Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hockey, swearing in fun friends-to-sweethearts romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In FAKE SKATING, Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids. They'd spend one month each summer having the time of their lives, until middle school, when Dani moved to Germany, and the promise to keep in touch fell apart. Now Dani's back in Minnesota for senior year, reeling from her parents' divorce and hoping to reconnect with the funny, nerdy boy she once knew. Instead, she finds that Alec has become a super-hot hockey god worshiped by their small town, complete with an entourage of adoring fans and an ego to match. At first, she avoids Alec, but when they are caught in a compromising position, they're forced into fake dating. As they pretend to reconnect, their old friendship resurfaces. But, as they try to keep one another at a distance, their insane connection keeps drawing them together. Will Alec and Dani figure out how to make a fake date into the real thing, or will past hurts and present secrets prove too hard to surmount?
Is It Any Good?
Fun, seasonal, and humorous, this book is another cute teen romance by author Lynn Painter. The banter and chemistry between the main characters in Fake Skating is on point, making the read another binge-worthy delight. The hockey action is real without overtaking the plot, and the sense of community and familial bonds is well-handled.
The misunderstanding between Alec and Dani is stretched out for the entire book, creating conflict that one quick conversation would resolve. This plot device, coupled with the constant pop culture references, is annoying and takes away from the enjoyment of the story. To top it off, the characters avoid conflict in other areas of their lives and never really process their misunderstanding, letting it come out as an aside late in the story. Luckily, the author's breezy dialogue and snapping pacing will keep fans of swoony young adult romances reading until the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character's refusal to share the problems they are having with each other or with trusted adults in Fake Skating. Should Alec have told his parents or coach about his shoulder sooner? Should this kind of perseverance be rewarded?
The author includes a lot of pop culture references in this book. Does this make it more or less enjoyable? Why do you think she includes so many?
There's a lot of swearing in the novel. Do you think this is an accurate representation of how much teenagers swear in American culture?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Competition , Friendship , School ( High School ) , Sports ( Hockey )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 30, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 25, 2025
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