Slow burn, hockey, college romance. Gabriel Kolligan is a senior at Aspenridge and plays goalie for the hockey team. He’s admired Sydney, the baker at a local bakery, from afar but hasn’t had the courage to ask her out. When he overhears Sydney talking to her coworker about her meddling mother, Gabriel pipes in that he will be her fake boyfriend. Nothing about this whole situation is fake for Gabe but it’s the only way he’ll get to spend any time with Sydney. I loved how he took her lead, gave her the opportunity to make the first choice, showed her what she deserved. It was heartbreaking to see the differences between their parents and the relationships each had with them. Plus the Keelys with their openness and love (especially Lennon with her sassy self). Sydney finally got to be herself and feel comfortable in her own skin with the Kolligans and the Keelys. Even though Gabe was a hockey player, there was something about him that was mature and authentic regardless of how he grew up. I loved how the characters from other books in this series made appearances. And…the Creek Valley Creamery! 

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.