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Fairview Single Dads #1
Dads With Benefits
ELLIS:
There’s a new single dad in the group, and he wants more than just support.
I’ve got problems on the job, but I’m in luck: the new dad at my support group is exactly who I need. James is sympathetic when I tell him my boss won’t stop coming on to me. I’m up for a huge promotion, and I need help. Maybe a fake relationship will make my boss back off.
But when James offers to be my pretend boyfriend, I’m forced to start thinking about romance again. Acting is one thing, but I don’t do real relationships, and besides, he’s straight—or so he says. This relationship was supposed to be just one dinner, but we’re getting closer than I expected.
Straight men make the perfect fake boyfriends, but I’m not sure if we’re pretending.
JAMES:
It’s my first day in the single dad support group, and the single part is already at risk.
I came to this group for advice on single parenting, but Ellis has more to offer. He’s a good dad being harassed by his all-too-forward boss, so naturally I want to help. I’m straight, so it doesn’t bother me that he needs a pretend boyfriend.
But faking it turns out to be harder than I realized, especially when I get to know him better. He’s completely charming, and irresistible to boot. I want to veer off the straight and narrow with Ellis, but his past is holding him back. I’m falling for him, and I’m not sure how much longer I can pretend.
Our kids are playing matchmakers, and this fake relationship is starting to feel real.
This is the first book in the Fairview Single Dads series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone with no cliffhanger. Readers can expect a spicy MM romance with several steamy scenes.
There’s a new single dad in the group, and he wants more than just support.
I’ve got problems on the job, but I’m in luck: the new dad at my support group is exactly who I need. James is sympathetic when I tell him my boss won’t stop coming on to me. I’m up for a huge promotion, and I need help. Maybe a fake relationship will make my boss back off.
But when James offers to be my pretend boyfriend, I’m forced to start thinking about romance again. Acting is one thing, but I don’t do real relationships, and besides, he’s straight—or so he says. This relationship was supposed to be just one dinner, but we’re getting closer than I expected.
Straight men make the perfect fake boyfriends, but I’m not sure if we’re pretending.
JAMES:
It’s my first day in the single dad support group, and the single part is already at risk.
I came to this group for advice on single parenting, but Ellis has more to offer. He’s a good dad being harassed by his all-too-forward boss, so naturally I want to help. I’m straight, so it doesn’t bother me that he needs a pretend boyfriend.
But faking it turns out to be harder than I realized, especially when I get to know him better. He’s completely charming, and irresistible to boot. I want to veer off the straight and narrow with Ellis, but his past is holding him back. I’m falling for him, and I’m not sure how much longer I can pretend.
Our kids are playing matchmakers, and this fake relationship is starting to feel real.
This is the first book in the Fairview Single Dads series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone with no cliffhanger. Readers can expect a spicy MM romance with several steamy scenes.
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First published September 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 6, 2019
This is clearly a solid story.
Not my favorite, but it makes good use of one of my favorite tropes: the fake boyfriend.
Ellis is a manager at a PR company that is owned and run by an elderly man who is building up his son to be the next CEO. The only issue is, his son Ian is interested in Ellis and subtly harasses him every single day.
In order to make Ian back off, Ellis mentions that he’s got a boyfriend. Which he doesn’t. Ellis is a single dad raising his daughter by himself.
Once a week he visits a single dad support group where he meets straight divorced dad James who offers an out for Ellis’ weird problem at work by acting as his pretend boyfriend.
So far so good.
You can imagine what course the story takes when you read the title...
Definitely a solid story. My only issues were James, the straight sports store owner, didn’t have too much of a problem with his sexual attraction to Ellis. I’d like to see a bit more turmoil when a straight guy realizes he has gay feelings for a guy.
Also, the kids were sadly just props. No character development there at all and hardly any interactions, because they were always ‘with the nanny’, LOL. So that’s how single Fairview Dads raise their kids…
And finally, Ellis’ commitment phobia felt a bit far-fetched. I do realize that the story needed an obstacle to overcome, but Ellis’ issue had me laugh at times. If everyone would think like that, there’d be no relationships ever anywhere.
And that last scene? Come on.
3 stars!
Not my favorite, but it makes good use of one of my favorite tropes: the fake boyfriend.
Ellis is a manager at a PR company that is owned and run by an elderly man who is building up his son to be the next CEO. The only issue is, his son Ian is interested in Ellis and subtly harasses him every single day.
In order to make Ian back off, Ellis mentions that he’s got a boyfriend. Which he doesn’t. Ellis is a single dad raising his daughter by himself.
Once a week he visits a single dad support group where he meets straight divorced dad James who offers an out for Ellis’ weird problem at work by acting as his pretend boyfriend.
So far so good.
You can imagine what course the story takes when you read the title...
Definitely a solid story. My only issues were James, the straight sports store owner, didn’t have too much of a problem with his sexual attraction to Ellis. I’d like to see a bit more turmoil when a straight guy realizes he has gay feelings for a guy.
Also, the kids were sadly just props. No character development there at all and hardly any interactions, because they were always ‘with the nanny’, LOL. So that’s how single Fairview Dads raise their kids…
And finally, Ellis’ commitment phobia felt a bit far-fetched. I do realize that the story needed an obstacle to overcome, but Ellis’ issue had me laugh at times. If everyone would think like that, there’d be no relationships ever anywhere.
And that last scene? Come on.
3 stars!
September 19, 2019
Have to say upfront, blame how long it took me to read this totally on me. Between an entirely too busy schedule and my attention span shrunk to practically nothing, despite this book being all kinds of wonderful reading it took forever. I fell in love with these two MCs practically on page one. I mean what is there not to love about two wonderful single dads who turn out to be just right for one another. Also the author's handling of the two kids felt spot on and very genuine. His use of Ian as a villain at was also very well done, making him more than just one-dimensional. Overall, the author has once again produced a highly enjoyable awesome read!
June 28, 2020
This was a confusing read for me. When I see a title or series where Dad is the focus, I kind of expect their kids to be a focus too. Maybe this is a bad assumption because the kids are barely in this. I'm trying to understand why Ellis needs a support group when his kid is most often with her nanny. I've never read a book with kids where the parents are always alone. The sexual harassment in this is strong. Why in the world would Ellis put up with that especially when the person harassing him will be his direct boss. My advice... Find another job since he is the owner's son. Stupid! I doubt I will read the rest of this series since this was a NO for me.
September 25, 2019
‘I recognized him from his picture on our social media page’
New York author Jason Collins has thirty-five successful novels to his credit so far, covering all aspects of gay relationships. His new series deals with the complicated lives of single dads, and the manner in which he approaches this concept, opening the series with DADS WITH BENEFITS, signals a very fine new examination of not only being a single dad, but also incipient gender preference awakening that support groups can engender! It makes a fine little romance.
Jason has the gift to entice his readers with openings to his books that set the stage well, while providing insights into the characters: ’Of all the days for the monthly breakfast to fall on, it had to be an absolutely perfect Friday morning. Bright sunshine shone through the clear skies as it warmed the crisp, late springtime air. I breathed deeply as I stepped through the cafe’s homey wooden door and heard the little bell jingle on my way in. The sound of sizzling eggs, bustling servers, and cheerful conversations met me as I made my way through the busy restaurant toward the private back room we rented out. The Fairview Single Fathers was a support group for single dads that met Friday mornings at a charming little café, conveniently on my morning drive to work…’ So we meet Ellis and the novel opens.
On that little curtain raiser, Jason successfully sets the stage for his very fun new novel, the plot being as follows: ‘Ellis - There’s a new single dad in the group, and he wants more than just support. I’ve got problems on the job, but I’m in luck: the new dad at my support group is exactly who I need. James is sympathetic when I tell him my boss won’t stop coming on to me. I’m up for a huge promotion, and I need help. Maybe a fake relationship will make my boss back off. But when James offers to be my pretend boyfriend, I’m forced to start thinking about romance again. Acting is one thing, but I don’t do real relationships, and besides, he’s straight—or so he says. This relationship was supposed to be just one dinner, but we’re getting closer than I expected. Straight men make the perfect fake boyfriends, but I’m not sure if we’re pretending. James - It’s my first day in the single dad support group, and the single part is already at risk. I came to this group for advice on single parenting, but Ellis has more to offer. He’s a good dad being harassed by his all-too-forward boss, so naturally I want to help. I’m straight, so it doesn’t bother me that he needs a pretend boyfriend. But faking it turns out to be harder than I realized, especially when I get to know him better. He’s completely charming, and irresistible to boot. I want to veer off the straight and narrow with Ellis, but his past is holding him back. I’m falling for him, and I’m not sure how much longer I can pretend. Our kids are playing matchmakers, and this fake relationship is starting to feel real.’
Perfect writing for an autumn evening’s satisfying entertainment. Another fine success for Jason.
New York author Jason Collins has thirty-five successful novels to his credit so far, covering all aspects of gay relationships. His new series deals with the complicated lives of single dads, and the manner in which he approaches this concept, opening the series with DADS WITH BENEFITS, signals a very fine new examination of not only being a single dad, but also incipient gender preference awakening that support groups can engender! It makes a fine little romance.
Jason has the gift to entice his readers with openings to his books that set the stage well, while providing insights into the characters: ’Of all the days for the monthly breakfast to fall on, it had to be an absolutely perfect Friday morning. Bright sunshine shone through the clear skies as it warmed the crisp, late springtime air. I breathed deeply as I stepped through the cafe’s homey wooden door and heard the little bell jingle on my way in. The sound of sizzling eggs, bustling servers, and cheerful conversations met me as I made my way through the busy restaurant toward the private back room we rented out. The Fairview Single Fathers was a support group for single dads that met Friday mornings at a charming little café, conveniently on my morning drive to work…’ So we meet Ellis and the novel opens.
On that little curtain raiser, Jason successfully sets the stage for his very fun new novel, the plot being as follows: ‘Ellis - There’s a new single dad in the group, and he wants more than just support. I’ve got problems on the job, but I’m in luck: the new dad at my support group is exactly who I need. James is sympathetic when I tell him my boss won’t stop coming on to me. I’m up for a huge promotion, and I need help. Maybe a fake relationship will make my boss back off. But when James offers to be my pretend boyfriend, I’m forced to start thinking about romance again. Acting is one thing, but I don’t do real relationships, and besides, he’s straight—or so he says. This relationship was supposed to be just one dinner, but we’re getting closer than I expected. Straight men make the perfect fake boyfriends, but I’m not sure if we’re pretending. James - It’s my first day in the single dad support group, and the single part is already at risk. I came to this group for advice on single parenting, but Ellis has more to offer. He’s a good dad being harassed by his all-too-forward boss, so naturally I want to help. I’m straight, so it doesn’t bother me that he needs a pretend boyfriend. But faking it turns out to be harder than I realized, especially when I get to know him better. He’s completely charming, and irresistible to boot. I want to veer off the straight and narrow with Ellis, but his past is holding him back. I’m falling for him, and I’m not sure how much longer I can pretend. Our kids are playing matchmakers, and this fake relationship is starting to feel real.’
Perfect writing for an autumn evening’s satisfying entertainment. Another fine success for Jason.
September 15, 2019
Another sweet and fun story from Jason Collins. This time, we are introduced to a new series focusing on a single dads group. In this book we meet Ellis and James, and their adorable children Sara and Brandon. New to the group, James, immediately hits it off with Ellis at his first meeting and the two become fast friends. Although James is supposedly straight, he finds himself agreeing, with no hesitation, to a fake relationship with Ellis in the hope Ellis's colleague (and soon-to-be boss) will back off with his flirtatious behaviour. It doesn't take long before the spark between Ellis and James can't be ignored and they find themselves giving in to a very hot friends-with-benefits type arrangement. For all his desire to make it something more, James finds himself up against Ellis's fear of relationships and the uncertainty over what is suddenly real and what isn't.
This is a great take on the fake relationship, GFY trope. With such sweet characters and romance, and a touch of drama/angst, it is a lovely and refreshing read that left me excited for the next in the series!
[I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review].
This is a great take on the fake relationship, GFY trope. With such sweet characters and romance, and a touch of drama/angst, it is a lovely and refreshing read that left me excited for the next in the series!
[I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review].
December 22, 2019
worst book i've ever read
December 30, 2022
😬
I’m so sorry, but it’s about to get messy. Though, nothing I write in this review could be messier than this book.
Wow. What the hell did I just struggle through? What an absolutely confusing, unedited, incoherent mess. I feel like a jerk, but I’m honestly at a loss. After reading one of the stand alone novels by this author, I was genuinely excited to dive into this one. I got played. Hard. Nothing made sense, there was zero editing, the story was redundant in so many places that I pretty much got lost every other paragraph.. and that’s just a few issues, because I’m barely scratching the surface.
Please make it make sense. How did this book get published in this state? Who edited? Who beta read? Who ARC read, for that matter? This.. this was just not it. I feel like this got ripped straight from the notes app on an iPhone and pushed into a template for release. It had promise to be a great story, and the characters had so much to give. How it managed to devolve so quickly is beyond me. For lack of a better term, it was a nightmare.
Ellis.. just no. I don’t care what kind of trauma you were trying to make him have, even the literal worst jerk on the face of the earth wouldn’t go to so much trouble to hurt someone the way he did James. The way you wrote him made him the villain, not Ian. The constant need for him to keep James at arm’s length was written in the worst way. And the fact that it took up almost all the real estate in the book instead of letting a genuine, meaningful relationship form was just bad plotting.
James.. buddy, we don’t do abuse. We don’t settle for someone who’s not in it until the last 10 pages of the book. We don’t go out of our way to try—over and over and OVER—and make someone love us back. Especially when we’re such a wonderful character.
The best part of this book was the kids, hands down. I can’t say anything good about it, really, because it didn’t make enough sense for me to get anything but a headache by the end. I’m seriously having too much trouble trying to come up with a way to explain just how convoluted the entire thing was. It needs pulling down from sale, frankly, to be reformatted, revised, edited.. SOMETHING. It needs an overhaul on an intrinsic level for it to, at the VERY least, have things read well enough to call this a book. This was a rough draft—part outline, part first draft, part jumbled mess of ideas that haven’t quite made it to reality.
My brain hurts. I’m going to go find some strong meds and take a long look at why I feel the need to finish every book I start, because this one should’ve been a DNF.
I’m so sorry, but it’s about to get messy. Though, nothing I write in this review could be messier than this book.
Wow. What the hell did I just struggle through? What an absolutely confusing, unedited, incoherent mess. I feel like a jerk, but I’m honestly at a loss. After reading one of the stand alone novels by this author, I was genuinely excited to dive into this one. I got played. Hard. Nothing made sense, there was zero editing, the story was redundant in so many places that I pretty much got lost every other paragraph.. and that’s just a few issues, because I’m barely scratching the surface.
Please make it make sense. How did this book get published in this state? Who edited? Who beta read? Who ARC read, for that matter? This.. this was just not it. I feel like this got ripped straight from the notes app on an iPhone and pushed into a template for release. It had promise to be a great story, and the characters had so much to give. How it managed to devolve so quickly is beyond me. For lack of a better term, it was a nightmare.
Ellis.. just no. I don’t care what kind of trauma you were trying to make him have, even the literal worst jerk on the face of the earth wouldn’t go to so much trouble to hurt someone the way he did James. The way you wrote him made him the villain, not Ian. The constant need for him to keep James at arm’s length was written in the worst way. And the fact that it took up almost all the real estate in the book instead of letting a genuine, meaningful relationship form was just bad plotting.
James.. buddy, we don’t do abuse. We don’t settle for someone who’s not in it until the last 10 pages of the book. We don’t go out of our way to try—over and over and OVER—and make someone love us back. Especially when we’re such a wonderful character.
The best part of this book was the kids, hands down. I can’t say anything good about it, really, because it didn’t make enough sense for me to get anything but a headache by the end. I’m seriously having too much trouble trying to come up with a way to explain just how convoluted the entire thing was. It needs pulling down from sale, frankly, to be reformatted, revised, edited.. SOMETHING. It needs an overhaul on an intrinsic level for it to, at the VERY least, have things read well enough to call this a book. This was a rough draft—part outline, part first draft, part jumbled mess of ideas that haven’t quite made it to reality.
My brain hurts. I’m going to go find some strong meds and take a long look at why I feel the need to finish every book I start, because this one should’ve been a DNF.
Want to read
September 30, 20199/30/19 Currently on sale for 99c via Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07XXC3J7...
August 30, 2021
Sign me up for Fake Dating any day of the week! In books, obviously… I’m a married man! 😂 Dads With Benefits was a cute, fun, and spicy Gay Romance that I not only needed, but definitely WANTED! And when I say Spicy, I’d give it a 3 out of 5🌶’s!!!
Ellis is a Father without an ex. His daughter was conceived via egg donor/surrogate and he’s so proud of his little girl, Sarah. He’s being sexually harassed at work by his soon to be boss, but he loves his job and doesn’t want to leave. - Side Note: I know they needed a purpose for the Fake Dating, but I hated that!
James is new to the Single Dad’s group, as he is just getting back out there after his divorce. He is everyone’s wet dream (I’m seeing him as the hottie on the cover!!!!), seeing as how he’s covered in muscles, owns his own sports retail company, and is an incredible father to his son, Brandon.
Why Ellis doesn’t like relationships is explained later in the book, but I found it (and him) a bit annoying. Like the perfect man lands at your feet, you put a ring on it! I loved them together and especially loved their children’s interactions.
Was I the biggest fan of book 1? No! But I’ll continue reading to see what book 2 brings us.
Ellis is a Father without an ex. His daughter was conceived via egg donor/surrogate and he’s so proud of his little girl, Sarah. He’s being sexually harassed at work by his soon to be boss, but he loves his job and doesn’t want to leave. - Side Note: I know they needed a purpose for the Fake Dating, but I hated that!
James is new to the Single Dad’s group, as he is just getting back out there after his divorce. He is everyone’s wet dream (I’m seeing him as the hottie on the cover!!!!), seeing as how he’s covered in muscles, owns his own sports retail company, and is an incredible father to his son, Brandon.
Why Ellis doesn’t like relationships is explained later in the book, but I found it (and him) a bit annoying. Like the perfect man lands at your feet, you put a ring on it! I loved them together and especially loved their children’s interactions.
Was I the biggest fan of book 1? No! But I’ll continue reading to see what book 2 brings us.
July 14, 2020
This book was hot garbage. I wanted to like it and it started off solid, but it just... wasn't for me.
I typically find that I go to M/M romance because it's a subgenre of fantasy. I want to be taken away from everyday life. This book made it hard to do that as the antagonist of the book was basically a boss sexually harassing his employee with very little acknowledgement that this was happening from anyone
This is the first of a series so I expected that the Single Dads club and characters therein would play a more prominent role. Ya know, set me up to care about the others so I want to read more. Since none of them made an appearance after the first part, I didn't in fact want to read more. Ellis got on my nerves too.
I'm here for a campy premise and title, but was let down by the delivery.
I typically find that I go to M/M romance because it's a subgenre of fantasy. I want to be taken away from everyday life. This book made it hard to do that as the antagonist of the book was basically a boss sexually harassing his employee with very little acknowledgement that this was happening from anyone
This is the first of a series so I expected that the Single Dads club and characters therein would play a more prominent role. Ya know, set me up to care about the others so I want to read more. Since none of them made an appearance after the first part, I didn't in fact want to read more. Ellis got on my nerves too.
I'm here for a campy premise and title, but was let down by the delivery.
September 17, 2019
DON’T LET OTHERS’ ACTIONS DEFINE YOU
This was a very interesting story to read. I enjoyed the way it was written and the relationship between Ellis and James was intriguing. First time male love led me to believe that there are unconscious closet gays. The extent that James was willing to go to protect Ellis had me cheering for him. The children in the story were absolutely adorable and they had me laughing at their bluntness and insightfulness. Ellis’s final understanding of himself and the backbone he developed left me with a feeling of satisfaction; especially since there was a HEA.
I received this story for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
This was a very interesting story to read. I enjoyed the way it was written and the relationship between Ellis and James was intriguing. First time male love led me to believe that there are unconscious closet gays. The extent that James was willing to go to protect Ellis had me cheering for him. The children in the story were absolutely adorable and they had me laughing at their bluntness and insightfulness. Ellis’s final understanding of himself and the backbone he developed left me with a feeling of satisfaction; especially since there was a HEA.
I received this story for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
September 17, 2019
Compelling story-line about loving and learning that you can love and be loved. I enjoyed the characters and the story kept me engaged! The author's writing flowed and i so enjoyed these characters.
Ellis and James were really likable and i quickly fell into the story. I loved their journey to trust and love. They were both authentic and watching Ellis learning to let go of his past perceptions of a relationship was touching. .
This is book one of the Fairview Single Dads series and i am so looking forward to the next book!
Ellis and James were really likable and i quickly fell into the story. I loved their journey to trust and love. They were both authentic and watching Ellis learning to let go of his past perceptions of a relationship was touching. .
This is book one of the Fairview Single Dads series and i am so looking forward to the next book!
June 6, 2020
Soooooo bad, lol. I read up until after the sailing day, then skimmed as much as I could, and eventually had to quit as I couldn't even skim my way to the end. What a stupid fucking plot and moron characters. For a straight-until-now guy, James is completely unbelievable. And I can't handle Ian and the dad|boss, ewwww. Ellis is a total doormat if he puts up with such bullshit. Ain't nobody got time for that.
April 23, 2022
This was REALLY bad. I loved the plot, but even being a single dads series we got almost nothing about the parent things, the book needs an urgent review and the sex scenes were just a big mess, you couldn't understand shit.
September 20, 2019
very good story.. the beginning was a tiny bit slow for me but once it caught it went and it was amazing.. it was well written and fun characters.. plus it was funny. i enjoyed it
November 26, 2019
A solid 4 stars
July 30, 2023
2.5⭐️
Dad’s With Benefits starts out strong but doesn’t stick the landing for me. Fake dating can be hit or miss for me and while the premise of employer-related need for a fake partner is one of my least favorites, James’s good-guy vibes, supportive nature and easygoing charm sold me as him being someone who would offer to be a complete stranger’s bf.
At the beginning I also found Ellis to be likeable and sweet and in a difficult position of being sexually harassed by the boss’s son and feeling trapped and unsure of what to do when the boss announces his retirement and makes Ellis’s promotion seem contingent on getting along with his soon to be nepo baby boss. Ellis and James have believable chemistry together, and I enjoyed James's lack of gay panic.
After a while though, Ellis’s hot and cold treatment of James while James is still acting as a shield for him starts to make Ellis look like he’s using James and taking advantage of his goodwill. This isn’t helped by how he basically dismisses James’s vulnerability and honesty in a pretty cold manner nor how often the characters retread the same emotional ground.
Moreover, as someone who didn’t want to get married bc of my parents’ issues/drama, I understand James’s fear and avoidance; however, with how late in the book his reason for being so against a relationship occurs and frankly how almost unimportant the revelation is played out makes his behavior afterward even more head-scratching and borderline cruel.
Frankly, it was also annoying that all Ellis’s work issues could have been solved by a conversation where he makes it abundantly clear he’s not interested in nepo baby as he eventually does this w/no apparent repercussions. It’s played to thematically show Ellis finally standing up for himself and taking control of his life, but is just so anticlimactic. Additionally, while I’m not a fan of kids being overly present in a book since most are either annoyingly adult or simply annoying, I liked the MCs kids but between them mostly only being in the story to move the MC’s relationship status and Ellis and James’s ‘my perfect kids’ dialogue, they function as bland props.
Maybe if the writing had been less clunky and with fewer exclamation points (my gods there are so, SO many) and Ellis more compelling and less unsympathetic as the story progresses this would have landed better for me.
Dad’s With Benefits starts out strong but doesn’t stick the landing for me. Fake dating can be hit or miss for me and while the premise of employer-related need for a fake partner is one of my least favorites, James’s good-guy vibes, supportive nature and easygoing charm sold me as him being someone who would offer to be a complete stranger’s bf.
At the beginning I also found Ellis to be likeable and sweet and in a difficult position of being sexually harassed by the boss’s son and feeling trapped and unsure of what to do when the boss announces his retirement and makes Ellis’s promotion seem contingent on getting along with his soon to be nepo baby boss. Ellis and James have believable chemistry together, and I enjoyed James's lack of gay panic.
After a while though, Ellis’s hot and cold treatment of James while James is still acting as a shield for him starts to make Ellis look like he’s using James and taking advantage of his goodwill. This isn’t helped by how he basically dismisses James’s vulnerability and honesty in a pretty cold manner nor how often the characters retread the same emotional ground.
Moreover, as someone who didn’t want to get married bc of my parents’ issues/drama, I understand James’s fear and avoidance; however, with how late in the book his reason for being so against a relationship occurs and frankly how almost unimportant the revelation is played out makes his behavior afterward even more head-scratching and borderline cruel.
Frankly, it was also annoying that all Ellis’s work issues could have been solved by a conversation where he makes it abundantly clear he’s not interested in nepo baby as he eventually does this w/no apparent repercussions. It’s played to thematically show Ellis finally standing up for himself and taking control of his life, but is just so anticlimactic. Additionally, while I’m not a fan of kids being overly present in a book since most are either annoyingly adult or simply annoying, I liked the MCs kids but between them mostly only being in the story to move the MC’s relationship status and Ellis and James’s ‘my perfect kids’ dialogue, they function as bland props.
Maybe if the writing had been less clunky and with fewer exclamation points (my gods there are so, SO many) and Ellis more compelling and less unsympathetic as the story progresses this would have landed better for me.
April 4, 2021
Buku ini sedikit mengecewakan karena tidak yang spesial, plotnya flat dan cenderung monoton.
Mengisahkan tentang 2 orang single dad, James dan Ellis. James yang bercerai dengan mantan istrinya karena sudah fell out of love dan Ellis yang memilih mempunyai anak melalui surrogate dan memang single. Demi membantu Ellis, James bersedia menjadi fake boyfriend dan selama kesepakatannya itu, James mulai mempertanyakan tentang ketertarikannya untuk Ellis dan tentang seksualitasnya. Setelah kesepakatan menjadi fake boyfriend menjadi sedikit blur akhirnya berubah menjadi friends with benefits. Pada saat salah satu dari mereka mulai merasakan perasaan lebih, yang lainnya mulai mundur menjauh karena pengalaman orang tuanya dulu yang sering bertengkar membuat dia waswas menjalani sebuah komitmen. Hal itu tidaklah mudah untuk dilakukan tapi perlahan-lahan, dia mulai menyadari apa yang dia pikir selama ini adalah salah tentang kedua orang tuanya dan berani untuk melangkah lebih lanjut memulai sebuah komitmen.
Mengisahkan tentang 2 orang single dad, James dan Ellis. James yang bercerai dengan mantan istrinya karena sudah fell out of love dan Ellis yang memilih mempunyai anak melalui surrogate dan memang single. Demi membantu Ellis, James bersedia menjadi fake boyfriend dan selama kesepakatannya itu, James mulai mempertanyakan tentang ketertarikannya untuk Ellis dan tentang seksualitasnya. Setelah kesepakatan menjadi fake boyfriend menjadi sedikit blur akhirnya berubah menjadi friends with benefits. Pada saat salah satu dari mereka mulai merasakan perasaan lebih, yang lainnya mulai mundur menjauh karena pengalaman orang tuanya dulu yang sering bertengkar membuat dia waswas menjalani sebuah komitmen. Hal itu tidaklah mudah untuk dilakukan tapi perlahan-lahan, dia mulai menyadari apa yang dia pikir selama ini adalah salah tentang kedua orang tuanya dan berani untuk melangkah lebih lanjut memulai sebuah komitmen.
September 27, 2023
~2,5 stars~
God fucking damn it, excuse my language but I had to
This is a 162 page book that feels like a fucking bible
I loved James and I hated Ellis' guts
As someone who had a past similar to Ellis, I have to say that therapist didn't do shit
This guy needs a brand new, professional therapist cause carrying all those issues onto a relationship it's going to suck for everyone involved and this book is a proof of that
I felt miserable pushing me to be able to finish this, I didn't even actually finish it yet but I'm feeling so frustrated that I needed to vent
Edit: finished it not even 10 minutes later (I just read the conversation on the last chapter tbh)
Now I can say for sure this is a solid 2 star
That sorry ass ending destroyed me, it's normal in this genre for the couple to break up and get together at the ending of the book but this one just was meh
It made me roll my eyes when Ellis confessed to James in that way, it's not rushed it's just plain meh
God fucking damn it, excuse my language but I had to
This is a 162 page book that feels like a fucking bible
I loved James and I hated Ellis' guts
As someone who had a past similar to Ellis, I have to say that therapist didn't do shit
This guy needs a brand new, professional therapist cause carrying all those issues onto a relationship it's going to suck for everyone involved and this book is a proof of that
I felt miserable pushing me to be able to finish this, I didn't even actually finish it yet but I'm feeling so frustrated that I needed to vent
Edit: finished it not even 10 minutes later (I just read the conversation on the last chapter tbh)
Now I can say for sure this is a solid 2 star
That sorry ass ending destroyed me, it's normal in this genre for the couple to break up and get together at the ending of the book but this one just was meh
It made me roll my eyes when Ellis confessed to James in that way, it's not rushed it's just plain meh
February 16, 2023
While this wa a fun read, I don't think it's something I'll be coming back to re-read. The main characters are both a bit 2 dimensional for any real attachment on my part, and the plot is paper thin. While Ellis' problems with his overly pushy, sexual harassing future boss, Ian, is the hook for the pretend boyfriend plot line, the actual major conflict is Ellis' own self-sabotaging commitment phobia.
The kids - one each - are cute but only there to ask the questions the main characters can't seem to ask themselves. Really just the fluff to make you smile and show what good dads these guys are. James' ex-wife shows up once to give a thumbs up to his "Oh, I'm gay now" revelation of his new boyfriend, and Ellis' mom has a short scene to prove what an oblivious harpy she is for causing Ellis' phobia.
I'd rate this a minor beach read = 3.5 stars
The kids - one each - are cute but only there to ask the questions the main characters can't seem to ask themselves. Really just the fluff to make you smile and show what good dads these guys are. James' ex-wife shows up once to give a thumbs up to his "Oh, I'm gay now" revelation of his new boyfriend, and Ellis' mom has a short scene to prove what an oblivious harpy she is for causing Ellis' phobia.
I'd rate this a minor beach read = 3.5 stars
May 22, 2020
Ellis is up for a promotion, but so is the boss’s son, who’ll become his boss and who inappropriately pursues him. James is a new friend who offers to help Ellis by being his fake boyfriend.
They’re very convincing, and though James thought he was straight, he also knows he’s attracted to Ellis. Ellis’ parents had a terrible relationship, so he’s afraid to try, but James is so good to him, it makes him rethink things.
Good story, though James’ sexuality wouldn’t realistically such an easy thing for him to embrace. The Dads group part is also minor, not used well in the story. Their closeness shows through as the book progresses, nice development of their relationship.
KU
They’re very convincing, and though James thought he was straight, he also knows he’s attracted to Ellis. Ellis’ parents had a terrible relationship, so he’s afraid to try, but James is so good to him, it makes him rethink things.
Good story, though James’ sexuality wouldn’t realistically such an easy thing for him to embrace. The Dads group part is also minor, not used well in the story. Their closeness shows through as the book progresses, nice development of their relationship.
KU
Read
December 12, 2021I DNF’d at 53%. I just could not connect with Ellis or this story as a result… he’s a pushover who is on the receiving end of sexual harassment in the workplace and he just takes it. I dunno, it seemed to defeat the purpose of the fake relationship if the bosses son continued to be a douche. I also didn’t care for how easily James took his change in his sexuality. I can’t imagine there are many guys out there that ostensibly had no curious stage ever, that wouldn’t freak just a little. I’m all for low angst, but there should be some to acknowledge that he’s in no way been attracted to a guy before.
This story just isn’t for me.
This story just isn’t for me.
July 8, 2023
I love dad's and kids stories, but this one just seemed so unrealistic that I couldn't get my head around it completely. I liked the characters and the kids a lot, but the story seemed rushed(?) or something. It just felt as if the "straight" guy fell head over heels in a matter of one date and the gay guy was just a clueless and someone (not a purpose) mean.
The kids were great, but I worried about leaving them with a "nanny" for as much time as they did.
It is a good read, just not perfect.
The kids were great, but I worried about leaving them with a "nanny" for as much time as they did.
It is a good read, just not perfect.
July 28, 2020
Enjoyed this pretty much, but Collins isn't always the best writer. Sometimes his writing comes across as juvenile. There was one scene where a problem came up and it was never discussed or resolved. Still, the MCs are interesting and likable and the plot is solid. Just needs some sanding of rough edges.
Read
December 21, 2020I'm so disappointed. I expected much more from this. I enjoyed their friendship in the beginning, I loved the talking and taking it easy. But then they talked a bit too much and it weirdly annoyed me that the guy who was in the dark about his sexuality was the one initiating everything. He came on a bit too strong. Maybe that was the author's intention but still...
September 19, 2020
A must read
This was a fantastic read.
I didn’t see so much of it coming, but it was well worth it all.
Ellis and James story was a fun hot read.
I loved their kids.
This was one a the greatest stories I’ve read in awhile.
I highly recommend this.
This was a fantastic read.
I didn’t see so much of it coming, but it was well worth it all.
Ellis and James story was a fun hot read.
I loved their kids.
This was one a the greatest stories I’ve read in awhile.
I highly recommend this.
July 17, 2022
Refreshed Gay Dad
Thanks to James Collins for showing that single gay dad's can be fantastic roll models to their kids, and being committed to to them while still having a great sex life. Refreshing read.
Thanks to James Collins for showing that single gay dad's can be fantastic roll models to their kids, and being committed to to them while still having a great sex life. Refreshing read.
November 7, 2022
Corporate love what else.
First, I have to sat that I didn't like all of the "over thinking" in this book. Ellis should have had a set of balls earlier in the book. James is the right man for Ellis. It took James to bring Ellis around and stop all of his BS about boyfriends.
First, I have to sat that I didn't like all of the "over thinking" in this book. Ellis should have had a set of balls earlier in the book. James is the right man for Ellis. It took James to bring Ellis around and stop all of his BS about boyfriends.
July 20, 2024
Freaking "Phwoar" at the dude on the cover!
I absolutely adored James! I love a guy who doesn't freak out and constantly question his sexuality. Ellis I wanted to hit with my Kindle a few times to knock some sense into him!
I absolutely adored James! I love a guy who doesn't freak out and constantly question his sexuality. Ellis I wanted to hit with my Kindle a few times to knock some sense into him!
February 11, 2021
Ellis was an idiot for most of the book!
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