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nicola_june's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sw33tkay's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
karakaye1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishellenn's review against another edition
5.0
"and even when we're a hundred years old, i'll still be flirting with you to get your attention."
THIS BOOK. 5/5 stars, EASY.
first of all, thankyou stephanie for the ARC.
i loved the banter between hazel and rory! it was so fun in behind the net and i loved getting to see it progress in the fake out.
this book made my heart HURT. the way stephanie touched on body image issues and strained parent relationships was so well done imo and i really felt for everyone involved. i also really liked the fact that rory and his parents reconnected, instead of their relationship remaining the way it was. the scenes where he talked to his mum and dad were really quite powerful. same goes for the scenes of hazel opening up to her mum!
the spice was immaculate. even better than behind the net if you will. you will not be disappointed.
his nickname for her, him teaching her how to skate, the tattoo... rory miller, you will always be famous.
pls read this when it comes out, your only doing yourself a favour.
THIS BOOK. 5/5 stars, EASY.
first of all, thankyou stephanie for the ARC.
i loved the banter between hazel and rory! it was so fun in behind the net and i loved getting to see it progress in the fake out.
this book made my heart HURT. the way stephanie touched on body image issues and strained parent relationships was so well done imo and i really felt for everyone involved. i also really liked the fact that rory and his parents reconnected, instead of their relationship remaining the way it was. the scenes where he talked to his mum and dad were really quite powerful. same goes for the scenes of hazel opening up to her mum!
the spice was immaculate. even better than behind the net if you will. you will not be disappointed.
his nickname for her, him teaching her how to skate, the tattoo... rory miller, you will always be famous.
pls read this when it comes out, your only doing yourself a favour.
jennas8's review against another edition
5.0
This is truly as well done as a 2024 contemporary romance can possibly be. I mean that in the best way possible. It takes the 2024 romance trends — hockey romance, fake dating, and mental health representation — and creates the best contemporary romance book I’ve read with any of those tropes. It’s light in the best way.
I was going to give this four stars, but there’s no third act break up so I’m bumping it up to 4.5 stars
I was going to give this four stars, but there’s no third act break up so I’m bumping it up to 4.5 stars
nettiereadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Stephanie Archer and team for an ARC of The Fake Out!
Stephanie Archer was already a one click buy author with her Queen’s Cover series but I am loving the Vancouver Storm series!
The Fake Out is the second book in the Storm series, the follow up to book one Behind the Net. This is a definite 5 star, medium to high spice novel. I LOVED every second of this book.
In this book, we follow Rory and Hazel who we met in book one. I have to say, I didn’t know what to think about Rory being the hero, as I wasn’t exactly a fan of him in BTN. But was I ever wrong! Rory Miller is top tier, top 5 book boyfriend material. While I am partial to more grumpy/sunshine, I fell for this cinnamon roll/golden retriever hero! So swoon-worthy!
I loved Rory and Hazel’s story, loved the build up of their relationship. Hazel was so perfectly imperfect and I loved seeing her change her opinion of Rory after her judging him for his behaviour in high school. And I loved Rory’s character arc and how he changed himself as a player and how he viewed himself and his place on the team.
((Side note- ok small bone to pick, just how many NHL/professional hockey players went to their high school?? I find it hard to believe at my count, THREE players from the same school went on to play professionally and even ended up on the same team! But I digress, I still ate up every word.))
I was so glad to see Connor get his comeuppance, he was the absolute worst and the reason Hazel “swore off” dating hockey player and just dating in general. He was a real piece of work. I swooned at Rory’s possessive, caveman feelings toward Hazel in regard to Connor, even when they were still claiming to themselves and each other that it was fake.
Rory is the ULTIMATE CINNAMON ROLL. Like just listen to this man:
“My feelings for her are so fucking obvious it’s not even funny.”
“You’re so beautiful that 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.”
And then you get Hazel coming at you with this:
“If my heart is a house, Rory now lives there.”
I HIGHLY recommend everyone go out and read this book. Especially if you’re in your hockey romance era. Even if you’re not! It was so entertaining and heartfelt and I loved every second of it. 5⭐️ read.
NOTE: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Stephanie Archer was already a one click buy author with her Queen’s Cover series but I am loving the Vancouver Storm series!
The Fake Out is the second book in the Storm series, the follow up to book one Behind the Net. This is a definite 5 star, medium to high spice novel. I LOVED every second of this book.
In this book, we follow Rory and Hazel who we met in book one. I have to say, I didn’t know what to think about Rory being the hero, as I wasn’t exactly a fan of him in BTN. But was I ever wrong! Rory Miller is top tier, top 5 book boyfriend material. While I am partial to more grumpy/sunshine, I fell for this cinnamon roll/golden retriever hero! So swoon-worthy!
I loved Rory and Hazel’s story, loved the build up of their relationship. Hazel was so perfectly imperfect and I loved seeing her change her opinion of Rory after her judging him for his behaviour in high school. And I loved Rory’s character arc and how he changed himself as a player and how he viewed himself and his place on the team.
((Side note- ok small bone to pick, just how many NHL/professional hockey players went to their high school?? I find it hard to believe at my count, THREE players from the same school went on to play professionally and even ended up on the same team! But I digress, I still ate up every word.))
I was so glad to see Connor get his comeuppance, he was the absolute worst and the reason Hazel “swore off” dating hockey player and just dating in general. He was a real piece of work. I swooned at Rory’s possessive, caveman feelings toward Hazel in regard to Connor, even when they were still claiming to themselves and each other that it was fake.
Rory is the ULTIMATE CINNAMON ROLL. Like just listen to this man:
“My feelings for her are so fucking obvious it’s not even funny.”
“You’re so beautiful that 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.”
And then you get Hazel coming at you with this:
“If my heart is a house, Rory now lives there.”
I HIGHLY recommend everyone go out and read this book. Especially if you’re in your hockey romance era. Even if you’re not! It was so entertaining and heartfelt and I loved every second of it. 5⭐️ read.
NOTE: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
sophia1602's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmareads1's review against another edition
3.0
Sooososos silly and cringy. It’s like bad reality tv but I couldn’t stop so I just kept reading lmao. Honestly it was a good study break and didn’t require thinking
k_cavacini's review against another edition
4.0
You know when you just want to read a book that is fun and makes you smile and maybe swoon a little bit? The Fake Out is that book! I'm really loving the Vancouver Storm series, the books are romantic and just the right amount of spice. I love how in love all of the men are with the women, it makes it fun to read. There aren't any unnecessary break ups or hurdles other than the characters realizing their own feelings. I loved Rory and Hazel's fake dating that turns into real dating. Also, the real topics/issues in the books are handled with care. This book dealt with body image issues and parental relationships with respect. Can't wait to read the next in the series!