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Jacob

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A hopeless romantic. A fake relationship. A whirlwind romance.

Jacob

When my top client calls in a favor for her crush-worthy neighbor, the last thing I expect is to end up as hotel heir Aaron Everett's plus one. But one night turns into an offer I can't refuse, even though I know I should. The chance to live out my romance novel fantasies with a dreamboat like Aaron should be the easiest role I've ever played.

So why does it feel like, for the first time in my life, I’m not pretending?

Aaron

My father has made it more than clear that if I want to succeed him in running the family business, I need to settle down.

Which wouldn’t be a problem if I could find an attractive, successful man to date me and not my bank account.

Hiring the charismatic Jacob to pretend to be my boyfriend is my only option left to convince my parents I'm cut out for the job. Except, the more time I spend with Jacob, it becomes harder to separate the lies we’ve told everyone else from the lies we’ve told each other.

But am I willing to give up everything I've ever wanted for a fairytale? Or will the truth destroy more than just my reputation?

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2025

3 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Ariel Dawn

69 books280 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Ariel Dawn is a real life mermaid and self-professed geek with a penchant for a good book and a strong cup of coffee (or tea!).

Ariel writes plot driven paranormal romance, monster romance, reverse harem, and urban fantasy featuring feisty heroines, sinfully delicious heroes, and neurodivergent besties.

As a fellow neurodivergent, when she isn't writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, or creating all sorts of artwork in her studio. She loves hanging out with family and friends as well as playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
462 reviews88 followers
August 13, 2025
The rain falls, echoing around us as his body relaxes in my hold like Jell-o.
like what? 😂😂
Single rich guy Aaron needs to convince his family that he's settled and serious, so he hires escort Jacob to be his plus-one to a party. Insa-love ensues. This is a familiar collection of tropes: age gap (18 years), opposites attract, fake relationship, only one bed, former dancer/stripper turned escort meets millionaire. What I was not expecting was at least one Taylor Swift reference (or 10) in almost every single chapter, some overly dramatic nonsense at the end, a cartoonishly villainous ex and some tragically avoidable miscommunication that almost derailed the whole relationship. I really don't like the miscommunication trope, but I was willing to look past it because Jacob is 24 and possibly too young to know better. Never mind that we're supposed to believe that there are tons of people out there looking to hire barely-legal escorts for grown up events (Jacob started at 21). I know many men do that, but Jacob is primarily hired by women, we are told 4 times in quick succession, and I cannot fathom many women hiring a 21-year-old to go to a work event with them. That aside, I did like Jacob's character apart from his naïveté and willingness to keep his mouth shut when he clearly needed to communicate like an adult.
I did not like Aaron's character at all. Although 18 years Jacob's senior, he is barely more mature. If you consider a hookup with someone else- after the main characters meet- cheating, then you won't like this book. He calls more submissive men "little bitches" and screams at his parents for the trauma of his affluent childhood. While he has a very valid point about romantic partners pursuing him for his money over who he is, his odious personality is also partly to blame for his relationship woes. I can't imagine a man in his 40s shrieking at his mother “All you had to do was support me, Mom. All you had to do was be in my fucking corner”, while Taylor Swift sings Champagne Problems. Cringe.

I think the popular combination of tropes in this book will lure in quite a few readers. Unfortunately I just didn't vibe with this book at all, and will not be reading more from this author, despite her four attempts at self-promo within the book. I thought recommending other authors's books was controversial, and have never read an author recommending their own work to such an extent.

Rating: 2.5
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 2/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review
Profile Image for Amber.
1,019 reviews44 followers
July 31, 2025
I just loved Jacob and Aaron's chemistry and banter. They complimented each other so well.

Jacob is a professional dater and has never crossed the line with a client, until Aaron. They are just drawn to each other. Aaron needs a fake boyfriend to impress his family and make them see he's not the playboy they think he is. Aaron just never expected to fall for Jacob for real.

I absolutely loved Ariel's little Easter eggs of indie books and authors, especially since like Jacob, I love them all as well.
Profile Image for Erik McManus.
427 reviews330 followers
October 17, 2025
As a die-hard Swiftie, I was living for all the Taylor Swift references in Jacob. It felt like a love letter to anyone who’s ever screamed “You Belong With Me” in their kitchen at 2 a.m. The pop culture nods gave the story such a fun, flirty energy and honestly, they made me fall for Jacob even more.

