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International Relations
Max has never had time for a relationship - working in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, the best he can manage is squeezing in one-night stands with "himbos" between his ongoing efforts to win a promotion. But when he tries to multitask by hooking up with a visiting dignitary at a black-tie dinner, it blows up spectacularly in his face and Max is discreetly advised that his personal life is not helping his career ambitions. In this line of work, appearances matter, and Max is losing ground to his long-term rival, happily married 'family man' Quentin.
Max decides to beat Quentin at his own game by recruiting a fake boyfriend, Leo, from an actors' agency. But some visa complications force Max and Leo to make their relationship official by getting married, the stakes are raised higher than Max ever intended. There's only one thing that could make all this even more complicated - if Max and Leo's feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating romance filled with glamorous locations, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Tropes
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
Max decides to beat Quentin at his own game by recruiting a fake boyfriend, Leo, from an actors' agency. But some visa complications force Max and Leo to make their relationship official by getting married, the stakes are raised higher than Max ever intended. There's only one thing that could make all this even more complicated - if Max and Leo's feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating romance filled with glamorous locations, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Tropes
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Zac Hammett
2 books173 followersZac Hammett is an author of romantic comedies. His debut novel, See You At The Finish Line, was heralded as “a triumph” by Publishers Weekly and “unputdownable” by Kirkus Reviews. His second novel, International Relations, will follow in 2026.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
April 16, 2026
Ok, listen. If you’re looking for a delightful low angst romcom that has Boyfriend Material vibes mixed with a little bit of Winging It With You, you will LOVE @zachammettwrites’ International Relations!! Max and Hunter decide to get fake married so Max can get the job of his dreams and so Hunter can get a visa, but they end up being so real and honest with each other that they end up reflecting on what they really want out of life….. and one thing they want is definitely each other 😏. SWOON.
The romance is lovely - the guys try to stay away from each other because their relationship is fake but they CANNOT, you can really feel the obvious chemistry from the moment they meet. And though their situation feels pretty dire at the end there, I absolutely loved where things ended up, with lots of character growth AND a HEA.
The side characters and all of their shenanigans were SO FUN. Doily is INCREDIBLE (I need to know how Zac came up with all her anecdotes?), Max’s coworkers were fascinating, and I loved Hunter’s friends. And MR. PEANUT!! Any book with a cute dog character gets an extra star from me so….. 🥹🥹. And all of the excellent banter and the fast-paced, often hilarious plot!! What more could you want?
This book was THE BEST time and I absolutely flew through it. It’s out August 26, but it’s available now on NetGalley if you want to give it a shot!!
The romance is lovely - the guys try to stay away from each other because their relationship is fake but they CANNOT, you can really feel the obvious chemistry from the moment they meet. And though their situation feels pretty dire at the end there, I absolutely loved where things ended up, with lots of character growth AND a HEA.
The side characters and all of their shenanigans were SO FUN. Doily is INCREDIBLE (I need to know how Zac came up with all her anecdotes?), Max’s coworkers were fascinating, and I loved Hunter’s friends. And MR. PEANUT!! Any book with a cute dog character gets an extra star from me so….. 🥹🥹. And all of the excellent banter and the fast-paced, often hilarious plot!! What more could you want?
This book was THE BEST time and I absolutely flew through it. It’s out August 26, but it’s available now on NetGalley if you want to give it a shot!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
E-ARC generously provided by Zando in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
4 stars. Sexy, compelling, and quintessentially British in its humor and prose, International Relations is an absolute romp of a romance that convinced me that I absolutely need to read more Zac Hammett.
4 stars. Sexy, compelling, and quintessentially British in its humor and prose, International Relations is an absolute romp of a romance that convinced me that I absolutely need to read more Zac Hammett.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Y'ALL 😭💜🥹🥰😍
This one started out slower for me, but DANG did that change! I loved this one once I got settled into it. The tender moments, the way the relationship between Max and Quentin blossomed, the way I could feel all the feelings right alongside them. Gosh, this one really did it for me. I also loved how each character's growth arc happened. When I say I had all the feelings, I mean it with this one!
If you're looking for a fake-dating/marriage of convenience MM Romance with a side of political intrigue and tip-tier acting, I highly recommend this one.
4.5 stars, rounded down for Goodreads.
This one started out slower for me, but DANG did that change! I loved this one once I got settled into it. The tender moments, the way the relationship between Max and Quentin blossomed, the way I could feel all the feelings right alongside them. Gosh, this one really did it for me. I also loved how each character's growth arc happened. When I say I had all the feelings, I mean it with this one!
If you're looking for a fake-dating/marriage of convenience MM Romance with a side of political intrigue and tip-tier acting, I highly recommend this one.
4.5 stars, rounded down for Goodreads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Zac Hammett, Zando | Slowburn, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Finally coming out of my reading slump with such a banger ARC read!
I thought International Relations was SO cute.
The story just felt so light hearted, and quite fun! Max and Hunter had such a cute love story, and honestly this kind of rom-com just makes me so giddy on the inside!
Although I did feel that their relationship felt a bit rushed, I did feel that it felt real and believable all throughout. Neither Max nor Hunter felt disingenuous or forced despite the fake dating trope, and I loved that!
