I agreed to fake date the grumpiest player in the league—and now I’m accidentally in love with him.
Logan Beck is a six-foot glacier in skates. All scowl, no charm
I’m the lucky PR specialist stuck fixing his mess.
To save his team, we fake date for the press. Smile pretty, hold hands, soften his reputation. Easy, right? Except nothing is easy about Logan.
We’re opposites in every way. He hates the spotlight. I shine in it.
But he starts carrying my coffee. Tucking protein bars into my bag. Noticing me.
His scowl starts to feel like home. And the fake kisses don’t feel fake anymore.
I’ve fallen for the grumpy hockey player.
Then a leak reveals the one thing he trusted me to keep private. The headlines call it good PR. He thinks I used him.
I might finally get the promotion I’ve worked so hard for— But it means nothing if I lose him. Sweet enough to make you sigh, and clean enough to share with your grandma--no steamy scenes, no salty language, just sweet romance.
This book reached out, grabbed me with both hands saying "READ ME," and didn't let go until the last period! Josie and Logan were fire and ice, and oh so much fun to watch as they maneuvered through their complicated "fake" romance. This book had me laughing so hard at all the snark, rubbing my chest at the warm, sentimental moments, crying at the sad ones, and hoping for the good ones. It was a rough waters, stormy up and down, all over in the best possible way, emotional read! If you can't tell, I LOVED this book so much! I wish there was another epilogue to know what happens even later down the line. I love these two and their world. I'm excited to see what happens with other players on Logan's hockey team!
How To Fake Date a Hockey Star by Susie Heart skated directly into my heart, checked me against the glass, and then offered me a cozy blanket and tea afterward. This sweet opposites-attract, fake-dating gem has officially secured a spot on my favorites shelf—and frankly? I’d give it a sixth star if Amazon would let me.
Josie Dale is a sunshiney PR powerhouse who wears her smile like armor. Logan Beck is a gruff, brooding hockey captain who would probably rather fight a bear than take a selfie. Naturally, the universe (and a PR disaster involving a charity auction fistfight—oops) shoves them together into a fake relationship. For twelve weeks, Josie manages Logan’s public image, and he manages… not to murder anyone with a glare. Growth!
What I loved:
Character depth: Their grump/sunshine personas are clever masks, and Susie Heart peels them back beautifully. Logan isn't just a grump—he's thoughtful, gentle, and quietly romantic. Josie isn't just bubbly—she's under pressure, ambitious, and deeply human.
Little gestures that made me swoon: Logan learning how Josie likes her tea? Packing protein bars for her? Noise-cancelling earbuds because crowds give her headaches? Sir, please calm down before I propose.
Pacing: For a short read (under 200 pages!), the emotional connection doesn’t feel rushed. The relationship builds organically, and you fall for them as they fall for each other.
Dual POV: We get both Josie and Logan’s perspectives, which means we get all the delicious internal panic from both sides. (Logan: “I hate her.” Also Logan: learns tea brewing techniques at 2am).
Susie Heart’s writing is heartfelt, witty, and clean—no spicy scenes, no swearing—just pure, sweet, swoony goodness that I could hand to my grandma or my group chat. I laughed out loud, I cried (happy and sad tears, thank you very much), and I had that warm, content sigh at the end that only truly delightful romances deliver.
Final Verdict: This is a fake-dating, hockey-romance delight with all the feels, zero cringe, and maximum heart. Josie and Logan are couple goals—even if they fake-dated their way into it. Highly recommend, instant re-read material. Susie Heart, please write faster.
Now excuse me while I go hug this book and daydream about grumpy hockey captains who know how I take my tea.
How to Fake Date a Hockey Star is about the Captain of the Dragons hockey team and their new PR specialist hired to save their reputation. I believe this is the first book I read that was written by Susie Heart, but I will definitely be looking for others. This story was a little over 200 pages but I got so caught up in it, that I couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing it in one day.
