I really enjoyed this book! I read it in about a day I didn’t expect the truth about Jess’ mum at all and I thought Jess and Gabe were perfect together!

A cute, tropey YA romcom with a teen novelist and child actor (both are 17 I believe). It didn't take long to read but unfortunately I just didn't vibe with book. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the characters (especially all the crappy adults in the main characters' lives!). I likely couldn't really connect with the story as an adult reading a (IMO) younger YA book. There were parts that were sweet and funny but overall it just wasn't for me.
2.5* rounded to 3* for Goodreads.
Thank you to Net Galley and Lavender Latte Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I was instantly interested when I read that it was similar to Better Than The Movies. This one took me quite a bit of time to really get into though, I felt like I was able to guess exactly where the book was going with each new chapter. Which I guess is to be expected of a romance genre book but still. It felt like a lot of books I’ve already read. I did enjoy the glimpses of different struggles from our main characters though. Even though it felt predictable I did still enjoy it once I really got into it.

I loved this book so much!! I am a sucker for fake dating as it is one of my favorite tropes and the family issues they both went through and the way they grew with each other and supported each other was superb!! I definitely think that people who like Lynn painters YA books would enjoy this!! It’s a quick and easy read and I enjoyed every minute of it! I definitely hope to see more from this author!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book!!

TikTok account: kaylaslibary
TikTok review link: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8233twP/

This was adorably cute and very fun! It also had great depth with the characters family relationships.

loved this fake dating and then falling in love. loved the banter between them and that he accidently became her boyfriend.

I’m sorry, but I could not finish this. It seemed like a huge mix of popular tropes and it just wasn’t working out for me. The writing for this book was also very bland, and it seemed to tell but not show. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This was such a sweet and funny young adult novel! I loved how the author was able to include humor while also include emotion, depth, and healing. Both Gabe and Jessica are going throug rough times, especially surrounding family, adn it was such a beautiful way how they were able to connect and grow.

I loved this book and cant wait to hopefully read more by this author I absolutely loved this book and think it's great for anyone looking for a YA novel that will give you ALL of those feels.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the e-arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

The characters are a homeschooled physically slightly scarred FMC and the teen emotionally scarred MMC heartthrob of the drool worthy abs.

Their "Meet Cute" provided so many potential moments for these two opposites.
Unfortunately, felt that the introduction of David and Vi (secondary characters) to the story and their relationship to the leads made it confusing to the point was fixated on that rather than the story between the main characters.

It didn't get any clearer as the story progressed. Also, know there's going to be angst but too much can spoil a light read.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, BooksGoSocial, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


#TheAccidentalBoyfriend #NetGalley

This was a fun read that pulled at the heartstrings and had 2 surprising twists! Jess and Gabe while having formulaic personalities at certain points (I.e. famous heartthrob boy and girl who doesn’t think anything she does is good enough) their storylines and backstories were so interesting it keep me engaged the entire book. There were some editing errors throughout the book but nothing crazy. Once again the twists, especially one in particular, caught me off guard in the best way possible!! While there was a third act breakup, which I’m typically not a huge fan of, it didn’t take away from the book for me. Overall I thought it was a cute and fun read and I would definitely read other work by this author.

The plot was good, but some of the descriptions threw me off. In places it felt like a sentence was missing.

Overall it was a cute ya romance. Cheesy Christmas movie vibes. Fake dating to real couple trope was done well. I liked the individual character struggles, though I felt like some of it was unnecessary/ added just for the sake of it in an attempt to tie it all in - like Vi’s secret relationship with the father.

It wasn’t anything special, and it won’t be making it on my top list of books to recommend.

When I started reading, I expected a heartwarming romance—but what I got was so much more, and I absolutely loved it. While the story was somewhat predictable, it remained cozy and engaging throughout. The author did a terrific job of conveying emotions; I felt every single one so vividly. This book made me laugh, cry, and even feel angry (a bit too angry), which only made me love it more.

What truly sealed the deal for me was the portrayal of Jess' anxiety and Gabe's insecurities. Their struggles felt incredibly real, making them all the more relatable. Another thing I appreciated was that, despite the many conflicts, nothing felt clichéd or annoying. Another thing I liked was how the story handled multiple conflicts without feeling clichéd or overwhelming. Instead, it made the characters’ struggles feel even more real.

So, if you're a fan of opposites-attract and forced-proximity romances where he falls first and hard, this should totally be in your TBR.

Thanks NetGalley and Lori Freeland for that opportunity to read that book.

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an e-ARC! 😊

I'm a sucker for fake dating, and I absolutely loved how both characters had each other’s backs when it mattered most. Their story was adorable, and it was heartwarming to see them navigate their struggles together. The book was fast-paced and easy to read, making it an enjoyable experience. 💕

That said, the drama behind their personal struggles sometimes pulled me out of the cozy, feel-good atmosphere I loved about their romance. While I appreciate emotional depth, I found myself wishing for a little less intensity in that aspect.

Overall, a sweet and engaging read, perfect for fake dating fans! ✨

This was such a cute book! Gabe’ and Jess’s meet-cute was so adorable!! I love how each chapter began with a diary passage or a line from the tv show Gabe’s mom was famous for. Both characters had some family issues/trauma and they were handle with care. They weren’t immature when it came to them handling the situation. I did not expect the twists at all. I think it helped with the character development.


Really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this book to others.

I really liked the premise of the book but i don't think it completely delivered.

Vi treated the fmc like an adult, and talked like they were friends not parental relationship
Gabe seemed overly immature which for the age is ok but the fmc just takes it
The development of the characters wasn't complete and the pacing was off.
It has great potential just don't think it hit completely

This book I could not put down loved it from beginning to end. I would highly recommend!! This isn't like something ie read before.

From the very beginning, I knew I was hooked on this story. Jess, a 17-year-old romance author, is navigating her life’s uncertainties. Gabe, an 18-year-old TV star, is trying to live up to the expectations of being the man of the family.

Jess and Gabe, thrust into adulthood at an accelerated pace, carry a heavy burden. As we follow their journey, we witness their growth and mutual support as they confront their personal traumas and fall in love amidst their struggles.

I never anticipated falling in love with these characters and their stories, but they captivated me, and I could empathize with every emotion they experienced. It’s truly a swoon-worthy read!

Thank you NetGalley and Lori Freeland for providing me with the opportunity to read this book.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, and in this case, I’m very glad I didn’t! While the cover didn’t quite catch my eye, the story inside was absolutely fantastic. The plot was engaging, full of exciting twists, and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and I’d definitely recommend it to others. Just don’t let the cover fool you—there’s a great story waiting inside!

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

The Accidental Boyfriend by Lori Freeland
⭐ 3.5/5 stars
Genre: YA Romance
Tropes: Coming-of-age, Fake dating, First time love

Gabe, a teenage heartthrob from a popular werewolf TV show, is dealing with personal struggles while managing to stay both hot and mysterious. Taking a break from his busy career, he needs to find someone to give the world an excuse for why he’s staying in town for a bit longer.
Jess, a teenage author, is trying to write her second novel after the massive success of her debut. However, past trauma is holding her back from finding that creative spark.
I really enjoyed the banter between Jess, who tries to stay logical, and Gabe, who is just happy to be near her. As their fake dating arrangement unfolds, real feelings inevitably develop, leading to miscommunication and one person realizing they’re more in love than they thought.
Both characters must overcome their personal struggles to move toward a future together. If you're looking for a sweet, coming-of-age story with laugh-out-loud moments, this book is worth picking up!