Started On: June 10, 2025
Finished On: June 16, 2025
Format: eBook/Kindle
Genre: YA Romance

Release Date: September 30, 2025
Get the book here (paid link)

Perfect for you if you like:
Dual POV
Second Chance
Hockey Romance
Yearning
Fake Dating

Book Summary:
From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theatres, Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids. Until Dani moved away. Years later, Dani is back in Minnesota, and exited to reconnect with the nerdy and comforting Alec. But teenage Alec is NOTHING like the boy she remembers. He’s the hockey STAR in a town where hockey players are worshipped as gods – and he loves it. 

When one thing leads to another and Dani and Alec find themselves thrown together and playing the role of boyfriend and girlfriend, “complicated” becomes an understatement. In this Minnesota town, hockey may rule, but romance is about to take its place.

Review/Thoughts:
I’m beginning to think there isn’t a Lynn Painter book I won’t love. This one was adorable and I genuinely loved both characters! The romantic tension and banter were top-tier, and Alec’s longing? So, so good.

I especially loved watching Dani grow. Her journey felt real and personal. I definitely saw parts of myself in her. And even though second chance romance isn’t usually my thing, this one was done really well!

My only complaint? If these two had just talked to each other, they could’ve avoided like 99% of their problems. The miscommunication dragged on a bit too long and got frustrating at times.

Still, this was such a fun read!

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Lynn Painter for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. 💛