This was such an enjoyable, easy, and light read. I feel like this was the best book to read to get out of my slump!
♡ pre-read ♡
So happy to be back to reading after my mini-vacation, I hope I love this one! <3
Finally coming out of my reading slump with such a banger ARC read!
I thought International Relations was SO cute.
The story just felt so light hearted, and quite fun! Max and Hunter had such a cute love story, and honestly this kind of rom-com just makes me so giddy on the inside!
Although I did feel that their relationship felt a bit rushed, I did feel that it felt real and believable all throughout. Neither Max nor Hunter felt disingenuous or forced despite the fake dating trope, and I loved that!
This was such an enjoyable, easy, and light read. I feel like this was the best book to read to get out of my slump!
♡ pre-read ♡
So happy to be back to reading after my mini-vacation, I hope I love this one! <3
August 4, 2026
This was good for what it's marketed to be but I'd be lying if I said most of my enjoyment wasn't because fake dating/marriage of convenience is my favorite trope to read about.
The time skips did not aid in connecting with the book or the characters. In fact several times I had to question if I read that right,and because of this the love between them seemed spontaneous and didn't work for me.
Thank you Zando and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
The time skips did not aid in connecting with the book or the characters. In fact several times I had to question if I read that right,and because of this the love between them seemed spontaneous and didn't work for me.
Thank you Zando and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
August 13, 2026
so cute
April 29, 2026
book 11 of my 24hr arc readathon!
i don't know how i feel about this book honestly? like i loved them both sm, but at the same time i feel like both of them don't act like what diplomatic ppl should act like? they just kinda seem childish at times and idk.. also the "i love you but i want to put my career first" thingy went back and forth SO MUCH so that it made the book drag.. full rtc!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
i don't know how i feel about this book honestly? like i loved them both sm, but at the same time i feel like both of them don't act like what diplomatic ppl should act like? they just kinda seem childish at times and idk.. also the "i love you but i want to put my career first" thingy went back and forth SO MUCH so that it made the book drag.. full rtc!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2026
Meh. Didn't really work for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy I received of this book. I believe it's a privilege to read cute little queer novels like this one!
I had, however, a pretty hard time connecting with the characters in the story, specifically the main ones: I felt like they had no chemistry (even though the author reminded me they had a "spark" every 5 pages) and their actions were constantly misaligned with their personalities. Besides, both of them were constantly in their heads, annoying me.
When it comes to the writing, although the premise was amazing - which hooked me up until the end (I do like a fake dating trope), it was almost a DNF. There were a lot of hollow repetitions along the narrative and I found it odd the amount of weird random celebrity mentions the book had.
I did spend a cute little time in this reading but I wouldn't do it again.
I had, however, a pretty hard time connecting with the characters in the story, specifically the main ones: I felt like they had no chemistry (even though the author reminded me they had a "spark" every 5 pages) and their actions were constantly misaligned with their personalities. Besides, both of them were constantly in their heads, annoying me.
When it comes to the writing, although the premise was amazing - which hooked me up until the end (I do like a fake dating trope), it was almost a DNF. There were a lot of hollow repetitions along the narrative and I found it odd the amount of weird random celebrity mentions the book had.
I did spend a cute little time in this reading but I wouldn't do it again.
March 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, easily hilarious and overall, incredibly enjoyable.
The story is a dual POV between Max, an aspiring diplomat, and Hunter, a struggling actor, as they navigate the intricacies of a marriage of convenience in the face of conflicting career goals.
The writing was so well done that I genuinely felt the emotions that each character felt as they worked through their struggles and joys. There was moments of laughter, kicking-my-feet happiness and existential dread. I was rooting for both MMCs right from the beginning and also fell in love with the side characters along the way. I also really enjoyed the little added extras of British pop culture moments that had me smiling at the truthness of them as a 90s baby.
This is one of few books that ended exactly how I hoped it would, with a few twists and turns thrown in that had me believing that it was going to end in an entirely different way.
This book is a spectacular journey of self-discovery, love and learning that you need your village.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, easily hilarious and overall, incredibly enjoyable.
The story is a dual POV between Max, an aspiring diplomat, and Hunter, a struggling actor, as they navigate the intricacies of a marriage of convenience in the face of conflicting career goals.
The writing was so well done that I genuinely felt the emotions that each character felt as they worked through their struggles and joys. There was moments of laughter, kicking-my-feet happiness and existential dread. I was rooting for both MMCs right from the beginning and also fell in love with the side characters along the way. I also really enjoyed the little added extras of British pop culture moments that had me smiling at the truthness of them as a 90s baby.
This is one of few books that ended exactly how I hoped it would, with a few twists and turns thrown in that had me believing that it was going to end in an entirely different way.
This book is a spectacular journey of self-discovery, love and learning that you need your village.
August 15, 2026
What happens when your dream job and your dream man don’t go together?
Londoner Max has wanted to be a diplomat since his mother died abroad during a conflict while serving as a volunteer nurse. Helping people by preventing those conflicts through diplomacy is the way Max can honor his beloved mother.
Enter American Hunter Moretti, an actor fleeing a bad relationship, with dreams of someday doing Shakespeare at the Globe. He’s renting a room from Doily, an old-school theatrical agent, who fields an unusual talent request for a fake boyfriend.
