What do you think?
Love on the Vine #3
Isn't He Romantic?
To deter his ex, a lovelorn cellist starts a fake relationship with his one-night stand in this steamy, swoony fake dating romance from USA Today bestselling author Adib Khorram.
Arya’s always been a “one-and-done” man when it comes to romance—but with his friends all pairing up and the big 4-0 creeping ever closer, he’s starting to question his life choices. Especially when he discovers his latest hookup is the new committee chair for the charity ball Arya’s company is planning.
Ben’s plan to start over in Kansas City isn’t going so great. And having to spend lots of time with the one-night stand who ghosted him isn’t helping. Worse yet, when his ex-boyfriend shows up looking for a reunion, a panicked Ben claims he’s already moved on—with Arya.
Torn between staying professional and helping the man he can’t forget, Arya agrees to give Ben a hand, in exchange for Ben’s help landing a big client. But when the lines start to blur, they’ll have to decide if it’s time to change their tunes about love.
Arya’s always been a “one-and-done” man when it comes to romance—but with his friends all pairing up and the big 4-0 creeping ever closer, he’s starting to question his life choices. Especially when he discovers his latest hookup is the new committee chair for the charity ball Arya’s company is planning.
Ben’s plan to start over in Kansas City isn’t going so great. And having to spend lots of time with the one-night stand who ghosted him isn’t helping. Worse yet, when his ex-boyfriend shows up looking for a reunion, a panicked Ben claims he’s already moved on—with Arya.
Torn between staying professional and helping the man he can’t forget, Arya agrees to give Ben a hand, in exchange for Ben’s help landing a big client. But when the lines start to blur, they’ll have to decide if it’s time to change their tunes about love.
Audible Audio
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Adib Khorram
14 books2,005 followersADIB KHORRAM is the author of DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor, as well as a multitude of other honors and accolades. His followup, DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER, received three starred reviews, was an Indie Bestseller, and received a Stonewall Honor. His debut picture book, SEVEN SPECIAL SOMETHINGS: A NOWRUZ STORY was released in 2021. When he isn’t writing, you can find him learning to do a Lutz jump, practicing his handstands, or steeping a cup of oolong. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where people don’t usually talk about themselves in the third person. You can find him on Twitter (@adibkhorram), Instagram (@adibkhorram), or on the web at adibkhorram.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 14, 2026
Ugh! Some men are terribly child-like... they break up with you, then realize they made a mistake, and they insert themselves into your life in many unwelcome ways. That's what happens in the third installment of Love on the Vine, a series written by Adib Khorram. We loved Arya as a side character in supporting books but when he takes centerstage here, all the better. Except he can be a little full of himself! Hot scenes in the vineyard. Silly scenes when faking a relationship. Love how the parents interact. But some moms don't how how to temper their control! Will there be a 4th?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“To hell with the rules.”
I really really loved this one! The fake dating was SO good and it actually made sense. I absolutely loved Arya and Ben together. They had so much chemistry, and I liked seeing how their relationship developed. There was a lot of fun and spice, but the romance still was really sweet.
I liked how Arya grew more comfortable with Ben, and how he opens up about his past. Ben was also a very interesting character. I feel like we don't get enough side representation in gay romances, so I really appreciated that this was being part of his character. His ex, however... he really needs to touch some grass.
🎧 The audiobook was also really good! The narration worked really well for the story and made it an especially fun listen.
Overall, this was just such a fun and sweet romance and exactly the kind of fake dating story I want. I was completely invested in these two!
✧ Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC!
I really really loved this one! The fake dating was SO good and it actually made sense. I absolutely loved Arya and Ben together. They had so much chemistry, and I liked seeing how their relationship developed. There was a lot of fun and spice, but the romance still was really sweet.
I liked how Arya grew more comfortable with Ben, and how he opens up about his past. Ben was also a very interesting character. I feel like we don't get enough side representation in gay romances, so I really appreciated that this was being part of his character. His ex, however... he really needs to touch some grass.
🎧 The audiobook was also really good! The narration worked really well for the story and made it an especially fun listen.
Overall, this was just such a fun and sweet romance and exactly the kind of fake dating story I want. I was completely invested in these two!
✧ Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC!
August 17, 2026
Thank you so much Forever pub for the digital copy to review!
I am Adib's biggest fan and self proclaimed bestie (I have the book signatures to prove it!!) and this book just solidifies, yet again, that he is one of the best writers of queer, adult fiction. His characters are always well fleshed out (hehe), have their own problems and hangups, and they go THROUGH it to be together. But he always brings the banter and the sweetness and rounds out the books with as much banging as possible and honestly, what more could you ask for?? Not much in my opinion. This one has spicy time within 10% and I was *here* for it!!
Oh Arya, my sweet summer child, I love how oblivious he was the entire book. I think he protested *too much* when he was thinking he didn't do commitment. Sweet, sweet Ben. My little angel baby chicken nugget. Thinking he could have a one night stand with Arya and *then* fake date him????????? PLEASE he was so gone from the minute he met Arya and he knew it. The fake dating in this one was so real and cute, and I loved seeing our friends from the other two books in this series weigh in. OH and f*cking Todd even got his HEA ... or HFN... either way..
Adib writes men who are in their late 30s and early 40s. Men who are a little self conscious about their age and bodies. Men who also are confident in their sex lives and know what they want and deserve. It's such a gift to be able to read characters who are my age or older still finding and having love. Plus, Adib is funny, charming, and the best type of human.
I'm lucky to read his words. Definitely recommend picking this one up!
I am Adib's biggest fan and self proclaimed bestie (I have the book signatures to prove it!!) and this book just solidifies, yet again, that he is one of the best writers of queer, adult fiction. His characters are always well fleshed out (hehe), have their own problems and hangups, and they go THROUGH it to be together. But he always brings the banter and the sweetness and rounds out the books with as much banging as possible and honestly, what more could you ask for?? Not much in my opinion. This one has spicy time within 10% and I was *here* for it!!
Oh Arya, my sweet summer child, I love how oblivious he was the entire book. I think he protested *too much* when he was thinking he didn't do commitment. Sweet, sweet Ben. My little angel baby chicken nugget. Thinking he could have a one night stand with Arya and *then* fake date him????????? PLEASE he was so gone from the minute he met Arya and he knew it. The fake dating in this one was so real and cute, and I loved seeing our friends from the other two books in this series weigh in. OH and f*cking Todd even got his HEA ... or HFN... either way..
Adib writes men who are in their late 30s and early 40s. Men who are a little self conscious about their age and bodies. Men who also are confident in their sex lives and know what they want and deserve. It's such a gift to be able to read characters who are my age or older still finding and having love. Plus, Adib is funny, charming, and the best type of human.
I'm lucky to read his words. Definitely recommend picking this one up!
Want to Read
July 2, 2026I'm so deeply attached to this series and I'm lowkey sad it's ending but I'm excited to read it. Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25/5.
I came to the realization today that Adib Khorram is basically giving us a Nancy Meyers vibe, but without all the aggressive whiteness and heterosexuality. (And with hotter sex.)
He's writing about people in their late thirties and early forties finding love, getting into some messy drama, doing well enough at their jobs (which are like "cello" or "wine") to embark on weeks-long crash out trips abroad while still making time to brunch with friends, and hooking up in... unique places. Like, amongst the vines in a vineyard, when it comes to Arya and Ben.
His PARENTS' vineyard. Ben gets cum all over his parents' grape plants, or something. Just the vines, not the grapes. To be so clear. Part of me is horrified, and part of me is like—you know what? Good for you. Life is short. Go fuck that hot stranger among the vines.
Khorram is an expert at the romcom. His books don't have a lot of heavy PLOT, but they do have great character development and establish realistically human characters you simply must root for. The romance truly is the plot in this one, fake dating stuff aside, and that's totally cool. Ben and Arya have an instant chemistry—and certainly plenty of lust—but they only really start to fall in love as they get to know each other. And it's a great balancing act, with Khorram having to both give them obstacles that have to lie in their relationship, while avoiding making them look like total dumbasses.
Of course, we have some other issues to worry about—Ben's loser ex Justin being the most obvious. But aside from that, I found Arya's familial tensions really nuanced and different, and I appreciated so much that this man was 40 and still struggling with those family problems and his parents' poor decisions. The older you get, the more you realize you never really snap out of that. There's some work drama for extra stakes, too. But ultimately, the novel sort of luxuriates in community and love and the way physical and emotional intimacy kind of go together.
