International Relations

by Zac Hammett

Max has never had time for a relationship - working in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, the best he can manage is squeezing in one-night stands with "himbos" between his ongoing efforts to win a promotion. But when he tries to multitask by hooking up with a visiting dignitary at a black-tie dinner, it blows up spectacularly in his face and Max is discreetly advised that his personal life is not helping his career ambitions. In this line of work, appearances matter, and Max is losing ground to his long-term rival, happily married 'family man' Quentin.

Max decides to beat Quentin at his own game by recruiting a fake boyfriend, Leo, from an actors' agency. But some visa complications force Max and Leo to make their relationship official by getting married, the stakes are raised higher than Max ever intended. There's only one thing that could make all this even more complicated - if Max and Leo's feelings for each other start becoming real . . .

International Relations is a fake dating romance filled with glamorous locations, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and a love story that will capture your heart.

Tropes
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Queer, Fake Dating, Audiobook

352 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Zac Hammett is an author of romantic comedies. His debut novel, See You At The Finish Line, was heralded as “a triumph” by Publishers Weekly and “unputdownable” by Kirkus Reviews. His second novel, International Relations, will follow in 2026.

He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.

He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.

His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.

Reviews

[Gabby]

DNF @ 100 pages
I wanted to love this sooooooo bad. I heard this pitched as The Proposal but make it gay, my dream premise. I also ADORE the cover so much. But sadly, this was not for me. I'm not feeling very connected to either character, and they just don't have any chemistry??? I feel like the author is doing a lot of telling instead of showing and the plot isn't pulling me in at all.

[Jordan Fischer | julietfoxreads]

Ok, listen. If you’re looking for a delightful low angst romcom that has Boyfriend Material vibes mixed with a little bit of Winging It With You, you will LOVE @zachammettwrites’ International Relations!! Max and Hunter decide to get fake married so Max can get the job of his dreams and so Hunter can get a visa, but they end up being so real and honest with each other that they end up reflecting on what they really want out of life….. and one thing they want is definitely each other 😏. SWOON.

The romance is lovely - the guys try to stay away from each other because their relationship is fake but they CANNOT, you can really feel the obvious chemistry from the moment they meet. And though their situation feels pretty dire at the end there, I absolutely loved where things ended up, with lots of character growth AND a HEA.

The side characters and all of their shenanigans were SO FUN. Doily is INCREDIBLE (I need to know how Zac came up with all her anecdotes?), Max’s coworkers were fascinating, and I loved Hunter’s friends. And MR. PEANUT!! Any book with a cute dog character gets an extra star from me so….. 🥹🥹. And all of the excellent banter and the fast-paced, often hilarious plot!! What more could you want?

This book was THE BEST time and I absolutely flew through it. It’s out August 26, but it’s available now on NetGalley if you want to give it a shot!!

[Lance]

E-ARC generously provided by Zando in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

4 stars. Sexy, compelling, and quintessentially British in its humor and prose, International Relations is an absolute romp of a romance that convinced me that I absolutely need to read more Zac Hammett.

[labibliofille]

Y'ALL 😭💜🥹🥰😍

This one started out slower for me, but DANG did that change! I loved this one once I got settled into it. The tender moments, the way the relationship between Max and Quentin blossomed, the way I could feel all the feelings right alongside them. Gosh, this one really did it for me. I also loved how each character's growth arc happened. When I say I had all the feelings, I mean it with this one!

If you're looking for a fake-dating/marriage of convenience MM Romance with a side of political intrigue and tip-tier acting, I highly recommend this one.

4.5 stars, rounded down for Goodreads.

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚]

Thank you to Zac Hammett, Zando | Slowburn, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Finally coming out of my reading slump with such a banger ARC read!

I thought International Relations was SO cute.

The story just felt so light hearted, and quite fun! Max and Hunter had such a cute love story, and honestly this kind of rom-com just makes me so giddy on the inside!

Although I did feel that their relationship felt a bit rushed, I did feel that it felt real and believable all throughout. Neither Max nor Hunter felt disingenuous or forced despite the fake dating trope, and I loved that!

This was such an enjoyable, easy, and light read. I feel like this was the best book to read to get out of my slump!

♡ pre-read ♡

So happy to be back to reading after my mini-vacation, I hope I love this one! <3

[gracie]

This was good for what it's marketed to be but I'd be lying if I said most of my enjoyment wasn't because fake dating/marriage of convenience is my favorite trope to read about.

