Playboy For Hire

by Spencer Spears

Rule #1: Don’t fall for your client.

This shouldn’t be that hard. As the resident playboy at Heartbreakers Anonymous, I’ll be your perfect wedding date, but I keep it strictly professional. And I’m straight, so it’s not like I’m interested in Quinn, my first gay client.

Rule #2. Don’t crash your client’s other dates.

No matter how nerdy and adorable Quinn is. No matter how much he could use the confidence boost. No matter how badly I want to see him again. But it’s so damn hard to keep myself away.

Rule #3: Don’t sleep over at Quinn’s house.

Whoops.

Rule #4: Don’t crawl into his bed at night.

Too late.

Rule #5: Don’t kiss him, and discover you’re not as straight as you think.

Umm, about that…

Rule #6: Definitely don’t sleep with him.

So…

Rule #7: Whatever you do, don’t fall in love.

These are the rules I’m supposed to live by. But Quinn turns everything upside down. I swore off dating years ago, but he makes me yearn for something more. He doesn’t believe I want him. How can I convince him my feelings are real? Finding our happily ever after won’t be easy. Luckily, I’ve got a rule of my

If you do fall in love with your client, don’t ever let him go.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, College, Fake Dating, Contemporary, LGBT, Gay For You

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2024

About the author

Spencer Spears writes LGBTQ+ stories that are snarky, sweet, and will break your heart in all the best ways. Spencer believes we all deserve to write our own happy endings. When not at the computer, Spencer can be found gardening, knitting, or curled up with a good book. Visit www.spencerspears.com for free books, updates, and more.

Reviews

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

paid date
friends to lovers
bi awakening
self doubt
self esteem issues
funny older side characters
not so great parents

[mich ⚘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love, love, loooove the fake dating trope so much and was very much having fun with this book right up until the final act. I actually normally love a good miscommunication trope but this was just zero communication, an immature mindset and then also blaming the other ML for being upset implying this is why they aren’t allowed to date clients. And, THEN declaring his love for the other ml after the heartbreak and frustration he had caused. It really made me not even care about their happy ending whatsoever. So, sadly, this was just not a win for me.

[Monikat · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF @45% but I'm rating it because I read enough to know that it's a good story and very well written. Everything is inventive and has parts that I've never encountered in books before.
The reason I'm putting the book down has to do with my tastes, I don't really enjoy awkwardness in bi awakenings and here, a few of the choices made just frustrated me. (miscommunication)
Otherwise, we have two opposites attracting which is a very well ingrained part of the book.
Spencer Spears adds a lot of fun to her writing and I will definitely be checking out more of her books

[haletostilinski]

DNF @33%

Sorry to say, but I just wasn't clicking with this one. Soon on into this I just want to be reading something else, doing something else, just...anything other than reading this. It started okay, but I soon just felt off with this. In large part because of Quinn and his whole character. He just really started to annoy me.

I get his insecurities and not being able to believe others when they give him a compliment, for sure. But his attitude toward Ryder anyway just was off for me. He just assumed a lot of Ryder's intentions and didn't allow him to explain himself and I just pretty soon wanted to not be reading this.

I didn't click with this and wanting so intensely to not be reading this, even as a tried to trudge on (and start skimming thereafter) told me all I needed to know. I don't often get this feeling of wanting to DNF so badly, but when it does come along, I've started to try and listen to it more often. Especially when I'm going on two days now and only got a third into the book.

So yeah, DNF it is. Sorry to this book, I'm sure it's perfectly fine. It's just not for me 🤷‍♀️

[Megz · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Got about 80-86% of the way through. Couldn’t get over the miscommunications and the misunderstandings and the overall just lack of logic sometimes. I know they were both men who had huge self esteem issues but at some point I was just tired of them constantly battling because of some perceived slight. Not for me.

