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FAKING THE GOAL
I’m Taylor Lewis—and if you’ve heard of me, it’s probably for all the wrong reasons. I party too hard. I flirt too much.
So what if I sleep around more than anyone out there? Whatever. I don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Especially not Kentaro Azuma—grumpy, too-serious, annoyingly perfect Kentaro.
He’s made it crystal clear he thinks I’m reckless and immature. I think he needs to loosen the hell up.
We don’t like each other. We never have.
But when I start receiving mysterious messages, unwanted gifts—and the sick feeling that someone’s always watching me—Kentaro is the one who comes to my rescue with the most ridiculous proposition I’ve ever fake dating.
Which should’ve sounded insane.
Instead, somehow, it sounded like a really good idea.
Just until the crazy dies down. No real feelings. No strings. Just playing the part.
At least, that was the plan.
Until he started looking at me like I wasn’t just some mistake waiting to happen. Until I started wishing it wasn’t fake. And for the first time in my life, I started believing maybe I could finally be happy.
But the closer Kentaro and I get, the more dangerous things become.
Because someone out there has been obsessed with me for far too long.
And if he can’t have me…
no one will.
Faking The Goal is Book Three in the Ridgewater U series: an interconnected standalone enemies-to-lovers hockey romance with a suspenseful twist.
So what if I sleep around more than anyone out there? Whatever. I don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Especially not Kentaro Azuma—grumpy, too-serious, annoyingly perfect Kentaro.
He’s made it crystal clear he thinks I’m reckless and immature. I think he needs to loosen the hell up.
We don’t like each other. We never have.
But when I start receiving mysterious messages, unwanted gifts—and the sick feeling that someone’s always watching me—Kentaro is the one who comes to my rescue with the most ridiculous proposition I’ve ever fake dating.
Which should’ve sounded insane.
Instead, somehow, it sounded like a really good idea.
Just until the crazy dies down. No real feelings. No strings. Just playing the part.
At least, that was the plan.
Until he started looking at me like I wasn’t just some mistake waiting to happen. Until I started wishing it wasn’t fake. And for the first time in my life, I started believing maybe I could finally be happy.
But the closer Kentaro and I get, the more dangerous things become.
Because someone out there has been obsessed with me for far too long.
And if he can’t have me…
no one will.
Faking The Goal is Book Three in the Ridgewater U series: an interconnected standalone enemies-to-lovers hockey romance with a suspenseful twist.
664 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2026
About the author
Klastella
6 books44 followersKrista Lastella, also known as KLastella, is an aspiring author who lives in the US with her loving and supportive husband, their happy and very energetic little girl, and their adorable golden retriever named Mochi (sticky rice).
Krista is passionate about crafting stories that either tug at her readers' hearts or drive them mad. With a particular knack for writing angst-filled tales, she thrives on exploring deep, emotional narratives. Though she acknowledges that she still has much to learn, her wide imagination ensures she never runs out of stories to tell.
Her goal is to connect with readers through her unique voice and compelling plots, leaving them eagerly anticipating her next creation.
You can follow Krista on her social media accounts:
Instagram: @klastella06
Facebook Page: klastella06
Krista is passionate about crafting stories that either tug at her readers' hearts or drive them mad. With a particular knack for writing angst-filled tales, she thrives on exploring deep, emotional narratives. Though she acknowledges that she still has much to learn, her wide imagination ensures she never runs out of stories to tell.
Her goal is to connect with readers through her unique voice and compelling plots, leaving them eagerly anticipating her next creation.
You can follow Krista on her social media accounts:
Instagram: @klastella06
Facebook Page: klastella06
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review.