The time skips did not aid in connecting with the book or the characters. In fact several times I had to question if I read that right,and because of this the love between them seemed spontaneous and didn't work for me.

Thank you Zando and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[charisse ♡]

book 11 of my 24hr arc readathon!

i don't know how i feel about this book honestly? like i loved them both sm, but at the same time i feel like both of them don't act like what diplomatic ppl should act like? they just kinda seem childish at times and idk.. also the "i love you but i want to put my career first" thingy went back and forth SO MUCH so that it made the book drag.. full rtc!!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[megan ◡̈]

so cute

[Pipo]

First of all, I want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy I received of this book. I believe it's a privilege to read cute little queer novels like this one!

I had, however, a pretty hard time connecting with the characters in the story, specifically the main ones: I felt like they had no chemistry (even though the author reminded me they had a "spark" every 5 pages) and their actions were constantly misaligned with their personalities. Besides, both of them were constantly in their heads, annoying me.

When it comes to the writing, although the premise was amazing - which hooked me up until the end (I do like a fake dating trope), it was almost a DNF. There were a lot of hollow repetitions along the narrative and I found it odd the amount of weird random celebrity mentions the book had.

I did spend a cute little time in this reading but I wouldn't do it again.

[ʚ Aileen ɞ]

Meh. Didn't really work for me.

[Eloise]

A good queer romance for fans of fake dating and high profile MCs.
It's fun, it's sweet, it's low angst.. which will work for many people. But missing a little something for me. The romance happened a little too smoothly and I didn't even really understand why they liked each other so much so quickly.

[Karita]

.5/5
soooo trashy. i have so many bad things to say about this,,, it had so much potential and i don’t even know where to start, bro (author) used all of his brain cells writing the first 20%, then it became something not even worthy of being called a book. it felt like some sort of diary written by 11 year olds every few other days. dual pov was useless since both main characters had the same boring bland basic personality. keohane and nye would be soooo disappointed, like take away my actual degree in international relations fr. i should’ve been wiser and not finished this as soon as mr. peanut appeared. 😭

[Rachel Emily]

OOF. Yikes on bikes for this one for me. Maybe I’m just very much not into romcom these days lol.

So many things missed the mark for me as a reader. I think the main thing was that I did not care for the writing style at all - it felt all tell and zero show. The writing was so flat and lifeless to me. There was no UST or chemistry between the two MCs - and I think it being mentioned that there was a spark just felt even more like it was being forced.

There were also jumps in time that I didn’t love at the start and then the very end. Heck, the first few times they’re having to fake date it was just sped through? That should be when we’re falling in love with them as a couple. And it’s all just quickly summarized?

I loved Mr. Peanut. Didn’t love how Hunter yelled at him lol.

I also didn’t care for all the name drops of celebs and big names. It makes it feel very momentary and not something that will last.

Also, how old are these guys? Both Max and Hunter seem super young in how they speak and act. So then it was tough to buy into the diplomat level of career.

I received an arc from the publisher. My thoughts are my own

[Kate]

Thank you, @libro.fm for the gifted copy! #libroaudioinfluencer

Max, an international diplomat, will do anything to get his dream job. Early on, he thought he had an edge against his co-worker Quentin, but he soon learns that he may be falling out of top standing due to Quentin being a package deal with a graceful and confident girlfriend. He does the only thing he can think of - he contacts an acting agency to hire a temporary fake boyfriend. Enter charming struggling actor Leo. When Leo is a hit during their first outing, he raises the stakes for his continued participation - if Max will fake-marry him to help with his visa problems, Leo will be all-in. But the more they fake, the more it begins to feel very, very real.

This was a lovely one! So many things were fantastic - the banter, the found family, Elton John’s gnome. Like many marriage of convenience books, it seems like an exceptionally inconvenient idea, but it was so fun watching it fall apart. Almost immediately, this one begins to crack under the weight of their shared attraction - in conflict with their charmingly opposite personalities and professional goals. The found family of this one was giving Boyfriend Material vibes - which is a huge compliment from me, as that’s some of the best found family writing I’ve ever read.

Audio Performance (9 hrs, 8 min): Alex C. Stewart and Sam Stafford both embodied their charming characters in this dual narration, which evoked some of my favorite quirky, found-family audiobooks.

