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Sweet Southern #1
The Husband Experience
Elijah
Being a fake boyfriend is usually pretty easy. My part time job slots perfectly into my schedule as I pursue my PhD. But when the agency sends me on a week-long vacation to play husband … I don’t expect the experience to feel the opposite of fake. Colby Smith is everything I never knew I needed. He’s sweet, he even blushes, but in the bedroom, he calls all the shots. This experience is supposed to be for him, but as time goes on, I think it’s starting to be real for me.
Colby
After losing my husband, my cousin recommended I reach out to The Boyfriend Experience to get back in the saddle, so to speak. I asked for a husband for a week and they sure delivered. Elijah Ruiz is wild, in a way that shakes my world to the core. But after a week of tender touches, of breathtaking smiles, I start to wonder if it’s really all an act. Can we make this something real after only a week of playing pretend?
The Husband Experience is the 36k novella that starts the Sweet Southern series. It features a professional fake boyfriend, a ready for love again widower, an age gap, fake husbands for a week by the beach, lots of swoon, emotional steam, and just a sprinkle of kink.
Being a fake boyfriend is usually pretty easy. My part time job slots perfectly into my schedule as I pursue my PhD. But when the agency sends me on a week-long vacation to play husband … I don’t expect the experience to feel the opposite of fake. Colby Smith is everything I never knew I needed. He’s sweet, he even blushes, but in the bedroom, he calls all the shots. This experience is supposed to be for him, but as time goes on, I think it’s starting to be real for me.
Colby
After losing my husband, my cousin recommended I reach out to The Boyfriend Experience to get back in the saddle, so to speak. I asked for a husband for a week and they sure delivered. Elijah Ruiz is wild, in a way that shakes my world to the core. But after a week of tender touches, of breathtaking smiles, I start to wonder if it’s really all an act. Can we make this something real after only a week of playing pretend?
The Husband Experience is the 36k novella that starts the Sweet Southern series. It features a professional fake boyfriend, a ready for love again widower, an age gap, fake husbands for a week by the beach, lots of swoon, emotional steam, and just a sprinkle of kink.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
66 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Maya Jean
9 books95 followersMaya spends most of her time imagining happily ever afters for the characters that live in her head. If she's not plotting how to heal broken hearts for her characters then she’s spending time with her precocious daughter. She loves baking competitions, listening to the same song on repeat for months, and discussing the latest pop culture event in a group chat with her best friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
November 11, 2024
unromantic, underdeveloped, underwhelming, unmemorable. add to that a set up that never made sense and wasn’t properly executed, cringey dialogue from the beginning, the most boring primal play/chase scene i’ve ever read, insta love, too much smut (and not even good), and no relationship development. characters feel superficial, as if they were written artificially, and have zero personality to them. i already forgot everything that happened.
the only good thing? it’s short.
the only good thing? it’s short.
July 24, 2025
4**** stars
The Husband Experience was a diverting and steamy read with a lot of heart and full of summer vibes. The idea of a hired companion is not new but it was still so easy to fall in love with Colby, a 39yrs old, well-off architect who’s still grieving his late husband and Eli, a 28yrs old doctorate who’s paying for his expenses by offering his services as a hired/fake boyfriend.
They spend a week on a Floridian island and while Colby only intents to seek help getting back out there and Eli intents to not cross his own boundaries between his job and his pleasure they both try and predictably fail at not feeling more for each other.
I loved their outing to the butterfly gardens, that was so sweet as well as their together spent 4th of July (see quote above). But hell, if I didn’t wish their visit to that night club had been longer and filled with more tension. I feel like there is always soooo much potential with that and not every author is using it the way I want them to. *ugh!! *lol
But Maya Jean’s writing captured her characters’ emotions so I could relate and empathize without having ever gone through them myself and all in all I had a sweet time with this novella.
By the feel of it I think we can expect more books coming from the guys Eli is working with and I’m looking forward to reading Beau’s and Trevor’s story.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
from the dedication:
I haven’t had the chance to meet Aiden before you pulled him back into the privacy and safety of your heart but I’ve seen people love him. So, to Aiden! —and congrats to your second try of publishing, girl. 🥂
***************
Sweet Southern Series
Book 1 - The Husband Experience - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - The Former Fake Boyfriend - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - The Remarkable Lover - dropped
Book 4 - The Long Refrain
Ask me to stay, I think. Ask to keep me.
The Husband Experience was a diverting and steamy read with a lot of heart and full of summer vibes. The idea of a hired companion is not new but it was still so easy to fall in love with Colby, a 39yrs old, well-off architect who’s still grieving his late husband and Eli, a 28yrs old doctorate who’s paying for his expenses by offering his services as a hired/fake boyfriend.
They spend a week on a Floridian island and while Colby only intents to seek help getting back out there and Eli intents to not cross his own boundaries between his job and his pleasure they both try and predictably fail at not feeling more for each other.
“What’s a dream you’ve always had?”
“To dance in front of the fireworks at the beach,”
The truth is that my dream has always been to be romanced, to be loved, and Colby has been slowly making that dream come true these past few days. The fireworks are the easiest truth I can offer him.
I loved their outing to the butterfly gardens, that was so sweet as well as their together spent 4th of July (see quote above). But hell, if I didn’t wish their visit to that night club had been longer and filled with more tension. I feel like there is always soooo much potential with that and not every author is using it the way I want them to. *ugh!! *lol
But Maya Jean’s writing captured her characters’ emotions so I could relate and empathize without having ever gone through them myself and all in all I had a sweet time with this novella.
By the feel of it I think we can expect more books coming from the guys Eli is working with and I’m looking forward to reading Beau’s and Trevor’s story.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
from the dedication:
For Aiden,
You were my first, but you won’t be my last.
I haven’t had the chance to meet Aiden before you pulled him back into the privacy and safety of your heart but I’ve seen people love him. So, to Aiden! —and congrats to your second try of publishing, girl. 🥂
***************
Sweet Southern Series
Book 1 - The Husband Experience - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - The Former Fake Boyfriend - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - The Remarkable Lover - dropped
Book 4 - The Long Refrain
May 9, 2024
This novella is amateurish and robotic (the dialogue is particularly cringy) with no character or relationship development.
The MCs fall for each other in six days, and there is too much sex in proportion to the plot.
Eli sulks constantly and demands to be fucked, even though he's the hired boyfriend and has no right to demand anything. Colby finds this charming. I found it obnoxious.
The most ridiculous bit is that Eli, as a final year doctoral student, "transfers" to a university near where Colby lives to finish his degree. Yeah, NO. Transferring toward the end of a PhD program is extremely difficult and frowned upon. Unless your advisor legit dies, you're up shit creek without a paddle. This is a small thing, but I hate it when authors don't do their research.
The ending is a setup for book 2, which I most definitely won't be reading.
The MCs fall for each other in six days, and there is too much sex in proportion to the plot.
