Thank you to NetGalley and Harelquin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/m contemporary romance
-game show
-strangers to lovers
-fake dating
-one night stand
-this is just a hookup
-vacation romance vibes

I really enjoyed how Timothy mixed a story of grief, of what in a lot of ways was a vacation romance, the temporary and the excitiment with the comfort of the past. How Holden found comfort watching the gameshow with his mom, has worked to trying out for the show, yet spins his life on its head and works with Leo when they both feel a bit out of their luck. I don't want to say much and give anything away but this was the cozy feelings that Timothy always writes with, tied up in with higher heat and just a lot of fun.

TImothy Janovsky is one of the best writers in the LGBT genre, and that streak continues here! His dialogue is quick, snappy, and funny and his characters continue to shine. I always look forward to his next book, and this one was no exception!

Another pitch-perfect hit from Tim Janovsky! Tender loving moments mixed with charged, erotic scenes, and a fun plot that evolves at a rapid pace combine to mark a continued winning formula in the more risqué “new adult” romance category. Definitely give this quick, delightful book a read! You won’t regret it.

I struggled with this book. I kept putting it down and having a very hard time picking it back up. I finished it but I must say I didn't care for the main character and the one liners. This was just an okay read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance (U.S. & Canada) for the E-ARC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Cute story. I liked the characters and the authors style of writing. I will definitely check out more from this author.

Finally got around to reviewing "The Fake Dating Game" by Timothy Janovsky, and let me tell you, it's a delightful blend of adorable and steamy! 😍 Holden and James' chemistry is off the charts, and their banter had me grinning from ear to ear. The way they navigated their fake relationship felt so genuine, and I loved seeing their feelings evolve throughout the book. Holden's vulnerability and James' wit made them such relatable characters, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through. Although the game show aspect took a bit of a backseat, it didn't detract from the overall charm of the story. Nonetheless, their journey was captivating, and I found myself unable to put the book down! If you're in the mood for a heartwarming romance with plenty of sizzle, "The Fake Dating Game" is a must-read!

The (Fake) Dating Game is a sweet, relatively quick read that reminds readers that good guys don’t always finish last. Holden and Leo, who meet when Holden checks into the Los Angeles hotel where Leo is a concierge, strike up a friendship and quickly bond over painful break-ups, karaoke, and maternal obligations. Holden, whose mom died several years before, wants to honor her memory by participating in their favorite game show, Madcap Market. Unfortunately, when he presents the idea to his longtime boyfriend, he ends up getting dumped and in need of a partner. Leo, who is still living with his mother, has been trying to save money so he can get a place of his own. So, they agree to pair up and fake a relationship in the hopes of being selected to compete. Will they be able to keep their secret and win the $100,000 prize despite an unexpected challenge?

One of the most refreshing and appealing aspects of this story is that Holden and Leo genuinely care for each other and, even as new acquaintances, are very honest, willing to communicate, and comfortable with each other. They have loving and supportive parents who are proud of them, which isn’t the norm in most LGBTQ romances. Bottom line, they’re just so damn cute together, and you can’t help but root for them both to win the competition and have their happily-ever-after. This is the first book I’ve read by Janovsky, but it won’t be the last. Highly recommended!

This was a fun read! Plenty of sweet romance, swoon-worthy bedroom scenes, and a gripping competition sequence toward the end. I enjoyed the relationship between our protagonist and the love interest, and thought the way their love story started was both reminiscent of the rom-coms we love and innovative.

Truthfully, I didn’t buy the circumstances that led to the ex-boyfriend and his best friend/the protagonist’s first teammate option post-breakup becoming their opponents on the game show. I felt it was a little too coincidental/convoluted, but I will say it was a twist I didn’t see coming. I’m also not a fan of constantly name-dropping real songs/artists in books, as it dates the book itself and alienates the audience that doesn’t get the reference, but that’s absolutely just a personal preference of mine.

Overall, this was a sweet romance with fun banter, which is what I’ve come to expect from Janovsky’s work, and I enjoyed myself!

