Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

A #1 New York Times Bestseller — and honestly, it earns every bit of that title.

From the beloved author of Better Than the Movies comes a banter-filled, heartfelt rom-com that feels like finding a cozy corner in a familiar place. This one has all the ingredients: childhood sweethearts, a hockey-obsessed Minnesota town, a fake relationship, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you want to read just one more chapter.

Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids — playground adventures, snuck-into movie theaters, the whole bit. Then life pulled them apart, and promises went unkept. Now Dani’s back for her senior year, navigating her parents’ messy divorce and a hometown that’s practically worships at the altar of hockey. The Alec she finds? Not exactly the sweet, nerdy kid she remembered. He’s a star now, and he knows it.

But fate (and a wonderfully unlikely series of events) forces them back together — this time as a fake couple. What follows is a gorgeous unraveling of old secrets, complicated family dynamics, and feelings neither of them is quite ready to name.

It’s funny, tender, and surprisingly moving. Perfect for fans of YA romantic comedies that actually make you feel something.

• Ideal for teen and young adult readers — and anyone who loves a good love story
• Themes of family, friendship, forgiveness, and first loves
• A perfect pick for a rainy afternoon with the sound of the sea just outside

Trust us — this one’s going to fly off the shelf.

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