The Boyfriend Algorithm

by Kendall Ryan

A sexy, feel-good rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan about the world's most advanced boyfriend—and the one woman he never saw coming.

Ruby Hart’s life is falling apart.

Her bakery is barely staying afloat, her ex just got engaged, and her mother won’t stop sending her dating profiles. The last thing Ruby needs is another problem.

Then a man crashes through her window.
A very confused man.
A very handsome man.
A very naked man.

He has no belly button, no memories, and he might not be entirely... human. According to the control panel hidden beneath his ribs, he’s one of the decommissioned companion synths—obsolete artificial humans with superior intelligence, questionable social skills, and absolutely no understanding of personal boundaries.

Aiden doesn’t understand sarcasm, doesn’t know why he’s not allowed to watch Ruby sleep, and can’t explain why his systems reroute every time she walks into a room. But he’s willing to learn—especially the part where he pretends to be her boyfriend for one weekend.

One wedding. One fake relationship. One synthetic man who’s becoming a little less machine every day. Protective. Possessive. Loyal. And increasingly impossible to resist.

The Boyfriend Algorithm is a funny, heartfelt rom-com with a devoted artificial hero, very real chemistry, found family, and a love story worth rewriting the rules for.

✨ Fake dating
✨ He falls first (and hard)
✨ Socially clueless hero
✨ Learning to be human
✨ Obsessed with her
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Spice, banter, and heart

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

About the author

Kendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.


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Reviews

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Like absolutely adored everything about it. Aiden and Ruby and just everything that their friendship and relationship brought to the pages. Kendall really outdid herself with this book and these characters.

Aiden was hilarious and so pure and innocent, despite not being exactly human. Being created in a lab that was meant to have destroyed all the experiments, he somehow finds himself in the cleaning closet of Ruby's failing bakery.

Immediately he takes a shine to her and because of his programming he starts to help her despite her not wanting it. And let's not forget his adoration for all things dogs and his reactions to them and their reaction to him as well. I loved this aspect probably too much but it was a hilarious addition to his characteristics.

Ruby. Poor Ruby hasn't had an easy time of it in the last year after her unaffectionate and uncaring ex-boyfriend and her broke up. As well as the fact that her cousin is getting married and he will be there with his new fiancé. Her meddling mother is trying to set her up with a date so she doesn't have to go alone. So obviously the only solution is to take Aiden as her date and tell her family that he is her boyfriend.

The story was so heart warming and funny. I spent most of the time laughing when I wasn't swooning wishing that Aiden was real.

[Lil Ms Reads A LOT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Hart needs help in the worst way. Her bakery is struggling, her mother is obsessed with her finding a boyfriend, and her ex and his new fiancé will be in attendance at her cousin's upcoming wedding. Ruby needs a plus one of the male variety in the worst way. 

Aiden is one of the decommissioned companion synths—obsolete artificial humans with superior intelligence and a complete lack of understanding of what it means to experience or understand human emotion. After he accidentally crashes through Ruby's bakery window, he finds himself intrigued by the woman who comes to his aid. 

Aiden may not necessarily have a beating heart, but he has a warm body and definitely appears to be of the male variety. In a pinch, he'll do as Ruby's plus one. What ensues is a story full of  warmth, emotional growth, and longing for a sense of belonging--- to find someone who truly listens to you and accepts you as is instead of wanting to change you. 

"The Boyfriend Algorithm" has a quirky, fun, and unique storyline. Definitely not a storyline that I have seen played out on repeat like so many other troupes. I love the ingenuity and wish I had my very own Aiden! He's the book boyfriend I never knew that I needed. To have a man look at me like Aiden looks at Ruby would be wow, just wow!  He is definitely the first of his kind amongst my vast array of book boyfriends, and I'm so here for it! LOL

While Aiden and Ruby find their HEA, the ending hints that this will be the first book in a series? If so, I'm already eagerly looking forward to its publication. A+++++!!!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤖 AI MMC
🧁 Bakery Owner FMC
💕 Fake Dating
😂 RomCom
✨ Learning To Be Human
🥹 Obsessed With Her
🐾 Obsessed With Dogs
🚫 Closed Door / No Spice
📚 Quick, Feel-Good Read

The Boyfriend Algorithm is such a super cute, fun read that had me smiling from beginning to end. It’s sweet, lighthearted, and the kind of book that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for a feel-good romantic comedy.

