ARC Review: ‘The Flirting Game’ by Lauren Blakely
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The Flirting Game
by Lauren BlakelySeries: Love and Hockey #6
Published by Self-Published on December 12, 2025
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 406
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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Revenge was the plan. Falling for the hockey star next door wasn’t.
My new neighbor is a hot, grumpy hockey player who works out shirtless on his porch every morning. But it’s not technically spying if I just happen to be on my patio at the same time … right?
Imagine my surprise when the sexy grouch turns out to be the client who just hired me to redecorate the house he’s giving his mom.
What’s a ray of sunshine like me to do? Pretend I’ve never noticed his abs while we pick out furniture—since I’d never date a client. And Ford’s made it clear this is his final season, and he wants zero distractions.
Which means I need to exercise some serious resistance …
To his cool blue eyes that track my every move.To that deep voice that makes me shiver.And to the mouth that shuts me up one night in our shared backyard with a scorching kiss.
We agree it’s a one-time slip-up—until my cheating ex invites me to a party, and Ford insists on being my revenge date. Our fake night out turns into a very real sleepover.
Now the press and fans think we’re a couple, so we keep it up. One fake date at a charity gala turns into another at a hockey game, and somewhere between fabric swatches and porch picnics, I stop pretending.
But how do I convince Ford that with me, he can have both love and hockey?
Tropes: Neighbors to lovers, hockey romance, workplace romance, revenge fake dating, romantic comedy. This is Ford and Skylar's romance!
The Flirting Game is the final interconnected standalone in Lauren Blakely’s Love and Hockey series. This book was fun to listen to (Audible released the audiobook early), and I highly recommend it if you enjoy Duets. The narrators, Sean Masters and Brooke Montgomery, perfectly matched their characters, Ford and Skylar. I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing throughout The Flirting Game, not only due to Lauren’s storytelling, but also the narrators’ bringing the characters to life. Seriously, listen to the audiobook; you won’t regret it.
I was genuinely surprised by The Flirting Game, especially given my recent mixed feelings about Lauren Blakely’s books, and I’ve read many. This book reminded me of what I love about her writing: a manageable length, focused storytelling on the main characters with less dialogue, and a slow-burn romance, which I’ve been seeking lately in romance books.
The MCs, Ford and Skylar, are neighbors whose dogs bring a funny introduction, even if Ford had issues at first. (Lauren Blakely excels at featuring lovable pets, which I appreciate.) I swear the dogs end up stealing the show at times, especially with one scene where Ford is uncomfortable with Skylar’s dog watching him. 🤣
The pair end up working together when Ford hires Skylar to decorate his parents’ house. Ford’s mom, though particular, ultimately brings them together. Their relationship starts fake, but we know how that ends. 😉
Both characters share dedication to their work, love for their pets, and past relationship challenges, which made the story interesting, especially when they get to have revenge on their exes with their fake dating escapades, but like I mentioned earlier, it’s not really fake when they both are already in love with one another, but trying not to fall in love due to their careers taking precedence.
The one thing that did drive me crazy was the breakup at the end. It felt predictable, especially given Ford’s behavior. He upset me, but redeemed himself by realizing his mistake and sincerely making it up to Skylar. I need the MMC to grovel, which he did.
Overall, I give this book four stars and look forward to Lauren Blakely’s next story, especially since she gives us a sneak peek of her next release at the end of this one.
POV: First Person (Dual POV)
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s an interconnected standalone in the Love and Hockey series and doesn’t need to be read in order.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you like romantic comedies with a hockey player, neighbor romance, and a fake dating twist, you’ll enjoy this story. Be prepared to fall in love with Zamboni (Ford’s dog) and Simon (Skylar’s dog) in the story because I know I did.
What to Expect:
🏒Contemporary Romance
🏒Sports/Hockey Romance
🏒Neighbors to Lovers
🏒Fake Dating
🏒Workplace Romance
About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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