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Operation Boyfriend: An MM fake dating romantic comedy
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26Sharing a king-sized bed while maintaining some personal boundaries? Check.
Convincing his family they're madly in love? Easy.
Ignoring their sizzling chemistry? Impossible.
Dean Hollis has a plan to survive his sister's tropical destination invent a boyfriend so his mom will stop worrying about his perpetually single status. The only problem? Now he needs an actual date.
Enter Taylan Carter—charming, gorgeous, and in need of a vacation he can't afford. When Dean offers him a deal—pretend to be Dean's boyfriend for a week on a private tropical island in exchange for an all-expenses-paid luxury getaway—how can Tay refuse?
But between sunset swims, probing family questions, and a rival trying to steal his fake boyfriend, Tay's finding it harder and harder to remember this is all just pretend. And as for Dean, the workaholic American surgeon with walls higher than the hospital where they both work? He's discovering that keeping things professional with Tay might be the one operation he can't successfully complete…
One desperate lie. One luxury resort. One very real attraction. Operation Boyfriend is a delicious fake-dating romance that whisks you away to a luxurious tropical resort where stolen kisses feel a little too real. If you’re looking for the perfect beach read, this book is for you.
Readers LOVE Zarah
“Sweet and snarky with sexual chemistry that sizzles! Their hard fought HEA was so satisfying all while feeling so real.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you are a fan of KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, or Everina Maxwell, you should absolutely read this book. If you are just a fan of romances that squeeze your heart in the best way, you should absolutely read this book!... the banter is hilarious. I adored this, beginning to end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book was fantastic. I did not expect to laugh and cry and appreciate my friendships so damn much! I don't think there was a single emotion this book didn't evoke in me.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Zarah really knows how to give us all the feels. This one had them all. The characters are fully developed and her writing is top notch. If you are a fan of MM romance, then you'll love this book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Swoon-worthy. I will be rereading this over and over again.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love all of Zarah’s books, but this just might be my new favorite. It had all the feels, was super well written, and rewarding from cover to cover. Loved it!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Convincing his family they're madly in love? Easy.
Ignoring their sizzling chemistry? Impossible.
Dean Hollis has a plan to survive his sister's tropical destination invent a boyfriend so his mom will stop worrying about his perpetually single status. The only problem? Now he needs an actual date.
Enter Taylan Carter—charming, gorgeous, and in need of a vacation he can't afford. When Dean offers him a deal—pretend to be Dean's boyfriend for a week on a private tropical island in exchange for an all-expenses-paid luxury getaway—how can Tay refuse?
But between sunset swims, probing family questions, and a rival trying to steal his fake boyfriend, Tay's finding it harder and harder to remember this is all just pretend. And as for Dean, the workaholic American surgeon with walls higher than the hospital where they both work? He's discovering that keeping things professional with Tay might be the one operation he can't successfully complete…
One desperate lie. One luxury resort. One very real attraction. Operation Boyfriend is a delicious fake-dating romance that whisks you away to a luxurious tropical resort where stolen kisses feel a little too real. If you’re looking for the perfect beach read, this book is for you.
Readers LOVE Zarah
“Sweet and snarky with sexual chemistry that sizzles! Their hard fought HEA was so satisfying all while feeling so real.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you are a fan of KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, or Everina Maxwell, you should absolutely read this book. If you are just a fan of romances that squeeze your heart in the best way, you should absolutely read this book!... the banter is hilarious. I adored this, beginning to end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book was fantastic. I did not expect to laugh and cry and appreciate my friendships so damn much! I don't think there was a single emotion this book didn't evoke in me.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Zarah really knows how to give us all the feels. This one had them all. The characters are fully developed and her writing is top notch. If you are a fan of MM romance, then you'll love this book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Swoon-worthy. I will be rereading this over and over again.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love all of Zarah’s books, but this just might be my new favorite. It had all the feels, was super well written, and rewarding from cover to cover. Loved it!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- GenresRomance
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 12, 2026
2 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Zarah Detand
21 books443 followersWriter of M/M romances. Chaos monkey. Coffee snob. Cheese is her love language.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun book! It’s a shorter MM romance, but it never felt rushed or lacking and everything I wanted from the story was there, just without any filler.