[Sazzy]

Oh I loved this!! Perfect slow burn with the most adorable characters.

If you're looking for a smut-fest then this isn't it. There are a few scenes but this about the plot (I know, shocking in MM romances these days 🙄) so if you're looking for an actual story, then this is 100% for you

Loved it, highly recommend this.

[T]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, easily hilarious and overall, incredibly enjoyable.

The story is a dual POV between Max, an aspiring diplomat, and Hunter, a struggling actor, as they navigate the intricacies of a marriage of convenience in the face of conflicting career goals.

The writing was so well done that I genuinely felt the emotions that each character felt as they worked through their struggles and joys. There was moments of laughter, kicking-my-feet happiness and existential dread. I was rooting for both MMCs right from the beginning and also fell in love with the side characters along the way. I also really enjoyed the little added extras of British pop culture moments that had me smiling at the truthness of them as a 90s baby.

This is one of few books that ended exactly how I hoped it would, with a few twists and turns thrown in that had me believing that it was going to end in an entirely different way.

This book is a spectacular journey of self-discovery, love and learning that you need your village.

[Virginia Noyes]

3.5 🌟 cute! low tension and generally unremarkable but a fluffy cute time anyway

[Vivianne (vivianneslibrary)]

Trying to erase this book from my memory because it was that bad(sorry). The premise of this book is great, but the execution is so unrealistic; I couldn’t take it. The writing was also mediocre and simple.
1.5⭐️

[CrabbyPatty]

What happens when your dream job and your dream man don’t go together?

Londoner Max has wanted to be a diplomat since his mother died abroad during a conflict while serving as a volunteer nurse. Helping people by preventing those conflicts through diplomacy is the way Max can honor his beloved mother.

Enter American Hunter Moretti, an actor fleeing a bad relationship, with dreams of someday doing Shakespeare at the Globe. He’s renting a room from Doily, an old-school theatrical agent, who fields an unusual talent request for a fake boyfriend.

Since Max’s main competitor for a diplomatic post opening up in Athens is Quentin (supported by his partner, the formidable Flora), the very single Max realizes he needs a boyfriend to keep in the running, and quickly.

Once the stage is set, Hunter and Max move past a fake relationship / real marriage into the unknown. Add in a visa application and interview, steamy sex, quirky secondary characters, diplomatic gamesmanship and more.

This book, the author’s second, is well written and plotted, full of heart, humor and hope. The MCs are so beautifully fleshed-out with great chemistry, and you are just drawn into this story. Don’t miss this one! 5 stars.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Cross-posted at https://gayromance.org/2026/08/15/int...

[Nahal TC]

Hilarious, British & Delightfully Awkward
Narrated by Alex C. Stewart & Sam Stafford

STORY
This was my first read by Zac Hammett—obviously only his second book—and I have to say, it was hilarious.

If you enjoy dry British humor, eccentric side characters, two lovable MMCs, marriage of convenience, excellent banter and plenty of awkward situations, this is such a fun read. It was light, silly and exactly the palate cleanser I needed after some heavier reads lately.

Hunter and Max were both adorable, each struggling in their own way with finding a job—or getting the job they really wanted. When their paths cross and they realize they can actually benefit from each other, the obvious solution is, naturally... to get married. 😂 And somewhere along the way, their convenient little arrangement turns into something very real.

I found myself laughing out loud so many times. From the ridiculous names of some of the side characters to the awkward situations, dry humor and completely silly moments, this book definitely delivered on the comedy.

CHARACTERS
I really liked both Hunter and Max. They were lovable individually, but I especially enjoyed their dynamic and the way their very different personalities played off each other.

My biggest issue was that I wanted more of them together. There were quite a few missed opportunities where I would have loved more buildup, tension and those little moments that make you really feel two characters slowly falling for each other.

Instead, we get quite a lot of glimpses into their respective jobs, and while those parts were funny, I would happily have traded some of them for more Hunter-and-Max time. I also wished the epilogue had given us more of them simply being a couple after everything that happened.

WRITING
The humor was definitely the highlight for me. The dry British wit, ridiculous situations, eccentric characters and banter worked so well. It never took itself too seriously, and that made it incredibly easy and entertaining to read.
I just think the romance itself could have used a little more depth and buildup to balance all the comedy.

