Ohhhh she was a spicy one! Dating and sex lessons were a big part of the plot and they made me sweat and fan myself. I loved how West always checked in with her and made her feel comfortable, it was clear he wanted her to feel empowered. Their physical intimacy really enhanced their emotional intimacy! Nora needed help standing up for herself and focusing on her needs and West was her biggest supporter in that. She was honest with him in a way she’d never been with anyone and he provided her the safe space to explore not only her sexual desires but also her emotional needs. I really enjoyed these two!

I love steamy, brother's best friend, fake dating romances and this one definitely did not disappoint! The flashbacks added very sweet moments to a great story.

if you've liked olivia hayles other books, you'll like this one :)

this was super cute and probably one of my favorite olivia hayle books. West was a dream and I appreciate how they didn't drag out the dating reveal with her brother for too long. There was a small bit of a romantic suspense plot going on, but it wasn't my favorite! I think this book could have been even better if they leaned into the stalker thing a little more. It ended up being so much nothing that it felt a bit pointless, I was waiting for a more interesting reveal or for the events themselves to come to a head in a more dramatic fashion! it was a bit underwhelming in that respect, but then again, this wasn't billed as a romantic suspense so i can't really complain. the romance itself was adorable and fake dating between two yearners always hits :)

📚 Bookstagram Review: The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle 💋🎭⁣
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Fake dating? Check. Brother’s best friend? Check. Secret pining, steamy lessons, and a dash of danger? YES PLEASE. 😍⁣
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Eleanore (Nora) is forced out of her apartment by a stalker and lands in the one place she never expected—living with West Calloway, her brother’s infuriatingly hot best friend. What starts as a protective move turns into a fake dating arrangement... plus private dating lessons. 👀⁣
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From shared beds to stolen glances, West and Nora’s chemistry is off-the-charts. He’s rich and emotionally unavailable. She’s sweet, awkward, and totally unaware of her own worth. Together? FIRE. 🔥 And let’s be honest—this “just for practice” setup? Totally not fooling anyone.⁣
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This is the kind of swoony, emotional slow burn that makes you grin like an idiot and blush at the same time. 💘⁣
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✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I couldn’t put it down.⁣
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#TheFakingGame #OliviaHayle #Bookstagram #ARCReview #NetGalleyReads #FakeDatingTrope #BrothersBestFriend #RomComReads #BookishLove #SpicyRomance #BookLovers #SlowBurnPerfection

I love a good fake dating romance, and this one definitely did not disappoint.

I love reading romances about men who would do anything for their woman, and West definitely fit that description—even though she has no idea how he feels for her.

I could relate to Nora and her people-pleasing ways. She constantly puts others' needs before her own, always striving to keep everyone happy. West is the exception to the rule, being the only person she doesn’t feel the pressure to please. With his help, she finds the courage to speak her mind and express her feelings honestly. West love and support for her were wunderful to read.

One thing that stood out to me was how they both were billionaires—not just the male lead, which it often is. It made their relationship feel much more balanced, and it was refreshing to read a billionaire romance where money and different lifestyles wasn’t the central conflict.

Another highlight was the group dynamic between West and his three close friends (one of whom is Noras' older brother, Rafe). Their bond gave me all the found family vibes and added warmth and humour to the story. I'm really looking forward to reading their books in the future!

I couldn’t put this book down and highly recommend it to anyone who loves brother’s best friend, billionaire, fake dating/dating lessons, forced proximity.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 25th, 2025

This book was between 3 and 4 stars for me. There were parts I really enjoyed but then at other times it felt like the book was a bit too long. This was a very solid brother's best friend romance though. The small flashbacks to when they were younger fit the story well, and you could see how it affected their current day situation.

I think a lot of people will relate to Nora and her people pleasing issues. I do feel like everyone around her treated her like a child though but at the same time, she didn't really help matters when it came to that.

I loved West though. I liked that he helped her learn boundaries, how to speak up for herself, and self defense. He was supportive and pushed her to communicate more not only with him, but with her family and those around her.

