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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Ever wish you could have a boyfriend who does better? Wouldn't it be great if there was an article out there that told you just what to do to get a better boyfriend? Peter is just the guy for Eli to help make that happen and this is a cute lil' story that brings together dealing with feelings of inadequacy, the stress of trying to move up in your job and all the rom-com trademark events for a love story.
When I saw this book was coming out I was very intrigued to give it a read. I was expecting a fun take on the old Disney movie originals where the girls build a boyfriend, or the girl is an AI robot they have to teach how to be human. This did not deliver on those feels. Instead it gave a more realistic feel to the events of basically training a partner to be better with fake dating. It gave more 90's movie feels and made me think of Hitch.
The Boyfriend Peter Parker stole the spotlight I adored him in this book. And yes regardless of the writing in the novel I only saw Spiderman in this, I just won't date myself and say *which* of the three spidermen I envisioned every time I read the words "Peter Parker".
All in all a good solid book with the premiss of trying to train a guy to be a better boyfriend because he's a bit jaded from his last relationship and wants to write a good article for work. I give it 3 stars for a good weekend chill read.
When I saw this book was coming out I was very intrigued to give it a read. I was expecting a fun take on the old Disney movie originals where the girls build a boyfriend, or the girl is an AI robot they have to teach how to be human. This did not deliver on those feels. Instead it gave a more realistic feel to the events of basically training a partner to be better with fake dating. It gave more 90's movie feels and made me think of Hitch.
The Boyfriend Peter Parker stole the spotlight I adored him in this book. And yes regardless of the writing in the novel I only saw Spiderman in this, I just won't date myself and say *which* of the three spidermen I envisioned every time I read the words "Peter Parker".
All in all a good solid book with the premiss of trying to train a guy to be a better boyfriend because he's a bit jaded from his last relationship and wants to write a good article for work. I give it 3 stars for a good weekend chill read.
✨ The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver ✨
Okay, this book was so cute I can’t even deal. Like… I really, really liked it. It’s soft, sweet, awkward in the best way, and just everything you want in a fake dating romance.
Eli (journalist) + Peter (shy, awkward tech guy) meet in what might be the worst first date ever. Not a meet cute… a meet disaster. It’s so bad you’re cringing for them. But then Eli decides to help Peter, who’s never dated before, and we get THE BEST practice dates and slow burn tension while they get to know each other.
I loved that their identities, like Eli being trans and Peter being a gay Korean guy weren’t used as trauma plot points. It shaped who they are, but it wasn’t the whole story. Their chemistry was so soft, so sweet, and yes, there’s a steamy scene (and it’s adorable because they’re just so soft with each other 🥹).
The side characters were great. The writing subplot was actually really important and the romance itself earned total heart eyes from me.
📚 Read if you love:
✅ Queer romance
✅ Trans rep
✅ Opposites attract
✅ Fake dating
✅ MMC who reads romance (!!!)
✅ Sweet & heartwarming vibes
Thank you, Avon, for the ARC! I had such a great time with this one! 💕
⭐ 4 stars from me! So sweet, so fun, and I was rooting for these two the entire time.
Okay, this book was so cute I can’t even deal. Like… I really, really liked it. It’s soft, sweet, awkward in the best way, and just everything you want in a fake dating romance.
Eli (journalist) + Peter (shy, awkward tech guy) meet in what might be the worst first date ever. Not a meet cute… a meet disaster. It’s so bad you’re cringing for them. But then Eli decides to help Peter, who’s never dated before, and we get THE BEST practice dates and slow burn tension while they get to know each other.
I loved that their identities, like Eli being trans and Peter being a gay Korean guy weren’t used as trauma plot points. It shaped who they are, but it wasn’t the whole story. Their chemistry was so soft, so sweet, and yes, there’s a steamy scene (and it’s adorable because they’re just so soft with each other 🥹).
The side characters were great. The writing subplot was actually really important and the romance itself earned total heart eyes from me.
📚 Read if you love:
✅ Queer romance
✅ Trans rep
✅ Opposites attract
✅ Fake dating
✅ MMC who reads romance (!!!)
✅ Sweet & heartwarming vibes
Thank you, Avon, for the ARC! I had such a great time with this one! 💕
⭐ 4 stars from me! So sweet, so fun, and I was rooting for these two the entire time.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i have been a fan of mason deaver's writing for some time. i've read all of their books, each one touching me a little bit more than the last. and with a repertoire of YA books under their belt, (i wish you all the best, the ghosts we keep, the feeling of falling in love, and okay, cupid, respectfully.) this is their first adult romance release. and god…..when i tell you that i can already tell it will be sticking with me for a long time - i knew it before i’d even finished reading the last line.
the story follows eli - a charming transmasc man who is still recovering from an unexpected breakup with his boyfriend of 7 years, when his best friends convince him to go out on a blind date with peter - an unassuming guy from small town georgia who’s……well, never actually BEEN on a date before. after some first date mishaps, eli has a brilliant plan: pretend to date peter under the guise of writing an article about the process. peter gets invaluable dating experience, while eli gets a shot at finally getting published. peter agrees and the two set out on a journey that will inevitably change them both. what could possibly go wrong?
the fake dating troupe is one of my favorites and this book is no exception. the characters are all so instantly lovable and had me rooting for them, laughing with them, (and sometimes crying with them, let’s be honest) up until the very end. as a queer person living in the rural south, there were so many parts of peter’s story and experience that deeply touched me - and i appreciate that the duality of a place as misunderstood as the rural south was so adequately described by peter in the book. it actually caught me off guard, because although this is a conversation i have had regularly with people in my life, it’s not something i’ve often seen represented elsewhere. this story is so unquestionably a story of trans joy and celebration of identity, is invaluably uplifting in ways i did not expect, and exactly the kind of story we as a queer community need right now.
this book felt like a flame of hope in my chest that would never burn out. it inspired me and i hope that it means as much to you as it does to me.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was such a heartwarming and genuinely funny read! I found myself laughing out loud at so many moments, but what really made this story shine was its heart.
I loved the subtle homage to Eli’s love for cinema with the chapter titles. It added such a personal, almost nostalgic touch to his character and made the whole story feel cinematic in its own right. I also really appreciated how conscientious Eli was when writing Peter’s character, especially in the way he thoughtfully portrayed Peter’s racial and sexual identity. It never felt performative; just respectful and intentional.
The cast of supportive characters made this even more of a feel-good read. It was refreshing to see queer joy and friendship front and center, and it really balanced out the moments of self-doubt and emotional vulnerability.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
This book is a heartfelt, if occasionally uneven, exploration of identity, ambition, and love wrapped in an unconventional dating experiment. While the plot can feel a bit complex and the tonal shifts between light romance and deeper themes clash at times, there are moments of genuine warmth and connection and the growing bond between Eli and Peter. The story finds its pace when it becomes more tender and sincere. These small moments give glimpses of emotional resonance that help the plot and the narrative overall
I listened to the ALC thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult, HarperAudio. The narrator captures the characters’ personalities with clarity and distinctiveness. However, the pacing and inflection sometimes made it difficult to follow. I had to keep going back or adjust the playback speed a few times.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult, HarperAudio for the ALC.
I listened to the ALC thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult, HarperAudio. The narrator captures the characters’ personalities with clarity and distinctiveness. However, the pacing and inflection sometimes made it difficult to follow. I had to keep going back or adjust the playback speed a few times.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult, HarperAudio for the ALC.
emotional
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
I really loved this 🥺 Eli & Peter are so different but work so well together and they kept me invested throughout the entire story! Even with it just being in Eli’s pov, Peter still felt like a fully fleshed out character and I fell in love with him so fast 🥰 I took off half a star because the 2 articles storyline stressed me out lol I’ve watched way too many hallmark movies with that exact plot line and it never turns out well and surprise, this one didn’t either 🙈 but I loved the epilogue and would’ve loved even more of these two!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love Mason Deaver's work. They create such relatable, flawed, and soft characters. They are careful and meticulous with their character building, which creates incredible depth throughout the story.
I'm a sucker for a fake dating story, and I loved the twists and variation that Deaver crafter within this beloved trope. This is a slow burn, but when it did get spicy, whoa, we didn't hold back. As always, I love Deaver's queer rep in their books, and was no different. The nuance, complexity, and care that gets put into these queer characters is a joy to read.
I also appreciated the pacing towards the resolution in this story. The theme of second chances was evident throughout and how our MCs waded their way back together (this is a romance novel after all- HEA expected!) seemed incredibly realistic.
If you're a vibe/seasonal reader like me, this book takes place in San Fransisco during the Fall. There are significant scenes during Halloween and American Thanksgiving. This is a great coffee shop or lazing in the park read. This book has a coziness to it, so find somewhere with blankets and dive in!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
“If you want something badly enough, you have to fight for what you think is right, what you think will make you happiest.”
Big thanks to Avon Books for the eARC and Harper Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed I Wish You All the Best, so I was excited to get an advance copy of this! Mason Deaver’s writing is exceptional, and the stories they tell are important. Their characters are flawed but beautiful, and this was really lovely.
Eli is relatable in his work and dating struggles. He’s forced to see his ex at work and dating apps can be a struggle as a trans man. He has a great support system in Rose and Patricia and his mom. He’s reluctant to get set up with Peter, but in the end it turns into a way for him to pitch an idea to work and help Peter in dating. I love a fake dating trope and I like that this felt a little different.
They’re both easy to root for, even though Eli is effectively lying to Peter about the article. Even though their first date is disastrous, Peter still comes off as sweet and naive. There are moments you want to shake Eli so he tells Peter how he feels, but the work pressures are understandable. He tries to frame it as Peter’s journey in dating while touching on how different it is for queer folks depending on where they grow up. It’s this beautiful commentary on how it’s not about playing catch-up but understanding that he’s just on a different path.
Logan Rozos narrates the audiobook and it’s truly excellent. He embodies the emotions in the book, bringing it to life. His voice is soothing and so nice to listen to. I also loved that each chapter has a movies associated instead of songs like we usually see. It felt unique and was a perfect additional touch.