Thank you so much to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

These messy, lost characters completely stole my heart. Fantastic right-person-wrong-time, second chance romance.

Despite Denz always knowing he'd end up working for his family's event business, he is struggling to find his place at work. Determined to prove that he's not completely irresponsible and unreliable, he joins the competition to take over as CEO after his father's sudden retirement... and accidentally tells everyone he has a serious boyfriend.

When Braylon, his ex and only long term boyfriend, shows up at just the right time, Denz convinces him to be his fake boyfriend. Now wrapped up in a fake dating scheme, unresolved feelings emerge making the whole thing feel a little less fake.

Denz is a disaster main character in the best way. His unsureness in himself leads him to make a lot of mistakes and bad choices. But his heart is almost always in the right place. Braylon is his total opposite but the one person who seems to unwaveringly believe in him.

I loved the Carter's family dynamic. Despite the bickering and misunderstandings, they all clearly loved each other deeply. I just loved how realistic all of their relationships felt.

I did listen to this entire book on audio and the narrator André Santana did a fantastic job - even with Braylon's slight British accent in present day vs his lack of one in the past chapters.

Overall I just really loved this romance. I love a messy yet relatable characters and this hit that stride perfectly. I'm so excited Julian Winters is expanding to adult romances and I can't wait to read his next release!

A second-chance romance that truly worked! I loved seeing Denzel grow and come to the realization that people can change—himself included.

I know that I'm not much of a romance fan, so my word shouldn't be taken as truth. But this book was just way too average for me, and so much of the dialogue was far too cringey for me to enjoy. The two main characters aren't bad overall, and they actually make a pretty good pair, so that part wasn't an issue. And honestly, most of the challenges they faced made a decent amount of sense too - it was just annoying that this entire book is just one big miscommunication trope. No one talks to each other, in the past OR present, and it just makes for way too many bad outcomes that are incredibly frustrating.

Also, my biggest grievance was Denz not knowing who Peeta and Katniss are. You mean to tell me that you, a 25 year old who loves movies and pop culture, don't know about the Hunger Games, but your sibling who is like 9 years younger than you does? Don't even lie.

This was a fun listen, I really enjoyed Denz & Braylon’s second chance story! 😍

📖 I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: open door

💭 overall thoughts:
Denz is in the running for CEO of his family’s event planning business, 24 Carter Gold, and needs to prove that he’s capable of the commitment it entails.

When his best friend Jamie bails as his fake boyfriend, he just so happens to run into Braylon, his ex and only real relationship he’s ever had.

Both needing something from one another, they agree to a deal that involves fake dating, which quickly leads to not knowing what’s real and what isn’t.

Denz is a big personality, being in such a powerful family & as an influencer himself. Braylon is the perfect balance, and they just fit together.

I loved seeing how these two found their way back to each other on an emotional level. I especially loved their texting banter, and Braylon’s cheesy jokes 🤣

The side characters are so fun in this, and I’d love to read more of their stories (how Kami got together with her boyfriend, and for Jamie+Jordan to get their HEA)!

My only tiny bit for the loss of half a star is maybe just more of a "me" problem. This is written in 3rd person single POV, and at times I got confused with all the characters.
It would have helped if the relationships were said more often (like Denz refers to his parents by their names, and I often forgot it was his mom and dad).

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
André Santana really made the characters come to life with his voices & expressions, I could feel their personalities through his narration!

read if you love:
🥸 fake dating
⌛️ second chance
🛏 only one bed
🧡 family dynamics
💜 single 3rd person pov

Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Denzel and Babylon were an opposite attract romance when they let their family expectations separate them… Years later, Babylon returns to their old stomping ground and runs into Denzel - the sparks are still there!

Not wanting or having time for a relationship, Denzel uses this opportunity and coincidence to strike up a fake second chance romance with his former love, Babylon in order to get a promotion at work.

Babylon and Denzel soon have a hard time drawing the line between fake romance and true second chances. But will they let their work and families get in the way for a second time? Or will they prioritize themselves and their relationship and strike out on a new path?

This was a fun romance that had a category romance feel to it. I think it felt a little longer than it needed to be but the characters and family dynamics were fun to see playing out.

I listen to the audiobook narrated by André Santana, and found that he did a good job differentiating. The two male leads through his narration. The narration was easy to listen to and had a good flow to it. I was surprised that this did not have a dual narrator, but André stepped up and did an excellent job creating a vibrant setting for this story.

4 stars.

"I Think They Love You" by Julian Winters is such a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dez and Braylon's love story. Some of these authors are making me second guess my thoughts on second-chance romances, and Julian Winters is one of them because this is great! Up until now, I have been convinced that this trope was not for me, but this book is so well written that I am coming around to it. This redemption love story, coupled with a fake dating scheme, a bit of family drama, and a terrific amount of personal growth, really hit the spot. I felt every emotion, every bit of tension, every laugh. It's glitzy, steamy, and sweet, well-paced, not too long, and flows remarkably well. André Santana does a spectacular job narrating this story. All of his voices are superb and perfectly embody all of the characters here. I will definitely be buying this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Julian Winters, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This was a book that didn't quite keep me. The storyline of the family business and competition for leadership often took more of the story than the relationships in the story which were more important to me

Denz and Braylon met at university, fell in love, then broke up. Years later, chance brought them together. Shared goals lead them to collaborate and pretend to be a couple.

I read it as an audiobook and I really liked the reader; his voice is pleasant and enjoyable to listen to. It allowed me to visualize the characters and situations.

It's a refreshing family story. At the beginning of the story, we quickly understand that Braylon has changed more since university than Denz. The story will focus more on Denz and his evolution. It's well-crafted and makes the ending logical and expected (in a good way).
I liked the relationships between the family members, especially between the father and Denz; they allow us to better understand the characters. They create situations full of humor and tenderness. The book uses flashbacks and allows us to understand why they broke up in the first place.
The characters are Black, and I like how the author describes them. He uses this characteristic wisely, and it adds more depth to the story.
A very good book, a great listen.

Dreamscape ALC
A second-chance, fake dating romance?! Sign me up. This was a delightful romance that also had lots of depth and self-reflection. I am not always a fan when the author focuses on the character's jobs so much, but it worked so well for me here because of how Denz had to compete to run the family business, while Braylon wanted to advance in his career. I liked how their jobs helped them explore their past and futures. There was the perfect balance of lightness and heavier topics and it was just such a sweet story.
The narration was excellent. Denz and Braylon were both captured so well with the performance, and I couldn't stop listening.

Super cute romance that has a heavy focus on personal development and finding ones' own way amidst familial and personal expectations. Loved the romance between our protagonist and love interest. Definitely looking forward to more adult romances by Julian Winters.

This was exceptional, probably my favorite that I've read of Julian Winters.

I love a second chance romance and one of my absolute favorite parts and something I think should be mandatory for romances with characters with history, is that there were multiple chapters that went back in time and gave up the chemistry and history of these two characters.

I liked the family and friendship elements as well as the romance and it's genuinely a very well rounded book. Highly recommend.

4.5 stars

✨ Review ✨ I Think They Love You by Julian Winters; Narrated by André Santana

Thanks to Dreamscape Media, St. Martin's Griffin and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

After dating in college, Denz and Braylon cross paths again - Denz is trying to earn a bid for CEO of 24 Carter Gold, his family’s event planning business and Braylon is trying to grow the LGBTQ nonprofit he works for. They decide to fake date to help both achieve professional success, and they start falling for each other again.

Second chance is one of my least favorite tropes but this one really worked for me. I like that they had a chance to learn and grow and experience life for a bit before their lives crossed again.

I loved the range -- swanky parties and more down-to-earth outreach via Braylon's nonprofit; fancy clothes and french toast grilled cheeses.

The only thing I didn't buy was that Braylon was gone for a few years and now had a British accent that he couldn't part with lol.

🎧 The audio narration was great -- with distinct characters built around both Denz and Braylon's voices! The flashbacks were a little jarring via audio sometimes, but overall, I enjoyed listening to it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Setting: Atlanta
Length: 10 hours 49 minutes
Pub Date: Jan 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ second chance
⭕️ LGBTQ+ characters
⭕️ fake dating
⭕️ swanky events and fashion

This was an absolute treat. This was great to read from beginning to end. I was sad that it was over once I got to the last page. I could have lived in the world of these characters for many more pages. I always love my queer romance books, but Julian Winters must put some kind of spell in these books to make them so addictive.

A bit of a slow start, but really enjoyed this story! Equal parts sexy and sweet. A great queer romance with heart.

Great romance read. Sexy characters and several surprises in the plot that I didn't quite expect.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Denz stared back. It was that careful, curious gaze only queer people know. The one used in public when you’re deciding if the other person is trustworthy. If entering their space is safe."

“What’s horny, Uncle Denzie?”
"A triceratops.”

"I loved you all through college. Loved you when you left. Damn it, I loved you even after you broke my heart.”

It's all there. The tightrope every queer person walks in a public place. The fear. The uncertainty. The hope. Then there's the comedy. Dad jokes that make you groan and laugh. At last there's the romance. The swoony moments, the heartbreak, the passion, the chemistry, the sexy banter, the sacrifices and the love.

