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Pretend Boyfriend
"What I want is to live my life, without letting Hollywood interfere."
Jake Fournier is more than just an up and coming movie he's also a proudly gay man, using his star power to bring attention to the causes close to his heart. About to make his big break in Hollywood, he has to break the news to his studio that he's broken up with his abusive, narcissistic boyfriend Connor, a top director. All the execs can think about is marketing and money — but Jake's not going to let them dictate his life.
"Ten years with the Marines, yet I still don't have the courage to face my past."
You wouldn't notice Max Wiltshire in a despite his rugged good looks and Olympian body, he's the soul of discretion and professionalism in his role as a top bodyguard. He's hoping he won't be assigned to a prima donna Hollywood star when he gets a contract with a big studio, but he rises to the challenge when they tell him he has to pretend to be Jake's boyfriend for the Snowbasin Film Festival, where his new blockbuster is premiering!
"This is something special... I won't stop fighting to make it happen."
Jake finds his new bodyguard — and pretend boyfriend — he's mysterious, and doesn't give much of his painful past away. Max learns that behind the Hollywood glitz and glam, Jake is a sensitive soul who's caring, genuine and loving. On a trip to a remote cabin to get away from the paparazzi, their curiosity becomes passion...
But is this a one-time fling, or can they find true love in the midst of all the distractions? Will fame and fortune bring them together... or drive them apart?
Pretend Boyfriend is a sweet and steamy first-time gay romance. It is a full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a satisfying HEA.
Jake Fournier is more than just an up and coming movie he's also a proudly gay man, using his star power to bring attention to the causes close to his heart. About to make his big break in Hollywood, he has to break the news to his studio that he's broken up with his abusive, narcissistic boyfriend Connor, a top director. All the execs can think about is marketing and money — but Jake's not going to let them dictate his life.
"Ten years with the Marines, yet I still don't have the courage to face my past."
You wouldn't notice Max Wiltshire in a despite his rugged good looks and Olympian body, he's the soul of discretion and professionalism in his role as a top bodyguard. He's hoping he won't be assigned to a prima donna Hollywood star when he gets a contract with a big studio, but he rises to the challenge when they tell him he has to pretend to be Jake's boyfriend for the Snowbasin Film Festival, where his new blockbuster is premiering!
"This is something special... I won't stop fighting to make it happen."
Jake finds his new bodyguard — and pretend boyfriend — he's mysterious, and doesn't give much of his painful past away. Max learns that behind the Hollywood glitz and glam, Jake is a sensitive soul who's caring, genuine and loving. On a trip to a remote cabin to get away from the paparazzi, their curiosity becomes passion...
But is this a one-time fling, or can they find true love in the midst of all the distractions? Will fame and fortune bring them together... or drive them apart?
Pretend Boyfriend is a sweet and steamy first-time gay romance. It is a full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a satisfying HEA.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2016
36 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 28, 2016
*Giggling* This is so bad.
"'Jake, I'm sorry, but this is going to seriously impediment our plan.'"
"'Make sure they're a triple-A star too. Hell, it doesn't even have to be. Someone random, make them a nobody.'"
"Part of me tells me I can still get out of this..."
"...greeting the talk show host as I spot her linger around her camera crew."
"...she speaks to the camera, managing to wink at me when it pans to see me."
"'It's reassuring to know that you're here, and if I may say so myself, it's nice to see the fame experience go to someone who's never had a taste of it before.'"
"'Let's go now, Max,' Jake says, patting my knee as he stood up." <--- This kind of tense confusion happens frequently throughout the book.
Max is a former Marine. Jake keeps calling him a soldier.
For some reason, even though they've hired Max as Jake's only bodyguard, they've housed him in a completely separate hotel. This makes absolutely zero sense, and it would never happen in real life.
Jake offers Max a drink, and Max accepts.
While he's on duty.
There's more. Much, much more. Bad writing, word confusion, tense confusion, instalove, nonsensical remarks, unprotected sex...but I have neither the energy nor the ambition to hash it out. I've got a lot more reviews to get through tonight, and this is just a time suck I don't want to deal with any longer.
"'Jake, I'm sorry, but this is going to seriously impediment our plan.'"
"'Make sure they're a triple-A star too. Hell, it doesn't even have to be. Someone random, make them a nobody.'"
"Part of me tells me I can still get out of this..."
