Hoax and Kisses: A Small Town, Fake-Dating Romance

When in Pine Falls #1

by Elodie Colliard

He swore never to fall for a city girl again. She's on a mission to charm his small town.

MATT BECKER is stretched thin. Running his flower shop solo is a full-time job, but now he’s also tasked with caring for his teenage sister while their parents are away. With her expensive new school draining his savings, Matt’s barely keeping his head above water. He needs money—and fast.

Groomed to inherit her father’s hotel empire, ZOEY DELACROIX is finally poised to take the reins. But first, she must convince shareholders she’s got what it takes and silence her own doubts. Her plan? Secure a piece of land in the town where her father once failed. Falling for a local? Definitely not part of it.

When a crucial town vote spirals into disaster and her reputation takes a hit, Zoey finds an unexpected Matt. He suggests a fake relationship to win back the town’s favor in exchange for a spot in her small business investment program. It’s strictly business… until it isn’t. Matt never expected the spoiled city girl to fit so easily into his world. And Zoey never questioned the future set for her until she began picturing a life that looked a lot more like his.

As lines blur and real feelings get tangled in their fake romance, Matt and Zoey must find the nerve to rewrite their future or risk losing the one thing they never saw a shot at love.

In this cozy small-town romance where The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, HOAX AND KISSES explores the path to self-discovery and the unexpected connections that bloom along the way. Steamy and soul-stirring, this story is a tribute to the kind of love that sneaks up on you and never lets go.

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Enemies To Lovers

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Elodie Colliard is a Canadian and French romance author. She currently lives in Montreal with her two very needy cats and her romance-worthy partner.

An avid reader (and dreamer) since childhood, she never gets tired of watching people fall in love. After all, she's a Cancer through and through, and emotions are her specialty.

When she’s not immersed in reading or working her other full-time job in politics, you can find Elodie crocheting, cuddling with her cats or behind her keyboard, creating the heartfelt, empowering love stories everyone can dream of.

Reviews

[rei ‧₊˚✩彡 · Rating 4 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 4 stars!

happy publishing day to hoax and kisses! 🩷💋

first book i’ve read by elodie colliard, and it definitely won’t be the last! I genuinely think that you could never go wrong with small-town romances and this book proves that!

౨ৎ zoey. she is honestly such a strong and resilient woman. imagine having to constantly push yourself just to meet your father's expectations—trying so hard to make him proud that it eventually leads to an existential crisis. she’s incredibly career-driven, dedicated to her goals, and it’s truly unfortunate that her father can’t recognize or appreciate that. i really feel for her because it’s clear she’s trying so hard to gain his approval, but no matter what she does, he just won’t acknowledge her efforts. she deserves so much more than that.

౨ৎ matt. okay, seriously—why was matt such a jerk in the first few chapters?! i honestly couldn’t stand him at first because of how terrible he was. i remember thinking, “there’s absolutely no way i’ll ever like this guy.” and maybe i ate up my words, but still, i can’t help but feel annoyed about how he acted in the beginning.

the book leans heavily into the insta-love trope, so if that’s not your thing, it might not be the best fit. however, if you’re going through a reading slump, this could be the kind of light and easy read that pulls you back into reading again. one of the strongest elements of the story is its small-town setting, where the sense of community truly shines. everyone looks out for each other, lends a hand when needed, and warmly welcomes newcomers, which adds a cozy and heartwarming layer to the plot. another standout aspect is the autism representation. it highlights that autism isn’t something to be fixed or pitied—it simply means someone experiences the world in a different, but equally valid, way.

overall, this was a comforting and feel-good read. zoey’s journey of self-discovery and her evolving relationship with matt were both compelling, and i’m excited for the following books of this series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・

pre-read:

got the arc for this book! i’m so excited to start because the cover is so so so pretty i love pink sm 💞! wish me luck for this one <3

[fadheela ♡ (I'm back!!!!)]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

⤿💌 25/08/25
yelp, this girl is fashionably late yet once again to read her arc 😌 this is releasing tomorrow so viola here I am!🙋🏻‍♀️ I loved seeing Matt briefly in Unbearably Yours, so I can't finally wait to fully meet his broody side in this one!!🤭💘

P.S. much thank you to the sweetest author for reaching out to me about the arc, because I had no idea it was releasing this year!! like wdym she remembered I exist?😭

[emelie &#x1d717;&#x1d71a;⋆₊˚ (exams!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 𝟒.𝟎𝟎₊˚⊹🌸 𝟘𝟟/𝟚𝟛/𝟚𝟝—𝟘𝟟/𝟚𝟜/𝟚𝟝
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.”

i usually don’t start reviews off with quotes but i had too for this one because it was just too good 🥺!! if a man said that to me i would fold immediately!

this was the perfect pallet cleanser and a great choice for my first ever arc (eek)! i loved that while it focused primarily on the romance it was led by a plot leaving the story to feel more “deep” than just a regular old romance novel.

the meet cute reminded me of a funny 2000s movie and had so many laugh out loud moments! if your wanting a small town feel almost *identical* to gilmore girls than you need to give this a try!

the pacing was also great and i loved the relationship between matt and zoé! it was so fun to see their relationship so naturally bloom from just fake dating to lust to genuine love and attraction! while it was set in a short time frame it didn’t feel too rushed or too insta-lovey whatsoever.

my only complaints would be i would have preferred it too be a bit longer when it came down to the beginning moments of their relationship just too fully flesh it out further (since this was less than 300 pages). but overall, great pallet cleanser read and very bingeable for the spring! 🌷🌸

much thanks to netgalley and victory editing netgalley co-op for this arc!

publication date: 08/26/25

𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝟒.𝟎𝟎 🌸
𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕: 𝟒.𝟎𝟎

╰┈➤ tropes to expect!
🌸 small town
౨ৎ rich city girl/small town boy
🌸 rivals to lovers
౨ৎ slow-burn
🌸deals made
౨ৎ open door romance

₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
guess who started her first arc on netgalley?! 👀💗
the cover for this is so cute so i can’t wait to read this!

[Paige (I’m back? maybe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

rtc

in my cutesy romance era 🥰 thank you netgalley & the author for the arc

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this is THE contemporary romance of the year (thus far)! This rivals-to-lovers fake-dating romcom takes the unconventional city girl meets small-town boy trope and plays it out in the most adorable and heartwarming way. 💐🩷 For fans of Tessa Bailey and Emily Henry.

