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Fake dates only turn into real love in the movies, right?

Owen Flynn never expected to get an invite to his former boy’s wedding, and he sure didn’t have any intention of showing up alone. Enter Keegan Richards.

Keegan had always found Owen attractive, but he had never seriously considered dating a man. But when he overhears Owen saying he needs a date for his ex’s wedding, he thinks that sounds like the perfect opportunity to get to know the handsome older man, and maybe to explore a few of the things he’s been wondering about.

Owen had sworn off men, younger ones especially, but something about Keegan Richards makes him want things he thought he had long put aside. Is Owen right and he missed his one chance at love, or had the right man just not come along…until Keegan?

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2022

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294 people want to read

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Jacki James

61 books641 followers

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5 stars
801 (46%)
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587 (34%)
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291 (16%)
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37 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,682 reviews51 followers
February 25, 2022
Owen is the fourth book in the Blue Colar Daddies by Jacki James. This book is about Keegan and Owen. If you read the previous books you already met them. Owen is friends with the other Daddies in this series and he owns the bar. Keegan is Brennan's best friend. Keegan knows he's bi but never told anyone or did anything with it, but now he has a thing for Owen. When Owen needs someone to attend his ex's wedding with him Keegan volunteers.

I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
Profile Image for Florence ..
925 reviews294 followers
March 6, 2022
3.5 stars

RTC but I picked up this book because I wanted a short and fluffy interlude and a distraction from real life and this book gave me everything I wanted. It was a very good angst-free reading experience and I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review
524 reviews
February 27, 2022
Keegan (25) knows his life is missing something, and feels ready to explore his bisexuality for the first time. Owen (37) is a Daddy not looking for a boy, but can't deny feeling sparks when Keegan's near. As the two likeable men agree to pose as boyfriends for Owen's ex's destination wedding, a real relationship soon develops.

They make a nice couple who are sweet together and have chemistry, and things unfold quickly between them but there's also a patient feel to it overall. They both spend the time checking in on their own feelings, and talk with each other about expectations and rules in their Daddy/boy dynamic, so there's no miscommunication at play here.

The only part that felt a bit rushed was their first time together post-trip. Having just agreed to be boyfriends and in a Daddy/boy dynamic, plus it being Keegan's first time sleeping with a man, the intimacy and non-existent afterglow (the chapter ends abruptly) felt more like a checked off to-do item than a fairly monumental point in their relationship.