SPICE
The spice was fun without being overly steamy, and I actually think that suited the overall tone of the book perfectly. It felt playful and natural rather than being there just for the sake of adding spice.

Again, though, a little more tension leading up to some of those moments would have made them hit even better for me.

NARRATION
Alex C. Stewart and Sam Stafford were both completely new voices to me, and I thought they did an excellent job.
I especially loved the British accent and those little details in the delivery—particularly the slight T-glottalization—which added so much authenticity and personality to the narration.

My only little complaint is Hunter. I really wish they had cast an American narrator with a naturally cocky, confident American voice for him. I think that contrast against Max's British accent would have made the audiobook even more authentic and fun.Still, I thoroughly enjoyed both performances and would absolutely listen to either narrator again.

This was a really enjoyable first experience with Zac Hammett.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Characters / Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐½
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧

[uglybitterandtilda]

oh my god where do i even start.
unfortunately this book was pissing me off from the first chapter: it was all tell and no show, and i personally really disliked the writing style. nothing felt grounded in reality, and it left me hyperaware i was reading a novel the whole time (and not in a fun meta-textual way, but in a “i hate this book” every time i turned the page kinda way). a lot of the plot points felt like they came straight from a random word generator or a drunken game of madlibs. i thought i could tolerate it but very quickly it just turned gimmicky for me.

both mcs were getting on my nerves. it felt like they were both making bad choices just for the sake of making them. you will have to fight off a LOT of second hand embarrassment to get through this. also idk how old they were supposed to be - it’s implied at least mid to late 20s, but both characters seemed quite childish, and with max in particular this was quite grating because of the seriousness of his job. makes complete and total sense that a senior level international diplomat doesn’t know what an orthodontist does for work 👍

the telling and not showing also meant i had an extremely difficult time believing in or enjoying any of the romance in this story. max and hunter have no chemistry, you barely see their relationship develop, and you never get to experience any sort of tension build up. instead, the reader is just told in simple sentences exactly how the characters feel at any given point in time. this also meant that every scene where their relationship progressed just felt extremely jarring. did not believe for a single second that these two were in love with each other. i was so excited to start this book as i loved the concept and tropes and now i am left wondering which famous gay pairing max and hunter were based off of before this got lifted straight from wattpad.

“i’m overwhelmed with the urge to tear off all his clothes, bend him over the sofa and bang the hell out of him.” shoutout to this actual real smut scene quote that made my friend and i nearly cry with laughter over our lunches together. i love that every day people invent new sentences like the ones in this literary masterpiece 💜. but fr, to whichever editor decided to keep in “bang the hell out of him”, you are going to federal prison.

i came very, very close to dnfing this book (which i almost never do, and only happens when i am having a truly miserable reading experience). genuinely the only reason i ended up finishing this is bc i was fervently complaining to my coworkers about how batshit the story was (and how bad of a time i was having), and they were so entertained by my poor retelling that it inspired me to keep going so they could find out what happens. they all owe me now bc giving them updates on elton john’s gnome was NOT worth the sanity i lost while reading.
(sorry if this was too mean im trying to get over my fear of being brutally honest in my book reviews bc im scared someone involved will see it and be sad)

[Mylz Belanger]

International Relations is an MM fake dating/arranged marriage romance between diplomat Max and aspiring actor Hunter.

What a sweet romance this was! While it’s more of a slow burn than is typically in contemporary romance, I ended up loving every minute of it. The gradual pacing gave Max and Hunter the space to truly get to know each other, making their connection feel authentic and earned. It was impossible not to root for them.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was how healthy their relationship was. They communicated, respected each other, and genuinely wanted the best for one another. A refreshing change from the endless misunderstandings that often drive romance plots.

Overall, this was a charming, heartfelt story that kept me invested from beginning to end. It never dragged, never lost my attention, and delivered a romance that was both comforting and compelling.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

[Amanda | escapetoerilea]

Thank you to Zando for entrusting me with a gifted egalley!

International Relations by Zac Hammett

Narrated by Alex C. Stewart and Sam Stafford
These two did an excellent job with this story! I really enjoyed their voices and I thought they brought Max and Hunter to life and fit their characters so well! They made a great book even more enjoyable! Audio note: My brain needs faster speeds for audio and this narration/recording sounded great at higher speeds.

