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Hate to Love You #2
Heartsmashed
He hired a fake boyfriend for the weekend.
The man who showed up wasn’t the escort.
Sawyer Montgomery spends his nights broadcasting heartbreak on his prime-time radio show—spinning sad songs, giving terrible love advice, and pretending he’s totally over the ex who shattered his heart.
(Spoiler: he’s not.)
But when he needs a fake boyfriend to survive a weeklong family celebration with that very ex, hiring an escort seems like the perfect solution.
Simple. Efficient. No emotions required.
The only problem?
The man he mistakes for the escort… isn’t one.
Beckett Calder walks into the hotel lounge expecting to meet his blind date. Instead, he finds Sawyer—a romantic disaster who clearly thinks Beckett is the escort he hired.
Beckett should correct the misunderstanding.
He should walk away.
(Spoiler: he doesn’t.)
Because there’s something about Sawyer—maybe it’s the sarcasm, the bruised heart, or the way he looks like he could really use someone on his side—that makes Beckett say yes.
Now he’s pretending to be Sawyer’s devoted boyfriend.
For an entire week.
Which would be manageable…if the chemistry between them didn’t feel so dangerously real.
Because the longer they pretend, the harder it becomes to remember it’s all an act.
And when the week ends, Beckett might be the one mistake Sawyer never wants to stop making.
The man who showed up wasn’t the escort.
Sawyer Montgomery spends his nights broadcasting heartbreak on his prime-time radio show—spinning sad songs, giving terrible love advice, and pretending he’s totally over the ex who shattered his heart.
(Spoiler: he’s not.)
But when he needs a fake boyfriend to survive a weeklong family celebration with that very ex, hiring an escort seems like the perfect solution.
Simple. Efficient. No emotions required.
The only problem?
The man he mistakes for the escort… isn’t one.
Beckett Calder walks into the hotel lounge expecting to meet his blind date. Instead, he finds Sawyer—a romantic disaster who clearly thinks Beckett is the escort he hired.
Beckett should correct the misunderstanding.
He should walk away.
(Spoiler: he doesn’t.)
Because there’s something about Sawyer—maybe it’s the sarcasm, the bruised heart, or the way he looks like he could really use someone on his side—that makes Beckett say yes.
Now he’s pretending to be Sawyer’s devoted boyfriend.
For an entire week.
Which would be manageable…if the chemistry between them didn’t feel so dangerously real.
Because the longer they pretend, the harder it becomes to remember it’s all an act.
And when the week ends, Beckett might be the one mistake Sawyer never wants to stop making.
Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
Brooke Blaine
70 books2,525 followersBrooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts).
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
July 1, 2026
“You weren’t the guy I hired, but”—he looked up at me almost shyly—“turns out you were exactly who I needed.”
Sawyer hires a man who he thinks is an escort to accompany him to a wedding, but ends up finding the love of his life instead. Misunderstandings ensue throughout.
it didn’t feel fake. It felt easy. Too easy. Too right.
This book probably- okay definitely- deserves 4 stars but I can't bring myself to do that when the entire premise has so many plot holes. The whole thing hinges on a misunderstanding, which irked me the entire time. Why on earth would a professional escort set up a meeting with a client and then get distracted and chat up some random dude instead? And decide to never follow up? The escort knew what Sawyer looked like, so at the very least he should've clocked him when he walked into the lounge. With that said, and my dislike of misunderstanding-based books aside, this was a very fun read. Sawyer and Beckett were relationship goals, and Sawyer's family was delightful.The banter and chemistry 😮💨😍. And who doesn't love a douchy ex named Peter? Excellent choice of name there, Brooke! The best moment though? When Sawyer's brother gave Beckett a nickname. That's when you know you're in!
I held on to him, my lifeline. The one good decision I’d made in far too long.
May 29, 2026
4.5
I had SO much fun reading this!
Sawyer is an absolute disaster but hilarious with it, and Beckett is kinda unhinged but in the best way and they were just so good together.
The whole fake boyfriend plot was really funny and done in a way I haven't seen before, so that was really refreshing and entertaining. The drama and emotions were so good too and I loved how the relationship between these two progressed.
Sawyer's family were chaos but so enjoyable to read, and I can't wait to get a story for Rome!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
I had SO much fun reading this!
Sawyer is an absolute disaster but hilarious with it, and Beckett is kinda unhinged but in the best way and they were just so good together.
The whole fake boyfriend plot was really funny and done in a way I haven't seen before, so that was really refreshing and entertaining. The drama and emotions were so good too and I loved how the relationship between these two progressed.
Sawyer's family were chaos but so enjoyable to read, and I can't wait to get a story for Rome!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
June 23, 2026
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
When I finished Heartsmashed, I thought of a chicken burger. Wait, just hear me out. Be it from McDonald's, KFC, Hardee's, Burger King, or Salt 'n Pepper, a chicken burger is pretty much essentially a patty placed between two buns. So what sets them apart? It's the extra fillings. The way it's cooked and put together that nicely brings the flavors together.
So when I say this felt like a chicken burger without any real significant flavor to it, I'm not saying that it was necessarily bad. It was just a very basic read. A nothing burger. One that incited no extra gumption of emotion or care from me in any regard to characters that are already done and forgotten. Barely stirred my doki doki-ness. 🥺
“... it didn’t feel fake.
It felt easy.
Too easy. Too right.”
It's not to say that Beckett and Sawyer weren't good together. It's that they were too good together. Beckett was so perfect - all confident and attractive and intimidating - his only flaw being that he wasn't the escort Sawyer was supposed to meet and hire as his temporary fake boyfriend for the week. 😕
It was all so very soft and warm - so cozy and comforting - that even when the eventual and most certain third-act breakup occurred, it was resolved without too much fanfare or angst. 😮💨 For it was a very straightforward misunderstanding that was easily assuaged because, even under false pretenses, the way they felt for each other had been true. 💞
“You weren’t the guy I hired, but”—he looked up at me almost shyly —“turns out you were exactly who I needed.”