[Kayla 🐼 · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

This was cute and funny. Ryder and Quinn had a funny first meet, and they developed a friendship that eventually led to more. They had their ups and downs, sometimes their issues felt frustratingly over the top, but they persevered and fought to be with each other. Although, the ending felt unfinished and more like a HFN. At the very least, Ryder’s future employment should’ve been addressed more in depth. It’s quickly addressed in the bonus scene, but I’m a firm believer in not having to sign up for bonus scenes to get final answers to a story. This story very heavily hinted at him being able to be a personal shopper, so I feel as though that angle should’ve been explored more. Also, the issue with Brandon isn’t thoroughly resolved, it was essentially left at being okay with Julie marrying a cheater and that’s not cool. Overall, it was a good story but the ending felt somewhat unsatisfying.

[Emily Chapman · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd at 32%

I loved the first chapter of the book and had high hopes, but was put off as soon as the MCs meet. I feel like this book was meant to be about Quinn not understanding that he's a catch and he needs Ryder to show him that. But honestly? Quinn really is undateable, just not for the reasons he thinks. Quinn is insufferable. He's convinced that no one could love him for his looks, so he feels the need to point out how ugly he is constantly, almost seeming like he's fishing for compliments, only to go nuclear if someone dares compliment him because he just has dozens of people all in cahoots to try and boost his self esteem 🙄 but also for someone pissed that everyone supposedly only cares about looks, he really loves to focus on how hot everyone else is. Could you imagine trying to go on a date with someone who would not shut up about how ugly, boring and worthless of a relationship they are?

Not to mention he hires Ryder to be his boyfriend and then acts like a literal child when Ryder pretends to be his boyfriend. It's giving emotional whiplash and hard work.

There's nothing wrong with writing a character who has insecurities or low self esteem, because that's a realistic trait for a lot of people. It's the lack of self awareness from Quinn that was killing me - he was coming across like an incel who blames their lack of girlfriend on women being shallow and not the fact they're a raging misogynist

[Britney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like Quinn and Ryder were mentally teenagers. There were sooo many times one of them would get offended for some reason, but not explain, leaving the other in the dark until the one who supposedly did the wrong came crawling back begging for forgiveness. Despite all the external issues, the author seemed to prioritize the (unnecessary) lack of communication as a huge issue in their relationship, and therefore the entire book. There were honestly much larger issues the author brought up but for some mysterious reason decided not to solve those issues. Why even bring it up then? 🤔 It makes zero sense that Brandon, Quinn's ex, was never punished for being a liar and a cheater. Especially considering the person being lied to was close to Quinn. It makes no sense that Ryder's small minded parents made an appearance, caused a ruckus, and then just disappeared for the rest of the book. And it makes no sense that Ryder struggled with finding employment after college and by the end of the book, he still hadn't 100% decided what he wanted to do. So many problems, but the author didn't do anything with them.

I also feel as though the relationship happened too quickly and even if it was supposed to be quick, it wasn't even BELIEVABLY quick. The author tried to make it seem as if this was a friends to lovers but in actuality the couple were barely friends before getting intimate. In fact, they got intimate after meeting for the 4th time. On two of those occasions, the meetings went terribly. Yet somehow, Ryder who's never been with a man can't get Quinn out of his mind and is initiating things with Quinn, while also telling Quinn he doesn't do relationships. He didn't know what he wanted. Quinn didn't know what he wanted. I didn't know what he wanted. It was all so confusing.

Then when Ryder finally did decide to COMMUNICATE with Quinn and tell him his feelings the book ended 30pgs later. That means I spent this entire book enduring poor communication, insecurities all around, and problems with no solution. I'm not even sure I could even give this book 3 stars because it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't even worth rating as "okay" or "average".

[Bethany Chastain · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Ryder. Ryder works for Heartbreakers Anonymous, a service that provides dates, fake boyfriends, etc for clients that don't mind paying a pretty penny for the privilege. He just finished a disastrous wedding when he gets a text that he's got another client: a woman named Quinn who needs him for her grandparents' anniversary party.

When Ryder shows up to meet Quinn, he's shocked to find that Quinn is a man. A tall, thin, strikingly beautiful man with glasses and a large birthmark on his cheek. Quinn obviously has self esteem issues, and when the two men get over their initial awkwardness about Quinn's gender, Ryder agrees that he can pretend to be queer for the night and be Quinn's date.

The biggest issue is the fact that Brandon, Quinn's douche of an ex, is going to be there because he's now dating Quinn's cousin, Julia. Quinn was always Brandon's dirty little secret, and their horrible breakup just made Quinn's confidence and self worth even worse.

Ryder doesn't see what Quinn sees. To Ryder, Quinn is smart, gorgeous, accomplished, and sweet. Ryder sees himself as a failure, a disappointment, unable to find a good job in his field or hold down a relationship. He knows that nobody takes him seriously, and even when he starts to feel something more for Quinn, he dismisses the notion. Someone like Quinn could not possibly be happy with him. He's just not good enough.

Aww poor sweet clueless Ryder. I really liked this story and the fact that two really different guys embraced their differences and discovered they were stronger together. I really hope there are subsequent books! I'd love to know what happens to Ryder's roomies and Quinn's BFF.

Rating 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Sara Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. Ryder was a shitty MMC. I understand he had a hang-up about being an idiot but that doesn't give him the right to treat Quinn like garbage. He gave me fucking whiplash.
Also, Ryder continued his job of dating other people even kissing them while fucking around with Quinn. (Sorry, not my Jam)
Don't get me wrong Quinn also said things that weren't great either.

Side note: Quinn doesn't even get justice! His ex of 6 months, Brandon, cheated on him for 3 months with his cousin(Now engaged)!!! He also had the balls to come back in the picture after the engagement and try to get Quinn to be his side piece.


Shitty things
Example 1: Ryder fucking around with Quinn and then ghosting him the next morning with a note.
"Early class, had to go. Last night was fun, but probably be a one-time thing. See ya. —R

Example 2: Ryder then continues to mess around with Quinn, eventually he fucks him. The next morning Quinn slips out to get coffee and comes back only to get dumped.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, looking shocked. “Mmm jstgf kva fss,” I said, then realized I still had the biscotti in my mouth. I removed it and tried again. “I got some coffee for us,” I said, holding the top cup out to him. “Here, this one’s yours.”
Ryder stared at the cup but didn’t take it. Then his eyes flashed back to mine. His expression was full of regret. “When I didn’t see you this morning, I thought you’d left.” He winced, looking all most apologetic. “I wish you had.”

A week later Quinn walks into a bar and sees Ryder kissing his date.
Poor Quinn

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good opposites attract MM romance😊

4.5🌟stars
I really liked this pairing, how their relationship develops by fits and starts, and the D.C. locale. I don't tend to look for novels set in Washington, D.C. because the plots are often heavy on politicians. Not this one, though there is an ex who breaks things off because he doesn't think being with a man would help his nascent political aspirations. Otherwise, the story is nicely settled on introvert law librarian Quinn and Ryder, the handsome, outgoing business major college student who fake dates for hire to cover his expenses.

I liked both guys and the handling of their less than ideal relationships with certain family members. Each also has some insecurities to overcome. And then there were some odd dates and conspiracy theorists that added humor. Ryder starts out as hetero and then, after his paid dating engagement with Quinn to a family anniversary party, starts the move to bi. I also liked the balance of romance and steam and the use of secondary characters like Aunt Thea and her friends to add some chaos, humor, and matchmaking mojo.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a chance with Playboy for Hire by Spencer Spears since I am not usually a fan of books about escorts, but Ryder changed my mind! He is the stereotypical jock, getting by on looks and charisma. But he is not at all unidimensional. He is seriously concerned about his job prospects, which turns out to be complicated. It was so much fun watching him develop and realize he is a good person. The other main character is Quinn, who also has issues with his view of himself, while for very different reasons. I can’t remember the last time I read a book where both the MCs viewed themselves through warped lenses. As is true for many people, the blame is the same for both of them. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and helped the MCs on their path to self-realization and HEA as well as with a healthy dose of humor. The setting in D.C. also added richness to the book. I am so glad the author is back after a hiatus of three years! They go back on my auto buy list. I received an advance review copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Oof! Ryder and Quinn each have some deep insecurities and it takes them a while to overcome them enough to believe that the other could really want to be with them. But the journey there is fun to read. They have an interesting dynamic: at first they each seem to both delight and then completely rub each other the wrong way. But their attraction and fascination with each other keeps them coming back together until they finally figure things out. I found it fascinating that at different times, they each say the exact same thing to each other about not being able to see themselves clearly.

