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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
*Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Mason Deaver has been an author on my radar for quite a while, but for whatever reason, I never got around to picking up one of their books—shame on me for that! The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was an excellent introduction to Deaver’s writing and storytelling. As an adult debut, this book takes everything you love about YA and ages it up to tremendous success. Eli and Peter are incredibly likable characters with unique qualities that make the romcom plot breeze along nicely, despite its comfortable predictability. Bonus points for the stellar representation and great film references throughout! This is an excellent queer romance!
Mason Deaver has been an author on my radar for quite a while, but for whatever reason, I never got around to picking up one of their books—shame on me for that! The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was an excellent introduction to Deaver’s writing and storytelling. As an adult debut, this book takes everything you love about YA and ages it up to tremendous success. Eli and Peter are incredibly likable characters with unique qualities that make the romcom plot breeze along nicely, despite its comfortable predictability. Bonus points for the stellar representation and great film references throughout! This is an excellent queer romance!
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use
There is an open door and graphic sex scene late into the book.
The main character, Eli, recounts the experience of his father dying. Eli speaks about transphobia and homophobia he's experienced. The love interest, Peter, speaks on homophobia and racism he's faced.
There is the casual use of marijuana.
I really liked this book it was really really cute. I liked the way the mmc’s met at the beginning of the book cause it wasn’t a meet cute but worse lol. Their first date went horribly and i wasn’t sure where the book was going but it was good! We have the 2 mmc’s Eli the Journalist and Peter the tech guy who is very awkward and shy. Despite their horrible meet cute lol Eli decides to help Peter since he’s never dated anyone and that starts the build a boyfriend project.
I loved the practice dating between both mc’s and how they got to know each other and the backstories. I loved how Eli trans identity and Peter’s Korean identity weren’t trauma based but shaped them. As both characters got to be friends and pretended to date there was chemistry and that we want each other tension that i liked. I liked the side characters and their role in the story. There is a writing plot that plays a big role in the story. The romance was so sweet, there was a steamy scene and they were so sweet and soft with each other. Thank you Avon for this arc!
Read for:
- Queer romance
- Trans rep
- Opposites attracts
- Fake dating
- MMC that reads romance
- Sweet and heartwarming
I loved the practice dating between both mc’s and how they got to know each other and the backstories. I loved how Eli trans identity and Peter’s Korean identity weren’t trauma based but shaped them. As both characters got to be friends and pretended to date there was chemistry and that we want each other tension that i liked. I liked the side characters and their role in the story. There is a writing plot that plays a big role in the story. The romance was so sweet, there was a steamy scene and they were so sweet and soft with each other. Thank you Avon for this arc!
Read for:
- Queer romance
- Trans rep
- Opposites attracts
- Fake dating
- MMC that reads romance
- Sweet and heartwarming
Mason Deaver's debut adult romance was nothing short of fantastic. Being a long-time fan of Deaver's YA work, I was excited for their dip into the adult genre. This book exceeded my expectations and is so full of queer joy, honesty, the most endearing love interest I have ever read, and a lot of sympathy for the South that I had not expected. That was a specific element that was special to me as I struggled to love the place in the South I grew up in, and Deaver made me want to appreciate home a little more. The pacing of this novel was something that really stood out to me because it did not drag once for me and was engaging the entire time. The journalistic aspect, as well as the love for movies and romance novels that shines through the cracks, was a delight. Mason Deaver's writing is just addicting to me, and I am very excited for the world to get their hands on this and see just how wonderful Deaver's writing is!
Peter is a lovely cinnamon roll who should be protected at all costs. I also adored Eli, even when he screwed up big time. The plot was pretty predictable, but every interaction was so charming.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Mason Deaver's debut adult romance was nothing short of fantastic. Being a long-time fan of Deaver's YA work, I was excited for their dip into the adult genre. This book exceeded my expectations and is so full of queer joy, honesty, the most endearing love interest I have ever read, and a lot of sympathy for the South that I had not expected. That was a specific element that was special to me as I struggled to love the place in the South I grew up in, and Deaver made me want to appreciate home a little more. The pacing of this novel was something that really stood out to me because it did not drag once for me and was engaging the entire time. The journalistic aspect, as well as the love for movies and romance novels that shines through the cracks, was a delight. Mason Deaver's writing is just addicting to me, and I am very excited for the world to get their hands on this and see just how wonderful Deaver's writing is!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
I actually finished this book at the beginning of the year, I just forgot to review it.
But anyway, I LOVED it! And super big thanks to Mason for sending me a draft (yes I said draft, I had fresh eyes baby!!!)
But this was certainly a big leap for Mason in terms of writing, going from YA to Adult contemporary but they handled it so well, and if anything this made me more excited for their future Adult contemporary books.
But anyway, I LOVED it! And super big thanks to Mason for sending me a draft (yes I said draft, I had fresh eyes baby!!!)
But this was certainly a big leap for Mason in terms of writing, going from YA to Adult contemporary but they handled it so well, and if anything this made me more excited for their future Adult contemporary books.