𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: May 25 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This book just completely grabbed me with its charm and the way it explores the push and pull between these two West and Nora.

What I really, really loved about this book is the chemistry between them practically leaped off the page. You could feel the sparks flying every time they were in the same room. It wasn't just about the physical attraction, though there was PLENTY of that! It was about the slow burn, the forbidden glances, the little moments of vulnerability they shared.

Nora is a character you can't help but root for. She's kind and a bit insecure, but she’s also strong, determined, and has a quiet fire in her. Watching her come into her own throughout the story, thanks in part to West's unintentional support, was so satisfying. She starts off a bit shy and unsure of herself, but West's…ahem… "lessons" really help her to realize her worth and find her voice.

And West? He's the kind of brooding, ridiculously attractive hero with a hidden soft side that just makes you swoon. The way he starts to see Nora, not just as his best friend's little sister, but as a desirable woman, is truly captivating. He goes from being emotionally unavailable to completely smitten and a really good boyfriend.

Olivia does a fantastic job of building the tension between them, making you desperate for them to just give in to their feelings. And when they finally do? Fireworks! Seriously, the chemistry between them is sizzling, and the intimate scenes are beautifully written.

I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, but trust me when I say that this is a must read for any romance lover. It's funny, heartwarming, and steamy, with characters you'll fall in love with and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. Get ready to clear your schedules, because once you start this book, you won't want to put it down. I can’t wait for everyone to read it as well!

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, virgin fmc, roommates to lovers, brother’s best friend, fake dating

Absolutely devoured The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle in only a few hours. It’s impossible to put down once you start reading it. It’s the perfect trope combination of fake dating, forbidden love, forced proximity, brother's best friend, and billionaire…all wrapped up in a bow.

Let’s start with Nora. She’s been raised to be a people-pleaser, so she typically does what everyone else wants her to do. That is until she decides to move to New York and enter a design competition…which no one in her family seems to take seriously. The worst part? She has a creepy stalker who has followed her from Europe to NYC requiring her to have increased security.

That’s where West comes in. He is her brother’s best friend and oversees her security. It only takes one incident before he has her move in with him. Did we mention that Nora is insanely attracted to West? And the feeling is mutual although he refuses to act on it because of her brother.

It’s only a matter of time before West breaks…especially when they decide to fake a relationship to send a message to her stalker and get West’s mother off his back about getting married. Plus, Nora wants to get more experience dating so she creates a list of things for West to help her with…countdown until they can’t keep their hands off each other.

This book is full of tension between Nora and West, twists and turns, and incredible spice. Highly recommend adding it to your TBR list if you love a fast-paced romance novel that you won’t want to stop reading.

Thanks again to Olivia Hayle and NetGalley for providing an ARC of The Faking Game!

I signed up for this ARC just a couple days before the release date... I know, crazy right?

I went into this, thinking it would be a fun read. I love books like this--I mean would doesn't like a good brother's best friend, fate dating trope.

But this fell flat for me. I DNF'ed at 10%. The writing wasn't my style, and I just couldn't' connect to the characters or to the story.

I apologize for the sucky review, I know there will be a lot of people who will enjoy this! I hope you have a good release!
-Review will be posted after a week-

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

Our protagonists are West and Nora—and between them, a stalker, a to-do list, a protective brother and an upcoming wedding (maybe not)

What I liked

• Nora. Sweet, vulnerable, and raised in a sheltered environment.She’s always saying yes to please others, but deep down, she’s ready to find her voice and stop letting fear control her life.
• The relationship between the protagonists! From the very first moment, their chemistry is obvious. There's tension, banter, and the way they grow closer and learn to trust each other happens so smoothly, you can’t help but experience it with them.
• The side characters. I really enjoyed the whole group dynamic! I’m already looking forward to their own stories!

What I didn’t like

• The stalker subplot felt a bit weak to me.
• From the middle onward, some chapters could have been cut to keep the story moving a bit faster.

First-person narration, dual POVs, nice writing style, perfect for binge reading, and well-written spice!

Do I recommend it?
Absolutely! It’s the first book I’ve read from this author, but it definitely won’t be the last!

Thankyou for this ARC copy of The faking game.
I absolutely devoured this book in one day!

The story follows Nora who is an heiress and a model and finds herself the target of a stalker. When she moves to NYC her brother asks one of his best friends West to keep her safe.

This book contains fake dating, brothers best friend, touch her and die and praise kink. It is deliciously spicy, fun and heart warming. I loved that it also had mystery/thriller elements that you don’t often get with romance.

The Faking game is the first book in The Billionaire games series and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley for the ARC! I was pretty excited about this book since it contains a ton of my favorite tropes (brother's best friend, fake dating, etc.), but ultimately, I never felt connected to either of the MCs. I am someone who can typically read a contemporary romance in one to three days, but it was so difficult for me to stay invested in these characters and their relationship.

I am super glad a lot of the other reviewers seemed to love this book, I think it just wasn't for me as I didn't love the dynamic between the characters, and felt like the stakes of their romance were too low. For one, I am not a fan of the virgin trope, since it tends to always be the FMC who is less experienced and feels less relatable to me, not sure why, but I just tend to not like reading it. On top of that, the story felt like insta-love (even though they weren't up front about feelings early on), and I really dislike that trope; I prefer more conflict. Lastly, I also didn't love the double rich person dynamic, I think there is more intrigue when one person is super wealthy; it just felt like a pointless element of the story. The characters could have just as easily been two middle-class people with similar circumstances; the wealthy element added nothing to the story, from my perspective.

Overall, I could see why someone who loves the tropes mentioned above would love this book, but I think it just wasn't the right combo for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a light-hearted, uplifting read that is well paced to keep you interested and invested in the story. The author presents a concept that feels very familiar and resonates deeply, particularly for women who identify as people pleasers or "yes" women. I have read this author's work before and look forward to the next in this series!

Review as posted on Instagram and Goodreads:

Before you read this review, add this to your summer tbr immediately!

Okay, now that you’re back, let me tell you why you need to pick this up.

First of all, these tropes (which are all executed perfectly)

🎀 fake dating
🎀virgin fmc
🎀 he is helping her practice dating…and other things 😉
🎀 brother's best friend
🎀 billionaire mmc
🎀 forced proximity

if that didn’t convince you, let me tell you that this book was incredibly well written. the pacing was perfect and kept me gripped the entire time.

i loved seeing the mmc (west) help out fmc (nora) grow into herself, gaining confidence whilst there relationship bloomed.

also, the setting!! based in new york, nora has to stay in wests family estate to avoid a stalker.

p.s. there is a cat.

Okay, now get off Instagram and read this book!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

TW: the fmc has a stalker throughout this book

Nora and West are a match made of chaos. A conveniently, inconvenient situation that comes together and finds it's home. Hayle takes over the top drama and finds a sense of humor in the irony of it all. The Faking Game is tart and sweet with a hint of sass and a dash of heart.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Olivia Hayle and I had the hardest time putting the book down. I loved the storyline and the growth of the main male and female characters. The Faking Game has a great storyline and had some intrigue for sure in what was going to happen. Not to mention all the steam radiating from the pages. Throughout the book there were times where I blushed, where I laughed, where I was angry, and overall just happy. That is all the making in my opinion of a great book! I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was the first book I’ve read by Olivia, and it was great! The Faking Game is a well-written, brothers best friend/billionaire romance with a lovely FMC and a MMC that had me swooning the entire time (the level this man takes praise kink to in unreal). The beginning felt a little slow and the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. That being said, the book was fun and I definitely enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading more from Olivia!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Tropes:
❣️Fake dating
👥Dual POV
🛏️One bed
🧍‍♂️Brother’s best friend
🧍‍♀️Best friend’s sister
🫂Forced proximity

I can never stop reading a fake dating, billionaire romance. There’s something about it when done right and this book is no exception. I love love the relationship between Nora and West - they’re both so good for each other. West brings out the realness in Nora and Nora challenges West in a good way.

The first half of this book really started off strong, it had me giggling over the banter, tension and drama. The way West is so protective of Nora is not too overbearing, it just hits right. He’s always in denial of his true feelings for Nora and we all know she’s more than “just a sister”. I also can’t stop reading the fake dating aspects in this book because it’s something that I’ve never read before where I guess it’s relatable in a sense when Nora is dealing with her people-pleaser problem. It’s very wholesome to have West by Nora’s side all the time to help her understand who she really is and also for him to understand her.

One thing about this book that did not really interest me is the stalker drama and the reveal at the end, it just feels flat and I did not really care about it that much.

But overall, this book is so good - I can’t strop reading it! Side note: I love West’s friendship group and I can’t wait to read Rafe’s story next!

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Hayle for giving me this ARC to read!

it had a lot of potential to be great but remains suspended in the okayish zone. I think there were a lot of openings for a more ambitious setting, but the book never takes off into the sky and cycles around the highway on ground.

nonetheless, it was a decent read.

Ok, I’ll admit it: I judged this book by its cover when I requested it. Sexy modern Mr. Darcy? Say less. Add in fake dating and I’m already strapped in.

This was an enjoyable, low-stakes read that didn’t try to be deeper than it needed to be. Nora is a model heiress from an LVMH-esque fashion dynasty who just wants to design clothes instead of being the face of them. When a stalker situation escalates, she winds up with a security detail—and a fake, live-in boyfriend in the form of her older brother’s best friend.

Enter West: grumpy, protective, and very much not immune to his best friend’s little sister. The “dating practice” premise didn’t fully land for me, but I appreciated how it evolved—especially when it gave West space to support Nora as she found her voice and learned to push back. And the way he fell? Fast, hard, and <i>so</i> soft about it. The pining. The restraint. The aching awareness of her presence. Delicious.

