I love the fake date trope combined with the small-town setting; I was instantly hooked! While I enjoyed the story, there were a few character quirks that irritated me in both Matt and Zoey. That's why I gave it 3 stars, but I found it a very enjoyable book.

This was a really fun, quick, and charming read! We follow Zoey, a career-minded woman who's looking for a site for her new project, and Matt, a florist who's protective of the town and the people in it. They start off on a rocky start, but eventually, through a fake dating scheme, they develop very real feelings and individually grow because of it. I found the characters to be incredibly charming, and the side characters, like Matt's sister Daphne, his closest friends, and the local shop owners, made the town really come to life. I could understand why Zoey, who was so unfulfilled with her career, fell in love with the town in her short time there.

My biggest complaint was with the dialogue - I found that the way the characters talked, especially in the first half of the book, felt very abrupt? At the end of an exchange, I'd be left wondering how the characters began arguing with what started with pretty tame dialogue. Not sure if this makes sense, but it was something I noticed early on and couldn't really get past!

I rate this a 3.5, rounded up to a 4! Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC, I'm looking forward to where book 2 will go.

Hoax and Kisses was adorable and full of witty banter and promises to love that just made my heart melt. Matt and Zoe had chemistry from the beginning and I was giggling at their introduction and how broody and snappy he was while she was snappy and snarky right back.

I loved the development of their characters throughout this book and the inclusion of people on the spectrum and neurodivergent individuals through the portrayal of Daphne. I loved the relationship that Matt had with his sister and Zoey’s interest and dedication to including her in their relationship just as much as he did.

The ending was everything and I loved how Matt pushed Zoey to fulfill her dreams. I totally binged this book in just a few hours and give it an automatic 5 ⭐️ just for that!

Goodreads review posted on: 08/20/2025

Zoey is a hard working woman who lets nothing get in her way of building her career that includes a personal life and romantic relationships. She spends every waking moment doing everything she can to make her dad happy and to take over the company he’s spent his life building. Zoey ends up going to pine falls for a project to secure her place as the head of her father’s company when she meets Matt.

Matt is a florist who lives in Pine Falls and runs the flower shop there. When he’s not busy with his business he’s taking care of his little sister Daphne, who happens to be autistic. When his plans go to shit right as he’s about to meet investors for his business his parents drop the bomb that going out of town for a month and he has to watch Daphne for them, the week he’s set to meet them. When he last expects it he meets Zoey.

After a disaster of a town meeting where Zoey tries to present her project to the town the two get together to scheme up a plan to save both their butts. They decide to fake date so Zoey gets the town approval for her project and Matt gets the funding he needs to his business. Together they achieve exactly what they need too.

This book was SO GOOD. I absolutely loved Zoey and her character development, she went from someone who was always working and not knowing herself to finding who she is and what she really wants in life. Matt was just the sweetest man I loved him. He was such a golden retriever with a big heart.

I really enjoyed that the author had a close person to the main characters with autism. Personally I don’t think I have ever read a book where autism was really addressed and represented. I think that was a good add for the book since it’s not really a touch on topic or really talked about.

Overall it was a super good read that I couldn’t put down and I’m glad I was able to get my hands on the ARC.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this before it’s out.

Releases 8.26.25

i love it so much. thank you so much for the arc. it was such a beautiful book, I recommend reading it.

Can we take a moment and admire the beautiful cover art? 😍

Zoey is a workaholic in her early thirties. She's a people pleaser, goal getter, independent woman. She's so close to taking over her father's Hotel Empire after he retires. But he wants Zoey to prove herself and snag an idyllic mountain property in Pine Falls to expand their hotel chain.

However, the locals aren't having it. Enter Matt, with his moodiness, his blonde man bun and flower store. He does not want a hotel chain ruining his small town vibe. When Matt's not running his booming flower business, he's taking care of his tween sister Daphne, who has autism. But he's burnt out. He wants to find investors to help build his business... Investors Zoey happens to have access to. After putting his foot in his mouth, Matt decides to help Zoey win over the townsfolk to propose her lodge. They decide to fake date to convince the townies to listen to Zoey's ideas.

