Fake Dating – my all-time favorite
I stumbled over this book on Netgalley while looking for some more picks for this year’s pride month. Not that there is any time of the year that I’m not down for a wholesome queer love story—especially when fake dating is one of the tropes. I hadn’t heard of the author before, but I will certainly keep an eye open for his next publications as this one was so much joy. The characters brought some baggage into their encounter but act wonderfully to resolve it as best as possible together as much as individually. In less than 8 hours, Mark Sanderlin takes us through their happiest and darkest moments and engages us in an emotional rollercoaster.

Love is on air
Holden’s love life quite drastically breaks apart next to his chance to fulfil his promise to his late mom—competing in a TV game show, she raised him on. Coincidences (or fate?) bring him in contact with Leo and into a clever scheme. Do they have a chance at winning? And at putting Holden’s more-than-once broken heart back together? Their relationship starts very tender and friendly, supportive without any ulterior motives. As soon as they realize their common benefit from a faked relationship, they nonetheless do not spiral into the “this is only fake, nothing real” train wreck. They allow their connection to bloom, and I loved every part of them falling for each other. The plot was well structured and only confused by a random chapter from Leo’s pov, which added to the aim to make him more three-dimensional next to his own last, rather depressing relationship.

More serious topics
The book is nonetheless not only meet cutes, more hilarious scenes and a happy resolve. For a resolve, it takes conflict and especially Holden has quite some to figure out. I loved how his initially terminated relationship eventually comes back to show him things about himself. Even more, I adore how he takes a step back to figure his own things out first before getting emotionally too involved. The chances that another person will wait for you to come clean with yourself only proves their worthiness of you trying to make it work for real. The author gives a content warning about grief and off-page loss, which is certainly accurate to consider before reading. There is nonetheless also a hopeful undertone and openness to this whole topic.

In conclusion,
I listened to this wholesome story in less than three days, enjoying the protagonist’s banter, their more serious talks, and of course their sexual encounters. The author combines emotional themes with the joyfulness of falling in love again and the eventual reward of daring to face another person as much as own’s one troubles. You should definitely give this heart-warming, entertaining story a shot.

Thank you Net Gallery for the copy of this audio book.

Having never read anything by Timothy Janovsky before I wasn't sure what to expect but having heard good reviews of previous books I was excited.

I found this book, bit of a slow starter but got better as it went on.

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to review this audio book. Although I was granted access to this ARC life events meant I was not able to listen to it before it is archived. However, never one to be put off and as I was granted the e-ARC I wanted to ensure I offered a review as agreed to I downloaded it on an alternative audio book app and absolutely loved it.

The narration for me was excellent. The Character development was consistent but interesting. I would happily read more of this author's work in the future and would recommend this book to others as it was an enjoyable little gem of a story.

3.5 rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I expected after the first initial chapters! The book felt quite shallow at the beginning, and some of the writing I found to be awkward at times, but after a while it definitely grew on me and became more charming than grating. The chemistry between the two characters didn't really show at first, and I wasn't a big fan of Leo at first, but their relationship grew to be so genuine and heartwarming, especially from the midpoint onwards. Having protagonists who actually communicated and grew together whilst supporting and uplifting one another was lovely, and it was great to see each of them take initiative towards their own goals rather than solely depend on one another.

I think the writing style wasn't completely for me, but the narrator did a great job at telling the story in a way I found enjoyable, and it definitely added to the charm of the book. At times, if I had been reading this as a paperback, I would have enjoyed significntly less without the actor's voice narrating the story.

Overall, I had a good time with this one! Contemporary isn't always my jam, but the premise was unique and the characters really sold this to me.

I really, really liked this audiobook! I've listened to a few books by this same narrator, but they were YA titles and not new adult titles, so it took me a second to adjust hearing him read a book with adult themes, but once I got over that, I very much enjoyed it. A cute twist on a favourite premise, with really fun characters and enough moments that had me going, "Wait, WHAT???". Would definitely recommend for a fun read!

O.M.G this book was so good its was spicy, it was funny it was everything it needed to be perfekt i loved to read this book

A rather steamy MM romance with a fun supermarket sweep style gameshow in the mix.
Holden has just broken up with his partner of 4 years, rather unexpectedly, but off he goes to LA to live out his dream of being on a game show, he just has to find a new partner first. Enter Leo a down on his luck concierge and proper sweetheart to help with "fake" dating.
The spicy scenes kick off quite quickly and slightly for me overshadowed the deeper storylines of grief and toxic relationships.
I liked that Holden was slightly flawed and that Leo balanced him out, but everything happened so quickly, i couldn't fully get behind the relationship.

