The Boyfriend Candidate

Oh my God. I LOVED this book. Slamming straight into the top of my list of favourite romance novels (and I read a LOT of them). The Boyfriend Candidate was properly, properly funny and dazzlingly romantic at the same time. I was completely here for the Roy Kent energy, the loveable cast of side characters, the green dresses, the librarians, the Parks and Recs references… honestly, it was like this book was written for me, just all my favourite things mashed together, a complete joy. Laughed, cried, swooned - an absolute dream of a novel. My first Ashley Winstead and now I’m off to track down everything she’s written.

Incredible! I absolutely adored this story. I was hooked on Alexis and Logan's story from the beginning.
The political side of this book took me by surprise too, I actually found myself rooting for them and felt tense when the results were in.
The side characters were also fantastic - I wish I had a sister like Lee and a friend like Zoey!
Overall a fantastic read, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance with a good pace, interesting Storyline and great characters.

Oh. My. God. This book!

Let me start by saying that I know absolutely nothing about how the American political system works so I was going into this blind. OK, so this guys is running for governer? That means less than nothing to me. But the premise sounded good and I decided it was probably worth a read.

Man, am I glad I gave this one a shot. This could actually be my favourite book of 2023.
Logan was perfect, everything I always love in the male lead. Plus, as a very sweary Brit myself, I definitely had a bit of extra love for him.
I read so many books were the female lead is a shy, introverted wallflower but the way Alexis' discovery of herself and what she is capable of has blown every other version of this out of the water.

It's been a long time since a book has made me cry (read: at least a month) but this had me sobbing and cackling in equal parts.

I honestly cannot recommend this book enough! I'm off to devour everything this author has done so far!

5 stars!

Sometimes a one night stand is all you need to lure you into politics! Alexis Stone agrees to fake date Logan Arthur after compromising photos of the two went viral. With the gubernatorial elections coming up in three months time, Logan cannot use another momentarily discretion, so Alexis, the introverted, shy assistant librarian, says yes to a whirlwind, political adventure.

This was an eventful, fun romance with a lot of miscommunication to let the two main characters burnnnnnnnn. I loved the political plot inserted to legitimize the fake dating trope. The Boyfriend Candidate is full of damage control, diplomatics, and winning over the public’s goodwill - but both Logan and Alexis fight for a greater cause, so it was easy to root for them!

The author put a lot of effort to make this romance both exciting (what is a political romance without some twist and turns, right?) and thoughtful (because it can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the times). Logan as well as Alexis had some personal issues to overcome, but I especially liked how Alexis started off as a typical wing-woman, the shy supportive character that nurtures the people around her. As the fake girlfriend of the gubernatorial candidate, she could have easily been turned into an accessory to polish Logan’s public image. But for once Alexis was the leading lady instead of secondary to the male character. She pushed the agenda, changed the narrative, and took control of her happiness. She didn’t need for Logan to show up and change her live, she was capable all by herself, even though she didn’t believe she could.

While The Boyfriend Candidate wasn’t unpredictable, it did surprise me for not always following through with the usual romance tropes. The fake dating didn’t involve lying to Alexis’ inner circle, the one bed trope came along, but not in the way expected, and starting with a one night stand still turned into an amazing slow burn.

I really liked this one!

4.75 ⭐️

The Boyfriend Candidate is a funny, sweet and charming rom-com that will leave you feeling giddy and in love with the characters. The book follows Alexis who is a school librarian, who in an attempt to become more confident attempts her first one night stand at a bar. There she meets Logan, who’s the complete opposite of her, someone who speaks his mind no matter the consequences and does it with a lot of swearing 😂. The chemistry between the two is heating up but just as they reach the hotel room a lightening storm hits and they are forced to run outside, where they’re caught by paparazzi, leaving Logan fleeing the scene. Pictures are leaked of the two of them which is bad for Logan’s reputation as he’s running for the Texas governors seat, so the two of them have to embark on a fake relationship as to not impact his chances of winning. But are things really as fake as they both pretend they are, or are real feelings hidden behind the facade?

This book had me giggling and giddy the entire way, I absolutely loved the banter between Alexis and Logan. The journey of Alexis’ self love was really heartwarming, seeing her open up and own what she wants instead of always trying to please others. She’s a really inspiring character and I loved seeing her confidence grow throughout the book. Logan was completely charming and you could see how he always prioritised Alexis and said/did little things to show how much he cared. I will think about this book constantly, Ashley you are incredible!

Thank you so much to @netgalley, @ariafiction and @ashleywinsteadbooks for the copy of this book, all opinions are honest and my own.

So insanely captivating!!!

This book has everything I love in my rom-coms, from slow-burn romance to engaging and relatable characters. Alexis was so comforting as a character, and I loved her progression throughout the book and how she developed individually. Books that tackle complex parental relationships & grief also stand out for me, and I think Ashely Winstead did this beautifully!

I would like to thank netgalley and Aria & Aries for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Everything I could ever want in a romance.

Hands down, definitely in my top 10 romances of the year!
Was I sceptical that a thriller author would be able to give me all the romantic feels? Yes. Was I proven wrong? Definitely!!
This story was amazing, I could not put this down. The pining! Oh my word, the pining had me feel for the characters. The chemistry was palpable through the page and even though this is only told from Alexis' perspective, it did not take away from how Logan was feeling. We as the reader could see it through Alexis' eyes.

It was magical, sweet, endearing and quite funny. I love Logan! One of my favourite book boyfriends and these two complemented each other so well!

I loved this book! Seeing her find her voice and step out of the shadows made for the perfect storyline. I loved that the ending did not have the typical fairytale end where everything works out as planned but showed that sometimes different can be even better. Thanks for the opportunity to read, I recommend!

Great Rom Com that will have you laughing out loud! I requested the ARC from Netgalley as I found the synopsis interesting and this book did not disappoint! Brilliant plot!
Alexis is a shy school librarian and after being dumped for being boring in the bedroom... she meets Logan! Logan reminded me of the main character from the film 'The Ugly Truth'. Basically, my kind of book boyfriend! Would have given the book a 5 star of it was dual POV.

“I, Alexis Rosalie Stone, was going to have my first one-night stand.”

"I've been a book nerd all my life. Escaping into reading's my happy place, so libraries were always safe,”

This romcom was … AMAZING!!!! Wow !!! This was exactly the kind of read I needed to get more into the whole summer romcom vibes !!! Do they even exist ? After reading Logan and Alexis’ story … I believe that they do. Imagine a one night stand turned in an unexpected way. An introverted and shy librarian, put on a spotlight because the man she was caught almost having a one night stand is the man currently running for governor in Texas. And a love story full of rules to make a fake dating trope more real than ever before. It was so so good!!!! The plot itself was engaging and interesting. The political campaign, involving both main characters was convincing and real. The romantic relationship between them … even better !!! The sweetness and intimacy they share every scene without actually going down and dirty (there is a spicy scene, don’t worry about it!!), was so good and heartwarming and I loved it !!! The possessive “staking his claim” vibes Logan gave … great!!! The way he behaves in a certain scene with her ex … adore it !!! And throughout it all … just a guy trying to make his home a better place for everyone living in it, who meets someone that turns out to be more important to him than any other campaign he could ever run for !!!

"I happen to think, when you know, you know. And who could spend ten minutes with Alexis Stone and not want to keep her? I mean, you'd have to be a supreme fucking twat to let her get away.”

"Ever since the night we met, I've been trying to figure out what your eyes reminded me of. I finally decided they're honey-brown with green flecks. A constellation trapped in amber. The gold is brightest when you're happy."

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Head of Zeus in return for an unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this. Alexis is reeling from her break up (from the world’s biggest arsehole) and heads off to find herself a one night stand. Due to a freak accident, she finds out that her unlikely conquest is actually running for election, and is well-known playboy Logan. With pictures of them splashed across the papers, Logan and Alexis are forced into a pretend relationship for the duration of the campaign.

Forced proximity, fake-dating, miscommunication, it’s all in there plus a little bit of spice. I really liked Alexis and Logan as characters, they’re both passionate about what they do, and needed to find each other to help find themselves.

There were only a couple of things I didn’t like:
- Chapter titles. This is an advanced copy so this may change by publication, but I didn’t feel they added anything to the story, they may as well have just been “Chapter One, Two, Three” etc, rather than random words of each chapter. I didn’t see the point and found it a bit off-putting.
- bits of the miscommunication in the plot annoyed me and it seemed really out of keeping with the character we’ve been told Alexis is. She’s not a risk-taker, but took two major risks in the plot that she’d explicitly said she wouldn’t do, and I just found that a bit flakey and out of sorts

But anyway, I really enjoyed it, the plot, the characters, the writing and the pace. Yay!

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead is a fun and charming romantic comedy that follows Alexis Stone, a shy school librarian who decides to step out of her comfort zone after being dumped for being too meek. In her quest for adventure, she meets Logan, a charismatic stranger, and they have an instant connection. However, their one-night stand is interrupted when a fire breaks out, and they become the subject of public attention.

Winstead skilfully blends humour and romance as Alexis and Logan navigate the fallout of their unexpected fame. The author crafts a delightful story filled with witty banter, amusing situations, and the excitement of a fake relationship. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their contrasting personalities create a captivating dynamic.

The Boyfriend Candidate is a light-hearted and entertaining read that explores themes of self-discovery, taking risks, and the power of love. Winstead's writing is engaging and humorous, making it an enjoyable escape for fans of romantic comedies. With its delightful premise and lovable characters, this novel offers a delightful and feel-good journey that will leave readers with a smile on their faces.

a cute and charming romcom that was delightful.

thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for this review copy.

ashley winstead will forever own my heart. everything she writes is gold and addictive and if i had to only read one author forever it would be her. that is my review x

I love learning new things about myself.

When I read thrillers I can’t turn the page fast enough, I’m so eager to get to the twist and get my “ah ha” moment. When I read romcoms I’m usually laughing so hard I just want to go slower to laugh a bit longer .

Who’s with me?

Now, can an author be both thrilling and funny? You betcha! We all know Ashley Winstead, right? There is not a soul in the world who can scare the life out of me and also have me doubled over laughing like Winstead can .

