Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Devon Memorial #1

Operation Boyfriend

Rate this book
Sharing 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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Zarah Detand

20 books463 followers
Writer 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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
121 (28%)
4 stars
217 (50%)
3 stars
76 (17%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
Profile Image for GCR | Book Realm.
215 reviews42 followers
Read
April 17, 2026
I received this audiobook through NetGalley.

Operation Boyfriend was a sweet contemporary MM romance and overall a solid read. Dean and Tay were both very likable, which made it easy to stay invested in their story, and the pacing worked well overall for a quick read.

This was an easy story to get into, and the chemistry between Dean and Tay gave it that light, sweet feel that made it enjoyable. A few parts did feel a little more drawn out than they needed to, but not enough to take away from the story completely.

Overall, this was a cute, enjoyable, solid read.
Profile Image for Liralen.
3,504 reviews294 followers
May 15, 2026
To get his family off his case about dating, Dean needs to produce a semi-serious boyfriend as his date to his sister's wedding—except he's very single and doesn't have the time or inclination for a relationship right now. And Tay could really use a vacation—except he doesn't have the cash to spare. A meddling mutual friend sees an opportunity for both of them...and soon they're plotting a fake relationship for the ages.

This was 1) fluff and 2) adorable. I'm kind of (and by kind of I mean very) over the reduction of romance novels to TikTik-friendly tropes (in this case, mostly #fakedating and #onebed), but I genuinely appreciate the way the fake dating part of things plays out here. To start with, Dean and Tay go into this with clear expectations and a lot of prep work. They're doctors, so they're well versed in studying, and they're determined to do this right; they know that to pull this off they need a level of knowledge about and comfort with each other well before the wedding. And what that means is that by the time the wedding trip rolls around, well into the book, they already know each other pretty well and, better, like each other as people and not just as strangers who are (surprise! except not actually a surprise here) sharing a bed.

The conflict is relatively mild and realistic (no evil villains!); aside from their own hang-ups, Dean and Tay need to consider the fact that they have different seniority levels at the hospital, and gossip could have serious implications for their careers. It's not over-dramatic, which was really nice. Ooh, also, there's very good banter.

Solid beach read; would read more.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,611 reviews509 followers
May 12, 2026
Operation Boyfriend by Zarah Detand
Contemporary diverse M-M romance. LGBTQ.
Doctor Dean Hollis needs a plus-one for his sister’s destination wedding. A co-worker sets him up with Taylan Cartel, who Dean has already met. There are sparks as they meet for coffee and agree to pretend to be a couple in the high end resort. They just have to get their stories straight. And not let anyone in the hospital know about their relationship. And sleep in the same room, same bed at the resort. And fool everyone at the wedding that they really are a couple.
What could go wrong?

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Jamie Day. An excellent performance, I really thought it was two different narrators until I double checked. Specific voices for the two MC’s plus a few of the secondary characters. Emotions were clearly heard.

These two just fit together. Opposite in some ways, the same in others. Emotional, steamy, and enjoyable.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
Profile Image for Leticia&#x1f33b;.
361 reviews20 followers
April 28, 2026
Operation Boyfriend is MM fake dating, workplace romance featuring Dean and Tay. Dean is a workaholic doctor whose top priority has always been his patients; Tay is a resident doctor who is doing his residency work at the same hospital where Dean works. Dean's family is aware of his workaholic tendencies and is always asking him about his dating life; in order to appease his family, Dean lies to his family that he has a boyfriend and will be bringing him to his sister's wedding. The problem is... Dean does not have a date to the wedding. Dean enlists his good friend to find him someone who will be willing to be his fake boyfriend for this wedding abroad. Tay, who is busy trying to survive medical school and in dire need for some time off, agrees to be Dean's fake boyfriend.

The audiobook was very entertaining, loved how Tay's cheerful personality brought Dean out of his shell. The chemistry between Dean and Tay was fantastic; Dean's family was hilarious and the story was very wholesome. Such a perfect read for the spring/summer season.

Thank you Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ami.
6,322 reviews487 followers
May 17, 2026
4.25 stars

Fake relationship isn't usually one of my favorite romance tropes. HOWEVER, Zarah Detand absolutely made it work for me here.

Yes, there's the fake boyfriend setup - but there's also an actual PLOT and a relationship that develops naturally alongside it. Dean and Taylan are reintroduced through a mutual friend, and they slowly become friends first. They spend time together, get to know each other properly... and then the FEELINGS arrive.

OH, THE INTERNAL FEELINGS. SO MANY OF THEM. I was completely invested.

I especially loved how distinct their voices felt. Dean is the quieter, more serious one, while Taylan is charming, easy-going, and flirty. Watching Taylan slowly chip away at Dean’s "fortress of solitude" brick by brick was incredibly satisfying. But it goes both ways - Dean also pushes Taylan to think more seriously about his future, his talent, and his career choices.

They were just SO GOOD for each other.

This was such a lovely, lovely read. Sure, I got frustrated during the brief breakup. Honestly, Taylan… there had to be a BETTER moment to confess your feelings 😅 But the reunion absolutely made up for it.

And I adored the supporting cast too—the friends and family members really helped make the story feel warm and complete.

Another winner from Detand for me!
Profile Image for Alexa.
233 reviews13 followers
May 11, 2026
Oh no there is only one bed!!!! They’re in a honeymoon villa in an overwater resort !!! They start to like each other????

Incredible !! I really loved this book. I felt like the pacing was great, the main characters were realistic and nuanced, and I also loved the side characters too.

Dean is a successful heart surgeon but feels familial pressure to pretend he has a boyfriend to get his mum off his back, (valid), in the lead up to his sisters destination wedding.

Tay is a more junior surgeon who admires Dean and desperately needs a holiday. Facilitated by a mutual friend/coworker, they pair up to pretend to be a couple to survive a week in paradise.

I felt that the conflict was reasonable and realistic, it was resolved in appropriate ways, and I truly believed in the love of the characters.

Thanks Storm Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
19 reviews
March 29, 2026
**Reviewer received digital Advanced Reader Copy thanks to NetGalley**

Operation Boyfriend is a story of a doctor, Dean, struggling to have his family give him some grace about not having someone to bring as a plus one to his sisters wedding. After getting the idea from his friend Greg, Dean ends up bringing a fake boyfriend to the wedding. The issue is, this fake boyfriend is a colleague and fellow doctor, Tay, and the plus one is for a week long trip to a romantic private island.

Throughout the plot you see Tay grow more confident in his feelings, and watch Deans walls come down. I really enjoyed reading this book. It warmed my heart AND made me want a vacation myself, hahaha!
Profile Image for orange cheeks.
105 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2026
I both love and not-love this book. I almost DNFed it, but I'm also glad I did not DNF it.

I’ve been fooled by the blurb.
Reading the book info, I thought the story would center around the tropical wedding destination, the fake-dating, and all that. The hilarity of that taking place and unfolding. But no. It wasn’t until almost halfway to the book that we'd actually get to thatpart. Majority of the story focuses on Dean and Tay’s careers as doctors. For the first quarter of the book, a lot of the scenes took place at the hospital, and there were very little face-to-face conversation between Dean and Tay. It’s boring and depressing, and I felt like I signed up for a different book and got handed the wrong one. I thought I’d be getting a romcom, but what I got instead was a supporting story about an eighteen-year-old patient who’s become increasingly bitter over the long wait for a new heart, and a moral question about whether or not she was a bad person for thinking that the only way she’d get her operation was if someone died and she could have their heart.

Dean is a complex character and there were times when I wanted to punch him in the face.
I struggled to get to know him and connect with him, since it felt like Dean himself didn’t even know who he was. He couldn’t even connect with himself and his own emotions. He felt alienated from them. He is so good at walling-up and hiding within himself that seeing his sister in love and happy, with the man she chose to spend the rest of her life with, got him wondering why and how. Even if the answer was as simple as “because she learned to open up and let people in,” Dean still struggled with the concept, and even the theory itself.

For someone seemingly so easy, confident, and sunshine-y, Tay sure is riddled with a lot of insecurities.
He is as fragile and as big of a coward as Dean. He’s so good at faking it, that he started coming off as not-so-genuine to me. It’s like, he's not really showing me what he’s all about and who he truly is. If there’s a wall hiding Dean, there’s a veil over Tay.

I think Dean and Tay are bad narrators.
The story is told in first person, but it doesn't make me feel closer to the characters at all. Feels like I’m only looking from the outside in. Almost as if they didn't want to be known by the reader either. Their POVs also sound about the same. I sometimes forget whose head I was in and who's talking to me. Zarah Detand could’ve just stuck to one narrator and it wouldn’t have made that much of a difference.

But, yes, this book is a 5-star read for me. For the very reason that I find it realistic.
Well, close. Believably close. And I like it. My frustrations with Dean and Tay also made them real to me. Real people are simply just that frustrating… and difficult, and complicated, and whatever, right? Dean and Tay’s relationship (in my opinion) also doesn’t cackle and pop like fireworks, the chemistry’s hard to see, it’s more muted and slow, somewhat boring, their sex scenes almost comical, and the mismatch between their characters is evident, but it feels authentic in a way. Not too fictional. And I really like it.
Profile Image for Magically Miranda.
381 reviews8 followers
April 19, 2026
Thank you to Storm Publishing, Dreamscape Select, and author Zarah Detand, for providing me with the eARC and ALC of “Operation Boyfriend”.

If you know me, you know I cannot resist a fake dating trope. Mix that in with MM romance and you’ve got a hit! I enjoyed immersive reading this one. If you have the chance that’s the way to go.

