DNF at about 25% I’ve had issues falling into story’s by this author in the past so it’s on me for trying again

*I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

This is a beautiful, messy romance, with realistic characters that I also fell in love with. I find that often the main character of a rom-com style romance is a terrible person, does not do any self-reflecting, continues to suck but finds someone either equally terrible or willing to submit their will to the terrible MC, and that is supposed to be happily ever after. Eli is not a great person at the beginning -- he's put himself in a terrible position both work- and relationship-wise, and seems to have no plan or desire to pull himself out -- but he learns that he cannot continue to live in his current patterns with any sort of joy or growth. To see a character accepting that they may not get the happily ever after they dream of but doing the work anyway is a refreshing change. Peter is a delightful little cinnamon bun, and I'm so happy he got his dream. Also, Michael is the worst. This is my second Mason Deaver book, and I'm adding him to my always-read list.

I absolutely adored this book and think it is perfect for anyone who loves a good RomCom. Eli, our main character, is lovable and so perfectly imperfect in all of the best and most relatable ways. I also especially loved the representation of Eli being trans without it being a huge point of the plot - we need more representation like this that normalizes both transness and queerness. The main love interest, Peter, is also such a down-to-earth and genuine character and the author does an amazing job at highlighting Peter's experiences as a gay Korean-American from the South - both the good and the ugly. Overall, this has definitely been one of my favorite reads this year and I can see myself re-reading this time and time again.

Mason Deaver is so fuckin’ back, baby! To be clear, they never left and they have never once disappointed me. But this adult romance puts them back on the map in a major way and I’m so excited to finally have their voice in this space!

If I had to say one thing about this book it’s that it’s so stinkin’ adorable. Like, yes, it does have this zany, fun fake dating premise, but the two main characters themselves have such incredible natural chemistry and their budding relationship is just so soft and sweet.

I think everything in this story hangs together so perfectly because the concept of second chances is reflected in every single aspect of the story, from the thematic work to the plot itself. Not only is Eli essentially forced to give Peter a second chance to redeem himself after their truly horrific first date, but both Eli and Peter are navigating what it means to have a second chance at life in so many ways.

For Peter, as someone who grew up having to be closeted throughout their early adolescence, he’s finally getting a chance to live openly and experience all the “firsts” that many people often get to experience earlier in life. And as a trans man, Eli can also relate to that, because he grew up having a lot of important milestones and making foundational memories in a body and in a presentation that doesn’t align with his sense of self. And in a lot of ways, now that he’s transitioned, he’s experiencing the world for the first time in a completely new way.

I love that connection, that theme of second chances, being woven throughout the story. And because of that, it’s just a beautiful love letter to queer adults and trans adults who not only often have to start over later in life, but who are denied the opportunity to find and access community when they need it most. So often, there’s not a blueprint for how to find and connect with other queer people, especially as adults, and especially when you don’t know how or where to access safe spaces.

So many queer and trans adults who are starting over have to bumble their way through these different experiences on their own, just hoping for the best. And this story tells us that it doesn’t have to be that way, which is such an important message.

I think part of what makes this relationship so endearing to me is not only that both characters work really hard to make it safe and to establish clear boundaries, but because through their connection, both characters are almost getting a chance to feed and heal their inner child in a sense. Especially for Peter, because Eli is a bit more experienced, and he’s able to guide Peter through these experiences with the gentleness, grace, and thoughtfulness that he didn’t get to experience himself.

Honestly, I just don’t have a single bad thing to say about this. It made me smile so much and hope so much. It’s laugh out loud funny, it’s full of these really fun fake dates, it’s deeply romantic and also steamy in ways that cis-het romances could never pull off. It’s just absolutely wonderful and I couldn’t *not* give it five stars.

@mason_deaver The Build-A Boyfriend Project. Releasing August 5, 2025. Eli, an office assistant / wanna be staff writer for a webzine is fresh off from a break-up with a long time boyfriend and coworker. He is convinced by friends to go on a blind date with Peter. The date was disastrous but it leads Eli to an article idea, which if successful, may help him obtain a staff writer position at the webzine. What will it take for him to makeover the "dud" date into Mr Wonderful? I enjoyed seeing the relationship evolve between Eli and Peter and having a trans man as the lead character was refreshing. The storyline is what it is. I've read dozens of similar books AND loved them all, just like I can watch @thereallacey Lacey Chabert in a thousand Hallmark movies and never get bored. I recommend this book with 4 out of 5 🌟's. If the title changes before publication... I don't like the "Build-A" in the title. I don't think it reflects what the book is about and it may mislead some readers. Maybe Dating 101 ... Thank you @netgalley @avonbooks @harpervoyagerus for giving me the opportunity to have an early read of this book. #lgbtqiaplus #romancebooks #mmromance #ftmromance #ftm #romcom #gayromance #queerromance #love #bookstagram #library "buildaboyfriend #libraryreads

If How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days had a glow-up, got rid of the sabotage, added a truckload of feelings, a sprinkle of awkward charm, and gave us a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, THIS would be it.