Since Max’s main competitor for a diplomatic post opening up in Athens is Quentin (supported by his partner, the formidable Flora), the very single Max realizes he needs a boyfriend to keep in the running, and quickly.
Once the stage is set, Hunter and Max move past a fake relationship / real marriage into the unknown. Add in a visa application and interview, steamy sex, quirky secondary characters, diplomatic gamesmanship and more.
This book, the author’s second, is well written and plotted, full of heart, humor and hope. The MCs are so beautifully fleshed-out with great chemistry, and you are just drawn into this story. Don’t miss this one! 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Cross-posted at https://gayromance.org/2026/08/15/int...
Londoner Max has wanted to be a diplomat since his mother died abroad during a conflict while serving as a volunteer nurse. Helping people by preventing those conflicts through diplomacy is the way Max can honor his beloved mother.
Enter American Hunter Moretti, an actor fleeing a bad relationship, with dreams of someday doing Shakespeare at the Globe. He’s renting a room from Doily, an old-school theatrical agent, who fields an unusual talent request for a fake boyfriend.
Since Max’s main competitor for a diplomatic post opening up in Athens is Quentin (supported by his partner, the formidable Flora), the very single Max realizes he needs a boyfriend to keep in the running, and quickly.
Once the stage is set, Hunter and Max move past a fake relationship / real marriage into the unknown. Add in a visa application and interview, steamy sex, quirky secondary characters, diplomatic gamesmanship and more.
This book, the author’s second, is well written and plotted, full of heart, humor and hope. The MCs are so beautifully fleshed-out with great chemistry, and you are just drawn into this story. Don’t miss this one! 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Cross-posted at https://gayromance.org/2026/08/15/int...
August 5, 2026
OOF. Yikes on bikes for this one for me. Maybe I’m just very much not into romcom these days lol.
So many things missed the mark for me as a reader. I think the main thing was that I did not care for the writing style at all - it felt all tell and zero show. The writing was so flat and lifeless to me. There was no UST or chemistry between the two MCs - and I think it being mentioned that there was a spark just felt even more like it was being forced.
There were also jumps in time that I didn’t love at the start and then the very end. Heck, the first few times they’re having to fake date it was just sped through? That should be when we’re falling in love with them as a couple. And it’s all just quickly summarized?
I loved Mr. Peanut. Didn’t love how Hunter yelled at him lol.
I also didn’t care for all the name drops of celebs and big names. It makes it feel very momentary and not something that will last.
Also, how old are these guys? Both Max and Hunter seem super young in how they speak and act. So then it was tough to buy into the diplomat level of career.
I received an arc from the publisher. My thoughts are my own
So many things missed the mark for me as a reader. I think the main thing was that I did not care for the writing style at all - it felt all tell and zero show. The writing was so flat and lifeless to me. There was no UST or chemistry between the two MCs - and I think it being mentioned that there was a spark just felt even more like it was being forced.
There were also jumps in time that I didn’t love at the start and then the very end. Heck, the first few times they’re having to fake date it was just sped through? That should be when we’re falling in love with them as a couple. And it’s all just quickly summarized?
I loved Mr. Peanut. Didn’t love how Hunter yelled at him lol.
I also didn’t care for all the name drops of celebs and big names. It makes it feel very momentary and not something that will last.
Also, how old are these guys? Both Max and Hunter seem super young in how they speak and act. So then it was tough to buy into the diplomat level of career.
I received an arc from the publisher. My thoughts are my own
July 22, 2026
International Relations is an MM fake dating/arranged marriage romance between diplomat Max and aspiring actor Hunter.
What a sweet romance this was! While it’s more of a slow burn than is typically in contemporary romance, I ended up loving every minute of it. The gradual pacing gave Max and Hunter the space to truly get to know each other, making their connection feel authentic and earned. It was impossible not to root for them.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was how healthy their relationship was. They communicated, respected each other, and genuinely wanted the best for one another. A refreshing change from the endless misunderstandings that often drive romance plots.
Overall, this was a charming, heartfelt story that kept me invested from beginning to end. It never dragged, never lost my attention, and delivered a romance that was both comforting and compelling.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
What a sweet romance this was! While it’s more of a slow burn than is typically in contemporary romance, I ended up loving every minute of it. The gradual pacing gave Max and Hunter the space to truly get to know each other, making their connection feel authentic and earned. It was impossible not to root for them.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was how healthy their relationship was. They communicated, respected each other, and genuinely wanted the best for one another. A refreshing change from the endless misunderstandings that often drive romance plots.
Overall, this was a charming, heartfelt story that kept me invested from beginning to end. It never dragged, never lost my attention, and delivered a romance that was both comforting and compelling.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
July 4, 2026
Thank you to Zando for the gifted ARC!
International Relations follows Max, who is trying to get promoted in his international affairs role, and Leo, the actor he hires to be his fake bf in order to get said job. But Leo’s fake dating had some more intention as he’s looking for a fake husband for a green card marriage.