This was okay. I wasn't blown away and I liked the other Janovsky I read better, but I still had a good time. While I like my romance to have plot and a theme not focused on the developing relationship, I thought this exploration of grief didn't hit the mark for me. The amount of spice next to him being unable to function due to grief felt off. I'd still recommend it to all fans of the fake dating trope, because I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was an incredibly fun book to listen to. I love this narrator, and he did a great job of communicating the joy and sweetness of this novel.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

The (Fake) Dating Game
Timothy Janovsky

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such a fun read and I was completely obsessed with the characters and the game show aspect.

Holden and his mum used to watch Madcap Market every week and promised each other that one day, they'd be on the show - but when his mum died, Holden made it his mission to appear and make her proud.
When he springs a surprise trip in his long-term boyfriend - things don't go to plan and he finds himself dumped!
Determined to still fulfil their dream, Holden sets off on the trip alone - but soon meets the man of his dreams - can they make things work for the show....and beyond?

Holden was such a gorgeous character and I was rooting for him the whole way through!
Still grieving for his mum, he was really struggling to really move on with his life but he just needed the right person.

When Leo came on the scene, things got spicy really quickly! I wasn't expecting it to be quite so graphic, but hey, why not!
Their relationship (although temporary) was the cutest thing ever and it was clear (for us!) to see how compatible they were

With a few bumps along the way, they audition for the show and I loved hearing all about this - it sounded just like our UK Supermarket Sweep which I used to love watching when I was younger.
I could really imagine them running around grabbing the items they needed for each section of the show.

I'm not going to give away any more plot details - but I just loved the whole thing start to finish! Especially the epilogue - and I've made my own assumptions for the ending ....just to satisfy my romantic brain!!

A brilliantly written, fun and spicy read - loved this!!



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

This was just a great read. A LGBTQ book with spice and just right amount of comedy and emotional content too. I am simply amazed at the writing and plotline like how brilliantly the author has penned down each thing so beautifully that it puts the the whole spotlight on the development of our protagonist throughout the whole book.
This is in one POV this we get to see each and everything through the eyes of our protagonist and his past and present is intertwined yet the writing is so smooth and easy that reading through it way a total treat.

This was such a cute book, with a nice splash of steam to tip it into adult rather than YA reading. I grew up watching and loving Supermarket Sweep so MC Holden's obsession with a grocery store-based gameshow made total sense to me, and I loved how his relationship with chance encounter fake-boyfriend Leo evolved through the book, as even they are aware their fake dating is much more than that from the off, how it unfolds takes plenty of time and twists. It's full of laugh out loud moments, soft sweet heart-warming bits and also some chapters that made me so hurt and angry I could scream (I won't offer spoilers but seriously: Holden's ex Buckley is Not A Nice Person and I wanted to run him over with a shopping cart several times). The audiobook is great, narrated by Mark Sanderlin in a lovely expressive manner that makes it easy to discern the various characters and kept me super engaged throughout.

Thank you for the ARC :)

To start, I greatly appreciated the inclusion of an author's note/content warnings at the beginning. However, I wish there was a mention of the kink dynamic and the kinks demonstrated in the book.

The story itself is fine, a repeat of formulas I've seen before. The unique/interesting element was the gameshow, so it's a shame it's cut so short at the end. Other reviews have noted the writing as 'clunky', which I can understand, but overall I didn't have an issue with it. My main issue with the writing were some of the choices in description/adjectives and similes. The amount of sex in the story was also a surprise given how cute the cover is, and personally I like a slow burn and some mutual pining and this was the complete opposite. The sex itself was also awkward to read, I don't find the word 'penis' to be very sexy (sorry!) and to me, BDSM and kink is something that is discussed beforehand, not during the act. Foodplay also, not my thing, but if you're a fan of cucumbers you're in for a treat. I can admit that I would have probably enjoyed this book more if I were more the target audience i.e. a gay cis man.

The audiobook itself is also fine. The narrator's voice is a little monotonous, and is simply reading rather than acting or putting too much distinction between the characters. Some people prefer this, others don't, personally I have no preference in the general scenes. The pace was great, it didn't feel like it was dragging out at all. I managed to finish it in 2 days while still working full time and doing other things. It was really easy to listen to, though not my favourite. Again, you may enjoy this more if you're more closely related to the narrator i.e. an American man. The only part I didn't really like were the narrated sex scenes, especially the heavier ones, as the narrator kept the same voice as though the characters were speaking about the weather while having sex. So much of this is personal preference though, again there will be people who prefer it.

I would recommend the audiobook. It's quite a light, quick, easy 'read', and I imagine the writing style would be more easily digested.

3/5

🛒 Thoughts 🛒
Thank you, @netgalley for this audiobook, below are my honest thoughts.

The (Fake) Dating Game is my absolute favourite Timothy Janovsky book and I've read them all. I normally prefer my romances dual POV but this being single POV added some unknown jeopardy to the whole situation which I was here for. IMHO this is also Janovsky's most spicy book so far - 🥒 & gameshow sweatshirt. You'll have to read it to find out more.

Things I loved
🛒 Banter
🛒 Emotions
🛒 Single POV
🛒 TV gameshow
🛒 🥒🍆
🛒 Toxic Exes (ok, I didn't love them just what they added to the story)
🛒 Epilogue

Holden James finds himself in a slump after a series of setbacks. His chance to audition for his favourite game show, Madcap Market, turns sour when he's dumped and left feeling lost. However, a chance encounter with Leo Min, the charming concierge at his hotel, sparks an unexpected connection. Holden hatches a plan to convince the casting directors of Madcap Market that he and Leo are a real couple. With the promise of a cash prize and a solution to his problems looming, Holden dives headfirst into the world of fake dating. But as their chemistry ignites and their feelings deepen, Holden realizes that love is far more unpredictable than any game show.

The (Fake) Dating Game is a delightful romance novel that skillfully blends humour, heart, and steamy romance. At its core, it's a story about finding love in unexpected places and learning to embrace the journey, even when things don't go as planned. One of the most engaging aspects of the book is the dynamic between the two main characters, Holden and Leo. Holden's wit and charm perfectly complement Leo's warmth and intelligence, creating a captivating dynamic that evolves beautifully throughout the story. Their banter is witty and entertaining, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, while their emotional connection feels genuine and heartfelt.

Janovsky's writing is vibrant and engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into Holden's world and immersing them in the excitement and uncertainty of his fake dating scheme. The pacing is brisk, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, and the dialogue is sharp and snappy, adding depth and authenticity to the characters' interactions.

The exploration of themes such as identity, self-discovery, and the true nature of love adds depth and complexity to the story, elevating it beyond a simple romance novel. Holden's journey of self-acceptance and personal growth is both relatable and inspiring, making him a protagonist that readers will root for from beginning to end. The (Fake) Dating Game is a thoroughly enjoyable read that combines humour, romance, and genuine emotion in a winning combination. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt storytelling, it's a book that will leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. Fans of fake dating tropes and heartfelt romance are sure to fall head over heels for this charming and captivating novel.

A young man who is stuck in a dead-end sales job still grieving for his mom decides to audition for the TV competition they used to watch together. However, when he asks his boyfriend to be his partner on the show, he is dumped instead. With his options dwindling, he asks the cute concierge of his LA hotel to pretend to be his boyfriend and competition partner.
To prepare they of course need to spend time together. While they seem quite compatible in the bedroom, their future after the show is uncertain, especially since they live on opposite sides of the US.
The story is a classic single-POV rom-com with big romantic gestures, speeches, self-discovery and personal growth and of course the titular fake-dating.
It is quite sweet with a bit of spice thrown in and emotional, especially when it comes to dealing with grief.

I really wanted to like this, being one of the first releases in Harper Collins' new Afterglow Books imprint but it really didn't do it for me.

The (Fake) Dating Game is a new gay contemporary romance following our main character Holden. His chances to audition for his favourite game show is ruined when his long-term boyfriend ends the relationship. Determined for these chances not to be hampered, Holden still makes the trip to La La Land and flirty hotel concierge Leo comes to the rescue as Holden's fake boyfriend in a last-ditch attempt to get onto the show - he needed a story after all.

This unfortunately read like a YA author trying to break into the adult bracket, and failing. The only thing that seemed to make it adult was the sex scenes (which I found awkward) and the ages of the characters. The dialogue was immature, the banter didn't work for me, and I didn't see any chemistry between our love interests. And it doesn't help that insta-love really isn't my thing.

If I hadn't listened to this on audio, I doubt I'd have persevered with finishing the book. The audio wasn't anything special, it just didn't feel like a total waste of time when I could listen to the story whilst getting on with the rest of my day.

This was a fun and easy read, it was more spicy than I had expected,
I wish we saw more of ‘Supermarket Sweep’ part of the book, but overall it was a nice palate cleanser and will be reading this authors other books for sure.

For me this was a feel good east read but it was thoroughly enjoyable. Fake dating isn’t always one of my favourite romance tropes but it was done really well here. The characters are fun and endearing.

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

Well this was so full of unexpected queer cuteness.

It was very much a sweet and funny romcom, was it cringey in parts? Yes. But that in its self was clearly a type of humour and honestly made it relatable. Can you really tell me that you’ve never done anything cringe worthy in your life when dating? I can’t anyway. Any true romcom has cringey moments in my opinion. That’s what gives it the comedy element. It wasn’t too serious but still had an emotional undertone.

I loved the healing journey that Holden went on. And adored the representation of healthy queer relationships where both parties are out and thriving. Not only that but I loved both Holden and his dad’s relationship and Leo and his mum’s relationship and how supportive they both were. I teared up when I found out why Leo’s mum divorced his dad!

It was playful, spicy and feel-good and honestly was just a fun fluffy read.


As far as the audiobook aspect of it, it was fab. Great narrator choice who distinguishes between character well. Well edited. Definitely recommend