Ryder’s bisexual awakening is taken so much in stride it almost seems pointless to have made him unaware of it to begin with. I guess it serves as an obstacle in the beginning, but then it just never is an issue again. Which is cool, in a way.

The side characters are really fun—especially Quinn’s aunt Thea and her friends. They have great humor and banter.

I’m already looking forward to the next book!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading Spencer’s books for years, and have enjoyed watching their writing develop. This is their first published book in 3 years and it is totally up to their standard. Thematically it’s rich – not just a hire-a-date scenario, but two men with ample reasons to be shy of relationships, unable to get out of their own ways to enjoy the friendship, and then more, that’s right there in front of them. I’d deduct a half-star because it felt like maybe one too many miscommunication/misinterpretation/storming away scenes, but overall I felt like that was balanced by knowing why Quinn was so reluctant to believe in himself, and why Ryder was more shocked to find himself in a relationship at all, than that it was with a guy. I wouldn’t call them tragic heroes, but they certainly were lucky to find each other – and that fate gave them both a little nudge. What a lovely and uplifting story!

[BMO · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like Quinn. I'm sorry, but I just found him so mean. And Ryder was so immature. Like I know his whole thing was that people only cared about his looks and thought him an idiot...but he really did a lot of idiotic things. And Quinn had such a chip on his shoulder. And I understand maybe he had reasons to, but he took it out on Quinn a lot, even when you can CLEARLY see that Quinn's intentions were just. I just didn't think they actually liked each other and saw nothing to justify them falling in love with each other. They didn't even actually DATE other than their first fake one, and they only had that one cute scene, but Quinn was angry/ignoring Ryder for half that date. Just...no. I honestly don't know why i didn't dnf.

Also, the old ladies were just annoying.

P 2/5
E 1/5
A 2/5
C 0/5
H 0/5
5/5 1 star

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a Spencer Spears fan for many many years, so naturally I was more than excited for the first book in a good while - and I’m happy I hung on. Playboy for Hire has an akward, intellectual MC, Quinn, who ends up hiring Ryder for a family event. These two end up becoming friends at a time when Ryder actually really needs a friend. Like Spears’ other works, there is an amazing supporting cast especially Aunt Thea and her crazy friends. It’s an overall easy read that kept me entertained. I felt for these two - and had a chuckle or two along the way. Can’t wait to see what Spears brings us next.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryder works for a dating agency. He gets hired to take Quinn to an upcoming family dinner. Quinn's family wants him settled down & he's feels like he's not boyfriend material. His aunt hires the agency to get him a date for the evening. Ryder & Quinn meet, Ryder thinking Quinn's a girl almost backs out, but since there is no intimacy involved decides to help Quinn. They go on outings till the big day to get to know each other. The writing made me feel as Ryder & Quinn got to know each other they learnt about themselves through another person's eyes that they are more worthy than they think. I was offered a review copy & this is my honest opinion.

[SandyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn and Ryder are not perfect - they make huge mistakes in social situations, they struggle with a lot of self-doubt, and their families and exes haven’t necessarily helped. That said, they are obviously good together if they could just sort their baggage down to carry-on. Full disclosure: I usually hate books where just communicating would fix it all, but Spears does a great job of showing just why these two may not feel that’s an option. Lots of walls here, and watching them tumble down is both funny and immensely satisfying. Glad to have this author back.

[Kaylee Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryder and Quinn gave me ALL the feels. There were moments that made me laugh so hard I cried, and moments that left me choked up. The way the characters are written makes you feel their emotions, their insecurities, their fears and hopes and joy. Of course, when the story gives you such a deep connection to the characters, it also means the spicy scenes feel extra spicy!

Playboy For Hire has plenty of sweetness, humor, self-discovery, heat, and sassy old ladies who love to meddle in all the best ways! Highly recommended.

