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

Genres: Forced Proximity, Fake Dating, Romance, Contemporary

325 pages, Paperback

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

[Elizabeth]

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.

[Jen Wycech]

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

This was a fun book. The lighthearted plot is exactly what I needed. I enjoyed the FMC being strong and independent. The MMC was adorable he is not a "real" boy. It is an entertaining read with a fun and different plot. Can't say I have read anything like this before. Kind of gives a little of the movie mannequin which was always a favorite of mine.

Overall, an easy and fun read for any romance lover.

Thank you Kendall Ryan for this eARC.

[Donna]

“What if he’s perfect, and I start to believe it?”

The Boyfriend Algorithm surprised me in the very best way. It was absolutely unhinged but, at the same time, sweet and heartwarming. I recommend reading it with a fully open mind, no judgment, no doubt, complete suspension of any disbelief.

Meet Ruby Hart. Owner of a struggling bakery, a little unsure of herself, always settling for less than she deserved. She refused to ask for help so she carried the weight of everything alone.

That is, until she met Aiden Cole.

THIS MAN. This impossible, shouldn't exist man.
A synth, created in a lab and designed as a companion. One night, he stumbled into Ruby's bakery, naked, covered in mud, confused, and Ruby let him stay. He had no social cues, no sense of boundaries or personal space, but his focus was directed entirely on Ruby. Watching and listening with careful attention, patient and observant, a constant steady presence.

“Aiden just set the bar so high that every man I’ve ever dated is retroactively disqualified.”

I loved how loyal and devoted Aiden was to Ruby, how he would do anything for her, how he cooked for her, took care of her, just wanting to be near her. How he extensively researched things that were important to her. I loved his honesty and openness even if it often came at the most inopportune times. Trying to understand things and, in doing so, becoming a little more human each day. I truly enjoyed watching it all unfold.

This story was genuinely funny and off the rails but it also warmed my heart. Underneath the witty banter and awkward moments were layers of more complex emotions, walls coming down, hearts opening, limits being stretched.

But the question remained: Was it love or was it simply programming?

I am awestruck by how much I loved this couple. Ruby and Aiden were perfectly in sync. Every little detail about Ruby mattered because SHE mattered. I loved that she was his everything right from the start. And she didn't have to settle for less.

If there's one thing you take from this book, let it be this: Love is perfect in that it's imperfect. It's unexplainable, messy, illogical. Two people finding their way together against all odds.

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the ride!

“I love you, Ruby. And that’s never going to change.”

✨️Fake Dating
✨️He Falls First (and Hard)
✨️Socially Clueless Hero
✨️Synth MMC Learning to be Human
✨️Protective & Obsessed MMC
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Cozy Spice
✨️Found Family

4.75⭐️

*Special thanks to author Kendall Ryan for this ARC and for a spot on your review team! 🫶

[Claudia |✨Cushin Violeta's Bookish Realm✨]

The perfect boyfriend does exist...Heart-melting with all the feels...😍

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾:
🔖 Fake Dating
🔖 Rom-Com
🔖 He is an AI Robot
🔖 She's a bakery owner
🔖 All the freaking feels
🔖 A very unusual love story
🔖 Closed door
🔖 The way he loves dogs😍
🔖 Can they ever be together??

💕 🅵🅰🆅🅾🆄🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂 💕
𝑰 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑵𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐.

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒔— 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆— 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒃? 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰’𝒎 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐’𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎?

“𝑰 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑹𝒖𝒃𝒚. 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑.”

🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂:
Wow...this one was such a fun read but also a ride that absolutely melted me because the way it made me smile and giggle and sigh.... I have SIGHED so many freaking times because Aiden is so perfect because he might not be human yet he is so much more kinder and the way he loves...😍

Ruby was all done with her day and just winding up when she hears something and suddenly there's a man in her utilty room sans clothes and she doesn't know whether to call the cops or do anything else.

This one hooks you in right from the start as Ruby being kind sees that this man might look like a man but something is unusual about him, but when she sees that he doesn't seem dangerous, she takes him in while contemplating what to do.