I liked the autism rep in this, Matt really gets his sister when no one else does. Including their frustrating mom. I hated that the dad was such a doormat. I liked that Matt's friends were also found family, because it does take a village to raise a child with exceptional needs.
You'll love this if you like Hallmark movies, Gilmore Girl style banter, and the backdrop of Virgin River. It was also spicier🌶️ than I had originally thought 😅 it was going to be. I looked into the author's backlist and I'm curious to read about the side character Charlee. Her story sounds fun.
Rating: rounded up to 4⭐s
Thanks to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the arc! @netgalley

thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC! 🫶🏻

I honestly procrastinated finishing this book because I loved it so much 🥹

With her father planning to retire as CEO of a hotel conglomerate, Zoey has to succeed where her father failed to get the position— getting the small town of Pine Falls to accept a new resort being built

Matt has enough on his plate to deal with, let alone adding a beautiful stranger to the mix. Running his florist shop and caring for his autistic sister (special mention to how well done this representation is) are his main concerns, so why can’t he stop thinking about Zoey?

The prologue immediately captured me! You can really feel Zoey’s complete dedication to her job and her no-nonsense mindset

Matt and Zoey were on a bloody rollercoaster to begin with— but I absolutely loved their banter, and their tension?? Unmatched

The fake dating trope was done so well and I loved seeing when the lines start to blur between real and not real ❤️‍🔥

You should read this just for the character development alone (although the spice is phenomenal too 🤭) I adored seeing Zoey start to realise what actually matters to her and who she is beyond what her father tells her. Both characters are dramatically different from the start of the book, but it doesn’t feel sudden, just a steady change

I cried to many happy tears over the ending! It was just a perfect full circle moment for Zoey

Such a sweet story that tugs on the heart strings and one of the easiest books to give 5 stars to— I cannot wait to have a paperback trophy on my bookshelf 🫶🏻

Pre-reading: the cover is really beautiful and I like the vibe it announces.

The way Zoey and Matt met was cute and funny, a cute meet that promises to be explosive. There are quite a few typical scenes of romances or romantic movies that we all love that have added value (for me) to the book. I really liked the complicity of all the characters combined, because for me the secondary characters are always the strength of a book. I would have loved more moments of their beginning of relationship but it remains a beautiful and touching reading. A little extra for the place that I loved

Rating: 3.75 ⭐

I reaaaaaaally enjoyed this book! I loved the characters, the small-town setting, the friendships, and the found-family aspect.🧑‍🌾💐

The writing style is super easy to get into, and if you have the time, it’s definitely a book you could binge in a single day.📙

The love our MMC has for his little sister was absolutely everything.🥹

My only wish is that the story had unfolded over months instead of weeks. It felt a little rushed, and personally, I would’ve loved more time spent with the characters.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publishers for this ARC ❤️

Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard is the first Pine Falls book (after Unbearably Yours), but it was my first read by the author. And honestly? It was fine. Cute in places, frustrating in others, and not one I’ll be rushing back to.

It’s got all the small-town rom-com ingredients: fake dating, a grumpy florist, a city girl with something to prove, and cozy Gilmore Girls vibes. On paper, it should’ve been a slam dunk. But the execution was hit or miss.

Zoe leaned hard into the “big city girl stereotype” at the start—shallow, prickly, hard to like. She eventually won me over as she started standing up to her father and embracing Pine Falls, but it took a while. Matt, meanwhile, was a weird mix: unnecessarily cranky one minute, swoony and emotionally open the next. His devotion to his sister Daphne was his best trait by far, and her autistic representation was a genuine highlight of the book. Their sibling bond stole every scene.

Where it stumbled for me: the insta-love/lust felt forced, the pacing dragged toward the end, and the family dynamics made me grit my teeth (Matt’s parents dumping so much responsibility on him for Daphne didn’t sit right).

