Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans…and he loves it.
Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years. (Pub Date: Sep 30 2025)
This was my first YA by Lynn Painter after not being so marveled by one of her romances. And I can finally say that I see what people mean when they talk about her.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Unfortunately, the general story is very commonplace. In fact, I read a book just the other month with the same premise: friends who’ve spent every summer together for years, then had a falling out and now need to face the consequences. This one combines the second-chance trope with fake dating—although the latter is mostly just an excuse to get them closer. I know, I know, when isn’t it? I mean that it doesn’t last very long. After all, the feelings are there from the first page, despite Alec trying to convince us he hates Dani for ghosting him at such an important time.
To be honest, I’m only noting this to warn readers who are picking up the book for that specific trope. I didn’t really mind how short-lived it was, because it wasn’t what was bringing out the story’s potential anyway.
What I did mind was that the book is very wordy, but most of the time it’s just hinting that there’s more to their reasons for distancing themselves from each other. I like hints. I like when authors show they’ve planned things out, that there’s more to come, so you read on just waiting for it. But in this case, I think it was overused. By the time the reveals came, I’d already guessed everything and was hoping the book would throw in an extra surprise to reward my patience.
It wasn’t just that, though. The book needed some cleaning up, some tightening, because the narration also tends to go on for too long.
Despite those issues, I’d say the pacing of the book was good. It let us really see their relationship mature. There were also many scenes where I was sure we’d hit a cliché misunderstanding, but the characters were mature enough to handle it before it got there. There is a cliché climax, though. But even then, I think the author handled it well.
The characters were also very likeable, and their voices are still with me, even days after finishing the book. The story brushes against some darker themes, but it maintains a feel-good tone that fits the cuteness of the cover.
This was a great re-introduction to Lynn Painter, and I think I can finally dive into her earlier works now.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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