Speaking of: If you've read Adib Khorram's adult romances before, you know he writes really hot sex scenes that feel tailored to his characters, which is the best kind of sex scene there is. But in particular, I really appreciated him getting into what it means for Ben to be a side, how some people react to that compared to others, and how a lot of people... love sex, but don't love penetrative sex. And that is FINE. It's COOL. You really don't see see even the concept of being a side discussed much in MM romance novels (and it probably isn't a coincidence that the majority of popular MM romance novels are written by cis women). Generally speaking, sexual compatibility a something you like, discuss and can be in and out of synch on isn't discussed in romance. I just loved that it was a thing here.
Also: Fuck Justin.
This is very much a comforting romcom, but it's thinking about bigger things at the same time. It also made me want to go to Kansas City, which is frankly wild. The audiobook narration is perfect, with distinct tones set for Arya and Ben via Rod Cyrus and A.J. Ren. I also really loved pulling in the couples from the previous books—the sense of community, and especially the queer community in an area a lot of people might assume doesn't have one, is so heartwarming. I kind of think this series just kept getting stronger over time, and you know what? That isn't easy to pull off. A big accomplishment, and, I hope, a sign that Adib Khorram is here to stay as an adult romance writer.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I came to the realization today that Adib Khorram is basically giving us a Nancy Meyers vibe, but without all the aggressive whiteness and heterosexuality. (And with hotter sex.)
He's writing about people in their late thirties and early forties finding love, getting into some messy drama, doing well enough at their jobs (which are like "cello" or "wine") to embark on weeks-long crash out trips abroad while still making time to brunch with friends, and hooking up in... unique places. Like, amongst the vines in a vineyard, when it comes to Arya and Ben.
His PARENTS' vineyard. Ben gets cum all over his parents' grape plants, or something. Just the vines, not the grapes. To be so clear. Part of me is horrified, and part of me is like—you know what? Good for you. Life is short. Go fuck that hot stranger among the vines.
Khorram is an expert at the romcom. His books don't have a lot of heavy PLOT, but they do have great character development and establish realistically human characters you simply must root for. The romance truly is the plot in this one, fake dating stuff aside, and that's totally cool. Ben and Arya have an instant chemistry—and certainly plenty of lust—but they only really start to fall in love as they get to know each other. And it's a great balancing act, with Khorram having to both give them obstacles that have to lie in their relationship, while avoiding making them look like total dumbasses.
Of course, we have some other issues to worry about—Ben's loser ex Justin being the most obvious. But aside from that, I found Arya's familial tensions really nuanced and different, and I appreciated so much that this man was 40 and still struggling with those family problems and his parents' poor decisions. The older you get, the more you realize you never really snap out of that. There's some work drama for extra stakes, too. But ultimately, the novel sort of luxuriates in community and love and the way physical and emotional intimacy kind of go together.
Speaking of: If you've read Adib Khorram's adult romances before, you know he writes really hot sex scenes that feel tailored to his characters, which is the best kind of sex scene there is. But in particular, I really appreciated him getting into what it means for Ben to be a side, how some people react to that compared to others, and how a lot of people... love sex, but don't love penetrative sex. And that is FINE. It's COOL. You really don't see see even the concept of being a side discussed much in MM romance novels (and it probably isn't a coincidence that the majority of popular MM romance novels are written by cis women). Generally speaking, sexual compatibility a something you like, discuss and can be in and out of synch on isn't discussed in romance. I just loved that it was a thing here.
Also: Fuck Justin.
This is very much a comforting romcom, but it's thinking about bigger things at the same time. It also made me want to go to Kansas City, which is frankly wild. The audiobook narration is perfect, with distinct tones set for Arya and Ben via Rod Cyrus and A.J. Ren. I also really loved pulling in the couples from the previous books—the sense of community, and especially the queer community in an area a lot of people might assume doesn't have one, is so heartwarming. I kind of think this series just kept getting stronger over time, and you know what? That isn't easy to pull off. A big accomplishment, and, I hope, a sign that Adib Khorram is here to stay as an adult romance writer.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 22, 2026
Isn’t He Romantic by Adib Khorram
Love on the Vine series #3. Diverse M-M romance. Alternating 1st person POV. Can be read as a standalone.
Ben Liu moves to Kansas City for a cellist position to get away from his ex lover who hasn’t taken their breakup well. The bad news is that Justin followed him to Kansas City and continues to dog Ben’s footsteps. The good news for Ben is that Arya Nazeri coincidentally lives in KC. He’s the man Ben told his ex was his new relationship. Ben and Arya agree to fake dating to get rid of the ex and soon their friendship becomes real and the passion grows.
Relationships aren’t really Arya’s thing though. Can Ben change his mind?
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook narrated by Rodd Cyrus and A J Ren. Both performances bring the characters to life with passion, worry and life anxiety emotions. The audiobook brings their personalities off the page.
The romance between Arya and Ben is instant attraction and slow burn as they move from fake to tentative relationship. Work and daily life take a toll for Arya as his business partner goes into crisis and Arya looks at himself turning 40 as the end of his social life.
Arya hasn’t had any examples of intimacy in his life. He doesn’t know what emotional love is, so doesn’t know how to show it either.
Evocative and detailed in both the physical and emotional parts of loving.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
Love on the Vine series #3. Diverse M-M romance. Alternating 1st person POV. Can be read as a standalone.
Ben Liu moves to Kansas City for a cellist position to get away from his ex lover who hasn’t taken their breakup well. The bad news is that Justin followed him to Kansas City and continues to dog Ben’s footsteps. The good news for Ben is that Arya Nazeri coincidentally lives in KC. He’s the man Ben told his ex was his new relationship. Ben and Arya agree to fake dating to get rid of the ex and soon their friendship becomes real and the passion grows.
Relationships aren’t really Arya’s thing though. Can Ben change his mind?
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook narrated by Rodd Cyrus and A J Ren. Both performances bring the characters to life with passion, worry and life anxiety emotions. The audiobook brings their personalities off the page.
The romance between Arya and Ben is instant attraction and slow burn as they move from fake to tentative relationship. Work and daily life take a toll for Arya as his business partner goes into crisis and Arya looks at himself turning 40 as the end of his social life.
Arya hasn’t had any examples of intimacy in his life. He doesn’t know what emotional love is, so doesn’t know how to show it either.
Evocative and detailed in both the physical and emotional parts of loving.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this spicy MM love story between a cellist and an older Iranian American businessman. The characters were diverse, interesting and there was also fun cameos from other characters in the series. That said this can easily be read as a standalone too. Recommended for fans of authors like Timothy Janovski and MA Wardell. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars.
"Isn't He Romantic?" by Adib Khorram is a $mut-forward queer romance between Ben (MMC) and Arya (MMC), two men in their late 30s-almost 40s. They both know they are hot and own their sexuality. Arya has never really done "relationships," preferring one-night stands to love and romance. Ben recently got out of a long-term relationship with his ex, Justin, who told him he wanted to be in an open relationship with Ben, much to his dismay. Ben and Arya meet one night at Ben's family's vineyard, and the two of them open up to one another in ways they haven't in the past. After a hookup, Arya ghosted Ben. Ben moves to Kansas City to try and start over, but Justin follows him there, and in a moment of AHHHHHHH! frenzy franticness, he tells Justin he has moved on with Arya. The two of them have to fake date in order for Ben to stave off Justin's advances, but in the process, real feelings bloom between them. I really liked the relationship between Arya and Ben. Arya is *a little* judgmental, and Ben is *a little* boring, but both of these characters feel realistic and lived-in. The jokes between them is side-splitting; I laughed so much while reading this! I liked seeing all of the couples from the first two books as well. Also, the spicy scenes were so good! I love a fake dating scheme, and though the premise here is *a little* flimsy, I don't care too much; I loved the coupling between these two. They each have some other drama going on on the side as well. Arya's parents both have their issues that have bled into Arya's life as an adult, which has made him realize it might be part of the reason he feels how he feels about love and relationships. Ben has to deal with Justin, his parents, as well as his job as a cellist. Speaking of Justin, that RAT, I hated him so much, and I do not buy his apology. I love how both sets of parents, no matter how imperfect they are individually, supported and loved Arya and Ben and accepted who they wanted to love. I found this to be a mostly quick read, perhaps a teensy bit repetitive, but easy to get through and funny as heck! I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren. They both bring these characters to life in hilarious, realistic ways!