Aiden that man...oh my... Initially I was like, What the heck...a machine having feelings..... I don't know...
But soon Aiden had my entire heart and kept on making me fall for him oh so hard.

Ruby's friends are beyond amazing. All three of them have their own unique personalities but the way they support Ruby, now that's what is called friends that are more sisters.

Slowly Aiden tries to get a hang of things and living life with Ruby.

But things take a turn when Ruby has to go to her cousin's wedding and her ex is going to be there, who took no time moving on after her.
And who better than the perfect man, Aiden to accompany her as her boyfriend.

Ooohhh....we have hilarious times and the scenes had me holding my breath at times and at other, nervous with how Aiden was going to manage to get through it all.
He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep and it's only a matter of time before anyone would notice.

I had a blast reading the way this story takes us through it all.
But through it all, Aiden's thoughtfulness, his care and kindness had my heart. Especially the way he loves dogs and is actually as obsessed with them as he is with Ruby, was just so sweet.

But yes, there are so many questions and how can there ever be a future with a man who's actually a machine?!

This book is beautiful and sweet and the freaking feels had me melting like crazy...ahhhh..... absolutely loved this one.

[Ashly]

I really loved this book. It definitely wasn't your normal romance, and honestly, when I got the email from Kendall explaining what it was about, I was pretty skeptical about how she was going to pull it off. It's a pretty far-out premise, and a little taboo if I'm being honest. But I trust Kendall, so I went into it willing to see where she took it.

And she made it work. Somehow, she took what could have felt like a really weird or gimmicky concept and turned it into a relationship that felt surprisingly genuine. By the time I got into the story, I wasn't really thinking about Aiden as an artificial human anymore. He just felt like a guy who happened to be completely clueless about being a boyfriend. 😂

I really liked watching him figure things out, especially because he isn't just learning how to be human, he's learning Ruby. He doesn't understand sarcasm, social cues, personal boundaries… basically anything that comes naturally to the rest of us, but he's so genuinely devoted to her. There's something really sweet about watching him figure out what he's feeling and realizing that what he has with Ruby isn't something that was programmed into him.

And Ruby never made the relationship feel forced either. She wasn't constantly questioning whether this could work or trying to convince herself she was attracted to him. It just felt like she found someone who was actually really good for her, even if he was definitely not what she expected.

I also want to mention the spice because I think that's worth knowing going in. There is spice, but it's definitely not graphic. I'd call it almost fade-to-black, and I actually think that worked really well for this story. It kept the focus more on their relationship and also, honestly, helped take away some of the potential weirdness of the whole AI boyfriend situation.

Overall, this was just such a fun and unexpectedly sweet romance. I went into it wondering how the hell Kendall was going to make this premise work, and I ended up completely invested in Aiden and Ruby. It was different, but in a way that actually worked for me.

And now I'm sitting here thinking… apparently I will read a romance about a woman falling in love with an artificial human and have absolutely no complaints.

[Amy]

The Boyfriend Algorithm is a cute romantic comedy featuring fake dating and a devoted artificial hero. This story won't be for everyone, but if you can go into it with an open mind, you'll find a very sweet story filled with humor, romance, and learning what it means to be human.

While this book wasn't my typical read, I'm still glad to have given it a chance.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Kelsey Fredericks]

The Boyfriend Algorithm is about a baker, Ruby who is struggling and one night finds a naked synthetic(re ai robot) man in the bakery's utility room. Aiden helps Ruby find herself as well as her bakery and she develops feeling. This book is wacky. There is a mention of a scientist who developed synths that were supposed to be destroyed, but obviously Aiden was not. I wish we had more background for this and why this explanation was adequate for her friends. I would have also loved more background on Gemma and why she is so taken with him.

This is a unique take on a romance, but at times I think it makes Ruby look more pathetic. I think if you are a hard core science fiction person, you may enjoy this. It wasn't really my cup of tea, but there were some hints there may be more synthetic people like Aiden and I am a bit curious to figure out who finds them etc.

