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International Relations
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26Max 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
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Zac Hammett
2 books151 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 170 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
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
Read
June 21, 2026Full rtc, but Y'ALL 😭💜🥹🥰😍
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.
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.
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.
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 … ?
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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
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.
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!
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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
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
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!
June 14, 2026
okay Max & Hunter were such sweeties 😭
I really loved the rom com vibe to this story. Max is such a sweet baby and by the end I was so proud of him 🥹 Hunter and Max wanted their dream jobs and really said “we will do anything” but it turned out perfectly in their favor.
fake dating is always fun but toss in a rushed marriage & immediate forced proximity? HECK YES
thank you so much Netgalley, Zando, Slowburn & the author for the gifted galley & earc 🫶🏼
I really loved the rom com vibe to this story. Max is such a sweet baby and by the end I was so proud of him 🥹 Hunter and Max wanted their dream jobs and really said “we will do anything” but it turned out perfectly in their favor.
fake dating is always fun but toss in a rushed marriage & immediate forced proximity? HECK YES
thank you so much Netgalley, Zando, Slowburn & the author for the gifted galley & earc 🫶🏼
March 29, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for this ARC! I’d seen this book and author for the first time on social media, and the cover immediately pulled me in. This was a delight to read, very wholesome and fun with characters you can’t help but love. I just wish it was a little longer and a little slower-paced, as their romance felt a bit rushed—but maybe that’s just the slow burn lover in me. I’m excited to read Zac Hammet’s first novel, which is on my list.
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June 18, 20263,5/5. I think my expectations were too different from what this was to fully enjoy it. I've reread the description and - although it's technically correct - I feel like it sells a different story.
I'm very conflicted about this one. The writing and the romance were fine in theory, but didn't make me feel enough. Didn't convince me to fully root for them, as was needed with such a premise and its execution.
There were things I liked - I don't think it's unenjoyable - and I fully believe that some - if not most - people would love it. I'm just not there myself.
So, getting into it, I liked the ending. It cleared some things up for me and made a few of my character-related doubts go away. Maybe not completely, but sufficiently enough that I'm not going to mention them, because the characters came to similar conclusions as me in a few spots and I don't think it's necessary for me to go into them. Especially since spoilers.
Connected to that, the character development. Their growth is clearly visible and quite beautiful. They both change for the better and learn to open up to each other and the world, which leads to major personal breakthroughs. That was wonderful. The way they uplifted each other was a big part of that, and I always love a good support system between the MCs.
I also enjoyed the small side plots between the side characters, especially Doily's and Flora's stories, and the perm detail.
So, what are the causes of my internal conflict? There are a couple, and most of them have to do with the main characters.
I think the major one is that I don’t really know who Hunter is as a person, only that he loves the theatre and had a bad relationship in the past. As much as I also struggle with Max, though for different reasons, he is a nicely developed man with internal struggles, complexities, and interpersonal relationships which say a lot about him. Hunter has some friends, but I don't think I've learnt enough about him to understand him. He falls flat by comparison and I don't get his motivations, which led to me not really trusting or liking him.
Also - and this is the part where the description sells a better story than the book itself - I don’t really want to root for them, because of their motives for breaking the law. The description made it sound kind of circumstancial and like they were both pushed into doing this naturally, but in reality, Hunter acted with cold-blooded premeditation. I did not like that, and no matter where things went further and how beautifully their love blossomed, I couldn't get it out of my head that the man coerced the other one into eloping. How easy it was is also a thing that's bothering me, and that's connected to the next thing on the list.
It’s weird that Max was a diplomat in the first place. At the beginning, he can't open up about anything, he can't mediate conflicts, he doesn't have a grip on his own emotions, and he's a terrible liar. He works for the government and is all about making good changes in the world, and yet he's selfish enough to do this purely for his own gains. He doesn't care how unethical this is. I think I'm too fed up with government officals doing whatever the hell they want for their own benefit not to be angry at this.
When it comes to writing itself, most of it was absolutely solild, but the thing that stood out was that I was told there’s tension instead of feeling the tension myself. There were some sparks, but not enough for a full fire.
So, overall, the romance is generally fine, but the foundations of it were so wrong for me personally that I wasn't able to enjoy it. Nevertheless, I think if you squint and ignore the issues I got so hung up on, you will have fun with this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC.
I'm very conflicted about this one. The writing and the romance were fine in theory, but didn't make me feel enough. Didn't convince me to fully root for them, as was needed with such a premise and its execution.
There were things I liked - I don't think it's unenjoyable - and I fully believe that some - if not most - people would love it. I'm just not there myself.
So, getting into it, I liked the ending. It cleared some things up for me and made a few of my character-related doubts go away. Maybe not completely, but sufficiently enough that I'm not going to mention them, because the characters came to similar conclusions as me in a few spots and I don't think it's necessary for me to go into them. Especially since spoilers.
Connected to that, the character development. Their growth is clearly visible and quite beautiful. They both change for the better and learn to open up to each other and the world, which leads to major personal breakthroughs. That was wonderful. The way they uplifted each other was a big part of that, and I always love a good support system between the MCs.
I also enjoyed the small side plots between the side characters, especially Doily's and Flora's stories, and the perm detail.
So, what are the causes of my internal conflict? There are a couple, and most of them have to do with the main characters.
I think the major one is that I don’t really know who Hunter is as a person, only that he loves the theatre and had a bad relationship in the past. As much as I also struggle with Max, though for different reasons, he is a nicely developed man with internal struggles, complexities, and interpersonal relationships which say a lot about him. Hunter has some friends, but I don't think I've learnt enough about him to understand him. He falls flat by comparison and I don't get his motivations, which led to me not really trusting or liking him.
Also - and this is the part where the description sells a better story than the book itself - I don’t really want to root for them, because of their motives for breaking the law. The description made it sound kind of circumstancial and like they were both pushed into doing this naturally, but in reality, Hunter acted with cold-blooded premeditation. I did not like that, and no matter where things went further and how beautifully their love blossomed, I couldn't get it out of my head that the man coerced the other one into eloping. How easy it was is also a thing that's bothering me, and that's connected to the next thing on the list.
It’s weird that Max was a diplomat in the first place. At the beginning, he can't open up about anything, he can't mediate conflicts, he doesn't have a grip on his own emotions, and he's a terrible liar. He works for the government and is all about making good changes in the world, and yet he's selfish enough to do this purely for his own gains. He doesn't care how unethical this is. I think I'm too fed up with government officals doing whatever the hell they want for their own benefit not to be angry at this.
When it comes to writing itself, most of it was absolutely solild, but the thing that stood out was that I was told there’s tension instead of feeling the tension myself. There were some sparks, but not enough for a full fire.
So, overall, the romance is generally fine, but the foundations of it were so wrong for me personally that I wasn't able to enjoy it. Nevertheless, I think if you squint and ignore the issues I got so hung up on, you will have fun with this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC.
March 21, 2026
International Relations by Zac Hammett is an absolute five-star read and easily one of my top of 2026. As an American theatre maker living in London, this romance felt uncannily up my alley: international diplomacy, performance, auditions at The Globe, identity, and one of my favourite tropes: fake dating.
The novel follows Max, an ambitious policy officer working in the high-stakes world of international relations, where optics are currency and perception can make or break a career. He’s gunning for a promotion but losing ground to his long-time rival Quentin, whose image with his perfect partner, Fiona, gives him a strategic edge. Determined to level the playing field, Max hires a fake boyfriend from an actors’ agency. Enter Hunter. What begins as a calculated professional maneuver escalates quickly when visa complications force their staged romance into a very real marriage of convenience. Suddenly, the stakes aren’t just professional, they’re personal, legal, and heartbreakingly emotional.
One of the strongest elements of this novel is how deeply both men care about their careers. There’s an underlying tension throughout the book that asks a powerful question: are you willing to give up what might be love to pursue the path you believe is right for you? That struggle feels real and grounded.
Hunter’s theatre background adds a fascinating layer to Max’s world. Through Hunter, we see how much of diplomacy is performance, and how often success depends on playing a role, selling a narrative, and faking confidence until it becomes real. The parallels between stagecraft and statecraft are clever and sharp without ever feeling heavy-handed. As someone immersed in theatre, I loved how that lens reframed Max’s political life.
What makes this romance soar is that Hunter and Max don’t tumble into instant love. Their relationship builds on friendship, trust, and companionship. They don’t need each other to be complete, but together they become better versions of themselves. Watching that evolution unfold felt earned and deeply satisfying.
The pacing is propulsive. I was reading well into the night, completely hooked. The final forty pages are a whirlwind, and I devoured them, desperate to see how it would all resolve. Hunter’s irrational fear of customs, convinced he’ll be detained no matter how innocent he is, made me laugh in painful recognition. Same. Every time I go through customs, I assume I’m about to be interrogated.
The romance is spicy in places, but it feels organic to their growing intimacy. The side characters round out the world beautifully. Doily and Fiona are standouts, and Mr. Peanut might be the cutest dog in fiction.
Though technically a standalone, I would happily revisit this world and these characters at another stage in their lives. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, funny, heartfelt MM romance with fake dating and marriage of convenience, read this immediately. Zac Hammett is a phenomenal storyteller, and I’ll absolutely be picking up more of his work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For fans of:
Red, White, & Royal Blue
The Love Hypothesis
Role Model
International Relations is a sharp, charming romantic comedy about ambition, appearances, and unexpected love. Max has always prioritized his fast-paced career in international diplomacy over relationships, relying on brief flings while chasing a long-awaited promotion. But when Max is left standing alone outside Buckingham Palace, while a formal event takes place inside, this threatens both his reputation and his career prospects. Max realizes he needs to clean up his image fast.
Determined to outshine his polished, happily married rival, Quentin, Max hires Hunter, a warm, charismatic actor, to play the role of his perfect boyfriend. What begins as a strategic fake relationship quickly spirals into something far more complicated when visa issues force them into a very real marriage of convenience. A glamorous assignment, political pressure, and workplace competition raise the stakes. Max and Hunter must convince everyone their relationship is real while trying to ignore the fact that their feelings may be becoming genuine.
This book includes:
-Fake dating
-Marriage of convenience
-Grumpy x sunshine
I was worried at first that this would lean heavily into the miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorites. Luckily, it turned out to be the complete opposite—it just took a little time to get there. Max and Hunter are probably two of the most honest MMCs I’ve read in a long time. I loved how clearly it was communicated that neither would sacrifice their own goals or dreams for the other, no matter how strong their feelings grew. What made this story stand out most was how deeply they supported each other’s ambitions, even when it wasn’t convenient or personally beneficial. They both played a role in helping each other heal from past trauma, which gave the romance more emotional depth and made their connection feel earned.