I did find the stalker aspect interesting, but was disappointed in that ending. I was just expecting a little more from that story line.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow -just wow. This is the first book I have read by Olivia Hayle and it blew all my expectations out the water.

It had me hooked from the first line 'The best part about going to a nightclub is when you finally get to leave.'

This follows Nora - aka Eleanore Montclair , the Montclair Heiress and West - aka Weston Maude Calloway , The Heir to the Calloway fortune.

Nora is a model and face of the Montclair company, and West is her older brother Rafes , best friend. After receiving multiple threats from an obsessed stalker , Rafe ask West to step in to protect Nora as they are both in New York, while Rafe lives in Europe.

This arrangement then escalates to them living together in his family manor , and then fake dating to protect her from this stalker.

Getting to know Nora, we realise that she is the youngest child and a people-pleaser, she has never been able to set boundaries with her family and in relationships, which is why at 24 she is still a virgin.

West, agrees to fake date her as he needs to be married by 30 in order to inherit his family home and Calloway holdings, and this will get his mother of his back. In exchange for helping him out, Nora ask West to help her practice intimacy and skills need in relationships.

I loved these characters, West is so emotionally mature and sees the way Nora struggles pleasing everyone around her, at the detriment of her own happiness and is more than happy to be the one she practices she skills on. I love how protective her was of her.

I loved the world building, the boys friend group, the hints at more story to come in this series.

The growth of Nora and the way West is so deeply obsessed with her bite and her wellness. It was such a beautiful story, with great banter and hot bedroom moments.

I had so many highlights from this book - most from West POV, cause he just saw Nora in all her complex glory and loved every inch of her.

Some of my favourite quotes:

Nora POV:

The best part about going to a nightclub is when you finally get to leave.

Because if I tell people, they’ll worry more than they already do, and I don’t like that. It’s the currency of my life: being well-liked. Making others happy. Maybe that’s why West bothers me so much. I haven’t been able to figure out how to make him happy.

The problem with being a chronic people-pleaser who hates conflict is that life is nothing but constant conflict.

“You’re angry.” “Yes,” I say. “Funny, isn’t it? You’re the one who taught me how to be angry. Maybe you regret that now.” “No. I will always welcome your fire, Nora. Burn me with it when I deserve it.”

“Don’t leave me,” he mutters in my ear between polite conversations. “I might die if you do.” I laugh. “Are you addicted to me?” “Yes. Dangerously so.” His hand finds mine and locks our fingers together.

My lips widen into a smile. “I’d do anything for you, West.” He shakes his head slowly. “But I’d never ask you to do a damn thing for me.” “I know. That’s why I would.” “Be selfish, Nora. Please.”

“The fashion show,” I ask. “Can I be there beside you?” Her gaze slides to mine. “Do you want to be?” “Of course I do. It’s been in my calendar for weeks.” A smile spreads across her face. “Thank you.”


“What I want, Nora,” he says, his voice raw, “is for you to stay here forever. For you to be mine. For there to be no more faking between us—not ever. I want you on my arm. I want you wearing my ring. More than anything, I want you happy. I want to see you designing. I want to hear you say no a thousand more times. I want to make you come, and I want to watch you smile and laugh. I want to watch you charm everyone we meet. I want you in my bed. I want you in my office. I want you by my side.” The words hang in the air, making it hard to breathe. “It’s terrifying, I know. It terrified me. Marriage has always been something to be avoided. I’ve seen the way my parents did it, the punishments, the secrets, the games… if you give someone the key, they will wreck you. But you already have the key, sweetheart. And you’re welcome to wreck me as long as it means you’ll stay.” He shakes his head, his voice dropping. “I’m scared of what you’ll say now because… you love making people happy.” He pauses, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again. They’re glazed. “But I still want your honesty, now more than ever. Even if it destroys me.”

West POV:

“It’s about trust. And sex should always be about trust.” “I don’t think everyone feels like that.” “Then they’re doing it wrong.” My voice comes out harsher than I intend. The idea of Nora people-pleasing in bed makes something inside me turn hard with fury. Not at her. Never at her. At the men who might not have listened. It makes me hate my own gender. The idea of men on a date, seeing her beauty, seeing her kindness and her smiles, and thinking only of their own gratification.

