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ironsandwine's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
Both sexy and totally emotional. Found parts of it just a bit hard to get on with because a lot of the FEELINGS are pretty heavy, but I loved the characters, the issues it tackled and the humour.
Would recommend
Would recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
hexentart's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
The characters in this book felt very real to me. They are raw, flawed, vulnerable, and they really make a hash of things more than once…as folks do.
Teddy is so very relatable; his openness and huge heart have caused him a world of hurt and regrets.
He gave me very ND vibes, which made me love him even more.
Cole seems to have it all, but at what cost? He exchanged the shackles of his father's expectations for ones of his own making; rules to keep him safe and allegedly happy.
Yeah, no. Shackles are shackles, my dude.
Together they have the power to help each other heal, if they would only get out of their own way first.
This book wrecked me in the best of ways. I ugly cried more than once, wishing I could reach through the pages and give them both comfort and love. Maybe a Gibb's slap in the back of the head when needed too.
My only regret with this book is that the villain seemingly gets away scot free. His plan is thwarted but he just disappears into the sunset. I would have liked to see him pay for what he did to not only the MCs, but also Nicko.
I would love to see a story where Nicko gets his own HEA. That man deserves to find someone to love him as fiercely as he longs to love another.
This book isn't for everyone. Far too many readers out there looking for their cookie cutter Queer characters, predictable tropes, formulaic romance, and sex, sex, SEX.
While this has some of those elements, it's more out-of-the-box than usual and that's what makes it even better, IMO. It's about heart, hurt, and healing. Yes, there's intimate scenes but those are a bonus, not the point.
As with their YA novels, Steven Salvatore has once again delivered a book with a sucker punch of heart and soul.
I can't wait to see what they write next.
YMMV, of course. ✌🏻
Teddy is so very relatable; his openness and huge heart have caused him a world of hurt and regrets.
He gave me very ND vibes, which made me love him even more.
Cole seems to have it all, but at what cost? He exchanged the shackles of his father's expectations for ones of his own making; rules to keep him safe and allegedly happy.
Yeah, no. Shackles are shackles, my dude.
Together they have the power to help each other heal, if they would only get out of their own way first.
This book wrecked me in the best of ways. I ugly cried more than once, wishing I could reach through the pages and give them both comfort and love. Maybe a Gibb's slap in the back of the head when needed too.
I would love to see a story where Nicko gets his own HEA. That man deserves to find someone to love him as fiercely as he longs to love another.
This book isn't for everyone. Far too many readers out there looking for their cookie cutter Queer characters, predictable tropes, formulaic romance, and sex, sex, SEX.
While this has some of those elements, it's more out-of-the-box than usual and that's what makes it even better, IMO. It's about heart, hurt, and healing. Yes, there's intimate scenes but those are a bonus, not the point.
As with their YA novels, Steven Salvatore has once again delivered a book with a sucker punch of heart and soul.
I can't wait to see what they write next.
YMMV, of course. ✌🏻
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Physical abuse, Bullying, and Sexual assault
sugarysweetlibrary's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When in doubt just rent a boyfriend. That’s what I’ve learned from this beautiful story. Basically that smetimes love can help you learn where you want to go in life. What is the life that you want to see for yourself? This proses the age old line of, "You have to get under someone to get over someone else.". Both of these men are trying to put up a front to figure out what’s there next move. But why not have a lot of fun along the way. With twist and turns and a break up or two. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before swiping right on this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
thelibraryofamy's review
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
nickoliver's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Steven Salvatore wrote this book like something was chasing them or they were running out of time. It could've been so much better if they'd just slowed down instead of basically building up conflict and resolving it within a few mere pages. Characters would get angry, do something out of anger, and come to the conclusion that they'd fucked up way too quickly. I didn't even have time to process anything, it gave me whiplash. Even the smutty scenes read like I was watching them on double speed.
Plus, there was still so much left unresolved at the end, and I don't understand how Salvatore couldn't take a few more pages to wrap everything up neatly.
Plus, there was still so much left unresolved at the end, and I don't understand how Salvatore couldn't take a few more pages to wrap everything up neatly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
moxiereads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
luvey_reads's review
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
stephennc2's review
medium-paced
4.0
TLDR:
Loved the book! A lovable, funny, spicy queer romp with even more lovable characters. 10000% worth the read, especially if you’re a gay hopeless romantic like I am or of that general vibe.
Review:
This book was so fun! Pretty woman but contemporary, gay, and spicy? I’m hooked! The banter(!!) between all the characters is top-tier and the prose is effortlessly fun. The slang peppered in is delightfully apropos and not so niche that it will age the book in the coming years. The romance felt loving, intense, and real. The little gestures Teddy and Cole make and the ways in which they speak to each other felt real and warm, each loving gesture felt intentional. Also, we LOVE a fake boyfriend trope.
Unlike some of the reviewers, I actually don’t mind how quickly the characters fall for each other. It’s clear they recognize that it’s been a short amount of time and know that love takes work. If anything, I find it endearing the way these two semi-jaded adult gay men are able to open themselves up to each other as if they’re teens again. It feels exactly like what they both need. Besides, its not like it’s a horror book—hurry the hell up with the loving if you ask me.
There were a few moments toward the end that I felt were rushed—#justicefornicko—but considering how I adored the rest of the story, I don’t let it weigh too heavily on my opinion of the book.
Loved the book! A lovable, funny, spicy queer romp with even more lovable characters. 10000% worth the read, especially if you’re a gay hopeless romantic like I am or of that general vibe.
Review:
This book was so fun! Pretty woman but contemporary, gay, and spicy? I’m hooked! The banter(!!) between all the characters is top-tier and the prose is effortlessly fun. The slang peppered in is delightfully apropos and not so niche that it will age the book in the coming years. The romance felt loving, intense, and real. The little gestures Teddy and Cole make and the ways in which they speak to each other felt real and warm, each loving gesture felt intentional. Also, we LOVE a fake boyfriend trope.
Unlike some of the reviewers, I actually don’t mind how quickly the characters fall for each other. It’s clear they recognize that it’s been a short amount of time and know that love takes work. If anything, I find it endearing the way these two semi-jaded adult gay men are able to open themselves up to each other as if they’re teens again. It feels exactly like what they both need. Besides, its not like it’s a horror book—hurry the hell up with the loving if you ask me.
There were a few moments toward the end that I felt were rushed—#justicefornicko—but considering how I adored the rest of the story, I don’t let it weigh too heavily on my opinion of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Physical abuse
duckyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Boyfriend Subscription is a sweet queer Pretty Woman retelling. Cole is a successful sex worker and businessman who finds himself hiring Teddy, a passionate plant enthusiast bouncing back from heartbreak.
Steven handled a lot of difficult topics in this story, including emotional and financial abuse, emotional manipulation, and sexual assault. If you’re looking for a romance with emotional depth, definitely check out The Boyfriend Subscription.
Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Emotional abuse
patelyne's review against another edition
5.0
Teddy is an author and was owner of Plant Daddy, a nursery/garden center in NYC, until being forced out and bankrupted by his ex husband and his family. With nothing left, he’s resigned himself to moving back to his mother’s in Louisiana.
Cole came from a wealthy family, but turned his back in it all to make his own way. He runs the VERSTL app for sex work gone mainstream, and is looking to branch out into a connected fashion brand.
This is Pretty Woman vibes with a twist - Cole, the technical “sex worker”, is the wealthy man doing the hiring of the down and out Teddy to act as his boyfriend.
Cole needs a boyfriend to make himself seem more settled to a potential fashion business partner, and also as a date for his sister’s wedding. And even though it’s Teddy’s last week in the city, he can’t turn down $1000 a day. Especially not to spend time with a hot af guy whose company he actually enjoys.
I couldn’t make myself put this down and ended up reading it in a single day! It has all the classic fake dating elements including scrambling to keep stories straight and the dual ‘this isn’t fake for me’ moment. Plenty of top notch spice to keep things going.
It’s overall a fun read, but with just the right amount sadness/seriousness to balance the story (can’t be helped what with Cole’s anxiety, Teddy’s uncertainty for his future and more scheming side characters and secrets all around than they know what to do with)
All this is wrapped up with a marvelous grand gesture, probably one of my favorites I’ve read tbh
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the arc!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
The sexual assault content is a brief page where a side character tells a MC about the incident - it does not happen on page and is not by or to either MC