What do you think, when you think of a “shy” librarian?

I think about a freak in the sheets.

right?

What happens when said librarian is told she’s awful in bed? No, there is no murder in this book kids but I like where your head is at 🤣

Revenge Sex !

Or even better, one night stand kind of revenge sex ! But after an unexpected fire alarm this is not what ends up happening to Alexis because she just ended up in the oh so sexy arms of future (possible) Texas Governor, Logan ….. and it was all caught on camera .

What is it with guys named Logan? Or Brads and Chads? Will they call you an Uber the morning after? Probably not, make sure to keep your phone charged!! It’s like you almost know where this one is going to go, yet, I promise, you don’t.

This is a laugh out loud, can’t catch your breath, kicking and screaming with your legs flailing in the air kind of book. I loved every last word of it. My preferred genre is definitely thrillers but when it comes to Ashley Winstead I would be happy to read a phone book if that is what she decided to write next.

I could go on and on but all you really need to know is that if a thrill chasing wild woman who really doesn’t believe in happily ever afters could love this book as much as I do, you will too.

Go on now, it’s time to pre-order

Three and a half stars.

Alexis Stone is a librarian. After her boyfriend cheats on her and accuses her of being boring in bed she determines to prove him wrong by having a one-night stand, her first. Little does she know that the guy she almost has a one-night stand with, saved by the fire alarm at the hotel where they were about to hook up, is actually Logan Arthur, a half-British hotshot running for Texas governor against the incumbent Republican candidate. Logan has been trying to clean up his act after being accused of being more serious about chasing women than politics so when a photo of him carrying Alexis out of the hotel goes viral his campaign asks her to be his fake girlfriend. After all, Alexis' big sister Lee is a State Senator so they could have met through her, and being a librarian is a worthy occupation.

Soon Alexis is being taken to exclusive bougie hair salons and being bought fancy clothes (all very Pretty Woman which both Logan and Alexis acknowledge). I was really enjoying this. But then Alexi went from some sort of cardigan-wearing, only has friends over sixty, mouse-like woman into a woman that all the men have been in love with, and all the women find fascinating. It felt like Alexis' back story had served a purpose and it had been abruptly jettisoned.

Also, as a British person, it pains me to hear Spurs ever described as the Hotspurs, its Tottenham, Tottenham Hotspurs, or Spurs. Also there's a reference to Logan's Britishness which talks about him always eating fish and chips and brisket - I'm fifty-six years old and I don't know what brisket is, we'd just say roast beef.

Anyway, rant over. Alexis is sweet, she definitely finds her voice during Logan's campaign. Also she and Logan keep committing each other to campaign activities like being the keynote speaker at a rally, or making a commercial for Alexis' mother's animal sanctuary. It's pretty clear right from the start that Logan is completely smitten but Alexis just thinks he's a really good actor :)

It's a political, meet-cute rom-com.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Ultimately this is fun and lighthearted reading and you will definitely race through the book!
The story is a slow burn and fake dating trope and whilst I do enjoy the fake dating types of romance a slow burn doesn’t agree with my impatient side.
Logan and Alexis as a couple work well and due to the circumstances of their initial meet they’re obviously attracted to each other so the will they / won’t they seemed a little pointless…. These two needed to find their own way a little and be happy with the direction of their lives, Alexis certainly needed to get a back bone so there was character development in just not sure all the pieces fit quite right, there wasn’t enough anticipation and antics in the fake dating.

I received this ARC for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

⭐️4 🔥1.5
The boyfriend Candidate is a slow-burn, fake-dating romcom. The story revolves around Alexis, a shy and people-pleasing school librarian, who finds herself caught in a media storm after an attempted (but interrupted) one-night stand with Logan, a gubernatorial candidate (yes, I learnt what this is from this book). Photos leak of Alexis, being carried in the arms of Logan, the up-and-coming, audacious young politician challenging the Texas governor's seat. To limit the scandal's damage to Logan's campaign, his team convinces Alexis to fake a relationship with Logan. As they navigate this charade, their connection deepens, leading to heartfelt moments and unexpected twists along the way.
I did find the miscommunication between the characters frustrating. There were many occurrences where open communication would have solved 95% of the problems. I think this fits Alexis’s character, given her previous inability to assert herself. However, this didn’t really fit as well for Logan and I found myself annoyed with him continuously almost telling her what he wanted.
<img src="https://media.tenor.com/R6ORZih7ZXIAAAAC/communicate-i-was-trying-to-communicate.gif"/>
That being said, I genuinely enjoyed how he kind of lost his head around her, and their chemistry was adorable. They are a very believable endgame couple.
Neither character really changed for the other. However, they both seem to find each other and strive to be the best versions of themselves. I think that this is really what finding a life partner is. I love how they supported and pushed each other and both brought out the strengths and confidence of the other person.
The Electoral campaign was interesting and I liked how Alexis gets involved and wasn’t just on the sidelines. While it provided an interesting backdrop, it occasionally overshadowed the character interactions I eagerly anticipated. Character interactions that I started to get really excited about tended to occur towards the end of the chapter, and then I’d find it ending only to begin another chapter on another event of the campaign trail. Despite this, the anticipation it created fueled my desire to continue reading, as I anxiously awaited the long-awaited moment when Alexis and Logan would finally come together.
Although I am more familiar with Australian politics than American politics, I appreciated how the book touched on real issues, lending it depth and believability. The author's inclusion of these elements added an interesting layer to the story. I think it gave the book depth and believability.
I love the representation of librarians and also the covering of banned books
<img src="https://media.tenor.com/6rjJb7RzsYQAAAAi/librarians-are-freedom-fighters-librarians.gif"/>

It’s probably important to keep in mind that not only am I not very patient with slow burn, but I also tend to prefer things that are spicier than this.
<img src="https://media.tenor.com/m1Ll2tz-hr4AAAAi/machiko-rabbit.gif"/>
I’m an impatient bitch, what can I say 😅
So spice occurring when it did <spoiler> partial at 76% then finally 93%</spoiler> did nearly end me but the tension leading up to that did tide me over.

Safety notes: there are some OM moments, which weren’t my favourite, as she does go on some dates with another guy during their fake dating.
<spoiler> Logan doesn’t know she agreed to the secret date initially and finds out. He then says it’s okay. Alexis and OM share a kiss. </spoiler>

If you’re a fan of slow-burn, he falls first, or fake-dating, then this is really enjoyable and addictive read. I loved both characters' growth, their chemistry and how they honestly seemed to be the best version of each other when together.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

This was such a wonderful surprise of a book! I loved the tropes: failed one night stand to fake dating to lovers, politician/school librarian, amazing chemistry, grumpy/sunshine.

This was such a fun read! The sizzling tension between these two characters made the slow burn and the eventual ‘fuck it’ moment so satisfying. Logan is a delicious main character. My heart swooned when he ran to her after the storm to check that she was okay. I loved these two together and really enjoyed how they encouraged each other to find their true passions.

Highly recommend!

Deliciously funny and sexy romance. Intriguing characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Will read more from this author!

This book was such a wild ride with loads of chemistry and sexual tension and a pair of characters that I loved for each other. Watching Logan and Alexis thrust together in an effort to protect both their reputations after an unfulfilled one night stand draws more attention than they would like was absolutely delicious. The attraction rages between them but both need to remain professional in their fake dating relationship and respect the boundaries they set. Logan is a fairy tale of a politician, fighting hard for all the right causes and telling it how it is (perhaps with a bit more colourful language than his team would like). Alexis has always made herself agreeable to make sure people like her but with Logan, she becomes more passionate and willing to state what she wants and how to get it (strictly professionally, of course) and it was great to see her character coming into her own and having Logan’s unwavering support to do so. They make a super sweet couple and this is definitely a slow burn with so many obstacles standing between them but it was a top read and I loved the playful wars between these two. The world needs more books like this!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I so enjoyed reading this book, completely sold on the unlikely relationship between Logan and Alexis. Often this type of scenario lacks realism but the way their relationship started helped me to envisage them as a couple and invest in them. I can see it as a film, which doesn't often happen for me. The twists and turns were well constructed and although the romance was a little more detailed and steamy than I usually go for, they were still tasteful and I didn't switch off. A great read.

// thank you so much to the publishers and the people at net galley for giving me a copy of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!!

it took me a long time to write this review because I couldn't figure out how to put my love for this book into words. if i had to compare it to anything, i would say this book is the closest to the magic of 'red, white and royal blue'—but it's such an underrated an unique read. I absolutely loved the characters, especially the main girl. the emotional arc she goes on, discovering what matters to her, that she can demand things and make changes, but doesn't always have to, was genuinely heartwarming. i absolutely loved the romance too, i read this entire book in one go and I was screamin and gigglin all the way through. there was no contrived drama and the love interest got his own satisfying character development—what more could I ask for?

honestly, I think this book sells itself short. especially the synopsis and cover make this book seem hallmark-y and contrived when it's the complete opposite. this is one of those romance books where the story is about more than just two people. it's a story about optimism, about hope and change. it's a story about politics being a space for everyone, about inserting yourself into conversations that you may not initially be a part of. and that was really beautiful to read about. I'm still not sure if I agree with the ending to this book (plot-wise, the romance was amazing), but honestly, it was unexpected and i respect the author for taking a more unconventional route.

i hope to see everyone reading this book soon, i can't recommend it enough!

Alexis & Logan’s one-night stand couldn’t have been any worse, until he asks her to fake date and help him in his campaign running for governor! They are faced with a few hurdles along the way and they just might find the answer is closer than they expected! Such an enjoyable light-hearted book. Alexis and Logan are both super relatable and I loved reading their story!

The Boyfriend Candidate is a whip smart, funny, slow burn romance with some of my favourite tropes (fake dating, opposites attract and forced proximity to name a few). Throw in some heartfelt politics, a few uplifting causes and a bunch of loveable characters, and you’ve got yourself a charming contemporary romance!

Although a bit predictable at times, this was a ridiculously easy read with a captivating plot. I devoured it in two sittings! There was no slow build up or long winded prologue - you’re thrown straight into the story from the off, which was a huge thumbs up from me.

Alexis being the sweet librarian with a big heart and even bigger insecurities was the protagonist we needed, especially when the plot added further depth and she showed a fiery side during heated debates and causes she felt passionate about. Throw in Logan, your traditional tall, dark and handsome guy, with a sharp tongue and a hotheaded personality, and you’ve got yourself a pretty hot couple.

I did feel a little disappointed at the end of some chapters - the ones that left me wanting more, that felt a bit unfinished or cut short. This might just be the romantic in me, or that I loved the chemistry between Logan and Alexis so much I couldn’t get enough. It’s a relatively short book, so I absolutely would have devoured a few extra/longer chapters to stretch out the scenes, but I’m a greedy reader who loves a slow burn, so that might just be me!

As a big romance reader with a ton of different titles on my shelf, I often find I get bored by the third act and start to drift off. I’m glad to say I was hooked right til the end with this one and could not put it down - this was such a treat to read and one I definitely recommend!

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

This was my first Ashley Winstead book and it was cute, charming and surprising.

The Boyfriend Candidate follows quiet and meek school librarian Alexis who wants to do something different with her life and put her self out there. To have more adventures. The book starts with her in a bar dressed to the nines and completely out of her comfort zone.
👏🏻👏🏻 so off with a bang 🤣 or not…

Enter Logan. The complete opposite to Alexis, foul mouthed, filterless and loud just wants a drink but steps in to save Alexis from a suitor that is socially unaware.

After a night of drinks and long conversation and Alexis deciding she wants to have her first night stand, the hotel that her and Logan end up at catches fire just as things in the hotel bedroom start to heat up and they have to evacuate. Logan carrying Alexis after she twists her ankle in the rush down the fireescape stairs, bolts when he realises that there are cameras on the street leaving Alexis bewildered.

The next day, Alexis is breaking news. The ‘woman’ who political candidate by the name of Logan Arthur saved is in the photos splashed across the media.

The photos will either sink Logan in the polls or boost his popularity and also affect Alexis’ job so Logan’s team come up with a solution. Fake date until election day! I mean what could go wrong 🫣

✨

I really enjoyed this one. Logan was a grumpy FK but a total cinnamon roll. I would love to see the add for the Animal Home haha I visualised it and it made me LOL Alexis had loads of character growth and really came out of her shell. Her relationship with her sister was super cute and it was great to see at the end how much they respected each other.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

If you love:

✨ Cute and sweet romance

✨ Fake dating

✨ Slow burn – Spice right at the end. Small but just right 🔥

✨ Insta lust

✨ Political Campaigning


Thank you @netgalley and @ashleywinsteadbooks for the ARC opportunity in return for honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a fun lighthearted rom com with likeable characters and good plot. Bit of a slow burn but done really well. Tropes included: fake dating, slow burn, miscommunication.

I absolutely flew through this book and really enjoyed the pace and writing. Who doesn’t love a man losing his mind!

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I could not have loved this book more!
Although I have very limited knowledge of American politics and governors/senators etc, this was 100% not a politics book and 100% a laugh out loud, swoonworthy, empowering romance novel that hits in all the right places.
I'm now going to seek out this author's previous books to read.

i thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was exactly what i needed😌
i liked the plot, the characters (not the sister though lol) and the romance. i read reviews saying the politics aspect was not accurate, but since i’m not educated on american politics, i will not comment on that.
ofcourse there were the unnecessary miscommunication trope and 3rd act breakup which i didn’t like, but who does🤷🏻‍♀️

(thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!)

As always, first a huge thank you to the author (Ashley Winstead), the publisher (Aria & Aries) and NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of 'The Boyfriend Candidate' ahead of its publication date, in exchange for an honest review. Please note that my review may contain spoilers.

The Boyfriend Candidate follows Alexis Stone, elementary school assistant librarian, as she embarks on her first one-night stand. Alexis attempts to overcome the hurtful comments made by her ex - Chris - by finding a hot stranger to hook up. There she finds Logan, Alexis's opposite in so many respects - foul-mouthed, filterless... in the lead up to their rendezvous, the hotel catches on fire during a freak storm and Alexis hurts her ankle, prompting our hero of the hour, Logan, to pick her up and sweep her to the nearby emergency services. As this occurs, the news snap photos prompting Logan to run off... turns out Logan is not just a lawyer or businessman like Alexis assumed, but is the Logan Arthur, a politician challenging Republican incumbent governor in the state of Texas. To save face, Alexis and Logan agree to fake date. Dodging questions from her politician sister, Lee, and forming new friendships with Logan's team, the steam and pacing of this book is everything a person could want.

Overall, I rate this book 5 stars., I read this book within the space of 5 hours, and stayed up until 3am just to devour it's pages. I was completely and utterly hooked. I loved Alexis' character, although the miscommunication between the two protagonists was extremely frustrating at times - made me want to throw my tablet across the room. The ending was heated and the conclusion was extremely satisfactory - I was glad that Logan didn't win his political race, it would've detracted from how honest and truthful the writing of this book was, it was just plain unrealistic for Logan to win, so I'm glad the author didn't go down that avenue.

Fantastically written, beautifully paced, and perfectly steamy - this is everything you want from this genre of book! Perfect for fans of Lauren Asher.

This was really cute and I loved the shy librarian/bold politician dynamic.

Overall this was a fun story, that kept me engaged, was easy to read, and flew by all too fast!

I didn't have any expectations of this going in as I've not come across the author before but I absolutely loved it, and read it in less than 24h.

I really enjoyed Alexis's journey, not only her huge growth in confidence but also that it came along with an acceptance of herself and what SHE wanted, not what she thought others thought she should want. I felt like she stepped into herself, and that was really enjoyable to read.

I also loved the relationship between her and Logan, the way he pulled her out of herself without even trying. I liked that he didn't coach her into being braver or more confident, she just became those things with him because he saw her.

The only thing lacking in this for me would be getting to read things from Logan's POV. It was fairly clear where he was at but I'd have enjoyed something of a peek into his mind, especially as he was so clearly gone for Alexis. You've got to love a guy who just loses his mind for a girl.

Overall thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely read more books by this author.

I don’t read much romance but absolutely loved this! I was totally into Logan and Alexis and really love this authors writing style. I’ve read her thrillers before which have both been 5 stars and was so pleasantly surprised that she absolutely nails romance as well! I just wish Fool me once was available on Kindle! I’ll read anything this author writes.

Thanks to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alexis is trying to force herself out of her comfort zone after her ex told her she was boring in bed. However, her determined attempt to have a one-night stand does not work out even remotely as planned, and actually turns out to be the unintentional first step to some important self-discovery.
First thing to note: I'm British. That isn't often a factor in my book reviews, but is in this case, because I thought Logan was written extremely well. His (often profane) choice of words was very easy to imagine in a British accent. Also, my attitude towards American politics in novels is the same as my feelings towards 'The West Wing': it's a great thing to hang a plot on and use for character development, but I really don't care how realistic/idealistic it is. So both of those definitely worked for me. I also loved Alexis's development, as she discovered she did have a backbone and redefined the relationships around her, and the obvious attraction and slow burn between her and Logan built up beautifully. I was completely drawn in to this novel; it's the first I've read by this author but it definitely won't be the last.

I devoured The Boyfriend Candidate in the very best way possible! Alexis Stone is turning over a new leaf. Desperate to put her broken heart behind her, she steps out into Austin’s single scene determined to land herself an unforgettable one-night stand. While her one-night stand doesn’t quite go as planned, meeting Logan sets Alexis’ life on a path that she never expected. Suddenly, Alexis is thrust into the public eye as Logan’s new boyfriend. Her quiet librarian life used to be all that she thought she wanted, but finding her own voice and letting her heart lead the way is showing Alexis there might just be a different story out there. I laughed, I was teary, but mostly I was tired from staying up too late to read. I couldn’t put The Boyfriend Candidate down and think author Ashley Winstead has done a phenomenal job. The Boyfriend Candidate will be this summer’s favorite romantic comedy, laced with real topics and complex ideas!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: "The Boyfriend Candidate" by Ashley Winstead - A Rom-Com with a Dash of Politics

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)

"The Boyfriend Candidate" by Ashley Winstead is a delightful rom-com that will leave you laughing out loud and rooting for the relatable protagonist, Alexis Stone.

As a shy school librarian, Alexis is content with staying out of the spotlight. But after a humiliating breakup, she decides to step out of her comfort zone and embark on a one-night stand. Enter Logan, a gorgeous and audacious stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Sparks fly between them, but their budding romance takes an unexpected turn when they are caught in a compromising situation during a freak lightning storm.

What follows is a hilarious and unconventional proposition: Logan, a hotshot politician running for governor, and Alexis must pretend to be in a relationship to save his career and her job. As they navigate the world of politics and media scrutiny, they find themselves drawn to each other more than they anticipated.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is Alexis's character development. Watching her grow and learn to put herself first is incredibly empowering and relatable. However, some readers may find the romance aspect lacking. The relationship between Alexis and Logan felt rushed, with time jumps and moments of telling instead of showing their connection. The focus on politics and the campaign occasionally overshadowed the development of their romance, leaving readers wanting more intimate moments between the couple.

"The Boyfriend Candidate" is recommended for fans of literary fiction with a subplot of romance and rom-com lovers who enjoy a mix of humor and political intrigue.

In conclusion, "The Boyfriend Candidate" is a fun and engaging read with a relatable protagonist. While the romance may take a back seat to the political plot at times, the book still delivers an entertaining and heartfelt story that will keep readers entertained until the end.

4.75/5 stars

Alexis' boyfriend breaks up with her for not being interesting enough in bed, so she is determined to be more interesting and plans to have a one night stand. She has her sights set on very attractive stranger Logan, but a fire alarm at their hotel stops them and Logan ends up carrying Alexis outside, to the interest of some papparazi. What Logan hasn't told her is that he is running for Governor of Texas and a one night stand would really ruin his image. He asks Alexis to fake date him to help save his campaign - but will it end up turning into more?

I LOVED THIS. Ashley is such a good writer, the book is compelling but also fleshed out. Not only was I routing for Alexis and Logan but I genuinely cared about Logan getting into the seat, especially in Texas as it's so true to life that he would struggle to get left wing politics to land there. Both MCs have fleshed out support networks around them and I learnt so much about all of the characters through this story.

Alexis is basically me in book form, so I was probably always going to feel an affinity towards her. I loved her journey throughout this story as she learns to love herself more for who she is, and also finds her voice through her relationship with Logan. Logan is infinitely likeable - he is absolutely not a typical "bad boy" romance MC which I am infinitely grateful for. I was a bit wary when the love triangle got introduced but I felt it was handled well and didn't portray Will as a boring Doctor who was just not interesting enough for Alexis, which I am so grateful for as someone marrying a real life Will.

The third act drama makes total sense to me in this - fake dating always allows for a bit more will they/won't they and I can overlook the lack of communication because they agree to not catch feelings when they first start dating so you understand why they don't talk about it.

Would have maybe liked a bit more steam as we wait a while for it, which is surprising given how much sexual tension there is throughout the book. It's a little bit too perfect a steamy scene for me as well given Alexis doesn't have a varied sexual history, but it's not enough to put off my enjoyment.

It was also so refreshing to come away from this book not really knowing what Alexis looked like. Yes we still get a lot of appearance comments about Logan, and yes he's totally ripped (despite I swear having no time to go to the gym), and yes he is particularly ... large but I felt his personality was different enough to a typical romance MC that I could overlook this, especially given Alexis' body etc weren't really referred to so I could imagine her how I wanted to.

It dawned on me at about 70% that this was maybe not the first in the series and I have just realised that is correct - there is a story about Alexis' sister Lee that comes before this. We get some more character development for Lee in this story, but I don't think you need to have read the first one to enjoy this - we were just missing a little bit of Lee and Ben's relationship background (or rather it was referenced heavily and that is maybe odd until you realise there is a whole book about them so the author really knows them!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall I really enjoyed this one, It was very sweet and funny, and I found the characters very likeable and engaging.

The thing I most enjoyed in this book was Alexis's character development throughout. It was lovely watching her journey of self-discovery. I also enjoyed how the author played with some classic romance tropes and the subplot of Alexis' relationship with her sister. The extra layers of attention to broader relationships and themes really paid off in giving this book heart.

Set in a political campaign the book had a lot of political talk and politics in it. Which I appreciated. Sometimes romance novels set with a political backdrop tend to be a bit vague and handwavy when it comes to the political views and/or platforms of their characters. I think political vagueness is intended to give the characters a broader appeal to a range of political viewpoints but can feel hollow and shallow. I'm glad this book doesn't shy away from giving the characters strong opinions and platforms we know exactly what Logan's platforms are and, it feels very genuine to his character. It wouldn't make sense for a man who is described as saying what he thinks, even when there is a risk of offending if he only stuck to vague issues that had no teeth. I see no problem with having politics in romance, the personal is political after all. However, there are those who may be turned off by this element of the book.

There were a few things I did not love about this book, though I feel a lot of them are personal preference-based and aren't inherent flaws in the book. Firstly, The insta-love aspect of the romance didn't sit with me. But im not a big fan of love at first sight and this book had elements of that. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the feelings developed more on the page as they got to know each other. it always feels a bit shallow when it seems to start the moment they feel an instant attraction. I can see the miscommunication trope being an issue for some reads. I found it a little frustrating, combined with the insta-love it really cheapened the characters connection, because we saw all the ways they physically clicked but the miscommunication got in the way of seeing them click emotionally. I was also not a fan of the sex scenes in this book, I'm sure most people will be fine, but it was kind of boring and didn't sound fun at all. I ended up skimming, them. The way the weather was used to drive the plot forward kind of was a little over the Top. I love whimsy but for me, it didn't land at all it made me strongly aware of the hand of the author, making weather events to move the plot along.

Overall though I did enjoy this book, and I think it will appeal to people who like strong character growth, interesting engaging characters, tropes like fake relationships, forced proximity and deep themes about love and family and identity.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher Aria or Aries for the ARC.

This was a cute and kinda cozy read!! I didn’t know it would dwell that much into politics but i still enjoy it! Logan was soooooo cute and supportive of her. I loved him! Rudy (lol) i liked her. The journey she took to now herself and what she wanted was really nice and captive!

I adored this book so much. Although it is a romance, it brings so much attention to important issues, like the underfunding of education, book censorship and corporate lobbying. I liked the political setting, the campaigning process, how much work goes into achieving change in a state like Texas when it seems impossible. I liked the duo of Alexis and Logan, they worked really well together and the chemistry between them was amazing. It was great that Alexis found herself and figured out what she wanted to do. I never thought bluntness could be attractive, but Logan’s was quite that. The end was not what I expected, but it mirrored reality and still left open a door for possibilities.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

Read if you like politics and fake dating tropes! Alexis meets Logan in a hotel bar ready to have her first one night stand but after a freak storm and a fire alarm they are caught by the media in a compromising position and it turns out Logan is running for the Governor of Texas. They begin to have a fake public relationship to try and save his campaigns from rumors. I liked this book enjoyed the short chapters and found it easy to read. It may have a little too much talk of politics for some people which could take away from the story. I liked both main characters and thought they were pretty well developed along with most of the side characters. I didn't really love the character of Alexis's sister thought she pushed her too much to be someone she really wasn't. All in all I would give this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Ashley has done it again. An addictive romance that got me sucked in from start to finish. I was instantly invested and adored both Alexis and Logan. Their characters were built up so well I felt like I was inside this story. I loved how this book showed that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone will give you so much reward in the end. That with the right person, your life will fall into place. It’s a light and quick read that will be perfect for a summer beach day!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Short chapters
Fake Dating
Good Character built
Addictive read
Quick & light read

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘈𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯, 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘬—𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘥!—𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦-𝘶𝘱 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬-𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦-𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥?

𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘭-𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘳. 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴’𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦! 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮, 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴. 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘴.

𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘴: 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘳’𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥: 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭, 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘺…𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴.

The Boyfriend Candidate is a fantastic read with various romance tropes throughout, such as meet-cute, second chance, miscommunication, chemistry tensions and friends to lovers. I was highly engrossed throughout the entire read, the plot was written perfectly with great detail included throughout, it was a completely captivating read, that I just wanted to end perfectly!

This book is told from the perspective of the main character Alexis, who is an introverted and shy part time librarian, who has recently separated from her ex who had cheated on her and attacked her self esteem, as a goal for herself to behaviour out of character she tries to find someone in a bar to have a one night stand with to prove she isn't the "bore" her ex deemed her to be, this leads to her meeting Logan, a gorgeous, power hungry, Texan/British character who is well known for not having a filter. As the night unfolds a future PR nightmare for Logan rears its head, leading Alexis and Logan down an interesting partnership

I absolutely devoured every word of this book and found myself feeling super proud of how far Alexis character had come throughout the book, the character building and writing throughout is fantastic and honestly I would of loved to have met one of Texas' most amazing power couples, the way that each of the characters dealt with the various curveballs thrown their way was interesting, but did leave me frustrated on a few occasions, just wishing they would communicate better, but I feel that these were included within the plot to built the angst and stress and make the final a-ha moment one of great joy!

"The Boyfriend Candidate" is a rom-com written by Ashley Winstead.

The story follows 27-year-old Alexis Stone, a shy and introverted school library assistant whose ideal evening consists of sitting at home, quiet and comfortable, watching a romantic comedy or reading a romance. Away from the spotlight and unwanted attention. However, when she is dumped by her boyfriend, under the guise of being boring in bed, she slowly comes to the decision that she needs to change and become more adventurous. Exactly one year later, on the first anniversary of the separation, Alexis opts for what she thinks is the ideal solution: a one-night stand. Convinced of her idea, she goes to the bar of an exclusive hotel, only to be targeted by a pushy stranger and fall prey to doubts. It is at this point that Logan, a stranger as attractive as he is prone to swearing, intervenes and saves her from the situation. The two end up having drinks together, and Alexis soon realizes that Logan, with his bold and unfiltered personality, is exactly her opposite. Attracted and swayed by the man's brazen personality, Alexis instinctively proposes that they spend the night together, as was her plan. Just as she is about to have the desired one-night stand, however, the hotel is struck by sudden lightning and catches fire, forcing everyone to evacuate. In her haste to escape Alexis is injured and Logan picks her up, carrying her down the street to the rescuers, where people are waiting with cameras ready to take pictures. And it is at this point, surprisingly, that Logan flees, leaving her alone. Alexis is bewildered and tries not to think about the incident, until suddenly photos of her and Logan appear everywhere on the Internet. That is how she discovers that Logan is actually Logan Arthur, the stubborn Democratic candidate running for governor of Texas. The compromising photos could ruin Logan's reputation and candidacy, as well as jeopardize Alexis's job, but here's the solution: he and Alexis will have to pretend to be engaged in a relationship until election day, two months from now. I mean what could go wrong, right?

I loved this book so much! Funny, captivating and fast-paced, it won me over and entertained me from beginning to end, making me laugh and relaxing a lot.

I found the author's style to be compelling, sizzling and full of joy, with descriptions, situations and dialogues really effervescent and effective. The fast and brisk pace, combined with the presence of short chapters, kept me glued to the pages, with no dull moments. I really had fun while reading, feeling lighter and not thinking about anything else.

I loved Alexis, the protagonist and only first-person pov. Alexis is a 27-year-old shy and introverted school librarian's assistant. She prefers to stay at home, alternating between watching romantic comedies and reading romance, rather than going outside and interacting with people. She struggles to open up; in fact, she has very few friends, for whom she would do anything. She is a sweet and kind person, fixated on good manners, always inclined to behave appropriately, even with those who do not deserve it. She tries to be good, wants to be good, doing her best for everything and everyone. This is a character I enjoyed so much, rich in depth, with beautiful development. Alexis lives with the uncomfortable thought of never being enough, of having something less, and by now she has resigned and accepted the idea. I really enjoyed the analysis of this aspect and felt connected to her. Alexis makes a fantastic journey of discovery, realization, and healing, which I loved a lot. Also I loved the complicated relationship with the family, the way it is shown.

Logan, by contrast, is the exact opposite of Alexis. A 33-year-old Texan of British descent, he is the Democratic candidate running for governor of Texas. A bold and outspoken man, reckless and impudent, prone to speak his mind without filter. And to swear a lot. However, under this insolent armor, he too has his frailties and wounds, he too needs to heal. Logan is a character who has gripped me since his first appearance and who made me freak out a lot. My only "pain" was the lack of his pov because yes, he is great and I wanted him a lot. But okay, removed this personal whim of mine that doesn't affect the overall rating, I enjoyed it too much.

The romance that develops between these two is something fantastic, which made me freak out a lot! The dynamic of fake dating, with Alexis and Logan pretending to date in order to save her job and his campaign, is a trope that I absolutely love and was handled beautifully here. In addition there is a slow burn that made me sweat a lot. The two get to know each other throughout the book, to really talk, leading to a fantastic development of their relationship. The chemistry between Alexis and Logan is explosive, the banter is brilliant and the spicy very tasty.

I found very interesting the attention given to the school system and the figures of educators, as well as the reflections on the irresponsible censorship of certain books.

All in all, I found it a very funny, light and bright romance and can't help but recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A heartwarming rom-com that's so easily bingeable, featuring favourite tropes of fake dating and slow burn romance.

'I'm in love with someone I can never have'.

Synopsis
Alexis is a librarian at her school, she's a shy 'mouse' - until she decides she wants to change that. A one night stand is her solution, as she scouts the bar for a man who could be it, she meets Logan. But before anything further can happen, a lightning strike hits the hotel and everyone is evacuated. Logan runs off after, leaving Alexis baffled.

The next morning, the news stories hit - turns out that Logan is a local politician, running in a campaign to be Governor. To avoid backlash for Logan and his campaign, Alexis agrees to become his fake girlfriend: covering up the news stories and putting on a show for Texas.

Can they play the show of fake dating without real feelings getting involved?

Thoughts
I absolutely devoured this, the story had such a good, interesting plot, I loved the characters and the slow burn romance between Logan and Alexis. Seeing Alexis come out of her shell from the mousy librarian to someone who advocates for educators, no matter how nervous it made her feel, was such lovely character development.

Of course, with fake dating tropes, there are series of misunderstandings and miscommunications, and this included that - but it made it so much sweeter at the end. Seeing Logan, his grumpy self, turn into a cinnamon roll for Alexis was adorable.

'One night stands - even unfinished ones - were a hell of a drug'.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for this copy. This review is voluntary.

Single POV, first person, opposites attract, slow burn, open door.

When school librarian Alexis Stone decides to step out of her comfort zone and embark on a one night stand, she meets Logan, a political candidate running for Governor. Just as they make it to their room for the night, the hotel catches fire in a freak storm, and photos of Logan carrying her out of the hotel go viral. Logan's team propose that they fake date, to avoid rumours of Logan's playboy ways.

I really enjoyed this story, and seeing Alexis grow as a person and really find herself throughout her story. Whilst I normally prefer dual pov, I really loved seeing how Logan felt about Alexis through his actions, rather than his own monologue. There was some interesting side characters that I would love to see more of in future books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

being with you feels like a dream, and I want to stay inside it

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

After getting dumped for being lousy in bed Alexis took that as a wake-up call. She’s never had a one night stand but decided to give it a shot. Enter Logan, a very handsome stranger who unbeknownst to Alexis is a politician. After pictures of their late night rendezvous leaks his team comes up with a fake dating strategy to improve his image for the upcoming governor’s election. What could possibly go wrong?

This is the first book I’ve read by Winstead and I absolutely loved it! I was a bit hesitant because I’m not familiar or for that matter interested in American politics but that aspect of the book wasn’t an issue for me. It’s more about important topics and debates rather then the boring logistics, voting and numbers.

It’s not just Logan campaign, Alexis gets involved to. Bringing her own insights and an entirely new focal point to the campaign. I loved seeing her grow in her new role and eve though she’s not thrilled about the spotlight make the best of the situation. She’s such a good character. The entire book is told from her perspective which I think was a smart move by the author.

Things I loved:
•The fake dating trope
•Relatable characters
•The humor and fun banter
•Its spicyyyy

Alexis went out looking for a guy and found....more. She connects with Logan but when a fire breaks out at the hotel and he's photographed rescuing her, she discovers that they both kinda missed telling the truth about themselves. Turns out he's a candidate for Governor and now his campaign team wants the two of them to pose as a couple for the duration. Well, you know what's going to happen, don't you? This is, indeed a trope but here you've got some suspense- will Logan win? Know that there are some speeches and that Alexis' metamorphosis from "mouse" to campaigner is a stretch but that this is still entertaining. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Will make a good beach read.

Loved, loved, loved this story: it's original, highly entertaining and well written.
The characters are fleshed out, I rooted for them. I laughed and smiled.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

‘The boyfriend candidate' is a romance that begins with a fake relationship during a political campaign. A fun and enjoyable read that is certainly enjoyable if you recognize a good cliché.
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Tell me I'm not the only one who sees the title of this book and just wants to read it. Because that's really what happened. And the truth is that I didn't need to know anything else, just with the cover and the title I read it, but if you read the synopsis you will also want to read the book. I am completely sure. But it is also a very addictive book with a very well developed story and that made me enjoy every page I read.

I don't know why, but lately I am reading a lot of romance books within the world of politics, is it a sign? I don't know, but what I do know for sure is that I enjoy them a lot. To me generally politics is a topic that interests me a lot, and especially the strategy part too, so in that sense I enjoyed this story a lot because I think the strategic part is very present and I greatly enjoy it.

Also, obviously, it is a fake dating story and as a cliché lover, I must enjoy it. And although it is a cliché that has been used a lot, I feel that here it has a different point. Well, it's that actually the characters that this book has are the ones that give the unique touch to the story that is necessary to be able to read a typical story but at the same time that makes you feel that you haven't read it yet.

I think that one of the things I enjoyed most about the book is the touch of humor it has, because it is not a humor of having funny scenes or comedy as such, but it is the touch to the narration that has that freshness and the dialogues have that point of humor that is very enjoyable.

“The Boyfriend Candidate” was an absolute delight to read. It was just the right amount of cliched making it familiar and comforting with the perfect touch of Alexis and Logan, which makes it so very refreshing.

Easy to read and surprisingly funny, Ashley Winstead’s novel is a fast read if you are looking for a light hearted romcom read for just about any season. Winstead weaves in heartfelt sub plots which leaves you wanting to turn the page. I think what especially made this book stand out for me was the political sub plot running parallel to the highly beloved fake dating trope. The book was filled with annoying reporters, witty comebacks, snarky confident fiery women, political games, rallies, publicly-embarrassing yourself – all in all it was hilarious and I absolutely loved it, would highly recommend this book.

Truly enjoyed this read, it was jam packed with a great plot and romance. Also featured one of my favourite tropes…. Fake dating!

I really enjoyed the balance of relationships within this story. Focusing on Alexis and her sister Lee’s past and current relationship, the struggles of her sister being in the public eye and Alexis being seen as the ‘quiet’ and ‘weaker’ sibling all her life, it was a great take on their relationship and I didn’t expect this dynamic within this type of book.

I loved the relationship between Logan (MMC) and Alexis (FMC), although I’m not a big fan of miss communication within books, I really feel it was executed well. It didn’t feel random or forced and it made their relationship interesting. I really did feel like Logan needed to open up more sooner though.

This book was heavily political as the MMC is running a campaign throughout and the plot focuses on multiple issues that effect our world currently, but it was explained extremely well and was easy to follow.

I loved Logan’s campaign team, they were great side characters which helped not only push the political plot along but also the main characters romance along too.

The romance between Alexis and Logan is a slow burn and slightly steamy with a lot of tension.

My favourite thing overall in this story was the relationship Alexis had with herself and her character development throughout was great to read. Her insecurities and always seeming small was a hard and relatable read. It was nice to read along and notice how she was slowly tackling those insecurities and gaining confidence within her character.

Overall a great 4 star read for me. I would recommend to anyone who loves a romantic comedy with a bit of drama.

This is my first Political Romance and Read by Ashley Winstead, and I loved it! The Boyfriend Candidate is an opposites attract, fake dating, slow burn romance.

I have to say that the characters were my favourite part, they were well developed throughout. Even though there were oodles of them; they were integrated so well that it never become overwhelming for the reader. Alexi’s Character growth was exceptional (the timid assistant librarian who finally finds her voice and passion). Logan is quite chaotic at times, and I would compare him to Marmite (You either Love him or hate him). There were times when he really did grate on me, but he did win me over with his selfless actions towards the end of the book.

The romance was just so sweet and flawlessness. Definitely going to go back and read Lee’s (Alexi’s sister) story, Fool Me Once.


Read if you enjoy:

•He Falls First

•Opposites Attract

•Fake Dating

•Political Romance

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I read this book in one day. One day! If that doesn't tell you how much I loved this book then I don't know what else I can say.

I almost didn't request The Boyfriend Candidate because the thought of a book set in a political world put me off a little bit because I'm sick to death of politics in the current climate we live in. But...I'm a sucker for a fake dating romance so I hit that "request" button.

The Boyfriend Candidate hooked me in from the beginning, mainly because it was eerie how similar Alexis was to myself. School Librarian? Check. Shy? Check. Always putting others before herself and keeping quiet about how she really feels? Check. I even described her to a colleague when I was reading this on my lunch break and she asked if the character was me! Honestly, weird! But I loved her...is that narcissistic to say? So often writers try to write characters like Alexis and they come off as whiny or pathetic but not in this case. You're rooting for Alexis from page one and it's so lovely to see her go on a journey of learning to like herself and speak up.

I also couldn't get enough of Logan. He was so much fun and I loved reading him unleash his thoughts on fellow politicians and reporters. His relationship with Alexis was lovely to read as it developed, although I did want to shake him so many times when he was clearly holding back to spare her.

I can't wait to see what Ashley Winstead writes next. If it's anything like The Boyfriend Candidate, it's going to be an insta-read for me.

Ashley Winstead returns to Texas politics with 'The Boyfriend Candidate', the follow up to 'Fool Me Once', which explores finding your own voice when you're used to following others.

Living in the shadow of her larger-than-life politician sister Lee (heroine of 'Fool Me Once'), introverted Alexis Stone is tired of being seen as a timid mouse, thanks to her cheating ex-boyfriend. As 'Ruby Dangerfield', she attempts a one night stand only to end up in a fake relationship with the candidate for Texas governor, the brooding, foul-mouthed Briton Logan Arthur.

I really enjoyed watching Alexis's growth to be find out what she wants from her life instead of being what others want her to do. Winstead explores how her parent's divorce (resulting from her father's affair) affected Alexis and how it fed into her people pleasing (in comparison to Lee, which was explored in 'Fool Me Once'). I really enjoyed watching her confidence grow through organising her colleagues regarding issues of education finding and pay for teachers and librarians.

Logan (Winstead clearly clearly inspired by Ted Lasso's "Roy Kent"), like Alexis is also fighting to not be put in a box by other people. Both Logan and Alexis saw each other and brought out the best in each other. While miscommunication can be infuriating, I think this was done believably and in-character - Alexis's low self-esteem which plummeted further thanks to her cheating ex-boyfriend made it easy for her to misread Logan's signals.

However I did find this book's pace and character development a bit too slow or what was built as a plot beat, missed (such as the walkout). There were resolutions I'd like to have seen pushed up earlier so that the resulting changes weren't rushed at the end, such as Alexis working out what she wanted for her future. I was also baffled with Lee's favour (poor Will!) given she knew what the stakes were for Logan's campaign.

Overall, The Boyfriend Candidate is a wonderful slow-burn romance featuring two characters who are opposites in personality, but perfect for each other. I look forward to Ashley Winstead's next book.

Thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: 4 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
fake dating🌹
opposites attract❤️

This was such a funny romcom! I enjoyed it a lot and I'm intrigued to read her other books! (she's the author of "In My Dreams I Hold A Knife" etc..)

It's also available as an audiobook and I highly recommend it!

The story starts with Alexis Stone, she’s an innocent school librarian recently dumped by her ex because he thought that Alexis wasn't good enough in bed.

She wants to live her life more adventurously and that's why she's going to a bar with a fake name to find a one-night stand.

Alexis met Logan there as Ruby Dangerfield and when they went to a hotel for a hookup, it caught on fire..

It was all over the news that Logan, candidate governor for Texas carried her out of the hotel.That's why they start an agreement to help his campaign to fake date each other..

Thank you to Netgalley, Ashley Winstead and the publisher for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

If you’re in need of a feel good book with Abit of spicy and laugh out loud moments then this is it!
Wow!! This has now became one of my favorite books! And one I can see my self picking back up when I need a feel good read!
I have read many books like this trope faking dating and even tho I enjoy them they get a bit lackless after awhile.
But this had me! I couldn’t get it it down.
Between the point scoring and the funny moments to the embarrassing ones too it had me laughing so hard!
But also I love the two main leads. Logan especially as he the man that always turns up! And then Alexia always feeling like she had to live up to other people expectations
And finally finding her self.
Definitely 5 out of 5 and such an easy read

I absolutely loved this book!
Fake dating
Pining. So much pining
Friends to lovers
A little bit of spice… what’s not to love!

The only thing I wish was different is that I would have loved it to be dual pov because I needed to be inside Logan’s head as he was clearly losing his mind over Alexis. I could feel it radiating off him whenever they interacted but I needed it first hand!

The chemistry, banter, plot is chefs kiss💖✨💕❤️


Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Thank you NetGalley for an Arc for early review. What can I say, this book left me in a pile of goo on the floor. I love the plot, the characters and well, just everything really.

Let’s first start of with Logan and Alexis. God the pair of cinnamon rolls who both need to open their eyes and realise how much they love each other. This book is definitely a slow burn and there were so many times I wanted to scream at them and throw my kindle on the floor because it was so obvious how much Logan wanted Alexis.

Alexis won’t let herself believe that someone could want her because of a previous relationship. And god how relatable this is for how many people. You see Alexis come into her own as a person and I loved this aspect of the book so much. She realises who she is, how confident and what she is capable of doing. It was so inspiring to see such a strong character in a book.

Throughout an entire campaign for Logan to become a Governor, he repeatedly shows Alexis how much he will do for her if that means incorporating her into his campaign and fighting for her policies alongside of his own. Lord why can’t real men be this supportive?

You see a pure and sweet love grow between the couple, with Logan going as far as knowing Alexis is dating someone else and doesn’t object because all he wants is for her to be happy. And when they finally admit their feelings for each other, I wanted to cry.

This book was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see more of this authors work.

Thank you, Aria & Aries and NetGalley, for a copy of The Boyfriend Candidate.

This was everything you want in a fake relationship trope. Alexis Stone is reinventing herself after coming out of a bad relationship where her ex accused her of being too timid in the bedroom. What better way to shatter misconceptions than to start off her new life with a one-night stand? When a creeper can't take no for an answer, Logan stands up for Alexis, and the two end up enjoying an evening of "getting to know" one another - well, as much as one can when they're both keeping secrets from the other. When a fire breaks out at the hotel, the paparazzi are right there to get the shots they need of Logan carrying Alexis out in what appears to be a quite scandalous predicament. In order to save his campaign and her job as a school librarian, Logan and Alexis must pretend to be in a relationship until election day. This novel follows the twists and turns that are sure to take place.

Also I want to say that I hate when books get political. I don't care what side you are on with politics. My books are a way for me to decompress and get away from the real world. While this did include a gubernatorial race, I did not feel that any type of political agenda was being pushed down my throat.

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead
I give this book 4.5 stars

When shy librarian Alexis Stone is dumped for being too meek-in bed she decides to kick-start her new more adventurous life with her first one-night stand?
Enter Logan, the gorgeous stranger she meets at a hotel bar.Just as she's about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm.
Suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet.
Turns out Logan is the candidate challenging the Texas governor's seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career-and jeopardize Alexis's job-until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?

Set in Austin Texas l loved this slightly different approach to a rom com (we have a political element that doesn’t takeover the storyline) The story is told from Alexis pov and has shorter chapters which meant I stayed up way too late to finish it! I cheered for Alexis as she developed inner strength to fight for lack of funding in schools and I swooned over Logan dreamily.Credit to the author for creating layered characters that were equally interesting as individuals as they were together.
Misunderstandings and fake dating equals an entertaining slow burn romance with banter and spice.
With thanks to Netgalley,Ashley Winstead and Aria and Aeries for my chance to read this book

Before I read this I associated Ashley Winstead with her thriller books, although I haven’t had the chance to read them yet, I was pleasantly surprised to see she also writes romances too!

I loved this book, the plot, the characters and the themes were just so perfectly well done!

Alexis was such a brilliant main character, the journey she went on was so much endearing and I felt like I could relate to her in so many ways. Through insecurities, not feeling enough and grief, she was such a strong and resilient character that I found myself looking up to while reading!

And Logan???? Ugh I loved him! I just WISH this book was dual POV, I would have loved to see everything from his perspective too!
Upon hearing that this book centre’s around a man running for the Texas Governor’s seat, I was hesitant that I wasn’t going to like a clean cut, picture perfect man as a main character. But I was SO happy to find out he was a gruff, cursing, rough around the edges hunk of a man! 😍

Now, being British, the only part of this book that I was unsure on was the American politics lingo, half the time I had no idea what the terms meant but it didn’t affect reading it too much!

If you’re looking for a swoony fake dating and grumpy x sunshine romcom where there might just be a steamy library scene and a one night stand gone wrong, then this is the book for you!

Huge thank you to Aria Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! I’m so grateful!

I absolutely loved this!! It was such a good read! Alexis and Logan are one of my favorite book couples! This was so cute and charming! I loved every page of this I couldn't put it down!
I just reviewed The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead. #TheBoyfriendCandidate #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adored this romance. It ticked all my boxes - banter, fake dating, a delightful slow burn, great character development, and emotional connection. Alexis believes herself as meek and easily forgettable, but this is far from the truth. Witnessing this woman strive for both personal and career goals that put her into many uncomfortable situations and still get the work done made me completely adore her. Couple that with the prickly yet honest Logan at her side, and this made for a consumable read.

I believed in the romance from the beginning, and whilst Alexis and Logan come together under less-than-ideal trappings through his political campaign and saving his face, I really enjoyed them. The fact that he believed in Alexis enough to support her attempts to fight for the teachers and librarians in Texas was so wholesome. Whilst the intimacy does come quite late into this novel, it's well-deserved and classy.

I was also impressed with the author's balance between political information and the romance storyline. As someone who doesn't live in America, and only has the vaguest sense of the political structure there, the information in this book is palatable. It doesn't feel hard to navigate and compliments well with the romantic storyline between Alexis and Logan. This is something that isn't easy to achieve, but Ashley Winstead pulls it off effortlessly.

However, I didn't give this four stars because I didn't like the obstacle with Will. Many other plot devices could have been utilised to create further obstacles and angst, and this one was cheap in comparison as it attacked the integrity of the characters and created miscommunication. I also didn't feel Alexis' sister Lee was all that caring and kind towards her and caused a great deal of harm to her and Logan without suffering any consequences.

That aside, this is a very easy and enjoyable read, and I highly recommend this. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

I was drawn in by the premise of a playboy politician and a quiet librarian and this book DELIVERED. I don't recall ever reading a romance set in the political world before, and was scared it would be a little too heavy on the liberal vs conservative side of things but I needn't have worried. Winstead deftly weaves only issues relevant to the characters and plot (like book bans and teachers union issues) and hand-waves the rest.

I couldn't put the book down for much of it, the building tension between Alexis and Logan was perfectly frustrating. There are some wonderful fake-dating proximity and "let's kiss for show!" moments that had me swooning. Supported by a cast of lovable and quirky characters (Alexis' librarian friends are my faves), this romance had me swept up in the excitement of a gubernatorial campaign (yes I had to look that word up) and cheering for both of these silly gooses.

My only small issue was the amount of miscommunication along the way - both of them frequently make huge incorrect assumptions about the way the other is feeling; particularly Alexis, who despite frequently catching Logan's smoldering lustful glances thinks he isn't really into her.

I didn't realise that Winstead's previous book, Fool Me Once, is about Alexis' sister Lee, so will have to read that now! However this can be read perfectly easily as a stand-alone.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A fun light hearted romance and great for those who enjoy a fake dating trope!

I liked that the romance felt organic between the two MC’s, I could see why they would be attracted to each other despite being opposite personality types.

A lot of the plot is centred around American politics (it’s set in Texas) but I would say nothing too heavy is mentioned.

I’ve rounded up but for me this is 3.5 stars because the miscommunication trope is ever present unfortunately, which annoys me to no end especially when it happens more than a couple of times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries.
4/5 ⭐️

Fake Dating ✔️
Slow Burn ✔️

Alexis is a school librarian out for a one night stand to prove that's she's not boring or timid. After being cheated on twice by her ex a year ago, she is determined to be a bit more fearless. Cue Logan a politician running for Governor that asks Alexis to fake date, to avoid a public scandal.

This book is really good at balancing the slow burn romance with the political race Logan is in. we also see Alexis uses the platform of fake dating Logan to raise awareness to the School and Library cuts. This was a nice message as its something we are all to familiar with no matter where you stay. I thought that is was great at creating tension and I was screaming for them to realise they were together. I could not put this book down, actively telling people to leave me alone until I was done. I don't normally enjoy miscommunication in my romance but they way this was written made sense in context. I cannot wait to go read more from this author. A fun read even if you don't like politics.

I loved the premise of this book. Alexis is a school librarian who was recently dumped because her ex says she is bad in bed. Determined to be less meek she decides to go to the bar and pick up a one-night stand. When a guy at the bar can't take the hint that Alexis is not interested, the man sitting next to her intervenes and gets the man to leave. Logan is foul-mouthed and definitely Alexis's opposite but they end up spending most of the evening together. As the night draws to a close the pair get a room upstairs, things start to get hot and heavy when the fire alarm goes off. Realizing this is not a drill the pair race down the stairs but Alexis twists her ankle which results in Logan carrying her out of the building. Cameras start flashing and Logan bolts from the scene. Turns out Logan Arthur is running for governor and this scandal might just tank his campaign. Alexis is also concerned that this could jeopardize her career as well. The solution? They can pretend to be in a relationship until the election in 2 months.

The boyfriend by Ashley Winstead, is a very fun and mostly lighthearted romance. Introverted librarian Alexis and foul-mouthed politician Logan are swept into a fake relationship, after skandalising pictures of them are published.

I enjoyed the pace of this story very much, as it is very well spaced out and nothing feels rushed. Alexis and Logan are very sweet, althought for my taste there could have been a little less miscommunication. Their compatability is just perfect and thus I am not the biggest ultra slowburn fan I found myself thoroughly enjoying it in this book. The relationship between Alexis, Lee and their mother is also very sweet. And Logans parents are absolutely adorable!
All in all I think this is a very cute and fun love story, with a great plot that even entails a beautiful message. If you have to change for people to like you, they are probably not the people whose oppinions should matter!

Thank you so much @netgalley and @headofzeus for the gifted digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Read this if you:

✔ Are into politics
✔ Believe that soulmates complete each other
✔ Enjoy the fake dating trope 
✔ Can relate to grieving a loved one

My Thoughts:

I loved how well built the characters in this novel were. Ashley usually does a great job at creating vivid characters that feel like real people to the reader and this book was no exception.

I think that Logan and Alexis were exactly what each other needed to make them feel safe and at home. Their worlds are different, yes, but I believe that sometimes it's great having a partner who completes you and I think that these two can accomplish amazing things together.

The fake dating trope was done really well. It had fun, excitement and drama - all in just the right amount.

After reading a bit of Ashley's story in the acknowledgements, I understood a part of Alexis even better and, despite being truly sorry for the loss the author is experiencing, I think she managed to wonderfully incorporate this grief into this novel. This helped me understand Alexis in even more depth.

This book kind of has it all from sweet and fun moments to drama, serious politics and family grieving. Don't hesitate to pick this one up if romance and fake dating are your thing!

For me, Ashley, is definitely an auto-buy author and I am dying to read Midnight Is The Darkest Hour in the fall.

Absolutely incredible, hilarious, profound and romantic!

The Boyfriend Candidate is one of my top 2023 Romance reads. There I typed it. Ashley Winstead has created marvellous protagonists who grew on me with every passing page, and their character growth is simply memorable and remarkable. My girl Alexis' journey from a moth to a butterfly tugged my heartstrings, while a character like Logan shines brightly and is one of my top book boyfriends.

Cue in the banter, the sizzling chemistry and cute pop references (Parks and Rec fans, you're in for a treat!); this book was so immersive and full of insights that I suffered from a major book hangover once I finished it. I love how the fake dating troupe deviated from the usual formula of being etched in secrecy, and the conversion of a one-night stand to a slow-burn, electrifying read was delightful. I can't wait to celebrate the author and devour all her books!

Thank you to NetGalley & Aria & Aries for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

Alexis is dumped by her cheating boyfriend for being “boring” in bed. Determined to get over him, she goes out with the intention of hooking up for a night stand. When a complete jerk hits on and won’t take the hint to back off, a tall dark haired stranger steps in and intimidates the jerk into leaving. They begin talking and Alexis is determined to make him the one! the one night stand that is. They check into a hotel and things really heat up quickly, but in the wrong way! The hotel is on fire and they need to quickly leave. Both have used fake names so Lexis is stunned to find out her mystery man is actually a gubernatorial candidate. The only way for Logan to save his reputation is for him and Alexis to fake date. Of course their are several misunderstandings over the course of the campaign that prevent them from revealing their true feelings to each other!
This is a fun opposites attract, fake dating story with characters that are so likeable you can’t help but root for them. Not super spicy which also means no cringe 😬 I’ll definitely read more romance from this author, probably most well know for In My Dreams I hold a Knife!
Thanks to amy@headofzeus.com and @headofzeus for this eArc in exchange for my honest opinion. This heartwarming summer read is available now!

I really liked this book. It is about Logan and Alexis. Alexis has a bit low self-esteem as a result of her parents divorcing. Her sister Lee was the strong one; Alexis very much looked up to her older sister who was very angry with their father, and held him responsible for the divorce.

<i>Lee was older and worldly and they loved her. I watched it all unfold, grateful to be spared the spotlight but also, if I’m completely honest, a little bit sad. That’s when it first occurred to me: whatever that magic thing was that made some people magnetic, the je ne sais quoi Lee had—I didn’t have it. But chin up, no big deal. Not everyone gets sprinkled with fairy dust. It was simply good to know where you fell on the scale so you could adjust accordingly, perhaps become a more accommodating person to make up for your lack of pizazz, which I’d been trying to do since roughly the age of twelve.</i>

Alexis reacted differently. She doesn’t blame her father but herself, she feels herself lacking so she tried to be whatever she felt was needed to keep their dad in her life. But she learned the hard way it doesn’t work like that. Alexis is resigned to the fact that she isn’t good enough, but also tired of trying to keep people in her life by changing herself into a person she’s not, and desperately wanting someone to just fix everything. This is very well written and I loved how the author succeeded in showing how something as devastating as a family breaking up can change the way a teenager sees herself. Of course this affects all of her relationships; those with her relatives but also other people in her life.

<i>As I lay there, pressed to my mother’s side, the fear sank in. You couldn’t count on anyone to stick around, it turned out, not even your family. Before that night I’d been naive enough to assume there were some people in life you never had to worry about, that you didn’t have to work to win over. Some people who would always just love you and be there. But everything was more fragile than I’d realized. No love was free: you had to constantly earn it, or else lose it. The epiphany had stuck with me, the lesson solidified a decade later when my father was killed in a car accident and I learned what it felt like to lose someone in a way more profound than divorce. Yes, you had to work hard to keep the people you loved with you; but sometimes, no matter how hard you worked, it simply wasn’t enough. That was the greatest anxiety simmering under the surface of my heart. </i>

She sees her sister Lee as somebody who is accomplished and successful, and Lee tries to push her little sister.
<i>“I’d hate it if the way you saw yourself colored how you think other people see you. If that makes sense. Just—don’t discount people’s feelings because you’re used to discounting yourself.”</i>
But Alexis felt it meant she had to become another version of Lee, since Lee was the successful one. Of course she can’t be like her sister because she’s a totally different person. But she tries to take action and then she meets Logan, who genuinely seems a very nice guy. But Alexis keeps convincing herself she can’t be good enough for him and she doesn’t dare to trust him being actually interested in her, although her romantic heart craves love. It is exhausting and emotionally draining to her; desperately trying to make people love her and feel lacking all the time.

<i>I was the one who kept confusing fact and fiction. And of course I was, because that was my shtick: trying to will relationships into being more than they were capable of. I’d done it with Chris when I’d taken him back after he cheated, convinced I could will us back to normal. And though I didn’t really want to think about it, I’d done the same with my dad, thinking if I just tried hard enough, I could make our family whole again. Emotionally speaking, I was stuck in a Groundhog Day loop. </i>

Slowly she’s challenged into taking charge of her life and take action in things that are important to her. And where Logan is the kind of person to straightforward tell it like it is, Alexis is more subtle and tactful, which is a good thing in campaigning. So Logan values her for her that but she has a hard time valuing herself. Beautiful storyline!

I just did not like her dating another guy simultaneously when they clearly had agreed that she wouldn’t date another guy during the fake courtship with Logan. Dating multiple people at the same time is just wrong. And it’s totally unrealistic to have Alexis attend a wedding with another guy as his date when she’s so well known as Logan’s girlfriend. And planning to spend the night with Will after kissing Logan 24hrs before?! NOT OK! And a total turn off for me. I wish this part was handled differently. I don’t mind Will being interested in her but I would’ve expected her to be much more passive. Maybe having Will show up and forcing a kiss and Logan seeing that, prompting her to feel responsible and maybe even go into hiding, blaming herself, not good enough etc and then Alexis being expected to show up at events and Logan slowly but surely showing her that she is good enough for him, the perfect one for him! That would have made the perfect story. But not her dating two guys, the press finding out about and Logan possibly tanking his campaign over it. Very unrealistic. Despite this, kudos to the author for writing about a lovely girl who is shaped by her youth and showing how two people can react differently to the same experience, and hoe to cope with that but also her growth as a person.

I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this book as an ARC from Aria & Aries through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion.

A year after her ex boyfriend cheated on her, librarian Alexis Stone decides it's time for a change and for her to try and have a onenightstand.
In the bar she meets Logan Arthur, the man who saves Alexis from Carter.

They hit it off and after spending their evening in the bar, they aren't ready to say goodbye yet.

Logan books them a hotelroom but a lightning strike had other plans for them.

The hotel caught fire and everyone had to leave, once they made it out people started taking pictures of the two and Alexis was left confused when Logan suddenly ran away and left her alone.

When Alexis' phone rings a couple days later and she is asked to meet up, only then will she find out who Logan Arthur really is, a local politician.

They both want to avoid a public mess so they decide to hide their night with a fake relationship until after election day.
But will they leave as just friends?

Despite not being into politics, the book still had some great political topics in it.
It was easy and entertaining enough for me to read and finish it and I actually liked the rest of the fake dating rom-com story.

An amusing romcom where the potential scandal of a one night stand leads to a fake dating situation as ‘Ruby Dangerfield’ decides to show her ex-boyfriend that she’s not boring by living her life on the wild side and picking up a guy in a well known meat market. Enter Logan who’s only intention was to drink his woes away at the bar closest to his office and before they’ve barely had time to introduce themselves, they’re heading to a hotel room until a fire alarm throws a spanner in the works but Logan does manage to carry Ruby from the burning building in a totally swoon worthy manner, and that should’ve been the end of things, they would’ve simply have been ships that passed in the night until it turns out Logan is actually Logan Arthur an aspiring gubernatorial candidate and his actions were been captured for posterity by the media and as for Ruby, well she’s really shy school librarian Alexis Stone.

With an engaging hero and heroine in Logan and Alexis and good chemistry between them, toss in likeable secondary characters and an enjoyable storyline, The Boyfriend Candidate was a quick and easy read. I admit I skimmed over a lot of the political stuff on policies and issues – as a non American it just didn’t interest me - but I loved the character development for Alexis as she grew in confidence, however I would’ve loved if the book had been told showing alternating points of view between her and Logan as I don’t really feel I got to know him very well. One niggle with this book was a true diehard fan such as Logan would’ve known Tottenham Hotspurs is abbreviated to Spurs.

I loved the plot of this book! Alexis’ character felt super relatable, her spontaneous quest for a one night stand turned political scandal made for a quick page turner & easy read - I had it finished in 2 days! The political aspects aren’t for everyone but I personally loved it. I feel the only area for improvement would have perhaps been some pov’s from Logan’s perspective, as I loved his character!
Overall an enjoyable modern romance, would recommend!

A few pages in, I knew I was in for a treat. I immediately loved Alexis and her refreshing relatability. She struggled with her insecurities and self-confidence but had an unassuming strength that carried her through. Alexis grew over the course of the novel, becoming more assertive and direct, but luckily her core personality traits never wavered. She was still the same kind and giving, if a tad awkward, character from the beginning.

I loved Alexis and Logan’s dynamic. Their chemistry was palpable and their easy banter was exciting. Even when they were trying not to interact with each other or reveal their true emotions, their genuine and very mutual feelings were obvious. I liked how much of their relationship after their failed one-night-stand was built on them getting to know each other, and in their own ways, pushing each other out of their comfort zones. Logan saw so much in Alexis, and sincerely wanted to help her start to believe in herself. The ‘will-they-won’t-they’ was excruciating but in the best way.

Beyond the romance, Alexis also made new connections through new friends. Some of these were a bit random but they were ultimately important to again nudge the shy librarian outside her comfort zone.

Overall, this book managed to surpass my high expectations thanks to its endearing heroine, the couple’s tangible chemistry and its perfect execution of some of my favourite romance tropes.

3.75*

Thank you Aria and Ares for providing me with an uncorrected arc.


Synopsis:

When shy children’s librarian Alexis decides on the anniversary of her ex cheating on her (for the second time) because she was too boring in bed, she didn’t expect her one night stand to suddenly run away as fast as he could. There was a fire, but still. She certainly didn’t expect to go viral when Logan, actually a former playboy candidate for state governor, carried her out of said burning building fireman style. Faced with faking dating to protect her job and Logan’s reputation, Alexis is going to have to tamp down her feelings to get through the next two months. But with Logan’s longing glances, kind decisions, and soft lips that might be easier said than done.


This was a really cute romcom with a mmc who is down bad for the main character which I will always love. I’ll also say, but I’d love to hear what other people think, that Alexis seemed autistic coded to me and was highly relatable. *queue Taylor swift singing ‘pathological people pleaser*.

This is not spicy, although there is one open door scene at the 80% mark, and politics heavy so do bear that in mind if that’s not your thing.

This did lose a star because I wasn’t a big fan of the way the conflict at the end was handled, but this was still a really fun read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

This book had all my favourite tropes: miscommunication, fake dating, opposites attract, slow burn. The male main character, Logan, is so well written and his chemistry with Alexis was perfect.

I wasn’t a fan of the minor love triangle, as it distracted from the relationship between Logan and Alexis and didn’t add anything to the plot that couldn’t have been rewritten to have been caused by something else.

I didn’t really understand the political aspects of this book, but having seen parks and rec, I understood it better than others may have.

The side characters were all well written and developed, although they seemed a bit box-ticking at times.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I binged it in a day!

A great read, the story of Alexis and Logan, who start fake dating to cover up what is really happening between them. Do they have a chance at something real.

Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan.

The man that you are. *swoons*

“You close your eyes whenever I touch you. Why?” His long finger traced the lace at the seam and I quivered. “Because being with you feels like a dream, and I want to stay inside it.”

Wait there’s more…

“I’ve memorized the way you look when you’re happy, the way you sound when you laugh, how you press your eyes closed when I touch you.”

A man written by a woman.

“I told you I think I lose my mind around you. The truth is, I feel like a teenager again, the way I can’t stop thinking about you, the things I have to do just to get relief. You think I’m too much for you?” He shook his head. “You’re the one who’s too much. Do you know what it’s like to work for something your whole life and then have someone walk in and become the most important thing to you in an instant? Everything changed at the drop of a hat. It’s fucking disorienting, Alexis. You turned me upside down.”


“Fuck leading anyone. I want to follow you on my hands and knees across the desert.”

I wasn’t prepared for this man and you won’t be either.


I was pleasantly surprised after reading the boyfriend candidate. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It used the golden fake-dating trope in a political campaign set up which was a nice twist. It showcased real issues without being too politically heavy. I liked the chemistry between both main characters. The only thing I disliked, mostly due to personal preference, is the love triangle. I don’t just don’t understand why the FMC’s sister would force her to go on a date with someone even in private when she knows what’s at stake. And then invites him to a friends gathering. Like whyyyyyy would you do this and without asking her???? I get that it was necessary for the conflict in the book. But could there not have been something else? Literally anything else other than introducing a completely nice guy at the wrong time and screwing it all up with the MMC who has done nothing to deserve it. The ending also felt a bit anticlimactic and unresolved. So it feels kind of unfinished and the both MCs deserved more.

If the ending was a bit more developed and the love triangle didn’t exist the book would be a solid 4/5. But because of the reasons listed it would have to be 3.5.

But then my indecisive ass re-read the quotes from above and realised my man Logan deserves nothing less than 4/5, crappy ending and SML aside.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of the ARC.

I loved Ashley Winsteads thriller writing so much I was very excited to see her coming out with a romance book! And it did NOT DISAPPOINT. This was fun, charming, swoony and entertaining, everything you's want in a romance book! I can not comment on the accuracy of politics as I am not American but the romance, plot and characters were fun. Also ngl I don't think politics in fiction romance books have to be accurate, I saw a lot of people complaining about this in Red White and Royal Blue which honestly I don't think is a necessary criticism, I am not going into a ROMANCE BOOK expecting to learn about politics. The miscommunication and third act breakup wasn't my favourite but then it NEVER IS

This book was SO GOOD i couldn't put it down! The story includes fake dating and a love triangle, which usually isn't something i enjoy but in this case i didn't really mind it. I adored Alexis' character development and i found this book perfect for all the introvert book girlies! It's a slow-burn and the spice is not that much present in the story

4.5 stars!

I was SO SO close to giving this 5/5, but for me it was the politics side of things I couldn’t vibe with. Aside from that, everything was immaculate and I fell in love with the whole thing!
Alexis was so so sweet and powerful I adored her character. She had so much depth to her and I feel like she had some great character development.
Logan was YUMMY. I loved his character too and I feel like he also grew a lot and had some depth to him!
The writing style was incredible. I flowed through the authors style of writing so effortlessly and I cannot wait to pick up the other two books I have by her!
I loved the fake dating storyline and how Logan chose to come clean and be honest with himself and his voters in the end. The family aspect of this with Lee was also great and I adored her character.
Also, the CATS!?!?!?
Also looking forward to her new book later this year which I hope I can request!

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead is a beautiful and funny story about Alexis and Logan. Alexis has been down on herself after her cheating ex told her she wasn't good in bed. She decides to go out and have a one-night stand. While at a bar that was dubbed "the best for hookups" by her sister, she meets Logan. Her plan works at least until the unthinkable happens, a fire alarm. Logan has had a stressful time in his office so he goes to the bar to blow off steam. He meets Alexis and everything changes from the moment she looks at him. Yet being caught by the media was not his plan for the night. Logan is running for governor. Alexis, even though her sister is the famous Senator Lee, she didn't know who he is. Logan needs to save his reputation, so he proposes (meaning his team does,) the idea that Alexis and him fake date.

I loved this book. While I don't love having too much politics in my reading, Logan and his view were refreshing and good. I loved how Alexis grew so much throughout this book. Logan learning he wasn't a failure was beautiful. I truly loved this book and the way it's written. While their relationship is messy and fake it is at times. You can see how real the connection is. Their chemistry is everything, and I truly believe you will love this book!!

They are some steamy scenes and the tension so well does it leaves you angry but keeps you reading.

Thank you Netgalley for this amazing read.