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Bro Code #2
Her Fake Boyfriend
Thou shalt not sleep with thy friend’s ex…
Eric Nordland has been in love with his best friend’s girl since he met her. And now that she’s single, the temptation to make a move is killing him. Especially since their paths keep crossing. Dating your friend’s ex is a big bro code violation, but when Hannah comes to him in trouble, there’s no way he’ll leave her to fend for herself.
Coming out of the only romantic relationship she’s ever known, Hannah Jeong isn’t really looking for a rebound. But when the creepy parent of one of her students starts to stalk her, she jumps at Eric’s offer to pose as her fake boyfriend. What she didn’t expect was to start having feelings for a man she’d always seen as just a friend.
The line between right and wrong becomes fuzzier by the day as the attraction between them grows. Keeping Hannah safe from an obsessive man is just as much Eric’s mission as not giving his heart to a woman he can never have.
Eric Nordland has been in love with his best friend’s girl since he met her. And now that she’s single, the temptation to make a move is killing him. Especially since their paths keep crossing. Dating your friend’s ex is a big bro code violation, but when Hannah comes to him in trouble, there’s no way he’ll leave her to fend for herself.
Coming out of the only romantic relationship she’s ever known, Hannah Jeong isn’t really looking for a rebound. But when the creepy parent of one of her students starts to stalk her, she jumps at Eric’s offer to pose as her fake boyfriend. What she didn’t expect was to start having feelings for a man she’d always seen as just a friend.
The line between right and wrong becomes fuzzier by the day as the attraction between them grows. Keeping Hannah safe from an obsessive man is just as much Eric’s mission as not giving his heart to a woman he can never have.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2022
5 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Shelli Stevens
71 books736 followersShelli is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. She is a true pluviophile (lover of rain) who currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She loves Disney, taking sunset pics (follow her on Instagram), baking, nature walking, and spontaneously bursting into song. She’s written various genres of romance, but is most known for her contemporary series such as The McLaughlins, The Bro Code, Marshall Ranch, and A is for Alpha.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 31, 2022
Mindblowingly good.
Hannah and Eric are friends. Kind of. Hannah is James’s ex. James is Eric’s friend and roommate. Eric has long admired Hannah but one does not pursue a friend’s ex, especially if said friend isn’t entirely over said ex. It’s part of the bro code. Right?
Shelli Stevens’s Her Fake Boyfriend is the second in her Bro Code series. Hannah Jeong is moving forward, trying to live her best life, when the parent of one of her students sets off her alarms. Eric Nordland is her ex’s friend but he’s her friend too, and when he offers to help make sure the situation is clear and Hannah stays safe, she’s glad to accept the assist. When they discover some serious chemistry as a result, well, life’s about to get interesting.
Ms Stevens’s characters and their messy emotions leap off the page. Eric and Hannah have quite the time battling themselves and trying to navigate the not-so-obvious way through their situations. A page turning read, in all the best ways!
Hannah and Eric are friends. Kind of. Hannah is James’s ex. James is Eric’s friend and roommate. Eric has long admired Hannah but one does not pursue a friend’s ex, especially if said friend isn’t entirely over said ex. It’s part of the bro code. Right?
Shelli Stevens’s Her Fake Boyfriend is the second in her Bro Code series. Hannah Jeong is moving forward, trying to live her best life, when the parent of one of her students sets off her alarms. Eric Nordland is her ex’s friend but he’s her friend too, and when he offers to help make sure the situation is clear and Hannah stays safe, she’s glad to accept the assist. When they discover some serious chemistry as a result, well, life’s about to get interesting.
Ms Stevens’s characters and their messy emotions leap off the page. Eric and Hannah have quite the time battling themselves and trying to navigate the not-so-obvious way through their situations. A page turning read, in all the best ways!
June 23, 2022
This is a super quick read. I enjoyed the story a lot, although the writing was not up to what I was expecting after reading the first story in this series. In some ways, I liked this storyline more. Yet, with the inconsistencies I just got taken out of the story over and over.
First of all, Hannah and Eric have great chemistry. That was obvious when we saw them briefly in the last book, Losing It. This story starts off with Hannah having dinner with her ex-boyfriend’s sister and, to me, that was a smart move. Through their interaction we are shown that Hannah is in no way the “bad guy” in the break up. In fact, her ex was the cheater and she dumped him. Problem is, the two had been dating since middle school and it’s hard for everyone to see them as separate entities. They’d grown apart over the last few years but neither had wanted to do anything about that until him kissing another woman prompted Hannah to do what needed to be done. Her ex, James, thinks he’s still in love with her. She knows, his friends know, everyone knows, it’s more of her being comfortable for him. The don’t know anything different. It’s hard for James to give up the plan he’s had for most of his life.
