First of all, I want to thank Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the ARC.
And, I just want to say that this cover was love at first sight! How could it be otherwise?! 🥰🤍

4.25⭐️
Hoax and Kisses is the beginning of a romantic series set in the small town of Pine Falls. Where the atmosphere screams blankets and tea, and where the community is more than that, it's family 🤍

The writing is simple, easy to read. Not childish, you know? Right there, you already earn a lot of points. And rejoice because the third act breakup is outside the story 🙌🏼

We have a good dose of comedy (which I love), family drama (great on both sides), and even tension between them that will be incredible to follow.
I'll admit that the beginning left me hesitant. A lot happens in the first 15% of the book that didn't make sense to me. I missed that initial chemistry, you know?

Their first meeting couldn't have been more disastrous. What started as a “f*ck it” moment ended in a fake-dating scheme for their own benefit.
The two find themselves needing each other to advance their business. With obstacles along the way and a lot of tension in between, they decide to embark on an adventure with a deadline.

Matt and Zoey couldn't be more different. He's a florist and she (almost) owns her own business. And they complement each other in a way neither of them expected.
He deals with the fact that his mother doesn't know how to deal with his younger sister, who is autistic (and very well represented in this book, in my opinion), and she has a father pressuring her to continue in the family business. I can only say that things aren't going well for her. And that's what kept me hooked until the last pages 🤍

After that, this is a great enemies to lovers story, which has zero enemies in this relationship 🤭, between a country boy and a city girl to warm your heart 🤍

The ending couldn't have been any different. It was emotionally perfect. And now I can't wait to continue following this incredible family.

This book will be out on August 26! Sooo save the date!

Please check my review on my Instagram and Goodreads 🤍

I really enjoyed this... it was a fun read. Small town romance with fake dating - city girl & small town man. The autism representation was great (MMC;'s sister) and I loved how awesome a big brother he was - even standing up to his mother.

I only had 2 reservations with this book.

1. I found the first intimate encounter a bit odd. It was very sudden and personally I didn;t find it remotely believable as the characters didn't have much interaction beforehand. They just went for it and that was it, Maybe in a different setting this would have worked.... eg. in a bar but it just didn't do it for me.
2. After he completely blasted her in front of the town I felt that realistically there wasn't enough time for it to seem like they put there issues aside and started dating.

I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️
2🌶️

Release Date: Aug 26, 2025

This was the sweetest, coziest palate cleanser — think Hallmark vibes without the Christmas backdrop, but with every ounce of charm. It delivers small-town warmth, a grumpy-but-protective hero, and a romance that blossoms from fake dating into something real and tender.

After being burned by a cheating ex, fake friends, and a father who never truly valued her, Zoé heads to Pine Falls. There she meets Matt — the small-town florist with a protective streak a mile wide and a soft spot for his sister, Daphne (a wonderfully written autistic rep 💐). Their first meeting? A little tense. Their connection? Instant sparks. 🔥

What I adored most was how the book balanced lighthearted, rom-com banter with more heartfelt moments — from earning the trust of the town, to cutting ties with toxic family dynamics, to finally finding a place where you belong. At under 300 pages, it still felt complete, with zero dreaded third-act breakup 🙌. Just two people growing, trusting, and choosing each other every time.

And Matt calling her by the right pronunciation — Zoé — when nobody else bothered? Swoon city.

Elodie, you have not let me down! Another great book, for the books!!

Tropes:
🌸 Small Town Romance
💼 Rich City Girl / Small Town Boy
🔥 Enemies to Lovers (misunderstanding-based)
💍 Fake Dating → Real Feelings
🌸 Sibling Bond & Caregiver Brother
🧠 Autistic Rep
🪻 Florist MMC

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Elodie Colliard 💐

I LOVED this book. It was the perfect amount of enemies to lovers. Sometimes you just want to read a romance where the MMC knows what he wants and goes for it, while the FMC just accepts it. I loved that there was a bit of trauma from past relationships that made them second guess things, but ultimately there was good communication and they managed to work through their issues quickly. I was offered to read this story early, and it came at the perfect time since I was in need of a light hearted, happy romance. I highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing and the author for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

This had all the makings of a cozy small town romance, fake dating, city girl vs. grumpy local, Gilmore Girls vibes and I was here for it. But whew… Matt came in swinging with the attitude for no real reason. Like sir, calm down she’s just existing. I eventually warmed up to him, but the end started dragging so much I felt like I was fake dating this book just to get through it. Still, there were some sweet moments and small town charm sprinkled in, so if you like your romance with a side of grumpy florist and business drama, it’s worth a shot.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc💗

Thank you to NetGalley, Elodie Colliard and Victory Editing for allowing me to ARC read ‘Hoax and Kisses.’

The ‘Romance’ book market is a very saturated one, but this felt like a breath of fresh air to read.

The cover art? Stunning!

This had all of my favourite tropes (fake dating, spice, small town, he falls first), and they were done well.
There was a solid plot to this book, with two well developed main characters. I loved Zoey’s sense of ‘drive,’ and Matt’s passion. I loved their chemistry, also.
It was lovely to get to know some of the other ‘locals’ in this book, as well.

I loved how sensitively autism spectrum disorder was represented, and the fact that it was done in such a positive light, we need more of that in the world!

I LOVED that there was no third act breakup needed to create last-minute ‘action,’ and it was so refreshing that this couple actually communicated.

I totally want to live in Pine Falls now.
If you want a new romance story to swoon over, this one is the book you should read!

Oh.. My… Gosh….. this was CUTE!!!! I mean how could it not be… have you seen the cover? But seriously this book is one of those sweet and charming, mushy gushy palette cleansers that just oozes romance, has you grinning from ear to ear and has you making heartfelt sighs from all the precious little love comments made throughout the book.

“I want to live the kind of love that leaves you breathless. And honey, I can never catch my breath with you” - eeee….see what I mean? *sigh*

Zoey is trying to prove her place as CEO at her father’s company by securing a deal to build a hotel in small town Pine Falls. As she tries to get settled in, she runs into local floral shop owner Matt. You can’t convince me this man doesn’t look like Thor with a bouquet. The instant sexual tension between them leads to what they think will be a one night stand only but ends up turning into so much more.

Both FMC and MMC are just beautiful, caring and loving people. I just adored Daphne (Matt’s autistic teenager sister) and how special Matt and hers relationship is. The man is stretched thin and doesn’t hesitate to put his sister’s well being and care needs first. Throw in Zoey and how supportive and understanding she is. They literally could not be anymore perfect together.

🏡 Small Town Romance
🔥Slow Burn
💍Found Family
💋One Night Stand
🤫 Fake Dating
💕Autism Rep

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

Thank you @netgalley and @elosreadingcorner for the advanced read.

Hoax and Kisses is a perfect cozy romance to wrap up the summer season and slide into fall - with our oversized sweaters and pumpkin flavoured drinks in hand! This book has all the themes I love in a romance - small town, fake-dating, found family - I was hooked at the one-night stand! Elodie has a beautiful way of giving characters depth and feeling and had me blushing, kicking my feet and shedding a few tears. This book is a giant hug on a cool day and it had me packing my bags for Pine Falls in search of a man in plaid!

First book I’ve read by Elodie Colliard, and it definitely won’t be the last! I genuinely think that you could never go wrong with small-town romances and this book proves that!

Zoey. She is honestly such a strong and resilient woman. Imagine having to constantly push yourself just to meet your father's expectations—trying so hard to make him proud that it eventually leads to an existential crisis. She’s incredibly career-driven, dedicated to her goals, and it’s truly unfortunate that her father can’t recognize or appreciate that. I really feel for her because it’s clear she’s trying so hard to gain his approval, but no matter what she does, he just won’t acknowledge her efforts. I'm glad she eventually comes to the realization that she’s more than just a daughter seeking validation from someone who barely seems to care. She deserves so much more than that.

Matt. Okay, seriously—why was Matt such a jerk in the first few chapters?! I honestly couldn’t stand him at first because of how terribly he treated her. I remember thinking, “There’s absolutely no way I’ll ever like this guy.” That said, he did try to make things right later on, and I respect that. Still, I can’t help but feel a little annoyed about how he acted in the beginning.

The book leans heavily into the insta-love trope, so if that’s not your thing, it might not be the best fit. However, if you’re going through a reading slump, this could be the kind of light and easy read that pulls you back in. One of the strongest elements of the story is its small-town setting, where the sense of community truly shines. Everyone looks out for each other, lends a hand when needed, and warmly welcomes newcomers, which adds a cozy and heartwarming layer to the plot. Another standout aspect is the autism representation, which is handled with care and sincerity. It highlights that autism isn’t something to be fixed or pitied—it simply means someone experiences the world in a different, but equally valid, way. Overall, this was a comforting and feel-good read. Zoey’s journey of self-discovery and her evolving relationship with Matt were both compelling, and I’m excited to see how their story continues in the upcoming books of the series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I previously read Unbearably Yours, and was really pleased when the author announced a new series set in Pine Falls and featuring some of Oli's (and now Charlee's). Hoax and Kisses was an excellent opener for the series. I know the city girl/small town guy thing is pure Hallmark, but there's nothing rote or unoriginal about Colliard's writing; on the contrary, it packs an emotional punch because the characterisation is complex and feels messy and complicated in a really truthful way. I loved the dynamic between Matt and Zoey, and Zoey's journey through the story is one of self determination and self love as she finds a place that she can be brave and face the truths she's been avoiding whilst trying to live up to her dad's expectations. I also really enjoyed the complex family dynamic that Matt had, his love for his sister, and the struggles with wanting his mum to accept Daphne. It felt thoughtfully handled and nuanced, and it's good to see more representation of neurodivergent characters.

There was a good balance between romance, plot and spice, and I also appreciated getting to explore the Pine Falls setting and getting to know its inhabitants - I want to visit now! All in all, a perfect small-town, autumn read and a super-promising start to a new series by an author who's becoming a firm favourite.

"Hoax and Kisses" delivers all the romance and swoon of the best kind of Hallmark movie. Big city gal meets small town guy perfection!

It was just lovely to go back to Pine Falls. I loved "Unbearably Yours", so getting to revisit this world and it's characters was just a joy.

Zoey heads to Pine Falls set with the task of succeeding where her father failed, to secure land for a new hotel venture in the picturesque town. She initially makes an awful first impression on local florist, Matt. However, sparks fly and they share a night of passion. After discovering why she's in town, Matt writes her off. After all, he's had his heart broken by a city gal before.

Elodie Colliard is one of those writers who just gets the balance between swoon, character development and authentic representation right. I loved the chemistry between Zoey and Matt and also the way in which their relationship grew throughout the novel. The relationship that Matt shared with his Autistic sister, Daphne, was so tenderly and honestly written. These are the types of characters that will stay with you after you've finished reading.

🏙️ City gal FMC
💐 Small town florist MMC
❤️ One night stand to fake dating
🩷 He cares for his sister
🌶️ Yes

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing Co-op for the opportunity to read this title.

Oh god this book.

Small town romance has its charm, but to have it this way?? where the community is well knit- especially in a way that everyone is there fore each other?? I just adored it.

Zoé is a city girl dmc, who has only known as to how to work for her dad and be in his good light. When her dad tells her that to inherit this company, you would have to secure the land deal, that fell out 2 year ago in a small town. She knows she will do it. She wants her touch in the project and on a tight timeline, she goes to Pine Falls.

Matt is a florist, a sweet grump who loves his town and family. He knows better than to fall for a city girl. He wants to work hard for expansion- to get more money so that he can pay for school for his sister Daphne who is autistic and in finally a school who would accommodate her needs and help her flourish.

What starts with a not so meet cute ends up being a fake dating setup which would at the end help both of them. But when feelings, attraction and mutual admiration are brought into the mix, the sparks are meant to fly.

I loved the entire autism representation and how parents who are slightly older struggle to balance what they have known and what that is actually there. daphne's character brought the glitters in this already colourful story and I enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

This is a perfect weekend read where you want to just snuggle in your blanket and forget about the world.

Thank you Love Notes PR, Elodie Colliard, and Netgalley for this e-ARC. I will be giving my honest review.
Hoax and Kisses follows Unbearably Yours, taking place in Pine Falls and focusing on Matt. I would recommend reading Unbearably Yours first, but you don't have to. Matt, Pine Falls, and some background plot was introduced in Unbearably Yours. Matt has lived in this small town for most of his life with his parents and his younger sister. He has always been protective of his younger sister because she is neurodivergent. He ends up looking after her for a month, and has to juggle his responsibilities of his flower shop. Zoe comes from a wealthy family who owns a hotel chain. She wants to take over the business, but has to prove herself by sealing a hotel deal in Pine Falls. Zoe proposes to fake date Matt to help her with the hotel deal, and Matt agrees because it will benefit his business as well.
I had conflicted feelings about Zoe. She had all the stereotypes of a 'big city girl' in the beginning. She was unlikable to me at first. She did grow on me, but some of her trauma felt superficial. She definitely developed and grew as a person. I liked Matt's personality and he made me laugh. He brought out the best of everyone around him. His love for his little sister pulled on my heartstrings throughout the book. He was multidimensional; very strong and manly yet very in tune with his emotions. He was so down bad for Zoe from the beginning.
I would recommend Hoax and Kisses, but I personally like Unbearably Yours more.

Elodie Colliard's books were some of my random finds on Etsy one day recently. I devoured the three books she had on there and was beyond ecstatic to get this ARC. Y'all....she can do NO WRONG!! This book was amazing! The coziness, the spice, the relationship dynamics....all of it was perfect!!

i am typically all for “grumpy” characters but i absolutely draw the line at the way matt acts. he is mean and erratic, i feel like one moment hes reeling me in just to push me off a cliff in the next. i was really hoping to love this one but i cannot get on board with how this man acts, if i were zoey i would literally always be on edge and walking on egg shells not knowing what’ll set this man off next.

as i am in the minority of not liking this book it very well may just be that its not for me but i cannot for the life of me find anything romantic about this man or any redeeming qualities that would make it worth continuing this book.

I don’t know who gave Elodie Colliard the right, but Hoax and Kisses got me twirling in my living room like I’m in a Hallmark movie but also whispering “you up?” to a fictional man named Matt Becker 😭

Let’s unpack:

💐 Matt “She tastes like my favorite things: flowers and sunshine. Or maybe she is my new favorite thing” Becker. Flower man. Protective older brother. Stoic with soft hands and a heart that blooms. Literally. The man speaks in petals and acts like love is a verb - someone hold me. He’s all broody small-town stability until he decides he’s in love and then BAM. He’s planning our wedding and naming our kids after dahlias and peonies. I am not okay.

👠 Zoey Delacroix. Queen. Icon. Business baddie turned “maybe my dad’s way isn’t the only way?” introspective sweetheart. Watching her soften without losing her sharp edges? Obsessed. Her journey from trying to prove herself to learning to belong was peak character growth. And the way she lets Matt in? 🥹 Someone call my therapist.

🔥 The spice? Perfectly balanced between tension-filled slow burn and “oh, we’re doing this now” bathroom kisses. And the chemistry?? UGH

💞 And THEN there’s Daphne. Sweet, smart, autistic teen queen. The autism rep felt genuine and full of care, not a footnote or tokenism. More of this, please.

Basically, if The Holiday and Gilmore Girls had a book baby and that baby was raised by a swoony florist and a redeemed hotel heiress - it would be Hoax and Kisses. Cozy, spicy, heart-squeezing perfection. Matt Becker, if you’re reading this… call me. Or just send flowers. Same thing, really.

✨ 10/10 would fake date for financial reasons and accidentally fall in love again✨

,I really enjoyed this book! It had all the cozy gilmore girls/ hallmark movie vibes. The pacing was perfect and the writing was so easy to go through.
I loved BOTH perspectives of the fmc (Zoey) & mmc (Matt), their dynamic went together so well...maybe that was why i couldn't really put the book down.
If you're into:
-small town boy x city girl
-soft boy mmc, WHO IS A FLORIST
-fake dating
Then i highly recommend this novel!

Thank you to the publishing company, the author & netgalley for this ARC!!

“I could never see you again, and I’d be perfectly fine with that. I don’t even like you.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Hoax and Kisses is the latest installment from Elodie Colliard. If you read her last book, you will appreciate the Pine Falls settings and come across many familiar characters. This story can be read alone though.

Zoey and Matt are so sweet. They both are carrying a lot of hurt and baggage that makes it hard for them to let someone in. They don’t get off to a great start when Zoey first shows up in Pine Falls, but one thing leads to another which leads to a one night stand.

Zoey is trying to convince the residents to get on board with building a resort, but the community has major reservations about this due to her dad trying to push a project through a while back. When she first approaches the subject, Matt completely sabotages her. He feels bad about this and as a peace offering and a way to correct it, they agreed to partner on her project.

The town hall meetings give me the feeling of the Gilmore girls with all the disgruntled residents sharing their commentary about everything.

Matt and Zoey’s relationship does progress quickly and there is no act break up. Everything is so sweet and I loved their relationship.

I had the privilege of beta reading this one. I loved it just as much rereading the arc 🌸💕 all opinions are my own.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Hoax and Kisses is a cute, cozy and reassuring read. Perfect as a palette cleanser between heavier and more involved books, it will leave you with warm and fuzzy feelings reminiscent of a feel-good Hallmark movie.

The main female character Zoey is unknowingly embarking on a healing journey of self-discovery and becoming comfortable with who she really is deep down.
Much alike, main male character Matt is a bruised and tarnished shadow of himself - keeping himself busy with his floristry business and caring for his sister Daphne. I loved Daphne’s character - I feel a lot of care and consideration has been taken into writing an accurate and appropriate depiction of the spectrum of Autism, as well as including a glimpse into the pressure and emotion involved in caring for our beautiful neurodivergent people.

If you are a fan of found-family, insta-love and a small town with feelings of Gilmore Girls, you will really enjoy Hoax and Kisses.

A big thank you to Elodie Colliard as well as NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

This is actually my first Elodie read (Canadian queeeen)! I'm very happy to share that this won't be the last. I appreciate how Elodie creates characters who are so passionate, not only about what they do, but for the people around them. These two will do anything, at all costs, to make sure the people in their lives are taken care of; their relationships are so special given the small-town setting.

Thank you so much to Elodie and Netgalley for the arc!