We love a fake dating trope with two hot men!

Denzel and Braylon were in love in college until a transcontinental move separated them and ended their relationship. Neither one has been successful in love in the years since — but when they run into each other at the local coffee shop and Denz needs a fake boyfriend to prove to his family he’s serious about his future — the two reconnect. But as we all know, it’s hard to fake date with very real feelings! As both men figure out what’s next in their professional lives, they’ll need to figure out if they can avoid making the same mistakes all over again.

Both of these characters annoyed me at parts with their emotional immaturity but overall the story was sweet, sexy, and very relatable!

You can not convince me french toast grilled cheese is good, no matter how good the book was. I was so excited that Julian Winters was making his adult romance debut, I've been struggling more and more to read YA but I've always been a huge fan, I'm really looking forward to more, especially if they are this emotionally charged as this was. I found myself fighting tears as I was reading more than once, and enamored with the entire family. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone that's looking for romance

I loved the concept of this book so much. Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance and the fact that the guy comes back with a British accent makes it all the better! This book was a wonderful representation of diversity in a book and I really appreciated the representation for the LGBTQ+ community as well as how this book showed the struggle of being a successful gay black man in this day and age. I found this book to be highly entertaining and very endearing and I’m happy that we got our happily ever after for Denz and Braylon. This book was full of laughs and snarky comments as well as some serious topics, but overall I found this book to be absolutely wonderful.

If you look at my recent reads, I've been on a rom-com kick... escapism is real, y'all. And this one by Julian Winters fit the bill.

Full of fun rom-com tropes like fake dating and one bed, it was a cute, if predictable story. Denz is trying to prove he can take his father's place as CEO of the family's highly public party planning company. The way he devises is to fake-date his college ex (and only true love) Braylon. The guy who broke his heart by moving away without him. Braylon agrees because he's also looking for a promotion. Denz somehow convinces himself he won't fall for Braylon. You can imagine how that goes.

I thought Braylon and Denz worked well together and was rooting for them the whole time.

I started reading this because of the description, and I needed a quick pick-me-up. My initial assumption was that this book was going to make me feel the way I feel while reading fanfic. And I did, I got everything I expected--AND MORE. Every chapter tugged at my heartstrings in ways I didn't anticipate.

The thing is, I've read roughly 10,058 fanfics that contain the tropes used here: fake dating, exes to lovers, theres only one bed, and many more. But this novel is proof that if your story is driven well by its characters, it will be fresh and wonderful and satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!!

Mein Leseerlebnis

In der Liebesgeschichte gibt es eine interessante Kombination zweier Motive, die in dem Genre weit verbreitet sind: Es werden eine zweite Chance mit einer vorgetäuschten Beziehung kombiniert. Die Art und Weise, wie der Autor beides miteinander verbunden hat, fand ich interessant, aber nicht in jedem Detail überzeugend.

In der Geschichte ist so einiges los, die Hauptcharaktere wirkten auf mich vielschichtig und interessant. Komplett rund fand ich sie gleichzeitig aber nicht. Vor allem in Bezug auf Denz haben bestimmte Verhaltensweisen in Bezug auf seinen Job in meinen Augen nur wenig Sinn gemacht. Auch passten sie nicht so wirklich zu seinem Verhalten außerhalb des Jobs.

In Zusammenhang mit Denz fand ich den Erzählstrang mit seiner Familie und dem “Kampf” und die Firmennachfolge generell etwas zu konstruiert, zumindest wirkte das so auf mich.

In dem romance Buch gab es so einige Szenen, die mich gut unterhalten und auch berühren konnten. Es gab aber auch Szenen, in denen ich mir die Hauptcharaktere nicht als echte Personen vorstellen konnte. Damit hatte ich vor allem in der ersten Hälfte des Romans Probleme.

Oft finde ich den Einstieg in Bücher am besten, dieses Mal hat mir tatsächlich das letzte Drittel mit Abstand am besten gefallen. Denn in diesem erschienen mir die beiden Helden am lebendigsten und endlich wie sie selbst.

Die letzen Seiten im Buch fand ich wirklich berührend. Das Happy End passte gut zu den Helden und ich habe ihnen ihr Glück wirklich gegönnt.

Auch wenn der Roman für mich nicht komplett perfekt war, so habe ich ihn doch gerne gelesen und durch das schöne Ende die Liebesgeschichte auch mit einem sehr guten Gefühl beendet.

🖤🖤🖤 1/2

Für wen?

Wer Liebesromane mag, in denen viel los ist und die verschiedene, für das Genre typische, Motive verbinden, für den könnte “I think they love you” eine schöne Sache sein.

I wasn't convinced for most of this book that it was going to end well. It took Denz a really long time to grow, and I was worried he'd get the CEO position when he definitely didn't deserve it. It also took me til about the end to be convinced that Denz and Braylon should've ended up together. But the ending was sweet, and Denz got his rom com ending, and I liked the direction it took after about 80%. For an adult debut, I really liked it compared to Winters' YA works. Those didn't hit the mark as hard, and I can tell he went all out for this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Sweet & spicy, hilarious & genuine, emotional & kick-your-feet-giggle worthy - this book has it all!

Denz & his sister are competing for their family's legacy, and to prove he is serious and ready for the role Denz lies about being in a relationship.... with his ex. What could go wrong? 😂

This fake dating, second chance romance had me laughing, crying, and hugging my phone to my chest to soak up the happiness I just read for a minute before I went on.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters is set to release January 28th 2025!

🎉 I Think They Love You by Julian Winters is here, and I am obsessed! 😍 This is his first adult rom-com, after writing some amazing YA, and let me tell you… he did not disappoint.

So, we’ve got Denzel “Denz” Carter, a guy who’s always had his life planned out—until his dad announces his retirement and the competition for CEO of the family company kicks off. To seal the deal and look all responsible to his family, Denz does what any sensible person would do—he lies and says he’s in a serious relationship. 💍💔

Now, Denz needs a fake boyfriend STAT, and who does he turn to? None other than Braylon, the ex who broke his heart. Talk about awkward! 😬 But, hey, Braylon needs Denz’s connections for his own career, so they strike a deal: pretend to be together to get what they want. The problem? Fake dating your ex has complications… and suddenly, things feel real. 😏

Okay, I am living for this fake-dating-to-second-chance romance! It has everything—the tension, the chemistry, the heart. ❤️ What makes this story stand out is how it dives into the messy but beautiful complications of love and healing. It’s not just about a second chance at romance; it’s about becoming the person you want to be and learning to love who you’re growing into. 🌱✨

The dynamic between Denz and Braylon is everything. Their banter? On point. The slow-burn tension? Chef’s kiss. The relationship feels so real, so relatable—honestly, I was rooting for them the entire time. And the family dynamics? HILARIOUS. This is one of those books that will have you laughing and then picking your heart up off the floor in the next chapter. 🫶

If you’re a fan of fake-dating tropes, second chances, big queer families, and a swoon-worthy romance that will make you smile like an idiot—this book is for you. Julian Winters absolutely nailed his adult debut. It’s funny, heartwarming, and just the right amount of messy in the best way possible.

10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a love story that feels real, funny, and leaves you feeling all the feelings. 🏳️‍🌈💖

Thank you to NetGalley, Julian Winters, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book.

I Think They Love You was my first Julian Winters book that I have read and I loved it! The two main characters, Denzel and Braylon, were written very well and they had such depth to them. The details used throughout the whole book really brought the story to life and kept the reader involved until the last page.

When both Denzel and Braylon bump into each other after not seeing one another for five years, they soon find themselves fake dating so they can help each other advance in their careers - Denzel for the CEO position and Braylon for a promotion. Can a business deal turn into a second chance at love?

The writing was done well and will keep the reader involved. You will be routing for Denzel and Braylon throughout. I can't wait to read another Julian Winters book! This was a great read! Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I quite enjoyed I Think They Love You. The writing blended humor, heart, and well-executed tropes like second-chance and fake dating. The premise sets the stage for a romance balanced with themes of familial expectations and personal growth, making it a really enjoyable read. There was a LOT of chemistry. I liked the single POV of Denzel, and it recognized where he was blind in certain aspects of thinking (about his own abilities and desires to rise in his organization, with questionable motives) with some real character growth. The novel’s humor, clever banter, and representation of a lively, meddlesome family round out its appeal. With realistic romance scenes and a strong emphasis on communication, this book is both fun and heartfelt.

OMG y'all, I LOVED this book! I've been a fan of Julian Winters for a while - he's an Atlanta local and I run into him all the time at book events here. I was THRILLED when I saw that he was writing an adult romance and jumped at the chance to read I Think They Love You. AND I got to team up with my Atlanta book bestie Jocelyn for a buddy read - so freaking fun! While this book has some romcom vibes, I ended up getting super emotional over the end. If you love second chance, fake dating, or crazy family shenanigans, you NEED to read this one!

While I LOVED chaotic Denz from the beginning, it took me a while to come around to Braylon. Denz is still reeling over their breakup at the beginning of the story - he refuses to seriously date and is basically married to his job with his family's event planning company. When they randomly run into each other (twice!) five years later, you can FEEL the tension. However, a mutually beneficial agreement leads them to decide to fake date for a few months, and it's basically all over after that. EVERYONE can tell they are falling for each other again, and after they hook up for the first time, I was sold. Their fake dating rapidly evolves into some pretty swoony (and spicy) situations that had me rooting for them to FINALLY figure things out HARD.