This low/no-angst love story and quick read works as a standalone, though it does build upon the Daddies and boys friend groups developed over the series. I received an advance reading e-copy of this book and have left this honest review voluntarily. (Also read in KU.)
Profile Image for Myeshia Cole.
707 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2022
This book was wonderful. I have been waiting for Owen and Keegan since Ryder's book and they did not disappoint. Even thought their romance started out as fake, the feelings were always real. I love how comfortable they were with each other and how open they were once they decided to embark on a relationship. Keegan and Owen complemented each other so well. I loved how steady they were for each other and how they encouraged positive changes in each other's lives. This was a perfect wrap up to this series and I loved it.
Profile Image for SJ.
2,020 reviews32 followers
November 29, 2023
A nice addition to this Daddy/boy series. Owen has been the almost middle aged and single hold out to this blue collar friends group that frequent his bar. Owen is a Daddy, too, who has lost his Boy by his workaholic ways with starting his bar and trying to make it a success. His former boy was not understanding and split. For some inexplicable reason he invites Owen to his upcoming wedding and furthering the inexplicable, Owen reluctantly accepts. Who’s forcing him to go? Do not like this trope nor the mentions of ‘it will give you closure’. Gag! No, it won’t. It will just lead to the opening of a bottle of Jack. 😞 Owen invites handsome Keegan, the straight friend of the gay guy group, as his pretend date. Actually, Keegan volunteers to help Owen out and be a fake date. Owen has feelings of desire for Keegan and thinks this is a terrible idea until the hot kiss at the wedding. This is the only good thing about the fake date trope.
I liked Keegan and I liked Owen, two attractive and well written characters. Is it still called ‘straight to gay’ or ‘gay for you’ with this type MM plotline? I have wondered about that and have been meaning to check it at Goodreads or online. I think these descriptions are now just called ‘bi’? Whatever the descriptor is, it was well written here and I enjoyed it.
658 reviews16 followers
February 22, 2022
Owen by Jacki James is the 4th book in her Blue Collar Daddy Series. It is the story of Owen and Keegan. Owen is a Daddy and has a group of Daddies as friends who meet at his bar once a week. Keegan’s best friend is Brennan who is a Boy to one of the men in that group and he has been asked to join the rest of the Boys for nights out but he doesn’t always feel like he fits in. He works as a buyer for his father’s jewelry store. He knew he would work there from a young age and never thought he would do anything else. Lately, however, he has become dissatisfied with his job and his life and feels he is in a rut. He is also questioning if he’s straight and he’s not a Boy. Owen owns his own bar and has worked hard to turn it into a neighborhood bar that everyone can come to and enjoy. He has been too busy making it successful that he thinks he doesn’t have time for a relationship. He did have a Boy at one time but he left him because he wasn’t getting his needs met. This left Owen feeling guilty that he wasn’t giving enough time to his Boy and that he couldn’t do that for a future Boy. He receives an invitation to his former Boy’s wedding but doesn’t think he should go because it would cause problems if he didn’t take someone with him and he doesn’t know anyone to take. Keegan overhears him and volunteers to go. They have both eyed each other in the past and Keegan has flirted with Owen but nothing came of it because Owen thought he was too old for him and also he didn’t have the time for a Boy. However, this changes as they attend the wedding. They find they truly like each other and enjoy their time together, so much that they have an encounter after Keegan tells him he’s bi. When they get home a few days pass before they see each other and they both want to date and see if they can build a relationship. Things happen along the way such as help from friends, fears of what Keegan’s family will say when they find out he is dating Owen, and Keegan having to make a decision of what he is going to do with his life and if he is going to stay with his job at the jewelry store. And, of course, there is the insecurity of finding out if they truly fit together and can make time for each other as a couple. I really enjoyed this book as I have all the books in this series. The relationship between Owen and Keegan is sweet and hot and they both have great personalities. I also like how the characters from the previous books show up and we can see more of their relationships as well as how they help both Owen and Keegan. There isn’t a lot of angst but just enough to keep you reading to find out what will happen next. Daddy/Boy books are my favorite genre and this one did not disappoint. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,391 reviews24 followers
February 26, 2022
I want to start by saying that Keegan and Owen are both likable, kind, caring protagonists, and it’s easy to want good things for them. Their relationship starts with one of my favorite tropes– a fake dating scenario, and of course quickly progresses into something real. There is precisely zero angst in this book, and while at times I found that charming, at times it felt like a too easy take on things that deserved to be a little messy and complicated– Owen’s feelings about the failed relationship that prompted him to give up on hoping for another Daddy/boy relationship, for example, especially since he ends up going to that ex’s wedding with Keegan, are mentioned but never really dealt with. Keegan, also, has apparently zero issues with adapting to a lifestyle he’s never experienced before (which is good, don’t get me wrong, but also, implausible, and something of a missed opportunity for their relationship to actually be based on adapting to each other, rather than just magically fitting together). Taken for what it is, however– a lighthearted, an effortlessly built romance between two people who end up being exactly right for each other (their main obstacle as a couple is, and I kid you not, scheduling conflicts) then this is an enjoyable read, and if the blurb appeals, I’d say give it a try.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
393 reviews3 followers
February 25, 2022
Keegan is a straight man who finds himself attracted to men. He flirts but has never acted on it before. He's friends with Boy Brennan and his friends who all have Daddies. He's invited to Boy's Night Out at Big O's and immediately agrees for a chance to see Daddy Owen again. He has a bit of a crush on Owen. The Daddies are also meeting on this same night. Owen is the only single Daddy as he lost his boy some time ago. Owen's ex has invited him to his wedding. He's undecided as he doesn't want to attend alone. Keegan overhears the discussion and volunteers to go as his boy. All of Owen's friends know just what kind of Daddy he is so Keegan will have to act accordingly. Keegan has been around Brennan and his Daddy to have a pretty good ides of how to act. He longed to be treated the way Brennan was treated. So their off to the wedding. A wedding that will change both of their lives. Steamy and entertaining. A sweet love story. I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,243 reviews268 followers
October 8, 2022
A fake boyfriend for the wedding, but so much more.... (age-gap, Daddy/boy)
Owen has great friends, a successful bar and he's let go of having a personal life, to get his business started. Now, he's been invited to his ex's wedding, and his buddies think it would give him closure, but he doesn't want to go alone. Keegan, new to his MM feelings for Owen, steps up and says..."I'll go!"