The fake dating trope was done so well. Dean needing a boyfriend for his sister’s tropical wedding and Tay being the perfect (and very willing) solution set this up for peak chaos and chemistry right from the start. And honestly, putting two overworked medical professionals in a fake relationship with built-in proximity was the best way to cause a spiral.
What really stood out to me was how natural their relationship felt. The progression from coworkers → fake boyfriends → something real was smooth and believable, especially with their busy schedules constantly pulling them in different directions. It made those quieter, more personal moments hit even harder.
Also, their dynamic was top tier. They’re both sarcastic, a little sharp around the edges, but genuinely sweet underneath it all. The banter had me smiling the whole time, and the chemistry absolutely delivered because it was flirty, tense, and yes, very spicy when it needed to be.
I also appreciated that the conflict stayed pretty low angst. There’s a bit of tension toward the end, but nothing overly dramatic or drawn out, which honestly fit the tone of the story perfectly. It kept things light with a summer vibe and was super bingeable.
This felt like the perfect beach read because it is fun, romantic, a little indulgent, and easy to get lost in. It was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zarah Detand, and Storm Publishing for the eARC of this book.
The fake dating trope was done so well. Dean needing a boyfriend for his sister’s tropical wedding and Tay being the perfect (and very willing) solution set this up for peak chaos and chemistry right from the start. And honestly, putting two overworked medical professionals in a fake relationship with built-in proximity was the best way to cause a spiral.
What really stood out to me was how natural their relationship felt. The progression from coworkers → fake boyfriends → something real was smooth and believable, especially with their busy schedules constantly pulling them in different directions. It made those quieter, more personal moments hit even harder.
Also, their dynamic was top tier. They’re both sarcastic, a little sharp around the edges, but genuinely sweet underneath it all. The banter had me smiling the whole time, and the chemistry absolutely delivered because it was flirty, tense, and yes, very spicy when it needed to be.
I also appreciated that the conflict stayed pretty low angst. There’s a bit of tension toward the end, but nothing overly dramatic or drawn out, which honestly fit the tone of the story perfectly. It kept things light with a summer vibe and was super bingeable.
This felt like the perfect beach read because it is fun, romantic, a little indulgent, and easy to get lost in. It was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zarah Detand, and Storm Publishing for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last! I enjoyed this book so much! Dean is a cardio thoracic surgeon who needs a fake date/boyfriend for his sister’s tropical wedding. Enter Tay, surgical resident who desperately needs a vacation (and has a crush on Dean). These 2 spend the next couple months getting to know each other amid their hectic work schedules and by the time the wedding comes along, feelings have started to develop. The way their relationship develops felt very realistic. They’re both snarky, sarcastic and sweet! The chemistry between them was palpable and the banter was fantastic!!!! And SO spicy!! There was a small conflict at the end but was a relatively low angst story! I definitely look forward to the next one!
🖤 Surgeon/Surgical Resident
🩺 Fake Relationship
🖤 Only One Bed
🩺 Low Angst
🖤 Surgeon/Surgical Resident
🩺 Fake Relationship
🖤 Only One Bed
🩺 Low Angst
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A really enjoyable m/m contemporary romance. Light, but not too fluffy. Sweet and sexy and good-hearted, like the main characters. And their lovely, supportive family and friends. It would have been nice to see Tay with his family earlier, too, and get more depth to him.
It's a little slow getting started, but when they finally leave on the big vacation, it goes by fast..
Overall a good read!
It's a little slow getting started, but when they finally leave on the big vacation, it goes by fast..
Overall a good read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC to review!
Romance books are not my favorite genre but this book was good, a bit spicy for me though. If you love MM romance books with a bit of spicy you will love this one though!
Romance books are not my favorite genre but this book was good, a bit spicy for me though. If you love MM romance books with a bit of spicy you will love this one though!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews