The Fake Dating Agreement by Ember L. Nicole

✨ A reverse harem hockey romance with heart, healing, and hard truths ✨

What starts as a delicious revenge plot quickly turns into a touching and deeply emotional journey in The Fake Dating Agreement by Ember L. Nicole. This reverse harem, hockey romance surprised me in all the best ways. Yes, it has the tropes we all love — fake dating, three swoony hockey players, and a woman reclaiming her power — but it also dives much deeper, exploring identity, growth, invisible struggles, and the real meaning of choosing happiness.

The story kicks off with the FMC discovering that her long-term boyfriend has been cheating on her — on their sixth anniversary, no less. Cue heartbreak... and then enter three ridiculously hot hockey players with a proposition to help her get some sweet, sweet revenge. Sounds like fun? It is. But that’s only the beginning.

What I loved most is how the author takes us beyond the trope and into something meaningful. The “fake” relationship morphs into a process of discovery, not just for the FMC but for each of the three MMCs as well. She doesn’t just fall into bed with them — she gets to know them. Each relationship unfolds at its own pace, reflecting their unique personalities, wounds, and hopes. And they, in turn, see her, support her, and remind her that she’s so much more than what her ex made her believe.

The hockey backdrop is just that — a backdrop. It’s not the central plot, but rather a lens into the lives of the MMCs. For them, hockey is more than a sport: it’s their whole world, their coping mechanism, their identity. But as the story evolves, so do they. They begin to see that life is more than a game, and that sometimes, choosing joy, connection, and vulnerability takes more strength than chasing a puck.

Another standout element is the representation of invisible disability. The FMC lives with Hashimoto’s disease — a chronic, often misunderstood condition. I really appreciated how the author handled this with care and realism. The FMC’s discomfort with sharing her illness felt incredibly authentic, and the sensitivity shown by the MMCs was genuinely heartwarming. Chronic fatigue and feeling "lazy" to others is such a common but painful part of invisible illnesses, and this story highlights that struggle in a way that will speak to many readers.

On the steam scale, I’d say this lands at about a 2.5/5 — nothing overly explicit or gratuitous, but enough to feel intimate and meaningful. In a college RH romance, you expect hormones, curiosity, and kink exploration — and this book gives you all of that, but with a focus on connection over shock value. Every scene felt like it served the emotional arc rather than simply trying to spice things up, which I really appreciated.

As for my own reading experience? I was hooked. Was everything 100% realistic? Maybe not. But I didn’t care. I found myself grinning like a fool at the tender moments, swept up in the emotional honesty and support these characters showed one another. I read it in a single day — it was one of those books where you just don’t want to stop turning the pages.

And if I had to choose a favorite? It would be Caleb. All three guys are sweet, caring, and sexy in their own ways, but Caleb was the one who took the longest to open up. He held on tightly to his pain, and watching him gradually let the FMC (and us!) in was incredibly satisfying. The moment that sealed it for me? The street hockey game, where Caleb convinces the whole team to skip practice just to cheer on a group of kids he randomly met. It was such a subtle but powerful act of kindness — one that showed his heart more clearly than any grand gesture ever could.

From a technical standpoint, the writing flows beautifully. The pacing is tight and purposeful, with smooth time jumps that let the story focus on key emotional beats without getting bogged down in the day-to-day.

Final thoughts:
The Fake Dating Agreement is more than a spicy RH romance — it’s a celebration of healing, growth, and letting go of what doesn’t serve you anymore. It’s about being brave enough to want more, and about finding love — not just in others, but within yourself. Add in thoughtful chronic illness rep and layered character development, and you’ve got a gem worth picking up.

🌟 Rating: 4.5/5
✏️ While some scenes may feel slightly heightened or idealized, the emotional core is so strong and sincere that I couldn’t put it down — a book that makes you feel good without losing depth.
❤️‍🔥 Tropes: Reverse harem, fake dating, found family, emotional healing, supportive MMCs
🏒 Content warnings: Cheating ex, chronic illness (Hashimoto’s), emotional abuse (past), mild on-page angst