Reviews

The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky

kaykaysbookshelf's review against another edition

5.0

What to expect: fake dating, game show, mm romance, light kink

Spice: 3.5/4

melodybooklover's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mpyff's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

ellenr272's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Janovsky sure has a way of writing characters that I really find annoying in the beginning and middle, and then write an ending that makes me go "ugh! Fine! I guess he's ok."  Which is ok, his endings are great, and I liked the way in which this ending was a bit different from other romance endings, but sometimes I find it hard enough to get through the first parts that the ending doesn't quite make up for it. 

kaylyx's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

apcolley's review against another edition

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

4.0

jennp28's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.5

A novel that combines game show silliness, navigating grief, and a spicy romance, somehow successfully! Surprisingly nuanced for a fluffy romance novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Infidelity

docrobreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

aimhkaitlin's review against another edition

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

3.75

meldelizia's review against another edition

5.0

Ok LOVE.
I love everything Timothy writes, but what this one really did well for me was represent the way grief impacts how we move through relationships. This was a super fun and romantic story filled with steamy moments and fake dating, game show madness, and a lot of other lovely tropes and elements. For me though, the points about grief made it a favorite.
So beautifully written.