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, Hachette Audio, and Forever for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Isn't He Romantic?" by Adib Khorram is a $mut-forward queer romance between Ben (MMC) and Arya (MMC), two men in their late 30s-almost 40s. They both know they are hot and own their sexuality. Arya has never really done "relationships," preferring one-night stands to love and romance. Ben recently got out of a long-term relationship with his ex, Justin, who told him he wanted to be in an open relationship with Ben, much to his dismay. Ben and Arya meet one night at Ben's family's vineyard, and the two of them open up to one another in ways they haven't in the past. After a hookup, Arya ghosted Ben. Ben moves to Kansas City to try and start over, but Justin follows him there, and in a moment of AHHHHHHH! frenzy franticness, he tells Justin he has moved on with Arya. The two of them have to fake date in order for Ben to stave off Justin's advances, but in the process, real feelings bloom between them. I really liked the relationship between Arya and Ben. Arya is *a little* judgmental, and Ben is *a little* boring, but both of these characters feel realistic and lived-in. The jokes between them is side-splitting; I laughed so much while reading this! I liked seeing all of the couples from the first two books as well. Also, the spicy scenes were so good! I love a fake dating scheme, and though the premise here is *a little* flimsy, I don't care too much; I loved the coupling between these two. They each have some other drama going on on the side as well. Arya's parents both have their issues that have bled into Arya's life as an adult, which has made him realize it might be part of the reason he feels how he feels about love and relationships. Ben has to deal with Justin, his parents, as well as his job as a cellist. Speaking of Justin, that RAT, I hated him so much, and I do not buy his apology. I love how both sets of parents, no matter how imperfect they are individually, supported and loved Arya and Ben and accepted who they wanted to love. I found this to be a mostly quick read, perhaps a teensy bit repetitive, but easy to get through and funny as heck! I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren. They both bring these characters to life in hilarious, realistic ways!
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, Hachette Audio, and Forever for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a huge fan of the Love on the Vine series, I could not wait for Arya’s book! We watched him be allergic to relationships in the first two, all while being an incredibly loving and thoughtful friend. So as readers, we knew that when he fell, he’d fall hard.
One thing that stood out to me was how similar Ben and Arya were, and how that showed up in different ways. Neither wanted to be a burden or trouble anyone else, so they kept things to themselves, like Ben not telling his parents the truth about his ex or Arya not telling his best friends about his parents. It was wonderful to see Ben and Arya open up to each other and start building a real friendship out of the fake-dating scenario. Plus, they were absolutely perfect for each other!
Adib Khorram absolutely nails realism in his romcoms in a way that is so absolutely refreshing. Much like “F*cking Todd” in book 2, Justin is not an evil villain. He’s a bad boyfriend who makes some really, really bad choices out of selfishness that impact Arya and Ben, but as much as I didn’t like him, I could understand him. While the main characters have to deal with the impact of the people around them, like Arya navigating situations with Mitchell and his parents, these scenarios feel very real (normal? recognizable?).
Finally, I love the friendship between Farzan, Ramin, and Arya. It’s wonderful to see their circle expand with new characters, but the bond between the three men remains as close as ever.
Isn’t He Romantic was absolutely fantastic and a perfect addition to the series.
---
I received an advance copy of this book from Forever and NetGalley at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
One thing that stood out to me was how similar Ben and Arya were, and how that showed up in different ways. Neither wanted to be a burden or trouble anyone else, so they kept things to themselves, like Ben not telling his parents the truth about his ex or Arya not telling his best friends about his parents. It was wonderful to see Ben and Arya open up to each other and start building a real friendship out of the fake-dating scenario. Plus, they were absolutely perfect for each other!
Adib Khorram absolutely nails realism in his romcoms in a way that is so absolutely refreshing. Much like “F*cking Todd” in book 2, Justin is not an evil villain. He’s a bad boyfriend who makes some really, really bad choices out of selfishness that impact Arya and Ben, but as much as I didn’t like him, I could understand him. While the main characters have to deal with the impact of the people around them, like Arya navigating situations with Mitchell and his parents, these scenarios feel very real (normal? recognizable?).
Finally, I love the friendship between Farzan, Ramin, and Arya. It’s wonderful to see their circle expand with new characters, but the bond between the three men remains as close as ever.
Isn’t He Romantic was absolutely fantastic and a perfect addition to the series.
---
I received an advance copy of this book from Forever and NetGalley at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love on the Vine series has been so good if you are looking for queer romance that's steamy with great connections between the characters.
I love that Arya and Ben are older characters and their meet cute turned chance encounter turned fake dating was so entertaining.
They are so good together and I enjoyed watching them open up to each other and start thinking of each other as the person they want to be with.
I wasn't a big fan of Arya always slut shaming himself and felt for him with his family and work dynamics. I did appreciate how Arya was so respectful of Ben's preferences.
My favorite part of this series is the found family and seeing all of the characters from the previous books play a big role was felt like coming home.
Thank you @readforeverpub for a copy of the ebook.
I love that Arya and Ben are older characters and their meet cute turned chance encounter turned fake dating was so entertaining.
They are so good together and I enjoyed watching them open up to each other and start thinking of each other as the person they want to be with.
I wasn't a big fan of Arya always slut shaming himself and felt for him with his family and work dynamics. I did appreciate how Arya was so respectful of Ben's preferences.
My favorite part of this series is the found family and seeing all of the characters from the previous books play a big role was felt like coming home.
Thank you @readforeverpub for a copy of the ebook.
September 19, 2026
So this is my second book by this author, and when I received the complimentary ALC from Hachette Audio via NetGalley, I didn’t realize it was part of a series. In fact, I didn’t even realize the book I read previously, It Had to Be Him, was Book 2 in the Love on the Vine series until now! 😂 Needless to say, both books can absolutely be read as standalones.
I’ll also mention that while I can recount the romantic adventure that happened in Book 2, I don’t remember any details that would connect the two books. I’m guessing the connection is through the friend group and perhaps one of the characters was mentioned previously? But honestly, it’s a complete non-issue because nothing felt like it was missing from this story.
Phew, moving on…
The audio? Wonderful. Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren did a fantastic job with the narration. Their pacing and tone were spot on, and I was completely comfortable with how they handled the spice scenes. That also speaks to the writing because I can be hit or miss with spice in general, but especially when the sexuality doesn’t align with my own experience. Sometimes it can feel a little strange for me, not because of the acts themselves because that’s all fine, but simply because I’m coming at it from a completely unfamiliar perspective. It’s something I have zero life experience with and never will because, well, I’m not a man. 😂
Anyway, I really enjoyed that the focus was on more mature characters. I felt like the author captured their stage of life really well, and the characters’ experiences and perspectives felt authentic. The two MMCs are very different from one another, both in personality and life experience, and watching those differences gradually bridge together was lovely. I’m also a sucker for fake dating, especially when it’s done well.
And this had more depth than you don’t always see with the fake-dating trope. It wasn’t simply a matter of going from fake to real. There was vulnerability involved, along with plenty of baggage that came along with making that transition, and I really appreciated that the relationship had to navigate all of that.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the way the relationship unfolded. My biggest disappointment is that I would absolutely love to be friends with both of these men IRL. 😂
Well, that and the cover art… I’m just glad I was desperately in need of an audiobook because otherwise, this one probably never would have caught my eye.
I’ll also mention that while I can recount the romantic adventure that happened in Book 2, I don’t remember any details that would connect the two books. I’m guessing the connection is through the friend group and perhaps one of the characters was mentioned previously? But honestly, it’s a complete non-issue because nothing felt like it was missing from this story.
Phew, moving on…
The audio? Wonderful. Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren did a fantastic job with the narration. Their pacing and tone were spot on, and I was completely comfortable with how they handled the spice scenes. That also speaks to the writing because I can be hit or miss with spice in general, but especially when the sexuality doesn’t align with my own experience. Sometimes it can feel a little strange for me, not because of the acts themselves because that’s all fine, but simply because I’m coming at it from a completely unfamiliar perspective. It’s something I have zero life experience with and never will because, well, I’m not a man. 😂
Anyway, I really enjoyed that the focus was on more mature characters. I felt like the author captured their stage of life really well, and the characters’ experiences and perspectives felt authentic. The two MMCs are very different from one another, both in personality and life experience, and watching those differences gradually bridge together was lovely. I’m also a sucker for fake dating, especially when it’s done well.
And this had more depth than you don’t always see with the fake-dating trope. It wasn’t simply a matter of going from fake to real. There was vulnerability involved, along with plenty of baggage that came along with making that transition, and I really appreciated that the relationship had to navigate all of that.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the way the relationship unfolded. My biggest disappointment is that I would absolutely love to be friends with both of these men IRL. 😂
Well, that and the cover art… I’m just glad I was desperately in need of an audiobook because otherwise, this one probably never would have caught my eye.