Flattered, then. More than flattered. It fucking wrecks me that I’m one of the few people she feels safe enough to be mostly herself around. That she doesn’t preen or pretend for me, doesn’t offer me fake smiles or hide her opinion.

She smiles beneath my thumb, and I’m lost. Maybe I always was. But this is the moment I know it, wholly and completely. There’s no recovering from her.

Her lips part on a soft sigh. She likes it when I praise her.

She doesn’t want to be here. Didn’t even want to model, has been trying to phase out of it, and yet here she is, doing a beautiful job of it anyway. Because she was asked to. Because she’s kind, and supportive, and doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone.

It hurts to look at her. That’s the way her beauty is: a dagger, sharp and piercing. And yet the pain doesn’t stop me from looking.

The rage that works its way through me steals my breath. That someone so good, and kind, who works so damn hard at pleasing everyone all the time, should be made to feel like this. I hadn’t realized the stalker scared her this much. She kept it all bottled up, and she did such a beautiful job of hiding it that even I hadn’t seen the full extent of it until now.

“Of course I don’t. You’re brave.” I open the door to her room, and she walks in front of me to her bed. And you take care of everyone else all the time. Let me take care of you now.

She consumes me. Her taste, her touch, her smiles. It’s all I think about in the days leading up to the Calloway Spring Ball and Rafe’s arrival.

“Hi,” I say. It’s not you kill me, but it’s close.

She turns it over, and then her breath catches. “Be a good girl and get angry,” she reads. “You had it engraved?” “If you ever need a reminder. If I’m not around to tell you to stand up for yourself.”


Alex sends me a delivery a day later. It’s a giant box of magnum condoms, along with a note that makes it clear he’s spoken to Rafe. I’m too young to become an uncle again. Magnum was generous of me, which I want noted. Happy for you. You took a risk with this. I approve. Burn this note after reading, though, and don’t tell Rafe. I’m playing both sides here. You get it.


Hints for book 2

“No. I should go to bed,” he says. “But I’m not sure what kind of reception I’ll get.” Rafe is sprawled out, his head against the headrest. His dark hair is mussed, and like West, he’s long since undone his bow tie. He’s turning something over on his own ring finger. Because West and I aren’t the only ones who got married this summer.

Thank you to Olivia Hayle and Netgalley for this ARC!

I was pleased to find I actually really enjoyed this book! Billionaire romance isn't really my thing in general, so it was fun to find one I really like. I generally prefer ones that hit you over the head with the idea *he's not like other billionaires* and while this didn't do that, I did still really enjoy his character. I'm also not usually a fan of the virgin FMC trope, but it did make sense in the context of her character and actually added to the story.

Nora is a perpetual people pleaser and West is her brother's best friend (who is also a billionaire). When Nora begins to get creepy messages from a stalker, West agrees to let her live with him and provide security. While they start off as enemies (ish), West and Nora decide to fake date as it'll get his mom to stop setting him up and give Nora the dating experience she desperately wants. As a people pleaser, Nora has struggled with dating and the expectations within it. West is able to show Nora that it is okay to demand what you want and set boundaries and, in the end, Nora is able to help West with a big obstacle in his life. Both characters were written really well and I loved reading their romance blossom.

Very excited to continue this series!

I was kindly gifted those as an ARC by the author iv previously read a few of her books and am yet to read once that i haven't absolutely devoured (also this cover is stunning) i literally spead through the book i was reading to start this one I was that excited. Usally, I try not to go into bid with high expectations so I don't get let down, but this absolutely lived up to the hype I'd given it in my head. Especially with thid being brothers best friend & vergin fmc romance I'm usally not to keen on them but this was done so well i adored Nora from the get go she was sweet and even if she didn't knoe it she was strong and the way west wanted her actually made my heart hurt he wanted her but also wanted to respect his promises to his best friend. Change of topic West was a pro with that praise kink of his. Delishhhhh I was melting into a puddle for him. I can't wait for rafe's book next he's a savage😂

ALSO THIS IS A FU***NG SLOW BURN

ARC Review: The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle
Rating: 4/5 stars

The Faking Game is a swoony, feel-good romance that delivers a perfect mix of fake dating, brother’s best friend, and “enemies”-to-lovers tropes—all wrapped in an emotionally grounded, slow-burn love story. Nora, a guarded yet endearing main character, moves in with West Calloway—her brother’s best friend and longtime crush—after a stalker incident. What begins as reluctant roommates quickly turns into fake dating for safety and private “dating lessons” for confidence, with undeniable chemistry bubbling beneath the surface.

