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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
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.
This book was a freaking delight.
We are introduced to Eli, a late twenty-something trans man stuck in a soul-sucking job and just generally in a life rut. He's set up on a blind date with Peter, a socially awkward gay man who does not grasp the bare basics of dating. Their first date is a train wreck, but it does create the premise of the book: The Build A Boyfriend Project.
I won't give too many things away that are integral to the story, and while the thing that drives the third act breakup was predictable, it was certainly still entertaining to read.
I listened to this book and Logan Rozos did an amazing job giving this story life.
Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for an advanced recording of this book.
We are introduced to Eli, a late twenty-something trans man stuck in a soul-sucking job and just generally in a life rut. He's set up on a blind date with Peter, a socially awkward gay man who does not grasp the bare basics of dating. Their first date is a train wreck, but it does create the premise of the book: The Build A Boyfriend Project.
I won't give too many things away that are integral to the story, and while the thing that drives the third act breakup was predictable, it was certainly still entertaining to read.
I listened to this book and Logan Rozos did an amazing job giving this story life.
Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for an advanced recording of this book.
lighthearted
reflective
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
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book!! All opinions in this review are my own.
Mason Deaver is an author I have been reading and following since their first book, I Wish You All The Best, was released in 2019. When I saw that they were debuting an adult romance, I was unbelievably excited!! I went into this trying to reel in my expectations and excitement because sometimes when authors branch into different genres and/or categories, it doesn't always translate well to their writing style. I am so beyond pleased to state that I ADORED The Build-A-Boyfriend Project!!
I knew from the description that this book was going to be MESSY!! Messy it was. I love how authentically real these characters feel. I loved Eli's complexity and the growth he works towards throughout this book. I loved Peter being soft and anxious (he is so Autistic coded, and as an Autistic reader, he was so relatable!!) Mason Deaver's writing is just as good as I remember, if not better!!
I'm very excited to see what they produce next. If they continue writing adult romance, I think I could die happy!! Seeing trans people get our happily ever afters makes me sob every single time!!
Not enough words would be able to sum up this book. So I will leave you with this: pick this up on August 5th, 2025!!
Mason Deaver is an author I have been reading and following since their first book, I Wish You All The Best, was released in 2019. When I saw that they were debuting an adult romance, I was unbelievably excited!! I went into this trying to reel in my expectations and excitement because sometimes when authors branch into different genres and/or categories, it doesn't always translate well to their writing style. I am so beyond pleased to state that I ADORED The Build-A-Boyfriend Project!!
I knew from the description that this book was going to be MESSY!! Messy it was. I love how authentically real these characters feel. I loved Eli's complexity and the growth he works towards throughout this book. I loved Peter being soft and anxious (he is so Autistic coded, and as an Autistic reader, he was so relatable!!) Mason Deaver's writing is just as good as I remember, if not better!!
I'm very excited to see what they produce next. If they continue writing adult romance, I think I could die happy!! Seeing trans people get our happily ever afters makes me sob every single time!!
Not enough words would be able to sum up this book. So I will leave you with this: pick this up on August 5th, 2025!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Drug use
What a great summer rom-com read! I couldn't put it down.
With the vibes of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," the book follows Eli, a trans man in his late 20s struggling with a dead end job and recent breakup. Eli aspires to be a writer, but has been working at a Buzzfeed-eque news website to get his foot in the door. When his boss hears of his disastrous blind date with Peter (and I'll get to Peter in a minute, because 😍), he pitches the idea that Eli could write about transforming Peter into boyfriend material, leading to the promotion Eli has been vying for.
What follows is, in its gloriously predictable way, a fake-dating-to-real-feelings romp that's everything I needed.
And Peter? Well, Peter was perfectly lovable from the start. His nerves and feelings of inadequacies got in the way at first, but the way he opened up to Eli showed that he didn't need to change at all. There (thankfully) was no "She's All That" remove the glasses and let down the hair moment that suddenly made Peter hot. He was gorgeous from the jump, inside and out.
Mason Deaver, YA author of "I Wish You All the Best," made their first jump into adult romance this touching, funny, and enjoyable read.