Sawyer's ex was so caricatural-rage-inducing that I didn't even bother; Beckett didn't grow in character or personality beyond his business card; the Montgomery siblings shared some heartwarming moments that have me still looking forward to Rome's romance, so maybe not all was for naught. 🤷🏻♀️ Heck, I'd even be interested to know if there is a story behind the actual escort-hire with the blue tie. 🤔
And as a romantic, I am happy that Sawyer did have his views on love finally changed upon finding the one. He and Beckett shared some adorkable banter, sweet and fruity sizzles... and that hot tub kiss steamed up the pages. 🫠🪭 But I just needed a little punch - more oomph - to this familiar trope that would have smashed its way into my heart.
“But I guessed that was why they called it falling in love. You had to fall… and hope the person you chose was there to catch you.”
When I finished Heartsmashed, I thought of a chicken burger. Wait, just hear me out. Be it from McDonald's, KFC, Hardee's, Burger King, or Salt 'n Pepper, a chicken burger is pretty much essentially a patty placed between two buns. So what sets them apart? It's the extra fillings. The way it's cooked and put together that nicely brings the flavors together.
So when I say this felt like a chicken burger without any real significant flavor to it, I'm not saying that it was necessarily bad. It was just a very basic read. A nothing burger. One that incited no extra gumption of emotion or care from me in any regard to characters that are already done and forgotten. Barely stirred my doki doki-ness. 🥺
“... it didn’t feel fake.
It felt easy.
Too easy. Too right.”
It's not to say that Beckett and Sawyer weren't good together. It's that they were too good together. Beckett was so perfect - all confident and attractive and intimidating - his only flaw being that he wasn't the escort Sawyer was supposed to meet and hire as his temporary fake boyfriend for the week. 😕
It was all so very soft and warm - so cozy and comforting - that even when the eventual and most certain third-act breakup occurred, it was resolved without too much fanfare or angst. 😮💨 For it was a very straightforward misunderstanding that was easily assuaged because, even under false pretenses, the way they felt for each other had been true. 💞
“You weren’t the guy I hired, but”—he looked up at me almost shyly —“turns out you were exactly who I needed.”
Sawyer's ex was so caricatural-rage-inducing that I didn't even bother; Beckett didn't grow in character or personality beyond his business card; the Montgomery siblings shared some heartwarming moments that have me still looking forward to Rome's romance, so maybe not all was for naught. 🤷🏻♀️ Heck, I'd even be interested to know if there is a story behind the actual escort-hire with the blue tie. 🤔
And as a romantic, I am happy that Sawyer did have his views on love finally changed upon finding the one. He and Beckett shared some adorkable banter, sweet and fruity sizzles... and that hot tub kiss steamed up the pages. 🫠🪭 But I just needed a little punch - more oomph - to this familiar trope that would have smashed its way into my heart.
May 31, 2026
Sometimes you pick up a book and it's just absolutely everything you were hoping to read and it hits the spot perfectly.
So it was with Heartsmashed. I adored everything about this story, from the meet/cute under unusual circumstances, to the characters who inhabited the world, to the way in which Beckett was there for Sawyer in every way that counted.
I also loved the tension that was ever-present from knowing that Beckett hadn't been entirely truthful with Sawyer from the start, something that was going to have to be addressed at some point.
Seeing Hudson and Drew from Bedhead was also an added bonus, as is Sawyer's younger brother Rome, who's story I cannot wait to read!
The slowburn and UST adds to the enjoyment because the attraction is there from the start and you know it's only going to be so long before they can't help but act on it.
Having a forced proximity/only one bed scenario just adds another layer of deliciousness and the humour throughout is en pointe, just bringing more fun to what's a relatively light angsty story in the first place.
It seemed only two minutes since I'd picked it up before I was finish it with a big smile on my face because everything flowed beautifully and I was so into the plot, I didn't want to put the book down.
Brooke's great at this sort of romcom narrative and it was a definitely feed good read.
#ARC kindly received from the author via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review
So it was with Heartsmashed. I adored everything about this story, from the meet/cute under unusual circumstances, to the characters who inhabited the world, to the way in which Beckett was there for Sawyer in every way that counted.
I also loved the tension that was ever-present from knowing that Beckett hadn't been entirely truthful with Sawyer from the start, something that was going to have to be addressed at some point.
Seeing Hudson and Drew from Bedhead was also an added bonus, as is Sawyer's younger brother Rome, who's story I cannot wait to read!
The slowburn and UST adds to the enjoyment because the attraction is there from the start and you know it's only going to be so long before they can't help but act on it.
Having a forced proximity/only one bed scenario just adds another layer of deliciousness and the humour throughout is en pointe, just bringing more fun to what's a relatively light angsty story in the first place.
It seemed only two minutes since I'd picked it up before I was finish it with a big smile on my face because everything flowed beautifully and I was so into the plot, I didn't want to put the book down.
Brooke's great at this sort of romcom narrative and it was a definitely feed good read.
#ARC kindly received from the author via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review
June 7, 2026
This book is a seriously sweet and hilarious read 🥰
Honestly, I was smiling for the majority of it, Sawyer is such an adorably hot mess 🤭
While Beckett remained a solid wall of comfort ❤️🩹
You really can’t go wrong with Brooke, it reads so easily and it was actually an interesting take on a fake dating trope!
I loved the family, I loved character growth and how Sawyer stood up for himself, I reeeeeally loved the communication and how the issues were handled 💗
“You weren’t the guy I hired, but” —
he looked up at me almost shyly—
“turns out you were exactly who I needed.”
I am very thankful for this ARC, I had a great time ☺️
Honestly, I was smiling for the majority of it, Sawyer is such an adorably hot mess 🤭
While Beckett remained a solid wall of comfort ❤️🩹
You really can’t go wrong with Brooke, it reads so easily and it was actually an interesting take on a fake dating trope!
I loved the family, I loved character growth and how Sawyer stood up for himself, I reeeeeally loved the communication and how the issues were handled 💗
“You weren’t the guy I hired, but” —
he looked up at me almost shyly—
“turns out you were exactly who I needed.”
I am very thankful for this ARC, I had a great time ☺️
June 18, 2026
Oh I loved this!! Honestly could not fault anything within it.