Now let’s talk about the spice — because whew, things definitely got hot. Ariel Dawn knows how to turn up the heat without going overboard, and I found myself fanning my face more than once. It was the perfect level of steam: just enough to make you blush, but not so much that it overtook the emotional depth of the story.

The relationship felt real and had great chemistry, with just the right amount of tension and tenderness. The little twists along the way made it even more addictive, and before I knew it, I’d devoured the whole thing.

If you’re into swoon-worthy romance with believable characters, fun references, and spice that’ll have you melting into your couch, Jacob is absolutely worth the read. And yes — I’ll definitely be renting another date from this series.
Profile Image for Natiley Holmes.
307 reviews11 followers
July 30, 2025
ARC Review

Jacob was an absolute delight! As a fan of mm romances, this book was right up my alley. The plot revolves around a fake relationship that quickly becomes anything but, thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Jacob and Aaron.

I loved the slow burn of their relationship, particularly how it was complicated by Aaron's overbearing father. While I found Aaron's dad frustrating at times, it added depth to the story. The tension kept me invested, and I appreciated the way it dragged out the romance, making each moment feel significant.

The characters are relatable and well-developed. Jacob's charm and Aaron's struggle with his family's expectations made for a captivating read. Their dynamic felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them to overcome the obstacles in their way.

Overall, I’m definitely committed to finishing this series! Why wouldn't I? 😂 If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance with a touch of drama, Jacob is a must-read!
Profile Image for Anna.
565 reviews
Read
August 12, 2025
Będzie jedna gwiazdka

dlaczego?


Bo mi nic w tej książce nie grało, ilość głupot była przerażająca.
Profile Image for Heather.
635 reviews9 followers
August 1, 2025
3.5⭐️

Tried and tested fake boyfriend trope. Fun and predictably entertaining. Aaron and Jacob worked well, and I did enjoy the Pretty Woman theme.

However, at the beginning, I struggled to get into this. With a Taylor Swift overload, a constant plugging of her own books, the repetition of how much Jacob liked Bella, and that he wasn’t an escort, it made it a bit of a chore to get through.

It did get better halfway through, and I enjoyed its simplicity and endearing content. I always like a HEA, and the set-up for the next story was good; it left me intrigued.

——————————————
I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Megan.
289 reviews3 followers
December 20, 2025
omg this book made me believe in fairy tales.

jacob and aaron’s love story is just one in a million. their instant connection. the way they see each other fully, beneath the walls and fake personas.

jacob oh my baby jacob. i just want to give him the biggest hug. he’s literally the cutest, brattiest mmc.

aaron is a very very hot man that now has a very young boyfriend (ahhhhh!!) their connection couldn’t be downplayed nor could they hide their feelings for each other no matter how much they tried.