Hannah and Eric don’t set out to hook up. In fact, it’s been over 6 months since they’ve seen each other when they run into each other a few times in one week. One of those times, Hannah is in an uncomfortable situation with one of the dads of a student of hers and Eric quickly catches on and plays her boyfriends to get the guy to back off. This sets things in motion for the two of them to start seeing more of each other and falling in love. It also sets in motion that creepy dad’s obsession and Hannah being stalked.
All of these things about the story are great. The thoughts and doubts Eric has while falling hard for his best-friend’s ex. Hannah’s determination to move on. But there are many holes or things that just don’t make sense. It occurred in the first story but didn’t seem quite so odd, but I just don’t see how this group of friends doesn’t all know each other. It became even stranger in this story. Right off the bat Kristen (the FMC from the 1st book) doesn’t get the MMC’s name right even though he’s best friends with both her brother and her boyfriend. Hannah doesn’t seem to know or have ever truly met the women her ex kissed even though she’s Kirsten’s best friend. It just doesn’t make sense. She was dating James for over half of her life and she somehow never met his sister’s best friend? But the worst one was Eric saying he was from Ohio and moved to Seattle for college, then later saying he’s had the same Taekwondo master since he was 10??? It annoys me when nobody is paying enough attention in the process of publishing the book to make sure the facts are correct throughout the story. Accidents happen, things are missed, I get that. But when it happens over and over I feel it’s more about being sloppy than an accident.
One last thing that put the nail in the coffin for me. There is gun use and mention of firearms in this story. I myself am a responsible gun owner so don’t come at me about me not understanding. I’m not going to get into a lecture here, although I could. But I will say that I find it extremely irresponsible that, in the year 2022, there is a character that has a secret gun. Not only does he bring a gun into someone else’s home without their knowledge, he has also been living with roommates for years who had no idea he had a gun in their home. I cannot express to you how much that ticked me off. (And did not fit the character’s personality.) This should not be written as though this was okay. There should have been repercussions and discussions once it was discovered. Regardless of his reasons, there is no excuse for that behavior and I hate to see it in a contemporary story and not addressed at all.
While there was a lot I liked about this story and I’m sure I’ll even read the next in this series (I really need to see the HEA that comes from the enemies to lovers story going on in this series), I had to knock my rating down due to the irresponsible gun handling and the inconsistencies in the story.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
First of all, Hannah and Eric have great chemistry. That was obvious when we saw them briefly in the last book, Losing It. This story starts off with Hannah having dinner with her ex-boyfriend’s sister and, to me, that was a smart move. Through their interaction we are shown that Hannah is in no way the “bad guy” in the break up. In fact, her ex was the cheater and she dumped him. Problem is, the two had been dating since middle school and it’s hard for everyone to see them as separate entities. They’d grown apart over the last few years but neither had wanted to do anything about that until him kissing another woman prompted Hannah to do what needed to be done. Her ex, James, thinks he’s still in love with her. She knows, his friends know, everyone knows, it’s more of her being comfortable for him. The don’t know anything different. It’s hard for James to give up the plan he’s had for most of his life.
Hannah and Eric don’t set out to hook up. In fact, it’s been over 6 months since they’ve seen each other when they run into each other a few times in one week. One of those times, Hannah is in an uncomfortable situation with one of the dads of a student of hers and Eric quickly catches on and plays her boyfriends to get the guy to back off. This sets things in motion for the two of them to start seeing more of each other and falling in love. It also sets in motion that creepy dad’s obsession and Hannah being stalked.
All of these things about the story are great. The thoughts and doubts Eric has while falling hard for his best-friend’s ex. Hannah’s determination to move on. But there are many holes or things that just don’t make sense. It occurred in the first story but didn’t seem quite so odd, but I just don’t see how this group of friends doesn’t all know each other. It became even stranger in this story. Right off the bat Kristen (the FMC from the 1st book) doesn’t get the MMC’s name right even though he’s best friends with both her brother and her boyfriend. Hannah doesn’t seem to know or have ever truly met the women her ex kissed even though she’s Kirsten’s best friend. It just doesn’t make sense. She was dating James for over half of her life and she somehow never met his sister’s best friend? But the worst one was Eric saying he was from Ohio and moved to Seattle for college, then later saying he’s had the same Taekwondo master since he was 10??? It annoys me when nobody is paying enough attention in the process of publishing the book to make sure the facts are correct throughout the story. Accidents happen, things are missed, I get that. But when it happens over and over I feel it’s more about being sloppy than an accident.
One last thing that put the nail in the coffin for me. There is gun use and mention of firearms in this story. I myself am a responsible gun owner so don’t come at me about me not understanding. I’m not going to get into a lecture here, although I could. But I will say that I find it extremely irresponsible that, in the year 2022, there is a character that has a secret gun. Not only does he bring a gun into someone else’s home without their knowledge, he has also been living with roommates for years who had no idea he had a gun in their home. I cannot express to you how much that ticked me off. (And did not fit the character’s personality.) This should not be written as though this was okay. There should have been repercussions and discussions once it was discovered. Regardless of his reasons, there is no excuse for that behavior and I hate to see it in a contemporary story and not addressed at all.
While there was a lot I liked about this story and I’m sure I’ll even read the next in this series (I really need to see the HEA that comes from the enemies to lovers story going on in this series), I had to knock my rating down due to the irresponsible gun handling and the inconsistencies in the story.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
June 26, 2022
I received an arc of Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens. The review is exclusively my own. This is the second book in the fun series, Bro Code. This book features the storyline where the guy has been crushing on his best friend’s girlfriend for years and has never acted on it. Hannah Jeong was dating her boyfriend James since middle school and then he kissed his sister’s friend and confessed it to her. She called it quits as she realized she hadn’t had the feelings for him for awhile. She had thought that he was it for her but then he never proposed and they stayed the same. James was devastated and tried for months to get her back.
Eric Nordland has been friends with James for years and is currently his roommate. He has secretly been in love with Hannah since he first met her. He happens to run into her at a bar where she is out with James’ sister. When the sister has to leave suddenly Eric takes Hannah home and they chat, reigniting their friendship.
Hannah is a teacher and at conference night, the dad of one of her students comes on to her. Then she’s in the grocery store and he is there too and corners her, scaring her. Eric happens to be in the store and she pretends that he is her boyfriend in front of the creepy dad. The dad had asked her out and Eric let him know that they were a couple. They agree to pose as a couple to thwart the creepy guy’s attentions. Suddenly the dad is stalking her and when she tries to report him to her principal, he warns her against causing trouble. He tells her this dad is very influential and good for their school. Eric moves in to Hannah’s apartment temporarily to protect her. Both of them realize they have strong feelings for the other but Eric stops them from fully acting on it due to the “bro code”.
There are many exciting twists in the suspense with the stalker as well as the relationship between Eric and Hannah. The addition of James and his potential reaction to what is going on causes some angst and suspense as well. This is a terrific story with a beautiful romance. The characters are all so likable. Eric and Hannah are great together. The reader is very sympathetic towards James and his feelings and all that he is facing - the loss of his long term girlfriend, his struggles to pass his law boards and his tension in his friendship with Eric. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.
Eric Nordland has been friends with James for years and is currently his roommate. He has secretly been in love with Hannah since he first met her. He happens to run into her at a bar where she is out with James’ sister. When the sister has to leave suddenly Eric takes Hannah home and they chat, reigniting their friendship.
Hannah is a teacher and at conference night, the dad of one of her students comes on to her. Then she’s in the grocery store and he is there too and corners her, scaring her. Eric happens to be in the store and she pretends that he is her boyfriend in front of the creepy dad. The dad had asked her out and Eric let him know that they were a couple. They agree to pose as a couple to thwart the creepy guy’s attentions. Suddenly the dad is stalking her and when she tries to report him to her principal, he warns her against causing trouble. He tells her this dad is very influential and good for their school. Eric moves in to Hannah’s apartment temporarily to protect her. Both of them realize they have strong feelings for the other but Eric stops them from fully acting on it due to the “bro code”.
There are many exciting twists in the suspense with the stalker as well as the relationship between Eric and Hannah. The addition of James and his potential reaction to what is going on causes some angst and suspense as well. This is a terrific story with a beautiful romance. The characters are all so likable. Eric and Hannah are great together. The reader is very sympathetic towards James and his feelings and all that he is facing - the loss of his long term girlfriend, his struggles to pass his law boards and his tension in his friendship with Eric. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.
June 19, 2022
Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens, book two in her Bro Code series, is an enjoyable, emotional, sweet story of when pretend becomes real. This story is a page turner, one you cannot put down. Hannah Jeong is moving forward, trying to live her best life, when the parent of one of her students sets off her alarms; asking her out. Eric Nordland, friend and housemate of Hannah’s ex, is also her friend. When they both encounter that parent at a local grocery, Eric agrees to pretend to be Hannah’s boyfriend; hopefully keeping her safe. Eric has long admired Hannah but, according to the bro code, one does not pursue a friend’s ex, especially since James claims that he isn’t entirely over Hannah, wanting to get her back. It’s all about to become interesting as Hannah and Eric discover sparks fly between them. When Hannah’s stalker becomes relentless, Eric goes all out to guard her and keep her from harm. Eric and Hannah have quite the time battling themselves and trying to navigate the not-so-obvious way through their situations.
Ms Stevens wrote a wonderful spicy story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, a supportive community, and charming characters helping Eric keep Hannah safe as they discover they are perfect for each as they find the love and happiness they deserve. I highly recommend Her Fake Boyfriend to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms Stevens wrote a wonderful spicy story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, a supportive community, and charming characters helping Eric keep Hannah safe as they discover they are perfect for each as they find the love and happiness they deserve. I highly recommend Her Fake Boyfriend to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 23, 2022
Bro Code book two, Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens asks the question can you date your friend’s ex. Since the breakup between the two had nothing to do with you, I don’t think it should be a big deal. However, since said friend may not be over his ex, I could see how some would frown on it. Still it is not like they were going to get back together.
The fake relationship begins innocent enough with Eric Nordland trying to help ward off one of Hannah Jeong’s student’s parents who has seems more like a stalker than a parent. From there it grows becoming more complicated day by day. Fun read but one that you know how it will end. Well, that’s the reason for reading romance anyway isn’t it. Where HEA are not jut possible but will truly happen. Her Fake Boyfriend is that kind of story where in spite of the Bro Code all will work out in the end.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The fake relationship begins innocent enough with Eric Nordland trying to help ward off one of Hannah Jeong’s student’s parents who has seems more like a stalker than a parent. From there it grows becoming more complicated day by day. Fun read but one that you know how it will end. Well, that’s the reason for reading romance anyway isn’t it. Where HEA are not jut possible but will truly happen. Her Fake Boyfriend is that kind of story where in spite of the Bro Code all will work out in the end.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 14, 2022
Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens is book 2 in her Bro Code series and I thoroughly enjoyed Eric and Hannah’s story. Their relationship is a bit complicated since her ex-boyfriend is one of Eric’s best friend and there’s the matter of not wanting to break the Bro Code. Eric has the best of intentions to just remain friends with Hannah, but when he has to pretend to be her boyfriend, the attraction and sexual tension is just too much to ignore. I loved them together and seeing a different culture being represented in this book. I also enjoyed the little bit of suspense and action mixed in as well. Another great story in this series and looking forward to the next one.
June 23, 2022
A fast fun read that is a real page turner and just sheer fun to read Perfect escapism that will have you engaged until the last page
Eric and James are roommates but that doesn't stop Eric from been attracted to James girlfriend Hannah even though they have now separated he knows it is against the bro code to make a move But when Hannah a school teacher is stalked by a creepy parent of one of her students Eric steps up pretending to be her boyfriend The only problem is those pretend feelings are starting to feel oh so real and James isn't sure if he wants Hannah back Can this tangled web be untangles You will have to read to see
Eric and James are roommates but that doesn't stop Eric from been attracted to James girlfriend Hannah even though they have now separated he knows it is against the bro code to make a move But when Hannah a school teacher is stalked by a creepy parent of one of her students Eric steps up pretending to be her boyfriend The only problem is those pretend feelings are starting to feel oh so real and James isn't sure if he wants Hannah back Can this tangled web be untangles You will have to read to see
June 21, 2022
Shelli Stevens has perfected the slow burn! Her Fake Boyfriend kickstarted a slow burn binge for me because I forgot how much I love them!
Hannah is his best friends ex there is no way Eric can cross that line...right? When Hannah is enduring unwanted advances from the father of a student Eric realizes their fake relationship might not be so fake.