MM contemporary romance
Fake dating to fake marriage
Diplomat x actor
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Grumpy x sunshine

I had a lot of fun with this one!! I loved Max and Hunter starting to slowly acknowledge their feelings, but then wanting to support each other's dreams. The tension at the end completely had me biting my nails so see how it would all go down! There were also some fun supporting characters and a puppy companion, which is always a win! Zac was a new to me author, but I will be looking forward to the next one!

[Em]

Thank you to Zando for the gifted ARC!

International Relations follows Max, who is trying to get promoted in his international affairs role, and Leo, the actor he hires to be his fake bf in order to get said job. But Leo’s fake dating had some more intention as he’s looking for a fake husband for a green card marriage.

This book was a lot of fun and I read almost all of it in one night. I love a fake dating/marriage of convenience situation. Max and Leo were perfect fake dating partners because of their immediate chemistry but their big needs for relationship to work out. They both also had a lot of character growth with their wants for career advancement and trying to prioritize career over everything in the beginning. I think my favorite part of the book though was the book starting with a letter to max from his mom who passed away and ending with a letter from max to his mom updating her on how it all played out.

[yueting ♡]

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes—it might be my all-time favorite trope, period. But it takes so many just-right pieces of the story to nail it: the scenario needs to be desperate enough to be believable but also ridiculous enough to excite; the characters need to be all wrong for each other on the surface but fit perfectly when you dig deeper; their romance needs to be built on a foundation of understanding, trust, and the thrill of being in on a secret together. And International Relations nails every single beat to make for the perfect modern marriage of convenience.

Max and Hunter's relationship is so cheeky and appropriately preposterous—a fake marriage for an embassy job and a visa—but it truly works. As soon as they dig just a little bit deeper, there is a magnetic draw between them that feels so natural in the way that two people can just connect. They are truly the best sort of fake-it-till-you-make-it when it comes to pulling off their relationship; the first time they go to an event is a hilarious but also eye-opening experience. I love how it's so clear from how they react to unexpected issues that they have such different world views—but it's also so clear that they need someone like that: someone to challenge them a little, someone to help them grow, someone to help them heal.

Their romance goes from awkward to genuine—with scenarios that are so funny that they had me howling with laughter (the entire weekend at Chevening House) but also honest and vulnerable discussions (also the entire weekend at Chevening House, clearly so much happened there and I loved all of it). The forced proximity of their marriage and the fact that they have to trust each other in order to pull this off makes them connect in a way that feels real, despite the crazy set-up of their marriage. And it doesn't take a lot to realize that they are kind of, actually, perfect for each other. Zac Hammett is amazing at balancing the cheeky with the heartfelt. And I loved how Max and Hunter are both shaped by their past—a nasty relationship and the death of a mother—and I loved how they both help each other overcome the hesitations stemming from that past in a way that only the other could: Hunter makes Max more direct and honest with the people in his life but also with himself; and Max makes Hunter realize that sometimes life is meant to be lived, and that the current moment is the most important.

And while the relationship felt fully grounded and believable, even among a rushed wedding, harried weekend getaway, and cram sessions about both of their pasts before a visa interview, the more diplomatic, legal matters here were what felt the most embellished. Particularly with Max's job, I felt some of the problems that arose were taken care of too conveniently. However, and I do think the book does a great job of acknowledging this: that's the power of love! This is a romance! Things will end happily! And that is what truly matters—International Relations does not need to nail the nitty-gritty accuracy of what obtaining a visa in the UK really entails, what it does need is to build a grounded, earnest romance between two strangers. And it excels at doing that.

International Relations is a true gem of a modern marriage of convenience tale. There's humor—I have not even gotten into the wonderfully amusing cast of side characters—and there's also true connection between two people who need each other, not just to pull off a crime that could land them both their dream jobs, but to find a love that makes them happier, more confident, and feels meant to be.

﹙ four stars ﹚

— thank you zando slowburn for the arc!

[Meredith Richardson]

Even in the short time I’ve known him, he’s changed me.

💂🤍🐶🤍💂

This was my first book by Zac Hammett and omg was it good!!! Max and Hunter are the perfect complement to each other.

Max has spent years trying to live up to his mother’s dying words and Hunter wants the chance to live out his dreams. When they are forced to team up to get Max a promotion and get Hunter a visa, sparks fly!

This story was fake dating and marriage of convenience at its finest!!! I loved the mix of humor and the vulnerability Max and Hunter showed one another.