Many thanks to author for the Faking the Goal ARC, book three in the Ridgewater U series. You can find them under klastella- no spaces. My opinions as always are my own, so take them with a grain of salt, but damn I loved this! Being someone who didn’t care for book two in the series, I still tried to go into this next one open minded and fair. I’d wanted Kentaro’s book since he was first introduced. And, Wow! I didn’t want this one to end, though I couldn’t wait to find out who the person stalking Taylor was going to really be, once unmasked. So I’d read slow to make it last, enjoyed the vibes between Kentaro and Taylor, and there were such laugh out loud moments I highlighted, I couldn’t get enough. Then I’d catch myself trying to consume it whole and have to slow down. My issues with book two were non existent here. The seriousness of the plot had the girth needed by author so she could fill it with the page counts she’s known to give us. I felt overall pacing was on point for what I enjoy. Check your TW, author placed them at the front and there is violence on page. It’s brutal, but realistic. If I had one critique it would be I wanted more scenes with the gang together. They all have such a great connection I wanted more of it. But that’s just me being greedy. By far my favorite as yet in the series, and a new couple to add in with the GOATs I love. Written as a true yin and yang couple I couldn’t get enough as they slowly learned to trust each other and open up. We get a bit of a teaser for our next player and I’m excited to continue series.
Many thanks to author for the Faking the Goal ARC, book three in the Ridgewater U series. You can find them under klastella- no spaces. My opinions as always are my own, so take them with a grain of salt, but damn I loved this! Being someone who didn’t care for book two in the series, I still tried to go into this next one open minded and fair. I’d wanted Kentaro’s book since he was first introduced. And, Wow! I didn’t want this one to end, though I couldn’t wait to find out who the person stalking Taylor was going to really be, once unmasked. So I’d read slow to make it last, enjoyed the vibes between Kentaro and Taylor, and there were such laugh out loud moments I highlighted, I couldn’t get enough. Then I’d catch myself trying to consume it whole and have to slow down. My issues with book two were non existent here. The seriousness of the plot had the girth needed by author so she could fill it with the page counts she’s known to give us. I felt overall pacing was on point for what I enjoy. Check your TW, author placed them at the front and there is violence on page. It’s brutal, but realistic. If I had one critique it would be I wanted more scenes with the gang together. They all have such a great connection I wanted more of it. But that’s just me being greedy. By far my favorite as yet in the series, and a new couple to add in with the GOATs I love. Written as a true yin and yang couple I couldn’t get enough as they slowly learned to trust each other and open up. We get a bit of a teaser for our next player and I’m excited to continue series.
October 1, 2026
After reading Faking the Goal, I swear my mouth kept making that little “O” shape because—once again, and unsurprisingly—K. Lastella delivered another absolute best-of-the-best.
Like so many of her stories, Faking the Goal is a slow-cooked romance that somehow works its way deep into your soul. Taylor and Kentaro couldn’t seem more different at first. They come from completely different backgrounds, have very different personalities and lifestyles, and both have perfected the art of acting like they don’t care. But underneath all those walls, they have more in common than they realize. They’re both obsessed with manga, and more importantly, they both have genuinely good hearts—they’ve just buried them deep enough that you have to truly know them to see it.
One thing that really impressed me was how effortlessly K. Lastella handled the cross-cultural romance. The cultural and language differences between Taylor and Kentaro add so much personality and authenticity to their relationship without ever interrupting the flow of the story. The details are there when they matter, but they feel natural rather than forced.
And Taylor and Ken-chan’s love? EPIC.
He falls first, and you can see it happening even when he refuses to admit it. Kentaro is the ultimate grumpy goalie—cold and intimidating on the surface—but Taylor Lewis somehow brings out this completely different side of him. This is a man who would stand up in the middle of a packed college cafeteria and give an entire speech about why he fell for his girlfriend just because one of his teammates asked him. How can we not love that?!
The one thing I love most about Kentaro is that he admits when he’s made a mistake and actively proves that he has changed. He never takes Taylor’s forgiveness for granted. Instead, he uses his actions and genuine understanding to earn back her trust. Watching him put in that effort made my heart ache in the best way and made me root even harder for their love.
The fake-dating moments are adorable, but underneath all the sweetness, you can tell how serious Kentaro becomes about Taylor. What may have started as “fake” as an excuse never really feels fake for very long.
The mysterious stalker storyline adds a darker and sometimes genuinely scary layer to the book. It changes the tone in certain moments, but it also becomes an important part of the story—especially because it gives Kentaro plenty of reasons to stay close to Taylor, protect her, and take care of her. And yes, I absolutely enjoyed every second of protective Ken-chan.
I also loved Kentaro’s mother, Hurami. She is such an adorable and memorable character. She passed her love of manga down to her children, but there is so much more strength behind her warmth. When she realized how toxic her ex-husband had become toward both her and her children, she found the courage to stand up and fight for the life they deserved.
More importantly, Hurami sees something that Kentaro himself may not fully recognize yet: Taylor makes her Ken-chan smile again.
And the way she welcomes Taylor touched me deeply. Taylor is a girl who has spent her life being bounced around the foster system, never really having a place that unquestionably feels like hers. Hurami gives her somewhere she can simply show up—no invitation necessary. That sense of acceptance and belonging adds another beautiful layer to a romance that is already full of heart.
Faking the Goal is definitely another Ridgewater U book you don’t want to miss. You come for the fake relationship, the grumpy goalie, the cross-cultural romance, and all that delicious tension—but you stay for Taylor and Ken-chan and the way they slowly become something real for each other.
And when you finish? Don’t be surprised if you’re still thinking about them long after you’ve closed the book.
Like so many of her stories, Faking the Goal is a slow-cooked romance that somehow works its way deep into your soul. Taylor and Kentaro couldn’t seem more different at first. They come from completely different backgrounds, have very different personalities and lifestyles, and both have perfected the art of acting like they don’t care. But underneath all those walls, they have more in common than they realize. They’re both obsessed with manga, and more importantly, they both have genuinely good hearts—they’ve just buried them deep enough that you have to truly know them to see it.
One thing that really impressed me was how effortlessly K. Lastella handled the cross-cultural romance. The cultural and language differences between Taylor and Kentaro add so much personality and authenticity to their relationship without ever interrupting the flow of the story. The details are there when they matter, but they feel natural rather than forced.
And Taylor and Ken-chan’s love? EPIC.
He falls first, and you can see it happening even when he refuses to admit it. Kentaro is the ultimate grumpy goalie—cold and intimidating on the surface—but Taylor Lewis somehow brings out this completely different side of him. This is a man who would stand up in the middle of a packed college cafeteria and give an entire speech about why he fell for his girlfriend just because one of his teammates asked him. How can we not love that?!
The one thing I love most about Kentaro is that he admits when he’s made a mistake and actively proves that he has changed. He never takes Taylor’s forgiveness for granted. Instead, he uses his actions and genuine understanding to earn back her trust. Watching him put in that effort made my heart ache in the best way and made me root even harder for their love.
The fake-dating moments are adorable, but underneath all the sweetness, you can tell how serious Kentaro becomes about Taylor. What may have started as “fake” as an excuse never really feels fake for very long.
The mysterious stalker storyline adds a darker and sometimes genuinely scary layer to the book. It changes the tone in certain moments, but it also becomes an important part of the story—especially because it gives Kentaro plenty of reasons to stay close to Taylor, protect her, and take care of her. And yes, I absolutely enjoyed every second of protective Ken-chan.
I also loved Kentaro’s mother, Hurami. She is such an adorable and memorable character. She passed her love of manga down to her children, but there is so much more strength behind her warmth. When she realized how toxic her ex-husband had become toward both her and her children, she found the courage to stand up and fight for the life they deserved.
More importantly, Hurami sees something that Kentaro himself may not fully recognize yet: Taylor makes her Ken-chan smile again.
And the way she welcomes Taylor touched me deeply. Taylor is a girl who has spent her life being bounced around the foster system, never really having a place that unquestionably feels like hers. Hurami gives her somewhere she can simply show up—no invitation necessary. That sense of acceptance and belonging adds another beautiful layer to a romance that is already full of heart.
Faking the Goal is definitely another Ridgewater U book you don’t want to miss. You come for the fake relationship, the grumpy goalie, the cross-cultural romance, and all that delicious tension—but you stay for Taylor and Ken-chan and the way they slowly become something real for each other.
And when you finish? Don’t be surprised if you’re still thinking about them long after you’ve closed the book.
