The whole enemies to lovers plot in the blurb of this book immediately grabbed my attention but it felt like Jennifer and Scott were barely"enemies" and went to being lovers real quick. And it felt like they barely spent any time together. The writing also wasn't up to the mark and I didn't really feel the chemistry between the main characters. I had previously read The Roughest Draft and liked it, so I decided to give this book a chance but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

First off, thank you to the author and Pan Macmillan for giving me the amazing opportunity to read this ARC!

This was such a fun read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Let’s be honest—there’s a bit of Jennifer in all of us book lovers: always dreaming about the most romantic, morally grey man, both in fiction and real life. This made it so easy to relate to her character and understand her actions, though at times they felt a little too extreme for my tastes.

I absolutely LOVED Scott and the way their (non-)relationship evolved into something deeper as the story progressed. Their dynamic was both hilarious and heartfelt. You’re going to laugh A LOT while reading this! Each character plays a precise role, adding charm and importance to the story.

More than just a rom-com, this book delivers a thoughtful message about how real-life relationships often hold a depth that fictional ones can’t fully capture. It’s a great reminder for us book lovers that while fantasy worlds are thrilling, real love stories can be just as magical—and sometimes even better.

Thank you again for this delightful read. It was a joy to experience!

If you’ve ever wished for the romance of your favorite books to leap off the page and into your life, this novel will feel like a dream come true. Witty, tender, and brimming with charm, it’s a must-read for romance and romantasy book lovers, and anyone who believes in a little magic in their love stories.

4.5 stars

After having read some intense books at the start of the year, Book Boyfriend came as the perfect palate cleanser. This was fun, delightful and overall such a charming read. I really enjoy books/other media that center themselves around fandom related themes or create a fandom within the pages of the book; as a hardcore fangirl, it is always so much fun to read about these things. The fandom crafted within the pages of the book was pretty fun and I lowkey know exactly which fandom it was referring to. The whole concept of a fandom experience, with a scavenger hunt and fun fantasy based activities sounded so good that I would pay a killer amount of money to experience this in real life.

Jennifer feels so relatable. She obsesses over her favourite fantasy series, fantasises about living in that world and also being swept by a romance of her own. Unfortunately at this fandom experience, she bumps into her work nemesis Scott, who is prickly and kind of rude (I could totally understand why she didn’t like him at first). But as the scavenger hunt commences, the two clash and work together and let me just tell you, their banter is amazing. And the chemistry? Oh lord, it was intense. Scott is such a flirt that every time he made a move/practiced a line or a romantic move on Jennifer, I could feel my own face turning red.

For a story that takes place within a span of week and then some, this book does a great job of making us fall in love with Jennifer and Scott. It is quite easy to love these two and want them to get together. The opposites attract vibe is just amazing and the progression of their relationship feels realistic. At the same time, I felt we could have gotten far more romantic moments between them - I enjoyed the ones that we got, but it would have added to their relationship if there had been some more moments. Also no epilogue? That was kinda…idk I would have loved an epilogue to be in there, but overall I am pretty happy with the book that we got.

Book Boyfriend reads like a love letter to all things fandom and romance, and is really such a fun and charming read especially if you’re part of a million fandoms like I am.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc! Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy this one which was a shame because I've liked other books by these authors. Jennifer and Scott had no chemistry at all and the whole plot being about Jennifer and her fantasy book series just ended up annoying me. Overall, maybe it just wasn't for me but if you like an enemies to lovers romcom then this is for you.

Book Boyfriend follows Jennifer Worth who is obsessed with her favourite fantasy book series, Elytheum Courts. Jennifer dreams of romance where the man is chivalrous and winged. She goes to an immersive fan experience where fans are dressed as characters from the book series. It turns out her work nemesis, Scott Daniels is at the experience. Jennifer and Scott do not get along but will spending time together at the experience bring them closer?

This was really not good and I’m so sad about it because I really enjoyed these authors previous two books. This was only told in Jennifer’s POV and the previous books have been told in dual POV. There wasn’t any chemistry between Jennifer and Scott meaning I didn’t really feel anything towards this whole romance. The fantasy stuff was quite cringy simply because it felt like Jennifer didn’t have anything to live for except this book series. This book just felt quite derivative of books I’ve read before and I just didn’t enjoy it unfortunately. That means I have to give this 2 stars because I didn’t enjoy it and I can’t really recommend this widely.

Great book
It was romantic and funny and just a really great snuggly read. I liked the honesty that each brought to the book, loved the cos play element and loved how they got lost in the moment.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for and honest review.

Do you love romance and fantasy? Then this is simply the book for you. I picked up this ARC by chance right after reading an SJM book and I was hooked right away.

Imagine going on a week-long vacation that takes place in your favorite fantasy universe - a kind of themed summer camp for adults. Here you bump into the annoying male colleague who has been dissing your love for this universe for the past year. Can you imagine it? Here is a true Enemies to Lovers romance and I swooned several times. It is well-written and humorous, so I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

Thanks to @netgalley and @panmacmillan for this ARC


Original review in Danish

Elsker du romantasy og fantasy? Så er dette simpelthen bogen til dig. Rent tilfældigt greb jeg denne ARC lige efter jeg havde læst en SJM bog og jeg var grebet med det samme.

Forestil dig, at du tager på en uges ferie, der foregår i lige netop dit yndlingsfantasiunivers - altså en slags tema sommerlejr for voksne. Her støder du så ind i den trælse mandlige kollega, der gennem det seneste år har disset din kærlighed til lige netop dette univers. Kan du se det for dig? Her er en ægte Enemies to lovers romance og jeg swoonede flere gange. Den er velskrevet og humoristisk, så jeg anbefaler den varmt til alle, der elsker en god romance.

Tak til @netgalley og @panmacmillan for denne ARC.

When Jennifer, a romance reader who loves love, gets broken up with at the lobby of her workplace she decides to do what she always does. Escape into a fictional world that brings her comfort. Only this is special, because her favourite fantasy series has been turned into an immersive experience. This will be her week to stop being plain Jennifer but be Lady Jennifer, the heroine of her own story. What she doesn’t expect is for her work nemesis, Scott, to be there as well. What is Scott, someone who has always looked down on her beloved series, doing here?

Look, I loved the idea of the book! A reader FMC that loves romance and fantasy, escapes into those worlds and has a list of book boyfriends. Hellooo, is she me, am I her? And a MMC that reads those books to be more like those book boyfriends. In theory, this is an excellent premise but the execution was not, in my opinion.

I found it a little difficult to get into the book due to the fictional world subplot and couldn’t fully warm up to Scott or Jennifer. Their sudden interest for each other, after a year of an unnecessary feud, seemed a little out of the blue. Considering the plot of the book spans over a week, where at the beginning, they dislike each other and by the end, they have miraculously come very close to love.

Having said all that, it wasn’t all bad! I still had a good time reading and I did still enjoy Scott’s thoughtfulness and the development of their relationship! They had good banter and some character growth, both realising things and coming to mature conclusions. The side characters were funny too and really added to the plot.

It was neither particularly bad nor particularly great, a well rounded 3 star read.

Book Boyfriend is out February 27th 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

Omg, as a book lover and also a women who is obsessing over one particular Romantasy book series, I felt like this book was written for me 🥹

I want a convention/event about my favorite series, meet with fans, cosplay and just enjoy the recreation of the world I love so much.

I was almost more attracted by the event and fandom part of this story than by the romance 💞

Now I’m wondering if the authors have a favorite book series themselves 🤭

I totally recommend this unputdownable book 💞

this book is a fun book was to read, it showed a really beautiful story of how amazing the book community can be.
I loved how this entered around a beloved fantasy world in a week long experience as I see these experiences happening IRL and they look so fun and like everyone has the time of their lives there, the book truly helped me with my fomo on ,missing out on experiences. the enemies to lovers in this book was SO insanely good, I was kicking my feel and giggling every single time scoot and Jennifer interacted with on another bc of their pettiness and just not being plain old mean maybe that was just the way I read it, idk but what I do know is Jennifer is better than me because some of the things he said would have made me cry my eyes out. also the side characters forever have my heart, all of them were so sweet and funny.

this whole book was such a fun concept and was really unique in my eyes, I loved every single minute of it and sort of have my fingers crossed we will get a bit more insight into Amelias HEA one day.

This was such a fun and sweet book. The authors have crafted a world that I think most readers could picture themselves in. This book is a homage to reading, romantasy and the readers.
With the addition of a literal treasure hunt, and trying to suss out Scott's motives, the pages kepts turning until the end.

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.

A delightful read. Enemies to Lovers fun, fantasy and everything in between. Jennifer and Scott are fantastic leads, their sniping and desire to win at all costs was hilarious. Their eventual love story is a heartwarming one, smart, sexy and hopeful Five stars. Thank you to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

Such a beautiful romance that we can all relate to. As someone who fell for Mr Darcy at a young age, I can relate to our heroine who has a book boyfriend. It was nice to see our heroine grow as a person, whilst also seeing the beautiful romance develop. I also really appreciated that the author tied up all the loose ends and gave the perfect HEA. I’d definitely recommend this book to others, but just a note of caution, there are frequent pepperings of expletives, and also open door sex scenes

Book Review: Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka's Book Boyfriend is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that serves as both a heartfelt love letter to fandom culture and a swoon-worthy contemporary love story. With sharp wit, emotional depth, and a deep understanding of what it means to be a fan, this novel captures the magic of connecting over shared passions—and the unexpected spark of romance where you least expect it.

Plot Overview
Jennifer Worth is a devoted fan of Elytheum Courts, a romantasy series that fuels her love for fictional chivalry and swoony romance. Nursing a broken heart and yearning for connection, Jennifer attends an immersive fan convention where she plans to lose herself in the magic of her beloved series.

Her plans hit an unexpected snag when she bumps into Scott Daniels, her infuriating work nemesis, who inexplicably shares her love for the series. To her surprise, Scott, in his second-hand cosplay, is worlds away from the dismissive coworker she knows. Confident and flirtatious, he declares his mission: to transform himself into the ultimate "book boyfriend."

Forced together by convention activities, Jennifer and Scott navigate their clashing personalities and uncover surprising layers to each other. Their journey from adversaries to something more mirrors the sweeping romance of Jennifer’s favorite books, raising the question: can real-life love be as enchanting as fiction?

Tropes and Themes
Enemies-to-Lovers: The foundation of the story is the classic friction between Jennifer and Scott, whose work relationship is filled with barbs and misunderstandings. Their chemistry builds slowly, allowing readers to savor the transition from animosity to affection.
Fandom and Fantasy: The setting of the fan convention is a perfect backdrop for Jennifer’s journey of self-discovery. From costume contests to fan debates, the story celebrates the creativity and camaraderie of fandoms while exploring how they can inspire personal growth.
Hidden Depths: Scott’s transformation into the “perfect book boyfriend” underscores the idea that people are more than the roles we assign them. His vulnerability and effort to understand Jennifer’s world are deeply endearing.
What Works Well
Relatable Protagonists: Jennifer’s deep love for romantasy novels and her yearning for connection will resonate with anyone who’s ever been swept away by a fictional world. Her skepticism about Scott’s intentions and her gradual softening toward him feel authentic and earned.
Scott’s Growth: Scott’s journey from dismissive coworker to someone who genuinely cares about Jennifer’s passions is compelling. His attempts to embody the qualities of a "book boyfriend" while staying true to himself make him a memorable romantic lead.
Immersive Setting: The fan convention comes alive with vivid descriptions and clever details, from costume contests to themed dinners. It’s a celebration of fandom culture that feels vibrant and inclusive.
Humor and Heart: The authors balance laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt introspection, making the story both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.
Themes of Fandom and Connection
The novel dives deep into the power of stories to shape our lives and bring people together. Jennifer’s love for Elytheum Courts isn’t just escapism—it’s a lens through which she navigates her emotions and relationships. Scott’s initial skepticism about her world evolves into genuine appreciation, highlighting how shared passions can bridge divides.

A Few Critiques
Predictability: While the story hits all the right beats, its adherence to familiar romance tropes might make the ending feel a bit predictable for some readers.
Secondary Characters: The supporting cast, while charming, could have been more fleshed out to add depth to Jennifer and Scott’s world.
Final Thoughts
Book Boyfriend is a joyous celebration of fandom, romance, and the messy, beautiful process of connecting with others. Jennifer and Scott’s journey is filled with laughter, tension, and swoony moments that will leave readers smiling.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers or Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners, this novel is a must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finding a love story as magical as the ones on their bookshelf.

Rating: 4.5/5
A charming and heartfelt romance that will leave readers believing in the magic of love—and fandom.

This book is a love letter to romantasy, and I truly wanted to love it. Unfortunately it just didn’t work for me, and I had to put it down at the 40% mark. I gave it two solid days of effort, but in the end, I couldn’t push through.

As a huge fan of romantasy and someone who has enjoyed other works by this author duo (The Roughest Draft being one of my all-time favorites) I went in with high hopes. But the FMC’s quirkiness felt overdone and unrealistic, juvenile even. Also, the constant references to the fantasy books were tiresome and disconnected me to the story.

Almost halfway through the book and there wasn’t even an inkling of chemistry between the main characters. In fact, Jennifer’s brief interaction with the actor playing Val, was far more engaging than anything she shared with Scot.

This isn’t a bad book by any means, I’m certain many readers will adore it. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me

All I want for Christmas is a book themed event like that!

I loved the theme, the program, the community and everything on that campus. I wanted to be there 😭. Jennifer’s new friends were amazing, her roommate was hilarious and the actor playing Val was the cutest and he deserves a HEA.

So the background was great, but the romance itself unfortunately less so. It wasn’t bad, but there was very little magic. The pacing was off, they turned from sworn enemies to lovers in no time and I didn’t exactly understand why. On top of that the reason why they were “enemies” in the first place didn’t score Scott any points either, so, despite the title, he wasn’t a book boyfriend material and I’m docking a star for it.

Also, there is no epilogue! I need it, I need love declarations 😭!

I would love to read about Amelia and her book boyfriend 😏.

Overall still four stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.