The Boyfriend Candidate is a delightful mix of fake dating, political intrigue, and sizzling chemistry. Alexis and Elijah’s dynamic is electric, with witty banter and heartfelt moments that make their romance feel authentic. Ashley Winstead’s writing is sharp and engaging, balancing humor, heart, and a touch of social relevance.

While some parts felt a bit rushed, the story is still a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of charm. Perfect for fans of smart, flirty rom-coms!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. For more book reviews, please check out @blondesbooknook

A compelling mix of humour, heart and heat The Boyfriend Candidate definitely has my vote for a simmering fake dating romance you won’t want to put down.
After her cheating ex left her heartbroken, school librarian Alexis Stone has decided it’s time to shake things up. After heading out to a bar with the intention of having her first one night stand, tall, dark and outspoken Logan swoops in and turns a potentially disappointing evening around. Then things get fiery, literally, as the hotel they’re in is struck by lightning and evacuated. At the sight of photographers, Logan runs then the news breaks that Alexis’ mystery man was none other than a democratic gubernatorial candidate, now fighting a scandal just weeks before the election. With both their careers at risk, they decide to pretend to be in a relationship until election day in two months' time. The scene is set for an irresistible slow burn, fake dating rom-com with Logan and Alexis’ hearts as well as the election on the line. What could go wrong?

Although lighter than Ashley Winstead’s thrillers, The Boyfriend Candidate is just as page-turning and addictive. I immersed myself in the campaign and flew through the pages in a single evening. It's a sweet, funny and romantic story about the power of being true to who you are. Alexis and Logan’s grumpy vs sunshine dynamic and instant scorching chemistry is a winner from when they first meet at the Fleur De Lis. Add in the integral cast of side characters working on Logan’s campaign for Texas Governor, plus Alexis’ supportive friends and well-intentioned sister and there are a lot of people in this relationship to keep the “will they won’t they” tension high. There were moments where I laughed, moments where my heart ached and moments where I was all but shouting at the page and the characters for missing what was right in front of them. Alexis is a loveable female lead I happily cheered for as she continued to push herself and Logan is a swoonworthy male lead even further improved as we get to know why he is so driven to make a change. The polls are strong for The Boyfriend Candidate. It has chemistry, comedy, scandal and heart in abundance, making it a sweet and satisfying romantic comedy.

Sparks fly in this charming political romance.

Ashley Winstead’s The Boyfriend Candidate delivers a witty, romantic, and irresistibly entertaining tale of opposites attracting under scandalous circumstances. With sharp writing and sizzling chemistry, this novel is a delightful exploration of love, identity, and the chaos that ensues when personal lives collide with public scrutiny.

Alexis, a shy and unassuming school librarian, has always steered clear of the spotlight. But after being unceremoniously dumped for her supposed lack of boldness, she decides to step out of her comfort zone. A chance encounter with the charismatic and outspoken Logan Arthur at a hotel bar leads to a night of unexpected sparks. The chemistry is undeniable—until Alexis wakes up to find her face plastered across the news.

Logan, as it turns out, is no ordinary stranger—he’s a high-profile candidate in the Texas governor’s race. With a photograph of them together threatening his political career, Logan and Alexis hatch a plan: she’ll pose as his long-term girlfriend until election night. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement quickly turns complicated as their faux relationship stirs real feelings.

Winstead masterfully balances humor, heartfelt moments, and sizzling romantic tension. Alexis is a relatable heroine with wit and warmth, while Logan’s charm and ambition make him an irresistible leading man. Their evolving dynamic is packed with laugh-out-loud banter, swoon-worthy moments, and just the right amount of emotional depth.

Beyond the romance, the novel delves into themes of self-discovery and empowerment. Alexis’s journey from a meek librarian to a woman who stands confidently in her own power is as inspiring as it is satisfying.

The Boyfriend Candidate is perfect for fans of fake-dating tropes, opposites-attract romances, and stories with a blend of humor and heart. With its sharp dialogue, steamy chemistry, and lovable characters, Ashley Winstead’s latest is a must-read romantic comedy that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

I originally DNFed this but decided to give it another shot. I preferred it a little more to Fool Me Once but it was still a 2 star read. The thing is, this author is not a bad writer and her plots are interesting but her characters always let her down. Alexis was painfully unaware of really obvious things throughout the entire book. We couldn’t see inside Logan’s head and it was clear he liked Alexis but “oopsie” she didn’t see it. Logan apparently had a British accent but was born and raised in Texas? Riddle me that. Lee somehow managed to be WORSE in this book than the first book which is saying a lot. I might give romances by this author a shot in the future but for now I’ve not had much luck.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For shy librarian Alexis, she decides to get out of her comfort zone and have a one night stand after her ex dumps her for being too meek in bed. she meets the flirty and gorgeous Logan in a hotel bar and the sparks fly. He's her exact opposite, but seems perfect for her night of fun. But nature has other ideas, and when the hotel catches fire, they are forced to flee, and photos of Logan carrying Alexis out of the hotel in his arms soon take over the internet. Logan is not just a handsome stranger, but none other than Logan Arthur, the candidate for governor in Texas' upcoming election. He can't afford for a scandal to ruin his campaign, or Alexis' job, and so they agree to pretend to be in a relationship for the sake of the campaign. But will they remember it's not real, or not?

I found this book such a quick and fun read. Alexis and Logan were fantastic MCs, and they really hit it off. Thought nothing like each other, their personalities complemented each other perfectly, and brought out the best in each other. Yes their romance was initially transactional, but both of them fell hard, with Logan falling quickest. A great contemporary romance, with a dash of politics thrown in.

When i first found out it was a political romance, i was intrigued. I absolutely loved both of these characters, and the fake dating trope is one of my favourites

3.5/5

Overall I think this was a good read, I just didn't love it

I enjoyed the growth we went on with the FMC and how she stood up for what she wanted and stopped trying to please everyone by the end of the book

I normally love fake dating but I wasn't a huge fan of in this book, just because it didn't feel like they were dating at all

I got annoyed at the miscommunication between the main characters, you could tell the MMC really liked the FMC, however he wasn't saying it and although it lead to a great plot line, it didn't make a great romance

- fake dating
- political spotlight

I really enjoyed this fake-dating romance.

Alexis and Logan were great main characters who showed their vulnerabilities.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy.

Whilst “TikTok made me buy it” does make me cringe, I do love a good fake dating based romance so I just had to give this one a go.

Though it starts off as a failed hookup, things escalate when the two MCs are forced together so as not to damage political reputation. The stakes are high and this makes for an interesting read, for sure.

Politics does form a bit of this book but, for anyone who’s not clued up on stuff like that, it’s not too much to take on. Plus, let’s be honest, we’re all here for the romance.

It takes a while to really get going but, when it does, the romance is gorgeous.

This book made me realise the fake dating trope will never go out of style for me.

Fake dating, slow burn... I'm in!
Really enjoyed this book, highly recommend. The characters were great and the writing was very good!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light hearted easy read that was easy to immerse myself in. Loveable characters, enjoyable plot! I love Logan!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I love the story. Found the end could have been more exciting, but still enjoyable. I saw someone saying the story with Will was wrong, but I liked it. She was discovering what (or who) she wanted, and it spiced the storyline a bit. Hopefully Will will get his own book.

This book has such a good fake dating romance and features slow burn as well!
I loved how the slow burn was long, it wasn’t instant love, we watched our characters grow and learn about themselves individually before they end up together. I loved that even though this book was a romance it had a real strong plot outside Logan and Alexis romance! and I was so anxious about which way the election would go.

I loved Alexis' growth and learning to love herself before allowing others to love her! the way she handled the grief of losing her dad was so well written!

First I would like to say thanks to Netgalley for giving me early access to this book prior to release.

Where to start?! This book is such a good fake dating romance that has this beautiful slow burn element to it that made the stakes feel so much higher and I truly loved it. In all Honesty I devoured it.

We follow our shy main character Alexis, who is found in a local bar trying to get over her ex boyfriend when she decides to push herself out of her comfort zone and become her alter ego Ruby Dangerfield.

Ruby is daring an everything Alexis isn't, and strikes up a conversation with a hot guy in the bar. Little does she know this small interaction and almost one night stand would flip her life upside down, and become the biggest scandal in Texas.

Learning to believe in herself and what she thinks is right, whilst allowing herself to fall for the man that is strictly off limits, with Alexis daring to cross boundaries to reinvent herself in a race to find her own happily ever after.

I loved that this book had a long slow burn, it wasn’t instant love, we had to watch our characters grow and learn about themselves individually before we could see them together. I loved that even though this book was a romance it had a strong plot outside finding out what Logan and Alexis where going to do - and I was on the edge of my seat wondering which way the election would swing (and its not even real!).

I loved the growth of Alexis as a character, learning to love herself before allowing others to love her and seeing how she handled the grief of losing her dad but still staying close to her mum and sister (even if Lee meddled a little too often in Alexis' life).

All in all I highly recommend this book a solid 4.5 stars.

Absolutely adored this book!
Alexis’s attempted one-night-stand, started the hilariously epic journey of her and Logan. Fake dating to ensure the public doesn’t think Logan is the ‘bad boy’ for the next two months until election day…

I loved Ashley Winstead thrillers so was really excited when I received this book to review. This book is such a fun, easy to read romance and I really enjoyed it. I like the whole fake dating component and I really loved Alexis and Logan as main characters, even if Logan does support Spurs. This book features politics and made for a bit of a different romance read but was enjoyable. You are along for the ride as Logan runs for the governor’s seat in Texas. If you like feel good romance books add this one to your list.

I struggled with this one. I thought the writing style was good but there was no frisson between Alexis and Logan which was disappointing because I thought from the description there would be a lot of fun fizzy tension. Ended up skim reading . Others might enjoy but not for me. 2 🌟

This is the first romance that I've read by Ashley Winstead but it certainly won't be the last.
First of all, I liked their chemistry. I also love a fake dating situation and this one was done really well.
The steamy scenes were good too.
It had an interesting story and I liked the insight that it gave me into the world of American politics.
This would definitely be a nice beach read or palette cleanser in between more heavier subject matters.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review of “The Boyfriend Candidate” by Ashley Winstead 💘

3,5 ⭐️

Since I’m a HUGE fan of Ashley Winstead’s thrillers, I really wanted to read this romance novel by her as well, and it surely did not disappoint! Aslhey Winstead writes mature stories, and this one was no exception.

It had great characters, the banter was really nice and there’s a whole new trope to explore in this one-night-stand-to-fake-dating-a-politician-to-lovers situation. I had a great time! Listened to most of this book and read the final chapters because I really wanted to see how this would end 📚

Totally recommend if you like swoon-worthy romance stories (with definitely a slow-burn aspect). I, personally, love Ashley Winstead’s incredible thrillers a bit better, but had a great time reading this nonetheless 🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a review! All of these thoughts are my own 🤍