Photo credits to booksamillion.com
By: Molly Cunningham
Fake Skating by Lynn Painter is a young adult contemporary romance novel and a #1 New York Times bestseller. The book takes place in a hockey-obsessed town in Minnesota and follows Dani Collins, a high school senior who is facing many challenges, including her parents’ recent divorce, adjusting to a new environment, and working toward her dream of attending Harvard University.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mother move back to her grandfather’s town of Southview, Minnesota, where she spent part of her childhood. Her grandfather was once a hockey star in the town, making hockey a huge part of the community. As Dani tries to strengthen her college application, she finds herself getting involved in the world of high school hockey, where she gets the opportunity to become the team’s manager.
This new position also brings her back into the life of Alec Barczewski, her former childhood best friend. However, the Alec she reunites with is not the same sweet and nerdy boy she remembers. He has now become the star hockey player in town, and his popularity seems to have changed him. Their reunion is not exactly the comfortable friendship Dani once remembered.
Despite their awkward relationship and unresolved history, Dani and Alec continue spending time together. Eventually, they come up with an idea that could benefit both of them: why not just fake a relationship? Alec hopes that dating Dani, an academically driven student with connections to hockey royalty, will help improve his reputation. His current public image could hurt his chances of impressing NHL scouts and pursuing his hockey dreams. In return, Alec will help Dani get the hockey team manager position, which could strengthen her college application as she tries to get off Harvard’s waitlist and secure her acceptance.
With its combination of childhood friendships, fake dating, high school romance, and hockey culture, Fake Skating brings together several popular young adult romance themes. The story may appeal to readers who enjoy lighthearted romance novels with a mix of family challenges and complicated relationships.
For anyone looking for a cozy young adult romance to read under a blanket as the colder weather approaches, Fake Skating could be a great addition to their reading list. The book is also being adapted into a movie, currently scheduled for theatrical release on July 16, 2027.
