I wasn't sure what to expect with this story since I don't know much about cosplaying, and I knew that it was a major topic in this story. That being said, I was able to follow along just fine, and I genuinely enjoyed the high stakes competition.

I really liked Kenya as a MC. She's fat and Black, and she will do whatever it takes to prove people that she has what it takes to make it when it comes to costume design and fabrication. I also really enjoyed the LI, Cameron, who is basically Thor 2.0 and Kenya's best friend. They have really fantastic chemistry, and you can tell that both of them would do anything for the other.

The two things that I did not particularly enjoy with this story (not that it made it bad by any means) was the constant fatphobia and othering that both Kenya and Cameron were subjected to because "how dare a gorgeous white man be attracted to a fat Black woman". It got real annoying. The second thing was Kenya's parents. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but they were too much.

I love, love, love, this story. It's super romantic, I love friends to lovers, and I think the main characters are so much fun. I enjoyed the conflicts about family and public perception, as well as the internal conflict the leads have to work through to find their way to each other. Such a great book, can't wait to see what's next from this writer.

TW: death of a parent, child neglect (in the past), alcoholism

Review:
I will be buying a physical copy ASAP. This book is the perfect friends to lovers for nerds. From the very first chapter I was sucked into the story. If anyone is looking for friends to lovers that are absolutely smitten with each other here it is. I would say that it's a perfect book to read in one sitting. I especially loved the dynamics relationship that Kenya had with her family and her other best friend. The complicated decisions of following a creative career opposed to a STEM career and how that decision will reflect if she is successful or not along with the loving tension that created for her and her parents was very relatable. The Love Con balanced the emotional scenes with some of the cutest fluff I've read. I felt real life jealousy towards a fictional character and that's a good romance.

I loved these two oblivious nerds! THE LOVE CON by Seressia Glass was the lovely, low-angst romance I needed in my life at the moment. Set with a reality show backdrop, this friends to lovers, fake dating romance novel was a fun, quick read with imperfect characters you can really root for.

Kenya, our heroine, was absolutely my favorite character. She is a cosplay fan trying to make her dreams into a professional reality on a competition show called Cosplay or No Way, and she’s in the finals! When she finds out that she needs a partner for the last round, she names her longtime best friend and roommate, Cam… and maybe insinuates that he is her partner in ALL ways.

I don’t usually enjoy romance novels with a reality show twist, but I thought Glass balanced the contrived show drama and the real-life drama Kenya and Cam had to deal with throughout the book. The conversations about microaggressions and the unfair labels Black women have to battle every day were incredibly impactful. Glass masterfully wove the lighthearted romance moments with serious and socially relevant commentary throughout the book.

As for the romance? Sometimes I just like reading about two characters who love and respect each other the whole dang time, and that is this book! We know that Cam loves Kenya right from the beginning, and it was an absolute delight watching Kenya go from “I love this guy” to “I am in love with this man,” a fundamental distinction. Cam was SUCH a simp for Kenya, and she’s so awesome I couldn’t blame him for a minute!

Did this book rely heavily on the characters not sitting down and having an honest conversation about their feelings? Sure. But I think it made total sense with the reality show work schedule and the awkwardness of trying to change a decades-long relationship.

I wish the steam had been a little more fleshed out. It felt like the tension was there until the characters actually did the deed, and then it was kind of… gone. I think part of it was the end pacing of the book; it felt rushed and a little choppy. I also really dislike other woman drama, which was another reason I gave this book four stars instead of five – but it didn’t entirely impact my enjoyment.

Overall, this was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. The cosplay information was fascinating, the secondary characters were complex and engaging, and I loved Cam and Kenya!

**I received a free copy of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Seressia Glass’s newest, The Love Con is sure to be one of the best romances of 2021. The Love Con is a steamy and hilarious romcom with all the tropes you could need (fake dating!, one bed!). Kenya Davenport has made it to the final challenge on Cosplay or No Way when the judges throw the ultimate curve: design an iconic duo…with a significant other. Crossing her fingers, Kenya names her roommate (and bestie) Cameron as her boyfriend/co-creator in the face of the judges’ request…on national television. What follows is a sexy and sweet story as Kenya and Cameron due their best to only be in love on camera (hint, it doesn’t work). Kenya faces challenges from all directions (her STEM focused parents who want her to get a real job), the judges and their microaggressions, and of course, Cameron’s jealous ex. Glass does a terrific job at threading the real world into romantic comedy and letting her characters shine. The Love Con is a must buy addition for any collection, celebrating both diversity and the romcom genre. For fans of Talia Hibbert, Olivia Dade, and Roni Lauren.

Stevie‘s review of The Love Con by Seressia Glass
Contemporary Interracial Romance published by Berkley 14 Dec 21

I like romances with geeky protagonists, and I kind of like competitive crafty shows (although I find the sheer number of them on TV at present a little too much), so this book’s backdrop very much appealed, even if the fake relationship premise is a little overdone by now. A plus-sized heroine, who is also a geek of colour, was obviously a further incentive, though. Kenya Davenport makes it to the final of Cosplay or No Way, in spite of bitchy comments from one of the three judges, but then faces an additional hurdle when she learns she will be required to complete the final challenge at home with a partner. When the other finalist says he will be working with his husband, and the bitchy judge then seems to imply Kenya couldn’t possibly be in a romantic relationship because of the way she looks, Kenya blurts out that her best friend Cam is also her new boyfriend. Cam is too good a friend to drop Kenya in it by exposing her as a liar, and has his own costume business, so it looks like nothing could possibly go wrong with the deception. Other than the potential for lots of hurt feelings, obviously.


Cam and Kenya have been best friends since school and in love with each other for nearly as long – although neither has thought to express the latter to the other. They’re business partners and share an apartment, not to mention that Kenya’s parents adore Cam and have been following Kenya’s televised adventures with him. Not wanting the film crew to completely invade their personal space, Cam sets up a workspace for Kenya in the back of his shop, although that does allow more drama to invade his life there. Nevertheless, the pair also rearrange their home to make it seem more like they’re in a new relationship after previously sharing it as friends, which brings them into very close contact at times – a situation that’s both embarrassing and enjoyable.

The biggest barrier to things working out is Kenya’s self-doubt, coupled with her insecurities around her attractiveness compared to Cam’s. However, drama also comes from Cam’s ex-girlfriend and from Kenya’s parents, as well as from various crafting mishaps. I felt that more could have been done with the latter two, and that the ex could have been dispensed with altogether. I also felt the story would have worked better if the condition for Kenya’s cosplay partner to be her significant other had been set up as part of the rules, rather than existing only in her head due to one snide remark.

Overall, this didn’t quite work for me. So much could have been fixed by characters having proper conversations with each other, whether that was Kenya with Cam or either one of them with Kenya’s parents. I liked the various cosplay concepts and mash-ups, though, and it was refreshing to read a December release that never once mentioned the festive season.

Grade: C

This book was right up my BLERDY heart's alley. I would have really liked if the love interest was also Black, mostly because we rarely see that side of black men who also are into cons and cosplay. But this isnt a slight at the author AT ALL because it was such a cute story. Besties to lovers is always a trope that I go up for. Plus, plus sized rep is always nice.

I'd almost dnfed this book. It didn't live up to my expectations which is sad for my part. I just love the concept but it didn't hit me that much.

Thank you Berkley for my gifted review copy.

This book has a lot of things going for it.
-Cosplay
-reality show competition
-friends to lovers
-who also live and work together
-interracial friendship/relationship
-parents who don't like cosplay

So when I first started this one, I was LOVING it- so much. I'm highly invested in the character's relationships, their success and I love cosplay and all the nerdy things. No for real - the nerdier the better.

For me, the lack of communication between the main characters was bothersome at best. For being friends so long, I would have expected more open communication - it just didn;t add up for me.

If you're into cosplay and enjoy friends to lovers, this one may be a winner for you!

This book didn’t really work for me in several ways. Kenya and Cam are best friends and work together to make cosplay costumes. When Kenya gets on a tv show around making cosplays outfits, the final challenge asks her to invite someone to help her, but the show basically forces her to name someone she is romantically linked to just because the other contestant names his husband? This doesn’t make sense to me. Cam is the obvious choice… because he makes costumes too!

Kenya and Cam have to “pretend” to be dating even though they are BFFs who already live together. It just seems strange that it was never mentioned previously on the series that they were dating? It’s so sudden, I don’t get how anyone believes that.

I’m also not into cosplay at all and didn’t really understand the point of this show. They are making replicas of the costumes worn in movies? It seems more creative to make your own design and creation?!

One of the judges seems to have it out for Kenya and it seems so strange to her bias just out for everyone to see. I found this so unbelievable.

This book had some giant plot holes and it just didn’t work for me. It seemed like the story was set for a baking competition and they just dropped in cosplay to be different.

I wouldn’t recommend this one. Also this cover is terrible. I wouldn’t have even read this if it weren’t for the Berkley Besties.

This was one of the most enjoyable reads of 2021 for me. I think that it is time to see more stories with plus size heroines.

3.5

I think this book shed some light in some very important daily struggles that Black women have to go through. This is typically not represented in books and so this was very important. How they have to check themselves daily to not be perceived as ‘angry’. I was that it was interesting to read about cosplayers and just how skewed ‘reality tv’ really is. Some people on tv are awful but others are twisted and preyed upon for ratings. Going back to the story, I thought the development between the two characters going from friends to lovers was great. Scenes were mostly fade to black. I do wish there was more communication. I know this happens a lot in books but I wanted more communication between them. I do wish the heroine was more confident in herself and who she was and her relationship with her best friend turned lover.

Thanks to Berkley Romance for my ebook.

Thank you Berkley for my copy! I have been trying to get better at reading non thrillers, and I thank Berkley for putting on my radar. I think this would be the perfect book for someone, just wasn't a good fit for me. If you are into Rom Coms, Marvel, Cosplay, Reality Show Design Competitions then this would be the absolute perfect book for you

The Love Con by Seressia Glass is a sweet and steamy rom-com about two best friends who become more for a reality TV contest. This one was a delight from start to finish. On the urging of her best friend, Kenya enters into a cosplay contest where the winner will receive a big payout and the chance to work in the costume department on the next Hollywood blockbuster. Making it to the final round, Kenya is thrown a curveball by the judges when she is sent home with the task of creating not one but two costumes in a month. The catch is that she can have a partner. Her opponent has his husband. Kenya has Cameron, he just doesn’t know it yet.

I love Kenya. She has a creative mind that never stops dreaming up new ideas. I loved seeing her in her element in this book, but also being pushed outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a lot riding on this contest including her role at Cam’s fabrication shop, one that her parents believe she is taking advantage of. Which let’s be honest is not a fair assumption in the slightest. Kenya makes me laugh, and it was so easy to cheer her as she met each obstacle head on.

Cameron is simply the best! I love that the author included his POV because it adds SO much to this story. Cam is Kenya’s best friend, having met at 13 just after he lost his mother. They have a co-dependent relationship, but also work independently of each other. She has his back and he has hers. They are a team and always have been. But for Cam, he’s always loved her. With Kenya announcing that they are a couple (news to him) on national television, Cam has to decide whether to take a leap of faith, believing that they will be even better as a couple than friends, or go along with it and fake a relationship for the cameras.

I loved the dynamic between Cam and Kenya. They are best friends so it was easy to see a natural, and at times awkward, progression in their relationship from friends to lovers. I loved how they stressed that they are a team. That you don’t get one without the other, and the author does a beautiful job of showing that through their actions rather than just telling us. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and it is pulled off masterfully here.

Overall I really enjoyed The Love Con. I think I had a giant grin on my face from beginning to end. This is perfectly fluffy and fun with a heavy dose of sweetness to combat the steam. If you are a fan of rom-coms, nerdy girls and handsome boys, I highly recommend this one.

One of my favorite new rom-coms of 2021! I love a good fake dating trope, and Seressia Glass certainly delivered in THE LOVE CON. The cosplaying aspect made it so much more fun!

he Love Con by Seressia Glass
Seressia Glass has woven a beautiful story to tantalize nerds, fan girls/boys, and all that fall in the realm of fanatics in The Love Con. *Sighs in Marvel*


The Love Con is most definitely a contemporary romance that warms the heart and livens the spirit. It’s about Kenya Davenport, a total engineering badass. She has been a cosplayer for years and kills it with her ideas and crafting costume skills. Kenya is in the middle of the finals of a big reality show for cosplayers with the winners getting $100,000 prize along with costume designing opportunities. Our girl has made it to the final two and for the last part of the competition, she has to make not one, but TWO costumes as well as recruit a bestie-cosplayer to help.

Fellow book nerds let’s welcome Cameron.

Cameron is Kenya’s most bestest friend in the world, they have partnered up for a million cosplaying in past events, he as well is crafty in the costume realm. Cameron is also the reason Kenya is on the show, he convinced and helped her audition. They are roommates and have been childhood best friends since forever. As Kenya has a slip of the tongue and calls Cameron her boyfriend on national T.V. not only is he her partner for this final round, they must also fake dating on camera. Yikes! But the more you read, the more you see lots of repressed emotions and years built of attraction, especially from Cameron’s end.

With the prize and their friendship on the line, the tension and chemistry in The Love Con makes for a wild ride. I truly felt like so many moments in this book I was truly tuning in to a reality show. Kenya is a fierce, black, and plus size cosplaying goddess that tackles all the fat-phobic and internalized racism like, well, the goddess she is.


My final thoughts on The Love Con by Seressia Glass is a true delight to read. I laughed and giggled at the flirtation between Cam and Kenya. I found my self clapping at Kenya’s remarks and cheering her triumphs, she was such a relatable character. Also Cameron is so dreamy. Pick this book up if you love the art of crafting as it goes into deep details, if you love all things Marvel, and bad ass female leads.


Seressia Glass’s The Love Con releases December 14th, click here to order your copy! *Please note this is an affiliate link.*

I really wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this story or not. I have family that’s into Cosplay and really wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. Boy, am I glad I read this story. I so enjoyed myself and the whole storyline. And now, I totally understand the Cosplay world!

Kenya really made this whole story. She was smart, strong and independent and actually made me laugh out loud. And, I was actually able to relate to her feelings. I may not be a woman of color but I am not a svelte 110 lbs either … I totally understood why she felt the way she did. She laughed and hung in there no matter the criticisms or complaints and no matter how hard people tried to sabotage her. Cameron was her rock and did everything in his power to encourage her and keep his feelings on lock-down. I actually loved both of these characters and the way they were portrayed.

The Love Con checked off every box of mine when it comes to fluidity of a story, the storyline itself and wonderful, easy to love characters. The chemistry between Kenya and Cam was off the charts and I loved that it was a slow-burn. It took me a while to warm up to Kenya’s parents and their obsession with Kenya’s career. But, they finally came around.

Seressia Glass is a new to me author and I would definitely pick up another one of her books. She made me laugh, not only at the story, but at myself. It was so easy to read this book. If you are into Cosplay or not, I guarantee that you will enjoy this story.

The Love Con follows Kenya Davenport, who is a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay. Kenya wants to turn this into a career and she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way. The challenge for the final round involves the contestants' significant others to participate. Kenya is single so she asks her best friend, Cameron to be her fake boyfriend for the show. He agrees but has feelings for Cameron, will they both continue to fake it or lose their friendship.

This was such a fun book with friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, mutual pining, opposites attract with such good steam. Everyone needs to get their hands on it!

This book was okay. I didn't love it, but it was definitely cute. I found the relationship to be over the top and cringey, but I guess that was the point. I would still recommend this one, as it was a cute rom-com read, with all the drama.

Thank you Berkley Romance for giving me a chance to read a digital ARC of The Love Con. For me, this book was an average read. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. For starters, I really loved the fact that it featured an interracial couple, and I am always a fan of the friends to lovers trope. Cam was the sweetest guy in the entire world, and I loved toward the end when he told Kenya everything she meant to him. I kind of wish we could have seen this a little sooner so we could have gotten more of the relationship between Cam and Kenya, or Keke as he affectionately calls her, and less of the information on cosplaying. Although to that extent I did think the author did a good job of explaining all that goes into it. I also didn't really care for Kenya's parents and I wish they would have been more supportive in her even as the story went on. Cam's character really saved this one for me. 3 stars