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Devon Falls #1
Fauxmance in the Falls
I'm here to destroy this town. How did I end up in a fake relationship with its hero?
I've spent my life proving to my grandpa and dad that I'm more than just the Lewis family mistake. So when Grandpa sends me to Devon Falls, VT to take some ridiculous leaf festival to court, I head straight there and get to work.
But Dr. Jack Lancer keeps getting in my way.
He's everywhere. Helping me out with my migraines, making me dinner, insisting people be nice to me even though I’m the enemy. Who is this guy? The next thing I know I'm pretending to be Jack's boyfriend to get him out of a bind. I swear he's putting kindness pills in my food or something.
Jack thinks he can fix me the same way he fixes everyone else. But I'm not broken. This podunk town will be when I'm done with it, though. And Jack? Well, he's about to learn the meaning of the term "collateral damage." Because I'll do anything to win this case and end this festival.
Even if it means losing something that feels an awful lot like love.
Fauxmance in the Falls is an age-gap romance featuring a small town full of quirks, a grumpy lawyer and a charming physician, a fake relationship gone wild, some inappropriate use of a doctor’s office, and a healthy mix of humor and angst. It stars Benson Lewis, who first appeared in the book Counterpoint.
I've spent my life proving to my grandpa and dad that I'm more than just the Lewis family mistake. So when Grandpa sends me to Devon Falls, VT to take some ridiculous leaf festival to court, I head straight there and get to work.
But Dr. Jack Lancer keeps getting in my way.
He's everywhere. Helping me out with my migraines, making me dinner, insisting people be nice to me even though I’m the enemy. Who is this guy? The next thing I know I'm pretending to be Jack's boyfriend to get him out of a bind. I swear he's putting kindness pills in my food or something.
Jack thinks he can fix me the same way he fixes everyone else. But I'm not broken. This podunk town will be when I'm done with it, though. And Jack? Well, he's about to learn the meaning of the term "collateral damage." Because I'll do anything to win this case and end this festival.
Even if it means losing something that feels an awful lot like love.
Fauxmance in the Falls is an age-gap romance featuring a small town full of quirks, a grumpy lawyer and a charming physician, a fake relationship gone wild, some inappropriate use of a doctor’s office, and a healthy mix of humor and angst. It stars Benson Lewis, who first appeared in the book Counterpoint.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2023
About the author
J.E. Birk
14 books230 followersJ.E. Birk was raised in Vermont and is now adulting in Colorado with intermittent success. She is a long-time lover of stories, and she writes and reads in worlds where imperfect characters find their happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
September 14, 2023
This is my first go at this author, and I'm not particularly impressed.
All the glowing reviews make me think readers aren't being fully honest because they received an ARC or are "friends" with this author on SM.
This isn't a good book by any stretch of the imagination. The character and relationship development are paper thin.
Far too much time is spent visiting with past (or introducing future) MCs, so the story is barely a standalone.
I was more invested in the mystery/suspense plot than the romance, which should tell you something.
And if I read one more word about Jack's ex-wife and ex-in-laws, I was going to scream. Seriously, fuck Fiona.
I.
Don't.
Care.
The story is a bizarre mix of family drama, small town shenanigans, and suspense.
There's math tutoring, apple picking, meatloaf, a lawyer with a penchant for nudity, and ... oh, yeah, a kidnapping and proper rescue.
One of these things is not like the others, Charlie Brown.
All the glowing reviews make me think readers aren't being fully honest because they received an ARC or are "friends" with this author on SM.
This isn't a good book by any stretch of the imagination. The character and relationship development are paper thin.
Far too much time is spent visiting with past (or introducing future) MCs, so the story is barely a standalone.
I was more invested in the mystery/suspense plot than the romance, which should tell you something.
And if I read one more word about Jack's ex-wife and ex-in-laws, I was going to scream. Seriously, fuck Fiona.
I.
Don't.
Care.
The story is a bizarre mix of family drama, small town shenanigans, and suspense.
There's math tutoring, apple picking, meatloaf, a lawyer with a penchant for nudity, and ... oh, yeah, a kidnapping and proper rescue.
One of these things is not like the others, Charlie Brown.
March 26, 2024
A solid small town romance
This was shaping up to be a four star read until it hit the 80% mark and then it veered off into overly dramatic territory.
It's not that it wasn't possible, more that it was used as a bit of a deus ex to clear out a dangling plot point that could have been given more depth beforehand.
The dodgy dealings just needed to have had more weight given to them for the overly dramatic and seriously criminal action which is taken to be logical.
As it happened, it felt out of place within the rest of the narrative tone.
Still, I enjoyed seeing the prickly Benson from Counterpoint find his happiness in a teeny and quaint Vermont town.
This was shaping up to be a four star read until it hit the 80% mark and then it veered off into overly dramatic territory.
It's not that it wasn't possible, more that it was used as a bit of a deus ex to clear out a dangling plot point that could have been given more depth beforehand.
The dodgy dealings just needed to have had more weight given to them for the overly dramatic and seriously criminal action which is taken to be logical.
As it happened, it felt out of place within the rest of the narrative tone.
Still, I enjoyed seeing the prickly Benson from Counterpoint find his happiness in a teeny and quaint Vermont town.
May 26, 2023
I've given this a B at AAR.
Fauxmance in the Falls is the first book in the Devon Falls series by J.E. Birk, an author I first became aware of through her books in the multi-authored Vino and Veritas series. Fauxmance is set in small-town Vermont and features all the things you’d expect from the trope – quirky townsfolk who know everyone and everyone’s business, and the grumpy out-of-towner who is gradually won over and falls in love with the town as well as with one of the locals. I’m not usually the biggest fan of small-town romances, but this one worked for me; the premise is a bit stereotypical but the two leads are engaging and three-dimensional, there’s a strong secondary cast and the book isn’t as cloyingly sweet as some of the other small-town romances I’ve read.
Benson Lewis has been something of an outsider all his life. The result of a one-night stand, his mother dumped him on his father’s doorstep when he was a baby, and as Linus Lewis was was about to go off to Harvard Law, baby Benson lived with his stern grandfather and was brought up by a succession of nannies until he was old enough to be sent away to school. When his dad got married and had twins, Benson’s stepmother, Sarah, was always welcoming and tried to include him in their lives, but Benson knew the four of them were a real family – one he could never be part of. Benson has spent most of his life searching for love and acceptance, trying to live up to his tyrannical grandfather’s expectations, to show him and his father that he’s more than the Lewis Family Mistake – and now that his grandfather (who owns a very prestigious law firm) has entrusted him with a very particular job, Benson jumps at the opportunity to prove his worth.
This job is resolving a land dispute in the small Vermont town of Devon Falls. The large plot just outside town was bequeathed to the community a hundred years ago and has been used for the Devon Falls Leaf Festival ever since; but now, a long-lost descendant of the family who originally owned the land has come forward to dispute its ownership, and should his claim prove successful, it will mean the end of a century of tradition.
Doctor Jack Lancer returned home to Devon Falls after his divorce, unable to shake off the feelings of failure and guilt that continue to dog him. He’s now in general practice, and currently has his ex-wife’s fourteen-year-old nephew, Elijah, living with him while his dad is away on deployment. Elijah is a very talented musician but isn’t particularly academic, and Jack’s in-laws are constantly on at him about the boy’s falling grades, and keep pushing for Elijah to go to live with them in Florida until his dad returns. Jack knows they blame him for the break up of his marriage to their daughter – and now they’re blaming him for what they see as Elijah’s failures, too, so much so, that he can’t help a niggle of doubt creeping in that maybe he is failing him somehow.
Jack and Benson bumped into each other on the day Benson arrived, but even though there’s an attraction there, neither thinks anything can come of it – Benson isn’t going to be sticking around and anyway, he’s the Bad Guy, out to destroy a part of Devon Falls’ unique heritage, and everyone is supposed to hate him for it. But Jack just can’t do it. Benson is easy on the eye, sure, but Jack is drawn to him for more than his looks, sensing there’s more to him than the tough, abrasive exterior he presents to the world and wanting to find out what that might be. The chance to do that comes a few days later when, at the weekly market, Jack is ambushed by Elijah’s grandparents, who start – again – complaning that Elijah’s grades are slipping, that Jack shouldn’t allow him to spend so much time playing his guitar, that Jack doesn’t have the skills to take proper care of Elijah because he has no-one to support him. Benson can’t help noticing similarities between Elijah and his younger self, a kid who didn’t excel academically, loved music and was told he had to give it up to focus on more ‘important’ subjects. Before he really knows what he’s doing, Benson blurts out that he and Jack are a couple, and that he’s more than happy to help out with Elijah.
Thus, the titular fauxmance is born. Benson really does help Elijah with his schoolwork and the two of them bond over their musical tastes and love of the guitar (Benson used to play but hasn’t in years), and as Jack and Benson spend time together – for appearance’s sake, of course – they begin to realise that what they’re starting to feel for each other isn’t fake at all. Benson is falling for Jack and for Devon Falls and the people there, who, despite the fact he’s supposed to be the villain of the piece, are warming to him, too. It doesn’t take Benson very long to realise that there’s something distinctly fishy about the situation he’s been sent there to resolve – and once he works it out, he’s got some big decisions to make. Does he follow orders and kill off an important part of Devon Falls (together with turning a blind eye to something really dodgy) or does he turn his back on everything he’s ever wanted – a place in the family and the family firm, recognition and acceptance from his father and grandfather – by doing what he knows to be right?
Benson and Jack are complex, likeable characters with relatable strengths and weaknesses. and issues to deal with. Benson’s tough outer shell is clearly hiding someone who has been hurt so often that he has almost learned to expect it. His grandfather is overbearing and treats him like shit, and I’ll admit there were times I wanted to shake Benson and tell him to grow a pair! But as we get to know him, it becomes easy to understand why he’s put up with that treatment for so long, and how badly the lack of anyone in his life who is really on his side has made him yearn for belonging and acceptance. Jack is a decent, down-to-earth guy who wants nothing more than to do the best for everyone around him, and, perhaps not surprisingly considering his profession, he’s one of life’s fixers. The trouble is though, that he’s often so intent on fixing things that he fails to truly listen to what the other person wants, and I really liked the subtle way this aspect of Jack’s character is explored. The obstacles Jack and Benson have to overcome feel real and mature, and kudos to the author for coming up with a third-act crisis that actually makes sense in terms of who these people are and doesn’t feel at all contrived.
What does feel contrived however, is the turn into clichéd TV movie territory taken by the storyline about the disputed land near the end, which is why I knocked my final grade down from a B+ to a B.
Apart from that, I enjoyed Fauxmance in the Falls – more than I’d expected to, actually. Benson and Jack have strong chemistry and their relationship is well developed and well written; I enjoyed Benson’s relationship with Elijah, and despite Jack’s tendency to bulldoze, I appreciated his desire to care for Benson and that, in him, Benson at long last had someone in his life who would put him first. This is definitely one for fans of small-town romances, sexy doctors and hard-nuts with a soft centre, and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series.
Fauxmance in the Falls is the first book in the Devon Falls series by J.E. Birk, an author I first became aware of through her books in the multi-authored Vino and Veritas series. Fauxmance is set in small-town Vermont and features all the things you’d expect from the trope – quirky townsfolk who know everyone and everyone’s business, and the grumpy out-of-towner who is gradually won over and falls in love with the town as well as with one of the locals. I’m not usually the biggest fan of small-town romances, but this one worked for me; the premise is a bit stereotypical but the two leads are engaging and three-dimensional, there’s a strong secondary cast and the book isn’t as cloyingly sweet as some of the other small-town romances I’ve read.
Benson Lewis has been something of an outsider all his life. The result of a one-night stand, his mother dumped him on his father’s doorstep when he was a baby, and as Linus Lewis was was about to go off to Harvard Law, baby Benson lived with his stern grandfather and was brought up by a succession of nannies until he was old enough to be sent away to school. When his dad got married and had twins, Benson’s stepmother, Sarah, was always welcoming and tried to include him in their lives, but Benson knew the four of them were a real family – one he could never be part of. Benson has spent most of his life searching for love and acceptance, trying to live up to his tyrannical grandfather’s expectations, to show him and his father that he’s more than the Lewis Family Mistake – and now that his grandfather (who owns a very prestigious law firm) has entrusted him with a very particular job, Benson jumps at the opportunity to prove his worth.
This job is resolving a land dispute in the small Vermont town of Devon Falls. The large plot just outside town was bequeathed to the community a hundred years ago and has been used for the Devon Falls Leaf Festival ever since; but now, a long-lost descendant of the family who originally owned the land has come forward to dispute its ownership, and should his claim prove successful, it will mean the end of a century of tradition.
Doctor Jack Lancer returned home to Devon Falls after his divorce, unable to shake off the feelings of failure and guilt that continue to dog him. He’s now in general practice, and currently has his ex-wife’s fourteen-year-old nephew, Elijah, living with him while his dad is away on deployment. Elijah is a very talented musician but isn’t particularly academic, and Jack’s in-laws are constantly on at him about the boy’s falling grades, and keep pushing for Elijah to go to live with them in Florida until his dad returns. Jack knows they blame him for the break up of his marriage to their daughter – and now they’re blaming him for what they see as Elijah’s failures, too, so much so, that he can’t help a niggle of doubt creeping in that maybe he is failing him somehow.
Jack and Benson bumped into each other on the day Benson arrived, but even though there’s an attraction there, neither thinks anything can come of it – Benson isn’t going to be sticking around and anyway, he’s the Bad Guy, out to destroy a part of Devon Falls’ unique heritage, and everyone is supposed to hate him for it. But Jack just can’t do it. Benson is easy on the eye, sure, but Jack is drawn to him for more than his looks, sensing there’s more to him than the tough, abrasive exterior he presents to the world and wanting to find out what that might be. The chance to do that comes a few days later when, at the weekly market, Jack is ambushed by Elijah’s grandparents, who start – again – complaning that Elijah’s grades are slipping, that Jack shouldn’t allow him to spend so much time playing his guitar, that Jack doesn’t have the skills to take proper care of Elijah because he has no-one to support him. Benson can’t help noticing similarities between Elijah and his younger self, a kid who didn’t excel academically, loved music and was told he had to give it up to focus on more ‘important’ subjects. Before he really knows what he’s doing, Benson blurts out that he and Jack are a couple, and that he’s more than happy to help out with Elijah.
Thus, the titular fauxmance is born. Benson really does help Elijah with his schoolwork and the two of them bond over their musical tastes and love of the guitar (Benson used to play but hasn’t in years), and as Jack and Benson spend time together – for appearance’s sake, of course – they begin to realise that what they’re starting to feel for each other isn’t fake at all. Benson is falling for Jack and for Devon Falls and the people there, who, despite the fact he’s supposed to be the villain of the piece, are warming to him, too. It doesn’t take Benson very long to realise that there’s something distinctly fishy about the situation he’s been sent there to resolve – and once he works it out, he’s got some big decisions to make. Does he follow orders and kill off an important part of Devon Falls (together with turning a blind eye to something really dodgy) or does he turn his back on everything he’s ever wanted – a place in the family and the family firm, recognition and acceptance from his father and grandfather – by doing what he knows to be right?
Benson and Jack are complex, likeable characters with relatable strengths and weaknesses. and issues to deal with. Benson’s tough outer shell is clearly hiding someone who has been hurt so often that he has almost learned to expect it. His grandfather is overbearing and treats him like shit, and I’ll admit there were times I wanted to shake Benson and tell him to grow a pair! But as we get to know him, it becomes easy to understand why he’s put up with that treatment for so long, and how badly the lack of anyone in his life who is really on his side has made him yearn for belonging and acceptance. Jack is a decent, down-to-earth guy who wants nothing more than to do the best for everyone around him, and, perhaps not surprisingly considering his profession, he’s one of life’s fixers. The trouble is though, that he’s often so intent on fixing things that he fails to truly listen to what the other person wants, and I really liked the subtle way this aspect of Jack’s character is explored. The obstacles Jack and Benson have to overcome feel real and mature, and kudos to the author for coming up with a third-act crisis that actually makes sense in terms of who these people are and doesn’t feel at all contrived.
What does feel contrived however, is the turn into clichéd TV movie territory taken by the storyline about the disputed land near the end, which is why I knocked my final grade down from a B+ to a B.
Apart from that, I enjoyed Fauxmance in the Falls – more than I’d expected to, actually. Benson and Jack have strong chemistry and their relationship is well developed and well written; I enjoyed Benson’s relationship with Elijah, and despite Jack’s tendency to bulldoze, I appreciated his desire to care for Benson and that, in him, Benson at long last had someone in his life who would put him first. This is definitely one for fans of small-town romances, sexy doctors and hard-nuts with a soft centre, and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series.
May 16, 2026
It Started with a Festival
I so like Benson Lewis and want to surround him in bubble wrap to be protected from the people with whom he shares DNA. Especially his grandfather. That man! Grrr....
As for Dr. Jack Lancer, I am a fan of his general attitude towards most things. The issues with his in-laws and what happened with his ex do bring out his insecurities. I love how Benson is a good balance for that.
Benson Lewis is a study in contrasts, that’s for sure. “Do you glare at all sweet, kind old ladies? Or just that particular one?” I ask him. Like I said: I’ve always liked mysteries just a little more than I probably should.
-- Dr. Jack Lancer
While Benson's father attempts to redeem himself, tissues are required for that scene, it's disappointing and heartbreaking that a parent would treat their child like that. I may not be perfect, but my children are secure in the knowledge that they are loved. Sorry, that apparently touched a nerve.
