ARC Review: "Hoax and Kisses" by Elodie Colliard ★★★★★

ARC Review: Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard

For me, this is THE contemporary romance of the year (thus far)! This rivals-to-lovers fake-dating romcom takes the unconventional city girl meets small-town boy trope and plays it out in the most adorable and heartwarming way. 💐🩷 For fans of Tessa Bailey and Emily Henry.

He covers my hand with his, threading our fingers together, before bringing my arm to rest around his neck. “This was never supposed to happen,” he murmurs. “You were never supposed to be more than a one-time thing. A business arrangement and then back to our separate lives.” He cups my cheek with a tenderness that makes my chest pull tight. “Why did you have to become so damn important to me?”
I rise onto my tiptoes. “Why did you have to be everything I never knew I needed?”
Without another second’s hesitation, I kiss him.

[Contains some spoilers]

PLOT SUMMARY
32-year-old Zoey Delacroix is head of the business development team at her father’s hotel empire. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend of 2 years Jake has been cheating on her with her best friend Lauren for six months.

Zoey’s father plans to retire and his shareholders aren’t convinced she can take over. Determined to prove them wrong, she decides to go from Vancouver to Pine Falls to build a lodge hotel. She has just 3 weeks to win over the skeptical townspeople and succeed where her father failed 2 years ago.

Nearly getting run over by and having a one-night stand with a gruff but handsome stranger upon her arrival was not on her bingo card. 30-year-old florist Matt Becker recently gave up a business opportunity to look after his autistic sister Daphne while his parents go on holiday, and is struggling to pay her school funds. He is betrayed to find that the woman he slept with is in fact the daughter of Oscar Marchiatto who wanted to destroy the town with his resort.

Matt feels guilty after insulting Zoey and rallying folk against her at the town meeting and wants to make things up to her. Together they come up with an idea that will benefit both of them: Zoey and Matt will fake date each other. Through Matt’s influence, as he and his flower shop is so beloved by everyone, he can encourage people to vote for Zoey’s lodge idea; through Zoey’s influence, Matt can get an interview to join her mentorship program to help him expand his business and get the money to afford the school funds.

But what happens when boundaries are crossed, the line between real and pretend are blurred, and the real reason behind her father’s interest in Pine Falls threatens to tear them apart?

“No one has ever noticed that before,” she says thickly.
I lean closer, my chest pounding, and stroke her cheek again, as if this small touch could somehow coax her closer. “I do. I notice everything about you.”

This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Zoey and Matt.

OVERALL OPINIONS
ㅤ🎀🌸the allure🌸🎀
I was already sold the moment I read the blurb, right: a small-town guy who runs a flower shop fake dates a city girl? I mean hellooo, that is super cute! I adore the idea of a macho man in a more feminine profession – especially when we have a lot of the opposite happening right now in books with women in male-dominated industries, like STEM. This makes a really interesting and refreshing change (and who doesn’t love a secure man?).

But what really sold me was the dedication page itself. It really struck a chord for me and I somehow knew before I’d even read the book itself that this was going to be a 5-star:

For those who dare to be their true selves around the people who are supposed to uplift them, only to be met with silence, judgment, or rejection.
Your worth is not defined by others’ inability to understand you. You deserve to be seen, accepted, and celebrated just as you are.

Indeed, this book is a love letter from Colliard herself to anyone who has ever felt unseen. Parts of Zoey and Matt resonated with me: desiring to make parents proud, having dreams put on hold for family, having responsibilities looking after a sibling. The betrayal in discovering your ex cheated on you with your best friend? Oldest story there is – unfortunately been there, done that (and these jerks always have a name beginning with J, don’t they?). I love the parallels they have with their family/parent dynamic.

ㅤ🎀🌸the writing🌸🎀
Elodie Colliard, stop writing beautiful sentences and moments, I cannot possibly read this book without highlighting everything (Seriously, don’t actually stop, please continue!). What makes her writing so captivating is her ability to blend wit with profound emotional depth. Zoey and Matt are far more than one-dimensional characters; their arcs are so well-developed that they feel truly three-dimensional.

One of my absolute favourite moments is when Zoey asks Matt to choose flowers for her for a bouquet. It is so nicely done and this was what SEALED my approval of this book and man. He sees her for who she is. It’s in these quiet moments that the writing truly shines:

I bury my nose in the flowers and inhale the multitude of scents until my muscles loosen and the knot in my throat—one I didn’t realize even existed—dissolves… Finally, I look up, finding Matt watching me. An emotion flits over his face, but I’m not fast enough to decipher it before it’s gone.
“Lavender and freesias for calm when your days get too intense; lilies for confidence, when you need that extra boost; and alstroemeria for support when you feel alone,” he says, his voice soft.
His words land too close. My stomach knots, and I look away before he can realize how true they’ve hit. How did he see the feelings I’ve been working so hard to keep at bay?
“Zoey?”
I meet his gaze. “How did you know?”
He shrugs, his mouth ticking up a fraction. “I’m good at my job.” He says this like it’s every florist’s job to know exactly who their clients are and what they need, but the reality is that this man pays attention.

ㅤ🎀🌸the representation🌸🎀
Not only are Zoey and Matt seen and loved in ways nobody else has bothered to, but there is the beautiful inclusion of Matt’s little sister, Daphne, who has autism. Neurodiversity representation is arguably one of the most difficult things to do because it is such a wide spectrum, as Colliard herself mentions in her author’s notes. As someone who has an autistic sister, I could see aspects of her, particularly the stims and meltdowns. This has been very well researched.

There was such a touching and beautiful moment between Daphne’s mother and Zoey where she confesses she doesn’t understand Daphne though clearly wishes she could. And there are days where I really do relate to this.

“Start by listening to her,” I say softly. “Not just to what she says, but to how she moves through the world. Her cues, her rhythms. You won’t be perfect the first time, and you *will* make mistakes. But Daph will see that you’re trying. And she’ll love you even more for it, for choosing to understand her, even when it’s hard.”

I commend Elodie Colliard for her efforts as it really is no easy feat, and this made the found family all the more moving. I kid you not, I burst into tears when Daphne defends Zoey in the town hall and has a meltdown over the situation! That’s the third book this year that’s made me cry – and it’s always a pink cover (Note to self: if I see a book with a pink cover, bring tissues!).

ㅤ🎀🌸similar works🌸🎀
This gave me similar vibes to Book Lovers by Emily Henry and It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey.

Like Book Lovers, this novel has a strong focus on the characters’ inner struggles and personal growth. Both the main female characters have the city girl archetype who grapple with their identity: Zoey has the pressure of pleasing her family and finding who she is when she’s not in her father’s shadow; Nora has to confront her own workaholism and what she truly wants in life.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey had the city girl in a small town trope, a grumpy but soft-hearted man, and a found family dynamic. The chemistry between Zoey and Matt is similar to Piper and Brendan with just as much spice, but what sets this story apart is the depth. Unlike Piper, Zoey is a protagonist I could instantly connect with, which made the romance all the more powerful. Plus, Zoey is somebody I can stand far better (Piper was so annoying haha).

ㅤ🎀🌸to conclude🌸🎀
I absolutely loved this! While some of the ending felt rushed and it might have been nice to expand on some of the characters to get that true sense of community, I can personally overlook this. I look forward to the next instalment in the Pine Fall series.

<< Positives >>
🠚 The cover (obviously).
🠚 The chapter header images: Zoey has a bouquet; Matt has hanging flowers.
🠚 The paragraph dividers are daisies, Matt’s favourite (which symbolise new beginnings).
🠚 Maturity of Zoey and Matt: their openness, the way they talk things out. Acting their age. No drama.
🠚 Author realistically in tune with how her characters feel (Zoey laughing, and she literally admits to herself that this caught her off guard because it’s been a while)
🠚 Unique take on tropes.
🠚 Good, early tension between main characters.
🠚 Beautiful, profound emotional writing.
🠚 Character depth and development.
🠚 Accurate neurodiversity representation.
🠚 Heartfelt, relatable themes.
🠚 Perfectly written found family.
🠚 Witty, emotionally resonant banter.
🠚 No third-act breakup.
🠚 Excellent plot twist!
🠚 Bonus points for the LOTR reference: “You shall not pass” sign on Daphne’s bedroom door.
🠚 One Last Chapter as a name of a bookshop is brilliant.
<< Negatives >>
🠚 The ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to have seen more of Zoey learning about what her father has done behind her back.
🠚 A missed opportunity of having more language of the flowers, where for example Matt keeps giving her a particular flower and she doesn’t understand its significance til later (potentially a daisy).
🠚 Another missed opportunity where Matt stores away the info of Zoey speaking French. Something should have been done with this information. What if, potentially, Zoey starts speaking/swearing in French in the bedroom?
🠚 Could expand on side characters. Zoey’s mother especially is a tiny blip in the story, she barely appears, and I think it would have made the epilogue even more impactful when Zoey tells her about the Pine Falls saga and they cry on the phone for hours.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Zoey꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ When she said “What’s it like? Knowing you have people who will always be there for you?” I felt a pang in my chest because unfortunately (outwith family) that can be me sometimes. Her cliché ex-bf arc is so relatable to me haha. Also I understand how overwhelming it can be when you’re in a new situation so don’t know what to choose. I love how the little things make her emotional, like when she doesn’t remember the last time she had hot chocolate.
🠚 I like how she isn’t afraid to call out Matt for his behaviour, and I love when she stands up to her father. As she should! Her arc is one of the best things in this story, aside from the romance.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Matt꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Not to be dramatic, but I would give anything for Matt. Anything! Nothing hits better than a green flag man after a red flag one. I knew the moment he interacted with Daphne I would love him, but the bouquet scene did it for me. I love how he notices all the little things about people (probably because of him tuning into all the cues of Daphne), and how protective he is of his sister. He learns how to pronounce Zoey’s name properly! Help. He is like all the love languages combined.
🠚 I understand the situation he was in where his family was too complicated for someone he cared about. I’m scared of that a lot of the time.
🠚 The permission! What a welcome he gave Zoey to the town dayum and then all the chemistry afterwards.
🠚 The only time I didn’t like him was the town meeting but then he takes accountability for his actions so I accept it.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Lola is brilliant, I love her! I would absolutely go to her store if it existed for spicy recommendations. I love the way she’s like “As a romance bookstore owner, I’m an expert in the subject, and if I say [fake dating] works, then it works.” Rosie is sweet, I wish we got more of her.

FAV QUOTES
• Gripping the podium, I pull myself straighter. He thinks he’s the first man ever to try to intimidate me? In this line of work? Think again.
• Matt takes my fingers in his, flipping them so my palm faces down. Before I can put two and two together, he brings them to his lips and drops a kiss there. “Nice to meet you, Zoey. I’m Matt.” His touch sends an electric pulse down my arm, heat radiating from where his lips were a second ago. Still hovering above my hand, his beard caressing my skin, he looks up at me from beneath thick lashes, his attention setting my face on fire. Oh, this man is trouble. Big, big trouble.
• “Do you expect me to beg for it, then?” I say, popped up on my toes, my lips inches from his. | He leans in, his mouth grazing the shell of my ear, his warm breath causing my skin to erupt into thousands of shivers that head straight to my core. “I think I’ll kiss you regardless of whether you beg,” he whispers.
• Does she notice how much she affects me? The way she stands, the way she moves—every little detail draws me in, pulls at something inside me I don’t want to acknowledge. It travels to my hands, through my chest, in my jaw. It’s a tension that won’t shake loose. I’m just standing here, wanting, aching, wishing I could do something… anything.
• I don’t know how it’s possible, but time slows, as if the universe knows how desperately I want to savor this moment. For a few quiet beats, it’s just Zoey. The real Zoey. A version of her I don’t think she’s ever realized exists. And I’m the lucky bastard who gets to experience her like this. It’s enough to make my chest a little tight.
• I inch a step closer, wrapping my arm around her waist. “I want to take my time. I want to taste you properly. Savor everything you give me until I’m not starving anymore. I want to explore you until I can draw maps of your body from memory.” I ghost my lips against hers. “Let me fuck you slow and deep for hours and then hold you while you sleep.”
• The kiss I press to her mouth is full of all the tenderness she deserves. She should always be kissed like this. Like she’s someone’s most precious treasure. And I would give anything for that someone to be me.
• “It’s a fucking privilege to get to share this life with you.”
• “I’ve been alone for so long. It seems impossible sometimes to picture a life where I’m not. Where I’m happy. Where I do what I love. Where I can truly be myself. The price always seemed too high to pay.” I press a featherlight kiss on his lips. “It isn’t with you. Losing you would be so much worse.”
• He pulls me to him, or maybe he’s pulling me in. I’m not sure anymore. Sometimes I can’t tell where his craving ends and mine begins.
• *Home*. The word sinks into my heart with a softness that makes me dizzy. That single word feels so right. And it has nothing to do with his place. It’s him. He’s my home. Home is his steady heartbeat and his warm hands on my skin. It’s the slow mornings wrapped in blankets and the cozy nights bundled next to him on the couch. It’s the scent of his shirt that soothes me after an exhausting day, and the rhythm of his breathing as he sleeps beside me. It’s his name on my lips as I come undone in his arms. As he leads me toward the door, his hand on the small of my back, he has no idea how my world just reoriented itself around his.
• It’s true that the store looks like a vision out of a fairy tale, with all the greenery and lights dancing like fireflies. But the woman standing in the middle makes it downright magical. Enchanting.
• Humming, I kiss the tip of her nose. “I think you and I were meant to meet at this exact moment in our lives. Neither of us would have been ready for such a profound change if it had come a few years ago.” I swallow, a steady current running through me. “You altered my brain chemistry. My body responds to you in a way I’ve never known. You were meant to happen to me at this very moment. To prove to me that I could trust someone with my heart again. That I have the right to be happy. And I was meant to happen to you now too. To show you that you deserve a love that’s honest and unconditional.”

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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Elodie Colliard, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

“Hoax and Kisses” is out August 26!