West is a possessive sweetheart from the start, full of quiet praise, thoughtful gestures, and obvious care for Nora—even when she’s convinced he’s just trying to irritate her. Their dynamic evolves with heartfelt growth, witty banter, and intimacy that feels both earned and electric. Despite its 500+ pages, the story never drags, thanks to strong character development and emotional depth.

The third-act conflict is resolved with refreshing maturity, and while some spicy scenes were more intense than I prefer, they were well-written and fit the tone. A charming, romantic, and satisfying read for fans of slow burns with heart and heat.

Witty, swoony, and deliciously addictive- The Faking Games is everything a fake dating romance should be, with a few clever twists that elevate it beyond the trope.

I’ll admit, I was hesitant about one element going in (IYKYK) as it’s not my jam usually- I like more experience lets say, but Olivia pulls it off with charm and intelligence. The world she builds feels immersive without being overdone, and the side characters aren’t just filler- they breathe life into the pages.

Nora’s arc is the one that stands out, her emotional growth, quiet strength and internal tug-of-war make her a heroine you root for. And West? Delectable. The perfect balance of protective alpha and emotionally attuned man who been low key pining from the start. Their chemistry sizzles, the banter pops and the brotherly dynamic adds even more depth to the dialogue.

The cherry on top is the seamless tease into book2 in the series- a marriage of convenience setup between Nora’s brother and a rival- I cannot wait to devour.

This was a smart, sexy, emotionally rich romance that delivers the feels and the fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you for this great eARC read!

#thefakinggame #oliviahayle #fakedating #romancebooksofinstagram #spicyromance #billionareromance

First of all thank you to Oliva Hayle, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this E-book! All opinions in this review are my own.

I don't even know where to start with this one....

It's about Nora who's born into a insanely wealthy family. But she has a stalker and moves to New York!
She has to live with her brothers best friend who teaches her how to have a relationship. They fall in love but west has to marry before 30 to keep it his estate.


I am a easy girl. I see forbidden love and brothers best friend but this was a drag.

Imagine twisted games but about 100 pages longer and just worse?
I hated who the stalker was... Its insanely anticlimactic and the time line felt off.

At some points I was just smacking myself with my Kindle out of severe second hand embarrassment. It was a lot of second hand embarrassment.

But it did make me giggle and kick my feet sometimes! I wanted to love this so so so so badly. But I just couldn't get past it

Was the book bad? No. Was it for me? No.
Reading the other reviews makes me think I read a different book but I just hope it makes so many other people happy when it releases.

SUCH A PERFECT brother's best friend/fake dating trope book.
I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed so much how well written it is, how it develops, how the slow burn BURNS.
Olivia Hayle never disappoints, I knew that, but this book is so great, funny, it makes you yearn.
Finding this kind of book, well written, with a plot, backstories, girl, you had me and now you can keep me.
Such a nice reading.

WOW i loved reading this !!!!!! as this was my first olivia hayle book, i had no idea what i was getting into. after reading the faking game, a whole new world in romance novels has been introduced to me !!!! i absolutely loved the progression of the fmc and the mmc throughout the novel—i truly couldn’t put this down !!! i can’t wait to read more of the author’s books. thank you to netgalley and olivia hayle for this arc !!!