the 3rd act…yeah it made me sob like a big baby.
162 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2025
This was a cute story! I love the connection Jacob and Aaron had. They shared a very toxic ex together and instead of running for the hills they were able to overcome that and work through it together. They didn’t allow their pasts to define their future and were able to make it. They were able to show that true love can come when you least expect it and from the last place you would expect as well. It’s a cute quick read and a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Leilani Noack.
519 reviews12 followers
August 5, 2025
My heart broke for Aaron & Jacob but when they got there HEA I was happy to see that Aaron didn’t let him get away. If you like the whole fake boyfriend aspect then you will definitely like this story. Loved it!
Profile Image for Kristen.
153 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2025
I’m not personally a huge fan of Taylor, but I did catch all the references and how they fit into the story which I thought was pretty neat! I love Aaron and Jacob together! I also love the relationship between Jacob and Noah! (I need to know more of what’s happening with Noah so can’t wait for his story). I think my favorite part was toward the ending with the conversation between Aaron and his dad! That was like a pivotal moment for both of them! Also can we just get rid of Garrett? I absolutely hate him. Can I just say that I haven’t been disappointed by any of the rent a date books yet?! This has been such a great series and I can’t wait to continue on!
Profile Image for Rae.
235 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Jacob & Aaron’s book is another one of those fun reads. Now I’m not a swifty so I can’t say I understood all the little references but I’m sure any TS would absolutely adore this book! Plenty of banter, slow burn romance with lots of chemistry!
Would I recommend, yeah I would.
I’m enjoying this series so far, I haven’t come across a bad one so far and with the way this is going, I don’t think I will! Well done folks, you all work brilliantly together in the Foxy’s Rent-a-Date world! 🫶🏻
1,673 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2025
I fell in love with Jacob from the start, and adored Aaron. These two were so right together from the get go, from the coffee shop meet up on, even as this started out as a business transaction. Chemistry between them was off the charts, though Jacob, especially, tried to be “realistic” as to the chances of this going anywhere beyond the initial date. But then he broke his rule, and nothing was the same for either one after that.
I enjoyed the confident Jacob when he donned his “Prince Charming” persona, but preferred the vulnerable man beneath, just wanting to be seen and loved. Aaron was much the same, wanting to be seen for himself, but he had given up on finding love, tired of people being with him for his name and money. Even though he paid Jacob for his time, there was something there beyond the paid date which spoke to him. Jacob saw him, responded to him, knew he was wealthy but actually saw the man underneath his public persona, and reacted to that part of him. Things were always better for both when they were together and not overthinking things. I liked the way Jacob could submit to the dominant part of Aaron, then also take a bit of a dominant role himself at times. I got so involved in these two characters and their developing relationship, I was hardly aware of the age difference the majority of the time. It was almost a shock when it would come up because I didn’t feel a big gap in their ages as they interacted together.
I had a hard time putting this book down. Even though I had to leave to run errands, I could hardly wait to get back to find out what would happen to get to their HEA, finally finishing at 2am. I knew Aaron’s “ex” would be a problem down the road, and it was more than a coincidence that Jacob’s horrible experience would come back to haunt him. There was a definite “Pretty Woman” vibe to the story, and I loved that about it (it’s one of my favorite movies of all time).
All the characters appealed to me in this book, yes, even Aaron’s ex, since there needs to be a sleazy villain to dislike. Aaron’s family had more depth to them than I expected initially, I loved Lola and the way Jacob could connect with her at her level, then connect with the adults at different levels, too. Jacob could be a bit of a chameleon at times, and definitely could fit into any situation, an advantage in his job. If you like romances with REALLY likeable characters, a bit of a Daddy/boy relationship, a Prince Charming for any date, and a Pretty Woman vibe to it all with an iconic moment, I think you would love this book as much as I did. I would definitely recommend it if you want a smile on your face most of the time.
This was from a new author to me, and I will definitely be back for more. Especially looking forward to Jacob’s twin, Noah, and his story. It should be pretty good, and we may see more of Jacob and Aaron, too. A win-win!
Profile Image for Gemma Kitchen.
537 reviews10 followers
August 4, 2025
Ariel Dawn is a new author for me and I will be keeping an eye out for new releases and going back on previously released books.

Now Jacob is just one of those characters that you will absolutely love from the outset he has a realness to him . Jacob is a sought after ‘rent a date’ with a larger female clientele and is sought after time and time again. Although he has all these dates these are all work related his own love life has been stagnant for a number of years due to bad experience.

A regular client calls him up to meet and arrange a date. What he learns is the date is not for her but her neighbours cousin. This goes against Jacobs normal rules for a date but the money is too good to turn away from.

Then we have Aaron who needs a date for a family get together he is flying in for. It’s been a long time since Aaron has been home and he knows it’s time for his father to announce the CEO a job he wants. He needs to set a good strong impression to show that he isn’t the playboy he thinks he is.

Jacob is methodically in his approach for a new date making sure he has crossed his t’s and dotted his eyes so the part he plays is flawless. Their meeting is unexpected more than just two people setting out their plan of action, their attraction and chemistry is instant, but this is a job for Jacob right.

One night is not enough and Jacob is needed for an extended stay at the family beach house where Aaron’s father lays out that there is more than one person in the running for the CEO position. What happens when Aaron’s ex is in the mix and knows more about Aaron and Jacob’s predicament than he should? Then the ex is also connected to Jacobs past as well.

Can something merely be a professional relationship or can these two follow their heat for their HEA.

