The Fake Out

Vancouver Storm, Book 2

De: Stephanie Archer

Narrado por: Connor Crais, Kit Swann

The best way to get back at my horrible ex? Fake date Rory Miller--my ex's rival, the top scorer in pro hockey, and the arrogant, flirtatious hockey player I tutored in high school.

Faking it is fun and addictive, though, and beneath the bad boy swagger, Rory’s sweet, funny, and protective.

He teaches me to skate and spends way too much money on me.

He sleeps in my bed and convinces me to break my just-one-time hookup rule.

He kisses me like it’s real.

And now I wonder if Rory was ever faking it to begin with.

The Fake Out is a pro hockey fake dating romance in duet audio (duet narration). It is the second book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be listened to as a standalone.

Tropes:

• Fake dating
• Ex’s rival
• Pro hockey
• Golden retriever hero
• Boy obsessed
• Forced proximity

©2023 Stephanie Archer (P)2023 Stephanie Archer

Good, but too long

Lots of over analyzing. MFC repeats phrases and thoughts too often in her self dialogue. Cute banter & personalities. Overall enjoyable. Connor Crais was an excellent choice for Rory!

Love her stories

Yes it’s a cliche hockey fake dating romance but it was written so perfectly!!! Such a fun smutty read!! The FMC was not annoying and exhausting as usual and the MMC was EVERYTHING!!!

Humorous and Hot

I'm not usually a romcom romance reader, but I was looking for something different, so glad I found this book. PROS: Very funny, found myself smiling and laughing frequently. Spice was perfect, incredibly hot and frequent but not in a way that's too much and cringey. Good main storyline between the two main characters, can't get enough of the MMC adoring and flirting at grumpy FMC. Tiny CONS--The constant mention of certain issues, we get it we get it, don't need to drag story down by repeating it so much. I wish the FMC narrator would speak in a normal tone more often, the constant breathy uring tone is too much, MMC narrator was absolutely perfect tho. Only small complaints, book was nearly perfect, loved it.

2 books in

so far I do like the series. but the female narrator sounds like she's crying even when she's just talking. the whine in her voice makes her sound like she's in her 60's or 70's with emphysema. it's jarring and makes the story hard to enjoy. the male narrator in this one is awesome. nice deep attractive voice. unlike the guy in the first book. LOL

Good performance by male and female leads

The story was well written and well performed. It left the listener with a satisfying view of the life and character of the main players in this hockey based story.

Just perfect.

This was just such a great feel good book to listen to. Going to start the next one, now 🤍

Such a great story

Loved the characters, chemistry, and character growth. Great male voice actor. It was a beautiful love story. It's one of my favorites.

Great love story

This was an easy listen and a great story! Loved it. I would recommend it to my friends.

Rory + Hazel score! Humor, Heart, & Heat in DUET!

I love hockey. I love romance books. Some hockey romances are like a shot off the crossbar -- ping...no goal...no juicy rebound...better luck next time. Sometimes though, a book comes along that is like the perfect setup and shot, past the goalie, back of the net, light the lamp, cue the goal song, S-C-O-R-E!

For me, The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer (new to me author) is that book! It is sooo much fun (LOL funny--sex doll jokes, fake? Facetime sex, and more), but is also heartfelt, and spicy, too! I'm so obsessed with it that I've already had a re-listen (or three!) and bought the ebook (get a bonus scene!). I also bought book1 of this Vancouver Storm series and will be on the lookout for future Storm books.

I absolutely adore Rory and Hazel. Love their teasing, flirty banter, and the way their relationship grows and deepens. They teach each other new things, and support each other as they try to heal from past hurts. I appreciate the themes of inclusivity and body positivity and happiness comes from teamwork and helping others succeed.

The book is narrated IN DUET by Connor Crais and Kit Swann. Kit was new to me and, at first, I wasn't sure if I liked her voice, but after a few minutes, I loved it! She totally is Hazel and does a wonderful job! Connor is a favorite and the reason I bought the audiobook. He is amazing here, too and was the perfect choice for Rory! He excels at playing the funny, cocky, sports star and at giving all of the MCs unique/recognizable voices that make it easy to follow group/team conversations. He even makes Rory sound a bit Canadian (pronounces "sorry" like "sore-y"). Together, Connor and Kit bring this couple's crazy, hot chemistry to life, and convey all of their feelings--their joy, sadness, self doubt, longing, regret, anger, patience, hope, love, and more! They are incredible and the book is complete enjoyment!!

(One thing I found interesting/funny: there are characters in the book named Connor and Kit, but both are male hockey players.)

A Swoony Hockey Romance with Great Narration!

Is there anything better than a formerly annoying character turning out to be a total cinnamon roll who just doesn't know how to show people he cares? I loved watching Rory learn how to connect with people and Hazel learn to trust.

I adore fake dating! The forced proximity and potential for comedy are gold. In this case, it gave Hazel time to learn to trust Rory and him time to figure out how to have people in his life. I loved watching Hazel slowly realize how much Rory cared about her and the slow burn between them was really fun!

The arc with Hazel's ex was also really well handled. I liked getting to watch Hazel learn that nothing about that situation was about her. I also appreciated that everyone supported Hazel when things got difficult with him. It would have been easy to just use him to push them together but instead, he was a foil to Rory in a lot of ways.

This series is so good and I can't wait for the next book! I am pretty sure I can guess the couple from this book and I want their story so much! If you haven't read this series yet what are you waiting for?

🌶️🌶️🌶️ - There are a handful of spicy scenes, but it is a pretty slow burn and some are foreplay only.

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 - I listened to the audio for this book and loved it! Connor Crais and Kit Swann do an amazing job with the duet narration. You may recognize Conner from If You Hate Me and Kit from House of Earth and Blood. I don't always think duet narration is necessary but in this case it made the audio shine.