Ruby was easy to root for, and I found myself cheering for things to finally go her way. She has a big heart, and watching her navigate the chaos of her bakery and ex made for an entertaining journey.

But for me, Aiden absolutely stole the show.

Oh my gosh…his complete inability to lie, understand sarcasm, or pick up on social cues had me laughing so many times. Every overly literal response and unintentionally awkward interaction was comedy gold. And Ruby repeatedly wanting to “disassemble” him? I was in stitches. He was endlessly lovable in his own uniquely endearing way.

I also really enjoyed Ruby’s group of friends. They perfectly balance teasing one another with showing up when it counts, creating the kind of supportive friend group that makes a story even more enjoyable.

This is a sweet romance with no spice, plenty of laughs, and just enough heart to leave you smiling. If you’re looking for a quick, charming rom-com with lovable characters and lots of humor, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Special thanks to the author and Booksprouts for gifted copy 💕

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden ends up in Ruby's bakery with some blank spots in his memories when he is found by Ruby. He's not sure how he got there but he's out of the rain and mud and the horrid darkness they kept him and the others in. A woman finds him and when she doesn't kick him out or call anyone to come get him, he knows he's safe for now. Her kindness is what wins his computer over.
Ruby has had a rough time lately, she broke up with her fiancé of three years, her bakery isn't doing the best, and she has to go to a wedding that her ex will be at with his new fiancé
Ruby hears a noise in her bakery and what she's not expecting is a naked Mud cover GQ man crouched in the corner with some blank spots in his memory he can only explain by telling her what he is. She believes him when he tells her he will never hurt her so she takes upstairs to her apartment so he can get a shower, and she can find something to cover all that yumminess.
Ruby's friends get involved and are very encouraging with Ruby to take Aiden to the upcoming wedding as her boyfriend, she's reluctant of course because of what he is and can he pass inspection with her brother the cop. They go and come back as something more that she wasn't expecting, Aiden wants her and has since the start he just has to convince her now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby has a bakery and she hears a noise and sees this gorgeous naked man in her closet. However one thing is missing, a belly button. Aiden is a robot, a synthetic robot. She helps him out and brings him upstairs to her apartment. She becomes use to him being there and he notices everything about her.

He can tell if she has been eating or sleeping. He fixes things and cleans her apartment. He is obsessed with dogs and he wants one. Her friends want to know more about him and they ask him a ton of questions. They have to keep him hidden because if they found out about him, they would take him away or destroy him.

Ruby decides that he is going to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding weekend. Her mother is in love with him. Her brother isn’t quite sure yet. They are able to pull it off and some things happen. He kisses her in front of her family. She loves him kissing her. Then they sleep together and things definitely change.

She realizes she is falling for him. But how will that work? He can’t have any kids and it would look different. They do work it out and figure how it will affect their lives.

It does end in HEA.

[Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boyfriend Algorithm was definitely something different, and I mean that in the BEST way! 😂 Ruby and Aiden’s story was unique, funny, sweet, and had me completely invested.

Ruby is already dealing with enough, and then she finds a very confused, very handsome, very naked man in the utility room of her bakery! 😂 Aiden has no belly button, no memories, and absolutely no idea how to act like a normal human. Watching him try to figure out sarcasm, personal space, relationships, and basically… being human had me laughing so many times.

I loved the Aiden’s researching, the banter, the chemistry, and especially how protective and devoted Aiden became. He may have been created as a synthetic human, but watching his feelings for Ruby develop was perfect. ❤️

This was such a fun rom-com with a storyline I honestly haven’t come across before. It had humor, spice, heart, found family, and a romance that had me hooked.

Kendall Ryan definitely gave me something unexpected with this one, and I really enjoyed Ruby and Aiden’s story! 💕📚

[Brenda Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m trying to keep up with Kendall’s releases. She’s been writing some great books this year, and this one is no exception. I hadn’t really paid attention to the cover until I zoomed in and read the book. It was a Kendall book so I knew it would be good. This one made me swoon for Aiden. It was so well-written, and I really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for some laughs and a few tears, this book is it. We all might have a friend or two that remind you of Liv she had laughing so much with her no filtered mouth and Ruby’s mom, well, she had me cracking up at times. Those last pages had me wondering if this will become a series. I hope so!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe I fell in love with a synthetic book boyfriend, but once you meet Aiden you will too! He is absolutely book boyfriend perfection. This book was a stellar read! Highly recommended.