You get it all in the sweet and spicy I Think They Love You with the creatively funny, yet very smooth writing from author Julian Winters.

Denz fell in love with Braylon in college but father issues for both of them led to a break up. Now Denz is trying to convince his Dad that he can take over their firm. To prove his commitment he tells him he has a steady boyfriend. Through a series of mishaps Braylon is back in his life and, since Braylon needs Denz's connections for his non profit job, and Denz needs a boyfriend, they fake it.

What makes this second chance, fake dating RomCom special is the couple's sexuality is never an issue for their families. The disconnect is their own fears and self doubt.

I read and listened to the book. Voice actor Andre Santana's vulnerability throughout this love story grabbed my heart. It also made the love scenes more sensual.

If you enjoy witty banter, nosy Aunties, adorable nephews, sincere story telling and sensual love making I think you will love this queer RomCom.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair & honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the narrator for this, but I don’t fully enjoy the story itself. I liked the concept. I enjoyed what the book represented and getting this kind of story. My biggest gripe with the book however is how the main character would lash out, self sabotage, and repeatedly push people away. That is one of my biggest pet peeves with certain romances stories, which seem especially common in fake dating. After a while, it makes it harder to want to root for him. I think the ending helps salvage a lot of those feelings though. Overall, I would recommend it if you have a lot of patience.

Review: I Think They Love You

Thank you @stmartinspress for the #gifted early copy! 😘

Written By: Julian Winters
Published: January 28, 2025

When Denzel “Denz” Carter’s workaholic father and CEO of 24 Carter Gold unexpectedly announces his retirement, the competition for his successor is on. Denz isn’t seen as really competition because of his commitment issues. So, to convince his family he’s a contender for CEO, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. Looking for a fake boyfriend, Denz turns to the last person he wants to be in any kind of relationship with: Braylon, the man who broke his heart. Braylon’s sudden reappearance in Denz’s life turns everything upside down, but Braylon needs Denz’s connections to get to the mayor to secure his own promotion. So, the two strike a deal for their fake relationship.

Get ready to swoon at this one, y’all! 😍

This is Winters adult romance debut and, let me tell you, he delivered! This story centers on second chance and fake dating tropes and both were executed so well.

Every character in this book, from MC to every aunt, uncle, and cousin, were fully fleshed out people I could picture some semblance of because of how well their personalities were portrayed. I loved our MCs so much—I was rooting for Denz and Braylon from start to finish, just wanting them to be happy, no matter the outcome.

The storytelling was superb! I was laughing out loud, silently crying, and getting all hot and bothered while reading this book that also warmed by heart. Seriously, this book covers a lot of emotional ground so well—it will have you feeling your feelings for sure.

In particular, when it comes to speak on identities, this book does a phenomenal job at portraying not only marginalized identities, but the intersectionality of Black and gay identities in a professional setting within the US. The social commentary paired with the emotional impact of how the world perceives someone with those identities…powerful writing!

Verdict: Loved 😍

Rounding up from three and a half stars. On the surface, I loved this. The main characters are charming and endearing. The secondary characters are interesting and varied. The connection in the main relationship is solid. I enjoyed the big complicated family and even liked some of the secondary family drama storylines. I loved that this was a world where there appears to be zero homophobia.

Digging a little deeper, this book required a truly extraordinary suspension of disbelief. Part of my profession involves event planning and I just could not buy a lot of the stuff around the job, the family's celebrity status and the whole CEO search premise. I could also have done without the ample pop culture references, name dropping and wealth flaunting. The whole thing was a little bit formulaic and there were a couple of weird continuity things and the overuse of some devices.

But, when leaned into the romcom-inness, I was able to just enjoy. And ultimately it was very successful in giving me warm and fuzzy feelings, which made it a lot easier to overlook the things that didn't work for me. I certainly liked this enough to check out the author's other work, including the potential Jordan and Jamie sequel bait.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the eARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Did Not Finish.

Mini-Review:
Denz was adorable but too much of a hot mess for me. The man wants to be CEO of his father’s company but relies on post-it notes to stay organized? THE HORROR. Plus this is only told through Denz’s POV, so I felt like Braylon had no personality. No chemistry between them either. Cute but not enough to keep my interest.

ALC Review: I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
Pub Date: January 28, 2025
Narrator: André Santana

I really enjoyed this one! The story is complex, steamy, and really heartfelt. The issues that the characters are navigating are realistic and Denz goes through a whole lot of character development through this book! It has a really satisfying ending.

I've listened to André Santana narrate a few books and I really love his style! I'm super glad I listened to this one on audio because I do think it enhanced my experience.

Read this for:
-Second Chance
- Black MCs
- Fake dating
- Set in Atlanta

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.