A fun billionaire romance and a great start for a new series. I can’t wait to read Rafe’s story. Book could have been shorter but it was overall enjoyable.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun and romantic fake dating read - I loved both of our main characters, the chemistry was great, West was a very dreamy and protective man when it came to the stalking situation Nora was going through. With this being a billionaire romance, I just wished that West billionaired a bit harder, I feel like we didn't really get to the see that side of him, other than the fact he had a giant house that he was trying to save due to incredibly out of date, old fashioned rules.

‘The Faking Game’ by Olivia Hayle is a character-driven romance featuring some of my favourite tropes: fake dating and brother’s best friend! Aspiring designer Nora Montclair and West Calloway, who recently inherited the luxurious Fairhaven estate and his family’s business. When Nora ends up staying at Fairhaven for her safety, they realise that acting as a couple might help both of them… but are real feelings hiding behind their facade?

One aspect of the novel I really liked was how well it explored the motivations behind Nora’s people pleasing nature, and her growth throughout the book as she learnt to stand up for herself. West was very supportive and I enjoyed their banter as they grew more confident together! The text chats between West, Alex, and their two friends were fun and made me look forward to reading the love stories of the other three guys which are coming soon…

This gets four stars from me for intense chemistry between Nora and West, realistic conflict and unexpected emotional depth. Definitely worth a read for fans of Ana Huang or Lauren Asher!

I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Malgré les 500 pages du livre, ce fut une lecture très rapide et agréable. Il y avait beaucoup d'éléments que j'appréciais : le fake dating, le brother best friend et un peu de suspens. Après, s'il y avait de bons ingrédients, je n'ai pas toujours été convaincue de la réalisation. J'ai eu un peu de mal à m'attacher aux deux personnages principaux. Donc, une bonne lecture mais qui ne va pas rester mémorable pour autant à mes yeux.

3,5/5

4 stars⭐️
3/5 spice!🌶️

Things to expect:
♦️ Billionaire romance
♦️ Fake dating
♦️ Brothers best friend
♦️ Slow burn
♦️ Dating lessons

I really loved this book! It was my first billionaire romance read and I loved it. The characters felt very real and believable. This is just a great fun, light, happy read. I enjoyed the female main character, I think the MMC could have had more depth, but still really liked him. We are also introduced to the MMC’s group of friends that I imagine the rest of the series will connect to! Can’t wait to read more of their stories and more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

As someone who can't resist a good fake dating trope, The Faking Game was an enjoyable read that hit a lot of the right notes. The chemistry between the leads was compelling, and the romantic tension kept me hooked from the start. If you're in the mood for something easy, spicy, and with a hint of danger, this one definitely delivers.

The suspense element left a little to be desired. The subplot involving stalking felt like an afterthought in the writing. Like, all of this… for what?

Overall, The Faking Game is a solid choice for readers who love their romance with some heat, a stunning setting, and a dash of intrigue—even if the suspense doesn’t quite steal the show.

I have never read any of Olivia's books before, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Faking Game. I finished this one in ONE day! I am always a sucker for a brother's best friend trope and this one did not disappoint. The angst throughout the book between West and Little Montclair was enough to make anyone hot!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

THANK YOU NETGALLY FOR THE ARC 🫶🎀

OMG West, YESSSS ✨ This is the romance I dreamed about, the morally grey x sunshine I desperately needed! The smooth-talk, the praising, I want it all!! This book made me kick my legs every two pages 🎀

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Very spicy

Tropes:
🌹 Fake dating
🌹 Romance
🌹 Forced proximity
🌹 Billionaire romance
🌹 Enemies to lovers
🌹 Grumpy x sunshine

I couldn’t put this book down; I read the entire thing in 3 days! If you like fake dating and tension between characters. You will eat this book UPPP! Their relationship is soooo cute and heartwarming, and the struggle between friends and love seems legit.

Give me a fake romance book for the rest of my life and i will literally be set! This was such a cute, fast paced, happy feeling type of book and I loved everything about it!

The banter, chemistry, and the characters were all amazing and kept me engaged. Other than all the wonderful happy things it also dealt with some complex topics that I really appreciated such as the fmc’s people-pleasing at the expense of herself trait. I loved seeing her growth and coming into herself as a person who started saying no when it needed to be said.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an arc!

4.5⭐️
This was so SO good.
The characters were all so freaking likable (specially the Alex, West, James & Rafe friend group). I loved how the couple understood each other and how they always communicated.
Perfect read honestly. I couldn’t stop reading💖

3.75 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5

Olivia Hayle is the queen of guilty pleasure billionaire romance.

Tropes:
-Brothers Best friend
-Billionaire Romance
-Teach me
-Praise Kink
-Fake dating


This was a cute fake dating story that benefited both the FMC & MMC. Nora is running from a stalker & West needs his mother to stop trying to marry him off to every suitable woman, West protects Nora with his security team and when she tell’s him about her lack of dating experience, helps her “ practice”.
I loved that it didn’t focus too much on the business world like some billionaire romance stories.
I hated Nora’s mom.
Some of the family dynamics were a bit much, and at times the FMC was a bit winey.
But, I enjoyed how West built her up, giving her back her power, and helping her hold her own.

Thank you so much to Olivia Hayle, & NetGalley
For the ARC ♥️

👗 🩷 BOOK REVIEW 👗🩷

ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇꜱᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ’ᴛ ᴅᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ. ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ. ꜱᴏᴏɴ, ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ᴘʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴄɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ. ᴅᴀᴛᴇꜱ. ᴋɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ. ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ ʙᴇᴅ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ʀᴜʟᴇ? ᴍʏ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴄᴀɴ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
✍🏻 @oliviahayle

✨ I DID NOT WANT THIS BOOK TO END! I was absolutely obsessed with the chemistry between Nora and West - it wasn't a slowburn, but it wasn't immediate either. The way he was so encouraging and protective of her warmed my heart so much. Also, I love love love books with a great group of friends and can't wait for the next book in the series!

🎀 FAKE DATING
🤍 BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND
🎀 ONE BED
🤍 HE'S PROTECTIVE & JEALOUS
🎀 BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

✨Thank you to @netgalley and @oliviahayle for this wondeful ARC! I can't wait to have this entire series sitting on my shelf.

#booksirecommend #oliviahayle #thefakinggameoliviahayle #arcread #billionaireromance #readthis

3.25 ⭐
The Faking Game had all the tropes I love in a romcom:
• brother’s best friend
• bodyguard vibes
• fake dating
• flirty lessons
• and a perfectly drawn-out slow burn.
The characters are genuinely endearing, and the writing style is smooth and addictive.
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, and it definitely won’t be the last. I'm already excited to check out more of her work!

Ate this book UP🍿
Billionaire families, a stalker, fake dating, forced proximity, brother’s best friend.

Their chemistry was off the charts.
I love how MATURE both the fmc and mmc were, and their growth throughout the story.
The spice was well written.

The side characters added sooo much to the story that it makes me excit e to read their book next!

Speaking of, the setup for Rafe’s book in the ending was chef’s kiss, I’m SAT and I’m impatiently waiting.

summary:
Nora moves to New York to pursue a career as a fashion designer. Since she's being stalked for months now, her brother assigns his best friend West to look after her and the rest is history

my thoughts:
I hate it when a good book ends😩
pick this up if you are looking for a summer read because it's ✨perfection✨ I came here for the cover and stayed for everything else!!

I found myself relating to Nora on so many different levels and it's always so nice to see fashion girlies in books💅

I love how West really understood Nora and helped her become the best version of herself🥺

the stalker element really added intrigue to the whole story

also the dynamic of the guys' friend group was one of my favourite parts, I cannot wait for each one of their stories!

omg Olivia I beg you to please give me Rafe's book now 🙏 I cannot wait😭

thank you to the author and netgalley for the arc!

Story started off a little slow but then picked up speed as I continued reading. Fun and light story. Will definitely be reading more of the author’s other books!

This book was so good. I felt the chemistry between the two protagonists since the first interaction and what’s more, the way they fall in love (besides the previous attraction) feels organic and interesting despite the fact that I felt the circumstances kind of absurd sometimes. I love that was kind of a slow burn but with the right amount of playfulness to keep it interesting. And omg when everything develops is really something else. I’m in love with this story, makes me want to read more of the author.

The Faking Game is exactly what you think it would be: a fake dating romance and forbidden romance type trope.

Opening with main female character, Nora, in a club shaking off security. For reasons unknown, she has a stalker. To keep Nora safe, her brother’s billionaire friend West has his own security team protecting her.

Just as you’d imagine, one thing leads to another—a story regardless.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

If you are looking for something light to read and ROMANCE????? This is it!

Thank you NetGalley and Olivia Hayle for the e-ARC

I loved this book so much. The characters felt very believable and I really enjoyed the setting. If you are looking for something fun - please read it. I can't wait for the next book!