Thank you Kendall for the ARC!

[Sara Ann]

I love Kendall Ryan and I appreciate her trying something new, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get into this book. I loved how sweet Aiden was, but Ruby could be cold and slightly mean toward him. They both were also very surface level.

*_An ARC was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[L]

This reminded me of the television show Kyle XY and the movie Her. I wanted to like this more, but I think the non-human premise made it a little difficult for me to really suspend my disbelief.

It is well written and had funny and sweet moments. It just wasn't quite my cup of tea as a whole. If you like that kind of paranormal-esque/sci-fi aspect, give it a shot.

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

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase]

Completely and 100% entertaining and enjoyable. If only we could find our very own HEA in a robot with a heart. Ruby and Aiden's story proves that love conquers all - even if it is unrealistic and not the norm. I loved their interactions and their chemistry. Another fabulous read from Kendall Ryan.

[Bec]

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.

[Anita Salonger]

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.

[Susan]

Kendall Ryan delivers a hilarious, heartwarming, and delightfully unique sci-fi rom-com with The Boyfriend Algorithm, a sexy novel about the world's most advanced boyfriend and the woman who completely rewrites his programming. The story follows Ruby Hart, a struggling bakery owner whose life is spiraling down between failing finances, an engaged ex, and a mother who won't stop playing matchmaker. Just when things couldn't get any more chaotic, a gorgeous, incredibly confused, and completely naked man crashes through her window. Ruby quickly discovers he is Aiden, a decommissioned "companion synth"—an obsolete artificial human with an intellect that rivals supercomputers, but a total lack of social skills and personal boundaries.

The story truly shines in its execution of the fake dating trope, which kicks off when Aiden agrees to pretend to be Ruby's boyfriend for her ex's wedding weekend. Aiden's literal interpretation of the world creates wonderful banter and endless comedy, especially as he struggles to understand sarcasm or figure out why watching Ruby sleep is frowned upon. The forced proximity forces a beautiful shift in his core programming; he becomes deeply possessive, fiercely protective, and completely obsessed with her. As they navigate the wedding festivities, their very real chemistry begins to blur the lines between machine and man, making this 300-page mature contemporary romance an absolute page-turner packed with plenty of spice and heart.

This book is a flawless blend of sweet and steamy elements that fans of contemporary and sci-fi romance will easily fall in love with. I highly recommend reading this book by this extraordinary author, who truly knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with every single page.

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

[Emily Pennington]

Ruby and Aiden . . .

Ruby Hart’s life is not at its best right now. Working 12 hours per day, her bakery still isn't doing well, her ex Josh just got engaged to someone else, and she is getting family pressure to start looking for another guy even though that is not what she needs or wants. Her mother has already called twice to entice her to date her neighbor's son who graduated from dental school. Her mom's "selling point" is that he has beautiful teeth, although that's not what Ruby looks for in a man. However, her best friend Liv is insisting that cousin Natalie is getting married and Ruby absolutely must attend the wedding, especially since Josh is going to be there with his new gal Ashley or Audrey or whoever she is. Since Ruby won't stay that long, she says she doesn't need a date. But Liv reminds her that if she doesn't have a date, the entire family will be asking her why she is alone. She needs a date... just for show if nothing else!

When Ruby hears an odd sound in the utility room of her bakery, she finds a man on the floor, covered in mud, naked, and actually beautiful! And she suspects he perhaps is not human? It turns out that he is a decommissioned companion synth, an artificial human, super intelligent, but having no idea about personal boundaries. His name is Aiden and he is delighted when he gets to pretend he is Ruby's boyfriend for a weekend, her partner for the wedding... and very adaptable to his new job! He is loyal and devoted, and becoming more human as he assimilates actual feelings he isn't supposed to be capable of. (Some of the human characters may also steal your heart... ) Grab this fun story and enjoy something totally different!

[Passionate pages]

Heartwarming, sci-fi-ish read.

This book is nothing like I have ever read before and I enjoyed every moment.

This is a romance between an innocent, amazing book boyfriend, Aiden, and Ruby, FMC. Aiden becomes Ruby's (synthetic) person who helps her become her best self. She along with her three best girlfriends are one of the best found families for Aiden I have read in a while.

The innocence of Aiden is beautifully written. He says and does all the right things Ruby needs. A lot of moments are beautifully written, but one of the first romantic scenes happens at the wedding where Ruby needs a “fake date” after seeing her ex, Josh. It made me sigh, laugh, and even cry just a little.


(Ruby) “You kissed me because of an article?”

(Aiden) “No,” I say. “I kissed you because Josh made your smile change, and I wanted to change it back. The article was—” I pause. “Justification.”


IMO, Ms. Ryan handles the issue of the building romance and Aiden being a synthetic human very well. Aiden and Ruby internally debated the awkwardness then openly discussed what it means for their relationship.

Although I don't usually read sci-fi, I enjoy a good fake date and found family trope. This book had me reading every spare moment I had until I finished. The bonus scene is both hilarious and adorable. This is my second book by this author and I really enjoyed the world she created in this one. I am hoping this is the start of a series as I would love to read more about Ruby's friends.

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

[Jenna Wahl]

KYLE XY, anyone?! 😂Because apparently I have a very specific weakness for adorable men with no belly buttons!

I honestly don't even know how to explain this book except to say... it is one of the most original rom-coms I've read in a long time, and I had the BEST time with it.

The premise hooked me immediately...a struggling baker, a fake boyfriend, and a man who literally isn't human? I'm clearly toxic.
It was funny, surprisingly heartfelt, and had me smiling through so many pages. The setup is wonderfully absurd, but somehow it works so perfectly. The story follows Ruby, whose life is unraveling, and Aiden, a decommissioned companion synth who's trying to understand humanity while pretending to be her boyfriend.
Don't judge me, wicker ladies!

Aiden completely stole my heart. Watching him try to navigate emotions, relationships, sarcasm, and human connection was equal parts hilarious and incredibly sweet. Every awkward interaction had me giggling, but underneath all of that was this genuine innocence that made me root for him even more.

And Ruby? She was the perfect match. Their chemistry builds in such a fun, natural way, and I loved that the romance wasn't just about attraction.

If you're looking for a romance that's a little different, full of witty banter, fake dating, laugh-out-loud moments, and one of the most lovable heroes I've read in ages, this book is absolutely worth picking up.

I laughed, I swooned, and somehow found myself completely emotionally attached to the socially clueless artificial boyfriend. Didn't see that coming...

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

[Lil Ms Reads A LOT]

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+++++!!!

[Misty (Red's Romance Reviews)]

Ruby Hart's life has seen better days, she's currently trying to keep her bakery afloat, her ex has found a new love, and her mother has become increasingly obsessed with finding her a new man. It's all she can deal with at the moment, she couldn't possibly handle anymore... then he happens!

The Boyfriend Algorithm is a delightfully penned rom-com that is destined to have you smiling from the very first page! As of late Ruby's life has become quite stressful and mundane. She fears if she adds anymore to the mix she's liable to burst,. Between seeing her ex find his happy again and her mother constantly trying to set her up she has decided to give up on love for the moment, it's not like prince charming is knocking on her door anyhow... or is he?

One day Ruby finds a nearly naked man standing before her and she soon realizes he's not quite what he appears to be, definitely not a normal man. No, he's missing a belly button and has a control panel on his belly, she then learns that he is a decommissioned companion synth...a man that that is about to change her mundane little life for the better!

This read was just as sweet as it was funny, this perfect pairing brought so much joy to the pages! I loved watching them learn how to communicate, create a one of a kind relationship and of course find love! Highly recommend this one, it's an captivating and unique adventure between the pages!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Laura]

🤖 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]

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.

[Rachel Walter]

“Time 41” (Bonus Scene) had me twinning with the 🤭-emoji

As my first Kendall Ryan book, I can safely say it won’t be my last
In this book, is a Romance (modern-day rom-com with SOME futuristic technology) with compelling characters who are confronted with scenarios of self-discovery, prioritizing goals and relationships.

Unfortunately, MUCH of the world right now is becoming increasingly concerned and downright suspicious of “artificial intelligence,” but author, Ryan, has written a really enjoyable and charming book that never had me suspect anything alarm-bell-worthy. Sure, there are ebbs and flows to the tension between characters as they navigate their own journeys…especially what Aiden’s mere existence adds to their plate(s)p

While this read is NOT “🌶️explicit🌶️,” the slow burn that occurs while Aiden and Ruby are working CLOSELY (conspiring?) CT -towards making their fake-dating relationship “passable”- I found myself chuckling just about any/every time Aiden’s innocent observations caused Ruby to become flustered 😅 And when they, YOU KNOW ::😉::, Aiden’s need to verbally examine and explain his observations are equally as entertaining.

If you’re looking for a lighter-leaning Rom-Com with exceptional banter, look NO further👍👍

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

[Joanne]

Very Interesting Story
This story starts out with Ruby Hart working in her bakery and feeling very overwhelmed. Ruby’s life is not an easy one with work, her boyfriend leaving her months ago and her feeling like she’s not accomplishing anything. As she gets ready to leave her bakery, she hears a noise and finds herself looking at a naked man in her utility room. From here the story really takes off. Turns out that this man is really not a human man, but a synthetic robot. She gives him the name Aiden and lets him stay with her.
Aiden is every woman’s dream guy. He notices everything about Ruby and never shies away from telling her everything that he notices. Like how much she’s had to eat and how much sleep she was getting, etc. It’s very sweet listening to him give all this information to Ruby and her trying to tell him to stop talking. Watching him interact with her friends and customers was interesting. But when Aiden meets his first dog, he’s in dog heaven. He was so cute!!
These two slowly grow closer together, and your wondering to yourself, how is this relationship going to work out? Only Ruby’s close friends know about Aiden, so how will that work out with everyone else in her life, like her mother or her brother? Well, you are just going to have to read this story to learn how this ends for the both of them. Don’t worry, of course there’s going to be an HEA.

[Angelica]

I loved this romance! The two main characters, Ruby and Aiden, were absolutely adorablel and their romance, seemingly improbable, was perfect in every way. The only other book I've read by Kendall Ryan was a hockey romance (which I loved) and this one was different but similarly delightful to read.

Aiden is a not exactly human (a robot imbued with human skin) and anticipates Ruby's every need. He listens to her, follows her instructions, and cleans up after himself. The perfect man! I found myself laughing at the idea - as a woman who finds dating challenging (men in the dating pool are NOT like Aiden), I loved the idea of having a perfect boyfriend like Aiden.

Aiden was so pure and innocent and it was Ruby who had to really work through her feelings and how her family would react to her relationship with Aiden. It's certainly not a conventional one, but his affection for her was revealed to be real (he wasn't in the default "robot" mode when interacting with her). I was rooting for their relationship and was happy that Ruby forged ahead with her HEA with Aiden.

It was a great romance, had some spice, and had me laughing throughout. A great read overall.

I received an ARC through Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Pamela Lilley]

I was so intrigued to see how this story would pan out. I never thought I’d get sucked into a book with a main character who is an artificial human (a synth), skin on machine so to speak. It’s not normally something I would consider, got to say, I’m a convert. I absolutely loved it, I was sucked in from the get-go. Ruby was a hot mess, I could totally relate, and she needed a specific sort of man to sort her out, normal was never going to cut it. When Aiden crashed into her life (literally), he was everything she didn’t know she needed. I was rooting for Aiden, he really did deserve a happy ever after, and with Ruby I was sure together they could conquer the world (well Hart’s Bakery at the very least). A super fun read, I was literally laughing out loud throughout the book, full on laughing. Ruby, Aiden, all of Ruby’s friends and of course her mother, they were wonderful, just wonderful. A highly entertaining story with some interesting characters. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series (at least I hope there’s another book). I need more decommissioned companion synths, and maybe so do Ruby’s friends (maybe even her mum too). I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[Karen Chan]

What a way to end another awful day, Ruby Hart's life is a disaster so when she finds a naked man in the back of her bakery, the baseball bat in hand, she realises he's a synthetic being. He has no navel and he's dirty, very handsome and seems confused.