I received this ARC from publisher @avonbooks. The opinions are my own.
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project will be released on August 5, 2025.
With the vibes of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," the book follows Eli, a trans man in his late 20s struggling with a dead end job and recent breakup. Eli aspires to be a writer, but has been working at a Buzzfeed-eque news website to get his foot in the door. When his boss hears of his disastrous blind date with Peter (and I'll get to Peter in a minute, because 😍), he pitches the idea that Eli could write about transforming Peter into boyfriend material, leading to the promotion Eli has been vying for.
What follows is, in its gloriously predictable way, a fake-dating-to-real-feelings romp that's everything I needed.
And Peter? Well, Peter was perfectly lovable from the start. His nerves and feelings of inadequacies got in the way at first, but the way he opened up to Eli showed that he didn't need to change at all. There (thankfully) was no "She's All That" remove the glasses and let down the hair moment that suddenly made Peter hot. He was gorgeous from the jump, inside and out.
Mason Deaver, YA author of "I Wish You All the Best," made their first jump into adult romance this touching, funny, and enjoyable read.
I received this ARC from publisher @avonbooks. The opinions are my own.
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project will be released on August 5, 2025.
One of my favorite classic tropes is when one character starts something with the other for a bet or something like that so I ate this book up. Peter is so cute and I loved seeing him learn how to date. He really had no idea what to do and trusted Eli so much. Eli wasn't expecting to but over their little rock climbing and movie dates they fell in love. The ending was heartbreaking but it needed to happen for them to be happy together.
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
**Before diving into the review, I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of The Build-A-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver. **
The Build-A-Boyfriend Project is one of the best books I've read this year, FULL STOP! It had everything I look for in LGBTQIA+ fiction, especially LGBTQIA+ romance. There was an engaging, relatable, sometimes frustrating, and lovable main character; a dreamy love interest that had me blushing and kicking my feet; an incredible supporting cast of characters that felt like my own friends; and a strong, inspiring message. Another reason I love The Build-A-Boyfriend Project is its beautiful LGBTQIA+ representation. It made me feel so seen as a gay man in my 30s who has zero experience in the dating world.
Mason Deaver's writing is also something I want to highlight because it was fantastic. From start to finish, I was thoroughly engaged in the story and Eli's world due to Deaver's incredible writing. Throughout reading The Build-A-Boyfriend Project, I felt like I would be a perfect fit in Eli, Patricia and Rose's friend group because of Deaver's ability to flesh out each one of their character. If you're a fan of romantic comedy movie greats like Legally Blonde or How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Build-A-Boyfriend Project is a book you need to snag ASAP. Thank you, Mason Deaver, for creating one of my new favourite books.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What a whirlwind of a story! From a disastrous first date to a fake dating pact, this book had all the hallmarks of a classic romcom. I found Eli to be a relatable character with his sarcastic humor and bleak outlook on dating life. I liked that while he was not hopeful for himself, he was Peter’s biggest cheerleader. Eli and Peter’s relationship went through many ups and downs in the book. I enjoyed the fact that their issues were realistically worked through. Especially the big one.
The audiobook was a delight to listen to. I enjoyed the way Eli’s humor and Peter’s soft-spoken earnestness were depicted by the narrator. The audiobook enhanced my enjoyment of the story. It was clear and high quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is a sweet queer romance featuring a trans male lead. I enjoyed the aspects showing further diversity in the queer community and a character who first experiences romantic relationships later in life. The narration was a bit one dimensional for my tastes, but overall a very heartwarming story with plenty of drama thrown in.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for a honest review.
Mason Deaver's foray into adult romance still has a YA flavor to the writing but showcases a unique twentysomething relationship. The characters are likeable, although the friends of the main character could be better developed. I could see another novel in this universe featuring each of them. Chapters are framed with movie titles, a connection to the MC's love of movies and his (fake? maybe?) love interest's lack of exposure to them. I appreciated that the MC's sexual and gender identities were treated matter-of-factly and, while important to the plot, were not the sole focus. Overall, it's a fun book, and while I predicted the ending, I wasn't entirely sure how the characters would get there.