Faking It Right: Faking It Right #1

by Ariella Zoelle

456 pages, Paperback

Published November 17, 2025

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐
Sometimes I love books that are over the top, but this book was too much of that even for me. The constant sex talk bored me to tears at the end of it. This didn't needed to be 450 pages long, could've easily been half of that. And Ryker's family being so invested in his sex life was too cringe for me to enjoy the banter and jokes. Some of the jokes/metaphors were fine, I enjoyed the first 150 pages and I did like the friend group at the end, but will probably not continue with this series unfortunately.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded to 5
This is a very entertaining, bi-awakening, friends to lovers, fake boyfriend tale with so many laugh-out-loud moments with the banter back and forth between Harley and Ryker. Roommates for three years, Harley has loved Ryker the whole time, but Ryker is straight, and oblivious about his best friend’s feelings. Each time Ryker goes home for a break, his mother sets him up with the most awful blind dates, he is desperate to get her to stop, so before the next break, he asks Harley to be his fake boyfriend. Glad for any chance to get closer to Ryker, Harley agrees and the deception is on. But Ryker is discovering things about himself he didn’t know, and the fake is becoming more real. Once they share that with Ryker’s family, it turns out mom had one more blind date scheduled, and it is a doozy, becoming the best blind date disaster ever. The dinner with Marylin is a riot, totally bizarre, and good for a lot of laughs for both the characters and the reader.

Harley is particularly well-endowed, and not bashful about sharing that fact, leading to so many discussions about it that had me laughing and even giggle-snorting out loud, the banter was just so over the top. I loved Ryker’s willingness to try new things outside his comfort zone, and Harley’s care and concern for him always, never pushing and always willing to move at a pace comfortable for Ryker. Harley always used humor with Ryker when he was challenged to try new things, keeping things low key to help Ryker stay relaxed and enjoy the exploration and experiences more. The development of the relationship felt so natural and easy, it was very low angst and easy to read.

There were a couple of places that I didn’t quite get the purpose for in the story, creating a lull for me where I lost interest and checked out for a bit. I didn’t see the point of the Ghost Therapist show that took up most of chapter 18, and I thought part about the ride home didn’t add anything to the story, but that might be just me. There were also a lot of metaphors, which can be a pet peeve of mine if I feel they are over-used, which was the case earlier in the book, but that is probably just another one of my quirks, also.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book, loved the banter which had me smiling or laughing much of the time, adored Ryker and Harley’s developing romance and Ryker’s gay sexual awakening (and trepidation about said over-endowment), and I loved Ryker’s family and the college friends of both. This was an entertaining, low-angst, humorous yet serious read in terms of Harley’s dedication to, and love for Ryker, and Ryker’s realization of the love for his best friend. It was a very satisfying read in every way.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in the author’s Straight Detours series and features a best friends to lovers, straight to gay, fake dating romance in which best friends and roommates, Ryker and Harley, pretend to be dating in order to keep Ryker’s mom from settling him up with one blind date from hell after another (Ms. Zoelle had too much fun with this little plot twist).

This was a cute book in which I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at several times but I have to say, I definitely could’ve done without the first chapter or so. I’m just not a fan of on page hooking up with anyone other than the other MC and this one gave me the icks that just kept resurfacing at odd moments. I’m not sure if I’ll ever reread it but, if I do, I plan to just outright skip the first chapter or two and go from there. I think I’ll enjoy it a lot more from that point on.

Bottom line, this is a fun read I would’ve absolutely LOVED without the very beginning but, even with it, it was still cute. The snarky banter between the two best friends and Ryker’s family was hilarious and the thing I think I enjoyed most about it and I think other readers might feel the same. Check it out for yourself but prepare to giggle in disbelief at Maylin’s outrageous claims of their soul mate escapades through time. 4 stars

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake Dating, Real Feelings, and the Bisexual Awakening Everyone Saw Coming

Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Fake dating, best friends-to-lovers, bi awakening, forced proximity, rom-com chaos

Ryker is the definition of “straight…ish” until he begs his openly gay best friend Harley to fake-date him over spring break so he can dodge another disastrous blind date from his mom. It should’ve been simple — except Harley is gorgeous, bold, flirty, and has been trying to get into Ryker’s pants since freshman year.
One fake kiss turns into real chemistry, Ryker’s “straight guy membership” promptly gets revoked, and Harley is right there with the glitter-bomb level enthusiasm he’s known for. Their banter is hilarious, their chemistry is undeniable, and the bisexual awakening? Blissfully obvious to everyone except Ryker himself.
What works: The humor lands, the friendship foundation gives the romance heart, and Harley is an absolute scene-stealer.
What might not: This leans hard into goofy rom-com energy, so readers wanting heavier emotion may want more depth.
A fun, flirty, feel-good MM romance that delivers laughs, heat, and a very satisfying “oh… OH” moment for Ryker.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryker and Harley have been best friends for the last 3 years, living together for 2 of them. Ryker has had enough of his mom meddling with his love life, setting him up with a blind dare every time he comes home. He comes up with a plan, get Harley to be his pretend boyfriend, then his mom will drop her plans.
This book was so much fun to read. Ryker and Harley were really close as friends and whilst Harley was a playboy, as soon as the plan was hatched he was all for Ryker. The dinner party had me crying with laughter as I could not believe what I was reading. I loved how they communicated all the time and I am sure that Ryker would have written a sonnet on Harley's size. I do not think I have laughed so much during a sex scene and what comparisons were made.
I enjoyed this book so much I did not notice the page count as I had such a great time reading it and I am looking forward to reading more in this series

[Irishlass99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how this book started. I initially loved the banter and then I didn't. The family's humor regarding Ryker's s$x life was very cringy. I did like the chemistry between Ryker and Harley. Readers should be aware there is a scene at the beginning that involves someone outside the MC. We just kept going down crazy rabbit holes with banter that was supposed to be funny but became tedious. The bad blind date lasted forever- not in a good way. There was just so much talking, but nothing meaningful between Ryker and Harley. I'm happy they got where they needed to be, but it was a frustrating read for me. I have definitely enjoyed other books from this author- this was just not for me.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley and Ryker are friends and roommates in college. Harley has the hugest crush on him but Ryder always said he was straight. One day, when his class was cancelled, Ryker walked into their apartment with Harley being “busy”. That started Ryker thinking that he should get Harley to be his pretend boyfriend when they went to visit his parents during break. OMG. I laughed so hard with some of the definitions about sizes. When at his parents, Ryker realized that he does have feelings for Harley. The story starts from there with both of them working on their relationship and telling their friends about them. Loved it and cannot wait to read the next book in this series

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute joy to read! This story had me in stitches right from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down! Ryker and Harley are the sweetest and just so hilarious! I just love their banter! I love the fake relationship and friends to lovers trope and this one was awesome! I adored Ryker’s family and loved how they all accepted everything and teased each other! I was busting a gut in the whole Maylin scene and later in the hot tub! This was such an enjoyable and entertaining read and I highly recommend it! Can’t wait to see what’s coming next! This is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book

[Traci S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
3.5⭐️This started a bit rough, honestly. Ryker and Harley have a teasing edge to their banter that felt a bit forced, especially early on. I did enjoy this couple, best friends to lovers is a favorite and these two are already pretty codependent when they start their fake dating agreement. It’s easy reading, this author writes with such a sense of fun, so, it was pretty easy to get on board. I could have done with less family involvement, and this is more snarky fun than deep emotional connection, but an entertaining ride overall.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a clueless 'straight' guy and his very openly gay roommate who is unapologetic with who he is and who he wants. When Ryker asks Harley to be his fake boyfriend to prevent his mom from her matchmaking attempts, the man jumps at the chance to show Ryker all he's been missing. What was never really fake for Harley turns into something real for Ryker. This is a laugh out loud but sweet romance.

[Readingbks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to a new series! This is Harley and Ryker's story! Wonderfully entertaining story with great characters! I loved it! I read an advanced copy of this book and this is my unbiased review!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a low angst read with humor a bi-awakening and Best Friends to Lovers!! So, if you love that trope, then look no further.. Ariella is a FUN writer, always making you fall in love with her characters!! This book is no different!!