"...greeting the talk show host as I spot her linger around her camera crew."
"...she speaks to the camera, managing to wink at me when it pans to see me."
"'It's reassuring to know that you're here, and if I may say so myself, it's nice to see the fame experience go to someone who's never had a taste of it before.'"
"'Let's go now, Max,' Jake says, patting my knee as he stood up." <--- This kind of tense confusion happens frequently throughout the book.
Max is a former Marine. Jake keeps calling him a soldier.
For some reason, even though they've hired Max as Jake's only bodyguard, they've housed him in a completely separate hotel. This makes absolutely zero sense, and it would never happen in real life.
Jake offers Max a drink, and Max accepts.
While he's on duty.
There's more. Much, much more. Bad writing, word confusion, tense confusion, instalove, nonsensical remarks, unprotected sex...but I have neither the energy nor the ambition to hash it out. I've got a lot more reviews to get through tonight, and this is just a time suck I don't want to deal with any longer.
October 22, 2016
Let’s go straight to the point : it didn’t work for me for several reasons.
First the writing style : it felt stilted. Point A, point B, point C,…
Then, the story : no connection with the characters, not really believable and no development. You’ve got a movie star, affected but not that much by a "said" abusing relationship with an ex-boyfriend who, in the blink of an eye, advises him to go for love, a bodyguard, appearing out of nowhere and having no issue as acting as a boyfriend of the movie star and who, in the blink of an eye, realizes he’s gay,..I could keep going on with the “in the blink of an eye” situations (the wife recovering from alcoholism and being clingy but not anymore and the quick reconciliation with a brother after a bad betrayal,…).
In short, it didn’t work for me, despite a promising blurb.
First the writing style : it felt stilted. Point A, point B, point C,…
Then, the story : no connection with the characters, not really believable and no development. You’ve got a movie star, affected but not that much by a "said" abusing relationship with an ex-boyfriend who, in the blink of an eye, advises him to go for love, a bodyguard, appearing out of nowhere and having no issue as acting as a boyfriend of the movie star and who, in the blink of an eye, realizes he’s gay,..I could keep going on with the “in the blink of an eye” situations (the wife recovering from alcoholism and being clingy but not anymore and the quick reconciliation with a brother after a bad betrayal,…).
In short, it didn’t work for me, despite a promising blurb.
August 29, 2016
Hmm... The book started out real good. It was fun and exciting. But then something happened to Max's POV. It was very choppy and abrupt, and it felt like he was going on very wide tangents of thinking. It continued like this, with not very amazing intimacy scenes, supported by average writing, until we got near the end, where the story got some action. But as I had started to skim pages since the bad part of the story, only reading the dialogues and the occasional back story, this has been one of the bad reads of this year. The epilogue was really good, though.
Not a book I will ever revisit again, hence 2 stars.
*I received a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.*
Not a book I will ever revisit again, hence 2 stars.
*I received a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.*
August 16, 2016
1.5 stars DNFS 67% (I skimmed from 67-100%)
This didn't work for me. I struggled to stay focused; the author's writing style just didn't flow for me. The words seemed stilted or technical. I felt like this:
* First, I went here. Next I did this. Then I did that. Then we did that.
image:
The beginning of the story is bogged down by too many "Hollywood" details when we haven't gotten many details about the MCs.
I am the first to admit that I am a total sucker for a good gay for you story.
I didn't feel a connection with either character. I also didn't feel any real chemistry between them. These issues combined with the need for editing make this one a story I can't honestly recommend.
This didn't work for me. I struggled to stay focused; the author's writing style just didn't flow for me. The words seemed stilted or technical. I felt like this:
* First, I went here. Next I did this. Then I did that. Then we did that.
image:
The beginning of the story is bogged down by too many "Hollywood" details when we haven't gotten many details about the MCs.
I am the first to admit that I am a total sucker for a good gay for you story.
I didn't feel a connection with either character. I also didn't feel any real chemistry between them. These issues combined with the need for editing make this one a story I can't honestly recommend.
August 17, 2016
Totally cheese fest! Seriously, I think even my sweet tooth is in pain. Cute, fast and very low angst.
August 22, 2016
Cheese times 10. Not for me. I mean the storyline is all right and the writing not horrible, but it's insta-love and super cheese. I could not get into it and when I was really paying attention I couldn't stop laughing in places clearly not meant to be funny. Didn't work for this girl right here.
March 17, 2017
3.5 stars
A good story and likeable MCs. Author's bio states this is his first book. A few minor edits are needed and some polishing, but overall well done.
A good story and likeable MCs. Author's bio states this is his first book. A few minor edits are needed and some polishing, but overall well done.
August 13, 2016
*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•Five star praise for this new-to-me contemporary author!
I am not one to dole out five stars for new authors. I have to feel you out, see if you gel with my flow then take on another two or three books. Ladies and gents, I am in love. I have a new boyfriend to my book world and his name is Luke Reynolds. I gushed to my friend Barb, "this boy can write!"
I have never keeled over and admitted so early on that an author, a new one at that held me spellbound. I wrote: One, you have a sexy bodyguard. Two you have a handsome movie star who decides to finally stand up for himself. And three, you have mention of only my favorite movie star in the world, Tom Cruise! Who's been invading my dreams? This was not fluffy, soapy romance. This was the type of romance you could see standing the test of time. This author is a rising star in the MM contemporary romance genre if he can continue in this way. So, with all the gushing out of the way, here's my review.
Hollywood's got a new leading man...
Jake Founier has just been catapulted onto the A-List, a place every wanna be actor aspires to be. With that status he's shedding his mentally abusive boyfriend and moving on. This does not sit well with the Hollywood execs guarding their newest star who also happens to be one half of the gay "It-couple". With Jake visible shaken on how things can go wrong while promoting his hit movie, a bodyguard was hired. One who would change his very existence.
...And he has a pretend boyfriend.
Color Max Wiltshire purple when he hears the news that his bodyguard services would play second fiddle to being the new boyfriend of his client. The former Marine had a lot he would rather not face, but being thrown to the wolves so to speak was not his thing. And his first night on the job proved to everyone that he was indeed the perfect boyfriend.
Life after Hollywood.
This story tackled the ups and downs of a civilian dating a movie star and how Hollywood and the paparazzi exploit even the smallest story. It follows a man too scared to be true to himself until he meets the person of his dream. It tackles forgiveness and fighting back. And it shows that true love does exist, you just got to be ready to fight for it. And holy hell. It has one of the most epic love scenes!! Just one-click and read the book, it won't disappoint.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•Five star praise for this new-to-me contemporary author!
I am not one to dole out five stars for new authors. I have to feel you out, see if you gel with my flow then take on another two or three books. Ladies and gents, I am in love. I have a new boyfriend to my book world and his name is Luke Reynolds. I gushed to my friend Barb, "this boy can write!"
I have never keeled over and admitted so early on that an author, a new one at that held me spellbound. I wrote: One, you have a sexy bodyguard. Two you have a handsome movie star who decides to finally stand up for himself. And three, you have mention of only my favorite movie star in the world, Tom Cruise! Who's been invading my dreams? This was not fluffy, soapy romance. This was the type of romance you could see standing the test of time. This author is a rising star in the MM contemporary romance genre if he can continue in this way. So, with all the gushing out of the way, here's my review.
Hollywood's got a new leading man...
Jake Founier has just been catapulted onto the A-List, a place every wanna be actor aspires to be. With that status he's shedding his mentally abusive boyfriend and moving on. This does not sit well with the Hollywood execs guarding their newest star who also happens to be one half of the gay "It-couple". With Jake visible shaken on how things can go wrong while promoting his hit movie, a bodyguard was hired. One who would change his very existence.
...And he has a pretend boyfriend.
Color Max Wiltshire purple when he hears the news that his bodyguard services would play second fiddle to being the new boyfriend of his client. The former Marine had a lot he would rather not face, but being thrown to the wolves so to speak was not his thing. And his first night on the job proved to everyone that he was indeed the perfect boyfriend.
Life after Hollywood.
This story tackled the ups and downs of a civilian dating a movie star and how Hollywood and the paparazzi exploit even the smallest story. It follows a man too scared to be true to himself until he meets the person of his dream. It tackles forgiveness and fighting back. And it shows that true love does exist, you just got to be ready to fight for it. And holy hell. It has one of the most epic love scenes!! Just one-click and read the book, it won't disappoint.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
August 17, 2016
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Pretend Boyfriend is the debut novel for Luke Reynolds. This story is about Jake, a famous movie star and his bodyguard turned fake boyfriend Max who also happens to be confused about his sexuality.
These two are thrown into their current situation due to the fact that Jake recently broke up with his movie star boyfriend and has events that he has to attend. And since said events were to be attending by the couple, the movie companies get their panties all in a twist and decide he needs a “pretend boyfriend”. I should also mention that Max is an ex-marine, who also happens to have a wife back home.
But apparently Max has always been confused about his sexuality, when apparently everyone around him knew he was gay. He has had sex with one person in his life, and that is the high school girlfriend he married because she was “pregnant”.
This book is about Jake and Max, discovering themselves, who they are and what they want in life and moving towards their own HEA.
FOR the most part, I liked this story. There were some glaring editing errors that I hope get/got fixed prior to release. The writing at times, seemed choppy to me, but, for a debut novel, I can forgive a lot of things and in this author’s case, the choppiness did not create such a dislike for me that I couldn’t finish it.
Overall, I give this one 3.75 stars.
Pretend Boyfriend is the debut novel for Luke Reynolds. This story is about Jake, a famous movie star and his bodyguard turned fake boyfriend Max who also happens to be confused about his sexuality.
These two are thrown into their current situation due to the fact that Jake recently broke up with his movie star boyfriend and has events that he has to attend. And since said events were to be attending by the couple, the movie companies get their panties all in a twist and decide he needs a “pretend boyfriend”. I should also mention that Max is an ex-marine, who also happens to have a wife back home.
But apparently Max has always been confused about his sexuality, when apparently everyone around him knew he was gay. He has had sex with one person in his life, and that is the high school girlfriend he married because she was “pregnant”.
This book is about Jake and Max, discovering themselves, who they are and what they want in life and moving towards their own HEA.
FOR the most part, I liked this story. There were some glaring editing errors that I hope get/got fixed prior to release. The writing at times, seemed choppy to me, but, for a debut novel, I can forgive a lot of things and in this author’s case, the choppiness did not create such a dislike for me that I couldn’t finish it.
Overall, I give this one 3.75 stars.
August 18, 2016
We can see that it's the first MM book written , but it's a good start.
September 15, 2016
Good story. The main characters are really well developed to the point I field I really knew them. For the authors first book, great job.
January 23, 2017
Loved it. Yes, it was a bit cliqued, but still perfect. I love Jake and Max. They were too cute together.
February 14, 2018
Hmmm - this was a total miss for me. I'm a dude and feel like you can tell when you're reading m/m that is written by another male. I enjoy the slow burn that usually a female writer includes in their work - and this didn't have it.
This was clunky, insta-love, and jumped in the sack way too fast. I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping paragraphs.
This was clunky, insta-love, and jumped in the sack way too fast. I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping paragraphs.
never-finished
August 24, 2023 8.0% Dnf. Just not feeling these characters at all or the writing style, also not liking some things I'm expecting and confirmed by checking a couple of reviews so nope. I like the concept but that's about it...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
This book is amazing. I can't believe it's his first. Great job. I look forward to reading more from him.
August 17, 2016
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, so I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. The blurb for the story intrigued me which is why I signed up to read/review this book. I love a good bodyguard-protect the movie star-falls in love-troupe. It's a classic and has a special place in my heart. Buuuuuut, this story fell far short of what I needed to give it a 4/5 star rating.
The writing in and of itself was fine, but the transitions from thought to thought, person to person, scene to scene, laughing to anger, just didn't work. This book needed another run through by the editor (or a willing beta reader) to smooth this book out. And not just the transitions, but the editing itself (words missing, or incorrect word choices, etc). I can get how a book will have problems, but I will allow 1-2 mistakes, not too many more before it becomes an issue. I highly, highly recommend an editor go through this book and fix all the scene transition issues and grammar.
Did I like the characters? Hmm, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I liked them when they seemed to be following the script and were "in character." It's when they deviated from what I felt was their authentic self that I started having a hard time. Jake is an out and out gay movie star whose BIG BREAK has just come with the release of a MAJOR STUDIO movie. People know who he is, and they know who he's dating. Or at least who he was dating. Connor is his abusive now ex, who doesn't seem to want to let go, but at the same time wants to hurt Jake at the same time. The studio execs are in a tizzy because the two broke up and the whole time I am like: okay, so? They broke up. Why is this a big deal? People in Hollywood break up all the time and I don't hear about fake "boyfriends/girlfriends." I don't think the reason is very well explained, but this does lead the reader into the whole point of the story. Max.
Max is a bodyguard hired through contract by the studio to protect their newest actor, Jake. And here is where I made my first wonky face. Max is a "straight" man hired to be a bodyguard. Nobody knows him, met him, spoke to him, anything before his first meeting with the execs and Jake. When Jake's breakup with Connor comes out, the execs jump on the chance to use Max as the "Pretend Boyfriend." Okay, fine. Wait, what?!?!?!?! They have no CLUE who Max is (bodyguard - yes; good/standup guy - who the F*!K knows?). For all they know he is a homophobic asshole who will at the first opportunity turn their hot new actor into a puddle of broken bones and need to eat his dinner with a straw. And MAX GOES ALONG WITH THIS CHARADE!
I did not like - in any way - how Max goes from totally straight, to thinking about Jake's dick, to thinking about how he likes the men in porn more than the women, to I've NEVER once had a sexual thought about a man, I just like guys who are ripped, and yet HE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT JAKE'S DICK!
Max winks, OFTEN at Jake. Why? Winking is one of the dumbest things a man can do - unless they are out, proud and winking at their LOVER! My suggestion, removing the winking. It does Max no favors.
The additional drama that Max brings to the table - pointless and filler.
I really wanted to love this story, and unfortunately it was only an okay read, with a little light at the end of the tunnel for what it could be.
Okay, so I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. The blurb for the story intrigued me which is why I signed up to read/review this book. I love a good bodyguard-protect the movie star-falls in love-troupe. It's a classic and has a special place in my heart. Buuuuuut, this story fell far short of what I needed to give it a 4/5 star rating.
The writing in and of itself was fine, but the transitions from thought to thought, person to person, scene to scene, laughing to anger, just didn't work. This book needed another run through by the editor (or a willing beta reader) to smooth this book out. And not just the transitions, but the editing itself (words missing, or incorrect word choices, etc). I can get how a book will have problems, but I will allow 1-2 mistakes, not too many more before it becomes an issue. I highly, highly recommend an editor go through this book and fix all the scene transition issues and grammar.
Did I like the characters? Hmm, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I liked them when they seemed to be following the script and were "in character." It's when they deviated from what I felt was their authentic self that I started having a hard time. Jake is an out and out gay movie star whose BIG BREAK has just come with the release of a MAJOR STUDIO movie. People know who he is, and they know who he's dating. Or at least who he was dating. Connor is his abusive now ex, who doesn't seem to want to let go, but at the same time wants to hurt Jake at the same time. The studio execs are in a tizzy because the two broke up and the whole time I am like: okay, so? They broke up. Why is this a big deal? People in Hollywood break up all the time and I don't hear about fake "boyfriends/girlfriends." I don't think the reason is very well explained, but this does lead the reader into the whole point of the story. Max.
Max is a bodyguard hired through contract by the studio to protect their newest actor, Jake. And here is where I made my first wonky face. Max is a "straight" man hired to be a bodyguard. Nobody knows him, met him, spoke to him, anything before his first meeting with the execs and Jake. When Jake's breakup with Connor comes out, the execs jump on the chance to use Max as the "Pretend Boyfriend." Okay, fine. Wait, what?!?!?!?! They have no CLUE who Max is (bodyguard - yes; good/standup guy - who the F*!K knows?). For all they know he is a homophobic asshole who will at the first opportunity turn their hot new actor into a puddle of broken bones and need to eat his dinner with a straw. And MAX GOES ALONG WITH THIS CHARADE!
I did not like - in any way - how Max goes from totally straight, to thinking about Jake's dick, to thinking about how he likes the men in porn more than the women, to I've NEVER once had a sexual thought about a man, I just like guys who are ripped, and yet HE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT JAKE'S DICK!
Max winks, OFTEN at Jake. Why? Winking is one of the dumbest things a man can do - unless they are out, proud and winking at their LOVER! My suggestion, removing the winking. It does Max no favors.
The additional drama that Max brings to the table - pointless and filler.
I really wanted to love this story, and unfortunately it was only an okay read, with a little light at the end of the tunnel for what it could be.
January 15, 2017
Fun Read
Need to escape for a while, this is the book. Good story and characters, an easy read with a HEA.