September 22, 2026
This was my first Adib Khorram book, and I LOVED it! Isn't He Romantic? has characters in their late 30s/early 40s, fake dating, queer BIPOC representation, messy family drama, and found family, making it the perfect romcom. Also, wildly, this book made me want to visit Kansas City—a thought that had never crossed my mind before! 😂
The story follows Arya, a self-proclaimed slut and lifelong one-night-stand type of guy, who unexpectedly connects with Ben while visiting a vineyard in Napa. When Ben kisses Arya in a misguided attempt to get his ex to leave him alone, they both realize that the attraction between them is real. They agree to enter into a fake relationship, and while the chemistry and lust between them is instant, Ben and Arya also develop genuine feelings for each other as they spend more time together. Eventually, their lives become so intertwined that their fake relationship doesn’t feel fake anymore.
This sweet romcom really showcases all the messy, beautiful parts of building a life with another person—the intimacy, vulnerability, and active choosing. And while I loved the romance, I also enjoyed the found family aspect of this book, with Arya’s friends from Khorram’s previous books playing a major role in Arya and Ben’s story. I also liked the messy, but very real family drama, which shows how, no matter how old you are, you'll still have to renegotiate your relationship with your parents and establish new boundaries over time.
Narrators Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. I’ll definitely be purchasing this audiobook and checking out the rest of the series!
The story follows Arya, a self-proclaimed slut and lifelong one-night-stand type of guy, who unexpectedly connects with Ben while visiting a vineyard in Napa. When Ben kisses Arya in a misguided attempt to get his ex to leave him alone, they both realize that the attraction between them is real. They agree to enter into a fake relationship, and while the chemistry and lust between them is instant, Ben and Arya also develop genuine feelings for each other as they spend more time together. Eventually, their lives become so intertwined that their fake relationship doesn’t feel fake anymore.
This sweet romcom really showcases all the messy, beautiful parts of building a life with another person—the intimacy, vulnerability, and active choosing. And while I loved the romance, I also enjoyed the found family aspect of this book, with Arya’s friends from Khorram’s previous books playing a major role in Arya and Ben’s story. I also liked the messy, but very real family drama, which shows how, no matter how old you are, you'll still have to renegotiate your relationship with your parents and establish new boundaries over time.
Narrators Rodd Cyrus and A.J. Ren did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. I’ll definitely be purchasing this audiobook and checking out the rest of the series!
September 3, 2026
”Being with someone means choosing them, over and over, in a million different ways.”
This book was so much fun! I’m sure how many times I actually laughed out loud or snorted at something said or something happening! Like not knowing whether to salute or simply stare in awe at the sight of an eagle being backlit by the sun in a Grand Ballroom… Lol!
This was my first read by this author—I know this is the third in a trilogy featuring three best friends as the MCs, but this book hadn’t actually come up on my radar until I’d been offered a widget from Forever and couldn’t resist checking it out! And am I glad I decided to chance it because I really did enjoy this book! I loved the characters, the romance, and especially loved the hilarious moments sprinkled throughout the story! 🥰
The characters. This book is centered on Arya and Ben, both having very different takes on relationships, but still somehow each finding their way to each other. The romance. From the beginning, it’s obvious, their attraction to each other, that is, but they’re also very sweet and considerate towards each other, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. And the hilarious moments?? Not even counting the eagle moment I mentioned earlier, there were plenty of moments that had me chuckling!
This book was all-around entertaining and I really did enjoy reading it! Now I’ll definitely have to make sure and add the previous two books to my TBR!
Recommended if you’re a fan of queer romances, comedy, and awesome friendships/relationships!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so much fun! I’m sure how many times I actually laughed out loud or snorted at something said or something happening! Like not knowing whether to salute or simply stare in awe at the sight of an eagle being backlit by the sun in a Grand Ballroom… Lol!
This was my first read by this author—I know this is the third in a trilogy featuring three best friends as the MCs, but this book hadn’t actually come up on my radar until I’d been offered a widget from Forever and couldn’t resist checking it out! And am I glad I decided to chance it because I really did enjoy this book! I loved the characters, the romance, and especially loved the hilarious moments sprinkled throughout the story! 🥰
The characters. This book is centered on Arya and Ben, both having very different takes on relationships, but still somehow each finding their way to each other. The romance. From the beginning, it’s obvious, their attraction to each other, that is, but they’re also very sweet and considerate towards each other, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. And the hilarious moments?? Not even counting the eagle moment I mentioned earlier, there were plenty of moments that had me chuckling!
This book was all-around entertaining and I really did enjoy reading it! Now I’ll definitely have to make sure and add the previous two books to my TBR!
Recommended if you’re a fan of queer romances, comedy, and awesome friendships/relationships!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
I'm not the biggest fan of fake dating, but I am a fan of this series and this author, so that may just be why I found this unexpectedly charming.
Arya and Ben first meet in wine country where they have a fun hang with bigger implications for both of them. Who cares? They'll never see each other again. Or WILL they...?
They do, of course, and while their relationship has a steamy start and already comes with too much baggage early on, they - and really Khorram - find a way to become charming and sweet and swoony anyway.
I enjoyed the story of these two and the opportunity to spend time with some old pals in their world in the process. I hope this series goes on indefinitely. I'll be here enthusiastically ready to read every installment.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dana Cuadrado at Forever for this widget and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm not the biggest fan of fake dating, but I am a fan of this series and this author, so that may just be why I found this unexpectedly charming.
Arya and Ben first meet in wine country where they have a fun hang with bigger implications for both of them. Who cares? They'll never see each other again. Or WILL they...?
They do, of course, and while their relationship has a steamy start and already comes with too much baggage early on, they - and really Khorram - find a way to become charming and sweet and swoony anyway.
I enjoyed the story of these two and the opportunity to spend time with some old pals in their world in the process. I hope this series goes on indefinitely. I'll be here enthusiastically ready to read every installment.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dana Cuadrado at Forever for this widget and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
September 19, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC of Isn’t He Romantic?
I’ve enjoyed the authors previous work and when I saw this available on Netgalley, I immediately ran!! And it did not disappoint!! From chapter 1 to the very end I was invested! I love how the first chapter alone just kept me intrigued to keep going and the story kept unfolding and I enjoyed it so much! I love me a good fake dating situation and really enjoyed this one. I thought that the characters fit well together and had so much chemistry. I would definitely recommend this series!!
I’ve enjoyed the authors previous work and when I saw this available on Netgalley, I immediately ran!! And it did not disappoint!! From chapter 1 to the very end I was invested! I love how the first chapter alone just kept me intrigued to keep going and the story kept unfolding and I enjoyed it so much! I love me a good fake dating situation and really enjoyed this one. I thought that the characters fit well together and had so much chemistry. I would definitely recommend this series!!
September 19, 2026
This was super cute, I just loved Arya and Ben! This is book 3 in the series and you definitely don’t need to read the other 2 before this one (I read them out of order) I highly recommend it because they are just as good.
Read if you enjoy, fake dating, forced proximity, slutty little glasses, all the wine, and the best found family.
And the most perfect furry friend.
*****
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review
Read if you enjoy, fake dating, forced proximity, slutty little glasses, all the wine, and the best found family.
And the most perfect furry friend.
*****
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love me some fake dating, but I will say this one wasn’t my absolute favorite.
I felt like we kept going in circles with Arya talking about what a slut he was and Ben’s storyline was a bit boring.
I liked seeing Arya grow as a character and him working through his family dynamics.
Overall, just okay!
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
I felt like we kept going in circles with Arya talking about what a slut he was and Ben’s storyline was a bit boring.
I liked seeing Arya grow as a character and him working through his family dynamics.
Overall, just okay!
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
Review of advance copy
Adib Khorram does it again!!! I absolutely adore this trilogy. His characters are good humans who choose good humans and all are easy to root for. I’m sad it’s over because the three friends are all coupled up but maybe there’s room to tell everyone’s wedding stories? I found the sex scenes to have got more daring and descriptive in each book. Unlike the first 2 books, this one did not give me a laugh out loud moment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sharing a review one day before a book pub day is a first for me (I never push it so close to a deadline!) but what I have to say 'Isn't He Romantic' got frank about aging with a level of sage realism interwoven with relationships that I personally really enjoyed. Adib continues to write with fierceness and I for one love it.
My thanks to Forever for the digital copy!