Eli sulks constantly and demands to be fucked, even though he's the hired boyfriend and has no right to demand anything. Colby finds this charming. I found it obnoxious.
The most ridiculous bit is that Eli, as a final year doctoral student, "transfers" to a university near where Colby lives to finish his degree. Yeah, NO. Transferring toward the end of a PhD program is extremely difficult and frowned upon. Unless your advisor legit dies, you're up shit creek without a paddle. This is a small thing, but I hate it when authors don't do their research.
The ending is a setup for book 2, which I most definitely won't be reading.
May 27, 2024
⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️
Maya Jean has once again managed to destroy me, and she only needed 140 pages this time.
This sweet and fluffy novella was packed with so many feels, so much emotion and depth. It was supremely romantic and my heart is bursting with love and longing and aches for what was and what could be.
The writing was poetic and romantic, and fit the beach house setting, the cute dates, the spark of a new love.
From book shopping to slow dancing in front of fireworks, this love story made me feel like I was floating, and I don’t want to come down.
Even if The Husband Experience takes place in the span of just a short week, it felt so much longer. They fell for each other quickly, but it still felt slow and right and perfect. They felt meant for each other.
The spice was hot AF, but also sweet and with just the right touch of kink.
Cue all the tears. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself tearing up during a spice scene, but trust MJ to really punch me in the tear ducts. I think I just really felt their connection, their pain, their love.
I loved everything about this, and I think it was perfect as a novella, just the right length for me to fall in love with them without feeling like it’s missing something.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Fake dating/fake husbands
- Mild d/s undertones
- Primal play
- Death of a spouse (cancer)
- Grief
- Sex work/escort MC
- Frotting
- Praise kink
- Rimming
- Strict top/bottom
“You’re going to destroy me.”
“That’s a bad thing?”
Maya Jean has once again managed to destroy me, and she only needed 140 pages this time.
This sweet and fluffy novella was packed with so many feels, so much emotion and depth. It was supremely romantic and my heart is bursting with love and longing and aches for what was and what could be.
«Is my heart breaking in time to the cracks of thunder? Because each day that I spend with Colby will make walking away from him that much more painful.»
The writing was poetic and romantic, and fit the beach house setting, the cute dates, the spark of a new love.
From book shopping to slow dancing in front of fireworks, this love story made me feel like I was floating, and I don’t want to come down.
“I know this is crazy, it was just a week, but goddamn it, Eli … I think you’re supposed to be mine.”
Even if The Husband Experience takes place in the span of just a short week, it felt so much longer. They fell for each other quickly, but it still felt slow and right and perfect. They felt meant for each other.
The spice was hot AF, but also sweet and with just the right touch of kink.
“Don’t watch me go. Pretend I’m going out for groceries and I’ll be right back, okay? I’ll be right back.”
Cue all the tears. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself tearing up during a spice scene, but trust MJ to really punch me in the tear ducts. I think I just really felt their connection, their pain, their love.
I loved everything about this, and I think it was perfect as a novella, just the right length for me to fall in love with them without feeling like it’s missing something.
“I’ll chase you forever,”I tell him honestly. Because it’s true. I’d chase him to the very edges of the universe just to keep him.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Fake dating/fake husbands
- Mild d/s undertones
- Primal play
- Death of a spouse (cancer)
- Grief
- Sex work/escort MC
- Frotting
- Praise kink
- Rimming
- Strict top/bottom
May 20, 2024
This book surprised me in the most pleasant way. I was a little cautious as the plot is not something I like to read. I tend to struggle with the topic of deceased partners.
It's incredibly well done in this book. I think the balance between the grief and the decision to face something new and the craziness of falling in love again straight away and indulging in a romance is achieved perfectly.
The romance in this story was meant to be fake and it's absolutely perfectly realistic to see how attracted Eli and Colby are to each other, how they struggle to stay in the play and yet develop such strong feelings.
Four days with him and already I know he’s something goddamn special. I want to keep him. How in the world do I even try to lay claim to a wild and beautiful thing like Elijah Ruiz? 🌻💞🌻
I’ve done a lot of shit in my time, but that was one thing I’ve always wanted to do.
Then Colby had to go and turn it romantic. All I wanted was for him to fuck my brains out by the ocean. Instead, he pulled me to him and ground into me until I saw stars. Until the loss of him hurt.
And he had to care about me too. 🫠💔🫠
He aims a breathtaking smile my way and in that instant I know I’m forever fucked.
It took five days for me to fall in love with this man. How many days will it take for me to fall out of love? 🌹💔🌹
A really lovely well done story, told lightly enough that even someone like me wouldn't be completely broken by it, with only a little fear that something terrible might happen (I don't like that, so really perfect for me) but also with enough depth so that it doesn't come across as superficial.
And very nice introduction of the secondary characters, I'm curious about the follow-up stories.
It's incredibly well done in this book. I think the balance between the grief and the decision to face something new and the craziness of falling in love again straight away and indulging in a romance is achieved perfectly.
The romance in this story was meant to be fake and it's absolutely perfectly realistic to see how attracted Eli and Colby are to each other, how they struggle to stay in the play and yet develop such strong feelings.
Four days with him and already I know he’s something goddamn special. I want to keep him. How in the world do I even try to lay claim to a wild and beautiful thing like Elijah Ruiz? 🌻💞🌻
I’ve done a lot of shit in my time, but that was one thing I’ve always wanted to do.
Then Colby had to go and turn it romantic. All I wanted was for him to fuck my brains out by the ocean. Instead, he pulled me to him and ground into me until I saw stars. Until the loss of him hurt.
And he had to care about me too. 🫠💔🫠
He aims a breathtaking smile my way and in that instant I know I’m forever fucked.
It took five days for me to fall in love with this man. How many days will it take for me to fall out of love? 🌹💔🌹
A really lovely well done story, told lightly enough that even someone like me wouldn't be completely broken by it, with only a little fear that something terrible might happen (I don't like that, so really perfect for me) but also with enough depth so that it doesn't come across as superficial.
And very nice introduction of the secondary characters, I'm curious about the follow-up stories.
May 14, 2025
A round of applause for my first ever audio ALC please! 👏👏
The narrator, Harley Chase, was completely new to me, but he did a fantastic job. I loved Colby’s southern twang and Eli’s smiley tone - it gave them both a distinct personality right from the start. And since this book is a lot of sex (and let’s be honest, those scenes are hard to narrate well), I was pleasantly surprised by his skill. Not once did I cringe! He brought energy and enthusiasm to the narration without going over the top!
The story itself…well. I’m very glad I went in knowing it would be insta-everything - which is normally a trope I shy away from - because that kept the eye rolling to a minimum. It worked for me here because of the book’s short length and its honest focus on physical connection from the get-go. It didn’t pretend to be something it wasn’t, which I appreciated, especially since it’s an arrangement/escort setup, so duh, it’s all about the sex initially. But what really caught me off guard was how something that started off centred on lust turned into something incredibly romantic and swoony.
