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The Boyfriend Setup
Jaclyn Beckett doesn’t believe in love. When it comes to dating, her motto is one and done. But lately, her mother has been pushing her to get past her penchant for one-night stands. The problem is, her mom’s idea of the perfect partner and Jaclyn’s don’t align.
Rhys Blackwell fell for Jaclyn the moment they met. But four years into their friendship, and he’s never said anything about his feelings for her. In fact, he’s ready to finally let go of the hope that Jaclyn will ever see him as anything more than a friend. That is, until she kisses him. In front of her mother.
What starts as a spur-of-the-moment scheme to get her mom off her back soon spirals out of control. The entire town thinks they’re in love. Their chemistry is off the charts. And the more lies Jaclyn tells everyone else, the more she starts to wonder: has she been lying to herself all along?
Rhys Blackwell fell for Jaclyn the moment they met. But four years into their friendship, and he’s never said anything about his feelings for her. In fact, he’s ready to finally let go of the hope that Jaclyn will ever see him as anything more than a friend. That is, until she kisses him. In front of her mother.
What starts as a spur-of-the-moment scheme to get her mom off her back soon spirals out of control. The entire town thinks they’re in love. Their chemistry is off the charts. And the more lies Jaclyn tells everyone else, the more she starts to wonder: has she been lying to herself all along?
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 15, 2026
This book gets 3.5 stars from me! This is my first Dawn Banks book, and I had a fun time reading this. It started a little slow and at first I didn't believe the chemistry between Rhys and Jaclyn, but by the end, I was fully in it. There were also a lot of instances of telling and not showing, but they were more towards the beginning of the book. The second half of the book is way stronger than the first half. Also, I appreciated the pacing of the book. I don't feel like there was anything lacking, despite the book being on the shorter side. Lastly, one of my favorite parts of the book was seeing how many East Tennessee references I could recognize!
This was my first Dawn Banks book, but it definitely won't be my last.
This was my first Dawn Banks book, but it definitely won't be my last.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another wonderful contemporary romance novel from author Dawn Banks. I loved the fake dating plot and that Jacklyn and Rhys started off as friends before pretending to be more. The spicy scenes were mostly of the fade-to-black variety, but that is not a criticism because there was so much delicious yearning to appreciate throughout the story. So. Much. Yearning. *swoons*
Jaclyn was an admirable heroine in spite of her confusion over her feelings. Rhys was practically perfect in every way and had the patience of a saint. They both worked hard to achieve honesty and fully deserve their happy ending.
Jaclyn was an admirable heroine in spite of her confusion over her feelings. Rhys was practically perfect in every way and had the patience of a saint. They both worked hard to achieve honesty and fully deserve their happy ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jaclyn has a penchant for one-night stands. Her mother has different ideas on dating. Rhys fell hard, love at first sight. Four years as besties kept the love interest hidden. A kiss at a wedding ignites something. A fake dating scheme attempts to keep her mom at bay but sets fire to something more. Rhys may be the best book-boyfriend I have come across in a while. I really enjoyed the friction and tension between Jaclyn and Rhys.
With work stress and character conflicts, this one had a little bit of everything, even characters to hate. 4/5 ⭐️
With work stress and character conflicts, this one had a little bit of everything, even characters to hate. 4/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Boyfriend Setup is a fun, flirty romance that leans into chaos, chemistry, and unexpected feelings in a way that keeps the story light but engaging. The premise pulls you in quickly, and the dynamic between the main characters brings a mix of tension, humor, and heart. It’s an easy read with just enough emotional depth underneath the playful setup to make the romance feel satisfying and complete.
June 16, 2026
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. The last thing Jaclyn wants is a lifetime relationship, however after a series of blind dates she asks her best friend to be her date to a friends wedding and get her mother off of her back. Problem is….he is in love with her…has been for a long time. Will she finally give in to love or will she lose him for good. Such a great love story. Full of meddling, toxic bosses and a few secrets. Loved it so much.
June 29, 2026
Feel good romance where all ends up right in the end. Rhys is such a patient and supportive man and Jaclyn has had a traumatic history with men, so obviously she needs someone special.
As is the case with most romance, I spent much of this book thinking “Just talk it out!!!” But as we all know, conflict is what makes a good story.
Loved the Easter eggs with characters from The Spreadsheet Situation.
As is the case with most romance, I spent much of this book thinking “Just talk it out!!!” But as we all know, conflict is what makes a good story.
Loved the Easter eggs with characters from The Spreadsheet Situation.
July 19, 2026
Another great book by Dawn Banks! I love the setting and the characters that she’s created in this series, and I was so happy to be back as part of the arc team for this second book. If you enjoy a slow burn, low spice romance filled with lots of tension, you’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR list. I was so invested in how Rhys and Jacyln’s story would turn out and was kicking my feet with a smile on face by the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Boyfriend Setup is a well written romance that features two friends finding themselves faking a relationship.
I really enjoyed the authors ability to describe a scene and character emotion which allowed me, as the reader, to connect to both MCs. They were too cute (if not a bit frustrating 😂)!
I really enjoyed the authors ability to describe a scene and character emotion which allowed me, as the reader, to connect to both MCs. They were too cute (if not a bit frustrating 😂)!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a small town friends-to-lovers fake dating romance. The characters, the plot, and the setting were all incredible. I need to read more books from this author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
GAH. I love a fake dating story!! Add in a best friend (he falls first, as far as he knows) and a meddling mother, and PUT IT IN MY VEINS.
Jaclyn has removed herself from love, but her mother has been setting her up on dates that are ALL duds. Rhys has known Jaclyn and been in love with her for years, and he’s the first person she calls when these dates go awry.
At a friend’s wedding, Jaclyn is tired of her mother’s meddling and kisses Rhys to get her mother off her back. The problem is, she really likes it. While Rhys is confident in his feelings for Jaclyn, she is confused about her feelings for him (mostly because she doesn’t do emotion and isn’t sure how he feels).
The dynamic between Jaclyn and Rhys is yummy, knowing that the tension will keep building until someone breaks. I do love a couple of idiots in love masquerading as friends with benefits. Rhys tries so hard to balance his feelings for Jaclyn with her own interpretation of what’s going on between them, which definitely had me urging them to COMMUNICATE.
The foreshadowing to this story from The Spreadsheet Situation was good, and the callbacks to the previous story were great. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this crew!
4.5 ⭐️
GAH. I love a fake dating story!! Add in a best friend (he falls first, as far as he knows) and a meddling mother, and PUT IT IN MY VEINS.
Jaclyn has removed herself from love, but her mother has been setting her up on dates that are ALL duds. Rhys has known Jaclyn and been in love with her for years, and he’s the first person she calls when these dates go awry.
At a friend’s wedding, Jaclyn is tired of her mother’s meddling and kisses Rhys to get her mother off her back. The problem is, she really likes it. While Rhys is confident in his feelings for Jaclyn, she is confused about her feelings for him (mostly because she doesn’t do emotion and isn’t sure how he feels).
The dynamic between Jaclyn and Rhys is yummy, knowing that the tension will keep building until someone breaks. I do love a couple of idiots in love masquerading as friends with benefits. Rhys tries so hard to balance his feelings for Jaclyn with her own interpretation of what’s going on between them, which definitely had me urging them to COMMUNICATE.
The foreshadowing to this story from The Spreadsheet Situation was good, and the callbacks to the previous story were great. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this crew!
4.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews