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Men of St. Nacho's #2
A Flighty Fake Boyfriend
All Ryan Winslow needs is a fake date for his ex's wedding. What happens when a fake date turns into real, but impossible, love?
Ryan Winslow has everything he needs to attend his billionaire aristocrat ex's wedding. He's got an out and proud A-list celebrity date, reservations at an exclusive resort in Santa Barbara, and two weeks to enjoy a vacation—his first in six years.
The drive down gives him a chance to visit old friends in tiny St. Nacho's, but that's where things start to go wrong. His workaholic, driven lifestyle takes its toll, and his date calls to say he can't make it. How will he ever find a substitute date for a formal wedding in time?
Epic Alsop waits tables, but that's not all he does. He pays special attention to people, and responds to their needs accordingly. When he meets an overworked, underfed Ryan, he offers him a healing smoothie and a little extra care. When Ryan's date for a wedding cancels, Epic offers to be his fake boyfriend.
What Epic doesn't expect is Ryan's kindness, or the amazing resort vacation he offers. He doesn't expect Ryan's patience, his wit, or his passion.
But they live in different countries, and Ryan's job leaves no room for a social life. The hunger and weariness that drew Epic to Ryan in the first place is only a symptom of the reason they can't be together.
Can fake lovers who fall in genuine love find a way to make their relationship work? Or are they destined to be alone forever?
Ryan Winslow has everything he needs to attend his billionaire aristocrat ex's wedding. He's got an out and proud A-list celebrity date, reservations at an exclusive resort in Santa Barbara, and two weeks to enjoy a vacation—his first in six years.
The drive down gives him a chance to visit old friends in tiny St. Nacho's, but that's where things start to go wrong. His workaholic, driven lifestyle takes its toll, and his date calls to say he can't make it. How will he ever find a substitute date for a formal wedding in time?
Epic Alsop waits tables, but that's not all he does. He pays special attention to people, and responds to their needs accordingly. When he meets an overworked, underfed Ryan, he offers him a healing smoothie and a little extra care. When Ryan's date for a wedding cancels, Epic offers to be his fake boyfriend.
What Epic doesn't expect is Ryan's kindness, or the amazing resort vacation he offers. He doesn't expect Ryan's patience, his wit, or his passion.
But they live in different countries, and Ryan's job leaves no room for a social life. The hunger and weariness that drew Epic to Ryan in the first place is only a symptom of the reason they can't be together.
Can fake lovers who fall in genuine love find a way to make their relationship work? Or are they destined to be alone forever?
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2020
41 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 17, 2020
4.5 stars
Epic has moved to the top of my favorite men of St. Nacho's list. He was quite unexpected, knowing only that he was the waiter that always lost his name tag and resorted to wearing whatever nametag he could find. He is, in actuality, an amazing character with smarts, depth, humor, a great outlook on things, and quite the dominant streak.
Ryan took a little longer to warm up to, but once he and Epic make their way to Ryan's ex's wedding, there is no way for him to resist Epic's charms. Things go great, until they don't. Before they make their way back to each other, they work things through over a series of emails that worked so well to bridge the situation.
These two don't make it easy for themselves to get to that HEA, but it was definitely worth the ride.
(You don't need to have read the previous books to jump in here at all.)
Epic has moved to the top of my favorite men of St. Nacho's list. He was quite unexpected, knowing only that he was the waiter that always lost his name tag and resorted to wearing whatever nametag he could find. He is, in actuality, an amazing character with smarts, depth, humor, a great outlook on things, and quite the dominant streak.
Ryan took a little longer to warm up to, but once he and Epic make their way to Ryan's ex's wedding, there is no way for him to resist Epic's charms. Things go great, until they don't. Before they make their way back to each other, they work things through over a series of emails that worked so well to bridge the situation.
These two don't make it easy for themselves to get to that HEA, but it was definitely worth the ride.
(You don't need to have read the previous books to jump in here at all.)
May 9, 2021
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
Don’t be fooled by the cute cover model and the word “flighty” in the title; Z.A. Maxfield’s A Flighty Fake Boyfriend IS a fun fake relationship story, but it has surprising depth, two strongly characterised leads and packs quite the emotional punch in places, too. Age-gap and fake relationship are two of my favourite tropes so I was looking forward to reading this, and I’m pleased to report I wasn’t the least bit disappointed.
Workaholic Ryan Winslow has stopped off in St. Nacho’s to visit a couple of friends on his way to Santa Barbara, where he’s due to attend his ex’s wedding. He’s not sure if the invitation was a genuine gesture, a way to gloat or just a mistake, but Ryan accepts because he doesn’t want Luis to think his marriage bothers him, and has arranged for a friend – who happens to be a gorgeous, out-and-proud A-list movie star – to go as his date. At the last minute, however, his friend has to cancel, which leaves Ryan with a problem – does he not go and give Luis the satisfaction of thinking he’s sulking, or does he go stag?
We met the sunny-natured Epic in the previous book (A Much Younger Man). He waits tables at the bistro – appropriately named “Bistro” – in St. Nachos, and has the quirky habit of pinning on whatever nametag is uppermost in the box that day – but his name really is Epic. He’s cute and funny and smart with the sort of self-possession Ryan knows he never had at his age (Epic is twenty-three to Ryan’s thirty-six). When Ryan finds himself suddenly without a date for the wedding, he impulsively asks Epic to accompany him instead. Epic might not be a famous movie star, but he’s attractive, articulate and compelling – and Ryan is drawn to him like iron filings to magnetic north.
This fake relationship story proceeds as you’d expect – but I liked the way things play out, with Epic gradually coaxing Ryan to unwind as their attraction grows and a deep connection forms between them over fancy dinners, moonlight walks and sight-seeing trips. Epic turns out to be extremely perceptive and wise beyond his years; he’s brilliant, caring, funny and upbeat, and fiercely protective of Ryan, who at this point in time, badly needs looking after, someone to remind him to eat, quit smoking and to stop working once in a while. He’s also more than a bit bossy in the bedroom once things get that far ;)
Ryan is more difficult to like, at least until we start to get to know him, because he’s so single-minded and dedicated to his job. He’s been pushing himself to the limits for so long that he’s just about forgotten how to step back and what happiness feels like, but his workaholism is presented in a very realistic manner. There are a gazillion romance novels featuring billionaire bosses who work all the time, but Ryan is different; he’s not a billionaire – he works for a charity/non-profit that is dedicated to tracking down and putting a stop to people trafficking rings – and he’s reached the point where he’s completely and convincingly burned out. He drinks too much – alcohol and coffee – doesn’t eat well and doesn’t take care of himself in general; he’s tireless in his pursuit of the organisation’s aims, but he takes it all upon himself and thinks he should be doing more and more and more, suffering from what seems to be a kind of compassion fatigue.
Getting Ryan to take better care of himself and to let go a bit is no easy job, and the author doesn’t attempt to solve all Ryan’s problems by the end of the book, and nor does she present Epic as some kind of miracle worker. But what Epic does is – at last – provide something in Ryan’s life that’s important enough for him to want to have a life outside of work and someone worth taking care of himself for. Epic helps Ryan to work through some lingering issues – mostly that he still feels guilty for the breakdown of his former relationship because he didn’t pay enough attention to his partner or the relationship. and his fears that he’s doomed to repeat that on a never-ending cycle. But the benefits are not all one-sided, as Epic has decisions to make about his future as well. His well-to-do ambitious parents were pushing him into taking a job in corporate finance after he got his MBA (he’s something of a mathematical whizz), but he persuaded them to let him have a year to figure things out, and agreed that if at the end of it, he had no better options, he’d consider taking one of those jobs. The year is all but up and there are two things Epic is sure of: corporate finance isn’t for him and he wants to make a life with Ryan. The question, though, is whether Ryan is prepared to take a chance on a future he can’t quite convince himself he deserves.
There were one or two things in the story that didn’t quite work for me. I can’t say much without spoilers, but there’s a scene around the middle (where Ryan receives an odd proposition) that was really jarring, and I’ve never been a fan of the I’m-leaving-you-for-your-own-good thing that Ryan pulls near the end because he’s running scared. But other than that, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend is a sweet, funny, steamy read with just the right amount of angst, a nicely-developed romance and a well-deserved HEA. Recommended.
February 1, 2021
When I finished this I only had one thought in my mind: Why the hell didn't I DNF this? I wasted a night reading this stuff, I won't get those hours back. 😪❤
Anyways this was just boring, things where happening but the characters reactions were not really well explained so everything felt weird and when emotions got explained they gave me whiplash. And yes, there were stuffs happening but they were kind of a lot: they were in a little town, then they went to a golf course, then to a resort for the wedding, then they went back to the town, then Canada. And people wise? A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
Also when they were in the resort they went places and that was boring as hell, I didn't connect, the sex had a touch of kink to it but it was so badly described that I didn't feel a thing. OTT tropes that weren't even interesting to read happened and even though I liked the character's banter sometimes it wasn't enough.
A waste. 🥲❤
Anyways this was just boring, things where happening but the characters reactions were not really well explained so everything felt weird and when emotions got explained they gave me whiplash. And yes, there were stuffs happening but they were kind of a lot: they were in a little town, then they went to a golf course, then to a resort for the wedding, then they went back to the town, then Canada. And people wise? A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
Also when they were in the resort they went places and that was boring as hell, I didn't connect, the sex had a touch of kink to it but it was so badly described that I didn't feel a thing. OTT tropes that weren't even interesting to read happened and even though I liked the character's banter sometimes it wasn't enough.
A waste. 🥲❤
November 6, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
In her second novel in the Men of St. Nacho’s series, Z.A. Maxfield brings the reader further into the wonderful world of Epic, who is so much more than meets the eye. A Flighty Fake Boyfriend features a lavish wedding scene, long walks at a posh resort, a young man with a sexy dominant streak, and an older one with little time other than to work himself near to death for a very good cause.
I adore Epic. Those who read the first in this series will remember him as the feisty waiter at Bistro and his ever changing name due to him losing his own name tag to many times to ask for yet another to replace it. Hence, he takes whatever badge is available, giving him a different name each time Ryan sees him. This story is an age gap, BDSM light D/s story filled with lots of emotion and gorgeous romance.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
In her second novel in the Men of St. Nacho’s series, Z.A. Maxfield brings the reader further into the wonderful world of Epic, who is so much more than meets the eye. A Flighty Fake Boyfriend features a lavish wedding scene, long walks at a posh resort, a young man with a sexy dominant streak, and an older one with little time other than to work himself near to death for a very good cause.