Ngl, it took me a little while to warm up to Eli and his petulant outbursts in the beginning, but Colby had me immediately. His gentleness and fierce protectiveness were such a winning combo.
I loved their connection - the kinky sex layered with the tenderness of two very starved people just needing each other. That vulnerability - especially Colby’s - gave the story surprising emotional weight and I ended up rooting hard for them to find something real 🥰
3,5⭐️ for the story, 5⭐️ for the narration, so 4⭐️ for the whole thing and now I really wanna read Beau’s and Trevor’s story 🥹
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the chance to listen to this ALC, this is my honest opinion!
The narrator, Harley Chase, was completely new to me, but he did a fantastic job. I loved Colby’s southern twang and Eli’s smiley tone - it gave them both a distinct personality right from the start. And since this book is a lot of sex (and let’s be honest, those scenes are hard to narrate well), I was pleasantly surprised by his skill. Not once did I cringe! He brought energy and enthusiasm to the narration without going over the top!
The story itself…well. I’m very glad I went in knowing it would be insta-everything - which is normally a trope I shy away from - because that kept the eye rolling to a minimum. It worked for me here because of the book’s short length and its honest focus on physical connection from the get-go. It didn’t pretend to be something it wasn’t, which I appreciated, especially since it’s an arrangement/escort setup, so duh, it’s all about the sex initially. But what really caught me off guard was how something that started off centred on lust turned into something incredibly romantic and swoony.
Ngl, it took me a little while to warm up to Eli and his petulant outbursts in the beginning, but Colby had me immediately. His gentleness and fierce protectiveness were such a winning combo.
I loved their connection - the kinky sex layered with the tenderness of two very starved people just needing each other. That vulnerability - especially Colby’s - gave the story surprising emotional weight and I ended up rooting hard for them to find something real 🥰
3,5⭐️ for the story, 5⭐️ for the narration, so 4⭐️ for the whole thing and now I really wanna read Beau’s and Trevor’s story 🥹
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the chance to listen to this ALC, this is my honest opinion!
May 1, 2024
***4.0 rating***
"He's the most beautiful thing on the dance floor. There's an inherent freedom that radiates outward from Eli that others just can't help but notice. That I can't help but notice. I'm mesmerized by him."
"Colby Smith is everything I've ever dreamed of having, but never dared to wish to keep."
The Husband Experienced is out today! Happy Release Day to Maya!🩷
This was such a sweet lighthearted read! I have nothing but great things to say about it. It is a novella and is essentially a prequel to her new series; Sweet Southern.
It is somewhat insta love but I liked what the author was going for. Colby is trying to move on from grieving his husband. At the suggestion of his cousin, Beau, Colby tries the Boyfriend Experience. Have an event or an occasion you need a "boyfriend" for, try the Boyfriend Experience. Colby gives it a try and meets Eli. A young PhD student. The two spend a dreamy passionate week together at Colby's beach house. One thing leads to another and they start to develop feelings for one another.
I normally don't like fake dating or insta love but in this case, it worked. Colby and Eli had a romantic week together and they wanted more from their experience. After reading a lot of hurt/comfort recently it was nice to read a lighthearted read for change. I am excited to see what Maya does next! Keep an eye out for Beau and Travis's book 🩷.
I received a complimentary copy of this arc for free from the author and this is my honest opinion/review.
"He's the most beautiful thing on the dance floor. There's an inherent freedom that radiates outward from Eli that others just can't help but notice. That I can't help but notice. I'm mesmerized by him."
"Colby Smith is everything I've ever dreamed of having, but never dared to wish to keep."
The Husband Experienced is out today! Happy Release Day to Maya!🩷
This was such a sweet lighthearted read! I have nothing but great things to say about it. It is a novella and is essentially a prequel to her new series; Sweet Southern.
It is somewhat insta love but I liked what the author was going for. Colby is trying to move on from grieving his husband. At the suggestion of his cousin, Beau, Colby tries the Boyfriend Experience. Have an event or an occasion you need a "boyfriend" for, try the Boyfriend Experience. Colby gives it a try and meets Eli. A young PhD student. The two spend a dreamy passionate week together at Colby's beach house. One thing leads to another and they start to develop feelings for one another.
I normally don't like fake dating or insta love but in this case, it worked. Colby and Eli had a romantic week together and they wanted more from their experience. After reading a lot of hurt/comfort recently it was nice to read a lighthearted read for change. I am excited to see what Maya does next! Keep an eye out for Beau and Travis's book 🩷.
I received a complimentary copy of this arc for free from the author and this is my honest opinion/review.
December 28, 2024
Three years after the loss of his husband Marcus, Colby is finally ready to get back out there and decides to hire someone from The Boyfriend Experience to play his husband for the week as a trial run.
From the moment he lays eyes on Eli, Colby is an absolute goner. Something about the bratty younger man calls to the possessive and dominating side to him, and the pair spend a hot and steamy week getting to know each other while pretending to be spouses, and accidentally fall stupidly in love with each other.
I’m typically not a fan of insta-love romances, but I absolutely adored The Husband Experience! This was honestly just so perfect & I can’t wait for Trevor and Beau’s story!
- age gap
- fake dating/marriage
- widower
- mild D/s
- primal play
CW: mentions of spousal death from cancer
From the moment he lays eyes on Eli, Colby is an absolute goner. Something about the bratty younger man calls to the possessive and dominating side to him, and the pair spend a hot and steamy week getting to know each other while pretending to be spouses, and accidentally fall stupidly in love with each other.
I’m typically not a fan of insta-love romances, but I absolutely adored The Husband Experience! This was honestly just so perfect & I can’t wait for Trevor and Beau’s story!
- age gap
- fake dating/marriage
- widower
- mild D/s
- primal play
CW: mentions of spousal death from cancer
November 22, 2024
This novella is somehow both incredibly steamy (bordering on more steamy than I normally care for) and incredibly romantic and heart felt.
Colby, in his efforts move past the grief of losing his husband to cancer a few years prior, hires Eli for the boyfriend (husband) experience as a trial run for himself starting to date again. Except ✨feelings✨ start to happen.
Simple and emotional story just done well.
Colby, in his efforts move past the grief of losing his husband to cancer a few years prior, hires Eli for the boyfriend (husband) experience as a trial run for himself starting to date again. Except ✨feelings✨ start to happen.
Simple and emotional story just done well.
August 10, 2024
He aims a breathtaking smile my way and in that instant I know I'm forever fucked.
It took five days for me to fall in love with this man. How many days will it take for me to fall out of love?
I didn’t expected this book to be that beautiful!! It was hot, steamy and emotional. It really had everything and had the perfect balance. I have to say I cried near the end of this novella,the emotions and the connection Eli and Colby shared for another, were so perfectly portraits here. The writing style and they way things were worded really got me.
I loved both characters I really did, and I was so worried something awful will happed that I couldn’t bring myself to put that book down.
Also their whole sexual encounters were so hot but also so utterly sinful and I really liked the rage of emotions during it.
But the angst was definitely there and it gave the story the right amount of deepness, but I am so glad everything worked out for both of them and they got their deserved HEA!!
And here I have to say the the epilogue also let me sniff a few times, liked how the epilogue connected with the things that Colby said in the prologue, it was truly beautiful!
It took five days for me to fall in love with this man. How many days will it take for me to fall out of love?
I didn’t expected this book to be that beautiful!! It was hot, steamy and emotional. It really had everything and had the perfect balance. I have to say I cried near the end of this novella,the emotions and the connection Eli and Colby shared for another, were so perfectly portraits here. The writing style and they way things were worded really got me.
I loved both characters I really did, and I was so worried something awful will happed that I couldn’t bring myself to put that book down.
Also their whole sexual encounters were so hot but also so utterly sinful and I really liked the rage of emotions during it.
But the angst was definitely there and it gave the story the right amount of deepness, but I am so glad everything worked out for both of them and they got their deserved HEA!!
And here I have to say the the epilogue also let me sniff a few times, liked how the epilogue connected with the things that Colby said in the prologue, it was truly beautiful!
May 3, 2024
Thank you to Maya Jean for an ARC of the husband experience. This is my honest review.
Do you ever read a perfect book for the perfect mood? This was that. I needed something short, sweet and spicy and this delivered.
I’ve always been obsessed with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan films, I absolute LOVE, sleepless in Seattle and this reminded me of that. Colby is 3 years on from losing his husband and I loved that as he falls for Eli, none of it was about diminishing his previous love for Marcus. I love in sleepless in Seattle when Tom Hanks is describing when he first met his late wife and how it was like magic and then he experienced that again when he sees Meg across the road. ‘I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like magic.’ These are the immaculate vibes we got from Colby and Eli. But like, much hotter and spicier lol.
Also, the opening paragraph of this book about loss is absolutely stunning.
Not one of my most coherent reviews but I really loved this and I’m very excited to see what the rest of this series will deliver.
Do you ever read a perfect book for the perfect mood? This was that. I needed something short, sweet and spicy and this delivered.
I’ve always been obsessed with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan films, I absolute LOVE, sleepless in Seattle and this reminded me of that. Colby is 3 years on from losing his husband and I loved that as he falls for Eli, none of it was about diminishing his previous love for Marcus. I love in sleepless in Seattle when Tom Hanks is describing when he first met his late wife and how it was like magic and then he experienced that again when he sees Meg across the road. ‘I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like magic.’ These are the immaculate vibes we got from Colby and Eli. But like, much hotter and spicier lol.
Also, the opening paragraph of this book about loss is absolutely stunning.
Not one of my most coherent reviews but I really loved this and I’m very excited to see what the rest of this series will deliver.
March 18, 2025
One of my 2025 goals is to read at least one book a month on my Kindle that wasn’t on my Goodreads TBR, so here I am with blind read #2: The Husband Experience.
3.5 ⭐
Colby is a widower trying to move forward, so when his nephew suggests hiring a husband experience, he figures… why not? Enter Eli, a 28-year-old PhD student paying his bills with escorting, and suddenly this little beach vacation gets a whole lot more interesting.
I won’t lie, the whole “arrangement” trope isn’t really my thing—the lack of spontaneity and personal meaning just doesn’t scream romance to me. But somehow, these two make it work. It goes from fake to very real, very fast (like… whiplash fast 😂), but their connection is solid ish enough that I rolled with it.
There’s a nice mix of emotional depth, lighthearted moments, and even a little kink thrown in. The age-gap dynamic was well done, and I liked how the story explored grief, moving on, and figuring out where the line between “just a job” and something more really is. Low angst with so many Pretty Woman vibes, which made it even more fun! I loved the ending, going back to the basics and starting the boyfriend experience on their own.
Also, Beau and Trevor?? 👀 Their little moments here definitely have me curious about their story.
It’s a pretty basic story—predictable but sweet. You know exactly where it’s going, but it’s quick, steamy, and surprisingly tender, leaving you with that warm, fuzzy feeling. I also liked that the dead husband was approached with love and respect. He was important, yes, but the future with Eli is the most important now. Definitely worth a read if you like age-gap romances with some heat and heart!
“My boyfriend, my Eli,” Colby murmurs against my slack mouth.
“My boyfriend, my Colby.”
We kiss again and it feels like its own sort of vow. A promise that I hope to keep reaffirming for many years to come.
Tropes
Escort/Widower
Fake husband vacation
Age gap
Second Chance
Touch starved MC
Insta Love
Strict roles
TW
Mild dom/sub undertones
Primal play
Death of a spouse from cancer ( off page)
Death of an extended relative ( off page)
3.5 ⭐
Colby is a widower trying to move forward, so when his nephew suggests hiring a husband experience, he figures… why not? Enter Eli, a 28-year-old PhD student paying his bills with escorting, and suddenly this little beach vacation gets a whole lot more interesting.
I won’t lie, the whole “arrangement” trope isn’t really my thing—the lack of spontaneity and personal meaning just doesn’t scream romance to me. But somehow, these two make it work. It goes from fake to very real, very fast (like… whiplash fast 😂), but their connection is solid ish enough that I rolled with it.
There’s a nice mix of emotional depth, lighthearted moments, and even a little kink thrown in. The age-gap dynamic was well done, and I liked how the story explored grief, moving on, and figuring out where the line between “just a job” and something more really is. Low angst with so many Pretty Woman vibes, which made it even more fun! I loved the ending, going back to the basics and starting the boyfriend experience on their own.
Also, Beau and Trevor?? 👀 Their little moments here definitely have me curious about their story.
It’s a pretty basic story—predictable but sweet. You know exactly where it’s going, but it’s quick, steamy, and surprisingly tender, leaving you with that warm, fuzzy feeling. I also liked that the dead husband was approached with love and respect. He was important, yes, but the future with Eli is the most important now. Definitely worth a read if you like age-gap romances with some heat and heart!
“My boyfriend, my Eli,” Colby murmurs against my slack mouth.
“My boyfriend, my Colby.”
We kiss again and it feels like its own sort of vow. A promise that I hope to keep reaffirming for many years to come.
Tropes
Escort/Widower
Fake husband vacation
Age gap
Second Chance
Touch starved MC
Insta Love
Strict roles
TW
Mild dom/sub undertones
Primal play
Death of a spouse from cancer ( off page)
Death of an extended relative ( off page)
September 5, 2024
Sigh. One of the books that might not be quite perfect, but still filled my eyes with happy tears and made my heart burst with love ❤️
Usually, shorter books don’t give their characters enough time for us to get to know them, or to develop feelings for each other. This one isn’t one of these books: while only 154 pages long, it made me feel things - happiness, joy, a little bit of heartbreak, and the fundamental belief in happy endings.
And all that, while featuring one of the tropes in not overly fond of: the dead ex. But the way it was handled here, full of love and respect, made me… well even if I’m repeating myself: it made me happy.
The book is about Colby, who lost his husband to cancer three years before, and who’s determined to try and find love again. And Eli, who works as an escort in his free time (he’s working on his PhD), and whom Colby hires for a week for “The husband experience”.
It’s… lovely. And it’s hot (I admit I had to google what “primal play” is about, but it seems that I’m very much into reading about it 😅)
As for the rating: I think it was my gr friend Drusilla who said that she tends to rate based on the emotions a book invokes in her, and this one here is one of the books that I’ll rate the same way: 5 stars for a beautiful, emotional love story that reminded me a bit of “Pretty Woman”
Oh and dear Maya Jean, I loved the playlist you created for this book, I’ll keep listening to it on Spotify. I wish more authors would do this!
You are a million rainbows after every storm.
🫠
Usually, shorter books don’t give their characters enough time for us to get to know them, or to develop feelings for each other. This one isn’t one of these books: while only 154 pages long, it made me feel things - happiness, joy, a little bit of heartbreak, and the fundamental belief in happy endings.
And all that, while featuring one of the tropes in not overly fond of: the dead ex. But the way it was handled here, full of love and respect, made me… well even if I’m repeating myself: it made me happy.
The book is about Colby, who lost his husband to cancer three years before, and who’s determined to try and find love again. And Eli, who works as an escort in his free time (he’s working on his PhD), and whom Colby hires for a week for “The husband experience”.
It’s… lovely. And it’s hot (I admit I had to google what “primal play” is about, but it seems that I’m very much into reading about it 😅)
As for the rating: I think it was my gr friend Drusilla who said that she tends to rate based on the emotions a book invokes in her, and this one here is one of the books that I’ll rate the same way: 5 stars for a beautiful, emotional love story that reminded me a bit of “Pretty Woman”
Oh and dear Maya Jean, I loved the playlist you created for this book, I’ll keep listening to it on Spotify. I wish more authors would do this!
You are a million rainbows after every storm.
🫠
September 15, 2024
5 stars
I'm so so grateful that Maya Jean is back. I adore her writing, she makes me feel all the feelingss.
This story was the perfect amount of romance, love, emotions, steam, tears and a little heartbreak.
Colby is a wonderful man: loyal, passionate, honest. He's also grieving the loss of his beloved husband; after three years he's ready to move forward, but he's still uncertain. In order to help him to overcome his doubts, his cousin and best friend Beau suggests to hire a fake boyfriend and to spend a week with him.
Eli works for the agency that provides fake boyfriends, he's young, smart and independent; he's good at his job but he also learned to keep his emotions locked and to not get attached.
This time it will be very difficult because his connection with Colby is immediate. Especially because Colby has the ability to make him feel safe and taken care of.
Their week together will shake all Eli's resolutions to treat Colby just as a client.
I particularly appreciated that Colby never diminishes what he and Marcus had, how much they loved each other but, at the same time he makes clear that his heart beats solely for Eli.
I also liked that Colby's kinks (dominance, primal play) are not too overwhelming and that they are just a side of his character. They make the sex scenes spicy without pushing love and tenderness away.
From what I could see here, Beau and Trevor's story seems already very interesting and I look forward to next book.
In the meantime, I strongly recommend this one.
I'm so so grateful that Maya Jean is back. I adore her writing, she makes me feel all the feelingss.
This story was the perfect amount of romance, love, emotions, steam, tears and a little heartbreak.
Colby is a wonderful man: loyal, passionate, honest. He's also grieving the loss of his beloved husband; after three years he's ready to move forward, but he's still uncertain. In order to help him to overcome his doubts, his cousin and best friend Beau suggests to hire a fake boyfriend and to spend a week with him.
Eli works for the agency that provides fake boyfriends, he's young, smart and independent; he's good at his job but he also learned to keep his emotions locked and to not get attached.
This time it will be very difficult because his connection with Colby is immediate. Especially because Colby has the ability to make him feel safe and taken care of.
Their week together will shake all Eli's resolutions to treat Colby just as a client.
I particularly appreciated that Colby never diminishes what he and Marcus had, how much they loved each other but, at the same time he makes clear that his heart beats solely for Eli.
I also liked that Colby's kinks (dominance, primal play) are not too overwhelming and that they are just a side of his character. They make the sex scenes spicy without pushing love and tenderness away.
From what I could see here, Beau and Trevor's story seems already very interesting and I look forward to next book.
In the meantime, I strongly recommend this one.
April 20, 2024
What a lovely, sweet novella. "The Husband Experience" was exactly what I needed after the angsty reads I've just gotten through: the perfect palate cleanser, with a whole lot of sweetness and delicious, kinky steam. I devoured it in a sitting and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
Fake dating has got to be one of my favourite tropes: its just packed with so much potential for emotional angst *chef's kiss* and this novella totally delivered on that front!
Although "The Husband Experience" is much more light-hearted and easy on the angst than Maya Jean's previous book ("Just a Footnote", which I absolutely adored, but isn't unfortunately available anymore), it still packed a punch at times. There's an underlying current of bittersweet angst, emotional upheveals and that sweet, sweet "I'm falling for you when I'm not supposed to, and I don't know what to do" trope that makes me want to squeal in my pillow, kicking my feet and twirling my hair. Yep, it totally delivered on that front.
This book is packed with some of my favourite things: a fake dating slash pretty woman kind of scenario, where one of our protagonists, the grieving Colby, hires Eli for a week to get his feet back into the romance game after losing his husband a few years before; a set of wonderful protagonists (both of them so sweet you won't stop grinning) with a delicious age gap between them; and spanking hot steam, with a smidge of D/s dynamic and some of my favourite kinks (I was swooning and blushing at the same damn time).
I adored them both, and I adored the side characters too, although we only get a few glimpses of them. I'm especially intrigued by Eli's friends, and I can't wait to see what Maya has in store next!
I totally recommend this novella if you're looking for something sweet and spicy, with an absolutely heartwarming, satisfying ending.
TWs/CWs: death of a partner, grief, cancer.
I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
Fake dating has got to be one of my favourite tropes: its just packed with so much potential for emotional angst *chef's kiss* and this novella totally delivered on that front!
Although "The Husband Experience" is much more light-hearted and easy on the angst than Maya Jean's previous book ("Just a Footnote", which I absolutely adored, but isn't unfortunately available anymore), it still packed a punch at times. There's an underlying current of bittersweet angst, emotional upheveals and that sweet, sweet "I'm falling for you when I'm not supposed to, and I don't know what to do" trope that makes me want to squeal in my pillow, kicking my feet and twirling my hair. Yep, it totally delivered on that front.
This book is packed with some of my favourite things: a fake dating slash pretty woman kind of scenario, where one of our protagonists, the grieving Colby, hires Eli for a week to get his feet back into the romance game after losing his husband a few years before; a set of wonderful protagonists (both of them so sweet you won't stop grinning) with a delicious age gap between them; and spanking hot steam, with a smidge of D/s dynamic and some of my favourite kinks (I was swooning and blushing at the same damn time).
I adored them both, and I adored the side characters too, although we only get a few glimpses of them. I'm especially intrigued by Eli's friends, and I can't wait to see what Maya has in store next!
I totally recommend this novella if you're looking for something sweet and spicy, with an absolutely heartwarming, satisfying ending.
TWs/CWs: death of a partner, grief, cancer.
I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
May 6, 2024
Really lovely novella about widower Colby who's finally ready to move on a few years after his husband's passed and hires an escort, Eli, to give him the "husband experience" before he starts properly dating.
Colby and Eli spend a week pretending to be in love, and of course real feelings develop.
This was such a sweet, intimate read about new love after loss and grief.
Colby and Eli spend a week pretending to be in love, and of course real feelings develop.
This was such a sweet, intimate read about new love after loss and grief.
July 15, 2024
Loved this it was so cute and sweet! Loved the set up for book two, I am really looking forward to reading a full length novel from this author!
May 1, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
This was a novella introducing us to the company that allows anyone to hire a fake boyfie or hubby. Colby hires Eli as his husband for a week-long holiday, after deciding he's ready to get back out there. His husband died 3 years ago and he wants to start dating again. Colby is caring and patient (total daddy vibes), but also possessive and kinky. Eli is 10 years younger than him and isn't used to being taken care of by his clients. He's also a bit of a brat... There's a bit of insta-love (more like super-fast-love), but I kinda didn't mind because this is a short read and I love to get my feelings fix fast. I love how their interactions, especially their intimacy, have that duality of emotions: they really like each other but their doubtful the other feels the same, after all, it's a transaction, right? 😏
I loved them together.
This was a novella introducing us to the company that allows anyone to hire a fake boyfie or hubby. Colby hires Eli as his husband for a week-long holiday, after deciding he's ready to get back out there. His husband died 3 years ago and he wants to start dating again. Colby is caring and patient (total daddy vibes), but also possessive and kinky. Eli is 10 years younger than him and isn't used to being taken care of by his clients. He's also a bit of a brat... There's a bit of insta-love (more like super-fast-love), but I kinda didn't mind because this is a short read and I love to get my feelings fix fast. I love how their interactions, especially their intimacy, have that duality of emotions: they really like each other but their doubtful the other feels the same, after all, it's a transaction, right? 😏
I loved them together.
Read
October 4, 2024DNF 36% - I rarely dnf novellas but I just couldn’t keep going with the way they called each other ‘husband’ constantly from their first meeting. I get that it’s all about the fake husband experience but I needed it to stop. I really wanted to like this more, I planned to buddy read the next book with a friend and this is probably just me being not being in the mood for insta-love, but something about the writing didn’t pull me in.
November 24, 2024
Sweet Colby and Eli 🥺🥺
"You are a million rainbows after every storm."
"I promise to never run away from you, but towards you, because you are my reason to run. My reason to keep going. My everything."
"Age doesn't matter when souls recognize each other, right?"
Tropes:
Fake marriage
Strangers to lovers
Size difference
Age gap
Strict roles
Touch starved MC
TWs:
Death
Cancer
"You are a million rainbows after every storm."
"I promise to never run away from you, but towards you, because you are my reason to run. My reason to keep going. My everything."
"Age doesn't matter when souls recognize each other, right?"
Tropes:
Fake marriage
Strangers to lovers
Size difference
Age gap
Strict roles
Touch starved MC
TWs:
Death
Cancer
August 17, 2024
This was such a cute and spicy novella. Colby and Eli were just so perfect for each other. This sweet story had some of my favorite tropes, age gap, fake dating, hurt/comfort and primal. This was my first Maya Jean book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
April 15, 2024
I’m SOOO glad Maya Jean is back. Her writing is so comforting🩷🩷
Colby and Elijah are everything.
the shift in their feelings towards each other is so fun to read— they both try so hard to ignore it. Made my tummy hurt at times which is an instant win for me.
Elijah 🤝🏾 me
Soft spot for southern men
“Oh no. He’s got a deep voice and a southern accent. My two greatest weaknesses. He might as well be my kryptonite.”
Colby is so 😮💨🤤
I’m so excited for the rest of this series 👀
anyways I received an arc from the author and this is my honest review
Colby and Elijah are everything.
the shift in their feelings towards each other is so fun to read— they both try so hard to ignore it. Made my tummy hurt at times which is an instant win for me.
Elijah 🤝🏾 me
Soft spot for southern men
“Oh no. He’s got a deep voice and a southern accent. My two greatest weaknesses. He might as well be my kryptonite.”
Colby is so 😮💨🤤
I’m so excited for the rest of this series 👀
anyways I received an arc from the author and this is my honest review
April 12, 2024
SWOOOOOON YA’LL.
Maya Jean has done it again. New favorite couple alert!! I can’t even begin to tell you how giddy this made me.. just squealing and kicking my feet, but then I was 🥹🥹 I don’t typically love the fake dating trope, but this blew me away. I will be adding this to my comfort read pile. Eli and Colby are so perfect for each other, it isn’t even funny. This will have you 😭🤣🥹🫠🥵 A MUST READ. DON’T SKIP! I cannot waiiiiiiiiit for the next book. Gimme gimme!!!
I received an arc and this is my honest review 🫶
Maya Jean has done it again. New favorite couple alert!! I can’t even begin to tell you how giddy this made me.. just squealing and kicking my feet, but then I was 🥹🥹 I don’t typically love the fake dating trope, but this blew me away. I will be adding this to my comfort read pile. Eli and Colby are so perfect for each other, it isn’t even funny. This will have you 😭🤣🥹🫠🥵 A MUST READ. DON’T SKIP! I cannot waiiiiiiiiit for the next book. Gimme gimme!!!
I received an arc and this is my honest review 🫶
May 20, 2024
Elijah (Eli) & Colby
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
- Fake Husbands
- Mutual Pining
- Hurt/Comfort
- Age Gap (11yrs)
- Widower MC
- Architect/Sex Worker
- Praise Kink
- Bratty MC
- Primal Play
- Insta-love/Connection
I can see why this has been so popular, this sweet and spicy read. Overall, I enjoyed the novella and the couple as a whole. While I understand that Eli is a bratty character, I just could not stand his whining. I like bratty characters but they usually are more sassy than pouty and this boy was pouting nonstop because he was all jumbled up in his feelings. Since it is a novella, you don't get super deep into anything but it was always apparent that the MCs were falling for each other and growing attached quickly.
Colby lost his husband to cancer a few years ago and now he's at that point where he's ready to move on. He's not sure he even knows how to jump back into the saddle or how to date anymore. His cousin, who has used The Boyfriend Experience before, tells Colby that he should give it a try to help dust the rust off. Colby decides to give it ago, but he asks for The Husband Experience for a full week. His is a special request, in that he doesn't want the escort to pretend with him and he also wants to get back into some kinks he used to indulge in before his late husband, who didn't like those aspects.
Eli is a PhD student who is also an escort since it affords him the schedule flexibility, he likes sex, and it pays pretty well. He is popular as a boyfriend and is considered one of the company's best. He wasn't originally assigned to Colby, his friend Trevor was, but Trevor asks for him to take the client over because it fits him better. The job works with Eli's class schedule, he's getting a free week-long vacation, and he's getting paid a boatload for this job. Eli goes into this arrangement cocky about his ability to waltz through this and get 🍆 down thoroughly for a full week. Little did he know that Colby was about to turn his whole world upside down, breaking his walls down with one sweet act after another.
I liked that the author made sure Colby's relationships with his deceased husband and with Eli were always clearly separated. There was no comparing one to the other and there was full acceptance by Eli of how Colby's time with his late husband shaped him into the man he is today. The kink is there in this novella but it's more of a sprinkle than full-on in your face.
You will have to suspend some belief towards the end though because there is no way a PhD student can just upend his life so quickly, the way Eli does in order to move to another university. It's basically PhD suicide to just leave your program "just because" before finishing out, unless it's a special circumstance like your advisor/professor dies. I just couldn't wrap my head around it and get with the make-believe program that Eli just up and moves his whole life to Florida with Colby in less than a month.
Content Warnings : Mild Dom/sub undertones; Primal play; Death of a spouse from cancer; Death of an extended relative; Sex work; Grief and loss
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No
Ages: 28 & 39
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
- Fake Husbands
- Mutual Pining
- Hurt/Comfort
- Age Gap (11yrs)
- Widower MC
- Architect/Sex Worker
- Praise Kink
- Bratty MC
- Primal Play
- Insta-love/Connection
I can see why this has been so popular, this sweet and spicy read. Overall, I enjoyed the novella and the couple as a whole. While I understand that Eli is a bratty character, I just could not stand his whining. I like bratty characters but they usually are more sassy than pouty and this boy was pouting nonstop because he was all jumbled up in his feelings. Since it is a novella, you don't get super deep into anything but it was always apparent that the MCs were falling for each other and growing attached quickly.
Colby lost his husband to cancer a few years ago and now he's at that point where he's ready to move on. He's not sure he even knows how to jump back into the saddle or how to date anymore. His cousin, who has used The Boyfriend Experience before, tells Colby that he should give it a try to help dust the rust off. Colby decides to give it ago, but he asks for The Husband Experience for a full week. His is a special request, in that he doesn't want the escort to pretend with him and he also wants to get back into some kinks he used to indulge in before his late husband, who didn't like those aspects.
Eli is a PhD student who is also an escort since it affords him the schedule flexibility, he likes sex, and it pays pretty well. He is popular as a boyfriend and is considered one of the company's best. He wasn't originally assigned to Colby, his friend Trevor was, but Trevor asks for him to take the client over because it fits him better. The job works with Eli's class schedule, he's getting a free week-long vacation, and he's getting paid a boatload for this job. Eli goes into this arrangement cocky about his ability to waltz through this and get 🍆 down thoroughly for a full week. Little did he know that Colby was about to turn his whole world upside down, breaking his walls down with one sweet act after another.
"Oh no. He’s got a deep voice and a southern accent. My two greatest weaknesses. He might as well be my kryptonite."
“I’ve never been f**ked by the beach before,” I murmur softly, mostly to myself.
“We’ll remedy that,” Colby says quickly, without a trace of humor.
I liked that the author made sure Colby's relationships with his deceased husband and with Eli were always clearly separated. There was no comparing one to the other and there was full acceptance by Eli of how Colby's time with his late husband shaped him into the man he is today. The kink is there in this novella but it's more of a sprinkle than full-on in your face.
"I’d expected a week of debauchery, not a week of tender dates and fond kisses."
You will have to suspend some belief towards the end though because there is no way a PhD student can just upend his life so quickly, the way Eli does in order to move to another university. It's basically PhD suicide to just leave your program "just because" before finishing out, unless it's a special circumstance like your advisor/professor dies. I just couldn't wrap my head around it and get with the make-believe program that Eli just up and moves his whole life to Florida with Colby in less than a month.
"It took five days for me to fall in love with this man. How many days will it take for me to fall out of love?"
"Colby Smith is everything I’ve ever dreamed of having, but never dared to wish to keep."
Content Warnings : Mild Dom/sub undertones; Primal play; Death of a spouse from cancer; Death of an extended relative; Sex work; Grief and loss
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No
Ages: 28 & 39
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May 25, 2025
MM Romance
Husband Escort
2.5 Stars ⭐️
🎵Narrated by Harley Chase🎵 I kept seeing this name everywhere but had never listened to him and I’ve been missing out. He did a fantastic job narrating this book and is the reason I’m rounding up.
This is an ALC, Advanced Listening Copy, that I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this but I didn’t love it and if I’m honest (which I always am because there’s nothing I hate more than inflated arc reviews) I would have DNF’d this had I not been listening to it. Harley Chase however had me hooked to his narration and by the end I was even contemplating listening to others in this series when they drop which is a bit of a mind fuck considering how unenthused I felt initially.
So my reasons for not liking it much in the beginning had to do with the trope and it’s entirely on me. I requested this because it’s been on my TBR since it released. This author and I were friends on GR before she started writing MM romance so I’ve been really curious but I can admit that I read the blurb ages ago and forgot what it was about. I knew there was some kind of escort service but I didn’t realize this book was about a widower and the dead husband trope is just not my favorite. In this book, it had been years since he passed but I had trouble warming up to Colby because he still seemed so stuck on his husband. It gave the book a melancholy feel at the start that I just wasn’t vibing with. I also struggled with Elijah, the escort, as well though. He was asked to do this job specifically because he was supposedly the best suited for a “husband experience” but he came off as a brat and for what Colby paid for the week I thought he should shut up and listen to what Colby wanted. It wasn’t anything disrespectful or weird, he just didn’t want to have sex right away but Elijah wouldn’t take no for an answer and it made the book super cringe for awhile.