My thanks to Forever for the digital copy!
August 8, 2026
Another perfect story in Adib Khorram’s Love on the Vine series! This trilogy has been such an amazing treat this year!
Ben and Arya's meet-cute had me hooked right away. I loved the instant connection these two had. Arya is an event planner and has an event at Ben's parents' vineyard. They bump into each other at the end and don't know who the other is.
I was so curious how Adib would write Arya's story. Arya has always been the self-proclaimed slut of the friend group who never wants a commitment. But diving into the emotional 'why' behind that mindset made my heart melt. And he's so gone for Ben, and I LOVED IT.
Ben's story was surprisingly engaging. He is desperate to get away from his parents and their expectations and the ex-boyfriend who thinks they will inevitably get back together. Ben, being the people-pleaser that he is (can relate), instead of having hard conversations with his parents or ex-boyfriend, just flees California for Missouri.
But guess who is also in Missouri? The cute event planner he kissed back in California at his parents' vineyard! There is also some forced proximity and some fake dating thrown into the mix, and that is always fun!
This book was so lovely; I loved all the swoony romantic moments between these two. And the friendship of all the guys is the found family that my heart loves.
Thank you, Forever and NetGalley, for this eARC.
Ben and Arya's meet-cute had me hooked right away. I loved the instant connection these two had. Arya is an event planner and has an event at Ben's parents' vineyard. They bump into each other at the end and don't know who the other is.
I was so curious how Adib would write Arya's story. Arya has always been the self-proclaimed slut of the friend group who never wants a commitment. But diving into the emotional 'why' behind that mindset made my heart melt. And he's so gone for Ben, and I LOVED IT.
Ben's story was surprisingly engaging. He is desperate to get away from his parents and their expectations and the ex-boyfriend who thinks they will inevitably get back together. Ben, being the people-pleaser that he is (can relate), instead of having hard conversations with his parents or ex-boyfriend, just flees California for Missouri.
But guess who is also in Missouri? The cute event planner he kissed back in California at his parents' vineyard! There is also some forced proximity and some fake dating thrown into the mix, and that is always fun!
This book was so lovely; I loved all the swoony romantic moments between these two. And the friendship of all the guys is the found family that my heart loves.
Thank you, Forever and NetGalley, for this eARC.
June 22, 2026
I have loved revisiting this universe by Adib Khorram, and I'm definitely a fan of this stories.
Commitment-phobe Arya prefers no-strings hookups, but turning 40 soon has him rethinking that habit, especially once his latest one-night stand, Ben, a cellist, turns out to be the new chair of a charity event Arya's company is organizing. Ben is trying to rebuild his life in Kansas City, and working closely with the man who ghosted him only complicates things further. When Ben's ex shows up, hoping to rekindle their romance, Ben panics and claims he's already moved on with Arya. Arya goes along with the ruse in exchange for Ben's help securing a major client, but their fake relationship starts to feel very real.
I'm always a sucker for a fake dating story, and this one delivers. Adib Khorram writes such in-depth characters, and I love watching the MMCs work through their shortcomings and actually grow instead of just magically figuring everything out by the end. Arya and Ben both have real baggage they're dragging around, and it was satisfying to watch them face it instead of dodging it. The spice in this book is excellent, too. I also loved getting a peek into the characters' lives from the previous books again. It felt less like a standalone (although it totally is!) and more like a continuation of a longer story about these three queer best friends, which made the whole thing feel even more special.
Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for this eARC!
Commitment-phobe Arya prefers no-strings hookups, but turning 40 soon has him rethinking that habit, especially once his latest one-night stand, Ben, a cellist, turns out to be the new chair of a charity event Arya's company is organizing. Ben is trying to rebuild his life in Kansas City, and working closely with the man who ghosted him only complicates things further. When Ben's ex shows up, hoping to rekindle their romance, Ben panics and claims he's already moved on with Arya. Arya goes along with the ruse in exchange for Ben's help securing a major client, but their fake relationship starts to feel very real.
I'm always a sucker for a fake dating story, and this one delivers. Adib Khorram writes such in-depth characters, and I love watching the MMCs work through their shortcomings and actually grow instead of just magically figuring everything out by the end. Arya and Ben both have real baggage they're dragging around, and it was satisfying to watch them face it instead of dodging it. The spice in this book is excellent, too. I also loved getting a peek into the characters' lives from the previous books again. It felt less like a standalone (although it totally is!) and more like a continuation of a longer story about these three queer best friends, which made the whole thing feel even more special.
Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for this eARC!
May 29, 2026
I’m so sad to see this series end but what a way to end it!! I really enjoyed getting to see a side of Arya who hadn’t been visible in the other books and as a fellow ADHD with daddy-issues baddie it was very relatable. I loved the found family in the story between the main friend group and couples, the kickball team, Ben’s fellow orchestra members, and all the cute dog moments.
I really enjoyed Ben and Arya’s relationship. I think it was interesting to see how Arya, who across the first two books has been set up as the slut of the friend group, navigates being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t enjoy penetrative sex. I thought they handled this really well in their relationship (especially compared to how things with Ben and his ex ended). And this book was still veerryyyyyyyy spicy even without it!
I hope to see more adult romances from Adib in the future!! Thank you Forever and NetGalley for an ARC of Isn’t He Romantic!!
I really enjoyed Ben and Arya’s relationship. I think it was interesting to see how Arya, who across the first two books has been set up as the slut of the friend group, navigates being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t enjoy penetrative sex. I thought they handled this really well in their relationship (especially compared to how things with Ben and his ex ended). And this book was still veerryyyyyyyy spicy even without it!
I hope to see more adult romances from Adib in the future!! Thank you Forever and NetGalley for an ARC of Isn’t He Romantic!!
July 10, 2026
Love this friend group and their matches! Finally, Arya gets his chance to shine. From a steamy start in the vineyard to fake dating to learning how to love each other, Arya and Ben kept me guessing. Add in Adib’s love of food, wine and his city and it’s a great read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 / 5
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!
Arya has always been apologetically himself. He's the comedian of the group. The one who always has crazy stories about his hook ups. Notorious for being the life of a party. But lately something feels off.
Maybe it's his impending big 4-0. It could be the financial stress at work. Or seeing his mentor decline into addiction. Then there's watching his two best friends find their person over the past few years. Even if they still make time for each other the 'couple-ness' is ever present. He might not be the third wheel, but he's not sure of what his actual place is.
The internal nagging keeps coming when he runs into a previous one-night-fling hundreds of miles from where they met. Ben, the newest addition to the city's orchestra, in a moment of desperation had asked Ari for help throwing off his persistent ex. One that still won't give up. One he just told he was in a new relationship. Despite everything screaming at him not to, Ari makes a proposal.
If Ben will introduce him to a potential new wealthy client for his business, he'll help him keep up the charade. Agreed, the two start an exceptionally well designed pretend relationship. Except it's hard not to catch feelings when things feel so comfortable. Even for the self-proclaimed slut who's allergic to relationships.
I admit Arya isn't my favorite of the group. I didn't expect much from this one. But in a lot of ways his is probably the most relatable. There are certain things about certain phases of life, about the narratives we buy into, that are likely to stir up all the packed away doubts. Seeing others moving at a different pace in milestones can be rough.
What I have loved the most about the first two books in this trilogy isn't even the relationships. The thing I keep coming back for its the characters. I love the sense of friendship, community, and family. Both chosen and blood. Parents and siblings aren't just shadowy side characters. You can easily see how mutually important each tie is.
I love the way that the author naturally weaves in cultural and sociological elements without it ever being a sermon. The author continues letting others into Persian traditions and language. This may also go the furthest into exploring what it's like to be part of a diaspora. Not frequently do I see a narrative where an Iranian even occasionally travels back and forth to the U.S. in the modern era. There are also issues separate from ethnicity such as addiction and toxic vs. healthy relationships.
In matters concerning the queer community there's a great not to some 'codes'. There are some trans umbrella side characters that hint at life experiences they have as well. The most significant the author addressing something that's rarely spoken of. Ben struggles with the fact that he's a side. Someone who doesn't care for a commonly assumed intimate act. He's afraid his lack of interest or desire to participate in that act makes him less appealing or worthy of sticking it out with. The answers he finds are great for anyone who doubts something about themselves in this general area.
This is also a story for any foodie. There are so, SO, many lush descriptions of food and drink. Likewise, though, Ben's profession as a musician is equally a part of his character beyond a job. A lot of the metaphors and comparisons he makes have the terminology of someone who lives and breathes music.