What happens when you find a naked man in your supply room? You help him. What Ruby wasn’t expecting was to fall for the most perfect man that doesn’t have a belly button, watches her sleep, helps her when she needs it, and makes her feel like she isn’t alone in this crazy world.

This book is so entertaining and so good. I’m not going into anymore detail because I don’t want to spoil it. Read it!

Thank you to the author for my copy of this book.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quirky rom-com poses the fun question: “What if you could create the perfect boyfriend?” and delivers a charming, lighthearted story around that premise. The plot moves smoothly and keeps you engaged without feeling overly predictable.

The characters are well-written, with clear growth and development throughout the book, making it easy to root for them. I especially loved the way their quirks and personal challenges were woven into the romantic and comedic elements of the story.

If you’re looking for a witty, feel-good read that balances humor with heart, The Boyfriend Algorithm is definitely worth picking up.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read that is very unique from the usual tropes. Our heroine, Ruby, is a baker and struggling to keep her small business afloat. One late night in the back of the bakery she hears a loud crash. She goes to investigate when she finds a very naked, wet and muddy man in her utility closet. After lots of questions, even stranger answers and a lot of uncertainty, Ruby hands him a towel and allows Aiden, who she names, to stay.

Over the coming weeks, they learn to work and live together. Aiden agrees to be her "fake boyfriend" for a wedding that her ex will be attending with his fiancée.

In the coming weeks fake turns very real.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boyfriend Algorithm is written by Kendall Ryan. Okay, so I admit that I was unsure as to how KR could turn this into a wonderful romantic comedy. A synthetic man as our leading romantic hero? Well, as I should have known to trust her, because she pulled it off brilliantly and with more heart and affection than I thought possible. If you could create the perfect man for yourself, Aiden would be him. He is also funny and affectionate and totally obsessed with dogs! Loved this book so much!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Nordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ruby finds a naked, muddy man in her storage closet, she never expected to find out he was actually a robot. Aiden was supposed to be destroyed in the lab, instead he wakes up and wanders into Ruby's bakery. What follows is a funny and sweet romance between a human and a robot with absolutely no filter.. I had many LOL moments. The secondary characters were hilarious and I kinda want to read their stories as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dani Readsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this arc blind, so the I, Robot-style boyfriend was a surprise, but I absolutely loved Aiden.
I really liked Ruby and Aiden together; their connection was, as Liv said, what most of us would kill for.
The storyline itself was entertaining with some laugh-out-loud moments but didn’t hold my attention completely. It kind of left me with a lot of questions at the end, but I really hope there are more coming in this series.

[Kell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about Ruby and Aiden. I loved this story! I like that Ruby overcomes her hurtful past to believe in good things, that Aiden learns boundaries and human mannerisms, I also enjoyed Ruby’s highly invested friends. I love the acceptance shown, the care they show each other throughout, and that the story is so lighthearted, funny, and sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted to read this. The concept, the setup, the main characters, the story, everything! It was funny, and sweet, and a fantastic amount of storytelling, but the best part of it is that I’ve never write a romance like this before. A brand new angle. No overdone tropes. So excited. I hope there are more in this series!

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable and he is completely charming. This gives my Kyle XY vibes in the best way. But the way he actually helps her and the moment she breaks down because of it, is so heartwarming and beautiful. The way her mom just accepts him, perfect! This was amazing!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Tantsits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to think when I first started this book but I absolutely loved it! Aiden and Ruby are so cute together and watching Aiden figure out how to be “human” is just the sweetest. There are so many heartfelt moments and it makes you so happy. This book is so good and is a definite must read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terri Tutor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a different take on the “perfect, fake” boyfriend. I wasn’t sure how I would like this story but I found the premise very entertaining and (surprisingly) believable! If you’re looking for a different take on a happily ever after with a touch of science fiction, this is for you.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect man is a robot. But it doesn't get any better than this. Hilarious in so many different ways. He cooks, cleans, researches and repairs everything in your life. Swoon!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Simone Haeseler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok i so want an Ayden! He was great and better that every man you can imagine. It was such a nice great story, Aiden was so cute, with him wanting a dog. The friends were hilarious, she was so cool with everything. All in all a surprisingly good book, who I enjoyed immensely.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the main characters and also the side characters. They definitely brought the story home. The banter and the chemistry was nice. I adored Aiden. I love how even if this story isn't an entirely new concept, Kendall made it work by making the characters so endearing!

[Anita Salonger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one very cute very far fetched book. It made for a very pleasant read but nothing that I would go out of my way for. Thank you BookSprout for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.