However, Harley Chase, hooked me with the emotion he was able to convey with his narration and about halfway through I started to empathize with Colby and even Elijah grew on me. I went from feeling kind of mehhhh about the story to actually enjoying their chemistry and I even felt a bit teary eyed when they parted after the week. It makes me want to listen to more of this narrator because it’s not very often a book has such a sharp turnaround for me. I think it also helped that this audiobook was only 3.5 hours and I could listen to it all at once because I was so immersed into the story that I didn’t have time to nitpick and I definitely would have had I been reading this with my eyes. I really enjoyed seeing this small town Colby was from and the various people in his life that set the stage for future books. I’m super interested in the next one which is kind of shocking to me but I’ll wait for the audiobook especially if Harley Chase is the one narrating it.
Husband Escort
2.5 Stars ⭐️
🎵Narrated by Harley Chase🎵 I kept seeing this name everywhere but had never listened to him and I’ve been missing out. He did a fantastic job narrating this book and is the reason I’m rounding up.
This is an ALC, Advanced Listening Copy, that I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this but I didn’t love it and if I’m honest (which I always am because there’s nothing I hate more than inflated arc reviews) I would have DNF’d this had I not been listening to it. Harley Chase however had me hooked to his narration and by the end I was even contemplating listening to others in this series when they drop which is a bit of a mind fuck considering how unenthused I felt initially.
So my reasons for not liking it much in the beginning had to do with the trope and it’s entirely on me. I requested this because it’s been on my TBR since it released. This author and I were friends on GR before she started writing MM romance so I’ve been really curious but I can admit that I read the blurb ages ago and forgot what it was about. I knew there was some kind of escort service but I didn’t realize this book was about a widower and the dead husband trope is just not my favorite. In this book, it had been years since he passed but I had trouble warming up to Colby because he still seemed so stuck on his husband. It gave the book a melancholy feel at the start that I just wasn’t vibing with. I also struggled with Elijah, the escort, as well though. He was asked to do this job specifically because he was supposedly the best suited for a “husband experience” but he came off as a brat and for what Colby paid for the week I thought he should shut up and listen to what Colby wanted. It wasn’t anything disrespectful or weird, he just didn’t want to have sex right away but Elijah wouldn’t take no for an answer and it made the book super cringe for awhile.
However, Harley Chase, hooked me with the emotion he was able to convey with his narration and about halfway through I started to empathize with Colby and even Elijah grew on me. I went from feeling kind of mehhhh about the story to actually enjoying their chemistry and I even felt a bit teary eyed when they parted after the week. It makes me want to listen to more of this narrator because it’s not very often a book has such a sharp turnaround for me. I think it also helped that this audiobook was only 3.5 hours and I could listen to it all at once because I was so immersed into the story that I didn’t have time to nitpick and I definitely would have had I been reading this with my eyes. I really enjoyed seeing this small town Colby was from and the various people in his life that set the stage for future books. I’m super interested in the next one which is kind of shocking to me but I’ll wait for the audiobook especially if Harley Chase is the one narrating it.
September 1, 2024
Loss has become a part of me.
4.25⭐
WELL, I'LL BE DAMNED!!
What a way for a fake relationship novella to make me eat my words about this trope. Have you ever read a book that, in theory, is pretty much the antithesis of everything you vibe with but you give a try because whythehecknot, you are an optimist at heart after all, and suddenly you end up just realizing the overwhelming and simple fact that it was never you, it was simply that the other books never worked for you because there were better ones that actually could speak to your soul, even if they were bite size novellas or even if they were about your usually least enjoyable trope? This is exactly the case with The Husband Experience for me.
And yeah, I had to take a few days after finishing it to try to verbalize my thoughts about it and I could write an entire pseudo essay rewording the blurb in this review but the premise of the book is simple: Colby’s husband passed away, and he is struggling to move forward, to see life (and love) beyond grief so in attempt to do so, and taking his cousin’s advice, he uses a fake boyfriend agency to book himself a fake husband for a week, as practice for getting back in the saddle, meeting Eli and actually connecting with him beyond the farce.
So, if this type of fake relationship seems like a concept that might appeal to you, and want to read some fun smut too, sure, the novella delivers exactly that, along with sweet and silly moments from both Colby and Eli that will endear them to you. But that is not all you will get. Because, you will also get an understated and impactful writing, mainly through Colby’s POV, of a deep and ingrained sorrow, the sharpness of losing the love of your life, that cuts through you. You will not get fancy or purple prose, but short and direct paragraphs that will truly make you feel how loss inevitably changes you, and stays with you, wiping out a version of you to transform it into one that has no other choice but to accept that moving forward, you will NEVER be the person you were before knowing what loss was; because realizing that not only love is the most powerful force in the world, but it can also wreck you in ways where you will NEVER be the same again, and acknowledging that is not a defeat but something that is ABSOLUTELY OK, is truly where the author excels in.
I have to admit I didn’t know Maya Jean before, but I sure as hell do now because this was good. UNEXPECTEDLY, REAL GOOD!!
[I received an advance review copy from GRR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
December 26, 2025
Melodramatic Instalove nonsense. See my highlights for examples. I skimmed a lot to get through this novella. Officially checking this author off my list of ones to try.
June 2, 2025
This was a sweet little novella and I listened to the audiobook! It was giving gay Pretty Woman! Easy, sweet narration!
Harley Chase is quickly becoming my new favorite narrator go check him out he’s insanely talented!!
I will definitely check out more by this author when more books become audio for sure ���🏼
Harley Chase is quickly becoming my new favorite narrator go check him out he’s insanely talented!!
I will definitely check out more by this author when more books become audio for sure ���🏼
August 25, 2024
This was a sweet and heartfelt novella!
Colby lost his husband 3 years ago and is looking for a way to get back out there because he feels ready. He gets recommended the Boyfriend Experience by his cousin and decides to sign up.
Eli is PhD student but is a Boyfriend sometimes because it pays well. He gets paired up with Colby and is whisked away to his beach house for a week of playing Husband. Both men had an instant connection and in just four days managed to fall in love.
Colby was everything sweet and possessive and i really felt for him! Eli annoyed me at first I’m not going to lie! He was meant to be the best Boyfriend from his agency but there were times he was plain rude towards Col!
I’m glad that it stopped being the case and became his sweeter self!
Colby lost his husband 3 years ago and is looking for a way to get back out there because he feels ready. He gets recommended the Boyfriend Experience by his cousin and decides to sign up.
Eli is PhD student but is a Boyfriend sometimes because it pays well. He gets paired up with Colby and is whisked away to his beach house for a week of playing Husband. Both men had an instant connection and in just four days managed to fall in love.
Colby was everything sweet and possessive and i really felt for him! Eli annoyed me at first I’m not going to lie! He was meant to be the best Boyfriend from his agency but there were times he was plain rude towards Col!
I’m glad that it stopped being the case and became his sweeter self!
November 19, 2024
4,5⭐️
I’m not usually an “insta-love” fan but I’m a slut for anything fake dating, so of course I loved this.
I’m not usually an “insta-love” fan but I’m a slut for anything fake dating, so of course I loved this.
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