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 MCs with self-esteem problems and proof that not only the lack of self-esteem has to do with the physical part. Ryder is an escort, but his self-esteem problem is on an intellectual level while Quinn is on a physical level. Both think that the other can do better.
With the precious help of Quinn's aunt and her friends, Ryder and Quinn are forced to face their problems and their feelings.
These two were adorable as they began falling for one another and the way Ryder crash Quinn’s dates is hilarious.
I missed Spencer Spears books, and this is an absolute gem as always.

[Modwena Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for a new Spencer Spears book and this didn't disappoint. Quinn is dreading coming face to face with his secret ex at a family event so his meddling great aunt decides he needs a boyfriend for hire. Ryder fits the bill. I loved the dynamic between the two men, both are so kind hearted but not looking for a relationship, especially since Ryder is straight. The side characters of the aunt and her nursing home mates really add to the fun.

[E.Muddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super sweet fake dating romance with two loveable MCs. Both Ryder and Quinn have major insecurities and their characters are well fleshed it’s easy to connect with them. They’re both kind hearted and so easy to love, I adored them! And Aunt Thea and her friends are a riot, adding the perfect blend of humour into the story. My only wish would be for an epilogue because I always feel books end too abruptly for me without them. Overall, an enjoyable and swoonworthy story.

[Tanya Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer made Quinn and Ryder work for it. I sometimes wanted to pull my hair out. Quinn with no one will ever find me attractive or love me because I have a birthmark on my right cheek. Ryder with his I'm only a pretty face; I'm dumb as a sack of rocks. Get over yourselves. It takes a trio of octogenarians to get them to pull their collective heads out of their behinds. Liked the pacing and the side characters especially Tessa. Brandon is a tool.

[Tanya Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer made Quinn and Ryder work for it. I sometimes wanted to pull my hair out. Quinn with no one will ever find me attractive or love me because I have a birthmark on my right cheek. Ryder with his I'm only a pretty face; I'm dumb as a sack of rocks. Get over yourselves. It takes a trio of octogenarians to get them to pull their collective heads out of their behinds. Liked the pacing and the side characters especially Tessa. Brandon is a tool.

[Flavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro é divertido, gostei bastante. Gostei que ele lida com as inseguranças de ambos, onde um tem uma fraqueza, o outro é forte e por isso é difícil pra eles se entenderem. Senti que ficou faltando uma conclusão melhor para os pais do Ryder, mas não me incomodou no todo, faz sentido que eles só continuaram como eram. Senti que a autora tinha dado uma sumida com a família do Quinn, mas pelo menos a Thea voltou ali no final.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly, I gave up on this one partway through. I just low-key hated Quinn and I couldn’t quite figure out what Ryder saw in him. Every single conversation seem to spin into an argument, and while Ryder kept saying that he found Quinn fascinating, nothing on the page made that believable. I think a lot of of this made more sense in the author’s head and they are normally very good conveying everything on the page, it just didn’t land this time.

[Lisa Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story about learning to see the good in yourself. Ryder and Quinn both had similar internal struggles, and I loved watching them help each other. The side characters were great, especially Aunt Thea and her friends. I wish there was an epilogue, though, since it felt the story ended a bit abruptly.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryder works at Heartbreakers Anonymous, a dating service, and ends up with Quinn as a customer. Ryder is attracted to Quinn and is confused by his feelings. Quinn has several issues, to include a lack of self-confidence and a terrible ex. There interactions are hilarious, lacking in communication, and endearing. The line of fake date and relationship are blurred adding to the confusion.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn and Ryder were the most exasperating but loveable couple I've encountered in a long time. It was obvious where their hearts were heading to anyone with a brain, but they had to fumble through it on their own in their own time. I've read a lot from Spears and this one had such a deft touch that even the over-the-top scenes were funny, warm, and just right. Read this one now.

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryder works for Heartbreakers Anonymous, He hs rules to follow and to live by however, when he meets Quinn things change.
Quinn needs a date to his grandparents anniversary celebration. Quinn and Ryder hit it off right away.
They are really sweet together however insecrurities get in the way before they get their HEA.