I read along with the audio book. The narrators, Colt Carter and Avery Wilde, are so easy to listen to. I do wish they were in duet and pronounced "Henry" the same way, but I otherwise enjoyed this. 🎧🧡🎧
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H1 & H2 = 25 & early 30s?
TROPES & TRIGGERS:
⚔️ Fake relationship
🔥 Doctor-Patient role playing
⚔️ Swords cross (MM / MLM)
🔥 Small-town romance
⚔️ Hallmark with heat (& a little danger)
🔥 Leaf peeping
⚔️ Fish out of water
🔥 Single dad / guardian
⚔️ Infertility
🔥 Angst
May 2, 2025
This went on for way too long and had way too much exposition in the first 30%.
I swear, the first chapters had like every other scene be a boring expo dump that had almost zero implication on the story at the time. Like who the fuck are Iris and Tom and why does Benson keep naming them of they're never showing up in the present?
The romance itself was also pretty much instalove with how quickly Jack and Benson decided to move their fauxmance forward.
Don't even get me started on how the fucking story tries to present Jack as though he was overbearing when he's trying to get his nephew to pass high school or when he asks Benson to take better care of himself as he's literally suffering on a fucking hospital bed from his bad decisions. Benson was such an ass that instead of thanking Jack for showing up, he decided to double down and hit Jack in his deepest insecurities AFTER he already fucking decided to sell his integrity by continuing with the case despite knowing it was a lie set up by the ski resort owner.
How the hell am I supposed to root for such a morally corrupt MC and his romance when there's literally ZERO redeeming qualities in him? How many times are his friends, Aaron and Jeremy, going to need to convince him to not be a shitty human being?
Then Jack continues and still throws him a freaking birthday party even after Benson literally hit him in his biggest fear? 🙄
And that's what convinces him. A fucking birthday party. Not being a good human to a town full of innocent people. Not Jack's initial affections or care. It would've been fine if Benson hadn't literally gauged Jack's heart out, but as it is, the relationship is already too imbalanced with Jack carrying SO much of the weight.
Then out of nowhere, Benson gets kidnapped and we still have 20% of the novel left. Why.
Bill Cummings had been more than happy to try and manipulate the courts and make things seem legal, but suddenly, abduction is not off the table? How does that even work?
TL;DR Writing in the first half was too reliant on exposition. Middle was fine until Benson decides to be literally the worst person ever. End is nonsensical with a subplot that comes out of nowhere and somehow ends with the two MCs reconciling.
I swear, the first chapters had like every other scene be a boring expo dump that had almost zero implication on the story at the time. Like who the fuck are Iris and Tom and why does Benson keep naming them of they're never showing up in the present?
The romance itself was also pretty much instalove with how quickly Jack and Benson decided to move their fauxmance forward.
Don't even get me started on how the fucking story tries to present Jack as though he was overbearing when he's trying to get his nephew to pass high school or when he asks Benson to take better care of himself as he's literally suffering on a fucking hospital bed from his bad decisions. Benson was such an ass that instead of thanking Jack for showing up, he decided to double down and hit Jack in his deepest insecurities AFTER he already fucking decided to sell his integrity by continuing with the case despite knowing it was a lie set up by the ski resort owner.
How the hell am I supposed to root for such a morally corrupt MC and his romance when there's literally ZERO redeeming qualities in him? How many times are his friends, Aaron and Jeremy, going to need to convince him to not be a shitty human being?
Then Jack continues and still throws him a freaking birthday party even after Benson literally hit him in his biggest fear? 🙄
And that's what convinces him. A fucking birthday party. Not being a good human to a town full of innocent people. Not Jack's initial affections or care. It would've been fine if Benson hadn't literally gauged Jack's heart out, but as it is, the relationship is already too imbalanced with Jack carrying SO much of the weight.
Then out of nowhere, Benson gets kidnapped and we still have 20% of the novel left. Why.
Bill Cummings had been more than happy to try and manipulate the courts and make things seem legal, but suddenly, abduction is not off the table? How does that even work?
TL;DR Writing in the first half was too reliant on exposition. Middle was fine until Benson decides to be literally the worst person ever. End is nonsensical with a subplot that comes out of nowhere and somehow ends with the two MCs reconciling.
March 16, 2023
Benson is the best grump, and Dr Jack is so hot, and I love this book so much!!
April 25, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Small town romance, fake dating, charming kids, found family, and quirky neighbors coming together to save the holiday festival … this book could easily have been so saccharine sweet you need the nearest lemon. Instead, it has a good balance of tension, sadness, and legal drama to help keep the story grounded. And a good portion of that grounding is Benson, himself.
Benson was abandoned as an infant by his mother, literally left on the doorstep of his father’s house for a then-teenager who had no idea what to do with a child. Benson’s grandfather stepped up, sending his son away to school and taking Benson into his own home where he was given to nannies to raise and shuttled off to boarding school as soon as he was old enough. In fact, Benson has been raised more by his grandfather’s indifference than anything else.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Small town romance, fake dating, charming kids, found family, and quirky neighbors coming together to save the holiday festival … this book could easily have been so saccharine sweet you need the nearest lemon. Instead, it has a good balance of tension, sadness, and legal drama to help keep the story grounded. And a good portion of that grounding is Benson, himself.
Benson was abandoned as an infant by his mother, literally left on the doorstep of his father’s house for a then-teenager who had no idea what to do with a child. Benson’s grandfather stepped up, sending his son away to school and taking Benson into his own home where he was given to nannies to raise and shuttled off to boarding school as soon as he was old enough. In fact, Benson has been raised more by his grandfather’s indifference than anything else.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
April 8, 2023
Who could have thought leaves could be the center of so much drama? They are also what brought lawyer to be Benson Lewis and Dr. Jack Lancer together, in an expected way. That all started with a fauxmance.
I have never found myself ever routing both for and against a character before Benson. I first meet Benson in J.E. Birk previous book, Counterpoint (ft. Aaron and Jeremy). Getting to see him experience his own romance was satisfying, especially after learning his full back story. Even grumpy lawyers deserve love.
Jack is the hot doctor who has a need to fix everything, even the lawyer trying to destroy the town famous leaf festival, even if he is barred from free cookies. He finds that the fake relationship he entered is not only good for him, but his nephew, Elijah, that he has current guardianship over with as well.
Five leaves out of five 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
Fauxmance in the Falls is contemporary MM romance in a dueling POV format. Set in fictional small town Vermont with oh so many unique quirky characters. It was well written with unexpected twists. All characters were well developed, and I want to read more about the town of Devon Falls and those who live there. This is an excellent first installment to what I am hoping is the first of many to come.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I have never found myself ever routing both for and against a character before Benson. I first meet Benson in J.E. Birk previous book, Counterpoint (ft. Aaron and Jeremy). Getting to see him experience his own romance was satisfying, especially after learning his full back story. Even grumpy lawyers deserve love.
Jack is the hot doctor who has a need to fix everything, even the lawyer trying to destroy the town famous leaf festival, even if he is barred from free cookies. He finds that the fake relationship he entered is not only good for him, but his nephew, Elijah, that he has current guardianship over with as well.
Five leaves out of five 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
Fauxmance in the Falls is contemporary MM romance in a dueling POV format. Set in fictional small town Vermont with oh so many unique quirky characters. It was well written with unexpected twists. All characters were well developed, and I want to read more about the town of Devon Falls and those who live there. This is an excellent first installment to what I am hoping is the first of many to come.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
April 11, 2023
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My actual rating is 4.5 rounded up.
I loved Jack and Benson’s fauxmance story, even though Benson was kind of hard to understand at times. How can you endure headaches and migraines without seeking medical advice and some relief? I wouldn’t. Other than that, I enjoyed the small town setting and the close knit community vibe of this book. I would really much like to visit Devon Falls and it’s Leaf Festival! However, I would steer clear of overbearing grandparents, that’s for sure! You’ll catch my meaning when you read the book, which I recommend you to do.
My actual rating is 4.5 rounded up.
I loved Jack and Benson’s fauxmance story, even though Benson was kind of hard to understand at times. How can you endure headaches and migraines without seeking medical advice and some relief? I wouldn’t. Other than that, I enjoyed the small town setting and the close knit community vibe of this book. I would really much like to visit Devon Falls and it’s Leaf Festival! However, I would steer clear of overbearing grandparents, that’s for sure! You’ll catch my meaning when you read the book, which I recommend you to do.
July 18, 2024
3.5 stars Book one of the Devon Falls series which I found to be an okay read..
This was a second book read by this author after having loved Counterpoint on audio.
Benson, 25 years, was a new lawyer who had a job to do within 70 days to stop the town's festival.
A good start as Benson helps a lost little George and meets a hot doctor in the process.
Dr Jake is Bi, and once married but now just looks after his nephew. Dramas play out with Elijah and a custody threat is against Jake.
Benson was trying to impress his family to win the case but they treated him like dirt.