The premise?? Sign me up omg. I mean hello, Sawyer walks into a hotel lounge thinking he’s meeting with the escort he hired online (a very discreet service with no names, images, identifying information), only knowing the guy will be wearing a blue tie. Who else happens to be wearing a blue tie that night? Beckett. NOT an escort, but immediately endeared to Sawyer and wanting to help him, so he pretends to be the escort Sawyer hired and accompany him on a week-long family trip to the Catskills where his ex will also be in attendance.
This is a plot I never knew I needed. SO MUCH YES.
The premise?? Sign me up omg. I mean hello, Sawyer walks into a hotel lounge thinking he’s meeting with the escort he hired online (a very discreet service with no names, images, identifying information), only knowing the guy will be wearing a blue tie. Who else happens to be wearing a blue tie that night? Beckett. NOT an escort, but immediately endeared to Sawyer and wanting to help him, so he pretends to be the escort Sawyer hired and accompany him on a week-long family trip to the Catskills where his ex will also be in attendance.
This is a plot I never knew I needed. SO MUCH YES.
June 12, 2026
“Sometimes,” I added, “the thing that feels like the ending is really just the part where the story finally stops being about the person who left and starts being about who you get to become without them. And if you’re really lucky, maybe someone shows up, someone who sees the mess and stays anyway.”
Heartsmashed is book 2 in Brooke Blaine's Hate To Love You series of linked standalones, following the life and loves of the Montgomery brothers. This is Sawyer and Beckett's story.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance
❣️Fake dating
❣️Mistaken identity
❣️Opposites attract
❣️Forced proximity
❣️Only one bed
❣️Found family
❣️All the steam
❣️HEA
A very cute and enjoyable palate cleanser of a read!
4 stars ⭐
Heartsmashed is book 2 in Brooke Blaine's Hate To Love You series of linked standalones, following the life and loves of the Montgomery brothers. This is Sawyer and Beckett's story.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance
❣️Fake dating
❣️Mistaken identity
❣️Opposites attract
❣️Forced proximity
❣️Only one bed
❣️Found family
❣️All the steam
❣️HEA
A very cute and enjoyable palate cleanser of a read!
4 stars ⭐
June 2, 2026
Heartsmashed
Hate to love you book 2
Brooke Blaine
Sawyer & Beckett
Fake Boyfriend
Fake Dating
Mistaken Identity
Jealous ex
Heartbroken radio host
Emotional healing
This is a super low angst sweet read
I enjoyed these two alot
Oh sweet, sweet Sawyer. He was so disheveled lol but so sweet. He truly just wanted to be loved and seen and accepted for who he was.
Beckett was perfect. He just went with it all lol. He is a great guy.
I loved these two.
It was sweet getting to watch them slowly fall for each other while also seeing Sawyer find his backbone and heal.
Seeing his ex realize what he lost n Sawyer was greta too
Sweet fun read
So thankful for this arc
Hate to love you book 2
Brooke Blaine
Sawyer & Beckett
Fake Boyfriend
Fake Dating
Mistaken Identity
Jealous ex
Heartbroken radio host
Emotional healing
This is a super low angst sweet read
I enjoyed these two alot
Oh sweet, sweet Sawyer. He was so disheveled lol but so sweet. He truly just wanted to be loved and seen and accepted for who he was.
Beckett was perfect. He just went with it all lol. He is a great guy.
I loved these two.
It was sweet getting to watch them slowly fall for each other while also seeing Sawyer find his backbone and heal.
Seeing his ex realize what he lost n Sawyer was greta too
Sweet fun read
So thankful for this arc
June 23, 2026
Uuh, this book didn’t really work for me.
I enjoyed the first one in the series, but this one started to bore me after a while. The humor was okay, but the endless banter, the terrible ex, and the knight in shining armor constantly coming to our hero’s rescue got old pretty quickly. By the umpteenth scene like that, I was already bored.
The miscommunication was also dragged out for far too long. To be fair, that’s on me: I’m not a big fan of books built around that trope, and this one just confirmed it.
It was also fairly low-steam for this author.
3 stars because less feels wrong, in the end this story wasn't the right one for me, but also the mcs here were.. meh. I wanted to smack Sawyer, his brothers and everyone else lol
I enjoyed the first one in the series, but this one started to bore me after a while. The humor was okay, but the endless banter, the terrible ex, and the knight in shining armor constantly coming to our hero’s rescue got old pretty quickly. By the umpteenth scene like that, I was already bored.
The miscommunication was also dragged out for far too long. To be fair, that’s on me: I’m not a big fan of books built around that trope, and this one just confirmed it.
It was also fairly low-steam for this author.
3 stars because less feels wrong, in the end this story wasn't the right one for me, but also the mcs here were.. meh. I wanted to smack Sawyer, his brothers and everyone else lol
June 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
(ARC)
I read this entire book in one sitting. The plot of this book is so zany and rom-com coded that it was simply impossible to not have a good time reading it, and when you add in great characters and a wholesome love story to the mix, you get a quality experience. Sawyer and Beckett were so good; i loved their cute moments and watching their relationship truly grow despite its unconventional beginnings. The Montgomery family is also a riot and i can not wait to go back and read Hudson's story while i wait for Rome's to come out. Overall, if you are looking for a fun and lighthearted rom-com with miscommunication galore and great family vibes, this is definitely a book you should check out.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
(ARC)
I read this entire book in one sitting. The plot of this book is so zany and rom-com coded that it was simply impossible to not have a good time reading it, and when you add in great characters and a wholesome love story to the mix, you get a quality experience. Sawyer and Beckett were so good; i loved their cute moments and watching their relationship truly grow despite its unconventional beginnings. The Montgomery family is also a riot and i can not wait to go back and read Hudson's story while i wait for Rome's to come out. Overall, if you are looking for a fun and lighthearted rom-com with miscommunication galore and great family vibes, this is definitely a book you should check out.
June 13, 2026
3.5 rounded up.
Silly, completely unbelievable premise but really fun to read,even if Beckett seemed to be a lil too perfectly tailored to Sawyer. Would've been nice to see Sawyer meeting some of Beckett's circle, maybe the friends that had set him up with the blind date?
Regardless, easy breezy read, for the low angst and pallet cleanser enjoyers. 💗
Silly, completely unbelievable premise but really fun to read,even if Beckett seemed to be a lil too perfectly tailored to Sawyer. Would've been nice to see Sawyer meeting some of Beckett's circle, maybe the friends that had set him up with the blind date?
Regardless, easy breezy read, for the low angst and pallet cleanser enjoyers. 💗
August 14, 2026
3.5 stars
May 30, 2026
After reading the first book, I couldn't wait to read about the brother who was losing his shit on live radio every day over his ex. I'm fairly new to fake dating stories, so I was excited to dive into this one! I loved the added complexity of Sawyer not knowing that Beckett isn't actually the guy he thought he selected to be his fake boyfriend.
Their relationship definitely had an unconventional start, but these two were made for each other. Beckett is the calm to Sawyer's unhinged, wild storm of a self. He shows up at exactly the right moments and gives Sawyer things he doesn't even know he needs, whether it's a touch, reassurance, a joke, a safe space, or a crazy dance move. Beckett is always making sure Sawyer is taken care of.
Their relationship is so sweet and endearing. Beckett gives Sawyer the space to drop the front he portrays to everyone else, because Beckett sees right past all of it.
Can't wait to read Rome's story when it comes out!
Their relationship definitely had an unconventional start, but these two were made for each other. Beckett is the calm to Sawyer's unhinged, wild storm of a self. He shows up at exactly the right moments and gives Sawyer things he doesn't even know he needs, whether it's a touch, reassurance, a joke, a safe space, or a crazy dance move. Beckett is always making sure Sawyer is taken care of.
Their relationship is so sweet and endearing. Beckett gives Sawyer the space to drop the front he portrays to everyone else, because Beckett sees right past all of it.
Can't wait to read Rome's story when it comes out!
June 16, 2026
I’m so invested in this series! I knew I would love Sawyer a lot. From the little snippets we go of him in book one, I knew I wanted to know more about the man whose coping mechanism was to make everyone feel as terrible as him with the saddest songs ever.
And who could blame him? He was completely blindsided by the man he loved. The man he thought was his forever but instead broke his heart by unexpectedly leaving him.
As if that wasn’t enough, said man would be attending Sawyer’s parent’s wedding with his new boyfriend. Not wanting to be seen as a pathetic loner, Sawyer decides to hire a companion as a date. If he had to see his ex again, he’d make sure he had someone by his side.
Beckett never imagined that a failed blind date would change his life forever. When the frazzled, nervous man that approached him and confused him with someone else, Beckett had many chances to say he wasn’t the right person. He could have left and never look back.
Instead, he went on pretending he was the escort Sawyer thought he was. Instead, he went along with the idea of spending a whole week with him pretending to be a doting boyfriend. But quicker than he was ready for, Beckett didn’t want to pretend anymore.
Sawyer was sweet and kind and Beckett wanted something real with him. He wanted cherish and take care of him. To show him how precious he was and how much his ex was missing out by leaving him.
But Beckett knew that unless he told Sawyer the truth, they’d never have a chance at something real. And just when he was ready to do so, fate intervened complicating things between them.
Sawyer once again felt betrayed by someone he cared about. He thought he was finally moving on from his ex, but now his heart had been broken once again.
Beckett knew he had hurt Sawyer by keeping the truth from him. He knew that if he wanted a real shot with Sawyer, he’d have to make it up to him. And he was more than happy to do so for as long as possible. He could have walked away at any point but chose to stay.
“𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅.”
And who could blame him? He was completely blindsided by the man he loved. The man he thought was his forever but instead broke his heart by unexpectedly leaving him.
As if that wasn’t enough, said man would be attending Sawyer’s parent’s wedding with his new boyfriend. Not wanting to be seen as a pathetic loner, Sawyer decides to hire a companion as a date. If he had to see his ex again, he’d make sure he had someone by his side.
Beckett never imagined that a failed blind date would change his life forever. When the frazzled, nervous man that approached him and confused him with someone else, Beckett had many chances to say he wasn’t the right person. He could have left and never look back.
Instead, he went on pretending he was the escort Sawyer thought he was. Instead, he went along with the idea of spending a whole week with him pretending to be a doting boyfriend. But quicker than he was ready for, Beckett didn’t want to pretend anymore.
Sawyer was sweet and kind and Beckett wanted something real with him. He wanted cherish and take care of him. To show him how precious he was and how much his ex was missing out by leaving him.
But Beckett knew that unless he told Sawyer the truth, they’d never have a chance at something real. And just when he was ready to do so, fate intervened complicating things between them.
Sawyer once again felt betrayed by someone he cared about. He thought he was finally moving on from his ex, but now his heart had been broken once again.
Beckett knew he had hurt Sawyer by keeping the truth from him. He knew that if he wanted a real shot with Sawyer, he’d have to make it up to him. And he was more than happy to do so for as long as possible. He could have walked away at any point but chose to stay.
“𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅.”
June 10, 2026
Sawyer • Beckett
….
”…Turns out you were exactly who I needed.” <3.
….
Five stars for the beautiful fun simplicity and all the feels. This was so sweet but not in that boring type of way - in that give me mooooore type of way.
With this story you get a meant to be meet cute, a bit of a misunderstanding, a fresh take on the fake dating scenario, loads of curiosity, an attraction, tension that can’t be helped to be acted upon, so much comfort and believe, an understanding, a bond formed, growth to stand up for yourself, the truth coming out, communication with a capital c and two characters that brought me so much joy and will bring you too.
…..
“That won’t happen.” // “My brain immediately went back to the obstacle course and the way Beckett had been there right beside me, matching me, watching me…” // “Peter knew exactly how to pull me apart, but Beckett? He somehow knew how to put me back together again, and that was priceless.” // “I did it because I wanted to. And I’m still here for the same reason.” // “He makes it easy for everyone else before he does for himself.” // “Because Beckett was… God, he was this beautiful, intense, unshakable force with hypnotic eyes and a mouth that could ruin my entire life if I let it.” // “And the terrifying, impossible hope that maybe being chosen wasn’t only something that happened once in a lifetime.” // “If we do this, I don’t want you wondering why.” // “If you’re planning to run away on her, I don’t think you’ll get far.” // “…And half the time I wanted you to keep going just so I could hear where your mind would go next.” // “It started in a hotel lounge with a terrible misunderstanding and a man who looked at me like I was worth the trouble.” …
….
*I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
….
….
”…Turns out you were exactly who I needed.” <3.
