Faking the Face Off

River City Renegades, Book 1

By: Anne Kemp

Narrated by: Sarah McEwan, Neill Thorne

There's a reason you shouldn't fake date a friend—because the biggest mistake you'll ever make might just be falling for them... and never ever wanting to let them go.

Anna

As the assistant to the coach of the River City Renegades, my life is a whirlwind of schedules, crisis management, and saving the day when things go sideways. I love my job, but sometimes I wonder if there's more for me out there.

Then, I discovered my dad needs help. I'll do anything to support him—even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone. So when the team's publicist decides Ollie Decker, my long-time friend and the Renegades' star defenseman, needs a fake girlfriend to boost his image, I volunteer. After all, it's just pretend, it pays, and who knows Ollie better than me? But as the lines blur, I start to realize there's more to Ollie—and us—than I ever let myself see.

Ollie

Being on the ice is easy. Off the ice? Not so much. Apparently, I'm not "relatable" enough, and the team wants me to soften my tough-guy image with a fake relationship. When Anna Denault offers to step in, I figure this'll be a breeze. But somewhere between staged date nights and late-night strategy sessions, I stop seeing Anna as just my rock and start noticing the spark that's been there all along.

Now I'm wondering if the biggest risk of my career isn't losing her as a friend but losing her entirely.

She could be the biggest mistake I've ever made… but also the only one I'll never regret.

Faking the Face Off is a closed-door hockey romcom that includes tropes like fake dating, friends to lovers, and found family. This is the first book in a closed-door hockey series with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses.

This is a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like gambling addiction and parents dealing with a fraud/scam artist.

©2025 Anne Kemp (P)2025 Podium Audio

🎉 I flew through it and smiled the entire time.

There’s a reason you shouldn’t fake date your best friend… because the line between pretending and forever gets blurry FAST—and this book proves it in the cutest way.

Anna works behind the scenes as the assistant to the coach of the River City Renegades, and Ollie? He’s a hockey star who’s smooth on the ice but adorably awkward off it. When he needs to seem more relatable, fake dating his friend feels like the perfect solution. Spoiler: it is not perfect for their hearts.

This story was pure fun with sizzling chemistry, swoony closed-door kisses, and a hero who falls first and falls hard. Ollie is the ultimate cinnamon roll—sweet, earnest, and completely gone for Anna—and their friends-to-lovers journey is full of warmth, found family vibes, and that delicious tension where you’re just waiting for them to admit what everyone else already sees.

🎧 Audiobook lovers—do not skip this one. Sarah McEwan and Neill Thorne absolutely nailed it. Their performances brought so much personality and emotion, making the whole story feel immersive and extra cozy. I flew through it and smiled the entire time. Cute, fun, and the perfect kickoff to this series!