Need to escape for a while, this is the book. Good story and characters, an easy read with a HEA.
August 24, 2016
I was given this novel in exchange for a honest review so here it is....I really enjoyed this book. The story line was strong and flowed. The characters were well developed and true to life... A straight to gay story that will make you fall in love with these characters. Jake was a movie star making the big time getting ready to celebrate one of his great movies.. Max, a bodyguard, was brought in by the studio to protect him as well as setting him as the "Pretend Boyfriend". Jake had just broken up with his abusive boyfriend, Connor, but Max was a welcome addition to his life. Max was kind, beautiful, assertive, and "dominant" which Jake was attracted to. As they got to know one another they had a comfortable ease about their relationship. With the pressures of the Hollywood life, Jake wanted to take time off, so he was given access to a cottage in Colorado where he and Max went to spend the weekend. That weekend awakened everything within Max about his sexuality and he was definitely attracted to Jake. The weekend was explosive and their feelings towards each other were life changing for them both. The world wanted to know who Max was, the mystery man. Within a short time it was found that Max was still married, but only on paper. The studio decided to get rid of Max and the heartbreak began when Jake agreed for the time being and Max was sent packing to his dismay and opposition to it. Max was devastated, but he was determined to get the love of his life back. Did Jake feel the same? Can they overcome all the obstacles that seemed to be getting in their way now?? Loved this story. The two men were magical together and their love for one another was so strong and evident to everyone. If you love MM Romance and Love you will love this HEA. I did. Highly recommend this one.
September 16, 2016
Natural and loving
Both Max and Jake fall in love so seamlessly...It is so natural and pure. Even when the bad was thrown at them, they remained faithful to how they feel about one another. They were both willing to fight for the other even though their relationship had just begun.
Both Max and Jake fall in love so seamlessly...It is so natural and pure. Even when the bad was thrown at them, they remained faithful to how they feel about one another. They were both willing to fight for the other even though their relationship had just begun.
August 24, 2016
Fun, sweet read, a bit on the sugary side, but I enjoyed it a lot. The main characters were pretty well fleshed out, Max more so than Jake. We learn more about Max and his past than we do about Jake. Jake is an up and coming A-list movie star with the biggest movie of his career about to premiere. Suspension of reality is necessary here because Jake is an out and proud gay man who has been dating another male actor, Connor, for two years. And the public loves them together. But Connor is a drug addict who has been mistreating Jake all this time and Jake has had enough. Jake announces their split to his manager and the studio bosses just as his movie is about to open. They insist that he needs to have a boyfriend at the premiere. Enter Max who works for the company that does security for the studio. They enlist Max as a bodyguard and pretend boyfriend for Jake to attend the premiere and continue on as pretend boyfriend for a little while. One problem - Max is straight, or at least he thought he was. He is drawn to Jake and Jake is drawn to Max. After the premiere, they take a weekend vacation and realize they are falling for each other. Max accepts that he has fallen for Jake, but still thinks he is straight until his estranged wife tells him she has always known he was gay. Max must re-examine himself and wrap up some loose ends. Loose ends that the media quickly finds out about and just might lead to the new boyfriend becoming an ex pretty quickly since he has not fessed up to Jake about his past.
An overall fun and enjoyable read, perfect if you've been reading some books with deep storylines and need a nice break.
An overall fun and enjoyable read, perfect if you've been reading some books with deep storylines and need a nice break.
September 14, 2016
Uhh, defnitely a new author who has got potential.
writing style
For a while I had literally no idea what was going on in that novel. It jumps right in and that was more than confusing. Plus, the scenes in general are just so jumpy. Like, Max sleeps in his room and then awakens and then he suddenly talks with Jake who isn’t in the same room. That was interesting in the beginning but annoyed me when I continued reading.
Characters
Well, Max was a bit too easygoing. First, he was all like Me? A pretend boyfriend? Guess again. And then he doesn’t even say that he feels a bit uncomfortable doing this but just does it. I would have liked a bit more of argument here. The scenes just ended too abruptly to really grasp what's going on in the characters' minds so I had my problems understanding them.
LOVED.
There were definitely some awesome scenes in there. Like when Jake is about to tell Max that masculinity isn’t really defined and it shouldn’t be, especially not by how well you can take alcoholic beverages.
Plot?
Ahm, the reason they fight? It’s just sooo stupid, I don’t even have the words. I liked Max before that but then I realized that he’s naïve and has no idea how the world works. And Jake? I can’t believe that he just gives up.
All in all, for me it was just a bit too abrupt and there was no fluency ... Anyways, good idea.
writing style
For a while I had literally no idea what was going on in that novel. It jumps right in and that was more than confusing. Plus, the scenes in general are just so jumpy. Like, Max sleeps in his room and then awakens and then he suddenly talks with Jake who isn’t in the same room. That was interesting in the beginning but annoyed me when I continued reading.
Characters
Well, Max was a bit too easygoing. First, he was all like Me? A pretend boyfriend? Guess again. And then he doesn’t even say that he feels a bit uncomfortable doing this but just does it. I would have liked a bit more of argument here. The scenes just ended too abruptly to really grasp what's going on in the characters' minds so I had my problems understanding them.
LOVED.
There were definitely some awesome scenes in there. Like when Jake is about to tell Max that masculinity isn’t really defined and it shouldn’t be, especially not by how well you can take alcoholic beverages.
Plot?
Ahm, the reason they fight? It’s just sooo stupid, I don’t even have the words. I liked Max before that but then I realized that he’s naïve and has no idea how the world works. And Jake? I can’t believe that he just gives up.
All in all, for me it was just a bit too abrupt and there was no fluency ... Anyways, good idea.
August 14, 2016
Max is an out famous actor who recently ended his relationship with his abusive ex-boyfriend. His agent comes up with the idea for Max to pretend to be his boyfriend and also be his bodyguard for events. Max is a former Marine that needs the money so he reluctantly agrees to the charade. What he didn't expect was his attraction to Jake.
I loved Max and Jake together! I felt like they had a lot of chemistry together. Jake was so understanding and had patience with Max while he figured out his feelings. I loved their playful banter, and also how protective Max would get of Jake. I love the protective types. And of course I loved the steamy scenes between the two of them. These guys were hot!
I can't believe this was Luke Reynolds' first book! I'm so impressed! I thought it was very well written and he had a great way of making you feel everything right along with the characters. I look forward to reading more from Reynolds in the future.
The only criticism I have for this one is that I would have liked to have "seen" the talk Max and Jake had about Max's old life instead of jumping right in to everyone being comfortable around each other.
I loved Max and Jake together! I felt like they had a lot of chemistry together. Jake was so understanding and had patience with Max while he figured out his feelings. I loved their playful banter, and also how protective Max would get of Jake. I love the protective types. And of course I loved the steamy scenes between the two of them. These guys were hot!
I can't believe this was Luke Reynolds' first book! I'm so impressed! I thought it was very well written and he had a great way of making you feel everything right along with the characters. I look forward to reading more from Reynolds in the future.
The only criticism I have for this one is that I would have liked to have "seen" the talk Max and Jake had about Max's old life instead of jumping right in to everyone being comfortable around each other.
August 20, 2016
Okay first effort
This isn't a bad book by a long stretch but it is lacking a bit in maturity.
By that I mean the relationship happens incredibly quickly and there's a lot of internal monologues which tell the story rather than the author showing it through deeds and actions.
I liked the idea of the Hollywood star and the bodyguard but elements of the story are just too simply done, the about face of the devious ex for one as well as the leftover wife and brother not really having a proper resolution which was meaningful rather than ppl lot point forgiveness.
Now, I'm not saying everything has to be an angst fest, but a little more drama and tension would have helped balance out the over abundance of a little bit of cheesy dialogue and rapid resolution to their relationship.
Still, it's not a bad read, it's got two half decent MCs and there is a bit of humour which helps.
This isn't a bad book by a long stretch but it is lacking a bit in maturity.
By that I mean the relationship happens incredibly quickly and there's a lot of internal monologues which tell the story rather than the author showing it through deeds and actions.
I liked the idea of the Hollywood star and the bodyguard but elements of the story are just too simply done, the about face of the devious ex for one as well as the leftover wife and brother not really having a proper resolution which was meaningful rather than ppl lot point forgiveness.
Now, I'm not saying everything has to be an angst fest, but a little more drama and tension would have helped balance out the over abundance of a little bit of cheesy dialogue and rapid resolution to their relationship.
Still, it's not a bad read, it's got two half decent MCs and there is a bit of humour which helps.
August 15, 2016
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant! I just loved this beautiful little heartwarming love story. I adored Max and Jake, I loved getting to know their characters, how they got to find each other but most importantly going along on their journey of discovering and accepting each other and themselves. This book was just so enjoyable I didn't put it down once I started (I started it 3am UK time, I'm writing this at just after 6am :P). Yes there were a couple of very minor spelling mistakes and character name mix ups but it didn't affect the story or my enjoyment of it in any way. For a debut novel I can't praise this book or the author enough. Luke, you have yourself a fan. You keep writing, I'm more than willing to keep buying and reading.
September 5, 2016
Very enjoyable
I totally enjoyed reading this book. There was just enough of everything in the story to draw me in and keep my interest. The chemistry between Jake and Max starts out slowly and builds up. It is such a believable situation that you can't help but smile and encourage a happily ever after. Great job for a first book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I totally enjoyed reading this book. There was just enough of everything in the story to draw me in and keep my interest. The chemistry between Jake and Max starts out slowly and builds up. It is such a believable situation that you can't help but smile and encourage a happily ever after. Great job for a first book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 8, 2016
Good story, poor editing
This was a good book overall. However, there are numerous times that the wrong name was used and caused confusion in the POV.
This was a good book overall. However, there are numerous times that the wrong name was used and caused confusion in the POV.
August 27, 2016
*****5 Luke Reynolds is not a PRETEND author Stars*****
Hot, hunky movie star - check. Sexy, ex-Marine bodyguard - check. Nasty ex-boyfriend - check. Jake is out and proud. Max is straight, or is he?
Am I gay? Could I be gay? Or was I just really into Jake?
Luke Reynolds is a new-to-me author and in my opinion, a terrific fit for the MM Romance genre. This story was sweet, romantic, low angst, just the right amount of steam (still needed a fan to cool off), and a HEA that made my heart melt.
I will be looking for much more from Mr. Reynolds!
*****ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*****
Hot, hunky movie star - check. Sexy, ex-Marine bodyguard - check. Nasty ex-boyfriend - check. Jake is out and proud. Max is straight, or is he?
Am I gay? Could I be gay? Or was I just really into Jake?
Luke Reynolds is a new-to-me author and in my opinion, a terrific fit for the MM Romance genre. This story was sweet, romantic, low angst, just the right amount of steam (still needed a fan to cool off), and a HEA that made my heart melt.
I will be looking for much more from Mr. Reynolds!
*****ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*****
August 18, 2016
I received this book free for a honest review.
I really enjoyed this low angst, sweet, romantic and sexy book. Max and Jake had an instant attraction even though Max was straight. You can feel the connection between them. They have a really good relationship which is written well.
I liked that it wasn't all drama and that most of the book concentrated on the men and their relationship and the development of them as individuals and a couple.
To say this is this authors first book I found it read like an experienced author. I can not wait to read more by them.
I really enjoyed this low angst, sweet, romantic and sexy book. Max and Jake had an instant attraction even though Max was straight. You can feel the connection between them. They have a really good relationship which is written well.
I liked that it wasn't all drama and that most of the book concentrated on the men and their relationship and the development of them as individuals and a couple.
To say this is this authors first book I found it read like an experienced author. I can not wait to read more by them.
September 5, 2016
Sweet and fun
This story happened really quickly, but I imagine that a major movie star wouldn't be able to maintain a secret like this for very long anyway. The writing was excellent and even though the total time involved wasn't very long, it didn't feel rushed. The one thing that I wished we could have seen more of is character development with both MCs: Max had a bit considering that he didn't realize that he was gay, but having better insight into then would have been nice.
This story happened really quickly, but I imagine that a major movie star wouldn't be able to maintain a secret like this for very long anyway. The writing was excellent and even though the total time involved wasn't very long, it didn't feel rushed. The one thing that I wished we could have seen more of is character development with both MCs: Max had a bit considering that he didn't realize that he was gay, but having better insight into then would have been nice.
September 2, 2016
This book was actually quite all right. From the reviews on it, I thought it would be awful but I liked it even though it has a few editing errors and sometime the wrong names are used in reference to the characters.. Max does have a lot of random thoughts while Jake needed to be more assertive, but overall the make a really great couple. The misunderstanding about the wife needed to be more clear, and some things could have been clarified for us readers however. Would have loved more sex scenes to lol.. Good book Mr Reynolds!!!
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