I adore Epic. Those who read the first in this series will remember him as the feisty waiter at Bistro and his ever changing name due to him losing his own name tag to many times to ask for yet another to replace it. Hence, he takes whatever badge is available, giving him a different name each time Ryan sees him. This story is an age gap, BDSM light D/s story filled with lots of emotion and gorgeous romance.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
January 31, 2021
Conscientious, hard working, detailed, driven. That's our Ryan. Work, work, work. Make a dent, find a bigger one. At first, I didn't care for Ryan all that much. Ryan hit a little too close to home. All about the job, the work, forgetting to stop and smell the roses. Getting caught up in all that. The dreaded internet. Cold, calculated and unforgiving. Life drones on. Staring at that damn screen all day.
Epic is young, beautiful, fresh and clean. There is so much more to Epic than what we see on the surface. He's a numbers man. A mathematician. Brilliant really. Flighty? No. Quirky and real with a dominant streak? Hell yes.
Meet and greet. A little pretend. Some beautiful surroundings. A self-centered, narcissistic Richy Rich old boyfriend and his creepy fiancee. Over-the-top wedding and an offer that yes, you can indeed, refuse. (Read it to believe it.)
All of the makings of one helluva good love story. I expected no less from ZAM.
Is it perfect? Not even close. Ryan nearly blows it. You know, the whole, 'Oh but what about my job?' Fear of taking a chance.
That old lyric I can see clearly now the rain is gone, gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day. More than good enough for this hardworking woman, and ultimately, for Ryan. Epically wonderful :)
Another delicious addition to the St. Nacho's world. Oh, and lest I forget. Dominance, edging, plugs and feathers. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Makes for some very erotic and hot love making. Not porn, not even close. Even if its not your trigger, it still goes off with a bang.
💜🦋
Epic is young, beautiful, fresh and clean. There is so much more to Epic than what we see on the surface. He's a numbers man. A mathematician. Brilliant really. Flighty? No. Quirky and real with a dominant streak? Hell yes.
Meet and greet. A little pretend. Some beautiful surroundings. A self-centered, narcissistic Richy Rich old boyfriend and his creepy fiancee. Over-the-top wedding and an offer that yes, you can indeed, refuse. (Read it to believe it.)
All of the makings of one helluva good love story. I expected no less from ZAM.
Is it perfect? Not even close. Ryan nearly blows it. You know, the whole, 'Oh but what about my job?' Fear of taking a chance.
That old lyric I can see clearly now the rain is gone, gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day. More than good enough for this hardworking woman, and ultimately, for Ryan. Epically wonderful :)
Another delicious addition to the St. Nacho's world. Oh, and lest I forget. Dominance, edging, plugs and feathers. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Makes for some very erotic and hot love making. Not porn, not even close. Even if its not your trigger, it still goes off with a bang.
💜🦋
February 17, 2021
DNF at 48%
I find plot lines where the only thing keeping a couple apart is a belief that relationships aren't for one person to be ridiculous and tedious. The characters seem nice enough but when I realized I was only at the halfway point and was already tired of Ryan's internal monologue I decided to bail.
I find plot lines where the only thing keeping a couple apart is a belief that relationships aren't for one person to be ridiculous and tedious. The characters seem nice enough but when I realized I was only at the halfway point and was already tired of Ryan's internal monologue I decided to bail.
October 21, 2020
These men were a total surprise for me, a fantastic one, in fact. I went into this thinking it would be pleasant, one of my favorite tropes, with a side of well-written cliched scenario that works out in the end with feels and a touch of humor. I was both right and so very, very wrong. This was most of that and yet so much more.
Ryan was ultimately an emotional wreck with a defeated heart and unhealthy habits that could only lead to destruction, well, maybe just an insane ulcer with a side of cancer. There was an incredibly sadness inside him that he hadn't processed until Epic. The beautifully deceptive Epic. Under his insightful tenderness and incredible passion he unlocked the grief Ryan had been burying. With that freedom came fear.
Epic was way more than merely a waiter. He was vivacious and bubbly and had a zest for life, for experience. He came across as perceptive and also very young and flighty. But quite quickly his youthful silliness was shattered as we learned just how much depth there was to this young man. Being so much more than initially perceived lent a distinct weight to his observations and his care of Ryan. And his rescue of Ryan not only at the end, but during one particularly messed up scene in the garden at the resort...such a strength and determination in someone still in his early 20's. He's still young though, so his reactions to Ryan's fear were predictably immature.
The emails. Damn. The emails began with hardness, vulnerability, sarcasm, and regret, but bloomed with so much honesty and heartfelt pleas that it was heartbreaking and also the perfect place from which to grow. Their reconciliation was earned though it was also kept brief. And then the epilogue sealed their happiness in a way that was so solid and sweet. It could have packed more of a punch, but it was subtle and not altogether unpleasant.
I was surprised by the story, by the men, and truly enjoyed reading this story. Epic and Ryan work so well together and their interactions were quietly funny and also very illuminating into who they were individually. The work Ryan did and the level of intelligence from both men added something extra to this story that made them a little extra special.
Ryan was ultimately an emotional wreck with a defeated heart and unhealthy habits that could only lead to destruction, well, maybe just an insane ulcer with a side of cancer. There was an incredibly sadness inside him that he hadn't processed until Epic. The beautifully deceptive Epic. Under his insightful tenderness and incredible passion he unlocked the grief Ryan had been burying. With that freedom came fear.
Epic was way more than merely a waiter. He was vivacious and bubbly and had a zest for life, for experience. He came across as perceptive and also very young and flighty. But quite quickly his youthful silliness was shattered as we learned just how much depth there was to this young man. Being so much more than initially perceived lent a distinct weight to his observations and his care of Ryan. And his rescue of Ryan not only at the end, but during one particularly messed up scene in the garden at the resort...such a strength and determination in someone still in his early 20's. He's still young though, so his reactions to Ryan's fear were predictably immature.
The emails. Damn. The emails began with hardness, vulnerability, sarcasm, and regret, but bloomed with so much honesty and heartfelt pleas that it was heartbreaking and also the perfect place from which to grow. Their reconciliation was earned though it was also kept brief. And then the epilogue sealed their happiness in a way that was so solid and sweet. It could have packed more of a punch, but it was subtle and not altogether unpleasant.
I was surprised by the story, by the men, and truly enjoyed reading this story. Epic and Ryan work so well together and their interactions were quietly funny and also very illuminating into who they were individually. The work Ryan did and the level of intelligence from both men added something extra to this story that made them a little extra special.
October 12, 2020
I am a fan of fake boyfriend stories, I always enjoy those moments before the couple realise they are madly in love with each other... and the author gives that and so much more in this story. What I really enjoyed, most of all, is that the relationship between Epic and Ryan is everything but normal: from their very first conversation we can see that appearances can be deceiving and that nothing is what it seems... Epic will prove that being labeled as a "nobody" is aa freedomly as one can dream of. It was a nice surprise to see their dynamics, not fitting on a pre-made model and with a good twist and turns.. Epic knows what he wants and it's not afraid to show it!
This book has a good story, some really great dialogues and a HEA that fits them just right. I believe some characters who are part of this book have their own story from previous released books; I will definitely check them in the near future.
What a pleasant surprise! This is a new to me author, and based on this book, I'll definitely read their backlist!
This book has a good story, some really great dialogues and a HEA that fits them just right. I believe some characters who are part of this book have their own story from previous released books; I will definitely check them in the near future.
What a pleasant surprise! This is a new to me author, and based on this book, I'll definitely read their backlist!
October 19, 2020
3.5 Stars
Oh how I loved Epic, but for a large part of the book I wasn't a fan of Ryan, he took some getting used to. I ended up loving their story and them but I wish I'd been able to connect sooner. There are definitely some really sweet moments and it did make me tear up but I was hoping for more. I can't wait for the Christmas story Winter Solstice in St. Nacho's: A small town, second chance gay romance. I'm not ready to leave this town and it's characters yet.
TAGS
-- fake boyfriend turns to more -- age difference -- sweet moments -- made me tear-up -- a stupid ex -- a sexy weekend -- some angst -- the MCs... LOVED Epic/disliked Ryan at first -- stiff parents -- wonderful grandmother -- love this town -- can't wait for more
January 7, 2022
Funny and heartwarming
I thought this was going to be one of those typical fake boyfriend books, but I was wrong.
This was a funny get to know you story. Even though there was an age difference it did not show. Epic even though younger seemed to have the upper hand in the relationship/friendship.
It was refreshing they did not rush to bed but built a connection.
Loved how they fought for the relationship, even though Ryan was a chicken.
Enjoyable
I thought this was going to be one of those typical fake boyfriend books, but I was wrong.
This was a funny get to know you story. Even though there was an age difference it did not show. Epic even though younger seemed to have the upper hand in the relationship/friendship.
It was refreshing they did not rush to bed but built a connection.
Loved how they fought for the relationship, even though Ryan was a chicken.
Enjoyable
Read
August 24, 2021总觉得人物对话读起来有点奇奇怪怪的
October 13, 2020
When Z.A. Maxfield announced the next installment of her Men of St. Nacho’s series would be A Flighty Fake Boyfriend, I groaned, thinking she was a bit cheeky. This year, a certain famous British author wrote a much acclaimed, financially successful, “fake boyfriend” novel. And in the interest of full disclosure, I gave the other book 5+ hearts. Ms. Maxfield is the author who hooked me on LGBTQ romances and remains one of my favorite romance writers. Oh dear, would this turn out okay for her?
Meet 36-year-old Ryan Winslow, who is consumed by his career as a data analyst for a Vancouver, Canada-based non-profit that helps free people from International traffickers. Overworked Ryan readily admits to himself, “I wasn’t sure I had the skills set to know happiness when I saw it.” Six years earlier, this mindset cost him his relationship to an aristocrat, whose wedding he’s set to attend; his first vacation in years. He’s drained; alcohol and cigarettes no longer relax him. “I’d been barely hanging on for so long that letting go seemed unsurmountable.”
While Ryan is visiting friends on the way to the wedding, his plus-one cancels. In atypical impetuousness, he invites the attractive, bossy St. Nacho’s waiter who has been kind and an easy conversationalist. Suddenly he reevaluates his ridiculous stress load, thinking, “Making the decision to throw my plans to the wind and invite someone entirely by chance broke that log. My life felt ‘in flow’ again.”
Epic is more than a waiter; he’s perceptive and has a Master’s in finance. The son of controlling conservative economics professors who were once free spirits, Epic is determined to live more fully than they. As he waits to decide his true career calling, he would rather be underestimated than pressured to live up to others’ expectations. Why wouldn’t Epic accept an all-expenses paid vacation to a luxurious resort with the anxious silver fox who looks like he could use his help to loosen up. But is he in over his head, or are they both in uncharted territory?
Told from Ryan’s perspective, this May/December romance showcases Z.A. Maxfield’s easy-going genius. Really, what other author would teach the lessons of life through a round of mini-golf? Though Ryan is as serious as a tax bill, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend manages that California beach town vibe. Maybe it’s Epic’s determination to help Ryan unwind, which Ryan appreciates. “The way he used words created comfortable clouds around uncomfortable subjects.” And maybe Ryan allows Epic to take charge because Epic enjoys reading people. “Epic understood when to fill a silence and when to let one linger for a bit…. He had a pose so unexpected that if I’d blinked I’d have missed the transitions.” They’re as smooth together as a surfer cresting his wave.
As they resist and then succumb to their chemistry, the eroticism vibrates (ha, ha), but is just one more example of why Ryan and Epic fit. They are opposite sides of a coin, their needs intertwined in perfect attunement with their unique strengths and flaws.
The opulent wedding is a contrast to their shared values and clarifies that they could move from fake to real. But they each have to tackle a personal reckoning before either is free to consider their joint futures. “As we walked back to the car, I dragged that great big lie behind me like a strip of toilet paper stuck to my shoe.” And the last third of the plot is an unconventional mix as they hit and miss their targets, until I was unsure whether to smile or cry. It’s rare to find ambivalence so well portrayed. To top it off, the ending surprise is the cherry on this hot fudge sundae of delights.
So, did Z.A. Maxfield’s contribution measure up to that other superb entry in the “fake boyfriend” genre? Let’s put it this way, if that author’s novel was a Mozart fugue, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend is the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”. It’s a modernization of the classic. This standalone is easy reading, deceptively light, and in the end, a complex, fulfilling piece.
Meet 36-year-old Ryan Winslow, who is consumed by his career as a data analyst for a Vancouver, Canada-based non-profit that helps free people from International traffickers. Overworked Ryan readily admits to himself, “I wasn’t sure I had the skills set to know happiness when I saw it.” Six years earlier, this mindset cost him his relationship to an aristocrat, whose wedding he’s set to attend; his first vacation in years. He’s drained; alcohol and cigarettes no longer relax him. “I’d been barely hanging on for so long that letting go seemed unsurmountable.”
While Ryan is visiting friends on the way to the wedding, his plus-one cancels. In atypical impetuousness, he invites the attractive, bossy St. Nacho’s waiter who has been kind and an easy conversationalist. Suddenly he reevaluates his ridiculous stress load, thinking, “Making the decision to throw my plans to the wind and invite someone entirely by chance broke that log. My life felt ‘in flow’ again.”
Epic is more than a waiter; he’s perceptive and has a Master’s in finance. The son of controlling conservative economics professors who were once free spirits, Epic is determined to live more fully than they. As he waits to decide his true career calling, he would rather be underestimated than pressured to live up to others’ expectations. Why wouldn’t Epic accept an all-expenses paid vacation to a luxurious resort with the anxious silver fox who looks like he could use his help to loosen up. But is he in over his head, or are they both in uncharted territory?
Told from Ryan’s perspective, this May/December romance showcases Z.A. Maxfield’s easy-going genius. Really, what other author would teach the lessons of life through a round of mini-golf? Though Ryan is as serious as a tax bill, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend manages that California beach town vibe. Maybe it’s Epic’s determination to help Ryan unwind, which Ryan appreciates. “The way he used words created comfortable clouds around uncomfortable subjects.” And maybe Ryan allows Epic to take charge because Epic enjoys reading people. “Epic understood when to fill a silence and when to let one linger for a bit…. He had a pose so unexpected that if I’d blinked I’d have missed the transitions.” They’re as smooth together as a surfer cresting his wave.
As they resist and then succumb to their chemistry, the eroticism vibrates (ha, ha), but is just one more example of why Ryan and Epic fit. They are opposite sides of a coin, their needs intertwined in perfect attunement with their unique strengths and flaws.
The opulent wedding is a contrast to their shared values and clarifies that they could move from fake to real. But they each have to tackle a personal reckoning before either is free to consider their joint futures. “As we walked back to the car, I dragged that great big lie behind me like a strip of toilet paper stuck to my shoe.” And the last third of the plot is an unconventional mix as they hit and miss their targets, until I was unsure whether to smile or cry. It’s rare to find ambivalence so well portrayed. To top it off, the ending surprise is the cherry on this hot fudge sundae of delights.
So, did Z.A. Maxfield’s contribution measure up to that other superb entry in the “fake boyfriend” genre? Let’s put it this way, if that author’s novel was a Mozart fugue, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend is the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”. It’s a modernization of the classic. This standalone is easy reading, deceptively light, and in the end, a complex, fulfilling piece.
November 12, 2020
3.5 stars rounding up - A big improvement on the first book in this series, though there were still a lot of fortuitous coincidences for my liking. Epic is a pretty great character, living up to his nickname. And I didn’t get as exasperated by the internal monologue of this narrator, so there’s that!
October 12, 2020
My heart smiled throughout Epic and Ryan’s story.
I am in love with the town of St. Nacho’s and want to move there. And so far, Epic is hands-down my favorite hero from the series. And Ryan - what a soul that guy has.
In St. Nacho’s stories, people stumble into town and find what they were missing. Yes, they find their soulmate, but that happens because the town allows them to find themselves. You don’t need to read all the St. Nacho’s stories to understand its magic. In fact, this is a perfect one to start with, just sayin’.
Based on the title and blurb, I was prepared for Epic to be a 21st century version of Holly Golightly (who, honestly, I can take or leave), but instead I fell for a self-possessed 23 year-old who, rather than needing to find himself, is simply waiting for his stars to align. Instead, it’s 36 year-old Ryan, with the fulfilling career trying to save the world, who needs someone to take him in hand and show him that having a purpose and having a life are not mutually exclusive. And it is with Ryan that Epic’s stars sort themselves out.
From the very beginning I was swept up into their romance. How could I not be? They fail at riding a tandem bike, for chrissake! (And also at being fake boyfriends, but of course they do.) When they are together, when they are apart - every moment is meaningful for them to reach their HEA.
Pretty much, all the swooniness I needed this week.
Copy received for honest review.
I am in love with the town of St. Nacho’s and want to move there. And so far, Epic is hands-down my favorite hero from the series. And Ryan - what a soul that guy has.
In St. Nacho’s stories, people stumble into town and find what they were missing. Yes, they find their soulmate, but that happens because the town allows them to find themselves. You don’t need to read all the St. Nacho’s stories to understand its magic. In fact, this is a perfect one to start with, just sayin’.
Based on the title and blurb, I was prepared for Epic to be a 21st century version of Holly Golightly (who, honestly, I can take or leave), but instead I fell for a self-possessed 23 year-old who, rather than needing to find himself, is simply waiting for his stars to align. Instead, it’s 36 year-old Ryan, with the fulfilling career trying to save the world, who needs someone to take him in hand and show him that having a purpose and having a life are not mutually exclusive. And it is with Ryan that Epic’s stars sort themselves out.
From the very beginning I was swept up into their romance. How could I not be? They fail at riding a tandem bike, for chrissake! (And also at being fake boyfriends, but of course they do.) When they are together, when they are apart - every moment is meaningful for them to reach their HEA.
Pretty much, all the swooniness I needed this week.
Copy received for honest review.
October 21, 2020
This book took me be surprise, and what a pleasant surprise it was. I shouldn’t have been surprised, because this wasn’t the first book I’ve read by the author, but I just wasn’t expecting Epic anymore than Ryan was.
Epic lives up to his name. There is no forgetting, or overlooking him, and he’s a walking contradiction. I loved him; absolutely loved him. Ryan hit the jackpot. He needed someone like Epic to come into his life when he did. It’ll never be the same, either. What a wedding weekend, indeed. Who saw the garden scene, with the grooms, coming? I sure didn’t, yet, I wasn’t shocked completely. They came off a little sleazy to me.
The writing was top notch, and so was the steam. This book had juuuust enough kink in it to have a little fun, without putting it into a kink trope. The characters were well developed and delightful. I haven’t read the original series, YET, but it’s on my agenda. I have a feeling we’ve met some of these people from the original series. My interest is further piqued, after reading two books in this spin off.
Despite being part of a series, this book could eadily stand-alone without any trouble. It’s good enough that I’d recommend reading it even if you had no desire to read the others. You may find yourself singing a different tune by the end, but that’s okay.
***I voluntarily accepted an advanced readers copy from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
Epic lives up to his name. There is no forgetting, or overlooking him, and he’s a walking contradiction. I loved him; absolutely loved him. Ryan hit the jackpot. He needed someone like Epic to come into his life when he did. It’ll never be the same, either. What a wedding weekend, indeed. Who saw the garden scene, with the grooms, coming? I sure didn’t, yet, I wasn’t shocked completely. They came off a little sleazy to me.
The writing was top notch, and so was the steam. This book had juuuust enough kink in it to have a little fun, without putting it into a kink trope. The characters were well developed and delightful. I haven’t read the original series, YET, but it’s on my agenda. I have a feeling we’ve met some of these people from the original series. My interest is further piqued, after reading two books in this spin off.
Despite being part of a series, this book could eadily stand-alone without any trouble. It’s good enough that I’d recommend reading it even if you had no desire to read the others. You may find yourself singing a different tune by the end, but that’s okay.
***I voluntarily accepted an advanced readers copy from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
December 4, 2020
3.5 stars. Not a terrible book by any means, especially toward the end. But I can't ignore that I was bored by the first third and almost DNF'd it if I hadn't read another person's review which pointed to a heartwarming ending. So I finished it.
I agree that Epic and Ryan came alive in the second half. Epic, a seemingly nerdy waiter who keeps forgetting his name tag and just picks someone else's out each day he goes to work seems very spacy at first but turns out to be a knowing old soul. Ryan runs a NGO which tracks down human traffickers and their victims and works almost 24 hours a day. He has run himself ragged, ruined a marriage and lives for his work. Ryan was a guy hard to like (particularly by this reader).
Ryan is invited to the wedding of his ex-husband and when his initial movie star date has to back out of being his "plus one," Epic steps in and off Ryan and Epic go to beautiful Santa Barbara for a fairytale adventure. But, when Ryan can't admit his feelings, Epic and Ryan part ways.
The best part of the book are a series of emails between Epic and Ryan trying to explain their feelings toward each other. Beautiful, heartfelt writing by the author and really had me pulling for even Ryan by the end.
I agree that Epic and Ryan came alive in the second half. Epic, a seemingly nerdy waiter who keeps forgetting his name tag and just picks someone else's out each day he goes to work seems very spacy at first but turns out to be a knowing old soul. Ryan runs a NGO which tracks down human traffickers and their victims and works almost 24 hours a day. He has run himself ragged, ruined a marriage and lives for his work. Ryan was a guy hard to like (particularly by this reader).
Ryan is invited to the wedding of his ex-husband and when his initial movie star date has to back out of being his "plus one," Epic steps in and off Ryan and Epic go to beautiful Santa Barbara for a fairytale adventure. But, when Ryan can't admit his feelings, Epic and Ryan part ways.
The best part of the book are a series of emails between Epic and Ryan trying to explain their feelings toward each other. Beautiful, heartfelt writing by the author and really had me pulling for even Ryan by the end.
October 12, 2020
This is an amazing addition to the Men of St. Nacho's series and I loved it. A Flighty Fake Boyfriend is beautifully written, sweet, emotional, hilarious, full of hope, I love how complex the characters are and I could not put it down. Ryan is totally immersed in his work and the rest of his life is suffering including his health. He is unable to find a balance between the incredibly important work he does and having time for himself and a relationship. When he asks Epic to be his fake boyfriend for his ex's wedding he has no idea that it will be one of the best decisions he has ever made. Epic is amazing and I love how he cares for and nurtures everyone. He is exactly what Ryan needs and I love how their relationship evolves over the short time they spend together. They are immediately comfortable with each other, have a strong connection and sizzling hot chemistry. Once they return home Ryan needs to figure out what is truly important in his life before it is too late. I love the secondary characters and I can't wait to read the next book in this wonderful series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
October 22, 2020
I am a huge fan of the original St. Nacho's series, and the new Men of St. Nacho's spinoff series is just as great. In this installment, we meet selfless workaholic Ryan, who seems much older than his age of thirty-six, and well educated waiter Epic, who isn't as flighty as he first appears. I love these men!
What starts as new friends heading to the ostentatious wedding of Ryan's ex, soon becomes so much more. There is so much feeling packed into this book, I was either smiling or sniffling often. Ryan was so wounded, he just hurt my heart, but Epic in true hero fashion, helped Ryan to face his demons and begin to hope for better things. It was just beautiful. There were some incredibly sexy scenes to go along with the high emotion, as well as humor to lighten things up. It all added up to a very enjoyable story that I am happy to recommend. I will say it again. I love these men!
What starts as new friends heading to the ostentatious wedding of Ryan's ex, soon becomes so much more. There is so much feeling packed into this book, I was either smiling or sniffling often. Ryan was so wounded, he just hurt my heart, but Epic in true hero fashion, helped Ryan to face his demons and begin to hope for better things. It was just beautiful. There were some incredibly sexy scenes to go along with the high emotion, as well as humor to lighten things up. It all added up to a very enjoyable story that I am happy to recommend. I will say it again. I love these men!
October 14, 2020
Ryan, an analyst with a child abduction organisation, Stolen Lives, is taking a few days off in Saint Nachos on the way to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding. His plus one to the wedding has to pull out at the last moment and he ends up with a waiter from the bistro he was eating at offering to take up the role. Ryan does not know the waiter’s real name as every time he has been to the bistro he has been wearing a different name tag! So starts the whimsical journey to Santa Barbara to the wedding. Oh and the waiter’s name is Epic!
It was a fun ride mostly due to Epic’s quirky spur of the moment behaviour which was what Ryan really needed to relax from the pressures of his job. Fake turns to real and an HEA is delivered!
It was a fun ride mostly due to Epic’s quirky spur of the moment behaviour which was what Ryan really needed to relax from the pressures of his job. Fake turns to real and an HEA is delivered!
November 8, 2020
This story is a bag load of emotion, Ryan has a bit of a roller coaster of feelings when he attends his ex's wedding, the ex he has spent the last six years dealing with the aftermath of their long relationship. He needs support to get through it, he needs a fake boyfriend and, BOY, do I love fake boyfriend stories. My heart went out to Ryan as he had several mini breakdowns, but Epic was there to help him and sooth him through them. This was a wonderful read, the two MC's were amazing and rather deep, something I didn't expect from Epic, he seems so flighty at first, but he is also absolutely hilarious, had me laughing a lot. A wonderfully cute slow burn love story involving an age gap hesitation between two lovely characters, slow burn indeed with some angst but a wonderful story.
October 20, 2020
Absolute Hoot
I'm not a big fan of fake boyfriends but this one grabbed me for a couple of reasons. First, I am a huge St. Nacho's fan, and second that it features Epic, the oddball waiter (on the cover) at the Bistro restaurant who made a brief appearance in the first of the series and simply steals this one without any apologies whatsoever.
This series brings together young openly gay and seemingly carefree guys and men in the 30's. The older man here, Ryan Winslow, leaves a lot off the table in terms of likeability, but is also somewhat impulsive at times--often to his own dissatisfaction, to say nothing of Epic's or ours.
Read the blurb for the basis of their hooking up. But the adventures Epic conjures up for their trip to Santa Barbara and the spectacular wedding setting that allows them to have more than a little fun but also some shocking discoveries, holds you in place so that you keep turning the pages.
This one turns into a steamy, sometimes very heartwarming and heartbreaking, journey which grabs you at every turn and then gives you another turn to navigate. I am ready for the next one.
I'm not a big fan of fake boyfriends but this one grabbed me for a couple of reasons. First, I am a huge St. Nacho's fan, and second that it features Epic, the oddball waiter (on the cover) at the Bistro restaurant who made a brief appearance in the first of the series and simply steals this one without any apologies whatsoever.
This series brings together young openly gay and seemingly carefree guys and men in the 30's. The older man here, Ryan Winslow, leaves a lot off the table in terms of likeability, but is also somewhat impulsive at times--often to his own dissatisfaction, to say nothing of Epic's or ours.
Read the blurb for the basis of their hooking up. But the adventures Epic conjures up for their trip to Santa Barbara and the spectacular wedding setting that allows them to have more than a little fun but also some shocking discoveries, holds you in place so that you keep turning the pages.
This one turns into a steamy, sometimes very heartwarming and heartbreaking, journey which grabs you at every turn and then gives you another turn to navigate. I am ready for the next one.
October 19, 2020
I loved Flight Fake Boyfriend so much. Ryan and Epic are both so individually interesting and them being together was even better. This book is completely told through Ryan’s perspective and I think that really added to Epic’s mystery and intrigue. Ryan had a lot of self esteem issues and unhealthy habits and I enjoyed being able to read about how he felt about all that. With only his perspective we were able to experience his feelings towards Epic without having been swayed by Epic’s thoughts. If you like books featuring cute boys, comfort, and personal growth you’ll love Flight Fake Boyfriend.
I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.
I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.
October 20, 2020
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I love, love this one. Ryan and Epic have such a wonderful story. Ryan needs to slow down and learn to enjoy life and Epic is just the man to teach him how to do that. I fell in love with Epic (what an apt boyfriend name this is!) from the first time I met him and saw how caring he was of those around him. Poor Ryan was so disappointed the famous A-lister couldn't go to the wedding with him but little did he know fate had much better things in store for him in the relationship department. Great characters, more details about St. Nacho's and a lovely plot with just the right amount of heat. Cannot wait for more of these!
October 10, 2020
I loved Flighty Fake Boyfriend, it was epic! I thought Epic and Ryan were such great foils to each other, so different in the most outwardly ways that it was fun to read them together. I love visiting St. Nacho’s and this was a great one. I really liked their story, it was hot, sexy, sweet, adorable with jut the right amount of angst to keep it going. Their dialogue was great and I really loved the maturity of Epic and how willing Ryan was to let go a bit. I definitely recommend this book and any St. Nacho’s story. I look forward to the next one.
October 10, 2020
It was a delight to return to St. Nacho’s. Ryan and Epic have an age difference but that didn’t affect the electricity between the two. In fact, perhaps it added something as they quickly learned that they were amazing tot. This book returned you to a great place with great people but it also added another reason to read this series as these two heroes make you smile and take you on a romantic adventure. The road to their happiness had a few bumps but after a bit it smoothed out and gave a wonderful HEA. A really great read. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book..
October 16, 2020
I think it's great when the characters don't follow so many of the norms we are used to seeing in novels...the older is the leader, the more dominant of the pair, the one willing to take risks, the one who knows what his life will look like years down the road. But in this case we have a younger man who is used to taking charge of his own life...even if it means standing up to his parents. Plus he isn't driven by the need to earn massive amounts of money.
I want to live in St. Nacho...smell the breeze, eat fresh seafood and walk on the beach every day. Let's go!
I want to live in St. Nacho...smell the breeze, eat fresh seafood and walk on the beach every day. Let's go!
October 19, 2020
I loved Epic and Ryan, they just fit! Epic is a waiter. He reminds me of a free spirit, wanting more to life thou. Ryan is a data analyst and a workaholic. When his is visiting friends in St. Nachos, his date bails on him. He invites Epic and gets more than he bargained for. His life feels better. They two have great chemistry. I love how the author creates two flawed men who fit so well together. I am voluntarily leaving a review from an advanced copy that I was gifted. Thank you so much for letting me read your art. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
December 20, 2020
A fabulous, flighty, but definitely not fake book!
I fell in love with this book almost from the first page... it wasn’t what I expected from the “flighty, fake boyfriend” title.
Ryan, who is driving from his home in Canada, stops in St. Nachos to visit friends, and needs a date to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding; Epic (short for Epictetus, of all things) wants to find something meaningful to do with all his education, while he still lives in St. Nachos. The St Nachos magic is as strong as ever.
A lovely book!
I fell in love with this book almost from the first page... it wasn’t what I expected from the “flighty, fake boyfriend” title.
Ryan, who is driving from his home in Canada, stops in St. Nachos to visit friends, and needs a date to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding; Epic (short for Epictetus, of all things) wants to find something meaningful to do with all his education, while he still lives in St. Nachos. The St Nachos magic is as strong as ever.
A lovely book!
October 14, 2020
Magical story! I loved the differences and contrast between the MCs so much! Epic was an amazing personality and I loved him from the previous book! Loved how the relation between the guys developed and how they worked on the connection. And how tender and smart Epic was in all of it!
The location for the first part of the story in the resort was perfectly used to give it almost a dreamy vibe, while still packing an emotional punch.
Overall, WELL DONE!
The location for the first part of the story in the resort was perfectly used to give it almost a dreamy vibe, while still packing an emotional punch.
Overall, WELL DONE!
October 15, 2020
A wonderfully fun book!
I LOVE Epic. He is such a fun character and I'm so happy he got a book. Ryan isn't bad either. There is an age difference and it totally works in this book.
It starts with a fake date to a wedding and becomes so much more. Ryan needs Epic. That's all there is to it.
Favorites from the original St. Nacho's books show up and that is always fun.
This book was... refreshing and just what I needed. ZAM hit a home run with this one.
I LOVE Epic. He is such a fun character and I'm so happy he got a book. Ryan isn't bad either. There is an age difference and it totally works in this book.
It starts with a fake date to a wedding and becomes so much more. Ryan needs Epic. That's all there is to it.
Favorites from the original St. Nacho's books show up and that is always fun.
This book was... refreshing and just what I needed. ZAM hit a home run with this one.
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