One of my best reads this year and I highly recommend the audio!!

🎧: The narration selections for this book were perfection!!!! I absolutely loved Max’s British accent!

[Salv Nigrelli]

I really liked this one - felt like a proper British rom-com. The main storyline was such a fun premise and the moments of tension felt logical and unforced within the storyline.

The side characters also brought so much to the storyline - Doily is an absolute icon! Film adaptation when … ?

[Mason Yurich]

It's quite interesting that I find a book that I like the characters alot, but I'm not the biggest fan of the book as a whole. I kind of just felt meh about the plot progression as a whole. We dove head first into an absolutely crazy, yet fun, premise. I love fake dating between two characters that seem to progress naturally in a relationship. Unfortunately, the chemistry never felt better than forced. I feel like I just want more from these characters and this plot all around.

P.S. - I couldn't get enough Doily. Her chaotic energy kept things interesting.

[Thomas Yates]

I went into International Relations not entirely sure what to expect, but it ended up being one of those books that’s just really easy to sink into. It has that light, rom-com energy that makes you want to keep turning pages, but there’s also enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling shallow.

What stood out to me most was the character dynamic. The contrast in personalities feels natural rather than forced, and the banter genuinely works—it’s sharp, funny, and never feels overdone. I found myself enjoying the quieter moments just as much as the more playful ones, which usually means the characters are doing something right.

The writing style is very approachable, which makes it a good pick if you’re in the mood for something engaging but not overly heavy. It leans into familiar romance tropes, but in a way that feels comforting rather than predictable. If anything, it knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.

I also liked the overall tone. It’s warm and entertaining, with just enough emotional weight to make the story feel meaningful without dragging it down. It never takes itself too seriously, which works in its favour.

If I had one small criticism, it’s that the setting feels more like a backdrop than a fully immersive world—but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I read this more for the characters and their connection than anything else, and it delivered on that front.

Overall, I’d recommend International Relations if you’re looking for something fun, character-driven, and easy to get into. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want to relax and end up finishing faster than you expected.

[orange cheeks]

I wish I connected with Max and Hunter. This is probably my main issue with the book. I couldn't decide if I wanted to root for them.

As much as I want to sugarcoat Max as a character, he was someone who was a little too comfortable with lying.
It came to him so easily, almost as if being a liar was his default. And to explain it as something that was simply part of his job as a diplomat, or that he wasn’t someone brave enough to hurt other people with the truth, didn't sit well with me. He also preferred to be lied to, by the way. In a scene where he made Hunter pancakes, after Hunter gave him his real opinion about how they were (they weren't good), Max was bummed because it was the honest take and he would’ve rather Hunter lied to him.

It was hard to believe in the things Hunter did or said. Everything ended up feeling like an act with him.
Hunter was a character so passionate about acting and theater (and the escapism and emotional outlet it provided him) that it bled into his reality and personality, making me struggle to see the sincerity in his choices, decisions, motives, and actions.

Hunter and his constant need to think about his ex-boyfriend Rafferty.
He would bring up Rafferty in his head, every time he was pushed into a corner where he had to think and deal with connection and intimacy. Every time something happened or was about to happen between him and Max, Hunter would then think about Rafferty and his experience with him, how it was with the two of them before.

I understand the comparisons were meant to show the contrast with Hunter's relationship with Max, maybe it was meant to be romantic, but the more Hunter did it in his head, the more messy it came off. It suddenly felt less of a comparison or realization and more of a benchmark of what Hunter thinks a relationship between two people should be in terms of connection and communication.

But a character I did enjoy a lot in the book was Doily.
She was lovely and so much fun to read about. There never was a boring moment with her.

The pacing in general was a bit confusing.
There were no clear markers as to how much time passed. The POVs would say it at the beginning, but it was also easy to miss.

The last part of the book in particular felt rushed to me.
I did not appreciate the deportation problem Max and Hunter had to face. It felt forced and happened too late into the story. It was also resolved easily that it ultimately felt pointless.

The Epilogue gave something but not a lot and not everything.
I wouldn’t call it satisfying. I wouldn't call it romantic, either. Nothing really changed between Max and Hunter in their relationship, other than them being in a better place with their careers. But if that was the main point about this book (self-fulfillment and not exactly romance), then I would say it was a good ending.