The Faking Game
Olivia Hayle

‘Pretend to date... West.’ Um yes please, sign me up for this forced proximity, fake dating game!

“Yes, you are. You'll run and you'll call for help.
You'll call me."
"And you'll come?"
I push up the sleeve of my shirt. "Always."

This was a fantastic palette cleanser of a rom com. Easy, fun, basically a good time in a book. Easy to be invested in, and keep reading.

"Yeah," he says, "I'm very sure. When you want to practice, you practice with me. Any time. Any place."

West Calloway is rich, arrogant, successful and my brother’s best friend. Now we’re faking a relationship in public… while he gives me dating lessons in private.

"You're going to find her?" I ask, and great, now I'm talking to a cat.

Love the cat. Really makes the mansion a home.

(Review posted 5th June 2025).

The Faking Game is a book that will please you😉✨️

Fake dating your brother’s best friend? 🔥
Living with him for protection? 🖤
Learning everything about dating from him—including kissing, touching, & pleasing? 😮‍💨
And when he says, “That’s my good girl”… 😵‍🔥
It’s supposed to be fake, but the tension is very, very real.
He’s loyal to your brother, but he can’t stop calling you his good girl.
Protective. Possessive. Praise-heavy. And way too good at pretending.
If you love forbidden romance, forced proximity, fake dating that gets way too real, and a man who teaches you how to be loved the right way—
this book is your next obsession.

West and Nora's story was very enjoyable, and West with his praising was so hot! Only thing is the book could have been a bit shorter. It felt a bit too much at the 75% mark , I was ready for an ending.

I went into this novel, hopeful, but kinda expecting a cheesy billionaire romance. This book blew my expectations out of the water and redefined what a billionaire romance could be. Are there parts that are cheesy? Yes, but it’s romance so that’s expected. What I didn’t expect was the depth to the characters and storyline that hooked me once I got about 25% into the novel. One of my only criticisms is that the book would be better if it lost 75-100 pages - it dragged on at the start and some parts were a bit repetitive. However, this book combined some excellent tropes: brothers best friend, billionaire, fake dating, protective, forced proximity, dating lessons, and I’m sure a few more! This book is really a shining example of how to do the dating lessons trope right! The care West has is perfect but the spice - where is a fan when you need it?! I really appreciated how the lessons were frank talks about sex, along with protection and making sure needs are met. They didn’t come off as cheesy at all and I loved how long it took for the deed to actually happen because the author was so good at building the tension and not just adding spice for the heck of it. The stalker plot line moved the plot forward, but I was a bit dissatisfied with the final reveal and conclusion of that plot line. I think the FMC could’ve been a bit more nuanced overall. She can come off at a bit spoiled and privileged, which she is, but it isn’t acknowledged as much as I wish. West needed a bit more too, but I also think more might be revealed about West in the other billionaire books as we learn about the boarding school days. This was my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last! I’m already excited for Rafe’s book, especially with those hooks thrown in at the end! 4.25⭐️, 2.5🌶

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Fake dating is one of my fav tropes of them all and it was well done here.

Who doesn't love a protective, your-brother-best friend who have eyes only for you? Well, I do. And i loved Wes.
The first part of this story was slow (like the first 20% of my e-book) and i wish it wasn't because i needed to push myself through it hoping it will get better. And it did! After the slow part i fell in love with it!

I too am a people pleaser and i UNDERSTAND Nora so much and i love Wes for encouraging her into trying to leave her shell and learn that sometimes you just HAVE to think about yourself and that saying 'no' is not a crime.
It was a perfect slow-burn romance and i am glad i found this book.


The only thing i didn't like (besides of it being slow at the beginning) was the whole stalker trope which felt flat to me and i didn't even thought about it.


BUT anyway, i would love to read more from this author because the writing was a m a z i n g.

This was cute. It took me a bit to get into it but I did enjoy it in the end. I loved the forced proximity and the pining from both sides

This book was adorable! It was very well written, the plot was well thought out and I really enjoyed the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I liked this book, but I did found it slow. I feel that if it was a little bit shorter I think it would’ve worked better as I think it dragged in some spots.

I did not overly like the stalking plot line. It was going well in the beginning, but the progression of it felt rushed. When it was discovered who was behind it, it felt like it was completely random. It was almost as if the plot line was not fully planned out, so it didn’t matter who it was, just that it needed to be someone.

The fmc grew so much throughout this book. I loved it. Seeing her become more confident in how she speaks and her actions was wonderful.

This book has some of my favourite tropes. The mmc delivers some wonderful praise to the fmc. Had me sweating at some parts.

Looking forward to the next book in the series (she says hopefully, can’t have a friend group like that and not have an interconnected stand-alone series about them).

Tropes:
- Brothers best friend
- Security guard
- Fake dating
- Lessons
- Slow burn

Absolutely loved this book, really enjoyed the plot like and the characters. This book pulled me out of the start of a reading slump and I loved it

For anyone who has ever felt like their happiness is dependent on making others happy, this book is for you.

I've read a lot of books recently with relatable characters or an engaging storyline. Something about Hayle's storytelling and character development has me truly invested in her characters. I need to know what happens next in their story, and I really hope they're in all of the subsequent books.

While not it didn't ruin the story, I felt taken off guard by how the two main characters suddenly progress to an intimate relationship. It felt like it was a flip of the switch and was a bit awkward and unrealistic. Likewise, the original conflict of the female main character was wrapped up a bit too nicely; it didn't feel like it was a well developed plotline.

Even with all of the above stated, I still loved this book. I wish book two was releasing tomorrow so I could continue with this world of characters. Thank you for writing this book.

Thank you, Olivia Hayle and Netgalley, for this ARC. This review has been left honestly and voluntarily.

I tried to like this because I love fake dating but the billionaire trope is not my fav 🥲 I enjoyed reading for the most part but I wasn’t super into the romance or the smut.

another perfect read by Olivia Hayle

i swear her books are always so addicting. you wont be able to put this one down once you start it!
her characters are always so well written and the plot is always fantastic!

thank u to netgalley & the publisher for the ARC!! oh i LOVEEEEED this book, my first olivia hayle but definitely not my last. cannot wait for the whole series. 10/10 recommend, so sweet and spicy and fun and heartwarming

Yk, i usually loatheeee a virgin FMC because of the way theyre infantilized. The author did nothing of the sort, and in fact showed the growth of the FMC as she cane into her own confidence, ESPECIALLY with her family. I adored West & Nora sm. i cant wait to read Rafe's story!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

You can tell Olivia Hayle is a seasoned writer. The tropes are common, but anything well-written makes or breaks a book. West has layers (like an onion, oops, cake), with a dash of billionaire charm. Nora is insecure, but she grows to stand up for herself. That's what's amazing about reading. It is boring to read about perfect characters living life without conflict. Seeing the progression relates to our lives and gives inspiration.

Overall, I did not expect to remember West and Nora and their friend group. Characters in romance tend to blur together with trope after trope. But here, their unique personality shines. I can pick them up in a police lineup.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Netgalley and I was so excited to read this book! The story revolves around sweet and people pleaser, Nora, who comes from a wealthy family and is a model for the family. She always wanted to be a fashion designer but is too scared to tell her family what she wants to do with life and not make them disappointed in her. Around the start of the story, she just moved to NYC and is being stalked by an unknown man. As a result, her brother assigns his best friend billionaire, Rafe, as her bodyguard as the stalker continues to escalate, so Rafe quickly moves her into his estate.

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 first starts with them fake dating as Rafe instructs Nora how to date and be physical , but it gradually becomes something more. Rafe is sweet, protective, and has Nora's best interests at heart. Almost the only person who seems to at the start of the book. I enjoyed seeing all their dates and them practicing to fake date. It was perfect when they gradually fell for each other. I LOVED seeing Nora become stronger in her actions and words, all because of Rafe helping her see her true potential. I was so happy when she finally stood up to her mother and even put her brother into his place when Rafe and Nora’s relationship is outed. They are stronger together and support one another through all the craziness of life. I also really enjoyed West’s friends and all the text messages between each other. They were hilarious and I can’t wait to see each one of their stories!

The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that the whole plot revolves around this stalker situation, but I felt like it was wrapped up too quickly and I was left a little disappointed on who it was. Overall, this was an exceptional book and you should read it if you like fake dating, a found family, brother’s best friend, dating lessons, and a ton of spice!

For the first half, nothing really moved except the page numbers.

Cut 100 pages, add one plot twist, and we’d be cooking with gas instead of reheating leftovers. Still, their chemistry was there—eventually.

Personally, I needed less meandering and more momentum.

If we’d shaved off a chunk and given the plot a Red Bull, this would’ve hit a lot harder.

Still, the love story is there if you have the patience to find it.

*ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

𝒯𝒽𝑒 ℱ𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒢𝒶𝓂𝑒 by Olivia Hayle , ARC review
4⭐
Billionaire romance… Who doesn't like escaping to a world that isn't their own, if only for a little while? Haha!
I really enjoyed this book.
We meet a group of friends who met at a public school, and we realise that the next books in the series will be about these characters. In The Faking Game, we meet West Calloway, a highly desirable American millionaire, and Nora, Rafe's sister and a beautiful model, who finds herself in a risky situation.
West and Nora aren't the best of friends, but they're forced to live together when a business deal and Nora's life are threatened. To deceive those behind the threat, West suggests that he and Nora pretend to be a couple, which would also benefit him by keeping his mother's incessant attempts to set him up with suitors at bay.
Extra points: I really liked the way the story explored themes related to emotional issues, like Nora's case. I could relate to the protagonist's feelings and found myself wishing for a West in my life, someone who could empower me as he did with Nora.

Tropes:
🎀 Brother's Best Friend
🍸 Forced Proximity
🎀 Dating Lessons
🍸Fake Dating

Thanks to the NetGalley platform, the publisher and the author for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Like I thought this would be a fine read, but it was just cringy and it just missed the wow factor. Thus, it became a struggle.
2.5

This was such a fun read I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters it felt natural and had just the right amount of tension and banter. The fake relationship trope was done really well, with enough emotional depth to make it believable and engaging. I also appreciated that both leads had their own arcs outside the romance. A few parts were a little predictable, and I would’ve liked a bit more time spent on the ending, but overall, it was a satisfying and entertaining story. A solid 4 stars from me.