….
Five stars for the beautiful fun simplicity and all the feels. This was so sweet but not in that boring type of way - in that give me mooooore type of way.
With this story you get a meant to be meet cute, a bit of a misunderstanding, a fresh take on the fake dating scenario, loads of curiosity, an attraction, tension that can’t be helped to be acted upon, so much comfort and believe, an understanding, a bond formed, growth to stand up for yourself, the truth coming out, communication with a capital c and two characters that brought me so much joy and will bring you too.
…..
“That won’t happen.” // “My brain immediately went back to the obstacle course and the way Beckett had been there right beside me, matching me, watching me…” // “Peter knew exactly how to pull me apart, but Beckett? He somehow knew how to put me back together again, and that was priceless.” // “I did it because I wanted to. And I’m still here for the same reason.” // “He makes it easy for everyone else before he does for himself.” // “Because Beckett was… God, he was this beautiful, intense, unshakable force with hypnotic eyes and a mouth that could ruin my entire life if I let it.” // “And the terrifying, impossible hope that maybe being chosen wasn’t only something that happened once in a lifetime.” // “If we do this, I don’t want you wondering why.” // “If you’re planning to run away on her, I don’t think you’ll get far.” // “…And half the time I wanted you to keep going just so I could hear where your mind would go next.” // “It started in a hotel lounge with a terrible misunderstanding and a man who looked at me like I was worth the trouble.” …
….
*I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
….
June 16, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
My heart was in fact smashed because this was everything and more!!! I absolutely love the secret identity/escort for hire and faking dating tropes that this had because these two had it so, so bad for each other! Their unusual meet-cute, was so Sawyer coded, because he was very much all over the place, and a lover boy at heart.
Beckett was the greenest flag and the perfect match for Sawyer, honestly, I'm glad that he went after what he wanted and pitched himself as his Sawyer's escort. I thought Sawyer's siblings were hilarious, too, and intrigued about Rome.
Thank you to the Author Agency for the review copy of Heartsmashed, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
My heart was in fact smashed because this was everything and more!!! I absolutely love the secret identity/escort for hire and faking dating tropes that this had because these two had it so, so bad for each other! Their unusual meet-cute, was so Sawyer coded, because he was very much all over the place, and a lover boy at heart.
Beckett was the greenest flag and the perfect match for Sawyer, honestly, I'm glad that he went after what he wanted and pitched himself as his Sawyer's escort. I thought Sawyer's siblings were hilarious, too, and intrigued about Rome.
Thank you to the Author Agency for the review copy of Heartsmashed, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
June 12, 2026
This was exactly what my mood needed!!
I loved Beckett and Sawyer.
They had amazing chemistry. Beckett just knew exactly what Sawyer needed. He supported him and gave him the confidence he needed to deal with Peter.
I liked that once Sawyer found out the truth it wasnt a huge dramatic moment, he was upset obviously but he handled it with grace and he did the right thing. Beckett was great too, he knew what he did was wrong and he didn't try to make excuses for it.
I loved the brothers I need to go back and read Hudson's book before Rome's book comes out. I cant wait!!
I loved Beckett and Sawyer.
They had amazing chemistry. Beckett just knew exactly what Sawyer needed. He supported him and gave him the confidence he needed to deal with Peter.
I liked that once Sawyer found out the truth it wasnt a huge dramatic moment, he was upset obviously but he handled it with grace and he did the right thing. Beckett was great too, he knew what he did was wrong and he didn't try to make excuses for it.
I loved the brothers I need to go back and read Hudson's book before Rome's book comes out. I cant wait!!
May 30, 2026
I absolutely adored this book!!! I smiled and laughed for 95% of it! It was such a fun read! I have not read the first book but will absolutely being going back to read it!
Beckett and Sawyer meet when Sawyer hires who he thinks is an escort, to be his fake boyfriend for a week. Beckett however, is not an escort but was instantly interested in Sawyer so plays along anyways! This was a different take on the a fake boyfriend trope and I really enjoyed it! Sawyer is a yapper, especially in stressful situations so it was hilarious watching them navigate their fake relationship in front of everyone.
The relationship may be fake but the attraction was real and once it got physical, soooo hot!! It was a bit of a slow burn, but with everything else going on and the intense attraction, it never felt slow.
I was glad to see Peter out in his place! I cannot wait for Rome’s book and will be going back to read Hudson’s!
✨ Fake Boyfriend
✨ Mistaken Identity
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Only One Bed
✨ Jealous Ex
✨ Fake Escort Mix Up
Beckett and Sawyer meet when Sawyer hires who he thinks is an escort, to be his fake boyfriend for a week. Beckett however, is not an escort but was instantly interested in Sawyer so plays along anyways! This was a different take on the a fake boyfriend trope and I really enjoyed it! Sawyer is a yapper, especially in stressful situations so it was hilarious watching them navigate their fake relationship in front of everyone.
The relationship may be fake but the attraction was real and once it got physical, soooo hot!! It was a bit of a slow burn, but with everything else going on and the intense attraction, it never felt slow.
I was glad to see Peter out in his place! I cannot wait for Rome’s book and will be going back to read Hudson’s!
✨ Fake Boyfriend
✨ Mistaken Identity
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Only One Bed
✨ Jealous Ex
✨ Fake Escort Mix Up
May 31, 2026
This was an absolutely amazing read! I love it so freaking much! I had not read book 1 but I will be doing that now! These two were absolutely perfect for each other and I loved every minute I spent reading this book. Brooke Blaine is one of my absolute faves and this book just reminded me why!
July 3, 2026
It could have been much shorter considering there was no conflict or tension. It was along meet cute.
June 11, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Heartsmashed is the second book in Brooke Blaine’s Hate to Love You series, but this book stands totally alone. I didn’t read Bedhead, which features Sawyer’s brother, Hudson, but I had no problem starting here. This is a warm, sweet, and sexy story, and despite the set up, also relatively low angst. Sawyer and Beckett connect from the moment they meet and instantly feel a closeness with one another. We know that Sawyer is still hurting from his breakup, and Beckett is as sweet, caring, attentive, and considerate as a guy could possibly get.
I liked the dynamic between Sawyer and Beckett and I enjoyed the Montgomery clan. It looks like the third brother, Rome, is up next and I am looking forward to continuing the series.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Heartsmashed is the second book in Brooke Blaine’s Hate to Love You series, but this book stands totally alone. I didn’t read Bedhead, which features Sawyer’s brother, Hudson, but I had no problem starting here. This is a warm, sweet, and sexy story, and despite the set up, also relatively low angst. Sawyer and Beckett connect from the moment they meet and instantly feel a closeness with one another. We know that Sawyer is still hurting from his breakup, and Beckett is as sweet, caring, attentive, and considerate as a guy could possibly get.
I liked the dynamic between Sawyer and Beckett and I enjoyed the Montgomery clan. It looks like the third brother, Rome, is up next and I am looking forward to continuing the series.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
June 28, 2026
I loved Sawyer and Beckett so much! This book gave me the exact same feelings I had for romcoms of early 2000s –it’s a compliment, btw. Brooke Blaine’s book have always been fun for me to read and this one delivers everything promised.
Sawyer, a heartbroken radio host, is been going through a rough time after being dumped. So one day, he decides to use an escort service and, as clumsy as he is, he meets with Beckett, a guy who was in the right place at the right time and who follows this game along out of curiosity, though he isn’t the guy Sawyer actually hired.
They spent a whole week with Sawyer’s parents (who are are celebrating an important anniversary) and with his siblings: Hudson and Rome Montgomery, which we met in the previous book.
Now, you see where I’m coming from with the feel of lovable romcoms? The premise is nothing new, but these guys rocked my world and I practically devoured the book in a couple of days.
Beckett was so intense and though he played along being his “fake boyfriend” because he felt genuine interest in Sawyer, I couldn’t deny the man was perfect in every single aspect. He was kind, playful, sexy and of course, instantly got along with Sawyer’s family. He checked all the things he wanted in a partner and didn’t blame Sawyer for what happened with his ex. On the contraire, he gave him the wings to finally see he was worthy of love and make sure Sawyer felt appreciated every single time.
I loved their connection, the way the author handled the bad break up (and the shitty ex), which lead to an amazing relationship that stared out as unconventional and “fake”, but had the sincerest feelings from them both. Beckett and Sawyer had amazing chemistry and I felt like they were meant for each other, despite the random set up. Beckett was so dear to me I was swooning along with Sawyer, lol.
I especially enjoyed the rivalry of the siblings and the love from their moms –they all felt real to me. The Montgomery family were wholesome, unique and fabulous, and they made me care about them so much. Also, Drew and Hudson are still cute together and I wish we had a movie adaptation of this book because it has the perfect formula to be a success!
I absolutely recommend you to read this book for the summer and I’d be gladly waiting for Rome’s book!
I received a e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review via The Author Agency.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Bedhead
June 13, 2026
So good! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️
June 1, 2026
ARC REVIEW
HEARTSMASHED (Hate to love you 2) Di Brooke Blaine
5⭐3🌶️
RECENSIONE: Nuovo libro in anteprima di Brooke Blaine! Secondo libro della serie "Hate to love you" qui troviamo Sawyer, fratello di Hudson, protagonista del primo libro (che vi consiglio!). I libri sono autoconclusivi, però vi consiglio lo stesso di leggere il primo perché merita davvero! Come sempre, Brooke Blaine ti fa vivere una montagna russa di emozioni: sono sempre molto dolci con quel pizzico di spicy che non manca mai. Sono proprio le storie dolci, tranquille, low angst che adoro e che sono quelle letture semplici e senza problemi da leggere in pochi giorni... Una carezza al cuore! Lei è sempre capace di farti amare le sue storie, i suoi protagonisti sono sempre ben caratterizzati e ti fanno sospirare e sognare.
Sawyer presenta un programma radiofonico a New York e parla con i vari ascoltatori che hanno il cuore spezzato come il suo: sette mesi prima il suo fidanzato lo ha lasciato all'improvviso dopo una relazione di due anni. Sawyer è disperato e per questo decide nel suo programma di ascoltare le storie dei suoi ascoltatori e dare loro dei consigli. Quando scopre che al rinnovo dei voti di matrimonio delle sue madri si presenterà anche il suo ex, decide di "affittare" per una settimana un gigolò su una app. Si danno appuntamento al bar di un hotel ma il suo treno subisce un ritardo. Non c'è problema: il suo appuntamento è lì, che lo aspetta. Sawyer gli va incontro e gli racconta tutto: del suo cuore spezzato e gli spiega che ha bisogno che lui sia il suo finto fidanzato per una settimana.
Beckett lo ascolta.... Peccato che sentendo quanto lui stia soffrendo, non decide di rivelargli che in realtà lui non è il ragazzo con il quale ha un appuntamento perché il suo appuntamento al buio è stato già preso da un altro ragazzo (probabilmente l'appuntamento di Sawyer). Beckett accetta lo stesso di accompagnarlo e si ritrova a fingere di essere il suo fidanzato davanti alla famiglia. Da quello che nasce come una finzione, diventerà, ogni giorno che passa, sempre più vero e intenso. Loro due sono una coppia meravigliosa, Beckett è stato stupendo nonostante il "segreto" che doveva tenersi dentro... Beckett si fa amare dalla famiglia di Sawyer e ho letto l'evolversi della loro storia con gli occhi a cuoricino. Sono davvero splendidi insieme!! E ciao ciao all'ex! 👏🏼 Davvero storia raccomandata, come tutte le sue storie precedenti sia da sola ma soprattutto in coppia con Ella Frank! Che duo pazzesco!!🔥🔥
Ho ricevuto una copia ARC in cambio della mia opinione sincera.
ENGLISH REVIEW:
Heartsmashed is the second book of the Series "HATE TO LOVE YOU" but you can read it as a stand alone!
Heartsmashed is so sweet and cute!!! Sawyer and Beckett are the best real “fake” boyfriends I ever read; Beckett is amazing and even if he’s not the real guy Sawyer has the date… he decided to help him and be his boyfriend for the wedding of Sawyer’s mothers and he can’t wait to help Sawyer with his ex. Beckett was fantastic with his family too! He knows the truth and he feels guilty for all week, but the feelings between them are so real that I rooted during the book for their happy ending!!! I loved Sawyer's family and his brothers!
Brooke is amazing, I really love her books, her main characters are always so perfect and well described. She writes the very sweet and cute romances and I’m in love!!!
Now I can't wait for Rome's book!!!
Thank you The Author Agency for The Arc copy!
HEARTSMASHED (Hate to love you 2) Di Brooke Blaine
5⭐3🌶️
RECENSIONE: Nuovo libro in anteprima di Brooke Blaine! Secondo libro della serie "Hate to love you" qui troviamo Sawyer, fratello di Hudson, protagonista del primo libro (che vi consiglio!). I libri sono autoconclusivi, però vi consiglio lo stesso di leggere il primo perché merita davvero! Come sempre, Brooke Blaine ti fa vivere una montagna russa di emozioni: sono sempre molto dolci con quel pizzico di spicy che non manca mai. Sono proprio le storie dolci, tranquille, low angst che adoro e che sono quelle letture semplici e senza problemi da leggere in pochi giorni... Una carezza al cuore! Lei è sempre capace di farti amare le sue storie, i suoi protagonisti sono sempre ben caratterizzati e ti fanno sospirare e sognare.
Sawyer presenta un programma radiofonico a New York e parla con i vari ascoltatori che hanno il cuore spezzato come il suo: sette mesi prima il suo fidanzato lo ha lasciato all'improvviso dopo una relazione di due anni. Sawyer è disperato e per questo decide nel suo programma di ascoltare le storie dei suoi ascoltatori e dare loro dei consigli. Quando scopre che al rinnovo dei voti di matrimonio delle sue madri si presenterà anche il suo ex, decide di "affittare" per una settimana un gigolò su una app. Si danno appuntamento al bar di un hotel ma il suo treno subisce un ritardo. Non c'è problema: il suo appuntamento è lì, che lo aspetta. Sawyer gli va incontro e gli racconta tutto: del suo cuore spezzato e gli spiega che ha bisogno che lui sia il suo finto fidanzato per una settimana.
Beckett lo ascolta.... Peccato che sentendo quanto lui stia soffrendo, non decide di rivelargli che in realtà lui non è il ragazzo con il quale ha un appuntamento perché il suo appuntamento al buio è stato già preso da un altro ragazzo (probabilmente l'appuntamento di Sawyer). Beckett accetta lo stesso di accompagnarlo e si ritrova a fingere di essere il suo fidanzato davanti alla famiglia. Da quello che nasce come una finzione, diventerà, ogni giorno che passa, sempre più vero e intenso. Loro due sono una coppia meravigliosa, Beckett è stato stupendo nonostante il "segreto" che doveva tenersi dentro... Beckett si fa amare dalla famiglia di Sawyer e ho letto l'evolversi della loro storia con gli occhi a cuoricino. Sono davvero splendidi insieme!! E ciao ciao all'ex! 👏🏼 Davvero storia raccomandata, come tutte le sue storie precedenti sia da sola ma soprattutto in coppia con Ella Frank! Che duo pazzesco!!🔥🔥
Ho ricevuto una copia ARC in cambio della mia opinione sincera.
ENGLISH REVIEW:
Heartsmashed is the second book of the Series "HATE TO LOVE YOU" but you can read it as a stand alone!
Heartsmashed is so sweet and cute!!! Sawyer and Beckett are the best real “fake” boyfriends I ever read; Beckett is amazing and even if he’s not the real guy Sawyer has the date… he decided to help him and be his boyfriend for the wedding of Sawyer’s mothers and he can’t wait to help Sawyer with his ex. Beckett was fantastic with his family too! He knows the truth and he feels guilty for all week, but the feelings between them are so real that I rooted during the book for their happy ending!!! I loved Sawyer's family and his brothers!
Brooke is amazing, I really love her books, her main characters are always so perfect and well described. She writes the very sweet and cute romances and I’m in love!!!
Now I can't wait for Rome's book!!!
Thank you The Author Agency for The Arc copy!
August 8, 2026
Very cutesy and sweet. I really really love Becket so much and I need him in my life.
I liked the whole family dynamic and I think I’m gonna read the other ones too.
I didn’t really like the „drama“ that got caused by Sawyer finding out about Beckett.
I liked the whole family dynamic and I think I’m gonna read the other ones too.
I didn’t really like the „drama“ that got caused by Sawyer finding out about Beckett.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
I really liked this. Wanted to give Sawyer a hug for half of it. The only thing that would have been better is if someone pushed Peter off a cliff!
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
June 10, 2026
‼️SPOILERS‼️
I have been wanting to read books by Brooke for a hot minute so when I saw this book, I just knew I had to take the chance. My goodness, this book was so good and from the moment I started it, I didn’t want this book to end.
First off, I loved the family in this book from the mom’s love to the way that the brothers truly care for Sawyer. The real talk that Sawyer had with his brothers about Beckett had me in my feelings.
This book was super cute. It had a lot of good moments and also funny moments. I laughed at the scene when Beckett was talking to Duchess had me giggling. That horse is full of personality and doesn’t give a care in the world.
I love me a good faking dating that’s mistaken. Oh man. Beckett was everything that Sawyer needed because Peter was a complete douche. That man was ridiculous. I was swooning over every moment he takes care of him whether they were intimate or he was staking his claim. Beckett helped Sawyer get that backbone that was hiding deep down inside.
The attraction between these two was so natural. From them getting to know each other, the cute groveling we get from Beckett and to them falling back into each other’s graces, I needed these two than my next breath.
I loved all the moments of Sawyer’s ex getting super jealous but he deserved everything since he hurt Sawyer. All the family craziness had me giggling for most of this book.
If you’re looking for fake dating that goes wrong, fun family with heartfelt feelings and a crazy ex, this book is for you.
I cannot wait for Rome’s book! I now need to go back to read the first book because I already know I’m going to be obsessed with this series.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I have been wanting to read books by Brooke for a hot minute so when I saw this book, I just knew I had to take the chance. My goodness, this book was so good and from the moment I started it, I didn’t want this book to end.
First off, I loved the family in this book from the mom’s love to the way that the brothers truly care for Sawyer. The real talk that Sawyer had with his brothers about Beckett had me in my feelings.
