I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I am sucker for pining and this book delivered on that. PK had really satisfying character growth, which was also nice to read about. On the other hand, there was very clearly a lot going on in Art's life, including a pronoun switch and this book being first person single POV really did not allow readers to see that. The other downside for me was how abrupt the ending was. I was shocked by arriving at the end.

A big thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an e-copy of this book.
This was another cute queer romance.
The book starts with Preston helping his best friend Art after a much awaited breakup (on Preston's part, anyway).
You see, Preston wants more than that, but can't quite find the strength to say it (this guy is seriously the cutest, in a totally over the top, anxious blubbering way), so he writes it into a novel instead.
And that's when things get interesting.....

At first I really struggled with the writing style, it was very OTT (and using a
LOT of text language and like, a lot of likes throughout). But once I adjusted I realised there was just no other way to write this character, and being first person the writing style really made sense and I adjusted quickly.

Art was this super adorable, nerdy character that gave me serious Johnathon Van Ness vibes... I loved the discussion throughout on Arts gender identity and Preston's desire to get the terminology right.

I also love that it briefly tapped into relationship and sexuality dynamics, and connections you don't expect.

I enjoyed this read and kept finding excuses to come back to it.

Funny, delightful, and well-written, Book Boyfriend tells readers that romance isn’t always… uhm, romantic— sometimes it can be a painfully awkward, fumbling mess —and that you don’t need a grand romantic gesture— not a successful one, anyway —to get your happily ever after.

Book Boyfriend is about Preston who’s a writer and is secretly in love with his best friend Art. This is a cute, but predictable romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea. I'm actually trying to restrain myself so that I don't write a negative review in every possible way, but I absolutely loathed the way this novel was written. Like, it's something unusual to, like, write a book and, like, actually have it published, if like, you seem to have only 20-something words in your, like, vocabulary. (this is how this book is written, btw)
Besides the writing, which I honestly found to be atrocious, I had a strong dislike for the main character. Nothing about the story per se bothered me. However, the main character's obsessive tendencies absolutely creeped me out.
Also, I'd like to point out that the pacing in this book gives you the feeling that nothing's happening in it.
I genuinely feel sorry for having requested this book because giving bad reviews doesn't really make my day... but I just couldn't help it with this one.

The description of this book is fabulous, and the premise certainly hooked me. However, the narrative voice and overall writing style here just didn't work for me--the humor and textspeak didn't gel with my own personality, so it made the reading experience a bit of a slog from time to time. The story was still fun enough, and the characters were mostly engaging, but I didn't have nearly as much fun as I was hoping. This is, I think, very much a *me* issue, and not really a fault of the book. If you like near-constant jokes and humor in your narration, definitely check this out.

It took me a bit to get into the story and characters, but I ended up really loving this book!

The prose was very informal, which I found somewhat distracting and rambling at first. But I quickly adjusted to it and found it worked quite well as a stylistic choice. I also appreciated the comedy and found myself laughing out loud every few pages.

The beginning of the book was rough for me because PK, the main character, started out very unlikeable. He is selfish, insensitive, and immature. However, PK has some sensible friends and is able to learn from them and his own experiences. He goes through a lot of character growth and really grew on me by the end of the book. But Art was definitely my fave character and I was so proud of them and their growth in the story!!

The story and characters were very relatable, sometimes uncomfortably so. I love books that immerse you in the story while also providing chances for reflections on your own life and self. This book definitely delivered! I also loved the bookish plot of this story. (It felt very meta to be reading an ARC while the characters discussed ARCs.)

Overall, this is a super sweet story that explores deeper themes of friendship, forgiveness, growth and identity. There is an excellent variety of LGBTQ+ rep and a lovely cast of characters that you will definitely fall in love with as they navigate adult life and love.

DNF at 45%. Neither of the characters were enjoyable to read, and I found myself pushing to get further in the book in hopes it would capture my interest, and unfortunately it never did.

I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC copy of Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper. I’m a big fan of Kris Ripper and absolutely loved all of zir previous books that I’ve read - there have been many across many series. Without exception every book, no matter who’s in it and what they’re doing, is about people and their often very complex emotional journey to their happier selves.

Book Boyfriend is no exception and I absolutely loved it from beginning to end.

Preston “PK” Kingsley has been in love with his best friend Art since college when they drunkenly kissed one night.

After a bad breakup Art moves in with PK who is trying to find a way to move out of the friend zone and let Art see him as the perfect boyfriend PK knows he could be.

The trouble is that PK can’t find the right was to tell Art out loud how he feels and so he turns to his writing where he can say what he’s feeling in the novel he’s writing.

Soon the book is on the road to being published and PK still hasn’t told Art about it. He’s waiting for a chance to do the big romantic reveal and tell Art everything, including how he feels. But things don’t go according to his plans.

PK comes across to me as shy, insecure and he really struggles to say what he wants or what he’s thinking. In some cases he comes across as really laid back and easy going but that can morph into wanting other people to do the work for him. Still his struggles to communicate seem to come from a place of genuinely wanting to do what’s best for other people but not being able to decide what that is.

Everything about Art is just gorgeous. From the way he turns up in the story looking bedraggled, to the way he gushes (unknowingly) over PK’s book on many occasions, to his giving PK a manicure. Art is sweet and caring and I just wanted to give him a hug.

If you’ve read other of Kris Ripper’s books, Book Boyfriend is much more like the Love Study series than say the Scientific Matters Universe. I have already added it to my list to buy and recommend.

Funny, sweet and so very meta, Book Boyfriend is a lovely read.

With laugh out loud, humor filled writing, fantastic book quips and a lot of character growth and development, this story is adorably awkward. Though slowly burning and mostly filled with the main character's internal monologue, it touches on some of the basic staples of romance like the perfect boyfriend and the grand gesture. I did find myself a little restless at times, waiting for PK to break free of his internal world, but overall, I truly enjoyed the story.

4.5 stars and sparkly nails

This book really put me through it.

This book is told from PK's first person POV. And while in practice not at all like Alexis Hall's Arden St Ives character, Ardy and PK are a similar ball of frenetic energy that had me both exhausted and anxious. And even when I was angry at PK and shouting "you idiot, WTF are you doing?" I was also really, really rooting for him.

The story is built around what PK imagines to be a Grand Romantic Gesture that, in reality, not only falls flat but is actually a really not great, not kind thing. And in that way, this book is sort of the anti-typical-romance-book. So often in romance it's a grand gesture that brings two MCs together, but in this book it was the so-called Grand Romantic Gesture that pushed these MCs apart.

And what even is a Grand Romantic Gesture anyway? Here's a great line from the book:

It's almost always the straight white guy doing these borderline really fucked up things as grand gestures in movies, and the audience all goes awwww and the heroine cries and everyone lives happily ever after. But in real life that kind of thing wouldn't land you with a happy ending. It'd land you with a restraining order.

And while I think it would be easy to perceive the ending of this book to be anticlimactic, I think it was actually perfect. Because real communication, talking like actual adults, is IRL far and away more romantic than some empty gesture.

I also valued that this book is very meta. The author has written a romance book about an author who writes a romance book. It features details from the publishing industry and tackles common problems MM writers face in a way that feels like Ripper was surely drawing on zir's own experience.

This was an amazing book and I am Kris Ripper's newest fan.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I got this e-arc from NetGalley and the opinions are my own. I liked this book! I enjoyed the blend of humor in it, it reminded me of myself! I really enjoyed PK, though his feelings for Art were a touch overwhelming at times. I also really enjoyed reading about Art and their journey in this book. I recently changed my pronouns so I enjoyed reading about about someone going through that journey too! It gave me all the feels I was longing, then sad, then happy again! I did enjoy how clueless the two of them were as well! This is a really good read and I highly recommend checking it out!

When I started reading Book Boyfriend, I immediately laughed out loud. A guy who only has three towels, one for, ahem, plumbing issues, and one that’s too fancy to use. So that leaves one for daily use. One? One! Okayyy … Like a friend said: Not very hygienic and romantic.

After that chapter, I was so ready for a humorous and sweet romance. I was up for a slow burn with longing and pining, and a best friends to lovers trope because it’s one of my favorite. But after a couple of chapters, I got restless although I still laughed, until I suddenly realized what was bothering me. PK and Art lived in the same house, but there was little to no interaction. And when they interacted, there was little to no dialogue. I realized that Book Boyfriend is more or less an inner monologue. And even though it’s incredibly fast-paced and humorous, with great side characters, fantastic queer rep, and wonderful character growth, I even got more restless. Because I wanted to get to know Art and didn’t get anything. Okay, they broke up with Roman, worked at a bookstore, painted their nails, wore skirts, and … That’s about it, I guess.

I wasn’t prepared for mainly inner thoughts. It’s a bit like Bridget Jones, I guess. Humorous, awkward at times. But I didn’t want a gay Bridget Jones; I wanted a romance. I wanted to swoon, to feel butterflies in my belly, and most of all, I wanted to get to know Art and smile at PK’s and Art’s romantic interactions.

Book Boyfriend is not a bad book, by far even. I even loved the last part of the story, PK’s character growth was outstanding, and they finally had conversations, like they talked, and I had those feelings I wanted to feel. I just had other expectations when I started reading. And therefore it might be an it’s me, not you thing. So check out other reviews if you want to read this story!

4.5 stars. This is the story of PK and Art, best friends since college and now in their mid 20s. PK has had feelings for Art for years and is too awkward, shy, and, afraid to ruin their friendship to do anything about it.

The book is very new adult. I almost stopped reading within the first 20 pages of starting this book. The way it is written, the MC is talking to you, the reader, in a very spoken language kind of way that is sometimes over the top. For instance:

<blockquote> Since I don't have a lot of experience with crying people I was a little *eek emoji* about it on my way down. </BLOCKQUOTE>

I either got over the language or quickly got used to it because I loved the rest of the book and the quirkiness of the characters. The main character, PK, is such an introspective overthinker. I can definitely relate. I was happy with the ending and this sugary sweet story.

Kris Ripper books always challenge me to think about romance - what it means to be romantic and in a relationship - and for this book - what those epic romantic scenes might feel and look like in real life.

PK has been best friends with Art since college - and kinda sort also totally in love with them. When Art breaks up with his boyfriend and shows up at PKs apartment - PK is overjoyed but doesn't really know how to handle it. PK is an editorial assistant and an aspiring writer. He is 26 but clearly still growing into himself as an adult and person with feelings. Art is still growing and changing too - embracing themselves fully as who they are - not who the world thinks they should be.

But what really got me about this book - is how Kris Ripper shows so clearly, so precisely, that true romance and true love maybe is found in cleaning the apartment when your partner asks you to. That driving all night to take your partner to see their sick family member, only to turn around and go back home again after just a few minutes might be much more of a grand gesture than a public declaration in front of all your friends and coworkers. The growth we see in all the characters is really striking and so so so well done.

What kept this from being a five star read was the pacing of the first half of the book - it was tough. There isn't any attempt to hide where the drama is going to happen - you can see it from a mile away - and that's ok - but it was like a massive clock ticking overhead and I just wanted to get to that point. And although a lot of what goes on is very necessary for the growth of the characters - but I think the detail about PKs book distracted from the narrative a bit. I can see that was part of the goal - to show that PK was so focused on what was happening to him - that he didn't take any other perspective or experiences into account. Once you get past that big moment though - the rest of the book wasn't something I could put down.

It was a great read and another winner from Kris Ripper.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Ah this was a lovely and sweet book. I read it in one setting since it was that good. Preston was in love with his best friend Art, and didn’t know how to express it to him. So he thought of being super romantic and write a book about his feelings. Unbeknownst to everyone else he ended up with a bestseller book. The fallout after this was unexpected to say in the least. Oh the feelings I had throughout the book. I loved Preston but I went from oh no he didn’t…to oh isn’t he sweet. Preston was a great character that I rooted for throughout the book. Art was okay but wished more from him to be honest. Buddies Wade and Ray were great sidekicks. I definitely recommend this book to those who love to read a heartwarming love story that took unexpected paths, but will leave a smile on your face.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Carina Press, for the advance reading copy.

As much as I was looking forward to a book with queer main characters falling in love amidst books and reading as much as the cover and the blurb, boy and they, am I disappointed?

You bet!

I enjoyed the humour in the writing. I wasn't expecting that! The main character was agonizing over his "best friend" Art who didn't seem to know how much he was in love with them. And I was pretty helpless as PK seemed to accept it and was ready to do anything to keep his feelings safe and secret when in fact he wasn't doing okay at all about it.

I wanted more chemistry between the characters. I couldn't help feeling it was more one-sided (yes, the story has been written this way and I was supposed to be okay with it but...).

I liked the second part of the book much more. I feel the writing was much better. I am surprised with the change in the writing style as compared to the first half.

It's a feel-good story which will make you smile and sigh with relief with the happy ending.

This book was so good. I SO enjoyed it, I read it all in one sitting within hours of being approved for it, staying up until 2am to get it done.
The book is about PK and Art, who have been friends and/or roommates for years, and PK has been in love with Art for most of this time. But he can’t find a way to tell Art, so instead he writes a romance novel about them and what he wishes their relationship could be.
I loved all the stuff about writing and publishing, I loved that basically the whole book was about books! PK works in publishing and Art works at a quirky indie bookshop, like, how absolutely perfect.
There was A LOT of angst/pining in this book, which isn’t something that I usually like. In fact, I’ve recently complained (in reviews) about books that were too angsty. But for this, it just worked and I didn’t mind it? Maybe because I liked both of the characters so much. PK is a bit of a loveable disaster and Art is just plain lovely.
Art has a great arc and a reveal near the halfway mark (trying for no spoilers!) and I love how it was written and I love how PK handles it. The book is told from PK’s POV and I love how hard he tries and then doesn’t have to try anymore.
One thing I found really interesting with this book was how Ripper has you being totally on side with PK, like, totally agreeing with what he’s doing, but then all of a sudden you’re not anymore and I think I was actually muttering “no, no, no! this is a bad idea!” at midnight, hopefully not waking my sleeping partner. I’m not entirely sure what happened that changed things, it was just this subtle shift, where you could all of a sudden see the consequences before PK could, and it was a bit painful.
I liked the side characters, they felt like real people, especially Wade and Ray. I found Wade especially interesting and the weird relationship he has with his parents around his queerness.
I could absolutely rant about all the things I loved so much about this book, but I don’t want to have to hide this behind spoilers.
The book is out April 26th, so you should absolutely preorder it because it’s just really super lovely. 🥰

Mein Leseerlebnis

Der Roman hörte sich beim Blick in den Klappentext interessant und frisch an, daher bin ich mit Freude ans Lesen gegangen. Leider wurde mir auf den ersten Seiten schnell klar, dass der Schreibstil nicht mein Fall war. Vor allem die Dialoge und die Gedanken des Hauptcharakters wirkten auf mich zu konstruiert und dadurch künstlich an.

Zunächst hoffte ich noch, dass ich mich an den Schreibstil gewöhnen würde und dass ich nach gut fünf Kapiteln in einem guten Lesefluss sein würde, doch das passierte leider nicht. Beim Lesen bin ich immer mal wieder über einzelne Sätze gestolpert und hatte dadurch ein eher mäßiges Leseerlebnis.

Auch konnte mich die Autorin nicht davon überzeugen, dass Preston wirklich unsterblich in Art verliebt war. Ich konnte kein Knistern oder etwas ähnliches spüren, mehr als Freundschaft war da in meinen Augen nicht.

Davon abgesehen fand ich einige Elemente der Geschichte erfrischend und interessant, z.B. die Sache mit Prestons Buch.

Das hat aber nicht ausgereicht, um mein Interesse am Roman auf Dauer zu halten. Daher habe ich nach gut 15 Kapiteln beschlossen, das Buch abzubrechen. - keine Bewertung -

Für wen?

Schaut in eine Leseprobe rein, wenn ihr den Schreibstil der Autorin und vor allem die Dialoge vom Stil her mögt, könntet ihr mit der Geschichte eine gute Zeit haben.

I really enjoyed this book and it might be my favorite book with an autistic coded character I’ve read. On top of the fun autistic coded characteristics I’ve seen before I loved the way the main character’s actions were handled. The main character clearly struggles with understanding the emotions of others when they are not within a context he understands. In most media I feel like this is used as an excuse for the autistic coded character to be an asshole, but book boyfriend doesn’t. When the main character messes up and behaves like an asshole, his friends tell him he was an asshole. You understand why it happend, but it isn’t treated as ok. The main character is also really kind when he does understand what he’s supposed to do/can do to help, which I really appreciated.