Name: Fake Out
ISBN: 9781980355694

Eden Finley

MaddoxThe reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I'm a liar.When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend--the boyfriend who doesn't exist because I'm straight.At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I'm bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.DamonWhen my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy's boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It's because of guys like him people don't believe me when I tell them I'm gay.But Maddox has something I need.After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I'm trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister's best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.I just wish he wasn't so hot. Or that he didn't kiss like he means it.Wait ... why is the straight guy kissing me?*Fake Out is a full-length MM novel with a HEA/HFN and no cliffhanger.*

Fake Boyfriend #1

Fake Out

God this was just a really great, sweet easy read. 

Cass Paul

Aishling

3.5/5

I would’ve rounded it up if it wasn’t for the 3rd act conflict

MaddoxThe reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I'm a liar.When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend-the boyfriend who doesn't exist because I'm straight.At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I'm bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.DamonWhen my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy's boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It's because of guys like him people don't believe me when I tell them I'm gay.But Maddox has something I need.After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I'm trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister's best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.I just wish he wasn't so hot. Or that he didn't kiss like he means it.Wait ? why is the straight guy kissing me?

Olivia

I read this in one sitting and i had a great time lmao

sophia n

my reading pace was slowing to a crawl and i was really afraid i was about to fall into a full reading slump, so i decided to pick up a book i knew would help me get my reading speed up again, aka romance. VERDICT: IT WORKED.

i love the fake dating trope, i swear i'll never be tired of it?? and this was perfectly done. *smashes cup* ANOTHER. on top of that i loved the banter between the two mcs SO much, it never felt stale and it was so natural and fun. the buildup of the relationship was great, it wasn't insta-love which is a huge pet peeve of mine. another really good choice this book made: alternating perspectives between the two main characters.

both of the main characters are able to help each other get through their past relationship hangups, but not because they were escaping it or saving each other from it, but instead because they helped each other come to terms with it and realize their new partner isn't their old partner. that message alone is SO healthy and i loved it so much. plus there was no unnecessary or drawn out drama, and they both grew to understand AND compromise with their partner almost in an unconscious way and i loved that too.

one thing that bugged me (view spoiler)[and i think is what is making me question the rating, is a small thing, but that the conclusion of maddox's sexuality, after ALL the really good bi rep, felt like it came to a 'i don't really care about labels, they don't matter, i'm just in love with you' line ... which to me personally felt like bi-erasure and like it really undid everything it built up over the like 90% of the book, having maddox go through a good bi discovery journey. i think the book was really realistic from a sexuality-understanding perspective even with him feeling like the label didn't fit but still being proud to say it to other people out loud, EXCEPT by the end bc that felt like a final judgement line for maddox from himself. it wasn't BAD, it just ... rubbed me the wrong way a little. (hide spoiler)]

- 2ish weeks later, having now read other books by this author in this series, i realize the above mentioned was my own projection and sensitivity and wasn't the author's intention. so i put this up to a full 4 stars.

i think if you're looking for a fun m/m read i rec this 100%, it was a really sweet and wholesome read. i def am looking forward to reading the next books in the series.

lindsey

Tanya 

Aaaahhh this was the cutest stinking story ever!! I am obsessed with Maddy & Damon.

The relationship and friendship that formed between them from the beginning was just so organic it’s honestly what most people hope for. You can’t help but love them together. Maddy being allergic to relationships and Damon being terrified of trusting someone really a match made in heaven lmao

The dynamic also was interesting to see both of them assert dominance at different times & I loved that. Damon was able to let go some control around Maddy and Maddy was able to gain and learn things from him as well. They just fit together plus they’re both so damn hot.

Their friend group is hilarious I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how their relationships turn out. So glad I found this series!

Sophie Elaina 

It was great to see some of the tropes we see all of the time with m/f romances applied to a m/m romance. This was a very cute light hearted read and I really enjoyed it. The plot is very simple but at the same time it was done well. Both of the protagonist's perspectives were well written and that made this a very addictive read.

Helena Cristina Nogueira Pereira

Abi Baker

Anna // read.all.night 

Soooo cute. Perfect palate cleanser to get my excited about reading on an off day. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series! I’ve never read M/M before but I guess I love it, who knew?

Fake Out Fake Boyfriend #1