Fake the Game

Vancouver Tridents, Book 2

By: Julia Jarrett

Narrated by: Heather Firth, Dane Anderson

I’m the bad boy of baseball. And she’s the good girl who’s meant to repair my image. Falling in love with my pretend girlfriend is not part of the plan…

My life is a mess. My career is in serious jeopardy because of one stupid decision that had disastrous results. I’m stuck on the injured list, for who knows how long, and losing endorsements because of my reckless behaviour.

It’s only a matter of time before my team decides I’m too much trouble to keep around.

The last thing I should be doing is swooping in to rescue a perfect stranger from some jerk at a bar—because of course a photo gets taken of her in my arms.

Now the last shot I have at holding onto everything that matters, is a curvy redhead who has no idea who I am and isn’t all that impressed by the mess I’ve thrown her into.

For some reason Sadie agrees to help me, and now I’m forced to spend time with a woman who might be the only person to see the real me. A lot of time. Even more so when she moves into my apartment.

With every fake date we go on, her warmth and smiles start to chip away at the ice around my heart. But what can I offer a woman like her? I’m nothing but a reckless asshole and a cocky baseball player with a past I’d rather no one knew about. I don’t let people get close to me, I don’t do relationships.

But when our arrangement comes to an end, I can’t bring myself to walk away.

How can I convince my fake girlfriend to give me a real chance when the secrets from my past won’t stay hidden?

©2024 Julia Jarrett (P)2025 Julia Jarrett

i got swept away with Maverick & Specs!

Julia Jarrett is a new-to-me author; Fake The Game is the second book I've listened to of hers, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first in this series, Break The Rules.

Maverick and Sadie start out as a fake relationship for a publicity stunt to clean up his image, but there is so much more to this bad boy of baseball than what the public thinks of him! Little by little, we get to see the real Maverick underneath the facade, and the guy runs deep. I loved the vulnerability he showed with Sadie. The guy is carrying around some major trauma as a result of his childhood — and while his past ultimately impacts their relationship moving forward, it doesn't take him long to realize how good of a thing he has with Sadie and put in the work to make sure he can right the wrong he made.

Sadie gets something out of their fake relationship as well: getting her ex off her back. She grows so much during her time with Maverick, and it was wonderful to see her stand up to her slimy ex. (And I think when Maverick went all alpha on him, it was one of my favorite scenes!)

Narrators Heather Firth and Dane Anderson are not ones that I am very familiar with, but I completely got swept away listening to them. Dane's deep, growly voice was mesmerizing; I loved listening to him capture Maverick's angst, insecurities, and trust issues. Likewise, Heather did a great job in voicing Sadie's genuine care for Maverick as she got to know the man underneath the bad boy,

I am really enjoying this series! I can't wait for the next one. I received an advanced listening copy and voluntarily left a review.

Steamy, heartfelt and swoony

I love when the tattooed, grumpy bad boy finds his sunshine. “Fake the Game” is a steamy, heartfelt and swoony fake dating baseball romance that I couldn’t stop listening to once I started.

Maverick King is the bad boy of the Tridents and is on the IR after an accident that not everyone knows the truth about. Now he’s on the hot seat with the team and needs to prove that he’s serious about playing. When out one night, he steps in to save a woman who was getting harassed by a man. Sadie is done with her ex and is happy when Maverick steps in to help her. And the last thing she was expecting the next day was the press getting a picture and saying that they were together. Maverick’s agent thinks this is what will help with his image so the two agree to start fake dating.

I absolutely loved Maverick and Sadie. Grumpy/Sunshine will always be one of my favorite troupes. Maverick is closed off and has a wall built around him but he had a tough childhood in foster care so he kept people out for that reason. He doesn’t let many people in except his foster brothers who he was still close with. Under that is a guy who is a born protector and I loved how he was that way instantly with Sadie. Sadie has a big heart and I loved her from the beginning. She is genuine and someone I could be friends with in real life. When they first started fake dating, it was awkward and that made me happy because it made it more realistic. But once they got to know each other, the chemistry started building and I couldn't wait for them to give into their feelings. Sadie was the safe spot Maverick needed and he was the confidence she needed. They balanced each other out perfectly and I loved them together so much.

Dane Anderson and Heather Firth narrated as Maverick and Sadie and I loved listening to them so much. Dane’s narration was growly and protective just like Maverick. Heather was amazing as Sadie, she brought her genuine and caring personality to life perfectly. These two were great together and the perfect choices to bring this audiobook to life.
L

Maverick is King!!

Thank you so much to Julia and Home Cooked Books for the advance audio for Fake the Game. I adored this story the first time I read it, and it was just as good the second time around in dual narration audio! Dane Anderson and Heather Firth are amazing narrators, and they did such a wonderful job bringing some favorite characters of mine to life. Dane's deep voice is perfect for the grumpy bad boy who falls hard, and Heather is such a delight as the sweet, yet fierce, Sadie.