This book was a lot of fun and I read almost all of it in one night. I love a fake dating/marriage of convenience situation. Max and Leo were perfect fake dating partners because of their immediate chemistry but their big needs for relationship to work out. They both also had a lot of character growth with their wants for career advancement and trying to prioritize career over everything in the beginning. I think my favorite part of the book though was the book starting with a letter to max from his mom who passed away and ending with a letter from max to his mom updating her on how it all played out.
International Relations follows Max, who is trying to get promoted in his international affairs role, and Leo, the actor he hires to be his fake bf in order to get said job. But Leo’s fake dating had some more intention as he’s looking for a fake husband for a green card marriage.
This book was a lot of fun and I read almost all of it in one night. I love a fake dating/marriage of convenience situation. Max and Leo were perfect fake dating partners because of their immediate chemistry but their big needs for relationship to work out. They both also had a lot of character growth with their wants for career advancement and trying to prioritize career over everything in the beginning. I think my favorite part of the book though was the book starting with a letter to max from his mom who passed away and ending with a letter from max to his mom updating her on how it all played out.
August 6, 2026
Even in the short time I’ve known him, he’s changed me.
💂🤍🐶🤍💂
This was my first book by Zac Hammett and omg was it good!!! Max and Hunter are the perfect complement to each other.
Max has spent years trying to live up to his mother’s dying words and Hunter wants the chance to live out his dreams. When they are forced to team up to get Max a promotion and get Hunter a visa, sparks fly!
This story was fake dating and marriage of convenience at its finest!!! I loved the mix of humor and the vulnerability Max and Hunter showed one another.
One of my best reads this year and I highly recommend the audio!!
🎧: The narration selections for this book were perfection!!!! I absolutely loved Max’s British accent!
💂🤍🐶🤍💂
This was my first book by Zac Hammett and omg was it good!!! Max and Hunter are the perfect complement to each other.
Max has spent years trying to live up to his mother’s dying words and Hunter wants the chance to live out his dreams. When they are forced to team up to get Max a promotion and get Hunter a visa, sparks fly!
This story was fake dating and marriage of convenience at its finest!!! I loved the mix of humor and the vulnerability Max and Hunter showed one another.
One of my best reads this year and I highly recommend the audio!!
🎧: The narration selections for this book were perfection!!!! I absolutely loved Max’s British accent!
May 31, 2026
I really liked this one - felt like a proper British rom-com. The main storyline was such a fun premise and the moments of tension felt logical and unforced within the storyline.
The side characters also brought so much to the storyline - Doily is an absolute icon! Film adaptation when … ?
The side characters also brought so much to the storyline - Doily is an absolute icon! Film adaptation when … ?
Read
March 28, 2026I went into International Relations not entirely sure what to expect, but it ended up being one of those books that’s just really easy to sink into. It has that light, rom-com energy that makes you want to keep turning pages, but there’s also enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling shallow.
What stood out to me most was the character dynamic. The contrast in personalities feels natural rather than forced, and the banter genuinely works—it’s sharp, funny, and never feels overdone. I found myself enjoying the quieter moments just as much as the more playful ones, which usually means the characters are doing something right.
The writing style is very approachable, which makes it a good pick if you’re in the mood for something engaging but not overly heavy. It leans into familiar romance tropes, but in a way that feels comforting rather than predictable. If anything, it knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
I also liked the overall tone. It’s warm and entertaining, with just enough emotional weight to make the story feel meaningful without dragging it down. It never takes itself too seriously, which works in its favour.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the setting feels more like a backdrop than a fully immersive world—but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I read this more for the characters and their connection than anything else, and it delivered on that front.
Overall, I’d recommend International Relations if you’re looking for something fun, character-driven, and easy to get into. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want to relax and end up finishing faster than you expected.
What stood out to me most was the character dynamic. The contrast in personalities feels natural rather than forced, and the banter genuinely works—it’s sharp, funny, and never feels overdone. I found myself enjoying the quieter moments just as much as the more playful ones, which usually means the characters are doing something right.
The writing style is very approachable, which makes it a good pick if you’re in the mood for something engaging but not overly heavy. It leans into familiar romance tropes, but in a way that feels comforting rather than predictable. If anything, it knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
I also liked the overall tone. It’s warm and entertaining, with just enough emotional weight to make the story feel meaningful without dragging it down. It never takes itself too seriously, which works in its favour.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the setting feels more like a backdrop than a fully immersive world—but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I read this more for the characters and their connection than anything else, and it delivered on that front.
Overall, I’d recommend International Relations if you’re looking for something fun, character-driven, and easy to get into. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want to relax and end up finishing faster than you expected.
June 15, 2026
I wish I connected with Max and Hunter. This is probably my main issue with the book. I couldn't decide if I wanted to root for them.
As much as I want to sugarcoat Max as a character, he was someone who was a little too comfortable with lying.
It came to him so easily, almost as if being a liar was his default. And to explain it as something that was simply part of his job as a diplomat, or that he wasn’t someone brave enough to hurt other people with the truth, didn't sit well with me. He also preferred to be lied to, by the way. In a scene where he made Hunter pancakes, after Hunter gave him his real opinion about how they were (they weren't good), Max was bummed because it was the honest take and he would’ve rather Hunter lied to him.
It was hard to believe in the things Hunter did or said. Everything ended up feeling like an act with him.