He covers my hand with his, threading our fingers together, before bringing my arm to rest around his neck. “This was never supposed to happen,” he murmurs. “You were never supposed to be more than a one-time thing. A business arrangement and then back to our separate lives.” He cups my cheek with a tenderness that makes my chest pull tight. “Why did you have to become so damn important to me?”
I rise onto my tiptoes. “Why did you have to be everything I never knew I needed?”
Without another second’s hesitation, I kiss him.

[ Contains some spoilers ]

PLOT SUMMARY
32-year-old Zoey Delacroix is head of the business development team at her father’s hotel empire. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend of 2 years Jake has been cheating on her with her best friend Lauren for six months.

Zoey’s father plans to retire and his shareholders aren’t convinced she can take over. Determined to prove them wrong, she decides to go from Vancouver to Pine Falls to build a lodge hotel. She has just 3 weeks to win over the skeptical townspeople and succeed where her father failed 2 years ago.

Nearly getting run over by and having a one-night stand with a gruff but handsome stranger upon her arrival was not on her bingo card. 30-year-old florist Matt Becker recently gave up a business opportunity to look after his autistic sister Daphne while his parents go on holiday, and is struggling to pay her school funds. He is betrayed to find that the woman he slept with is in fact the daughter of Oscar Marchiatto who wanted to destroy the town with his resort.

Matt feels guilty after insulting Zoey and rallying folk against her at the town meeting and wants to make things up to her. Together they come up with an idea that will benefit both of them: Zoey and Matt will fake date each other. Through Matt’s influence, as he and his flower shop is so beloved by everyone, he can encourage people to vote for Zoey’s lodge idea; through Zoey’s influence, Matt can get an interview to join her mentorship program to help him expand his business and get the money to afford the school funds.

But what happens when boundaries are crossed, the line between real and pretend are blurred, and the real reason behind her father’s interest in Pine Falls threatens to tear them apart?

“No one has ever noticed that before,” she says thickly.
I lean closer, my chest pounding, and stroke her cheek again, as if this small touch could somehow coax her closer. “I do. I notice everything about you.”

This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Zoey and Matt.

OVERALL OPINIONS
ㅤ🎀🌸 the allure 🌸🎀
I was already sold the moment I read the blurb, right: a small-town guy who runs a flower shop fake dates a city girl? I mean hellooo, that is super cute! I adore the idea of a macho man in a more feminine profession – especially when we have a lot of the opposite happening right now in books with women in male-dominated industries, like STEM. This makes a really interesting and refreshing change (and who doesn’t love a secure man?).

But what really sold me was the dedication page itself. It really struck a chord for me and I somehow knew before I’d even read the book itself that this was going to be a 5-star:

For those who dare to be their true selves around the people who are supposed to uplift them, only to be met with silence, judgment, or rejection.
Your worth is not defined by others’ inability to understand you. You deserve to be seen, accepted, and celebrated just as you are.

Indeed, this book is a love letter from Colliard herself to anyone who has ever felt unseen. Parts of Zoey and Matt resonated with me: desiring to make parents proud, having dreams put on hold for family, having responsibilities looking after a sibling. The betrayal in discovering your ex cheated on you with your best friend? Oldest story there is – unfortunately been there, done that (and these jerks always have a name beginning with J, don’t they?). I love the parallels they have with their family/parent dynamic.

ㅤ🎀🌸 the writing 🌸🎀
Elodie Colliard, stop writing beautiful sentences and moments, I cannot possibly read this book without highlighting everything (Seriously, don’t actually stop, please continue!). What makes her writing so captivating is her ability to blend wit with profound emotional depth. Zoey and Matt are far more than one-dimensional characters; their arcs are so well-developed that they feel truly three-dimensional.

One of my absolute favourite moments is when Zoey asks Matt to choose flowers for her for a bouquet. It is so nicely done and this was what SEALED my approval of this book and man. He sees her for who she is. It’s in these quiet moments that the writing truly shines:

I bury my nose in the flowers and inhale the multitude of scents until my muscles loosen and the knot in my throat—one I didn’t realize even existed—dissolves… Finally, I look up, finding Matt watching me. An emotion flits over his face, but I’m not fast enough to decipher it before it’s gone.
“Lavender and freesias for calm when your days get too intense; lilies for confidence, when you need that extra boost; and alstroemeria for support when you feel alone,” he says, his voice soft.
His words land too close. My stomach knots, and I look away before he can realize how true they’ve hit. How did he see the feelings I’ve been working so hard to keep at bay?
“Zoey?”
I meet his gaze. “How did you know?”
He shrugs, his mouth ticking up a fraction. “I’m good at my job.” He says this like it’s every florist’s job to know exactly who their clients are and what they need, but the reality is that this man pays attention.

ㅤ🎀🌸 the representation 🌸🎀
Not only are Zoey and Matt seen and loved in ways nobody else has bothered to, but there is the beautiful inclusion of Matt’s little sister, Daphne, who has autism. Neurodiversity representation is arguably one of the most difficult things to do because it is such a wide spectrum, as Colliard herself mentions in her author’s notes. As someone who has an autistic sister, I could see aspects of her, particularly the stims and meltdowns. This has been very well researched.

There was such a touching and beautiful moment between Daphne’s mother and Zoey where she confesses she doesn’t understand Daphne though clearly wishes she could. And there are days where I really do relate to this.

“Start by listening to her,” I say softly. “Not just to what she says, but to how she moves through the world. Her cues, her rhythms. You won’t be perfect the first time, and you *will* make mistakes. But Daph will see that you’re trying. And she’ll love you even more for it, for choosing to understand her, even when it’s hard.”

I commend Elodie Colliard for her efforts as it really is no easy feat, and this made the found family all the more moving. I kid you not, I burst into tears when Daphne defends Zoey in the town hall and has a meltdown over the situation! That’s the third book this year that’s made me cry – and it’s always a pink cover (Note to self: if I see a book with a pink cover, bring tissues!).

ㅤ🎀🌸 similar works 🌸🎀
This gave me similar vibes to Book Lovers by Emily Henry and It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey.

Like Book Lovers, this novel has a strong focus on the characters’ inner struggles and personal growth. Both the main female characters have the city girl archetype who grapple with their identity: Zoey has the pressure of pleasing her family and finding who she is when she’s not in her father’s shadow; Nora has to confront her own workaholism and what she truly wants in life.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey had the city girl in a small town trope, a grumpy but soft-hearted man, and a found family dynamic. The chemistry between Zoey and Matt is similar to Piper and Brendan with just as much spice, but what sets this story apart is the depth. Unlike Piper, Zoey is a protagonist I could instantly connect with, which made the romance all the more powerful. Plus, Zoey is somebody I can stand far better (Piper was so annoying haha).

ㅤ🎀🌸 to conclude 🌸🎀
I absolutely loved this! While some of the ending felt rushed and it might have been nice to expand on some of the characters to get that true sense of community, I can personally overlook this. I look forward to the next instalment in the Pine Fall series.

<< Positives >>
🠚 The cover (obviously).
🠚 The chapter header images: Zoey has a bouquet; Matt has hanging flowers.
🠚 The paragraph dividers are daisies, Matt’s favourite (which symbolise new beginnings).
🠚 Maturity of Zoey and Matt: their openness, the way they talk things out. Acting their age. No drama.
🠚 Author realistically in tune with how her characters feel (Zoey laughing, and she literally admits to herself that this caught her off guard because it’s been a while)
🠚 Unique take on tropes.
🠚 Good, early tension between main characters.
🠚 Beautiful, profound emotional writing.
🠚 Character depth and development.
🠚 Accurate neurodiversity representation.
🠚 Heartfelt, relatable themes.
🠚 Perfectly written found family.
🠚 Witty, emotionally resonant banter.
🠚 No third-act breakup.
🠚 Excellent plot twist!
🠚 Bonus points for the LOTR reference: “You shall not pass” sign on Daphne’s bedroom door.
🠚 One Last Chapter as a name of a bookshop is brilliant.

<< Negatives >>
🠚 The ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to have seen more of Zoey learning about what her father has done behind her back.
🠚 A missed opportunity of having more language of the flowers, where for example Matt keeps giving her a particular flower and she doesn’t understand its significance til later (potentially a daisy).
🠚 Another missed opportunity where Matt stores away the info of Zoey speaking French. Something should have been done with this information. What if, potentially, Zoey starts speaking/swearing in French in the bedroom?
🠚 Could expand on side characters. Zoey’s mother especially is a tiny blip in the story, she barely appears, and I think it would have made the epilogue even more impactful when Zoey tells her about the Pine Falls saga and they cry on the phone for hours.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Zoey꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ When she said “What’s it like? Knowing you have people who will always be there for you?” I felt a pang in my chest because unfortunately (outwith family) that can be me sometimes. Her cliché ex-bf arc is so relatable to me haha. Also I understand how overwhelming it can be when you’re in a new situation so don’t know what to choose. I love how the little things make her emotional, like when she doesn’t remember the last time she had hot chocolate.
🠚 I like how she isn’t afraid to call out Matt for his behaviour, and I love when she stands up to her father. As she should! Her arc is one of the best things in this story, aside from the romance.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Matt꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Not to be dramatic, but I would give anything for Matt. Anything! Nothing hits better than a green flag man after a red flag one. I knew the moment he interacted with Daphne I would love him, but the bouquet scene did it for me. I love how he notices all the little things about people (probably because of him tuning into all the cues of Daphne), and how protective he is of his sister. He learns how to pronounce Zoey’s name properly! Help. He is like all the love languages combined.
🠚 I understand the situation he was in where his family was too complicated for someone he cared about. I’m scared of that a lot of the time.
🠚 The permission! What a welcome he gave Zoey to the town dayum and then all the chemistry afterwards.
🠚 The only time I didn’t like him was the town meeting but then he takes accountability for his actions so I accept it.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Lola is brilliant, I love her! I would absolutely go to her store if it existed for spicy recommendations. I love the way she’s like “As a romance bookstore owner, I’m an expert in the subject, and if I say [fake dating] works, then it works.” Rosie is sweet, I wish we got more of her.

FAV QUOTES
• Gripping the podium, I pull myself straighter. He thinks he’s the first man ever to try to intimidate me? In this line of work? Think again.
• Matt takes my fingers in his, flipping them so my palm faces down. Before I can put two and two together, he brings them to his lips and drops a kiss there. “Nice to meet you, Zoey. I’m Matt.” His touch sends an electric pulse down my arm, heat radiating from where his lips were a second ago. Still hovering above my hand, his beard caressing my skin, he looks up at me from beneath thick lashes, his attention setting my face on fire. Oh, this man is trouble. Big, big trouble.
• “Do you expect me to beg for it, then?” I say, popped up on my toes, my lips inches from his. | He leans in, his mouth grazing the shell of my ear, his warm breath causing my skin to erupt into thousands of shivers that head straight to my core. “I think I’ll kiss you regardless of whether you beg,” he whispers.
• Does she notice how much she affects me? The way she stands, the way she moves—every little detail draws me in, pulls at something inside me I don’t want to acknowledge. It travels to my hands, through my chest, in my jaw. It’s a tension that won’t shake loose. I’m just standing here, wanting, aching, wishing I could do something… anything.
• I don’t know how it’s possible, but time slows, as if the universe knows how desperately I want to savor this moment. For a few quiet beats, it’s just Zoey. The real Zoey. A version of her I don’t think she’s ever realized exists. And I’m the lucky bastard who gets to experience her like this. It’s enough to make my chest a little tight.
• I inch a step closer, wrapping my arm around her waist. “I want to take my time. I want to taste you properly. Savor everything you give me until I’m not starving anymore. I want to explore you until I can draw maps of your body from memory.” I ghost my lips against hers. “Let me fuck you slow and deep for hours and then hold you while you sleep.”
• The kiss I press to her mouth is full of all the tenderness she deserves. She should always be kissed like this. Like she’s someone’s most precious treasure. And I would give anything for that someone to be me.
• “It’s a fucking privilege to get to share this life with you.”
• “I’ve been alone for so long. It seems impossible sometimes to picture a life where I’m not. Where I’m happy. Where I do what I love. Where I can truly be myself. The price always seemed too high to pay.” I press a featherlight kiss on his lips. “It isn’t with you. Losing you would be so much worse.”
• He pulls me to him, or maybe he’s pulling me in. I’m not sure anymore. Sometimes I can’t tell where his craving ends and mine begins.
• *Home*. The word sinks into my heart with a softness that makes me dizzy. That single word feels so right. And it has nothing to do with his place. It’s him. He’s my home. Home is his steady heartbeat and his warm hands on my skin. It’s the slow mornings wrapped in blankets and the cozy nights bundled next to him on the couch. It’s the scent of his shirt that soothes me after an exhausting day, and the rhythm of his breathing as he sleeps beside me. It’s his name on my lips as I come undone in his arms. As he leads me toward the door, his hand on the small of my back, he has no idea how my world just reoriented itself around his.
• It’s true that the store looks like a vision out of a fairy tale, with all the greenery and lights dancing like fireflies. But the woman standing in the middle makes it downright magical. Enchanting.
• Humming, I kiss the tip of her nose. “I think you and I were meant to meet at this exact moment in our lives. Neither of us would have been ready for such a profound change if it had come a few years ago.” I swallow, a steady current running through me. “You altered my brain chemistry. My body responds to you in a way I’ve never known. You were meant to happen to me at this very moment. To prove to me that I could trust someone with my heart again. That I have the right to be happy. And I was meant to happen to you now too. To show you that you deserve a love that’s honest and unconditional.”

══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Elodie Colliard, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

[Eleanor]

I mean just look at that cover!

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at 30%

i am typically all for “grumpy” characters but i absolutely draw the line at the way matt acts. he is mean and erratic, i feel like one moment hes reeling me in just to push me off a cliff in the next. i was really hoping to love this one but i cannot get on board with how this man acts, if i were zoey i would literally always be on edge and walking on egg shells not knowing what’ll set this man off next.

as i am in the minority of not liking this book it very well may just be that its not for me but i cannot for the life of me find anything romantic about this man or any redeeming qualities that would make it worth continuing this book.

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the best love lessons come with flowers, community drama, and a little harmless pretending.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

Zoey is a workaholic whose world is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best friend. After the breakup, she buries herself even more in her work, determined to prove that she is capable of taking over her dad’s business. When the board begins questioning her readiness and considering other candidates, she travels to 🌲 Pine Falls🌲 to develop a new business plan and show that she has the skills, vision, and determination to earn their approval.

Matt was a bright spot throughout the story. He owns a flower shop and is suddenly tasked with caring for his younger sister while his parents are out of town, which forces him to put an important business opportunity on hold. He is hardworking, patient, and genuinely kind, but he’s also fiercely protective of his town. This protectiveness is why he initially treats Zoey badly, letting past conflicts with her father affect how he responds to her.

After a failed vote in town caused by Matt’s initial defensiveness, he suggests they pretend to date to help Zoey win over the community. His influence and reputation in town make this a strategic move, giving Zoey a chance to show her dedication and intentions, while also repairing the tension his earlier actions created. (we all know how this trope always ends 🤭)

At the start, I struggled to connect with Zoey. She came across as immature at times and often avoided taking responsibility for her actions. That said, learning about her childhood and how her sense of worth had been tied to her skills helped me understand her journey and empathize with her growth. It was satisfying to see her slowly discover that life could have meaning beyond work and meeting someone else’s expectations. 🩷

Matt’s younger sister, who is autistic, was written beautifully. 💙💙 Her representation felt authentic and nuanced, never overbearing to the story, and it highlighted autism awareness in a natural and respectful way. Watching Matt interact with her—with patience, understanding, and love—was one of my favorite parts of the book. It added depth to his character and made the story feel more inclusive.

The romance had its ups and downs for me. Zoey and Matt’s one-night stand at the beginning was meant to feel monumental, but the story didn’t spend much time emphasizing the moment, so when they later acted like it had changed everything… it was hard to fully believe. Their rough start created a promising slow burn, but once they got together, the pace felt rushed and the emotional depth during and immediately after their coming together was lacking. That said, I still enjoyed seeing Matt show Zoey that she was worth being loved and cherished. His guidance, care, and the way he helped her find meaning outside of work was one of my favorite aspects of the story.

One of the reasons I didn’t give this book five stars is that the beginning was hard for me to connect to. Zoey’s character and the early story felt rough, and it took a while for me to fully get invested. The book definitely improved as I continued reading, and I liked it a lot more by the end, but that initial section slowed my connection.

Despite a rocky start, the story grew on me, and by the end I was way more invested in Zoey and Matt’s journey. Between the charming small-town setting, meaningful character growth, and tender moments of love and connection, it left me with a warm heartfelt feeling.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

She tilts her head back, and it's like my whole
world tilts with her.

"What?" she asks, her laugh fading in the breeze.

I swallow, my breath hitching in my throat. "Do it
again," I whisper, steadying her.

She searches my face, her brows pulled low in
question. "Do what?"

"I want to hear you laugh again."

Her frown deepens, her smile faltering. "I laugh
all the time."

I trace my thumb gently across her cheek, soaking in the heat of her skin. "Not like this. Not with your whole heart."

I’M ACTUALLY SWOONING AHHH

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

💐 autism awareness
💐 no third act breakup
💐 fake dating
💐 found family
💐 dual pov

A huge thank you to Elodie Colliard for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

──────────

・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

i’m obsessed with this cover ngl. the pastels, the art… everything! can’t wait 💓

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*

4.25 out of 5 stars!

I’ve been an obsessive (in the most fangirlish positive way) reader of Elodie Colliard’s books ever since she announced her debut novel. The minute I finished that book, I knew she became an instant-read author for me and a new favorite contemporary romance author.

Without doubt I enjoyed reading her latest book Hoax and Kisses. It was so easy to get into from the prologue, and the story just kept me hooked all the way through. I loved the small-town vibes, the found family theme, and of course the romance that was both sweet and swoony.

There’s also the microtrope of an older sibling taking care of the younger one, and I’m absolutely head over heels for it. It’s one of my favorites and it always makes the story feel even sweeter.

Elodie never disappoints, and this book just reminded me again why her works are one of my favorites.

[ri ⊹.˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

hoax and kisses
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌗ jul. 25 - jul. 26
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⤿ 3.5 stars

༉ thoughts - spoilers ahead

this book is like a hallmark movie with the big shot city business person falling for the small town hero just minus christmas and i loved reading it.

this story was enjoyable, i wasn’t a huge fan of the insta-love/lust but i really enjoyed the couple. i also enjoyed the small town aspect of the whole thing and how even when things ended differently she still found a way to make it right.

zoe being the businesswoman was a really fun part of the story, especially because she really seemed to really cared how she impacted the people. i was so glad when she finally decided to take the reins of her own life and stop pleasing her father. her dads ending was also satisfying and he totally got what he deserved. her love for the town grew in a very organic way which i loved and honestly she really did care even when she had just gotten there.

matt, he was honestly so sweet once we got past the rudeness. i really didn’t like his mom but i am glad she had her character development. i feel like while matt was a great brother he still was too responsible for a child that wasn’t his even if it was his sister and only for a month. his role as a brother very quickly turned into the role of caretaker in the eyes of his parent and I did not like that. while i semi-understood his parents wanting a vacation i feel like they should have prioritized their literal child.

i really loved seeing autistic representation in books, i feel like it’s one of the many topics that should be more talked about. daphne was honestly such a great character and addition to the story, i loved her. the amount of this she knew about flowers was my favorite thing about her and she really seemed to love it and it gave her confidence and comfort. the care that her brother had for her was heartwarming and their sibling relationship was incredible.

the story was amazing especially for a cozy, reliable and light read. i honestly look forward to the rest of the series in this universe.

༉‧₊˚. pre - read

super intrigued when i first read the description of this book. i also absolutely love the cover and title and in actually super excited to read this !!

ⓘ thank you netgalley & victory editing for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Hayo ౨ৎ (semi-ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey, oh, Zoey… how precious you are.
This was SO GOOD oh my god. And Matt? I have NOTHING appropriate to say.




Pre-Read ｡𖦹°‧:
Just got my arc!!<33 The cover is SO CUTE OMG


(Thank you NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this arc)

[ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had all the makings of a cozy small town romance, fake dating, city girl vs. grumpy local, Gilmore Girls vibes and I was here for it. But whew… Matt came in swinging with the attitude for no real reason. Like sir, calm down she’s just existing. I eventually warmed up to him, but the end started dragging so much I felt like I was fake dating this book just to get through it. Still, there were some sweet moments and small town charm sprinkled in, so if you like your romance with a side of grumpy florist and business drama, it’s worth a shot.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc💗

[Elodie Colliard · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sunshine boy who’d fight the world to protect his sister and spends his days showering his city girl with flowers 😮‍💨🩷

Matt & Zoey are yours 💐

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔ A flower shop owner + the city girl who has appeared in his small town °❀⋆.ೃ࿔

Think all the flowers aesthetic, small town setting, fake dating. Hoax and Kisses is everything you want in a book! It's spicy, swoon-worthy, and heart-warming. Definitely give it a try when it comes out ˚.🎀༘⋆

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake Dating

🌺 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cute book! Honestly, it gave total Hallmark vibes and I loved it. Hoax and Kisses is definitely a cozy and feel good read.

Zoey is determined to prove herself by taking over her father’s hotel empire. And she is a total city girl. Then you have Matt, the local florist barely keeping things afloat while supporting his younger sister’s education. Their fake dating arrangement turns into something much more. And the spice scenes were 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I adored Matt (even if he was a bit grumpy at first), and really loved the quirky small town setting. I also thought Daphne, Matt’s younger sister, was represented well.

My hot take is that all the parents sucked. Both Matt’s and Zoey’s 😤😤😤

🩷 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Fake dating
• Small town vibes
• Florist MMC
• City girl FMC
• Reluctant allies
• Found family
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 26, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

”My mind will forever recall The Day I Kissed Zoey Delacroix. Kind of like those pivotal events where, decades later, you still remember exactly what happened. A before and an after. A turning point where once you’ve tipped over to the other side, nothing can ever be the same again. Kissing Zoey felt like that. A defining moment in my life. A permanent mark on my timeline. I didn’t want it to end.”

It was nostalgic revisiting Pine Falls with its ambient small-town charm. I’ve read a few books by Elodie before, and, unsurprisingly, I was bewitched by the familiarity of her pen, and how I once again fell for a character who had started as an intriguing, mysterious secondary figure.

Zoey is a successful businesswoman determined to prove herself to her father. her latest mission? convince a small town to sell land for a hotel project. when her polished corporate talk falls flat, she strikes a deal with Matt, the local flower shop owner: a fake-dating arrangement meant to win the town’s trust. what neither expects is how quickly the lines between pretending and reality blur.

the narrative orchestrated the classic 00’s romcom card — “corporate city girl in heels, stuck in a small town, clashing instantly with the grumpy local” — and at first, that’s exactly what it felt like. but somewhere between the sharp first impressions and the quiet, unguarded moments that followed, I started to see them soften toward each other.

Matt’s patience, his deep roots in the community, his devotion to his sister; all of it slowly chipped at Zoey’s walls. and Zoey wasn’t who he thought she was: she listened, she cared, she didn’t flinch at the parts of his life others judged. especially his thirteen-year-old autistic sister, who, without trying, became the thread pulling them closer.

watching Zoey with her made me love her too; it was never forced, only genuine warmth. and watching Matt realise that his small-town world could hold more than he’d allowed himself to dream was quietly beautiful.

I loved their romance : visible, tender, and utterly unapologetic. If you’re into heartwarming love stories, this one is for you.

many thanks to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review 💖

[Grecia Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes

🎭 Fake Dating
🏡 Small Town Romance
🌱 Personal Growth
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn + Steamy Moments🧁 Found Family vibes
💕 Opposites Attract


Hoax and Kisses nos lleva a Pine Falls, un pueblito adorable donde las flores, los chismes y las segundas oportunidades florecen al mismo ritmo.
Matt, dueño de una florería y hermano mayor sobrecargado, está haciendo malabares para mantener su negocio, pagar la nueva escuela de su hermana y sobrevivir emocionalmente. Básicamente, está a un cafecito de la crisis existencial.
Zoey, en cambio, llega desde la ciudad con un objetivo clarísimo: demostrar que puede tomar el control del imperio hotelero de su padre… aunque por dentro esté llena de dudas que jamás admitiría.

Cuando un voto del pueblo sale mal y su reputación queda por los suelos, Matt le ofrece un trato que ninguno vio venir: una relación falsa que la ayude a encajar en el pueblo a cambio de un espacio en su programa de inversión. Fácil, profesional, sin emociones… claro… hasta que aparecen las emociones.


Personajes

Zoey es un personaje precioso: inteligente, ambiciosa, pero también vulnerable y hambrienta de aprobación. Su viaje personal es de lo mejor del libro: ver cómo deja de vivir para complacer a su papá y empieza a reconectar con sus sueños reales, con lo que ella quiere, no con lo que se supone que debería querer.

Matt es el típico hombre de pueblo que no debería ser tan adorable. Trabajador, protector, un poquito grumpy, pero con un corazón que se derrite por las personas que ama. Y aunque jura que jamás volverá a enamorarse de una chica de ciudad… Zoey le complica la vida en el mejor sentido.


Relación

La química entre ellos es deliciosa. Sus interacciones tienen esa mezcla perfecta de tensión, humor, coqueteo torpe y momentos que te hacen suspirar. Lo que empieza como un acuerdo estratégico se convierte poco a poco en algo mucho más íntimo: ellos se ven, se entienden, se acompañan en sus inseguridades… y terminan siendo exactamente lo que el otro necesitaba.

El romance crece lento pero seguro, con escenas tiernas, otras más intensas, y muchas que te hacen gritar “¡solo bésense ya!”. Además, ambos aportan algo al crecimiento del otro sin perder su individualidad, lo cual se siente muy sano y muy real.

Conclusión

Hoax and Kisses es un romance cálido, reconfortante y lleno de corazón. Una historia sobre encontrarte a ti misma, sanar heridas familiares y descubrir que a veces la vida que creías querer no es la que te hace feliz.

Entre su vibe cozy tipo Gilmore Girls, el encanto del small town, un fake dating que se sale de control y unos protagonistas con una química preciosa, este libro es una lectura que te deja sonriendo y con el corazón suavecito.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoax and kisses by Elodie Colliard
ARC from Victory Editing \ Elodie
Release: Aug 26th 2025
-Elodie has me already tearing up with the authors note 🥹😭🫶🏾💋
-her ex can kiss my ass
-Zoey is a boss ass b*tch I love her she is determined PERIOD
-Matt sounds so adorable especially with his sister, I’m happy to see the autism rep and awareness
-their first interaction 🤣🥹🫶🏾
-I love the fall vibes with the cabin and small town
-Matt seems cold but I can tell he’s a teddy bear and cares a lot 🥰
-their sexual tension is crazyyy ouffff the spice ouuu Matt takes cares and validates her while getting naughty it’s so hot geez
-Matt’s passion for flowers is beautiful. I want a personalized bouquet from him 🥹😭💐
“Lavender and freesias for calm when your days get too intense, lilies for confidence, when you need that extra boost and alstroemeria for support when you feel alone” I NEED THIS MAN
-so many movie moments the auction, the different small businesses in the town, running in the rain, movie night, their small interactions is EVERYTHING
-the way their walls come down when they are together I’m obsessed with them ❤️‍🔥, they have healed but also have become the best version of themselves together
-this book was EVERYTHING MATT IS MY DREAM MAN ELODIE HAS ME DELULU FOR A FICTIONAL MAN 😩❤️‍🔥😭🥹📚
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[✨Jessica✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I could never see you again, and I’d be perfectly fine with that. I don’t even like you.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Hoax and Kisses is the latest installment from Elodie Colliard. If you read her last book, you will appreciate the Pine Falls settings and come across many familiar characters. This story can be read alone though.

Zoey and Matt are so sweet. They both are carrying a lot of hurt and baggage that makes it hard for them to let someone in. They don’t get off to a great start when Zoey first shows up in Pine Falls, but one thing leads to another which leads to a one night stand.

Zoey is trying to convince the residents to get on board with building a resort, but the community has major reservations about this due to her dad trying to push a project through a while back. When she first approaches the subject, Matt completely sabotages her. He feels bad about this and as a peace offering and a way to correct it, they agreed to partner on her project.

The town hall meetings give me the feeling of the Gilmore girls with all the disgruntled residents sharing their commentary about everything.

Matt and Zoey’s relationship does progress quickly and there is no act break up. Everything is so sweet and I loved their relationship.

I had the privilege of beta reading this one. I loved it just as much rereading the arc 🌸💕 all opinions are my own.

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED Zoey & Matt & their story 🥹

Thank you Love Notes PR for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
🌷 one night stand
🌸 fake dating
🌷 rivals to lovers
🌸 city girl/fish out of water
🌷 florist mmc
🌸 autism rep (Matt’s sister)
🌷 small town
🌸 found family
🌷 Canadian author + setting
🌸 dual 1st person pov

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

ebook | ⭐️: 4.75 | 🌶️: 3 |

I loved everything about this one!

The dynamic between Zoey & Matt was fun from the start, the enemies-ish vibes to electric chemistry, to helping each other out by fake dating.
I loved how they warmed & opened up to each other, and how they both developed personally as their relationship grew.

It was tough to read how Matt’s mom spoke about/treated his sister Daphne, but having worked with many children on the autism spectrum, her reactions are sadly not uncommon.

I especially loved how Zoey interacted with Matt’s sister, and how his relationship with her almost gave “single guardian” energy.

this was just such a sweet, cozy, & spicy small town romance!

📖 Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard
📚 book 1 • When in Pine Falls series
💜: contemporary romance

*Connect with Me*
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[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Hoax and Kisses (When in Pine Falls Book 1)
Author(s): Elodie Colliard
Publisher(s): Self (Independent)
Publication Date: August 20, 2025
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? 🙅🏼‍♀️

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I knew right from the get-go that Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard was going to be a five-star read and I am happy to report, I was not disappointed. This one was a real gem that I was into from start to finish.

🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: The characters will completely steal your heart, and you won’t be able to get it back. I loved that Colliard included a neurodivergent character that is as sweet as she is blunt, and there is just so much personality packed into this fake dating romance. Fake dating happens to be my favorite trope, and it is done to perfection here. Matt and Zoey don’t mean for their situation to be more than a one-night stand so the relationship that blossoms from their fake facade is sure to put tears in your eyes if Daphne doesn’t first. I was teary-eyed for most of the book, and this was an emotional ride that never stopped giving.

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Hoax and Kisses (book 1 of a new series) appears to be a spinoff of Colliard’s It’s Always Been You series, and you had better believe I will be going back to read all 3 of those books now. I immediately fell in love with this author’s writing, and I promise that you will love every moment of this emotionally charged romance.

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🚿🏨🥹👠💐

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️.5

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so lovely and full of heart, a wholesome story about love, family, community, self-discovery, and tons of flowers 🌹 

Matt and Zoey have such a truly wonderful connection and I fell in love with their story. They're well rounded, relatable and their development was very well done, and Matt, our lumberjack-looking florist, is emotionally mature, loyal and a true romantic. Such a green flag!