October 16, 2026
I've really enjoyed the series so far. After reading the first 2 books, I wasn't as excited about book 3 because I hadn't really connected with the new main characters with the limited information we had received to this point but I have been pleasantly surprised.
Faking the Goal is the story of super talented goalie Kentaro and aspiring photographer Taylor who are university students at Ridgewater U. Kentaro is your grumpy, broody, annoyed at everyone kind of guy who loves his family and feels protective of them. Taylor is bubbly, determined, and, as someone who grew up in the foster care system, a survivor in her own way and quite lonely with no family or real friends to rely on. They have very different background but the dual POV is great here.
This is a really slow-burn kind of romance so don't expect much to happen until half-way. You see how first impressions break down and give way to appreciation of who the other is. Kentaro is the protective type and Taylor needs someone to protect her whilst her past comes back to haunt her. When Kentaro finds out that Taylor is dealing with a problem, he suggests fake dating as a way to protect her. We all know how fake dating in romance stories go, right? right!
It is not a short read. With a whopping 800+ pages, this required a commitment to put down everything else but I think it was worth it. If you like fake-dating, you're mine, grovelling due to uncontrollable jealousy then I think you'll enjoy this one.
Memorable quote:
"Your eyebrows immediately scrunch together, your jaw gets all tight, your face goes sour, and you look at me like my mere existence is personally inconveniencing you. Every. Single. Time. It's like I committed some horrible crime against you and nobody bothered telling me what it was"
Faking the Goal is the story of super talented goalie Kentaro and aspiring photographer Taylor who are university students at Ridgewater U. Kentaro is your grumpy, broody, annoyed at everyone kind of guy who loves his family and feels protective of them. Taylor is bubbly, determined, and, as someone who grew up in the foster care system, a survivor in her own way and quite lonely with no family or real friends to rely on. They have very different background but the dual POV is great here.
This is a really slow-burn kind of romance so don't expect much to happen until half-way. You see how first impressions break down and give way to appreciation of who the other is. Kentaro is the protective type and Taylor needs someone to protect her whilst her past comes back to haunt her. When Kentaro finds out that Taylor is dealing with a problem, he suggests fake dating as a way to protect her. We all know how fake dating in romance stories go, right? right!
It is not a short read. With a whopping 800+ pages, this required a commitment to put down everything else but I think it was worth it. If you like fake-dating, you're mine, grovelling due to uncontrollable jealousy then I think you'll enjoy this one.
Memorable quote:
"Your eyebrows immediately scrunch together, your jaw gets all tight, your face goes sour, and you look at me like my mere existence is personally inconveniencing you. Every. Single. Time. It's like I committed some horrible crime against you and nobody bothered telling me what it was"
Review of advance copy received from Author
Taylor & Kentaro's Story!
I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest book! Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect going in, as I felt we hadn't seen enough of Taylor and Kentaro in the previous installments to form a strong prior opinion. However, I was still incredibly excited, knowing the author's talent for crafting compelling stories.
I can confidently say that Taylor and Kentaro have quickly become my new favorite couple in this series! What I truly appreciate about this author's work is that it avoids the 'insta-love' trope, which often feels unrealistic. The books are certainly lengthy, but the payoff is so worth it. The gradual development of their relationship feels incredibly realistic and deeply satisfying.
This is another brilliant book from a fantastic author. Without giving too much away, I especially loved how the author incorporated the often-used fake dating trope. It wasn't the primary focus, but rather a later element that arose after the characters had already established a genuine connection. The unfolding mystery and the suspense of discovering what would happen next kept me completely hooked.
Seriously, do not overlook this author – you'll be missing out on some truly wonderful stories! I genuinely enjoy the author's writing style and am already eagerly anticipating the next book.
I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest book! Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect going in, as I felt we hadn't seen enough of Taylor and Kentaro in the previous installments to form a strong prior opinion. However, I was still incredibly excited, knowing the author's talent for crafting compelling stories.