Keegan, tall, very dark brown hair, hazel eyes, is a Jewelry broker/buyer for his family company, he's smart, funny and flirty.
Owen, cover, a runner's body, is a lonely bar owner, and needs a new boy to care for, after his bad ex hurt him.

So, Keegan and Owen talk, drive to the wedding, talk more, and have a terrific time at the Vineyard. Keegan is learning about the Daddy/boy relationships he sees, and how different each one can be.

He's all-in on the skin to skin action with Owen, and it's all MM firsts for him. Owen moves slowly to make sure Keegan knows what he wants.

After their weekend, both men want more and begin to hang out together. The romance blooms, and both guys will get their needs met.

Keegan is having issues at work, and they also must make decisions about living arrangements.

Once again we get wonderful characters, great anticipation, hot sexy times, and a beautiful HFN.

It's a lovely series, Blue Collar Daddies!
ENJOY !

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Profile Image for els✨.
1,068 reviews46 followers
January 27, 2025
- a MM romance! age gap, daddy k!nk, fake dating, one bed trope, found family, forced proximity!
- this is the one i’ve been most excited for i won’t lie
- oh Keegan my poor confused baby bi
- i didn’t think the wedding would happen so soon into the story
- but they were super together through the whole weekend!
- did NOT like Micah tho
- i looooove the nickname sweetness it’s very cute
- their first sex scene was perfectttttt
- thank god for Brennan whipping Keegan’s butt into gear because they were both pining HARD
- i also love how Owen gave up any pretence of not wanting Owen as soon as he stepped into his bar lol
- fully couldn’t stop laughing when he told his parents hahaha, i love when it’s such a positive reaction!!
- honestly Owen was so worried about making their schedules work and it was so easy 😂
- all of the domestic stuff they do together is perfect
- i was super proud of Keegan for standing up to his fam in the end, it must of been so difficult
- and I wasn’t too happy with his dad but whatever
- well i did expect the puppy, i did not expect the engagement lol
- i kinda felt like this one wasn’t wrapped up as well as the other three, like it needed a lil bit more? and also think it would of been fun for the wedding people to come back and be part of the third act conflict
- i did really love this one tho!! they were so so cute
Profile Image for Mandy.
4,898 reviews46 followers
April 8, 2023
Bar owner Owen Flynn received an invite to his former boy's wedding and had no intention of attending it alone. Jewellery buyer Keegan Richards had always found Owen attractive even though he had never seriously considered dating a man and so he proposes an arrangement when he is Owen's fake boy for the weekend. Owen was sworn off younger men but something about Keegan makes him want to know him more. Fake dates only turn into real love in the movies, right?

I mostly loved this story of the attraction between the two men, the way they had a chance to get to know each other better and that they found that they actually were right together. It was easy to read, feel and understand. I did have a problem with one area - Keegan had never slept with a man and therefore was a virgin in that area. I thought it was wrong to miss that in the story and for him to explain it to Owen as I'm sure he would have taken much more care of him on their first time together. Includes an MM relationship containing mature content and a BSDM-like DDLB dynamic.
Profile Image for Anabela.M..
959 reviews15 followers
February 26, 2022
Fake boyfriends, age gap, first time with a man, Daddy/boy dynamic - quite so much packed into this story. Owen and Keegan have been kind of sending signal of attraction to each other for months, neither intending to actually make the first move. And then Keegan offered to accompany Owen to his ex's wedding and they had a taste of what they could have together.

I really enjoyed this story, mainly because the author didn't overly-play Owen and Keegan's doubts about having a relationship. Instead, their romance was sweet, light and touching. Just two men who took a bit to see that they belonged together and, once they did, tried everything in their power to make things work between them.

It was also nice to see that the characters from the previous books in the series played an important role in supporting Owen and Keegan. Can't get enough of these guys and I hope to see more of them in the future.
Profile Image for RedsBookReads.
475 reviews20 followers
February 23, 2022
4.5*

This is the fourth book in the Blue Collar Daddies series and while you could arguably read this as a standalone, it does help if you have read the previous books as you get a better understanding of the characters that way. Owen is the owner of Big O's the local pub where everyone gathers on a Thursday evening. Keegan is unhappy with his life and his job and makes a spur of the moment decision to help Owen out which may change his life.

I enjoyed this book and it was great to see Owen finally get his happy ending and to find himself a boy to love. Keegan was really sweet and I liked how he started to stand up for himself more as the story progressed and he was able to make the changes he needed. The two of them were really sweet together and I found myself getting really engrossed in the story and invested in their HEA.
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,826 reviews
February 25, 2022
Time for Daddy Big O' to get his perfect boy! Owen is still very insecure about his Daddy status after his last boy left him. What better way to overcome this then to attend said ex's wedding with a fake boy? As with every book in this series we are drawn into this group of daddies and their new boys! The dynamic is so light, sarcastic and fun! Keegan is friends with one of the other boys. Keegan knows about the scene but has never considered himself a boy. BUT Keegan wants Owen and even if he does not understand who he really is yet, he is a flirty tease with Owen! Both of these guys are insecure in their own ways, and they bring out the steamy fun best in each other! I received an ARC, and you should start with book one and read through to this story to see how Owen and Keegan get their happy ending!
Profile Image for Devoted❤️Reader.
1,615 reviews31 followers
February 22, 2022
Sweetness

I’m all ears for this book, and Owen and Keegan had me swooning; from the flirting and their fake-but-who-are-they-kidding relationship to the seamless, but oh so steamy, way they fit. “Our gazes met, and for the first time, I didn’t see playfulness in them. I saw heat. My first thought was that this boy had no idea what he was asking for, but I would sure love to teach him.” I fell in love with these two so easily and they may just be my new favs. I really liked Owen’s approach to being a Daddy and loved how he didn’t just see Keegan but encouraged him to simply be. The consideration and care these two showed one another was my favorite part and they made my heart melt again and again. They’re such a joy to read, you’ll smile from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Sarita Chapdelaine.
1,251 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2022
Owen is a super sweet, fun and entertaining addition to the Blue Collar Daddies series and I really enjoyed it. Owen and Keegan are my favorite couple so far and I love how their relationship develops. They are exactly what the other wants and needs but it takes them both a little while to figure it out. Keegan is an absolute sweetheart and Owen is just as amazing and they have a great connection as well as hot chemistry. They have a few issues to deal with but I love that there is very little angst in this story. The secondary characters are wonderful, the ending is perfect and I can't wait to read the next book in this lovely series.

I received a copy of this book from Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for FHR.
1,077 reviews13 followers
February 25, 2022
A much anticipated story in this series and Owens story did not disappoint.
The last single Daddy amongst his friends, Owen laments his status when his ex boy sends him, his wedding invite.
Keegan has been harbouring a secret crush on Owen and seizes the opportunity to explore a side of him he has kept hidden.
A wedding invitation becomes the catalyst of their journey to discovery of how perfectly suited they are for each other as they overcome their insecurities and fake slowly turns into love.