I can't wait to see them make an appearance in future books!

An honourable mention to the setting - Pine Falls is for anyone who never left Stars Hollow 🍂 they give similar vibes and will instantly welcome you with open, cosy arms - you can't go wrong with charming little towns with big community spirit!

I love Elodie's writing so much, she's an author I've only recently discovered but will be a long-time reader and visitor of Pine Falls (hopefully this will be a long series, Elodie?) 

No need to read anything prior, however you'll love this more if you read her other books - especially 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 - as this is set in the same place with a cheeky appearance from Oliver and Charlee.

A warming book that will brighten your day, and pine for the great outdoors and small town life.

It's being marketed as '𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴' which is wonderfully accurate. Both are elite and this book mixes the best of both 🌸

✨ 𝘏𝘰𝘢𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 is out 26th August and will be available on Kindle Unlimited! ✨

many thanks to Love Notes PR for allowing me to read this early!

[Zaneb · Rating 5 out of 5]

zoey's dad was a major assole for the duration of this book. i would push him off a cliff and then have a nonalcoholic beverage to celebrate.

✨✨✨

slight spoilers ahead

i rooted for zoey from the very first chapter. with a shitty dad, a horrible ex, and awful friends, she had nowhere to truly belong. then she went to pine falls, and everything changed for her. her life had meaning again, and she finally found a place where she could be herself. i loved this development so much.

the townspeople were judgemental at times, rioting and screaming, and i wanted to cry with zoey when it happened. but they were also so forgiving and understanding. i loved that she won the town over in the end, and they loved her in return—except for patty ofc.

before the fake dating began, i both liked and disliked matt. he was protective of his town, which made him seem like a jerk. thankfully, he quickly redeemed himself, and i fell absolutely in love with him. plus he owns a flower stop ok.

matt's relationship with daphne was heartwarming and comforting. i loved how much he cared for her and how good he was at being her brother. their mum wasn't the best, but people can change, and deborah did as well. i still don’t completely like her, but with matt supporting daphne 100%, it’s okay that she’s not quite there yet. i don’t have many opinions about their dad; he seemed more passive—he did go on that holiday, after all.

the romance!!! pls.

ok, so the fact zoey and matt had a one night stand shook me. their chemistry was blazing hot 🔥🔥🔥
my favourite romance is slow burn, and for some reason i thought this would be one as well 🙈 not a huge fan of this trope in contemporary, but elodie colliard made it work anyway.

i love them. they definitely had that enemies-to-lovers vibe, but it was based on misunderstandings. once those were cleared up, they were then worried about trust and commitment. which??? it was done so well!! i never felt annoyed by their hesitation or inner monologues. you knew why they were having these issues, and because it's basically a hallmark movie, you just know it's going to be okay.

i will say that in the third act, i was waiting for something to go wrong—a breakup, a fight, anything that would make me want to throw my kindle. but nope! colliard avoided all miscommunications after their initial one, and instead, we got a very healthy and balanced relationship.

matt calling zoey by the right pronunciation—zoé—made me giggle and kick my feet. he was literally the only one besides her mum who did it. this man is so caring toward zoey, ready to catch her if she falls, holding her, loving her.

zoey getting along with daphne??? i want to hug her. it's the decent thing to do, but let's be real, the world sucks and even i am prone to judging. this was the moment that matt really fell in love with her 😭😭

elodie colliard is officially an author i want keep an eye on, and i'm definitely going to read her earlier works in the future.

thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the arc!!

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pero qué libro más bonito y no solo por su portada, la historia es de esas que te dejan con el corazón bonito.

La historia sigue a Zoey, una mujer de negocios que llega al pequeño pueblo de Pine Falls para demostrarle a su padre que puede tomar las riendas del negocio familiar (ya conocemos al padre por el libro Unbearably Yours, que está ambientado también en este pequeño pueblo y no nos cae bien) al llegar conoce a Matt y digamos que empezaron con el pie izquierdo pero también con el buen pie.

La historia es rápida, un poco caótica con todo lo que pasa al principio pero me encantó cada momento de eso (y digo caótico en el buen sentido por algunas acciones de Matt, así que vayan a leer este libro), el romance me gusto porque no hubo un gran drama entre ellos, me gusto que a pesar de que estaban fingiendo se estaban conociendo entre ellos y enamorándose un poquito más.

Fue una historia ligera, con temas serios pero bien tratados. Este es el segundo libro de la autora que leo y puedo decir que me está gustando mucho su forma de escribir, así que espero con ansias los demás libros en esta serie!

---

But what a beautiful book, and not just because of its cover. The story is one of those that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart.

The story follows Zoey, a businesswoman who arrives in the small town of Pine Falls to prove to her father that she can take over the family business (we already know the father from the book Unbearably Yours, which is also set in this small town, and we don't like him). Upon arriving, she meets Matt, and let's just say they got off on the wrong foot, but also on the right foot.

The story is fast-paced, a little chaotic with everything that happens at the beginning, but I loved every moment of it (and I mean chaotic in a good way because of some of Matt's actions, so go read this book). I liked the romance because there wasn't a lot of drama between them. I liked that even though they were pretending, they were getting to know each other and falling in love a little more.

It was a light story with serious themes that were well handled. This is the second book I've read by this author, and I can say that I really like her writing style, so I'm looking forward to the other books in this series!

📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[mythsandmoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Elodie Colliard for the arc!

This was a really solid read, and I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series, and possibly her previous book about Charlee.

It took me a bit to really get into the story, maybe 1/4 of the way or so, largely because none of the characters were particularly endearing when we meet them. Everybody seems kind of rude when they're first introduced, and I will say that some people actions oscillate so strongly from rude to pleasant that it was a little jarring. That said, once the plot starts really moving, and we spend a little more time with the characters, I found myself glued to the page.

The plot was really solid, I was constantly interested in what was happening, though the initial push for her to go to Pine Falls felt a little forced. It was a great balance of plot and character driven, and flowed well. And the conflict and drama never felt contrived or forced, which was a breath of fresh air honestly. I really bought into their personal struggles, and the development of their relationship. I did have some minor quibbles with certain inconsistencies in what the characters would say vs do, but they weren't too distracting.

The setting unfortunately detracted from the story in the very beginning for me because I am from BC, and live close to Vancouver, so the area is very familiar to me. Despite the author being Canadian, it didn't feel as though the she was particularly familiar with BC herself, evidenced in the way she spoke about places in relation to each other, and the general demeanor of the people we met. For one reason or another the characters all seemed to be super rude off the bat, without fail, and it was very jarring, because people tend to be very polite around here. It was also distracting when our main character said she was going to take a flight from Vancouver to BC. Girl, have I got news for you 😂

Overall, I flew through this book, and enjoyed it immensely. I love fake dating, and this totally delivered. The setting was super charming, though I think the found family aspects could have been stronger, since I really liked what little we saw of some of the side characters. I'm looking forward to reading some of their stories in the future!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:

Between their less than friendly first encounter, to Matt giving Zoey a lift to the house she’d rented in Pine Falls, sparks fly and they agree to a one-night-stand. It was supposed to be a “one-time thing” situation but when Zoey’s identity is made public and she finds herself being the town’s new favourite person they all “love to hate”. At the same time, Matt loses an opportunity to expand his growing business and the only way for him to achieve his goal is to partner with Zoey. Their fake dating arrangement was supposed to help them both achieve their goals and nothing more. Of course, those original sparks eventually give way to a full blown fire. With feelings and a sense of belonging thrown into the mix, will Matt and Zoey stick together and face adversity as a team? Or will they let their fears and insecurities tear them apart?

This book was HOT! But it was also full of heart and love and it felt like a love letter to a small town and close-knit community.

I liked how Zoey and Matt got to know each other through their dates. Matt’s relationship with his autistic teenage sister Daphne was adorable. He was the kindest and most patient big brother, which then translated to the way he interacted and treated Zoey as well. Matt and Zoey were meant to be and just waiting to happen. They helped each other face their fears and grow, creating a safe space for love to blossom. I very much enjoyed the cooperation between the characters, Matt’s friends and the community, when faced with a big problem to solve.

If you like a small town, soulmate coded romance, that is both sweet and spicy, then this is for you!

[Spice: 3/5]

[kaila | kd.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into this story-- probably about the 25% mark. I think it's partially because of Matt's mom. She frustrated me so much in the beginning I could have actually hit her tbh.

I love how much Matt loves his family and friends, and how he would do anything for them, especially his sister Daphne. I love her so much and I think she deserves the world. I think the autism representation with Daphne was written really well.

Zoey came in SWINGING at the beginning of the book, but honestly with the kind of father she has and what she has to deal with from him, I kinda get it. I loved that Matt helps soften her up and I love her relationship with Daphne.

The cover really got me because.. I mean.. LOOK AT IT. It's so gorgeous. I also did tell Elodie that I am forwarding her my therapy bill because I was SOBBING by the end of the story.

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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review. all thoughts are my own.

[kendy s · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR, Elodie Colliard, and Netgalley for this e-ARC. I will be giving my honest review.
Hoax and Kisses follows Unbearably Yours, taking place in Pine Falls and focusing on Matt. I would recommend reading Unbearably Yours first, but you don't have to. Matt, Pine Falls, and some background plot was introduced in Unbearably Yours. Matt has lived in this small town for most of his life with his parents and his younger sister. He has always been protective of his younger sister because she is neurodivergent. He ends up looking after her for a month, and has to juggle his responsibilities of his flower shop. Zoe comes from a wealthy family who owns a hotel chain. She wants to take over the business, but has to prove herself by sealing a hotel deal in Pine Falls. Zoe proposes to fake date Matt to help her with the hotel deal, and Matt agrees because it will benefit his business as well.
I had conflicted feelings about Zoe. She had all the stereotypes of a 'big city girl' in the beginning. She was unlikable to me at first. She did grow on me, but some of her trauma felt superficial. She definitely developed and grew as a person. I liked Matt's personality and he made me laugh. He brought out the best of everyone around him. His love for his little sister pulled on my heartstrings throughout the book. He was multidimensional; very strong and manly yet very in tune with his emotions. He was so down bad for Zoe from the beginning.
I would recommend Hoax and Kisses, but I personally like Unbearably Yours more.

[Sarah (Books_with_a_cuppa) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 1.5*

Unfortunately this book was not for me.

I really enjoyed the neurodivergent representation, through Matts little sister Daphne. The way her preferences and reactions were addressed in the book was handled with care and consideration. I loved Daphne as a character, and I loved how important she was to Matt.

I also really enjoyed the way Zoey’s backstory played into her character today. She was very single-focussed and never gave herself time for what she finds joy in. Seeing her journey through this, and by prioritising herself, it was a really nice angle to the story.

However, the pacing of the story felt off in places, events happen with little build up and it made them feel out of place at times. Their connection to each other felt too weak for me to become invested in their journey. They constantly doubt each other and what they really think, even though they have many conversations on it. I struggled with some of the editing, especially on some of the descriptions not always making sense.

Overall, I’m glad I read it and am very grateful for the opportunity to read and review.

[rita's book journal · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay, first things first: the cover is absolutely stunning. I’d like it framed, thanks.

even though this is technically the first book in the series, coming back to Pine Falls felt like coming home. Elodie’s written in this setting before, and to me, it has full-on Stars Hollow vibes. cozy, comforting, and filled with characters that feel like friends.

now, about Zoey and Matt… they really made my heart ache. both go through some tough stuff (different situations, but equally hard), and it felt like they were exactly what the other didn’t know they were missing. that whole “finding your North in a person” feeling? yea, Matt was that for Zoey. it was soft and emotional and made me tear up.

the side characters? ICONIC. warm, funny, and full of charm — they gave the story such vibrant energy. also, Daphne?! I adored her. the autistic rep felt natural and needed, and honestly, she added so much to the plot. I wish more authors handled it this well.

now… I have to be honest. I don’t like insta-love. and while this didn’t feel too rushed, the story does happen in a very short time frame. it left me doubting the depth of their connection a little, which was a shame because I loved them together. I just wanted a bit more build-up, more slow-burn, more “will-they-won’t-they” to really sink my teeth into. it’s the one thing that held it back from being a five-star read for me — but that’s totally a *me* problem.

💡 shoutout to healthy communication and no third-act breakup. I’m actually begging for more books like this, thank you.

Elodie’s writing continues to be everything I love: emotional, grounded, and beautiful in all the right ways. I didn’t want to stop reading — except adulting said otherwise. toxic.

💐 thank you to #netgalley and @elosreadingcorner for allowing me to read this arc before it hits stores on august 26th!