Picture this: Eli, a journalist hustling for a big break, goes on a date with Peter, a walking disaster of a man who is late, spills food all over Eli, and—cherry on top—FORGETS HIS WALLET. I mean, come on, Peter. If “block and delete” had a mascot, it’d be Eli after that date. But nope. Instead of running for the hills, Eli decides, “You know what? Let’s turn this hot mess into content!” because capitalism, am I right?

So Eli writes two stories. The first one is all about Peter’s cringe-worthy awkwardness, Eli’s “I’ll teach him to be a better boyfriend” plan, and all the messy first impressions that make you want to scream, “ELI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” The second story, though? Oh, that’s where the magic is. That’s where we get to see Peter’s layers: the tough upbringing, the lack of a support system, and the fact that, beneath the spilled drinks and awkward vibes, he’s just a sweet, endearing human who deserves a chance.

But here’s the catch: Eli totally skips the fine print in their fake-dating agreement. You know, the one that says, “DO NOT CATCH REAL FEELINGS.” Spoiler alert—Eli fails miserably. As their friendship grows, the feels creep in, page by page, until you’re clutching the book like it’s your emotional support blanket.

This book is sweet, heartfelt, and filled with all the LGBTQ+ rep and issues handled with care and authenticity. The friendship-to-relationship arc is tender and oh-so-satisfying, and the emotional tugging? Chef’s kiss. This was my first book by this author, and let me tell you, I am READY for more. Great pacing, lovable characters, and a story that hits you right in the heart.

When I first started reading, I wasn't sure if this book would be able to pull me in an hold my attention, however, the further into the story I got, the more invested I found myself. From the beginning I didn't see any appeal in Keith and I was afraid Eli would be too caught up with him to move on, but I was pleasant surprised how easily Eli was willing to jump into things with Peter, even if they were rocky and fake at first. Peter was loveable and adorable and won me over immediately. He was easy to root for.

Peter was obviously nuerodivergent of some sort, probably somewhere on the autism spectrum, and I kind of wish the book had addressed that more instead of just passing him off as a generally awkward dude. In fact, I almost wish we could have seen some parts of the story from his POV.

I also kind of disliked how the whole article issue was hanging over the romance the whole time, a bomb waiting to drop. It made it hard at times to really get behind the forming relationship because I knew once the article came to light, everything was going to get screwed up. I did appreciate that Peter didn't forgive Eli right away.

The book ended on a sweet, satisfactory high note, just the way a romance should. For Deaver's adult debut, I say it's a hit.

La vida de Eli no es como la imaginaba. Su novio de siete años rompió con él, y ahora tiene que verlo todos los días en el trabajo. Su sueño es convertirse en escritor para la revista en la que trabaja, pero su jefe lo tiene como recepcionista. Eli quiere renunciar, pero no quiere que los cinco años que ha soportado se desperdicien, así que decide aguantar hasta que se le presente una oportunidad.

Una amiga le organiza una cita a ciegas con Parker, pero resulta ser un desastre. Parecía que Parker no quería estar allí y se la pasa en el teléfono, pero en realidad es que no tiene experiencia en citas y no sabe qué hacer. Entonces, Eli se le ocurre ayudarlo y enseñarle a coquetear para documentarlo y escribir un artículo. De este modo, ambos se beneficiarían: Eli conseguiría un ascenso y Parker podría encontrar novio.

El libro estuvo entretenido, pero Eli no me terminó de gustar, ya que sentí que era demasiado duro con Parker, quien era un panquesito que no le hacía daño a nadie. Además, me hubiera gustado conocer más la historia de Parker a través de sus propio povs, ya que su personaje se me hizo mas interesante.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars ish. A feel good romcom! Loved the characters and the development. A predictable third act breakup but still an overall entertaining book to read for any romcom lover out there! I was definitely rooting for Eli throughout this book!

This book has a super strong middle––there's a lot of tension and momentum, and the central love story unfolds as an exciting slow-burn. The MCs also have GREAT chemistry, which, of course, makes or breaks a romance. That said! Neither the beginning nor the ending of this novel worked for me. The first 80 pages drag; I seriously considered DNF'ing. The narrative would benefit from starting during the MCs' disastrous first date––Deaver takes far too long to get there, and the journalism/Keith arc isn't strong enough to keep the reader interested. The journalism stuff also weakens the third-act crisis and the ending. It all feels wildly improbable and like, deeply unethical? As a journalist, I struggled to move past that, but I can imagine other readers having an easier time suspending their disbelief. This was my first Mason Deaver novel––I'm curious about how IWYAB compares!

*Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Mason Deaver has been an author on my radar for quite a while, but for whatever reason, I never got around to picking up one of their books—shame on me for that! The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was an excellent introduction to Deaver’s writing and storytelling. As an adult debut, this book takes everything you love about YA and ages it up to tremendous success. Eli and Peter are incredibly likable characters with unique qualities that make the romcom plot breeze along nicely, despite its comfortable predictability. Bonus points for the stellar representation and great film references throughout! This is an excellent queer romance!

This was a really sweet story. I enjoyed watching Deaver expand into the adult genre (unless he has other adult novels and I just wasn't aware!) after experiencing his young adult novels.

Watching Eli and Peter bond and grow - both together and separately through the help of the other - was so pleasant and endearing to experience. And the theme of self-worth was an incredible one to explore throughout this book.

This was a delightfully sweet and spicy read! Deaver created a heartwarming and inclusive romance story that is understandable to all types of readers. While I don't think my library would purchase it, I can use it for reader's advisory recommendations.

The Build-a-Boyfriend Project mixes humor with a sincere look at self-worth and love. The dynamic between the characters and their pretend relationship created a captivating and heartwarming narrative. With such clever writing, it’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys rom-coms with depth and authenticity.

This was a very nice reading. I was not able to connect my self into this story, but it was a very pleasant reading nonetheless.

4.25 stars

This was a really sweet story. I loved how awkward Peter was and how Eli helped him become more confident without changing who he is as a person. I thought they had a really cute friendship and eventual relationship, despite a rough (and i mean ROUGH) first interaction.
I also really enjoyed the plotline with Eli’s job and the article. I thought that played out well and was really important to the story.
Overall I thought this was a really refreshing, wholesome, queer romance and I definitely recommend checking it out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

Screaming! Crying! Throwing up! My heart feels so full for their relationship. I’m so glad these books exist. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to have it.

RATING: 2/5 STARS

This one wasn't for me unfortunately! The writing did not feel mature and the awkwardness of the love interest compounded on that.

I really liked this book it was really really cute. I liked the way the mmc’s met at the beginning of the book cause it wasn’t a meet cute but worse lol. Their first date went horribly and i wasn’t sure where the book was going but it was good! We have the 2 mmc’s Eli the Journalist and Peter the tech guy who is very awkward and shy. Despite their horrible meet cute lol Eli decides to help Peter since he’s never dated anyone and that starts the build a boyfriend project.

I loved the practice dating between both mc’s and how they got to know each other and the backstories. I loved how Eli trans identity and Peter’s Korean identity weren’t trauma based but shaped them. As both characters got to be friends and pretended to date there was chemistry and that we want each other tension that i liked. I liked the side characters and their role in the story. There is a writing plot that plays a big role in the story. The romance was so sweet, there was a steamy scene and they were so sweet and soft with each other. Thank you Avon for this arc!

Read for:
- Queer romance
- Trans rep
- Opposites attracts
- Fake dating
- MMC that reads romance
- Sweet and heartwarming

Mein Leseerlebnis

Das vorliegende Buch enthält eine Liebesgeschichte, die mit einer vorgetäuschten Beziehung beginnt bzw. mit einer solchen, die sich einem absolut verunglücktem Date anschließt. Die Umsetzung dieses im Bereich der Liebesromane bekannten Motivs wirkte auf mich durchaus frisch.

Ich fand die vielschichtigen Charaktere interessant und habe gerne Zeit mir ihnen verbracht. Zu sehen, wie sie sich einander so langsam geöffnet haben und Gefühle füreinander entwickelt haben, fand ich sehr schön.

Rückblickend muss ich in Bezug auf die beiden Helden aber anmerken, dass sie auf mich nicht komplett rund wirkten. Gerades Elis Verhalten verwirrte mich manchmal.

Bereits zu Beginn des Liebesromans hatte ich die Befürchtung, dass etwas mit Elis Artikel zu Problemen zwischen Peter und ihm führen könnte und hatte gehofft, dass der Autor nicht diesen sehr vorhersehbaren Weg wählen würde. Doch genau das ist gegen Ende des Buches passiert und hat mir die Freude am Lesen etwas genommen.

Insgesamt würde ich den Roman als nett zu lesen und teils frisch beschreiben, er konnte mich emotional aber nicht so tief berühren wie erhofft.

🖤🖤🖤 1/2

PS: Ich mag das Buchcover, es hat mich gleich auf den ersten Blick angezogen.

Für wen?

Wer Liebesromane mag, in denen eine Scheinbeziehung im Leben der beiden Helden so einiges verändert, für den könnte das Buch einen Versuch wert sein.