This story introduces the reader to Logan Beck, the Captain of Firth City Dragons, who has gotten into a fight causing a PR nightmare for his entire team. While trying to find a way to dig himself out at a press conference the next day, in walks Josie Dale, a PR representative from Whitman PR firm. Josie is the total package from beginning to end, she is complete professionalism, dressed to kill, with proper speech ready and an entire power point plan at her disposal to enact to save the day. Josie sets out to show Logan that proper PR isn't about lying or changing the facts, it is about reframing the facts to show a different side to the story. Josie's plan is to slowly show Logan in a different light and "fake date him into the fan favorite." In the beginning Logan isn't thrilled about the plan but after the league comes after the entire team with sanctions, he reconsiders. Begin the acting, the story takes many turns from Logan showing a softer side, learning how to help Josie even when she doesn't ask, Josie asking help and showing her softer side, the two characters trying to find middle ground and ending with a terrible misunderstanding. Can Josie and Logan see the truth or will they both jump conclusions that aren't true? What will it take for Logan to win Josie back? How will they find their own happily ever after?
I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed not only reading the story of Logan and Josie, but also getting to know so of the other Dragon players. Maybe some of them will have their own HEAs in upcoming stories -- Teddy, Drew, Nico?
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving an honest voluntary review.
Logan Beck, captain of the Firth City Dragons hockey team, is facing a PR nightmare after getting into a fist fight with a rival at a charity auction. With children present. To be fair, what that guy was saying was completely inappropriate, and frankly, I probably would have decked him, too. But now, a PR representative, Josie Dale, is taking over all of his public appearances for the next twelve weeks, and is fake-dating him into a social media darling.
Naturally, things don’t go precisely to plan.
Josie is really counting on this situation to put a feather in her cap and get her on the road to making partner at her PR firm. She’s already got everything planned out, knows just how to phrase things and get photographs at various events which show Logan in a different light. What she doesn’t count on, and honestly, she should have thought this through first, is falling for Logan for realsies. And the kicker? He falls right back.
This story made me laugh, and at times made me cry. Sometimes in a sad way, sometimes just because I was overcome with emotion. (The good kind.) I adore Logan and Josie, and how naturally they fall in love. He can barely stand her at first, but she is relentless in her plan to reframe him as the person he really is — a man who does the right thing not because someone is watching, but because it’s the right thing to do.
I’m a sucker for hockey romances, and this one really did it for me, as I went on this journey with Logan and Josie. It was endearing to watch Logan gradually noticing things about Josie, like learning how to make tea just like she likes it, and giving her noise-cancelling ear buds when he discovers that the arena noise gives her terrible headaches. He doesn’t make a big deal about it, just does it for her well-being. Now that, my friends, is a keeper.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Susie Heart’s How to Fake Date a Hockey Star is a highly recommended read that guarantees I'll be seeking out more of her books. This captivating story hooked me immediately, and I devoured it in a single, unputdownable day.
The story kicks off with a major PR crisis for the Firth City Dragons. Their Captain, Logan Beck, has gotten into a fight, and his attempt to control the damage at a press conference is intercepted by Josie Dale, a PR specialist from the Whitman firm. Josie is the epitome of professionalism—impeccably dressed, articulate, and armed with a comprehensive PowerPoint strategy to salvage both Logan’s and the team’s reputations.
Rather than resorting to lies, Josie's plan is to reframe the facts and slowly redeem Logan by "fake dating him into the fan favourite." Logan is initially resistant, but the league's sanctions on the team force him to agree.
The fake relationship that follows is full of unexpected twists. We see Logan's softer side emerge as he learns to offer unprompted support to Josie. In turn, Josie allows herself to be vulnerable and eventually asks him for help. As the two characters strive to find common ground, their progress is derailed by a major misunderstanding. The central questions become: Can Logan and Josie overcome their assumptions and face the truth? What will Logan do to win Josie back, and how will they finally achieve their happily ever after?
Beyond the main couple, I enjoyed getting acquainted with the supporting cast of Dragons players. I particularly hope that characters like Teddy, Drew, and Nico will get their own happy endings in future instalments of the series.
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving an honest voluntary review.
I cannot believe how much I loved this book! I was sucked in from page one and could not put it down. Set aside a few hours before you start to read this book, or you'll find yourself staying up into the wee hours of the morning (is it really 1am already?!? Just one more chapter, I promise!) to finish it. I loved the chemistry between Josie and Logan, the slow burn as they learn that neither is what they seem on the surface and as that turns into genuinely liking each other, the knowledge that something is going to go wrong (read the blurb and you'll know what I mean), and it's the perfect recipe driving the need to want to know what happens next that keeps you turning the pages. Plus, it's full of my favorite tropes: fake relationship, sports romance, slow burn, enemies to lovers. Gah! It's so good!
It looks like this is the first of a series, and I am excited for the next book. I loved all the supporting characters, and while I can't even begin to guess whose story comes next, I will be happy with any one of them!
If you know me at all you know I am an avid hockey fan who adores hockey themed romance books. Logan is in dire need of image control after a brush up with a rival player during a children’s charity event. Josie is the PR rep brought in to do just that. Things change when the grumpy hockey player slowly reveals his softer side. When she discovers his secret, he makes her promise not to use it as a PR stunt as it will impact innocent people, she makes that promise. But someone leaks the story and the betrayal Logan feels is overwhelming. Will the leak of his secret tear them apart? Can she figure out who leaked the story and get Logan to see her side? This was such an emotionally charged story. Lots of humor throughout to help lighten things up. Absolutely loved it. The character dynamic was fantastic. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by bookfunnel.
MC: Josie (PR Specialists) and Logan (Captain of the Dragons hockey team)
This is going on my favorites book shelf. While Logan is a grump and Josie is sunshine, these characteristics are actually coverups for something else. Logan being a grump hides his soft, gentle side, as well as his discomfort in certain situations. Josie's sunshine is part of the facade she has to wear because of what her job is - a Public Relations specialist who has to stand firm in difficult situations. I love how their relationship develops and that when Logan starts noticing the little things about her - what she likes, what she needs - and he just delivers without being asked. For a short read (less than 200 pages) we are able to be drawn into the story without feeling like the timeline was super rushed and that things didn't add up - which sometimes happens with short stories.
This is a sweet fake-to-real dating romance. We get first person perspectives from both Josie and Logan.
I received an ARC copy of the book and this is my honest review.
Logan Beck is Captain of the Firth City Dragons hockey team. He gets lured into a fight at the worst possible moment -- at a charity auction with lots of kids around. It may have been justifiable, but it was terrible publicity. So Josie Dale steps in to change his public persona and fix his PR. The two of them will pretend to be dating. And somewhere along the way, it started to become real for both of them! Logan did little caring things for her that meant so much. Unfortunately, when he sees her article and believes she betrayed him, that this was all for her to get a promotion and meant nothing to her, will he end the charade and walk away? Can she convince him she truly loves him? Is it too late to fight for him? Or is his mind made up?
Logan Beck is the grumpy, broody hockey Captain who is a public relations nightmare!
Josie Dale is the PR specialist hired to improve his reputation. She is pure sunshine! A professional powerhouse who is very ambitious. The two begin fake dating to raise Logan’s rating with fans. We soon find out that Mr. Grump is secretly thoughtful and romantic. He starts to fall for her and she starts to fall for him.
Susie’s writing is full of heartfelt, sweet, and swoony romance! I absolutely loved the use of dual POV. I really enjoy getting the his/hers perspective and knowing what they are thinking as the story unfolds. I laughed and I cried, and I’m ready for the next book in this series!
What to do when the captain of a hockey team is a grumpy disaster and needs a reset for the team's sake? Hire his polar opposite PR person to fix his image and be his fake girlfriend. Such a simple plan, and the perfect woman for the job is happy to take on "Captain Caveman." A book full of contrasting behavior and comments, an unrelenting team of hockey players, a charismatic PR expert, and a hockey player with a huge heart all blend together to make an unstoppable story that will make your heart beat a little faster. It's reality with the messy parts swirled into hope. Delightful story filled with great characters, surprises, respect and love.
🏒 grumpy x sunshine ❤️ Fake dating 🏒 Hockey romance ❤️ Slow burn
Logan Beck is a hot head, scolding captain of Firth City Dragons hockey team. He's hot temper gets him into trouble when he has a fist fight at a charity event. Damaging his image, he gets the help of PR Queen, Josie Dale. She's the complete opposite of him. Full of sunshine and always professional. Between the banter and working together, they slowly start to see each other differently.
I love a good hockey romance. This is my first Susie Heart book and won't be my last. This is a sweet hockey romance. With all the feels and good banter. Highly recommend. No spice, only kisses.
What starts as fake for good PR becomes real as Logan and Josie get to know one another through each interaction and spending time together in private and the press tour during which they observe body language and see beyond the surface and each do simple things to help the other out causing each to realise fake has turned real which makes each resist or internally freak out but also grow closer to each other. Though with teamates, family members encouraging them to go for a real relationship and keeping them accountable regarding their feelings. Like reading a rom com movie from the 90s but with current day elements - social media, reality tv, texting
This was super cute! I love hockey romances and what’s better than a grumpy grunting hockey man? A super sparkly peppy PR woman to even him out. Easy peasy- fake date, get some positive PR and move on. Until his image isn’t the only thing changing. The quiet moments. The reality. The team that’s more like a family. It was everything and then some.
The only negative I would say is it was somewhat repetitive. Which worked in some situations and was annoying in others. But the story line was so cute it was easy to over look.
Josie, “has a reputation for handling difficult clients with impossible problems.” Logan, captain of the Firth City Dragons who helped create “…a PR problem when you punch someone in front of cameras and crying children.” Let the surprises continue. Such as “Logan Brock is surprisingly human.” And Josie “..isn’t confusing my strategy with reality.” What happens when each gets glimpses of the “real” person as they improve Logan’s image? These characters felt authentic. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This story hooked me from the beginning. Logan and Josie are a grumpy/sunshine pair to root for, the banter is delightfully whimsical, and I loved the nicknames. Chapter 37 is my favourite chapter, it is so swoony.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
The book had a lot of potential and so does the author's writing.
But something was missing, I did not feel the connection between the characters, there was a lot of repetition of similar phrases, and there were pacing/timing issues. One moment they are in the arena, and next in the hotel room.
Yes. You HAVE to read this story. Logan and Josie are thrown together and it is a rough road. Will they learn to get along or will they each plot the other’s demise? Guess you’ll have to grab the book to find out. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and highly recommend reading this!
Not totally sure how to quantify this one. It wasn’t bad and some things were very cute, but I think it may be felt too self-contained? We got almost no backstory for either of the main characters, or anyone else, so it almost felt like the world wasn’t really lived in if that makes sense. Also, if you’re going to have characters on your cover, have them match your character descriptions.
What a heart felt story. Two complete opposite personalities making a great team. Don't want to give away too much. Bet you can't put the read down til its finished!
A good start to a new series. Logan Beck needs a new image following a fight at a game. Despite the image of hockey games, fights are frowned upon by the league, and this one has the possibility of bad repercussions. Josie is the PR specialist assigned to cleaning up his image. This book contains romance, humor and a few twists. I enjoyed it.
Clean Standalone Rom-com Interconnected Series HEA
Some of the characters overlap throughout the series. Can be read as a standalone but better if in order. He hates being in the spotlight She's a crisis PR consultant Opposites attract Slow burn Fake to real Private vs public