I see a lot of myself in Dean. He’s “cold” at work, not because he thinks that’s how he should act but because that’s how he gets through his day and his job as a surgeon. So while he may seem grumpy he’s really a teddy bear for the right people. And those people truly do mean a lot to him. And yes he is a bit slow on his emotions but we all get scared to make the jump at times.

Taylin was a fun surprise! While he is outgoing and hardworking. He also has a lot of doubt and fear, and that is so perfectly portrayed. We all have those moments where we question what we are doing. He thankfully had some good people to help him realize how great he is. And let’s be so real, no one is going to turn down a free beach vacation!

And the spice!! So good, I loved the getting the lead up to vacation and then the set up. Perfect setting, perfect amount of attraction and spice.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
Dual 1st POV
Punisher: Storm Publishing
Pages 272

MM Romance
Fake Dating
Coworkers/Doctors
One Bed
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Banter

At 89.8% the audio was messed up. It began to skip like you lost service. Otherwise Jamie did a great job and reading both Dean and Taylin’s parts.

🎧 Single Narration 9h 5m at 2x
🎙️ Jamie Day
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Dreamscape Select

TW: Abusive Dad (mentions).
Profile Image for Amanda Iman.
674 reviews13 followers
May 16, 2026
3.25

This book was fine. There were parts I enjoyed, but I also found myself getting bored at times. Never a good sign when you don't see how the audiobook could possibly have 2+hrs left in it (the answer is too many endings).

The actual relationship between Dean and Tay was good. Fake Dating and Only One Bed are two of my favorite tropes, so I enjoyed those aspects. I really appreciated that Detand wrote adult characters who conducted themselves and communicated like adults. I also appreciated her nods to medical shows like Grey's Anatomy and ER; Dr. Carter, Dr. Wilson and "the carousel keeps turning".

I honestly wonder if part of my struggle with this book was the narrator. I found Jamie Day's narration utterly flat. Even in the spicier scenes he was basically monotone. His voices for both Dean and Tay sounded the same to the point that if I paused a chapter and came back a few hours later I couldn't tell who was speaking and would have to go back to the beginning of the chapter to find out who's perspective the chapter was from. I even resorted to speeding up the listening speed a bit (which I very rarely do) in the hopes to make the narration slightly less monotone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Storm Publishing for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Shyames.
429 reviews31 followers
May 19, 2026
A sweet summer read, a fake-dating setup done right!

This works so well for what it promises to be. We have Dean, who is desperate to get his family off his back about his lack of a serious relationship. With his sister's wedding fast approaching, he has a bit of a problem: it's a very luxurious destination wedding. Enter Tay, who could really use a vacation, doesn't have a lot of money to spare, is single, and has had a crush on Dean for years. Then there's Gregg, Dean's best friend, who obviously knows his buddy well and proposes that Dean invites Tay to be his plus-one for the wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

The whole thing was sweet, but it also tackled some serious topics throughout. With the dual POV, we get into the mindset of both Tay and Dean, discovering their insecurities and how they work through them internally. As they're both doctors at different stages of their careers, we also explore how a relationship might affect their professional dynamics and power balance. In my opinion, everything resolves very nicely and with genuine consideration for everyone involved.

If you're looking for a sweet summer read with a bit of spice, this is definitely the one.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
Profile Image for Julia.
Author 1 book50 followers
May 17, 2026
Based on the cover, I thought this was more of a romcom than it actually was.

Somehow the fake dating for an island wedding trope didn't work for me here. The pacing was very slow in the first half of the book and close to too fast in the second half. I also couldn't see the chemistry between the two MCs, Dean and Tay.
Profile Image for Gosia.
357 reviews10 followers
May 6, 2026
If you’re looking for a quick summer MM romance, this one is a good rec!
9h of audio made it super easy to complete reading in 2-3 days.
Two doctors so there’s a bit of a workplace romance situation, destination wedding (Dean’s sister’s) in a paradise location and fake dating thrown into the mix, duh.
While they did fake date, it wasn’t how this trope is usually executed. It was more of a cause for Dean and Tay starting their… thing but not that big part of the overall plot.
I enjoyed how even tho Tay had a crush on Dean initially, the story didn’t lean into thirsting after each other or any type of insta tropes. No insta love or even insta lust.
They started getting to know each other for the sake of the fake dating ruse and genuinely became friends first before turning throwing intimacy to the mix and eventually going for a real relationship.
The iloveyou felt a bit rushed but at the same time it was fitting.
There was a bit of a third act drama. Not exactly a breakup but also not not a breakup. I promise it’s well executed and makes sense and they resolve it pretty quickly WITH COMMUNICATION 👏🏼

There were a couple of spicy scenes and they had an easy type of relation with flirty banter than made me giggle couple of times.
Each time they kissed or a word “babe” was thrown in there I smiled SO wide.

