Fake It Till Summer Ends

by Valentina Iania

Lina ran to escape her past.

Sebastian followed—determined to rewrite it.



She wants distance.

He wants a second chance.

And Elm Hollow? It thrives on chaos.



Once a quiet small town, Elm Hollow is now famous—packed with reality-show challenges, rival cities, and a summer where everyone is watching. The heat is relentless, the competition is ruthless, and walking away is no longer an option.



This summer is loud.

It’s competitive.

It’s unapologetically hot.



Because in Elm Hollow, love doesn’t stay buried for long—

and some exes burn hotter the second time around.



Welcome back to Elm Hollow—

where summer love plays to win. ☀️🔥



✨ Second chance romance

✨ Small-town summer chaos

✨ Forced proximity

✨ Reality-show rivalry

✨ Super spicy, super addictive

Genres: Romance

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Valentina Iania writes steamy contemporary romance and rom-coms rooted in small-town worlds, where heart, heat, and emotional intensity collide. Her stories feature found family, seasonal vibes, and sizzling chemistry, blending cozy settings with unapologetically spicy romance.
She also writes scorching cowboy romances, known for strong heroines, stubborn heroes, and high-heat, emotionally charged love stories.
When she’s not writing, she’s out at the ranch—riding horses and dreaming up her next obsession-worthy cowboy.
You can find her on social media @valentinaianiaauthor. Saddle up, it’s gonna get hot.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 3🌶️

Some books live up to the hype, and this one absolutely did.

I quickly found myself falling for the charm of this small town. The history between Lina and Sebastian felt real, and watching them navigate all their unresolved feelings in the middle of a chaotic reality show setup made this impossible to put down.

The chemistry between them is intense and undeniably steamy, but what I loved most was how much depth their relationship had underneath it all. Sebastian being the one determined to win Lina back completely melted me, especially with how patient and understanding he was. Their emotional growth felt authentic, and seeing their walls slowly come down made every moment between them so rewarding.

There’s definitely a bittersweet feeling knowing this series is coming to an end. Seeing familiar faces from the previous books made the town feel warm and lived-in, and it reminded me why I’ve grown so attached to these characters.

If this is the end of the series, it was such a heartfelt and satisfying way to wrap it all up.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Valentina Iania & The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Kelly Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

#gifted #ARC

Summer in Elm Hollow was just as fun as every other season! I literally squealed when this ARC hit my email. I have absolutely adored this series and finally learning the story behind Lina and Sebastian was well worth the wait.

It was clear from their first introduction that something was there, hatred that deep doesn’t come without first loving someone that deep. Lina goes from being the spritely sidekick to having such depth of character and Sebastian may be my favorite MMC of this series, his yearning is palpable!

One of my favorite things about this series is how interconnected all the stories are; I love going back to previous interactions and seeing another side of the narrative. We see the interaction at Sloane’s wedding in more detail and get the full scoop on what happened in the barn.

There is more spice in this book than previous ones, but it furthers the storyline in most cases. Valentina has a knack for going from “good girl” to melting hearts in the same paragraph. I think this might be the last of the holiday series, but I’m dying for more info on the upcoming “Elm Hollow After Dark”, beginning with a haunted house reality show!

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This is the end of The Elm Hollow Holiday Series and it did not disappoint!! This book gad more spice than previous books 😮‍💨 with 3 🌶️’s/5. Love this small town chaotic town!! It has all the cozy feels with all the chaos in a reality tv show. Cant wait to see what is next!! Absolutely phenomenal Valentina!!

“Lina ran to escape her past.

Sebastian followed—determined to rewrite it.

She wants distance.

He wants a second chance.

And Elm Hollow? It thrives on chaos.

Once a quiet small town, Elm Hollow is now famous—packed with reality-show challenges, rival cities, and a summer where everyone is watching. The heat is relentless, the competition is ruthless, and walking away is no longer an option.

This summer is loud.

It’s competitive.

It’s unapologetically hot.

Because in Elm Hollow, love doesn’t stay buried for long—

and some exes burn hotter the second time around.

Welcome back to Elm Hollow—

where summer love plays to win.

Second chance romance

Small-town summer chaos

Forced proximity

Reality-show rivalry

Super spicy, super addictive”

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What To Expect:
- second chance romance
- forced proximity
- he falls first
- small town
- banter and spice
- summer chaos
- reality show rivalry

5⭐️

i have been so grateful for have arc read many of valentina iania books and this is by far my favorite one to date!

omg i absolutely loved this book, more than words can describe!

the story, the characters, the town that is elm hollow, and just everything was so perfect, so full of summer vibes. i was giggling and kicking my feet while reading this book. i truly was having the time of my life and now i am mad that i finished it 😩

guys the mmc, sebastian is soooo fine. he is a tatted hottie. i had to fan myself so many times just from him existing. i need him biblically 😅

thank you so much valentina iania for giving me the opportunity to read this masterpiece of yours 🥹🫶🏼

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book in the Elm Hollow series, and now I totally understand why people love these books. Even though Lina and Sebastian are a long-awaited couple for longtime readers, I never felt lost jumping into their story, and it still worked great as a standalone.

The chemistry between Lina and Sebastian was so good, full of tension, pining, romance, and plenty of spice. Their shared history added emotional weight that made their second-chance romance feel believable and easy to root for. I also loved the reality-show competition aspect because it added so much extra chaos and made the story even more entertaining.

Elm Hollow feels loud, messy, dramatic, and full of lovable characters, which gave the whole book such a fun rom-com vibe. The cameos from other characters definitely made me want to read the rest of the series.

What to expect:
• Fake dating
• Second-chance romance
• Forced proximity
• Small-town chaos
• High spice
• Summer romance vibes

Overall, this was a fun, chaotic, spicy rom-com that kept me hooked the whole time. Definitely a 5-star read for me. I will definitely be going back to finish the series. 🖤

Thank you Valentina for this ARC read. I need the physical copy asap and it’s finally out so I can order it 🖤 🧚‍♀️congratulations on everything!

[Andrea Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

There really is no Faking it, NEW Release!

Fake It Till Summer Ends was a great, fun read. I was able to read this as an ARC, thank you to both the author @valentinaianaauthor! and @theauthor.agency. The book DOES start with an open door intimate scene, which I have to admit, I would have preferred some world building first, then a flashback, especially as to why Lina (Tinkerbell) ran. It wasn't enough obviously, to change how many stars I'm giving.

The author initially makes it seem like it's all Sebastian's (Forearms) fault for why Lina ran, when really it was her insecurities. Ms. Iania refreshingly presents Lina's insecurities and working through them openly, with therapy and communication.

Overall, I lived this book. The town rivalry between Elm Hollow and Harbor Bay is fun and the brilliant idea the author had, for a Reality TV type theme between the two, was hilarious! Lina and Sebastian running after the umbrella STILL has me cracking up - you gotta read the book for how she gets her nickname and why Sebastian won't take his shirt off.... 😉

Thank you for a great read, and now I am off to get the rest of Valentina Iania's books

[Amber Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this has everything I needed in a second chance summer romance. I was immediately captured from the first chapter. I loved all the tension, pining and chemistry the characters had. I absolutely adored how Sebastian was determined to win Lina’s heart. You could tell he wouldn’t let Lina go without trying one last time. Everything he did was for her. Lina is afraid of taking Sebastian back. She doesn’t want to give him a second chance but her heart says it otherwise. I mean how can you not fall for a dark haired, tattooed chef than will do anything and everything for you?! Oh and can’t forget the spice! Oh my. Valentina never misses with her romances! This may be one of my favorites by her!!

[Ashley Forman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh holy heat wave!!!! Please hold and let me fan myself for a minute…a Tatted hottie for a MMC and a spunky vibrant MFC is just what I needed! Add in a quirky small town, secret summer lover and a reality tv show and you got a recipe for a good summer read!!!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and I laughed so much. Linas humor was hilarious and I loved all the sassy banter and thoughts. Sebastian was so easy to fall absolutely head over heels for and I love how everyone else did too. Elm Hallow has such a cute homie small town feel it reminded me a lot of stars hallow from Gilmore girls and I love that. Even with the gossip around town. It was spicy and sassy and fun and I couldn’t put it down

[Chloë · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later ~ 5✨

A spicy small town Summer romance for readers who enjoy -
☀️An MMC who falls first & chases her
🧚🏼A pocket rocket FMC
☀️Bad decisions & unresolved feelings
🧚🏼Open door spice (public s3x, v1brat0r & food play…)

⭑ Publication date: 26th May 2026
⭑ Book 5, Elm Hollow Holidays series - while it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the other books too as they’re fantastic!
⭑ Always remember to check the content/trigger warnings before reading.


~ plot ~

Lina could go her whole life without seeing Sebastian again (or at least that’s what she’s been trying to tell herself).
Sebastian on the other hand has spent the last year wondering what went wrong between them & how he could make it right.

He’s in, she’s out. He’s hot, she’s cold.

But Elm Hollow has a habit of bringing people together & with unresolved feelings, love in the air, a cabana full of treats, one bed & what feels like the eyes of the world on them, who knows what could happen.


~ review ~

Fake It Till Summer Ends is a cosy but chaotic, small-town summer romance that gives you fake dating, forced proximity, a hot & heavy reality TV show & a second chance at love. It’s entertaining, emotional & once you pick it up, it’s extremely hard to put down. If there’s such a thing as Hallmark-esque movies that only get shown after 9pm, you’ve got yourself 5 fantastic films here. And if there isn’t such a thing, someone needs to make it a thing, ASAP.

Anyone who’s read any of Valentina Iania’s books knows that she just gets Romance. At this point I’m 100% convinced it runs through her veins, she eats tropes for breakfast & spice is her middle name because when she puts pen to paper, magical things happen.

Sebastian & Lina are on another level & I went through every emotion possible with them. They’re soft, sweet, a little salty at times - actually for Lina, a lot of the time - & the spice? From the jump? Excuse me while I get a cold flannel. If the walls of that cabana could talk��� So much fun, extremely creative & very adventurous, it’s a 10 from me.
They really give you the best of both worlds though because the vulnerability, pureness & intimate nature of their love is just as intoxicating. Lina’s battle with herself, Sebastian’s patience & persistence, the safety they feel with each other & their growth - we may have had to wait for this story but it was SO worth it!

As expected, Valentina’s vivid, descriptive writing maps things out in perfect detail & every book in this series feels like a trip back home. Elm Hollow is totally brought to life. You can feel the chaos of Summer Lovin’, Auntie Tina’s electric personality, Seb & Lina’s INSANE chemistry & the warm small-town community spirit bouncing off the page. It’s immersive, engaging & so entertaining.
On the topic of entertainment, The Elm Hollow Gazette, social feeds & confessionals get me every time! They’re witty, clever & one of my favourite parts of the book. The confessionals in particular give such an insight into the other couples & Val always delivers a mix of hilarious personalities.


~ final thoughts ~

This book was quite the journey but I loved every second. Lina is a total pocket rocket & I award her 10/10 for trying & failing to resist Seb because girl, same. He’s patient, he’s attentive, he knows his way around the bedroom… he cooks & he gets a damn tattoo for you!? Are there any male relatives on the board? I also loved the cameos of characters from earlier books & the inclusion of Sloane & Cohen’s wedding. While i’m sad to see this series end, I’m SO excited for what’s to come. Elm Hollow, it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later🥹.

Thank you to The Author Agency & the wonderful Valentina Iania for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.

~

Val, I have loved every single second of the Elm Hollow Holidays series. This cosy, chaotic town & the people who call it home have drawn me in, in a way like no other. It’s an escape, a safe place, somewhere to get lost & without a shadow of a doubt, a place I will return to time & time again.
It’s been an absolute pleasure & a privilege to be a small cog in the Elm Hollow wheel & I’m so excited to be by your side as you start this huge new chapter 💖💖

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake It Till Summer Ends was such a fun small-town second-chance romance that kept me turning pages to see if Lina and Sebastian could find their way back to each other.

Lina and Sebastian have unresolved feelings, unfinished business, and a lot of history between them, which made every interaction feel meaningful. Their chemistry was there from the beginning, and I loved how natural their conversations and relationship felt throughout the story.

One of my favorite things about this book was Sebastian. He wasn’t trying to force Lina into forgiving him or rushing her feelings. Instead, he was patient, understanding, and determined to show her that he was serious about earning a second chance. Watching him slowly work to win her back made their romance feel believable and rewarding.

The reality-show setting added a fun layer of chaos to the story. Trying to navigate lingering feelings while being surrounded by competition, cameras, and constant attention created plenty of tension and made it difficult to put the book down.

I also appreciated the emotional growth throughout the story. The characters had to confront their past, work through old wounds, and figure out what they truly wanted moving forward. It felt realistic and added depth to the romance.

If you enjoy small-town romances, second-chance love stories, reality-show drama, and characters who grow together, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥 Burn Level: 3.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5

Thank you to the author agency for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ella 🌺 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️s

There are so many things to love about the Elm Hollow books. They are so creatively written and designed, which makes them so fun.

I feel the following things were done well:
💌 The author has written this book in a way that sets us up for the rest of the series
💌 The characters are great and really fun
💌 Good snippets of the other characters interact to promote other books coming out in the series
💌 I love the way the characters interact with each other
💌 Lina and Sebastian have great chemistry
💌 The spice was very good
💌 The news feed, social media and newspaper style text pieces in the story are great
💌 The dating show is a fun idea

I feel these following aspects can be improved:
❤️‍🩹 I would’ve loved more banter between Lina and Sebastian
❤️‍🩹 More of Lina and Sebastian’s pasts before meeting each other would’ve been great to understand them both better
❤️‍🩹 The last chapter felt rushed
❤️‍🩹 The dating show idea is fun but it has been used continuously throughout the series and I would’ve liked something different or for there to have been a bigger change
❤️‍🩹 Lina and Sebastian’s makeup felt rushed after having not spoken properly in a long time
❤️‍🩹 I felt the book went on slightly too long
❤️‍🩹 More flashbacks of when Lina and Sebastian were originally together would’ve been nice

Overall this book was an enjoyable and easy read, but I would’ve liked to have seen more drawn out tension between the main characters as well as more of their individual backstories. As well as everything else I have listed. I really appreciate the opportunity being chosen as an ARC reader. Thank you 💘

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

There’s something so comforting about coming back to Elm Hollow. Every single book in this series feels like coming home and Fake It Till Summer Ends was no different 🥹☀️

This book was wholesome, funny, emotional, chaotic and SO entertaining from beginning to end. Sebastian and Lina’s story had me giggling, blushing, emotional and completely invested in their journey. The second chance romance mixed with all the unresolved feelings made everything hit even harder 🤍

I absolutely loved the reality-show setup too because it added so much extra chaos and tension to the story while still keeping the small town warmth alive 🌴🎥✨

The world feels so connected and alive at this point and I adore how every character still feels important. Even though there’s clearly a bigger story behind the series, this still worked beautifully as a standalone.

And Sebastian… yeah, the tattooed MMC agenda wins again 🫠🔥

What you’ll find inside:
☀️ Second chance romance
🎥 Reality show chaos
🩵 Tattooed MMC
🛏️ Only one bed
🌶️ Spicy food play
🏖️ Perfect beach/vacation read vibes

Thank you so much to the author for the direct ARC copy and for letting me experience another beautiful story from Elm Hollow 🤍 It has honestly been such a joy discovering this series and I’m SO looking forward to reading more of your works ahead.

⭐️ 4.5/5 stars

For more book reviews & reading updates, reach out to me on my Bookstagram: @monaafterdark ✨

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a messy, dramatic, spicy summer romance that fully delivers on chaos in the best way 😭☀️
Elm Hollow is loud, vibrant, and absolutely overflowing with small-town drama—especially with the reality-show competition element turning everything up a notch. The whole setting feels intense, chaotic, and very “everyone is watching your business” in the most addictive way.
Lina and Sebastian had really strong chemistry, and their shared history added a nice layer of tension that kept things interesting. I also appreciated that their past wasn’t just brushed aside—there was actual emotional weight there, which made their reconnection more believable.
That said, the story definitely leans heavy on drama and high tension, and at times it felt like certain conflicts were being stretched or repeated just to keep the momentum going. I also would’ve loved a bit more emotional depth in some of the heavier moments, especially around Lina’s backstory.
Still, it’s spicy, fun, and very readable—with great cameos from other Elm Hollow characters and that addictive “summer chaos” energy throughout ☀️🔥
✨ what to expect ✨
🔥 Fake dating
💔 Second chance romance
🏡 Small-town chaos
📺 Reality show competition
💋 High spice
🚪 Forced proximity
☀️ Summer setting
Overall: a fun, spicy addition to the series with great chemistry and chaos, even if it sometimes leans a little too far into drama over depth 🤍

[Dee Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I have absolutely fell in love with this series and finally learning the story behind Lina and Sebastian was well worth the wait.
I love how She wants distance. He wants a second chance. I loved how Elm Hollow thrives on chaos.
I love how Lena tried to go the rest of her life without seeing Sebastian, but the universe had a different plan for her.
Where Sebastian on the other hand has spent the last year wondering what went wrong between them & how he could make it right. Yet that's the best thing about Elms Hollow it has a way of bringing people back around. It has a way of rekindling feelings that you never thought were there or had long since disappeared. When they say Elms Hollow thrives on chaos it most certainly does.
Very much unresolved feeling, chemistry is sparking, a cabana full of treats, one bed & what feels like the eyes of the world on them, who knows what could happen.
Sebastian & Lina are on another level, the emotional aspect that this book brings is off the charts. They’re soft, sweet, and Lina fiery all the time. The spice is off the charts like 10 out of 10 this author rocked it.
Overall, this was a fantastic book to dive head first in you just could not get enough of both characters. I love how everything balanced out it was just a perfect book.

[Megs · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️🏖️ARC Review🏖️☀️
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4⭐️)

Thank you Valentina Iliana and The Author Agency for this ARC of Fake it Till Summer Ends! There is ZERO way that these two could EVER fake that chemistry!!

I absolutely LOVED Lina and Sebastian, I have been waiting for this Enemies to lovers since we first met Sebastian! Then we got all the details of their past and of the summer before was chef kiss perfection!

However, as much as I LOVE the game show aspect in the other books, the way this one was announced, I felt like it took away from a key moment with Sebastian and Lina, Lina was mid spiral when the town bombarded her…

Though I enjoyed how the pieces of their relationship developed and how situations forced Lina to face her insecurities, I did feel that the “Game Show” was repetitive with the tasks from previous books in the series, with some instances seeming forced.

It was a bit of a struggle to get through the game show banter in the “social media” portion of the book that followed each task as well.

Overall I LOVE Lina and Sebastian so the bump to 4⭐️ is valid but I was not feeling the overall game show vibe for their story, their story felt too pivotal for the immense amount of lightheartedness.

Tropes:
☀️Enemies to Lovers
🏖️Swoony Tattooed Hero
☀️Forced Proximity
🏖️One Bed
☀️Small Town
🏖️Banter
☀️Fake Dating
🏖️He Falls First
☀️Sort of a Second Chance

[sky ~miss.littlereader~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🅰🆁🅲 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

⭐⭐⭐.75
Fake Till Summer Ends by Valentina Iania

Fake Till Summer Ends was a pretty enjoyable, quick read overall. It has that light, easy to binge summer romance vibe that makes it fun to pick up when you want something entertaining and low stress. The chemistry between the characters had some cute moments, and there were definitely scenes that kept me engaged and smiling.

That said, parts of the story felt a little repetitive, especially if you’ve read some of the author’s previous books. Certain dynamics and emotional beats seemed familiar, so it didn’t always feel as fresh as I hoped. I also think some of the emotional moments could have been explored with more depth, particularly considering the heavier undertones surrounding the FMC. There were opportunities to dive deeper into her feelings and experiences, but sometimes the story moved past them a bit too quickly.

Still, despite those issues, it was an easy and enjoyable read with entertaining moments throughout. If you like fast paced romance with summer vibes, second chance tension, small town vibes, and a touch of drama, this one is still worth checking out.

[Charlotte Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you so much to the author for letting me ARC read. This is an honest review and contains all my own thoughts*

If any of you know this series, then you know that we have been waiting for this couple's book for a while, and it did not disappoint!
Valentina always delivers with her Elm Hollow series and this one is no different, so much sweet romance, a whole lot of pining, and of course, plenty of spice.
Speaking of spice, Valentina upped the ante even further with this one, Lina and Sebastian definitely know how to have fun.
I really enjoy the reality show format that is used in these Elm Hollow books, and this one was even more chaotic than usual, which just adds to the fun when you're reading it.
This Elm Hollow series always has lovely world-building, adding to the previous books, but you can also read them in any order if you wish to. All the characters are so lovable and you really get attached to them. I will always recommend these. If you like small-town romance, then definitely give these a go

[Santhe Titheradge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hook:
A small-town romance set in the Elm Hollow world, this follows Lina and Sebastian — a couple readers have apparently been waiting for for a while. With a reality-show setting, plenty of chaos, pining and lots of spice, this story mixes romance with drama and fun.

My Thoughts:
This was my first book by Valentina and now I can definitely see why people love this series. Even though Lina and Sebastian have been a long-awaited couple for existing readers, I never felt lost jumping into their story. The chemistry between them was so good and there was plenty of pining mixed in with the romance and spice. The reality-show setup was such a fun addition too — it brought so much extra chaos and made the whole story really entertaining to read. I also loved how connected the world and characters felt. You can tell there’s a bigger story behind the series, but I still felt like this worked well as a standalone. If you love small-town romance with lovable characters, tension and spice, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Taneesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fake It Till Summer Ends is the final book in the Elm Hollow series. I mostly really enjoyed this series, but this one fell short for me. I was excited to read Lina and Sebastian’s story, but I felt like Lina brought a little too much hate toward Sebastian. It became frustrating because he worked so hard to earn her love back.

I couldn’t wait to find out what happened between them and why she was so venomous toward him, but when the reason was finally revealed, I honestly didn’t feel like it justified the level of anger she held onto. That made it hard for me to connect with Lina as a character. She even admits she didn’t regret waiting so long to tell him because she needed the time and wanted to see him fight for her, which made things even more frustrating for me as a reader.

After that point, her feelings seemed to shift very quickly, and suddenly they were back to being lovey-dovey again. While the reality show aspect of the story was entertaining and kept things moving, this one just wasn’t a win for me compared to the rest of the series.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5...This was a fun, messy, drama-filled summer romance that absolutely delivers on the chaos and spice. Elm Hollow feels vibrant and over-the-top in the best way, especially with the reality-show competition angle adding constant pressure and entertainment to the story. The setting had that addictive small-town energy where everyone knows everyone’s business, and the heat of the summer atmosphere practically radiated off the pages. Lina and Sebastian had strong chemistry, and their unresolved history gave the romance plenty of emotional tension. I especially liked how their past mistakes weren’t instantly brushed aside, making their reconnection feel more believable at times. That said, the story leaned heavily into drama, and there were moments where the conflicts started to feel repetitive or exaggerated simply for the sake of keeping tension high. Some emotional beats could have used more depth, especially considering the heavier undertones surrounding Lina’s past. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Second chance romance
- Forced proximity
- Super spicy, super addictive
- Small Town Romance

Fake it Till Summer Ends by Valentina Iania is the kind of romance that is perfect to take with you on summer vacation to the beach. In this novel, we get to meet the FMC Lina who leaves her past behind and moves to a small town named Elms Hollow while the MMC, her ex-boyfriend Sebastian follows behind in the hopes to rewrite that past. One of the things I liked about this novel was how Valentina was able to blend witty banter and emotional tension into a charming and cozy small town romance that kept me hooked from the very first chapter. Overall, Fake it Till Summer Ends is a funny and emotional summer romance that introduced lovable characters that helped create a feel-good ending!

I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!

[Laced In Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC 🥰
Book 5 of the Elm Hollow Holidays series 👌
🩷 2nd chance
🥵 Spicy
🔥 Fake Dating
👌 Forced proximity
⭐️ Reality show
Spicy prologue for the win 🙌
Spicy, cute and funny - this is a decent edition to the Elm Hollow family.
Can I just say that Lina is a vibe and I would love to meet her in real life!
Sebastian and Lina's story follows the former lovers as they reconnect due to forced proximity.
Forced into a Fake Dating situationship can the pair keep their hands to themselves?
I loved the caretaking, the spice and the determination 💪
I loved the cameos from the other characters in Elm Hollow especially Sloanes wedding 😘
I did enjoy this book and would recommend but it did feel a little too long in some sections for me unfortunately which is why it wasn't a 5⭐️ read this time.

[Megan Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Fake It Till Summer Ends by Valentina Iania and I already know this one is going to stay on my mind for a while. ☀️💕

This book had everything I love in a summer romance — tension, chemistry, emotional moments, and characters that felt so easy to connect with. The fake dating trope was done so well, and I loved watching the relationship slowly shift from something pretend into something real and heartfelt.

The banter was fun, the romance was swoony, and the small-town summer vibes made this such an addictive read. I found myself smiling through so many scenes while also getting completely invested in the emotional side of the story.

If you love:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Summer romance vibes
✨ Small-town charm
✨ Slow-burn chemistry
✨ Emotional romance moments

…then this is definitely one to add to your TBR. 💛📚

[Payal Tailor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake It Till Summer Ends was such a chaotic, addictive read and I was hooked from the start. The spice was absolutely EVERYTHING — written so well and had me blushing nonstop. 😮‍💨🔥

And the DRAMA?? Beautiful chaos in the best way possible. I ate up every single bit of tea and was literally giving my husband a full play-by-play after every chapter, especially during the reality show scenes. IYKYK 😉🍿

Sebastian being so persistent and never giving up on Lina had my heart melting. Watching her slowly let her guard down and finally allow him into her world was such a satisfying journey. Their chemistry, tension, and emotional moments balanced each other perfectly.

An easy 5-star read for me and definitely one I’ll be recommending to everyone looking for a spicy, dramatic romance with nonstop entertainment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙄𝙩 𝙏𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙨 follows Lina and Sebastian as they end up tangled together in a chaotic Summer Reality Show in Elm Hollow and honestly the setup had me SOOOO excited🥹🩷
Fake dating + small town vibes + a couple whose story has been brewing from several books?? YESSS PLEASEEE!

I genuinely loveddd Lina’s character. She had that intimidating black cat energy, sharp comebacks, the kind of girl who acts like she doesn’t care when she actually cares too much🤌🏻😭 Her banter with Sebastian was probably my favorite part of the whole book because every interaction between them had tension.

Sebastian, on the other hand completely stole my heart🙈 The way he kept showing up for Lina, staying patient with her even when she kept fighting with him & her feelings… yeah HE’S A GREEN FLAG!!😌

For me personally, I think I was just craving extra 'Lina & Sebastian' moments outside the reality show setting. The show brought plenty of drama and entertaining chaos but some quieter Elm Hollow scenes with just the two of them after all that buildup would’ve hit even harder for me

But overall, if you love messy feelings, tension-filled banter, black cat x golden retriever energy and small town romance with a dramatic reality show twist, this one is definitely such a fun summer read🫶🏻

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to read an Elm Hollow book and I will definitely be going back for more! The writing was fantastic and such a fun, spicy, and laugh out loud book. I really enjoyed the banter and connection between all the contestants as Elm Hollow fought to maintain their rightful position as best seaside community. The miscommunication trope was a bit tough to feel realistic and had me feeling like "why didn't we just skip this and talk?" but halfway through we really saw the ability for both characters to grow in honesty, vulnerability, and self awareness. I think my favorite parts were how Iania wrote the snippets, Twitter comments, and hashtags which had me dying laughing. I loved this little community of characters and can't wait to read more of them. Very fun, beach summer read!

[Mara Lazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting 🤭
Sebastian and Lina are one hell of a chaotic couple oh my. They were so entertaining to read 🤣

If you’re heading into summer or miss the summer-y feeling, well I think you need to pick this one up. This is a small town romance with all tropes you could ask for, one bed, second chance 🥲 enemies to lovers and he falls hard??

Lina wants to move on from her past and her past includes Sebastian… but it’s so obvious Sebastian still has feelings for her sooooo what does he do? He follows her to win her back?? Talk about yearning 🥲🥲

You know I love a man who chases after his girl, especially when they are exes and the MMC is the one groveling 🙈

Thank you Valentina for this ARC ❤️
4.5 ⭐️

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake It Till Summer Ends was such an enjoyable small-town second-chance romance, Sebastian truely earned his second chance with Lina by being patientient, persistant and determined to show her that he was serious about winning her back which i found really heartwarming considering the fact that it seems that the issue the first time around was more around Lina and her insecurities.
The game show element added chaos, tension, drama a fun element to the story however i think at times it took over, i would have liked more emotionally intermate moments between Lina and Sebastian

I definatly feel like theres a bigger picture and backstory to this series that im intrested to
explore as this is the only book ive read so far.

[Sarah Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fake it Till Summer Ends by Valentina Iania is such a fast, easy, and fun rom com that’s perfect for summer reading. It’s lighthearted, funny, and full of chaos in the best way possible.

This book has so many great tropes: enemies to lovers, fake dating, small town chaos, he falls first, and more. The chemistry and banter kept me entertained the whole time, and the chaos had me laughing out loud more than once.

While the reality show aspect wasn’t personally my favorite, it didn’t take away from how fun this story was overall. If you’re looking for a cute summer romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously and will keep you smiling, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.