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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
The Build a Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver and narrated by Logan Rozoz has all the retro romcom movie vibes while delving into some deeper social commentary. I enjoyed the trans representation and would like to see more like it in books. Part of that romcom throwback style means that this book embraced being 100% predictable from the beginning. There really were zero surprises. I loved the dates that Eli and Peter went on. I enjoyed their banter, character, and relationship development. The audiobook was very well done by Logan Rozoz. I stepped out of my comfort zone, reading a romance novel written by a male author. The Build a Boyfriend Project was worth it.
I LOVED this audiobook. This was my first book with a lead MMC as a trans man. I liked how we got snips of what he was feeling when he was younger but how he feels about himself now that he is who he wants to be. I also liked getting Peter's side of being gay in the south.
Eli our main MMC is trying to make his writing career take off. So after he goes on a disastrous date with Peter. He comes up with a way to "fake date" Peter and write a story about how Peter grew up in the south but frame it to his boss as a different story.
But as most fake dating tropes go, feelings get blurred and real life takes its toll on the relationship.
Fake Dating
Trans/Gay Relationship
Spice Level: 1/5
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Logan Rozos an amazing job narrating this audiobook.
Eli our main MMC is trying to make his writing career take off. So after he goes on a disastrous date with Peter. He comes up with a way to "fake date" Peter and write a story about how Peter grew up in the south but frame it to his boss as a different story.
But as most fake dating tropes go, feelings get blurred and real life takes its toll on the relationship.
Fake Dating
Trans/Gay Relationship
Spice Level: 1/5
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Logan Rozos an amazing job narrating this audiobook.
emotional
funny
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
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind the following content warnings: Transphobia, Sexism, and Drunk.
One of the things I enjoy the most about Mason Deaver's books is how complicated their characters are. The book was hilarious and filled with heart. Eli's struggles were related, and I felt so much for him.
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project comes out on August 5th 2025; make sure to pre-order your copy from your favourite local bookstore.
One of the things I enjoy the most about Mason Deaver's books is how complicated their characters are. The book was hilarious and filled with heart. Eli's struggles were related, and I felt so much for him.
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project comes out on August 5th 2025; make sure to pre-order your copy from your favourite local bookstore.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book thoughts:
Hate to report that I, a certified fake-dating enthusiast, did not really like the fake dating component to this story. It felt very convoluted. And while I always have to suspend my disbelief somewhat when it comes to the fake dating trope in contemporary (it's a ridiculous trope), this particular instance just made less and less sense as it went on- because, at the end of the day, WHO were they fake dating for? Everyone knew it was fake.
And I know that it was drawing inspiration from How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days (classic) with Eli’s journalistic intent as the catalyst for the fake dating, but it STILL doesn't hold up. The reason it works in the movie is because both parties do not realize that the other is also faking the relationship. They both kind of suck for that (but it makes it funny and endearing when they start to catch feelings.) But here,it just makes it hard to root for Eli and his endeavors because the only person getting lied to is Peter. Which is silly because why does Eli only tell Peter about the 1 article if Peter is already aware of the entire faking dating scheme and Eli's plan to write his real article?
(Also, just now realizing that I would have liked some closure regarding Eli's real article. Would have loved for it to have gotten picked up somewhere or any other indication in the “epilogue" chapter- but that mainly focuses on Peter's success.)
And I know that this makes it sound like I might not have enjoyed the book but there are actually many things that I loved too.
1. Deaver's character work for Peter and Eli.
Hate to report that I, a certified fake-dating enthusiast, did not really like the fake dating component to this story. It felt very convoluted. And while I always have to suspend my disbelief somewhat when it comes to the fake dating trope in contemporary (it's a ridiculous trope), this particular instance just made less and less sense as it went on-
And I know that it was drawing inspiration from How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days (classic) with Eli’s journalistic intent as the catalyst for the fake dating, but it STILL doesn't hold up. The reason it works in the movie is because both parties do not realize that the other is also faking the relationship. They both kind of suck for that (but it makes it funny and endearing when they start to catch feelings.) But here,
(Also, just now realizing that I would have liked some closure regarding Eli's real article. Would have loved for it to have gotten picked up somewhere or any other indication in the “epilogue" chapter- but that mainly focuses on Peter's success.)
And I know that this makes it sound like I might not have enjoyed the book but there are actually many things that I loved too.
1. Deaver's character work for Peter and Eli.
- Peter Park is one of the sweetest, most endearing love interests that I've read recently and I absolutely adore his story. (I think the author's history in the YA genre is very evident in the richness of Peter's character.)
- Even Eli, as frustrating as his decisions and thought processes were sometimes, still had a very complex history that tugged on my heartstrings. (There are two particular moments where we get insight into Eli's past/ his relationship with both of his parents that genuinely had me tearing up.)
2. Despite it being painful, I really liked the way the conflict came to a head in the final bit of the book.
I think, overall, this book had some really beautiful moments that got lost in the overly complicated "fake dating" plot. But it does have me interested in checking out this author's YA work.
Audiobook specific thoughts:
Unfortunately, I don't think Logan Rozos’s narration really did anything for the story. There was not a lot in the way of variety or inflection and it left all of the interactions between the characters feeling really flat. It is one of those cases where they narrated but they didn't voice act and I think the audio suffers for that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Eli, a trans guy working as an executive assistant for a news site, is not happy with his job nor having to work with his ex, Keith. He's also got a point where he doesn't want to date, disenchanted with the lackluster engagement on dating apps. When his roommate, Patricia, sets him up on a bond date with Peter, he says yes to humor her. Enter Peter, a Korean guy from rural Georgia living in San Francisco, who has missed out on some quintessential queer experiences and is not sure how to get out there and meet people. They have a disastrous first date, but then Eli's boss suggests he write a story about making Peter a better boyfriend.
This is my first book from Mason, but certainly not my last; this is their adult romance debut. I was a little nervous with the premise and how it would turn out (hello, anxiety), but ultimately I find this to be a touching and sweet story. Give this a read if you enjoy:
- queer romance
- stories about journalists and romancr writers
- stories set in San Francisco
- fake dating/dating lessons
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 8/5/25.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I like several of Mason Deaver’s previous books, so I was optimistic about him being the latest author to make the transition to adult romance. And I respect the attempt to inject more queer and trans rep into the mainstream, as that’s still rather rare, at least for adult romance. However, The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was so underwhelming, I just didn’t care.
I like the attempt to pay homage to classic romcoms, but given I’d recently read other books that did it more effectively, the execution fell very flat, especially with the titular film references either feeling disconnected from the primary plot or just going over my head entirely if I hadn’t seen them.
And while I’m all for messy queer leads, Eli really did nothing for me, especially with him using Peter for his article Peter as a love interest was all right, but I struggled to really invest in the romance.
Also, the fake dating trope is increasingly becoming my new romance nemesis, and it was incredibly convoluted here.
While I really disliked this book, it’s clearly a “me” issue, as there were several aspects that, for all that I’ve tried, I’m either tired of or just weren’t executed to my taste. But I do recommend it to readers who do enjoy queer romcoms with fake dating and don’t mind a rather messy protagonist.
slow-paced
hopeful
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:
Yes