It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist
on February 10, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Disability, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Fake Dating, Fiction / Women
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
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It’s All In Your Head is a sweet, emotional fake-dating romance with a refreshing twist—and yes, this is very much a he falls first story, which I always love.
Skylar, who lives with a chronic illness, would much rather stick to her online support group than deal with the messiness (and judgment) of real-life relationships. Enter Pike—the broody, poetry-writing new guy in the group—who ends up fake dating her after a chaotic night online. What starts as a pretend relationship quickly turns into something more, especially when Skylar realizes Pike isn’t just any guy—he’s a former Olympic snowboarder dealing with his own very public and very complicated injury and reputation.
What really stood out to me was how thoughtfully this book handled chronic pain, illness, and disability. The representation felt nuanced and honest—it doesn’t shy away from how exhausting and frustrating it can be to navigate a world that often dismisses or minimizes those experiences. It also highlights how even people with relative privilege (like access to healthcare and resources) can still struggle to be believed or properly treated. You can tell this story comes from a place of lived experience, and I’m so glad we’re seeing more romances that center disabled characters in a real, human way.
One message from the author that really stuck with me is the idea that people with chronic illness or disabilities are still deserving of joy, love, and belonging—without needing to be “fixed” or turned into inspiration. That sentiment is woven beautifully throughout the story.
On the romance side, Skylar and Pike have great chemistry, and their emotional connection builds in a way that feels natural and tender. The mix of fake dating, bed-sharing, and late-night vulnerability definitely delivers on the swoony moments.
My main critique is that the title doesn’t fully match the story—it makes sense thematically, but it didn’t quite click for me. I also noticed the repetition of certain language (especially around ableism), which at times felt a bit heavy-handed.
Overall, this is a heartfelt and eye-opening romance that blends cute, swoony moments with meaningful commentary on chronic pain and disability. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy fake dating, “he falls first,” and stories that bring more awareness to underrepresented experiences in romance.
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