Many moons ago, I read a few of Kelley Armstrong’s witchy books and loved them. When I saw her name pop up with a contemporary romance, I was intrigued. I’m so glad I picked this up. It’s fake dating done right, in my humble opinion.

Gemma is a debut romance author who was told that ‘bad boy’ protagonists sell. Think alpha-hole. So she decides to write what the market is buying and she has the perfect specimen to inspire her: a spectre from her childhood, Mason. Mason was the star ice hockey player at their high school and he knew it. He’s the perfect model for her hero.

However, when an old school acquaintance turned morning show host invites Gemma for an interview and then surprises her with an on-air reunion with Mason, Gemma is floored.

Mason is known for being an asshole on the ice in the NHL. After he failed to do something that he should have done on the ice, the public is upset with him. When Gemma and Mason shine in the TV interview (it’s actually so sweet), the adoring public want more. So why not give them more? Gemma and Mason decide to go on a ‘for show’ date.

Right from the word go, Mason gets it wrong on their date, but his depths begin to be revealed. The book is dual POV so we get his perspective and we see his intentions are really good but the outcome is a mess. This is definitely an asshole that can be redeemed.

Both characters are in their late 30s which I love. They’ve got some living under their belt. They’ve done the therapy and they’re ready to make better (if not perfect) decisions. I find this very soothing.

There is, however, still tension, most of which comes from Mason figuring out how to make his intentions translate into positive impacts rather than disastrous ones. For Gemma, the tension revolves around trusting again after a bitter divorce.

Gemma’s growth in particular really struck a chord with me. During her marriage, she lopped off bits of herself to try and make her husband happy. She wanted to be the perfect wife for him. But in the end it wasn’t enough. He left her. In her youth, Gemma was sassy and confident and so having someone from her childhood present in her life again allows her to resurrect that side of herself.

Their emotions are really mature and considered. Miscommunications are solved by clear conversations. Enthusiastic consent is the goal. That kind of thing. So there is emotional maturity with enough tension to keep it interesting (and human – no one is perfect, after all).

So if I enjoyed this book, why is it only a B+? It’s a bit intangible, really. I devoured it and I heartily recommend it to readers looking for a mature, considered treatment of the fake dating trope. I didn’t end up smiling goofily at my Kindle or staying up impossibly late finishing it. As a reviewer, sometimes I’m not able to pinpoint what exactly makes an A book an A – I just feel it in my blood and bones. The book works its magic on me and I make Good Book Noise. This book didn’t do that for me, but I have a feeling that it could do that for other readers. So please, pick this one up.