Maverick King plays for the Vancouver Tridents and is baseball’s hot, tattooed, bad boy. His off-the-field shenanigans, however, have him nursing a couple of injuries and watching his sponsorships disappear one by one. But when Maverick finds himself in a bit of a PR fiasco with Sadie LeDuc, they find a way to turn it into a mutually beneficial (and fake) relationship.

I seriously can’t get enough of fake dating stories, and this one was so good! Both Maverick and Sadie are hesitant to let anyone get close for reasons, but the more time the spend together, the more their walls crumble. I just love how their relationship evolved, how they went from strangers to each other’s support system. And did I mention this grumpy man is a cat daddy?? Be still my heart!

I don’t know what to say except that I absolutely love Julia’s writing and her characters. Sadie and Maverick were so explosive together, and this audio just made that fire burn even hotter!

Great book

I was really excited for Mav's book after all the teases we got about him in the preview book, and I can say that it certainly didn't disappoint!

After saving Sadie from her POS ex, things take a dramatic turn when the media leak a photo of them together, and they take a dive into a fake relationship. Obviously, things don't stay fake for long as they both start catching feelings, and things between them start to heat up.

Mav won me over quickly. He's a tattooed, bad boy baseball player with a hidden cinnamon roll side. Cat daddy and has a soft spot for his neighbor? AND builds her up so she believes in herself? Yes, please! Add the past he hides that keeps makes him keep people at arms length and you get a complex character that pulls you right in.

Sadie is a sweetheart, but also a pushover. This has led her to several cruddy situations (like her POS ex) and even into the fake relationship with Mav. Thankfully, that situation only ends up being beneficial for her, and it's great to see her grow into herself and find her strengths.

I really enjoyed these two together and can't wait for more from this series. This author has fully pulled me into this one, and I'm looking forward to seeing what couple comes next.

I listened to this one on audiobook and really enjoyed it. The narrator's voices really fit the characters, which pulled me in quickly. Dane Anderson's female voice made me giggle a few times, but not in a bad way, more of an impressed with the commitment sort of way. Heather Firth really matched Sadie's vibe, but I do wish she'd had a bit more variation in her female voice to make the characters easier to tell apart. Overall, these two did a great job, and I look forward to anything they narrate in the future.

A bases loaded, home run for Julia Jarrett!

Since this was one of my favorite books by Julia Jarrett I had high expectations for the audiobook and Dane Anderson & Heather Firth did not let me down. They were the perfect Maverick and Sadie for me. Dane Anderson did an amazing job voicing Maverick's vulnerabilty and angst and Heather Firth was top tier as our big hearted lovable specs (Sadie). Bravo to this duo for making me fall even more in love with my favorite Tridents couple. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Julia Jarrett knocked it straight out of the ballpark with Fake The Game. Not only is the one of my favorite reads of hers, it's one of my favorite reads this year.

Maverick and Sadie were so incredibly special. My words will never be adequate enough to describe the greatness that was this book. Their story was emotional, raw, real, and honest. They had such a potent connection from the moment they met. What they shared was on a level so much deeper than either of them could've imagined. It was a life altering, bone deep, feel it in your soul type of connection.

Maverick was so much more than the bad boy of baseball. In fact, he wasn't bad at all. He just had a ton of emotional scars from his childhood that no one dared see past, until Julia. She saw through his rough exterior very quickly and started peeling away the layers, whether he wanted her to or not. She saw him. They came to depend on each other in a way that altered both of them in the best way.

Julia healed all the broken pieces of Maverick and made him want to truly live and be happy. He loved her to her core and made her feel like the bada$$ powerful woman she was. When everyone around them rallied them on and supported their relationship they shined even brighter. I adored the way he handled dirtbag Dirk and sent him running with his tail between his legs. That's what a real man does - has his woman back.

Maverick and Julia's beginning, middle, and end was what romance books are made for. Absolute perfection.

I can't wait to see what's up next in the series. If the first two books are anything to go by, every release is going to be a homerun.

Loved this one!

I really enjoyed this one. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention the entire time. This one was cute and I enjoyed the way that these two got thrown together and got to know each other in the midst of the fake dating. They didn't know each other but had a quick run in and when Mav steps in to get her ex to back off, the media turns it into them dating with a photo. It creates a situation that is potentially beneficial to them both if they pretend to be dating. But by doing so Sadie starts to see behind the initial impression and that there is more to him. Maverick has the bad boy vibes going but he also has a savior complex as well and genuinely cares though he tries to keep himself closed off and tough outer exterior. Sadie gets to see a different side to him, a side most don't see and it has them quickly going from fake to real feelings in a shorter period of time. Both have self doubt of being enough and/or the other's type but it was great when that wall finally fell down. I loved their antics and the banter between them as their connection continued to grow. This was an easy story to get engaged with and stay engaged and I truly enjoyed it a lot and am looking forward to more in the series. I can't wait to see what is coming next and really have enjoyed the Trident men.
The narrators did a fantastic job with this story and bringing the characters to life and the action and what they went through. The accents were spot on and definitely added to the story as well. I really enjoyed it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ALC of this book provided by Home Cooked Books.

Maverick and Sadie❤️❤️

Fake the Game is book #2 in the Vancouver Tridents series. Maverick is an introvert and the bad boy of baseball. Sadie is safe, organized, and recently single from a cheating ex-bf. She needs him to keep her ex away, he needs her to repair his reputation. Oh, Ms. Jarrett...this story was EVERYTHING I hoped it would be. Maverick was such an enigma from book #1 that I couldn't wait for his story. If fake dating, romantic suspense, and chemistry you can't ignore is your thing...then this book delivers. There is a 3rd act break-up, but the HEA is beyond good! Loved it! This series is 🔥!

Dane Anderson and Heather Firth nailed it as Maverick and Sadie in this duet narration. I'm such a huge fan of them both and they did not disappoint. True professionals. 5/5 stars!!

Sports Romance

Fake the Game is book two in the Vancouver Tridents Series! The story follows Maverick and Sadie!

I love a good fake dating story! Maverick and Sadie were great! I love that despite being opposites, they totally fit well together! Maverick had they bad boy personality while Sadie had good girl vibes! With every fake dating story the best part is when the feelings start to turn real! I loved seeing these two find those feelings!

The audiobook was narrated by Heather Firth and Dane Anderson! Both are new to me but I enjoyed them! I loved Dane’s voice. He did a great job portraying bad boy Maverick. Heather’s sweet tone was perfect for the role of good girl Sadie!

I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to continue this series!!

Read if you love:
Fake Dating
Bad Boy x Good Girl
Only one bed
He falls first
Secret cat daddy
He only smiles for her

I LOVE this series! Highly Recommended!

I fell in love with Break the Rules and knew I had to listen to this whole series! Julia Jarrett had me hooked so fast and I didn't want it to end. The narrators Dane Anderson and Heather Firth did an amazing job telling this story. They held my attention and kept me entertained throughout the entire book and left me wanting more. Their voices were perfect for these characters.

Maverick is the bad boy of baseball and he needs to rebuild his image. While at a bar one night he helps Sadie when her ex-boyfriend won't leave her alone by pretending to be her fake boyfriend. These two get into a deal helping each other out by faking a relationship.

Sadie and Maverick are as of this moment one of my favorite fake relationship characters. I just loved everything about how they came together and how Mav was so protective and caring toward Sadie. These two will make you smile so much you won't be able to move your cheeks because they hurt so much. I found myself swooning like crazy over Mav. He was just the sweetest man. I loved how she opened Mav up and helped him heal his past. It's such a beautiful story that will have your heart melting. You will also have plenty of laugh out loud moments and some spice.

I highly recommend this book and series! I can't wait to listen to the next book in this series. Julia Jarrett will now be a must read or listen to author for me!

This series just keeps getting better.

“The night my tattooed bad boy changed my life and made me fall in love.”

I didn’t think I would enjoy anything as much as I did book one of this series. However, I was proven wrong. I couldn’t get enough of Maverick and Sadie’s story. Their first meeting is tense to say the least and later he saves her from an uncomfortable encounter with her ex in a bar. They are photographed together and decide if they play along, the mistake could benefit them both. Let the fake dating begin!

This is so much more than a fake-dating, grumpy / sunshine romance. Sadie is the quiet, conservative beauty, and the perfect foil to baseball’s misunderstood bad boy, Maverick. He needs her help to improve his image after an accident off the field leaving him injured and his contract in jeopardy with the team. This is a slow burn, and I enjoyed that it wasn’t an instalove situation once they start fake dating. These are two people with real trust issues and walls built up and complicated pasts to work through. The more I learned about these two and their pasts, the more I was rooting for them and their HEA. He helped her stand up for herself and blossom. She helped with his trust issues, that led to more camaraderie with his teammates.
This can absolutely be read as a standalone but there are appearances of characters from the previous book that I always appreciate. Plus, it’s a real hoot when he ‘handles’ her ex.

Narrated by Dane Anderson and Heather Firth. Both are new to me, and I really liked their performances. I’ll be sure to look for more from these two.

Overall, this was more emotional than I expected, and I loved it. This is a redemption story with a lot of heart, humor and sense of found family. I can’t wait for the next installment.