Now were there some traits and tropes common to the contemporary genre here? Yes. I wouldn't say it's particularly unpredictable in that sense. I don't even favor all of them. The two lead protagonists had a lot of complicated emotions that would have filled the time a twist did just as well. I found Ari's analyzing how his own parents relationship have effected him a great road to explore. For Ben, it was his doubt and the kindness that lead him to being conflict resistant while also doubting his own best qualities. His avoidance of conflict.
But overall it didn't detract from the vibe I came looking for. It just made it feel a little more average. It is still very sweet with a few dashes of spice and characters that are as sweet as honey and snappy as ginger. One that tackles how hard it is to transition through certain phases of our lives.
And, of course. Dog. (Which is clearly the thing we're all here for. No? Fine. Just me.)
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!
Arya has always been apologetically himself. He's the comedian of the group. The one who always has crazy stories about his hook ups. Notorious for being the life of a party. But lately something feels off.
Maybe it's his impending big 4-0. It could be the financial stress at work. Or seeing his mentor decline into addiction. Then there's watching his two best friends find their person over the past few years. Even if they still make time for each other the 'couple-ness' is ever present. He might not be the third wheel, but he's not sure of what his actual place is.
The internal nagging keeps coming when he runs into a previous one-night-fling hundreds of miles from where they met. Ben, the newest addition to the city's orchestra, in a moment of desperation had asked Ari for help throwing off his persistent ex. One that still won't give up. One he just told he was in a new relationship. Despite everything screaming at him not to, Ari makes a proposal.
If Ben will introduce him to a potential new wealthy client for his business, he'll help him keep up the charade. Agreed, the two start an exceptionally well designed pretend relationship. Except it's hard not to catch feelings when things feel so comfortable. Even for the self-proclaimed slut who's allergic to relationships.
I admit Arya isn't my favorite of the group. I didn't expect much from this one. But in a lot of ways his is probably the most relatable. There are certain things about certain phases of life, about the narratives we buy into, that are likely to stir up all the packed away doubts. Seeing others moving at a different pace in milestones can be rough.
What I have loved the most about the first two books in this trilogy isn't even the relationships. The thing I keep coming back for its the characters. I love the sense of friendship, community, and family. Both chosen and blood. Parents and siblings aren't just shadowy side characters. You can easily see how mutually important each tie is.
I love the way that the author naturally weaves in cultural and sociological elements without it ever being a sermon. The author continues letting others into Persian traditions and language. This may also go the furthest into exploring what it's like to be part of a diaspora. Not frequently do I see a narrative where an Iranian even occasionally travels back and forth to the U.S. in the modern era. There are also issues separate from ethnicity such as addiction and toxic vs. healthy relationships.
In matters concerning the queer community there's a great not to some 'codes'. There are some trans umbrella side characters that hint at life experiences they have as well. The most significant the author addressing something that's rarely spoken of. Ben struggles with the fact that he's a side. Someone who doesn't care for a commonly assumed intimate act. He's afraid his lack of interest or desire to participate in that act makes him less appealing or worthy of sticking it out with. The answers he finds are great for anyone who doubts something about themselves in this general area.
This is also a story for any foodie. There are so, SO, many lush descriptions of food and drink. Likewise, though, Ben's profession as a musician is equally a part of his character beyond a job. A lot of the metaphors and comparisons he makes have the terminology of someone who lives and breathes music.
Now were there some traits and tropes common to the contemporary genre here? Yes. I wouldn't say it's particularly unpredictable in that sense. I don't even favor all of them. The two lead protagonists had a lot of complicated emotions that would have filled the time a twist did just as well. I found Ari's analyzing how his own parents relationship have effected him a great road to explore. For Ben, it was his doubt and the kindness that lead him to being conflict resistant while also doubting his own best qualities. His avoidance of conflict.
But overall it didn't detract from the vibe I came looking for. It just made it feel a little more average. It is still very sweet with a few dashes of spice and characters that are as sweet as honey and snappy as ginger. One that tackles how hard it is to transition through certain phases of our lives.
And, of course. Dog. (Which is clearly the thing we're all here for. No? Fine. Just me.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As I've said about every book in this series, Khorram writes about kind people being kind to each other. Read these books for fantastic depictions of food and wine, as well as loving, supportive friendships, and explicit consent and safer intimate practices, without a lot of conflict. That said, I was happy to see that the MCs of this book Ben and Arya were a little bit more of a mess than the others!
Arya is the self-proclaimed "slut" of the friendship group, never settling down. He is also partner in a event planning company, and is out in CA organzing a party at a vinyard, when he gets the classic "can I kiss you as cover" from Ben, classical cellist and son of the owners. Ben is trying to escape a conversation with his ex Justin, who works for his parents and is trying to win him back after a breakup. Anyhoo, after a magical night together Arya bounces and that's that. Or it *would* be if - OOP - Ben didn't move to KC for a symphony job!
So there's a lot of fun tropes going on here, a little forced proximity because Ben is tasked with repping the symphony at weekly planning meetings for their big gala, a little fake dating because the ex moves to KC in a bid to get Ben back and Arya agrees to cover, lots of mommy and daddy issues from both, and side characters behaving badly all over the place.
Naturally fake dating turns to (say it with me) real feelings. Which, refreshingly, they both admit and transition smoothly to a real relationship. Khorram excels at writing clear communication between partners, as well as taking responsibility and sincere apologies for issues. Which makes the way the men deal with the problem characters of the book so much more frustrating.
The two antagonists of the book, Ben's ex and Arya's business partner really needed to be called on their behavior much earlier. Justin is flat out stalking Ben, and he never sets a firm boundary, and Arya's partner is engaging in distructive behavior that is jeopardizing their company, and the first many times he causes large problems Arya is just like, well, I tried to talk to him about it but he got mad, so I guess that's that!
There were a few writing things that kept this from being five stars from me. Khorram is a very funny writer, with super charming turns of phrase and delicious emotional honesty. At times, I felt like he hammered home themes and ideas in a way that felt like he worried the reader wouldn't pick up on it. We can tell that Arya doesn't do relationships because of the poor modeling of his parents, we don't need him to think and explicitly say it repeatedly. We get that Ben thinks from a musical pov because of his profession, and the first few times it happened it was really cool, until every thought and emotion was compared to an instument or specific piece. Arya refers to himself as a "slut" constantly, both internally and in dialog, yes we get it. A little less in all these instances would be more.
All in all a nice wrap-up of what has been a very enjoyable series. I learned a lot about Persian culture and food and wine. I learned maybe too much about the logisitics and details of intimacy when I would have been happy to handwave some of that and just get to the good parts, but I imagine other readers will appreciate the practical knowledge. I do love how Khorram represents and normalizes almost every iteration of the queer community in an inclusive way.
Thank you to Hachette and Forever for the arc.
Arya is the self-proclaimed "slut" of the friendship group, never settling down. He is also partner in a event planning company, and is out in CA organzing a party at a vinyard, when he gets the classic "can I kiss you as cover" from Ben, classical cellist and son of the owners. Ben is trying to escape a conversation with his ex Justin, who works for his parents and is trying to win him back after a breakup. Anyhoo, after a magical night together Arya bounces and that's that. Or it *would* be if - OOP - Ben didn't move to KC for a symphony job!
So there's a lot of fun tropes going on here, a little forced proximity because Ben is tasked with repping the symphony at weekly planning meetings for their big gala, a little fake dating because the ex moves to KC in a bid to get Ben back and Arya agrees to cover, lots of mommy and daddy issues from both, and side characters behaving badly all over the place.
Naturally fake dating turns to (say it with me) real feelings. Which, refreshingly, they both admit and transition smoothly to a real relationship. Khorram excels at writing clear communication between partners, as well as taking responsibility and sincere apologies for issues. Which makes the way the men deal with the problem characters of the book so much more frustrating.
The two antagonists of the book, Ben's ex and Arya's business partner really needed to be called on their behavior much earlier. Justin is flat out stalking Ben, and he never sets a firm boundary, and Arya's partner is engaging in distructive behavior that is jeopardizing their company, and the first many times he causes large problems Arya is just like, well, I tried to talk to him about it but he got mad, so I guess that's that!
There were a few writing things that kept this from being five stars from me. Khorram is a very funny writer, with super charming turns of phrase and delicious emotional honesty. At times, I felt like he hammered home themes and ideas in a way that felt like he worried the reader wouldn't pick up on it. We can tell that Arya doesn't do relationships because of the poor modeling of his parents, we don't need him to think and explicitly say it repeatedly. We get that Ben thinks from a musical pov because of his profession, and the first few times it happened it was really cool, until every thought and emotion was compared to an instument or specific piece. Arya refers to himself as a "slut" constantly, both internally and in dialog, yes we get it. A little less in all these instances would be more.