Holden James lost his mother six years ago and the grief continues to hit him hard. The two of them were incredibly close, and one of their favorite things to do together was watch TV game show, Madcap Market. When Holden gets a chance to audition for the show, he hopes to partner with his boyfriend, Buckley. But when Holden gets unexpectedly dumped, he ends up going to L.A. alone. However, things continue to fall apart once Holden is in L.A. and he finds himself drowning his sorrows in a Taylor Swift music and too much alcohol in his dingy hotel room.

Fortunately, the hot hotel concierge, Leo Min, comes to Holden’s aid with pizza and board games and his super sexy body. After the two end up talking for hours, they realize they are both desperately in need of funds, and Leo offers to be Holden’s partner to try out for the show. The problem is that Madcap Market casts only pairs with a pre-existing relationship, so Leo and Holden need to pretend that they are dating, not virtual strangers. Also, Leo needs to get majorly up to speed on Madcap Market if the two have any chance of getting cast, let alone winning. It means Holden and Leo need to spend the next few days together, getting to know one another so they can pass themselves off as in a relationship and so Holden can coach Leo on the game.

By the time the guys are ready for the auditions, their relationship has started to move from strangers to much more. Not only are the guys totally hot for each other, but Holden is beginning to realize that this relationship may not be all pretend. Leo and Holden may be on the way to becoming a real couple, but they still need to make it onto the show before they can win the prize. Then, Holden and Leo will need to figure out if they can turn what started as a fake relationship into something real and lasting.

This is a fun story with a nice meet-cute for two guys who are not quite sure where they are going with their lives, but unexpectedly find a connection together. Both Holden and Leo are in their mid-20s, doing jobs they don’t really like, and living with their parents. Both are broke and neither quite knows what they want to do with their life. It gives them an immediate connection, even as these guys are also very different. Holden is very clearly still grieving the loss of his mother and he feels her absence keenly. She died right before college and Holden has sort of just powered through without ever really emotionally dealing with his loss. Going on Madcap Market is in part an homage to her, as the show was special to them both and gives him a way to feel a connection to his mother. It works for him in some ways and not in others, and I appreciated that the story takes time to ultimately have Holden really process his grief. (This story does focus significantly on Holden’s feelings about losing his mother and it plays a big part in the book, so be aware if this is a sensitive subject for you.) I also really liked that Leo has a different, but similar experience with his mother to watching the game show (in his case, it’s shopping at the Korean market together) and so both men have this shared connection to their families and to these significant memories.

The men hit it off immediately, as Leo comes to Holden’s rescue when he is feeling particular down and overwhelmed. The are hot for each other pretty quickly, but also develop a real bond of friendship, then ultimately real feelings. This is a pretty short timeline (the main part of the book takes place in about a week), but the guys are together virtually much all the time, so I could go with the intensity of things between them. I’ll admit, I felt the emotional connection and the bond between them more than the sexual chemistry, though I’m not totally sure why. I also found it frustrating and a little awkward that it seemed like every time they are about to get together, something stops them. This is a pretty sex heavy book (complete with cucumber dildo), so I’m not sure why the choice to keep having something get in the way so often.

I was drawn to this story in part due to the game show aspect and the blurb makes it sound like the actual show experience is a big part of the story. In reality, most of the book is focused on Leo and Holden building their relationship and on the interaction between them, and the actual time spent auditioning and filming is relatively small. I did enjoy the relationship side of things a lot, so I didn’t really mind that the focus wasn’t huge on the game show. But I do still feel the balance was off and major game show events are just sort of breezed over. For example, we see Holden and Leo go to the casting call and then we are just told “they made it through this round” without actually seeing any of the audition on page. So while I didn’t mind the show not being the sole focus, I do feel like I wanted more time seeing it all play out given that this is a major milestone for Holden and his whole reason for being in L.A. Also, while I am definitely not an expert, the timeline here had me questioning. They audition on a Monday, find out they make it the show on Tuesday, then rehearse and film B-roll and background packages Wednesday. Then the show not only is recorded on Thursday, it also airs that same day. So this entire thing happens in four days from audition to on air? Also, they really do casting calls every week to select only the contestants for that week’s show, versus filming a bunch of episodes at once? Again, I am not an expert and maybe this is really the way it works, I just found myself a little thrown out of things trying to follow this super fast timeline.

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot and found myself eager to keep reading. I liked Holden and Leo and found their connection really sweet. There is humor and lightness here, but also some deeper moments, particularly with regard to both of their relationships with their mothers. I found this entertaining overall and a worthwhile read.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s a little too long and the game the title references doesn’t happen until the last third of the book. The rest of it is about the MC’s relationships.
Also, I love a steamy book, but the M/M sex is graphic and there are multiple instances, which put me off.
3 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

This was a cute romcom. The lead characters are likeable, and realistic. The narrative is a fun unraveling of someone falling for someone new after a fresh start. Toss in a little bit of drama, and some personal redemption along the way and you have a comfortable read of the lead following his dreams, and trying to walk away with the prize.

This is a story about the messiness of life.  For Holden James, the game show "Madcap Market" has always held a special place in his heart.  He used to watch the show regularly with his beloved mom, who passed away six years ago.  On the show, contestants compete in teams of two, and typically have a backstory designed to appeal to the audience.  Holden has secured an audition for the show in Los Angeles, and he's hoping to convince his boyfriend to join him.  Instead, his boyfriend breaks up with him, and Holden finds himself in a dumpy hotel in LA, working his way through the minibar and trying to come up with an idea for a partner before the audition.

Holden catches the eye of the hotel concierge, Leo Min, who, after observing Holden struggling in the lobby, shows up at his hotel room door with pizza and board games.  Holden does not know much about Leo, other than there is an undeniable spark between the two of them.  So he comes up with a plan where the two will pose as boyfriends and audition for Madcap Market together, and Leo unexpectedly agrees.  As Holden and Leo spend more time together preparing for the show, and learning more about each other, they find that their connection may go deeper than either expected ... or may be ready for.  But will Holden be able to look past his goal of getting on, and winning the show, to see that somethings may be more important than a game?

I loved this book!  I am a huge fan of the author, so I went into this novel with high expectations.  And this may be the author's best book yet.  Like his previous novels, this combines humor with heart and insightful explorations of family, friendship, and love.  The author excels at capturing people in all their complex, messy, and contradictory aspects.  The book is both one of the most sensitive and authentic portrayals of grief I have read.  The author shows how the loss of his mother has shaped so much of Holden's life, his outlook, and his relationships with both other people and with himself.  In a way that is both authentic and thoughtful, he author also depicts the complicated dynamics between Holden and Leo — the chemistry between the two leaps off the page, but we see how Holden struggles with what that means and whether there might be something real in what is supposed to be his fake relationship. 

Very highly recommended!

This is a really enjoyable yet also emotional fake relationship book that has some game show antics as well. It’s really interesting to see Holden’s journey as he still dealing with a grief of losing his mother several years earlier while trying to win a game show and ending up, feeling attracted to who he wants to be his fake boyfriend Leo. The characters are engaging, and the story itself is heartwarming. There are emotions, but there is also banter which adds levity to the story. This is an enjoyable romance.

Holden is living with crushing grief when his long term boyfriend breaks up with him. Leo is floating along uninspired, when he gets fired from his job. The new acquaintances decide to become friends with benefits, and fake boyfriends to compete on a national supermarket themed gameshow. This was a cute M/M romance with some spice added in.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.25⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Contemporary romance📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Such a sweet and cute romance filled with all the spice and fun.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Competition game shows
Fake dating
Fun and light reads
Single POV
Romantic comedies
Great chemistry
Steamy reads
Themes of grief
Strangers ro lovers
Books by Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
LGBTQIA+ rep
Loe’s mom

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
A little cheesy
Pacing was off at times

A fun fake dating M/M new adult romance that sees two young men competing on a grocery game show competition while falling hard for one another. Steamier than I was expecting, this book definitely has lots of explicit scenes but also lots of sweet/swoony ones too and a nice balance of emotional depth (especially related to grief of a lost loved one). Recommended for fans of authors like Alexis Hall or Casey McQuiston. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door/some explicit scenes

FULL REVIEW HERE: https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com/2024/01/25/review-the-fake-dating-game-by-timothy-janovsky/

Holden James’ dream of having a chance to be in Madcap Market, a Supermarket Sweep kinda TV game show, is about to be a reality. So when he asks his long-time boyfriend Buckley to come to the show with him, Buckley not only says no, but breaks up with Holden out of a sudden,

Holden ends up in his hotel room’s mini bar, licking his wounds with alcohol. That’s the moment when Leo Min, one of the hotel’s concierges, goes to Holden’s room to warn him that the other guests are complaining about his annoying behavior. Immediately, they connect with each other, and Holden asks Leo to go to the audition for the game show with him, posing as a couple. Leo agrees; he really needs the money. However, for the producers to believe that they’re a couple, they have to act like they’re actually dating, right?

I really loved Holden and Leo as a couple. They bring out the best in each other to make them shine with their own light. I think they got hooked on each other too quickly, however. At the beginning, Holden and Leo’s relationship can be described as too much, too fast. Then, their romance deepens as the plot progresses toward its end. Of course, no one can deny their HUGE chemistry. Their sex scenes were really steamy.

This is my first book from Mr. Janovsky, and I really liked it. But I couldn’t help noticing its flaws. Especially towards the end, the conclusion was a bit rushed. The biggest asset is Holden’s POV, but Leo was so cute that I really wanted to read some events from his perspective. More than a flaw, not having Leo’s POV in the book is something about my reading preferences. This didn’t negatively affect the book.

With a promising argument, compelling characters, and great storytelling, this book’s far from perfection, but it deserves to be read thanks to its potential.

ARC given by Afterglow Books by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thanks for your trust.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the ARC of this!

This was cute, fun and steamy! A little too Insta-love for my typical tastes, but I did really like the “fake” dating and the game show parts.

As a kid, I was a game show addict and always loved Supermarket Sweep which is a lot like the Madcap Market - tacky sweatshirts and all...

It made for a great premise that Holden is gunning for a win to keep his mom's memory alive and loops his new acquaintance Leo Min into auditioning with him... as his boyfriend... I love how go with the flow Leo is and how committed to the game Holden is... it makes for some madcap scenes even before they try out for the game show.

I also really like the characters of Ms. Min and Mr. James - it would be an interesting epilogue for the two of them to meet and get to know each other as the parents of these two men...

Nostalgia aside, The (Fake) Dating Game was a fun and fairly quick read with good pacing and just a little third act tension.

I loved it!

What a brilliant idea and unique spin on a reality TV show from Janovsky. I’ve become a big fan of his books now after 2 special books in a row (New Adult and now this one). I wasn’t sure after Mean One, but these two have me hooked!

The premise of a shopping show (not too unlike The Price Is Right, or at least that was what it seemed like to my inner 80’s child) was really cute, but how the book started out with a really shaky relationship and friendship made me a bit weary - until the weird concierge gamer Leo appeared at the hotel to save our dear Holden … and I wasn’t able to put the book down.

It was addictive, unique, special, romantic and hilarious. I completely and totally recommend every single (M/M) romance fan pick this book up immediately - I mean it! You cannot miss having this steamy, beautiful story in your brain, now!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and this is my honest feedback.

Ready. Set. Faux.

I’ve never read a book by Timothy Janovsky that I didn’t like and this is no exception. The whole concept is just so adorable.

Holden is recently dumped and partnerless for his favorite game show that he was auditioning for to pay homage to his mother who had passed. Enter Leo the unfairly fit concierge at his hotel and the chemistry between them is beyond, maybe even enough to convince the show's casting directors that they're a real couple.

It’s funny, cute, spicy, and healing. Go read this and everything else Timothy has ever written.