That said, there are plenty of sweet, Hallmark-style moments sprinkled throughout. If you love fake dating, small-town meddling, and a grumpy/sunshine setup, you might enjoy this more than I did. For me? Just okay.

Rating 3/5
Tropes: Small Town, Grumpy Sunshine, Opposites, Big City GIrl- Small Town Guy, Instalove

I am a fan of anything Elodie Colliard writes and this is no different! I loved Hoax and Kisses and the relationship between Zoey and Matt. They are everything and they work so well together. They had great tension and chemistry together and of course some good spice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elodie Colliard, and Victory Editing Co-Op for an eARC in exchange for a review!

3 stars ⭐️

Initially, I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book, it felt very cliché and, normally, that entertains me. This was an okay read, I liked the small town setting and the sense of community portrayed. I also enjoyed the progress Zoey suffered through the story, her path of rediscovery and standing up for herself. Matt, on the other hand, his character felt bland and I couldn’t connect much with him. In addiction, the story felt rushed, the MCs knew each other for a very small amount of time and their happy ending felt unrealistic. All in all, my main problem with the book was really the short timeline of the story.

3.75⭐️

Hoax and Kisses is a swoony, small-town, fake dating romance that’s full of charm and character!

Zoey is a hotshot executive sent to a small town to convince the locals to allow her company to build a hotel—a goal she’s determined to achieve in order to secure her position as successor to her father’s hotel empire. Matt is the protective small-town florist (and devoted big brother), who’s not about to let the town he loves be changed without a fight. When they enter a fake dating scheme together to further their respective goals, the line between business and real feelings starts to get very blurry.

I really enjoyed the fun, flirty writing style that made this such an easy read. The autism representation was wonderfully done, and I appreciated the emotional depth and mature reactions between characters, which gave the story a grounded feel amidst all the swoon and drama. The supporting cast really rounded this out and contributed greatly to the cozy, found-family vibes.

The romance itself leaned a little more toward insta-love than I typically prefer, with things moving quickly and falling into place a bit too easily. And some of the initial resistance to Zoey’s presence did initially seem a little too intense. However, the plot kept me entertained, and Zoey’s character growth and self-discovery was a highlight, especially as she learns to strike out on her own and go after what she wants, rather than what’s expected of her.

At its heart, Hoax and Kisses is a swoony, heartfelt, feel-good romance wrapped in small-town charm and autumn coziness, like a warm hug on a chilly day. This is perfect for a fall read, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of Elodie’s books!

Thank you to Elodie Colliard and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute read! I loved the story, the fresh take on a popular trope and the way the characters grew to love each other. See my full review @mimigunnbooks

Say hello to your new favourite town and book boyfriend because just like with Zoey, Matt and Pine Falls are going to sweep you off your feet.

MATT BECKER is stretched thin. Running his flower shop solo is a full-time job, but now he's also tasked with caring for his teenage sister while their parents are away. With her expensive new school draining his savings, Matt's barely keeping his head above water. He needs money-and fast.
Groomed to inherit her father's hotel empire, ZOEY DELACROIX is finally poised to take the reins. But first, she must convince shareholders she's got what it takes and silence her own doubts. Her plan? Secure a piece of land in the town where her father once failed. Falling for a local? Definitely not part of it.

I loved everything about this book. The banter, the emotions, the autism spectrum representation, the small town, the found family, EVERYTHING. I have absolutely no notes and I hope I get to return to Pine Falls soon.

while a little spicy for my taste, I can’t gush about this book enough and can guarantee it will make my list of year end favourites

The book had everything I love: a captivating plot and romance. I could easily picture myself in Pine Falls with everyone else. Matt and Zoey’s story genuinely surprised me, and I enjoyed how they both faced their personal struggles.
I do want to mention that some dialogue felt a bit too harsh for me at times. I understand the characters’ emotions, but a few outbursts were off-putting.
Otherwise, Hoax and Kisses is a charming read for anyone who enjoys cozy small-town romance.

