This was a great YA read! I love a fake dating trope, and this one hit all the right spots for me. If you've ever grown up dreaming about being with that famous heartthrob, this a book for you.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I was promised a cutesy little rom-com with fake dating and for fans of better than the movies! I got cutesy and fake dating but not sure where the bttm part went? Like I enjoyed it but I also felt like it was a few pages too long? This baby is 336 pages and I found myself reading it and being like "okayyyyyyyy they kissed now wrap it up babes". Anyways if you are looking for a cute little romance story this is it!

content warnings: just a note that if you aren't comfortable with semi frequent swearing (in gabe's pov) and some sexual innuendos, mentions of affairs and other things, this book may not be for you!


⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I DNFed at 8%. I tried really hard to keep reading but I could tell from the beginning that this was not for me. I’m usually pretty good at knowing at the beginning of a book if I will end up liking it. This one unfortunately did not catch my attention. Something about it made me feel like I was gonna be cringing at the romance then eating it up. I am a hopeless romantic, so it doesn’t take a lot to win me over. I won’t give up on this book and maybe pick it up in the future.


Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I DNFed at 8%. I tried really hard to keep reading but I could tell from the beginning that this was not for me. I’m usually pretty good at knowing at the beginning of a book if I will end up liking it. This one unfortunately did not catch my attention. Something about it made me feel like I was gonna be cringing at the romance then eating it up. I am a hopeless romantic, so it doesn’t take a lot to win me over. I won’t give up on this book and maybe pick it up in the future.


Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I really enjoyed this book overall. One of the standout features for me was the dual POV—when done well, it adds such a dynamic layer to the story, and this one pulled it off nicely. Being able to see into both characters’ minds gave a better understanding of their motivations and emotional arcs, which made the twists and turns of the plot even more engaging.

Speaking of plot twists—this book definitely delivered on that front. Just when I thought I had something figured out, another surprise came in and threw everything into question again. It kept the story feeling fresh and unpredictable, which I always appreciate in a romance with heavier themes or emotional stakes.

Now, I’ll admit: I didn’t love the ending. That’s definitely a personal preference more than a flaw in the writing itself. It just wasn’t the kind of conclusion I tend to gravitate toward, and it left me feeling a little unsettled. That said, I understand why it ended the way it did—it made sense within the world the author built, even if it wasn’t totally satisfying for me.

Another area where I wanted a bit more was character growth. The characters were likable and had solid backstories, but I found myself wanting deeper emotional development or at least a stronger evolution by the time we reached the end. There were hints of it, but I wished it had been more central to the narrative, especially given the intense experiences the characters go through.

One thing I really respected, though, was how the spice was handled. It felt age appropriate and thoughtful—not just there for the sake of steam, but actually fitting the characters’ arcs and the tone of the story. That balance is tricky to find, and I think the author handled it well.

Overall, this book had a lot to enjoy: entertaining dual POV, plot twists that kept me guessing, and a romance that had its sweet and spicy moments. While the ending and depth of character growth didn’t completely hit the mark for me personally, I’d still recommend it to readers looking for a twisty, emotionally engaging story with a romance that doesn’t go overboard but still brings the heat when it counts

This was a really great quick read. I loved the characters and their interactions. Jess is on the cusp of success in becoming a new author, meanwhile Gabe the TV superstar heart throb is just trying to deal with life and the changes he is going through.

Their chance encounters leads to a really great read. I enjoyed their chemistry and interactions, the realness and rawness of their emotions.

There were a few surprises the book took a turn I wasn't really expecting and I enjoyed it because it's not what I was thinking. Goes to show you how you really don't know what is going on in someone's lives unless you are living it with them.

This was a raw, endearing and really great read. lots of emotions .

This was a really enjoyable read. This gave me trauma bond but in a good way. Jess and Gabe needing each other in different ways but not realising it at first was what kept the suspense throughout the book, are they going to realise they are perfect for each other? Or not?
The dual POV was great getting to really delve into both their lives and seeing how they both deal with the chaotic circumstances. The romance was just perfect and a great wee read to break up the thrillers I’d been reading!

This book had me kicking my feet !! What a perfect YA read but even perfect for the older generation. I recommend my parent to read this and she absolutely loved it as much as me. Gabe and Jess are a perfect couple, would definitely recommend for all ages!

I enjoyed this book. It was a pretty quick read. It was something that I read at the right time. Great for mood reading if you are looking for a feel good book.

i loved this books portrayal of jess’s anxiety, the way it was written was very realistic. gabe was vulnerable but also charming and seeing their different dynamics play out and see their instant connection was amazing.

this story showed a journey of letting others in, finding strength in yourself, and going off script. this author had such an amazing way with words.

it was a cute rom-com ya read!

This might be trauma bonding gone right? He is a heartthrob actor who.is carrying several secrets while she is a struggling writer who falls into his lap when he needs an escape. Their overlapping secrets allow for them to come together but the others seem to be what will keep them apart.
Overall a cute bridge book a romance but YA but not minimizing the realities of growing up fast in trauma situations or in certain industries as well as the objectification of characters/actors.

3.5/5 stars. ☆

I absolutely adore them. Jess and Gabe were everything. They are complex character with deep story. I love how the author explored that complexity. I cried about what happened in their backstories. The writing was great too. The side characters were fine. But, I didn't feel chemistry between Jess and Gabe. I needed more romantic scenes. But still, I enjoyed this book.

This was a cute book! It was definitely a cliche trope, but I liked how the fmc was a teen author. They both had their flaws and the question of what happened to Gabe's mom was intriguing, and I couldn't stop reading! I ate this up in a day it was so adorable. Jess and Gabe were so cute and I loved seeing them grow closer with each other <3.

This was an enjoyable book, one that I think Y.A. readers would really get into. Jess is a teenage girl suddenly thrust into the spotlight due to the publication of her novel. Gabe is a tv star, known for his role in a childhood series, and for his present acting as a werewolf in a teen drama. When they meet unexpectedly, and are forced by those in authority to “fake a relationship” for publicity purposes, these two young people discover that they have many secrets and problems in common. And they are desperate to keep them private, at any cost…

* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

This was such a cute rom-com book! I immediately fell in love with Jess and Gabe, their chemistry was adorable. I think what really sold me was the vulnerability they shared with one another. The slow opening up of feelings was such an important plot point; I love slow burn books so much and this totally satisfied me!!!
I appreciated the portrayal of anxiousness and insecurity. It was often relatable, understanding and feeling the characters’ struggles throughout.
If you happen to love closed door rom-coms, with opposites attract/slow burn/fake dating? This one is totally for you!
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own. <3

4,5 ✨ ~ ARC review

In this book we're meeting Jess and Gabe - and honestly, I knew it is a YA, but from the blurb I expected them to be a bit older than they are. When I got used to their ages I really enjoyed this book though. Both Jess and Gabe show emotional depth, both have their own struggles and feel like real people, not just someone's love interest. A couple of chapter's in I was very invested in what was going to happen to them - both as a "couple" (fake dating! love it!) and separately with their respective struggles.

The book was a quick read and yet made me so emotional that I was crying on the train when reading it - so maybe don't read it on public transport on your way to work.
All in all I can wholeheartedly recommend The Accidental Boyfriend - the 0,5 ✨ deduction is because I did expect characters that were older than 18 because they both have careers and that threw me for a loop in the beginning.

This is so cute! It got early 2010s YA vibes and is so wholesome! Accidental boyfriend is one of my fave tropes so if you love summery feel good romances, give this a try!

The accidental Boyfriend is a cute YA love story that has all the right ingredients to make this a hit. We meet Jess, a young writer with a secret she is hiding and Gabe, a young actor with a secret he can't tell. Throw in an escalator, a first kiss, some rules and you have " The Accidental Boyfriend" by Lori Freeland.. I was pulled in right away and loves the dual POV chapters, I would definitely recommend this book to by teen, as the spice level is low, Thank you to NetGalley and Booksgosocial Publishing for this ARC copy
#TheAccidentalBoyfriend #NetGalley.

The Accidental Boyfriend is so much more than a romance book. I almost think the cover is a bit misleading because I was not expecting the heaviness of alcoholism, abandonment, and early-onset Alzheimer’s. While the story centers on a fake relationship between reluctant teen author Jess and teen TV heartthrob Gabe, the thing that I appreciated about this book was that these two characters are both grappling with complicated family dynamics and how to navigate them while figuring out who they are and what they want to be. While I found parts of this book not quite believable, there was a lot to really like. Jess is a young girl with strong boundaries regarding her physical relationship with Gabe, so the romance is appropriate for younger teen readers who enjoy romance.

The Accidental Boyfriend by Lori Freeland was a heartfelt and surprisingly layered read. While it delivers on the cute and swoony romance front, it also doesn’t shy away from deeper issues—grief, identity, and emotional healing. I appreciated how the characters, Jess and Gabe, had their own personal struggles but still managed to support each other and grow by the end. Their chemistry was adorable and genuine, and I loved watching their relationship unfold.

That said, the ending left me a little uncertain—I wish it had taken a slightly different route to feel more satisfying. Still, it was an enjoyable story that balanced charm and emotional depth without being too heavy.

Definitely a good pick if you’re into romance with a touch of real-life complexity!