<b>Other highlights to note:</b>
💕Chemistry that simmers and grows—none of that instant soulmate stuff, just believable tension with a slow build payoff
🏰 Old money aesthetic in a jaw-droppingly gorgeous house (West, if you’re looking for a roommate…)
✨ Banter that made this a bingeable delight
💚 Praise kink—like, aggressive levels of praise kink
🌸 Some surprising emotional depth tucked into an otherwise breezy read
🍃 A cameo tease at the end that definitely worked on me—I’m in for the spin-off

This didn’t linger for me the way I prefer my faves to, and I didn’t fully connect with Nora on every level, but it was still a good time. Olivia Hayle is new to me, but not for long—I’ll be back.

<b>TL;DR:</b> Sexy fake dating with a protective older brother’s best friend, a praise kink that deserves its own spotlight, and just enough pining to keep things interesting. The perfect light read when you want to escape to a billionaire’s estate for a fling.

3.5⭐

Nora comes from a wealthy family and is a well-known model, but she dreams of becoming a fashion designer. She also has a stalker who’s been following her, so after moving to New York, her brother insists that his best friend keep an eye on her. For Nora’s safety, West suggests she move into his estate—which he’ll lose unless he gets married before turning 30.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Nora has spent her whole life trying to please everyone, but West teaches her to put her own desires and ambitions first. Their relationship is healthy and develops gradually—and that party scene was so hot! I also really enjoyed West’s friends and the way they joked around with each other.

But I was a bit thrown off by the whole stalker situation. The entire plot revolves around Nora being followed, but the resolution felt rushed. Honestly, it wasn’t what I expected. I also felt like the story dragged a little at times.

It’s a light romance with spicy scenes that makes for a lovely evening read!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓fake dating
✓brother’s best friend
✓roommates
✓virgin heroine
✓dating lessons

Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Hayle for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the ARC.

This is the first book I've read by Olivia Hayle and I wasn't sure what I expected. But I came away from this book completely engrossed in this world that Hayle has built and the characters that live in it. Despite the fact that this book is about a billionaire and a model, these characters felt real to me, especially Nora and her ongoing struggle with setting boundaries and people pleasing. This book was evocative and tender, and I really fell in love with both Nora and West.

I thought the prose in this story was really well done and the plot was executed well. It is a very character-driven read, but the plot really held the book together well. I typically don't like stories where there's a virgin and a "teacher," for lack of a better term, often times because it feels slightly misogynistic. But Nora's hang ups came across as really authentic to me, and West was very up front about how he was not suffering at all in this arrangement, either.

Definitely looking forward to more from this author.

Title: The Faking Game
Author: Olivia Hayle
Genre: Romance with open door spice 🌶
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: 25th May 2025
Publisher: Victory Editing

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Faking Game is the first book I’ve read by Olivia Hayle, and honestly—I’m wondering what took me so long! This story follows virgin FMC Nora and her brother’s best friend, MMC West, in a deliciously trope-filled fake dating setup that’s super easy to follow and enjoy.

One of my favorite tropes—“teach me”—is in full swing here, as Nora and West enter a win/win ruse that quickly spirals into something more. With undeniable chemistry, a looming threat, and a strict deadline in play, I was hooked and turning pages fast. And yes, the trouble was worth it 😉 (IYKYK).

What I Liked:

-The story moves fast with no unnecessary fluff up front.

-The chemistry between the leads is believable and super engaging.

-Great use of classic tropes with a modern, spicy twist.

What Could Be Improved:

-Some parts felt a bit rushed and could’ve benefited from a little more depth and detail.

Final Thoughts:
A fun, flirty, and spicy read that’s perfect for fans of Wingman by Stephanie Archer. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a quick romance with heat and heart.

Follow me on TikTok for more recs!
Laced in Lit... 🩷

Comprobado que esta autora nunca defrauda.

La tensión que ha creado entre West y Nora ha sido una MARAVILLA, cada una de las lecciones era más hot que la anterior y su química era innegable.

Lo que se viene para futuros libros va a ser MUY top

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.

Wow - for starters this book had me hooked from the dedication page. Nora and West's story had me hooked. I started this book at 5pm and finished it by 9am the next day. I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to know what happened every flip of the page. This book has some of the BEST tropes: fake dating, enemies to lovers, brothers best friend, slow burn, and a stalker! & the spicy scenes in this book - top notch! I cannot wait for the next book! I will be stalking the release -- see what I did there.

But honestly, this book was a quick and easy read. Absolutely everything I enjoy about reading. I really enjoyed reading this from both perspectives throughout the story, because it added more details and you really felt like you could put a picture together in your head of what was happening.

I have a feeling we will see some BookTok about West and the boys from this book. Can't wait to continue this series and pick up a bunch more of Olivia's books! What a great find & perfect right in time for Summer!!

This is my first book by this author, but it wont be my last, because i LOVED this. The amount of pining. banter and romance was perfect. West and Nora had me giggling and kicking my feet like a giddy school girl. Brothers best friend, fake dating, slow burn and insane banter is the perfect recipe for a good contemporary romance. I felt like the stalker plot sort of fell through, but i didnt mind all that much. . Im so excited to continue this series, Im hooked!