This was a sweet read, with great character growth and some passionate scenes. I loved seeing the past characters in this story as well. Definitely a recommended read.
3,010 reviews46 followers
February 26, 2022
Owen by Jacki James is the 4th book in her Blue Collar Daddy Series.
This book is about Keegan and Owen.
When Keegan overhears that Owen needs a date for his ex's wedding he immediately volunteers. He has been attracted and drawn to Owen for some time but Owen has always brushed him off. Keegan has always known he is Bi but has never acted on it. He wants to explore his feelings for Owen.
The chemistry between these two is off the charts hot!
I loved watching them really get to know who the other was. And once they really saw each other it was impossible not to fall for each other.
These two are so sweet together and I loved seeing them get their well deserved HEA.
Profile Image for Jeanette Waters.
2,005 reviews5 followers
March 6, 2022
All of the previous Blue Collar Daddies books have been enjoyable and quick reads and the newest, Owen, is not exception. The books all show different aspects to the daddy/boy bond; as James is fond of writing "no two daddy/boy relationships are the same".
Keegan is Bi, but has never been with a man. Owen was badly burned in his last relationship and thinks he shouldn't be a daddy. Which is rather familiar ground for this trope, but rather than being stale, James puts enough flair into the story to feel fresh.
Ryder may be my favorite daddy, but Owen gives him a definite run for his money. Can't wait for Gunnar's book.
Profile Image for PaintingFiction.
27 reviews
August 12, 2024
I've been so excited for this pairing since the first time Keegan mentioned how hot Owen was in the first book. I mean straight boy checking out hot bartender sign me up, I love seeing a flip on the old cliche of the chronicly single gay guy who always falls for a straight guy. I didnt expect for this too be a fake boyfriend trope (because once I'm into a series theres just no way I'm reading a blurb) but it is one of my guilty pleasures so i deffinitly wasn't mad. Over all this was a super sweet alternative lifestyle romance Daddy Owen is super supportive and just the golden rule of what a good partner is and Keegan is so new to the whole scean it's a quick read and I would totally come back to it again.
Profile Image for Any Length.
2,174 reviews7 followers
October 29, 2024
What was a promising concept turned out very badly developed and badly executed. There was no visible sign of a Daddy/boy relationship other than occasionally the word "Daddy" was tossed into a somewhat supportive relationship between two guys. The bedroom scenes left much to be desired for. They were very unimaginative, over in what felt like a couple of paragraphs, appeared like they were describing the mechanical part of the act in the least possible words, and were lack luster. There was no heat to be felt between the characters, no electricity, no chemistry. What a waste of time that was. Very disappointed.
Profile Image for Julie.
1,141 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2022
What started of as a fake boyfriend turns into so much more. I was looking forward to reading Owen’s story after seeing all of his friends find their boys in previous books. Keegan was a surprise but ended up being just what Owen needed in a boy. I think they worked well together, I enjoyed the chemistry between them and that Owen was just enough of a daddy to give Keegan the confidence and guidance he needed. As always great to see characters from previous books. I received an arc for an honest review.
Profile Image for Laura.
14 reviews
February 26, 2022
This is a sweet, low angst story about Keegan and Owen. What starts as a fake relationship for Owen's ex's wedding very quickly become something real as Keegan fully embraces not only being a boy but also being with a man. Owen is a big softy who needs someone to show him that just because his last relationship didn't work out, that doesn't mean he shouldn't try again.
For me, it was a little bit too low angst and everything just seemed to all work out a little bit too quickly and easily.
However, if you want a sweet, fairly steamy daddy/boy book this is definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for Becky A.
2,012 reviews
February 27, 2022
"Owen" received TWO AND A HALF stars.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

1,112 reviews
February 27, 2022
Enjoyable

I enjoyed Owen and Keegan’s story. It’s sweet, low angst, and a good addition to the Blue Collar Daddies series. There are several tropes at play in this book including bi-awakening, Daddy/boy (although a lighter take than most books), age-gap, and fake boyfriend.

One of my favorite things about the series is that each boy is different as is each of the Daddies. I like that Keegan is able to take care of himself and doesn’t need a Daddy per se; however, letting Owen provide structure allows him to let go of the reins for a bit and take a breath.
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