This book was super cute. It had a lot of good moments and also funny moments. I laughed at the scene when Beckett was talking to Duchess had me giggling. That horse is full of personality and doesn’t give a care in the world.
I love me a good faking dating that’s mistaken. Oh man. Beckett was everything that Sawyer needed because Peter was a complete douche. That man was ridiculous. I was swooning over every moment he takes care of him whether they were intimate or he was staking his claim. Beckett helped Sawyer get that backbone that was hiding deep down inside.
The attraction between these two was so natural. From them getting to know each other, the cute groveling we get from Beckett and to them falling back into each other’s graces, I needed these two than my next breath.
I loved all the moments of Sawyer’s ex getting super jealous but he deserved everything since he hurt Sawyer. All the family craziness had me giggling for most of this book.
If you’re looking for fake dating that goes wrong, fun family with heartfelt feelings and a crazy ex, this book is for you.
I cannot wait for Rome’s book! I now need to go back to read the first book because I already know I’m going to be obsessed with this series.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
June 4, 2026
Oh I am in love with Sawyer and Beckett. They were so cute together. The connection these two had from the very beginning was so special. I am so happy they got their HEA and I can’t wait for Rome!
Review of advance copy
Amazon US / Amazon Worldwide
Sawyer, radio host, is a hot mess ever since his ex unceremoniously dumped him. Now he finds out that same douche ex will be at his moms' vow renewal, so, in his inebriated state, he comes up with the crazy idea of hiring an escort to be his fake boyfriend for the renewal. Except...the man he walks up to in the hotel lounge may or may not be the man he hired. He doesn't realize it, and really, does it matter? Because Beckett is gorgeous, sweet, and obviously wants to be by his side this week.
Beckett was immediately fascinated by the obviously distressed guy who walked up to him in the lounge where he was waiting for his blind date. At first he just listened, trying to figure out what Sawyer was trying to say. Once he realized, he knew he should have told him who he really was, or wasn't, in this case, but he couldn't bring himself to stop him and watch the relief leave his eyes. And honestly, he was attracted to him immediately, and wanted to go pretend to be his fake boyfriend for a week, even if at some point he'd have to tell him he wasn't really who Sawyer thought he was. Can he tell him and still keep the beautiful thing they've been building this week?
Sawyer and his not really fake boyfriend Beckett are the cutest, most delicious couple! The slow burn (emphasis on the burn), the way Beckett saw the beautiful person inside Sawyer's messy, I must have swooned a hundred times as their ust grew with every page. But I was cringing a bit knowing that when Sawyer found out Beckett's secret, it was gonna hurt, and it did. Ouch. Thank God for Sawyer's amazing family (I see you moms and brothers!) and their words of wisdom, especially his moms. And thank God neither of them really wanted to be apart from each other permanently. I had so much fun reading as fake became real, Sawyer's smashed heart healed and he found love with swoony Beckett.
ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.
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July 22, 2026
Eh. DNF 70%. It's not the book, it's me and my current "this is ridiculous" attitude toward the "fake" dating when we're really dating and why not just tell the f-ing truth–trope. It gets SO tired.
The heroes' chemistry is great! If you love fake dating, jump right in, this is a mostly safe one, no reservations from me—the only slightly "unsafe for me" thing is that MC Sawyer Montgomery (radio host with hilariously bitter dating advice) thinks a bit about his ex, the cliched Peter, but, it wasn't bad, because they just broke up 7 weeks ago so of COURSE it still smarts. I actually appreciated the reality of his hurt feelings, even as he very clearly understands that Beckett, the "escort" he thinks he hired to pretend to be his boyfriend, is a terrific person and much better match for him, someone he deserves and is definitely falling for despite still working through the hurt over the ruthless and shitty way Peter dumped him. So, haters of "thinking about the ex," just know this element works/makes sense, despite there being a couple icky moments of remembering him/them together.
I really did like these heroes together! Beckett is awesome! But I know they'll work out and feel meant to be, so, I just got bored of the continued lack of truth, and the also ridiculously unbelievable situation, which is, spoilers:
I think everyone in this book besides Beckett and Sawyer was dropped on their head as a baby. Or maybe recently. Because no one would behave this crappily, and they aren't characterized as jerks. So why are ANY of them putting up with Peter's presence?!
Anyway, I just didn't want to wait around for Sawyer to be oh, so shocked and hurt by the really not hurtful truth, and, they're in a good place, so, I stopped and moved on.
HEA no doubt. Fake dating, mistaken identity/hero standing in for the escort the other hero thought he hired. No OM action; OM drama from the ridiculous ex, very cliche, but, if you're into it, you'll love it. Recommended even though I DNF'd. I'm impatient for something unexpected these days.
The heroes' chemistry is great! If you love fake dating, jump right in, this is a mostly safe one, no reservations from me—the only slightly "unsafe for me" thing is that MC Sawyer Montgomery (radio host with hilariously bitter dating advice) thinks a bit about his ex, the cliched Peter, but, it wasn't bad, because they just broke up 7 weeks ago so of COURSE it still smarts. I actually appreciated the reality of his hurt feelings, even as he very clearly understands that Beckett, the "escort" he thinks he hired to pretend to be his boyfriend, is a terrific person and much better match for him, someone he deserves and is definitely falling for despite still working through the hurt over the ruthless and shitty way Peter dumped him. So, haters of "thinking about the ex," just know this element works/makes sense, despite there being a couple icky moments of remembering him/them together.
I really did like these heroes together! Beckett is awesome! But I know they'll work out and feel meant to be, so, I just got bored of the continued lack of truth, and the also ridiculously unbelievable situation, which is, spoilers:
I think everyone in this book besides Beckett and Sawyer was dropped on their head as a baby. Or maybe recently. Because no one would behave this crappily, and they aren't characterized as jerks. So why are ANY of them putting up with Peter's presence?!
Anyway, I just didn't want to wait around for Sawyer to be oh, so shocked and hurt by the really not hurtful truth, and, they're in a good place, so, I stopped and moved on.
HEA no doubt. Fake dating, mistaken identity/hero standing in for the escort the other hero thought he hired. No OM action; OM drama from the ridiculous ex, very cliche, but, if you're into it, you'll love it. Recommended even though I DNF'd. I'm impatient for something unexpected these days.
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