My only takeaway is that chapters were quite long. It didn’t make much difference as I was mostly listening to the audiobook in bigger chunks of time but I prefer if chapters are 10-15min long. There most were in 25-35min territory.
Because it’s MM romance with one narrator, sometimes I needed to focus to figure out whose chapter it was.

Overall it was nice, low drama, cute and easy read with a mix of medical setup, fake dating and paradise destination wedding setting.

Audiobook length: ~9h
Narrator: Jamie Day
Dual POV but single narration
The narrator did a great job! I didn’t have issue understanding anything and I was able to listen with my usual speed which is 2.0x

ALC provided by Dreamscape Select through NetGalley
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,427 reviews90 followers
April 15, 2026
3.5/5 stars

Operation Boyfriend is a contemporary MM romance about two doctors fake dating. New cardiothoracic surgeon Dean Hollis needs a date to his sister’s destination wedding in a private island. His best friend suggests senior surgical resident Taylan Carter as his fake boyfriend who can get a much-needed week-long luxury vacation in Cambodia in exchange. But can they keep things professional or will their fake feelings become too real?

This just wasn’t a hit for me, but it may be down to personal taste. I was not expecting the medical stuff to be so involved in all honesty. As a physician myself, I choose not to consume any sort of medical media in my downtime so this just was not right for me. The first 30% was just all pre-trip set up with them getting to know each other and a bunch of medical/hospital stuff that I could have used without. Maybe it’s just weird of me because I do like having doctor characters as they can be very relatable, but I do not want their stories to be centered around the medical field.

I liked both Dean and Tay, each of whom are given strong backgrounds that shape who they are as doctors and people. Their romance was cute and felt completely inevitable from the get-go, but I think the book undercuts any drama or tension by the way it sets it up. There was just really no obstacle getting in their way. It’s supposedly the power imbalance as an attending and senior resident, but that is not actually as big an impediment realistically with it being frowned upon as the worst outcome. There also wasn’t much stakes because even before their trip with that long build up, both already knew they would catch feelings, compromising the need for the fake boyfriend set-up in developing their romance. The third act drama was also really just terrible timing and made to be so much bigger than it ever needed to be.

Operation Boyfriend is a cute fake-dating MM romance between two doctors that just was not to my taste.

*Thank you Storm Publishing for the eARC via NetGalley
Profile Image for Jamie.
67 reviews15 followers
May 23, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Zarah Detand for the opportunity to read this arc for an honest review.

This was unexpected, it surprised me, in a good way, how much depth the characters turned out to have.

Dean is our resident introvert who could almost be considered a workaholic, he’s romantic and has some trauma to dissect, loved him.
Tay fell first and is for sure the most emotional stable one and extrovert most likely. This could belong to forced proximity, though like the love already there but I admit it probably made it easier.

The side characters are also lots of fun from Greg (Dean’s best friend), Rory (Tay’ roommate) to even Charley and Lex their sisters who I was waiting to have a interaction where they were both in the same room. They say what needs to be said at the right time, quite wise they are if I may say so myself. Charley does appear but even just Tay sending his sis messages was enough to actually tell me their alike.

Here’s some quotes I really enjoyed:
"I want you. But I want your friendship more than I want your
body."

"Promise me something," I said, already backing up to shrug off
my shirt. His gaze tracked my fingers, voice distracted.
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever use your powers for evil." That got his attention. "My powers?"
I waved a hand in his general direction-everything, all of him.
"That smile could start a war."

“Strange how I'd spent so much of my life chasing silence-a pillow over my head as a kid, a few uninterrupted hours of sleep during a night shift, the first rental place I'd been able to afford alone. But somehow, what I'd really needed was the right kind of noise.”


This was such a fun read, I’m still lacking time but little by little I’ll keep on reading!
Profile Image for Elisa.
354 reviews269 followers
April 14, 2026
Note: I was granted access to an e-ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.

Despite the colorful cover, the playful title, and the fake dating included in the premise, Operation Boyfried isn’t really a rom-com, but that’s not a bad thing — it still makes for a lovely, hopeful, heartwarming read, perfect for the beach or any time you need something sweet and romantic that’s not too complicated and doesn’t have too much drama.

There is a sort of grumpy-and-sunshine setup, but it’s sedated, not as extreme as it is in more comedic-style romance novels; this detracts from the fun somewhat, but it add a realness, a relatability that one can’t help but admire and be charmed by. Both main characters are lovely, imperfect, and aside from the “I love you” maybe coming a bit fast, the rest of their relationship development is well paced and realistic, fitting to the setting and circumstances.

I might have liked a more solid background and more interaction with the side characters, because the book features strong sibling connections and great friendships, and it’s a pity to have those relegated to such a minor role; but as it is I’d still recommend this to lovers of contemporary romance as the perfect low-stress beach/vacation read!

