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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Reality of Wanting Him by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson
Love Without Labels Book 1
Length: 350 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: July 23, 2025
4 ⭐
3.5 🌶
What to expect with Blake and Liam:
📺 Reality TV dating show
🐔 Farm boy x city boy
📺 Only one bed
🐔 Bi-awakening
📺 Opposites attract
🐔 Dom/sub vibes
📺 Praise kink
Summary
Blake’s parents have given him an ultimatum: get married or they’ll take away his trust fund. He’s reached the point where conventional dating isn’t working and he’s afraid he may not find a wife before the marriage deadline. Liam has the worst dating luck and trust issues that linger from a years-old ex. He’s ready to try anything to find someone that will love him for him. They’re both chosen to appear on Love Without Labels, a new “blind” reality-TV dating show, where contestants get to know one another without knowing anything about each other that might be identifying—no voices, no ages, no pictures, and no gender. If a couple matches, they move in together and try dating in real life, all the way to the altar. Blake, convinced he’s been talking to—and falling for—a woman, is in for a surprise when bearded, built Liam walks through the door….
My thoughts
This is a cute, low-angst romance with some surprisingly sexy, tantalizing spice (I say surprisingly because both MCs are the sweetest of sweet golden-retriever men). I like that Blake is a man who will actually admit when he screws up AND apologizes for it. The poor guy is convinced at the beginning of the book that he’s a ‘crap boyfriend,’ but really he’s never dated someone seriously enough or long enough to make that assumption. He’s also convinced that he’s “too much” for most people, but Liam finds his sunshiny attitude and somewhat chaotic nature (Blake reads very ADHD to me) endearing. As for Liam, he’s got a lot of unresolved thoughts and feelings about his ex (which, admittedly, the guy was awful), and he repeatedly jumps to conclusions throughout the book because of that. I’m glad that when it matters, he recognizes that he still has issues to address with his therapist to help him be a better partner to Blake. They’re delightful as a couple, and I love that the things they learn about each other during the blind dates, like finding out each other’s love language, play into their relationship on the page.
Bottom line
I enjoyed this one! I’m also looking forward to the second book in the series, which follows another couple from the same season of the dating show.
Content warnings
Explicit sexual content, cheating (off-page, in the past), death of a parent (cancer, off-page, in the past), homophobia from parent of MC, mild kink
— A
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews, Lexi Amber, and Bec Benson for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Goodreads.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is a cute relatively low angst rom com starring a sunshiney trust fund baby and the serious yet sweet farmer he falls for, all against the backdrop of a love is blind esque reality TV dating show.
I found the reality TV show setting charming and loved how Blake didn't waver in what he wanted and went after is with relentless optimism
I took off a star just because the last 1/3 was very predictable. I feel like I've read that specific 3rd act breakup numerous times. So I did wish for a bit of a different plot there. That being said, Liam and Blake are easy to love and root for. I liked this one a lot and would be interested in any other books that come in this series.
I found the reality TV show setting charming and loved how Blake didn't waver in what he wanted and went after is with relentless optimism
I took off a star just because the last 1/3 was very predictable. I feel like I've read that specific 3rd act breakup numerous times. So I did wish for a bit of a different plot there. That being said, Liam and Blake are easy to love and root for. I liked this one a lot and would be interested in any other books that come in this series.