Thank you to Olivia Hayle and NetGalley for the ARC of The Faking Game in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so freaking much for so many reasons. First of all, if you can’t find a trope you connect with is this book, there’s no hope for you. We have so many classics here: brothers insanely rich best friend, enemies to lovers, fake dating, dating lessons, forced proximity.. UGH the list goes on and on and Olivia nailed every one of them! Nora and West have one of the most adorable relationships that translates over to the written word effortlessly. I love that they have this deep history together through Nora’s brother before they even decide to step into their fake relationship. The premise of West teaching/showing Nora how to be in a relationship was GENIUS and a huge contributing factor as to why the book was so fun.

I’m fairly confident this will be book one of a series that is yet to grace us with their presence at this very moment, but you better believe when the next book is released, I will be running to get my hands on it so quickly! If you are a lover of slow burns and fake dating turned not so fake, then this one is for you my friend. Please ensure you get your hands on this one, as it comes out May 25th for your reading pleasure!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I devoured this book. Olivia Hayle absolutely nailed the fake dating + brother’s best friend combo, and I was hooked! West is the perfect mix of protective and emotionally mature (with just the right amount of ego), and Nora is so relatable—funny, vulnerable, and stronger than she thinks.

Their chemistry? Off the charts. The slow burn was torture in the best way, and the dating lessons trope added such a fun twist. I loved watching their relationship shift from fake to very real, and the emotional payoff was so satisfying.

Also, can we talk about the banter? So sharp and sweet. This book had me smiling, swooning, and staying up way too late. If you love slow burns, forced proximity, and an MMC who falls hard, you need this on your TBR.

Thank you Netgalley & Olivia Hayle for the gifted copy!

Nora and West were sweet, the underlying conflict, the way he helps her through her mental blocks... The angst between them, the push pull and then whether Rafe would find out. I loved this book for a fun summer escapism. Definitely an airport read!

Nora's arc where she stands up for herself and stops people pleasing is my favourite part!

I'm also happy there's a character called Amber that isn't just the 'other woman'!

Can't wait for the next in the series

Thank you to Netgalley and Olivia Hayle for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this fake dating billionaire romance despite my personal tastes leaning towards sports romance. The romance was steamy, the characters unique enough. It's always interesting to imagine how the 1%$ lives. My biggest reason this wasn't a 4 star read is because the female main character is so infantalized (is that a word?) throughout the book. By her brother, who thinks she must be 14 years old, and by West, especially when he finds out about the virginity thing. Good Lord, you'd think she would've said she's under 18 the way he reacted. Even her estranged mother treats her like a child. I do like that she gained some of that spark/boundary setting in a healthy way, but Rafe really needed a freaking slap for all the babying he does.

I also feel like it would've been better if they did more with the stalker line, because I love a good touch her and die situation. Also we never found out if she won the fashion show!

I really hope that this gets a series with Alex, James, and Rafe getting their own books! Even Hadrian's side of things might be interesting. There's definitely more to explore in this world and I will definitely be on the lookout.

| arc review |

this was my first Olivia book, but wow I’m obsessed and I can’t wait to pick up some more of her books 🤩

this book was SO well written & easy to read. there were so many elements to the story that I really enjoyed (sorry spoiler free over here). fake dating has quickly become one of my fav tropes & this book has topped any that I’ve read so far! it has the perfect amount of slow burn & spice which put me rightttt in my feels.

gotta admit that West may just be one of my top book boyfriends now 😭 he’s literally perfect?!? 😍 he treats Nora like a literal princess 😭 & im obsessed with her! she’s such a fun character with so much depth to explore throughout the book!

I highly recommend this book if you’re into billionaire + fake dating!! such a good read & now I’m sad I finished it 😭 but I can’t wait to read the next books!!

thank you to Olivia and NetGalley for this arc 🩷

I had SO much fun reading The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle. Such a light, fast-paced, easy to read, sexy delight. The Faking Game has everything I enjoy about romance novels. Brother’s best friend, fake dating, dating lessons, forced proximity, and billionaires! (not to mention the praise k!nk that i will always eat up 🫣) I truly loved West and Nora as characters and loved them even more together! West wanted everything for Nora and helped bring her into her own and it was a beautiful dynamic to read about. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series, I can already tell I’m going to be obsessed with this.

A huge thank you to Olivia Hayle and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!