I am a huge fan of the Bro Code series, Eric and Hannah’s story is no exception. I loved the slow burn. How protective Eric was without being posessive. It was obvious he genuinely cared for Hannah from the beginning.
Hannah is his best friends ex there is no way Eric can cross that line...right? When Hannah is enduring unwanted advances from the father of a student Eric realizes their fake relationship might not be so fake.
I am a huge fan of the Bro Code series, Eric and Hannah’s story is no exception. I loved the slow burn. How protective Eric was without being posessive. It was obvious he genuinely cared for Hannah from the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2022
I love fake relationship books. This one was a great read. It was full of chemistry, drama, a little mystery and even a few laugh out loud moments. Eric and Hannah have a little bit of a tricky, and complex relationship. I loved them together. Even though they think they can just stay friends even when faking it sometimes that just isn’t possible. Will they be able to ignore the chemistry they feel or will they give in to it? I honestly think that Ben might just be my new book boyfriend!
June 26, 2022
Oh I loved Hannah and Eric. From the beginning Eric was so willing to help Hannah who he really liked.
In a time of need Eric proved he could help her being her fake boyfriend against this students dad taking a bit of obsession towards Hannah.
Eric is her ex's James best friend but these two have all hung together for a long time.
Eric again proves how much Hannah means to him but admitting it to his best friend and also saving her life
Such a great read!
In a time of need Eric proved he could help her being her fake boyfriend against this students dad taking a bit of obsession towards Hannah.
Eric is her ex's James best friend but these two have all hung together for a long time.
Eric again proves how much Hannah means to him but admitting it to his best friend and also saving her life
Such a great read!
June 28, 2022
Second in Shelli Stevens’ Bro Code series, Her Fake Boyfriend is set in Seattle. It reads fine as a stand-alone book but is better as part of the series. I found the story a bit “young” for me. Despite their ages, the characters didn’t seem as mature as their employment might lead you to expect. I also thought the whole Bro Code thing was laboured a bit more than necessary. That said, Hannah and Eric are likeable characters and it was easy to cheer for them.
May 26, 2022
Love springs from the pages when a parent stalked teacher is protected by her ex-boyfriend's friend. Hannah’s stalker is relentless and so is Eric as he strives to guard her from harm and from his heart. Lots of spicy stuff happens between Hannah and Eric leading to difficulties and decisions.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 23, 2022
She's off limits to Eric ,but will he go against the bro code and his best friend James to defend her from a stalker? Storyline in going into blurred lines to maybe a love triangle. Will they all come out as friends when it's all said and done,you will have to download to find out what happens next.
May 21, 2022
Oh what a read it has romance with plenty of spice, there is friendship, a touch of mystery and heart pounding danger and it really keeps you turning the pages.
Eric and Hannah’s fake to real romance has you rooting for a HEA.Enjoy!
I choose to read and review an advance reader’s copy.
Eric and Hannah’s fake to real romance has you rooting for a HEA.Enjoy!
I choose to read and review an advance reader’s copy.
June 5, 2022
Fake relationship is one of my favorite tropes & Shelli Stevens delivered! Her Fake Boyfriend is the 2nd book in Stevens' Bro Code series & is full of great banter, sexy times & a hint of suspense. I'm looking forward to the next books in this series!
April 18, 2022
This was kind of silly and definitely formulaic, but it was a fun read
May 23, 2022
I voluntarily finished reading an advanced reader’s copy of book for honest opinion.
Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens a wonderful, enjoyable addition to the Bro Code
series. I've enjoyed past books by this author and this book didn't disappoint me.
Great character development and storyline.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Her Fake Boyfriend by Shelli Stevens a wonderful, enjoyable addition to the Bro Code
series. I've enjoyed past books by this author and this book didn't disappoint me.
Great character development and storyline.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
July 1, 2022
Eric has loved his best friend's girlfriend for years. He kept his distance and tried not to act like he cared about her more than as a friend. Now she is single because his best friend messed up. I mean really messed up. Still he keeps his distance because of the "bro code". When Hannah runs into trouble Eric is more than happy to help her out. It will not be a hardship to pretend to be her boyfriend. What happens when the line between what is real and pretend blur together. Good read.
August 5, 2022
Little bit of unrealistic suspense. A rebound sort of love story that I wasn't invested in. It was ok but I wasn't feeling the romance.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews