This book was both cute and hot. The two MC Denz and Bray are relatable and sweet. The couple gets a second chance at love after reconnecting and agreeing to fake date. They soon realize they have unresolved feelings for each other. The spicy scenes are hot and the chemistry between them is chef's kiss.

LOVE! I loved this book!

Fake boyfriends, second chances, one bed, family dynasty and dynamics, all in a very rom com story that one of the main characters loves.

Denz and Braylon were college boyfriends until a job took Braylon to London. While Denz stayed in Atlanta to work for his family's company. A few years later they run into each other not once, but twice. And that second time sees Braylon acting as a fake boyfriend to Denz's parents to show them that Denz is a mature adult. (which, for the record, you don't need to be in a relationship to be a mature adult)

Always in the shadow of his father and sister, with two incredibly nosy aunties not far away, Denz wants everyone to believe that he can do this job. Moreover, he can replace his father as CEO. Which he is vying for against his sister.

Let me tell you, there was not one character that I didn't love. From Denz and Bray to Jaime and Nic. All of these people are so important in Denz's life for all different reasons. Some to let him know that family always has his back, to friends who are there to rot on the couch with you but also give you the truth, and coworkers who see things without looking through a family lens.

It was funny and sweet and romantic. I even loved his username @notthatdenzel.

Braylon broke my heart a bit, Denz made me cry, they all made me laugh. I actually would absolutely love to see this story on the big screen.

4/5 stars

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for the advanced reading copy!

Cute fake-dating second-chance rom-com alert!!! Two of my favorite tropes wrapped into a sweet and spicy queer romance. I laughed out loud a few moments, and swooned at others. I love a book with big families and lots of silly supporting characters, and this one checked those boxes for sure. While it was semi-hard to keep track of all of those characters at the start, you come to realize who you need to know and who is just there for a funny one-liner, and that helps keep things moving! I loved reading about Denz's relationship with his family, and, especially, the ways that changed as he came into his own.

Both Denz and Braylon were frustrating at times, but lovable most often. Their romance was sweet, though did seem to take a few unexpected jumps to me at times. Things felt rushed at times and the ways the romance progressed felt a bit disjointed. This didn't stop me from believing in it or enjoying the book, just a minor complaint.

Throughout this book, I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen... of course, a "happily ever after," but what did I want that to look like for Denz? I think Julian Winters did a great job of wrapping this up in an unexpected but satisfying way -- every character got what I wanted them to and I had a few pleasant surprises along the way. Overall a super sweet rom-com!

If you’re in the mood for a delightful rom-com that’s equal parts funny and tender, then I Think They Love You is for you! This wonderful story follows Denz and Braylon as they navigate the complexities of rekindling their romance as they fake date. Flashbacks to their college days add a nostalgic twist, making you root for this couple even harder! You’ll feel every laugh, sigh, and moment of sexual tension as they navigate their complicated feelings.

As a Georgia girl, I absolutely loved all the references to Atlanta and Athens!

Why You’ll Love This Book:
— Fake Dating Shenanigans: Because who doesn’t love a little “pretend” romance especially between exes?
— Second Chances: Denz and Braylon’s journey reminds us that love can (and should) bloom again if we’re brave enough to embrace the messiness and try again.
— One Bed Trope: Need I say more?!?!
— Family Dynamics: Denz’s boisterous, meddling family is a riot and adds a rich backdrop to the love story.
— French Toast Grilled Cheese: How did I not know about this flavor bomb of deliciousness until this book???

I Think They Love You is a refreshing dive into the complexities of love, family, personal growth, and finding your home. With its entertaining plot and lovable characters, it’s a must read for anyone who believes in second chances. I can’t wait to see what Julian Winters brings us next!

I received a gifted copy of this book.

This was a sweet yet spicy fun read. I don’t usually love the second chance romance trope but combined with fake dating it was a winner! I loved the setting and tension between the characters, the puns were spot on and the characters were perfectly « normal ». I liked the side characters and all the little tricks they got up to as well. It’s fun to be kept guessing to an extent but the author let us in on a few things and as a reader I always love that.

I’d read more from this author for sure.

I Think They Love You was the CUTEST read!!! I was immediately so in love with Denz and Braylon and their second-chance romance. I LOVE a good fake dating trope and this book absolutely nailed it. Their history and their present relationship combined for the perfect story.

I was so taken with Denz‘s personal journey of seeking his familial acceptance in the workplace. His family dynamic plays such a crucial role in this story, and I really loved seeing the growth he and his family experienced. As much as this was a beautiful love story, it was also a journey of Denz’s self love and learning of his own acceptance.

This romance brought me all the feels. I loved their love and I could read a thousand spin-offs about the journeys the other characters go through. Julian Winters did a brilliant job from start to finish of hooking me, and I cannot recommend this read more.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 1/28

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Griffin for my free book!

Denzel “Denz” Carter is a total workaholic trying to prove to his family that he’s ready to take over as CEO of their company. To seal the deal, he needs to fake a relationship—fast. Enter Braylon, the ex-boyfriend who broke his heart but also needs a favor of his own.
I loved this book! This adult debut is packed with everything you could want: fake dating, second chances, and a family so chaotic you’ll feel like you’re at the reunion yourself.

Denz is such a loveable disaster from the get-go, and you can’t help but cheer him on as he tries to juggle his big career dreams and messy personal life. Braylon took a little longer to win me over, but once you see his softer side and the reasons behind their history, you’ll be rooting for him, too. Their fake dating started off as strictly business but quickly turned into some steamy, swoony moments that had me fully hooked. The chemistry between these two is off the charts.

What makes this book even better is Denz’s wild, close-knit family. They’re always in the mix, creating drama, dishing out advice, and adding heart to the story. Honestly, I loved them almost as much as the romance.

If you’re into fake dating, second-chance romance, or just need a good laugh and a happy cry, this one’s for you. Highly recommend picking it up!

By the end of this book, I really liked how everything wrapped up. However, in the beginning and middle, this was a bit of an uneven read for me. The premise of the "fake dating" was more contrived than usual - Denz needs to have a boyfriend in order for his father to take him seriously so that he'll choose him to lead the family event-planning business. So, his two choices are his best friend or his first love Braylon who has returned to the US from London.
What I loved:
* the big cast of characters, mostly Denz's extended family
* the lavish party descriptions

What could have been better for me:
- showing more depth in the characters sooner than the last quarter of the book.
- the social media aspects that were so cringey to me.

All in all, a good book that I am sure many romance readers will enjoy.
3.5* / 5*

Although illustrated covers aren’t my thing, this one gave me pause. Also, the title opened my curiosity, so when I started reading I Think They Love You; the unexpected joy I had from chapter one onwards meant this well-written story got my full attention.

The protagonists share history and present as circumstances would have it, begin to fake-date. This could lead to a second chance; however, Denzel aka Denz hasn’t forgotten what happened years back and is not only trying to be cavalier about opening himself up to love again but also super busy proving his worth to his father–the possibility of taking his place as CEO in the family-run company.

There are a couple of things that I truly liked. Denz is far from perfect; but relatably frustrating, lovable and hot. And despite having a memory like a sieve, he manages to come out smiling roses. The competitiveness between his sister for the position never felt exaggerated, her generosity bowling me over. Who, on earth, lends a hand when there is so much at stake? Has she got the comeuppance on him? Read and you’ll find out.

The Carter family dynamics are exceptionally well put together. They are, in brackets, protective of their own even though there were a few long faces when Denz presented his once-upon-a-time boyfriend, they accept Braylon with open arms. Food for thought. These two’s attraction is so well described that how could some family members ever realise it wasn’t just a farce?

I had a few issues connecting to Braylon. I felt his distance; most probably because his voice was missing. That said, his British connotations were something that the author could have refined a tad because I for one, (Brit through and through) don’t speak like this; but hey-ho, it’s all about the story which is original if not entirely queer!

Great banter, laugh-out-loud scenes and steaminess bound, but the third act threw me. This easy-to-read love story with all its sprinkling of drama is a must-one-click. Bravo to the author who brought home the importance of family balance, forgiveness and a storyline twist which was perfectly construed.

This book was so good!

The writing was superb, the seamless jumps back in time, moved the story along without making it clunky, and goodness did I love Denz and Braylon.

This is a second chance romance, with faking dating, and real big feelings. I teared up multiple times while reading, but I was smiling twice as much.

The secondary characters were amazing, and really brought this book to life. Overall this was a really enjoyable read!

Julian Winters is one of the kings of queer YA romances. So I was excited to read his first queer adult romance, and I was just delighted with I THINK THEY LOVE YOU. ♥️

Julian admits to being obsessed with rom coms, and it shows in this book. His narrator and main character, Denzel Carter, makes regular references to rom com movies, in particular to his very special WTN (Will Thacker Nights) - swoony movie nights with his best friend, Jamie. I just loved how much this book gushes over NOTTING HILL (in which Hugh Grant plays Will Thacker, WTN VIP) and THE PROPOSAL and others - and makes many other modern references, too, like the hellscape that is FB and the youthful joy that is MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO to the hottest Jonas brother (Nick ofc) to the new millennium’s Nicholas Cage (Adam Driver) iykyk - hey I don’t make the rules, but I agree with the pop culture rules of Denzel Carter. 💕

In this romcom, Denzel is the social media manager of his family’s very successful Atlanta event production business, 24 Carter Gold. It’s a high-pressure operation, but Denz is very good at his job, as is his sister, Kami (an events manager), and his cousins and his aunts and his mother and his father. The big wrinkle is that the patriarch has announced his early retirement and seems to have pitted Denzel and Kami, an unflappable genius, against each other in an event production competition, of sorts. Does Denzel really want it, though? Does Kami, for that matter? What can go wrong? 🎈

Part of the problem is that most of his family doesn’t take Denzel seriously, so his work is cut out for him, and he decides he needs a fake boyfriend to show everyone that he can be serious and successful. Enter Bray, Denz’s ex, back from London (five years after he had abandoned Denz for a job there) and in a new job at an LGBTQ+ youth center, where he’s program director. Bray - who now seemingly snootily goes by Braylon and drinks TEA - also needs Denzel’s help, as Denz has connections with high-powered philanthropists. What could go wrong? 🥰

Well, plenty, of course. Braylon needs to get back in the Carter family’s good graces, because they hate what he did to Denz. Denz needs to bring his A+ game to outshine his sister, and this all occurs in the context of Black professionals in the business and non-profit worlds who have to be five steps ahead of their competition because, well, the racism that does, indeed, exist in this world - oh, and in the real world. 💔

It’s a complex set of circumstances, and it doesn’t all play out as you’d expect, but it is, at its core, a lovely rom com. It’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s sweet, it’s sexy, it’s surprising, it’s bittersweet, it’s painful, it’s family, it’s love. 💖

This is a wonderful contemporary romance featuring our hero, struggling to know himself personally and professionally and to understand if his ex is (again) right for him; a strong and no-nonsense family; messy situations; second chances; fabulous side characters; and, yes, a lovely ending. 💞

The best love stories are always complicated, but they are so, so worth it. 💝

This was a good mm romance with some laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt emotions, and a pinch of spice. I enjoyed the fake dating and one-bed tropes and the spice delivered. Denz and Bray’s journey from exes to fake boyfriends—and maybe something more—was sweet and had its share of swoon-worthy moments (that "9 and 1" line from Bray? 🫠).

Denz’s family was a major highlight of the story. The family group chat and the aunties brought humor and energy to the book. The side characters truly shone, sometimes even more than the main couple. Kami’s big moment near the end was a satisfying payoff!

However, the pacing dragged in the middle, and I found myself skimming chapters to get to the resolution. While Denz and Bray’s chemistry was charming, I felt the story would’ve been more engaging with a dual POV.

This was my first book by Julian Winters, and overall, it was a solid read. If you love fake dating, second chances, and fun family dynamics, this might be worth checking out!

**Spice rating:** 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

**Overall rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thanks to NetGalley, SMP, and Dreamscape Media for the advance copies of the ebook and audiobook. I ended up preferring the ebook for the quicker pacing!

This is a rom-com lover’s dream. Sweetly predictable and a joy to watch their journey back to each other. I just adore Denz in all his chaos, from ghosting the barista at his favorite coffee spot to messing up at work and trying so hard to prove himself despite everyone doubting him no matter how hard he succeeds. But mostly, thinking he can fool his tight-knit family into believing the lies he tells them–and himself–about his first love, Braylon. The flashbacks to college years are bittersweet, as is reconnecting with Braylon and learning just how lonely he’s been and how he gets by with ties to the queer community. It’s got the comfort of the fake dating trope but with the depth of complex characters. One of my favorites by Julian Winters.

Julian Winters was already an auto-buy author for me, but I THINK THEY LOVE YOU just solidifies it, with a hilarious, hot, and delightful adult debut. This book focuses in on Denz and his close-knit family and their family business, and the intense pressure that comes with the desire to please your parents—and losing sight of yourself in the process.
Celebrity (adjacent) is one of my favorite tropes combinations in the fake-dating category, second only to second-chance, and this book has BOTH. I consumed this book faster than Denz and Braylon can consume a grilled cheese french toast.
Mandatory read for romcom lovers!

Denz runs into his ex in the ultimate meet-cute. Then when he desperately needs a fake boyfriend to impress his family, who just happens to walk by?

I was laughing and shaking my head at Denz when he runs into Braylon after a few years apart after their breakup. Talk about having a bad day. Oi Vey!

There are many funny moments in I Think They Love You. Julian Winters nicely balances the drama of self-identity and family pressures with humor. The struggle of being “good enough” I think is one that everyone can identify with and how it can touch so many areas in our lives. The author brings forth every bit of drama from Denz, he can be a little dramatic (chuckle). There are painful moments as you can only have with family. Plus, the chuckles that family dysfunction can only bring.

I think the only real issue I have here is how much Braylon has changed. He only went to London for two years and everything from his accent to all of the food tastes changed. Now, I know people grow. But I have lived all over due to the military and my accent did not change in such a dramatic way. (They met five years ago. They were together for a year. Brayon has been back working in Atlanta for a year. His father died two years ago, and he left London shortly after his death. Sooooo…that makes his stay in London only two years, right?)

I love the secondary cast of characters. Family drama can be hysterical, and Denz’s family brings it. In saying this, I really want to read Jordan and Jamie’s romance. Jamie is a hoot and holler and all I can picture is a good time.

This romance is a winner for me. It has everything: romance, steam, humor, realistic story, great characters, and a happy ending. I think you’ll love this book.

3.5 stars rounded to 4. Firstly, thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book. Second chance romances are always tricky, and to make it more complex is when it's a single POV. I spent the whole time as confused as Denz about what Braylon was thinking with his actions? I do also love a loud family that is supportive and scary, which is totally the Carter family. This book left me with some questions at the end about certain plot points but it is undeniable the spark between them. I also loved the references to all the rom come and omg Jamie. He needs a book of his own. And maybe some sweatpants action. I love me some sweatpants that don't hide one's true feelings.... Or lust. Same same. I do have to say that I wasn't fully invested in Denz as a character. I am not sure why it is, but maybe because his denial was so huge I didn't quite identify with him and his situation. Also, I found the title a bit confusing, first thinking that maybe it was due to pronouns of one of the MCs, but it didn't seem to have much bearing on the plot itself. In any case, it was an enjoyable read.

Steam: 🔥🔥
Heart flutters: ❤️❤️

Julian Winters wrote such a beautiful second chance romance. Denz is such a beautifully flawed human, and, when he runs into his ex Bray again, he’s trying to figure out who exactly this man is now that years have passed. They fake a relationship to prove how serious Denz is as a person to his family, and the rest is history. So many raw, real emotions across the entire spectrum were written on the page in honestly one of the most perfect ways. The epilogue was a fantastic wrap up, and the last line is my favorite.

Here’s a winning second chance, fake dating romance featuring two BIPOC gay men, a big, opinionated family (with gossipy aunts), one bed, super spice, and some really fun banter. It was so addictive and I couldn’t put it down.

Denzel Carter, only son to the CEO of the wildly successful party planning service, 24 Carter Gold, Kenneth Carter, who just announced his retirement. So, of course, Denz puts his name in the running to be considered for his replacement…as does his sister, Kamila.

But while he knows his family loves him, he’s always been seen as the fun and less serious sibling. He knows he needs to prove himself, and in a fit of stupidity, claims he’s in a committed relationship. Then, in a mixup of romcom proportions, Denz ends up asking his one true love - who ghosted him years ago after graduation when he went to London for a job - to be his fake boyfriend.

Cue the confusion and misunderstandings. Also the meddling aunties and the family group text.

Braylon agrees in the hopes that he can get some help for his new venture, the one that brought him back to Atlanta, an LGBTQIA+ teen center.

The two make an agreement and so a fake dating relationship begins.

While this doesn’t introduce anything revolutionary, there’s a lot that works. The growth Denz shows is notable. Starting out somewhat immature and self absorbed, he faces a lot of what he believes are shortcomings to realize he deserves happiness and the opportunity to find it outside his family. And Braylon and Denz are sweet together. I loved Bray’s texted dad jokes and the shyness he showed when things got physical. It’s a tender romance that also addresses what it’s like to be a queer man of color in the world.

I’ve not read any of Winters’ YA books, but I’m happy to report this feels like a fully adult romance (which can’t be said of all YA authors who try to transition).

It has such a big heart!

It was terrific and I’m hoping that what seemed like a set up for a second book featuring Jacob and Jamie happens because I’d read the heck out of that one, too.

I Think They Love You (pub. date January 28, 2025) is Julian Winters' adult rom-com debut, and it's lovely. Winters has written many YA novels, including Right Where I Left You, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and several others that I need to get to.

Told from the perspective of Denz, whose Instagram is "notthatdenzel" and who is the only son of the Carter family, which runs the Atlanta event-planning business 24 Carter Gold. He specializes in social media and promotion, while his older sister Kami is a driven event planner. They are put into competition with each other when their father announces his retirement, and wants to give family a shot at CEO before bringing in someone from the outside. His family, including aunties, who are all part of the family business, don't think he's serious enough for the job, as he's been enjoying his mid-20s life of no strings and too many lemon martinis, after his ex Bray went to London after graduation because he couldn't wait for Denz to make up his mind about coming along.

They run into each other at a coffee shop, Denz already late with a task for the company that was his responsibility, and he finds out that Bray is back in Atlanta, goes by Braylon now, his father passed away, and he's executive director of a LGBTQ+ youth center. Bray needs a favor from Denz to get more funding for the center, and Denz needs a fake boyfriend to show his family he can be serious, until the CEO position is decided.

And so begins their second chance romance. Winters fleshes out their first relationship, which lasted most of college, through flashbacks, but the second one is satisfying all by itself, without their shared history. They set up rules and a timeline, which of course get broken by mutual consent.

It is super-cute, funny, and the spicy scenes are hot. I loved the supporting characters--Denz's best friend Jamie, sisters Kami and Nic, Denz's parents, aunties, and cousins. I suspect a follow-up book possibility for a couple of characters.

It was completely weight-neutral. There were no negative descriptions of body size, as I've come to expect from Julian Winters, as Right Where I Left You was explicitly fat-positive.

I found this book to be a fun, entertaining, and low angst read! The author did a great job of incorporating all the classic elements I associate with second chance romance and faking dating without seeming predictable or boring.

I think second chance romances can be difficult to get right, since the whatever caused the past break-up needs to simultaneously be severe enough to justify a break-up and also something small enough that it can realistically be forgiven and overcome. I thought the author hit the balance well!

Denz has a big family, and I enjoyed reading about his relationship with his siblings and extended family. Braylon (the love interest) is so loveable and cute.

Highlights:
- set in Georgia
- fake dating
- second chance romance
- event planner x non-profit employee