I can confidently say that Taylor and Kentaro have quickly become my new favorite couple in this series! What I truly appreciate about this author's work is that it avoids the 'insta-love' trope, which often feels unrealistic. The books are certainly lengthy, but the payoff is so worth it. The gradual development of their relationship feels incredibly realistic and deeply satisfying.
This is another brilliant book from a fantastic author. Without giving too much away, I especially loved how the author incorporated the often-used fake dating trope. It wasn't the primary focus, but rather a later element that arose after the characters had already established a genuine connection. The unfolding mystery and the suspense of discovering what would happen next kept me completely hooked.
Seriously, do not overlook this author – you'll be missing out on some truly wonderful stories! I genuinely enjoy the author's writing style and am already eagerly anticipating the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, KLastella, for the ARC of the third installment of the Ridgewater U series-Faking The Goal–Release date: October 1st, 2026.
4.5 starts
While Kentaro and Taylor’s story was amazing, Eli and Sam’s book is still my favorite!
But still, who doesn’t love the grumpy goalie and happy party girl story? The way they annoy each other is so much fun…until Taylor’s past comes back and until Kentaro has to deal with pressure from his father. Then the drama of their story begins. While some might think a 600+ page romance novel is too long, I think KLastella uses those pages to really let us sink into their story, which I appreciate.
You’ll love seeing the hockey guys (and Sam and Caroline) again (and trying to guess whose book is next–looking at you Cody). The friend group scenes are always my favorite part about college romances. What is added here is getting to see Taylor learn how to be a part of that family, and being a part of Kentaro’s actual family. The Christmas scene was just the sweetest part of the book.
Will you want to smack Kentaro in the head a few times? Oh, most definitely. But, it’s satisfying watching him try to make things right with Taylor.
Pick up book one first, though–Benched by You–it’ll be worth it.
4.5 starts
While Kentaro and Taylor’s story was amazing, Eli and Sam’s book is still my favorite!
But still, who doesn’t love the grumpy goalie and happy party girl story? The way they annoy each other is so much fun…until Taylor’s past comes back and until Kentaro has to deal with pressure from his father. Then the drama of their story begins. While some might think a 600+ page romance novel is too long, I think KLastella uses those pages to really let us sink into their story, which I appreciate.
You’ll love seeing the hockey guys (and Sam and Caroline) again (and trying to guess whose book is next–looking at you Cody). The friend group scenes are always my favorite part about college romances. What is added here is getting to see Taylor learn how to be a part of that family, and being a part of Kentaro’s actual family. The Christmas scene was just the sweetest part of the book.
Will you want to smack Kentaro in the head a few times? Oh, most definitely. But, it’s satisfying watching him try to make things right with Taylor.
Pick up book one first, though–Benched by You–it’ll be worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lets go back to one of our favorite college hockey teams. We got to briefly meet Taylor in Benched by You now we hear the whole story. You can not get enough of Kentaro and Taylors banter. The slow burn of thier love draws you in with each chapter. As you unlock what the brooding goalie holds beneath that hard exterior. We also get to see the couples we fell in love with in the first 2 books. Taylor is a strong woman who has lived a lifetime already. This is an absolute must read! You will laugh and cry. But mostly you will have the privilege of watching a true love blossom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2026
ARC reader here. Started with book 1 on Wattpad. Got to be an ARC reader for book 2, which was my favorite out of the series until this one. I’m a sucker for grumpy/sunshine & enemies to lovers tropes so this checked my boxes. What can I say, I read to escape the ugliness in the world. I don’t need thick literary masterpieces that debate the meaning of things. I love Taylor’s deeply personal growth and backstory. Kentaro though, he was the one you really end up rooting for. Read it. Well, start with book 1 first.
October 6, 2026
I’m loving this series as a whole! Taylor and Kentaro made for a really compelling pair, even if Kentaro drove me completely crazy at times. The cameos and tie-ins with the rest of the series were so good to see. Overall, a really enjoyable read!
October 2, 2026
I love this series!
I have been following this series from the beginning and love these characters! This is definitely a must read! You don’t want to miss out!
I have been following this series from the beginning and love these characters! This is definitely a must read! You don’t want to miss out!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews