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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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 listened to an ALC of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project and I ate up every second of it! I really enjoyed the narrator's performance. Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. This is the first book of Mason Deaver's that I've read, and I know it's their first adult romance, so I'm looking forward to reading their YA stuff next! TBaBP has trans rep (trans male MC and nonbinary sibling) and there's so much queer joy throughout the book.
This is such a cozy romance. I loved seeing these two characters slowly but completely fall in love with each other. When Peter was first introduced, I was completely gobsmacked. I totally had assumed he would be more confident and direct but he was such a shy, awkward boy!! I love how there's discourse around people's dating journeys, specifically around dating experience and expectations - I didn't go on my first date until I was 27 years old - that's just how things fell into place for me and that's OKAY. Peter's story really resonated with me. I loved learning about Peter's background as a queer POC growing up in the South (felt) and how that pretty much is what led to his lack of dating experiences. I LOVED that through Eli's article, Mason included how queer people exist in the South and that just because someone is from the South, doesn't mean they're ignorant and/or bigoted.
I did become frustrated with Eli throughout parts of the book. I hate that he risked hurting Peter - I know at first Eli didn't really care for him, but then even when Eli realized he has ACTUAL feelings for Peter, he still doesn't come clean about the article! I hated the whole situation with Michael and Keith and I could see all of it coming from a mile away. Eli had the WORST boss and Eli hated what he was doing for the company anyways, so it drove me nuts he continued to stay there. I know he wasn't entirely over Keith but sheesh - Eli you deserve better! Move on already.
I wish we had gotten more of Peter and Eli at the end of the book - the conflict-resolution just came off as too abrupt for me. I didn't mind it, but when I got to the epilogue (the NetGalley % tracker was glitched so I didn't know how much of the book I ever had left) I was so confused and disappointed because I thought we could squeeze a bit more into the story!
This book has a whole piece of my heart. The story was validating and uplifting in so many different ways. I felt so seen. Thank you for this beautiful story, Mason Deaver. đź’›
This is such a cozy romance. I loved seeing these two characters slowly but completely fall in love with each other. When Peter was first introduced, I was completely gobsmacked. I totally had assumed he would be more confident and direct but he was such a shy, awkward boy!! I love how there's discourse around people's dating journeys, specifically around dating experience and expectations - I didn't go on my first date until I was 27 years old - that's just how things fell into place for me and that's OKAY. Peter's story really resonated with me. I loved learning about Peter's background as a queer POC growing up in the South (felt) and how that pretty much is what led to his lack of dating experiences. I LOVED that through Eli's article, Mason included how queer people exist in the South and that just because someone is from the South, doesn't mean they're ignorant and/or bigoted.
I did become frustrated with Eli throughout parts of the book. I hate that he risked hurting Peter - I know at first Eli didn't really care for him, but then even when Eli realized he has ACTUAL feelings for Peter, he still doesn't come clean about the article! I hated the whole situation with Michael and Keith and I could see all of it coming from a mile away. Eli had the WORST boss and Eli hated what he was doing for the company anyways, so it drove me nuts he continued to stay there. I know he wasn't entirely over Keith but sheesh - Eli you deserve better! Move on already.
I wish we had gotten more of Peter and Eli at the end of the book - the conflict-resolution just came off as too abrupt for me. I didn't mind it, but when I got to the epilogue (the NetGalley % tracker was glitched so I didn't know how much of the book I ever had left) I was so confused and disappointed because I thought we could squeeze a bit more into the story!
This book has a whole piece of my heart. The story was validating and uplifting in so many different ways. I felt so seen. Thank you for this beautiful story, Mason Deaver. đź’›
I liked this a lot! I enjoyed the author's voice and the two main characters. Both characters are given lots of room for growth and learning (although Eli's behaviour is pretty frustrating to witness at times.) Even though it's a fake dating premise - it wasn't too over the top and I didn't find myself distracted by having to suspend disbelief - although the third act conflict was telegraphed from the very beginning. It's a slow burn and low steam book, which worked well for the story and the characters. I found the book quite well paced for the most part until the very end - it was a bit jarring there. I listened to the audio and I quite liked the narrator's voice, although there could have been more differentiation in the dialogue.
Overall I'd recommend this as a mostly sweet and tender romance with what seemed to be very thoughtful trans and Korean rep.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult in exchange for an honest review
Overall I'd recommend this as a mostly sweet and tender romance with what seemed to be very thoughtful trans and Korean rep.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult in exchange for an honest review
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a sweet, perfect for fall romance. We have a heartbroken MC and an awkward never-dated-anyone-before love interest who fall apart and fall together repeatedly. Second chances are given, mistakes are made and talked about, and there’s a whole lot of discussion around living authentically.
There was one scene, about 75% of the way through (ifyk, yk) that had me truly bawling my eyes out. And Eli’s relationships with his friends and family are just so lovely. I loved the supporting characters so much!
I found the plot to be pretty predictable, but I still enjoyed it. It was a fast paced read, sweet and cozy, and still had some discussions of important topics.
I will say, I am not a movie lover, and like Peter had not seen or heard of most of the movies Eli talks about. And I honestly did feel like that detracted from my reading experience. So if you’re a movie fan you’ll probably enjoy this one a lot, and I bet there are hidden references that went way over my head.
This is a sweet, perfect for fall romance. We have a heartbroken MC and an awkward never-dated-anyone-before love interest who fall apart and fall together repeatedly. Second chances are given, mistakes are made and talked about, and there’s a whole lot of discussion around living authentically.
There was one scene, about 75% of the way through (ifyk, yk) that had me truly bawling my eyes out. And Eli’s relationships with his friends and family are just so lovely. I loved the supporting characters so much!
I found the plot to be pretty predictable, but I still enjoyed it. It was a fast paced read, sweet and cozy, and still had some discussions of important topics.
I will say, I am not a movie lover, and like Peter had not seen or heard of most of the movies Eli talks about. And I honestly did feel like that detracted from my reading experience. So if you’re a movie fan you’ll probably enjoy this one a lot, and I bet there are hidden references that went way over my head.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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:
No
After a disastrous first date, Eli offers to teach Peter how to be a better date. He is also writing about the experience so he can get the coveted promotion.
I enjoyed the author’s writing. The tone and the voice shone through engaging the reader. The book explores some deep issues such as growing up queer in a small town, grief and job dissatisfaction.
I thought this was a fresh take on the fake dating trope. I enjoyed the dates and the slow burn relationship between Peter and Eli.
I love how this celebrates diversity, gender identity, trans identity and queerness. Also it is very rare to see the kind of parental support that exists in this book.
I enjoyed Eli’s unfiltered thoughts and comments. I love how Peter’s vulnerability and anxiety were portrayed. It couldn’t get any realer than this.
But it was too long and overly descriptive. There were details that were absolutely not necessary and this prolonged the plot way more than it should go.
If you enjoy the fake dating trope then you will enjoy this. I received an advanced copy and my review is voluntary.
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was a cute romance between Eli and Peter. I really appreciated the perspective of a transgender character and a gay minority living growing up in a small town.
The premise of the book with the disastrous first date got me intrigued with Peter. He was awkward and so clueless and really enjoyed getting his backstory.
Eli for me was a little bit harder to like, he complained so much about his ex-boyfriend who also happens to be his boss. This leads to his frustration with his job and lack of growth there.
The dates they went on were great and loved seeing Peter's growth journey.
Logan Rozos did the narration for both characters and I wished Logan made Peter just a little less robotic. I get that he was inexperienced but that doesn't mean he didn't have a personality.
Thank you @avonbooks @libro.fm for a copy of the book.
The premise of the book with the disastrous first date got me intrigued with Peter. He was awkward and so clueless and really enjoyed getting his backstory.
Eli for me was a little bit harder to like, he complained so much about his ex-boyfriend who also happens to be his boss. This leads to his frustration with his job and lack of growth there.
The dates they went on were great and loved seeing Peter's growth journey.
Logan Rozos did the narration for both characters and I wished Logan made Peter just a little less robotic. I get that he was inexperienced but that doesn't mean he didn't have a personality.
Thank you @avonbooks @libro.fm for a copy of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and Avon for the chance to listen to this audiobook!
This was a very cute and emotional story. Eli is a trans man working as an executive assistant at Buzzfee-I mean Vent. He dreams of being a staff writer there, hoping to bring back the golden days of the publication when it actually used to publish hard hitting news. After a disastrous breakup, he begrudingly agrees to be set up on a blind date with the friend of a friend of his roommate. Enter Peter...eventually. Over an hour late to their first date, he proceeds to be one of the worst dates Eli has ever had. There's spilled food and and ruined shoes. But Eli gets the idea to use this trainwreck to pitch an idea to his boss about fixing the undateable while secretly writing a much deeper article. Only, the more time he spends with Peter, the more complicated his feelings become.
While I did enjoy the story, Eli's constant lying to Peter made me struggle to like Eli. Humans are nothing if not flawed complex and I understand the desire to see your dream accomplished by any means necessary. But I wish Eli had come clean SO much sooner. Peter was just such a sweetheart and I loved how he was written.
There were so many good lines in this book, but the most gutwrenching one was "And then you made the decision easy." MASON. Stab me in the gut next time becuase that will hurt less!!!
I think Logan Rozos did a good job with narrating, but I wish that there had been a different narrator for Peter or at least different inflection so it was easier to differentiate between characters. There were times where is just became so monotone and I feel like it hurt the impact of Peter's dialog sometimes.
This was a very cute and emotional story. Eli is a trans man working as an executive assistant at Buzzfee-I mean Vent. He dreams of being a staff writer there, hoping to bring back the golden days of the publication when it actually used to publish hard hitting news. After a disastrous breakup, he begrudingly agrees to be set up on a blind date with the friend of a friend of his roommate. Enter Peter...eventually. Over an hour late to their first date, he proceeds to be one of the worst dates Eli has ever had. There's spilled food and and ruined shoes. But Eli gets the idea to use this trainwreck to pitch an idea to his boss about fixing the undateable while secretly writing a much deeper article. Only, the more time he spends with Peter, the more complicated his feelings become.
While I did enjoy the story, Eli's constant lying to Peter made me struggle to like Eli. Humans are nothing if not flawed complex and I understand the desire to see your dream accomplished by any means necessary. But I wish Eli had come clean SO much sooner. Peter was just such a sweetheart and I loved how he was written.
There were so many good lines in this book, but the most gutwrenching one was "And then you made the decision easy." MASON. Stab me in the gut next time becuase that will hurt less!!!
I think Logan Rozos did a good job with narrating, but I wish that there had been a different narrator for Peter or at least different inflection so it was easier to differentiate between characters. There were times where is just became so monotone and I feel like it hurt the impact of Peter's dialog sometimes.
hopeful
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
4.5/5 stars
2/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Blind date
Fake dating
Dating coach
Trans rep
Self discovery
Single POV
The premise was promising from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything played out between Eli and Peter. A lot of self-discovery in this story; Eli finding the courage to leave a toxic work environment to be a journalist and Peter finding the confidence to be himself and open to finding love and friendship. Add that with a bit of fake dating and you've got a fun and sweet romance.
I would consider this book more on the cozy side. The conflict and 3rd act breakup wasn't dragged out in an unnecessary show of drama. Both MCs needed time and space to process. I was rooting for these two characters from the start and was grateful to see how mature they handled the bumps in their journey.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Both characters showed growth and it was a joy to see them fall in love. I highly recommend this book for fans of fake dating, diverse characters, and a strong self-journey story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
2/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Blind date
Fake dating
Dating coach
Trans rep
Self discovery
Single POV
The premise was promising from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything played out between Eli and Peter. A lot of self-discovery in this story; Eli finding the courage to leave a toxic work environment to be a journalist and Peter finding the confidence to be himself and open to finding love and friendship. Add that with a bit of fake dating and you've got a fun and sweet romance.
I would consider this book more on the cozy side. The conflict and 3rd act breakup wasn't dragged out in an unnecessary show of drama. Both MCs needed time and space to process. I was rooting for these two characters from the start and was grateful to see how mature they handled the bumps in their journey.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Both characters showed growth and it was a joy to see them fall in love. I highly recommend this book for fans of fake dating, diverse characters, and a strong self-journey story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.