An all right story but there was something that didn't draw me into the story. A fast attraction for a town's enemy romance.
A mystery to sort out with the family line regarding the land's ownership to sleuth as they dig further into the genealogy records. A fake relationship begins to tell and much more happens for them in this novel.
This was a second book read by this author after having loved Counterpoint on audio.
Benson, 25 years, was a new lawyer who had a job to do within 70 days to stop the town's festival.
A good start as Benson helps a lost little George and meets a hot doctor in the process.
Dr Jake is Bi, and once married but now just looks after his nephew. Dramas play out with Elijah and a custody threat is against Jake.
Benson was trying to impress his family to win the case but they treated him like dirt.
An all right story but there was something that didn't draw me into the story. A fast attraction for a town's enemy romance.
A mystery to sort out with the family line regarding the land's ownership to sleuth as they dig further into the genealogy records. A fake relationship begins to tell and much more happens for them in this novel.
March 16, 2024
Dragged. Wish I could have finished as quickly as the MCs did in every boring sex scene in the book.
April 28, 2026
Oh, I need more like this, STAT!
Imagine you’ve spent your entire life trying to prove yourself to your sh!tty family … and now is your chance, except the deck is heavily (and dishonestly/unfairly) stacked against you.
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Present tense.
I was sooo invested in this—it was so good! I love the small town and its hijinks, its people. I loved to hate those godawful in-laws, and I loved both leads, the little side of cozy mystery (ish), the scandal, and there was character development all-around. I absolutely need the rest of this series, plus anything else this author has ever written!
Small town Vermont.
He’s a lawyer / he’s a doctor.
Slight age gap.
Single guardian.
Fake relationship.
In-laws I LOVED to hate.
“I’m not good enough for him” cliché.
Corruption, scandal.
Lovable teen secondary character.
Overall:
Thanks to PFP for putting this author on my radar, looks like I have a new fave. Absolutely loved this read—hope for lots more in this town.
4.5 stars.
🎙️ Audiobook:
What an amazing audiobook—2 narrators managed to make this feel full-cast, and they brought it to life SO WELL. ALL the stars.
Imagine you’ve spent your entire life trying to prove yourself to your sh!tty family … and now is your chance, except the deck is heavily (and dishonestly/unfairly) stacked against you.
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Present tense.
I was sooo invested in this—it was so good! I love the small town and its hijinks, its people. I loved to hate those godawful in-laws, and I loved both leads, the little side of cozy mystery (ish), the scandal, and there was character development all-around. I absolutely need the rest of this series, plus anything else this author has ever written!
Small town Vermont.
He’s a lawyer / he’s a doctor.
Slight age gap.
Single guardian.
Fake relationship.
In-laws I LOVED to hate.
“I’m not good enough for him” cliché.
Corruption, scandal.
Lovable teen secondary character.
Overall:
Thanks to PFP for putting this author on my radar, looks like I have a new fave. Absolutely loved this read—hope for lots more in this town.
4.5 stars.
🎙️ Audiobook:
What an amazing audiobook—2 narrators managed to make this feel full-cast, and they brought it to life SO WELL. ALL the stars.
August 13, 2026
Love a series set in a small town it gives Hallmark vibes.
Also like fake dating probably my favourite trope.
Benson and Jack are both really well written characters and the plot that brings Benson to the town is also pretty good.
I think the end of the book is great and brings some edge to the book that took it to 5 stars.
It also tackles some interesting topics too
Also like fake dating probably my favourite trope.
Benson and Jack are both really well written characters and the plot that brings Benson to the town is also pretty good.
I think the end of the book is great and brings some edge to the book that took it to 5 stars.
It also tackles some interesting topics too
April 20, 2023
Great Fake Relationship Story
This is a great story with a fake relationship between a grumpy soon to be lawyer and a sunshiney doctor. It's a fun read with a lot of parts that made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed reading it.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This is a great story with a fake relationship between a grumpy soon to be lawyer and a sunshiney doctor. It's a fun read with a lot of parts that made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed reading it.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
July 5, 2026
Benson and Jack
I liked this, it has a bit of drama, romance, mystery and crime. Benson is a grumpy lawyer with a chip on his shoulder sent to the town to claim ownership of some land for a client. Jack is the town doctor who is sweet and always want to help his loved ones. A situation between Jack and his ex's parents has Benson pretending to be his boyfriend. I enjoyed listening to this. The narrators did a good job.
I liked this, it has a bit of drama, romance, mystery and crime. Benson is a grumpy lawyer with a chip on his shoulder sent to the town to claim ownership of some land for a client. Jack is the town doctor who is sweet and always want to help his loved ones. A situation between Jack and his ex's parents has Benson pretending to be his boyfriend. I enjoyed listening to this. The narrators did a good job.
April 20, 2023
Who’s ready for a little fake dating between enemies? Or is it nemeses? 🙋🏻♀️
First, let me say how much I enjoyed this small town romance. Small town settings are always fun, because they’re chock full of drama, quirky characters and people who just won’t mind their own business. Devon Falls gives us all of the above, and without it, I’m not sure this unlikely romance between the town golden boy and its archenemy would have been quite the same.
To be fair, theirs isn’t really your standard small town romance. There’s no quiet pining or furtive glances between old acquaintances wondering if they could be more. When Benson Lewis arrives and threatens the beloved Devon Falls Leaf Festival, he creates a scandal that rocks this town to its core. He doesn’t expect to make friends, and he certainly doesn’t anticipate Jack Lancer.
J.E. Birk gives us two fantastic but flawed main characters in Benson and Jack. Every step of the way we’re reminded they’re only human; they stumble and make mistakes working through past traumas, familial expectations, their careers and their own attraction. I felt for both of them, but especially Benson, who’s always been the black sheep of the family and nothing he does is enough. The more we see his insecurities and how he seeks approval from his family, the more I want to wrap him up tight. How can you not love someone who’s trying so hard and sacrificing every bit of himself? He shouldn’t have to. His family is the worst.
There’s so much more I could say about this one, because there’s a lot more happening than just the romantic storyline and legal conflict. All of these elements combine to create a fantastic story that keeps readers entertained and engaged. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, easy yet emotional read featuring a quirky small town, its lovable residents and a tiny bit of doctor kink. Can't wait to see what's next!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
First, let me say how much I enjoyed this small town romance. Small town settings are always fun, because they’re chock full of drama, quirky characters and people who just won’t mind their own business. Devon Falls gives us all of the above, and without it, I’m not sure this unlikely romance between the town golden boy and its archenemy would have been quite the same.
To be fair, theirs isn’t really your standard small town romance. There’s no quiet pining or furtive glances between old acquaintances wondering if they could be more. When Benson Lewis arrives and threatens the beloved Devon Falls Leaf Festival, he creates a scandal that rocks this town to its core. He doesn’t expect to make friends, and he certainly doesn’t anticipate Jack Lancer.
J.E. Birk gives us two fantastic but flawed main characters in Benson and Jack. Every step of the way we’re reminded they’re only human; they stumble and make mistakes working through past traumas, familial expectations, their careers and their own attraction. I felt for both of them, but especially Benson, who’s always been the black sheep of the family and nothing he does is enough. The more we see his insecurities and how he seeks approval from his family, the more I want to wrap him up tight. How can you not love someone who’s trying so hard and sacrificing every bit of himself? He shouldn’t have to. His family is the worst.
There’s so much more I could say about this one, because there’s a lot more happening than just the romantic storyline and legal conflict. All of these elements combine to create a fantastic story that keeps readers entertained and engaged. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, easy yet emotional read featuring a quirky small town, its lovable residents and a tiny bit of doctor kink. Can't wait to see what's next!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
April 16, 2023
This book has been such a surprising read. The blurb sounded good but it's been even better. The whole autumn theme in a small town and a grumpy/sunshine trope got me hooked from beginning to end.
Benson is the star of this book. He's supposed to be the evil lawyer that comes to Devon Falls to end the Leaf Festival that takes part in the town every single year, but he was never the baddy to start with. He is determined to do his job and get the recognition from his grandfather that he's always longed for, but then Jack comes across his path and some lines get a bit blurry because, let's be honest: Benson can't resist a stethoscope.
Jack is a good guy with a huge heart. He is the golden retriever of this story, trying to help his nephew at the same time that he tries to get over his past and failed marriage. The instant he meets Benson, the attraction is there and well, things progress the only way they can from then on.
I loved this book so much because both the MCs were very real to me.I so related to Benson's migraines and I must say that the author did an excellent job describing what that kind of pain feels like. It was accurate and very well described. It was also very touching to see how Jack took care of Benson when he was in so much pain.
This story is wonderful, funny, romantic and it was so easy to connect with the MCs that they touched my heart. Their romance, even though it was supposed to start off as fake, it was clear it was never that way. Benson and Jack are so perfect for each other and when they were together it was hot, but also very moving. This book was a fantastic read that I loved so much. I can't wait to read the next books in this series because this small town has got a special place in my heart.
Benson is the star of this book. He's supposed to be the evil lawyer that comes to Devon Falls to end the Leaf Festival that takes part in the town every single year, but he was never the baddy to start with. He is determined to do his job and get the recognition from his grandfather that he's always longed for, but then Jack comes across his path and some lines get a bit blurry because, let's be honest: Benson can't resist a stethoscope.
Jack is a good guy with a huge heart. He is the golden retriever of this story, trying to help his nephew at the same time that he tries to get over his past and failed marriage. The instant he meets Benson, the attraction is there and well, things progress the only way they can from then on.
I loved this book so much because both the MCs were very real to me.I so related to Benson's migraines and I must say that the author did an excellent job describing what that kind of pain feels like. It was accurate and very well described. It was also very touching to see how Jack took care of Benson when he was in so much pain.
This story is wonderful, funny, romantic and it was so easy to connect with the MCs that they touched my heart. Their romance, even though it was supposed to start off as fake, it was clear it was never that way. Benson and Jack are so perfect for each other and when they were together it was hot, but also very moving. This book was a fantastic read that I loved so much. I can't wait to read the next books in this series because this small town has got a special place in my heart.
June 18, 2025
Lately it’s hard to find a good romance story with this heartfelt drama… This story is funny, but nothing is on stake… very much it was like a road trip without any bump.
April 21, 2023
Check out our full post for FAUXMANCE IN THE FALLS on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I instantly fell in love with the town of Devon Falls. Small towns are so charming and close knit, I just love it.
Jack is the local doctor, and he has some past issues that he still hasn't gotten over. Benson is a law clerk who took on a case against the town of Devon Falls. Benson doesn't get along with his family and is always trying to prove himself. This case is what he thinks he needs to finally get that approval.
Jack and Benson both have things they are trying to work through, but when a situation arises and Benson says something that even surprises him, he and Jack are now in a fake relationship. These two together are amazing, they bring out the best in each other. Throw in Jack's nephew, who reminds Benson of his own childhood, and things get even messier inside his head.
This was a sweet romance with some family drama on both main characters’ sides. In the end, good conquers evil, family drama is solved, and Jack and Benson get their happily ever after.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, but is linked to the Vino e Veritas series and the book COUNTERPOINT in particular, which is set in nearby Burlington. It would not matter if you have read that story first, but you will enjoy catching up with Aaron and Jeremy if you did!
Benson has been trying to prove himself to his obnoxious, stuck-up, judgmental family since he was dropped off with his dad as an unwanted mistake by his mum. He has fought for recognition, and has now been tasked with a land ownership case against the town of Devon Falls. He is desperate to impress, but as time goes on, his research does lead him to think of ethics over success. I really enjoyed the legal elements of this book, they added context and drama in just the right measure.
Jack left Devon Falls to train as a doctor, and after a time in New York and an unhappy ending to a romance, he returned home to practice medicine with his mum. He is also looking after his ex-wife's nephew, as his father is away on service. This is proving to be quite a challenge, as Elijah is not academically gifted, but a budding musician who wants to practice with his band rather than study. In fact, his bad grades are like the first pebble that starts an avalanche resulting in Benson claiming to be Jack's boyfriend to keep Elijah from having to go to Florida with his grandparents...
I loved the different strands running through the story. They gave us humour, family, ethics, and the recognition of what love means and how valuable it can be. Cannot wait for the next installment!
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
FAUXMANCE IN THE FALLS is the first book in the Devon Falls series. If you are an avid J.E. Birk reader you will recognize Aaron and Jeremy from COUNTERPOINT.
Benson has to prove himself to his grandfather by winning a legal battle against Devon Falls. His client claims he owns the land where the town's famous festival is held. He knows everyone in town will hate him if he wins this case but maybe, finally, his father and grandfather will give him the recognition he deserves. But he never expected Jack – and Jack changes everything.
Jack returns to Devon Falls after a break-up to practice medicine. Looking after his ex-wife's nephew proves to be a challenge. And fighting with the ex-in-laws is something he doesn't want and when Benson says they are dating to help him keep Elijah, he goes along with the fake relationship.
I was so invested in this read. I loved everything about Benson and Jack. I love a "fake dating" read and this one checks every box for me. I can't wait to see more from this small town!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
April 24, 2023
We first met Benson in Counterpoint, part of the Heart Eyes Press ‘In Vino Veritas’ series. He came across as a total a$$h@le – and he really was one. He admits it himself in this book. However, we learn that Benson isn’t that way because that’s who he truly is in his heart, but because his family isn’t very conventional. He was born to an unwed mother and dropped on his clueless father. His grandfather treats him like a mistake and his father never fails to ignore Benson in favour of the twins he has with his wife, Benson’s stepmother. Luckily, Sarah, his stepmother, is a lovely woman and works true miracles on Benson’s father.
Dr. Jack Lancer is back in his hometown, working in the Family Practice with his mother and fresh off a divorce. He’s currently the guardian for his nephew (his ex-brother-in-law’s son) and is under immense pressure from his former in-laws, Elijah’s grandparents. Jack is a ‘fixer’, but a bulldozer kind of fixer. He sees a problem and tries to fix it. He never “sits with his own pain or sits with someone in their pain” before he jumps in and does everything in his power to make it better. As a doctor, this is mostly a great thing, but it can be overwhelming for his friends, family and some patients. The other thing about Jack is that he’s attracted to the man whose sole purpose of being in Devon Falls is to take away a piece of land that houses a popular leaf festival every year.
When their chemistry becomes too much to ignore and it becomes mutually beneficial for them to pretend to be a couple, they cave to that pressure and agree that it will be over as soon as the case over the land is finished. However, feelings crop up. Very real feelings. Feelings that neither man is keen on sharing with the other. Danger crops up and both men realize that they need to be honest with one another, but will it be too late for Benson? With cameos from Jeremy and Aaron, some angst, as well as lots of steam between the good doctor and the lawyer, Fauxmance was a super fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is honest and unpaid. The purchase of the paperback was paid for on my own and done voluntarily.
Fauxmance in the Falls
J.E. Birk
Dr. Jack Lancer is back in his hometown, working in the Family Practice with his mother and fresh off a divorce. He’s currently the guardian for his nephew (his ex-brother-in-law’s son) and is under immense pressure from his former in-laws, Elijah’s grandparents. Jack is a ‘fixer’, but a bulldozer kind of fixer. He sees a problem and tries to fix it. He never “sits with his own pain or sits with someone in their pain” before he jumps in and does everything in his power to make it better. As a doctor, this is mostly a great thing, but it can be overwhelming for his friends, family and some patients. The other thing about Jack is that he’s attracted to the man whose sole purpose of being in Devon Falls is to take away a piece of land that houses a popular leaf festival every year.
When their chemistry becomes too much to ignore and it becomes mutually beneficial for them to pretend to be a couple, they cave to that pressure and agree that it will be over as soon as the case over the land is finished. However, feelings crop up. Very real feelings. Feelings that neither man is keen on sharing with the other. Danger crops up and both men realize that they need to be honest with one another, but will it be too late for Benson? With cameos from Jeremy and Aaron, some angst, as well as lots of steam between the good doctor and the lawyer, Fauxmance was a super fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is honest and unpaid. The purchase of the paperback was paid for on my own and done voluntarily.
Fauxmance in the Falls
J.E. Birk
April 16, 2023
Fauxmance in the Falls is a sweet and steamy queer, grumpy sunshine romance. JE Birk writes a great small town Vermont story that has readers wishing Devon Falls was a real place.
4.5/5 stars
Benson is a young attorney who is sent to Devon Falls to work on a can’t lose property case for his grandfather’s stuffy law firm. Since he didn’t go to an Ivy League school, he feels like he has to prove he belongs. Once he’s in Devon Falls, he meets hot doctor Jack and Jack’s musician nephew Elijah. Benson’s not in town to make friends, he’s only there to get the Leaf Festival property returned to his client. But when Elijah’s grandparents insist he needs more stability than his single, bisexual uncle, he jumps in to say that he and Jack are a couple. Jack’s been attracted to Benson since they first met, and loves getting to know him better. But as Benson grows closer to Jack, Elijah and the rest of the town, can he continue to cut himself off from everyone? And there’s something fishy about the case he’s working on too…
Benson is the grumpiest of grumps but I adore him. I found myself wanting him to believe in himself, his abilities and his friends Jeremy and Aaron. (Jeremy and Aaron first meet Benson in their standalone book Counterpoint.)Jack is supportive, even when he and Benson are on opposite sides of the lawsuit. Watching their relationship develop, as well as Benson’s mentor relationship with Elijah, is a treat.
As a longtime Gilmore Girls fan, I feel safe saying that the town meeting gives off some serious Stars Hollow vibes. If you enjoy that almost too good to be true fictional town feeling, you’ll love this book. Everyone knows everyone and cares about everyone else, while accepting them for who they are. It doesn’t feel particularly realistic, but it’s a wonderful escape, and I can’t wait for the next book to take me back to Devon Falls.
Fauxmance in the Falls hits on all my favorite parts of a fake dating story. I adore Benson and Jack, and had a blast watching their romance develop. Benson’s career and family moments justify his general grumpiness; when paired with Jack’s own self discovery about accepting people for who they are, Birk creates a sweet small town romance treat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5/5 stars
Benson is a young attorney who is sent to Devon Falls to work on a can’t lose property case for his grandfather’s stuffy law firm. Since he didn’t go to an Ivy League school, he feels like he has to prove he belongs. Once he’s in Devon Falls, he meets hot doctor Jack and Jack’s musician nephew Elijah. Benson’s not in town to make friends, he’s only there to get the Leaf Festival property returned to his client. But when Elijah’s grandparents insist he needs more stability than his single, bisexual uncle, he jumps in to say that he and Jack are a couple. Jack’s been attracted to Benson since they first met, and loves getting to know him better. But as Benson grows closer to Jack, Elijah and the rest of the town, can he continue to cut himself off from everyone? And there’s something fishy about the case he’s working on too…
Benson is the grumpiest of grumps but I adore him. I found myself wanting him to believe in himself, his abilities and his friends Jeremy and Aaron. (Jeremy and Aaron first meet Benson in their standalone book Counterpoint.)Jack is supportive, even when he and Benson are on opposite sides of the lawsuit. Watching their relationship develop, as well as Benson’s mentor relationship with Elijah, is a treat.
As a longtime Gilmore Girls fan, I feel safe saying that the town meeting gives off some serious Stars Hollow vibes. If you enjoy that almost too good to be true fictional town feeling, you’ll love this book. Everyone knows everyone and cares about everyone else, while accepting them for who they are. It doesn’t feel particularly realistic, but it’s a wonderful escape, and I can’t wait for the next book to take me back to Devon Falls.
Fauxmance in the Falls hits on all my favorite parts of a fake dating story. I adore Benson and Jack, and had a blast watching their romance develop. Benson’s career and family moments justify his general grumpiness; when paired with Jack’s own self discovery about accepting people for who they are, Birk creates a sweet small town romance treat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 23, 2023
Since I read Counterpoint I knew there was more about Benson’s attitudes than it seemed, he wasn’t like that just because he wanted to be, but because he didn’t know how to be any other way. He could not.
Since his was a little kid he needed to prove himself before his family, especially his grandfather and his father. He needed to show that he belonged to a family that time and again pushed him aside or treated him like he was worthless, or to a verbally abusive grandparent who demanded more and more without even a word of encouragement. His childhood and adolescence were lonely, focused on only studying and working. What resulted in a cold and closed off man, accustomed to expecting the worst from others. Outside. Inside he was still that lonely child who just wanted to please and for someone to notice his true self. That someone would love him just as he was.
And then he had to go to Devon Falls and met a group of warm and generous people who, despite knowing that he had gone to destroy something important to them, still accepted him. And among them was Dr. Jack Lancer.
Jack, the complete opposite of Benson, was kind and open. Since his divorce he had begun to explore his bisexuality and enjoy it. He loved his town and its people and seemed to be a self-assured, confident and most carefree person. However, all of this hid a vulnerability and a fear of failing that led him to want to fix everything that he believed was broken. And he pushed and pushed until exhaustion trying to make it, which was a big part of what caused his marriage to fall apart.
From the moment they met, the attraction was immediate and deep. But between Jack’s fears and the case that brought Benson to that town and the need for his family to finally appreciate him, the obstacles between them seemed insurmountable.
It was beautiful to see Benson break through that cold and hard wall that surrounded him, revealing the warm and sensitive person that he was inside, allowing himself to be cared for and loved for the first time.
A beautiful story that teaches that family is the one that chooses you every day and loves you as you are, even if it is not your blood family.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Since his was a little kid he needed to prove himself before his family, especially his grandfather and his father. He needed to show that he belonged to a family that time and again pushed him aside or treated him like he was worthless, or to a verbally abusive grandparent who demanded more and more without even a word of encouragement. His childhood and adolescence were lonely, focused on only studying and working. What resulted in a cold and closed off man, accustomed to expecting the worst from others. Outside. Inside he was still that lonely child who just wanted to please and for someone to notice his true self. That someone would love him just as he was.
And then he had to go to Devon Falls and met a group of warm and generous people who, despite knowing that he had gone to destroy something important to them, still accepted him. And among them was Dr. Jack Lancer.
Jack, the complete opposite of Benson, was kind and open. Since his divorce he had begun to explore his bisexuality and enjoy it. He loved his town and its people and seemed to be a self-assured, confident and most carefree person. However, all of this hid a vulnerability and a fear of failing that led him to want to fix everything that he believed was broken. And he pushed and pushed until exhaustion trying to make it, which was a big part of what caused his marriage to fall apart.
From the moment they met, the attraction was immediate and deep. But between Jack’s fears and the case that brought Benson to that town and the need for his family to finally appreciate him, the obstacles between them seemed insurmountable.
It was beautiful to see Benson break through that cold and hard wall that surrounded him, revealing the warm and sensitive person that he was inside, allowing himself to be cared for and loved for the first time.
A beautiful story that teaches that family is the one that chooses you every day and loves you as you are, even if it is not your blood family.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Did Not Finish
September 28, 2025I also suffer from headaches but you know what helped me yesterday? Quitting this book.
I started this series all backwards and it was obviously a good thing, considering I liked the last one, didn't give the second a rating and this? DNF at... 2/3? 70%? Before I reached 200 pages?
My problem was simple: Benson. Jack was fine (his character was getting some terrible flaw that was still no unveiled when I quit but from the signs, it already sounded kinda lame). But the main character? He was the source of all headache-inducing elements. Like, I don't want to agree with the worst side character - gramps - but he is such a weak guy. He is basically the dog that got beaten too many times and now can't even really contemplate leaving his master. His family is terrible to him and yes, the abuse is verbal but that means his whole point of existence is to "proove" he is good enough for them instead of what most kids realize at a certain age - some people can't be satisfied/pleased no matter how hard you try. Not to mention some people are noth worth trying for. The granpa is both of those things, I started skipping all of his phone calls and even then, it obviously wasn't enough to get me to the end.
I wanted to say the conflict was good - choosing between doing the right thing, becoming yourself and leaving everything you know? Good, solid conflict. Instead, I felt like Benson is an idiot who wouldn't know how to tying his shoes unless his old old man told him. He has no spine, I can't say this any nicer, sorry, I was supposed to feel for him but I pitied and despised him instead. Because he stays in that situation even at the point I left, ok? Instead of being transformed by the magic of Devon Falls, instead of seeing how much better his life could be... after 200 pages, I couldn't excuse that BS.
Suffice to say, this book did not impress ME and I only regret going so far before I realized that. I am hard in my reviews, I think, but I am also soft in not actually rating/commenting on books I dislike. If I try something and don't like it, I move on. Unless I already read too much and now I need to unload my feelings somewhere. Like here.
I started this series all backwards and it was obviously a good thing, considering I liked the last one, didn't give the second a rating and this? DNF at... 2/3? 70%? Before I reached 200 pages?
My problem was simple: Benson. Jack was fine (his character was getting some terrible flaw that was still no unveiled when I quit but from the signs, it already sounded kinda lame). But the main character? He was the source of all headache-inducing elements. Like, I don't want to agree with the worst side character - gramps - but he is such a weak guy. He is basically the dog that got beaten too many times and now can't even really contemplate leaving his master. His family is terrible to him and yes, the abuse is verbal but that means his whole point of existence is to "proove" he is good enough for them instead of what most kids realize at a certain age - some people can't be satisfied/pleased no matter how hard you try. Not to mention some people are noth worth trying for. The granpa is both of those things, I started skipping all of his phone calls and even then, it obviously wasn't enough to get me to the end.
I wanted to say the conflict was good - choosing between doing the right thing, becoming yourself and leaving everything you know? Good, solid conflict. Instead, I felt like Benson is an idiot who wouldn't know how to tying his shoes unless his old old man told him. He has no spine, I can't say this any nicer, sorry, I was supposed to feel for him but I pitied and despised him instead. Because he stays in that situation even at the point I left, ok? Instead of being transformed by the magic of Devon Falls, instead of seeing how much better his life could be... after 200 pages, I couldn't excuse that BS.
Suffice to say, this book did not impress ME and I only regret going so far before I realized that. I am hard in my reviews, I think, but I am also soft in not actually rating/commenting on books I dislike. If I try something and don't like it, I move on. Unless I already read too much and now I need to unload my feelings somewhere. Like here.
January 5, 2024
Been looking forward to this book since I heard Benson was our main character! For those who don't know, Benson is first scene in Counterpoint. I definitely recommend reading that one before you jump into this book. You get a better appreciation for who he is and how far he has come and changed as you are reading this story. Benson wasn't my favorite when I first read Counterpoint but it becomes clear that we don't know everything about him. And I was definitely not disappointed to learn about Benson and his past. So the story starts with Benson being sent to Devon Falls help a client prove he is the owner of the land where the town has their famous festival. Benson knows he'll be the bad guy here but also knows that if he succeeds perhaps his grandfather and father will actually acknowledge him and how far he has come. He just needs to keep his head down and don't ask questions. But that soon becomes impossible when Benson comes across pieces of this case that don't seem to add up quite right. Then to make things more complicated, Benson never expects Jack. The hot single doctor taking care of his nephew who needs a bit of help himself dealing with his ex-in-laws. Benson still isn't quite sure how he ends up being Jack's fake boyfriend when he sees how awful they are being. Jack, meanwhile, has felt like a failure for a while. Failed in his marriage, failing to help his nephew with school. He tries so hard but it seems to backfire on him every time. And when he meets Benson, who saves him, he can't help but feel like he's found something he's been missing all along. These two were so sweet! They had such a nice balance to one another. Where Benson knows he can come off as a jerk, Jack is endlessly patient and sees past that prickly side of Benson. And neither are perfect in this maybe not so fake relationship. They have issues to deal with and we get some twists and turns on their way to their happy ending. And just some plot twists in general that happened were so good! I couldn't put this story down. We got some great new characters, great old ones making an appearance, and a town that is just a hoot and where you'll want to move to. Really loved this first book in this series and I can't wait for more!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2023
4 stars
I'm clearly in the minority here, but I have to be honest and say that I liked this book, but there were some things that didn't work for me.
I think Benson is an amazing character and I loved his development since Counterpoint: the author gave us hints, in that book, about Benson's difficulties with his family, but they are so much clear in this one. He is such a wonderful dedicated man and he didn't deserve what his grandfather put him through.
Jack is amazing too: he's a natural caretaker and he suffered after the divorce (Fiona is a wonderful woman, I'm glad the author didn't choose to picture her as the awful ex). Thank godness for his friends, always having his back, I loved his phone call with Sam, when they talked about what kind of fighter Jack is; I don't want to leave spoiler, but Sam point of view was awesome.
Nevertheless, Benson's behaviour towards his grandfather and Jack's one towards his parents in love reminded me too much of Jamie Morin's submissiveness, with the huge difference that Frank Morin truly loved his son. Instead, I believe that what Benson suffered because of his granfather was abusive and toxic (like his migraines issues) and it was painful to see him still trying to please that man, almost to the point to lose people who really loved him.
Benson's dad has his faults too: being unavailable for his child for 26 years was definitely not ok.
I cannot comment how Benson and his dad's relationship is going to go in this story, but I can say it was disappointing for me.
Luckily, Benson and Jack are able to go past their flaws and let their love for each other be their anchor. I liked them a lot as a couple and I ope we'll se more of them in the future.
I also hope the next book will be about Sam and Malachai, I definitely can picture those two together!
Recommended
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
I'm clearly in the minority here, but I have to be honest and say that I liked this book, but there were some things that didn't work for me.
I think Benson is an amazing character and I loved his development since Counterpoint: the author gave us hints, in that book, about Benson's difficulties with his family, but they are so much clear in this one. He is such a wonderful dedicated man and he didn't deserve what his grandfather put him through.
Jack is amazing too: he's a natural caretaker and he suffered after the divorce (Fiona is a wonderful woman, I'm glad the author didn't choose to picture her as the awful ex). Thank godness for his friends, always having his back, I loved his phone call with Sam, when they talked about what kind of fighter Jack is; I don't want to leave spoiler, but Sam point of view was awesome.
Nevertheless, Benson's behaviour towards his grandfather and Jack's one towards his parents in love reminded me too much of Jamie Morin's submissiveness, with the huge difference that Frank Morin truly loved his son. Instead, I believe that what Benson suffered because of his granfather was abusive and toxic (like his migraines issues) and it was painful to see him still trying to please that man, almost to the point to lose people who really loved him.
Benson's dad has his faults too: being unavailable for his child for 26 years was definitely not ok.
I cannot comment how Benson and his dad's relationship is going to go in this story, but I can say it was disappointing for me.
Luckily, Benson and Jack are able to go past their flaws and let their love for each other be their anchor. I liked them a lot as a couple and I ope we'll se more of them in the future.
I also hope the next book will be about Sam and Malachai, I definitely can picture those two together!
Recommended
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
April 15, 2023
First, I very much judge a book by its cover. And Jack is a freaking cutie!! The cover design is definitely one to warrant a blurb read.
So, what’s this book about?
Blurb: I'm here to destroy this town. How did I end up in a fake relationship with its hero? I've spent my life proving to my grandpa and dad that I'm more than just the Lewis family mistake. So when Grandpa sends me to Devon Falls, VT to take some ridiculous leaf festival to court, I head straight there and get to work.
But Dr. Jack Lancer keeps getting in my way. He's everywhere. Helping me out with my migraines, making me dinner, insisting people be nice to me even though I’m the enemy. Who is this guy? The next thing I know I'm pretending to be Jack's boyfriend to get him out of a bind. I swear he's putting kindness pills in my food or something. Jack thinks he can fix me the same way he fixes everyone else. But I'm not broken. This podunk town will be when I'm done with it, though. And Jack? Well, he's about to learn the meaning of the term ""collateral damage."" Because I'll do anything to win this case and end this festival. Even if it means losing something that feels an awful lot like love.
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Age Gap
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Grumpy lawyer/Charming dr
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Fake relationship gone wild
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Inappropriate use of dr office
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Humor and Angst
I know, right?!! You’re on board, too! Cool. Let me tell you how I felt when I finished. Happy. Benson is a very lovable pain in the ass. You will yell at him telling him to get his head out of his ass and make the right choice. You will be pissed at the Grandpa, for very good reasons. But, in the end when that HEA is granted? HAPPY! Sweet sigh. And then you will stalk @jebirkwrites cause you need more in your life!! Devon Falls Book 2 needs released tomorrow. Yeah, yeah, I know Book 1 hasn’t even officially been released. Geez 🙄 🫣🤭 Fauxmance in the Falls is a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
So, what’s this book about?
Blurb: I'm here to destroy this town. How did I end up in a fake relationship with its hero? I've spent my life proving to my grandpa and dad that I'm more than just the Lewis family mistake. So when Grandpa sends me to Devon Falls, VT to take some ridiculous leaf festival to court, I head straight there and get to work.
But Dr. Jack Lancer keeps getting in my way. He's everywhere. Helping me out with my migraines, making me dinner, insisting people be nice to me even though I’m the enemy. Who is this guy? The next thing I know I'm pretending to be Jack's boyfriend to get him out of a bind. I swear he's putting kindness pills in my food or something. Jack thinks he can fix me the same way he fixes everyone else. But I'm not broken. This podunk town will be when I'm done with it, though. And Jack? Well, he's about to learn the meaning of the term ""collateral damage."" Because I'll do anything to win this case and end this festival. Even if it means losing something that feels an awful lot like love.
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Age Gap
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Grumpy lawyer/Charming dr
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Fake relationship gone wild
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Inappropriate use of dr office
👨🏻❤️💋👨🏼 Humor and Angst
I know, right?!! You’re on board, too! Cool. Let me tell you how I felt when I finished. Happy. Benson is a very lovable pain in the ass. You will yell at him telling him to get his head out of his ass and make the right choice. You will be pissed at the Grandpa, for very good reasons. But, in the end when that HEA is granted? HAPPY! Sweet sigh. And then you will stalk @jebirkwrites cause you need more in your life!! Devon Falls Book 2 needs released tomorrow. Yeah, yeah, I know Book 1 hasn’t even officially been released. Geez 🙄 🫣🤭 Fauxmance in the Falls is a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
April 16, 2023
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first in a new series - but is linked to the Vino e Veritas series and the book Counterpoint in particular, which is set in nearby Burlington. It would not matter if you have read that story first, but you will enjoy catching up with Aaron and Jeremy if you did!
Benson has been trying to prove himself to his obnoxious, stuck up, judgemental family since he was dropped off with his Dad as an unwanted mistake by his Mum. He has fought for recognition, and has now been tasked with a land ownership case against the town of Devon Falls. He is desperate to impress, but as time goes on, his research does lead him to think of ethics over success. I really enjoyed the legal elements of this book, they added context and drama in just the right measure.
Jack left Devon Falls to train as a doctor, and after a time in NY and an unhappy ending to a romance, he returned home to practice medicine with his Mum. He is also looking after his ex-wife's nephew as his father is away on service. This is proving to be quite a challenge, as Elijah is not academically gifted, but a budding musician who wants to practice with his band rather than study. In fact his bad grades are like the first pebble that starts an avalanche resulting in Benson claiming to be Jack's boyfriend to keep Elijah from having to go to Florida with his grandparents ...
I loved the different strands running through the story. They gave us humour, family, ethics and the recognition of what love means and how valuable it can be. Cannot wait for the next installment!
This is the first in a new series - but is linked to the Vino e Veritas series and the book Counterpoint in particular, which is set in nearby Burlington. It would not matter if you have read that story first, but you will enjoy catching up with Aaron and Jeremy if you did!
Benson has been trying to prove himself to his obnoxious, stuck up, judgemental family since he was dropped off with his Dad as an unwanted mistake by his Mum. He has fought for recognition, and has now been tasked with a land ownership case against the town of Devon Falls. He is desperate to impress, but as time goes on, his research does lead him to think of ethics over success. I really enjoyed the legal elements of this book, they added context and drama in just the right measure.
Jack left Devon Falls to train as a doctor, and after a time in NY and an unhappy ending to a romance, he returned home to practice medicine with his Mum. He is also looking after his ex-wife's nephew as his father is away on service. This is proving to be quite a challenge, as Elijah is not academically gifted, but a budding musician who wants to practice with his band rather than study. In fact his bad grades are like the first pebble that starts an avalanche resulting in Benson claiming to be Jack's boyfriend to keep Elijah from having to go to Florida with his grandparents ...
I loved the different strands running through the story. They gave us humour, family, ethics and the recognition of what love means and how valuable it can be. Cannot wait for the next installment!
April 29, 2026
3.5 stars (rounded down)
I went into Fauxmance in the Falls by J.E. Birk mostly for the tropes and the narration, and I came out with mixed but still fairly positive feelings. The audiobook experience itself was genuinely strong. Avery Wilde and Colt Carter both delivered engaging performances that kept me listening even when the story slowed down. Colt Carter was new to me, and I ended up really enjoying his voice and interpretation. Together, they brought a lot of warmth and personality to the characters.
As for the story, it had all the right ingredients for something I would usually love. The fake dating setup, the single guardian dynamic, and the grumpy and sunshine pairing all worked well on paper and often in execution. I found myself smiling through many moments, and there was a comforting, cozy vibe throughout that made it easy to settle into.
That said, the pacing didn’t always hold up. There were stretches where the story dragged, and I felt my attention drifting despite the strong narration. The third act breakup, which felt like it came in two waves, didn’t fully work for me and pulled me out of the emotional flow rather than adding to it. It leaned a bit too heavily into familiar romance beats without bringing enough freshness to make them truly impactful.
Even with those issues, I still had a good time overall. It was one of those audiobooks that felt pleasant and easy to get through, even if it didn’t leave a lasting impression. I would not personally revisit it, but I can see it working really well for listeners who enjoy light, Hallmark-style romances that prioritize charm over depth.
**I received an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion**
I went into Fauxmance in the Falls by J.E. Birk mostly for the tropes and the narration, and I came out with mixed but still fairly positive feelings. The audiobook experience itself was genuinely strong. Avery Wilde and Colt Carter both delivered engaging performances that kept me listening even when the story slowed down. Colt Carter was new to me, and I ended up really enjoying his voice and interpretation. Together, they brought a lot of warmth and personality to the characters.
As for the story, it had all the right ingredients for something I would usually love. The fake dating setup, the single guardian dynamic, and the grumpy and sunshine pairing all worked well on paper and often in execution. I found myself smiling through many moments, and there was a comforting, cozy vibe throughout that made it easy to settle into.
That said, the pacing didn’t always hold up. There were stretches where the story dragged, and I felt my attention drifting despite the strong narration. The third act breakup, which felt like it came in two waves, didn’t fully work for me and pulled me out of the emotional flow rather than adding to it. It leaned a bit too heavily into familiar romance beats without bringing enough freshness to make them truly impactful.
Even with those issues, I still had a good time overall. It was one of those audiobooks that felt pleasant and easy to get through, even if it didn’t leave a lasting impression. I would not personally revisit it, but I can see it working really well for listeners who enjoy light, Hallmark-style romances that prioritize charm over depth.
**I received an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion**
April 20, 2023
J.E. Birk's got a new series, and it's a spin-off of sorts of her two books with Sarina Bowen's True North book universe, Booklover with Vino and Veritas and Counterpoint with In Vino Veritas. That being said, Fauxmance in the Falls, which is book one in the Devon Falls series, can totally be read as a standalone, but if you're looking to add to your to-be-read list, I hope you consider including those two other novels because they were fun reads and the main characters from there do make their presence felt in Fauxmance.
This series starter is a fake relationship romance featuring main characters Benson Lewis, twenty-five and a certified law clerk, and Jack Lancer, in his mid-thirties and a doctor. Benson's arrival in Devon Falls serves as a harbinger of sorts, there to help in reclaiming land used for a much loved annual event. If successful, it would mean the end of Devon Falls's Leaf Festival, so he didn't exactly expect to be welcomed by the residents. So, how did he go from potential persona non grata to fake boyfriend to the town's beloved doc?
Well, I enjoyed the heck out of this book! Benson and Jack may have gotten together over a perceived necessity--and the former being someone who seemed intent on putting an end to the Leaf Festival, albeit indirectly, didn't seem promising of a happily-ever-after--but it did give them an opportunity to know each other in a more in depth manner, beyond the assumptions. They clicked in a way that made me believe that they were exactly what the other needed. Fauxmance in the Falls easily earns itself four stars out of five stars.
This series starter is a fake relationship romance featuring main characters Benson Lewis, twenty-five and a certified law clerk, and Jack Lancer, in his mid-thirties and a doctor. Benson's arrival in Devon Falls serves as a harbinger of sorts, there to help in reclaiming land used for a much loved annual event. If successful, it would mean the end of Devon Falls's Leaf Festival, so he didn't exactly expect to be welcomed by the residents. So, how did he go from potential persona non grata to fake boyfriend to the town's beloved doc?
Well, I enjoyed the heck out of this book! Benson and Jack may have gotten together over a perceived necessity--and the former being someone who seemed intent on putting an end to the Leaf Festival, albeit indirectly, didn't seem promising of a happily-ever-after--but it did give them an opportunity to know each other in a more in depth manner, beyond the assumptions. They clicked in a way that made me believe that they were exactly what the other needed. Fauxmance in the Falls easily earns itself four stars out of five stars.
April 16, 2023
I loved this fauxmance story between Grumpy Extraordinaire, Benson, and Doctor Sexy as Hell, Jack!
Benson is truly the grumpiest asshole character I've read in a long time, but once you see how his family treats him, you can't help but feel that his tough as nails exterior is really hiding someone who has been hurt over and over again but deserves all the love and happiness the universe can provide.
And Dr. Jack? He's the dreamy doctor that has an instant crush on Benson, the guardian of his nephew with a broken heart and an I'll-fix-everything complex that's endearing at the start but quickly becomes one of the biggest issues he needs to overcome.
I loved seeing how these two men kept having relationship issues that felt real and grown-up and that helped them realise how their own hang-ups and destructive coping mechanisms were keeping them from the best thing that has ever happened. The character growth that both men make over the course of the book was something I really loved about them!
The side characters of Benson's friends, Aaron and Jeremy, Jack's friend Sam, the town nudist layeqwe Ellie, and Jack's nephew Elijah were such wonderful people to meet and read about, and they gave a vitality and humor to the book.
And I LOVED that we had a proper, moustache twirling, straight out of some historical romance, villian! It's usually reserved for historical romances, but I loved being surprised by it in a contemporary novel.
This was my first book by Birk, and I really loved the writing style and world-building, so I am definitely planning on reading the next installment in Devon Falls when it comes out.
Benson is truly the grumpiest asshole character I've read in a long time, but once you see how his family treats him, you can't help but feel that his tough as nails exterior is really hiding someone who has been hurt over and over again but deserves all the love and happiness the universe can provide.
And Dr. Jack? He's the dreamy doctor that has an instant crush on Benson, the guardian of his nephew with a broken heart and an I'll-fix-everything complex that's endearing at the start but quickly becomes one of the biggest issues he needs to overcome.
I loved seeing how these two men kept having relationship issues that felt real and grown-up and that helped them realise how their own hang-ups and destructive coping mechanisms were keeping them from the best thing that has ever happened. The character growth that both men make over the course of the book was something I really loved about them!
The side characters of Benson's friends, Aaron and Jeremy, Jack's friend Sam, the town nudist layeqwe Ellie, and Jack's nephew Elijah were such wonderful people to meet and read about, and they gave a vitality and humor to the book.
And I LOVED that we had a proper, moustache twirling, straight out of some historical romance, villian! It's usually reserved for historical romances, but I loved being surprised by it in a contemporary novel.
This was my first book by Birk, and I really loved the writing style and world-building, so I am definitely planning on reading the next installment in Devon Falls when it comes out.
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