The banter between our two main characters was spicy, witty and on point. I liked how complete opposites complimented eqchother and also bounced off eachother.
Jennifer and Scott work in books. And it was interesting to see how or if they could take some of the things they enjoy from those books into real life world's. Enter an emersive experience.
The side characters for me were often what made this book so enjoyable.
I liked how they both had different versions of the past work life together. Why was Scott constantly putting down her ideas? Was there more to it or was he just a grumpy so and so!
And why was someone who put down her ideas here at this kind of event?
I felt I liked Scott more in this to be honest. And would have liked more of his character fleshed out.
It was good to hear Jennifer when she opened up and her inner monologues were insightful. But it felt slightly off balance, especially if we are meant to fall for the both of them.

I found this really difficult to get into. The writing style just wasn't for me but I do believe that others will enjoy this. Just not my personal taste.

I love a book about a book and the premise of this being set with the backdrop of of an immersive experience was really cool for me but I struggled to get excited as I felt I knew nothing about the book and world all the main characters loved.

The pacing took a little bit to kick in but as it did I found myself enjoying it more and more, especially the banter between the main characters. The side characters were great for the book as it added more dimension to the story and helped the fmc talk more about her feelings. However I did struggle with the fmc and at times I found her inner monologues fairly childish so I struggled to relate. I also adored Scott our mmc but I wish I knew more about him as I just felt like he was a very one dimensional character but again the banter was top tier.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book that I think is worth a read as it is very endearing at times but I wish it gave me more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this book.

Like many of us, Jennifer Worth works her regular day job, but dreams of escaping to her favourite fantasy world, Elytheum.
Following a recent break-up, she spontaneously decides to take part in an immersive fan experience for a week, where she hopes to find herself… and maybe love along the way.
Only when she arrives, she finds her work nemesis Scott Daniels is also attending - for reasons unknown considering he’s spent the past year dismissing her ideas, fantasies, and fangirling over a certain swoon-worthy fictional character.
They are forced to spend time in each other’s orbit whilst taking part in experience activities, but when sparks begin to ignite, Jennifer starts to question if enemies-to-lovers is something that only happens in her beloved books…
I found the writing really easy to read, and I liked the premise of this book (like an autobiography for us fantasy girlies), however I struggled to connect with the MCs.
I loved the chemistry between the two of them, and the banter, but I genuinely felt more for the supporting characters throughout the story, and some of the references to Elytheum felt a little disjointed.
The book was still enjoyable, and pretty-lighthearted, I just found myself hoping for more!

If you’re a fan of romantasy, snarky banter, and seriously sizzling chemistry, this book is an absolute must-read.
Jennifer our lead is witty, relatable, and her vulnerability and insecurities are relatable. Fresh off a tough breakup and craving an escape, Jennifer dives into her favourite fandom, the Elytheum Court series (featuring brave, winged hot guys… Ring any bells?), by attending a fan immersive experience created by her best friend. But just as she’s trying to leave her past behind, guess who she runs into? Her work nemesis, Scott Daniels.
Scott is steady, smart, and insightful and Jennifer’s complete opposite. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic, with a touch of grumpy/sunshine, is pure gold. The chemistry between them was perfect for me, and their banter had me giggling nonstop. Watching them navigate their growing feelings was such a fun ride, and the sparks between them are undeniable.
One of my favourite things about this book is how every character, both main and secondary, evolved throughout the story. It wasn’t just Jennifer and Scott who experienced growth each side character had real depth and contributed to the books journey. It was so refreshing to see everyone have their moment to shine.
If you’ve ever dreamt of finding love in a fandom or felt like you’ve found your perfect book boyfriend, this one’s for you. It’s charming, funny, and absolutely full of heart a must read for my fellow romance readers.

First up, I’m impressed because not only did the authors create a convincing enemies-to-lovers scenario (because dealing with your work nemesis in a completely out-of-comfort-zone situation? That’s always fun), they also came up with a fantasy series setting that was detailed enough to be more memorable than a few fantasy series that I’ve actually read. The whole premise of the immersive fan experience, with its actors and costumes and scavenger hunt, was the perfect vehicle for romantic Jennifer and closed-off Scott’s simmering tension to catch fire - especially when they were in direct physical competition. I would have liked a little bit of Scott’s point of view, just to get an idea of his motivations that wasn’t entirely through Jen’s eyes, but I still really enjoyed this book that highlights the power of the story, both as an escape to lose yourself in and as something to take charge of if you want to follow your dreams.

An easy, fun and enjoyable read. I loved the premise of an immersive week inside your favourite book series and I also like the fmc and mmc and their relationship.

DNF

The FMC is instantly unlikeable and insipid. The MMC is a blank shape, and of little consequence. Some readers will love this book, but for me, I can see the authors working and straining to create something memorable and it hasn't happened.

This was such a lovely, fun, and whimsical book! Jen our heroine loves books, their romances, and their happily ever afters. After a bad break up she ends up in an immersive experience where she gets to be in the world of her favourite romansy book series. Only her colleague and guy who rejected her friendship is there too. And so is a cast of cool characters all written with their own stories and lives, and not just to support the main character. There's a scavenger hunt, fantasy turning into reality, and real life ending up being more than a literary trope. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved Jen and Scott, how they complemented each other, and how they learned from each other. All their friends having their own stories, and having fun and developing as characters throughout the book. The location, both the real and the imaginary worlds as they were described, they made me feel like I was also part of the story. And a beautiful story it was.

This book had an interesting premise, but the romance felt rushed, and the characters lacked chemistry. Scott’s transformation into a “book boyfriend” didn’t feel natural, and the third-act conflict seemed predictable. While this author’s style may appeal to others, it wasn’t the right fit for me.

This book is an ode to fandom, which readers know way too well.

I see no flaws except for the well known third act beak-up. Seen that I completely understoond where one character was coming from and I thought the other character's reaction to be rash. Hency my actual rating of 4,5 stars.

The romance in this book made me feel like I myself was having a brand new romance brewing. Think pitter patter and kicking my feet and the good kind of anxiety.

🌟🌟🌟.5

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and just know it was written for people like you? That’s exactly how I felt reading this. It’s basically a love letter to book lovers, fandom nerds, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of their favorite fictional world coming to life.

The setup? So fun. Jennifer is "obsessed" with the romantasy series ''Elytheum Courts'' and signs up for an immersive fan experience... only to get stuck with her work rival, Scott. He’s the guy who’s always been annoyingly dismissive of her favorite series, and yet, suddenly, at this event, he’s charming, flirty, and playing the perfect book boyfriend. Suspicious, right?

The enemies-to-lovers tension? Chef’s kiss. The banter had me grinning, and their push-and-pull dynamic was honestly the best part of the book. But - and this is a big but - Scott’s character shift felt a little too sudden for me, and I wish we’d gotten more depth behind his change of heart. Sometimes he was playful, sometimes just plain mean, and I wasn’t always sure why Jennifer kept giving him chances. (Girl, I would’ve walked away after some of those comments 😭).

I also LOVED the side characters. Honestly, they were some of the best parts of the book. The found family vibes? So good. The Elytheum Courts fan experience? Made me want to sign up for a fantasy convention ASAP.

That said, while I had fun, the romance didn’t fully land for me. It was cute, but I wanted more emotional depth, more build-up just more. Still, it was a super entertaining read, and if you love fandom culture, bookish banter, and a little messy workplace rivalry, you’ll probably have a great time.

Final thoughts? A fun, trope-filled ride with a lot of heart; but maybe not a ''forever favorite.''

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc.
#BookBoyfriend #NetGalley

A charming, heartfelt romance that perfectly captures the excitement and vulnerability of falling for someone unexpected. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and the story will keep you hooked from start to finish.

This was a easy read, and was one of those cases where I really want to love the book. But it just didn't cooked properly for me. I felt not connected with the characters. Everything happens so slow for my own taste. Sadly it dissapoint me.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced copy of this book.

I liked the premise of this book so much. It sounded right up my street! Whilst reading though I soon discovered it wasn’t for me sadly. I truly feel others will love it as it has all the ingredients of a great romance book. I would still recommend to friends as there were elements I liked - such as the romantasy element and the romance! That was very nicely done.

A love letter to anyone who has ever loved a book so much they wanted to live in it. It's very hard to write enemies to lovers well, but Wibberly and Siegemund-Broka does it with such skill and love. Book Boyfriend was absolutely fantastic, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to have a whole convention based only on this book. With a delightful cast, this will definitely end up one of my favourite books of the year!

Title: Book Boyfriend
Author: Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegmund-Broka
Pages: 384
Rating: 4/5

"Jennifer Worth lives to escape into the world of her favorite romantasy series Elytheum Courts, where the romance is sweeping and the men are brave, chivalrous . . . and winged."

A book about the book community, team fiction, book conventions, winged men, book boyfriends, roleplay, fantasy... But not actually a fantasy? Colour me intrigued!!

This book had me smiling all the way through. Predictable chick lit? Obviously! Original twist - for me, yes. I really enjoyed the friendships built between the book community (a big wave to the bookstagrammers and my local book club here) and just the fun visual writing style. This was definitely a cosy on down with your favourite snacks for the night. (It was that chick flick vibe that is obviously longer than a film)

Low spice. Beautifully visual date scenes. Swoon worthy moments - the book Boyfriend lean!! It was just pure fun and comfort! The FMC was funny, self aware and the banter between the MMC and her was brilliant.

I haven't enjoyed a mainstream romance this much since Bridget Jones diary!

This is definitely a must for all of those sweet romance readers out there.

You'll love this book if you like
- romance
- enemies to lovers
- work rivals
- book/fan convention romance
- comedy romance
- fantasy books
- grumpy/sunshine
- competitions

I’ve come to the sad realisation that these authors are not for me. I’ve read 75% of their adult romance novels and find them to be unbelievable, this one being the icing on the cake.

We meet Jennifer and Scott who are ‘rivals’ at work and find themselves at the same event for Jennifer’s favourite romantasy series. After a few chapters, they ‘hate’ each other, then they’re talking about being rebound and then it’s full on Ohemgee I have feelings for you.

There was literally no chemistry between the two and their characters felt childish and irritating. And my lord, if I have to hear one more proclamation about their love being the stuff of magic and fantasy and HPE my eyes would roll into the back of my eyes.

Scott goes to the experience to learn how to be as good as a ‘book boyfriend’ as well. Like this is normal. And then realised Jennifer wants him as he is which you literally do. Not. See.

There was a 3rd act breakup as Jennifer suddenly decided to do a masters course and is worried their relationship is based on a fantasy. It was just so frustratingly cliche and boring. I think I’m done with these authors sadly.

This was so sweet!!
What a wholesome love story to romance and fantasy readers that obsess over our fake boyfriends.
The banter between the characters was brilliant - I’ve always been a HUGE workplace enemies to lovers lover and have been looking for something like this to fill the huge hole I’ve been missing in this market - it is very rarely done well and I just loved this so much!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Worth lives to escape into the world of her favorite romantasy series Elytheum Courts, where the romance is sweeping and the men are brave, chivalrous . . . and winged. Newly single and craving connection, she travels to an immersive fan experience celebrating all things Elytheum, only to see the last face she expected—Scott Daniels, her work nemesis, whose disinterest in Jennifer’s favorite series and standoffishness have made their publishing jobs feel like a feuding fae court. Except the Scott she encounters there, in his secondhand cosplay outfit, is . . . different. Swaggering, flirtatious, confident. Unlucky in romance himself and inspired by Jennifer’s love for the swoonworthy men of Elytheum, Scott is determined to remake himself into the perfect book boyfriend. Jennifer has no interest in helping the man who vexes her every workday and dismisses her fictional fantasies, but as the immersive convention activities force them together, they’re surprised to discover magic like none Jennifer has ever read about. But is enemies-to-lovers romance only for books, or can Jennifer and Scott bring the trope to life?

Unfortunately, this is a DNF at 20%. I really wanted to like this one because it sounded right up my street. It just felt like everything was happening really slowly. I would have thought that by a fifth of the way in, we’d be a bit deeper into this experience the characters are doing. The main character, Jennifer, could not stop whining and it really frustrated me. There is nothing worse than being inside someone’s head, reading from their perspective and wishing they would just stop talking. Scott is meant to be the love interest too and there was absolutely no spark to him. I’m all for an enemies to lovers but the enemy has to have some flare to them and good banter with the main character. Their interactions just felt so flat. I considered persevering through and continuing to read but it would not be fair on myself or the authors if I did that. Maybe one day I’ll give this another go.

Overall, Book Boyfriend is a book I had such high hopes for and it just completely missed the mark for me.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 3rd March due to scheduling. Available now on Goodreads.