All in all a nice wrap-up of what has been a very enjoyable series. I learned a lot about Persian culture and food and wine. I learned maybe too much about the logisitics and details of intimacy when I would have been happy to handwave some of that and just get to the good parts, but I imagine other readers will appreciate the practical knowledge. I do love how Khorram represents and normalizes almost every iteration of the queer community in an inclusive way.
Thank you to Hachette and Forever for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I ADORE this found family of second gen Persian gays and their community of intersectional queers and Iranians in Kansas City. Each book tells the story of millennials queers hitting their middle age and all the ways navigating relationships with family, friends and lovers do not follow romance tropes. First off, setting a queer romance series in Kansas City is a refreshing and subversive choice. It's a place I've spent some time in recently. Even though I haven't found my way to Shiraz Bistro, my experience of it was similar to many of the transplants from elsewhere in these books, who find out that there is a vibrant and diverse community of immigrants and queer people, and a food culture that that is too easy to overlook in what is a flyover state. Also, Adib Khorram has long been an author who you can trust to tell nuanced stories about queer immigrants or children of immigrants, particularly in YA. This series has been a refreshing change of pace with adult romances. I was really looking forward to Arya's installment in this series, given his status as the group "slut", a term he uses for himself, often as a badge of pride and increasingly as a tool of self-sabotage. Ben, the classical cellist son of Chinese-American California vintners, is also a refreshing choice of love interest. Their insta-lust and fake dating felt like a forced dabbling in tropes at the start, but very quickly the characters themselves abandon those constructs as they make mostly self-aware choices about communicating where they're at. Even the last third temporary breakup based on communication style mismatch doesn't linger too long before each of them quickly knowing what went wrong. But mostly, what I enjoyed the most about this was how their romance stemmed not from the MANY creative sexcapades that they enjoy, but from how much they simply enjoy each other's company and share the same sense of joy and humor in the people they care for. Honestly, they turned out to be the sweetest of all the couples, and even Arya's friends and family give up the slut label before he does. Arya's family dynamics were surprisingly refreshing in how dysfunctional it is and how open he is about something that is usually never talked about in immigrant communities. Overall, the story sailed on the reader already having a relationship with a cast of characters and how a whole community of people help two people accept the love they deserve from each other. The narrators did a phenomenal job of bringing alive this found family once again, and for that alone the audiobook version gets an extra star. That said, if I were to evaluate this on a narrative element level, there were some glaringly underdeveloped elements such as Ben's identity as a musician that Arya seems to have zero thoughts or interactions with, Arya's work situation with his boss getting way too easily resolved, the whole Justin of it all, and basically everything that had anything resembling a sense of high stakes either feeling forced or abandoned. Still, I was thrilled to receive both the ebook and audiobook ARCs, thanks to Netgalley. I just wish the cover art were better, given the first two book covers, and an editor had insisted on fleshing out some plot and character development elements. Excited to see what Khorram writes next in both YA and adult spaces.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARYA FINALLY GOT HIS BOOK! 😭🙌
After reading It Had To Be Him, I was fully prepared for Arya, so I was ridiculously excited to finally get his story, and it was just so freaking good!
🎻 fake dating
💘 one night stand to something more
🏳️🌈 MM romance
✨ turning 40 and questioning everything
🌆 Kansas City romance tourism propaganda (seriously)
Fake dating is probably my favorite romance trope, and Adib did such a great job with it here. It never felt overly tropey or forced, but instead felt natural and believable as Arya and Ben slowly got closer. The setup worked so well here, and I was definitely all in on them.
The chemistry was THERE immediately! We get that one night stand right at the beginning, and the tension between Ben and Arya never lets up after that. I loved watching them navigate their complicated feelings while pretending everything was fake. Ugh, this trope is just mu favorite and it worked so well here!
Arya has always been a bit of a lovable manwhore, so seeing him go from one and done hookups to catching actual feelings was SO much fun. There was something really satisfying about watching someone who had spent so long avoiding love realize that maybe he wanted something more after all.
Ben was also such a sweetheart, and I really loved him with Arya! They balanced each other well, and I was rooting for them almost immediately. They were just adorable.
And Kansas City, oh how I love thee now. This book somehow accomplished the impossible and made me want to visit! I have never had an interest in this city before (yes, even with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift and the Chiefs) but between the community, the events, and all the local details, the city felt so vibrant and alive and I am actually really interested in someday visiting!
If I had one tiny critique, it would just be that I wanted MORE time with these characters because I enjoyed them so much. I will miss them immensely!
But actually... my BIG critique would be the cover. And if I am being so honest... this cover and I were not friends. 😂 It is just not visually appealing, but the good news is that the actual book is infinitely more charming, romantic, and fun than the cover led me to believe. I say if you are on the fence due to the cover (and I can see why), give this and the other two books in the series a chance anyway because they are worth it!
I have really enjoyed this series, even though I somehow skipped book one, and now I absolutely need to go back and read it ASAP. If Adib Khorram continues writing in this world, I will be first in line. And if not, then I will happily read whatever they write next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, and Forever for the eARC of this book.
After reading It Had To Be Him, I was fully prepared for Arya, so I was ridiculously excited to finally get his story, and it was just so freaking good!
🎻 fake dating
💘 one night stand to something more
🏳️🌈 MM romance
✨ turning 40 and questioning everything
🌆 Kansas City romance tourism propaganda (seriously)
Fake dating is probably my favorite romance trope, and Adib did such a great job with it here. It never felt overly tropey or forced, but instead felt natural and believable as Arya and Ben slowly got closer. The setup worked so well here, and I was definitely all in on them.
The chemistry was THERE immediately! We get that one night stand right at the beginning, and the tension between Ben and Arya never lets up after that. I loved watching them navigate their complicated feelings while pretending everything was fake. Ugh, this trope is just mu favorite and it worked so well here!
Arya has always been a bit of a lovable manwhore, so seeing him go from one and done hookups to catching actual feelings was SO much fun. There was something really satisfying about watching someone who had spent so long avoiding love realize that maybe he wanted something more after all.
Ben was also such a sweetheart, and I really loved him with Arya! They balanced each other well, and I was rooting for them almost immediately. They were just adorable.
And Kansas City, oh how I love thee now. This book somehow accomplished the impossible and made me want to visit! I have never had an interest in this city before (yes, even with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift and the Chiefs) but between the community, the events, and all the local details, the city felt so vibrant and alive and I am actually really interested in someday visiting!
If I had one tiny critique, it would just be that I wanted MORE time with these characters because I enjoyed them so much. I will miss them immensely!
But actually... my BIG critique would be the cover. And if I am being so honest... this cover and I were not friends. 😂 It is just not visually appealing, but the good news is that the actual book is infinitely more charming, romantic, and fun than the cover led me to believe. I say if you are on the fence due to the cover (and I can see why), give this and the other two books in the series a chance anyway because they are worth it!
I have really enjoyed this series, even though I somehow skipped book one, and now I absolutely need to go back and read it ASAP. If Adib Khorram continues writing in this world, I will be first in line. And if not, then I will happily read whatever they write next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, and Forever for the eARC of this book.
Read
September 23, 2026 Isn’t He Romantic? is book three in the Love on the Vine series by Adib Khorram. I’ve heard great things about Khorram’s work, so I was excited to read his latest book. This book is a M/M fake dating romance about Arya, an event planner, and Ben, a musician. The couple meet one night at Ben’s family’s vineyard in Napa, where Arya is working. They instantly connect, both physically and emotionally, but assume that it was a one-night thing. Weeks later, at home in Kansas City, they run in to each other at a work event, and are shocked to realize that they live in the same city.
Ben is struggling with his ex-boyfriend Justin who is basically stalking him, and proposes to Arya that they fake date to distract Justin into leaving him alone. They agree to spend time together weekly, start hanging out with their kickball team and friends, and are soon falling for each other. I loved how Arya, who is very skittish about emotional intimacy, recognized a safe space in Ben from the start. They both feel that they can confide in and trust each other with all of their secrets.
The connection between Ben and Arya was really genuine and well-developed. They have great physical chemistry and are so kind and respectful to each other. I would have really liked to see the book focus more on them, and not so much on Justin, who remained part of the story until the end. He was toxic and unkind to Ben, yet Ben continued to allow him to be in his life. I really didn’t like Ben’s lack of boundaries and Justin’s creepy behavior.
