He swore never to fall for a city girl again. She’s on a mission to charm his small town.

MATT BECKER is stretched thin. Running his flower shop solo is a full-time job, but now he’s also tasked with caring for his teenage sister while their parents are away. With her expensive new school draining his savings, Matt’s barely keeping his head above water. He needs money—and fast.

Groomed to inherit her father’s hotel empire, ZOEY DELACROIX is finally poised to take the reins. But first, she must convince shareholders she’s got what it takes and silence her own doubts. Her plan? Secure a piece of land in the town where her father once failed. Falling for a local? Definitely not part of it.

When a crucial town vote spirals into disaster and her reputation takes a hit, Zoey finds an unexpected lifeline: Matt. He suggests a fake relationship to win back the town’s favor in exchange for a spot in her small business investment program. It’s strictly business… until it isn’t. Matt never expected the spoiled city girl to fit so easily into his world. And Zoey never questioned the future set for her until she began picturing a life that looked a lot more like his.

As lines blur and real feelings get tangled in their fake romance, Matt and Zoey must find the nerve to rewrite their future or risk losing the one thing they never saw coming: a shot at love.

In this cozy small-town romance where The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, HOAX AND KISSES explores the path to self-discovery and the unexpected connections that bloom along the way. Steamy and soul-stirring, this story is a tribute to the kind of love that sneaks up on you and never lets go.

My thoughts:

“Hoax and Kisses” is a delightfully heartwarming small-town romance that masterfully blends Hallmark-esque sweetness with a dash of captivating spice. Having long wanted to read Elodie Colliard, I can confirm this book absolutely met my high expectations.

The premise is irresistible: a big-city hotel executive, Zoey, travels to the quaint town of Pine Falls to acquire land for her company’s new hotel. The catch? The handsome yet grumpy local florist, Matt—who also happens to be her former one-night stand—mobilizes the entire town against her. In a twist of fate, he proposes a fake-dating scheme to repair her reputation, leading to a series of hilarious shenanigans and, inevitably, real romance.

This book is small-town perfection. Pine Falls is utterly charming, populated by a loyal, if slightly meddle-some, community, and strikes the ideal balance between rustic outdoors and cozy appeal. The comparison to Gilmore Girls meets The Holiday is spot-on, creating a setting that feels like a warm hug and will make you wish you could book a trip there immediately.

The characters are the heart of this cozy story. While Zoey and Matt are compelling individually, together they are pure magic. Their dynamic is a classic enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine pairing, fueled by off-the-charts chemistry. Zoey’s journey of learning to rely on others—starting with Matt but extending to the whole town—is deeply relatable and rewarding. Matt, the protective grump with a heart of gold, is the perfect catalyst for her change. Their physical connection is instant and sizzling, but the emotional trust and love develop more slowly, making their journey all the more satisfying.

Beyond the central couple, the supporting cast is fantastic. The eclectic residents of Pine Falls are so vibrant they leap off the page. Having read this, I’m now eager to explore the previous book in the series and desperately hope for future installments—side characters like Lola, James, and Daphne deserve their own stories.

The romance itself is a perfect cocktail of sweet and spicy. Matt and Zoey’s chemistry makes every intimate scene intensely hot. He’s a gentleman in public but deliciously commanding in private, with a mouth that will leave you fanning yourself.

A special mention must be made of the autistic representation through Matt’s sister, Daphne. It is handled with honesty and care, portraying autism as a spectrum to be embraced, not changed. Matt’s unwavering love and support for his sister is one of his most endearing qualities.

Overall, “Hoax and Kisses” will make you want to risk it all for a happy-ever-after in a small town. Elodie Colliard has gained a dedicated fan, and I cannot wait to return to Pine Falls or any other world she creates. This adorably sweet romance with its perfect balance of story and spice will leave you swooning, smiling, and suddenly very interested in embracing nature—and perhaps your own grumpy florist.