Stephanie  Archer

The Fake Out

lex 📖

I hate Rory Miller’s stupid fucking arrogant grin. I hate it so much that I think about it all the time.

She’s so pretty and mean and perfect, and this is going to fucking ruin me.

As a joke during one of our tutoring sessions in high school, he flipped to a new page, and it had HAZEL HARTLEY written with hearts all around it.

Rory Miller kisses me, and the world tilts below my feet.

This isn’t just a kiss. My head spins with the pleasure of his lips against mine, the way he tastes, the way he feels and smells.

“Don’t bully me, Hartley.” He nips my earlobe and my lips part. “It makes me hard.”

“You’re drunk.” I can barely get the words out, I’m so turned on. “I’m not.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “I just think you’re really, really pretty.”

“I’m mad at you,” I tell her, breaking the kiss, and her eyes widen, confused and outraged. “What? Why?” “Because I’ve practically had my tongue down your throat for months, and you still think I’m not interested.” I press my hips against hers, pinning her to the door. “Maybe I need to be more clear, Hartley.”

“You’re so beautiful it makes my chest hurt.”

“And even when we’re a hundred years old,” he whispers, “I’ll be flirting with you to get your attention.”

If my heart is a house, Rory now lives there.

I’m in love with her, and I’d do anything to make her happy.

The idea that Rory is mine and all mine is so sweet and necessary,

“You’re so patient.” “You’re worth the wait.”

He’s wild, and he makes me wild, and I can’t imagine the trajectory of my life if we hadn’t gotten together. Life would be so dull without him.

When I’m a hundred years old and thinking back on my life, I’ll think about being in love with Rory Miller.

tinica

" My chest expands with a tight, excited feeling. No one talks to me like Hartley does. I’ve always liked that about her. "

“I don’t date hockey players, and I’m pretty sure you don’t even know my first name.” 

His gaze sharpens, his smile turning flirty. “You want me to say your name more, Hazel?” "

"She’s so pretty and mean and perfect, and this is going to fucking ruin me."

im honestly just chasing the high that fake skating by lynn painter just got me and this did it 

very cute, very classic, highly recommend  

Emilia Vulliamy

‘tis hockey romance season baby

im honestly just chasing the high that fake skating by lynn painter just got me and this did it 

very cute, very classic, highly recommend  

I am SO glad I picked up this book! I liked Behind The Net but I wasn't really convinced about the author because the book didn't catch me like I hoped it would. The second now tho was amazing! It was so good I loved every minute of it.

He was such an interesting and loveable character and I loved Hartley's personality. Even the family dynamics were interesting even tho I wish we saw even more. The teasing of Owens and Darcy was so interesting as well and I can't wait to start their book!

The constant communication to avoid misunderstandings was so good and not boring at all. It was such a fun read I didn't need fights, stupid break ups for no reason or tension were it doesn't belong. I was fully entertained even if they acted like responsible adults.

It was by far my favorite sports romance of the year. I know it's only April so I'm excited to see if maybe the third book will top it for me because I can smell the drama brewing but I honestly don't think any book of hers will top this one for me. It was perfect.

Sophia

I am SO glad I picked up this book! I liked Behind The Net but I wasn't really convinced about the author because the book didn't catch me like I hoped it would. The second now tho was amazing! It was so good I loved every minute of it.

He was such an interesting and loveable character and I loved Hartley's personality. Even the family dynamics were interesting even tho I wish we saw even more. The teasing of Owens and Darcy was so interesting as well and I can't wait to start their book!

The constant communication to avoid misunderstandings was so good and not boring at all. It was such a fun read I didn't need fights, stupid break ups for no reason or tension were it doesn't belong. I was fully entertained even if they acted like responsible adults.

It was by far my favorite sports romance of the year. I know it's only April so I'm excited to see if maybe the third book will top it for me because I can smell the drama brewing but I honestly don't think any book of hers will top this one for me. It was perfect.

Poojitha Uppalapati

millena

4,5 ⭐️

this was so cute, i was just giggling and kicking my feet all the time

kels

Valeria 

Minahil Fatima 

you know what? this was a nice read and man oh man rory miller was fun to read.

not a big BIG fan of their character but i love how their dynamics is created and built i really enjoy reading about them

Greer Andersson

4 ⭐️
First, thank you to Stephanie Archer’s team for sending me the ARC for this book! This is my honest review. 

Themes and tropes:
- fake dating
- he falls first and harder
- hockey romance
- high school past

First of all. Rory Miller. God he’s so perfect. He is THE romance book boyfriend, don’t think I’ve read any others that compare. I appreciate that the conflict that both characters were feeling felt realistic and their reactions to it for the most part at least were justified.

Hazel’s relationship with her mum was very relatable and I appreciated the inclusion of that discourse. I think Rory and Hazel’s banter and flirting was what made this book, it was just so fun and enjoyable.

In my personal opinion, I do think the plot got away a **little** at the end but I didn’t mind too much. I could’ve done without a couple of the steamier scenes but that’s honestly just personal preference.

A perfectly funny, enjoyable, and emotional hockey romance that you should definitely pick up!

Selin Igten

this was so raunchy but was a delish hockey book

anna haskins 

he's head over heels in love and we spend enough time in his head seeing him swoon and fall for her all over again. that was enough for me.

violeta

Isabella 

had me giggling and kicking my feet like... i love rory and hazel's banters and relationship and rory the man u are!! generally, not a fan of spicy content so i had to skip a lot but putting that aside i really loved this!!

Brizah

Kierce

this series is to me what a hallmark movie is to some

a ♡

OH MY GOD, THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS SOOOOOO GOOD. 

Their chemistry was off the charts in book 1, but in this book? Dear God, thank you for letting me stumble on this series 😭

Keira 💫

I LOVE RORY AND HAZEL. 

OH MY GOD, THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS SOOOOOO GOOD. 

THE CHARACTERS ARE SOOOO GOOD. 

I FUCKING LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭

Their chemistry was off the charts in book 1, but in this book? Dear God, thank you for letting me stumble on this series 😭

Nisham loksamba limbu

Good pace, didn’t have a third act break up (thank god), only wish they would’ve gone a little more in depth on the ex bfs punishment that felt a little rushed and glossed over but other than that I LOVE RORY AND HAZEL SO MUCH!!!