This may have been the prototype for the trilogy I just read by the same author as it’s more friends to lovers with one of them identifying previously as straight, and apparently I’m all for it here too. Jude was wonderful and perfect for Briar, and it was fun seeing everyone try to educate him on being gay in order to make their fake engagement work. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. Briar was going to be in an old friends wedding, but his ex and new fiancé were going to be there as well. He asks his straight best friend and roommate, Jude, if he would be his fake fiancé for the wedding. Jude would do anything for Briar. They two of them had amazing chemistry, and it was so sweet to see Jude’s walls fall down as he realized that love was in front of him the whole time. I absolutely loved this. Can’t wait to read more of this series.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews ( )

Cons
• Varying POV in first person
• While I love dialogue, it can't encompass 75% of the book
• Reads like mediocre fanfic (not a knock against fanfic, as I both read and write excellent stories)
• Too many gay stereotypes
Pros
• Fake relationship is a favored trope
• Likeable protagonists
• Fun romance story

For what it was, this was a cute story. While there was too much dialogue, even for me, and some if it was pretty cringe, it was a fun little romance novel. I enjoyed the main protagonists and that there was the beginnings of character growth for the antagonist.

This fake relationship followed the formula of mutual feelings, a bit of angst from lack of communication, but didn’t drag on so long that it was annoying. All-in-all, this book gave me what I was looking for—erotic, gay romance. I would be willing to read continue with the series and read more from the author in the future. ( )