My Phony Valentine Review

My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

I gave My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh 5 stars. As someone who loves hockey, this book was a no-brainer for me—and it absolutely delivered. It was witty, charming, and just so much fun to read from beginning to end.

Dallas Burke is the definition of bad boy gone good, and I loved every layer of his character. Beneath the reputation and rough edges was someone loyal, protective, and capable of loving deeply. Watching his walls slowly come down for Poppy was everything. And Poppy herself was the perfect girl-next-door—relatable, grounded, and easy to root for. She felt like a real person, not some over-idealized romance heroine, which made the story feel even more authentic.

“It’s not the kind of smile that would alert the paparazzi, but it’s the kind of smile that a person could hold onto. The kind that could make, say, a man in a tough spot hope that things could turn around again. Like an anchor.”

Their chemistry was effortless. The fake dating trope can sometimes feel forced, but here it was done so well. Their banter was sharp and funny, but it was the quiet, sincere moments between them that really made the story shine. I found myself smiling constantly while reading.

One of my favorite lines perfectly captures Dallas and the heart of the story:

“I'm only thinking about what I'll gain.” “Which is what?” “You,” he says simply. “You are all I want.”

What made this book even more special was that it was completely clean—no cuss words and no spice—yet it never once felt like anything was missing. The emotional depth, tension, and payoff were all there. It was refreshing to read a romance that relied entirely on emotional connection rather than physical scenes.

This was such a feel-good, comforting read with characters I didn’t want to say goodbye to. Dallas Burke is an absolute dream, and this story was the perfect mix of humor, heart, and hope.