which says a lot because I am busy! It was so cute, super fun, and pretty clean!
I really liked the characters and their backstories, but it did feel a little trauma-dump-y once in a while. Anna and Ollie were well-developed, and so was their romance. And for once there wasn't some stupid miscommunication that causes them to break up halfway through!! I thought there would be, but they handled the situation like mature adults, and I was so happy! My only complaint would be that the author seemed to try a little too hard to make it sound trendy, and I couldn't help but cringe at some of the phrases she used. I simply cannot handle the word "rizz" anymore. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book! It was a super fun, clean, feel-good hockey romance.
I had a good time reading this book! I binge-read it about 2 days, which says a lot because I am busy! It was so cute, super fun, and pretty clean!
I really liked the characters and their backstories, but it did feel a little trauma-dump-y once in a while. Anna and Ollie were well-developed, and so was their romance. And for once there wasn't some stupid miscommunication that causes them to break up halfway through!! I thought there would be, but they handled the situation like mature adults, and I was so happy! My only complaint would be that the author seemed to try a little too hard to make it sound trendy, and I couldn't help but cringe at some of the phrases she used. I simply cannot handle the word "rizz" anymore. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book! It was a super fun, clean, feel-good hockey romance.
January 22, 2025
Fake dating and a hockey team that feels like family? Yes, please! I love both of these tropes, so this one was definitely right up my alley. And I absolutely adored it. Ollie needed a publicity boost, and Anna needed to help her dad out of a financial crisis, so when the team publicist offers to pay her to pretend to date her best friend, it seems like the perfect way to help everyone. Ollie and Anna had such a sweet and caring relationship as friends, and I loved seeing their transition into something more as the story goes on. The romance was great, of course... but I also loved getting to know this team too. They truly felt like a family--- both in the way they bantered and teased and the way they stood up for each other. I am looking forward to getting to see more of this team as the series continues... I cannot wait!
Faking the Face Off is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Faking the Face Off is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Anna & Ollie’s points of view
– it is mentioned that a character’s parent is in debt due to a scam artist
– it is mentioned that a character’s parent has a gambling addiction
– there are about 3 uses of some form of the ‘a’ word used to refer to a donkey & one mention of a character flipping another off
Review:
I loved this book! It was so much fun to see the friendship Anna and Ollie had a bit before they started their fake relationship. I loved that Ollie used the opportunity to care for Anna, even in some ways that she didn’t discover right away. I loved that Anna had some sort of romantic feelings for Ollie before the relationship idea was even brought up (though she didn’t realize that’s what they were at the time). I loved that the guys on the team pretty much already knew about Ollie’s ‘hidden’ crush and were thrilled to mess with him about it.
I am so excited that we’ll be getting more Renegades finding love, but I’m especially interested in finding out more about Dixon after this book!
Summary:
Anna loves the work she does for the Renegades, even if it isn’t what she went to school for. But when her dad gets into some trouble, Anna finds herself doing something really unexpected: agreeing to fake date her best friend Ollie. With his job on the line with the team’s owners and her father’s troubles, the solution is obvious and something Anna can do for the two best guys in her life. Even if it’s completely outside her comfort zone. But Anna is starting to discover that her feelings towards Ollie are anything but fake…
Ollie has been head over heels for his best friend forever, but hasn’t figured out a good way to tell her without possibly breaking their treasured friendship in the process. And just when he decides to go for it, she proposes a fake relationship to bring him good PR before he gets the chance. Though not ideal, maybe this can help Ollie show Anna just how much she means to him and test out the waters between them…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Anna & Ollie’s points of view
– it is mentioned that a character’s parent is in debt due to a scam artist
– it is mentioned that a character’s parent has a gambling addiction
– there are about 3 uses of some form of the ‘a’ word used to refer to a donkey & one mention of a character flipping another off
Review:
I loved this book! It was so much fun to see the friendship Anna and Ollie had a bit before they started their fake relationship. I loved that Ollie used the opportunity to care for Anna, even in some ways that she didn’t discover right away. I loved that Anna had some sort of romantic feelings for Ollie before the relationship idea was even brought up (though she didn’t realize that’s what they were at the time). I loved that the guys on the team pretty much already knew about Ollie’s ‘hidden’ crush and were thrilled to mess with him about it.
I am so excited that we’ll be getting more Renegades finding love, but I’m especially interested in finding out more about Dixon after this book!
Summary:
Anna loves the work she does for the Renegades, even if it isn’t what she went to school for. But when her dad gets into some trouble, Anna finds herself doing something really unexpected: agreeing to fake date her best friend Ollie. With his job on the line with the team’s owners and her father’s troubles, the solution is obvious and something Anna can do for the two best guys in her life. Even if it’s completely outside her comfort zone. But Anna is starting to discover that her feelings towards Ollie are anything but fake…
Ollie has been head over heels for his best friend forever, but hasn’t figured out a good way to tell her without possibly breaking their treasured friendship in the process. And just when he decides to go for it, she proposes a fake relationship to bring him good PR before he gets the chance. Though not ideal, maybe this can help Ollie show Anna just how much she means to him and test out the waters between them…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews