A review by lyss_loves_lit
Rinkmates by Nova Banks

fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

Rinkmates had a lot of potential with fake dating, hockey romance, and forced proximity as its tropes—but for me, it didn’t quite deliver the slow burn or tension that I love in fake dating books. 

 

The main issue that I have with this book is the pacing. Liora and Riley’s whole relationship felt rushed and instead of building tension through a slower burn, it progressed too quickly and is more insta-love than anything. 

 

Liora and Riley both came across as immature at times, in both their dialogue and actions. Riley is supposed to be 27 and he definitely did not read like 27😅While the book had plenty of side characters and an entourage that could have been fun, the abundance of subplots felt chaotic and overwhelming. 

 

The hockey aspect, which I was really looking forward to, also didn’t play as large a role as I expected. Liora being a professional ice skater alongside Riley’s hockey career had a lot of promise, but the sport was more of a background detail than an integral part of the romance. 

 

While I did appreciate the book’s setup and some of the early moments between the characters, it ultimately didn’t deliver the tension and slow-burn I love in fake dating or roommates-to-lovers tropes. It’s definitely not enemies to lovers either, Liora simply hates Riley, or convinces herself that she hates him, because of his social media reputation, on the other hand she’s been Riley’s celebrity crush since they were teenagers so he definitely doesn’t hate her. 

 

The premise was intriguing but in the end, Rinkmates didn’t quite live up to my expectations. 

 

Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC of this book!