I enjoyed the resolution that Arya finds in the book in both his career and with his family. I was glad to also see Ben progress to being honest with his parents and telling them the truth about his relationships. The found family aspect of the story with Arya’s friends and their partners was amazing. Overall, this is a great read about a wonderful, well-matched couple. I am now going to read the first two books in the series as soon as possible!
The audiobook was really entertaining to listen to, especially in duet narration format. Both voice actors, Rodd Cyrus and AJ Ren, captured the personalities of Ben and Arya so well. They both had great emotional range, which really expressed the feelings in the book for the reader.
Thank you to Forever/Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader’s copy and to Hachette Audio for an advance listener’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Ben is struggling with his ex-boyfriend Justin who is basically stalking him, and proposes to Arya that they fake date to distract Justin into leaving him alone. They agree to spend time together weekly, start hanging out with their kickball team and friends, and are soon falling for each other. I loved how Arya, who is very skittish about emotional intimacy, recognized a safe space in Ben from the start. They both feel that they can confide in and trust each other with all of their secrets.
The connection between Ben and Arya was really genuine and well-developed. They have great physical chemistry and are so kind and respectful to each other. I would have really liked to see the book focus more on them, and not so much on Justin, who remained part of the story until the end. He was toxic and unkind to Ben, yet Ben continued to allow him to be in his life. I really didn’t like Ben’s lack of boundaries and Justin’s creepy behavior.
I enjoyed the resolution that Arya finds in the book in both his career and with his family. I was glad to also see Ben progress to being honest with his parents and telling them the truth about his relationships. The found family aspect of the story with Arya’s friends and their partners was amazing. Overall, this is a great read about a wonderful, well-matched couple. I am now going to read the first two books in the series as soon as possible!
The audiobook was really entertaining to listen to, especially in duet narration format. Both voice actors, Rodd Cyrus and AJ Ren, captured the personalities of Ben and Arya so well. They both had great emotional range, which really expressed the feelings in the book for the reader.
Thank you to Forever/Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader’s copy and to Hachette Audio for an advance listener’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2026
Adib Khorram’s Isn’t He Romantic? came along with me this weekend, and apparently fake dating between two men pushing forty was exactly the kind of romantic chaos I needed. Thank you to Forever for the gifted advance copy. Why is it that the people who insist they’re perfectly happy being single are always the most entertaining ones to watch fall ridiculously hard?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Arya has spent years happily living by his one-and-done rule. Relationships? Absolutely not. Feelings? Even worse. Then he meets Ben at a vineyard, and what should have been one fun night becomes slightly inconvenient when Ben turns up back in Kansas City.
And even more inconvenient when Arya agrees to pretend to be his boyfriend.
You know where this is going. Arya and Ben make rules. Very sensible rules. Rules that obviously have absolutely no chance of surviving these two.
I really liked them together. Ben is a cellist starting over after a relationship that clearly needed to stay in his rearview mirror, while Arya is approaching forty and beginning to wonder whether the life he’s always claimed to want still fits him. Watching Arya realize that maybe he isn’t quite as immune to love as he thought was probably my favorite part.
There’s plenty of heat here, but what surprised me was how sweet their relationship became. They actually talk about what they want, what they’re comfortable with, and what intimacy looks like for them instead of assuming there’s only one way a relationship is supposed to work. And underneath all the flirting are two men carrying some pretty complicated family baggage.
I also loved being back with this friend group. The friendships, Iranian culture, food, wine, Kansas City, and one very lovable dog made the whole story feel bigger than just Arya and Ben.
Did everything work for me? Not quite. Ben’s ex seriously tested my patience, and a couple of the outside conflicts had me wanting to grab these grown men by the shoulders and say, “Please deal with this already.” 😂
Still, Arya falling in love after spending years convinced he wasn’t relationship material? Yep. That got me.
What’s one romance trope you know exactly how it will end…and happily read every single time?
#IsntHeRomantic #AdibKhorram #LoveOnTheVine #QueerRomance #MMRomance #FakeDating #RomanceBooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Arya has spent years happily living by his one-and-done rule. Relationships? Absolutely not. Feelings? Even worse. Then he meets Ben at a vineyard, and what should have been one fun night becomes slightly inconvenient when Ben turns up back in Kansas City.
And even more inconvenient when Arya agrees to pretend to be his boyfriend.
You know where this is going. Arya and Ben make rules. Very sensible rules. Rules that obviously have absolutely no chance of surviving these two.
I really liked them together. Ben is a cellist starting over after a relationship that clearly needed to stay in his rearview mirror, while Arya is approaching forty and beginning to wonder whether the life he’s always claimed to want still fits him. Watching Arya realize that maybe he isn’t quite as immune to love as he thought was probably my favorite part.
There’s plenty of heat here, but what surprised me was how sweet their relationship became. They actually talk about what they want, what they’re comfortable with, and what intimacy looks like for them instead of assuming there’s only one way a relationship is supposed to work. And underneath all the flirting are two men carrying some pretty complicated family baggage.
I also loved being back with this friend group. The friendships, Iranian culture, food, wine, Kansas City, and one very lovable dog made the whole story feel bigger than just Arya and Ben.
Did everything work for me? Not quite. Ben’s ex seriously tested my patience, and a couple of the outside conflicts had me wanting to grab these grown men by the shoulders and say, “Please deal with this already.” 😂
Still, Arya falling in love after spending years convinced he wasn’t relationship material? Yep. That got me.
What’s one romance trope you know exactly how it will end…and happily read every single time?
#IsntHeRomantic #AdibKhorram #LoveOnTheVine #QueerRomance #MMRomance #FakeDating #RomanceBooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For a couple of years, Helena Greer has been telling anyone who will listen that we should read Adib Khorram. I knew she was right. It just took a bit for one of his arcs to get into my hands. Isn’t He Romantic is the third in his Love on the Vine series, and while I’m looking forward to reading the first two books when I have a chance, it’s enough of a stand alone that I didn’t feel like I was missing information. I really enjoyed Arya and Ben’s relationship as it moved from one night stand to fake dating to real relationship to break up and finally, commitment. I reveled in the skill with which Khorram wrote his book.
Isn’t He Romantic uses the one night stand and the fake dating really well to illustrate both the strength of the connection between the two men and the internal barriers to their relationship. Ben’s ex boyfriend, Justin, has decided their breakup is temporary, driving Ben to approach Arya for a kiss that leads to mutual pleasuring. When Justin follows him from California to Kansas City, Ben and Arya agree to fake a relationship. Because their lives intersect at so many points, faking a relationship means actually spending time together. They are so charming together, and so very horny for each other.
One of the reasons I love the fake dating trope is because it gives the characters reasons to lie to themselves and for us, the readers, to find the truths they are hiding from themselves. Ben and Arya want to touch each other, and when they do, their bodies relax. Their bodies tell the truth that they are each other’s safe person. It’s in their kisses, sure, but also in the hand they reach out to offer support.
I also love a well done third act breakup. Arya and Ben didn’t get into a relationship in the first place for good reasons of their own. Those dynamics lead to a breakup that has to happen in order for them to choose each other intentionally. Ben needs someone who will act him fully, and Arya needs to know he can choose someone for the long term.
I loved this and I can’t wait to read the first two books in the series.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
Isn’t He Romantic uses the one night stand and the fake dating really well to illustrate both the strength of the connection between the two men and the internal barriers to their relationship. Ben’s ex boyfriend, Justin, has decided their breakup is temporary, driving Ben to approach Arya for a kiss that leads to mutual pleasuring. When Justin follows him from California to Kansas City, Ben and Arya agree to fake a relationship. Because their lives intersect at so many points, faking a relationship means actually spending time together. They are so charming together, and so very horny for each other.
One of the reasons I love the fake dating trope is because it gives the characters reasons to lie to themselves and for us, the readers, to find the truths they are hiding from themselves. Ben and Arya want to touch each other, and when they do, their bodies relax. Their bodies tell the truth that they are each other’s safe person. It’s in their kisses, sure, but also in the hand they reach out to offer support.
I also love a well done third act breakup. Arya and Ben didn’t get into a relationship in the first place for good reasons of their own. Those dynamics lead to a breakup that has to happen in order for them to choose each other intentionally. Ben needs someone who will act him fully, and Arya needs to know he can choose someone for the long term.
I loved this and I can’t wait to read the first two books in the series.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews