loved this fake dating and then falling in love. loved the banter between them and that he accidently became her boyfriend.

I’m sorry, but I could not finish this. It seemed like a huge mix of popular tropes and it just wasn’t working out for me. The writing for this book was also very bland, and it seemed to tell but not show. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This was such a sweet and funny young adult novel! I loved how the author was able to include humor while also include emotion, depth, and healing. Both Gabe and Jessica are going throug rough times, especially surrounding family, adn it was such a beautiful way how they were able to connect and grow.

I loved this book and cant wait to hopefully read more by this author I absolutely loved this book and think it's great for anyone looking for a YA novel that will give you ALL of those feels.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the e-arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

The characters are a homeschooled physically slightly scarred FMC and the teen emotionally scarred MMC heartthrob of the drool worthy abs.

Their "Meet Cute" provided so many potential moments for these two opposites.
Unfortunately, felt that the introduction of David and Vi (secondary characters) to the story and their relationship to the leads made it confusing to the point was fixated on that rather than the story between the main characters.

It didn't get any clearer as the story progressed. Also, know there's going to be angst but too much can spoil a light read.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, BooksGoSocial, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


#TheAccidentalBoyfriend #NetGalley

This was a fun read that pulled at the heartstrings and had 2 surprising twists! Jess and Gabe while having formulaic personalities at certain points (I.e. famous heartthrob boy and girl who doesn’t think anything she does is good enough) their storylines and backstories were so interesting it keep me engaged the entire book. There were some editing errors throughout the book but nothing crazy. Once again the twists, especially one in particular, caught me off guard in the best way possible!! While there was a third act breakup, which I’m typically not a huge fan of, it didn’t take away from the book for me. Overall I thought it was a cute and fun read and I would definitely read other work by this author.

The plot was good, but some of the descriptions threw me off. In places it felt like a sentence was missing.

Overall it was a cute ya romance. Cheesy Christmas movie vibes. Fake dating to real couple trope was done well. I liked the individual character struggles, though I felt like some of it was unnecessary/ added just for the sake of it in an attempt to tie it all in - like Vi’s secret relationship with the father.

It wasn’t anything special, and it won’t be making it on my top list of books to recommend.

When I started reading, I expected a heartwarming romance—but what I got was so much more, and I absolutely loved it. While the story was somewhat predictable, it remained cozy and engaging throughout. The author did a terrific job of conveying emotions; I felt every single one so vividly. This book made me laugh, cry, and even feel angry (a bit too angry), which only made me love it more.

What truly sealed the deal for me was the portrayal of Jess' anxiety and Gabe's insecurities. Their struggles felt incredibly real, making them all the more relatable. Another thing I appreciated was that, despite the many conflicts, nothing felt clichéd or annoying. Another thing I liked was how the story handled multiple conflicts without feeling clichéd or overwhelming. Instead, it made the characters’ struggles feel even more real.

So, if you're a fan of opposites-attract and forced-proximity romances where he falls first and hard, this should totally be in your TBR.

Thanks NetGalley and Lori Freeland for that opportunity to read that book.

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an e-ARC! 😊

I'm a sucker for fake dating, and I absolutely loved how both characters had each other’s backs when it mattered most. Their story was adorable, and it was heartwarming to see them navigate their struggles together. The book was fast-paced and easy to read, making it an enjoyable experience. 💕

That said, the drama behind their personal struggles sometimes pulled me out of the cozy, feel-good atmosphere I loved about their romance. While I appreciate emotional depth, I found myself wishing for a little less intensity in that aspect.

Overall, a sweet and engaging read, perfect for fake dating fans! ✨

This was such a cute book! Gabe’ and Jess’s meet-cute was so adorable!! I love how each chapter began with a diary passage or a line from the tv show Gabe’s mom was famous for. Both characters had some family issues/trauma and they were handle with care. They weren’t immature when it came to them handling the situation. I did not expect the twists at all. I think it helped with the character development.


Really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this book to others.

I really liked the premise of the book but i don't think it completely delivered.

Vi treated the fmc like an adult, and talked like they were friends not parental relationship
Gabe seemed overly immature which for the age is ok but the fmc just takes it
The development of the characters wasn't complete and the pacing was off.
It has great potential just don't think it hit completely

This book I could not put down loved it from beginning to end. I would highly recommend!! This isn't like something ie read before.

From the very beginning, I knew I was hooked on this story. Jess, a 17-year-old romance author, is navigating her life’s uncertainties. Gabe, an 18-year-old TV star, is trying to live up to the expectations of being the man of the family.

Jess and Gabe, thrust into adulthood at an accelerated pace, carry a heavy burden. As we follow their journey, we witness their growth and mutual support as they confront their personal traumas and fall in love amidst their struggles.

I never anticipated falling in love with these characters and their stories, but they captivated me, and I could empathize with every emotion they experienced. It’s truly a swoon-worthy read!

Thank you NetGalley and Lori Freeland for providing me with the opportunity to read this book.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, and in this case, I’m very glad I didn’t! While the cover didn’t quite catch my eye, the story inside was absolutely fantastic. The plot was engaging, full of exciting twists, and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and I’d definitely recommend it to others. Just don’t let the cover fool you—there’s a great story waiting inside!

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

The Accidental Boyfriend by Lori Freeland
⭐ 3.5/5 stars
Genre: YA Romance
Tropes: Coming-of-age, Fake dating, First time love

Gabe, a teenage heartthrob from a popular werewolf TV show, is dealing with personal struggles while managing to stay both hot and mysterious. Taking a break from his busy career, he needs to find someone to give the world an excuse for why he’s staying in town for a bit longer.
Jess, a teenage author, is trying to write her second novel after the massive success of her debut. However, past trauma is holding her back from finding that creative spark.
I really enjoyed the banter between Jess, who tries to stay logical, and Gabe, who is just happy to be near her. As their fake dating arrangement unfolds, real feelings inevitably develop, leading to miscommunication and one person realizing they’re more in love than they thought.
Both characters must overcome their personal struggles to move toward a future together. If you're looking for a sweet, coming-of-age story with laugh-out-loud moments, this book is worth picking up!

This was a really cute book! The cover is absolutely beautiful and it made me pick up the book. The romance and tension in this book was great!

This is a book for the tortured young adult soul. It was a sweet relationship.. very slow burn. Well developed characters. The plot did go on a bit too long the second half of the book and I found myself wanting to flip through some pages to get to the end, but overall, pretty good book!

Many thanks to NetGalley & the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

****SPOILER ALERT****

I was so excited about the premise of this book because it seemed so cute. Unfortunately, the execution didn't work for me on so many levels.

-Vi was a toxic relationship and put the FMC in potentially dangerous situations, belittled her, and only cared about herself. The fact that the Dad was ok with all of this, baffles me.
-In fact, almost every relationship (platonic or otherwise) was toxic in the book.
-Gabe was not cute or endearing. He was possessive (please don't ever say "my girl" again), slightly predatory in his constant pushing of boundaries, and the chapters from his POV were more awkwardly written than Jess'. Perhaps it was his use of slang? I have teenagers, so if it was, it wasn't the slang I hear all the time.
-It was really hard to become invested in any of the characters.
-Issues with pacing and the writing made it awkward to read at times.

Again, great story idea, but for me it needs more work for it to be enjoyable.

I went into this book thinking it would be a cute fun time - who didn't dream about being a published author and dating the tv show hottie as a teenager? The story tries to hit on some important topics, but with the lazy use of stereotypical OCD and bipolar references to describe tv volume and other daily things finished me. Overall, the story wasn't terrible and as I said it tries to face issues such as parental marriage breakdowns, the impact and pressure of fame at a young age, and <spoiler>early onset dementia.</spoiler> Fake dating is superior, as always, and the alternating POV is used well.

Jess is a teen author with her debut romance novel selling fast, however writing her second, contracted, novel is proving to be very difficult after the direct inspiration for the first wont cut it for the second. Being thrust into the limelight of a book conference with very public panels and answering questions this is not Jess's happy place with her natural introversion.

Gabe is a teen heartthrob on a popular werewolf show where he is contractually obliged to be his character in public, including dating his costar, to publicise the program. Currently he's taking a break from filming and promoting to visit family and it isn't all going as smoothly as he'd like, he can't act his way through the whole thing. In fact he needs a reason to be in town to cover his tracks and protect his family.

Jess and Gabe's world's collide when Gabe bumps into Jess at the bottom of an escalator in front of his fans and an overzealous paparazzi reporter getting dangerously close to the secret Gabe is trying to keep. Gabe does what he does best, act. Gabe kisses Jess to distract the reporter and hopefully if he can use his charm to convince her to be his fake girlfriend to take the heat off him this trip.

Fake dating, young adult, coming of age mixed with complicated family life and clashing upbringings means this story is heartfelt, detailed and full of life's ups and downs.