I loved this. It was really cure and I loved the reaction ship that formed between them. I liked the story and how it develops throughout the story. It was a great read and I think Deaver made a wonderful novel that will be loved by many

Cute novel it was fast paced
I enjoyed the relationship building although it did get a bit predictable at times

However I think people will really enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed this as a romance novel, it had realistic characters and their romance was realistically done. I enjoyed the plot and how their jobs worked overall, it had that element that I wanted and thoroughly enjoyed going on this journey.

Peter is a lovely cinnamon roll who should be protected at all costs. I also adored Eli, even when he screwed up big time. The plot was pretty predictable, but every interaction was so charming.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. I have zero notes, I’m pretty much speechless. I am obsessed.


Thank you for writing this

an INCREDIBLY endearing love interest and a protag i liked even when he (Frequently) messed up. third act breakup is typical, but in general good. 4 stars. would recommend. tysm for the arc.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc!

This is such a feel-good, early 2000s rom-com book! This is the first book I've read with trans representation and I believe it was beautifully done. The author didn't shy away from difficult topics and fully delved into them while maintaining the lighter feel of this book. I'll admit that I knew pretty much nothing about this population, so this book opened my eyes to so many things! I'm glad every group is being represented and I hope the author continues his work in spreading awareness and inclusivity!

Mason Deaver's The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is a refreshing, heartfelt rom-com that deftly explores self-discovery, ambition, and love. With wit, charm, and an undercurrent of real emotional depth, Deaver brings readers into Eli Francis’s world—a place where dating disasters, career dreams, and unexpected connections weave together into a genuinely captivating story.

Eli, a complex and relatable protagonist, is stuck in both his career and his personal life, feeling underappreciated at work and haunted by his ex’s success. His chance encounter with Peter Park—a first date so awkward it’s almost endearing—sparks a series of “practice” dates with a hilarious twist: Eli's pretending it's all for an article while actually digging deeper into Peter’s story. This clever setup makes for some laugh-out-loud moments but also allows Deaver to explore the nuances of queer dating, the challenges of coming out in the South, and the vulnerability of truly opening up to someone new.
Peter is the kind of character you can't help but root for: he’s sweet, awkward, and authentic in ways that contrast perfectly with Eli’s more cynical, guarded personality. Their relationship builds slowly, with layers of trust and respect that make each “date” feel increasingly meaningful. The chemistry between them is palpable, and the progression from "fake" dating to something real is both organic and deeply satisfying.

Beyond the romance, Eli's journey to find his voice as a writer and break free from the limitations placed on him at work is inspiring. Deaver captures the frustration of being stuck in a role that feels beneath one's potential, making Eli's professional journey just as compelling as his romantic one. His final decisions reveal growth, courage, and a newfound understanding of his own worth—both as a writer and as a person capable of love.

The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is more than just a lighthearted romance; it’s an honest, uplifting exploration of self-worth, career ambition, and the messy, wonderful process of opening up to love again. Deaver’s writing is sharp, funny, and brimming with heart. A must-read for anyone who loves a rom-com with substance and authenticity, this book is bound to leave readers smiling long after the last page.

With its perfect mix of humor, heart, and steamy romance, The Build-a-Boyfriend Project delivers a queer love story that’s as tender as it is swoon-worthy. Eli’s snarky, ambition-fueled perspective collides beautifully with Peter’s endearing awkwardness, creating a dynamic that feels both authentic and electric. Mason Deaver crafts a story that not only explores love and self-discovery but also dives deep into what it means to grow beyond your comfort zone.

I've been a big fan of Mason Deaver since their YA debut, and I knew for sure that I'd enjoy this book, too, but it blew my socks off. I fell head over heels for the characters, seeing myself in both Eli and Peter as they each struggled through things that were holding them back. Add to that the fact that I'm a sucker for cheesy rom-coms and the fake dating trope, and it was no surprise that I'll be giving this book five stars.

Though the plot is entertaining and fast-paced (I couldn't put it down), it is character-driven which I think is something that makes Deaver's books special. The reader gets to know the characters intimately, and the plot of the book helps push things along. I found myself encouraging Peter as he stepped out into the world, taking baby steps as many of us do when we're queer and trying firsts that we maybe didn't get to do in high school like many of our heterosexual peers; I voraciously tore through the pages, desperate for more interaction between Eli and Peter -- happy when they were happy, sad when they were sad.

In all, Mason Deaver has come through with yet another wonderful queer book that brought me an abundance of trans joy. I hope you'll take the time to read this when it arrives on shelves in August 2025!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4.25 stars

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

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

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

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

I truly appreciate that for Mason Deaver's adult romance debut, they're willing to craft a slightly unconventional story regarding chemistry and attraction. When Eli, an aspiring journalist at a Buzzfeed-coded publication, shares the story of his disastrous blind date with an awkward socially inept man, his boss wants him to turn into a story about building a boyfriend. Of course, it's a romance they fall in love you know the rest.

What surprised me was that I had read the summary a while ago and had forgotten who was supposed to be the love interest and thought the bad blind date was just part of the trial and tribulation of dating and I didn't expect Peter, someone who's not presented at all like an ideal boyfriend to be the love interest (it's laid on a bit thick to be honest). I think this is where the charm ends. As much as I appreciate a story that doesn't sell me love at first sight, Peter isn't built up throughout the story as a love interest I want to root for, even worse the initial scenes between the characters were enough to kill any future chemistry for me. Peter is good as a character we slowly learn to discover and I do think he's the kind of character that deserves a love story but the condescension on Eli's part was just too much to see a compatible match.

I will round up this one to four stars because I love romance characters that actually have political opinions that aren't liberal platitudes. Eli wants something, he wants to write about something, and the story about Peter is interesting and a good concept. Kudos for that

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets She’s All That. When Eli goes on a date with Peter, it could not have been more of a disaster. Peter is a socially and physically awkward mess who also happens to be a virgin when it comes to dating. That’s where Eli comes in. Can the two of them navigate a real relationship?

Deaver does an excellent job of writing about the LGBTQ+ community in an authentic and realistic way. The character of Eli didn’t stand out or feel pushed into a narrative where he didn’t belong.

The story was very wholesome and I found myself rooting for the entire cast. It was one of those books I couldn’t put down and found myself reading when I should have been sleeping or working.

My only critique of the story is the dialogue. The characters said each other’s name over and over again.