My only small critique was the climax after Hunter returned from Greece—I felt that moment could have been drawn out a bit more and given extra drama. Still, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was witty, heartfelt, and full of chemistry, with characters I genuinely rooted for.
I received this eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Zac Hammett, and Zando for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted on my Goodreads: @jack-pusloskie. Check out my Goodreads profile.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Red, White, & Royal Blue
The Love Hypothesis
Role Model
International Relations is a sharp, charming romantic comedy about ambition, appearances, and unexpected love. Max has always prioritized his fast-paced career in international diplomacy over relationships, relying on brief flings while chasing a long-awaited promotion. But when Max is left standing alone outside Buckingham Palace, while a formal event takes place inside, this threatens both his reputation and his career prospects. Max realizes he needs to clean up his image fast.
Determined to outshine his polished, happily married rival, Quentin, Max hires Hunter, a warm, charismatic actor, to play the role of his perfect boyfriend. What begins as a strategic fake relationship quickly spirals into something far more complicated when visa issues force them into a very real marriage of convenience. A glamorous assignment, political pressure, and workplace competition raise the stakes. Max and Hunter must convince everyone their relationship is real while trying to ignore the fact that their feelings may be becoming genuine.
This book includes:
-Fake dating
-Marriage of convenience
-Grumpy x sunshine
I was worried at first that this would lean heavily into the miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorites. Luckily, it turned out to be the complete opposite—it just took a little time to get there. Max and Hunter are probably two of the most honest MMCs I’ve read in a long time. I loved how clearly it was communicated that neither would sacrifice their own goals or dreams for the other, no matter how strong their feelings grew. What made this story stand out most was how deeply they supported each other’s ambitions, even when it wasn’t convenient or personally beneficial. They both played a role in helping each other heal from past trauma, which gave the romance more emotional depth and made their connection feel earned.
My only small critique was the climax after Hunter returned from Greece—I felt that moment could have been drawn out a bit more and given extra drama. Still, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was witty, heartfelt, and full of chemistry, with characters I genuinely rooted for.
I received this eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Zac Hammett, and Zando for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted on my Goodreads: @jack-pusloskie. Check out my Goodreads profile.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank NetGalley and Zaffre for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
What a charmer OMG!!! I LoOoOOOoooved EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT THIS!
I'm not sure how much of this will come off as a coherent review, but I'm all about how GOOD this romance made me feel from start to finish, and that's really what it all comes down to at the end of a reading day!
I was chuckling from the jump
and all my notes were variations of "I'm howling/cackling/dying" and "I'm in love with this"
And I very much COULD NOT GET ENOUGH of all the shenanigans and swoony heart eyes!
This was one of the best times I've had with a rom-com in a really long time because
The
Story
Was
Fun.
Max was so precious and sunshine sweet, and I dug his flavour of "ambitious" as he hired a babe to be his bae and then fell in love with his own love story. He was adorable, lovable, and supremely cuuuute,
and I was a MEGA fan
of all the ways
HUnter
ate
him
Up ;p
Hunter was poetry in motion, with a song in his heart, and a dream to build his performing arts career in London before his visa ran out. He was so layered, so resilient, and beyond committed to his craft. And he had such a confidence to him, that even now I'm sitting here still F E E L I N G his star-power emanating like he's a rl emerging talent to keep an eye on.
Hunter's backstory was piercing, and his whole needing to escape NY due to ex-drama complications that had stymied his dreams
felt
so
real
that it was chilling to read. It was a relatable dimension of toxic relationship ewwws that had me invested in Hunter and Max's HEA like it was my own!
I loved their chemistry, and how they brought out the best in each other. I also loved that they were so different, but still brilliant at being each other's anchor.
And it wasn't only Max and Hunter who made this romance a home for performing arts wildlings + the agent who loved them! Every single character was a riot and truly owned their individual energy!
Shout out to Doily who wore the crown of quirky competency like no other character I've ever seen or read before!
International Relations was dynamic, and funny, and charming, and sweet, and sexy, and just a really really good romance overall!! This was the epitome of cheery, upbeat, yellow energy that sings, and it was the kind of lovely marvel I could have read into 2027 and still want more! Loved this!
What a charmer OMG!!! I LoOoOOOoooved EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT THIS!
I'm not sure how much of this will come off as a coherent review, but I'm all about how GOOD this romance made me feel from start to finish, and that's really what it all comes down to at the end of a reading day!
I was chuckling from the jump
and all my notes were variations of "I'm howling/cackling/dying" and "I'm in love with this"
And I very much COULD NOT GET ENOUGH of all the shenanigans and swoony heart eyes!
This was one of the best times I've had with a rom-com in a really long time because
The
Story
Was
Fun.
Max was so precious and sunshine sweet, and I dug his flavour of "ambitious" as he hired a babe to be his bae and then fell in love with his own love story. He was adorable, lovable, and supremely cuuuute,
and I was a MEGA fan
of all the ways
HUnter
ate
him
Up ;p
Hunter was poetry in motion, with a song in his heart, and a dream to build his performing arts career in London before his visa ran out. He was so layered, so resilient, and beyond committed to his craft. And he had such a confidence to him, that even now I'm sitting here still F E E L I N G his star-power emanating like he's a rl emerging talent to keep an eye on.
