Okay so this book came to me from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So expect just that!

I have read another book by Mason Deaver back in June, 2020 and I remember that I loved it because I gave I Wish You All the Best five stars. So when I saw this new book on NetGalley I leapt at the chance to read it and give it my honest review.

Bestselling and award-winning author Mason Deaver’s adult romance debut follows a journalist in a dead-end job who agrees to teach his disastrous blind date how to be a better boyfriend. Readers will delight in this sweet and steamy queer romance with trans representation!
Eli Francis is stuck. Stuck in an assistant position at the online magazine Vent when he should be a writer. Stuck with a boss who dangles a promotion but would rather he just fetch the coffee. Stuck working alongside the ex who has had no trouble moving up at work…or moving on.

When Eli’s roommates push him to date so he can get over his ex once and for all, they set him up with Peter Park. Tall, handsome, and unbelievably awkward. The date is a complete disaster, and further proof to Eli that love isn’t for him. But when his boss overhears Eli recounting the catastrophic night, he suggests teaching Peter to be a better boyfriend through a series of simulated dates so he can write an article about it.

But Eli has other ideas…Eli plays along, pretending to write the article, while secretly interviewing Peter about growing up queer in the South and coming-of-age dating wise in adulthood. Eli hopes writing this sort of piece will finally get him the promotion he deserves. And in exchange, he will teach Peter how to be a better boyfriend.

But the more time Eli spends with Peter, the closer they become, and the lines between what’s real and what’s fake begin to blur. Before long Eli is forced to face his greatest fears to become the writer he wants to be and secure the love he’s always needed. 

Alright, here we go—first impressions of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver. Based on the description, this is a classic fake dating rom-com that (of course) turns into real dating. We’ve got Eli, who’s desperate for a promotion, partly because his ex (yikes) is moving up in the world while he’s stuck in place. Enter Peter—the fake boyfriend.

I did a quick dive into Goodreads, and the book currently sits at 4.29 stars with 41 ratings and 30 reviews. The general consensus? It’s a solid read, though some say Mason Deaver has written stronger books. What does have me excited is the trans representation, which I’m guessing comes from Peter. (Also, I’m pretty sure Mason Deaver is nonbinary—don’t quote me on that, but I think so.)

Content Warnings & First Impressions

Before even starting, I flipped to the author’s note, and I love that it includes a content warning. The book will cover themes of racism, homophobia, transphobia, conversion therapy, outing, and grief over losing a parent—so if any of these topics affect you personally, be mindful while reading.

On a lighter note, Peter Park. Yes, one of the main characters is named Peter Park. And just to drive the point home, the epigraph is a Spider-Man 2 quote. (Chef’s kiss.) Also, all the chapter titles are movie references, which is adorable.

Predictions & Expectations

At 384 pages with 22 chapters, this seems like a quick but emotional read. I already know I’m going to cry at least once—probably more. But since the author has reassured us that there’s a happy ending, at least I won’t be stressing too much.

Right now, I’m predicting a 3.5-star rating, or around a 7/10 on my personal scale. It seems like it’ll be fun, emotional, and engaging, but I’m not expecting it to be a life-changing read. That said, I’m always open to surprises!