A review by lillyreads_08
Failing a Bluff Check by C.D. Rachels

emotional funny 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? N/A

4.0

 “Thank you. For loving this board game geek.”
“You made it too easy, Rossy Baby. I was powerless to resist you.” 


Failing a Bluff Check is the first book in the Single Gamers Society series. We get a sweet fake dating story mixed in with a best friend's brother romance between Firass, a nerdy board game developer and bad boy musician Johnny. 

Firass has always had a crush on his best friend's brother. He admired him and felt that he was way out of his league. Johnny has always wanted to leave his hometown and travel as a musician, but years later he decides to return home. It's a bit of an adjustment for him, especially with his younger brother Natie carrying some resentment and abandonment issues towards him. Johnny and Firass get a chance to reconnect and deepen their relationship when a wedding happens in which Firass needs a fake boyfriend to keep his nosey aunties at bay. 

I enjoyed this story, I loved seeing Firass and Johnny getting to know one another as adults, becoming close as friends before shifting to lovers. The attraction and chemistry between them is strong but it takes time for them to get on the same page emotionally (Despite both of them having deep feelings for one another). 

 "I find myself thinking about him a lot. He’s not just my little brother’s bestie anymore. He’s more than my friend-with-benefits; he’s someone whose company I’ve grown to enjoy. I don’t only love his body when we have sex, but I also love his laugh, his chats when we eat, and simply being near me when we watch TV. I love the way he talks and how supportive he is to me and his friends. Come to think of it, I love everything about Firass."

Firass has valid concerns about Johnny leaving one day to go back on the road as a musician, so he's hesitant about confessing the depths of his feelings to him. Not to mention dealing with his best friend, who still seems to be super hostile towards his own brother, which is another layer of complications. 

I loved the representation we get in Failing a Bluff Check. Firass is Bengali, and Johnny is Japanese! It was really nice to see both leading characters being men of colour, Asian specifically. The Muslim representation was also lovely. Out and proud queer Muslim people who have very accepting families exist. Every Muslim is different, and it's nice to see Muslim characters just existing like any other in gay romances. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Failing a Bluff Check! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, I need Natie to get his happy ever after.