Calling her friend Gemma they determine he is part of a disbanded experiment. Made as a companion but no social boundaries. Underneath his control panel they see a word and spells Aiden.

This is a funny concept as he finds his systems doing strange things when he sees Ruby.

Not needing any further problems as her bakery is struggling, her ex has got engaged and is going to be at her cousins wedding and her mother tries to set her up with dating profiles.

Ruby finds herself agreeing to take Aiden as her fake boyfriend to the wedding. As time goes by he learns the boyfriend protocol and starts to feel things, not machine-like more human-like.

Dancing together, Ruby feels a change and there are some hilarious interaction especially about certain electronic devices.

With Aiden's help, Ruby gets a invitation that helps her bakery.

This is a cute story of love and acceptance with a happy ending.

[Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d)]

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! 💕📚

[Jennifer]

This is so fun. A truly heartwarming (and somewhat spicy) rom-com.
Ruby is a bit of a mess. Her bakery is doing only ok, and she’s still struggling to get over her ex who seemed to move on very quickly.
She needs a date for an upcoming family wedding and finds one in her utility room, naked, wet, and covered in mud.
The handsome stranger is Aiden; lost, with little memory, a synthetic companion who is perfect for Ruby.
I loved that he became more human every day as he struggled to compute feelings that he wasn’t’ programmed to have. That he sees her, is attentive and loyal, and proves everyday he takes notice and puts Ruby in the center of his world, makes him more loveable as the story progresses.
With friends and family making up the secondary characters and adding beautifully to the overall banter and heart in this story, and the sometimes embarrassing honesty from our hero, this was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
There’ a little hint at the end that suggests this may not be the end of this world from Ms. Ryan. Here’s hoping…

[Tasha]

The Boyfriend Algorithm by Kendall Ryan was a fun, entertaining romance with plenty of chemistry, witty banter, and swoony moments. I really enjoyed the characters and watching their relationship develop as they navigated all the unexpected complications along the way. Kendall Ryan kept the story moving with a great mix of humor, romance, and tension. The characters were easy to connect with, and there were plenty of moments that had me smiling and turning the pages to see what would happen next. If you’re looking for a lighthearted contemporary romance with great chemistry and an enjoyable storyline, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. Overall, The Boyfriend Algorithm was a quick, entertaining read that was easy to get lost in!

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

[Barbara]

What a charming and quirky story. Ruby is struggling to keep her bakery afloat, keep her mom at bay over her social life and move on from the ex who was already engaged 8 months after they broke up. Enter A.I.D.E.N. late one night - naked, muddy and shaking, and life as she knew it would never be the same. Not when this handsome man shows up and turns out to not actually BE a man, except in the ways that really matter. This is a story of real connection where there shouldn’t be, and while certain aspects still leave me scratching my head thinking “but what about…” I still really enjoyed this story. Ruby is blessed with three uniquely wonderful friends, a high-energy-only-wants-her-daughter-to-be-happy mom, a too observant brother, and a fake-turned-real synthetic boyfriend who is just what she needed.

[Kerry Glynn]

Thank you to Kendall Ryan for the eARC of this book.

This was the quirkiest, cutest, laugh out loud book I have read all year! I love how Kendall writes and the dual POV chapters from Ruby and Aidan were so well done. To read Aidan’s POV and literally see when started to fall in love with Ruby (but in his own words) was literally making me swoon. I laughed so many times at the interactions between Rubys mom and everyone as well as Aidan’s responses to Ruby’s amazing circle of friends. Kendall always has such incredible girl squads in her books and this group might be my favorite yet. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this group. Maybe we will see where that mysterious “ping” hit and bounced back. Do not miss reading the extra bonus chapter (time 41 lol).

Loved this book! Was exactly what I needed this week!