REVIEW: The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle

The Faking Game by Olivia Hayle: West doesn’t do emotions, distractions or really anything that might disrupt his perfectly controlled world, especially not romance and relationships. But when a PR disaster puts his billion dollar image on the line, he needs a solution and fast! Enter Nora his new house guest and best friends sister. Staying with West was definitely not on Nora’s bingo card, well to be fair winding up with a stalker was also definitely not on there either but what is a girl to do? So when West suggests that they pretend to date to help send a message to her stalker that she is taken, and to help with his PR blunder, Nora agrees… with one small condition of course, he helps her to learn how to date. Their only rules; her bother can never find out and no catching feelings. Should be simple, seeing as Nora doesn’t know how to date and West doesn’t do feelings… But nothing about their chemistry feels fake. And the more time they spend pretending, the harder it is to remember the rules…like the one about not falling for your brother’s best friend. Now the lines are blurring, hearts are getting involved and the game they started just might become something dangerously real.

LOVED!! I love just about everything that Olivia Hayle could write and that was most definitely the case with The Faking Game. This book is the perfect example of why I love reading romcoms, there was banter, incredible chemistry and two loveable main characters! I know that I say it every time but I seriously think that this might just be my all time favourite book from Hayle, I swear her books just keep getting better each time and I am so here for it!

I just adored Nora, there was something so real and relatable about her character. The thing I loved the most about her was the fact that she was not trying to be the perfect anything for anyone, she was just trying to being herself. I really enjoyed getting to see her embracing her journey of growth and learning to voice her likes and dislikes and really fully growing into the incredible lady that she was; sassy banter awkward moments and all. As far as leading ladies go Nora was a total sweetheart. Now for our hero, West, well lets just say that he knew that he was good looking and had the charm to back it up. Though what really melted my heart when it came to our hero, was his protective side. West did not waste anytime when it came to keeping Nora safe and he was unapologetic about it and if that isn’t a green flag then I don’t know what more you could ask for. I loved getting to see him go from this guy that was so determined to not allow relationships to mess up his life to this guy completely smitten. Truly it was hard to find something not to like about our hero, West truly was Nora’s safe place and her biggest supporter.

“I’m jealous of men she hasn’t met yet. Irrationally, desperately jealous. And furious at all the ways they’ll fail to deserve her.”

Gosh did I love the relationship dynamic between Nora and West, this was a slow burning storm of suppressed feelings, emotional tension, and undeniable chemistry, rooted in years of quiet familiarity and forbidden attraction that made for one incredible read. I loved the slightly forbidden element that the brothers best friends trope brought to this book. We get to see these two try to figure out their way to navigate their fake relationship that has very real feelings and all the cute small moments that go along with this and I for one loved every single moment!

If you’re anything like me and a sucker for the fake dating, forbidden love, sunshine meets grump dynamic then this book will not disappoint. The Faking Game is a total must read, as always Hayle has once again knocked it out of the romcom park!

Book Info:

Publication: May 25, 2025 | Olivia Hayle |

West Calloway is rich, arrogant, and my brother’s best friend. Now we’re faking a relationship in public… while he gives me dating lessons in private.

When a stalker forces me out of my apartment, my brother insists I stay somewhere safe—in his best friend’s legendary estate. With the tall, handsome, frustrating man I once had a silly crush on, while he never liked me.

But then West suggests we fake date to send a message: I’m taken and well protected. I agree on one condition… he helps me practice real dating.

I don’t know how to date, and West doesn’t do love. It’s perfect. Soon, we’re practicing it all in secret. Dates. Kissing. Sleeping in the same bed. The only rule? My brother can never find out.

West learns what I like, buys me gifts, praises me, and helps me to stop people-pleasing. Maybe I’ll even ask him to help with my virginity, too…

But the way he’s looking at me now? It’s not part of any lesson. And when he touches me, it feels like he’s forgotten this is just practice…