Hunter's backstory was piercing, and his whole needing to escape NY due to ex-drama complications that had stymied his dreams
felt
so
real
that it was chilling to read. It was a relatable dimension of toxic relationship ewwws that had me invested in Hunter and Max's HEA like it was my own!
I loved their chemistry, and how they brought out the best in each other. I also loved that they were so different, but still brilliant at being each other's anchor.
And it wasn't only Max and Hunter who made this romance a home for performing arts wildlings + the agent who loved them! Every single character was a riot and truly owned their individual energy!
Shout out to Doily who wore the crown of quirky competency like no other character I've ever seen or read before!
International Relations was dynamic, and funny, and charming, and sweet, and sexy, and just a really really good romance overall!! This was the epitome of cheery, upbeat, yellow energy that sings, and it was the kind of lovely marvel I could have read into 2027 and still want more! Loved this!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️
Max, a British Ambassador, is vying for his dream job against rival Quentin. After seeing Quentin receive special favors and praise due to his stellar relationship, Max believes in order to get his dream job, he needs a strong relationship as well. To solve his problem, he hires Hunter, an American actor seeking a solution for an expiring Visa as he wishes to continue acting in London. As a result, the pair end up in a marriage of convenience and are put to the ultimate test when they realize their true feelings may impede all the lies they've told.
International Relations is a feel-good, MM romance that absolutely drew me in from the start, and had me kicking my feet all the way until the end. The dual POV showcases mutual pining in secret, longing, and desire that they both question whether or not they should cross the line. What I loved about their relationship was even though they both had separate goals and desires for their future, at the end of the day, they never wavered in their support for each other. I think this is such a crucial dynamic to have in a partnership because you should pursue your own dreams. When there was spice between Max and Hunter it was perfect; the spice was imperative to strengthening their relationship and moved the plot along swimmingly.
This story was hilarious and had cheeky pop culture references and bits sprinkled throughout (Elton John's lawn gnome might have been my favorite). While the tone was mostly light, this book touched upon grieving from losing a parent and overcoming difficult past relationships. I thought these elements brought a deeper side to the book and made Max and Hunter more emotionally compelling. Also, I enjoyed the side characters since they were memorable and brought the story to life even more. I am SO glad there was no heavy use of the miscommunication trope in this story. The only change I would have made was to have a bit more of a wrap up after the climax of the plot since I felt it was a quick ending.
This was my first Zac Hammett book and it will surely not be my last!
International Relations is perfect for those who want a bend of The Proposal and Red, White, and Royal Blue and love stories with elements of:
✨ fake dating to fake marriage / marriage of convenience
✨ MM romance
✨ memorable side characters
✨ forced proximity
✨ workplace rivalry in a political setting
Thank you endlessly to Slowburn | Zando for this galley in exchange for an honest review!
Max, a British Ambassador, is vying for his dream job against rival Quentin. After seeing Quentin receive special favors and praise due to his stellar relationship, Max believes in order to get his dream job, he needs a strong relationship as well. To solve his problem, he hires Hunter, an American actor seeking a solution for an expiring Visa as he wishes to continue acting in London. As a result, the pair end up in a marriage of convenience and are put to the ultimate test when they realize their true feelings may impede all the lies they've told.
International Relations is a feel-good, MM romance that absolutely drew me in from the start, and had me kicking my feet all the way until the end. The dual POV showcases mutual pining in secret, longing, and desire that they both question whether or not they should cross the line. What I loved about their relationship was even though they both had separate goals and desires for their future, at the end of the day, they never wavered in their support for each other. I think this is such a crucial dynamic to have in a partnership because you should pursue your own dreams. When there was spice between Max and Hunter it was perfect; the spice was imperative to strengthening their relationship and moved the plot along swimmingly.
This story was hilarious and had cheeky pop culture references and bits sprinkled throughout (Elton John's lawn gnome might have been my favorite). While the tone was mostly light, this book touched upon grieving from losing a parent and overcoming difficult past relationships. I thought these elements brought a deeper side to the book and made Max and Hunter more emotionally compelling. Also, I enjoyed the side characters since they were memorable and brought the story to life even more. I am SO glad there was no heavy use of the miscommunication trope in this story. The only change I would have made was to have a bit more of a wrap up after the climax of the plot since I felt it was a quick ending.
This was my first Zac Hammett book and it will surely not be my last!
International Relations is perfect for those who want a bend of The Proposal and Red, White, and Royal Blue and love stories with elements of:
✨ fake dating to fake marriage / marriage of convenience
✨ MM romance
✨ memorable side characters
✨ forced proximity
✨ workplace rivalry in a political setting
Thank you endlessly to Slowburn | Zando for this galley in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So, here's the thing: The Proposal is my favorite movie of all time. It's funny, it's romantic, and Sandra Bullock is in it. 10/10. Despite that, I don't generally enjoy the fake dating or marriage of convenience tropes in books. I couldn't explain that discrepancy if my life depended on it. But, you know, if a book is likened to my all-time favorite movie, I'm obviously going to read it.
I wish I could say I liked this one, but alas...
While this was a quick, easy read, I just didn't find it very compelling. Neither Max nor Hunter were particularly interesting to me, and I didn't feel the chemistry between them. The whole premise of this book was a bit over the top, and I struggled to suspend my disbelief enough to fully immerse myself in the characters' reality. To be fair, I know essentially nothing about diplomacy or international government relationships, but everything about this felt implausible and silly, and I would've preferred more realism for the sake of being able to feel invested in the stakes.
Admittedly, I didn't love the writing in this book either. I will always prefer third-person over first-person POV, and I especially struggled with it in this book because of the way the characters seemed a little too privy to one another's internal thoughts and feelings at times. Sure, it's not always overwhelmingly difficult to tell what's going on in someone else's head, but there were several instances when I couldn't help but think the POV character was too confidently asserting what the other was thinking or feeling. If you're going to write that way, why not just use third-person POV? It's so much less clunky and awkward.
This is a smaller critique, I suppose, but I didn't resonate with the humor in this book at all. It came across like the author was trying too hard to make this book funny and quirky, and it didn't really land for me. YMMV. That's extremely subjective, so I'm sure plenty of people will find this book hilarious even if I didn't.
Anyway. International Relations will unfortunately not be added to the very short list of books that have made me rethink my dislike of the fake dating/marriage of convenience tropes. No one is more bummed about that than me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Slowburn for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wish I could say I liked this one, but alas...
While this was a quick, easy read, I just didn't find it very compelling. Neither Max nor Hunter were particularly interesting to me, and I didn't feel the chemistry between them. The whole premise of this book was a bit over the top, and I struggled to suspend my disbelief enough to fully immerse myself in the characters' reality. To be fair, I know essentially nothing about diplomacy or international government relationships, but everything about this felt implausible and silly, and I would've preferred more realism for the sake of being able to feel invested in the stakes.
Admittedly, I didn't love the writing in this book either. I will always prefer third-person over first-person POV, and I especially struggled with it in this book because of the way the characters seemed a little too privy to one another's internal thoughts and feelings at times. Sure, it's not always overwhelmingly difficult to tell what's going on in someone else's head, but there were several instances when I couldn't help but think the POV character was too confidently asserting what the other was thinking or feeling. If you're going to write that way, why not just use third-person POV? It's so much less clunky and awkward.
This is a smaller critique, I suppose, but I didn't resonate with the humor in this book at all. It came across like the author was trying too hard to make this book funny and quirky, and it didn't really land for me. YMMV. That's extremely subjective, so I'm sure plenty of people will find this book hilarious even if I didn't.
Anyway. International Relations will unfortunately not be added to the very short list of books that have made me rethink my dislike of the fake dating/marriage of convenience tropes. No one is more bummed about that than me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Slowburn for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2026
Hire an actor to pretend to be your boyfriend. What could go wrong?
Apparently, quite a lot—and that's exactly what makes Zac Hammett's International Relations such a fantastic read. I'm a sucker for forced-proximity romances, and this delivered big time. Combining fake dating, a marriage of convenience, and two men whose future plans seem destined to pull them apart, Hammett creates a romance that is both swoon-worthy and emotionally devastating in the best possible way.
Max is determined to secure his dream job as the UK's ambassador to Greece, and he believes that having a serious boyfriend will improve his chances. Hunter, meanwhile, is an actor whose visa is running out, threatening the life and career he has built in London. What starts as a business arrangement quickly becomes more complicated when Hunter realizes just how much Max's future depends on their relationship and suggests they get married so he can stay in the country. From their very first meeting, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore, adding an extra layer of anticipation to a relationship that is supposed to be entirely practical. As they spend more time together, the line between what's real and what's pretend becomes increasingly blurred.
What I loved most about this book was how well the conflict between the developing romance and personal ambitions was handled. Max and Hunter don't just have external obstacles keeping them apart—they each have dreams they've worked incredibly hard for. Max wants the posting in Greece, while Hunter is chasing a coveted role at the Globe Theatre. The closer they become, the more impossible it seems that they can both get what they want without losing each other.
The emotional development of their relationship is beautifully done. Their chemistry is fantastic, but it's the growing trust, vulnerability, and affection between them that makes the romance so compelling. Watching them slowly realize how much they mean to each other was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
This book genuinely made me cry. The author creates moments of emotional honesty that hit surprisingly hard, and I found myself completely invested in both characters and their futures. What impressed me most, though, was the ending. Even though I knew I was reading a romance and therefore knew there would be a happy ever after, the final chapters still had me on the edge of my seat. I was so emotionally attached to Max and Hunter that I needed to know how they were going to make everything work.
Overall, International Relations is a beautifully written romance with emotional depth, and just the right amount of angst. It's a story about love, but it's also about ambition, self-discovery, and realizing that the future you've always planned for isn't necessarily the one you truly want. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down! 100% recommended!
Apparently, quite a lot—and that's exactly what makes Zac Hammett's International Relations such a fantastic read. I'm a sucker for forced-proximity romances, and this delivered big time. Combining fake dating, a marriage of convenience, and two men whose future plans seem destined to pull them apart, Hammett creates a romance that is both swoon-worthy and emotionally devastating in the best possible way.
Max is determined to secure his dream job as the UK's ambassador to Greece, and he believes that having a serious boyfriend will improve his chances. Hunter, meanwhile, is an actor whose visa is running out, threatening the life and career he has built in London. What starts as a business arrangement quickly becomes more complicated when Hunter realizes just how much Max's future depends on their relationship and suggests they get married so he can stay in the country. From their very first meeting, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore, adding an extra layer of anticipation to a relationship that is supposed to be entirely practical. As they spend more time together, the line between what's real and what's pretend becomes increasingly blurred.
What I loved most about this book was how well the conflict between the developing romance and personal ambitions was handled. Max and Hunter don't just have external obstacles keeping them apart—they each have dreams they've worked incredibly hard for. Max wants the posting in Greece, while Hunter is chasing a coveted role at the Globe Theatre. The closer they become, the more impossible it seems that they can both get what they want without losing each other.
The emotional development of their relationship is beautifully done. Their chemistry is fantastic, but it's the growing trust, vulnerability, and affection between them that makes the romance so compelling. Watching them slowly realize how much they mean to each other was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
This book genuinely made me cry. The author creates moments of emotional honesty that hit surprisingly hard, and I found myself completely invested in both characters and their futures. What impressed me most, though, was the ending. Even though I knew I was reading a romance and therefore knew there would be a happy ever after, the final chapters still had me on the edge of my seat. I was so emotionally attached to Max and Hunter that I needed to know how they were going to make everything work.
Overall, International Relations is a beautifully written romance with emotional depth, and just the right amount of angst. It's a story about love, but it's also about ambition, self-discovery, and realizing that the future you've always planned for isn't necessarily the one you truly want. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down! 100% recommended!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to the e-ARC for review.
This was a fun little read. It did have some emotional moments but was mostly a lighthearted love story. I really enjoyed the pining between the characters, but I would have loved to feel more tension between them. I’ve never read a book with a main character who wants to be a diplomat, so that was interesting and different. I also liked Hunter’s backstory and his struggles with being an actor. The side characters are also pretty fun and quirky.
The plot was interesting. I thought it was kind of unrealistic how smoothly things went at the beginning and thought the book would continue that way. I’m not a fan of the real conflict starting in the last 20ish pages. This is a good time in a novel to start wrapping things up, not starting even more conflict for the characters we just want to see happy.
I’m also not a huge fan of how the conflict resolved itself. I know this is a fiction novel, but it just felt very “movie” and not very realistic. I think the issues in this novel are so topical at the moment that I’m struggling with seeing this issue be resolved so easily. It also felt a little rushed with how late it happened in the novel. I would have enjoyed the conflict to be resolved sooner so that we had more time with the characters being happy together.
The epilogue of this book was straight up confusing. I had to go back to see if I was missing something. How did the deportation actually get resolved? Did they go along with the original plan? If so, why wasn’t it mentioned.
Before the end of this novel I was prepared to rate it a solid 3, even a 3.5, but after finishing it and being extremely confused and upset with how the ending landed, I unfortunately cannot justify giving it higher than 2 stars. I feel bad because this book was not bad by any means but the ending just made it to where it didn’t hit a 3 for me.
I'm sorry if this review seemed harsh in any way, I just really did not enjoy the ending. If I would have been asked to rate this like 50-70% in it would get at least a 3.
I also wrote this review as I was reading, hence the beginning of the review being a lot nicer. This review shows how I was enjoying the book through the first half but it lost me in the last 80%.
This was a fun little read. It did have some emotional moments but was mostly a lighthearted love story. I really enjoyed the pining between the characters, but I would have loved to feel more tension between them. I’ve never read a book with a main character who wants to be a diplomat, so that was interesting and different. I also liked Hunter’s backstory and his struggles with being an actor. The side characters are also pretty fun and quirky.
The plot was interesting. I thought it was kind of unrealistic how smoothly things went at the beginning and thought the book would continue that way. I’m not a fan of the real conflict starting in the last 20ish pages. This is a good time in a novel to start wrapping things up, not starting even more conflict for the characters we just want to see happy.
I’m also not a huge fan of how the conflict resolved itself. I know this is a fiction novel, but it just felt very “movie” and not very realistic. I think the issues in this novel are so topical at the moment that I’m struggling with seeing this issue be resolved so easily. It also felt a little rushed with how late it happened in the novel. I would have enjoyed the conflict to be resolved sooner so that we had more time with the characters being happy together.
The epilogue of this book was straight up confusing. I had to go back to see if I was missing something. How did the deportation actually get resolved? Did they go along with the original plan? If so, why wasn’t it mentioned.
Before the end of this novel I was prepared to rate it a solid 3, even a 3.5, but after finishing it and being extremely confused and upset with how the ending landed, I unfortunately cannot justify giving it higher than 2 stars. I feel bad because this book was not bad by any means but the ending just made it to where it didn’t hit a 3 for me.
I'm sorry if this review seemed harsh in any way, I just really did not enjoy the ending. If I would have been asked to rate this like 50-70% in it would get at least a 3.
I also wrote this review as I was reading, hence the beginning of the review being a lot nicer. This review shows how I was enjoying the book through the first half but it lost me in the last 80%.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
First of all, I love fake dating, and this book has that AND a marriage of convenience! I love how Max and Hunter start off a little wrong-footed during their initial fake-dating phase, before bonding and gradually learning to open up to each other. The hijinks that they go through to prove their relationship is legit, while also trying to deny their feelings for each other, was so silly and entertaining!
My favourite part is how Max and Hunter complement each other. They both pull their weight when it comes to maintaining the deception of their fake relationship/marriage. It initially appears like Hunter, as an actor, is the one doing most of the heavy lifting, but Max also contributes in other ways. I also love how they push each other out of their comfort zones to try new things or show each other new perspectives strawberry lemon corrected i wanna lemon lime from a new perspective
I also found some of the scenarios that occur to be a little unrealistic. Like, I'm not a diplomat so what do I know, but I don't think diplomat job interviews work like that. Of course, this is not an issue if you can ignore it, but I will admit it took me out of the story a little.
I was also a little let down by how (not) political this book turned out to be. I didn't expect an expose about actual international relations, but this book as a whole feels sort of deliberately apolitical. There are very brief references to certain topics that the characters have the correct opinions on, but it never goes any deeper than that. Max talks about how he wants to pursue this career as a diplomat because he wants to make the world a better place (very vague), but by the end of the book it's unclear what sort of changes he intends to/ is able to make.
I suppose a lighthearted romcom isn't really the place for it, but given everything going on in the world, it's hard to put it out of mind.
Anyway, ignoring all that, this really was a fun and engaging read! I will definitely be reading more from this author.
First of all, I love fake dating, and this book has that AND a marriage of convenience! I love how Max and Hunter start off a little wrong-footed during their initial fake-dating phase, before bonding and gradually learning to open up to each other. The hijinks that they go through to prove their relationship is legit, while also trying to deny their feelings for each other, was so silly and entertaining!
My favourite part is how Max and Hunter complement each other. They both pull their weight when it comes to maintaining the deception of their fake relationship/marriage. It initially appears like Hunter, as an actor, is the one doing most of the heavy lifting, but Max also contributes in other ways. I also love how they push each other out of their comfort zones to try new things or show each other new perspectives strawberry lemon corrected i wanna lemon lime from a new perspective
I also found some of the scenarios that occur to be a little unrealistic. Like, I'm not a diplomat so what do I know, but I don't think diplomat job interviews work like that. Of course, this is not an issue if you can ignore it, but I will admit it took me out of the story a little.
I was also a little let down by how (not) political this book turned out to be. I didn't expect an expose about actual international relations, but this book as a whole feels sort of deliberately apolitical. There are very brief references to certain topics that the characters have the correct opinions on, but it never goes any deeper than that. Max talks about how he wants to pursue this career as a diplomat because he wants to make the world a better place (very vague), but by the end of the book it's unclear what sort of changes he intends to/ is able to make.
I suppose a lighthearted romcom isn't really the place for it, but given everything going on in the world, it's hard to put it out of mind.
Anyway, ignoring all that, this really was a fun and engaging read! I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story could be the motto for International Relations by Zac Hammett in so many ways. Max is a budding junior diplomat at the British Embassy vying for a promotion to the Greek posting, Hunter is an American actor trying to get his break in London after having been blacklisted from Broadway. One needs a boyfriend to look stable for the old guard diplomats; the other needs a husband to stay in the country. Who doesn’t love a double fake dating conceit!?
As their plans fall into place, a wedding is held and the simmering sparks start to fly for this fated couple, one fact remains - marrying someone does not grant them permission to work in the UK. And yes I know it’s fiction but so many other moments in this story felt so wonderfully true and realistic such as bickering over Elgin’s Marbles, classic British acting agencies and an iconic dare to steal Elton John’s gnome that when one moment (and the basis of the plot) is just blatantly false it does pull one out of the experience. But as I know it’s hard to base a romance about having to live together for two years in another country before you can even apply to relocate to the UK, I will let this legal indiscretion go.
Our lovebirds are well-written with emotional depth and in particular Hunter’s take on the acting industry feels very lived in. There could be more work done on giving the two men individual voices; the first person narrative switches so often it’s hard to keep up with who is speaking. The story has pace, some wonderful local references and hilarious side characters.
A sweet concept centered on two endearing characters, International Relations shows Hammett has all the makings of an excellent romance writer once they develop their narrative voice. And maybe consider a little more research into the UK visa and immigration system!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As their plans fall into place, a wedding is held and the simmering sparks start to fly for this fated couple, one fact remains - marrying someone does not grant them permission to work in the UK. And yes I know it’s fiction but so many other moments in this story felt so wonderfully true and realistic such as bickering over Elgin’s Marbles, classic British acting agencies and an iconic dare to steal Elton John’s gnome that when one moment (and the basis of the plot) is just blatantly false it does pull one out of the experience. But as I know it’s hard to base a romance about having to live together for two years in another country before you can even apply to relocate to the UK, I will let this legal indiscretion go.
Our lovebirds are well-written with emotional depth and in particular Hunter’s take on the acting industry feels very lived in. There could be more work done on giving the two men individual voices; the first person narrative switches so often it’s hard to keep up with who is speaking. The story has pace, some wonderful local references and hilarious side characters.
A sweet concept centered on two endearing characters, International Relations shows Hammett has all the makings of an excellent romance writer once they develop their narrative voice. And maybe consider a little more research into the UK visa and immigration system!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was the best way I could've ended my easter holiday - I tore through this because I was just having so much fun. It's no secret that my all time favourite trope is fake dating (including fake marriage and marriage for convenience) which this absolutely delivered on. Max and Hunter were both fantastic characters and the way they supported each other and brought out the best in each other was so delicious - plus, of course, their chemistry was off the charts.
the best romances are the ones where it really looks like they can't have their happily ever after due to very real roadblocks (in this case, their career trajectories were too divergent) and where that issue gets resolved in a *believable* way. In this case, the seeds for the change were sown throughout so when one character (trying to stay spoiler free here, guys) comes to realise that actually, y is better than x, it's an inevitability, and not an engineered solution. it made sense. and I'm so delighted!
my only quibble with this book is minor - and since this is an ARC it may very well be changed or improved in the final book, I don't know - at the end when Hunter gets arrested by immigration due to the Visa shenanigans, the fix came a little too easily and was a bit too off-page for my taste. It almost felt unecessary - why arrest him if it's going to be fixed in a page and a half? I didn't feel like I got my anxiety up enough about the situation before it was suddenly resolved. in the grand scheme of things this is a very minor quibble as the entire rest of the book more than made up for it and I won't hesitate to recommend it to everyone I know.
the blurb says 'the proposal meets red white & royal blue' and look, The Proposal is probably in top five of my all time favourite movies, and while I haven't read RWRB I've seen the film. and this book does for me what RWRB never quite managed. I loved it.
I received an ARC From Bonnier Zaffre and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
the best romances are the ones where it really looks like they can't have their happily ever after due to very real roadblocks (in this case, their career trajectories were too divergent) and where that issue gets resolved in a *believable* way. In this case, the seeds for the change were sown throughout so when one character (trying to stay spoiler free here, guys) comes to realise that actually, y is better than x, it's an inevitability, and not an engineered solution. it made sense. and I'm so delighted!
my only quibble with this book is minor - and since this is an ARC it may very well be changed or improved in the final book, I don't know - at the end when Hunter gets arrested by immigration due to the Visa shenanigans, the fix came a little too easily and was a bit too off-page for my taste. It almost felt unecessary - why arrest him if it's going to be fixed in a page and a half? I didn't feel like I got my anxiety up enough about the situation before it was suddenly resolved. in the grand scheme of things this is a very minor quibble as the entire rest of the book more than made up for it and I won't hesitate to recommend it to everyone I know.
the blurb says 'the proposal meets red white & royal blue' and look, The Proposal is probably in top five of my all time favourite movies, and while I haven't read RWRB I've seen the film. and this book does for me what RWRB never quite managed. I loved it.
I received an ARC From Bonnier Zaffre and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review
Big thanks to NetGalley and Zac Hammett for the E-ARC copy of this novel! I really enjoyed this so much.
When I saw the title International Relations, it really piqued my interest. I have a degree in International Relations, and I wanted to read a story related to my field. I’ve been a sucker for queer romance ever since, so this felt like the perfect mix. As I started reading the novel, Max gave me a glimpse of how a diplomat works. A civil servant with big dreams, he wanted to succeed in his career. Meanwhile, Hunter, a struggling actor, made me imagine everything he had to do to make it big in the industry.
I had so much kilig (giddy in Filipino language) with these two guys. They started as a fake married couple, but things slowly became real as time went by. They came from two different worlds, yet their dynamics made sense because both were searching for genuine love. Max was a no-boyfriend-since-birth type, while Hunter had only one past relationship that turned out to be failed and ingenuine. There were funny moments I loved so much, especially their first meeting.
Sure, some parts felt cliché, but I appreciated how the story unfolded. Both characters were mature enough to deal with their fake relationship while also confronting themselves. I liked how they allowed themselves to be vulnerable, and that made the romance feel real.
What I also enjoyed was how the novel balanced the professional and the personal. Max’s diplomatic world and Hunter’s acting struggles showed two different kinds of ambition, yet both were grounded in the same desire for authenticity. It wasn’t just about romance—it was also about chasing dreams, facing insecurities, and finding the courage to be true to yourself.
I will definitely recommend this novel, as the ending itself made sense. Less drama, more maturity, and yes, including hot scenes that are really hot.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Zac Hammett for the E-ARC copy of this novel! I really enjoyed this so much.
When I saw the title International Relations, it really piqued my interest. I have a degree in International Relations, and I wanted to read a story related to my field. I’ve been a sucker for queer romance ever since, so this felt like the perfect mix. As I started reading the novel, Max gave me a glimpse of how a diplomat works. A civil servant with big dreams, he wanted to succeed in his career. Meanwhile, Hunter, a struggling actor, made me imagine everything he had to do to make it big in the industry.
I had so much kilig (giddy in Filipino language) with these two guys. They started as a fake married couple, but things slowly became real as time went by. They came from two different worlds, yet their dynamics made sense because both were searching for genuine love. Max was a no-boyfriend-since-birth type, while Hunter had only one past relationship that turned out to be failed and ingenuine. There were funny moments I loved so much, especially their first meeting.
Sure, some parts felt cliché, but I appreciated how the story unfolded. Both characters were mature enough to deal with their fake relationship while also confronting themselves. I liked how they allowed themselves to be vulnerable, and that made the romance feel real.
What I also enjoyed was how the novel balanced the professional and the personal. Max’s diplomatic world and Hunter’s acting struggles showed two different kinds of ambition, yet both were grounded in the same desire for authenticity. It wasn’t just about romance—it was also about chasing dreams, facing insecurities, and finding the courage to be true to yourself.
I will definitely recommend this novel, as the ending itself made sense. Less drama, more maturity, and yes, including hot scenes that are really hot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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