3,5 ⭐

Hoax and Kisses was a delight, and the cover displays the vibes of the story so well! I was in love with these characters from the first page, both with their moody attitudes and banter. Both Matt and Zoey were endearing, coming in with backgrounds that were well developed and executed in their on-page interactions. This author did so well with the inclusion of Matt's autistic sister and being sensitive to the neurodivergent community while also highlighting the familial struggles and conflicts that can come with having an autistic person to care for.
Zoey's character arc was performed so beautifully. I loved that she came in n0t as her dad's puppet, but with her own ideas that still shifted and molded after learning about the town and what was meaningful to them. The conflict at the end was well executed and I appreciated that Matt and Zoey worked together to figure out solutions rather than using miscommunication as a trope.
Overall, such a sweet story that I will think about for a long time!

Okay so! This was a quick and super sweet read, a perfect pick me up and palette cleanser!

Super sweet(and a little grumpy) characters that has their own shit going on, fake dating to help each other out. A+ setting, because who doesn’t love a good fake dating?

Loved Matt’s sister, Dash, and how autism is portrayed here! Good job!

The city is giving ”Gilmore Girls” with its small town setting, and we can’t forget the town meetings, love it!

What I did feel was missing, just a tiny bit, was the build up of their relationship, and also the tension surrounding it, and their feeling in general. It wasn’t bad, I just felt like it all went down pretty quickly and almost surface level. For me, we didn’t really get that tension filled build up that I love!

But also the third act, It was good, loved the whole idea and story line of it. But I do wish there was a better build up to it? I don’t feel like we didn’t get much of it. Sure her dad felt meh, but not much more than that through out the book. And it went down pretty quickly, like the last 10-5% of the book. Over all it was okay, just a little hasty.


Over all, I really did enjoy it, and I would still recommend it for a quick and cozy read, with sweet characters!

I was lucky to obtain this book as an eArc through Netgalley! And this review can be found on my Storygraph bookishclara!

Hoax and Kisses was such a fun, quick read filled with fake dating, a one-night stand, and a touch of enemies-to-lovers. Zoey and Matt made a sweet couple—her journey of self-discovery paired perfectly with the way he accepted her wholeheartedly. While the plot was fairly simple, I still enjoyed the ride and thought the ending wrapped things up nicely.

ARC review 💐

“Why did you have to be everything I never knew I needed?”

Zoey “I don’t do romance” Delacroix, is finally ready (sort of) to take over her father’s hotel empire but first she has to convince the shareholders that the daughter of the boss is up for the challenge. How is she going to do that? By securing the one deal her father wasn’t able to close.

Matt “I can handle you” Becker has one too many flowers in his bouquet. He can barely keep his flower shop from going under and now with his parents away, he is tasked with caring for his teenage sister as she starts a new private school with a hefty price tag to match.

She needs a town ally.
🤝🏻
He needs a business lifeline.

Before we get to the romance, I want to highlight how much I appreciate the thoughtful, neurodiversity-affirming lens in which Matt’s sister, Daphne’s experience is told. As a neurodivergent mother to an autistic daughter, I know first hand what seemingly “harmless” assumptions and stereotypes can do to the actual autistic experience. Thank you Elodie for giving us Daphne in all her popcorn, flower-loving, “nothing less and nothing more” nuanced glory. Maybe we’ll get to read her romance someday???

Hoax and Kisses gives us a classic Hallmark start before evolving into a heartwarmingly vulnerable story of love and self-discovery, complete with charm, community and enough heat to keep the pages turning.

For fans of:

Small town
Fake dating
City/Country mouse
Neurodiversity rep
H0rny man🌶️
I saved you a seat {on my face}🌶️

Elodie was kind enough to send me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review, and although we mutually follow one another on socials, this in no way affected my review. I love to hurt people’s feelings and she deprived me of that opportunity. Yes, I am kidding.

You’ll be iris-istibly drawn to this one, I’m posie-tive! Hoax And Kisses hits shelves Aug 26th and is currently available for pre-order from major retailers.