The Faux Out: Vancouver Storm, E book 2
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Worth: $0.99
(as of Apr 17, 2025 03:16:54 UTC – Particulars)
One of the simplest ways to get again at my horrible ex? Faux date Rory Miller–my ex’s rival, the highest scorer in professional hockey, and the boastful, flirtatious hockey participant I tutored in highschool.
Faking it’s enjoyable and addictive, although, and beneath the unhealthy boy swagger, Rory’s candy, humorous, and protecting.
He teaches me to skate and spends approach an excessive amount of cash on me.
He sleeps in my mattress and convinces me to interrupt my just-one-time hookup rule.
He kisses me prefer it’s actual.
And now I’m wondering if Rory was ever faking it to start with.
The Faux Out is a professional hockey pretend relationship romance in duet audio (duet narration). It’s the second e book within the Vancouver Storm collection however might be listened to as a standalone.
Tropes:
Faux datingEx’s rivalPro hockeyGolden retriever heroBoy obsessedForced proximity
Prospects say
Prospects discover this hockey romance e book to be an ideal pretend relationship story with superb banter that makes them snigger and really feel all the best feelings. The characters are well-developed, with one buyer noting how the creator locations readers proper within the motion, whereas the storyline includes a dynamic between Rory and Hazel that grows fantastically. Prospects describe the e book as critically swoon-worthy, with one evaluate particularly mentioning the Hazel and Rory banter.
Jean –
RORY MILLER IS A DREAM
If I told you how many times I have gone back to reread this book you would not believe me.The Fake Out is one of the best hockey romance books out there. You can feel the chemistry between the characters coming off the pages. It’s so fun! Stephanie Archer truly has a gift when creating characters ESPECIALLY when writing witty yet realistic dialogue.I completely fell in love with Rory Miller when the book first released now years later I am still thinking about him.Never miss an opportunity to talk about this book and recommend it. Trust me you want to read this one!
Lily –
Another unputdownable installment!
I honestly loved this book. I blew off many of my responsibilities in lieu of reading this book. It’s an enjoyable, fun read. It, like all of Stephanie Archers books, are fast paced and easy to read. There are certain small things I didn’t care for, like overusing the word “hot”, or the somewhat sentence structure at certain points but overall- loved it. I like it better than the first one by far. I think I just read things more critically when I get an ARC.I loved:The main characters! Rory is a total cinnamon roll and so completely gone for Hazel it’s ridiculous. He’s just such a sweet person and there’s none of that alpha male BS that plagues some romance novels. Archer does go on about “protective/primal instincts” a few times too many but it doesn’t feel gross.Hazel- finally a described “feisty heroine” who is actually feisty! She was such a well developed character and the Main Problem she had to overcome to be with Rory was written in a way that was accessible and believable. The character development was overall much better than the previous book. Because difficult discussions and situations happened on the page, I felt more invested in Rory and Hazels relationship.The premise- I usually have to suspend ALL my disbelief for a fake dating trope but I didn’t this time. Well done, Ms. Archer.The banter- I just like the way she writes dialogue. It feels like a normal conversation between 2 people, with the exception of the aforementioned use of the word “hot”. I feel like that’s low hanging fruit, especially when you are describing how you feel (in this case, related to how you feel in lingerie). “Good” “comfortable” “sexy” “bold” “daring” etc. Language is your oyster.The SPICE. Y’all. I can’t even. I will say this, the scenes never feel unrealistic or over the top. The only thing I didn’t like was there was one scene where they forego protection. It seems to be a trend in romance these days and….I’m not a fan. Call me strange but since oftentimes these “I feel so close to you we don’t need a condom” scenes don’t go hand in hand with a frank discussion of their latest STI testing results, and that sort of bothers me. Not that I’m trying to say romance is a stand in for basic sex ed, it just seems strange to me to include one but not the other. I’ll knock off a star just for that.Overall, a very enjoyable read. I flat out DEVOURED this book and I can’t wait for the next one.Thanks for letting me read an ARC!
Ka’Mya Brower –
AMAZING
I loved this book so much. It is my first Stephanie Archer book and I am in love with her work. This book was everything I needed from a book. There was fake dating and I loved how it was a slow burn but with a little bit of flirting and spice on the side. When Rory and Hazel finally got together fr it was epic and I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and thank god for the no third act break up. Okay let’s get into this summer lol!!! Rory and Hazel have known each other since high school and have always had this teasing/ flirting relationship but Hazel doesn’t date hockey players after with happened with the last one she dated. Rory doesn’t take a hint he keeps trying to find ways to be with Hazel. But when Hazel finds out that her ex is coming to play for the Vancouver hockey team and she’s his new physios and her jerk of ex thinks she’s still into him she makes a rash decision and tells I’m she’s taken by Rory. This started what begins as a fake relationship that turns into something that doesn’t feel fake anymore.Fav Quotes:”You’re so beautiful it makesmy chest hurt.”My heart pounds.”And even when we’re a hundred years old,” he whispers, “‘ll be flirting with you to get your atten-tion.”“If my heart is a house, Rory now lives there.””It’s not fake anymore,” I whisper. “Is it?”Rory shakes his head. “No, Hartley. It isn’t.”“When I’m a hundred years old and thinking back on my life, I’ll think about being in love with Rory Miller.”
Amy –
Fiesty & Sweet — Hazel and Rory Are Goals!
4.5 starsAnother lovely hockey romance! Stephanie Archer really knows how to craft a story.I love Hazel. She’s so guarded and fierce — exactly like a fire-breathing dragon — and at the same time, she loves so deeply. She and Rory just make sense together and I adored watching them fall for each other.Seriously, go read this series if you haven’t already! I’m slowly working my way through them because I don’t want to be finished with the characters. They’re worth it.I wonder if we’ll ever get Ward’s story . . .
Dee –
3.5⭐️
Another cute story but like the 1st book I felt like this was way too long and ended getting bored by the end because nothing was really happening. While both books have been slow burns which I hate I love how there’s no break up.
Lab –
I think I can say I have read a good number of sports romance books by now (Windy city series, Agitators series, D.C. Stars series and some more) and this one without a doubt falls under the better written books I have read so far.It was an easy and quick read. The chapters were short, yet managed to keep me emotionally connected with the story and the characters. I was simply flying through them. It was fun during their banter. There were so many laugh out loud moments. The scenes with dragons were super cute. The team bonding moments were heartwarming. I was smiling through most of this book. I loved how absolutely possessive and protective Rory was with Hazel. Normally, I am not fond of caveman personalities, but Rory here is also so sweet, understanding, patient, smart and at times vulnerable. So, he was a perfect combination of everything. I loved him so much! And, I liked Hazel’s personality as well. My favorite moments with her is when she was all protective of Rory. I loved that because like why should only he show that side of him? Why can’t she as well?Oh, I can’t wait for Hayden and Darcy’s book next. That ending, like what happened? I need to know.
Athina Ketting –
5⭐️ 2.5🌶️I devoured this book within a few hours! It was the perfect cute love story I needed at the moment. Fake dating and boy-obsessed: count me in! The story is cute, spicy and funny. All the teammates are also so much fun and I loved the banter!”Hi, Hazel.” He gives me his Hazel is cute smile.We follow Hazel. She is the sister of Pippa (Book #1) and she works as a physiotherapist for a pro ice hockey team. Rory, one of the team’s ice hockey players has had a crush on her for years (they’ve known each other from back in the day), but she doesn’t like him since she swore off hockey players due to a toxic ex.There’s a trade and a new team member is added to the team: her toxic and cheating ex. Hazel is even assigned to be his physiotherapist. So she says the only thing she can think of at that moment to her ex: “You know Rory and I are together right?”. And well that’s the beginning of a perfect love story between Rory and Hazel.”I always knew you two would get together, Hazel. In high school, Rory would talk nonstop about this tutor of his.”Oh, and I can’t wait for the next book, which I guess is Hayden.”Hayden Owens is a golden retriever in human form”.
Reviewing –
The Fake Out – ARC reviewRating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5This book is the second in the Vancouver Storm series. I was introduced to Stephanie Archer’s books by reading Behind the Net, and loved it so much I eagerly waited for the sequel.I can safely say after reading The Fake Out, that it is by far my favourite hockey romance ever read. Stephanie really hit all the themes I love in one book:- Fake dating- Grumpy x sunshine- Hockey romance- He falls first- Family relationships- Amazing spiceRory & Hazel’s story warmed my heart so much and made it ache for something like this in my life 😭 I can’t stop thinking about them. The banter was insanely good I couldn’t stop giggling. Rory was a cocky, smirky, but secretly sweet golden retriever and my new book boyfriend. The way Hazel and Rory both support and encourage each other is literally my gold standard to relationships now.I cannot recommend this book enough, thank you to Stephanie Archer for sending me this ARC. What a great sequel to Behind the Net, and I cannot wait to read on the rest of the series! ❤️
Abbi –
Once again, Stephanie has done it again!Great plot line that included many romance tropes but yet made them very believable and natural.Rory, a golden retriever MMC with his own insecurities, and Hazel the sassy, strong MFC who actually is just as scared as the rest of us on the inside. A plan to help get back at Hazel’s *cough* deadbeat *cough* ex, turns these two from bantering workplace and mutual friend-group associates, to intense sexual tension and a whole lot of feelings caught.If you enjoy Hockey, sassy banter, steamy sexual chemistry and swoon worthy MMC’s, the Vancouver storm series needs to be on your reads list!
Cliente Kindle –
If you love fake dating you must read this book!!!The banter between the protagonists Is the BEST part of this book!!I’m in love with Rory (what a flirting Golden retriever guy he Is. Moreover he gave the perfect Nickname for her that still live rent free in my head😍) and also Hazel Is Amazing 🥰 (a indipendent strong woman with a big Heart).One of my favorite book in 2024 for sure!!