This story brings Jacob and Aaron together in a steady peace, you feel the tension and spice overflowing when these two are together. These two are just perfect for each other, they flow so easily together. Fantastic book.
Profile Image for Magda  | AnotherOneReadsRomance.
127 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2025
I would say that fake dating trope mix with "Pretty Woman" works quiet well in this book. All the references about Taylor Swift, "Red, White and Royal Blue" and contemporary romaces was great addition, like cherry on top of a cake. For that kind of details I love to read sweet romance stories. When one of the characters is watching the movie you've watched like 10 times already - this is putting smile on your face. You can read in the book blurb or other reviews that Aaron needs a parter for some family gathering and he ends up hiring Jacob (who works for a date service) to be a perfect boyfriend for one night. As you can imagine we get some complications and our main characters are forced to spend a whole week together in Aaron's family beach house. The chemistry between Jacob and Aaron was great. Both characters were well written, making it easy to root for them as they made their way to a happy ending. I love their conversations about perfect dates There were some issues about Aaron's family that didn't work for me, Because of one easy to predict plot close to the end of a book, I give it 4 stars. Although it would be nice to read something surprising and not the typical play, overall the book was a really nice read.

I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
43 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2025
Jacob was an absolute delight!

As a huge fan of M/M romances, this story hit all the right notes for me. The “fake relationship” trope is one of my favorites—and Jacob and Aaron’s chemistry made it anything but fake from the start! Their connection felt natural, tender, and undeniably steamy in the best slow-burn way.

What really added depth to the story was Aaron’s struggle with his overbearing father. While his dad was incredibly frustrating at times, it brought tension and emotional weight that made each romantic moment between Jacob and Aaron even more meaningful. Watching them fight not just for each other but also for their right to love openly made the payoff so satisfying.

Both characters were relatable and well-developed. Jacob’s charm was irresistible, and Aaron’s journey to self-acceptance was moving. Their shared history with a toxic ex could have driven them apart, but instead, it became something they worked through together—proving that the right person can help you heal, grow, and love again.

This was a sweet, heartfelt story with a beautiful message: true love can show up when you least expect it—and from the most unexpected person. I adored the happy ending, and I’m absolutely committed to reading the rest of this series. Why wouldn’t I? 😂

If you’re looking for a quick, emotionally rich M/M romance with lovable characters, just the right amount of drama, and a swoon-worthy HEA—Jacob is a must-read!
Profile Image for Manuela Molteni.
605 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (and a strong side-eye to Garrett)

Listen. I knew I was in trouble the moment I opened Jacob — the kind of glorious trouble that only Ariel Dawn and the deliciously chaotic Foxy’s Rent-A-Date universe can deliver. Once again, the queen of swoon and spice strikes with another MM romance that had me clutching my metaphorical pearls and flipping pages like a woman possessed.

Jacob is a heady mix of instant connection, simmering chemistry, and emotional depth that sneaks up on you in between the banter and the bedroom eyes. Aaron and Jacob’s story? Pure serotonin. It’s spontaneous, heartfelt, hot, and so achingly sincere that I found myself grinning like an idiot... until he showed up. Yes, Garrett. You absolute dumpster fire of a character — congratulations on earning a lifetime membership to the literary villains hall of shame.

But balance is everything, and Dawn knows how to play the cast game. The side characters? Absolute gems. Noah, Chris, Bella — I’d die for them. Or at least buy them a round and demand all their backstories immediately. Especially Noah. Especially.

Now, a formal complaint: Ariel, how dare you write a book so good I accidentally read the entire thing in one sitting? I turned off the light at 3:30AM, blurry-eyed, emotionally wrecked, and already in withdrawal. You owe me a coffee and Noah’s book. Stat.

In short: Jacob is a five-star date that turns into a full-on emotional sleepover. Bring snacks. And maybe cancel tomorrow’s plans.
Profile Image for Mikaela (risqué.romance).
411 reviews10 followers
August 7, 2025
Jacob - Ariel Dawn
5/5✨🌟

* MM
* Fake dating
* Opposites attract
* One bed

* SPOILERS *

“𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘴,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘺. “𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶…” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦. “𝘛𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨.” 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘭𝘺. “𝘚𝘰… 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘑𝘢𝘬𝘦? 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦?” 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘬𝘴.

I have to say that I absolutely loved this book so much. It definitely gives you Pretty Woman vibes. I wasn’t sure how this book was going to go but man, it made me all swoons on the inside. Aaron and Jacob just meshed well so perfectly.

I loved how these two just gravitated towards one another. Even though that Jacob worked as a professional dater and never allowed him to step further with a client, he couldn’t help himself to hen it came to Aaron. They were so cute. I really loved their first meet together and the way that Aaron spoiled him like he deserved was everything.

I cannot wait for the next book by the way as I feel that one is going to be epic. Also, I loved all the mentions of the other books that she wrote. I absolutely loved that so much. I now need to go ahead and read the other books in the series just from this book alone.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Babara-Anne.
1,733 reviews17 followers
August 14, 2025
SWEET, FUN AGE GAP FAKE DATING WITH ONE BED!💕

‘CAUSE I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE WHEN YOU WALKED IN’

Truer words were never spoken like the lyrics said regarding rent a date Jacob Riley 24 when it comes to renowned playboy and hotel chain heir- Aaron Everett 42!

A fake date organised by his cousin to impress his stoic work ethic father leads to so much more than Aaron Everett could have imagined!

It was a real Cruel Summer for Jacob Riley when he agreed to be a fake boyfriend for hire for Aaron Everett for a week to secure the CEO position in his father’s hotel business…

A true Love Story where two beautiful men were Enchanted with each other’s Gorgeous bodies, witty minds and sweet, gentle lonely souls…

What happens when the week is over will they just Shake it Off as a business transaction that lead to a fling or will they realise they are each others Wildest Dreams…

I loved their dynamic and smoking hot chemistry with an engaging page turning plot line… with depictions to Pretty Woman…

I enjoyed their story by this new to me author and enjoyed all the secondary characters, especially Jacob’s twin brother- Noah- whose story I look forward to next!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review l.
Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,123 reviews35 followers
August 4, 2025
Looking for his Pretty Woman moment

Jacob enjoys working for Foxy's but he really wants someone to love him. He takes dates for both men and women but he is definitely gay. When one of his regular customers books last min and tells him it's actually for someone else who is a man he is intrigued.

One conversation and Jacob wanted this man. He had never seen him but that audiobook voice was enough for him. The date is simple enough - make his family believe he is happy and settling down. The problem is there seems to be more there and that's dangerous.

I absolutely love the way this relationship comes about. Aaron was immediately interested in the man he found as his date. What he wasn't expecting was the immediate spark and desire he also found there. Most people are only interested in the money attached to his name but Jacob seems different....

The twist in there about one of the characters is fantastic. It added that big moment and piece that threatened everything and I loved it.

These two guys had amazing chemistry. The spice was perfect and was so genuine.

I loved the book name drops in this story and even more that I had read some of them.
Profile Image for L.
424 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2025
Jacob meets Aaron through one of his regular clients, someone who needs the boyfriend experience to convince his dad that he's ready to take over the family business. When his dad says that he needs all the candidates and their significant others to come on vacation with him before he decides, Jacob's boyfriend role has to last a whole week of family activities and throwing parties. Their relationship reality starts blurring the lines and it might be more real than it started.

If you are a Swiftie you will definitely get a kick out of this book, so many references, not just to the music playing or dancing to but just in the prose. Jacob and Aaron is unapologetically a Pretty Woman insipired story with many references and funny parallels. It was also great to see other stories intertwined when other ones in the series have just referenced a name, this one really has some in depth looks at characters in other books in the series so that was really cool. Good spice and healthy boundaries here. I thought it was kinda crazy to keep the secret with the Garrett situation and expect nothing to happen but other than that, a fun read.
Profile Image for Emily.
370 reviews16 followers
August 11, 2025
New to me author and let me just say, Ariel Dawn did not disappoint. I seriously loved the pretty woman twist in this book with Jacob getting his happily ever after in the end with Aaron. When one of Jacob's regulars sets up a date not for herself, but for a friend (a male one at that) and right from the beginning Aaron is all about spoiling him and really begins to fall for Jacob unexpectedly. It was really fun to see how well these two characters meshed with each other and just how every interaction, every conversation, every touch really strengthened their bond and connection and solidified just how right they were for each other. I was swooning from start to finish and just like the prior books in this series, I was jumping for joy by the end. I really do love how each book in this series works so well within the series but it something so different and unique to the series itself. I loved Jacob and Aaron's story and can't wait to see what comes next from Foxy and her revolving door of rent a dates.
Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
834 reviews22 followers
August 19, 2025
Jacob and Aaron’s chemistry was such a delight; snappy banter, slow-burn tension, and that perfect push-and-pull that keeps you hooked.

Jacob, the professional dater who’s never crossed the line with a client, meets Aaron, who needs a fake boyfriend to convince his family he’s not the playboy they think he is. What neither of them expected? That fake would turn into something very, very real.

I loved the way their relationship built over time, complicated by Aaron’s overbearing father. It stretched out the romance in a way that made every glance, touch, and moment between them feel earned. Jacob’s charm and Aaron’s struggle with family expectations made them both feel real and relatable. Bonus points for the fun indie book Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, I loved spotting them!

This series continues to be such a fun ride. Every installment adds something fresh, and Jacob’s story was no exception. Definitely one I’d recommend if you’re into fake dating, witty banter, and slow-burn MM romance with heart. I’m absolutely committed to seeing this series through to the end!
Profile Image for Em.
266 reviews4 followers
November 19, 2025
📚✨ Jacob by Ariel Dawn
⭐️5/5 | 🌶️3/5

Fake dating? Say less. Now, make one of the MMCs an employee for a “rent-a-boyfriend” company who gets hired to play Prince Charming? Yeah… I was hooked from page one.

The pop culture nods were everything: fun, flirty, and honestly made me fall for Jacob even harder.

And the spice? Whew. Ariel Dawn knows exactly how to heat things up without overshadowing the emotional pull of the story. I definitely caught myself fanning my face more than once. It was the perfect balance of blush-worthy and plot-driven.

The chemistry between the characters felt so real, with tension that hit just right and tenderness that made me melt. A few little twists kept things addictive, and before I knew it, I had devoured the whole thing.

If you love swoony romance, believable characters, fun references, and spice that’ll have you melting into your couch — Jacob is absolutely worth the read.

And yes… I’ll definitely be renting another date from this series.

💛 Reading Mood: craving a flirty, feel-good escape
Profile Image for Allison Comis.
866 reviews11 followers
August 8, 2025
This was the first book I’ve read by Ariel. I am loving this rent a date series. Each book is written by different authors. This one did not disappoint. Jacob worked for Foxy with his twin brother Noah. Jacob had a regular customer named Bella. They ended up being really good friends. She rented him often. Her neighbor Chris asked her for a favor. She knew she was friends with Jacob. His cousin Aaron needed a date for a family event. Bella had already booked Jacob for that night so if he agreed she would give his spot to Aaron. He did agree and they had a great night. They went their separate ways after that until his father asked where his boyfriend was. He made something up but his father asked him to get Jacob to come to the beach house for the week with the whole family. Aaron asked Jacob to meet up and he presented the offer. Jacob accepted and this is where things got interesting. Loved it.
Profile Image for April Flores.
165 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2025
ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Aaron is in desperate need of a date so he hires Jacob for the day. His parents expect him to settle down and get married especially if he wants to take over the company after his father retires. Jacob is very popular at Foxy’s Rent A Date job but since the money is good and his good friend Bella is asking he agrees. What both don’t expect is instant attraction and chemistry. What starts out to be fake and a job becomes way more.
I enjoyed the whole pretty woman vibes. And Jacob’s love for Taylor Swift. But I felt that in some areas it was repetitive. His love for Taylor Swift was practically mentioned all the time. His client and friendship towards Bella was explained a lot when I don’t think it was that necessary. And the whole Garrett thing was explained/mentioned a lot by both when I felt it wasn’t needed.
I enjoyed the whole age gap, one bed trope. I loved Jacob and it did kept me wanting more and now I’m curious about Jacob’s twin Noah.
298 reviews8 followers
September 15, 2025
Jacob is the fifth edition to the Foxy's Rent-A-Date shared world. It is a quick read, Age Gap, MM Romance with a mild amount of spice and a sweet plot.

Are you looking for a predictable, yet sweet and comfortable quick escape from the real world? Then I would definitely recommend Jacob to you. I found this to be a well written and easy to read. The plot flow was smooth, timelines made sense. I appreciated the pop culture references used to denote the age differences. The characters were likeable. I could tell the author put in effort trying to give the main characters depth. Jacob and Aaron definitely have more than one layer to their personalities, but I felt they could have been more, possibly because most of their layers were stereotypical and predictable. I did love the chemistry between Jacob and Aaron, they complimented each other well.

Overall this was a fun and quick read, with a cute MM Age Gap Romance and fun pop culture references.
Profile Image for KB.
267 reviews23 followers
August 16, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from GRR for my fair and honest review.

Jacob is an adorable romance novel and Taylor Swift fanatic, former strip club dancer, current date-for-hire. Aaron is rich, ambitious, and resourceful and desperate to finally take his rightful position in his father’s company. The passing resemblance to Pretty Woman is not overlooked by our eponymous MC as it comes up not infrequently.

It starts out cute enough with enough heat between our MCs. We have our tried and true age gap trope, along with fake relationship and only one bed. However, miscommunication after crossed-communication start to play on our MCs anxieties. I can maybe excuse our 24yo Jacob; however, Aaron at 42 ought to have better communication skills. I mean at one point Aaron makes Jacob promise to talk when something bothers him.

The crisis was telegraphed so far in advance that the actual moment felt predictable and tedious and the story devolves from there. Even the eventual HEA was anti-climactic.

I’ve also never read a book in this genre that name-dropped other books so heavily,including several self-inserts by the author. It was funny the second time, but got heavy-handed rather quickly.

My ARC source asks that we not critique the book on any formatting issues or typos; however, this issues with this book are so egregious and progressively worsened, it needs to go back to scratch with regards to proofreading. It was so bad I was constantly getting pulled from the story trying to figure out who was speaking.

It has promise. It just needs more work to get there. It’s currently putting too much weight on the Foxy series name to carry it.
Profile Image for Victoria Shelton.
1,034 reviews14 followers
August 11, 2025
This couple..omg! I couldn’t put it down. Millionaire hires Rent a Date Jacob to help him secure his CEO position in his family business but comes out of with so much more. Jacob signs on to help give the Prince Charming experience so Aaron’s family believes their fake relationship and ends up falling in love with him even though he’s holding a big secret. The relationship is took a step further when Aaron’s father has his “CEO” choices come to their beach house to help him decide who he will be his successor. I love how even though they started out as a one night thing turned into a beautiful pretty woman experience at the very end with him showing up to tell Jacob he doesnt want anything else but his love and everything else is trivial. Fake dating, one bed, opposite attract for the win! Oh ya,

I need Noah’s story ASAP! Omg the cliff for his brothers story.
352 reviews
August 15, 2025
I’m a sucker for the fake boyfriend trope and the rich man/poorer man dynamic, so I was ecstatic to find both in one book. Jake is adorable, with just the right amount of sass, and he and Aaron complemented each other beautifully. Watching their fairytale unfold was a joy—these two well-written characters truly shined. The story was further enriched by some intriguing secondary characters I’m eager to learn more about.

I also appreciated the inclusion of a nasty ex to stir up drama. The connection in this case was unexpected and added a unique twist. The unraveling didn’t disappoint, though I would’ve loved to see how the fiasco fully played out—I’m all about that sweet, satisfying comeuppance. I want to know what happened after.

It was rewarding to see Jake and Aaron realize their wildest dreams and earn their HEA.
Profile Image for Nadia Hinojosa.
404 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2025
s book is part of Foxy’s Rent-A-Date series. Each book is written by a different and amazing author. I love reading collaborative series like this because it introduces me to new authors like Ariel Dawn.
This story was beautiful! To be honest, this story brought tears to my eyes. The MMCs, their backstories, their trauma and their fears. It was a beautiful Prince Charming story and I ate it up with a big spoon! Their love story was swoon-worthy! And the drama was so good! And that red herring she left in the story…(IYKYK)
Thank you, Ariel Dawn, for an amazing introduction into your book world! I am excited to check out your catalogue of books. I also cannot wait to see who is next in the Foxy’s series. Is it the twin brother…?
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