Hunter was a character so passionate about acting and theater (and the escapism and emotional outlet it provided him) that it bled into his reality and personality, making me struggle to see the sincerity in his choices, decisions, motives, and actions.
Hunter and hisconstant need to think about his ex-boyfriend Rafferty.
He would bring up Rafferty in his head, every time he was pushed into a corner where he had to think and deal with connection and intimacy. Every time something happened or was about to happen between him and Max, Hunter would then think about Rafferty and his experience with him, how it was with the two of them before.
I understand the comparisons were meant to show the contrast with Hunter's relationship with Max, maybe it was meant to be romantic, but the more Hunter did it in his head, the more messy it came off. It suddenly felt less of a comparison or realization and more of a benchmark of what Hunter thinks a relationship between two people should be in terms of connection and communication.
But a character I did enjoy a lot in the book was Doily.
She was lovely and so much fun to read about. There never was a boring moment with her.
The pacing in general was a bit confusing.
There were no clear markers as to how much time passed. The POVs would say it at the beginning, but it was also easy to miss.
The last part of the book in particular felt rushed to me.
I did not appreciate the problem Max and Hunter had to face. It felt forced and happened too late into the story. It was also resolved easily that it ultimately felt pointless.
The Epilogue gave something but not a lot and not everything.
I wouldn’t call it satisfying. I wouldn't call it romantic, either. Nothing really changed between Max and Hunter in their relationship, other than them being in a better place with their careers. But if that was the main point about this book (self-fulfillment and not exactly romance), then I would say it was a good ending.
As much as I want to sugarcoat Max as a character, he was someone who was a little too comfortable with lying.
It came to him so easily, almost as if being a liar was his default. And to explain it as something that was simply part of his job as a diplomat, or that he wasn’t someone brave enough to hurt other people with the truth, didn't sit well with me. He also preferred to be lied to, by the way. In a scene where he made Hunter pancakes, after Hunter gave him his real opinion about how they were (they weren't good), Max was bummed because it was the honest take and he would’ve rather Hunter lied to him.
It was hard to believe in the things Hunter did or said. Everything ended up feeling like an act with him.
Hunter was a character so passionate about acting and theater (and the escapism and emotional outlet it provided him) that it bled into his reality and personality, making me struggle to see the sincerity in his choices, decisions, motives, and actions.
Hunter and his
He would bring up Rafferty in his head, every time he was pushed into a corner where he had to think and deal with connection and intimacy. Every time something happened or was about to happen between him and Max, Hunter would then think about Rafferty and his experience with him, how it was with the two of them before.
I understand the comparisons were meant to show the contrast with Hunter's relationship with Max, maybe it was meant to be romantic, but the more Hunter did it in his head, the more messy it came off. It suddenly felt less of a comparison or realization and more of a benchmark of what Hunter thinks a relationship between two people should be in terms of connection and communication.
But a character I did enjoy a lot in the book was Doily.
She was lovely and so much fun to read about. There never was a boring moment with her.
The pacing in general was a bit confusing.
There were no clear markers as to how much time passed. The POVs would say it at the beginning, but it was also easy to miss.
The last part of the book in particular felt rushed to me.
I did not appreciate the problem Max and Hunter had to face. It felt forced and happened too late into the story. It was also resolved easily that it ultimately felt pointless.
The Epilogue gave something but not a lot and not everything.
I wouldn’t call it satisfying. I wouldn't call it romantic, either. Nothing really changed between Max and Hunter in their relationship, other than them being in a better place with their careers. But if that was the main point about this book (self-fulfillment and not exactly romance), then I would say it was a good ending.
March 18, 2026
“International Relations” is basically “The Proposal”, but make it queer. One MMC, Max, is a diplomat who hires the other MMC, Hunter, to be his fake boyfriend/ husband. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement for them: Hunter will be the partner Max needs on his arm to land a job he desperately wants, and Hunter gets ‘husband’ status, which means he can stay in London to pursue his acting career. Over time, pretending at being a couple morphs into real feelings… And a beautiful love story.
Tropes:
💍 “The Proposal” x “Red, White and Royal Blue”
🌶️ 1st-person dual POV
💍 Grumpy x sunshine
🌶️ Marriage of convenience
💍 Queer romance
🌶️ Fake dating
💍 Cute dog
🌶️ Greek island
💍 Celebrity name-dropping
🌶️ S*x on government property
💍 Explicit spice
“International Relations” is an ARC I somewhat reluctantly picked up at first, due to being a bit of a mood reader, but I’m so glad that I did! This book was fast, adorable, and contained multitudes of hilarious cringe and immersive chaos.
Each of the characters have traumatic histories that they are still trying to make peace with. But Max and Hunter help each other with that. Hunter in particular is good at being honest without being too brutal.
I didn’t particularly care for any of the side characters. However, there are 3 in particular who I remember with fondness for quite some time because of how they coaxed a special kind of pity, confusion, competitiveness or jealousy out of the MMCs. If you know, you know.
If you’re looking for a fast and low-maintenance contemporary romance read to bring you some laughs, this will be the perfect book for you!!
✨ 4/5
🌶️ 2/5
Tropes:
💍 “The Proposal” x “Red, White and Royal Blue”
🌶️ 1st-person dual POV
💍 Grumpy x sunshine
🌶️ Marriage of convenience
💍 Queer romance
🌶️ Fake dating
💍 Cute dog
🌶️ Greek island
💍 Celebrity name-dropping
🌶️ S*x on government property
💍 Explicit spice
“International Relations” is an ARC I somewhat reluctantly picked up at first, due to being a bit of a mood reader, but I’m so glad that I did! This book was fast, adorable, and contained multitudes of hilarious cringe and immersive chaos.
Each of the characters have traumatic histories that they are still trying to make peace with. But Max and Hunter help each other with that. Hunter in particular is good at being honest without being too brutal.
I didn’t particularly care for any of the side characters. However, there are 3 in particular who I remember with fondness for quite some time because of how they coaxed a special kind of pity, confusion, competitiveness or jealousy out of the MMCs. If you know, you know.
If you’re looking for a fast and low-maintenance contemporary romance read to bring you some laughs, this will be the perfect book for you!!
✨ 4/5
🌶️ 2/5
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August 4, 2026
Overall, it was alright.
Review of Advance Copy received through NetGalley.
The story was corny, but it was entertaining; the writing wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything spectacular; it was average.
Their instant physical attraction almost made me put it down multiple times, but I pushed through. It felt more like lust than love until almost the very end (last 10%). Some things felt over elaborated on and some felt under elaborated on (Hunter’s ex, Max’s mom). I didn’t connect with their relationship in the slightest. Nothing really unique drew me to either of the characters, and the emotional revelations were resolved extremely easily. I did appreciate that the government was at least a little bit suspicious of the situation considering the timing, but all in all it felt very unrealistic and too many coincidences worked in their favor.
It jumped from the ending to an epilogue years later without explanation as to how Hunter was able to return to Max, and it’s a plot point that doesn’t gain anything from reader speculation and guessing.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone out of the blue, I wouldn’t get it for my collection, and I don’t think I’ll read anything else by this author, but at least now I know.
Thank you for this ARC.
Review of Advance Copy received through NetGalley.
The story was corny, but it was entertaining; the writing wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything spectacular; it was average.
Their instant physical attraction almost made me put it down multiple times, but I pushed through. It felt more like lust than love until almost the very end (last 10%). Some things felt over elaborated on and some felt under elaborated on (Hunter’s ex, Max’s mom). I didn’t connect with their relationship in the slightest. Nothing really unique drew me to either of the characters, and the emotional revelations were resolved extremely easily. I did appreciate that the government was at least a little bit suspicious of the situation considering the timing, but all in all it felt very unrealistic and too many coincidences worked in their favor.
It jumped from the ending to an epilogue years later without explanation as to how Hunter was able to return to Max, and it’s a plot point that doesn’t gain anything from reader speculation and guessing.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone out of the blue, I wouldn’t get it for my collection, and I don’t think I’ll read anything else by this author, but at least now I know.
Thank you for this ARC.
June 11, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Zando for the ARC of International Relations!!! I didn’t really know what to expect going into this one, but as someone who loves a good marriage of convenience trope, I was definitely intrigued.
I will say I had some mixed feelings about this read. The brief mentions of AI rubbed me the wrong way, and there was one moment where Max mentioned getting turned on by hearing Hunter pee… LMAOOOO, I almost had to DNF right there. 😭
I also struggled with the romance itself because I felt like there was a lot of telling rather than showing when it came to their relationship, which made it harder for me to fully connect with them. That being said, the book did keep my attention and I was curious to see where things would go.
The ending definitely caught me off guard because I didn’t see that twist coming, but I wasn’t a huge fan of how quickly everything was resolved afterward. Overall, I’d say this was an okay read it had some interesting moments, and while it wasn’t fully for me, I can see others enjoying it.
I will say I had some mixed feelings about this read. The brief mentions of AI rubbed me the wrong way, and there was one moment where Max mentioned getting turned on by hearing Hunter pee… LMAOOOO, I almost had to DNF right there. 😭
I also struggled with the romance itself because I felt like there was a lot of telling rather than showing when it came to their relationship, which made it harder for me to fully connect with them. That being said, the book did keep my attention and I was curious to see where things would go.
The ending definitely caught me off guard because I didn’t see that twist coming, but I wasn’t a huge fan of how quickly everything was resolved afterward. Overall, I’d say this was an okay read it had some interesting moments, and while it wasn’t fully for me, I can see others enjoying it.
August 8, 2026
This is the second Zac Hammett book I’ve read this week, and the second I’ve finished in under 24 hours. Honestly, I couldn’t put it down.
I really enjoy Zac’s writing style and, even though this book features a lot of the familiar tropes of MM romance, I still found myself unable to predict where the story was going. I was completely invested in seeing how everything would play out. Both Max and Hunter were fully realised characters, and I loved watching their connection grow throughout the story. The cast of side characters all added something to the story, too.
This might be slightly controversial, but I just feel like there’s a level of authenticity to Zac’s writing of MM romance, as a gay man, that I don’t always get from other authors in the genre. It’s something I first noticed when I read See You at the Finish Line, and I felt it again here. There’s just something about the way he writes these relationships that feels particularly genuine to me.
I’m excited to see what comes next and will definitely be reading it!
I really enjoy Zac’s writing style and, even though this book features a lot of the familiar tropes of MM romance, I still found myself unable to predict where the story was going. I was completely invested in seeing how everything would play out. Both Max and Hunter were fully realised characters, and I loved watching their connection grow throughout the story. The cast of side characters all added something to the story, too.
This might be slightly controversial, but I just feel like there’s a level of authenticity to Zac’s writing of MM romance, as a gay man, that I don’t always get from other authors in the genre. It’s something I first noticed when I read See You at the Finish Line, and I felt it again here. There’s just something about the way he writes these relationships that feels particularly genuine to me.
I’m excited to see what comes next and will definitely be reading it!
August 5, 2026
Max needs to find someone to pose as his fake boyfriend to help his chances of being promoted to his dream job. He's hooked up with Hunter, an American actor who moved to London in hopes of jump-starting his career. He also needs a miracle to get his visa extended, or else he'll have to return to NYC. What starts as fake dating quickly turns into a marriage of convenience. While they're busy trying to convince immigration that their marriage is real, working on getting Max promoted, and finding Hunter his dream role, they begin to develop real feelings. However, if they get the job and role that they want, it'll pull them to different countries and likely mean the end for their budding relationship. Can Max and Hunter find a way to get everything they want, including a future together?
I thought this was really cute. The fake dating is very short-lived; I'd classify it more as a fake marriage trope. These two fell for each other quite quickly, but it was sweet. I liked how they supported each other. Neither one had really had that from anyone before, and it was nice to see. The story was low-angst; the little bit there was at the end was resolved quickly. Their longing to be together, even when it seemed impossible, was enough angst to keep me invested.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Doily, in particular, was a lot of fun. Her anecdotes were very entertaining. Flora Forbes and Baroness Sharon were also standout characters.
Overall, this was an easy read and a really cute romance!
I thought this was really cute. The fake dating is very short-lived; I'd classify it more as a fake marriage trope. These two fell for each other quite quickly, but it was sweet. I liked how they supported each other. Neither one had really had that from anyone before, and it was nice to see. The story was low-angst; the little bit there was at the end was resolved quickly. Their longing to be together, even when it seemed impossible, was enough angst to keep me invested.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Doily, in particular, was a lot of fun. Her anecdotes were very entertaining. Flora Forbes and Baroness Sharon were also standout characters.
Overall, this was an easy read and a really cute romance!
June 26, 2026
Sweet, cute, funny, just all around such an enjoyable read.
Max needs a partner and Hunter needs a way to avoid being deported. Enter the fake boyfriend to fake fiancé to fake husband pipeline.
The chemistry is there, the banter is there and what I loved the most is the communication is there. From very early on in their story, they are more open with each other than they are with anyone else in their lives.
I love when there’s not miscommunication. I love when the third act comes and instead it’s a problem to overcome and figure out rather than someone was hiding something.
It was such a fast read, I dare you to not fly through it. We get dual POV and the chapters are short so you’re constantly getting both sides of the issues at hand which I love.
Can’t wait for this one to be out in the world!
Thank you to Slowburn and ZIP for the early read!
Max needs a partner and Hunter needs a way to avoid being deported. Enter the fake boyfriend to fake fiancé to fake husband pipeline.
The chemistry is there, the banter is there and what I loved the most is the communication is there. From very early on in their story, they are more open with each other than they are with anyone else in their lives.
I love when there’s not miscommunication. I love when the third act comes and instead it’s a problem to overcome and figure out rather than someone was hiding something.
It was such a fast read, I dare you to not fly through it. We get dual POV and the chapters are short so you’re constantly getting both sides of the issues at hand which I love.
Can’t wait for this one to be out in the world!
Thank you to Slowburn and ZIP for the early read!
Read
May 1, 2026International Relations by Zac Hammett
📖 A chaotic, laugh out loud rom com with high stakes, fake marriage drama, and unexpectedly soft feelings. A grumpy diplomat hires a fake boyfriend for appearances… and ends up legally married thanks to visa complications. What makes this one shine is the humor, the banter, and how quickly fake turns into something very real.
Tropes & Vibes
💍 Fake dating turned marriage
🌍 Political workplace chaos
😒➡️☀️ Grumpy sunshine
🏠 Forced proximity
😂 Rom com banter
🐶 Cute dog sidekick
Read this if you like
Queer rom coms with humor, fake relationships that spiral, witty banter, and low angst stories with big heart.
#InternationalRelations #MMRomance #FakeDatingRomance #RomComReads #ZAndoSlowburn
📖 A chaotic, laugh out loud rom com with high stakes, fake marriage drama, and unexpectedly soft feelings. A grumpy diplomat hires a fake boyfriend for appearances… and ends up legally married thanks to visa complications. What makes this one shine is the humor, the banter, and how quickly fake turns into something very real.
Tropes & Vibes
💍 Fake dating turned marriage
🌍 Political workplace chaos
😒➡️☀️ Grumpy sunshine
🏠 Forced proximity
😂 Rom com banter
🐶 Cute dog sidekick
Read this if you like
Queer rom coms with humor, fake relationships that spiral, witty banter, and low angst stories with big heart.
#InternationalRelations #MMRomance #FakeDatingRomance #RomComReads #ZAndoSlowburn
August 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️✨
I really wanted to enjoy International Relations by Zac Hammet, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
My biggest issue was that I never connected with any of the characters. Their development felt choppy and repetitive, so I never became invested in them or their relationships. On top of that, the constant miscommunication and the endless cycle of "I can't" every single time became so frustrating. 😭
By around the 60% mark, I had completely lost interest... and, honestly, I wasn't even fully enjoying the first 60% either. I kept hoping things would click, but they never really did for me.
The premise had potential, but the execution left me feeling disconnected from start to finish. Sadly, this one just wasn't for me.
I really wanted to enjoy International Relations by Zac Hammet, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
My biggest issue was that I never connected with any of the characters. Their development felt choppy and repetitive, so I never became invested in them or their relationships. On top of that, the constant miscommunication and the endless cycle of "I can't" every single time became so frustrating. 😭
By around the 60% mark, I had completely lost interest... and, honestly, I wasn't even fully enjoying the first 60% either. I kept hoping things would click, but they never really did for me.
The premise had potential, but the execution left me feeling disconnected from start to finish. Sadly, this one just wasn't for me.
Did Not Finish
August 13, 2026DNF @ 40%
This one is cute and has some great things going for it—the setup is fun (who doesn’t love fake dating?!) the discussions of (the lack of) lgbtq rep in diplomacy are great.
Unfortunately the writing here just wasn’t working for me personally. It felt a little young and a bit cheesy, with a few too many places where I needed to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. I also struggled with how quickly they were into each other without really seeing or feeling any of the chemistry as to WHY they were into each other.
Fully realize that a lot of this may just have been me!
🎧 This audio was great, though. Both narrators were excellent here.
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
This one is cute and has some great things going for it—the setup is fun (who doesn’t love fake dating?!) the discussions of (the lack of) lgbtq rep in diplomacy are great.
Unfortunately the writing here just wasn’t working for me personally. It felt a little young and a bit cheesy, with a few too many places where I needed to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. I also struggled with how quickly they were into each other without really seeing or feeling any of the chemistry as to WHY they were into each other.
Fully realize that a lot of this may just have been me!
🎧 This audio was great, though. Both narrators were excellent here.
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
May 8, 2026
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Zac for this arc. International Relations was such a fun, heartfelt read. At this point, I genuinely think Zac Hammett is becoming a favourite author for me. This was every bit as enjoyable as his debut novel, which I also loved, and I’m already excited to see what he writes next.
I’m an absolute sucker for fake dating romances, and this one did not disappoint. The yearning and tension between Max and Hunter were so well done, and I loved watching their relationship slowly blur the line between performance and reality. Their chemistry was brilliant.
It was genuinely funny, but it also had plenty of sweet, tender, and emotional moments that gave the story real heart. The romance felt both entertaining and sincere, which made it incredibly easy to get invested in.
Tropes:
💍 Fake dating
💍 Marriage of convenience
💍 Forced proximity
💍 Slow burn
💍 Opposites attract
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Zac for this arc. International Relations was such a fun, heartfelt read. At this point, I genuinely think Zac Hammett is becoming a favourite author for me. This was every bit as enjoyable as his debut novel, which I also loved, and I’m already excited to see what he writes next.
I’m an absolute sucker for fake dating romances, and this one did not disappoint. The yearning and tension between Max and Hunter were so well done, and I loved watching their relationship slowly blur the line between performance and reality. Their chemistry was brilliant.
It was genuinely funny, but it also had plenty of sweet, tender, and emotional moments that gave the story real heart. The romance felt both entertaining and sincere, which made it incredibly easy to get invested in.
Tropes:
💍 Fake dating
💍 Marriage of convenience
💍 Forced proximity
💍 Slow burn
💍 Opposites attract
July 30, 2026
Thank you to Slowburn, Zando, and NetGalley for an eARC to read and review before publishing.
Looking for a sweet MM romance full of laughter, a marriage of convenience, and yearning? Then International Relations is a must read.
I absolutely loved Max and Hunter. You can't help but cheer for them in their individual lives and careers as well as in their relationship. I loved their banter and how they were able to support each other from the first time they meet. Zac does a fantastic job of building their tension while also developing their friendship/relationship. And although Zac leans heavily on common Romance tropes, and they 100% work.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Looking for a sweet MM romance full of laughter, a marriage of convenience, and yearning? Then International Relations is a must read.
I absolutely loved Max and Hunter. You can't help but cheer for them in their individual lives and careers as well as in their relationship. I loved their banter and how they were able to support each other from the first time they meet. Zac does a fantastic job of building their tension while also developing their friendship/relationship. And although Zac leans heavily on common Romance tropes, and they 100% work.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
June 7, 2026
this was an absolutely delightful read!! this story was so much fun and i truly could not put it down. this is on the shorter side & has a very addictive plot that gives you the ability to really fly through it! i really loved max & hunter. they were both so sweet! max really brought out the best in hunter and i loved seeing those moments. this made me laugh out loud multiple times while reading, this is definitely a romcom. i think this would make for SUCH a fun movie!
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