In addition to Denz and Braylon's romance, I loved that Denz's close-knit extended family who ALL work for the family business play SUCH an important part of the story. I got very invested in their dynamics too, and I'm SUPER excited to hear that there might be a future book with some side characters I really loved. I'm so thrilled to have had the chance to read this awesome adult debut, and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!

Denz Carter, desperate to prove himself and secure the CEO position after his father's retirement from the family company, lies about being in a relationship and is forced to recruit his ex-boyfriend, Braylon. However, as they spend more time together, their feelings resurface, blurring the lines between fake and real. Denz must navigate the complexities of maintaining the relationship image while also proving himself to his family as a serious businessman.

Admittedly my expectations for this were HIGH because I absolutely adore Julian Winters' books. This one is his first book that isn't YA, and while I didn't love it as much as his other stuff, it was definitely still worth the read. I absolutely loved Denz, the MC, and I was very invested in his second chance/fake dating journey. I also loved reading about two openly gay Black men experiencing joy, and their identities not being used as vehicles to highlight trauma. My problem with this book lies among the other characters, particularly Denz's family. I just found each one of them so unlikeable. While they were not necessarily "mean" I never truly felt like they were rooting for Denz. I don't know why he and his sister were pitted against each other, and why people were so critical of him. In Julian Winters' other books, some of the aspects I found most endearing were how the main characters navigated the relationships with the secondary characters, but that was missing for me in this one.

OMG I cannot go on about how much I enjoyed this book.

It was pure rom-com perfection.

Very relatable main characters and even if it was clear that they’d end up together, the journey was 100% worth it.

Braylon’s cheesy dad jokes would always put a smile on my face. Their “fake” relationship was so endearing! Seriously, I found myself smiling a lot or laughing out loud.

What I didn’t expect was to cry during the finale…this story just felt real.

If this was made into a movie, I would watch and rewatch it!

This was my first time reading anything by Julian Winters but I am definitely to see his other works.

Denz wants to become his father's successor after the announcement of his retirement as CEO of 24 Carter Gold. To prove he's not the unreliable person his family believes him to be, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. This puts him in a bind, needing to find a fake boyfriend quickly. Fate intervenes when Braylon, the man who broke his heart, shows up at the right place and time. The two strike a deal to help each other out, but old feelings resurface, and Denz struggles to keep it strictly business.

This book is a wonderful second chance romance. I loved seeing the couple communicate openly and share plenty of sweet and fun moments together. Their journey was heartwarming, and their chemistry felt genuine, making their interactions enjoyable to read. The family drama was the central focus, adding depth and tension to the plot. It was tough to see how unsupportive the family members were, which was frustrating, but this conflict also made the couple's bond stronger and more meaningful as they navigated these challenges together.

I also appreciated the author's writing style. Their voice is engaging and pulled me into the story from the start. The pacing and dialogue felt natural. Overall, it's a great read for fans of romance with a strong family dynamic at its core.

This was a really cute book. I loved Denz and Braylon so much and how honest their relationship was. Their chemistry was off the charts and it was nice to also have backstory sprinkled throughout the book.

The Carter family is a whole lot of crazy and so much fun. I enjoyed seeing their dynamic and how the family business works. The story did a great job of putting that plot together with the love plot and meshed so well. I really hope this become a series and we get spinoffs for other characters like Kami and Jordan.

A joyful queer rom com that distracted me from everything that is going on in the world in the best way. I devoured this funny, heartfelt and romantic novel in just a couple of sittings. I couldn't put it down! I was a fan of the author's YA books - but this one blew me away. I hope that this is just the first of many adult queer romances from Julian Winters.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Denzel Carter has never been taken seriously by his family, at least not until he concocts a plan to make them as he vies for the CEO position at his family's event planning company. Enter Braylon, the one who got away and broke Denzel's heart in the process.
At one point in the book, Denzel perfectly describes why I love rom-coms even if they are predictable. He says, "I know I'm gonna feel good at the end. That I'll have something to hope for... there are moments in life where it's all worth it."
That is exactly how "I Think They Love You" by Julian Winters made me feel. Along with the characters attending UGA (Go Dawgs!), Winters draws you in with lovable leads and a cast of outstanding supporters.
Again as Denzel puts it, even if you can predict how the story is going to end, "... the journey is never the same."

This book is exactly what it claims to be and I love that. It's funny, big-hearted and funny and I think it was so sweet. I also appreciated the spicy scenes and think they were done well! I like that there is a bit of goofy and shy vibes as I think it adds realness to the story. I really liked both MC's and adore them together.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fake dating, second chance romance set in Atlanta, this was a fun read. Some things seemed like a stretch, like a social media manager being up for CEO of a large business. There weren’t many unexpected twists, but it was a delightful and sometimes steamy read, nonetheless!