3.75 STARS
Profile Image for Rachel Thomas.
117 reviews4 followers
May 3, 2026
This book is perfect if you’re looking for a romance meets The Pitt and loves fake dating. When Dean finds himself lying to his family about bringing his boyfriend to his sister’s wedding on a private island, he realizes he actually has to bring someone. With his grueling schedule at the hospital as a surgeon and his general distrust of most people, there hasn’t been a lot of time for romance. Enter Tay - charming and in desperate need of a vacation. But as time goes on, both of them are finding it difficult to keep pretending this is just an act.

I’m a sucker for fake dating, so I was genuinely excited to read this book. The set up and build up to their relationship was entertaining and felt romantic. The tension when they got to the island was evident. It was the ending that felt anti-climactic and started to drag a bit. I wanted a little more emotion and growth from both of them, and it felt a little one sided.

Overall, a fun summer read for romance readers! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5/5⭐️
Profile Image for Nicole.
128 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2026
This was a cute and light MM fake dating romcom. The story follows Dean and Tay. They work in the same hospital and agree to fake-date to attend Dean’s sister destination wedding. They were both sweet and you could feel the yearning from both of them.

There was some glitching in the audiobook at the end of chapters 14 and 15 but it didn’t really take away from the story, just was annoying. I had some trouble differentiating the narrators voice between characters, too.

Overall this was light and fun and would be good for a summer read.

My favorite lines from the story were, “He’d probably finished a pushy treadmill run already, or hand washed his socks, or something equally disciplined.” And “The drink in my hand was sweet, stronger than it tasted. Rum? Jet fuel? Either way I couldn’t feel my teeth.”

Thank you Dreamscape Select|Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Josh.
38 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC.

I kind of knew what I was getting myself into and didn’t expect a life changing book: two doctors fake date on vacation and fall in love. The problem is there are no stakes. It is a will they won’t they story where the conflict is poor communication and the character’s own anxiety’s.

I think shorter chapters could’ve made this more interesting and could’ve made the book able to dig deeper with the characters and their interactions with the surrounding characters.

I feel like both not much happens… and everything happens too slowly. Obviously this is not my first mlm romance and not the worst but there needs to be some other conflict as we knew these characters already had feelings before they went on vacation, which makes the rest of the story lackluster.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Aga.
347 reviews11 followers
May 12, 2026
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC, out today.

Fake dating, one bed and a wedding to attend. It was such a fun read, a perfect read for one afternoon. Loved the premise of the hospital background and workaholic doctors.

Both Dean and Tay are cute and very likeable, however Dean's sister was a star of the book for me.

Fun read if you like MM romance, fake dating and one bed tropes.
Profile Image for Heidy.
439 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2026
Okayyyy, I picked this up cuz she looked cute and easy—fake dating coziness at its finest. But goddamn, there was a surprising amount of depth here. These dudes were fully developed, with robust backstories and fantastic character arcs to boot.

Thank you Net Galley and Dreamscape select for the ALC.
147 reviews
April 27, 2026

*ARC Review*

Operation Boyfriend was such a cute, fun, and easy read that felt perfect for when you just want to relax and enjoy a lighthearted romance. The story moves at a really comfortable pace, making it easy to get swept up in the characters and their chemistry without feeling overwhelmed. The narration style flows smoothly and keeps the tone playful and engaging, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. The romance delivers sweet, flirty moments balanced with just the right amount of spice to keep things exciting. Overall, it’s a charming feel good read!
Profile Image for Laura.
6 reviews
March 26, 2026
“There’s people, and then there’s you.” UGH. Always one of my favorite lines.

This is one of the cutest stories I’ve ever read. Very Grey’s Anatomy vibes, which could be a hit or miss, but in this case, it’s a hit.

The plot runs at a nice place, never too slow and never too fast. Our main characters meet over coffee after one needs a date to a tropical wedding and the other just wants a vacation from his crazy work schedule. Typical antics ensue, and they fall in love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait for the next book at Devon Memorial Hospital!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
3,445 reviews457 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 11, 2026
OPERATION BOYFRIEND by Zarah Detand is a bubbly and predictable MM fake-dating rom-com that serves as the perfect 'palate cleanser' between heavier reads. When two opposites are forced to play the part of the perfect couple, the staged sparks start to feel a little too real. While it doesn't reinvent the trope, Jamie Day’s narration adds a layer of charm that makes this a fun, low-stakes afternoon listen."

Intro
A classic MM fake-dating romp featuring a straight-laced guy who is tired of being the only single person at his sister’s resort luxury wedding. He enlists a charming and somewhat chaotic work acquaintance to play his doting boyfriend for the weekend.

The lines between "performance" and "reality" get blurry fast amidst wedding cake, family drama, and unexpected chemistry.

One desperate lie. One luxury resort. One very real attraction.

~Setting: Primarily set within the hectic bubble of a wedding weekend. The setting creates a "claustrophobic but cozy" atmosphere where the characters are forced into proximity, accelerating their connection.

Character Highlight:
~Dean: The "buttoned-up" doctor protagonist who needs to learn to loosen his tie and follow his heart.
~Taylan: The "effortlessly cool" and playful counterpart (medical resident) who brings much-needed spontaneity (and a bit of mischief) to Dean's structured life.

Highlights
~Vibe: Sweet, tropey, and lighthearted. LGBT romance
~Themes: Fake-to-real love; opposites attracting; finding your voice.
~Author Writing: "Warm and witty," "snappy dialogue," and the "will-they-won't-they" tension.
~Themes: Authenticity, Risk vs. Safety, Chosen Family
~Standout: Even though you know where the story is headed, the "slow-burn" realization that they aren't just acting anymore is handled with a lot of heart.
~Takeaway: Sometimes the most 'fake' relationships lead to the most honest versions of ourselves.
~Recs: Great for fans of Alexis Hall or anyone who loves a solid 'grumpy vs. sunshine' dynamic.

My thoughts...
"I’ll admit, the cover for Operation Boyfriend was so cute I couldn’t resist it for a quick audio 'palate cleanser.' Since this is normally not my genre (rom-com). While narrator Jamie Day brings a lot of charm to the performance, the fake-dating storyline felt a bit repetitive for me, and the explicit content overshadowed the romance. While the plot is predictable, the "chemistry-first" approach keeps the pages turning. It’s a light, tropey MM rom-com that will satisfy die-hard fans of the genre, but it lacked the narrative depth I usually look for in my reads."

It’s a light, breezy, and "sweetly low-stakes" romantic comedy that leans heavily into the "fake dating" and "only one bed" tropes. Sometimes the "perfect" person is the one who helps you break all your own rules. This book is like a glass of sparkling cider—bubbly, sweet, and easy to consume, even if it doesn't leave a long-lasting "kick."

A perfect "palette cleanser" between heavier thrillers or historical reads.

Audio Standout 🎧
~Jamie Day brings a "dynamic and youthful energy" to the narration.
~The narrator's ability to switch between the nervous energy and the confident drawl helps differentiate the POVs.

Special thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 3.5 rounded to 4 Stars
Pub Date: May 12, 2026
May Newsletter
Profile Image for A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews.
690 reviews82 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 18, 2026
Zarah Detand’s Operation Boyfriend begins with a split-second decision that sets everything in motion. Dean Hollis, a thirty-three-year-old doctor, finds himself under quiet but persistent pressure from his family to not attend his sister Charley’s destination wedding in Cambodia alone. In an effort to deflect those expectations, he tells his mother he is already seeing someone—a statement that is entirely untrue at the time. What follows is a carefully constructed solution suggested by his colleague Gregg: invite Tay Carter, a medical resident who could use both a break and the financial relief of an all-expenses-paid trip, to act as his boyfriend for the wedding. Their initial meeting—awkward, honest, and unexpectedly open—establishes the foundation for an arrangement that requires them to convincingly present a relationship neither of them has yet experienced with each other.

What makes Operation Boyfriend stand out is how grounded it feels in the realities of its characters’ lives. Both Dean and Tay exist within the demanding world of medical training, and Detand uses that environment not just as a backdrop, but as a defining force in how they think, communicate, and form connections. Dean is structured, controlled, and often emotionally guarded, shaped by both his career and his past. Tay, in contrast, brings warmth, humor, and a more openly expressive personality, though he is equally shaped by pressure—financial strain, family expectations, and the constant need to prove himself in a competitive field. Their dynamic is not built on instant chemistry alone, but on gradual familiarity, shared vulnerability, and the small, consistent exchanges that begin even before their trip, such as the “questions” they use to build a believable backstory.

The supporting characters play a subtle but important role in shaping the narrative. Gregg acts as both instigator and bridge, creating the opportunity for Dean and Tay to connect while maintaining a grounded, almost casual presence in the story. Charley and Dean’s mother reinforce the emotional stakes tied to family expectations, particularly surrounding relationships and personal fulfillment. These interactions never feel exaggerated; instead, they reflect the kind of everyday pressures that quietly influence major decisions.

Detand’s pacing leans heavily into character development, allowing the relationship to unfold through conversation, internal reflection, and shared planning rather than dramatic plot twists. This slower progression works in the story’s favor, especially as it highlights the contrast between what Dean and Tay are pretending to be and what they gradually begin to feel. The “fake relationship” trope is handled with restraint, focusing less on performance and more on what happens when that performance begins to reveal genuine emotional truths.

Overall, Operation Boyfriend is a thoughtful, character-driven romance that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle. Readers who enjoy stories where relationships develop through layered interaction and emotional honesty will find it especially engaging. It shares a similar appeal to The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, particularly in its exploration of vulnerability, identity, and the tension between external expectations and internal growth. Detand’s novel ultimately succeeds by allowing its characters to evolve naturally, creating a story that feels both intimate and believable.
Profile Image for Meg Pearson.
624 reviews11 followers
May 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy of Operation Boyfriend by Zarah Detand.

Operation Boyfriend was such a fun, feel-good MM romance that completely delivered on the fake dating trope while also giving readers emotional depth, great chemistry, and the perfect tropical escapist setting. Between the destination wedding, forced proximity, one-bed tension, and slow realization that their fake relationship may not be so fake after all, this book was incredibly easy to binge in just a couple of sittings.

The story follows Dean, a workaholic surgeon who invents a boyfriend to keep his family from worrying about his nonexistent social life before his sister’s tropical wedding. The problem, of course, is that now he actually needs someone willing to play the part. Tay, a younger doctor at the same hospital who desperately needs a vacation, agrees to the arrangement in exchange for an all-expenses-paid trip to paradise. What starts as a practical deal quickly turns into something much more emotional as the two spend more time together and begin developing genuine feelings.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the chemistry between Dean and Tay. Their banter felt natural and fun, but there was also a softness to their relationship that made it easy to root for them. I especially loved how their connection developed gradually through texts, voice notes, shared moments, and emotional vulnerability rather than relying entirely on instant attraction. Dean’s more reserved personality balanced perfectly with Tay’s warmth and humor, and watching Dean slowly let his guard down ended up being one of the strongest parts of the story.

The tropical wedding setting added so much charm and made this feel like the perfect summer romance read. Between beachside dinners, overwater villas, family chaos, and lingering tension, the entire atmosphere felt immersive and cinematic. The fake dating setup also delivered all the classic romance moments readers want — jealousy, forced proximity, one-bed tension, and the line between pretending and real feelings becoming increasingly blurred.

What I appreciated most was how low-drama and heartfelt the story felt overall. Even when conflict appeared, it felt believable and emotionally grounded rather than overly frustrating. The pacing was quick, the romance was swoony, and the emotional payoff felt satisfying by the end.

Overall, Operation Boyfriend was a charming, comforting, chemistry-filled romance that felt like the perfect vacation read. Readers who enjoy MM romance, fake dating, destination weddings, workplace romance, and soft slow-burn relationships will definitely want to pick this one up.
Profile Image for Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews.
585 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 26, 2026
Dean is a workaholic, with no signs of slowing down. With his sisters marriage around the corner, he's being pressured to bring a plus-one that means something to him. In a bid to get his mother and sister off his back, he lets slide that he's seeing someone and he's coming along. Only, he's dreadfully single with no chance of that changing in the near future. Enter Tay, an overwhelmed resident in training who needs a break, and is willing to step up for a week long all-expenses paid vacation with the hottest doctor on rotation.

*****

I am absolutely obsessed with the writing style of this one. It grabbed me by the throat and refused to let go! I loved that we get both Dean and Tay in a state of constantly working until they dropped, despite being in very different places in their lives. Dean, a successful resident living alone in a cold apartment, locking his heart away after being raised in a violent home and burying himself in work. Tay, living to make everyone around him feel contentment and joy, raised in a large loving family, while currently living with a roommate in a vibrant and chaotic home, and scrimping to get by. Together they were polar opposites, and I loved that they pulled the best out of each other just by being good friends and making each other feel seen, and not by pushing them towards it.

The author sprinkled in so many beautiful metaphors and similes within how each lead saw the other, that you couldn't help but feel the love pouring out of them - even if they didn't realize it yet. I was enraptured by how the light playing on their faces and bodies was described in different scenes, that it felt like this was an entire book of golden-hour moments, and was an absolute visual delight. The slow progress felt intentional, and full of love, and even the third act conflict felt logical for who the characters were. One, impulsive and bursting with feelings, the other reserved, and needing time to process and respond to big moments.

I found every possible moment I could to pick this back up and finish reading it, and I loved that these two men found such a beautiful happily ever after together.

*****

I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for sending this my way!
Profile Image for Ghosts and you might die.
107 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 15, 2026
Lucky enough to receive an ARC from Netgalley. Thank you to Zarah Detand and the publishers!

I am a HUGE Zarah Detand fan. I've gobbled up every single book she's written (and then reread and reread and listened to the few audiobooks over and over). Operation Boyfriend might not be among those that I infinitely reread, but a really enjoyable read nonetheless.

Dean is a surgeon and has an overbearing family and needs a fake boyfriend to keep them off his back. Tay is a broke resident (? I am not great with doctory stuff. But Detand is!) with a secret crush on Dean. Cue fake dating, forced proximity, only one bed, instalove, and vacation romance!

As with all of her previous books, it's obvious that Detand has done her research. The characters lives and jobs are full and rich with detail. The characters' careers aren't just place setting. Both characters are individuals with their own voices. Detand's signature warmth, humor, and yearning are here in abundance, as well as her very distinct writing style.

Unfortunately, that distinctly British voice does occasionally break immersion, at least for me personally. I wish she would have just gone ahead and made these characters British instead of American. The book is set in New York City, and as a former NYC resident the city itself felt very generic, as though this could be set in any random city anywhere in the world.

The reason this wasn't quite for me (past the above small quibbles) is the rushed nature of the romance. The characters get to know each other via text for a couple months ahead of time, but this isn't much of a focus before their week long family wedding vacation. A week is purely not enough time for the romance to develop in my opinion. This is probably just a matter of personal preference (I really prefer a lengthy slow burn). This book could have either done more groundwork on their romance or been about 50 pages longer and I would have enjoyed it more.

Still, a pleasure to read, and a perfect summery vacation read. I'll always recommend Zarah Detand. These are some of the most all around well written books in the genre, save only KJ Charles, and this is the first of her books that has even come close to being a miss for me.
Profile Image for Tara Baja.
Author 2 books1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 2, 2026
Just by looking at the cover and title of the audiobook, I thought this would be a cute RomCom by Zarah Detund. I read the blurb and was ready for some fake dating goodness. Not to say that there wasn't. But in the beginning there are some pretty somber moments that reminded me of my own past experience. I love when I can personally relate to a book, so I pushed in and became invested.

Hopefully this isn't a spoiler, but Dean and Tay are both doctors. There were moments where I felt sad for patients. We also get a quick peek of their professional doctors POV.. you never really think about how they feel after treating a patient. It got a little emotional for me. But with that said, when they finally got to the destination wedding island trip, it picked up with sunny skies and smooth sailing!

Fake Boyfriend tropes have been done before but I liked this book for the simple fact that the MMC's give me Felix Unger and Oscar Madison when it comes to certain things. I'm aging myself here; for those who don't know, those two characters are from a show called The Odd Couple, where Felix was very anal about cleanliness and neatness. Oscar was more messy and chaotic. In this book you'll see who's who.

Faking love can be difficult, but when you take the time to get to know the person, it can come together. If you're brave enough! And that's why this romance works! There's kind of a Co-workers-Fake Boyfriend-Buy the audiobook so you can see for yourself, vibe to it! Speaking of which, Jamie Day's narration was a little monotone but it was also pretty soothing! He also was differentiate his voice for different characters. It bothered me at first but after a few hours, it was comforting. Even when he spoke at the same level at Tay or Dean's POV and inner monologue.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It had some realness to it but also the fake dating aspect of, is it real? The "will they? won't they?" energy when they're back home you'd expect. Definitely want to read Zarah's backlist because MM romances are a favorite genre of mine! I so appreciate her, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for letting me listen to this ALC in reciprocity for my honest review. At the end of the day, this is pretty much the perfect Summer read!
Profile Image for mei_li_terature.
313 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 5, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Select and Zarah Detand for the ALC copy in exchange for my honest opinion ! all following thoughts are my own

Operation Boyfriend is a fake dating MM romance that follows Dean Hollis, a workaholic surgeon, and Taylan Carter a surgical resident that works in the same hospital.

Dean doesn't know much more than work, but when her family (especially his mom) keeps asking him about his dating life, and if he's bringing a date to his sister tropical destination wedding, he starts panicking and says he has a boyfriend.
After hearing this, his friend Greg suggests asking Taylan to be his fake boyfriend to the wedding.
Taylan, being broke and in a desperate need of a vacation, accepts. Let's be honest, who would refuse an all paid vacation in a luxury resort on a tropical island ?

I'm a big fake dating fan, add to it the medical background and the tropical destination wedding setting and I was SOLD.
I really liked Tay and Dean as individuals, how they act, their career, their background but especially their relationship with their respective friends and siblings.

I enjoyed a lot the fact that we didn't immediately jump into the wedding/vacation setting and that we got to see Tay and Dean interact, and become friends before the trip.
Once on the island, the friends quickly became more. Even if they wouldn't admit it at first. Tay managed to break dean's walls and after a few stolen kisses here and there, they finally realized it was maybe not so fake after all.

With this "end date", aka the flight back to the US, looming over them, they enjoyed their vacation as much as they could while individually being afraid that their relationship was more of a heat of the moment thing and it wouldn't last once back home. But as we can expect, even if they encountered a few bumps on the road, they ended up happy together at the end of the book. I would've rioted otherwise and you would be reading a totally different review.

All in all, a cute contemporary fake dating MM romance. Pretty fast paced but still very much so enjoyable.

I had some trouble distinguishing who between tay and dean was talking at time with the audiobook but with some getting used to it was a fun audiobook to listen to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews